Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez has announced that he will return to the NFL next season.
After the team’s final game this year, Gonzalez questioned whether or not he would come back for another season.
The tight end was probably just terribly disappointed about the team’s failure to reach the postseason.
He said it helped to get away from the game for a few weeks and talk things over with his family.
I’m sure Gonzalez would like to play a few more years for a team that seems to be on the verge of becoming a serious contender in the NFC.
Friday, January 22, 2010 at 5:51 pm by steve
By Bud L. Ellis
The disappointment in the voice of Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith cannot be masked.
Appearing on Atlanta sports talk radio station WCNN-AM 680 Tuesday afternoon, Smith spoke of the pride of the Falcons closing a disappointing 2009 season by winning their final three games, three victories that gave the franchise its first consecutive winning seasons in franchise history.
The fact that posting back-to-back winning campaigns took 44 years speaks volumes about the past of this franchise. The fact Smith isn’t satisfied with merely winning nine games and removing an albatross from the franchise and its long-suffering fanbase speaks volumes about the future.
The Falcons were hampered by injuries, by poor defense and by fallacies in special teams play (most notably the kicking game) in 2009. Still, Atlanta found a way to rally from a 6-7 record to close the season on a three-game winning streak, a surge that may not have caused many ripples in the NFL, but one that nonetheless gives the franchise momentum heading into the offseason.
Atlanta, which reached the playoffs as a wild card in 2008, started this season 4-1. But injuries, most notably to quarterback Matt Ryan and running back Michael Turner, helped derail any hopes of a return to the playoffs. But by finishing above .500, at least the Falcons gave their fans reason to feel good about the direction of the franchise as the new decade dawns.
—30—
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 7:44 pm by bud
Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Mike Smith, National Football League
The Atlanta Falcons finished their season on a positive note with a 20-10 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Falcons took a 10-3 lead into halftime only to see the game tie up in the fourth quarter. Atlanta scored the go-ahead touchdown and game-winning touchdown midway through the quarter.
Quarterback Matt Ryan threw for 223 yards and two touchdowns to go along with his two interceptions.
While the Falcons did fall short of the playoffs after making it last year, they recorded back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history.
It’s truly amazing how far the franchise has come in such a short time after the Michael Vick saga.
Monday, January 4, 2010 at 8:07 pm by steve
The Atlanta Falcons used some momentum from last week to easily roll past the floundering Buffalo Bills, 31-3.
Quarterback Matt Ryan has had both a rough and disappointing sophomore season, but he has played better of late.
Ryan threw for 250 yards and three touchdowns in one of his best performances of the year.
Wide receiver Roddy White also had a big day, hauling in over 180 yards worth of receiving and two touchdowns.
Atlanta’s playoff hopes have been dead for a few weeks now, but maybe this young team can build some momentum heading into next season.
Saturday, January 2, 2010 at 9:52 am by steve
