Dimitroff talks about the draft, Peppers and free agency

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

INDIANAPOLIS -- Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff addressed several topics -- including free agency, running back Jerious Norwood, wide receiver Harry Douglas and possible free-agent target Julius Peppers -- at the NFL scouting combine Saturday.

Here are some of the highlights from his interview with the national media at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Q: How has the combine been thus far, especially today with the drills starting?

A: This is always the best part. Leading up to this time it drags on. But when you actually get a chance to put your eyes on some of these athletes ... it really starts to pull things together as far as our draft board.

Q: What is your philosophy in general with your first-round pick, do you trade up or back and collect value?

A: My feeling has always been that it's contingent on the draft. It depends on where we are. What we are looking for. The strength at that position is what really determines if we will trade down or back out of the first round. ... I would venture to say that you'd rarely see that with me.

Q: Historically, there is little movement on the restricted-free-agency front. With the talented and expanded pool, do you think there will be more movement this year?

A: I believe there is going to be that much more contemplation to see who actually pulls the trigger. That will be very interesting. I want to see what comes up in the tenders. I think it will be an interesting dynamic to see who's going to be moving during that time.

Q: What will free agency be like this offseason?

A: I sense that we are a lot more focused, seemingly this year on draft preparation. Usually we take this in cycles or segments. This was definitely a free-agent segment leading up to the beginning of free agency.

Q: Are you all in a position to go after Julius Peppers?

A: When [Friday, the first day of free agency] comes around and we're ready to focus on free agency ... we'll be open to considering any possibilities. ... We'll research it hard. That's part of our jobs. We'll look at all of the players that are of interest to us and who we deem as good fiscally responsible moves.

Q: Could you talk about Harry Douglas and what it would mean to get him healthy?

A: When we drafted Harry a couple of years ago, the expectation, having come from New England, was to have a player that was reminiscent of Wes Welker, who could play the slot inside with two big tall wide receivers in Roddy White and Mike Jenkins. We wanted to have that underneath guy. Quite honestly, we thought about that.

Q: Have you decided what you all are going to tender Jerious Norwood?

A: We'll make that decision right before [Friday]?