Atlanta, GA

Falcons Start Preseason with ‘Important’ Joint Practices vs. Miami Dolphins

Published

2 years ago

August 5, 2024

Falcons Start Preseason with ‘Important’ Joint Practices vs. Miami Dolphins

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons will make their first road trip of the season Monday, flying to South Beach for a pair of joint practices with the Miami Dolphins before the two sides face off in the preseason opener at 7 p.m. Friday.

Atlanta and Miami are set to practice from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Dolphins’ practice facility is right across the street from Hard Rock Stadium, where the preseason game takes place.

The Falcons and Dolphins met in a similar setting last August, holding two joint practices before the first preseason contest. But much is different for Atlanta, which has a new coaching staff — apart from a few assistants — and quarterback in Kirk Cousins.

As such, it’s the first external competition for the Falcons under head coach Raheem Morris — and first-year defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake is anticipating an enjoyable week.

“That’s going to be a lot of fun,” Lake said. “Our guys are probably already tired of seeing each other across the line, hitting the same guy. Now, we get to go against a really good opponent in practice in a good setting where we’re keeping everybody healthy, but at the same time, we’re rolling.

“It’s going to be very, very competitive. Looking forward to that.”

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Falcons defensive end Zach Harrison confirmed Lake’s belief, saying it will be fun hitting players in different uniforms. Neither team has seen another squad since the 2023 season.

But in addition to that aspect, Harrison sees value in using the joint practices as a measuring stick.

“It will be good to get work, to see things we need to improve on, see a different offense, see different looks,” Harrison said.

And while the week in Miami will be beneficial for readying the Falcons for the regular season opener Sept. 8, it’s perhaps more immediately significant for the front office.

General manager Terry Fontenot, assistant general manager Kyle Smith and the rest of the personnel department have been busy evaluating film from Atlanta’s first seven training camp practices. They’ll get to watch practice No. 8 — a light jogthrough Monday morning — on the flight to Miami.

But for the first-four sessions, Fontenot and Smith were simply monitoring movement skills to see if players moved the way the Falcons wanted and expected them to. The three-padded sessions that ensued thereafter proved beneficial for seeing more football-relevant plays.

Yet perhaps nothing will tell Atlanta’s decision makers as much as the two practices against Miami.

“The joint practices are so important — they’re tremendous for those evaluations,” Smith said. “Year ones get the looks and as we get closer to preseason, we’ll see how much those guys play. You love to have as many of those opportunities as you can.”

The Dolphins are coming off four consecutive winning seasons and have made the playoffs each of the past two years. They went 11-6 last year before losing to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs in the wildcard round.

Fontenot said the Falcons have a lot of respect for the accomplishments of Dolphins general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel.

Miami’s offense, which is led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, features a number of explosive playmakers, including receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle and running back Devon Achane. The Dolphins’ defense ranked No. 10 league-wide in yards allowed per game at 318.3.

Atlanta has restructured its offense, from Cousins and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson to wideouts Darnell Mooney, Ray-Ray McCloud and Rondale Moore. Apart from Lake, the defense returns many of the same faces who competed against the Dolphins last summer.

Fontenot believes the Falcons are heading in the right direction and are in a better spot than they were last year — but he hasn’t quite had the chance to get an accurate measurement. The upcoming week in Miami will, if only partially, aid in his evaluation.

“When you go and practice against another team, you can get a feel — there’s a cool part about those scrimmages,” Fontenot said. “That’s a fast and athletic team in Miami. So, when you get to see your team against some other people, and you get a feel when you’re seeing them in those 1-on-1s and those different areas, you can kind of measure some things against some different competition.”

The Falcons and Dolphins begin joint practices Aug. 6 in Miami.

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Atlanta, GA

Atlanta runners honor Olympian Jeff Galloway after his passing

Published

7 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Atlanta runners honor Olympian Jeff Galloway after his passing

Jeff Galloway, pioneer of run-walk-run, dies at 80

The running world is mourning the loss of Jeff Galloway, a transformative figure who democratized distance running for millions. An Olympian and the winner of the first-ever Peachtree Road Race in 1970, Galloway was best known for his revolutionary Run-Walk-Run method.

ATLANTA – Atlanta runners are finding ways to honor the legacy of former US Olympian Jeff Galloway, who was widely known for his run-walk-run strategy, after his death on Wednesday at 80.

What we know:

Officials say Galloway suffered a hemorrhagic stroke and died in a hospital in Pensacola, Florida.

His daughter-in-law, Carissa Galloway, also a running enthusiast, shared a tribute to him through social media following his death.

What they’re saying:

“With Jeff being the winner of the first Peachtree, he sort of automatically is a legend here in Atlanta,” said Rich Kenah, Atlanta Track Club CEO.

Kenah says Galloway will likely be remembered most for inspiring so many people to lace up their sneakers and start running.

Running legend Jeff Galloway passes away in Florida

“We know Jeff in the running world as our hometown hero. You know, our celebrity. But he leveraged that celebrity to bring more people into the sport than anybody else that I can think of. I think that should be his legacy,” said Kenah.

At a Thursday night run along the Beltline, the group held a moment of silence in Galloway’s honor.

“He’s a big advocate for encouraging people to go and run. I was influenced by him. I ran my 1st marathon back in December of 2024,” said Alex Lewis.

As the group took off on their run, they remembered the elite athlete who spent a lifetime motivating others to lead a healthy life one step at a time.

“Even though he was an Olympian and kind of like a celebrity in his own right, he still acted and talked to us normal people, just like a regular guy. He’ll be deeply missed here in Atlanta,” said Lewis.

Atlanta Track Club officials say there will be a moment to recognize Jeff Galloway before the start of Sunday’s Publix Atlanta Marathon.

They’re still planning how they will pay tribute to him at this year’s Peachtree Road Race.

The Source: This is a FOX 5 original report where Denise Dillon spoke with members of the Atlanta running community.

AtlantaNewsFlorida

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Atlanta, GA

Atlanta Hawks partner with iconic strip club for ‘Magic City Monday’

Published

19 hours ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Atlanta Hawks partner with iconic strip club for ‘Magic City Monday’

Two Atlanta institutions are coming together to bring a new experience to NBA fans.

The Atlanta Hawks and Magic City are partnering for “Magic City Monday,” a celebration of a cultural institution during the team’s game against Orlando Magic on March 16.

Magic City is a self-identified “premier Atlanta strip club,” and well-known across the city for their performances as well as their kitchen. The club is regularly featured in lists identifying the best chicken wings in the city. Magic City is in downtown Atlanta.

What to expect at ‘Magic City Monday’

Before the game, Hawks’ principal owner Jami Gertz, a filmaker and actor, will present a live recording of the Hawks AF podcast, according to a news release from the organization.

Gertz recently produced a five-part STARZ docuseries about Magic City, working with Atlanta native Jermaine Dupri and featuring interviews with Big Boi, Killer Mike and T.I. The series explores the “pivotal role” the club played in “hip-hop and Black culture,” in Atlanta and beyond.

The live recording will include a conversation about the documentary, as well as chats with Magic City founder Michael “Mr. Magic” Barney, T.I. and D.C. Young Fly.

“This collaboration and theme night is very meaningful to me after all the work that we did to put together ‘Magic City: An American Fantasy,’” Gertz said in the release. “The iconic Atlanta institution has made an incredible impact on our city and its unique culture.”

During halftime, T.I will perform in State Farm Arena, and the organization will rely on DJ Esco for pregame music.

“We doin’ this one for the city… Magic City,” T.I. said in the release.

Magic City is bringing the wings

Magic City will bring their famous lemon pepper wings into State Farm Arena, serving the Louwill Lemon Pepper BBQ wins and traditional Lemon Pepper at sections 114, 120 and 211. Wings will also be available at two all-inclusive premium experiences including Harrah’s Cherokee Casino’s Club and the Players Club.

“From the food to the music to the exclusive merchandise, we are excited to team up with Magic City to create an authentic, True to Atlanta-inspired game experience,” Melissa Proctor, Hawks executive vice president and chief marketing officer, said in the release.

Limited-edition merchandise, including a ‘MAGIC CITY’ hoodie, will be available at State Farm Arena and online starting Monday, March 16.

The game tips off at 7 p.m. E.T., but fans are invited to enter the arena early for the podcast taping. You can purchase tickets here.

Irene Wright is the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.

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Atlanta, GA

Atlanta City Council wants say in More MARTA projects moving forward

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Atlanta City Council wants say in More MARTA projects moving forward

Metro Atlanta

Council members have long chafed at their exclusion from an intergovernmental agreement between the city and MARTA, which dictates how decisions are made.

(From left) Interim MARTA General Manager and CEO Jonathan Hunt and Beltline CEO Clyde Higgs. Both faced questions from Atlanta City Council members this week regarding a vote last year to stop work on the Eastside light rail project. (Arvin Temkar/AJC 2025 and Abbey Cutrer/AJC 2025)

Frustration with MARTA project delivery has Atlanta City Council members pushing to take a formal role in deciding which transit projects the agency pursues.

Council members have long chafed at their exclusion from an intergovernmental agreement between the city and MARTA that dictates how decisions are made within the More MARTA program established by voters in a 2016 referendum.

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Sara Gregory covers transportation for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Previously, she covered local government in DeKalb County. A Charlotte native, she joined the AJC in 2023 after working at newspapers in South Carolina and Virginia.

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