Falcons owner Arthur Blank says there will be professional football in 2011. Blank and the Falcons were honored by the Georgia Legislature on Tuesday for their third consecutive winning season. He told lawmakers that he would be remiss if he didn't say that in 2011, "we will have professional football in Atlanta."

Former NFL wide receiver Drew Hill, a two-time Pro Bowler who was a key part of the Houston Oilers' famed "Run and Shoot" offense of the 1980s, died at an Atlanta hospital late Friday after suffering two massive strokes, according to his agent, and reported by ESPN.com. Piedmont Hospital spokesman Jim Taylor on Saturday confirmed the 54-year-old Hill's death. Hill fell ill on a golf course on Thursday and died late Friday after suffering the strokes, said his agent, Jay Mathis of Next Level Management.

The Atlanta Falcons today have announced that general manager Thomas Dimitroff has signed a multi-year contract extension. ?This extension of Thomas? contract ensures that he and Coach (Mike) Smith, whose contract was extended last month, will be able to continue to work together on solidifying the long-term sustainability and success of our football team,? Falcons owner & CEO Arthur M. Blank said. ?Thomas has proven himself to be a highly-skilled and talented general manager of our club, and I look forward to the Falcons reaping the benefits of his work for many years to come.? Following the 2010 season, Dimitroff was named NFL Executive of the Year by the Sporting News. He has won the award twice since being named the Falcons general manager in 2008.

The Falcons have agreed to a multiyear extension with general manager Thomas Dimitroff. Atlanta agreed to a similar extension with coach Mike Smith last month. "This extension of Thomas' contract ensures that he and Coach Smith, whose contract was extended last month, will be able to continue to work together on solidifying the long-term sustainability and success of our football team," Falcons owner Arthur M. Blank said in a statement. "Thomas has proven himself to be a highly skilled and talented general manager of our club, and I look forward to the Falcons reaping the benefits of his work for many years to come." Dmitroff was named Executive of the Year by the Sporting News after the 2010 season for the second time in the past three years.

The Falcons have placed a first-round tender on Pro Bowl cornerback Brent Grimes, according to a report by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Grimes was targeted a league-high 119 times by opponents last season, according to the newspaper. He responded with a career-high 87 tackles and five picks, topped only by his six interceptions in 2009.