31 Random Fun Falcon Facts

[Peyton]

1. On Sunday Todd McClure will break the franchise record for consecutive starts with 129, breaking his current tie with Keith Brooking.

2. The Falcons finished in the top 5 in total offense only once, in 1980. The Falcons highest finish in scoring offense was 2nd in 1981, but the team only managed a 7-9 record.

3. Brent Grimes is only the 4th player from Shippensburg University to see playing time in the NFL.

4. In 1977, the Falcons had the best scoring defense in NFL history, allowing just 9.2 points per game, but still only went 7-7.

5. Marion Campbell is the only person with two stints as coach of the Falcons. He was 6-19 in his first stint, but was inexplicably hired again in 1987. He did even worse in the second stretch, with an 11-42 record.

6. Although Campbells stint from 1987-1989 is largely considered the darkest 3 year period in Falcons history, the team did knock off the eventual Super Bowl champions in both 1987 and 1988, beating the Doug Williams led Redskins in 87 and stunning the 49ers in Candlestick in 1988.

7. Michael Jenkins career high for receiving yardage in a game is 83 yards, the lowest total for any NFL receiver in history with more than 50 starts. Bryant Johnson is the only guy who even comes close to matching this, but I understand he is an excellent blocker.

8. One of the most famous plays in Falcons history is the hail mary to White Shoes to beat the Niners in 83. One week later, the Falcons completed another hail mary from Mike Moroski to Stacey Bailey to tighten a game against the Packers going into halftime.

9. Kenny Johnson played prominent roles in both of those exciting games. In the 49ers game, he devastated Skeets Nehemiah and probably made him rethink the whole football thing. In the Packers game Kenny Johnson gave the Falcons the lead with a 4th quarter pick 6, then won the game with another pick 6 in overtime.

10. In the aforementioned Packers game, the Falcons overcame a 21 -0 deficit for the second time in a 5 week span, having done the same against the Jets 5 weeks earlier. Those two games represent the biggest comebacks in Falcons history.

11. Despite 3 of the most exciting wins in Falcons history, the 1983 Falcons went only 7-9.

12. In 1995, the Falcons became the first offense in NFL history with 4 players to achieve 1000 yards from scrimmage, but surprisingly only finished 10th in total offense and 11th in scoring offense.

13. The best record for any 3 year period in Falcons history is 27-21. This years Falcons need only an 8-8 record to top it.

14. Steve Bartkowski threw 30 TDs and 51 INTs in his first 4 seasons, and didnt throw more TDs than INTs until his 6th season in the league.

15. Nonetheless, Steve was the NFL Rookie of the Year in 1975, despite completing 45% of his passes and compiling a 4-7 record as a starter. Goes to show you how much QB development has changed.

16. Chris Chandler set a modern NFL record for YPA in 1998 at 9.6, a record that has since only been topped by Kurt Warner in 2000.

17. Roddy White had more catches last year than all other WRs on the Falcons roster combined 85 to 83. It was the first time that has happened with the Falcons since 1981, when only 3 WRs had catches.

18. Deion Sanders fumbled on his very first play as a punt returner for the Atlanta Falcons. The play was called back because of a penalty, and Deion took the re-kick to the house.

19. In the opener of 1973, the Falcons went to New Orleans and set franchise records for points (62), offensive yards (496), and first downs (32) in a 62-7 stomping of the Saints. The following week, the Falcons were stomped by the Rams 31-0 and managed a franchise low 2 first downs. The Falcons did not score another TD in the following two games either against the Lions and 49ers, and lost the three games by a combined 75-15.

20. Following the miserable 3 game stretch, the 73 Falcons reeled off 7 wins, at the time a franchise record, outscoring opponents 211-83.

21. In 1988, the Falcons did not have a WR with more than 28 catches.

22. In 1987, the Falcons completed passes to 26 different players. Ironically, that team finished last in total offense and scoring offense. So much for my spreading it around theory.

23. The Falcons threw more passes in 2009 than in any season since 1996.

24. The Falcons won four games in 1978 by identical 20-17 scores, including two miraculous wins against the New Orleans Saints that put the Falcons into the playoffs instead of the Saints.

25. In 1978, the Falcons beat the Eagles 14-13 for their first ever playoff victory in what also happened to be the first ever NFL Wild Card game.

26. The difference in the Falcons victory was a missed extra point by the Eagles and also a missed FG on the final play of the game. Falcons kicker, Tim Mazetti, had been cut by the Eagles in preseason of that very same season.

27. In 1989, Shawn Collins had more catches than any rookie receiver drafted in the NFL during the 1980s with 58, but he only managed 54 for the balance of his career.

28. In 1990, the Falcons made the best trade in franchise history by trading away the rights to Jeff George for Chris Hinton, Andre Rison, and a 1st round pick that would turn into Mike Pritchard.

29. In 1994, the Falcons made arguably the worst trade in franchise history when they sent two first round picks and a 3rd round pick to Indianapolis for the same Jeff George, who by this time, had amassed a 14-35 record as a starting QB. Indy traded the first pick in 94 that wound up being Bryant Young, and the second 1st round pick in 96 turned out to be Marvin Harrison. So…basically the Falcons traded two possible HOF players for the rights to a QB that had compiled a 28% winning percentage. Both of those other guys got Super Bowl rings. It ended badly.

30. The 2008 Atlanta Falcons gained more offensive yards than any team in franchise history.

31. The 2010 Falcons, according to John Clayton, have the fewest new players in the league. Time will tell if that is a good thing or bad thing.

Edited September 8, 2010 by Peyton

[bossFALCON™]

2. The Falcons finished in the top 5 in total offense only once, in 1980. The Falcons highest finish in scoring offense was 2nd in 1981, but the team only managed a 7-9 record.

30. The 2008 Atlanta Falcons gained more offensive yards than any team in franchise history.

these 2 shocked me the most. our offense wasn't top 5 in 98 with all of those weapons we had? i know we just barely missed out in 08 (we were 6th).

[Peyton]

these 2 shocked me the most. our offense wasn't top 5 in 98 with all of those weapons we had? i know we just barely missed out in 08 (we were 6th).

The 98 team was 7th in yardage but 4th in points.

[Turner2endZone]

Good stuff Peyton

Thanks!

[BruceReville]

32. 2008 - Atlanta set the record for Time of Possession (41:15) against the Oakland Raiders

[Guest Gritz]

7. Michael Jenkins career high for receiving yardage in a game is 82 yards, the lowest total for any NFL receiver in history with more than 50 starts. Bryant Johnson is the only guy who even comes close to matching this, but I understand he is an excellent blocker.

[BruceReville]

Dude I Love Your Dog!!!!!! Glad To See It Back! +1

[Falcons 'til Death]

The one that got me was #12. With 3 1000 receivers and a 1000 rusher we still finished 11th in scoring offense and 10th in total offense. I know there were other run and shoot teams in the league at that time, but it makes me wonder what the other teams did.

[Tandy]

2. The Falcons finished in the top 5 in total offense only once, in 1980. The Falcons highest finish in scoring offense was 2nd in 1981, but the team only managed a 7-9 record.

In 2008, the Falcons finished 6th overall in offense - and they were only 4.2 yards away from finishing 5th. That was with a rookie QB steering the way.

[Peyton]

In 2008, the Falcons finished 6th overall in offense - and they were only 4.2 yards away from finishing 5th. That was with a rookie QB steering the way.

The crazy thing is that all of the highest ranking Falcons offenses have been really run heavy.

[Goal Line D]

The crazy thing is that all of the highest ranking Falcons offenses have been really run heavy.

Just the way I like it! Chew that clock baby.

[NZFalcon]

22. In 1987, the Falcons completed passes to 26 different players. Ironically, that team finished last in total offense and scoring offense. So much for my spreading it around theory.

26 players :blink: wtf

Nice facts plus 1 from me

[Guest Gritz]

Dude I Love Your Dog!!!!!! Glad To See It Back! +1

Godzilla has been powering up with lots of fiber.

I wouldn't give 2 cents for that mat after Sunday.

Actually I wouldn't give 2 cents for it anytime.

[Peyton]

The one that got me was #12. With 3 1000 receivers and a 1000 rusher we still finished 11th in scoring offense and 10th in total offense. I know there were other run and shoot teams in the league at that time, but it makes me wonder what the other teams did.

It was just one of those crazy years, 1995. For whatever reason, that is the year that all of those WRs went crazy. Four of the top 11 receiving seasons in history were in 1995 alone.

The 95 team actually outgained the 98 team, which finished 7th. There were just a lot of really hot offenses in 95.

[Peyton]

26 players :blink: wtf

Nice facts plus 1 from me

It's because that was the year of the replacement players.

[Tandy]

The crazy thing is that all of the highest ranking Falcons offenses have been really run heavy.

I don't think that's crazy at all. With the exception of the run and shoot years, we have mostly been a run heavy team, so it stands to reason that those years would dominate the count.

Nothing says a run dominant team can't score. Here's the thing though - if we get the lead early - we tend to start with clock management. This leaves a lot less time to run the score up.

I'm ok with that though. Unlike a lot of fans, the W means more to me than the yards.

If they get the wins - and continue to improve and consistently get us into postseason - I could care less if they are 32nd in offensive stats.

Still, we did a lot of passing in 2008 as well, but we usually let Turner push it in when it came crunch time. 16 of his 18 Touchdowns in 2008 came from within the 19 yard line of the opposition.

[bossFALCON™]

It was just one of those crazy years, 1995. For whatever reason, that is the year that all of those WRs went crazy. Four of the top 11 receiving seasons in history were in 1995 alone.

The 95 team actually outgained the 98 team, which finished 7th. There were just a lot of really hot offenses in 95.

kind of like last year, except the qbs went crazy. 10 4,000 yard passers. you know guys have had a great year throwing the ball if 22 pass TDs is considered "decent"

[Peyton]

I don't think that's crazy at all. With the exception of the run and shoot years, we have mostly been a run heavy team, so it stands to reason that those years would dominate the count.

Nothing says a run dominant team can't score. Here's the thing though - if we get the lead early - we tend to start with clock management. This leaves a lot less time to run the score up.

I'm ok with that though. Unlike a lot of fans, the W means more to me than the yards.

If they get the wins - and continue to improve and consistently get us into postseason - I could care less if they are 32nd in offensive stats.

Still, we did a lot of passing in 2008 as well, but we usually let Turner push it in when it came crunch time. 16 of his 18 Touchdowns in 2008 came from within the 19 yard line of the opposition.

I agree. I just meant that throughout the rest of the league, the teams that usually are the top yardage offenses are pass heavy. Occasionally you will get one like the Bills from the early 90s that actually do both in a dominant fashion.

[Lowndesfalc]

8. One of the most famous plays in Falcons history is the hail mary to White Shoes to beat the Niners in 83. One week later, the Falcons completed another hail mary from Mike Moroski to Stacey Bailey to tighten a game against the Packers going into halftime.

9. Kenny Johnson played prominent roles in both of those exciting games. In the 49ers game, he devastated Skeets Nehemiah and probably made him rethink the whole football thing. In the Packers game Kenny Johnson gave the Falcons the lead with a 4th quarter pick 6, then won the game with another pick 6 in overtime.

10. In the aforementioned Packers game, the Falcons overcame a 21 -0 deficit for the second time in a 5 week span, having done the same against the Jets 5 weeks earlier. Those two games represent the biggest comebacks in Falcons history.

Ahhh, memories... I was at the Packer game where Kenny Johnson intercepted the pass in OT to win the game. Also remember the White Shoes play very well. Thanks

[Peyton]

Ahhh, memories... I was at the Packer game where Kenny Johnson intercepted the pass in OT to win the game. Also remember the White Shoes play very well. Thanks

I think that is the only time in Falcons history that a player has had two pick 6s in the same game, but I am not certain about it.

[Karst41]

Thanks Peyton.

(looks like a primer for Saturday Night Trivia )

[falconidae]

In the interest of accuracy- Jenkins had an 83 yard game in 07.

[MattM12]

the jenkins stat is a shocker...

[Peyton]

In the interest of accuracy- Jenkins had an 83 yard game in 07.

I can never quite remember if it is 82 or 83. My bad. I should have looked it up.

[falconidae]

I can never quite remember if it is 82 or 83. My bad. I should have looked it up.

Yeah, not that it matters at all for your point:lol:. Just figured you'd want to know.