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Atlanta Falcons ‘Really Pleased’ with Bijan Robinson, Noncommittal to Heavy Workload

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Atlanta Falcons ‘Really Pleased’ with Bijan Robinson, Noncommittal to Heavy Workload


ATLANTA — The billboard towered high above Peachtree Road, facing traffic headed toward Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the Atlanta Falcons’ season opener last Sunday.

“Bijan is ready,” the sign said, holding a picture of Falcons running back Bijan Robinson sporting his black No. 7 jersey. “Are you?”

That afternoon, Robinson proved the sign right. He had six touches on Atlanta’s 11-play opening drive. After 27 plays, he had 15 touches. And by the time the clock hit zero in the Falcons’ 18-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Robinson had 23 touches to his name — tied for the most in his young career.

The second-year runner finished the defeat with 18 carries for 68 yards while adding a team-best five receptions for 43 yards. He played 50 snaps, good for 89% of the offense’s total.

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After the game, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said he thought Robinson had a few quality runs and executed well as a receiver on screen passes.

“He’s a guy,” Morris said. “I was really pleased with the way he played the game, just with the mental toughness and the ability to go out there and continue to try to make us win and putting us in a winning position, although we were not able to come out with it.”

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Atlanta’s offense struggled in the defeat. It had only three drives with seven or more plays, and just two series netted points — one of which came on the opening possession. The Falcons were shutout in the second half.

Robinson was a focal point in the Falcons’ gameplan, touching the ball on 46% of the offense’s snaps. But Morris, in a matter-of-fact manner, was noncommittal to Robinson maintaining such involvement moving forward, largely due to the game’s outcome.

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“I like winning, and that wasn’t the result we got,” Morris said. “So, we’ve got to go back to the lab and figure out a way to win. And whatever that is, we’ll do.”

Robinson, the No. 8 overall pick in 2023, led the Falcons with 214 carries for 976 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie. He added 58 receptions for 487 yards and four more scores through the air. His 1,463-yards from scrimmage were good for 10th in the NFL.

This summer, Atlanta’s coaching staff spoke extensively about using Robinson in a role similar to that of San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey, who led the NFL in yards from scrimmage a season ago and is a multi-purpose playmaker.

The 22-year-old Robinson proved Sunday he can impact the game in multiple ways, to the extent he became Atlanta’s go-to option. Rather than sensing pressure, Robinson cherishes the opportunity.

“It’s a blessing to do that,” Robinson said. “I try to do what I can to make this offense explosive and try to get these wins. There are still points in the game when you can’t control everything. You have to control what you can control as an offense, individually or with each other.

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“For me, I’m going to do whatever I can to get us rolling and help us try to be the offense we can be. But obviously, we need a win coming out of that.”

The Falcons’ next opportunity to snag their first win comes at 8:15 p.m. Monday, when they take on the Philadelphia Eagles inside Lincoln Financial Field.

And Robinson, as the billboard says, is ready.



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Atlanta, GA

Man critically injured in southwest Atlanta shooting

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Man critically injured in southwest Atlanta shooting


Atlanta police investigate a shooting along Lawton Avenue SW on Sept. 10, 2024.  (FOX 5)

A 48-year-old man was critically injured on Tuesday evening after being shot in the head in southwest Atlanta, authorities said. 

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At approximately 6:41 p.m., officers responded to reports of a shooting at 1002 Lawton Avenue SW. According to the Atlanta Police Department, when officers arrived, they found the victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to a hospital in critical condition. 

Investigators from the APD’s Aggravated Assault Unit are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities cautioned that details may change as more information becomes available. 

The name of the man has not been released. 

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No arrests have been announced. 



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Atlanta rapper Rich Homie Quan’s father announces plans for public funeral

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Atlanta rapper Rich Homie Quan’s father announces plans for public funeral


Funeral arrangements are coming together for the late Atlanta-rapper Rich Homie Quan following his death on Sept. 5.

The platinum-selling artist, whose real name is Dequantes Devontay Lamar, died at his home in Atlanta at the age of 34.

TMZ recently released the 911 call made by the rapper’s girlfriend, where, during the phone call, Amber Williams told the dispatcher that she discovered the “Flex” rapper’s lifeless body on a couch after she dropped off their son at school.

While there have been multiple reports circulating about the father of five dying from a drug overdose, Fox 5 reported that the Fulton County Medical Examiner is waiting on test results before they proceed releasing the cause of death.

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An autopsy took place on Friday.

On Sept. 9, the rapper’s father and manager Corey Lamar called into Yung Joc’s Streetz Morning Takeover Radio Show, sharing that he initially wanted to do a quick private service so the family could begin “the healing process,” but later changed his mind.

Corey Lamar now plans to make his son’s funeral public and will now celebrate the late rapper’s life with his fans and supporters.

“Without the fans, there would be no Quan,” Corey Lamar said.

Even though specific details about the service was not given, the family recently told People that information about the celebration of life “will be shared soon.”

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“While he leaves us with an undeniable hole in our hearts, we are comforted by knowing his music and triumphant spirit lives on. Quan’s legacy will forever be cemented as a soundtrack to our lives. And for this, we are grateful,” Quan’s family said in a statement.

As previously reported, the rapper’s family and a representative for the Fulton County morgue told TMZ that they are shattered and heartbroken by his sudden death. No cause of death has yet to be reported as the family is currently seeking answers regarding their loved one’s death.

Rich Homie Quan shot to fame with hit tracks, which include “Type of Way” and “Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh).” He also saw success with fellow Atlanta rapper Young Thug as part of Rich Gang, which was best known for the platinum-selling track “Lifestyle.”



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Atlanta Braves Shutout for 10th Time During Postseason Push

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Atlanta Braves Shutout for 10th Time During Postseason Push


The Atlanta Braves fell to the Cincinnati Reds 1-0 to take another untimely loss. Make that 10 times they have been shut out this season, and the third time they have lost 1-0. 

Zero runs, two hits and one smashed iPad. Baserunners were so tough to come by, they were only 0-for-1 with runners in scoring position. 

That about sums up the frustrations at the plate this season. 

With a New York Mets 3-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays, the Braves dropped out of a playoff spot. While the Braves are still just a game back, this four-team race for three playoff spots remains tight – the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres are two and two and half games ahead, once you’re in September, that gap feels much larger. 

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The bats getting it together quickly is going to be what keeps them in this hunt late in the season. 

“There’s no room for error right now,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said after the game. “When you’re having trouble scoring runs and you’re pitching really good, there’s no room for error on that side.”

Charlie Morton had his best outing in quite some time. He pitched 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball, allowing six hits and one walk while striking out seven.  The lone run came in the top of the second when Ty France plated T.J. Friedl on an RBI double. 

It adds insult to injury when Morton gives you a much-needed good night on the mound and they can’t reward it with a win. However, Morton chose not to point fingers after the game and kept it positive. He did his part.

“It’s not really about blame or looking at the other guy,” Morton said. “It’s more about trying to do the best you can for your teammates and the guys you are spending every day with.”

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As per usual, the team kept a positive outlook for the remainder of the season. 

“We have a lot of opportunity in front of us and we just have to make it happen,” Matt Olson, who had both of the Braves hits on Monday night, said.

18 games remain.  Not sure if that is necessarily a lot of opportunity, but what matters is if the Braves can capitalize on those opportunities. 

They have a chance to do just that when they hit the road for a two-game series against the Washington Nationals. The Nationals are 15-games-under .500, but would love to keep the Braves out of a playoff spot.

First pitch is set for 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday with Reynaldo López scheduled to take the mound for the Braves.

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