The End - Tex To Angels

We offered a very aggressive multiyear contract that would have made him one of the highest-paid players in the game, and it was not accepted," Wren said. "We knew from that discussion that we were not going to be able to sign him, and we didn't feel like it would be best for the club to go into the offseason just receiving [compensatory] Draft picks when we could get established Major League players to fit our plan going forward.

We're not mathematically out of it, but we might as well be. Wren is folding here and getting what he can. I'm not happy with the move personally, but the above statement tells me that the Braves are at least running a professional sports franchise, something that couldn't be said about the Hawks.

Teixeira being here for years to come was a dream. Another hometown guy, someone to scare the opposing pitcher... I mean, to face Francoeur, Chipper, Teixeira, McCann in the heart of a lineup, that'd be pretty awesome. Of course, then again, this year is different, this season we lose two hall of famers to injury, Francoeur has an off year and the Cubs AND Mets are actually playing good baseball. Go figure.

Again, at least there is some competence in the front office.

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Optimism Prevails For Everyone But Local Media

The number one story out of Atlanta is a complete non-story. When was the last time you read a "news" story about the non-mention of someone? I can think of a few times, but why on Earth would an organization bring up anything about a season so "unlucky" that it has to be one of the worst series of events known to an NFL Franchise ... EVER (or as we say in the South, Eva).

So on all the local papers on Sunday, the day after the first day of practice, the first day full of energy and optimism and discussions of WINNING FOOTBALL even if it means we are scratching and fighting for extra wins, it means we are winning, a day after Mike Smith, Thomas Dimitroff and the rest of the entire Atlanta Falcons are breathing a collective sigh of relief that the process is working, the Associated Press releases an article about there being no mention of a certain someone as if it is news.

Well this fan is excited and I'm not looking back and some coward who's signed 20 years of contracts in the past 4 or a kid who never was smart enough to get out of the thug life. What am I excited about?

MIKE SMITH.

How great is it that we have this guy? Well, let me tell you from my perspective that last season was a huge blessing. As my Grandma would say, it's a backward blessing. Mainly, we now can appreciate having a real MAN as a coach for this team, one that is stern yet friendly, one that understands the process and although he might not know where to stand on the field, he knows how to put players in position to win. This guy does not look like he will run with the pigs, or freak out if one of his players makes some bad choices.

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Friday FU - Chilly Reaction, AJC Plays the Race Card, Again, and the Braves are in it?

Friday FU (Follow Up) for July 25th, 2008

Chilly Reaction
Josh Childress is gone and in the aftermath, who can blame him. He's a low level player wanting big bucks. Not sure if bought into the fact that he was drafted 6th by possibly the worst drafter in the history of the NBA, but it's a moot point. The Hawks couldn't throw that kind of money at him.

Sure, I'm upset he's gone or that he doesn't love Atlanta enough to stay, but face the facts. If the Spirit put an offer for him that he accepted we'd have the most overpaid player for the 2008 season. Sorry, a 6th man on a sub .500 team simply isn't worth that.
AJC plays the Race Card
I'm over here looking for something to write about my Falcons and come across some articles. One talking about Horn showing up to camp (who cares), one about Martrez Milner (that one is a feel good, but pointless), another one about Sam "Stubby Arms" Baker & Curtis "Most Likely To Appear on 'Cops' " Lofton potential for holding out (sleeper) and finally one about Black QB's who are out of work and want to blame race by the AJC.

Really?! Seriously, this is the reason why I don't subscribe to the AJC in the first place, it's worthless race baiting talk. Jobless QB's are being discriminated against? OK, I'll play along, who is getting discriminated against?

• Byron Leftwich - Um, has he ever played a full season? He blew his free pass due to Petrino when he got hurt, again. Sorry, league minimum or not, I can't put my teams hopes on the shoulders of someone who can't take a hit.
  
• Daunte Culpepper - This one is almost there. I rank him right under a Trent Green, Jeff George comeback kid. He had a great game for a team that didn't do anything last year. He's worth the minimum, but word on the street is that he wants to play. Sorry, there's only a handful of jobs, and frankly, we've seen what you can do (and what you can't)
• Quinn Gray - OK, this must be the writer's cousin or something. Who is Quinn Gray, Really?! Do a google on him and get this photo of the cheerleader. Oh yeah, he went threw for 54 yards and 2 picks in a game last year. Bring 'im home Dimitroff!
  
• Shaun King - Hey, if the article was just about him, I'd agree wholeheartedly. All he did was run a good ship for the Bucs into the playoffs and what did he get in return... Fired. Of course, it doesn't help that he can barely see over the steering wheel let alone a 6'5" 300 LB lineman.
• Aaron Brooks - Really?! Are you serious. The comparison is that the there are scrubs that happen to be white that are getting jobs over proven failures. The key here is that these scrubs don't mind doing the dirty work for the job. Sorry Aaron, you'll get no love here.
  

Bottomline is that these guys all want to be starters and they have proven that they don't have the skillset for the job. Two are injury prone, one is a bonafide bust, one is too short for the NFL (and on that he IS getting discriminated against) and one will be lucky if he's the answer of some obscure trivia question.

Braves Are In it?
Although Cox is the master of the 2nd Half, he might have the magic to pull out this season. With 60 or so games left and 24 of those against the 3 teams ahead of them the Braves will have to win almost every game down the stretch to even have a shot. So will Texeira stay or go. I wish they'd get off the fence and say, Yes we will compete or no, let's get ready for next season. Time will tell.

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The Greeks will find out: Chill's Ain't Got No Game

Josh Childress just signed with Greece. Well good riddance in my opinion. I'm an Atlanta Homer and an Atlanta Native, if you don't want to try to stick it out here, go on then.

See ya.

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Childress Is Not A Competitor

I know, really I do. The Spirit is really to blame for all of this. Their impotence and confusion is likely handicapping Sund from actually signing the two Josh's. It's still no excuse.

Josh Smith's excursion to Philly then to L.A. makes sense. I doubt he's actually going to go anywhere, but he's got to make the play to get paid. Good for him. If he applied himself for 4 quarters they'd be talking about him, the way they do Wade and Lebron. Really.

Josh Childress, to actually consider going to Greece to play. Really?! It tells me that this kid is no competitor. The greatest players and athletes in the WORLD are in the NBA. They're great players in Europe, but the BEST are in the NBA. True competitors with heart, want to play the best. Ask any kid in the last few decades who they scored that game winning buzzer beater over... Jordan... who is it now? Lebron, Kobe maybe Garnett or Pierce.

Bottomline, flaking out to the Europe league might make some financial sense, but this is a "BS" answer. Childress is simply being a baby because he's a 6th man in this league and instead of working on his game enough to himself into the starting lineup he figures he'll go to Europe where he will be starter then come back a few years later and hope that some team will insert them into their lineup. Fat chance.

Hey Sund! You're a master of trades and free agents, rumor is Josh wants a sign and trade... can't we oblige?... What's that?! No trade value.... Hmmmm

I appreciated the hustle and your game in the playoffs. Your true colors are starting to show - was that an anomaly? Either sit back down and wait your turn and be quiet or go play in Europe. With that attitude no one in Atlanta would want to watch you play anyway.

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Friday FU: 7.18 - Cox the Master of the 2nd Half | Mr. Smith comes home | First Round Fantasy: Norwood

July 18th, 2008

Cox Owns The Seocond Half
As we begin the second half of the season with a 6.5 game deficit there are two thoughts that run through my mind.

First, that if I could have anyone in the dugout to play the nearly perfect second half, it'd be Cox. Say what you will about his post-season record or slow starts to a season, COX OWNS THE SECOND HALF.

Second, Cox has been giving up ground for the past several years. I hope 6.5 seems like enough of a challenge.
Every season the AM talk shows will be dumping on the Braves chances and talking about re-tooling and every season (except one) they are proven wrong. Well, my hope is that this season isn't a wash and if we have any shot at the playoffs, it's going to be Cox that makes the difference not a new acquisition. Keep Texeira by the way.

Mr. Smith Comes Home?
Now that the 76ers have their Brand new team and the Clippers have made their Marc (OK, I know that's REALLY BAD), it'll be interesting to see what Josh Smith signs for. Sund has called the bluffs and no one really wanted to go head to head with Sund, or rather a shaky ownership group that might not have actually matched the offer.

Until ownership gets on the same page, we'll never be able to fully commit to the team, but I love the prospect of our first 6 players coming into this year. Mike Bibby, Joe Johnson, (Space Taking Center), Josh Smith, Al Horford, Josh Childress.... Notice that this hasn't changed from last year. Sure the Hawks didn't get any new pieces, and sure it wasn't intentional. But it's exactly what the Hawks need, stability. What other team should have their same starting group intact and not have to worry about "gelling" the first half of the season. I predict the Hawks to make the playoffs again, albeit as an 8th or possibly a 7th seed.

First Round Fantasy Talent: Jerious Norwood
If you're a betting man, then I suggest you sneak Norwood out of the first or early rounds. The guy is a touch down miracle man. He'll get less touches than Turner, but the coaches don't seem to be as dense as the previous regime, so I expect Norwood to get a few more touches. Really, that's all he needs to get his. He'll average almost a 100 yards culmative and at least a TD every Sunday this year.

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Friday FU - 7-11 BOO Braves!

Friday FU (Follow Up)

BOO BRAVES!
The Francoeur move was too little, too late and although it seems to be proving dividends, it was certainly a mis-management of the most marketable player on the team. BOO FANS! too, booing Frenchy is simply unacceptable in my opinion. The guy's hitting better than that bean bag we had here for a few years and again, one of the best guys in the clubhouse there is.

TYPICAL HAWKS
Now that the Clippers are Falked, they're likely to try to do some "falking" of their own by over-offerring for Josh Smith, so he can run back here and ask our dazed and confused owners for to match. ... NICE. At least, I've come to expect the Hawks to make moves like this one.

NO VALUE FOR HORN?
Is Authur the only one willing to overpay for Horn, surely we could get some water bottles or something for him. I'm guessing they were using the questions for Horn to sign Terry.

GWINNETT DAILY BOOSTING FORCE...
Um... (ajc says the same) don't they know the season is over for the force?

DREAM A NIGHTMARE?
Although this is possibly the silliest experiment in professional sports, the Dream did win one. Um, don't tell the girls, but they are in ATLANTA.

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