Dimitroff evaluates Falcons’ draft class
By D. ORLANDO LEDBETTER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Flowery Branch — They have seen their first mini-camp. They are halfway through the club’s organized team sessions. Training camp is still some two months away.
But Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff has had a chance to analyze the Falcons 2009 draft picks, with an eye on how they might fit into the team.
Last season, the Falcons relied heavily on their draft class, with Matt Ryan being named the rookie of the year. While there may not be a rookie of the year candidate in this crop, the draft picks will have chances to land major and supporting roles, provided they can make the team.
Dimitroff takes an early look at the draft class and how they are picking up things.
• Peria Jerry, DT (First round): “We are very impressed with his work ethic and ability to help ramp up the energy level along the defensive line. It was very, very apparent in those first few practices. Unfortunately, he had that little bump on the knee that is healing up well. The last couple of days that he’s been out of the field going through the drills, he’s got his ears pinned back and he’s ready to play some football. I like his focus and energy.”
• William Moore, S (Second round): “William is doing a nice job. He’s spending a lot of extra time with our secondary staff. He’s always trying to analyze what’s going on and trying to pick this system up. It’s not always easy to come in at the safety position as a first-year player, let alone as a rookie, and pick up the position in the NFL. He’s a physical presence. He will continue to refine his footwork and skills. We’re encouraged by what he’s done so far.
• Chris Owens, CB (Third round): “He’s had two very solid practices since he’s been back from his graduation. He’s a guy that has truly added speed to the secondary. He can run. He’s an aggressive guy. (A few days) ago when he was coming up to support, he almost collided with one of our very tough and very big offensive lineman because he was coming to support with so much authority. That was impressive.”
• Lawrence Sidbury, DE (Fourth round): “There was some buzz about him going into the draft. Most teams perceived him as a raw talent, with considerable upside because he can run and is a very smart football player and person. He’ll continue to learn and benefit from Ray Hamilton’s tutelage. He can get off the mark and bend around the corner. He’s showed that in a number of practices. It’s going to take him some time, but we are encouraged by his development thus far.”
• William Middleton, CB (Fifth round): “He’s an incredibly smart guy and fast. … He’s a very focused and dialed-in individual. He wants to grasp everything that goes on. He’s studying hard. He’s had a nice showing out there. He puts the effort forth on every play. He definitely can run. He will continue to refine and focus on his footwork. He has a legitimate amount of upside.
• Garrett Reynolds, OT (Fifth round): “We knew coming out of North Carolina that he was a very focused football player. He will continue to adjust to the speed of this game. But we like what we’ve seen so far. He’s a guy who’s going to continue to develop in a positive way. He’s a strong guy when he gets his hands on you. He has some good flexibility in his legs. Sometimes when you have a player that tall (6 foot 8"), they don’t bend as well and move in a short area as good as he needs to.”
• Spencer Adkins, LB (Sixth round): “He’s a fast run-and-hit guy. I’ve seen him a couple of times where, if you know that if we were in pads, he would have blown up the ball carrier. He’s got a really impressive pop and explosion upon contact. He’s got impressive range. He’s a guy that is going to take some time to learn this system. This is very new to him. When people start trying to learn new defenses, it slows them down a little bit because they are trying to over-think things. As he learns this system his true speed will really come out on the field. It’s going to be a nice battle in that linebacking group. Those fast linebackers, if they can make hay on the special teams while they are developing into their position, that helps them.”
• Vance Walker, DT (Seventh round): “You can see that he’s stepping back and taking it all in. He’s worked hard in the drills I’ve seen him. He obviously hasn’t had as many reps as some of the guys (drafted earlier). He’s another guy that’s focused and we feel very comfortable after talking to people that we know over at Georgia Tech who highly endorsed him and really believe that he has the ability to play in this league.”
• Coaching staff: “I really have felt that it’s a settling feeling knowing that we have such experienced football coaches on this team that can help a relatively young football team come together. They did a very nice job with it last year. It puts our mind at ease.”
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