1-14-09 Falcons Sporting News Accolades

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FALCONS – 2 1/14/09

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ATLANTA FALCONS EARN ACCOLADES FROM THE SPORTING NEWS FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith and members of his team earned national honors from The Sporting News magazine today. Smith was named Coach of the Year while quarterback Matt Ryan was tabbed Rookie of the Year. Running back Michael Turner received first-team All-Pro recognition by the magazine and Ryan, along with linebacker Curtis Lofton, also garnered All-Rookie team accolades by The Sporting News. Smith guided the Falcons to an 11-5 regular season record and the team’s first playoff berth since 2004 in his first season as a head coach. The seven-win improvement from the 2007 campaign ranks tied for the sixth-highest by a first-year head coach in league history (since 1970 merger). Smith became only the fourth Falcons coach in franchise history to reach 11 regular season wins in a season and was also named 2008 Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year. Ryan pieced together a spectacular rookie season after completing 265 of 434 passes for 3,440 yards and 16 touchdowns en route to being named Associated Press NFL Rookie of the Year. Ryan and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning are the only rookie quarterbacks in league history to throw for more than 3,000 yards in their first season. Along with Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, Ryan became the first rookie in the NFL to start all 16 regular season games and lead his team to the playoffs. Ryan’s 11 wins are the most for a rookie in franchise history as he threw for nine consecutive 200-yard passing outings. He was also named NFC Rookie of the Month (October) and NFC Offensive Player of the Week (9). Turner finished the season ranked second in the NFL in rushing yards with 1,699 while setting a team record with 17 rushing touchdowns. The five-year veteran topped the 1,000-yard rushing plateau for the first time in his career and tied a team record with four touchdowns in one game against the Carolina Panthers (Week 12). In his first

contest in a Falcons uniform, Turner established a new team single-game rushing record with 220 yards against Detroit. Along with teammate Roddy White, Turner will be making his first AFC-NFC Pro Bowl appearance. Lofton started 15 of 16 contests in 2008 and finished the season ranked second in the NFL among all rookies in tackles (94) behind New England Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo, according to STATS, Inc. Lofton set a career-high with 11 tackles in a 22-20 victory over the Chicago Bears in Week 6 and logged his first-career sack when he dropped Donovan McNabb for a seven-yard loss while forcing a fumble on the play against Philadelphia in Week 8. For more information, please contact the Football Communications Department or log on to www.AtlantaFalcons.com --FALCONS--

Along with The Sporting News awards, below is a look at Atlanta’s 2008 achievements following the season. •

Mike Smith, Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year

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Matt Ryan, Associated Press NFL Rookie of the Year

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Michael Turner, NFC Pro Bowler

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Roddy White, NFC Pro Bowler

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Michael Turner, Associated Press first-team All-Pro

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John Abraham, Associated Press second-team All-Pro

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Matt Ryan, NFC Rookie of the Month (October)

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Matt Ryan (1), Michael Turner (3), Harry Douglas (1), NFC Players of the Week