The Greatest Atlanta Falcon of All Time is...

by tlozwarlock on Jun 15, 2009 8:00 AM EDT Comment 44 comments

This guy! Who obviously knows it, holding up the number one like that. Dave must've traveled back in time and told him.

Yes, despite my vehement campaigning for Mr. Falcon, Jessie Tuggle wins Greatest Falcon by a huge 7% margin. Runner ups were Tommy Nobis and Steve Bartkowski in that order.

Switching gears, it's time to nominate some quaterbacks for...

Over the next few weeks, ending on the first Falcons gameday, we will be nominating and voting for who we think are the best players of all time from each position on the team. Since we're building a team here, we'll end up with a 53 man roster. This means that in some cases, more than one voted-for candidate will win. In that case, I'll take the top two (or three or four) from the poll results.

Now, delve deep into the past and pick your favorite Falcon QB of all time. Here are the guidelines:

Candidates must have spent at least five years as a Falcon
Matt Ryan is not eligible.

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Bartkowski! Chandler!

You have opinions. Share them.

by tlozwarlock on Jun 15, 2009 11:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Favorite?

Or best?

By the stats (in his time with the Falcons) it’s probably Chandler – but if we’re doing an all-time team, it will have to be Bartkowski…

by orang3b on Jun 15, 2009 11:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Could be your fave, could be who you think is the best.

I want as much competition as possible with these upcoming votes.

You have opinions. Share them.

by tlozwarlock on Jun 15, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm

I don’t know. Just because on is a fave doesn’t mean they were that good. I think we should think of it as if we where going to set up a game of all time greats to play another teams all time greats.

And besides if we were playing faves, Ironhead Heyward would pretty much top my list. Should he be considered for the all time team though?

In a way, each of us has an El Guapo to face.

by runningback on Jun 15, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fair point.

I’ll modify the verbage.

You have opinions. Share them.

by tlozwarlock on Jun 15, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not much to choose from

The way I see it, there are really only 3 worthy candidates

Chandler: My personal pick. He had by far the best QB rating over the course of his Falcons career. 87.4 which by the way for a run of 5 years that actually really good I think. He lead us through the magical 98 season and to the teams only Super Bowl appearance.

Vick: Think what you want of him off the field, but he was lightning in a bottle on the field. Lead us to the playoffs and was pretty much the most popular & exciting player in the entire NFL for a time. Obviously completely dicking over a franchise doesn’t really do much for his chances

Bartkowski: Sentimental fave. While his stats don’t really do his impact on the team much justice, he was our first franchise guy. Was the man at the helm for the memorable 80 season and his longevity with the team should be admired. He holds pretty much all of the all time QB records for the Falcons.

In a way, each of us has an El Guapo to face.

by runningback on Jun 15, 2009 11:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Vick's a viable choice.

He was pure gold for this franchise before his arrest.

You have opinions. Share them.

by tlozwarlock on Jun 15, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Totally.

In a way, each of us has an El Guapo to face.

by runningback on Jun 15, 2009 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think those really are the only three

I’m tempted to nominate Chris Miller, but he didn’t play long enough and he wasn’t playing at a near-legendary level to make up for that.

by Dave the Falconer on Jun 15, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think thats it

jeff only played like 2 years, can’t think of anybody else

by gritzblitz on Jun 15, 2009 11:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, short list

If Matt Ryan ends up being even just an above average QB for a long time, he’ll be eligible for this list before his career is up.

by Dave the Falconer on Jun 15, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He'll be eligible in four years.

No doubt about it.

You have opinions. Share them.

by tlozwarlock on Jun 15, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Best QB

Bartkowski. Period.

by striped shirt on Jun 15, 2009 12:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Best QB

1. Bartkowski
2. Chandler (although I never liked the guy myself)
3. Bob Berry
4. Bobby Hebert
5. Chris Miller

No dog killers allowed please…

Life is a garden. Dig it!

by Hardcore Falcon on Jun 15, 2009 2:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hmm

Last I checked the only thing he killed on the field of play were defenders pride, possible a few knees, and he’s most definitely better than three, possibly four on that list.

If I had to list them in order I would go as such:
1a. Bartkowski – The guy still owns just about every Falcon QB record, but…
1b. Chandler – This guy led us to the franchises only Superbowl appearance and that’s just hard to ignore, so it’s somewhat of a toss-up to me as to which goes first. (I’m probably leaning towards Bart)
2. Vick – Sure, he wasn’t the classic pocket passer, but he wasn’t a classic pocket passer. What he was though, was inspiration, hope, excitement, deadly speed, lightning quick, and possibly the most electrifying player to ever play the game. It didn’t matter where we played, the game was always sold out and there were always #7 jersey’s in the stands, that’s how big he was to the game, not just the Falcons.

None of the rest even come close to these three in my opinion, so if you are looking to fill a full 53-man roster of all-time Falcons, then I think the QB position is pretty much set.

"If Woody were Captain of the Titanic, he'd argue the boat sinking speaks to how effectively they put rich people in life boats and lock the poor folks below."
-jrauch commenting at Hoopinion on Woody's (non)logic in his post-game comments

by Jesse28 on Jun 15, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just

listing them in the order of my preference. I am not going to mention the V word here because I might vomit…

Life is a garden. Dig it!

by Hardcore Falcon on Jun 16, 2009 7:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hebert

..would have been on my list but didn’t meet the 5 year requirement. Loved that dude.

I think we should limit it to on field performance though. You might hate the dude, but Vick worked wonders on the field. Same argument for someone like OJ. Love him or hate him, the guy is one of the all time greats ON the field.

In a way, each of us has an El Guapo to face.

by runningback on Jun 15, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

vick never hurt a dog

it just happened on his property

by mistab50 on Jun 16, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dogs that did not perform up to expectations were killed by electrocution, hanging, drowning and other violent means by the dogfighting ring. U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson said evidence, including statements by the co-defendants, showed Vick was more directly involved than he admitted. Hudson also mentioned that Vick had been deceptive on a polygraph test. Though that evidence was not admissible in court, the results were discussed.

“He did more than fund it,” prosecutor Michael Gill said, referring to the “Bad Newz Kennels” dogfighting operation. “He was in this thing up to his neck with the other defendants.”

by orang3b on Jun 17, 2009 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

um

maybe I am wrong, but I thought that he admitted to personally participating in the deaths of several of the dogs…

Life is a garden. Dig it!

by Hardcore Falcon on Jun 17, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he claimed to actually

swinging one against concrete until it was dead. Not sure if I remember that correctly or not.

You have opinions. Share them.

by tlozwarlock on Jun 17, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No Tony Graziani sightings yet?

Martians Attacking Indianapolis

by joshmassey on Jun 15, 2009 2:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

LOL

Graziani always looked like a deer in the headlights whenever he played…

by johnnybacardi on Jun 15, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not my favorite Falcon QB

I’m sure he’s a nice dude, but some of my longest prayers as a kid were about Graziani not getting on the field.

by Dave the Falconer on Jun 15, 2009 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Graziani

is an arena league all star isnt he??? LOL!

Life is a garden. Dig it!

by Hardcore Falcon on Jun 16, 2009 7:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he did go on to have some good seasons in the Arena league, now that you mention it…good for him!

by johnnybacardi on Jun 16, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

DAVID ARCHER!!!!

by gritzblitz on Jun 15, 2009 2:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

meh

Life is a garden. Dig it!

by Hardcore Falcon on Jun 16, 2009 7:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

QB

Steve B., it is not even close – he was the franchise and back in the day, the name of the game was long ball and he threw the long ball better than anyone. No west coast offense for Steve B.

by Whopper Dawg on Jun 15, 2009 4:31 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I think I'm going to have to agree

We don’t have a proud, illustrious history of QBs, but Bartkowski was excellent for a short time and good for the rest of it.

by Dave the Falconer on Jun 15, 2009 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

my vote would be for Bartkowski

but I have a feeling that Chandler’s more recent exploits and SB run are going to be enough for the young to edge the old once again…

if we were to count the votes electorally, is there any chance that Nobis would get the win he deserves… hehe, I kid, I kid. You should recount the Florida votes though, I know it won’t change anything but at least it will make me feel better!

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Jun 15, 2009 4:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm on the same page with ya.

I’m almost 100% sure that Chandler will win the vote this week because A) he was the most noteworthy recent Falcons QB and B) he went to the SB.

You have opinions. Share them.

by tlozwarlock on Jun 15, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Now prove me wrong, Falcoholics!

You have opinions. Share them.

by tlozwarlock on Jun 15, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope not...

This is another guy who I never liked becasue he looked like me when he was out of uniform… double chin, beer gut, etc… Damn dude your a professional athlete. how about at least jogging a couple of miles…

Life is a garden. Dig it!

by Hardcore Falcon on Jun 16, 2009 7:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No Jeff George comments yet?

I saw recently where he said he still has “it”. If by “it”, he means throwing 70 yard passes to the defensive backs of the other time, then I suppose he still has “it”. Anyways, I digress.

Bartkowski would seem like an easy choice for some, but he was before my time so I have to stick with what I know.

The only two QB’s that have contributed significantly to the Falcons during my lifetime that I have watched and meet the 5 year minimum are Chandler and Vick. It’s very hard for me to pick against Vick because he singledhandedly carried this franchise to the 2004 NFC Championship Game against Philly, but his number just don’t stack up for me.

I just watched the 1998 NFC Championship Game against Minnesota the other night on NFL Network and everyone forgets how great Chandler was when he was at the top of his game. Sure, we rode Jamal to the Super Bowl, but when it got to crunch time and we needed a score in that 4th quarter, Chandler was on fire. I’ll forever remember that night and for that plus the statistical analysis, Chandler is tops on the list for me.

http://hobnailboot.wordpress.com/

by AuditDawg on Jun 15, 2009 5:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good to hear from you, my friend

We’re headed to the point where forty years from now, Jeff George will become senile and think he’s Jeff George when he was 25, and he’ll start calling media outlets and dropping hints that he’d love to play again, especially for the Raiders and Zombie Al Davis.

It’s hard for me to pick against either Vick or Chandler, but Bartkowski did a lot with teams that were—in my addled brain, at least—lesser than the talent surrounding those two during their best seasons.

by Dave the Falconer on Jun 15, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

chandler could get the ball to anyone if they were open long enough.

Life is a garden. Dig it!

by Hardcore Falcon on Jun 16, 2009 7:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I could swear...

I posted my nominations. Oh well, here they are again:

1. Bartkowski.
2. Christal Chandelier. I liked him when he was with the Cardinals (had a really bad QB situation with my fantasy team back in ’91 or so…).
3. Vick. Yeah, I know.
4. The immortal Bob Berry, who was QB when I started following the team.

The others? Well, I’m shocked to see no love for Billy Joe Tolliver. George could sling it, but he was a complete asshole otherwise, pardon my French. I used to have a #1 Falcons jersey with my name on the back but everyone gave me a hard time because they thought I was a George fan. Bah. My love for Chris Miller is second to none, but he doesn’t count. Bobby Hebert sure had his moments, but he wasn’t with us long enough and had more good seasons with the Saints.Uh…Danny Kanell? Hee hee hee. I saw Kanell start for the Falcons against Tennessee back in the awful ’99 season.

Here’s a list of all the Atlanta QBs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Atlanta_Falcons_starting_quarterbacks

by johnnybacardi on Jun 15, 2009 6:05 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs