It’s good to be a fan of teams in the state of Georgia, minus Georgia Tech…no offense to the Yellow Jackets, I’m just a Dawgs’ fan. I remember so many years in the past that being a fan of teams in Georgia was dreadful, watching ever game just waiting for the season to end. But I would continue watching, even in losing fashion, because I’m a true sports fan to my teams. But those days seem to have past and brighter days are on the horizon.
Atlanta Falcons
Let’s start with my Falcons. They still are a dreadful team and have been for many years. Even the 2016 team that went to the Super Bowl was put together under former Head Coach Mike Smith. Dan Quinn was a good guy, but he didn’t build the team after the Super Bowl. Money was squandered and head scout for the New England Patriots turned general manager for the Falcons wasted money after money, making deals that didn’t benefit the team. Now that he is gone, and all the dead money is falling off the books, the Falcons have 56 million to play around this offseason, could be upwards to $72 million. Current Head Coach Arthur Smith and GM Terry Fontenot are a perfect fit for this team, at least right now they seem to be. They both agree building from the lines out is the way to build a team. I agree because each play begins with both offensive and defensive line. The Falcons offensive line was 5th best in run defense last year, needs improvement in pass defense, but that will come. The team hasn’t had a decent defense rush since John Abraham, it’s time to refocus the attention on signing a stud at defensive end through free agency or draft at eight a defensive rusher that can make an impact game one of the 2023 season.
I might be the only one that thinks the team should not, and I say again, should not sign free agent QB from the Ravens Lamar Jackson. He is injury plagued and I think he is going to cost too much. Current starting QB Desmond Ridder is learning and I believe he is the team’s future. He comes in cheap and is entering his sophomore season in the league.
Good things are on the horizon if Smith and Fontenot surround the team with the right pieces to fit.
Atlanta Braves
Baseball is right around the corner which makes my heart happy, which also means warmer weather is coming, which is also a welcome sight. The Braves won 101 games last season but fell short from winning the World Series back-to-back years. But we all know the Philadelphia Phillies who came in third in the NL East behind Atlanta and the New York Metropolitans, was the team who went to the World Series last year, but lost to the Houston Astros. Braves beat the Astros the previous year for their World Series Title. But fans still need to be excited about this team. The core is set for many, many years and Braves get 2B Ozzie Albies back from a broken leg last year. It will be good to see Albies back for a full season. Also, RF Ronald Acuna, Jr is set to be back to top speed, which might be scary for opposing pitchers. Two years ago he tore his ACL, came back late last season but staggered towards the end of the season from wear and tear. It’s been said it takes a good full year to recover from an ACL. So hoping for some good things from Acuna this year.
Gone are SS Dansby Swanson to the Chicago Cubs and C William Contreras to the Milwaukee Brewers. In are rookie SS Vaughn Grissom and C Sean Murphy from the Oakland Athletics. Grissom was called up from the minors last year to help out at second base when Albies went down, and he showcased what fans could see of him for years to come. He was excellent in the field and had a pop in his bat. Grissom will move over to shortstop this year, which is his natural position. With Grissom showcasing last year was the reason why General Manager Alex Anthopoulos didn’t pursue Swanson for a mega million multiyear deal. Catcher Murphy is solid behind the plate, and upgrade defensively over Contreras. Murphy is decent on offense, but Braves have a lot of weapons at the plate, so Murphy doesn’t have to hit .300 and 30 homers. If he hits .250 with 15 homers with C Travis d’Arnaud hitting about the same, it will be a great year catching for the Braves.
So let Centerfield by John Fogerty begin to play throughout Truist Park.
Georgia Bulldogs
Well, what can I say about the Dawgs…I think they have been an alright team under the leadership of Head Coach Kirby Smart, winning the last two National Titles. Saying they have been alright is an understatement, they have been downright dominate beating Alabama 33-18 for the 2022 title and demolishing TCU 65-7 just this past season to win the championship. Who knew that undersized, walk on, from rural south Georgia, QB Stetson Bennett would rise to be the giant of Georgia football for the last two years. At this point he will go down as the best Georgia athlete of all time, to me, even better than legend Herschel Walker or Dominique Wilkins. But Bennett had a good defense and offensive weapons to surround his dominant play. This team is built for years to come. Next year will be a competition behind center as quarterback Carson Beck, who played in mop up duty last year, Brock Vandargriff, and Gunner Stockton, all will compete. Beck has the edge because he had the experience last year, but anything could happen during the spring and summer practices that could open the door for the other QBs.
Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken has been OC for the last three years has gone back to the NFL to be offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens. Smart has promoted Georgia native, former Georgia quarterback, and former Georgia Offensive Coordinator Mike Bobo back as OC. Last year Bobo was on the staff as an offensive analysis. Fans reaction were mixed on social media when Bobo was promoted, maybe due to the fact that Bobo was offensive coordinator towards the later part of Head Coach Mark Richt’s tenure as head coach. Richt was good, but never dominate putting together teams to win championships. Maybe under Smart, Bobo will propel to the next level. Bobo’s offense averaged 35.6 PPG his last four year’s as OC with Georgia (2012-2015).
Excitement will continue for the Georgia Bulldogs football team in 2023.
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