Gonzalez Trade to Falcons Could Affect Dolphins http://shashaty.blogspot.com/2009/04/gonzalez-trade-to-falcons-could-affect.html "Today's trade by the Chiefs, sending their all-world TE Tony Gonzalez to the Atlanta Falcons, could have a profound effect on the available pool of players the Dolphins will pick from in the first round of Saturday's NFL Draft. Most pundits expected the Falcons, who select right before the Dolphins, to take highly-regarded Oklahoma State TE Brandon Pettigrew with their 1st pick, 24th overall." "Meanwhile, lump Pettigrew in with the list of players that could be available to the Dolphins in the first round. While the Dolphins don't have a pressing need at TE, he could be the highest rated player on their board when they go on the clock. If Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland, and Tony Sparano stick to their "highest rated player" tenet, Pettigrew could be the pick." I see things heading toward Pettigrew based on Parcells love of having 2 TE's in his scheme. Pettigrew will be high on our value chart at 25 overall. The article also mentions that drafting Pettigrew over an LB may also lead to us resigning Jason Taylor. Very interesting developments in Miami.
now we have to game plan for Tony Gonzalez for the first game of the season. If the falcons don't pick a TE, what position do you think they'll pick?
I think they will be looking at the same pool of guys we are... Butler, Jenkins, Harvin, Britt, Nicks, and the top LB's that are left.
Meh. You trade for Gonzalez, you have him for 2 or 3 years tops. You draft Pettigrew, you have him potentially for as long as KC had Gonzalez and still have your 2nd round pick.
I'm not so sure the Falcons won't draft Pettigrew anyway. Gonzalez is up there in years and Pettigrew could be groomed to take over. I personally don't want Pettigrew. I feel we have 2, if not 3, pretty good tight ends already and we should use the pick on something of more need.
Very true. I was thinking the same thing. We definitely have bigger needs than TE. We are pretty solid there. And, as you said, Atlanta may very well still choose Pettigrew. There is no better TE out there to learn under than Gonzales.
Man, it's looking more and more like we're gonna end up with Pettigrew. Honestly, I don't know if that's a good thing or not. I mean, I know he's the #1 ranked TE in the draft. But, do we really want to use our 1st round pick on a TE?
local media is saying that if moreno is available the eagles will draft him. if he is not available they are toying with the idea of moving up to draft him. if the eagles pick a RB in the first round it will be the first time in 23 years they have done so.
I don't think its about what position Pettigrew plays, its more about hwat he gives our offense. His blocking will improve our running game dramatically and his ability to catch the ball opens up our passing game. I think the best thing we can do in the first round is upgrade our offense, I think it takes us to the next level if we can do so. I love Hakeem Nicks and to a lesser extent Kenny Britt, but Pettigrew brings more to the table IMO.
Why is it looking more and more like that? I'm not denying Pettigrew's potential but it's a FACT that we are good with our current tight end situation.
I don't disagree with you. I'm just going off what I'm hearing and reading from the so called experts. Many are suggesting Pettigrew is high on Miami's draft board. And, with Atlanta now very unlikely to draft a TE (hence not picking Pettigrew), it's looking more and more like he'll still be on the board at #25.
Well, I'm not so sure how any of these "experts' even know who's on Miami's draft board, let alone the top of it.
maybe a team that really needs a TE like Arizona will trade up to #25 and give us their pick and a 2nd round pick. I'm wetting my pants just thinking about it!
They traded a second round pick for him and even as a 33 year old, it's hard to imagine that Tony Gonzalez of all people would suddenly slow down. I don't think they're taking Pettigrew. Maybe they don't think Pettigrew will be around anyway.
Westbrook is going to be 30 and getting a reliable player who can lighten his load a bit so he can stay healthy is a smart move. I can see them getting a back early to both help Westbrook and to eventually take over for him.
+1. Philly's achilles heel for the past.... hmm, 8 years, has been picking up short yardage downs. Last year, they consistently threw on 3rd and 4th and short because they didnt have a RB who could pick it up. Philly has been trying to get a complimentary RB for Westy since Duce Staley left years ago. They tried Tony Hunt and failed most recently. Most teams in the NFL right now are using a 2 back scheme and Westbrook isnt Steven Jackson or Tomlinson or Peterson, guys who could carry the load if necessary. If you play fantasy football, you know Westy is Mr. Questionable every single week and is always banged up. Philly needs a #2 back. Although I can agree with the Aqua that TE is very important in Philly's offense, I wouldnt say its set in stone that they will take Pettigrew if he is on board. They need to come out of this draft with a bigger back to compliment Westbrook who can catch the ball out of the backfield, because the passing game is very important in that offense, and they need to pick up a TE as a red zone target, because lets be honest, Curtis and DeSean Jackson may be speedsters, but they disappear when Philly gets into the redzone.
Atlanta will pick defense with the 24th. They can't stop the run and the secondary needs upgrades to. They will use most of their picks on the D this draft. They already got their TE.
Peria Jerry, Evander Hood and as a wildcard Louis Delmas would be attractive targets for them. Don hit the RB situation for Philly on the head. Not only are they looking for a compliment to Westbrook, they are looking for a replacement. Hes still explosive, but hes now getting over the age for dissapearing RBs and even before that was given the nickname of Mr. Questionable. I think they could still look in the second round for a back like Shonn Green, but then again they can do the same with TE as well. Guess it depends on if they feel Moreno or Pettigrew is the highest rated player on their board. I have to say though, the thought of us taking Pettigrew at 25 ahead of the Bills at 28 would be sweet.
If Darius Butler, Vontae Davis and Hakeem Nicks are all available at 25, and if we pass on any of those players for Pettigrew I'm going to be pissed.
