1998, NFC Championship Game, everyone has already christened the Vikings as NFC champs, everyone that is but the Atlanta Falcons and a few Falcons fans in the nosebleed section of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. Gary Anderson misses a potential game winning field goal, the first after two perfect years attempting field goals. The Falcons take it to overtime. Morten Anderson, who at that point had already broken George Blanda's record for most NFL games played, splits them. The Dirty Birds go to The Super Bowl, in the Falcon's only Super Bowl appearence.
The 17 year old Danish foreign exchange student who had never seen american football was not about to play center and have another man touch his but taking the snap. He wasn't about to be quarterback and stick his hands under another mans rump either. So he did what he knew how to do. He kicked the football.
How old is he? He played when helmets were leather, well, not actually, that's how the joke goes, but some players still wore helmets with one bar. Did his blood test that was required before rejoining the Falcons yield nothing but dust? No, but he poked fun at himself saying that after he resigned. Does he have a wheelchair in front of his locker? No, but only because his teamates haven't found one to bring in yet. Has he been playing NFL football longer than some of his teamates have been living? Well, uh, yes.
You can learn more interesting facts about The Great Dane from this excellent video from NFL films.
After struggling early in the year Mike Koenan's field goal problems led the Falcons to sign who? Morten Anderson? That old man? Well, the stage was set and tonight was one for the record books for the longtime Saint and Falcon.
"Atlanta Falcons kicker Morten Andersen became the National Football League's career scoring leader in last night's 38-28 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Andersen kicked four extra points at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta to raise his career total to 2,437 points and surpass the mark of 2,434 set by former kicker Gary Anderson. He broke the record with his second extra point of the second quarter. Andersen made conversions after all four of Michael Vick's touchdown passes.The Falcons' players came onto the field after the second extra point to congratulate Andersen on his record.
The 46-year-old Andersen signed with the Falcons on Sept. 20 after sitting out last season. He's the second-oldest player in league history behind George Blanda, who was 48 when he quit the Oakland Raiders in 1975, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame."
I have been hard on the Atlanta Defense this year. In my opinion they are more responsible for the Falcons lackluster showing than Vick and the offense. At a minimum the offense is adequate. Defense wins championships. That has been the Falcons shortcoming this year.
But not the last two weeks. During the past two weeks the defense has shown up. Granted, they have had slow First Quarters. But during the last three quarters of the last two games they have put the hammer down.
Yesterday John Abraham let his presence be known. There is no doubt than when healthy this man can bring it. With Abraham, health is the issue. But he was healthy yesterday.
From: atlantafalcons.com
The key play of the was the fumble recovery and return by Williams. The Bucs were leading, 6-0 and had driven to the Falcons' 34 midway through the third quarter as they looked to extend their lead.
With just over 10 minutes left in the third quarter, the Bucs faced third-and-4. Gradkowski went back to pass and Falcons LB John Abraham sacked the Bucs QB. Abraham's arm connected with Gradkowski's and the ball popped loose at the Falcons 42. Bucs T Anthony Davis touched, but did not control the ball, as he fell to the ground. Williams picked up the loose ball at the Falcons 46 and ran untouched 54 yards for the touchdown with 9:51 remaining as the Falcons took their first lead of the game, 7-6.
"You look at most games and there's a play or two in there that really make a difference, and that got us going," Mora said about Williams' play.
Demorrio Williams shared the spotlight with Abraham yesterday. Known as Demo, the Falcons have many Williams's, Williams put his name in the spotlight when he picked up the fumble and returned it for the TD.
Lost in the high-lights, due to time constraints I am sure, were some tense moments for Falcon's fans. At first the referees couldn't even decide if the play was reviewable or not. When they did decide to review it Falcon's fans feared the worst, that the key play would be overturned.
From: falcons.com
After a lengthy delay in which Bucs Coach Jon Gruden threw a challenge flag and discussed a potential point of review by referee Walt Coleman, the officials ruled that the play was not reviewable. As the Falcons lined up for the extra point, the officials huddled and announced that the play was reviewable since a score had occured. The replay review upheld the original call on the field and the extra point by Andersen gave the Falcons the lead.
Abraham didn't exactly sneak into the league. He was drafted by the Jets using a draft pick the Jets received after trading Keyshawn Johnson to Tampa Bay. He was a three time Pro-Bowler with the Jets. But injuries were a problem, which most likely played at least a partial part in his being available for the Falcons this year.
In his Falcons debut he was a menace against Carolina. But then he was injured again and out for several games. He has made his presence known again since his return. The jury is still out on how promising his career may be in Atlanta given his history of injuries. But when healthy, there is no doubt, he comes to play.
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