Dec 22 2008
Atlanta Falcons clinch playoff spot
At the end of last season, rebuilding the Atlanta Falcons and their 4-12 record seemed like a several year plan. Their rookie coach Bobby Petrino had deserted the players, sneaking out of town with games remaining on their schedule and their star quarterback Michael Vick was in prison garb.
The team was in total disarray with their stars asking to be traded with some trash-talking the organization.
How so much can change in a short time!
Along came new GM Thomas Dimitroff, rookie NFL coach Mike Smith and first-round draft pick, quarterback Matt Ryan with the task of putting together the broken puzzle.
After cleaning house and stock-piling the team with young, fresh talent, the Falcons (10-5) clinched a playoff spot with a road win in Minnesota yesterday. And they did it without familiar faces like Vick, DeAngelo Hall, Alge Crumpler and Joe Horn in the line-up.
The Falcons return home on December 28 to face the St. Louis Rams in the final game of the regular season.
