Atlanta should take Dorsey in first round

By Lew Gilliland
The Times-Journal

Published April 25, 2008
Welcome to NFL Draft Weekend 2008, and forgive me if I’m feeling a little bewildered.

In case you missed the news, we already know the No. 1 pick today will be Michigan offensive lineman Jake Long, who signed a five-year contract for a reported $57.75 million with Miami earlier this week.

Nothing against Jake. I hope he invests his new-found fortune well. No, the subject of my bewilderment is the fact Miami somehow ended up with the first pick. How bad did the Dolphins have to be in 2007 to finish with a worse record than Atlanta, which saw its season begin to crumble before it even began.

Don’t talk to me about the toughness of Miami’s schedule or the incompetence of former or current coaches and team executives. In this case, there is no good excuse or excuse good enough.

Miami didn’t lose is starting quarterback to the federal Big House. Miami’s coach didn’t bolt for a college job during the regular season. Miami didn’t finish the season with Chris Redman, who spent the previous season selling insurance, as its starting quarterback. Yet somehow the Dolphins won fewer games than the Falcons.

That’s how things typically work for Atlanta’s NFL franchise. Somebody is always better, even if the contest is to see who can be the league’s most pitiful team.

Nobody experienced more adversity last season than the Falcons, but, yet, somehow the Dolphins and St. Louis (which has the second pick) managed to win fewer games.

For Atlanta, today’s draft continues a reshaping of the franchise that began with the hiring of head coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff after the 2007 season.

Their biggest decision today is what to do with the draft’s third pick. With Vick gone, quarterback is obviously a need, and Boston College’s Matt Ryan has emerged as the top prospect at the position.

Ryan seems like a natural fit. However, if St. Louis doesn’t take LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey with the second pick, that’s the direction the Falcons should go.

Why? Because while quarterback is the most important position on the field, football games are won up front, and Dorsey has a chance to be a superstar as his position, a guy the Falcons could build their defensive line around for the next 10 years.

Besides, there are plenty of good quarterback prospects in this draft, including Louisville’s Brian Brohm, Delaware’s Joe Flacco, Kentucky’s Andre Woodson and Michigan’s Chad Henne. Most, if not all of those guys, should still be available in the second round.

Unless Dimitroff and Smith are convinced none of those guys will ever develop into a good NFL quarterback, they should take Dorsey.

It wouldn’t be the most glitzy selection they could make, but it would be the best one.

Yep, the ''fall off'' in talent at the DT position from Dorsey and Ellis to the rest of the DT`s is greater than is the ''fall off'' in talent of the rest of the QB`s from Matt Ryan.

The Rams are gonna deal their pick to Baltimore, Cincy, or Chicago. We are gonna get a chance at Dorsey.

I meant we are...

The Ravens are the only one I have heard rumored to trade up and it was not for Dorsey but for Ryan.

Me too, Baltimore. And if it's them, hopefully it's Ryan they're after. I could see Cincy maybe wanting to do that trade. Wonder why Chicago? :huh:

The Bears need a running back as Cedrick Benson is a bust.

Cincy might could stay where they are at and land Sedric Ellis?

I thought Justin Smith left this year? I would think C Long would be an intriguing prospect. Plus they still haven't found a home for Chad...Perhaps get him in St. Louis to take over for Holt in the near future?