Give Thomas Dimitroff credit for the Atlanta Falcons turnaround
By Adnan Ikic
Two years after being manhandled by the Carolina Panthers, the Atlanta Falcons are back on the Super Bowl path. Of all people that deserve credit, look no further than Thomas Dimitroff.
The 2014 Atlanta Falcons finished dead last in total defense and 30th in sacks. Rewind to the 34-3 blowout loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 17 of that season. The Panthers sacked Matt Ryan six times. Ryan actually ran for his life as Atlanta was dominated in the trenches. The Falcons barely pressured Cam Newton, much less managed to sack him at all.
Dimitroff, who sensed his own head may have been on the chopping block…
That was the final straw for Atlanta general manager Thomas Dimitroff, who sensed his own head may have been on the chopping block. Dimitroff fired Mike Smith and began a search to find a head coach that would fix the defense.
Dimitroff made the right hire when he brought in Dan Quinn, who at time, served as Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator. It would only be a matter of time before Quinn fixed the defense, but what about the offensive side of the ball? For that, Quinn went out and hired former Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.
Give more credit to Thomas Dimitroff for knocking the last two years of the NFL Draft and free agency out of the park.
It took more than a full season for fans to realize it, but the first NFL Draft under the Dan Quinn era was a massive success. Vic Beasley, Grady Jarrett, Jalen Colling, Tevin Coleman, and Justin Hardy were all Atlanta Falcons’ picks back then. Each is an impact player today. Of course Beasley is the emerging super star.
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Enter 2015 where the Falcons were taking steps forward despite the theme of a late-season collapse. Carolina was head and shoulders above the rest of the NFC South, went 15-1, off to the Super Bowl…you know the rest. Last season was a painful experience, but the front office realized what needed to be done. Dimitroff finally opened the Atlanta checkbook.
The Falcons struck deals with Alex Mack and Mohamed Sanu. Mack has unquestionably solidified the offensive line and will head to his first Pro Bowl as a Falcon. Few can argue Sanu’s value given he makes so many tough catches and often times at crucial points in games. We also shouldn’t forget about the ‘diamond in the rough’ addition of Taylor Gabriel. Dimitroff picked up the speedster after he was released by Cleveland and the results have been awesome.
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Thomas Dimitroff also hit pay-dirt in the 2016 NFL Draft. Looking for players that would provide an immediate impact, Dimitroff picked up Keanu Neal, Deion Jones, De’Vondre Campbell, and Austin Hooper. He also found another hidden gem in undrafted rookie Brian Poole. Each player has been instrumental to Atlanta’s success this season. In Neal, the Falcons may have the next Troy Polamalu.
An offensive line that was one of the worst in football is now the best in the NFC South. A defense that was slow, ineffective, and lacked talent is now younger, faster, and way more physical. Even Matt Ryan has transformed since Dimitroff altered the direction of the organization. The Falcons’ quarterback couldn’t look any better running Kyle Shanahan’s offensive scheme.
Atlanta has made all the right moves, and now has something to show for it two years later. It also helps that Carolina completely tanked this season and will potentially get worse.
We should give Thomas Dimitroff may thanks.