Atlanta, GA
Why Did Atlanta Falcons Cut Ex Starting Pass Rusher? Raheem Morris Reveals
The Atlanta Falcons have long faced pass rush questions, and first-year head coach Raheem Morris said at the owners meeting in late March how much he’s prioritized finding an answer.
Evidently, part of that process included cutting past ties, as Morris and the Falcons released outside linebacker Adetokunbo Ogundeji on May 16.
Ogundeji, a fifth-round pick in 2021, was forced into action early on Atlanta’s defensive front. He started 11 games as a rookie and ranked third on the team with five tackles for loss. In 2022, the former Notre Dame standout started all 16 games he played, though he mustered only two sacks and three tackles for loss.
But Ogundeji’s career took an unexpected twist last summer, as he suffered a lower-body injury in training camp that ultimately ended his 2023 season before it began.
Atlanta’s pass rush surged, recording 42 sacks after combining for just 39 in the previous two years. Change ensued this spring, as Morris and defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake replaced Arthur Smith and Ryan Nielsen, respectively.
The Falcons’ co-sack leaders – Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree, who had six apiece – hit the free agent market. Campbell is still unsigned while Dupree joined the Los Angeles Chargers.
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Atlanta didn’t make any hefty additions to its defensive front in free agency and waited until the third round to select an edge rusher, adding Washington’s Bralen Trice. The Falcons signed former Dallas Cowboys draftee Bradlee Anae after trying out at rookie minicamp May 10.
Yet for Morris, Atlanta ran out of room to keep Ogundeji on its roster.
“We were able to address it a little bit in the draft with Bralen,” Morris said. “We’re going to address that position a little bit later when we added Anae, and it’s a numbers issue for (Ogundeji).”
But the Falcons’ goodbye to Ogundeji isn’t necessarily a final farewell.
“That door is not closed,” Morris said. “You never know where we go there, but that was the decision on that.”
Morris left the door open for Ogundeji to rejoin the team on a different contract and perhaps as a member of the practice squad. It’s unlikely that he’ll be in high demand this summer.
Atlanta returns to practice with OTAs on June 3 at IBM Performance in Flowery Branch.
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Atlanta, GA
Drama mars finish of half-marathon national championships in Atlanta
The 2026 Publix Atlanta Marathon, which served as the USA Track & Field Half Marathon Championships, met chaos Sunday in the women’s half marathon event.
Three runners — Jess McClain, Emma Grace Hurley and Ednah Kurgat — were led off course by an official race vehicle with less than 2 miles to go. The nearly-half-mile error, according to data from Hurley’s Strava account, cost the runners their top-three finishes.
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Atlanta, GA
Police increase presence across metro Atlanta amid teen takeover rumors
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Popular gathering spots across metro Atlanta saw heightened law enforcement presence Saturday night following rumors of potential “teen takeovers.”
Authorities say a similar event last weekend led to more than a dozen teenagers and adults being taken into custody. In response, agencies across the metro area are stepping up patrols in several high-traffic areas, including the Beltline and the Cumberland Mall and Battery districts.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 9 juveniles, 8 adults charged after weekend ‘takeover’ event at The Battery
Along the Atlanta Beltline, Atlanta police confirmed they increased staffing levels as a precaution. An APD officer on scene told Atlanta News First that officers are maintaining an enhanced presence due to the takeover rumors. An Atlanta News First crew observed multiple people put in handcuffs and an APD officer at the Beltline said four guns had been confiscated.
Multiple patrol units were visible along the Beltline, with officers monitoring foot traffic and briefly detaining several individuals. Police said the show of force is intended to deter large, disruptive gatherings before they begin.
Cumberland Mall to have teen curfew Saturday after ‘takeover’ at The Battery
In Cobb County, law enforcement agencies are coordinating efforts around Cumberland Mall and The Battery Atlanta. The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office deployed its mounted patrol unit, with four deputies on horseback circling the mall. Units from the Cobb County Police Department, Marietta Police Department, and the Georgia State Patrol were also seen monitoring traffic and pedestrian activity in the area.
Electronic message boards and posted signage between Cumberland and The Battery warned visitors of the increased law enforcement presence. Officers said the goal is to prevent a repeat of last weekend’s arrests and ensure public safety.
For now, officials say the evening remains calm, but they are prepared to respond quickly if large crowds begin to form.
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Atlanta, GA
Shooting causes lockdown at Mall of Stonecrest
STONECREST, Ga. – The DeKalb County Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred at the Mall of Stonecrest on Saturday afternoon.
What we know:
The department was alerted to the shooting around 12:40 p.m. Officers responded to the mall and immediately began a search of the premises. In an early update, police stated the mall was on lockdown and that no victim had been found.
A few hours later, police confirmed a victim had been located and several people were detained after running away from the mall. The injured person was transported to a hospital and is expected to survive.
The mall remained on lockdown as of 3:45 p.m. as officers continued clearing the building. Police said the process could take several hours and requested that the public continue to avoid the area.
DeKalb police stated there is no further danger to the public.
What we don’t know:
At this time, it is unclear what led to the shooting or if any of the detained individuals have been charged.
The Source: Information in this article came from the DeKalb County Police Department via an email.
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