This may be my wife’s least favorite week of the year. For three days I will close myself up in the TV room, hide the remote, spread out my “research” and agonize over all the guys the Falcons could have had.
It’s Christmas for NFL draftniks beginning Thursday and if you’re a Falcons fan there is the usual excitement mixed with a big dose of impending doom. Even though Arthur Blank has implemented more of a group effort when it comes to draft day decisions, any time Thomas Dimitroff is in the war room there is cause for concern.
There have been the positives – Matt Ryan headlining a strong first draft, trading up for Julio Jones and stealing Desmond Trufant – but the misses are what has the fan base on edge.
Here are just a few that all came within the first three rounds:
2008-Sam Baker, Chevis Jackson
2009-Peria Jerry, Christopher Owens
2010-Mike Johnson
2011-Akeem Dent
2012-Peter Konz, Lamar Holmes
This is not to mention the entire 2013 draft after Trufant and maybe Robert Alford and the fate of last year’s draft is still up in the air, though Jake Matthews should be solid when healthy and Ra’Shede Hageman has potential if given the playing time.
Is it a scouting problem? No team is perfect but that many misses in the first three rounds is not a fluke. It’s a trend, one that falls squarely on the spikey-haired GM’s shoulders. Not only have the picks been bad, but he’s made at least one trade in each of his seven drafts, often giving away picks to move up (see Baker, Sam) to make questionable choices.
All, well most, will be forgiven if the new draft group, which thankfully includes new head coach Dan Quinn, gets this one right. As bad as the Falcons were last year, a few key additions and better coaching could lead to a division title this season. Get this one wrong and more heads will roll.
Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper (9) runs against Auburn defensive back Johnathan Ford (23) during the second half of the Iron Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)On a positive note
Did you know the Falcons in the last 10 years have drafted only three skill position players in the first round: Roddy White, Ryan and Jones – all home runs. Should they go there again?
That probably depends on how much influence Kyle Shanahan has. I still believe if Vic Beasley, Dante Fowler, Jr., Leonard Williams and Shane Ray are all gone at No. 8, the Falcons should pick the best player available instead of reaching for Bud Dupree or taking a chance on Randy Gregory.
Picking for need is what’s gotten Dimitroff in trouble, so instead of picking the fifth-best defensive lineman why not get Todd Gurley or Amari Cooper?
The rumor Monday was the team is looking to trade up for Fowler, which certainly sounds like Dimitroff. But why give up picks – and it would probably take this year’s No. 2 – to fill a need with a guy who isn’t a can’t-miss prospect? Just don’t.
From left to right, Atlanta Hawks Paul Millsap, DeMarre Carroll, Kyle Korver and Al Horford celebrate after setting a franchise record by defeating the Oklahoma Thunder 103-93 in an NBA game on Friday.Can the Hawks rebound?
All year we’ve heard NBA experts say the Hawks’ lack of a true go-to offensive threat would come back to bite them in the playoffs when officials often swallow their whistles and defense rules. Didn’t want to believe it but now it’s starting to show.
Injuries have obviously taken their toll on Paul Millsap and Al Horford and explosive point guards Jeff Teague and Dennis Schroeder seemingly have hit a wall. If Kyle Korver’s hitting then other things open up and the offense flows, but teams can take him away if there’s no other threat. When the Nets hold you to 62 points through three quarters you know there’s something wrong.
Injuries are part of the game – ask Kevin Love – and good teams find a way, but the Hawks are like an engine. Take one cylinder out and it soon falls apart.
Speaking of falling apart…
The Braves have quickly leveled off and again the experts seem on target. The never-ending search for a leadoff hitter goes on, Freddie Freeman is not getting anything to hit (and why should he if Kelly Johnson is his protection?), the back end of the rotation is horrendous and the bullpen is a sieve.
Every team goes through ups and downs but this feels like it’s the way things should be even if we don’t like it. The good news is prospects like Mallex Smith and Matt Wisler could be in Atlanta before too long. Oh, and the Nationals are still struggling. At least there’s that.