For those of you who don’t know, Arthur Blank, who purchased the Atlanta Falcons in February of 2002, is actually better known in the business world for being the co-founder of Home Depot. Blanks early working life was spent climbing his way up the ranks of the not so reputable company known as Handy Dan Hardware. It wasn’t all glitz and glory though, after a falling out with Handy Dans management team, Blank retooled, reloaded and began the construction of the most profitable home-improvement empire.
The Arthur Blank owned Falcons are 44-51, and this off-season has been designated as phase one of Atlanta’s rebuilding project. The good news for teams loyal fan base is that Mr. Home Depot should have the home-improvement, and renovation know-how to get the job done. The real question is whether he will be able to get his hands on the right tools for the job?
Like the beginning of any major reconstruction project, it all starts at the top. In order to succeed one must hire the perfect architect for the job. For this strenuous engineering duty, Blank turned the reigns over to Thomas Dimitroff, a relatively unknown super-scouting talent who was well hidden within New England s football kingdom. The 42 year old baby-faced GM, and newly proclaimed football prodigy by the likes of Peter King, of Sports Illustrated has a monumental task on his hands.
The Falcons do not have a franchise quarterback, the cornerstone of any rebuilding process. Even if Atlanta drafts a potential QB saviour, they do not have an offensive line capable of protecting his blind-side, let alone giving him enough time to find open receivers down the field. Apart from Justin Blalock, a former All-American guard who is entering his sophomore season, I dare any non-Falcon fan to tell me they have heard of D’Anthony Batiste, Tyson Clabo, Harvey Dahl, Kynan Forney, or Todd McClure. The entire offensive line is made up of either undrafted free-agents, or seventh round selections. The defensive line is anchored by the ever so brittle John Abraham, and last years 8th overall selection, Jamaal Anderson who had a disappointing first season for Atlanta with zero sacks and only one forced fumble. Not exactly the type of production you can hope to terrorize opponent quarterbacks with. The linebacking corps, as well as the secondary has been depleted through roster cut, and free agent moves. There is some hope at the skill positions, where 3rd year WR, Roddy White became the first Falcon wideout to surpass the 1000 yard mark in almost a decade. The team also boasts newly acquired Michael The Burner Turner, and Jerious Norwood, who has averaged over 6 yards per carry over the first two seasons of his NFL career.
What will be Dimitroffs first move in the upcoming NFL Draft? It is hard to predict because with 6 sure-fire, blue-chip prospects (Chris Long, Vernon Gholston, Jake Long, Glenn Dorsey, Darren McFadden, and Matt Ryan) a lot will depend on how the first two picks go. Being a draft prognosticator extraordinaire I will put on my Dimitroff mask, and a la Nostradamus will attempt to predict how the Falcons draft will go 8 days from now.
Round One, 3rd overall: GLENN DORSEY, DT, LSU: Word around the league is the Falcons General Manager will start the re-building process by significantly improving the interior of his defensive line. Grady Jackson and Jonathan Babineaux just did not get the job done last year. When healthy Dorsey will force the opposition to add more double-team protection schemes on the inside of the line, which should open things up for the pass rush on the outside. If Big Daddy Dorsey comes off the board before the Atlantas first selection expect them to either go with Jake long, who would become the anchor of their o-line for the next decade, or Matt Ryan who will instantly supersede Chris Redman as the teams starting Quarterback.
Round Two, 34th overall: JOE FLACCO, QB, DELAWARE: With Brian Brohm gone in the late first round Atlanta turns to the consensus 3rd QB prospect in the draft. Some might consider this a stretch, but with two other picks in round two the Falcons can afford this luxury pick. With so much ammo in the opening three rounds of the draft, it would not be surprising to see Atlanta attempt to trade back into the first round to select Brohm, who is at best a mid to late first rounder.
Round Two, 37th overall: DAN CONNOR, LB, PSU: Dan Connor has arguably been the most consistent linebacker in all of college football the last 2 seasons. He is another great prospect graduating from Linebacker U, and he is vary comparable to Paul Posluszny who was drafted early in the second round last year by the Buffalo Bills. Connor main asset is that he can play all 3 linebacker positions equally well. Teamed up with rising star Michael Broley, and veteran Kieth Brooking the Falcons front seven would suddenly become very respectable.
Round Two, 48th overall: SAM BAKER, OT, USC: If Baker were to last this long, I think it will take less than a NY minute for baby-faced Demitroff to hand over his draft card to league authorities. Baker was considered a top three offensive line prospect for most of the year, but his draft stock was hurt because of a weak performance at the combine in the bench press (28 reps), and his arm length is not considered ideal for the left tackle spot. However, he is regarded as the most technically sound lineman in the draft, and will be an instant upgrade over 73 year old Wayne Gandy.
Round Three, 68th overall: CHILO RACHAL, OG, USC: The Falcons need help at the CB position, but the value in the third round will be at the guard position. If Rachal is already off the board, which is a distinct possibility, many consider Roy Schuening, from Oregon St . to be just as good. If both are gone, the top center in the draft Mike Pollak, from Arizona St . should be available.
Round Three, 98th overall: ZACK BOWMAN, CB, NEB: Bowman is a little bit of a risk because he is coming off multiple knee injuries, but the Falcons are desperate for CB help at this point in the draft and need to gamble on a player who was once considered amongst the very top corners in this years class. He ran a blazing 4.38 at the combine, and had 18 reps at the bench press, which is respectable.
The Falcons could go a number of different ways in this years draft, and they will definitely be one of the most exciting teams to follow on draft day with 6 picks in the first 3 rounds. If Atlanta is able to come out of the draft with a top QB prospect, while vastly improving their offensive and defensive fronts the foundation will be laid for Arthur Blanks most recent renovation adventure.
Brendan
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Last post (s) by Brendan Lemire
- Out With the Old and In With the New! - April 28th, 2008
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16 Responses to “Falcon Improvement, Falcon Renovation, Draft Tools & Hardware”
Posted: 04/19/08 at 6:36 pm
I would say Chris Long will be heading to Atlanta just because he will be the best on the board there. Dorsey just at least in my head will be a Ram.
You are giving to much credit to Brian Brohm, his stock has fallin like the stock market hard and fast. There are serious questions about his arm and about him being able to stay healthy. That and Flacco’s stock has him right behind Matt Ryan and is the #2 rated QB in the draft. The question for Flacco is his scramble ability (odd even though scouts say he is fast for a QB) and the fact he pretty much never took a snap from under center. Brohm will be there in the 2nd and may slide all the way to the middle of the 2nd round.
I do like your selections for the rest of the draft though it does fill some needs for the Falcons. But look into these corners they are all better rated then Zack Bowman from Nebraska and some of them will probably still be on the board when the 98th selection comes up.
Patrick Lee (Auburn), Brandon Flowers (Virginia Tech), Justin King (Penn St.), Antwaun Molden (Eastern Kentucky), Orlando Scandrick (Boise St.) DaJuan Trebble (Boston College) or Chavis Jackson (LSU).
Posted: 04/19/08 at 6:54 pm
Well the thing with Brohm is that I have not found a satisfactory reason as to why he went from being the #1 QB last year, to being third this year. All he did at Louisville is complete over 63% of his passes and 13 less ints than Ryan.
Brandon Flowers will be long gone by the end of round one. He is the most physical corner to come into the league in years. King will quickly follow suit, and Chavis just doesn’t have the speed.
If Dorsey is off the board, I would not be surprised to see them go for Ellis. With Abraham and Anderson on the edge, the Falcons have to many other pressing need areas to go with another DE.
Posted: 04/19/08 at 7:27 pm
As I mentioned Brohm does not have a strong arm to through deep passes and can’t stay healthy. Not a good mix to be taken high in the draft, he is like a newer version of Chad Pennington really.
Ryan had a lot of INT’s because he had horrible WR’s to work with his best receivers were his 2 running backs. I like Brohm just saying he has more question marks outside just completion percentage and INT’s. If that’s all they looked at then I am sure Colt Brennan would be above both Flacco and Brohm wouldn’t it.
Flowers is not the most physical corner in the draft but he is up there he probably will slip to late first to mid second as always depending on how teams draft. Chavis is a physical corner who is one who tries to get position on you and guess where you will be that is his big knocks.
You don’t always need a physical corner you need a corner who doesnt shy from contact, one who can tackle, and one who is a good cover corner.
I could see Ellis going there it is a bit high for him but if he fits there need it would be a good selection.
Could you see them even selecting Matt Ryan ?
I hope to see you in the draft day chat.
Posted: 04/19/08 at 7:29 pm
If the Falcons can get all the players you mentioned, that is a nice looking draft they would be happy with.
Posted: 04/19/08 at 8:07 pm
Well he has only missed 3 games since his freshman season, so I do not understand why you question Brohm’s ability to remain healthy. Also, I doubt that Brian’s success can be said to be related in any way, shape, or form to the performance of Harry Douglas, and Gary Barnidge, his two top receivers. He has a very quick release, which is often more important than simple arm strength. He also played more quality opponents than Flacco did at Delaware.
We will have to agree to disagree on Flowers James. I have not witnessed a corner come into the box the way he does in quite some time. Physical corners are very important in cover 2 schemes, where they play a much more significant role in run support.
I think Matt Ryan is a possibility if Dorsey is off the board. But, I think if I were them I would rather have Ellis, and Brohm/Flacco, than Ryan, Trevor Laws. The DT spot simply cannot be ignored.
Posted: 04/20/08 at 7:44 am
What about Chad Henne? He was a good QB for Michigan, and everyone seems to be forgetting about him. John David Booty is also pretty good, and he might also be a concideration to go high.
I also dont see Baker being on the board in the second round, I think he will either go late in the first or really high in the second.
Atlanta can almost just sit back and take the best available guy on the board each time, because they have a lot of holes to fill on both sides of the ball. But one thing is for sure, the QB is their biggest need, and if they pass on Ryan, I think that it might be a big mistake, even with Dorsey on the board. That is of course, if you see Ryan as a franchise guy.
Redman, or Harrington, will not get the job done.
Posted: 04/20/08 at 4:33 pm
Yeah Chad Henne also has jumped ahead of Brian Brohm, thank you for that one Lee.
Baker could go late first or second alot of the players we discused here depend on the teams needs at that time.
Posted: 04/20/08 at 5:56 pm
Look you are obviously entitled to your opinion, but Chad Henne, is not getting drafted before Brian Brohm! It is not happening fellas, get ready for it. Hold off your comments until the draft, but I would be willing to take quite a wager on it.
Chad Henne has had a nice off-season for himself, but his inability to ever come up big for Michigan speaks louder than words. Surrounded by one of the best supporting casts including Mike Hart, Mario Manningham, Adrian Arrington and JAKE LONG, Henne never leaded the Wolverines to any significant achievement. Nothing Nada, a real disapointment in Ann Arbor.
I will give you the Flacco argument because some scouts have mentioned that he has had some of the best off-season work outs ever. So he could move ahead of Brohm, but that is as far as this argument will go.
Sam Baker has done nothing but shoot down depth charts since the college football season ended. Any of you little rascalz remember someone called Winston Justice? He was a very similar prospect coming out of USC. He was a sure fire first rounder, 50% of the experts had him going in the top ten to the Bills, next thing you know it was the late 30s and he was still on the board. Baker is not even nearly as coveted as Justice was, he will be there at 48. I actually think Rachal will be selected before he is.
I think Henne is a much better prospect than Booty. In my opinion you have Matt Ryan who will go at #8 to the Ravens, Brohm and Flacco will go somewhere in between 25-35, and Henne, and Booty will duke it out in the third to fifth.
Brandon Albert is the guy teams will regret passing on this year, only recently have draft experts started ranking him higher on their boards. Any topics you would like to have covered more extensively, please feel free to post your questions and I will answer them promptly.
Posted: 04/20/08 at 6:42 pm
I dont see Henne going before Brohm but that being said, Brohm lacks arm strength and he had far too many picks for a top QB coming out of college. Too many picks where he threw across to the opposite side of the field behind the receiver. I know from talking to a few people in the NFL that this is what has been mentioned among scouts.
Nice detailed piece Brendan.
Posted: 04/21/08 at 9:48 am
very nice in-depth draft outlook there !!!! As for the QB debate going on, i would like to chime in with my 2 cents. I agree that the falcons are in full “tim the toolman” time and that picking up big daddy or long is the way to go. Matt Ryan is not the answer for any rebuilding team. He would not yield any immediate dividends and would be even hard pressed to beat out Harington and redman. Very few, or no, QB enters the NFL on a weak team and performs immediately. Qbs, and especially rookie ones, need a supporting cast to carry the load. With that said I am not a Matt Ryan fan, i think he has Akili Smith written all over him…WHO?, exaclty.
Brendan do you think it is likely that the falcons send a couple of picks over to someone to move into rd 1 to take Brohm ?? I think thats a better bet for them….dont know much about this flacco guy, everyone is raving about his combine numbers…but really a guy from delaware, no offense, but what are we talking about !?!??!?! I am also of the opinion that I dont understand why Brohm went from top QB talent to 3rd on the board after 1 year, where he actually played better than the competiton. Henne could be a sneaky prospect….i actually think Erik Ainge out of Tennessee might be the steal of the draft at the QB position, sure he’s tall and lanky and not a barn burner….but given time he can pick apart a secondary….read “steal” as in taken after the first 3 rounds.
bottom line, atlanta jumps all over brohm in rd 2 if he makes it, dont think he does…or settles for whats left at QB (Flacco, Henne), unless they trade up….which would be a good move i think…..but given their overall problems, extra picks come in handy as well…
Posted: 04/21/08 at 7:09 pm
Henne might not be a solid pick, but if you pass on Ryan then you have Brohm, Henne and a couple other questionable QBs, that in my opinion are just as scary as the other. There is NO solid QB that you could feel really good about picking in this draft, and even Ryan fits into this catigory.
If I were the Falcons, I might concider talking to Cleveland about Brady Quinn, because if they go with anyone that is not, maybe Ryan, then they have NO QB.
Not Harrington, not Redman, not Brohm, Henne or anyone elso in this draft. Atlanta has been given a great big fat mess that Vick started and Atlanta will have to fix. And it probubly won’t be fixed any time soon.
As bad a reality as that may be.
(if all else fails, maybe you could get Rob Johnson:))))))
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