The Scale of Falconliness, Defensive Tackles Mini-Week: Mike Lewis

by Jason Kirk on Aug 17, 2010 1:00 PM EDT in The Scale of Falconliness

Who's the ultimate Falcon? And who's the ultimate anti-Falcon? That's what we're going to find out with our summer project: the Scale of Falconliness. We'll rate former Falcons on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most Falconly. The rule: minimum of three seasons with the Falcons for coaches, five seasons for players.

We've had some fine defensive ends, including one should-be Hall of Famer, but defensive tackle is easily the most unimpressive position in Falcons history. Rod Coleman and Jonathan Babineaux rank as our only elite players at the spot, though they aren't eligible this time around.

Still, there have been two worthy Falcons DTs. Help us out on this one, seasoned Falcoholics.

Mike Lewis, DT (1971 - 1980)

Falconly

Unfalconly

Nine years with the team, tied for 18th all time and fourth among defensive linemen.
120 games, 23rd all time. Only missed five games during his time in Atlanta.
One of only three Falcons to score multiple safeties, and the only lineman besides Claude Humphrey. Sadly, this is our only evidence of Lewis' pass-rushing abilities -- besides that Grits Blitz video we keep linking to, which shows #69 racking up at least two vigorous sacks in one season -- due to the lack of defensive stats for his era.
This book from the early '70s called Atlanta Falcons: Violence and Victory has a full-page photo of him elbowing the Jets' Joe Namath in the back of the head for no football-specific reason. Sure, fine, this should probably go on the other side.
The fulcrum of the best statistical defense in NFL history, Lewis was known as smart and technically sound. His six-foot-four frame made him an obstacle against the run and pass.
Never injured himself on a jet ski.

Played a year for the Packers during which he apparently accumulated no statistics or renown of any kind.
Oh, sure, sure, elbowing Joe Namath on purpose is a terrible act.

Current standings after the jump:

Poll

How Falconly is Mike Lewis?

1

2 votes

2

0 votes

3

0 votes

4

2 votes

5

6 votes

6

11 votes

7

21 votes

8

14 votes

9

13 votes

10

7 votes

76 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 8 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I say 7, only because

I only vaguely remeber this guy. that proves how little glory the DT normally garners.

Life is a garden. Dig it!

by Hardcore Falcon on Aug 17, 2010 1:45 PM EDT reply actions

Another reason to like the number 69

Perhaps, I must go through Hell to get to Heaven......................if there is one.

by brotherbrown on Aug 17, 2010 8:35 PM EDT reply actions

THEY CAN'T ALL BE QUARTERBACKS, FOLKS.

Excuse my language, ma'am, but that damn Dodd's gonna beat my butt today. -- Bear Bryant, November 1962

SB Nation Atlanta · The Falcoholic · Blog · Twitter

by Jason Kirk on Aug 17, 2010 8:44 PM EDT reply actions

DT is a forgotten position and sadly that applies to Mike Lewis. Therefore I can’t provide a rating.

But thank you Mike Lewis for your years of service with the Falcons…..

by JCush on Aug 17, 2010 10:45 PM EDT reply actions

I had forgotten this guy...

…but he played in my favorite period of the team, so SEVEN!

by johnnybacardi on Aug 17, 2010 11:15 PM EDT reply actions

UM

yea no bueno for me he’s a five

by SquallCloud on Aug 18, 2010 4:16 AM EDT reply actions

9 years as DT for the 70's edition Falcons?

That earns him a 7 in my book. Plus, he plays my son’s favorite position on the field, so extra kudos.

by Mnemonic on Aug 18, 2010 10:10 AM EDT reply actions

6'3" 223......

Good player, consistently outplayed more heralded DTs (Manning, Small, Marx, Faumina) they kept bringing in……My favorite thing was that when he came in in 1971, he was a linebacker who was listed at 6’’3" 223 but converted to DL and eventually played at 261,,,,

by jkaflagg on Aug 18, 2010 5:23 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs