Atlanta, GA
Which New Falcons Have ‘Impressed’ Coach Arthur Smith?
Although there hasn’t been a single observe with pads, the roster analysis course of is effectively underway for the Atlanta Falcons. With OTAs now within the rearview mirror, head coach Arthur Smith and basic supervisor Terry Fontenot have been capable of see their new additions at work.
For Smith, a number of of them have made constructive first impressions.
It is a main constructive to see the quarterbacks – Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder – talked about by Smith, as the 2 can be put beneath a larger-than-usual microscope following the offseason commerce of franchise staple Matt Ryan.
At this stage of the offseason, it is doubtless Smith is referencing extra of the intangible issues he is seen from the QBs, equivalent to management, work ethic, and their potential to understand the playbook in a well timed method. Nevertheless, there have been sufficient throws all through OTAs for Atlanta’s second-year boss to see what he is working with, and he seems to love the early returns.
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Receivers Damiere Byrd and KhaDarel Hodge impressing Smith early is a improvement to regulate. With the Falcons’ receiver room order being completely open for competitors after rookie Drake London and newly acquired Bryan Edwards, the group wants guys to step up.
Hodge had 13 receptions in 16 video games for the Detroit Lions final season, largely taking part in a particular groups position, which provides him a transparent path to a roster spot. Byrd has 105 receptions for 1,292 yards and three touchdowns over the previous three seasons; he is a longtime middle-of-the-order goal who can present stability for Atlanta.
Germain Ifedi affords maybe probably the most attention-grabbing story of these talked about, because the 2016 first-rounder has began 83 video games throughout six seasons, taking part in each proper deal with and proper guard. Whereas many believed he’d simply function a flexible backup, it is a honest guess the Falcons will enable Ifedi to push Kaleb McGary for the beginning proper deal with place.
Very like Hodge, security Dean Marlowe comes with intensive particular groups expertise. He posted respectable numbers at security final season with Detroit, beginning 9 video games and recording 67 tackles. Whereas the highest of Atlanta’s security order seems set with Richie Grant, Jaylinn Hawkins, and Erik Harris poised to get nearly all of the snaps, Marlowe’s fourth-down impression will help him make the roster.
Making a superb first impression means various things for every participant – possibly it improves the chances one in all them begins (Ifedi) versus making a roster spot (Hodge/Marlowe). Nevertheless, Smith has been clear that what occurs in pads, particularly in July and August, carries probably the most weight come minimize day, so whereas these new items are off to a quick begin, they will want to hold the momentum with them all through the remainder of the offseason program.
Atlanta, GA
Hurricane Helene: Boat rescues underway at flooded Atlanta apartment complex
A boat rescue is underway for residents of a flooded Atlanta apartment complex.
The Peachtree Park Apartments on Peachtree Park Drive are feeling the impacts of Hurricane Helene as it comes through Georgia.
Heavy rain ahead of Helene’s full arrival in the metro area led to the apartment complex seeing lots of water, leading to the need for an evacuation.
A Channel 2 Action News photographer was at the scene, where first responders were using boats to help residents leave the apartment complex.
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Details on the exact number of people impacted were not immediately available.
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm on Thursday evening and early Friday was downgraded to a Category 1 storm.
However, rain is still coming in and wind speeds are still reported at about 90 miles per hour, meaning the storm will still likely impact the area as it moves through.
Channel 2 Action News is working to get more details about the rescue underway.
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Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Hunkers Down As Helene Approaches – Videos from The Weather Channel
Atlanta, GA
Major League Scouting Report: Atlanta Braves’ Spencer Schwellenbach
Atlanta Braves right-handed starter Spencer Schwellenbach kept his team in the National League Wild Card race with a huge victory September 24.
Schwellenbach, 24, improved to 8-7, with a fine 3.47 ERA, and 1.07 WHIP in 20 starts for Atlanta.
Schwellenbach has thrown 116.2 innings in 20 appearances for the Braves.
Impactful Injuries:
The Braves have endured some very serious injuries this season, and they still have a chance to make the playoffs.
All Star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. required surgery for a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament on his left knee. He has missed almost the entire season.
All star right-handed starter Spencer Strider, considered one of the best pitchers in baseball, has been sidelined since mid-April with elbow surgery that required an internal brace.
And to make matters worse for Atlanta, highly regarded third baseman Austin Riley’s season is over, due to a fractured hand.
Starter Reynaldo Lopez, who was having a very solid season on the mound, has been disabled with shoulder inflammation since September 10.
About Spencer Schwellenbach:
The Cleveland Indians selected Spencer Schwellenbach in the 34th round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft. He did not sign with Cleveland.
Schwellenbach, who attended Heritage High School in Saginaw, Michigan, chose to attend the University of Nebraska, where he spent one season.
Schwellenbach, who also played soccer in high school, was named the Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year, as well as Mr. Baseball in his senior year
Schwellenbach played three years of shortstop in high school, and was a two-way player at Nebraska.
At Nebraska, Schwellenbach appeared in 18 games on the mound, all in relief. He earned 10 saves.
Schwellenbach earned the John Olerud Award as the best two-way college player.
Schwellenbach was chosen in the 2nd round of the 2021 draft by the Braves.
Atlanta gave Schwellenbach a $1 million signing bonus.
After the draft, Schwellenbach underwent Tommy John surgery, keeping him off the mound in both 2021, and 2022.
Schwellenbach missed a month of pitching in 2023, with shoulder inflammation.
His injury history dictates care in his use by the Braves staff.
This old scout was fortunate to see Schwellenbach in the 2023 All Star Futures Game in Seattle.
In that game, Schwellenbach threw one inning in relief; yielding one hit, while striking out two.
Scouting Spencer Schwellenbach:
Even though he was an award winning closer in college, the Braves have always used Schwellenbach as a starting pitcher.
Before his big league debut May 24, 2024, Schwellenbach made 24 minor league starts for Atlanta. He threw 110 minor league innings before he graduated to the Braves rotation.
Schwellenbach has a strong frame at 6-1, 200 pounds. He’s an excellent athlete.
A true power pitcher, Schwellenbach relies on both two-and four-seam fastballs as the foundation of a six-pitch mix.
According to brooksbaseball.net, Schwellenbach’s four-seamer sits at 96 miles per hour, but he can increase velocity when needed.
Schwellenbach’s sinker has a bit less velocity, sitting at 95 miles per hour.
Schwellenbach also throws a curve, a slider, a cutter, and a split.
One of the best aspects of Schwellenbach’s approach is his ability and desire to use any pitch at any time in the count. And his pitch distribution is very equal. Here are the percentages of Schwellenbach’s pitch use:
Fourseam fastball-37.24%
Sinking fastball=6.09%
Split (also a form of fastball)=10.77%
Cutter=14.52%
Slider=18.50%
Curve=12.88%
While he strikes out an average of 9.4 hitters per nine innings, Schwellenbach is only walking 1.8 hitters per nine, showing fine command and control of his arsenal.
Schwellenbach has yielded only 14 home runs in his 116.2 innings, which is outstanding.
Schwellenbach is the fifth starter in a solid Braves rotation that includes:
Chris Sale-LHP
Max Fried-LHP
Charlie Morton-RHP
Grant Holmes-RHP
Spencer Schwellenback-RHP
Scouting Grade: 55
For this old scout, Spencer Scwellenbach is a Grade 55 starter, which is a better than average performer.
Perhaps due to the Braves pitching injuries, Schwellenbach graduated to the big leagues quickly. However, he has earned the trust his team has placed in him.
If the Braves do make the playoffs, we may see Spencer Schwellenbach on the roster as pitching depth for a team on a mission.
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