2008 Atlanta Falcons

The 2008 Falcons were an amazing turnaround for the Atlanta football franchise. After coming off of a 4-12 record, two head coaches walking away in one season, star quarterback Michael Vick went to prison, and an owner that nearly gave up hope, the Falcons looked hopeless. Then, head coach Mike Smith, rookie quarterback Matt Ryan, and free agent Michael Turner arrived. Smith led the Falcons to an 11-5 record. Ryan became the NFL rookie of the year. Turner was the second best running back in the country. This all got the Falcons to their first playoff game since 2003. Though they fell to the Arizona Cardinals, this was a miracle season for Atlanta.

"It's kind of like Moses," says Blank. "Led a lot of folks through the desert, out of the desert. I think they've done a pretty good job. It took Moses 40 years. It's not going to take these guys 40 years. We were in the desert, no question about it. But we're out now." Arthur Blank on the Falcons' 2008 ressurection.