Michael Koenen News

Tony Gonzalez caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Matt Ryan on a fourth-down play with 1:38 remaining to lift the Falcons to a 10-7 victory on a Sunday.

Put a game on the line with one swing of his leg, send 11 men charging after him, throw in some wind - and Olindo Mare stays eerily unflappable.

Michael Vickwas back in Atlanta Sunday. Perhaps you heard? And he wound up far more than a bit player on the stage where he once starred.

Michael Vick has been welcomed with boos in his return to Atlanta. There were more boos than cheers when Vick made his first appearance on the Eagles' opening drive.

Fresh off kicking in the inaugural United Football League championship game in Las Vegas the day after Thanksgiving, Matt Bryant was hopeful to get a call from the "other" league.

The Falcons recently signed long snapper Joe Zelenka, who was home relaxing with his family in Jacksonville when the phone rang Sunday.

Atlanta Falcons kicker Jason Elam celebrates with holder Michael Koenen after kicking the winning field goal in overtime against Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their NFL football game in Atlanta, Georgia, December 14, 2008.

But Tampa Bay's fake punt 2:01 into the fourth quarter was not supposed to look anything like the fire drill it appeared to be.

Ten Falcons reasons for all Falcons fans to give thanks today: I'm thankful for the University of Arkansas, who got that hog-sooey idiot Petrino out of town before he could do even more damage.

When you've kicked in the NFL for 17 years, you're bound to miss a few. But Jason Elam's current cold streak has put him on pace to have a career-worst season.

Flowery Branch Falcons kicker Jason Elam was not stunned that the team gave tryouts to four kickers.

The Falcons lost a game but saved a season. If that sounds convoluted well, try this: On the day theA Falcons fell to 5-5, they nonetheless demonstrated why this will be that forever-sought second consecutive winning season.

"I got going a little too early," Elam said Monday. "Bottom line is that when the ball was down, I didn't make it.

Carolina's Richard Marshall came down with Matt Ryan's high pass that was intended for Michael Jenkins in the fourth quarter.

Tye Hill started the game but on Carolina's first touchdown drive, the Panthers picked up 62 of their 80 yards by throwing the ball to receivers covered by Hill, whether if it was Muhsin Muhammad or Steve Smith.

Jason Elam felt worse than anyone in the Falcons' locker room Tuesday night. A day after missing two field goals in New Orleans to contribute to Atlanta's first two-game losing streak under coach Mike Smith, Elam is still trying to figure out the source of his problems.

If I accidentally hit it, I accidentally hit it, Koenen said.3 who need big gamesWashington assistant Sherm Lewis, who had been out of the league since 2004, will try his hand at play-calling for embattled coach Jim Zorn on Monday night at Philadelphia.Rookie QB Mark Sanchez has to bounce back from his five-INT game last week for the Jets, who take ...

Dallas' Patrick Crayton slips away from Atlanta's Michael Koenen as he returns a punt 73 yards for a touchdown in the Cowboys' win on Sunday.

Turner-Cowboys connection? Michael Turner has developed into one of the league's top running backs since leaving the San Diego Chargers for the Falcons last season.

Cowboys rookie David Buehler is tied for third in the NFL with eight touchbacks.