The Falcons, who were out in full force Wednesday for Pro Days at Georgia Tech and Kennesaw State, are pulling their scouts off the road during one of the more important scouting periods.
NFL scouts from the Southeast were at Clemson on Thursday for the school’s Pro Day, but several were prepared to head home as their teams decided not to send them elsewhere.
“We have been closely monitoring the developing situation around coronavirus (COVID-19) and will be discontinuing business travel for scouting personnel and coaching staff until further notice,” the team’s statement said. “(The practice) field will be closed until Monday for an intense cleaning throughout the entire facility. Staff will be working remotely.”
» More AJC coverage of the coronavirus outbreak
Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff, director of college scouting Steve Sabo, assistant offensive line coach Bob Kronenberg and tight ends coach Ben Steele were all at Tech’s Pro Day.
The Falcons also had five representatives, including area scout Tokunbo Abanikanda and defensive assistant Aden Durde, at Kennesaw State.
The Washington Redskins, Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets have ordered their scouts and assistant coaches to return home, according to the Associated Press.
“Due to health and travel concerns surrounding COVID-19 we have informed all of our scouts and coaches that they must return to their home bases and travel will be suspended until further notice,” Redskins owner Daniel Snyder said in a statement. “The health and safety of our staff and players is our number one priority and we feel that these are the necessary precautions given the current circumstances.”
The Vikings also released at statement this morning.
“We continue to closely monitor coronavirus developments and maintain contact with the NFL, health officials and other local professional teams,” the Vikings statement said. “Consistent with guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we have implemented precautionary procedures to protect staff and reduce the risk of acquisition and transmission inside TCO Performance Center.
“These actions include emphasizing proper hand washing, enhancing environmental disinfection and preparing for remote work protocols, if necessary. We are also suspending travel for our coaches and scouts until further notice and reviewing restrictions on large public gatherings in the near future. These are uncertain times, and our priority is to protect the health and safety of our players, coaches, staff and fans and do our part to minimize the spread of this virus.”
Other teams, such as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns, have cut back on scouting in what is usually a busy time for evaluating college players.
“I’m going to finish the week out, but that’s it,” one NFC scout texted the Atlanta Journal-Constitution from Clemson.
The NFL draft is scheduled for April 23-25 in Las Vegas.
In the past, Dimitroff had touted owner Arthur Blank's private jet as the secret weapon of the scouting process.
Falcons assistant head coach/linebackers Jeff Ulbrich said the visits to campus are important.
“That could be a real concern,” Ulbrich said Tuesday about travel possibly being curtailed. “Me, personally, I might take four or five personal visits, and I might take four or five visits with (coach) Dan (Quinn) where it is a little bit more formal. More people from the organization come. I average about 10.”
The value of the seeing players on campus on the private visits during this period are valued to the teams.
“It’s huge,” Ulbrich said. “It’s more valuable for some than others. It (can be) critical.
Ulbrich cited the visit to Minnesota before the 2016 draft to scout linebacker De’Vondre Campbell.
“There were a lot of concerns for whatever the reason, not concerns, but things people wanted figured out about him,” Ulbrich said. “I remember going out to Minnesota and not knowing what to think. I had some other people’s things in my brain. I left that day saying like, he’s got to be a Falcon.”
When the Falcons’ pick came around in the fourth round, Ulbrich’s visit came into play.
“Had I not spent that day with him, I never would have jumped on the table for him in that way,” Ulbrich said. “Really identifying the guys that you are interested in for one and guys, for two, for whatever reason you got a question about them. Maybe it’s an athletic question. His ability to learn. Personality, will he mesh with the team or the particular room that he has to go into. The visits are big.”
Mike McCartney, one of the nation’s top agents, tweeted that will not let his clients go visits teams.
“The organization will remain in close contact with the NFL and health officials as the situation evolves,” the Falcons’ statement read.
Concerns about the coronavirus have resulted in the cancellation of many events and large gatherings. The AJC will monitor these announcements and keep you informed about any postponements, rescheduling and cancellations, but it’s best to check with venues or event organizers before making plans to attend.
