FALCONSVS PACKERS - Atlanta Falcons

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2016 PLAYBOOK 3

4–5FEATURE PHOTO:Seek and Destroy

6KEY MATCHUPS:Matt Bryant vs Mason Crosby

8FALCONS FEATURE:Desmond Trufant

13OPPONENT SPOTLIGHT:Green Bay Packers

54POSITION SPOTLIGHT:Running Backs

60COACH SPOTLIGHT:Bobby Turner

72VETERAN FEATURE:Tim Green

117ROOKIE SPOTLIGHT: Keanu Neal

121WHERE THEY CAME FROM: Jonathan Babineaux

123NFC SOUTH NOTEBOOK

124SOCIAL MEDIA BIRDS

FRONT OFFICE& COACHING STAFFOwner & Chairman Arthur Blank ..............18-19CEO, AMB GROUP LLC. Steve Cannon ............20President & CEO Rich McKay ...............................21General Manager Thomas Dimitroff ...............22Head Coach Dan Quinn ..........................................23Assistant Coaches.........................26, 29, 30, 32Front Office Executives...............35, 36, 39,49

RADIO AND TVFalcons On The Air .....................................................51Falcons Radio Network ..........................................57

COMMUNITY RELATIONSIn The Community ........................................... 45, 76

GAMEDAYBirds Eye View: Falcons Landing ............40–41Georgia Dome Concessions ............................... 43AFC & NFC Schedule ......................................58–59Falcons Roster .............................................................62Packers Roster ........................................................... 63Depth Charts.......................................................64-65Falcons Game Faces ......................................66–67Falcons Stats ............................................................... 68Packers Stats............................................................... 69Packers Coaches........................................................70Packers Game Faces ................................................71Packers Series Breakdown .................................. 74Georgia Dome Seating Chart ...........................100 Fan Promotions ............................................. 106-107

CHEERLEADERSCheerleader Spotlight: Leslie ............................ 80Cheerleaders Team Photo ....................................82

HISTORYUniform History .........................................90, 91, 93Falcons Ring of Honor ..................................96, 99Stadium History .......................................................104

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Morgan Shaw ParkerMANAGING EDITOR: Matt HaleySUPPORT STAFF: I.J. Rosenberg, Rhonda Rawls, Craig Sager II, Kyle Sandy, Steffi SorensenMARKETING & SALES: Tim Zulawski, Mace Aluia, Michael Burrell, Tameka Rish, Dana Senkowski, Taylor Walker, David Quiroga, Tyler Hargrove, Laura Freel, Ludwig Ossowski, Jordan MaybinCREATIVE DIRECTION: Michael BenfordDESIGN: Tucker Brooks, Britt Davis, Kenneth BaldwinPHOTOGRAPHY: Jimmy Cribb, Michael Benford, Kara DurrettePUBLISHED BY: SCORE Atlanta

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ANTHEM:Lou Galterio

COLOR GUARD:Hall County Honor Guard

HALFTIME:Publix Drumline Competition

Westlake HS & S.W. Dekalb HS

FALCONS VS. PACKERS • OCTOBER 30, 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

60 | Coach Spotlight

8 | Falcons Feature

117 | Rookie Spotlight

72 | Veteran Feature

Falcons rookie safety and first-round pick Keanu Neal bursts into the backfield to bring down San Diego running back Dexter McCluster for a loss of one yard. Neal has registered 19 combined tackles in the past two weeks.

SEEK AND DESTROYPHOTO BY: LYNN BASS

FEATURE PHOTO

ATLANTA FALCONS6

MATT RYAN { V S } NICK PERRYNick Perry has anchored the Green Bay defense with 5.5 sacks and will attempt to make Matt Ryan his next sack victim. Perry has already set a career high, surpassing his four-sack mark set in 2013. Ryan will have to be careful as Perry busts through the line. Ryan will have to get the ball out of his hands quickly when Perry rushes. He shouldn’t hesitate to throw the ball out of bounds or tuck it and run if Perry is able to bring the heat.

ERIC WEEMS { V S } TY MONTGOMERYExperience meets youth as two of the game’s best return men square off. Eric Weems at age 31 remains one of the most dangerous returners in the League. He is averaging 22.4 yards per kick return and even more impressively, 13.8 yards on punt returns. Ty Montgomery enters his second NFL season and has shown flashes of a young Weems, averaging 24.5 yards on six kick returns. Montgomery doesn’t handle punt return duties like Weems, but he still is a potential game-breaker whenever the ball enters his hands.

JULIO JONES { V S } HA HA CLINTON-DIXHa Ha Clinton-Dix gets a crack at slowing down a fellow Alabama Crimson Tide, but it might be Julio Jones getting the last laugh. Jones leads the NFL in receiving yards with 830 and four touchdowns. The last time the Packers secondary saw Jones is a time they’d like to forget. Jones torched them on Monday Night Football in 2014, hanging 11 catches for 259 yards and one touchdown in a 43-37 loss. Expect Green Bay to keep a close eye on Jones at all times and give Clinton-Dix help over the top.

FALCONS VS. PACKERS

KEY MATCHUPS { V S }

MATT BRYANT { V S } MASON CROSBYThe two veteran kickers are a combined 27-for-29 this season. Mason Crosby, now in his 10th season, is known for his strong leg while Matt Bryant, a 15-year pro and 15-of-16 on his attempts this season, leans on his accuracy and his unteachable clutchness is key situations. Bryant holds a career 85.4 percent success rate while Crosby connects at 80.3 percent. If the game comes down to a 50-yarder, Bryant is still the man you want. He is 21-of-36 all-time while Crosby is 27-of-52.

BY: KYLE SANDY

ATLANTA FALCONS8

B Y C R A I G S A G E R I I

2016 PLAYBOOK 9

It says a lot about a player that is able to come into the NFL and play at a high level

from day one. It says even more when the position he is being asked to play is lockdown corner. Since joining the Atlanta Falcons as the 22nd overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft, Trufant enters today’s meeting with Green Bay having started all 55 games. His statistical achievements earned him a 2015 Pro Bowl roster spot and League-wide praise, but his competitiveness and maturity remain the trademarks of his success.

Standing apart from his peers in a League filled with talented cornerbacks is an upshot of Trufant’s past. His two older brothers Marcus (35) and Isaiah (33) both played defensive back in the NFL before him. All three of the NFL-bound brothers began their football journeys at Woodrow Wilson High School in Tacoma, Washington. Marcus went on to become the 11th overall pick of the 2003 NFL Draft and went to the Seattle Seahawks, which played just 40 miles up Interstate-5 from Woodrow Wilson.

Like Trufant did in Atlanta, Marcus saw NFL success right away. While Marcus was becoming a homegrown star in Seattle, Isaiah was working his way into the NFL through the United Football League. His determination paid off and after winning two UFL titles and UFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2010, he made the New York Jets roster. Meanwhile, Desmond was quietly building a legacy of his own. He was just a sophomore in high school when Marcus made the Pro Bowl in 2007.

Trufant chose Washington over Marcus’ alma mater Washington State in 2009 and began his collegiate career with the Huskies. He lifted the Huskies to one of the best passing defenses in the country (188.9 yards allowed per game) his senior season and had the resume and speed (4.38) to become a first-rounder a decade after his older brother.

“His game evolved in college,” said Marcus in an interview with ESPN’s Vaughn McClure.

“That’s where I saw the biggest transition. I didn’t get to a lot of his high school games because I was playing at the time. But I saw in college him start to make plays and step up on the big scene. He always showed up when the lights were on.”

A strong family of football mentors gave Trufant the tools to reach the NFL. Once Trufant reached the NFL, however, he was going to be ‘alone on an island’ as the verbiage goes, being asked to cover teams’ No. 1 receiver as veterans and prolific passers looked to see what the rookie was made of.

MAK I N G A S P LA S H

Before Trufant’s first start in 2013, he got one of the best ‘Welcome to the NFL’ crash courses a rookie cornerback could get that offseason. Each day of practice, Trufant was matching up with Julio Jones and Matt Ryan, a daily battle that has helped set the standard at Flowery Branch for the past four seasons.

“To be honest, he [Jones] progressed me so much quicker because I had to go against him every day,” Trufant admitted to The News Tribune earlier this month. “He was killing me when I first got here [to Atlanta]. That had never happened to me before. But he really prepared me. Now it is nothing.”

Trufant was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie team and garnered Pro Football Focus Defensive Rookie of the Year. More importantly, Trufant was a brightspot within a disappointing season that planted confidence in the future of the franchise. On a team that struggled to apply pressure, Trufant’s coverage ability was on full-display. He finished his first season with a League-high 17 pass break-ups to go with two

ATLANTA FALCONS10

interceptions, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.

In 2014, he added 16 pass breakups to go with a career-best three interceptions. The next season, the Falcons introduced a new head coach in Dan Quinn and new defensive coordinator with Richard Smith. The duo was clear that they had complete confidence in Trufant and were ready to let his fast and physical play cornerstone a new era of defense in Atlanta.

Trufant’s progress from his first season to 2014 and this new system in place was enough to change opponents’ game plans when 2015 rolled around. No cornerback in the entire League was targeted fewer times than Trufant was last season. After being thrown at 180 times his first two professional seasons, Trufant saw just 56 passes come his way last year. He added another 11 pass breakups and was rewarded with his first Pro Bowl appearance.

“It’s the competitiveness that sets him apart,” Atlanta Quinn told the Tribune. “He doesn’t like to be thrown at or thrown on.

“His [Trufant’s] thing is he competes every snap,” Jones said of Trufant. “If you get him one time, he’s going to try and get you the next three times.”

E Q U I P P E D F O R S U C C E S SThis season, Trufant has continued to elevate his game and has already clashed with some of the League’s top receivers. In Week 1, Trufant intercepted Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston, forewarning future quarterbacks to look the other way. In the Week 3 Monday Night victory over the Saints, wideout Brandin Cooks caught one pass for nine yards in the five times Drew Brees was targeted with Trufant in coverage. Carolina’s Kelvin Benjamin was locked down and was contained to just three catches for 39 yards and a late touchdown in Week 4’s win over the Panthers. Against the Super Bowl champs, the longest Denver play from scrimmage all game was a 26-yard catch by Emmanuel Sanders in the first half. As Atlanta’s lead increased, Trufant and others left no room for a comeback attempt or game changing play.

“We just stayed disciplined,” said Trufant. “We didn’t give up any explosive plays and kept everything in front.”

Trufant had a homecoming Week 5 against the Seahawks where he played in front of his home state for the first time as a professional. But 2,600 miles away, the 26-year-old cornerback is back in the Georgia Dome, where his career is just beginning.

OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF THE ATLANTA FALCONS

©2016 MILLER BREWING CO., MILWAUKEE, WI

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C oming off an injury laced 2015 in which Aaron Rodgers

saw nearly all of his favorite wide receiving targets sidelined due to injury, he former NFL MVP opened the season having his full complement of weapons back and Green Bay is off to a 4-2 start. To get to the promise land, the Packers must start by regaining control of their division. Last year the Vikings emerged from the NFC North to claim the divisional crown at 11-5. Green Bay hasn’t lost the division in back-to-back seasons 2009-10, but are behind the eight ball already after 17-14 Week 2 loss in Minnesota.

Through the first five weeks of the season, the Packers have neither wowed nor disappointed, ranking 14th in scoring (23.3) and 11th in points allowed (20.5). Rodgers hasn’t quite found his groove yet, completing only 62.4 percent of his passes for 1,496 yards and 13 touchdowns, with four interceptions.

One of Green Bay’s brightest spots on offense has been Jordy Nelson. Nelson missed all of last season due to an ACL tear and has made up for lost time, collecting 27 receptions for 321 yards and five touchdowns.

The Packers offense lost running back Eddie Lacy for the season and it’s been a collective effort to pick up the slack in the backfield. Five different players were given handoffs in the Packers’ 26-10 Week 7 win over Chicago. The stable of reserve backs along with playmakers like Randall Cobb managed to take 23 carries for 103

yards. The running game remains an area of concern, however, as Rodgers has the team’s only two rushing touchdowns of the year.

The Packers defense has received a shot in the arm via its talented linebacking core. As Clay Matthews continues to age, now 30, the vocal leader of the defense can still get to the quarterback (3.0 sacks), but more importantly has helped mold players like Jake Ryan and Nick Perry. Ryan, a 2015 second round pick out of Michigan, leads Green Bay in tackles with 34. Perry, 26, leads the Packers defense with a career-high 5.5 sacks.

Safeties Morgan Burnett and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix anchor the back of an improving Green Bay secondary. The importance of Burnett and Clinton-Dix has been magnified as starting corners Damarious Randall and Sam Shields have battled injuries early in the year.

IN TOTAL YARDS ALLOWED PER GAME

THROUGH THEFIRST SEVEN WEEKS,

THE PACKERS

RANK 7TH

2016 GREEN BAY PACKERS

OPPONENT SPOTLIGHT

WR | JORDY NELSON

PACKERS ALL-TIMERECORD: 1921–PRESENT

SERIES RECORD:PACKERS LEAD

LAST MEETING:PACKERS 43, FALCONS 37

724-549-3715-12 2014

2016 PLAYBOOK 13

MercedesBenzStadium.com

2018 20202019 Annual2019 Annual Annual

Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the heart of Atlanta and home to the biggest

championships in the United States.

2016 PLAYBOOK 15MercedesBenzStadium.com

2018 20202019 Annual2019 Annual Annual

Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the heart of Atlanta and home to the biggest

championships in the United States.

FIXED ROOF READY FOR

PETAL INSTALLATIONBY: KYLE SANDY

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

For every good building there is a strong foundation and with a strong foundation comes protection

from the elements. On October 19, Mercedes-Benz Stadium celebrated the completion of its fixed roof structure, a monumental moment in the process of erecting the innovative new venue. One of the final piece of steel put in place was signed by many of the construction workers.

“It’s an incredible structure and everything is coming along well,” told AMB Group senior vice president Mike Egan, the executive in charge of overseeing the project. “We are looking forward to welcoming the city to our new home.”

It has been a long and arduous task piecing together a stadium that will truly be one of a kind. Construction team members inked their place in history by signing their names on one of the roof’s final steel support beams before its installation.

AROUND THE CLOCK

In order to keep the stadium on its timeline of being ready for the 2017 season, HHRM Project Superintendent Bob Evans explained that the construction crews have been working non-stop to complete their masterpiece.

“The construction site at the stadium had about 1,800 workers onsite today, but has up to 2,200 workers on

site a day with about 300 to 500 workers at night,” said Evans.

Many of the workers have all had a hand in installing the fixed roof which measures in at 18,000 tons of steel (36 million pounds) and 14.5 acres of overall roofing material. It took 99 trusses to create the fixed portion of the roof and there are 850,000 bolts in the fixed roof.

With the fixed roof now in place, the next step will be installing the retractable roof which opens and closes like a camera lens. Eight petals will be carefully placed along the roof.

“Each of the petals are composed of four pieces of steel, so there are 32 picks for the petals, which will start being installed next month,” Egan explained.

The roof will be able to open in less than eight minutes and when it is closed will allow natural sunlight into the stadium through its ETFE air-inflated pillows. The translucent lighting transmitted through the ETFE covering goes hand-in-hand with Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s dedication to sustainability and efficiency with its LEED Platinum certification in mind.

Work continues throughout the stadium which includes more than 16,000 square feet of office space for the AMB Group. The locker rooms for both football and soccer are expected to be completed in December.

MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM BLAZES TRAIL WITH

LEED PLATINUM LEVEL SUSTAINABILITYBY KYLE SANDY

MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM FEATURE

Next in The Series: Events

Building the latest and greatest facility has many different factors involved. From design to

efficiency, many variables are taken into account. When the idea of Mercedes-Benz Stadium started to become a reality, the importance of being a leader in sustainability was at the forefront of construction.

“From inception, Arthur Blank challenged us to make Mercedes-Benz Stadium one of the most sustainable buildings in sports,” Mercedes-Benz Stadium general manager Scott Jenkins said in a public statement. “We’re proud to say that we are achieving our goal by implementing innovative solutions that will allow us to be the first professional sports stadium to achieve LEED Platinum status.”

The project is also committing to further restore natural water systems wetlands and damaged watersheds, through the pursuit of a new LEED Pilot Credit strategy titled Water Restoration Certificates (WRC).

ENERGY EFFICIENT

So what exactly makes a building LEED-certified? In layman’s terms they use less water, energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By using water, lighting and energy more efficiently, they also save money. Mercedes-Benz Stadium will achieve all this by rainwater capture and reuse, solar panels and an “open stadium” operational approach.

More than 4,000 solar panels will generate 1.6 million kWh per year, enough to power 160 households in Georgia. The energy efficient LED lighting system will reduce energy use by 29 percent while the stadium’s new plumbing system will reduce water use by 47 percent.

The approach entails using as much natural light and outside air as possible to further promote an efficient and healthy building which excites director of stadium operations, David Duernberger.

“Generally technology leads to efficiency and I’m looking forward to that,” said Duernberger. “I expect it to be a very efficient building and a very efficiently run building.”

WHITE HOUSE GOES GREEN

On October 6, Jenkins was invited to the White House where Mercedes-Benz Stadium was recognized as one of 19 sports properties leading the industry through sustainability efforts.

“It was an honor to represent the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United and Mercedes-Benz Stadium and be included in the President’s release recognizing the important work being done by the sports industry to protect our environment and harness the cultural influence of sport to move us toward a healthier and more prosperous future,” penned Jenkins on mercedesbenzstadium.com.

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ATLANTA FALCONS18

T he 2016 season will mark the 15th for Arthur Blank as

Owner & Chairman for the Falcons. Blank, the co-founder of the world’s largest home improvement retailer, The Home Depot, has established his franchise as one of the tops in the NFL. His impact and leadership can be identified by the individuals he has hired to guide the organization.

The determination of Blank to build a consistent winner for this city and provide the fan base in Atlanta a team they can be proud of and call their own is unmatched in sports. Atlanta’s impressive six year run from 2008-2012 included two number one seeds in the NFC playoffs (2010, 2012), a team-record three consecutive playoffs berths (2010-12), four double-digit winning seasons (2008, 2010-12), two 13-wins seasons (2010, 2012) and two NFC South Division championships (2010, 2012). Blank’s expectations are to surpass that run and bring a championship to the city and the franchise.

During 2015, Blank added new leaders both on the field and off the field by hiring Head Coach Dan Quinn, as well as Steve Cannon as CEO of the Blank Family of Businesses. The two passionate leaders have been charged with leading his organizations to the next level and ensure that Blank’s brands continue to win on and off the field.

IT TAKES A TEAM

Cannon was hired to lead all business operations of the National Football League’s Atlanta Falcons; Atlanta United FC of Major League Soccer; Atlanta Falcons Stadium Company, the developer of Mercedes-Benz Stadium that is scheduled to open in 2017; PGA TOUR Superstore; and Mountain Sky Guest Ranch.

“Steve is a dynamic leader with a value system and ethic that aligns very well with mine, which is important to ensuring our culture and values continue to thrive in a fast-paced, growing environment,” said Blank. “He is a proven, results-driven executive who understands how to build and deliver a premium customer experience. That, along with his high-energy approach and experience will translate very well to all of our businesses. I couldn’t be more thrilled to have a leader of Steve’s stature take on this very important role moving forward.”

Under Blank’s leadership, the Falcons front office has also seen unprecedented success. Three years before Blank purchased the Falcons, the club averaged about 37,000 season ticket holders per year. Since 2002, the Falcons have never sold fewer than 50,000 season tickets in any year. Additionally, during the

same period of time, the club has sold out 110 of 112 regular season games and is currently riding a streak of eight consecutive sellout seasons.

Blank is also a key contributor to many of the NFL’s major committees. He currently chairs the NFL Audit Committee and Compensation Committee, and he is a member of the league’s Finance, Legislative, and Workplace Diversity committees.

MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM

In May 2014, Blank and the Falcons broke ground on Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which is set to open in 2017. In addition to being a new home for the Falcons, the stadium will also be home to Atlanta United FC, the new Major League Soccer team that was awarded to Blank in April 2014 and will begin play in 2017. The facility will also host other premier sports and entertainment events throughout the year.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium has already been successful in attracting marquee events to the city of Atlanta, such as the 2018 College Football National Championship, the 2019 Super Bowl, and the 2020 NCAA Final Four among many others, including the National Semifinals of the College Football Playoffs.

“I can’t tell you how pleased I am with how well Thomas Dimitroff and Dan Quinn and their respective staffs worked together this offseason in evaluating our roster and adding players via free agency and the draft.”

ARTHURBLANKOWNER & CHAIRMAN

2016 PLAYBOOK 19

MAKING A DIFFERENCE& IMPROVING LIVES

Starting with The Home Depot and continuing with his current businesses – the Falcons, PGA TOUR Superstore, Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, Atlanta United and The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation– Blank’s business and personal values underscore the importance of giving back and becoming part of the community.

During his 23 years with The Home Depot, the company donated more than $113 million to communities, and Home Depot associates provided hundreds of thousands of hours of personal volunteer time.

Since its inception in 1995, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has granted more than $300 million to charitable organizations, with approximately two-thirds of the total focused on metro Atlanta, including the Historic Westside neighborhoods of Vine City, English Avenue and Castleberry Hill.

In 2013, Blank publicly committed to making further significant investments in these communities by creating the Westside Neighborhood Prosperity Fund, which will invest in catalytic projects that ignite positive change and improve the quality of life in the neighborhoods surrounding Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The foundation has pledged $15 million to contribute to large-scale transformational projects that result in lasting impact for community residents. Westside Works placed nearly 200 men and women in living wage jobs in construction, health care, culinary arts and auto technician sectors during its first 12 months of operation.

Community engagement is a priority for the Falcons, as well. The Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation invests in innovative approaches

to increase time kids spend in physical activity, and to give more children access to healthy foods. Since 2002, the foundation has awarded more than $20 million in grants to nonprofit organizations serving children across Georgia. As a leader in the Georgia SHAPE initiative, the youth foundation is helping Georgia elementary schools reach more than 350,000 students through the Power Up for 30 program, which adds 30 minutes of physical activity during the school day. The foundation also has donated $730,000 worth of equipment to 131 groups in 46 counties across Georgia, expanding opportunities for 68,000 youth to be physically active.

In addition, Atlanta Falcons contribute an average of 3,000 hours of their collective time each season to community service. Much of this time is spent participating in Atlanta Falcons community relations programs and initiatives that support a variety of issues and activities, including health and fitness, breast cancer awareness, combating hunger, the development of youth/prep football, Salute to Service and outreach in underserved communities.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

A native of Flushing, N.Y., Blank attended Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan, where he competed on the football, baseball and track teams. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with

distinction from Babson College, where he was active in a variety of extracurricular activities. Blank co-founded The Home Depot in 1978 and retired from the company as co-chairman in 2001. At the time of his retirement, The Home Depot was a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and one of Fortune magazine’s “Global Most Admired Companies.” During Blank’s last year as CEO of the company, The Home Depot ranked first in social responsibility in an annual survey conducted by Harris Interactive, Inc.

In 2005, he was named National Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young. In 2003, for the second time in three years, Blank was named Georgia’s Most Respected CEO by Georgia Trend magazine, and in 2002, he was inducted into Georgia State University ’s Business Hall of Fame. The Georgia Army National Guard Infantry Regiment appointed Blank as an honorary commander on July 16. Individuals are selected as honorary commanders because of their position or influence in the community, and their ability to foster awareness and public support for the military and its service members.

Arthur and Angie Blank’s marriage in June of 2016 brought together their respective families, including nine children and five grandchildren. A strong believer in work-life balance, Blank makes time daily for physical activity and spending time with family.

ATLANTA FALCONS20

S teve Cannon was named chief executive officer of AMB

Group, LLC effective February 1, assuming the day-to-day leadership of the company’s for-profit businesses. Cannon leads all business operations of the National Football League’s Atlanta Falcons; Atlanta United of Major League Soccer; Atlanta Falcons Stadium Company, the developer of Mercedes-Benz Stadium that is scheduled to open in 2017; PGA TOUR Superstore; and Mountain Sky Guest Ranch.

Prior to joining AMB Group, Cannon served as president and chief executive officer of Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) and was responsible for leading operations that generated record sales with annual revenues exceeding $20 billion. During his tenure, MBUSA achieved a first-ever No. 1 ranking on the American Customer Satisfaction Index and was also

lauded as one of the best places to work by Fortune Magazine five years in a row. Cannon oversaw MBUSA’s successful headquarters relocation from New Jersey to the metro Atlanta area, in addition to crafting a sports sponsorship strategy that closely aligned the premium brand with properties reflective of its category leadership and brand position.

A MERCEDES BEGINNING

Cannon began his automotive career in 1991 as executive assistant to the president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz of North America (predecessor to MBUSA). From there, he moved to Stuttgart, Germany and joined a small team tasked with the development, manufacturing and launch of the M-Class, the first Mercedes-Benz SUV ever made in, and for this market. Following his time in Germany, Cannon served as

director of marketing for Debis Financial Services (later Daimler Financial Services). He also served as principal for The Richards Group, one of the largest independent full-service advertising agencies in the U.S. before re-joining MBUSA in 2007 where he served as the vice president of marketing for MBUSA from June 2007 until he was promoted to president and CEO in 2012.

Cannon graduated with honors from the United States Military Academy at West Point (B.S., Economics). He is Airborne Ranger qualified and served as 1st Lieutenant in West Germany during the fall of the Iron Curtain. During his time in the Army he also served five years as an artillery officer.

Cannon and his wife, Ann, reside in Atlanta and they are the parents of nine children.

“We’ve got some incredible exciting challenges in front of us, and some of these things we’ve never done before.”

STEPHENCANNONCEO, AMB GROUP, LLC

2016 PLAYBOOK 21

F alcons President and CEO, Rich McKay, has been a

fixture in the National Football League for the past 30 years. One of the League’s most decorated executives, McKay begins his 13th season with the Atlanta Falcons in 2016.

After serving the first six years of his tenure in Atlanta as the president and general manager of the Falcons, McKay was promoted to president and chief executive officer by Owner and Chairman Arthur M. Blank on September 1, 2011. Prior to joining the Falcons, McKay spent 10 years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, serving as general manager.

CONSTRUCTING CHAMPIONS

During his 13 seasons as a GM, McKay was the architect of a Super Bowl winning team as well as six teams that reached the playoffs and three that advanced to the NFC Championship game. His teams compiled an overall record of 112-96 with a playoff record of 6-5.

McKay’s long-term involvement in the NFL includes many notable achievements. He is the only executive to have led two successful stadium negotiations (Atlanta and Tampa Bay), he was general manager and chief football architect for a Super Bowl championship team in Tampa

Bay (XXXVII), he has served on the NFL’s competition committee since 1994 to help advance the game and was a key participant in the collective bargaining agreement negotiations, which led to the current multi-year agreement signed in 2011 between the NFL and the NFL Players Association.

McKay has played a pivotal role in the development of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Working closely with Arthur Blank, the city of Atlanta, the state of Georgia, and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, McKay helped to secure approval and financing for Mercedes-Benz Stadium after nearly two years of intense negotiations.

“The interesting aspect about both of those projects is how dramatically different they both are from a negotiation and planning perspective,” McKay said. “The fortunate thing in both instances is that we’ve worked and are working with people who want what’s best for the city, the state and the team.”

McKay is the longest serving member of the NFL’s Competition Committee, spending the past 23 years as a member. He was named co-chairman of the committee in 1998 and was named chairman of the committee on March 1, 2011.

McKay’s personnel scouting acumen was a successful formula

which produced 59 players that played in the Pro Bowl during his time as an NFL General Manager. Tampa Bay’s 41 Pro Bowl selections between 1997 through 2002 were the most in the NFL.

LASTING LEGACY

The McKay family is one of the most successful football families with substantial roots in both the collegiate and professional game. Between he, his father John and his older brother J.K., the McKay’s have won six national championships, participated as a player or coach in 12 Rose Bowls, participated as a coach, player or team executive in six NFL conference championship games, won two National Collegiate Coach of the Year Awards, won one XFL Championship as a general manager, won one Super Bowl as a general manager.

Born March 16, 1959, in Eugene, Oregon, McKay grew up in Los Angeles and Tampa, graduating from Tampa’s Jesuit High School.

Rich earned his Bachelor’s degree in Economics in 1981 from Princeton University. He graduated from Stetson’s College of Law in 1984 and clerked for two years for Tampa’s U.S. District Judge William Terrell Hodges, and was inducted into the Stetson Law Hall of Fame in 2015.

McKay is the only executive in the League that has been the political and business point man on the successful negotiation and construction of two NFL stadiums.

RICHMCKAYPRESIDENT & CEO

ATLANTA FALCONS22

Dimitroff’s purposeful approach towards building Atlanta’s roster was showcased right away this offseason as the team made 18 transactions before the draft.

THOMASDIMITROFFGENERAL MANAGER

T homas Dimitroff is entering his ninth season as the Atlanta

Falcons General Manager. Over his eight seasons in Atlanta, the Falcons have posted 78 wins during the regular season, have made four postseason appearances and have added cornerstone players; QB Matt Ryan, WR Julio Jones, CB Desmond Trufant, T Jake Matthews, OLB Vic Beasley and S Keanu Neal in the draft. In 2008 and 2009, his acquisitions of RB Michael Turner and TE Tony Gonzalez sparked the Falcons most successful run in franchise history as the team accomplished five straight winning seasons. Atlanta won 36 games from 2010-12, which included three straight playoff berths and one trip to the NFC championship game. There has never been a more successful three-year stretch in franchise history, and Dimitroff was the architect of those teams.

The success of the Falcons under the guidance of Dimitroff has been obtained by adding pieces in every way possible. He has been active in free agency and trades, all while staying true to the formula of building the base of your team through the draft.

Two gems from the 2014 Draft class showcase the Falcons success in recent years with RB Devonta Freeman and S Ricardo Allen. Both Freeman and Allen became starters for the Falcons

in 2015, and experienced breakout performances. Freeman was named to his first Pro Bowl after recording 1,056 rushing yards, 73 receptions, 578 receiving yards and 14 total touchdowns. Allen tallied 68 tackles, five passes defensed, three interceptions, one sack and one fumble recovery, while starting 14 games in 2015.

Prior to the start of the 2015 campaign, Dimitroff was tasked with assisting Owner & Chairman Arthur Blank with finding a new head coach. Following a lengthy search, Blank decided on former Seattle Seahawks Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn. The Super Bowl pedigree that Dimitroff brought from New England was partnered with Quinn and his consecutive Super Bowl appearances in Seattle (2013 & 2014), including a win in Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos.

DRAFT DAY MAGIC

Once the 2015 season ended, Dimitroff and Quinn devised a plan to add the pieces that included tendering three players. The Falcons made 18 moves prior to the Draft including signing three-time Pro Bowl center Alex Mack, DE Derrick Shelby and WR Mohamed Sanu.

The execution of the 2016 Draft was precise and addressed the

specific needs and positions that Dimitroff and Quinn deemed as priorities. They wanted to add fast and physical players on both sides of the ball and they were able to do so by adding S Keanu Neal, LB Deion Jones, TE Austin Hooper, LB De’Vondre Campbell, G Wes Schweitzer and WR Devin Fuller.

Dimitroff climbed the NFL mountain to General Manager by working his way through the scouting ranks as a combine/BLESTO Scout, an area scout, national scout, and director of college scouting.

He became the Canadian Scouting Coordinator for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL in 1990, getting his first taste of the scouting world. Dimitroff’s career aspirations brought him to the NFL and the Detroit Lions where he became a college scout in 1994. From there, Dimitroff made his way back to Cleveland in 1998 as a college scout for the Browns for four years before landing with the Patriots in 2002.

During his five years as the director of college scouting in New England (2003-07), the Patriots had a 77–17 overall record and they won back to back Super Bowls in 2003 (XXXVIII) and 2004 (XXXIX), while making a historic march on a perfect 2007 regular season.

2016 PLAYBOOK 23

ATLANTA FALCONS24

D an Quinn became the 16th head coach in Atlanta

Falcons history in February of 2015. In his first season at the helm Quinn led the team to a 5-0 start, becoming the first coach in franchise history to begin his career with five straight wins. Despite a mid-season slump, Quinn rallied the Falcons to wins in two of their final three games to close out the season with an 8-8 record. His defensive background was crucial in helping Atlanta improve from 32nd in total defense to 16th in the course of one year. In addition to the Falcons defensive strides, WR Julio Jones enjoyed a historic season under Quinn posting the second most receptions (139) and receiving yards (1,871) in a single season in NFL history. Four players were selected to go to the Pro Bowl during Quinn’s first year: CB Desmond Trufant, WR Julio Jones, FB Patrick DiMarco, and RB Devonta Freeman.

Heading into his second offseason with the team, the Falcons also went out and added several players this offseason who will add substance to Quinn’s program: DE Derrick Shelby, C Alex Mack, LB Sean Weatherspoon, OLB Courtney Upshaw and DE Dwight Freeney. During Quinn’s second draft as Falcons head coach the team selected Florida safety Keanu Neal with the 17th overall pick to lead the draft class.

BUILDING GREATNESS

Quinn took over the club after serving as the Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator for two seasons (2013-14), helping guide them to consecutive Super Bowl appearances. During that span, Quinn oversaw the NFL’s top defensive unit as Seattle led the League allowing 270.4 yards per game, 15.2 points per game, and 178.8 passing yards per game while holding opponents to 91.6 rushing yards per game.

In 2014, Quinn’s defense led the NFL in scoring defense (15.9), total defense (267.1), and passing yards (185.6), while ranking third in rushing yards (81.5). The Seahawks also boasted the League’s top defensive unit in 2013, en route to a win over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.

Quinn originally joined the Seahawks in 2009, after spending the previous six years coaching the defensive lines for the San Francisco 49ers (2003-04), Miami Dolphins (2005-06) and the New York Jets (2007-08). He previously served as the Seahawks assistant head coach/defensive line coach in 2009 under Jim Mora.

Quinn left Seattle in 2011 to become the defensive coordinator at the University of Florida where his defenses ranked in the top-10 in the country. In his first season with

the Gators, his defense ranked eighth nationally in total defense (299.5), seventh in passing defense (166.8), and second in third-down defense (27.12 percent).

Prior to joining Seattle, Quinn coached the defensive line for the New York Jets from 2007-2008. He began his NFL coaching career in San Francisco as its defensive assistant in 2001. Quinn got his start coaching the defensive line at William and Mary in 1994, followed by a season at Virginia Military Institute. He held the same position with Hofstra for four seasons before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2000.

MAKING HIS MARK

Quinn was a four-year letter winner and two-time co-captain at Division III Salisbury (Md.) State as a defensive lineman. He also lettered in track and held the school record in the hammer throw. He was inducted into the Salisbury State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.

Quinn’s charitable foundation, Quinn’s Corps, which he and his wife, Stacey, started in 2005, serves members of the military both at home and abroad. Quinn’s foundation provides military families that are stateside with tickets to games while sending special care packages to soldiers that are deployed overseas.

Quinn’s first year saw Atlanta’s defense improve from 32nd to 16th in the League with a 347.6 yards per game average and only Seattle and Cincinnati allowed fewer passing touchdowns than Atlanta (19).

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ATLANTA FALCONS26

JONAS BEAUCHEMINASSISTANT STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACHBeauchemin has been with the Falcons since 2009 as an assistant in the athletic performance department. Prior to joining the Falcons, he worked for Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning in Boston where he focused on NFL and NHL combine preparation. A native of Burlington, VT, Beauchemin is a graduate of Keene State College, where he earned his degree in Health Promotion and Fitness.

KEITH CARTERASSISTANT OFFENSIVE LINE COACHCarter coached at San Jose State in 2014 as the offensive line/running game coordinator before accepting his position with Atlanta. It will be Carter’s second stint in the NFL after he spent two seasons as the offensive quality control coach for the Seattle Seahawks from 2012-13. Carter began his coaching journey at UCLA as an undergrad assistant in 2005 after playing tight end for the Bruins.

KYLE SHANAHANOFFENSIVE COORDINATORShanahan is with the Falcons for his second season after previously serving as the offensive coordi-nator for the Houston Texans, Washington Redskins and Cleveland Browns. Like his father, two-time Super Bowl winning head coach Mike Shanahan, Kyle implements a zone-blocking scheme and has helped develop running back Devonta Freeman into a Pro Bowler in 2015. Shanahan’s first NFL job was in Tampa Bay in 2004 as an offensive quality control coach.

RICHARD SMITH DEFENSIVE COORDINATORSmith’s 29 years of coaching experience are the fifth most among active NFL defensive coordinators. In 2005, he landed his first coordinator job with the Miami Dolphins and then spent 2006-08 in control of the Houston Texans defense. Smith spent four seasons coaching linebackers in Denver and over his lengthy coaching career, which started back in 1988 with the Houston Oilers, has sent 16 players to a total of 19 Pro Bowls.

KEITH ARMSTRONGSPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATORArmstrong enters his ninth season as the Falcons special teams coordinator. Over his time in Atlanta, the Falcons have ranked first in kickoff coverage (2010), punt coverage (2011) and penalties (2012) while ranking fourth in kick return average (25.7) last season. Armstrong is in his second stint with the Falcons after having served with the team from 1994-96, coaching the safeties and the secondary.

RAHEEM MORRIS ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/WIDE RECEIVER COACHMorris joined the Falcons after spending the bulk of his career across the NFC South. He began his NFL coaching career as a defensive quality control coach in 2002 with the Super Bowl winning Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Morris would go on to be named head coach of the Bucs from 2009-11. He spent 2012-14 coaching the defensive backs for the Washington Redskins. In college, Morris played safety at Hofstra under Dan Quinn.

JESSE ACKERMANHEAD STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACHAckerman is entering his first season as the Falcons head strength and conditioning coach. He spent the previous year working as the strength coach for the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. After graduating in 2002 with a B.A. in Education, he earned an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from John Carroll in 2007 and an M.S. in Exercise Science from California University of Pennsylvania in 2009. Ackerman’s certifications include NSCA-CSCS, NASM-PES, and NASM-CES.

2016 ATLANTA FALCONS

ASSISTANT COACHES

2016 PLAYBOOK 27

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2016 PLAYBOOK 29

DOUG MALLORY DEFENSIVE ASSISTANT/DEFENSIVE BACKSMallory is a veteran coach who began his career back in 1988 with Indiana University as a graduate assistant. He has spent over 20 years coaching in the college ranks and can claim Atlanta as his first job in professional football. Before taking a year away from the game in 2014, Mallory was both assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator at Indiana University from 2011-13. Doug played at Michigan for head coach Bo Schembechler in the mid 80’s.

MATT LAFLEURQUARTERBACKS COACHLaFleur enters year two with the Falcons and will coach alongside his younger brother Mike. He began as an offensive assistant for Saginaw Valley State in 2003 after he guided the team to three playoff appearances as the starting quarterback. After three more collegiate stops, he joined Kyle Shanahan in Houston where he spent two seasons as the offensive quality control coach. He followed Shanahan to Washington for four seasons as quarterbacks coach before serving the same role at Notre Dame in 2014.

WADE HARMANTIGHT ENDS COACHHarman will coach tight ends for his third year after with the Falcons after serving as the assistant offensive line coach in 2014. His coaching path began in 1987 with Utah State. In 1997, Harman joined the Minnesota Vikings where he spent two seasons as a coaching assistant. From 1999-2013, Harman served as the Baltimore Ravens tight ends coach and won two Super Bowls with the team.

BRYAN COX DEFENSIVE LINE COACHCox enters year four with the Falcons after serving as defensive front seven coach and pass rush specialist for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2012-13. Cox started his coaching career with the New York Jets as the assistant defensive line coach. Following his time in New York, Cox went to the Cleveland Browns as a defensive line coach. He was a three-time Pro Bowl linebacker and Super Bowl champion as a player.

MIKE LAFLEUR OFFENSIVE ASSISTANTLaFleur will coach alongside his older brother Matt in Atlanta during his second season with the Falcons. LaFleur played quarterback and safety at Elmhurst College and served as team captain before beginning his coaching career as an offensive assistant with his alma mater in 2009. He spent three seasons at Saint Joseph’s College and broke school records with the passing offense he installed. After a one year stop at Davidson College, LaFleur started his NFL career as a coaching intern with the Browns in 2014.

MIKE MCDANIELOFFENSIVE ASSISTANTAn Aurora, Colorado native, McDaniel played college football at the academically prestigious Ivy League school Yale. In 2005, he joined the Denver Broncos as a coaching intern and joined Kyle Shanahan in Houston in 2006 through 2008 as an offensive assistant. McDaniel enjoyed a stint in the UFL from 2009-10 before rejoining Shanahan in Cleveland in 2014 as the Browns wide receivers coach. 2016 marks McDaniel’s second year with the Falcons.

JEROME HENDERSONPASSING GAME COORDINATORHenderson spent the last four seasons as the Cowboys’ secondary coach and brings nine years of NFL coaching experience to Atlanta. Prior to Dallas, the former Clemson Tiger spent three seasons as Cleveland’s secondary coach and three years on the New York Jets coaching staff. Henderson was selected by the New England Patriots in the 1991 NFL Draft and played eight seasons with four different teams as a defensive back.


ASSISTANT COACHES

ATLANTA FALCONS30

MARQUAND MANUEL SECONDARY/SENIOR DEFENSIVE ASSISTANTThe former Florida Gator spent eight years in the NFL as a safety before joining the sidelines as a coach. Over his career, Manuel played for six different teams. He joined the Seattle Seahawks coaching staff in 2012 as the assistant special teams coach. Manuel spent 2013-14 as Seattle’s assistant secondary coach and oversaw the Seahawks “Legion of Boom” defense that won Super Bowl XLVIII. This is his second season with Atlanta.

AJ NEIBELATHLETIC PERFORMANCE MANAGERNeibel enters his first season as athletic performance manager after serving as head strength and conditioning coach in 2015 upon starting as the team’s strength and conditioning assistant in 2011. Neibel graduated from Long Beach State University in 1996 with a degree in Sports Psychology before earning a degree in Physical Therapy from Cerritos College in 1998.

CHRIS MORGANOFFENSIVE LINE COACHThis upcoming season will be Morgan’s second with Atlanta after coaching with Kyle Shanahan in Washington for three seasons (2011-13) and spending time with Dan Quinn in Seattle in 2014. He played collegiately on the offensive line for the Colorado Buffaloes from 1995-99 and earned his master’s degree in educational leadership at Idaho before embarking on a coaching career. He began coaching at Westfield High School in 2004 and broke into the NFL with the Oakland Raiders in 2009.

BOBBY TURNERRUNNING BACKS COACHTurner had stops at Indiana State (1975-82), Fresno State (1983-88), Ohio State (1989-90) and Purdue (1991-94) before getting a crack at the NFL in 1995. Turner spent 1995-2009 coaching the running backs for the Denver Broncos and captured two Super Bowls along the way. After his tenure in Denver, Turner spent four of his five seasons in Washington tutoring the running backs under OC Kyle Shanahan. They reunited in Atlanta in 2015 in the same roles.

ERIC SUTULOVICHASSISTANT SPECIAL TEAMS COACHSutulovich’s NFL coaching experience started with a four year tenure as the assistant special teams coach with the Houston Texans that started in their inaugural 2002 season. After working in the college game for several years Sutulovich returned to the NFL as an offensive assistant for the Detroit Lions in 2008. The 2016 season will be his eighth season with the Falcons.

CHAD WALKER DEFENSIVE ASSISTANT/LINEBACKERSWalker makes his second appearance on an NFL staff after spending 2005-07 with the Miami Dolphins as defensive quality control coach. His coaching career began in 2000 as a student assistant at LSU. He joined Nick Saban’s coaching staff in 2003-04 full-time as a defensive assistant. Walker had stops at Bryant University and Mississippi College before serving as the quality control assistant at the University of Oklahoma for 2013 and 2014.

JEFF ULBRICH LINEBACKERS COACHAfter a 11-year career in the NFL and two coaching stops along the way, Ulbrich will be coaching in Atlanta for his second season. Ulbrich was drafted out of the University of Hawaii and once his playing career was over, he landed on the Seattle Seahawks coaching staff as a special teams assistant for two seasons, coaching on the same staff as Dan Quinn. Prior to arriving in Atlanta, Ulbrich spent three years at UCLA and served as defensive coordinator in 2014.


ASSISTANT COACHES

2016 PLAYBOOK 31

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SCOUTING & ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE

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NICK POLKDIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL

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JOEL COLLIERDIRECTOR OF

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STEVE SABODIRECTOR OF COLLEGE

SCOUTING

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MARTY LAUZONDIRECTOR OF SPORTS

MEDICINE & PERFORMANCE

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2016 PLAYBOOK 35

GREG BEADLESEVP, CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE & FINANCIAL OFFICERA M B S P O R T S & E N T E R T A I N M E N TThe LSU graduate oversees finance, technology, facilities, logistics and team travel. In addition, Beadles is deeply involved in all aspects of the planning and construction of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. He is active in the community and was recently named “CFO of the Year” by the Atlanta Business Chronicle for his work in multiple education initiatives.

DANNY BRANCHCHIEF INFORMATION OFFICERA M B G R O U P, L L CBranch is in his 13th season with the Falcons after serving at Home Depot as Vice President of Information Services. The Georgia graduate has more than 30 years of experience in systems development, deployment and support. Branch is responsible for all business IT-related activities for the Falcons and the Blank Family of Businesses.

LISA CHANGSENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, HUMAN RESOURCESA M B G R O U P, L L CChang joined the executive team in 2014 and leads human resources strategy and operations for AMB Group, LLC, the investment management and shared services arm of The Blank Family of Businesses. She has HR oversight for all of the AMB Businesses including the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, FC and the new Mercedes-Benz stadium. Prior to joining AMB Group, Chang was Vice President of International Human Resources at Equifax. She was also Senior Vice President of HR for Turner Broadcasting Systems, Inc and previously the Executive Vice President of HR for The Weather Channel Companies.

MIKE EGANSENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & GENERAL COUNSELA M B G R O U P, L L CEgan joined AMB Group in January 2015 after 25 years as a partner at the law firm of King & Spalding, where he headed the firm’s corporate practice. At King & Spalding, he represented AMB Group in the acquisition of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United franchises as well as in the negotiations for the development and financing of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. In addition to his legal duties, he oversees the construction of Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the project management function for the opening of the new stadium. Egan received his J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School and was a Morehead Scholar at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.


TEAM EXECUTIVES

MICHAEL DRAKESENIOR VP, BUSINESS OPERATIONS & CHIEF REVENUE OFFICERA M B S P O R T S & E N T E R T A I N M E N TDrake joined the AMB S&E leadership team in 2016 and leads revenue generation, service initiatives and marketing strategies for the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Additionally, Drake will oversee the creation and rollout of Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Atlanta United Training Facility Tour & Special Event businesses. Prior to his role with AMB Sports & Entertainment, Drake served as Vice President for Legends Global Sales were he assists in business strategies for the Legends Division responsible for selling premium tickets, naming rights and sponsorship, special event sales and tours for facilities in Major League and Collegiate athletics. Since 2013, he has led Legends efforts on Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

ATLANTA FALCONS36

SCOTT JENKINSGENERAL MANAGER, MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUMA M B S P O R T S & E N T E R T A I N M E N TJenkins joined the executive team in 2014 after spending the past seven years as the vice president of ballpark operations for the Seattle Mariners’ Safeco Field. He is currently working with a team in the planning and construction of Mercedes-Benz Stadium and will manage its operations.

DAVID HOMRICHEXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE & INVESTMENTSA M B G R O U P, L L CHomrich has been with AMB Group since its formation in 2001. He is responsible for financial planning, investment strategy and management, new business analysis and development, and real estate acquisition. Prior to joining AMB Group, he was co-founder and CEO of Homrich Berg, a wealth management firm.

MIKE GOMESSENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, FAN EXPERIENCEA M B S P O R T S & E N T E R T A I N M E N TGomes joined AMB Sports & Entertainment Group as Senior Vice President, Fan Experience in 2014. He is responsible for designing and implementing innovative strategies to enhance the game-day and event experience for Atlanta Falcons fans at the Georgia Dome, as well as for Atlanta United FC fans and event guests at the New Atlanta Stadium set to open in 2017.

ROB GEOFFROYVICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE – A M B S P O R T S & E N T E R T A I N M E N TCHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER – A T L A N T A U N I T E D F CGeoffroy began his career with the NBA’s Boston Celtics in the finance department and then moved over to accounting for the NHL’s New Jersey Devils Stanley Cup Championship in 1995 before returning to the Celtics. On Oct. 6, 2014, Geoffroy was promoted to Vice President of Finance after eight seasons as the club’s Controller. He is concurrently a Board Member for Atlanta Falcons Physical Therapy Centers and is a graduate of Bentley University.

BRETT JEWKESSENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICERA M B G R O U P, L L CJewkes joined the team in November 2015 and is responsible for developing and implementing internal and external communications strategies across the Blank Family of Businesses, which includes the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United of MLS, Atlanta Falcons Stadium Company – the developer of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, PGA TOUR Superstore, Mountain Sky Guest Ranch and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. He works closely with Chairman Arthur M. Blank and Chief Executive Officer Steve Cannon, as well as the senior management in the respective businesses. Prior to joining the AMB Group, Jewkes was on the management team at NASCAR.


TEAM EXECUTIVES

2016 PLAYBOOK 37

2016 PLAYBOOK 39

DON ROVAKVICE PRESIDENT, SALES & SERVICEA M B S P O R T S & E N T E R T A I N M E N TDon Rovak enters his ninth season with the Falcons and his second as the club’s Vice President of Ticket Sales and Service. Rovak’s responsibilities include the leadership of the Falcons and Atlanta United sales, service, and ticket operations departments. Prior to taking on his role as vice president, Rovak built the Falcons’ ticket sales department, and helped reconstruct the premium sales team as the director of ticket sales and service for six seasons. Previously, Rovak was Vice President of Marketing & Ticketing for the Memphis Redbirds Triple A baseball team. Under his leadership, the Redbirds opened AutoZone Park and annually ranked first or second in minor league baseball attendance.

MORGAN SHAW PARKERVICE PRESIDENT, FOOTBALL COMMUNICATIONSA T L A N T A F A L C O N SShaw Parker enters her first season with the Falcons and is responsible for building, developing and leading communications and digital strategies to support the team, coaching staff, and GM. With a nearly 20-year proven track record in sport business and innovation across the NFL, NCAA, media, corporate brand and agency, she joins the Falcons after spending over 10 years at NIKE, Inc. where she most-recently served as Director of North America Communications. In that role since 2009, she set the strategic and tactical communications direction for multiple Nike brand categories, including Football (NFL and NCAA) where she led the 2012 media launch for Nike’s NFL partnership.

TIM ZULAWSKISENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICERA M B S P O R T S & E N T E R T A I N M E N TTim Zulawski is responsible for leading the strategy, growth and management of sponsorship and broadcast sales and service for the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Additionally, Zulawski will oversee a newly created Mega Events division for the stadium and the existing brokerage agreements between the Atlanta Falcons, Georgia Dome and Georgia World Congress Center. Zulawski has over 13 years of experience with the organization, previously served as Vice President of Sponsorship Sales & Service. He is responsible for developing the go to market sponsorship strategy for the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, targeting local, regional, national and international corporations.

SCOTT PIOLIASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGERA T L A N T A F A L C O N SPioli has spent 24 years in the NFL. He has been named NFL Executive of the Year by various national media outlets five times during his career. In nine-years with the New England Patriots, the club compiled an NFL-best 102-42 (.708) regular season record and won three Super Bowls (XXXVI, XXXVIII & XXXIX).

JARED MILLERCHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICERA M B S P O R T S & E N T E R T A I N M E N TMiller leads technology planning for the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, working with a cross-functional team to integrate technology solutions into the new stadium development. He will oversee core stadium technology functions when the new stadium opens.


TEAM EXECUTIVES

ATLANTA FALCONS40

B eginning Sunday, September 11, Falcons Landing will be

open three hours prior to each regular season home game and is free of charge!

Premium item giveaways, live entertainment, food & drinks, a pregame hospitality area, games and appearances by Freddie Falcon, the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders, Drumline and Alumni are all staples of the Falcons Landing experience.

Falcons Landing’s convenient location provides the perfect pre-game destination for Falcons fans heading to the Georgia Dome via Marta.

Fans will want to exit at The Georgia Dome/Philips Arena Marta Station and take the escalator up which exits directly on to Falcons Landing.

NEED NEW FALCONS GEAR FOR GAMEDAY?

Stop by Falcons Landing and visit the merchandise trailer to secure the Official Falcons Gear of the Atlanta Falcons.

So next time you make your way into the Georgia Dome, check out Falcons Landing.

FALCONS LANDING

BIRD’S EYE VIEWFalcons Landing serves as the pre-game epicenter for Falcons fans prior to entering the Georgia Dome.

2016 PLAYBOOK 41

Bet ween Georgia Dome &Phil ips Arena on Andrew Young

International Blvd

Falcons L anding opensthree hours prior to k ickof f

Interac t ive games, l ive per formances, premium

giveaways & more!

LOCATION:OPENS: FEATURES:

Brand: Bud Light Item #:

Job/Order #:

Trim: 5.375" x 8.25" Bleed: 5.625" x 8.5" Live: 5.125" x 8"

Closing Date: QC: rr Pub: 2016 Playbook Ad

MUST INITIAL FOR APPROVAL CD: CW:AM:PM: AD: QC:PO:

2016 PLAYBOOK 43

CANTINASECTIONS 104 & 125Rojo Tacos, Rojo Loaded Nachos, Street Corn Nachos

FOX BROS. BAR-B-QSECTION 124Smoked Wings, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Beef Brisket Sandwich, Pimento Cheese Sandwich

FRIES UPSECTIONS 113 & 136Chicken Tenders, Buffalo Chicken Waffle Fry, Waffle Fries

GOOGIE BURGERSECTIONS 117 & 136Googie Burger, Veggie Burger, Chicken Tenders, French Fries

HIGH STEAKSSECTIONS 102 & 122Turkey Burger, Philly Cheese Steak, Philly Nachos

JIM ‘N NICK’S BAR-B-QSECTIONS 103 & 126Loaded Mac & Cheese,BBQ Chicken & Pork Sandwich

PAPA JOHN’SSECTIONS 106 & 126Cheese Pizza, Pepperoni Pizza

RED HOTSSECTIONS 109 & 130Footlong Hot Dogs, Georgia Dog, Chili Cheese Dog, Veggie Dog,The Hail Mary Super Dog (section 130 only)

MAIN CONCOURSE

FOX BROS. BAR-B-QSECTION 209Smoked Wings

GRIDIRON BBQSECTION 213BBQ Pork Sandwich, BBQ Nachos, BBQ Hot Dog

KICKOFF CORNERSECTION 238Chili Cheese Dogs, Philly Cheese Steak, Philly Nachos

PAPA JOHN’SSECTION 214Cheese Pizza, Pepperoni Pizza,Gluten-free Hot Dog, Chicken Caesar SaladSECTION 240Cheese Pizza, Pepperoni Pizza,

SNACK ZONESECTIONS 205 & 232Ultimate Nachos, Chili Cheese Dogs, Shocktop Bratwurst (section 232 only)

MEZ Z ANINE LEVEL

UPPER CONCOURSE

EXTREME LOADED DOGSSECTIONS 307, 337 & 347Footlong Hot Dogs, Georgia Dog, Chili Cheese Dog, Veggie Dog

GRIDIRON BBQSECTIONS 308 & 334BBQ Pork Sandwich, BBQ Nachos, BBQ Hot Dog, The Hail Mary Super Dog (section 334 only)

GRIDIRON GRILLSECTIONS 322 & 348Classic Cheeseburger, Veggie Burger, Chicken Tenders,French Fries

HIGH STEAKSSECTIONS 320 & 346Philly Cheesesteak, Turkey Burger, Buffalo Chicken Fries, Waffle Fries

KICKIN’ MAC N CHEESE@ WORLD CLASS BEERSECTION 333Three Cheese Mac, Buffalo Chicken Mac, BBQ Pork Mac

PAPA JOHN’SSECTIONS 319 & 344Cheese Pizza, Pepperoni Pizza

ARTISAN PIZZANORTH & SOUTH CLUBArtisan Cheese Pizza, Pepperoni Pizza, Grilled Italian Sausage with Peppers & Onions, Italian Meatball Hoagie

CLUB CARVERYNORTH & SOUTH CLUBCarved Brisket Sandwich,Cuban Panini, Cheese and Bacon Pressed Sandwich, Turkey Bacon Wrap, Chicken Caesar Salad

JIM ‘N NICK’S BAR-B-QNORTH & SOUTH CLUBLoaded Mac & Cheese,BBQ Chicken & Pork Sandwich

EXTREME LOADED DOGSNORTH & SOUTH CLUBLoaded Footlong Hot Dogs

NACHO BARNORTH & SOUTH CLUBHouse-made Nacho Chips with fresh Guacamole, Queso Fundido, Salsa or Queso

TAILGATERSNORTH & SOUTH CLUBGoogie Burger, Veggie Burger, Chicken Tenders, French Fries, Turkey Burger

ROJONORTH & SOUTH CLUBRojo Tacos, Rojo Loaded Nachos, Street Corn Nachos

VERIZON WIRELESS CLUB LEVEL* *CLUB ACCESS REQUIRED

HUNGRY? WITH THE GEORGIA DOME’S PREMIUM CONCESSIONS, WE ARE SURE TO HAVE WHAT YOU ARE CRAVING .

2016 GEORGIA DOME

CONCESSIONS

©2016 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Inc. All rights reserved.©2016 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Inc. All rights reserved.

IF YOU DON’T SEE HOPE & WILL,IT’S NOT CHILDREN’SHEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA.

Other facilities might treat children, but they’re not Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. From broken bones to cancer, we’re the only healthcare system in Atlanta 100% dedicated to treating kids. To learn more or to fi nd the location near you, visit choa.org/locations.

2016 PLAYBOOK 45

©2016 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Inc. All rights reserved.©2016 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Inc. All rights reserved.

IF YOU DON’T SEE HOPE & WILL,IT’S NOT CHILDREN’SHEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA.

Other facilities might treat children, but they’re not Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. From broken bones to cancer, we’re the only healthcare system in Atlanta 100% dedicated to treating kids. To learn more or to fi nd the location near you, visit choa.org/locations.

E ach season the Falcons orchestrate numerous community programs throughout metro Atlanta

and the state of Georgia. Falcons photographers were there every step of the way to capture each and every memorable moment.

ATLANTA FALCONS OUTREACH


IN THE COMMUNITY

Worried about the line at the merchandise stand? So worried that you missed your friend’s epic high �ve after the Falcons just put six on the board?

You don’t need to miss the celebration. Or watch the replays long after the score. Spend more time enjoying the game and we’ll deal with the rest.

NCR is a Founding Partner for the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium. So that jersey, that beer, those mobile tickets? We will help you get them all faster.

Rise up. Catch the action. Celebrate more.

We are NCR. We make the everyday easier.Get the full story and check out our product catalog at ncr.com.

INSTANT REPLAY JUST ISN’T THE SAME.

Proud Founding Partner

2016 PLAYBOOK 47

For every successful company, there is a great leader at the helm. Not just a figurehead, but

a person that inspires everyone around them to maximize their potential and produce at their highest ability. That is why on December 21, 2015, AMB Group, LLC, Chairman Arthur M. Blank announced that Steve Cannon would become chief executive officer of AMB Group, LLC and would assume day-to-day leadership of the company’s for-profit business starting on February 1, 2016.

Cannon joins AMB Group after serving as president and chief executive officer of Mercedes-Benz USA. Selecting Cannon to head the AMB staff was a no-brainer for Blank.

“Steve is a dynamic leader with a value system and ethic that aligns very well with mine, which is important to ensuring our culture and values continue to thrive in a fast-paced, growing environment,” said Blank. “He is a proven, results-driven executive who understands how to build and deliver a premium customer experience. I couldn’t be more thrilled to have a leader of Steve’s stature take on this very important role moving forward.”

HIGH EXPECTATIONS

Cannon joins AMB Group at an exciting time, which is possibly the most anticipated redefining of downtown Atlanta. The city ushers in the soon to be unmistakable Mercedes-Benz Stadium and along with it Atlanta United FC, a top flight Major League Soccer organization.

As the skyline of Atlanta changes with its new landmarks being erected, with it comes thousands of new job opportunities as Atlanta emerges into the forefront as the mega metropolis of the South.

At the center of it all will be Mercedes-Benz Stadium which Cannon is sure will have a sustained impact on Atlanta.

“We hope it’s going to be ‘wow’, but not a superficial ‘wow’. The obsession for the details, thinking about what the customer wants and needs, to a level that a customer doesn’t even think about, so that when it all fits together and feels right, it creates something special,” explained Cannon. “That’s how we’ll differentiate the short-term ‘wow, they built a great building, it’s got a cool design’ from the long-term ‘holy mackerel, they’ve thought this out in such detail that they’ve anticipated what I wanted and they’ve answered the question before I’ve asked it.’”

Cannon and the rest of the AMB Group expect to deliver a game-changing experience to not only Atlanta, but the entire world.

“If we do this right and obsess about this to the level that we need to, it’s not going to just be that one time flash, where people walk in and are awed by the building and then gravity exerts its effect and we become an experience like all others. We’ve got to go much, much further than that.”

BY KYLE SANDY

KMD16_3697-01-07_Atlanta_Falcons_Print_Playbook_r1.indd

Job: KMD16_3697-01-07Client: Kia - DMGMedia Type: Print AdPubs: None

Saved at: 6-23-2016 6:30 PMfrom: LabLA_15’s iMacby: LabLA_17printed at: None

Materials Due: 6/24/16Insertion Date: NoneNotes: Atlanta_Falcons_Print_Re-Sizes

Links: Kia Ad motif 1inch clean.ai (32%), optima.ai (20.4%), 16KOPT-400-C-White-5-280dm-simp.psd (CMYK; 2060 ppi; 14.56%), Primary Mark CMYK_r1.eps (63.51%) Fonts: DesignKOTF (Bold, Medium, Light)

Bleed: 5.625” x 8.5”Trim: 5.375” x 8.25”Live: 4.875” x 7.75”Color Profile: Print PS CMS (None)Version: InDesign CS6 8.1Inks: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black

ProofreaderProject Mgr.Production Mgr.Art BuyerCopywriterArt Dir.Creative Dir.Account Mgr. Product Info Mgr.Client

Jessica GoinsNita SmithElisa AtwoodNoneNoneNoneNoneMorgan TheisNone Kia - DMG

Meredith Walsh, Director of Print Services 310-445-5242

Elisa Atwood, Production Manager 310-445-5273

Nita Smith, Project Manager 310-445-5244

Tom Cantey, Studio Contact 424-204-7231

1Round

Job Description: Approvals: Contact Information: Mechanical Specifications (HxW):

909 N. Sepulveda Blvd. Suite 700 El Segundo, CA 90245 dng.com

We put together another game-winning drive.

ATLKia.com

Built in Georgia, U.S.A.2

†2016 Optima SX Limited with optional features shown. Some features may vary. 1Optima LX A/T (Model #53222) – $22,990 MSRP. Optima SX Limited shown – $37,090 MSRP. MSRP excludes taxes, title, license fees, options, and retailer charges. Actual prices may vary. 2Kia Optima GDI (EX, SX & SX Limited and certain LX trims only) is assembled in the United States from U.S. and foreign parts.

Starting at $22,990 MSRP1

Model shown priced higher.

Optima SX Limited.†

PROUDPARTNER

S:4.875”S:7.75”

T:5.375”T:8.25”

B:5.625”B:8.5”

GREGG VICKERYSENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE AND INVESTMENTSA M B G R O U P, L L CA 30-plus year veteran of Arthur Blank’s team, Gregg Vickery’s current responsibilities include overseeing all financial reporting, accounting, taxes, budgeting and forecasting for the AMB Group, in addition to handling various banking relationships including Exodus Capital (private investment company) and The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. He served as VP of Finance & Controller for his first 11 years with the company. Prior to AMB Group, Vickery spent 19 years with The Home Depot where he served in various finance roles, including VP of Finance for the Eastern Division and VP, Corporate Controller for the organization.

With 71,000 seats soon set to be installed into Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the timing to purchase a seat license couldn’t be better. Fans can start reaping the benefits of owning a seat starting at just $500.

“The seat license is unique because it gives you flexible

ownership in your little piece of seating real estate,” said Michael Drake, senior vice president and chief revenue officer.“It allows you to transfer them to the next generation and create a family legacy.”

Drake has a lot of experience in the seat license marketplace. Arriving in Atlanta two years ago as vice president of sales & marketing for Legends Global Sales, the group the Falcons hired to market sales of seat licenses and suites for Mercedes-Benz Stadium. In March, he was brought over to the AMB Sports & Entertainment group. Prior to Atlanta, Drake worked with the San Francisco 49ers Levi’s Stadium in sales and the Dallas Cowboys AT&T Stadium as a luxury suite consultant.

“Michael Drake is one of the very best premium sales experts in the world and an excellent cultural fit for our company so we are thrilled to add someone with his depth of experience and character in this critical area to our leadership group,” said Rich McKay, Atlanta Falcons president and CEO.

YOUR SEAT, YOUR EXPERIENCE

Said Drake, “The concept of a seat license was born out of the college donation program, except the seat license gives you many more ownership and transfer and sale rights than a college donation program.”

One example of seat license versatility is its fan friendly options.

“There is a recouping of funds,’’ he said. “This is a mechanism there that the seat license allows. If you own a seat license and after 10 years you can’t use it anymore, you’re allowed to sell that equity, that seat license that you’ve had for 10 years and recoup some money.”

FANS OWN THEIR PERSONAL

EXPERIENCE WITH SEAT LICENSEBY: KYLE SANDY

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 39

NEW FACES BEHIND THE SCENES

2016 PLAYBOOK 49

KMD16_3697-01-07_Atlanta_Falcons_Print_Playbook_r1.indd

Job: KMD16_3697-01-07Client: Kia - DMGMedia Type: Print AdPubs: None

Saved at: 6-23-2016 6:30 PMfrom: LabLA_15’s iMacby: LabLA_17printed at: None

Materials Due: 6/24/16Insertion Date: NoneNotes: Atlanta_Falcons_Print_Re-Sizes

Links: Kia Ad motif 1inch clean.ai (32%), optima.ai (20.4%), 16KOPT-400-C-White-5-280dm-simp.psd (CMYK; 2060 ppi; 14.56%), Primary Mark CMYK_r1.eps (63.51%) Fonts: DesignKOTF (Bold, Medium, Light)

Bleed: 5.625” x 8.5”Trim: 5.375” x 8.25”Live: 4.875” x 7.75”Color Profile: Print PS CMS (None)Version: InDesign CS6 8.1Inks: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black

ProofreaderProject Mgr.Production Mgr.Art BuyerCopywriterArt Dir.Creative Dir.Account Mgr. Product Info Mgr.Client

Jessica GoinsNita SmithElisa AtwoodNoneNoneNoneNoneMorgan TheisNone Kia - DMG

Meredith Walsh, Director of Print Services 310-445-5242

Elisa Atwood, Production Manager 310-445-5273

Nita Smith, Project Manager 310-445-5244

Tom Cantey, Studio Contact 424-204-7231

1Round

Job Description: Approvals: Contact Information: Mechanical Specifications (HxW):

909 N. Sepulveda Blvd. Suite 700 El Segundo, CA 90245 dng.com

We put together another game-winning drive.

ATLKia.com

Built in Georgia, U.S.A.2

†2016 Optima SX Limited with optional features shown. Some features may vary. 1Optima LX A/T (Model #53222) – $22,990 MSRP. Optima SX Limited shown – $37,090 MSRP. MSRP excludes taxes, title, license fees, options, and retailer charges. Actual prices may vary. 2Kia Optima GDI (EX, SX & SX Limited and certain LX trims only) is assembled in the United States from U.S. and foreign parts.

Starting at $22,990 MSRP1

Model shown priced higher.

Optima SX Limited.†

PROUDPARTNER

S:4.875”

S:7.75”

T:5.375”

T:8.25”

B:5.625”

B:8.5”

Make the perfect play.Order your tailgating platters online,

and on game day, you’ll have an easy win.

publix.com/order

2016 PLAYBOOK 51

Make the perfect play.Order your tailgating platters online,

and on game day, you’ll have an easy win.

publix.com/order

FALCONSPLAYBACK

MONDAYS 6:00 PM #FalconsPlayback

Catch all the game highlights with Randy Waters and D.J. Shockley. You’ll get expert analysis, play-by-play breakdowns and a look every week at the upcoming opponent. Melanie Snare will share what is trending on social media, great fan pictures and inside scoop from game day, the players and the fans.

FALCONS INSIDE THE LOCKER ROOM

PREGAME 11:00 AM#FalconsPreGame

Host Randy Waters and radio play-callers Wes Durham and Dave Archer take a deep dive each week at keys to the game. Hear from Coach Quinn and key players along with in-depth analysis, the latest team news and a look around the League as the Falcons gear up for game day.

FALCONS RISE UP WEEKLY SATURDAYS 11:00 PM

#RiseUpWeekly

This fun, energetic show takes a look at the Falcons on and off the field. Hosted by former Falcon D.J. Shockey and Rashan Ali, you’ll get a glimpse into what the players are really like. It’s an entertaining hour that includes everything from player challenges to tailgating recipes to player surprises you’ll have to tune in to see.

WATCH WEEKLY FALCONS PROGRAMMING ON ATL ANTA’S CW69(COMCAST 10/819HD WUPA-T V)


ON THE AIR

ATLANTA FALCONS52

ATLANTA UNITED TO EXPAND CITY’S SPORTS SCENE

On July 7, 2015 the official name and logo were announced for Atlanta United, the 22nd franchise to

be added to Major League Soccer (MLS) set to begin play in 2017. The newly founded MLS club is owned by Arthur Blank and run by President Darren Eales and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra. Eales previously served as the Director of Soccer Administration at Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League, and Bocanegra was a long time starter and captain of the US Men’s National Team.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

“We are committed to building the best club in MLS and that begins with creating a training environment that cultivates a winning attitude,” said Blank when discussing the club’s new world class training ground currently under construction on Franklin Gateway in Marietta.

The 33-acre site will include a 30,000 sq. ft. headquarter building and six fields for both Atlanta United academy and first team players to hone their skills. The $60 million project is expected to be one of the most advanced training grounds in the world.

“This facility will not only enable our players to develop at the highest level, it will provide an unparalleled, up-close experience for our fans and allow our club to make a significant impact in the community,” said Blank.

REPRESENTING ATLANTA

With the training complex nearing completion in 2017, Atlanta United has begun constructing its roster. On Jan. 25, 23-year-old goalkeeper Alexander Tambakis became the first player signed in Atlanta United history. Tambakis brings experience from the Greek Superleague where he played with Panathinakos. During the 2016 season while on loan he has starred

in goal for the Charleston Battery, Atlanta United’s new USL affiliate.

On Feb. 2, United struck again with their second signing, midfielder Junior Burgos, who played with the Atlanta Silverbacks last season and is now on loan with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Atlanta also signed 18-year-old Ghanaian striker Jeffrey Otoo, while 16-year-old midfielder Andrew Carleton, a Powder Springs-native, became the club’s first homegrown player.

Atlanta recently added 29-year-old Wigan Athletic midfielder Chris McCann and 31-year-old striker Kenwyne Jones as veteran leaders. Jones spent the majority of his career in the English Premier League.

The biggest signing to date came on July 22 when Argentine forward Hector “Tito” Villalba was brought in as the club’s first young Designated Player. Villalba will be on loan at Liga MX Club Tijuana for the remainder of the year and will arrive in Atlanta in January.

“We’re very happy to have Hector signed with our club,” said Atlanta United president Darren Eales. “We’ve been monitoring him for a long time and really like his talent and pedigree. He’s a young DP who already has a lot of experience at the top level of the game and has exceptional potential to develop further. Hector is moving into the prime of his career, so it’s exciting for us and for the future of the league that he has chosen to join Atlanta United and play in MLS.”

Only hours after the Falcons beat the Saints on Monday night in New Orleans, the United made big news of their own when they hired Gerardo “Tata’’ Martino as the club’s first head coach. Martino, 53, led Argentina to two straight runner-up finishes at the Copa America and also managed at Barcelona.

BY: TOMMY KOLLIAS

2016 PLAYBOOK 53

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2016_SnydersLance_Playbook.pdf 1 8/16/16 9:38 AM

ATLANTA FALCONS54


POSITION SPOTLIGHT

BY: ZACH SABATINI

RUNNING BACK DUO MAKING NFL HEADLINES

DevontaFreeman

Tevin Coleman

A consistent running game has always been imperative to Atlanta’s success over the course

of its franchise history. In 2014, the Falcons selected Baxley, Georgia native, Devonta Freeman in the fourth round out of Florida State University.

Freeman started as a true freshman at Florida State and recorded the fifth most rushing yards by a true freshman in school history (579). The 5-foot-8 sparkplug did not miss a single game in three years and became FSU’s first 1,000-yard rusher since former Atlanta Falcon Warrick Dunn.

During his rookie season, Freeman recorded 65 carries for 248 yards and one touchdown, but still had much to prove. In 2015, Freeman broke out with 264 carries for 1,061 yards and 11 touchdowns along with 73 receptions, 578 yards and three receiving touchdowns, earning himself a Pro Bowl selection.

Through seven games this season, Freeman has recorded 105 carries for 508 yards and two touchdowns while adding 22 catches for 169 yards and a score.

BALANCED VERSATILITY

Although Freeman has been consistent for offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s offense, he is not the only weapon in the backfield.

Tevin Coleman, a second-year pro selected in the 2015 NFL Draft in the third round out of Indiana, has ignited the Falcons offense this season much like Freeman did a year ago. Last year, Coleman played in 12 games and recorded 87 carries for 392 yards and one touchdown while dealing with lingering injuries.

Through seven games, this season Coleman has posted 59 carries for 234 yards and five touchdowns including a monster three-touchdown performance on the road against the New Orleans Saints. Most impressive, however, has been Coleman’s versatility and explosiveness in the passing game. He ranks fifth on the team in receptions and second in receiving yards with 19 catches, 330 yards and one score.

The Freeman and Coleman running back tandem has electrified the Falcons offense and made their case for arguably the best and most talented backfield tandem in the League entering Week 8. This duo keeps opposing defensive coordinators on constant watch as they defend against their versatility.

“When you guys eat, I eat. When your family eats, my family eats. We build of each other and grow with each other,” said Freeman on his Falcons backfield.

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2016 PLAYBOOK 57


RADIO NETWORK

Game Day programming starts two hours before kickoff with an in-depth analysis, player updates, and breaking news from around the league with Mike Conti & V-103’s Ryan Cameron. Slide into live Falcons play-by-play action with Wes Durham and former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Dave Archer. Plus, catch up-to-the-second reports with John Michaels straight from the Falcons sideline. Stay tuned in right after the last play and be the first to hear head coach Dan Quinn and Matt Ryan’s reactions during the 90-minute post game show hosted by Mike Conti & D.J. Shockley only on SportsRadio 92-9 The Game (WZGC – 92.9 FM).

PREGAME SHOWBEGINS 2 HOURSBEFORE K ICKOFFMike Conti and Ryan Cameron get you ready for the game with in-depth analyses, interviews and insight from the Atlanta Falcons and around the league. Dave Ar-cher talks with Head Coach Dan Quinn and Matt Ryan before ev-ery game. Important pregame coverage also includes scouting reports, injuries and inactives along with the starting lineup. Every pregame show concludes with an exclusive interview with Falcons President and CEO Rich McKay just before kickoff.

POSTGAME SHOWLIVE FOR 90 MINUTESAF TER GAME ENDSGet the exclusive breakdown immediately following the game with Mike Conti and former Atlan-ta Falcon D.J. Shockley straight from the Dome. You’ll hear from Head Coach Dan Quinn LIVE af-ter the game. Plus, Dave Archer will head to the locker room for updates from Matt Ryan, Dan Quinn, and an interview with the player of the game. The 90-min-ute postgame show also includes score updates and news from around the league.

FALCONSPROGRAMMINGON SPORTSRADIO92.9 THE GAME

MONDAYS @ 4:30 P.M. THE COACHDAN QUINN SHOWFeaturing Coach Quinn at 4:30 p.m. and a key player at 5:00 p.m.

FRIDAYS @ 8:00 A.M. THE COACHDAN QUINN REPORT

MONDAYS @ 4:00 P.M.COACH QUINN’S LIVE PRESS CONFERENCE

ATLANTA FALCONS58

2016 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE & RESULTSNATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS9/12 ..........Rams ................................. W 28-09/18 ..........@ Panthers ................... L 46-279/25 .........@ Seahawks .................. L 37-1810/2 ..........Cowboys ...........................L 24-1710/6 ..........Cardinals .......................... L 33-2110/16 ........@ Bills ................................ L 45-1610/23 .......Buccaneers .....................L 34-1711/6 ...........Saints ........................4:05 PM ET11/13 ..........@ Cardinals ...........4:25 PM ET11/20.........Patriots .....................4:25 PM ET11/27 .........@ Dolphins ............. 1:30 PM ET12/4 ..........@ Bears ....................1:00 PM ET12/11 ..........Jets..............................4:05 PM ET12/18 .........@ Falcons ...............4:05 PM ET12/24 ........@ Rams ....................4:25 PM ET1/1 ..............Seahawks ...............4:25 PM ET

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS9/11 ...........Dolphins .......................... W 12-109/18 ..........@ Rams ................................. L 9-39/25 .........49ers..................................W 37-1810/2 ..........@ Jets .................................W 27-1710/16 ........Falcons ............................W 26-2410/23 .......@ Cardinals .................... TIE 6-610/30 .......@ Saints ...................1:00 PM ET11/7 ............Bills .............................8:30 PM ET11/13 ..........@ Patriots ...............8:30 PM ET11/20.........Eagles .......................4:25 PM ET11/27 .........@ Buccaneers .....4:05 PM ET12/4 ..........Panthers ..................8:30 PM ET12/11 ..........@ Packers ..............4:25 PM ET12/15 .........Rams .........................8:25 PM ET12/24 ........Cardinals .................4:25 PM ET1/1 ..............@ 49ers ....................4:25 PM ET

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS9/11 ...........@ Falcons ..................... W 31-249/18 ..........@ Cardinals ..................... L 40-79/25 .........Rams ................................. L 37-3210/2 ..........Broncos................................ L 27-710/10 ........@ Panthers .....................W 17-1410/23 .......@ 49ers ............................W 34-1710/30 .......Raiders ......................1:00 PM ET11/3 ...........Falcons .....................8:25 PM ET11/13 ..........Bears ..........................1:00 PM ET11/20.........@ Chiefs ...................1:00 PM ET11/27 .........Seahawks ...............4:05 PM ET12/4 ..........@ Chargers ............4:25 PM ET12/11 ..........Saints .........................1:00 PM ET12/18 .........@ Cowboys.............1:00 PM ET12/24 ........@ Saints ...................1:00 PM ET1/1 ..............Panthers ...................1:00 PM ET

WASHINGTON REDSKINS9/12 ..........Steelers ............................ L 38-169/18 ..........Cowboys ......................... L 27-239/25 .........@ Giants ....................... W 29-2710/2 ..........Browns ............................ W 31-2010/9 ..........@ Ravens ........................W 16-1010/16 ........Eagles ..............................W 27-2010/23 .......@ Lions ..............................L 20-1710/30 .......@ Bengals ..............9:30 AM ET11/13 ..........Vikings .......................1:00 PM ET11/20.........Packers ....................8:30 PM ET11/24 .........@ Cowboys............4:30 PM ET12/4 ..........@ Cardinals ...........4:25 PM ET12/11 ..........@ Eagles ..................1:00 PM ET12/19 .........Panthers ..................8:30 PM ET12/24 ........@ Bears ....................1:00 PM ET1/1 ..............Giants .........................1:00 PM ET

DALLAS COWBOYS9/11 ...........Giants ................................ L 20-199/18 ..........@ Redskins ...................W 27-239/25 .........Bears ................................. W 31-1710/2 ......... 49ers ................................W 24-1710/9 ..........Bengals ........................... W 28-1410/16 ........@ Packers .....................W 30-1610/30 .......Eagles .......................8:30 PM ET11/6 ...........@ Browns ................1:00 PM ET11/13 ..........@ Steelers ..............4:25 PM ET11/20.........Ravens .......................1:00 PM ET11/24 .........Redskins .................4:30 PM ET12/1 ...........@ Vikings ................8:25 PM ET12/11 ..........@ Giants ..................8:30 PM ET12/18 .........Buccaneers ............1:00 PM ET12/26 ........Lions ..........................8:30 PM ET1/1 ..............@ Eagles ..................1:00 PM ET

DETROIT LIONS9/11 ...........@ Colts .......................... W 39-359/18 ..........Titans.................................. L 16-159/25 .........@ Packers ..................... L 34-2710/2 ..........@ Bears .............................. L 17-1410/9 ..........Eagles ..............................W 24-2310/16 ........Rams ................................ W 31-2810/23 .......Redskins .........................W 20-1710/30 .......@ Texans ..................1:00 PM ET11/6 ...........@ Vikings .................1:00 PM ET11/20.........Jaguars ......................1:00 PM ET11/24 .........Vikings .................... 12:30 PM ET12/4 ..........@ Saints ...................1:00 PM ET12/11 ..........Bears ..........................1:00 PM ET12/18 .........@ Giants ...................1:00 PM ET12/26 ......@ Cowboys............8:30 PM ET1/1 ..............Packers .....................1:00 PM ET

GREEN BAY PACKERS9/11 ...........@ Jaguars ..................... W 27-239/18 ..........@ Vikings .......................... L 17-149/25 .........Lions ............................... W 34-2710/9 ..........Giants ............................... W 23-1610/16 ........Cowboys .......................... L 30-1610/20 .......Bears ................................W 26-1010/30 .......@ Falcons ................1:00 PM ET11/6 ...........Colts ...........................4:25 PM ET11/13 ..........@ Titans ....................1:00 PM ET11/20.........@ Redskins ............8:30 PM ET11/28 .........@ Eagles .................8:30 PM ET12/4 ..........Texans ........................1:00 PM ET12/11 ..........Seahawks ...............4:25 PM ET12/18 .........@ Bears ....................1:00 PM ET12/24 ........Vikings .......................1:00 PM ET1/1 ..............@ Lions .....................1:00 PM ET

MINNESOTA VIKINGS9/11 ...........@ Titans ......................... W 25-169/18 ..........Packers ............................ W 17-149/25 .........@ Panthers .................. W 22-1010/3 ..........Giants ............................... W 24-1010/9 ..........Texans .............................. W 31-1310/23 .......@ Eagles ........................... L 21-1010/31 ........@ Bears ...................8:30 PM ET11/6 ...........Lions ...........................1:00 PM ET11/13 ..........@ Redskins .............1:00 PM ET11/20.........Cardinals ..................1:00 PM ET11/24 .........@ Lions .................. 12:30 PM ET12/1 ...........Cowboys .................8:25 PM ET12/11 ..........@ Jaguars ................1:00 PM ET12/18 .........Colts ............................1:00 PM ET12/24 ........@ Packers ...............1:00 PM ET1/1 ..............Bears ..........................1:00 PM ET

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS9/11 ...........Raiders ............................ L 35-349/18 ..........@ Giants ........................... L 16-139/26 .........Falcons ............................ L 45-3210/2 ..........@ Chargers ..................W 35-3410/16 ........Panthers .........................W 41-3810/23 .......@ Chiefs ............................ L 27-2110/30 .......Seahawks ................1:00 PM ET11/6 ...........@ 49ers ....................4:05 PM ET11/13 ..........Broncos.....................1:00 PM ET11/17 ..........@ Panthers ............8:25 PM ET11/27 .........Rams ..........................1:00 PM ET12/4 ..........Lions ...........................1:00 PM ET12/11 ..........@ Buccaneers ......1:00 PM ET12/18 .........@ Cardinals ...........4:05 PM ET12/24 ........Buccaneers ............1:00 PM ET1/1 ..............@ Falcons ................1:00 PM ET

NEW YORK GIANTS9/11 ...........@ Cowboys................... W 20-199/18 ..........Saints ................................ W 16-139/25 .........Redskins ........................ L 29-2710/3 ..........@ Vikings ......................... L 24-1010/9 ..........@ Packers ....................... L 23-1610/16 ........Ravens .............................W 27-2310/23 .......@ Rams .............................W 17-1011/6 ...........Eagles ........................1:00 PM ET11/14 ..........Bengals ...................8:30 PM ET11/20.........Bears ..........................1:00 PM ET11/27 .........@ Browns ................1:00 PM ET12/4 ..........@ Steelers ..............4:25 PM ET12/11 ..........Cowboys .................8:30 PM ET12/18 .........Lions ...........................1:00 PM ET12/22 ........@ Eagles .................8:25 PM ET1/1 ..............@ Redskins .............1:00 PM ET

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES9/11 ...........Browns ............................W 29-109/19 ..........@ Bears .......................... W 29-149/25 .........Steelers .............................W 34-310/9 ..........@ Lions .............................L 24-2310/16 ........@ Redskins .....................L 27-2010/23 .......Vikings .............................. W 21-1010/30 .......@ Cowboys............8:30 PM ET11/6 ...........@ Giants ...................1:00 PM ET11/13 ..........Falcons ......................1:00 PM ET11/20.........@ Seahawks .........4:25 PM ET11/28 .........Packers ....................8:30 PM ET12/4 ..........@ Bengals ...............1:00 PM ET12/11 ..........Redskins ..................1:00 PM ET12/18 .........@ Ravens .................1:00 PM ET12/22 ........Giants ........................8:25 PM ET1/1 ..............Cowboys ..................1:00 PM ET

LOS ANGELES RAMS9/12 ..........@ 49ers .............................. L 28-09/18 ..........Seahawks ......................... W 9-39/25 .........@ Buccaneers ........... W 37-3210/2 ..........@ Cardinals .................... W 17-1310/9 ..........Bills ...................................... L 30-1910/16 ........@ Lions ............................. L 31-2810/23 .......Giants ...................................L 17-1011/6 ...........Panthers ..................4:05 PM ET11/13 ..........@ Jets .........................1:00 PM ET11/20.........Dolphins ..................4:05 PM ET11/27 .........@ Saints ...................1:00 PM ET12/4 ..........@ Patriots ................1:00 PM ET12/11 ..........Falcons .....................4:25 PM ET12/15 .........@ Seahawks .........8:25 PM ET12/24 ........49ers..........................4:25 PM ET1/1 ..............Cardinals .................4:25 PM ET

ARIZONA CARDINALS9/11 ...........Patriots ............................. L 23-219/18 ..........Buccaneers .................... W 40-79/25 .........@ Bills ............................... L 33-18 10/2 ..........Rams .................................... L 17-1310/6 .........@ 49ers ........................... W 33-2110/17 ......... Jets .....................................W 28-310/23 .......Seahawks ........................ TIE 6-610/30 .......@ Panthers ............4:25 PM ET11/13 ..........49ers..........................4:25 PM ET11/20.........@ Vikings ................ 1:00 PM ET11/27 .........@ Falcons ................1:00 PM ET12/4 ..........Redskins .................4:25 PM ET12/11 ..........@ Dolphins .............1:00 PM ET12/18 .........Saints ........................4:05 PM ET12/24 ........@ Seahawks .........4:25 PM ET1/1 ..............@ Rams ....................4:25 PM ET

ATLANTA FALCONS9/11 ...........Buccaneers ................... L 31-249/18 ..........@ Raiders ..................... W 35-289/26 .........@ Saints ....................... W 45-3210/2 ..........Panthers ........................W 48-3310/9 ..........@ Broncos ..................... W 23-1610/16 ........@ Seahawks ..................L 26-2410/23 .......Chargers ...................L 33-30 OT10/30 .......Packers .....................1:00 PM ET11/3 ...........@ Buccaneers .....8:25 PM ET11/13 ..........@ Eagles ..................1:00 PM ET11/27 .........Cardinals ..................1:00 PM ET12/4 ..........Chiefs .........................1:00 PM ET12/11 ..........@ Rams ....................4:25 PM ET12/18 .........49ers..........................4:05 PM ET12/24 ........@ Panthers .............1:00 PM ET1/1 ..............Saints .........................1:00 PM ET

CAROLINA PANTHERS9/8 ............@ Broncos ...................... L 21-209/18 ..........49ers............................... W 46-279/25 .........Vikings .............................. L 22-1010/2 ..........@ Falcons .......................L 48-3310/10 ........Buccaneers ...................... L 17-1410/16 ........@ Saints ........................... L 41-3810/30 .......Cardinals .................4:25 PM ET11/6 ...........@ Rams ....................4:05 PM ET11/13 ..........Chiefs .........................1:00 PM ET11/17 ..........Saints ........................8:25 PM ET11/27 .........@ Raiders ...............4:25 PM ET12/4 ..........@ Seahawks .........8:30 PM ET12/11 ..........Chargers ...................1:00 PM ET12/19 .........@ Redskins ............8:30 PM ET12/24 ........Falcons ......................1:00 PM ET1/1 ..............@ Buccaneers ......1:00 PM ET

CHICAGO BEARS9/11 ...........@ Texans ......................... L 23-149/19 ..........Eagles ................................ L 29-149/25 .........@ Cowboys...................... L 31-1710/2 ..........Lions ...................................W 17-1410/9 ..........@ Colts ............................. L 29-2310/16 ........Jaguars ................................ L 17-1610/20 .......@ Packers ....................... L 26-1010/31 ........Vikings ......................8:30 PM ET11/13 ..........@ Buccaneers ......1:00 PM ET11/20.........@ Giants ...................1:00 PM ET11/27 .........Titans..........................1:00 PM ET12/4 ..........49ers...........................1:00 PM ET12/11 ..........@ Lions .....................1:00 PM ET12/18 .........Packers .....................1:00 PM ET12/24 ........Redskins ..................1:00 PM ET1/1 ..............@ Vikings .................1:00 PM ET

2016 PLAYBOOK 59

2016 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE & RESULTSAMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCEBALTIMORE RAVENS9/11 ...........Bills ...................................... W 13-79/18 ..........@ Browns ..................... W 25-209/25 .........@ Jaguars ...................... W 19-1710/2 ..........Raiders ..............................L 28-2710/9 ..........Redskins ........................... L 16-1010/16 ........@ Giants ........................... L 27-2310/23 .......@ Jets ................................. L 24-1611/6 ...........Steelers .....................1:00 PM ET11/10..........Browns .....................8:25 PM ET11/20.........@ Cowboys.............1:00 PM ET11/27 .........Bengals .....................1:00 PM ET12/4 ..........Dolphins ...................1:00 PM ET12/12 .........@ Patriots ...............8:30 PM ET12/18 .........Eagles ........................1:00 PM ET12/25 ........@ Steelers ..............4:30 PM ET1/1 ..............@ Bengals ...............1:00 PM ET

BUFFALO BILLS9/11 ...........@ Ravens ........................... L 13-79/15 ..........Jets....................................... L 37-319/25 .........Cardinals ........................ W 33-1810/2 ..........Patriots ...............................W 16-010/9 ..........@ Rams ...........................W 30-1910/16 ........49ers.................................W 45-1610/23 .......@ Dolphins .................... L 28-2510/30 .......Patriots ......................1:00 PM ET11/7 ............@ Seahawks .........8:30 PM ET11/20.........@ Bengals ...............1:00 PM ET11/27 .........Jaguars ......................1:00 PM ET12/4 ..........@ Raiders ...............4:05 PM ET12/11 ..........Steelers .....................1:00 PM ET12/18 .........Browns ......................1:00 PM ET12/24 ........Dolphins ...................1:00 PM ET1/1 ..............@ Jets .........................1:00 PM ET

CINCINNATI BENGALS9/11 ...........@ Jets .............................. W 23-229/18 ..........@ Steelers ...................... L 24-169/25 .........Broncos............................. L 29-179/29 .........Dolphins ............................W 22-710/9 ..........@ Cowboys..................... L 28-1410/16 ........@ Patriots .........................L 35-1710/23 .......Browns ..............................W 31-1710/30 .......Redskins .................9:30 AM ET11/14 ..........@ Giants ..................8:30 PM ET11/20.........Bills ..............................1:00 PM ET11/27 .........@ Ravens .................1:00 PM ET12/4 ..........Eagles ........................1:00 PM ET12/11 ..........@ Browns ................1:00 PM ET12/18 .........Steelers ....................8:30 PM ET12/24 ........@ Texans .................8:25 PM ET1/1 ..............Ravens .......................1:00 PM ET

CLEVELAND BROWNS9/11 ...........@ Eagles ......................... L 29-109/18 ..........Ravens ............................. L 25-209/25 .........@ Dolphins ............ L 30-24 OT10/2 ..........@ Redskins ..................... L 31-2010/9 ..........Patriots ...............................L 33-1310/16 ........@ Titans ........................... L 28-2610/23 .......@ Bengals .........................L 31-1710/30 .......Jets...............................1:00 PM ET11/6 ...........Cowboys ..................1:00 PM ET11/10..........@ Ravens ................8:25 PM ET11/20.........Steelers .....................1:00 PM ET11/27 .........Giants .........................1:00 PM ET12/11 ..........Bengals .....................1:00 PM ET12/18 .........@ Bills ........................1:00 PM ET12/24 ........Chargers ...................1:00 PM ET1/1 ..............@ Steelers ...............1:00 PM ET

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS9/11 ...........Chargers ................ W 33-27 OT9/18 ..........@ Texans .......................... L 19-129/25 .........Jets...................................... W 24-310/2 ..........@ Steelers ...................... L 43-1410/16 ........@ Raiders ......................W 26-1010/23 .......Saints ................................W 27-2110/30 .......@ Colts ......................1:00 PM ET11/6 ...........Jaguars ......................1:00 PM ET11/13 ..........@ Panthers .............1:00 PM ET11/20.........Buccaneers ............1:00 PM ET11/27 .........@ Broncos ..............4:25 PM ET12/4 ..........@ Falcons ................1:00 PM ET12/8 ..........Raiders .....................8:25 PM ET12/18 .........Titans..........................1:00 PM ET12/25 ........Broncos....................8:30 PM ET1/1 ..............@ Chargers ............4:25 PM ET

MIAMI DOLPHINS9/11 ...........@ Seahawks .................. L 12-109/18 ..........@ Patriots ....................... L 31-249/25 .........Browns .................... W 30-24 OT9/29 .........@ Bengals ..........................L 22-710/9 ..........Titans...................................L 30-1710/16 ........Steelers ...........................W 30-1510/23 .......Bills ................................... W 28-2511/6 ...........Jets...............................1:00 PM ET11/13 ..........@ Chargers ............4:05 PM ET11/20.........@ Rams ....................4:05 PM ET11/27 .........49ers...........................1:00 PM ET12/4 ..........@ Ravens .................1:00 PM ET12/11 ..........Cardinals ..................1:00 PM ET12/17 .........@ Jets ........................8:25 PM ET12/24 ........@ Bills ........................1:00 PM ET1/1 ..............Patriots ....................1:00 PM ET

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS9/11 ..........@ Cardinals .................. W 23-219/18 ..........Dolphins ........................ W 31-249/22 .........Texans ............................... W 27-010/2 ..........Bills .........................................L 16-010/9 ..........@ Browns ...................... W 33-1310/16 ........Bengals ............................W 35-1710/23 .......@ Steelers ......................W 27-1610/30 .......@ Bills ........................1:00 PM ET11/13 ..........Seahawks ...............8:30 PM ET11/20.........@ 49ers ....................4:25 PM ET11/27 .........@ Jets ........................8:30 PM ET12/4 ..........Rams ..........................1:00 PM ET12/12 .........Ravens ......................8:30 PM ET12/18 .........@ Broncos ..............4:25 PM ET12/24 ........Jets...............................1:00 PM ET1/1 .............. @ Dolphins ............1:00 PM ET

NEW YORK JETS9/11 ...........Bengals ........................... L 23-229/15 ..........@ Bills ...............................W 37-319/25 .........@ Chiefs ............................ L 24-310/2 ..........Seahawks ..........................L 27-1710/9 ..........@ Steelers .........................L 31-1310/17 .......@ Cardinals ......................L 28-310/23 .......Ravens ............................. W 24-1610/30 .......@ Browns ................1:00 PM ET11/6 ...........@ Dolphins .............1:00 PM ET11/13 ..........Rams ..........................1:00 PM ET11/27 .........Patriots .....................8:30 PM ET12/5 ..........Colts ...........................8:30 PM ET12/11 ..........@ 49ers ....................4:05 PM ET12/17 .........Dolphins ..................8:25 PM ET12/24 ........@ Patriots ................1:00 PM ET1/1 ..............Bills ..............................1:00 PM ET

OAKLAND RAIDERS9/11 ...........@ Saints ....................... W 35-349/18 ..........Falcons ............................ L 35-289/25 .........@ Titans ........................... W 17-1010/2 ..........@ Ravens .......................W 28-2710/9 ..........Chargers .........................W 34-3110/16 ........Chiefs ................................. L 26-1010/23 .......@ Jaguars ......................W 33-1610/30 .......@ Buccaneers ......1:00 PM ET11/6 ...........Broncos....................8:30 PM ET11/21 ..........Texans .......................8:30 PM ET11/27 .........Panthers ..................4:25 PM ET12/4 ..........Bills .............................4:05 PM ET12/8 ..........@ Chiefs ..................8:25 PM ET12/18 .........@ Chargers ............4:25 PM ET12/24 ........Colts ...........................4:05 PM ET1/1 ..............@ Broncos ..............4:25 PM ET

PITTSBURGH STEELERS9/12 ..........@ Redskins .................. W 38-169/18 ..........Bengals ........................... W 24-169/25 .........@ Eagles ........................... L 34-310/2 ..........Chiefs ...............................W 43-1410/9 ..........Jets.......................................W 31-1310/16 ........@ Dolphins ..................... L 30-1510/23 .......Patriots ............................... L 27-1611/6 ...........@ Ravens .................1:00 PM ET11/13 ..........Cowboys .................4:25 PM ET11/20.........@ Browns ................1:00 PM ET11/24 .........@ Colts .....................8:30 PM ET12/4 ..........Giants ........................4:25 PM ET12/11 ..........@ Bills ........................1:00 PM ET12/18 .........@ Bengals ................:30 PM ET12/25 ........Ravens ......................4:30 PM ET1/1 ..............Browns ......................1:00 PM ET

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS9/11 ...........@ Chiefs .................. L 33-27 OT9/18 ..........Jaguars ........................... W 38-149/25 .........@ Colts ............................ L 26-2210/2 ..........Saints ................................ L 35-3410/9 ..........@ Raiders ........................ L 34-3110/13.........Broncos.............................W 21-1310/23 .......@ Falcons ..............W 33-30 OT10/30 .......@ Broncos ..............4:05 PM ET11/6 ...........Titans.........................4:25 PM ET11/13 ..........Dolphins ..................4:05 PM ET11/27 .........@ Texans ..................1:00 PM ET12/4 ..........Buccaneers ...........4:25 PM ET12/11 ..........@ Panthers .............1:00 PM ET12/18 .........Raiders .....................4:25 PM ET12/24 ........@ Browns ................1:00 PM ET1/1 ..............Chiefs ........................4:25 PM ET

TENNESSEE TITANS9/11 ...........Vikings .............................. L 25-169/18 ..........@ Lions ........................... W 16-159/25 .........Raiders ............................... L 17-1010/2 ..........@ Texans ..........................L 27-2010/9 ..........@ Dolphins ....................W 30-1710/16 ........Browns ........................... W 28-2610/23 .......Colts ................................... L 34-2610/27 ........Jaguars .....................8:25 PM ET11/6 ...........@ Chargers ............4:25 PM ET11/13 ..........Packers .....................1:00 PM ET11/20.........@ Colts ......................1:00 PM ET11/27 .........@ Bears ....................1:00 PM ET12/11 ..........Broncos.....................1:00 PM ET12/18 .........@ Chiefs ...................1:00 PM ET12/24 ........@ Jaguars ................1:00 PM ET1/1 ..............Texans ........................1:00 PM ET

DENVER BRONCOS9/8 ............Panthers ........................ W 21-209/18 ..........Colts ................................ W 34-209/25 .........@ Bengals .................... W 29-1710/2 ..........@ Buccaneers ............... W 27-710/9 ..........Falcons .............................. L 23-1610/13.........@ Chargers .......................L 21-1310/24........Texans .................................W 27-910/30 .......Chargers ..................4:05 PM ET11/6 ...........@ Raiders ...............8:30 PM ET11/13 ..........@ Saints ...................1:00 PM ET11/27 .........Chiefs ........................4:25 PM ET12/4 ..........@ Jaguars ................1:00 PM ET12/11 ..........@ Titans ....................1:00 PM ET12/18 .........Patriots .....................4:25 PM ET12/25 ........@ Chiefs ..................8:30 PM ET1/1 ..............Raiders .....................4:25 PM ET

HOUSTON TEXANS9/11 ...........Bears ................................ W 23-149/18 ..........Chiefs ............................... W 19-129/22 .........@ Patriots ......................... L 27-010/2 ..........Titans................................W 27-2010/9 ..........@ Vikings ...........................L 31-1310/16 ........Colts .......................... W 26-23 OT10/24........@ Broncos ..........................L 27-910/30 .......Lions ...........................1:00 PM ET11/13 ..........@ Jaguars ................1:00 PM ET11/21 ..........@ Raiders ...............8:30 PM ET11/27 .........Chargers ...................1:00 PM ET12/4 ..........@ Packers ...............1:00 PM ET12/11 ..........@ Colts ......................1:00 PM ET12/18 .........Jaguars ......................1:00 PM ET12/24 ........Bengals ....................8:25 PM ET1/1 ..............@ Titans ....................1:00 PM ET

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS9/11 ...........Lions ................................. L 39-359/18 ..........@ Broncos ..................... L 34-209/25 .........Chargers ....................... W 26-2210/2 ..........@ Jaguars ........................L 30-2710/9 ..........Bears ............................... W 29-2310/16 ........@ Texans .................. L 26-23 OT10/23 .......@ Titans .........................W 34-2610/30 .......Chiefs .........................1:00 PM ET11/6 ...........@ Packers ..............4:25 PM ET11/20.........Titans..........................1:00 PM ET11/24 .........Steelers ....................8:30 PM ET12/5 ..........@ Jets ........................8:30 PM ET12/11 ..........Texans ........................1:00 PM ET12/18 .........@ Vikings .................1:00 PM ET12/24 ........@ Raiders ...............4:05 PM ET1/1 ..............Jaguars ......................1:00 PM ET

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS9/11 ...........Packers ............................ L 27-239/18 ..........@ Chargers .................... L 38-149/25 .........Ravens ................................ L 19-1710/2 ..........Colts ..................................W 30-2710/16 ........@ Bears ............................W 17-1610/23 .......Raiders .............................. L 33-1610/27 ........@ Titans ...................8:25 PM ET11/6 ...........@ Chiefs ...................1:00 PM ET11/13 ..........Texans ........................1:00 PM ET11/20.........@ Lions .....................1:00 PM ET11/27 .........@ Bills ........................1:00 PM ET12/4 ..........Broncos.....................1:00 PM ET12/11 ..........Vikings .......................1:00 PM ET12/18 .........@ Texans ..................1:00 PM ET12/24 ........Titans..........................1:00 PM ET1/1 ..............@ Colts ......................1:00 PM ET

ATLANTA FALCONS60


COACH SPOTLIGHT

DATE OF BIRTH:May 6, 1949

HOMETOWN:East Chicago, Indiana

COLLEGE:Indiana State University

FIRST COACHING JOB:Indiana State Running Back Coach

TIME WITH FALCONS:Second Season

BOBBYTURNERRUNNING BACKS

VETERAN TURNER OVERSEES YOUNG TANDEM

BY: ZACH SABATINI

T wenty-year NFL veteran coach Bobby Turner is

spending his second season in Atlanta as the Falcons running backs coach. Turner is no stranger to success in the NFL and has guided young running backs through some of the best seasons of their careers. In his first season with Atlanta, Turner helped second year running back Devonta Freeman make his first career Pro Bowl appearance. Under Turner’s leadership, Freeman also became the sixth running back in Falcons history to rush for double-digit touchdowns in a single season.

Turner is a native of East Chicago, Indiana and attended Washington High School where he played football and basketball. He went on to graduate from Indiana State University where he would begin his collegiate coaching career. Turner later served six seasons as the Fresno State running backs coach,

two seasons with Ohio State and wrapped up his collegiate coaching career with the Purdue Boilermakers as the assistant coach and offensive coordinator.

He made the jump to the NFL in 1995 and embarked on a 15-year stint with the Denver Broncos. In 15 years, Turner was a part of two Super Bowl victories (1998-99), three AFC West titles and seven playoff berths. In addition, six of the running backs that he guided rushed for at least 1,000 yards in a single season.

After departing Denver, Turner landed in Washington. He served four seasons as the Redskins assistant coach and running backs coach where he took rookie Alfred Morris under his wing and turned him into a record holder. Under Turner’s guidance, Morris set the Redskins single-season rushing record with 1,613 yards on 335 carries for 13 touchdowns in 2012.

ATLANTA’S BACKS

When Turner arrived in Atlanta, it was no surprise that he made an immediate impact on Freeman. In 2014, Freeman rushed for 248 yards and one touchdown on 65 carries, but the following season was a completely different story. Freeman churned out a Pro Bowl campaign in which he broke out for 1,061 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns on 264 carries.

While Turner has overseen individual stars over the years, this season he has led the dynamic duo of Freeman and Tevin Coleman. The tandem has helped diversify the offensive playbook. In Atlanta’s 23-16 win in Denver, Freeman and Coleman recorded 286 total yards.

Through seven games this season, Coleman and Freeman have gained 1,241 yards of offense and nine touchdowns.

ATLANTA FALCONS62

NO. PLAYER POS HT WT BORN EXP COLLEGE ACQUIRED HOMETOWN2 Matt Ryan QB 6-4 217 5/17/85 9 Boston College D1a ‘08 Exton, PA3 Matt Bryant K 5-9 203 5/29/75 15 Baylor FA ‘09 Orange, TX5 Matt Bosher P 6-0 208 10/18/87 6 Miami (Fla.) D6 ‘11 Jupiter, FL8 Matt Schaub QB 6-6 245 6/25/81 13 Virginia FA ‘16 Pittsburgh, PA11 Julio Jones WR 6-3 220 2/8/89 6 Alabama D1 ‘11 Foley, AL12 Mohamed Sanu WR 6-2 210 10/22/89 5 Rutgers FA ‘16 South Brunswick, NJ14 Eric Weems WR 5-9 195 7/4/85 10 Bethune-Cookman FA ‘14 Ormond Beach, FL16 Justin Hardy WR 5-10 192 12/18/91 2 East Carolina D4 ‘15 Vanceboro, NC18 Taylor Gabriel WR 5-8 165 2/17/91 3 Abilene Christian WA ‘16 Mesquite, TX19 Aldrick Robinson WR 5-10 187 9/24/88 4 Southern Methodist FA ‘16 Waxahachie, TX20 Sharrod Neasman S 5-11 213 10/14/91 R Florida Atlantic FA ‘16 Palmetto, FL21 Desmond Trufant CB 6-0 190 9/10/90 4 Washington D1 ‘13 Tacoma, WA22 Keanu Neal SS 6-0 211 7/26/95 R Florida D1 ‘16 Bushnell, FL23 Robert Alford CB 5-10 186 11/1/88 4 SE Louisiana D2 ‘13 Hammond, LA24 Devonta Freeman RB 5-8 206 3/15/92 3 Florida State D4a ‘14 Miami, FL26 Tevin Coleman RB 6-1 210 4/16/93 2 Indiana D3 ‘15 Tinley Park, IL27 Robenson Therezie S 5-9 212 8/5/91 2 Auburn FA ‘15 Miami, FL28 Terron Ward RB 5-7 201 2/15/92 2 Oregon State FA ‘15 San Francisco, CA29 C.J. Goodwin CB 6-4 220 2/4/90 1 California (PA) FA ‘15 Wheeling, WV32 Jalen Collins CB 6-1 203 3/20/93 2 Louisiana State D2 ‘15 Olive Branch, MS33 Stevan Ridley RB 5-11 220 1/27/89 6 LSU FA ’16 Natchez, MS 34 Brian Poole CB 5-9 213 10/20/92 R Florida CFA ‘16 Bradenton, FL36 Kemal Ishmael S 6-0 206 5/6/91 4 Central Florida D7a ‘13 Miami, FL37 Ricardo Allen S 5-9 186 12/18/91 2 Purdue D5a ‘14 Daytona Beach, FL41 Philip Wheeler LB 6-2 245 12/12/84 9 Georgia Tech FA ‘16 Columbus, GA42 Patrick DiMarco FB 6-1 234 4/30/89 5 South Carolina FA ‘13 Altamonte Springs, FL44 Vic Beasley Jr. OLB 6-3 246 7/8/92 2 Clemson D1 ‘15 Adairsville, GA45 Deion Jones LB 6-1 222 11/4/94 R Louisiana State D2 ‘16 New Orleans, LA47 Josh Harris LS 6-1 240 4/27/89 5 Auburn FA ‘12 Carrollton, GA50 Brooks Reed DE 6-3 254 2/28/87 6 Arizona FA ‘15 Tucson, AZ51 Alex Mack C 6-4 311 11/19/85 8 California FA ‘16 Santa Barbara, CA53 LaRoy Reynolds LB 6-1 240 11/3/90 4 Virginia FA ‘16 Norfolk, VA55 Paul Worrilow LB 6-0 230 5/1/90 4 Delaware FA ‘13 Wilmington, DE59 De’Vondre Campbell LB 6-3 234 7/1/93 R Minnesota D4 ‘16 Fort Myers, FL63 Ben Garland G 6-5 308 4/6/88 3 Air Force FA ‘15 Grand Junction, CO65 Chris Chester G 6-3 303 1/12/83 11 Oklahoma FA ‘16 Tustin, CA67 Andy Levitre G 6-2 303 5/15/86 8 Oregon State TR ‘15 (Ten) Santa Cruz, CA70 Jake Matthews T 6-5 309 2/11/92 3 Texas A&M D1 ‘14 Missouri City, TX71 Wes Schweitzer G 6-4 300 9/11/93 R San Jose State D6’ 16 Scottsdale, AR73 Ryan Schraeder T 6-7 300 5/4/88 4 Valdosta State FA ‘13 Wichita, KS76 Tom Compton T 6-5 308 5/10/89 4 South Dakota FA ‘16 Rosemount, MN77 Ra’Shede Hageman DT 6-6 318 8/8/90 3 Minnesota D2 ‘14 Minneapolis, MN80 Levine Toilolo TE 6-8 265 7/30/91 4 Stanford D4b ‘13 La Mesa, CA81 Austin Hooper TE 6-3 254 10/29/94 R Stanford D3 ‘16 San Ramon, CA82 Joshua Perkins TE 6-3 223 8/5/93 R Washington CFA ‘16 Cerritos, CA83 Jacob Tamme TE 6-3 230 3/15/85 9 Kentucky FA ‘15 Lexington, KY91 Courtney Upshaw DT 6-2 272 12/13/89 5 Alabama FA ‘16 Eufaula, AL93 Dwight Freeney DE 6-1 268 2/19/80 15 Syracuse FA ‘16 Hartford, CT94 Tyson Jackson DE 6-4 296 6/6/86 8 Louisiana State FA ‘14 Edgard, LA95 Jonathan Babineaux DT 6-2 300 10/12/81 12 Iowa D2 ‘05 Port Arthur, TX97 Grady Jarrett DT 6-0 305 4/28/93 2 Clemson D5 ‘15 Conyers, GA98 Cliff Matthews DT 6-4 268 8/5/89 5 South Carolina FA ‘16 Cheraw , SC99 Adrian Clayborn DE 6-3 280 7/6/88 6 Iowa FA ‘15 St. Louis, MO


TEAM ROSTER

2016 PLAYBOOK 63

2016 GREEN BAY PACKERS

TEAM ROSTERNO. PLAYER POS HT WT BORN EXP COLLEGE ACQUIRED HOMETOWN2 Mason Crosby K 6-1 207 9/3/84 10 Colorado D6c-07 Georgetown, Texas7 Brett Hundley QB 6-3 226 6/15/93 2 UCLA D5-15 Chandler, Ariz.10 Jacob Schum P 5-10 211 1/21/89 2 Buffalo W-16 (T.B.) Hamburg, N.Y.11 Trevor Davis WR 6-1 188 7/4/93 R California D5-16 Martinez, Calif.12 Aaron Rodgers QB 6-2 225 12/2/83 12 California D1-05 Chico, Calif.17 Davante Adams WR 6-1 215 12/24/92 3 Fresno State D2-14 Palo Alto, Calif.18 Randall Cobb WR 5-10 192 8/22/90 6 Kentucky D2-11 Alcoa, Tenn. 21 Ha Ha Clinton-Dix S 6-1 208 12/21/92 3 Alabama D1-14 Orlando, Fla.22 Aaron Ripkowski FB 6-1 246 12/20/92 2 Oklahoma D6a-15 Dayton, Texas23 Damarious Randall CB 5-11 196 8/29/92 2 Arizona State D1-15 Pensacola, Fla.24 Quinten Rollins CB 5-11 195 7/15/92 2 Miami (Ohio) D2-15 Wilmington, Ohio25 Marwin Evans S 5-11 211 4/10/93 R Utah State FA-16 Oak Creek, Wis.28 Josh Hawkins CB 5-10 189 1/23/93 R East Carolina FA-16 Kernersville, N.C.29 Kentrell Brice S 5-11 200 8/11/94 R Louisiana Tech FA-16 Ruston, La.30 Knile Davis RB 5-11 227 10/5/91 R Arkansas T-16 (K.C.) Fort Mead, Texas33 Micah Hyde DB 6-0 197 12/31/90 4 Iowa D5a-13 Fostoria, Ohio34 Don Jackson RB 5-10 208 9/7/93 R Nevada FA-16 Elk Grove, Calif.35 Jermaine Whitehead S 5-11 195 3/12/93 1 Auburn FA-16 Greenwood, Miss.36 LaDarius Gunter CB 6-2 201 5/13/92 2 Miami FA-15 Montgomery, Ala.39 Demetri Goodson CB 5-11 197 6/11/89 3 Baylor D6-14 Spring, Texas42 Morgan Burnett S 6-1 209 1/13/89 7 Georgia Tech D3-10 College Park, Ga. 44 James Starks RB 6-2 218 2/25/86 7 Buffalo D6-10 Niagara Falls, N.Y.47 Jake Ryan LB 6-2 240 2/27/92 2 Michigan D4-15 Cleveland, Ohio48 Joe Thomas LB 6-1 227 5/6/91 2 South Carolina State FA-15 (PS-Dal) Blackville, S.C.50 Blake Martinez LB 6-2 237 1/9/94 R Stanford D4a-16 Oro Valley, Ariz.51 Kyler Fackrell LB 6-5 245 11/25/91 R Utah State D3-16 Mesa, Ariz.52 Clay Matthews LB 6-3 255 5/14/86 8 Southern California D1b-09 Agoura Hills, Calif.53 Nick Perry LB 6-3 265 4/12/90 5 Southern California D1-12 Detroit, Mich.56 Julius Peppers LB 6-7 287 1/18/80 15 North Carolina FA-14 Bailey, N.C.61 Brett Goode LS 6-1 255 11/2/84 9 Arkansas FA-08 Fort Smith, Ark.64 Mike Pennel DT 6-4 332 5/9/91 3 Colorado St.-Pueblo FA-14 Aurora, Colo.65 Lane Taylor G 6-3 324 11/22/89 4 Oklahoma State FA-13 Arlington, Texas67 Don Barclay T/G 6-4 305 4/18/89 5 West Virginia FA-12 Harmony, Pa.68 Kyle Murphy T 6-6 305 12/11/93 R Stanford D6-16 San Clemente, Calif.69 David Bakhtiari T 6-4 310 9/30/91 4 Colorado D4a-13 San Mateo, Calif.70 T.J. Lang G 6-4 318 9/20/87 8 Eastern Michigan D4-09 Birmingham, Mich. 73 JC Tretter C/G 6-4 307 2/12/91 4 Cornell D4b-13 Akron, N.Y. 75 Bryan Bulaga T 6-5 314 3/21/89 7 Iowa D1-10 Woodstock, Ill. 76 Mike Daniels DT 6-0 310 5/5/89 5 Iowa D4a-12 Blackwood, N.J. 78 Jason Spriggs T 6-6 301 5/17/94 R Indiana D2-16 Elkhart, Ind.80 Justin Perillo TE 6-3 250 1/5/91 3 Maine FA-14 Wilmington, Del.81 Geronimo Allison WR 6-3 202 1/18/94 R Illinois FA-16 Riverview, Fla.82 Richard Rodgers TE 6-4 257 1/22/92 3 California D3b-14 Shrewsbury, Mass.83 Jeff Janis WR 6-3 219 6/24/91 3 Saginaw Valley State D7-14 Tawas City, Mich.87 Jordy Nelson WR 6-3 217 5/31/85 9 Kansas State D2a-08 Manhattan, Kan.88 Ty Montgomery WR 6-0 216 1/22/93 2 Stanford D3-15 Dallas, Texas89 Jared Cook TE 6-5 254 4/7/87 8 South Carolina FA-16 Birmingham, Ala.91 Jayrone Elliott LB 6-3 255 11/11/91 3 Toledo FA-14 Cleveland, Ohio94 Dean Lowry DE 6-6 296 6/9/94 R Northwestern D4b-16 Rockford, Ill.95 Datone Jones DE/LB 6-4 285 7/24/90 4 UCLA D1-13 Compton, Calif. 97 Kenny Clark DT 6-3 314 10/4/95 R UCLA D1-16 Rialto, Calif.98 Letroy Guion DT 6-4 322 6/21/87 9 Florida State FA-14 Starke, Fla.99 Christian Ringo DT 6-1 298 3/10/92 1 Louisiana-Lafayette D6b-15 Jackson, Miss.

ATLANTA FALCONS64

FALCONS ON OFFENSEDEPTH CHART WHEN THE FALCONS HAVE THE BALL

FALCONS OFFENSE

PROBABLE STARTERS ARE LISTED IN TE AM’S PRIMARY COLOR

FALCONS SPECIAL TE AMS

5 | BosherKO

3 | BryantK

16 | Hardy14 | Weems

PR5 | Bosher

P5 | Bosher

H47 | Harris

LS

WR

14 | Weems16 | Hardy11 | Jones

42 | DiMarcoFB

8 | Schaub2 | Ryan

QB

28 | Ward26 | Coleman24 | Freeman

RB

RG

71 | Schweitzer65 | Chester

LG

63 | Garland67 | Levitre

LT

76 | Compton70 | Matthews

19 | Robinson12 | Sanu

18 | Gabriel

WR

TE

80 | Toilolo81 | Hooper83 | Tamme

RT

76 | Compton73 | Schraeder

C

63 | Garland51 | Mack

16 | Hardy14 | Weems

KR

PACK ERS DEFENSE

DE

64 | Pennel94 | Lowry97 | Clark

SS

25 | Evans33 | Hyde42 | Burnett

FS

29 | Brice32 | Banjo21 | Clinton-Dix

RCB

28 | Hawkins36 | Gunter24 | Rollins

ILB

48 | Thomas50 | Martinez

ILB

48 | Thomas47 | Ryan

LOLB

91 | Elliott56 | Peppers 53 | Perry

LCB

39 | Goodson 23 | Randall

ROLB

51 | Fackrell

52 | Matthews95 | Jones

DT

97 | Clark76 | Daniels

NT

99 | Ringo98 | Guion

2016 PLAYBOOK 65

41 | Wheeler44 | Beasley

LB59 | Campbell

LB

53 | Reynolds

55 | Worrilow45 | Jones

LB

32 | Collins29 | Goodwin23 | Alford

CB

34 | Poole21 | Trufant

CB

36 | Ishmael22 | Neal

S

20 | Neasman27 | Therezie37 | Allen

S

77 | Hageman94 | Jackson

DE

98 | Matthews95 | Babineaux

DT

91 | Upshaw97 | Jarrett

DT

93 | Freeney99 | Clayborn50 | Reed

DE

PACKERS ON OFFENSEDEPTH CHART WHEN THE PACKERS HAVE THE BALL

PACK ERS OFFENSE

FALCONS DEFENSE

PROBABLE STARTERS ARE LISTED IN TE AM’S PRIMARY COLOR

PACK ERS SPECIAL TE AMS

FB22 | Ripkowski

LT

78 | Spriggs69 | Bakhtiari

K

10 | Schum2 | Crosby

P

2 | Crosby10 | Schum

LS

67 | Barclay61 | Goode

KR

84 | Abbrederis88 | Montgomery

PR

11 | Davis33 | Hyde

WR

83 | Janis17 | Adams87 | Nelson

RB

30 | Davis34 | Jackson44 | Starks

QB

7 | Hundley12 | Rodgers

WR

88 | Montgomery18 | Cobb

84 | Abbrederis

18 | Cobb10 | Schum

H

RG

67 | Barclay70 | Lang

RT

68 | Murphy75 | Bulaga

TE

80 | Perillo82 | Rodgers89 | Cook

LG

67 | Barclay65 | Taylor

C

67 | Barclay73 | Tretter

RICARDO ALLENSAFE T Y

JONATHAN BABINEAUXDEFENSIVE TACK LE

VIC BEASLEY JR.OUT SIDE L INEBACK ER

TYSON JACKSONDEFENSIVE TACK LE

JUSTIN HARDYWIDE RECEIVER

ROBERT ALFORDCORNERBACK

MATT BOSHERPUNTER

MATT BRYANTK ICK ER

CHRIS CHESTERGUARD

ADRIAN CLAYBORNDEFENSIVE END

TAYLOR GABRIELWIDE RECEIVER

DWIGHT FREENEYDEFENSIVE END

AUSTIN HOOPERTIGHT END

KEMAL ISHMAELSAFE T Y

TEVIN COLEMANRUNNING BACK

JALEN COLLINSCORNER BACK

PATRICK DIMARCOFULL BACK

DEVONTA FREEMANRUNNING BACK

RA’SHEDE HAGEMANDEFENSIVE TACK LE

Two straight losses in heartbreaking fashion send the Falcons to 4-3. A 30-20 fourth quarter lead evaporated last week against the Chargers, resulting in a 33-30 overtime loss. Julio Jones carried the load offensively, totaling nine receptions for 174 yards. The defense showed flashes of dominance throughout the game, getting to Philip Rivers four times and forcing an interception and a fumble which was returned by Adrian Clayborn for a touchdown. Deion Jones recorded the interception and Vic Beasley Jr. tallied two more sacks.

ATLANTAFALCONS 2016 ROSTER

2-12 0 1 6

N F C S O U T HR E C O R D

4-32 0 1 6

O V E R A L LR E C O R D 95

3723

44

5 3 99

26 32

65

24

1893

42

77

16 36

JOSH HARRISLONG SNAPPER

TOM COMPTONTACK LE

DE’VONDRE CAMPBELLOUT SIDE L INEBACK ER

59

76

BEN GARLANDGUARD

63

C.J. GOODWINCORNER BACK

29

47 81 94

ATLANTA FALCONS66

JULIO JONESWIDE RECEIVER

GRADY JARRETTDEFENSIVE TACK LE

LAROY REYNOLDSLINEBACK ER

STEVAN RIDLEYRUNNING BACK

CLIFF MATTHEWSDEFENSIVE L INE

ALEX MACKCENTER

ANDY LEVITREGUARD

KEANU NEALSAFE T Y

BRIAN POOLESAFE T Y

JOSHUA PERKINSTIGHT END

BROOKS REEDOUT SIDE L INEBACK ER

MOHAMED SANUWIDE RECEIVER

MATT SCHAUBQUAR TERBACK

JACOB TAMMETIGHT END

ROBENSON THEREZIESAFE T Y

LEVINE TOILOLOTIGHT END

PHILIP WHEELERLINEBACK ER

PAUL WORRILOWLINEBACK ER

ERIC WEEMSWIDE RECEIVER

MATT RYANQUAR TERBACK

RYAN SCHRAEDERTACK LE

COURTNEY UPSHAWDEFENSIVE TACK LE

TERRON WARDRUNNING BACK

5541

80

1491

28

73

83 27

53 33

12 8

SHARROD NEASMAN SAFE T Y

20

2

98

51

34

82

50

22

97 67

DEION JONESLINEBACK ER

JAKE MATTHEWSTACK LE

WES SCHWEITZERGUARD

DESMOND TRUFANTCORNERBACK

ALDRICK ROBINSONWIDE RECEIVER

21

71

19

70

45 11

2016 PLAYBOOK 67

ATLANTA FALCONS68

7:54

8:497:14

5:40

7:06

6:117:46

9:20

25

20

15

10

5

0

12

8

4

0

80

60

40

20

0Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT

Q1

Q3Q2

Q4

0 1515

24 32

0

47

68

47

0

T.O.P. T.O.P.

AVERAGE AVERAGE29:36 30:24

TIME OF POSSESSIONBY QUARTER

M. BRYANT

OPPONENTS

YARDS 50+ 30 –391–19 20 –29

FALCONS

OPPONENTS

MISSED

TOTAL

2326

RUSH

7 7

PASS

16 15

RE T

31

2MATTRYAN

COMP

Y DS

TDS

2,348

165

16

FALCONSKEY: UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE.FALCONS OPPONENTS

2016 SEASON STATS

TEAM LEADERS

J . JONESM. SANUD. FREEMANJ . TAMMET. COLEMAN

4023222019

ATT

830258169191

330

YDS

42131

TDS

D. FREEMAN T. COLEMANM. RYAN

TEAM LEADERS

1055919

ATT

50823460

YDS

250

TDS

40 – 49

RUSHING

183

165

ATT

REC

802

2,348

YDS

YDS

7

16

TDS

TDS

RECEIVING

168

199

ATT

REC

643

2,157

YDS

YDS

7

15

TDS

TDS

RUSHING

RECEIVING

50%

TOTAL INT FUM

8 632

SCORE BY PERIODS

TOUCHDOWNS

TIME OF POSSESSION

FIELD GOALS

TAKEAWAYS

RECEIVING LEADERS RUSHING LEADERS

SCORING

YD

SY

DS

AT

TA

TT

TD

ST

DS

766467

46

2016 PLAYBOOK 69

AARONRODGERS

80

60

40

20

0

12

8

4

0

20

15

10

5

0

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT

1–19 50+ 20 –29 40 – 49

T.O.P. T.O.P.

AVERAGE AVERAGE31:36 28:24

TIME OF POSSESSIONBY QUARTER

COMP

Y DS

TDS

1,496

148

13

RUSHING

151

148

ATT

REC

629

1,496

YDS

YDS

2

13

TDS

TDS

RECEIVING

RUSHING

137

120

ATT

REC

431

1,567

YDS

YDS

1

10

TDS

TDS

RECEIVING

Q1

Q3Q2

Q4

50%

17

4630

0

30

M. CROSBY

OPPONENTS

YARDS

PACKERS

OPPONENTS

MISSED

TOTAL

1215

RUSH

1

PASS

1310

RE T

122016 SEASON STATSPACKERS

KEY: UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE.PACKERS OPPONENTS

TEAM LEADERS

R . COBBD. ADAMSJ . NELSONT. MONTGOMERYR . RODGERS

392827209

REC

38835032116484

YDS

25501

TDS

E . L ACYA . RODGERST. MONTGOMERYJ . STARKSR . COBB

TEAM LEADERS

7122142410

ATT

36096664233

YDS

02000

TDS

2

TOTAL INT FUM

10 4 68 5 3

SCORE BY PERIODS

TOUCHDOWNS

AVERAGE TIME OF POSSESSION

FIELD GOALS

TAKEAWAYS

SCORING

RECEIVING LEADERS RUSHING LEADERS

YD

SY

DS

AT

TA

TT

TD

ST

DS

0 1515

30 –39

0 1

41

13

39

0

47

8:13 6:47

8:56 6:056:10 8:50

8:17 6:43

ATLANTA FALCONS70

BEN SIRMANSRUNNING BACKS

MIKE TRGOVACDEFENSIVE LINE

BRIAN ANGELICHIOTIGHT ENDS

EDGAR BENNETTOFFENSIVE COORD.

DOM CAPERSDEFENSIVE COORD.

TOM CLEMENTSASSOC. HEAD COACH/OFF..

CHRIS GIZZIASST. STR. & COND.

LUKE GETSYWIDE RECEIVERS

DARREN PERRYSECONDARY-SAFETIES

WINSTON MOSSASST. HC/LINEBACKERS

JERRY MONTGOMERYDEF. FRONT ASST.

ALEX VAN PELTQUARTERBACKS

JAMES CAMPENOFFENSIVE LINE

EJIRO EVERODEF. QUALIT Y CONTROL

MARK LOVATSTR. & COND. COORD.

SCOTT MCCURLEYASST. LINEBACKERS

JASON SIMMONSASST. SPECIAL TEAMS

DAVID RAIHASST. OFFENSIVE LINE

JOE WHITT JR.SECONDARY- CORNERBACKS

RON ZOOKSPECIAL TEAMS COORD.

GREEN BAYPACKERS 2016 ROSTER

2-12 0 1 6

N F C N O R T HR E C O R D

4-22 0 1 6

O V E R A L LR E C O R D

MIKE MCCARTHYHEAD COACH (8TH SEASON)

Even after a slow start to the season, the Packers find themselves at 4-2. Aaron Rodgers returned to form against the Chicago Bears last Thursday, finishing 39-of-56 for 326 yards and three touchdowns. Three receivers totaled at least 10 catches with Davante Adams leading the way with 13 grabs for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Green Bay used a running back by committee approach as five different players took handoffs. Wide receiver Ty Montgomery received double duty, rushing nine times for 60 yards while adding 10 catches for 66 yards.

2016 PLAYBOOK 71

DAVID BAKHTIARITACKLE

HA HA CLINTON-DIXSAFET Y

MORGAN BURNETTSAFET Y

BRYAN BULAGATACKLE

BRETT HUNDLEYQUARTERBACK

MASON CROSBYKICKER

JARED COOKTIGHT END

RANDALL COBBWIDE RECEIVER

MIKE DANIELSDEFENSIVE TACKLE

BRETT GOODELONG SNAPPER

LETROY GUIONDEFENSIVE TACKLE

T.J. LANGGUARD

KENNY CLARKDEFENSIVE TACKLE

TY MONTGOMERYWIDE RECEIVER

JORDY NELSONWIDE RECEIVER

CLAY MATTHEWSLINEBACKER

DAMARIOUS RANDALLCORNERBACK

NICK PERRYLINEBACKER

JACOB SCHUMPUNTER

LANE TAYLORGUARD

JC TRETTERGUARD

QUINTEN ROLLINSCORNERBACK

JAKE RYANLINEBACKER

AARON ROGERSQUARTERBACK

JAMES STARKSRUNNING BACK

MICAH HYDEDEFENSIVE BACK

BLAKE MARTINEZLINEBACKER

AARON RIPKOWSKI FULLBACK

DAVANTE ADAMSWIDE RECEIVER

DON BARCLAYGUARD

89

61

2

76

18

42

21

17 69 75

7

70

33

44

98

53 1223 22

97

50 52 88 87

67

24

651047 73

ATLANTA FALCONS72

Tim Green has done it all. He graduated summa cum laude from Syracuse University, has a law degree, is a best-selling author and has been a

commentator for NFL football games on Fox.

Oh, and he also played a little football for the Atlanta Falcons.

Before Green became a first-round choice (17th overall) in the 1986 NFL draft, he was a young boy from Liverpool, New York. Green’s collegiate career began at Syracuse in 1982 with a freshman class that began a resurgence of Orange football under coach Dick MacPherson. His junior year, Syracuse pulled off one of the biggest upsets in history, beating No. 1 Nebraska 17-9 at the Carrier Dome. Syracuse went 7-5 his senior year and played in its first bowl game (Cherry Bowl) in six years. Meanwhile, Green was also killing it in the classroom, graduating at the top of his class (co-valedictorian) only a month after being taken by the Falcons in the draft.

In 1986, Green played only in nine games as a rookie because of injuries while the Falcons finished 7-8-1. The team won just 16 games over the next four years. Green collected five sacks in both the 1989 and ’91 seasons and a career-high six sacks in 1990. In ’91 under head coach Jerry Glanville, the Falcons went 10-6 and beat

the New Orleans Saints (27-20) in a wild-card game before losing to Washington (24-7) in the divisional round.

PENNED GREATNESS

All along, Green kept writing and, as the 1993 season approached, he was close to finishing his first novel. He also had begun law school at Syracuse during the offseason in 1987. Because of several knee injuries, the fact that he was about to graduate law school and that he felt good about being an author, Green retired after the 1993 season.

He began his television and law career the next year and would stay with Fox for 10 years while also doing a short stint as a host on “Current Affair.’’ He wrote 14 suspense novels before turning to nonfiction and also writing books for children. Green received the 2011 NCAA Silver Anniversary Award, “given annually to six former NCAA student-athletes for distinguished career accomplishment on the 25th year of their college graduation.’’

Today, Green and his wife Illyssa have five children: Thane, Tessa, Troy, Tate and Ty. He continues to write full time and is also part of two law firms, one that deals with energy, intellectual properties and reassurance and another one comprised of former district attorneys that offer criminal defense services.

GREEN’S MULTI-FASHIONED CAREER

EXCEEDS Gridiron daysBy: CRA IG SAGER I I

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NOBODY SOARS LIKE OUR ATLANTA FALCONS.

ATLANTA FALCONS74


SERIES SPOTLIGHT

NOVEMBER 27, 1983:FALCONS 47, PACKERS 41

In one of the highest-scoring games in Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium history, the Falcons survived the Packers in overtime thanks to a timely pick-six in a game that was highlighted by 945 combined total yards of offense. Quarterbacks Mike Moroski and Lynn Dickey went toe-to-toe in a Wild West shootout. Moroski paced Atlanta with 303 yards passing, two touchdowns and one interception. Dickey threw for 366 yards and three touchdowns, but also threw three interceptions including the game-ender to Kenny Johnson who returned it 31 yards to win it. It was Johnson’s second interception return for a touchdown as he brought home a 26-yarder in the fourth quarter to take a 41-34 lead before Gerry Ellis sent the game to overtime. Atlanta shot itself in the foot all game long with 14 penalties accounting for 134 yards. William Andrews ran for 129 yards and two touchdowns to lead the rushing attack.

Aaron Rodgers amassed 395 yards of total offense and two touchdowns while Greg Jennings caught five balls for 119 yards but it wasn’t enough to knock off the Falcons in the Georgia Dome. Matt Ryan’s pin-point accuracy was on display, completing 24-of-28 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown. Michael Turner rushed for 110 yards and scored on a 1-yard dive early in the fourth to take a 17-10 lead with 14:24 to play. It took over 13 minutes for Green Bay to find the tying score as Rodgers connected with Jordy Nelson from 10 yards out with 56 seconds remaining. After a costly 15-yard face mask penalty on Matt Wilhelm on an Eric Weems return, Ryan led the Birds down the field, setting up a Matt Bryant 47-yard field goal with nine seconds left to win the game.

Atlanta came up on the short end of the scoreboard at Lambeau Field in one of the greatest Monday Night Football performances of all-time. Green Bay was in control the entire game behind Aaron Rodgers’ 327 passing yards and three touchdowns but it was Julio Jones who kept viewers glued to their seats. As Matt Ryan matched Rodgers throw for throw on his way to 375 yards passing and four touchdowns. Jones set a career-high with 259 yards receiving off 11 catches. Jones recorded the most receiving yards in a Monday Night Football game in over a decade before leaving late in the fourth quarter with a hip injury. Atlanta’s defense couldn’t get off the field to help the offense, allowing Green Bay to convert on 7-of-12 on third downs and rack up 502 yards of offense. Kroy Biermann was the lone Falcon to notch a sack on the night.

NOVEMBER 28, 2010: FALCONS 20, PACKERS 17

DECEMBER 8, 2014: PACKERS 43, FACLONS 37

BY: KYLE SANDY

SERIES RECORD;PACKERS LEAD

FIRST MEETING;PACKERS 56, FALCONS 3

LAST HOME MEETING:PACKERS 25, FALCONS 14

15-1210/23/66 2011

2016 PLAYBOOK 75

(From L to R): Lauren Fisher, Gia Ellis, Dion Price, Shamika Peterson, Deborah Washington, Khala Jacobs, Melba Sowell, Jacqueline Bolden, Barbara Powers,

Micah Crawford, Mike Gomes, Natalie Williams-Jordan, Tim Wilson, Kevin Duvall, Shontiera Williams, Reginald Jones, Steven Willis and Erik Waldman

For the third season, the Falcons and the Georgia Dome will recognize employees at each game who go above and beyond

to create memorable experiences for our RAVING FANS!

AWARDRAVING FANS

ATLANTA FALCONS76

T he Atlanta Falcons celebrated Breast Cancer Awareness week from Oct. 23-28 with various

activities around Atlanta. It included:

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS


IN THE COMMUNITY

Falcons players visited the Breast Cancer Wing at Northside Hospital, going room-to-room and visiting with breast cancer patients, delivering goodie baskets, taking photos and signing autographs.

• Dazzle and Dine honored women currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer as well as breast cancer survivors. Honorees were chosen based on their community involvement and dedication to helping this Breast Cancer Awareness cause. Ten honorees were selected and each received a $500 grant to the breast cancer organization of their choice. Honorees were recognized pre-game at last week’s game against the San Diego Chargers and received a special day of pampering and dinner on Mo nday. After the pampering, the ladies were chauffeured to Katana where they enjoyed a hibachi dinner prepared at the table by Falcons celebrities accompanied by a chef.

• Atlanta Falcons alumni visited a breast cancer support group supported by Northside Hospital where they shared their stories and personal connections with breast cancer. Alumni enjoyed a catered dinner with all of the attendees and participated in a competitive game of Falcons Jeopardy.

• Nearly 150 youth participated in a free youth football clinic to teach them proper football fundamentals and sportsmanship, led by Atlanta Falcons alumni players. The youth also received pink items to wear to promote Breast Cancer Awareness, including pink wristbands, “Beat Cancer” eyeblack and a T-shirt.

• The Atlanta Falcons implemented various pink elements into the Northview vs. Chattahoochee High School football game. Players on both teams were provided gear including pink colored gloves, wristbands, eyeblacks, towels and socks. Both team’s coaches, cheerleaders, marching band members and fans also were provided items to participate in the pink out.

2016 SEASON HOME SCHEDULE

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NOV27

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W hen Atlanta took to the Georgia Dome on October 2, the Falcons were lined up against the defending NFC Champion

Carolina Panthers, whose calling card over the past three years has been their defense, one of the most feared in the League.

Little did fans know that records would be shattered all game long.

Matt Ryan and Julio Jones ignited fireworks, combining to guide the Falcons to a 48-33 win and setting two new memorable franchise records in the process. Ryan broke his 2014 record of 448 passing yards by going 28-of-37 for 503 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. On the receiving end of 12 of those passes was Jones, who broke his 2014 mark set on Monday Night Football against the Packers with 259 yards and a touchdown by totaling 300 receiving yards and a score against the Panthers.

“They totally rely and count on one another,” Head Coach Dan Quinn said on Jones and Ryan. “That chemistry was certainly on display today.”

GAME-BREAKERS

“We got Julio the ball in space and when he has the ball in space he’s so explosive,” said Ryan after the game.

The biggest pass of the day came in the fourth quarter right after the Panthers marched nine plays, 94 yards to draw Carolina to within 34-26; the closest the game was since the first quarter.

Following a Graham Gano touchback, it took Ryan and Jones all of 13 seconds to deflate the Panthers momentum and to electrify

MATTRYAN

SEPT. 7, 2014

31 COMP448 YDS

3 TD

CHRISCHANDLER

DEC. 23, 2001

28 COMP431 YDS2 TD | 2 INT

STEVE BARTKOWSKI

NOV. 15, 1981


MATTRYAN

OCT. 2, 2016

28 COMP503 YDS

4 TD | 1 INT

MATTRYAN

SEPT. 29, 2013


TOP 5 PASSINGPERFORMANCES

BY: KYLE SANDY

ATLANTA FALCONS78

the Dome one more time, as they connected on a 75-yard strike to regain cushion at 41-26 with 3:45 remaining in regulation.

The Falcons made it a point to force feed Jones the ball early and often, putting pressure on a young and inexperienced group of cornerbacks. Ryan completed three straight passes out of the gate to Jones, slashing and gashing the defense for gains of 22, 14 and 15 yards before the drive resulted in a 4-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jacob Tamme.

“They put the young corner on me man to man…and Matt made some great decisions today,” Jones said.

BUILDING A LEGACY

Out of Atlanta’s top 20 single-game passing yards performances, Ryan holds 11 of the most prolific games including the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 4 games. Jones has six of the top 20 single-game receiving yards records and boasts the top two marks.

With a tandem that continues to strengthen their bond and improve each season, the idea of not double-teaming Jones when the two get going can be head scratching.

Former Panthers All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman, now of the Washington Redskins, chimed in on his old teammates by telling ESPN, “Shoot, [it’s] just disrespectful to line up a rook[ie] against that man like that [Jones], like he ain’t the top wide receiver in the League.”

If opponents refuse to pay special attention to the League’s top passing and receiving duo, Ryan and Jones are destined to quickly continue building their historic legacy in Atlanta.

JULIOJONES

DEC. 8, 2014

11 REC259 YDS

1 TD

RODDYWHITE

OCT. 11, 2009

8 REC210 YDS

2 TD

RODDYWHITE

OCT. 24, 2010

11 REC201 YDS

2 TD

TERANCEMATHIS

DEC. 13, 1998

6 REC198 YDS

2 TD

JULIOJONES

OCT. 2, 2016

12 REC300 YDS

1 TD

TOP 5 RECEIVINGPERFORMANCES

2016 PLAYBOOK 79

ATLANTA FALCONS80

LeslieC A P TA I N

Where did you grow up? Sharpsburg, GA. If you danced in college, what was it like?I come from a huge Georgia Tech family, so getting to dance for a place that is so important to my family was amazing (not to mention my little sister was one of my teammates!). I found out that if I could balance being a student at Tech and dancing, I could juggle just about anything! What made you want to become an Atlanta Falcons cheerleader? My coach in college cheered for the Falcons for seven years and was the Pro Bowl rep her last year. She’s superwoman.

What is your favorite T V show?I’ve been on a Netflix binge of “The Office” recently. You can’t not love that show.

What do you like to do in your spare time? I am an exercise fanatic who also loves to paint, reclaim furniture, take weekend trips like it’s my job and see my family. Why did you begin dancing?Dance wasn’t actually that expensive when I was little and it was something my mom could put me in with my sister and cousin. It happened to stick!

How did it feel to become a Falcons cheerleader?Surreal. It was never something I planned for myself and I decided to audition very last minute. I am still so grateful that our coaches saw something in me. How does it feel to be captain? It’s exciting and definitely an adjustment. I’m lucky to have such an amazing line and supportive teammates who have made it a very positive experience so far. Being responsible for not only yourself but also for an entire group of girls is a big change. But my cheer sisters make it a joy!

Years With Squad: FOUR

Favorite Falcon: DEVONTA FREEMAN

Twitter Handle: @AFC_ LESLIE

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ATLANTA FALCONS86

T he Super Bowl is the most celebrated event in all of American sports. Each year the game averages over 110 million viewers

along with millions more tuning in to witness the pregame festivities that the host city prepares up to two weeks prior to the game. However, television exposure is not the only way for a host city to showcase its culture and tradition while hosting a Super Bowl. Close to 80,000 NFL fans from across the world will travel to experience the big game, and it is the excitement that builds with the city’s countdown to kickoff that brings the event to life. With 80,000 fans comes a predicted $400 million dollars of outside investment in local hotels, restaurants, and transportation providers around the city. The surrounding infrastructure is a vital aspect to the event’s success and it takes a total team effort to assure that the experience outside of the stadium matches the enormity of football’s grandest stage.

Tertiary Thrills

The only two times Atlanta has hosted the Super Bowl were in 1994 and 2000. During the May League meetings in Charlotte earlier this year, a team consisting of Atlanta business and sports leaders spoke to owners in an attempt to win the bid for Super Bowl LIII in 2019. Rick Smith, CEO of Equifax, and Doug Hertz, CEO of United Distributors spoke to the owners on behalf of

Atlanta and focused on the city’s $46 million financial plan for funding the event, the growth of the downtown area and the building of the new $1.5 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

While the restructuring of downtown was vital to bringing the Super Bowl to Atlanta, the most important aspect of Atlanta’s bid was the new state of the art Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The stadium is not only an architectural marvel that features a rotational retracting roof, large outdoor plazas and a halo video board which at 64,000 square feet is the largest of its kind, but also showcases Atlanta’s ability to work together on a public and private level. With the successful bid for the Super Bowl in 2019, Atlanta can paint its own future and set a new standard for fan experience with the world watching. Not to mention, the organization could be motivated to become the first team in NFL history to host and play in a Super Bowl in 2019.

By Tommy Koll ias

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2016 PLAYBOOK 89

BY CRAIG SAGER II

In a game of ten measured in inches and in a League with comparable talent across

all 32 franchises, f inding the right pieces in the draf t can be the dif ference between a playof f berth and having nothing but the draf t to look forward to af ter Week 17. New faces energize the of fseason, f ill vacancies lef t from the previous year and add competition that pushes veterans into leadership roles. Rookies are the f irst to report to Flowery Branch each year and a talented rookie class that is both mentally and physically tough can set the tone and overall pace of the of fseason that is carried into the season.

LOFTY GOALS

The Falcons 2016 draf t class has high expectations to make an immediate and lasting impact on the franchise. The value of this crop of rookies was shown in May when the Falcons became the f irst team in the NFL to sign all of their draf t picks this season. In fact, Atlanta became the f irst team in NFL history to sign every draf t pick before the start of rookie minicamp.

On draft day, Atlanta selected Florida safety Keanu Neal with the 17th overall pick. With a

vision to bring in a hard-hitting safety that can disrupt plays, cover sideline to sideline and get downfield in a hurry, the franchise successfully brought in the 6-foot-2, 211-pound Neal.

In the second round, the Falcons added LSU linebacker Deion Jones. The high ceiling of Jones makes him one of the most intriguing rookies to keep an eye on this season. Atlanta’s third-round pick gave the offense a boost with Stanford tight end Austin Hooper. Hooper’s abilities can open up the run game and improve the Falcons red zone offense as well.

Minnesota outside linebacker De’Vondre Campbell came with the 115th overall pick in the fourth round. Atlanta’s athletic and intelligent offensive line was looking for a versatile piece to bring depth to the position and the Falcons found it with San Jose State lineman Wes Schweitzer in the sixth round.

Rounding out the draft class is UCLA’s Devin Fuller. The wide receiver and kick returner has the speed to break off big plays in the passing game and as a return man. Just like the other five picks, Fuller’s athleticism and potential is something fans and the team can look forward witnessing this season and beyond.

ATLANTA FALCONS90

UNIFORM

In that inaugural campaign of 1966, the team started with red helmets, black jerseys and white pants at home games. Some minor alterations to

the home jersey took place over a two-year span from 1968-70. But the first significant change to the uniform didn’t occur until 1971 when the club switched to red jerseys for the home crowd. The next new phase included adding silver pants to those jerseys in 1978. The red jersey would remain for 19 seasons through 1989.

To commemorate their 25th anniversary in 1990, the Falcons radically changed their uniform back to black jerseys with an accompanying black helmet for the first time. This look would stay intact until the 2003 season. Under new Owner & Chairman Arthur Blank, the Birds completed a huge makeover by changing their logo to a “more powerful, aggressive Falcon” for that ’03 campaign. It was the first major logo change in team history. A new style black jersey with white pants also made an appearance on players during home games in 2003.

In 2004, the Falcons announced another change through the help of their fans. Through an outpouring of fan generated support, there was strong sentiment for the return to the red jerseys. The Falcons organization listened and responded

to their fan base as they moved back to a red jersey (with a similar style as the black jerseys). In 2010, the club created a “throwback uniform” as their alternate and wore it for two games. The throwback look was the original 1966 uniforms and members of that first team were invited back for alumni weekend and recognized on the field at halftime.

Black jerseys with white numbers and red trim at home with a white Falcon crest on the sleeves. The away jersey was white with black numbers trimmed in red and a black Falcon crest on the sleeves. The Falcons had white pants with a red stripe bordered by two black stripes for both home and away games. The helmet was red with a black Falcon crest logo trimmed in white, and there was a black strip trimmed in white and gold down the middle of the helmet.

The Atlanta Falcons uniform has evolved over the years to include many versions from the original uniforms of 1966.

A T L A N T A F A L C O N S

1966 T H R O U G H 2 0 16

HISTORY

19661967

T H R OUGH

2016 PLAYBOOK 91

JERSEYSH O M E

Red with silver numbers & letters,black outlines; stripes on sleeves

A W A YWhite with red numbers & letters,black outlines; stripes on sleeves

PANTSSilver with red, white & black stripes

SOCKSWhite with red top

1966

THROUGH19

7019

71THROUGH19

8919

90THROUGH20

0220

03THROUGH20

16HELMETS

Red with black, white & gold center stripe, logo

on sides; silver facemask

JERSEYSH O M E

Black with white numbers & letters, red outlines; logo on sleeves

A W A YWhite with black numbers & letters,

red outlines; logos on sleeves

PANTSWhite with black & red stripes

SOCKSWhite with black & red stripes

HELMETSRed with black & white center stripe, logo on sides; silver facemask

HELMETSBlack with logo on sides;

black facemask

HELMETSBlack with logo on sides;

black facemask

JERSEYSH O M E

Black with white numbers & letters,red outlines; logo on sleeves

A W A YWhite with black numbers & letters,

red outlines; logo on sleeves

PANTSSilver with red & black stripes

SOCKSWhite with black top

JERSEYSH O M E

Red with white numbers & letters,black outlines; logo on sleeves

A W A Y White with red numbers & letters,

black outlines; logo on sleeves

PANTSWhite with red & black stripes

SOCKSWhite with red or black top

ATLANTA FALCONS92

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2016 PLAYBOOK 93

1968 T H R OUGH1970In 1968, the Falcons removed the Falcon crest logo from the sleeves and replaced it with red and white stripes. Also, a red-black-red stripe combination was added to the sleeves.

In 1971, the Falcons switched to red jerseys for the first time and wore them all the way up to the 1989 season. The only other significant change to this uniform was the addition of silver-gray pants in 1978. Also in 1984, the Falcons switched to a black face mask. The home jersey was red with white numbers and black trim with white-black-white sleeve stripes. The away jersey was white with red numbers and black trim with red and black stripes on the sleeves. In 1979, the Falcon crest logo was added to the sleeves. The red jerseys netted the Falcons 113 wins over 27 years.

In 1990, the Falcons once again wore black jerseys as they did in their inaugural years. The 1990 season marked Atlanta’s 25th anniversary season in the NFL, and the team wore a commemorative patch on the left shoulder. In addition, the Falcons switched to a black helmet with a black face mask and a white Falcon crest logo. From 1990–2002, the home jersey was black with white numbers trimmed in red with a black Falcon crest logo

trimmed in red on the sleeves. The away jersey was white with red numbers trimmed in black with a black Falcon crest logo trimmed in red on the sleeves. The pants were Falcon silver with a black stripe down the middle trimmed in white and red. From 1990-2002, the Falcons picked up 92 victories while blacking out opponents.

The year 2003 continued to bring about many new changes for the Atlanta Falcons. Perhaps the biggest changes came with the introduction of the team’s new logo and uniforms unveiled over the course of a two-month period.

On March 19, 2003, before a large gathering of media and the entire Falcons organization, the Birds presented their new logo.

“The new Atlanta Falcons logo is fresh, strong and dynamic, and yet appreciates the tradition and history of this franchise,” said Falcons Owner & Chairman Arthur Blank. “The new logo depicts a more powerful, aggressive Falcon - one of fast movement. It is also representative of the evolution and direction of our team.”

The logo was designed in conjunction with NFL Properties after a lengthy research process, which included conducting focus groups and polls with many fans. In addition, Falcons players, coaches and staff had the opportunity to give their thoughts. The Falcons continue to model red jerseys at home and white jerseys on the road, while complimenting the original white pants look that the organization unveiled five decades ago.

Atlanta’s latest uniform combination has been its most successful. The Falcons have gone 109-99 with a 52 winning percentage since donning their sleek look 13 years ago.

19711998

T H R OUGH

19902002

T H R OUGH

20032016

T H R OUGH

2016 PLAYBOOK 95

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ATLANTA FALCONS96


RING OF HONOR

D uring the 2003 season, long–time Falcons season–ticket

holders nominated a group of players they would like to see inducted into the Atlanta Falcons Ring of Honor. The inaugural winners were QB Steve Bartkowski, LB Tommy Nobis, LB Jessie Tuggle and RB William Andrews.

In 2006, C Jeff Van Note was inducted. He was followed by OT Mike Kenn and DE Claude Humphrey two years later. Cornerback Deion Sanders became a member in 2010 and RB Gerald Riggs joined the exclusive club as the ninth member in 2013.

WELCOME TO THE RING

The Falcons selected Bartkowski as the No. 1 overall draft pick in

1975 out of California. He was named NFL Rookie of the Year and eventually set every club record in passing, which included 23,468 yards and 154 touchdown passes in his 123 Falcons games.

Nobis, a five-time Pro Bowler, was the first player ever drafted by the Falcons in 1966. Nobis became the first Falcons player to be voted to the Pro Bowl and win Rookie of the Year honors.

Tuggle would go on to become the Falcons career leader in tackles with 2,065 during his illustrious 209–game career after being an undrafted free agent in 1987. A five–time Pro Bowl selection, “The Hammer” recorded more than 100 tackles for a team-record 12 consecutive seasons.

The Atlanta Falcons Ring of Honor pays tribute to retired players who made significant contributions to the organization during their playing careers.

QB | 10 1975–1995

LB | 57 1969–1986

LB | 60 1966–1976

DE | 87 1968–1974, 1976–1978

Gerald Riggs poses with his family after being inducted into the Atlanta Falcons Ring of Honor

2016 PLAYBOOK 97

ATLANTA FALCONS98

2016 PLAYBOOK 99

A third-round draft choice in 1979 out of Auburn, Andrews set 19 Falcons records. In his first five seasons in the NFL he outgained every other back in the NFL. During that span, he helped lead the Falcons to the playoffs three times, including their first division title in 1980.

Van Note, a six–time Pro Bowler, played the most seasons (18) and most consecutive games (155) in Falcons history.

Humphrey was a first-round pick by the Falcons in the 1968 NFL Draft and completed his career as the all-time sack leader in franchise history with 94.5. He is tied for the franchise lead with six Pro Bowl selections, including five straight from 1970-74. Humphrey was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.

Kenn, a five-time Pro Bowler, was a mainstay on the Falcons offensive line as he holds records in most games played and started (251) while ranking second in most seasons played with Atlanta (17).

Sanders was a three-time Pro Bowl starter and totaled 24 interceptions in a Falcons uniform. “Prime Time” scored 10 touchdowns and set 12 new club records from 1989-93.

Riggs was a three-time Pro Bowler in his seven seasons in Atlanta and finished his Falcons career as the franchise’s all-time rushing leader with 6,631 yards.

INAUGURAL CLASS

The Ring of Honor’s inaugural class was unveiled in 2004 as four all-time greats became the cornerstones of the organization’s new and most prestigious honor. Leading the class was Mr. Falcon himself, Tommy Nobis. The former Texas Longhorn set the unofficial record for most tackles in a season with an untouchable 294 his rookie year before earning five Pro Bowl appearances and a spot on the NFL’s 1960’s All-decade team.

Fellow No. 1 overall pick Steve Bartkowski quarterbacked Atlanta to its first taste of playoff success. In 1978, he showcased his late game heroics in the playoffs as the Falcons rallied for a 14-13 victory over the Eagles. In 1980, he threw for 3,544 yards and a career-high 31 touchdowns as the Falcons secured their first division title and added another divisional playoff victory.

Joining Bartkowski on Atlanta’s rise to a playoff contender, was running back William Andrews, who helped the franchise clinch the 1980 division crown.

The fourth and final 2004 inductee Jessie Tuggle was the first Ring of Honor recipient that played for the Falcons in three different decades. His energy and dominance on the defensive side of the ball inspired the Falcons’ historic run to their first Super Bowl appearance in 1998.

RB | 31 1979–1986

LB | 58 1987–2000

OL | 78 1978–1994

CB | 21 1989–1993

RB | 42 1982–1988Hall of Famer Deion Sanders is seventh on the club’s all-time interceptions list with 24

ATLANTA FALCONS100

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2016 GEORGIA DOME

SEATING CHART

GEORGIA DOME FACTS

SQUARE FEETINSIDE THE DOME’S

SEVEN LEVELS

1.6M1992THE YEAR THE

FALCONS BEGAN PLAYING HOME

GAMES IN THE DOME

OF REINFORCED STEEL WAS USED TO

CONSTRUCT THE DOME.

IN THE ROOF STRUCTURE PROVIDE LIGHTING.

798 LIGHTINGFIXTURES

OF SOFT DRINK LINES

32,952 ft

ARE SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE DOME

660 TELEVISIONMONITORS

OV

ER

THE FOUR

1,250TON AIR CONDITIONING UNITS IN THE GEORGIA

DOME GENERATE ENOUGH POWER TO COOL 1,666 HOMES.

2016 PLAYBOOK 101P L E A S E D R I N K R E S P O N S I B LY

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Each Coach of the Week will receive a plaque signed by Falcons Head Coach Dan Quinn, suite tickets to a Falcons

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to help his school maintain and upgrade their football program.

ATLANTA FALCONS104

YEARS USED:1992-Present

FALCONS RECORD:111-80 (1992-2015)

PLAYOFF BERTHS:8 (3-2 at home)

DIVISION TITLES:4 (‘98, ‘04, ‘10, ‘ 12)

W hen it opened in 1992, the Georgia Dome was the largest cable-supported domed stadium in the

world. It also became the Falcons first true home that they did not share with another professional franchise. The Dome was built just west of downtown to give the Falcons a slightly different neighborhood to play in than their previous location on the south side of the city. The Falcons opened the building in style, defeating the Jets 20-17 in the regular season opener and concluded their first season in their new nest with a winning record at home. Just a few years later in 1998, Head Coach Dan Reeves’ team beat San Francisco in the Dome to advance to the NFC championship game for the first time in franchise history. The Dome and the Falcons played host to their first NFC championship game during the 2012 season. Owner and Chairman Arthur Blank bought the team in 2002 and ushered in a new era of Falcons football. Since then, Atlanta as made the playoffs six times, won the NFC South three times and played in two conference championship games. The Falcons will continue to use the stadium through the 2016 season before moving next door to the stunning Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2017.

F rom Beatles concerts to the World Series to the Olympics, the circular stadium on Capital Avenue

hosted a wide array of major events in addition to Falcons home games. From 1966 to its demolition in 1997, Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium served as one of the regions most important venues. The first team to play in the Fulton County Stadium was not the Braves nor the Falcons, but our very own Atlanta Crackers of the International League. Following the Crackers, on April 12th, 1966, the Atlanta Braves hosted their first game in the stadium holding 51,500 fans. During the fall of 1966, the Falcons began their first season in the stadium. They recorded their first home victory on Dec. 11th against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 16-10 affair. Atlanta’s NFL team used the facility through the 1991 season winning games and exciting fans in a variety of ways. The stadium witnessed Tommy Nobis making bone-crushing tackles, Steve Bartkowski hitting receivers for touchdowns, and Deion Sanders electrifying fans with big plays. The first Falcons playoff game was held at Atlanta- Fulton County Stadium in 1978 when Atlanta outlasted Philadelphia 14-13 on Christmas Eve. The Falcons won their final game in the stadium on Dec. 15, 1991 when they defeated the Seattle Seahawks 26-13.

YEARS USED:1966-1991

FALCONS RECORD:85-105-2

PLAYOFF BERTHS:4 (1-1 at home)

DIVISION TITLES:1 (1980)

FULTON COUNTY STADIUM

GEORGIA DOME


STADIUM HISTORY

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BUD LIGHT THIRST ROWThe Atlanta Falcons and Bud Light are teaming up to give you a chance to sit in the best seats in the Dome and see yourself on the big screen! One lucky fan over the age of 21 will be selected for each regular season home game in the Dome to bring three guests to enjoy the Bud Light Thirst Row! Visit www.atlantafalcons.com/budlight for rules and to register for your opportunity.

HOME DEPOT HOMETOWN HEROES Know a military hero? Nominate them to be recognized at an upcoming Falcons home game as the Hometown Hero, presented by The Home Depot. A winner will be contacted a week before each Atlanta Falcons home game and provided with two tickets to the game, sideline passes and a parking pass. For more inforamtion, or to noiminate a hometown hero, visit http://www.atlantafalcons.com/community/hometown-hero.

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FAN PROMOTIONS

2016 PLAYBOOK 107

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QUIKRETE QUIKCASHThis season, QUIKRETE will provide one lucky fan the opportunity to win $1,000 for each first down achieved by the Falcons on their first offensive possession. But that’s not all – the winning fan will also receive two (2) lower level game tickets, a parking pass and pre-game sideline passes to watch your Falcons warm up for the game! For official rules and to register visit www.atlantafalcons.com/quikcash.


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2016 PLAYBOOK 109

WESTSIDE OF ATLANTA REVITALIZEDUNDER BLANK’S GUIDANCE

BY: LAUREN LOCKRIDGE

Working as an active philanthropist, Atlanta Falcons Owner &

Chairman Arthur Blank and his family have dedicated their lives to promoting and enhancing communities all around the city of Atlanta. Established in 1995, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has granted more than $300 million to different charitable organizations. Over the past decade, the Foundation has fueled their commitment to improving the quality of life for residents of Atlanta’s historic Westside neighborhoods with more than $10 million in investments dedicated to youth leadership, health and wellness and greenspace.

In March of 2013, the Foundation publically committed to invest another $15 million to transform both the people and the places of Atlanta’s Westside communities. Grants focus on the areas Westside residents have stated are most important to them: economic development, crime and safety, housing, education and health and environment.

The entire design of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and decision to

build it in the heart of the city was born out of the vision to create a more connected, more accessible downtown, one that offers residents and visitors permanent areas to play, build a sense of community, enjoy the culture of our city and create lifetime memories with family and friends. For Arthur Blank, that meant that “the stadium is a catalyst to make a major difference in these [Westside] communities, not just during the construction period, but beyond the construction period.”

In 2014, the Blank Foundation, with the help of community partners like Invest Atlanta and Integrity CDC, opened Westside Works, a long-term neighborhood program focused on

creating employment opportunities and job training for residents of the Westside community in the areas of construction, culinary, certified nursing assistant, IT and automotive.

“We’ve been committed to the Westside neighborhoods for many years,” explained Blank. “My family, along with the Falcons, feels a sense of responsibility, as current and future neighbors to be part of that positive change.”

To date, more than 125 Westside residents trained in construction have worked at Mercedes-Benz Stadium throughout the project.

Across all disciplines, more than 320 Westside residents have been placed in living-wage careers through the Westside Works program.

“The reason I’m optimistic about it is because the people in these communities still have hope, still have aspirations, still care about the same things that we all care about,” explained Blank. The passion behind the work will transform and unify the people and places surrounding Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

ATLANTA FALCONS110

T he NFL owners and the Competition Committee implement new rule changes

each offseason that have various influences on the game action. Last year, they introduced the defenseless receiver penalty that gives offensive players more protection when going up to make a play on the ball. This year, the owners and Competition Committee added nine new rule changes for the upcoming season. Some changes stand out above the others and those are, the NFL making all chop blocks illegal, moving the placement of the football from the 20-yard line to the 25-yard line after a touchback, ejecting any player that picks up two unsportsmanlike conduct fouls in a game and permanently making extra points from the 15-yard line.

NFL coaches and players are generally pleased in seeing the annexation of the chop block. Similar to last season, the NFL has implemented a few more rule changes with a one-year trial. In an attempt to decrease the risk of injury, the NFL has moved the ball placement of a touchback from the 20 to the 25-yard line as a one-year trial. The NFL also implemented a one-year trial on the ejection of any player who picks up two unsportsmanlike conduct fouls.

OTHER RULE CHANGES INCLUDE:

• Permitting the offensive and defensive play callers on the coaching staffs to use the coach-to-player communication system regardless of whether they are on the field or in the coaches’ booth.

• Expanding the horse collar rule to include when a defender grabs the jersey at the name plate or above and pulls a runner toward the ground.

• Making it a foul for delay of game when a team attempts to call a timeout when it is not permitted to do so.

• Eliminating the five-yard penalty for an eligible receiver illegally touching a forward pass after being out of bounds and re-establishing himself inbounds, and making it a loss of down.

• Eliminating multiple spots of enforcement for a double foul after a change of possession.

2016 NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

RULE CHANGES

BY: KEVIN KENEELY

NINE NEW RULES CHANGES UNVEILED FOR THE 2016 SEASON

OUR FRONT LINE CAN HANDLE 15 MILLION TONS OF

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ATLANTA FALCONS112

The Atlanta Falcons Code of Conduct applies to all ticket holders and patrons of the Georgia Dome and Georgia Dome property. Ticket holders and patrons are responsible for their conduct as well as the conduct of their guests.

Stadium staff will promptly intervene when necessary to ensure the Code of Conduct is enforced. Ticket holders and/or patrons who choose not to adhere to these provisions will be subject to ejection without refund, revocation of season tickets, revocation of parking privileges and possible arrest and prosecution for violations of city ordinances.

The National Football League, Atlanta Falcons and Georgia Dome are committed to creating a safe, comfortable and enjoyable game-day experience within the Georgia Dome and surrounding property. We want fans of all ages to enjoy the excitement and enthusiasm of game days; therefore, all fans are encouraged to respect the rights of others by displaying proper etiquette.

» Behavior that is unruly, disruptive or illegal in nature » Intoxication or other signs of alcohol or substance impairment that results in irresponsible behavior » Fighting, foul or abusive language and/or obscene gestures

» Interference with the progress of the game (including throwing objects onto the field) » Failing to follow instructions of stadium or parking personnel » Verbal or physical harassment of opposing team fans

THE FAN CODE OF CONDUCT INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, ABSTAINING FROM THE FOLLOWING:

» Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12” » One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar)

» Small clutch bags no larger than 4.5” x 6.5” with or without a handle or strap can be taken into the stadium with one of the clear plastic bags

BE CLEAR ON GAME DAY: Fans will be able to carry the following style and size bag, package, or container at stadium plaza areas, stadium gates, or when approaching queue lines of fans awaiting entry into the stadium:

» Alcohol » Animals (except certified, leashed service animals) » Artificial noisemakers (including air horns) » Backpacks » Balloons » Bottles and cans » Bicycles and skateboards » Confetti » Coolers » Fireworks, sparklers or smoke-producing devices of any kind

» Flagpoles or sticks » Frisbees » ‘Heelies’, rollerblades or scooters » Illegal drugs » Inflatable balls » Large bags » Laser pointers » Silly String » Video Cameras, unless expressly permitted » Weapons

PROHIBITED ITEMS:

CLEAR BAG POLICYAPPROVED BAGS

12” X 6” X 12”CLEAR PLASTIC BAG

1-GALLON PLASTIC

FREEZER BAG

CLUTCH WITHSHOULDER

STRAP

CLUTCH WITHWRIST STRAP

BACKPACK BINOCULARS CASE

CLEAR BACKPACK

CAMERA CASE TINTEDPLASTIC BAG

SEAT CUSHION

OVERSIZED TOTE BAG

MESH BAG DIAPER BAG

PRINTED PATTERN PLASTIC BAG

FANNY PACK PURSE

2016 NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

FAN CODE OF CONDUCT

NON-APPROVED BAGS

SEASON TICKETMEMBER DISCOUNTS

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MARCH 27, 1998Before the Atlanta Hawks made Philips Arena their nest starting in the 1999-2000 season, the Georgia Dome was considered home. As the Hawks transitioned from The Omni where they spent 1972 to 1997, to their current home of Philips, the Dome housed both the Falcons and Hawks for two seasons spanning ’97-’99.

In the midst of seven straight seasons of playoff basketball, Atlanta finished 50-32 in its first season in the Dome. Steve Smith paced the attack, netting 20.1 points per game while Lenny Wilkens roamed the sidelines as head coach. The Hawks were eliminated in the first round by the Charlotte Hornets, three games to one. Atlanta’s lone win came in the first playoff game in Dome history, even before a Falcons postseason game, a 96-64 rout when facing elimination. The Hawks clamped down on Glen Rice, holding Charlotte’s leading scorer to just eight points – 14 below his average of 22 – to force a Game 4 in a best of five series. Six Hawks cracked double figures with floor general Mookie Blaylock leading the way with 16 points.

LEGENDS COLLIDE

The 1997-98 season didn’t just bring the Georgia Dome its first playoff victory, it also brought the

biggest NBA crowd in history. On March 27, 1998, Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls into the Dome in his final Atlanta appearance before retiring the following season.

Chicago cruised to a 89-74 victory but the home crowd had more interest in watching His Airness, packing in 62,046 people to see Jordan pour in 34 points. With demand so high to be in attendance, the Hawks put an extra 8,000 seats on sale even though they did not offer a view to the actual court.

Current Los Angeles Dodgers president Stan Kasten, who at the time served the same role with both the Hawks and Braves, was at the forefront of breaking the attendance record.

“You don’t know what kind of problems it can create when you sell tickets to people who can’t see the court,” explained Kasten to the Amarillo Globe-News in 1998. “You know a lot of them are going to be trying to move around where they can see.

“But once we got it worked out with the Dome, they were superb. They knew we wanted to go for the record, I think they wanted to go for the record and certainly the fans wanted to go for the record too. You know what they say: ‘The customer is always right.’ ”

HAWKS SET MILESTONES WHEN CALLING DOME HOME

BY: KYLE SANDY

ATLANTA FALCONS114

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2016 PLAYBOOK 117

HEIGHT: WEIGHT:6’0” 211 lbs

DATE OF BIRTH:July 26, 1995

HOMETOWN:Webster, Florida

COLLEGE:University of Florida

ACQUIRED:First Round in the2016 NFL Draft

KEANUNEALSAFTEY


ROOKIE SPOTLIGHT

BUSINESS LIKE NEAL MATURE BEYOND HIS YEARS

BY: KYLE SANDY

W ith the 17th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Atlanta

Falcons select Keanu Neal, defensive back, Florida. These 18 words have forever changed rookie Keanu Neal’s life. From a four-star Under Armour All-American out of South Sumter High School in Bushnell, Florida, to the University of Florida and now to the National Football League, Neal has tirelessly worked his way to the pinnacle.

FAST AND PHYSICAL

The first words that come out of any coach’s mouth when describing the style of play Neal brings to the table is always the same: fast and physical. So it should come as no surprise that Head Coach Dan Quinn made Neal a priority at pick No. 17. Quinn long had ties to Neal even before the pair landed in Atlanta. Back in 2012 while Quinn was Defensive

Coordinator at Florida, he helped in the recruitment of the ball-hawking and hard-nosed safety.

“The strong safety position is a critical one for us and one that’s really valuable. You have to have the run-and-hit factor of playing a linebacker because we play our safety so close to the line of scrimmage,” explained Quinn of Neal’s fit in the Atlanta defensive scheme. “We added a terrific competitor and a great hitter.”

MAN AMONGST BOYS

Neal didn’t step into Gainesville with anything served to him on a silver platter. He honed his skills, worked on his craft and earned his opportunities. What set him apart as a budding college star and now as a rookie didn’t take the Falcons coaching staff long to take notice: an unmatched laser focus.

“You know, the great thing about Keanu Neal is that he is a serious and focused young man,” said first-year Defensive Passing Game Coordinator Jerome Henderson. “He goes about his business the way you don’t see a lot of rookies. He goes about his business like he is a six or seven-year veteran player. He is very serious and thoughtful about everything he does.”

Even 29-year veteran coach, Defensive Coordinator Richard Smith has given high praise to Neal.

He said, “I’ll tell you what, I’ve been very impressed with him. He’s extremely focused, he’s very mature, he’s very, very talented. I love his demeanor and his work ethic. He was the first one in the building trying to get more coaching, he wants to be coached so much. I think he’s going to be pretty special.”

M arion Wells’ professional background landed him in

insurance sales, but his lifelong dedication has been to the Atlanta Falcons. Since 1965, Wells has been a season ticket holder cheering on the Falcons every Sunday.

“To me and my family, when it came to my work career, you always worked hard for six days, but on Sunday it was all about the Falcons,” said Wells.

“I remember sitting out in the cold at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium despite some years where the team had a poor record, I kept pulling for the guys. The earlier years were kind of challenging, but I still cheered no matter what. I can’t make it to away games, but on game day my family and I are glued to the TV.”

So what inspired the half century’s worth of devotion to the Falcons?

Wells’ story ties back to his work in insurance. The late Rankin Smith, who previously owned the team, was operating The Life Insurance Company of Georgia where Wells’ brother was employed. That sparked a connection from game one when Smith purchased the team in 1965 and thus brought the NFL to Atlanta.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Throughout his journey as a life-long Falcons fan, Wells has been a regular attendee at preseason luncheons where he meets cur-rent players. However, Wells has had plenty of interactions with retired Falcons players as well and speaks highly of legends like Greg Brezina, a particular favorite who he’s interacted with based on his Christian work and religious functions. Tommy No-bis, the first Atlanta Falcon ever drafted, has even taken the time

to speak at one of Wells’ rotary club meetings.

One of the highlights of his support for the Falcons was making it down to Miami for Super Bowl XXXIII between the Denver Broncos and Atlanta in the 1998 season. “I just wished it was a better outcome,” quipped Wells.

With the success of the team this year, Wells likes the Falcons chances of perhaps getting back to another Super Bowl. “The team now looks very focused, they’re spreading the ball around and the offense looks good,” he said. “I know Arthur Blank wants to bring a winner to Atlanta and Dan Quinn is a quality person and coach and I like what I’m seeing.”

And one thing is for sure, you can find both Wells and his son Ty Crowe at every home game cheering on their favorite team.

PASSION GROWS WITH HALF CENTURY OF FALCONS PRIDE

BY: JESSICA BUTLER

ATLANTA FALCONS118


RAVING FAN SPOTLIGHT

PRE-GAME

ATLANTA FALCONS120

2016 PLAYBOOK 121

NO.95BABINEAUX STANDSAS LONGEST TENURED FALCONS

Longevity falls second to only winning as the most sought after goal when entering the challenging NFL landscape. Falcons veteran Jonathan Babineaux is a prime example of an athlete that has been blessed with the longevity to support a prosperous professional career.

Babineaux is in his 12th season with the Falcons, making him the longest tenured member on the team. Babineaux is on pace to move into the top-five all-time in terms of games played for the Falcons.

Growing up, Babineaux has always been committed to one thing, which is to bring his team success in whatever role he can fit in. Babineaux attended Lincoln High School in Port Arthur, Texas. In high school he participated in basketball, baseball, golf, track and field and football. At the time, Babineaux was competing as a linebacker, defensive end,

fullback and a punter. His senior season, he was named the team captain and finished the season as a first-team all-conference linebacker.

CRAFTING A STAR

When Babineaux first got to the University of Iowa, he was a fullback but quickly flipped to the defensive line after his freshman season. Babineaux was able to help lead Iowa to three-straight top-ten finishes and two Big Ten titles from 2002 to 2004. As a senior, he earned All-America and All-Big Ten Conference honors as well as being named the team’s Defensive MVP. Throughout his career at Iowa, Babineaux recorded 131 tackles, 19 sacks, five forced fumbles, one interception and two pass deflections.

Babineaux left Iowa as one of the greatest to ever wear the black and yellow. Atlanta sought after the athleticism and leadership of Babineaux as they drafted him in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft. Babineaux has been a rotating piece in Atlanta’s defensive front this season and has tallied six tackles through the first six games. He is closing in on 400 career tackles and has 27 career sacks.

Amid Babineaux’s 12-year career, he has played in 174 games, which puts him seventh all-time in Falcons history. Linebacker Jessie Tuggle is the only defensive player with more games played.

BY: KEVIN KENEELY

- PORT ARTHUR (TX) LINCOLN

- UNIVERSITY OF IOWA

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B L I N D S I D E C O V E R E D B Y

SOME OF LEAGUE’S BESTT wo teams stand above the rest in a muddled NFC South. The Falcons have lost two straight games, allowing

the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to close the gap and trail Atlanta for first place by just half a game at 3-3. As the Falcons saw a 30-20 fourth quarter lead slip away in overtime against the Chargers 33-30, the Bucs rallied from an early 14-0 deficit to blow past the 49ers 34-17. Jameis Winston tossed three touchdowns including two to Mike Evans while former Falcon Jacquizz Rodgers notched a career-high 154 rushing yards. The Saints saw a costly penalty end their chances at sneaking past the Kansas City Chiefs, falling 27-21. Drew Brees threw for 367 yards and three scores in the losing effort as New Orleans sinks to 2-4. Searching for answers, the Carolina Panthers’ Bye Week came at the perfect time. The 1-5 defending NFC champions get back to work against the Cardinals, who tied last Sunday night with the Seattle Seahawks 6-6 after both teams botched short field goals in the extra period. One thing all four NFC South teams stress is the importance of keeping their quarterbacks up right. Matt Ryan is protected by Jake Matthews while Brees, Cam Newton and Winston have their own stalwarts.

B Y: K Y L E S A N D Y

How has 16-year veteran quarterback Drew Brees been able to throw for over 4,000 yards in 10 straight seasons with the Saints? A steady offensive line. The 37-year-old leads the NFL with 17 touchdown passes thanks to tackle Terron Armstead and company. In his fourth season out of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Armstead and his unit have allowed just nine sacks this season, good for third-best in the NFL. He inked a five-year deal for $65 million this offseason to stay in New Orleans.

Now 30 years old, Michael Oher is still considered one of the most reliable left tackles in the NFL. Oher protects Cam Newton’s blind side and helped the Panthers to a Super Bowl appearance while blocking for the NFL MVP and an offense that gained 142.6 rushing yards per game. Like Armstead, Oher received a contract extension this offseason for three years worth $21.6 million.

Tasked with shutting down pass rushers barreling down on one of the League’s best young talents under center, tackle Donovan Smith has already built a bond with Jameis Winston. While Winston went No. 1 overall in 2015, Smith was Tampa’s second round pick. At 6-foot-6, 338 pounds, Smith’s physicality has helped Winston survey the pocket.

ATLANTA FALCONS124

FALCONS PLAYERS GIVE THEIR THOUGHTS DIRECTLY

TO THE FANS ON INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER.

CB Robert Alford ....................................... @rockorocky

CB Ricardo Allen ................................ @Ricardo37Allen

DE Vic Beasley .......................................... @VicBeasley3

P Matt Bosher .......................................... @MattBosher5

K Matt Bryant ......................................... @Matt_Bryant3

LB De’Vondre Campbell .......... @Came_Along_Way

DE Adrian Clayborn ......................................... @AJaClay

RB Tevin Coleman .................................... @Teco_Raww

CB Jalen Collins ..............................................@JayCar_11

FB Patrick DiMarco............................. @PatDiMarco42

RB Devonta Freeman ....................@devontafreeman

DE Dwight Freeney ............................@dwightfreeney

WR Devin Fuller ........................................@Devin7Fuller

WR Taylor Gabriel ............................................ @tgdadon

DE Ra’Shede Hageman..............@Rashedehageman

WR Justin Hardy ......................................@FreakMagic2

LS Josh Harris .................................................. @aujharris

TE Austin Hooper ............................. @AustinHooper18

S Kemal Ishmael ......................................... @B4_Kemal

DT Grady Jarrett .........................................@GradyJarrett

LB Deion Jones .....................................@bigdreams_bo

WR Julio Jones ........................................ @juliojones_11

G Andy Levitre ........................................ @LevitreAndry

C Alex Mack ............................................... @alexmack55

OT Jake Matthews ........................... @jakematthews70

S Keanu Neal .............................................@Keanu_Neal

LB Brooks Reed .................................... @Brooksreed50

WR Aldrick Robinson ......................................@lil_a_13

QB Matt Ryan ............................................... @M_Ryan02

WR Mohamed Sanu ............................. @Mo_12_Sanu

OT Ryan Schraeder .................... @RyanSchraeder73

TE Jacob Tamme ...................................... @JacobTamme

TE Levine Toilolo .................................... @LevineToilolo

CB Desmond Trufant ..................... @DesmondTrufant

DT Courtney Upshaw ......................... @334Upshaw41

WR Eric Weems............................................@ericweems


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FOOTBALL & A NEW HOME:ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER

The Home Depot® is proud to be a Founding Partner of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Here’s to many years of great Falcons football in a brand-new home.

The first player picked in the 1966 NFL Draft, Tommy Nobis was an All-American out of the University of Texas. Nobis was NFL Rookie of the Year and went to five Pro Bowls. His number (60) was retired by the Falcons and many feel he should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. Wrote Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Furman Bisher about Nobis, “Here is a man who lives up to all the ideals I would establish for admission to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.’’

TOMMY NOBISno. 60Position: LinebackerDOB: Sept. 20, 1943Falcons Career:1966-1976

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TAKE A STEP TOWARD FINANCIAL CONFIDENCE.Millions of people are struggling with financial

stress. That’s why SunTrust sparked the onUp

movement—to inspire everyone to take a step

toward financial confidence. At onUp.com

we’ve assembled useful tips, resources and

even a Mental Wealth Quiz to encourage more

people to move toward financial control and

confidence. Are you ready to take a step?

SunTrust Bank, Member FDIC. ©2016 SunTrust Banks, Inc. SunTrust is a federally registered service mark of SunTrust Banks, Inc. onUp is a service mark of SunTrust Banks, Inc.

Join the movement at onUp.com

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