Dimitroff: Falcons Need More “Game-Wreckers” on Roster

[jfalconsp 2,636]

Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff and coach Dan Quinn will spend the next few months evaluating their roster.

Change will happen as it does each year, but this offseason could be a little different from previous years.

The Falcons will be looking to add more difference-makers or, more specifically, game-wreckers to the roster in addition to expectations for several players to take the next step.

"We feel we have game-wreckers [but] we feel we want to increase our amount of game-wreckers no question," Dimitroff said at the Senior Bowl. "Our playmakers, our game-wreckers, we feel we have a good group of those guys. They need to continue to step up as we do within all the organization to make sure we're providing our coaches with game wreckers. We're expecting big things out of the players we believe are that."

After back-to-back seasons without a trip to the postseason and Falcons owner and chairman Arthur Blank saying a 7-9 record will not be acceptable moving forward, Dimitroff acknowledged the importance of continuing to acquire players who can make a difference on the field.

"This is a big season for us to continue to acquire those guys," Dimitroff said. "We'll have to make some difficult moves to create cap space. So, we will be unfortunately losing some players so we're going to have to be ready to replace."

Dimitroff has stressed that regardless of several players being on significant long-term deals, the Falcons will not be handicapped by their cap space situation moving forward.

The roster is expected to be built with the players who give the Falcons the best chance to be a contender in 2020 and Dimitroff is confident he can find creative ways to ensure that is the case.

"I'm not concerned about it being a situation where we are going to be in what has been perceived out there as cap ****," Dimitroff said. "It's not the case at all. We will accomplish what we need to accomplish to continue to bring the right players in here to be a contender.

As for players who Dimitroff believes are game-wreckers for the Falcons, it starts with wide receiver Julio Jones on offense. Matt Ryan also continues to play at a high level and the emergence of Calvin Ridley over the last two years is encouraging.

After an offseason dedicated to rebuilding the offensive line in 2019, Dimitroff is encouraged by the play of first-year players Kaleb McGary and Chris Lindstrom. Alex Mack and Jake Matthews have continued to be consistent at center and left tackle over the last few years.

Left guard, however, looks to certainly be a position the Falcons will explore via free agency or the draft.

The defensive side of the ball is where Dimitroff expects a number of players to take the next step, starting with former first-round pick Takk McKinley.

"I would love to see Takk McKinley take it to another level," Dimtiroff said. "He has so much ability and upside for us. His fire and passion are what we're looking for. I can't wait for him to get into this season and get healed up after his surgery, that's going to be an important thing for us."

Dimitroff is high on the potential of a few of his younger players in the secondary including free safety Damontae Kazee and cornerbacks Kendall Sheffield and Isaiah Oliver.

"Continue to watch guys like Kazee and our evolving corners coming in with Sheffield and Isaiah Oliver," Dimitroff said. "They need to continue to wreck games and make big plays, bat balls down, pick off balls."

Linebacker Deion Jones is someone the Falcons have invested in as he was signed to a four-year contract extension ahead of the 2019 season. Jones plays a significant role in Atlanta's defense and is someone Dimitroff wants to see him consistently make an impact.

"Same kind of thing; get Debo in there," Dimitroff said. "Let's roll, man it's time. He can shut down players for sure, [we] want him to keep flying around the field and turning games upside down because he has the ability to do that. There aren't many people who can run with some of the receivers and running backs underneath that we expect him to do. Can't wait to see that more consistently because he has the ability to do that."

And to cap it off, Dimitroff continues to have high expectations for Pro Bowl defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who was Atlanta's best player on defense in 2019.

"We have massive expectations for [Grady] and what he can do," Dimitroff said. "Not only is he always getting a sack, but he's always disrupting, and he is such a motivator for our defense."

The Falcons have the No. 16 overall pick in April's draft and have two picks in the second round after they traded Mohamed Sanu to the Patriots during the season.

Whether it's through free agency or the draft, Dimitroff will be active in ensuring he gets Atlanta's roster in the best place possible.

https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-gm-we-want-more-game-wreckers-on-roster

[athell 27,326]

We already have game wreckers.  They are on the side lines wearing headphones.

[Schwarzwald 19,494]

Found two on page one:

TATF all over this TD!

[FalconFanSince1969 12,182]

Incoming Jamal Adams trade.

[FalconsIn2012 28,250]

Good-bye both second round picks.  Hello trade up in first round.  SMMFH

[FalconAge 3,110]

That doesn't even sound right coming out of his mouth.

 

[VTCrunkler 7,374]

11 minutes ago, athell said:

We already have game wreckers.  They are on the side lines wearing headphones.

[LaurentRobinsonDaGawd 744]

Interesting Kazee was brought up, but not Rico or KeKe. Im ready to add some long term talent to this team, and make a run this year. If it doesnt workout, we will be able to open up some cap spacw by cuts next year, while also adding a few long term pkayers this offseason. With all the DB talk, im really starting to warm up to the idea of Fulton(if we go DB). Mckinney is alsp getting chatters of being the best S in the class. He or delpit qiuld be nice, but i think S is the position i least want in round one. 

[Knight of God 49,494]

Oh

[EZfalcons 246]

17 minutes ago, FalconFanSince1969 said:

Incoming Jamal Adams trade.

2 2nds should get the job done

[FalconFanSince1969 12,182]

1 minute ago, EZfalcons said:

2 2nds should get the job done

Doubt it. It'll take our 1st and likely a pick next year too. 

[revrndzombie 193]

Im jealous of Dimitroff. I want a job where I can say a lot of words and say absolutely nothing and get paid a lot for it. 

lalalalalalalala "game wrecker" lalallalalalalala "fast and physical" lalalaa look at me and my tall hair. 

 

[caponine 6,081]

Hear this same crap every year , and nothing has changed at all. I dont see where the talent on defense is outside of Grady and Deion. Corners still aren't that good too me. OLB and DE are trash, if they dont hit this draft  and FA then this will tell me what I need to know about this team this season 

[red falcon 3,736]

12 minutes ago, caponine said:

Hear this same crap every year , and nothing has changed at all. I dont see where the talent on defense is outside of Grady and Deion. Corners still aren't that good too me. OLB and DE are trash, if they dont hit this draft  and FA then this will tell me what I need to know about this team this season 

Sheffield and Oliver played well. I agree we do hear it every year. Dirk, matt and knapp need to be game planning right now.

Edited January 23 by red falcon

[Lowndesfalc 2,676]

41 minutes ago, FalconsIn2012 said:

Good-bye both second round picks.  Hello trade up in first round.  SMMFH

That’s what it sounds like to me. 

[caponine 6,081]

2 minutes ago, red falcon said:

Sheffield and Oliver played well. I agree we do hear it every year. Dirk, matt and knapp need to be game planning right now.

I haven't seen much of Sheffield but from what I saw he could defend TE's as well. But Oliver I need another season because there were games where he absolutely looked lost and confused. But yeah I agree. Its getting old , need to decide what type of team they want to be because DK and Matt had no idea last season 

[FalconsIn2012 28,250]

Just now, Lowndesfalc said:

That’s what it sounds like to me. 

I swear to God, if we move up and it’s not for Simmons, Okudah or Young, I’m done.  And even for them, I’m not doing it

[Vandy 35,280]

47 minutes ago, athell said:

We already have game wreckers.  They are on the side lines wearing headphones.

 

[Mr.11 7,271]

No, we just need high football IQ players who do their job well. You can find those in any round.

[lju713 1,068]

If he signs a pass rusher in FA, TD will trade up to get Okudah....mark my words

[FalconFanSince1969 12,182]

7 minutes ago, FalconsIn2012 said:

I swear to God, if we move up and it’s not for Simmons, Okudah or Young, I’m done.  And even for them, I’m not doing it

Don't think they're gonna risk their jobs on a rookie. 

[ZoneOne01 1,761]

39 minutes ago, revrndzombie said:

Im jealous of Dimitroff. I want a job where I can say a lot of words and say absolutely nothing and get paid a lot for it. 

lalalalalalalala "game wrecker" lalallalalalalala "fast and physical" lalalaa look at me and my tall hair. 

 

Don’t forget “urgent athleticism”.  

[Francis York Morgan 22,001]

1 hour ago, FalconFanSince1969 said:

Incoming Jamal Adams trade.

Hope so. I think we're going to see a few trades this off-season for sure. He'd change the mentality of our defense. 6 years/90 mil would be the biggest contract at S of all time but we could also roll with him for the two years we had left. Worth it.

1 hour ago, FalconsIn2012 said:

Good-bye both second round picks.  Hello trade up in first round.  SMMFH

Got a feeling it's more likely we make a trade for a vet or two. Might not have the 1st regardless.

1 minute ago, ZoneOne01 said:

Don’t forget “urgent athleticism”.  

Def felt like game wrecker was the new buzzword. Better than "embrace the suck" at least. Just hope he means it.

[FalconsIn2012 28,250]

30 minutes ago, FalconFanSince1969 said:

Don't think they're gonna risk their jobs on a rookie. 

They did last year

[Drunken Minotaur Zebra 6,907]

We do.... but is TD the one to pick them?