Atlanta Falcons and Thomas Dimitroff's Top Five Mistakes Exposed

After being silenced in a statement game, it is time to face the facts about the Atlanta Falcons.

General Manager Thomas Dimitroff has consistently ignored advice from those around him, including coach Bill Belichick (via ajc.com).

Thomas Dimitroff has been praised in his efforts to establish the Atlanta Falcons as a winning franchise. He apparently sat back and agreed with all the press clippings that said he was truly someone special.

Under Arthur Blanks' ownership, a host of managers could have done as well because this is the first time an owner was willing to pay for talent.

Here is the list of mistakes that are so apparent after being dismantled by the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football. The list is in order of increasing magnitude.

No. 1: Sending Chris Houston to the Detroit Lions without having the personnel to take his place. He at least always had the speed and position, he just never learned to turn his head around until he joined the Lions.

No. 2: Paying huge money for Dunta Robinson, even in the face of the film on him and the facts. Dunta Robinson even refused to agree that he was a shut down corner. He would make a good safety because he hits hard but is poor in coverage.

No. 3: Deciding that Harvey Dahl was the easiest offensive lineman to replace. He still has not been replaced, and the entire offense has suffered because of it.

No. 4: Trading too many draft picks for Julio Jones. Even Bill Belichick told him not to do it, and Thomas Dimitroff thought he knew better. Now the team is short on picks and needs several key players. This will cause long lasting harm to the Falcons.

No. 5: Picking Mike Smith as the head coach for stability instead of greatness. Smith actually said he did not see this loss coming. He was so sure that wins over Carolina and Jacksonville were a sign that the Falcons could run with the New Orleans Saints.

This is the most devastating decision because it is the hardest to correct.

There are many more problems the Falcons need to face—now that they are clearly not the class of the NFC South but fixing these mentioned will be a good start.