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Home > Jeff Schultz > Archives > 2008 > April > 25 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDimitroff’s day of reckoning arrives
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch — In his final pre-draft news conference this week, Thomas Dimitroff declared that every position on the Falcons was open to “recalibration.”
I’m not sure if “recalibration” is listed in the general manager’s book of euphemisms. But at the least, it sounded better than saying: “Top to bottom, we pretty much stink.”
The NFL draft begins Saturday. It’s the first for the Falcons since the latest organizational blowout: general manager, coach, personnel department, quarterback and most of the roster’s major organs.
Not to put any added pressure on Dimitroff. But this is a little like being the first new developer on site at Pompeii.
“I feel good — I feel solid,” the Falcons’ general manager said. “It’s not like I’m angst-ridden at all.”
He admitted the other day that he hadn’t slept well the night before.
“Maybe it’s because I had two Pop-Tarts before I went to bed,” he said.
That would be the preferred explanation over, say, round-the-clock panic and obsession, which would be understandable. This may be the most significant draft in Falcons history.
Losing seasons hardly qualify as an anomaly for this franchise. But never have the Falcons had to overcome so much baggage, from the scorched-earth sagas of Michael Vick and Bobby Petrino to the hangovers of recent personnel decisions, declining ticket sales and a somewhat fractured fan base.
Dimitroff has 11 draft picks to play with, including six in the first three rounds, pending trades. As makeovers go, this is as enviable a position as a general manager can be handed, given the backdrop. There is flexibility to move up or down in any round, to accumulate picks or consolidate them.
But Dimitroff will never be scrutinized more than this weekend. This is the first time he is taking phone calls from known predators — other general managers — attempting to schmooze him right up to the moment they steal his lunch money.
He is an evaluator of college talent by trade. But if his picks don’t pan out, his perceived past influence on personnel matters in New England would be minimized by critics. “It was all Belichick and Pioli,” they will say.
And if the Falcons don’t come out of this draft with their quarterback of the future and significant building blocks to appease the jaded masses, Dimitroff will find whatever latitude he’s being afforded will shrink.
But if it all seems a little overwhelming, you wouldn’t know if by talking to him. He just has to remind himself at times that he can’t fix all of the problems at once.
“Sometimes you step back and you think: ‘It’s an ideal scenario, we have 11 picks, and we get this, this, this and this.’ But we all realize that’s not realistic. You do get caught up in the idea of, ‘Wow, can you imagine if we picked all of these guys?’ That’s enticing. But you have to step back and take a deep breath and realize what’s realistic.
“My focus has always been to go one step at a time. We took care of the coaching search. We took care of free agency. My feeling is that we made sound decisions, and now we go on to the draft. This is my world, so to speak.”
Fact is, all of it is Dimitroff’s world now. Every position is open for recalibration. Or a sledgehammer.
Warrick Dunn, Alge Crumpler, Rod Coleman, Wayne Gandy, Byron Leftwich all were released. DeAngelo Hall was traded. It will be a while in Flowery Branch before the names above the lockers aren’t written on tape.
What has Dimitroff thought of all this?
“Time-consuming, thought-provoking and enjoyable,” he said.
The first two were a given. The third is a monumental achievement without sedatives. But the real grading starts Saturday with the third pick of his first draft.
Today, the Falcons. Tomorrow, world peace.
Permalink | Comments (18) | Categories: Falcons/NFL
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Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Blaze
April 25, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this
I have confidence Dimitroff, or should I say Dimitroff/Smith b/c they are a team!!!!
Whether we pick Dorsey, Ryan or trade the pick. The Atlanta Falcons WILL not be SUPERBOWL CONTENDERS this year!!!! That’s not a negative statement, but the truth. We have to look at ourselves like the Green Bay Packers 2 years ago. Who thought Mike McCarthy would almost lead his team to the SuperBowl after a dispicable couple of years!!!! This draft will be used to pick up building blocks & so will next year’s. If we draft properly OUR ATLANTA FALCONS & THE WORDS CONSECUTIVE WINNING SEASONS, PLAYOFFS, DIVISION CHAMPIONS, CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS & SUPER BOWL CHAMPS WILL BE SYNONIMOUS A FEW YEARS FROM TODAY!!!!!
GO FALCONS…..WE BELIEVE!!!! BELIEVE IN NOW, BELIEVE IN THE FALCONS*
By Bowie
April 25, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
Dimitroff has his head on right…Now in any order get Dorsey or C. Long.Then get Brohm or Flacco. Get McFelvin…that 3 picks leaving 9 to play with. Go Falcons! not Shane’s last name.
By 75transam
April 25, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
I’m really stoked for this draft.
I think both the gm and head coach are on the same page..
BRING IT ON
By Bk Hawk
April 25, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this
Heard on ESPN radio that Falcons were talking to Rams about moving up for Dorsey. Is this true?
By marko
April 25, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this
Very few men get to play professional football. Fewer still get to drive a franchise. You’re faceing a hell of an opportunity here Mr. Dimitroff, make the most of it.
By Bluebrandy
April 25, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this
The draft is essentially a crap shoot, and Dimitroff is probably praying that he’ll be able to trade the #3 pick - especially if Dorsey is taken by the Rams. The quality difference between the best available selection at #3 and the next best selection a bit father back in the first round won’t be worth the difference in their sloted contracts. I’m sure the Falcons are concerned about the prospect of giving a premium contract to what may turn out to be only a marginal player. With the dept of this draft at offensive and defensive line, I’d bet Dimitroff would be will to move down as low as the 10-15th spot for another high or mid-2nd round pick that he could package for a 2nd first round pick.
By Falcons Fan
April 25, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this
Dimitroff will do fine and his picks will pan out. He will build the franchise from the ground up with defensive and offensive lineman that can block and tackle. They will have good attitudes and be team players. The lockeroom will be a high spirited bunch of winners.
Rich McKay was the real problem drafting horribly for how many years now ? And Blanks nose was in way too deep.
And thank the Lord that Dan Reeves is out of football. His picks were worse than McKays. And he stunk as a coach to top it off.
OK I feel better now.
Go Falcons
By JohnGTFan
April 25, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
THAT’S THE WAY TO BEGIN A DRAFT. Then with the 2 3rd round picks…draft Safety, O-Line. 4 - 7 rounds…stockpile the O-Line, D-Line, another LB and CBs.
Just my thoughts.
By Draft Dreamer
April 25, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this
Dan Reeves was far from perfect, but still the only coach to ever take the Falcons to a Super Bowl. Give the man his dues.
By WILL
April 25, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this
FIRST FALCON FAN YOU ARE AN ABSOLUTE IDIOT TALKING ABOUT REEVES YOU NUT CASE NOW THE PICK IS CHRIS LONG OR DORSEY EITHER ONE WILL GET THAT SORRY ANDERSON OFF THE FIELD AND WHY IN THE SAM H E LL DID ATLANTA SIGN A KICKER YESTERDAY HOW STUPID IS DIMITRIOFF WE SIGN ELAM WHY? WECAN USE THE SALARY CAP MONEY GET A QB IN THE SECOND ROUND 2BIG OL IN 2ND OR THE CROMARTIE KID HE IS A BIG CORNER IF DIMITRIOFF SCREWS THIS UP SEND HIS CARCASS BACK TO CHEATING NEWENGLAND IAM A VIETNAM VET AND I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE
By WILL
April 25, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this
CHRISLONG , CROMARTIE, BAKER, HENNE,ALBERT,OTAH,HOWARD,FROM UGA,IN 6TH OR 7TH,KEVIN SMITH RB,YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH RB,SAFETY,AND TRADE TO GET JEREMY SCHOCKEY.THEN YOU WILL HERE THE ANNOUNCER SAY SHOCKEY TO JEREMY SHOCKEY
By WILL
April 25, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
CHRISLONG HE WILL BE JUST LIKE ANOTHER ONE HIS NAME WAS KERNEY A PLAYER LIKE DAVID POLLACK AT UGA HE NEVER QUITS ON A PLAY THIS IS WHAT THE FALCONS NEED THEN MCELVIN , OR CROMARTIE,OR TALIB , EITHER CORNER WILL BE ABLE TO START , THEN IF WE CAN GET THE LB CONNER OF PENNSTATE, OR BAKER OF USC, EVEN BETTER,AND IF WE CAN GET HENNE,AND OTAH,OR ALBERT,OR CLADY,AND A RB LIKE KEVIN SMITH,OR THAT KID THAT RAN FOR 2000 YARDS THEN I MIGHT BUY SEASON TICKETS AGAIN,DIMITRIOFF DONT SCREW THIS UP WITH 11 PICKS IAM A VIETNAM VET AND I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE
By WILL
April 25, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this
CHRIS LONG OR DORSEY,3RD PICK,TRADE UP THEN IN MIDDLE OF FIRST ROUND AND GET CROMARTIE, OR TALIB OF KANSAS,THEN DO WHATEVER YOUR RICH BUT TS WANT IBELIEVE YOU WIN WITH THE FRONT LINES SO WITH 11PICKS GET 6 DEFENSIVE PLAYERS 5OFFENSIVE PLAYERS AND MONDAY WE WILL GEE WE WILL BE IN A SUPER BOWL IN 3YEARS, I GUARANTEE TOM WILL DO GOOD IKNOW THE PATRIOT ORGANIZATION REALLY WELL HE DOES ALOT OF RESEARCH IHAVE A GOOD FRIEND IN THE PATRIOT FAMILY AND SAT AND SUN WILL BE THE START OF SOMETHING FINALLY GOOD TO HAPPEN TO THIS FALCON ORGANIZATION SINCE 66.TOMMY NOBIS WAS THAT YEAR AND WEVE HAD ALOT OF IDIOTIC PLAYERS SINCE LIKE THE MISTAKE VICK IBELIEVE IN TOM FOR NOW, LETS JUDGE MONDAY THIS IS VERY EXCITING TIMES IN ATLANTA RIGHT NOW AS OF TODAY WE ARE IN FIRST PLACE THIS TEAM NEEDS ALOT OF PLAYERS AND WITH THE VICK FIASCO THE SALARY CAP OF THE FUTURE IS WHAT WILL SUX FOR ATLANTA BECAUSE OF VICK HE SHOULD GET HIS BUTT OUT OF PRISON AND PLAY FOR FREE FOR 2 YEARS.
By 75transam
April 25, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
AREN’T CAPITALS GREAT!!!
dude— how can you lay out a plan to draft 11 players while trading picks to move back up to the middle of the 1st round?
great players are available in this draft in the 3-5 round. quit throwing out names to impress people with knowledge you don’t have.
i’m not a vietnam vet and i approved this message.
By Eric
April 25, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this
I was disappointed when Long was taken by Miami, but I will be royally ticked if we go QB with pick #3. There are so many keeper QB’s in the second round, why go QB right off the bat with an unproven commodity? With the Mannings, or even Vick, you KNEW you had something to work with.. But Matt Ryan? Do you feel as sure about him being a pro-baller and worth a top 3 pick? Eric Gray
By mowreck
April 25, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this
Question Will. Where the hell you gonna play Chris Long if you draft him? No way will they draft him they have TWO defensive ends. You gonna play for our 1st round pick last year or for Abraham. The two ends we have are great so we DON’T NEED CHRIS LONG. If we can’t get Dorsey, go after Ellis from SCal or the CB from Troy.
By observer
April 25, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
For what it’s worth, both Mayock and Shefter of the NFL network are now claiming that Ryan is now the favorite in Atlanta even if Dorsey is still available… gonna be very interesing!!!
By Dan the Wookie Trainer
April 25, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
No way we pick Ryan. Not Mike Smith’s kind of player. He says we need to be big and strong up the middle.
Worse case is that Rams pick Dorsey and we can’t trade down out of the third pick. Under that scenario, is picking Sedric Ellis at No. 3 really that bad??
PS: Still liked the MV7 pick years ago! Go Falcons.