1992 Atlanta Falcons Team Season Highlights "Home Sweet Dome"

[Music] this film is sponsored by New York Life and its dedicated agents proud sponsors of NFL team highlight films New York Life thought company you keep the skyline of Atlanta got a new edition in 1992 and to inaugurate the Georgia Dome the Atlanta Falcons had a full house but they weren't showing all their cards in the pregame festivities and still had an ace in the hole they were saving for the first play in their new dome mesial memories of 1991 wild ride to the playoffs Fuji with high hopes for 92 [Applause] the finest football stadium in the world was built for speed and head coach jerry glanville wanted to christen the georgia dome in style like this place up first plate maybe all right Falcon football at their own 24 as they move from left to right Mike Pritchard slot right goes in motion left Tony Smith is the lone running back Chris Miller will throw on first down deep down the near sideline Michael Haynes is there he's got it at the 30 at the 20 he could go touchdown on the first [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Applause] run away to open it don't go in the high-stakes world of pro football the 1992 Falcons didn't always have the winning hand but they never folded and they were never afraid to put all their chips on the table and let it ride Miller back to pass short drop flushed out of the pocket to the right points looks fires Pritchard [Applause] despite a plethora of injuries the Falcons still fielded one of the most exciting game breaking teams in the league on both sides of the ball pitch back to the quarterback so lack goes deep down the middle of the veal the pass is intercepted by Keon Sanders at the 5 yard 1992 was a little messy but with a commitment to the future that includes a farewell to some old friends and the pursuit of new free agents 1993 promises an exciting return for the Falcons for the first regular season game at the Georgia Dome the Falcons walked into the cloudy uncertainty that surrounds the start of any new era but at kickoff the Sun bursts through and it all turned into a day at the beach Miller back to throw rolls to his right looking in the end zone still looking down quarterback Chris Miller connected twice with wide receiver Michael Haynes for first quarter touchdowns as the Falcons stormed out to a 17 to nothing lead the Falcons made full use of their long strike arsenal from Miller's on to the leg of kicker norm Johnson we're gonna have a 54-yard field goal try here's the snap here's the kick plenty of distance does he have it Johnson Johnson equaled the longest field goal in Falken history and those three points were all the Falcons led by when the defense met the Jets with the game on the line in the fourth water angle hands off here goes Brad Baxter slanting left to the two to the waters a fumble on the play is loose Duncan football [Applause] fifteen more to go the Falcons confidence centered around their passing game which had become too fast for even the NFL to keep up with [Applause] Michael Haynes 89 yard touchdown was a falcon record and the longest from scrimmage in the NFL in 92 and for the second straight season Payne's average better than a touchdown every five catches as the Falcons led the league with an all-time team record 33 touchdowns through the air he'll put it up look and laugh Tolliver as time floats it him deep in the end zone true Hills [Applause] Miller to throw books tosses there's the catch picture to the 10 at the 5 he tries to take it in and does as a trio Mike Pritchard drew Hill and Haynes combined four more catches and scores than the top three wideouts for 26 of the league's 27 other teams if you then add Atlanta's own leading receiver you see that the Falcons foursome is clearly the NFL's best the man who cannot run any camera let alone any defender in the league number 80 Andre Rison with a style all his own risin is writing a page and the record book all his own as well Rison is the only player in NFL history to catch over 300 passes in his first four seasons in the league and in 1992 he broke his own club record for catches in a season with 93 he and Michael Haynes have combined to score more touchdowns than any other pair of receivers in the league in both of the last two seasons and only Rison and Jerry Rice have had three straight seasons of 80 catches and 10 touchdowns back to throw floats it in the left corner the end zone Verizon he's there does he have it touchdown Miller throws fake corner in the end zone licensed condom yes touchdown unbelievable I mean he has made about for the best touchdown catches I think I've ever seen the last few weeks in 1993 Rison and Miller will return to rob opposing DB's of whatever dignity they had left after 92 that's a nice connection between Chris Miller and Andre Rison but while Chris Miller may be risings partner-in-crime Deion Sanders is his partner in time [Applause] so 10 primetime and the very first time he touched the ball in 92 prime time put on a show Deion Sanders back deep for the Falcons prime time to the 10 up across the 15 to the 20 that's outside the 25 amazing he just ran for extra bases Deon's 99 yarder was the longest kickoff return in the NFL all season but it would become one of the longest afternoons of the year for the Falcons a hard-fought 24 to 17 loss to the defending Super Bowl champs foretold tough times away from the dome and Atlanta returned to the dome and weak free to play the archrival New Orleans Saints they're going for it fourth down and goal fans are on their feet in the doll pitches hill you're trying to sweep the outside bricks attack with the five cuts back they stop they stop them at the toe let's up stand for the Falcons and the fans are on their feet here in the Georgia Dome after such a great stand it was tough to fall 10 to 7 [Music] despite a great total team effort the ball just wouldn't bounce the Falcons way the NFL's toughest road schedule took its toll and they lost their first seven Road games but the team would regroup under the dome and the character it showed during the second part of the season may tell a lot about the team's chances in 93 it says something about a team when it can maintain its enthusiasm for the game even in a losing streak and the Falcons winning spirit began to pay off in Week five in the dome regular offensive line as Miller drops back the pass floats it to Eisen in the [Applause] Bryson's to touchdown sparked the offense and though the defense allowed some yardage sacks from Tim Green and number 67 mol Gardner and a big play from Jesse Tuggle kept the Packers from ever getting close slot left goes in motion right and Brett Favre will put it up in the air on third down and seven looks fires over the middle and the ball batted in the air with the interception the defense just just play just keep on trying and I think the strength of the defense would be what it always is and that's the size of their heart and that's their effort and that's how much how much they care about winning that's the fun of coaching this defensive group everybody with us dogs slant the backs over here we slant will knock him naked everybody with us dogs slant cover for you with us JD everybody stands going on that's what we'll do the defensive momentum starts with a head of steam that wears number 58 inside linebacker Jesse Tuggle the ultimate tackling machine taco completed the journey from undrafted free agent to Pro Bowl started becoming the first Falcon linebacker to make the Pro Bowl since Tommy Nova's did it in 1972 number 54 Jesse Solomon finished second in solo tackles and also tied for second on the team in sacks number 52 Ken tippin's thrived in his first season as a full-time starter at left outside linebacker [Music] [Applause] while tippin's kept the attack coming full throttle from the left side number 56 Derry and Connor led the team and quarterback sacks from the right [Music] all seven of Connor's sacks came in the second half of the season a nearly sack again faced the Falcons hope he can carry over into the 93 campaign in 93 the Falcons should get increased production from Gardner who tied for second on the team in sacks Tori Epps and number 90 Chuck Smith who impressed with his pass rushing skills as a rookie in 92 in week 13 against New England Smith contributed to the defense's greatest game of the year [Music] [Applause] [Music] veteran defensive end Mike Gann provided one of the team's five sacks and three came from number 56 play-action fake he'll throw big rush by Connor fumble the football Dawkins have the ball Darien Connor with a big hit from behind onso a key to pics from Deon and the rout was on big rush by Connors Oh like steps up in the pocket goes deep down the near sideline but Dion's there for the intersection at his own thirty races the ball in the air in norm Johnson added his second 54 yarder of the year and the Falcons got two touchdowns from number 34 Steve Prasad who followed the blocking of number 78 Mike Ken and number 75 Chris Hinton into the end zone Toliver takes the snap he'll throw looks floats at screen to the right Broussard with blockers in front 15 10 5 touchdown running back Tony Smith capped off the 34 to nothing victory counter play to Tony Smith up the middle my school at the 25 he's to the 20 gets a nice block in the 15 the 5 he'll score touchdown it was the team's longest touchdown run of the season showing the skills that had everyone buzzing about this budding talent well what a great cutting Maiden in 93 Smith hopes to take his place beside another Smith and the NFL's elite rushes and if he stays injury free it's no stretch of the imagination as he showed on his very first NFL carry the Falcons first play from scrimmage and longest run of the year [Music] Smith also excelled on special teams returning a punt 45 yards and two kickoff 60 yards [Music] when the line cleared out defenders other running backs like Keith Jones and number 41 Eric Pegram kept defenses honest while the red gun reloaded [Music] a reshuffled line following free agency shake ups will again be led by five-time All Pro Mike Ken and seven-time all-pro Chris Hinton number 75 [Music] at the center of the line will again be Jamie Jukes the signal caller of the line whose commanding presence should ease the emergence of the next in line all-pro tackle Bob Whitfield number 70 Roman 14 number 55 Mike Reuther and their line mates aren't used to playing for the camera but they know how to play the game [Music] in 92 they starred in pass protection enabling Miller to lead the team to a record-breaking year Miller will throw pump fake he wants the deep ball there it goes downfield Michael hands is there at the 5 he's got it he's in the end zone touchdown in week 9 against the Rams Miller displayed the improved field awareness and savvy that had him on his way back to the Pro Bowl [Music] [Applause] see if Chris Miller wants to air it out here and go deep from the RAM 38 yard line Miller wants to throw downfield there it goes to Michael Haynes in the right corner of the end zone [Applause] Miller's efficiency was at an all-time high as he ranked second in the NFL in touchdown percentage interception percentage and overall passer rating but he also rated at the top in desire and that's what got him in trouble while scrambling for extra yardage Miller injured his knee and was lost for the season quality depth at quarterback is the only thing that can get a team back on its feet after such a crippling injury and Billy Joe Tolliver stepped right into a tough spot to get the Falcons back on stride [Music] short drop looks fires hannes at the five at the two one [Applause] Toliver led the Falcons to a come-from-behind victory and set the tone for some inspired football in the season's second half [Music] with Miller on the mend off the field Toliver had the Falcons in good health on it in week 11 against Phoenix blitz is coming look out Billy Joe steps up in the pocket looks fires deep in the middle of the endzone Rises [Applause] short drop Tolliver whoops left those uprising at the two at the one that walked into the endzone for a touchdown [Applause] again playing winning football the Falcons traveled down to Tampa with Tolliver grounded with a sore shoulder but waiting in the wings was 12-year veteran Wade Wilson safety Jeff Donaldson led a dominating defensive effort but what really opened some eyes was the amazing performance of the Falcons receivers [Music] back to throw looks fires over the middle wise it's got a touchdown Andre Rison right down the middle of the Bale the Falcons lead again back to throw away Wilson from the buck 38 goes deep down the middle of a field Prichard at the tan touch it at the five touchdown Falcons Mike Prichard 38 yards scoring strike Wilson will throw back the pass steps up looks fires deep downfield Payne's great catch at the 35 he's down to the 20 15 touchdown Michael Haynes Haynes Pritchard and Rison certainly spoiled the home crowds afternoon but they made Wilson's day helping him set a falcon record with five touchdown passes they put him in the record book but only one man could put him in primetime and beyond back in the ballgame he's a slot left Wade Wilson under center Jamie Dukes he's back to throw Wade Wilson going deep down the far sideline hey there's Deion at the five got it touchdown Wade Wilson and tech Deion Sanders [Music] [Applause] does it again or Emily what an ass and the d on shuffle follows in the left corner the end zone it seemed like it was the last feat in professional sports he had left to accomplish when Deion Sanders caught his first touchdown pass and it capped a memorable year that saw him become the only player in the NFL to both catch and run the ball on offense to intercept the ball on defense and to return punts and kickoffs on special teams this one is on the ground and picked up by a lineman at the 27 here's a lateral and another lateral a triple lateral Deion Sanders now at the 30 the 35 40 45 midfield down the sideline only Christie can catch him he's on his way for a touchdown Dion saluting as he goes wouldn't you know he'd find a way even his opponents had to love it and they made him the leading vote-getter for the Pro Bowl both as a kick returner and as a cornerback [Music] Dion's ability as a cover man and as a tackler make him the prototype cornerback for the 90s and the Falcons are hoping for great things at the other corner as well number 39 Bruce Pickens is expected to inherit the starting job from Tim mkhaya and the former first-round pick has all the tools to step up and step right in making sure they all got it right was number 23 Bobby Butler a 12-year veteran at cornerback put the DP out 41 we got it know what the Omegas do is play badger Jeff he'll make his play badger and put what's got case out 41 I still make its player entering his tenth year at safety number 25 Scott case played through injuries to remain the rock of the secondary still on his feet now running upfield trying to find somebody he's a deep down there case on his man and case with the interception case spearheaded a group of safeties that featured number 26 Lewis Riddick Terry ray and the team's second leading tackler number 42 Jeff Donaldson in 93 they'll be back with attitude they came a point in 92 when they had to inspect the goalpost to see if everything was on the level because kicker norm Johnson's performance had everyone bent out of shape Johnson twice equal the team record 54 yard field goal and was an incredible 4 of 4 overall from outside 50 yards punter Scott full Haig was the model of consistency in his fourth years of Falcon and on kick coverage number 37 Elbert Shelley was recognized as the best in the conference and represented the NFC in the Pro Bowl Michael read Harper labelled Jo Fischbach Brian Mitchell and number 46 Charles Washington all displayed the aptitude and attitude that is Falcon football and if you listen closely you'll hear a rumble in the distance it's the drumming in of a revival in Dixie a thundering return of winning Falcon football in the dome the Smith family's commitment to getting the Falcons back to the playoffs spurred Ken Herrick staff into the new free agent market where they brought in experienced players at key positions and made trades to improve the overall quality of the team their gold will be nothing less than to be the home team when the world comes to the Georgia Dome for Super Bowl 28 and as the Falcons write themselves in 93 no downtown here their fans can count on one thing as the fun brother is fun they still will be the most entertaining team in the league as time goes down the near sideline for Andre Rison who's there he's gone Andre Rison a little stutters [Music] and with the defense devoted to hitting they won't stop chasing the leaders until they've caught them I snap and it gets by the Stanford Barnhart the Falcons after the football they pick it up and still loosing the 31 yard line and is picked up by Jessie toggle he's at the 40 double at the 50 gets a block he could go he's at the 30 give somebody my baby Tuggle scores a touchdown [Applause] oh man what a turn of events a new year a new success worthy of their new home Falcon fever catch it again in 93 [Music] [Applause]

Channel: Sports Odyssey

Views: 3,522

Rating: 5 out of 5

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Id: -i7P7Ss_2Qg

Length: 25min 14sec (1514 seconds)

Published: Tue Mar 05 2019