Post Draft Reverie By Bobby G Copperhead

Two cornerbacks for a position of top priority, a defensive lineman, a tight end project and perhaps some safety depth. I’d top Mel Kiper’s Falcon grade of a ‘B’ with an ’A’ because although I know he does his homework he distributes grades over every team and I’m focused solely on the Atlanta Falcons. Cornerback had to be and was addressed nicely by the Falcon staff. It is a passing league, and the Falcons play this year against the likes of Brees, Newton, Freeman, Rogers, Brady, Kaepernick and Wilson. Four CB’s a must in this era. Make keeping up to Atlanta’s offense difficult and we should have a good year.
Defensive end Goodman at 6’ 4” and 276 gives Nolan a body that he may shape at start to be at least a situational pass rusher and the other fourth round pick of tight end Levine Toilolo may be a super surprise given that a 2010 injury derailed his starting status and obviously production numbers, but reports say he is a smart kid and at 6’ 8” and weighing 260lbs he has upside and can learn from Tony G., which has to be another hole filled at least on paper at this time. Friend Matt F. informs me that our undrafted signings are worth a look, not as great as some past personnel, but we hope the Birds get at least a practice squad Linebacker or offensive lineman from the group.
I saw Vegas has the Falcons at 12 to 1 to win the Super Bowl. Since teams no longer repeat and Baltimore
has lost quite a lot, the other Harbaugh gets top billing from the odds makers in May.
The Forty – Niner’s I can’t argue with after that second half in the Georgia Dome in the NFC championship game and knowing a non call in the end zone in the Super Bowl may have cost them a parade.
2013 should be interesting for this West coast team and Atlanta, knowing that a fumbled shotgun snap and ten yards kept the Falcons from that trip to New Orleans. Both teams may play that game again.
Speaking of New Orleans, and since San Francisco should surface on the Birds radar in the second half of the season, I view the 2013 opener against the division rival Saints, at Peyton’s place which is always hostile for the bird’s, as the most important season opener in the Smith / Ryan era.
Hard to justify saying an opener like this is equal to a playoff game , but we hear that about week twelve games and such, so I’m saying it. The season’s tone, standings, team confidence and division statement
Are a hell of a way to open a season. Peyton’s return will bring a high level of energy but the Falcons have proven to be a good road team and the Falcon coaching Staff have been together for a year now and excel
at preparation. May the stars align for a healthy camp.
Attention will swing to nobody’s surprise at a expected and well deserved contract extension for Matt Ryan.
I expect done by Fathers day and although costly it will be, no Atlanta quarterback deserves it more than Matty Ice. He already holds game winning drives on his resume and is a season and a half of owning almost every quarterback record in the history of the Falcons with only Steve Bartkowski narrowly ahead of him. He has stepped in as leader and revived a troubled team left by Vick / Petrino and is a model representative of the franchise. Distributes credit to the team like the passes to his receivers.
No super bowl yet – but I remember watching Jim Kelly lose four Super Bowls and everyone knew the Buffalo Bills would have never gotten to any without him. The patriots give Brady a lot of credit for winning three Super Bowls but all three were by a field goal and they have never won another since Adam Venatieri departed. Winning takes a team effort, but a good quarterback gives you the every game chance of winning and Matty Ice is what the Falcons need for years to come.
Reverie completed. Happy May to all in Falcon Nation and if you have not seen the Pantheon pictures of proposed new stadium take a Birds eye view when you get the chance.