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FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- 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." Wholesale Boston Bruins Jersey . -- Bobby Ryan helped the U. Wholesale Seattle Mariners Jersey . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers. http://www.nflwholesalechinajerseysstore.com/Nike-...jf-50.h tml Cheap Cleveland Cavaliers Jersey . The team said Saturday that Lopez was hurt during its 121-120 overtime loss at Philadelphia on Friday. The Nets said they would issue another update next week after consultation with their doctors. Wholesale NFL Jackets . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human.BEREA, Ohio - Trent Richardson has that unassuming way. With his bright smile, cheerful attitude and a soft Southern accent, the Browns running back makes anything sound diplomatic. Richardson did everything he could Thursday not to criticize Clevelands coaches for not giving him the ball more last week in a loss to Miami. But Richardsons message was loud clear: He wants more touches. Richardson carried the ball 13 times for 47 yards in the season-opening, 23-10 loss to Miami. But he only gained 14 on five rushes in the second half, and did not carry the ball once in the fourth quarter as the Browns tried to rally through the air. "I just dont think they stopped the running game," he said, referring to the Dolphins. "I think we stopped it ourselves as far as we were behind and stuff like that. Weve just got to keep fighting and know that no matter what, weve got to stick to our game plan. I guess Coach had another game plan and it went that way." Richardsons remarks were similar to what he said many times last season, when he rushed for 950 yards while playing much of it with broken ribs. Richardson wants a heavier workload and feels he can carry the offence. Trouble is, the former first-round pick has either been injured or the Browns have been so far behind in games that theyve had to pass. But the numbers support Richardsons premise that Browns are at their best when hes getting the ball. Last season, he averaged 95.8 yards in the five games he had 20 rushing attempts, and the Browns went 3-2. When he didnt get 20 carries, he averaged 45.1 yards and Cleveland was 2-8. Richardson said he has spoken to coach Rob Chudzinski and offensive co-ordinator Norv Turner about getting more touches. Richardson received the ball on four of Clevelands first six plays last week and gained 26 yards. But the opening drive ended with quarterback Brandon Weeden getting intercepted. After that, Richardsons opportunities were limited. "I just thought that we were gonna run the ball," he said, "and I thought it could be a real good day. I just knew that we could run tthe ball on any team.dddddddddddd I feel like its going to be a fight down to the finish and we were going to win." Maybe if things had gone according to script, Turner would have given Richardson the ball more. But the score and situation dictated something different. "We came out and we executed four or five plays awfully well," Turner said. "Then they hit us with a couple run blitzes. They came at us when we started getting a little bit of run and then we didnt execute as well." Richardsons number is certain to be called this week as the Browns (0-1) visit the Baltimore Ravens, who have had plenty of time to lick their wounds after being embarrassed against Denver. The Ravens defence no longer features Ray Lewis, or Ed Reed, but is still formidable. "Its Baltimore," Richardson said. "What game is there where you dont get more pumped up? Youre playing the champions from last year and that defence. Its more talent than I have ever seen." Richardson, who rushed for 105 yards on 25 attempts in his second game against Baltimore last season, is itching to duplicate that game. He cant though, if he doesnt get the ball. "Its something that you practice for," he said. "All my life, Ive been that guy. So when it comes down to it, at the end of the day, I control what I can control. But if its going to help the team out that I get less carries, if its going to help the team out that I get more carries, Im all for it. __ NOTES: Safety T.J. Ward returned to practice after sitting out Wednesday with a sore shoulder. ... DE Ahtyba Rubin (calf) and G Shawn Lauvao (ankle) remain sidelined and are unlikely to play this week. ... Defensive co-ordinator Ray Horton hopes to "ease" rookie LB Barkevious Mingo into his NFL debut this week. Mingo missed the opener after bruising his lung last month in an exhibition game. "I dont want to overload him his first game, but I also want to give him some soft pitches to hit," Horton said. "I want to give him some less thinking and more reaction-type stuff." Cheap China Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys From China China NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
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