Atlanta, GA
Labor Day events bringing big crowds to downtown Atlanta
![Labor Day events bringing big crowds to downtown Atlanta Labor Day events bringing big crowds to downtown Atlanta](https://gray-wgcl-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JOFZEY6TEBHVTKZTQ3OOKPQNQI.jpg?auth=7585b9ae42af300bf62f1d05f37b838c10979c5ef0be632a1fc0aac6e138abe9&width=1200&height=600&smart=true)
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Big crowds are expected in downtown Atlanta for Labor Day weekend with several events happening in the area, including Dragon Con, Atlanta Black Pride Weekend and the Georgia vs. Clemson game.
The events are attracting people from all over and are incredibly helpful for the city’s tourism.
Ken Stockdell, the director of project and program management at the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, said they finished updating their visitor center at Centennial Olympic Park right in time for weekends like this.
Everything to know about Dragon Con 2024
“With the Dragon Con event that’s in another part of downtown, in another facility,” Stockdell said. “And tomorrow we’ll be inundated with Clemson and Georgia fans for the noon game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, this will be the place where everybody kind of mixes before the game starts.”
Savannah Lay-Fawks and her husband came from Texas to Atlanta for Dragon Con.
“I’m here for Dragon Con, we are first timers, very excited,” she said.
This one event alone had over 65,000 people last year and will surely attract the same big numbers this year.
It’s also Atlanta Black Pride Weekend with a festival, parties and more.
Atlanta Police remind drivers that there will be several road closures throughout the weekend, starting Saturday morning with the Dragon Con parade.
Copyright 2024 WANF. All rights reserved.
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
Atlanta, GA
Former Ohio State 3rd-Round Pick is Candidate for Atlanta Falcons’ Breakout Player
![Former Ohio State 3rd-Round Pick is Candidate for Atlanta Falcons’ Breakout Player Former Ohio State 3rd-Round Pick is Candidate for Atlanta Falcons’ Breakout Player](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_6241,h_3510,x_1067,y_125/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/falcon_report/01j6j1t3q3327s3nkm9s.jpg)
With the influx of offseason additions, Atlanta Falcons defensive end Zach Harrison looks poised to enjoy a breakout season in 2024. After serving as an apprentice, the second-year pass rusher will start at defensive end, a spot vacated by the departure of Calais Campbell.
Now, the former Ohio State product will enjoy hundreds of reps and opportunities to make a splash. Hidden among larger names, Harrison can play without the constraints of expectation.
342
The above-mentioned number represents the total number of defensive snaps that Zach Harrison played during the 2023 season. Also, 342 figures out to thirty-two percent of the Atlanta defensive snaps. Basically, as a rookie, he toiled in a rotation that saw more sitting than actual rotation.
The Falcons Podcast: Spotify | Apple Pods | iHeart
As a result, even though he stood there will a full gas tank due to the rotation, Harrison waited his turn behind veterans and needed to bide his time. Meanwhile, he made the most of the limited carries, tallying three sacks and four tackles for loss – all in his final three games.
Approach
Standing six-foot-five and weighing 275 pounds, Harrison blends length, quickness and power to make plays. For example, with his arm length, he keeps clean, allowing for a quicker disengage. Against the run, this helps with setting the edge to the outside and knifing inside.
At the same time, those arms facilitate rather effective rip and swim moves when trying to get to the quarterback. Most importantly, Harrison’s motor should definitely excite Falcons fans. You will rarely see defensive ends either backside pursue or funnel down the line to make plays in the boundary, like this.
The Combination
Grady Jarrett, a Falcons constant for nine seasons, enters his tenth with an understudy. Now, in all honesty, Harrison’s game greatly differs from the Falcons legend. Jarrett uses leverage due to his lack of height. Furthermore, he uses burst and footwork to separate from the blocker.
Despite physiological differences, the veteran will mentor Harrison. Football contains intangibles that will not show up on the scoresheet. For instance, setting up rush moves that will keep blockers guessing. Unless you possess the spin move of Dwight Freeney or Derrick Thomas’s ability to bend the corner, the need for a wide moveset exists.
If you watch this season, notice the differences in Harrison’s game due to Jarrett’s influence. Now, on the field, the presence of a disruptive defensive tackle makes anyone on the edge immediately better. If Harrison plays the entire season with a healthy Jarrett, look for him to not only double his 2023 sack totals but triple the number of his tackles for loss.
Atlanta, GA
Kamala Harris campaigning in Georgia beyond Atlanta
![Kamala Harris campaigning in Georgia beyond Atlanta Kamala Harris campaigning in Georgia beyond Atlanta](https://assets3.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2024/08/29/aa8372ce-e69e-41fd-94e2-570fded61b23/thumbnail/1200x630/5df0b76d869447fe5792843547888290/cbsn-fusion-kamala-harris-campaigning-in-georgia-beyond-atlanta-thumbnail.jpg?v=25685eaa472b1a5dbb5bd46ae506d232)
Watch CBS News
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
Atlanta, GA
Raheem Morris shares Week 1 plan for Matthew Judon, Justin Simmons
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — It’s been a couple weeks since one of the craziest 24 hours of a Falcons preseason unfolded. Within the span of a day, the Falcons traded a third-round draft pick to New England for edge rusher Matthew Judon and signed safety Justin Simmons to the roster.
On their first day of practice in the week leading up to the Falcons’ final preseason game against Jacksonville, head coach Raheem Morris said the Falcons would ease the duo into team activities. He simultaneously assured, though, that both would be ready for Week 1 of the 2024 season.
Asked for a status update on their progress, both physically and mentally with the playbook, Morris said Thursday they were on track, though they are still on different schedules.
Judon is further along, since he was with a team this preseason and was practicing full-time.
“We’re already got him beefed up into his rep counts,” Morris said. “We got him beefed up into full individual (drills).”
Morris continued by calling Judon a “live wire” individual, stating his high IQ and instincts show up time and again in practice. His personality is already helping Judon jive with the defensive unit, as a whole.
“He brings a little bit of an edge,” Morris said, “a little more fun to our practices.”
As for Simmons, the Falcons are taking a bit more time acclimating him to live reps. Simmons has been a free agent this offseason so he hasn’t had access to team facilities or workout plans. Though he’s assured his individual workouts will allow him to not miss a beat, physically, the Falcons don’t want to push him too hard too fast. They have revved up his recent reps this week, though.
“With Justin, we’re letting the rope out slowly with him and now we’re starting to get him in some team play,” Morris said. “You’re starting to see some of the intelligence of Justin and how fast he can pick it up and communicate with Jessie (Bates) or (Richie) Grant, whoever’s out there, or even (Dee) Alford at the nickel spot. (You see) how detailed he is in his work, and just a true, absolute professional.”
-
Connecticut1 week ago
Oxford church provides sanctuary during Sunday's damaging storm
-
Technology1 week ago
Breakthrough robo-glove gives you superhuman grip
-
News1 week ago
Ex-officer convicted in George Floyd's killing is moved to new prison
-
News1 week ago
Video: D.N.C. Holds Enthusiastic Roll Call to Nominate Harris
-
World1 week ago
What has caused the cholera outbreak in Sudan?
-
Culture1 week ago
Watching four games in four days – and what it revealed about the new Premier League season
-
World1 week ago
Protestors Interrupt Nancy Pelosi During Live Taping of ‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ Outside the DNC
-
Politics1 week ago
Trump, rejecting advice, tries mockery, insults, AI against Kamala, but is it working?