1. AN ODE TO PETER KONZ: With the release of center Peter Konz, general manager Thomas Dimitroff's drafts are being put back under the microscope for further review.
I thought Mike Bell on 92.9 The Game, the team’s flagship, was going to have a cardiac arrest on the air yesterday. His partner, Carl Dukes, got him to calm down while discussing the fine fashion sense of the women who are set to attend the Dragon Con festival this weekend.
After trading five picks to Cleveland in the Julio Jones deal, the Falcons reduced their margin of error in the subsequent draft. The scouting department had to hit on the remaining picks and clearly didn’t on Konz in the second round and Lamar Holmes in the third.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Some trace the offensive line woes back to the Jones trade. With the five picks, the Falcons may have a line, but wouldn’t have Jones and likely wouldn’t have made it to the NFC championship game after the 2012 season.
Konz, who was an affable young man and always polite to the media, somehow managed to make it through 28 NFL games as a starter. But he spent way too much time on the ground for a NFL center.
That was predicted after he lifted 225 pounds, just 18 times at the combine. The lack of strength was a concern, but the Falcons took him anyway. He should have gotten stronger after a couple of off seasons, but was still getting pushed around.
Recently, my esteemed colleague and Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Mark Bradley broached the topic of the talent on the Falcons roster. The column was titled: "Do Falcons have enough talent for Quinn to win?"
Also, the Jones trade attracted more attention because Cleveland released defensive tackle Phil Taylor on Tuesday. He was the last remaining pick from the bounty the Falcons sent to Cleveland.
ESPN’s Mike Sando, who I used to stand outside in the cold with in front of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Indianapolis trying to get interviews at the combine way before there was a posh media room at Lucas Oil Stadium, gave his take on the trade and how it affected both teams in a series of tweets.
Also, Gil Brandt, not media mogul and former personnel man, noted the trade.
With the release of Konz, Holmes is the last member of the Falcons 2012 draft class on the team.
2. BIG MAIL BAG ANNOUNCEMENT: The weekly Falcons Fan Mailbag will start on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 11:30 to 12:30. We'll be ready to answer your questions and preview the season-opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, who some are calling Super Bowl contenders.
3. RUN GAME: The Falcons, who appear set to rest running back Devonta Freeman until the regular season, don't seem overly concerned about the rushing attack.
“It’s so close (to breaking loose),” center Joe Hawley said. “The combo blocks are such a team-work thing. We have to work well together. If it’s not one guy one play, it’s the next guy. It’s just hard to get everybody on the same page.”
The Falcons are averaging 1.9 yards per carry. They have rushed 77 times for 150 yards and four touchdowns.
“On a lot of those plays we are just one block away,” Hawley said. “A guy is too tight on his angle or he’s too loose. A guy is getting up field and getting penetration.”
4. COLEMAN TO PLAY: While Freeman is likely out, rookie running back Tevin Coleman is set to play against the Baltimore Ravens.
Hawley said the backs and the line will benefit when the team starts to make game-plans on how to attack defenses.
“Each team is different,” Hawley said. “Once we get into game-planning we’ll get to see what kind of defense that they are, if they are penetrating guys or if they are lateral guys. We just have to keep working.”
Running back Jerome Smith has the Falcons longest run from scrimmage, a 12-yard gain.
“The big plays will come,” Hawley said. “That’s what the zone-blocking scheme is all about. We just have to stick with it and the big runs will come.”
5. SOUTHWARD EXPERIMENT: Cornerback Dezmen Southward was drafted by the Falcons to takeover at free safety in Mike Smith defense.
Under Quinn, he was moved to cornerback and still has some work to go. It he makes the team it will be because of his speed and play on special teams, which may by him some time to continue his conversion to cornerback.
If he’s cut that will be another wasted high pick.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
6. WILL QUINN KEEP STARR?: Falcons outside linebacker Tyler Starr has played well against the backups in the exhibition season.
It will be interesting to if the new regime keeps Starr around. He made the 53-man roster last season and was being developed as a pass rusher.
Starr, who 92.9 The Game personality Jamie Dukes calls Goldie Locks, was a seventh round pick out of South Dakota in the 2014 draft.
7. SOME NFL PLAYERS EARNED $150 PER GAME IN 1944: While Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones signed to a five-year, $71.25 million contract extension, there weren't always so lavish in the NFL.
A reader, Richard Peterson of Canton, Ga. an old school Packers Backers, sent along a copy of a 1944 letter that Curly Lambeau sent to a player the team was trying to sign for $150.00.
Here’s his note:
“D. Orlando Ledbetter – Your story in the AJC today caused me to send the message below to a few old Packer Backers. I enjoy your reporting in the paper and thought that you might find the attached information of historical interest.
Richard Peterson
Canton, GA
“The big sports news in the Atlanta paper this week was the signing of Julio Jones to a new 5-year contract with the Falcons for $71,250,000!
“This news motivated me to check my archives for a copy of a letter and contract for the Green Bay Packers. The letter is dated August 1, 1944 and is from Curly Lambeau to Ed McGroraty, a prospective member of the Packers 1944 team. The offer is for the grand sum of $150 per game and an additional sum of $35 per week for living expenses!
“I have no idea if Ed (Moose) McGroraty ended up on the 1944 team, but the monetary contrast with the 2015 Falcons is striking. In support of this offer was a signed National Football League contract. Check out the terms of the contract. The player didn’t have many rights other than to be paid if and when he participated in a game!
Dick”
Oh my, how the times have changed.
8. NORCROSS' MALOOF NAMED FALCONS COACH OF THE WEEK: Norcross high school football coach Keith Maloof was named the Atlanta Falcons coach of the week. Norcross is currently 2-0 this season, including a win over rival Brookwood last Friday and a win over Valdosta in the Corky Kell Classic at the Georgia Dome.
Maloof has coached at Norcross High School for 17 years and won back-to-back 5A state championships in 2012 and 2013.
Nominations for Coach of the Week can be submitted online at www.atlantafalcons.com/coachoftheweek.
9. MY PROJECTED CUTS: The Falcons, have to get down to the 53-man roster by 4 p.m. on Saturday.
On Friday, they'll likely cut these 22 players: Offense (10) -- QB T.J. Yates, FB Collin Mooney, WR Carlton Mitchell, OC/G Adam Replogle, OG Jared Smith, T Pierce Burton, TE D.J. Tialava, RB Terron Ward, WR Bernard Reedy, RB Jerome Smith. Defense (12) -- DT Joey Mbu, S Sean Baker, DE Malliciah Goodman, DE Stansly Maponga, DE Cliff Matthews, LB Derek Akunne, LB Tyler Starr, CB Dezmen Southward, S Robenson Therezie, LB Terrell Manning, CB Akeem King and CB Travis Howard.
Mitchell, Ward, Jared Smith, Mbu are strong practice squad candidates.
I'm reserving the right to update the list after the Ravens game.
TRAINING CAMP 2015 -- CAMP QUINN
Julio Jones adds another gear to his speed
Brooks Reed slowed by hip strain
Julio Jones has no update on his contract status
Matt Ryan: Falcons have to get ball to Devin Hester
Jacob Tamme believes Falcons can have a dynamic offense
Matt Ryan sees new offensive attack coming together
Devonta Freeman-Tevin Coleman competition heats up on second day of camp
MARK BRADLEY COLUMN: Dan Quinn's plan for the Falcons: 'Outhit people'
Veterans determined to rebound in 2015
POSITION BY POSITION LOOK AT THE TEAM
Thursday – Fullbacks/Tight ends
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