Falcons prep for another coin flip, and how about Spiller?
1:20 pm January 14, 2010, by Jeff Schultz

OK, let’s get this out of the way: Lane Kiffin is a slimeball and Ed Orgeron is a dirty, cheatin’ recruiter and USC just removed itself from BCS title contention for the next several seasons (assuming Kiffin is there that long). Now, moving on . . .

I figured this would be a good time to shift gears and talk about the NFL draft. Mel Kiper will be coming out with his first mock draft next week (I’ll try to post, even though that’s NFL “Insider” stuff and I might be breaking some rule in Bristol.) But I wanted to throw out five possible names for you and also note that the Falcons’ exact draft position has not been determined yet. They’ll select either 19th or 20th, depending on the result of a coin flip with Houston at the NFL scouting combine next month.

“It doesn’t parallel that last flip we had for the third pick overall,” general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. The reference was the draft two years ago, when Dimitroff called tails and the Falcons won the third selection (over Oakland and Kansas City) for the right to draft Matt Ryan.

“I won’t reveal what I’ll call this year, that is if Mr. Blank allows me to call it,” Dimitroff cracked earlier this week at a wrap-up news conference.

“You’re our flipper,” Arthur Blank said, sitting nearby.

With that out of the way, here are five players that could fill needs for the Falcons who might be available when they select. Note, I’m not including names like Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, Tennessee safety Eric Berry, Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan or Florida cornerback Joe Haden, all of whom likely will be long gone by the time the Falcons pick (barring a trade up).

♦ Clemson running back C.J. Spiller: I know, the Falcons need defense. But we all saw Michael Turner take a slight step back this year and later have some injury issues. Even if Turner bounces back, Jerious Norwood could be gone. He can’t stay healthy and his performances are uneven, to say the least. Jason Snelling was admirable as a replacement but he’s not a game-breaker. Spiller is a special player and a great kid. He would be a valuable addition.

♦ Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap: If you can get past the fact that he was suspended for the SEC championship game against Alabama after being arrested and charged with DUI, he’s a difference maker on defense. Dunlap has size (6-6, 290) and speed and had 18 sacks over the last two seasons. The Falcons need to create more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

♦ South Florida defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul: He was so good at USF that Jim Leavitt didn’t even slap him. He was a junior college transfer and has played only one season in Division I but is said to have great raw talent and speed. He led the Bulls with led the Bulls with 6 ½ sacks and 16.5 tackles, adding an interception, two forced fumbles and a blocked kick.

♦ Florida State cornerback Patrick Robinson: He’s considered the best overall senior cornerback in the draft (Haden is a junior), although the Seminoles’ defense definitely slipped this season. Probably because opponents stopped throwing to his side, Robinson had no interceptions this season and one last year after six as a sophomore. He’s a physical corner and also can returns kicks and punts.

♦ Iowa offensive tacke Bryan Bulaga: The Falcons can’t be sure what they have yet with injury-prone left tackle Sam Baker, and they could use another linemen, even if Baker develops. Bulaga is 6-6, 312 pounds and was a standout for the Hawkeyes all season, as evidenced in the Orange Bowl against Georgia Tech. He played left tackle this season.

http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2010/01/14/falcons-prep-for-another-coin-flip-and-how-about-spiller/?cxntfid=blogs_jeff_schultz_blog

I would grab Spiller if he was there, it would be stupid not to.
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