The Falcons lost three of their top five cornerbacks over the off-season. Christopher Owens, Dunta Robinson and Brent Grimes all signed elsewhere and, entering the draft, Atlanta needed to fill those rosters spots.

For anyone wondering why the team would spend its first two picks on the same position, you should give the Falcons' front office credit for taking a position that was full of question marks (including your best corner being 32 years old) and turning it into, potentially, a position of strength. With rookies there are no guarantees, but the same would be true for any draftee in the 2nd round at defensive end or offensive line or tight end.

Good job, Falcons.

Elvis Presley has sold well over one billion records, including more than 600 million in the United States alone. He’s earned 90 gold, 52 platinum and 25 multi-platinum record awards. He also notched 18 #1 singles during his lifetime.

My favorite Elvis Presley song, however, is “Any Day Now,” recorded in 1969 during the famed Memphis sessions. The song never charted, it was never even released as a single. But it’s Elvis’ voice at its most mature, but not yet ravaged from the coming seven years of sold-out concert after sold-out concert. Give it a listen, if you would, and I hope you enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EhK7sMFFk0

Cleotha Staples passed away last Friday. If you dont' know the Staples Singers, take a minute or 30 to get to know them. Well worth your investment. "Do It Again" is a good starting place . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIS4P8xbPtg 

In that headline I'm talking to Danny Ferry and I'm talking about trading Josh Smith. He is in the final year of his contract, he almost certainly wants a bigger contract than he got last time (5 years, 58 million) and the Hawks almost certainly won't give him a bigger contract than that. Thus, he's leaving and the team will get nothing in return.

Part of this equation is that the Hawks as currently constructed are not going to win an NBA championship this season. No way, no how. Honestly, I doubt this team will win a playoff series. They work hard, they're fun to watch, they can shoot. That's about it, and I see that equaling a 1st round loss.

Atlanta already has a roster with several expiring contracts and there should be plenty of money available this off-season to pursue free agents. I don't care. Trade Josh Smith for another expiring contract and any sort of high draft pick or decent player. As of today, Smith is an asset. As of June, he won't be. Get SOMETHING for him, and do it now.

Falcons 60 minutes from the Super Bowl. Had to break out the old vinyl.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seA4zK9Mhs4