"Middle Class" Matt discusses HBO's Hard Knocks and the Miami Dolphins. Is Reggie Bush finally ready to live up to the hype? Did Ryan Tannehill really not know the divisions of the NFL? Click the video to find out...
This is an interview with Greg Little at the Pro Am. He is talking about the mistakes he made at UNC and the NFL lockout. By then lockout discussions were very positive and resulted in an agreement that was finalized yesterday. Greg Little may be a real steal from this year's NFL draft. The Cleveland Browns passed up on Julio Jones and traded their pick to the Atlanta Falcons. They must have believed Little to be close to Jones in ability and a better value in the 2nd round. Little missed all of his senior season with off the field troubles and yet was still drafted in the 2nd round! Little's basketball skills were on display at the Pro AM and he was far from polished. Still, Greg Little is a football player trying to stay in shape in front of his hometown(Durham) crowd. Little was "anything but...", he looked to be in good shape. Little is 6-3 and looks like he weighs 230 lbs.. Most likely Little will not be there this week, but it should be interesting to see what superstar athletes will be at the Pro AM this week!
After the playoff destruction the Falcons suffered at the hands of the Packers in January, the word out of Flowery Branch was that the Falcons brass wanted "explosive" playmakers on offense. They made sure they got one on Thursday night.
I still don't believe that Julio Jones was "their guy," as it was stated the Falcons really wanted A.J. Green. When the Bengals reneged on a possible trade, it was obvious Atlanta didn't want to be left in the cold, so they were almost forced to move up and take Jones at #6, since Cleveland was about to take him. I do like Julio Jones and believe he will help the Falcons soon, but I think the price was too steep. Giving up four picks (the two 2011 1st rounders cancel out) for one player is just too much for me. Roddy White said it best; he was glad to have Julio, but that "we gave up our whole draft" to get him.
Here is a rundown of the other picks:
3rd Round-Akeem Dent, ILB, Georgia: Obviously I like the pick based on the fact that he's a Dawg, but I do think this will help with ILB depth, and Dent is talented enough to become an eventual starter.
5th Round-Jacquizz Rodgers, RB/KR, Oregon State: This is my second favorite pick for the Falcons in this draft. He's another "explosive" (Mike Smith buzzword) guy who got knocked for diminutive stature and his 4.6 40 at the combine, but he can make plays on offense, and will compliment Eric Weems in the return game. If you don't like him, you will after you watch this:
6th Round-Matt Bosher, P/K, Miami FL: I've never understood why punters and kickers are drafted, unless they are rare talents. Sebastien Janikowski was a freak of nature, but only Al Davis would've ever drafted him in the first round! Bosher has the ability to pull double duty, and Michael Koenen is overpaid anyway, so I guess he is the heir apparent.
7th Round-Andrew Jackson, G, Fresno State: To me, the hardest position to evaluate on the field is the offensive line, because it takes lots of film study and I don't have access to much, especially for late-round guys. He is 6'5" and 299 lbs., and was in the Fresno State power run game, so I will assume he is a mauler, which has been the draft M.O.for Thomas Dimitroff.
7th Round-Cliff Matthews, DE, South Carolina: This is my favorite pick of the draft! To be able to snag a guy this talented in the 7th round is huge for the Falcons, because he can contribute quickly. Georgia fans saw up close how tough Matthews can be to block on the edge, and Mel Kiper had him graded as a 4th rounder. Huge value here and the kind of luck the Falcons needed to run into after giving up so many picks in the Julio Jones trade.
Who was your favorite Falcons draft pick? Did you like the Julio Jones trade? Let us know! Comment below!
He would look good in Falcon red and black, but at what cost?
Let me first say this: If the Falcons do move up and get A.J. Green, I will be glad to have him as part of my favorite team. Heck, I might be the fat white guy walking around in his jersey, but I don't think this would be a wise move by Tom Dimitroff.
Bottom Line: It's too costly for the Falcons.
The thought of having a guy like A.J. Green lining up across from Roddy White is enough to cause opposing defensive coordinators to lose sleep. Green is the best offensive skill player in the draft and will certainly be a top five pick. The cost to move from #27 to top five would be counter-productive for Atlanta. To move up 20+ spots will cost at least a 1st, 2nd, 3rd-4th and probably another early pick in next season's draft (2nd). The inability to move players in draft day deals, due to the complications from the lockout, is no help either. The Falcons have too many holes to fill on defense to give up that many early picks for one offensive player.
There is an alternative though: Trade up for Julio Jones. This is still a reach as well, as Jones is likely to go in the top 10, but the cost of a pick around 8-12 is much less than a pick in the 3-5 range; maybe only the 1st, 2nd this year and maybe only one more pick (2nd-3rd) next year. To me, this is still counter-productive for the Falcons' needs, but it's much more prudent than a huge jump for Green. The difference in talent between Green and Jones is much less than the difference in cost. Julio Jones is the better bargain
There is only one player in this draft I would pay that price to move into the top five, and that's LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson. He would fill a HUGE need for the Falcons on defense and special teams. If he falls past #4 to Cincinnati, don't be surprised if the Falcons do pounce on the best player in the draft.
