Fan's Corner: What is the State of Professional Sports in Georgia

1995, a number that means something to nearly every Georgian and Atlantan.

The year the Atlanta Braves won the World Series, and brought the South's capital state it's lone championship in professional sports, and one of the few brought home in any major sport at all.

Could the Braves End Up Dog-Piling Again in 2013?

It's well documented and discussed. The state of Georgia--the Atlanta area in particular--has been a massive fail when it comes to winning sports championships. When looked at closely, the numbers are actually quite lopsided.

The University of Georgia is the country's oldest state-chartered university; the Georgia Institute of Technology is one of the oldest and most highly recognized engineering schools in the world; and the three major pro sports teams have all been in Atlanta for well over 40 years now.

And with all that, there are a total of four modern-day college national football titles, one baseball national championship, and one World Series championship.  No national basketball titles, no Super Bowl wins, and no NBA championships.

And let's not forget, two NHL teams that packed up and left town without so much as getting to touch the Stanley Cup, less yet raise it.

Ok, and yes...Atlanta also has the Silverbacks (soccer, in case you've never heard of them), the Beat (women's soccer in a a now defunct league), the Dream (WNBA) and the Gladiators (minor league hockey), but none of them have won championships either, not that clinging to those as a claim to fame would be a boost to the image of sports in Georgia. 

With this in mind, I put this question out to fans;

Which team is in the best position to win the next championship: Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks, Georgia Football, Georgia Basketball, Georgia Tech Football or Georgia Tech Basketball?

Obviously there are plenty of other college sports to choose from, but let's face it--football and basketball are really the only two that bring in major viewership and major dollars. 

The results weren't really that surprising.

Basically none of the respondents gave Georgia Tech any chance at all in football or basketball, nor did anyone step up for the rebuilding Hawks. Georgia basketball also received little love. None of these were a shock, as all of those teams are either in the process of trying to build something new, or just flat out being torn apart.

There were a number of fans who feel like Georgia is on the cusp and ready to grab their first football championship in almost 35 years. But truthfully, Georgia football fans generally come in two categories--eternal optimists who fall blind to the issues preventing the team from winning, or those who just take pleasure in beating up whoever has the title "head coach" at that time.

This coming season will tell a lot about where Georgia stands in regards to winning a national title. This could be either the season that the window is beginning to close for a few years, or perhaps it's just closed behind them after last season.

@gasportscraze Either UGA fb or the Falcons. Both are title material, but have HUGE obstacles to get it done.
— Erskine Thompson (@ErskineThompson) May 18, 2013

There are apparently a lot of fans who feel like this could be the Braves year to get it done again. The revamped lineup and focus on power has fans excited, and has the Braves leading the NL East. It's a dicey formula though, and the Braves have shown that teams with quality pitching can give them a tough time. But, with a healthy lineup, it's certainly one of the most daunting group of hitters in MLB.

I think the Braves are still a season--possibly two--away from winning it all again. They have to get some consistent hitting, and find that one ace stopper in their starting rotation.

"Banshee Sports ...I would say the Braves. Falcons could certainly get it done. The others ... no chance in foreseeable future."

But it's clear that the overwhelming majority of fans who responded feel like the Falcons are the team that will bring the next championship home to the state of Georgia. With a nucleus of strong players at the skill positions, and a lot of youth being infused in the offensive and defensive lines, this is a team that is clearly being built to win a championship more than just once.

Watching the Falcons being methodically pieced together has been something to behold, especially for long-time fans who have suffered through terrible owners, GMs and coaches who threw darts at a board and tried to figure which players would be the easiest to market to the fans, rather than win a Lombardi Trophy.

@gasportscraze Toss up between Braves and Falcons. I feel like this Falcons team they've put together can be special.
— Dalton Keene (@dalton_keene) May 18, 2013

@gasportscraze falcons, UGA FB then Braves.
— Patrick Schmidt (@PatrickASchmidt) May 18, 2013

So according to fans (and we all know fans have the gift of clairvoyance), the Atlanta Falcons will break the state of Georgia's 18-year drought of championships.

Atlanta Falcons 2013 Unfilled Needs: Defensive Tackle

With the primary free agency period and the 2013 NFL Draft behind them, the shape of the 2013 Atlanta Falcons is beginning to take form. Thomas Dimitroff and company did a superb job of not squandering money on overpriced free agents, but were still able to land some key players such as RB Steven Jackson, while retaining the most important free agents on the team.

(Continue Reading on DraftFalcons.com)

The New York Jets QB Saga, Chapter Six: David Garrard

It's not often that something like this happens.

OK, let me qualify that. It's not often that something like this happens to teams other than the New York Jets, but today it's been reported that QB David Garrard has told teammates he no longer plans on being with the team.

For those of you living in another dimension, let's recap.

The Jets had three quarterbacks; Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow and Greg McElroy. Then they signed free agent Matt Simms. That made four. Then just before the draft, they brought in veteran David Garrard, bringing the total to five.

Then they drafted Geno Smith. That made six...yes, you read that right...six quarterbacks on the roster.

After the draft, new Jets GM John Idzik stated it was to be an "open competition" between all six men for the starting job.

But wait, hold on. The Jets then released (as expected) Tebow, bringing it down to a more manageable *giggles* five possible starters.

With the reported pending exit of Garrard, it's now back to four. One battle-scarred hot dog loving veteran, one completely untested free agent, one youngster that should be significantly damaged mentally by this point, and the newly drafted rookie.

So, what could have brought on this move by Garrard, as it seems likely he was going to at least be in the running for a starting job. We'll just use our imagination and finely tuned sense of BS, and see if we can't recreate the conversation between head coach Rex Ryan and Garrard (purely speculative and fictional transcript, of course):

Ryan:  Thanks for coming in David. I've been meaning to talk to you. Oh, sorry...just move those pictures off the chair. Just, umm...prospects for new cheerleaders.

Garrard:  Isn't that one your wife?

Ryan:  Let's move on. Now David, I know that you are excited to be a Jet, and frankly I can't tell you how absolutely glad I am to have you on the roster. You're a proven veteran who will bring great depth to our bench.

Garrard:  Thank y...wait, what? Bench? I thought I had a shot at starting. Wasn't that what we were told, that it was an open competition?

Ryan:  You know we have to keep those press hounds at bay. There is no way that anyone is going to accept that Sanchez is the starter unless they think he's actually won the job. You're an insurance policy David, just like Tim was last year.

Garrard:  So what you're saying is th-

Ryan:  What I'm saying is that don't go hurting your arm, or go trying to dive for a first down during the preseason to impress me. It's not going to. Mark is our starter, as long as I'm running this team he's got a job as the starting quarterback.

Garrard:  I see, so no matter how good I play, it's not going to matter.  Is that what you're trying to imply?

Ryan:  I'm not implying anything David, I'm telling you flat out. Don't even put forth the effort, because you'll just make the whole organization look silly if you play lights out in preseason and we still start Mark.

Garrard:  I don't get it.

Ryan:  The dude's jersey is permanently tattooed on my wife's body. That should give you a clue.

Garrard:  This is one messed up dysfunctional s**thole of a team.

Ryan:  See, that's why I love you. Tebow would have never had the guts to admit to knowing that. It was always "I'm excited to be a Jet...I love being a Jet...I just want to help the team".  What a load of manure. But see you...you have what it takes to be a Jet.  To recognize the dumpster fire we are and to be perfectly willing to throw a little gas on it.

Garrard:  I'm outta here man. The Raiders and Browns will be looking for QBs by week three anyway.

Ryan:  Well, if that's how you feel, I have to respect that. Or that's what I'm told anyway. Would you happen to have McNabb's number?

Falcons Sign Former Alabama Kicker Jeremy Shelley, Cut Kicker Casey Barth

If the Atlanta Falcons were considering giving veteran kicker Matt Bryant some competition, they just did so in grand fashion. While undrafted free agent Casey Barth was waived earlier this week, the Falcons added an even more formidable prospect in former Alabama place kicker Jeremy Shelley.

(Continue Reading at DraftFalcons.com)

Braves Leave Everything But Heart in San Francisco

Some like to look at these early season match-ups between first place teams as potential playoff clashes later in the year. If that's the case, then the Atlanta Braves had best hope the San Francisco Giants go into a tailspin before October arrives.

In losing the four-game series to the defending World Champs, the Braves managed only four runs and 14 hits in the final three games, coming away from the Bay area 1-3 for the series. The only game the Braves won--a 6-3 victory in game one--was the only game in which the Braves formidable lineup managed to give their starting pitcher any run support at all.

Julio Teheran (2-0) was able to pick up the sole win of the series, with losses being tagged to starters Tim Hudson (4-2), Paul Maholm (4-4), and Kris Medlen (1-5).  Probably quite the opposite of what most Braves fans expected coming into this series.

In total, the Braves were outscored by the NL West leading Giants 26-10 in the series, and Atlanta's once top of the league pitching staff was roughed up for 43 hits.

In short, Buster Posey, Kung Fu Panda and the Giants were not intimidated or impressed by Atlanta's pitching.

This is the first time in the 2013 season that both the Braves' starters and bullpen have been roughed up at the same time, and the lack of consistent hitting (as opposed to depending on the long ball) has come back to haunt the Braves in a major way against a quality opponent.

Atlanta thought they had an excellent opportunity for a split coming into the fourth game of the series, as they were facing one-time Giants ace Tim Lincecum, who has fallen on some hard times in the past two seasons. But Lincecum was as sharp as his former Cy Young winning self, going seven innings and giving up no runs and only two hits. 

An even bigger concern for manager Fredi Gonzalez has to be the fact that the entire Braves lineup seems to have gone cold all at once. Without runners on base, it's hard to score runs even if you do hit the occasional homer.

The only consolation is that with the three consecutive blowout losses, Braves closer Craig Kimbrel--who has been shaky of late--got some rest and a chance to gather himself mentally.

The Braves have gone 4-6 in their last 10 games, and their once padded lead over the second place Washington Nationals has now been trimmed to just one game. They will now head to Arizona for a three-game series against the Diamondbacks before returning home on Friday for a weekend series against the L.A. Dodgers.

The D-Backs are only two games behind the Giants in the west, and were probably hoping for the Braves to take at least a split of the series in San Francisco before heading their way.

The Atlanta pitching staff isn't going to get any rest against Arizona, who also hits well and scores a lot of runs. The only thing leaning in the Braves' direction is that the D-Backs are only 10-10 playing in their home stadium this year.

Will Jonny Venters Return to the Braves in 2013?

The Atlanta Braves have been without relief pitcher Jonny Venters since late March, when he was shut down with soreness in his pitching elbow. This is the same left elbow that Dr. James Andrews performed Tommy John surgery on in 2006.

Venters threw off the mound for the first time in over a month this past Thursday, and unfortunately it was a session that ended prematurely. He was only scheduled to throw 15-20 pitches but was only able to throw about half as many before the soreness took its toll.

The Braves reliever paid a visit to Dr. Andrews in April, after which he was given a platelet-rich plasma injection in the elbow. Following the injection, Venters was instructed to avoid throwing and attempting his comeback for at least a month.

Now it looks like the entire process may be put on hold.

Venters was part of a lethal 1-2-3 combination in the Braves bullpen, teaming up with Eric O'Flaherty and closer Craig Kimbrel to be one of the best shutdown trios in all of baseball. In Venters absence, the Atlanta bullpen has performed well, but that doesn't mean they don't miss their fireball left-hander.

The question will now become whether or not Venters can be ready to pitch again in 2013, as this latest setback has to be a concern for all involved. The success rate of Tommy John surgery is very high, but the rate of careers ended when complications set in to a repaired elbow is alarming.

At 28 years old, having a problem with a surgically repaired elbow might not sound that bad, but since it has been over six years since his original surgery, it might suggest that this is an ongoing problem with the mechanics Venters uses when throwing.

Instead of asking if Venters will return this season, perhaps the better question is should he return this season. It could be in Atlanta's best interest to simply shut Venters down for the remainder of the season, and allow doctors to take a closer look at the elbow and to give ample time for any inflammation to subside.

Losing Venters for the remaining few months of 2013 could possibly save him for future seasons, and with relievers Eric O'Flaherty and Luis Ayala both becoming eligible for free agency in 2014, Venters' arm could be more important than ever.

Atlanta Braves Are Living, Dying By the Sword

Let's capsulize things in a three game road series for the Atlanta Braves.

Three games with the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark.

Two Wins:  14 runs, six home runs.
One Loss:  Four Runs, zero home runs. 

And that has pretty much been the story of the season for the Braves. When they go deep, they typically win, but when they don't it's usually a notch in the L column.

Atlanta is destined to be that team which leads the league in both dingers and whiffs it would seem.

It's a lot of fun to watch (well, not the strikeouts per say), but it's also becoming a dangerous trend. Home runs can dry up, particularly in the latter parts of the season. And once the playoffs begin--provided the Braves are included--homers become even more scarce due to the preponderance of quality pitching faced.

Homers are exciting, and they can change not only the score but the momentum of a game. But personally, I'd be willing to trade some of these tape-measure jobs for a few more doubles, and some of the swing-and-miss at bats for a walk or two.

Right now, the Braves pitching staff has things at an even keel. With starters among the league leaders in ERA, and one of the best bullpens in MLB, even when Atlanta's sluggers don't deliver, the Braves are still in the game.

The problem is, being in the game, and coming up with that key two-out hit to win the game are completely different animals. Living and dying by the home run doesn't always get the job done.

And what if that pitching should falter just a little? Even if one of the starters begins to slump or if the bullpen has a small onset of arm problems, it could spell a losing streak. When you count on good pitching to offset slumping bats--and vice versa--it's a dicey proposition.

But there is a positive side to this type of offense. The past two seasons, the Braves have played typical NL small ball--moving runners station to stations, using bunts, steals and sacrifices to manufacture runs.

That works great over the course of a long season, but in a short series (or one-game playoff) it can backfire.

This big stick offensive onslaught has brought some fire and flexing to the Braves dugout and clubhouse, and they look like a team ready for a battle rather than a board meeting, as in years past.

"It's a long season, and you have to take it one game at a time"; possibly the truest (and most lame) cliche' in all of baseball. The best the Braves can hope for is that one game at a time, neither their quality pitching or thumping bats both go cold at once.

If they do, it's not going to be pretty. 

Atlanta Falcons Move Towards Youth is A Good Thing

In 2012, the Atlanta Falcons were very good—just about as good as they came in the NFL.
They were also very old.
The Falcons boasted the oldest average age for starters of any roster in the league, and the second oldest overall behind the San Diego Chargers....

(Continue Reading on DraftFalcons.com)