Feb 26, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Desmond Trufant runs with the ball after catching a pass during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Throughout the Draft the last few days, I think it’s safe to say quite a few of us were a little confused here and there.  But the First two rounds could tell us a lot about what’s to come this season.  As we all know, the Atlanta Falcons drafter CB Desmond Trufant in the first round after trading up 8 spots to the 22^nd pick.  A lot of mock drafts had him falling to the Falcons, or had the Falcons trade up to get him.  This is no surprise to me.  The Falcons only had one known starting Corner with high hopes for Robert McClain after Three starting caliber corners left.  They definitely needed a defensive back and got a great one in Trufant.

What was a little confusing, and most people would probably agree with this, is watching Dion Sanders call out a name who many of us probably didn’t hear much of, followed by the position “Defensive Back.”

“What?  Didn’t we just get one?  You know we need a pass rusher!?  Do you know Damontre Moore was RIGHT THERE!?”  I believed that the dream picks for me was Trufant in the first and Margus Hunt in the second.  I was surprised he lasted as long as he did.  I was even more surprised that Moore dropped to the Falcons.  When they announced they picked another Corner, I would be lying if I said that my first reaction wasn’t anger.

After I cooled down a little, I repeated to myself “In TD we trust.” Knowing it was for a good reason.  After thinking about it and watching Robert Alford tape, I started really liking this pick for the following reasons:

Comfort and Familiarity:  Last season, the defense wasn’t great, but it was pretty good.  About the only thing we lacked was linebacker coverage (which could have been a scheme problem and not a personnel problem) and a legitimate pass rush.   The Falcons went a long way with those problems and after losing three corners in free agency, there was a huge hole in the defense.  Last year, the backfield was a strong point.  Nolan would have to make a lot more changes to match a strength in pass rush and a weakness in the backfield compared to the same strengths with an upgraded pass rush.  So first things first is to make the secondary a strength again.  With better depth and a step up from Robinson, It’s safe to say that’s a done deal.

Still Need a Return Game:  The last punt return that went all the way was two years ago against Tampa Bay with Eric Weems.  Since then, the return game was never very effective.  Robert Alford is a very good return man.  He’ll definitely take the job away from Fair-Catch-Franks and will add another threat to this high-scoring team.

Next Man Up:  Two Defensive ends were drafted, but neither of them will be automatic starters. We all know TD is a mastermind.  I didn’t like them getting rid of Tyson Clabo, but you know damn well that he wouldn’t do that if there wasn’t complete trust in how far Lamar Holmes has come.  I seriously doubt that the Falcons would pass up on the talents of Damontre Moore if there wasn’t a lot of confidence in the next man up.  Who is that?  Jonathan Massequoi.  He’s a great build for a pass rusher and very young.  He could step up and work on the other side of Umenyiora and be a major contributor.  I have a lot of high hopes for this guy.

It’s hard to criticize a guy like TD when the only flops under his belt are an overpaid Ray Edwards and Peria Jerry.  I’m betting these picks will go a long way.

When the NFL released their list of the 75 Most Valuable Draft picks, the Atlanta Falcons had two names on the list. The problem was one of the names (Brett Favre) stayed in Atlanta long enough for ham sandwich before moving on so we can’t really claim him.

I wanted to offer up my choice for the Top Five Falcons Draft Picks in my lifetime. I was born late in 1978 so I used the 1979 Draft as the cutoff point.

I used two requirements: (1) The player had to be drafted by the Falcons (no post-draft trades). (2) The player had to play at least five years for the Falcons. This means no player drafted after 2005 can make the list yet (Matt Ryan, Curtis Lofton, etc. will have to wait).

Without further ado, I present

Blogging Dirty’s Top Five Falcons Draft Picks since 1979!

Hit the jump to see who made the list!

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My name is Sean McNally. I live in Phoenix, AZ. I am 29 years old and I love my Falcons. I was born in Chicago, IL and grew up in Denver and Los Angeles. I wasn’t a fan of any specific team growing up as a child. I watched football and , like most kids I just looked at the colors and helmets to decide who I liked.

1991, I watched a guy play who changed my life and gave me a love for the Falcons that has never stopped. Deion Sanders was amazing, simply the best player I had ever personally watched. He played so much better than the rest of the other guys on the field and he showed such flash and ability that he instantly became my favorite. Number 21 became my player and cornerback became my position.  As I grew older I continued watching football, finding nuances in the game that just amazed me, players that excited me and plays that just boggled my young mind. Watching how the defense reacted to the audibles and motions of the offense, the way the offense read and adjusted their actions to the defense. It was awesome!

In Denver everyone is a Broncos fan. Nothing against them but I couldn’t stand the sight of those garish colors. Bright orange and that blue. They looked like redneck hunters with helmets to me. I would watch the Broncos play every chance I had and went to my first game against the Bears at Mile High Stadium. It was special because for the first time I really understood why I liked football. I loved watching these guys running plays watching the battle at the line of scrimmage and I loved watching the DB’s running all over the field making plays.

In ’94 I moved to LA and at that point the Rams were gone and the Raiders were on their way out of town. I didn’t care because I had never done time in prison or liked teams named after stupid animals in bright blue and yellow jerseys that, to me looked like clown suits. No, I was a Falcons fan. Black and Red. They looked tough and they looked dangerous. That ominous black bird of prey on their helmet it reminded me of death personified. The birds are coming folks, hit the deck!

The Bird Speaks!