The trials and tribulations of the Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons are a member of the NFC South in the NFL. They are a football team in Atlanta, Georgia. The team has been playing football for 41 years. The Atlanta Falcons have a record of 258-374-6 with division championships in 1980, 1998 and 2004.
They are owned by Arthur Blank and have seen more than their share of heart ache and disappointment in this years season.

In the 2001 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons orchestrated a trade with the San Diego Chargers acquiring the first overall pick. They chose quarterback Michael Vick in exchange for wide receiver Tim Dwight and the fifth overall pick which the San Diego Chargers used on running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

The Atlanta Falcons had high hopes for a championship win with quarterback Michael Vick at the helm. Michael Vick was much more than a quarterback for the team. He was also a running back. Mike Vick was considered to be the most versatile quarterback in the NFL. He could throw the ball and he could run the ball. Many times, taking the ball into the endzone himself for a touch down. The fans of the Atlanta Falcons loved him. He was an incredible athlete. Then Michael Vick was convicted of being involved in a dogfight operation. He was senteced to 23 months in prison. The Atlanta Falcons had lost their prized quarterback.

If not losing Michael Vick was not loss enough for the Atlanta Falcons, they have now lost their head coach, Petrino mid season. Petrino was hired by the University of Arkansas to be their new head coach. Their current head coach left, taking a job at the University of Mississippi. The defensive backs coach Emmitt Thomas was named as the Atlanta Falcons interim head coach. Petrino said that it was difficult to leave the Atlanta Falcons staff, players, and fans. He coached for only 13 games in Atlanta.