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          NFL Nation

          Arthur Blank happy Falcons are in first place

          • Vaughn McClure, ESPN Staff WriterNov 16, 2014, 06:05 PM ET
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            • Covered Bears for seven seasons at Chicago Tribune
            • Also worked at Chicago Sun-Times, Fresno Bee
            • Honorable mention, Football Writers Association of America for enterprise writing, 2002
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          CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Observed and heard in the locker room after the Atlanta Falcons' 19-17 win over the Carolina Panthers at Bank of American Stadium.

          • Falcons owner Arthur Blank obviously was in a much better mood Sunday than he was after his team blew a 21-point lead against Detroit in London earlier this season. "Yes, I am happy, definitely," Blank said. "First place in our division; I'm happy." The Falcons are 4-6 and tied atop the NFC South with the Saints, but they beat New Orleans in the season opener.

          • Atlanta running back Antone Smith, who suffered a knee injury, was spotted on crutches as he exited the locker room. Cornerback Robert Alford had what appeared to be a soft cast protection on his left wrist. Receiver Devin Hester didn't have any protection on his left wrist, but it could be sprained and he's set to undergo further testing on Monday. Defensive lineman Jonathan Babineaux said the knee he banged up during the game is fine.

          • Before exiting the locker room, Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant admitted he mistakenly celebrated what he thought was a pass breakup in the fourth quarter but ended up being a 22-yard touchdown catch by Panthers rookie wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin. "I turned and looked at the crowd like, 'What? What?' And then I looked back and I saw him celebrating," Trufant said. "I was like, 'Aww, man.' I thought I broke it up. He just made a better play. I tip my hat to him on that one."