MVN: Most Valuable Network

It seems appropriate to me that the Falcons are heading off to Phoenix to play the first game in their most improbable playoff run. According to mythology, a phoenix is a bird that ignites when it dies, and burns to ashes, then is born anew from those ashes and rises up to newfound glory. What better description is there to describe the Falcons' 2008 season? Quarterback Michael Vick was incarcerated on dog fighting-related convictions prior to the 2007 season, while highly-touted head coach Bobby Petrino bolted after just 13 games, leaving nothing more than a note to say bye to his players (though, by all descriptions, that was downright personable compared to his interactions with the players) and a 3-10 record. GM Rich McKay was removed from his position, though it should be noted that he was moved into the presidency. The wide-receiver corps consisted of two first-round draft picks who were obviously busts (?). Top head coaching prospects such as Bill Parcells and Jason Garrett shunned the team, and anarchy seemed to be gaining a foothold in the locker room, despite the admirable efforts of interim head coach Emmit Thomas and veteran safety Lawyer Milloy. Everyone knew that the only sure thing about this team was, to make it work and win, it would take time.

First things first, Arthur Blank needed a GM, and pickings were slim. He (seemingly) settled on the head of college scouting from the New England Patriots. On January 13^th 2008, he named Thomas Dimitroff the new GM, reporting to president Rich McKay. Ten days later, still plagued by a lack of viable or interested prospects, Blank selected Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Smith as the new head coach. As a fan, I scratched my head, but settled on the idea that these were both people who understood the foundations of building a team, but it was going to take a while.

Dimitroff and Smith began making cuts to their roster, releasing multi-pro-bowler Alge Crumpler (invalidating my #83 Crumpler jersey), as well as quarterback Byron Leftwich, DT Rod Coleman, and OT Wayne Gandy (who would return before season's end).

In March, Dimitroff made a bold move, signing backup Chargers running back Michael Turner to a long term deal, designating him as the starting running back, and for the first time, I started to become excited about the direction this team was heading. I caught one of the the Chargers 2007 playoff games on the radio, and Turner was playing in place of injured future-legend LaDainian Tomlinson. Turner proved to be more than adequate in the game, rushing for 71 yards on 17 carries, including a 19 yard breakaway, and drawing approving comments from the announcers, who included former Falcons head coach Dan Reeves. The only question mark about him was could he start an entire season? One day later, Warrick Dunn requested, and was given, a release from the team.

In April, the Falcons made a borderline-controversial decision to pass on top defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey out of Louisiana State with their #3 overall draft pick, taking instead Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, a move that angered many fans, including me. I felt like with an offensive line that gave up an astounding 47 sacks in 2007, why take a quarterback at such a high pick when you would have to pay him tons of money just to be injured, especially when the defensive line was in such poor condition? Dimitroff eased some of my concerns, though, when he moved up in the draft, taking offensive tackle Sam Baker with a second first round draft pick. Falcons also selected a few other players who would prove to be effective in their rookie seasons, Harry Douglas and Curtis Lofton, most notably.

Falcons further relieved fans' trepidations by re-signing Grady Jackson to the DT position, bringing him back after Petrino cut him from the team 9 months earlier. Dimitroff signed Denver Kicker Jason Elam to a deal that would effectively end many fans' hopes (as well as my wife's) that we would once again bring aging future hall-of-famer and Falcon hero Mort Andersen back mid-season. Falcons also soon named Matt Ryan as the starting quarterback, a move that would soon become the cornerstone of the Falcons' definition of rebuilding.

Falcons let pro-bowler DeAngelo Hall go in a trade to the Raiders for two draft picks, a move that was met with far less consternation than Hall would have liked, I'm sure.

Fast forward to opening day. The team seemed healthy, with both centers, Todd McClure and Alex Stepanovich recovering from pre-season injuries, but with starting corner back Von Hutchins out for the season, replaced by young Brent Grimes, and Dominique Foxworth from Denver. Many still had questions about the wisdom of throwing a highly-paid rookie quarterback in the fire and risk losing him to injury behind what was predicted to be a shaky O-line, but three plays into the game, doubters were silenced.

Not surprisingly, Ryan handed the ball off for his first two plays, allowing Turner to gain 12 yards and a first down, but in a shocking move, Ryan took the third snap, and launched a rocket at Michael Jenkins, who's reputation of poor hands far outweighed his reputation as a fast wide-out. Jenkins had run a skinny post, breaking toward the center of the field on a slant. Lions safeties had cheated forward to be prepared to stop Turner on what was likely to be another first-down run, and Ryan's throw caught Jenkins neatly in the hands, fully in-stride, and 62 yards later, a new chapter, a positive chapter in Falcons annals, was started: first career pass, first career touchdown for Matt Ryan. Falcons players seemed to take out on the hapless Lions that day all the frustrations of being abandoned, discounted and doubted, winning 34-21, a score that fails to encompass how one-sided that game was. Turner set a Falcons single-game rushing record with 220 yards, surpassing Gerald Riggs record of 202, set back in 1984. Riggs was present at the game to witness.

The Falcons played to an 11-5 season, and a #5 overall seed in the NFC, missing the NFC South championship, a #2 seed and a first round bye by a last second Carolina field goal. They were predicted to win as few as 1 and as many as 5 games by major sports outlets this season. Falcons travel to Arizona to take on the NFC West champs, the 9-7 Cardinals, who are coming into the game as anything but hot. Falcons are riding a 3 game winning streak, their first of the season, and the high of shattering everyone's expectations about what this team could do.

Questions still remain, primarily, can corners Chris Houston, Foxworth, and Chevis Jackson do anything to stop the trio of Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin? But many questions have been answered.

Turner finished the season with 1,699 yards (3^rd overall in the Falcons' record books), 17 rushing touchdowns (Falcons record) and a mere 3 fumbles (compared to NFL leading rusher Adrian Peterson's 9 fumbles and 10 touchdowns), and is in consideration for NFL MVP. Roddy White has become the Falcons' all-time leading receiver in yards with 1,382 and the duo of White and Jenkins has become one of the most dangerous in the NFL. Matt Ryan has been named AP NFL Rookie of the Year, garnering a commanding 44 of the 50 votes, and his offensive line has allowed a Falcons' record-low 17 sacks. Mike Smith is a top contender for Coach of the Year, and Thomas Dimitroff is making a strong argument for Executive of the Year.

The Falcons have become a team the city of Atlanta can be proud of, and as the playoffs progress, the biggest question remaining is, how far can this phoenix fly?