Our division getting scarier

[Snake]

My irrelevant thoughts:

Falcons - Got completely sodomized in that trade. Awful. Who the hell is going to rush the passer or stop the run? Who is gonna replace Tony G? I don't get it at all. It's not like they are super old team (I can only think of Peterson, Gonzo, and Abraham) and are in a desperate "win now" mode or anything.

Saints - Jordan and Ingram are both good picks. Still gave up a lot... they need LB help and maybe WR help since Moore is FA and Henderson/Meachem aren't true #2 WRs.

Bucs - Clayborn seems pretty solid.

Falcons pick was a knee jerk reaction because they need an impact player at WR to get them over the hump. Fact is they will not get that out of Jones year one. Mean while there D will be going into the dumps.

[Marguide]

Falcons pick was a knee jerk reaction because they need an impact player at WR to get them over the hump. Fact is they will not get that out of Jones year one. Mean while there D will be going into the dumps.

And if you want a WR that bad, why not look for one in free agency? I know they are close to being SB ready, but that is an awful lot to give up.

[Swarly]

I'm just lol'ing because the Falcons could have probably gotten Vincent Jackson for a 1st&2nd rounder.

[Snake]

And if you want a WR that bad, why not look for one in free agency? I know they are close to being SB ready, but that is an awful lot to give up.

Because no one knows if FA will even start or when. Its the same with Cam Newton. I can not sit here and tell you that he is a sure thing. He is def a boom or bust player and its going to take a hell of a lot of coaching to get him to greatness. Still what choice did we have in FA?

[pantherclaw]

Last year, the falcons defense didn't play as well as the season before. They under achieved. I'm sure that their brass feel it'll bounce back.

They did give up a LOT for a receiver, although their offense could be the best in the league now.

The saints are reloading.

Our division is getting better, as it should be.

[JawnyBlaze]

Yep, and I don't see how we can counter it either. Both paid dearly but got arguably the last cog in each of their respective machines to dominate for years. THe Saints needed a stud RB and the Falcons need a complimentary threat to Roddy White.

lol a WR wasn't the "last cog" in the Falcons' machine. They need D-line: Abraham is on and off being good, inconsistent and getting old and they got no other decent DEs; Babineaux is their only decent DT and he's far from All-Pro, better than anything we got, but still they need a DT or two also unless Peria Jerry really makes strides his 3rd year. Their offense was already solid, they needed defensive line to really make their push for the SB. Don't think it happens this year unless they do something amazing at the bottom of the draft or in FA.

[carpanfan96]

The division deffinitely had an influx of talent in round 1 of the draft.

While I think Atlanta gave up too much JJ, there's no denying what he brings to the table as the most naturally gifted WR in this years draft.

The Saints meanwhile just added two important pieces that were major needs for them, on top of that both of the players were widely considered top 20 players in this draft.

Carolina drafted the Boom or bust pick in Newton, a potential franchise qb. If he lives up to his talents, then the NFC south has 4 of the NFL's top 10 QB's.

ESPN's John Clayton's thoughts on the NFC's first round

3. New Orleans Saints: Face it, the NFC South is turning into an arms race. The Panthers added quarterback Cam Newton. The Falcons got Julio Jones for Matt Ryan. The Bucs' Josh Freeman is considered to be one of the league's next elite quarterbacks. But the Saints stayed ahead of the curve by getting a pass-rushing defensive end, Cameron Jordan, and a running back, Mark Ingram. Sure, it cost a first-round pick next year to get Ingram, but this division is becoming more competitive each year. No team in the division is as deep as the Saints for running backs. They have Reggie Bush, Ingram, Chris Ivory and Pierre Thomas. Getting Ingram almost reminds you of the time the Saints took Deuce McAllister when Ricky Williams was on the roster. The Jordan pick was just lucky. The Saints were drafting 24th and they get an impact sacker, which was their biggest need.

[rico6]

We need otah to get his big ass on gear.. NOW

[Snowman926]

After NO and ATL making those bold moves I dont see Hurney sitting quietly. I feel like after tonight our 2012 1st rounder will be gone!

[JawnyBlaze]

I have a feeling you're right, not sure yet how I feel about that. Will probably not mind it at first, because we'll probably get someone we need like Rudolph or Austin or Paea or a CB but I'm sure we'll grow to hate the trade like the Brown trade two years ago.

[Matthias]

I think the Falcons paid too much for Julio. That was a dumb move IMO.

It was a dumb move, but the team they had last year was more than enough to handle us. Having one more target for Ryan to throw to doesn't bode well for us.

Honestly, now that the Saints got better on defense and offense, I'm not too sure we win a game within our division again next year unless we bolster our defense greatly. We passed up some great defenders to draft Newton, let's hope Newton succeed very early.

[carolinarolls]

they are all building while we are rebuilding

the roles were reversed not long ago

its cyclical

[theyhateme45]

My irrelevant thoughts:

Falcons - Got completely sodomized in that trade. Awful. Who the hell is going to rush the passer or stop the run? Who is gonna replace Tony G? I don't get it at all. It's not like they are super old team (I can only think of Peterson, Gonzo, and Abraham) and are in a desperate "win now" mode or anything.

Saints - Jordan and Ingram are both good picks. Still gave up a lot... they need LB help and maybe WR help since Moore is FA and Henderson/Meachem aren't true #2 WRs.

Bucs - Clayborn seems pretty solid.

Falcons pick was a knee jerk reaction because they need an impact player at WR to get them over the hump. Fact is they will not get that out of Jones year one. Mean while there D will be going into the dumps.

lol a WR wasn't the "last cog" in the Falcons' machine. They need D-line: Abraham is on and off being good, inconsistent and getting old and they got no other decent DEs; Babineaux is their only decent DT and he's far from All-Pro, better than anything we got, but still they need a DT or two also unless Peria Jerry really makes strides his 3rd year. Their offense was already solid, they needed defensive line to really make their push for the SB. Don't think it happens this year unless they do something amazing at the bottom of the draft or in FA.

I don't know how everyone here is bashing the crap out of Atl and their defense.... They have pieces. It's not like they were 4-12 last year... They went 13-3 with that defense in a damn good division!!

Also this foolishness about they need to draft defense because that is how Green Bay beat them.... It's ONE game in the playoffs.... you don't base your draft off of one game!

Keep in mind that just the year before last Greenbay lost to Arizona in a shootout like 50 something to whatever... Then with Greenbays first pick they went offense!! Their 2nd and 3rd round picks (Defense) barely got any playing time, I think they combined to play in 6 games. But guss what??? They won the superbowl the year after getting crushed in the playoffs and not loading up on defensive talent in the draft.

I talk trash to falcon fans all the time, but I would not step to them with such a weak argument.

[JawnyBlaze]

GB still went and got a pass rusher in the first round last year and already got their beefy stud DT the year before...not many good pass rushers left for Atlanta...and not much in FA either...maybe they could overpay for Ray Edwards...

And they didn't take an offensive luxury skill player, they took an OT.