Dein erstes Forum » The Atlanta Falcons spent the past couple of drafts

FLOWERY BRANCH Elite Julio Jones Jersey , Ga. (AP) — filling in the pieces on a team with championship aspirations.This time around, they’re coming off a hugely disappointing season that turned up the heat on coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff.The Falcons have the 14th overall pick in next week’s draft — their earliest selection since 2015, when they took Clemson defensive end Vic Beasley at No. 8.Despite a 7-9 record in 2018, which led to the ouster of all three coordinators, Dimitroff said there is no greater sense of urgency than other drafts. Just two seasons removed from a trip to the Super Bowl, he still feels the Falcons have the nucleus to reclaim their place as one of the league’s better teams, especially after addressing some of the most pressing needs in free agency.“We’re going into the draft in a really good place,” Dimitroff said. “We don’t feel the same amount of pressure going into the draft having to get all these depth areas taken care of. That’s a good feeling.”This is the fifth draft together for Dimitroff, the Falcons’ GM since 2008, and Quinn, who came aboard as head coach in 2015. The two take a collective approach to making their choices, which seems to work well for both.“We all have our hands in it,” Dimitroff said. “This is not an organization where you have one guy pounding their fist on the table.”The Falcons’ success on the first night of the draft may be determined by how many quarterbacks are selected in the first 13 picks. Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray, Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins and Missouri’s Drew Lock have all been mentioned as potential top 10 picks.Atlanta, of course, is set at quarterback with 2016 MVP Matt Ryan and veteran backup Matt Schaub. Quinn jokingly lobbied for other teams to gobble up as many quarterbacks as possible before the Falcons get their turn.“This is one of the best quarterback classes I’ve seen since 1983,” Quinn said, with tongue planted firmly in cheek. “It’s really, really something to behold.”Here are some things to watch for when it’s the Falcons’ time to pick:BULKING UPAfter a devastating rash of injuries gutted both sides of the line, the Falcons learned the hard way there’s no such thing as too much depth. Even though they signed guards James Carpenter and Jamon Brown in free agency Game Julio Jones Jersey , and also brought back defensive end Adrian Clayborn, the Falcons will be looking for more big bodies in the draft.If Clemson defensive tackle Christian Wilkins or Alabama offensive tackle Jonah Williams falls their way, it would be hard to pass up — especially on the offensive side, where the Falcons must do a better job of protecting Ryan.“It’s a big year for offensive linemen,” said Dimitroff, who thinks as many as 10 could go in the opening round. “It’s not only a big year for number of tackles, but this is a year when several guards could fall in the first round as well.”THIN CORNERThe Falcons parted ways with three of their top four cornerbacks from 2018, including longtime starter Robert Alford, making this a top draft priority. Atlanta always seems to select a player from LSU, so Greedy Williams could be on the radar. Georgia’s Deandre Baker is another player to keep an eye on.“It’s not necessarily a fast group,” Dimitroff pointed out. “That said, there are some really good corners. Just because their (40-yard) times are in the 4.5s doesn’t mean they won’t be effective in this league.”EYES ON THE BACKFIELDRunning back Devonta Freeman has endured two straight injury-plagued seasons, and the Falcons no longer have insurance policy Tevin Coleman, who left in free agency to sign with the 49ers. Atlanta will likely be looking for another running back on the second or third day of the draft.PLAYING IT SAFEWith starting safeties Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen both coming off major injuries, Quinn acknowledged that the team might be looking to add to its depth in that area.“That’s an important position, and it’s evolved more,” said the coach, who is taking on the added duties of defensive coordinator. “People are using a third safety more than they have in the past.”TRADING THOMASDimitroff loves to wheel and deal on draft day, and he’s got extra picks to work with in the fourth and fifth rounds, a total of nine selections in all. While a major deal seems unlikely Julio Jones Womens Jersey , look for the Falcons to do some maneuvering to get the players they want. FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP)Julio Jones remains in coach Dan Quinn’s good graces even after missing the opening day of the Atlanta Falcons‘ mandatory minicamp.Quinn said Tuesday he thought Jones, who missed voluntary offseason workouts , would participate in the minicamp. The coach said he found out Monday that Jones would skip the minicamp.Quinn wouldn’t share details of his conversation with Jones but said ”Sometimes football and business intersect and that’s OK and that happens a lot.”Jones has three years remaining on his five-year, $71.3 million deal with $47 million in guaranteed money but could soon have the deal tweaked. Quinn said the team is ”right in the middle” of talks with Jones, a five-time Pro Bowl selection.Quinn has emphasized ”brotherhood” and making sure players do everything as a team. Players stood together as a team on the sideline during the national anthem for all games after two players kneeled in protest early in the 2017 season.Could Jones’ absence hurt the Falcons’ unity?”No,” Quinn said. ”I recognize the question, for sure. Do we want everybody here all the time? Hell yeah, like all the time. … What I’d say is if you ask to a man, the guy is a hell of a teammate and the time he spends here, the way he mentors people, how hard he plays, there is plenty of brotherhood in Julio.”Receiver Mohamed Sanu said he and other players were not impacted by Jones’ absence.”Whether he’s present or not, we were just focused on what we have to do today,” said Sanu, the team’s No. 2 receiver behind Jones.Jones, 29, remains one of the league’s top receivers. He earned his fourth straight Pro Bowl berth last season when he had 88 catches for 1,444 yards. It was his fourth straight season with at least 80 receptions and 1,400 receiving yards.Jones’ salary cap figure of $12.9 million for 2018 ranks seventh among NFL receivers Youth Julio Jones Jersey , well behind recent deals signed by Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans ($18.252 million in 2018) and Cleveland’s Jarvis Landry ($15.5 million).Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said Monday he has been in talks with Jones and Jones’ agent, Jimmy Sexton.Sexton did not return a message from The Associated Press.Jones’ holdout comes after the Falcons made quarterback Matt Ryan the league’s top-paid player this offseason with a five-year extension that could be worth $150 million.Quinn said he was not disappointed in Jones’ decision to miss minicamp because Jones remained in constant communication and explained why his plans changed.”Sometimes circumstances change and as long as players communicate with me on why circumstances change, then I never am disappointed as long as communication with me is very clear,” Quinn said. ”… The things that jam me up are when people don’t communicate.”Quinn wouldn’t say if Jones will be fined for missing the first day of the three-day minicamp.Without Jones on the field, Ryan’s top targets included Sanu, rookie first-round pick Calvin Ridley and Justin Hardy. Like Jones, Ridley played at Alabama.An undrafted rookie, Christian Blake, from Northern Illinois, reached up to make an impressive catch over the middle.”All those guys, Calvin, Christian Blake, it was good to see those guys make plays and do what they do,” Sanu said.Quinn praised the rookies’ speed and said the class ”has a chance to be an excellent one.”NOTES: The team waived S Quincy Mauger, who spent his 2017 rookie season on injured reserve with a knee injury. He was an undrafted free agent from Georgia. … RB Devonta Freeman, who was slowed by a sprained right knee late last season, appeared to be fully recovered on his runs with the first-team offense.—