Ignore that first Falcons Depth Chart

Before the pre-season games begin the team is required to publish a depth chart. It is mostly for media use in being able to broadcast games. It looked highly disturbing to me. The names that are listed as starters included players like Weatherspoon and Worrilow. That is not what the people are coming to see.

Mr. Blank wanted three starters in this draft. He looks like his coaching staff may develop them to make good on his edict. I want to see those players sooner than later. I won’t watch much of the Falcons pre-season games. I will be more interested in ever in what the players do against the first team units of the opposition. I want to see the young guns up against real NFL starters.

I’m pretty positive that the Falcons are not heading for the cliff many are predicting. A few good pre-season efforts may make me feel a little better about that!

The season of wasted opportunity for the Braves
On the first day of the 2015 baseball season, Atlanta awoke in shock. Craig Kimbrel was gone in a salary dump of BJ Upton. The messages immediately turned towards Opening Day 2017 in a shiny new ballpark. It was going to be momentary pain for long term gain. Well, Opening Day in the new stadium is now 8 months away. Unfortunately the 2016 has yielded very few answers about the long term health of this franchise.

Yes, as I write this the Braves are 25-25 in their last 50 games. I’m impressed considering the hole this franchise dug for itself. I also am going to be realistic. Who is helping them win now on the 25 man roster that will be a part of 2018 and beyond?

Freeman, most likely. Inciarte? Kemp? Who else? It’s mid-August and the youth movement is not in even mild force. If you want to talk young pitchers, how many have proven they can be solid answers to be penciled into the 2017 starting rotation? You get my point.

The win total of 2016 truly doesn’t matter, except for trying to meet the mandate the front office gave us that 2015 and 95 losses would never happen again. My guess? That will get blamed on Olivera. The lack of movement towards youth and making 2017 special? Well, there is no blaming anyone but the bosses for that!

Kirby Smart Era begins in just over 3 weeks
I know that it really began with National Signing Day, but I can’t wait for Saturday 9/3 in the Georgia Dome. I can’t wait to see the first act of the Kirby Smart drama play out. So far I could not be more impressed. Do I like everything he does? No. Do I admire the way he goes about his business? Yes.

I was banging the drum for 2 seasons that Georgia needed to move on from Mark Richt. If Chubb and Michel both are healthy enough to contribute in the opener this season got even more interesting. The Georgia Over / Under Win Total bet was 8.5 when I was in Vegas last month. I’m glad I bet the over.

 

 

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