jfalconsp Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 (edited) https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/thomas-dimitroff-explains-whether-falcons-will-focus-on-need-or-best-player-avai TD - The moves the Falcons make in free agency, however, will go a long way towards determining whether Atlanta is focused on filling a position of great need or has freedom to draft a number of positions depending on the talent available to them. “We really have to sit down and see who we end up with, obviously, and what moves we make to clear some space,” Dimitroff said. “Then, we’ll have more of an idea if we’re directed towards best player or need.” Whether a team should draft for positional need or take the undrafted player who is highest on its board has long been a popular debate around draft time. The Falcons hold the No. 14 pick in this year’s draft, their highest draft slot since 2015 when they selected Vic Beasley at No. 8, so they should have a variety of different paths to take on draft night. Dimitroff did make it clear that need is always going to be a factor in any decision the team would make. Whichever players Atlanta considers, they will be at positions the team knows it needs to address or feels it can upgrade. “We will always be focused on our need,” Dimitroff said. “We are never going to sit out there and pull a position that we know that we have some really good depth at just because that’s the best player. Need is going to be driving this, but we’re going to be very mindful of the best player as well.” Interview with TD during SB week. Couple of tidbits on them needing to clear some space and not necessarily planning on making any big splashes. There’s a video in the link above with TD. ————————————— “Arthur Blank Expects Active Offseason” AB- The 2018 season didn’t go as planned for the Falcons by any means and there’s no denying this offseason is a vital one for the franchise moving forward. Falcons owner Arthur Blank didn’t shy away from saying “this was not a great year” for his team. Atlanta started the year with expectations by some in the national media to be the first team to play a Super Bowl in their home stadium. Instead, the team finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2015. The Falcons have a relatively young roster and made a number of coaching moves after the season in hopes to get back to playing championship-level football in 2019. Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Dan Quinn will spend the next three months making thorough decisions about their roster as free agency and the NFL Draft are just around the corner. Blank has said the needs for the team will start with improving in the trenches. And they’ll make whatever moves they deem necessary to ensure that. “We’ll look at free agency and [see] who is available,” Blank said. “Then we’ll have to make the determination, do we want to go after any of those players or do we just want to wait for the draft? A lot of it depends on the depth of the draft in certain areas that we have needs in like the offensive line this year is pretty clear. [And] the defensive line. So, we look at that in totality, we look at the pool of players that are available. I expect us to be active in any way we can to improve our team.” After a season in which Matt Ryan was sacked 42 times and finishing the year with the No, 27th rushing attack, the emphasis on continuing to bolster the offensive line is quite clear. “It’s critical,” Blank said. “We want to keep [Matt] standing and not having him running around. He can throw the ball well on the run, but he’s better in the pocket. We need to find ways to protect him much better. Improving that offensive line is important for him but also with Dirk Koetter, you’re going to see much more of an emphasis on a more balanced running and passing attack.” Edited January 31, 2019 by jfalconsp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtlantaFanatic Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 I think the way TD and crew does it is they make a list of the positions we need to upgrade or fill, then when draft day comes, they draft the BPA at one of those positions. In other words, if corner is on the list of positions and the best D-lineman are off their board, they're going to take the best corner on the board vs taking the 4th best D-lineman. That's how you end up with Keanu Neal when nobody was really expecting it. And TD has said "no big splashes" almost every year. We usually sign one "big" name and then 3 or 4 cheap guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoddyWhite84 Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 39 minutes ago, AtlantaFanatic said: I think the way TD and crew does it is they make a list of the positions we need to upgrade or fill, then when draft day comes, they draft the BPA at one of those positions. In other words, if corner is on the list of positions and the best D-lineman are off their board, they're going to take the best corner on the board vs taking the 4th best D-lineman. That's how you end up with Keanu Neal when nobody was really expecting it. And TD has said "no big splashes" almost every year. We usually sign one "big" name and then 3 or 4 cheap guys. Maybe McCoy becomes available and saffold asking for a lot I know but got to make some strides in getting the lines right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoomGoesTheDynamite Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 BPA is usually the best way to go IMO. I know we need to get better linemen, but quality > quantity. Hope we get the help we need in the trenches but don't 'settle' for anything. Ever since Atlanta United won a championship, I get a feeling that while Blank is a patient man, he wants to see better results from this team soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vel Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 It really isn't rocket science. There is a big opportunity to impact this roster. Moves will be made. The good thing is there are few needs at the skill positions, which should make the focus on the lines a lot clearer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtlantaFanatic Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 38 minutes ago, RoddyWhite84 said: Maybe McCoy becomes available and saffold asking for a lot I know but got to make some strides in getting the lines right They could afford Saffold but that's about it. You aren't getting both those guy in FA. Going to have to draft some linemen for sure. No way around it. Doesn't mean it'll happen in the first round though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtlantaFanatic Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 7 minutes ago, vel said: It really isn't rocket science. There is a big opportunity to impact this roster. Moves will be made. The good thing is there are few needs at the skill positions, which should make the focus on the lines a lot clearer. If you keep Alford, There's really not skill position you seriously have a gaping hole at. Even if Alford gets cut, you could say that Oliver will take his place but I'm not sure any of us know if he's ready for that yet. Safety is covered. WR is covered. RB could use maybe one piece but there are worse situations than Free and Ito out there. You've got a pro-bowl TE...what else is there? I'm using the term "gaping hole" as missing a starter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vel Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 6 minutes ago, AtlantaFanatic said: If you keep Alford, There's really not skill position you seriously have a gaping hole at. Even if Alford gets cut, you could say that Oliver will take his place but I'm not sure any of us know if he's ready for that yet. Safety is covered. WR is covered. RB could use maybe one piece but there are worse situations than Free and Ito out there. You've got a pro-bowl TE...what else is there? I'm using the term "gaping hole" as missing a starter. Even if you cut Alford, the net loss is lessened when you add Kazee to the CB mix. Yes, assuming Oliver will be ready is a little shaky, but there is always calculated risk on any team. No roster is perfect. Fix the OL and you can put us back there at RB and get production. Look at CJ Anderson churning out yards for the Rams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAD597 Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 OL and DL, just that in FA and draft, all off season OL and DL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtlantaFanatic Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 39 minutes ago, vel said: Even if you cut Alford, the net loss is lessened when you add Kazee to the CB mix. Yes, assuming Oliver will be ready is a little shaky, but there is always calculated risk on any team. No roster is perfect. Fix the OL and you can put us back there at RB and get production. Look at CJ Anderson churning out yards for the Rams. I think Kazzee is just as shaky. We saw him play well and poorly during the year at FS. I know he played more CB in college but technically he doesn't have very much pro experience at the position. That also means your depth at safety took a big hit. Of course no roster is perfect. I 100% agree with you on the O line. If something has to give on defense to upgrade the O line. So be it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFanSince1970 Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 5 hours ago, AtlantaFanatic said: I think the way TD and crew does it is they make a list of the positions we need to upgrade or fill, then when draft day comes, they draft the BPA at one of those positions. In other words, if corner is on the list of positions and the best D-lineman are off their board, they're going to take the best corner on the board vs taking the 4th best D-lineman. That's how you end up with Keanu Neal when nobody was really expecting it. And TD has said "no big splashes" almost every year. We usually sign one "big" name and then 3 or 4 cheap guys. No they don't: Sackmaker instead of Duane Brown Akeem The Dream Dent instead of K.J. Wright Vic Bustley instead of Danielle Hunter Puddin instead of Bobby Massie Massaquoi instead of Danny Trevathan Brokeback Ewing instead of Alfred Morris Deadrin Snot instead of Maurice Hurst Crisp Owens instead of Jarraud Powers Reynolds Wrap instead of Matt Slauson Vance Walker instead of Clinton McDonald Tru instead of Xavier Rhodes Dookie Riley instead of Jarrad Davis Haggleman instead of Timmy Jernigan Dezmen Southward instead of Breshaud Breeland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1989Fan Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 I don’t think any team simply takes the BPA regardless of position. It’s a nice idea but not practical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1989Fan Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 22 minutes ago, FalconFanSince1970 said: No they don't: Sackmaker instead of Duane Brown Akeem Dent instead of K.J. Wright Vic Bustley instead of Danielle Hunter Puddin instead of Bobby Massie Massaquoi instead of Danny Trevathan Brokeback Ewing instead of Alfred Morris Deadrin Snot instead of Maurice Hurst Crisp Owens instead Jarraud Powers Reynolds Wrap instead of Matt Slauson Vance Walker instead of Clinton McDonald Tru instead of Xavier Rhodes Dookie Riley instead of Jarrad Davis Haggleman instead of Timmy Jernigan Dezmen Southward instead of Breshaud Breeland You can be critical of every teams draft history in hindsight, you know this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazoo Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 ——-instead of Fradey Jarrett ——-Instead if Baked Mathews ———instead of Blooper ———instead of Deion Bones ——-instead of Devonte Freebase ———instead of Kami Kazee ———instead of Coleman ——-instead of Rico ——-/instead of Foye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoddyWhite84 Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 2 hours ago, AtlantaFanatic said: They could afford Saffold but that's about it. You aren't getting both those guy in FA. Going to have to draft some linemen for sure. No way around it. Doesn't mean it'll happen in the first round though. For sure..just wishful thinking.id like saffold and I'd still like for the first pick to be o line Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtlantaFanatic Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 2 hours ago, FalconFanSince1970 said: No they don't: Sackmaker instead of Duane Brown Akeem Dent instead of K.J. Wright Vic Bustley instead of Danielle Hunter Puddin instead of Bobby Massie Massaquoi instead of Danny Trevathan Brokeback Ewing instead of Alfred Morris Deadrin Snot instead of Maurice Hurst Crisp Owens instead of Jarraud Powers Reynolds Wrap instead of Matt Slauson Vance Walker instead of Clinton McDonald Tru instead of Xavier Rhodes Dookie Riley instead of Jarrad Davis Haggleman instead of Timmy Jernigan Dezmen Southward instead of Breshaud Breeland You're hysterical. Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtlantaFanatic Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 1 hour ago, RoddyWhite84 said: For sure..just wishful thinking.id like saffold and I'd still like for the first pick to be o line Me too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vel Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 15 hours ago, AtlantaFanatic said: I think Kazzee is just as shaky. We saw him play well and poorly during the year at FS. I know he played more CB in college but technically he doesn't have very much pro experience at the position. That also means your depth at safety took a big hit. Of course no roster is perfect. I 100% agree with you on the O line. If something has to give on defense to upgrade the O line. So be it. But you can take the shaky ups and downs with the big plays he makes. Oliver hasn't made those yet. But again, at the end of the day, it's the ability to be multiple in the secondary. Having the options of Tru, Oliver, Poole, Kazee, and even Rico playing corner gives you a lot of options weekly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtlantaFanatic Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 Just now, vel said: But you can take the shaky ups and downs with the big plays he makes. Oliver hasn't made those yet. But again, at the end of the day, it's the ability to be multiple in the secondary. Having the options of Tru, Oliver, Poole, Kazee, and even Rico playing corner gives you a lot of options weekly. What's going on with Poole? What round tender you think he will get? Personally, ill be ok if someone takes him off our hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vel Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 37 minutes ago, AtlantaFanatic said: What's going on with Poole? What round tender you think he will get? Personally, ill be ok if someone takes him off our hands. Second rounder I'm fine with Poole on the roster but I don't know about much beyond 2019. Too many brain farts. Lost in coverage. Tries to do too much at times. But is physical and solid when he's locked in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFanSince1970 Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 1 hour ago, AtlantaFanatic said: What's going on with Poole? What round tender you think he will get? Personally, ill be ok if someone takes him off our hands. I think he gets a second round tender. I believe that was $2.9M last year. We tendered Rico and Garland in 2018. He made more plays than both combined. Yeah he screws up but he knows the system and is a play maker. We need play makers. Tender him and give him Ish's spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtlantaFanatic Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 4 hours ago, FalconFanSince1970 said: I think he gets a second round tender. I believe that was $2.9M last year. We tendered Rico and Garland in 2018. He made more plays than both combined. Yeah he screws up but he knows the system and is a play maker. We need play makers. Tender him and give him Ish's spot. Sign me up. Im good with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor Kildare Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 TD - The moves the Falcons make in free agency, however, will go a long way towards determining whether Atlanta is focused on filling a position of great need or has freedom to draft a number of positions depending on the talent available to them. ================================= Overpay for a couple of aging offensive lineman and maybe Tommy can get to trade up and draft another cornerback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcanuck Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 23 hours ago, FalconFanSince1970 said: No they don't: Sackmaker instead of Duane Brown Akeem The Dream Dent instead of K.J. Wright Vic Bustley instead of Danielle Hunter Puddin instead of Bobby Massie Massaquoi instead of Danny Trevathan Brokeback Ewing instead of Alfred Morris Deadrin Snot instead of Maurice Hurst Crisp Owens instead of Jarraud Powers Reynolds Wrap instead of Matt Slauson Vance Walker instead of Clinton McDonald Tru instead of Xavier Rhodes Dookie Riley instead of Jarrad Davis Haggleman instead of Timmy Jernigan Dezmen Southward instead of Breshaud Breeland Could easily list more for other teams. Your takes on the draft are always so bad it’s unreal. And the nicknames are so cringey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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