Atlanta’s Gonzalez Upset After Allowing Rare Sack

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) – Tony Gonzalez is still bitterly disappointed in himself for allowing a sack for the first time since 1999.

Gonzalez, the Atlanta Falcons’ 13-time Pro Bowl tight end, says “it was laziness on my part” when Saints linebacker Junior Galette sacked Matt Ryan for a 10-yard loss late in the second quarter of last week’s loss at New Orleans.

The mistake hurt Atlanta’s chance for a field goal that would’ve tied the game and was one of three sacks and six hits on Ryan.

Gonzalez prides himself on proper blocking techniques.

But he insists that missing three weeks of training camp and two preseason games didn’t affect his performance against New Orleans, which included a 7-yard touchdown catch.

Atlanta hosts St. Louis on Sunday.