Tony Gonzalez says that he's 95 percent sure the upcoming season will be his last, but he wasn't ready to completely rule out a return in 2013. "I've had a great run," the tight end said. "I don't want to be one of those players toward the end of their careers -- and nothing against guys that have done it like that in the past -- but I want to make sure that I'm at the top of my game when I do go out."

Mike Smith says that Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan worked to get stronger this offseason. "He was the first guy in the weight room this offseason. I think he took somewhere between two or three weeks off before he popped back up here in the building," Smith said. "When you have your quarterback as the first guy in I think that's a positive thing. It's funny how other guys started to trickle in when he came in. We couldn't work with him because of the rules associated with collective bargaining agreement. We were not allowed to have interaction with him, but we could open the facilities and allow them to work in the facilities. I see it in Matt's strength. I know some of you are saying, 'He doesn’t look like he's that much bigger,' but when you're slight like Matt is and have the body type that he does you're working in percentages. Matt's done a good job with his body. He looks stronger throwing the football, and if you start the season stronger you're obviously going to finish the season stronger. That's something that we have talked to our entire football team about is finishing. Finish everything we do."

Falcons coach Mike Smith says linebacker Lofa Tatupu will miss the upcoming season because of a pectoral injury. Smith said Tuesday tests revealed Tatupu will require season-ending surgery. Tatupu signed with the Falcons in March to a two-year deal with a maximum value of $5.75 million.

The Falcons and Mike Peterson signed a contract on Monday. Peterson, who has been with the team for the past three seasons and also played for Mike Smith while with the Jaguars, will give Atlanta depth at the linebacker position.

Lofa Tatupu will begin training camp with the Falcons among the injured. "Lofa sustained a pectoral injury while working out recently (Thursday)," coach Mike Smith said. "At this point, we do not know the extent of the injury, but we expect to have more information early next week." The Falcons signed Tatupu to a two-year, $5.75 million deal in March with hopes he would compete with Akeem Dent for the starting middle linebacker spot.

The Falcons have some needs in the secondary and Brent Grimes continues to make plays for them. Atlanta has been burned on some big contracts in the past and they appear content to have Grimes play out another season to see how things go. The Falcons may approach the defensive back with another contract after the 2012 season.

Matt Ryan may have seen his value rise on Friday when the Saints signed Drew Brees to a five-year, $100 million contract. Ryan's contract with the Falcons expires in 2013. The Atlanta quarterback, who's set to make a base salary of $11.5 million this season and $10 million next season, is nearing the end of a six-year, $72 million deal.

Julio Jones had 54 catches for 959 yards and eight touchdowns during his rookie season with the Falcons despite missing three games. On Wednesday, ESPN's Jerry Rice nominated Jones as his top breakout wide receiver for 2012. "I love this kid," said Rice. "He's awesome. He's big, he's fast. ... I think he's gonna have a breakout season this coming year."

Lofa Tatupu was nearing retirement before the Falcons called and offered him a job. Tatupu was a three-time Pro Bowl linebacker for the Seahawks, but when the team released him last year, he couldn't find a job and began filling out retirement paperwork. "I'm excited about the whole process and just being back playing ball again," Tatupu said. "You've got to knock a little rust off, but for the most part it's second nature, especially as a middle linebacker. You're supposed to know what everybody is doing. You're supposed to be the field general. From that standpoint, I really wasn't taken aback by it. I just come in and do what I do." Tatupu signed a two-year, $3.6 million deal with the Falcons in March.

Chris Hope, who opted to sign with the Falcons, won a Super Bowl (XL) with the Steelers and see good things coming for Atlanta. "The Atlanta Falcons looked good to me because they are a veteran-led team with a lot of young talent," the defensive back said. "I think they are on verge of doing something special. They've been to the playoffs in [three of] of the past [four] seasons. They had the best record in the entire conference two years ago, but they've been just coming up short. They have the makings of being a Super Bowl team. I think that they are right there, knocking on the door. I feel like, for where I'm at in my career, I want to play for something. I don't want to play for a check. I want to play for an opportunity to win another ring."