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| Mathis Adds Another Record September 17, 2000 |
WR Terance Mathis becomes the club all-time leader in receiving yards, surpassing Alfred Jenkins’ mark of 6,257 by totally 42 yards (on five catches) at Carolina. He establishes the record in the fourth quarter on a 15-yard reception to push his record totals to 6,262. Mathis now holds the record for career catches and yards in team history. |
| Falcons Make Vick the Pick April 21, 2001 |
The Falcons trade WR/KR Tim Dwight, their #1 pick (5th overall) and 3rd pick in 2001, as well as a 2nd round choice in 2002, to San Diego for the #1 overall selection (a day before the NFL draft). With the top choice, Atlanta tabs electrifying, strong-armed QB Michael Vick of Virginia Tech. Excited fans in the thousands create a buzz by driving to the Falcons new facility in Flowery Branch Ga. for the team’s draft day party to celebrate the choice. It marks the fourth time in franchise history that Atlanta selects the #1 overall player in a draft, following LB Tommy Nobis in 1966, QB Steve Bartkowski in 1975 and LB Aundray Bruce in 1988. |
| “Noble Warrior” Lays Down His Hammer August 28, 2001 |
One of the all-time Falcons greats, Jessie “The Hammer” Tuggle, retires after a brilliant 14-year playing career. Tuggle played his entire football career in the state of Georgia from Griffith High School to Valdosta State to the Atlanta Falcons. “The Hammer” pounded out a team record 2,065 tackles in 209 games played, the third-most ever in team history. His 14 seasons played and 189 starts also are the third-highest total in team annals. Tuggle was honored with five Pro Bowl invitations from his peers (1992, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998) during his consistent career that included 12 straight 100-tackle seasons. Tuggle’s place in Falcons history is even more special among his many fans because of his endearing commitment to the Atlanta community over the years. Fittingly, Tuggle’s #58 jersey is retired, because he will always be revered for his work on and off the field for the Falcons. |
| Tragedy Forces the NFL to Postpone September 11, 2001 |
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue postpones all NFL games for the week of September 16 after terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11. The Falcons contest against the St. Louis Rams is re-scheduled for January 6, 2002 as the regular season finale. Atlanta management quickly arranges a flag football game to be played one week after the attacks with proceeds benefiting the families of New York firefighters and police officers. With the help of Falcons fans, players, coaches and the Falcons front office staff, the successful event raises over $243,000 as several thousand fans showed up at the team’s facility, and supporters continued to send in donations even weeks after the event. |
| Mathis Breaks Touchdown Mark September 30, 2001 |
WR Terance Mathis places his name in select company by breaking Andre Rison’s club record of 56 career touchdown at Arizona. Entering the contest with 55 career touchdowns, Mathis catches two scoring passes against the Cardinals to total 57 in his career (since 1994) to help the Birds to a 34-14 victory. He already owns Falcons career marks for receptions and receiving yards. Mathis tied Rison at 56 touchdowns by hauling in a 17-yard scoring pass in the first quarter. The record-breaking score came on a 10-yard touchdown in the third quarter when Mathis caught a pass over the middle near the Arizona goal line and ran over two Cardinal defenders for the score and the record. |
| Falcons Ownership to Change Hands December 6, 2001 |
For the first time in 36 years, the Falcons will be owned by someone other than the Smith family as Arthur M. Blank reaches a preliminary agreement to purchase the team from Taylor Smith. Blank, co-founder and retired co-chairman of Atlanta-based Home Depot, is a passionate sports fan, a Falcons season-ticket holder and has been a resident of Atlanta since 1978. |
| Brooking Rewarded For Fine Season With Pro Bowl Nod January 31, 2002 |
LB Keith Brooking is selected to his first Pro Bowl as the NFC’s “need” player by Head Coach Andy Reid of the Eagles. Brooking made the switch from weakside linebacker to middle linebacker in 2001 to fill the void left by the retirement of Jessie Tuggle. Brooking finished with a team-leading 167 total tackles, surpassing his previous season-best of 95 tackles in 1999. The 167 stops are the most by a Falcon since Tuggle’s 184 tackles in 1996. Brooking is the first Falcons player to receive Pro Bowl recognition since the 1998 campaign. |
| Sale Of The Falcons Approved February, 2002 |
In a special meeting in New Orleans on February 2, 2002, NFL owners vote unanimously to approve the sale of the Falcons to Arthur Blank. “We want to create an organization that has a unique and special bond with the community,” Blank stated after the sale was approved. “I personally will not rest until I have a chance to wear a Super Bowl ring on behalf of everybody in Atlanta and in the state of Georgia.” At his press conference on February 2, Mr. Blank announces a new, three-year contract for Head Coach Dan Reeves. On February 12, 2002, the sale of the franchise to Mr. Blank by the Smith family is completed. This marks the end of an era for the Smith family, who were pioneers in bringing professional football to the Southeast. |
| “Pass The Magic” 2002 Season |
After a sluggish 1-3 start, the Falcons become one of the hottest stories in 2002 as they mount an NFL-best eight-game unbeaten streak (7-0-1). Included in the Falcons run of success were a pair of victories over division rival New Orleans, who started the season 6-1, a pair of shutout wins (30-0, 41-0) over division rival Carolina and a 34-34 tie at Pittsburgh, in which the Falcons overcame a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter to force overtime and an eventual tie. |
| Dome Sweet Dome 2002 Season |
For the first time in 10 years, the Falcons sold out all eight of their regular season home games and they increased their season ticket base by more than 100 percent, which set an NFL record for the highest rate of increase in new season tickets sold. Included in the Falcons eight home games were three of the top 10 crowds in team history. |
| Vick Runs Into NFL Record Book December 1, 2002 |
Falcons QB Michael Vick single-handedly leads the Falcons in an OT victory over the Minnesota Vikings by establishing a new NFL rushing record for quarterbacks with 173 yards on 10 carries. He also set the NFL record for the highest per-carry average in a single game (17.3 yards). His 46-yard touchdown dash in overtime not only propelled the Falcons to a 30-24 victory, but also set the record for the longest run by a Falcons QB in team history. |
| Brooking, Vick Pro Bowl Bound December 19, 2002 |
The respective leaders of the Falcons offense and defense, Michael Vick and Keith Brooking, were named to the NFC’s Pro Bowl squad. It was the first such honor for Vick, who became just the sixth quarterback since 1970 to be voted to the Pro Bowl in his first year as a starter. In addition to passing for 2,936 yards, Vick set a Falcons quarterback record with 777 yards rushing, the third-highest total in NFL history. It was the second-straight year Brooking was named to the Pro Bowl after accounting for a career-high 212 tackles, including 100 solos. He set a career-best with 22 tackles in the season opener vs. Green Bay and would go on to register double-digit tackle totals in all 16 games. |
| Melted Tundra January 4, 2003 |
Despite losing three of their last four games of the regular season to end with a 9-6-1 record, the Falcons still managed to get into the playoffs thanks to some outside help. Facing seemingly insurmountable odds, the Falcons became the first team ever to defeat the Green Bay Packers in a playoff game at Lambeau Field with a 27-7 victory. Entering the game, the Packers had never lost a home playoff game in 13 tries. A solid performance by Vick, who accounted for 181 combined yards, a stingy outing by the Falcons defense, which forced five turnovers, and an opportunistic special teams unit, which blocked a punt for a touchdown and forced a fumble to set up another, would be all the Falcons would need. It marks the Falcons first playoff appearance and victory since the Super Bowl season of 1998. |
| Falcons Unveil New Logo March 19, 2003 |
Before a large gathering of media and the entire Falcons organization, the Falcons unveiled their new logo. The logo was designed in conjunction with NFL Properties after a lengthy research process, which included conducting focus groups and polls with many fans. In addition, Falcons players, coaches and staff had the opportunity to gives their thoughts. |
| Falcons Reveal New Uniforms April 19, 2003 |
In front of a crowd of several hundred fans at the Mall of Georgia in Buford, Ga., the Falcons unveiled their new uniforms, a change for the first time since 1990. Falcons fans voiced their approval as LB Keith Brooking, TE Alge Crumpler, RB Warrick Dunn, DE Patrick Kerney, WR Peerless Price and QB Michael Vick modeled the new threads. The home uniforms consisted of black jerseys and white pants, while the road attire featured white jerseys and white pants. The team also introduced alternate versions of the uniforms, which included wearing black jerseys with black pants at home and white jerseys with black pants on the road. |
| Injury to Vick Tarnishes Promising Season August 16, 2003 |
In the Falcons second preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens, Pro Bowl quarterback Michael Vick was injured in the first quarter when eh attempted to a scramble for a first down on a third-and-six situation from the Falcons five-yard line. Vick is diagnosed with a broken right fibula, which sidelines him from the first 11 games of the regular season. Without Vick, the Falcons go 2-9 and their hopes of back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in team history are vanquished. |
| Reeves Wins 200th Game November 9, 2003 |
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Reeves captures the 200th victory of his career as the Falcons defeat the New York Giants on the road, 27-7. After the Falcons earned Reeves his 199th victory in the season’s opening game at Dallas, , the Falcons lost seven consecutive contests before snapping the losing streak against the Giants. Reeves becomes the seventh coach in NFL history to win at least 200 games in his career. |
| Vick Returns December 7, 2003 |
Before a sellout crowd at the Georgia Dome and a national television audience on ESPN’s Saturday night football, Michael Vick makes his first start of the season and rushes for 141 yards, the third-highest total by a quarterback in NFL history, as the Falcons defeat the eventual NFC Champion Carolina Panthers in overtime, 20-14. One week earlier at Houston, Vick made his 2003 debut in a second-half relief appearance. Despite Vick’s ability to lead the Falcons on two scoring drives, the Falcons came up short against the Texans, 17-13. |
| Reeves Released from Contract December 10, 2003 |
Arthur Blank announces that Falcons head coach Dan Reeves has been released from his contract and that defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will serve as interim coach for the final three games for the regular season. In his seven-plus seasons with the Falcons, Reeves accumulated a record of 49-69-1. He leaves the Falcons with the seventh-most wins (201) in NFL history. |
| McKay Joins Falcons September 30, 2001 |
Longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneers executive Rich McKay leaves the Buccaneers with two games remaining in the 2003 season to assume the role of Falcons president and general manager. At his introductory press conference, McKay offered a description of his vision for the Atlanta Falcons: “Our object is to build a football team, and one that can win not just today, not just tomorrow, but can win into the future. That’s what we tired to accomplish in Tampa and that’s certainly what we’re going to try to accomplish here.” Coincidentally, McKay was hired five days prior to the Falcons game against the Buccaneers in Tampa. It would be a pleasant homecoming for McKay, as the Falcons upset Tampa 30-28, knocking Tampa Bay from playoff contention. |
| Jim Mora Named Head Coach January 9, 2004 |
San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Jim Mora is named the 12th head coach in Atlanta Falcons history. At the time of his hiring, Mora, who is the son of former NFL head coach Jim Mora, is the third-youngest coach in the NFL at 42 years of age. The same day Mora is introduced as head coach, Greg Knapp is named the Falcons offensive coordinator. |
| Brooking, Crumpler Rewarded February 8, 2004 |
Falcons linebacker Keith Brooking and tight end Alge Crumpler were recognized for their outstanding seasons with a trip to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. It was the third consecutive trip for Brooking, who led the team with 207 total tackles and the first for Crumpler, who finished with career bests in receptions (44) and receiving yards (552). Crumpler made the most of his Pro Bowl opportunity, scoring on a 33-yard reception from St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger as the NFC beat the AFC, 55-52. |
| Fast Start for New Head Coach September 12 - October 31, 2004 |
IThe Falcons mirror the temperament of their new head coach Jim Mora and throw conventional NFL wisdom out the window. Despite implementing new offensive and defensive systems, Mora’s team begins the season 4-0 en route to a 6-2 record at the midpoint of the season. The 4-0 record matches the best start in team history. The Falcons march into Denver after a 56-10 loss at Kansas City the week before and show resilience by pounding the Broncos 41-28 to improve their record to 6-2. Quarterback Michael Vick becomes the first player in NFL history to throw for more than 250 yards and run for more than 100 yards in the same game. Defensive end Patrick Kerney picks up the NFL Defensive Player of the Month award for September for the first time in his career with dominating performances to help the Birds to their 4-0 start. |
| Birds Clinch Third Division Title in Rout December 12, 2004 |
Jim Mora becomes just the 11th rookie head coach to win a division title since 1970 as the Falcons rout the Oakland Raiders, 35-10, to claim the NFC South Championship. It marks the club’s third division title in team history and the first since 1998 in the old NFC West. The win also gives the Falcons their fourth 100win season in team history. Running back T.J. Duckett sets team records for the most touchdowns scored and most rushing touchdowns scored with four, as well as most points scored in a single game with 24 in the victory against Oakland. Running back Warrick Dunn rushes for 103 yards, his eighth 100-yard game as a Falcon. Quarterback Michael Vick completes 13 of his 20 passes for 145 yards and defensive tackle Rod Coleman punctuates the win with a 39-yard interception returned for a touchdown. |
| Michael Vick Experience Prominently Displayed on National Stage December 18, 2004 |
Despite clinching the division the week before, the Falcons do not disappoint on national television on ESPN’s Sunday Night Football against the Carolina Panthers. In a slugfest between division rivals, the Falcons see a 14-point fourth quarter lead evaporate and turn to Michael Vick for some heroics. Trailing 31-24 with 3:37 remaining, Vick calmly drives his team down the field. A 54-yard hookup with receiver Dez White moved the Birds to the Panthers five-yard line with just over two minutes to play and seemingly in good shape. But a sack by Panthers defensive end Al Wallace and a fumble, two incomplete passes and a holding penalty set up a do-or-die situation with fourth and goal from the Panthers 12-yard line with 1:44 remaining. The “Michael Vick Experience” would deliver a special memory for 70,845 fans in attendance and a national television audience on the play. Taking a shotgun snap, Vick saw that all his receivers were covered, then took off down the middle of the field in search of the goal line. Vick leapt with his body fully extended in an incredible display of athleticism with his knee never touching the ground and scored a touchdown to force the overtime period. Cornerback Aaron Beasley’s interception and 30-yard return set up the Falcons game-winning, 38-yard field goal and the Falcons claimed victory for their 11th win of the regular season. With the victory, the Falcons clinched a first-round bye in the playoffs. |
| Setting the Record Straight in the Playoffs January 15, 2005 |
In their first home playoff game since January of 1999, the Falcons take no prisoners and blow out the Rams, 47-17 in a Divisional Playoff game where the records fall. The Falcons running game dominates with a club-record 327 yards rushing, which is the fourth-highest in NFL postseason history. The defensive effort was equally impressive as Ed Donatell’s unit did not allow a single point in the second half. The DVD Backfield of Warrick Dunn (142 yards rushing, 2 touchdowns), Michael Vick (203 combined yards) and T.J. Duckett (66 yards, 1 touchdown) accounts for all of the record-327 yards rushing. Vick’s 119 yards on the ground is the most ever by a quarterback in postseason play and combines with Warrick Dunn’s 142 yards to make the duo only the fourth set of backs in the Super Bowl era to account for more than 100 yards rushing in the same game. Defensive end Brady Smith does not let up and sacks quarterback Marc Bulger for a safety and Duckett’s four-yard touchdown run ends the scoring in the fourth quarter as the Falcons advance to the NFC Championship game for the second time in team history. |
| Falcons Fall Short in Second-Ever NFC Championship Game January 23, 2005 |
The Falcons fall short in the NFC Championship game in frigid temperatures at Philadelphia only trailing 10-14 at halftime as their season ends with a 27-10 final verdict. Atlanta finishes their 2004 season with an overall record of 12-6 and provide Falcons fans with plenty of thrills. Jim Mora’s ultra-successful first season as a head coach gives a glimpse of a bright future for the franchise and the 42-year old deservedly garners votes for Coach of the Year, as well as winning the NFC Coach of the Year. Quarterback Michael Vick, tight end Alge Crumpler, linebacker Keith Brooking, defensive end Patrick Kerney and return specialist Allen Rossum go to the Pro Bowl, the most Falcons representatives in Hawaii since Atlanta’s 1998 Super Bowl season. Among the Falcons notable 2004 achievements are leading the NFL in rushing and establishing a new team record with 2,672 yards rushing and leading the League in sacks with 48. Running back Warrick Dunn (1,106) goes over the 1,000-yard mark and quarterback Michael Vick (902) just misses the thousand-yard barrier, establishing the third-highest rushing total for a quarterback in NFL history. Vick’s three 100-yard rushing games ties the modern day NFL record for most 100-yard games in a single season by a quarterback and his career of five establishes a new record. In his first season with the Falcons, defensive coordinator Ed Donatell’s defense improves dramatically from the year before, moving up 18 spots to 14th in the League in total defense and scoring defense. |
