Lets talk about the team needs

[atljbo]

DE

Dont get me wrong... I like Kroy Biermann dont get me wrong... I tried to be a believer because so many ppl wanted him to be the guy but at the end of the day i think he may be a very good rotational guy... Its nothing wrong with that... Coach Smith said we need a guy that can give us atleast 7 sacks a year (besides Abe) ... It seem like the Coaching Staff is still in development mode with Sidbury... Chauncey is the guy i see going away next year... He is good against the run but not a threat as a pass rusher.

With that said.. I see the Coaching staff trying to find a LDE... Meaning the guy has to be stout against the run and have the ability to rush the passer...

Some Draft Prospects that fits that role: Ryan Kerrigan, Greg Romeus, and Jeremy Beal (stout enough against the run)

RB

Turner and Snelling are good backs at what they do but we need a change of pace back in the worst way... I dont think some dont realize how much we miss Norwoods speed (running, as a returner, and receiving out the backfield) ...

Darfting a good speed back would make our team way more explosive... Especially with Matt Ryan throwing more to our RB's

Some Draft Prospects that fits that role: Shane Vereen, Noel Devine, Kendall Hunter, Armando Allen

WR

Roddy is playing lights out... Jenkins is solid... HD is a really good slot WR (I still think we are not using HD in a way that he can shine)... Kerry Meier will be a good 4th WR and chain mover... Weems is not really a factor at WR.

I think we will definitely draft a WR but it gets tricky if we draft one in the early 2 rounds... The only way i can see us drafting a 1st round WR is if the guy can return kicks also... Dez Bryant style... I dont see the coaching staff just starting the guy off the bat... Whatever WR we draft will find a way on the field with our multiple WR sets but i think KR/PR would be his main duties his rookie year.

Some Draft Prospects that fits that role: Julio Jones, Ryan Broyles, Ronald Johnson, Titus Young, Jerrel Jernigan, Cecil Shorts Niles Paul, Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, Greg Little, Dwayne Harris

LT

Sam Baker confuse me... The guy has the tools to play LT... IDK why he is so inconsistent... I think Sam has the ability to play RT also but Clabo has been great this year.

I see us drafting a OT prospect even if its as a developmental OT

LB

I have no idea why Peterson is starting over Nicholas but i take that as a sign that the coaching staff see him as a good backup/special teamer... Peterson is in his last year here. We ask our LB's to be able to blitz and most of all cover.

I could see us drafting a LB in any round besides the 1st round...

Some Draft Prospects that fits that role: Travis Lewis, Greg Jones,Quan Sturdivant, Brian Rolle

CB

I can see us drafting a mid-late round CB... Brian Williams is on his last leg... If the CB can return kicks its a bonus

Positions i think we are good at

Guard and Center

We have Mike Johnson, Joe Hawley, and Garrett Reynolds... We also have Jose Valdez (who i know have a future with this team) and Rob Bruggeman (who the coaching staff likes) on the PS...

We may draft a Guard or Center later in the draft (6th or 7th round) but i just dont see the need early...

DT

We are super deep at the DT position... Peria Jerry, Vance Walker, Corey Peters, and Trey Lewis (not to mention Jamaal Anderson) ..

Safety

We have William Moore, Erik Coleman, Thomas Decoud, and Shann Schillinger... With Rafael Bush on the PS.

[Smiler11]

I pretty much agree with all of that. I'm glad you mentioned Julio Jones - I seriously think we would look at him if he falls to us. He plays in a run first offense and is a good returner.

At DE I 100% agree with us needing someone who is stout against the run. Especially if we release Chauncey Davis. I think we will look at Kerrigan in the 1st and Romeus in the 2nd or 3rd.

For LB, I like Kelvin Sheppard, Jonas Mouton, Mark Herzlich, Casey Matthews and Josh Bynes. I think a key trait is that we like versatility in our LB's, and I think those 5 could play multiple spots in our LB corps.

I really like Carimi as a developmental type OT, who could start day one at RT or G.

[atljbo]

I pretty much agree with all of that. I'm glad you mentioned Julio Jones - I seriously think we would look at him if he falls to us. He plays in a run first offense and is a good returner.

At DE I 100% agree with us needing someone who is stout against the run. Especially if we release Chauncey Davis. I think we will look at Kerrigan in the 1st and Romeus in the 2nd or 3rd.

For LB, I like Kelvin Sheppard, Jonas Mouton, Mark Herzlich, Casey Matthews and Josh Bynes. I think a key trait is that we like versatility in our LB's, and I think those 5 could play multiple spots in our LB corps.

I really like Carimi as a developmental type OT, who could start day one at RT or G.

Yea.. I like Julio also... I think its no way that he make it to us.

Yup.. I like Kerrigan and Romeus also

I agree with Jonas Mouton, Josh Bynes, and Kelvin Sheppard... I dont think Mark Herzlich and Casey Matthews (especially Matthews) fits our scheme as a OLB.

[hakim24]

I really don't think LDE is a need. We already have one of the top run defenses in the league. I think we will continue to play that position by committee.... JA98 or Davis on run downs and Biermann on pass downs. The coaches like the rotation anyway.

I want to say RDE is a need, but we still have absolutely no idea what we have in Sidbury. He was an absolute beast in preseason. I just think the staff is reluctant to put him in now because his primary position is right behind John Abraham. Because Abe gets to rest on run downs, its hard to send out Sidbury in his place in passing situations....especially since we have been in a lot of tight games.

I expect him to start getting more reps as the season goes on. That is when we can start to make a judgment.

I agree that WR is tricky. I just think Matt Ryan seems much more comfortable with his TEs in blocking (helping pass protection) and him spreading the ball to our WRs. The Bengals game really proved that. If we add a dynamic threat to put beside Roddy, our Offense would be close to unstoppable.

I do think we will draft a WR or TE in the first two rounds. I just think it would be smarter to go for the WR....even if TG retires.

[gritzblitz]

JBO,

The list of needs, is that in order of priority as you see it? ie DE is our more pressing need....

Also, in your opinion is TE or K a position of need?

Edited November 2, 2010 by gritzblitz

[gritzblitz]

I really don't think LDE is a need. We already have one of the top run defenses in the league. I think we will continue to play that position by committee.... JA98 or Davis on run downs and Biermann on pass downs. The coaches like the rotation anyway.

I want to say RDE is a need, but we still have absolutely no idea what we have in Sidbury. He was an absolute beast in preseason. I just think the staff is reluctant to put him in now because his primary position is right behind John Abraham. Because Abe gets to rest on run downs, its hard to send out Sidbury in his place in passing situations....especially since we have been in a lot of tight games.

I expect him to start getting more reps as the season goes on. That is when we can start to make a judgment.

Hakim, good point. Agree we need to add pass rushing DE so where do we go? Are we Ok with rotation at LDE with Biermann & JA98/Davis. It seem so.......if add RDE, how will we get him reps? Not sure that Abe is ready to give up his snaps; Sid all ready can not find pass rushing plays to get in on & I don't think the organization is ready to give up on.

[hakim24]

Hakim, good point. Agree we need to add pass rushing DE so where do we go? Are we Ok with rotation at LDE with Biermann & JA98/Davis. It seem so.......if add RDE, how will we get him reps? Not sure that Abe is ready to give up his snaps; Sid all ready can not find pass rushing plays to get in on & I don't think the organization is ready to give up on.

That's my point. It is almost senseless to draft another DE when we have no idea what we have in Sidbury. I do think we are ok with the rotation of JA98/Biermann at LDE though. One thing that is interesting about the way that TD drafts players is that his high picks are usually immediate contributors.

I just don't think a rookie DE would come in and push Abe out and surpass two years of experience with Sidbury.

We have spent the majority of our last two drafts on defense. Now its time to let those guys develop some. We need to start building around Matt Ryan. He definitely could use more talent on the Offensive Line as well as more weapons. Honestly, I just don't see a DE at all in a lot of scenarios.

[Smiler11]

Hakim, good point. Agree we need to add pass rushing DE so where do we go? Are we Ok with rotation at LDE with Biermann & JA98/Davis. It seem so.......if add RDE, how will we get him reps? Not sure that Abe is ready to give up his snaps; Sid all ready can not find pass rushing plays to get in on & I don't think the organization is ready to give up on.

That's why I think we will be looking for a LE, someone who can play in both the base and sub packages. All the DE's we have been rumored to be looking at are LE - Kerrigan, Bailey etc. We haven't had anywhere near enough pressure from the LE spot for the last 3 years. I also think long term, that Biermann will be Abe's replacement at RE.

[gritzblitz]

That's my point. It is almost senseless to draft another DE when we have no idea what we have in Sidbury. I do think we are ok with the rotation of JA98/Biermann at LDE though. One thing that is interesting about the way that TD drafts players is that his high picks are usually immediate contributors.

I just don't think a rookie DE would come in and push Abe out and surpass two years of experience with Sidbury.

We have spent the majority of our last two drafts on defense. Now its time to let those guys develop some. We need to start building around Matt Ryan. He definitely could use more talent on the Offensive Line as well as more weapons. Honestly, I just don't see a DE at all in a lot of scenarios.

Hakim, Believe me I Agree with your points. But honestly though, I'm just not sure what to do with DE position, if ignored my only concern is that nearly all the sacks coming from the DE position are coming from Abe who is 31 or 32 years old. The DE is a very high tempo....dare I pull a Shanahan and call it a "cardio-vascular" driven position. Historically production from DEs go down as a player goes over 30 years. Do we rely on Biermann & Sid? We are near the bottom of the league in pass defense, near middle of the pack on sacks (at bottom without Abe), near top in interceptions. The DE is a critical position in today's defense...do we we just go with what we have for the next year or two? How do we improve our pass defense?

[gritzblitz]

That's why I think we will be looking for a LE, someone who can play in both the base and sub packages. All the DE's we have been rumored to be looking at are LE - Kerrigan, Bailey etc. We haven't had anywhere near enough pressure from the LE spot for the last 3 years. I also think long term, that Biermann will be Abe's replacement at RE.

Smiler, So you are seeing Biermann/Sid rotation at the RDE position. Interesting, I had not thought of that. That might work.

I would like to see Sid more before making that call but you can't take out Abe. if we go that route, would need a very solid LDE that can provide a steady pass rush ....meaning those guys you mentioned which will go early in the draft.

I guess we will know by Rd 2 of next years draft if TD is going to try to improve pass rush from DE position unless he can steal Romeus (sp?) in rd 3 or 4...but he comes with serious health concerns at this point.

[atljbo]

JBO,

The list of needs, is that in order of priority as you see it? ie DE is our more pressing need....

Also, in your opinion is TE or K a position of need?

Naw its not in order.

I think TE is a need.... It depends on how big of a need depending on what Tony G does.... As for Kicker.. I would like a young kicker but Matt Bryant has been great this year.

[atljbo]

That's my point. It is almost senseless to draft another DE when we have no idea what we have in Sidbury. I do think we are ok with the rotation of JA98/Biermann at LDE though. One thing that is interesting about the way that TD drafts players is that his high picks are usually immediate contributors.

Thats why it seems like we are looking at some LDE's who can also rush the passer... If we get a LDE that can rush the passer also... I see CHANCEY being let go....

I know we run a rotation but the facts are... Abe is the only DE getting consistent pressure... Kroy is a good rotational player but I dont think he is "the guy"...

[atljbo]

That's why I think we will be looking for a LE, someone who can play in both the base and sub packages. All the DE's we have been rumored to be looking at are LE - Kerrigan, Bailey etc. We haven't had anywhere near enough pressure from the LE spot for the last 3 years. I also think long term, that Biermann will be Abe's replacement at RE.

I dont get that... why would Kroy be more successful pass rushing againts LT's (taking over Abe position) then he is now facing less athletic RT's .... It seem like they are Sidbury for that RDE position... but we wont know until he plays.... Anyway... Abe is working himself into a 2 or 3 year extension right now anyway so im not really worried about the RDE position... Its the LDE position that we need a pass rusher.

[hakim24]

Hakim, Believe me I Agree with your points. But honestly though, I'm just not sure what to do with DE position, if ignored my only concern is that nearly all the sacks coming from the DE position are coming from Abe who is 31 or 32 years old. The DE is a very high tempo....dare I pull a Shanahan and call it a "cardio-vascular" driven position. Historically production from DEs go down as a player goes over 30 years. Do we rely on Biermann & Sid? We are near the bottom of the league in pass defense, near middle of the pack on sacks (at bottom without Abe), near top in interceptions. The DE is a critical position in today's defense...do we we just go with what we have for the next year or two? How do we improve our pass defense?

I'm not really concerned about Abe getting most of the sacks. That is why he primarily plays RDE. The QB cannot see him and he is expected to put up numbers. The LDE has the responsibility of creating pressure and collapsing the pocket.

Overall, I think our pass rush has been pretty good.....I think we all can agree that it is better than last year. Even when we aren't getting sacks, our D usually has pretty good pressure on opposing QBs.

Honestly, I believe the pass defense is a victim of the elementary scheme that we run. BVG has gotten slightly better this year, but he still runs a lot of vanilla defensive schemes that QBs simply pick apart. He really isn't the most creative coordinator and I think that is a major reason for our pass defense issues.

When Abe is gone however, you have to give Sid and Biermann the edge to replace him because of their experience. Truth is, we won't know how good either of them can be until they get a shot (at RDE).

[Snelling44]

I actually had a blog post on the Falcons needs that I did a couple of weeks ago. I think it still applies today.

Check it out if you're interested http://ogdraft.wordpress.com/2010/10/08/atlanta-falcons-draft-needs/

[kiwifalcon]

RDE is definitely an issue in my eyes as realistically will the FO look to off load Abe after this year with his salary being 10-11 odd mill next season can we find someone else is FA or the draft with the equvalent value that can do the job i like the idea of our rotation policy on running downs.

Sidbury for me is a worry I thought with all his progress in the off-season I thought he would have got more time so for me we definitely need to look for a pass rushing threat off that right side in the off season.

[head busta from augusta]

Is it me or is Jenkins slowly quieting the whispers for the need of a number two? He is avg 56.75 yds per game which over a 16 game season is good for over 908 yds. Plus the clutch catches. Not saying, but just saying....

Edited November 12, 2010 by head busta from augusta

[Smiler11]

Is it me or is Jenkins slowly quieting the whispers for the need of a number two? He is avg 56.75 yds per game which over a 16 game season is good for over 908 yds. Plus the clutch catches. Not saying, but just saying....

Good point, and I generally think along the same lines. The same could be said of our O-line, who have stepped it up the last few weeks.

I think DE is our biggest need, but I think we go BPA in the 1st. If someone like Sherrod or Julio Jones fell to us in the 1st then they'd get serious consideration.

[Smiler11]

I'm as convinced as ever that if we get a DE, he'll be a LDE. All of Kroy's big plays this year have come from the RDE spot, but he isn't getting much/any pressure from the LDE spot.

I think we'll look very hard at Bowers, Bailey and Kerrigan in the 1st.

[atljbo]

Is it me or is Jenkins slowly quieting the whispers for the need of a number two? He is avg 56.75 yds per game which over a 16 game season is good for over 908 yds. Plus the clutch catches. Not saying, but just saying....

yup.... The reason why i dont see us going WR in the 1st round... I do think we will get a speed WR tho

[Kennesaw77]

yup.... The reason why i dont see us going WR in the 1st round... I do think we will get a speed WR tho

why? We have Douglas for that so it would have to be a speedy WR that is not strictly just a slot guy.

[atljbo]

why? We have Douglas for that so it would have to be a speedy WR that is not strictly just a slot guy.

A speed guy doesnt only have to be a slot guy.... Also... That guy would return kicks..... TD said making explosive plays on ST is something he will work on in the draft.

[Kennesaw77]

A speed guy doesnt only have to be a slot guy.... Also... That guy would return kicks..... TD said making explosive plays on ST is something he will work on in the draft.

right which is why I said do you mean another slot guy or a guy who can do both?

I agree I think it would be great to have a dangerous return guy.

I'm thinking 2nd round Titus Young from Boise. That would be awesome.

[A-TowN.-]

right which is why I said do you mean another slot guy or a guy who can do both?

I agree I think it would be great to have a dangerous return guy.

I'm thinking 2nd round Titus Young from Boise. That would be awesome.

Yeah I would love him too. I actually think we should get him and put pressure on Harry. He hasn't looked good this season IMO

[Kennesaw77]

Yeah I would love him too. I actually think we should get him and put pressure on Harry. He hasn't looked good this season IMO

yeah but it usually take 2 seasons to get over an acl injury.

I'm not giving up on Douglas but I wouldn't be opposed to getting a speedy WR that can play in the slot or outside.