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It hasn't been a great off-season for Atlanta. Simple as that.
The divisional opponents have gotten stronger. Atlanta has gotten weaker. Sure, we can debate whether Atlanta has made the right moves, but none of it adds up to a stronger team.
Next year, there will be no Vazquez, LaRoche, Mike Gonzalez, Rafael Soriano or Kelly Johnson. There will be Melky Cabrera, Troy Glaus and Billy Wagner. Add all that up ...
Brave Gamble: Wagner Is Proof The Braves Want to Win Now
Posted: 3rd December 2009 by Josh Rutledge in MLB
Winning is a risky business. It's much easier to lose.
But the Atlanta Braves are determined to win in 2010. Not 2011. Not 2012. In 2010.
The problem is Atlanta can't simply hope for the best in 2010. The Yankees can hope for the best. The Phillies can hope for the best.
Those clubs have the answers. There might be a few additions and subtractions here and there, but the gist of a ...
Jeff Fisher is a coach. Simple. Nothing more. Nothing less.
He's not a genius. He's not an innovative mastermind. He's just a coach.
Four weeks ago, Fisher was mired in a disappointing mess, perhaps the lowest point in his career. After posting the best record in the NFL in 2008, the Tennessee Titans were staring at an 0-6 start in 2009. Preseason Super Bowl contenders, the Titans were in the running for ...
Cortland Finnegan Powers Titans’ Win Streak as Tennessee Fights Back
Posted: 9th November 2009 by Josh Rutledge in NFL
Vince Young and Chris Johnson might make the highlight reels, but the real reason behind the Tennessee Titans' recent win streak is the return of Pro Bowl CB Cortland Finnegan.
After sitting out four games with a hamstring injury, Finnegan returned to the Titans on Nov. 1, helping lead the defense to its most dominant performance since Week One.
Last Sunday, he finished the game with eight tackles and an interception ...
I wrote an article last week arguing that J.A. Happ doesn't deserve the National League Rookie of the Year. Apparently, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel agrees with me.
It's already Game Six of the World Series, and J.A. Happ has yet to start a game in either the NLCS or World Series. He's been used sparingly as a mid-game reliever and in occasional situations involving left-handed batters.
That's not exactly what someone should ...
J.A. Happ’s Secret: Why Tommy Hanson Deserves NL Rookie of the Year
Posted: 27th October 2009 by Josh Rutledge in MLB
Any other season, Atlanta Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson would be the top pitching candidate for National League Rookie of the Year.
But this year, he isn't likely to win the award.áWhy? Because he's going up against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher J.A. Happ, who, quite simply, isn't a rookie.
Perhaps the biggest factor impacting Hanson is that he only entered the scene for the final four months of the season. Happ pitched in 35 ...
Looking Ahead: Will the Tennessee Titans Recover in 2010?
Posted: 26th October 2009 by Josh Rutledge in NFL
It started with a last-second loss to the defending Super Bowl champions. It ended with one of the worst losses by an NFL team in the past 50 years.á
Yes, it took only six games for the Tennessee Titans to finish the 2009 season.
There are still 10 games remaining, of course, but 2009 is over.áFor a team that was supposed to be a Super Bowl contender, there is simply nothing ...
Hanging Chad: With Pennington Out, Dolphins Should Start Pat White
Posted: 29th September 2009 by Josh Rutledge in NFL
Will the spread work in the NFL? Tony Sparano might have the answer.
A shoulder injury to Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington is expected to keep him sidelined for the remainder of the 2009 season. With Pennington out, Chad Henne is the likely starter.
But that would be a mistake. Instead, the Dolphins should start Pat White.
Chad Henne is the safer choice, no doubt. HeÆs been on the team for two years. HeÆs ...
Braving the Cold: Atlanta Shows Resiliency In Spite of Odds Catching Colorado
Posted: 25th September 2009 by Josh Rutledge in MLB
The Atlanta Braves wonÆt make the playoffs this season. At least thatÆs what everyone is saying.
But with 10 games left in the regular season, the Braves have moved within 3 1/2 games of the Wild Card-leading Colorado Rockies. Seven of those last 10 games are against the Washington Nationals, who lost their league-leading 100th game Thursday night.
In the next 10 games, Atlanta will now need to finish at least 7-3 ...