APRIL IS “LIT” WITH AWESOME ATLANTA SPORTS TOPICS

FILE – In this Nov. 13, 2017, file photo, Alex Anthopoulos speaks to reporters following a news conference introducing him as the new general manager of the Atlanta Braves baseball team in Atlanta. Anthopoulos says he hasn’t ruled out signing a free agent but says he doesn’t want to block prospects in the team’s rebuilding process by adding a long-term contract. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

Our Braves have opened what should be a very intriguing season, as Alex Anthopoulos begins to mold a team that can start winning and contending again. Star outfield prospect, Ronald Acuna will be turned loose in Atlanta soon. Seeing him develop should be fun. Stay tuned, because this is about to get interesting. Alex has some big holes to fill (3B, Catcher, Pitchers) and plenty of prospects to trade. Soon he will have some big money to spend too. The ‘tea leaves’ say Anthopoulos is about to be “wheeling & dealing.” By now, we are all tired of the losing.

The Falcons are totally focused on the NFL Draft, which goes down later this month. Hopefully, Q, T & P will be trying to improve the LOS (line of scrimmage, D-Line & O-Line). The top need: D-Tackle. Sure hope Alabama’s Da’Ron Payne will be available at the Falcons #26 spot. The other top need: O-Line. With the 2nd round pick, the Falcons could get some help with Auburn’s Braden Smith or Oklahoma’s Orlando Brown. Best I can tell, we’ve accumulated a wealth of talent on the perimeter, but we are getting pushed around up front a lot of the time. Invest in some impact linemen, please! We need to win the battle up front! We’ve got enough ‘space-tacklers.’

Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs will be showing off a lot of new talent in Georgia’s G-Day Game this month. I’m excited to see how the new mix on the O-Line looks, with Andrew Thomas sliding over to left tackle and all this young talent to plug in on the interior (Salyer, Hill, Netori Johnson). As always, I’m interested in seeing the WR group too. Who can replace Javon Wims, at that X-WR spot? Is it Riley Ridley? Anxious to see if the young pups are ready to ball at receiver: Trey Blount, Kearis Jackson, Jeremiah Holloman, Matt Landers & Tyler Simmons. Over on defense, the linebacker spots are the big story. The Bulldogs will be counting on a lot of young dudes to step up in the Front 7: Walter Grant, Robert Beal, Brenton Cox, Monty Rice, Nate McBride, Channing Tindall & Jaden Hunter are all getting looks this spring. Adam Anderson joins the competition later this summer. This group is deep and talented. So, who earns playing time? This will be very interesting.

Even the Hawks are interesting right now, because of the competition for one of the Top 3 draft picks. Man, Ayton, Bagley or Trae Young would look great in an Atlanta Hawks uniform next season! Stay tuned, because this could be huge!

For more on these topics, join The Buck & Kincade Show, weekdays on The Fan, from 12-3! Thanks for listening to our show!
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