Falcons lock up Edwards, Clabo; Anderson, Jenkins cut

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons are still ticked off about their last game.

It's time to start making up for that ugly playoff loss.

With the NFL lockout settled, the Falcons opened training camp Friday amid a flurry of moves designed to set up another run at the team's first Super Bowl title.

In the span of 24 hours, the Falcons lured free-agent defensive end Ray Edwards away from the Minnesota Vikings, agreed to a new deal with Pro Bowl offensive tackle Tyson Clabo and locked up their entire draft class, including top pick Julio Jones.

The NFL free agency cycle is in full effect, with teams and players agreeing to terms fast as training camps open. Get the latest on all the news right here.

Last season, Atlanta won the NFC South title and claimed the top seed in the conference playoffs. But the Falcons were blown out at home in their first postseason game, losing 48-21 to the eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers.

"I don't know how many times I got asked in the offseason, 'Hey, what happened in that game? Why didn't y'all make it further?"' center Todd McClure said. "I got tired of answering those questions."

The defense certainly has something to prove after getting shredded by Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Green Bay never even had to punt in its playoff romp.

"As a defense, we played a lot better (last season) than we had in the previous three years," linebacker Sean Weatherspoon said. "But that last game leaves a sour taste in your mouth."

The Falcons made a major move to shore up the defense Friday, agreeing to terms with Edwards. He had 16.5 sacks the last two seasons in Minnesota and gives his new team a much-needed pass-rushing threat to complement John Abraham.

Atlanta also agreed to a five-year, $25-million deal with Clabo, the cornerstone of the offensive line. The contract includes about $11.5 million in guaranteed money.

Finally, the Falcons locked up their entire draft class, including a four-year, $16.2-million deal for Jones, the No. 6 overall pick.

The deals were made possible when Atlanta released two former first-round picks, receiver Michael Jenkins and defensive end Jamaal Anderson, clearing $7.8 million under the salary cap.

Addressing needs on both sides of the line, the Falcons made it clear they still intend to be a major factor in the NFC, even though the schedule -- especially in the first five weeks -- is much tougher than a year ago.

"If we can stay healthy and go out and play the type of ball we've been playing, we've got a shot," McClure said. "Obviously, you play 'em one game at a time, but with that end goal in mind."

Not everything went Atlanta's way during the hectic free-agent signing period, condensed into just a few days after the players approved a 10-year labor agreement that ended the 4-month-long lockout.

Another of the team's stalwart linemen, offensive guard Harvey Dahl, reportedly agreed to terms with the St. Louis Rams. The other starting guard from a year ago, Justin Blalock, is also a free agent.

Quarterback Matt Ryan is admittedly concerned about breaking in two new linemen.

"They've been kind of a staple of what we've done," Ryan said. "But we have to understand it's a business and different things are going to happen. ... We'll make the most of whoever is here."

The Rams also were talking with running back Jason Snelling, who had been Atlanta's main backup. He became expendable after the Falcons drafted diminutive Oregon running back Jacquizz Rodgers in the fifth round to provide a speedy replacement when 1,371-yard rusher Michael Turner needs a break.

Running back Jerious Norwood was also released. His agent, Bus Cook, tells The Clarion-Ledger that he expects Norwood to sign with another team. Cook says the Falcons wanted to go in a different direction with younger players.

A third-round pick out of MSU in 2006, the 28-year-old Norwood played in just 57 of 80 regular-season games over the last five years with the Falcons while dealing with injuries ranging from a concussion to a hip flexor to a torn knee ligament.

In addition, Atlanta lost punter Michael Koenen, who agreed to terms with division rival Tampa Bay. Matt Bosher, a sixth-round pick from Miami, appears the likely replacement, though the Falcons have two other punters in camp.

None of the losses dampened the mood at Falcons camp. Under general manager Thomas Dimitroff and coach Mike Smith, the team has put together three straight winning seasons and two trips to the playoffs.

Not bad for a franchise that had never even managed consecutive seasons above .500 before they arrived.

"Our expectations," Smith said, "are really high."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Court clears Falcons CB Owens after family violence hearing

The case against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Chris Owens, who allegedly ransacked his ex-girlfriend's apartment, was dismissed after a family violence hearing in Superior Court of Gwinnett County (Ga.) on Wednesday, the player's attorney told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Owens, 24, and Latia Terry, 22, have a 9-month-old child together. According to a police report filed after the June 12 incident, a suspect smashed holes in walls and a giant-screen television, threw lamps and broke the baby's crib. The report stated that the master closet was "piled full of clothes, purses and jewelry. The suspect poured bleach all over the items, leaving discoloration on them and the carpet."

Owens said Terry -- who obtained a restraining order against Owens, according to TMZ.com, which also reported the story initially -- was unhappy with their relationship and sought "revenge."

Owens' attorney, Randall M. Kessler, said, "He’s is pleased that she decided to dismiss the case. He looks forward to working with her to raise their son together."

The 5-foot-9, 179-pound Owens, who started three games during the 2010 season for the NFC South champions, was a third-round pick out of San Jose State in the 2009 NFL Draft.

He was selected the Falcons' Man of the Year in 2010 for his community work and was nominated for the league-wide Walter Payton Award.

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Police: Falcons' Owens allegedly trashed ex-girlfriend's place

Police in suburban Atlanta are investigating Falcons cornerback Chris Owens after he allegedly trashed his ex-girlfriend's apartment and threw bleach on many of her valuables, TMZ.com reported Wednesday citing a Gwinnett County Police report.

The alleged incident occurred Sunday night at the residence of LaTia Terry, with whom Owens has a 9-month-old child, according to TMZ.com.

Police spokesman Edwin Ritter stopped short of calling Owens a suspect in the case, telling the Atlanta Journal-Constitution only that “charges will be made once a suspect is developed and probable cause exists for arrest.”

According to the police report, a suspect smashed holes in walls and a giant-screen television, threw lamps and broke the baby's crib. The report stated that the master closet was "piled full of clothes, purses and jewelry. The suspect poured bleach all over the items, leaving discoloration on them and the carpet."

Terry has obtained a restraining order against Owens, who started three games during the 2010 season for the NFC South champions.

The 5-foot-9, 179-pound Owens was a third-round pick out of San Jose State in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Gwinnett court records show a family violence hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. June 22.

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Bucs close offices for Memorial Day week; Falcons make cuts

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons have made adjustments to their staffing needs with the NFL lockout in its third month.

The Bucs say their offices will be closed next week and that team employees could face additional unpaid furloughs if the NFL labor stoppage extends into the fall and winter.

The team announced the move in a brief statement posted Thursday on its website, noting that employees will be fully reimbursed for lost wages for Memorial Day week if the labor dispute between owners and players is "resolved without the loss of any regular-season games."

Team spokesman Jonathan Grella says the Bucs remain hopeful the upcoming season will be played without interruption and that the plan to give employees time off without pay saves jobs and doesn't ask them to "work for less or no pay."

Additional office closings could be implemented if the league-imposed lockout continues to Labor Day and beyond.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution cited a source in reporting Thursday that the Falcons have instituted minor payroll reductions for members of the office staff.

The organization has a policy of not discussing internal business. Falcons owner Arthur Blank hasn't mandated significant cuts or furloughs, according to the newspaper.

Baltimore Ravens employees received good news, the Carroll County Times reported Thursday. The team rescinded its 25 percent paycuts and refunded all lost salary.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Falcons GM Dimitroff doesn't slam door on 'Hard Knocks'

Three other NFL teams aren't interested, but Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said Friday that he hasn't ruled out letting his team be featured on HBO's "Hard Knocks," The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

"I truly believe that an organization has to be in the right spot to jump into something like 'Hard Knocks,'" Dimitroff said on SiriusXM NFL Radio. "I think it sheds a lot of light on our league. This is a league of entertainment. There are some traditionalists that struggle with it, but they have to work against the grain a little bit and see that this is about entertainment. 'Hard Knocks' is a good show for the fan base."

The Falcons turned down an offer to be on the show, which gives viewers an all-access look at training camp, in 2009 because it seemed like it would be a distraction. This time around, Dimitroff believes the Falcons, who went 13-3 last season, would be more prepared to handle it, if asked.

"It's such an individual thing," he said. "'Hard Knocks' could be right for some of the teams that are fairly entrenched. It could be right for some team that wants to kick off some more brand recognition."

It wasn't right for the NFC South rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who earlier in the week declined an offer to be featured on the show. The Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions also have reportedly said they wouldn't do the show.

Critically acclaimed "Hard Knocks," which featured the boisterous New York Jets last year, won three Sports Emmys earlier this month, including its second consecutive in the "outstanding edited sports series/anthology" category. The three Emmys are the most for one season of "Hard Knocks."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Falcons close to multiyear extension with coach Smith

The Atlanta Falcons are very close to a multiyear contract extension with coach Mike Smith, a league source said Wednesday.

The sides have been quietly negotiating for a few weeks and have agreed on many principles of a new deal, according to the source.

The team expects to announce the extension shortly since the deal is close to being finalized.

Smith joined the Falcons in 2008 and quickly turned around the franchise, going 33-15 with two playoff berths in three seasons. The Falcons were an NFC-best 13-3 this season but lost to the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round of the playoffs.

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Report: Falcons coach Smith will be rewarded with new deal

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Falcons earn home-field advantage with win; Fox's tenure with Panthers ends

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Ivory practices with hamstring injury, set to play vs. Falcons

New Orleans Saints rookie running back Chris Ivory, still bothered by a hamstring injury that he suffered during a Week 14 victory over the St. Louis Rams, believes he will play Monday night against the Atlanta Falcons, The Times-Picayune reported Thursday.

Ivory, who leads the Saints with 683 yards and five rushing touchdowns, was ruled out of last Sunday's loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He was limited in practice Thursday.

"I can't really open up like I would like to," Ivory said. "So I'm not full speed yet. I'd say about 90, 95 percent. So I've kind of got to pace myself at what speed I go in practice, so that I will be ready for Monday.

"Earlier in practice, it was feeling pretty good for the most part," he added. "But as we got to going, I tried to open up, and I'm probably not 100 percent, so once I tried to open up, I felt that grabbing feeling on it ... I think all that will get worked out this week. A little more treatment these next couple days, I think that will help."

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Playoff spots within reach for Patriots, Steelers, Jets, Falcons

NEW YORK -- The division-leading New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons, and the second-place New York Jets can clinch playoff berths this weekend.

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The Patriots (10-2) would do so simply with a victory over the Chicago Bears. The Patriots also would get in if the Miami Dolphins (6-6) and Jacksonville Jaguars (7-5) both lose or tie, or if the Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts (6-6) both lose or tie.

The Steelers (9-3) need a variety of scenarios, all of them requiring a win over the Cincinnati Bengals except one, in which a tie and losses or ties by the Dolphins, Oakland Raiders (6-6) and San Diego Chargers (6-6), and an Indianapolis loss would do.

The Falcons must beat the Carolina Panthers and have any two of the Giants (8-4), Philadelphia Eagles (8-4) and Green Bay Packers lose (8-4). A Falcons tie and losses by the Giants, Eagles, Packers and a loss or tie by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5) also would work for Atlanta.

The Jets need a win over the Dolphins and losses or ties by the Chargers and Jaguars, or Chargers and Colts. A Jets tie and losses by San Diego and Indianapolis, plus a loss or tie by Oakland would do it, too.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Falcons focused on bigger goals after Bryant's FG seals win over Packers

ATLANTA -- Don't even mention a third straight winning season to the Atlanta Falcons.

Their goals are so much bigger than that.

The Falcons stayed atop the NFC when Matt Bryant kicked a 47-yard field goal with 9 seconds remaining Sunday for a 20-17 victory over the Green Bay Packers, one of the teams trying to chase down Atlanta in the conference standings.

Make no mistake. The Falcons (9-2) were very much aware of the possible ramifications this game might have beyond the regular season.

"I have no plans of going to Lambeau Field in January," Atlanta receiver Roddy White said. "I plan on staying right here and sleeping in my own bed in the playoffs."

The Falcons have won five in a row for their longest streak since the 1998 season, when the team reached its only Super Bowl. Also assured is a third consecutive winning record -- not too shabby, considering the franchise had never even had two in a row before this run.

Yet that's just an afterthought for these guys, who have won six straight games decided by a touchdown or less after losing the opener to Pittsburgh in overtime.

"It's great to get a winning season," coach Mike Smith said. "But the expectations and goals we talk about are a lot higher than that."

Bryant had to make his winning kick twice.

The Packers called a timeout just before he knocked his first attempt right down the middle. No problem. The 35-year-old had already made two game-winning kicks this season, and No. 3 had plenty of distance as it hooked slightly but stayed several feet inside the left upright.

"Pressure is what you feel when you're not prepared," Bryant said. "I've been preparing for that since I was 6 years old. Was there a little bit of pressure? Yeah. But I was prepared."

His do-over capped a game between playoff contenders that lived up to all the hype: a bruising defensive struggle filled with huge fourth-down plays and one very important kickoff return by Eric Weems.

After Aaron Rodgers threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson with 56 seconds remaining to tie the game for Green Bay (7-4), Weems broke loose up the middle and was dragged down by Matt Wilhelm with a flagrant facemask tackle. The Falcons took over at the Green Bay 49, Matt Ryan completed four straight short passes and Bryant made the winning kick.

The Falcons weren't concerned after Green Bay scored, especially with Ryan at quarterback. He completed 24 of 28 for 197 yards, including a 4-yarder to Tony Gonzalez for Atlanta's first TD.

"We've got Matty Ice," White said. "Ice cold. He just keeps moving the sticks."

Green Bay thought it had forced overtime when Rodgers directed a 16-play, 90-yard drive for the tying score. He improvised two huge plays on fourth down, beginning with a scrambling, backhanded flip of a pass to James Jones for an 18-yard gain on fourth-and-1 at the 21.

John Abraham sacked Rodgers for a 2-yard loss and a false start on Bryan Bulaga left the Packers with another fourth down from the 10. With Falcons owner Arthur Blank waving the crowd into an uproar on the sideline, the home team rushed only two players and dropped everyone else into coverage.

Rodgers had all the time he wanted, finally sliding to his left and rifling a pass to Nelson in the back corner of the end zone. He managed to get both feet down just before being shoved out of bounds by Thomas DeCoud.

"You go down and score a touchdown, and you're thinking overtime," said Rodgers, who passed for 344 yards but had a huge fumble at the goal line midway through the second quarter. "Tying the game was pretty special."

Weems quickly brought the crowd of more than 68,000 back to its feet. He took the kickoff 4 yards deep in the end zone, found a seam up the middle and looked as if he might break it all the way. Wilhelm stopped that by yanking at Weems' facemask. Of course, the 15-yard personal foul penalty pushed the Falcons onto the Green Bay side of the field.

"The penalties were unacceptable," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "You can't have them."

Rodgers tied the game at 10 with a 1-yard run in the third quarter, but all he could think about was that fumble trying to score from the same distance in the first half. On fourth-and-goal, he lowered his head in an attempt to sneak it over, but the ball popped loose in the end zone. Mike Peterson fell on it to end Green Bay's streak of 15 quarters without a turnover, its longest since 1963.

"That's what lost the game," Rodgers said. "It's discouraging not to win a game we should have won."

Michael Turner, who rushed for 110 yards, put the Falcons ahead 17-10 in the opening minute of the fourth quarter. On yet another huge fourth-and-goal play, this one from inside the 1, Turner bounced outside and went in standing up.

The Packers gave up more points than they had in the past three weeks combined, having surrendered only 10 in wins over the New York Jets, Dallas and Minnesota. Green Bay had a four-game winning streak overall, good enough for a tie with Chicago for the NFC North lead. The Bears hosted Philadelphia in a late-afternoon game.

Notes: Green Bay lost CB Pat Lee in the first quarter with an ankle problem, and TE Spencer Havner hurt a hamstring in the third. ... Falcons RB Jason Snelling also sustained a hamstring injury and didn't play in the final period. ... LB Stephen Nicholas started for Atlanta ahead of first-round pick Sean Weatherspoon. ... The Falcons improved to 19-1 at home with Ryan starting at quarterback.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Ryan, Falcons too much for Rams to handle

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Falcons hang on to defeat Bucs, take sole possession of first place

ATLANTA -- With a powerful running back, a balanced passing game and a gutty goal-line stand, the Atlanta Falcons showed they're the best in the NFC South.

At least for this week.

The Falcons overcame a dismal display on special teams and the boasts of Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris, coming up with a huge defensive stop in the closing minutes to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-21 Sunday and take over sole possession of first place in the NFC South.

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Michael Turner rushed for 107 yards and two early touchdowns, and the Falcons (6-2) compensated after Roddy White went out for a while with a knee injury. Tony Gonzalez had eight catches and undrafted rookie Michael Palmer scored his first career TD.

"We know how to win," cornerback Dunta Robinson said. "This team has done a great job of finishing. When our backs are against the wall, we can find a way to win the football game."

Their backs were certainly against their own goal line when the Buccaneers (5-3) drove down to the Atlanta 2 with less than 3 minutes left, facing fourth-and-1.

Josh Freeman faked a handoff to Ryan Purvis, a tight end lined up at fullback, and then gave it to LeGarrette Blount for a run over right tackle. But safety Thomas DeCoud charged up to stuff the slow-developing play, and Coy Wire finished off Blount to make sure he couldn't stretch out for the first down.

"I told the defensive line, 'Get penetration, get penetration,' and the guys in the back will come up to make the play," linebacker Mike Peterson said.

That's just what happened. The ball went over to the Falcons, who ran out the clock after Turner picked up the necessary first down with three straight runs totaling 14 yards, leaving him with 24 carries and his fourth 100-yard performance in the past six games.

Give the Bucs credit. Morris had proclaimed his team the best in the NFC, and it looked like Tampa Bay might back him up. Micheal Spurlock returned a kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown in the final minute of the third quarter and Freeman threw a pair of touchdown passes.

The Falcons held at the end, though.

"They're a good football team, make no mistake about that," Morris said. "We were big-time resilient against a big-time team."

The Falcons thoroughly dominated much of the game and Freeman -- who had been doing a good job not turning the ball over -- had a pair of interceptions. Spurlock was Tampa Bay's most dangerous weapon, also returning a kickoff 66 yards to set up Freeman's first TD pass.

"We lost by a yard," Bucs rookie Gerald McCoy said. "That's what this league is about."

Turner scored on runs of 2 and 10 yards to stake the Falcons to a 14-0 lead. Freeman cut the gap to 17-14 by halftime with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Arrelious Benn and a 58-yarder to Mike Williams.

On the third play of the second half, Freeman threw a wobbly pass under pressure from Kroy Biermann and it landed right in the arms of defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux. That set up a 5-yard touchdown pass from Matt Ryan to Palmer, the first career score for the undrafted rookie.

Matt Bryant added his second field goal, pushing the Falcons ahead 27-14.

Back came the Bucs.

The ensuing kickoff landed between Spurlock and Maurice Stovall in an apparent mix-up. But Spurlock picked up the bouncing ball at the 11, slipped through a hole, somehow stayed inbound when kicker Michael Koenen took a dive at him along the sideline and streaked the rest of the way for the touchdown that again made a game of it.

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Trying to seize on that momentum, Tampa Bay appeared to get the ball back when kicker Connor Barth recovered an onside attempt. But the Falcons challenged, and the replay showed that the ball touched Barth's left knee just before it covered the necessary 10 yards, giving it over to Atlanta.

The Falcons got a big scare in the first quarter when White, leading the NFL with 54 receptions through seven games, twisted his right knee making an 11-yard catch along the sideline.

White limped off the field, got treated on the sideline, then went back in the game. His return didn't last long, and he walked slowly to the locker room late in the first half.

After everyone had emerged from the tunnel for the second half, White finally came trotting back out. He made a couple of sharp cuts on the sideline to test the knee, ran on the field after Babineaux's interception and made a crucial catch for first down at the 1.

"I came down kind of funny," said White, who finished with four receptions for 49 yards. "(The medical staff) did some good things for me, put my brace and just see if I can go. I went out there and didn't feel much pain, so I kept going."

Unlike Morris, the Falcons were making no boasts about being best in the NFC.

"We definitely feel good to be number one in our division," Robinson said. "But we won't be determining the best team until (early) next year."

Notes: The Bucs came up on the wrong end of turnovers in a game for the first time this season because of Freeman's interceptions. Tampa Bay had been plus-8 in turnover margin, ranking second in the league. Atlanta didn't have any interceptions or fumbles. ... The Bucs converted 8 of 13 third downs, while the Falcons were 8 of 14. Atlanta also converted its only try on fourth down. ... Blount was held to 46 yards on 13 carries after totaling 192 the two previous games.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Falcons CB DeCoud leaves game after helmet-to-helmet hit

ATLANTA -- Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud left Sunday's game with a head injury after a helmet-to-helmet collision with Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson.

DeCoud's teammates waved for Atlanta's trainers following the play with 3:17 remaining in the first quarter. DeCoud was kneeling when trainers arrived, and he was escorted to the sideline.

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DeCoud sat on the bench and stood on the sideline through the remainder of the first half.

The Falcons announced at the start of the second half that DeCoud's status was questionable.

There was no penalty on the play. Erik Coleman replaced DeCoud.

The Falcons' secondary was short-handed after cornerback Dunta Robinson suffered a concussion in a hit on Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson last week.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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White leads Falcons to wild victory over Bengals

ATLANTA -- Roddy White had a spectacular day for the Falcons, catching 11 passes for 201 yards and leading his team to a wild 39-32 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

Atlanta (5-2) squandered a 24-3 halftime lead, falling behind when Cincinnati (2-4) took advantage of two turnovers and ripped off 22 consecutive points in the third quarter.

White put the Falcons ahead to stay with his second touchdown, an 11-yard reception early in the fourth quarter. He then made a leaping catch on the two-point conversion to make it 32-25.

After a Cedric Benson fumble, Michael Turner scored on a 3-yard run for a two-touchdown Atlanta lead. Chad Ochocinco gave the Bengals a chance with a late 8-yard TD catch, but the Falcons recovered the onside kick.

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Falcons WR Jenkins expected to play after four-week absence

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Michael Jenkins, who has missed the first four games of the season with a shoulder injury, returned to practice Wednesday and is expected to make his debut this weekend against the Cleveland Browns.

The seven-year veteran injured his shoulder during the preseason.

Jenkins, 28, started nine games for Atlanta last season, recording 50 receptions for 635 yards and one touchdown.

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White's heads-up strip gives Ryan, Falcons second chance to beat Niners

ATLANTA -- Roddy White's best play came on defense, and it allowed the Atlanta Falcons to come up with another close-call victory.

When 49ers cornerback Nate Clements intercepted Matt Ryan late in the fourth quarter and ran 39 yards down the left sideline, White had one goal in mind: Knock the ball out.

"Any time that you see defensive players carrying the ball," Atlanta's star receiver said, "they aren't used to it, so you've got a chance."

Falcons WR Roddy White's biggest play could have been his strip fumble of the 49ers' Nate Clements, but he also put up enough numbers offensively to be among the weekly leaders.

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White's forced fumble kept the winning drive alive, and Matt Bryant kicked a 43-yarder with 2 seconds remaining to lift the fortunate Falcons to a 16-14 victory over the winless 49ers on Sunday.

"It wasn't the prettiest kick," said Bryant, who won last week's overtime game at New Orleans with a 46-yard field goal. "But the only thing that matters is we get that 'W' when the ball went through the uprights."

The Falcons (3-1) have won three straight.

San Francisco (0-4) blew a 14-0 first-quarter lead due in part to a pair of interceptions by Alex Smith.

"Those were critical errors," Smith said.

White caught seven passes for 104 yards -- including four for 60 yards on the winning drive -- but his biggest play was chasing Clements down and knocking the ball loose as he tackled him from behind at the Atlanta 7.

Falcons guard Harvey Dahl recovered the ball to preserve the 12-play winning drive. Clements picked off a pass over the middle that was intended for tight end Tony Gonzalez.

San Francisco went up 7-0 in the first quarter on Vernon Davis' 11-yard touchdown catch. The 10-play drive was aided by cornerback Dunta Robinson's 34-yard pass interference penalty against tight end Delanie Walker.

Four plays later, Falcons punter Michael Koenen was lined up to receive a snap in the end zone. A blown blocking assignment allowed Dominique Zeigler to run past long snapper Joe Zelenka and dive forward for the blocked punt.

Taylor Mays, seeing the ball arching down in his direction, turned toward the back of the end zone and kept both feet inbounds as he caught the loose ball for an unconventional touchdown and a 14-0 lead.

"I saw him block it, picked it up and tried to keep my feet in bounds," Mays said. "It was a trip, but I would have given it all up for a win."

Falcons running back Michael Turner ran 16 times for 50 yards, and Jason Snelling finished with 31 yards on seven carries.

Ryan, who completed 26 of 43 passes for 273 yards, connected with Gonzalez to convert Atlanta's final third down on a 5-yard pass to the San Francisco 26.

Late in the second quarter, Gonzalez caught a 9-yard pass to become the first NFL tight end with 12,000 yards receiving. Gonzalez, who spent his first 12 seasons in Kansas City before the Falcons traded for him last year, earlier this season became the first NFL tight with 1,000 career catches.

He seemed more proud of White and Dahl for extending the winning drive.

"We knew we just needed a field goal, so we had to get it 20 yards past the 30-yard line," Gonzalez said. "It's definitely all confidence when you are in the huddle at that point."

The 49ers failed to hold the one-point lead despite running 13 plays and using nearly seven minutes of the fourth quarter, but the drive ended with Smith getting sacked on William Moore's unblocked safety blitz.

"On that last drive, I thought we did a good job," Smith said. "We were moving the ball, but then we stalled. It was frustrating not to be able to get points."

Though the game ended with another loss, the Niners' early drive gave hope that coach Mike Singletary made the right choice in firing Jimmy Raye as offensive coordinator earlier this week and replacing him with Mike Johnson.

"As much as it hurts right now, I'm excited," Singletary said. "There were positives that came from this."

Frank Gore finished with 137 total yards, 77 rushing on 21 carries and 60 yards receiving on seven catches. Smith completed 21 of 32 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown.

Atlanta was 2 for 11 on third down plays before Ryan threw from his end zone to connect with Brian Finneran for a 17-yard gain down the left side.

White made four tough catches on the drive. His 19-yard reception against safety Dashon Goldson came in tight coverage on the left side before Ryan's second interception.

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After he helped the Falcons regain possession, White ran a sideline route on the right side and beat cornerback Tarell Brown for a 20-yard gain.

"It was an incredible catch," Ryan said. "The ball had pace on it. It was high, and he went up and just made a played when we needed to. That's the kind of thing we've come to expect from Roddy."

Early in the second quarter, Harry Douglas caught Ryan's 8-yard pass in the right flats and dove for the front pylon to cut the lead to 14-7.

Douglas' 34-yard catch late in the second quarter helped set up a 37-yard field goal by Bryant that made it 14-10 at halftime. Bryant cut the 49ers lead to 14-13 with a 31-yard field goal at the 5:53 mark of the third quarter.

"We made lots of mistakes and we've got lots of things that we've got to correct," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "But we're 3-1 through the first quarter of the season."

Notes: 49ers S Michael Lewis didn't make the trip. He missed practice Friday because of personal reasons and reportedly has demanded a trade. Mays started in his place. ... Falcons WR Michael Jenkins (shoulder) and OLB Sean Weatherspoon (ankle) did not dress. ... X-rays of Walker's sprained ankle were negative. He didn't return after leaving in the second quarter.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Dramatic final drive ends in Falcons victory

ATLANTA -- Matt Bryant kicked a 42-yard field goal with 2 seconds left, lifting the Atlanta Falcons to a 16-14 victory over the winless San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

The Falcons (3-1) got a big break to set up the winning points when wide receiver Roddy White forced the 49ers' Nate Clements to fumble away an interception and keep Atlanta's drive alive.

San Francisco (0-4) blew a 14-0 first-quarter lead partly because of two interceptions thrown by Alex Smith.

White caught seven passes for 104 yards -- including four for 60 yards on the winning drive -- but his biggest play was chasing Clements down the left sideline and knocking the ball out as he tackled the cornerback from behind at the Atlanta 7.

Falcons guard Harvey Dahl recovered the ball to preserve the 12-play winning drive. Clements picked off a pass over the middle that was intended for Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez.

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Turner to be a game-time decision

"Running backs Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood both practiced again on Thursday.

Norwood fully participated, while Turner was limited.

"Jerious is definitely ahead of Mike," Smith said. "Mike is probably going to down to the wire in terms of a game-time decision on if he's going to be able to play or not." "

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D-Hall calls out Smith, plans to contact league office

"Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall was still steaming hot over a skirmish on the Falcons' sideline during the game Sunday.

After Washington safety LaRon Landry hit Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan out of bounds in the second quarter, Hall, a former Falcon, got into a jostling match with several Falcons, strength coach Jeff Fish and head coach Mike Smith.

"I ran over there to kind of pull my guy away," Hall said. "One of their strength and conditioning coaches put his hands on me and started grabbing me. Then it went to various other guys pulling at me and grabbing me. Through the whole time, I'm trying to get the guys' hands off of me."

Falcons coach Mike Smith said he didn't know who the player was from the Redskins who was involved in the incident."

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