Tag: NFL

Thank goodness this one came to a merciful close; Houston has been shipped to Detroit.

Cornerback Chris Houston was traded to the Detroit Lions for a sixth round pick on Monday, the team confirmed.

Also, as part of the deal, the Falcons will move up to the second pick overall in the fifth round and Detroit will pick 18th in fifth round

Houston may have had some decent speed and athletic ability, but he was never a decent option; a nickel back at best.

Perhaps better news is that the Falcons should give a few compensatory picks.

The Falcons are also expected to receive at least two compensatory picks during the league’s meeting later this month in Orlando. Teams are awarded compensatory picks for the players they lose during free agency in the previous year. The Falcons lost linebacker Keith Brooking, linebacker Michael Boley, cornerback Domonique Foxworth and defensive tackle Grady Jackson last season.

Hopefully Brooking is worth something; he did have a decent year. Boley and Foxworth are sure to be worth two picks, but I doubt the Falcons will receive squat for big ol’ Grady.

The Falcons are working out final terms of a six-year contract with Houston Texan CB Dunta Robinson.

We’ve known this was coming most of the day and it comes soon after the Falcons prevented Brian Williams from becoming a free agent by giving him a contract extension. Suddenly, the Atlanta secondary looks a lot better than it did at the end of last season.

I do not know much about Robinson; everything I have read indicates that he is a number one coverage DB, which is a great need for the Falcons.

The Falcons are hoping the return of defensive tackle Peria Jerry will help improve their pass rush. The signing of Robinson clearly is designed to improve the coverage.

Last season, he covered the opponent’s best receiver and played on both the right and left sides of the field.

Solidifying the corners, along with the return of Jerry should provide the Falcons with an instant improvement on the defensive side of the ball. Getting Robinson now gives the Falcons a lot of different directions to go with their first two picks (first and third rounds). They can continue to work the defense with additions to the d-line or LB corps. I would love to see the Falcons go defense with the first two picks, and look for value pickups along the o-line (specifically concentrating on the C spot) and WR and RB depth with their later picks.

According to the AJC, the Falcons have tendered several offers to their unrestricted free agents.

The team has made tender offers to right tackle Tyson Clabo, right guard Harvey Dahl, running back Jerious Norwood, punter Michael Koenen and offensive lineman Quinn Ojinnaka, according to their representatives.

Clabo, Norwood and Dahl all have four accrued NFL seasons and received first round tenders. With the first round tender their salary for 2010 will be $2.521 million or 110 percent of their 2009 salary, whichever is greater.

I doubt anyone will take any of these guys in exchange for a first round pick, but if they do, it is really a win-win situation for Atlanta. They either get to keep some decent players, or they get high draft picks in return. Seems like a joke because no one is going to give up a first round pick for a change of pace back (Norwood) or a second round pick for a punter (Koenen).

First up, the Falcons secured the 19th position in the 2010 draft; Texans get the 20th spot via coin toss. In the middle of the draft one spot may not matter a whole lot, but with the loss of their 2nd round pick, I think every spot does in fact matter.

NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks has put together his latest mock draft, which has the Falcons taking a linebacker.

19. Atlanta Falcons
Navorro Bowman, LB, Penn State

Mike Smith needs a playmaker at the weak-side linebacker spot, and Bowman’s athleticism makes him a perfect fit in the Falcons’ scheme.

I do not know much about Bowman; I think it is critical for the Falcons to get help on the d-line and in the secondary. If DT Peria Jerry is expected to make a full recovery, the Falcons could go in a different direction, but I think the first pick has to be an impact player on defense that can start right away.

The official Falcons site has an article with some quotes from GM Thomas Dimitroff and Head Coach Mike Smith. Nothing really earth shattering, but worth a read during the long buildup to the draft.

Pat Yasinskas (NFC South Blog at ESPN) has posted some comments from an interview with Atlanta Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff.

Dimitroff did say the Falcons will continue to try to build mostly through the draft.

“What I can tell you is that the draft will continued to be need based for us,” Dimitroff said. “And I can tell you it won’t be as lopsided as it was last year when we only took one offensive player or the year before when we kind of focused on offense.”

Dimitroff also said that injured players Harry Douglas, Brian Williams, Peria Jerry and William Moore are all progressing well in rehabilitation.

There are several interesting nuggets of information. First, I think we all knew that the Falcons would continue to build through the draft. No surprises. It sounds like the Falcons will split offensive and defensive needs in the draft, but I think they should focus heavily on defense. Second, the rehab update is good news. I am not sure if Brian Williams can return as the best d-back in the secondary, but if Peria Jerry is fully recovered, the secondary will get better instantly. If Harry Douglas regains his speed, that will be a major coup for the Falcons. It is almost like the walking wounded will be key draft picks, which will help since the Falcons without a second round pick.

Forget the point about politicians having something better to do than worry about the Falcons, the Georgia Dome, or both. If you put that issue aside for a moment I am happy to see that some folks are actively working to keep the Falcons downtown.

State Rep. Mark Burkhalter (R-Johns Creek) is sponsoring HB 903, which would move the sunset date of the taxes, currently pegged at 2020, to 2045. The bill also stipulates that the extension is contingent upon keeping the Falcons on the campus of the state-operated Georgia World Congress Center, the Dome’s current home.

The article goes on to say that the Falcons are part of the overall Atlanta package/experience, so keeping the Falcons downtime is vital to the economic prosperity of the City of Atlanta.

I am not sure about the last point, but as a longtime fan and (in recent years) season ticket holder, I like the current Georgia Dome location. I can get to game within 90 minutes, and while the parking situation is not ideal, if you pay for a pass to a decent lot, there are more than enough opportunities for a fun tailgating experience. If the Falcons moved north, it could (would) tack on an additional 30-60 minutes of driving time from Columbus depending on the ultimate location.

I know it is not all about me, but I want the Falcons to remain downtown. I am also not too crazy about a new stadium because I am sure that will result in PSL type deals, which may put season tickets out of my reach. If and when the Falcons do get a new stadium deal I hope they go with the retractable roof model. Georgia does not have a ton on inclement weather, but it would be nice to have the best of both worlds. Enjoy the fresh air and sunshine when the weather is nice, but close up things when it is nasty outside.

It is never too early to talk about mock drafts, and of course they are always a joy to read and critique. SI has the Falcons taking CB Kyle Wilson of Boise State with the 19th (or it could be 20th) selection.

The search for the draft’s No. 2-rated cornerback behind Florida’s Joe Haden at this week’s Senior Bowl turned up a surprising name, that of the former Bronco defensive back, Wilson. He has blanketed receivers on behalf of the North squad, and has made play after play on the ball. There’s no team that needs cornerback help more than Atlanta, and look for Wilson to continue to climb up teams’ draft boards.

There’s no doubt that the Falcons must get better in the secondary, but unless Kyle Wilson is going to start day one, shutting down half the field, this pick seems like it is a tad on the risky side. An improved pass rush would do wonders to protect the secondary, speaking of which …

This site has the Falcons turning to Florida DE Joe Haden.

Perhaps more than anything Atlanta needs a top-flight cornerback but Florida’s Joe Haden is going to be long, long gone by this point and after him there is a huge dropoff at the position. With that in mind the Falcons could turn their attention to Haden’s former Gator teammate, Carlos Dunlap.

I am all for second chances, but based on some recent off the field incidents, I cannot see the Falcons taking someone that may have any sort of character question marks.I do like where these two mock drafts take the Falcons – the secondary and defensive line must improve, significantly, right away.

I just read (J.Mike’s Missives) that Roddy White has been added to the Pro Bowl roster; who cares if he made it as an alternate replacement.

White finished 2009 with a team-high 85 catches, 1,153 yards and a career-high 11 touchdowns. He also joined wide receiver Andre Rison as the only other Falcon to post three-straight 1,000-yard seasons.

I do not care about the Pro Bowl, and do not plan to watch, but I am glad an Atlanta Falcon was recognized for a great year. Well done Roddy!

The early odds are in, with both home teams listed as early favorites. Colts are -7.5 while the Saints are -4.5. This year the home teams are 5-2; exceptions being the Ravens (over the Pats) and the Jets (over the Bengals and Chargers).

I am not sure who I like yet, but will be pulling for the Vikings over the Saints. I have not decided yet between the Colts and Jets.

I think it is funny that there is some “controversy” surrounding the late TD that the Vikings inflicted on Dallas. The only one that seems to give a crap is former Falcons LB Keith Brooking. Early in the broadcast, it was mentioned that Brooking was the emotional leader of the Cowboys. They may want to reconsider that for next year’s run to glory.

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Quick Edit (within ten minutes after the original post): I found this bit on Brooking from Jeff Schultz of the ajc.com:

If Brooking was this demonstrative and as great an emotional leader in his last few seasons with the Falcons as he is now with the Dallas Cowboys, would the Falcons have tried a little harder to keep him?

This was the point I was being sarcastic about in my closing sentence. Brooking never showed this sort of emotion in ATL; not that it matters because his antics did not make the loss any less significant for the Cowboys.