Throwback Thursday: Falcons abuzz over uniforms
John Abraham, Matt Ryan and Michael Turner are ready for the Throwback game. You can get your Retro jersey for $111.11. (CURTIS COMPTON/AJC).
The Branch — There has been a different feel to this week’s preparation.
It started on Monday, when red helmets were placed in every player’s locker.
The team will pay homage to the inaugural 1966 team, with a black jersey, white pants and red helmet this Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.
Loading ...They will wear them again when Tampa Bay comes to the Georgia Dome on Nov. 29.
The team’s website has gone Throwback, showing all pictures in black and white.
This is a hot leisure suit (actually is a 1970s era style).
It was suggested that all of the members of the communications department dress in Throwback leisure suits with a Falcons logo emblazoned on the pocket.
They didn’t think it was a good idea. But since the players have to go Throwback, perhaps the rest of the staff should, too. Of course, they want the fans to go Throwback and buy the jerseys.
The original helmets will also have that Georgia Tech gold stripe. They only wore those helmets for one season. (UPDATE: They wore the Gold Stripe on the helmets through the 1970 season, according my man Frank Kleha, the senior director of media relations.) The Smith’s had to add some Georgia Tech flavor to the decidedly University of Georgia looking, red, black and white uniforms.
The Falcons don’t want Jake Delhomme to have a Throwback game. He’s in a funk. But if he flashes back to circa 2003, he might regain his passing touch.
Delhomme, 34, had reconstructive elbow surgery two years ago. The whispers about his lack of arm strength get louder with each interception.
He threw five interceptions and lost a fumble against Arizona in the playoffs last season. Carolina coach John Fox pointed out that the game was “nine months ago” on the conference call with the Atlanta media.
The Eagles got after him in the season opener as the defending NFC South champions were defeated 38-10.
Delhomme was pulled after four more interceptions and a fumble.
Word is that the Cheerleaders are wearing Throwback uniforms, too. With Throwback hairdos, to match.
This has the makings of a real “Throwback game” as the Panthers might not attempt a forward pass.
“My thing is that I know he’s going to have a good game,” Abraham said. “After a quarterback plays like that he wants to play well. Also, I think they are going to try to run the ball a little bit more. That was their key thing last year with the two good backs they have. They are going to try to run it, I think.”
How are you going to the Throwback game? Watching it in black and white? Getting one of the jerseys (isn’t that what this really about)? Or just going to pull out your modern jersey and go to the game? The team is 8-1 at home under Coach Mike Smith. Are they risking the record by wearing some uniforms that they went 3-11 (1-6 at home) in?
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101 comments Add your comment
ATL Fan
September 17th, 2009
11:19 am
How about putting together an all-time Falcon roster. Jeff Van Note as center, Bartkowski QB, William Andrews and Gerald Riggs in the backfield. Billie White-Shoes Johnson as a return man. The incredible Gritz Blitz defense. The former bartender-kicker that beat the Rams on MNF with 5 field goals…
ATL Fan
September 17th, 2009
11:26 am
Tim Mazzetti (K)
Malted Falcon
September 17th, 2009
11:27 am
Big Ben Right all the way, but these uniforms would be the best in football if we adopted them full time, which I started lobbying for 3 years ago. Falcons will come out charged on Sunday. Can’t wait.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
September 17th, 2009
11:30 am
(UPDATE: They wore the Gold Stripe on the helmets through the 1970 season, according my man Frank Kleha, the senior director of media relations.)
Since 1980...
September 17th, 2009
11:36 am
Although I love the red helmets, it still brings back bad memories:
*** “Burning of Atlanta II”…Dallas come from behind playoff win in 80.
*** 3-0 start in 81, finished 7-9
*** Mike Quick’s 99 Yarder in 85
*** 4-0 start in 86, finish 7-8-1
*** Arguably the worst pass rush and secondary in the 80’s. (Chargers a close second)
Good Memories – 1980, “White Shoes” Johnson, Bartkowski and the Alfred Boys, Tom Pridemore, Fantastic Finish in 83 over the 49ers, OT win over Packers in 83, 4-0 start in 86…David Archer….finally a mobile QB, Deon Sanders first game against the Rams in 89.
GO DAWG Sickum!
TURTSNAP
September 17th, 2009
11:49 am
Here’s hoping the Falcons don’t play in throwback mode :O)
Since 1980...
September 17th, 2009
12:07 pm
Falcons Fantasy Team 2009
QB – Mike Vick…(No Bartkowski…great arm but speed of today’s defenses would eat him alive…lol!)
RB – William Andrews, Jamal Anderson
WR – Alfred Jenkins, Andre Rison
O Line – Fralic, Van Note, Mike Kenn, RC Theileman, Bob Whitfield
TE – Alge Crumpler
DE – John Abraham, Claude Humphrey
DT – Rod Coleman, Grady Jackson
LB – Joelle Williams, Keith Brooking, Jesse Tuggle
DB – Deon Sanders….and best of the rest
PK – Morten Anderson
Punter – Michael Koenen
PR – White Shoes Johnson
KR – Reggie Smith, Deon Sanders, Sylvester Stamps…etc. The list goes on, alot of reps here indicative of a bad defenses.
Matt
September 17th, 2009
12:54 pm
Are we forgetting the 2000+ history? Who could imagine the changes we have seen as die hard Falcons fans since Dan and the Birds stepped out on the Super Bowl XXXIII field on that fateful night. How about the overnight desertion of our coach the same year our Quarterback thought his highly illegal “hobbies” were more important than his career, loyal fan base, and millions of dollars. Thank God for our owner, Mike Smith, and Matt Ryan!!!!!!! I am not a Bulldog fan(Go Vols) but I hope they crush ArKANSAS this weekend for the sake of our beloved Falcons! GO BIRDS! Let’s all meet in January in Centennial Park to wish our Falcons off again!
Falcon60
September 17th, 2009
12:56 pm
The former bartender turned kicker was Tim Mazzetti. Another good kicker was Mick Luckhurst. As far as RB’s it would be hard to over look Dave Hampton. After all the former kick return specialist was the Falcons first 1,000 yard rusher. And at TE you would have to put Jim “Meat” Mitchell. There are a lot of former Falcons that were special to the fans here. Ray Brown, Tom Hayes, Bob Berry, Bob Lee (if only for one season), Brian Jordan, Tom Pridemore, Bob Glazebrook….
Tallcarl
September 17th, 2009
1:06 pm
Please don´t forget Mike Ken of. line.
JASon
September 17th, 2009
1:31 pm
Current uniforms suck! Old falcons uniforms much better.
mackdawg
September 17th, 2009
1:35 pm
The Good- Alfred Jenkins, Buddy Curry,Jim Mitchell,Claude,Bart..
The Bad-David Archer,Aundray Bruce,Junior”Brick Hands” Miller,almost any DB from 1975-1985..(anybody remember Bobby”Burn Me Bad” Butler?
FalconFan60
September 17th, 2009
2:01 pm
To his credit, Junior Miller had a very good rookie year. I think but am not sure but he may have fallen into the ‘nose candy’ a little. If he didn’t forgive the assumption.
Archer was Henning’s choice to “replace” Steve Bartkowski. Worked out well didn’t it Dan? What an idiot……..
zach
September 17th, 2009
2:37 pm
love the red helmets and the red uniforms it brings me back to my childhood when I would pretend I was steve bartkowski throwing a touchdown to billy white shoes johnson. Go Falcons!!!
Mac C.
September 17th, 2009
2:52 pm
How can there be a discussion about the greatest Falcons ever and there not be one mention of “THE HAMMER” That is Jesse Tuggle. (I’m just sayin’)
Falconsforlife
September 17th, 2009
3:21 pm
I agree Mac C. THE HAMMER is still my favorite Falcon of all time.
I love this throwbacks and wish they would keep using them. Regardless I bought mine a few weeks ago and can’t wait to lose my voice at the dome this weekend.
GO FALCONS!!!!!
richbrave
September 17th, 2009
3:32 pm
Article in today’s TIMES-DISGUST about EL SID. Evidently the home folks here in RICHMOND don’t have much to crow over where his play in ATLANTA is concerned. To paraphrase his quote, “I’ve got a lot to learn.” From the silent response on this blog to my queries about him and AARON KELLY, that’s evidently true. Anybody got anything to say on the subject?
Rev Blake
September 17th, 2009
3:42 pm
The uniforms are ugly and I don’t care. I’ll cheer them on whether they wear those or choose to keep their current uniforms. For me, it’s football and not a fashion show.
richbrave
September 17th, 2009
4:04 pm
Wear the cheesy retro garb. Who gives a rip anyway! It’s what the club does in them during the game that counts anyway.
David
September 17th, 2009
4:17 pm
The old uniforms look better then the space ghost logo they have now. The Falcons need to go back to their old logo.
Steve Bartkowski's Knee Cartledge (RIP)
September 17th, 2009
4:25 pm
Don’t forget, the very first kickoff for those 1966 Falcons, our kicker wiffed on the ball. It was a bad omen for my favorite team (I was just about to be born that season) and we had our first 1,000 rusher a few years later…stopped the game, gave him the game ball…game resumes and he loses 4 yards, never to get them back in the game/season. We still have never had back to back winning seasons, and only one SB appearance. I still love them, but I do wish we had fielded much better teams and had at least accomplished something in the history of the team.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
September 17th, 2009
4:38 pm
Rain forced the Falcons inside today. Jason Elam kicked after being listed on the injury report with a hamstring. SS Wm Moore had a full practice.
jim
September 17th, 2009
4:42 pm
what’s with the sellout atricle? I went on ticketmaster and was able to get tickets in many different sections….
Freddie from Carolina
September 17th, 2009
4:45 pm
Poll Question choices not very good ones…why can’t jake throw 0, 1, or 2 picks. The Falcons had a good first game, but Carolina ate them up last season, so let’s not throw Jake off the cliff just yet.
It’s possible to recover from a bad game, or do you expect Turner to gain 33, 22, 11, or no yards, because the Falcons will pass the ball 72 times?
Rocketman
September 17th, 2009
4:52 pm
With all the buzz about the uni’s, I hope they don’t forget this is a must win game for Carolina. You start out 0-2 with the schedule they have and it’s over before it gets started.
That team was embarrassed at home last week, which makes this a very dangerous game for the Falcons, throw in the all the distractions over uniforms and it becomes down right scary.
Let’s hope the guys stay focused and understand that this early division game is bigger this year than any year in the past.
Peace!
Trainwreck
September 17th, 2009
5:00 pm
Yeah I am excited about the game and the Uni’s but I really like the uni’s we have now. I wouldn’t want them to change to the old school ones permanently, it’s just a nice change. I LOVE the All-Black ones too btw.
WhiteHotBleedOrange
September 17th, 2009
5:33 pm
LOVE the throwbacks!!! When I was a 5th grader at Northside Elementary School in Johnson City, TN and played football I had a Falcons #2 jersey that I practiced in. It looked just like the one Matt is wearing in the picture. Anyone know who wore that jersey back in 68-69 when I was sportin’ it??
ddawgdavis
September 17th, 2009
5:36 pm
As a season ticket holder since the final year of the Atlanta Fulton County Stadium (oooo touch me and yes I do want a cookie) this is exciting and yes I am about to suggest it. Black Out the Dome against the Panthers???
Cliche, but whose doing it in the NFL these days??? KC Chiefs?
Ledbetter you could get some glory if you start it now!!!!!!
Black Out the Dome!
Falconsforlife
September 17th, 2009
5:46 pm
Black outs are for college teams.
We don’t need a gimic. Just win baby.
Marine-N-Afghanistan
September 17th, 2009
7:24 pm
I agree with Trainwreck. I am excited about the game, year, team, & Uni’s, but I love our current ones. I would love to see the throwbacks at least once a year like in the 75th Anniversary year of the NFL. That was a great year to see all the old jerseys, but The Black on Black are GTG!!! See yall Falcons-Bills game, hopefully I’ll be back in the states then. Go Falcons!
BlackTalon
September 17th, 2009
7:35 pm
I like the throw back uni`s for a change, going to wear my throw back cap for the occasion.
Abe, Ryan and Turner look tough wearing those digs.
Not as tough as Tommy McDonald did when he sported the same, dude did not even wear a face mask.
Randy
September 17th, 2009
8:09 pm
The first Falcon ever is still the best ever……Tommy Nobis. Don’t even argue the point unless you saw him play.
BAMADAWG
September 17th, 2009
8:23 pm
Best looking uniforms in the NFL. Don’t go back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LUV that helmet!!!
BlackTalon
September 17th, 2009
8:26 pm
Randy, Nobis was a great one no doubt, he should be in the HOF but had the un-lucky break of playing for the upstart Falcons and he played in the same era of Butkus, Nitche and Huff.
It would be hard to say he was better than those guys, being as good as he was.
Yes, I saw all of them play.
That said, it`s hard to argue against Dieon Sanders.
The best cornerback of his era and it`s no doubt, he will be the first Falcon inducted into the HOF.
A.D.
September 17th, 2009
8:32 pm
How about GA Tech geeks getting their butt kicked by the freshman qb from Miami??? Does Ga Tech even know what a forward pass means??? Wow, running a high school offense, lol. Oh by the way, Throwbacks look great! Go Falcons!!!
BlackTalon
September 17th, 2009
8:52 pm
AD, if anyone wants the template on how to kick the stuffings out of the Termites?
Just go back and watch what LSU did to them in last years bowl game.
sportaree
September 17th, 2009
11:31 pm
Enter your comments here While we are on the throwback subject, about 16 years ago I got home from work, went into the bedroom and saw an old lamp on my bedside table. My wife wanted to surprise me and boy did she. She said she bought it at a yard sale. Can any of you ole timers tell me how old it might be or if you have seen one like it? It has a brown wood grain base, a life size helmet with ear holes black Falcon emblems outlined in white, black stripe down the middle, with two white stripes,white facemask with chin strap snaps, two horizonal bars,two verticle bars,medium brown lampshade, 32″-34″ tall. Thanks for any help. My pregame ritual is to touch that old Falcon on the helmet and say “ok boys lets go”.
cwf081166
September 18th, 2009
12:25 am
Enter your comments here FALCONS60 You will be hard pressed to find any picture of a Falcons helment with a gold strip from the 60s or the 70s,(even on their website)because there aren’t any or gold strip for that matter.I found writen in one sporting magazine from the 1977 season that the Falcons team colors were red, black and old gold and these helments or unforms for that matter are the first time I have ever seen any of the gold at all.It is funny this is the first time I have ever heard anyone say anything about the gold strip and now everone remembers it.I guess you remember the score to the first Falcon Saints game played Sunday Oct 16, 1966
FalconFan60
September 18th, 2009
2:43 am
cwf081166 you must not be looking in the right place. If you read anything about Falcon history and the beginnings of the franchise you’ll find mention of the gold stripes. If you would order a red mini helmet you would see gold stripes.
The reason that magazine from 1977 doesn’t mention the gold as part of the official colors is because the gold was dropped before the Falcons changed the jersey color to red in 1971. As a matter of fact I have a poster of Tommy Nobis from 1966 or 1967 and you can plainly see the gold stripe. As I mentioned before the website isn’t always correct.
And for your information, New Orleans didn’t start playing until the 1967 season. On October 16, 1966 the Falcons lost to San Francisco 44-7. The first game against the Sainst was November 20, 1967 and the Falcons lost 27-24.
The fact of the matter is the team colors when the franchise started were red, white, black, and old gold. The gold was to appease Georgia Tech fans due to the fact that the uniforms looked so much like UGA.
FalconFan60
September 18th, 2009
2:48 am
WhiteHotBleedOrange until Matt Ryan chose #2 only two players in Falcon history have worn that number, Clarence Verdin in 1994 and Todd Peterson in 2005.
FalconFan60
September 18th, 2009
3:13 am
cwf081166, if you’ll go to http://www.helmethut.com and click the NFL button you can then click on Falcons and see an authentic reproduction of Tommy Nobis’ 1966 helmet. Here is the accompanying text:
Tommy Nobis was the Falcon’s very first draft pick as an expansion team in 1966. This 1966 helmet is an exact copy of the one he wore and even includes the gold stripes which were added to the original team colors to appease the Georgia Tech alumni. They initially felt slighted because the original team colors were copied from the University of Georgia color scheme.
There is also a book that was written by Furman Bisher of the AJC you may be able to find on Ebay. It’s a pretty in depth history of the Falcons up to around the 1972 or 1973 season. It’s called ‘The Atlanta Falcons: Violence and Victory and is available on Amazon.com.
ddawgdavis
September 18th, 2009
8:47 am
Relax Falconsforlife, have you been to a game in the Dome?? It’s all a gimic. The NFL is a gimic, except the play on the field! A black-out in the NFL for 70,000+ would be fun………Of course we would have to clear that with the “Ford Drive Zone” or the Verizon stupid give-away or the Quikrete sack of poop.
A black out would be cool in the Dome, because it would be a good showing of support for the players and the opposite team would be like WTF??
Just don’t abuse it.
PUMA
September 18th, 2009
12:32 pm
Make the uniforms permanent!!! I am not a huge fan of the new ones, and seeing that old Falcon logo, makes me feel like a kid again. Just don’t bring back the 80’s unis
From: PROFOOTBALLTALK.COM
September 18th, 2009
1:30 pm
This wasn’t Ryan’s best game either. His accuracy was off at times, especially deep to Roddy White. But Atlanta’s flexible offensive approach allowed him to put up 229 yards and two scores on a mediocre afternoon.
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/features/column.aspx?sport=NFL&columnid=57&articleid=33685&pg=1
“MEDIOCRE”………..That’s hilarius!
Rob
September 20th, 2009
11:09 am
This is Awesome!! It is about time……..Steve Bartkowski, William Andrews, Gerald Riggs, Tommy Nobis, Billy White Shoes Johnson, Scott Case, Mike Kenn, Open up the Georgia Dome and bring the weather at Atlanta Fulton County Stadium.
HC1
September 20th, 2009
11:27 am
Enter your comments here
Thanks for the memories! GO FALCONS !!!!!!
Joe Bell
September 20th, 2009
11:31 am
The Falcons should go back to their traditional uniforms (red helmets, old logo, red or black jerseys with white pants) for 2010. The current logo looks very much like an Arena League creation.
Matt
September 20th, 2009
12:11 pm
These uni’s are much better than the current goofy Arena-league uni’s. Why not consider changing back? Old ones have much cleaner lines, classier design; black shirts look good with red helmets.
Dr. R
September 20th, 2009
12:34 pm
So the uniforms are more important that the game, is that what the AJC is saying? Will someone tell me when the sports department was taken over by the fashion reporters? I’m sorry, but most of us are men and we ARE concerned with the score and the game, not what fab outfits they happen to be wearing. And if that was written by a man, I suggest you grow one already.
will clarke
September 21st, 2009
2:59 pm
Enter your comments here I vote for the throwback uniforms to become permanent. Much cleaner and classier than that all black thug look. (werent they designed by some grade school girl) . Lose the arena football look, get professional by getting traditional. As for the cheerleaders, they can wear whatever they want but may want to lose the white go-go boots.