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Falcons Free Agency: Sign Bengals DB Jessie Bates III?

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Falcons Free Agency: Sign Bengals DB Jessie Bates III?


After spending the final a number of years on the sidelines initially of free company, the Atlanta Falcons are squarely positioned to be among the many NFL’s most aggressive spenders.

Normal supervisor Terry Fontenot said that the Falcons have moved into the “subsequent section” of their plan … which absolutely means exercise in free company with over $80 million seemingly in Fontenot’s again pocket.

May that plan embody signing Cincinnati Bengals security Jessie Bates III?

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A second-round draft pick of Wake Forest in 2018, Bates was a day-one starter in Cincinnati and has missed solely two video games all through his five-year profession.

Bates, who turns 26 in February, was an All-Professional in 2020 and has had a powerful 12 months enjoying underneath the franchise tag. Throughout 16 common season video games, he recorded 71 tackles, eight passes defended and 4 interceptions.

The 6-1, 200-pound Bates has nabbed a minimum of three interceptions in 4 of his 5 seasons and is broadly considered as a rangy ballhawk who can patrol centerfield as a single-high free security.

However how would he slot in Atlanta?

The Falcons began second- and third-year professionals in Richie Grant and Jaylinn Hawkins at security, with the previous having extra success than the latter.

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Grant, who’s considered as a constructing block within the secondary transferring ahead, is at his greatest enjoying within the field, utilizing his velocity and physicality to work downhill and defend the run.

There is a particular want for any individual who can play the deep center and create turnovers, as Atlanta ranked simply No. 27 in takeaways this previous season.

And Bates, on paper, checks each bins.

Financially, Bates can be a hefty funding however is definitely possible for the Falcons with their present cap state of affairs. Per Spotrac, Bates’ primary worth would internet a five-year, $67.9 million contract, giving him $13.5 million per 12 months.

Nevertheless, his present market worth is much more achievable, as Spotrac estimates a four-year, $42.4 million contract, value $10.6 million per 12 months.

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However Bates will virtually definitely have his eyes set on a bigger deal, particularly contemplating latest contracts handed out to different safeties, together with Derwin James ($19.1 million per 12 months from the Los Angeles Chargers), Minkah Fitzpatrick ($18.4 million per 12 months from the Pittsburgh Steelers) and Marcus Williams ($14 million per 12 months from the Baltimore Ravens).

Whereas Bates seemingly will not attain the excessive teenagers, he’ll in all probability obtain one thing much like Williams, who signed a five-year, $70 million deal final March.

Thus, whereas not low cost, Bates is a practical choice – if the Bengals do not use the franchise tag as soon as extra and the 2 sides fail to agree on a long-term contract, each essential “ifs.”

One other factor the Falcons have working of their favor is the presence of agent David Mulugheta, who represents Bates … along with Atlanta cornerbacks A.J. Terrell and Casey Hayward, who signed with the workforce final offseason.

In essence, the Falcons signing Bates is sensible financially and would fill a necessity within the secondary – and there is additionally the latest occasion of Fontenot and Mulugheta working collectively to get a deal completed.

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Finally, the dialog turns into moot if Bates re-signs with the Bengals … but when he would not, the Falcons may definitely be gamers within the sweepstakes.


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.

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Atlanta, GA

Shots fired into Atlanta home overnight, police say

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Shots fired into Atlanta home overnight, police say


ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Police are on the scene investigating a shooting that happened in Atlanta overnight.

According to Atlanta Police, gunshots were fired at a home on 268 Polar Rock Road SW around 2:14 a.m. Monday.

Officers arrived at the scene around 2:22 a.m., when they learned the shooter had run inside the house.

No one was injured, according to APD.

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This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First for updates.



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NFL Tackling Data Shows How Far Atlanta Falcons Falcons Fell Under Jimmy Lake

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NFL Tackling Data Shows How Far Atlanta Falcons Falcons Fell Under Jimmy Lake


Often when you dig a little deeper into the data available, the key decisions to cut ties with established veteran players becomes much more clear.

For example, Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot is universally expected to let veteran former Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons leave as a free agent after only one season playing in the NFC.

The 31-year old’s performances were decidedly middling to average when lining up in a Falcons uniform.

NFL.com provides detailed numbers which break down tacking data, and it all points fairly conclusively toward Simmons’s recurring struggles.

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The Falcons were 24th in the NFL in tackling percentage after ranking 11th in 2023. Jimmy Lake’s passive scheme put players in acres of space and gave ball carriers and receivers more area work. No one suffered more in Lake’s defense than four-time All-Pro Simmons who was routinely 15 to 20 yards off the line of scrimmage at the snap.

“Newly acquired safety Justin Simmons missed 21.5% of his tackle attempts after logging an elite rate below 10% in his previous six straight seasons in Denver,” wrote the Next Gen Stats Analytics Team. “With Simmons set to hit free agency, the Falcons may choose to move on from the veteran.

Fontenot’s $7.5 million one year gamble on Simmons clearly flamed out. Simmons missing on 21.5% of his tackle attempts was never going to cut the mustard for head coach Raheem Morris. With few ties in Atlanta, Simmons will likely end up being a victim of Lake’s ineffectiveness as the NFL level and be allowed to walk in free agency.

The correlation is clear, because the entire unit slumped from being the 11th most efficient tackling unit last year to being the sixth least effective in 2024. That wasn’t all on Simmons. 

While most folks have fixated upon the critical deficiencies when it came to rushing the passer, which did much to unravel the Falcons playoff chances last season, nothing the defense really did gave off the vibe that they were a tough tackling football team.

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Consequently, retooling on the defensive side will be the primary objective of Fontenot and Morris when free agency starts next month and the draft rolls around in April.

The Falcons need an injection of toughness this offseason. They’re hoping new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is up to the task. 



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3 key questions as the Atlanta Braves begin spring training

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3 key questions as the Atlanta Braves begin spring training


NORTH PORT, Florida — The man whose absence defined his team’s 2024 has been delightfully unavoidable so far in spring training.

Ronald Acuña Jr., the Atlanta Braves’ franchise man, a power-speed dynamo of the highest order, had his season derailed last year by a torn ACL on May 27. That injury, his second ACL tear in a four-year span on two different legs, sent him to the surgeon’s table and the Braves a’reeling. His unavailability — coupled with a seemingly never-ending cavalcade of other injuries that, most notably, included an elbow surgery to flame-throwing ace Spencer Strider — stymied Atlanta’s quest for a seventh straight NL East crown. A carousel of survivors and fill-ins admirably clawed the club into a wild-card spot, but the undermanned outfit didn’t manage to win a single playoff game.

In the Braves’ clubhouse on Friday, four days ahead of the team’s first full-squad workout, Acuña spoke for nearly 10 minutes. With an ear-to-ear smile plastered on his face, the 27-year-old addressed his recovery, his mindset, his road back and his time away. He called Atlanta’s outfield “the best outfield in baseball.” He laughed and joked, clearly overjoyed to be back in the mix. And, impressively, he did it all in English. It was, according to those regularly around the club, the longest and most engaging interview Acuña has ever given in his second language.

And he wasn’t the only notable Brave to speak on an overcast Florida morning. Alex Anthopolous, the team’s president of baseball operations, conducted his first in-person question-and-answer session of this calendar year. His eyes hidden behind a pair of dark sunglasses, the elusive and secretive exec peeled back a few layers about a franchise coming off its most disappointing season since 2017.

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Here’s an overview of what Acuña and Anthopolous had to say and how their comments intersect with the biggest questions facing the Braves as they seek to dethrone the Phillies in the NL East.

On this, Anthopolous didn’t mince words: Neither player will be on the Opening Day roster.

Acuña, who has been taking batting practice, won’t appear in any Grapefruit League games, per Anthopoulos. His biggest hurdle remaining is full-gas cutting and planting, vital movements in the outfield. Anthopolous also shared that Acuña won’t slot in at DH whenever he’s back.

But the major takeaway is that the swashbuckling Venezuelan is on schedule and in good spirits.

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“The priority is that I feel great — that’s the most important thing,” Acuña shared. “When they tell me I need to play that day, I’ll be there.”

Strider, who threw a bullpen Friday, might make an appearance or two in late March, but he isn’t expected back in the bigs until late April. He hasn’t yet faced live hitters but should do so in the coming weeks.

These two players, obviously, are absolutely crucial to the 2025 Braves. The calculus of the 2024 team was equally straightforward and, thus, unfortunate. Acuña and Strider, a top-five position player and pitcher in the world, hardly played. All-Star third baseman Austin Riley missed the last month and a half. Starting catcher Sean Murphy was hurt for the first two months. Second baseman Ozzie Albies and center fielder Michael Harris II were also out for extended stretches.

But it all starts with Acuña and Strider. That the team is slow-playing this duo in spring makes sense. Setting low expectations about their return dates represents a simpler path forward, one with less opportunity for fan disappointment. So while their paths to full health will remain a huge story this spring, it was smart for Anthopoulos to be definitive and unwavering about their timelines.

Atlanta’s biggest offseason addition came just a few weeks ago, with the signing of outfielder Jurickson Profar. The big-grinning Curacaoan enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2024, earning a starting nod in the All-Star Game and, now, a sturdy, three-year deal with the Braves.

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But besides that, the typically active Anthopolous was notably trigger-shy. The team’s most significant offseason trade was a salary dump in November that sent Jorge Soler to Anaheim. Meanwhile, a cadre of established players departed in free agency. Longtime ace Max Fried signed a hefty deal with the Yankees. Rotation stalwart Charlie Morton is now an Oriole. Atlanta opted to not pick up an option year on clubhouse leader and veteran catcher Travis d’Arnaud, who is now with the Angels. The only other remaining Braves who were meaningful contributors in the 2021 World Series are Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies and Ian Anderson.

It’s difficult to argue that the arrivals outweigh the departures. This inactivity has elicited agitation among some Braves fans, who, understandably, want the club to take full advantage of its competitive window. But Anthopolous pushed back against the idea that his team, currently carrying the eighth-highest payroll in the game, was acting purely out of frugality.

“I think the biggest difference is we’ve spent a lot on our own players,” he said. “I think we have the most, probably, long-term contracts of the majority of teams. You start looking around the roster, not necessarily in the rotation, but we have long-term contracts all over the place. We didn’t have that many holes.

“Now we’ve lost free agents — no doubt about it. But we have some people we’re going to give opportunities to.”

The most likely Opening Day outfield alignment features Profar in left, the fleet-footed Michael Harris II patrolling center and former top prospect Jarred Kelenic in right. Kelenic was underwhelming in his first year as a Brave in 2024 and figures to spend most of his time as a bench bat once Acuña returns.

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With Strider on the shelf, two of the five rotation spots are up for grabs. Reigning Cy Young Chris Sale, All-Star Reynaldo Lopez and breakout rookie Spencer Schwellenbach are locks. Grant Holmes, a well-traveled vet who enjoyed a bounce-back 2024, is the favorite for the fourth spot. And Ian Anderson, who shined as a youngster with the Braves before he suffered a bout of injuries, seems primed to grab the temporary fifth spot.

It’s a group that, until Strider returns, looks a little light, but Anthopolous explained that he didn’t want to crowd the pitching situation by adding another free-agent arm.



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