King Arthur Movie Tristan

I think the History of the Franchise series is coming along nicely. Next up, the Atlanta Falcons. This franchise has had a lot of bad luck (Mike Vick) and a lot of good luck (Matt Ryan). Lets get started with their best head coach in history.

Best Coach: Dan Reeves (1997-2003)

The Falcons hired Dan Reeves as their head coach in 1997. In seven years as their head coach, Reeves led the Falcons to only two playoff berths. Overall he only had a 49-59-1 coaching record in Atlanta (including a 3-2 record in the playoffs). So why is he the best head coach in Falcons history you might ask? It is because of the 1998 season. The Falcons finished with a 14-2 record, the second best in the NFC. During the playoffs, Reeves led the Falcons to their very first NFC Championship game in history. A crazy thing is, Reeves was just three weeks removed from quadruple-bypass heart surgery. In the championship game, the Falcons beat one of the best teams ever, the 15-1 Minnesota Vikings. Atlanta's upset is thanks to Gary Anderson's missed field goal at the end the game, just pointing that out Falcons fans. After losing to the Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII, Reeves really didn't have that much success and was fired half way thru the 2003 season. Despite being uncessful for most of his coaching career in Atlanta, Reeves deserves this spot as the Falcons best head coach ever because of that Super Bowl apperance.

Best Player: Tommy Nobis (1966-1976)

Its hard to argue against Tommy Nobis as the best Falcons player ever, most likely because he is nicknamed "Mr. Falcon." Nobis was the first ever player drafted by the Atlanta Falcons franchise, but that is not why he deserves that nickname. Nobis deserves it because he was also drafted by the AFL's Houston Oilers, but chose to sign with the Falcons instead. Pretty cool guy to sign with an expansion team if you ask me. In his first year Nobis won rookie of the year and was voted to the Pro Bowl after having 294 tackles in a season, which is a Falcons record that still stands today. In just eleven seasons with the Falcons, Nobis led the team in tackles nine times, went to five Pro Bowls, and was named an All-Pro twice. In one of those Pro Bowl seasons, Nobis had two knee surgeries. That is toughness that you don't see anymore. In fact Nobis was so tough, that he was recognized by Miami Dolphins Larry Csonka. "I'd rather play against Dick Butkus than Nobis," said Csonka. Wow, now thats saying something. Once during an interview, head coach Norm Van Brocklin once pointed to Nobis' locker and said, "There's where are football team dresses." Where is Nobis now? Well his name is immortalized in the Falcons Ring of Honor and he was the first player to get his number retired by the team. To this day, nobody has worn the #60 in a Falcons uniform. Unfortanetly Nobis' career tackles aren't recorded on any sites, but click here to look at the rest of his stats.

Biggest Draft Gem: Jamal Anderson (1994-2001)

Upset about Jamal Anderson being the biggest Atlanta Falcons draft steal? Then just do the "Dirty Bird." It was a touchdown dance Anderson did when he played for the Falcons and boy what a career it was. By the way, the Dirty Bird is now named after the Falcons wildcat offense. Anderson was taken in the seventh round of the 1994 NFL Draft. 1998 was by far Anderson's best season, when he led the NFC in rushing and helped lead the Falcons to Super Bowl XXXIII. Anderson had 410 carries in 1998, which until 2006, stood as the most in a single season. Anderson also had 1,846 yards and 14 touchdowns. Unfortanetly, he did not do enough to win rushing championship, which was Denver Broncos RB Terrell Davis' to claim. Anderson's numbers in the playoffs weren't to shabby either. In the NFC Divisional Playoffs against the 49ers, he rushed for 113 yards and two touchdowns. Anderson did all he could all he could against the Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII, but the Falcons lost anyways. Anderson went on to rush for 5,336 yards, 156 receptions for 1,645 yards, and 41 touchdowns. In 2001, Anderson suffered a career-ending ACL injury. Despite only playing seven seasons, Anderson is the biggest draft gem in Falcons history. Click here to look at Anderson's stats.

Biggest draft bust: Aundray Bruce (1988-1991)

From the "Dirty Bird" to the "Dirty Bust." Aundray Bruce was drafted #1 overall in the 1988 Draft. Despite this, Bruce only started 42 games in his terrible 11 year career. Bruce's best season with the Falcons was in 1991, when he served as both a tight end as well as on the defensive side of the ball. Other then that, Bruce was a dissapointment considering he was a first overall pick. The Falcons had some options with that first pick, including future superstars Tim Brown and Sterling Sharpe. Bruce is actually the first bust on the "History of the Franchise" series that was taken #1 overall. Its never good to pick badly in the draft. Just one bad pick could set your franchise back years. A bad pick at the first overall spot could destroy a franchise. Thats what Aundray Bruce was for the Falcons and he is their biggest draft bust in franchise history.

Defining Moment: The 2001 Draft (April 21, 2001)

Another first here on the history of the franchise. This is the first draft that has been the defining moment of a team and for good reasons to. In 2001, the Falcons and Chargers swapped their first round picks. Atlanta picked QB Michael Vick Virginia Tech, while the Chargers selected RB Ladanian Tomlinson from TCU. Up until 2007 this was considered one of the best draft trades ever. When Vick pleaded guilty to dog fighing charges, he had to serve 23 months in jail and was suspended indefinetly by the NFL. Not only did the NFL lose one of their greatest athletes, the Falcons lost their best player. Over the 2008 season, the Falcons went through some of the craziest events that any franchise has gone through. After their 2007 season ended, Atlanta fired Jim Mora Jr. and hired Bobby Petrino from LSU. With Vick on the sidelines, Petrino's gameplan really didn't work so he quit 13 games into the season. His resignation letter was found in the locker room by the players just a day after Vick's conviction. What class. Some fans might argue that losing Vick was a good thing. After the 2008 season, Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Smith was hired as their head coach. In the draft, the Falcons selected QB Matt Ryan from Boston College number three overall. Atlanta also made a splash in free agency when they signed RB Michael Turner. Ryan and Smith have led the Falcons to two playoff berths in three seasons. During his three years, Smith has also led the Falcons to back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history. So while the Falcons lost a superstar, it also started a new era. It is a moment that defines the Atlanta Falcons as a franchise.