http://www.mail.com/people/914990-mike-smith.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/914990-mike-smith.html 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/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/1818030-ap-source-eagles-interviewed-brian-billick.html PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Eagles have interviewed former Ravens coach and current Fox analyst Brian Billick for their coaching vacancy, a person familiar with the meeting told The Associated Press on Sunday. Billick, who led Baltimore to a Super Bowl title in the 2000 season, met with the Eagles last Monday, according to the person who spoke on... Mon, 14 Jan 2013 05:25:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1818030-ap-source-eagles-interviewed-brian-billick.html 2013-01-14T05:25:00Z 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/1808938-pro-picks-patriots-to-repeat-december-romp.html Bill Belichick insists the rematch of a December game with the Texans will be different. Not too much different, of course, because he fully expects his Patriots to win the divisional-round playoff game and advance to the AFC title match. As for another 42-14 outcome, New England's coach is having none of it. "The pl... Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:17:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1808938-pro-picks-patriots-to-repeat-december-romp.html 2013-01-09T16:17:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1796228-ap-source-chiefs-interviewing-reid-coach-job.html KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs were courting former Eagles coach Andy Reid on Wednesday as they searched for a replacement for Romeo Crennel, who was fired this week after the worst season in franchise history. Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt was meeting with Reid in Philadelphia, a person familiar with Reid's plans told The Associated Press. T... Wed, 02 Jan 2013 20:58:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1796228-ap-source-chiefs-interviewing-reid-coach-job.html 2013-01-02T20:58:00Z 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/basketball/1757238-falcons-closer-to-stadium.html ATLANTA (AP) — After about two years of discussions, the Atlanta Falcons are a step closer to getting a new downtown stadium. The state agency that owns the 20-year-old Georgia Dome on Monday approved the framework for a deal with the Falcons to build a roughly $1 billion stadium with a retractable roof. There are still several key steps ahead, including ... Tue, 11 Dec 2012 00:47:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1757238-falcons-closer-to-stadium.html 2012-12-11T00:47:00Z 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/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/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