Lamar Holmes already injured
The football gods keep making it easier and easier for Sam Baker to re-claim his starting job at left tackle.
Lamar Holmes, the Falcons’ third-round pick in this year’s NFL draft, is sitting out of the team’s rookie mini-camp with a foot injury. He reportedly wore a protective boot on his left foot on Friday after the Falcons discovered the injury during a post-draft physical.
Holmes, who was considered a small reach in the third round, wasn’t realistically going to challenge for the starting left tackle job as a rookie so the opening statement of his article was made in jest. But it is frustrating that the Falcons didn’t realize Holmes was hurt before selecting him in last month’s draft. Either the team didn’t do its homework or the situation can be chalked up as a fluke. (It’s important to note that the Falcons deem the injury as minor, although I can’t remember the last time an injury that caused a player to wear a walking boot was minor.)
The good news is that second-round pick Peter Konz reportedly impressed the team in his first day of camp, although I would stress that these are non-contact workouts. It’s hard to gauge linemen at mini-camps when they can’t be physical with defenders.
Still, it’s nice to hear that Konz didn’t trip and hurt himself while putting on his new practice shorts.
Falcons part ways with Ovie Mughelli
In decision that has seemingly been in the works for months, the Falcons officially released fullback Ovie Mughelli on Tuesday.
Mughelli has been the team’s lead blocker since 2007 but the selection of Wisconsin fullback Bradie Ewing in April’s draft made the veteran expendable. Mughelli was also owned $3 million in 2012 and is coming off ACL surgery. Thus, with the Falcons right up against the salary cap, you didn’t need a telescope to see this move coming.
While Bobby Petrino wasted his first season in Atlanta, Mughelli has been a very good Falcon these past five years. If it weren’t for Mughelli, Michael Turner doesn’t rush for 1,699 yards in 2008 or 1,371 yards in 2010. I would argue that Mughelli was also the best fullback in the NFL in both the 2009 and 2010 seasons.
While the contract given to Mughelli in 2007 stunned most Falcon fans because it was the largest ever for a fullback at the time, the money that Rich McKay invested in the former Raven was worth it. Mughelli was an underrated player and the work he did in the community is something to be valued.
But this is a decision that made sense for the Falcons. Granted, they could have extended Mughelli’s contract another year and spaced out that $3 million salary. But ACL surgery is a two-year injury and in the end, this was the right time to make a move like this. Ewing hasn’t played a down in the NFL but I’m willing to bet that he’ll hold his own and don’t forget that the team still has Jason Snelling and Mike Cox as backup plans in case the rookie isn’t ready to handle the starting job.
I wish Ovie the best of luck. He should catch on with another team and here’s hoping Sean Weatherspoon or William Moore isn’t on the receiving end of one of Mughelli’s massive blocks.
The Marcus McNeill train has seemingly passed
It says something that not even Buddy Nix has kicked the tires on free agent tackle Marcus McNeill, who remains unsigned following his release from San Diego this past March.
Nix was one of the main decision makers in San Diego when the Chargers drafted McNeill in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. But despite losing Demetress Bell in free agency, Nix, who is now the general manager in Buffalo, won’t even touch the player he once convinced the Chargers to draft.
McNeill is a two-time Pro Bowler but he’s only played in 20 games the past two seasons. It’s not like starting caliber left tackles are dropped off daily with the mail – teams search years for players that can anchor their offensive lines. It’s saying something that McNeill hasn’t been signed to a one-year deal at the veteran minimum. His health must be such a concern that teams aren’t even weighing the potential value that might be attached to his 6-foot-7, 336-pound frame.
It’s a shame too, because the Falcons are definitely in the market for a starting caliber left tackle (or at least they should be). 2012 third-round pick Lamar Holmes isn’t an immediate answer, Will Svitek isn’t a long-term answer, and Sam Baker just isn’t an answer. Thus, it’s too bad that a 28-year-old McNeill isn’t at least healthy enough for the Falcons to roll the dice and invite him to training camp. As stated in the title, the Marcus McNeill train has seemingly passed without Thomas Dimitroff buying a ticket.
It would be great if Holmes somehow showed up to camp and knocked Mike Smith’s socks off. But that’s not going to happen and with no good options remaining in free agency (or healthy options in the case of McNeill), it would appear as though Baker and Svitek will battle it out in preseason to see who earns the starting left tackle position.
Analyzing the Falcons’ 2012 NFL Draft
After the way the Falcons shocked the masses last year by trading into the top 10 in order to select Julio Jones, nobody will blame you if you feel a little under whelmed following this year’s draft. But under whelmed shouldn’t turn into disappointment.
Thomas Dimitroff has already built the foundation of the Falcons’ home. Granted, parts of the house are now aging and there are upgrades that will eventually need to be made, but the structure is definitely in place and it’s solid.
After adding a movie theater to the basement in the form of Jones last year, what Dimitroff did in this draft was spent time fixing some of the cracks and holes that started to pile up last year. Time will tell if he added to the foundation that is already in place but for now, he did well considering he gave away the team’s first round pick last year.
Let’s review the Falcons’ 2012 draft class.
Second Round: Peter Konz, G/C, Wisconsin
I admit to loathing this selection the minute Alge Crumpler read Konz’s name at the podium. But after I saw the bigger picture, this pick makes sense. Joe Hawley is not a starting caliber NFL guard and neither is Garrett Reynolds, who should stay at right tackle. Former third-round pick Mike Johnson may have a future at the position but he has yet to see the field and Vince Manuwai was an intriguing pickup in free agency. But the bottom line is that Manuwai didn’t play a down last year and the Falcons can’t risk winding up with the same mess at right guard as they did last year. Konz is a NFL-ready prospect that only fell into the second round because there are questions about his durability. If he can stay healthy, he’s one of those players that could wind up holding down a starting position for the next 10-plus years. He offers an immediate upgrade to Hawley and Reynolds at right guard, and can shift to center when Todd McClure’s days are finally over in Atlanta. (There’s no rush, Todd – keep doing your thing.) The only factor that’s disappointing about this selection is that either the fourth-round pick the Falcons used on Hawley or the third-round pick used on Johnson now becomes wasted. Konz is the future at either center or right guard so one of those two players will be relegated to backup duty from here on out. But at the end of the day, all that matters is acquiring the best five players up front. And Konz should be one of the best five linemen for a very long time.
Third Round: Lamar Holmes, OT, Southern Mississippi
Holmes was projected to go in the fifth round and that was a best-case scenario. But the Falcons took him in the third because a) their left tackle position is turning into a black hole, b) they didn’t have a fourth-round pick this year and didn’t want to hope that Holmes would slip to the fifth and c) Holmes absolutely looks the part of a left tackle at 6-foot-5 and 323 pounds. Fans need to be patient because it would be an upset if Holmes came in and challenged for the starting left tackle job on Day 1. But what this selection does is essentially put Sam Baker on notice. If he can’t beat out Will Svitek in training camp then hopefully the Falcons are smart enough to save a couple of million by releasing him. That said, Svitek isn’t the long-term answer at left tackle and Holmes isn’t the immediate answer. Thus, Baker still has a chance to prove his worth before the Falcons finally part ways with the former first-round bust.
Fifth Round: Bradie Ewing, FB, Wisconsin
This selection likely spells the end of Ovie Mughelli in Atlanta. Teams generally look for specialty players like fullbacks, nickel backs and slot receivers in the fourth and fifth round, so the Falcons certainly didn’t reach on Ewing. And thus, he serves a purpose in the long run. The Falcons are hurting for cap space and the 32-year-old Mughelli is set to earn $3 million in base salary next season. Releasing him and plugging Ewing into the starting lineup makes sense.
Fifth Round: Jonathan Massaquoi, DE, Troy
Massaquoi may wind up being the steal of this draft class for the Falcons, although I also said similar things about Lawrence Sidbury a few years ago. Massaquoi has size, strength and length to be a solid pass rusher, although his production dipped as a senior last year. Because he often relied on his strength and size to beat offensive linemen in college, he’s the perfect student for John Abraham, who could help Massaquoi learn how to use technique and preparation to succeed at the next level. I doubt he’ll make an impact right away but a couple of years down the road I’m willing to bet he’s still on the roster with an opportunity to start. There’s also a chance that Mike Nolan will get creative and use Massaquoi as an outside linebacker, too.
Sixth Round: Charles Mitchell, S, Mississippi State
The Falcons definitely had a need at safety but this pick comes with a caveat. William Moore and Shann Schillinger are entrenched at strong safety, which is where Mitchell plays. Nothing against the hard-hitting former Bulldog, but the Falcons needed a free safety to back up Thomas DeCoud – not another strong safety. That said, Mitchell is an experienced player and he’s very physical, so he should stick as a special teamer.
Seventh Round: Travian Robertson, DE, South Carolina
It’s interesting that the Falcons went back-to-back years by selecting former defensive ends from South Carolina in the seventh round. Cliff Matthews was more productive than Robertson at SC and is a better pass rusher, so it’ll be interesting to see if Robertson sticks. With five defensive ends already on the roster, Robertson looks like a candidate for the practice squad.
Overview: There’s a very good chance that Konz and Ewing could wind up starting as rookies while Holmes and Massaquoi offer potential down the road. Mitchell will have an opportunity to earn a roster spot because the Falcons are thin at safety but Robertson looks bound for the practice squad. While I was disappointed that the Falcons didn’t land a tight end that could challenge the seam of a defense, they can address that need next year when Tony Gonzalez hangs ‘em up. I didn’t expect nor want the Falcons to take a tackle in the second round because this was a weak tackle class and the success rate of second-round left tackles is pretty low. All-in-all this wasn’t a flashy draft but it didn’t have to be. We knew coming in that Dimitroff limited his chances of landing an impact player after trading away this year’s first round pick. But nabbing a guy in Konz that could anchor the center position for the next 10-plus years was solid nonetheless. Hopefully Holmes emerges as the starting left tackle at some point in the next three years and that Massaquoi surprises.
Mughelli’s days in Atlanta finished? Falcons select fullback Ewing.
If Ovie Mughelli’s roster spot wasn’t in danger at the start of the day it is now.
The Falcons selected Wisconsin fullback Bradie Ewing with their first selection in the fifth round on Saturday, which could spell the end for Mughelli in Atlanta. He’s in the final year of a contract that will pay him $3 million in 2012 so with Ewing now on board, there’s a very good chance that Mughelli will be a cap casualty very soon.
Ewing is everything you want out of a fullback. He’s not much of an athlete but he’s a tremendous blocker who’s ready to run head first into a brick wall at a moment’s notice. He’s a prototypical Mike Smith player in that he’s tough, physical and durable.
He also played for a program that liked to run the football, which tells me that we haven’t seen the end of power running in Atlanta. That’s not really surprising considering Smith is still running things but Dirk Koetter’s offense is more vertical based than Mike Mularkey. Thus, to invest a draft pick in a fullback, even a late-round selection, suggests that the Falcons will still keep it on the ground plenty in 2012.
And honestly that’s a little frustrating because I have high hopes for this season that Smith won’t grab the Falcons’ offense but its coattails and hold it back. Will Koetter call the plays and run the offense? Yes, just as Mularkey did, and I expect Koetter to be more creative. But it’s still Mike Smith’s team. It’s still his philosophy and his overall game plan. If he wants to keep the ball on the ground, eat up the clock and win games in the fourth quarter then it won’t really matter who’s calling the plays. And this selection of Ewing tells me that that’s still the philosophy.
But time will tell whether or not Smith will unleash Matt Ryan and the passing game. In the present, Ewing is a good football player and assuming Mughelli will be released, he fills a need. From the outside looking in, the selection looks like a reach but it’s hard to complain about reaches at this point in the draft.
Lamar Holmes a definite reach for Falcons, but he has upside
I imagine there’s mixed emotions among Falcons fans when it comes to the team’s third-round selection of Southern Mississippi offensive tackle Lamar Holmes.
On one hand, the Falcons definitely addressed an area of need. At his absolute best, Sam Baker is barely an average NFL left tackle and at his worst, he’s Matt Ryan’s worst nightmare. Thus, if Holmes winds up allowing the Falcons to move on from Baker then he’ll be a godsend.
The problem is that Holmes was projected as a sixth or seventh round pick and while that means very little in the grand scheme of things, it’s frustrating to think Thomas Dimitroff has yet again reached on a third round pick. He also reached on Akeem Dent last year because he knew he couldn’t get the linebacker in the fourth after trading that selection away. With no fourth-round pick in this year’s draft, Dimitroff seemingly reached yet again.
The other issue is that Holmes will likely be a long-term project. He certainly looks the part at 6-foot-5 and 323 pounds and has long arms (which is key), but does he have the footwork to play left tackle at the next level? Because if he can’t, then why did Dimitroff reach for him in the third round? He could have taken Florida State’s Andrew Datko, who would have served the same role as Holmes (i.e. a developmental player), in the late rounds. In the third round you still have to be thinking about finding a starter.
That said, it’s not like the Falcons had any pressing needs to fill. I would have rather had defensive end Cam Johnson or tight end Orson Charles, but I’m not going to be upset that Dimitroff addressed the offensive line. If Holmes winds up forcing Baker off the roster by 2013 then this pick severed its purpose.
The other positive is that the Falcons traded back with the Ravens and picked up an extra fifth round pick. That’s huge when you consider they only had five picks entering the draft. Granted, fifth rounders are special teamers or specialists, but extra picks are extra picks.
Did I do cartwheels after this selection? No, but I’m more intrigued by Holmes than I am about someone like Bobbie Massie, who is clearly a right tackle (which the Falcons don’t need). Even if Holmes was a reach, if he turns out to be a starter down the road then so what. Falcon fans will just have to be patient when it comes to his development.
Peter Konz a solid selection for Falcons in second round
The name rolled off Alge Crumpler’s tongue and I immediately became furious.
Another center? Didn’t the Falcons draft Joe Hawley in 2010 to replace Todd McClure? And didn’t they just re-sign a very serviceable McClure for another season?
Oh, they’re going to play Konz at guard? Fantastic. So Thomas Dimitroff didn’t blow the Hawley pick in 2010 but the Mike Johnson selection instead? Is that what you’re telling me?
But it didn’t take long for me to realize that I was wrong about the Falcons’ top selection in 2012. The consensus was that Konz was the top center in this year’s draft and he was also projected to go in the first round. So not only did the Falcons draft a player at the top of his position class, but they found a value when you consider Konz should have been long gone before Dimitroff and Co. were on the clock.
Make no mistake – Konz is a solid prospect. As Mike Mayock pointed out, he has the talent and I.Q. to start from Day 1 and while he might not be a Pro Bowler as a rookie, he has the potential to be a very good player for a long time. He was a key part of an offensive line that helped Wisconsin finish eighth in the nation in rushing last year and he’s a mauler in the run game. The plan might be to start him at right guard (a massive black hole for the Falcons last season) in 2012 and have him replace McClure at center in 2013.
Now, this selection doesn’t come without some concerns. Konz dealt with ankle injuries the last two years and never played a full season in college. Thanks to Sam Baker and Peria Jerry, Falcon fans are a little sensitive when it comes to injury prone offensive linemen so Konz’s durability (or lack thereof) is an issue.
This selection also dooms either Joe Hawley or Mike Johnson because Konz will start at either center or right guard, meaning that Dimitroff blew either the fourth (Hawley) or third (Johnson) round pick in 2010. Seeing as how I was never a huge Hawley fan and liked the Johnson pick from Day 1, I’d be fine if Hawley was the one who eventually fell off. (Meaning Konz starts at center and Johnson eventually emerges as the long-term starter at right guard.)
But the big picture here is positive. You need to find starters in the first three rounds and there’s no question Konz will be a starter barring injury. The Falcons were very fortunate to find McClure in the seventh round of the 1999 draft and seemingly struck gold again with Konz.
Asante Samuel’s contract the only thing holding up trade to Falcons?
A scenario that seemed highly unlikely a mere 10 hours ago has all of a sudden become a very real possibility.
The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that the hang-up in a potential trade between the Falcons and Eagles for Asante Samuel is the cornerback’s contract. The two teams have reportedly been in trade talks since Sunday evening and have already settled on a late-round draft pick as compensation, but Samuel apparently isn’t willing to take a significant paycut in 2012.
Well paint my face white and call me a clown – I tweeted this morning that I couldn’t see this deal happening. But if Samuel restructures his deal then he could be a Falcon before the NFL draft kicks off on Thursday night.
Samuel is 31, is due $9.9 million in 2012, and also carries a cap hit of $11.4 million in 2013 before he becomes a free agent in 2014. He would have to take a massive paycut to come to the Falcons, who are just under $2 million for this year’s cap. Even if Samuel is willing to shave six million off his 2012 figure, the Falcons would still have to make some moves in order to sign him for this season. Whether that means releasing and/or restricting the deals of Ovie Mughelli, Sam Baker or Jonathan Babineaux I couldn’t say.
Outside of what the Falcons would have to do in order to fit Samuel under the cap, the biggest question is whether or not he’s a fit. Brent Grimes (who ironically signed his franchise tender this morning after the Samuel rumors broke) and Dunta Robinson are making big money as the starters right now, but Mike Nolan likes to play a lot of nickel and the Falcons can never have too many good corners in a division that employs Drew Brees, Cam Newton and Josh Freeman at quarterback.
Would Samuel be a fit? There’s no question. He’s a true ballhawk in every sense of the word (remember his interception of Matt Ryan last year at the dome?) and he does a nice job in zone and in press-man coverages. Even at 31 he would dramatically upgrade a position of weakness for the Falcons, who ranked 20th in pass defense last season 29th in the third down percentage.
That said, assuming he is Atlanta bound, I have two concerns. Number one, will trading for Samuel upset Robinson and/or Grimes? Your first response might be, “So what if he upsets Dunta Robinson?” But the idea is to add as many quality corners as you can and if you’re like me, you believe Robinson’s play will improve under Nolan. So if the Falcons trade for Samuel and Robinson turns around and requests a trade, well they didn’t greatly improve their situation. Yes, Samuel has been a better player than Robinson the last two years. But the Falcons are trying to acquire as much talent as they can get and it wouldn’t help the big picture if Robinson became disgruntled.
As for the second concern, will Thomas Dimitroff get a wild hair up his nose and trade Grimes? I realize this is a long shot but considering Grimes was so quick to sign his franchise tender, I wonder if the Falcons’ plan is to trade for Samuel and deal Grimes in order to recoup one of the picks they lost in the Julio Jones trade. After all, Grimes could net as much as a second-rounder if the Falcons dangled him in front of a cornerback-needy team. But Grimes is excellent and despite his age (29 in July), he’s going to be excellent for four or five more years. Besides, Grimes and Robinson is a better duo than Samuel and Robinson, so trading Grimes wouldn’t make much sense. (I trust Dimitroff also sees that, but I’m just throwing the scenario out there.)
Outside of those two concerns, hey, I would love to see the Falcons trade for Samuel assuming the draft pick is no higher than a sixth-rounder and he winds up taking significant paycut. If the deal pushes Sam Baker out the door too, then Christmas will come early at my house.
Falcons’ 2012 NFL Draft Focus: Wide Receiver
The moment the Falcons agreed to terms with Harry Douglas on a new four-year deal, the receiver position became less of a need on draft day.
But that doesn’t mean that the Falcons should completely ignore the position this weekend.
Roddy White and Julio Jones are locked in as the starters and Douglas will return as the team’s primary slot receiver. But in order for Dirk Koetter’s offense to fire on all cylinders the Falcons need to find a receiver that can work the seam of a defense. Douglas isn’t that player and neither is Kerry Meier, who has yet to surprise since the day Thomas Dimitroff surprisingly drafted him in 2010.
It would be an upset if the Falcons used their second round pick on a receiver, although it’s certainly a possibility depending on which prospects fall into their lap. For example, if the football gods saw fit to have Ruben Randle drop to No. 55 overall, I wouldn’t mind Dimitroff pulling the trigger on the LSU product. Randle didn’t post gaudy numbers in college but it’s not like LSU’s quarterback play was very consistent. He’s a legitimate vertical threat that could definitely be the seam-buster that the Falcons are looking for.
But chances are high that Randle will be off the board by the time the Falcons are finally on the clock, as will Georgia Tech’s Stephen Hill and South Carolina’s Alshon Jeffery. And again, I don’t envision the Falcons investing their top selection in a receiver, so it’s probably a waste of time to break down the skill set of the second-round prospects more than I already have.
But here are a couple of middle-to-late round receiver prospects that are intriguing, if the Falcons feel inclined to nab a wideout from the third round on.
Note: What I looked for were prospects that could help the Falcons and their specific need for a receiver with the skill set to be dangerous up the seam. Knowing that receiver isn’t a big need, I highlighted players that could fall into the fourth, fifth and sixth round and thus, they’re all flawed in one way or another. All prospects in the later rounds will have things in their game that aren’t very attractive. What you’re looking at is what they do well that could potentially transfer to the pro game.
Greg Childs, Arkansas
If Childs is healthy he could wind up being a steal in the fourth round. He’s 6-foot-3 and 227 pounds but he runs a 4.53, which is solid for a big man. He does a nice job adjusting to the pass when the ball is in the air, he has a good feel for the game and he’s the perfect “jump ball” receiver. He’s also an underrated run blocker (something the Falcons love when it comes to receivers) and will make plays after the catch. So why will he slip into the middle rounds? Because he only played in eight games as a junior in 2010 and caught just 21 passes for 240 yards with no touchdowns as a senior last year. But this is a receiver that can play either outside or inside the numbers and work the middle of the field. If he falls into the fourth or fifth round, he could be a sleeper.
Tommy Streeter, Miami
Streeter has all the makings of a No. 1 receiver…on paper. He’s 6-foot-4 and 219 pounds, runs a sub-4.40 forty and is a legitimate red zone threat thanks to his size. But in 31 games at Miami, he finished with just 52 receptions for 967 yards and nine touchdowns. For a former No. 1 recruit that’s lousy production and you have to wonder why he had such a hard time seeing the field for the Hurricanes. Did his work ethic stink? Did he have trouble reading a playbook? Or was he just a flat out unfortunate? If he were projected to go in the second or third round I wouldn’t want the Falcons to touch him. But in the fifth, he’s a highly intriguing backup that could turn out to be a gem. He’s the exact opposite of Kerry Meier, who was highly productive in college but has limited upside because of his lack of skill set. Usually I side with Dimitroff’s line of thinking in that you draft players that were productive in college. But I would make an exception for Streeter, provided he fell into the later rounds.
Dwight Jones, North Carolina
Jones might not pass the “Falcon Filter” because he was nearly suspended for the Independence Bowl last season after he allowed his name and likeness to be used on a flyer for a New Year’s Eve party. But that situation doesn’t really scream “criminal” and he could be a bargain in the fifth or sixth round. As a senior he hauled in 70 passes for 1,119 yards and 11 touchdowns, so unlike Childs and Streeter he was productive in his final collegiate season. And just like Childs and Streeter, he’s a big kid (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) that can also run for a big man (4.51 forty). The problem is that he’s way too inconsistent, he has lapses in concentration and will let the ball get to his pads. He’s not a real dynamic player either, but what I like is his ability to work the middle of the field and use his body to shield defenders when catching passes.
Falcons’ 2012 NFL Draft Focus: Running Back
There’s plenty of intrigue surrounding the running back position as the Falcons gear up for the 2012 NFL Draft.
I’ve seen a handful of mock drafts with Virginia Tech’s David Wilson slotted to the Falcons in the second round. But considering the team didn’t part ways with Michael Turner this offseason and gave Jason Snelling a new three-year contract, it’s apparent that Thomas Dimitroff likes the running backs that are currently on his roster.
After former offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey failed in this endeavor, there’s no doubt that Dirk Koetter has to get 2011 fifth rounder Jacquizz Rodgers more touches next season. He simply has to. Turner’s best days are in the rearview mirror and while Snelling remains an underrated asset, he’s not as explosive as Rodgers in either the running or passing game.
That said, this may very well be Turner’s last season and if it is, the Falcons could logically select a running back in the second round. I don’t see it happening, but I admit that the possibility is there.
But if Dimitroff does use his top pick on a running back, then Turner’s days have to be numbered. It makes absolutely no sense to keep Turner, Snelling, Rodgers and a rookie running back on the same roster when this is a team has more pressing needs to address. I trust that Dimitroff knows that and will go in another direction next Friday when the Falcons are finally on the clock.
What I’m untimely saying is that I hope the Falcons don’t draft a running back this year unless the plan is to find a potential starter in the second or third round, and then release Turner. And if that is indeed the plan, then I would be completely happy with Wilson or Washington’s Chris Polk, who is a potential three-down back with the ability to run in between the tackles. In fact, of the two, I think Polk is the safer prospect even if he doesn’t have the same ceiling as Wilson.
But again, it would seem as though the Falcons are settled at running back and will look to fill another position in the second round. Remember, Thomas Dimitroff is a needs-based drafter and nothing the Falcons have said to this point has given me the impression that they’ll part ways with Turner. So why not head into 2012 with what’s already on the roster and then re-asses the position in 2013?
