Who are your all-time favorite Falcons?

[Cocoa Beach Falcon]

Shelley#37 (6/4/2008)

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1. Elbert Shelley - best special teams player in Falcons history...ALWAYS in on the tackle

2. Fulton Kuykendall - His nickname, Kaptain Krazy, tells you all you need to know

3. Deion Sanders - the MAN!!

4. Jesse Tuggle - played against him in college - was a BEAST

5. Jeff Van Note - the TRUE Mr Falcon....

6. Algernon Darius Crumpler - only jersey I have owned

7. The Jeff's - Morrow and Yeates....badass DTs in the 70's and 80's

9. The Bruise Brothers - Tom Pridemore and Bob Glazebrook - safeties from the late 70's and early 80's

11. Kenny Johnson - only corner I have ever seen that wore a full cage facemask

13. JAM! - the original dirty bird, Jamaal Anderson

14. Warrick Dunn - what is not to like about Dunn?

15. Brian Jordan - the other two star Falcon.

Nice list - I pretty much remember from 79 on but did get a chance to see the Bruise Brothers play.

[Theyhateme : )]

REV.2000 (6/4/2008)

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REV.2000 (6/4/2008)

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# 1 STEVE BARTKOSKI QB (ALL WAYS WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE)

CLAUDE HUMPHRIES DE

TOMMY NOBIS LB

JEFF VAN NOTE C

MIKE KENN OT

BUDDY CURRY LB

ANDREWS FB

ALFRED JENKINS WR

TUGGLE LB

BILLY (THE WHITE SHOES) JOHNSON WR, KR, PR

DEWY McCLAIN LB

CHANDLER QB

VICK QB

J. ANDERSON RB

TERRENCE MATHIS WR

TOM PRIDEMORE FS

FULTON KIKENDALL LB

LYNN CAIN RB

BOB BERRY QB

You are ole' school.  But I do remember 85% of your list...LOL!!!

[REV.2000]

theyhateme (6/4/2008)

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You are ole' school.  But I do remember 85% of your list...LOL!!!

I'M FROM WAYYYYY BACK THERE. IN THE BEGINNING!

[falconfansince66]

Farmer (6/4/2008)

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Just wanted to talk about something positive. 

.....2. Keith Brooking - Mr. Falcon

In order to set all Falcon fans straight, there has only been ONE "Mr. Falcon" and that is Tommy Nobis.  As much as I admire and respect Keith Brooking's career in Atlanta, he pales in comparison to the best LB to ever wear a Falcons uniform.  In fact, nearly every single Falcons player pales in comparison to him.  He was THAT GREAT!

 Here's just a few examples of my reasoning: 

• Was the first ever player drafted by the Atlanta Falcons organization in the inaugural 1966 season. Tommy quickly became the first ever Falcon voted to the Pro Bowl in his rookie year. The stellar middle linebacker was named the NFL Rookie of the Year for his efforts.

• "Mr. Falcon" led the team in tackles in nine of his 11 seasons, earning five trips to the Pro Bowl

• After his 46th consecutive NFL game, he underwent knee surgery in 1969 and another one on the other knee in 1971. Known for his toughness, Nobis came back from both surgeries to earn another Pro Bowl spot in 1972.  Knee surgeries in the late 60's/early 70's were always a long trip to the DL and not always as successful as the present day methods.

• In a poll conducted in 1970 by ABC to pick the best athlete of the decade of the 1960's, running back O.J. Simpson was number one, and Tommy Nobis was number two in the entire country.

• Tommy had an astronomical 294 total combined tackles as a rookie, still the team's club record.  (NOTE: 14 Game Season!)

• Tommy also intercepted 11 passes during his professional career, returning two for touchdowns, and getting fined $100 each time for throwing the ball into the stands.

• His uniform #60 was the first one the Falcons ever retired and it's been worn by only him during the team's 30-plus years of existence.

• Dolphins running back Larry Csonka: "I'd rather play against **** Butkus than Nobis."

• Former Falcons head coach Dan Reeves: "As a running back for eight seasons in the NFL, I certainly took my share of hits. Unfortunately I remember some of them, particularly the ones from Falcons linebacker Tommy Nobis. "Mr. Falcon," as he is known in this part of the country, should be considered a worthy candidate for the Hall of Fame. I played and coached on some great teams while I was with Dallas. Those teams consisted of Hall of Fame members like Bob Lilly, Roger Staubach and Tom Landry. I feel that Nobis' contributions on the field merit those of the Cowboys Hall of Fame players. Before the days of mass media and cable television, the play of Nobis stood a good chance of being missed due to the Falcons lack of success during his tenure. I think we need to count on the members of the media to help keep his legacy alive and teach our younger fans of his playing days. If you talk to the players of his era, they will certainly name Nobis as one of the game's most fierce competitors."

So whenever you're considering calling anyone besides Tommy Nobis, "Mr Falcon", you'd probably be best advised ask Mr Nobis if it's okay first!

[Shaud]

1.Michael Vick

2.DeAngelo Hall

3.Ray Buchanan

4.Jamal Anderson

5.Jessie Tuggle

6.Alge Crumpler

7.Tim Dwight

8.Morten Anderson

9.Chris Chandler

10.Ashley Ambrose

Honorable Mention: Craig Heyward, Roddy White,

[Cocoa Beach Falcon]

"Dolphins running back Larry Csonka: "I'd rather play against **** Butkus than Nobis."

Dang, that pretty much says it all. I actually feel guilty that I don't really remember Nobis.

[falconfansince66]

Cocoa Beach Falcon (6/4/2008)

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"Dolphins running back Larry Csonka: "I'd rather play against **** Butkus than Nobis."

Dang, that pretty much says it all. I actually feel guilty that I don't really remember Nobis.

Here's another good quote:

Coach Norm Van Brocklin pointed to Nobis' locker at the Stadium and proclaimed: "There's where our football team dresses." NFL players league-wide respected Nobis' efforts and abilities.

Nobis carried this team on his shoulders much more than Mike Vick ever did.  He was the ONLY star on this team for the first 4-5 years of its' existence.  Everywhere the opposing team's offense went with the ball, you could bet your @ss that Nobis was there waiting to make a hit and/or tackle.  I recall one game vs the Rams he was involved with the tackle on like every single play during a quarter!  He made Patrick Kerney's motor look like a Briggs & Stratton lawn mower engine.  He wasn't afraid to play with an injury, in fact I believe he played with that injured knee in the 1969 season.  When the game was over, he would come out with the dirtiest and bloodiest uniform on the whole field.

THAT is why you never disrespect Tommy Nobis by calling someone else "Mr Falcon"....

[REV.2000]

REV.2000 (6/4/2008)

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# 1 STEVE BARTKOSKI QB (ALL WAYS WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE)

CLAUDE HUMPHRIES DE

(NEION) DEION CB, PR, KR

TOMMY NOBIS LB

JEFF VAN NOTE C

GERALD RIGGS RB

MIKE KENN OT

BUDDY CURRY LB

WILLIAM ANDREWS FB

ALFRED JENKINS WR

J. TUGGLE LB

BILLY (THE WHITE SHOES) JOHNSON WR, KR, PR

DEWY McCLAIN LB

CHANDLER QB

MIKE VICK QB

J. ANDERSON RB

JOHN ZOOK DE

TERRENCE MATHIS WR

TOM PRIDEMORE FS

FULTON KUKENDALL LB

LYNN CAIN RB

BOB BERRY QB

RANDY JOHNSON QB THE FIRST EVER FALCONS QB. NO FALCON QB HAS EVER BEEN HIT LIKE HE WAS HIT.

[falconfansince66]

REV.2000 (6/4/2008)

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REV.2000 (6/4/2008)

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# 1 STEVE BARTKOSKI QB (ALL WAYS WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE)

CLAUDE HUMPHRIES DE

(NEION) DEION CB, PR, KR

TOMMY NOBIS LB

JEFF VAN NOTE C

GERALD RIGGS RB

MIKE KENN OT

BUDDY CURRY LB

ANDREWS FB

ALFRED JENKINS WR

TUGGLE LB

BILLY (THE WHITE SHOES) JOHNSON WR, KR, PR

DEWY McCLAIN LB

CHANDLER QB

VICK QB

J. ANDERSON RB

TERRENCE MATHIS WR

TOM PRIDEMORE FS

FULTON KIKENDALL LB

LYNN CAIN RB

BOB BERRY QB

RANDY JOHNSON   THE FIRST EVER FALCONS QB. NO FALCON QB HAS EVER BEEN HIT LIKE HE WAS HIT.

That's for sure Rev!  And just to think, most people here just think that they've seen a bad Offensive Line over the past few years! :hehe::w00t:

[taylor228193]

1. Vick

2. Kerney

3. D-Hall

4. Dunn

I haven't been a Falcons fan very long.

[bird backer]

I gotta say Brown he lead the league in interceptions in 1974 or 75 - but he and Tommy Nobis used to live in my nieghborhood when I was a kid.  I got to know Ray Brown better than Tommy Nobis.  I was intimidated by Tommy - even in street clothes he just looked mean.  Needless to say they were my favorite Falcons as a kid growing up.  Today I'd have to say and don't laugh but Jay Feely the kicker.  He always had a smile and he was never afraid to go stick his helmet in somebodies chest if need be on a kick off

[REV.2000]

falconfansince66 (6/4/2008)

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REV.2000 (6/4/2008)

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REV.2000 (6/4/2008)

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# 1 STEVE BARTKOSKI QB (ALL WAYS WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE)

CLAUDE HUMPHRIES DE

(NEION) DEION CB, PR, KR

TOMMY NOBIS LB

JEFF VAN NOTE C

GERALD RIGGS RB

MIKE KENN OT

BUDDY CURRY LB

ANDREWS FB

ALFRED JENKINS WR

TUGGLE LB

BILLY (THE WHITE SHOES) JOHNSON WR, KR, PR

DEWY McCLAIN LB

CHANDLER QB

VICK QB

J. ANDERSON RB

TERRENCE MATHIS WR

TOM PRIDEMORE FS

FULTON KIKENDALL LB

LYNN CAIN RB

BOB BERRY QB

RANDY JOHNSON   THE FIRST EVER FALCONS QB. NO FALCON QB HAS EVER BEEN HIT LIKE HE WAS HIT.

That's for sure Rev!  And just to think, most people here just think that they've seen a bad Offensive Line over the past few years! :hehe::w00t:

THEY JUST DON'T KNOW HOW GOOD THEY HAVE IT. THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN A "BAD" OFFENSIVE LINE.

[TeamPlayer]

Cocoa Beach Falcon (6/4/2008)

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"Dolphins running back Larry Csonka: "I'd rather play against **** Butkus than Nobis."

Dang, that pretty much says it all. I actually feel guilty that I don't really remember Nobis.

Here's another good quote:

Coach Norm Van Brocklin pointed to Nobis' locker at the Stadium and proclaimed: "There's where our football team dresses." NFL players league-wide respected Nobis' efforts and abilities.

Nobis carried this team on his shoulders much more than Mike Vick ever did.  He was the ONLY star on this team for the first 4-5 years of its' existence.  Everywhere the opposing team's offense went with the ball, you could bet your @ss that Nobis was there waiting to make a hit and/or tackle.  I recall one game vs the Rams he was involved with the tackle on like every single play during a quarter!  He made Patrick Kerney's motor look like a Briggs & Stratton lawn mower engine.  He wasn't afraid to play with an injury, in fact I believe he played with that injured knee in the 1969 season.  When the game was over, he would come out with the dirtiest and bloodiest uniform on the whole field.

THAT is why you never disrespect Tommy Nobis by calling someone else "Mr Falcon"....

"66" you are right on about Tommy Nobis! In the 65 Orange Bowl with time running out, Joe Namath(a decent runner in college) for Alabama tries a sneak from inside the one. Nobis was a brick wall, Texas wins.

[Statick]

Going off the top of the dome here...

Jessie Tuggle

Steve Bartowski

William Andrews

Lynn Cain

Alfred Jenkins

Jamal Anderson

Morten Anderson

Scott Case

Deion Sanders

[falconfansince66]

Wanted to add to the fact that Randy Johnson was our first QB.  This guy was thrown to the wolves and started/played every game in the Falcons' first season.  In ten years of playing QB in the NFL, he had only one season that he threw for more TD's than INT's.  In his fourth - tenth years, he went from Atlanta to the Giants then Washington and Green Bay as a backup.  He compares very favorably to today's David Carr who got thrown into the same situation as a starting QB for an expansion team entering the NFL.

[TeamPlayer]

"Dolphins running back Larry Csonka: "I'd rather play against **** Butkus than Nobis"

 

Praise from Csonka is high praise indeed. In the Super Bowl against the Redskins one of the DBs (Fisher I believe) tried to tackle Csonka in the open field and was destroyed.

Csonka was penalized for unnecessary roughness "Roughing the tackler!" LOL 

[falconfansince66]

TeamPlayer (6/4/2008)

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"Dolphins running back Larry Csonka: "I'd rather play against **** Butkus than Nobis"

 

Praise from Csonka is hig praise indeed. In the Super Bowl against the Redskins one of the DBs (Fisher I believe) tried to tackle Csonka in the open field and was destroyed.

Csonka was penalized for unnecessary roughness "Roughing the tackler!" LOL 

I remember that as well. Csonka's face appeared in Webster's Dictionary right next to the word "Beast".  Word has it that they removed King Kong's picture after Csonka made the statement: "I'd rather play against King Kong than Nobis"....

[Big Duke 6]

Jessie tuggle,chuck smith,travis hall,terrance mathis,cornelius bennett,bartkowski and jamal anderson are my favorites.

[foreveriloveatlanta]

I loved watching Tim Dwight.  My current favorite has to be Norwood. 

[Statick]

falconfansince66 (6/4/2008)

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Cocoa Beach Falcon (6/4/2008)

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"Dolphins running back Larry Csonka: "I'd rather play against **** Butkus than Nobis."

Dang, that pretty much says it all. I actually feel guilty that I don't really remember Nobis.

Here's another good quote:

Coach Norm Van Brocklin pointed to Nobis' locker at the Stadium and proclaimed: "There's where our football team dresses." NFL players league-wide respected Nobis' efforts and abilities.

Nobis carried this team on his shoulders much more than Mike Vick ever did.  He was the ONLY star on this team for the first 4-5 years of its' existence.  Everywhere the opposing team's offense went with the ball, you could bet your @ss that Nobis was there waiting to make a hit and/or tackle.  I recall one game vs the Rams he was involved with the tackle on like every single play during a quarter!  He made Patrick Kerney's motor look like a Briggs & Stratton lawn mower engine.  He wasn't afraid to play with an injury, in fact I believe he played with that injured knee in the 1969 season.  When the game was over, he would come out with the dirtiest and bloodiest uniform on the whole field.

THAT is why you never disrespect Tommy Nobis by calling someone else "Mr Falcon"....

Nobis was before my time, but I did hear how he was **** on two feet.

[chipster10]

Steve Bartkowski

Billy Johnson "White Shoes"

Bill Fralic

Andre Rison

Jessie Tuggle

Terance Mathis

Warrick Dunn

John Abraham 

[northbamafalcon]

1  <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Fulton Kuykendall<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

2. Tommy Nobis

3. William Andrews

4. Jessie Tuggle

5. Steve Bartkowski

6. Jeff Van Note

7. Billy Johnson

8. Mike Kenn

9. Bill Fralic

10. Billy Rychman

11. Deion Sanders

 

 

My list, but there have been alot of good ones to watch!

[Farmer]

Shelley#37 (6/4/2008)

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Farmer (6/4/2008)

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Shelley#37 (6/4/2008)

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1. Elbert Shelley - best special teams player in Falcons history...ALWAYS in on the tackle

Played special teams well enough that he went to the pro bowl four times...was a Falcon from 87-96...just one of those 'cult players' you get to know and love

7. The Jeff's - Morrow and Yeates....badass DTs in the 70's and 80's played for Jerry Glanvilles record setting defenses. Two guys with that crazed look in their eyes that gave you everything on every down. Merrow played from about 75 - 83 and Yeates played from 76 - 84.

9. The Bruise Brothers - Tom Pridemore and Bob Glazebrook - safeties from the late 70's and early 80's They were part of the same defense as the Jeffs...two guys that would fly around the field with no care about their bodies. problem with them was they often got nailed on misdirection, but two HARD HITTERS before Case was here

11. Kenny Johnson - only corner I have ever seen that wore a full cage facemaskPLayed with the Birds for about 5 years before finishing his career with Houston...nothing really stands out about him other than he wore a linemans facemask playing corner...I don't know why

Man, I'd like for you to elaborate on a couple of these. I've never even heard of some of them.

Thanks for this add.  I like hearing from fans that know about the players b/4 I became I fan.  The Bruise Brothers sound like my kind of guys.  I love guys that fly around the field hitting anything in their way.

[Farmer]

falconfansince66 (6/4/2008)

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Farmer (6/4/2008)

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Just wanted to talk about something positive. 

.....2. Keith Brooking - Mr. Falcon

In order to set all Falcon fans straight, there has only been ONE "Mr. Falcon" and that is Tommy Nobis.  As much as I admire and respect Keith Brooking's career in Atlanta, he pales in comparison to the best LB to ever wear a Falcons uniform.  In fact, nearly every single Falcons player pales in comparison to him.  He was THAT GREAT!

 Here's just a few examples of my reasoning: 

• Was the first ever player drafted by the Atlanta Falcons organization in the inaugural 1966 season. Tommy quickly became the first ever Falcon voted to the Pro Bowl in his rookie year. The stellar middle linebacker was named the NFL Rookie of the Year for his efforts.

• "Mr. Falcon" led the team in tackles in nine of his 11 seasons, earning five trips to the Pro Bowl

• After his 46th consecutive NFL game, he underwent knee surgery in 1969 and another one on the other knee in 1971. Known for his toughness, Nobis came back from both surgeries to earn another Pro Bowl spot in 1972.  Knee surgeries in the late 60's/early 70's were always a long trip to the DL and not always as successful as the present day methods.

• In a poll conducted in 1970 by ABC to pick the best athlete of the decade of the 1960's, running back O.J. Simpson was number one, and Tommy Nobis was number two in the entire country.

• Tommy had an astronomical 294 total combined tackles as a rookie, still the team's club record.  (NOTE: 14 Game Season!)

• Tommy also intercepted 11 passes during his professional career, returning two for touchdowns, and getting fined $100 each time for throwing the ball into the stands.

• His uniform #60 was the first one the Falcons ever retired and it's been worn by only him during the team's 30-plus years of existence.

• Dolphins running back Larry Csonka: "I'd rather play against **** Butkus than Nobis."

• Former Falcons head coach Dan Reeves: "As a running back for eight seasons in the NFL, I certainly took my share of hits. Unfortunately I remember some of them, particularly the ones from Falcons linebacker Tommy Nobis. "Mr. Falcon," as he is known in this part of the country, should be considered a worthy candidate for the Hall of Fame. I played and coached on some great teams while I was with Dallas. Those teams consisted of Hall of Fame members like Bob Lilly, Roger Staubach and Tom Landry. I feel that Nobis' contributions on the field merit those of the Cowboys Hall of Fame players. Before the days of mass media and cable television, the play of Nobis stood a good chance of being missed due to the Falcons lack of success during his tenure. I think we need to count on the members of the media to help keep his legacy alive and teach our younger fans of his playing days. If you talk to the players of his era, they will certainly name Nobis as one of the game's most fierce competitors."

So whenever you're considering calling anyone besides Tommy Nobis, "Mr Falcon", you'd probably be best advised ask Mr Nobis if it's okay first!

I would agree with you, I just wish I could've seen Nobis play.  I just think of Brooking as "Mr. Falcon" b/c he's never left Atlanta.  Maybe "Mr. Atlanta" would be a better title.

[ironhead56]

jeff van note,bill fralic,mike kenn,jessie tuggle,terrance mathis,norm johnson,bob christian,jumpy geathers,pierce holt, tim green,primetime,chris miller,bobby hebert....too many to list