One of the most annoying teams on the planet were the Atlanta Falcons of the 1990s. From Jerry Glanville to Deion to The Dirty Bird, they were the epitome of obnoxious success who laid a gigantic egg in the only Super Bowl they managed to make.
Couldn't have happened to a nicer collection of unconvicted felons, coaching wannabes, and superstar talent that, to this day, just won't STFU.
There was a single element and nickname from this team and this era that I liked.
The Smurfs.
They were the Falcon's receiving corps on the team from 1994 - 1996. Tragically, one of the Smurfs scored a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in the waning seconds of the last game of the 1995 season and changed the whole playoff picture. It knocked the Niners down to the number two seed and we were treated to another Super Bowl with Michael Irvin and the puke-inducing Dallas Cowboys.
Talk about annoying.
Won't belabor the antics of Jerry Glanville, Deion Sanders, Jamal Anderson, Bobby Hebert, Dan Reeves, or Chris Chandler. Suffice it to say, the team and their XFL uniforms would go on to screw up a few seasons of their NFC West competition and then promptly swallow the olive in the playoffs.
They finally did make it to the Super Bowl after the 1998 season and looked like the sucky 8-8 team they really were. How they went 14-2 that year is a testament to the football gods wanting to punish us.
But the Smurfs.
I bring them up because, though not someone who watches three hour football games anymore, I am enjoying the play of the pint-sized Brock Purdy of the 49ers, which I catch on the NFL Networks highlights. This guy runs out onto the field and security should be tackling him and escorting him off the premises.
Have no idea how far he can take a team. His elbow injury last year caused a one season delay in that premise, but he's back and looking like someone took Dan Marino and threw him in the dryer.
Go Smurf.
Go.
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