April 2009 - Atlanta Falcons Wiretap
Falcons To Wear 1966 Throwbacks This Season
The Atlanta Falcons will wear throwback uniforms from 1966 this season in at least one game.
The uniform scheme involved a black jersey and red helmets.
Gonzalez: I'm In Atlanta To Win A Super Bowl
Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez told the press on Friday that he's ready to win a Super Bowl with his new team.
"I'm here for one reason, and that's to win the Super Bowl," Gonzalez told the Associated Press. "I haven't won a playoff game in my whole career. I want to come here, go to the playoffs and win playoff games. I want to go to the Super Bowl and win the Super Bowl."
Chiefs Trade Gonzalez To Falcons
The Chiefs have traded tight end Tony Gonzalez to the Falcons for a second-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.
Gonzalez had reportedly asked Kansas City for a trade back in March, and had been selected to 10 Pro Bowls as a member of the team.
"On behalf of my family and the Chiefs, I want to thank Tony for his time in Kansas City," Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "Over the last 12 seasons, Tony has been one of the finest players in Chiefs history, and he will always be remembered as a member of the Chiefs. His play on the field speaks for itself -- he holds almost every major NFL record for tight ends, and he is arguably the best to ever play his position. We wish him the best in Atlanta."
Click here to read RealGM's take on the trade: Grading The Deal: Falcons Get Gonzalez From Chiefs
Falcons Still Open To Trading Vick's Rights
The Falcons are focused on this weekend's NFL Draft, but are still open to trading suspended quarterback Michael Vick's rights if a team shows interest.
"Possibly, but we are focusing on the whole franchise as far as the roster," Atlanta general manager Thomas Dimitroff said Tuesday. "As you know we are always open to entertaining offers and have discussions about players on this roster."
The Falcons have the 24th overall pick in the draft.
Falcons Interested In Gonzalez
The Falcons are "seriously interested" in trading for Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez, according to the National Football Post.
Atlanta is reportedly willing to part with their second round pick in order to obtain Gonzalez.
Falcons Will Draft For Need
The Falcons are expected to draft for need later this month, ignoring the common practice of taking the "best player available."
Atlanta lost five defensive starters to free agency.
"The philosophy of [GM Thomas Dimitroff] is to always be needs based," coach Mike Smith said. "You're not going to see us taking the best available athlete. We've identified needs to be addressed."
Vick Returns To Leavenworth Prison
After a brief stay in a prison in Virginia so he could attend a bankruptcy hearing, Michael Vick's name appeared on the inmate list at the Atlanta penitentiary on Friday.
The suspended Falcons quarterback had been moved to Virginia last week to testify at his bankruptcy hearing in Newport News.
Blank: Falcons Want New Downtown Stadium
Falcons owner Arthur Blank is looking for a new downtown stadium for his club to play in.
Atlanta is near the bottom of the NFL in revenue. Blank wants a better lease or a new stadium where they control all, or most, of the management.
"Our number 1 priority is to continue to work with the Georgia World Congress Center Authority and stay downtown," Blank said. "Our job is to look at everything that potentially is available so we are aware of options that we have."
Falcons Trade WR Robinson To Rams
The Falcons have traded wide receiver Laurent Robinson to the Rams in exchange for the right to swap fifth and sixth round draft picks.
Atlanta sent their fifth round pick (160th overall) and sixth round pick (196th) to St. Louis and received the Rams' fifth round pick (138) and their sixth round pick (176).
Vick: My Actions Were 'Heinous'
Michael Vick told a bankruptcy court on Friday that his time in prison allowed him to think about his life, and that he now realizes he needs to make some changes.
Vick, who is serving a 23-month prison sentence for bankrolling a dogfighting operation, said he knows he committed a "heinous" act.
"I can't live like the old Mike Vick," he told a courtroom. "I was very immature. I did a lot of things I wasn't supposed to do being a role model."
Vick Has Construction Job Lined Up
Michael Vick reportedly has lined up a $10-an-hour construction job for when he gets out of prison.