Can Lightning Strike Twice?: Falcons To Build on Success Through Draft

Last year Thomas Dimitroff came over from the New England Patriots to become the new general manager for the Atlanta Falcons. That meant hiring a new coach and staff, finding a new quarterback, a new running back, and improving the team just enough to win more than one or two games.

One year later, Dimitroff is Executive of the Year, his coach won Coach of the Year (Mike Smith), his new quarterback won Rookie of the Year (Matt Ryan), his new running back was a Pro Bowler and MVP Runner-up (Michael Turner)—oh, and the Falcons won 11 games and went to the playoffs.

So can lightning strike twice for the young GM? Can he drastically improve his club for a second straight offseason? Maybe. But if he does, it'll be through the draft.

Since midseason, Atlanta fans have been buzzing with thoughts of Albert Haynesworth sporting red and black. The former Titan became a free agent at season's end, and there was no doubt that Arthur Blank and the Falcons would make a run at the two-time All-Pro defensive tackle.

But last week things changed. Dimitroff spoke out, saying there would be no run at Haynesworth; too rich for our gold-laced blood. There is a fear that a high-paid Haynesworth may become too relaxed, enjoy his money, and become the latest in a long list of athletes to enjoy Atlanta nightlife a bit too much.

No, Dimitroff is saying, we need to stick with building from within. We may go through free agency to fill a couple of needs, but there will be no monster contracts handed out.

That leaves us with one way to improve this team (besides cutting dead weight): the draft. And wouldn't you know it, the combine is this week! That's right folks, check out NFL Network to see the college stars of last year jump through hoops and run really fast in front of pro scouts unwilling to watch game film.

So what revelations does Dimitroff expect to occur in Indianapolis this week? Nothing. He, unlike some GM's, uses the combine as a supplement. He comes in knowing which players he likes, which positions he needs, and uses the combine more as a "highlight to revisit," Dimitroff told the AJC.

“In the end, it’s how the player performs on the field. It’s production," Dimitroff said. "Is he a football player? I would much rather take a guy who is a half-inch short or a quarter of a step slow who is a passionate, tough, smart football player.”

This should come as good news to Falcons fans. Not just his approach to the combine, but his approach to free agency and team building in general.

We're beginning to see a trend in Atlanta sports: go cheap. Ever since Ted Turner and Michael Vick skipped town, it's been rare to see record-breaking contracts in Atlanta.

Braves GM Frank Wren has shaped a ball club reliant on the potential of top prospects (while the Yankees give Mark Teixeira $22.5M). Hawks GM Rick Sund kept a young core of talented players to keep his team competitive (while the Mavericks trade their future for an over-the-hill Jason Kidd).

Dimitroff follows this new-found Atlanta philosophy by not only keeping a modest team budget, but also by keeping a young, talented core of players to build around.

Does keeping Keith Brooking or Lawyer Milloy at a high price make more sense than drafting a faster, equally physical player who makes the league minimum? Does bringing in Haynesworth or Ray Lewis on top-dollar deals make more sense than spending the same amount on an entire defensive line?

I think Dimitroff has the right idea here, but only time will tell if lightning has struck at all for the young GM. If the Falcons don't post their first back-to-back winning seasons, it will be hard for fans to accept this approach—especially with Arthur Blank's wallet behind the scenes.

Dirty South Sports www.dirtysouthsports.com