On The Clock: Atlanta Falcons

Record: 11-5, 2nd In the NFC South
General Manager: Thomas Dimitroff, Head Coach: Mike Smith (2nd Year), Offensive Coordinator: Mike Mularkey (2nd Year), Defensive Coordinator: Brian VanGorder (2nd Year/3rd with the Falcons)

Offense Rankings: No. 6 Overall, No. 10 Scoring, No. 14 Passing, No. 2 Rushing
Defense Rankings: No. 24 Overall, No. 11 Scoring, No. 21 Passing, No. 25 Rushing

Last Five Years: 41-39; Last Playoff Appearance: 2008; Last Playoff Victory: 2004 (47-17 Over the St. Louis Rams)

2008 Draft: (1-3) QB Matt Ryan, (1-21) OT Sam Baker, (2-37) LB Curtis Lofton, (3-68) CB Chevis Jackson, (3-84) WR Harry Douglas, (3-98) S Thomas DeCoud, (5-138) LB Robert James, (5-154) LB Kroy Biermann, (6-172) RB Thomas Brown, (7-212) CB Wilrey Fontenot, (7-232) TE Keith Zinger

Top Picks Last Five Years:
2008 – (1-3) QB Matt Ryan, Boston College & (1-21) OT Sam Baker, USC
2007 – (1-8) DE Jamaal Anderson, Arkansas
2006 – (2-37) CB Jimmy Williams, Virginia Tech
2005 – (1-27) WR Roddy White, Alabama-Birmingham
2004 – (1-8) CB DeAngelo Hall, Virginia Tech & (1-29) WR Michael Jenkins, Ohio St.

Booms: CB DeAngelo Hall, Virginia Tech (1st Round 2004), QB Matt Schaub, Virginia (3rd Round 2004), LB Demorrio Williams, Nebraska (4th Round 2004), WR Roddy White (1st Round 2005), DE Jonathan Babineaux (2nd Round 2005), DE Chauncey Davis (4th Round 2005), LB Michael Boley, (5th Round 2005), RB Jerious Norwood (3rd Round 2006), RB Jason Snelling (7th Round 2007), QB Matt Ryan (1st Round 2008)

Busts: LB Jordan Beck (3rd Round 2005), CB Jimmy Williams (2nd Round 2006), DE Jamaal Anderson (1st Round 2007)

Additions:
MLB Mike Peterson (Free Agent)
C Brett Romberg (Free Agent)
OT Will Svitek (Free Agent)
CB Tony Tiller (Free Agent)

Subtractions:
LB Michael Boley (FA-New York/NFC)
LB Keith Brooking (FA-Dallas)
DT Rod Coleman (FA-New Orleans)
CB Dominique Foxworth (FA-Baltimore)
DT Grady Jackson (FA-Detroit)
WR Laurent Robinson (Traded)
OT Todd Weiner (Retired)

Keepers:
DE Chauncey Davis
S Jamaal Fudge
LB Tony Gilbert
DT Jason Jefferson
P Michael Koenen (Franchised)
TE Justin Peelle
C Ben Wilkerson
OLB Coy Wire

2009 Picks:
Round 1, Selection 24
Round 2, Selection 23
Round 3, Selection 26
Round 4, Selection 25
Round 5, Selection 2 (From St. Louis)
Round 5, Selection 7 (From Oakland)
Round 6, Selection 3 (From St. Louis)

Team Needs – Players of Interest (Day One):
1. Outside Linebacker: Brian Cushing, USC; Clay Matthews Jr.; Clint Sintim, Virginia; Marcus Freeman, Ohio St.
2. Defensive Tackle: Peria Jerry, Ole Miss; Evander Hood, Missouri; Jarron Gilbert, San Jose St.; Sen’Derrick Marks, Auburn
3. Tight End: Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma St.; Jared Cook, South Carolina; Shawn Nelson, Southern Miss; Cornelius Ingram, Florida; James Casey, Rice; Travis Beckum, Wisconsin; Chase Coffman, Missouri
4. Defensive End: Tyson Jackson, LSU, Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech; Aaron Maybin, PSU; Paul Kruger, Utah; Lawrence Sidbury Jr., Richmond
5. Safety: Louis Delmas, Western Michigan
6. Cornerback: Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest; Jairus Byrd, Oregon; D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt; Darius Butler, UConn; Sean Smith, Utah; Keenan Lewis, Oregon St.; Macho Harris, Virginia Tech; Mike Mickens, Cincinnati

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Boston College, Georgia Tech)

All Access: Eric Wood Stock Rising

At the Louisville Pro Day on March 26, C Eric Wood (6-4, 310 pounds) showed that he is generating a lot of buzz from many NFL teams. Wood did position drills at the pro day but otherwise stood on his marks from the NFL combine. He has already visited the Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals and has worked out for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Denver Broncos. He also has a workout scheduled with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Mandel's Take: Wood is smart, quick, and durable--three traits teams crave in their offensive linemen. He's also got quite a nasty streak and can shift over to guard if need be. Wood needs to work on his run blocking, but the All Big East performer is pretty sound technically and can certainly add some more bulk to his frame if necessary. He was the Cardinals' captain in 2008 and was known for his endless study of film--a leader on and off the field. Rev, this kid seems to have the all around makings of a solid pro and will make someone happy late on day one, or early day two.

Mancini's Take: I've always liked Wood, and I would take him over Max Unger and Alex Mack. It's nice that he's "smart," Ross man, but what I love about Wood is his raw strength to move guys off the ball and deliver pancake blocks. This is a guy I could go to battle with. I don't need my interior linemen to be athletic and nimble. I want them to drive people out of the way and create running lanes. That's Eric Wood in a nutshell.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Louisville)