Time Machine

The Falcons take flight this weekend to the Meadowlands for one of their two final games they will ever play at the New Jersey stadium. (The Giants and Jets are opening a new stadium next year.)  If past experiences have any bearing on future outcomes, one thing is for sure.  Atlanta doesn’t mind visiting the state of Jersey to face the Giants.

The Falcons have captured five games in-a-row at Giants Stadium and have not lost there since 1979.  One game in particular stands out in my mind and mirrors the position the 2009 Falcons find themselves in at this point.

In 2002 Atlanta was coming off a 20-6 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and looking to rebound.  A strong defensive effort highlighted with a pair of forced turnovers deep in Falcons territory in the fourth quarter sealed the win at Giants Stadium.

Falcons cornerback Juran Bolden picked off a Kerry Collins pass attempt for wide receiver Ike Hilliard at the Giants 6-yard line early in the final stanza.  The turnover stopped the Giants from breaking a 10-10 tie.

Then, safety Henry Jones forced a late fumble that cornerback Kevin Mathis recovered at the Falcons 15-yard line with 3:32 to play to snuff out another scoring opportunity for New York to add to the day’s defensive heroics.  The Falcons winning score came on a 14-yard pass to wide receiver Brian Finneran as the birds held on for a close 17-10 victory.

The win against the Giants on the road propelled the Falcons to a four-game winning streak en route to an eventual playoff berth.  Can this game on Sunday prove to be a springboard for better things to come as it did in 2002?

With three-straight home games on the horizon after this trip, the Falcons hope to right the ship this weekend in some successful past surroundings up north.

fkleha Flashback Brian Finneran, Henry Jones, Ike Hilliard, Juran Bolden, Kerry Collins, Kevin Mathis, New York Giants

This weekend the Falcons will be attempting to sweep the annual series with the Panthers for the sixth time since they began facing off against each other in 1995.  There have been some memorable games played in Charlotte. In fact, during a four-game stretch from 1998 through 2001 contests in the Queen City were decided by five, six, five and three points.

I vividly remember a November game in 2001 with particular interest where an unlikely hero emerged.

Atlanta entered the game with a 5-4 record and full of confidence after defeating Carolina 24-16 in Week 2 at the Georgia Dome.  Has a familiar ring doesn’t it?

In a close contest throughout, fullback Bob Christian, who was used primarily as a blocking back throughout his career, broke out and enjoyed a career day against his former teammates.  Christian, who was signed by the Panthers in the NFL expansion draft in 1995 after being a 12^th round draft selection by the Birds in 1991, saw his role expanded in the absence of running back Jamal Anderson (season ending-knee injury in Week 3).

After a goal line stand by the Falcons defense stopped the Panthers on a four-straight plays at the 1-yard line in the second quarter, Atlanta took over and marched 99-yards down the field.  (Sister) Christian (as ESPN’s Chris Berman called him) put the Falcons in scoring position with a career-long 53-yard scamper to the Panthers 39-yard line.  The former Northwestern runner then converted a crucial third-and-2 on a hard rush up the middle on a draw play. Christian culminated the drive with a 4-yard touchdown plunge for the first touchdown of the game and a 10-0 Falcons lead.

The defense did the rest as safety Johndale Carty sealed the win with an interception with 0:35 seconds left and Atlanta escaped with a 10-7 victory and its second-straight series sweep.

Christian finished the day with a personal-best of 122 all-purpose yards, including a career-high of 78 yards on the ground with an additional 44 receiving yards on a team-high five receptions, to earn game MVP honors.

Will Michael Turner continue his burning pace of the past two weeks or will another Falcon come forward to play the heroes role this weekend in this Week 10 Division showdown in this I-85 rivalry?

What do you think?

fkleha Flashback Charlotte, ESPN's Chris Berman, Fullback Bob Christian, I-85 Rivalry, Michael Turner, Northwestern, Queen, Queen City, RB Jamal Anderson, Safety Johndale Carty

With the Falcons looking to stop a two-game losing streak against the Redskins, the importance of Sunday’s game reminds me of a similar situation the team faced in 1987 against the same opponent.

After opening the ’87 season on a sour note by dropping a 48-10 decision at Tampa Bay, the Falcons returned home to face a strong Redskins team that just defeated their NFC East nemesis Philadelphia Eagles, 34-24.

In a rare showdown in Atlanta at Fulton County Stadium, the Falcons rebounded to claim their first victory of the season with a 21-20 upset of the heavily-favored Skins.  Former Purdue standout quarterback Scott Campbell made his first start for the Birds that day and provided a much-needed spark.

Campbell completed 17 of 34 passes for 271 yards with a pair of touchdown tosses. No. 10’s deep passes helped to loosen up the middle for running back Gerald Riggs to make some key runs.  Campbell led a fourth-quarter rally by orchestrating an impressive 80-yard, 11-play drive that culminated in a Riggs 4-yard touchdown plunge on third and goal with under seven minutes remaining to take the lead 21-20.  The Falcons defense stiffened on the following Redskins drives and rookie safety Tim Gordon’s interception with 0:25 seconds left sealed the victory.

Riggs finished the day with 120 yards on the ground on 20 carries, including the one touchdown and also a 44-yard gallop in the second quarter. Wide receiver Floyd Dixon was the main benefactor of Campbell’s throws as he hauled in five catches for 105 yards with one score.

Incidentally, current Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt grabbed six passes for 68 yards from his tight end position to aide the winning cause for Atlanta.  The Falcons outgained the potent Redskins offense 394 yards to 335.  This contest was the last game before the players went on strike and the teams used replacement players for three games. Washington would rebound and go on to capture Super Bowl XXII with a 42-10 win over the Dan Reeves-led Denver Broncos.

Like in 1987, these 2009 Falcons are hoping to get back to their winning ways with a contest against the Washington Redskins in Atlanta this weekend.  Will it be déjà vu all over again?

fkleha Flashback Dan Reeves, Denver Broncos, Floyd Dixon, Fulton County Stadium, Gerald Riggs, Ken Whisenhunt, NFC East, Philadelphia Eagles, Scott Campbell, Super Bowl, Super Bowl XXII, Tim Gordon, Washington Redskins

 The Falcons-Saints rivalry may not have the national cache of some other rivalries in the NFL but don’t tell that to either team or the fan bases in both cities.  Each team’s fans circle the two dates on the calendar and prepare accordingly.  Travel plans are made early to visit each others towns and walk the streets the night before donning team gear to show their support.  Players on both sides feel the intensity of this crucial Division game. And it’s been that way since they first squared off in 1967.

 This yearly battle has had its share of close games and blow outs. T here have been 43 games decided by eight points or less in this long standing series.  The Falcons beat the Saints 62-7 in 1973 in New Orleans in their widest margin of victory ever in a single-game in team history.  The Saints handed the Falcons a 38-0 defeat in 1987 in Atlanta. It doesn’t matter where the games are played between these traditional Southern towns. More often than not these contests always seem to be filled with intrigue and no shortage of drama (especially in the month of November).

 On November 12, 1978, the birds of strong-armed QB Steve Bartkowski trailed the Saints in New Orleans 17-6 with 2:23 remaining and the ball on their own 20-yard line.  Bart methodically marches the Falcons 80 yards in 12 plays, culminating in a RB Haskel Stanback one-yard touchdown burst around right end to close the gap to 17-13 with :59 ticks left.  Atlanta tries an onsides kick but it fails and the Saints take over at their 49 to apparently run out the clock and claim the win.  Not so fast my friend (as College GameDay’s Lee Corso says).

 New Orleans decides to go for it on 4^th and 2 at the Atlanta 43-yard line.  But RB Chuck Muncie is stuffed by DL Jeff Yeates and the Falcons take over for one more play with :19 seconds left.  Bartkowski drops back and launches one of his famous long balls with so much trajectory that it would have probably hit the scoreboard in the middle of new Cowboys Stadium.  The ball was intended for WR Wallace Francis but it is hit up in the air by Saints defenders and lands in the arms of fellow WR Alfred Jackson.  Jackson runs untouched into the end zone for the unlikely winning score.   The historical pass was the first “Big Ben Right” play called in team history.

 On November 24, 1991, the Falcons overcame a 10-point deficit in the last two minutes to send the game into overtime in an exciting national television match-up on ESPN.  A 54-yard completion from QB Chris Miller to WR Michael Haynes sets up a 50-yard game winning boot in the OT from K Norm Johnson before ESPN’s largest TV audience of the season.

 These two games illustrate the close competitiveness between the arch rivals and how the games are never seemingly over until the clock strikes zero.

 This 80^th meeting on Monday night between these two long-time combatants and Division foes is shaping up to be another wild affair in November on Monday Night Football in the party backdrop of the “Big Easy”.  But there is nothing easy when it comes to this rivalry for either team.

fkleha Reflections

Since 1986, the Falcons have a 7-7 record against the Cowboys  in 14 meetings, including wins in two of the last three overall in the series.

The last contest played in Texas was in 2003 and the Birds pulled out a 27-13 victory.  The only player remaining on the current team to play in that game was Todd McClure. McClure was the starting center for Atlanta that day, lining up on the ball in only his 17^th-straight start in the midst of his current streak of 117 consecutive games started.  So, that means the former LSU star will be making his 100th consecutive start this Sunday since that opening day game on September 7, 2003 at Texas Stadium.

The Falcons have enjoyed some interesting and close games when crossing into the Lone Star State.

In 1991, they came within one play of defeating the Cowboys to claim the NFC West crown before eventually losing, 31-27.  With Dallas clinging to a 27-24 advantage and trying to run out the clock, Falcons S Scott Case forced a RB Emmitt Smith fumble on Atlanta’s 22-yard line with less than two minutes remaining.  Falcons QB Chris Miller would engineer an impressive drive to pull Atlanta close.

The Birds drove down to the Dallas 16 yard line with 0:11 seconds left  and Miller had three throws into the end zone before the last one fell short as time expired.

There is a noteworthy trivia question involving Sunday’s game.

There will be a person standing on the field who holds the Falcons team record for most passing touchdowns in a single-game with five. This individual also is in the club record books for highest completion percentage in a season (.681) and highest quarterback rating in a season (110.2). This is a big test for any true Falcons fan.

Who is it?

The answer is… Wade Wilson.

Wilson is the quarterbacks coach for the Cowboys. Wilson, who played 19 years in the NFL with five teams, spent one season with the Falcons in their run ‘n shoot offense of June Jones in 1992. In mainly just three starts at the end of the season, Wilson completed 111 of 163 passes for 1,368 yards with 13 touchdowns and only four interceptions. In his first start of the ’92 campaign, he tossed a record five touchdowns (to five different receives) at Tampa Bay to account for all the scores in a 35-7 rout of the Bucs in Week 14. Wilson’s first and only season with the Falcons earned him a new contract and a starting spot with the team’s arch rival, the New Orleans Saints, the following season.

fkleha Flashback Chris Miller, Dallas Cowboys, Emmitt Smith, June Jones, New Orleans Saints, NFC West, Scott Case, Texas Satdium, Wade Wilson

In looking at this week’s opponent and last season’s thrilling, come-from-behind, heart stopping 22-20 victory over the Chicago Bears, it got me thinking about a similar down-to-the wire contest that was also played in Atlanta some 18 years ago.

On a cloudy November day at Fulton County Stadium in 1991, the 4-4 Falcons hosted the 4-4 San Francisco 49ers in an NFC West showdown.  There were plenty of stars on the field on both sidelines.  For the Falcons, there was WR Andre Rison, CB Deion Sanders, WR Michael Haynes, LB Jessie Tuggle, G Bill Fralic, S Scott Case and QB Chris Miller. The Niners countered with QB Steve Young, WR Jerry Rice, WR John Taylor, LB Charles Haley, CB Merton Hanks, G Guy McIntyre, and TE Brent Jones.

The game had the normal twists and turns (just like last years Bears game) with a few key injuries that had a huge effect on the outcome and thrust some unlikely heroes onto center stage.

Quarterbacks Chris Miller and Steve Young took their share of pounding early in the game and were forced from the game for good. (Miller in the second quarter and Young in the third quarter.)  But each team’s apprentice actually fared better on this day than the starter.

The Bird’s back-up, Billy Joe Tolliver, replaced Miller and finished the day 11 of 22 for 120 yards and two touchdowns. The Niners second-stringer,  Steve Bono, hit on 9 of 16 passes for 111 yards and one score.

With the 49ers leading 7-0 heading into the pivotal fourth quarter, something had to give.  And it just so happened it was the scoreboard.

The Falcons tallied 10 unanswered points to take a 10-7 lead with under three minutes remaining.  But Bono directed an eight play, 68-yard drive to re-take the lead for the Niners on a 30-yard touchdown strike to WR John Taylor.

Tolliver stared at the clock, which read 0:53, and faced an 80-yard up hill battle.  But the hard throwing Tolliver didn’t blink.  On a crucial fourth-and-6 from his own 37-yard, he completed a big 19-yarder to Rison for a first down at the 44 with 0:16 ticks left to keep their hopes alive.  After an incompletion moved the clock to 0:9 seconds left, there was only one thing left to do.

Tolliver dropped back and heaved the ball as hard and long as he could, 44 yards in the air towards the end zone.  In a crowd of seven players somehow Haynes came down with the ball to claim the 17-14 win in “Hail Mary” fashion.  As the stadium erupted and an on field celebration ensued, the improbable became reality.  “Big Ben” had struck again for the birds just like the first ever last second win in team history on November 12, 1978 at New Orleans. (The play call in the huddle that day delivered by QB Steve Bartkowski was Big Ben Right.)

The exciting 1991 win would help the Falcons post a series sweep of the Niners and the loss would eventually prove disastrous for San Francisco as they did not make the playoffs despite a 10-6 record.  The team who made the playoffs that year on the heels of this sweep was the Falcons, who totaled an identical 10-6 mark.

Similarities abound as last year’s big win over the Bears instilled a level of confidence in Coach Mike Smith’s team that would propel them to an eventual playoff berth while Chicago finished with a 9-7 record and out of the postseason.

Will the rematch with the Bears this weekend prove to be another dramtic, hard fought game with a national television audience in attendance?  What do you think?

fkleha Flashback Andre Rison, Bill Fralic, Billy Joe Tolliver, Chicago Bears, Deion Sanders, Fulton County Stadium, Jerry Rice, Jessie Tuggle, Michael Haynes, San Francisco 49ers, Scott Case, Steve Bartkowski, Steve Young

Fresh off the bye week, the Falcons take flight to a familiar place from a historical perspective, landing at Candlestick Park to start their stretch of 13 straight regular season contests.  Two weeks to wait to play another game after carrying around the bitter taste from the New England game has the Falcons re-focused, re-energized and itching to get back on the field.

This trip to San Francisco marks the 37th trek to the city by the bay for the Birds in franchise history. Of course, a majority of the previous 36 trips were played as rivals in the old NFC West Division. The first time they eyed each other across from the line of scrimmage was 1967 and it was on the road in San Francisco.

The 49ers and Rams were the powerhouses of that Division years ago but the Falcons have shared some memorable moments at The Stick.

In 1991, Atlanta faced a San Francisco team that had won seven of the last eight games on their home field against the Falcons. But the Birds were ready.

Returner extraordinaire Deion Sanders ran back a kickoff 100 yards for a score to put the Falcons ahead at the end of the third quarter 27-20 in this see-saw battle. Two Norm Johnson field goals and a one-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chris Miller to wide receiver Andre Rison would be the winning margin for the Birds in a 39-34 shoot-out over the Steve Young and Jerry Rice led Niners. The Falcons would go on to post a 10-6 record and a playoff berth.

Three seasons earlier in 1988, Atlanta stormed into Candlestick and stopped a two-game losing streak by shocking the 49ers of quarterback Joe Montana, 34-17, to claim its first victory of the season. With no time left on the first half clock, quarterback Chris Miller went around right end on a one-yard scamper to stake the Falcons to a 21-3 halftime advantage and they never looked back.

The last journey to The Stick for the team was a successful one on the opening week of 2004 campaign. Atlanta prevailed 21-19 as three current players performed in that contest (center Todd McClure, wide receivers Michael Jenkins and Brian Finneran).

Who will step up and get the Falcons back on the winning track this weekend in familiar West Coast territory? Remember, Head Coach Mike Smith’s crew has not lost back-to-back games in his tenure.

fkleha Flashback

Last year after three games into the season most fans would have said that RB Michael Turner had made the most impact.  Turner totaled 366 rushing yards with five touchdowns through the first three weeks of the season in 2008.

This season, QB Matt Ryan has thrown for 648 yards on 60 completions for a 65.9% completion percentage with five touchdowns and only one pick. TE Tony Gonzalez has hauled in 13 receptions (second on team) for 160 yards for a 12.3 yard average with two touchdowns.

On the defensive side, LB Mike Peterson has accumulated 33 tackles with two  forced fumbles to his credit. While LB Curtis Lofton leads the defense with 42 tackles, including a career-high 19 stops at New England.

So I thought I would throw out the following question to the fans and let the votes be counted.

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fkleha Uncategorized

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

It’s time to honor the past this weekend as the Falcons play gracious hosts for their annual “Alumni Day” at the Georgia Dome. This year is even more special than normal as they’ve invited members of the first team from 1966 to the game against the Carolina Panthers. Twenty players from the original team are slated to be back in town for the festivities.

Falcons fans of all ages should stand up and applaud these players when they are announced at halftime. The ’66 Falcons were the first professional football team in the Southeast. The Falcons were the 15th NFL team and the 23rd pro team at any level. (There were eight teams in the old American Football League prior to merging together in 1970.) These ’66 birds filled a huge void in the sports landscape in the Southern region of the United States at the time.

The new birds of prey that descended upon Atlanta gave the city, the state and the region prestige and civic pride. It enhanced their reputation nationwide as a big-time player in the sports world. It placed Atlanta among the upper echelon in the sports psyche in the minds of people throughout the country. No amount of money could buy those kinds of footprints implanted on a community.

You could call these first Falcons pioneers for being part of history and bringing the burgeoning, popular sport of pro football to life in the South’s key city of Atlanta.

When you hear the names of players such as Hawkins, Calland, Coffey, Nobis, Riggle, Reaves and Barnes recognized at halftime on Sunday, think about the impact these players had on Atlanta, not only just on the field, but off it as well.

Here are some interesting facts about the Falcons first team in 1966.

• The $8.5 million franchise fee paid by Rankin Smith on June 30, 1965 was the largest sum at that time paid for an NFL team.
• At training camp in Black Mountain, North Carolina, 130 players showed up to try to make the first team.
• One of the training camp’s first visitors was famous Reverend Billy Graham.
• A Randy Johnson to Gary Barnes touchdown strike of 53 yards in the second quarter in the season opener at old Fulton County Stadium was the first official Falcons six-pointer. Barnes will be in attendance at Sunday’s game.
• Nine players who started in that first game ever in team history will also be on hand on Sunday.
• On December 11, 1966, the birds tied an NFL record for an expansion team by winning their third game of the season (vs. St. Louis).
• The ’66 team became the first expansion team to not finish in last place. Atlanta ended up in seventh place in a field of eight teams in the NFL’s Eastern Conference.

fkleha Reflections 1966 team, Atlanta's first pro football team, Expansion team, Gary Barnes, Reverend Billy Graham