AND MUCH MORE... GAMEDAY FUNDRAISING Whether you are a charity, church group, youth team, or

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2 FALCONS TICKETS AND MUCH MORE... TICKET CENTRAL Call or us at You can also chat live with one of our representatives on ATLANTAFALCONS.com. GROUP TICKETS If you are interested in group tickets go to ATLANTAFAL- CONS.com and download the 2010 Atlanta Falcons Group Ticket Priority Form. By completing and submitting this form you will ensure that your group gets the best possible seating for A member of our staff will contact you once we receive your priority form. The 2010 regular season home opponents include the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers. We anticipate a high volume of requests for group tickets, so please return the priority form promptly so your group doesn t miss out! For additional questions regarding group tickets please call group services at or send us an to ticketservices@falcons.nfl.com. SPECIAL OFFERS FOR YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS The Falcons have a wide-ranging program for youth groups: Falcons of the Future - Give your team the opportunity to play during halftime or postgame of a 2010 home game at the Georgia Dome. Fundraising with Football - Let the Falcons customize a profitable fundraiser with special incentives for individuals and/or groups of your organization. Discounted Falcons Tickets - Take advantage of ticket discounts up to 40 percent off the normal ticket price for players and parents of your organization or school. We have a very limited number of tickets available for these programs. To learn more about these exclusive opportunities, please contact Warren Parr at or wparr@falcons.nfl.com. Check out more information on Gameday youth football, cheerleading and fundraising by going to AtlantaFalcons.com. GAMEDAY FUNDRAISING Whether you are a charity, church group, youth team, or school group, we can help you raise money! Last season, groups were able to collectively raise over $50,000 through Falcons fundraising initiatives! Here s how it works: Offer discounted Falcons tickets to the members of your group or organization Fundraise $10 for every ticket sold No upfront ticket purchase is necessary Great incentives available for organizations that hit their fundraising goal YOUTH AND PREP FOOTBALL The USA Football Player Academy will be held June at Lassiter High School in Marietta. For more information on the Academy, go to USAFOOTBALL.COM/academy. The USA Football Player Academies teach football fundamentals and good football habits. Modeled after an NFL training camp with modified contact and lasting three-and-a-half days, the Academies use age and position-specific instruction for players in age groups 7-8, 9-10, and USA Football is the Official Youth Football Development Partner of the NFL and its 32 teams, making our Player Academy the premier way to develop youth football players. Academies are designed for players who want to improve their football skills and become the best they can be at their positions. Participants receive individual attention from the top local youth and high school football coaches on the field and in classroom sessions. Register for your local USA Football Player Academy near you at: Enter promo code USAFPA for $25 off. DONATION REQUESTS The Atlanta Falcons accept requests for the donation of Falcons items for use in charitable fundraising activities. Due to the large number of requests the team receives, the Falcons are only able to accept requests from 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations and schools within the state of Georgia. All beneficiaries of items must support youth groups and focus on one or more of the following areas: health, arts, athletics, physical fitness and/or education. Please mail your requests to: Atlanta Falcons Community Relations Donation Requests 4400 Falcon Parkway Flowery Branch, GA 30542

3 Smith hosts first rookies-only minicamp in his head coaching tenure Though the NFL season is several months away, the hard work never ends in this league. The situation is no different in Flowery Branch, where Atlanta Falcons rookies took the field for rookie minicamp last week. The long list of first-year players included some well-known names, as well as a few wild cards and unknowns. Some tried to give a good first impression in hopes of battling for a starting position this fall, while others simply wanted to show enough to have the chance to make the team altogether. Either way, it was an eventful weekend for Atlanta, and one head coach Mike Smith and his coaching staff could begin to assess their current crop of new pros. THE FALCON WAY The practice sessions were the first time the coaching staff held official workouts for rookies, and Smith hopes this change will benefit everyone. We felt it might be beneficial to put it in a more structured fashion so the guy will learn how we practice, how we meet, he said. At the minicamp these guys did not get many snaps so they re getting all the snaps, getting all the attention. At rookie camp, first-round pick Sean Weatherspoon, fifth-rounder Dominique Franks and others received the specific attention needed. And they definitely needed it as they make the increasingly difficult adjustment from the college game to the professional game. They ve got a lot to learn even though we gave them a bunch of information there in the first five practices, Smith said. It was a little bit overwhelming for them. For Weatherspoon, a playmaking linebacker who figures to battle with Stephen Nicholas for the starting job at training camp, it was time to learn as much as possible before the full team comes together for offseason training activities this week. But things were tough without veteran players to provide advice and guidance, something they did during the team s full minicamp two weeks ago. I m a little bit more comfortable with the terminology and knowing exactly what s going on, the No. 19 pick said. But it s a little bit different not seeing the veterans out here and seeing the way they do things. It made it a little bit tougher for us. But I think once we get the rust off we'll be doing fine tomorrow. MAKING THE CUT While Weatherspoon makes the transition to NFL life, other rookies are not so sure they ll even have a new life in a few months time. For lower-round picks or undrafted free agents, like former Villanova wide receiver Brandyn Harvey, every day is an opportunity to prove they belong. Going into last weekend s minicamp I came down here not really knowing what to expect, he said. This minicamp with just the rookies is a better experience because we can take what they taught us and put it into this against the other rookies. And then just learn all over again because the plays went pretty fast last week. Another challenge for the rooks is learning an expansive and vast NFL Playbook. Defensive tackle Corey Peters is just getting used to doing so. It s difficult [learning the playbook]. It s something you ve really got to commit yourself to, Peters said. It s not anything that is impossible, but you're definitely not going to get it just by going to the meetings. You re going to have to take it home, read over it, and study. Meanwhile, Mike Mularkey s offensive system is one of the league s more complex ones, and third round pick Mike Johnson is embracing the test. Every practice you get under your belt you start to get a little bit more confident, said the offensive guard, you start to figure out that you re here for a reason and you can play with these guys. Making the move to the big time will be surely be a constant struggle for these youngsters. But the man at the helm has faith in all 25 of them. When they left here a week ago they didn t have any idea where the cafeteria was or where the meeting rooms were, Smith said, the familiarity and just for them to relax. They ve been very successful football players and that s why they re here and we want to give them an opportunity to come in and compete. Photos courtesy of Jimmy Cribb/Atlanta Falcons. Bagriansky can be reached at jbagriansky@scoreatl.com.

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6 McKay, Falcons looking into building outdoor stadium within the decade The Atlanta Falcons want a new stadium within the next seven years, as the team has played football at the Georgia Dome since President Rich McKay and owner Arthur Blank are heading the committee that will help to bring a new stadium to metro Atlanta. The preference is geared toward an outdoor facility, much like the new stadium at the Meadowlands, which will debut this season for the Jets and Giants. ADVANTAGES Many fans and citizens of Atlanta are asking why the Falcons would build a new stadium when they have been in the Dome for just 18 years? Rich McKay told the Associated Press that the Falcons must increase their profit by attracting new events and growing the pie instead of shrinking the pie. The new events McKay refers to could very well be a future Super Bowl and the possibility of hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2018 or Blank would like to see the Georgia Dome stay where it is and have the outdoor stadium close by. This would create a sports mecca of sorts, with Philips Arena, the Dome and the new stadium all in the same area. The revenue that could be generated from restaurants and various types of businesses would be enormous. The Falcons would also have a stadium they could call their own rather than share it with the hundreds of events. Another option for the new stadium would be to build it in an entirely different location, such as the now closed Doraville General Motors plant. Although that plan was discussed in the past few years, it seems to be dying, as Blank has apparently cooled on that idea. I think Arthur is focusing on doing a deal downtown, McKay said. DISADVANTAGES There are also many disadvantages when it comes to building a new stadium. Though the Falcons revenue would increase with a new stadium, it is not something that taxpayers want to hear during these tough economic times. Everybody is extremely sensitive to the current economic environment, as McKay told the AP. It was not too long ago that the Dome was refurbished, which would seem like a waste of money if a new stadium was built. The SEC Championship game and the Chick-Fil-A Bowl which have become established traditions in the Dome for years would likely see major changes. The luster the Georgia Dome has would be taken away and Atlanta would probably lose out to other cities on events like the NCAA Final Four. Parking and traffic would be an even bigger problem than it already is. We know we ve got to work with some limits that are going to put constraints on the project, McKay said. That includes parking and the size of the stadium. The shape of downtown would change completely and, with traffic at an already horrific point, the new stadium has the potential of creating even more chaos. Frank Poe, the executive director of the World Congress Center (which runs the Georgia Dome), made it clear that it is not going anywhere. If there is a second stadium, we will still have to keep the Georgia Dome in operation, explained Poe. If the Georgia Dome were to stay in operation, then to many a new stadium just doesn t make sense. GEORGIA DOME FACTS OBSTACLES There are a number of stumbling blocks that have to be overcome for this project to get off the ground. But, since Blank took over as owner, the Falcons organization has proven it can do just about anything. Ticket prices were lowered and profits increased. The franchise was devastated by Michael Vick and Bobby Petrino, but recovered with Matt Ryan and head coach Mike Smith. One theory is that the Falcons are planning on being more successful in the next few years as a team on the field. That would Construction started in Cost $214 million to be built. First game was on September 6, 1992, against the New York Jets. The Falcons won Falcons record in the Dome: Football seating capacity: 71,250. The Dome was the largest dome structure in the world from It is now the second largest behind the Millennium Dome located in London. It is the largest indoor sports facility in the United States. create a situation where a new stadium would be needed to meet the needs of fans. The team is coming off its first back-to-back winning seasons in franchise history. In seven years, the Falcons could be a Super Bowl champion. If the team becomes the class of the league, then it would be able to justify building the classiest stadium in the league. By that time, with revenues surely skyrocketing, the Falcons may be able to afford it on their own. Deighton can be reached at jdeighton@scoreatl.com. The largest cable-supported dome in the world. Hosted Super Bowl XXVIII in 1994 and Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000, the 2006 Sugar Bowl, the 2002 and 2007 Final Four and the 1996 Summer Olympics. Current host of the Chick-fil-a Bowl, Chick-fil-A College Kickoff, and the SEC Football Championship. Home for the Atlanta Hawks from while Philips Arena was being constructed. Will host the 2013 Final Four and Wrestlemania 27 on April 3, 2011.

7 WHO THE FALCONS ARE PLAYING IN 2010 SUN. 9/12 at Pittsburgh Heinz Field 1 PM The Falcons open the 2010 season at Heinz 1Field, where Pittsburgh will be anxious to get back on the field after a long offseason. Ben Roethlisberger will begin a six-game suspension, which means third-year QB Dennis Dixon will likely get the start. The Steelers will be without last year s leading receiver, Santonio SUN. 9/19 vs Arizona SUN. 9/26 at New Orleans Louisiana Superdome 1 PM SUN. 10/3 vs San Francisco The Cardinals come to the Dome for the 2 3The Falcons first divisional game is a road trip 4Head coach Mike Singletary brings his 2010 home opener. Former Heisman Trophy to New Orleans for a matchup with the defending Super Bowl champs. Drew Brees will once will try to pound the ball on the ground 49ers to the Dome in Week 4. San Francisco winner Matt Leinart takes over the reigns at QB after Kurt Warner s retirement. He ll be again pilot the high-flying Saints offense, behind Frank Gore (1,120 rush yards in 09). without WR Anquan Boldin (84 rec. in 09), which led the league in scoring at nearly 32 The Niners passing attack is led by NFL but still has all-world WR Larry Fitzgerald points per contest last season. Safety Darren Combine legend TE Vernon Davis (13 TD rec. Holmes, after trading him to the Jets. (13 TD catches) to throw to. Sharper returns to lead an excellent defense. in 09) and WR Michael Crabtree. SUN. 10/10 at Cleveland Cleveland Browns Stadium 1 PM SUN. 10/17 at Philadelphia Lincoln Financial Field 1 PM SUN. 10/24 vs Cincinnati 92.9 DAVE-FM - CBS-TV Atlanta heads north in Week 5 to take on the new look Browns. A familiar face will be leading the offense, as former Carolina Panther Jake Delhomme takes over at quarterback. Matt Ryan will look to attack a young Cleveland secondary, which could have two rookie starters in CB Joe Haden and FS T.J. Ward. The City of Brotherly Love plays host to the Falcons in Week 6. With Donovan McNabb gone, Kevin Kolb is handed the keys to the Eagles offense. He ll look for big-play receiver Desean Jackson. Backup quarterback and former Falcons star Michael Vick threw and ran for a touchdown in last year s meeting. The 2009 AFC North champs come to town in Week 7. The Bengals are led by a potent offensive trio in Carson Palmer (3,094 pass yards in 09), Cedric Benson (1,251 rush yards) and Chad Ochocinco (1,047 rec. yards). The Bengals also boast one of the league s best defenses, yielding just 301 yards per game in 09. SUN. 11/7 vs Tampa Bay Atlanta will look to extend its three-game winning streak over its divisional rival. The Bucs are looking to improve on their 3-13 record from last season. To do that, second-year QB Josh Freeman will need to improve his touchdownto-interception ratio (10:18 in 09). Cadillac Williams leads the Bucs ground game. THURS. 11/11 vs Baltimore Georgia Dome 8:20 PM 92.9 DAVE-FM - NFL Network 9The second half of the season begins with a visit from John Harbaugh and the Ravens. Baltimore added a new target for third-year QB Joe Flacco in WR Anquan Boldin. Michael Oher moves to the blind side after playing right tackle in his rookie season. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed will once again anchor a veteran defense. SUN. 11/21 at St. Louis Edward Jones Dome 4:05 PM an NFL-worst 10.5 points per game. The Falcons defense should be licking their chops when they head to St. Louis to take on rookie quarterback Sam Bradford, the expected starter after Marc Bulger s departure. The Rams were the worst team in the NFL last year, winning just a single game and scoring SUN. 11/28 vs Green Bay Aaron Rodgers and the high-powered Packers offense provide a tough Week 12 matchup. Behind Rodgers (4,434 pass yards in 09), the Packers were the third-highest scoring team in the NFL at nearly 29 points per game. Defensively, Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk lead a talented defense. SUN. 12/5 at Tampa Bay Raymond James Stadium 1 PM The Falcons get another shot at the young Bucs in Week 13. Last year, Atlanta won in Tampa Bay in the final week of the season to earn its first back-to-back winning seasons in franchise history. No. 2 overall pick Gerald McCoy could be the anchor of the Bucs defen- 12 sive line by this point in the season. SUN. 12/12 at Carolina Bank of America Stadium 1 PM SUN. 12/19 at Seattle Qwest Field 4 PM MON. 12/27 vs New Orleans Georgia Dome 8:30 PM 92.9 DAVE-FM - ESPN-TV Matt Moore is the Panthers projected starting quarterback, but if he struggles, we could see rookie Jimmy Clausen under center. Despite outgaining the Panthers on the road last season, the Falcons lost 28-19, due in part to Matt Ryan s two interceptions. Muhsin Muhammad hurt the Falcons in the air with 91 receiving yards. Matt Ryan leads the Falcons to Qwest Field in Week 15 for a matchup with the Seahawks and new head coach Pete Carroll. Matt Hasselbeck enters his 10th season as the Seahawks starter, looking to bounce back after a 5-11 campaign in He ll welcome talented rookies OT Russell Okung and WR Golden Tate to an offense that struggled last season. The Super Bowl champs come to the Georgia Dome in the Falcons only Monday Night game of the season. This will likely be the biggest matchup of the season, with the NFC South potentially being on the line. The Saints won a tight game in Atlanta last year, when LB Jonathan Vilma stuffed RB Jason Snelling on a late fourth-and-two in Saints territory. SUN. 1/2 vs Carolina The regular season finale brings the divisionalrival Panthers to town in what the Falcons hope to be a final tuneup for the approaching playoffs. The Panthers offense will be led by two 1,000-yard rushers in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. The Falcons will look to win the game on the ground, as the Panthers pass defense was fourth-best in the NFL last season.

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