Moving to a new location
AJC blogs are moving to a new technical platform. So check out Terence Moore’s new blog home and bookmark it.
Home > Terence Moore > Archives > 2009 > January > 02 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USNo gimmicks for these Falcons
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hear that sound coming from the direction of the Falcons? You shouldn’t, because it doesn’t exist. Well, at least not regarding a catch phrase, a gimmick or any of those other silly things that this historically insecure franchise used during other playoff runs to promote its worth.
No Gritz Blitz. No big belt buckles, with the likes of MC Hammer, Travis Tritt and Elvis Presley’s ghost on the sideline. No cornerback high-stepping into the end zone after kick, punt or interception returns. No quarterback with magic legs.
No folks flapping their arms while performing disco moves, the Holy Ghost dance or whatever.
That’s why, with the current Falcons preparing to face the Cardinals Saturday in Arizona as a wild-card team, defensive tackle Grady Jackson frowned when asked if he joined his teammates in viewing themselves as something like the 21st century Dirty Birds.
“No, not really,” said Jackson, frowning some more. “You know, we just go out there and play, man. We don’t look at the nicknames or anything like that. We just keep playing and keep forcing people to believe in us. I mean, if we had a gimmick, it would just be ‘believe.’ “
Works for me. More importantly, such an approach works for a youthful Falcons team that jumped out of nowhere after that Michael Vick and Bobby Petrino mess during last season’s 4-12 finish to win 11 times this year. They have a rookie quarterback (Matt Ryan) who is prospering with a businesslike approach on and off the field. They acquired a free-agent running back (Michael Turner) who ranks among the rushing elite by letting his legs speak more than his mouth. Even their dominate force on defense (John Abraham) lacks the loudness and brashness that characterizes many of his peers.
The Falcons also have a slew of other rookies who join Ryan in actually listening to their elders. Then there is that grounded group of veterans. Finally, there is first-year NFL head coach Mike Smith bringing a professional approach to his job, and his assistants do the same.
Imagine this: These Falcons of the postseason mostly are into just playing football to the best of their ability and keeping their mouths shut.
“I don’t mean this in a negative sense, but the best thing about this team is that there is no emotional baggage here,” said Gerald Riggs, a local television analyst, who began his NFL career as a Falcons running back at the end of their Gritz Blitz run to the playoffs in 1982. “There is not anything hovering around this team to try and unify them with the city or whatever. Me, personally, I’m glad they don’t have those things. I still remember all of that Jerry Glanville stuff (“Too Legit to Quit”). Please, let’s not go there anymore.
“In the past, those types of monikers made for something that everybody could latch onto from a city and also from a fan standpoint. But as a player, those types of things always had a tendency to come back on you in a negative way.”
Take the Dirty Bird, for instance. That was the rage during the Falcons’ 1998 sprint to the Super Bowl.
Even so, more than a few opponents have spent the 10 years since that season mocking the Falcons with their own little dance of yore after touchdowns and other significant plays.
There is nothing to mock with these Falcons. Said linebacker Keith Brooking, the last remaining player from that Dirty Bird bunch, “I think the way you sum us up right now is ‘team.’ “
Permalink | Comments (34) | Post your comment | Categories: Falcons/NFL
Services »
Comments
By toeknee
January 2, 2009 1:39 PM | Link to this
nice article terrence. ryan really has prospered with a business-like approach on and off the field. well put, do you think he’ll continue to do more of the same next year?
By Mac
January 2, 2009 1:51 PM | Link to this
Right on.
By JW
January 2, 2009 1:53 PM | Link to this
The Falcons 2008 season and organizational turn-around is reminiscent of the 1991 Braves. I hope their run of greatness lasts as long! GO FALCONS!
By SirReal
January 2, 2009 1:56 PM | Link to this
I agree. I think all that stuff was not really beneficial to a team. I’m glad to see a squad that goes out there and lets their play do the talking. ATL has had its share of personalities over the years and I think its time to get away from that. I’ve lived in ATL my entire life, followed the Falcons for most of it. I wont lie. I didnt buy into the whole Ryan deal at first but for different reasons that how i felt and still somewhat feel about MV7. I was just so used to ATL simply trying to “make a splash” that it was hard to see that they were actually building a team this time. After the Bears game I knew this team was different. I believe with a few offseason acquisitions through draft or FA, this team will be competitive for years to come! I iwsh the Birds the best this weekend against those pretenders!!
By k-baby
January 2, 2009 1:57 PM | Link to this
It is so refreshing to witness a Falcon’s team that both “puts up” and “shuts up”. They let their play speak for them and go about their business in the most professional way I have seen since they came to Atlanta back when I was six years old.
Gerald Riggs is right: There is nothing about this team that will backfire on them, which gives me hope that they may go far in these playoffs. Even if they don’t, we can be fairly confident that they will play a solid game and give it their best.
Good luck “clean birds”!
By Najeh Davenpoop
January 2, 2009 1:58 PM | Link to this
“Interesting” take I guess… then again, the ‘85 Bears made up an entire rap song for their Super Bowl run, and it didn’t stop them from winning it all. The Cowboys of the ’90s certainly didn’t keep their mouths shut, and I remember them having some level of success.
Maybe those previous Falcons teams didn’t go all the way because, oh I don’t know, they weren’t coached well enough? Their personnel wasn’t good enough? They ran into better teams? You know, things that actually matter as far as on field performance?
By Ryan Express
January 2, 2009 2:04 PM | Link to this
TM
Time for you to take a backseat also
When you start reporting that you walked into Blanks office or you got Steve Youngs cell phone number, we kinda know what thats about after all the years of lies.
Not one word from you about Glenn Dorsey being a flop . One sack in 2008 lol
Looks like a TV career is out also.
get a job with the fashion industry. you dress like a slouch
Go Falcons
By mackdad
January 2, 2009 2:06 PM | Link to this
no baggage….i like it, hope it stays that way….good article TM
By jgc
January 2, 2009 2:08 PM | Link to this
Great article, Terence. I remember cringing every time the Falcons of ‘98 did that silly dance… the worst being poor Dan Reeves out there shuffling around on his arthritic knees. Let’s just hope we can keep this mentality heading into the next few years as the team brings in new players and deals with the unavoidable swelling egos of current players wanting more money and attention on the national stage.
By ATLalltheway
January 2, 2009 2:08 PM | Link to this
See, we got rid of all the “thugs” from last year and brought in some MEN….and they play like a “team” that is capable of going very far in the playoffs.
By Pete
January 2, 2009 2:08 PM | Link to this
The current Falcon franchise is a legitimate NFL football team not a collection of individual ENTERTAINERS with gimmicks as their weapon. Serious football players who are focused beyond belief. Winners.
By Falcon since 1975
January 2, 2009 2:15 PM | Link to this
Gerald said it best it’s we and not me,that’s why a “team” wins superbowls. I also love the way they cellibrate nothing fancy.
By Booker
January 2, 2009 2:23 PM | Link to this
I agree with Keith Brooking. Even though Turner, Abraham, and Ryan have been amazing, this team owes everything they’ve accomplished this year to playing like at TEAM and every member on the roster contributing.
By Darrin "The Vent King"
January 2, 2009 2:32 PM | Link to this
I really don’t think monikers or nicknames have anything to do with it because if so, “The Super Bowl Shuffle” Bears or “The Greastest Show on Turf” Rams or “Steel Curtain” Steelers or the “America’s Team” Cowboys of yester-year would have never won. It’s like Keith Brooking said in his Q&A- it’s about one word- “team”. If you play like that, monikers and nicknames will have no affect. I don’t think Denver won the SB in ‘98 because we were called the Dirty Birds back then either and if we had of won that game, would this article have a point? Either way, if having none of that is looked upon positively for the current Falcon players-good for them. Whatever works. Having a gimmicky offense (see cut-blocking hybrid West coast offense) or over-sized ego having coach with no clue with said belt buckle (see Glanville) or having the team depend on one player with magical legs (YKW) without putting a good team around him or having owners who didn’t care or coaches/GMs that didn’t have a clue and horrendous draft picks are things more detrimental to teams playing bad than a stupid nickname in my opinion. Those are things that have kept this team/franchise back all these years. I mean the Falcon teams of the mid to late eighties and early to mid 90s sucked as bad as any team in the league and none of those teams had a nicknames so what’s the difference? It is nice that this team is focused on the more important things like “team play” and having each others back on and off the field instead of coming up with a nickname though. This shows this squad has had their heads screwed on correctly by a head coach and staff that wouldn’t even allow a nickname or moniker be a distraction even if one was applied so kudos to all of them for that.
GO FALCONS!!!
(and kick some Cardinal butt tomorrow!)
By GTRIck
January 2, 2009 2:33 PM | Link to this
It is truly refreshing seeing professional athletes acting professionally, instead of acting like a bunch of frat boys who can’t focus on anything but themselves. Perhaps the best part of this amazing season has been watching Abraham, Norwood, Turner, Ryan et.al doing their jobs extremely well and not “hot dogging” everytime they make a play. The future is truly bright, starting today.
Now, if we could only find a few columnists who can write about this team without mentioning the past. Enough already with Vick, Petrino etc. They’re gone and hopefully after this great season will finally be forgotten.
By Steeeeeev
January 2, 2009 2:45 PM | Link to this
The keystone is Arthur Blank… he’s just not that kind of a guy… he likes to win, not talk. It was the best news a football fan in ATL could have ever gotten the day he brought the team. The clock is ticking until the V. Lombardi lives here. : )
By Big O
January 2, 2009 3:12 PM | Link to this
I’m a big MV fan and was a Ryan doubter, Until I watched him play the game. This team makes me proud to be a Falcon fan, win lose or draw they play balls to the wall, leave it all on the field football. I’m especially happy to have quality ownership. Arthur Blank lost a lot of money the past few years and its really good to see him get a return on his investments. Eventhough I think it was a sad end to a career for MV just think of how big a tragedy it would’ve been for Falcon fans if we lost Arthur Blank as an owner. Thank You for breathing life into the lives of a lot of Georgians that are still Falcon Fans
By Singletary
January 2, 2009 3:20 PM | Link to this
08 Falcons are a class act.
How about they do their jobs, and we celebrate this fabulous season … whether it ends tomorrow OR a few weeks from now?
I REALLY don’t want to see/hear/read a bunch of whiners picking apart what has been a stellar season by some great players and professional coaches.
By PMC
January 2, 2009 3:25 PM | Link to this
Couple of words to describe the Falcons.
Refreshing and Professional.
This is the greatest Christmas Gift ever. In a city where we have had minor league gimmick punch lines and dizzy bat challenges to sell tickets…. Finally. Finally Team, and the actual sport are the real headlines.
This is fabulous. They get it from the top to the bottom and they are absolutely tremendous to watch.
There is no 3rd quarter collapse, or 1st quarter flat start anymore when the game is essentially over. No November/December collapse. Just 7 seconds and a kick from Glory.
Absolutely no reason not to think they can win the Super Bowl this year.
By HAHA!
January 2, 2009 3:40 PM | Link to this
LMAO, SO I GUESS THAT NATIONAL GIG JUST DIDNTCANT HAPPEN FOR YA HUH TERRENCE? GUESS YOU HAVE TO KEEP ON WRITING ABOUT THESE FALCONS THAT CANT SPUR THE FOLKS OUT WEST TO SNAG UP THOSE EXTRA TICKETS. OH WELL, GUESS WE CAN BLAME THAT ON “ECONOMIC TIMES”, YEAH..THAT’S IT! LOL OH, STILL WAITING TO FIND OUT ABOUT THAT DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE…JUST IT MUST HAVE HAPPENED THE SAME WAY THAT RAPE HAPPENED IN PAT KERNEY’S HOUSE, IN A COP’S HEAD ONLY AND NOT IN REALITY SINCE THE AJC DOESN’T SEEM TO WANT TO PURSUE WHAT HAPPENED!
By Wise Man
January 2, 2009 3:56 PM | Link to this
Great article. Although, I can’t diminish what the ‘98 team did with the “Dirty Bird”. It was a rallying concept that caught fire and allowed the fans to get involved - same with the ‘91 Braves and the Tomahawk Chop. This team needed the team concept more than anything. Anything else would have cheapened the the “team” identity. Plus, I take it as a complement win visiting teams do the Dirty Bird.
By Jack
January 2, 2009 4:02 PM | Link to this
Why is it some of you insist on bashing T Moore with EVERY article he writes? Get a life, losers! If you don’t like him, don’t read or post! Simple as that. I enjoy your columns Terence as I enjoy all the sports columnists for AJC. Keep doing what you do.
By Jenn
January 2, 2009 4:05 PM | Link to this
I am so proud of the birds they really deserve this success. After we got deserted by that hypocrit Petrino and the drama that was Vick I thought we’d never recover. Mike Smith is Coach of the Year in my book. However there is one tiny think I want to talk about and that is the disappearing tight end situation. I have a suggestion. Why not play Finnerren at tight end?! He can block well and what linebacker can keep up with him? It seems like a waste to have him switching in and out with Roddy and Jenkins. I am a huge fan of the Falcons and I think Fin could do well at the tight end position. What do you think Terence?
By Art Vandelay
January 2, 2009 4:06 PM | Link to this
The phrase is “dominant force,” not “dominate force.”
By davidb
January 2, 2009 4:08 PM | Link to this
Nice article. One other thing, you don’t see our players jump up and down and do crazy antics after a good play. They just go back to the huddle, line up and do it again. Very refreshing as there is waaaaay to much Me in both Pro and college football nowadays. Go Birds.
By Dixie Dawg
January 2, 2009 4:16 PM | Link to this
Pretty good article, Terence. But I have to comment on this.
I saw you on ESPN a couple of days ago on a piece about the Falcons. You said something about Vick being “hope.”
I think that saying that a dog-killing, inappropriate gesture-flicking thug is hope, is completely insane.
I don’t usually call out the writers, but, Mr. Moore, that comment you said on national tv about Vick being “hope” made you look like an embarrassment to your trade.
At least they showed Furman Bisher on there representing the AJC proudly.
By Walter Camp
January 2, 2009 4:35 PM | Link to this
Watch out, Mularkey! The Lions may have fired Matt Millen, but simply promoted his underlings. That is still not a place you want to be. Falcons, keep this guy.
By dave
January 2, 2009 4:44 PM | Link to this
Good column, TM. Thanks for being part of Atlanta sports.
dave
By The Ostrich
January 2, 2009 4:50 PM | Link to this
After watching the circus act that was the 2008 Dallas Cowboys, after listening to Thomas Jones of the Jets whining about Favre to the local media, after all the years of smoke and mirrors and no substance that defined the Falcons: damn straight, winning is sweet, winning as a team is the sweetest, and doing it all in a business-like, grown-up manner…well, it almost makes all those years of painful fandom worth it.
By Rentals
January 2, 2009 4:53 PM | Link to this
It’s funny how TM has jumped on board of the “BIRDS”. Good luck Falcons. TM your a joke…
By Rentals
January 2, 2009 4:59 PM | Link to this
Dixie Dawg- You hit the nail on the head. He is an embarrassment to the city and his trade. LEAVE ATLANTA TM, we don’t like you.
Jack- Don’t read our post and call us losers. We have the same right as you do JERK!
By hugh
January 3, 2009 7:44 PM | Link to this
LIKE I SAID THIS AFTERNOON—MIKE SMITH CANNOT COACH THE LAST 2 MINUTES—HE LOSES IT SOMEHOW—-BOBBY CREMINS(GA TECH) HAD SAME PROBLEM-=- THIS ISN’T HURTFUL—IT’S FATAL!!!!
By madmax
January 4, 2009 7:04 AM | Link to this
Sorry Keith Brooking is all I need to say. Slow and can’t cover. Sorry Brooking.They can trade him and try to get some of that money back. What a waste. Sorry Keith Brooking. My 5yr old is faster than sorry Keith Brooking.
By juice
January 4, 2009 11:54 AM | Link to this
Terence
You get it! Explain it to Jeff Please!