The Falcons wanted the thousands of people who attended Saturday's simulated, non-contact "game" at the Georgia Dome to have a full experience. There were autograph signings, miked referees, public-address announcements and player introductions.

It was during those introductions when it was clear things had changed.

Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com (ENLARGE)

Falcons players, lead by linebacker Keith Brooking (center), perform a dance they dubbed 'The Dirty Bird 2.0.'

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Surrounded by fellow veteran defenders, longtime Falcons linebacker Keith Brooking — wearing jersey No. 50, not his traditional 56 — and crew did an awkward dance step they'd better hope doesn't make it to YouTube.

There was really no description for The Dirty Bird 2.0, but Brooking said he wore the nameless No. 50 jersey because there was a communication breakdown with the equipment staff about his participation in the practice.

"They didn't have my red jersey," Brooking said. "There was some confusion because I missed [Friday]. All I had was my white jersey, and I was on the red squad. We didn't realize it until 10 minutes before we took the field, so I just put on the jersey with no name on it."

Rookie middle linebacker Curtis Lofton typically wears No. 50.

As for the practice, which was the second consecutive workout held outside of team headquarters, players went through game conditions — minus pads and the kicking game. Though fans got to see a practice, the session was actually a dress rehearsal for coaches.

"This was the first time that we've gone through the communication process of having our coaches up in the booth, substitutions and the sequencing of a game," coach Mike Smith said. "We tried to put them in as many different situations as we could but we also got some work with our players.

"The real thing was the dry run for the coaching staff and the players going through the pregame warm up, how we do introductions and at halftime, how things were going to take place in those 12 minutes. We basically staged all of that for them today."

Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, linebackers coach Glenn Pires, running backs coach Gerald Brown and assistant offensive line coach Paul Dunn sat in the coaches' box. Smith said things could be different once games start because some coaches had to coach the split squad, and assistant head coach Emmitt Thomas was in Canton, Ohio, for his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The squads were divided up based on the depth chart. Quarterbacks Chris Redman and rookie Matt Ryan worked with the first and second teams, respectively, while Joey Harrington and D.J. Shockley played with the third and fourth units.

"We were down in numbers so there were some guys that had been working with the first team that were running with the other side," Smith said. "I told players beforehand, don't read anything into the depth chart for this game."

Multi-purpose function

Team owner Arthur Blank said the main reason for holding an open scrimmage at Mill Creek High School Friday and the simulated game Saturday was community outreach. Blank acknowledged the functions also were to pitch the product and to try to generate ticket sales.

"It's just a continuation of building a relationship with the fans and our community, to give them an opportunity to have access to our team and our players," Blank said. "Dave Cohen [vice president of sales] is here with his staff to show any seats that are available. Hopefully we'll have some fans buy some tickets as well."

The Falcons' season-ticket base diminished after last season's controversy-filled 4-12 season.

Weiner coming along

Veteran right tackle Todd Weiner took part in the simulated game with the first offense. Weiner is recovering from major knee surgery and is being brought along slowly. He has not taken part in many team drills during the first week of training camp.

"I'm really encouraged, it's feeling great and I'm ready to get some reps and play in some preseason games," Weiner said. "Probably the first preseason game [Saturday at Jacksonville] I won't play, but I'm targeting the second game [Aug. 16 vs. Indianapolis]."

The team has the day off Sunday.