Falcons options and Cleveland/Dallas
National Football League
Draft King Mailbag
February 13, 2005
Lou Pickney, DraftKing.com
Reader feedback is always welcomed here at DraftKing.com. Send your thoughts to me at LouPickney@gmail.com.
From: Charlie Caswell
Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2005 12:51 PM
To: Lou Pickney
Subject: Atlanta falcons
Who do you think will be able to fill all the needs that the falcons have? They have needs on both lines and at the safety position. They would probably like to add another sleeper receiver since peerless price isnt the answer? Please predict as many choices as possible including possible offseason aqcuisations via free agency?
Lou: Ben Hamilton of Denver is going to be an interesting free agent offensive lineman to watch. An offensive guard who could be converted to tackle, Hamilton will draw attention from a number of teams. With Orlando Pace already hit with the franchise tag by the Rams, and Walter Jones likely to receive the same from Seattle, there won't be much out on the free agent market as far as elite OTs go. However, as this column discussed last month, Alex Gibbs has already done a great job with the talent in-house in Atlanta.
On the defensive side, again the elite guys (John Abraham and Corey Simon) have been franchised, so they won't see the light of the free agent market. But there are some talents out there, such as DEs Derrick Burgess and Darren Howard, who could be a possibility. At DT, Jason Ferguson looks to be the most likely option. Pat Williams will be a hot property on the market, but he will be coveted by teams playing the 3-4 defense.
As for safeties, Donovian Darius from Jacksonville might be a consideration. There are other players out there, like Idrees Bashir from Indianapolis (who the Colts took AHEAD of Fred Smoot in the draft a few years ago), who might also be of interest.
Regarding receivers, the Falcons have a great deal invested in Peerless Price, and they used a first rounder on Michael Jenkins just last year. The lack of production from the receiving corps in 2004 has as much to do with the team implementing the west coast offense as anything; as Michael Vick becomes more comfortable in that scheme, he'll begin to look more and more toward his WRs (versus using Alge Crumpler all the time). Atlanta doesn't have the cash to go after Plaxico Burress or Jerry Prter, but perhaps a veteran like Joey Galloway could be signed to a one-year deal to help add depth to the WR ranks.
From: sft1405@***.com
Sent: Sunday, February 13, 2005 10:14 AM
To: Lou Pickney
Subject: Browns
Do you see any possible partners the Brown's could trade down with? I was thinking the other day about a trade with the Cowboys for their two first rounders. Vinny Testeverde will probably play his last year, and I have heard reports that Parcells does not like how Henson plays. If the Cowboys fall in love with either Alex Smith or Aaron Rodgers... do you see a possible trade happening? It would make sense for Cleveland, because they would probably be able to get Alex Barron and a great CB with the second first rounder...
Lou: I don't see the Cowboys doing a 2-for-1 to move up in the draft, especially not for a QB. The team has needs on its defense and at WR, and the last thing I could see Bill Parcells wanting to do is to bring in a rookie QB to quickly learn the system. Parcells wants to win NOW, and trading up like that won't allow him to get the defensive end force that the Cowboys really need to acquire in the first round. Never say never in the NFL, but I don't expect it to happen.
Cleveland would love it, of couse. Alex Barron or Jammal Brown at #12 would fill their OT hole, while they would have a number of corners to pick from at #20. But I just don't see the payoff for Dallas being strong enough for it to play out like that. And, as you astutely observed, it takes two to make a trade happen.
