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Home > ajcsportstalk > Archives > 2007 > October
October 2007
Fratello: Hawks breakthrough near
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With the NBA season about to tip off, former Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Fratello, now an analyst for TNT, gives us five teams that could surprise:
1. Orlando. They’ve added depth and the younger players are a year older.
2. New Orleans. If they can stay healthy, they’ll win 10 more games than last season.
3. Atlanta. On the brink of breaking through.
4. Memphis. Right on the verge of some big things.
5. L.A. Lakers. They are going to win more than people think.
GIVE US FIVE: Which NBA squads do you see shaking up the league this season? Are the Hawks on your short list too? Sound off to compare your NBA insights with other readers’.
Permalink | Comments (27) | Categories: Hawks
Your thoughts on Renteria trade
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Braves have traded veteran shortstop Edgar Renteria to the Detroit Tigers for a pair of minor-league prospects - centerfielder Gorkys Hernandez and right-handed pitcher Jair Jurrjens.
Do you think this trade was made to clear the way for Yunel Escobar to become the everyday shortstop? Do you think it was made to add depth at two vulnerable positions - center field (with the departure of Andruw Jones) and pitching (a sore spot for the team all of last season)?
Or do you think it was made to clear some money off the books in an attempt to sign a big-name free agent?
Let us know what you think.
Permalink | Comments (286) | Categories: Braves
What’s your ‘gut’ feeling?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The countdown’s now in the heart-pounding phase.
It won’t be long _ minutes really _ before the Georgia Bulldogs get their chance to tear into the Florida Gators. Do you sense that there’s a big upset in the offing?
Or do you get the feeling that Florida will have continued its domination of Georgia by the time the game is done?
Are you anticipating a close game, or a blowout?
Before toe meets leather, here’s your final chance to make a prediction for the Georgia-Florida game.
Permalink | Comments (16) | Categories: UGA
You be the ‘Hall Monitor’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you were Falcons head coach Bobby Petrino, how would you handle the latest tirade by the self-described ‘shut-down corner’ DeAngelo Hall?
Hall raged Wednesday over the team’s decision to cut steady defensive line anchor Grady Jackson. Given that _ as Hall claims _ Petrino hasn’t explained Jackson’s dismissal to the team, was the verbal outburst justified?
Hall is already in the process of appealing a punitive fine the Falcons imposed on him for failing to control his temper in a game earlier this season. Can the Falcons rightfully fine him again for challenging the coaching staff to start giving “100 percent” to the players?
Does it appear as if the entire organization is on the verge of a meltdown?
If so, what would you do to correct the situation before the entire ship sinks?
Permalink | Comments (106) | Categories: Falcons
Ready for the Cocktail Party?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Dogs are off this week, but it’s not too early for UGA fans to prepare for the annual trip to Jacksonville for the annual clash against the Gators.
What makes the weekend special for you? What are your traditions, routines, special things that you and friends and family do before, during and after the game? What’s your typical itinerary for the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party?
What are your favorite places to eat, drink and be merry around Jacksonville? And for tailgating?
We’re compiling a list of Bulldog Nation fan favorites to feature next week in a cool interactive guide that will include your picks. Just shoot us the names of the restaurants, bars and Jax hotspots that you frequent, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Permalink | Comments (69) | Categories: UGA
Manny: No Series, no sweat
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez told reporters Wednesday that “it’s not like it’s the end of the world” if Boston doesn’t make the 2007 World Series. He followed that statement by noting “Why should we panic?” because “we’ve got a great team.”
Down 3-1 to Cleveland, should Boston fans take umbrage at Manny’s remarks? Or is all this being overblown? Is Manny just being Manny? You Be The GM: Do you want Manny on the Braves, hypothetically speaking, if not making the Series isn’t a big deal to him? Sports Talk starts here.
Permalink | Comments (75) | Categories: Baseball
Glad that Hartley’s gone?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What’s your reaction to the news that the Atlanta Thrashers are firing their head coach Bob Hartley?
Does the move surprise you? Is GM Don Waddell acting prematurely, or is getting rid of Hartley now the best way to salvage what to this point is a winless season?
Who should be the team’s next head coach? And what personnel moves should be made as well to turn the Thrashers around?
Permalink | Comments (294) | Categories: Thrashers
Atlanta gets WNBA franchise
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Women’s pro basketball is coming to Atlanta next summer.
What should the team’s nickname be? Will you be interested in going to any games? Will the WNBA make in a city like Atlanta that has a combination of poor sports teams and indifferent fans?
Sound off on Atlanta’s newest pro team.
Permalink | Comments (274) | Categories: Hawks
Rocktober: Braves fans backing NLers?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
OK, Braves fans, so the Tomahawks aren’t in the World Series. But the Rockies are. Are you backing them out of National League loyalty? Or is there such a thing as league loyalty in MLB anymore? Who ARE you rooting for? Tell us.
Permalink | Comments (66) | Categories: Baseball
Schuerholz stepping down
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
John Schuerholz will announce his resignation as GM today at a 3:30 p.m. news conference.
In Schuerholz’s 17 seasons as Braves GM, the team won 14 straight division titles and one World Series titles. More importantly, he helped the franchise gain respectability after many years of mediocrity.
Frank Wren, Schuerholz’s top assistant, will become the new GM. Schuerholz will become team president.
What do you think? Will the organization remain as one of the best in baseball, or do you think it will take a dip?
Let us know what you think.
Permalink | Comments (286) | Categories: Braves
Braves synonymous with Flop-tober?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Korn Dog said it on ‘Pardon The Interruption’ Monday afternoon when co-host Michael Wilbon asked if, with longtime skipper Joe Torre’s job on the line, the Yankees would pull the ALDS series comeback win out for No. 6. No way New York was winning this postseason, he said. ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser said it and we heard it:
“The Yankees have become the Atlanta Braves.”
Is the sad truth that the Braves have become synonymous with postseason failure? Tell us.
Permalink | Comments (125) | Categories: Braves
Glad or sad that Andruw’s gone?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s official. After many months of speculation about the fate of the union between the Atlanta Braves and their longtime star Andruw Jones, the team went public with the news Tuesday that no attempt will be made to re-sign the nine-time Golden Glove performer.
How does this news strike you?
Are the Braves merely doing what’s prudent for the future of the team, and not paying the top-tier price tag Jones is seeking?
Or do you feel like there’s still plenty of All-Star potential left in Jones, and that the lineup will sorely miss his bat and his fielding prowess.
Sound off here on how you feel about Andruw Jones’ imminent departure. And come back often to see how your fellow Braves fans feel about this new direction the team’s going in.
Permalink | Comments (203) | Categories: Braves
Monday QB Club: A win, at last
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
After three tortuous games to open the season, the Falcons can breathe easier following their first win, over the Texans: Full AJC coverage here.
As is the case here at the Monday Quarterback Club, we’ll treat you to some other views of what transpired at the Dome, and its aftermath, as well as related and sundry links.
Down in Houston, the once-lofty Texans (okay, for the first two weeks anyway) are finally getting some scrutiny. But a grade of F minus? As depleted as they were? There seems to be some natural-born piling on built into the equation with that team, as burned as those fans have felt since the franchise’s inception. Just to rub it in: Did that botched Schaub-to-Dayne pitchout really take place, or was it Houston’s worst kind of hallucination?
For two weeks in a row, Atlanta’s No. 13 is trying to make Falcons fans forget about No. 7 and No. 8 (for a while, anyway). But is this supreme efficiency really the bizarro Joey Harrington? Give the guy a break!
Wonder if the Bears are kicking themselves about not having an adequate backup-turned-starter.
“Kyle Orton, anyone?” Now that’s cold.
DeAngelo Hall didn’t stick around after the game to talk, but Falcons whose roles are to catch the ball tossed from the now-riflelike arm of No. 13 are loving Petrinoball.
And what’s not to love after Roddy White and Michael Jenkins both turned in sterling performances against Houston? (Pause, take a deep breath and shake your head. That actually did happen. That’s not a dream.)
“It’s the best thing that ever happened to me,” White said. “It’s turned around my career.”
Can the turnaround continue at Tennessee Sunday? While the Titans were idle over the weekend, QB Vince Young was the subject of what’s being called an unusual take by “60 Minutes.” Didn’t see the segment, but numbers freaks raving about Harrington’s output the last few weeks should know that Young isn’t doing too badly himself.
Which reminds MQC of a colleague who’s been fretting about taking Harrington in his fantasy league draft. Well guess what? No. 13 has been declared worth a look in one roto guru’s estimation.
That may be the biggest surprise of the weekend.
Permalink | Comments (84) | Categories: Falcons
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