The 2004 Atlanta Falcons Roster: A Complete Guide for Fans in Atlanta

The 2004 Atlanta Falcons roster holds a special place in the city’s sports history. If you live in Atlanta, visit often, or just want to understand how that team came together, knowing who suited up that year helps you appreciate how much that season meant to the city and the fan base.

Below is a clear breakdown of the key players, position groups, and how this roster connects to the Atlanta experience—whether you’re watching highlights at home, visiting Mercedes-Benz Stadium, or exploring Falcons history around town.

Why the 2004 Falcons Roster Still Matters in Atlanta

The 2004 Falcons:

• Were led by head coach Jim Mora in his first year in Atlanta
• Featured Michael Vick in his prime as one of the NFL’s most electric quarterbacks
• Made a deep playoff run, capturing attention across metro Atlanta
• Helped define the identity of Atlanta football culture in the 2000s

For many Atlantans, this roster is tied to memories of loud crowds at the old Georgia Dome, game days downtown, and a city rallying around a contender.

Key Offensive Players on the 2004 Atlanta Falcons

The 2004 offense was built around speed, mobility, and a physical running game. Below are the main names most Atlanta fans remember.

Quarterbacks

• Michael Vick (#7) – Starting QB, centerpiece of the offense, known for his rushing ability and deep passing.
• Matt Schaub (#8) – Rookie backup QB, future NFL starter, provided depth.
• Ty Detmer – Veteran backup (preseason/early roster; not a main regular-season contributor).

Running Backs & Fullbacks

The Falcons’ ground game was one of the strongest parts of the 2004 roster.

• Warrick Dunn (#28) – Lead running back, quick and versatile.
• T.J. Duckett (#45) – Power back, often used in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
• Justin Griffith (#33) – Starting fullback, important blocker and occasional receiver.
• Other depth/role players included Quan Givens and others during camp and preseason.

Wide Receivers

While the passing game revolved around Vick’s arm and legs, these receivers played key roles:

• Peerless Price (#81) – Primary wide receiver, acquired to be the top target.
• Brian Finneran (#86) – Reliable possession receiver, red-zone target.
• Dez White (#19) – Speed option on the outside.
• Michael Jenkins (#12) – Rookie receiver with size and potential.
• Depth also included Jerome Pathon (part of the wider receiver mix that year).

Tight Ends

Tight ends were crucial in both the run game and as safety valves for Vick.

• Alge Crumpler (#83) – Pro Bowl–caliber tight end, top receiving threat and a fan favorite in Atlanta.
• Eric Beverly – Blocking tight end/lineman hybrid role.
• Dwayne Blakley – Depth at tight end.

Offensive Line

The offensive line helped power one of the league’s most dangerous rushing attacks.

• LT – Kevin Shaffer
• LG – Kynan Forney
• C – Todd McClure – Longtime Falcon and leader of the line.
• RG – Roberto Garza
• RT – Todd Weiner

Additional offensive line depth included Barry Stokes, Cosey Coleman, and others who rotated or backed up during the season.

Defensive Standouts on the 2004 Falcons Roster

The defense shifted to an aggressive style under Mora’s staff, especially with coordinator Ed Donatell and line coach Bill Johnson helping reshape the front.

Defensive Line

• Patrick Kerney (#97) – Defensive end, high-motor pass rusher.
• Brady Smith (#91) – Solid starting defensive end opposite Kerney.
• Rod Coleman (#75) – Penetrating defensive tackle, key interior pass rusher.
• Chad Lavalais (#94) – Rookie defensive tackle, part of the rotation.
• Additional depth: Antwan Lake, Matt Stewart (LB/DE roles), and several rotational linemen.

Linebackers

Athletic, fast linebackers fit the scheme and helped close space quickly.

• Keith Brooking (#56) – Star linebacker from Georgia Tech, emotional leader and local favorite.
• Chris Draft (#54) – Versatile linebacker, often in the middle.
• Demorrio Williams (#51) – Athletic outside linebacker, big on special teams and sub-packages.
• Matt Stewart (#55) – Played outside linebacker and contributed on defense and special teams.

Defensive Backs

The secondary blended experience and youth, with corners who could run and safeties who could hit.

• DeAngelo Hall (#21) – Rookie cornerback with blazing speed and swagger, quickly became a recognizable face in Atlanta.
• Jason Webster (#35) – Starting cornerback, important in coverage.
• Aaron Beasley – Veteran corner/nickel back.
• Bryan Scott (#24) – Strong safety, physical presence in run support.
• Keion Carpenter (#29) – Free safety, contributed in coverage.
• Allen Rossum (#39) – Cornerback/return specialist (more on him in special teams).

Special Teams: The Hidden Strength of the 2004 Team

Special teams played a big role in field position and momentum, especially at home in the Georgia Dome.

• Kicker – Jay Feely (#4) – Handled field goals and kickoffs.
• Punter – Chris Mohr (#2) – Veteran punter.
• Long Snapper – Derek Rackley (#82) – Responsible for consistent snaps on kicks and punts.
• Returner – Allen Rossum (#39) – One of the league’s more dangerous return men at the time, often flipping field position and energizing the home crowd.

Quick Reference: Core 2004 Falcons Starters

Here’s a simple snapshot of many of the central figures Atlanta fans associate with the 2004 roster:

This isn’t every player who appeared that season, but it includes most of the names Atlanta fans commonly look for when they revisit 2004.

How the 2004 Roster Fits into Atlanta’s Football Culture

For someone in Atlanta, the 2004 Falcons roster isn’t just a list of names—it ties into local sports identity:

• Game-day downtown: That year, crowds poured into the Georgia Dome, not far from where Mercedes-Benz Stadium stands now on Northside Drive NW.
• Local ties: Players like Keith Brooking, who played college football at Georgia Tech, deepened the connection between the team and the city’s football community.
• Rise of mobile QBs: Michael Vick’s style influenced how many young athletes around Atlanta approached the quarterback position, from high school ball in the suburbs to city leagues.

If you’re at a bar or restaurant near Downtown, Midtown, or along the Battery Atlanta area on game day, you’ll still hear Vick, Crumpler, Dunn, and Brooking’s names brought up when fans reminisce about “that 2004 squad.”

Where to Explore Falcons History in Atlanta

If you’re in or visiting Atlanta and want to connect this roster to real places:

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium

  • 1 AMB Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  • Current home of the Falcons. Team spaces, displays, and tours sometimes highlight past eras, including the early-2000s teams.

• Downtown Atlanta (former Georgia Dome site)

  • Around the same block where big 2004 home games were played. While the Dome is gone, the area around Northside Drive NW and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW still carries that game-day atmosphere, especially on Sundays in the fall.

• Local sports shops and memorabilia spots around metro Atlanta often carry throwback jerseys and items from the 2004 season—especially Vick #7, Crumpler #83, and Brooking #56.

Tips for Atlanta Fans Researching the 2004 Roster

If you’re diving deeper into the 2004 Atlanta Falcons roster from here in the city:

• Rewatch classic games: Look for the 2004 playoff games and home wins—seeing how these players lined up gives more context than just scanning names.
• Compare to today’s roster: For current Falcons fans, it can be helpful to think about which modern players echo the roles of Vick, Dunn, Crumpler, or Brooking.
• Talk to long-time locals: Many long-time Atlanta residents still remember attending those games; their stories bring the roster to life in a way stats never will.

By understanding the 2004 Atlanta Falcons roster, you’re not just learning who played that season—you’re tapping into a chapter of Atlanta’s sports identity, one that still shapes how fans in the city talk about the Falcons today.