Those words should be the beginning of a busy weekend for the Falcons. The name that fills in the blank is anyone's guess.
The Falcons hold 11 total picks in this weekend's draft, and the planning continues for which players to pick and the possible trades that could be made.
The two main men behind the scenes for Atlanta are new general manager Thomas Dimitroff and new head coach Mike Smith. Both men talked with the media during Monday's pre-draft press conference in Flowery Branch.
"This draft will be system-specific. It will be needs-based," said Dimitroff, who came to the Falcons after five years as Director of College Scouting for the New England Patriots.
After going 4-12 in 2007, the Falcons could use help at several positions on the field. Dimitroff said the draft is a chance to shore up some of the team's deficiencies.
"Every position is up for recalibration and consideration," he said. "We're looking at whatever comes our way."
In addition to the third overall pick, Atlanta has three picks in the second round (34th overall, 37th and 48th), two in the third round (68th and 98th), one in each the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds (103rd, 138th, 172nd) and two more in the seventh (212th and 232nd).
Whether the Falcons use all of the picks or package some of them for a trade, there's no telling. That's simply part of the drama of draft weekend. The only thing known is that the Falcons' 11 picks make them a huge player from the beginning to the end of the draft.
Dimitroff says a player's character and his health will be major factors in the team's choices, but it's more than just those two issues that help make decisions on the team's future.
"We've had some good dicussions, and that's all part of this process," said Smith, who is working with Dimitroff in preparations for the draft. "It's a process that the whole organization is really involved in."
As for the idea that the Falcons may trade their third overall pick, Dimitroff remains coy.
"Right now there's nothing concrete at all. We've obviously gotten phone calls. That's the nature of the business right now."
Among Atlanta's needs are players on both offensive and defensive lines, as well as quarterback. Dimitroff and Smith both agree that there are several good players coming out of college in each position.
As for how the team will wind up using its eleven picks, Dimitroff says the Falcons still have time to figure it all out.
"I want to approach this the right way," he noted. "This is about doing the right thing for the Falcons. I think we've dicussed a lot and we're still dicussing."
The discussions will continue through the week, but Saturday afternoon is when talk becomes cheap. Saturday is when the Falcons start to fill in the blanks.
Thomas Dimitroff
Coach Mike Smith, center. / photo: AtlantaFalcons.com
http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/4/209216