"The Atlanta Falcons' offense is an archetype buffet. There's the young stud quarterback in Matt Ryan, the career backup running back who became a star when he got his chance in Michael Turner, the loafer-near-bust turned hard-working All-Pro receiver in Roddy White and the still-talented but aging future Hall of Fame tight end in Tony Gonzalez.

While the first three get the bulk of the attention, don't overlook the importance of Gonzalez as the Falcons prepare to face the Green Bay Packers on Saturday.

Rarely, if ever, is a tight end the focus of an offense. And Gonzalez is not the star, either. But he plays an integral role in ensuring the Falcons' offense is difficult to stop.

Turner led the NFL with 334 carries and White in catches with 115, a franchise record. It's a safe bet that neither would have happened if opponents didn't have to worry about Gonzalez, too. In 2008, the rookie season for Ryan and coach Mike Smith, the Falcons completed 18 passes all season to tight ends. Gonzalez joined the team in 2009 and caught 83 passes. He followed it up 70 this season.

Smith and offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey draw praise from opposing coaches for the way they use the four players, too.

Mularkey "is flooding personnel in every snap. It's hard to match him," said Greg Manusky, the San Francisco 49ers' defensive coordinator the past four seasons. "You're going back and forth between groups. He keeps you off-balance that way."

Mularkey also plays to his guys' strengths. White runs precise routes, shows great hands and is tough and physical. Turner is a bulldozer. Gonzalez is a sure-handed, smart and wiley veteran."