Atlanta, GA
Former Ohio State 3rd-Round Pick is Candidate for Atlanta Falcons’ Breakout Player
With the influx of offseason additions, Atlanta Falcons defensive end Zach Harrison looks poised to enjoy a breakout season in 2024. After serving as an apprentice, the second-year pass rusher will start at defensive end, a spot vacated by the departure of Calais Campbell.
Now, the former Ohio State product will enjoy hundreds of reps and opportunities to make a splash. Hidden among larger names, Harrison can play without the constraints of expectation.
342
The above-mentioned number represents the total number of defensive snaps that Zach Harrison played during the 2023 season. Also, 342 figures out to thirty-two percent of the Atlanta defensive snaps. Basically, as a rookie, he toiled in a rotation that saw more sitting than actual rotation.
The Falcons Podcast: Spotify | Apple Pods | iHeart
As a result, even though he stood there will a full gas tank due to the rotation, Harrison waited his turn behind veterans and needed to bide his time. Meanwhile, he made the most of the limited carries, tallying three sacks and four tackles for loss – all in his final three games.
Approach
Standing six-foot-five and weighing 275 pounds, Harrison blends length, quickness and power to make plays. For example, with his arm length, he keeps clean, allowing for a quicker disengage. Against the run, this helps with setting the edge to the outside and knifing inside.
At the same time, those arms facilitate rather effective rip and swim moves when trying to get to the quarterback. Most importantly, Harrison’s motor should definitely excite Falcons fans. You will rarely see defensive ends either backside pursue or funnel down the line to make plays in the boundary, like this.
The Combination
Grady Jarrett, a Falcons constant for nine seasons, enters his tenth with an understudy. Now, in all honesty, Harrison’s game greatly differs from the Falcons legend. Jarrett uses leverage due to his lack of height. Furthermore, he uses burst and footwork to separate from the blocker.
Despite physiological differences, the veteran will mentor Harrison. Football contains intangibles that will not show up on the scoresheet. For instance, setting up rush moves that will keep blockers guessing. Unless you possess the spin move of Dwight Freeney or Derrick Thomas’s ability to bend the corner, the need for a wide moveset exists.
If you watch this season, notice the differences in Harrison’s game due to Jarrett’s influence. Now, on the field, the presence of a disruptive defensive tackle makes anyone on the edge immediately better. If Harrison plays the entire season with a healthy Jarrett, look for him to not only double his 2023 sack totals but triple the number of his tackles for loss.
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta man convicted of abusing minors while stationed abroad
ATLANTA – An Atlanta man faces a potential life sentence after a federal jury found him guilty of terrorizing two young children during his military service abroad.
What we know:
A federal jury found 39-year-old Adam Schlueter guilty on Friday following a four-day trial. He was convicted of two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 12 and two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
Schlueter was stationed in Grafenwöhr, Germany, from 2009 until 2013 while enlisted in the Army. During this time, prosecutors say he physically, emotionally, and sexually abused two victims who were under the age of 10.
Both victims testified during the trial that Schlueter beat and choked them. One victim recalled an incident at age 8 where Schlueter pushed him through a second-story window and dangled him above the ground. Evidence also showed Schlueter threatened victims and witnesses who spoke about his crimes.
What they’re saying:
“When he should have been honorably defending our country with the utmost integrity, Schlueter instead spent years terrorizing his young victims through physical and sexual abuse,” U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said. “Excellent work by the prosecutors and investigators assigned to this case will ensure that Schlueter is suitably punished for his wickedness.”
What’s next:
Schlueter is scheduled to be sentenced on July 9. He faces a mandatory minimum of 30 years of imprisonment for each of the aggravated sexual abuse convictions and may be sentenced to life in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Leanne Marek and Trial Attorney McKenzie Hightower are prosecuting the case, with assistance from former Assistant U.S. Attorney Annalise Peters.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from federal prosecutors with the Northern District of Georgia following the conclusion of a four-day federal trial.
Atlanta, GA
Philadelphia Phillies lose fifth straight game to end homestand, swept by Atlanta Braves
Michael Harris II homered and had three hits as the streaking Atlanta Braves defeated the slumping Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 on Sunday night to complete a three-game sweep of their NL East rivals.
Ozzie Albies hit an RBI double and Austin Riley also drove in a run for the Braves, who have won five in a row and nine of 11. It was Atlanta’s first series sweep of at least three games at Philadelphia in 10 years.
Kyle Schwarber went deep for the Phillies, who have lost five straight and 10 of 13. They were outscored 56-33 on a 2-7 homestand against the Diamondbacks, Cubs and Braves, leaving Philadelphia 6 1/2 games behind first-place Atlanta in the division standings.
Raisel Iglesias escaped trouble in the ninth inning for his fifth save. Philadelphia put runners on first and second with one out, but Trea Turner struck out and Schwarber lined out to right field on an excellent running catch by Ronald Acuña Jr.
Tyler Kinley (3-0) pitched a scoreless sixth for the win.
Schwarber’s two-run shot in the first gave Philadelphia a 2-0 lead.
Harris homered leading off the third before the Braves went ahead in the fifth with three runs against rookie starter Andrew Painter (1-1) and lefty reliever Tim Mayza.
Painter was lifted after he opened the inning by allowing singles to Harris and Acuña. Mayza loaded the bases with a walk, and the Braves tied the game on Matt Olson’s groundout. Riley’s dribbler to third went for an RBI infield single, and Albies’ double to the left-field wall made it 4-2.
Riley saved at least one run while ending a Philadelphia threat in the bottom of the fifth with a stellar defensive play at third base.
Braves starter Grant Holmes allowed two runs in 4 2/3 innings.
On a chilly night, Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto sat out after leaving Saturday’s game with lower back tightness.
Up next
Braves: Begin a four-game series Monday night at Washington. RHP Bryce Elder (2-1, 0.77 ERA) opposes Nationals RHP Jake Irvin (1-2, 6.16).
Phillies: Open seven-game trip Monday night with the first of four games against the Cubs. RHP Aaron Nola (1-4, 4.03 ERA) faces Chicago RHP Colin Rea (2-0, 3.63).
Atlanta, GA
Play Fair ATL kicks off ‘The People’s Cup’ in Candler Park
-
New York28 minutes agoGotti Grandson Is Sentenced to 15 Months for Covid Relief Fraud
-
Detroit, MI58 minutes agoWhy a Detroit family’s $300 brick repair job turned into a fraud investigation
-
San Francisco, CA1 hour agoSea lion pup found in San Francisco’s Outer Sunset malnourished but ‘feisty’
-
Dallas, TX1 hour agoDallas Cowboys 2026 NFL Draft debate heats up
-
Miami, FL1 hour agoMan arrested in Miami for alleged sexual battery on 10-year-old girl – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale
-
Boston, MA1 hour agoFormer BYU star Clayton Young crushes lifetime best in Boston — on short notice
-
Denver, CO2 hours agoColorado boasts two of the best coffee shops in the Americas, according to new ranking
-
Seattle, WA2 hours agoDelta flight from Seoul to Atlanta diverted to Seattle after report of suspicious package