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Atlanta Falcons see progress despite late collapse

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Atlanta Falcons see progress despite late collapse


The underside of the NFC West meets the underside of the NFC South this week.

It’s simply that the Arizona Cardinals (4-11) had playoff aspirations, whereas the Atlanta Falcons (5-10) entered the 2022 season clearly in rebuild mode. As for the latter, a surprisingly sturdy begin light right into a swap to see what Atlanta’s younger expertise is all about.

Behind Enemy Traces brings you the important thing storylines and newest information for the Cardinals’ opponent every week this season.

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Arthur Smith optimistic about younger Falcons

By The Related Press

ATLANTA (AP) — From 4-4 to 5-10, the Atlanta Falcons have collapsed within the second half of a season that was seen as a rebuilding yr from the beginning.

Even so, that doesn’t take away the sting of dropping for coach Arthur Smith, who’s 12-20 in almost two years on the job.

“Finally, it’s about successful, however you’ll be able to take a look at lots of progress being made,” Smith stated after Saturday’s 17-9 loss at Baltimore. “Our guys are a resilient group. We have to win. I’m grateful we now have one other alternative subsequent week at house.”

When the Falcons carry a four-game dropping streak into a possible half-full Mercedes-Benz Stadium to face Arizona on Sunday, they’ll accomplish that understanding they haven’t had a successful report at any level for the reason that finish of the 2017 season. They’ve missed the playoffs for 5 straight years and have misplaced six of seven, even with a change at quarterback from Marcus Mariota to rookie Desmond Ridder.

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All this gloom hasn’t affected Smith’s outlook on the ultimate two video games of the season. Seven of Atlanta’s losses have been by 10 factors or fewer. 5 of the final seven losses have been one-possession video games.

“There was a ton of progress,” Smith stated. “It’s completely different from final yr once we have been in some one-score video games, utterly completely different group and completely different conditions going again and them. We’ve obtained to discover a solution to recover from that hump.”

The Falcons will spend the subsequent two weeks and loads of time within the offseason evaluating whether or not Ridder, a third-round draft alternative from Cincinnati, is the reply at quarterback. 4 video games as a starter is a small pattern measurement, and Ridder has but to indicate he can win within the NFL.

He hasn’t been horrible, both, finishing 35 of 59 passes for 315 yards. He hasn’t thrown a landing go however hasn’t been intercepted, both. His passer score is a mediocre 73.8. Atlanta’s offense beneath Smith is run-first.

“I believed his decision-making was good, and he was fairly correct,” Smith stated after Ridder accomplished 22 of 33 passes for 218 yards towards Baltimore. “I believed he made some big-time throws when the stress obtained on him within the second half, and that’s what you wish to see. He was calm and picked up, and I believed he delivered the soccer.

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“A pair issues right here and there that we now have to have a look at down within the pink zone. Quick yardage and issues like that. However I believed from the pocket presence towards a high quality protection that provides you lots of appears, I believed he had fairly good poise.”

WHAT’S WORKING

Rookie Tyler Allgeier, who led the group with 74 yards dashing on 18 carries towards Baltimore, has developed right into a stable starter for a fifth-round draft decide. Allgeier is difficult to carry down as soon as he hits a gap, and he’s proven sturdiness, enjoying in each sport besides Week 1 and never lacking follow. He leads the group with 817 yards dashing, and his 4.9 yards per carry is second.

WHAT NEEDS HELP

The red-zone offense was abysmal. 4 of Atlanta’s remaining 5 drives ended inside Baltimore’s 20-yard line, however the group was held with no landing.

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STOCK UP

Second-year security Richie Grant led the protection with seven solo tackles and 10 complete stops and is second on the group behind linebacker Rashaan Evans with 61 solo tackles and 106 complete stops. Grant, who didn’t begin for a lot of final yr, has two interceptions, and his seven go breakups are second on the group to A.J. Terrell’s eight.

STOCK DOWN

Drake London, the eighth general draft decide and the primary receiver chosen, had a pricey fumble for the second straight week. He refused to make use of the chilly climate as an excuse. Final week’s sport was indoors at New Orleans.

“I’m taking pictures my group within the foot, it’s so simple as that,” London stated. “I’m the one who (messed) up. I’m the one who retains placing the ball on the ground, and that shouldn’t be the case. I wish to be sure that this group is aware of I’m surehanded, and proper now, I’m not doing that. It undoubtedly hurts me and kills me. All I can do is simply study from this.”

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Atlanta, GA

Basketball Pickups: Naji Marshall and Jaden Hardy shine in Atlanta

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Basketball Pickups: Naji Marshall and Jaden Hardy shine in Atlanta


The Mavericks went into Monday’s game in Atlanta down three perimeter players. With Luka Doncic already sidelined, Klay Thompson and Quentin Grimes joined him on the sideline. Naji Marshall (17%) and Jaden Hardy (1%) were the replacements, and both played well in Dallas’ win over the Hawks. Marshall played 28 minutes, finishing with 22 points, six rebounds, one assist, and two 3-pointers, his third consecutive game of 20 or more. Hardy put up a season-high 23 points with three rebounds, two assists, three steals (career-high), and two 3-pointers.

Marshall’s fantasy value has increased since Doncic went down, and he’ll miss at least one more game (Wednesday vs. New York). As for Hardy, his value depends on the availability of Thompson and Grimes. Also, we can’t forget about Spencer Dinwiddie (2%), who produced a line of 22 points, three rebounds, four assists, and four 3-pointers. His fantasy status moving forward is similar to Hardy’s; he’ll need multiple people to sit to be worth the risk.

Let’s look at a few more of Monday’s top pickups:

Moussa Diabate (20%), Charlotte Hornets

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Diabate didn’t start Monday’s loss to the Magic (Taj Gibson did), but he effectively played starters’ minutes off the bench. Diabate didn’t provide much scoring, but the rebounds (eight) and defensive stats (two steals and four blocks) were the important takeaways. He’ll be worth rostering as long as the Hornets remain without Mark Williams and Nick Richards, and neither has a concrete timeline for return.

Anthony Black (14%), Orlando Magic

Already playing without Jalen Suggs, the Magic lost his replacement in the starting lineup five minutes into Monday’s matchup with the Hornets. Gary Harris suffered a strained hamstring, and his exit led to Black starting the second half. While the final stat line wasn’t particularly impressive (10 points, three rebounds, one assist, three steals, and two 3-pointers in 22 minutes), the opportunities for Black to produce will be there if Suggs and Harris remain sidelined. Those injuries also impacted Cole Anthony (1%), who re-entered the rotation and played 27 minutes. He finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two 3-pointers. However, fantasy managers may want to ensure Anthony sticks in the rotation before moving to add him.

Yves Missi (13%) and Elfrid Payton (2%), New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans received good news on the injury front Monday, as CJ McCollum returned from a strained adductor. However, with the team still down multiple contributors, there was room for Missi (who came off the bench) and Payton to provide value. Despite backing up Daniel Theis, Missi played 31 minutes off the bench and finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds, two steals, and two blocked shots. As for Payton, all he did was establish a new career-high with 21 assists while also putting up 14 points, seven rebounds, and two steals in 31 minutes. While Missi should have value for the remainder of the season, even after everyone returns, Payton’s fantasy relevance likely ends once Dejounte Murray returns from a broken hand.

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Keon Ellis (8%), Sacramento Kings

Malik Monk’s return from a sprained ankle was the most notable change to the Kings rotation, but it wasn’t the only one. Ellis made his second start of the season on Monday, replacing Kevin Huerter. The matchup certainly influenced the decision, with Sacramento needing to defend Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. But this is something to watch, especially with Huerter only playing ten minutes in Monday’s loss. Ellis played 28, finishing with eight points, one rebound, three assists, one steal, and two 3-pointers. The line itself isn’t enough to make Ellis a player worth adding. But that changes if he remains in the starting lineup, which is a realistic possibility due to the Kings’ issues defending on the perimeter.

Jalen Wilson (2%) and Ziaire Williams (2%), Brooklyn Nets

Despite being down multiple rotation players and losing Cameron Johnson and Cam Thomas during Monday’s game, the Nets erased an 18-point deficit to beat Golden State. Wilson and Williams, inserted into the starting lineup with Dorian Finney-Smith and Nic Claxton sidelined, made vital contributions. Wilson scored a career-high 18 points with seven rebounds, two assists, one block, and three 3-pointers. As for Williams, he recorded a double-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two 3-pointers. Their values for Wednesday’s game against the Suns will depend on the Nets’ injury report.

Neemias Queta (2%), Boston Celtics

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While Kristaps Porzingis was available to make his season debut on Monday, the Celtics were without Al Horford and Luke Kornet. As a result, Queta remained in the rotation and was stellar in 25 minutes off the bench. He finished Monday’s blowout of the Clippers with 12 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, and four blocked shots. Queta was a case in which the few managers who rostered him benefitted, and he’ll be a schedule play moving forward. Boston’s Sunday/Monday back-to-back against the Cavaliers and Heat will be the next opportunity to consider streaming Queta.





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Atlanta, GA

Atlanta Hawks vs Dallas Mavericks: Starting Lineups

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Atlanta Hawks vs Dallas Mavericks: Starting Lineups


The Atlanta Hawks and the Dallas Mavericks are about to tipoff their game in Atlanta and both teams just announced their starting lineups for tonight’s game.

Hawks:

G- Trae Young

G – Dyson Daniels

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F – Zaccharie Risacher

F – Jalen Johnson

C – Clint Capela

Mavericks

G-Kyrie Irving

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G- Jaden Hardy

F- Naji Marshall

F- P.J. Washington

C- Dereck Lively

Currently, the Hawks rank 28th in PPG allowed, 18th in field goal percentage allowed, 30th in three-point attempts allowed, and 30th in three-point percentage allowed. Per Cleaning the Glass, Atlanta is 20th in points allowed per 100 possessions and 30th in effective field goal percentage allowed.

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Atlanta’s offense has struggled to produce in the last two games and they are going to face one of the NBA’s best defenses so far this year. The Hawks were unable to score 100 points in the loss to Golden State and they had a terrible 1st half against Chicago on Friday. This team has shooting and spacing concerns and that is something that they will have to figure out on offense.

The Hawks desperately need Trae Young to start playing at an All-NBA level. That won’t solve all of the offensive issues this team is having, but it would help. Young had 25 points and 13 assists vs the Bulls, but most of the production came in the second half when the game was out of reach.

After a great stretch of games on offense and defense, Dyson Daniels has struggled to score the ball, but the defense is still great. He shot 3-14 from the field on Friday vs Chicago and has not found consistency with his three point shot. The Hawks are counting on him to provide that and he will be tasked with guarding Kyrie Irving tonight.

Zaccharie Risacher has been in the starting lineup for the Hawks for most of the season, but he is struggling to shoot the ball and he only played 16 minutes on Friday vs Chicago. Would Quin Snyder consider moving De’Andre Hunter back into the lineup? He played close to 30 minutes on Friday and is performing well this season, especially on offense. This is something to monitor going forward.

Jalen Johnson is coming off of a 25-point, 13 rebound performance vs the Bulls and he will be counted on tonight vs Dallas. Defensively, Atlanta needs more from Johnson, but he has shaken off a slow start and is playing well.

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The center position has been mostly underwhelming for Atlanta this season, but Clint Caplea is coming off of his best game of the season offensively. He scored 21 points and pulled in 11 rebounds in the loss on Friday and he is going to be a key player tonight vs the center duo of Dereck Lively and Daniels Gafford. Onyeka Okongwu is struggling on both ends of the floor and the Hawks do have Larry Nance, but Nance does not play often and did not on Friday vs Chicago.

Snyder mostly used a nine-man rotation against the Bulls, with Kobe Bufkin, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Okongwu, and Hunter coming off the bench. Perhaps the only good thing that came out of Friday’s loss was that Bogdanovic finally looked like himself again. He scored 16 points and shot 4-8 from three in the game and after two bad games to start the year, he finally played well. Bufkin is one of the players who has really struggled this year, but he should be given time to try and figure things out. Will this be the rotation for Atlanta tonight or will guys like VIt Krejci and Garrison Matthews get more minutes?

While the record might not indicate it, the underlying numbers show that Dalls is one of the NBA’s elite teams. The Mavericks are 9th in PPG, 8th in FG%, 22nd in three-point attempts, 22nd in 3P%, 18th in free-throw attempts, 9th in rebounding and 8th in turnovers. Per Cleaning the Glass, Dallas is 4th in points per 100 possessions, 10th in effective field goal percentage, 6th in turnover percentage, 14th in offensive rebounding, and 20th in free throw rate. Defensively, this is shaping up to be the best defense Dallas has had in years. They currently rank 9th in PPG allowed, 5th in FG% allowed, 9th in three-point attempts allowed, and 10th in three-point percentage. Per Cleaning the Glass, Dallas is 7th in points allowed per 100 possessions and 4th in effective field goal percentage allowed.



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New Dog Grooming Spa Planned for Atlanta | What Now Atlanta

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New Dog Grooming Spa Planned for Atlanta | What Now Atlanta


Pet owners in Atlanta could soon have a new place for their pups to be groomed.

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A new dog spa called Chic Shearing Dog Grooming is planned for 2030 Bolton Road NW, according to a building permit application for the buildout of the new dog spa.

The estimated cost of construction on the approximately 1,000-square-foot space is $65,000, according to the application. The scope of work includes new LED lights, partitions, outlets, dog wash tubs, and a tankless water heater.

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The site is located in Riverside, a neighborhood on the Upper Westside of Atlanta. The dog spa would be located near the Public House 28 restaurant.

Ownership for Chic Shearing Dog Grooming could not immediately be reached for more information about the business or when it could be open.



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