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Atlanta Falcons Urged to Make Another Defensive Addition

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Atlanta Falcons Urged to Make Another Defensive Addition


The Atlanta Falcons are excited about the potential of young cornerback Clark Phillips III. But Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder apparently isn’t as confident.

Holder argued on May 25 that the one remaining move the Falcons should make this offseason is to add a veteran cornerback to start opposite A.J. Terrell.

“Clark Phillips III is currently slated to play on the other side of A.J. Terrell, but Phillips lacks size and profiles better as a nickel back,” Holder wrote. “So, kicking the tires on someone like Steven Nelson or Stephon Gilmore could help Atlanta win the division this fall.”

Both Nelson and Gilmore are free agents and possess at least nine years of NFL experience. Gilmore is also a former Defensive Player of the Year winner and two-time All-Pro.

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Earlier this week, ESPN’s Matt Bowen said the Falcons were the “best fit” for Nelson.

It also doesn’t have to be Nelson/Gilmore or bust for the Falcons. Other younger but more expensive options such as Xavien Howard, J.C. Jackson and Adoree’ Jackson are available. As is Cameron Sutton, who could be very cheap if the Falcons are willing to overlook his domestic battery allegations (they probably shouldn’t).

But as it stands at OTAs, the Falcons appear to feel comfortable with Phillips as a starting outside cornerback.

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“Really excited about Clark,” head coach Raheem Morris said May 14. “He has had elite movement put on tape. I’m really excited about the young man and the player on what he potentially can do.”

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Although inexperienced, youth could be an advantage for Phillips this season. His youth means, unlike aging cornerbacks such as Nelson and Gilmore, he hasn’t lost any of his speed. The question is whether Morris and new Falcons defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake can maximize his total potential.

A year ago in his draft profile, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein called Phillips “a playmaker,” comparing him to longtime NFL cornerback Mike Hilton. 

Hilton has posted 11.5 sacks, 54 tackles for loss and 12 interceptions in his seven-year career.

It’s important to note, though, that Hilton is a slot cornerback. Zierlein held the expectation in Phillips’s pre-draft scouting report that he would also play in the slot.

“Phillips uses aggressive angles to search for takeaways,” Zierlein wrote. “He’s tough, smart and knows how to play. 

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“He should become a solid nickel cornerback, but his success could be tethered to matchups from week to week.”

But more than likely, the only way Phillips is going to play predominantly in the slot this season is if the Falcons follow Holder’s advice and add a starting cornerback.





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Atlanta, GA

Vehicle fire damages gas station in Atlanta, fire officials say

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Vehicle fire damages gas station in Atlanta, fire officials say


ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A gas station in Atlanta was damaged by a vehicle fire, according to fire officials.

Fire officials said a vehicle fire happened at the Chevron at 3577 Chamblee Tucker Road Sunday.

According to officials, crews were able to put out the fire, but a “portion of the pump had resulting fire damage.”

No one was injured in the fire.

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Atlanta, GA

Braves News: Michael Harris to miss significant time, offense turning a corner, more

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Braves News: Michael Harris to miss significant time, offense turning a corner, more


Just as the offense seems to be finding it’s footing after an epic team slump, they lost another major piece to injury for an extended period, as Michael Harris has a grade 2 hamstring strain. The Braves have had brutal injury luck this season, with arguable the best batter and pitcher in the game out for the season, and missing significant time from Ozzie Albies, Sean Murphy, and now Michael Harris. Nonetheless, the team looks like it may be turning a corner on the offensive end, as they put up nine runs on the Rays Saturday. They hit four home runs and could easily have had another, as Ramon Laureano was robbed in his Braves debut. Michael should be back sometime this season, so hopefully the team can chug along with improved offense and more of the same stellar pitching they have gotten so far. This team still has the talent to be a force in October if the non-Acuna and Strider pieces can be healthy for the playoffs.

Braves News

Michael Harris II was transferred to the IL Saturday morning, with Ramon Laureano getting the call-up in his place. It was revealed after the game that he has a grade 2 hamstring strain and is expected to miss roughly 4-6 weeks, judging by the average for that particular injury.

The Braves strung together their third straight complete team victory, with Charlie Morton putting together a strong start and the offense showing out with some power.

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MLB News

Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto exited his start early with a tricep injury. That’s a hit to the Dodgers’ pitching staff that already has some injury questions.

Kris Bryant will continue to miss time with an internal oblique strain, continuing what has been a catastrophic free agent signing for the Rockies, and one that was already puzzling at the time of the deal.

Pirates’ Henry Davis will hit the 7-day concussion IL, replaced by Jason Delay for the time being.

The Phillies activated Brandon Marsh off the IL, after a roughly two week absence for the outfielder.

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Atlanta, GA

Blessing's late goal helps Dynamo tie Atlanta 2-2

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Blessing's late goal helps Dynamo tie Atlanta 2-2


(AP) – Latif Blessing scored in the 89th minute to help the Houston Dynamo to 2-2 tie with Atlanta United on Saturday night.

Coco Carrasquilla chipped an entry — while Amine Bassi occupied a defender — to Blessing at the left corner of the 6-yard box for the finish to cap the scoring.

Griffin Dorsey played a volley, off a corner kick by Héctor Herrera, that ricocheted off the crossbar to Franco Escobar at the right corner of the 6-yard box for a header that gave Houston a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute. Escobar, a 29-year-old defender who spent his first four MLS seasons with Atlanta, has a career-high tying two goals this season and seven in his seven-plus year career.

Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan played a long pass and Daniel Ríos won the ball in the attacking third and back-heeled a pass to Luke Brennan on the right side of the area. Brennan slipped an low entry pass behind a defender to Thiago Almada, whose shot from point-blank range was parried by Clark but Ríos was there for the putback into an empty net to make it 1-1 in the 25th minute.

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Xande Silva, from just inside the left end line, blasted a shot that slipped under the crossbar and inside the back post to give Atlanta a 2-1 lead in the 55th minute.

Guzan stopped seven shots for Atlanta.

Steve Clark had three saves for Houston (6-6-5).

Atlanta (4-8-5) has just one win (a 3-1 defeat of Inter Miami on May 29) since a 3-1 win over the Chicago Fire on March 31.

The Dynamo outshot Atlanta 19-11, 9-5 on target.

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