Falcons committed to scout Georgia better

http://bcove.me/yig019e0

March 16, 2106 Athens, GA: Atlanta Falcons General Manager Thomas Dimitroff, head coach Dan Quinn and assistant General Manager Scott Pioli confer during Pro Day at the University of Georgia Wednesday March 16, 2016. Players, who have wrapped up their college careers, participated in a set of predetermined skills designed to test their strength, speed and agility in hopes of impressing NFL scouts. BRANT SANDERLIN/BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

icon to expand image

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

ATHENS – Several folks took notice of the Falcons show of "force" at Georgia's Pro Day on Wednesday.

The Falcons had 18 people on hand, including retired scout Bob Harrison.

I asked Dimitroff, “Why do y’all have so many people here? Y’all don’t draft Georgia players.”

He was aware that football fans keep track of such things even if that’s not totally accurate.

The Falcons passed on former Georgia standouts like running back Todd Gurley in 2015, linebacker Alec Ogletree in 2013 and defensive end Justin Houston in 2011. Dimitroff did select linebacker Akeem Dent in the third-round of the 2011 draft and running back Thomas Brown in the sixth-round back in 2008.

Dimitroff seem to admit that the Falcons may have “under graded” some Georgia players in the past.

“Being this close, again, there’s always good talent at Georgia,” Dimitroff said. “Sometimes we may under-grade. This gives us one more opportunity to look at the players to see if in fact we missed something.”

The Falcons wanted to make sure they weren’t missing anything this year. They also wanted to see Leonard Floyd up close and personal. They were disappointed when he backed out of drills with a tummy ache.

“I think coming here, myself and Dan Quinn, we’re here,” Dimitroff said. “(Assistant general manager) Scott Pioli and a number of our scouts and directors are here. We have a full force of coaches as well. It gives us an opportunity to hone in on all elements and the nuances of every player. It helps us to have the coaches out there as well.”

Special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong put kicker Marshall Morgan through his workout.

“We have a great relationship with Georgia,” Dimitroff said. “It seems like at certain times that it hasn’t fallen in our laps. We’ll always be here and make sure that we focus…we have great interaction and relationships with them. Hopefully, one day soon, we can pull off one that’s going to be a difference maker.”

FREE AGENCY STORIES

Falcons' Dan Quinn loyal to Shanahan, staff, amid heat

Linebacker Jerrell Freeman won't be joining Falcons

Weatherspoon hopes to revive career, where it started

Falcons agree to five-year deal with center Alex Mack

Mohamed Sanu: 'I'm not trying to fill anybody's shoes'

Alabama defensive tackles (A'Shawn and Jarran) are NFL-ready

Falcons defensive line coach Bryan Cox gets into shoving match at NFL combine

Floyd, Jenkins are stellar NFL prospects

Firm helps NFL prospects prepare for newfound wealth -- 7 financial pitfalls they'll face

Ex-Georgia linebacker Jordan Jenkins has met with the Falcons

Clemson's Shaq Lawson interviewed with the Falcons

Nkemdiche has uphill battle to improve NFL draft status

Nkemdiche would love to play for the Falcons

14 questions with Georgia Tech standout Adam Gotsis

Falcons checking out interior linemen at the combine

18 questions with Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff

Quinn still evaluating the roster -- Nothing new on Roddy White

7 players the Falcons are watching at the combine

13 questions with Falcons coach Dan Quinn

5 questions with Duke punter Will Monday (Flowery Branch High)

26 State prospects hope to make impact at NFL combine

Synthetic turf chosen for Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Dimitroff, Quinn have activated the '100-day' plan

Stay or go: Pick Falcons' offense

Falcons owner Arthur Blank vows to fight cancer, move on Super Bowl bid

Falcons released safety William Moore, linebacker Justin Durant

Arthur Blank on Dimitroff, PSLs and Super Bowl bid

Falcons leaning toward keeping Roddy White