Sports Page Atlanta

With the conclusion of this weekend’s NFL draft and subsequent free agent signing process, many familiar players from the area are headed off to pursue their NFL dreams. Here’s a rundown of who went where and what kind of role they’ll play on their new team.

Curtis Johnson, Indianapolis (Clark Atlanta) - Johnson is a true project player, but with the right coaching, he could really become a star in this league. A future OLB, he is a very physical player who could excel at the next level with enough refinement. I read one NFL scout compare him to a young Joey Porter, who took years to develop but eventually became a star. Johnson really does have that kind of raw talent.

Jayson Foster, Miami (Georgia Southern) - The Walter Payton Award winner as the best player in FCS football, Foster will look to make the team as a return specialist. While he played QB at Georgia Southern, it was an option-based scheme. Foster has experience returning kicks as far back as high school. An intelligent team-driven player, Foster is explosive and elusive with the ball in hand. A few years ago, he wouldn’t have had this chance, but thanks to Devin Hester, he might really catch on somewhere.

With the conclusion of this weekend’s NFL draft and subsequent free agent signing process, many familiar players from the area are headed off to pursue their NFL dreams. Here’s a rundown of who went where and what kind of role they’ll play on their new team.

Philip Wheeler, Indianapolis - This is a good fit for the Colts, and he should play fairly soon on running downs. The Colts like LBs who can go downhill and find a ball carrier, and that’s Wheeler’s strength. I’m not sure if he’s ready for pass coverage at the NFL level, but he’s ready to help out the run defense. He could even fight Tyjuan Hagler for the starting WLB spot.

Tashard Choice, Dallas - With Marion Barber and Felix Jones entrenched as the top two in Dallas, Choice is the favorite to win the #3 job. He has to beat out Alonzo Coleman and Ronnie Cruz, and that should be a manageable task. Dallas sure needs a good teammate like Tashard, what with the bevy of eccentric personalities they’ve got.

Durant Brooks, Washington - This pick certainly made sense considering Washington had no punter entering the draft. Brooks at this point has to be the favorite to win the job, though they’ll probably bring someone in to challenge him for the job. Brooks already has possibly the best hang-time in the NFL, so this pick should work out wonderfully for the Redskins.

Mike Cox, Kansas City - Herm Edwards loves to grind it out on the ground, so he’ll always have a need for run blockers like Cox, who aren’t threats out of the backfield but can lock in on someone and clear space for Larry Johnson to run through.

Gary Guyton, San Francisco - Guyton is likely playing for a special teams role or a practice squad spot until he can learn how to better himself as a linebacker. If he ever does, he certainly possesses the athleticism and raw talent necessary to be a star.

Darrell Robertson, Dallas - Dallas loves hybrid rushers, and that’s exactly what Robertson is. I had him going to a 3-4 defense, just not this one. The only real surprise here is that he wasn’t drafted. I really expect him to make the team out of camp.

Nate McManus, New Orleans - This was a surprise, as I was unaware McManus was even pursuing a pro career, but the Saints are pretty thin along the O-Line and need some depth, so even though he’s a longshot to survive cuts, the situation isn’t all that bad for him.

With the conclusion of this weekend’s NFL draft and subsequent free agent signing process, many familiar players from the area are headed off to pursue their NFL dreams. Here’s a rundown of who went where and what kind of role they’ll play on their new team.

Marcus Howard, Indianapolis - Faithful readers will know this is where I had Howard going (albeit in another round), and it makes plenty of sense. He’s a small edge rusher, and the Colts have shown they can have success with small, speedy linemen like Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. Howard won’t start any time soon, but he could be utilized as a situational rush specialist this year.

Thomas Brown, Atlanta - This is a great fit for Brown, and the new regime in Atlanta will value a hardworking athletic back who can block. He should beat out Jason Snelling, who is more of a fullback anyway, for the #3 spot in Atlanta. He won’t carry a full workload, but he should be a valuable 3rd down back somewhere along the line.

Chester Adams, Chicago - My guess is that Adams is in Chicago to provide bulk and versatility to a fairly shallow line. If Adams is starting or playing much this year, it means something has gone wrong for the Bears, but he should be a 3rd string player while they work on this project.

Brandon Coutu, Seattle - If Coutu can beat out Olindo Mare in camp this year, he will handle field goals. If not, he’ll probably be cut and find another team to kick for. He definitely has an NFL career ahead of him, with or without Seattle.

Kregg Lumpkin, Green Bay - With Green Bay loaded with running backs, Lumpkin’s a longshot to make it out of camp, but don’t be shocked if he does. With Ryan Grant, Brandon Jackson, Vernand Morency, and DeShawn Wynn all also present, Lumpkin will be hard-pressed to make the team as a halfback. As a receiving fullback, though, he has a shot.

Kelin Johnson, Seattle - Kelin has a great chance to stick in Seattle as a special teams player and it won’t surprise me at all if he makes the team out of camp. Don’t expect to see him playing safety very much this season.

Brandon Miller, Atlanta - I didn’t even include Miller in my preview because I thought it was such a longshot he’d get drafted, and while that was true, Atlanta signed him, presumably to be a defensive end. Miller is blessed with exceptional athleticism, and while he played linebacker somewhat poorly in college, he could become a real sleeper at defensive end. He’s very raw, but with players this athletic, you can’t rule anything out.

Fernando Velasco, Tennessee - The Titans just got a lineman that will make them proud. He’s a hard working player who will adapt to anything the team asks of him. Considering Tennessee doesn’t really have any reliable backup guards, Velasco has a really good chance of sticking with the team.

Sean Bailey, Kansas City - It always surprised me when Bailey wasn’t considered a pro prospect, and now I’m really happy to see him sign somewhere. He has the NFL pedigree, he has the skills, and he just needs to add some bulk and work on some technical things. There’s no telling if he’ll make the team, or even be on the practice squad, but it’s nice to know there’s some interest out there for him.

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.

This weekend, while most Atlanta eyes will be closely watching the Falcons, plenty of other local fans will be watching to see where their favorite college players wind up going. Here’s your guide to the former Georgia Bulldogs for this weekend.

• Marcus Howard, Rush Specialist - Much of the nation had not heard of Marcus Howard until he turned Colt Brennan into his own personal tackling dummy during the 2008 Sugar Bowl. While it’s true that 2007 was Howard’s first year as a starter, and that lack of experience is a concern to NFL scouts, Howard still turned in an impressive performance, piling up 10.5 sacks on the year. Yes, he’s still too small to be an every down lineman, but he has added bulk since leaving college, and he weighed in at 237 pounds at the combine. That’s still certainly blockable, but that comes with the assumption the lineman can get his hands on Howard. After turning in the fastest 40 time among all defensive linemen and linebackers at the combine, and one of the top 4 verticals, Howard is proving himself agile and elusive when going after the QB. Howard will best be used as a rush specialist, either as a defensive end in a 4-3 or an outside linebacker in a 3-4. He can probably learn how to cover tight ends as well, considering he was a full tenth of a second faster than any tight end in this year’s draft in the 40. All in all, he’s an attractive prospect who can immediately help in blitz packages and with some weight room time and some coaching, might turn into a real asset as an outside linebacker.
  Just for fun prediction: Round 3 (93rd overall) - Indianapolis Colts, who have a system that allows rush specialists to thrive.
• Thomas Brown, Running Back - Brown has a lengthy list of superlatives, but his negatives will force him into the second day of the draft this weekend. Getting those out of the way first, he just isn’t very big. While many NFL RBs lack height, they also don’t lack bulk, and Brown is short on both inches and pounds. Then there’s the reason teams worry about that size: injuries. Brown piled up injuries at Georgia, missing 11 games in 4 years, and that was after missing 5 his senior year at Tucker High. His fragility means he cannot be depended on by an NFL team, but he will still be drafted, for several huge reasons. First off, the dude’s a warrior. He’s tough as both a runner and a blocker, and he plays much bigger than his size, if that makes sense. He’s also a warrior in the weight room, as he was pound for pound the strongest player on UGA’s roster. He’s a shifty runner who can fight for extra yards here and there up the middle or cut to the outside. He’s not so much fast as he is quick. He has great vision and is better at making defenders miss than simply outrunning them. Another very important aspect of becoming an NFL running back is blocking, and Brown is, for his size, an excellent blocker. Finally, he’s coachable and will do whatever he can to help the team. A high-character guy that will be a clubhouse and field leader is hard to find in the 4th or 5th round, so some NFL team will walk away very pleased with this pick.
  Just for fun prediction: Round 4 (128th overall) - Green Bay Packers, who could use a slash and cut runner to balance out their power running game.
• Fernando Velasco, Offensive Guard - Velasco played Guard and Center in college, a sign that he is both versatile and team-oriented. His footwork is a little slow, though, and everything he does seems to be overachieving. While that seems like a backhanded compliment, it also implies that Velasco is a hard worker and a coachable player. As a run blocker he has great punch and can clear holes. His inability to pass block against top competition, though, makes him a project for now. He’ll benefit, however, from an incredibly weak crop of guards this year, and will probably get drafted as a result.
  Just for fun prediction: Round 7 (225th overall) - Arizona Cardinals, who are trying to become a run-first team.
• Brandon Coutu, Kicker - When healthy, there probably isn’t a better field goal kicker in this draft. Coutu has been known to boom them from well beyond 50 yards during his time at Georgia. However, “when healthy” is key here, as Coutu has had hamstring issues throughout his career at Georgia, and it could prevent him from being drafted. Also, as evidenced at the Cocktail Party a few years ago, the wind has its way with him at times. Still, if you put this guy indoors and give him a chance to kick the game winner, he can make it. Also, he gets the ball up high and will rarely be blocked. Unfortunately, NFL scouts don’t see him as someone who will kick off for the team, and if you’re going to be one of the two or three kickers drafted, you have to be a kickoff threat. Whether he’s a late round pick or a free agent, someone is going to wind up with a nifty field goal specialist.
  Just for fun prediction: Round 7 (227th overall) - Denver Broncos, who have had success with kickers from Gwinnett County before. See: Jason Elam.
• Kregg Lumpkin, Running Back - It’s still unknown whether Lumpkin’s future lies at halfback or fullback, but most teams certainly feel he has a future in some respect. If a team converts him to fullback, he’ll only be useful as a receiver immediately. His blocking was almost non-existent during his tenure at Georgia. I like him more as a halfback prospect, and with another 15 pounds he could become a fine NFL power runner. When he runs between the tackles, he’s a force up the middle, powering through tackles and usually gaining extra yards. From a technical standpoint, he’s a very sound runner. He has plenty of talent and was one of the top RB recruits in the nation as a prep star. Injuries have plagued him his entire career but as a short-yardage back, he definitely has potential. Watch out for this guy. He had only 44 rushing yards last year, but might wind up being the Terrell Davis of this decade - a better NFL player than a college player.
  Just for fun prediction: Undrafted, signed by Pittsburgh Steelers, who value hard running up the middle more than outside speed.
• Kelin Johnson, Free Safety - Using Free Safety here isn’t really accurate, because it’s likely his days at FS are over. Most NFL scouts see him as too weak in coverage to play DB at the next level and too thin to play LB. Still, he’s a sure tackler and is tough to block, which means he may find himself on some special teams unit, and I think he could really thrive in that role. He’s a high character guy who should be signed next week.
  Just for fun prediction: Undrafted, signed by Atlanta Falcons, who could use someone involved in the community now that Warrick Dunn has moved on. Plus, the Falcons could use anyone who can tackle right now.
• Chester Adams, Offensive Guard - Adams is off many radars, and he’s not at all ready to play in the NFL, but he is athletic, big, and charismatic, so it’s hard to imagine he won’t catch on somewhere. He was a bit frustrating at times in college (some Georgia fans called him Swiss Cheese, what with all the holes in his blocking), but if he can correct some mechanical flaws, he might wind up being an undrafted steal. There’s potential here.
  Just for fun prediction: Undrafted, signed by Detroit Lions, who value athleticism and size more than football ability.

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!

This weekend, while most Atlanta eyes will be closely watching the Falcons, plenty of other local fans will be watching to see where their favorite college players wind up going. Here’s your guide to Georgia Tech players for this weekend.

• Darrell Robertson, Defensive End / Linebacker - Robertson is an athletic end who could be a great fit for a 3-4 scheme as a rush linebacker and could be a real steal in this draft. What will probably push him to Sunday is his lack of ideal size, but he found his way around it in college, giving up only 1 first down on running plays toward him last year. In 2007, he picked up 16 tackles for loss and 6 1/2 sacks as a very important part of Tech’s strong defensive unit. He’s not seen as a true down lineman, probably because he gets pushed around by big tackles, but as a 3-4 linebacker, he can utilize his speed as a rusher or when covering the TE. There’s always the chance he could become an every down lineman much in the mold of other thin players like Jason Taylor, but the 3-4 OLB is most likely his immediate destination. Expect him to hear his name called early on Sunday. Just for fun prediction: Round 4 - 3rd pick (102nd overall) - New York Jets, who could use some explosiveness from the outside and some DE/OLB depth in their 3-4.
• Durant Brooks, Punter - The winner of the Ray Guy Award is easily the best punter available in this draft. While he doesn’t have the ideal size or accuracy, his booming leg forced 21 fair catches last year alone, and his hang time would already possibly be the best in the NFL. There are no questions about his leg strength; Brooks set an NCAA record with 57 50+ yard kicks over the last two years of his career. As great of a pro prospect as he is, punters simply don’t get chosen early in the draft, so Brooks will assuredly have to wait until Sunday to hear his name. Still, the 3rd or 4th round isn’t out of the question, and he should definitely be gone by the end of the 5th. As a punter who can kick for distance in any type of weather, he’ll be attractive to plenty of teams.
  Just for fun prediciton: Round 4 - 17th pick (116th overall) - Arizona Cardinals, who had the worst punt game in the NFL last year.
• Tashard Choice, Running Back - Choice gets high marks for his leadership qualities and work ethic, as he will improve any locker room he sets foot into. He has great vision when it comes to seeing holes opening up. However, Choice doesn’t have top-back speed, and he can’t break tackles easily. He runs like a power back but lacks the power to really pull it off at the NFL level. This, along with his injury issues, will cause him to slip a bit. Still, his production was solid in college, racking up 1473 yards and 12 TDs as a Junior and 1379 yards and 10 TDs as a Senior. Expect to hear Choice’s name called early on Sunday.
  Just for fun prediction: Round 4 - 21st pick (120th overall) - Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are looking for some depth and love short-gain, between the tackles runners.
• Philip Wheeler, Outside Linebacker - With a nose for the ball and good play recognition, Wheeler will go somewhere near the rest of his Jacket teammates, most likely early on Sunday. He’s known as a great blitzer, and he can play well against the run. What limits him are the following: he isn’t ready to play any zone defense, has a tendency to take some plays off when the play isn’t directly involving him, isn’t very fast, and plays recklessly at times, trusting too much in his ability, which probably isn’t as good as he thinks it is. He’s best used as a run-stopping OLB and occasional blitzer, and while he’s versatile enough to play inside, he is too easily blocked to be effective.
  Just for fun prediction: Round 4 - 24th pick (123rd overall) - Pittsburgh Steelers, who appreciate guys who can play run D and bring in the occasional blitz.
• Gary Guyton, Outside Linebacker - An explosive athlete, Guyton is a solid character guy who will improve the team both on and off the field. That isn’t to say he doesn’t have flaws. Guyton takes a little too long to recognize plays and rarely puts big hits on ballcarriers. Still, he’s quick and smart, and in a system which utilizes him mainly as a run defender, he could be helpful. He shouldn’t be playing 3rd downs, but could be fantastic as a special teamer and backup two-down linebacker. It’s hard for him not to remind you of another former Tech LB who was a better athlete than football player - Keyaron Fox.
  Just for fun prediction: Round 7 - 10th pick (217th overall) - St. Louis Rams, who need some help in kick coverage immediately.
• Mike Cox, Fullback - Cox will never be a key receiver out of the backfield or a change-of-pace ball carrier, but he isn’t a bad blocker at all. A big wide guy who can clear a lane for a back or block for kick and punt returners, Cox has very good awareness on the field. There are some injury issues and an arrest that could drop him out of this draft, but he will certainly go to camp with someone, and might even get selected this weekend. As a blocking fullback and special teams player, he’s worth a look.
  Just for fun prediction: Undrafted free agent - Signed by Seattle Seahawks, who are one of the few teams that still utilize pure blocking FBs.
• Adamm Oliver, Defensive End - I’ll be surprised if Oliver is drafted, if only because injury has prevented him from working out for scouts. He’s a high-effort, hard hitting DE, but he will struggle to shed blockers and lacks the speed you look for in a starter. Oliver is probably destined for the depth chart doldrums, but he might be helpful on special teams.
  Just for fun prediction: Undrafted free agent - Signed by Jacksonville Jaguars, who tend to value the slower DEs of the world sometimes.
• Jamal Lewis, Strong Safety - Lewis projects as a future special teams player, as he has great athleticism but poor on-field recognition and awareness. He might be useful in dime packages, since there won’t be much guesswork involved in those situations. As it stands, however, Lewis can’t recognize plays well enough to be ready to contribute right now. He’s a project for the long run.
  Just for fun prediction: Undrafted free agent - Signed by Carolina Panthers, who could use some help in kick coverage and might give him a chance to help out.

Does everyone realize that the NFL Draft is this weekend? It’s right around the corner. I did some looking around at mock drafts, and came up with this. Nobody is certain what will happen at the #3 slot when the Atlanta Falcons pick. Here’s a look at ten mock drafts from around the internet, and a sneak peek at who Atlanta will take.

• Walter Football -  Jake Long, OT, Michigan
• NFL Draft Countdown - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
• Draft King - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
• NFL Network - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
• FF Toolbox - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
• Football’s Future - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
• NFL Draft Dog - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
• The Football Expert - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
• The NFL Draft Site - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
• EMQB - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College

So, Dorsey and Ryan both take 40% of the votes here with McFadden and Long getting 10%. I’ll keep updating mock draft results as the week goes on. Until then, go read the write-ups at these sites. Some are very, very good.

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!”