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April 2008
Ryan will determine if draft is solid
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Had some time to digest the draft and the post-draft interviews of Thomas Dimitroff and Michael Smith.
Here’s the bottom line: If Matt Ryan is a baller at quarterback, then this was a successful draft even though the Falcons virtually ignored the offensive and defensive lines.
Here’s some of the data the Falcons had on Ryan that swayed them to take him over LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey.
• Of the Division I-A quarterbacks in the draft who started 24 or more games, Ryan won 76.5 percent of his 34 starts. Louisville’s Brian Brohm won 73.5 percent and Michigan’s Chan Henne won 72 percent of their starts.
• In “big games,” Ryan posted a 10-4 record (2-2 vs. Virginia Tech; 1-1 vs. Florida State; 3-0 vs. Clemson; 1-1 vs. Miami and 3-0 in Bowl Games).
• Before this draft, over his career Ryan only played with five players who were drafted by the NFL. USC’s John David Booty played with 19, Brohm played with 12 and Henne played with 12.
• In film review of Ryan’s play, the Falcons counted 54 dropped passes. Ryan completed 388 of 654 passes (59.3 percent). If his receivers had caught half (27) the drops, his completion percentage would have soared to 63 percent.
• Also, a friend who attended William Penn Charter High in Philadelphia told us to ask Ryan to sing the school’s fight song! It goes something like this, “Penn Charter, Penn Charter, Fight Harder, Fight Harder.”
• At least we know he’s going to “Fight Harder!!!”
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Falcons ignoring DL, OL needs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Some themes are starting to develop as the Falcons move deep into their first draft under rookie general manager Thomas Dimitroff.
He’s picking major college players who were productive. It’s a strategy that Bill Polian, longtime president of the Indianapolis Colts has used throughout his career. It’s been successful with the Colts and in Buffalo.
The one disturbing thing about the Falcons draft thus far is that they have ignored their defensive tackle spot and after picking Sam Baker, haven’t addressed their offensive line issues.
Seems like they are confident that offensive line coach Paul Boudreau and defensive line coach Ray “Sugar Bear” Hamilton can whip their troops into shape. If all else fails on the defensive line, Big Grady Jackson is still available as a free agent. Maybe Rod Coleman will come back at a reduced rate when he gets healthy.
Maybe Sam Baker is good enough to block everybody.
Here’s a look at what they’ve done today:
Chevis Jackson, Louisiana State, CB, 5-11, 188 — Is a tough and rugged cornerback, but lacks top flight speed.
Harry Douglas, Louisville, WR, 5-11, 176 — A speed merchant from Jonesboro High with great running ability after the catch.
Thomas DeCoud, California FS, 6-1, 196 — Is considered hybrid safety. Has the range to play free safety and will come down into the box in run support.
Robert James, Arizona State, OLB, 5-10, 219 — The Sun Devils nation nicknamed him “The Beast” for his reckless style of play.
Kroy Biermann, DE, 6-3, 241—- Lone pick not from major conference. Played weakside linebacker at Hula Bowl.
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Dimitroff: Tough choice between Ryan and Dorsey
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff came out to address the selection of quarterback Matt Ryan with the No. 3 pick.
“We are definitely excited about Matt Ryan,” Dimitroff said. “Going forward, we’re excited about him being the quarterback of the future for the Atlanta Falcons.”
Dimitroff said the decision came down to Ryan or LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey.
“We had options for sure and obviously as it has been written, Glenn Dorsey was a legitimate consideration,” Dimitroff said. “We respect the ability of both players. It came down to us, as far as a tipping point, us considering the value of that position and the need that we had. But most importantly we decided that the skill set that Matt Ryan possessed along with his intelligence and leadership ability, we were excited about going in that direction.”
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Ryan speaks; Falcons searching for way to protect him?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
New York — I just got done interviewing Matt Ryan and he’s pretty stoked. He said that general manager Thomas Dimitroff made the first call to notify him of the choice and that he told Dimitroff then that he was glad Atlanta took him because that’s where he really wanted to play.
He said that his interview with Dimitroff, coach Mike Smith and owner Arthur Blank blew him away — as well as Atlanta’s Triumverate were taken by Ryan — and he felt that Atlanta was where he was best suited.
To follow that, I asked him if he understood that my coming to this franchise at this time and playing the position that he played, he will be linked in a variety of ways to Michael Vick. Be it turning the page, not living up to Vick’s expectations, be it simply as the successor, Ryan will be compared to, fairly or unfairly, to Vick in some regard.
Ryan said he understood the dynamic from afar and that the only thing he could do was play his best, hopefully win games and get the masses to accept him for being a competitor and someone who helps Atlanta win.
In moving forward with the draft, don’t be surprised if the Falcons use one of, if not two second-round picks to move into the teens or early 20s to draft an offensive lineman to protect its new investment at quarterback. Though 11 picks, Michigan’s Jake Long (No. 1 overall) was the only offensive lineman taken. Jeff Otah, Brandon Albert, Chris Williams and Gosder Cherilus are still available.
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What’s behind the Ryan pick?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch — All coach Mike Smith talks about is building “up the middle.”
GM Thomas Dimitroff said he’s a “Quarterback snob” and noted that the Patriots drafted Tom Brady in the sixth round.
Why didn’t they take the best player (at least on Mel Kiper’s board) in LSU’s Glenn Dorsey. Who’s behind this move?
There will be plenty of speculation that Arthur Blank made the call on this one for business reasons (we’re hearing that a lot of season tickets holders haven’t renewed). The rationale goes that fans will part with their cash with a new quarterback.
Ryan was good at Boston College, but this Peyton Manning talk doesn’t seem justified. At least, he’s a cool guy. We met him at combine and Steve Wyche chatted with him today.
Boy, Dorsey could have anchored that D-Line for years to come. Now the Falcons get to turn the page on the Michael Vick era.
They better get Ryan an offensive line.
At 3:18 the pick was made amidst boos in New York.
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Looks like Ryan but trade talk heats up
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
NEW YORK - I’m here in Radio City Music Hall and the place is a mad scramble of people and rumors - and the biggest buzz involves the Falcons.
More and more people I have spoken to said the Falcons have locked in on Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, even if LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey is on the board.
If the Falcons choose Ryan, they will land their quarterback of the future - they hope - and they will close the door in Michael Vick coming back to play quarterback for the franchise once he gets out of prison…
Wait, hold that thought, I just talked with an NFL official that said Baltimore is trying very hard to get up to No. 2, where St. Louis picks, to get a shot at Ryan. If that is the case, Atlanta will get Dorsey at No. 3.
It's about to be on . . .
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Wheel turning a few hours before the draft
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
New York — Well, the wheels are turning big time, with reports from ESPN that the St. Louis Rams are going to select Virginia defensive end Chris long with the No. 2 pick.
Rams personnel chief Billy Devaney said on the network that he is still entertaining trade offers - but none of those have come from Atlanta.
If St. Louis does take Chris Long - Miami took Michigan OT Jake Long at No. 1 - LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and Boston College QB Matt Ryan will be there. GM Thomas Dimitroff said he has a tiebreaker already established in such a scenario but he didn’t tip his hand.
I’ve spoken to two people today who said they feel the Falcons will take Ryan regardless, but those people are not officially in the know. Only Dimitroff, coach Mike Smith and maybe owner Arthur Blank are said to know the choice. For the longest time it seemed that Dorsey was the top player on Atlanta’s board but over the past few days, the people I’ve spoken feel the Falcons are leaning more to Ryan.
The Falcons could entertain trade offers but with Dorsey and Ryan there, it is unlikely they would pass on either since both are projected as long-term difference makers.
It’s all guesswork not but at about 3:30, we’ll know what the Falcons will do. If there are any updates, I’ll be sure to post them ASAP.
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The AJC’s Mock Draft picks
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Get ready for this, Falcons fans.
At about 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will stroll to the podium at Radio Music Hall and say: “With the third pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons — with no help whatsoever from owner Arthur Blank — select Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan.”
The Michael Vick era officially will be over.
The 6-foot-5 ACC quarterback will soon board Blank’s private jet and head to Atlanta as the new savior of the franchise.
The Falcons will listen to offers, but if no team is willing to offer numerous picks, they will take Ryan.
Here are projections for the top 16 draft picks, in photos.
And here are projections for picks 17-32.
Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long is signed, sealed and delivered to Miami. St. Louis will take LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey.
The move by the Falcons will be a “need” pick. Higher rated players on the board will include Arkansas running back Darren McFadden and Virginia’s defensive end Chris Long.
In the backfield, the Falcons have Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood and don’t need McFadden.
The defensive end position is set with the trio of John Abraham, Jamaal Anderson and Chauncey Davis.
The selection of Ryan will allow the Falcons to spend the rest of draft addressing their offensive and defensive lines, safety, tight end and kickoff/punt returner.
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Ryan, Dorsey: Could one become a Falcon?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
New York - After Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan stepped down off his podium at a final pre-draft media function at Chelsea Piers, I introduced myself and told him I was the Falcons beat writer for the AJC.
“Maybe I’ll see you down there soon,” Ryan said.
Maybe.
He doesn’t know. Nobody but the Falcons really know.
Shortly before that, LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey said he’d love to play for Atlanta. He too, didn’t know if that would happen, though.
Until St. Louis makes its pick at No. 2 Saturday, anything and everything right now is just a guess. The Rams are still said to be deliberating between Dorsey and Virginia DE Chris Long, with a split contingent of coaches and personnel types wanting each.
As for Ryan and Dorsey, both said their dealings with the Falcons were very impressive. Both said they met team owner Arthur Blank and that he was the only owner from any team to take the time to meet with them. Neither felt it gave any indication to what the team would do, although Dorsey said he thought Atlanta was very interested since it recently called him back for a second interview.
Ryan, Dorsey, Virginia DE Chris Long, Michigan OT Jake Long (he already signed with Miami at No. 1), Ohio State DE Vernon Gholston and RB Darren McFadden took part in the media conference. It was part of whirlwind day that included appearances on the morning TV circuit, an event with kids and Central Park and a ton of photo ops.
All the guys were very polished and well-mannered, which are qualities that helped them reach such high regard in this draft. All said they will spend the next few days doing their best to quell their anxiety, but, as Dorsey said “It’s impossible.”
Rams could hold key to Falcons’ draft
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
New York — I’m preparing for a media session this afternoon featuring 6 of this weekend’s top draft prospects — Jake and Chris Long, Darren McFadden, Glenn Dorsey, Matt Ryan and Vernon Gholston.
While I’ll be making the rounds, I’ll really be focused on LSU’s Dorsey and Boston College’s Ryan, who presumably are the players the Falcons are eyeballing with the No. 3 overall pick. What Atlanta will do hinges squarely on what the Rams do at No. 2.
For those who didn’t know, the Rams draft is being orchestrated by Billy Devaney, who left the Falcons just a few months ago and has some insight on Atlanta’s thoughts on how it wants to replenish its roster.
St. Louis apparently is debating between DE Chris Long and DT Dorsey. Both are need positions and the Rams seemingly can’t go wrong with either. The Falcons would love to get to Dorsey to anchor their relatively young defensive line, while Chris Long doesn’t fit a need since Atlanta has millions tied up in RE John Abraham and last year’s first-round pick (No. 8 overall) Jamaal Anderson.
If the Rams select Dorsey, Atlanta probably would try to trade out of the pick, but that’s easier said than done. They have to have a trade partner and some teams might not want to move up to the high-priced spot.
Should the Falcons retain the No. 3 selection, my guess is that they’ll take Ryan and begin grooming him to be their next franchise quarterback.
There is talk that Kansas City (No. 5) and Baltimore (No. 8) might want to move into the No. 3 spot to get Ryan, which would allow the Falcons to trade back and select a player like USC DT Sedrick Ellis, Troy CB Leodis McKelvin or OTs Ryan Clady, Branden Albert or Jeff Otah.
Kansas City and Baltimore also have a lot of other needs, though, and might rate those bigger priorities. The Jets (No.6) could also be trade partners.
The benefit to moving back is that the Falcons could add more picks to the 11 selections they already have. The negative is they might not get the player(s) they feel best suits coach Mike Smith’s system.
General Manager Thomas Dimitroff said the parameters for trades should be in place before the draft starts Saturday at 3 because of the reduced time (10 minutes) between picks in the first round; (7 minutes) in the second.
I’m going to try to update the blog later this afternoon after this interview session so check back if you can.
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Dimitroff: Draft will be need based
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch - The Falcons’ philosophy approaching this weekend’s NFL draft will be “calculated, needs-based,” general manager Thomas Dimitroff said Monday at a news conference that included head coach Mike Smith. Though it might sound somewhat blasé, I found it refreshing not to hear the old, “best player available,” cliché.
Dimitroff, who holds the No. 3 overall pick and four of the top 48 selections, declined to prioritize those calculated needs but he did say that every position could use “re-calibration.” The only position that doesn’t need some form of help is place-kicker, where Jason Elam was signed as a free agent, Dimitroff said. You can add both running back spots and defensive end to that mix, although late-round picks could be used there to acquire players for depth at those positions.
Dimitroff and Smith didn’t divulge specific plans and were quite adept at evasive measures to some creatively posed questions by print and broadcast media. However, LSU DT Glenn Dorsey, Michigan OT Jake Long and Boston College QB Matt Ryan do appear to be the top guys on their draft board.
I’ve been projecting Dorsey in mock drafts. If he’s gone and Long is available, I think Atlanta will take Long. If both are gone, then it likely will be Ryan unless a team like Kansas City (#5) or Baltimore (#8) wants to move to the No. 3 spot to get to Ryan. My guess is Atlanta would welcome a trade back to those spots if Dorsey and Long are gone.
The next level of enticing prospects could include USC DT Sedrick Ellis, Troy CB Leodis McKelvin, Boise State OT Ryan Clady and Virginia OG/OT Branden Albert. Albert is rising up draft boards because even though he played guard for the most part, he projects as a tackle - and a very good one.
Keep in mind I’m guessing here. Dimitroff and Smith haven’t given me any detailed inside info about the No. 3 pick and neither has anyone else. I’ve just put a bunch of things together from conversations that I’ve had with people from a few teams and player agents. I could be way off, but I think I’m, at the least fairly warm.
Drafting a quarterback and beefing up the offensive line will occur at some point in the draft. So will adding to the secondary, where it might not be out of the question for a cornerback to be taken with one of the three second-round picks - if not Atlanta’s second pick overall (No. 34). The Falcons need to find a starting cornerback since DeAngelo Hall has been shipped to Oakland. Dimitroff also revealed that scouting defensive backs - particularly safeties - has been a specialty, so expect at least one safety to be selected.
Dimitroff said that he has received some trade propositions but he was not specific about the No. 3 overall pick —- an expensive selection that teams tend not to trade up to unless there is a specific player they MUST have. The three second-round and two third-round picks Atlanta holds could prove more valuable when it comes to trades and Dimitroff did not deny receiving calls about those selections.
I’m going to blog a lot this week and over the weekend. I’ll be in New York Thursday to interview some of the prospects that’ll be at the draft Saturday at Radio City Music Hall. I’ll also be filing on-line bursts and blogs from the draft Saturday and Sunday. Sunday, I’ll be blogging and writing from ESPN in Bristol, Ct. I’ll be part of the network’s Day 2 draft coverage with a panel of other NFL media types, so I should have some good behind-the-scenes stuff for you guys too.
Mini-camp ends without Williams
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The final day of the Falcons three-day mini-camp Wednesday was by far the most entertaining and spirited.
There were two lively dustups in a team drill featuring offensive tackle Harvey Dahl vs. middle linebacker Tony Taylor and Dahl vs. defensive tackle David Patterson. After the second scrap, which was pretty heated, players really got after each other.
It remained a non-contact drill, but defensive players ratcheted up their speed while offensive players, who couldn’t deliver full blows, were pretty much left to grabbing jerseys to quell the aggression.
The tempo of the practice and relative smoothness of execution was about how it should be in the third day. It is totally impossible to gauge how well certain players looked or how good various parts of the team will be because so many players will change and guys weren’t working in pads. There are dozens of mini-camp Pro Bowlers who shrivel once things actually turn to football.
In what is becoming a very interesting development, safety Jimmy Williams missed the final two days of camp. While the camp was voluntary, Williams’ absence created somewhat of a buzz.
Coach Mike Smith provided no reason for Williams’ absence other than players don’t have to be here. Williams has not returned phone calls from the AJC.
Williams was at the first workout and later met with Smith. Since then, Williams has been AWOL.
Williams might have a very viable reason for not being in attendance but for a player who entered the league with high expectations only to remain an enigma after two seasons, missing time now isn’t good. The roster has been gutted and a new staff is in place, so there isn’t a better time to make an impression.
Williams, who was moved from cornerback to free safety last season, spent Day 1 of mini-camp as the No. 3 free safety behind free-agent signee Erik Coleman and Antoine Harris, who saw significant action last season, mainly in nickel packages.
‘08 schedule out, Otah attends practice
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons’ schedule has been released and Atlanta plays just 3 playoff teams from last season (Tampa Bay twice, Green Bay and San Diego). Whether that means anything in terms of them being a contending team remains to be seen since last year’s successes or failures tend to mean very little. However, life for the Falcons, at the moment, doesn’t seem nearly as daunting.
The Falcons aren’t on any nationally televised games and all of their games are played on Sundays. Atlanta opens at home against Detroit and closes the season at home against St. Louis. Of its first 8 games, five are on the road, including a trip to Oakland, where old friend DeAngelo Hall awaits. Prior to facing the Raiders, the Falcons have to travel to Philadelphia The Falcons have a second west coast trip to San Diego, where newly acquired running back Michael Turner will get to face his old team.
The entire schedule is available on the AJC.com sports page.
In other news, University of Pittsburgh offensive tackle Jeff Otah (6-6, 322) watched part of the mini-camp practice as part of his pre-draft visit. Otah, a left tackle, is bigger and taller than just about anyone on the team. The young man is HUGE. The Falcons are scheduled to continue having visits, with LSU DT Glenn Dorsey and Kansas CB Aqib Talib being among those scheduled to come to Flowery Branch
Then Falcons concluded their second voluntary mini-camp workout today under far better conditions than Dai 1. I stress voluntary because safety Jimmy Williams did not show up for practice. Coach Mike Smith said the staff knew that Williams would not be in attendance but he gave no reason why the third-year defensive back failed to attend.
Turner and LB Michael Boley did not practice for the second straight day.
Smith said the non-contact workout went better than Day 1 because players were more familiar with the routine, but there were still a wealth of mistakes because of the information overload coaches have heaped on players.
Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey also said that the coaching staff is watching players closely to see who might develop as a leader and who might be malcontents. Mularkey said the staff is watching which players are first to meetings, gravitating toward teammates in the cafeteria and off the field and who seems intent on doing what’s asked of them.
Noticeable change in minicamp
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons first mini-camp workout went as expected: like the first round of a boxing match with both sides feeling each other out.
Coaches took note not only of how players produced but how well they followed directions. Players, although they’d been verbally prepared on how practice would operate, worked through some kinks as to where to go for certain drills, how to line up, things like that.
New head coach Mike Smith was very hands-on, going from position to position, giving pointers when he felt they were needed. He’s pledged to be communicative with his players and that he was.
Though he had knee surgery and there were concerns about his availability for this mini camp, linebacker Keith Brooking did take part in most drills. Several other players, including quarterback D.J. Shockley, did not participate because they are recovering.
The most noticeable change in the lineup was the move - potentially temporary - of starting left guard Justin Blalock to right tackle. Blalock was moved, in large part, because of the uncertainty of starter Todd Weiner’s return from knee surgery. Blalock played some tackle in college, so the move wasn’t totally foreign.
Smith said Blalock could return to left guard at some point and that the Falcons are simply cross-training Blalock in case they need him at either position.
Chris Redman opened as the starting quarterback, with Joey Harrington working behind him. Laurent Robinson also worked with the first unit at wide receiver with Roddy White. Smith said a lot of players are going to be shuffled in and out with different groups so a depth chart today will be very different tomorrow.
Free-agent acquisition Von Hutchins opened at left cornerback in place of DeAngelo Hall, who was traded to Oakland for a second-round pick in 2008 and a fifth-rounder in 2009. Erik Coleman, also a free-agent signee, worked as the starting free safety.
It was kind of strange not seeing maintstays Warrick Dunn and Alge Crumpler on the field. It’s clearly a different team, a young team, that will only get younger after the April 26-27 draft, at which Atlanta holds 11 picks.
Falcons pre-mini camp update
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m getting ready to head onto the field for the Falcons’ first mini-camp under coach Mike Smith. Things will get started around 10:15 a.m. and will end around noon. We in the media will do player interviews right after drills and we’ll speak to Smith around 12:30. I’ll try to give an updated blog within a few minutes of Smith speaking.
Some things I’ll be looking for:
• How Smith runs practice: Is he a rah-rah guy? Will he leave the coaching to his assistants and simply observe? Jim Mora was very involved, typically by motivating players and keeping coaches on their toes. Bobby Petrino stood back, spoke to coaches and players near the huddle and did most of his talking in meetings. How similar or different will Smith be?
• Injured players: LB Keith Brooking, WR Brian Finneran, QB D.J. Shockley, NT Trey Lewis, OT Todd Weiner have had surgery and are not expected to be cleared to participate in this first mini-camp. Maybe there will be a surprise and one or some of them will be at work.
• Depth-chart status: Who will go first or second at QB, CB (D-Hall’s spot), LT, RT, NT and at both safety spots.
I’ll check in later to update these issues and more. For Wyche’s updated blog, and to continue today’s conversation, click here.
No trade offers for No. 3 pick — yet
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Palm Beach, Fla. - I just posted this story on our website, but chime in on what you think might happen or what the Falcons should do if some trade opportunities - regarding the draft - come their way. I don’t think that a team will try to move into the Falcons’ No. 3 spot, if for nothing else, the economics of the pick.
Top five picks are very expensive and more and more teams are trying to optimize value with personnel and price tag. I do think Atlanta is going to get a lot of trade offers for at least one of the second-round picks and I wouldn’t be shocked if the Falcons dangle one to move up into the first round to get a quarterback or offensive lineman.
Here’s the story I just posted with GM Thomas Dimitroff’s take:
Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said, the way things stand now, Atlanta will keep the No. 3 overall pick in the April 26-27 draft.
“I have not been contacted about a trade,” Dimitroff said at the NFL owners meetings. “I would be open to [a trade] but if we see the right player at No. 3, we’ll take him and not look back.”
Dimitroff said he expects some trade options to present themselves as the draft nears but he’s unsure if it will come at the top of the draft or with the highly desired, three second-round picks. If the offer(s) is enticing enough, the first time GM said he’s willing to deal.
“Philosophically, I’ve never been against trading back,” said Dimitroff, whose most extensive draft experience came with New England, where he served as the director of college scouting. “Being around the Patriots as long as I was, we were very active in draft-day trade. You have to be adaptable.”
The Falcons have 11 draft picks - seven in the first 103 selections, four in the top 48.
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