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Ramblings From a 40+ Year Falcons Fan...


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I started the following statement as a reply to someone's posting about the boards and decided it needed it's own thread.

I am a Falcons fan of over 40 years and would like to get this cat out of my bag. Yeah, I've been guilty of flaming Mike Vick as a result of his stupid 'hobby' of dogfighting getting him in trouble and landing him in jail. I'm guilty of flaming him with his treatment of giving the Atlanta fans (who help pay his salary) the middle finger.

I will testify that I'm mad as **** that an athlete would ultimately hurt his team by his off the field behaviour. Why would I be mad about this? Because this guy had all the talent to take this team and possibly WIN a Super Bowl. It makes me mad to no end that he would do such stupid things and ruin his career and ultimately the team I have rooted win or lose for over 40 years (yeah, I might be older than 95% of you out there but that doesn't discount me as I've paid my dues being a fan of this team!).

As a result of Vick's legal results and the result of a cowardly coach bailing out, the time has come for some real change. I was pretty mad about everything after that last game was played this year and felt like there wouldn't be anything to be excited about this team for several years. ****, I might be d-e-a-d before the Falcons go back to the Super Bowl or even have back-to-back winning seasons!

But as a new dawn arrives in Atlanta, I actually am welcoming a new change to this team. I believe in this team the same way I believed in Harmon Wages, Cannonball Butler, Tommy Nobis and Jeff Van Note. I believe in this team the same way I believed in the "Gritz Blitz", Steve Bartkowski, William Andrews and Alfred Jenkins. I believe in this team the same way I believed in "Jerry's Jarheads", Deion Sanders and "IronHead" Heyward. I believe in this team the way I believed in the "Dirty Birds", Jamal Anderson, Chris Chandler and Jesse "The Hammer" Tuggle. I believed in this team the way I believed in Mike Vick, Warrick Dunn and TJ Duckett. I will believe in Chris Redman, Michael Turner and Coach Smith. I believe in this team because I am a Falcons Fan for Life.

We all have to get past the Vick era that had so much potential, but ended with yet more disappointment. Falcon Fans (Like myself) have paid their dues, probably more than any NFL franchise has and it's time to finally see them pay off.

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Guest Gritz

Great post ff.......I am a fellow graybeard fan so I've been through almost all of that with you.

We'll get our day in the sun buddy....;)

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falconsince66, I am glad to see someone beat me on longevity. I often feel like the old man of the group.....that is not a feeling that I have gotten accustomed to yet.

I moved to ATL as a boy in 1967. I was deeply into the Braves for years and didn't get serious about the Falcons until 1972. I still remember the old guys and I have a lot of respect for the sweat and tears that were spilled on the field. I will always consider the Jerry Glanville years as the darkest times of my football fan life.

I will disagree with one thing. I believe in the power of redemption. I am severely disappointed in Mike Vick's waste. But, I am also hopeful that someday, he will become a man and truly dedicate himself to his career and become the leader that he can be. I don't hate the guy, I am just disappointed.

Unfortunately, this team must move on. I believe that Arthur has learned how to be an owner. The learning curve has been expensive, but hopefully worth the while.

I am hopeful....that is the trade mark of a Falcon fan. Stay true and I'll see you on the boards. We could use the fruits of your experience.

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Here here to the old guys, 48 this month. 1st autograph was Randy Johnson, 1st jersey was Tommy Nobis.

I am still bitter with Deion though for the way he left.

I also hope the better days are here. So far with the exception of the Turner move, I like what they are doing. And believe you me, I would gladly eat crow and I hope Turner ends up being the right guy here.

I want a bowl while I am still young enough to celebrate the fun way! LOL

GO FALCONS!

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Tommy Nobis?Dude you better be in your 50s to see tommy Nobis.It could be turned around quickly.Anything is possible so your lifetime is possible.Generally you want to be personnel goal oriented on lifetime achievements.You know,something you actually had something to do with.

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Nope 48. Falcons started when I was 6. When I was 8, 68, Randy Johnson moved into our apartments, my have salaries changed, while they finished his house. My sister babysat for them a few times, he signed my new football, which didn't get used for quite awhile.

I remember many Sundays watching the Falcs on TV with my parents. Nobis was a beast and should be in the hall. If you get the chance check out any old film, he was really a great player.

When I really started to follow football closer, Bartkowski and the gritz blitz.

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I appreciate the positive responses going on here from my fellow Falcons fans. I agree that Jerry Glanville's tenure was pretty dark, almost as dark as the beginning but more frustration than then because our hopes were so high. I was ecstatic with Dan Reeve's coming aboard and taking us to the Promised Land even though we lost to Denver. I'll never forget repeating to myself, "The Falcons are going to the Super Bowl".

As for the current uni's, I like the new bird logo but my favorite uni's were those with the Red jerseys/red helmets/grey pants of the 80's. I'd like to see something like those uni's with the new logo on them, I think that those would be nice.

I still think this team has players that warrant a trip to the Hall of Fame. First and foremost, Tommy Nobis. This guy was nearly as tenacious as **** Butkus but played on some really bad teams. He was and always will be "Mister Falcon".

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I like the original unis with the falcon on the arm patch. I think it was the 66 jersey. I also like the old logo.

I heard an interview with Butkus and they asked him about Nobis. Butkus said that Nobis was the best LB he ever saw and that it was a travesty that Nobis isn't in the hall.

Don't you wish we could get a DE like Claude Humphrey for this D?

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Guest Gritz
consistentfalcon (3/4/2008)
gritblitzer (3/4/2008)
Not biting cf.....

Try casting more towards the center of the lake.

if thats for me you dont need to bite as long as the falcons keep losing, but i'll tell you what, when they throw you a head fake by winning a few games in a row and you have a post for me i'll gladly respond

Nah....not interested. You post the same stuff all of the time. If you would throw a change-up in there every now and then...you know, something like "Man, it's good to be alive!" or "I had a great apple today!" it might be different.

I bet you're a helluva lot of fun at a party.......;)

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7979 (3/4/2008)
Nope 48. Falcons started when I was 6. When I was 8, 68, Randy Johnson moved into our apartments, my have salaries changed, while they finished his house. My sister babysat for them a few times, he signed my new football, which didn't get used for quite awhile.

I remember many Sundays watching the Falcs on TV with my parents. Nobis was a beast and should be in the hall. If you get the chance check out any old film, he was really a great player.

When I really started to follow football closer, Bartkowski and the gritz blitz.

Ok,my first memories of falcons football were 1975 or so.There werent many channels muchless many sports on TV.I lived near suwanee and would ride my bike to practices.I live near flowery branch so I still go as often as I can.
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Bill Fralic...dude was GOOD!

I remember the strike year. We went down to support the scabs because it pissed me off there was no football. I was going to have some choice comments for Mr. Fralic as they were picketing out front....that is untill I got down to the stadium. I came up to his waist and his thighs were as big as my torso. HEE HEE, talk about reality check!

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gritblitzer (3/4/2008)
consistentfalcon (3/4/2008)
gritblitzer (3/4/2008)
Not biting cf.....

Try casting more towards the center of the lake.

if thats for me you dont need to bite as long as the falcons keep losing, but i'll tell you what, when they throw you a head fake by winning a few games in a row and you have a post for me i'll gladly respond

Nah....not interested. You post the same stuff all of the time. If you would throw a change-up in there every now and then...you know, something like "Man, it's good to be alive!" or "I had a great apple today!" it might be different.

I bet you're a helluva lot of fun at a party.......;)

used to be, then i quit drinking, the fog cleared out started seeing facts vs. fiction:w00t::w00t:

i still cut up a lot and make alot of people laugh, problem here is some of the fans take the comments made about the falcons personally.whats funny about that is the fans have no control over what management decides to do in running this team

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It's nice to know that I am not the only 'experienced' Falcon Fan here and that I was not alone back in the days of the birds getting their butts kicked every time they played the Rams twice a year, the 49'ers twice a year and usually beating the Saints.

I still love the Saints rivalry and it's had some real gems. Like those last second 'Hail Mary' AKA: "Big Ben" passes that Bart threw to beat them at the buzzer.

But I still hate the Cowboys more than any other franchise and I'm sure most of you know that reason why. As for my age: I'm still under 50 (47) and still remember throwing fits at halftime by turning off the Rams beating the Falcons by some 30+ points, grabbing my football and pretending I was the Falcons and running back and forth teeing off on some unlucky "Ram" friend that just happened to be there....

My two favorite wins as a Falcons Fan: San Francisco in the playoffs from the 98 season (and eventually the Super Bowl). Green Bay at Lambeau Field several years ago. Honorary Mention: The game Vick dove for the TD against the Panthers!

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I can still see Dewey McClain driving Staughbach into the astro turf. Concusion and in comes Danny White....who????

You know the rest of the story.

Eric Dikerson would run all over us and Joe Montanna and Steve Young would throw all over us.

It is good to know that others have suffered alot and rejoiced a few times as long as I have.

Our time is coming!!!!!

GO FALCONS!

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