Falcons Uniform History: #74 is a Weiner who stands apart

If your quarterback is left-handed, your right tackle is your blindside protector. During the wild Michael Vick era, the man tasked with protecting one of the most unpredictable quarterbacks in the NFL was Todd Weiner, and he was damn good at his job.

Weiner hung 'em up in 2008 after starting 11 games, and he played in just eight games the year before. From 2002 to 2006, however, Weiner was one of the NFL's most underrated tackles, a man who did a phenomenal job of keeping Vick's pocket clean, whether Vick was actually in that pocket or not being moot in this discussion. He was certainly one of the better tackles the team has had in the last two or three decades, and I'll always remember his seven years with the Falcons very fondly.

There have been a few other decent players to wear the number, but there are only two who even belong the conversation with Weiner (and then only tenuously). The first is Ephraim Salaam, who spent four seasons as the team's starting right tackle, including a rookie (!) stint as the starter for the 1998 Falcons. He was a solid enough player with some real hiccups along the way. Mike Tilleman, who spent four seasons as a starting defensive tackle for the Falcons in the 1970's, is the other guy we should bring up due to the value he provided.

Your memories of Weiner?