Falcons need speed...

With the CBA talks on hiatis for the weekend, and will pick back up Monday, and all of the fans wondering what's going to happen next. We can still talk about some of the needs the team needs for the coming 2011 season. If there is even going to be one. But lets not think that way. Lets think about the draft coming up in April. Head Coach Mike Smith has already talked to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution about how he wants to create more explosive plays. Which means plays that are 20 yards or more. Last year Atlanta seemed not to have many yards after the catch. They seemed to catch the ball, then get tackled or go down. Last year the Falcons led the league in drives lasting 10 or more plays. That's great when you are winning, but when you are behind, you need that explosive quick play that can give you a score in one or two plays. Prime example was last year's home playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers. Falcons could never catch up because they couldnt score quickly.

So enter this year. With the release of Wideout Brian Finneran, Falcons need to draft a speedy wide receiver that can stretch the field and help number one receiver Roddy White. Number two receiver Michael Jenkins is a good receiver, but not a true number two. He has good hands like Finneran, and can get the team a needed first down when it is third down.I'm not saying cut Jenkins, just move him one down to the number three spot, and make him your possession receiver. Okay, I might be a little bias because I'm from Georgia, and a UGA Bulldogs fan. Falcons need to draft Receiver A.J. Green and put him on the field opening game. I know what you are probably saying now, WHAT!!! I know that's a wish list. Falcons currently own the number 27 spot in the draft. Green is projected to go anywhere from number one to number five, and be the number one receiver taken. Falcons would have to package a deal of draft picks to move up to number five or an earlier pick. They might even have to add a player or two in there. But it can be done. If General Manager Thomas Dimitroff is all about winning, which I know he is, he will find a way to get the Falcons big O clicking on all levels, and having the opposing defense on their heels.

So lets all hope for something big this year for the Falcons. Then again, the key word in the previous sentence is HOPE. Because if a new deal is not worked out between the owners and players union, there will not be a NFL season this year. But lets not wish for that. I want to be watching Saturday and Sunday football games this year.