FLOWERY BRANCH http://www.jaguarsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-gardner-minshew-ii-jersey , Ga. (AP) — The Falcons’ quarterback obviously approved of the team’s first-round selections of two offensive linemen.Dimitroff said the message from Ryan was brief: “Thanks. Just thanks and wow.”For Dimitroff and coach Dan Quinn, the top priority of the offseason was to build a better line after Ryan was sacked 42 times last season, the second-highest total of his career. He was hit 113 times, the third-most in the league.Dimitroff’s first pick was guard Chris Lindstrom of Boston College. He then traded away the Falcons’ second- and third-round picks to add tackle Kaleb McGary of Washington late in the first round.An improved line also would be key to the team’s hopes of boosting the running game, which sagged last season.“Make no mistake about it, we knew what we needed to do in this offseason and that was to continue to fortify Matt and the offensive line,” Dimitroff saidWHO THEY GOTLindstrom and McGary could form a new starting tandem on the right side of the Falcons’ line. Clearly, they are the key to how this draft will be remembered.“It may not have been shiny but I don’t think grit is real shiny,” Quinn said taking two offensive linemen in the first round. “I’m real thrilled they’ll be part of this group for a long time.”Dimitroff went to work on addressing other needs on Saturday’s final day of the draft. Cornerbacks Kendall Sheffield of Ohio State and Jordan Miller of Washington, defensive end John Cominsky of Charleston and running back Qadree Ollison of Pittsburgh each were picked to bolster areas of pressing concern.The team’s last pick, running back Marcus Green of Louisiana-Monroe, may make an immediate contribution as a return specialist. The versatile Green (5-8, 190) was primarily a wide receiver in college, but the Falcons are intrigued by his big-play potential at running back and on returns.Cominsky or Green could develop into long-term surprises of the draft class.SURPRISE MOVEAfter continuing his streak of making at least one trade in each of his 12 drafts as Atlanta’s general manager by adding a second first-round pick, Dimitroff remained inactive on the second day of the draft. Dimitroff traded away his second- and third-round picks but was widely expected to pull off a trade back into the second day. The surprise was he couldn’t deal two or more of his Saturday picks to move back into the second or third rounds.HOW THEY DIDAtlanta had ample picks to allow Dimitroff the luxury of overhauling the offensive line with two first-round picks. He knew taking a guard so high in the first round would generate some negative reviews, but he and coach Dan Quinn agreed Lindstrom was the right pick. Adding McGary at No. 31 overall meant the Falcons could have two rookies starting on the right side of the line.Dimitroff may have gambled on some high-upside picks Christian Wilkins Jersey , including Cominsky, who was an option quarterback in high school before gaining 70 pounds in college. Ollison, a power runner, had inconsistent production at Pittsburgh.It will be judged as a successful draft if Lindstrom and McGary win starting jobs, Ollison can be a complementary running back with Devonta Freeman and Sheffield and Cominsky win roster spots and contribute on special teams.WHAT’S NEXT?Dimitroff was successful in filling needs, though there may be room for more help on the defensive line, at linebacker and perhaps at running back from undrafted free agents. FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Jason McCourty has taken longer than usual to do things around the Patriots practice facility this week as he’s prepared for their divisional playoff matchup with the Chargers.He’s been one of the first to arrive at breakfast with his teammates. He’s lingered in meetings and often been one of the last players to make it off the field following workouts. Whatever the task, he has savored it.That’s because McCourty’s about to do something he’s never done during his NFL career: play meaningful football in January.In his nine previous seasons — eight in Tennessee and one in Cleveland — McCourty was never on a playoff team. Drafted by the Titans in 2009, the defensive back only got close to the postseason twice as a member of 9-7 Tennessee teams in 2011 and 2016.He signed with the Browns in 2017, only to suffer through a winless season before being dealt to the Patriots.This season has brought a list of firsts: his first division title, his first week of playoff practices and on Sunday, his first postseason game.“I’m enjoying every moment,” McCourty said. “Typically, I’ve already flown home or doing whatever I’m doing for the offseason. I’m definitely trying to savor each and every moment.”The move to New England has been a career refresher in other ways. First, it reunited him with his twin brother http://www.dolphinsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-michael-deiter-jersey , safety Devin McCourty, whom he hadn’t played with since they starred at Rutgers. It’s also given Jason his first realistic chance to appear in a Super Bowl, something he and Devin dreamed about during their Pop Warner days.Devin, who won rings with the Patriots after the 2014 and 2016 seasons, has been Jason’s biggest mentor and fan.The twins are separated by only a single stall in the locker room and are typically only a few feet apart at the facility. They do a weekly segment with a Boston TV station and are active members of the NFL Players Coalition.They also share a Twitter account and have a YouTube show called “Double Trouble,” which they use to promote social justice causes and their sickle cell awareness initiative.Devin was a rookie on New England’s 2010 team that went 14-2 but lost to the Jets in the divisional round. He said he wants to ensure his brother’s first playoff experience doesn’t end the same way.“There’s no more, ‘My bad,’ or ‘I’ll get that next time,'” Devin said. “Ten years in the NFL, not tasting the playoffs, I think he probably realizes that more than any of us. He knows it’s not guaranteed and it doesn’t happen all the time.”Jason says in some ways the past few weeks have made him feel like a rookie again.“I joked with a lot of guys after every win, I was probably the loudest guy in here yelling and celebrating just because of what it means,” he said.Jason arrived in New England in March as part of a collection of defensive backs the Patriots signed to help fortify the secondary following the departure of cornerback Malcolm Butler, who signed with Tennessee.Jason wound up starting 12 games at left cornerback after Eric Rowe went on injured reserve in October with a groin injury. He also contributed on special teams.Jason’s lone interception of the season came late in the Patriots’ 24-12 win over Buffalo last month, which secured New England’s 10th straight AFC East title.“I think his leadership, his communication Garrett Bradbury Jersey , his professionalism has been outstanding,” coach Bill Belichick said. “Been great to work with. Couldn’t ask for any more.”As proud as Devin is of his brother, he said their mother, Phyllis Harrell, might be more excited than both of them. She used to wear a custom half-Patriots, half-Titans jersey on game days. She updated it to a half-blue, half-white Patriots jersey this season honoring her sons.“I’ve won Super Bowls and all, but I think the thing she’s most wanted in our (NFL career) is Jason playing in the playoffs,” Devin said. “I’m sure she’ll be fired up to see him play in his first playoff game. She said that over and over, she just wanted him to get some type of success that I’ve had as far as the playoffs, the post-regular season, as far as the atmosphere. The McCourty gang will be pretty fired up Sunday.”