The 2001 Atlanta Falcons season was the franchise’s 36th season in the National Football League (NFL). The Falcons obtained the first pick overall in the 2001 NFL Draft. With the pick, the Falcons drafted Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick.NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, , p. 392
This was Jamal Anderson’s final season as he re-aggravated his surgically repaired knee in Week 3, and this time, it ended his career. The Falcons improved on their 9–23 record from the previous two seasons but still failed to qualify for the postseason for the third consecutive campaign after a 6–4 start.
This was the final season under the Falcons' founding ownership, the Rankin M. Smith Sr. family, as the franchise was sold to The Home Depot co-founder Arthur Blank in March 2002.
It was also the first season since 1986 that Jessie Tuggle was not on the roster, as he announced his retirement on August 28, 2001.
Offseason Vick was selected in the 2001 NFL draft as the first overall pick and first African American quarterback taking number 1 in the NFL Draft. The San Diego Chargers had the number one selection spot in the draft that year but traded the rights to the first overall choice to the Atlanta Falcons a day before the draft, for which they received the Falcons’ first round pick (5th overall) and third round pick in 2001 (used to draft CB Tay Cody), a second round pick in 2002 (used to draft WR Reche Caldwell) and WR/KR Tim Dwight.ESPN – Chargers big winner in different draft-day deal – NFL With the Chargers’ downgraded spot (the 5th overall), they selected Texas Christian University running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who went on to become league MVP in 2006. Although Vick has never become league MVP, he finished second in voting in 2004. In this way, Tomlinson and Vick are linked as having been “traded” for each other, although the transaction was actually the result of traded draft picks and contract negotiations.
Additions Subtractions RB Travis Jervey (49ers) K Morten Andersen (Giants) RB Rodney Thomas (Titans) P Dan Stryzinski (Chiefs) S Chris Hudson LB Jessie Tuggle (retirement) CB Darrien Gordon (Raiders) WR Tim Dwight (Chargers) CB Terry Cousin (Dolphins)
NFL draft
Undrafted free agents
+ 2001 undrafted free agents of note Player Position CollegeMatt AllenPunterTroy StateCorey BrownWide ReceiverTulsaJay FeelyKickerMichiganDave KadelaOffensive tackleVirginia TechTrey MerkensLinebackerUTEP
Personnel
Roster
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue 1 Pittsburgh Steelers L 16–17 0–1 Georgia Dome 2 at New York Jets W 20–10 1–1 Giants Stadium 3 at Washington Redskins W 27–6 2–1 FedExField 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 36–7 3–1 Georgia Dome
Regular season This was the Falcons’ 32nd and final season as a member of the NFC West Division. If its predecessor, the Coastal Division of the NFL’s Western Conference prior to the 1970 merger, is counted, then it would be the franchise’s 35th season in this division. The Falcons moved to the new NFC South as part of the NFL’s realignment plan for the following season.
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 9 at San Francisco 49ers L 13–16 0–1 3Com Park 65,989 2 September 23 Carolina Panthers W 24–16 1–1 Georgia Dome 47,804 3 September 30 at Arizona Cardinals W 34–14 2–1 Sun Devil Stadium 28,878 4 October 7 Chicago Bears L 3–31 2–2 Georgia Dome 46,483 5 October 14 San Francisco 49ers L 31–37 2–3 Georgia Dome 46,727 6 October 21 at New Orleans Saints W 20–13 3–3 Louisiana Superdome 70,020 7 Bye 8 November 4 New England Patriots L 10–24 3–4 Georgia Dome 44,229 9 November 11 Dallas Cowboys W 20–13 4–4 Georgia Dome 69,010 10 November 18 at Green Bay Packers W 23–20 5–4 Lambeau Field 59,849 11 November 25 at Carolina Panthers W 10–7 6–4 Ericcson Stadium 72,234 12 December 2 St. Louis Rams L 6–35 6–5 Georgia Dome 59,318 13 December 9 New Orleans Saints L 10–28 6–6 Georgia Dome 68,826 14 December 16 at Indianapolis Colts L 27–41 6–7 RCA Dome 55,603 15 December 23 Buffalo Bills W 33–30 7–7 Georgia Dome 43,320 16 December 30 at Miami Dolphins L 14–21 7–8 Pro Player Stadium 73,559 17 January 6 at St. Louis Rams L 13–31 7–9 Trans World Dome 66,033 Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Standings
Notes
References
External links 2001 Atlanta Falcons at Pro-Football-Reference.com