Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Falcons have a Kyle Pitts Problem
The Atlanta Falcons pulled off a miraculous, last-second win versus rival New Orleans Saints. Meanwhile, Kyle Pitts played no significant role in the offense, again. As the Falcons continue to try and build a solid foundation on the offensive side of the ball, Pitts looks like an island to himself.
When asked about the lack of production from Kyle Pitts, head coach Raheem Morris defended the former No. 4 overall pick by sounding eerily familiar to previous head coach Arthur Smith. He said “stats are for losers.”
Maybe. But Kyle Pitts didn’t accumulate any stats against the Saints. Zero catches, zero yards. He’s on pace for 34 catches for 446 yards — a worse per game average than he had with Marcus Mariota as his quarterback.
Once considered the next evolution in tight end play, he pretty much runs cardio routes, baiting a defender halfway down the field. The defender realizes that Pitts is not open, won’t get open, and the Atlanta offense plays 10-on-11 over the course of four quarters.
Honesty needs to set in. Kyle Pitts doesn’t look like he fits the Falcons current and present.
Not Skill Related
Now, Pitts’s issues do not reside with his athletic ability. For his size and frame, Pitts enjoys an elite blend of speed and explosiveness that NFL tight ends rarely have. He had a 9.65 Relative Athletic Score coming out of Florida. The nearest comparison of a similar tight end feels like Vernon Davis.
Pitts will outrun any linebacker, move laterally against them underneath, as well. Similarly, while defensive backs can obviously keep up, Pitts’s size and frame should act as a shield. Imagine a power forward in basketball, boxing an opponent out in a small area.
In a perfect world, the former Florida product would serve as a matchup nightmare and redzone threat as a tight end that can line up anywhere on the field due to his speed and agility. That was the idea when the Falcons made him the highest drafted tight end in history in 2021.
What’s the Problem?
As mentioned, the issue is not a physical one. So, where does the issue lay? First, you have to look at the hands. Through four seasons, Pitts dropped thirteen passes. That excuse would hold water if the Falcons employed the same quarterbacks. Instead, they signed a veteran and drafted a highly-touted rookie.
Yet, he sits fifth in catches and yardage. When a new quarterback chooses to throw the ball elsewhere, that speaks volumes to where the offense sees Pitts at the moment. Plus, the reasoning that defenses gameplan and take him out of the game by scheme falls apart.
Still Trying
Despite Pitts’s invisibility in 2024, his teammates still attempt to get him involved. Yesterday, Kirk Cousins discussed this with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“So, there are some plays out there when I come to sideline, I say, ‘Kyle, I’ve got to work you there,’” Cousins said. “Then there are other ones where I did work him. I say, ‘I probably shouldn’t have forced it to you.’ It goes both ways. You always go where your reads take you and it skews the numbers one way or the other. Sometimes. it’s really balanced. You just have to go where they take you.”
Big Picture
With one year remaining after 2024 on his rookie deal, where does Kyle Pitts stand? Does he warrant a second deal or should Atlanta let him walk and funnel those funds to shore up weaknesses? Bluntly, this sits in Pitts’s hands.
The club already picked up his fifth-year option, but nothing appears after that. The Falcons strive to unencumber themselves from mistakes in the past. Kyle Pitts’s play will determine if he will exist a current Falcon or one of the past.
ATLANTA – From live music and theater to family-friendly festivals and immersive exhibitions, metro Atlanta and North Georgia are packed with ways to get out and explore this weekend. Here’s a look at some of the best things to do around the region.
RELATED LISTS
Fulton County (Atlanta)
Arnez J
Feb. 5–7
City Winery Atlanta, Atlanta
Comedian Arnez J brings his high-energy stand-up to City Winery, following his run as host of BET’s Comic View and the release of his comedy special Not Gonna Stop.
Romeo and Juliet
Feb. 7–March 1
Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse, Atlanta
The Atlanta Shakespeare Company presents its 23rd anniversary production of Shakespeare’s tragic love story of feuding families and young love.
Virginia Highland Mardi Gras
Feb. 7
Virginia Highland, Atlanta
Virginia Highland launches its first Mardi Gras celebration with a festive parade followed by a party featuring live music from Wasted Potential, vendors, face painting, beads, and food and drinks.
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2 in Concert”
Feb. 6–8
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Atlanta
Justin Freer conducts the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performing Alexandre Desplat’s score live as the full film is shown in high-definition on a 40-foot screen.
DSC Convention & Sporting Expo
Feb. 6–8
Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta
Discover innovative outdoor and sporting gear while connecting with a passionate community working to protect wildlife and support conservation, education and advocacy efforts.
Atlanta Oyster Festival
Feb. 7
Park Tavern, Atlanta
Atlanta’s popular oyster festival returns with fresh oysters, craft cocktails and live music at the Midtown beer garden.
“Riverdance”
Feb. 6–8
Fox Theatre, Atlanta
The iconic show marks its 30th year with refreshed choreography, costumes and cutting-edge lighting and projection.
SCAD TVfest
Feb. 4–6
Midtown Atlanta, Atlanta
Go behind the scenes of television with panels and conversations featuring actors, writers, directors and producers at multiple Midtown locations.
“BLKS”
Through Feb. 14
Out Front Theatre Company, Atlanta
This play explores the lives of three 20-somethings navigating identity, friendship and love as queer Black women in New York City.
Serial Killer: The Exhibition
Opens Feb. 7
Pullman Yards, Atlanta
A research-driven exhibition featuring certified artifacts connected to serial killers worldwide, offering insight into criminal psychology and history.
Blazing Light: Photographs by Mimi Plumb
Feb. 6–May 10
High Museum of Art, Atlanta
More than 100 photographs explore environmental, social and political change across the American West.
F1 Arcade Grand Opening
Friday–Sunday
F1 Arcade Atlanta, Atlanta
Race family and friends on state-of-the-art F1 simulators (ages 7 and up), with food and drinks available. Guests under 21 are welcome until 7 p.m. daily.
Gwinnett County
Atlanta Brick Con
Saturday–Sunday
Gas South Convention Center, Duluth
Celebrate everything Lego with fan-built creations, hands-on building zones, games, speakers, character meet-and-greets and a 125-foot Lego RC off-road course to race on.
Lunar New Year Celebration
Feb. 7
Lawrenceville Arts Center, Lawrenceville
Aurora Children’s Playhouse hosts a Lunar New Year celebration featuring traditional Chinese music and dance by the Atlanta Chinese Dance Co., with opportunities for kids and families to participate.
Cobb County
The Ultimate RV Show
Feb. 5–8
Cobb Galleria Centre, Atlanta
Explore more than 150 fully staged RVs, a kids zone, on-site pet adoptions and the latest camping gear and show-only deals.
Love Is King Tour with Gregory Porter
Feb. 6
Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Atlanta
Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Gregory Porter brings his soulful sound and acclaimed catalog to the stage as part of his Love Is King tour.
DeKalb County
Pajama Concert – Musical Bedtime Stories
Feb. 6
Michael C. Carlos Museum, Atlanta
The Emory Chamber Music Society invites families to a cozy evening of music featuring bedtime stories set to works by Vivaldi, Debussy and Dvořák, performed by the Vega Quartet and pianist William Ransom. Hot chocolate and marshmallows are served before the concert, and pajamas are encouraged.
Emory Jazz Fest
Feb. 5–7
Schwartz Center for Performing Arts, Atlanta
Emory’s annual three-day jazz festival features artist demonstrations, a jazz clinic and concerts, with acclaimed vocalist Denise Thimes headlining.
Planet Ice at Fernbank
Feb. 7–May 3
Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Atlanta
Travel through Earth’s chilling past in this immersive exhibition exploring how ice has shaped landscapes and driven remarkable adaptations that allowed life to survive in an unforgiving world.
“Peter and the Wolf”
Feb. 8
Decatur Presbyterian Church, Decatur
The DeKalb Symphony Orchestra presents Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf,” featuring dancers from the Decatur School of Ballet and narration by Robert Shaw-Smith, along with selections from Grieg, Mozart and Beethoven.
Fulton County (Sandy Springs)
Toast & Jam Jazz Brunch
Feb. 8
Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, Sandy Springs
Pianist Joe Alterman’s jazz brunch series continues with guest singer-songwriter Jesse Ruben.
Fulton County (Alpharetta)
Alpharetta Symphony
Feb. 6
Innovation Academy Auditorium, Alpharetta
The orchestra celebrates America’s 250th birthday with Revolution, featuring works by Elgar, Holst, Copland, Gershwin and Bernstein.
8th Annual Alpharetta Polar Bear Plunge
Feb. 7
Wills Park Pool, Alpharetta
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta’s Polar Bear Plunge brings together local groups to raise money for charitable causes.
Cobb County / Marietta
Movies at the Strand: “To Kill a Mockingbird”
Feb. 8
Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre, Marietta
Watch the classic film starring Gregory Peck, with a free Mighty Allen Theatre Organ preshow beginning 30 minutes before the screening.
DeKalb County / Avondale Estates
Nigel Wearne
Feb. 6
Commune Wine Bar, Avondale Estates
Australian country blues and Americana-noir singer-songwriter Nigel Wearne performs an intimate set at the wine bar and listening room inside Olive & Pine.
Fulton County / Roswell
Dad’s Garage BlackGround
Feb. 7
Roswell Cultural Arts Center
Atlanta’s Dad’s Garage brings its all–African American comedy troupe to Roswell for a hilarious, culture-forward show imagining what Black characters were doing behind the scenes of classic movies.
COMING UP
Giselle
Feb. 13–15
Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Atlanta
This classic ballet, last performed by Atlanta Ballet in 2022, tells the enduring story of love, betrayal, and forgiveness.
Hearts and Harmony Gala
Feb. 13
Atlanta Athletic Club
The annual Hearts and Harmony Gala kicks off the symphony’s 19th anniversary season with live music, dining, dancing, raffles, and an auction.
The Princess Bride
Feb. 13
SCAD Atlanta, Midtown
Join SCADshow for sweet treats and a free screening of the beloved classic The Princess Bride.
Lunar New Year Festival
Feb. 14-March 1
Stone Mountain Park, Stone Mountain
Celebrate the Year of the Horse with a drone show, parades, cultural crafts and dance exhibitions.
Broadway Sideways
Feb. 15
The Breman, Atlanta
Voices of Note presents a lively concert that joyfully upends traditional casting, gender roles, and expectations on Broadway.
If you would like to submit an item for a future list, send an email to joyce.lupiani@fox.com.
The city of Decatur is outlining the steps it’s been taking to boost security at schools.
This spring, the school district says it is launching a new reporting system and placing a deeper emphasis on students’ mental health through wraparound services.
The district says it’s responding to national trends in school incidents and working to align with standards set by the state legislature.
“Any student in grades 4 through 12th grade, if they see something and they want to say something, 24 hours a day, there is someone on the other end of that line that will be able to walk them through those next supports,” said Superintendent Gyimah Whitaker.
“I like that there’s a plan in place,” said Sarah McFarland, a parent in the school district. “I think that when crisis hits, a lot of times, people go into fight or flight, and I think it’s very valuable that they have their steps in place.”
The district says it is prioritizing students’ psychological safety along with their physical safety through its latest measures. Its new reporting program is inspired by the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary, is being implemented so the district can be in lockstep with other sizeable school districts throughout the state also installing these reporting systems.
Parents and the district say concerns over security are heightened because of the political climate.
“I want to make sure that children are able to receive education and not feel threatened because it is their right to have an education in this country,” McFarland said.
Decatur’s police and fire departments are partnering in the reporting program. The district also revived its school resource officer program this school year, placing two SROs at middle and high schools.”
MILTON, Ga. – Atlanta rapper Lil Jon’s son has been reported missing in Georgia, according to local police and a member of the son’s management team.
What we know:
The Milton Police Department issued a missing persons alert around 4 p.m. Tuesday for 27-year-old Nathan Murray Smith, who performs under the name DJ Young Slade. Police say Smith ran out of his home around 6 a.m. and has not been seen since.
Authorities say Smith did not have his phone with him and may be disoriented or in need of assistance. Police stressed there is no threat to the public, but family and friends are concerned for his safety.
Earlier in the day, the police department notified the community of “police activity” in the Mayfield Park area. At the time, they only said it was part of an “active police matter.”
Smith is described as 5-feet-9 inches tall and weighing about 150 pounds.
The backstory:
DJ Young Slade has been building his own career in music, following in the footsteps of his father, Lil Jon, a Grammy-winning artist who helped define Atlanta’s crunk sound and rise in the early 2000s.
Lil Jon joined FOX 5 Atlanta’s Good Day Atlanta in March 2025 to talk about MTV’s reality series”Family Legacy.”
DJ Slade on following the ‘Family Legacy’
The popular docuseries ”Family Legacy” is back with more stories from the kids of some of the most influential musicians and bands. DJ Slade, the son of Lil Jon, has made quite a name for himself in the music industry, and he sat down with Alyse Eady to talk about being featured in the series.
TMZ reports it has reached out to Lil Jon for comment but has not yet heard back.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Milton Police Department at 678-297-6300.
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