Sports Page Atlanta

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!

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.

Dave over at The Falcoholic opened my eyes to a pretty neat project that Sports Blog Nation is putting on. The website is called Mocking The Draft, and each of the NFL bloggers at SBN is making their teams pick.

They are mocking two rounds, not making any trades and making three picks per day. Go check it out!

Dave has already made his first pick (Jake Long, OT, Michigan) in this NFL Mock Draft for the Falcons.