As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of the game
being in constant change, conventional wisdom suggests that players from
different eras cannot be compared. However, I have decided to defy that
notion.
Considering that the Atlanta Falcons entered the NFL as an expansion team
in 1966, the task becomes quite challenging. Today, I have taken on the
daunting task of compiling an All-Time Falcons team. The Falcons have a
star-crossed legacy. At times, they have been like a bad girlfriend -- a tease.
The franchise has reached the Super Bowl twice, both ending in defeat,
34-19 against Denver and 34-28 in overtime after coughing up a 28-3 third
quarter lead to New England. The team was not the same for a while after
losing 28-24 to Dallas in the 1980 NFC Divisional Playoffs. The 1991
team had a lot of style but only some substance. The franchise also delivered
the Green Bay Packers first playoff defeat at Lambeau Field in 2002. They
also reached the 2004 and 2012 NFC Championship Games, only to lose
to Philadelphia and San Francisco respectively. Other seasons, the Falcons
were flatout horrendous to below average to mediocre.
The most perplexing team though was the 1977 version. The defense,
known as the Grits Blitz will never get the credit they deserve despite giving
up 129 points in a 14-game season. That team used many of the same
philosophies made famous by the 1985 Super Bowl champion Chicago
Bears. Yet the 1977 team could only imagine a 7-7 record. Imagine that
defense paired with offenses led by Matt Ryan and Julio Jones? You might
get a fistful of Super Bowl rings.
There are some rigid criteria in making this team. The player needed to have
played at least four seasons as a Falcon. Since the free agency era began 30
years ago, that standard needs to be in place. Two-year rentals don’t make
this list. Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team.
This is football, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame is the
first consideration coupled with impact on the franchise. The number of
All-Pro seasons are a top consideration with longevity also helping
immensely. While I understand it is hard to compare eras, I’m not going to
convolute this discussion.
Generational reminders
All eras matter. Being on the Falcons during a Super Bowl run or Grits
Blitz team does not get you a hall pass on this team. Playing for any
randomly wretched team does not disqualify you either.
To further the challenge, we are constructing the roster in two-deep format,
which means some worthy players get left off the list. So, if you want to
make a case for a player being on the team, don’t just tell me he should be
there and why, tell me who you would remove. Before you make a case to
put someone on the list, ask yourself, “Who do I take off the list at that
position?”
OFFENSE
QB -- First team: Matt Ryan. Honorable mention: Steve Bartkowski.
Ryan recently completed his 12th season and is the first true franchise
quarterback that the Falcons have had. Ryan is the franchise leader in
several categories. He is a four-time Pro Bowler. The 2016 season was
Ryan’s finest hour when he was first-team All Pro, NFL MVP and NFC
Offensive Player of the Year. Ryan is on a Hall of Fame track. Some people
might see Michael Vick as a glaring omission but it’s pretty simple, before
Ryan, Bartkowski was the best signal-caller in franchise history. Bartkowski
was a two-time Pro Bowler and led Atlanta to three playoff appearances in
a five year span. Bartkowski held most of the passing records until Ryan
broke them. Vick was a spectacular talent but thanks to a dog-fighting
operation that led to prison time, his legacy is defined by “what could
have been.”
RB -- First team: Warrick Dunn, Gerald Riggs. Honorable mention:
Jamal Anderson, Michael Turner.
Dunn was the best and most electrifying running back in franchise history,
amassing 7,616 (5,981 rushing and 1,635 receiving) in six seasons. One
could make a strong argument for Dunn to be a Hall of Famer. Riggs is
the franchise’s all-time leader in career rushing yardage. His best stretch
came from 1984-1986 when going over the 1,300 yard rushing mark each
season in that span on some below average teams. Riggs was a physical
runner and achieved three Pro Bowl berths. Anderson had a similar
running style to Riggs, bruising opponents between the tackles. Anderson
played eight seasons (1994-2001) and surpassed the 1,000 yard mark four
times in a five-year stretch. Anderson’s best season was 1998, when he led
the Falcons to a Super Bowl appearance. That season, he was a Pro Bowler
and All Pro. Turner was only a Falcon for four seasons but is No. 2 in career
rushing yardage behind Riggs. In his four seasons as a Falcon, Turner was
a Pro Bowler and All Pro twice (one as a first-teamer).
FB -- First team: William Andrews. Honorable mention: Dave Hampton.
Andrews sustained a devastating knee injury that wiped out two seasons but
he made a significant impact. Andrews is the franchise's No. 3 all-time leading
rusher. He was a punishing runner who gained over 1,000 yards rushing in
three straight years and four of his first five. Andrews was a four-time Pro
Bowler. Hampton made a significant impact in his five seasons (1972-1976).
In that span, Hampton provided a power-running element to the tune of
3,482 yards despite missing the 1974 season. The next year, Hampton
rushed for 1,002 yards and earned NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
WR -- First team: Julio Jones, Roddy White. Honorable mention: Alfred
Jenkins, Andre Rison.
Jones recently completed his ninth season and is the franchise’s all-time
leader in receiving yardage and touchdowns. He needs just ten receptions to
become the all-time leading pass catcher. Jones is on a Hall of Fame track.
He is a seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time All Pro (two as a first-teamer).
White’s time as the franchise’s all-time receptions leader is likely to end in
2020 when Jones breaks the record but nonetheless White had a splendid
11-year career. White reached the Pro Bowl four straight years (2008-2011)
and All Pro in 2010. Jenkins enjoyed an excellent nine-year career (1975-
1983) as a Falcon. He is No. 5 in franchise history in receptions. Jenkins’
home run speed attracted coverage to open opportunities for teammates.
Jenkins was a two-time Pro Bowler. Rison would rank higher on this list if
his longevity with the franchise was greater. Rison played in Atlanta from
1990-1994 and was a four-time Pro Bowler in that span. In that same
stretch, Rison surpassed the 1,000 yard and 10 touchdown barrier four
times.
TE -- First team: Tony Gonzalez. Honorable mention: Alge Crumpler.
Though Gonzalez is widely known for his 12 years as a Kansas City Chief,
his five years in Atlanta were plenty impactful. Despite a shorter stint in
Atlanta, Gonzalez is the franchise’s fifth all-time leading pass catcher.
Gonzalez is not only a Hall of Famer but perhaps the best tight end ever
to play. Gonzalez was a Pro Bowler four times and All Pro once in his
time as a Falcon. If not for the Falcons trading for Gonzalez, Cumpler
would get the top spot. Nonetheless, Crumpler had an outstanding seven
years in Atlanta (2001-2007). For much of the Michael Vick era, he was
like a security blanket. Crumpler was a four-time Pro Bowler.
OT -- First team: Mike Kenn, Bob Whitfield. Honorable mention:
Tyson Clabo, Jake Matthews.
Kenn was a stalwart for 18 seasons and his career spanned three decades
(1978-1995). He was a five-time Pro Bowler but easily should have
selected about 8-10 times. Kenn was also a five-time Pro Bowler (three
as a first-teamer). Whitfield never earned Pro Bowl honors in his 12
seasons (1992-2003) but was a reliable starter who provided great pass
protection. From 1993-2002, he missed just one game. Clabo played 11
seasons for six teams but his seven year stretch as a Falcon from 2006-
2012 was his best. Clabo was a Pro Bowler in 2010. Matthews recently
completed his sixth season. Matthews has missed just one game in that
span. He was a member of the 2016 team and was a Pro Bowler in 2018.
OG -- First team: Justin Blalock, Bill Fralic. Honorable mention: R.C.
Thielmann, Kynan Forney.
Blalock played eight seasons (2007-2014) and though he never made the
Pro Bowl, he was one of the best guards in the business. Blalack missed
just three games and was a solid all-around player. Fralic was the No. 2
overall pick in the 1985 draft. Fralic earned four Pro Bowl and two first-
team All Pro nods in his eight seasons. He was also durable and reliable,
missing just one game. Thielmann played eight seasons (1977-1984) with
the Falcons before joining the Washington Redskins. His best stretch of
football was 1981-1983 when he garnered three consecutive Pro Bowls.
Forney was a quality piece for seven seasons (2001-2007). Forney was
part of a line that set the fourth-highest NFL postseason record with 327
rushing yards.
C -- First team: Jeff Van Note. Honorable mention: Todd McClure.
Van Note (1969-1986) and McClure (1999-2012) each had careers that
spanned three decades (1969-1986). He was drafted as a linebacker and
moved to center, where he became one of the best in the business. Van
Note was a six-time Pro Bowler and two-time second-team All Pro. He is
deserving of a veteran’s committee Hall of Fame induction. McClure never
earned Pro Bowl recognition but from 2001-2012, he was the definition
of reliable, missing just four games.
DEFENSE
DE -- First team: Claude Humphrey, John Abraham. Honorable mention:
Patrick Kerney, Jeff Merrow.
Humphrey enjoyed a Hall of Fame career during his 11 seasons in Atlanta.
He burst onto the scene in 1968 and became NFL Rookie of the Year.
Humphrey was a six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All Pro as a first-teamer.
Sacks were not an official stat when Humphrey played but if they were, he
would have been the Reggie White of his era. Abraham was a force for
seven seasons (2006-2012). In that span, he recorded 58.5 sacks and 24
forced fumbles. As a Falcon, Abraham was a Pro Bowler and All Pro twice
(once as a first-teamer). Defensive ends are normally associated with speed
but Kerney had more of a powerful approach to his pass rush. He recorded
58 sacks in eight seasons, 42 from 2001-2004. Merrow never earned any
Pro Bowl recognition and played mostly before sacks were an official stat
but he was a double-threat as a run stuffer and pass rusher. He was also a
member of the Grits Blitz.
DT -- First team: Jonathan Babineaux, Mike Lewis. Honorable mention:
Travis Hall, Rick Bryan.
When it comes to interior defensive linemen in franchise history, Babineaux
is the standard. Though he never earned Pro Bowl recognition, Babineaux’s
pass rushing ability was not necessarily about sacks. It was about generating
interior pressure to open opportunities for teammates. Babineaux recorded
91 tackles for loss in 12 seasons and was a member of the 2016 team. For
nine seasons, Lewis was a force against the run. Though Lewis was not a
stat-heavy player, his ability to consume double-teams and rush the passer
up the middle was a pivotal skill. Though Hall never earned Pro Bowl
honors in his ten seasons, he is one of the best interior pass rushers in team
history with 41.5 sacks. Hall was a member of the 1998 team. Bryan was
never a Pro Bowler in his ten years (1984-1993) and witnessed many
peaks and valleys. Bryan was a versatile player in that he could line up
either as a 4-3 tackle in the 3-technique or as a 3-4 in the 5-technique.
OLB -- First team: Keith Brooking, Greg Brezina. Honorable mention:
Don Hanson, Joel Williams.
Brooking played 11 seasons as a Falcon and was one of the best draft
choices in team history. Brooking was a Pro Bowler for five straight
years (2001-2005) and two-time All Pro (second-team). Brezina, Hanson
and Tommy Nobis formed perhaps the best linebacker unit in franchise
history. Brezina made the Pro Bowl just once in his 12 seasons but was
easily deserving of more. Hansen was not as heralded as Nobis but in his
six seasons, generated 21 takeaways, which was crucial for a franchise that
was in its infancy. Williams had two stints with the Falcons (1979-1982;
1986-1989). Williams created 14 turnovers and would have made the
Pro Bowl if the Falcons had a better team.
ILB -- First team: Jesse Tuggle, Tommy Nobis. Honorable mention:
Buddy Curry, Fulton Kuykendall.
Tuggle’s career spanned three decades (1987-2000) and saw a lot of
franchise highs and lows. Tuggle recorded 1,809 tackles and was the
leader that commanded respect. Tuggle was a five-time Pro Bowler,
one-time All Pro (second-team) and member of the 1998 team that
reached the Super Bowl. Nobis became the first player drafted by the
expansion Falcons in 1966. He burst onto the scene and became NFL
Rookie of the Year. Nobis, who was known as Mr. Falcon, was a
five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All Pro (once as a first-teamer).
Had Nobis played for Falcons teams that were contenders, he might
be a Hall of Famer. Curry played eight seasons from 1980-1987. He
burst onto the scene in 1980 when he was NFL Defensive Rookie of
the Year. He never earned any Pro Bowl nominations but that status
suffered because the Falcons did not have good teams. Kuykendall
was known as “The Crazy Captain” in his ten seasons with the Falcons
(1975-1984). Kuykendall was a member of the Grits Blitz.
CB -- First team: Rolland Lawrence, Bobby Butler. Honorable
mention: Deion Sanders, Ray Buchanan.
Lawrence played eight seasons with the Falcons (1973-1980). His
best season was 1977, when reaching the Pro Bowl and becoming an
All Pro. Lawrence still holds the franchise record with 39 career
interceptions. Butler played through many highs and lows in franchise
history from 1981-1992 but made a big impact. Butler did not reach
any Pro Bowls but should have made at least three. Butler recorded
27 interceptions. Though Sanders is a Hall of Famer, and deservedly
so, he made a bigger with other franchises, most notably the Dallas
Cowboys and to a lesser extent, the San Francisco 49ers. Sanders
brought a lot of flash to what had been a drab franchise. What knocks
Sanders down on this list is his longevity as a Falcon (just five years)
after Lawrence and Butler. Nonetheless, he was significantly impactful
not just in style but substance (three Pro Bowls in five years). Buchanan’s
nickname was “Big Play Ray” in his seven seasons (1997-2003).
Buchanan’s lone Pro Bowl season with the Falcons was 1998. Buchanan
is No. 3 in franchise history with 30 interceptions.
S -- First team: Tom Pridemore, Scott Case. Honorable mention: Ray
Brown, Ray Easterling.
Pridemore and Case were very similar players. They were hard hitters.
Pridemore played from 1978-1985 and while never reaching the Pro
Bowl, he is perhaps the best safety in franchise history. Case was not far
behind. Like Pridemore, Case played through some highs and lows from
1984-1994. His best season was 1988 when he was a Pro Bowler and
interceptions leader. Brown played seven seasons and generated 38
turnovers. He was talented against both the pass and run. Easterling was
a Falcon for seven seasons (1972-1979). He went from special team
reserve to Pro Bowl level safety. He was also a member of the Grits Blitz.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K -- First team: Morten Andersen. Honorable mention: Matt Bryant.
After 13 years with division rival New Orleans, Andersen spent two stints
with the Falcons (1995-2000; 2006-2007). Andersen, who was
nicknamed, “The Great Dane,” will always be remembered fondly
regardless of his time as a Saint. Andersen is a Hall of Famer. His
signature moment as a Falcon will always be his walk off field goal in
overtime to upset the heavily favored Minnesota Vikings in the 1998
NFC Championship Game to send the Falcons to the Super Bowl.
Bryant bounced around the NFL before finding a home for a decade
(2009-2018) with the Falcons. Bryant was a member of the 2016 team,
he made the Pro Bowl last season. Bryant’s ability to make clutch kicks
earned him the nickname “Money Matt.”
P -- First team: Matthew Bosher. Honorable mention: Michael Koenen.
Bosher was a Falcon for nine seasons (2001-2019). He compiled a career
45.4 gross punting average with 190 of his 489 career punts being downed
inside the 20-yard line. Bosher was a member of the 2016 team. Koenen
was a Falcon for six years and fashioned 42.0 yard gross average.
RETURN -- First team: Allen Rossum. Honorable mention: Sanders.
Rossum played for six teams over the course of 12 years but his best came
in a five-year span with the Falcons (2002-2006). Rossum led the NFL in
punt return yardage in 2003 and reached the Pro Bowl in 2004. Sanders
was known as “Primetime” and if you were an opposing special teams
coach, kick to him at your own risk. Sanders returned five kicks for scores
in his time as a Falcon.
HEAD COACH -- First team: Mike Smith. Honorable mention: Dan
Quinn.
Though Smith’s teams lacked postseason success (1-4), he went 66-46 in
seven years. He piloted the most successful five-year stretch in franchise
history (56-24 from 2008-2012). Quinn recently completed his fifth season
and has a mark of 46-39. The only thing keeping him from the No. 1 spot
is the team coughing up a 28-3 third quarter lead to New England only to
lose the 2016 Super Bowl. Though Dan Reeves led the franchise to their
first Super Bowl appearance, his seven years as head coach netted a losing
record.
TEAM -- 1998. This version of the Falcons was like Brownsville Station’s
1973 hit song “Smokin’ in the Boy’s Room.” They were a one-hit wonder.
This team went 14-2, won the AFC West and upset Minnesota in the NFC
Title Game before losing to Denver in the Super Bowl. Reeves missed two
games because of open heart surgery, pressing assistant Rich Brooks into
duty. The 1998 Falcons led the NFL in takeaways (44), fumble recoveries
(25 ) and time of possession (33:10).
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