The Arthur Smith Rebuild Phase
The 2008 Falcons: From 4-12 to playoffs under Mike Smith and rookie Matt Ryan.
The 2008 Atlanta Falcons season was the 43rd season for the team in the National Football League (NFL). Overcoming a disappointing 4–12 record, quarterback Michael Vick's dog fighting scandal and head coach Bobby Petrino's abrupt resignation in 2007, the Falcons, who were expected to be in a rebuilding phase, completed the regular season with a surprising 11–5 record and earned the #5 seed in the NFC playoffs under first-year head coach Mike Smith; however, the team fell to the eventual NFC champion Arizona Cardinals in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
Quick Facts
- Role
- Head Coach
- Tenure
- 2021–2023 Seasons
- Predecessor
- Dan Quinn
- Status
- Completed Era
Lore & Background
Mike Smith was named 2008 NFL Coach of the Year, and quarterback Matt Ryan earned the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. The Falcons won a coin toss on February 22 to secure the 3rd overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft. They used that pick to draft Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan. They also traded two second-round picks (No. 34 and No. 48) and a fourth-round pick (No. 103) to the Washington Redskins to move to No. 21 overall and select USC tackle Sam Baker.
Did You Know?
- The Falcons traded two second-round picks and a fourth-round pick to move up and select Sam Baker, not Kyle Pitts.
- Matt Ryan was drafted 3rd overall in 2008, not in 2021.
More in Club History & Eras
Elsewhere in Atlanta Falcons
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced