Falcons sticking with 'the process'

[Dirtybirdn@tion]

ESPN

When I was on the phone with John Clayton on Sunday night working on our Great Debate for Wednesday, he threw out a great stat.

Clayton, who should have been a rocket scientist if he wasn’t so great at what he does, was breaking down rosters in every way you could imagine. According to Clayton, and this is current as of late last night, the Atlanta Falcons lead the league in fewest new players.

They have only eight new players on their roster. The list includes free-agent pickup Dunta Robinson, undrafted tight end Michael Palmer and the draft class -- linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, defensive tackle Corey Peters, offensive linemen Joe Hawley and Mike Johnson, cornerback Dominique Franks and safety Shann Schillinger. Clayton’s list doesn’t include center Rob Bruggeman and running back Antone Smith because each of those guys spent time on Atlanta’s practice squad last year.

What’s this all mean? Coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff really are sticking to what they like to call “the process,’’ which basically means building through the draft, adding a free agent here and making sure you keep your core players.

It’s a formula a lot of teams talk about but don’t truly follow as they often get desperate and go outside for free agents. Entering their third season together, Smith and Dimitroff have stuck with the plan and it’s been highlighted by the spectacular 2008 draft class.

The Falcons have had back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history, and their roster displays a lot of continuity. We’ll see if that translates into them winning big, but I think they’re headed in the right direction.

When you’re able to cut a player like cornerback Chevis Jackson, it shows you’ve built a roster with pretty strong depth.

[Hashbrown3]

nice... very interesting.

[sporkdevil]

It makes sense considering the huge turn over we have had the last two offseasons. This is still a ridiculously young team. Who would we boot off, all our young, cheap, developing players?

[Dirtybirdn@tion]

Everyone wants to jump ship when we don't go out and sign anything sexy like the whosyourmomma pick up.

Fact is we have a system, one that's coming into its third year and has worked well in the past when healthy. Jenkins is a prop. the best run blocking WR in the NFC south maybe top 10 in the NFL.

Edited September 6, 2010 by Dirtybirdn@tion

[CHOCTHEFALCONFAN™]

Seeing how we looked the last two years I say stick with the process!

[Jesus]

That's a bad idea around here. We should sign every cut player.

[texasfalconfan]

ESPN

When I was on the phone with John Clayton on Sunday night working on our Great Debate for Wednesday, he threw out a great stat.

Clayton, who should have been a rocket scientist if he wasn’t so great at what he does, was breaking down rosters in every way you could imagine. According to Clayton, and this is current as of late last night, the Atlanta Falcons lead the league in fewest new players.

They have only eight new players on their roster. The list includes free-agent pickup Dunta Robinson, undrafted tight end Michael Palmer and the draft class -- linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, defensive tackle Corey Peters, offensive linemen Joe Hawley and Mike Johnson, cornerback Dominique Franks and safety Shann Schillinger. Clayton’s list doesn’t include center Rob Bruggeman and running back Antone Smith because each of those guys spent time on Atlanta’s practice squad last year.

What’s this all mean? Coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff really are sticking to what they like to call “the process,’’ which basically means building through the draft, adding a free agent here and making sure you keep your core players.

It’s a formula a lot of teams talk about but don’t truly follow as they often get desperate and go outside for free agents. Entering their third season together, Smith and Dimitroff have stuck with the plan and it’s been highlighted by the spectacular 2008 draft class.

The Falcons have had back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history, and their roster displays a lot of continuity. We’ll see if that translates into them winning big, but I think they’re headed in the right direction.

When you’re able to cut a player like cornerback Chevis Jackson, it shows you’ve built a roster with pretty strong depth.

yeah and new orleans did the exact opposite and look what they did. the process is making us into a team that has back to back winning records. while teams like no last year and the jets this year pick up all the available talent. and look at them last year and where they finish this year. if we had an offense like indy with a peyton manning, and matt ryan though good is no peyton manning we could stick to the process but after seeing the way new england tore us up with the ones in the preseason. we are nowhere near on a superbowl level. because of the easy schedule we will win probably 10 games. go to the playoffs, hopefully win at least one, but with teams like minn, no, gb, dallas, philly thats no guarantee. when td plays in a superbowl ill by into the process, but when we pass on tj not to replace jenkins but maybe the 4th receiver. thats stupid. now if they tried and tj preferred baltimore thats different. it takes both fa, signing core players, and the draft to build a team. heii td doesnt even trade back like at ne to get extra picks so he can pick up more players bettering the chance of finding the hidden talents out there. remember after the vick petrino debacle mickey mouse could have improved the team. so far the process has proved to make slightly above mediocre.

[l00mis]

That's a bad idea around here. We should sign every cut player.

[DavyDmx]

Seeing how we looked the last two years I say stick with the process!

Indeed .

[The Falcon Jedi]

Part of any "Process" is to bring in people that Improve your football team.

[Peyton]

I agree with not going crazy on free agents, but I also think you should upgrade obviously weak areas, such as WR.

And it's not a criticism, because I honestly believe that they are going to imrpove it this week. I believe they are trying and exploring the options after cuts.

[paulitik]

I agree with not going crazy on free agents, but I also think you should upgrade obviously weak areas, such as WR.

And it's not a criticism, because I honestly believe that they are going to imrpove it this week. I believe they are trying and exploring the options after cuts.

I'm with you 100%. The last thing I want to be is the NFC South's version of the Redskins, but when there is an obvious need, that can be addressed affordably, we need to jump on it. WR is to this season what CB was last. I'm not crying that we didn't get TJ, I'd rather have VJax, but a proven receiver at the Vet Minimum is a no-brainer.

Edited September 6, 2010 by paulitik

[DirtyBirdSupabowl]

Part of any "Process" is to bring in people that Improve your football team.

Dunta Robinson, Tony Gonzalez, Mike Peterson and Brian Williams.

One elite player a very good corner and the other two were starters last year.

[txfalconfan]

Fact is we have a system, one that's coming into its third year and has worked well in the past when healthy. Jenkins is a prop. the best run blocking WR in the NFC south maybe top 10 in the NFL.

That is crazy. Jenks is a top run blocking WR but he drops lots of passes. Lets just put a olineman out there. I love what the FO is doing but I would love to see the process get us a truly productive #2, or move HD to #2 and get us a productive #3.

[sporkdevil]

Part of any "Process" is to bring in people that Improve your football team.

Dunta was the #1 player at our position of greatest need. He was expensive and is going to start immediately. He is improvement.

[raysnill1]

I agree with not going crazy on free agents, but I also think you should upgrade obviously weak areas, such as WR.

And it's not a criticism, because I honestly believe that they are going to imrpove it this week. I believe they are trying and exploring the options after cuts.

I agree 100%, especially if you can upgrade that position for next to nothing. I'm tired of waiting on an offense with killer instincts, that's not scared to run the ball down opponent's throats. we need another WR that DCs have to game plan and account for, and i guarantee our running game will flourish.

[The Falcon Jedi]

At least TJ went to an AFC team. That's all the good that came out of that.

[egoprime II]

Dunta Robinson, Tony Gonzalez, Mike Peterson and Brian Williams.

One elite player a very good corner and the other two were starters last year.

You are gonna beat yourself up after I tell you this...

Your forgot Michael Turner guy.

[flyguy28]

ESPN

When you’re able to cut a player like cornerback Chevis Jackson, it shows you’ve built a roster with pretty strong depth.

But he cut himself?!

[Photofalcon]

We will get another receiver, of that I have no doubt. But we won't get the one we need until the draft or in the offseason. It's going to have to burn em like DB did last year before they will fix the Jenkins problem. Maybe Douglas can alleviate some of that problem, maybe Turner participating more in the pass game (ala Ray Rice) might help as well. If Norwood could just for one season, stay healthy and do what he is supposed to do, the offense could survive the inconsistent play of Jenkins. My fingers are crossed that all of that takes place so we can get a SB title, and I can complain about us not getting a receiver next year, after I'm done rubbing the title in the faces of Saints fans.