Memory Lane - 1976 Atlanta Falcons

In 1966 the Falcons came into the NFL as an expansion team and in that time have amassed a 46-90-4 record (10 yrs). HOF QB and two time NFL Champion Norm Van Brocklin was head coach from 1968-1974. After eight games in ‘74 was replaced by Marion Campbell who will be coaching in his third season with the Falcons.

A year earlier in the 1975 NFL draft the Falcons traded T George Kunz and their 1^st round pick for the Colts #1 overall and a sixth round Colt pick. The Falcons took QB Steve Bartkowski as the number pick in the draft. He started 11 games (4-7) in ‘75 and performed well enough to be second in the Rookie of the Year voting. Seven of the eleven losses were by a touchdown or less and gives hope to the team for a promising 1976 season. The RB position has Haskel Stanback and thousand yard rusher Dave Hampton. The Falcons went out and signed Viking WR John Gilliam to go with Alfred Jenkins.

In 1975 the defense took a big hit in preseason when DE Claude Humphrey went down with a knee injury and missed the entire season. The defense should be improved with his return. At LB is the Falcons original number one pick Tommy Nobis. In the secondary CB Rolland Lawrence picked off nine passes last year.

The 1976 draft additions: RB Bubba Bean, G Dave Scott, T Phil McKinnely.

Interesting factoid: Three Hall of Famers in the first six picks of the 1975 NFL Draft: 1. ATL – QB Steve Bartkowski, 2. DAL – DT Randy White (HOF), 3. BAL – G Ken Huff, 4. CHI – RB Walter Payton (HOF), 5. CLE – DE Mack Mitchell, 6. HOU – LB Robert Brazile (HOF)

1975 Rankings

Tot Yds Off: 19

Tot Yds Def: 22

Tot Pts Scored: 19

Tot Pts Against: 15

1975 Results

1976 Opening Day Roster

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