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Pastimes : Football Forum (NFL) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: sandintoes who wrote (6059)	8/30/2001 1:08:07 PM
From: Thomas M.	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 45639

In Atlanta's major-league sports history, only four players have played here longer than Jessie Tuggle. Players who have the longest tenures with Atlanta teams: Player.............. Team......Years..............Seasons Phil Niekro..........Braves....1966-83, '87...... 18* Jeff Van Note........Falcons.. 1969-86............18 Mike Kenn............Falcons.. 1978-94............17 Tom Glavine..........Braves....1987-2001..........14-plus Jessie Tuggle........Falcons.. 1987-2000..........14 Dale Murphy..........Braves....1976-90............13-plus* John Smoltz..........Braves....1988-2001..........13-plus* Dominique Wilkins....Hawks.... 1982-94............12*

To: sandintoes who wrote (6059)	9/1/2001 12:09:47 PM
From: Thomas M.	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 45639

Potential exhibited vs. Bucs Matt Winkeljohn - Staff Saturday, September 1, 2001 There's still time to change predictions for the upcoming NFL season, with openers slated for Sept. 9. Some prognosticators might want to, if they are as encouraged by the Falcons' preseason as the players and coaches are. Six weeks ago, the Falcons (3-1) were almost universally picked to wrestle Carolina for last place in the NFC West. After whipping Tampa Bay 36-7 Friday night in the Georgia Dome to finish the preseason 3-1, there is optimism. Only time will tell, of course, if it's warranted. The Bucs (1-3) are picked by many to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. It should be mentioned that most of their starters were gone by the second quarter Friday, and quarterback Brad Johnson and others left before that. All-Pro defensive tackle Warren Sapp didn't even suit up. But for the Falcons, coming off a 4-12 season, these positives are being looked upon as harbingers of good things to come: > Atlanta outrushed the Bucs 211-86, and for the entire preseason outrushed opponents 565-370. > Quarterback Chris Chandler threw his first interception of the preseason, but linebacker Chris Draft and strong safety Marty Carty pulled in interceptions, and defensive tackle Ed Jasper forced a fumble while sacking Joe Hamilton. For the preseason, the Falcons had 10 takeaways to five turnovers. > The Falcons ground out 25 first downs to Tampa Bay's nine while holding the ball 37:14 to the Bucs' 22:46. In four games, Atlanta had 75 first downs, opponents 50. Perhaps best of all, there is a positive vibe --- at least until the Falcons begin the regular season with back-to-back road games at San Francisco (where they haven't won since 1991) and St. Louis (where they haven't won since 1998). It grows out of an offensive line that was miserable last year. This summer, they've played as if on the same page rather than as if reading five separate books. At the same time, running back Jamal Anderson (six rushes, 25 yards, one touchdown) is running with far more confidence, quickness and power than a year ago. ''Our offensive line is definitely more physical than it was last season, or even during the 1998 (Super Bowl) season,'' Anderson said. ''It seems like they are getting to the linebackers faster, which really helps our running game.'' Atlanta appears to have more polished depth, as demonstrated by running backs Maurice Smith (12 carries, 89 yards, two touchdowns) and Rodney Thomas (18 carries, 68 yards) Friday. The Falcons continue to have problems in a couple of key areas. They converted just three of 11 third downs, and 15 of 53 (28.3 percent) in the preseason. Also, three drives ended inside the Bucs' 20-yard line with field goals instead of touchdowns. ''I think we are going to be a better football team,'' said coach Dan Reeves, whose team was 4-1 last preseason. ''I think you have to keep preseason in perspective. The key thing for us down the road is going to be the ability to stay healthy.''