FLOWERY BRANCH – With the NFL draft approaching, general manager Thomas Dimitroff, who's preparing for his ninth draft with the Falcons, reflected on his "draft pick" that got away.
In 2009, the Falcons, looking to fortify the interior of their defense selected defensive tackle Peria Jerry with the 24th overall pick in the draft. Two picks later, the Green Bay Packers selected linebacker Clay Matthews.
Dimitroff discussed that draft on The Rich Eisen show on Wednesday. He’s set to meet with the local media Thursday along with head coach Dan Quinn.
Eisen asked Dimitroff: “You know what, I should have taken this guy when we had the chance. Do you have one of those? The one that got away.”
Dimitroff’ said, “I really do believe that was the second draft that I was involved here as a general manager in 2009 when we drafted Peria Jerry. Unfortunately, he had an injury that set him back in his career and I think it was the Matthews pick that was a few picks behind us. We weren’t sure that he was a system fit for us and what it did for me, like I’m learning today, going on my ninth year, there is always stuff that we learn and I realize that with guys that are that good, you can utilize them. We’ll find a place for Clay Matthews.”
Jerry, who suffered a gruesome knee in his first NFL game and never reached his potential. He retired on Hard Knocks in 2013. Matthews is a six-time Pro Bowler and won the Sporting News’ defensive player of the year award in 2010.
Dimitroff went on to explain that the Falcons drafted for their perceived “needs” over the best player available in that draft.
“When you go into a draft and you start thinking about where you needs are, we needed an interior force,” Dimitroff said. “A guy who could get up field. We were looking at really trying to solve that issue that we had along our defensive front. Not necessarily on the outside because at that point John Abraham still here, who was producing well. So, we were really focused on trying to fortify our interior.
“Those are the kinds of things that come up. We are building our team … We are really focused. We are needs-based. It doesn’t mean we will pass up excellent players, but at times you really need to focus on what you needed.”
The Rich Eisen Show airs on AT&T’s Audience channel 239 Monday through Friday from 12 – 3 p.m.
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