Ausfahrten » eaten by Peter Boulware for a 6-yard sack

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Tony Gonzalez is still bitterly disappointed in himself for allowing a sack for the first time since 1999. The 13-time Pro Bowl tight end said Thursday that "it was laziness on my part," "embarrassing" and "inexcusable" when Saints linebacker Junior Galette to sack Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan for a 10-yard loss late in the second quarter of last weeks loss at New Orleans. With the Falcons (0-1) preparing to host St. Louis (1-0) on Sunday, Gonzalez knows that protection will be at a premium. The Rams pass rush is led by ends Chris Long and Robert Quinn, who combined for 22 sacks last year. Quinn had three sacks in last weeks win over Arizona. "All of us have to keep Matt upright and keep that pocket nice and clean so he can throw that ball down the field," Gonzalez said. "I thought we played well at times, but weve just got to be more consistent in holding up. Thats the biggest improvement were looking for this week." Gonzalezs mistake hurt Atlantas chance for a field goal that wouldve tied the game and was one of three sacks and six hits on Ryan. Other star playmakers had tough moments, too. Julio Jones lost a fumble that led to New Orleans first touchdown three plays later. Steven Jackson dropped a touchdown at the goal line on the final possession. But Gonzalez insists that missing three weeks of training camp and two preseason games didnt affect his performance, which included a 7-yard touchdown catch. The tight end said thats ridiculous. The Falcons allowed Gonzalez to take time off last month to spend time with his family and watch the first football practices of his 12-year-old son, Nikko, in Southern California. "He let me have it," Gonzalez said. "He said, Youre lucky that you scored the touchdown. Otherwise that wouldve been a bad game for you. Its something Ive been thinking about a lot. It wont happen again hopefully." Gonzalez was a third-year tight end with the Kansas City Chiefs when Gonzalez last allowed a sack. He went on to earn his first Pro Bowl invitation that season, but Gonzalez is still irritated about getting beaten by Peter Boulware for a 6-yard sack in Kansas Citys 1999 victory at Baltimore. Thirteen years later, it happened again against Galette, a fourth-year linebacker with just two starts in 33 career games. "Its not like the guy pushed me into the quarterback," Gonzalez said. "Its one of those things that was a miscalculation on my part, which is inexcusable, and it happened the same way last time." Gonzalez prides himself on every part of his game from running crisp routes to making tough catches in traffic and using proper techniques on blocks. "I was thinking, Hes way out there (on the edge), and theres no way he can get to the quarterback," Gonzalez said. "Matts going to throw it by then, and I just had a slow, lazy kick instead of kicking it back there and getting aggressive with it like I should have, like Ive always done." Lamar Holmes, a second-year right tackle, struggled all afternoon in his first career start. Its possible that Jeremy Trueblood, an eighth-year veteran who signed after getting cut by Washington last month, could get some snaps against St. Louis. Atlanta could have issues at left tackle, too, if Sam Baker doesnt return from a knee injury thats kept him out of practice this week. "We determine who needs help, who doesnt need help prior to the game, and we try to make those adjustments," coach Mike Smith said. "Thats what coaching all about -- making those adjustments. Gonzalez believes pass protection is the offences biggest concern in facing the Rams. "Obviously weve got a couple of injuries right now, but well be ready this Sunday," he said. "Theres no doubt about it. We have to be because we have no choice. Were a good football team, and we can make it happen. Weve done it before. Well do it again." Notes: Baker, WR Roddy White (ankle) and DT Jonathan Babineaux (knee) did not participate in practice. ... WR Julio Jones (knee), CB Asante Samuel (thigh) and LB Sean Weatherspoon (knee) were limited. Authentic Taven Bryan Jersey .5 million, two-year contract that runs through 2015. Venable, the son of former big leaguer Max Venable, will make $4. Authentic Jarrod Wilson Jersey . According to USA Today the Finns have tapped forwards Jarkko Immonen and Sakari Salminen to replace injured forwards Mikko Koivu and Valtteri Filppula at the Sochi Games. http://www.cheapjaguarsjerseysauthentic....r-patmon-jersey. 1 overall pick in the draft by the Houston Texans, is recovering from sports hernia surgery. Authentic Keelan Cole Jersey . -- First baseman Carlos Pena and outfielder Brennan Boesch have signed minor league deals with the Los Angeles Angels. Authentic D.J. Hayden Jersey .C. -- Cam Newton wasnt flawless on Sunday.SASSUOLO, Italy -- Juventus all but clinched its third successive Serie A title by coming from behind to win 3-1 Monday at relegation-threatened Sassuolo in heavy rain. Antonio Contes side moved eight points ahead of Roma with three rounds remaining. The two sides face each other in the penultimate match of the season, but Juventus is expected to seal the title next week when it plays Atalanta at home, where it has won all 17 of its league matches this season. Juventus also remained on course to become the first Serie A club to reach the 100-point barrier. "We have taken a very important step toward a historic third title," Conte said. "We are having a super season. I hear talk about an out of this world Roma side but we are eight points ahead of them and in the Europa League semifinals. So find adjectives for us." Juventus hosts Benfica on Thursday looking to overturn a 2-1 first leg defeat in their Europa League semifinal. Simone Zaza -- who is co-owned by Juventus -- gave Sassuolo a surprise lead in ninth-minute when he finished off an electric counterattack. Nicola Sansone raced downfield before setting up Zaza, whose efforrt took a slight deflection off Angelo Ogbonna to beat Gianluigi Buffon at the near post.dddddddddddd Juventus levelled in the 35th when Carlos Tevez collected the ball from Claudio Marchisio just outside the area and unleashed a fierce shot, which took a decisive deflection off Alessandro Longhi. It was Tevezs 19th of the season and leaves him two behind Torinos Ciro Immobile, the top scorer in Serie A. Claudio Marchisio fired Juventus ahead in front shortly before the hour mark after a chipped pass from Andrea Pirlo over the Sassuolo defence. And Fernando Llorente sealed the result when he finished off Stephan Lichtsteiners cross with a delightful backheel from close range 14 minutes from time. Contes jubilation after that goal and the whole teams reaction after the match expressed how close they are to the crown. "It wasnt a title celebration at the end because there is still a chance for our pursuers," Conte said. "We have to seal it in the next match, I dont like anticipating things but we took a huge step forward." Sassuolo is only above the relegation zone thanks to its head-to-head record with Bologna. ' ' '