1998 Or The Last 4 Years? Which Would You Rather Have?

[Tallahassee]

I've seen a lot of complaing about the team over the last 4 years, despite consistently winning and making the playoffs. At one point, this seemed like a far-off dream for Falcons fans, but lately it doesn't seem good enough. So help me figure out the mindset of this board - would you rather have:

- 1998: one great season where we almost win it all, followed by years of losing

OR

- The Last 4 Years: consistently winning in the regular season, making it to the playoffs, but losing (and sometimes losing big...)

Edited January 24, 2012 by Tallahassee

[Mega Flare]

It's a shame that Blank wasn't the owner in 1999. That would have made a huge difference, along with Jamal not blowing out his knee hopefully.

[falcons faithful]

if your going to make a poll make a relistic one.

[Tallahassee]

if your going to make a poll make a relistic one.

???

[FalconsIn2012]

No brainer. I'll take consistency and regular playoff appearances. We will get over the hump sooner rather than later.

[TeamPlayer1]

Remember, we were still a loser in 1998. First loser but loser none the less.

[Falconjerome]

We only have greatness to come!!!!

[Trouble]

Back then we where the same ol falcons. Underdogs every week, expected to get blown out more than win and if we did have a winning season, prepare for all crap to break loose the next.

Its nice now to go into the offseason and have realistic goals of actually improving and still winning the next season. Its nice to actually think we can make the post season every year.

[blackredfellow]

I'll take the 4 years, especially when the 4th year was the last season. Why? Because we are still a good team. It's not 4 years and then done. So I'll take the 4 years and then some, which this regime will give us.

[VTCrunkler]

good poll question.

last four years. no questions.

[FalconFanSince1970]

I voted for 1998 thinking you meant 95-98. I'll take that era. Two of the four years in the playoffs. One as conference champions with a Super Bowl appearance. Even the 97 team went on a tear in the second half of the season. 95 featured four 1,000 yarders and of course the Hebert to Mathis Xmas Eve play. 96 sucked though. The best moment that year was June Jones jacking up Jeff George on the sideline.

[paulitik]

As much as I loved the 98 season, I don't ever want to go through a performance like that Super Bowl and the following season. I like where we are at, but I'm far from satisfied. Playoff wins mean nothing to me without a Super Bowl win. I've experienced all the other stuff. I want a lombardi.

[Mid-Nite-Toker]

I'd rather see my team in a SB then just a springboard for other teams to go to the SB...I choose 98.

My biggest highlight from start to finish(last 4yrs) was the 9-7 season...terrible injuries and a killer schedule. You at least knew the team was tough after that

season. The past 2 seasons under MS only leave me scratching my head and questioning the path going forward.

[Miller2Rison]

1998 was a great year but i'll take the last 4 years. Eguine made an azz of him self in Miami, we had high expectations in 1999 and went 5-11. At least we keep getting in to the trournament, we won't keep losing.

[Falcon Freddie]

I didn't vote.

This is close to being the dumbest poll ever posted on this message board. And that's going against some stiff competition.

[rounz]

I'll take '98.

That team had heart.

[paulitik]

I'll take '98.

That team had heart.

Yeah, until the last game, when it got pulled out by Eugene Robinson.

[rounz]

Yeah, until the last game, when it got pulled out by Eugene Robinson.

Yeah. When I heard the news my heart dropped. I knew then that our chances had just gotten worse.

But one thing about that team, they battled to the end of every game, and somebody always found a way to make a play.

These last couple of years it seems like everybody would wait for somebody else to make a play.

Edited January 24, 2012 by rounz

[Peyton]

If Eugene didn't humiliate the team and the city of Atlanta and the Falcons didn't get blown out by the smug azz Broncos, this one might take some thought. But those two things kinda ruined 1998 a little bit, especially the Robinson thing.

[paulitik]

Yeah. When I heard the news my heart dropped. I knew then that our chances had just gotten worse.

But one thing about that team, they battled to the end of every game, and somebody always found a way to make a play.

These last couple of years it seems like everybody would wait for somebody else to make a play.

If that team could beat the Vikings, they definitely could have beat the Broncos. It's a **** shame, and all too typical for something like that to happen to this franchise. That Vikes team was so good, they got a freaking America's Game documentary despite not making the Super Bowl.

[fansince78]

1998 don't matter anymore, neither does the last four years. History is all those seasons are now. The future is all we have at this point and I look forward to the 2012 season.

[Mid-Nite-Toker]

1998 don't matter anymore, neither does the last four years. History is all those seasons are now. The future is all we have at this point and I look forward to the 2012 season.

All fans look forward to the next season, that goes w/o saying.

1998 mattered because the Falcons were among the last two. The last 4 mattered because we overcame tradegy but seem far from the drive towards

execellence of 98...the real goal. The ship was righted but not set sail towards a SB.

If we base the success of the current squad's performances(in error) of past Falcon teams, 98 is the template, not the last 4 years. We regained

respectablity the last 4, but nowhere near getting to the SB.

This should be titled would you rather have Reeves or Smitty? I'll take Reeves and heart surgery over Smitty and gas.

[Jimsmusic™]

doesnt matter

all those seasons are failure.. a bust.

don't win SB? season was a failure.. a bust.

[fansince78]

doesnt matter

all those seasons are failure.. a bust.

don't win SB? season was a failure.. a bust.

That is pretty much the truth. The NFL has one champion and 31 other teams. I did not feel any better about the team making it to the big game and losing than getting knocked out before it.

[Fysh19]

I'll take the last 4 years.