FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga.
Wholesale Jerseys Store . -- Tony Gonzalez is
having a harder time saying goodbye to the NFL than he imagined. As he prepares
to host 40 family members and friends in Atlantas season finale, Gonzalez sounds
as if he isnt entirely ready to walk away. When the Falcons announced in March
that he would return this year, the 13-time Pro Bowl tight end was "100 per cent
certain" he would retire after the season. Now Gonzalez wonders if he could
change his mind again if Atlanta returns to playoff contention next fall and
general manager Thomas Dimitroff gives him a call. "Id have to cross that bridge
when I get to it, but right now I dont have any plans," he said. "I know for
sure I wont be on an opening day for roster anybody. Im going to-- this is it.
This is it." Meeting with reporters Friday, Gonzalez focused most of his answers
on the end of his career. The 37-year-old insisted that hes pleased to "go out
on his own terms" and added that hes "thankful for the opportunity" to have
stayed healthy and productive for 17 seasons. Gonzalez ranks second in career
catches, fifth in yards receiving and sixth in touchdown catches. No NFL tight
end ever put up such numbers, but Gonzalez hardly returned this year to pad his
stats. He craved playing in his first Super Bowl, winning a championship and
making a legendary exit. The Falcons, though, never had a chance. Julio Jones,
Sam Baker and Kroy Biermann suffered season-ending injuries. Sean Weatherspoon
played in only seven games. Roddy White made 12 starts and Steven Jackson made
11, but both players were hurt most of the year. Quarterback Matt Ryan was
harassed all season behind a weak offensive, and Atlantas defence was gouged
repeatedly for big plays. Not surprisingly, Gonzalezs production dropped off as
opponents double-teamed his routes. In October and early November, Gonzalez
openly discussed his frustration and held out hope that the Falcons could still
turn the season around. By the first of December, though, Gonzalez took a
different approach with reporters, reminiscing about his early morning drives
from hectic Buckhead to the picturesque mountain view at team headquarters. He
talked about missing quality time with his kids but also feeling grateful to
former teammates and coaches in Kansas City and those hes worked with in Atlanta
the last five years. "I know I could come back and play a couple of more years
if I wanted to, but its time for me to go," Gonzalez said. "Its time for me to
get back to my family, get back to California, where Im from and explore that
next chapter of my life. Im going to have fun with it." Television work is a
possibility for Gonzalez, but playing football might not be out of the question.
The Falcons, after all, signed him to a two-year, $14 million contract last
March, and if they get off to a strong start next season, Gonzalez might
reconsider, but he stopped short of saying that he plans to file retirement
papers with the NFL. Then again, the aches and pains of a 16-game season arent
getting easier, this despite the Falcons allowing him to miss over three weeks
of training camp and preseason games last summer. "Like I said, dont anybody
ever feel bad for me," Gonzalez said, smiling. "The things Ive accomplished in
my career are more than anybody ever deserves." With one full day remaining
before Atlanta (4-11) hosts the playoff-bound Carolina Panthers (11-4), Gonzalez
is eager to go out with a victory. He had a good ride with the Falcons in his
first four years, helping the team go 45-19 and win his first playoff game last
January. But after narrowly beating Seattle in the divisional round, Atlanta
fell 10 yards short against San Francisco in the NFC title game. "You never know
when it can come to an end, and thats always been my approach," Gonzalez said.
"Ive never said that Ive arrived with my accomplishments. Ive never, ever said
that thats good enough for me or Ive caught enough balls to last a lifetime. I
always wanted to keep working and keep working in case this is it, and now that
Im coming into my last one, Im glad Ive done it that way. "It worked out, and
hopefully Ill carry those habits into my next career, whatever that is."
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The 27-year-old Scrivens will be joining his third NHL club since signing with
the Toronto Maple Leafs as a free agent in 2010. The move also reunites with him
with head coach Dallas Eakins from their time together with the American Hockey
Leagues Toronto Marlies.ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - The Buffalo Bills have released
receiver Brad Smith off of their injured-reserve list. The move, announced
Friday, comes 10 weeks after Smith hurt his ribs in Buffalos preseason-finale
against Detroit. Smith was entering his eighth NFL season, and third with
Buffalo. Hes a versatile dual-threat on offence, known for his ability to play
receiver and quarterback in wildcat formations. He became expenndable because
the Bills have essentially abandoned running the wildcat under new coach Doug
Marrone.
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off-season retooling the receiver position by drafting Robert Woods in the
second round and Marquise Goodwin in the third. Smith had one year left on a
four-year, $15 million contract he signed with Buffalo. He spent his first five
seasons with the New York Jets.
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