Atlanta, GA
ESPN Reveals NFL’s Most Impactful New Addition
Heading into 2023, the Atlanta Falcons were seen as a donut team – a big hole in the middle where the quarterback should be.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank splashed the cash in the offseason to fill that hole with $100-million guaranteed to former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins.
ESPN’s Mike Clay deems Cousins as the most impactful newcomer, free agent or draft pick, in the NFL.
“The implications of Cousins to Atlanta can’t be overstated,” wrote Clay on ESPN+. “The Falcons immediately became the NFC South favorites after the deal, and we should now see the true potential of recent top-10 draft picks Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts. Cousins led the NFL with 18 passing touchdowns prior to suffering a torn Achilles last season, and he will help an Atlanta team that was 25th in QBR last season (41.2).”
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Cousins’s 4-year, $180-million contract looks like a relative bargain after the big money deals signed by Trevor Lawrence, Jordan Love, and Tua Tagovailoa in recent weeks. Cousins carries a $25-million cap hit in 2024 for the Falcons, less than the $28.5-million dead cap hit the Vikings are taking on Cousins this year from void years in his last contract.
Atlanta has the flexibility to get out from Cousins’s contract in two years with mitigated cap ramifications. The idea is for the then-38-year-old Cousins to hand the reins to No. 8 pick Michael Penix Jr.
Clay’s ranking of Cousins as the No. 1 new addition in the NFL runs counter to his analytics colleague Seth Walder who graded the Falcons as having the 29th best (or 4th worst) offseason in the NFL.
We wrote at the time: “If a team fills its biggest need, at the game’s most important position, with the No. 2 ranked free agent, on a financially manageable contract… it warrants a grade significantly better than bottom five in the NFL.”
Seems Clay would agree.
The Falcons first opponent of the season is the Pittsburgh Steelers who look to be starting Russell Wilson in Atlanta on September 8th. Wilson checked in at No. 21 on the list, with Clay hedging his bets, not putting Wilson higher, in case Justin Fields wins the job in Pittsburgh.
Atlanta and Pittsburgh had arguably the worst quarterback play in the NFL last season. The NFL scheduling gurus made sure to amp up the storylines for Week 1 pitting two-new starters against each other while disgraced-former head coach Arthur Smith conducts from the Steelers sidelines.
Will Cousins live up to the hype of being the most impactful newcomer in 2024? If he does, the predictions of the Falcons winning the NFL South should come true.
Atlanta, GA
Police increase presence across metro Atlanta amid teen takeover rumors
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Popular gathering spots across metro Atlanta saw heightened law enforcement presence Saturday night following rumors of potential “teen takeovers.”
Authorities say a similar event last weekend led to more than a dozen teenagers and adults being taken into custody. In response, agencies across the metro area are stepping up patrols in several high-traffic areas, including the Beltline and the Cumberland Mall and Battery districts.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 9 juveniles, 8 adults charged after weekend ‘takeover’ event at The Battery
Along the Atlanta Beltline, Atlanta police confirmed they increased staffing levels as a precaution. An APD officer on scene told Atlanta News First that officers are maintaining an enhanced presence due to the takeover rumors. An Atlanta News First crew observed multiple people put in handcuffs and an APD officer at the Beltline said four guns had been confiscated.
Multiple patrol units were visible along the Beltline, with officers monitoring foot traffic and briefly detaining several individuals. Police said the show of force is intended to deter large, disruptive gatherings before they begin.
Cumberland Mall to have teen curfew Saturday after ‘takeover’ at The Battery
In Cobb County, law enforcement agencies are coordinating efforts around Cumberland Mall and The Battery Atlanta. The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office deployed its mounted patrol unit, with four deputies on horseback circling the mall. Units from the Cobb County Police Department, Marietta Police Department, and the Georgia State Patrol were also seen monitoring traffic and pedestrian activity in the area.
Electronic message boards and posted signage between Cumberland and The Battery warned visitors of the increased law enforcement presence. Officers said the goal is to prevent a repeat of last weekend’s arrests and ensure public safety.
For now, officials say the evening remains calm, but they are prepared to respond quickly if large crowds begin to form.
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Atlanta, GA
Shooting causes lockdown at Mall of Stonecrest
STONECREST, Ga. – The DeKalb County Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred at the Mall of Stonecrest on Saturday afternoon.
What we know:
The department was alerted to the shooting around 12:40 p.m. Officers responded to the mall and immediately began a search of the premises. In an early update, police stated the mall was on lockdown and that no victim had been found.
A few hours later, police confirmed a victim had been located and several people were detained after running away from the mall. The injured person was transported to a hospital and is expected to survive.
The mall remained on lockdown as of 3:45 p.m. as officers continued clearing the building. Police said the process could take several hours and requested that the public continue to avoid the area.
DeKalb police stated there is no further danger to the public.
What we don’t know:
At this time, it is unclear what led to the shooting or if any of the detained individuals have been charged.
The Source: Information in this article came from the DeKalb County Police Department via an email.
Atlanta, GA
The Pulse: Are pajamas really banned at the airport?
The show highlights a tongue-in-cheek social media “ban” on pajamas and Crocs at Tampa International Airport that sparked national debate over travel etiquette. The crew also covers the Atlanta Hawks’ bold “Magic City Monday” promotion featuring famous lemon pepper wings and halftime performances by T.I.. Additionally, the segment dives into Gen Z’s “loud breakup” trend on TikTok and ends with a nostalgic defense of the Burger King Whopper.
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