Today I was tipped that Braves closer Mark Melancon operates a turf company. Like, he takes phone calls with clients by day and pitches on nights and weekends.
Brian Snitker admits “we” (the Braves as an organization) have contributed to some of Kyle Wright’s previous struggles in the majors. Said it was important for him to pitch in one place for an entire season and amass innings and success.
Freddie Freeman may very well land in LA or New York or somewhere else, but it’s worth remembering one thing while we’re waiting:
Anthopolous’ front office doesn’t leak. Braves fans are unlikely to hear any positive reports until he signs, wherever that is.
Holy cow, 42,263 here at Truist tonight, which is not just more than Opening Day -- it's the largest attendance ever for a regular season game in this ballpark.
For a replica ring.
The Falcons somehow beat the Packers and Texans, while losing to every team it played that is drafting ahead of them:
Chicago (and Carolina)
Washington
Arizona
Tennessee
Regarding his contract status, Matt Judon said "The Atlanta Falcons don't know me as a football player. They know my history. So I can't demand something I haven't worked for."
Said he's just working to put his best foot forward at this point. Doesn't appear to be a sticking
Alex Anthopoulos told us he had a soft serve ice cream machine installed in the Braves clubhouse in June at the request of Freddie Freeman. He added that if they won the division, he'd send one to his house.
"I just told him, we can get it delivered tomorrow."
#Falcons
RG Chris Lindstrom on a long-term extension: "I want to be a Falcon for my whole career. The team definitely knows I want to be here, my agent knows I want to be here, so I'm gonna let them do their thing and earn their money."
Josef Martinez with another classic: "I was happy, especially on that second [goal]. I was just walking and the ball found me. It was like a glass of rum I didn’t have to order, it was just there."
Source tells me George Bello and Atlanta United have agreed to terms with Bundesliga side Arminia Bielefeld, whose interest was first reported by
@GrantWahl
.
He is currently on a plane to Germany to finalize paperwork. Bello has had positive talks with AB manager Frank Kramer.
NEWS: Darren Eales writes in a letter to season ticket holders: “as a brand-new benefit and for the first time ever, Atlanta United will provide free tickets for members travelling to away MLS matches in 2023.” 👀
Fabrizio Romano confirms last night’s report with added details. In the end, Bello had the leverage to get the move he wanted — one that will give him a chance to compete for a starting spot every week against Bundesliga opposition ahead of a World Cup. Big year.
USMNT left back George Bello has decided to join Arminia Bielefeld over Cercle Brugge. Atlanta United have accepted fresh proposal for $2m plus significant sell on (25%). 🇺🇸🇩🇪
#MLS
#AtlantaUtd
Bello only wanted to join Arminia and the deal is now in place.
#Falcons
WR Drake London on QB Desmond Ridder: "He only had four games last year. People didn't really see all of Dez... Now they get to see him and get see what he does, so I think he'll shut a lot of people up and silence those doubters for sure."
Bijan Robinson said on Tyreek Hill's podcast that the first thing he did upon signing his Falcons contract was -- not buy something (yet) -- but get with his accountant and make sure every year of the money was tithed.
He walks the walk.
Darlington Nagbe said he basically has not been in contact with the
#USMNT
at all recently, even in the lead-up to the Gold Cup. Frank de Boer said he's without a doubt one of the best midfielders in MLS.
Mohamed Sanu on Calvin Ridley: "He's one of the most talented people I've ever been around. So I'm giving him everything I know about the game to help his game reach even better heights."
#Falcons
Falcons QB room dynamics in a nutshell:
Kirk Cousins requested that rookie Michael Penix supply the suite with trail mix.
Taylor Heinicke requested Zyns.
@JoshNorris
Greetings Josh. Heard on your show recently the lamenting of lack of reports on Kyle Pitts (and perhaps other Falcons players). The team has kept fans from attending camp this year due to construction at the facility, which could be a reason for lack of chatter…
#Braves
Freddie Freeman: "It brings a whole different energy when fans are in the stands. We could hear the Braves fans loud and clear... It was great. The 11,000 people felt like 50,000 to us."
Just out of
#Falcons
locker room -- a sad scene as you'd expect. The heartfelt support for Arthur Smith from every player I heard from was genuine, but they all understood why changes are made. Kaleb McGary sounded a little choked up talking about Smith. Jonnu Smith as well.
George Bello's deal to Arminia Bielefeld is done. Medical and paperwork are complete. The clubs should be officially announcing the move soon.
Congratulations to
@_georgebello
for the move and best of luck in the Bundesliga!
Josef Martinez on
#ATLUTD
confidence level right now:
“We feel freedom. We’re happy. That’s what we have to recover bc that’s who we are. For a long time we played the beautiful games. The last game I said ‘this is amazing.’ I haven’t seen that for a long time.”
Raheem Morris said that when he was meeting with Justin Simmons at Chops in Atlanta, Simmons was running through the names of players on Atlanta's roster talking about how he can work with them on the field.
#Falcons
#Falcons
DBs get together on Tuesday off days to watch film together without coaches.
Ridder leads post-practice meetings with pass catchers to go over things.
Troy Andersen and Nate Landman live together in-season and break down film at home.
Winning habits and culture.
Bijan on the first day on the field with Arthur Smith:
"He uses me everywhere. From receiver to running back, he lets me use my ability and skillset. Whether it's catching the ball running routes, obviously running the football, blocking. He told me 'I'm gonna coach you hard.'"
What an unbelievable effort and hell of a result. Atlanta United just beat a team that hasn't lost since September on the road and down a man for half the game.
I’ll never forget where I was when Atlanta was announced as a World Cup host city…
Grabbing a sandwich bc I didn’t expect them to be announced with “Central” cities.
There's lots of talk about how much the loss of Josef Martinez impacted ATLUTD in MLS is Back considering the 0 total goals. But I'm increasingly of the opinion that the team is still figuring out how to function without Darlington Nagbe.
In MLS you can’t pay everyone, but LGP feels to me like a player Atlanta really can’t afford to lose rn. IMO he’s right with Miguel/Josef as the team’s most important player. Never misses a match, rarely has a poor performance. Big part of this team’s DNA too.
We spend all week recording hours of podcasts, reviewing film, thoroughly analyzing the players and coaches to try to determine how the game will ultimately play out.
And they just do this shit.
This Braves organization is a machine. From Anthopoulos’ team to the scouting department to the development coaches to Brian Snitker and his coaching staff. Best in class.
They are very different types of players, but Luiz Araujo has the ability to run with the ball at speed as well as Miguel Almiron - maybe even better.
He’s certainly the first playmaker ATLUTD has had since Miggy that takes your breath away like he just did.
Asked Ridder if he hears the implication from national media pundits claiming the Falcons don’t have the proper caliber of quarterback to compete for a title:
“Yeah, I have a TV in my house.”
Jerry Gray said one of the reasons the
#Falcons
secondary has been so effective is they get together on Tuesdays without coaches to watch tape on their own and discuss between themselves how they can best defend opposing pass catchers.
Franco Escobar gave a passionate defense of the club in a really honest moment. Said Atlanta is a special place for him and the club will always be in his heart after he won titles and has grown as a professional here. It's why it's such a frustrating time right now
#ATLUTD
Here is Rams GM Les Snead speaking about Raheem Morris. You can tell this is from the heart, and that Morris has obviously left a massive imprint during his time in LA.
Atlanta United looks like a different team tonight. Tight passing combinations into the box. Numbers going forward. Honestly kinda reminds me of something a couple years ago.
If there's anything to illustrate how different of a player Barco is this year, it's this defensive effort. He told us this week it's been a point of focus for him.
#ATLUTD
Up to date ranking of NFL QBs with most turnover worthy plays:
1. D. Ridder - 15
2. M. Jones - 14
3. J. Hurts - 10
3. G. Minshew - 10
5. P. Mahomes - 9
5. T. Lawrence - 9
5. J. Dobbs - 9
8. B. Purdy - 8
8. L. Jackson - 8
8. S. Howell - 8
8. R. Wilson - 8
8. D. Jones - 8
You have to give the
#ATLUTD
front office credit for just about every big decision made since MLS is Back. Moving on from FdB, Pity and signing Moreno, Heinze all appear sound and are moving the club in the right direction.
#Braves
Freddie Freeman: Everybody on this team can lay their head on their pillow knowing they gave absolutely everything they had and left nothing in the tank... The group that we have is the start of something special for a long time.
Ozzie Alonso’s impact at Atlanta United: Jackson Conway said he was wearing a hat in the cafeteria when he was eating and Ozzie told him to take it off (and he did).
Dad?