Falcons

By jeff

April 25, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

Boy…I hope St. Louis picks Chris Long. I DON’T WANT Ryan. Can you spell C-A-R-R? S-M-I-T-H?

By Najeh Davenpoop

April 25, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

I have been a Falcons fan my entire life. I have put up with this team through the days of Jerry Glanville, June Jones, Chris Miller, Jeff George, etc. I have put up with drafting Michael Booker in the first round, Byron Hanspard ahead of Tiki Barber, and trading Jamal Lewis for Reggie Kelly. I even remember the few bright spots, like Deion Sanders, Jamal (not Jamaal) Anderson, and Andre Rison’s house after Left Eye got done with it.

Why am I saying all of this? Because if the Falcons refuse to draft a lineman with their first pick in the 2008 draft, I am done with this team. I cannot put up with another regime that refuses to put a priority on building up the lines. I can’t put up with a team that would rather take a QB who is anything but a sure thing instead of trading down a couple of spots and picking Sedrick Ellis or Ryan Clady.

If the Falcons pick Matt Ryan #3, I will be watching Jacksonville Jaguars games streaming over the Internet this fall on Sundays with a brand-new David Garrard jersey on. Make the right choice, Dimitroff.

By Chris

April 25, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

Weak!! I would rather have Dorsey bad!! I won’t be upset if the Falcons draft Ryan if Dorsey is gone, but I still think its too high to draft Ryan. I say trade down and pick Ellis. There are too many good QB’s to be drafted later. How many QB’s (other than the one’s named Manning) drafted in the top five in the last ten years have actually one anything? Shoot I’ll go one better, how many of them are still starting? Nuff Said!!

By Chris

April 25, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this

Sorry “Won Anything?”

By johnny touchdown

April 25, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

Youre an idiot, matt ryan is in no way a top 3 pick

By Chris

April 25, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this

First!

Get some protection first, then go ahead and move towards Henne…

He’ll most likely be a better quarterback in the long run anyway…

By daniel

April 25, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

NOOOO MATT RYAN. WE NEED LINEMEN EITHER LINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Tony

April 25, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

The AJC is clueless about sports! Ryan most likely will be another David Carr, Joey Harrington, or Tim Couch clone and will be no better than any of the quarterbacks projected to go in the second round. The studs of the draft are the Defensive line prospects! Dorsey or Long should be the pick!

By SCBird

April 25, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

PLEASE,PLEASE,PLEASE trade down for Sedrick Ellis if Dorsey isn’t there. Ryan played in a weak ACC and STILL threw a lot of picks….This kid isn’t worth the #3 pick!

By Bobby Flay

April 25, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

Well, you know what, if it plays out like Dorlando says (and since both he and Wyche are the worst beat writers in history, I’m not counting on it being based on solid inside information) I’ll be fine with it, because I have grown to trust Dimitroff and Smith will build a strong team. And, if they think that’s the best way, fine. But I hope they will use that first third rounder on Erik Ainge. As Reeves said, you can’t have too many QBs … or something like that.

By beedee

April 25, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

I assume you have insider information for this. If so, Blank really is the meddling moron we all think he is.

By Will

April 25, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

I feel that Falcons should beef up on defense. Go after Glenn Dorsey! Matt Ryan is overrated! Never heard of the guy until this past year, and the only reason, we heard his name was b/c of Boston College. So Falcons go after Dorsey or another defensive player for your first pick!

By Aaron

April 25, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

I am not fully supporting picking Ryan, but who is to say Dorsey is a sure thing. I think Ryan has the talent to compete in the NFL, and if we had an O-line he would be outstanding. The priorty no matter what should be the O-line. I think there is a little SEC bias goign on in here against Ryan, but hey you know what they sey about opinions. Oh well, no of this matters anyways. They are going to pick who they want.

By Jack G

April 25, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

You bloggers can waste all the time you want speculsting on who the Falcons will or wont draft——-but we wont know anything until the selection is made tomorrow. IT WILL PROBABLY BE SURPRISE SURPRISE

By jeanE

April 25, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

I hope to God you are wrong, Dimitroff can’t be that dumb, can he??? I’m going by the New England model & that model would say no QB that high!! The more I hear about Chris Long, the better he sounds. I love a guy who’s motor is always running & look at his Dad! We will be find drafting a QB later, no Ryan, no no no. And the more I hear of Jake Long, maybe we are better off without him. I hear he isn’t as good as Joe Thomas anyway.

By Ryno

April 25, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

Gimme gimme gimme gimme Flacco!

By Scott

April 25, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

First of all, how can any one of us really know how good any of these players are gonna be? We can’t, but we can offer rather uneducated opinions - that’s our right as fans. At the end of the day, I’m going to trust the professionals to make the right decisions based on their months of research, evaluation, discussions, Combine analysis and interviews. AND Dimitroff isn’t McKay (probably the most important part right there).

If Dorsey is gone (likely), then the Falcons have to analyze who provides VALUE with the 3rd pick: can’t go for CLong, McFadden or Gholston, as those positions are filled, and we can’t be redundant with this much guaranteed money on the line. Yeah, I know, Jamal Anderson had a poor rookie year…so did Mario Williams; how did he do in year 2? You gotta give him a chance to learn.

So the only one left to pick is Matt Ryan, who I believe WILL be a strong QB - still not sure he’s worth #3 money though.

Better scenario is to trade down, but stay in the top 10. I prefer dealing with Baltimore who wants Ryan badly. Falcons take Ryan at #3, making sure he’s in our pocket if everything on the trade falls apart; Ravens select Sedrick Ellis if available; teams swap players plus Baltimore gives Falcons a 2nd round pick or 2 somewhat lower picks; Atlanta uses the extra pick(s) plus their supplemental #48 pick to trade with a team wanting out of the first round (somewhere in low 20’s) and Falcons use that pick to take an OT - likely Gosder; then Falcons use #34 to take either Henne or Flacco at QB.

Dimitroff will have filled 3 biggest holes without spending anything other than extra draft picks accumulated AND the money spent at #8 and mid-first round will about equal what we would have spent on Ryan at #3.

Mel Kiper will wet himself on stage.

By Steven

April 25, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

The Falcons better not draft Matt Ryan with the 3rd pick. The kid is overrated. His supporters keep talking about how good his intangibles are. Are intangibles what caused him to throw 19 interceptions last year? Everyone thought he was the greatest after getting completely lucky with that throw across his body against VT. That might work in Madden or the ACC, but that isn’t going to work in the National Football League. The Falcons need to take Dorsey if he doesn’t go at 2. He is a tremendous player, and he makes everyone around him better. If Dorsey is gone I would like to see the Falcons trade down. I hope that the Falcons take a look at Josh Johnson out of San Diego. The boy has incredible speed and an accurate arm. He could be a steal in a later round.

By Shane

April 25, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

Dorsey 1st Long 2nd

By Simple Simon

April 25, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

Don Banks of SI predicts it’s Long at No. 2 to the Rams, Dorsey at three to the Falcons, then the Falcons try to trade back into the bottom half of the first round for Brohm or Henne.

Sounds good to me. And unlike Wyche and Dorlando, he has sources.

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

April 25, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

HELLO EVERONE!

D. LED HERE! Just wanted to jump in here will some folks Mocking the Mock! CALLING me a fool and all.

Things could change, but that’s where they are right now. Falcons are going to get stuck taking Ryan. It doesn’t make sense to me, but as a reporter I just get to report the news and be objective. HOWEVER, if I was running this draft I’d do a RON WOLF and pick the best player (Long, McFadden or Sedrick Ellis) and get the Quarterback later. I like Henne, but could live with Brohm. Just got a text from STEVE WYCHE. HE did a great job today on his ESPN spot!!! GO STEVE!!! TAKE CARE,

DARRYL ORLANDO LEDBETTER P.S. Will check back later.

By Bernie

April 25, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this

“with no help whatsoever from owner Arthur Blank” - I hope you were being facetious. Who gave Dimitroff his shot at the big time? Who has had to step in since McKay screwed up? Who writes the checks? Who wants a more wholesome image for his team? Who wants to see the end of the Vick era more than anyone? Who has the moniker “merchandising genius” to live up to? I will be very surprised if it’s not Ryan, as wrong as that may be…

By Smart Guy

April 25, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this

Please read what Najeh Davenpoop said…. he is 100% correct on this. If the Falcons draft a QB that threw 19 interceptions in a weak ACC confernce, what will he do in the NFL? Please draft upfront…..Ryan is WAY WAY overrated.

By silver headed

April 25, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this

Although I don’t know what kind of career Matt Ryan will have I support the Falcons talking him. Everyone cries for Dorsey. Dorsey was one man on a VERY Good defense - a defense loaded with talent and speed. I am sure he will be a decent pro but I am also sure he will not make every tackle or sack for christ’s sake. Ryan has intangibles such as leadership, student of the game, a worker and a winner. Boston College was probably 3-4 wins per year better with Ryan but LSU would still have dominated Ohio State, ect. without Dorsey. I don’t know the answer but, hell, I say roll the dice and shoot for the stars. Falcons simply cann’t expect Shockley, Herrington, retread from Louisville to win games. Good pro lineman can be aquired thru free agency but rarely a good quarterback.

By Wesley

April 25, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this

I like Matt Ryan. If the falcons draft Ryan, he will be a physically broken athlete; just like Bartkowski. Watching Dallas beat up on us in the play-offs in the late 70s was not fun. The O-line and the D-Line just quit, because the falcons did not draft quality athletes in those positions.

I just moved back from JAX where Mr. Del Rio has put together an old Chicago style football team that is respectable. When the falcons become respectable, I’ll give them their capital “F” back.

By Lynne

April 25, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this

How much hate is in the AJC to want the Falcons to oversppend for a guy just to have their headlines read ‘Vick era over”….good grief, are you people that desperate to sell the Sunday paper. If Ryan was a franchise QB, there would be no debate whatsoever, there would be no question…in fact….He would be a Dolphin. But he’s not a #3 draft pick, he’s not a game changing, player of the future QB….he’s just an pretty good QB that this fishwrap is trying to dress up as a Marquee player. Well AJC, y’all get over it. As you can see from these less than 20 responses, your days of relevance are running short. Vick sold your papers and got you these web hits….I’ll be happy when you can stop talking about him in order to get some readers.

By Singletary

April 25, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this

IF this senseless trumpeting of Ryan is a way to get someone to trade us to move up, then I think TD is brilliant.

If we get stuck taking Ryan at 3, I think Mr. Blank got involved.

If we take CLong, Ellis, or basically ANYONE on the line with the #3 pick (or McFadden to with a trade in our pocket) I’m excited.

By Lynne

April 25, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this

I’ll be with Najeh…..I’ve never seen such a completely crazy divide between Falcons fans, and the so-called draft experts. Its amazing that no matter what poll, over on the falcons message board, every single forum….not one person can fathom the lovefest for Matt Ryan….only these experts who are turning out to be not so much experts, but idiots who believe the Falcons MUST have a face of the franchise that will fill the seats….which begs the question, what bizarro world do they think that would happen with Matt Ryan in Atlanta?? Fill the seats? Get fans excited? Are you on crack?? Matt Ryan won’t excite anybody to do anything but bet on the opposing team week in and week out.

By Nookah

April 25, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this

Folks, if this blog is true then I must tell you that I will be very disappointed. I however, am still hopeful that TD will do it the New England way and build from the lines up.

I refer again to Grimes post on April 23, defense helps you win. If we pass on Dorsey or Chris Long I’ll be very very sad. Until I see it happen I will continue to have faith in this new management.

Go Falcons

Nuff Respect!!!

By Keith J

April 25, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this

The fact is that until something is done about the o-line, it doesn’t matter who you have at qb. O-line has been a problem here for too long without being properly addressed. With the number of picks we have this year the Falcons should plug several holes. As a GA alumnus, I would love to see DJ make it in Atlanta, but being realistic we do have to draft a qb. We just can’t afford to use the 3rd pick on Ryan the risk is too high.

By marko

April 25, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this

St Louis will select Howie’s baby boy, and the Falcons will scoop up the best available Dorsey. It one of the benefits you aquire when you really sucked last year. Drafting Ryan is an interesting idea though. Not.

By Falcons' Dawg

April 25, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this

Draft Chris Long..suffer through a another year with Redman…then bring Vick back. It will be a media firestorm for about 1 month but then everyone will get over it…once they do and Vick runs out onto the field for the first time since all this…the DOME will be sold out every game. Vick failed as a “passer” because of bad coaching, bad receivers and a bad o-line. If you want an exciting franchise then that’s the answer. Otherwise, keep paying stiffs like Redmond, Harrington, Chandler, Rob Johnson and Matt Ryan. I want exciting and a sold out Dome. Only way it’s going to happen is to bring Vick back and build our defense into a major threat. Another thought is a backfield with Vick and McFadden. Would drive defenses freakin’ NUTS.

By Najeh Davenpoop

April 25, 2008 6:08 PM | Link to this

Oh yeah, and who says the defensive end position is set? John Abraham suffers a serious injury every other year and is gonna be on the wrong side of 30 in another month. Jamaal Anderson… isn’t he the guy who had zero sacks last year? Chauncey Davis is a nice rotation player, but it’s pretty obvious he’s not an upper-echelon starter. Now who knows, maybe Abraham has found some magical medicine to keep him healthy and Anderson is the next Mario Williams. But it’s equally likely that Abraham will follow his pattern and get injured again this year and Anderson is the next Jamal Reynolds. How in the world is the DE position set? Please enlighten me, Mr. Ledbetter. From where I’m sitting, Chris Long would be a spectacular pick at #3.

By Michael

April 25, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this

People, if dorsey is gone, what lineman should they take? quit being stupid. We have 11 picks, the first one is NOT necessarily the most important. If Glenn Dorsey is gone and you can’t trade down, the only player you really can take is Matt Ryan. Get over it.

By cefus

April 25, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this

draft dorsey if he is there get brohm or flacco with next pick turn around and get sam baker with 37th pick and get a cb (king) with last 2nd round pick. Also brandon Coutu better be a falcon next year we need a good young kicker instead of switching them every year

By Gold Standard

April 25, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this

If this GM draft Matt Ryan he will be a MCkay in this draft please no no. What has he done? We need Dorsey or Ellis real bad. I say get woodson in the third round and stock up on linemen. Matt Ryan is fools gold Bank on it!!!!

By Greg

April 25, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this

NO NO NO! No to Ryan! Nothing personal, but we need STOUT offesnive linemen—-the kind who dominate, the kind who don’t just hold their own, but who beat their man, who pancake their man. This is how the great teams are built. Many6 q-backs can look great behind such a line, but you have to get the linemen in the early rounds to get the dominators. Since there’s not one appropriate for pick #3 if the rams take Dorsey, TRADE DOWN and take Ellis. Simple.

By ROBO

April 25, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this

TAKE DARREN MCFADDEN!!!!…….. HE WILL BE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR………. MARK MY WORDS……….. IF YOU LET THIS GUY GET AWAY, IT WILL BE TALKED ABOUT FOR YEARS……… THIS GUY IS A PHENOM………. GRAB HIM, FALCONS, YOU WILL NOT BE SORRY!!!!……….

By scotch

April 25, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this

People, chill out. If we all had the choice we’d pick Dorsey. If he’s not there than TRY to trade down and get another pick. HOWEVER, the word is that not too many teams want to TRADE UP. IT’s not Dimitroff or Blanks fault if they are forced to choose at 3. If they are stuck and Dorsey’s gone, there are only 2 players on the board worth the 3. Chris Long who would be great but we don’t need him and Ryan , who is actually very good. he’s smart, he’s confident, and he could make this work. He won’t get a FULL TIME start until next year and we’ll have another draft to pick up additional lineman. It would NOT be a bad move.

By Ken Strickland

April 25, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this

Whenever one of you guys favors Ryan, you spit out this crap about needing a face for the franchise and/or his intangibles. What’s so special about Ryan’s face that rates him a #3 pick and a better choice for the face of the franchise than Brohm. Brohm had better numbers last yr than Ryan and his career numbers are far superior also. He also has better pedigree and is rated a far more accurate passer.

Both will most likely carry a clipboard this yr and there’s nothing tangible that rates Ryan appreciably better than Brohm. So, wouldn’t it make more sense to spend a lower pick, and far less money, on that franchise face?

A top 10 pick should be used to acquire an impact player that can start immediately. That doesn’t apply to any of this drafts QB’s, but it does apply to DT’s GDorsey and CEllis. Bottom line, you can definitely get a QB in the 2nd rd with talent and potential equal, close to or better, than that of MRyan. However, there will be no DT’s available in the 2nd rd that can come close to the overall talent level of Dorsey and Ellis.

By Simple Simon

April 25, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this

Sorry “D LED” but facts are facts. You and Wyche have no sources and no skill. When the Vick stuff was breaking last year ESPN and everyone else completely beat the AJC, until the news side gots its reporters involved. Sorry, but you stink.

By Najeh Davenpoop

April 25, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this

Thanks Ken. I’m glad I’m not the only one who realizes that Brohm is better than Ryan.

By thinkasecond

April 25, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this

Dorsey, Dorsey, Dorsey… you simpletons need to relax, sit down in your favorite chair, fix yourself a rum and coke and THINK !!! THE NFL DRAFT IS A RISK VS. REWARD PROPOSITION

Every single draft has its busts and every single NFL team has its horror stories on highly drafted players not meeting the grade. The term “bust” is inacurate in itself it implies a player did not measure up when , in fact, often the organization fails to prepare a player for success. Farve was going nowhere for Falcons if you remember.

QB Matt Ryan is the proper pick for the Falcons at #3 and here is the simple reasoning. Lets say Glen Dorsey is the Falcons pick and he becomes the 5th or 6th best ( I know you are saying ” WTF is the BEST — but give me a little latitude )DT in the league. Then lets say Ryan becomes the 9th or 10th best QB in the league in a couple of years. Well, folks, the 5th best DT makes an average team average and a bad team is still a bad team. However the 10th best QB in the league means we are talking .500 or maybe even playoffs if things go well.

Ryan may not pan out but making him a Falcon is worth the risk. Guess what - maybe he will pan out. If Dimitroff is as good as everyone says he is then he will find some decent OL and DL with so many picks.

By Lynne

April 25, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this

Good question Ken…another question…who says the face of the franchise has to be a QB?? Glenn Dorsey and John Abraham can be the faces…who do you think of when you think of the Ravens? The Bears? Heck, do you think of Eli first with the Giants or that swarming defense?? Forget trying to force feed Atlanta mediocre Matt Ryan (hint hint: it wont work anyway, what - do they think they can MAKE you go to a game??)

By shoe

April 25, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this

“The Michael Vick era officially will be over.” ????????????????????

Ledbetter, get with the program..

the mv era has been over, DUH!

By The Realist

April 25, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this

So let me get this straight, in haste to “end the Mike Vick era,” you take a proven-to-be-inaccurate QB & put him behind an average-at-best offensive line? Haste makes waste…

By gg

April 25, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this

i’m okay if the Falcons pick Ryan and i am ok if they trade down. I would be exceptionally happy if they could get dorsey and then get Brohm early in the 2nd. Lets just see what happens, everybody getting all upset and saying if they draft ryan then they are done with this team…fine. i am just going to enjoy the 11 picks we have, we have so many options.. With that many draft choices, there are going to be some wrong picks. Go Falcons…!!!

By Ken Strickland

April 25, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this

LYNNE-you’ve presented a very good question as well. The face of the Steelers when they won the SB was the Bus(RB), not big Ben. JAnderson(RB)was the face of the Dirty Birds. LTomlinson(RB)is the Chargers franchise face. Anybody remember faces like OJ Simpson, JBrown, WPayton, GSayers, WAndrews, DButkus, Decon Jones etc? I’d much rather draft Dorsey at #3 and see him make plays, than see Ryan on the sidelines carrying a clipboard.

NAJEH-we’re usually on the same page. I’m still waiting for someone to tell me how MRyan suddenly gets rated ahead of BBrohm. Brohm was the top rated QB and projected #1 overall pick in last yrs draft as a junior. Now Ryan’s is rated #1 even though his individual stats were well below Brohm’s in every single category this yr, as well as career wise. If you can get Brohm’s type of talent in the 2nd or lower 1st rd(remember TBrady), why waste a top 3 pick, and all that money, on MRyan? NAJEH, we have a lot of Falcon fans that are seriously football illiterate.

By fcruz

April 25, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this

Surprise, surprise !!!! Knowing Dimitroff’s history at New England, he will not draft overrated prospect(s). Based “on need” as he says, he will pick Leodis McKelvin as one of the best Corner available to replace Hall. There are three equally good QB during the second round, Brohm, Henne, or Flacco, and lots of tackles available. Then he will pick Flacco !!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Terance Moore

April 25, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this

I truly belive in my heart that the Falcons will select Vernon Gholsten…

By Mike

April 26, 2008 1:05 AM | Link to this

I think most fans here are hoping for ESPN highlights then wins. Ryan will be more appealing to Nike, Pepsi, Coke, or any of the of the big car companies than Dorsey, Ellis, or Clady. He could possibly sell Jerseys for years and years if he is half as good as the scouts think. Me honestly, I see him as a Ryan Leaf or David Carr…however I think in the 2nd round you can grab a QB who has a much larger upside, just may need a little more coaching… like Brohm, Flacco, or Woodson. We need DT’s here to free up Abe, and to see if Anderson was worth the 8th overall last year. We need OT’s to open up lanes for Tuner and Norwood. I have a hard time seeing the proper way to repair a sinking ship is to first replace the engine. Lets keep the ship floating then work on what makes it go…line first!

By Schutt

April 26, 2008 1:13 AM | Link to this

I’ve been a Falcons fan since I was 10 years old, but if they pick Matt Ryan at #3, that may just be the final straw. I watched a lot of BC this past season, and I saw a quarterback who got happy feet under a heavy pass rush and who couldn’t throw the deep ball. In the Virginia Tech game, he was helpless until they went into a prevent defense in the final few minutes, and he was ineffective against Florida State, which was a generally inferior team but who was able to put pressure on him. Considering that drafting a quarterback bust at the top of the draft tends to set a franchise back at least three years, I think that I’ll just save myself the trouble and root for someone else.

By clb129

April 26, 2008 1:31 AM | Link to this

If Dimitroff and Smith think that Matt Ryan is the quarterback they want, so be it.

No player is ever a sure thing in the NFL draft. But Dimitroff has all the ammunition to get any QB he wants.

Lets just hope he picks the right one…

By BADDAWG

April 26, 2008 6:49 AM | Link to this

NO FREEKING WAY DO YOU SPEND THE 3RD PICK IN THE DRAFT ON A QUESTIONAL QB!!!!!!!!!!! tRADE DOWN….EVEN TO 10 THRU 15 AND ANOTHER EARLY TO MIDDLE SECOND ROUND PICK!!!!!!!! MARK THIS DOWN….IF FALCONS PICK RYAN IT WIULL BE WORST DRAFT CHOICE SINCE AUNDRE BRUCE OR WAHTEVER HIS NAME IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Paddy

April 26, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this

Paddy’s mock draft:

Draft a lineman first and then draft more lineman till the needs are filled. This team will not be fixed with one draft.

By Jack

April 26, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this

McFadden is the best SEC running back I have seen since Bo! Passing up on him is idiotic. Every team that fails to pick him will be sorry for a long time.

By A -LED

April 26, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this

GREAT PICK’S. D-LED WILL HAVE 30 OUT OF 32 PICK RIGHT. WHAT A SON

By RyanFan12

April 26, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this

This franchise needs Matt Ryan, not because we need a QB, it is more than that, we need a city and a fan base to forget Vick and what he did to this team and most importantly to the fans. Ryan is the right pick…SIGN ME UP FOR A #12 jersey today!

By birdwatcher

April 26, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this

Glenn Dorsey is the one.. Then try to steal Brian Braun. and take some old linemen with him.

By Dave

April 26, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this

The problem is we can’t fill all our holes in this draft no matter what. We have more holes on this team than swiss cheese accept that fact. We want Dorsey we all know that. If we trade with Baltimore there is no guarantee New England won’t draft Sedric Ellis before the Baltimore pick and leave us having to take an offensive lineman. If we take Ryan I will understand that. For those of you tied to only one player making you happy evaluate round one and two before you go crazy on the Falcon’s picks. Our goal in round one and two is finding players who can start by year two. If we hit on all four players that will be a success.

By Ydna

April 26, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this

I think this blog writer is an idiot…If Dorsey is gone, I think Dimitroff works his GM majic and trade out to KC or Baltimore, or he picks Ellis at 3. Some scouts think that Ellis is only one point grade lower than Dorsey. OR they can pick up Clady from Boise St. Then in the second round pick up Brohm or Flacco. My QB would be Flacco. My other picks in the second round would be Sam Baker and then Saftey Johnson.

By BTCVSOLO

April 26, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

PEOPLE, PLEASE!

what’s all this Ryan, Dorsey, Flacco crap?

Ryan is an unknown…you never heard anything about him til last season.

Dorsey has bad wheels & Flacco? More of an unknown than Ryan…

None of us are pro’s at this…let Dimitroff & Smitty do their thing…

I guaran-damn-tee you, ALL OF YOU who think ANY choice the Falcons make at #3 is the wrong one, will jump on board AS SOON AS they have any success, so shut up already!

By Bravesfan79

April 26, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

Chris Long!! A hardnose solid player that wont be a distraction to a building team!
Think about the career Howie Long had. I think his son with have the same long productive career.

By jv

April 26, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

It is great to suggest the Falcons chould trade down - that is my preference if Dorsey is gone at 2, but who would they trade with? It takes 2 to tango and it doesn’t sound like there is a team ready to dance. I hope Dorsey is there, if not I hope they can trade back 3-4 spots and take Ellis. If neither of those happen they probably should take Ryan. Who knows - maybe they throw us all a curve and take Ellis anyway.

By dday

April 26, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

The Falcons have to acquire a QB soon if they want to be a playoff caliber team. There are never decent QB’s floating around in free agency, therefore we have to draft one. With that being said they will have to draft one in this draft or next year’s so there will be time to groom him for a year or two befroe he starts. The QBs coming out of next year’s draft class are not highly rated (as of now, although these ratings change). So we need to draft a QB with this draft.

If we had at least an average QB currently I would definetely say build your lines first through the draft, but we don’t. Can someone name a team (besides Baltimore, who happened to have the best D of all-time) within the last 10 years who has won a Super Bowl with an average QB?

Ryan is going to be a good QB in the NFL. The most important charactoristic of an NFL QB is intelligence, which he has a lot of. The only arguement against him seems to be that he threw 19 interceptions last year. Well, he was throwing the ball 50+ times a game with bad recievers and no running game. He had to force a lot of passes to win games, which he did. Without Ryan, BC is a .500 team.

And would you dumb Mutt fans stop saying that he won’t be good becuase he played in the ACC. The ACC has just as many QUALITY starters in the NFL as the SEC. (Hasselback, Rivers, Schaub, compared to the Manning brothers. And no I’m not counting Grossman Russell, and Williams as quality starters). Granted the SEC does have the last 2 Super Bowl Champs, but I believe that was due to their pedigre rather thana where they played college football.

Don’t be stupid, Draft Matt Ryan!

By corey

April 26, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this

SATURDAY I JUST GOT NEWS THAT THE RAMS WILL PICK CHRIS LONG SO THAT LEAVES THE FALCONS WITH PICKING BIG DORSEY

By Workinlkeadawg

April 26, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

If the Falcons get Otah and Clady, it will be a heck of a draft. The later round QB’s have proved yr after yr it’s the OL that makes the QB. Atlanta got their RB now get some blockers for him. Dimitroff needs to show the mental toughness to avoid Dorsey and hope he can trade down. As far as DB’s there are enough for later round picks. OL, OL, Henne, DT, DT, then the best DB’s available. We have to trade down. IMO this is the key to the draft.

By Tron

April 26, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

I really don’t get the animosity over picking Matt Ryan. You don’t win in this league without a top-flight QB, and QB is the 1 position where you don’t want to be “iffy.”

I’ll bet if Ryan wore do rags, fought dogs and had spinners on his car, you guys would be all over his jock.

By Darryn

April 26, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

They should pick Dorsey if he’s there at #3. This draft should be used to shore up both lines. The QB you pick should be the one you think would best fit the system you’re going to run. They should be able to draft a very good QB in the 3rd round.

By GT4Life

April 26, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

Well looks like they are taking the QB. Oh boy!

By Willbeezy

April 26, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

Do not take Matt ryan or Dorsey!! Matt ryan threw to many picks in college think of what will happen in the pros. Dorsey is dominate at times and average for the rest of the time. Who is the best OL available and get him. Just looks to me like if the FALCONS go with their first or second instinct then it will be a bad choice. SEE every draft year up to this year.

By Steven

April 26, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this

It wouldn’t surprise me if Dimitroff is bluffing by acting like he is going to take Matt Ryan to get someone to jump up for a trade. It wouldn’t disappoint me to get a later 1st round pick and another pick to go along with it. If we actually draft Matt Ryan he is going to be running for his life every play with our offensive line.

By thinkasecond

April 26, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this

To add to my previous blog yesterday let’s hope Dimitroff remembers that QB will play in this league well into their 30’s while DL rarely last past age 30. Go For Ryan. We will be happy in a couple of years. Well friends - let’s stop fighting and support our GM and team in any event. Almost 3:00 so - peace/out.

By Lance

April 26, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

Bad Pick! D Line is more important. Ryan is no better than the 2nd round picks. Could have gone Dorsey, lost many games next year and then picked Stafford. Ticket sales would have been locked for 10 yrs. This was a Blank pick due to Vick and he just proved he should stick to lumber sales. Stupid!