With two tough home wins to start the 2009 campaign in the Falcons’ rear view mirror, the stage has been set as the birds take flight to New England for their first road contest of the season. Similar to last year, the Falcons have started out strong at home boosting their confidence heading to a very difficult place to play at Gillette Stadium.
But the huge task at hand is tempered this year because of the successful experiences of a year ago. Coach Smith’s team proved its mettle on the road going to places like Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Metrodome in Minneapolis, and Qualcomm in San Diego, and pulling out difficult, hard-fought victories. Players feed off of the positive experiences gained in the past to provide a strong foundation the next time they are faced with a similar hurdle.
Those 2008 Falcons under Smith finished with a 7-1 record at home (the best mark since 2004). All coaches believe that if you can post a successful home record, then you can face the uphill battles better when you travel to hostile environments. Winning on the road is the hardest thing to do in the NFL. But these young Falcons are up for the challenge and it starts this weekend in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
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Trivia Question #1: This is the first trip to Gillette Stadium for the Falcons since it was opened in 2002. Atlanta defeated New England at old Foxboro Stadium in 1998. What Falcons phenomenon was created that day? (Answer below)
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According to The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, did you know that this week years ago…
…On September 24, 1976, University of Pennsylvania kicker and former Falcon Tim Mazzetti tied the Ivy League record for the longest field goal in league history after booming a 54-yard kick against Lehigh. But the Quakers fell at Franklin Field 24-20.
…On September 26, 1992, Hawaii kicker and current Falcon Jason Elam set a WAC all-time scoring record with 327 points by sending three field goals through the uprights, including a 56-yarder, to lead the Warriors to a 36-32 upset over BYU.
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Mazzetti scored 230 points in three seasons with the Falcons from 1978-80 and his best known in team lore for his performance on Monday Night Football in 1978. He kicked five field goals to account for all of the winning points to help Atlanta defeat the division leading Los Angeles Rams 15-7 on October 30, 1978 in the team’s first nationally-televised game in four seasons. Mazzetti’s break through season included a team record nine field goals in-a-row and his points were the difference in five victories. Because of his heroic contributions the Falcons earned their first playoff berth in team annals. Mazzetti was also responsible for the winning points in that team’s 14-13 first round playoff victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Mazzetti’s past included being a bartender in Philadelphia prior to getting his kicks in the NFL. He also played in the old United States Football League with the Boston/Portland Breakers after his Falcons career was over and was named an All-USFL first-team kicker.
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Trivia Question #2: Who was the first player to score a point in the USFL?
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Answer #1: In a 41-10 victory at New England in the Falcons’ last trip to face their AFC East foe, the “Dirty Bird” touchdown danced was first introduced.
Answer #2: Tim Mazzetti hit a 30-yard field goal in the Breakers’ first game against the Tampa Bay Bandits to score the first points for the upstart league at the time.
fkleha Reflections BYU, Coach Smith, Dirty Bird, Falcons Playoffs, Foxboro Stadium, Gillette Stadium, Hawaii, Home Record, Jason Elam, Los Angeles Rams, Monday Night Football, New England, Tim Mazzetti, University of Pennsylvania, USFL
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