Falcons' Fan Stabbed After Game

Well, well, well Falcons fans are known to get a little rowdy and this time it backfired.  A Falcons fan was stabbed in the neck after punching a 49ers fan during an altercation after the 49ers defeated the Falcons 24-24.  The incident was said to have occurred around 6:40 pm yesterday and the Falcons fan was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital where it is reported he is currently in stable condition.

Gonzalez Set To Retire

(AP Photo/David Goldman)

I would be lying if I was to say if Tony Gonzalez doesn't come back next year I wouldn't be heartbroken.  Gonzalez has stated all season that he was 95% sure that this would be his last season in the NFL and last night he reiterated this fact.

"It's probably the last time I'm going to wear that uniform.  I didn't want to take it off, to tell you the truth.  All good things come to an end and , like I said all season long, this is probably my last one.  What an unbelievable ride." -Tony Gonzalez after the 28-24 Falcon loss to the 49ers.

The 36 year old Tight End had 72 yards in last night's game and has had 1,242 receptions, 14,268 receiving yards, and 103 receiving touchdowns throughout his 16 year career.  Gonzalez is definitely one of the best to play the tight end position and is without a doubt a hall of famer.

John Abraham Arrested for Obstruction

Well, well, well. Another week and another Falcons player being arrested.  This time it's Defensive End John Abraham.  Abraham was arrested for two misdemeanor obstruction charges Monday night.  John was released Tuesday morning on $7,000 bond ($3,500 per charge).  Abraham entered a police taped off area, who were in response to a lady threatening to jump from a hotel window.

"Mr. Abraham refused to leave, and nearby officers had to respond to Mr. Abraham's location.  The officers also ordered Mr. Abraham to leave and he again refused and insisted on continuing further into the scene.  Officers then took Mr. Abraham into custody." -Officer K.Y. Jones

Abraham was charged with once count of obstruction of police and one count of obstruction of firefighters.

"I think at this moment I don't want to talk about my side. Once we get everything clarified and get everything going the right way - because we're still in a legal situation that we need to get cleared out and everything.  But you know sometimes it's just bad timing.  I'm not going to fault anybody at all.  It was just things happen in life." -John Abraham

Abraham's arrest comes just one week after running back Michael Turner was arrested for a DUI after the Falcons' victory of the Denver Broncos.  The Falcons' front office responded to the news of Abraham's arrest with the following statement:

"We are aware of the news regarding John Abraham. We are in the process of gathering more information, and we will have no further comment at this time." -Atlanta Falcons statement

The Falcons will take on the Carolina Panthers Sunday September 30th, lets hope that another Falcons' player doesn't get arrested after this game.

 

Michael Turner Arrested

REUTERS/Gwinnett County Sheriff's Department

And the idiot of the year award goes to... Michael Turner.

Just hours after the Atlanta Falcons defeated the Denver Broncos 27-21, the Falcons star Running Back Michael Turner was arrested on charges of driving under the influence and speeding.  Turner was booked into the Gwinnett County jail around 5am and was later released on #2,179 bond.

"The officer made contact with the driver who identified himself as 30 year old Michael Turner of the Atlanta Falcons.  The officer could smell an odor of alcoholic beverage coming from the driver and proceeded to conduct a DUI investigation." -Captain Edwin Ritter, Police Spokesman stated in news release

Turner was clocked going 97 MPH on I-85, 32 MPH over the speed limit.  Turner met with Coach Smith in his office Tuesday on the player's off day.

"First and foremost any time a player sheds negatively on our football team and on our organization, we are very disappointed.  This is a legal matter, and it's very well defined how we have to proceed with it through the league, an we'll let this process run its course." -Coach Mike Smith, Atlanta Falcons

Newton Returns Home

AP Photo
"Atlanta I'm home.. As they say I'm Backkk." -Cam Newton

Cam Newton returned home to Atlanta this pass weekend as he Carolina Panthers took on the Atlanta Falcons.  Fans packed the Georgia Dome ready to see the hometown phenomenon in  person, some fans with Cam's panthers jersey on, some with Cam's Auburn jersey and the rest in the Falcons red and black.  The game started out going toe for toe between the Falcons and Panthers but Cam and the Panthers were unable to hold on falling to the hometown Falcons 31-17.

Falcons returned to the running game with top draft pick Julio Jones being out this game due to a hamstring injury that was suffered in week 5 against the Packers, a running game that was very successful last season when the Falcons went 13-3.  Michael Turner had a big game, which some expected would occur, and already had 62 rushing yards before halftime when the week before he only had 56 rushing yards for the entire game.  

During halftime the Falcons had a tribute for Deion Sanders as owner Arthur Blanks presented the Pro Football Hall of Famer his bronze bust.  During the 3rd quarter Newton gave Sanders a tribute of his own as Newton did the famous "Sanders 2-step" after rushing into the endzone for a touchdown, a touchdown which put the Panthers on top of the Falcons. Soon after the table would soon turn for the Cam Newton and his Panthers during the 4th quarter.  Falcons' Peters intercepted Cam Newton's pass with 6:06 left in the game giving the Falcons the ball back on the Panthers' 39 yard line.  Michael Turner later sealed the deal for the Atlanta Falcons scoring a touchdown with 1:56 left in the game putting the Falcons up 31-17.  Cam Newton ended the game at home by being picked off by Falcons' DeCoud in the endzone.

Turnovers played a big key in the game with the Panthers having 3 turnovers compared to the Falcons having zero.  Newton had 237 passing yards and 50 rushing yards, 14 yards rushing for the touchdown during the 3rd quarter.  For the Falcons Matt Ryan ended the game with 163 passing yards and 1 touchdown, and Michael Turner had 27 carries for 139 yards and 2 touchdowns.  It will be interesting to see if the Falcons will continue with the running game which was successful for them this week or continue to try the passing game once Julio Jones will return.   I do know that with Cam Newton once the Panthers get these figured out in Carolina they will be a key team in the NFL.