First of all...I just want to point out that this is the year 2008. Typically when you're speaking of "smash mouth" football, there's another term that follows: old school.

There's a reason for that. The days of running the ball 50 times a game are gone and this league is heavily dependent on the pass, both on offense and defense. Case in point: the past Super Bowl. The Patriots broke NFL records in the PASSING game, not the running game, along the season. The result? They made it to the Super Bowl. What about the Giants? They had the best PASS rush in the league. The result? They WON the Super Bowl.

Sure, you can see the Giants relied heavily on their running game to get them to the Super Bowl, which is true. But when it came down to it, who was it that they had to rely on to win it? The quarterback, Eli Manning.

Which brings us to the Atlanta Falcons. Why was it we never did a whole lot in terms of Super Bowls with Michael Vick? We were a GREAT running team. We were a BAD passing team. Thomas Dimitroff is a smart man. He knows what drives the league nowadays, even if the rest of the world doesn't...it's the passing game.

What factors go into the passing game? Quarterback (Matt Ryan)? Check. Legitimate left tackle (Sam Baker)? Check. Great running backs to set up the pass (Michael Turner, Jerious Norwood)? Check. Go to wide receiver (Roddy White)? Check. Slot option and third down receiver (Harry Douglas)? Check. The point is, as much talk that was put out about the run, this league is set up for the pass. Peyton, Brady, Eli. The teams that do well are the teams that pass well with a running game to back it up.

So what about the defense? Of course if it's a pass driven league, the best way to win on defense is to destroy what they're doing on offense. We drafted three defensive backs, a rangy outside linebacker, and a fierce pass rusher/linebacker. Obviously the teams that pass well also need the running game to rely on when things break down. So what does he do about that? The best run defending linebacker in the draft, in my opinion, Curtis Lofton.

Trust me, Thomas Dimitroff knew what he was doing with this draft, even if all of you didn't realize it. I for one, applaud him for it.

Good post...
I agree, TD did alright but keep in mind this is a 2 or 3 year process.

About the need for an elite QB?
I have been beating that drum for a while, and how defeicient the Falcons were in that department.
Even if you have outstanding O and D-lines?
That is not enough to elevate a team to elite status..see Jacksonville.
That`s not to say being strong in the trenches is not important...it is.
Overall, instead of being a pure passing team or a pure running team.
Both situations are prone to failure to some degree.
Run team more so than apassing team.

The ideal team has balance between pass and run.
Elite teams can take one aspect of the game away if you to reliant on one aspect.
Conversely, any outstanding defence plays the run and pass well.

i agree w/ the fact that pass offense and pass rush is the name of the game as of today. But, w/ out a decent running game your not gonna win a super bowl. We finally have a decent passing game with redman starting and ryan to take his place mid-season. Now, i honestly think the patriots would of won the SB this past year if they would of used Lawrence Maroney more when the passing game wasn't working for them in their dry spells during that game.

And i also agree w/ the fact that Harry Douglas is fast as hell and can break away with one quick movement as our slot guy. But, i want to see more productivity outta Roddy and Laurent first. Cause I believe Jenks is gone on June 1st, so, douglas better be what the stat sheets say.

great point, look at the steelers. They woulda beat jacksonville if willie parker wasn't hurt IMO.

I wish I could be more optimistic but I had my eyes open when our O-line got beaten like a drum last year.

Pass me some of that happy juice...

:beer:

there ya go buddy!!!

All for hoping, but, IMO, the problem in ATL has always been . . .

inconsistencies.

If TD wants to build up the pass game, fine. If they are going to build through the trenches, fine. Hell, I understand the amount of misinformation that the draft is supposed to include. However, one thing that ATL hasn't had is a consistent plan/approach. The fans need something to build off of, a plan to see developing.

Also, I hope that in 2-3 years the idea of drafting only the best fits for the system works and that next year doesn't also feature a boatload of Cover 2 LBs and CBs who also demonstrate a great flare for ST. I was ready for a heavy Cover 2 explanation in the presser, but wasn't ready to hear that 5-7ths are taken with an eye to ST. Yes, it's not the whole picture, but how many strong ST guys do they need to draft?

well, your ST's is one of the hugest factors in winning or losing games, our ST's blew last year. We still got June 1st FA's. So, i expect TD to bring in a couple more people before training camp.

NFL.com has ATL ranked near the top in everything but punt return average which had a lot to do w/ the idiotic choice to have jennings near the ball.

even so, the line was/has been absolutely horrible. noone in the draft could have been molded to the character situation?

You have to admit SB, last season we did not have a real NFL O-line coach, injuries were a huge factor and we did add a good LT in the draft.

Again, this is not a one draft fix.

I think a lot of the doubter (like SB) will be happier when they see the new Falcons start to take form on the field.

BTW, I had listen to Kurt Hurbstreet this afternoon.
He must be drinking the juice also as he sang high praise for Dimitroff, Smitty and thier draft picks.
Calling the whole Org. 1st class and Falcon fans should really be happy about the direction they are heading.

Yes I'd love to see results on the field! I'm just very worried about our O-line and D-line right now...

We have discussed the O-line situation and why the trade up ect..

I think, TD knew the DT pool was thin and it was a situation where all but about only 2 or 3 guys were duds.
There was a big fall off in talent after those few guys were gone, maybe a few big bodies but he had already addressed it with big body FA`s.

Why waste a draft pick there when a LT and some more weapons for Ryan were in order?