138 replies to this topic

[muskokas finest ©]

AEFalcon, on 07 April 2012 - 01:47 PM, said:

Yet many on this board, with the luxury of hindsight at hand, including yourself seem to minimize the credit. That's your prerogative.  I'll stick to mine, we will agree to disagree.

I was on this MB before anyone heard of Thomas Dimitroff.  My comments on things like the Baker pick/trade, the Gonzalez deal, Peria Jerry etc are all in the archives.  It's been great to have a winner for 4 years, but let's not be satisfied with that.  Let's just do what Dimitroff has suggested and expect more.

[AEFalcon]

muskokas finest, on 07 April 2012 - 02:15 PM, said:

I was on this MB before anyone heard of Thomas Dimitroff.  My comments on things like the Baker pick/trade, the Gonzalez deal, Peria Jerry etc are all in the archives.  It's been great to have a winner for 4 years, but let's not be satisfied with that.  Let's just do what Dimitroff has suggested and expect more.

I'm OK with that & agree.  Forgive me for enjoying this ride as it presents itself, even though I have not been on this MB as long as you I have been a loyal fan of the Falcons since 1978.   Over the years I've learned that maintaining a high level of success is in the NLF is difficult; success can be fleeting. I've seen way more down years than up. I'm choosing to simple enjoy this run and defend the present administration/players success while others are pondering the "what ifs" & "what can/should be", "what could have been".  I imagine both are enjoying it in their own way. I suppose neither viewpoint is wrong; just going about it differently.  Enjoy the season and more to follow.

[primetime]

honestly - i feel that a proper DC will make OK players like biermann, decoud etc look like very good players and very good players like moore, weatherspoon and abraham look like great players. IMHO the big moustaca and his vanilla schemes were a major hindrance to the development of the players - not his fault he was just in over his head. Kinda like when we made finneran the no.1 receiver to vick and complained when he couldnt make the big plays

The draft that really hurt was the jerry pick - i was so in love with the 3 USC linebackers (especially cushing) that i really thought we would get one. Obviously cushing went early and maybe matthews would never have panned out in a 4-3 system however i just never saw the pick coming. But willy mo in the 2nd and i was back on the TD wagon - even if i had some concerns the first 2 years. TD deseves his chance to see this thru.

FTR - the aim of the team is to become the arizona cardinals in their superbowl year - the question is whether matty ice can be that QB

[muskokas finest ©]

AEFalcon, on 07 April 2012 - 09:35 PM, said:

I'm OK with that & agree.  Forgive me for enjoying this ride as it presents itself, even though I have not been on this MB as long as you I have been a loyal fan of the Falcons since 1978.   Over the years I've learned that maintaining a high level of success is in the NLF is difficult; success can be fleeting. I've seen way more down years than up. I'm choosing to simple enjoy this run and defend the present administration/players success while others are pondering the "what ifs" & "what can/should be", "what could have been".  I imagine both are enjoying it in their own way. I suppose neither viewpoint is wrong; just going about it differently.  Enjoy the season and more to follow.

As good as these last four years have been, that playoff win ending the Lambeau streak is still the big dog of moments, Super Bowl appearance or not.  Up to the current regime to top that.

[putnam6]

freebird310, on 06 April 2012 - 10:12 AM, said:

Not giving up on TD in fact think he is okay but not the genius some make him out to be. From where they were picked Baker and Jerry needed to be high impact or at the very least solid. Baker I understand more it was year one, but both him and Jerry were misses because they fell into the dreaded position of need pick, in the salary cap era picks that high that miss become killers.



Never said he was the greatest, but he is not the POS he is made out to be here ......jury is still out on a number of TD's picks , but  except for Jerry and Baker there have been more hits than misses as per value per round .......and both Baker AND Jerry looked like GREAT picks until  their injurys started to pile up .........

[AEFalcon]

muskokas finest, on 07 April 2012 - 10:10 PM, said:

As good as these last four years have been, that playoff win ending the Lambeau streak is still the big dog of moments, Super Bowl appearance or not.  Up to the current regime to top that.

I suspect that is exactly what they are trying to do.  I believe this admistation will.

[AEFalcon]

putnam6, on 07 April 2012 - 10:12 PM, said:

Agree Putnam

[Draftnut57]

vabchbirdlover, on 06 April 2012 - 09:53 AM, said:

Another post to prop up our fledgling GM, who despite initial success has fallen upon tough sledding as of late. Numbers? Break down the nbrs if you would sir, by telling me the nbr of draftees since his regime began that have been effective starters.Relaizing that drafting NFL platers is not an exact science, but to hear some of y'all tell it, TD is the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Personally, with a few exceptions, Ryan, Spoon, Lofton Julio, most have at best, been depth or straight out disappointments. Not really knocking it out of the park in my opinion. Yeah, yeah, 43-21, But  didn't  MM/BVG/Budeaux(sp) have a hand in that as well? Were are they now?

Screw the filter, quality players over choir boys.

Dimitroff needs really show me something this year before I'm back on board with him.

If you had been here and seen how bad the drafts were before he got here you would understand he is the best thing that has every happened to this team. I know, I've watched our drafts very close for 14 years and believe me, he is at least 3 times better than anybody who has had his job. Trust me, or check it out for yourself. In years past most of the players we got that were good , we got in FAcy. And the only reason why we got a few good players is because we always had a top pick....Sad to say.

[egoprime II]

Draftnut57, on 07 April 2012 - 11:05 PM, said:

If you had been here and seen how bad the drafts were before he got here you would understand he is the best thing that has every happened to this team. I know, I've watched our drafts very close for 14 years and believe me, he is at least 3 times better than anybody who has had his job. Trust me, or check it out for yourself. In years past most of the players we got that were good , we got in FAcy. And the only reason why we got a few good players is because we always had a top pick....Sad to say.

Draftnut57  I agree with what you say in your post here with the possible exception that TD is the best GM we have ever had.  Eddie LeBaron drafted some excellent players between 1977 and 1985, guys who were Pro Bowlers and pillars of our team.  And you had to draft your own players then, since free agency as we know it today did not exist.

I have been critical of some of TD's personnel moves.   I know TD has been far better than Reeves, better than McKay.  My point is, that isn't enough.  Our GM needs to be near the top of the league in player acquisition, mainly thru the draft.   Looking at our players who TD has drafted and brought in as UDFAs and FAs, I do not see enough difference makers and playmakers on our team.

AB was still a new owner when TD and Smitty came onboard.  Now all three of them are veterans, the shiny newness has worn off.   No more trades of premium picks for old vets, no more trades of several premium picks for one pick/player.  Its time for TD to learn from his past player acquisitions,  and get some solid players in here who stand to start if not this season then the next.

Edited by egoprime II, 08 April 2012 - 02:41 AM.

[muskokas finest ©]

Draftnut57, on 07 April 2012 - 11:05 PM, said:

If you had been here and seen how bad the drafts were before he got here you would understand he is the best thing that has every happened to this team. I know, I've watched our drafts very close for 14 years and believe me, he is at least 3 times better than anybody who has had his job. Trust me, or check it out for yourself. In years past most of the players we got that were good , we got in FAcy. And the only reason why we got a few good players is because we always had a top pick....Sad to say.

3 times better?  Drink some more Koolaid why don't you.  McClure was a 7th rounder, Nicholas was a 4th rounder, Grimes a UDFA and Clabo a practice squad addition, all before Dimitroff got here.  Can you, as the supposed draft expert, tell me who Thomas Dimitroff has brought in, either through UDFA, practice squad or rounds 4-7 of the draft, that is better than any of the 4 players I've just mentioned.

"we always had top pick"?  Dimitroff has picked 3rd overall and 6th overall.  Those are pretty high picks.  With his other 3 first rounders in the second half of the 1st round, TD has two clear misses in Baker and Jerry and one hit in Weatherspoon.  I think you would agree that "spoon" was TD's only real alternative in 2010 and not some inspired drafting.

[AEFalcon]

muskokas finest, on 08 April 2012 - 08:20 AM, said:

3 times better?  Drink some more Koolaid why don't you.  McClure was a 7th rounder, Nicholas was a 4th rounder, Grimes a UDFA and Clabo a practice squad addition, all before Dimitroff got here.  Can you, as the supposed draft expert, tell me who Thomas Dimitroff has brought in, either through UDFA, practice squad or rounds 4-7 of the draft, that is better than any of the 4 players I've just mentioned.

"we always had top pick"?  Dimitroff has picked 3rd overall and 6th overall.  Those are pretty high picks.  With his other 3 first rounders in the second half of the 1st round, TD has two clear misses in Baker and Jerry and one hit in Weatherspoon.  I think you would agree that "spoon" was TD's only real alternative in 2010 and not some inspired drafting.

So you are judging others by their sucesse and TDs by his failure. You didn't acknowledge the failure of others but quick to point out TDs, dosn't seem fair.....just curious...you seem critical if not skeptical of TD.  It is apparent you are not a fan of TD.

Would like to ask, do you believe the Falcons will win NFC Championship or Super Bowl during TDs tenure?

Edited by AEFalcon, 08 April 2012 - 10:37 AM.

[muskokas finest ©]

AEFalcon, on 08 April 2012 - 10:37 AM, said:

So you are judging others by their sucesse and TDs by his failure. You didn't acknowledge the failure of others but quick to point out TDs, dosn't seem fair.....just curious...you seem critical if not skeptical of TD.  It is apparent you are not a fan of TD.

Would like to ask, do you believe the Falcons will win NFC Championship or Super Bowl during TDs tenure?

You've got that backwards.  I credit Dimitroff for having done a good job here...results don't lie.  What I don't credit him for is being a miracle worker.  The damage done to this franchise by Vick and Petrino was largely emotional.  Dimitroff inherited a lot of talent and plenty of premium draft picks.  A previous management group, panned around here, has won a NFC title and been to the Super Bowl, goals the current group aspires to, but is not nearly as close as they would have you believe.

[vabchbirdlover]

Draftnut57, on 07 April 2012 - 11:05 PM, said:

If you had been here and seen how bad the drafts were before he got here you would understand he is the best thing that has every happened to this team. I know, I've watched our drafts very close for 14 years and believe me, he is at least 3 times better than anybody who has had his job. Trust me, or check it out for yourself. In years past most of the players we got that were good , we got in FAcy. And the only reason why we got a few good players is because we always had a top pick....Sad to say.

Been with Organization since it's inception, trust me on that. Has always been my consistent opinion, that after a promising start, Dimitroff has fallen off his game draft wise and  has failed miserbly in recent free agent acquitions. Take it however u wish.

[JulioisCoolio]

vabchbirdlover, on 08 April 2012 - 11:35 AM, said:

Been with Organization since it's inception, trust me on that. Has always been my consistent opinion, that after a promising start, Dimitroff has fallen off his game draft wise and  has failed miserbly in recent free agent acquitions. Take it however u wish.

How can you tell how TD is doing draft wise unless you're judging draft classes on 1 or 2 seasons?

[vabchbirdlover]

JulioisCoolio, on 08 April 2012 - 11:39 AM, said:

How can you tell how TD is doing draft wise unless you're judging draft classes on 1 or 2 seasons?

It' called judging his overall performance after 4yrs, not that hard of a concept to follow.

[AEFalcon]

muskokas finest, on 08 April 2012 - 11:22 AM, said:

You've got that backwards.  I credit Dimitroff for having done a good job here...results don't lie.  What I don't credit him for is being a miracle worker.  The damage done to this franchise by Vick and Petrino was largely emotional.  Dimitroff inherited a lot of talent and plenty of premium draft picks.  A previous management group, panned around here, has won a NFC title and been to the Super Bowl, goals the current group aspires to, but is not nearly as close as they would have you believe.

Ok I can admire someone sticking up for previous regimes because they are quickly forgotten.  And it seems that you appreciate them more than most.  I can respect that. I'd only disagree with "the damage was purley emotional" & the team's talent.  4 years prior to TD, the Falcons had an overall  losing record of 30-35,their best season was 4 seasons ago (2004) at 11-5.  That was the only winning season in 4 years. The 4 years befor that a losing record of 25-38..... before that, including SB run, a losing record 29-35. 12 years of largely poor results, that is a lot of losing for a team with " a lot of talent". After TD's arrival, 4 winning seasons in 4 years and a overall winning record of 43-21.

[AEFalcon]

vabchbirdlover, on 08 April 2012 - 11:44 AM, said:

It' called judging his overall performance after 4yrs, not that hard of a concept to follow.

Yet with he talent brought in, the Falcons have had their best 4 year run in 2 decades.....

[muskokas finest ©]

AEFalcon, on 08 April 2012 - 11:55 AM, said:

Ok I can admire someone sticking up for previous regimes because they are quickly forgotten.  And it seems that you appreciate them more than most.  I can respect that. I'd only disagree with "the damage was purley emotional" & the team's talent.  4 years prior to TD, the Falcons had an overall  losing record of 30-35,their best season was 4 seasons ago (2004) at 11-5.  That was the only winning season in 4 years. The 4 years befor that a losing record of 25-38..... before that, including SB run, a losing record 29-35. 12 years of largely poor results, that is a lot of losing for a team with " a lot of talent". After TD's arrival, 4 winning seasons in 4 years and a overall winning record of 43-21.

Its funny how people in other threads want to give all the credit to Dimitroff for our 4 years of resurgence, but at the same time argue that it is too early to judge the impact of his 4 drafts.  Let's give some credit to Mike Smith and his coaches who have done a good job of scheming with what they had and have also managed to create a fitness program for the team that I think has been critical in reducing injuries.  Overall good health the last 4 seasons has been a forgotten factor in our success.

[vabchbirdlover]

AEFalcon, on 08 April 2012 - 11:58 AM, said:

Yet with he talent brought in, the Falcons have had their best 4 year run in 2 decades.....

Don't deny he hasn't played a part in the most successful 4 yr period in Falcon history, but so did MM/BVG/P in utilizing that talent..

Edited by vabchbirdlover, 08 April 2012 - 12:05 PM.

[AEFalcon]

vabchbirdlover, on 08 April 2012 - 12:03 PM, said:

Don't deny he hasn't played a part in the most successful 4 yr period in Falcon history, but so did MM/BVG/PB.

Not denying that at all, would inlcude MS & AB in there as well but this thread was specifically focusing on the GM.  If anything, i think the success over the past 4 years can largely be attributed to the fact that the owner, GM and head coach communicate and are on the same page.