1 00:00:06,280 --> 00:00:09,840 Speaker 1: Welcome to a special NFL Draft edition of The Falcon's Bottle, 2 00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:13,320 Speaker 1: presented by AT and T. I'm back once again, Strik Rackley, 3 00:00:13,400 --> 00:00:16,000 Speaker 1: joined by my guys just audio only this time, Dave 4 00:00:16,120 --> 00:00:20,000 Speaker 1: Archer and DJ Shockley. We go through all things Atlanta Falcons, 5 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:21,800 Speaker 1: and boy, do we have some stuff to talk with 6 00:00:22,000 --> 00:00:25,400 Speaker 1: you about today. Yes, that's right. The twenty twenty one 7 00:00:25,520 --> 00:00:28,400 Speaker 1: NFL Draft. The first round has just wrapped up, and 8 00:00:28,520 --> 00:00:32,279 Speaker 1: with the fourth overall selection in the twenty twenty one 9 00:00:32,360 --> 00:00:36,360 Speaker 1: NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select tight end Kyle Pitts 10 00:00:36,440 --> 00:00:38,600 Speaker 1: out of Florida. So let's get some instant reaction to 11 00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:41,200 Speaker 1: this selection. I'm gonna start with my man, Dave Archer, 12 00:00:41,240 --> 00:00:44,199 Speaker 1: because he went ahead and had his own draft boards 13 00:00:44,280 --> 00:00:46,360 Speaker 1: set up for this year, and I heard him right 14 00:00:46,400 --> 00:00:48,640 Speaker 1: before we got started talking about where he felt like 15 00:00:48,720 --> 00:00:51,600 Speaker 1: Kyle Pitts fell on his draft board. Dave, what is 16 00:00:51,600 --> 00:00:55,440 Speaker 1: your reaction to the pick? Damn? Ecstatic, rack and good 17 00:00:55,480 --> 00:00:57,360 Speaker 1: to be with you in shock here. This is a 18 00:00:58,520 --> 00:01:01,360 Speaker 1: first of all, the feeling that I had going into 19 00:01:01,360 --> 00:01:05,559 Speaker 1: the draft was unlinked anything I felt in quite some time. 20 00:01:05,600 --> 00:01:07,119 Speaker 1: I mean, the hair was standing up on the back 21 00:01:07,120 --> 00:01:10,959 Speaker 1: of my neck. The excitement of what potentially happened. Where 22 00:01:10,959 --> 00:01:12,600 Speaker 1: were we going to go. What was going to be 23 00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:15,600 Speaker 1: standing there at four when we had a chance to pick. Well, 24 00:01:15,840 --> 00:01:18,120 Speaker 1: when it came down to it, Kyle Pitts still sitting 25 00:01:18,120 --> 00:01:20,280 Speaker 1: there at the number four spot. You kind of had 26 00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:23,240 Speaker 1: a feeling he would be there was quarterback in the mix. 27 00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:26,480 Speaker 1: I certainly think that there was some conversation about justin 28 00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:29,960 Speaker 1: fields and maybe some of the quarterback issues or talk there. 29 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:33,000 Speaker 1: But Kyle Pitts was rated number two on my board 30 00:01:33,520 --> 00:01:36,640 Speaker 1: of the best players available behind right behind Trevor Lawrence. 31 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:39,560 Speaker 1: So you got the best positional player in the draft, 32 00:01:40,480 --> 00:01:43,080 Speaker 1: and you just got better in the red zone. Guys. 33 00:01:43,080 --> 00:01:45,039 Speaker 1: We were twenty seventh in the league in the red 34 00:01:45,160 --> 00:01:49,920 Speaker 1: zone last season. You just guaranteed yourself stepping into that 35 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:53,280 Speaker 1: top fifteen, top ten in the National Football League in 36 00:01:53,280 --> 00:01:56,080 Speaker 1: the red zone because of the acquisition of Kyle Pitts 37 00:01:58,080 --> 00:02:00,320 Speaker 1: and DJ. You've got a chance to call some game 38 00:02:00,600 --> 00:02:02,720 Speaker 1: gives in the E and I'm sure you probably had 39 00:02:02,760 --> 00:02:04,880 Speaker 1: a chance to see Kyle Pitts in action with your 40 00:02:04,880 --> 00:02:08,079 Speaker 1: own two eyes. Sometimes as an analyst, guys, you can 41 00:02:08,160 --> 00:02:10,560 Speaker 1: watch a guy on tape and it's just a little 42 00:02:10,600 --> 00:02:12,480 Speaker 1: different when you can see him on the field with 43 00:02:12,480 --> 00:02:14,960 Speaker 1: your own eyes. DJ I want to get your impressions 44 00:02:14,960 --> 00:02:17,160 Speaker 1: on number one, what you think of Kyle Pitts of 45 00:02:17,160 --> 00:02:19,840 Speaker 1: a player, what you saw when you watched him on tape, 46 00:02:19,840 --> 00:02:21,840 Speaker 1: when you watch him in person, and how you feel 47 00:02:21,880 --> 00:02:24,960 Speaker 1: he fits into this Atlanta offense. Rack. I think the 48 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:27,720 Speaker 1: first thing that comes to mind, and you think about 49 00:02:27,720 --> 00:02:31,119 Speaker 1: a guy of his stature, of his ability. Used to say, 50 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:34,920 Speaker 1: this guy has the ability to win anywhere on the field. 51 00:02:35,040 --> 00:02:37,560 Speaker 1: And ours just talked about his ability winning the red zone, 52 00:02:38,120 --> 00:02:40,640 Speaker 1: and that's a post, that's a plus, that's a bonus, 53 00:02:41,040 --> 00:02:42,959 Speaker 1: But this guy also has a chance to win it 54 00:02:43,160 --> 00:02:45,840 Speaker 1: every spot on the field. You can line up in 55 00:02:45,840 --> 00:02:48,280 Speaker 1: the slot, you can line him up on outside, and 56 00:02:48,320 --> 00:02:51,399 Speaker 1: you watch this guy run the same route tree as 57 00:02:51,600 --> 00:02:54,960 Speaker 1: receivers run every single day, and this guy can make 58 00:02:55,000 --> 00:02:58,320 Speaker 1: those plays and the guy just matches up, you know, 59 00:02:58,440 --> 00:03:02,120 Speaker 1: just he's a matchup problem versus anybody. And I went 60 00:03:02,160 --> 00:03:04,560 Speaker 1: back and I saw something where the last time a 61 00:03:04,639 --> 00:03:07,280 Speaker 1: tight end was drafted this high. You gotta go all 62 00:03:07,280 --> 00:03:10,320 Speaker 1: the way back to nineteen sixty one with Mike Dicka 63 00:03:10,440 --> 00:03:13,760 Speaker 1: and he went fifth overall. And here's Kyle Pitt's going fourth. 64 00:03:13,760 --> 00:03:18,480 Speaker 1: This is a unbelievable pick for the Falcons, and I 65 00:03:18,520 --> 00:03:21,480 Speaker 1: think Arthur spial On this is a game changer, a 66 00:03:21,480 --> 00:03:23,919 Speaker 1: guy who who's gonna come in here from day one 67 00:03:24,040 --> 00:03:27,440 Speaker 1: and demand the football and he is going to have 68 00:03:28,160 --> 00:03:31,040 Speaker 1: many opportunities in this offense where Arthur smith loves the 69 00:03:31,120 --> 00:03:32,880 Speaker 1: tight end and he's going to be a guy who 70 00:03:32,919 --> 00:03:37,320 Speaker 1: catches tons of footballs from Matt Ryan. Twenty twenty one 71 00:03:37,320 --> 00:03:41,600 Speaker 1: obviously a big year following the pandemic season in the NFL, 72 00:03:41,760 --> 00:03:43,800 Speaker 1: but it's also going to be a year that's known 73 00:03:44,200 --> 00:03:47,240 Speaker 1: not only for Kyle Pitts setting NFL history, going down 74 00:03:47,240 --> 00:03:50,320 Speaker 1: in NFL history is the highest drafted tight end, but 75 00:03:50,440 --> 00:03:52,720 Speaker 1: also the fact that you got a first year head 76 00:03:52,720 --> 00:03:55,440 Speaker 1: coach in Arthur Smiths and a first year general manager 77 00:03:55,440 --> 00:03:58,440 Speaker 1: and Terry Fonto, that are not afraid to go out 78 00:03:58,480 --> 00:04:01,360 Speaker 1: there and make that history drafting a tight end. And Dave, 79 00:04:01,480 --> 00:04:04,360 Speaker 1: what I think is so interesting here is because when 80 00:04:04,360 --> 00:04:07,280 Speaker 1: you get into the draft, everybody has opinions, and it 81 00:04:07,360 --> 00:04:11,000 Speaker 1: seems like with every selection, every player, there's some type 82 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:14,720 Speaker 1: of criticism, Well, this guy's got great upside butt dot 83 00:04:14,760 --> 00:04:17,320 Speaker 1: dot dot right, there's always something that this guy should 84 00:04:17,320 --> 00:04:19,599 Speaker 1: do better. And maybe we didn't hear that with Trevor 85 00:04:19,680 --> 00:04:21,920 Speaker 1: Lawrence a whole lot. But one thing I don't think 86 00:04:21,960 --> 00:04:26,080 Speaker 1: I've seen all night is one person criticized Kyle Pitts 87 00:04:26,120 --> 00:04:29,840 Speaker 1: as a player or him being drafted number four. Actually, 88 00:04:30,200 --> 00:04:32,599 Speaker 1: everybody in Atlanta what they need to know about this player. 89 00:04:33,279 --> 00:04:36,240 Speaker 1: It's a generational player. This guy has a chance, and 90 00:04:36,240 --> 00:04:38,240 Speaker 1: again he's got to go prove it on the field. 91 00:04:38,279 --> 00:04:40,600 Speaker 1: But what you like what you've seen in college. Shock 92 00:04:40,680 --> 00:04:44,080 Speaker 1: has talked about his ability in the college ranks as 93 00:04:44,080 --> 00:04:47,480 Speaker 1: he steps into the National Football League, his inability or 94 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:51,000 Speaker 1: his ability to create matchup problems all over the field 95 00:04:51,000 --> 00:04:52,960 Speaker 1: for you. But this could be a one of those 96 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:55,240 Speaker 1: generational players. You got to forget about thinking about him 97 00:04:55,240 --> 00:04:57,960 Speaker 1: as a tight end. This is not just a tight end. 98 00:04:58,360 --> 00:05:01,359 Speaker 1: This is a six foot six, two hundred and forty 99 00:05:01,360 --> 00:05:04,560 Speaker 1: pound wide receiver that runs four to four. Go look 100 00:05:04,600 --> 00:05:08,039 Speaker 1: at him in individual matchups, in routes that he runs. 101 00:05:08,240 --> 00:05:11,880 Speaker 1: He screws corners in the ground, He runs by corners 102 00:05:11,880 --> 00:05:14,240 Speaker 1: and catches and high points the ball over the top. 103 00:05:14,279 --> 00:05:17,080 Speaker 1: Some of the best corners in college football. I mean, 104 00:05:17,120 --> 00:05:19,039 Speaker 1: there's two guys at Georgia. They're going to go in 105 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:21,280 Speaker 1: the top two rounds of draft. We saw one goat 106 00:05:21,320 --> 00:05:24,200 Speaker 1: in the draft tonight, Eric Stokes. Tyson Campbell's going to 107 00:05:24,240 --> 00:05:26,280 Speaker 1: go in the draft too. He beat both those guys 108 00:05:26,360 --> 00:05:29,039 Speaker 1: one on one. Those guys are top top picks in 109 00:05:29,080 --> 00:05:31,640 Speaker 1: the draft at the corner spot. This is a This 110 00:05:31,720 --> 00:05:34,159 Speaker 1: is a guy that is going to transcend the tight 111 00:05:34,240 --> 00:05:36,640 Speaker 1: end position. I think we got to forget about tight end. 112 00:05:36,960 --> 00:05:40,240 Speaker 1: This is a big time player, an elite level player 113 00:05:40,600 --> 00:05:44,039 Speaker 1: that is going to transcend the position he plays. You know, 114 00:05:44,040 --> 00:05:46,440 Speaker 1: I got a chance to watch Guys D and listen 115 00:05:46,560 --> 00:05:49,559 Speaker 1: and watch his opening press conference with the Atlanta media, 116 00:05:49,560 --> 00:05:52,000 Speaker 1: and I just wanted to highlight a couple of words 117 00:05:52,040 --> 00:05:54,919 Speaker 1: that came out, and number one was one of his 118 00:05:55,000 --> 00:05:57,640 Speaker 1: answers to our own Kelsey Conway, asking him a question 119 00:05:57,680 --> 00:06:00,440 Speaker 1: about when his name was called and he got the 120 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:03,360 Speaker 1: phone call from the Atlanta Falcons. He said, it was surreal. 121 00:06:03,480 --> 00:06:05,600 Speaker 1: Even a kid that's so grounded and knows that he's 122 00:06:05,640 --> 00:06:08,479 Speaker 1: so talented, it was surreal to him to hear his 123 00:06:08,600 --> 00:06:11,200 Speaker 1: name called. And the other thing that I thought was 124 00:06:11,240 --> 00:06:15,120 Speaker 1: interesting is everybody was asking him what makes him so good? 125 00:06:15,120 --> 00:06:16,880 Speaker 1: Why is he such a great player, why is he 126 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:20,160 Speaker 1: such a matchup nightmare? And he was talking about being versatile. 127 00:06:20,279 --> 00:06:23,040 Speaker 1: He kept saying being versatile. And I feel like at 128 00:06:23,040 --> 00:06:25,599 Speaker 1: the tight end position in the NFL DJ we're always 129 00:06:25,640 --> 00:06:28,400 Speaker 1: talking about, Oh, this guy's a matchup nightmare because a 130 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:31,200 Speaker 1: corner's too small to cover him and a linebacker or 131 00:06:31,240 --> 00:06:33,240 Speaker 1: safety is not fast enough to cover him. And I 132 00:06:33,279 --> 00:06:36,240 Speaker 1: feel like, if there's one tight end now granted we 133 00:06:36,320 --> 00:06:39,160 Speaker 1: have to see it on an NFL field this next season, 134 00:06:39,480 --> 00:06:42,279 Speaker 1: that you would put in that category as a guy 135 00:06:42,320 --> 00:06:45,640 Speaker 1: that's versatile, he's a matchup nightmare or what people are 136 00:06:45,680 --> 00:06:49,680 Speaker 1: calling the unicorn, it's Kyle Pitts because you just don't 137 00:06:49,720 --> 00:06:51,839 Speaker 1: have a way to slow him down with everything that 138 00:06:51,880 --> 00:06:54,040 Speaker 1: he brings to the table. Yeah, and you look at 139 00:06:54,040 --> 00:06:55,960 Speaker 1: the new age of the tight ends these days, the 140 00:06:56,040 --> 00:07:00,440 Speaker 1: Kittles of the world, the guys who are for the 141 00:07:00,440 --> 00:07:04,000 Speaker 1: football like receivers. He is in that mold. And when 142 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:05,680 Speaker 1: you think about some of the things that he can 143 00:07:05,720 --> 00:07:07,040 Speaker 1: do on the field, and you think about some of 144 00:07:07,080 --> 00:07:10,560 Speaker 1: the things that he has already done as quarterbacks, I know, 145 00:07:10,760 --> 00:07:13,960 Speaker 1: for me and Dave, it makes you smile because you know, 146 00:07:14,040 --> 00:07:15,920 Speaker 1: this guy's gonna be able to win. You know, this 147 00:07:15,920 --> 00:07:18,920 Speaker 1: guy understands courage, He understands how to use his body. 148 00:07:18,920 --> 00:07:21,840 Speaker 1: You understands how to use that big six five six, 149 00:07:21,880 --> 00:07:25,559 Speaker 1: sixth frame when he going against a linebacker, going against 150 00:07:25,560 --> 00:07:28,000 Speaker 1: the safety, going against the corner, or knows how to 151 00:07:28,040 --> 00:07:30,160 Speaker 1: set up certain routes. Those are certain things that you 152 00:07:30,240 --> 00:07:33,320 Speaker 1: just don't see. And I think we're going away from 153 00:07:33,360 --> 00:07:35,160 Speaker 1: the days of yeah, you're still gonna have those tight 154 00:07:35,240 --> 00:07:37,440 Speaker 1: ends with their hand in the dirt and you ask 155 00:07:37,520 --> 00:07:39,720 Speaker 1: him to go and you know, block these defensive ends. 156 00:07:39,760 --> 00:07:42,800 Speaker 1: But also we're going more to the stage of we 157 00:07:42,840 --> 00:07:44,280 Speaker 1: want a guy that can stand up in the slot. 158 00:07:44,320 --> 00:07:46,880 Speaker 1: We want a guy who can be it looks like 159 00:07:46,880 --> 00:07:48,960 Speaker 1: the eleven personnel, but this guy you might as well 160 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:50,920 Speaker 1: call it ten because you got four receivers out there 161 00:07:50,920 --> 00:07:53,880 Speaker 1: with him. It's gonna be fun to have this guy 162 00:07:54,280 --> 00:07:56,160 Speaker 1: line up all over the place and you not know 163 00:07:57,080 --> 00:07:59,640 Speaker 1: where the football can go because in this Author Smith 164 00:07:59,640 --> 00:08:02,440 Speaker 1: style of offense, he's going to give an indication if 165 00:08:02,480 --> 00:08:04,440 Speaker 1: it man or his own. And Kyle Pitz is going 166 00:08:04,480 --> 00:08:06,800 Speaker 1: to be that guy. But at the end of the day, 167 00:08:06,840 --> 00:08:08,720 Speaker 1: we're looking for the matchup and he's going to be 168 00:08:08,760 --> 00:08:11,320 Speaker 1: the matchup. From that, a lot of teams are looking 169 00:08:11,360 --> 00:08:13,720 Speaker 1: forward from a tight end position, and that's what makes 170 00:08:14,040 --> 00:08:16,240 Speaker 1: this league so special now is these guys coming into 171 00:08:16,240 --> 00:08:17,880 Speaker 1: the league. For a long time, it's always been about 172 00:08:17,880 --> 00:08:19,920 Speaker 1: the deepest events, how fast they are, can they get 173 00:08:19,960 --> 00:08:23,480 Speaker 1: to the pass rusher. Now it's about you got receivers 174 00:08:23,480 --> 00:08:26,680 Speaker 1: and tight ends who looked exactly the same, and now 175 00:08:26,720 --> 00:08:28,720 Speaker 1: the Falcons had one in cal Pitch. It's gonna be 176 00:08:28,760 --> 00:08:32,040 Speaker 1: so fun to watch. Yeah, DJ, you're talking about the 177 00:08:32,040 --> 00:08:35,400 Speaker 1: style of offense from Arthur Smith and he's a very 178 00:08:35,440 --> 00:08:37,760 Speaker 1: tight end heavy loves the tight ends. And there's been 179 00:08:37,760 --> 00:08:40,200 Speaker 1: a lot of talk obviously about Kyle Pitts joining this 180 00:08:40,320 --> 00:08:43,760 Speaker 1: offense with the compliment of other skill position players that 181 00:08:43,840 --> 00:08:46,480 Speaker 1: Calvin Ridley's the Julio Jones is at the world. But 182 00:08:46,559 --> 00:08:48,440 Speaker 1: I think you also have to throw into that category 183 00:08:48,480 --> 00:08:51,560 Speaker 1: now Hayden Hurst, because maybe the one criticism you could 184 00:08:51,559 --> 00:08:53,840 Speaker 1: have on Kyle Pitts is what type of an inline 185 00:08:53,920 --> 00:08:56,880 Speaker 1: blocker is he right now? And my answer would be 186 00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:58,880 Speaker 1: he doesn't really have to be. Okay, you've got a 187 00:08:58,920 --> 00:09:01,000 Speaker 1: guy like Hayden Hurst can be that guy on the 188 00:09:01,080 --> 00:09:02,719 Speaker 1: end of the line of scrimmage that can help out 189 00:09:02,720 --> 00:09:05,480 Speaker 1: in the run game, provide some chips and pass protection, 190 00:09:05,720 --> 00:09:07,720 Speaker 1: and yes, is it an area that Kyle Pitts can 191 00:09:07,760 --> 00:09:10,840 Speaker 1: improve on. But think about the combinations now of a 192 00:09:10,880 --> 00:09:14,200 Speaker 1: guy like Hayden Hurst who can catch the ball at 193 00:09:14,280 --> 00:09:16,920 Speaker 1: the tight end position he showed out his career a 194 00:09:17,000 --> 00:09:19,560 Speaker 1: former first round pick. Having both of those guys on 195 00:09:19,600 --> 00:09:22,480 Speaker 1: the field, arch think about that type of a setup 196 00:09:22,520 --> 00:09:26,040 Speaker 1: with those two wide receivers on the outside that Pat 197 00:09:26,200 --> 00:09:29,320 Speaker 1: Ryan goes in twenty one, Well, it certainly puts you 198 00:09:29,320 --> 00:09:33,120 Speaker 1: in a situation the rack in Shock where you are 199 00:09:33,160 --> 00:09:36,080 Speaker 1: in a run set with two tight ends on the field. 200 00:09:36,120 --> 00:09:39,839 Speaker 1: But then, as Shock has said and Hurst adds to 201 00:09:39,920 --> 00:09:42,760 Speaker 1: this mix, they hearst runs as well as a lot 202 00:09:42,760 --> 00:09:45,600 Speaker 1: of receivers do as well. So you've got two guys 203 00:09:45,600 --> 00:09:48,840 Speaker 1: that can get vertical in that tight end position, as 204 00:09:48,840 --> 00:09:51,480 Speaker 1: well as Ridley and Jones on the outside or Gauge 205 00:09:51,480 --> 00:09:53,040 Speaker 1: in the game, whoever might be in the game at 206 00:09:53,040 --> 00:09:55,679 Speaker 1: the receiver spot. All of a sudden, you like the 207 00:09:55,720 --> 00:09:59,400 Speaker 1: fact that I can shift, immediately, shift gears and be 208 00:09:59,440 --> 00:10:02,600 Speaker 1: a pass threat even though I've got two tight ends 209 00:10:02,600 --> 00:10:03,880 Speaker 1: on the field and I want to run it with 210 00:10:03,920 --> 00:10:07,560 Speaker 1: Mike Davis and Cornell Patterson or or whoever we've got 211 00:10:07,559 --> 00:10:10,000 Speaker 1: in the backfield. At the time, I thought it was 212 00:10:10,040 --> 00:10:12,320 Speaker 1: really cool to hear Pitts say when he was interviewed 213 00:10:12,640 --> 00:10:14,520 Speaker 1: right off being take him by the Falcons, he talked 214 00:10:14,520 --> 00:10:17,520 Speaker 1: about surreal and you mentioned that. I thought it was 215 00:10:17,679 --> 00:10:20,840 Speaker 1: very humbling for him. He said, well, I just hope 216 00:10:20,880 --> 00:10:25,920 Speaker 1: to be a good outlet for Matt Ryan, an outlet. 217 00:10:26,040 --> 00:10:31,560 Speaker 1: I thought that humble comment kind of really said miles 218 00:10:31,880 --> 00:10:35,280 Speaker 1: of information about what kind of team oriented guys. He 219 00:10:35,320 --> 00:10:37,360 Speaker 1: just wanted to be able to come in and contribute. 220 00:10:37,440 --> 00:10:39,680 Speaker 1: He's going to do more than that now. I will 221 00:10:39,760 --> 00:10:42,960 Speaker 1: say Rack, Neither one of these guys are great blockers, 222 00:10:42,960 --> 00:10:44,400 Speaker 1: and I think that's going to be an area they're 223 00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:47,360 Speaker 1: gonna have to improve on. Pitts has improved dramatically. His 224 00:10:47,520 --> 00:10:49,800 Speaker 1: first two years at Florida was not a very good 225 00:10:49,800 --> 00:10:51,920 Speaker 1: blocker at all, you go back and put the tape on. 226 00:10:51,960 --> 00:10:55,240 Speaker 1: This year he's improved dramatically on the edge as an 227 00:10:55,240 --> 00:10:59,360 Speaker 1: inline blocker. So it's not his best thing, nor is 228 00:10:59,360 --> 00:11:01,520 Speaker 1: it the best thing, that aid Nurse says, but I 229 00:11:01,520 --> 00:11:03,160 Speaker 1: think both of them are going to be efficient enough 230 00:11:03,160 --> 00:11:04,839 Speaker 1: in it to where the run game is going to 231 00:11:04,880 --> 00:11:06,640 Speaker 1: be a threat with them both on the field as 232 00:11:06,679 --> 00:11:11,800 Speaker 1: pass receivers. Yeah, I think it's definitely some smiles going 233 00:11:11,800 --> 00:11:14,959 Speaker 1: on in the Falcons building, one being Arthur Smith kind 234 00:11:14,960 --> 00:11:17,880 Speaker 1: of going to be putting his fingers together figuring out 235 00:11:17,960 --> 00:11:20,200 Speaker 1: what he's going to devise to have this new weapon 236 00:11:20,240 --> 00:11:22,720 Speaker 1: on offense. And also Matt Ryan maybe a sigh of 237 00:11:22,840 --> 00:11:25,840 Speaker 1: release for him knowing that he's got another really really 238 00:11:25,880 --> 00:11:28,920 Speaker 1: talented skill position player and weapon out there offensively for 239 00:11:28,960 --> 00:11:30,720 Speaker 1: them to move the football down the field and as 240 00:11:30,760 --> 00:11:33,480 Speaker 1: you mentioned, Arch to start this thing out a big 241 00:11:33,520 --> 00:11:36,000 Speaker 1: time target for him in the red zone. One of 242 00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:38,959 Speaker 1: the things that Kyle Pitts talked about in his press 243 00:11:38,960 --> 00:11:42,000 Speaker 1: conference and that kind of along that humbling thing day 244 00:11:42,080 --> 00:11:45,040 Speaker 1: that you were talking about, was learning from Julio Jones 245 00:11:45,080 --> 00:11:48,360 Speaker 1: and picking his brain as far as how he attacked defenses, 246 00:11:48,440 --> 00:11:51,800 Speaker 1: gets open and become such a threat downfield. However, guys, 247 00:11:51,800 --> 00:11:53,440 Speaker 1: I think we have to change gears a little bit 248 00:11:53,480 --> 00:11:55,560 Speaker 1: and kind of address what we've been hearing going on. 249 00:11:55,640 --> 00:11:57,640 Speaker 1: There's been a lot of rumors out there in the 250 00:11:57,720 --> 00:12:01,719 Speaker 1: national media about Julio Jones and eventually being traded at 251 00:12:01,760 --> 00:12:04,400 Speaker 1: some point dropped throughout the draft or maybe this weekend. 252 00:12:04,840 --> 00:12:08,000 Speaker 1: So we talked a lot about having those weapons, Kyle Pitts, 253 00:12:08,080 --> 00:12:10,600 Speaker 1: Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley all being on the field together. 254 00:12:10,640 --> 00:12:12,880 Speaker 1: But DJ, I want to start with you, what are 255 00:12:12,920 --> 00:12:15,400 Speaker 1: you thinking are the chances or what would be your 256 00:12:15,400 --> 00:12:18,480 Speaker 1: thoughts and opinion and if the decide to work out 257 00:12:18,559 --> 00:12:20,880 Speaker 1: some type of trade and Julio Jones is not on 258 00:12:20,960 --> 00:12:24,719 Speaker 1: the outside in twenty twenty one, well, I think so 259 00:12:24,840 --> 00:12:27,400 Speaker 1: we see what happened here at number four and bringing 260 00:12:27,440 --> 00:12:30,040 Speaker 1: in a guy like cal Pits. Now, if it does 261 00:12:30,120 --> 00:12:33,120 Speaker 1: not work for Julio Jones and he's no longer Atlanta Falcon, 262 00:12:33,520 --> 00:12:37,720 Speaker 1: nobody can replace the kind of production and Julio Jones brings. 263 00:12:37,840 --> 00:12:40,040 Speaker 1: It's hard to have a guy on the field like 264 00:12:40,120 --> 00:12:42,320 Speaker 1: him who demands that kind of double coverage and makes 265 00:12:42,320 --> 00:12:44,240 Speaker 1: everybody else kind of single up and have that kind 266 00:12:44,240 --> 00:12:49,160 Speaker 1: of effect on the field. And it helps having a 267 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:51,079 Speaker 1: guy like cal Pits coming here who can kind of 268 00:12:51,120 --> 00:12:53,600 Speaker 1: take some of that pressure off of the offense and 269 00:12:53,640 --> 00:12:55,679 Speaker 1: bring that production in. Now, that production is going to 270 00:12:55,720 --> 00:12:58,120 Speaker 1: be kind of spread out between all the guys. But 271 00:12:58,120 --> 00:12:59,920 Speaker 1: I think we also saw last year and the last 272 00:13:00,280 --> 00:13:03,400 Speaker 1: you know, seven eight games, when you didn't have Julio Jones. 273 00:13:03,440 --> 00:13:06,560 Speaker 1: Callen really stepped up to the play over forty some catches, 274 00:13:06,600 --> 00:13:09,200 Speaker 1: seven hundred seventeen yards three touchdowns. I mean, he was 275 00:13:09,240 --> 00:13:12,520 Speaker 1: a one man wrecking crew in his own right. Uh. 276 00:13:12,800 --> 00:13:16,320 Speaker 1: Not having Julio Jones would be something that I know 277 00:13:16,360 --> 00:13:18,960 Speaker 1: a lot of Atlanta familys would probably be a little 278 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:21,040 Speaker 1: sour about. But you have to be honest, this is 279 00:13:21,080 --> 00:13:24,160 Speaker 1: a business and at the end of the day, when 280 00:13:24,200 --> 00:13:28,000 Speaker 1: things don't work out, and things don't work out salary 281 00:13:28,000 --> 00:13:29,840 Speaker 1: cap wide as we know, Uh, we can let our 282 00:13:29,880 --> 00:13:36,400 Speaker 1: chickxplain at he's our guy, but obviously things uh in 283 00:13:36,559 --> 00:13:38,840 Speaker 1: that part of the world absolutely have to be worked out. 284 00:13:38,840 --> 00:13:41,199 Speaker 1: And if a guy not because of what he's done 285 00:13:41,200 --> 00:13:43,760 Speaker 1: on the field, but because of that salary doesn't work 286 00:13:43,800 --> 00:13:45,840 Speaker 1: out for you, then obviously you gotta find a way 287 00:13:45,840 --> 00:13:47,880 Speaker 1: to move on and then you try to replace those guys. 288 00:13:47,880 --> 00:13:50,840 Speaker 1: So this is an interesting situation that still has to 289 00:13:50,840 --> 00:13:53,840 Speaker 1: play out, and everybody's still waiting to see what happens. 290 00:13:53,920 --> 00:13:57,600 Speaker 1: But one way or another, I know Arthur Smith and 291 00:13:57,800 --> 00:14:00,600 Speaker 1: Terry Finald's gonna do what's best for the Atlanta Filing organization. 292 00:14:01,800 --> 00:14:04,400 Speaker 1: You know, we've talked a little bit about a generational 293 00:14:04,440 --> 00:14:06,320 Speaker 1: type player and Kyle Pitts, and I think if you 294 00:14:06,440 --> 00:14:09,360 Speaker 1: rewind back when Julio Jones came out, the same could 295 00:14:09,360 --> 00:14:10,920 Speaker 1: have been said about him, Dave. So I'm going to 296 00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:15,480 Speaker 1: turn the question over to you. A potential generational player 297 00:14:15,520 --> 00:14:17,560 Speaker 1: and Julio Jones that the Falcons have had on their 298 00:14:17,640 --> 00:14:19,680 Speaker 1: roster for a number of years. Many would say he 299 00:14:19,840 --> 00:14:22,920 Speaker 1: still would fall into the top five in the NFL 300 00:14:23,120 --> 00:14:25,640 Speaker 1: when he is healthy. But when you factor in the 301 00:14:25,720 --> 00:14:27,880 Speaker 1: things that you've seen over the last couple of years, 302 00:14:27,920 --> 00:14:30,200 Speaker 1: do you feel like there's some legs to these trade 303 00:14:30,240 --> 00:14:32,680 Speaker 1: rumors about Julio Jones no longer being a member of 304 00:14:32,680 --> 00:14:35,400 Speaker 1: the Falcons. And Yeah, I think there is rack And 305 00:14:35,480 --> 00:14:38,680 Speaker 1: I think that when you begin to look at what 306 00:14:38,840 --> 00:14:43,840 Speaker 1: Terry Fontno has talked about, where nobody is above reproach, 307 00:14:43,920 --> 00:14:45,920 Speaker 1: this is going to be one of those scenarios where 308 00:14:46,280 --> 00:14:49,560 Speaker 1: they're going to evaluate every opportunity. The Falcons are over 309 00:14:49,600 --> 00:14:51,800 Speaker 1: the cap right now to be able to sign their 310 00:14:51,880 --> 00:14:54,720 Speaker 1: rookie draft class. From what I understand, they need about 311 00:14:54,760 --> 00:14:59,160 Speaker 1: eleven million dollars. They don't have it. A post June 312 00:14:59,680 --> 00:15:03,920 Speaker 1: one trade of Julio Jones would free up fifteen million dollars. 313 00:15:03,960 --> 00:15:06,640 Speaker 1: I mean that's a real fact. That's something that's going 314 00:15:06,720 --> 00:15:10,760 Speaker 1: to have to be considered. The thing about this thing, 315 00:15:10,760 --> 00:15:13,840 Speaker 1: and shock mentioned in business is business. It's one thing 316 00:15:13,880 --> 00:15:17,280 Speaker 1: to get sentimental about players. And Julio Jones, well have 317 00:15:17,440 --> 00:15:20,440 Speaker 1: some I've called every game of his career. You're talking 318 00:15:20,440 --> 00:15:23,480 Speaker 1: about that. Nobody's gonna be more sentimental about him than 319 00:15:23,520 --> 00:15:26,440 Speaker 1: I will be. He's made some unbelievable plays here. But 320 00:15:27,320 --> 00:15:29,520 Speaker 1: it is a business, and when you look at it, 321 00:15:30,400 --> 00:15:33,120 Speaker 1: have you drafted a guy that can replace this guy 322 00:15:33,200 --> 00:15:37,240 Speaker 1: can play on the outside. I feel better right now 323 00:15:37,280 --> 00:15:39,680 Speaker 1: as a Falcon fan, not as a broadcaster or someone 324 00:15:39,720 --> 00:15:41,560 Speaker 1: that works in the Falcons. I feel better as a 325 00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:45,480 Speaker 1: Falcon fan. We've drafted a guy that potentially play in 326 00:15:45,480 --> 00:15:47,480 Speaker 1: that spot. Yes, he looks like at the tight end, 327 00:15:47,600 --> 00:15:50,200 Speaker 1: but he plays like a wide receiver. I feel better 328 00:15:50,240 --> 00:15:52,840 Speaker 1: about that situation. But I only there's any question that 329 00:15:52,960 --> 00:15:55,720 Speaker 1: Terry Fonto is going to have to consider all the options, 330 00:15:55,720 --> 00:15:59,360 Speaker 1: and one of those options will be potentially moving on 331 00:15:59,440 --> 00:16:02,840 Speaker 1: from Julio Jones or sending Julio Jones someplace else simply 332 00:16:02,880 --> 00:16:06,520 Speaker 1: because the money and the way that works out. Yeah, 333 00:16:06,520 --> 00:16:09,360 Speaker 1: and I think that's the area where a lot of fans, 334 00:16:09,360 --> 00:16:11,320 Speaker 1: as you mentioned DJ, that there's going to be some 335 00:16:11,400 --> 00:16:14,800 Speaker 1: people if this ends up coming to fruition, that are 336 00:16:14,800 --> 00:16:16,760 Speaker 1: going to be very upset. They're going to be against it. 337 00:16:16,760 --> 00:16:18,680 Speaker 1: They're going to say, why do you do something like this? 338 00:16:18,720 --> 00:16:21,880 Speaker 1: And it's because mainly of what Dave is talking about. 339 00:16:21,920 --> 00:16:24,920 Speaker 1: Every NFL player wants to get his huge payday in 340 00:16:24,960 --> 00:16:28,440 Speaker 1: the NFL, and Julio Jones got his huge payday in 341 00:16:28,480 --> 00:16:31,200 Speaker 1: the NFL from the Atlanta Falcons, but at some point 342 00:16:31,520 --> 00:16:34,200 Speaker 1: it's going to end up strapping the organization as far 343 00:16:34,240 --> 00:16:37,640 Speaker 1: as getting better and making it more team friendly. That's 344 00:16:37,640 --> 00:16:40,440 Speaker 1: part of the reason why the Patriots did so well 345 00:16:40,480 --> 00:16:42,760 Speaker 1: for so many years, as Tom Brady took a whole 346 00:16:42,840 --> 00:16:45,240 Speaker 1: lot less money per year than he probably could have 347 00:16:45,360 --> 00:16:48,240 Speaker 1: what he's worth, but he was able to spread that 348 00:16:48,320 --> 00:16:51,040 Speaker 1: out and allow them to bring in more quality players 349 00:16:51,600 --> 00:16:54,120 Speaker 1: and they had so much success doing it. And maybe 350 00:16:54,120 --> 00:16:56,240 Speaker 1: that's going to have to be the new mold for 351 00:16:56,400 --> 00:16:59,840 Speaker 1: Atlanta as it sits right now with the salary cap situation, 352 00:17:00,040 --> 00:17:02,480 Speaker 1: for them to add more players to make this team better, 353 00:17:02,800 --> 00:17:05,359 Speaker 1: they may have to move on from one number eleven. 354 00:17:05,440 --> 00:17:08,280 Speaker 1: That's done so many great things for this organization. Obviously, 355 00:17:08,320 --> 00:17:10,840 Speaker 1: time will tell, but we'll see whether or not Julio 356 00:17:10,960 --> 00:17:12,639 Speaker 1: Jones is going to be in the mix and be 357 00:17:12,680 --> 00:17:15,080 Speaker 1: on the field next year, along with Calvin Ridley and 358 00:17:15,160 --> 00:17:17,200 Speaker 1: Kyle Pitts and the rest of those skill position players. 359 00:17:17,160 --> 00:17:19,679 Speaker 1: All right, guys, in closing, we just got finished with 360 00:17:19,720 --> 00:17:22,240 Speaker 1: the first round. We added one really good player to 361 00:17:22,320 --> 00:17:25,080 Speaker 1: the twenty twenty one roster for the Atlanta Falcons. I 362 00:17:25,080 --> 00:17:27,280 Speaker 1: want you to, guys, to look ahead, DJ, what do 363 00:17:27,359 --> 00:17:30,399 Speaker 1: you expect to see in the next couple of rounds 364 00:17:30,440 --> 00:17:32,160 Speaker 1: going on? We're going to get back with rounds two 365 00:17:32,160 --> 00:17:35,080 Speaker 1: and three starting tomorrow or tonight, depending on when you 366 00:17:35,200 --> 00:17:37,480 Speaker 1: listen to this one, DJ, what are you looking forward 367 00:17:37,480 --> 00:17:40,320 Speaker 1: to seeing from the Falcon. Well, obviously, there are a 368 00:17:40,359 --> 00:17:42,960 Speaker 1: couple of needs that I think the Falcons must address. 369 00:17:43,680 --> 00:17:45,840 Speaker 1: One obviously in a system where obviously if once you 370 00:17:45,920 --> 00:17:49,080 Speaker 1: maybe to run to football, finding another running back I 371 00:17:49,080 --> 00:17:52,000 Speaker 1: think is another key spot to be looking forward in 372 00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:54,520 Speaker 1: this second and third round. And also I think you 373 00:17:54,600 --> 00:17:57,120 Speaker 1: got to go in and find you a corner. Obviously, 374 00:17:57,119 --> 00:17:59,800 Speaker 1: a couple of really good corners, well, actually three corners 375 00:17:59,840 --> 00:18:02,760 Speaker 1: win in his first round and h j C. Horne, 376 00:18:02,760 --> 00:18:06,320 Speaker 1: Patty thirteen, Kla Firlie are all guys who are quality 377 00:18:06,359 --> 00:18:09,240 Speaker 1: players who absolutely would look good in the Falcon uniform. 378 00:18:09,320 --> 00:18:11,720 Speaker 1: But these are still knees that I think the Falcons 379 00:18:11,760 --> 00:18:13,960 Speaker 1: have to go out and dressed. And I think a 380 00:18:14,000 --> 00:18:17,320 Speaker 1: guy like a Richie Grant from UCF or Sante Samuel 381 00:18:17,400 --> 00:18:19,680 Speaker 1: Junior out of Florida State. I mean guys who fit 382 00:18:19,720 --> 00:18:22,560 Speaker 1: the mode of what they want to do on defensive 383 00:18:22,560 --> 00:18:24,680 Speaker 1: side of the ball. With DMPs and be versat have 384 00:18:24,800 --> 00:18:27,880 Speaker 1: guys who can play multiple spots. It's something to absolutely 385 00:18:27,880 --> 00:18:29,359 Speaker 1: look for in the second and third round. So I 386 00:18:29,359 --> 00:18:33,159 Speaker 1: expect the Falcons probably be more defense heavy here in 387 00:18:33,320 --> 00:18:35,800 Speaker 1: the second and third round here on Friday and see 388 00:18:35,800 --> 00:18:39,600 Speaker 1: what happens. And Dave I was, I was there was 389 00:18:39,680 --> 00:18:41,880 Speaker 1: there was a part of me that was thinking, would 390 00:18:41,920 --> 00:18:44,760 Speaker 1: Atlanta try to get back into this first round at 391 00:18:44,800 --> 00:18:47,080 Speaker 1: the tail end of it and see if they could 392 00:18:47,080 --> 00:18:49,600 Speaker 1: take a run at Naji Harris or Travis Etn. Those 393 00:18:49,640 --> 00:18:52,480 Speaker 1: guys ended up going back to back Naji Harris to 394 00:18:52,560 --> 00:18:56,400 Speaker 1: Pittsburgh at twenty four. Jacksonville gets Travis Etn at number 395 00:18:56,440 --> 00:18:59,280 Speaker 1: twenty five to pair up with his quarterback Trevor Lawrence. 396 00:18:59,600 --> 00:19:01,840 Speaker 1: Probably a little bit too much for Atlanta, but I 397 00:19:01,920 --> 00:19:05,199 Speaker 1: was thinking the running back need in the backfield for Atlanta, 398 00:19:05,240 --> 00:19:06,840 Speaker 1: those two guys would have fit the bill. But what 399 00:19:06,880 --> 00:19:10,199 Speaker 1: are you looking for to see on Friday, in the 400 00:19:10,200 --> 00:19:12,240 Speaker 1: next couple of rounds or maybe even throughout the rest 401 00:19:12,240 --> 00:19:14,840 Speaker 1: of the weekend for the Atlanta Falcons to help continue 402 00:19:14,840 --> 00:19:17,679 Speaker 1: to bolster their roster. Well, guys, the guy I like 403 00:19:17,760 --> 00:19:19,919 Speaker 1: it running back is Devonte Williams, the kid out of 404 00:19:19,920 --> 00:19:24,120 Speaker 1: North Carolina. He is a battering ram, tackle blaking monster, 405 00:19:24,680 --> 00:19:27,280 Speaker 1: so I think he's still still out there and available. 406 00:19:27,320 --> 00:19:29,960 Speaker 1: I'm looking at edge rushers, guys. I'm looking at guys 407 00:19:29,960 --> 00:19:31,960 Speaker 1: who are going to fit with Deanp's wants to do. 408 00:19:32,240 --> 00:19:35,440 Speaker 1: From a versatility standpoint, morphing from three four to four 409 00:19:35,480 --> 00:19:38,480 Speaker 1: to three, the ability to have an edge guy that 410 00:19:38,000 --> 00:19:40,560 Speaker 1: can that has the versatility to stand up put his 411 00:19:40,600 --> 00:19:43,359 Speaker 1: hand in the dirt. Looking for guys like Joseph Vasai, 412 00:19:44,040 --> 00:19:47,480 Speaker 1: Zeo Zalari from from George is still out there. You 413 00:19:47,520 --> 00:19:51,760 Speaker 1: also have Ronnie Perkins from you from Oklahoma. There's some 414 00:19:51,920 --> 00:19:55,760 Speaker 1: very versatile edge guys that are still available. Difference making 415 00:19:55,800 --> 00:19:58,640 Speaker 1: guys that can get off the passer shock talking about 416 00:19:58,680 --> 00:20:01,880 Speaker 1: that corner, no question, I'm talking about edge rusher as well. 417 00:20:01,920 --> 00:20:04,359 Speaker 1: I think it's those guys that Jack mentioned and some 418 00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:06,359 Speaker 1: of those those three guys I just mentioned are certainly 419 00:20:06,400 --> 00:20:08,040 Speaker 1: going to be in the mix in the first part 420 00:20:08,040 --> 00:20:10,960 Speaker 1: of the second round. Yeah, you guys nailed it on 421 00:20:11,000 --> 00:20:12,600 Speaker 1: the head. I would have said the same thing. I've 422 00:20:12,600 --> 00:20:15,600 Speaker 1: been looking. Running back in defensive help, pass rushing in 423 00:20:15,680 --> 00:20:17,800 Speaker 1: corner would be the areas that I think needs to 424 00:20:17,840 --> 00:20:20,080 Speaker 1: get a dressed for Atlanta to kind of help shore 425 00:20:20,160 --> 00:20:22,399 Speaker 1: up that roster a little bit. Still a long ways 426 00:20:22,440 --> 00:20:24,240 Speaker 1: to go in this draft, still a long ways to 427 00:20:24,240 --> 00:20:26,200 Speaker 1: go and building this roster, and of course a long 428 00:20:26,240 --> 00:20:29,120 Speaker 1: ways until we start twenty twenty one season. But as 429 00:20:29,160 --> 00:20:32,520 Speaker 1: we talked about, the Atlanta Falcons made a huge splash 430 00:20:32,560 --> 00:20:36,760 Speaker 1: in selecting Kyle Pitt's number four overall pick, the talented 431 00:20:36,840 --> 00:20:40,200 Speaker 1: tight end out of Florida to help out this offense 432 00:20:40,240 --> 00:20:42,960 Speaker 1: and Matt Ryan and Arthur Smith's next season. So that's 433 00:20:42,960 --> 00:20:45,399 Speaker 1: going to wrap it up here on this special first 434 00:20:45,480 --> 00:20:48,159 Speaker 1: round NFL Draft edition of the Falcons Audible presented by 435 00:20:48,160 --> 00:20:51,040 Speaker 1: AT and T. Once again, I'm Derek Rackley with my guys, 436 00:20:51,119 --> 00:20:54,240 Speaker 1: Dave Archer and DJ Shockley and maybe, just maybe they'll 437 00:20:54,320 --> 00:20:56,040 Speaker 1: let us come back and talk a little bit more 438 00:20:56,320 --> 00:20:59,439 Speaker 1: about this draft, but hopefully the Atlanta Salkins in that 439 00:20:59,520 --> 00:21:02,919 Speaker 1: front continue to build on this roster and make it 440 00:21:02,960 --> 00:21:05,239 Speaker 1: an even better product on the field in twenty twenty one. 441 00:21:05,280 --> 00:21:07,280 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for listening, folks. Will help you enjoy 442 00:21:07,320 --> 00:21:09,080 Speaker 1: the rest of the draft this weekend, and we'll be 443 00:21:09,119 --> 00:21:12,240 Speaker 1: here to talk to you about all things Atlanta Falcons.