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Mike Check

Alabama head coach Nick Saban yells to the sideline during the first half of Alabama's A-Day NCAA college football scrimmage, Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

Credit: Vasha Hunt

My solution for Nick Saban’s concern that NIL creates ‘imbalance’
Braves designated hitter Orlando Arcia celebrates after hitting a two-run home run for a walk-off 5-3 win against the Boston Red Sox in the ninth inning at Truist Park on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Maybe that walk-off win will wake up Braves
Mets manager Buck Showalter has his team atop the NL East standings early in the season. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Credit: Ross D. Franklin

Time to face the possibility the Mets are for real this time
More from Michael Cunningham
Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk, point guard Trae Young and team owner Tony Ressler. “Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@ajc.com”

Credit: Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@

To become like Heat, Hawks need major changes
Atlanta Hawks head coach Nate McMillan gestures as he calls out a play during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat, Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Credit: AP

Hawks still no match for Miami even as Heat star Jimmy Butler sits out
Hawks players react at the end of Game 4 on Sunday night at State Farm Arena. Miami won 110-86 and lead the series 3-1. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Back to reality for Hawks, who aren’t good enough to best Heat
Hawks owner Tony Ressler reacts to a call during the first half in Game 3 of the first round of the NBA playoffs at State Farm Arena on Friday, April 22, 2022. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Hawks show heart to beat Heat, get back in series
Braves first baseman Matt Olson (left) and center fielder Guillermo Heredia celebrate a win over the Padres on April 16 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Credit: Kyusung Gong

Early signals good for Braves, so no worries about their record
Guisela Inga and her husband Michael Gustafson react as the Miami Heat take a lead over the Hawks during the Playoffs Watch Party for Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs on Tuesday in State Farm Arena. The Heat won the game 115-105 and lead the series 2-0. “Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@ajc.com”

Credit: Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@

Hawks leave Miami with two decisive losses, many questions
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) drives to the basket as Miami Heat guard Gabe Vincent defends during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 17, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Credit: Lynne Sladky

Trae Young has passed every test for Hawks. Now he faces a new one
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro blocks Atlanta Falcons guard Trae Young during the first half of Game One of the first-round playoff series against at FTX Arena on Sunday, April 17, 2022, in Miami. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel/TNS)

Credit: TNS

Hawks ‘not ready’ for Heat, so they get humbled
Hawks center Clint Capela reacts after dunking the ball against the Hornets on Wednesday night. Capela and his teammates will try to earn the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs with a win Friday at Cleveland. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

‘Confident’ Hawks looking like last year’s contenders
Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter (12) reacts after scoring during the second half. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Hornets dare Trae Young’s Hawks teammates to beat them, so they did
Fireworks explode after the 2021 pennant is revealed before the start of the game with the Cincinnati Reds at Truist Park Thursday, April 7, 2022 (Steve Schaefer / steve.schaefer@ajc.com)

Credit: Steve Schaefer

Braves deserve to celebrate title before they ‘turn the page’
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Tucker Davidson prepares to deliver to a Houston Astros batter during the first inning in Game 5 of the World Series at Truist Park, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

Credit: TNS

Braves won’t repeat if more young pitchers don’t pan out
Tiger Woods of the United States reacts after finishing on the 18th green during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Nov. 15, 2020, in Augusta, Georgia. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images/TNS)

Credit: TNS

My hopes are up for ‘incredible’ Tiger Woods comeback at Masters
Arthur Blank is responsible for the sorry state of the Falcons. He owns the team, after all, columnist Michael Cunningham writes. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

Credit: Curtis Compton

Arthur Blank responsible for sorry state of Falcons
University of Georgia President Jere Morehead said the NCAA’s Division I board of directors has "to be cautious and careful because of litigation and potential litigation around any rules that the NCAA sets at a national level.” (AP Photo / Athens Banner-Herald, AJ Reynolds)

Credit: AJ Reynolds

NCAA creates NIL problems by clinging to dying ‘amateur’ model
Hawks coach Nate McMillan is called for a technical foul by referee Brett Nansel during the team's game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Credit: AP

It’s getting late for this year’s Hawks to become like last year’s Hawks
Falcons Calvin Ridley suspended for 1-year for gambling

Ridley suspension another mess for Fontenot, Smith to clean up
March 2, 2022 Atlanta - Third Base gates at Truist Park are locked on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Six Braves games, all on the road, were canceled: the March 31 season opener against the Marlins in Miami, three more games in Miami through April 3 and two games against the Mets in New York on April 4-5. Still on the calendar for now – but endangered unless a deal is done within a week or so – is the Braves’ home opener April 7, when fans would welcome back the World Series champs to a sold-out Truist Park. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Labor fight crowds out issues driving MLB’s decline
Georgia State coach Rob Lanier's basketball team is on the brink of another appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Credit: Benjamin Adams

As usual, Georgia State is state’s best bet for men’s NCAA Tournament
Before the current round of negotiations began, Commissioner Rob Manfred tried to make the case that baseball’s franchise owners would be better off putting their money in a 401(k) account (Bob Levey/TNS)

Credit: TNS

MLB’s players have good reasons to distrust team owners
The fourth Negro League All-Star Game, a battle between the best of the East and West at Chicago’s Comiskey Park on August 23, 1936. The game featured Hall of Famers talent such as Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige, Cool Papa Bell, Willard Brown and Biz Mackie. (Wikimedia)

The Negro leagues are major league, but MLB can’t claim them
Georgia football-Kirby Smart-2022 coaching staff

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Georgia football has the stability to be back-to-back national champs
Georgia coach Tom Crean might not make it to another season in Athens. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

Credit: AP

Tom Crean was good hire for Georgia, but now his program is kaput
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young shoots a 3-pointer during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Credit: AP

Trae Young is an All-Star again. He can become a Hawks legend.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart soon will cash in after winning the national championship.(Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/hshin@ajc.com

College football’s Wild West is head coach salaries, not NIL
It’s been a while since the Falcons sent out a fearsome defense. Coach Arthur Smith (left) and GM Terry Fontenot should do what they can to get back to that. Sunday’s Super Bowl showed how it could pay off.

Credit: Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Super Bowl showed why Falcons should aim to build great defense
Quarterback Joe Burrow (9) of the Cincinnati Bengals and defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin (99) celebrate following the Bengals overtime win against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Missouri. (David Eulitt/Getty Images/TNS)

Credit: TNS

Rams are the pick to win Super Bowl, but I’m pulling for Bengals
Hawks guard Trae Young would like to see the team make another deep playoff run this season. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

Credit: AP

Hawks will reward Travis Schlenk for keeping team together at trade deadline
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred looks on prior to Game 1 of the World Series between the Atlanta Braves and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Oct. 26 in Houston. (Bob Levey/TNS)

Credit: TNS

Fans of MLB competitive balance should pull for players on one issue
FILE - Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, center, reacts to a call during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman, File)

Credit: AP

NFL’s ‘performative’ Rooney Rule isn’t working. Here’s what might.
012622 Atlanta: Atlanta Hawks John Collins reacts on the bench after forward Onyeka Okongwu makes a massive dunk against the Sacramento Kings Maurice Harkless during the first half in a NBA basketball game on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, in Atlanta. “Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@ajc.com”`

Credit: Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@

It turns out the Atlanta Hawks don’t need to make big trade after all
FILE — New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady after his AFC championship victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Foxboro, Mass. on Jan. 18, 2015. Brady announced his retirement on Instagram on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022. (Damon Winter/The New York Times)

Tom Brady was a system quarterback and also the greatest of all time
Gorgui Dieng in Senegal

Credit: Cou

Hawks’ Gorgui Dieng earns money ‘not just for me’ but also Senegal
September 25, 2021 Atlanta - Georgia Tech's head coach Geoff Collins gives a thumb up during the second half of an NCAA college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday, September 25, 2021. Georgia Tech won 45-22 over North Carolina. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

After bad start to offseason, Georgia Tech’s Geoff Collins recovers via transfers
Jan. 9, 2022 - Atlanta, Ga: Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) jogs off of the field after their loss against the New Orleans Saints 30-20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Sunday, January 9, 2022, in Atlanta. JASON GETZ FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION

Credit: Jason Getz

NFL playoffs show quick rebuild possible for Falcons
1/10/22 - Indianapolis - Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Jermaine Burton (7) runs after a catch against Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Brian Branch (14), and defensive back DeMarcco Hellams (2) during the second quarter at the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Monday, January 10, 2022. Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com

Credit: Hyosub Shin

Georgia lacking star wide receiver for national title defense
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Josh Pastner wave at fans before a NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)

Credit: AP

After one good season, Josh Pastner’s Yellow Jackets back in ‘desperate mode’
Mike Tomlin of the Steelers is the only Black head coach in the NFL. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Credit: Joe Sargent

Here we go again: NFL still has ‘double standard’ with Black coaches
Cam Reddish, the 10th overall draft pick in 2019, poses for a photo after his introductory press conference Monday, June 24, 2019, at the Atlanta Hawks' practice facility in Brookhaven.

Credit: Christina R. Matacotta

Next moves after Cam Reddish trade will determine fate of Hawks
Alabama head coach Nick Saban reacts on the sidelines during the 4th quarter as Georgia drives for a touchdown to take control of the game in the College Football Playoff Championship game on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. “Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@ajc.com”`

Credit: Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@

Saban plays it safe as Smart’s bold Bulldogs take title
FILE - Georgia head coach Kirby Smart speaks with Alabama head coach Nick Saban before the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. Georgia plays Alabama in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

Credit: Brynn Anderson

Weekend Predictions: Georgia over Bama, Falcons over Saints
Georgia defensive lineman Jordan Davis hits Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Credit: Lynne Sladky

Georgia’s defense takes first step toward redemption
Georgia offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Todd Monken said that Stetson Bennett proved to have been initially undervalued by him and the coaching staff with his play on the field this season. (Photo by Mackenzie Miles/UGA Athletics)

Credit: Mackenzie Miles

Monken better be right that Stetson Bennett gives Bulldogs best chance at title
Falcons head coach Arthur Smith (left) and general manager Terry Fontenot.

Credit: Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Fixing their offensive line should be priority for Falcons
Georgia football-Alabama-2022 National Championship Game

Credit: Tony Walsh/UGAAA

The pandemic isn’t over for us or our sports
Falcons head coach Arthur Smith walks on the field to challenge a play during the second half against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Hans Deryk/AP)

Credit: AP

Falcons won’t make playoffs, but they’re building good foundation
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan - a former Falcons offensive coordinator - talks to Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan after Atlanta's 29-22 win Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.

Credit: Lachlan Cunningham

Weekend Predictions: Falcons finally play good foe close, still lose
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