AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2008 > February > 15 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USReputation, past performance mean little to Dimitroff
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
It tells us much about the new order of business that the rookie general manager’s first big personnel move was to dump two All-Pros. It tells us Thomas Dimitroff isn’t cowed by reputation, by history or by hierarchy.
Cutting Alge Crumpler made fiscal and physical sense: He’s a 30-year-old with a bad knee. Cutting Rod Coleman was instructive for the simple reason that Coleman was Rich McKay’s best free-agent acquisition. When you start by jettisoning a big-name guy brought here by your predecessor (who’s still technically your boss), it tells us you don’t much care whose feathers get ruffled.
The worst part about last fall’s epic plunge to 4-12 was the revelation that this vaunted roster was a house of cards — or, more precisely, one card bearing No. 7. Without Michael Vick, little else worked. There were too few playmakers, too many mediocrities.
It’s Dimitroff’s mission to trim the fat, and he began by cutting seven men Friday. It’s believed more cuts, perhaps involving bigger names, are imminent. And here we see why it was essential that an outsider be put in charge of personnel — as we know, Arthur Blank loves his players, and with such an affectionate owner a roster can easily become a retirement home for men who technically haven’t retired.
Said Dimitroff, speaking Friday after the names of those seven former Falcons were released: “I step back. My decisions are totally on me. I look with a clear eye. I put nothing in consideration of the past.”
The new GM didn’t see Crumpler as the one guy who consistently got open for Vick. (The new GM knows Vick only as someone who’s incarcerated in Kansas.) The new GM saw instead a tight end whose receiving yards had dropped from 877 in 2005 to 444 last season. Yes, Crumpler is a famously nice guy, but the 2007 Falcons had lots of nice guys, and you know where they finished? Last in the NFC South.
Said Dimitroff: “We did many comparatives involving free agents and the draft,” and those comparatives surely indicated that the Falcons could find players comparable to Crumpler and Coleman. After Friday’s paring, the team will have at least $17 million to spend in cap money, a figure Dimitroff called “a good start.”
The same three words apply to the man himself. Because he looks 20 years younger than he is, because he’d trained as a scout and not as an administrator, the fear was that Dimitroff might be so deferential to his elders that he got nothing done. Early returns indicate no such deference. He was the driving force behind hiring Mike Smith as coach, and Dimitroff, speaking of his first round of cut recommendations, said: “There was no objection [from Blank and McKay]. It involved sharing.”
One thing Dimitroff wasn’t willing to share was his intention regarding the draft. Does the absence of Coleman mean the Falcons are apt to take Glenn Dorsey with their first pick? Dimitroff: “Can I say, ‘No comment’?”
Or would the team in dire need of a quarterback prefer Matt Ryan? “It’s totally contingent on prospect evaluation,” Dimitroff said. “If a guy has all the traits to be a cornerstone quarterback, I would not hesitate to take him at 3, 4 or 5 [in Round 1].”
And if it means taking a step backward in 2008 simply to tailor the roster to his liking … well, Dimitroff didn’t seem opposed to that, either. “My aim is to put a team on the field that’s very aggressive and very passionate, a team that is beginning to believe in itself. That’s the first goal. The starting point is to have that in place.”
He said nothing about going 10-6 or making the playoffs. Rather, he spoke of establishing a template, of setting a new tone. Toward that end, nothing resonates like the rustle of a veteran cleaning out his locker. They’ll be hearing that sound often in Flowery Branch, where there’s a new man in charge, a bold man who cares nothing for yesterday.
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By Rimfire
February 15, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this
Let’s see how a clean slate would work…it can not be any worse the the entire history of the Falcons. Maybe having no connection is the best. The way the NFL is set up now, it would be fun to stock a “new” team, and see what grows!
By Danny
February 15, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this
If Thomas Dimitroff isn’t cowed by reputation, history or whose feathers get ruffled, does that mean Vick could stay?
By Bob Sacamano
February 15, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this
The most important this Dimitroff has to do is get rid of MeAngelo Hall. Cleveland needs, desperately, a cornerback. People in the league still seem think MeAngelo is as great as he thinks he is. We need to trade MeAngelo to Cleveland straight up for Alexander. Then, we can take the OT, Jake Long, with our first pick. This is exactly how Cleveland got better last year, focusing on the o-line and d-line.
Then, with our free agent money, go after Faneca from the Steelers. Go after Ty Law and Asante Samuel for cornerback. Resign Demorrio Williams and dump Keith Brooking. Also, sign Boley to a contract extension.
You then draft heavily at linebacker the two lines.
Doing these things can make the Falcons competitive for this season, not having to wait for next season.
By Roswell Ed
February 15, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this
Why is anyone surprised they cut Crump?
He’s one of my all time fav Falcons but he’s got a bum knee.
Also, wearing that dog torturers # under his eye didn’t help.
Next in line are Brooking-Dunn-Jenkins-J Williams.
WE NEED LINEMEN AND A LOT OF THEM!!!
By Roswell Ed
February 15, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
Oh yeah one more thing-
PLEASE NO MORE VA TECH PLAYERS!!!!
By bulldog
February 15, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this
Well written, Mark. I agree. He appears to be exactly what this franchise has needed for the last several years…completely objective and extremely thorough. With Gandy and Coleman being two of the first ones to be let go, that is a clear sign to me that this man’s number one priority is to strengthen our offensive and defensive lines. He’s off to a great start. I would love to see us get Glenn Dorsey or Jake Long with our first round pick!
By Bob Sacamano
February 15, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this
Oh yeah, drafting Brandon Coutou in the 3rd or 4th round would take care of the Falcons’ kicking issues for about the next 15 years.
By ALL 4 1
February 15, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this
DEFENCE!!!!! Goodby Deangelo
By Roswell Ed
February 15, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this
Why didn’t Blank dump that DOG TORTURER out of his wheelchair when he had his chance like that deputy in Fl?
By falcondawg
February 15, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this
Sure hated to lose Crump but with our pathetic history, I’m willing to let the man from a winning organization do what he thinks is best for us. I don’t expect to win this year, but I have high expectations from this year forward.
By ALL 4 1
February 15, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this
The only way you ever see MV7 in a Falcon uniform again would be if he was cast in a TV movie about how he destroyed his career
By Najeh Davenpoop
February 15, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this
It’s nice that he has an open mind about how to rebuild this team. Setting a new tone, that’s a good start. The best way a team can set the tone on the field is by hitting the other team in the mouth, repeatedly. What do you need for that? Nasty, mean, big, physical linemen on both sides of the ball. This is what the Falcons need to address first, both in the draft and in free agency. Drafting skill position players high and trying to develop them with mediocre teammates is not the answer.
By ALL 4 1
February 15, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this
IT IS WHAT IT ISAnyone who thinks there is any way MV will play for Atlanta again probably have issues that need to be addressed more than football.
By Bob Sacamano
February 15, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this
Hey Roswell Ed, knowing you for the Bug you are, I don’t know if you’ll like this or not, but be ready to see more SEC and Georgia players taken by Dimitroff for the Falcons than ever before. His job for the Pats for the longest time was to scout the Southeastern Conference, and every SEC and Georgia player picked for the Pats had his name on it. So get ready, Falcons fans, we’ll finally have more Dawgs on this team instead of playing well for other teams. Guys like Hines Ward, Richard Seymour, Charles Grant, Jon Stinchcomb, Ben Watson… they ALL could have been Falcons if the Falcons weren’t so in love with the THUGS from VATech and with overrated linebackers from the NATS.
So get ready, ladies and gents. The Falcons are going to take on a decidedly Southeastern Conference flavor, particularly with guys who are already familiar with the color scheme.
And that’s another thing… can we please, finally jettison these ugly as hell uniforms for some more traditional duds? I like the new Falcon logo, it’s a little meaner and has more action to it, but the ugly three-colored sleeves and ugly pants stripe has to go. Lets go back to a cleaner look. Black helmets are fine. But a red top with one or three stripes on the sleeves. Either white or silver britches with three stripes down the leg. For away, white jersey with red numbers but with one or three stripes on the sleeves, and for the away britches, I like the black, but once again, with some regular looking stripes down the leg.
Come on Falcons… we’re sick and tired of your ugly-@$$ uniforms! You make the Bills look stylish!
By ScoobySnacks
February 15, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this
I don’t necessarily disagree with anything that’s been done so far; or that I have read from others. My one concern is that we haven’t actually seen Jimmy Williams play to tell if he is any good yet. I don’t know if I am comfortable letting him go until I see him in a couple games.
Jim Mora tried to force him as a cornerback which technically was not a failure.
And the dumb as a stump Petrino regime forced a move to Safety and them never let him play to learn the position. So we really don’t know what we have in him.
By ALL 4 1
February 15, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this
ON OFFENSEW.Dunn-TOP SHELF but not right fit,need power back.OL-seen enuf not gonna miss ya.Bye Byron,Bye Joey,Thanks for tryin.If I said we should keep ya,you know I’d be lyin.ON DEFENSEThanks Keith,you played hard every down but have been misused for years because of bad decisions and now age creeps in=cap liability.Drop a goodbye note to Lawyer,no defense lawyer.Keep Abraham & Anderson,Fill the Middle on line ,backer 7 safeties. **OH YEAH-Deangelo—GOODBYO
By Tommy Maddox
February 15, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this
Getting a bunch of folks from the SEC does not sound so bad.
Are there a bunch of giant O lineman available?
By Famuan
February 15, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this
These same people talking about thugs from VaTech will be the same ones whining about the blackouts and moaning about the upcoming 3-13 season. You can tell which ones don’t have season tickets and have no intentions (or the funds) to buy them, they’re the ones hollering the most about players that “talk too much”. Whenever you see that, its just code for the Deliverance mentality that thnks the Falcons players are their personal mandingos. Those inbreds will be the same ones mad because their little am/fm radio can’t pick up the game.
By Tommy Maddox
February 15, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this
Silly me - I forgot.
Please trade Danegelo Hall for some picks [good or bad].
By Falcon Crest
February 15, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this
Bradley: I agree with you once every millenium. I agree. The next communication will be between our distant progeny.
By bravesfan79
February 15, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this
Goodluck Crump, thanks for being one of my favorite players with the falcons!! Man next year the Falcons are gonna SUCK!! Still my #1 team tho, #2 is Green Bay… farve is gonna come back…and win it ALL next year!!
By drmaryb
February 15, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this
Hey Bob Sacamano
Great Stuff! Keep it ip!
By Scott
February 15, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this
I find this a little interesting that the blog is about Dimitroff, yet everyone jumps in with opinions on players.
So far, there is absolutely NOTHING to dislike about Thomas D. If this no-nonsense, not-afraid-to-make-tough-personnel-decisions attitude is what built the Patriots, then we fans are in for some good times ahead.
The best thing about TD is that he’s pretty open that today’s sword-swing x 7 is just the start. You only have to look to the recent past at New Orleans’ turnaround to see that the new staff/mgmt brought in 33 new players that year.
Kudos to Arthur Blank for his decision to bring in TD, and to back away to let him do his job.
I don’t expect the playoffs in ‘08, but we will see improvement and much more enthusiasm.
By CP
February 15, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
To hell with the dogs already, does your damn dog cut the TV on so you can watch the game, or does he talk to you when your all alone little sensitive white man. The world is going to end at the hands of “you” idiots, then where will the dogs be!
By CP
February 15, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this
The falcons will suck forever, its in their nature. Better luck next millenium! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
By Burt Reynolds
February 15, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this
Give me a break. He cut guys. Whoopdefuckindoo…Sacashitto change your retread underwear before u start making fashion suggestions word in the burbs is u wear a half-tee..cut Brooking, Dunn, and Morten
By Browns Fans World Wide
February 15, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this
The Browns aren’t stupid, the whole league knows very well that Meangelo is a thug and locker room cancer. Wishful thinking the Falcons are going to get anything more for Hall than a sack of practice kicking balls.
And who is “Alexander”?
.
By Bob Sacamano
February 15, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this
Famuan, you seem to be the person the bring race into the equation. No, you’re right, I don’t like loudmouth, me-first players. But loudmouth, me-first players doesn’t mean black. So I have to wonder why your mind equates loudmouth, me-first players with black players. It seems to me that you’re the one who is racist.
What about Jeremy Shockey? Is he not a loudmouth, me-first player? I think the tone of his skin betray him as a caucasian, right? I wouldn’t want Jeremy Shockey on my team in a million years. Just like I don’t want Fat Albert, oops, I mean Alge Crumpler or MeAngelo Hall on my time. Those guys are only out for themselves. MeAngelo has stated so many a time. He wants individual accolades. He cares more for them than team goals. That is unacceptable. The Patriots have many team players all all different colors and ethnicities. Why did the Giants win the Super Bowl? Could it be because loudmouthed, me-first Tiki Barber retired and loudmouthed, me-first Jeremy Shockey got hurt and stayed far away from the team, allowing Eli to step up and the team to come together with good chemistry?
So why, Famuan, why the hell would you want loudmouthed, me-first players on your team? It’s not an issue of black or white. I will admit, there does tend to be more black players in the league who are like this, only because there are actually more black players in the league than white players. So of course, when there are a couple of loudmouthed, me-first players on a team that the fans want gone, the odds are, because of statistics, that the players are going to be black. It’s not an issue of racism, idiot. It’s an issue of statistics.
You’re the person who brought race into the discussion. And in doing so, by playing the race card because it’s the easy, lazy thing to do, instead of actually looking at the situation, you make yourself out to be a HUGE idiot, and a reverse racist, to boot.
By truatlfan
February 15, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this
I’m surprised I haven’t seen anything about a trade like this. Falcons first and second round round pick from the texans to the Cowboys for their two first round picks and marion barber. Cowboys get Darren McFadden, who they have been foaming at the mouth over, and the Falcons get the bruising rb to compliment the explosiveness of norwood who is best in a dual system due to durability issues. The two mid to late first round picks are then used on the best available qb (woodson or henne perhaps), and an o or d lineman
By Bernard
February 15, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this
Draft Dorsey with our 1st round pick, 2nd round pick up a RB, 3rd pick up Booty from USC, leave Ryan along. Pete Carrol has done a great job of preparing QB’s for the NFL. We need to build our defense 1st then worry about office. Dorsey is the best player in the draft, we can get a QB in later rounds. Pick up Felix Jones if available with our 2nd round pick.
See ya later Crumpler, its been fun.
By Flafalcon
February 15, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
I agree lets change the uniform a bit. Kind of put the past behind us. I like the new logo also but I have never liked the black helmets I liked the RED helmets. A RED helmet would also help the QB see the receiver down field. That’s why the Bills went with it years ago to help Kelly. Getting rid of the black would also get the dark days behind us.
By Bob Sacamano
February 15, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this
meant to say Anderson
By truatlfan
February 15, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this
I think the organization has a few things to consider before we work on the uniforms. The man makes the clothes, not the other way around, and last year, we had boys playing a grown mans game. I have faith in Dimitroff and Smith.
By Hugh G. Rection
February 15, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
Mark, I think you are using “All-Pro” synonymously with “Pro Bowl” again - neither Coleman nor Crumpler was ever an “All-Pro”, although they have made Pro Bowl teams.
By the way, your hair used to look better when it was poofy.
By SeminoleWarrior
February 15, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this
Great start TD! We will build this thing from the ground up. Need will prevail before “flash and dash”. And in the end, the glitter will be in the form of the Lombardi Trophy. All it takes to see that we are on the way to success here is to look at the mindsets of the organizations that TD and Smitty came from. NE and JAX do not go for flash and dash; they go for quality and need; the result = they are in the hunt every year. And in 3-4 years, so will ATL. After 42 years and only coming close once, I am confident that the wait will be well worth it. Go for it, TD. GO FALCONS!!!
By Bob Sacamano
February 15, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this
SeminoleWarrior… great point! The old idiot regime of Little Jimmy Mora loved players that were all flash, but no substance. He used the idiot term, athletic arrogance, but we all knew what that meant: loudmouthed, me-first players who want Pro Bowls more than Super Bowls. Here’s the thing, if Little Jimmy wasn’t fired last year, Dimitroff would have fired his @$$ this year, no matter what.
By 1992dawg
February 15, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
Dimitroff has started off in the right direction. The decisions he makes in the upcoming draft will be huge. Hopefully, he does look at SEC players. I think I read there are 41 ex UGA players in the NFL and 24 are starters. I have never understood why the Falcons have passed on so many good Georgia players!!! I think avoiding Virginia Tech players would be a good idea. lol
By Neckville redneck @atl
February 15, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
please no more thug from Georgia UGA please on the Falcons. the new thugs new England . cheaters and not a word . The NFL management throw the player under the bus but not Management. (Black& white) the good ol U.S. of A.
By David Duke
February 15, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
By Danny February 15, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this If Thomas Dimitroff isn’t cowed by reputation, history or whose feathers get ruffled, does that mean Vick could stay?
Yes, he may stay. IN PRISON! Any more ridiculous questions scumbag?
By Bob from Winder
February 15, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
* with the first round pick the falcons need to take howie longs son. mcfadden is trouble and dorsey looks like he is sneaky, he may be fighting dogs already. I would trade a late draft pick or one for next year for Matt Cassell ..dimitroff knows him from NE..with the 2nd or 3rd round pick you take Jacob Hester from LSU..trade deangelo for a draft pick same with roddy white..we dont need him because finneran will be back next year..keep brooking for his smarts and leadership..let cassell start and redman back him up..cut joey, dunn and any va tech players..*
By eddie from acworth
February 15, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this
Hey Neckville….. Do you know how to compose a sentence using the English language?? And no more thugs from UGA?? WTF?? There are some darned good UGA players in the NFL right now, and I hope the Falcons take Coutu in April…we need him…. You are a moron, as are all you race-baiting morons who equate wanting a better team with wanting less black players…get a life….WE WANT WINNERS…WHO CARES ABOUT SKIN COLOR
By Jeff
February 15, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this
I could not disagree more, Mark Bradley. I say Blank still has the final say in Dimitroff’s decision making. Why else would Dunn still be on the team. You can’t honestly say we still have a use for him when we have Norwood.
And besides Blank ordering Dimitroff to hold on to Dunn, Dimitroff himself dropped the ball today. Why the hell is Joe Horn still a Falcon? There should have been more cuts made today.
To me, Dimitroff is Blank’s puppet.
By formerfalcon
February 15, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this
The new GM should have fired 90% of this worthless roster, filled with overpaid prima donnas, who spend more time at clubs than improving their game, who would rather spend time protesting mike vick’s sentence than winning games. I’ll go back when they’ve made a lot more changes to this terrible team.
By Bob Sacamano
February 15, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this
Why do the idiots on this board have to turn this into a race thing? And I know it’s not some idiot white klan member writing the hate-filled diatribes, it’s some Vick-loving fool who can’t accept the fact that just because someone doesn’t like the way some players act (black or white) doesn’t mean that they hate all black football players.
Get a life, you bunch of reverse-racist retards.
By Tom Glavine
February 15, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this
Suckers.
By Bob Sacamano
February 15, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
Jeff… take a breath. If you paid attention to anything that’s been written today, you’d have known that more cuts are coming tomorrow.
Besides, guy like Dunn would be approached to have their contracts restructured. You need a guy like Warrick Dunn on the team. Not only is he an excellent third down back, he’s just about the only leader on this damn team. Keith Brooking definitely isn’t a leader, not the way he’s “inspired” the defense or has let MeAngelo shoot off his stupid mouth and commit idiot personal foul penalty after idiot personal foul penalty. Unfortunately, Brooking will be asked to restructure as well, and he’s more likely to do so than Dunn (lived here all his life, doesn’t want to move when he’s only got a year or two left anyway).
So just relax. Serenity Now, Jeff. Serenity Now. More cuts come tomorrow, and vets who won’t restructure will be gone. Hopefully Brooking is gone, but hopefully Dunn stays.
By lateshia
February 15, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this
Typical atlanta coaches—-getting rid of all the brothers and not the white players. The african american players are the heart of the team. They should quit the racism and realize that most of the fans at Atlanta games are African American and want to see black players on the roster, not overpaid white players who don’t do anything.
By Jeff
February 15, 2008 11:48 PM | Link to this
I’m tired of hearing this locker-room leadership crap. You can’t be just a leader, you have to be a great player too. tom brady isn’t just a leader - he’s damn good. Dunn may be a great guy, but Norwood isn’t a thugh and he’s more effective on the field. They’re both relatively the same size, but norwood’s younger, better right now, and cheaper AND cutting Dunn frees up cap space to build for the future. Restructuring his contract would stunt the development of this franchise. So don’t get caught up in this “Dunn’s a great guy, we need his leadership” CRAP. Get rid of them all - Brooking, Milloy, Horn, etc.
By Travis
February 15, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this
As a black man I have to say that all this talk about black players this and white players that is totally unnecessary. I dont care if the team is mostly white or mostly black and long as we are a TEAM and a good one at that. Some of you( lateshia, Avg White guy Furman) on here should be ashamed with some of the ignorant things you say and AJC should be more careful about what blogs they let get posted.
By Buzz
February 16, 2008 12:23 AM | Link to this
Travis, I agree with you. I am a white guy and all I want to see is the best team on the field (regardless of color, but with some class). Unfortunately, there are a lot of ignorant people like
Lateshia & Avg White Guy that make life unpleasant for everyone.
By Shade
February 16, 2008 12:30 AM | Link to this
Hey lateshia most of the players on the team are black. If they were really trying to get rid of the black players, then most of the team would have been cut. White players are the minority on the team. You are the one who needs to quit the racism.
By omg
February 16, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this
All you people who want to see Brooking gone, he is a 5 time Pro Bowler at weakside linebacker. The Falcons keep moving him to middle linebacker where he is out of position. He is freakishly fast and quick for a man his size. Even if he has lost a step, he is still faster than the vast majority of linebackers in the league and he always plays hard. Play him at weakside linebacker at a much reduced salary and you suddenly have a Pro Bowl caliber player who is not overpaid. Leave him at middle linebacker at his current salary and you may as well cut him. The thing is, Brooking is the best weakside linebacker on the team, so I say restructure and keep him to play there.
By Bob Sacamano
February 16, 2008 1:06 AM | Link to this
omg… Brooking is not the best weakside LB on the team. Demorrio Williams is. And Brooking got burned just as much at the Will the last few years as he has at the Mike. The thought was, move him to the Mike, that way the play can come to him and he won’t be embarrassed as much. Too bad the plan didn’t work out that way. Seriously… you want his slow-@$$ at the Will, trying to man up against RB’s in the flats? He’ll be juked out of his shoes on a weekly basis.
For me, I realized that Brooking was as overrated as he is when, in a crucial situation in the NFC Championship Game, he had McNabb dead to rights, and couldn’t pull him down. How often the last four years have we seen that from Brooking? Missed tackles. Can’t shed blocks. Almost-sacks. The majority of his tackles way down field.
Dump his overrated @$$!
By Bama
February 16, 2008 1:14 AM | Link to this
Trade D-Hall for anything you can get. Just put his #ss on the road.
By JustD
February 16, 2008 1:23 AM | Link to this
I’m wondering what attracts these racist idiots to a football blog. No topic is on skin color, but they seem to come out in fashion about the Falcons only. Not the Braves, not the Thrashers and not even the Hawks. Maybe the race spewing rednecks can explain what has them so Dum founded and racially motivated with a football site. Better yet, I think the problem is concerning reading fundamentals. Hey, Avg sick white guy, if things were like they were before…as you say back then, your thieving white ancestors would not have any land because it’s a known fact how they confiscated (oops stole)it from the Indians. And you wonder why all of your white buddies are shooting each other in schools, malls, etc. and then killing themselves…It’s called Karma!!!
By Bob Sacamano
February 16, 2008 2:20 AM | Link to this
JustD, if you actually paid attention to the blogs, you’d figure out pretty quickly that it’s not the white people bringing race into the discussion. Nope, it’s the people dealing out the race card without provocation.
So next time before you type, know what the hell you’re talking about.
By bigstack19
February 16, 2008 2:25 AM | Link to this
Why can’t we just talk about the Falcons? Is there some sort of moderator that looks at these posts before they are actually posted in order to weed out the racist ones. Reading some of these posts I am ashamed to admit any connection to the city of Atlanta.
By JustD.
February 16, 2008 2:31 AM | Link to this
Concerning football, preferably the Falcons. We need to look at what free agents are available and then build through the draft like most successful have done. I surely do not have a problem with the current cuts and not even future cuts will matter from a 4-12 team. The Falcons have to get big on the offensive and defensive lines. They need better cornerbacks and safeties. They also need better wide receivers and play calling! Last year’s team proved that this group needed to be separated!
By JustD.
February 16, 2008 2:37 AM | Link to this
Bob Sacamono, I spoke of racist idiots which included them all…white, black, green, it don’t matter. I was not addressing you A-Hole which means you too sir are a racist. Don’t approach me unless you know what the hell you are talking about. Now go beat you wife!
By JustD.
February 16, 2008 2:43 AM | Link to this
bigstack19, this has been going on for a number of years concerning racist hate spewed all over the Falcons blog and to date, AJC has done nothing. So wishful thinking, it will continue, for one being in the south…why football, who knows!
It will be interesting to see which way the Falcons go in the draft including their choice of free agents.
By hop
February 16, 2008 3:43 AM | Link to this
the falcons desperately need leadership in the clubhouse dunn and brooking provide both on and off the field.
By Doug G
February 16, 2008 3:54 AM | Link to this
Doesn’t everybody realize morons post insensitive comments like Avg white guy, just to upset you and make you respond negatively? I am sure that person cares nothing about the Falcons or football, but gets amusement out of p** you off!
By Greg
February 16, 2008 6:49 AM | Link to this
Bob Sacamano ought to hired by Dimitroff as a consultant. He is right on with his advice. One tweak he doesn’t mention: trade Roddy, probably for a #1 pick. We need more heads-up players.
By Billy
February 16, 2008 7:31 AM | Link to this
The Falcons are definitely starting over. No telling who’s next. And, DO NOT get rid of DeAngelo Hall, unless of course they’re bringing in Champ Bailey!
By Famuan
February 16, 2008 7:36 AM | Link to this
I think a lot of players on the Falcons roster are campaigning to be cut or traded. The only ones not are probably just the type so-called “Falcons Fans” would appreciate…mediocre at best and meek. I’m sure there are players going up to Flowery Branch, parking in Blank’s spot, keep calling Mike Smith “Petrino”, wearing Free Mike Vick T-shirts….anything to get the heck off this team. The only free agents that will even consider the Falcons are no doubt 35 and up, and will tell their families not to even worry about moving…”it’ll just be for a year or so”.
By JimO '70
February 16, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this
being a GT alum up here in VT territory, I agree with Roswell Ed - don’t take any more VT players. they are mostly thugs. However, Agee got too chummy with d’hall - if he would have produced last year after mouthing off, then all is well. But he didn’t.
D’hall is too big for his britches - good trade bait. maybe he should take lessons from Fred Smoot who finally toned it down after the vikings and played decently for the skins this past year.
Keep the axe coming, a lot more fat needs to be trimmed. Maybe a bad season next year, but what the heck - can’t be worse than last year.
By Supes
February 16, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this
Yes, keep the axe coming…Brooking, Dunn and Joey Harrington next!
By Barkin'Dog
February 16, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
The Falcons need some Samoans on the team, O-line especially. If they got enough of them, perhaps many bloggers would get off the race card (the blacks are faster, whites are smarter crap), because it would be about the TEAM and not individuals. Tell me one other city that gets so racial about everything and everyone in the news, sports professionals primarily. About half of the opinions here include racial comments (this one, too, for a reason)… but, the funny thing is, no other profession in the world offers more equality. The NFL chooses to hire based on ability, not color or nationality. And, as BOB said, there are more black players than any other race in the game. So, why is there so much complaining? Why does there always need to be, “we want more” or “they cut him because of his color”? Players get cut or hired because of attitude, heart, teamwork and physical ability… not color. Live in the now, people, not yesteryear. I want a TEAM of PLAYERS, and I don’t care if they’re yellow, blue or green. Go Falcons!!!
By Harmon Wages
February 16, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
Keep on cutting!TRADE ME-ANGELO,find a sucker,I mean a trade partner and get as many draft choices as possible.Go after OL/DL .Trade with Dallas would work only if Falcons pick third not fourth or fifth.Jerry Jones loves Mcfadden,Hogs love Hogs.Get more picks only time will tell if we get the right players with those picks.Good start getting rid of over rated prima donnas! I like RB Cedric Jones over McFadden in the 2nd round.Good Luck! PS I would like to see a change to the uniforms,not the clown looking jerseys.
By Roswell Ed
February 16, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
Bob you got the wrong dude.
I can’t stand the bugs.
Nothing but SEC for me baby.
War Eagle!!
By tjg
February 16, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
This housecleaning is way overdue, and I hope he is not finished. Dunn has to go. Dunn was a great guy was in Tampa too. After last year he should be paying Atlanta to stay on the team. How many games did he average one yard per carry. What did he have, one 100 yard game? Sorry, he is the most obvious name on the list. I think Brooking, Malloy and Fortney should be a salary restructure. Every effort should be made to Hall the same can be CB turned Safety Williams from Va. Tech. D Williams and Bolling should be resingned to long term contracts. That’s it for me good luck with Free agencey and the draft there is a lot to replace as well as add new.
By Ken Strickland
February 16, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
BOB SACAMANO-your suggestions concerning who we should sign as FA’s is interesting but unrealistic. Come on, it would require max FA contracts to sign CB’S ASamuels and TLaw. We’d barely have enough money left to sign our draft picks. You might not be aware of it, but the NFL has a salary cap.
It would be more economically feasible to retain starting DB’s DHall and Houston and draft DT Dorsey. Improving the pass rush would do wonders for any DB or secondary. DHall has been recognized by his peers and voted to multiple probowls without the benefit of a pass rush. Name another probowl CB that didn’t benefit from a pass rush.
LB DWilliams is fast and does run down plays. However, he’s undersized and has trouble taking on blockers and making plays in front of him. I don’t think he’ll be resigned. His replacement is already on the roster due to the preseason injury he suffered which forced us to draft a LB. We desperately need to acquire a point of attack type MLB.
I agree with you on making the OL our 1st OFF priority. OT’s WGandy, TWeiner and OG KForney represent three fifths of the OL that has started the last 4 seasons. OT JLong wouldn’t have as much impact on the OL as DT Dorsey would have on our DL. DEF wins gms and championships. We’ve been at or near the bottom of the league in either pass DEF(no pass rush & poor FS play)or run DEF. We led the league in rushing and ball control 3 consecutive yrs prior to last season. We were unable to take advantage of it because our DEF couldn’t stop anyone from scoring.
Exactly what makes you think Black people are the only ones making unprovoked racist comments? Sounds like football isn’t the only thing you’re having trouble putting into perspective. Your biased wishful thinking is a far cry from reality and knowing what you’re talking about. Maybe you should follow your own advice. “SO NEXT TIME BEFORE YOU TYPE, KNOW WHAT THE HELL YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT”.
By Rutuger
February 16, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
I guess this makes me feel a little better about releasing Crump, but our LB position will continue to be a glaring weakness until we get rid of Brooking. He’s slow, misses out on nearly every play, and never ever makes a tackle within 5 yds of the LOS. Somehow, some way, he has GOT to go.
By omg
February 16, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
Bob Sacamano - DWilliams is the best weakside LB on the team? Granted, he is quick and runs down plays, but with our porous DL, he was exposed as weak and indecisive when running plays came right at him. Brooking is slow? Please. Maybe not one of the fastest and quickest LBs in the league like when he was first drafted, but he still has good wheels. And unlike DWilliams he is durable and stays on the field healthy for all 16 games. Also, he is not going to embarrass the team by running his mouth to the media, making him a leader on the defence. I agree that he should be cut if his deal cannot be restructured, but pay him what he’s worth now and there would be a good cap savings.
I hope that they can restructure Dunn’s deal and use him as a 3rd down back. He blocks well on pass plays, is a threat out of the backfield, and is still very dangerous in space. He is also very durable even being a RB at his age. Norwood has great potential, but cannot stay on the field. The Falcon’s need a bigger RB that can run with authority between the tackles, and should draft one, sign one as a free agent, or trade for one.
By RAY ZADD
February 16, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
DEAR ARTHURE, I LOVE WHAT THOMAS DIMTROF IS DOING. THAT’S THE WAY TO WIN. THIS GUY KNOWS WHAT’S HE DOING. GOOD JOB, I’M EXCITED AND LOVE YOU ALL.
By ron
February 16, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
just clean house.make this look like an expansion team and build it into something the atlanta fans can be proud of 3-4 years.it would be nice to see a roster showing experience of 2yr ,1yr and r(rookie).this would be the appropriate way to go.face it fans i’d rather lose with inexperience compared to losing with experienced high priced veterans.yes that includes warrick dunn who has done so much for the community of atlanta.give him a chance to catch on with a super bowl contender.he has very little time left in a career that has a short employment span.
By Atlgriot
February 16, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
Thanks Ken for making since.. Trading Deangelo makes absolutely no sense unless he can be replaced with equal or greater value. A top ten DB is not easy to replace especially on a team that has a BAD DEFENCE. D tackle and O-Line are top priority obviously. Let’s hope TD concentrates on building the TRENCHES and not the opinion of biased and racist fans..
By dirtybyrd
February 16, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
just added up $$$$ of all players cut looks like we just gained about 18,683.860 . we still need about another 15,000.000 to go shopping this year, so more cuts are gonna happen, just a matter of who will take pay cut to play here next yr .love the straight forward approach of this teams frt office now ,yes there is hope for the DIRTY BIRDS FOR 2008!!!!!!!!
By Workinlkeadawg
February 16, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
Sacamano-You obviously have not been watching the birds for any length of time. Dunn a good 3rd down back? Ask Reaves who used him on 2nd,3rd and hell probably 4th and goal in the last game of the season against Cleveland the yr we backed into the playoffs. By the way Dunn didn’t get the first down, Duckett didn’t get the ball cause he was in Reaves doghouse hell yes a pun is intended. I’m sick and tired of losing I think cutting Crump was a mistake we should have traded him but obviously couldn’t pass a physical. Demitroff isn’t stupid so that’s why he got cut. Let Dunn go back to Tampa and take a roster spot, try to trade Hall for anything that’s the opposite of him. Sacamano forget about the Dunn thing. You are right about UGA players never being drafted by the Falcons. Coutou would make an immediate impact on the team the birds better not let him slip away.
By AL
February 16, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
CLEAN HOUSE BABY !!!!! All THE DEAD-HEADS MUST GO !! WHO’S NEXT ???
By Willie
February 16, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this
Let’s celebrate, Alge(i know more than the coach)Crumpler is gone!!!! Tyrone(corn row chump)Lue gets shipped out-of-town..yes!! Life is good in Atlanta.
By Jessie Jack Billy Bob
February 16, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this
Hey Just D.. I’m sure you’ll agree Our white ancestors did you a favor.. otherwise you’d be laying around with a bowl of gruel and flies on your face!! I’m sure you’ll also agree that we need to sign an all white OL as it takes brains to play that position. If you’ll note, the teams that seem to do well..as in Super Bowl have just that. Oh yes, not to mention a white QB.
By JD
February 16, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this
It’s really REALLY disgusting to read all the racist comments on this blog coming from BOTH blacks and whites. YOU ALL ARE AN EMBARASSMENT!!! Some of us log on just read some opinions on the Falcons and don’t want to be subjected to this mindless drivel. This year is the 40th anniversary of MLK’S assasination and the 45th anniversary of his famous “I HAVE A DREAM SPEECH”. No matter what your ethnicity is if you’re a bigot just WAKE UP!! GROW UP !! and GET A LIFE!!!!!
By jake
February 16, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this
this text will be bolded= Draft mcfadden dump warrick (done)!! draft flaco and get some oline help (free agents) the steelers have some pretty good oline free agents alan Faneca Max Starks!
By Ken Strickland
February 16, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this
For those who want certain players like ACrumpler traded instead of being cut, consider this. If creating cap space is the objective, why do something dumb like trading our player and his contract just to pick up another player and his contract?