Atlanta Falcons

Dimitroff, Smith focus on making Falcons better
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | January 05, 2009
Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Mike Smith are done with "The Process."

Ryan sets sights on next season and beyond
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | January 05, 2009
Flowery Branch — Fresh off his offensive rookie of the year season, after leading the Falcons on a transcendent trip to the playoffs, quarterback Matt Ryan has set the bar mighty high.

Falcons' Smith Coach of the Year
Buffalo News | January 05, 2009
NEW YORK -- Mike Smith and Tony Sparano performed so brilliantly as rookie head coaches it was almost impossible to separate them.

Dolphins' Tony Sparano edged by Falcons' Mike Smith for NFL coach of year
Palm Beach Post | January 04, 2009
Dolphins coach Tony Sparano finished second to Atlanta's Mike Smith Sunday in one of the closest AP Coach of the Year votes in NFL history.

Falcons' Smith wins top coach award
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | January 04, 2009
Flowery Branch — Mike Smith has gone from being an obscure but respected assistant to the NFL's Coach of the Year in less than 12 months.

AP: Falcons' Smith edges Sparano as NFL's top coach
USA Today | January 04, 2009
Mike Smith and Tony Sparano performed so brilliantly as rookie head coaches it was almost impossible to separate them. Atlanta's ...

Cardinals bounce Falcons
Detroit News | January 04, 2009
Kurt Warner opened with a 42-yard touchdown pass to Larry Fitzgerald and teamed with Anquan Boldin on a 71-yard scoring play as Arizona beat Atlanta, 30-24, Saturday before a raucous, towel-waving crowd.

Warner, defense lead Cardinals past Falcons 30-24
San Francisco Chronicle | January 04, 2009
The Arizona Cardinals have consecutive home playoff victories _ 61 years apart. Kurt Warner opened with a 42-yard touchdown pass to Larry Fitzgerald and connected with Anquan Boldin on a 71-yard scoring play as the Cardinals beat Atlanta 30-24 Saturday before...

Warner, defense lead Cardinals past Falcons 30-24
San Francisco Chronicle | January 04, 2009
The Arizona Cardinals have consecutive home playoff victories _ 61 years apart. Kurt Warner opened with a 42-yard touchdown pass to Larry Fitzgerald and connected with Anquan Boldin on a 71-yard scoring play as the Cardinals beat Atlanta 30-24 Saturday before...

Kurt Warner throws 2 long TDs, Edgerrin James and defense lead Cardinals past Falcons 30-24
Star Tribune | January 04, 2009

Cardinals edge Falcons in rare home playoff win
Kansas City Star | January 04, 2009
GLENDALE, Ariz. | The Arizona Cardinals have consecutive home playoff victories — 61 years apart.

Cardinals clipped the Falcons' ground game
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | January 03, 2009
Glendale, Ariz. — Michael Turner was not accusing the Cardinals of dirty tricks, just a good game plan.

Falcons' Cinderella season ends in desert
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | January 03, 2009
Glendale, Ariz. — The Falcons' improbable climb from NFL doormat to the playoff penthouse suite ended here in the desert Saturday.

Abraham slowed by leg injury
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | January 03, 2009
Glendale, Ariz. — Defensive end John Abraham, who missed two practices last week, appeared to be slowed by his thigh injury. He left the field in the third quarter limping and appeared to favor his right thigh.

Falcons have roster decisions to make in offseason
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | January 03, 2009
Glendale, Ariz. — Falcons coach Mike Smith acknowledged that the franchise has some issues to address in the offseason.

Turner regrets the one that got away
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | January 03, 2009
Glendale, Ariz. — Michael Turner got his hands on the football 19 times Saturday, but the one that got only as far as his elbow made the difference.

Smith: We weren't able to get stop at the end
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | January 03, 2009
Here's a snippet of head coach Mike Smith's postgame news conference following the Falcons' loss at Arizona in the first round of the NFC playoffs.

How would you rate the Falcons' performance?
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | January 03, 2009

Big plays on both sides of ball give Cardinals playoff win against Falcons
Rocky Mountain News | January 03, 2009
The Arizona Cardinals have consecutive home playoff victories — 61 years apart. Kurt Warner started with a 42-yard touchdown pass to Larry Fitzgerald and connected with Anquan Boldin on a 71-yard scoring play as the Cardinals beat Atlanta 30-24 on Saturday before a raucous, towel-waving crowd.

Solid run game gives Falcons leg up on Cardinals
Orlando Sentinel | January 03, 2009
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Atlanta Falcons can run away with a wild card victory over Arizona this afternoon, if regular-season history means anything.

Falcons, Cards full of surprises
Buffalo News | January 03, 2009
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- One staged a remarkable one-season turnaround with a smooth, efficient rookie at the controls. The other emerged from a legacy of losing behind the ageless arm of a gunslinging veteran.

Warner, defense lead Cardinals past Falcons 30-24
Buffalo News | January 03, 2009
The Arizona Cardinals have consecutive home playoff victories - 61 years apart. Kurt Warner opened with a 42-yard touchdown pass to Larry Fitzgerald and connected with Anquan Boldin on a 71-yard scoring play as the Cardinals beat Atlanta 30-24 Saturday before a raucous, towel-waving crowd.

Today: Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals
St. Petersburg Times | January 02, 2009

Cardinals' Boldin expected to play vs. Falcons
Kansas City Star | January 02, 2009
Arizona wide receiver Anquan Boldin is listed as questionable for Saturday's home playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons, but is still expected to play.

Falcons' rise makes Atlanta an NFL city again
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | January 02, 2009
As is natural anywhere, Atlanta loves a winner. Trouble is, for too many seasons the city has looked for love in all the wrong places. Like the Georgia Dome, Philips Arena and, lately, Turner Field.

Matt Ryan unfazed by recent struggles
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | January 02, 2009
Tempe, Ariz. — Matt Ryan hears the whispers.

Falcons' Turner tied for second in NFL MVP voting
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | January 02, 2009
Tempe, Ariz. — Falcons running back Michael Turner finished tied for second in the Associated Press' voting for the NFL Most Valuable Player award.

Falcons DE Anderson misses practice
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | January 02, 2009
Tempe, Ariz. — The Falcons went through a brisk walk-through practice at Arizona State's Sun Devil Stadium on Friday.

Glimpse of Falcons practice
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | January 02, 2009

Lions seek to interview Mularkey for head coaching job
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | January 02, 2009
The Detroit Lions have contacted the Falcons seeking permission to talk with offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey about their vacant head coach position.

Coach Mike Smith restores Atlanta Falcons' reputation
St. Petersburg Times | January 02, 2009
Changes on the field helped. But executives credit a change on the sideline for Atlanta's one-year turnaround.

Falcons' Smith, 'Fins' Sparano win USA TODAY's NFL coach honors
USA Today | January 02, 2009
Tony Sparano and Mike Smith have raised the bar of expectations for first-year coaches in the NFL. After both men led their teams ...

Brooking: Falcons are a team again
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | January 02, 2009
Journal-Constitution Pro Sports Editor Chris Vivlamore asked the same eight questions of several prominent Falcons. They will publish each day until Saturday's playoff game against the Cardinals.

NFC Wild-Card Round: Falcons, Turner see a playoff 'run'
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | January 02, 2009

Cardinals out to stop Falcons' ground attack
Philly.com | January 02, 2009

Fifth seeds Colts, Falcons have inside tracks in NFL playoffs
Kansas City Star | January 02, 2009
The fives have it in the NFL playoffs. A year ago, the New York Giants became the first No. 5 seed to win the Super Bowl since the current postseason format began in 1990.

Atlanta Falcons notes
St. Petersburg Times | January 01, 2009

Ryan: Team has solid group of leaders
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | January 01, 2009
Journal-Constitution Pro Sports Editor Chris Vivlamore asked the same eight questions of several prominent Falcons. They will publish each day until Saturday's playoff game against the Cardinals. Today's subject: Rookie QB Matt Ryan.

Cardinals get another blackout deadline extension
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | January 01, 2009
TEMPE, Ariz. — The NFL has granted a second, final 24-hour extension of its television blackout deadline for the Arizona Cardinals' wild card playoff game against Atlanta on Saturday.

Falcons rookies defying first-year expectations
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | January 01, 2009
Editor?s note: AJC columnist Jeff Schultz will blog live during Saturday?s Falcons-Cardinals playoff game. Follow the game with Schultz and add your comments.

Falcons-Cardinals playoff primer
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | January 01, 2009
A look at Saturday's first-round playoff matchup between the Falcons and the Cardinals.

Falcons notebook: Pressuring Warner key, defenders claim
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | January 01, 2009
Editor's note: AJC columnist Jeff Schultz will blog live during Saturday's Falcons-Cardinals playoff game. Follow the game with Schultz and add your comments.

Boley's Falcons career could end Saturday
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | January 01, 2009
Editor's note: AJC columnist Jeff Schultz will blog live during Saturday's Falcons-Cardinals playoff game. Follow the game with Schultz and add your comments.

Falcons' Abraham worried about Cardinals run game
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 31, 2008
Editor's note: AJC columnist Jeff Schultz will blog live during Saturday's Falcons-Cardinals playoff game. Follow the game with Schultz and add your comments.

Falcons Notebook: Michael Turner racking up awards
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 31, 2008

Arthur Blank: 'Ryan exceeded all our expectations'
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 31, 2008
Journal-Constitution Pro Sports Editor Chris Vivlamore asked the same eight questions of several prominent Falcons. They will publish each day until Saturday's playoff game against the Cardinals.

Rookie award for Falcons' Matt Ryan
Philly.com | December 31, 2008

Falcons QB Matt Ryan wins AP Offensive Rookie honors
Star Tribune | December 31, 2008

Falcons running back Michael Turner involved in a domestic dispute, police say
Star Tribune | December 31, 2008

Falcons' Matt Ryan wins offensive Rookie of the Year
USA Today | December 31, 2008
Matt Ryan is more than the face of the sensational turnaround by the Atlanta Falcons. He also is the best member of a superb ...

Cleveland Browns have interviews lined up with New England Patriots' Scott Pioli and Atlanta Falcons' Rich McKay
Plain Dealer | December 31, 2008
Browns owner Randy Lerner is intensifying his search for a new chief football executive.

Notebook: McKay gets OK to interview with Browns
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 30, 2008
Flowery Branch — Falcons president Rich McKay has been granted permission by owner Arthur Blank to interview for the vacant general manager position with the Cleveland Browns.

Falcons need team effort to stop Cardinals offense
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 30, 2008
Flowery Branch — In their first playoff game in four years, the Falcons will call on cornerbacks Chris Houston and Domonique Foxworth to defend the Arizona Cardinals' passing game.

What you may not know about Matt Ryan
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 30, 2008
By now, even if you just climbed aboard the Falcons bandwagon, you know about Matt Ryan, the Falcons' sometimes spectacular, always steady, "best of all time?" rookie quarterback, who this week added the AP's NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award to his growing resume.

Falcons GM says team has chance to 'continue deep into the playoffs'
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 30, 2008
Q&A with Thomas Dimitroff, Falcons general manager

Matt Ryan named Offensive Rookie of Year
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 30, 2008
Flowery Branch — Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has a new nickname.

Falcons-Cardinals has potential to be wild-card shootout
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 29, 2008
Arizona is not exactly coming into Saturday's first-round NFC playoff game against the Falcons with a full head of steam.

Milloy questionable for Arizona game
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 29, 2008
Flowery Branch — Falcons safety Lawyer Milloy received treatment on his back on Monday, but it's unclear if he'll be ready for Saturday's playoff game at Arizona.

Falcons' playoff game is Saturday afternoon
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 28, 2008
The Atlanta Falcons' first-round playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals will be played Saturday at 4:30 p.m., the NFL annnounced.

Falcons beat Rams, but are denied division title
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 28, 2008
Falcons head coach Mike Smith sounded the playoff rallying cry in his post-game speech.

Norwood's 'game-changing plays' made difference
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 28, 2008
All season the Falcons have taken advantage of their jackhammer. On Sunday it was the jack rabbit who made the biggest difference.

Falcons overcome setbacks to set franchise bests
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 28, 2008
There were few style points handed out in the Falcons' final regular-season game. Only the final score concerned the players, who were pleased to walk away from the Georgia Dome with a stressful 31-27 win over St. Louis and begin preparation for a trip to Arizona for their first playoff game since the 2004 season.

Roddy White's record-setting day
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 28, 2008
Falcons wide receiver Roddy White set a franchise record for most receiving yards in a season with a fine game against St. Louis Sunday.

Falcons top Rams, head to playoffs at 11-5
USA Today | December 28, 2008
After a wild ending to their improbable regular season, the Atlanta Falcons are headed to a wild-card playoff game. Jerious Norwood ...

How would you rate the Falcons' performance?
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 28, 2008

Falcons' Smith has the edge for Coach of the Year
Buffalo News | December 28, 2008
The NFL's Coach of the Year race goes down to the wire today. It's a tough call among four top candidates -- Atlanta's Mike Smith, Miami's Tony Sparano, Tennessee's Jeff Fisher and Baltimore's John Harbaugh.

Different points of view on Falcons' success
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 27, 2008
When the Falcons are bad, they can be bad beyond subtlety. See 2007, starring Michael Vick and Bobby Petrino. Just dreck, in black and white.

NFL preview: Falcons vs. Rams
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 27, 2008
STOP THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER

Falcons' players can finish season as NFL's best
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 26, 2008
Several Falcons players are in position to lead the NFL in a statistical category heading into the final week of the regular season. Here's a look a look at the races:

Ryan may not be a lock for rookie of the year
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 26, 2008
Despite the Falcons march to the NFC playoffs, quarterback Matt Ryan may not be a lock for the rookie of the year award.

Falcons' DE Anderson might be out vs. Rams
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 26, 2008
Flowery Branch - Falcons defensive end Jamaal Anderson's streak of 31 consecutive starts is in jeopardy.

Falcons final regular-season home game sold out
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 26, 2008
Sunday's Falcons game is a sellout, according to the team.

White on verge of breaking Falcons' receiving record
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 26, 2008
Flowery Branch — Falcons wide receiver Roddy White is closing in on one of the team's most storied records, one that has stood for the last 27 seasons.

When did the Falcons become legit?
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 25, 2008
Flowery Branch - With a revamped roster and practically all new coaches, the Falcons had to blend together quickly this season. At some point, they started to gather tangible evidence that they could contend for the division title and make the playoffs.

Falcons' young QB is having unusual success for a rookie
St. Louis Post-Dispatch | December 25, 2008
On a Christmas past, Matt Ryan and his brothers, John and Michael, received full football paraphernalia, pads and all. Naturally, a backyard game broke out.

Falcons playoff tickets go on sale
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 23, 2008
Falcons playoff tickets went on sale Tuesday to season ticket holders and will be available to the general public next week.

Falcons' euphoria tempered by '09 ticket price hike
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 23, 2008
The envelope was delivered to Hank Allen's home in Alpharetta right after Thanksgiving and, suffering from a healthy case of Falcons Fever, Allen ripped it right open.

Ryan told to keep his feet on the ground
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 22, 2008
Flowery Branch — Falcons coach Mike Smith had a little fireside chat with rookie quarterback Matt Ryan about keeping his feet on the ground.

Abraham breaks Falcons' sacks record
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 22, 2008
Flowery Branch — Falcons defensive end John Abraham had one sack against the Vikings to give him 16-1/2 for the season, setting a single-season franchise record.

No. 2 playoff seed still within reach for Falcons
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 22, 2008
The Falcons are in the playoffs, but who and where they will play has yet to be determined.

Ryan gets Falcons in playoffs
Philly.com | December 22, 2008

Ryan-led Falcons playoff-bound
Denver Post | December 22, 2008
The Atlanta Falcons' stunning turnaround season will roll on into the playoffs.

Falcons found the missing pieces
Star Tribune | December 22, 2008
After losing a quarterback and a coach and finishing 4-12 a year ago, Atlanta has put the franchise back on its feet using all the right moves.

Falcons get in, keep Vikes out:
Chicago Sun-Times | December 22, 2008
MINNEAPOLIS -- Matt Ryan threw for a touchdown and made no big mistakes, Justin Blalock recovered a fumble in the end zone for a score, and the Minnesota Vikings committed four turnovers in 24-17 loss Sunday that clinched a postseason berth for the Atlanta Falcons.

Falcons top Vikings to clinch NFC playoff berth
USA Today | December 21, 2008
The Atlanta Falcons' stunning turnaround season will roll on into the playoffs, thanks to Matt Ryan's unflappable poise, Justin ...

Falcons secure playoff spot, hungry for more
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 21, 2008
Minneapolis -- Now that the Falcons have done the improbable, they are set on doing something most thought utterly impossible.

Falcons turn around fortunes with playoff run
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 21, 2008
Minneapolis — If you've listened to Falcons head coach Mike Smith all season long, you'd think this remarkable run at the playoffs was just part of the process.

Falcons take advantage of Vikings' turnovers
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 21, 2008
Minneapolis — One of Minnesota's players lamented running up the tunnel after Sunday's game: "We [bleeping] let them have it."

Big running backs not a huge factor
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 21, 2008
Minneapolis — The showdown between the league's top two rushers never materialized.

Falcons lock up playoff bid, beat Vikings
Philly.com | December 21, 2008

How would you rate the Falcons' performance?
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 21, 2008

Falcons in playoffs with two wins
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 20, 2008
The Atlanta Falcons' playoff hopes got a boost Saturday night when the Baltimore Ravens beat the Dallas Cowboys 33-24.

Falcons rising from the ashes
Star Tribune | December 20, 2008
In a three-month span, staffing changes and the arrival of key players signaled the coming resurrection of the Falcons.

Falcons' playoff hopes hang on win vs. Vikings
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 19, 2008
Flowery Branch — Falcons linebacker Curtis Lofton rarely got to tackle Adrian Peterson when they played together at the University of Oklahoma.

Notebook: Abraham talks about Pro Bowl snub
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 18, 2008
Flowery Branch — Falcons defensive end John Abraham returned to the team after attending to a personal matter on Wednesday, but did not practice.

WR Jenkins catches on as Falcons starter
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 18, 2008
Flowery Branch — Michael Jenkins was buried on the Falcons' depth chart.

Notebook: Falcons' Ryan, Abraham are Pro Bowl alternates
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 17, 2008
The Falcons representation at the Pro Bowl could double.

Falcons' Gandy not bothered by Auburn hire
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 17, 2008
Flowery Branch — Falcons tackle Wayne Gandy, who attended Auburn University and played for the legendary Pat Dye and Terry Bowden, was not outspoken about the recently hired Gene Chizik.

Falcons' Turner, White named to Pro Bowl
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | December 16, 2008
Roddy White can now add Pro Bowl to his title — as in Falcons Pro Bowl wide receiver.