Q&a With Dimitroff (Ajc, D-Led Article)

[Zodiac]

FLOWERY BRANCH – Since returning from the playoff loss to the New York Giants, Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff has gone through two days of non-stop meetings with head coach Mike Smith and other members of the football operations department.

In a wide-ranging Q&A with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Tuesday evening, Dimitroff discussed his spending on free agents Dunta Robinson and Ray Edwards, the Julio Jones trade, quarterback Matt Ryan, what the team will be looking for in a new defensive coordinator and how they’ll attain a breakthrough in the playoffs.

Q: As you’ve had some time to reflect, what are you thoughts on how the season ended?

A: We came into this season with very strong expectations both internally and externally. We made some aggressive moves both in the draft and free agency. Our expectations were for us to be very productive on both the offensive and defensive sides [of the ball]. We had a solid regular-season by finishing 10-6. We had an opportunity to get into the second season and once again, unfortunately, we came up short in the playoffs. That leaves us all, once again, with a bad taste in our mouths.

Q: How would you evaluate the money spent over the last few years in free agency on cornerback Dunta Robinson and defensive end Ray Edwards?

A: First of all, we were aggressive with the acquisition of Dunta Robinson. Our expectations were for Dunta to come in here and have a presence as a physical corner, help us make plays on the ball and prevent teams from racking up a lot of yards against this defense. Dunta has shown that he can produce for us. Unfortunately, this year our defense was inconsistent and at times so was Dunta. I still believe that we’re getting solid production out of Dunta Robinson in his game. With Ray Edwards, our thought was to bring a defensive end into our organization who brought elements of grit, toughness and competitiveness. We feel strongly that he has done that. He was outstanding verses the run. He had a presence that we haven’t had at left defensive end in the run game this year. As per his pass rush numbers, obviously both he and we would have liked his pass rush numbers to up around the eight to 10 area. Unfortunately, that didn’t come to fruition. But again, we’re confident that Ray can come back next year with one more year under his belt; with a different system and produce for us.

Q: How do you evaluate the offensive line, especially considering a comparison to a year ago?

A: Unfortunately, for the offensive line we started out with challenges. We struggled in Chicago early on in the season and Matt [Ryan] was exposed to a number of hits that he shouldn’t [have been] exposed to. With that said, we settled down well. We made appropriate adjustments along the way during the season. That enabled us to protect Matt better with each game. We finished sixth overall in sacks allowed so we definitely saw a marked improvement as the season progressed. With that said, we still need to develop as an offensive line. We need to make sure that we get the toughness and physicality out of the offense that we desire from year-to-year. It’s a very, very important part of our offense. We need to continue to protect our franchise-quarterback and we need to continue to move the defensive line so that we’re able to provide holes and opportunities for our run game; be that six inches or six yards.

Q: What’s your view of Matt Ryan in comparison to the league’s best – Aaron Rodgers, Peyton and Eli Manning and Drew Brees?

A: I’m very impressed with Matt Ryan and how he continues to grow from year-to-year. I think he continued to grow this year. I thought he had a fine season. As you know, Matt had the franchise-mark for passing yards this year. I thought he navigated through some difficult times and some challenges with some of our inconsistencies with our offense this year. He stayed positive and he continued to produce well. I think in my mind, there is no doubt that Matt Ryan is one of the top 10 quarterbacks in the National Football League.

Q: Can the running game be what you need it to be with Michael Turner, considering all of his carries over the last few years?

A: Michael continues to produce well for us. He amassed over 1,300 yards for us for the second straight season. When we have called his number, he’s stepped up and got the tough yards. We’ll always continue to evaluate our running game to see what we need to [improve in order] to have a multi-faceted and versatile football team; both in the run and the pass game.

Q: In hindsight, was giving up all of the (five) picks for Julio Jones worth it?

A: We said when we made the very aggressive move on Julio Jones, that this was not only a move for the here-and-the-now. This was a move for long term success of this organization and I believe 100 percent in what we did being the right move for this organization at this time in our evolution. Obviously, Julio Jones had a standout season for a rookie. He had more touchdown grabs — [eight] — than any rookie this year. Despite missing three games, he had the most prolific season for a Falcons rookie in our team history. We are very confident that he’ll continue to grow with Matt in this offense. He’ll continue to be a standout football player and help us produce for years to come.

Q: Can this defense, as constructed, compete for the Super Bowl title?

A: I believe that our defense has continued to improve since 2008. Obviously, there are still areas that we can improve upon. We need to continue to pressure the quarterback. We need to continue to get our hands on balls and capitalize on interceptions. With that said, I love the tenacity of this defense. I’m encouraged by the direction of this defense. Like I’ve said since the very beginning in 2008, we will always continue to look to see where we can upgrade our talent across the depth chart and specifically on the defensive side of the ball.

Q: What will you all look for in your new defensive coordinator?

A: I appreciate everything that Brian VanGorder has done for this team over the last four years. He’s put his heart and soul into helping to create a very aggressive and passionate defense. I personally appreciate that. Moving forward, this defense needs to continue its growth and evolution as a passionate and fiery defense, one that is going to fly to the football, disrupt, be opportunistic and capitalized on opportunities to turn the game around; flip the game in critical situations. We’ll look for a coordinator who will compliment Coach Smith and his approach to putting that type of aggressive defense on the field. Obviously, that coordinator is going to work hand-and-hand with Mike Smith in helping to create a very aggressive defense. Our hope is that we will, in the very near future, land that individual who we think is very appropriate with his approach to helping this defense grow.

Q: What has to happen differently for the Atlanta Falcons to have a breakthrough in the playoffs?

A: As a general manager, it’s my responsibility to step back and analyze what went on throughout the football operations. Not only on-the-field, but off-the-field as well; in the personnel department and from a coaching perspective. I believe that myself and Mike Smith will have [many] discussions, along with Arthur Blank to discuss what we need to change and what we need to adjust moving forward. This team needs to continue to be much more focused and consistent on offense in all facets of the game. Both in the offseason and in-season. We need to be an opportunistic football team through and through. I am, as well as Mr. Blank and Mike Smith, are very driven to make the adjustments needed to provide the fan base with a team that they can be proud of.

So we are going to look for a compliment to Coach Smith (Possibly a younger guy given Mike Smith's health situation, or someone who knows Smith's scheme/Defensive patterns.) Someone Aggressive who attacks the offense and sets the players up to make plays, this person will work hand in hand (Have as much input on the D as Smitty).

From what TD said these 3 guys sound like what TD and MS are looking for.

Jack Del Rio- Good friends with Smith, previous HC expierence, worked with Smith in Jax, known for his aggressive style of defense.

Mel Tucker- Younger fiery coordinator; in many ways Del Rio's protege's apparently is on good terms with many of the Atlanta staff, however if Mike Mularkey is hired by Jacksonville he'll more than likely stay.

Manny Diaz- Even though I have been personally endorsing him, he matches up great with what TD says, he's young, fiery, and aggressive like Mel Tucker. Considered as a defensive mastermind at the college level, largely considered to be the eventual successor to Mack Brown at Texas. He may be looking to take his mind to the NFL however. His D is known for attacking offenses and forcing a lot of turnovers while limiting the big play.

Thoughts?

[Trouble]

People might think otherwise, but the crap hit the fan. They are just as disappointed as us the fans. Hopefully the new OC and DC can lead us to new levels.

I think people need to know jobs aren't safe. But non emotional rational performance based decisions is the right way to handle things.

Should be a interesting few weeks.

[Zodiac]

People might think otherwise, but the crap hit the fan. They are just as disappointed as us the fans. Hopefully the new OC and DC can lead us to new levels.

I think people need to know jobs aren't safe. But non emotional rational performance based decisions is the right way to handle things.

Should be a interesting few weeks.

Yea I wouldn't read much into the player comments he's not going to publicly throw any of the players under the bus.

[Quarterback]

Kirby Smart's defense are my "thoughts" right now!

[Aftermath]

snith and aggressive should never be mentioned together unless they are separated by "isn't"

[FlyHighFalcons]

Q: How would you evaluate the money spent over the last few years in free agency on cornerback Dunta Robinson and defensive end Ray Edwards?

A:

First of all, we were aggressive with the acquisition of Dunta Robinson. Our expectations were for Dunta to come in here and have a presence as a physical corner, help us make plays on the ball and prevent teams from racking up a lot of yards against this defense. Dunta has shown that he can produce for us. Unfortunately, this year our defense was inconsistent and at times so was Dunta. I still believe that we’re getting solid production out of Dunta Robinson in his game. With Ray Edwards, our thought was to bring a defensive end into our organization who brought elements of grit, toughness and competitiveness. We feel strongly that he has done that. He was outstanding verses the run. He had a presence that we haven’t had at left defensive end in the run game this year. As per his pass rush numbers, obviously both he and we would have liked his pass rush numbers to up around the eight to 10 area. Unfortunately, that didn’t come to fruition. But again, we’re confident that Ray can come back next year with one more year under his belt; with a different system and produce for us.

[Zodiac]

Kirby Smart's defense are my "thoughts" right now!

Kirby runs a 3-4, he's hard to get along with and he makes a ton of money from Bama

Like I said there's a reason McElwain got a HC job before he did.

[swift]

TD *** got reamed by Blank ....get ready doo fus start preparing yourself to be a college scout bringing Bellchick his coffee your run here wont be much longer

[FlyHighFalcons]

What I drew from this:

1. Mike Mularky is gone either way. There were many opportunities for him to mention Mularky (especially the part where he talks about how he'll have talks with Mike Smith about personnel) and he didn't. I already thought this, this just kind of adds a little to it.

2. Ray Edwards and Dunta Robinson will be back. Definitely Ray Edwards. He shows a little faith in Dunta, and I never really thought it'd be a smart move since it'd cost a lot to have a guy not be on our team.

3. Jack Del Rio is a guy that very well could be the defensive coordinator.

4. Most importantly: Our defensive system will be at least a little different (see the bolded words in my above post)

[Zodiac]

TD *** got reamed by Blank ....get ready doo fus start preparing yourself to be a college scout bringing Bellchick his coffee your run here wont be much longer

Maybe, but as someone esle highlighted TD made a remark to D-Led, that he believes Ray will be more productive in a different system.

We can read that two ways, either Edwards *** is out of here, which highly unlikely.

Or we're making a drastic switch on D to a much more agressive and attacking style.

The comments on the DC search seem to support the latter.

[Guest Gritz]

I didn't read anything in that entire interview that was particularly newsworthy or even all that interesting...

It read like Dimitroff was just trying out the copy they're getting to print on the season ticket renewal brochures.

[Zodiac]

I didn't read anything in that entire interview that was particularly newsworthy or even all that interesting...

It read like Dimitroff was just trying out the copy they're getting to print on the season ticket renewal brochures.

Read the bottom lines of the section concerning Edwards and Dunta, and then read the Bolded+Italicized section, their isn't a lot but there are a few nuggest in there.

[JRid]

I read the Edwards comment to mean one more year in the Falcons system. Smitty's system was new to him this year and next year the system will be very similar.

[Zodiac]

I read the Edwards comment to mean one more year in the Falcons system. Smitty's system was new to him this year and next year the system will be very similar.

Key word their is "With, a different system"

He's not using anything to suggest that he was relating that to Edwards lack of expierence in Smitty's system, but more or less that he believes that Ray could be great with a new system.

The comments in the Italicized section seem to support this as well.

[JRid]

Key word their is "With, a different system"

He's not using anything to suggest that he was relating that to Edwards lack of expierence in Smitty's system, but more or less that he believes that Ray could be great with a new system.

The comments in the Italicized section seem to support this as well.

I re-read it and I could be wrong, but I think TD is saying he wants a DC who will run a very similar system to what we have now(Smitty's). This was Edwards first year in a different system and next year will be another year in the same system.

I wonder if we can get audio to this because we really need to hear how he said it, I think.

[PeytonMannings Forehead]

I re-read it and I could be wrong, but I think TD is saying he wants a DC who will run a very similar system to what we have now(Smitty's). This was Edwards first year in a different system and next year will be another year in the same system.

I wonder if we can get audio to this because we really need to hear how he said it, I think.

That's what he meant. There's not going to be wholesale philosophical changes. Just like I thought, he's not going to force some coordinator on Smitty that doesn't fit the style of defense he knows. He's not going to do a 180 and bring in a guy like Spags who comes from that fire zone brand of 4-3. More likely it'll be something like a Fewell-type of coordinator. They'll be tweaks with a new coordinator as there always is, but not a whole lot more than that.

[laynepink]

WTF. Does D-Led work for the Falcons PR department. How the **** can you not ask him a question about Mularkey????? At least force Dimitroff to put some spin on it. But to not even ask???

[laynepink]

Total softball question BS. the AJC is worthless, wont ask the tough questions.

[vel]

TD *** got reamed by Blank ....get ready doo fus start preparing yourself to be a college scout bringing Bellchick his coffee your run here wont be much longer

Is there anything you are positive about with this team?

[Shuswap]

Jay Adams asks tougher questions than that tool ...

[Showtyme8383]

Spagnuolo would be a perfect DC for us!!

[PokerSteve]

Sounds like fluff. Carefully worded political double-speak and damage control appear to be TD's main objectives in his answers. I would be much more enthusiastic about the chances of getting this trainwreck of a team back on track if TD had simply said, "We sucked in all phases. We got out-coached and our offensive and defensive schemes were hopelessly out-dated. We're going to overhaul this entire operation from HC to waterboy and get some coaches and players in here who know how to win in the NFL."

[Flying Falcon]

This is a bunch of bull.