Atlanta Falcons Trade To Get Michael Vick

On April 21, 2001, the first day of the NFL draft was held at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The draft is most remembered for the trade that took place between the Atlanta Falcons and the San Diego Chargers.

Ladainian Tomlinson was selected fifth overall in the 2001 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers.

The Falcons traded their first round pick, fifth overall, along with their third round pick in 2001, a second round pick in 2002 and wide receiver Tim Dwight to the Chargers for the No.1 overall pick.
 
Atlanta used the No.1 pick to draft quarterback Michael Vick out of Virginia Tech, while San Diego took running back Ladainian Tomlinson from Texas Christian University with the fifth selection.


When this trade was first made, it was tough to tell who got the better deal, but after some time it was quite obvious who the winner was.

Michael Vick was selected No. 1 overall in the 2001 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons.

Although Vick had some early success in Atlanta, his off-field problems all but killed his career, until his resurgence a few years ago in Philadelphia.

However, Tomlinson was a premier running back in the NFL for the entire decade with the Chargers and a solid tandem back with the Jets.

Vick is still currently in the NFL, now with the New York Jets, while Tomlinson is happily retired.

New York Giants Retire LT's Jersey

On Oct. 10, 1994, the New York football Giants retire Lawrence Taylor's no. 56 jersey.

Taylor was the No. 2 overall pick out of North Carolina when the New York Giants took him in the first round of the 1981 NFL Draft.

Taylor would have an immediate impact on the game, and the position of linebackers, as he was named the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1981.

Taylor would rack up 10 Pro Bowl appearances over his career, with 10 All-Pro selections as well. He was a three-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, a two-time UPI NFC Defensive Player of the Year, a one time AP NFL MVP in 1986 as well being named the PFWA NFL MVP, NEA NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and Bert Bell Award winner in 1986. That same year he led the NFL in sacks, with 20.5 sacks.

Taylor would help the Giants to two Super Bowl wins in Super Bowl XXI (21) and XXB (25).

Taylor would finish his career with 1,088 tackles, 132.5 sacks, 11 fumble recoveries and nine interceptions in 184 games with 180 starts. He also scored two touchdowns in his career, both off of interceptions. If you include the unofficial total of 9.5 sacks from his rookie year his total would be 142. *Sacks were not an official stat category until 1982.*

Taylor was named to the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team, the NFL 75 Anniversary All-Time Team and was ranked No. 3 by the Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players.

Taylor was nominated to the New York Giants Ring of Honor in 2010.

Outside of football Taylor was the main event at WrestleMania XI (11) defeating Bam Bam Bigelow.