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Did Falcons find enough protection for Ryan?

The Atlanta Falcons' ongoing quest to make a dent in the NFC playoffs is directly tied to the play of Matt Ryan. The team used the draft to bolster a line charged with keeping its young quarterback upright.

"We need to make sure we have the right people protecting 'Deuce,' (Ryan) as well as helping in short-yardage runs," general manager Thomas Dimitroff told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Dimitroff isn't afraid to use Atlanta's draft to plug needs, even when that means bypassing the best value on the board. Without a pick in the first round after last year's blockbuster Julio Jones trade, Atlanta used its second-rounder on guard/center Peter Konz and a third-round pick on offensive tackle Lamar Holmes. At first blush, value wasn't sacrificed here, especially in the case of Konz.

One reason for back-to-back O-line picks: Ryan was sacked 26 times in 2011, but it was the 84 hits on the quarterback -- seventh most in the league -- that has the organization concerned.

The addition of Konz -- widely considered the top center in the draft -- provides the Falcons with versatility. Dimitroff pounded home the fact that Konz is seen as potential guard material in Atlanta. The young lineman pulled and trapped from the center spot at Wisconsin and will be plugged in early where needed with the Falcons.

Holmes is another versatile addition, having logged time at left and right tackle at Southern Mississippi. Throw fullback Bradie Ewing into the mix -- he'll replace the released Ovie Mughelli -- and Atlanta accomplished its goal of gaining strength up front.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8 ... an-upright

Yep, this year's draft resulted directly from last year's draft by ignoring those issues. As usual, TD gets credit for being slower on the uptake than such a genius of his stature should be.

Valid point Pudge, but let's be thankful that this finally happened and the Falcons are among the best teams in NFC. I think people don't understand how fortunate that we are as Falcon fans. Things could be way worse and I'm happy that the Falcons are addressing these issues.

So this year's draft was good because last years was bad?? As I'm pointing out more & more that if
the Falcons were stuck is a submissive mode; or being lazy we'd never have seen the playoffs last year!!

JEEZ you won't even give Thomas D. credit for the A. SAMUEL steal which was part of this draft!!

I'm happy that for once we actually got some value after round 1 with Konz. I've read that many people thought of him as a first round talent.

The Falcoholic

Concerning Lamar Holmes



Good evening Falcon fans. My name is Charlotte Bobcat, and I'm sure it's not hard to tell that I am a Bobcat's fan. I am also a Panthers fan. Either way, I'm a fan of these teams because I've been a North Carolina resident my entire life. I was born and raised in Gastonia, NC and happen to be a friend of your 3rd round draft pick, Lamar Holmes.

I met Lamar back in 2001, when I began dating his sister. At that time, he was just a chubby kid trying to find his way. Though I was about 6 years older than him, he was still bigger than me and I always knew he would develop into a monster. At that point, he had to be about 6'0 and 240+ pounds, in middle school. He wasn't a particularly good athlete at that point as he had trouble coordinating his steps. "Raw" would be a great word to describe him. But what can you really expect from a youngster? His father Anthony (who was about 6'6 250+ pounds himself) stayed in Lamar and his brother Devon's ear about doing the right thing and doing it the right way all the time. And so did his mother Harriete. Because of that, from early on, a humble approach was instilled in Lamar. I was given the task of tutoring Lamar one time by his mother for a class he was having trouble in. I honestly felt kind of weird about tutoring anyone, and when he was dropped off at my house, I was really just planning on letting him play my PS2 the entire time and to just tell his mom we were studying. When he got there, instead of heading straight for the joysticks, he was all business and showed me a will to learn and a will to succeed. A desire to really learn everything that he was missing. He was focused. Sure, we played Madden (now he'll be on Madden, it's so surreal) later on that day, but not before he made sure he had an understanding of the things he was having problems on. Coming from the area we do, you don't find too many kids with that attitude.

There have been a ton of "potential" players that have come out of my area (Gaston County, former Seahawks WR Koren Robinson was one), but none have really put it together. Let me tell you, the fact that Lamar has even been able to come this far is a sign to those of us that know him that he is in fact "putting it together". He didn't go the usual route of getting through college. He attended a community college in MI, got his mind right, transferred to Southern Miss, and the rest is already history.

I really don't know what I'm trying to say here. I usually can translate my feelings much better than this but I've discovered it's hard writing when the situation hits so close to home. I can't tell you that Lamar is going to come out and dominate. I can't tell you that his footwork is great. I can't tell you that he'll be focused on every single play (all that you're worried about, I've read the post).

But what I can tell you is that this man has NEVER been in a bit of trouble. I can tell you that this man respects his parents to the fullest extent and would never do anything do disappoint them. I can tell you that this man is FOCUSED on nothing but success and has a family in place that will do everything they can to see him succeed and not bring him down. I can tell you that as a friend of Lamar, I see the same thing in him that your general manager seen to make him a 3rd round pick as opposed to the later rounds he was projected that (I was hoping the Panthers would take him, we had him in for a workout before the draft). This kid will be good. He has the will to learn, the personality to be an excellent teammate, and if you didn't know, he is a monster and has better combine stats than a lot of the top picks. His father recently had a stroke and that's kind of worn on him a bit, but at the same time, he's using it as motivation to do even better to make sure he and everyone around him is well taken care of.

I honestly think a lot of you guys will be pleasantly surprised by what Lamar has to offer. But I'm just letting you guys know that it wouldn't surprise me if Lamar turns into a Pro Bowl caliber player because all he has are football and family. You won't catch him at the club making it rain, or involved in scandals like Pac Man or anyone. All you have is a player ready to play ball and be all he can be. And as a fan, I don't know how much more you can ask for than a man giving 100% all the time. That's Lamar Holmes. Always humble, always trying to be better. And even as a Panther fan, I can safely say that Atlanta is my second favorite team now. Good luck Falcons!!!

I can't really get excited about carrying 3 top CBs. It didn't work for the Eagles last year, I doubt that it is going to work for us.

What Pudge was alluding to was that last year, we should have been addressing the offensive line, something that we were in a VERY good position to do last year. Instead, we traded two potential starters for a WR. That WR got us a whopping 0 points in the playoffs because our QB didn't have time to do anything. So this year, with a depleted draft from last year's mistake, we are trying to address the deficiencies that we should have addressed last year.

TD is a reactionary GM. When he finally had a full draft available and no huge needs, he decided to trade away a lot in order to get a flashy WR. If he is a genius, it's not showing. He might be a great talent evaluator, but that hasn't translated into great team developer. (or GM as it's commonly known) If this continues, the Falcons will always be one step behind instead of one step ahead. As it stands, Turner, Abraham, and Gonzalez will all be out the door soon. Those players represent some of the best talent that we have on the field. We have no one waiting in the wings to replace them, and we only get one first round pick each year. At what point do you think we're going to get ahead of the game?

Well he's the best Gm this franchise has ever had!! He's been voted as being damn good by his peers; and
he has us having winning seasons ever since he got here; and 3 playoff losses with a still young Qb.

Some would rather bitch about anything.....

Robert you don't need to tell me what Pudge has said; I read everyone's posts!! So you didn't like the Julio trade yesterday;
and you still don't today; so cry me a river; the trade has been made!!

The truth is no one could bring us this big a turnaround when we were stuck 4 years ago.... Nobody has had this team achieve
what its achieved in the last four years!! Not Ever!!

Look its like they say---Production talks and bullshit walks; give the team a reasonable amount of time; and base Thomas D. on our record not whether you liked this move or that move. Your excitement would be nice but no one ever expects it
or needs it!!

What we've done under TD, Smith, and Ryan has been quite impressive, at least in terms of Falcons' history. But let's be honest, Falcons' history sets the bar pretty low. The Falcons are currently competitive, which is something that they haven't been before. But the Falcons are not a contender, and they're certainly not a dynasty. And though some people might be happy just being competitive, I really want to see the team take the next step.

I believe that the Jones trade was a step backwards. You already know the reasons.

Yes but you admit that we're competitive; and we haven't been that before..... Regardless of debating the Julio trade my stance is we had to get competitive before we could move forward. After 40+ mostly horrible years it just takes more time
than 4 years to become a consistent contender.... Matt Ryan will hopefully play a huge part in this.

I want more too!! I pay $2,800 for two tickets each year (which of course is my choice) and I don't split the money with
anyone; I usually take my dad who is in an assisted living home; or a friend.... The commitment of time is huge; but I love it!!

I'm not saying I want success more than anyone else; but I've done this since I was 23 and I'm now 61. (I did have a friend pay half for 10 years but his job relocated him.) I only share this with you so you understand I'd rather see the glass as half
full rather than half empty. Really none of us know what will happen; but I couldn't emotionally make this commitment each year without being positive!!

For 30 years the positive was I could get better seats while everyone else was giving up. I've
also attended one Falcon Superbowl; and seen some great teams and great players & been able to go to certain Falcon
functions and meet the players till Mr. Blank stopped that!!

So in summary I think I have as much reason to hope we get better as anyone; but as the 35+ years has rolled by I now
see issues that are bigger than football; and realize its just great entertainment!! Regardless I don't think I could keep going if my attitude towards the team was not very good!! I don't agree with everything Thomas D. does; but maybe this helps you understand why I try to be positive because come September that's time with my father and others that can't
be replaced; and I wouldn't want it too. Falcons winning football games is a big deal; and I think its a great time to be
a Falcon Fan!!

Getting Samuel was great value, something this team has rarely accomplished under TD. We'll see how it effects things, with Dunta's move to the slot and how much of a fixture Samuel is here for the next few years. If the Falcons ultimately have to blow up their CB position to accommodate Samuel, then I don't think the net gain is as much as people suggest.

And I don't give TD that much credit for that because I don't personally factor in veteran trades much in terms of draft day decisions. I didn't give McKay credit as part of the '06 draft class with acquiring John Abraham, which was a good move as well. Veteran trades just shouldn't be evaluated in the same manner that draft picks are.

I'm really not trying to be contrary but the Abe trade I thought was McKay's best besides Roddy. I mean it was a huge
risk giving up a #1, and Abe's past history of being hurt..... At least it worked out pretty good!!