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FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons have an advantage over most teams that have the No. 6 pick in the NFL draft. The Falcons already have their franchise quarterback. Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said he appreciates being free to consider talented options he can add to an Atlanta roster that already includes Matt Ryan. "Rarely are you sitting at 6 when youre not looking for a quarterback," Dimitroff said. "The fact we have our franchise quarterback and were dabbling around in the top 10 is something that is very encouraging to me." Perhaps the most obvious option is to find better protection for Ryan by selecting one of the top offensive tackles in the draft. But Dimitroff said he also sees pass rushers, linebackers and wide receivers among the top 10 picks in the draft. "Its a very accomplished top 10," Dimitroff said. Ryan signed a $104 million extension before last season and then was sacked 44 times, a career high. The Falcons troubled offensive line couldnt protect Ryan or improve the leagues worst rushing attack. The Falcons could help protect the big investment in Ryan by drafting an offensive tackle. Texas A&Ms Jake Matthews and Michigans Taylor Lewan may be available at No. 6. Most mock drafts have Auburns Greg Robinson being selected in the top five picks. "Theyre all big, theyre all strong, theyre all athletic, theyre all really good football players with upside," Dimitroff said. "They all come to the table with something a little bit different." Here are five things to know about the Falcons draft: BOLD MOVE: Dimitroff has proved hes not reluctant to make bold moves in the draft. Perhaps his biggest gamble would be to pull off a monster trade with Houston, which has the No. 1 overall pick, to select South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. There is a definite need at the position after the Falcons had only 32 sacks last season, tied for the third fewest in the league. The Falcons have 10 picks, so they could offer a package to Houston. But an Atlanta team coming off a 4-12 season may have too many needs to afford committing a significant part of the draft to one player, even one as talented as Clowney. EXPECT A TRADE: Even if he doesnt move up to the top overall pick, expect Dimitroff to be active. The Falcons have made a trade in each of his first six drafts with Atlanta. Usually the GM has moved up with trades. This year he could look to add even more depth to his draft by trading down -- especially after the first round. Dimitroff said being near the top of every round "is important for us." "Weve rarely had that," he said. "The opportunity to be at the top of (the second through fourth rounds) is something that could be very beneficial for us. Not only the opportunity to draft there but the opportunity to potentially move back because a lot of teams will be interested in messing around up in that area, so to speak." TOP 10 HITS: Dimitroff has had success in his only other chances to select a player as high as No. 6. In 2008, his first draft with the Falcons, Ryan was the No. 3 overall pick. In 2011, he traded a package of five picks to move up and select receiver Julio Jones, who made the Pro Bowl the following year. Some say Jones season-ending foot injury in 2013 supported criticisms that Atlanta gave up too much for the receiver. Dimitroff said he remains "completely at ease" with the trade for Jones, who is expected to be ready for the 2014 season. LOOKING FOR A RB: Backup running back Jason Snelling has retired. Starter Steven Jackson will be 31 at the start of the season and missed four games with a hamstring injury last season. Jacquizz Rodgers returns behind Jackson, but help is needed at the position. NEW FACE IN DRAFT ROOM: Dimitroff has been reunited with Scott Pioli, the teams new assistant general manager. The two began their careers together in Cleveland, working under coach Bill Belichick in the early 1990s. Pioli and Dimitroff also worked together on New England staffs that won Super Bowls in the 2003 and 04 seasons. Pioli was let go as Kansas Citys general manager following the 2012 season. Danny Green Jersey . -- Jake Paterson made 39 saves as the Saginaw Spirit halted the Guelph Storms seven-game win streak with a 6-3 victory on Sunday in Ontario Hockey League action. Wilt Chamberlain Lakers Jersey . And all things considered, the first 40 games have offered a little bit of everything from a hockey club that faced many questions in its first year under new management, with a new head coach and with a number of new faces in the lineup. However, with a recent dip in scoring, it seems some of the same old questions persist and several new ones have been raised after a somewhat troubling homestand. https://www.lakersjerseycheap.com/691j-robert-horry-jersey-lakers.html .com) - Even on the day his New Hampshire football team became the nations top-ranked team two weeks ago, coach Sean McDonnell conceded something about the team they replaced at No. Jerry West Jersey . -- Falcons running back Steven Jackson, who has missed the last four games with a hamstring injury, is expected to practice on Wednesday. Elgin Baylor Jersey . He also had some help Monday night.Hibbert scored a season-high 29 points to help Indiana beat the Utah Jazz 97-86 Monday night, ending the Pacers six-game losing streak.After an inpressive four-game home-and-home sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies, the Toronto Blue Jays welcome the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to town tonight for the start of a four-game weekend set. The Blue Jays send Dustin McGowan amid rumors that hes battling to maintain starting status, though the teams general manager denied that hes in jeopardy of demotion. "I never understood the whole McGowan watch," Alex Anthopoulos said. "I kept hearing every start is for his job. I dont know that weve ever said it. Its been three starts in a row, every start is for his job. I just dont know that ever came from the organization." He was a 7-2 winner in his most recent outing at Pittsburgh on Sunday and has given up just three earned runs in his last 13 innings of work. "Hes definitely shown me something," Gibbons said. McGowan is 1-4 with a 3.86 ERA in five meetings with the Angels. On Thursday in Toronto, Edwin Encarnacion belted two home runs and drove in three to lead the Blue Jays to a 12-6 rout of the Philadelphia Phillies and sweep of a four-game set. Juan Francisco went 3-for-3 with a solo homer and three runs scored and Adam Lind, fresh off the 15-day disabled list, had a two-run blast and three RBI for Toronto, which outscored the Phillies, 31-11, in the series. Blue Jays starter R.A. Dickey (3-3) worked 6 1/3 innings and allowed three runs on seven hits, while fanning eight. Toronto enters with an average of seven runs scored -- including 13 home runs --- in eight games in May.dddddddddddd "We are some kind of hot right now," manager John Gibbons said. "You put us in this ballpark, its a home run heaven here. Its tough to pitch to. Everyone is feeding off each other." Right-hander Garrett Richards will continue his prolonged audition for a spot in the Angels starting rotation tonight. Richards was a part-time starter and reliever heading into this season, but hes been strong beginning games thus far in 2014 while holding opposition batters to a paltry .184 average and striking out 40 in 38 innings. He was a 5-3 winner in his most recent outing on Saturday, when he held Texas to three runs in six innings and struck out nine. He started twice against Toronto in the late stages of the 2013 season and won both assignments while allowing a combined five runs in 13 2/3 innings. On Wednesday in Anaheim, Derek Jeter hit his first homer of the season, Vidal Nuno tossed 6 1/3 solid innings and the New York Yankees beat the Angels, 9-2, in the rubber match of a three-game series. C.J. Cron went 3-for-4 with an RBI for the Angels, who saw starter Hector Santiago (0-6) give up six runs -- two earned -- on five hits with three walks over 2 1/3 innings. "Hector wasnt able to minimize damage tonight," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Hes an emotional guy and he needs to get his confidence back." The Angels went 6-1 last season versus the Blue Jays, sweeping a three-game set in Toronto. ' ' '