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Atlanta Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff: 'We aren't looking for angels' in NFL Draft

By The Sports Xchange
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn (L) and general manager Thomas Dimitroff (R) aren't looking for "angels" in the draft Dimitroff said recently. File photo by David Tulis/UPI
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn (L) and general manager Thomas Dimitroff (R) aren't looking for "angels" in the draft Dimitroff said recently. File photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo

General manager Thomas Dimitroff said the Atlanta Falcons "aren't looking for angels" in this week's NFL Draft but at the same time indicated Joe Mixon is off their draft board.

"Of course, I've said this time and again: We aren't looking for angels," Dimitroff told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution of players in the draft, which will be held Thursday through Saturday in Philadelphia. "We are looking for guys who are real. We are looking for guys who ultimately will fit into the brotherhood. ... We are particular about looking at the character situation and how they fit. It's a big thing, of course."

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The Falcons have the 31st pick in the first round.

Mixon, the former Oklahoma running back who was involved in a highly publicized domestic violence case, is not on the team's draft board, the Atlanta-Journal Constitution reported.

"That doesn't just come from a head coach and general manager," Dimitroff said, referring to the character of players. "Believe me, that comes from higher than us for sure. (Owner Arthur) Blank is very direct about it. I think that's important for this organization and this community to know that."

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According to the newspaper, the Falcons have increased background checks from scouts and former law enforcement officials since the 2007 federal dogfighting case involving former star quarterback Michael Vick.

"There are some very good football players with some excellent talent in this country that have issues that don't fit well with us or another team," Dimitroff said. "We've done a lot of research. We don't just use our scouts. We have other instruments and avenues on the backside to get ready for this (in order to be) sure, as much as possible, that we are making the most educated decision."

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