FALCONS IN THE PROS
Martin Bayless Dave Preston Doug Smith Phil Villapiano More than 45 former Falcons have been drafted by or played for a team in the National Football League, American Foot- ball League, World Football League, United States Football League or Canadian Football League. Among them have been several players who have made significant contributions to their professional teams. Players such as Bernie Casey, a wide receiver with the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers in the 1960s; Bob Reynolds, an offensive tackle with the St. Louis Cardinals for more than a decade; Jamie Rivers, a linebacker for three pro teams for nine years; Bob Schnelker, an offensive end with the New York Giants; Phil Villapiano, an all-pro linebacker with the Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills; Mike Weger, a Detroit Lions defensive back; and Dave Preston, an all-purpose back with the Denver Broncos. Former Falcons currently listed on the rosters of professional teams include defensive back Martin Bayless with the San Diego Chargers and center Doug Smith with the Los Angeles Rams. A list of former Falcons and their professional football experience follows: Dirk Abernathy - Oakland, 1979 Mike Obrovac — Cincinnati, Green Bay, 1981-85 Larry Baker - NY Titans (AFL), 1960 John Park - British Columbia (CFL), 1981-88 Gerald Bayless - Cleveland, Atlanta, 1987-88 Rick Perrin - NY Giants, 1969-70 Martin Bayless - St. Louis, Buffalo, San Diego, 1984-SA Shawn Potts — Cleveland (NFL), Pittsburgh, Chicago, Houston Tony Bell - Baltimore, 1973 (USFL), Buffalo, 1983-86 Ed Bettridge - Cleveland, 1964 Dave Preston — New England, Denver, (NFL), Denver (USFL), Bernie Casey - SF, LA, 1961-68 1977-84 Chet Chapman - Detroit, 1934 Bob Reynolds —St. Louis, Boston, 1963-75 Jay Cunningham — Boston, 1965-67 Roger Reynolds - NY Giants, 1969-70 Dave Cranmer — Calgary (CFL), 1969 Jamie Rivers — St. Louis, NY Jets, Houston, 1968-76 Sean Dykes - San Diego, NY Jets, 1986-88 Ken Russell - Detroit, 1957-59 Mike Estep - NY Jets, 1987-88 Dan Saleet - Cleveland, 1978 Joe Green - NY Giants, 1970-71 Tom Saleet - NY Jets, 1978 Jeff Groth — Miami, Houston, New Orleans, 1979-86 Bob Schnelker — Philadelphia, NY Giants, Minnesota, Pitts- Stan Hunter - NY Giants, NY Jets, 1986-87 burg h^l9J52-62 Greg A. Johnson — Detroit, 1988 Doug Smith - Los Angeles, 1978-SA Jerry Jones — New Orleans, 1966-68 Fred Sturt — St. Louis, Washington, New England, New Gene Jones — New Orleans, 1976 Orleans, 1972-82 Jim Ladd — Chicago Cardinals, 1954-56 Stu Tolle - Cleveland, 1985 Don Lisbon — San Franciso, 1963-67 Vince Villanucci - Buffalo, Toronto (CFL), Green Bay, 1986-87 Brian McClure - Buffalo, 1986-88 Phil Villapiano - Oakland, Buffalo, 1971-83 Greg Meehan — San Diego, Cincinnati, 1986-SA Roger Wallace — Jacksonville (WFL) Paul Miles - Memphis (WFL), 1974 Mike Weger - Detroit, San Diego, Houston, 1967-78 Mark Miller — Cleveland, Green Bay, Kansas City, Oakland Jack Williams - St. Louis (NFL), Ottawa (CFL), 1978-86 (NFL), Michigan (USFL), 1978-83 Heath Wingate - Washington, 1967 Tom Moriarty - Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Michigan (USFL), 1977-83 Andre Young - Cincinnati, Calgary (CFL), Green Bay, 1983-86 Mark Nelson — Minnesota, 1987 Gehad Youssef — New England, Miami, 1984-86