2011 MEDIA INFORMATIONSUN, SEPT 18, 2011 • FALCONS VS. EAGLES

RISE UP

BROADCAST INFORMATIONBROADCAST INFORMATION

The Atlanta Falcons return to the Georgia Dome for the 2011 home opener against the Philadelphia Eagles in front of a national audience on Sunday Night Football on NBC. Sunday’s matchup marks the 27th time the two clubs have met in the regular season. The last meeting between the two teams was a Week 6 matchup in 2010 which the Fal-cons lost in Philadelphia. Since 2000, the Birds are 8-3 in their fi rst game of the season at the Georgia Dome and have won six of their last seven home openers. Under Head Coach Mike Smith, the Falcons have been one of the NFL’s best teams at home winning all three of their home openers with Smith at the helm. Since 2008, Atlanta boasts a 20-4 home record and an impressive .833 winning percentage at the Georgia Dome. For the second season in-a-row the Falcons lost the season opener on the road, falling 30-12 to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Despite the loss, DE John Abraham recorded two sacks and ran his career total to 104.5 sacks. Additionally, RB Michael Turner posted his 20th game with 100-or-more rushing yards as a Falcon and QB Matt Ryan eclipsed the 300-yard passing mark for the fi fth time in his career. The Eagles posted a 31-13 win at St. Louis in their sea-son opener. RB LeSean McCoy racked up 137 total yards and two touchdowns while WR DeSean Jackson notched 102 yards and one touchdown through the air.

FALCONS OPEN REGULAR SEASONFALCONS OPEN REGULAR SEASON

REGGIE ROBERTS BRIAN CEARNS ALEX ZERKELVice President of Football Communica ons Football Communica ons Coordinator Seasonal AssistantRRoberts@Falcons.NFL.com - 770.965.2761 BCearns@Falcons.NFL.com - 770.965.4318 AZerkel@Falcons.NFL.com - 770.965.2859

FRANK KLEHA MATT HALEYSenior Director of Media Rela ons Football Communica ons CoordinatorFKleha@Falcons.NFL.com - 770.965.2763 MHaley@Falcons.NFL.com - 770.965.4350

Week 2ATLANTA FALCONS (0-1)

vsPhiladelphia Eagles (1-0)

8:20 p.m.(EST), Sunday, September 18, 2011 at Georgia Domehttp://media.atlantafalcons.com

Tuesday, September 13- Players Day Off

- Falcons Coordinators

available 4:45 p.m.

Wednesday, September 14

- Open Locker Room11:15 p.m.

- Practice 1:15

- Coach Smith after practice.

Thursday, September 15- Practice 11:45 a.m.

- Coach Smith after practice

- Open Locker Room1:35 p.m.

Friday, September 16- Practice 11:05 a.m.

- Coach Smith after practice

- Open Locker Room12:15 p.m.

Saturday, September 17

- No Media Availability

Sunday, September 18- Falcons vs. Eagles

- 8:20 p.m.

Under Head Coach Mike Smith, the Falcons have posted the League’s second highest winning percentage at home in the last three seasons. Since Smith became Atlanta’s head coach in 2008, the Falcons are 20-4 (.833 win pct.) at the Georgia Dome.

DEFENDING THE DOMEDEFENDING THE DOME

HOME WIN PCT., SINCE 2008Team W-L Pct.New England 21-3 .875Atlanta 20-4 .833Baltimore 20-5 .800Indianapolis 19-5 .792Minnesota 18-6 .750

This season, the Atlanta Falcons are introducing a digital media guide that will provide media members with the most up-to-date information about the club.

To download updates to your Digital Media Guide USB thumb drive, click on the “Update” tab at the top of main page. Under the Update Media Guide heading, click the link and download the latest zip archive of fi les. Save this on to your USB device.

When the download is complete, unzip the archive on to your USB device, approving the overwrite for all when prompted.

http://media.atlantafalcons.com

DIGITAL MEDIA GUIDEDIGITAL MEDIA GUIDE

2011 WEEKLY PRESS RELEASE

TelevisionPlay-by-play: Al Michaels

Color Analyst: Cris CollinsworthSideline: Michele Tafoya

Coverage Provided by:NBC

RadioPlay-by-play: Wes DurhamColor Analyst: Dave Archer

Sideline: John MichaelsCoverage Provided by:

Star 94 (94.1 FM/790 AM)

All-time regular season results: Eagles lead 15-10-1Coach Smith vs. Eagles: 0-2Coach Smith at home: 20-4 (regular season)Current Regular Season Streak: Eagles, four gamesLast Regular Season Meeting: 2010, Falcons 31-17 (Phi.)

ALL-TIME RESULTSALL-TIME RESULTS

Falcons 2011 Season Schedule

Regular Season (0-1)Date Opponent Time NetworkSeptember 11 at Chicago 1 p.m. L, 30-12September 18 PHILADELPHIA 8:20 p.m. NBCSeptember 25 at Tampa Bay 4:15 p.m. FOXOctober 2 at Seattle 4 p.m. FOXOctober 9 GREEN BAY 8:20 p.m. NBCOctober 16 CAROLINA 1 p.m. FOXOctober 23 at Detroit 1 p.m. FOXOctober 30 BYE - -November 6 at Indianapolis 1 p.m. FOXNovember 13 NEW ORLEANS 1 p.m.* FOXNovember 20 TENNESSEE 1 p.m.* CBSNovember 27 MINNESOTA 1 p.m.* FOXDecember 4 at Houston 1 p.m.* FOXDecember 11 at Carolina 1 p.m.* FOXDecember 15 JACKSONVILLE 8:20 p.m. NFLNDecember 26 at New Orleans 8:30 p.m. ESPNJanuary 1 TAMPA BAY 1 p.m.* FOX

Date Opponent Time NetworkJanuary 7-8 NFC Wild Card Playoff TBA FOXJanuary 14-15 NFC Divisional Playoff TBA FOXJanuary 22 NFC Championship TBA FOXJanuary 29 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl TBA TBAFebruary 5 Super Bowl XLVI TBA TBAHome games in BOLD - * denotes felxible scheduling

2011 SCHEDULE2011 SCHEDULE

2011 Regular Season StatisticsFalcons (rank) Eagles (rank) 12.0 (25) Points/Game 31.0 (7) 386.0 (9) Total Offense 404.0 (5) 110.0 (10) Net Rushing Yards/Game 237.0 (1) 276.0 (10) Net Passing Yards/Game 167.0 (22) 26:41 (22) Possession Average 30:14 (14) 30.0 (21) Opponent Points/Game 13.0 (5) 377.0 (17) Opponent Total Offense 335.0 (14) 88.0 (15) Opp. Rushing Yards/Game 154.0 (22) 289.0 (20) Opp. Passing yards/Game 181.0 (9) -2 (25t) Turnover Differential 0 (11t)

TALE OF THE TAPETALE OF THE TAPE

Team LeadersPassing Cmp. Att. Yards TDs INTs RateMatt Ryan 31 47 319 0 1 76.5

Rushing Att. Yards Avg. Long TDsMichael Turner 10 100 10.0 53 0

Receiving Rec. Yards Avg. Long TDsRoddy White 8 61 7.6 14 0Tony Gonzalez 5 72 14.4 30 0

2011 SEASON LEADERS2011 SEASON LEADERS

ALL-TIME RESULTSYear Result Loc.1966 Eagles 23-10 (P)1967 Eagles 38-7 (A)1969 Falcons 27-3 (P)1970 Tie 13-13 (P)1973 Falcons 44-27 (P)1976 Eagles 14-13 (A)1978 Falcons 14-13 (A)1979 Falcons 14-10 (P)1980 Falcons 20-17 (P)1981 Eagles 16-13 (P)1983 Eagles 28-24 (A)1984 Falcons 26-10 (A)1985 Eagles 23-17 OT (P)1986 Eagles 16-0 (A)1988 Falcons 27-24 (P)1990 Eagles 24-23 (Atl)1994 Falcons 28-21 (Atl)

Year Result Loc.1996 Eagles 33-18 (Atl)1997 Falcons 20-17 (Atl)1998 Falcons 17-12 (Atl)2000 Eagles 38-10 (Phi)2002 Eagles 20-6 (Phi)2003 Eagles 23-16 (Atl)2005 Eagles 27-10 (Phi)2005 Falcons 14-10 (Atl)2006 Eagles 24-17 (Phi)2008 Eagles 27-14 (Phi)2009 Eagles 34-7 (Atl)2010 Eagles 31-17 (Phi)*1978 - NFC Wild Card#2002 - NFC Divisional^2005 - NFC Championship

Pro Bowl TE Tony Gonzalez caught a pair of touchdown passes in a Week 6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2010.

The last time the Falcons and Eagles met was a Week 6 clash in 2010, which the Eagles won 31-17 at Lincoln Fi-nancial Field. Philadelphia jumped out to an early 14-point lead as WR DeSean Jackson scored a pair of touchdowns on a 31-yard rush and a 34-yard reception. The Eagles made it 21-0 when QB Kevin Kolb hit WR Jeremy Maclin for an eight-yard touchdown. Despite the early defi cit, the Falcons got on the board when QB Matt Ryan hit TE Tony Gonzalez for a one-yard touchdown. K Matt Bryant cut the Eagles lead to 11 with a 26-yard fi eld goal, but Philadelphia responded with an 83-yard Jeremy Maclin touchdown re-ception to make it 28-10. Ryan hit Gonzalez for a second touchdown in the fourth quarter, but the Falcons failed to score again and dropped their second game of the season. WR Roddy White led the team with six catches for 83 yards, while Ryan completed 23 of 42 passes for 250 yards.

GAMEDAY STORYLINEGAMEDAY STORYLINE

THIS WEEK’S MATCHUP

MIKE SMITH Coaching Years in NFL: 13th year Falcons Head Coach: 4th year Regular Season: 33-16 (.673) Postseason: 0-2 (.000)

In 2010, Mike Smith guided the Falcons to the second-most wins in a season in team history, the top record in the NFC with a 13-3 mark, and an NFC South Division crown. The 13 victories also secured the number one seed in the Conference for only the second time in franchise history and the Division crown was just the

fourth ever for the team in 45 years in the League (and fi rst since 2004). Smith’s impressive 33-15 regular season record since 2008 is the second-best mark among all NFL coaches and his 33 wins are the most in the NFC. His .688 winning percentage is the highest in team history over a three-year pe-riod and is the second-best percentage in the League. Smith also won Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year following the 2008 season.

ANDY REID Coaching Years in NFL: 20th year Eagles Head Coach: 13th year Regular Season: 119-73 (.620) Postseason: 10-9 (.526)

Andy Reid is one of the longest tenured coaches in professional sports. He became the head coach of the Philadel-phia Eagles on January 11, 1999 and has since posted 128 wins (in-cluding playoffs) to rank 24th on the NFL’s all-time wins list. He

has earned NFL Coach of the Year honors twice during his ten-ure and set franchise records for win total, winning percent-age and playoff victory total. Reid’s teams have captured six division titles and fi ve trips to the NFC Championship game, along with one Super Bowl appearance. He is one of four ac-tive coaches and the 37th coach overall to record 100-or-more career wins. Among coaches with 200 games under their belt, Reid’s winning percentage ranks ninth all time and second among active coaches behind Bill Belichick.

COACHING MATCHUPCOACHING MATCHUP

Coaching Connections: Falcons defensive assistant Mark Collins was on the defensive staff at Michigan during the collegiate career of WR Jason Avant. Atlanta Falcons as-sistant offensive line coach Paul Dunn coached for Pitts-burgh in 2007 while RB LeSean McCoy was on campus.Swapping Sidelines: QB Michael Vick was originally drafted by the Falcons in 2001 and spent seven seasons in Atlanta from 2001-06.College Teammates: S Thomas DeCoud lined up on oppo-site sides of the ball from WR DeSean Jackson at Cal. For-mer Miami Hurricanes DT Antonio Dixon and LB Spencer Adkins played on the same defensive unit while at “The U”, along with P Matt Bosher. LB Sean Weatherspoon and S William Moore starred on the defensive side of the ball at Missouri while teammate WR Jeremy Maclin sparked the Tiger offense from 2006-2008. S Colt Anderson, DE Kroy Biermann and S Shann Schillinger were teammates on the Montana defense from 2006-2007. In 2007, CB Darrin Walls and DT Trevor Laws partnered on defense at Notre Dame. LB Curtis Lofton, CB Dominique Franks, and LB Keenan Clayton were all teammates at Oklahoma. OG Kyle DeVan blocked for RB Jacquizz Rodgers at Oregon State. CB Brandon Hughes also played for the Beavers. SS Nate Allen and LB Stephen Nicholas were teammates at South Florida in 2006. OG Justin Blalock blocked for QB Vince Young from 2003-2005 at the University of Texas. LT Sam Baker was teammates with T Winston Justice, DT Mike Patterson and WR Steve Smith at USC. Local Ties: RB Ronnie Brown attended Cartersville High School in Cartersville, Ga. P Chas Henry attended East Paulding High School in Dallas, Ga. CB Trevard Lindley at-tended Hiram High School in Hiram, Ga.

NOTABLE CONNECTIONSNOTABLE CONNECTIONS

COACHING BACKGROUND

2008-11 Falcons Head Coach2003-07 Jaguars Def. Coord.2002 Ravens Linebackers1999-01 Ravens Def. Line1996-98 Tenn. Tech Def. Coord.1988-95 Tenn. Tech ST. Coord.1987 Tenn. Tech Def. Line1986 Morehead St. Def. Line1983-85 San Diego St. Linebackers1982 San Diego St. Asst. Coach

COACHING BACKGROUND

1999-11 Eagles Head Coach1997-98 Packers Quarterbacks1992-96 Packers Tight Ends/ Asst. Off. Line1989-91 Missouri Off. Line1987-88 UTEP Off. Line1986 N. Arizona Off. Line1983-85 SF State Off. Coord.1982 BYU Grad. Asst.

The Atlanta Falcons opened the 2011 season with a 30-12 loss to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Birds fell behind early, surrendering 13 unanswered points to close out the fi rst half trailing 16-3. K Matt Bryant hit his second fi eld goal of

the day in the third quarter to pull Atlanta within 10 points, but after QB Jay Culter threw his second touchdown pass of the day, LB Brian Urlacher recovered a QB Matt Ryan fumble and returned it 12-yards for a score to seal the vic-tory for the Bears. DE Kroy Biermann scored the Falcons only touchdown of the day when he intercepted a tipped pass and returned it 50 yards to the endzone. Biermann and Lawrence Sidbury also contributed with one sack a piece, while DE John Abraham posted a pair of sacks. Offensively, Ryan completed 31 of 47 pass attempts for 319 yards, marking the fi fth time in his career that he has eclipsed the 300-yard mark through the air. Meanwhile, RB Michael Turner notched his 20th game with 100-or-more rushing yards as a Falcons as he carried the ball 10 times for 100 yards.

The Philadelphia Eagles opened 2011 with a 31-13 win over the St. Louis Rams. After surrendering a 47-yard touchdown run by RB Steven Jackson on the fi rst play of the game, Philadelphia scored a seven-yard touchdown when QB Michael Vick

hit RB LeSean McCoy to tie the game at 7-7. On the next drive, DE Juqua Parker scooped up a fumble and returned it 59-yards for a score to put the Eagles in front for good. McCoy fi nished the game with 137 total yards and two touchdowns, while WR DeSean Jackson posted 102 yards receiving, including a six-yard touchdown catch. The Ea-gles defense also notched fi ve sacks agains Rams passers.

THE LAST TIME OUT...THE LAST TIME OUT...

THIS WEEK’S MATCHUP

OFFENSEWR Roddy White - Led the team with eight catches for 61 yards in the season opener at Chicago (9/11).

LT Sam Baker - Started at left tackle and was part of an offen-sive line that posted 386 total yards at Chicago (9/11).

LG Justin Blalock - Started at left guard, blocked for a Falconsrushing attack that notched 110 yards at Chicago (9/11).

C Joe Hawley – Made his fi rst career start at center in the sea-son opener at Chicago (9/11).

RG Garrett Reynolds - Made his fi rst career start at right guard in the season opener at Chicago (9/11).

RT Tyson Clabo - Part of an offensive line that posted 386total yards at Chicago (9/11).

TE Tony Gonzalez - Led the team with 72 yards on fi ve catches at Chicago (9/11). Became the NFL’s active leader in career re-ceptions with 1,074.

WR Julio Jones - Made his fi rst career start and caught fi ve passes for 71 yards at Chicago (9/11).

QB Matt Ryan - Completed 31 of 47 pass attempts for 319 yards at Chicago (9/11), marking the fi fth time in his career that he has eclipsed the 300-yard mark through the air.

RB Michael Turner - Carried the ball 10 times for 100 yards and posted his 22nd 100-plus yard game as a Falcon at Chi-cago (9/11).

FB Ovie Mughelli - Became the fi rst fullback in team history to be selected to the Pro Bowl after paving the way for a Falcons rushing attack that averaged 118.2 yards per game in 2011.

DEFENSERE John Abraham - Posted two sacks and four tackles for loss at Chicago (9/11). Increased his career total to 104.5 sacks and has notched 51.0 sacks since joining the Falcons in 2006.

DT Jonathan Babineaux - Notched his fourth sack of the season on 1/2/11 against Carolina. Recovered a fumble in the endzone for his fi rst career touchdown on 12/19/10 at Seattle.

DT Corey Peters - Started 15 games in 2010 and recorded his fi rst career sack on 1/2/11 vs. Carolina.

LE Ray Edwards - Started his fi rst game as a Falcon at Chicago (9/11) and posted one tackle for loss and two quarterback pressures.

OLB - Sean Weatherspoon - Recorded 12 tackles, including two tackles for loss and one pass defensed at Chicago (9/11).

MLB Curtis Lofton - Posted a team-high 13 tackles and one tackle for loss at Chicago (9/11).

OLB Stephen Nicholas - Contributed with four tackles (three solo) and one quarterback hit at Chicago (9/11).

RCB Dunta Robinson - Recorded his fi rst interception as a Fal-con on 1/2/11 vs. Carolina.

LCB Brent Grimes - Posted a team-high three pass breakups at Chicago (9/11). Led the team with a franchise record 23 passes defensed in 2010.

S William Moore - Started at safety and notched four tackles at Chicago (9/11).

S Thomas DeCoud - Started at safety and had 12 tackles with one pass defensed at Chicago (9/11).

PROBABLE STARTERSPROBABLE STARTERS

STARTING LINEUP

15 of the Falcons 22 projected starters were either drafted or signed by the team as a rookie free agent - shown in bold

S William Moore S Thomas DeCoud ‘09 Draft ‘08 Draft CB Brent Grimes CB Dunta Robinson ‘06 Rookie FA ‘10 Free Agent (Hou) LB Sean Weatherspoon LB Curtis Lofton LB Stephen Nicholas ‘10 Draft ‘08 Draft ‘07 Draft DE John Abraham DT Jonathan Babineaux DT Corey Peters DE Ray Edwards ‘06 Trade (NYJ) ‘05 Draft ‘10 Draft ‘11 Free Agent (Min)

TE Tony Gonzalez LT Sam Baker LG Justin Blalock C Joe Hawley RG Garrett Reynolds RT Tyson Clabo ‘09 Trade (KC) ‘08 Draft ‘07 Draft ‘10 Draft ‘09 Draft ‘05 Free Agent WR Julio Jones QB Matt Ryan WR Roddy White ‘11 Draft ‘08 Draft ‘05 Draft FB Ovie Mughelli ‘07 Free Agent (Bal) RB Michael Turner ‘08 Free Agent (SD)

HOMEGROWN STARTERSHOMEGROWN STARTERS

At the start of his tenure, Blank made a three-point com-mitment to Falcons fans which he maintains today as the leader of the franchise.

Put a perennially-winning product on the fi eld.Under Blank, the Falcons have earned four postseason berths, including a trip to the NFC Championship Game in 2004. In 2010, the Falcons posted an NFC-best 13-3 record and clinched their fi rst NFC

South title since 2004.

Provide a great game day experience.The Falcons and the Georgia World Con-gress Center invested $53 million into enhancements inside and outside of the Georgia Dome, including new HD video boards, suite and club seat renovations,

and red and black paint to give the Dome the look and feel of the home of the Falcons.

Have a winning team off the fi eld and in the community.One of the hallmarks of Blank’s philosophy is giving back to the community. The Fal-cons’ community outreach efforts are led by the Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation (AFYF), the largest team-funded founda-

tion in the NFL. Since 2002, the foundation has awarded more than $16 million in grants to more than 700 non-profi t organizations.

BLANK’S COMMITMENTBLANK’S COMMITMENT

Since acquiring the Falcons in 2002, Owner & Chairman Arthur M. Blank has raised the bar and level of expec-tations for the Falcons in constructing a talented and creative team to lead his club both on and off the fi eld. In 2008, Blank looked to a rookie trio to help rebuild his franchise hiring Patriots Director of College Scouting Thomas Dimitroff as his new General Manager, Jaguars’ Defensive Coordinator Mike Smith as his Head Coach and approving the selection of Boston College quar-terback, Matt Ryan with the third overall pick in the draft.

In the three seasons since bringing in Dimitroff, Smith and Ryan, the Falcons have gone 33-15, which is tied for the third-best record in the NFL and posted three con-secutive winning seasons for the fi rst time in franchise history.

Under Blank, the Falcons have posted a 77-67-1 record and a .534 winning percent-age, better than the .394 winning percentage that the franchise posted in the 35 years prior to Blank’s purchase of the team.

MAN BEHIND THE CURTAINMAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN

Arthur M. Blank

WINNING PCT. SINCE ‘08Team W-L Pct.Indianapolis 36-13 .735New England 36-13 .735Atlanta 33-16 .673Baltimore 33-16 .673Pittsburgh 33-16 .673

FALCONS UNDER BLANKYears W-L Pct.2002-11 77-67-1 .5341966-01 212-327-5 .394

The Atlanta Falcons hosted a world-record breaking physi-cal education class at the Georgia Dome in 2010.

A total of 2,288 elementary and middle school-aged chil-dren from across the state of Georgia who are part of the Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation’s Falcons Fitness Zones and the Atlanta Falcons First Down for Fitness Program participated in the event to set a Guiness Book World Re-cord.

RECORD SETTERRECORD SETTER

Since 2008, the Falcons have a 20-4 record at the Georgia Dome. Currently, the Falcons trail the New England Pa-triots for the NFL’s best home record over the last three seasons.

21 wins - New England20 wins - Atlanta and Baltimore19 wins - Indianapoli18 wins - Minnesota, Green Bay and San Diego

NO PLACE LIKE DOMENO PLACE LIKE DOME

Since Blank purchased the team in 2002, the Falcons have sold out 70 of their last 72 home games, including 24 in-a-row from 2008-2010, and from 2002 to 2007 the Fal-cons sold out 43 straight games. The incredible support that fans have shown the team during Blank’s tenure has helped the Falcons to a 44-28 record at the Georgia Dome and Atlanta’s .611 winning percentage at home ranks tied for 11th in the NFL during that time.

SELLOUT CROWDSELLOUT CROWD

Atlanta Falcons Owner Arthur Blank was fea-tured on an episode of NFL Films’ The NFL Season: A Biography. Episode 10 of the show, entitled Blank’s Commitment, highlights the story of the man responsible for the transfor-mation of the Atlanta Falcons franchise.

The NFL Season offers an unprecedented panoramic view of the NFL season from the fi rst kickoff to the fi nal whistle; the fi fty-yard line to the upper deck; and the training room to the board room. More information on The NFL Season and a glimpse of the Blank’s Commitment episode can be found online. http://www.nfl .com/more/theseason/episode-10

THE SEASONTHE SEASON

OUTSTANDING OWNERSHIP

Under Dimitroff, the Falcons have had a successful history of selecting players deep in the draft who be-came key contributors to the team. In the last three drafts, Atlanta has witnessed 19 players drafted in the second round or later compete in a combined 255 games.

Second Round:2009 - S William Moore2008 - LB Curtis Lofton

Third Round:2010 - DT Corey Peters2009 - CB Christopher Owens2008 - CB Chevis Jackson2008 - WR Harry Douglas2008 - S Thomas DeCoud

Fourth Round:2010 - C Joe Hawley2009 - DE Lawrence Sidbury

Fifth Round:2010 - CB Dominique Franks2009 - T Garrett Reynolds2008 - DE Kroy Biermann

Sixth Round:2010 - S Shann Schillinger2009 - LB Spencer Adkins

Seventh Round:2009 - DT Vance Walker2008 - TE Keith Zinger

DEEP DRAFTSDEEP DRAFTS

In three seasons as the Falcons General Manager, Thomas Dimitroff re-worked the roster to feature 19 new start-ers from the 2007 campaign. With the Draft being a key to his philosophy, it comes as no surprise that 24 of the 31 players Dimitroff selected between 2008-10 have seen game action and 15 have started games. In all, 26 rookies have been active on game day since 2008.

BUILDING A WINNERBUILDING A WINNER

The Falcons have nine players on their current roster that have played in a collegiate national championship game, and six of those nine players won a national title while in college. Atlanta’s commitment to building a team with players that have come from winning programs and proven to be leaders is shown in the fact that of the nine Falcons that have played for a national title, eight were drafted or signed as free agents under Dimitroff.

WINNER’S CIRCLEWINNER’S CIRCLE

Over the course of his fi rst three seasons in Atlanta, General Manager Thomas Dimi-troff has laid the foundation to accomplish his goal of making the Falcons a relevant and sustainable franchise. His ability to lead an organization and his astute football

knowledge garnered him Sporting News Executive of the Year for the second time in three seasons in 2010, after a roster which and his staff have carefully crafted since 2008 produced four All-Pro players and a franchise record nine Pro Bowlers.

Dimitroff’s philosophy is centered on the belief that the NFL Draft is the major building block to establish a team’s foundation for the future. This strategy, combined with his targeting of key veteran players to shore up various posi-tions, has been the catalyst for the Falcons emergence since 2008.

BUILDING A WINNERBUILDING A WINNER

FALCONS ROSTER BUILT THROUGH THE DRAFT2011 Players Round*Julio Jones 1stAkeem Dent 3rdJacquizz Rodgers 5thMatt Bosher 6thCliff Matthews 7th2010*Sean Weatherspoon 1st*Corey Peters 3rdMike Johnson 3rd*Joe Hawley 4thDominique Franks 5thShann Schillinger 6th2009*DT Peria Jerry 1st*S William Moore 2nd*CB Chris Owens 3rdDE Lawrence Sidbury 4th*T Garrett Reynolds 5thLB Spencer Adkins 6th*DT Vance Walker 7th

2008Players Round*QB Matt Ryan 1st*LT Sam Baker 1st*LB Curtis Lofton 2nd*WR Harry Douglas 3rd*S Thomas DeCoud 3rd*DE Kroy Biermann 5th2007*G Justin Blalock 2nd*LB Stephen Nicholas 4th2005*WR Roddy White 1st*DT J. Babineaux 2nd1999*C Todd McClure 7th*Denotes player that has started at least one game.

2011 PROJECTED STARTERS DRAFTED BY ATLANTAOFFENSE

Pos. Player How Acq.WR Roddy White ‘07 DraftLT Sam Baker ‘08 DraftLG Justin Blalock ‘07 DraftC Joe Hawley ‘10 DraftRG Garrett Reynolds ‘09 DraftWR Julio Jones ‘11 DraftQB Matt Ryan ‘08 Draft

DEFENSEPos. Player How Acq.DT J. Babineaux ‘05 DraftDT Corey Peters ‘10 DraftLB S. Weatherspoon ‘10 DraftLB Curtis Lofton ‘08 DraftLB Stephen Nicholas ‘07 DraftS Thomas DeCoud ‘08 DraftS William Moore ‘09 DraftBold names drafted by Dimitroff

DT Corey Peters, a third-round dra selec on in 2010, started 15 games as a rookie.

PLAYERS REACHING NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP GAMESFBS/D-1APlayer (year) School*^Mike Peterson (96) Florida*^Sam Baker (04-05) USC*Justin Blalock (05) Texas^D. Franks (08) Oklahoma*^Mike Johnson (09) Alabama*^Julio Jones (09) Alabama

FCS/D-1AAPlayer (year) School^Kroy Biermann (04) Montana*^L. Sidbury (08) Richmond^S. Schillinger (08-09) Montana* - player that won national title^ - player drafted or signed by Dimitroff

S William Moore, a second round selec on, ed for the team lead with fi ve intercep- ons in 2010.

GM THOMAS DIMITROFF

Under Head Coach Mike Smith, the Atlanta Falcons franchise has made a dramatic turnaround, registering three consecutive winning seasons for the fi rst time in the team’s history in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Smith has developed a consistent and focused unit bent on setting and controlling the tempo of each and every game with a physical, down-hill running game, a dynamic passing attack and a physical and aggressive defense.

COACH ‘EM UPCOACH ‘EM UP

WINNING PCT. SINCE ‘08Team W-L Pct.Indianapolis 36-13 .735New England 36-13 .735Atlanta 33-16 .673two other teams .673

NFC POINTS ALLOWEDSINCE 2008

Team Pts/GGreen Bay 19.4Atlanta 19.8Philadelphia 20.7Minnesota 20.8

Starting fast and fi nishing strong has been a staple of Smith’s teams during his time in Atlanta. This zoom focus has seen the Falcons post a 26-6 record in games where they score fi rst. Atlanta also owns a 26-1 mark in games where the Birds hold the lead at the start of the fourth quarter. Since 2008, the Falcons rank among the League leaders in points scored on their fi rst offensive possession. Atlanta has totaled 125 points in 49 games, including three points in the 2011 season opener at Chicago.

While the Falcons have been one of the fastest starting teams in the NFL over the last three seasons, they have also been among the League’s best in closing out the fi rst half and the game. Since 2008, the Falcons rank seventh in the NFL with 61 points on 55 possessions in the fi nal two minutes of either half.

Despite struggling in two-min-ute situations in 2008, the Fal-cons defense has been impres-sive in closing out halves and games in the last three seasons. The Birds rank tied for second in the League, allowing just 14 points in 35 possessions, begin-ning in the fi nal two minutes of either half during that time span. In 2010, Atlanta allowed just one score in the fi nal two minutes of either half.

START FAST, FINSH STRONGSTART FAST, FINSH STRONG

POINTS ON 1ST OFFENSIVE POSSESSION, 2008-11

Team Pts Avg/GPhiladelphia 138 2.8New Orleans 130 2.7New England 126 2.6Atlanta 125 2.6Indianapolis 124 2.6

TWO-MINUTE OFFENSESINCE 2008, NFC

Team Pos. Pts.Philadelphia 76 85New Orleans 61 82Tampa Bay 67 71NY Giants 64 67Atlanta 55 61

TWO-MINUTE DEFENSESINCE 2008

Team Pos. Pts.St. Louis 41 13Atlanta 35 14Arizona 38 14New England 43 16NY Jets 40 16

HEAD COACH MIKE SMITH

Since 2008, Smith has racked up an impressive list of ac-complishments and accolades while leading the Falcons to three consecutive winning seasons and two playoff berths.

Smith’s Accomplishments• Sporting News Coach of the Year in 2008 and 2010.• KC 101 Club NFC Coach of the Year in 2008 and 2010.• Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year in 2008.• .688 winning percentage - highest in club history through three seasons.• 33 wins - most wins in fi rst three seasons by a Falcons coach.• 20-4 record at home.• 27-1 record when leading at halftime.• 26-1 when leading at the start of the fourth quarter.

IMPRESSIVE RESUMEIMPRESSIVE RESUME

Since being named the 14th head coach in Falcons history in 2008, Smith has recorded three consecutive winning seasons – a fi rst for the club – and a collective 33-15 re-cord, easily the best three-year coaching mark in franchise history.

Smith’s impressive track over his fi rst three seasons as a head coach is not only the best in Falcons annals, but leads the all active NFL coaches and ranks tied for fourth in NFL history in terms of fi rst time coaching records. Only George Seifert (38-10), Chuck Knox (34-8) and Barry Switzer (34-14) compiled more wins in their fi rst three seasons as head coaches than Smith.

ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKSONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS

WINS IN FIRST THREE SEASONSCoach Team Yrs W-LGeorge Seifert San Francisco ‘89-91 38-10Chuck Knox LA Rams ‘73-75 34-8Barry Switzer Dallas ‘94-96 34-14Mike Smith Atlanta ‘08-10 33-15Mike Sherman Green Bay ‘00-02 33-15Allie Sherman NY Giants ‘61-63 33-8-1John Rauch Oakland ‘66-68 33-8-1

Since 2008, Smith has recorded a 20-4 record at the Georgia Dome which is the second best home record in the NFL during that span. Only the New England Patriots (21-3) have recorded more wins at home over the last three seasons.

Smith’s impressive home record during his fi rst three sea-sons leads the all active NFL coaches and ranks tied for second in NFL history in terms of home coaching records for fi rst time head coaches. Mike Sherman (21-3) is the only coach in League history to post a better home record in his fi rst three seasons as a head coach.

HOME COOKINGHOME COOKING

HOME WINS IN FIRST THREE SEASONSCoach Team Yrs W-LMike Sherman Green Bay ‘00-02 21-3Mike Smith Atlanta ‘08-10 20-4Bill Cowher Pittsburgh ‘92-94 20-4Dick Rauch Pottsville Maroons ‘25-27 20-4

WING TIPS

QB Matt Ryan6-4, 214 pounds, Boston College

RB Michael Turner5-10, 247 pounds, Northern Illinois

WR Roddy White6-0, 211 pounds, Alabama-Birmingham

TE Tony Gonzalez6-5, 247 pounds, California

PLAYER HIGHLIGHTSPLAYER HIGHLIGHTS

In 2010, the Falcons of-fense was led by a three-pronged attack of QB Matt Ryan under center, RB Michael Turner in the backfi eld and WR Roddy

White down the fi eld. With a 12-yard completion to Turner in the fi rst quarter of Atlanta’s 31-10 Week 13 win over Car-olina, Ryan eclipsed 3,000 passing yards on the season.

The Falcons were the fi rst NFC team with a 3,000-yard passer (Ryan), a 1,000-yard rusher (Turner) and a 1,000-yard receiver (White) last season. The Birds posted this trifecta six times in franchise history with the last coming in 2008.

TRIPLE TROUBLETRIPLE TROUBLE

3K PASSER - 1K RUSHER - 1K Year QB RB WR2010 M. Ryan M. Turner R. White2008 M. Ryan M. Turner R. White1998 C. Chandler J. Anderson T. Martin1995 J. George C. Heyward E. Metcalf1981 S. Bartkowski W. Andrews A. Jenkins1980S. S. Bartkowski W. Andrews A. Jenkins

2011 NFL RANKINGS

Offensive Rankings - 2011 week by week Total Rush Pass NFC NFL

Week 1 (after Chi.) 386.0 110.0 276.0 8-5-8 9-10-10

Defensive Rankings - 2011 week by week Total Rush Pass NFC NFLWeek 1 (after Chi.) 377.0 88.0 289.0 8-10-9 17-15-20

ACTIVE STREAKS

Games with a reception: Made fi eld goals:164 - Tony Gonzalez 18 - Matt Bryant69 - Roddy White

The Falcons were very oppor-tunistic with their turnovers in 2010, turning 31 takeaways into 115 points. Atlanta posted a plus-14 turnover differential, addition-ally the Falcons 22 interceptions ranked fourth in the NFL last season.

The Falcons also had success in limiting opponent’s scor-ing on giveaways last season. In 2010, Atlanta allowed 46 points on 17 giveaways, which ranked among the League leaders. The Falcons posted a takeaway-giveaway point differential of +69 points, which ranked third in the NFL.

TURNING A PROFITTURNING A PROFIT

NFL TAKEAWAY POINTSTeam TO PtsNew England 38 143Pittsburgh 35 120Dallas 30 117Atlanta 31 115Green Bay 32 111

TURNOVER POINT DIFFERENTIALTeam TA Pts GA Pts Diff.New England 143 24 +119Green Bay 111 39 +72Atlanta 115 46 +69Pittsburgh 120 52 +68Baltimore 87 28 +59

In 2010, the Falcons were the only team in the NFL to fi nish the regular season with a top fi ve scoring offense and scor-ing defense. The last team to accomplish that feat was the 2008 New York Giants.

TOPPING THE CHARTSTOPPING THE CHARTS

2010 SCORING BREAKDOWNScoring OffenseTeam Avg.New England 32.4San Diego 27.6Philadelphia 27.4Indianapolis 27.2Atlanta 25.9

Scoring DefenseTeam Avg.Pittsburgh 14.5Green Bay 15.0Baltimore 16.9Chicago 17.9Atlanta 18.0

22MATT RYAN HIGHLIGHTS VS. EAGLES

Date W-L Att Cmp Pct Yds TD Int Lg Rate10/16/08 L 44 23 52.3 277 2 2 55t 68.110/17/10 L 42 23 54.8 250 2 1 42 78.5Totals 0-2 86 46 53.5 527 4 3 55t 73.2

3333MICHAEL TURNER HIGHLIGHTS VS. EAGLES

Date Att Yds Lg TD Rec Yds Avg Lg TD10/26/08 17 58 22 0 0 0 0.0 0 010/17/10 15 45 9 0 1 4 4.0 4 0Totals 32 103 22 0 1 4 4.0 4 0

8484RODDY WHITE HIGHLIGHTS VS. EAGLES

Date Rec Yds Avg Lg TD 1st 25+ YAC12/31/06 4 90 22.5 47 0 3 2 2010/26/08 8 113 14.1 55t 2 5 1 7412/06/09 9 104 11.6 35 1 5 1 2510/17/10 6 83 13.8 25 0 5 1 28Totals 27 390 14.4 55t 3 18 5 147

TONY GONZALEZ HIGHLIGHTS VS. EAGLESDate Rec Yds Avg Lg TD 1st 25+ YAC09/27/98 3 31 10.3 15 0 2 0 711/29/01 4 28 7.0 14 0 2 0 1310/02/05 2 5 2.5 4 0 0 0 112/06/09 8 72 9.0 24 0 5 0 1610/17/10 3 19 6.3 13t 2 2 0 0Totals 20 155 7.8 24 2 11 0 41

8888

OFFENSIVE NEWS AND NOTES

The Falcons offense has thrived on ball control in the last three seasons. Since 2008, Atlanta ranks third in the League with 45 touchdowns on drives lasting 10 plays or more. In 2010, the Falcons led the League averaging 9.39 plays and 4:13 per scoring drive, eating up large chunks of the clock and not allowing opponents time to respond to scores.

Atlanta’s ball controlling offense was also illus-trated by the fact that the Falcons ranked tied for second in the League with 28 fi ve-minute drives and 13 touchdowns on drives lasting fi ve minutes or longer.

In addition to rank-ing among the League leaders in drives lasting fi ve minutes, or longer, the Falcons 26 scores and 130 points on such drives was the best in the NFL.

THE LONG HAULTHE LONG HAUL

10-PLAY DRIVES, SINCE 2008Team Pos. 10 Play TDsIndianapolis 515 102 52New Orleans 547 106 46Atlanta 535 106 45

2010 10-PLAY DRIVESTeam Pos. TDs ScoresAtlanta 35 15 34Indianapolis 40 21 34New Orleans 39 15 28

FIVE MINUTE DRIVESTeam 5-Min Pos. TDsNew Orleans 28 14Atlanta 28 13New England 22 11

FIVE MINUTE SCORINGTeam Drives Score Pts.Atlanta 28 26 130New Orleans 28 18 110Houston 23 20 100

One of the keys to ex-tending drives is con-verting on third down. In 2010, the Falcons put a premium on convert-ing third downs after struggling in those cru-cial situations in 2009. In 2010, Atlanta ranked third in the League in third-down percentage, converting 46.7 percent of its third down at-tempts.

• In 2010, the Falcons converted a season-high 12 of 20 third down attempts (60 percent) in their 26-21 Week 10 win over the Baltimore Ravens.

In 2010, the Falcons totaled 353 fi rst downs, including 111 on the ground, 200 through the air and 42 by penalty. Atlanta ranked second in the League in total fi rst downs and its 22.1 fi rst downs per game also ranked fourth in the NFL.

MOVING THE CHAINSMOVING THE CHAINS

THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONSTeam Att. Conv. Pct.New Orleans 217 106 48.8New England 197 95 48.2Atlatna 240 112 46.7San Diego 205 92 44.9Indianapolis 204 91 44.6

FIRST DOWNSTeam 1st DwnIndianapolis 366Houston 360San Diego 357Atlanta 353New Orleans 351

The Falcons rolled up over 400 yards of total offense in three games in 2010, including a season-high 452 yards in their Week 7 win over the Bengals. Atlanta averaged 341.1 yards of total offense last season and in its 2011 season opener posted 386 total yards.

RACKING UP THE YARDSRACKING UP THE YARDS

TOTAL OFFENSE, NFCTeam Yards/GCarolina 477.0New Orleans 477.0Detroit 431.0Philadelphia 404.0Green Bay 399.0Arizona 394.0Dallas 390.0Atlanta 386.0

The Falcons offense was very deliberate in their approach in 2010. Atlanta was one of the League’s most balanced teams with a 45.3-54.7 run-pass ratio. In putting together long drives with a balanced attack, Atlanta ranked third in the League in time of possession per game. The Falcons chewed up an average of 32:15 per game. The Birds chewed up 35:30 in their 31-10 Week 17 win over Carolina, holding the Pan-thers to just 24:30 with the ball.

MILKING THE CLOCKMILKING THE CLOCK

TIME OF POSSESSIONTeam T.O.PSan Diego 33:03NY Giants 32:32Atlanta 32:15

In 2010, Falcons QB Matt Ryan led one of the most effi cient offenses in the NFL in terms of scoring. Atlanta ranked third in the NFL, scor-ing on 70 of its 178 offensive possessions (39.3 percent). Additionally, the Falcons ranked among the League leaders in third-down and fourth-down effi cency as well as total fi rst downs.

OFFENSIVE EFFICIENCYOFFENSIVE EFFICIENCY

SCORING EFFICIENCYTeam Pos. Scr. Eff.New England 166 78 7.0San Diego 186 75 40.3Indianapolis 179 72 40.2Philadelphia 196 78 39.8Houston 179 71 39.7Atlanta 178 70 39.3

Led by running backs Michael Turner and Jason Snelling, Atlanta rushed for 1,891 yards in 2010. In the 2011 season opener at Chicago the Falcons tallied 110 yards on the ground, paced by Turner who rushed for 100 yards on 10 carries. Entering Week 2 the Falcons rank 10th in the NFL and fi fth in the NFC.

Since Joining the Falcons in 2008 Turner has posted 20 games with 100-or-more rushing yards. Turner is just six 100-yard games away from surpassing Gerald Riggs’ franchise record of 25 100-yard performances set between 1982 and 1988.

RUNNING MENRUNNING MEN

NFC RUSHINGTeam Yards/GPhiladelphia 145.4NY Giants 137.5Tampa Bay 125.1Minnesota 121.4Atlanta 118.2

100-Yard GamesPlayer GamesGerald Riggs 25William Andrews 22Michael Turner 20Warrick Dunn 19Jamaal Anderson 19* Falcons History

The Falcons defense tightened up with their backs to the wall in the red zone last season. At-lanta allowed 23 touchdowns in 42 trips inside the red area. The Falcons also held oppo-nents to an 81.0 percent suc-cess rate in terms of scoring in the red zone, which ranked fi fth in the NFL.

RED ZONE SHUTDOWNRED ZONE SHUTDOWN

RED ZONE DEFENSETeam RZ Dr. RZ%Oakland 49 79.6New England 50 80.0Washington 57 80.7NY Giants 47 80.9Atlanta 42 81.0

In the 2011 season opener at Chi-cago, the Falcons posted four sacks, with DE John Abraham bringing down Bears QB Jay Cutler twice, while DE Kroy Biermann and DE Lawrence Sidbury each sacked him once.

In 2010, the Falcons registered at least one sack in 15 games. Head Coach Mike Smith is a fi rm believer in the importance of affecting the quarterback. While defenders might not always get the sack, forcing a bad throw or a quick inaccurate one can be equally effective.

• Ten of the Falcons 31 sacks last season came in the fourth quarter, showing the defense’s ability to affect the quarterback late in games.

SACK ATTACKSACK ATTACK

DEFENSIVE NEWS AND NOTES

CB Brent Grimes was one of the most active players in the Falcons secondary last season, as the fourth-year pro out of Shippensburg was targeted an NFL-high 119 times by opponents (according to STATS, Inc). Grimes answered the challenge, posting an NFC-best and franchise record 23 passes defensed to go with his fi ve interceptions. He has continued his knack for ball disruptions in 2011, posting four pass breakups in Atlanta’s Week 1 loss to the Bears.

According to STATS, Inc., Grimes allowed just three touchdowns and 687 receiving yards last season despite the number of times that he was targeted by opposing quar-terbacks.

BALL HAWKIN’BALL HAWKIN’

PASSES DEFENSEDPlayer PDsBrandon Carr 24Brent Grimes 23Terrell Thomas 20Tramon Williams 19

Over the past three seasons, the Falcons have improved signifi cantly in turnover differential. After fi nishing the 2008 season with a minus-three ratio and posting a plus-three mark in 2009, the Falcons ranked third in the League with a +14 margin this season. Atlanta recorded 22 inter-ceptions and nine fumble recoveries, while turning the ball over 17 times.

TAKE IT AWAYTAKE IT AWAY

TURNOVER DIFFERENTIALTeam TA GA Diff.New England 38 10 +28Pittsburgh 35 18 +17Atlanta 31 17 +14Green Bay 32 22 +10Four teams tied at +9

The Falcons posess one of the the League’s top cornerbacks tandems in Brent Grimes and Dunta Robinson. In 2010, the duo allowed just 5.8 yards per attempt, which tied them with the Philadelphia Eagles vaunted defensive back pair of Asante Samuel and Nnamdi Asomugha.

• Grimes and Robinson allowed 5.8 yards per attempt on 172 defensive targets, while the Samuel and Asomugha faced only 66 targets last season.

• Atlanta’s duo led the League, allowing just 5.5 yards per attempt against passes thrown 11 or more yards down fi eld.

Grimes and Robinson also shined against the deep ball, al-lowing 4.6 yards per attempt on passes thrown 20 or more yards down the fi eld. The Birds tan-dem was bested only by Darrell Revis and Antonio Cromartie who allowed 4.5 yards per at-tempt on such passes.

*Yards per attempt and vertical yards per attempts stats ac-cording to ESPN.com’s KC Joyner.

TOUGH TANDEMTOUGH TANDEM

YARDS PER ATTEMPTTeam Yds/AttAtlanta 5.8Philadelphia 5.8NY Jets 6.0Green Bay 6.5Kansas City 6.6

VERTICAL YPATeam Yds/AttAtlanta 5.5Philadelphia 6.1NY Jets 6.3San Diego 7.0Miami 7.1*Yards/Att. on passes thrown 11+ yards downfi eld

The Falcons fi nished the 2009 season ranked 26th against the pass, allowing 252.9 yards per game through the air. During the 2009 offseason, Atlanta made a major move to help correct those issues by adding free agent cornerback Dunta Robinson. The team also increased its focus on pressuring the quarterback. In 2010, the Falcons notched 22 interceptions, which ranked fourth in the NFL. The Falcons picked off at least one pass in 13 games last season and recorded multiple INTs eight times.

NO FLY ZONENO FLY ZONE

2010 INT LEADERSTeam Yards/GNew England 25Green Bay 24Philadelphia 23Atlanta 22

SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES

WR/KR Eric Weems earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after setting a franchise record with a 102-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the Falcons Week 13 win over Tampa Bay. Weems broke the previous club best of 100 yards which was held by Darrick Vaughn (2000), Deion Sanders (1991), and Dennis Pearson (1978).

His return provided a spark for Atlanta’s offense which would go on to score 14 unanswered points in the fi nal 10 minutes of the game to steal a win. Weems also set up Atlanta’s game-win-ning drive in Week 12 with a 40-yard kickoff return against the Packers.

SPARK PLUGSPARK PLUG

KICK RETURN AVERAGEPlayer Ret. Avg.David Reed 21 29.3Brad Smith 50 28.6Eric Weems 40 27.5

Special teams play an integral role in putting the offense and defense in posi-tion to have success. The Falcons ranked among the League leaders in a number of important statistical categories in the third phase, particularly those related to the battle for fi eld position in 2010. Last season, Atlanta led the NFL in kickoff return average as Falcons returners averaged 26.5 yards per return and re-corded 35 returns of over 20 yards.

SPECIAL STARTING POINTSPECIAL STARTING POINT

The Falcons also led the League in overall opponent fi eld position, as Atlanta’s opponents had an average drive start of the 24.3-yard line on 180 offensive possessions.

POSTIONING FOR SUCCESSPOSTIONING FOR SUCCESS

Kicker Matt Bryant was named NFC Spe-cial Teams Player of the Week twice during the 2010 season. Bryant’s 28 made fi eld goals ranked tied for fi fth in the NFL. His 90.0 FG percentage also ranked among NFL leaders.

His game-winning 47-yard fi eld goal against the Green Bay in Atlanta’s 20-17 win over the Packers in Week 12, was the 12th game winner of Bryant’s career and his third in a

Falcons uniform. The award marked the second time he has earned NFC Player of the Week honors last season and it is the sixth time in his career that he has won the award.

KICKING A WINNERKICKING A WINNER

OPPONENT FIELD POSITIONTeam Pos. Avg. StartAtlanta 180 24.3Kansas City 192 26.8Baltimore 185 27.2

Falcons K Matt Bryant hit a 47-yard game-winning fi eld goal in the Falcons Week 12 matchup against Green Bay. The kick was his 12th career game-winner and his third as a Falcon. The nine-year pro kicked the Falcons to victory three times this season,

including an overtime winner in New Orleans and late fourth quarter kick against the 49ers at home. In addition to the game-winner, Bryant also added a 38-yarder on the Falcons opening drive. On the season, he connected on 28 of 31 fi eld goal attempts, including a continuing streak of 16 straight.

PLAYING THE HEROPLAYING THE HERO

In the Falcons NFC Division Playoff game against the Green Bay Packers, Weems posted a playoff record 102-yard kick-off return for a touchdown. He also tied his own club record for the longest kickoff return and posted his third return touchdown of the season (two kickoffs and one punt).

Weems kickoff return touchdown also set a Falcons post-season record for the longest return touchdown in team history. The previous long was a 94-yard kickoff return by WR Tim Dwight on 1-31-99 vs. Denver in the Super Bowl.

RECORD RETURNRECORD RETURN

Pro Bowl Specialist Eric Weems became the fi rst Falcon to record both a kickoff and punt return for a touchdown in 2010.

K Matt Bryant connected on a pair of fi eld goals from 48 and 25-yards in Atlanta’s season opener at Chicago. Dating back to 2010, Bryant has now hit 18 consecutive fi eld goals. Last season, he connected on 28 of his 31 fi eld goal attempts and ranked fourth in the League with 128 points.

Bryant’s string of 18 straight kicks is tied for the second longest streak in team history with both Todd Peterson (2005) and Morten Anderson (1995).

GOING STREAKINGGOING STREAKING

With the third overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft, Falcons rookie general manager Thomas Dimitroff found his franchise quarterback in Boston College’s Matt Ryan. Ryan immediately took over the starting job under center and has led the Falcons to a 33-14 record as a starter. His 33 wins are tied for the most by any quarterback drafted in the last fi ve years (Joe Flacco).

Ryan has posted a .702 winning percentage during the last four seasons, which ranks third in the NFL among all quarterbacks with 30-or-more starts. New England Patriots QB Tom Brady leads the League with a .765 winning percentage (26-8) and Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning’s .750 winning percentage (36-12) ranks second.

FRANCHISE FINDFRANCHISE FIND

NFL QB WIN PCT., SINCE 2008Player W-L Pct.Tom Brady 26-8 .765Peyton Manning 36-12 .750Matt Ryan 33-14 .702

Pro Bowl QB Matt Ryan completed 31 of 47 passes (65.9) for 319 yards in a Week 1 loss to the Bears. It was the fi fth time in his career that Ryan eclipsed the 300-yard mark.

QB MATT RYAN

QB Matt Ryan tossed a career-high 28 TD passes last season. Ryan threw at least one touchdown pass in a career-best 15 straight games, including his 60th career touch-down pass in Atlanta’s Week 14 win over Carolina. The 2008 Rookie of the Year threw multiple TD passes in nine games in 2010. Ryan also tied his career-high with three scores four times.

• Since 2008, the Falcons own an 18-4 record when Ryan throws multiple TD passes and are 30-8 when he fi nds a man in the endzone at least once. His 66 touchdowns since 2008 rank fourth in the NFC and is tied for eighth overall.

SLINGING THE ROCKSLINGING THE ROCK

NFC TD LEADERSPlayer TDsDrew Brees 104Aaron Rodgers 89Eli Manning 79Matt Ryan 66Tony Romo 65*Since 2008

In 2010, QB Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense converted 46.7 percent of third down attempts, which ranked third in the NFL. Ryan led the League with 85 passing fi rst downs on third down and ranked among the NFL lead-ers with a 104.1 passer rating and 63.3 completion percent-age on third down.

Ryan also performed well against the blitz last season. When teams sent fi ve or more defenders, Ryan com-pleted 62.9 percent of his passes for an NFL-high 1,618 yards and 14 touchdowns. Ryan also posted a 96.7 passer rating with 221 attempts against blitzes.

UNDER PRESSUREUNDER PRESSURE

*THIRD-DOWN PASSING, 2010Team Pct. TDs RateTom Brady 60.6 15 119.3B. Roethlisberger 65.4 8 114.2Matt Ryan 63.3 15 104.1*QBs with 100+ attempts on third down

*NFC BLITZ PASSING, 2010Team Pct. TDs RateA. Rodgers 66.5 11 104.5Matt Ryan 62.9 14 96.7Eli Manning 59.8 14 96.1Drew Brees 68.8 7 95.5*QBs with 100+ attempts vs. the blitz

In his three years as the Falcons starting quarterback, Matt Ryan has already established himself as one of the fran-chise’s best signal callers. In 2010, Ryan began climbing up the ranks of the Falcons record book in a number of differ-ent categories.

Last season, Ryan connected on a career-high 28 touch-down passes, moving him into third place for the most TD passes in a single season. The third-year pro completed 357 passes, topping Jeff George’s club record of 336, which he set in 1995.

RE-WRITING THE RECORD BOOKSRE-WRITING THE RECORD BOOKS

FALCONS PASSING RECORDSCompletions (Season)Player Cmp.Matt Ryan 357Jeff George 336

Comp. Pct (Career)Player Pct.Matt Ryan 60.9Jeff George 60.5

QB Rating (Career)Player RateChris Chandler 87.4Matt Ryan 86.6

TD Passes (Season)Player TDsSteve Bartkowski 31Matt Ryan 28

INT Pct. (Season)Player TDsSteve Bartkowski 1.2Matt Ryan 1.6

Comp. Pct. (Game)Player Pct.Matt Ryan 85.7Steve Bartkowski 85.7

DID YOU KNOW?

With the Falcons 31-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in the 2010 season fi nale, QB Matt Ryan tied Hall of Fame QB Dan Marino for the most wins by a quarterback in his fi rst three seasons since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger with 33. Ryan posted a 33-13 record from 2008-10, while Marino went 33-10 in his fi rst three seasons.

Falcons QB Matt Ryan has posted a 33-14 record in his three-year career. De-spite missing three games because of injury in 2009, Ryan’s 33 wins are second in the NFL over the last three seasons behind Peyton Man-ning’s 36. The third-year signal caller ranks tied with Hall of Fame QB Dan Marino for the most wins by a quarterback in his fi rst three seasons with 33 after fi nishing 2010 13-3.

IMPRESSIVE COMPANYIMPRESSIVE COMPANY

QBs 1ST THREE YEARSPlayer Years W-LDan Marino 1983-85 33-10Matt Ryan 2008-10 33-13Joe Flacco 2008-10 30-16

TOTAL QUARTERBACK RATING

ESPN has designated 2011 the “Year of the Quarterback”, dedicating the season to the examination of one of the most important positions in game today.

According to ESPN Stats & Information’s Director of Ana-lytics Dean Oliver, Total Quarterback Rating is a statistical measure that incorporates the context and details of the plays that each quarterback makes and what they mean for wins. Each play is broken down and the quarterback is given credit for based on what he conributed to that play.

Total QBR Breakdown: (as explained by ESPN.com)

Scoring: 0-100, from low to high. An average QB would be at 50.

Win Probability: All QB plays are scored based on how much they contribute to a win. By determining expected point totals for almost any situation, Total QBR is able to apply points to a quarterback based on every type of play he would be involved in.

Expected Points - Down, distance, fi eld position and time all factor into the probablitly that a team will or will not score points.

Dividing Credit: Total QBR factors in such things as over-throws, underthrows, yards after the catch and more to accurately determine how much a QB contributes to each play.

Clutch Index: How critical a certain play is based on when it happens in a game is factored into the score.

TOTAL QBRTOTAL QBR

TOTAL QB RATINGPlayer Team QBRTom Brady NE 76.0Peyton Manning IND 69.5Matt Ryan ATL 68.6Aaron Rodgers GB 67.9

Pro Bowl QB Matt Ryan led the Falcons on six game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime in 2010. His 68.6 Total QBR last season was the third-highest in the League.

Total QBR takes an analysis of how differ-ent situations affect a team’s win probability. Clutch plays, or high-pressure plays that directly impact the po-tential outcome of the game are factored into the Total QBR as clutch index.

Ryan shown an ability to rise to the challenge in pressure situations by leading the Falcons on 13 game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime during his fi rst three seasons. The Pro Bowl signal caller led the Bird on six such drives in 2010, which helped lead him to a 68.6 Total QBR.

CLUTCH INDEXCLUTCH INDEX

GAME-WINNING DRIVESDate Opponent Score10/05/08 Green Bay 27-2410/12/08 Chicago 22-2012/14/08 Tampa Bay* 13-1012/28/08 St. Louis 31-2710/18/09 Chicago 21-1412/20/09 NY Jets 10-701/03/10 Tampa Bay 20-1009/26/10 New Orleans* 27-2410/03/10 San Francisco 16-1410/24/10 Cincinnati 39-3211/11/10 Baltimore 26-2111/28/10 Green Bay 20-1712/05/10 Tampa Bay 28-24*denotes game winning drive in overtime.

Since being drafted as the third overall pick in 2008, Ryan has started 47 games, posting a 33-14 (.702) regular season record. Ryan’s .702 win-ning percentage ranks third among all quarterbacks with 32-or-more starts. Only Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have posted higher winning percentages than Ryan over the last four years.

WINNING EDGEWINNING EDGE

NFL QB WIN PCT., 2008-11Player W-L Pct.Tom Brady 26-8 .765Peyton Manning 36-12 .750Matt Ryan 33-14 .702

QB Matt Ryan was named NFC Offensive Player of the Month in November after leading the Falcons to a 4-0 record, in-cluding wins over the Tampa Bay Bucca-neers (7-4), the Baltimore Ravens (8-3) and the Green Bay Packers (7-4).

Ryan completed 106 of 153 pass attempts (69.3 percent) for 1,001 yards, seven touch-downs and zero interceptions. The Falcons did not commit a turnover in the entire month, marking a franchise record four-

game stretch without a turnover. The third-year player also posted a passer rating of 102.3 during the month, including three consecutive games above the century mark.

NOVEMBER TO REMEMBERNOVEMBER TO REMEMBER

TE TONY GONZALEZ

TE Tony Gonzalez caught four passes for 26 yards at Seattle in a Week 15 in 2010, marking the 12th consecutive season that he has posted 60-or-more catches. Gon-zalez passed Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice, who posted 11 straight seasons of 60-plus catches, with a two-yard catch in the second quarter against the Seahawks to become the NFL record holder in consecutive 60-plus catch seasons. Gon-zalez fi nished the regular season ranked second on the team with 70 catches for 656 yards and six touchdowns.

CATCHING UPCATCHING UP

Pro Bowl TE Tony Gonzalez continued his climb up the record books in 2010, becoming the fi rst tight end in NFL history to post 1,000-or-more receptions.

Gonzalez’s six-catch, 53-yard 2010 season fi nale against the Panthers in Week 17, gave him 12,463 career receiving yards. He is the fi rst tight end and 17th player in NFL his-tory to have over 12,000 receiving yards in a career. The now 11-time Pro Bowler sits just 114 yards shy of tying Art Monk (12,721 yards) for 14th place on the NFL’s all-time receiving list.

MOVING UP THE CHARTSMOVING UP THE CHARTS

CAREER LEADERS, RECEIVING YARDSRank Player Seasons Rec. Yards13th Irving Fryar 17 12,78514th Art Monk 16 12,72115th Tony Gonzalez 15 12,535

Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez became the fi rst tight end in NFL history to record 1,000 career catches when he hauled in a 20-yard pass from Matt Ryan on the opening drive of the second half of Atlanta’s season opener vs. Pittsburgh. In the Falcons Week 6 loss to Philadelphia, Gonazalez passed Isaac Bruce for sixth on the NFL’s all-time receptions list.

Gonzalez’s 1,074 re-ceptions rank sixth all-time among all play-ers. Gonzalez holds a number NFL records at the tight end position, including most career receiving yards, most career receptions, most receptions in a single season, most touch-down catches, most 100-yard receiving games and most 1,000-yard seasons.

STACKING UPSTACKING UP

NFL ALL-TIME RECEIVERSPlayer Years Rec.Jerry Rice 1985-04 1,549Marvin Harrison 1996-08 1,102Cris Carter 1987-02 1,101Tim Brown 1988-04 1,094Terrell Owens 1996-10 1,078Tony Gonzalez* 1997-10 1,074Isaac Bruce 1994-09 1,024*Denotes active player

In Atlanta’s 31-10 win at Carolina in Week 17 of the 2010 season, TE Tony Gonzalez caught his sixth touchdown of the season on the Falcons opening drive. With that score, Gonzalez tied WR Don Maynard for 10th on the NFL’s all-time receiving touchdowns list with 88 career scores. The future Hall of Famer has now recorded fi ve straight seasons with at least fi ve touchdown catches, including two as a member of the Falcons.

• Gonzalez has recorded 12 touchdowns in his two sea-sons with the Falcons. He currently ranks fourth on the team’s all-time touchdowns list at the tight end posi-tion. Only Alge Crumpler (35), Jim Mitchell (28) and Junior Miller (13) notched more TD receptions in a Fal-cons uniform than Gonzalez.

MILESTONE DAYMILESTONE DAY

Gonzalez improved his NFL record for touchdowns by a tight end when he grabbed a six-yard touchdown pass from QB Matt Ryan in the Falcons Week 17 win over the Carolina Panthers. It was Gonzalez’s sixth score of the sea-son and his 12th touchdown reception as a Falcon.

• With 88 career touchdowns, Gonzalez is tied with WR Don Maynard for 10th in League history. He is three TD catches shy of moving into a tie with WR Isaac Bruce for ninth all time.

• Gonzalez has caught 12 touchdowns in 32 career games as a Falcon. He currently ranks fourth on the team’s all-time list for touchdowns by a tight end. Gonzalez is one score shy of tying Junior Miller who caught 13 touchdowns in 11 seasons with the Falcons from 1969 to 1979.

MILESTONE DAYMILESTONE DAY

NFL RECORDS HELD BY GONZALEZ12,535 Most receiving yards by a TE1,074 Most receptions in a career by a TE102 Most receptions in a season by a TE88 Most touchdown receptions by a TE27 Most 100-yard receiving games by a TE4 Most 1,000-yard seasons by a TE

RB MICHAEL TURNER

RB Michael Turner rushed for a team-high 12 touchdowns in 2010, including a season-high three touchdowns in the Falcons Week 14 win at Carolina. Turner also rushed for 100-plus yards seven times last season. The two-time Pro Bowler logged 1,371 rushing yards, which ranked fi rst in the NFC and third in the League. Additionally, his 85.7 yards per game average ranked sixth in the NFL last season.

• With his triple-touchdown game at Carolina in 2010, Turner became the fi rst running back in franchise his-tory to post three consecutive seasons with 10-or-more rushing touchdowns.

Turner has become known as one of the League’s most physi-cal and powerful running backs during his three seasons in At-lanta. In 2010, Turner ranked fourth in the NFL with 23 broken tackles and 694 yards after con-tact.

BREAKING AWAYBREAKING AWAY

Since arriving in Atlanta in 2008, Turner has rushed for 4,041 yards, 39 touchdowns and 91.8 yards per game. Turner is one of only fi ve running backs in the NFL to amass 4,000 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns since 2008. His yardage total and yards per game total both rank third in the League dur-ing that time span.

FACTOR BACKFACTOR BACK

YARDS AFTER CONTACTPlayer YardsAdrian Peterson 717M. Jones-Drew 716Arian Foster 706Michael Turner 694

In Atlanta’s season opener at Chicago Turner posted a 53-yard run, which was his longest since he raced 55-yards downfi eld against the Browns on 10/10/10. Turner fi nished the game with 100 yards on 10 carries. Since arriving in Atlanta, Turner has often burnt opposing defenses for big gains. He ranks third in the NFL in “big runs” rolling off 102 runs of 10-or-more yards in his four seasons in the ATL. Since 2008, the Falcons rank 11th in the League with 158 runs of 10-plus yards.

BURN NOTICEBURN NOTICE

BIG RUNSPlayer Big RunsChris Johnson 122Adrian Peterson 118Michael Turner 102Steven Jackson 94DeAngelo Williams 86*Runs of 10-more yards

RB Michael Turner led the NFC with 1,371 yards and was one of the best backs in the League in terms of rushing for fi rst downs in 2010. Turner ran for an NFC-leading 71 fi rst downs and ranked third in the NFL in fi rst down runs. Since 2008, Turner ranks second in the NFL with 200 rushing fi rst downs and 22.3 percent of his carries have gone for fi rst downs dur-ing that time.

FALCONS FIRST DOWNFALCONS FIRST DOWN

FIRST DOWNSPlayer 1st DownsAdrian Peterson 228Michael Turner 200Maurice Jones-Drew 197Chris Johnson 189Steven Jackson 180

RUNNING BACKS SINCE 2008Player YardsChris Johnson 4,622Adrian Peterson 4,539Michael Turner 4,041Player Yards/GChris Johnson 96.3Adrian Peterson 94.6Michael Turner 91.8

Michael Turner has provided the Falcons with a reliable scoring option in his three seasons with the team. In 43 career games in an Atlanta uniform, Turner has tallied 39 rushing touchdowns, which ranks second in the NFL over that time period. In 2010, Turner scored at least one touchdown in four straight games from Week 11 to Week 14, marking the third time he’s accomplished that feat as a Falcon. In 2009, Turner tied the franchise record by scoring a touchdown in seven consecutive games.

In 2008, he set a franchise re-cord with 17 rushing TDs and in 2010, Turner found the en-dzone 12 times, including four of the last seven games. Only Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson has scored more rushing touch-downs in the last three seasons than Turner.

FINDING THE ENDZONEFINDING THE ENDZONE

CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH A RUSHING TD

Player Year TDsMichael Turner 2009 7T.J. Duckett 2003 7Michael Turner 2010 4T.J. Duckett 2005 4Gerald Riggs 1986 4

RUSHING TDs 2008-11Player TDsAdrian Peterson 40Michael Turner 39Chris Johnson 34Thomas Jones 33Maurice Jones-Drew 33

FRANCHISE RECORDS220 Most rushing yards in a game.24 Most points scored in a game.17 Most touchdowns in a season.4 Most rushing touchdowns in a game.

Pro Bowl RB Michael Turner rushed 100 yards on 10 carries in the Fal-cons season opener at Chicago, including a 53-yard run in the third quarter.

WR RODDY WHITE

Pro Bowl WR Roddy White established himself as one of the NFL’s elite receivers in 2010. White led the NFL with a franchise record 115 catches and posted an NFC-best 1,389 yards with 10 touchdowns.

In 2010, QB Matt Ryan tar-geted WR Roddy White a League-high 179 times with White hauling in an NFL-best 115 passes. Ryan com-pleted 64.2 percent of his passes intended for White, higher than the 52 percent he completed to the now three-time Pro Bowler in 2009. He posted fi ve 100-yard games and notched three games last season with 10-or-more catches. White set a franchise-record with 115 catches, besting the club’s previous record of 111 which was set by Terance Mathis in 1994. White is just the third player in team history to record 100-or-more catches in a single season.

HOT HANDSHOT HANDS

2010 RECEPTION LEADERSPlayer Team Rec.Roddy White Atl 115Reggie Wayne Ind 111Jason Witten Dal 94

In his six seasons with the Falcons, WR Roddy has steadily begun rewriting the team’s record books. White owns the franchise records for the most receiv-ing yards in a single season (1,389), receiving yards in a single game (210), the most career 100-yard games (23) and the most consecutive 1,000 yard seasons (4). In 2010, White caught an NFL-best 115 passes for 1,389 yards, set-ting new franchise records for catches and receiving yards in a single season.

CHART TOPPERCHART TOPPER

MOST CATCHESPlayer Year Rec.Roddy White 2010 115Terance Mathis 1994 111Eric Metcalf 1995 104

FRANCHISE RECORDSIn 2010, White became the fi rst Falcon wide receiver to record at least 80 catches and 1,100-plus yards in four consecutive seasons.

With a 26-yard recep-tion in the fi rst quarter of Atlanta’s Week 11 win at St. Louis, White passed former Falcons WR Andre Rison for the third-most receiv-ing yards in franchise history. Rison totaled 5,633 receiving yards in four seasons in Atlanta while White has now tal-lied 6,139 yards in his seven seasons with the Birds. White is just the fourth Falcon to record 5,000 career receiving yards. In Atlanta’s Week 16 loss to New Orleans, White became the third wide out in club history to go over 6,000 career yards.

In the Falcons season opener at Chicago, White caught a team-high eight passes for 61 yards. White is just 129 yards shy of passing Alfred Jenkins for the second most receiving yards in franchise history.

AIMING HIGHAIMING HIGH

FALCONS ALL-TIME RECEIVINGYears Player Yards1994-01 Terance Mathis 7,3491975-83 Alfred Jenkins 6,2672005-10 Roddy White 6,1391990-94 Andre Rison 5,633

FRANCHISE RECORDS1,389 Most receiving yards in a season.210 Most receiving yards in a game.115 Most receptions in a single season.23 Most 100-yard receiving games.4 Most consecutive 1,000 yard seasons.

With a 14-yard catch on the Falcons open-ing drive against Green Bay in 2010, WR Roddy White became the 12th wide out in NFL history, and the fi rst player in franchise history, to record four consecutive seasons with at least 80 catches and 1,000 yards. White went over the 1,000-yard mark in Atlanta’s Week 11 win at St. Louis.

MAKING HIS MARKMAKING HIS MARK

With a nine-yard reception late in the third quarter of Atlanta’s Week 11 win at St. Louis in 2010, WR Roddy White recorded his 1,000th receiving yard of the season and became the fi rst player in franchise history to record four consecutive 1,000-

yard seasons. White fi nished the game with nine catches for 83 yards.

• White is the fastest wide receiver in team history to eclipse 1,000 yards, doing so in 10 games.

1,000-YARD MAN1,000-YARD MAN

White was one of the League’s best pass catchers on third down last season, haul-ing in an NFL-best 36 receptions and League-leading 497 receiving yards on third down. Additionally, a League-high 29 of his 36 third-down catches went for fi rst downs. White, Oc-tober’s NFC Player of the Month, also had fi ve touch-down catches on third down and led the League with 73 fi rst down receptions. In 2010, 63.4 percent of his receptions resulted in fi rst downs.

GO-TO GUYGO-TO GUY

THIRD DOWN RECEIVINGPlayer Rec. Yards TDsRoddy White 36 497 5Stevie Johnson 30 433 3Danny Amendola 29 298 2

After fi ve seasons in an Atlanta Falcons uniform, DE John Abraham has already broken into the top fi ve sack leaders in franchise history, taking sole possession of the fourth spot when he notched two sacks against the Panthers in Week 14. He is the shortest tenured Falcons player ranked on the list and is seven sacks shy of a tie for the third spot with Patrick Kerney.

KEEPING PACEKEEPING PACE

DE JOHN ABRAHAM

Pro Bowl DE John Abraham became just the 25th player in NFL history to record 100-or-more sacks in a career in 2010. He fi nished the season with 13.0 sacks, which ranked fi fth in the League.

In 2008, Falcons DE John Abraham set a Falcons franchise record with 16.5 sacks after totaling 14.0 in his fi rst two seasons with the team. Since the defensive minded Mike Smith took over as head coach of the Falcons in 2008, Abraham has totaled 35.0 sacks, which ranks tied for fourth in the NFL and third in the NFC.

In 2010, Abraham ranked fi fth in the NFL recording 13.0 sacks. In a Week 14 victory at Carolina, Abraham notched two sacks which marked his fourth multi-sack game of the season and made him the 25th player in NFL history to record 100-or-more sacks (102.5).

THE PREDATORTHE PREDATOR

2010 SACKSPlayer SacksDeMarcus Ware 15.5Tamba Hali 14.5Cameron Wake 14.0Clay Matthews 13.5John Abraham 13.0

FALCONS ALL-TIME SACK LEADERSPlayer Years SacksClaude Humphrey 1968-78 (11) 94.5Chuck Smith 1992-98 (7) 58.5Patrick Kerney 1999-06 (8) 58.0John Abraham 2006-10 (5) 51.0John Zook 1969-75 (7) 47.0

In 11 seasons in the NFL, it’s no surprise to opposing of-fenses that DE John Abraham makes a difference on ev-ery snap. His 104.5 career sacks currently rank second in the League among active players and in 2008, he posted a career-best and franchise record 16.5 quarterback take-downs. To take it a step further, Abraham’s 25 multiple-sack games over his career have made an even bigger dif-ference as he has contributed to a 19-6 overall record and an 11-2 record for the Falcons.

SACK ATTACKSACK ATTACK

ABRAHAM’S MULTI-SACK GAMESYear Multi-Sack Record2011 One Falcons 0-12010 Four Falcons 4-02009 One Falcons 1-02008 Four Falcons 4-02007 Two Falcons 1-12006 One Falcons 1-02005 Two NY Jets 1-12004 Two NY Jets 2-02003 Two NY Jets 0-22002 Three NY Jets 2-12001 Two NY Jets 2-02000 One NY Jets 1-0Total 25 Games 19-6

Since joining the Falcons in 2006, DE John Abraham has totaled 51.0 sacks, which ranks fourth in the NFL during that time. Abraham posted a team-leading 13.0 sacks in 2010, tying his career-high with four multi-sack games, including a season-high two sacks against Caro-lina (Week 14), and two sacks in wins over Cleveland (Week 5) and Cincinnati (Week 7). In January of 2009, Abraham was voted one of the top defensive ends of the decade, his 102.5 ca-reer sacks since 2000 rank fi rst among all defensive ends. Jets LB Jason Taylor (132.5) is the only active NFL player with more sacks than Abraham.

QUARTERBACK HUNTERQUARTERBACK HUNTER

ACTIVE SACK LEADERSPlayer SacksJason Taylor 132.5John Abraham 104.5Joey Porter 98.0Dwight Freeney 94.0Two Players 91.0

Since sacks became an offi cial statistic in 1982, 24 play-ers have recorded 100-or-more career sacks. With a pair of sacks during Atlanta’s Week 14 win at Carolina in 2010, Abraham became the 25th player in NFL history to record 100-or-more sacks in a career and his 104.5 sacks rank tied for 19th in League annals.

QUARTERBACK HUNTERQUARTERBACK HUNTER

FRANCHISE RECORDSIn 2008, Abraham set a Falcons franchise record with 16.5 sacks topping Joel Williams previous record of 16, set in 1980.

ALL-TIME SACK LEADERSPlayer SacksBruce Smith 200.0Reggie White 198.0Kevin Greene 160.0Chris Doleman 150.5Michael Strahan 141.5Richard Dent 137.5John Randle 137.5Leslie O’Neal 132.5Lawrence Taylor 132.5Jason Taylor* 132.5Rickey Jackson 128.0Derrick Thomas 126.5Simeon Rice 122.0

Player SacksClyde Simmons 121.5Sean Jones 113.0Greg Townsend 109.5Pat Swilling 107.5Trace Armstrong 106.0John Abraham* 104.5Kevin Carter 104.5Neil Smith 104.5Jim Jeffcoat 102.5William Fuller 100.5Charles Haley 100.5Andre Tippett 100.0*Active Players

BAND OF BACKERS

LB Curtis Lofton totaled a team-high 142 tackles (101 solo), three forced fumbles and two passes defensed. He also logged a season high 17 tack-les at Philadelphia on 10/17/10.

In three seasons in a Falcons uniform, linebacker Curtis Lofton has played a piv-otal role in leading Atlanta to a 19-3 record when holding opponents to fewer than 100 net rushing yards. After allowing the Steelers and Cardinals to run for over 100 yards, Atlanta held eight of its last 13 opponents under 100 yards rushing. The Falcons ranked 10th in the NFL and fi fth in the NFC, holding opponents to 105.9 yards per game on the ground.

In 2008, the Falcons were a per-fect 5-0, which included an over-time win at home against Tampa Bay, when holding opponents under 100 rushing yards. In 2009, Atlanta fi nished with a 6-2 record in such games. In 2010, the Fal-cons were 8-1 when holding oppo-nents to under 100 net rushing yards.

CONTAINING THE RUSHCONTAINING THE RUSH

NFC RUN DEFENSEPlayer Yards/GChicago 90.1San Francisco 96.7NY Giants 101.3Minnesota 102.2Atlanta 105.9

LB Curtis Lofton notched 13 tackles (eight solo) in the Fal-cons Week 1 loss at Chicago. It was the 20th time in his career that he totaled double-digit tackles. A large part of Lofton’s success in his four seasons in the NFL has been the games in which he has fi nished with a double-digit tackle total. In 2010, Lofton recorded 10-or-more tackles in seven games, including a season-high 17 at Philadelphia. Since 2008, Atlanta is 11-9 when he posts 10-plus tackles.

DOUBLE DOWNDOUBLE DOWN

LOFTON’S 10+ TACKLE GAMESGame Tackles Result9/11/11 at Chi. 13 L12/27/10 vs. NO 11 L12/5/10 at TB 10 W11/21/10 at StL 11 W11/11/10 vs. Bal. 11 W10/17/10 at Phi. 17 L9/26/10 at NO 10 W9/12/10 at Pit. 12 L12/20/09 at NYJ 11 W11/22/09 at NYG 15 L11/8/09 vs. Wash. 10 W11/2/09 at NO 14 L10/18/09 vs. Chi. 11 W10/11/09 at SF 10 W9/27/09 at NE 19 L9/20/09 vs. Car. 10 W9/13/09 vs. Mia. 13 W10/12/08 vs. Chi. 11 W9/28/08 at Car. 10 L9/14/08 at TB 10 LTotals 20 Games 11-9

The third-year linebacker led the team with 142 total tack-les (101 solo). In his three seasons, Lofton has recorded 410 total tackles (286 solo), three sacks and one intercep-tion. Lofton’s 142 tackles are the second-highest total of his career.

LOFTON LEADSLOFTON LEADS

In 2010, the Falcons created 31 turnovers, with 22 interceptions and nine fumble re-coveries. LB Curtis Lofton forced a team-high three fumbles and recorded one interception. Only S William Moore, and CB Brent Grimes created more turnovers. Both Moore and Grimes had fi ve INTs apiece in 2010.

• LB Curtis Lofton forced Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers to fumble in the endzone, which was recovered by LB Mike Peterson in the Falcons Week 12 win over the Packers in 2010. It was Lofton’s career-best third forced fumble of the season and the fi rst turnover committed by the Packers since Week 7.

TAKE IT AWAYTAKE IT AWAY

According to coaches’ breakdown, LB Mike Peterson has totaled 1,579 tackles in his 12-year NFL career and ranks fi fth among ac-tive players in total tackles. The veteran linebacker is the shortest tenured player in the top fi ve.

MIKE P IS PIVOTALMIKE P IS PIVOTAL

TOP TACKLERSPlayer TacklesRay Lewis 2,491London Fletcher 2,053Keith Brooking 1,765Lawyer Milloy 1,672Mike Peterson 1,579

Rookie LB Sean Weatherspoon recorded his fi rst career sack, bringing down Cardinals QB Derek Anderson for a nine-yard loss on a fi rst down play in the second quarter of the Falcons 41-7 win over Arizona. After a penalty gave Ari-zona the ball on the Falcons 49-yard line, Weatherspoon’s sack pushed the Cardinals back to their own 42-yard line. Arizona would punt three plays later and Atlanta re-sponded with an eight-play, 78-yard scoring drive to take a 24-7 lead. Weatherspoon also added a career-high 10 total tackles (eight solo), according to the coaches breakdown.

• The Falcons fi rst pick (19th overall) in the 2010 NFL Draft, Weatherspoon played in 11 games in his rookie season, missing fi ve games due to injury, and totaled 50 total tackles (38 solo) and one sack.

SPOONMANSPOONMAN

2011 Atlanta Falcons Alphabetical Roster

# PLAYER POS H W Birthdate EXP COLLEGE ACQUIRED HOMETOWN55 Abraham, John DE 6-4 263 5/6/78 12 South Carolina Tr '06 (NYJ) Timmonsville, SC59 Adkins, Spencer LB 5-11 236 5/16/87 3 Miami (Fla.) D6 '09 Naples, FL95 Babineaux, Jonathan DT 6-2 300 10/12/81 7 Iowa D2 '05 Port Arthur, TX72 Baker, Sam OT 6-5 301 5/30/85 4 USC D1b '08 Tustin, CA71 Biermann, Kroy DE 6-3 255 9/12/85 4 Montana D5b '08 Hardin, MT63 Blalock, Justin OG 6-4 326 12/20/83 5 Texas D2a '07 Dallas, TX5 Bosher, Matt K/P 6-0 208 10/18/87 R Miami (Fla.) D6 '10 Jupiter, FL3 Bryant, Matt K 5-9 203 5/29/75 10 Baylor FA '09 Orange, TX

77 Clabo, Tyson OT 6-6 329 10/17/81 7 Wake Forest FA '11 Knoxville, TN28 DeCoud, Thomas S 6-2 192 3/19/85 4 California D3c '08 Vallejo, CA52 Dent, Akeem LB 6-1 239 9/27/87 R Georgia D3 '11 Atlanta, GA83 Douglas, Harry WR 6-0 183 9/16/84 3 Louisville D3b '08 Jonesboro, GA93 Edwards, Ray DE 6-5 268 1/1/85 6 Purdue FA '11 Cincinnati, OH24 Franks, Dominique CB 6-0 197 10/8/87 2 Oklahoma D5a '10 Tulsa, OK88 Gonzalez, Tony TE 6-5 247 2/27/76 15 California Tr '09 (KC) Torrance, CA20 Grimes, Brent CB 5-10 183 7/19/83 4 Shippensburg FA '07 Philadelphia, PA26 Hayden, Kelvin CB 6-0 195 7/23/83 6 Illinois FA '11 Chicago, IL61 Hawley, Joe C 6-3 302 10/22/88 2 UNLV D4 '10 Yorba Linda, CA94 Jerry, Peria DT 6-2 295 8/23/84 2 Mississippi D1 '09 Batesville, MS79 Johnson, Mike OG 6-6 304 4/2/87 2 Alabama D3b '10 Pensacola, FL11 Jones, Julio WR 6-3 220 2/3/89 R Alabama D1 '11 Foley, AL89 Kelly, Reggie TE 6-4 257 2/22/77 12 Mississippi State FA '11 Aberdeen, MS50 Lofton, Curtis LB 6-0 241 6/2/86 4 Oklahoma D2 '08 Kingfisher, OK98 Matthews, Cliff DE 6-4 268 8/5/89 R South Carolina D7b '11 Cheraw, SC62 McClure, Todd C 6-1 296 2/16/77 13 LSU D7a '99 Baton Rouge, LA80 Meier, Kerry WR 6-3 220 11/12/86 1 Kansas D5b '10 Pittsburg, KS25 Moore, William S 6-0 221 5/18/85 2 Missouri D2 '09 Hayti, MO34 Mughelli, Ovie FB 6-1 250 6/10/80 9 Wake Forest UFA '07 (Bal) Boston, MA54 Nicholas, Stephen LB 6-3 236 5/1/83 5 South Florida D4a '07 Jacksonville, FL21 Owens, Christopher CB 5-9 180 12/1/86 3 San Jose State D3 '09 Los Angeles, CA81 Palmer, Michael TE 6-5 252 1/18/88 2 Clemson FA '10 Stone Mountain, GA91 Peters, Corey DT 6-3 305 6/8/88 2 Kentucky D3a '10 Louisville, KY53 Peterson, Mike LB 6-1 226 6/17/76 13 Florida UFA '09 (Jax) Gainesville, FL97 Powell, Carlton DT 6-3 312 8/14/85 1 Virginia Tech FA '11 Chesapeake, VA 8 Redman, Chris QB 6-3 225 7/7/77 9 Louisville FA '07 Louisville, KY

75 Reynolds, Garrett OT 6-7 310 7/1/87 3 North Carolina D5b '09 Knoxville, TN23 Robinson, Dunta CB 5-10 183 4/11/82 8 South Carolina FA '10 Athens, GA22 Rodgers, Jacquizz RB 5-6 196 2/6/90 R Oregon State D5 '11 Richmond, TX66 Romberg, Brett C 6-2 293 10/10/79 7 Miami (Fla.) FA '11 Windsor, Canada2 Ryan, Matt QB 6-4 217 5/17/85 4 Boston College D1a '08 Exton, PA

36 Sanders, James S 5-10 210 11/11/83 7 Fresno State FA '11 Porterville, CA39 Schillinger, Shann S 6-0 200 5/22/86 2 Montana D6 '10 Baker, MT90 Sidbury, Lawrence DE 6-3 261 2/6/86 3 Richmond D4 '09 Cheltenham, MD35 Smith, Antone RB 5-9 192 9/17/85 2 Florida State FA '09 Pahokee, FL44 Snelling, Jason RB 5-11 234 12/29/83 5 Virginia D7 '07 Chester, VA74 Svitek, Will OT 6-6 308 1/8/82 6 Stanford FA '09 Prague, Czech Republic33 Turner, Michael RB 5-10 247 2/13/82 8 Northern Illinois UFA '08 (SD) Waukegan, IL99 Walker, Vance DT 6-2 304 4/26/87 3 Georgia Tech D7 '09 Fort Mill, SC29 Walls, Darrin CB 6-0 190 6/20/88 R Notre Dame FA '11 Pittsburgh, PA56 Weatherspoon, Sean LB 6-2 244 12/29/87 2 Missouri D1 '10 Jasper, TX14 Weems, Eric WR 5-9 195 7/4/85 4 Bethune-Cookman FA '07 Ormond Beach, FL84 White, Roddy WR 6-0 211 11/2/81 7 Alabama-Birmingham D1 '05 James Island, SC82 Zelenka, Joe LS 6-3 266 3/9/76 13 Wake Forest FA '09 Cleveland, OH

30 Bush, Rafael S 5-11 180 5/12/87 1 South Carolina State FA '10 Williston, SC85 Branson, Marquez TE 6-3 247 2/14/87 1 Central Arkansas FA '10 Starkville, MS12 Cone, Kevin WR 6-2 216 3/20/88 R Georgia Tech FA '11 Stone Mountain, GA19 Davis, Drew WR 6-1 205 1/4/89 R Oregon FA '11 Denver, CO69 Jackson, Andrew OG 6-5 299 10/18/88 R Fresno State D7a '11 Grass Valley, CA51 James, Robert LB 5-11 224 12/26/83 2 Arizona State FA '10 Glendale, AZ65 Valdez, Jose OG 6-6 324 12/13/86 1 Arkansas FA '09 St. Francis, WI4 Wilson, John Parker QB 6-2 215 10/17/85 3 Alabama FA '09 Hoover, AL

Mark Collins (Defensive Assistant), Paul Dunn (Assistant Offensive Line), Jeff Fish (Director of Athletic Performance), Ray Hamilton (Defensive Line),Tim Lewis (Secondary), AJ Neibels (Assistant Strength and Conditioning), Glenn Pires (Linebackers), Alvin Reynolds (Defensive Backs),Terry Robiskie (Wide Receivers), Chris Scelfo (Tight Ends), Eric Sutulovich (Assistant Special Teams), Glenn Thomas (Offensive Assistant),

COACHING STAFFMike Smith (Head Coach), Mike Mularkey (Offensive Coordinator), Brian VanGorder (Defensive Coordinator), Keith Armstrong (Special Teams Coordinator),Jonas Beauchemin (Assistant Strength and Conditioning), Paul Boudreau (Offensive Line), Bob Bratkowski (Quarterbacks), Gerald Brown (Running Backs),

Andrew Weidinger (Assistant to the Head Coach/Offense).

PRACTICE SQUAD

updated 9/13/2011

2011 Atlanta Falcons Numerical Roster

# PLAYER POS H W AGE EXP COLLEGE ACQUIRED HOMETOWN PL S DNP IA2 Matt Ryan QB 6-4 217 5/17/85 4 Boston College D1a '08 Exton, PA 1 1 0 03 Matt Bryant K 5-9 203 5/29/75 10 Baylor FA '09 Orange, TX 1 0 0 05 Matt Bosher K/P 6-0 208 10/18/87 R Miami (Fla.) D6 '10 Jupiter, FL 1 0 0 08 Chris Redman QB 6-3 225 7/7/77 9 Louisville FA '07 Louisville, KY 0 0 1 0

11 Julio Jones WR 6-3 220 2/3/89 R Alabama D1 '11 Foley, AL 1 1 0 014 Eric Weems WR 5-9 195 7/4/85 4 Bethune-Cookman FA '07 Ormond Beach, FL 1 0 0 020 Brent Grimes CB 5-10 183 7/19/83 4 Shippensburg FA '07 Philadelphia, PA 1 1 0 021 Chris Owens CB 5-9 180 12/1/86 3 San Jose State D3 '09 Los Angeles, CA 1 0 0 022 Jacquizz Rodgers RB 5-6 196 2/6/90 R Oregon State D5 '11 Richmond, TX 1 0 0 023 Dunta Robinson CB 5-10 183 4/11/82 8 South Carolina FA '10 Athens, GA 1 1 0 024 Dominique Franks CB 6-0 197 10/8/87 2 Oklahoma D5a '10 Tulsa, OK 0 0 1 025 William Moore S 6-0 221 5/18/85 2 Missouri D2 '09 Hayti, MO 1 1 0 026 Kevlin Hayden CB 6-0 195 7/23/83 6 Illinois FA '11 Chicago, IL 0 0 1 028 Thomas DeCoud S 6-2 192 3/19/85 4 California D3c '08 Vallejo, CA 1 1 0 029 Darrin Walls CB 6-0 190 6/20/88 R Notre Dame FA '11 Pittsburgh, PA 0 0 0 133 Michael Turner RB 5-10 247 2/13/82 8 Northern Illinois UFA '08 (SD) Waukegan, IL 1 1 0 034 Ovie Mughelli FB 6-1 250 6/10/80 9 Wake Forest UFA '07 (Bal) Boston, MA 1 0 0 035 Antone Smith RB 5-9 192 9/17/85 2 Florida State FA '09 Pahokee, FL 0 0 0 136 James Sanders S 5-10 210 11/11/83 7 Fresno State FA '11 Porterville, CA 1 0 0 039 Shann Schillinger S 6-0 200 5/22/86 2 Montana D6 '10 Baker, MT 1 0 0 044 Jason Snelling RB 5-11 234 12/29/83 5 Virginia D7 '07 Chester, VA 1 0 0 050 Curtis Lofton LB 6-0 241 6/2/86 4 Oklahoma D2 '08 Kingfisher, OK 1 1 0 052 Akeem Dent LB 6-1 239 9/27/87 R Georgia D3 '11 Atlanta, GA 1 0 0 053 Mike Peterson LB 6-1 226 6/17/76 13 Florida UFA '09 (Jax) Gainesville, FL 1 0 0 054 Stephen Nicholas LB 6-3 236 5/1/83 5 South Florida D4a '07 Jacksonville, FL 1 1 0 055 John Abraham DE 6-4 263 5/6/78 12 South Carolina Tr '06 (NYJ) Timmonsville, SC 1 1 0 056 Sean Weatherspoon LB 6-2 244 12/29/87 2 Missouri D1 '10 Jasper, TX 1 1 0 059 Spencer Adkins LB 5-11 236 5/16/87 3 Miami (Fla.) D6 '09 Naples, FL 0 0 0 161 Joe Hawley C 6-3 302 10/22/88 2 UNLV D4 '10 Yorba Linda, CA 1 1 0 062 Todd McClure C 6-1 296 2/16/77 13 LSU D7a '99 Baton Rouge, LA 0 0 0 163 Justin Blalock OG 6-4 326 12/20/83 5 Texas D2a '07 Dallas, TX 1 1 0 066 Romberg, Brett C 6-2 293 10/10/79 7 Miami (Fla.) FA '11 Windsor, Canada 0 0 0 071 Kroy Biermann DE 6-3 255 9/12/85 4 Montana D5b '08 Hardin, MT 1 0 0 072 Sam Baker OT 6-5 301 5/30/85 4 USC D1b '08 Tustin, CA 1 1 0 074 Will Svitek OT 6-6 308 1/8/82 6 Stanford FA '09 Prague, Czech Republic 1 0 0 075 Garrett Reynolds OT 6-7 310 7/1/87 3 North Carolina D5b '09 Knoxville, TN 1 1 0 077 Tyson Clabo OT 6-6 329 10/17/81 7 Wake Forest FA '11 Knoxville, TN 1 1 0 079 Mike Johnson OG 6-6 304 4/2/87 2 Alabama D3b '10 Pensacola, FL 0 0 0 180 Kerry Meier WR 6-3 220 11/12/86 1 Kansas D5b '10 Pittsburg, KS 1 0 0 081 Michael Palmer TE 6-5 252 1/18/88 2 Clemson FA '10 Stone Mountain, GA 1 1 0 082 Joe Zelenka LS 6-3 266 3/9/76 13 Wake Forest FA '09 Cleveland, OH 1 0 0 083 Harry Douglas WR 6-0 183 9/16/84 3 Louisville D3b '08 Jonesboro, GA 1 0 0 084 Roddy White WR 6-0 211 11/2/81 7 Alabama-Birmingham D1 '05 James Island, SC 1 1 0 088 Tony Gonzalez TE 6-5 247 2/27/76 15 California Tr '09 (KC) Torrance, CA 1 1 0 089 Reggie Kelly TE 6-4 257 2/22/77 12 Mississippi State FA '11 Aberdeen, MS 1 0 0 090 Lawrence Sidbury DE 6-3 261 2/6/86 3 Richmond D4 '09 Cheltenham, MD 1 0 0 091 Corey Peters DT 6-3 305 6/8/88 2 Kentucky D3a '10 Louisville, KY 0 0 0 193 Ray Edwards DE 6-5 268 1/1/85 6 Purdue FA '11 Cincinnati, OH 1 1 0 094 Peria Jerry DT 6-2 295 8/23/84 2 Mississippi D1 '09 Batesville, MS 1 1 0 095 Jonathan Babineaux DT 6-2 300 10/12/81 7 Iowa D2 '05 Port Arthur, TX 1 1 0 097 Carlton Powell DT 6-3 312 8/14/85 1 Virginia Tech FA '11 Chesapeake, VA 1 0 0 098 Cliff Matthews DE 6-4 268 8/5/89 R South Carolina D7b '11 Cheraw, SC 0 0 0 199 Vance Walker DT 6-2 304 4/26/87 3 Georgia Tech D7 '09 Fort Mill, SC 1 0 0 0

4 John Parker Wilson QB 6-2 215 10/17/85 3 Alabama FA '09 Hoover, AL 0 0 0 012 Kevin Cone WR 6-2 216 3/20/88 R Georgia Tech FA '11 Stone Mountain, GA 0 0 0 019 Drew Davis WR 6-1 205 1/4/89 R Oregon FA '11 Denver, CO 0 0 0 030 Rafael Bush S 5-11 180 5/12/87 1 South Carolina State FA '10 Williston, SC 0 0 0 051 Robert James LB 5-11 224 12/26/83 2 Arizona State FA '10 Glendale, AZ 0 0 0 065 Jose Valdez OG 6-6 324 12/13/86 1 Arkansas FA '09 St. Francis, WI 0 0 0 069 Andrew Jackson OG 6-5 299 10/18/88 R Fresno State D7a '11 Grass Valley, CA 0 0 0 085 Branson, Marquez TE 6-3 247 2/14/87 1 Central Arkansas FA '10 Starkville, MS 0 0 0 0

Mark Collins (Defensive Assistant), Paul Dunn (Assistant Offensive Line), Jeff Fish (Director of Athletic Performance), Ray Hamilton (Defensive Line),

Tim Lewis (Secondary), AJ Neibels (Assistant Strength and Conditioning), Glenn Pires (Linebackers), Alvin Reynolds (Defensive Backs),

Terry Robiskie (Wide Receivers), Chris Scelfo (Tight Ends), Eric Sutulovich (Assistant Special Teams), Glenn Thomas (Offensive Assistant),

Mike Smith (Head Coach), Mike Mularkey (Offensive Coordinator), Brian VanGorder (Defensive Coordinator), Keith Armstrong (Special Teams Coordinator),

Jonas Beauchemin (Assistant Strength and Conditioning), Paul Boudreau (Offensive Line), Bob Bratkowski (Quarterbacks), Gerald Brown (Running Backs),

COACHING STAFF

Andrew Weidinger (Assistant to the Head Coach/Offense).

PRACTICE SQUAD

updated 9/13/2011

2011 Atlanta Falcons Roster By Experience

# PLAYER POS H W Birthdate EXP COLLEGE ACQUIRED HOMETOWN88 Gonzalez, Tony TE 6-5 247 2/27/76 15 California Tr '09 (KC) Torrance, CA62 McClure, Todd C 6-1 296 2/16/77 13 LSU D7a '99 Baton Rouge, LA53 Peterson, Mike LB 6-1 226 6/17/76 13 Florida UFA '09 (Jax) Gainesville, FL82 Zelenka, Joe LS 6-3 266 3/9/76 13 Wake Forest FA '09 Cleveland, OH55 Abraham, John DE 6-4 263 5/6/78 12 South Carolina Tr '06 (NYJ) Timmonsville, SC89 Kelly, Reggie TE 6-4 257 2/22/77 12 Mississippi State FA '11 Aberdeen, MS3 Bryant, Matt K 5-9 203 5/29/75 10 Baylor FA '09 Orange, TX

34 Mughelli, Ovie FB 6-1 250 6/10/80 9 Wake Forest UFA '07 (Bal) Boston, MA8 Redman, Chris QB 6-3 225 7/7/77 9 Louisville FA '07 Louisville, KY

23 Robinson, Dunta CB 5-10 183 4/11/82 8 South Carolina FA '10 Athens, GA33 Turner, Michael RB 5-10 247 2/13/82 8 Northern Illinois UFA '08 (SD) Waukegan, IL95 Babineaux, Jonathan DT 6-2 300 10/12/81 7 Iowa D2 '05 Port Arthur, TX77 Clabo, Tyson OT 6-6 329 10/17/81 7 Wake Forest FA '11 Knoxville, TN66 Romberg, Brett C 6-2 293 10/10/79 7 Miami (Fla.) FA '11 Windsor, Canada36 Sanders, James S 5-10 210 11/11/83 7 Fresno State FA '11 Porterville, CA84 White, Roddy WR 6-0 211 11/2/81 7 Alabama-Birmingham D1 '05 James Island, SC93 Edwards, Ray DE 6-5 268 1/1/85 6 Purdue FA '11 Cincinnati, OH26 Hayden, Kelvin CB 6-0 195 7/23/83 6 Illinois FA '11 Chicago, IL74 Svitek, Will OT 6-6 308 1/8/82 6 Stanford FA '09 Prague, Czech Republic63 Blalock, Justin OG 6-4 326 12/20/83 5 Texas D2a '07 Dallas, TX54 Nicholas, Stephen LB 6-3 236 5/1/83 5 South Florida D4a '07 Jacksonville, FL44 Snelling, Jason RB 5-11 234 12/29/83 5 Virginia D7 '07 Chester, VA72 Baker, Sam OT 6-5 301 5/30/85 4 USC D1b '08 Tustin, CA71 Biermann, Kroy DE 6-3 255 9/12/85 4 Montana D5b '08 Hardin, MT28 DeCoud, Thomas S 6-2 192 3/19/85 4 California D3c '08 Vallejo, CA20 Grimes, Brent CB 5-10 183 7/19/83 4 Shippensburg FA '07 Philadelphia, PA50 Lofton, Curtis LB 6-0 241 6/2/86 4 Oklahoma D2 '08 Kingfisher, OK2 Ryan, Matt QB 6-4 217 5/17/85 4 Boston College D1a '08 Exton, PA

14 Weems, Eric WR 5-9 195 7/4/85 4 Bethune-Cookman FA '07 Ormond Beach, FL59 Adkins, Spencer LB 5-11 236 5/16/87 3 Miami (Fla.) D6 '09 Naples, FL83 Douglas, Harry WR 6-0 183 9/16/84 3 Louisville D3b '08 Jonesboro, GA21 Owens, Christopher CB 5-9 180 12/1/86 3 San Jose State D3 '09 Los Angeles, CA75 Reynolds, Garrett OT 6-7 310 7/1/87 3 North Carolina D5b '09 Knoxville, TN90 Sidbury, Lawrence DE 6-3 261 2/6/86 3 Richmond D4 '09 Cheltenham, MD99 Walker, Vance DT 6-2 304 4/26/87 3 Georgia Tech D7 '09 Fort Mill, SC24 Franks, Dominique CB 6-0 197 10/8/87 2 Oklahoma D5a '10 Tulsa, OK61 Hawley, Joe C 6-3 302 10/22/88 2 UNLV D4 '10 Yorba Linda, CA94 Jerry, Peria DT 6-2 295 8/23/84 2 Mississippi D1 '09 Batesville, MS79 Johnson, Mike OG 6-6 304 4/2/87 2 Alabama D3b '10 Pensacola, FL25 Moore, William S 6-0 221 5/18/85 2 Missouri D2 '09 Hayti, MO81 Palmer, Michael TE 6-5 252 1/18/88 2 Clemson FA '10 Stone Mountain, GA91 Peters, Corey DT 6-3 305 6/8/88 2 Kentucky D3a '10 Louisville, KY39 Schillinger, Shann S 6-0 200 5/22/86 2 Montana D6 '10 Baker, MT35 Smith, Antone RB 5-9 192 9/17/85 2 Florida State FA '09 Pahokee, FL56 Weatherspoon, Sean LB 6-2 244 12/29/87 2 Missouri D1 '10 Jasper, TX67 Bruggeman, Rob C 6-4 293 3/21/86 1 Iowa FA '09 Cedar Rapids, IA80 Meier, Kerry WR 6-3 220 11/12/86 1 Kansas D5b '10 Pittsburg, KS97 Powell, Carlton DT 6-3 312 8/14/85 1 Virginia Tech FA '11 Chesapeake, VA 5 Bosher, Matt K/P 6-0 208 10/18/87 R Miami (Fla.) D6 '10 Jupiter, FL

52 Dent, Akeem LB 6-1 239 9/27/87 R Georgia D3 '11 Atlanta, GA11 Jones, Julio WR 6-3 220 2/3/89 R Alabama D1 '11 Foley, AL98 Matthews, Cliff DE 6-4 268 8/5/89 R South Carolina D7b '11 Cheraw, SC22 Rodgers, Jacquizz RB 5-6 196 2/6/90 R Oregon State D5 '11 Richmond, TX29 Walls, Darrin CB 6-0 190 6/20/88 R Notre Dame FA '11 Pittsburgh, PA

4 Wilson, John Parker QB 6-2 215 10/17/85 3 Alabama FA '09 Hoover, AL51 James, Robert LB 5-11 224 12/26/83 2 Arizona State FA '10 Glendale, AZ30 Bush, Rafael S 5-11 180 5/12/87 1 South Carolina State FA '10 Williston, SC85 Branson, Marquez TE 6-3 247 2/14/87 1 Central Arkansas FA '10 Starkville, MS65 Valdez, Jose OG 6-6 324 12/13/86 1 Arkansas FA '09 St. Francis, WI12 Cone, Kevin WR 6-2 216 3/20/88 R Georgia Tech FA '11 Stone Mountain, GA19 Davis, Drew WR 6-1 205 1/4/89 R Oregon FA '11 Denver, CO69 Jackson, Andrew OG 6-5 299 10/18/88 R Fresno State D7a '11 Grass Valley, CA

Mark Collins (Defensive Assistant), Paul Dunn (Assistant Offensive Line), Jeff Fish (Director of Athletic Performance), Ray Hamilton (Defensive Line),Tim Lewis (Secondary), AJ Neibels (Assistant Strength and Conditioning), Glenn Pires (Linebackers), Alvin Reynolds (Defensive Backs),Terry Robiskie (Wide Receivers), Chris Scelfo (Tight Ends), Eric Sutulovich (Assistant Special Teams), Glenn Thomas (Offensive Assistant),

COACHING STAFFMike Smith (Head Coach), Mike Mularkey (Offensive Coordinator), Brian VanGorder (Defensive Coordinator), Keith Armstrong (Special Teams Coordinator),Jonas Beauchemin (Assistant Strength and Conditioning), Paul Boudreau (Offensive Line), Bob Bratkowski (Quarterbacks), Gerald Brown (Running Backs),

Andrew Weidinger (Assistant to the Head Coach/Offense).

PRACTICE SQUAD

updated 9/13/2011

2011 Atlanta Falcons Roster By Position

# PLAYER POS H W Birthdate EXP COLLEGE ACQUIRED HOMETOWNQUARTERBACKS (2)

8 Redman, Chris QB 6-3 225 7/7/77 9 Louisville FA '07 Louisville, KY2 Ryan, Matt QB 6-4 217 5/17/85 4 Boston College D1a '08 Exton, PA

RUNNING BACKS (5)34 Mughelli, Ovie FB 6-1 250 6/10/80 9 Wake Forest UFA '07 (Bal) Boston, MA22 Rodgers, Jacquizz RB 5-6 196 2/6/90 R Oregon State D5 '11 Richmond, TX35 Smith, Antone RB 5-9 192 9/17/85 2 Florida State FA '09 Pahokee, FL44 Snelling, Jason RB 5-11 234 12/29/83 5 Virginia D7 '07 Chester, VA33 Turner, Michael RB 5-10 247 2/13/82 8 Northern Illinois UFA '08 (SD) Waukegan, IL

WIDE RECEIVERS (5)83 Douglas, Harry WR 6-0 183 9/16/84 3 Louisville D3b '08 Jonesboro, GA11 Jones, Julio WR 6-3 220 2/3/89 R Alabama D1 '11 Foley, AL80 Meier, Kerry WR 6-3 220 11/12/86 1 Kansas D5b '10 Pittsburg, KS14 Weems, Eric WR 5-9 195 7/4/85 4 Bethune-Cookman FA '07 Ormond Beach, FL84 White, Roddy WR 6-0 211 11/2/81 7 Alabama-Birmingham D1 '05 James Island, SC

TIGHT ENDS (3)89 Kelly, Reggie TE 6-4 257 2/22/77 12 Mississippi State FA '11 Aberdeen, MS88 Gonzalez, Tony TE 6-5 247 2/27/76 15 California Tr '09 (KC) Torrance, CA81 Palmer, Michael TE 6-5 252 1/18/88 2 Clemson FA '10 Stone Mountain, GA

OFFENSIVE LINE (9)72 Baker, Sam OT 6-5 301 5/30/85 4 USC D1b '08 Tustin, CA63 Blalock, Justin OG 6-4 326 12/20/83 5 Texas D2a '07 Dallas, TX77 Clabo, Tyson OT 6-6 329 10/17/81 7 Wake Forest FA '11 Knoxville, TN61 Hawley, Joe C 6-3 302 10/22/88 2 UNLV D4 '10 Yorba Linda, CA79 Johnson, Mike OG 6-6 304 4/2/87 2 Alabama D3b '10 Pensacola, FL62 McClure, Todd C 6-1 296 2/16/77 13 LSU D7a '99 Baton Rouge, LA75 Reynolds, Garrett OT 6-7 310 7/1/87 3 North Carolina D5b '09 Knoxville, TN66 Romberg, Brett C 6-2 293 10/10/79 7 Miami (Fla.) FA '11 Windsor, Canada74 Svitek, Will OT 6-6 308 1/8/82 6 Stanford FA '09 Prague, Czech Republic

DEFENSIVE LINE (10)55 Abraham, John DE 6-4 263 5/6/78 12 South Carolina Tr '06 (NYJ) Timmonsville, SC71 Biermann, Kroy DE 6-3 255 9/12/85 4 Montana D5b '08 Hardin, MT93 Edwards, Ray DE 6-5 268 1/1/85 6 Purdue FA '11 Cincinnati, OH98 Matthews, Cliff DE 6-4 268 8/5/89 R South Carolina D7b '11 Cheraw, SC90 Sidbury, Lawrence DE 6-3 261 2/6/86 3 Richmond D4 '09 Cheltenham, MD95 Babineaux, Jonathan DT 6-2 300 10/12/81 7 Iowa D2 '05 Port Arthur, TX94 Jerry, Peria DT 6-2 295 8/23/84 2 Mississippi D1 '09 Batesville, MS91 Peters, Corey DT 6-3 305 6/8/88 2 Kentucky D3a '10 Louisville, KY97 Powell, Carlton DT 6-3 312 8/14/85 1 Virginia Tech FA '11 Chesapeake, VA 99 Walker, Vance DT 6-2 304 4/26/87 3 Georgia Tech D7 '09 Fort Mill, SC

LINEBACKERS (6)59 Adkins, Spencer LB 5-11 236 5/16/87 3 Miami (Fla.) D6 '09 Naples, FL52 Dent, Akeem LB 6-1 239 9/27/87 R Georgia D3 '11 Atlanta, GA50 Lofton, Curtis LB 6-0 241 6/2/86 4 Oklahoma D2 '08 Kingfisher, OK54 Nicholas, Stephen LB 6-3 236 5/1/83 5 South Florida D4a '07 Jacksonville, FL53 Peterson, Mike LB 6-1 226 6/17/76 13 Florida UFA '09 (Jax) Gainesville, FL56 Weatherspoon, Sean LB 6-2 244 12/29/87 2 Missouri D1 '10 Jasper, TX

DEFENSIVE BACKS (10)28 DeCoud, Thomas S 6-2 192 3/19/85 4 California D3c '08 Vallejo, CA24 Franks, Dominique CB 6-0 197 10/8/87 2 Oklahoma D5a '10 Tulsa, OK20 Grimes, Brent CB 5-10 183 7/19/83 4 Shippensburg FA '07 Philadelphia, PA26 Hayden, Kelvin CB 6-0 195 7/23/83 6 Illinois FA '11 Chicago, IL25 Moore, William S 6-0 221 5/18/85 2 Missouri D2 '09 Hayti, MO21 Owens, Christopher CB 5-9 180 12/1/86 3 San Jose State D3 '09 Los Angeles, CA23 Robinson, Dunta CB 5-10 183 4/11/82 8 South Carolina FA '10 Athens, GA36 Sanders, James S 5-10 210 11/11/83 7 Fresno State FA '11 Porterville, CA39 Schillinger, Shann S 6-0 200 5/22/86 2 Montana D6 '10 Baker, MT29 Walls, Darrin CB 6-0 190 6/20/88 R Notre Dame FA '11 Pittsburgh, PA

SPECIALISTS (3)3 Bryant, Matt K 5-9 203 5/29/75 10 Baylor FA '09 Orange, TX5 Bosher, Matt K/P 6-0 208 10/18/87 R Miami (Fla.) D6 '10 Jupiter, FL

82 Zelenka, Joe LS 6-3 266 3/9/76 13 Wake Forest FA '09 Cleveland, OH

4 Wilson, John Parker QB 6-2 215 10/17/85 3 Alabama FA '09 Hoover, AL12 Cone, Kevin WR 6-2 216 3/20/88 R Georgia Tech FA '11 Stone Mountain, GA19 Davis, Drew WR 6-1 205 1/4/89 R Oregon FA '11 Denver, CO30 Bush, Rafael S 5-11 180 5/12/87 1 South Carolina State FA '10 Williston, SC51 James, Robert LB 5-11 224 12/26/83 2 Arizona State FA '10 Glendale, AZ65 Valdez, Jose OG 6-6 324 12/13/86 1 Arkansas FA '09 St. Francis, WI69 Jackson, Andrew OG 6-5 299 10/18/88 R Fresno State D7a '11 Grass Valley, CA85 Branson, Marquez TE 6-3 247 2/14/87 1 Central Arkansas FA '10 Starkville, MS

Mark Collins (Defensive Assistant), Paul Dunn (Assistant Offensive Line), Jeff Fish (Director of Athletic Performance), Ray Hamilton (Defensive Line),Tim Lewis (Secondary), AJ Neibels (Assistant Strength and Conditioning), Glenn Pires (Linebackers), Alvin Reynolds (Defensive Backs),Terry Robiskie (Wide Receivers), Chris Scelfo (Tight Ends), Eric Sutulovich (Assistant Special Teams), Glenn Thomas (Offensive Assistant),

COACHING STAFFMike Smith (Head Coach), Mike Mularkey (Offensive Coordinator), Brian VanGorder (Defensive Coordinator), Keith Armstrong (Special Teams Coordinator),Jonas Beauchemin (Assistant Strength and Conditioning), Paul Boudreau (Offensive Line), Bob Bratkowski (Quarterbacks), Gerald Brown (Running Backs),

Andrew Weidinger (Assistant to the Head Coach/Offense).

PRACTICE SQUAD

updated 9/13/2011

2011 Atlanta Falcons Transactions 

Date Position Player Transaction

January 18 TE BRANSON, Marquez Signed as Reserve/Future Free Agent

C BRUGGEMAN, Rob Signed as Reserve/Future Free Agent

WR BUCKLEY, Tim Signed as Reserve/Future Free Agent

WR HARVEY, Brandyn Signed as Reserve/Future Free Agent

DE STEPHENS, Emmanuel Signed as Reserve/Future Free Agent

WR STRICKLAND, Andy Signed as Reserve/Future Free Agent

G VALDEZ, Jose Signed as Reserve/Future Free Agent

January 25 LB JAMES, Robert Signed

February 11 LB WOODS,Bear Signed

DB PRIEST, Rafael Signed

February 14 Coach BRATKOWSKI, Bob Named Quarterbacks Coach

February 17 TE AGNONE, Robbie Signed

DT LEWIS, Trey Signed

April 28 WR JONES, Julio Drafted in the first round (6th overall)

April 29 LB DENT, Akeem Drafted in the third round (91st overall)

April 29 RB RODGERS, Jacquizz Drafted in the fifth round (145 overall)

P/K BOSHER, Matt Drafted in the sixth round (192 overall)

OG JACKSON, Andrew Drafted in the seventh round (210th overall)

DE MATTHEWS, Cliff Drafted in the seventh round (230th overall)

July 27 WR BEAUMONT, Doug Signed as a College Free Agent

DB BELGRAVE, Kirk Signed as a College Free Agent

FB COX, Lucas Signed as a College Free Agent

WR DAVIS, Drew Signed as a College Free Agent

C FENAROLI, Paul Signed as a College Free Agent

QB FROMAN, Adam Signed as a College Free Agent

WR GORE, P.J. Signed as a College Free Agent

DB HANSEN, Matt Signed as a College Free Agent

DE McCARTHY, Tom Signed as a College Free Agent

T McGILL, Rob Signed as a College Free Agent

DB McILWAIN, Kamaal Signed as a College Free Agent

C MCMAHON, Ryan Signed as a College Free Agent

FB MERROW, Thor Signed as a College Free Agent

G MURPHY, Matt Signed as a College Free Agent

LS SCHULZE, Andrew Signed as a College Free Agent

RB SYLVESTER, Philip Signed as a College Free Agent

LB THOMPSON, Lamarcus Signed as a College Free Agent

DT TRIPP, Kiante Signed as a College Free Agent

S TUIMAUNEI, Suaesi Signed as a College Free Agent

CB WALLS, Darrin Signed as a College Free Agent

TE WINTERSWYK, Ryan Signed as a College Free Agent

RB YENGA, Youri Signed as a College Free Agent

July 28 K HARFMAN, Jacob Signed as a College Free Agent

K BOSHER, Matt Signed

2011 Atlanta Falcons Transactions 

Date Position Player Transaction

July 28 OL JACKSON, Andrew Signed

DE MATTHEWS, Cliff Signed

WR JONES, Julio Signed

LB DENT, Akeem Signed

RB RODGERS, Jacquizz Signed

July 29 K BRYANT, Matt Signed

T CLABO, Tyson Signed

LB NICHOLAS, Stephen Signed

LB PETERSON, Mike Signed

DE EDWARDS, Ray Signed as a Free Agent (Min)

July 30 DT WALKER, Vance Signed Exclusive Rights Tender

WR WEEMS, Eric Signed Restricted Free Agent Tender

QB WILSON, John Parker Signed Exclusive Rights Tender

July 31 G BLALOCK, Justin Signed

August 1 TE AGNONE, Robbie Waived/Injuried

August 2 WR CONE, Kevin Signed as a College Free Agent

August 3 TE SIMMONS, A.J. Signed as a College Free Agent

August 5 OT McGILL, ROB Waived

K HARFMAN, JACOB Waived

August 7 RB SNELLING, JASON Signed

August 14 DT POWELL, Carlton Signed

August 15 TE KELLY, Reggie Signed

WR GORE, P.J. Waived

August 19 TE PEELLE, Justin Injury Settlement

August 30 WR BEAUMONT, Doug Waived

CB BELGRAVE, Kirk Waived

WR BUCKLEY, Tim Injury Settlement

LB THOMPSON, LaMarcus Waived

LB YENGA, Youri Waived

RB SYLVESTER, Philip Waived

C ROMBERG, Brett Signed

September 1 CB HAYDEN, Kelvin Signed

S SANDERS, James Signed

September 2 DE DAVIS, Chauncey Released

DT LEWIS, Trey Released

LB WIRE, Coy Released

TE BRANSON, Marquez Waived

FB COX, Lucas Waived

C FENAROLI, Paul Waived

S HANSEN, Matt Waived

WR HARVEY, Brandyn Waived

RB JOHNSON, Gartrell Waived

DE McCARTHY, Tom Waived

2011 Atlanta Falcons Transactions 

CB McILWAIN, Kamaal Waived

C McMAHON, Ryan Waived

S PRIEST, Rafael Waived

DE TRIPP, Kiante Waived

S TUIMAUNEI, Suaesi Waived

LB WOODS, Bear Waived

WR STRICKLAND, Andy Injury Settlement

September 3 C ROMBERG, Brett Released

S BUSH, Rafael Waived

WR CONE, Kevin WaivedWR DAVIS, Drew WaivedOL JACKSON, Andrew Waived

LB JAMES, Robert Waived

DE STEPHENS, Emmanuel Waived

OL VALDEZ, Jose Waived

QB WILSON, John Parker Waived

TE WINTERSWYK, Ryan Injury Settlement

September 4 S BUSH, Rafael Signed to Practice Squad

WR CONE, Kevin Signed to Practice Squad

WR DAVIS, Drew Signed to Practice Squad

OL JACKSON, Andrew Signed to Practice Squad

LB JAMES, Robert Signed to Practice Squad

OL VALDEZ, Jose Signed to Practice Squad

QB WILSON, John Parker Signed to Practice Squad

September 5 TE BRANSON, Marquez Signed to Practice Squad

September 12 C BRUGGEMAN, Rob Waived

C ROMBERG, Brett Signed

OFFENSEWR 11 Julio Jones 83 Harry Douglas 14 Eric Weems

LT 72 Sam Baker 74 Will Svitek

LG 63 Justin Blalock

C 62 Todd McClure 61 Joe Hawley 66 Brett Romberg

RG 75 Garrett Reynolds 79 Mike Johnson

RT 77 Tyson Clabo 74 Will Svitek

TE 88 Tony Gonzalez 89 Reggie Kelly 81 Michael Palmer

WR 84 Roddy White 80 Kerry Meier

QB 2 Matt Ryan 8 Chris Redman

RB 33 Michael Turner 44 Jason Snelling 22 Jacquizz Rodgers 35 Antone Smith

FB 34 Ovie Mughelli

DEFENSERE 55 John Abraham 90 Lawrence Sidbury 98 Cliff Matthews

DT 91 Corey Peters 99 Vance Walker 97 Carlton Powell

DT 95 Jonathan Babineaux 94 Peria Jerry

LE 93 Ray Edwards 71 Kroy Biermann

OLB 56 Sean Weatherspoon 59 Spencer Adkins

MLB 50 Curtis Lofton 52 Akeem Dent

OLB 54 Stephen Nicholas 53 Mike Peterson

RCB 23 Dunta Robinson 21 Chris Owens 26 Kelvin Hayden

LCB 20 Brent Grimes 24 Dominique Franks 29 Darrin Walls

S 25 William Moore 36 James Sanders

S 28 Thomas DeCoud 39 Shann Schillinger

SPECIALISTSK 3 Matt Bryant

KO 5 Matt Bosher

P 5 Matt Bosher

KR 14 Eric Weems 24 Dominique Franks

PR 14 Eric Weems 24 Dominique Franks

LS 82 Joe Zelenka

H 5 Matt Bosher 80 Kerry Meier

Kroy Biermann................................................................ BeermanThomas DeCoud........................................................... DAY-CooPeria Jerry........................................................................... Pur-rayOvie Mughelli........................................ OH-vee Mah-HAY-leeJacquizz Rodgers.............................................................. JA-quizDunta Robinson............................................................... Don-tayWill Svitek...................................................................... Svee-techJoe Zelenka................................................................... ze-link-Ah

PRONUNCIATION GUIDEPRONUNCIATION GUIDE

UNOFFICIAL DEPTH CHART

Atlanta Falcons / Week 1 / Through Sunday, September 11, 2011 / Regular Season

Won 0, Lost 1

9/11/2011 L 12- 30 at Chicago Bears

Atlanta OpponentTotal First Downs 20 17Rushing 3 4Passing 14 11Penalty 3 23rd Down: Made/Att 4/13 6/163rd Down Pct. 30.8% 37.5%4th Down: Made/Att 0/1 0/04th Down Pct. 0.0% 0.0Possession Avg. 26:41 33:19Total Net Yards 386 377Avg. Per Game 386.0 377.0Total Plays 66 64Avg. Per Play 5.8 5.9Net Yards Rushing 110 88Avg. Per Game 110.0 88.0Total Rushes 14 27Net Yards Passing 276 289Avg. Per Game 276.0 289.0Sacked/Yards Lost 5/43 5/23Gross Yards 319 312Attempts/Completions 47/31 32/22Completion Pct. 66.0% 68.8%Had Intercepted 1 1Punts/Average 5/38.4 6/48.0Net Punting Avg. 35.6 46.3Penalties/Yards 9/65 8/56Fumbles/Ball Lost 2/2 3/0Touchdowns 1 3Rushing 0 0Passing 0 2Returns 1 1

Score By Periods Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT PtsTeam 3 0 3 6 0 12Opponents 10 6 14 0 0 30

Scoring TD Ru Pa Rt PAT FG 2Pt PtsM.Bryant 0 0 0 0 0/0 2/2 0 6K.Biermann 1 0 0 1 0/0 0/0 0 6Team 1 0 0 1 0/0 2/2 0 12Opponents 3 0 2 1 3/3 3/3 0 302-Pt. Conversions: Team 0/ 1, Opponents: 0/ 0Sacks: J.Abraham 2.0, K.Biermann 1.0, L.Sidbury 1.0 Team: 4.0, Opponents: 5.0

Rushing No. Yds Avg Long TDM.Turner 10 100 10.0 53 0J.Snelling 2 10 5.0 9 0J.Rodgers 2 0 0.0 2 0M.Ryan 0 0 0 0 0Team 14 110 7.9 53 0Opponents 27 88 3.3 27 0

Receiving No. Yds Avg Long TDR.White 8 61 7.6 14 0T.Gonzalez 5 72 14.4 30 0J.Jones 5 71 14.2 32 0J.Snelling 5 32 6.4 10 0M.Turner 3 40 13.3 20 0J.Rodgers 3 33 11.0 15 0H.Douglas 2 10 5.0 7 0Team 31 319 10.3 32 0Opponents 22 312 14.2 56t 2

Interceptions No. Yds Avg Long TDK.Biermann 1 50 50.0 50t 1Team 1 50 50.0 50t 1Opponents 1 -1 -1.0 -1 0

Punting No Yds Avg Net TB In Lg BM.Bosher 5 192 38.4 35.6 0 2 45 0Team 5 192 38.4 35.6 0 2 45 0Opponents 6 288 48.0 46.3 0 1 57 0

Punt Returns Ret FC Yds Avg Long TDE.Weems 3 1 10 3.3 8 0Team 3 1 10 3.3 8 0Opponents 1 2 14 14.0 14 0

Kickoff Returns No. Yds Avg Long TDE.Weems 2 33 16.5 20 0Team 2 33 16.5 20 0Opponents 3 53 17.7 23 0

Field Goals 1-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50+M.Bryant 0/ 0 1/ 1 0/ 0 1/ 1 0/ 0Team 0/ 0 1/ 1 0/ 0 1/ 1 0/ 0Opponents 0/ 0 2/ 2 0/ 0 1/ 1 0/ 0

Fumbles Lost: M.Turner 1, M.Ryan 1 Total: 2Opponent Fumble Recoveries

Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Yds/Att TD TD% Int Int% Long Sack Lost RatingM.Ryan 47 31 319 66.0% 6.8 0 0.0% 1 2.1% 32 5/ 43 76.5Team 47 31 319 66.0% 6.8 0 0.0% 1 2.1% 32 5/ 43 76.5Opponents 32 22 312 68.8% 9.8 2 6.3% 1 3.1% 56t 5/ 23 107.8

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2011 ATLANTA FALCONS

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2011 ATLANTA FALCONS

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONS

Sacks: J.Abraham 2.0, K. Biermann 1.0, L. Sidbury 1.0, Team: 4.0, Opponents: 5.0 2-Pt. Conversions: Team 0/0, Opponents: 0/0Fumbles Lost: M.Ryan 1, M.Turner 1, Total: 2 Opponent Fumble Recoveries: Total: 0

2011 ATL OPPTOTAL FIRST DOWNS 20 17

Rushing 3 4

Passing 14 11

Penalty 3 2

3rd Down: Made/Att 4/13 6/16

3rd Down Pct. 30.8 37.5

4th Down: Made/Att 0/1 0/0

4th Down Pct. 0.0 0.0

POSSESSION AVG. 26:41 33:19

TOTAL NET YARDS 386 377

Avg. Per Game 386.0 377.0

Total Plays 66 64

Avg. Per Play 5.8 5.9

NET YARDS RUSHING 110 88

Avg. Per Game 110.0 88.0

Total Rushes 14 27

NET YARDS PASSING 276 289

Avg. Per Game 276.0 289.0

Sacked/Yards Lost 5/43 5/23

Gross Yards 319 312

Att./Completions 47/31 32/22

SCORE/QTR Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT PTSTeam 3 0 3 6 0 12

Opponents 10 6 14 0 0 30

SCORING TD Ru Pa RT PAT FG 2 TPM.Bryant 0 0 0 0 0/0 2/2 0 6

K. Biermann 1 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0 6

Team 1 0 0 1 0/0 0/0 0 12

Opponents 3 0 2 1 3/3 3/3 0 30

PASSING ATT CMP YDS CP% YD/AT TD TD% INT INT% LG SK/YDS RTGRyan 47 31 319 66.0 6.8 0 0.0 1 2.1 32 5/43 76.5

Team 47 31 319 66.0 6.8 0 0.0 1 2.1 32 5/43 76.5

Opponents 32 22 312 68.8 9.8 2 6.3 1 3.1 56t 5/23 107.8

PUNTING NO YDS AVG NET TB I20 LG BBosher 5 192 38.4 35.6 0 2 45 0

Team 5 192 38.4 35.6 0 2 45 0

Opponents 6 288 48.0 46.3 0 1 57 0

RUSHING NO YDS AVG LG TDTurner 10 100 10.0 53 0

Snelling 2 10 5.0 9 0

Rodgers 2 0 0.0 2 0

Ryan 0 0 0.0 0 0

Team 14 110 7.9 53 0

Opponents 27 88 3.3 27 0

INT’S NO YDS AVG LG TD

Biermann 1 50 50.0 50t 1

Team 1 50 50.0 50t 1

Opponents 1 -1 -1.0 -1 0

KICK RET NO YDS AVG LG TDWeems 2 33 16.5 20 0

Team 2 33 16.5 20 0

Opponents 3 53 17.7 23 0

RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TDWhite 8 61 7.6 14 0

Gonzalez 5 72 14.4 30 0

Jones 5 71 14.2 32 0

Snelling 5 32 6.4 10 0

Turner 3 40 13.3 20 0

Rodgers 3 33 11.0 15 0

Douglas 2 10 5.0 7 0

Team 31 319 10.3 32 0

Opponents 22 312 14.2 56t 2

FG’S 1–19 20–29 30–39 40–49 50+Bryant 0/0 1/1 0/0 1/1 0/0

Team 0/0 1/1 0/0 1/1 0/0

Opponents 0/0 2/2 0/0 1/1 0/0

DATE ATL OPP

20119/11 @CHI 12 30 L 62,115

9/18 PHI

9/25 @TB

10/2 @SEA

10/9 GB

10/16 CAR

10/23 @DET

11/6 @IND

11/13 NO

11/20 TEN

11/27 MIN

12/4 @HOU

12/11 @CAR

12/15 JAX

12/26 @NO

1/1 TB

Coach: Mike Smith(0-1) 1st NFC SOUTH

RECORDS & RESULTS - TEAM RECORDSRECORDS & RESULTS - TEAM RECORDS - TEAM RECORDS

PUNT RET RET FC YDS AVG LG TDWeems 3 1 10 3.3 8 0

Team 3 1 10 3.3 8 0

Opponents 1 2 14 14.0 14 0

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2011 ATLANTA FALCONS

DEFENSIVE TACKLES T A TOTAL TACKLESCurtis Lofton 8 5 13

Sean Weatherspoon 9 3 12

Thomas DeCoud 8 4 12

Dunta Robinson 5 0 5

Stephen Nicholas 3 1 4

William Moore 2 2 4

Kroy Biermann 0 3 3

Chris Owens 2 0 2

Lawrence Sidbury 2 0 2

Vance Walker 1 1 2

Peria Jerry 0 2 2

Jonathan Babineaux 1 0 1

Ray Edwards 1 0 1

Total 42 21 63

QUARTERBACK SACKS SACKS

INTERCEPTIONS INTsKroy Biermann 1

Total 1

DEFENSIVE FORCED FUMBLES FF

Total 0

Mike Peterson 2

Jonathan Babineaux 1

Chauncey Davis 1

William Moore 1

Dunta Robinson 1

Total 6

RECORDS & RESULTS - TEAM RECORDS

John Abraham 2.0

Kroy Biermann 1.0

Lawrence Sidbury 1.0

Total 4.0

RECORDS & RESULTS - TEAM RECORDSRECORDS & RESULTS - TEAM RECORDS

DEFENSIVE FUMBLE RECOVERIES FR

Total 0

PASSESS DEFENSED PDBrent Grimes 3

Sean Weatherspoon 1

John Abraham 1

Kroy Biermann 1

Total 6

SPECIAL TEAMS TACKLES T A TOTAL TACKLESKroy Biermann 1 0 1

Jason Snelling 1 0 1

Ovie Mughelli 1 0 1

Shann Schillinger 1 0 1

Total 4 0 4

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2011 ATLANTA FALCONS

GAME 1SOLDIER FIELD, CHICAGO, IL

30-12

Bears 1 9:58 R. Gould 41 yd. Field Goal (10-54, 5:02) 0 3Falcons 1 5:24 M. Bryant 48 yd. Field Goal (10-50, 4:34) 3 3Bears 1 1:10 M. Forte 56 yd. pass from J. Cutler (R. Gould kick) (3-72,1:32) 3 10Bears 2 8:42 R. Gould 23 yd. Field Goal (7-25, 3:43) 3 13Bears 2 0:55 R. Gould 26 yd. Field Goal (14-72, 5:19) 3 16Falcons 3 10:13 M. Bryant 25 yd. Field Goal (11-87, 4:47) 6 16Bears 3 6:55 M. Spaeth 1 yd. pass from J. Cutler (R. Gould kick) (7-92,3:18) 6 23Bears 3 5:58 B. Urlacher 12 yd. fumble return (R. Gould kick) 6 30Falcons 4 10:23 K. Biermann 50 yd. interception return (run failed) 12 30

TEAM QTR TIME SCORING PLAY ATL CHI

SCORING DRIVE

PASSING ATT CP YD SK TD LG INT RT

CHICAGO BEARS

J. Cutler 32 22 312 4/21 2 56T 1 107.8 TOTAL 32 22 312 4/21 2 56T 1 107.8

RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TD

M. Forte 5 90 18.0 56T 1R. Williams 4 55 13.8 23 0D. Hester 3 60 20.0 53 0J. Knox 3 60 20.0 25 0K. Davis 2 23 11.5 12 0E. Bennett 2 11 5.5 6 0M. Spaeth 2 7 3.5 6 0D. Sanzenbacher 1 6 6.0 6 0TOTAL 22 312 14.2 56 2

RUSHING ATT YDS AVG LG TD

M. Forte 16 68 4.3 27 0K. Bell 10 24 2.4 6 0D. Sanzenbacher 1 -4 -4.0 -4 0TOTAL 27 88 3.3 27 0

RECORDS & RESULTS - GAME-BY-GAME STATS

PASSING ATT CP YD SK TD LG INT RT

ATLANTA FALCONS

M. Ryan 47 31 319 5/43 0 32 1 76.5TOTAL 47 31 319 5/43 0 32 1 76.5

RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TD

R.White 8 61 7.6 14 0T. Gonzalez 5 72 14.4 30 0J. Jones 5 71 14.2 32 0J. Snelling 5 32 6.4 10 0M. Turner 3 40 13.3 20 0J. Rodgers 3 33 11.0 15 0H. Douglas 2 10 5.0 7 0TOTAL 31 319 10.3 32 0

RUSHING ATT YDS AVG LG TD

M.Turner 10 100 10.0 53 0J. Snelling 2 10 5.0 9 0J. Rodgers 2 0 0.0 2 0TOTAL 14 110 7.9 53 0

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONS

55 Abraham, J. RE 1 1 0 059 Adkins, S. IA 0 0 0 195 Babineaux, J. DT 1 1 0 072 Baker, S. LT 1 1 0 071 Biermann, K. P 1 0 0 063 Blalock, J. LG 1 1 0 05 Bosher, M. P 1 0 0 067 Bruggeman, R. P 1 0 0 03 Bryant, M. P 1 0 0 077 Clabo, T. RT 1 1 0 028 DeCoud, T. S 1 1 0 052 Dent, A. P 1 0 0 083 Douglas, H. P 1 0 0 093 Edwards, R. LE 1 1 0 024 Franks, D. DNP 0 0 1 088 Gonzalez, T. TE 1 1 0 020 Grimes, B. CB 1 1 0 026 Hayden, K. DNP 0 0 1 061 Hawley, J. C 1 1 0 094 Jerry, P. DT 1 1 0 079 Johnson, M. IA 0 0 0 111 Jones, J. WR 1 1 0 089 Kelly, R. P 1 0 0 050 Lofton, C. MLB 1 1 0 098 Matthews, C. IA 0 0 0 162 McClure, T. IA 0 0 0 180 Meier, K. P 1 0 0 025 Moore, W. S 1 1 0 034 Mughelli, O. P 1 0 0 054 Nicholas, S. OLB 1 1 0 021 Owens, C. P 1 0 0 081 Palmer, M. TE 1 1 0 091 Peters, C. IA 0 0 0 153 Peterson, M. P 1 0 0 097 Powell, C. P 1 0 0 08 Redman, C. DNP 0 0 1 075 Reynolds, G. RG 1 1 0 023 Robinson, D. CB 1 1 0 022 Rodgers, J. P 1 0 0 02 Ryan, M. QB 1 1 0 036 Sanders, J. P 1 0 0 039 Schillinger, S. P 1 0 0 090 Sidbury, L. P 1 0 0 035 Smith, A. IA 0 0 0 144 Snelling, J. P 1 0 0 074 Svitek, W. P 1 0 0 033 Turner, M. RB 1 1 0 099 Walker, V. P 1 0 0 029 Walls, D. IA 0 0 0 156 Weatherspoon, S. OLB 1 1 0 014 Weems, E. P 1 0 0 084 White, R. WR 1 1 0 082 Zelenka, J. P 1 0 0 0

Play

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@CH

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CAR

@D

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@IN

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TEN

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PL

S DN

P

IA

KEY: Position - start, P - played, IA - inactive, DNP - did not play, IR - injured reserve, SP - suspended by NFL

PLAYER PARTICIPATION

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONS

OFFENSE WR LT LG C RG RT TE WR QB RB FB

9/11 @CHI R. White S. Baker J. Blalock J. Hawley G. Reynolds T. Clabo T. Gonzalez J. Jones M. Ryan M. Turner M. Palmer (TE)

9/18 PHI

9/25 @TB

10/2 @SEA

10/9 GB

10/16 CAR

10/23 @DET

11/6 @IND

11/13 NO

11/20 TEN

11/27 MIN

12/4 @HOU

12/112 @CAR

12/15 JAX

12/26 @NO

1/1 TB

DEFENSE LE DT DT RE OLB MLB OLB LCB RCB FS SS

9/11 @CHI R. Edwards J. Babineaux P. Jerry J. Abraham S. Nicholas C. Lofton S. Weatherspoon B. Grimes D. Robinson W. Moore T. DeCoud

9/18 PHI

9/25 @TB

10/2 @SEA

10/9 GB

10/16 CAR

10/23 @DET

11/6 @IND

11/13 NO

11/20 TEN

11/27 MIN

12/4 @HOU

12/11 @CAR

12/15 JAX

12/26 @NO

1/1 TB

OFFENSIVE & DEFENSIVE STARTERS

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONS

1ST DOWNS 3RD D. TOT. OFF. RUSH. PASSING PENAL. FUM. PUNT.

T R P PN PCT. PLAYS YDS ATT YDS NET SCK GROSS ATT-CP-TD-INT NO-YDS NO-LST NO-AVG T.O.P

@CHI 20 3 14 3 31.0 66 386 14 110 276 5/43 319 47-31-0-1 9-65 2-2 5-38.4 26:41

PHI

@TB

@SEA

GB

CAR

@DET

@IND

NO

TEN

MIN

@HOU

@CAR

JAX

@NO

TB

OFFENSE

1ST DOWNS 3RD D. TOT. OFF. RUSH. PASSING PENAL. FUM. PUNT.

T R P PN PCT. PLAYS YDS ATT YDS NET SCK GROSS ATT-CP-TD-INT NO-YDS NO-LST NO-AVG T.O.P

@CHI 17 4 11 2 38.0 64 377 27 88 289 4/21 312 32-22-2-1 8-56 3-0 6-48.0 33:19

PHI

@TB

@SEA

GB

CAR

@DET

@IND

NO

TEN

MIN

@HOU

@CAR

JAX

@NO

TB

DEFENSE

TEAM - GAME-BY-GAME STATS

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONS

MATT RYANATT CMP CMP% GROSS NET LG TD INT RATE

47 31 66.0 319 276 32 0 1 76.5

47 31 66.0 319 276 32 0 1 76.5

PASSINGGAME ATL OPP

@CHI 12 30

PHI

@TB

@SEA

GB

CAR

@DET

@IND

NO

TEN

MIN

@HOU

@CAR

JAX

@NO

TB

Totals 12 30

CHRIS REDMANATT CMP CMP% GROSS NET LG TD INT RATE

DID NOT PLAY

PASSING - GAME-BY-GAME STATS

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONS

HARRY DOUGLASREC YDS AVG LG TD

2 10 5.0 7 0

2 10 5.0 7 0

RECEIVINGGAME ATL OPP

@CHI 12 30

PHI

@TB

@SEA

GB

CAR

@DET

@IND

NO

TEN

MIN

@HOU

@CAR

JAX

@NO

TB

Totals 12 30

TONY GONZALEZREC YDS AVG LG TD

5 72 14.4 30 0

5 72 14.4 30 0

JACQUIZZ RODGERSREC YDS AVG LG TD

3 33 11.0 15 0

3 33 11.0 15 0

JULIO JONESREC YDS AVG LG TD

5 71 14.2 32 0

5 71 14.2 32 0

JASON SNELLING

REC YDS AVG LG TD

5 32 6.4 10 0

5 32 6.4 10 0

RECEIVINGGAME ATL OPP

@CHI 12 30

PHI

@TB

@SEA

GB

CAR

@DET

@IND

NO

TEN

MIN

@HOU

@CAR

JAX

@NO

TB

Totals 12 30

MICHAEL TURNERREC YDS AVG LG TD

3 40 13.3 20 0

3 40 13.3 20 0

RODDY WHITEREC YDS AVG LG TD

8 61 7.6 14 0

8 61 7.6 14 0

RECEIVING - GAME-BY-GAME STATS

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSRUSHING - GAME-BY-GAME STATS

JACQUIZZ RODGERS

ATT YDS AVG LG TD

2 0 0.0 2 0

2 0 0.0 2 0

RUSHINGGAME ATL OPP

@CHI 12 30

PHI

@TB

@SEA

GB

CAR

@DET

@IND

NO

TEN

MIN

@HOU

@CAR

JAX

@NO

TB

Totals 12 30

JASON SNELLINGATT YDS AVG LG TD

2 10 5.0 9 0

2 10 5.0 9 0

MICHAEL TURNERATT YDS AVG LG TD

10 100 10.0 53 0

10 100 10.0 53 0

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONS

Additional Statistics -

RUSHING - GAME-BY-GAME STATS

Play

er

@CH

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PHI

@T

B

@SE

A

GB

CAR

@D

ET

@IN

D

NO

TEN

MIN

@H

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@N

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Play

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PHI

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SACKS 9/11 9/18 9/25 10/2 10/9 10/16 10/23 11/6 11/13 11/20 11/27 12/4 12/11 12/15 12/26 1/1 Total

J. Abraham 2/12 2/12L. Sidbury 1/2 1/2K. Biermann 1/7 1/7Team Totals 4/21 4/21

INT’S 9/11 9/18 9/25 10/2 10/9 10/16 10/23 11/6 11/13 11/20 11/27 12/4 12/11 12/15 12/26 1/1 Total

K. Biermann 1/50 1/50 Team Totals 1/50 1/50

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Originally selected as a fi rst round (13th pick over-

all) draft choice by the New York Jets in the 2000 NFL Draft, which was acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay. In exchange for WR Keyshawn John-son, the Jets obtained fi rst round draft choices #13 and #27 (TE Anthony Becht). Abraham was the third linebacker taken overall in 2000 (following Washington’s selection of LaVar Arrington and Chicago’s pick of Brian Urlacher).

• Traded to the Falcons in exchange for Atlanta’s 2006 fi rst round pick (#29), which was acquired from Denver.

2011 (FALCONS)• Registered four tackles and two sacks (12 yards)

vs. Chicago (9/11). His two sacks represented the 25th multi-sack game of his career.

EXTRA POINTS• Regularly donates to Atlanta’s Hosea Feed the Hun-

gry event during the Thanksgiving holidays. His contributions help feed hundreds of Atlanta’s less fortunate during annual holiday event.

• Participated in the Extra Yard partnership pro-gram and purchased 40 season tickets and t-shirts for the Ultimate Athletic Association, a local youth football and recreation association located in East Point, GA.

• Regularly donates to the Atlanta After School

55JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHNNNNNNNNNNNN AAAAAAAAAAAABBBBBBBBBBBBRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMMDEFENSIVE END

HT: 6’ 4” WT: 263 NFL EXP: 12 ACQ: TR-‘06 (NYJ) 6TH YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 5/6/78 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

PRO BOWL YEARS2010, 2004, 2002, 2001

DATE OPP TK SO SK YDS INT YDS FF FR PD

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 4 4 2.0 12.0 0 0 0 0 1

9/18 PHI - - -.- -.- - - - - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/9 GB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/13 NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

1/1 TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

TOTALS 4 4 2.0 12.0 0 0 0 0 1

CAREER 522 381 104.5 649.0 1 0 34 5 18

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a sixth round (176th pick overall) draft

choice by Atlanta in 2009.

2011 (FALCONS)• Was inactive for week one vs. Chicago (9/11).

COLLEGE• In 31 career games at the University of Miami, to-

taled 72 tackles (42 solo), 10 tackles for loss, fi ve sacks and one interception.

• Finished with a career-high 52 tackles while adding one sack, one pass defensed and one interception during his junior season (2007).

PERSONAL• Attended Naples High School and was one of the

top defensive prospects in the state.

• As a senior in 2004, made 11 sacks (four in one game and 19 tackles for loss.

• Rated as the No. 7 outside linebacker in the nation and No. 87 in the nation regardless of position by Rivals.com.

EXTRA POINTS• Participated in several Falcons community rela-

tions initiatives throughout the 2010 year, includ-ing, Play 60 events at area schools and Boys & Girls Clubs, and a visit to the Georgia Aquarium for fi sh arts & crafts with disabled children from Chal-lenged Child & Friends in Gainesville.

YEAR GP/GS TK SO AST SK YDS INT YDS LG TD PD FF FR YDS TD

Adkins’ Career Defensive Statistics

2009 ATL 5/0 0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2010 ATL 9/0 0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0TOTAL 14/0 0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

59SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSLINEBACKER

HT: 5’ 11” WT: 236 NFL EXP: 3 ACQ: D6–‘09 3RD YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 5/16/87 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI (FLA)

DATE OPP TK SO SK YDS INT YDS FF FR PD

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI - - -.- -.- - - - - -

9/18 PHI - - -.- -.- - - - - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/9 GB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/13 NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

1/1 TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

TOTALS - - -.- -.- - - - - -

CAREER 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a second round (59th pick overall)

draft choice by Atlanta in 2005.

2011 (FALCONS)• Recorded one tackle in week one vs. Chicago

(9/11).

EXTRA POINTS• Has own charitable foundation, the Babineaux

Brothers Foundation and hosts an annual golf tournament in his hometown of Port Arthur, TX to benefi t the foundation.

• Participated in the Extra Yard partnership pro-gram and purchased 40 season tickets and t-shirts for various charities in metro Atlanta.

• In October 2010, attended the Falcons 2nd an-nual Dazzle and Dine event at Wildfi re Grill in Atlanta. This event provides a special dinner for breast cancer survivors and their guests as they are given the opportunity to enjoy a special meal alongside several Falcons players. The ladies are also treated to a special pampering day at Jamison Shaw Hairdressers in Atlanta.

• Participated in the Extra Yard partnership pro-gram and purchased 40 season tickets and t-shirts for various charities in metro Atlanta.

• During the 2010 holiday season, Babineaux cre-ated holiday cookies and distributed gifts to pre-schoolers from one of Easter Seals North Geor-gia’s Early Education Centers.

95JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNN BBBBBBBBBBBBBBAAAAAAAAAAAAAABBBBBBBBBBBBBBIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUXXXXXXXXXXXXXXDEFENSIVE TACKLE

HT: 6’ 2” WT: 300 NFL EXP: 7 ACQ: D2-’05 7TH YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 10/12/81 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF IOWA

DATE OPP TK SO SK YDS INT YDS FF FR PD

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 1 1 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- -.- - - - - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/9 GB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/13 NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

1/1 TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

TOTALS 1 1 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

CAREER 255 180 18.0 165.0 2 6 12 7 7

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Originally selected as a fi rst round (21st pick

overall) draft choice by Atlanta in 2008.

CAREER• In his rookie season, paved the way for the

Falcons to fi nish second in the NFL in rushing, averaging 152.7 yards per game.

2011 (FALCONS)• Started his 36th career game at left tackle vs.

Chicago (9/11).

COLLEGE• All-America fi rst-team selection by the Walter

Camp Football Foundation, adding second-team accolades from the Associated Press, College Football News and Sports Illustrated as a senior.

• A unanimous All-Pac 10 Conference fi rst-team choice and was named the team’s Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2007.

• A semi-fi nalist for the Lombardi Award as a senior.

• Selected as the team’s Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2004.

PERSONAL• Attended Tustin High School (California) and

earned Super Prep, Prep Star, Student Sports and Tom Lemming Prep Football Report All-America fi rst-team honors.

• Named to the Prep Star Top 100 Dream Team, The Sporting News Hot 100 and Tom Lemming’s Top 100.

• Was an Orange County Register All-Orange County fi rst-team pick as a senior offensive and defensive lineman in 2002.

• He and his wife Antoinette live with their two dogs, Floyd and Rojo.

EXTRA POINTS• A breast cancer awareness advocate, He and

his wife serve on the board of directors for It’s A Journey Inc.

2011 2010 2009 2008

ATL ATL ATL ATL

Baker’s Career Games Played/Started

1/1 16/16 14/14 8/5TOTAL 39/36

2008 2010

ATL ATL

Baker’s Career Postseason Games Played/Started

1/0 1/0TOTAL 1/0

72SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROFFENSIVE TACKLE

HT: 6’ 5” WT: 301 NFL EXP: 4 ACQ: D1B-‘08 4TH YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 5/30/85 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a fi fth round (154th pick overall) draft

choice by Atlanta in 2008.

CAREER• In his fi rst three seasons in Atlanta, has totaled

97 tackles (81 solo), 11.0 sacks, one forced fum-ble, one fumble recovery and one interception.

• Ranked third on the Falcons in sacks with 5.0 in 2009.

• Recorded his fi rst career touchdown on a fumble recovery against New Orleans on November 2, 2009.

2011 (FALCONS)• Intercepted a pass and returned it 50-yards for a touchdown, while also posting two tackles (one solo) and a sack (seven yards) vs. Chicago (9/11).

EXTRA POINTS• Was awarded the Atlanta Falcons Community

All-Star, sponsored by AllState, for the month of December 2010. Recognized at the inaugural Community Honors dinner presented by All-State at the 191 club in downtown Atlanta.

• Participated in a number of Falcons Community Relations initiatives throughout the 2010 year, including the Alzheimer Association Georgia chapter’s Dancing with the Stars event, the Falcons second annual Dazzle & Dine event to benefi t breast cancer survivors at Wildfi re Grill in Atlanta, autograph signings, school visits and serving a Thanksgiving meal to Atlanta’s less for-tunate at Crossroads Community Ministry

• In December 2010, the Falcons defensive line

71KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNDEFENSIVE END

HT: 6’ 3” WT: 255 NFL EXP: 4 ACQ: D5B - ’08 4TH YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 9/12/85 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA

DATE OPP TK SO SK YDS INT YDS FF FR PD

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 2 1 1.0 7.0 1 50 0 0 1

9/18 PHI - - -.- -.- - - - - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/9 GB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/13 NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

1/1 TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

TOTALS 2 1 1.0 7.0 1 50 0 0 1

CAREER 99 82 11.0 68.0 2 81 1 1 3

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Originally selected as a second round (39th pick

overall) draft choice by Atlanta in 2007.

• Signed by the Falcons as a free agent on July 31, 2011.

2011(FALCONS)• Started at left guard and was part of a unit who

protected for QB Matt Ryan, who threw for 319 yards vs. Chicago (9/11).

CAREER• In his fi rst four seasons, has started in all 62 con-

tests he has participated in.

• For the fi rst time in four years, was one of three Falcons rookies to start in the season opener and one of two Atlanta rookies to start on the offen-sive line, which ranked second to the Baltimore Ravens in 2007.

2010 (FALCONS)• Started all 16 games at left guard and opened

holes for a Falcons rushing attack that averaged 118.2 yards per game.

• Member of an offensive line that produced 165 total rushing yards at Cleveland (10/10), includ-

ing 140 by RB Michael Turner.

COLLEGE• A unanimous All-America and All-Big 12

Conference fi rst-team selection at Texas as a senior.

• Finalist for the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy.

• Member of the Longhorns National Champion-ship team of 2006.

• Earned All-Big 12 Conference fi rst-team honors from the Associated Press as a junior.

• Named fi rst-team Freshman All-America by the Football Writers Association of America and The Sporting News after his freshman redshirt season.

PERSONAL

• Three-year starter at offensive guard and earned fi rst-team All-America honors from USA Today as a senior, and was also a fi rst-team All-State Class 5A, all-area and all-district selection.

• One of fi ve fi nalists for the 2002 Watkins Award, which is presented to the nation’s top African-American high school scholar-athlete.

2011 2010 2009 2008 2007

ATL ATL ATL ATL ATL

Blalock’s Career Games Played/Started

1/1 16/16 16/16 16/16 14/14TOTAL 63/63

2010 2008

ATL ATL

Blalock’s Career Postseason Games Played/Started

1/1 1/1TOTAL 2/2

63JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKOFFENSIVE GUARD

HT: 6’ 4” WT: 326 NFL EXP: 5 ACQ: D2A - ’07 5TH YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 12/20/83 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Was signed as a free agent by the New York Gi-

ants in 2002 and was allocated to NFL Europa.

• Was released by the Giants in 2004 and com-peted in four games between the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins.

• Signed by Tampa Bay as a free agent on March 2, 2005.

• Released by the Buccaneers on September 5, 2009 and competed with the Florida Tuskers of the UFL.

• Signed by the Falcons as a free agent on December 1, 2009.

• Signed by the Falcons as a free agent on July 29, 2011.

2011 (FALCONS)• Recorded six points after converting on fi eld

goals of 48 and 25 yards against Chicago (9/11).

CAREER• In 115 career games, has converted 173 of 209

fi eld goals, a long kick of 62 yards and 235 of 239 PATs for a total of 754 career points.

• Kicked the second-longest game-winning fi eld goal in NFL history after splitting the uprights on a 62-yarder against Philadelphia in 2006.

• Has earned NFC Player of the Week honors six times (twice with the Buccaneers, the New York Giants and Falcons), including two times in 2010, and player of the month honors once during his career.

• Has made 12 game-winning fi eld goals in his ca-reer, including three during the 2010 season and seven as a member of the Buccaneers.

2010 (FALCONS)• Earned NFC Player of the Week twice during the

2010 season and his 90.0 fi eld goal percentage (28-of-31) ranked fi fth in the NFL.

• Recorded 11 points against Arizona (9/19) after con-verting two fi eld goals and a season-high fi ve PATs.

• Logged a season-high 14 points at St. Louis (11/21), including connecting on a season-best four fi eld goals and two PATs.

• Logged nine points, including a game-winning 46-yard fi eld goal at New Orleans (9/26) to give At-lanta its fi rst win at the Superdome since 2002.

• Connected on a 43-yard fi eld goal with just two seconds remaining to lif the Falcons to victory over the 49ers (10/3).

• Hit a game-winning 47-yard fi eld goal against the Green Bay Packers (11/28), marking his third game-winning fi eld goal of the season and the 12th of his career.

COLLEGE• A graduate of Baylor University, ranks seventh on

the school’s all-time scoring list with 105 points (21 fi eld goals and 42 extra points).

• His 21 fi eld goals place him fi fth in Bears history while his 42 of 42 PATs set the school record with a 100 percent success rate.

• Attended Trinity Valley Junior College for two years and was twice named a junior college All-America selection.

PERSONAL• Attended Bridge City High School in Texas where

his 52-yard fi eld goal is still the school record.

• Following the 2008 season, was honored by the PFWA with the Halas Award which goest to the

3MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTKICKER

HT: 5’ 9” WT: 203 NFL EXP: 10 ACQ: FA–‘09 3RD YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 5/29/75 COLLEGE: BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Originally signed by the Denver as an undrafted

rookie free agent on April 26, 2004. Waived by the Broncos on September 5. Signed by the New York Giants practice squad on September 7. Released from the Giants practice squad on September 21. Signed to the San Diego practice squad on October 5. Released by the Chargers on October 11. Signed by the Broncos on December 21.

• Allocated to the Hamburg Sea Devils of NFL Euro-pa. Waived by the Denver on September 3, 2005.

• Signed to the Falcons practice squad on Septem-ber 21, 2005 and was re-signed by the Falcons on January 2, 2006.

• Signed by the Falcons as a free agent on July 29, 2011.

2011 (FALCONS)• Started at right tackle against Chicago (9/11) and

was part of an offensive line that protected for QB Matt Ryan, who threw for 319 yards.

CAREER• A versatile lineman that has seen extensive

action in his fi ve years with the Falcons, starting 69 career games.

2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004

ATL ATL ATL ATL ATL ATL ATL DEN

Clabo’s Career Games Played/Started

1/1 16/16 16/16 16/16 11/11 10/10 0/0 0/0TOTAL 70/70

2010 2008

ATL ATL

Clabo’s Career Postseason Games Played/Started

1/1 1/1TOTAL 2/2

• Named to his fi rst Pro Bowl in 2010.

2010 (FALCONS)• Started at right tackle in all 16 contests and was

part of an offensive line that guided a Falcons rushing attack to a 118.2 yards per game average.

• Part of an offensive line that allowed an NFC low 23 sacks as QB Matt Ryan threw for a career-high 28 touchdown passes and 3,705 yards.

COLLEGE• Started the fi nal 36 games of his college career

and a total of 37 contests of 47 games played at Wake Forest. Earned fi rst-team All-Atlantic Conference honors as a senior.

• Started all 13 games as a junior and moved to left guard after playing tackle in 2001, helping the Deacon ground game lead the ACC in rushing for the second-straight year.

PERSONAL• Versatile athlete who lettered in football and

basketball at Farragut (TN) High School.

• A three-year starter on the football team at of-fensive guard and tackle, he earned all-confer-ence honors as a junior and senior.

77TTTTTTTTTTTTYYYYYYYYYYYYSSSSSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNN CCCCCCCCCCCCCLLLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAABBBBBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOFFENSIVE TACKLE

HT: 6’ 6” WT: 329 NFL EXP: 7 ACQ: FA–‘06 6TH YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 10/17/81 COLLEGE: WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY

PRO BOWL YEARS2010

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Originally selected as a third round (98th pick

overall) draft choice by Atlanta in 2008.

2011 (FALCONS)• Led the secondary with seven tackles against Chi-

cago (9/11).

EXTRA POINTS• Participated in the Extra Yard partnership pro-

gram the past three seasons and has purchased 40 season tickets and t-shirts for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Georgia Chapter.

• Participated as a celebrity waiter for Coach Smith’s second annual Huddle Up for Miracles at Capital Grille to benefi t the Children’s Miracle Network.

CAREER• In three seasons with the Falcons, has emerged

as the starting free safety. Tied a career-high and ranked second on the team with 113 tackles in 2010.

• Earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance against the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football (10/18). DeCoud Logged eight tackles, two passes defensed and a career-high two interceptions. His multiple-interception game was the fi rst for a member of the Falcons defense since 2006.

• Was named to the 2010 USA Today All-Joe Team.

28TTTTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSS DDDDDDDDDDDDEEEEEEEEEEEECCCCCCCCCCCCCOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUDDDDDDDDDDDDSAFETY

HT: 6’ 0” WT: 192 NFL EXP: 4 ACQ: D3C-’08 4TH YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 3/19/85 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

DATE OPP TK SO SK YDS INT YDS FF FR PD

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 7 7 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- -.- - - - - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/9 GB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/13 NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

1/1 TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

TOTALS 7 7 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

CAREER 233 150 2.0 18.0 4 25 4 1 11

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a third round (84th pick overall) draft

choice by Atlanta in 2008.

2011 (FALCONS)• Collected 10 yards on two receptions in vs. Chi-

cago (9/11). EXTRA POINTS• Hosts an annual bowling fundraising event for

the March of Dimes – Georgia Chapter at Ten Pin Bowling Alley in Atlanta. The event has helped raise several thousand dollars for the March of Dimes to help save newborn babies.

• The Douglas Brothers Foundation, a charitable foundation run by Harry and his brother Toney, hosted its second annual Holiday Treat Festival in their hometown of Jonesboro, GA in Decem-ber 2010. This event helped treat several un-derprivileged children during the holidays to free gifts, haircuts, health screenings and meal. Last year’s event was attended by over 3,000 people. Several of Douglas’ teammates joined him at the event.

CAREER• Contributed heavily in his rookie campaign, par-

ticipating in every contest and took over punt re-turn duties halfway through the season.

• Posted a 61-yard punt return for a touchdown against Carolina (11/23/08), the Falcons fi rst punt return for a score since 2004.

• Was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week (12) following his performance against the Carolina Panthers in 2008.

83HHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYY DDDDDDDDDDDDOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGLLLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSWIDE RECEIVER

HT: 6’ 0” WT: 183 NFL EXP: 3 ACQ: D3B - ’08 4TH YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 9/16/84 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE

DATE OPP REC YDS AVG LG TD RSH YDS AVG LG TD

RECEIVING RUSHING

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 2 10 5.0 7 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/9 GB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/13 NO - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

1/1 TB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

TOTALS 2 10 5.0 7 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

TOTALS 48 624 13.0 69 2 14 64 4.6 33 1

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a fourth round (127th pick overall)

draft choice by Minnesota in 2006.

• Signed by the Falcons as a free agent on July 29, 2011.

2011 (FALCONS)• Logged one tackle at the Chicago Bears (9/11).

CAREER• Enjoyed breakout season in 2009 with career-

best 8.5 sacks, 75 tackles (50 solo), three passes defensed, nine tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

• In 2009, tied a Vikings playoff record with three sacks in a Divisional round game vs. Dallas (1/17) and set a Vikings record for most playoff sacks with four.

• Was part of a Vikings line that keyed the defense to rank fi rst in the NFL in rushing defense from 2006-08 and ranked second in the Leauge in 2009.

• Showcased playmaking abilities in 2007 when he tied for team lead with four forced fumbles and scored his fi rst career touchdown on a nine-yard fumble recovery at Detroit (9/16).

• Made his presence felt as a rookie in 2006 playing in 15 games with two starts and posting three sacks.

93RRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYY EEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDDDWWWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRDDDDDDDDDDDDSSSSSSSSSSSSSDEFENSIVE END

HT: 6-5 WT: 268 NFL EXP: 6 AQU: FA -’11 1ST YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDAY: 1/1/1985 COLLEGE: PURDUE UNIVERSITY

DATE OPP TK SO SK YDS INT YDS FF FR PD

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 1 1 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- -.- - - - - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/9 GB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/13 NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

1/1 TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

TOTALS 1 1 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

CAREER 182 139 29.5 188.5 0 0 6 2 11

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a fi fth round (135th pick overall) draft

choice by Atlanta in 2010.

2011 [FALCONS]• Was active but did not participate against Chicago

(9/11).

EXTRA POINTS In 2010, a participant in the Atlanta Falcons Rookie Club sponsored by UnitedHealthcare of Georgia, this program gives the players the opportunity to take part in several charitable events.

2010 [FALCONS]• Played in two games as a rookie and posted two

tackles (one solo), one interception and one pass defensed.

24DDDDDDDDDDDDDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNIIIIIIIIIIIIIQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQUUUUUUUUUUUUUUEEEEEEEEEEEEE FFFFFFFFFFFFFRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNKKKKKKKKKKKKKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSCORNERBACK

HT: 6’ 0” WT: 197 NFL EXP: 2 ACQ: D5A-’10 2ND YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 10/8/87 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

DATE OPP TK SO SK YDS INT YDS FF FR PD

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI - - -.- -.- - - - - -

9/18 PHI - - -.- -.- - - - - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/9 GB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/13 NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

1/1 TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

TOTALS - - -.- -.- - - - - -

CAREER 2 1 0.0 0.0 1 40 0 0 1

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Originally selected in the fi rst round (13th overall)

by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1997 NFL Draft.

• Traded to the Falcons for Atlanta’s second round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft on April 23, 2009.

2011 (FALCONS)• Logged a team-high 72 yards receiving on fi ve

catches vs. Chicago (9/11) and increased his consecutive games with a reception streak to 164 straight games.

EXTRA POINTS• Has own personal charitable foundation, the

Shadow Buddies Foundation.

• In October 2010, spent the afternoon in the Zone at Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital in Atlanta. As part of the Shadow Buddies Foundation, Tony and his wife treated several children to a makeup day and spa day. They also spent time visiting with several patients, signing autographs and taking pictures

• In December 2010, hosted a Shop with a Jock event in Atlanta for children from the Atlanta Union Mission treating several children to a holi-day shopping spree and a meal at a local WalMart.

CAREER• In 14 NFL seasons, has earned 11 Pro Bowl ap-

pearances and eight fi rst or second-team Asso-

ciated Press All-Pro selections.

• Holds NFL records for career receptions (1,074), receiving yards (12,535), touchdown catches (88), 100-yard receiving games (27), Pro Bowl

88TTTTTTTTTTTTOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNYYYYYYYYYYYY GGGGGGGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNZZZZZZZZZZZZAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEEZZZZZZZZZZZZTIGHT END

HT: 6’ 5” WT: 247 NFL EXP: 15 ACQ: TR–‘09 (KC) 3RD YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 2/27/76 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

PRO BOWL YEARS2010, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000

DATE OPP REC YDS AVG LG TD RSH YDS AVG LG TD

RECEIVING RUSHING

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 5 72 14.4 30 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/9 GB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/13 NO - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

1/1 TB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

TOTALS 5 72 14.4 30 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

TOTALS 1,074 12,535 11.7 73t 88 2 14 7.0 9 0

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Originally signed as a rookie free agent by the

Atlanta Falcons on May 16, 2006.

• Re-signed by the Falcons on January 10, 2007 and was allocated to the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europa.

• Signed to the Falcons practice squad following training camp. Was activated to the 53-man ros-ter on October 29, but was waived and signed back to the practice squad on November 6.

• Elevated to Atlanta’s 53-man roster on December 17, 2007.

2011 (FALCONS)• Notched two tackles and a team-high three

passes defensed against Chicago (9/11).

CAREER• In four seasons with the Falcons, has totaled 196

tackles (169 solo), 12 interceptions, one fumble recovery and 42 passes defensed.

• Led the Falcons in interceptions with six in 2009.

• Named to the NFC Pro Bowl squad for the fi rst time in his career in 2010.

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HT: 5’ 10” WT: 183 NFL EXP: 4 ACQ: FA – ‘07 4TH YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 7/19/83 COLLEGE: SHIPPENSBURG UNIVERSITY

PRO BOWL YEARS2010

DATE OPP TK SO SK YDS INT YDS FF FR PD

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 2 2 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 3

9/18 PHI - - -.- -.- - - - - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/9 GB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/13 NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

1/1 TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

TOTALS 2 2 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 3

CAREER 198 171 0.0 0.0 12 126 0 1 45

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a fourth round (117th pick overall)

draft choice by Atlanta in 2010. 2011 [FALCONS]

• Started his fi rst career game at center in place of injured-veteran Todd McClure against Chicago (9/11).

COLLEGE• Competed in 47 career games with 33 starts at

UNLV as a center and right guard.

• Started every contest as a junior and senior (2008-’09).

• A talented blocker who was a leader on the offen-sive line throughout his collegiate career.

• Won the Rebel Spirit Award, given to the senior who showed the most toughness, positive atti-tude and strong commitment to his teammates.

• Did not give up a sack at his position all season.

PERSONAL• Attended Esperanza High School in Anaheim,

California and was a three-year letterwinner for the Aztecs.

• Earned 2005 PrepStar All-West Region Honors as he helped his team to an 11-3 record and an appear-ance in the state fi nals.

• Was named a the Sunset League Offensive Line-man of the Year in 2005.

• Also threw discus for the track team.

• A native of Yorba Linda, California.

EXTRA POINTS• In 2010, a participant in the Atlanta Falcons Rookie

Club sponsored by UnitedHealthcare of Georgia, this program gives the players the opportunity to take part in several charitable events.

2011 2010

ATL ATL

Hawley’s Career Games Played/Started

1/1 15/0

TOTAL 15/0

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HT: 6’ 3” WT: 302 NFL EXP: 2 ACQ: D4-’10 2V YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 10/22/88 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA-LAS VEGAS

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a second round (60th overall) draft

pick by the Indianapolis Colts in 2005.

• Signed by Atlanta as a free agent on August 30, 2011.

2011 [FALCONS]• Was active but did not participate against Chicago

(9/11).

CAREER• In six seasons with the Colts, compiled 298 tackles

(239 solo), 37 passes defensed, nine interceptions, four forced fumbles and three touchdowns.

• Had four tackles and a 56-yard interception return for a touchdown vs. Chicago in Super Bowl XLI, giving the Colts a 29-17 fourth-quarter lead, the game’s fi nal margin.

• Tied for fourth in Colts franchise history with three career post-season interceptions.

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HT: 6’ 0” WT: 195 NFL EXP: 7 ACQ: FA-’11 1ST YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 7/23/83 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

DATE OPP TK SO SK YDS INT YDS FF FR PD

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI DID NOT PLAY

9/18 PHI - - -.- -.- - - - - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/9 GB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/13 NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

1/1 TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

TOTALS - - -.- -.- - - - - -

CAREER 285 230 0.0 0.0 9 214 4 2 37

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a fi rst round (24th pick overall) draft

choice by Atlanta in 2009.

2011 (FALCONS)• Recorded one tackle in fi rst career start at Chi-

cago (9/11).

2010 (FALCONS)• Recorded one tackle and his fi rst career sack at

Philadelphia (10/17).

• Notched one tackles and one sack for a loss of nine yards against Carolina (1/2).

94PPPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIAAAAAAAAAAAA JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYYDEFENSIVE TACKLE

HT: 6’ 2” WT: 295 NFL EXP: 3 ACQ: D1–‘09 3RD YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 8/23/84 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI

DATE OPP TK SO SK YDS INT YDS FF FR PD

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 1 1 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- -.- - - - - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/9 GB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/13 NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

1/1 TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

TOTALS 1 1 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

CAREER 10 7 2.0 15.0 0 0 0 0 1

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a third round (98th pick overall) draft

choice by Atlanta in 2010.

2011 [FALCONS]• Was inactive in week one against Chicago (9/11).

COLLEGE• The unquestioned leader of Alabama’s offensive

line who played both guard and tackle. Was an All-America selection in his junior and senior seasons (2008-’09).

• By the conclusion of his senior season, started in 41 consecutive games while setting the school career-record by appearing in 54 contests.

• A member of the Crimson Tide’s 2009 National Championship team while blocking for Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram.

• As a starter, recorded 264 knockdown blocks, 39 touchdown-resulting blocks and 18 downfi eld blocks.

EXTRA POINTS• In 2010, a participant in the Atlanta Falcons Rookie

Club sponsored by UnitedHealthcare of Georgia, this program gives the players the opportunity to take part in several charitable events.

2011 2010

ATL ATL

Johnson’s Career Games Played/Started

0/0 0/0

TOTAL 0/0

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HT: 6’ 6” WT: 304 NFL EXP: 1 ACQ: D3B-’10 2ND YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 4/2/87 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Originally selected as a second round (42nd pick

overall) draft choice by Atlanta in 1999.

• Signed as a free agent by Cincinnati on March 13, 2003.

• Re-signed with Cincinnati as a free agent on March 8, 2007.

• Signed as a free agent by the Falcons on August 16, 2011.

2011 [FALCONS]• Saw action on offense and special teams against

Chicago (9/11).

CAREER• Played in 62 games with 47 starts in four seasons

with the Falcons. Posted 69 catches for 790 yards and two touchdowns.

• Set career-highs with 31 receptions, 340 yards and two touchdowns in his sophomore season in 2000.

89RRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEE KKKKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYYYYYYTIGHT END

HT: 6’ 4” WT: 257 NFL EXP: 13 ACQ: FA-’11 1ST YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 2/22/77 COLLEGE: MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY

DATE OPP REC YDS AVG LG TD RSH YDS AVG LG TD

RECEIVING RUSHING

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/9 GB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/13 NO - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

1/1 TB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

TOTALS 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

CAREER 194 1,760 9.1 50 5 0 0 0.0 0 0

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a second round (37th pick overall)

draft choice by Atlanta in 2008.

CAREER• In three seasons with the Falcons, has totaled 410

tackles (286 solo), two sacks, six forced fumbles, eight passes defensed and one interception.

• Totaled 160 tackles in 2009, which was the high-est total for a member of the Falcons defense since 2006.

• Garnered 2008 All-Rookie accolades by The Sporting News and Pro Football Weekly.

• Ranked second in the league in tackles among fi rst year players behind Patriots linebacker Je-rod Mayo (according to STATS, Inc).

2011 (FALCONS)• Collared eight tackles, including one tackle for

loss at Chicago (9/11).

EXTRA POINTS• Heavily involved with the Rally Foundation (a lo-

cal non-profi t organization that supports child-hood cancer research). Serves as a spokesman, tapes various PSAs and attends numerous events in support of the foundation.

• This past April, hosted the 2nd annual Fashion Funds the Cure at Bloomingdales in Buckhead to benefi t the Rally Foundation. The event helped raise more than $120,000 for the foundation.

• Frequently visits children at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta hospitals in metro Atlanta.

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HT: 6’ 0” WT: 241 NFL EXP: 4 ACQ: D2–‘08 4TH YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 6/2/86 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

DATE OPP TK SO SK YDS INT YDS FF FR PD

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 8 8 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- -.- - - - - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/9 GB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/13 NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

1/1 TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

TOTALS 8 8 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

CAREER 418 294 3.0 23.0 1 2 6 0 8

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as the fi rst of two seventh round (237th

pick overall) draft choices by Atlanta in 1999.

CAREER• Tough, hard-nosed veteran who has started 166

of 168 games at center, including a streak of 144 starts heading into the 2011 season.

• Set a franchise record for the most consecutive starts with 144, topping Keith Brooking’s old mark of 128 set from 2000-08.

• Voted to the USA Today All-Joe Team (2008, ‘10)

• Heady performer who has been the signal-caller on the line after earning the starting center posi-tion in 2001.

• Has blocked for three 1,000-yard running backs in Michael Turner (2008, ‘10), Warrick Dunn (2004, ‘05, ’06) and Jamal Anderson (2000).

• Rebounded from a rookie campaign that was cut short due to a season-ending knee injury suffered in training camp, starting seven of 10 games played on a revamped line in 2000.

2011 (FALCONS)• Was inactive against Chicago (9/11), snapping a streak of 144-consecutive start, the longest con-secutive streak in Falcons history.

2010 (FALCONS)• Was a 16-game starter for the ninth consecu-

tive year and was part of an offensive line ranked third in the NFL and fi rst in the NFC with 23 sacks allowed.

• Part of an offensive line that blocked for a Pro Bowl backfi eld of QB Matt Ryan and RB Michael Turner.

• Member of an offensive line that did not allow a sack on 33 passing attempts against Cincinnati (10/24) as QB Matt Ryan completed 72.7 percent of his passes and threw for 299 yards.

• Part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in three games in 2010.

• Started his franchise record 166th career game against Carolina (1/2) and spearheaded an of-fensive line that allowed Ryan to post a 110.9 passer rating in the season fi nale.

COLLEGE• Was voted a Coaches All-America secelction fol-

lowing his senior season.

• Consensus All-SEC fi rst-team choice as a senior and junior at LSU, boasting 185 knockdowns in his four-year career.

• Started every game as a senior and had 62 knockdowns for an offense that averaged 384.6 yards per game.

• Started 10 games as a junior, collecting 68 knock-downs for an offense that totaled 4,517 yards.

• Started every game as a sophomore and amassed 49 knockdowns for the Tigers as they totaled an SEC-high 2,322 yards on the ground.

PERSONAL• Played as a two-way lineman at Central (Baton

Rouge, LA) High School.

• Participated in several community programs in 2004, including the Prison Ministries of Atlanta football camp and Disabled American Veterans fundraiser.

• Born Ryan Todd McClure on February 16, 1977 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He and his wife, Heidi, have one son, Maverick, and two daughters, Ry-ann and Riley.

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HT: 6’ 1” WT: 296 NFL EXP: 13 ACQ: D7A–‘99 13TH YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 2/16/77 COLLEGE: LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY

62

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRWIDE RECEIVER

HT: 6’ 3” WT: 222 NFL EXP: 1 ACQ: D5B–‘10 2ND YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 11/12/86 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS

80 TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a fi fth round (165th pick overall) draft

choice by Atlanta in 2010.

2011 [FALCONS]• Saw action in week one against Chicago (9/11).

COLLEGE• Started 38 of 46 games at Kansas, including lining

up as a receiver in 35 of those contests. Caught 226 passes for 2,309 yards with 18 touchdowns while adding 417 yards and six scores on 118 carries.

• Completed 134 of 219 passes for 1,612 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

• Amassed 2,029 yards in total offense and 2,726 all-purpose yards.

• Holds the school career-record with 226 recep-tions, which also ranks eighth in Big 12 Conference history.

• Set the school reception record on two occasions, the fi rst coming in 2008 (97), followed by 2009 (102).

• One of fi ve KU players to gain over 1,000 receiving yards in a season.

DATE OPP REC YDS AVG LG TD RSH YDS AVG LG TD

RECEIVING RUSHING

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/9 GB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/13 NO - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

1/1 TB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

TOTALS 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

CAREER 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a second round (55th pick overall)

draft choice by Atlanta in 2009.

2011 (FALCONS)• Notched three tackles against Chicago (9/11).

CAREER• Moore became the starting strong safety in 2010

and ranked third on the team with 108 tackles (73 solo), three quarterback hits, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.

• His fi ve interceptions in 2010 were tied for the team lead and tied for third in the National Football League among safeties.

• Recorded his fi rst career interception and added four tackles against Arizona (9/19/10).

• Logged eight tackles, one interception and two passes defensed at St. Louis (11/21/10). His INT snapped Rams QB Sam Bradford’s rookie record streak of 169 consecutive pass attempts without an interception.

WWWWWWWWWWWWIIIIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLIIIIIIIIIIIIAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEESAFETY 25

HT: 6’ 0” WT: 221 NFL EXP: 2 ACQ: D2-’09 3RD YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 5/18/85 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI

DATE OPP TK SO SK YDS INT YDS FF FR PD

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 3 3 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- -.- - - - - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/9 GB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/13 NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

1/1 TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

TOTALS 3 3 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

CAREER 111 76 0.0 0.0 5 117 1 1 8

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Originally selected as the second of two fourth

round (134th pick overall) draft choices by Balti-more Ravens in the 2003 NFL Draft. The choice was a compensatory pick.

• Signed by Atlanta as an unrestricted free agent on March 2, 2007.

2011 (FALCONS)• Recorded one special teams tackle and saw ac-

tion on offense before leaving game with an in-jury against Chicago (9/11).

CAREER• A powerful run-blocker with good ability to pick

up the blitz, and has a punishing running style. • Was the key blocker for running back Michael

Turner to rush for his fi rst career 1,000-yard season in 2008 while fi nishing second in the NFL with 1,699 yards.

• Saw action in 16 games with eight starts in 2006 to help propel the Ravens into the postseason with a 13-3 regular season record as he was named to USA Today’s All-Joe Team.

• In 2010, Became the fi rst fullback in team history to be selected to the Pro Bowl after paving the way for a Falcons rushing attack that averaged

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PRO BOWL YEARS2010

HT: 6’ 1” WT: 250 NFL EXP: 9 ACQ: UFA-’07 (BAL) 5TH YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 6/10/80 COLLEGE: WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY

DATE OPP RUSH YDS AVG LG TD REC YDS AVG LG TD

RUSHING RECEIVING

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/9 GB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/13 NO - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

1/1 TB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

TOTALS 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

CAREER 40 119 2.9 12 1 57 449 7.8 30t 4

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a fourth round (109th pick overall)

draft choice by Atlanta in 2007.

• Signed by the Falcons as a free agent on July 29, 2011.

2011 (FALCONS)• Started at linebacker @ Chicago (9.11) and post-

ed four tackles and one tackle for loss.

EXTRA POINTS• During the 2010 holiday season, treated several

underprivileged families from the Hall County Boys & Girls Club to a special holiday treat.

• Participated in the Extra Yard partnership pro-gram and purchased 40 season tickets and t-shirts for various charities in metro Atlanta.

CAREER• In four seasons with the Falcons, has totaled 215

tackles (156 solo), fi ve sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and six passes defensed.

• Became the starting strongside linebacker in 2009 and set career highs in tackles and sacks.

54SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSLINEBACKER

HT: 6’ 3” WT: 236 NFL EXP: 5 ACQ: D4A–‘07 5TH YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 5/1/83 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

DATE OPP TK SO SK YDS INT YDS FF FR PD

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 4 3 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- -.- - - - - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/9 GB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/13 NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

1/1 TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

TOTALS 4 3 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

CAREER 219 159 5.0 38.0 1 0 1 2 6

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a third round (90th pick overall) draft

choice by Atlanta in 2009.

2011 (FALCONS)• Logged two tackles @ Chicago (9.11).

EXTRA POINTS• Named the Atlanta Falcons 2010 Man of the Year

for his contributions to the community.

CAREER• In two seasons with the Falcons, has totaled 63

tackles (35 solo), three interceptions and fi ve pass-es defensed.

21CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRR OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSCORNERBACK

HT: 5’ 9” WT: 180 NFL EXP: 3 ACQ: D3-’09 3RD YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 12/1/86 COLLEGE: SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY

DATE OPP TK SO SK YDS INT YDS FF FR PD

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 2 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- -.- - - - - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/9 GB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/13 NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

1/1 TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

TOTALS 2 2 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

CAREER 65 37 0.0 0.0 3 26 0 0 5

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Signed by the Falcons as a Rookie Free Agent on

April 26, 2010.

2011 [FALCONS]• Started his fi rst career game @ Chicago (9.11) and

helped an offense that produced 114 total rushing yards.

EXTRA POINTS• In 2010, a participant in the Atlanta Falcons Rook-

ie Club sponsored by UnitedHealthcare of Georgia, this program gives the players the opportunity to take part in several charitable events.

2010 [FALCONS]• Played in 15 games as a rookie and posted fi ve

catches for 29 yards with one touchdown.

• Scored his fi rst career touchdown on a fi ve-yard

81MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRTIGHT END

HT: 6’ 5” WT: 252 NFL EXP: 2 ACQ: FA-’10 2ND YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 1/18/88 COLLEGE: CLEMSON UNIVERSITY

DATE OPP REC YDS AVG LG TD RSH YDS AVG LG TD

RECEIVING RUSHING

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/9 GB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/13 NO - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

1/1 TB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

TOTALS 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

CAREER 5 29 5.8 11 1 0 0 0.0 0 0

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a third round (83rd pick overall) draft

choice by Atlanta in 2010.

2011 [FALCONS]• Inactive @ Chicago (9.11).

EXTRA POINTS• In 2010, a participant in the Atlanta Falcons Rook-

ie Club sponsored by UnitedHealthcare of Georgia, this program gives the players the opportunity to take part in several charitable events.

• In December 2010, the Falcons defensive line treated children from the Atlanta Urban Minis-tries to a holiday shopping spree at a WalMart in the city. The players ate dinner and shopped with the children.

CAREER• Made an immediate impact in his rookie season

playing in all 16 games with 15 starts. Contrib-uted with 40 tackles (31 solo), one sack and one pass defensed.

91CCCCCCCCCCCCCOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYYY PPPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTTTTEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRSSSSSSSSSSSSSDEFENSIVE TACKLE

HT: 6’ 3” WT: 305 NFL EXP: 2 ACQ: D3A-’10 2ND YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 6/8/88 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY

DATE OPP TK SO SK YDS INT YDS FF FR PD

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI INACTIVE

9/18 PHI - - -.- -.- - - - - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/9 GB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/13 NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

1/1 TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

TOTALS 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

CAREER 40 31 1.0 4.0 0 0 0 0 1

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Originally selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the

second round (36th overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft.

• Signed by Jacksonville as an unrestricted free agent on March 13, 2003.

• Signed by Atlanta as a free agent on March 10, 2008.

• Signed by the Falcons as a free agent on July 29, 2011.

2011 (FALCONS)• Saw action on special teams @ Chicago (9.11).

2010 (FALCONS)• In his second season with the Falcons, played in all

16 games with 13 starts at linebacker and made 79 tackles (47 solo).

EXTRA POINTS• Has own charitable foundation, the Mike Peterson

Foundation

• Founded the Top Dog Readers Club Literacy Pro-gram at Grove Park Elementary in Atlanta.

• Annually hosts a Thanksgiving food distribution event in his hometown of Alachua, FL. This past

53MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNLINEBACKER

HT: 6’ 1” WT: 226 NFL EXP: 13 ACQ: UFA–‘09 (JAX) 3RD YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 6/17/76 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

DATE OPP TK SO SK YDS INT YDS FF FR PD

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- -.- - - - - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/9 GB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/13 NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

1/1 TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

TOTALS 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

CAREER 1,584 937 21.5 139.5 18 268 9 9 50

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Signed by the Falcons as a Free Agent on August

14, 2011

2011 (FALCONS)• Saw action @ Chicago (9.11).

COLLEGE• Posted a career-high 39 tackles and 3.5 sacks

as a senior at Virginia Tech in 2007 while leading the Hokies defense to top-fi ve rankings in scoring defense, total defense, and rushing defense.

PERSONAL• Received all-region honors from PrepStar as

a senior at Great Bridge High School after he totaled 60 tackles, fi ve sacks, fi ve fumble recoveries and one blocked punt.

97CCCCCCCCCCCAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRLLLLLLLLLLTTTTTTTTTTOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNN PPPPPPPPPPOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLDEFENSIVETACKLE

HT: 6-3 WT: 312 NFL EXP: 1 AQU: FA-’11 1ST YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDAY: 8/14/1985 COLLEGE: VIRGINIA TECH

DATE OPP TK SO SK YDS INT YDS FF FR PD

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- -.- - - - - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/9 GB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/13 NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

1/1 TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

TOTALS 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

CAREER 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Originally selected as a third round (75th pick over-

all) draft choice by the Baltimore Ravens in 2000.

• Declared a free agent on February 2, 2004.

• Signed by the New England Patriots on January 6, 2005. Waived by the Patriots on June 1. Signed by the Tennessee Titans on August 23. Waived by the Titans on September 4.

• Signed by Atlanta on March 23, 2007.

• Re-signed by Atlanta on February 29, 2008.

2011 (FALCONS)• Did not play @ Chicago (9.11).

CAREER• Has competed in 26 career games with 12 starts

and has completed 268 of 472 passes for 2,991 yards 21 touchdowns and 13 interceptions for a 79.3 passer rating.

• Earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week hon-ors after accumulating 251 passing yards and a career-high four touchdowns against the Seattle Seahawks in the 2007 season fi nale.

• Set career highs in 2007 with 10 touchdowns while setting game highs in completions (28), at-tempts (42) and passing yards (315) against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 15.

• Spent four seasons with the Ravens (2000-03), playing in 10 games with six starts and complet-ing 106 of 198 passes for 1,111 yards with seven touchdowns and fi ve interceptions. His record as a starter was 3-3.

8CCCCCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSS RRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDDDMMMMMMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNQUARTERBACK

HT: 6’ 3” WT: 225 NFL EXP: 9 ACQ: FA–‘07 5TH YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 7/7/77 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE

DATE OPP ATT COM YDS PCT TD INT LG SK RTG ATT YDS TD

PASSING RUSHING

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI DID NOT PLAY

9/18 PHI - - - - - - - - - - - -

9/25 @ TB - - - - - - - - - - - -

10/2 @ SEA - - - - - - - - - - - -

10/9 GB - - - - - - - - - - - -

10/16 CAR - - - - - - - - - - - -

10/23 @ DET - - - - - - - - - - - -

11/6 @ IND - - - - - - - - - - - -

11/13 NO - - - - - - - - - - - -

11/20 TEN - - - - - - - - - - - -

11/27 MIN - - - - - - - - - - - -

12/4 @ HOU - - - - - - - - - - - -

12/11 @ CAR - - - - - - - - - - - -

12/15 JAX - - - - - - - - - - - -

12/26 @ NO - - - - - - - - - - - -

1/1 TB - - - - - - - - - - - -

TOTALS 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0

CAREER 472 268 2,991 56.7 21 13 74t 34 79.3 26 30 1.1

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a fi fth round (156th overall) draft

choice by Atlanta in 2009.

2011 (FALCONS)• Started his fi rst career game @ Chicago (9.11)

and assisted the offense produce 114 total rush-ing yards.

COLLEGE• A second-team All-ACC selection by the Associ-

ated Press and fi rst-team All-ACC pick by The ACC Sports Journal following his senior season. Was named to the ‘08 Lombardi Award Watch List.

PERSONAL• Attended Carter High School and ranked among

the top 15 players in Tennessee by Rivals.com and SuperPrep.

• Named all-state at defensive tackle in 4-A schools and was an Associated Press honorable mention all-state selection on offense.

• A three-year starter on both the offensive and de-fensive lines while contributing with 76 tackles on defense as a senior.

• Uncle is former Rams and 49ers linebacker Jack “Hacksaw” Reynolds.

EXTRA POINTS• Awarded the Atlanta Falcons Community All-Star

sponsored by AllState for the month of December 2010. Recognized at the inaugural Community Honors dinner presented by AllState at the 191 club in downtown Atlanta.

• Spoke to the incoming 2010 rookies at the 2nd an-nual Atlanta Falcons Rookie Club Kickoff Dinner Presented by UnitedHealthcare of Georgia about the importance of giving back to the community and participating in all of the Rookie Club commu-nity initiatives.

• Frequently visits local schools, participating in Play 60 activities as well as speaking about the importance of education and goal-setting.

2011 2010 2009

ATL ATL ATL

Reynolds’ Career Games Played/Started

1/1 0/0 5/0TOTAL 6/1

75GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSOFFENSIVE GUARD

HT: 6’ 7” WT: 310 NFL EXP: 3 ACQ: D5B-’09 3RD YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 7/1/87 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a fi rst round (10th overall) draft pick

by the Houston Texans in 2004.

• Signed by the Falcons as a free agent on March 6, 2010.

2011 (FALCONS)• Collared fi ve tackles @ Chicago (9.11).

CAREER• In six seasons with the Houston Texans, com-

piled 374 tackles (300 solo), four sacks, 13 in-terceptions, seven forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one touchdown.

• Is the Texans all-time leader in interceptions (13) and passes defensed (63).

• Enjoyed a rookie season which featured six in-terceptions, which was tied for fi rst among NFL rookies.

2010 (FALCONS)• Started in 15 contests at cornerback

and totaled 60 tackles, seven pass-

23DDDDDDDDDDDDDUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNTTTTTTTTTTTTTAAAAAAAAAAAAA RRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOBBBBBBBBBBBBBIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNSSSSSSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNCORNERBACK

HT: 5’ 10” WT: 183 NFL EXP: 8 ACQ: FA-’10 2ND YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 4/11/82 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

DATE OPP TK SO SK YDS INT YDS FF FR PD

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 5 5 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- -.- - - - - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/9 GB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/13 NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

1/1 TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

TOTALS 5 5 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

CAREER 439 359 4.0 26.0 14 162 6 2 72

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Originally signed by Jacksonville as a free agent

on April 29, 2003 and later signed to the Jaguars practice squad on September 2, 2003.

• Signed to the Jacksonville practice squad on Sep-tember 5, 2005.

• Signed by St. Louis Rams as a free agent on Sep-tember 12, 2006.

• Signed by Atlanta as a free agent on March 9, 2008.

• Signed by Atlanta as a free agent on August 29, 2011 and released on September 3, 2011

• Signed by Atlanta as a free agent on September 12, 2011.

CAREER• A six-year veteran who has seen action in 46 career

games with 19 starts.

• Has blocked for two 1,000-yard rushers, including Fred Taylor (2004) and Steven Jackson (2006, ‘07 and ‘08).

2009 [FALCONS]• Competed in 10 contests, primarily on special

teams.

66BBBBBBBBBBBBRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT RRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMBBBBBBBBBBBBEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGCENTER

HT: 6’ 2” WT: 291 NFL EXP: 7 ACQ: FA-’11 2ST YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 10/10/79 COLLEGE: UNIVERITY OF MIAMI

• Saw action at right guard against Tampa Bay (11/29) and at center against Philadelphia (12/6).

COLLEGE• Three-year starter at both guard and center for the

Miami Hurricanes.

• A consensus All-America and All-Big East selec-tion as a senior.

• Won the Dave Rimington Award, given to the na-tion’s top center.

• Named CBSSportsline.com All-America fi rst-team as a junior.

• An All-Big East fi rst-team selection by The Sporting News as a sophomore.

PERSONAL• Attended Belle River High School in Belle River,

Ontario.

• Was named the Canadian Junior Football League Offensive Lineman of the Year as a senior at A.K.O.

• Married to his wife, Emily.

• Born Brett Christopher Romberg in Windsor, On-tario, Canada.

2011 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003

ATL ATL STL STL STL JAX JAX JAX

Romberg’s Career Games Played/Started

0/0 10/0 14/6 9/9 10/3 0/0 1/0 0/0TOTAL 46/19

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a fi rst round (3rd pick overall) draft

choice by Atlanta in 2008.

2011 (FALCONS)• Tallied 319 passing yards by completing 31 of 47

passes @ Chicago (9.11).

EXTRA POINTS• Held inaugural Matt Ryan Celebrity – Am Classic

to benefi t Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at TPC Sugarloaf in June 2011.

• Participated as a celebrity waiter for Coach Smith’s second annual Huddle Up for Miracles at Capital Grille to benefi t the Children’s Miracle Network in June 2010.

• In October 2010, co-hosted a celebrity putt putt event with teammate Coy Wire at Malibu Grand Prix in Duluth to benefi t the Make A Wish Foun-dation of Georgia and Alabama.

• Hosted the 3rd annual Matt Ryan Football camp at Centennial High School in June 2011. Provided area youth the opportunity to learn football fun-damentals from some of Ryan’s teammates as well as area youth coaches.

• Participated in the Extra Yard partnership pro-gram the past (3) seasons and has purchased (40) season tickets and t-shirts for the Metro Atlanta Boys & Girls Club.

CAREER• In his three seasons with the Falcons, Ryan has

led the team to an impressive 20-2 home record as the starter under center.

• In three season Ryan has posted a total of 10,061 yards (2008-10) which ranks fi fth in franchise history.

• In 2009, established single-game career-highs in touchdown passes (three vs. Carolina in Week 2 and Buffalo in Week 15), passing yards (329 a

San Francisco in Week 5), and longest comple-tion (90-yard touchdown pass at San Francisco in Week 5).

• In 2010, established single-game career highs in attempts/completions (50/32 vs. Baltimore in Week 10) and completion percentage (85.7 vs. Green Bay in Week 12).

• Named Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and Sporting News Rookie of the Year after completing 265 of 434 passes for 3,440 yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for a 87.7 passer rating in his fi rst season.

2MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNQUARTERBACK

HT: 6’ 4” WT: 217 NFL EXP: 3 ACQ: D1A-’08 4TH YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 5/17/85 COLLEGE: BOSTON COLLEGE

PRO BOWL YEARS2010

DATE OPP ATT COM YDS PCT TD INT LG SK RTG ATT YDS TD

PASSING RUSHING

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 47 31 319 66.0 0 1 32 5 76.5 0 0 0

9/18 PHI - - - - - - - - - - - -

9/25 @ TB - - - - - - - - - - - -

10/2 @ SEA - - - - - - - - - - - -

10/9 GB - - - - - - - - - - - -

10/16 CAR - - - - - - - - - - - -

10/23 @ DET - - - - - - - - - - - -

11/6 @ IND - - - - - - - - - - - -

11/13 NO - - - - - - - - - - - -

11/20 TEN - - - - - - - - - - - -

11/27 MIN - - - - - - - - - - - -

12/4 @ HOU - - - - - - - - - - - -

12/11 @ CAR - - - - - - - - - - - -

12/15 JAX - - - - - - - - - - - -

12/26 @ NO - - - - - - - - - - - -

1/1 TB - - - - - - - - - - - -

TOTALS 47 31 319 66.0 0 1 32 5 76.5 0 0 0

CAREER 1,503 916 10,380 60.9 66 35 90t 64 86.9 131 267 2

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Originally drafted by the New England Patriots

in the fourth round (133rd overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft

• Re-signed by the Patriots on March 5, 2009

• Signed by Atlanta as a free agent on August 30, 2011.

2011 (FALCONS)• Saw action on special teams @ Chicago (9.11).

CAREER• Has played in 84 games with 50 starts over his fi rst

six NFL seasons (2005-10), totaling 300 tackles (217 solo), one sack, eight interceptions for 172 yards and two touchdowns, 19 passes defensed and 30 special teams tackles.

• Named AFC Defensive Player of the Week after re-turning an interception 32 yards for a touchdown at Pittsburgh (11/14/10). It was the second time in his career that he returned an interception for a touchdown (at Buffalo, 12/11/05 as a rookie).

• In 2006, was part of a Patriots secondary that al-lowed just 10 touchdown passes by opponents, a mark that led the NFL and stands as the fewest al-lowed in team history for a single season.

36JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSSSSAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNDDDDDDDDDDDDEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRSSSSSSSSSSSSSSAFETY

HT: 5’ 10” WT: 210 NFL EXP: 7 ACQ: FA-’11 1ST YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 11/11/83 COLLEGE: FRESNO STATE UNIVERSITY

DATE OPP TK SO SK YDS INT YDS FF FR PD

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- -.- - - - - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/9 GB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/13 NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

1/1 TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

TOTALS 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

CAREER 301 207 1.0 5.0 8 172 2 4 19

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a sixth round (171st pick overall) draft

choice by Atlanta in 2010. 2011 [FALCONS]

• Logged one tackle on special teams @ Chicago (9.11).

EXTRA POINTS• In 2010, a participant in the Atlanta Falcons Rook-

ie Club sponsored by UnitedHealthcare of Georgia, this program gives the players the opportunity to take part in several charitable events.

39SSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN SSSSSSSSSSSSSCCCCCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRSAFETY

HT: 6’ 0” WT: 200 NFL EXP: 2 ACQ: D6-’10 2ND YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 5/22/86 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA

DATE OPP TK SO SK YDS INT YDS FF FR PD

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- -.- - - - - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/9 GB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/13 NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

1/1 TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

TOTALS 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

CAREER 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

90LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYDEFENSIVE END

HT: 6’ 3” WT: 261 NFL EXP: 3 ACQ: D4-’09 3RD YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 2/6/86 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a fourth round (125th pick overall)

draft choice by Atlanta in 2009.

2011 (FALCONS)• Collected his second sack of his career @ Chi-

cago (9.11) while adding two solo tackles.

EXTRA POINTS• Spoke to the incoming 2010 rookies at the 2nd

annual Atlanta Falcons Rookie Club Kickoff Din-ner Presented by UnitedHealthcare of Georgia about the importance of giving back to the com-munity and participating in all of the Rookie Club community initiatives.

• Participated in NFL Network’s Keep Gym in School event at Camp Creek Middle School in Atlanta in September 2010.

• In November 2010, visited the Georgia Aquarium and participated in fi sh arts & crafts with dis-abled children from Challenged Child & Friends in Gainesville.

CAREER• Competed in all 16 games as a rookie, and totaled

four tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery and one touchdown.

• Logged three tackles, including his fi rst career sack (four yards) against Philadelphia (12/6).

• Posted one tackle against Buffalo (12/27) and added one fumble recovery, which he returned 11 yards for his fi rst career touchdown.

DATE OPP TK SO SK YDS INT YDS FF FR PD

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 2 2 1.0 2.0 0 0 0 0 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- -.- - - - - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/9 GB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/13 NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

1/1 TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

TOTALS 2 2 1.0 2.0 0 0 0 0 0

CAREER 54 40 2.0 11.0 0 0 0 0 1

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Originally signed as an undrafted rookie free

agent by the Detroit Lions on May 8, 2009.

• Released by the Lions in July of ‘09 and was signed by Minnesota on August 5. Was released by the Vikings following training camp and was signed to Houston’s practice squad on Sept. 24.

• Was signed to the Atlanta practice squad on Oc-tober 21, 2009.

2011 (FALCONS)• Inactive @ Chicago (9.11).

2010 (FALCONS)• Saw action in nine games in 2010 and contrib-

uted with two special teams tackles.

COLLEGE• Totaled 2,065 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns

throughout his career at Florida State and was named a 2008 honorable mention All-ACC pick.

PERSONAL• Attended Pahokee High School and led his team to

the state championship as a senior.

• Was a Parade All-America selection and the Old Spice National Player of the Year.

35AAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNTTTTTTTTTTTTOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE SSSSSSSSSSSSSMMMMMMMMMMMMIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHHHRUNNING BACK

HT: 5’ 9” WT: 192 NFL EXP: 2 ACQ: FA-’09 2ND YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 9/17/85 COLLEGE: FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

2010 POSTSEASON

DATE OPP REC YDS AVG LG TD RSH YDS AVG LG TD

RECEIVING RUSHING

1/15 GB 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

TOTALS 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

DATE OPP REC YDS AVG LG TD RSH YDS AVG LG TD

RECEIVING RUSHING

2010 GAME-BY-GAME

9/12 @ PIT INACTIVE

9/19 ARI INACTIVE

9/26 @ NO 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

10/3 SF 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

10/10 @ CLE 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

10/17 @ PHI 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

10/24 CIN INACTIVE

11/7 TB 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

11/11 BAL 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

11/21 @ STL 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

11/28 GB INACTIVE

12/5 @ TB INACTIVE

12/12 @ CAR 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

12/19 @ SEA INACTIVE

12/27 NO INACTIVE

1/2 CAR 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

TOTALS 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

DATE OPP RUSH YDS AVG LG TD REC YDS AVG LG TD

RUSHING RECEIVING

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI INACTIVE

9/18 PHI - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/9 GB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/13 NO - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

1/1 TB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

TOTALS 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

CAREER 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Originally selected as a seventh round (244th

pick overall) draft choice by Atlanta in 2007.

• Signed by Atlanta as a free agent on August7, 2011.

2011 (FALCONS)• Recorded 32 receiving yards on fi ve catches @

Chicago (9.11), while adding two carries for 10 yards on the ground.

EXTRA POINTS• Served as the keynote speaker for the Epilepsy

Foundation’s Taste of Love gala at the Ritz Carlton in Buckhead in February 2010 and attended to show his support in February 2011.

• During the 2010 holiday season, treated four un-derprivileged families from the Hall County Boys & Girls Club to a special night at Dave & Buster’s at Discover Mills Mall in Lawrenceville.

CAREER• In four seasons with the Falcons, has totaled 256

carries for 1,041 yards with seven rushing touch-downs and 82 receptions for 648 yards and four receiving touchdown.

• Set a career-high with 147 rushing yards in the 2009 season fi nale against Tampa Bay (1/3/10).

44JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNN SSSSSSSSSSSSSNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGRUNNING BACK

HT: 5’ 11” WT: 234 NFL EXP: 5 ACQ: D7–‘07 5TH YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 12/29/83 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

DATE OPP RUSH YDS AVG LG TD REC YDS AVG LG TD

RUSHING RECEIVING

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 2 10 5.0 9 0 5 32 6.4 10 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/9 GB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/13 NO - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

1/1 TB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

TOTALS 2 10 5.0 9 0 5 32 6.4 10 0

CAREER 258 1,051 4.0 31 7 87 680 7.8 38 4

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Originally selected as a sixth-round (187th overall)

draft choice by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005.

• Released by the Chiefs on August 30, 2008.

• Signed by Atlanta as a free agent on February 12, 2009.

2011 (FALCONS)• Saw action on offense and special teams @ Chi-

cago (9.11).

COLLEGE• Played in 38 games at defensive end (18 starts)

for Stanford and recorded 60 tackles (35 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, one forced fumble and one interception.

• Competed at tight end as a sophomore, including time at defensive end. Competed in nine games as a senior and recorded a career-high 30 tackles.

PERSONAL• Attended Newbury Park High School in Newbury

Park, California and was a three-sport athlete.

• Registered 87 tackles, 9.0 sacks and fi ve forced fumbles as a defensive end and caught 48 passes for 624 yards and four touchdowns as a senior tight end.

• Earned honorable mention All-Amer-ica honors from USA Today as a senior

• Named the California Division II Athlete of the Year by Cal-Hi Student Sports.

• Named all-county and All-CIF as a defensive end and second-team all-state honors at tight end.

• Was a two-time National Decathlon Champion.

• Traveled to the Middle East for the 2009 Super Bowl with the NFL in an effort to boost morale with the troops.

• Attended Harvard Business School in 2008 as part of the NFL Executive Education Program.

EXTRA POINTS• Strong supporter of the local military. Has taken

part in a large number of military events thank-ing the soldiers who have served our country for their service and dedication.

• Visited Fort Gordon in June 2010 with several teammates. The players took Blackhawk helicop-ters to visit the fort, enjoyed a tour of the base and had lunch with wounded warriors. They also signed autographs and took pictures with the sol-diers as a way to show their appreciation.

• Frequently visits local schools to promote literacy and good study habits to students.

2011 2010 2009 2007 2006 2005

ATL ATL ATL KC KC KC

Svitek’s Career Games Played/Started

1/0 16/0 13/2 13/4 2/0 1/0TOTAL 44/6

74WWWWWWWWWWWIIIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL SSSSSSSSSSSSVVVVVVVVVVVIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKOFFENSIVE TACKLE

HT: 6’ 6” WT: 308 NFL EXP: 6 ACQ: FA-’09 3RD YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 1/8/82 COLLEGE: STANFORD UNIVERSITY

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Originally selected in the fi fth round (154th overall)

by the San Diego Chargers in the 2004 NFL Draft.

• Signed by the Falcons as an unrestricted free agent on March 2, 2008.

2011 (FALCONS)• Produced 140 total yards of offense @ Chicago

(9.11) after recording 100 rushing yards on 10 car-ries and 40 receiving yards on three grabs.

EXTRA POINTS• Served as the spokesman for the Atlanta Falcons

First Down for Fitness program in 2010. Visited several area schools throughout the year pro-moting this program and encouraging children to be active for at least 60 minutes a day.

• Partnered with NFL Network analyst Jamie Dukes to host a pep rally and minicamp for Camp Creek Middle School students in College Park to celebrate the “Keep Gym in School” program.

• In 2010, partnered with Rooms to Go to provide underprivileged families room makeovers for their homes. Also participated in a home make-over for a local military family.

• Participated in the Extra Yard partnership pro-gram this past season and purchased 40 season tickets and t-shirts for military and several local charities throughout metro Atlanta.

CAREER• In 102 career games (43 starts), has totaled 1,116

carries for 5,198 yards (4.6 avg.), 45 touchdowns and a career long rush of 83 yards, which went for a touchdown.

• Topped the 1,000-yard rushing plateau for the fi rst time in his career in 2008 while earning his fi rst Pro Bowl selection.

• In three seasons in Atlanta (2008-10), the Falcons are 17-2 when Turn-er rushes for over 100 yards in a game.

• Moved into fi fth place on the Falcons career rush-ing list with 3,941 yards from 2008-10.

• Tied the franchise record with seven consecutive games with a touchdown in 2009.

33MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRUNNING BACK

HT: 5’ 10” WT: 247 NFL EXP: 8 ACQ: UFA–‘08 (SD) 4TH YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 2/13/82 COLLEGE: NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

PRO BOWL YEARS2010, 2008

DATE OPP RUSH YDS AVG LG TD REC YDS AVG LG TD

RUSHING RECEIVING

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 10 100 10.0 53 0 3 40 13.3 20 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/9 GB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/13 NO - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

1/1 TB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

TOTALS 10 100 10.0 53 0 3 40 13.3 20 0

CAREER 1,126 5,298 4.7 83t 45 37 272 7.3 30 0

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a seventh round (210th pick overall)

draft choice by Atlanta in 2009.

• Signed by the Falcons as a free agent on July 30, 2011.

2011 (FALCONS)• Tallied two tackles @ Chicago (9.11).

2010 (FALCONS)• Competed in all 16 games with one start and to-

taled 15 tackles (8 solo).

• Started the season opener at Pittsburgh (9/12) and contributed with one tackle.

• Registered a season-high fi ve tackles against Cincinnati (10/24).

COLLEGE• Voted a fi rst-team All-ACC selection by the ACC

Sports Journal and was a 2008 Bednarik Award Semifi nalist.

• Finished his Georgia Tech career with 110 tackles,

26.5 tackles for loss, 13.0 sacks, four forced fum-bles and three fumble recoveries.

PERSONAL• Attended Fort Mill High School and was a third-

team all-state selection according to the Columbia State. Compiled 17.5 sacks and 41 TFLs as a senior.

EXTRA POINTS• During Thanksgiving 2010, served a traditional

Thanksgiving lunch to the city’s less fortunate at Crossroads Community Ministries.

• In December 2010, the Falcons defensive line treated children from the Atlanta Urban Minis-tries to a holiday shopping spree at a WalMart in the city. The players ate dinner and shopped with the children as well.

DATE OPP TK SO SK YDS INT YDS FF FR PD

2010 GAME-BY-GAME

9/12 PIT 1 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

9/19 ARI 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

9/26 @ NO 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

10/3 SF 1 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

10/10 @ CLE 1 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

10/17 @ PHI 2 2 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

10/24 CIN 5 3 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

11/7 TB 1 1 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

11/11 BAL 1 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

11/21 @ STL 1 1 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

11/28 GB 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

12/5 @ TB 2 1 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

12/12 @ CAR 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

12/19 @ SEA 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

12/27 NO 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

1/2 CAR 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTALS 15 8 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

2010 POSTSEASONDATE OPP TK SO SK YDS INT YDS FF FR PD

1/15 GB 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTALS 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

99VVVVVVVVAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNCCCCCCCCCEEEEEEEE WWWWWWWWAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRDEFENSIVE TACKLE

HT: 6’ 2” WT: 304 NFL EXP: 3 ACQ: D7-’09 3RD YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 4/26/87 COLLEGE: GEORGIA TECH

DATE OPP TK SO SK YDS INT YDS FF FR PD

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 2 1 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- -.- - - - - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/9 GB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/13 NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

1/1 TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

TOTALS 2 1 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

CAREER 54 39 1.0 9.0 0 0 0 0 1

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a fi rst round (19th pick overall) draft

choice by Atlanta in 2010.

2011 [FALCONS]• Tallied 12 tackles, two tackles for loss and one pass

defensed @ Chicago (9.11).

EXTRA POINTS• In 2010, a participant in the Atlanta Falcons Rookie

Club sponsored by UnitedHealthcare of Georgia, this program gives the players the opportunity to take part in several charitable events.

2010 [FALCONS]• Played in 11 games with six starts in his rookie sea-

son, missing fi ve games due to injury, and contrib-uted with 52 tackles (38 solo) and one sack.

• Posted nine tackles (eight solo) in his NFL debut at Pittsburgh (9/12).

• Notched a career-high 10 tackles (eight solo) and his fi rst career sack against Arizona (9/19).

• Registered four tackles (two solo) against Green Bay (11/28).

• Tallied fi ve tackles at Seattle (12/19).

• Logged six tackles (three solo) against New Or-leans (12/27).

56SSSSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNN WWWWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRSSSSSSSSSSSSSPPPPPPPPPPPOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNLINEBACKER

HT: 6’ 2” WT: 244 NFL EXP: 2 ACQ: D1-’10 2ND YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 12/29/87 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI

DATE OPP TK SO SK YDS INT YDS FF FR PD

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 12 9 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 1

9/18 PHI - - -.- -.- - - - - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/9 GB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/13 NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

1/1 TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

TOTALS 12 9 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 1

CAREER 64 47 1.0 9.0 0 0 0 0 2

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Originally signed by Atlanta as an undrafted

rookie free agent on May 1, 2007.

• Signed to the Atlanta practice squad following the 2007 training camp and was elevated to the 53-man roster for the fi nal regular season game.

• Waived by the Falcons at the end of the 2008 training camp on August 30 and signed to the At-lanta practice squad the following day. Signed to the Atlanta active roster on November 19, 2008.

• Signed by the Falcons as a free agent on July 30, 2011.

2011 (FALCONS)• Returned two kickoffs for 33 yards @ Chicago

(9.11) and added three punt returns for 10 yards.

2010 (FALCONS)• Competed in all 16 games with four starts serving

as a wide receiver and the team’s punt and kick-off returner. Totaled six receptions for 61 yards, 40 kickoff returns for 1,100 yards and one touch-down as well as 18 punt returns for 230 yards and one touchdown.

• Earned his fi rst career Pro Bowl selection after ranking third in the NFL in kickoff return average and posting both one kickoff return touchdown and one punt return touchdown.

• Recorded a career-high four receptions for 36 yards at Pittsburgh (9/12).

• Started his fi rst career game against Arizona (9/19) and posted one kickoff return for 30 yards as well as one punt return for 17 yards.

14EEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIICCCCCCCCCCCCC WWWWWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEMMMMMMMMMMMMSSSSSSSSSSSSSWIDE RECEIVER

HT: 5’ 9” WT: 195 NFL EXP: 4 ACQ: FA–’07 5TH YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 7/4/85 COLLEGE: BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY

PRO BOWL YEARS2010

DATE OPP REC YDS AVG LG TD RSH YDS AVG LG TD

RECEIVING RUSHING

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/9 GB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/13 NO - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

1/1 TB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

TOTALS 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

CAREER 13 115 8.8 30t 2 8 53 6.6 31 0

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a fi rst round (27th pick overall) draft

choice by Atlanta in 2005.

2011 (FALCONS)• Recorded a team-high eight receptions for 61

yards @ Chicago (9.11).

CAREER• Earned third consecutive Pro Bowl berth in 2010

after recording his fourth straight 1,000-yard season, leading the NFC and setting a new fran-chise record with 1,389 yards.

• Became the fi rst wide receiver in franchise history to post four consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns.

• Moved into third place on the Falcons all-time receiving yardage list with 6,078 yards from 2005-10.

• Set a franchise record for total receiving yards in one game with 210 at San Francisco on October 11, 2009.

• Improved his franchise record for career 100-yard receiving games with 23 from 2005-10.

• Pieced together a streak of four straight games with at least on touchdown reception in 2009, which ranks tied for second in club annals.

• Became the fi rst Falcons player in team history and the 12th player in NFL history to have 80 catches and 1,100-plus yards in three consecu-tive seasons.

• Set a franchise receiving record with 1,382 yards in 2008, besting Alfred Jenkins’ old record of 1,358 yards in 1981 en route to his fi rst Pro Bowl selection.

• In 2008, White and RB Michael Turner became the fi rst Falcons duo to record 1,000-yard rush-ing and receiving seasons since 1998.

84RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWIDE RECEIVER

HT: 6’ 0” WT: 211 NFL EXP: 7 ACQ: D1–’05 7TH YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 11/2/81 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA-BIRMINGHAM

PRO BOWL YEARS2010, 2009, 2008

DATE OPP REC YDS AVG LG TD RSH YDS AVG LG TD

RECEIVING RUSHING

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 8 61 7.6 14 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/9 GB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/13 NO - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

1/1 TB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

TOTALS 8 61 7.6 14 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

CAREER 438 6,139 14.0 90t 37 8 16 2.0 16 0

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSVETERAN PLAYERS

TRANSACTIONS• Originally signed as an undrafted rookie free

agent by San Francisco on April 23, 1999.

• Was traded to Washington from San Francisco on April 17, 2000. After his one-year stint with the Redskins, was signed by Jacksonville in 2001.

• Released by Jacksonville and was signed by the Falcons as a free agent on December 1, 2009.

CAREER• Took over long snapping duties for Jacksonville

in 2001 and competed in a team record 128 con-secutive games played.

2011 (FALCONS)• Handled all long snapping duties @ Chicago (9.11).

2010 (FALCONS)• Handled all long snapping duties for Weeks 1-17.

COLLEGE• Was a four-year letterman at Wake Forest and

totaled 25 career receptions for 217 yards as a tight end.

• Saw extensive playing time on special teams as a long snapper.

PERSONAL• Attended Cleveland Benedictine High School and

competed in six different positions in his tenure.

• Earned second-team all-state honors as a senior and received the Coaches Award for overall effort.

• Married to Rebekah and the two have twins, Benjamin and Grace.

EXTRA POINTS• Hosts an annual fundraising bowling event every

spring in his hometown of Jacksonville, Florida to benefi t the Ronald McDonald House.

• Participated in the Extra Yard partnership program and purchased 40 season tickets and t-shirts for the WinShape Foundation.

• Participated in the 3rd annual Fishing with the Fal-cons in June 2010. Went fi shing out on Lake Lanier with soldiers who had been recently injured in the war in the Middle East.

2010 2007 2005

ATL JAX JAX

Zelenka’s Career Postseason Games Played/Started

1/0 2/0 1/0TOTAL 4/0

2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999

ATL ATL JAX JAX JAX JAX JAX JAX JAX JAX WSH SF

Zelenka’s Career Games Played/Started

16/0 5/0 16/0 16/0 16/0 16/0 16/0 16/0 16/0 16/0 16/0 13/0TOTAL 178/0

82JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJOOOOOOOOOOOOOEEEEEEEEEEEE ZZZZZZZZZZZZEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNNNKKKKKKKKKKKKAAAAAAAAAAAALONG SNAPPER

HT: 6’ 3” WT: 266 NFL EXP: 13 ACQ: FA-’09 3RD YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDATE: 3/9/76 COLLEGE: WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSROOKIES

Draft Picks

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSROOKIES

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSROOKIES

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a fi rst round (6th pick overall) draft

choice by Atlanta in 2011.

2011 (FALCONS)• Recorded fi ve receptions for 71 yards in his pro

debut against Chicago (9/11), including a team-long 32-yard reception.

COLLEGE• Established himself as one of the premier wide

receivers in college football at the University of Alabama. In 40 games he caught 179 passes for 2,653 yards with 15 touchdowns, and accumulated 3,084 all-purpose yards.

• His 179 receptions rank second all-time at Alabama, while his 2,653 receiving yards rank second in school history and his 15 touchdowns are tied for fourth in Crimson Tide annals.

• In 2010, garnered second-team All-American honors and was a fi rst-team All-Southeastern Conference selection.

• Was a member of the watch lists for the Maxwell Award, given to the nation’s top player, and the Bi-letnikoff Award, given to the nation’s top receiver in both his sophomore and junior seasons .

• Started all 13 games and led the Tide with 78 receptions for 1,133 yards (14.53 avg.) and seven touchdowns as a junior in 2010. Also added 135 yards with two scores on eight carries on the ground.

• Set a single-season school record with 78 recep-tions, breaking D.J. Hall’s previous mark of 67 set in 2007.

• As a junior, set a new school record with 1,133 re-ceiving yards, breaking Hall’s mark of 1,056 yards set in 2006.

11JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJUUUUUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLLLLIIIIIIIIIIIIOOOOOOOOOOOOO JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSWIDE RECEIVER

HT: 6-3 WT: 220 NFL EXP: R AQU: D1-’11 1ST YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDAY: 2/3/1989 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA

DATE OPP REC YDS AVG LG TD RSH YDS AVG LG TD

RECEIVING RUSHING

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 5 71 14.2 32 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/9 GB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/13 NO - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

1/1 TB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

TOTALS 5 71 14.2 32 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

TOTALS 5 71 14.2 32 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSROOKIES

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a third round (91st pick overall) draft

choice by Atlanta in 2011.

2011 (FALCONS)• Saw action on special teams in his professional

debut against Chicago (9/11)

COLLEGE• Started 29-of-47 games at Georgia, including 16

at strong-side outside linebacker and 13 at strong-side inside linebacker. Posted 240 tackles (133 solo) with 4.5 sacks (42 yards) and 12 tackles for loss (54 yards) with two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and fi ve passes defensed.

• Emerged as one of the elite tacklers in the Southeastern Conference in 2010 after receiving All-SEC second team honors and leading the Bulldogs with 126 tackles (69 solo) with 2.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss.

• His 126 total tackles were the most by a Georgia linebacker in a single season since 1996.

• Served as one of the team’s co-captians and showed versatility as coaching changes shifted him from a 4-3 strong-side linebacker to an inside linebacker the 3-4 defense the Bulldogs employed in his senior season.

• As a junior in 2009, appeared in eight games with four starts and registered 32 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.

• As a sophomore, he started eight of 13 games he played in. He produced 46 tackles (27 solo), 1.5 sacks and three tackles for loss.

• Was selected as a member of the Georgia Ath-

letic Director’s Academic Honor Roll as a junior and a senior, and earned the team’s ‘True Grit’ Award in 2010.

52AAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEMMMMMMMMMMMM DDDDDDDDDDDDEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNNNTTTTTTTTTTTTLINEBACKER

HT: 6-1 WT: 239 NFL EXP: R AQU: D3-’11 1ST YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDAY: 9/27/1987 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

DATE OPP TK SO SK YDS INT YDS FF FR PD

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- -.- - - - - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/9 GB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/13 NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- -.- - - - - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- -.- - - - - -

1/1 TB - - -.- -.- - - - - -

TOTALS 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

CAREER 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSROOKIES

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a fi fth round (145th pick overall) draft

choice by Atlanta in 2011.

2011 (FALCONS)• Gained 33 yards on three receptions and added

two carries in his professional debut vs. Chicago (9/11).

COLLEGE• Was the focal point of the Oregon State offense

since his arrival in 2008, earning touches not only in the ground game, but in the passing attack as well.

• Caught 151 passes in his career, shattering Pat Chaffey’s school record for receptions by a running back (124).

• His 4,929 all-purpose yards rank sixth in school annals behind his brother James Rodgers (5,784) and Ken Simonton (5,606).

• Is one of just three players in Beaver history to to account for 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in a career.

• In 36 games with the Beavers, rushed for 3,877 yards on 788 carries with 46 touchdowns.

• His 3,877 yards rank sixth in Pac-10 Conference history behind Charles White (6,245; 1976-79) and Marcus Allen of USC (4,810; 1978-81), Ken Simonton (5,044; 1998-01), Darrin Nelson of Stanford (4,169; 1977-81) and Napoleon Kaufman of Washington (4,106; 1991-94).

• Gained 186 yards with two touchdowns on 37 carries in OSU’s 27-21 upset victory over the top ranked USC Trojans in 2008, earning conference offensive player of the week honors for his performance.

22JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCCCCQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQUUUUUUUUUUUUUIIIIIIIIIIIIZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ RRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDDDDGGGGGGGGGGGGGEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRSSSSSSSSSSSSSRUNNING BACK

HT: 5-6 WT: 188 NFL EXP: R AQU: D5-’11 1ST YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDAY: 2/9/1990 COLLEGE: OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY

DATE OPP RUSH YDS AVG LG TD REC YDS AVG LG TD

RUSHING RECEIVING

2011 GAME-BY-GAME

9/11 @ CHI 2 0 0.0 2 0 3 33 11.0 15 0

9/18 PHI - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

9/25 @ TB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/2 @ SEA - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/9 GB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/16 CAR - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

10/23 @ DET - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/6 @ IND - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/13 NO - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/20 TEN - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

11/27 MIN - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/4 @ HOU - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/11 @ CAR - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/15 JAX - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

12/26 @ NO - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

1/1 TB - - -.- - - - - -.- - -

TOTALS 2 0 0.0 2 0 3 33 11.0 15 0

CAREER 2 0 0.0 2 0 3 33 11.0 15 0

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSROOKIES

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a sixth round (192nd pick overall)

draft choice by Atlanta in 2011.

2011 (FALCONS)• Averaged 38.4 yards on fi ve punts, including a long

of 45 and added one touchback as the kickoff spe-cialist against Chicago (9/11).

COLLEGE• Served as the Hurricanes primary place kicker and

punter, appearing in 50 games during his career.

• Set a school record after connecting on 14 consecutive fi eld goal attempts between 2009 and 2010.

• Posted a string of 105-straight PATs which is the second-best streak in Miami annals. His 127 PATs and 260 points scored both placed seventh in Hurricanes annals.

• Connected on 45 fi eld goals as a Hurricane, posting a fi eld goal percentage of 84.9 (45-of-53), including 9-of-13 attempts of 40-or-more yards.

• As a punter, placed 70-of-234 attempts inside the 20-yard line, fi nishing with a 41.7-yard average, and averaged at least 40.0 yards in each of his four seasons handling punting duties.

• Had 49 punts for 50 yards or longer and forced opponents to call for 82 fair catches.

• Closed out his career ranked second in school history in consecutive PATs made (105), tied for fi fth in fi eld goals made (45), seventh in point after touchdowns made (127), in total points scored (260) and points scored kicking (260).

• As a senior, earned fi rst-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors as a punter from The NFL

Draft Report and second-team accolades from the league’s media and coaches. He was named the team’s Special Teams Player of the Year and was a candidate for the Lowe’s Senior Class Award.

• In his junior season, earned All-Atlantic Coast

Conference fi rst-team honors as a kicker and second-team recognition as a punter. Ranked second in the league with a 42.53-yard average on 51 punts for 2,169 yards, placing 23 kicks inside the 20-yard line with 12 attempts for 50 yards or longer, seven touchbacks and 21 fair catches.

• As a sophomore, earned second-team All-ACC honors as a kicker and punter, while receiving the Jack Harding Award, given to the team’s MVP. Was also a semifi nalist for the Lou Groza Award, given to the nation’s top kicker.

• In his freshman season, punted 58 times for 2,329 yards (40.16 avg) with nine attempts downed inside the 20-yard line, 10 that went 50 yards or longer, one touchback and 19 fair catches.

PERSONAL• Attended Jupiter (Fla.) High School where Scout.

com regarded Bosher as the best kicker in the prep ranks, giving him a four-star prospect rating. He was also rated the top kicker in the nation by Rivals.com.

• Earned U.S. Army All-American honors and was selected to play in the U.S. Army All American Bowl game after his senior season.

• Was rated the state of Florida’s best kicking specialist by the Florida Times-Union and the two-time All-State selection was also the recipient of the Lou Groza Award for Palm Beach County as a junior and senior.

5MMMMMMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT BBBBBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRKICKER

HT: 6-0 WT: 208 NFL EXP: R AQU: D6-’11 1ST YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDAY: 10/18/1987 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSROOKIES

TRANSACTIONS• Selected as a seventh round (230th pick overall)

draft choice by Atlanta in 2011.

COLLEGE• Finished his Gamecocks’ career with 149 total

tackles (108 solo), 26 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, six passes defensed and seven forced fumbles.

• As a senior in 2010, was listed on the preseason Lott, Nagurski and Lombardi trophy watch lists, was named a preseason fi rst team All-SEC selection. Posted 44 tackles (30 solo), with 8.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in his fi nal season.

• Served as a team captain in 2009 and earned second team All-SEC honors after recording 47 tackles (35 solo), 10.0 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks.

• Notched six tackles including a pair of sacks, three tackles for loss, a forced fumble and had a fumble recovery in an upset win over fourth-ranked Ole Miss in 2009.

• Earned the Weight Room Effort Award for the de-fense and captured the Joe Morrison Award as the top defensive player of the spring as a junior.

• Moved to defensive end after spending most of his freshman season at outside linebacker, started all 13 games and logged 32 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks.

• Named to both the SEC Coaches and the Sporting News Freshman All-SEC team as an outside linebacker, also named to the honorable mention freshman All-America squad by the Sporting News after playing in all 13 games with nine starts as a freshman.

• Recorded 26 tackles (20 solo) with a pair of tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry in his freshman season.

PERSONAL• Graduated from Cheraw (S.C.) High School in

2007, was a two-way starter, playing both tight end and defensive end and led his team to the state championship as a senior.

• Was an all-region selection, earned Defensive MVP honors at the Shrine Bowl after fi nishing with four tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery.

• Earned his degree in Criminal Justice in 2011.

• Family includes father James Matthews, mother Mary Matthews and younger brother Damian.

• Parents are William Jackson and Tamara Wilson, and he has two brothers Sean and Warren.

• Off the fi eld interests include fi shing, golf and spending time with family and friends.

YEAR GP/GS TK SO AST SK YDS INT YDS LG TD PD FF FR YDS TD

Matthews’ Career Defensive Statistics

2007 USC 12/9 26 20 6 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 02008 USC 13/13 32 23 9 3.0 15.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 02009 USC 12/11 47 35 12 7.0 21.0 0 0 0 0 3 3 4 0 02010 USC 14/14 44 30 14 5.5 34.0 0 0 0 0 2 4 0 0 0TOTAL 51/47 149 108 41 15.5 70.0 0 0 0 0 6 7 5 0 0

98CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCLLLLLLLLLLLLLLIIIIIIIIIIIIIIFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF MMMMMMMMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSDEFENSIVE LINEMEN

HT: 6-4 WT: 268 NFL EXP: R AQU: D7B-’11 1ST YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDAY: 8/5/1989 COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

2011 ATLANTA FALCONSROOKIES

TRANSACTIONS• Signed by the Falcons as a College Free Agent

on July 26, 2011.

COLLEGE• Notched 41 tackles (30 solo) with two tackles

for loss, four passes defensed and three interceptions, including one interception return for a touchdown. He totaled a team-best six pass breakups and added one interception with 27 tackles as a junior. The Pittsburgh, PA native had a breakout year as a sophomore

with 32 tackles (23 solo), 2.5 tackles for a loss, nine passes defensed, one interception and two forced fumbles.

PERSONAL• Graduated from Woodland Hills High School

in Pittsburgh, PA...second-team defensive back on USA Today prep All-America squad for 2005...four-year letter-winner who fi nished with 124 career tackles, 80 of them solo, and 16 interceptions.

29DDDDDDDDDDDDAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNN WWWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLSSSSSSSSSSSSSRUNNING BACK

HT: 6-0 WT: 190 NFL EXP: R AQU: FA-’11 1ST YEAR WITH FALCONS

BIRTHDAY: 6/20/1988 COLLEGE: NOTRE DAME

Atlanta Falcons at Chicago Bears Start Time: 12:06 PM CDTat Soldier Field, Chicago, IL

Played Outdoor on Turf: Natural GrassGame Weather: Partly Cloudy Temp: 76° F (24.4° C) Humidity: 57%, Wind: W 7 mph

Outdoor Weather: Partly Cloudy,

Officials

Referee:Line Judge:

Head Linesman:Field Judge:

Umpire:Side Judge:

Back Judge:

Hochuli, Ed (85)Hill, Adrian (29)

Hittner, Mark (28)Wrolstad, Craig (4)

Hall, Richard (49)Torbert, Ronald (62)

Carey, Don (126)

Lineups

VISITOR: Atlanta Falcons 3 0 3 6 0 12

HOME: Chicago Bears 10 6 14 0 0 30

1 2 3 4 OT Total

Team Qtr Time Play Description (Extra Point) (Drive Info) Visitor Home

Replay Official: Sifferman, Tom

Game Day Weather

Field Goals (made ( ) & missed)

Scoring Plays

Paid Attendance: 62,115 Time: 3:07

Date: Sunday, 9/11/2011

Atlanta Falcons Chicago Bears

Offense DefenseOffense DefenseWR 11 J.Jones RE 55 J.Abraham WR 11 R.Williams LE 71 I.IdonijeLT 72 S.Baker DT 94 P.Jerry LT 73 J.Webb DT 69 H.MeltonLG 63 J.Blalock DT 95 J.Babineaux LG 74 C.Williams NT 75 M.ToeainaC 61 J.Hawley LE 93 R.Edwards C 63 R.Garza RE 90 J.Peppers

RG 75 G.Reynolds OLB 56 S.Weatherspoon RG 60 L.Louis WLB 55 L.BriggsRT 77 T.Clabo MLB 50 C.Lofton RT 72 G.Carimi MLB 54 B.UrlacherTE 88 T.Gonzalez OLB 54 S.Nicholas TE 87 K.Davis SLB 53 N.Roach

WR 84 R.White RCB 23 D.Robinson WR 80 E.Bennett LCB 26 T.JenningsQB 2 M.Ryan LCB 20 B.Grimes QB 6 J.Cutler RCB 33 C.TillmanRB 33 M.Turner S 25 W.Moore RB 22 M.Forte SS 46 C.HarrisTE 81 M.Palmer S 28 T.DeCoud TE 89 M.Spaeth FS 27 M.Wright

Substitutions Substitutions

K 3 M.Bryant, K/P 5 M.Bosher, WR 14 E.Weems, CB 21 C.Owens, RB22 J.Rodgers, FB 34 O.Mughelli, S 36 J.Sanders, S 39 S.Schillinger, RB44 J.Snelling, LB 52 A.Dent, LB 53 M.Peterson, C 67 R.Bruggeman, DE71 K.Biermann, T 74 W.Svitek, WR 80 K.Meier, LS 82 J.Zelenka, WR83 H.Douglas, TE 89 R.Kelly, DE 90 L.Sidbury, DT 97 C.Powell, DT 99V.Walker

P 8 A.Podlesh, K 9 R.Gould, WR 13 J.Knox, WR 18 D.Sanzenbacher, S20 C.Steltz, CB 21 C.Graham, WR 23 D.Hester, CB 30 D.Moore, S 31B.Meriweather, RB 32 K.Bell, CB 35 Z.Bowman, FB 44 T.Clutts, S 47C.Conte, S 49 W.Venable, LB 52 B.Iwuh, LB 58 D.DeCicco, LS 65P.Mannelly, C 67 C.Spencer, T/G 68 F.Omiyale, TE 86 Ky.Adams, DT91 A.Okoye, DE 94 N.Reed, DT 95 A.Adams

Did Not Play Did Not Play

QB 8 C.Redman, CB 24 D.Franks, CB 26 K.Hayden QB 12 C.Hanie

Not Active Not Active

CB 29 D.Walls, RB 35 A.Smith, LB 59 S.Adkins, C 62 T.McClure, G 79M.Johnson, DT 91 C.Peters, DE 98 C.Matthews

QB 10 N.Enderle, RB 24 M.Barber, G/C 70 Edw.Williams, WR 81S.Hurd, DT 92 S.Paea, DE 96 M.Addison, DE 98 C.Wootton

M.Bryant (48) (25) R.Gould (41) (23) (26)

Bears R.Gould 41 yd. Field Goal (10-54, 5:02) 0 31 9:58Falcons M.Bryant 48 yd. Field Goal (10-50, 4:34) 3 31 5:24Bears M.Forte 56 yd. pass from J.Cutler (R.Gould kick) (3-72, 1:32) 3 101 1:10Bears R.Gould 23 yd. Field Goal (7-25, 3:43) 3 132 8:42Bears R.Gould 26 yd. Field Goal (14-72, 5:19) 3 162 0:55Falcons M.Bryant 25 yd. Field Goal (11-87, 4:47) 6 163 10:13Bears M.Spaeth 1 yd. pass from J.Cutler (R.Gould kick) (7-92, 3:18) 6 233 6:55Bears B.Urlacher 12 yd. fumble return (R.Gould kick) 6 303 5:58Falcons K.Biermann 50 yd. interception return (run failed) 12 304 10:23

National Football League Game SummaryNFL Copyright © 2011 by The National Football League. All rights reserved. This summary and play-by-play is for the express purpose of assisting media in theircoverage of the game; any other use of this material is prohibited without the written permission of the National Football League. Updated: 9/11/2011

Atlanta Falcons Chicago BearsRUSHING ATT YDS LG TDAVG RUSHING ATT YDS LG TDAVGM.Turner 100 10.0 010 53 M.Forte 68 4.3 016 27J.Snelling 10 5.0 02 9 K.Bell 24 2.4 010 6J.Rodgers 0 0.0 02 2 D.Sanzenbacher -4 -4.0 01 -4

14 110 7.9 53 0Total 27 88 3.3 27 0Total

PASSING LGTD IN RT PASSING ATT LGTD IN RTATT CMP SK/YDSK/YD YDSCMPYDS

M.Ryan 319 047 31 5/43 1 76.5 J.Cutler 312 232 22 5/23 1 107.8563232 312 222 5/23 1 107.831 319 047 5/43 1 76.5Total Total 5632

PASS RECEIVING REC YDS LG TDAVGTAR PASS RECEIVING REC YDS LG TDAVGTARR.White 61 7.6 0813 M.Forte 90 18.0 15614 56T.Gonzalez 72 14.4 057 R.Williams 55 13.8 04430 23J.Jones 71 14.2 056 D.Hester 60 20.0 03532 53J.Snelling 32 6.4 057 J.Knox 60 20.0 03410 25M.Turner 40 13.3 034 K.Davis 23 11.5 02520 12J.Rodgers 33 11.0 035 E.Bennett 11 5.5 02415 6H.Douglas 10 5.0 024 M.Spaeth 7 3.5 1227 6

D.Sanzenbacher 6 6.0 011 6K.Bell 0 0.0 001 0

31 319 10.3 32 0Total 46 22 312 14.2 56 2Total 32

INTERCEPTIONS NO YDS LG TDAVG INTERCEPTIONS NO YDS LG TDAVGK.Biermann 50 50.0 11 B.Urlacher -1 -1.0 0150 -1Total 50 50.0 50 11 Total -1 -1.0 -1 01

PUNTING YDS LGNO AVG TB IN20NETPUNTING YDS LGNO AVG TB IN20NET

5 135.6192 5745 2882 48.0A.Podlesh 038.4 0 6 46.3M.BosherTotal 192 455 38.4 0 235.6 Total 288 576 48.0 0 146.3

PUNT RETURNS NO YDS LG TDAVG PUNT RETURNS NO YDS LG TDAVGFC FCE.Weems 10 3.3 03 D.Hester 14 14.0 01 21 8 14[DOWNED] 0 0.0 02 [DOWNED] 0 0.0 02 00 0 0Total 10 3.3 8 03 Total 14 14.0 14 01 21

KICKOFF RETURNS NO YDS LG TDAVG KICKOFF RETURNS NO YDS LG TDAVGFC FCE.Weems 33 16.5 02 D.Hester 53 17.7 03 00 20 23

[TOUCHBACK] 0 0.0 05 [TOUCHBACK] 0 0.0 01 00 0 0

Total 33 16.5 20 02 Total 53 17.7 23 03 00

FUMBLES FUM YDS FORCEDTD OPP-REC YD TD OUT-BDSAtlanta Falcons

LOST OWN-RECM.Ryan 0 001 0 00 0 01M.Turner 0 001 0 00 0 01Total 0 002 0 00 0 02

FUMBLES FUM YDS FORCEDTD OPP-REC YD TD OUT-BDSChicago Bears

LOST OWN-RECD.Hester 0 002 0 02 0 00J.Cutler 0 001 0 01 0 00J.Peppers 0 000 0 00 1 10C.Tillman 0 000 0 00 1 00B.Urlacher 0 000 12 10 0 10Total 0 003 12 13 2 20

Atlanta Falcons vs Chicago Bears

9/11/2011 at Soldier Field

Final Individual Statistics

Atlanta Falcons vs Chicago Bears9/11/2011 at Soldier Field

Final Team StatisticsHomeVisitor

Falcons Bears

20 17TOTAL FIRST DOWNS

3 4By Rushing

14 11By Passing

3 2By Penalty

4-13-31% 6-16-38%THIRD DOWN EFFICIENCY

0-1-0% 0-0-0%FOURTH DOWN EFFICIENCY

386 377TOTAL NET YARDS

66 64Total Offensive Plays (inc. times thrown passing)

5.8 5.9Average gain per offensive play

110 88NET YARDS RUSHING

14 27Total Rushing Plays

7.9 3.3Average gain per rushing play

1-2 6-16Tackles for a loss-number and yards

276 289NET YARDS PASSING

5-43 5-23Times thrown - yards lost attempting to pass

319 312Gross yards passing

47-31-1 32-22-1PASS ATTEMPTS-COMPLETIONS-HAD INTERCEPTED

5.3 7.8Avg gain per pass play (inc.# thrown passing)

4-2-1 7-7-5KICKOFFS Number-In End Zone-Touchbacks

5-38.4 6-48.0PUNTS Number and Average

0 0Had Blocked

0-0 0-0FGs - PATs Had Blocked

35.6 46.3Net Punting Average

60 13TOTAL RETURN YARDAGE (Not Including Kickoffs)

3-10 1-14No. and Yards Punt Returns

2-33 3-53No. and Yards Kickoff Returns

1-50 1--1No. and Yards Interception Returns

9-65 8-56PENALTIES Number and Yards

2-2 3-0FUMBLES Number and Lost

1 3TOUCHDOWNS

0 0Rushing

0 2Passing

1 0Interceptions

0 1Fumbles

0-1 3-3EXTRA POINTS Made-Attempts

0-0 3-3Kicking Made-Attempts

0-1 0-0Rushing Made-Attempts

2-2 3-3FIELD GOALS Made-Attempts

0-2-0% 1-3-33%RED ZONE EFFICIENCY

0-1-0% 1-2-50%GOAL TO GO EFFICIENCY

0 0SAFETIES

12 30FINAL SCORE

26:41 33:19TIME OF POSSESSION

* inside opponent's 20

Time of Possession by Quarter

Home

Visitor

Kickoff Drive No.-Start Average

1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT Total

6:22

8:38

5:25 10:58 3:56 26:41

9:35 4:02 11:04 33:19

Falcons: 7 - ATL 17 Bears: 4 - CHI 15

(321) Average ATL 25

(277) Average CHI 23

Atlanta Falcons

Chicago Bears

TimeRecd

TimeLost

TimePoss

How BallObtained

DriveBegan

#Play

YdsPen

NetYds

YdsGain

1stDown

LastScrm

HowGiven Up

#

Atlanta Falcons

1 9:58 4:345:24 Kickoff ATL 20 10 45 5 50 3 CHI 30 Field Goal2 3:42 1:002:42 Punt ATL 43 3 22 0 22 1 CHI 35 Interception3 1:10 0:480:22 Kickoff ATL 20 2 38 0 38 1 50 Fumble

4 14:27 2:0212:25 Punt ATL 4 3 -3 0 -3 0 ATL 1 Punt5 8:42 2:286:14 Kickoff ATL 15 5 30 0 30 2 ATL 45 Punt6 0:55 0:550:00 Kickoff ATL 20 5 27 5 32 2 ATL 43 End of Half

7 15:00 4:4710:13 Kickoff ATL 6 11 87 0 87 3 CHI 7* Field Goal8 6:55 0:575:58 Kickoff ATL 20 3 -8 0 -8 0 ATL 27 Fumble9 5:58 2:383:20 Kickoff ATL 20 6 62 -20 42 2 CHI 38 Punt

10 2:36 2:4614:50 Punt ATL 43 6 2 0 2 1 ATL 45 Punt11 7:38 1:336:05 Punt ATL 45 3 0 -10 -10 0 ATL 35 Punt12 4:40 1:582:42 Punt ATL 16 10 69 0 69 4 CHI 15* Downs13 0:15 0:150:00 Punt ATL 49 1 15 0 15 1 ATL 49 End of Game

TimeRecd

TimeLost

TimePoss

How BallObtained

DriveBegan

#Play

YdsPen

NetYds

YdsGain

1stDown

LastScrm

HowGiven Up

#

Chicago Bears

1 15:00 5:029:58 Kickoff CHI 23 10 54 0 54 2 ATL 23 Field Goal2 5:24 1:423:42 Kickoff CHI 9 3 8 0 8 0 CHI 17 Punt3 2:42 1:321:10 Interception CHI 28 3 72 0 72 2 CHI 44 Touchdown

4 0:22 0:5514:27 Fumble CHI 40 3 -1 0 -1 0 CHI 39 Punt5 12:25 3:438:42 Punt ATL 30 7 25 0 25 1 ATL 5* Field Goal6 6:14 5:190:55 Punt CHI 20 14 67 5 72 4 ATL 8* Field Goal

7 10:13 3:186:55 Kickoff CHI 8 7 92 0 92 4 ATL 1* Touchdown8 3:20 0:442:36 Punt CHI 6 3 0 0 0 0 CHI 6 Punt

9 14:50 4:2710:23 Punt CHI 10 7 48 4 52 4 ATL 38 Interception10 10:23 2:457:38 Kickoff CHI 20 3 3 -10 -7 0 CHI 13 Punt11 6:05 1:254:40 Punt CHI 28 4 9 -10 -1 0 CHI 27 Punt12 2:42 2:270:15 Downs CHI 15 3 0 -5 -5 0 CHI 10 Punt

Ball Possession And Drive Chart

Atlanta Falcons vs Chicago Bears

9/11/2011 at Soldier Field

TKL /TK=Tackle AST /AS=Assist COMB=Combined TFL=Tackles for a LossQH=Quarterback Hit

IN=Interception PD=Pass Defense FF =Forced Fumble FR=Fumble Recovery

Regular Defensive Plays Special Teams MiscAtlanta Falcons

TKL AST COMB SK /YDS IN PD FF FR TKL AST FF FR BL TKL AST FF FRQHTFL

029 1 10 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0S.Weatherspoon018 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0C.Lofton007 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0T.DeCoud006 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0D.Robinson244 0 4 2 12 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0J.Abraham213 0 3 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0L.Sidbury113 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0S.Nicholas003 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0W.Moore002 0 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0B.Grimes111 1 2 1 7 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0K.Biermann001 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0J.Babineaux001 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0C.Owens001 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0R.Edwards001 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0P.Jerry011 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0V.Walker000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0J.Snelling000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0O.Mughelli000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0S.Schillinger000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0T.Gonzalez000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0G.Reynolds

1 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Team Sacks

Total 52 2 53 5 23 1 6 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0611

IN PD FF FR TKL AST FF FR BL TKL AST FF FRQHTKL AST COMB SK / YDS TFL

Special Teams MiscChicago Bears Regular Defensive Plays

1 06 4 10 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0B.Urlacher0 07 1 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0T.Jennings1 05 2 7 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0C.Tillman2 74 1 5 2 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0H.Melton0 13 2 5 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0D.Moore0 03 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0M.Wright1 12 1 3 2 16 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0J.Peppers0 02 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0C.Harris0 02 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0L.Briggs0 01 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0I.Idonije0 02 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0A.Adams0 01 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0N.Roach0 01 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0B.Meriweather0 10 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0M.Toeaina1 11 0 1 1 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0A.Okoye0 00 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0N.Reed0 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0C.Graham0 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0B.Iwuh0 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0W.Venable0 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0D.DeCicco0 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1D.Hester0 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1J.Cutler

40 20 60 5 43 1 5 2 2 4 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 2Total 116

Final Defensive Statistics

Atlanta Falcons vs Chicago Bears9/11/2011 at Soldier Field

Scoring Plays

Regular Defensive Plays Special Teams MiscAtlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons Chicago Bears

Atlanta Falcons Chicago Bears

TIME OF POSSESSIONPERIOD SCORES3 0 = 3

10 6 = 16

11:47

18:13FalconsBears

Falcons

Bears

Play Description (Extra Point) (Drive Info)Team Qtr Time Visitor Home

Bears R.Gould 41 yd. Field Goal (10-54, 5:02) 0 31 9:58Falcons M.Bryant 48 yd. Field Goal (10-50, 4:34) 3 31 5:24Bears M.Forte 56 yd. pass from J.Cutler (R.Gould kick) (3-72, 1:32) 3 101 1:10Bears R.Gould 23 yd. Field Goal (7-25, 3:43) 3 132 8:42Bears R.Gould 26 yd. Field Goal (14-72, 5:19) 3 162 0:55

9 9TOTAL FIRST DOWNS

2 - 5 - 2 1 - 7 - 1First Downs Rushing-Passing-by Penalty

1-4-25% 5-10-50%THIRD DOWN EFFICIENCY

159 225TOTAL NET YARDS

27 37Total Offensive Plays

55 22NET YARDS RUSHING

104 203NET YARDS PASSING

112 222Gross Yards Passing

1-8 3-19Times thrown-yards lost attempting to pass

17 - 14 - 1 21 - 16 - 0Pass Attempts-Completions-Had Intercepted

2 - 39 2 - 52.5Punts-Number and Average

2 - 10 3 - 18Penalties-Number and Yards

1 - 1 2 - 0Fumbles-Number and Lost

0-0-0% 0-2-0%Red Zone Efficiency

ATL 20 CHI 32Average Drive Start

RUSHING ATT YDS LG TDAVG RUSHING ATT YDS LG TDAVG

M.Turner 45 6.4 07 19 M.Forte 18 2.0 09 8J.Snelling 10 5.0 02 9 K.Bell 8 2.7 03 4

D.Sanzenbacher -4 -4.0 01 -49 55 6.1 19 0Total 13 22 1.7 8 0Total

PASSING ATT YDS LGTDSK/YDCMP IN RT PASSING ATT YDS LGTDSK/YDCMP IN RT

M.Ryan 112 017 14 1/8 1 69.6 J.Cutler 222 121 16 3/19 0 125.5563021 222 116 3/19 0 125.514 112 017 1/8 1 69.6Total Total 5630

PASS RECEIVING REC YDS LG TDAVGTAR PASS RECEIVING REC YDS LG TDAVGTAR

J.Snelling 22 5.5 044 M.Forte 90 18.0 155 569J.Jones 11 3.7 033 R.Williams 42 14.0 033 2314T.Gonzalez 38 19.0 023 J.Knox 43 21.5 022 2530M.Turner 20 10.0 022 K.Davis 23 11.5 025 1212H.Douglas 10 5.0 022 E.Bennett 11 5.5 023 67R.White 11 11.0 012 D.Hester 7 7.0 012 711

D.Sanzenbacher 6 6.0 011 614 112 8.0 30 0Total 16 16 222 13.9 56 1Total 21

IN PD FF FR TKL AST FF FR BL TKL AST FF FRQTKL AST COMB SK / YDS TFL6 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0D.Robinson 00

6 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0S.Weatherspoon 02

4 0 4 2 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0J.Abraham 24

4 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0T.DeCoud 00

Totals: 20 0 20 2 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 026

TKL AST COMB SK / YDS IN PD FF FR TKL AST FF FR BL TKL AST FF FRQHTFL

Special Teams MiscChicago Bears Regular Defensive Plays

5 0 5 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0C.Tillman 01

4 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0T.Jennings 00

2 2 4 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0B.Urlacher 00

2 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0D.Moore 10

Totals: 13 3 16 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 011

First Half Summary

Atlanta Falcons vs Chicago Bears9/11/2011 at Soldier Field

First QuarterPlay By Play 9/11/2011

CHI wins toss, elects to Receive, and ATL elects to defend the North goal.M.Bosher kicks 69 yards from ATL 35 to CHI -4. D.Hester to CHI 27 for 31 yards (M.Bosher).PENALTY on ATL-O.Mughelli, Illegal Formation, 5 yards, enforced at ATL 35 - No Play.M.Bosher kicks 70 yards from ATL 30 to CHI 0. D.Hester to CHI 23 for 23 yards (J.Snelling).Chicago Bears at 15:00, (1st play from scrimmage 14:50)

(14:50) M.Forte left end to CHI 20 for -3 yards (S.Weatherspoon).1-10-CHI 23(14:17) J.Cutler pass short right to D.Hester to CHI 25 for 5 yards. FUMBLES, and recovers at CHI 26. D.Hester toCHI 27 for 1 yard (D.Robinson). CHI #23 had his arm hit by CHI #72 which caused the fumble

2-13-CHI 20

(13:37) J.Cutler pass deep left to R.Williams pushed ob at 50 for 23 yards (D.Robinson).3-6-CHI 27 P1(13:11) M.Forte left end to 50 for no gain (S.Weatherspoon).1-10-50(12:33) J.Cutler pass incomplete deep right to E.Bennett (B.Grimes).2-10-50(12:27) J.Cutler pass short middle to M.Forte to ATL 27 for 23 yards (T.DeCoud).3-10-50 P2(11:41) J.Cutler pass short right to M.Forte to ATL 24 for 3 yards (S.Weatherspoon).1-10-ATL 27(11:03) D.Sanzenbacher right end to ATL 28 for -4 yards (S.Weatherspoon).2-7-ATL 24(10:23) (Shotgun) J.Cutler pass short right to M.Forte pushed ob at ATL 23 for 5 yards (B.Grimes).3-11-ATL 28(10:03) R.Gould 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-P.Mannelly, Holder-A.Podlesh.4-6-ATL 23

Timeout at 09:58. ATL 0 CHI 3, 10 plays, 54 yards, 5:02 drive, 5:02 elapsed

R.Gould kicks 65 yards from CHI 35 to end zone, Touchback.Timeout at 09:58.Atlanta Falcons at 9:58

(9:58) M.Turner right end to ATL 23 for 3 yards (I.Idonije).1-10-ATL 20(9:22) M.Ryan pass short left to R.White to ATL 34 for 11 yards (C.Tillman).2-7-ATL 23 P1(8:55) (No Huddle) M.Turner left end to ATL 43 for 9 yards (B.Urlacher).1-10-ATL 34(8:22) (No Huddle) M.Ryan pass short right to R.White pushed ob at ATL 45 for 2 yards.2-1-ATL 43PENALTY on CHI-D.Moore, Defensive Holding, 5 yards, enforced at ATL 43 - No Play. X2(8:03) (No Huddle) M.Turner left guard to ATL 48 for no gain (M.Toeaina; I.Idonije).1-10-ATL 48(7:35) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short right to H.Douglas pushed ob at CHI 45 for 7 yards (T.Jennings).2-10-ATL 48(7:25) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short right to T.Gonzalez to CHI 37 for 8 yards (C.Harris) [H.Melton].3-3-CHI 45 P3(7:12) (No Huddle) J.Snelling left end to CHI 36 for 1 yard (A.Adams).1-10-CHI 37(6:49) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short right to H.Douglas to CHI 33 for 3 yards (T.Jennings).2-9-CHI 36(6:21) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short left to J.Jones to CHI 30 for 3 yards (C.Tillman).3-6-CHI 33(5:30) M.Bryant 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-J.Zelenka, Holder-M.Bosher.4-3-CHI 30

Timeout at 05:24. ATL 3 CHI 3, 10 plays, 50 yards, 1 penalty, 4:34 drive, 9:36 elapsed

M.Bosher kicks 64 yards from ATL 35 to CHI 1. D.Hester to CHI 28 for 27 yards (O.Mughelli).PENALTY on CHI-C.Steltz, Offensive Holding, 8 yards, enforced at CHI 17.Timeout at 05:18.Chicago Bears at 5:24, (1st play from scrimmage 5:18)

(5:18) M.Forte left guard to CHI 12 for 3 yards (S.Weatherspoon).1-10-CHI 9(4:39) J.Cutler pass short left to E.Bennett to CHI 17 for 5 yards (T.DeCoud).2-7-CHI 12(4:03) J.Cutler pass incomplete short right to K.Davis [S.Nicholas].3-2-CHI 17(3:55) (Punt formation) A.Podlesh punts 48 yards to ATL 35, Center-P.Mannelly. E.Weems to ATL 43 for 8 yards(B.Iwuh).

4-2-CHI 17

Timeout at 03:42.Atlanta Falcons at 3:42

(3:42) W.Svitek reported in as eligible. M.Ryan pass short right to J.Jones to CHI 43 for 14 yards (T.Jennings).1-10-ATL 43 P4(3:13) (No Huddle) M.Ryan pass short middle to M.Turner to CHI 35 for 8 yards (L.Briggs).1-10-CHI 43(2:48) (No Huddle) M.Ryan pass short right intended for T.Gonzalez INTERCEPTED by B.Urlacher [D.Moore] atCHI 29. B.Urlacher to CHI 28 for -1 yards (T.Gonzalez).

2-2-CHI 35

Chicago Bears at 2:42(2:42) J.Cutler sacked at CHI 19 for -9 yards (J.Abraham).1-10-CHI 28(2:10) J.Cutler pass deep left to J.Knox to CHI 44 for 25 yards (T.DeCoud).2-19-CHI 19 P3(1:23) J.Cutler pass short right to M.Forte for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.1-10-CHI 44 P4R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-P.Mannelly, Holder-A.Podlesh.

ATL 3 CHI 10, 3 plays, 72 yards, 1:32 drive, 13:50 elapsedR.Gould kicks 65 yards from CHI 35 to end zone, Touchback.Atlanta Falcons at 1:10

(1:10) M.Ryan pass deep left to T.Gonzalez to 50 for 30 yards (C.Tillman) [M.Toeaina].1-10-ATL 20 P5(:30) M.Turner left tackle to CHI 42 for 8 yards (C.Tillman). FUMBLES (C.Tillman), RECOVERED by CHI-J.Peppers at CHI 40. J.Peppers to CHI 40 for no gain (G.Reynolds).

1-10-50

Chicago Bears at 0:22(:22) J.Cutler pass incomplete short right to K.Davis.1-10-CHI 40(:17) K.Bell right tackle to CHI 42 for 2 yards (J.Babineaux).2-10-CHI 40

Atlanta Falcons vs Chicago Bears at Soldier Field

Atlanta Falcons vs Chicago Bears at Soldier FieldEND OF QUARTER

Atlanta Falcons 3 6:22 0 4 1 5 1/2 0/0Chicago Bears 10 8:38 0 4 0 4 2/4 0/0

ScoreTimePoss

First DownsR P X T

Efficiencies3 Down 4 Down

Second QuarterPlay By Play 9/11/2011

Chicago Bears continued.(15:00) J.Cutler sacked at CHI 39 for -3 yards (J.Abraham).3-8-CHI 42(14:41) (Punt formation) A.Podlesh punts 57 yards to ATL 4, Center-P.Mannelly, downed by CHI-C.Conte.4-11-CHI 39

Atlanta Falcons at 14:27(14:27) M.Turner right tackle to ATL 5 for 1 yard (H.Melton).1-10-ATL 4(13:48) M.Ryan pass short left to J.Snelling to ATL 9 for 4 yards (B.Urlacher; J.Peppers).2-9-ATL 5(13:04) (Shotgun) M.Ryan sacked at ATL 1 for -8 yards (H.Melton).3-5-ATL 9(12:38) (Punt formation) M.Bosher punts 43 yards to ATL 44, Center-J.Zelenka. D.Hester MUFFS catch, andrecovers at ATL 44. D.Hester to ATL 30 for 14 yards (S.Schillinger).

4-13-ATL 1

Chicago Bears at 12:25(12:25) M.Forte right guard to ATL 25 for 5 yards (D.Robinson).1-10-ATL 30(11:44) J.Cutler pass short right to R.Williams to ATL 21 for 4 yards (C.Lofton).2-5-ATL 25(11:00) J.Cutler pass short right to K.Davis to ATL 10 for 11 yards (T.DeCoud).3-1-ATL 21 P5(10:14) J.Cutler sacked at ATL 17 for -7 yards (K.Biermann).1-10-ATL 10(9:40) J.Cutler pass incomplete deep middle to D.Hester (B.Grimes).2-17-ATL 17Timeout #1 by CHI at 09:34.(9:34) J.Cutler pass short middle to K.Davis to ATL 5 for 12 yards (C.Lofton).3-17-ATL 17(8:47) R.Gould 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-P.Mannelly, Holder-A.Podlesh.4-5-ATL 5

Timeout at 08:42. ATL 3 CHI 13, 7 plays, 25 yards, 3:43 drive, 6:18 elapsed

R.Gould kicks 70 yards from CHI 35 to ATL -5. E.Weems to ATL 15 for 20 yards (C.Graham).Timeout at 08:38.Atlanta Falcons at 8:42, (1st play from scrimmage 8:38)

(8:38) M.Ryan pass short left to M.Turner pushed ob at ATL 27 for 12 yards (M.Wright).1-10-ATL 15 P6(8:08) (No Huddle) M.Turner left tackle to ATL 46 for 19 yards (D.Moore).1-10-ATL 27 R7(7:28) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short left to J.Jones pushed ob at ATL 40 for -6 yards (C.Tillman). Balltipped after pass by CHI #90

1-10-ATL 46

(7:04) (No Huddle) M.Turner left tackle to ATL 45 for 5 yards (B.Urlacher).2-16-ATL 40(6:26) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass incomplete short left to R.White.3-11-ATL 45(6:23) (Punt formation) M.Bosher punts 35 yards to CHI 20, Center-J.Zelenka, fair catch by D.Hester.4-11-ATL 45

Timeout at 06:14.Chicago Bears at 6:14

(6:14) M.Forte right end to CHI 24 for 4 yards (C.Lofton).1-10-CHI 20(5:37) M.Forte left guard to CHI 21 for -3 yards (J.Abraham).2-6-CHI 24(4:52) J.Cutler pass short left to J.Knox to CHI 39 for 18 yards (C.Lofton).3-9-CHI 21 P6(4:09) M.Forte left guard to CHI 47 for 8 yards (D.Robinson).1-10-CHI 39(3:33) M.Forte right tackle to ATL 47 for 6 yards (S.Nicholas).2-2-CHI 47 R7(2:49) K.Bell left end to ATL 43 for 4 yards (C.Owens).1-10-ATL 47(2:10) K.Bell right tackle to ATL 41 for 2 yards (R.Edwards).2-6-ATL 43

Two-Minute Warning(2:00) PENALTY on ATL-P.Jerry, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced at ATL 41 - No Play.3-4-ATL 41 X8(2:00) M.Forte right tackle to ATL 38 for -2 yards (J.Abraham).1-10-ATL 36Timeout #1 by ATL at 01:56.(1:56) J.Cutler pass short middle to E.Bennett to ATL 32 for 6 yards (W.Moore).2-12-ATL 38Timeout #2 by ATL at 01:51.(1:51) J.Cutler pass short left to R.Williams to ATL 17 for 15 yards (D.Robinson).3-6-ATL 32 P9(1:14) (Shotgun) J.Cutler pass short left to D.Sanzenbacher pushed ob at ATL 11 for 6 yards (S.Weatherspoon).1-10-ATL 17Timeout #2 by CHI at 01:10.(1:10) J.Cutler pass short left to M.Forte pushed ob at ATL 8 for 3 yards (D.Robinson).2-4-ATL 11(1:04) J.Cutler pass incomplete short left to K.Davis.3-1-ATL 8(:59) R.Gould 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-P.Mannelly, Holder-A.Podlesh.4-1-ATL 8

ATL 3 CHI 16, 14 plays, 72 yards, 1 penalty, 5:19 drive, 14:05 elapsedR.Gould kicks 65 yards from CHI 35 to end zone, Touchback.Atlanta Falcons at 0:55

(:55) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short left to J.Snelling to ATL 22 for 2 yards (M.Wright; D.Moore).1-10-ATL 20(:32) (No Huddle, Shotgun) J.Snelling left guard to ATL 31 for 9 yards (D.Moore).2-8-ATL 22 R8Timeout #3 by ATL at 00:23.(:23) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short middle to J.Snelling to ATL 38 for 7 yards (I.Idonije; B.Urlacher).1-10-ATL 31(:09) M.Ryan spiked the ball to stop the clock.2-3-ATL 38(:08) (Shotgun) PENALTY on CHI-I.Idonije, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced at ATL 38 - No Play.3-3-ATL 38 X9(:08) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short right to J.Snelling pushed ob at CHI 48 for 9 yards (T.Jennings).1-10-ATL 43

END OF QUARTER

Atlanta Falcons 3 5:25 2 1 1 4 0/2 0/0Chicago Bears 16 9:35 1 3 1 5 3/6 0/0

ScoreTimePoss

First DownsR P X T

Efficiencies3 Down 4 Down

Atlanta Falcons vs Chicago Bears at Soldier Field

Third QuarterPlay By Play 9/11/2011

ATL elects to Receive, and CHI elects to defend the South goal.R.Gould kicks 66 yards from CHI 35 to ATL -1. E.Weems to ATL 12 for 13 yards (D.DeCicco; C.Graham).PENALTY on ATL-M.Palmer, Offensive Holding, 6 yards, enforced at ATL 12.Atlanta Falcons at 15:00, (1st play from scrimmage 14:56)

(14:56) M.Ryan pass incomplete short middle to T.Gonzalez.1-10-ATL 6(14:52) M.Ryan pass short right to T.Gonzalez to ATL 15 for 9 yards (N.Roach).2-10-ATL 6Timeout #1 by ATL at 14:09.(14:09) M.Turner right tackle to CHI 32 for 53 yards (T.Jennings).3-1-ATL 15 R10(13:23) M.Ryan pass short right to R.White pushed ob at CHI 21 for 11 yards (C.Harris).1-10-CHI 32 P11(12:57) J.Rodgers right guard to CHI 23 for -2 yards (B.Urlacher).1-10-CHI 21(12:12) J.Rodgers right guard to CHI 21 for 2 yards (A.Adams).2-12-CHI 23(11:39) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short right to R.White to CHI 7 for 14 yards (M.Wright).3-10-CHI 21 P12(11:03) M.Turner right tackle to CHI 7 for no gain (H.Melton; M.Toeaina).1-7-CHI 7(10:24) M.Ryan pass incomplete short left to R.White (C.Tillman).2-7-CHI 7(10:21) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass incomplete short left to J.Snelling.3-7-CHI 7(10:17) M.Bryant 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-J.Zelenka, Holder-M.Bosher.4-7-CHI 7

Timeout at 10:13. ATL 6 CHI 16, 11 plays, 87 yards, 4:47 drive, 4:47 elapsed

M.Bosher kicks 63 yards from ATL 35 to CHI 2. D.Hester pushed ob at CHI 24 for 22 yards (K.Biermann).PENALTY on CHI-C.Graham, Illegal Block Above the Waist, 8 yards, enforced at CHI 16.Timeout at 10:07.Chicago Bears at 10:13, (1st play from scrimmage 10:07)

(10:07) M.Forte left tackle to CHI 15 for 7 yards (P.Jerry).1-10-CHI 8(9:28) M.Forte left tackle to CHI 17 for 2 yards (S.Weatherspoon).2-3-CHI 15(8:55) M.Forte right end to CHI 19 for 2 yards (W.Moore).3-1-CHI 17 R10(8:10) J.Cutler pass incomplete short left to M.Forte.1-10-CHI 19(8:05) M.Forte left guard to CHI 46 for 27 yards (T.DeCoud).2-10-CHI 19 R11(7:15) J.Cutler pass short right to D.Hester pushed ob at ATL 1 for 53 yards (B.Grimes).Chicago challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was Upheld. (Timeout #1.)

1-10-CHI 46 P12

(7:00) J.Cutler pass short left to M.Spaeth for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.1-1-ATL 1 P13R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-P.Mannelly, Holder-A.Podlesh.

Timeout at 06:55. ATL 6 CHI 23, 7 plays, 92 yards, 3:18 drive, 8:05 elapsed

R.Gould kicks 65 yards from CHI 35 to end zone, Touchback.Atlanta Falcons at 6:55

(6:55) M.Ryan pass incomplete short right to M.Turner (N.Reed).1-10-ATL 20(6:49) M.Ryan pass short right to R.White to ATL 27 for 7 yards (T.Jennings).2-10-ATL 20(6:09) (Shotgun) M.Ryan sacked at ATL 16 for -11 yards (J.Peppers). FUMBLES (J.Peppers), RECOVEREDby CHI-B.Urlacher at ATL 12. B.Urlacher for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

3-3-ATL 27

Chicago Bears at 5:58R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-P.Mannelly, Holder-A.Podlesh.

ATL 6 CHI 30, 0 plays, 12 yards, 0:00 drive , 9:02 elapsedR.Gould kicks 65 yards from CHI 35 to end zone, Touchback.Atlanta Falcons at 5:58

(5:58) M.Ryan pass short left to M.Turner pushed ob at ATL 40 for 20 yards (B.Meriweather).1-10-ATL 20 P13(5:33) (No Huddle) M.Turner left end to ATL 42 for 2 yards (H.Melton).1-10-ATL 40(5:07) (No Huddle) M.Ryan pass deep left to J.Jones to CHI 26 for 32 yards (C.Tillman; B.Meriweather).2-8-ATL 42 P14Timeout #2 by CHI at 04:45.(4:45) M.Ryan pass short right to R.White to CHI 26 for no gain (T.Jennings; N.Roach).1-10-CHI 26(4:22) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short middle to R.White to CHI 18 for 8 yards (L.Briggs).2-10-CHI 26PENALTY on ATL-H.Douglas, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced at CHI 18.(3:50) (Shotgun) PENALTY on ATL-J.Hawley, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at CHI 33 - No Play.3-17-CHI 33(3:34) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass incomplete short middle to J.Snelling.3-22-CHI 38(3:29) (Punt formation) M.Bosher punts 32 yards to CHI 6, Center-J.Zelenka, downed by ATL-E.Weems.4-22-CHI 38

Timeout at 03:20.Chicago Bears at 3:20

(3:20) K.Bell right tackle to CHI 6 for no gain (C.Lofton).1-10-CHI 6Penalty on CHI-T.Clutts, Offensive Holding, declined.(2:59) J.Cutler pass incomplete short right to K.Bell.2-10-CHI 6(2:54) J.Cutler pass incomplete deep right to J.Knox (B.Grimes) [L.Sidbury].3-10-CHI 6(2:47) (Punt formation) A.Podlesh punts 51 yards to ATL 43, Center-P.Mannelly, downed by CHI-C.Conte.4-10-CHI 6

Atlanta Falcons at 2:36(2:36) M.Ryan pass incomplete short left to R.White.1-10-ATL 43(2:34) M.Ryan pass short left to T.Gonzalez to CHI 49 for 8 yards (C.Tillman; B.Urlacher).2-10-ATL 43(1:54) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short right to R.White to CHI 45 for 4 yards (B.Urlacher).3-2-CHI 49 P15(1:15) (No Huddle) M.Ryan sacked at CHI 46 for -1 yards (J.Peppers).1-10-CHI 45

Atlanta Falcons vs Chicago Bears at Soldier Field

(:32) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Ryan sacked at ATL 45 for -9 yards (A.Okoye).2-11-CHI 46(:10) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass incomplete short left to H.Douglas (C.Tillman).3-20-ATL 45

END OF QUARTER

Atlanta Falcons 6 10:58 1 5 0 6 3/7 0/0Chicago Bears 30 4:02 2 2 0 4 1/2 0/0

ScoreTimePoss

First DownsR P X T

Efficiencies3 Down 4 Down

Atlanta Falcons vs Chicago Bears at Soldier Field

Fourth QuarterPlay By Play 9/11/2011

Atlanta Falcons continued.(15:00) (Punt formation) M.Bosher punts 45 yards to CHI 10, Center-J.Zelenka, downed by ATL-S.Weatherspoon.4-20-ATL 45

Timeout at 14:50.Chicago Bears at 14:50

(14:50) M.Forte left end to CHI 16 for 6 yards (C.Lofton).1-10-CHI 10(14:03) M.Forte right tackle to CHI 22 for 6 yards (C.Lofton).2-4-CHI 16 R14(13:15) J.Cutler pass short right to R.Williams pushed ob at CHI 35 for 13 yards (L.Sidbury). CHI-R.Williams wasinjured during the play. He is Out.

1-10-CHI 22 P15

(12:48) J.Cutler pass short right to J.Knox to ATL 48 for 17 yards (T.DeCoud).1-10-CHI 35 P16(12:06) J.Cutler pass incomplete short middle to J.Knox.1-10-ATL 48PENALTY on ATL-S.Weatherspoon, Defensive Pass Interference, 4 yards, enforced at ATL 48 - No Play. X17(12:02) J.Cutler pass short middle to M.Spaeth to ATL 38 for 6 yards (T.DeCoud).1-10-ATL 44Timeout #3 by CHI at 11:15.(11:15) Direct snap to E.Bennett. M.Forte right end to ATL 38 for no gain (S.Weatherspoon).2-4-ATL 38(10:35) J.Cutler pass short right intended for E.Bennett INTERCEPTED by K.Biermann (J.Abraham) at 50.K.Biermann for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

3-4-ATL 38

Atlanta Falcons at 10:23TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. M.Ryan rushes. ATTEMPT FAILS.

Timeout at 10:23. ATL 12 CHI 30, 0 plays, 50 yards, 0:00 drive , 4:37 elapsed

M.Bosher kicks 65 yards from ATL 35 to end zone, Touchback.Chicago Bears at 10:23

(10:23) K.Bell right tackle to CHI 24 for 4 yards (S.Weatherspoon).1-10-CHI 20(9:42) K.Bell right end to CHI 23 for -1 yards (C.Lofton).2-6-CHI 24(8:59) J.Cutler pass short middle to K.Bell to CHI 42 for 19 yards (T.DeCoud) [S.Nicholas].3-7-CHI 23PENALTY on CHI-J.Webb, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at CHI 23 - No Play.(8:24) (Shotgun) J.Cutler pass short right to D.Hester to CHI 13 for no gain (S.Nicholas).3-17-CHI 13(7:47) (Punt formation) A.Podlesh punts 44 yards to ATL 43, Center-P.Mannelly. E.Weems to ATL 45 for 2 yards(C.Graham).

4-17-CHI 13

Timeout at 07:38.Atlanta Falcons at 7:38

(7:38) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass incomplete short right to J.Jones.1-10-ATL 45(7:34) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short middle to J.Rodgers to ATL 48 for 3 yards (L.Briggs).2-10-ATL 45PENALTY on ATL-S.Baker, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at ATL 45 - No Play.(7:15) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short right to J.Rodgers to ATL 45 for 10 yards (D.Moore).2-20-ATL 35(6:47) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Ryan sacked at ATL 35 for -10 yards (H.Melton).3-10-ATL 45(6:13) (Punt formation) M.Bosher punts 37 yards to CHI 28, Center-J.Zelenka, fair catch by D.Hester.4-20-ATL 35

Chicago Bears at 6:05(6:05) K.Bell left end to CHI 46 for 18 yards (W.Moore).1-10-CHI 28PENALTY on CHI-J.Webb, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at CHI 34.(5:31) J.Cutler sacked at CHI 22 for -2 yards. FUMBLES, and recovers at CHI 22. J.Cutler to CHI 22 for no gain(V.Walker).

1-14-CHI 24

(5:06) K.Bell right end to CHI 27 for 5 yards (S.Weatherspoon; K.Biermann).2-16-CHI 22Timeout at 04:59.

(4:59) J.Cutler pass incomplete short middle to D.Hester (S.Weatherspoon).3-11-CHI 27(4:55) (Punt formation) A.Podlesh punts 47 yards to ATL 26, Center-P.Mannelly. E.Weems to ATL 33 for 7 yards(W.Venable).

4-11-CHI 27

PENALTY on ATL-O.Mughelli, Illegal Block Above the Waist, 10 yards, enforced at ATL 26.Atlanta Falcons at 4:40

(4:40) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short right to T.Gonzalez to ATL 33 for 17 yards (B.Urlacher; C.Harris).1-10-ATL 16 P16(4:21) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Ryan pass incomplete short middle to R.White.1-10-ATL 33(4:17) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short left to J.Jones pushed ob at CHI 39 for 28 yards (M.Wright) [H.Melton].2-10-ATL 33 P17(4:09) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short middle to J.Rodgers to CHI 31 for 8 yards (B.Urlacher). CHI-C.Harris wasinjured during the play. His return is Questionable.

1-10-CHI 39

(3:46) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short right to R.White to CHI 25 for 6 yards (T.Jennings).2-2-CHI 31 P18(3:29) (No Huddle, Shotgun) PENALTY on ATL-G.Reynolds, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at CHI 25 - No Play.1-10-CHI 25(3:28) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short middle to J.Snelling to CHI 20 for 10 yards (L.Briggs; D.Moore).1-15-CHI 30(3:09) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Ryan pass incomplete short right to R.White.2-5-CHI 20PENALTY on CHI-T.Jennings, Illegal Use of Hands, 5 yards, enforced at CHI 20 - No Play. X19(3:04) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass incomplete short middle to H.Douglas (D.Moore).1-10-CHI 15(3:00) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass incomplete short middle to J.Rodgers [H.Melton].2-10-CHI 15Timeout #2 by ATL at 02:56.(2:56) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass incomplete short middle to J.Rodgers [H.Melton].3-10-CHI 15(2:51) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass incomplete short right to R.White [H.Melton].4-10-CHI 15

Chicago Bears at 2:42(2:42) K.Bell right guard to CHI 20 for 5 yards (L.Sidbury).1-10-CHI 15

Two-Minute Warning

Atlanta Falcons vs Chicago Bears at Soldier Field

(2:00) K.Bell left end to CHI 17 for -3 yards (S.Nicholas).2-5-CHI 20(1:11) J.Cutler sacked at CHI 15 for -2 yards (L.Sidbury).3-8-CHI 17(1:11) (Punt formation) PENALTY on CHI-A.Podlesh, Delay of Game, 5 yards, enforced at CHI 15 - No Play.4-10-CHI 15(:22) (Punt formation) A.Podlesh punts 41 yards to ATL 49, Center-P.Mannelly, fair catch by E.Weems.4-15-CHI 10

Atlanta Falcons at 0:15(:15) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short middle to J.Rodgers to CHI 36 for 15 yards (B.Urlacher).1-10-ATL 49 P20

END OF QUARTER

Atlanta Falcons 12 3:56 0 4 1 5 0/2 0/1Chicago Bears 30 11:04 1 2 1 4 0/4 0/0

ScoreTimePoss

First DownsR P X T

Efficiencies3 Down 4 Down

Atlanta Falcons vs Chicago Bears at Soldier Field

Atlanta Falcons vs Chicago Bears9/11/2011 at Soldier Field

Miscellaneous Statistics Report

Ten Longest Plays for Atlanta Falcons

Ten Longest Plays for Chicago Bears

VISITOR: Atlanta Falcons 0 1 0

HOME: Chicago Bears 2 1 0

Offense Defense Special TeamsTouchdown Scoring Information

Player Scoring Information

Play Start Play DescriptionQtrYards3-1-ATL 15 (14:09) M.Turner right tackle to CHI 32 for 53 yards (T.Jennings).3532-8-ATL 42 (5:07) (No Huddle) M.Ryan pass deep left to J.Jones to CHI 26 for 32 yards (C.Tillman;

B.Meriweather).332

1-10-ATL 20 (1:10) M.Ryan pass deep left to T.Gonzalez to 50 for 30 yards (C.Tillman) [M.Toeaina].1302-10-ATL 33 (4:17) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short left to J.Jones pushed ob at CHI 39 for 28 yards (M.Wright)

[H.Melton].428

1-10-ATL 20 (5:58) M.Ryan pass short left to M.Turner pushed ob at ATL 40 for 20 yards (B.Meriweather).3201-10-ATL 27 (8:08) (No Huddle) M.Turner left tackle to ATL 46 for 19 yards (D.Moore).2191-10-ATL 16 (4:40) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short right to T.Gonzalez to ATL 33 for 17 yards (B.Urlacher;

C.Harris).417

1-10-ATL 49 (:15) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short middle to J.Rodgers to CHI 36 for 15 yards (B.Urlacher).4151-10-ATL 43 (3:42) W.Svitek reported in as eligible. M.Ryan pass short right to J.Jones to CHI 43 for 14 yards

(T.Jennings).114

3-10-CHI 21 (11:39) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short right to R.White to CHI 7 for 14 yards (M.Wright).314

Play Start Play DescriptionQtrYards1-10-CHI 44 (1:23) J.Cutler pass short right to M.Forte for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.1561-10-CHI 46 (7:15) J.Cutler pass short right to D.Hester pushed ob at ATL 1 for 53 yards (B.Grimes).

Chicago challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was Upheld. (Timeout #1.)353

2-10-CHI 19 (8:05) M.Forte left guard to CHI 46 for 27 yards (T.DeCoud).3272-19-CHI 19 (2:10) J.Cutler pass deep left to J.Knox to CHI 44 for 25 yards (T.DeCoud).1253-6-CHI 27 (13:37) J.Cutler pass deep left to R.Williams pushed ob at 50 for 23 yards (D.Robinson).1233-10-50 (12:27) J.Cutler pass short middle to M.Forte to ATL 27 for 23 yards (T.DeCoud).1233-9-CHI 21 (4:52) J.Cutler pass short left to J.Knox to CHI 39 for 18 yards (C.Lofton).2181-10-CHI 35 (12:48) J.Cutler pass short right to J.Knox to ATL 48 for 17 yards (T.DeCoud).4173-6-ATL 32 (1:51) J.Cutler pass short left to R.Williams to ATL 17 for 15 yards (D.Robinson).2151-10-CHI 22 (13:15) J.Cutler pass short right to R.Williams pushed ob at CHI 35 for 13 yards (L.Sidbury).

CHI-R.Williams was injured during the play. He is Out.413

Club Player TD RushTD

RecTD

KOTD

PuntTD

IntTD

FumTD

MiscTD

FG XP 2PtRush

PointsSfty2PtRec

ATL K.Biermann 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 60ATL M.Bryant 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 60CHI R.Gould 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 0 0 120CHI M.Forte 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 60CHI M.Spaeth 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 60

Possession Detail First Half Second Half Game

Largest Lead

Largest Deficit

Drives Leading

Drives Trailing

Time of Possession Leading

Time of Possession Trailing

Times Score Tied Up

Lead Changes

Visitor Home Visitor Home Visitor Home0

0

0:00

-13

5

10:47

13

3

9:57

0

0

0:00

0

0

0:00

-24

7

14:54

24

6

15:06

0

0

0:00

0

0

0:00

-24

12

25:41

24

9

25:03

0

0

0:00

1

2

0

0

1

2

Arthur M. BlAnk

ATLANTA FALCONS NEWS CLIPS

Q&A: Falcons owner Arthur BlankFLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons owner Arthur Blank is ready to follow the NFL’s new slogan and get “Back to Football.”

After the 132 day lockout, a frenzied free agency period and training camp, Blank will travel to Chicago to see the Falconsopen the season at 1 p.m. Sunday against the Bears at historic Soldier Field.

In a Q&A with The Atlanta Journal Constitution, Blank discussed the lockout, his goals for the team and Michael Vick’sreturn to the Georgia Dome.

Q: How do you feel about the team going into the season?

A: I like the direction of the Falcons. We are well positioned to have another good year. But there is nobody in this leaguethat is going to give you anything. We’ve got to go out and play. The teams we are competing against are very powerful.

Q: What was the toughest part of the lockout for you?

A: Just in going through the process, it was very difficult because we have a great relationship with our players. But theplayers, the league and owners were able to get a deal done that’s a sustainable winning deal for everybody. From apersonal standpoint, the most difficult thing was feeling the angst of our fans.

Q: What would be a successful season for the Falcons in 2011?

A: I’m not into predicting our record, but obviously I would like to see us get to the playoffs again. That would make it threeout of four years. That would be great. Obviously, then I’d like to see us go deep into the playoffs. ... Those are our goals. Bein the playoffs. ... We are a significant team in terms of both our power rankings that all of the pundits are putting together.I think when we get to the playoffs we ought to be viewed that way as well.

Q: How has Matt Ryan done in leading the franchise thus far?

A: Well, I think he’s been great. I really liked the kind of leadership that he’s showed this spring when we didn’t have ournormal minicamps and our OTAs. Matt was able to provide the leadership with the camp that he put together with CurtisLofton and others, to get the young men that we had coming to the workouts on a voluntary basis. He was both the playeras well as the coach. I feel great about him on the field as well as off the field.

Q: Your thoughts on the home opener being against Philadelphia and your former quarterback, Michael Vick?

A: Well, our first home game is going to be like any other game. It’s a very good team we are playing. It’s one of the betterteams in the NFC and one of the better teams we’ll face. The fact that their quarterback is Michael Vick, in terms of ourcoaches and players, is really not going to make any difference. ... We look forward to competing. Obviously, I wish Michaelwell, except when he plays against us. I’ve been a big fan of Michael’s return to the NFL. I’m happy that he’s had on fieldsuccess and now I’m happy that he’s had some financial success as well.

Q: How important was it to sign coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff to contract extensions thisoffseason?

A: It was very important. These guys are the leaders of our football business. They represent two very fine parts of ourorganization on the coaching side and the personnel side. I’m thrilled to have them provide that leadership and theconsistency of that leadership, which is very important in terms of success in the National Football League.

THOMAS DIMITROFF

ATLANTA FALCONS NEWS CLIPS

Dimitroff: 'The expectations are legitmate'FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga.—Entering his fourth full season as Atlanta Falcons general manager, Thomas Dimitroff has alreadywon Sporting News NFL Executive of the Year award twice, including for his work in 2010. SN's Vinnie Iyer caught up withDimitroff at training camp to discuss just how good the Falcons feel about 2011, the big draft day trade for wideout JulioJones and other key decisions that have helped build the team into a consistent NFC contender:

Q: So how do you feel about this team you have assembled for this season?

A: Very encouraged about what we have both offensively and defensively. I feel like we accomplished what we set out toaccomplish in the offseason by adding some explosive elements on both sides of the ball. We were able to re sign two ofour three offensive linemen— very important for us—as well as a kicker, linebacker and running back. (I’m) encouragedhow things fell into place the way they did. The expectations are legitimate.

Q: Coming off the tough playoff loss to Green Bay, did you see the need to add more pop in the passing game?

A: Aaron (Rodgers), he was on fire—I don't know if I've ever seen a quarterback on fire as much. Our feeling was we knewwe had to go tit for tat with teams like that, quarterbacks like that. That was something that was on our mind, no questionabout it. We felt for a while now that we were very interested in having a No. 1A and No. 1B receiver. And we feel withJulio, we have added a nice element to be a very solid receiver in this league.

Q: Do you feel that just looking at the talented offenses in the NFC South, you have to keep up with these teams?

A: You think about it a little bit where our division is, how explosive it is as far as playmaking ability. We felt from the verybeginning when we drafted Matt Ryan, we had to continue to put pieces in place to help him along the way as we evolve asa team and Matt as a quarterback. We believe in riding the train while Matt is strong, healthy and young.

Q: With your defense, it seems like you've slowly added the right pieces through the draft and free agency over the pastfour years. What's been your plan there?

A: All along, we said, let's really focus on offense, take care of the big pieces there—some expensive, some high draft picks,and then build a defense that can be consistent, tough, young, hungry and passionate. We feel like we have that defense.We've sprinkled in the select veterans who have a lot of experience in the league and their own element of passion. Withour combination of youthful players who are going into their fourth year now and are battle tested, with the selectveterans, the defense is really starting to come together now.

Q: Have you been following how your defense has statistically improved over the past three seasons?

A: I'm very aware of that and follow that quite closely. I think it's a good indication of where we are. The finish to last year,though no one in this organization is dwelling on it, there's a little bit of a pit in the stomach that keeps the fire burning.Everyone wants to prove we are a very sound opponent and we're a defense that can play with anyone in this league.

Q: Just how much does your owner, Arthur Blank, facilitate your job as general manager?

A: Arthur has been very good with myself and (coach) Mike Smith as far as being mindful of that proverbial line, respectfullyspeaking, where he has allowed us as the two football decision makers to make the decisions we need to make. He's

provided some very good counsel along the way. He's been very generous to me and one of the most competitive ownersin the league. Anytime we need something we deem we will make this organization better—whether it's the talent on the

ATLANTA FALCONS NEWS CLIPS

field or the technology we need to improve in certain areas—he's always there to encourage us to do so. We're veryfortunate that way.

Q: How has your working relationship with coach Mike Smith been so successful?

A: One of the things I've been so impressed with since 2008 … from the very beginning, we have viewed building this team,setting policy —all the decisions we have made together—we do definitely see it through the same lenses. Our approachand our leadership style have been very congruent. With Arthur, the three of us work very well together when there are bigdecisions to make.

Q: When Arthur hired you and coach Smith in '08, was it at first overwhelming to look at the laundry list needed to turn theteam around?

A: There's no question it could have been perceived as a daunting task from the outside. But when Mike and I came in, weboth talked about being sequential with our approach. We focused on things in segments. We knew we had to take care ofcertain policies, we had to get the right players here and jettison the players we felt weren't right for this team. We had somany things on the docket we had to approach, but we stepped back and thought about knocking out one aspect as a time.We didn't look too far down the road.

Q: Is there any kind of blueprint you follow to building a team?

A: I think there's not a blueprint at all. For us, what works here—and I'm proud of Mike and myself—we're very systematicand we're very calculating in our decision making. We've made a concerted effort not to let the emotions send us indifferent directions.

Q: How important is the success of the Falcons to the city of Atlanta and the neighboring community?

A: I'm very impressed with the fan base here. They're very intelligent —they know football inside out. It's encouraging whenwe're out in the community to see the support. We've heard time and time again since we've been here in 2008 how muchthis fan base is craving a perennial contending team. They know that each game, we have a chance as a team to win. Thatmakes me feel good that we're providing the right product to be proud of and get behind.

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Fifty miles northeast of Atlanta, and Friday night was turning into Saturday morning. A solitary figure strode across a dewypractice field at the Falcons' training complex in Flowery Branch, Ga. All that lit general manager Thomas Dimitroff's pathwere a few stars and the dim glow from the team's offices 150 yards away. It was 1:05 a.m.

As with so many of his peers last week, the 45 year old Dimitroff did not work bankers' hours. Nor did he work regulartraining camp hours. In fact, it was the strangest week of his two decades in professional football. At 1:30 the previousMonday afternoon, NFL owners and players had agreed on the framework of the collective bargaining agreement, endingthe 135 day lockout and jump starting the league. Consequently the signing period for draft picks and free agents, whichnormally spans five months, would be compressed into five days as the NFL operated on the fly. Example: Originally theleague said teams would be able to make deals with free agent rookies at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. Then, at 6:25 p.m. onMonday it was announced that those negotiations could begin in 35 minutes.

It's the kind of week when a personnel guy might tell his wife and kids he won't be home for a while. "How do you knowanything in a week like this?" said Dimitroff last Friday. "None of us has ever been through this before."

This was the end of Day Five. But not really the end, because one day blended into the next, and there was still work to do.Falcons left guard Justin Blalock, 27, was a free agent, and Dimitroff wanted to keep him. The contract needed to get done,which is why the G.M. was now headed through the darkness to the office of Nick Polk, the team's salary cap expert.

Dimitroff knocked lightly and walked in. He found Polk, with an inked up offer sheet on his desk, talking with Blalock'sagent, Ben Dogra, on speakerphone. It had been a busy day for Dogra too: Nine hours earlier he'd landed cornerbackNnamdi Asomugha a five year, $60 million contract with the Eagles (page 32). After listening in on the back and forth for afew minutes, Dimitroff burst into the conversation: "Come on, Benny! Me and you! Come on! We were close four days ago!We gotta close the deal!"

Dogra was hoarse. He laid out his case—again—and Polk and Dimitroff banged home theirs. Dogra cited the Buccaneers'Friday re signing of guard Davin Joseph for seven years and $53 million; Polk and Dimitroff balked and said Dogra wouldhave to accept an offset clause so that if Blalock was cut with guaranteed money left on the contract, the Falcons'obligation would be reduced by what he made with his new team.

"Our owner says we gotta have an offset," Dimitroff said.

"O.K., I'll give you the offset," Dogra said. "But I get my average per year, my three year cash number and my guarantee."

"Benny, Benny, Benny," Dimitroff said.

Atlanta entered the week with three major personnel goals: to sign a pass rushing left end who could provide a strongcomplement to the aging John Abraham and to ink two of its free agents, Blalock and right tackle Tyson Clabo, to long termdeals. Clabo agreed on Friday to a five year, $25 million contract. Dimitroff hoped the promising 27 year old Blalock wouldcome in at five years for a little above $30 million.

But that was just part of the Atlanta staff's to do list. The Falcons had to sign their two exclusive rights free agents, decidewhich restricted and unrestricted free agents they would pursue (both their own and those from other teams) and fill outtheir roster with 23 undrafted college free agents, players who in normal years are signed in a two day window after thedraft.

Dimitroff put director of player personnel Les Snead in charge of the undrafted players, and Snead used a staff of ninescouts and administrators to recruit and make agreements with the top names on Atlanta's board. Snead not only had tooversee agreements with the players, but also had to do it all in about five hours because of the intense competition among

ATLANTA FALCONS NEWS CLIPS

teams. And then every one of those players had to be on a flight and in camp by Tuesday night, in time to undergophysicals, sign contracts and attend the first team meeting on Wednesday morning.

With so many clubs calling players over such a short time, there were going to be defections. At 11 p.m. on Monday scoutBob Kronenberg, who drew up the short list of offensive linemen, got Nevada tackle Jose Acuna to agree to terms. WhenSnead came back into the draft room for a 12:30 a.m. update he was told Acuna had switched to the Cowboys. Kronenberggot back to work, and by 9 a.m. on Tuesday he had the next offensive lineman on his list, Stony Brook center Paul Fenaroli,in the fold.

At one point Snead needed a 15 minute mental health break. He retreated to his office, closed the door and put on someNorah Jones. When he came out he got word that two more players had gone elsewhere. Not to worry, Dimitroff told him."The cruel reality," the G.M. said, "is that very few of these guys are going to have the chance to sniff our practice squad. Sowe've just got to move on to the next guy." All 23 rookie free agents were in house 26 hours after the Falcons hit thephones.

Shortly before 2 a.m. on Tuesday, Dimitroff lay down and heard his phone ping—an e mail from Polk, maybe 1,000 wordslong, with a checklist for the next day. Scroll, scroll, scroll. The topics: unrestricted free agents, rookie pool projections,offers to draft picks, cash and cap projections, contract language for veteran players, travel arrangements for players, howfar to go with free agent contracts. "I hope this wasn't too cumbersome," Polk wrote. Dimitroff's head spun.

The Falcons were 13 3 last year, and though the Packers blew them out in the divisional round of the playoffs, Dimitroffknew his roster didn't have many major holes. After trading up to draft Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones with the sixthpick in April, he could scratch "explosive offensive weapon" off his shopping list. (The move saved him from having topossibly overpay a free agent wideout such as Sidney Rice, who signed a five year, $41 million deal with the Seahawks.)That left one big free agent need: at defensive end, where the Falcons got five sacks combined from Kroy Biermann andJamaal Anderson last season.

Atlanta had begun the week interested in Panthers free agent Charles Johnson and pursued him when veteran free agencybegan on Tuesday afternoon. Dimitroff liked Johnson at $7 million a year but not at $12 million, which is what Carolina paidto keep him. At 7 a.m. Friday, Dimitroff decided to waive Anderson and wideout Michael Jenkins, two former first roundpicks who never produced at first round level. That saved $7.8 million in '11 cap room and allowed Polk and Dimitroff tofocus on the man they wanted most: Vikings free agent defensive end Ray Edwards.

The decision to offer Edwards a deal worth half of Johnson's—$27.5 million over five years, with a potential $2.5 millionmore based on his sack production—was easy. But the process was far from normal. With little time to arrange visits,Dimitroff, coach Mike Smith and owner Arthur Blank got Edwards on a webcam for 75 minutes on Thursday afternoon. "Atleast you can look at him and get a sense of the kind of person he is," Blank said. "That's how I interviewed Thomas before Ioffered him the general manager's job."

The strangeness was just as disconcerting to the players. As Dimitroff walked through the locker room on Friday, he saw agaggle of veterans staring up at a TV, watching ESPN's Adam Schefter reporting the latest news on player movement. "It's atough time for them," Dimitroff said of the vets. "They're not sure who's coming and going. It's their livelihood, and theroster is still in a state of flux."

Later that afternoon Dimitroff called Edwards's agent, Doug Hendrickson, to go over terms. "Dougie Fresh!" said Dimitroff."We got a deal on Ray?"

"We got a deal," said Hendrickson. "You're getting a hell of a player, and a hell of a kid."

ATLANTA FALCONS NEWS CLIPS

Shortly after Dimitroff finished the call, Polk walked into the G.M.'s office and said, "We've got to change one thing." Hewent to the grease board, wiped off an escalator clause for the 26 year old Edwards and scribbled new numbers, showingDimitroff how he'd changed the clause with Hendrickson at the end of the negotiation. "If you do a per year escalator," Polksaid, "that could be a one year spike in production. We'd rather do the escalator based on what a player does over three orfour years."

"Great," said Dimitroff. "It's better for us."

Finally on Friday afternoon Dimitroff got to see his players practice. He stood in the middle of the field as his offense ranplays 50 yards away. He watched for Jones's quickness off the line and gauged how well backup wideout Kerry Meier,projected to replace waived veteran Brian Finneran, was running after knee surgery last year.

"See you for a second?" said trainer Marty Lauzon. Dimitroff walked to a quiet spot, where Lauzon told him that backuptight end Robbie Agnone—who'd missed 2010 with a foot injury—had reinjured the foot. Dimitroff went back to the drills.Five minutes later Polk pulled him aside to tell him that Jason Snelling, a core Falcons special teams player, wanted to testthe market. Then assistant director of player personnel Lionel Vital came by to tell Dimitroff that veteran defensive end TyWarren, cut earlier in the day by the Patriots, might be available for a minimum contract.

Around 10 that night Dimitroff walked through the locker room, a man in need of levity. He found it. The just re signedClabo was chuckling at some construction work his teammates had spent far too much time on. A few cardboard boxes hadbeen sculpted into a faux ATM. Someone had written TYSON CLABO, ACCT BALANCE $12,000,000—the amount of Clabo'ssigning bonus.

"That is fantastic!" Dimitroff said.

"Evidently," said Clabo, "these guys don't know about the concept of income tax yet."

Funny thing is, Dimitroff was loving it. "When Smitty and I came here in 2008," he said, referring to his coach, "one of mygoals was that we were going to enjoy this journey. We were going to create an environment where people liked coming towork and building a great product. So when we're negotiating Justin Blalock's contract, it's not like I'll say to Nick Polk, 'Getthis damn thing done, Nick!' This is part of the process, so let's enjoy it. And if we can't, let's at least enjoy the challenge ofbuilding the team in a time when football's changing."

That explained Dimitroff's smile in the wee hours last Saturday morning as he listened to Dogra launch into a metaphorabout an episode of The Brady Bunch, whose meaning no one was too clear on. It was getting late—it was late—and peoplewere punchy. "So just kiss your sister," Dogra said. "I'm 6.75, you're 6.33. The number's 6.5. That's what it is."

Mike SMith

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Falcons coach Mike Smith eagerly awaits seasonFLOWERY BRANCH — Four years ago, only the well informed football cognoscenti knew Jacksonville’s defensivecoordinator on a first name basis.

The unassuming Mike Smith would join the Falcons as the head coach in January 2008 and promptly become the firstperson to lead the franchise to three consecutive winning seasons.

But after winning the NFC South title and earning the No. 1 seed for the playoffs last season, Smith is eager to get the 2011campaign underway.

The sooner the ball is kicked off in Chicago at 1 p.m. Sunday, the better. He wants to get the lingering bad taste from a lossto Green Bay in the divisional round of the playoffs and a long summer of NFL labor strife in his rearview mirror.

“I don’t like to talk about it,” Smith admitted.

Recently there was a T shirt in the Falcons’ locker room showing the score (48 21) of the loss to Green Bay and the word“Unacceptable.”

“I don’t know much about the T shirt,” quarterback Matt Ryan said. “This is the first that I’ve seen it. For me, that’s kind oflast year’s deal. Everybody was, at the time, disappointed with how it finished up.

“But you have to use those things the right way. You have to use it as motivation, you have to learn from it, and I think guyshave done that. Now, we need to put that behind us and focus on Sunday.”

Smith has moved on. He would rather focus on the 2011 season and the promise it holds for the Falcons, who at least onepundit is picking to win the Super Bowl.

“I’m excited about Year Four because of the unfinished business from Year Three,” Smith said. “Each and every year bringsnew opportunities. We’ve got great opportunities this year in a way that we put together our offseason. I’m lookingforward to seeing our guys go out and compete.”

The loss dropped Smith’s record to 0 2 in the playoffs. He has amassed a 33 15 regular season mark and is closing in on DanReeves (49) and Leeman Bennett (46) for most wins in franchise history.

Only three other coaches, George Seifert (38 10), Chuck Knox (34 8) and Barry Switzer (34 14) have better records thanSmith over their first three seasons in the NFL.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank honored Smith’s success with a three year contract extension in February that runs through2013.

“Smitty’s the total package,” Blank said. “He has strong leadership skills and experience and a track record to back it up.He’s a man of high character and integrity, and he’s highly respected by our players.”

After the Bobby Petrino experiment in 2007, the Falcons interviewed Rex Ryan, who went on take a job with the New YorkJets in 2009. Blank also interviewed Leslie Frazier, who was named Minnesota’s head coach this offseason.

Most folks had heard of Ryan, because of his father is former NFL coach Buddy Ryan, and Frazier, a former player with theChicago Bears. Smith had quietly put together a stellar resume in Baltimore and Jacksonville.

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“When Mike joined us in 2008, he promised fans a hard nosed, physical style of football — aggressive on offense andexplosive on defense,” Blank said. “Smitty has delivered that — and then some.”

Smith has used a stern hand and clear messages to become the first person to lead the Falcons to three consecutivewinning seasons.

But he wants more.

“I think that we’ve continued to add parts and pieces to the defensive side of the football,” Smith said. “We are veryfamiliar with one another. I think we are a faster unit than we were last year. That’s one thing that we said, that we wantedto become a faster and more urgent unit. We wanted to help our pass rush. I think that we’ve addressed that as well.”

Defending the NFC South title will be the first step for the Falcons. But after two trips to the playoffs over the past threeseasons, Smith appears to have the Falcons ready for a deep run into the playoffs.

Smith has a Super Bowl ring from his days as the linebackers coach with the Baltimore Ravens. He wouldn’t mind gettingone to match it as a head coach.

“I want our football team to be known as a smart, aggressive, physically tough football team that is going to go out andcompete every time that they step out on the field,” Smith said.

JOhn abraham

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Pursuit of title drives Falcons DE Abraham.The biggest difference with this year's Falcons isn't tangible, DE John Abraham told PFW.

It's not the personnel, although the roster received two big upgrades in rookie WR Julio Jones and DE Ray Edwards thanksto the aggressive offseason maneuvering of GM Thomas Dimitroff, who clearly believes the time is now for his team.

Abraham, entering his 12th season and sixth with the Falcons, senses the hunger to get over the hump is greater than everin Atlanta.

"The only thing about this year is we probably have a bigger chip (on our shoulder) than the year before," Abraham said.

The Falcons were sent home in the playoffs without a win for the second time in three seasons on Jan. 15, when thePackers dealt them a devastating 48 21 loss. Atlanta is looking for its first playoff win since the '04 season.

"It's tough," Abraham said. "A couple years before we played Arizona in the playoffs and end up losing. They end up goingto the Super Bowl and then Green Bay came to our house and pretty much handed us whatever we could take and they endup being Super Bowl champs.

"It kind of sticks in your mind. … It feels a little worse when the team that beats you ends up going to the ultimate game."

Abraham, a two time All Pro and four time Pro Bowler, has achieved rare individual success. He finished fifth in the leaguewith 13 sacks last season and is 10 sacks away from moving into second on the Falcons' all time sack list.

But Abraham turned 33 in May and might not have many seasons left. He never has been on a team that made it past thedivisional round. Entering his contract year, he said winning is more important to him than money at this point in his career.

One of his priorities during training camp was helping to instill that sense of urgency in the team's young D linemen.

"I'm trying to harp on them about how serious it is and how important it is for us older guys to get there this year,"Abraham said. "… I'm going to do a lot more pushing. If I need to be (an) ass about it, I'm going to because I know we have agood thing going here and I don't want (the defensive line) to be the reason we don't get there."

A leadership position is one Abraham says he didn't always feel comfortable in. That has changed over the past fewseasons.

"A lot of times before I didn't want to be the guy to stand up and say stuff because I didn't want to put ripples in the water,but now I don't care," he said. "I'm 33 now. I've been in the league. I've proven myself so I feel like I have the right to tellcertain people certain things. If they get mad, oh well. … We're going in a very positive direction and I'm trying to make sureeverybody understands that getting it now is really better than trying to get it later."

Younger players apparently have been receptive to the message. Roles and jobs on the D line are up for grabs thispreseason and Abraham said he doesn't think motivation is an issue.

"I really feel like no one has a choice," he said. "I'm not trying to call one guy out. We have 15 guys in that room right now,nobody has a (guaranteed) seat in that room right now. Even me. I feel like I still have to prove myself. I think everybody inthe room feels that way. We might keep eight, nine guys, so almost half the room might be gone.

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"I don't think anybody needs a fire under him right now. I feel like everybody feels like there is pressure on their back. Mypressure is more just to lead and be the guy they can come to and talk to."

Abraham said he hasn't spent much time looking beyond this season. He said he loves Atlanta and being close to SouthCarolina, where he was born and raised. He expects to continue living in the area long after his playing days are over, buttold his agent, Richard Rosa, not to talk to the Falcons about a contract extension until this season is over.

"I told my agent don't talk to them about an extension or anything," Abraham said. "Let's just have a good time this year.I'm old. I don't want to have that thing lingering with me for the whole season. A lot of guys try to handle it during theseason and they don't produce like they should. I don't want to go through that. I just want to play football and have a goodtime."

Celebrating a title, rather than a new contract, sounds better to Abraham at this stage of his career.

"There's a bigger goal for me than just getting more money," he said. "I really want a championship."

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Falcons veteran DE John Abraham feeling fresh in campFLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — These used to be the dog days of summer, when weary legs and aching shoulders reminded JohnAbraham of the physical cost required for his profession. Those reminders will still come, especially on Monday morningsafter the real games begin .

Yet for now, in the middle of training camp, Abraham, 33, has never felt better.

"This is what, our 15th practice?" the Atlanta Falcons' defensive end said after a no pads session last week. "I feel great.Before, the 15th practice was probably within the first seven days or so of camp. So I feel a lot fresher."

Abraham, prepping for his 12th NFL season, looked pretty fresh, too, beaming and barely sweating as he stood on the edgeof the practice field. Revised work rules instituted with the new labor deal, aimed to reduce wear and tear, have eliminatedtwo a day contact practices. You don't have to venture far in any NFL camp to find a veteran expressing summer bliss overthat development.

The rules, pushed forward during labor talks by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Domonique Foxworth and Indianapolis Coltscenter Jeff Saturday, limit teams to a maximum of 4 1/2 hours on the field during camp. On days with two practices, onemust be a walk through session without helmets. Padded practices longer than three hours are prohibited.

"The young guys don't know how good they have it," said Abraham. "They didn't come in like I did, when there were two aday practices every day in full pads. It was crazy. Now, with one padded practice per day, I'm loving this."

Abraham, an explosive pass rusher who was fifth in the NFL last season with 13 sacks, broke into the league with the BillParcells influenced New York Jets in 2000. He says he regards his rookie year camp under coach Al Groh his most gruelingever.

" I was trying to learn everything," he remembered. "I was on every special team, and played with the first string defense,second string and sometimes the third string. And every day there was a lot of hitting. I think we had just two shortpractices all summer. It was tough."

Was there at least some value with the tougher camps?

"I think it toughens you up to a certain extent, but I also think it wears you down," said Abraham, a four time Pro Bowlselection who missed eight games in 2006 and nine games in 2003 due to injuries. "At the end of the year, it kind of catchesup to you.

"I really won't be able to tell the difference until this year is over with, but as of now, in the midst of training camp, I knowit's a lot easier to wake up in the morning. It doesn't take as much preparation to get up and get ready to practice."

Right tackle Tyson Clabo, a seventh year pro, contends that his legs are just as tired as they were during camp last year. Yetwith the collisions in the trenches reduced, Clabo says, "My shoulders, my wrists and my hands don't hurt as bad."

The effects of the new camp regimen could be better illuminated over time. Players believe that careers will ultimately beextended and that they stand a better chance of leaving the game healthier. In the shorter term, however, coaches aretrying to gauge whether their teams will be as football ready when the season begins — especially after the 132 daylockout wiped out the typical offseason team workouts.

Heading into the preseason opener, for example, Falcons coach Mike Smith was interested to find out how his defensewould handle live tackling for the first time all summer.

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"No doubt, teams will still be ready," declared Abraham, whose 102 1/2 career sacks ranks second among active players. "Ifyou're a trained athlete, like most of us are, you'll be prepared. Now the young guys might take a little longer to catch up,learning the terminology and things, but for the older guys it's the same thing. It's football."

Abraham, fresh and active, sure had his big play presence intact against the Miami Dolphins on Friday night. He droppedinto coverage and intercepted Chad Henne's first pass, which led to a Falcons touchdown.

The big picture for Abraham involves helping the Falcons avenge their abrupt playoff exit . Despite a 13 3 regular seasonrecord that earned them the top seed in the NFC playoffs, the Falcons were trounced in their postseason opener by theeventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers.

"Hopefully, we gained some experience from that," Abraham said. "I'm going into my 12th year and it was good for me, too.It showed me that just because you feel that you can go all the way doesn't mean that you will. I think we can grow fromthat."

JOhnathan babineaux

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Babineaux the unsung hero of Falcons' defensive lineFLOWERY BRANCH — For someone so quiet, Jonathan Babineaux makes a lot of noise.

The tackle has grown into a disruptive force in the middle of the Falcons’ defensive line. Ends John Abraham and free agentsignee Ray Edwards grab much of the attention, but Babineaux might be the unsung hero of the unit.

Defensive end and good friend Chauncey Davis described Babineaux as ‘very quiet — on and off the field.’ However, hisplay speaks volumes.

“He really helps the ends out because if you don’t have a good inside presence, someone who can push the pocket upinside so the quarterback can’t just step up inside when he wants to, the ends wouldn’t get very many sacks,” Falconsdefensive line coach Ray Hamilton said. “He does a good job of keeping the quarterback from moving up in the pocket.”

Babineaux, a second round draft pick from Iowa in 2005, has steadily improved in his six seasons. He finished with 31tackles, including four sacks, last season, according to statistics kept by the coaching staff. That was fourth among Falconsdefensive lineman. Six of his tackles were for a loss.

Babineaux credits a stable coaching staff, in place for a fourth season, for his progress.

“We had two different coaches prior and two different schemes,” Babineaux said. “This scheme that I’m in now, I feel free. Ifeel they utilize my talent, letting me get on the edge of guys and letting me create disruption in the backfield. I have a goodtime out there doing it.”

Babineaux has 254 tackles, 18 sacks, one interception, seven forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries in his career. Oneof those fumble recoveries came in the end zone last season against the Seahawks for his only career touchdown.

In 2009, Babineaux led the Falcons with six sacks and had a career high 58 tackles. The previous year he ranked fourth inthe NFL in tackles for a loss with 9.5, according to STATS, Inc.

“It is my responsibility to do my job every time I step on the field,” Babineaux said. “They gave me the opportunity, andevery time I come out here I take advantage of it. I work my butt off every year to get better.”

The Falcons had trouble against the pass last season. They ranked 22nd in the NFL in the category. Against the rush, it was adifferent story. They ranked 10th in the league, allowing 105.9 yards per game on the ground. Babineaux’s presence in themiddle was one reason why the unit was so successful.

According to Hamilton, Babineaux has an uncommon ability as a football player. He can take what he learns in practice andapply it in games. It’s not something every player can do.

“He works hard every day, every play,” Hamilton said. “Then in the game he plays the same way. Some guys work hard inpractice but in the game they can’t take it to the next level. He does that. The small little details about his position, he soaksall that in and learns in and does it. Some guys will learn something but are scared to try it in a game.”

Hamilton said Babineaux also is aided by his knowledge of the opposing offensive schemes.

Babineaux doesn’t consider himself the unsung hero of the defensive line — just a member of a “family.”

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“My role is to be disruptive, get pressure on the quarterback, anchor the inside and try to make a lot of plays in thebackfield,” he said. “We always have to be on the same page because we rely on each other play in and play out. We mayhave a stunt with the end coming inside, and I have to come around and contain. We swap positions when we do stunts, sowe all have to be accountable to each other.”

harry douglas

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Douglas could become Falcons’ big play weaponIn a lineup that includes a future Hall of Fame tight end, a wide receiver who led the NFL in catches in 2010, and another forwhom the Atlanta Falcons surrendered a veritable king's ransom to draft in the first round of this year's draft, fourth yearveteran Harry Douglas(notes) might be easy to overlook.

But the former third round draft choice, seemingly fully recovered from the knee surgery that wiped out his '09 seasoncompletely and left him with a marked drop in quickness in 2010, could well be the key to the Falcons' much publicizedpursuit of a more explosive passing game in 2011.

"He's back and that really gives us an element we never really had (in 2010)," acknowledged Falcons' quarterback MattRyan(notes) after last Saturday's preseason loss at Pittsburgh. "People are going to concentrate on stopping Roddy (White),or Julio (Jones), or Tony (Gonzalez) … and Harry is kind of the X factor. We're counting on him again to make a lot of plays."

Through three preseason games, Douglas has done that and then some. He is tied with Jones, the potential differencemaker for whom the Falcons moved up to draft at the top of the first round, with a team high eight receptions. Moreimportant, Douglas has averaged 20.6 yards per catch, has scored twice, and has provided Atlanta with a viable slot receiverand an added third down option.

There are several excellent slot receivers in the league—Danny Amendola(notes) (St. Louis), Wes Welker(notes) (NewEngland), Austin Collie(notes) (Indianapolis) and Jason Avant(notes) (Philadelphia), led the NFL in receptions by a slotreceiver in '10—but not many, if any, possess Douglas' speed.

The position demands more quickness than speed, the ability to run through traffic in the middle of the field, and to beatthe single coverage often afforded slot players. Douglas possesses all the prerequisite attributes. And his speed permits theformer Louisville standout and two time All Big East performer to be more than just a guy who moves the chains.

Of the top five pass catching slot receivers in 2010, none averaged more than 12 yards per reception. Amendola andWelker each averaged less than 10 yards. Avant and Amendola scored only four touchdowns between them.

Douglas has a 76 yard touchdown reception in the preseason and has authored three of the Falcons' eight pass plays ofmore than 19 yards.

The key, Douglas said after the preseason loss to the Steelers, is the return of the speed he flashed in his 2008 rookiecampaign, his confidence in his knee, and the fact he can simply react again after having spent a campaign thinking toomuch.

"When you play confident, you play fast, and the knee feeling so good has allowed me to do that," Douglas said. "It's somuch better than a year ago. I can play now and not think about it."

Douglas, 26, registered 23 catches for 320 yards as a rookie in 2008, and seemed on his way to becoming a real force for theFalcons in '09, when he suffered a season ending anterior cruciate injury to his left knee on the fifth day of camp that year.A diligent rehabilitation program put him back on the field for 2010, but he wasn't the same player, despite catching 22balls for 294 yards, even though he played in all 16 games, with four starts.

Because of injuries, Douglas frequently had to play one of the outside receiver spots in '10. He is much more effectiveworking from the slot.

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Two years removed from the surgery now, Douglas is playing fast again. The return to health of the Jonesboro, Ga., native isone of the primary reasons the Falcons are so confident they can be more impactful in the passing game in 2011. As notedby The Sports Xchange in several previous columns, Atlanta had the second fewest completions for 20 yards or more (32) inthe NFL in 2010. Coach Mike Smith and his staff, and even players, have made "explosive" the operative word for theoffseason and training camp.

Getting Jones in the first round, after the trade with Cleveland, certainly will add to the team's big play capabilities. Buthaving Douglas at 100 percent, everyone seems to agree, will have a significant impact as well.

The three year veteran was well schooled in a sophisticated pass game while playing at Louisville and, while not particularlybig (6 feet 0, 183 pounds), can take a pounding running between the seams. Plus his speed and ability to get upfield make itdifficult to check him with just one player.

Ironically, it was during the lockout, when Douglas couldn't work with the team's medical staff and trainers, that thesurgically repaired knee began to feel whole. In the club's unofficial drills, which Ryan primarily organized, Douglasacknowledged he quit consciously thinking about the knee injury, put the surgery in the rear view mirror, and leftdefenders in his wake as well.

"Things just started coming naturally again," Douglas said. "It's my fourth year in this offense, and the learning curve part isover. Time again to start making plays."

And, in a passing game with a lot of bigger names, to make his own mark.

Ray edwaRds

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Rugged Ray Edwards ready to rumbleFLOWERY BRANCH — In need of a pass rushing defensive end, the signing of Ray Edwards on July 29 was hailed as anothershrewd move by Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff.

Edwards was considered the No. 2 free agent at the position by ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. and signed a five year, $30million contract.

Edwards had 20.5 sacks over the past two seasons (including playoff games). He had knee surgery over the offseason, butplayed in the final two exhibition games and showed flashes of his skills.

In a Q&A with The Atlanta Journal Constitution, Edwards discussed his plans for the season and how he plans to utilize hisspeed and power to terrorize quarterbacks on the Falcons’ schedule.

Q: Can you sum how it’s been since signing with the Falcons?

A: It’s been great. We’ve had some great times. I’m just learning the whole defense. It’s fun being around some great guys.

Q: What are the expectations for you this season?

A: I definitely have to apply pressure and make plays. I have to do great things; me, John [Abraham], [Jonathan] Babineauxand the whole front line. We just have to go to work.

Q: How would you describe your style of play?

A: Rugged! I just try to pattern my game after Reggie White and Michael Strahan. Those are two guys that I look up to in thegame because we have a similar build and everything. I just trying to bring that intensity to the game.

Q: Do you trace your interest in boxing to growing up in Cincinnati, which has a rich boxing tradition?

A: Hawk Time! Aaron Pryor, baby. Just being from the Midwest in general, Kronks Gym and Tommy Hearns [out of Detroit]and all of those guys. That’s just the way it is. I grew up around it and always had a love for it.

Q: When did you start focusing on football?

A: I played everything growing up. Then, when college started coming around, I picked football.

Q: How did you end up at Purdue?

A: I had a great visit with Shaun Phillips [of the San Diego Chargers], and he kind of just became my mentor. We grewtogether and had a great bond to our relationship. That’s what I was looking for when I wanted to get away from home.That’s how they got me. That’s DE U! We are all in the league. We have a lot of defensive ends in the league. It was a nobrainer.

Q: How is your style and John Abraham’s style blending together?

A: We are just trying to work off of each other. We are both pretty fast off the edge. I’m a little bit stronger than him. Iknow that my rush is a little bit different than his, but we just try to play off of each other. If I see him high, I’ll try to go low.

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If I see him high, I’ll try to go low. That way we can on different levels so wherever the quarterback goes, we can hopefullycapitalize on it.

Q: How is the defense coming together going into the season opener?

A: It looks good. We are all really working off of each other. [Babineaux] is doing well getting a push up the middle. So isPeria [Jerry] and the other guys. We are coming together. I think we are all getting on the same page.

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Edwards: Prepared for season with FalconsFLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — For most of the last 18 days, Falcons fans could only wonder what defensive end Ray Edwards —the team's biggest offseason free agent signing — has been able to do.

Coming off offseason knee surgery, which the team has deemed minor, fans mostly had to marvel at Edwards' impressive 6foot 5, 268 pound physique as one would admire a statue. Slowly, the Falcons have begun to integrate Edwards, who hadeight sacks last year with Minnesota, into practice as he rehabbed.

Ironically, now that practices are closed with the team having broken camp on Sunday, the big defensive end is taking moresnaps. Depending on how things go, Edwards could see his first preseason action on Saturday at Pittsburgh. Traditionally,the third preseason game is the one in which the starters play the most plays and also the only one for which coachesactually game plan.

"Yeah, again, we've been ramping up Ray's work each and every day," Falcons head coach Mike Smith after practice onMonday afternoon. "I thought today he got probably half the snaps, which is more than he's had, so, again, we continue toexpose him to more reps."

For his part, Edwards said that he is ready to go on Saturday.

"Got to ask about coach about that," Edwards said of whether he would play. "It's up to him. And if I do, I'm ready to go."

Edwards added, "I've been ready."

So while his teammates have had, in some cases, almost four weeks of sweltering in the heat to get ready for the season,Edwards has not. He said his conditioning would not be an issue.

"I condition well," he said. "I don't really worry about conditioning because, I mean, I train all offseason for the long hauland the football season, so I'm not worried about my conditioning."

While offseason conditioning can help to compensate for training camp conditioning, one thing that cannot be duplicated isreps to learn the team's scheme. That is where Edwards might have some catching up to do, but Smith said the player is ontrack.

Smith said that defensive end is no different from any other position in terms of learning the scheme and that defensiveline coach Ray Hamilton has helped out Edwards in that department.

"I think all of the positions basically have the same learning curve because it's a whole new verbiage that he has to learn,"Smith said. "There's only so many techniques that you can do whether you're a wide receiver or a running back, linebackeror a defensive end. The big thing is just learning the verbiage because it happens so quickly out there on the field. But Idon't feel like it's any different than any other position on the field.

"Ray has done a real good job when he first got here of working with Ray Hamilton and we hope that we get to see himhere over the next couple of weeks.

While he said that he would have to adjust to the team's philosophy of rotating players in on the defensive line — as he wasaccustomed to playing the whole game — Edwards said the team's scheme is "pretty straight forward."

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"Just a couple of different things and I think I got that down now and I'm ready to go out there and play ball," he said. "Ipicked up the scheme pretty well."

In terms of his offseason conditioning, Edwards said part of what helps him is boxing. He took part in a professional boutduring the lockout in May, winning a unanimous decision in four rounds.

"Absolutely, boxing helps you with a lot of things," he said. "It helps you with your footwork, it helps you with your hands,seeing guys trying to punch you, so it helps you out a lot."

Edwards was asked on Monday how he injured his right knee. He responded, "next question."

Asked if it were related to his boxing, he said, "No, just something that had to get done."

As it is now time for his football career.

tony gonzalez

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Falcons' Gonzalez refuses to act his ageFew in football have held out against the siege guns of aging better than the Falcons’ Tony Gonzalez.

This guy is Dorian Gray in shoulder pads.

Ageless as Springsteen.

As constant as “Meet the Press.”

Surviving a cannibalistic profession does not come without great effort. Gonzalez works out while you recline. He carefullyfuels up while you snack. As the author of a diet book and founder of a nutritional supplement company, Gonzalez doesn’tjust eat his food, he vets it. Each morsel must earn its way to his digestive tract.

The Falcons never ending tight end also has heredity on his side. Look at mom. “She’s 65 years old, and she looks about 45.She’s Tina Turner like, ripped up, muscled,” brags Judy Gonzalez’s boy.

Still, as a 15th year of professional football opens for Gonzalez today in Chicago, a 15th year of linebackers and safetieslining up to take aim at his connective tissue, the extraordinary breadth of his career defies easy explanation. The usualreasons wear thin after so long, leaving one to wonder what potion, or charm or Faustian bargain is at work here?

And then you find that he has outlasted even the supernatural explanations.

When Gonzalez entered the NFL in 1997, his mother presented him with a pendant that was inscribed on one side with aChinese character representing “longevity,” and on the other with one meaning “protection.” He wore that like a talisman,and it worked, year after uninterrupted year in Kansas City. Then, five years ago while surfing in Costa Rica, a big wavesnatched it off his neck. The superstitious part of him freaked. But still, Gonzalez played on without incident (just to be safe,his mother bought a replacement in San Francisco’s Chinatown).

“I guess it’s about what’s inside, more than wearing a charm,” Gonzalez said.

This is how long Gonzalez has persevered: As a senior in California, he was named a co winner of the Orange County highschool athlete of the year, sharing the title with Tiger Woods. Consider how time has nibbled away even at the body ofgolfer, and how the trials of Woods’ own making have weighed him down and aged him before his time. Meanwhile, the35 year old tight end has scarcely broken stride.

Seeing Gonzalez limping around with a damaged ankle at the close of last season’s playoff loss to Green Bay was as close asanyone has come at glimpsing his professional mortality. He had caught only one pass in that game and was devastated byyet another early postseason exit.

“I was really [angry] about the loss,” he said. “I felt we had underachieved.” And underachievement is at least a venal sin inGonzalez World.

So, for about a millisecond, Gonzalez thought about retiring.

“It didn’t take me that long to say ‘I feel good, I’m going to come back.’ I thought about the pros and cons. The cons didn’teven come close,” he said.

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Which brings us to this, the beginning of a Falcons season of great expectation, one in which Sports Illustrated’s Peter Kingpreordained them Super Bowl champions.

With his contract and its $5.75 million base salary expiring this year, Gonzalez is set up for one last run at a meaningfulseason. (There is no guarantee, however, he will not seek a new contract somewhere next year. He keeps taking his veggieprotein and his fish oil and feels fit enough right now to play a couple more years, he says.)

Included on the Falcons 2011 to do list is this: Excise the one great asterisk from Gonzalez’s career.

Re signed this year by the team that drafted him in 1999, Reggie Kelly backs up Gonzalez.

He has played nearly as long as Gonzalez without amassing anywhere near his gaudy numbers — just 875 fewer catches,10,703 fewer yards, 83 fewer touchdowns, that’s all. But Kelly has something Gonzalez doesn’t: a single playoff victory (withthe Falcons in 2002, over Green Bay).

He certainly would like to help rectify that grievous inequity. “You definitely want to play for a guy like that,” Kelly said.“You want to sacrifice so that, when he does retire, he can look back on all the hard work and know that it has equaledbeing successful.”

Three times, twice with Kansas City and last year with the Falcons, Gonzalez’s team has entered the postseason 13 3, onlyto be dismissed in the first round. Overall, his playoff record is 0 4.

The victories of Tony Gonzalez are measured in stats, the ones that will lead his parade from here to Canton (Ohio, notGeorgia). Among tight ends, he is the NFL’s career leader in receptions, touchdowns and 1,000 yard seasons. Among allspecies of receivers, he is sixth all time in catches and could climb to No. 2 with an average season. “Being behind Jerry Riceis not a bad thing,” he said.

Last season, he had his fewest number of receptions (70) since 2002 and fewest receiving yards (656) since 1998, and stillwas second on the Falcons in both categories.

Entering his third Falcons season, Gonzalez has not had a tangible impact on the January bottom line. Beyond providingMatt Ryan a when all else fails target, he acts as the conscience of a team learning to win.

He has proven to be the practice field example, an All Pro with the work habits of a desperate rookie. The drudgery of thefootball routine likely will drive him into retirement before his body breaks down, but still he commits.

“It’s tedious, monotonous work. Going over the same thing over and over, but that’s what football takes and that’s whatmakes football players great,” he said. “After 15 years, do I really need to go out there and run another corner route? Yeah,I do. But I get tired of it.”

When the Falcons signed Gonzalez, they also gained an unofficial team nutritionist.

Tuesday, the team’s off day, tackle Sam Baker called Gonzalez to ask about cutting beef from his dinner menu.

On the tight end’s prodding, receiver Roddy White is now eating oatmeal for breakfast. In the lunch line at camp, linebackerCurtis Lofton will bring his filled plate to Gonzalez for approval. Tight ends coach Chris Scelfo has lost around 30 pounds onGonzalez’s diet, and another coach told him he has been inspired to kick his addiction to bacon.

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“I still haven’t gotten through to Terry, though,” Gonzalez said from his locker Wednesday, just loudly enough to be heardby receivers coach Terry Robiskie as he passed.

All Gonzalez asks in return for his good work is one significant postseason run.

At the close of the first workout of training camp, defensive end John Abraham broke the team huddle with an exhortationto make this a special season for aging pros like himself and Gonzalez.

“We’ve got a special team; we have a great opportunity here,” Gonzalez said. “If we can just build on what we did last year,we have a legitimate shot.”

So, when the team is up against it and all the other rallying cries have been spent, would he resort to playing the win onefor Tony card?

“If it works, yeah. I’ll stand up in front of the whole stadium and say win one for me, please,” Gonzalez laughed.

Numbers from a long, proud career12,463 Career receiving yards, making Gonzalez the 17th player in NFL history to surpass the 12,000 mark.1,069 Career receptions, sixth all time.118.7 Gonzalez’s career passer rating. In 2001, he completed his only pass attempt for a 40 yard gain. Matt Ryan’s careerrating is 86.9.88 Career receiving touchdowns, tied with Don Maynard for 10th all time. He needs three more to catch No. 9 Isaac Bruce.70 Consecutive games started, since missing his last one in 2006. He missed two games with injury since taking over thestarting job in Kansas City in 1998.6 Career fumbles in 222 games played, none as a Falcon.0 Playoff games won.

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Ryan, Gonzalez still looking for playoff winsIn just three seasons, Matt Ryan has already earned that elusive tag: franchise quarterback.

You know, the kind of guy who'll be the centerpiece of your team for a decade or more. Just put some good players aroundhim, stand back and watch the wins come rolling in.

So far, that plan has worked to perfection for the Atlanta Falcons.

In the regular season, at least.

Now, it's time for Matty Ice to show he can win a playoff game.

''I understand how the NFL works, and how the fans work too,'' Ryan said. ''You are judged by what you do in January. Youhave to embrace that. Hopefully, we'll fully have another opportunity to change that perception.''

The Falcons have gone 33 15 since Ryan arrived in 2008 as the No. 3 overall pick. He claimed the starting job right away andfast forwarded a rebuilding job that was supposed to take several seasons after Michael Vick went to prison for dogfighting.

Ryan has already thrown for more than 10,000 yards, with 66 touchdown and just 34 interceptions. More important, he'sguided a franchise that had never had back to back winning seasons to three in a row, including an NFC South title and twotrips to the playoffs.

It's in the postseason where things have taken an ugly turn.

He's thrown only three touchdowns and been picked off four times. He's been sacked eight times, once for a safety. He'scoughed up two fumbles, one of them returned for a touchdown. Not surprisingly, both trips to the playoffs ended rightaway with losses, including last season's hideous 48 21 blowout at home by the eventual Super Bowl championship GreenBay Packers.

''There's a lot of things you learn in those situations,'' Ryan said. ''For one, your mistakes are magnified. You're playing suchgood opponents and it's a one game and down type of atmosphere. Anytime you make a mistake, it really counts as two.We certainly made too many mistakes in last year's playoff game. If given that opportunity again, hopefully we can improveon that.''

The way general manager Thomas Dimitroff was wheeling and dealing during the locked out offseason, it's clear he feelsthis team is right on the cusp of winning its first title. On draft day, he mortgaged a great deal of his future to acquirereceiver Julio Jones, the sort of breakout threat that seemed to be missing a year ago even with an offense that includedPro Bowlers Ryan, receiver Roddy White, tight end Tony Gonzalez, running back Michael Turner, fullback Ovie Mughelli andtackle Tyson Clabo.

With Jones added to that already potent group, the Falcons should have no trouble scoring even more points. They're alsocounting on having a lot more passing plays of at least 20 yards, ranking next to last in that category in 2010.

''It's a Ferrari offense,'' Gonzalez said. ''The biggest thing we've got to add this year is explosive plays. ... That's where Julio isgoing to come in and help us out a lot with his big body and his speed. With him and Roddy and myself and (third receiver)Harry (Douglas), there's a whole lot of weapons on this teams. And Matt's the guy driving the car. I feel very comfortablewith him driving the Ferrari.''

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Dimitroff didn't neglect the defense, either.

As soon as the lockout was settled and teams could begin signing free agents, Atlanta addressed its biggest need on theother side of the line. John Abraham was a Pro Bowler at defensive end, but he had little help rushing the quarterback aweakness that Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers exploited while carving up the Falcons in the playoffs.

Now, former Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards will be lining up on the opposite side from Abraham, a majorupgrade over last year's starter, Kroy Biermann.

Given the trade for Jones and the signing of Edwards, anything less than a trip to the Super Bowl will be a major letdown fora team that went 13 3 last season.

''The opportunity is short in the NFL. You have to take advantage of it while you have it,'' Gonzalez said. ''The more themerrier, and let's make a serious run at this thing.''

No one would appreciate a Super Bowl ring more than Gonzalez. The 35 year old heads into the 15th and, who knows,maybe the last season of a brilliant career that will surely take him to Canton after his playing days are over.

Gonzalez has pretty much done it all in his career. Except win a playoff game. Not even one.

As much as his teammates want to bring Atlanta its first NFL title, they really want to give No. 88 a chance to retire as achampion.

''He's got everything except that Super Bowl ring. We want to get him there,'' White said. ''He's been patient. He's playedhis heart out for 15 years. He's been at the top of the game. He's an awesome locker room buy and a great pro. He'sshowed a lot of people how to play football. That's a great thing. He should be rewarded.''

Brent Grimes

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Grimes puts imprint on Falcons defenseFLOWERY BRANCH In all likelihood, the starting defense that plays against the Chicago Bears on Sunday will share thefield for the first time.

Defensive end Ray Edwards, the team’s major offseason acquisition on defense, played only in the final two exhibitiongames. Starters Dunta Robinson (hamstring) and Corey Peters (knee) missed those games with injuries.

On Thursday, the team added cornerback Kelvin Hayden and safety James Sanders. The team is force feeding Hayden andSanders the defensive scheme with hopes of getting them on the field as quickly as possible. Hayden will get a shot at nickelback and Sanders initially will back up safeties William Moore and Thomas DeCoud.

In addition to defensive end John Abraham, middle linebacker Curtis Lofton and defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux, leftcornerback Brent Grimes, who had three interceptions in exhibition play, is one of the constants on the defensive unit, andsomeone to count on. Grimes likes what he sees of his unit post lockout.

“It was tough coming in without the organized team activities and everything, but I feel like most everybody came inprepared and in shape,” Grimes said. “We did what we could with this training camp and we got some good work out of it.”

Last year, the defense finished ranked fifth in points scored (18), 10th in rushing defense (105.9) and 22nd against the pass(226.6) in the league. The offseason goal was to improve the pass defense and do a better job of stopping teams in thirdand long situations. The problem was the players brought in to help were late arriving.

Grimes, who tied for the team lead with five interceptions, comes off a breakthrough season in which he went to the ProBowl. He’s looking for more this season.

“I’m just trying to get better, work on my fundamentals,” Grimes said.

Grimes, 28, who was signed as an undrafted free agent from Shippensburg University in 2006, has come a long way. He hada stint on the practice squad and some time with the Amsterdam Admirals in NFL Europa.

“You can never rest and think you’ve got it,” Grimes said.

Grimes believes the defense has improved, even with its limited practice time.

“We showed that we can make plays and that’s what we want to do as a secondary,” Grimes said.

Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder would like a more aggressive unit, but concedes he must first know that hisdefensive backs will hold up in man to man coverage.

Grimes is ready for a steady dose of man to man or zone coverage.

“We are willing to do whatever it takes for the team to get better,” Grimes said. “If that’s what we want to do, beaggressive and get after the quarterback, then we have to cover on the back end. I feel as though we can do that with theguys we have out there.”

Grimes was a restricted free agent and signed a first round tender contract that pays $2.61 million for this season. Withanother strong campaign, the Falcons will likely try to sign him to a contract extension during the season.

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They could place the franchise tag on him, but they likely won’t let him reach unrestricted free agency status.

Grimes is keenly aware of his contract status, but is determined to focus on his play. Last November, the Packers signedcornerback Tramon Williams to a four year $33.074 million extension, giving Grimes something for comparison.

Under general manager Thomas Dimitroff, the team generally has reached contract extension with key players beforeletting them test free agency.

“I approach it like any other year, to be completely honest with you; I just want to be the best football player that I canpossibly be,” Grimes said. “If you do that, everything else will take care of itself. ... I plan to just focus on playing football. Iwill let my agent worry about all of those numbers.”

Kelvin Hayden

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Falcons' Hayden ready to step upFLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. The Atlanta Falcons enter their season opener on Sunday with their starting lineup set exceptfor one key position.

While the coaching staff might have decided privately as to who might have won that last job, they have not let the secretslip publicly.

That position happens to be nickelback which proved the team's Achilles' heel last year in the playoffs and it alsohappens to be a spot where the Falcons officially announced the signing of veteran Kelvin Hayden one week ago today.

During the preseason, the Falcons had hoped that third year man Christopher Owens, who played the position for most ofthe first half of last season and then in the team's disastrous showing in their lone playoff game in January, or DominiqueFranks, a 2010 fifth round pick, would step to the fore.

The signing of Hayden, 28, seems to reflect a dissatisfaction with the above younger duo. Much like the acquisition of BrianWilliams to play that same position in 2009, the Falcons are getting a player in Hayden who was cut for salary cap reasons.In six seasons in Indianapolis, Hayden had 37 passes defended and nine interceptions and, most notably, a 56 yardinterception return for a touchdown in the Colts' 29 17 victory over the Bears in Super Bowl XLI.

Coming off a season ending neck injury that has limited him to 20 games over the last two seasons, Hayden was set to earn$6 million this season when the Colts cut him to make room for quarterback Peyton Manning's five year, $90 millioncontract extension.

"You got to understand it is a business," said Hayden, who has said on multiple occasions that his neck is fine. "It's a game,but it's a business as well. Things don't always go in your favor. I learned that the hard way. I take it and ran with it. Iunderstand the situation and the guy they were trying to free cap space for it. He's well deserving."

That might be an understatement. In 2009 when Jacksonville cut Williams, they also were asking him to take a pay cutthough not for any Manning caliber player. When he refused, they waived him and he supplanted Chevis Jackson, who didnot inspire confidence as the nickelback with his preseason.

The big difference was that Williams played for Falcons head coach Mike Smith when Smith was the defensive coordinatorfor the Jaguars, so he stepped into a familiar situation.

It's not quite the same with Hayden.

"Well, I think the similarities would lie in the fact that there's a new player coming into your system and there's a biglanguage change, so all the communications are different," said Falcons defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder incomparing Hayden's situation to that of Williams'. "What would be similar with the two of them would be (that) they'reboth NFL veterans, so that most of the things schematically that you're doing, they're familiar they have a familiarity with.

"It's just a different type of call and there might be some technique differences that need to be polished up to get theplayers on the same page with how we do it. But both those guys (safety James Sanders whom the Falcons also signed lastThursday) are guys who will pick it up because they're smart players and they've been in the league a long time."

One factor in Hayden's favor is the nature of defense itself. While offenses might have myriad variations, defenseespecially nickelback is perhaps not as multi faceted.

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"It's similar in a couple ways, but once you play Cover 2, Cover 3, you can only play it so many ways," said Falcons veteranlinebacker Mike Peterson, a former Colt himself. "So it's basically just get the lingo down, speaking the same terminology,and I'm sure he'll adapt. He'll pick it up fast."

Smith told reporters after practice on Thursday that Hayden would be active for the game, along with Sanders, but he didnot reveal whether Hayden would start. (The Falcons consider the nickelback a starting position because they use thepackage so often.) Earlier in the week, VanGorder said he was confident that Hayden would be ready to play.

"I'm confident," he said. "Again, he's played football in this league for years and we already know what he's done and wecan use that background and that knowledge in our system and have an effective player."

While most players took last Friday, Saturday and Sunday off following the team's final preseason game, Hayden gavehimself a crash course in the defense. He took the playbook home or whatever passes for home right now and calleddefensive backs coach Alvin Reynolds when he had questions.

Hayden admitted that he will not have the book memorized by Sunday, but if the Falcons scale down their playbook whenhe's in the game, he should be fine.

"Of course, I don't know the whole defense," Hayden said, "but if they're putting in a defense that's just going to be calledon Sunday and I can have those down pat, then I'm fine and if I can just learn defenses that are going to be run week inweek out, I think I can handle that challenge."

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler said in a conference call with Atlanta reporters on Wednesday that Chicago might target theFalcons' new secondary players if the chance presents itself.

"If we get the opportunity," Cutler said. "We don't really kind of hammer at one certain guy we're going at. Just dependingon what their coverage is, that's going to tell me where to go with the ball. So if it comes up where they've got a new guy inthere and we've got the coverage we want against the play we got and we got a chance to test ‘em, we will."

On a few occasions last year, the Falcons saw opposing teams target their nickelback Owens in particular. He had 13tackles in a 39 32 win over Cincinnati as the Bengals went after him. He lost his job after that to Williams, who was comingoff season ending knee surgery in ‘09, but regained it when Williams went out again late in the regular season with anotherknee injury (which is why the Falcons elected not to re sign him). Then in January, Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers torched theFalcons in a 48 21 win.

If Hayden can help the Falcons improve their 22nd ranked pass defense from a season ago, it will go a long ways towardshelping on Sunday and beyond.

"Especially coming out of the system in Indianapolis," Peterson said of his new teammate, "you got to be a ballplayer."

Peria Jerry

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Falcons' Jerry finding his form, draws startFLOWERY BRANCH – During the lockout, Falcons defensive tackle Peria Jerry spent time working out at the University ofMississippi with Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Michael Oher, whose life was once loosely depicted in the movie "TheBlind Side."

Jerry and Oher, former college teammates, shared some football insights while working to stay in shape.

“We were just working on fundamentals and techniques,” Jerry said. “It was just us working on what we need to do to getbetter.”

Unlike his friend, Jerry, a former first round draft pick, fell out of the limelight, though he'll draw a start against Jacksonvilleat 8 p.m. Friday at EverBank Field.

After suffering a gruesome knee injury in the second game of his NFL career in 2009, Jerry has been in recovery and workinghis way back into form.

“I’m just getting the feel of the game back,” Jerry said. “I’m just going to keep working. I feel real good about myself.”

Last season, Jerry played on passing downs only. A knee injury to Corey Peters has pushed Jerry into the starting lineup forthe upcoming game against the Jaguars.

Jerry was the 24th player taken overall out of Mississippi in 2009. He opened the season as a starter against Miami beforegetting injured in the fourth quarter of a 28 20 win over Carolina.

Peters, a third round pick in last year's draft, won the starting job last season. He started 15 games and finished with 40tackles, two tackles for losses and a sack.

Peters started in the exhibition opener against Miami and Jerry came in with the nickel defense.

“Peria got a lot of snaps in the ballgame,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “We saw some explosiveness running to thefootball, so it’s good to see him back almost to 100 percent.”

Peters suffered a left knee injury in practice Sunday, and is considered day to day.

“Right now the doctors and the trainers are saying all we need to do is rest it and see how it responds to treatment over thenext three or four days,” Smith said.

The Falcons did not want to entertain the notion just yet that Jerry might open the season as the starter if Peters can’trecover quickly.

“Right now, he’s definitely out for this week and we’ll see where he is for next week,” Smith said.

The Falcons still believe that Jerry can become a force.

“He’s been a successful football player at all levels,” Smith said. “It’s unfortunate that he had the injury. Last year, he nevergot back to 100 percent with that injury. This year, he looks very good.”

Jerry made plays in opposing backfields last season, collecting 14 tackles, four tackles for losses, two sacks and threequarterback hurries.

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Smith, a former Baltimore assistant and Jacksonville defensive coordinator, is encouraged by what he's seen of Jerry.

“If you take the average number of snaps and his production, he was a very productive player last year,” Smith said. “Weare hoping that he’ll continue to progress and keep working toward getting back to where he was. The trait that he has,that a lot of guys don’t have, is that he’s very explosive.”

The Falcons are hoping that as Jerry gets more comfortable with his knee that he'll become even more disruptive.

“We just told him from the beginning, do what you’ve always done,” Smith said. “You don’t have to change your game. Ithink Peria is coming along and progressing well.”

With constant prodding from defensive line coach Ray Hamilton, Jerry appears to have taken the message to heart.

“Coach Ray is going to be coach Ray; he’s hard every day,” Jerry said.

Jerry’s defensive line mates can see his confidence growing, almost with each snap of the football.

“For the most part, he’s like my little brother,” defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux said. “I try to keep him under my wing.I try to make sure that he’s doing the things to develop his game.”

As far as Jerry’s concerned, the knee injury is behind him.

“I feel real good about myself,” Jerry said. “I have more knowledge about the game and that should help me play faster. Ireally feel good about the upcoming season.”

Julio Jones

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Roddy White: WR Jones ready to shine for FalconsFalcons Pro Bowl receiver Roddy White is eager to see how opponents defend him now that Atlanta has added rookiewideout Julio Jones.

Trying to cover tight end Tony Gonzalez, flanker Harry Douglas and rookie running back Jacquizz Rodgers might wear downthe Chicago Bears if White matches his single game career averages and Jones, the NFL's No. 6 overall draft pick, lives up tohis potential in Sunday's season opener.

''We are confident,'' White said Thursday, ''but we know these guys aren't called the Monsters of the Midway for nothing.''

Even though the Falcons' passing attack has the ability to produce substantial numbers behind two time Pro Bowlquarterback Matt Ryan, White knows that Chicago offers a tough test.

Since 2004, the Bears have the NFL's most takeaways (235), including 137 interceptions, and are led by a secondary thatincludes standouts Chris Harris at strong safety and Charles Tillman at cornerback.

Chicago added former Indianapolis starting cornerback Tim Jennings in free agency and hopes that Major Wright is ready tohandle the responsibilities at free safety.

Harris, however, missed tackles on touchdowns scored by the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans in the preseason, sothe Bears this week signed former Pro Bowl safety Brandon Meriweather after his release from New England.

''There are always people around when someone catches the ball, so you've got to make some of those guys miss and breaktackles,'' White said. ''We need some explosive plays against those guys because they keep everything in front of them. Youwon't just throw balls over their heads and things like that.''

Jones' development seems to be going well. Just as he did during the NFL lockout in June and July, Jones still meets nearlyevery day after practice with Ryan to watch film and study the playbook.

He is ready to show what he's learned, but Jones likewise knows that nothing will come as easily as it did during his threeyears in the Southeastern Conference with Alabama.

''In the SEC, everybody competed and here they're competing hard, too,'' Jones said. ''Here, I think it's more so because it'stheir job. That's how they provide for their families.''

Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff orchestrated a blockbuster trade with Cleveland on draft day, moving up 21spots to pick Jones. The move was Atlanta's acknowledgement that it was predictable and too easy to defend in the playoffslast season, this despite Pro Bowl seasons from Ryan, White, Gonzalez and running back Michael Turner.

White led the NFL with 115 catches and was second with 1,389 yards receiving in 2010. Those numbers set single seasonfranchise highs, but White knows they weren't good enough to get him and the Falcons to the Super Bowl.

After earning the NFC's No. 1 seed, Atlanta was blown out at home in the divisional round, losing to eventual championGreen Bay. The Falcons' offensive weakness tying for last in the league with only 44 plays of 20 yards or longer wasexposed.

The arrival of Jones is supposed to help stretch the field and give Ryan a speedy, deep option.

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Jones will soon understand, however, that routes close much quicker in the NFL than they do in the SEC.

''At a receiver's level, I think the only big difference is the windows are harder to catch the balls in,'' Douglas said. ''Thewindows are smaller. In the NFL, you have to catch a lot of balls with bodies on you. You're not as wide open as you are incollege. They disguise coverages a lot better, too.''

White believes Jones has taken the right steps to succeed.

''When he first got here, he was kind of running routes short and stuff like that, but he's just moving along now,'' Whitesaid. ''He's rolling.''

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Atlanta Falcons hope Julio Jones is last puzzle pieceFLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – With one long throw to the end zone amid the searing summer humidity early in training camp,Thomas Dimitroff's heart nearly stopped right on the edge of the practice field. It was Julio Jones, down on the turf.

This was the last thing that Dimitroff, the Atlanta Falcons' vibrant general manager, wanted to witness, even briefly. Jones,the rookie receiver from Alabama for whom the Falcons traded a bundle to draft sixth overall, had plopped to the grassafter diving for a 40 yard Matt Ryan pass that sailed beyond his fingers.

"I wasn't thinking," Jones recalled days later. "It was like, 'See ball. Get ball.' I turned around and left my feet. I dove for it alittle bit. But it wasn't like an over exaggerated dive."

Chalk up rookie lesson No.1.

Jones, 22, remembers exactly what Ryan told him after coming downfield.

"He was like, 'You don't dive at practice. Stay off the ground,'" Jones said. "I've got to control it. The most important thing isbeing able to play when it's game time. Practice, we can get that back."

At the next practice, Dimitroff sidled up to Jones and was polite with his request: "Can you please stop diving for balls?"

It is easy to understand the anxiety. In the most stunning move during this year's draft, the Falcons dealt five picks to theCleveland Browns, including a first rounder in 2012, to move up 21 slots to claim the big, physical receiver packingexplosiveness.

Given such cost, Jones, 6 3, 220, who left Alabama after his junior year, will make his NFL debut at Soldier Field on Sundayagainst the Chicago Bears with arguably more pressure to succeed than any rookie besides No.1 overall pick Cam Newton.

Atlanta earned a No.1 seed last season with the NFC's best regular season record (13 3), then was trounced in its playoffopener by the Green Bay Packers. Jones — clocked at 4.39 in the 40 yard dash at the combine, with a 40 inch vertical leapdespite a stress fracture in his left foot that has since been surgically repaired — represents a big response to that setback,as the Falcons begin a new year among contenders to reach Super Bowl XLVI.

"We learned that we have to have explosive playmakers," Dimitroff says of the playoff loss, "if we're going to go tit for tatwith explosive teams."

The Falcons already have one big time receiver in all pro Roddy White, who led the NFL with 115 catches last season andset a franchise mark with 1,389 yards. Yet for a month before the draft, Dimitroff plotted strategies to land Jones or Georgiareceiver A.J. Green, who was picked fourth by the Cincinnati Bengals.

"I think you can see the direction they're going," said Fox analyst Brian Billick, a former Baltimore Ravens coach. "Theyneeded help on defense in the draft, but instead they figured, 'Let's make our offense even better. We're going to feed thestud.'"

Ryan, the stud Billick refers to, ranked among the top 10 quarterbacks last season for passing yards (3,705) and TD passes(28). But he was tied for 26th in the league with 6.49 yards per attempt. And with White posting a career low 12.1 yards percatch, the Falcons ranked next to last in the NFL with just 32 receptions of 20 plus yards.

No wonder explosiveness is such a buzzword for Dimitroff.

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"At 27," he said of the team's original slot in the first round, "we would have been staring down the barrel of a right tackle.We wanted 1A and 1B receivers."

Jones carries weight of great expectations

There are no guarantees, considering the mixed bag of results for highly drafted receivers in recent years. Of the 14receivers taken with top 10 picks in the previous 10 drafts, just three became bonafide stars —Larry Fitzgerald, AndreJohnson and Calvin Johnson. Two others, Braylon Edwards and Roy Williams, have had marginal success but start anew thisseason on their third teams.

"Sometimes, that stuff gets overblown about this position or that position," says Falcons coach Mike Smith, who came tothe team with Dimitroff in 2008. "We try not to compare our guys to someone else. We evaluate what we see."

Throughout the summer, the Falcons have confirmed the scouting reports on Jones, signed to a four year, $16.2 millioncontract. He is a complete receiver, just as prone to deliver a crackback block or dash to daylight on an end around as he isto snag a pass in traffic while dreadlocks dance from the back of his helmet. And as his practice dive and daily battles withPro Bowl cornerback Dunta Robinson indicate, he lacks nothing in the intensity department.

Prepped by Nick SabanWhat impact has Alabama coach Nick Saban had on Julio Jones? Plenty, maintains the Atlanta Falcons rookie receiver. Jonesoutlined what he considers the most crucial traits Saban demands of his players:

Be responsible. “He implored us to grow up and be men.”

No excuses. “Being late to meetings wouldn’t cut it.”

Don’t point fingers. “You couldn’t throw anybody under the bus.”

Such standards surely can be tested during the heat of competition.

“Take bad body language,” Jones says. “If the quarterback throws a bad ball, you can’t be jumping up and down, acting silly.That’s bad chemistry. You can’t have that on a team. It’s like a cancer. Whether you’re up or down, you just have to staypositive about every aspect of the game.”

By Jarrett Bell"He is so competitive," Dimitroff gushed during a recent practice. "He wants to make every play, even out here."

After the draft, Alabama coach Nick Saban called Dimitroff and mentioned there was one thing he'd never have to worryabout with Jones: focus. By that, Saban maintained that neither the pressures of the game or outside distractions would beissues.

"I'm in a big city and there's a lot going on, but I keep my priorities in line," says Jones, a native of Foley, Ala. (pop. 13,807)."I want to be successful. All the other stuff is irrelevant. Coming in as a rookie, I don't go out. I haven't even been fishing,like I normally do."

Ryan, who worked out with Jones for five weeks before camp while teams were locked out, is highly impressed with therookie's attention to detail. Ryan has picked up on subtle cues, including the type of questions Jones asks in meetings andattentiveness in watching others when he's not on the field.

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"That's going to help. He's got the right mind set," says Ryan.

Jones surely does not fit the profile as the NFL's next great "diva" receiver. Asked at the combine to name the player whobest reflects his style, he chose a linebacker rather than receiver — Ravens icon Ray Lewis.

Turns out that Jones is such a fan of Lewis that he's searched YouTube for nuggets.

"He's been playing 15 years, but he doesn't cheat," Jones says. "He stays in shape, and does so many things to take care ofhis body. He drinks two or three gallons of water every day to stay hydrated. Just little things like that. And I love thepassion he plays with."

Falcons eager for postseason success

Jones, who helped Alabama win a national title two seasons ago, might be on the road for creating his own legend wrappedin passion. When he was 12, he finally convinced his mother, Queen Marvin, to allow him to play football for the first timewith a recreation league team called the Lions.

"I wanted to play since I was about six," recalls Jones, who played running back until switching to receiver in 10th grade —which might explain his prowess in piling up yards after the catch and on end around rushes. "She was afraid I'd get hurt.

"I had to beg her. I told her, 'If you let me play, I promise I'll never lose a game.'"

The Lions went undefeated.

Winning and losing is still paramount, as Jones can sense the bitter taste lingering with his new team as it regroupsfollowing the abrupt end to last season.

"It hurt a lot," says defensive end John Abraham, a 12th year pro, of the 48 21 loss to the Packers. "I really thought we hada team that could go all the way. And then the team we lost to went on to win the Super Bowl. It took me like three monthsafter that to even want to watch SportsCenter."

In the three seasons since Dimitroff and Smith came aboard to rebuild a team devastated by Michael Vick's dogfighting caseand former coach Bobby Petrino's bolt back to the college level after less than a season, the Falcons have produced threeconsecutive winning seasons. Yet the team is 0 for the playoffs during that span, twice eliminated in postseason openers.

"Anytime you put yourself in position in January to make a run and you don't get it done, it's frustrating," says Ryan,starting his fourth season. "But it's a new slate. What happened last year has no bearing on what we're going to do thisyear."

Still, Ryan acknowledges there were lessons. He laments the interception he threw before halftime that was returned for ascore that made it a two touchdown game.

"The mistakes you make in playoff games are heightened," he said. "It stinks that there are those growing pains and youhave to learn them some way. But you learn more when you're down in the dumps."

Jones might make a difference. Yet there were also other key tweaks. The Falcons drafted an explosive, pint sized runningback, Jacquizz Rodgers, to complement power rusher Michael Turner. And an inconsistent pass rush was addressed withformer Minnesota Vikings end Ray Edwards signed as the complement to Abraham.

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"I'm going to do whatever it takes for us to win," says Jones. "I'm willing to work, and I'll be accountable. They've seen thatin me. But I'm not going to put any extra pressure on myself. I can't go out there and try to be a super hero."

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Keeping up with Atlanta's Julio JonesThe Atlanta Falcons made such a risky leap on NFL draft day that the entire organization could have wound up on thedisabled list. No team had ever vaulted as far as from 27th to sixth in the first round.

Thomas Dimitroff, the team's general manager, said he was feeling no buyers' remorse the next day after spending fivepicks, all for wide receiver Julio Jones. Still, any reassuring salve would be welcome.

It came during a phone conversation with Nick Saban, Jones's esteemed college coach at the University of Alabama. Sabansaid, "One thing about this individual is that, second to none, he will not be affected by going to the next level."

Recalling the conversation, Dimitroff said, "That was something I really like to hear, from a guy like Nick Saban."

The most audacious off season transaction of the off season was pulled off by a 13 3 team, eliminated in the play offs bythe buzzsaw that was Green Bay, the eventual Super Bowl champions.

Looking at their deficiencies, Dimitoff narrowed things down to a lack of big plays on offence.

In the 2008 draft, the newly hired Dimitroff addressed in advance one part of the solution by choosing quarterback MattRyan at No 3 overall.

Ryan has become the face of the franchise.

Dimitroff went through Ryan's background with a fine tooth comb, and "We did as much with Julio", he said.

With each, Dimitroff found a large dose of humility, which is often in short supply among the me first generation ofreceivers.

"I'm not the type of guy who is going to brag," said Jones, attributing his nature to upbringing, coaching advice againstbecoming a prima donna and a willingness to absorb and dish out contact.

"I am my own man," he said. Within hours of his selection by Atlanta, Jones fielded a question from the media that hasbeen posed enough since to wear him out more than a late morning practice in the summer heat do you feel an extraburden because of your steep cost [two No 1 picks, a No 2 and a pair of No 4s] to the Falcons?

"No pressure," he said. "It's just football."

With Atlanta letting former first rounder Michael Jenkins flee to free agency, Jones becomes Ryan's second option after AllPro Roddy White.

Dimitroff does not anticipate a finished product with the tall new guy in jersey No 11, but "our expectations here are thathis contributions will be legitimate from day one".

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Falcons Get Their Man, Julio JonesFLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons General Manager Thomas Dimitroff, his hair spiked and his shoulders oftenhunched over racing bicycle handlebars, has a youthful bearing that might connote impetuous decision making without thebenefit of historical context.

But for Dimitroff, the engineer of the boldest player transaction in an N.F.L. off season filled with them, the notion ofpaying a king’s ransom for one college player who was not the consensus leading pick at his position began brewing soonafter Atlanta hired him.

Dimitroff, 45, caught wind of wide receiver Julio Jones in 2008, when he was the Southeastern Conference freshman of theyear at Alabama. In time, he grew smitten with Jones’s skills, admiring of his grit, blown away by his humble nature.

“The fact that he was as talented as he was on the field, sans the diva qualities you sometimes have at that position, wasvery attractive to this organization,” Dimitroff, who has 22 years in player evaluation, five as the director of scouting withthe New England Patriots, said last week.

As the April draft approached, with the Falcons picking 27th, Dimitroff began calculating the cost of taking anunprecedented leap toward the front of the line to select Jones. This year’s first round pick, he figured. Ka ching. Nextyear’s, too. Ka ching. Probably a No. 2. Ka ching. Some likely middle rounders.

“We got our heads around it quite quickly, after the initial sticker shock wore off,” he said.

Dimitroff dug into the N.F.L. archives, which reminded him that a one for many trade carries risks that can rise toembarrassment. There was the Great Train Robbery of 1989, which involved 18 players but boiled down to Minnesota’ssacrificing eight draft choices to the Dallas Cowboys for Herschel Walker.

“It eased my mind when we looked at our compensation package and I thought, ‘Ah, ours isn’t that bad,’ ”Dimitroff said.

Ten years later, New Orleans Coach Mike Ditka concocted a swap of all six of that year’s draft picks for the experiencedRicky Williams. The Saints promptly went 3 13 and Ditka was fired, along with his entire staff and the general manager.

A more comparable exchange, at the 2004 draft, sent Eli Manning to the Giants from San Diego for four draft picks.

The Falcons also were undeterred by the foot surgery Jones had in March, by the sketchy legacy of first round receivers orby the implied advice against a move from a numerical guideline.

The computer based Trade Value Chart assigns a points total to each spot in the draft. (Example: No. 1 over all is 3,000, No.32 is 590.) It allows general managers to comparison shop. Some ignore it. Dimitroff does not. Ultimately, the numbers didnot favor the Falcons, but the difference was within a range he found acceptable.

Then there were various analyses, combining statistics and subjectivity, that concluded that waiting until later rounds forreceivers is the wiser course. Some cited the Detroit Lions, with one of four receiver draftees in a five year span panningout. Others reached back to the last quarter of the 20th century, when the Cincinnati Bengals spun the wheel six times onfirst round wideouts.

Dimitroff processed the data, sniffed and assembled the package to offer. “We all took a deep breath in saying: ‘This issignificant. Let’s make sure we’re doing the right thing,’ ” he said, meaning Coach Mike Smith and the owner Arthur Blank.

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They found a suitor in the Cleveland Browns, who were sixth in the draft, and parted with five picks, including two fourthrounders.

Research had determined that fewer than half of N.F.L. fourth rounders in the previous five years had been activated for agame.

The Falcons’ daring reflected the here and now philosophy of a team that craves another outlet for quarterback Matt Ryan,Dimitroff’s other heavily scrutinized draft day call.

“We have thought for the last three years that we’d love to have a 1 and a 1 A receiver, not a 1 and a 2” that characterizedthe Falcons squads, he said.

Jones was not apprised of the steep price he bore until news media interviews the night of the draft. His first thought, as herecalled this week: “They really want me.”

Jones is trying to tamp down expectations that accompany someone who prompted Dimitroff to “bet the farm” on him, asone analyst wrote.

“I’m human,” said Jones, no shrinking violet to contact, which leads to his theory why many first round receivers flop.

“Guys ain’t used to hitting and getting hit,” he said. “Some can’t really handle that.”

He has wowed teammates and coaches, even on passes not directed his way. His block helped spring Harry Douglas for a76 yard touchdown in a preseason game last week. (Atlanta was to play at Pittsburgh on Saturday night.)

“The sky is the limit with that guy,” said tight end Tony Gonzalez, whose 14 Hall of Fame worthy seasons qualify him as anauthority.

“The best thing about him is that attitude. I have no doubt he’ll make it.”

Jones is being counted on to address one of the few failings of the Falcons, the reigning N.F.C. South champions. Theirlongest pass play last season was 46 yards. Only 44 snaps, 32 of them resulting in throws, produced 20 yards or more.

“Explosive plays” is how Smith categorizes them. “You definitely enhance your chance of scoring points,” he said.

Regarding how much Jones can inflate the statistic, Smith said, “We made our own expectations fairly clear with the movewe made in the draft.”

Smith was all in with the deal, and not just because coaches tend to think more short term than general managers. TheN.F.L., he noted, has evolved into “a quarterback driven spacing game — you want to be able to control the spacing” withathletes by sliding them into formations to maximize gains.

Jones, tall at 6 feet 3 inches, and fast, is entrusted with drawing some defensive attention away from the All Pro receiverRoddy White.

A widespread assessment is that the Falcons made a high risk reward deal because they regard themselves as one or twoplayers away from Super Bowl contention. Dimitroff assails such thinking.

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“This move was never made with us believing we are one piece away from winning anything,” said Dimitroff, whoaddressed the team’s other longing, for a pass rusher, by signing the free agent Ray Edwards. “I firmly believe this decisionis ideal for where we are at our growth stages.”

Besides, how many teams with the 27th pick can snare their preferred man?

Dimitroff has chuckled at some of the criticisms. One evaluator suggested that, if the trade backfires, it will be “he and Juliodown by the schoolyard,” not long for the league.

But Dimitroff expects to hear the sounds of silence from the second guessers.

As Dimitroff told Jones recently, “You understand that we will be tied together for the rest of our careers.”

To which Jones responded, “I’ve got your back.”

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Rookie WR Jones gives Falcons firepowerJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – If one play from an otherwise dreary exhibition game means anything, perhaps Atlanta’s trade forJulio Jones(notes) won’t be known as Dimitroff’s Folly for very long.

Midway through the second quarter on Friday night, Atlanta faced a mundane third and 5 situation from its own 24 yardline. The Falcons lined up in a four receiver set with quarterback Matt Ryan(notes) in shotgun formation.

Last season, this situation might have been a struggle. More than a few times, the Falcons lined up like this with three ofthe four receivers being Brian Finneran(notes) and tight ends Tony Gonzalez(notes) and Justin Peelle(notes). None of thosethree run faster than 4.6 in the 40. Even that estimate of their individual speed is generous.

This time, three of the four included Roddy White(notes), Harry Douglas(notes) (who looks completely healthy now thathe’s nearly two years removed from a knee injury) and first round pick Julio Jones. Douglas turned a simple crossing routeinto a 76 yard touchdown. Along the way, Jones provided help with a block that made sure Douglas ran all the wayuntouched.

While Atlanta fans saw many wonderful things last season on the way to a 13 3 record and the top seed in the NFC playoffs,they didn’t see anything like that. Not even close. The ponderous Falcons were big play deprived a season ago, finishingsecond to last in the league with only 32 pass plays of 20 yards or longer. Their longest pass play of the season was 46yards.

If you understand that fact and how important big plays are in the modern NFL, it’s a lot easier to understand why generalmanager Thomas Dimitroff paid a heavy price for Jones. He wasn’t looking for just a guy who hustles down the field toblock. Dimitroff was looking for a difference maker, someone capable of changing Xs and Os and opening lanes foreveryone. Most important, the Falcons needed the kind of guy who wouldn’t take long to develop, a serious, focusedathlete.

“Our expectations with Julio are for him to be a legitimate contributor from Day 1 and he has done nothing to make us feelthat’s off base,” said Dimitroff, who got Jones after moving up from No. 27 to No. 6 in the first round draft board aftergiving up Atlanta’s first , second and fourth round picks this year and its first and fourth next year.

Some fellow executives have called the move gutsy. More have said Dimitroff, who made another late round deal to grabspeedy running back Jacquizz Rodgers(notes), overpaid – by a lot.

“He put a lot of eggs in one basket,” another executive said.

Maybe, but the Falcons had to do something drastic, even if their record last season didn’t indicate that. A conservative GMmight have ridden last season’s record for a year or two, making little tweaks here and there while hoping the team heldsteady. Instead, Dimitroff took the sobering punch of a 48 21 loss to Green Bay in the playoffs and took stock of where histeam stood. The Falcons were good, not great. Disciplined, not explosive. With Ryan, White and a solid nucleus of others,the Falcons had a nice foundation for the house. Now it was time for a really cool family room.

Enter Jones, a player some of those same executives have described as a faster version of White. At 6 foot 3, Jones is alsophysical. His block on Douglas’ play was an example of how he played in college.

“That’s the guy we saw at the University of Alabama,” Atlanta coach Mike Smith said. “I saw him on tape from a game lastyear where he controlled the block all the way through the play. He took the defender all the way out of bounds. I askedhim what he was trying to do. He said, ‘I’m trying to get my job done.’ To me, that shows you he’s an all around player andhe understands not only catching the ball, but being able to block.”

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In the exhibition opener against Miami, Jones put his other skills on display. He caught passes for 21 and 22 yards and ran areverse for 12, getting first downs on all three plays. In two games (and really just about one game worth of total action), hehas been a factor in three plays of 20 yards or better.

That’s critical for the Falcons, who were starved for big plays last season. Atlanta spent last season often just getting by inimportant games. The Falcons went 6 2 in games decided by six points or fewer, winning despite having one of the mostplodding offenses in the NFL. The record in close games was filled with one odd occurrence after another. Against SanFrancisco, the Falcons won on a late drive after the 49ers fumbled away an interception they didn’t need to return. In theirfirst win over Tampa Bay, they had a goal line stand at the end. In an overtime win against New Orleans, they won after theSaints’ kicker missed a 29 yard field goal attempt early in the extra period. The Falcons beat Baltimore on a touchdown with20 seconds remaining on a questionable no call. The second game against Tampa Bay required a 102 yard kickoff return fora score. Finally, they beat the Packers by a field goal in the regular season despite being outgained by 124 yards.

Another troubling indicator for the Falcons is that they were one of only three teams that were outgained on the averageplay, an extraordinarily difficult problem to overcome over the long haul of a season. The Falcons’ average gain per play lastseason was 5 yards, while their defense gave up an average of 5.6. While that deficit of 0.6 yards may not seem significant,it tied the Falcons with Seattle for worst among the 12 playoffs teams (Chicago was the only other team with a negativemark at a 0.1 deficit).

Over the past 15 seasons, only New England in 2001 has ever won a title with a deficit in that category. The typical SuperBowl team is at 0.6 or more on the positive side. Last season, Green Bay was at 0.6 per play and Pittsburgh was at astunning 1.1.

Within that, the most glaring deficiency for the Falcons was their inability to create big plays in the air. The only team in theNFL with fewer plays of 20 yards or more passing was Carolina (30).

While big passing plays aren’t a prerequisite to success (a total of eight playoff teams had 47 or fewer), they obviously help.Pittsburgh and Green Bay had 62 and 57, respectively. Philadelphia, which narrowly lost to the Packers in the playoffs, had61.

“It’s something we were very cognizant of throughout the offseason,” Dimitroff said.

“You want to be smart, but this league is also about taking risks,” Smith said.

That’s both in games and in building a team. Enter Jones, who has not only displayed great tools, but a willingness to learn.

“The blocking is something everybody does here, you see it in practice and you know that’s part of how this team works,”Jones said. “We have offensive linemen running down field like that all the time, so you know it’s part of the job.”

More important, Jones has been a quick study. In offseason workouts run by Ryan, the quarterback quickly found that out.“If you tell him something, he’s going to do everything he can to do it exactly the way you tell him to,” Ryan said. “We havea route on the outside where we stop on the route at 8 to 9 yards. He ran it a little deep the first time, probably 10 or 11yards. I told him, ‘If you’re ever going to err, err on 7, not 11.’ I say miss at 7, hoping he’s going to miss at 9 and he hits itright at 7. That’s on me to tell him exactly how I want it because that’s how he’s going to be. I have to say, ‘Really, it’s 8’ …He is so detailed, I have to be precise in how I’m talking to him.”

To Ryan, that’s fine. As he looks across the field at his suped up weapons, the possibility makes him feel better about theteam’s chances and his responsibility.

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“I’m excited,” Ryan said. “We have guys who have the ability to make big plays. Harry catches that ball at 10 or 12 yardsand all of a sudden you see him get 70 and he’s in the end zone. “To me, so much of that falls on the quarterback, too. Youhave to put them in position to get yards after the catch. You have to be so detailed in where you put the ball to help themout. If a ball is on this shoulder when the defender is on the other shoulder, you have a chance. But if you put it in themiddle of a guy’s body, he’s going to get tackled.

“That’s on me, the finer points that we’re trying to accomplish.”

Curtis Lofton

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Falcons Q&A with linebacker Curtis LoftonFLOWERY BRANCH Since his second round selection in the 2008 draft, Falcons middle linebacker Curtis Lofton has been atackling machine. He led the team in tackles with 142 last season and has 410 tackles over his three years in the NFL.

In a Q&A with The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter, Lofton discussed his outlook for the defenseentering the 2011 season:

Q: When people say ‘Falcons defense’ what do you want them to think?

A: We want to be feared. We want to put out good images of everyone flying to the ball, with no one loafing. When it getsto be third down, we have our boys getting after the quarterback and the secondary picking off some passes.

Q: What are the goals and objectives for the defense this year?

A: We want to come out and be in the top 10 in every defensive category, but right now we are just focusing on gettingbetter.

Q: How is the new linebacker unit working together?

A: It’s going fine. This is the most athletic and fastest linebacking group that we’ve had since I’ve been here. We are physicaland everyone is smart. We’ve been playing together on and off over the past two years. We are ready to get it going.

Q: What’s been the key to having a successful run defense?

A: It’s discipline and trust. You have to be disciplined to stay in your gaps and you have to trust the guys will stay in theirgaps. That allows you to play at full speed.

Q: How important is it for the defense to get off to a fast start this year?

A: It’s very important. You want to go out and win your first game and that gives you momentum to start the season offright.

Q: You play most of the top quarterbacks in the league this season. What will be some of the keys against the elitequarterbacks?

A: I think the thing that sticks out is when you play top quarterbacks, you have to affect them. You don’t necessarily have toget sacks, but you have to hit them. Bat the ball down. You have to play tight coverage behind that.

Q: The first team defense has not played together yet; how will the players try to come together as quickly as possible?

A: It starts out here on the practice field. We have to start building that bond and start building that trust in each other andhave that carry over on Sundays.

Q: What were some of the preseason highlights for the defense?

A: The No. 1 thing that stuck out, was that no one could run the ball against us. We were very pleased with that. There isstill room for improvement. Then, I really felt like some young guys stepped up in the secondary. We have a lot of young

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guys that have another year in the system. They are starting to feel more comfortable. We were able to play some moreman to man. We did a good job with that and we got after the passer.

Q: Can the defense turn in a big year?

A: Since I’ve been here this is the best defense that we’ve had. Our expectations are high and I’m sure that everyone else’sare, too.

Stephen nicholaS

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Falcons' Stephen Nicholas counting his blessingsStephen Nicholas' life is filled with blessings these days.

The Atlanta linebacker, who will be playing in his hometown when his Atlanta Falcons play the Jaguars Friday night, has astarting job and a new five year, $17.5 million deal he signed when the lockout ended.

A fourth round pick out of South Florida in 2007 and the sixth brother in a family of eight boys, the former Robert E. LeeHigh School standout has started 25 games over the past two years and played in 65 games in his career. One of hisbrothers, Ivan, is a safety at Ole Miss.

But the best thing in Stephen's life now is watching his 3 year old son running around like a typical toddler.

Stephen Nicholas Jr. was born on Jan. 6, 2008, and it quickly became apparent he was suffering from some type of illness.He didn't eat much and slept all the time.

"Holding him in my arms, I knew he wasn't functioning like a regular little baby," said Stephen's father Lebon Nicholas, abishop at Victory Tabernacle Church in Jacksonville.

Doctors determined that Stephen Jr. had a heart problem, and he was airlifted to Atlanta with the help of Stephanie Blank,the wife of Falcons owner Arthur Blank, who is on the board of Children's Hospital in Atlanta.

The diagnosis was that Stephen Jr. had cardiomyopathy, a condition that keeps the heart from being able to pump bloodthroughout the body. The only solution was a heart transplant.

The baby and Nicholas' wife, Irene, went to Children's Hospital in Boston to wait and see if a heart transplant wouldbecome available. Meanwhile, Stephen Nicholas went to training camp.

"There was a lot of prayer, man," Nicholas said. "My wife was very strong during the situation and held it down while I waspracticing two a days. It was very tough, a hard time."

His father said he even called on affiliated churches to join in the prayers.

"We did a lot of praying, asking God to help us," Lebon Nicholas said.

Mike Smith, the former Jaguars defensive coordinator who was in his first season as the Falcons' coach, allowed Nicholas tofly to Boston each Sunday night after the Falcons played. He didn't have to return until Wednesday in time for practice.

"We were very cognizant of what was going on and we wanted to make sure he was able to get to Boston as often aspossible," Smith said to ESPN.com. "We wanted him to be with his wife and baby because this was a very trying situation."

They also had to deal with the stark reality that the only way their baby would be saved would be for another family to gothrough the tragedy of losing theirs.

"It broke my heart to know that if he got a heart, another baby had to die. That thought went through my mind all thetime," Lebon Nicholas said. "I don't know who it was and how it came about, but I still pray to heal the wounds that wereinflicted there."

Their baby underwent the heart transplant on Oct. 17, 2008. The Nicholas' have since had a second child, Sarai, who will betwo in October, and she's healthy.

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Nicholas, 28, started playing football at age 9 and his father helped coach the team.

"He loved the game," Lebon Nicholas said. "He went all out and he was very, very talented."

Stephen Nicholas starred at Lee and started at USF for four years. He was drafted by the Falcons and now seems destinedfor a solid career as he enters his fifth season. He had 78 tackles and an interception last season.

And playing in Jacksonville tonight will be special because he is coming home and will have family and friends on hand.

When he was asked how many he thinks will attend, he said, "The sky's the limit."

Mike Peterson

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No longer starting, Peterson embraces new roleFLOWERY BRANCH Unconcerned about a reduced role, Mike Peterson, the most senior and decorated member of theFalcons’ linebacker corps, had one thing in mind when he elected to re sign with the team.

“I have the same ultimate goal that my younger teammates have,” said Peterson, who turned 35 in June. “At the end of theyear, we want the ring.”

It’s still strange to see Peterson stay on the sidelines when the coaches yell out, “First team base!” Peterson, since signingwith the Falcons in March 2008, has always been with the first unit. He now watches Stephen Nicholas, Curtis Lofton andSean Weatherspoon take the field.

Peterson is a sub because last season he struggled in pass coverage at times. While he was still solid against the run, theteam decided to go with its younger linebackers this season.

He’s taken the demotion as well as can be expected. He works the sidelines, offering tips. When he gets on the field, he’squick to show he can still knock a running back’s helmet sideways.

“You know, I’ve got to be a pro about it,” Peterson said. “I’ve never been one to settle for second or, you know, take asecond off and not compete. I’m still going out there to compete in whatever role. I’m going to try to fulfill it to the best ofmy ability.”

It’s that type of attitude that impressed coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff. It factored in keepingthe veteran around.

“Mike Peterson has been a heck of a football player in this league,” Dimitroff said. “He still has a presence and can be alegitimate contributor for us.”

Dimitroff believes that Peterson’s approach is infectious.

“His presence as a tough, hard nosed football player is invaluable for us,” Dimitroff said. “I maintain, and I told him theother day, that he has the best swagger in the league.”

Peterson interacts well with the other linebackers. Last season he mentored Weatherspoon and called himself “Daddy Lion”and the then rookie “Baby Lion.” The younger linebackers know that it’s wise to listen to Peterson.

“He always knows what is going on,” Weatherspoon said. “He’s been playing in this league for a long time. If some of uscould play half as long as he’s played, we’d be lucky.”

They haven’t seen him slack off either in his less involved role.

“He’s still intense,” Weatherspoon said. “He’s still out there hitting people. He’s looking forward to strapping it up thisweekend and getting it going again.”

Nicholas, normally low key, now roars at good plays and is quick to praise the other backers. Peterson is the reason.

“I’ve taken some of his swag,” Nicholas said. “He’s got major swag. The way that he plays the game, he plays it in a greatway; just some hard nosed ball."

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In addition to all of the intangibles, Peterson provides the Falcons with someone who can play all of the positions in a pinch.He started his career in Indianapolis as an outside linebacker, played six seasons in Jacksonville as a middle linebacker andstarted at outside linebacker for the Falcons for the past three seasons.

“I take it in stride,” Peterson said. “I kind of pride myself in being able to play all of the positions.”

If the Falcons want Peterson to cover kicks and play on special teams, he’s fine with that, too.

“I started off on the kickoff team,” said Peterson, reflecting back to his days with the Colts. “I started from being one ofthose guys covering kicks and being on the punt team. ... Like my dad always told me: Don’t be a stranger to hard work.”

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Peterson gladly accepts backup role with FalconsMike Peterson knows the end of his NFL career isn't far off.

The 13th year NFL veteran, a starter nearly his entire career with Indianapolis, Jacksonville and Atlanta, wants to win aSuper Bowl ring badly enough that he agreed to return for a third season with the Falcons and work as a reserve linebackerand special teams player.

Whatever the Falcons want him to do, Peterson says he's willing to try even if that means casting off the swagger thatcomes with a starting job.

On one hand, Peterson calls it ''a big pill to swallow,'' as the 35 year old now works behind starting linebackers CurtisLofton, 25; Sean Weatherspoon, 22; and Stephen Nicholas, 28. But Peterson, who also plays on the kickoff and puntcoverage teams, believes he's in the right place to become an NFL champion.

''A lot of times guys have that pride, not wanting to get out there and bang it out with the younger guys,'' Peterson said thisweek. ''I'm still a prideful guy, but I'm trying to get a ring, man, so I try to get out there with the young guys to show them Ican still do it. That's the approach I take.''

His willingness to work in a diminished role helped Peterson absorb another jab to the ego, late last month, when he signedhis first one year contract for the minimum veteran salary.

Like any established starter, Peterson was accustomed to playing on multi year deals, but the chance to play anotherseason for Smith, perhaps his favorite professional coach, excited him enough to turn down potential one year deals withother teams.

Their time together began in Jacksonville in 2003 after Smith was a first time coordinator whom head coach Jack Del Riohired on his Jacksonville staff. Two months after Smith arrived, the Jaguars signed Peterson from Indianapolis as their newmiddle linebacker.

It didn't take long for Smith and Peterson to bond.

Peterson was the heart of Jacksonville's defense for the next five years. Smith, whose defenses played well enough forFalcons owner Arthur Blank to hire him as a first time head coach in 2008, brought Peterson to Atlanta in 2009 after thelinebacker suffered a couple of serious injuries and later had a falling out with Del Rio.

Smith loves Peterson as much as any player he's ever had.

''Mike Peterson is a football player,'' Smith said. ''It doesn't matter if it's defense or special teams. He's going to dowhatever it takes to contribute and help our football team win. If you ask Mike, he'd tell you he'd go over to the offensiveside and play some of those positions as well. You love to have guys like that. He's a pro. He's a baller. He just loves to playthe game of football.''

Peterson is backing up Weatherspoon, the weak side starter and 2010 first round pick whom he mentors, and Nicholas,who's taken over as the strong side starter after the Falcons re signed him to a five year deal worth $17.5 million.

Atlanta is likewise using Peterson to spell Lofton, the defensive captain.

''Mike has the ability to play all three positions,'' Smith said. ''That gives us a whole lot of flexibility, not only in our basepackage but in our sub package. The thing we want to do is get as many guys as possible ready. When you have a 53 man

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roster, it's all about cross training because from week to week you're going to have all kinds of adjustments that you'regoing to have to make throughout the season.''

That's just what Peterson, a second round draft pick out by the Colts out of Florida in 1999, plans to help the Falcons do. Heknows the Falcons will need fresh legs and valuable experience for a defense that last year ranked third in time ofpossession, fourth in interceptions, fifth in points allowed but struggled against the pass.

''I'm just trying to win, man,'' Peterson said. ''My ultimate goal it probably started in the middle of my career went fromwanting to lead a team in tackles or interceptions or sacks to wanting to get that ring. That's where I am right now. Sowhatever role that is, you know, I'm going to accept and play it to the best of my ability.''

Peterson believes that playing on special teams is only making him stronger.

''That's where I started at,'' he said. ''To me, it's like going back home. I started at the bottom. I wasn't one of those AllAmerican guys that never played punt team and never played this. I started at the bottom and came up. So to me it's likeriding a bike.''

Matt ryan

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As season approaches, Ryan is deep thinkerFLOWERY BRANCH During his Falcons career, quarterback Matt Ryan’s film room attendance has been well known.

That’s where he finds solace in self critiques and comes up with various improvement plans, and where he finds what worksleague wide and incorporates into the Falcons offense.

This offseason, however, Ryan stepped outside the film room out of necessity. During the 132 day lockout, Ryan was themain organizer of the players led practices at Buford High and taught the playbook to rookie wide receiver Julio Jones,working hands on.

With no coaches around, Ryan helped lay out plans for what the offense would look like this season.

Ryan found some positive things the unit could carry forward from a 13 3 season, where the Falcons won the NFC Southand finished ranked fifth in scoring (25.6 points per game) and 16th in total offense (341.1 yards) in the league.

“We were really good in third down situations last year and we were pretty good in first and second down situations; wegave ourselves a lot of third and makeables,” Ryan said.

Yet Ryan was honest about his and the unit's shortcomings.

“One of the areas, and it’s been talked about a lot, is a focus for me, [and that's] throwing the ball down the field andworking with the guys throwing the ball down the field,” Ryan said.

The Falcons often marched down the field last season, running time off the clock. Yet when they got into a shootout withGreen Bay in the playoffs' divisional round, they couldn’t keep up.

Throwing the long ball hopefully will allow the offense to score quicker.

“For me, I felt like I needed to be more accurate in those situations, giving those guys a chance [to make a play],” Ryan said.

Not all of the work on the deep passing game was on display at Buford High, Ryan said. There were private, one on onesessions in which he tried to get the timing down with his receivers on deep routes.

One of the key plays in the Green Bay game occurred when Michael Jenkins was open on a deep ball, slipped when itshowed up late and watched as the pass was intercepted by Tramon Williams.

Had Ryan and the since departed Jenkins connected on that play, the Falcons would have taken a 21 14 lead and a differentSuper Bowl champ might have emerged.

“There were some situations where I wanted to work on some things and kind of just work with one guy, kind of every day,"Ryan said of the offseason workouts.

Outside of the film room, Ryan knew it would be important to get Jones acclimated. Jones received his playbook when thelockout was temporarily lifted.

For Jones, while he recognized some concepts, the playbook might as well have been written in hieroglyphics. Ryan, withthe help of John Parker Wilson, who played a season with Jones at Alabama, served as translators. The study plan wasambitious.

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“We wanted to teach him the offense as a whole, not just one position,” Ryan said. “I think that’s the best way that theseguys can learn it, is to learn the system. You need to know what each specific player is doing. I think that has helped him.”

Ryan knew if Jones were able to learn the entire attack, he wouldn’t have to come off the field when the Falcons went totheir no huddle attack.

“He ends up playing a lot of different positions,” Ryan said.

In the team’s four receiver formations, Jones could end up, depending on the play call, at any one of the spots.

“If you are just learning one position, it’s going to put you behind,” Ryan said. “Him, having a better feel and betterunderstanding of what our system is like, has helped him.”

By adding Jones to running back Michael Turner, fullback Ovie Mughelli, wide receiver Roddy White, tight end TonyGonzalez and wide receiver Harry Douglas, the Falcons have a deeper offensive arsenal.

With Jones, White compared the Falcons to the old St. Louis Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf” offense that featured hall offamer Marshall Faulk, quarterback Kurt Warner and receivers Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt, Az Zahir Hakim and Ricky Proehl from1999 to 2001.

“That’s good that Roddy has high expectations,” Ryan said. “In all honesty, I think all of us have the right mindset. All of usjust want to win. When you have a collection of guys like that on your offense and on your football team, it makes it fun tobe a part of.”

It will be impossible to keep everybody happy, but Ryan doesn’t believe there will be problems.

“All of these guys know that they have great individual talent,” Ryan said. “Roddy has it. Tony has it. Harry has it. Julio hasit. Michael Turner has it. All of us are kind of willing to put that to the side and do whatever it takes to be successful."

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No letting goMatt Ryan watched it. Not obsessively, but enough to see the mistakes, to remember, and to make sure 48 21 neverhappens to him again. For all but one team in the playoffs, the season ends abruptly, but for Ryan and his Atlanta Falcons,last season's ending was especially jarring. Atlanta was the No. 1 seed in the NFC, coming off a bye, playing at home whereit had lost only once during the regular season, taking on a team coming off a short week after a wild card game on theroad. And Green Bay waxed the Falcons. Bam. Over. Thanks for playing.

"It stings," Ryan said earlier this week. "And it does stick with you."

With 48 21 in his back pocket serving as motivation, Ryan will try to continue his upward progression this season as one ofthe best young quarterbacks in the league. In his first three years in Atlanta, Ryan has led the Falcons to a 33 15 record, thebest three year run in franchise history. He has improved his accuracy, cut down on his turnovers and grown into a leaderfor a team that was at ground zero, post Vick, post Petrino, when he arrived.

Now comes the hard step: winning in the postseason. Ryan has gotten the Falcons into the playoffs twice in three years, buthe did not play well either time. A loss on the road to Arizona as a rookie was forgivable, but two picks, including a gamechanger at the end of the first half, in a 48 21 defeat? Not so much.

Ryan is where Peyton Manning was after his 41 0 playoff loss to the New York Jets in 2002: oh for the postseason, withsome fans questioning whether he can get it done when it matters most.

Inside the Falcons training facility in Flowery Branch, Ga., there is no doubt. Although Ryan threw two interceptions againstthe Packers, including one Tramon Williams returned for a touchdown as the first half ended, Atlanta's defense also gave up442 yards and could barely get a hand on QB Aaron Rodgers' jersey. With plenty of time to throw, Rodgers put on a clinic,completing 31 of 36 passes for 366 yards and three touchdowns, and he ran for a fourth.

That is part of the reason Atlanta signed Minnesota defensive end Ray Edwards to a five year, $30 million deal to playopposite John Abraham. Edwards does not have to get double digit sacks as long as he can alleviate some of the pressureon Abraham, who was the Falcons' only effective pass rusher last season. A better pass rush also should help Atlanta'ssecondary. The Falcons filled their other big need a direct nod to Ryan by moving up 21 spots in the draft to selectAlabama's Julio Jones with the sixth overall pick. Last season, Atlanta ranked last in pass plays of 30 plus yards, with nine.Although Roddy White can stretch the field, he can't do it by himself. Jones, 6 foot 4 and 220 pounds, is a speedy receiverwho caught 179 passes in college, second most in school history. His arrival meant Harry Douglas could move to hispreferred position in the slot, and with Tony Gonzalez at tight end and Michael Turner at running back, Ryan has weaponsall over the field.

"Mike Smith said it well the other day: We made it very clear what our expectations are for Julio when we moved up from27 to six," Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "Julio has impressed me from day one."

He has impressed Ryan, too, despite the fact that Jones dropped a perfectly placed deep ball from him in the Falcons' thirdpreseason game against Pittsburgh.

"He's going to make those plays," Ryan said. "He's made those kinds of plays his entire life, high school, college. He'll makethem in the NFL, too. The important part is he keeps getting down the field. He's very fast. I've got to let go of that ballquickly."

If the expectations on Jones are big, the ones on Ryan are enormous. He made a big leap from his second to third season.He improved his accuracy from 58.3 percent to 62.5 percent, in part, Ryan said, because of how diligently he prepared. ("It

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puts you at ease on Sunday, and allows you to have confidence in what you're doing," Ryan said.) He also threw for 3,705yards and 28 touchdowns, both career highs.

Dimitroff said Ryan's confidence is felt throughout the building on the practice field, in the meeting rooms, in the lockerroom. He said Ryan has taken more of an interest in the development of all areas of the team, not just the offense.

"He's always had a presence, but it's that much more evident this year," Dimitroff said. "He's a very, very competitiveindividual, as most quarterbacks at this level are, but he just seems so driven this year to continue to take this to newlevels."

Like to that place Dimitroff, who cut his teeth with the New England Patriots, won't mention by name: the Super Bowl.

To get there, Ryan must show that he, like Rodgers, is clutch when it counts. A bunch of come from behind wins last yearmeant little after 48 21.

So Ryan watched the loss to the Packers, more than once, not to torture himself, but to learn. It stung, for sure, but it didhelp.

"One of the things that's really important and I've kind of learned over the years is you have to get past those tough lossesand move forward," Ryan said. "You can't let it eat at you. You have to let it affect you the right way, serving as motivationand learning from that, not sending you into a funk where you can't move past it.

"I think everybody in training camp is beyond that and focused on this season. We'll use what we learned from the lastthree seasons, and I'll try to make me a better player."

And a winner in the postseason. Manning got his first playoff win on his fourth try. The feeling here is that Ryan will get hisin his third try to make 48 21 just numbers in a book.

Michael turner

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Turner’s workload piling upMichael Turner has heard it all and is well aware what others say: He gets too many carries. It will take a toll on his body.His production will decrease. It will catch up to him eventually.

The Falcons running back laughs at all of this.

“It doesn’t affect me,” Turner said. “Carries are carries. You can’t control the flow of the game. Different situations call forrun plays. I just have to go out there and be ready every time my number is called. I’m not going to try to save myself, justto try to squeeze extra years out of this league.”

Turner signed with the Falcons as a free agent in 2008. He has been one of the top running backs in the NFL in his threeyears as a full time player. He has rushed for 3,941 yards in his time with the Falcons, and only the Titans’ Chris Johnson(4,598) and the Vikings’ Adrian Peterson (4,441) have rushed for more.

Turner has done it despite injury. He missed five games in 2009 with an ankle problem. Last season, Turner played nearlythe entire year with a groin injury, one that required surgery in the offseason.

Was it a problem? Turner led the NFL in rushing attempts and was third in the league, and first in the NFC, with 1,371 yards.He made his second Pro Bowl. His 12 rushing touchdowns tied Peterson for fourth in the NFL.

Turner’s 4.1 yards per carry was down from 2009 (4.9) and a drop from 2008 (4.5), the latter another Pro Bowl season with1,699 yards and an NFL leading 376 attempts.

“It’s just funny; your stats are down but you are a Pro Bowl starter. ... What do you want me to do?” he said. “I’m just goingto go out there when my number is called. Coach is going to give me the ball, and I have to do something with it.”

Turner won’t use the groin injury as an excuse. However, he admitted he was in pain and the protective wrap limited hisexplosiveness. He wasn’t able to cut as sharply or as quickly. There were times when Turner ran out of bounds at the end ofa play rather than take on an extra hit.

“I was surprised to hear he got it fixed in the offseason,” fullback Ovie Mughelli said. “I was like, ‘Oh, you weren’t 100percent?’ If a guy with a groin situation can lead the NFC [in rushing], I’m scared to see what happens this year.”

The Falcons’ offseason mantra called for an increase in explosive plays. The team traded up to draft wide receiver JulioJones, adding him to an offense that includes Pro Bowlers Matt Ryan, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez and a healthy HarryDouglas. The running game could be in for some big gains.

In the past three seasons, Turner has 100 runs of 10 yards or more, third behind Johnson (122) and Peterson (116). Lastseason, he had 15 of the Falcons’ 20 rushes of 15 yards or more.

“We are a run first mentality,” Turner said. “Explosive plays don’t necessarily come from the passing game. We want to runmore explosive plays. I want to get that [number] up, too.

“With me being totally healthy, adding Julio [Jones], the other things we do on offense and with a healthy Harry Douglas,we have a lot of weapons on the field. Hopefully those dimensions open up things for me.”

Last season, Turner carried the ball 334 times, and he has 888 carries with the Falcons. In four seasons with the Chargers, asLaDainian Tomlinson’s backup, Turner had just 228 carries.

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The carries don’t matter to Turner. Productivity does.

“I look at yards per carry, but I don’t look at it like I’m getting too many carries,” Turner said. “I look at it as far as myproduction. I need to keep my production up.”

Mughelli is eager to see would be tacklers try to bring down a healthy Turner with arm tackles this season. Running backscoach Gerald Brown says Turner can easily carry the ball more than 300 times again. Coach Mike Smith expects moreproduction.

“We were all aware of the situation that Michael was going through last year in terms of his groin,” Smith said. “To me, itjust validates what kind of guy he is. He’s a tough guy. He’s not going to complain. He’s going to fight through injuries, dowhatever he has to do.

“We think he’s in a better place this year than he was last year.”

Darrin Walls

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Darrin Walls climbing up the Falcons depth chartFLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – In 2008, Darrin Walls took a year off from playing college football at Notre Dame. Three yearslater, he could be taking snaps with the Atlanta Falcons' first team defense for its most pivotal game of the preseason onSaturday – in his hometown against the defending AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

In the jumble of injuries and jobs up for grabs that is the Falcons' cornerback position, Walls, 6 foot, 190 pounds, has therare opportunity to make the roster as an undrafted college free agent and possibly even play some, depending on theinjury situation.

Considering that he did not have the benefit of participating in a rookie camp and offseason team activities because of theNFL lockout, Walls' situation is somewhat extraordinary.

"I think Darrin Walls has shown some very good plays in terms of playing on defense," Falcons head coach Mike Smith said."He's also done some really nice things on our special teams. He had a big special teams play in our first game on puntprotection.

"He's a long guy for a defensive back" – something most of the Falcons' corners are not – "and he's competing for a positionon this roster. He needs to continue what he's doing on special teams and continue to learn the defensive scheme."

Smith already announced on Tuesday that starting right cornerback Dunta Robinson would miss Saturday's game – the thirdof the preseason, which is traditionally the one in which the starters play the most and the only one for which coachesactually game plan. Then on Wednesday, Christopher Owens, who would have likely started in that spot and moved over tonickel for those situations, did not practice with what Smith said was his tightness in hamstring. Smith said that meantsecond year man Dominique Franks could start at the right corner spot on Saturday if Owens cannot play with Walls takingover the right corner when Franks moves over to play nickel.

Considering that Walls has been with the team for less than three weeks, that's quite a leap up the depth chart – and quitea bit of schematics for him to digest.

"Well, yeah it's difficult," Walls said. "We got to get ready for the season and our coaches are coaching. They're not reallygeared towards the rookies. However, we have to learn the system. It's on us to learn the system since we didn't have thosecamps.

"It's kind of difficult on us and we're learning on the run. It is kind of difficult. However, we're all put in the same situationso we all have the same opportunities to make this roster."

Like innumerable college seniors, Walls was hopeful to get drafted. As a senior for the Irish last year, he totaled 41 tackles,including 30 solo, with two tackles for loss, four passes defended and three interceptions, including one that he returnedfor a touchdown.

Curiously, his best season was as a sophomore in 2007. He started 11 games, had 32 tackles, nine passes defended and twoforced fumbles. Then he left school and returned to the Pittsburgh area for what he described as "personal" reasons.

"It was tough," Walls said. "I didn't get a chance to play my ‘08 season and I watched at home and I went to a couple ofgames and it was tough because I wanted to be out there with those guys. But it also taught me a valuable lesson. I learneda lot being at home that semester. I worked out every day, I also had a job.

"I just learned from that moment that I can't take anything for granted and have to take every opportunity that's given."

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Some reports indicated that Walls was asked to leave Notre Dame because of poor grades. He said that was not the case.

"No, I mean it was more personal reasons and I had to go back home for a semester and that was just it," he said, withoutrevealing any more.

He said he thinks it's possible that missing that season ultimately cost him in terms of being drafted.

"It may have," he said. "I know my sophomore year was my best and I was becoming this guy that people had highexpectations for me coming out of high school (he was a second teamer on USA Today's prep All America team) and mysophomore year was my best year. I started every game. Taking that year off threw me off track a little bit, but that's thepast now and can't change that."

Perhaps it helped him that Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff would have known Charlie Weis, Walls' coach forthree seasons at Notre Dame and the New England Patriots' offensive coordinator while Dimitroff was with theorganization.

"I loved him as a person," Wells said of Weis. "He's very straight forward. He's going to tell you how he sees it, so that's all Iknew."

If he turns himself into an effective NFL corner, Wells could be a diamond in the rough for the Falcons. Walls describes hisstrengths as his man to man coverage and his understanding offenses, something that he has yet to learn in the NFL.Falcons secondary coach Tim Lewis said that to make the team, Walls must impress the right people.

"It's kind of like musical chairs," Lewis said of making the team. "When that music stops, you just hope that you've got aseat, you know."

So far in the preseason, Walls had three solo tackles last week against Jacksonville, tying him for third on the team. Theweek before against Miami, he had a pass defended to go with three tackles and an assist all on special teams, a team highthat week.

"I'm just making the best of the opportunity," he said.

Roddy white

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Falcons' White builds bigger profile, mentors JonesJACKSONVILLE After years outside the national spotlight, Roddy White’s profile has grown.

Over the offseason, the Falcons' All Pro wide receiver participated in ESPN the Weekend at Disney World and later debatedthe affable but tenacious Skip Bayless on First Take.

“I got my five minutes in with Skip,” White said. “The First Take thing was good.”

White also toured the ESPN facilities in Bristol, Conn., and did maybe a dozen other shows, mostly discussing the highexpectations set for his team.

The painful part was White also had to explain the Falcons’ exit from the playoffs at the hands of eventual Super Bowlchampion Green Bay Packers.

“Everybody has high expectations for us," White said.

White’s expectations for himself and the team aren't any different.

“Last year was a good year for us," White said. "Our team excelled. We had [nine] Pro Bowlers. So all of that stuff is reallygood, but our ultimate goal is to win a Super Bowl. Until that’s done, we’ve got a lot of work to do.”

White has not pursued the spotlight during his climb to stardom after his first round selection in the 2005 draft fromAlabama Birmingham. It found him after he led the league with 115 catches last year and posted his fourth consecutive1,000 yard season.

The Falcons, with a big draft day deal, added wide receiver Julio Jones, who enters his first NFL season as one of the mosthyped Atlanta players in recent memory, and that's fine with White.

He figures there’s enough room in the spotlight for the both of them.

White has embraced Jones, just like he did a group of wrestlers from his old high school, James Island Charter in Charleston,S.C. He took 10 wrestlers to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., after USA Wrestling reached out toWhite to help promote the connection between wrestling and football.

“We went out there for like three days and we got to get in the room with those guys,” said White, a two time, statechampion wrestler in high school. “We got to roll around with those guys on the mats.”

White caught Al Spalviero, his James Island Charter wrestling coach, off guard with an offer to travel to Colorado.

"He was doing his football camp and I went over to tell him how happy I was for him and how proud everyone around hereis for him," Spalviero said Friday. "He said, ‘Coach I have to go out to Colorado and I want you to go.' ... He doesn't have to,but he does stuff for us."

White, 29 and a six year veteran, has supported Jones in a similar manner, welcoming his new teammate with steadyadvice.

“Roddy helps me out with everything,” Jones said. “If I run a route and I’m kind of covered up, he’ll tell me what I can do toseparate a little more.”

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Around the league, the wide receiver position has become synonymous with selfish and diva like behavior, thanks in part toKeyshawn Johnson, Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco. But Jones believes there will no ego problems among the Atlantareceivers.

“Not at all, we all just want win,” Jones said. “At the end of the day, that’s why we play the game, to win the Super Bowl. Heis just trying to help me, which will help the team. We don’t have any selfish players on this team.”

White said he was OK with not having a ball thrown his way in the exhibition opener against Miami; it was time to get Jonesand the other receivers involved.

“It’s looking all good for him,” White said of Jones. “As long as he keeps coming out here and getting better every day, andkeeps his head in the playbook, he’ll be just fine.”

Falcons coach Mike Smith isn’t expecting any abhorrent behavior from White or Jones. Still, he knows the players will wanttheir precious touches.

“There is nobody that likes to compete more than Roddy White,” Smith said. “He always has a smile on his face when hecomes to work. You know that he’s going to come in here with a great attitude.”

After a slow start to his career, caused by key dropped passes, White caught 83 in 2007, 88 in 2009 and 85 last year. WithWhite, Jones and tight end Tony Gonzalez, the Falcons have the welcome dilemma of wondering if there will be enoughpasses to keep everyone happy.

Last season, White led the team in receptions in nine games and was tied with Gonzalez for the most catches in three othergames.

With Jones, White expects a wider distribution of the passes.

“There are going to be a lot of mismatches,” White said. “The player with the best mismatch is probably where we aregoing to go with the ball. It’s going to be tough to just line people up and cover us.

“You can’t double team all of us. At some point, somebody is going to get man to man coverage and that person has towin. That’s what I think is going to happen. Just pick your poison.”

Jones finds security in his budding relationship with White. Smith has sensed the bond that is developing between Whiteand Jones.

“Roddy has done a great job,” Smith said. “He is the elder statesman of our wide receiver group.”