Falcons Trade For Receiver Who Drops 'Catchable' Balls

None — Thomas Dimitroff, the Falcons' General Manager, just made a trade. He swapped first-round picks (27th down to a sixth) and gave up a second-rounder and fourth-rounder this year.

He also dealt a first-rounder and a fourth-rounder next season for Larry Fitzgerald. No, it wasn't for Fitz, it was for Brandon Marshall. No, my bad, it was for Andre Johnson. It wasn't for Calvin Johnson, Brandon Lloyd or Reggie Wayne?

Nope, TD wants to score more than the 25.9 points per game from a year ago (which was fifth in the NFL in 2010) , so he gave up four picks for a rookie who was not even considered the No. 1 wide receiver in the draft by most experts. That distinction went to Georgia's AJ Green. The Falcons pull off the trade to get Julio Jones who, according to NFL.com, "will drop the routine pass on occasion and body catches at times."

Did you read that? "Will drop the routine pass"

It's not just NFL.com that believes Jones has issues doing the No.1 job of a wide receiver, receiving! SCOUTS INC's evaluation? They grade Jones' ball skills as "average" and say "he drops more 'catchable' balls than he should. He occasionally will allow ball into frame on occasion. Also will suffer from some focus drops. Needs to be more consistent in this area."

"It was an aggressive bold move to get up from 27 to six, 21 spots. We knew that it was going to be an aggressive move and cost us and as an organization," said Dimitroff. "We felt that Julio, in light of what we need for this team to be aggressive, explosive and play-making that he was the guy who fit the bill in the first round."

Was an "explosive" wide receiver not available at No.27 or in the later rounds?

Of the top-5 players who caught passes in excess of 40 yards a season ago, not a single one was drafted in the first round.

• Mike Wallace – 3rd Round

• Brandon Lloyd – 4th Round

• DeSean Jackson – 2nd Round

• Anthony Armstrong – Undrafted

• Greg Jennings – 2nd round

With an upcoming schedule that features opposing quarterbacks with names like Brees, Manning, Vick, Cutler, Freeman, Rodgers, Stafford and Newton, you would think putting pressure on the quarterback would be essential.

The Falcons tied for 20th in the league with 31 sacks last season and their top pass-rusher, John Abraham is not getting any younger. (He will be 33 next season)

Dimitroff is a two-time NFL executive of the year. He has helped turned the organization into serious contenders and has the franchise in position to be successful for years to come. I just hope the defense does not put TD's offense in a position to score seven TD's a game win.

WSBTV