Firing Dimitroff?

[gazoo]

I just need to get clarity on some posters insistence that Blank fire TD.

First off, we had the talent to win at least 12 games this year and have a playoff run. The only reason why we didn't win 12 games and aren't in the layoffs is due to us shooting our own selves in the foot with mistakes.

The pathetic 2012 draft keeps being touted as a primary reason to fire him, yet these very posters were the ones who celebrated him getting some level of demotion and Pioli getting more sway and they pointed to this years universally praised draft as proof things have changed.

If it ain't broke now, why change it now?

Why are we suggest firing him for something that is now fixed? In fact, the last 3 drafts we've been getting a lot of starters and even a pro bowler deep in the 4th round and starters from even later rounds.

Our 2015 draft was universally touted as one of the best drafts any team had this year. We got 4 starters from the 2014 draft, at least one prol bowler and most likely two. Jake Mathews was an excellent pick and many OTs bust out picked that high. Mathews is the real deal. We got a pro bowl alternate the year before in Trufant who is most likely a perennial pro bowler moving forward.

We just changed both offensive and defensive schemes idea that we just don't have any talent on the rooter is also misguided. Sure, we don't have all the right talent for VASTLY different schemes on both sides of the ball, but that's totally understandable. We had a decent OL but let Blalock, Hawley and Asamoah go, our Tackles have been fine. You can't blame TD for the poor OL play after switching schemes. You know Quinn has final say in roster spots.

Our last few drafts have been good, but last years was absolutely the best as TD knew exactly what scheme he was drafting for. Why switch that up now based on the 2012 draft? It makes no sense to me.

[Ezekiel 25:17]

I really do not see any reason to Fire Dimitroff outside of it being Symbolic of the regime change. With that said, I think this is the last year of his contract anyway so it maybe a moot point.

[gazoo]

I really do not see any reason to Fire Dimitroff outside of it being Symbolic of the regime change. With that said, I think this is the last year of his contract anyway so it maybe a moot point.

Symbolic or perhaps even vengeance. I think it's the latter. Even though it was universally celebrated what an awesome draft we had in 2015, some are ready to blow it all up over the past just to make themselves feel better.

Heck, seems to me we stay the course, have another awesome draft this year which is scheme specific, get rid of man of the players who do not fit our new scheme and restock more FAs that do and we could turn this around quickly.

[raysnill1]

would be dumb to do so. this season has been a fluke as we could just as easily be 12-4 as we could be 4-12. I think Quinn has a vision and it seems like he & TD are on the same page. just get Quinn another pass rusher & a stud LB and I see big things in the future

[gazoo]

would be dumb to do so. this season has been a fluke as we could just as easily be 12-4 as we could be 4-12. I think Quinn has a vision and it seems like he & TD are on the same page. just get Quinn another pass rusher & a stud LB and I see big things in the future

Agreed.

If we hadn't made so many mistakes while implement the new offensive and defensive schemes we easily would be in the playoff hunt right now. These were self inflicted losses due to mistakes.

If the mistakes keep happening next year it's nn the coaching, but if we clean those up and restock another excellent draft, cut the dead weight and grab a few schem specific FAs, we could turn this right around.

I just don't see how blowing up the front office is a smart move after last years excellent draft. Appears to me we fixed that problem.

[raysnill1]

Agreed.

If we hadn't made so many mistakes while implement the new offensive and defensive schemes we easily would be in the playoff hunt right now. These were self inflicted losses due to mistakes.

If the mistakes keep happening next year it's nn the coaching, but if we clean those up and restock another excellent draft, cut the dead weight and grab a few schem specific FAs, we could turn this right around.

I just don't see how blowing up the front office is a smart move after last years excellent draft. Appears to me we fixed that problem.

kinda seems counterproductive too. this season wasn't too much about talent as it was a new guy learning on the fly. the main difference between Quinn's first year and smitty's is the ball didn't bounce our way. smitty struggled year two but year 3 is when we put it all together, I see Quinn getting it together in year 2

[The Falcon Jedi Knight]

we just want wins and productivity, bro. 8-8 seasons are the worst because youre in the middle of the draft board. And as far as TD goes - he needs to go. He was a Scout before we hired him, and he obviously doesnt scout very well, or either do his subordinates.

Definitely a change needs to be made at the GM position

[PokerSteve]

I understand how you feel TD has finally found his rightful niche in the FO, we had a good draft with the new regime and now things should be left alone. The fact that some disagree on TATF is no big deal, but from what I've seen on the interweb, even Blank's trusted advisers are suggesting he go with some other top GM candidates, especially a couple who Quinn has worked with in the past.

The improved draft produced some good players, but it may be a case of too little too late for Dimitroff when you compare one above-average draft to a long tenure that couldn't produce a decent OL or DL, couldn't produce a decent pass rush. The talent deficit under his watch has put the Falcons at the bottom of the league. The Carolina Panthers absolutely trounced the Falcons a couple weeks ago. The difference in talent was obvious.

TD may have been out the door last season, but fortunately for Dimitroff Quinn sold Blank on the idea he and TD would make a good GM/HC partnership. A third season under .500 and out of the play-offs may be too much for Dimitroff to survive, despite the changes and Quinn's continued support. I think a thorough FO and scouting department house-cleaning is in order. Sometimes keeping the same regime in place doesn't result in stability and success, but a decline into mediocrity.

[falconfanEST1989]

Football isn't just about the draft its about FAcy also... players tend to like to play for certain coaches owners and gm's..

i hate how stubborn TD is when it comes to needs middle of season.. People like to say how he has been a Cap Jedi, but the way i see it we are a middle tier Cap space with low level talent... sounds to me he's paying trash players too much over many years to hid the imperfections of the actual contract

[Guest facelessman07]

hard to take any of these threads seriously now...

[egoprime II]

What kind of leadership can TD offer from his GM position? TD has the GM title, but in fact he (supposedly) no longer has no control over personnel or the roster. Brought in to build a winner, TD has failed to do so. In fact the case could be made that the team is worse now, than when TD got here. Blaming the coaches doesn't fly. TD has said in the past, that HE is the one that makes the final decisions regarding personnel. As far as the cap goes, well its easy to manage he cap when you make sure to keep nearly every player you draft for at least a couple seasons, no matter how bad they are. We need a GM who is a leader, someone who knows how to find O linemen, pass rushers, and LBs. So there is simply no reason to keep TD around. In fact we could use the new leadership.

[The Rock]

TD's MISTAKES

R. Hageman

Jalen Collins

Dez Southward

Lamar Holmes

Prince Shembo

Peter Konz

90% of Draft picks 4th round or later

Akeem Dent

Steven Jackson

Levien Toilolo as our best TE on the roster last year

No pass rush the last 8 seasons

No depth on the defense at any position for years

No backup QB for years

[stizz]

TD's MISTAKES

R. Hageman

Jalen Collins

Dez Southward

Lamar Holmes

Prince Shembo

Peter Konz

90% of Draft picks 4th round or later

Akeem Dent

Steven Jackson

Levien Toilolo as our best TE on the roster last year

No pass rush the last 8 seasons

No depth on the defense at any position for years

No backup QB for years

I'm no TD advocate, but can easily make a list where the good outweighs that.

Has given us a great offense. Made the correct choice between Ryan and Dorsey. Excellent in salary cap despite a couple bad contracts. Excellent in trades. Has built a promising secondary.

[Nono]

probably promote him to another job like McKay and get a raise-assistant to the assistant labor relations or something made up

#noballs = no Lombardi

[B_Lo_Touchdowns]

Last years draft wasn't good but I guess thats not TDs job anymore

[Faithful Falcon]

I'm no TD advocate, but can easily make a list where the good outweighs that.

Has given us a great offense. Made the correct choice between Ryan and Dorsey. Excellent in salary cap despite a couple bad contracts. Excellent in trades. Has built a promising secondary.

Ryan over Dorsey was not a strategic move by TD, it was a business move. When your franchise is in a downward spiral, your franchise QB is going to jail, and you need a new QB with a good guy image. Ryan probably was the best QB, but he was what we needed. As far as the firing of him. Why not? You can sit here and pretend that it's on draft, but let's be real. Too many misses. He has some great hits, but those misses has destroyed us.

[WornOutFalconFan]

I'm no TD advocate, but can easily make a list where the good outweighs that.

Has given us a great offense. Made the correct choice between Ryan and Dorsey. Excellent in salary cap despite a couple bad contracts. Excellent in trades. Has built a promising secondary.

Put your money where your mouth is ruff-tuff! Produce a list!!!

[etherdome]

I just need to get clarity on some posters insistence that Blank fire TD.

The pathetic 2012 draft keeps being touted as a primary reason to fire him, yet these very posters were the ones who celebrated him getting some level of demotion and Pioli getting more sway and they pointed to this years universally praised draft as proof things have changed.

If it ain't broke now, why change it now?

Why are we suggest firing him for something that is now fixed? In fact, the last 3 drafts we've been getting a lot of starters and even a pro bowler deep in the 4th round and starters from even later rounds.

We got 4 starters from the 2014 draft, at least one prol bowler and most likely two. Jake Mathews was an excellent pick and many OTs bust out picked that high. Mathews is the real deal. We got a pro bowl alternate the year before in Trufant who is most likely a perennial pro bowler moving forward.

We just changed both offensive and defensive schemes idea that we just don't have any talent on the rooter is also misguided. Sure, we don't have all the right talent for VASTLY different schemes on both sides of the ball, but that's totally understandable. We had a decent OL but let Blalock, Hawley and Asamoah go, our Tackles have been fine. You can't blame TD for the poor OL play after switching schemes. You know Quinn has final say in roster spots.

Our last few drafts have been good, but last years was absolutely the best as TD knew exactly what scheme he was drafting for. Why switch that up now based on the 2012 draft? It makes no sense to me.

TD has done a poor job of stabilizing this organization. I thought that he did wonders after the Petrino/Vick debacle, but under Smitty, the organization became more and more chaotic in philosophy and execution. Blame Blank for much of that, but it remains TD's responsibility to handle the owner and provide a steady hand to the football operations.

I am of the opinion that this organization needs a steady leader, one that has a clear vision for the team and has the co-jones to stand firm. TD was a breath of fresh air. He is an outside-of-the-box kind of guy. We don't need to think outside the box. We need a guy that can think straight and stick to the plan.

This is why I want to see a change at GM. In my opinion, TD is too collaborative. We need to stick with the philosophies we have on offense and defense and build the team accordingly. I don't believe that TD has the ability to do that.

Prediction: TD will stay with the organization and Pioli will slowly take over all personnel decisions (except for the final 53). My guess is that TD will be given a position that takes advantage of his forward-thinking talents. In other words, he will be the guy that constantly looks for the newest technologies to incorporate into the organization. Expect the Falcons to lead the league in Force Plates, Biometrics and nutritional support.

[etherdome]

TD's MISTAKES

R. Hageman

Jalen Collins

Dez Southward

Lamar Holmes

Prince Shembo

Peter Konz

90% of Draft picks 4th round or later

Akeem Dent

Steven Jackson

Levien Toilolo as our best TE on the roster last year

No pass rush the last 8 seasons

No depth on the defense at any position for years

No backup QB for years

Dunta Robinson-- signed to an expensive contract

Ray Edwards--another expensive signing

Garrett Reynolds- Seriously?

Brent Grimes-- We had him and still let him go. Why? Because his wife was a loud mouth.

Chris Owens--He never turned his head. We would have been better off with a pass rusher.

Dominique Franks--TD's specialty was supposed to be DB evaluations

Thomas DeCoud--SMH, well at least he was athletic.

Jacquizz Rodgers--Small an not elusive---great combo

Mike Johnson--Stuck with him way too long.

That is all that comes to mind. I am sure there are other examples. This poor track record of FA acquisitions and drafting comes from a lack of vision or focus. Under TD, the Falcons did not know who they were. Smitty was all over the map. He changed offenses and defenses like a baby goes through diapers.

The Falcons need a knowledgeable man at the helm that knows what he wants and has the Co-jones to execute the plan.

[etherdome]

would be dumb to do so. this season has been a fluke as we could just as easily be 12-4 as we could be 4-12. I think Quinn has a vision and it seems like he & TD are on the same page. just get Quinn another pass rusher & a stud LB and I see big things in the future

We did not have a complete OL set up for the last game of pre-season. It wasn't injuries, it was indecision and poor personnel choices that caused that debacle.

If the ship runs aground, blame the guy at the helm. The GM should have taken the reins and provided stability to the team. He should have given the HC a clear mandate to continue the plan. Instead, he sat there with Blank in that fateful press conference and repeated "Explosive" over and over.

[WornOutFalconFan]

I wish dude would "Rise Up" and ride on out of town.

Would be a great Christmas gift to the fans.

[JOEinPHX]

Our last few drafts have been good, but last years was absolutely the best as TD knew exactly what scheme he was drafting for. Why switch that up now based on the 2012 draft? It makes no sense to me.

You're still missing the point. Heii, I've been in the Falcons draft room - that doesn't mean I was making the picks.

[CraigSmackDaddy]

Dunta Robinson-- signed to an expensive contract

Ray Edwards--another expensive signing

Garrett Reynolds- Seriously?

Brent Grimes-- We had him and still let him go. Why? Because his wife was a loud mouth.

Chris Owens--He never turned his head. We would have been better off with a pass rusher.

Dominique Franks--TD's specialty was supposed to be DB evaluations

Thomas DeCoud--SMH, well at least he was athletic.

Jacquizz Rodgers--Small an not elusive---great combo

Mike Johnson--Stuck with him way too long.

That is all that comes to mind. I am sure there are other examples. This poor track record of FA acquisitions and drafting comes from a lack of vision or focus. Under TD, the Falcons did not know who they were. Smitty was all over the map. He changed offenses and defenses like a baby goes through diapers.

The Falcons need a knowledgeable man at the helm that knows what he wants and has the Co-jones to execute the plan.

Quizz was what a 4th or 5th rounder who made a lot of plays for us. Not really sure what the gripe is there.

Grimes wouldn't play in the playoffs, still got paid the next year, and went on to miss the entire year. He then hit the 30 year old mark and no one was sure would be worth a **** anymore much less worth a double digit mil $ a year contract.

Lot of hindsight on this board. I didn't even touch on some of the other players you mentioned.

The only DUMB move I've seen out of TD was resigning Baker. Other moves were supported by just about everyone on this board at the time.

TD gets way too much crap. If he's fired I won't be bitching but I think it will be a mistake. You guys are going to just do the same whining about the next GM as soon as he picks a bust or even worse, f's up our cap which is something TD has been really good at.

[ZoneOne01]

Even on Christmas, the Dimitroff Defense Force is defending. So much fight for a mediocre GM. I'm not going to lie, the dedication is inspiring.

[stingbee]

I just need to get clarity on some posters insistence that Blank fire TD.

The pathetic 2012 draft keeps being touted as a primary reason to fire him, yet these very posters were the ones who celebrated him getting some level of demotion and Pioli getting more sway and they pointed to this years universally praised draft as proof things have changed.

If it ain't broke now, why change it now?

Why are we suggest firing him for something that is now fixed? In fact, the last 3 drafts we've been getting a lot of starters and even a pro bowler deep in the 4th round and starters from even later rounds.

We got 4 starters from the 2014 draft, at least one prol bowler and most likely two. Jake Mathews was an excellent pick and many OTs bust out picked that high. Mathews is the real deal. We got a pro bowl alternate the year before in Trufant who is most likely a perennial pro bowler moving forward.

We just changed both offensive and defensive schemes idea that we just don't have any talent on the rooter is also misguided. Sure, we don't have all the right talent for VASTLY different schemes on both sides of the ball, but that's totally understandable. We had a decent OL but let Blalock, Hawley and Asamoah go, our Tackles have been fine. You can't blame TD for the poor OL play after switching schemes. You know Quinn has final say in roster spots.

Our last few drafts have been good, but last years was absolutely the best as TD knew exactly what scheme he was drafting for. Why switch that up now based on the 2012 draft? It makes no sense to me.

If DQ makes a special request to Arthur for keeping TD, then he will listen. At the end of the day, it was their first year together, and it appears they both get along very well. If they have synergy between them, then it will even get better going into the 2nd year with more time spend on getting a pool of better talent. I would give DQ and TD another 2 years together to see what they can do. The OC may not be retained, and some of the other coaches.

I honestly think blaming TD for everything is a scapegoat. He might not be the best GM, but he is not as bad as some portray him. Now the caveat is if they bring one of the GM's that is familiar with DQ. Otherwise, it might not be wise to change a GM when he just started to gel with his new HC.