Is this the best Falcons team ever? It’s definitely in the hunt

Take that rawdawg!

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Dang I hit the wrong button. They got to get there first.

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Dang 5th

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I do think this is the best overall team in franchise history. However, I sure would like to bring back the ‘77 Gritz Blitz defense. They only allowed about 9 points per game. This defensive unit needs to step up considerably to match that unit. Times are good in the ATL though. Go Falcons!

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Poor Eugene… lol

On a serious note, if we get back there, I want the team to act like they belong, even if a lot of people feel like they don’t.

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I was a little young for the 1980 team but I believe they had the #1 seed? That being said, yes, they did collapse in that game vs Dallas (it was on ESPN Classic last year and still broke my heart!) I have to agree that the 2010 Falcons are better than ‘98. This team reminds me of the Patriots of the early 2000s: they win close games, yes they get some breaks, and they underwhelm you…but at the end of the day they keep making plays and not mistakes and winning. If–a big if–they get homefield, I like their odds to win 2 home games and then take on an overrated AFC team on a neutral field. Yes, I said, the AFC is overrated. The balance of power shifted to the NFC 3 years ago.

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That being said, I also wouldn’t be surprised if these team was one and done (even with the #1 seed). The NFC is so tough, it’s certainly believable that any one of several teams (Saints, Eagles, Giants) could come into the dome and get a win. And lest we forget, that ‘98 team also had a nail-biter vs San Fran in the first round (a game we dominated early but let them back into…eerily familiar now that I think about it…although I also recall a bad call on a fumble that would’ve put the game away early…)

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As an original Falcons fan and who has seen them all, I keep waiting for the Falcons to revert back to old habits and do something stupid. But these guys are different and they are as fun to watch as that Super Bowl team and the 1980 team. Just keep the pedal to the metal and hope we don’t have to witness a playoff return to the dome from old number 7.

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Let’s see what transpires before we jump to any conclusions. Meanwhile, GO FALCONS!!

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I don’t think the defense is quite up to the standard of 98 yet. I do think they are becoming better.

I had no idea that Abe was 3rd in the NFL with 11 sacks.

The Linebackers are youthful for the most part (sorry Mike Pete) but they are making plays.

The Secondary is still a little young at safety, but the corners are every bit as good as Ray Buchannan and company. They tackle very well at the CB position.

The offense isn’t close to being as explosive, but they move the chains, one of the biggest assets is keeping the Falcon defense rested on the sidelines.

The by far best part of this year is that they are playing fundamentally sound football and the ceiling of this group is ridiculously high. They are still building this team and they are winning tough close games.

Love this Falcons team.

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good stuff Bradley… one big comparison left to compare here… coaching staffs. To whom do you give the edge? I have to say 2010… just the way Smitty preaches the little things, 4th quarter etc… Reeves was a good coach… but Smith is acending while 98 was Reeves swan song of sorts.

Thoughts?

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1980: After a 3-3 start the Falcons fly off to an amazing nine game winning streak as Quarterback Steve Bartkowski has a career season passing for 3,544 yards while connecting on 31 Touchdown passes, as the Falcons won their first ever division Championship. Despite a 20-17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on the road in overtime in their final game, which dropped them to 12-4 the Falcons, would earn home field through out the playoffs. Playing before 60,022 fans at Fulton County Stadium the Falcons lead the Dallas Cowboys 24-10 in the 4th Quarter. However, the Cowboys would score 20 points to stun the Falcons 30-27.

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As god as my witness, I was sure the prevent defense was the best way to go.

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Mark, what is Kurt Kitner doing these days?

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Pefect Walker TR…. great metaphor. And CZJ was the ish back in 98.

and glad you didn’t name yourself Dr. Quinn, Medice Woman, Ricky Bobby would have torn you up

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The Falcons of 1998 proved to be the Falcons of reputation; they lost the SB grand fashion then went 5-11 in 1999.

If the Falcons go 5-11 next year then we’re the same old Falcons but I don’t think so…so this team is a lot better even if they don’t make the SB.

NO more one year wonders!

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As a longtime Falcon fan, I have plenty of company in being cautiously optimistic about this year’s team. We all hope that this year will be the year, but we are afraid that we will see a 1980 type of disappointment. We will watch them with our full support no matter what happens and hope we see this team blow through the fog of what might happen to what will happen and we all can enjoy the Lombardi Trophy. Then they will be be the best team ever. Great timing on article, Mark and well written.

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It may or may not be the best Falcons team ever, but it is definitely the best Falcons organization ever. (Organization = Coach + Owner + General Manager)

(You know the Dawgs had a bad season when a Dawg fan like me is interested in what the Falcons are doing.)

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I would rank this team the best since 1980. That was the team that should have won the Super Bowl that year, no one was even close. Too bad they laid back in the second half and let the Cowboys take one from them.
The 1998 team is up there because they went to the Super Bowl, but I would rank the 98 team third.

Order of best Falcon Teams in my opinion, depending upon final results:
2010 Falcons
1980 Falcons
1998 Falcons

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The 1980 playoff game was lost because the officials allowed Ed Jones to skip in the neutral zone down the line of scrimmage, with no penalty called, with the Falcons third and two needing a first down to run the clock out. I destroyed a wicker coffee table shortly thereafter. Then our defense couldn’t hold because. .well, Lawrence and Byas couldn’t cover my five-year-old grandson.

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1980 team was awesome and very talented, but the 1998 Falcons dominated other teams.

98 Falcons ran the ball well, Chandler was very precise, the offense controlled the clock and that defense took away alot of balls. Special teams was also excellent and Reeves always had a trick play at the right time.

2010 Falcons are not quite up to that level yet, which is good because they have the potential to get even better.

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1980 team was the best ever. Should have won the superbowl with that team. Leaman shouldn’t have gone to the prevent defense. AAaaaaaauuuuuugggggghhhhhhhh!!!!!!

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Joe Tess——What is your evidence for Matt Ryan getting worse? If a guy finds a way to win then how can he be getting worse? Look at his play, in the fourth quarter, against Tampa Bay. Did he not lead the Falcons down the field and to the win? Against Carolina, the team was up BIG so why would they throw the ball? Just because you want to believe Matt isn’t the right quartback doesn’t mean he isn’t the right quarterback. You just keep making one moronic statement after the next, with no evidence to back it up!

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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…

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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.

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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.

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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….

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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?

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LawDawg – Yep that right, thanks for pointing that out I hadn’t thought of that.

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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.

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Joe Tess Fish House parents blew pot smoke in his face when he was 2

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Quick, what two teams beat the falcons in 1998?

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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…

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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.

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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??

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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???

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THE MAN spends all of his efforts just trying to keep Joe Tess down. The Fish House got a 33 from the health department.

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I hope this team is better at finding the hookers than that 98′ team. IMO that cost them the game.

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Win the game,, then find the Hookers

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And, will somebody put Tommy Nobis in the Hall of Fame please!

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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

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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.

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gdawginkalamazoo, you’re right; what’s up with that? chirp… chirp (crickets)… chirp…

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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…

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I like these Falcons. They’re a lot like this year’s Auburn Tigers. War Eagle!

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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.

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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.

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Who cares? The NFL is boring. When’s spring training start?

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I like the list that Tommy posted on the first page. My own top ten is pretty similar:

# 1 = 1980. They choked in the final five minutes and broke our hearts. But they had a whole lot of talent, plus depth as good as any future Falcons team in spite of NFL rosters having only 45 players in those days. I think that most of us who watched both teams first hand would give the 1980 bunch the edge. But it’s admittedly very, very close.

# 2 = 1998. Second best regular season record in the league that year. It’s really tough to put them # 2 instead of # 1, as they won our only conference title and had a better regular season record.

# 3 = 2010. Of course, this one gets the “pending” caveat as a work still in progress. Their postseason performance could put this year’s group over the top.

# 4 = 2004. Surprised? Take another look at this bunch, as they certainly deserve the kudos. They won the division title and were the # 2 seed in the conference. And they lived up to it in the postseason, making it to the NFC Championship game.

New coach Jim Mora and new GM Rich McKay completely rebuilt the secondary and overhauled the o-line on a shoestring budget. The result was a much improved pass defense and a lethal rushing attack.

2004 also deserves a little extra attention for its draft. While many (for example, Jeff Schultz – who thought McKay was responsible for the 2003 draft and refused to include Jason Snelling as part of the 2007 draft class even after the omission was pointed out to him) will disagree, I’ll contend that the 2004 draft was *THE* key first step in the foundation of the current Falcons roster.

It wasn’t just Michael Jenkins. DeAngelo Hall and Matt Schaub were traded for the draft picks that ultimately brought us Justin Blalock, Sam Baker, Garrett Reynolds, Vance Walker, and Harry Douglas.

In other words, 2004 wasn’t just a pretty good team. It was one whose legacy remains strong even six years down the road.

# 5 = 2008. 11-5 record and only a missed Saints field goal (in their season finale against the Panthers) from taking the NFC’s # 2 seed. This team obviously also had a serious impact going forward thanks to a strong draft and the acquisition of Michael Turner, so it deserves a top five berth. But it still had holes (particularly at DT) and made a quick exit from the postseason against an arguably lesser Arizona team, so # 5 is as high as this group gets.

# 6 = 1973. This forgotten team had the franchise on the verge of joining the league’s elite. They were the NFC’s # 5 seed, falling one win short of making the postseason. Alas, a disastrous trade and perhaps the worst draft of all time the following spring set the franchise back several years. (The silver lining of that 1974 collapse: Atlanta was able to draft Steve Bartkowski in the next draft.)

# 7 = 1991. Glanville’s bunch was fun, took the Falcons to the playoffs for the first time in over a decade with a 10-6 regular season record, and topped it off by beating the Saints in an outstanding wild card game.

Unfortunately they were in the midst of the Ken Herock draft years, so sustaining any momentum was well nigh impossible. Even if they hadn’t traded that QB they took in the second round, they were probably doomed thanks to other picks that became spectacular flops – such as Bruce Pickens, taken with the #3 overall pick that same year.

# 8 = 1978. The league’s #5 overall defense was more fun to watch in the late ’70s than the Falcons offense, and this group gave Atlanta its first ever postseason appearance plus a playoff win against Philadelphia in the wild card game.

They’d be higher up the list, but they had an utterly inept running game – featuring that almighty duo of Haskel Stanback and Bubba Bean. (How’s that for a frightening flashback!) Eddie LeBaron quickly addressed this deficiency. The Falcons drafted all three of William Andrews, Lynn Cain and James Mayberry the following spring, setting the stage for 1980.

# 9 = 2002. The youngsters might feel this bunch should be higher thanks to the playoff win over the Packers in Green Bay. But otherwise, this 9-6-1 team really wasn’t all that special. They ranked 14th in total offense and 19th in total defense. They didn’t win the division, and they squeaked into the playoffs as the # 6 seed.

# 10 = 1995. June Jones has his moment in the sun as an NFL coach. This group’s high octane chuck-and-duck offense had a 1000-yard rusher (Ironhead Heyward) and THREE different 1000-yard receivers (Eric Metcalf, Terrance Mathis and Bert Emanuel). But they barely squeaked into the playoffs with a 9-7 record, edging out the Chicago Bears for the third and final wild card spot – where the Packers promptly stomped them by a 37-20 score.

And even that was, of course, too good to be true. Ken Herock delivered a typical subpar Falcons draft that year and gave up the team’s first two picks of 1996 in trades – the first rounder as the last component of the Jeff George trade, and the second rounder to acquire safety Patrick Bates.

The team went 3-13 in 1996, and Jeff George and June Jones had their famous spat on national television. George was waived, Jones was fired, Herock was ousted, and Bates was arrested – all before the 1997 draft.

Honorable mention = 2009. It’s our only other winning season in franchise history. Sad but true.

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I think the 1998 team was maybe a little better overall, but there’s no comparison at QB. Matty Ice is far better than Crystal Chandler.

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BTW, until last month the last time the Falcons and Hawks had simultaneous five-game winning streaks was 1980!
Now:
Ryan vs. Chandler: Ryan
White vs. Terence Mathis: White
Turner vs. Jams: I gotta take Turner b/c Jams had one great year and was “poof” gone!
Gonzalez vs. Crumpler: No contest.
O-line vs. 1998 O-line: 2010 better, faster, meaner!
2010 is the better team b/c we know they won’t fold after this year as did the 80 and 98 teams.

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@ sawthatince

“They made a mistake in the playoffs when they knocked out Staubach.” His last year was 1979. ????

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Lets’ wait and rank em in February!

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Eric B
Tommy Nobis don’t need no Falcon Hall of Fame. He is on St. Peters SHORT LIST at the Pearly Gates.

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I have a FRIEND? WOW thanks. You LIKE ME!!! You Really LIKE ME!!! Thanks!

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The 1980 and 1998 teams weren’t exactly flukes, but they felt that way to me, because they represented the endless years of inconsistency that plagued the Falcons until the Smiths finally let go. There’s no question the 1980 team was exciting and good. I was thrilled the ‘98 Falcons made it to the SB, but wasn’t a bit surprised at the outcome.

I think the 2010 Falcons are capable of getting to the SB, legitimately. I don’t think they can win it this season. They’ve made it to 11 – 2 with talent, coaching, effort, and confidence. I just think they’re a couple of players away from being as “complete” as they need and plan to be.

Still…

How’s Matt Bryant feeling?

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Joe Tess… you are a liar! Get off this blog. You hate the Falcons for not signing Owens. What a nice job he has done for the Bengals. Go away, we don’t need your kind around here. Root for your own team and leave us alone you Maroon!

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Jamal Anderson of 98 was a BEAST! Id take him over Turner anyday. But besides that, you gotta love this 2010 team.

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JoeTess ur childish postings have gone beyond boring, I challenge MB to ban your stupid azz from his blogs. These Falcons have heart and a whole lot of. We won’t stop til we make the big dance.
GO BIRDS!!!

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‘I don’t think the defense is quite up to the standard of 98 yet. I do think they are becoming better. I had no idea that Abe was 3rd in the NFL with 11 sacks. The Linebackers are youthful for the most part (sorry Mike Pete) but they are making plays. The Secondary is still a little young at safety, but the corners are every bit as good as Ray Buchannan and company. They tackle very well at the CB position. The offense isn’t close to being as explosive, but they move the chains, one of the biggest assets is keeping the Falcon defense rested on the sidelines. The by far best part of this year is that they are playing fundamentally sound football and the ceiling of this group is ridiculously high. They are still building this team and they are winning tough close games. Love this Falcons team.’ YEAH, BABY, YOU SAID IT ALL!

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The 1980 team is the reason why I’m a fan today. I live in Seattle and became a fan of the team September 13th 1980 when the Falcons beat the LA Rams. I would say the order of best teams goes as follows. (…and yes I will be rooting for our boys at Quest Field Sunday!)

1998 Super Bowl Dirty Bird Team
1980 William Andrews Steve Bartkowski and the boys
2004 Duckett Vick Dunn “DVD”
2002 Dan Reeves and Andy Reid are the only ones that understood how to coach Vick’s strengths
2008 Matty Ice the Savior!
1991 Andre Rison, Hammer and Deion “Too Legit To Quit”
1978 First post season and victory over The Eagles
1995 Jeff Geoge, Metcalf, Iron Head, Mathis, Emanual. Lots of Offense, Little Defense
1982 May have made a great run if not for the strike year. Bartkowski and friends lose to Viks in Playoffs.

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Great post btw Mark. And go Falcons.

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Enjoy, I thought falcon Fans would like this post I just put on Youtube.
To All Atlanta Falcons fans a treat, a blast from our past, and a pretty cool
video clip about the history of the Atlanta Falcons, narrated by Nick Charles. this clip aired just after the Falcons clinched their first Super Bowl appearance. Enjoy…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEhsjl_C2Yc

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This team is a better team no matter how they finish this year because it’s built for the long hall with 3 consecutive winning seasons and two playoffs and no other team even came close to that. Go forward, you might ask which team had the best winning streak and that was the 1998 team that took there’s right to the super bowl and I don’t think this years team will make it that far. The lack of pass rush hurts them against the best teams, and in the playoffs their best chance is gaining the home field advantage forcing all the other teams play here. We might all be surprised with 13-3 regular season, and a run to the super bowl again, where again they won’t be able to beat New England with the Falcon defense.

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Enter your comments here

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I think the difference here is the QB- In 1980, Bart was a relatively older QB who had a lot of injury problems. 1998- Chandler was ok, but he too was older and had his limitations. 2010- Mattie Ice is still young, has shown a whole lot of smarts behind center. He reminds me of Brady of 2002. So in my opinion, This team has the better QB of all three teams.

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The 1980 Falcons were by far the best Atlanta team, and the best team in the NFL that year. But limited playoff experience and Stupid play calling with the lead led to Rolland Lawrence getting burnt twice in the final 5 minutes vs. Dallas at home. It wasn’t the prevent defense, it was 3 straight runs which automatically gave Danny White the ball back in the final 2 minutes. Doubt these birds will make that mistake. This defense has not stopped anybody in the last 2 minutes all year.

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The best team ever? Based purely on record & going to the Super Bowl (isn’t that what all NFL players say they want?) – it has to be the 1998 team (so far).

The 1998 team could run the ball, just like this team. Both teams emphasize Time of Possession. In 1998, there was a game in NO when the offense took the 2nd-half kickoff and drove down the field for a touchdown and took 12:30 off the clock! N.O. didn’t get the ball in the 3rd Qtr until there was only ~2:30 left. Amazing. That’s one reason why the current version reminds me of the 98 team.

This team has the better quaterback. Chandler was much too fragile.

Both teams were/are plus in the most important stat – turnover ratio.

This team is better by far in the ‘fewer penalties’ category. That’s due to good coaching.

So…the jury’s still out on the 2010 team, but who’s to say this ‘Which Team’s Best’ ranking won’t change come February?

Now, how about some rankings for other Falcons teams throughout the years.

The most fun team to watch: The 1978 Falcons. Remember Big Ben? It seemed like every game was a nail-biter that year. How about the first-ever playoff win? How about ALMOST beating a much better Cowboys team in Dallas?! I still contend if they had been able to score a TD (instead of a FG) right before the half, they would have won. A TD would have put them up 24-13, as it was, they lost 27-20.

The best team on nobody’s radar: The 1981 team. This team could easily have been 14-2. Nobody remembers this team because they ended up at 7-9. They still had Bartkowski and most of the players from the 1980 season. The problem was, this team could not catch a break. They lost 7 games by a total of 19 points. If just a few calls/turnovers had gone their way, they would have made the playoffs.

The best team that should’ve won the Super Bowl: The 1980 team. They had the number one seed and would have played Philly in Atl if they had beat Dallas. They may not have beaten Oakland, but they at least would have played better than Philly did. Besides, they were the best team in the NFC that year and should have been in the Super Bowl.

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torgo:

4:19 post

Great post, it really brought back alot of forgotten stats and memories.

I usually don’t read drawn out diatribes but you reeled me in from the beginning.

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Kudos to torgo (@ 4:19), unofficial Falcons historian. Great post!

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Seriously people, we haven’t won S…….! The 98 team got us to the big dance, let’s win the division first. Until this squad gets us to the dance, the 98 team will be better. PERIOD!

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The Falcons are a very well coached team that is overachieving. As I have stated in previous posts, the Falcons have had way too many close games considering the stats I’m about to list: 1. They are among the league’s healthiest teams. Hardly a starter has missed a game. 2. Their primary running backs (Turner and Snelling) haven’t had a fumble all season. 3. Their turnover ratio is one of the best in the league. 4. Their quarterback has a low number of int’s compared to most of the other qb’s(Brees 18). 5. Though they have made their own luck many times, the god’s that be, certainly were looking out for them late in the games vs the 49ers and Saints. 6. A favorable weather schedule where all three potential cold weather games(Pit, Cle, Phi), were played by the middle of October. Considering everything I just listed, one must wonder why the Falcons have had so many close games? The fair and objective answer is that this team must not have anything close to elite talent. I think the coaching staff is an excellent one, and they are getting the max out of what they have. The Saints are 10-3 and their qb has 18 int’s. That tells me they must have a whole lot of talent to be able to overcome all of those picks. I am not saying that the Saints are better than the Falcons this season, but I don’t think the Falcons have that same margin for error that the Saints do. The Falcons need to take advantage of this season’s opportunity, because I feel that the Falcons will probably not have this chance next season. Their margin for error just isn’t too much!

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MGM . . . . .as a long time Pats Fan – since 70s and also a fan of the Falcons since the Bartkoski/Gritz Blitz days . . . .. .I would not have any problem saying that talent wise that 18-1 Pats team that lost in the SB was as probably the best Pats team ever. Just came across a buzz saw Giants D and unfortunately Brady was a little gimpy. No excuse – Giants earned it . . . .but damn that team was a minute and a should have been Asante Samue Int away from going 19-0!!! There are a lot of factors that go into winning the SB . . . . .certain things falling into place and some breaks in playoffs . . .as almost all the teams involved are strong. I kind of find it humorous when folks seem to believe its SB or bust. I’m sure there have been many years when the pundits don’t feel it was the “best” team that won SB. The past two Steelers wins are a prime example of things just falling into place . ..along with some bad calls in SB.

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[...] Is this the best Falcons team ever? It’s definitely in the hunt – Atlanta Journal Constitution (bl…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 [...]

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The greatest part about the 2010 Falcons so far is what I always debate my saints fan friend about: This team is balanced offensively, has a defense that never gives up, an overall team that is fearless as well as disciplined and focused, but the most important thing is that they have YET to play to their full potential. That’s scary if you ask me. We have the best record in the league and are nowhere near our peak. That’s why we are so dangerous but also why everybody sleeps on us,cuz they can’t see what the big deal is. Anybody can win when everything is clicking but champions know how to win even when they don’t play their best. We are the latter

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Not to be a spoil-sport, but this team is about 4 plays from being 7-6.

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It’s simple. If we win the super bowl yes. If we lose in the super bowl, perhaps. If we lose in the playoffs, no.

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The 98 team beat one of the best nfl teams ever on the road in the nfc champ game. They were a 13 point underdog and won. That team right now beats this team hands down and those voting for this team today are clueless. You really should put another box to check that says not enough info cause their really isn’t at this point.

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The irony here is that the phoenix rising is Mattie Ice.

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ooops…i meant better hope this team doesn’t have 1 and done written all over it.

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This could be the Falcons magical season. Things have been going their way & they have been playing a quality brand of football. That’s a pretty good recipe. As a Saints Fan I have to admit I don’t like the style of football but it is effective….11-2 is good no matter what style you play. Watching the Falcons is like watching Sid Bream round the bases….slow but exhilarating. Is it enough to push through to the playoffs/Superbowl? Not sure. It will be tough because teams will have more time to prepare their teams for your attack. Can Matt Ryan find other receivers when Roddy & Gonzalez are blanketed with some exotic coverage scheme? Can you be explosive enough if you fall behind?

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I think it’s too early to tell yet. This year’s team hasn’t even won a playoff game yet, much less made it to the Super Bowl. The defense is not all that good IMO. They have given up a lot of passing yards and then Carolina rushed for over 200 yards last week! Why hasn’t anyone mentioned that this week? They absolutely got gashed by a terrible team. I’m a life-long fan of the Birds but if they played the Pats next week, they would get killed IMO.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEhsjl_C2Yc

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I had a dream last night (really). The Falcons were playing the Patriots (Superbowl??). The Falcons played pretty well, but things kept going against them. In the end, it wasn’t close. They got Thumped forty-something to something in the teens.

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Hard to say, Mark. I sure like this team. But I hope we learned one valuable lesson from the 1998 Falcons.
All we saw on TV the week before the Super Bowl that year were the Falcon players either visiting the Miami zoo, riding JetSkis, dancing that damn “Dirty Bird” in some South Beach nightclub…or trying to pick up some bimbo hooker.
Then game time came along, and we got hammered..
I sure hope…when we get into the playoffs…the team will take things a little more seriously this time.

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Enter your comments here

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Better than any of the Dog Killer’s team, I’d say.

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Mark Bradley…

Can’t we have SOME sort of literacy test one has to pass before posting on this blog?
Joe Tess Fish House is not only an illiterate moron, he knows NOTHING about football.

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How can you compare them anybody until they make it to the Super Bowl only to get blown out by the Patriots

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Good column MB…I’ve heard every debate possible this season on whether this team is best in NFC, best in NFL, best this century etc. but no comparison to the 98 team… Nothing against Dan Reeves but this is a better coached team, esp. defensively…They have yet to lose a division game in the toughest division in the league…I like the way this team has grown and improved game by game.

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1980 team was a great team. Leeman Bennett blew that game!
Dominated Dallas up until 5 minutes left and went conservative on “O” and prevent on “D”.
It actually looked like he was giving it away!

William Andrews & Lynn Cain in the backfield.
Bartkowski (the best long ball man in the game) @QB
Strong “O” Line – very strong.
Wallace Francis – Alfred Jenkins – @ Wide Receivers
Junior Miller at TE
The defense was great and would get in the face of any opposing QB.

Leeman Bennett choked! A lot of players have stated this in the past 30 years.

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I have been a Falcnatic since 1966! My top two victories still involve Minnesota Vikings. First was upset of unbeatable Vikings for NFC championship in Minnesota. Second was upset of streaking Vikings on insane winning streak coutesy of John Zook, Claude Humphrey and associates. Original Longest Yard actor Joe Kapp was QB of that Norse squad. No signature victories for present Falcons. Wins will do just fine. OT loss to Steelers in Pennsylvania no disgrace. Blowout gag job to Eagles in Philly was! Two losses in 13 outings. Not much to complain about. Do Falcons secure home field advantage with two more wins regardless of what happens against NO in regular season finale? Just curious. Not ready to bequeath Super Bowl to Falcons just yet. Still remember what happened to unbeatabloe Patriots several seasons ago. Shudder! STENDEK

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Let’s go Falcons!

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Hi Bama Falcon. Have not been over abundance of pleasant memories since 1966. But there have been a few glorious ones. Merry Christmas! STENDEK

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As a native Atlantan…and long suffering Falcons fan, I would have to say that the 1980 Bartkowski “cardiac-Falcon” team was the best. They were clearly the most exciting team in the franchise’s history. That loss to Dallas, which should not have happened, was one of the top three defining moments in Atlanta sports history.

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To all you relatively new fans….the 1980 team was fantastic…best Falcons team ever! Here are a few clips of what they were all about. That Dallas game would have ripped your heart out though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bkj_Zp2hpe8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tqSeYQwnZc

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I have to disagree strongly with Van Note that the 2010 Falcons have a better defense than the 1998 Falcons. The ‘98 Falcons were extremely stingy against the run, and all four guys on the defensive line could pressure the QB (Chuck Smith, Travis Hall, Lester Archambeau and Shane Dronett). The Falcons led the league in takeaways that year thanks to the ferocious pass rush and a ballhawking secondary that was able to take advantage of errant throws. The 2010 Falcons D only has one consistent pass rusher (John Abraham) and isn’t quite as solid in the secondary.

I also have to give a slight nod to the ‘98 offense over the current one. Jamal Anderson had one of the great workhorse years in NFL history, and Chris Chandler was unbelievable at stretching defenses when they loaded the box, averaging a ridiculous 9.6 yards per attempt (the second highest YPA in a single season since 1954; only Kurt Warner at 9.8 in 2000 has a higher mark).

The ‘98 team was a GREAT football team any way you choose to dissect it. The 2010 Falcons team are a solid team that finds ways to win. If they win the Super Bowl, then they’ll rightfully earn the title of the Greatest Team in Falcons History. But for now, the ‘98 team still holds that distinction.

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Eugene Robinson broke a lot of Falcon fans hearts that morning. Put a cloud over the whole day and never gave us a chance. He had a good testimomy prior to that but lost it all in a moment of weakness. I hope the lesson isn’t lost.

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Hey Vick Supporter, guess what, I didn’t bother to click on the link you posted.

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GSU Eagle 91

December 18th, 2010
3:20 pm
************************************************
Don’t feed the trolls, it only increases their appetite.

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Why are virtually all of Mark Bradley’s headlines questions?

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The 80 Falcons are probably the best ever, but they are like the 96 Braves and the 88 Hawks, who were probably the best of those respective franchises, a day late and a dollar short. That said, this team is too weak on defense to be considered the best. ‘98 had some talent with Anderson, Mathis, Tony Martin, and a pretty stout line on offense and Tuggle, Chuck smith, C. Bennett, Buchanan, and Robinson on D. I don’t remember them having to come back to win games like this years bunch.

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As much of a fan the falcons I am. I must tell the truth. I never seen the falcons play this well in all of my 45 years of living. As a fan I am so damn happy to finally see that Atlanta may be able to say that they have a winning team to be proud of. I am so tired of getting my hopes up for a sorry ass team and praying for a win.

Best of luck,

Stacy Bigsby
Norcross, GA

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Looks to me like NO is gonna lose to the Ravens and the Falcons again,, Wild card maybe

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Rob, go fall off a bridge and make this board a better place, If you are not a Falcons fan why are you wasting your time on here????

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P.S. I miss Tim Dwight and Morten Anderson. Dwight was a blast to watch on kickoff and punt returns, and Anderson was so clutch. Our special teams are good now, but nothing compared to how they were in 1998.

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Somebody stole my handle

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NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!!

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Rob you sound like a douche not a Real Falcons Fan, nice prediction about losing to Seattle , now do us all a favor and really go jump off a bridge

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