Georgia football: Fran Tarkenton echoes fans feelings about Falcons

Former Georgia football quarterback Fran Tarkenton was not shy about his thoughts on the Atlanta Falcons not drafting Georgia Bulldogs.

For years, many Georgia football fans who cheer for the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday’s have often wondered, why don’t the Falcons draft more Bulldogs? Turns out, one of the greatest Bulldogs of all time agrees with the fans. Legendary SEC Championship winning quarterback and Pro Football Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton said in an interview with 11Alive News, the Falcons have been stupid for not drafting Bulldogs.

"“The Falcons have starkly been stupid, because they don’t draft any Georgia players. Sony Michel was a second (first)-round pick, stars with a Super Bowl team his rookie year. Dave Andrews is a center has been in the league three years, he’s been to three Super Bowls. He was a free agent (from) 60 miles down the road. Guy named Todd Gurley. You take Vic Beasley over Todd Gurley, you want to defend that? Todd Gurley is the best running back in football.”"

None of the 32 former Bulldogs in the NFL play with the Falcons. The last Bulldog drafted by Atlanta was Akeem Dent in 2011. Previously, Atlanta drafted Thomas Brown in 2008, Martrez Milner in 2007 and D.J. Shockley in 2006. The last time before that was in 1994 when they picked Mitch Davis.

By comparison, the New England Patriots have drafted seven players during the Bull Belichick era (2000-to-present). In that same span of time, the Cincinnati Bengals have also drafted seven; The Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orléans Saints and Indianapolis Colts each drafted five Bulldogs. The Falcons selected have selected four, which ties them with the Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers. Every team in the league has drafted at least one Georgia player since 2000.

Now, if the Falcons could defend their choice of not drafting Georgia players, by usually drafting players better than the Bulldog they passed up on. But they hasn’t always been the case. Sometimes you the Falcons can defend their decision by choosing based on a position need.  But that’s only on occasion. In 2016, Vic Beasley backed up Atlanta’s choice to draft him over Todd Gurley. But now, clearly the Falcons missed out on an offensive superstar.

Maybe the Falcons can make up for lost time with this year’s draft. According to CBS Sports, the Falcons need to revamp the defensive line and add a linebacker and cornerback on defense, and a guard and running back on defense. Georgia happens to have the best corner in this year’s draft with Deandre Baker. D’Andre Walker and Elijah Holyfield should get some consideration by the Falcons in later rounds as well.