1. The Falcons trade all the way up to No. 6 to get Julio Jones

[atljbo]

Quote:1. The Falcons trade all the way up to No. 6 to get Julio Jones

I think Atlanta is managed brilliantly by general manager Thomas Dimitroff and coach Mike Smith. But I hated their trade up for a receiver. I thought they needed speed and playmakers on defense. And the percent chance for immediate impact at the receiver position is very low. Think about all of the first-round wide receivers who flame out. I made the comment after the trade that I thought the Falcons had 12-4, while missing the Super Bowl, written all over them for the 2011 season.

We had to talk to Dimitroff, who was gracious and thorough with his time and reasoning, even though we totally disagreed with the move.

Dimitroff was candid enough to admit that the Falcons targeted two positions in the draft: receiver and defensive end. They called teams in the middle of the draft and couldn’t find a match. Dimitroff revealed that the final defensive end he really liked was Cameron Jordan, who went off the board at No. 24 to the Saints. Dimitroff said that if they stayed where they were, they would have had to pick an offensive lineman or a tight end and it wouldn’t have provided the spark they wanted.

Oh, yeah: They also loved Julio Jones.

Dimitroff spent a lot of valuable time with his old friend Nick Saban, who told Dimitroff, “There is no diva aspect to him, and he will not be affected by being in the NFL.” Dimitroff then added, “I truly believe when you have an impact player that can affect you now and in the future, you go against conventional wisdom. You go get the player.”

As an example, he cited how nobody thought his old boss Scott Pioli would draft a safety with the fifth overall pick last year. The draft experts screamed, “That’s too high for that position.” Pioli’s move went noted by Dimitroff, who also added, “We knew the compensation would be significant, but when you are talking about a player like this, I am not concerned about a fourth-round pick!”

And Dimitroff says that Jones will make an immediate impact. He urged us not to judge it solely by Jones’ catches. In film study, the Falcons saw that coverage was rolled way too much in Roddy White’s direction. This, according to Dimitroff, needed to change.

The general manager added that he needs to protect his franchise quarterback with weapons and Tony Gonzalez is getting a bit long in the tooth.

Let’s call these all points of clarity from the Falcons. But I am not sure you can bank on a rookie receiver that much. And now, if the Falcons plan to stop the likes of Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers in the big moment, Atlanta must address the defensive needs in free agency.

Link

[papachaz]

i can honestly say i have never heard of Adam Schein.

maybe now i know why LOL

thanks for the article JBO, clarifies some of the thought process that went into the trade and the pick

[mdrake34]

The more I read about this trade, the more I love it. I've questioned TD's picks before, and last year coveted the Chief's drafting of several fast SEC players; however, I think TD hit a home run here. Saban prepared this young man for the NFL. Saban hand picked him and recruited him hard out of high school, he knew what a special talent that he was.

[bF™]

i hate when people argue that the trade for julio was dumb because we gave up too much for a receiver that could be a bust.

those other 4 picks we gave up for him are JUST as likely, if not MORE likely to bust than he is. draft picks arent sure things.

[papachaz]

(05-05-2011 02:50 PM)bF™ Wrote:  i hate when people argue that the trade for julio was dumb because we gave up too much for a receiver that could be a bust.

those other 4 picks we gave up for him are JUST as likely, if not MORE likely to bust than he is. draft picks arent sure things.

that is a very good point, well said. esp when we know two of those pics were from this draft, that has been called by many the weakest draft class in YEARS

[Paulitik]

(05-05-2011 03:27 PM)papachaz Wrote:  that is a very good point, well said. esp when we know two of those pics were from this draft, that has been called by many the weakest draft class in YEARS

Next year's doesn't look much better either. With a Rookie pay scale coming, it could dilute the talent coming out. We'll be okay, plus, I think we have some trade value in a couple players to get more picks.

[Radical]

I hate when people look at positions and players as nothing more than percentages. It undermines the entire point of scouting and the names that make up those numbers. It is intellectually lazy simply put. Think about it. Hey, I know this guy fits the bill for EVERYTHING you want and then some, but you shouldn't do that because statistically, a 1st round WR has an X-percentage of not working out.

If the player fits the bill, and you and your scouting department believe that he will be a success, why the f*** wouldn't you go and get him? It shows a lack of faith in yourself and the people you pay millions to tell you if a player is going to be good or not. Draft picks don't win games, players do.

[atljbo]

(05-05-2011 02:50 PM)bF™ Wrote:  i hate when people argue that the trade for julio was dumb because we gave up too much for a receiver that could be a bust.

those other 4 picks we gave up for him are JUST as likely, if not MORE likely to bust than he is. draft picks arent sure things.

I agree.. This year class was week so the 2nd and 4th round picks never bothered me... The 1st next year was the only thing that bothered me next year...

But a team like us (that most likely will draft at the end of each round) ... We will most likely never get a chance to grab a prospect like Julio Jones... With the rookie scale coming.. Teams will most likely make you pay even more to trade up since the picks wont make a lot of money.

I get why some dont like the trade... But to me.. As long as Julio becomes the WR we know he can be... ill rather have him then a Kyle Rudolph and Jernagen

[papachaz]

(05-05-2011 03:36 PM)Radical Wrote:  I hate when people look at positions and players as nothing more than percentages. It undermines the entire point of scouting and the names that make up those numbers. It is intellectually lazy simply put. Think about it. Hey, I know this guy fits the bill for EVERYTHING you want and then some, but you shouldn't do that because statistically, a 1st round WR has an X-percentage of not working out.

If the player fits the bill, and you and your scouting department believe that he will be a success, why the f*** wouldn't you go and get him? It shows a lack of faith in yourself and the people you pay millions to tell you if a player is going to be good or not. Draft picks don't win games, players do.

the counterpoint to that of course that will be stated by someone (not me btw) is didn't Oakland scout JaMarcus? and what about the Ryan Leaf's and Aundray Bruces of the world? in essence, EVERY SINGLE draft pick is a chance taken that the man will turn out to be what you think he will be. So next year, after JJ"s first year, we can all come back with some points that will be a little more justifiable, good or bad.

[Radical]

(05-05-2011 05:24 PM)papachaz Wrote:  the counterpoint to that of course that will be stated by someone (not me btw) is didn't Oakland scout JaMarcus? and what about the Ryan Leaf's and Aundray Bruces of the world? in essence, EVERY SINGLE draft pick is a chance taken that the man will turn out to be what you think he will be. So next year, after JJ"s first year, we can all come back with some points that will be a little more justifiable, good or bad.

And Oakland, Atlanta, and San Diego had shitty scouts.

Oakland didn't have an alarm go off when a guy shows up 20+ lbs overweight to the most important work-out of his life.

The Chargers didn't have a light go off when everyone and everything around Leaf pointed to him having the disposition of a lit firecracker.

I haven't research Bruce very much, and there is a lack of info to find in a time where the internet wasn't around.

There IS a science to it, but simply saying that position X has a X% of not working out based off their draft position is retarded. Based off that logic, the Lions shouldn't have drafted Suh, our 2008 season shouldn't have happened, and Tom Brady doesn't exist.

What it ultimately boils down to is whether or not you believe Thomos Dimitroff and his scouting department know what they're doing. Quite frankly, I don't know of very many people who can legitimately stand up and make an argument otherwise.