Is this the best Falcons team ever? It’s definitely in the hunt
Oh, those dirty, dirty Birds: Jamal Anderson and Dan Reeves dance in the Metrdome. (AJC file photo)
Jeff Van Note arrived as a Falcon three years after the Falcons came into being. As a player (All-Pro center) and an announcer (color commentator on the team’s radio broadcasts), he has seen every Falcons team worth seeing and many more that were not. And if you ask the grizzled Van Note if the 2010 installment is the best team this franchise, in its 45th season of operation, has ever known, he says:
“I think that would be correct.”
For all the losing seasons this club has endured, there was one shining moment in January 1999 when play-by-play man Jeff Hullinger could intone, without fear of contraction, “The Falcons are going to the Super Bowl!” And sitting beside Hullinger that day in the Minneapolis Metrodome was one Jeff Van Note, who could be heard yelling over the call as Morten Andersen’s overtime field goal sailed true.
Obvious question: These Falcons are better than those Falcons?
Van Note: “I don’t want to take anything away from the ‘98 team. That team was very well-assembled and had big-play potential … [But] I think this team might be a little better defensively.”
Jessie Tuggle was the middle linebacker on the 1998 Falcons, who finished the regular season 14-2 and who stunned the 15-1 Vikings to take the NFC title. He disagrees, if slightly, with Van Note regarding the respective defenses. Said Tuggle: “We had myself, a Pro Bowler, and [defensive end] Chuck Smith and [cornerback] Ray Buchanan and [safety] Eugene Robinson. Overall we might have had more talent on that side of the ball.”
This should not, however, be taken to mean that Tuggle considers his ‘98 team superior to this bunch. “That was a special team,” he said. “But this team is just as special as we were.”
The numbers are fairly similar. Those Falcons started 5-2 and didn’t lose again until falling to Denver in Super Bowl XXXIII. These Falcons started 4-2 and haven’t lost since. The ‘98 Falcons ranked fourth in the NFL in both points scored and yielded; the 2010 team ranks fifth and seventh, respectively. The ‘98 Falcons were seventh in total offense and eighth in total defense; this team stands ninth and 17th.
One difference: The ‘98 Falcons won only three regular-season games against teams that finished above .500; as Van Note notes, this team has won five.
Van Note: “I think this team is better overall. I’ve always been taught that the goal is to get it to the fourth quarter with a chance to win, and this team does that … They do all the little things: The third-down conversions; the defense that keeps the score down even if it gives up yards; they don’t get penalized; they make good adjustments; they play good field-position football, which is vitally important; it’s a very well-coached team that plays 60 minutes.”
As regards overall excellence in Falcons annals, there aren’t many other points of comparison. The 1980 team finished 12-4 but revealed an inherent defensive weakness in the fourth quarter of its playoff opener against Dallas. The 2004 team went 11-5 and played for the NFC title but did only one thing — run the ball — better than the NFL average. The feel-good 2008 team finished 11-5 despite having the NFL’s ninth-worst defense.
Loading ...The Falcons’ offense in 1998 was predicated on Jamal Anderson thumping — he rushed for 1,846 yards on 410 carries — and Chris Chandler throwing long off play-action. This offense has a better wide receiver in Roddy White, a better tight end in Tony Gonzalez and, believes the former lineman Van Note, a better O-line.
At issue is whether these Falcons can defend at a Super Bowl level. Said Tuggle: “They had questions at linebacker and in the secondary coming into the season, but they’ve put it together. [Cornerback] Brent Grimes — he’s a playmaker. There’s something about winning that breeds confidence. Grimes might be playing above his head at the moment, but he’s making plays.”
That’s another factor, perhaps the biggest factor, shared by the Falcons of 1998 and 2010: The more they played/play, the better they got/get. Tuggle again: “It’s a game of momentum, and right now the Atlanta Falcons have it … It’s tangible. It’s in the body language, the belief in yourself.”
And if these Falcons do grace Super Bowl XLV, they’ll need only dip into team history to learn how not to handle a big event. Recalling Robinson’s arrest for solicitation on Super Bowl eve in Miami, Tuggle laughed and said: “If they get there this time, Arthur [Blank, the owner] might lock every door in the hotel himself.”
By Mark Bradley
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223 comments Add your comment
Tommy
December 17th, 2010
12:08 pm
It’s tough to say if this team is better than the 1980 team as the game has changed so much. The ‘80 team might still rate an edge, as rules were more favorable to defense back then, and Bartkowski’s 31TDs were more of an accomplishment then vs. today. That said, I think the 2010 and 1980 teams both rank ahead of the ‘98 team, which was a one-year wonder that had the help of a fortuitous schedule. Remember that in ‘99, as soon as Jamal Anderson blew out his knee the team tanked. The Dimitroff-Smith Falcons look like they’ll be contenders until at least 2015 or so.
To take this a step farther, here are the top 10 Falcons teams:
1. 1980
2. 2010 (pending)
3. 1998
4. 1991 (the 2 legit 2 quit team that beat the Saints in the Superdome–still my sentimental favorite)
5. 2002–beat Favre and the Packers at Lambeau field in the playoffs
6. 2004–benefitted from an easy schedule, but man did they roll the Rams in the playoffs
7. 1978
8. 2008
9. 1995
10. 1973
Connecticut Falcons Fan
December 17th, 2010
12:15 pm
Tommy, can you elaborate on the 73 team? I remember looking up the Falcons’ seasons (because I couldn’t believe they’d never have back to back winning seasons) and was struck by a 3 season stretch in the early 70s in which they were pretty good–.500 or better–but it was pre-Gritz Blitz, pre-Bartkowski, etc…just curious about those early 70s teams…
Always Injrued
December 17th, 2010
12:35 pm
Hard to say where the 2010 Falcons rank just yet,,, that 1980 team was very good,,,,
Headley Lamar
December 17th, 2010
12:39 pm
One thing is for sure.
This is the greatest 3 year run in Falcons history. Hands down.
Also the ‘98 team was kind of a one or two year thing.
These Falcons are built for the long haul.
Ted M
December 17th, 2010
12:41 pm
The Falcons of 1980 & 1998 were both flukes. They stunk before and after each season which is not the sign of a great team. I’ll take a good stable team that wins for a few yrs any day.
LawDawg
December 17th, 2010
12:50 pm
Tuggle makes a good point. The 1998 defense had more high-end talent and no current Falcons D player is nearly as good as Tuggle or Ray-Ray in his prime, but the 2010 defense is much deeper in my humble opinion. Offensively, it is no contest. Better QB, RB (if only slightly), and O-Line.
Also, the team rankings may not look as good, but the division is much better and the Falcons schedule is much harder in 2010 than 1998 largely because the division is better and the 2009 record put them against tougher competition than the 1997 record based on the NFL’s strange way of scheduling games.
LawDawg
December 17th, 2010
12:50 pm
Ted M: good point, also the fact that they were so bad in 1997 helped the 1998 schedule, unlike the 2010 schedule.
GSU Eagle 91
December 17th, 2010
12:59 pm
The 1980 team was the best team in the NFL…So said Howard Cosell…But Too Tall Jones falling into a 3rd down run to destroy the play, and Danny White resembling Joe Montana for a quarter was enough to beat us that day in Jan 1981…I watched this game recently on DVD and it still hurts just as much now as it did then…Wow…
The 1998 team faced a juggernaut in the 98 Broncos…and the disaster with Eugene Robinson distracted the team as I remember how flat and uninspiring they played in the first half…
I’m ready to give this team their due….But I feel we will have to play the Patriots if we can will the NFC…Tom Brady vs our pass defense…not a good match-up for the Falcons….
Ross
December 17th, 2010
12:59 pm
The 73 season was a catastrophe of ups and final downs. They had been middling and suddenly became good – e.g. a 62-7 thumping of New Orleans – without having many stars. They beat the vaunted 9-0 Vikings (went 12-2 and to the SB) on Monday Night Football in Atlanta 20-14 (remember Eddie Ray?). They beat the other NFC power, the 6-1 Rams (went 12-2), on five field goals and no TDs. They platooned Dick Shiner and Bob Lee at QB. Eventually the offense collapsed and we dropped 2 of 3 at the end, including a loss to the very bad Cardinals, and missed the playoffs.
tankdonovan
December 17th, 2010
1:05 pm
The 1980 team, I think may have been the best. The lose to Dallas was a number of things. 1. 4th quarter “prevent defense”. 2. Number 12 Roger Staubach.
It took me months to get over that loss. All the years of following the birds and they gave it away.
That team was the best in the NFL in 1980. Is this team the best in the NFL this year?
Dr. Warren
December 17th, 2010
1:06 pm
@Tommy: Glad someone remembered the ‘73 team. I was 6 and I still do. The General Bob Lee leading us for a big win against Minnesota on Monday Night with Howard and Dandy Don in the booth is probably my earliest pro football memory. Isn’t that when Cosell accidentally called us the Atlantic Falcons?
Ted M
December 17th, 2010
1:07 pm
LawDawg – Yep that right, thanks for pointing that out I hadn’t thought of that.
Rico as in Puerto
December 17th, 2010
1:14 pm
Joe Tess Fish House you are the by product of two parents on drugs so I stopped blaming you for the stupid things you say. Merry Christmas though! Everyone else just ignore him
NoSsherlock
December 17th, 2010
1:22 pm
Wow Mark the headline of this article is profound. You mean this team measures up with the other TWO great seasons. OF COURSE ITS IN THE MIX!!!!! Man oh man if this paper wasnt such a pathetic rag noone in the sports department would have a job in a major market. Can anyone start writing some articles with a tad bit of chutzpah for once???
Lots of choices right now. Constantly berating the worst coach in sport’s history (Blewitt). Calling out Dunte for being at best the 2nd best corner on the team (personallyi think its time to bench him for a game and see if that will make him respond). Calling out VanGorder for constantly rushing 3 on 3rd and long. Writing articles on how CLEARLY the NBA is rigged. Has been for at least ten years.
Anyway keep up the good work Mark. I will be sure to read your next article. I mean the headline only as usual.
F-105 Thunderchief
December 17th, 2010
1:35 pm
Um, Mr. Donovan, sir, Danny White quarterbacked that Cowboys team.
Always Injrued
December 17th, 2010
1:40 pm
Joe Tess Fish House parents blew pot smoke in his face when he was 2
Sarge on the Coast
December 17th, 2010
1:43 pm
They are not as good Yet……they have the oppertunity to be better.
falconeer
December 17th, 2010
1:50 pm
Quick, what two teams beat the falcons in 1998?
falconeer
December 17th, 2010
1:53 pm
i won, the Jets and the 49ers. The jets blew out the Steve DeBerg led falcons that day…
what a memorable season 1998 was. I remember watching every game that year. From the first game against Carolina, the NFC Championship game against the vikings cheering at the top of my lungs when Mort made the FG in overtime, to the let down in the super bowl. If only we had bob christian that day instead of the Koz at FB. Bob was a key player; the Ovie Mughelli of his day. I say the 1998 team is the best, but that is only because i was 17 in 1998. lol I didn’t get to see the team in 1980.
falconeer
December 17th, 2010
1:56 pm
the 49ers gave us a butt whopping that year too, and we destroyed the patriots that year and some guy name OJ Santiago did some wierd bird flapping during that game that I enjoyed at the time…
Ross
December 17th, 2010
1:58 pm
Hey where is my post on the 1973 Falcons? An infamous season which could come to pass now..Ok I’ll knock it off with the negative waves
falconeer
December 17th, 2010
1:59 pm
Then back to reality came for every falcon fan. Everyone mocking us and doing the ‘dirty bird’ Does anyone remember that game in 1999 in the Georgia Dome when some team returned an INT into a touchdown and they started doing the dirty bird and I think it was Ray Buchanon or someone else pile drived that guy into the ground and got ejected???? That was the loudest I cheered in 1999 other than going to the last game and watching Tim Dwight have a monster night receiving and returning against the 49ers. I loved watching that kid.
MountainMan
December 17th, 2010
1:59 pm
The turning point in the 1980 game with Dallas was when Staubach was knocked out of the game. Danny White came in and tore up the Falcons defense. Staubach was not having a good day.
Puma
December 17th, 2010
2:02 pm
No disrespect to ‘98 team, but there was a degree of luck that went into that team being good, I mean come on, Chris Chandler was not a franchise quarterback. This 2010 team is far superior if for no other reason than it is built to win over a prolonged period of time. How good were the ‘99 Falcons??
Ross
December 17th, 2010
2:03 pm
Here I’ll post it again
The 73 team was the highest high followed by the lowest low. The season began with a 62-7 whupping of the Saints that might still be the most fun I’ve ever had as a football fan. We beat the two best teams in the NFL, the Rams at 6-1 15-13 on 5 FGs, and the Vikings at 9-0 20-14 on a touchdown pass to Eddie Ray from Bob Lee – on Monday Night Football in Atlanta – a zoo! Lee and Dick Shiner were platooned at QB, but the season came to be identified with “Bob Lee’s Legions”. We were a lock for the playoffs but lost two of the last three, one a blowout to an awful Cardinals team, and missed out. The offense collapsed down the stretch.
falconeer
December 17th, 2010
2:04 pm
I cheered the loudest in ‘99 when some defender picked 6 chandler and started mocking us with the dirty bird and one of the receivers pile drived him in the end zone and got ejected…Anyone remember that???
Ross
December 17th, 2010
2:04 pm
This is a strange blog. Discussion of the 73 Falcons is not allowed apparently! Two posts about that season have vanished into space..
LLOYD CHRISTMAS
December 17th, 2010
2:05 pm
THE MAN spends all of his efforts just trying to keep Joe Tess down. The Fish House got a 33 from the health department.
P Rose
December 17th, 2010
2:12 pm
The 1980 team was the best. They should have won that playoff game against Dallas. They had a lead late in the fourth quarter, but Leeman Bennett chose to be conservative on offense, then punt, then go “prevent” defense, allowing Danny White to pick the defense apart for the winning score. That wasn’t the players’ fault; it was the coach’s. Best team ever, but not the best coached.
gdawginkalamazoo
December 17th, 2010
2:19 pm
I hope this team is better at finding the hookers than that 98′ team. IMO that cost them the game.
Biggdawg33
December 17th, 2010
2:27 pm
I was a little kid watching that Falcon loss to the Cowboys and that has me still hating the Cowgirls to this day. The 98 team was special and I do believe they could have handled any of the other above .500 teams. That defense was stout, but everyone knew the NFL would not let Saint John Elway lose to the lowly Falcons in the big game. But this 2010 team has alot of moxie. Would love to have the 2010 offense with the 98 defense.
Always Injrued
December 17th, 2010
2:27 pm
Win the game,, then find the Hookers
Eric B.
December 17th, 2010
2:30 pm
1998
1980
2010
1973
Eric B.
December 17th, 2010
2:32 pm
And, will somebody put Tommy Nobis in the Hall of Fame please!
Ben
December 17th, 2010
2:46 pm
I’m too young to remember the 1980 team. I do remember 1998 quite clearly though. History hasn’t been fair to the 1998 Falcons. Everybody remembers the flop in the Super Bowl, but nobody remembers the season of big plays they made to get there. That defense was kinda like the Saints of last season where they just stepped up with game breaking plays in clutch moments. Mathis and Martin had equally monstrous numbers as Randy Moss and Chris Carter that year too. All that was forgotten because of they were caught in the headlights against the Broncos.
In terms of skill and playmaking ability, that 1998 team was the best, but thatt team wasn’t built for the long haul though the way this 2010 team is. There were a lot of aging veterans and journeymen free agents who put it all together and had career years at the same time. That team had no franchise QB like we do now, the WR’s were either old or weren’t signed long term. and the defense was near retirement or passed their prime.
Today, not only is the offense set up for the future and under contract, but the defense is still young and growing (with the exception of Abraham and Peterson).
In a nutshell, 1998 Falcons were the best Falcons team ever, but the 2010 Falcons have a much better chance of sustaining their success long term.
P Rose
December 17th, 2010
2:49 pm
The Ballad of Jed Clampett, a/k/a/ Rankin Smith
Let me tell you all a story about a man named Jed
Poor millionaire barely kept his players fed
Then one day he was shootin’ at some food
When up from the house came a-runnin’ his brood
“Pa!” they yelled. “We’re in! Cowboys, too!”
Well the first thing you know, ol’ Jed the millionaire’s
Kin folks said, “Jed, move away from there”
Said “Fulton County is the place we ought-a be”
So they loaded up the truck and they drove to Capitol Street
Hillbillies, they were
Dallas won
Season lost
gdawginkalamazoo
December 17th, 2010
3:10 pm
Always Injured…. Win the game and the hookers will find you….
gdawginkalamazoo
December 17th, 2010
3:14 pm
Just don’t come up with some stupid dance or music video. The 85′ Bears were the only team that could do that and back it up.
gdawginkalamazoo
December 17th, 2010
3:15 pm
This thing is quieter than a Tech blog. Helloooooo! Echo echo echo.
P Rose
December 17th, 2010
3:23 pm
gdawginkalamazoo, you’re right; what’s up with that? chirp… chirp (crickets)… chirp…
Falcon Jim
December 17th, 2010
3:33 pm
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM
The sound of fireworks during the parade down Peachtree ! ! ! !
Chubbyboy
December 17th, 2010
3:38 pm
The 2010 Falcons front 7 defensively is not as good as the 1980 defense. I beleive Al Ricardson or Joel Williams lead the league in sacks that year and Buddy Curry was anchoring one of the inside linebacker spots along with Fulton Kuykendall in the 3-4…The nose tackle was Don Smith and the ends were Merrow and Yeates. The secondary was suspect with Glazebrook and Pridemore at the safeties and Kenny Johnson and Roland Lawrence at the corners. That team should have been very good for several years considering no one on that defense was over the age of 29…But unfortunately Leeman Bennett was the head coach, need I say more..
Hard to say the 2010 Falcons offense is better than the 1980 team…A 1,000 yard back in William Andrews and Lynn Cain ran for over 900 yards that year…Receivers were deeper in Wallace Francis and Alfred Jenkins along with Action Jackson…Junior Miller was a good tight end that could catch and block. The O-Line had two All-pros in Van Note and Mike Kenn and I beleive RC Theilemann made All-Pro one year…
The difference between the two teams is definitely in coaching…
Whopper Dawg
December 17th, 2010
3:40 pm
1980 team was better than both referenced teams. Best team in the NFL that year, shame on the coaches for throwing that game away to Dallas.
Answer man.
December 17th, 2010
3:45 pm
I like these Falcons. They’re a lot like this year’s Auburn Tigers. War Eagle!
Tony Geinzer
December 17th, 2010
3:47 pm
I would only say that these Dirty Birds would only be better than 98, which was fun and different, if they won the Super Bowl and I want Matty Ice to Ice this College Town’s Super Bowl! Bring back the Red Helmets!
Rockdale Falcon
December 17th, 2010
4:01 pm
No way to rank teams that are 20, 10 years in the past with this current Falcon team. Too many variables such as strength of schedules, opposing teams in playoffs, etc. Obviously they were/are all good in their own time frame. Also, its too early for a final decision on this team depending on how they do in the playoffs.
Old Dawg
December 17th, 2010
4:09 pm
Everything about this team is better than the 1998 and 1980 version, except the uniforms, which stink to high heaven. The uniforms worn during the Glanville and Reeves era were classic, as were the original and 1980s.
As Terry Bradshaw said when the current unis were announced, “they’re butt ugly!”
MountainDawg
December 17th, 2010
4:11 pm
Good article…hard to answer. All 3 teams were solid & had “best” traits. Obviously, the jury’s still out on the 2010 team, so I’ll await season’s end before I can do a (fair) full comparison.
Devoted Reader
December 17th, 2010
4:14 pm
Howabout that genius Eugene Robinson, and his $40.00 hooker offer?
Farnsworth
December 17th, 2010
4:16 pm
Who cares? The NFL is boring. When’s spring training start?