Falcons

I was horrified to read the article (March 18) about falcons in downtown Los Angeles. Surely bank employees and others must have more constructive things to do than to watch a wild falcon tear to shreds a gentle and tame pigeon or dove. I hope you will never have another article like that. ELBY WILLIAMS Granada Hills

This week has been a wonderful blur for Columbia outfielder Joey Falcone. Monday, he stood on the mound at Citi Field, which might as well have been a mountaintop. It was Memorial Day. The former Marine medic, with two tours of duty in Iraq and one in Afghanistan behind him, was to throw out the first pitch before the New York Mets and New York Yankees played. A perfect time to reflect. Yet Falcone said the only thought in his mind was: "I had to throw a strike. " Thursday was another day on another coast.

Key: The Giants' Lawrence Tynes kicked a 36-yard field goal 3 minutes 54 seconds into overtime to make up for an earlier miss. The win ended a four-game skid. Giants said: "It's been a long time, 42 days since our last win. It felt like it too." -- Eli Manning, quarterback Falcons said: "We had a lot of great contributions and great efforts from a lot of guys in the second half. . . . But with that said, there are no moral victories." -- Matt Ryan, quarterback

Brian Banks called signing a contract with the Atlanta Falcons on Wednesday the greatest accomplishment of his life, aside from clearing his name. Officials of his new team said they were happy to have him on board. "We are pleased to have Brian join our team," Falcons General Manager Thomas Dimitroff said in a statement. "We had a chance to work him out last year and have been monitoring his progress since then. "He has worked extremely hard for this chance over the last year and he has shown us that he is prepared for this opportunity.

Tonight ATLANTA (8-5) AT JACKSONVILLE (4-9) TV: NFL Network, 5:15 p.m. PST. Line: Falcons by 11. Over/under: 42. Lowdown: This is a must-win for the Falcons, and that urgency trumps the Jaguars' desire to win consecutive games for the first time this season. Sam Farmer's pick: Falcons 28, Jaguars 13.

The Atlanta Falcons have made the biggest off-season splash to date by dumping three key veterans: defensive end John Abraham, cornerback Dunta Robinson and running back Michael Turner. The news is not stunning since many NFL teams at this time of year decide which high-salaried veterans to release in an effort to bring in younger, lower-priced talent. The club will save nearly $16 million with the moves Then again, it's not often you see a pro football team dump its sacks leader, a top-flight defensive back and one of the franchise's greatest running backs.

Atlanta running back Michael Turner, who scored the first touchdown in the Falcons' 27-21 victory over the Denver Broncos on Monday night, was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving and speeding in Atlanta just hours after the game. Turner was clocked going 97 in a 65-mph zone, according to authorities. Gwinnett County jail records show that the 30-year-old Turner was booked just after 5 a.m. ET Tuesday. He was released two hours later on $2,179 bond. Turner scored Atlanta's first touchdown on a one-yard run, the play set up by the first of three first-quarter interceptions the Falcons had of Peyton Manning passes.

ATLANTA -- Matt Ryan threw for a touchdown with his very first NFL pass, Michael Turner set a team rushing record in his Atlanta debut, and the Falcons were off and running. Michael Vick who? Having put No. 7 in their rearview mirror, the Falcons got off to a rousing start in their first game with Ryan and Turner. The rookie quarterback electrified the crowd with a 62-yard touchdown pass to Michael Jenkins before many fans had settled in their seats, while Turner rumbled for 220 yards and two touchdowns after coming to Atlanta from San Diego in the off-season.

The Times' NFL power rankings after Week 4 have been released, and while the top and bottom teams remain the same, there are quite a few changes in between. The Atlanta Falcons remain on top after a 30-28 victory over No. 23 Carolina, and Cleveland remains at the bottom after a 23-16 loss to No. 4 Baltimore. The biggest gainer? The Washington Redskins jumped six spots to No. 19 after a 24-22 win over No. 25 Tampa Bay. The St. Louis Rams rose five spots, from No. 23 to No. 18, after a 19-13 victory over No. 13 Seattle.

COWBOYS (3-4) at FALCONS (7-0) Story line: Dallas has lost three of its last four and needs a win to pull out of spiral toward major disappointment. Last week, quarterback Tony Romo threw four interceptions, marring a massive rally from a 23-point deficit that fell short when wide receiver Dez Bryant's finger was out of bounds late. Bryant might play against the unbeaten Falcons, but running back DeMarco Murray is out. The Falcons rolled Philadelphia last week, as quarterback Matt Ryan was 22 of 29 with three touchdowns.

This post has been corrected. See the note at the bottom for details. To Brian Banks, signing an NFL contact signified “the biggest accomplishment of my life” -- with the notable exception of regaining his freedom. Banks, the former Long Beach Polytechnic High School football standout who spent years in prison before his rape conviction was overturned, earned a spot Wednesday with the Atlanta Falcons. In a teleconference with reporters, Banks said making the Falcons' 53-man roster would signify success for him. “We talk about coming from the bottom,” he said.

Almost a year ago, a former standout football player at Long Beach Polytechnic High School trembled in Los Angeles County Superior Court as a judge dismissed his rape conviction. Outside the courtroom that day, Brian Banks offered cautious hope that one day, he could restart his athletic career. Wednesday, Banks signed a contract with the NFL's Atlanta Falcons, a major step in his quest for redemption. "I can't believe this is happening," Banks told reporters shortly after signing.

Television personality Deborah Norville and Cristiana Falcone Sorrell, wife of one of the advertising industry's most influential executives, have joined the board of media company Viacom Inc. Norville, who rose to fame as co-host of NBC's "Today" show in 1990, has been the anchor of the syndicated newsmagazine show "Inside Edition" for more than 15 years.  Falcone Sorrell serves as an adviser to the chairman of the World Economic Forum....

The Atlanta Falcons found their replacement for Michael Turner on Thursday by agreeing to terms with Steven Jackson , considered the top free-agent running back, on a three-year, $12-million deal. The 30-year-old Jackson had 1,042 yards rushing and four touchdowns with the Rams last season. It was his eighth straight season with more than 1,000 yards rushing. Jackson would have earned $7 million with the Rams in 2013 before he opted out of his contract to become a free agent.

The Atlanta Falcons agreed to a three-year, $12-million deal with Steven Jackson, considered by most to be the best free-agent running back available. “I think this is a very big signing for us,” Falcons General Manager Thomas Dimitroff told the Associated Press on Thursday evening. “It continues to bolster our offensive firepower. It gives us not only strength, power in running ability but also the versatility to catch out of the backfield, which is a very important part of this offense.” Jackson, 29, had 1,042 yards rushing with the St. Louis Rams last season, his eighth straight season with more than 1,000 yards.

Tony Gonzalez has enjoyed a great NFL career, with his 1,242 receptions ranking No. 1 all time for tight ends and second-best in league history. And he's not finished yet. After playing last season 95% sure it would be his last, Gonzalez announced Tuesday that he would return to the Atlanta Falcons for one more season -- and one more chance to play in his first Super Bowl. "I'm happy to say that after speaking with my family, I'm coming back," Gonzalez said in a series of tweets Tuesday.

It wasn't as if Brandon Higelin pitched poorly for Crescenta Valley High. He was simply outpitched by Brandon Villalobos of Glendora. Villalobos pitched a five-hitter in the Tartans' 4-0 victory Thursday night in the championship game of the Babe Herman tournament at Stengel Field in Glendale. Villalobos (2-0), who had eight strikeouts and didn't walk a batter, usually is a reliever. He pitched two shutouts to earn most valuable player honors in the tournament.

Michael Turner set a franchise record with 220 yards in 22 carries in Atlanta's 34-21 win over Detroit. Gerald Riggs set the team record of 202 yards rushing in 1984. Turner had two touchdowns in his first game since signing with the Falcons from San Diego. The 220 yards were the most in NFL history for a player making his debut with a team and the second-most in a season opener. O.J. Simpson had 250 for Buffalo against New England in 1973. The Falcons' 318 yards rushing as a team were also a club record.

The Atlanta Falcons have made the biggest off-season splash to date by dumping three key veterans: defensive end John Abraham, cornerback Dunta Robinson and running back Michael Turner. The news is not stunning since many NFL teams at this time of year decide which high-salaried veterans to release in an effort to bring in younger, lower-priced talent. The club will save nearly $16 million with the moves Then again, it's not often you see a pro football team dump its sacks leader, a top-flight defensive back and one of the franchise's greatest running backs.