http://www.mail.com/people/3684-matt-ryan.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.28/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/people/3684-matt-ryan.html http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2042210-chiefs-rare-choice-ot-no-1.html KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Playing on the offensive line is about as unglamorous as it gets in professional football. Nobody pays much attention to the guys in the trenches until flags are flying. They spend Sunday afternoons getting punched, kicked and thrown to the turf, their fingers smashed and their face masks twisted — not to mention whatever goes on a... Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:32:19 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/2042210-chiefs-rare-choice-ot-no-1.html 2013-04-25T00:32:19Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/celebrity/1955948-falcons-steven-jackson-matt-cassel-to-vikings.html The Atlanta Falcons replaced Michael Turner with another proven, productive running back. Steven Jackson, the top running back in free agency, agreed to a three-year, $12 million deal with the Falcons on Thursday. Also getting new deals were backup quarterback Matt Cassel in Minnesota, pass rusher Cliff Avril in Seattle and cornerback Keenan Lewis in New ... Fri, 15 Mar 2013 02:44:49 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/celebrity/1955948-falcons-steven-jackson-matt-cassel-to-vikings.html 2013-03-15T02:44:49Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1949506-tony-gonzalez-hes-returning-to-falcons.html FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Falcons have some big holes at the start of free agency. Tight end isn't one of them. Tony Gonzalez announced Tuesday he is returning for another year after his near-retirement, a move that has coach Mike Smith smiling. "I can assure you we're a lot better football team this afternoon than we were this morning," Smith said s... Tue, 12 Mar 2013 22:11:53 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1949506-tony-gonzalez-hes-returning-to-falcons.html 2013-03-12T22:11:53Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1924778-falcons-release-3-key-players-to-help-salary-cap.html FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons started their youth movement Friday by ditching three key players from the most successful era in franchise history. The Falcons released running back Michael Turner, defensive end John Abraham and cornerback Dunta Robinson, moves that were not unexpected given their age (all in their 30s) and hefty salaries.... Sat, 02 Mar 2013 00:16:08 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1924778-falcons-release-3-key-players-to-help-salary-cap.html 2013-03-02T00:16:08Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1863332-deep-thoughts-long-ball-carry-ravens-to-win.html NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Fear the dreadlocks, San Francisco. Torrey Smith just might be the difference in a Super Bowl that will hinge on the 49ers' ability to prevent the Baltimore Ravens from scoring with the long ball. You might remember Smith from that playoff game in Denver on Jan. 12. Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey sure does. Bailey, a 12-time Pro Bowl s... Sat, 02 Feb 2013 00:24:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1863332-deep-thoughts-long-ball-carry-ravens-to-win.html 2013-02-02T00:24:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1834558-49ers-rally-falcons-28-24-nfc-title-game.html ATLANTA (AP) — The loss stuck with them for a year, pushing the San Francisco 49ers in everything they did. They didn't want to feel that way again. Not to worry. The 49ers are headed to the Super Bowl. Bouncing back from a bitter loss in the 2012 NFC championship game, San Francisco cleared the hurdle it couldn't quite get over the previous season. And, ... Mon, 21 Jan 2013 08:50:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1834558-49ers-rally-falcons-28-24-nfc-title-game.html 2013-01-21T08:50:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1833664-49ers-head-to-super-bowl-beating-falcons-28-24.html ATLANTA (AP) — The clutch quarterback. The genius coach. The big-play defense. The San Francisco 49ers are ready to start a new dynasty with a familiar formula. Next stop, the Big Easy. Colin Kaepernick and Frank Gore led San Francisco to a record comeback in the NFC championship game Sunday, overcoming an early 17-0 deficit to beat the Atlanta Falcons 28... Mon, 21 Jan 2013 02:14:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1833664-49ers-head-to-super-bowl-beating-falcons-28-24.html 2013-01-21T02:14:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1820454-golden-era-qbs-with-great-stories-nfl.html NEW YORK (AP) — The two kids from Northern California burst from NFL afterthought to championship contender in eerily similar fashion a decade apart. Tom Brady and Colin Kaepernick, each playing in a conference title game this weekend, are bookends to a fortuitous moment in quarterback history. On one side are the likes of Brady, Peyton Manning and Drew B... Mon, 14 Jan 2013 21:20:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1820454-golden-era-qbs-with-great-stories-nfl.html 2013-01-14T21:20:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1818930-falcons-falter-then-rally-seahawks-30-28.html ATLANTA (AP) — Matt Ryan won't have to answer that question anymore. Neither will Tony Gonzalez. They're both playoff winners. Finally. Ryan got over the postseason hump in his fifth season, guiding the Atlanta Falcons to an improbable comeback in the final half-minute for a 30-28 victory over the gritty Seattle Seahawks in an NFC divisional game Sunday. ... Mon, 14 Jan 2013 07:46:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1818930-falcons-falter-then-rally-seahawks-30-28.html 2013-01-14T07:46:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1818204-title-games-feature-ravens-pats-49ers-falcons.html One game is a rematch. The other might feel like one — at least to one of the teams. For the second straight year in the AFC, the New England Patriots will host the Baltimore Ravens with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. In the NFC, it will be San Francisco traveling to Atlanta, with the Falcons defense trying to stop a versatile, running quarterback ... Mon, 14 Jan 2013 02:17:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1818204-title-games-feature-ravens-pats-49ers-falcons.html 2013-01-14T02:17:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1818116-column-tears-joy-gonzalez-finally-wins.html The old pro was on the sideline, resigned to the fact that this would turn out like so many games of the past. In the 16 years Tony Gonzalez has played tight end in the NFL, so many seasons ended early that he couldn't expect this one to be any different. If football is a cruel game, it had been even crueler to Gonzalez. No matter what he did, no matter h... Mon, 14 Jan 2013 01:55:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1818116-column-tears-joy-gonzalez-finally-wins.html 2013-01-14T01:55:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1817704-bryants-late-fg-lifts-falcons-seattle-30-28.html ATLANTA (AP) — Matt Bryant pumped his fist and celebrated atop the Falcons logo in the middle of the field. Tony Gonzalez broke down in tears. Matt Ryan relished the thought of not having to answer a familiar question. The Atlanta Falcons finally showed they could win a playoff game. And, wow, what a game it was! After a meltdown in the fourth quarter, th... Sun, 13 Jan 2013 23:09:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1817704-bryants-late-fg-lifts-falcons-seattle-30-28.html 2013-01-13T23:09:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1816816-ravens-shock-broncos-49ers-rout-packers.html The 49ers and Ravens are getting another shot at making the Super Bowl. Losers in tight conference championship games a year ago, they are returning to the final step before the big game in the Big Easy after wins Saturday. Baltimore took the long, frigid route, rallying at Denver for a 38-35 victory in an AFC divisional playoff. The Ravens will go to eit... Sun, 13 Jan 2013 04:52:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1816816-ravens-shock-broncos-49ers-rout-packers.html 2013-01-13T04:52:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1807648-jaguars-hire-falcons-caldwell-general-manager.html JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars have hired Atlanta director of player personnel David Caldwell as general manager, charging him with turning around one of the league's worst teams. His first move will be deciding the fate of coach Mike Mularkey. Owner Shad Khan tabbed the 38-year-old Caldwell on Tuesday, a day after a third interview. F... Tue, 08 Jan 2013 23:54:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1807648-jaguars-hire-falcons-caldwell-general-manager.html 2013-01-08T23:54:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1796486-colts-luck-wants-to-1st-playoff-game.html INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Andrew Luck spent his rookie season dealing with the harsh realities of the NFL. The hand-picked successor to Peyton Manning took the hard knocks with a smile, dusted himself off and emerged as the tough, talented competitor Indianapolis coaches and scouts expected when they drafted him with the No. 1 overall pick. ... Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:52:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1796486-colts-luck-wants-to-1st-playoff-game.html 2013-01-02T21:52:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1796502-12-playoff-teams-flaws-to.html The NFL's dandy dozen is set — and truth be told, a little scared. Nobody's perfect, and all the teams that made the playoffs face potential pitfalls that could derail their dreams of partying down Bourbon Street in February. The Denver Broncos are riding a league-best 11-game winning streak as Peyton Manning seeks to cap his incredible comeback with anot... Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:49:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1796502-12-playoff-teams-flaws-to.html 2013-01-02T21:49:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1787556-chiefs-jaguars-left-race-no-1-draft-pick.html KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The joke running through Jacksonville these days carries the same punch line as the one in Kansas City: "Our team is so bad it can't even stink in the right year." The Chiefs and Jaguars will vie for the top pick in the NFL draft in separate games Sunday. But the value of "winning" the race to the NFL's worst record is debatable in... Wed, 26 Dec 2012 21:00:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1787556-chiefs-jaguars-left-race-no-1-draft-pick.html 2012-12-26T21:00:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1784026-falcons-top-lions-31-18-home-field-advantage.html DETROIT (AP) — Matt Ryan got what he wanted. Calvin Johnson was forced to settle for what he could get. Ryan matched a career high with four touchdown passes, two to Roddy White, to help the Atlanta Falcons beat the Detroit Lions 31-18 Saturday night and earn home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. "It's gr... Sun, 23 Dec 2012 04:44:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1784026-falcons-top-lions-31-18-home-field-advantage.html 2012-12-23T04:44:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1771324-falcons-big-statement-34-0-rout-giants.html ATLANTA (AP) — Maybe now, the Atlanta Falcons will get a little respect. Certainly, no one can accuse them of lacking a quality win. Not after the pounding they gave the defending Super Bowl champions on Sunday. Matt Ryan threw three touchdown passes and the defense handed New York its first regular-season shutout since 1996, carrying the Falcons to a 34-... Mon, 17 Dec 2012 11:13:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1771324-falcons-big-statement-34-0-rout-giants.html 2012-12-17T11:13:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1770392-ryan-throws-3-td-passes-falcons-rout-giants-34-0.html ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons wanted to make a statement. Boy, did they deliver one Sunday to the defending Super Bowl champions. Coming off an ugly loss and criticized for failing to impress even when they won, the Falcons turned in their most well-rounded performance of the season with the playoffs approaching. Matt Ryan threw three touchdowns pass... Mon, 17 Dec 2012 00:12:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1770392-ryan-throws-3-td-passes-falcons-rout-giants-34-0.html 2012-12-17T00:12:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1755480-newton-panthers-starting-to-hit-their-stride.html CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — After struggling to score points and move the chains for much of the season, the Carolina Panthers' offense has suddenly hit its stride. Too bad it's too late in the year to make a difference. At 4-9 the Panthers won't be playing in the postseason, which makes Carolina's 30-20 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday a little bittersw... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 09:25:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1755480-newton-panthers-starting-to-hit-their-stride.html 2012-12-10T09:25:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1755462-giants-cowboys-redskins-win-tight-nfc-east.html Winning was required to keep pace in the NFC East playoff race. Losing was all that was needed in the AFC North. The defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants beat New Orleans with an offensive eruption fueled by David Wilson's record-setting performance. That 52-27 romp kept the Giants one game in front of Washington, which rallied to beat Baltimore ... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 09:22:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1755462-giants-cowboys-redskins-win-tight-nfc-east.html 2012-12-10T09:22:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1749618-column-falcons-content-winning-baby.html ATLANTA (AP) — Al Davis would've loved these Atlanta Falcons. All they do is win, baby. Sure, it's rarely with a lot of flare. Who cares? There's no voters to impress or computers to win over in the NFL. "Style points don't get you a ring," linebacker Mike Peterson was saying the other day, holding court beside his locker before practice. "Our goal is way... Fri, 07 Dec 2012 07:14:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1749618-column-falcons-content-winning-baby.html 2012-12-07T07:14:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1740750-super-bowl-favorites-guesses-under-review.html Unless you're part of the Manning family and hoping for a hometown reunion with Eli, Peyton and their teams in New Orleans, there's little reason now to make Super Bowl reservations. With a quarter of the schedule remaining, there's no way to pick a favorite for the Lombardi Trophy. Not even the two teams with 11-1 records, the Falcons and Texans, or Eli ... Mon, 03 Dec 2012 20:52:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1740750-super-bowl-favorites-guesses-under-review.html 2012-12-03T20:52:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1739050-broncos-patriots-falcons-win-divisions.html If NFL executives really adore parity, they must be wincing at the early division clinchings by the Broncos, Patriots and Falcons. Not to mention the Texans securing at least a wild-card berth, with nearly all of December still remaining. Sure, there could still be some close races, particularly in the NFC North and for the wild cards. But after Sunday's ... Mon, 03 Dec 2012 08:14:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1739050-broncos-patriots-falcons-win-divisions.html 2012-12-03T08:14:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1738766-falcons-wrap-up-nfc-south-when-bucs-lose-denver.html ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons were low key about clinching the fifth division title in franchise history. The Falcons (11-1) wrapped up the NFC South on Sunday when Tampa Bay lost at Denver 31-23, handing Atlanta its second division championship in three years. But this team won't be satisfied unless it reaches the Super Bowl. "Ju... Mon, 03 Dec 2012 00:59:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1738766-falcons-wrap-up-nfc-south-when-bucs-lose-denver.html 2012-12-03T00:59:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1732912-falcons-pick-brees-5-times-beat-saints-23-13.html ATLANTA (AP) — Boy, did Drew Brees lay an egg against the Atlanta Falcons. Five interceptions for the first time in his career. The end of his NFL-record touchdown streak. And a timing mistake that cost the Saints dearly. The Falcons raced to a 17-0 lead, then turned to their defense to make it stand up. The result was a 23-13 victory Thursday night that ... Fri, 30 Nov 2012 07:52:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1732912-falcons-pick-brees-5-times-beat-saints-23-13.html 2012-11-30T07:52:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1732748-falcons-take-20-13-lead-saints-4th-quarter.html ATLANTA (AP) — Drew Brees led two time-consuming field-goal drives before throwing his third interception to set up an Atlanta field goal that gave the Falcons a 20-13 lead early in the fourth quarter Thursday night. The New Orleans' defense held Atlanta without a first down for five straight possessions in a span that began early in the second quarter an... Fri, 30 Nov 2012 03:05:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1732748-falcons-take-20-13-lead-saints-4th-quarter.html 2012-11-30T03:05:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1722826-falcons-overcome-mistakes-to-beat-buccaneers-24-23.html TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Atlanta coach Mike Smith spoke highly of the Falcons' defense. Without its solid performance, Matt Ryan may not have had an opportunity to lead his latest game-winning drive. The Falcons (10-1) held off Tampa Bay 24-23 Sunday, overcoming two turnovers by their star quarterback in part because the Buccaneers settled for a pair of field g... Mon, 26 Nov 2012 08:29:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1722826-falcons-overcome-mistakes-to-beat-buccaneers-24-23.html 2012-11-26T08:29:00Z