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Falcons win coin flip, get third pick in NFL Draft

By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 02/22/08

Indianapolis - The Atlanta Falcons will pick third overall in April's NFL draft after winning a tiebreaker coin-flip Friday.

New general manager Thomas Dimitroff called "tails" in the coin toss with the Oakland Raiders, who, like Atlanta and Kansas City, shared 4-12 records after the 2007 season. Oakland was awarded the fourth pick; the Chiefs No. 5.

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Team owner Arthur Blank "gave me an elated vote of confidence this morning," said Dimitroff, sporting a black, long-sleeved shirt with a Falcons logo. "[Blank] said this was the most important coin flip in the 43 year history of the franchise.

"He did mention that there was no pressure but, just so you know ..."

The third pick puts the Falcons in a far more enviable position than the alternative slots because LSU nose tackle Glenn Dorsey, Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long, Arkansas running back Darren McFadden or Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan will be available.

Dimitroff said he wouldn't rule out trading the pick. However, the ability to draft a potential franchise player that also fits one of Atlanta's several needs is appealing.

"At No. 3, No. 4 or No. 5, we were set to land a very legitimate pick, but No. 3 is a completely different situation for us," Dimitroff said. "It gives us some finality as far as going forward into the draft. The uncertainty has been alleviated so we can really begin to game plan."

Atlanta, Oakland and Kansas City will rotate the third, fourth and fifth slots through the remaining six rounds of the April 26-27 draft. The Falcons will select fifth with the first of two second-round picks (they also hold Houston's second-round selection), fourth in the third round, third in the fourth round and so on.

Following the seconds-long, coin-flip process held in a ballroom at the downtown Westin Hotel, Dimitroff exited in a hallway and showed off the 2008 Super Bowl coin that was used. He then placed it in a special container and proclaimed it bound for the team's museum in the lobby of the Flowery Branch facility.

It was a piece of history that Dimitroff said he hoped is just a start for bigger and better things.