Bill Belichick did his best five years ago to prevent hazards nightmare awaiting him and the Patriots in Super Bowl LI next week.
Belichick advised Falcons gm and longtime scouting protg Thomas Dimitroff against making a blockbuster draft day trade with the Browns to acquire wide receiver Julio Jones, In order to a 2013 book on Belichick.
Dimitroff made the offer anyway, Trading five picks including two first rounders to Cleveland for the best to leap 21 spots to No. 6 overall and it will be history that could come back to haunt Belichick in the Super Bowl in Houston.
Dimitroff took heat for the very high cost the deal when the Falcons slumped to 4 12 two years ago, But the Atlanta GM has been redeemed this year with Jones proving practically easy in the Falcons’ run to the big game.
No more than ask the Packers, Who watched helplessly as the Alabama product caught nine passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s 44 21 rout of Green Bay in the NFC great.
In line with the book”War surroundings, Belichick told Dimitroff connected with moving so far up in the first round was too high.
The ultimate price was steep, Often: The Falcons sent an initial round, Second round and fifth round picks in 2011 and a first and fourth round choice in 2012 as Dimitroff fresh off an uncomfortable, 48 21 home playoff rout by Green Bay ninety days earlier pressed ahead despite Belichick’s warning.
“This seemed to be a once in a career type move, Dimitroff told the birkenstock celtics Globe in 2013. “We felt that we were in a good option as an organization with the amount of veteran talent we had and the amount of youthful talent we had and the quarterback we had in place. It was a time that was suitable for us to get ourselves a very explosive player,
Jones Dimitroff and Dan QuinnAP
The deal looks even better for the Falcons in hindsight in comparison with what the Browns got out of it.
One five picks was traded, While the four Cleveland kept were used on qb Brandon Weeden, Wide phone Greg Little, Shielding lineman Phil Taylor and fullback Owen Marecic. Only Weeden continues to active, And additional three have all been out of football since 2014.
Jones, At the same time, Has been a four time Pro Bowl variety, A two time first team All Pro pick while leading the NFL in captures, Accepting yards and average receive yards per game in 2015 and in average acquire yards per game this year.
That persuaded Belichick to label Jones”A whole player” And is causing Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia some nights without sleep.
“He’s probably just the single most dynamic players in the league, Patricia said on a business call Tuesday. “I usually don’t wind up comparing him to individuals, I wind up comparing other consumers to him just because of his skill set and his abilities.
“Just his ability to search for the ball, Get vertical into the defense upon end zone, Stiff arm a opponent, Break a try, Run away from guys he’s such a dynamic player in that aspect that he supply you with a lot of problems,
