Revisiting The Julio Jones Trade - Haters Were Wrong

[g-dawg]

TBH the injury would'nt have detered me from signing him long term.For me Julio's talent surpasses any of that.He plays physical so injury is always going to be an issue there just because he plays full throttle.

I mean seeing him beat up on Maxwell to me was a TKO.After watching him dominate Petersen like you mention and further back Namnadi and following performances for me it was just a no brainer not even a discussion but I still don't understand of someof our fans mindsetsin fact it blew me away.

Jerry Rice mentioned 3 years ago that Julio would be the next great WRer.

Dieon Sanders had a good interview with #11 about showing how far #11 had come in a short time by showing 3 different releases running the same route showing not only was Julio a load physically but also showed he mentally was right there also and we all know about his work ethic.

I don't know if any of your angst is directed at me where I was arguing for Julio's numbers to be basically the same as Dez/Bey-Bey and me saying their numbers(stats) were slightly better(than Julio's) or not - regardless - what difference does it make if we signed him now or next month or in March? We definitely did not get a discount now as we paid north of what those two got paid. Would Julio have played worse w/o the contract extension? I don't think so. If Julio gets severely hurt this season, will you change your mind?

I'm glad we got him signed - but it is no better to say that we "need to hurry up and get it done" and "just give him what he wants" as it is trying to negotiate the best deal you can for your team.

[gazoo]

So many are completely missing the point of the post.

Im not just saying those opposed to the JJ trade were wrong. I'm saying the underlying reason posters here used to say the JJ trade was wrong, was because it wiped out our depth and it caused us to go 10-22 the next two years.

It is the underlying argument many used that is wrong. It's dead wrong. The proof is look at wee did this offseason, we completely restocked starters and backups at all kinds of positions all in a single offseason.

[ukfalc]

The Falcons invested very heavily in the offensive line the very next year after drafting Julio - the VERY NEXT YEAR!!!

If Peter Konz and/or Lamar Holmes had been good players, the offensive line would have been just fine - Dimitroff invested 2nd and 3rd round picks - which are picks where you hope to land eventual starters for your team.

Dimitroff had also invested a supplemental 3rd round pick and a very early 4th round pick on Mike Johnson and Joe Hawley - other than the Cowboys, it is extremely rare to find a team that has invested three 1st round picks on an O-Line. Most teams just have one 1st rounder and then the rest is scattershot from rounds 2 through UDFAs.

We have invested PLENTY in the offensive line - we just keep picking the wrong players.

Investing a late 2nd and 3rd isn't exactly investing "very heavily".

When we need help on the OL our fans are satisfied to throw a mid round pick at the problem and expect (against the odds) that we find a long term starter, yet when we have a hole at WR we have to throw 5 picks get an elite prospect. For just once, why don't we invest our best picks in the lines and "make do" in the positions that we consistently over invest.

If you look at the OL taken even in he 3rd and 4th rounds, the percentage who become full time starters isn't high. About 40% become starters and a lot of them take 3-4 years before they start. That 40% includes guys average and below average starters. The % who actually become good starters, guys who you can build a line around for,multiple years, is way below 40%. The OL is a position that you have to keep regularly investing in, because the hit rate isn't high. You don't build a OL by throwing a few picks at it here and there - which is what we have done for years.

At least 20-25% of our high draft picks and free agent % should be invested in the line on a consistent basis. That's a 1st or 2nd round pick every other year. Until 2014 we haven't come close to that.

[BadMoonRising]

I think Adam Shefter gave quite a bit of props to TD today even if not by name, when he mentioned how much Atlanta's defense had improved with so much of the previous regimes personal.

If this season continues to be a success, the Anti TD crowd that are a bit over the top will have to shut up for a bit.

Now they will be back as soon as we hit a rough patch, but that's life.

[g-dawg]

Investing a late 2nd and 3rd isn't exactly investing "very heavily".

When we need help on the OL our fans are satisfied to throw a mid round pick at the problem and expect (against the odds) that we find a long term starter, yet when we have a hole at WR we have to throw 5 picks get an elite prospect. For just once, why don't we invest our best picks in the lines and "make do" in the positions that we consistently over invest.

If you look at the OL taken even in he 3rd and 4th rounds, the percentage who become full time starters isn't high. About 40% become starters and a lot of them take 3-4 years before they start. That 40% includes guys average and below average starters. The % who actually become good starters, guys who you can build a line around for,multiple years, is way below 40%. The OL is a position that you have to keep regularly investing in, because the hit rate isn't high. You don't build a OL by throwing a few picks at it here and there - which is what we have done for years.

At least 20-25% of our high draft picks and free agent % should be invested in the line on a consistent basis. That's a 1st or 2nd round pick every other year. Until 2014 we haven't come close to that.

You are looking at ONE TEAM in the NFL (Cowboys) that invested three 1st rounders - nobody else has done that. NO ONE!!! I would argue that we have invested more in our offensive line than probably 1/2 the teams in the NFL.

If your goal/standard is drafting 1st rounders to build a line, then you will never be satisfied because by the time you get'em, you will start losin'em if they are any good because you cannot keep huge dollars in multiple positions on the O-Line at top dollar.

We don't need to invest MORE - we need to invest more smartly! If we would have gone 2/4 with Konz(2nd), Holmes(3rd), Johnson(3rd) and Hawley(4th) - we would be fine - we went 0/4 - if you want to argue Hawley, fine, but he is gone as well - so we went OFER!

[ukfalc]

So many are completely missing the point of the post.

Im not just saying those opposed to the JJ trade were wrong. I'm saying the underlying reason posters here used to say the JJ trade was wrong, was because it wiped out our depth and it caused us to go 10-22 the next two years.

It is the underlying argument many used that is wrong. It's dead wrong. The proof is look at wee did this offseason, we completely restocked starters and backups at all kinds of positions all in a single offseason.

This off-season where we had a ton of cap room, and a full slate of early draft picks that we turned in to what some posters have called our best draft in 50 years. We had neither of those luxuries in 2011, 2012 or 2013.

We were never going to replace Abe, Gonzo, Turner and rebuild our OL with the picks and cap space we had left. There simply are simply not enough players of a high enough quality left in mid and late rounds of the draft or the mid tiers of free agency, to make it a feasible strategy.

[FalconFanSince1970]

You asked for it:

In post #30 here, and in response to g-dawg's alternative mock, you thought that a combination of Carimi, Little, and Quan Sturdivant would have been awesome compared to Julio!!!

In post #35 here, you offer 4 alternative mocks that have Justin Houston/Martez Wilson, Derek Sherrod/Jabaal Sheard/, Aaron Williams/Jabaal Sheard, Kyle Rudolph/Jabaal Sheard as your first two choices instead of Julio. As your 4th rounder you had Murray who wouldn't have been there, or Virgil Green.

I've been through this with post diggin clowns like you before. Those are mocks son. That aint my big board. That is based on how things might play out. Drafts never play out like mocks when the clock starts. Go dig that post up again and you will quickly see I coveted Justin Houston and Demarco Murray more than anybody in that draft. Both were available. Both would have been falcons if I were running the show. Now go dig up the 2012 draft threads and you will quickly see I had 13 of the 19 players I mentioned on my big board just like I said. We would have been a better team.

[FalconFanSince1970]

Thank you so much for this. Seeing g-dawg and 70 bounce their lame pick ideas off each other as if either has the first clue what it takes to occupy an NFL front office or war room is pure comedy gold. What a couple of boobs.

Oh, and before 70 goes back and does his customary edit/delete job:

MOCK A

-Round 1 (27) - Justin Houston (DE) - Georgia - 6'3" 270 lbs, 4.62 forty

-Round 2 (59) - Martez Wilson (LB) - Illinois - 6'4" 250 lbs, 4.42 forty

-Round 3 (91) - Edmund Gates (WR) - Abilene Christian - 6'0" 192 lbs, 4.31 forty

-Round 4 (124) - Virgil Green (TE) - Nevada - 6'3" 249 lbs, 4.54 forty

-Round 5 (158) - Zack Hurd (OG) - Connecticut - 6'7" 316 lbs, 5.28 forty

-Round 6 (192) - DeMarcus Van Dyke (CB) - Miami - 6'1" 176 lbs, 4.25 forty

-Round 7 (209) - Ricardo Lockette (WR) - Fort Valley State - 6'2" 211 lbs, 4.34 forty

-Round 7 (229) - Noel Devine (RB) - West Virginia - 5'8" 179 lbs, 4.54 forty

-Round 7 (230) - Ryan Donahue (P) - Iowa - 6'2" 193 lbs, 4.90 forty

MOCK B

-Round 1 (27) - Derek Sherrod (OT) - Mississippi St. - 6'5" 321 lbs, 5.18 forty

-Round 2 (59) - Jabaal Sheard (DE) - Pittsburgh - 6'3" 264 lbs, 4.68 forty

-Round 3 (91) - Edmund Gates (WR) - Abilene Christian - 6'0" 192 lbs, 4.31 forty

-Round 4 (124) - DeMarco Murray (RB) - Oklahoma - 6'0" 213 lbs, 4.37 forty

-Round 5 (158) - Zack Hurd (OG) - Connecticut - 6'7" 316 lbs, 5.28 forty

-Round 6 (192) - Henry Hynoski (FB) - Pittsburgh - 6'0" 257 lbs, 5.06 forty

-Round 7 (209) - Ricardo Lockette (WR) - Fort Valley State - 6'2" 211 lbs, 4.34 forty

-Round 7 (229) - Ryan Donahue (P) - Iowa - 6'2" 193 lbs, 4.90 forty

-Round 7 (230) - Kai Forbath (K) - UCLA - 5'11" 197 lbs, 4.78 forty

MOCK C

-Round 1 (27) - Aaron Williams (CB) - Texas - 6'0" 204 lbs, 4.55 forty

-Round 2 (59) - Jabaal Sheard (DE) - Pittsburgh - 6'3" 264 lbs, 4.68 forty

-Round 3 (91) - Edmund Gates (WR) - Abilene Christian - 6'0" 192 lbs, 4.31 forty

-Round 4 (124) - DeMarco Murray (RB) - Oklahoma - 6'0" 213 lbs, 4.37 forty

-Round 5 (158) - Zack Hurd (OG) - Connecticut - 6'7" 316 lbs, 5.28 forty

-Round 6 (192) - Henry Hynoski (FB) - Pittsburgh - 6'0" 257 lbs, 5.06 forty

-Round 7 (209) - Ricardo Lockette (WR) - Fort Valley State - 6'2" 211 lbs, 4.34 forty

-Round 7 (229) - Ryan Donahue (P) - Iowa - 6'2" 193 lbs, 4.90 forty

-Round 7 (230) - Kai Forbath (K) - UCLA - 5'11" 197 lbs, 4.78 forty

MOCK D

-Round 1 (27) - Kyle Rudolph (TE) - Notre Dame - 6'6" 259 lbs, 4.83 forty

-Round 2 (59) - Jabaal Sheard (DE) - Pittsburgh - 6'3" 264 lbs, 4.68 forty

-Round 3 (91) - Marcus Gilchrist (CB) - Clemson - 5'10" 195 lbs, 4.45 forty

-Round 4 (124) - DeMarco Murray (RB) - Oklahoma - 6'0" 213 lbs, 4.37 forty

-Round 5 (158) - Zack Hurd (OG) - Connecticut - 6'7" 316 lbs, 5.28 forty

-Round 6 (192) - Mike Mohamed (LB) - California - 6'3" 239 lbs, 4.65 forty

-Round 7 (209) - Ricardo Lockette (WR) - Fort Valley State - 6'2" 211 lbs, 4.34 forty

-Round 7 (229) - Ryan Donahue (P) - Iowa - 6'2" 193 lbs, 4.90 forty

-Round 7 (230) - Kai Forbath (K) - UCLA - 5'11" 197 lbs, 4.78 forty

Jeez. 4 drafts. 18 different prospects. 1 perennially productive NFL player. A player who, unlike Julio, hasn't helped his team to a single playoff win since his arrival. Total clown shoes.

Oh, and how about this alternate gem from our resident draft "guru"...

'g-dawg', on 02 May 2011 - 11:13 AM, said

#1-27)Gabe Carimi, OT-Wisconsin

It was said in Mark Bradley's AJC column today that, in fact, Dimitroff said this would have been the pick given the choices on the board at #27.

#2-59)Greg Little, WR-North Carolina

I don't know if this would have been the pick or not, however this was the guy that I loved and he has a ton of ability and similiar size, strength, skills to Julio. Ironically, Cleveland took Greg Little at the Falcons #59 old spot. I hope for sake of my sanity that Julio's career dwarfs Greg Little's career. It would not suprise me if Greg Little has a fantastic career - he has the talent.

#3-91)Rashad Carmichael,CB-Virginia Tech

This guy has a lot of talent and plays the way the Falcons like their corners to play - physical, able to play in zone coverage and off-man coverage. Carmichael is also a ball-hawk who has ball skills and a lot of interceptions

#4-124)Jacquizz Rogers,RB-Oregon State

Obviously the Falcons took this playmaker a round later but traded up 13 spots in 5th round to get him - therefore I take him here, one round earlier.

#5-158)Quan Sturdivant,LB-Nort Carolina

Obviously the Falcons liked Akeem Dent better but scouted Quan Sturdivant as well. I cannot assume Dent would have dropped this far but Sturdivant was available at this spot and would have made a good pick

#6-192)Virgil Green,TE-Nevada

I'm not sure if Gren would have fit in Falcons offense as I don't know if Green could carry out the blocking duties required. Apparently there were some concerns about a micro-fracture surgery on Green's knee from a few years ago and this is why he dropped. Assuming we got him this late, he would be worth the flier with his great talent.

#7-209)Andrew Jackson-OG Fresno State

Falcons did draft this guy. Mean, nasty offensive guard to develop and eventually replace Harvey Dahl in two years. needs to put on about 10 pounds of muscle.

#7-229)Cliff Matthews,DE-South Carolina

a "try hard" guy that can play special teams as well. Needs to bulk up about 10 lbs and could develop later into a pass-rushing option. Obviously the Falcons did draft this guy at same position.

#7-230)Chas Henry,P-Florida

has a booming leg and would easily outperform Michael Koenan for 1/4 of the money which frees up Falcons to get free agents at more needed positions.

Oh. My. God. My sides are hurting so much right now.

Now post up that thread Swifty busted your as with on Peyton's board when he caught you saying Dimi was dumb as hail for drafting Julio and should have taken Demarco Murray. LMAO.

[dmo_dlo]

I've been through this with post diggin clowns like you before. Those are mocks son. That aint my big board. That is based on how things might play out. Drafts never play out like mocks when the clock starts. Go dig that post up again and you will quickly see I coveted Justin Houston and Demarco Murray more than anybody in that draft. Both were available. Both would have been falcons if I were running the show. Now go dig up the 2012 draft threads and you will quickly see I had 13 of the 19 players I mentioned on my big board just like I said. We would have been a better team.

You can spin this anyway you want, but I just cited you saying that a draft of Carimi, Little, Sturdivant instead of Julio would have been awesome. That just shows you how well you would have done in an actual draft.

[cooperbh]

I've been through this with post diggin clowns like you before. Those are mocks son. That aint my big board. That is based on how things might play out. Drafts never play out like mocks when the clock starts. Go dig that post up again and you will quickly see I coveted Justin Houston and Demarco Murray more than anybody in that draft. Both were available. Both would have been falcons if I were running the show. Now go dig up the 2012 draft threads and you will quickly see I had 13 of the 19 players I mentioned on my big board just like I said. We would have been a better team.

LOL @ "big board."

So, do you also have a "war room" (garage) where you keep your "big board" (poster board atop a milk crate) and oversee things (TV volume) on draft day? Is this the place you also "study film" (watch YouTube hype videos)?

Oh, lord... I'm dying over here.

[cooperbh]

You can spin this anyway you want, but I just cited you saying that a draft of Carimi, Little, Sturdivant instead of Julio would have been awesome. That just shows you how well you would have done in an actual draft.

That's not fair. You cited him before he had a chance to go back and edit the post.

[cooperbh]

Now post up that thread Swifty busted your as with on Peyton's board when he caught you saying Dimi was dumb as hail for drafting Julio and should have taken Demarco Murray. LMAO.

Here ya go...

http://www.atlantafalconstalk.com/index.php?p=/discussion/4443/our-front-office-now-resembles-washington-and-dallas/p1

Glad you like it so much. Some of my best work, I believe.

But, of course, at the end of the day, I'm just a fan. It's not like I'm deluded enough to honestly believe that I could assemble a group of message boarders and together we could run an NFL team better than an actual NFL GM.

But, again, thanks for the props.

[FalconFanSince1970]

Here ya go...

http://www.atlantafalconstalk.com/index.php?p=/discussion/4443/our-front-office-now-resembles-washington-and-dallas/p1

Glad you like it so much. Some of my best work, I believe.

But, of course, at the end of the day, I'm just a fan. It's not like I'm deluded enough to honestly believe that I could assemble a group of message boarders and together we could run an NFL team better than an actual NFL GM.

But, again, thanks for the props.

cooperbh April 2011

Sorry, but I just can't get behind this one. Five draft picks and at least $30 million guaranteed for a #2 WR? Not only is that the position with the highest statistical bust rate in the NFL, it is the position to least likely make an immediate impact.

Now, if it had been for a franchise LT or DL, then maybe the move could be justified. But how is another WR going to give Ryan the protection he needs to get the ball downfield? How is it going to keep elite offenses from sitting their punters for entire games?

Frankly, I think this move reeks of desperation. I know a lot of people are overjoyed that we "made a splash," but making a splash doesn't win championships. Just how how many more years does TD think Abe, Turner and Gonzo have left in them, anyway? Where are we going to get their replacements and with what money are we going to pay them with?

TD better pray that a new CBA can be reached before training camp starts and that it includes a rookie wage scale. Otherwise, this may go down as the year it all started to unravel.

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go watch Julio Jones' highlight vids again to see what it was I missed the first time around that would warrant a franchise mortgaging the future on him.

Gazoo what you think about this? Naw bro that aint the one I'm tallkin bout. Where is the one where you said he should have taken someone like Demarco Murray, then a couple years later came back at me saying I would have been dumb as hail to take him, then got busted by Swift who went back and post digged the thread where you said we should have taken Murray? Yeah that one. Oh by the way, we were right. We should have taken Murray and used the other four picks wisely. We would have been much better than 34-31 with a shiny hood ornament on top of a lime green 1971 Ford Pinto with two missing spark plugs and a leaky carburetor.

[dirtybird2k5]

cooperbh April 2011

Sorry, but I just can't get behind this one. Five draft picks and at least $30 million guaranteed for a #2 WR? Not only is that the position with the highest statistical bust rate in the NFL, it is the position to least likely make an immediate impact.

Now, if it had been for a franchise LT or DL, then maybe the move could be justified. But how is another WR going to give Ryan the protection he needs to get the ball downfield? How is it going to keep elite offenses from sitting their punters for entire games?

Frankly, I think this move reeks of desperation. I know a lot of people are overjoyed that we "made a splash," but making a splash doesn't win championships. Just how how many more years does TD think Abe, Turner and Gonzo have left in them, anyway? Where are we going to get their replacements and with what money are we going to pay them with?

TD better pray that a new CBA can be reached before training camp starts and that it includes a rookie wage scale. Otherwise, this may go down as the year it all started to unravel.

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go watch Julio Jones' highlight vids again to see what it was I missed the first time around that would warrant a franchise mortgaging the future on him.

Gazoo what you think about this? Naw bro that aint the one I'm tallkin bout. Where is the one where you said he should have taken someone like Demarco Murray, then a couple years later came back at me saying I would have been dumb as hail to take him, then got busted by Swift who went back and post digged the thread where you said we should have taken Murray? Yeah that one. Oh by the way, we were right. We should have taken Murray and used the other four picks wisely. We would have been much better than 34-31 with a shiny hood ornament on top of a lime green 1971 Ford Pinto with two missing spark plugs and a leaky carburetor.

[Mid-Nite-Toker]

Gazoo

[gazoo]

Gazoo

of course, I wasn't able to respond to him because I was so busy caring.

[g-dawg]

LOL @ "big board."

So, do you also have a "war room" (garage) where you keep your "big board" (poster board atop a milk crate) and oversee things (TV volume) on draft day? Is this the place you also "study film" (watch YouTube hype videos)?

Oh, lord... I'm dying over here.

f I notice you gave no context to that mock you put up of mine and only included parts of the overall post. It was AFTER the draft had already occurred - and I did not select Carimi myself as a choice but put him in as the choice (2011 - Julio year) because that is who DIMITROFF said he would draft. I then went through our original picks thereafter and looked at players we COULD have drafted that were available at each of the Falcons original picks. There were definitely some stinkers that I liked of my own free will (Greg Little/Roc Carmichael) and I left Quizz in there because TD picked him and I thought it to be a good pick. I would not have freely picked Carimi with better talent available.

[cooperbh]

cooperbh April 2011

Sorry, but I just can't get behind this one. Five draft picks and at least $30 million guaranteed for a #2 WR? Not only is that the position with the highest statistical bust rate in the NFL, it is the position to least likely make an immediate impact.

Now, if it had been for a franchise LT or DL, then maybe the move could be justified. But how is another WR going to give Ryan the protection he needs to get the ball downfield? How is it going to keep elite offenses from sitting their punters for entire games?

Frankly, I think this move reeks of desperation. I know a lot of people are overjoyed that we "made a splash," but making a splash doesn't win championships. Just how how many more years does TD think Abe, Turner and Gonzo have left in them, anyway? Where are we going to get their replacements and with what money are we going to pay them with?

TD better pray that a new CBA can be reached before training camp starts and that it includes a rookie wage scale. Otherwise, this may go down as the year it all started to unravel.

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go watch Julio Jones' highlight vids again to see what it was I missed the first time around that would warrant a franchise mortgaging the future on him.

Gazoo what you think about this? Naw bro that aint the one I'm tallkin bout. Where is the one where you said he should have taken someone like Demarco Murray, then a couple years later came back at me saying I would have been dumb as hail to take him, then got busted by Swift who went back and post digged the thread where you said we should have taken Murray? Yeah that one. Oh by the way, we were right. We should have taken Murray and used the other four picks wisely. We would have been much better than 34-31 with a shiny hood ornament on top of a lime green 1971 Ford Pinto with two missing spark plugs and a leaky carburetor.

That was a great read. Thanks for posting.

So, yes, it's well established that, while I like the player it yielded, I didn't like the Julio trade and never will. What does that have to do with the fact that you spend your ample free time pretending to be an NFL GM and failing miserably at it?

And yes, I vehemently disagreed with your silly idea of reaching for Murray in the first round. I still wouldn't have taken him that early. I actually prefer to get value out of my draft picks. So, how does Swift digging up a post saying that I liked Murray in the later rounds where he was actually taken make me "busted"?

Finally, when g-dawg comes over for play dates, which one of you plays the TD role, and which one of you plays the Pioli role? Or do you just take turns?

[cooperbh]

f I notice you gave no context to that mock you put up of mine and only included parts of the overall post. It was AFTER the draft had already occurred - and I did not select Carimi myself as a choice but put him in as the choice (2011 - Julio year) because that is who DIMITROFF said he would draft. I then went through our original picks thereafter and looked at players we COULD have drafted that were available at each of the Falcons original picks. There were definitely some stinkers that I liked of my own free will (Greg Little/Roc Carmichael) and I left Quizz in there because TD picked him and I thought it to be a good pick. I would not have freely picked Carimi with better talent available.

That's what makes it even worse, actually. You knew exactly where each player would be selected and still face planted.

So, you didn't have Carimi in at least one of your 300 mocks that year?

[g-dawg]

That's what makes it even worse, actually. You knew exactly where each player would be selected and still face planted.

So, you didn't have Carimi in at least one of your 300 mocks that year?

It does not make it worse. It just shows that you are the one with the agenda.

[DoYouSeeWhatHappensLarry]

You are looking at ONE TEAM in the NFL (Cowboys) that invested three 1st rounders - nobody else has done that. NO ONE!!! I would argue that we have invested more in our offensive line than probably 1/2 the teams in the NFL.

If your goal/standard is drafting 1st rounders to build a line, then you will never be satisfied because by the time you get'em, you will start losin'em if they are any good because you cannot keep huge dollars in multiple positions on the O-Line at top dollar.

We don't need to invest MORE - we need to invest more smartly! If we would have gone 2/4 with Konz(2nd), Holmes(3rd), Johnson(3rd) and Hawley(4th) - we would be fine - we went 0/4 - if you want to argue Hawley, fine, but he is gone as well - so we went OFER!

The Steelers put a ton of resources into their OL too. 2012 (1st and 2nd), 2011 (2nd), 2010 (1st).

A bunch of terrible OL seasons later they finally have a good line. Even though at least one of those 2nds was a huge miss.

That defense tho.....

And once again, you're treating this as a lottery ticket system when that's not what it is, at least not in a pure, highly predictable manner.

[DoYouSeeWhatHappensLarry]

cooperbh April 2011

Sorry, but I just can't get behind this one. Five draft picks and at least $30 million guaranteed for a #2 WR? Not only is that the position with the highest statistical bust rate in the NFL, it is the position to least likely make an immediate impact.

Now, if it had been for a franchise LT or DL, then maybe the move could be justified. But how is another WR going to give Ryan the protection he needs to get the ball downfield? How is it going to keep elite offenses from sitting their punters for entire games?

Frankly, I think this move reeks of desperation. I know a lot of people are overjoyed that we "made a splash," but making a splash doesn't win championships. Just how how many more years does TD think Abe, Turner and Gonzo have left in them, anyway? Where are we going to get their replacements and with what money are we going to pay them with?

TD better pray that a new CBA can be reached before training camp starts and that it includes a rookie wage scale. Otherwise, this may go down as the year it all started to unravel.

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go watch Julio Jones' highlight vids again to see what it was I missed the first time around that would warrant a franchise mortgaging the future on him.

Gazoo what you think about this? Naw bro that aint the one I'm tallkin bout. Where is the one where you said he should have taken someone like Demarco Murray, then a couple years later came back at me saying I would have been dumb as hail to take him, then got busted by Swift who went back and post digged the thread where you said we should have taken Murray? Yeah that one. Oh by the way, we were right. We should have taken Murray and used the other four picks wisely. We would have been much better than 34-31 with a shiny hood ornament on top of a lime green 1971 Ford Pinto with two missing spark plugs and a leaky carburetor.

We absolutely should have taken DeMarco Murray in the 4th round of that draft.

Problem is, he wasn't there.

Martez Wilson tho....

[DoYouSeeWhatHappensLarry]

It does not make it worse. It just shows that you are the one with the agenda.

Come on with this, man....let's at least be honest, can we?

[cooperbh]

It does not make it worse. It just shows that you are the one with the agenda.

No, agenda looks like this...

http://boards.atlantafalcons.com/topic/4021216-here-is-the-problem/page-1

[autigerfan]

The trade didn't wipe out the depth, it was the constant misses in subsequent drafts that did it.

The trade was a win.

In the grand scheme of things draft picks are overrated. Aside from having a young player at a reasonable cost for a few years, a high draft pick is still 50/50 to even develop into a high caliber starter. TD will make a calculated trade to move up even if it means sacrificing some draft selections. Julio and Tru have been worth what we have given up to get them, as they are our best Offensive and Defensive players.