Super Bowl LI How these Atlanta Falcons were built

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Super Bowl LI: How these Atlanta Falcons were built Published: Jan 30, 2017 at 04:12 AM Around The NFL Podcast Co-Host Thomas Dimitroff's job hung in the balance. It was January of 2015, and owner Arthur Blank was searching for a new head coach, refusing to make any promises about his general manager's status. NFL Network Matt Judon Jersey Insider Ian Rapoport reported at the time that . Blank didn't realize that Dimitroff already had laid the foundation for a run with his 2014 draft cla s. Dimitroff wound up keeping his gig with reduced power. New coach Dan Quinn was given control of the 53-man roster and reported directly to Blank. Scott Pioli, , a sumed greater responsibility with the NFL draft and pro scouting. Dimitroff's status remained precarious after Quinn piloted the to an 8-8 season in 2015, requiring Blank after the season simply to say Dimitroff His excellent working relationship with Quinn was cited as the primary reason. But the team's recent drafts should have been. The 2016 proved once again how quickly NFL teams can with a few good drafts, especially when a franchise quarterback is in place. Only six current starters were on the team in 2013. Dimitroff and Pioli unearthed 10 starters in the last three drafts, highlighted by running back , linebacker and left tackle . Nearly half of Atlanta's roster, 22 players on the active roster, were added to the team That includes four rookie starters selected in the first four rounds of the 2016 . Fortunes can change fast on the field when teams stay patient off it. The soared this season partly because Blank didn't make wholesale changes in 2015, giving another chance to Dimitroff, the man who previously oversaw the greatest sustained succe s in team history. From the in June to , Dimitroff is back on top of the NFL executive mountain. Here's a look at how he and Pioli built this explosive roster: And while Im at it, the Falcons Justin Bethel Jersey roster building is below. Last 2 years have been incredible: Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) The hiring of Quinn gave clarity to the personnel department. Dimitroff told NFL Network at the last week that Quinn's "crystal clear" vision for forced the ' front office to look for different traits and players than they did before. Since Quinn's arrival, the have rebuilt their defense by valuing playing speed and energy above all other skills. Beasley, cornerback , safety , linebacker and linebacker are all "urgent" players drafted in the last two years who will start on Sunday. The defensive results didn't match Atlanta's potential for most of the season, but the young pieces augur better days ahead. That need for speed extends to the offense, as well. 2015 third-round running back , rookie tight end and free-agent wide receiver pickups and are all burners. The have embraced their status as a dome team, and it's paying off in a postseason that will not include a game played outdoors. Finding three worthy starters in any draft cycle is considered a succe s. The might have found over the last two seasons, depending on how they view Coleman and upstart undrafted rookie cornerback . Dimitroff should be able to keep this core group together for a few more years. Gabriel is part of a ridiculously productive 2016 free agency crop. The found quality starters by spending big money ( , Mohamed Sanu) and acquired key reserves on the cheap. The 36-year-old was Atlanta's best pa s rusher in the NFC Championship Game. Gabriel, a castoff from Cleveland, was claimed off waivers in September before transforming into a big-play X-factor for the . There's no one way to build an offensive line. Guard , who had a great 2016 season, was acquired via trade in 2015 from the when his value was at an absolute low. The a sixth-rounder and a future conditional pick for him. Left tackle was a top- Nick Boyle Jersey 10 pick. Center was a big-money free-agent pickup, while was a bargain-bin signing. Right tackle , who arrived as an undrafted free agent, . It's crazy that only three current players predate that netted Atlanta . Dimitroff will never make a more ambitious move than the deal that sent two first-round picks, a second-round pick and two fourth-rounders to the for the right to draft one transformative talent. It's the type of transaction that can sink a career if the team bets on the wrong player. But Dimitroff has been right on the two biggest selections (Ryan and Jones) of his career. Dimitroff narrowly survived the ups and downs that have come since those picks, and now he's able to see his two best players reach the pinnacle of the sport. This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be mi sing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an i sue.
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