Atlanta Falcons

Friday, 23 October 2009 - administrator

The Atlanta Falcons are an American professional football team. They joined the National Football League (NFL) as an expansion team in 1965. They are a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) South Division. Their division opponents are the New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Carolina Panthers. In the 1998 season, the Atlanta Falcons played in Super Bowl XXXIII, losing to the Denver Broncos 34-19.

History

In 1965, the National Football League (NFL) granted Atlanta the rights to an NFL team. With the first pick in the 1966 draft, the Falcons selected Texas linebacker Tommy Nobis as the first ever Atlanta Falcons player. In the 1960’s, the Falcons managed only twelve wins, their first winning season came in 1971. The Falcons had spurts of success in 1978 and 1980, reaching the playoffs both years, and losing to the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional playoffs both times. In 1980, the Falcons finished the regular season with an impressive (12-4) record.
Atlanta Falcons of 1998
1998 was the best season to date for the Atlanta Falcons, that year they became known as the “Dirty Bird Falcons”. Running back Jamal Anderson and veteran quarterback Chris Chandler helped the Falcons finish the regular season with a (14-2) record to win the National Football Conference (NFC) West Division title. In the playoffs, they played in Minnesota as underdogs to defeat the Minnesota Vikings in overtime, 30-27. The 1998 National Football Conference (NFC) champions Falcons season ended with a loss in Super Bowl XXXIII to the Denver Broncos 34-19.

Atlanta Falcons of the 2000’s

In 2001, the Atlanta Falcons drafted quarterback Michael Vick from Virginia Tech with the first overall pick. Michael Vick became the starting quarterback in 2002, and immediately led the Falcons to the playoffs to lose in the first round to the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2004, the Falcons had an (11-5) regular season record to earn a playoff spot. They met the Philadelphia Eagles again, this time in the National Football Conference (NFC) championship game, only to lose again.
Quarterback Michael Vick became the headline story of the Atlanta Falcons organization in 2007, after he was Vick was convicted of bankrolling a dog fighting ring in the state of Virginia. The National Football League (NFL) suspended him indefinitely, and he was released from the Atlanta Falcons organization. (Michael Vick later signed in 2009 with the Philadelphia Eagles after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated Michael Vick into the National Football League (NFL)).
Atlanta Falcons of 2008
After the Michael Vick turmoil, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank felt his organization needed a personnel transformation. In January of 2008, Thomas Dimitroff, former New England Patriots director, was hired as the new General Manager. Mike Smith, former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coach was hired as the Falcons new head coach. In the 2008 National Football League (NFL) draft, the Falcons used the third pick overall to select quarterback Matt Ryan from Boston College. In his rookie season, Ryan proved to be a star. Matt Ryan passed to wide receiver Roddy White and handed off to running back Michael Turner to lead the Falcons to a regular season record of (11-5) and the playoffs. The 2008 ended in the wild card round to the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Arizona Cardinals.

2009 Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons opened the 2009 season with the momentum they gained in 2008. The young offensive talent from 2008 returns, with quarterback Matt Ryan, running back Michael Turner, and wide receiver Roddy White. The supporting cast includes receiver Michael Jenkins, and running back Jerious Norwood. On the defensive side of the ball, the Falcons return veteran defensive lineman John Abraham, and signed linebacker Mike Peterson from the Jacksonville Jaguars. The most high profile player to join the team in the 2009 offseason was Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez. Gonzalez stated that he signed with the Falcons as a free agent because he felt there was a good chance the Falcons could win the Super Bowl.

Atlanta Falcons 2009 Draft Picks

*Round 1 Peria Jerry, defensive lineman -Mississippi
*Round 2 William Moore, safety -Missouri
*Round 3 Chris Owens, defensive back -San Jose State
*Round 4 Lawrence Sidbury, defensive end -Richmond
*Round 5 (comp select) William Middleton, defensive back -Furman
*Round 5 Garrett Reynolds, offensive tackle -North Carolina
*Round 6 Spencer Adkins, linebacker -Miami (Fla.)
*Round 7 Vance Walker, defensive tackle -Georgia Tech