The Falcons, coming off a 4-12 season that led to an overhauled front office, might surprise some critics under the leadership of their new GM and coach.
But after fans watched Atlanta suffer so many breakdowns on both sides of the line last year, Dimitroff and Smith understand why some might question the decision to use none of the team's 11 draft picks on a defensive lineman and just one on an offensive lineman.
Dimitroff considered the defensive line to be the NFL draft's most depleted position once high picks like Virginia's Chris Long, LSU's Glenn Dorsey, Southern Cal's Sedrick Ellis and Florida's Derrick Harvey came off the Falcons' draft board.
With John Abraham and Jamaal Anderson locked in as starters and Chauncey Davis the primary backup at the end positions, the Falcons decided they had done enough in free agency at tackle by signing Kindal Moorehead and Rashad Moore to work in a rotation with Jonathan Babineaux, Trey Lewis and Montavious Stanley.
``If they (tackles) weren't there in the first round going hard after it, it really fell off,'' Dimitroff said Sunday night. ``Not to mention there were some guys on that list along the defensive line, to be quite honest with you, weren't fitting in with our style or with our Falcon fit. We're talking about having guys that are about the team concept, who are about getting better and having a passion for the game.''
On the offensive line, Atlanta traded into the first round to take Southern Cal tackle Sam Baker, which gives the Falcons an anchor on the left side for the next few years.
But injuries last year to tackles Todd Weiner and Wayne Gandy and guard Kynan Forney caused major problems in pass protection. The Falcons cut Gandy, a 14-year veteran, as the starting left tackle, a job that will now be settled between Baker and free agent signee Pat McCoy.
Center Todd McClure and left guard Justin Blalock will return as starters. At right tackle, Tyson Clabo re-signed and will open mini-camp next month No. 1 on the depth chart while Weiner rehabs his knee.
``I think that group took some hits last year in terms of injuries, and they didn't play together very long,'' Smith said. ``They were mixed and matched all through the season, and as a football coach I can tell you the one part of your team that really needs the unit working together is the offensive line.''
After making three picks on Saturday (quarterback Matt Ryan, Baker and linebacker Curtis Lofton), the Falcons had three spots in the third round Sunday to draft LSU cornerback Chevis Jackson, receiver Harry Douglas of Louisville and Cal safety Thomas DeCoud.
In the fifth round, they selected two linebackers, Robert James of Arizona State and Kroy Biermann of Montana. Atlanta took Georgia running back Thomas Brown in the sixth round and used two seventh-round picks on Arizona cornerback Wilrey Fontenot and LSU tight end Keith Zinger.
Of the second-day picks, Jackson has a chance to start at left cornerback opposite right-side starter Chris Houston. Douglas could take a lot of snaps at wideout and flanker, and Thomas will compete for the starting job at free safety.
SAM BAKER, OT, USC
The Falcons traded two of their second-round picks (No. 34 and No. 48) and a fourth round pick (No. 103) with Washington to move to No. 21 overall and select USC tackle Sam Baker.
The Redskins also sent the Falcons the No. 84 and No. 154 pick.
Even though he missed three full games and a good portion of two others in 2007, Baker became only the third three-time All-American first-team selection in school history. The first to accomplish that feat was linebacker Richard Wood (1972-74), followed by quarterback Matt Leinart (2003-05).
Baker comes from a family with strong sports tradition. His uncle, Ben Baker, was an offensive lineman at Duke, playing tackle for the Blue Devils from 1969-71. His father, David, is the commissioner of the Arena Football League and formerly played basketball at UC Irvine and then professionally in Europe.
CURTIS LOFTON, LB, OKLAHOMA
The Falcons picked Oklahoma star Curtis Lofton with the 37th overall pick.
One of only two early-entry linebackers ranked among the top-15 prospects according to NFLDraftScout.com.
Last season he became a full-time starter at the strong side and started 10 straight games before moving to the middle. He put up career highs in tackles (94 solo) and moved into seventh place on the school's single-season list. His average of 11.2 tackles per game ranked seventh in the nation. He also had one sack, more than 10 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles. That was good enough to earn Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors.
"I would say I'm explosive; I'm a big hitter," Lofton said last month when asked about his game. "I make big plays, great tackler and I drop good in coverage."
A strong-side linebacker for most of his career, Lofton is just starting to tap his vast potential and may have found his calling at middle linebacker. He shifted inside for his final four games with the Sooners and finished his junior campaign with one of the most productive seasons by a defender, as his 157 total tackles are the most by an Oklahoma player since George Cumby amassed 160 hits in 1979.
In 39 games at Oklahoma, Lofton started 19 times, including four starts at middle linebacker. He recorded 197 tackles (117 solo) with a two-yard sack and 16 stops for losses of 33 yards. He caused five fumbles and recovered two others, returning one 12 yards for a score. He gained 71 yards on three interceptions, returning one for a touchdown and batted down two other throws. He also gained 16 yards on a pair of onside kickoff returns.
CHEVIS JACKSON, CB, LSU
General Manager Thomas Dimitroff hinted in a Sunday morning press conference that the Falcons will look to improve in the passing game -- on defense and offense.
The team took a step toward one side of that double goal by selecting LSU cornerback Chevis Jackson with the 68th overall pick (third round).
With Jackson playing the shutdown cornerback role, the Tigers ranked third in the nation in total defense in those three seasons, allowing 288.79 yards per game in 2007, 242.77 yards in 2006 and 266.85 yards in 2005. In his senior season, opposing quarterbacks completed only 25.61% of the passes thrown into Jackson's area (21-of-82), and Jackson held the opposition to a miniscule 2.8 yards per pass attempt.
As a senior, Jackson batted away 16 passes and intercepted five more to earn first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors. He delivered three stops for losses among his 44 tackles (34 solo).
In 50 games at Louisiana State, Jackson started 40 games. He registered 142 tackles (103 solo) with an assisted sack for minus-3 yards and eight stops for losses of 25 yards. He caused and recovered a fumble and also averaged 6.7 yards on 15 punt returns. He broke up 36 passes and intercepted eight others for 62 yards in returns (7.8-yard average).
HARRY DOUGLAS, WR, LOUISVILLE
With the second of three, third-round picks the Falcons selected Louisville wide receiver Harry Douglas.
He'll be coming home to join the Falcons after a high school career in Jonesboro. He was named the top receiver in the region and one of only three players to receive all nine possible votes for first-team All-Region that season. He was also selected to the Clayton News Daily Southern Crest Super 11 squad, as he caught 40 passes for 831 yards and seven touchdowns during his final campaign.
At 5-foot-11, he wasn't the biggest receiver available, but blazing speed made him an attractive prospect. He started 19 of 46 games for the Cardinals, but still managed to set eight school records.
His 10 100-yard receiving performances over the last two years rank tied for fifth in Big East Conference history. Douglas finished his career as the team's fifth all-time leading receiver, with 173 receptions, tied for sixth in Big East annals. His 2,924 yards receiving rank second in both school and league annals while his 15 touchdown catches rank seventh on Louisville's career chart.
Douglas finished third in the nation with an average of 115.9 yards receiving per contest, as he again paced the squad with 71 catches for 1,159 yards (16.3-yard average) and seven scores, becoming just the fourth player in school history to catch 70 passes in a season twice and just the third to gain over 1,000 yards in a season twice. He finished the year with 1,183 all-purpose yards in 10 contests at split end.
In 46 games at Louisville, Douglas started 19 contests. He caught 173 passes (fifth in school history) for 2,924 yards (second in UL and Big East history) for a 16.9-yard average and 15 touchdowns. He carried 19 times for 162 yards (8.5-yard average) and a score, adding 354 yards on 18 kickoff returns (19.7 avg) and 16 yards on six punt returns (2.7 average). On special teams, he registered 17 tackles (13 solo) and recovered a pair of fumbles.
THOMAS DeCOUD, S, CALIFORNIA
The Falcons continued to tinker with the pass defense Sunday morning by closing out their third-round of picks with California safety Thomas DeCoud (98th overall). The team selected LSU cornerback Chevis Jackson with the first of three third-round picks.
DeCoud has been described as an athletic pass defender with the quickness to play cornerback. He's also known for his skills on special teams.
With excellent leaping ability and long arms, he blocked six kicks during his first two seasons with the Bears. Despite his lean frame, he has also proven to be a solid tackler in the box, relishing his role of taking on ballcarriers on outside running plays.
His versatility was invaluable at Cal, where he played every position in the secondary. With his ball anticipation skills and acceleration to close on plays in front of him, DeCoud might have found a home at free safety, earning a full-time job for the first time in his collegiate career at that position as a senior. He is known around the Pac-10 Conference for his athleticism and intensity.
"I've been hit by everybody on the team," Cal tailback Justin Forsett told the San Francisco Chronicle. "When Thomas hits you, it's not something you want to remember."
DeCoud took over free safety duties, starting the team's first four games of the 2006 season before missing the Oregon State and Oregon contests due to a right knee sprain in the Arizona State game. He returned to action as a reserve behind Bernard Hicks, making 45 tackles (20 solos) with a stop behind the line of scrimmage and three pass breakups, earning Cal's Most Improved Player honors.
As a senior, DeCoud was named the defensive captain, picking up Cal MVP and All-Pac 10 Conference honorable mention. He started the first 12 games, registering a career-high 116 tackles (71 solo) to lead the Bears' defense. He added a sack with three stops for losses, as he recovered a fumble and caused two others. He also had an interception and four pass deflections.
ROBERT JAMES, LB, ARIZONA STATE
The Falcons added more toughness on defense with the first of two fifth-round picks.
The team selected linebacker Robert James (138th overall), adding a big-hitter to one of the game's key position.
Nicknamed "The Beast" by teammates for his reckless abandon on the football field, James finally got an opportunity to start as a senior and did not disappoint. He helped the team improve from being ranked 51st in the nation in total defense (327.85 yards per game) in 2006 to 30th nationally in 2007 (345.15). He led the team in tackles with a career-high 106 during his final campaign, earning All-American and All-Pac 10 Conference recognition.
The Sun Devils' Most Valuable Defensive Player (2007) played at nearby Maryvale High School before arriving on ASU's campus. He lettered four times in football and twice in track, earning second-team All-City honors as a defensive back and first-team accolades at running back. He was also an All-City honoree in track as a sophomore.
James served as team captain for his football and track teams in each of his last two seasons. He collected 102 tackles as a junior and tallied 1,300 rushing yards with 16 touchdowns and 54 tackles during his senior year.
In 2007, James was nearly unstoppable. He led the Sun Devils with 106 tackles (62 solos), getting to the quarterback 2.5 times with 9.5 stops for losses and a pair of pressures. He caused a fumble, broke up three passes and intercepted four others.
KROY BIERMAN, LB, MONTANA
Montana defensive end Kroy Biermann was selected by Atlanta in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft (154th overall). Bierman, 6-foot-3, 242 pounds will likely play outside linebacker in the NFL.
Biermann won the 2007 Buck Buchanan Award winner, given to the best defensive player in the Football Championship Series (formerly D-IAA). He used his burst off the snap, instincts and high motor to rack up gaudy numbers last season (72 tackles, 15 sacks, five forced fumbles) in helping lead Montana to a national championship.
THOMAS BROWN, RB, GEORGIA
Thomas Brown won't have to travel far to find his NFL home.
The former Georgia Bulldog and Tucker native was drafted by the Falcons in the sixth round of the NFL Draft Sunday afternoon.
What Brown might lack in size and bulk, he makes up for with strength and speed. His biggest obstacle has been injuries, having missed 11 contests during his career due to various ailments. He still went on to rank fifth in school annals with 529 carries for 2,646 yards during his career. His average of 22.7 yards per kickoff return placed him seventh on the Bulldogs' all-time record list and his 3,767 all-purpose yards rank fourth in Georgia history.
In 2006, Brown started five of the team's first seven games, as he was benched for a few contests due to inconsistent play. His season would later come to an end when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee returning a kickoff vs. Vanderbilt. He still ranked third on the team with 62 rushes for 256 yards (4.1 average) and a touchdown. He made seven catches for 71 yards and returned 15 kickoffs for 379 yards (25.3 average) and a score before his injury.
Brown started seven of 10 games in 2007, missing three contests after he suffered a left collarbone break vs. Tennessee. He actually hurt his shoulder in the Mississippi clash when he dove into the end zone at the end of a 50-yard touchdown run. When he returned later in the season, freshman sensation Knowshon Moreno was firmly entrenched as the Bulldogs' starting tailback. Brown managed to total 779 yards with 10 touchdowns on 148 runs (5.3 average), 84 yards on 10 receptions and 333 yards on 15 kickoff returns (22.2 average). That gave him 1,196 all-purpose yards for his final campaign.
In 40 games at Georgia, Brown started 27 contests. He ranks fifth in school history with 2,646 yards on 529 carries (5.0 average), scoring 23 times on the ground. He snared 39 passes for 372 yards (9.5 avg) and two scores, adding 749 yards and a touchdown on 33 kickoff returns (22.7 average). He completed one pass for a 9-yard score and recorded four solo tackles, as he amassed 3,767 all-purpose yards, an average of 94.18 yards per game.
WILREY FONTENOT, CB, ARIZONA
The Falcons turned back to the cornerback position for the second time in the NFL Draft Sunday afternoon by selecting cornerback Wilrey Fontenot from Arizona.
A four-year starter at cornerback, Fontenot lost some spotlight to teammate Antoine Cason, who was drafted in the first round by the San Diego Chargers.
Fontenot, thus got attention from opposing offense. He responded with impressive production -- 174 tackles (130 solo), seven interceptions and 25 pass breakups. He started all 46 games in which he played for Arizona.
Fontenot was bothered by a right shoulder injury in 2006, undergoing arthroscopic surgery after the season. His tackle totals fell to a career-low 37 (31 solo), including two stops for losses, as he also deflected eight passes. He continued to man the field cornerback position in his final season, delivering 40 tackles (29 solo) and an interception. He also had seven pass deflections and assisted on a stop for a loss.
KEITH ZINGER, TE, LSU
-- Information courtesy www.AtlantaFalcons.com
http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/4/209457