Sports Page Atlanta

Alright sports fans, It’s time for my mock-draft, let’s jump right into it!

1. Miami: Jake Long, OT, Michigan: Already done, Long will help anchor the Miami O-Line for the next decade and change, great investment considering the money you have to spend at #1

2. St. Louis: Chris Long, DE/LB, UVA: Yes we keep hearing how Dorsey’s the guy…it’s bullocks, Cariker’s moving to DT, he’s not really suited for DE, and now with Long the Rams will have three solid or better D-Line guys (including Cariker and Clifton Ryan) to build a defense, that’s gotten better the last couple of years anyway, around for years to come.

3. Atlanta: Alright for the record I still think Dorsey’s the pick here, but I’m going to discuss the other plausible action here (as I mentioned before I firmly believe drafting Ryan is not an option here.)
—Atlanta trades the third overall pick in this year’s draft to…….
The Baltimore Ravens. In return Atlanta receives the #8 overall pick this year’s draft, Baltimore’s 2nd round pick (#38 overall, 7th in the 2nd), and a third round pick in next year’s draft.
3.B Baltimore: QB Matt Ryan, BC: Ryan becomes the new franchise QB.  He’s been #1 on their board all-along and while they give up a decent amount for him, he’s their guy.  Many think Ryan, had he not been picked by Atlanta, would have fallen to Baltimore, what Baltimore is not willing to risk however is another team looking for a QB (read Chicago, and KC) trading up to snag Ryan.  Atlanta on the other hand trades down to #8 where they can still pick an impact player and add yet another second round pick, with three they can use a combination of picks to trade back into the first round, or they can keep all four 2nd rounders and two 3rds in a deep and talented draft class and really work on the rebuilding process.

4.Oakland: DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU. I know McFadden’s the sexy pick here, but playing in a conference with a perennial running team Denver as well as LT and LJ means you have to shore up the middle.  And by the way, while everyone keeps talking about how bad Oakland needs a back, Fargas had a heck of a season last year.  So Oakland adds Dorsey to an already above average defense, and Russell gets his first full season, all the sudden Oakland’s defense looks nasty, and their a play-maker at WR away from contending.

5.KC: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State, KC needs help in alot of spots, it’s too early to reach for WR and as much as they need DE help with trade of Allen, they don’t want Gholston and their dream of Long being available has been busted.  Herm wants to run, and then run some more, with Willie Roaf retired KC, especially LJ needs someone to clear holes.  Clady immediately comes in and makes an impact on the O-Line clearing the way for LJ AND protecting whatever schmoe they put at QB.

6.NYJ: Darren McFadden, RB, ARK: The JETS dreams come true and they land Run DMC, who will terrorize the NFL for years to come.  This couldn’t have worked out better for the JETS who have made some huge moves (see Faneca et. al.) this off-season.  Now, with a legitamite back and plenty of options for change of pace all they need is average play from Clemens or Pennington and they’re looking formidable.

7.NE: Keith Rivers, LB, USC: Many experts had Ellis here, right school, wrong player.  NE’s LB core isn’t getting any younger and River’s is a character guy that  the mad scientist will love because he makes plays all over the field and plays very intelligent football.

8.ATL: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC: Atlanta still gets an excellent DT and pays less for him financially, without the worry of injury and stock piles picks for the rebuilding process. Great start for Atlanta!

9.CIN: Vernon Gholston, DE, OSU: Thurman and all his tackles are back, and now they get a guy who can put serious pressure on the QB.  Outside of that unmentionable back who came out early and kept getting arrested, OSU normally produces high character guys, which the Bengals need almost as much as they need defensive help.

10. NO: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy: Might be a little of a reach here, but Leodis is fast, talented and can play in different schemes.  The Troy resume’ might seem a little iffy, but he played a really tough schedule last year. (including games against Arkansas, Florida, and Georgia)  McKelvin also fills a HUGE void, or begins to, that the saints have in the secondary.

11.BUF: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, TennST:  The Bills need help at DB and DRC is an impact corner.  Pretty easy pick here, and the bonus is the return ability DRC brings to the table.

12.DEN: Jerod Mayo, LB, Tenn: Easy pick here really, despite that it’s going to surprise people.  They wanted Clady, but he’s gone and they’re not gonna reach for another tackle, plus Shanny loves playmaking LB’s and Mayo is just that.

13.CAR: Derrick Harvey, DE, UF: The Panthers need to get after the QB and Harvey can do it, plus playing the in the SEC makes the speed transition to the NFL game easier than any other conference.  If Peppers can remember how to play pro-bowl caliber football they could bookend for a few more years.

14.CHI: Brandon Albert, OG, UVA: Monster guard with solid abilities across the board in a OG weak draft= easy pick, the more warm bodies to protect Grossman the better, and he can block for Adrian Peterson (the one from Georgia Southern who should be the starting back) in the running game as well!

15.DET: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, ILL: One of the few times I agree with the experts, they need a game changer at RB and Mendenhall is just that.  Solid runner between the tackles and outside, he catches out of the backfield (so Millen can pretend he drafted another receiver) and is an all around player.  Solid pick!

16.ARZ: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon:  Edge is getting old, all the other offensive weapons are in place and they’ll add depth to the O-Line later in the draft.  The Cards also quietly have a solid defense, this could help them finally turn the corner.

17.KC: Jeff Otah, OT, Pitt: Yes another OT.  The Chiefs are rebuilding, and they’re doing it around the long-term deal of LJ.  They needed to rebuild the O-line and now with bookends Clady and Otah who can run and pass block their set for years to come.  Look for the chiefs to draft heavy on D the rest of the draft with the exception of a receiver with one of their third round picks.

18.HOU: Felix Jones, RB, ARK: The Texans shore up their running game with Felix the cat, and break JJ’s heart in Dallas.  They’ll add depth to the O-line later and hopefully, for Schaub’s sake, add a WR in the second round.

19.PHI: Mike Jenkins, CB, USF: They need to shore up CB, especially if they trade Lito Sheppard which seems probable, and Jenkins is a great pick to do just that.  Won’t be surprised if they grab a receiver though.

20.TB: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas: Big target who can create separation, Galloway’s getting old and the other WR’s are too inconsistant and Garcia NEEDS HELP.

21.WAS: Devon Thomas, WR, MSU: Jason Campbell needs another target who’s not tiny…here it is.  Easy pick for the Skins since they couldn’t land Williams, Johnson, or Boldin.  If Thomas plays well this offense could be a well oiled machine if healthy.

22.DAL: Malcolm Kelly, WR, OKL:  By far the most consistant receiver in the draft, Kelly gives Romo that last piece needed to make this offense ridiculous.  Watchout everyone!!!

23.PIT:  Chris Williams, OT, VANDY:  Roethlisberger needs protection and Williams is great at it. Another solid pick by a team who never seems to miss in the draft.  Big Ben stays up, Big Ben stays healthy and Fast Willie has holes to run through, watch out NFL.

24.TEN: DeSean Jackson, WR, Cal: Young needs another target desperately and Jackson can create serious space and is a stud in the return game.  Probably not the receiver they wanted, but probably the best bet anyway.

25.SEA: Trades this pick to the Atlanta Falcons for the 34th & 48th picks this year (3rd & 17th in the second round) and a third round pick next year.
25B. ATL: Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson: Another young DE to (hopefully) solidify the D-line for the next decade, if not at least Merling or Anderson should work out.  They could also take a corner, but with two picks still left in the second round they wanted to make sure they could get after the QB next year and they should still be able to pick up a solid CB in the second round.

26.JAX: Trades this pick to Miami for Jason Taylor and a sixth round pick.
26B. MIA: Aqib Talib, CB, KAN: Big physical CB with plenty of raw skill and bawl-hawking ability is a great snag with this pick for Miami.  He can play immediately and gives they Tuna another solid piece for the future, (it’s gonna take him a couple years to master the system in Miami) and about the time the Dolphins are truly ready to compete Talib should be reaching his peak.  Oh and they were decent enough to acomodate Taylor’s trade request.  Meanwhile, the Jags add the DE end they need and pick up a prayer of a sixth rounder to feel like they didn’t get swindled into dealing for a 34 year old dancer. ( I kid I kid, Taylor is a sack guru and an all around classy guy).

27.SD: Brandon Flowers, CB, VT: Depth needed at a position where they lost much of their depth in the off-season.  Flowers should make an impact immediately as a nickle and dime guy and could compete for a starting job shortly there after.

28.DAL: With all the RBs and CBs they targeted gone, Dallas makes a trade. and with…guess who? Atlanta receives the 28th pick for both of their third rounders (68th and 98th overall) and a second and fourth round pick next year. It’s no that bad as the 98th pick is really a fourth rounder.
28B. ATL: Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware:  The Falcons get the guy they REALLY wanted, and were able to wheel and deal and fortify their D-Line as well.  Flacco will sit and learn the system (and not get destroyed in the process) and the Falcons can build him an O-line and finish putting the pieces together on offense in general while he learns.  They’ll draft depth the rest of the way and still end with a solid draft.  Don’t forget, they still have two second rounders where plenty of talent will be available, they just didn’t believe Flacco would still be available when their next pick rolled around.

29.SF: Dan Connor, LB, PSU:  Value over need, they’d be reaching for any DE/WR at this point, so SF Connor.  He probably will never make a pro-bowl, and he’s no Willis, but Connor is an intelligent, athletic player, who will be a solid fit for SF and shore up a LB core on an already solid defense.  *NOTE: if available I project Brian Brohm as their second round pick in a HUGE surprise.

30.GB: Gosder Cherilus, OT, BC: The pack would have liked to draft a CB to groom behind the talented but aging duo of Harris and Woodson but they’d be reaching heavily here. Instead they do the smart thing and draft their right tackle of the future and Aaron Rodgers’ new best friend.  Great pick here by GB considering they are settling for value.

31.NYG: Kenny Phillips, S, Miami: Easy to agree with the experts here, the only real weakness on a SuperBowl Champion D.  Phillips is a play-maker who will be allowed to make mistakes and learn on a good defense.  Solid addition for the Giants who now have a young talented secondary.

*Falcons second rounders if available: Fred Davis, TE, USC: Crumpler’s gone and Davis will probably be available here (Keller will go to SEA with the pick they got from ATL) and will give the Falcons a TE for the future and another pass catching option for the punching bag QB they put back there at first.  If the Falcons can teach him to block it could be the steal of the draft.
Mike Pollak, OC, ASU(arizona state) Exceptional center who will be a great value this late in the second round but will probably be available.  Falcons are going to rebuild their O-Line and this is a great place to start.

*Bulldog note, Fernando Velasco would be a great pickup in the fourth round, a project for the Falcons but he’s a Georgia guy who has solid skills and size and could (with tutelage) become a solid guard and another block for Atlanta to build on.

Well Falcons fans, there’s only one obvious pick left to talk about. That’s right, the large mountain of a DT down in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Glenn Dorsey. Boy he’s a beast! As a Georgia Bulldog I’ve seen firsthand what he can to an opponent’s offensive line. He single handedly decimated just about every line he went up against, including that vaunted (insert laugh here, then another laugh, then point a finger, then laugh again) Ohio State line. Yes, he had help on a darn good National Title Team, but let’s also remember he wasn’t One Hundred Percent healthy.

Is he completely healthy now you ask??? Well, according to inside sources, Dorsey will be at or near One Hundred Percent by the time training camp starts. He’s been working out using mainly low impact pool and aquatic exercises and both knees seem to be coming along nicely.

The next question is; is he a good fit for the Falcons? Of course he is! Dorsey is a game changer at a position where there aren’t that many game changers. He immediately makes the entire front seven better, especially last year’s top pick, Jamaal Anderson. With Dorsey and Anderson the Falcons would now have a young D-line to begin the rebuilding process. An O-linemen and a WR in the second round, and then best available the rest of the way could go a long way to a bright future…oh and by the way, as much as I don’t like him, you and I both know Tebow’s coming out next year!!!

Now, I truly believe that if Dorsey is available the Falcons will take him. I reiterate, if they take Ryan over Dorsey it will be the biggest mistake in Falcons draft history, and that’s saying a lot. Now, you ask… J.T. what if they don’t take Dorsey or Ryan? Well sports fans, my next article will address just that, along with my surprise prediction for the Falcons draft. Also, stay tuned for my full first round mock draft as well as an analysis of who the Falcon’s could and should take throughout the draft.

Sorry Atlanta fans, but Jake is long gone and signed at this point so why bother with coulda, woulda, shoulda’s.

So let’s talk about Chris Long. I still think St. Louis takes him with the second pick and ends that hope as well. But let’s delve into the why and why nots of Chris. As much as I hate the phrase ” he has a motor that never stops” it’s the truth with Chris Long. If every player had a standard motor, his would be a V12 turbo with an after market super-charger and intake system. When he can’t over power someone, he runs by them, when he can’t do either of those he out-maneuvers them. The positives just keep going, he has the pedigree, (Mr. Radio Shack’s Son) he played at UVA which doesn’t take dummies (even jocks) and was a phenomenal player on an average team in a better than average conference. (I know their conference was down last year but he’s no freshman). He can play hybrid OLB or a DE in the 4-3.

Now that I’m done bragging on him like my name is Howie or Hodge let me tell you why Chris won’t be the Falcons pick (aside from the aforementioned Rams pick)

The Falcons brass still think Jamaal Anderson will develop into a solid if not pro-bowl DE. Along those lines they have other positions at which they don’t feel like they have any REAL starters. While this is far to early to draft a TE, CB, or S, it’s not to early to take an OG, OT, or DT. I just don’t think that Chris is the right choice for the Falcons here even if the Rams pass him up. What is the right choice you ask? Well I have one more player preview for you and then a few options for what the Falcons might do and why! So stay tuned sports fans! Oh and by the way did you catch game one of the NBA first round??? Still think the Hawks stand a chance? Only if KG and one of the other Boston Three Party get food poisoning and then get caught in traffic on the way to the airport, after which they hop on a plane to Atlantis instead of Atlanta!

photo credit: ninjapoodles

Darren McFadden, RB, ARK: Okay, if Run DMC is available, and I think he will be, he’s obviously the best player on the board. He has break away speed, exceptional vision, he attacks the hole and often makes a new one when one isn’t there, the true sign of a successful runner on Sundays. McFadden also possesses rare athleticism (see wild-cat package at ARK). He can catch out of the backfield or split out, and he brings that third threat of throwing on trick plays.

As I have mentioned, normally I am a proponent of drafting the best player on the board, EXCEPT in the first round, but with so many needs won’t the best player be the best pick, master JT? Ahhh young Jedi, much to learn you have. Normally you would be right, the Falcons need just about everything so the best pick seems like the best player available…except for that one small fact that of all the positions on the football field, running back is the one spot where the Falcons have the talent they need. Norwood is a stud. And the addition of Michael “the burner” Turner gives the falcons a strong 1-2 punch to run the ball.

Okay so other than already having two running backs and other needs you want another reason not to draft the best player available? Okay, here it is. There’s another team that has thrown caution to the wind and drafted what they thought was the best player available, and it was always a skill position, the same skill position in fact. Yep that’s the right. It’s those Detroit Lions and they’re infatuation with the best overall player, which oddly, always seemed to be a wide-out. Now Roy Williams definitely worked out, and while the jury is still out on Calvin Johnson, he certainly looks promising. However, Charles Rodgers and Mike Williams both turned out to be huge busts, and the Lions are still reeling. Can Atlanta afford a 50/50 risk? No! Is McFadden a 50/50 risk? Again, no. But the Falcons need to make the tough call to pass on the best player and draft one of their many MANY needs.

photo credit: benostrander

Alright Falcons fans, those brave few left who haven’t pawned off their season tickets for a six pack and court-side seats to the Hawks’ Playoff thumping by the Celtics. Yes I am writing this before the playoffs begin, but lets be honest Atlanta, the Hawks have about as much chance against the Celts as Dolph Lundgren would in another Rocky sequel. So now to what you’ve all been waiting for…The Falcons Do’s and Don’t’s come draft time. Here are their needs, and a brief analysis of why Kiper, Mcshay, every other ESPN pundit and you (YES YOU) are wrong!!! Unless of course you agree with me!

Let me start off by saying that I am not a Falcons fan. Sorry, but hey, maybe an objective, unbiased, unVicked, opinion is what you’re looking for. If not, oh well, you’re gonna finish reading my article anyway. Over the next few days, check back with the site here and see my take on the players that might be available to Atlanta at the #3 pick in the draft.

Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College: NOOOOOOOOO, are you serious guys? I mean really? Yes I know he’s a winner, a locker room guy, a good citizen, with a decent arm, decent decisions, and a fairly good attempt/completion/interception ratio. Sound like a franchise QB yet? Didn’t think so! Yes he is the best QB in the draft, Yes Atlanta desperately needs a QB, and yes I even think he could develop into a franchise QB in the right system with a couple (read: at least two) full seasons on the bench to learn from a mentor/coach. Are any of these things going to happen in Atlanta? Nope, Ryan will be dropped off in the middle of a MASSACRE (his own). If Ryan is drafted and plays (which he will if drafted by Falcons) he will spend more time on his back than?

A. Colt Brennan in the Sugar Bowl.
B. David Carr (career)
C. Tom Brady in the Super Bowl.
D. All of the Above

The answer is D sports fans. I don’t care how many intangibles Ryan has. The only tangible I’m worried about is Matt, and behind this “h(O)le-line” he’ll be very VERY tangible (read: record for sacks in a single season). I don’t care if you put Peyton Manning behind this line, they’re not making the playoffs. So why waste a franchise pick only to get him beat up so bad his mom won’t be able to kiss it and make it better? I mean he’ll have NO help. The Falcons released their best receiver (Crumpler) and White and Jenkins, while having made strides (finally) last year. They stil are only a 2 and 3 option, at best. The only play he’d want to run is Norwood left, then Norwood right, then shotgun two step drop a pray on a slant, then punt. Sound like fun Atlanta? Didn’t think so.

As you can obviously see I am terribly against this pick, more so than any of the other possibilities for the Falcons in the first round. Ryan is a solid talent, but so are Henne, Falco, and Brohm who will all be available in the second round. In all honesty I’m normally for drafting need in the first round and then best player available after that (unless something silly happens) but the Falcons are in the (un)fortunate situation where there are so many needs they can just pick the best player on the board and be done with it right? Exactly, and in anyone’s honest opinion is Matt Ryan the third best player in this draft? I don’t think so either, so, let me leave you with a quote from my friend (and perennial and current season ticket holder) Bobby: “If we draft *bleeping* Matt Ryan with that *bleeping* pick you’re gonna see me on the news later that night!”