Atlanta, GA

Falcons DB Mike Ford, Coach Marquice Williams Elevating Special Teams

Published

2 years ago

December 16, 2022

Falcons DB Mike Ford, Coach Marquice Williams Elevating Special Teams

Ask an informal Atlanta Falcons fan to call a cornerback.

It is possible that names resembling All-Professional A.J. Terrell, beginning nickel Isaiah Oliver and even the injured Casey Hayward will come up … however most likely not Mike Ford.

Granted, Ford has solely performed 9 % of Atlanta’s defensive snaps this yr – however pose the identical query surrounding gamers on particular groups, the place Ford’s logged 83 % of snaps, and the reply probably stays the identical.

So, who is Ford?

A fifth yr professional out of Southeast Missouri State, Ford started his faculty profession as a receiver earlier than transitioning to defensive again in yr two. He went undrafted in 2018, signing with the Detroit Lions shortly thereafter.

Initially reduce at coaching camp’s finish, Ford re-signed to the Lions apply squad and spent a lot of the season there earlier than becoming a member of the energetic roster in the midst of November and making seven appearances, incomes 4 begins at nook.

He performed two extra seasons in Detroit, virtually fully on particular groups – and it was there the place he met an ascending younger particular groups coach named Marquice Williams.

Ford performed in 24 video games throughout two seasons, logging 58 and 64 % of the particular groups snaps, respectively, starring as a “gunner” on punt protection and “jammer” on punt return.

Ford’s a pure match for each, mixing his background at receiver with intensive expertise at cornerback to thrive. Whereas not the preferred positions on the soccer area, gunners and jammers are instrumental in particular groups success – and Ford is especially expert within the latter.

“If you speak about a group’s punt group, probably the most athletic, dynamic guys on the punt group are the gunners,” Williams stated. “And so they haven’t got to guard, they’ll simply launch when the ball is snapped. So with the ability to gradual these gunners down is a important half to that.”

It is gamers like Ford who helped make the Lions particular groups unit one of many league’s finest – which, in flip, opened up alternatives elsewhere … for some.

After 2020, Williams departed Detroit for Atlanta, accepting a job because the particular groups coordinator on coach Arthur Smith’s new workers. Conversely, Ford was reduce by the Lions simply earlier than the beginning of the season, finally catching on with the Denver Broncos, the place he noticed time in 13 video games and performed 77 % of snaps on particular groups.

Though the 2 have been aside, Williams nonetheless considered Ford typically – largely as a result of his recreation was always on show contained in the partitions of Flowery Department.

“Once I received right here, Mike Ford was one of many guys that I used (for educate tape),” Williams revealed. “I coached him in Detroit; he is one of many causes I am on this place proper now, due to the previous gamers that I’ve coached. Guys like Mike Ford, Justin Coleman, Jason Verrett, Brandon Flowers … these are guys I exploit as examples. It took quite a lot of delight in taking part in that jammer place.”

What’s higher than displaying tape and instructing one participant’s skillset to a different? Getting the true model.

The Falcons did precisely that this previous offseason, signing Ford to a one-year contract in April. Reunited with Williams, the 27-year-old Ford has performed in all 13 video games and is having fun with an excellent marketing campaign, presently sitting with 14 tackles (probably the most since his defense-heavy rookie season) and is prone to set a profession excessive in complete snaps performed on Sunday when the Falcons face the New Orleans Saints.

Ford has solely performed three complete snaps on protection since Week 7, all in Week 8 towards the Carolina Panthers, however makes his presence felt each Sunday – even when not by these watching on the skin.

“(There are occasions the place) he single-handedly takes out the gunner by himself,” Williams stated. “And he does that week in and week out and people performs quite a lot of occasions go unnoticed as a result of he is on the skin and he is taking up their finest gunner. He does a terrific job of taking part in that place and serving to our returner get vertical with the soccer.”

Ford, together with the remainder of Atlanta’s punt return unit, has greater than helped returner Avery Williams get vertical – they’ve executed it at a charge higher than all people else within the NFL. By means of 13 video games, Williams sits fifth in punt return yards at 279, together with his 17.5 yards per return one of the best mark within the league by some two and a half yards.

With out Ford, who’s accountable for slowing the progress of the opponent’s finest gunner, or as coach Williams referred to as “probably the most athletic, dynamic guys on the punt group,” Atlanta’s success probably is not as excessive.

The Falcons view punt returns as probabilities to get first downs and switch protection into offense – and so they’ve executed that at a terrific clip. And maybe better of all, whereas Ford has supplied loads of worth on the sphere, he is simply as vital off of it, giving teach-tape classes in additional methods than one.

“I view him as an impression participant,” stated Williams. “I do know when he is in our room, he brings quite a lot of nice vitality, soccer IQ, consciousness, he is optimistic, he is a pacesetter, he leads by instance. He is been a terrific addition to our particular groups unit. He does a terrific job of main by instance, taking part in with nice effort; in our room, we speak about ‘nice performs are constructed from nice effort’ – and he exhibits week in and week out that nice effort.”

Whereas most of Williams’ reward of Ford’s skillset has been centered round his skill as a jammer, he does way more than simply that. The hassle that is put in permeates all through a number of completely different models of particular groups – and he manages to make his mark on every of them.

“Whether or not you speak about him being a gunner, being one of many first guys downfield on kickoff or punt or being a lead blocker for Avery on the punt return attempting to dam their finest gunners, or the important thing block on the kickoff return for landing,” Williams relayed. “These issues occur due to effort, perspective and approach, and that is what we harp on in our room. He exemplifies that day in and day trip as a particular groups participant for us.”

The Falcons have been keen to determine a brand new identification beneath Smith, and with particular groups providing roles to a majority of Atlanta’s roster, it is an underrated space of group constructing.

As such, gamers like Ford, who aren’t typically talked about and do not draw a lot exterior consideration however put forth immense effort each single snap as a result of they flat-out care a lot about successful and impacting the sport, are extraordinarily helpful to setting a group character.

And Ford, now again with Williams, is placing up educate tape as soon as extra, serving as a shining instance at a dim, unheralded positional one effort-filled snap at a time – as a result of that is simply who he’s.

You’ll be able to comply with Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft

Get your HOTlanta Falcons recreation tickets from SI Tickets … right here!

Need the most recent in breaking information and insider data on the Falcons? Click on Right here.

Comply with Falcon Report on Twitter.

Source link

Atlanta, GA

New Blockbuster Three-Team Trade Proposal Sends Nic Claxton To Atlanta, Cam Johnson to Milwaukee

Published

2 hours ago

January 17, 2025

Press Room

New Blockbuster Three-Team Trade Proposal Sends Nic Claxton To Atlanta, Cam Johnson to Milwaukee

Less than one month from today will be the NBA Trade Deadline and there is still some uncertainty as to what will go down at the deadline. Star players like Jimmy Butler and Brandon Ingram have been talked about as players who could be dealt with, but it could end up just being smaller moves and rotation players that get moved. The Atlanta Hawks could actually be a team to watch when it comes to that. Last season, the Hawks were one of the most talked about teams leading up to the deadline, but there was a different feeling around that team. Whether or not Atlanta is a buyer or a seller at the deadline, this team has young building blocks to lean on going forward, but they have some roster questions that could get answered at the deadline. Currently, the Hawks are 21-19 and have won two straight games, including a 16-point win over the Bulls Wednesday night. Atlanta is in 7th place in the Eastern Conference, but only 1.5 games from the No. 4 seed.

The names that have been brought up in trade rumors over the past month or so have been centers Larry Nance and Clint Capela, as well as Bogdan Bogdanovic. Both centers are on expiring deals and might not be a part of the team’s future and Atlanta could look to flip one of them for assets. Going into the deadline, the Hawks have to figure out what to do with the two centers they have on expiring contracts and if they want to be buyers. They have two glaring needs at the backup point guard spot and backup power forward spots, but this team is not going to make any moves that are not forward-thinking. The Hawks have been a nice surprise this season, but they are not going to make win-now moves to try and improve their record this year if it is not about the future as well. They have a core of Trae Young, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, and Zaccharie Risacher that is going to be the future of the franchise. If they can find a player who fits that timeline, they could pursue them at the deadline.

Could that player be Nets center Nic Claxton?

While the backup point guard and power forward spots might be the most noticeable spots for the Hawks, they still have a question mark going forward at center. Capela and Nance are on expiring deals and while Onyeka Okongwu flashes, he has not done enough during his time in Atlanta to firmly take hold of the starting center spot for the future. If the right player became available, would the Hawks take a chance.

I think that player could be Claxton and I think he would be a great fit on Atlanta. He is young (25 years old), excellent defensively, and should pair well with Trae Young on offense. He received a contract extension from Brooklyn and he would be locked in with Young, Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, and Zaccharie Risacher as the building blocks for the Hawks future.

Let’s look at a hypothetical three-team deal that would send Claxton to Atlanta.

Atlanta Receives: Nic Claxton and Trendon Watford

Brooklyn Receives: Khris MIddleton, Clint Capela, AJ Johnson, Tyler Smith, 2030 2nd round pick (via Atlanta), 2031 1st round pick (via Milwaukee), 2031 top-eight protected 1st round pick (via Atlanta), and a 2031 2nd round pick (via Milwaukee)

Milwaukee Receives: Cam Johnson, Ziaire Williams, Cody Zeller, and David Roddy

Jan 1, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Brooklyn Nets forward Cam Johnson (2) shoots the ball against the Toronto Raptors in the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images / Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Why the Hawks do this trade: For the reasons outlined above. They get younger and better at the center position, locking in a starting core for the future. Claxton is eligible to be traded now and while it is possible Brooklyn holds onto him, they are in complete rebuilding mode and could move him. He would give the Hawks a young and elite defensive anchor when he is healthy and a great rim-running partner with Trae Young. Watford would give the Hawks a possible backup power forward option for the rest of the season (when healthy) and if the Hawks like his fit, they could re-sign him in the offseason. This move would not cost the Hawks a lot of assets. Capela is still a good player, but an expiring deal, and Claxton would be an upgrade. Roddy and Zeller are both players who could be moved. The Hawks would still have picks for any future moves or to use to draft players. This move would be forward-thinking and fits with the Hawks’s timeline of the young players on the roster. This move would also keep the Hawks under the luxury tax.

Why the Hawks don’t do this: If they don’t view Claxton as a significant enough upgrade over their current center situation and they don’t want to use any assets to obtain him. The initial Dejounte Murray trade in 2022 took some of the Hawks’ assets away and while they recouped some of that this past summer when they sent him to New Orleans, they don’t have an overabundance of picks like other teams such as OKC or Orlando. Atlanta may just want to sit tight and do nothing for now.

Why the Bucks do this trade: It gets them younger and better. Johnson would be a significant upgrade over Middleton at this stage in their careers and would improve Milwaukee’s chances of making a run to the Finals, which is all that matters to them as long as they have Giannis. Johnson is shooting well and would benefit from having Giannis and Damian Lillard around him. Williams, Roddy, and Zeller would be depth pieces for the team, although Zeller has not played for Atlanta this year and Roddy struggles on defense. It would be an all-in move for the Bucks and maybe the last one they have left. They could move Taurean Prince to the bench in this scenario and that would improve their depth.

Why the Bucks don’t do this: Maybe Milwaukee does not want to send any more draft assets out or they don’t view Johnson as the player to do it for. Aside from him, none of the other three players is likely to help you in the playoffs.

Why the Nets do this trade: It would give them more assets for the rebuild that is going on and improves their lottery odds. It is no secret that Brooklyn is trying to tank for this draft and next year as well since getting their own draft picks back this summer and there have been plenty of rumors of them moving Johnson this season. They would get two future draft picks and a pair of young players in Johnson and Smith that they could get a look at. Capela is an expiring deal and Middleton only has one year left on his contract after this one. They could try to flip Middleton this summer or next season to a contender that is looking for a veteran player who will be on an expiring deal.

Why the Nets don’t do this trade: Is this enough for them to move off of Johnson and Claxton? Getting an unprotected future pick from Milwaukee is a good asset considering that the Bucks title window is shrinking and that Johnson does not fit in with the Nets future plans. Claxton, however, is 25 years old and could be a part of the Nets future still. Johnson and Smith are intriguing, but there is no guarantee that they would even be decent rotation players. Given MIddleton’s injury history and age, he might not be able to be flipped for much in terms of assets.

This trade might be unlikely, but it makes some sense for all teams involved. The Hawks get younger at center, not to mention Claxton should improve them defensively. Milwaukee gets a younger piece for them to make a run in the East, while the Nets add more assets for the future and improve their tanking odds for this year.

New Blockbuster Three-Team Trade Proposal Has Warriors Adding Rotation Piece, Hawks Get Versatile Defender from GSW

Hawks Get Unexpected Performances From Keaton Wallace and Daeqwon Plowden In 110-94 Upset Win Against Chicago

New Blockbuster Trade Proposal Sees Hawks Land One Of The Top Guards Available

Source link

Atlanta, GA

1988 national champion Wes Pritchett welcomes alma mater Notre Dame to Atlanta

Published

9 hours ago

January 17, 2025

Press Room

1988 national champion Wes Pritchett welcomes alma mater Notre Dame to Atlanta

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Memories 36 years in the making are all coming back to Wes Pritchett this week.

The Georgia boy who played his high school football at Westminster found a home in South Bend, Indiana – and the rest is history.

The leading tackler on the last Notre Dame team to win it all won’t have to go very far to see his Irish play on Monday night.

“It’s something that I think will mean more to me later down the road,” Pritchett said. “I’m in it right now and I’m old enough to realize stars align only so many times in your life.”

Pritchett, Frank Stams and Mike Stonebreaker were the cornerstones on that 1988 team – or as they’re known around South Bend – “the three amigos.”

“We just had a lot of fun and it ends up that we were pretty good football players too,” Pritchett said. “We had players, we played hard, but when we walked out on the field, we knew that we were going to be the toughest team out there and we were going to punch you in the face.”

Nearly 40 years later, it’s that same spirit that makes them pretty big fans of this year’s “amigos.”

“You can feel the passion in the way those guys played,” Pritchett said. “It reminds all of the guys on the 1988 team of how we felt.”

If something could be more special than playing for a national title, for “Pritch,” Monday night will be.

“To have that opportunity in Atlanta, where I live and where I grew up, where my children have been to a million games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and to have the ability to host Coach Holtz and the players I played with, it’s going to be really special,” Pritchett said.

And if it’s anything like 1988, the Irish have a pretty good shot, too.

“I think the Irish will play physical, they’ll keep it close, and it’ll be a lot like the Penn State game,” Pritchett said. “We’ll get a late turnover and win by a field goal. I think Notre Dame wins 27-24.”

Notre Dame and Ohio State face off in the 2025 National Championship on Monday night at 7:30 p.m. inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Source link

Atlanta, GA

Daniel Suárez to appear at Atlanta Motor Speedway open house Jan. 25, how to meet NASCAR driver

Published

17 hours ago

January 16, 2025

Press Room

Daniel Suárez to appear at Atlanta Motor Speedway open house Jan. 25, how to meet NASCAR driver

Two-time NASCAR Cup Series winner Daniel Suárez will headline the slate of fan entertainment and activities at Atlanta Motor Speedway’s Speedway Open House on Saturday, Jan. 25, which is free and open to the public.

Suárez’s most recent NASCAR victory came in last year’s running of the Ambetter Health 400 at AMS, which saw the driver of the No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet triumph in a thrilling three-wide photo finish.

Before he hits Atlanta’s high banks to defend his win in next month’s running of the Ambetter Health 400 (Sunday, Feb. 23 at 3 p.m. ET), Suárez will make an appearance at the Jan. 25 Speedway Open House for a Q&A with fans and an autograph session with eligible ticketholders in the speedway’s luxurious Club One suite.

The NASCAR Cup Series star’s fan engagement will be just one part of a day full of activities and entertainment for fans to enjoy during the Speedway Open House.

The Speedway will open its doors to fans from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., with live music by singer and songwriter Presley Barker and fan Q&As will special guests all happening in Club One.

Attendees will also enjoy games and activities at the speedway and be welcomed explore the 1.54-mile oval and surrounding facility.

Shop NASCAR Atlanta Motor Speedway tickets for 2025

Following the Speedway Open House at 3 p.m., fans in attendance will also have an opportunity to enjoy grassroots Legends and Bandolero racing on Atlanta Motor Speedway’s ¼ mile Thunder Ring.

The Speedway Open House event is free to attend, however Atlanta Motor Speedway NASCAR event ticketholders will have the exclusive opportunity to participate in the Daniel Suárez autograph session. Fans interested in attending the Speedway Open House should let AMS know at https://www.atlantamotorspeedway.com/openhouse/.

Atlanta Motor Speedway’s first major event of 2025 comes just four weeks after the open house when NASCAR visits Georgia for the Ambetter Health 400 weekend Feb. 21-23.

The Speedway Open House will enable guests to scout the best seats for that race weekend as well as the June 27-28 Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart weekend and other events like Monster Jam, which comes to AMS April 12 and 13.

Fans can find updates on the Speedway Open House and more information about 2025 events at AMS at www.AtlantaMotorSpeedway.com.

SHOP NASCAR Atlanta 2025 race tickets

About the Ambetter Health 400 weekend:

Atlanta’s spring NASCAR weekend is headlined by the Ambetter Health 400 on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, with intense, superspeedway pack racing that challenges NASCAR’s best and dazzles fans.

The race weekend also features the 11th year of Atlanta’s same-day NASCAR doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. The thrills of the Fr8 208 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race and the Bennett Transportation and Logistics 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race all happen in one action-packed day.

More information on the Feb. 21-23, 2025, Ambetter Health 400 weekend and ticket availability can be found online at AtlantaMotorSpeedway.com.

Shop Ambetter Health 400 NASCAR tickets

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Source link