Falcons want O'neal?

[bengalsfansince68]

In the Deltha trade we dropped from 16 to 24.

We got another 4th rounder for dropping from 24 to 26.

[derekshank]

In the Deltha trade we dropped from 16 to 24.

We got another 4th rounder for dropping from 24 to 26.

Oh yeah... thanks for the correction. Though it further proves my point. We aren't going to move from 18th to 8th for Deltha.

[Kazkal]

So, if we trade him, who the hell plays corner? I'm not at all comfortable with any of our other players or a rookie getting that much PT

Well, "and move Madieu to corner" was the corrollary to the "trade Deltha" rumors. Which would I suppose mean a rook starting at FS.

Aye if it's not fulltime atleast till a rookie is ready.

[sparky151]

In the Deltha trade we dropped from 16 to 24.

We got another 4th rounder for dropping from 24 to 26.

Oh yeah... thanks for the correction. Though it further proves my point. We aren't going to move from 18th to 8th for Deltha.

Remember that in 2004, Deltha was in the doghouse in Denver and had even been moved to WR. Marvin thought he could rehab him but that was an unknown. Deltha certainly has more trade value now than then.

[HoosierCat]

But if he returns to ’05 form (and they apparently have not counted him out), it’s almost like getting a big-time free agent.

:lmao: Man, first we secretly have the next Adalius Thomas coming off last years PS, now our "big-time FA acquisition" is...Deltha O'Neal! Keep 'em coming, Geoff!

[HairOnFire]

That O’Neal trade report sounds like it’s a little dated, although nothing can be ruled out on Draft Day. But the temperature right is now is that he’s not on the block, he’s not going anywhere, and they need him because who is going to take his place?

When it comes to loops I don't have alot of faith that Hobson is in it....so I'm not sure how much weight to give to his pooh-poohing the possible trade. That said, most trade talk turns out to be just that...Randy Moss to Green Bay anyone?....so until something else developes I'd say there's little reason to keep beating this one around.

That said, even if nothing else developes I'll probably have a little more interest when Atlanta drafts.

[Kazkal]

Bly trade (1st one)

[kentjett]

We don't have the depth at the position to make the move at this point. Deltha is an incredible athlete who played with a bad attitude last year because he didn't get a raise. We should keep him this year and draft another 1st day corner and groom him as a nickel this year. We will still have deltha under contract for 1 more year and if he has a good year, we can trade him for a 2nd or 1st round pick( depending on the his year)

[R-U-D-I]

Talking to inside source at the enquirer once a few monthes ago... He said that Marvin can not stand Hobson, dating back to the leak on Carson's injury and the extent of the surgery after the playoff game. Apparently Marvin wanted him fired, but Mikey boy is too fond of being loyal to his employees and wouldn't do it. Take that for what it's worth. Personally, I like Hobson's writing, but his video interviews are terrible! Please keep this man off camera.

[schweinhart]

whats wrong with JJ and Tory james until a rookie steps up. I would love to see detha for Warrick Dunn with some pick trading

and some of you guys think I'm funny...

Seriously though, fattyjay stole my thunder but I agree that this make sense from Atl's p.o.v. as they can move Williams to FS to team with Milloy and start Deltha and D.Hall, that's a pretty formiable secondary, on Madden 2007 atleast. Plus it would allow Petrino to draft a guy he's been coaching since he was 14, everybody's favorite African Amobi Okoye.

With Petrino's first pick as HC, he has to go with the surest thing and Okoye is that for Petrino. The NFL draft can be quite a crap shoot, (i.e. Akili, Klingler, KiJana etc..) so if Petrino can get a good player that knows how to motivate and he knows like one of his own kids it would make perfect sense to draft him. Plus Grady Jackson and Rod Coleman aren't getting younger and they lost Kerney in FA, they need a talent infusion on the d-line and Okoye would be just that. Over-rated he may be, but he could easily be a top 10 pick.

The Falcons would've jumped all over dumping Dunn. He's 32 plus still months into rehab from shoulder surgery. I like the Falcons to look a lot harder at Marshawn Lynch at #8. Jerious Norwood was a steal but would be more of an ideal change of pace and 3rd down back than a featured runner/receiver threat like Lynch.

I'm not sure how enamored Petrino is by Okoye. He was interviewed by NFLN at the combine and said Okoye started to play the run better this year so maybe the upside he watched unfold before him at the Ville is enough. Coleman's getting older and Jonathan Babineaux has got a felony rap for killing a dog, which I don't know what the hell the league does with something like that or if it makes any difference. Regardless, the DT need is there for the Falcons but they also just picked up the Big Boy from Bama-- Anthony Bryant who Rod Marinelli carried around with him and would fit the Falcons scheme probably at either tackle. Grady Jackson is threatening to sue the Falcons over releasing his medical record s last year when he was a free agent and the Birds' front office announced he failed the Falcon's physical so there's some tension and doubt about Jackson's future in Atlanta. Overall, I'd guess they look more for a better hold the line DT like Justin Harrell in the 2nd over the greased pig Okoye in the 1st.

[HairOnFire]

Schefter repeated the rumor on last nights Total Access, claiming the Falcons and Bengals were still talking. He also claimed that the trade hinges on a meeting that will take place soon (8th?) between the Falcons and LaRon Landry.

[Thurmanation]

I hope they drop Nelson to 18 so we can pick him up and my friend can get me a few autographed jerseys ahahah

[Tasher]

Pasquarelli now has a comment on O'Neal in an article on ESPN.com on the NFL page, alas it is an insider article, so I do not know what he is reporting.

Anyone have ESPN insider and want to share with us?

[mjm47]

I would never pirate copyrighted material because that would be illegal and I'd have to tell the IL Bar Association...

But, here's a parphrase...

• It was reported by several media outlets this week that the Atlanta Falcons are interested in acquiring Cincinnati cornerback Deltha O'Neal in a trade, to pair him with two-time Pro Bowl performer DeAngelo Hall in the secondary. The reports indicated the Falcons would surrender a third-round choice in the deal. But the odds of such a swap, sources from both franchises insisted to ESPN.com this week, are pretty slim. While the Bengals' staff was less than thrilled with O'Neal's performance in 2006, when he had just one interception after grabbing 10 pickoffs in 2005, Cincinnati seems to have settled on keeping the seven-year veteran. There was perhaps a time, earlier in the offseason, when that wasn't the case. But the truth is, Cincinnati plans to move second-year veteran Johnathan Joseph into the lineup this year to replace Tory James, an unrestricted free agent the Bengals don't plan to re-sign, and it wants an experienced cornerback opposite him.

O'Neal groused last year when the Bengals didn't renegotiate his contract, following his 10-interception season in '05, but he's due to make $2.4 million in base salary this year. Chances are the Falcons wouldn't pay that much for a 30-year-old cover guy in decline. For whatever reason, the Bengals believe O'Neal, even though his contract grievances have yet to be addressed, will produce a rebound-type season. About the only chance O'Neal has of being traded is if the Bengals decide to move free safety Madieu Williams to cornerback, an idea the coaches have considered. But such a switch doesn't appear to be in the cards for now.

As for the Falcons, first-year coach Bobby Petrino said this week that second-year pro Jimmy Williams, the second-rounder who was actually the team's top pick in the 2006 draft (Atlanta surrendered its first-round selection to snag defensive end John Abraham in a trade), will line up at cornerback with the No. 1 defense when minicamps begin. There have been rumblings that, like the former staff, the current Atlanta coaches weren't certain if Williams' best position was cornerback or safety. And whispers, too, that the former Virginia Tech star might be an early candidate for the bust tag. But Petrino said his staff likes Williams' explosiveness, that he has dropped some weight to add more quickness, and deserves a shot at the starting job. That might not bode well for oft-injured Jason Webster, a favorite of deposed head coach Jim Mora, but now without any kind of loyal advocate on the staff. Webster is due a base salary of $2 million in 2007. That might be a steep price for the Falcons if Webster isn't starting. Webster hasn't played a full 16-game schedule since 2002 and has averaged just 10 starts per year since signing with Atlanta as a pricey unrestricted free agent in 2004.

[Whur CHad At?]

we are stupid

[agreen_112]

take the 3rd, he's wearing down IMO.

[ChadJohnson-85]

take the 3rd, he's wearing down IMO.

Agreed... They'll be wishing they took that 3rd for O'Neal cause he's just gonna suck this upcoming year again and then he'll be worth nothing.

[Whur CHad At?]

we will prob end up givinmg him a $50 million extension

[derekshank]

I honestly could go either way on it. The guy certainly has more potential than most 3rd round picks do... but there is no guarantee we'll see that potential.

I guess if all we'd get is a 3rd rounder, I’d say keep him. If Atlanta would give us a 4th, and would swap 2nds I'd do it... but Deltha was a stud just a year ago. If he can get over himself at all, we'll be glad we didn't trade him.

Whatever happens, happens though. I'll be okay either way. I like him... but I became a bit disillusioned with him this last season, so... whatever.

[HoosierCat]

Cincinnati seems to have settled on keeping the seven-year veteran. There was perhaps a time, earlier in the offseason, when that wasn't the case.

Yeah, before we lost K2. Trade Deltha now and we are guaranteed at leat one rook or PS/UDFA type starting, in addition to Joseph taking over. And if you don't want two corners with a combined nine NFL starts you have to ladel a position switch (madieu) on top of that.