Atlanta Falcons

Which Team Is the Next New Orleans?

1
COMMENT
Say Something »

By Chris Burke 2/10/2010 9:00 AM ET

The Saints' Super Bowl win on Sunday ended a grueling 43-year title drought for the franchise -- since entering the league in 1967, New Orleans had never played in a championship game, let alone won the big one.

But in taking down the Colts, the Saints became the 18th NFL franchise to capture a Super Bowl crown. That leaves 14 desperate title-less teams, of which four (Cleveland, Detroit, Jacksonville and Houston) have never even made it to the NFL's grandest stage.

So with an eye toward next season and beyond, we take a look at who could be next to break through.

0
COMMENTS
Say Something »

By Chris Harry 2/05/2010 2:30 PM ET

This is part eight in FanHouse's nine-part series examining memorable moments and players from past Super Bowl games played in Miami. Coming next: Colts defensive tackle Anthony McFarland, Super Bowl XLI.

SUPER BOWL XXXIII
Date: Jan. 31, 1999
Site: Pro Player Stadium
Score: Broncos 34, Falcons 19 (MVP: John Elway)

At the University of Illinois, Howard Griffith scored eight -- count 'em, eight -- touchdowns in a game, breaking a record held by Red Grange, the Illini legend who came to be known as the "Galloping Ghost."

Griffith was given a nickname, too, but not until he carved his niche in the pros. Well into his 11-year NFL career, he was known simply as the "Human Plow," and not because he punished would-be tacklers when he had the ball.

Because of what he did without it.

"I wasn't fast enough to be a tailback. I had to adjust my game," said Griffith, a ninth-round draft pick by Indianapolis who bounced around with four teams. "So I became a great blocker."

2
COMMENTS
Say Something »

By Knox Bardeen 1/20/2010 10:30 PM ET

Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez confirmed in an interview on the Falcons' website Wednesday that he would return to play in the 2010 season.

Gonzalez, who will turn 34 next month, received advice from former NFL players telling him that, at this stage in his career, it's best to take things one year at a time, never rushing decisions.

"You don't ever want to make a decision right after the season is over," Gonzalez told J. Michael Moore on Falconcast. "Now that I've had a chance to get away from the game a little bit and talk to my family, I'm definitely going to be around for next year."

9
COMMENTS
Say Something »

By Michael David Smith 1/07/2010 9:40 AM ET

As part of his plea bargain to federal conspiracy charges related to dog fighting, Michael Vick agreed to cooperate with federal investigators who were looking into criminal activities, including some activities that weren't related to dog fighting.

The Smoking Gun has now obtained a document recounting an October 2007 interview with Vick that was attended by federal prosecutors, FBI agents, and Department of Agriculture investigators, and that document reveals that Vick was questioned about a DEA informant who claimed that Vick once discussed steroids and human growth hormone with a dealer.

3
COMMENTS
Say Something »

By Knox Bardeen 12/27/2009 4:15 PM ET

It didn't have as many twists and turns as the kickoff return in the Cal-Stanford game in 1982, and no trombone players were injured in the aftermath, but the ending of the first half in the Atlanta Falcons game against the Buffalo Bills could have been a contender for craziest play of the year -- if it had counted.

With five seconds remaining in the half, Matt Bryant's 55-yard field goal attempt was blocked and recovered by Justin Jenkins, who took it eight yards and lateraled the ball to Reggie Corner, who took the ball backwards, then sideways and then forward for four yards before fumble-lateraling to George Wilson. It was Wilson who progressed forward, evading tackles and finally crossing the goal line.

1
COMMENT
Say Something »

By Knox Bardeen 12/27/2009 3:10 PM ET

ATLANTA -- In the first half of Sunday's game in Atlanta, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Terrell Owens caught a pass from Brian Brohm to become just the sixth player in NFL history with 1,000 receptions. Owens joined an extremely select group that includes future Hall of Fame receivers who soon will be enshrined, once they've been out of the league long enough.

Jerry Rice has more catches than anyone in NFL history with 1,549. Marvin Harrison is second with 1,102, and Cris Carter (1,101), Tim Brown (1,094) and Isaac Bruce (1,024) round out the top five. Owens' second catch of the day gave him 1,000 for his 14-year career.

5
COMMENTS
Say Something »

By JJ Cooper 12/16/2009 10:13 AM ET

With three weeks left in the season, we're not too far away from settling most of the NFC playoff picture. By Monday night, three of the four division races and one of the wild-card spots in the NFC could be decided, leaving the NFC East race as the only compelling conference storyline of the final two weeks of the season.

In the AFC, the situation is a little more muddled. Indianapolis has locked up the No. 1 seed and San Diego could wrap up the No. 2 seed this weekend with a couple of breaks. But the AFC East is still relatively wide open, and the wild-card race likely won't be settled until the final week of the season.

Here's how the playoff contenders look heading into Week 15.

68
COMMENTS
Say Something »

By Terence Moore 12/13/2009 7:14 PM ET

ATLANTA -- It was a lie from the start. Yes, the New Orleans Saints are obsessed with trying to go undefeated. No, they won't say it, because they can't say it.

None of that matters, though. The truth is everywhere.

And the truth? The Saints wish to win every game in 2009. After that, they plan to continue their streak through February 7 of next year -- you know, in Miami , where the NFL will play its final game of the season.

Even so, the Saints kept perpetuating their lie last week, and that was despite Robert Meachem becoming the latest New Orleans player to show that this is one of those teams of destiny. The No. 3 wide receiver turned a Washington Redskins interception into a Saints touchdown with a miracle you really had to see to believe.

0
COMMENTS
Say Something »

By Knox Bardeen 12/13/2009 5:50 PM ET

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Falcons entered Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints with a 6-6 record and their playoff hopes in dire need of a victory. The Falcons' defense did their job and limited the Saints' potent offense, but Atlanta's offense couldn't match the effort -- sending the Falcons' playoff chances onto life support.

Atlanta had two possessions down three points in the final five minutes, but could not overcome the Saints' small lead.

0
COMMENTS
Say Something »

By Knox Bardeen 12/13/2009 12:20 PM ET

Michael Turner hasn't practiced all week and Matt Ryan only participated in a few walk-throughs as the team held out hope that either, or both, would be able to suit up and take the field as the Atlanta Falcons hosted the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

Unfortunately for the Falcons and their hopes for the playoffs, both Ryan and Turner will be inactive and unable to face the Saints.

Turner re-injured his ankle in the Week 12 game against Tampa Bay and hasn't played since. That's also the week that Ryan injured his toe -- also remaining absent since that first drive of the game.

Starting in place of Ryan at quarterback will be Chris Redman. Jerious Norwood will start at running back for Turner, but expect to see Jason Snelling quite a bit.

Atlanta Falcons News

Customize
- ALL
- News
- Blogs
Powered by Relegence Over 3,000 Sources
- Real-Time Headlines: Customization
  
  Relevancy Filter: Select the subject relevance you want to view.
  
  Relevancy:
  
  Broad
  
  Medium
  
  Specific
  
  Source Filter: Select the news and information source list you want to view.
  
  News Sources - - Edit Source Selection >
  
  All News Sources
  
  None
  
  Blog Sources - - Edit Source Selection >
  
  All Blogs Sources
  
  None