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Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith came, he saw and concurred. Quarterback Desmond Ridder can’t deliver what the team needs over the remainder of the season.
Ridder has been benched by Smith, according to news reports. If you watch the Falcons, you know that this is the second time this season that the Falcons have chosen to sit their starting quarterback.
In his stead, Gwinnett football standout Taylor Heinicke will resume the starting role as signal caller. In three games for the Falcons this season, Heinicke has thrown for 498 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
Confidence evidently waned after the Falcons’ 9-7 defeat to the hapless Carolina Panthers last week.
What Are Desmond Ridder’s Stats For the 2023 Season?
Ridder threw for 300 yards three times during the season, but was plagued by turnovers and bad decisions in clutch moments. Here are his 2023 stats:
GameGame CMP%Completions percentage YDSPassing yards TDPassing touchdowns INTInterceptions thrown RatingPasser rating Dec 17Dec 17@@Panthers 60.060.0 152 11 11 79.679.6 Dec 10Dec 10vsvsBuccaneers 65.065.0 347 11 11 90.390.3 Dec 3Dec 3@@Jets 44.444.4 121 11 00 70.170.1 Nov 26Nov 26vsvsSaints 61.961.9 168 11 22 63.363.3 Nov 12Nov 12@@Cardinals 66.766.7 39 00 00 84.784.7 Oct 29Oct 29@@Titans 66.766.7 71 00 00 82.382.3 Oct 22Oct 22@@Buccaneers 76.076.0 250 00 00 107.1107.1 Oct 15Oct 15vsvsCommanders 59.659.6 307 22 33 66.566.5 Oct 8Oct 8vsvsTexans 75.775.7 329 11 00 111.2111.2 Oct 1Oct 1@@Jaguars 61.361.3 191 11 22 62.762.7 Sep 24Sep 24@@Lions 55.355.3 201 00 00 70.270.2 Sep 17Sep 17vsvsPackers 59.459.4 237 11 11 79.879.8 Sep 10Sep 10vsvsPanthers 83.383.3 115 11 00 111.8111.8 Regular Season 63.363.3 2,528 1010 1010 82.2 The Flacons are 6-8 with three games to go on an easy schedule. They are fighting for a playoff spot despite their record due to the abysmal play in the NFC South.
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The Georgia Bulldogs will play Florida State Seminoles on Dec. 30, 2023 at the Orange Bowl in Miami.
The Seminoles will be looking to make a statement after the undefeated team was left out of the College Football Playoff, becoming the only undefeated Power Five team to be left out of the playoffs in the 10 years the four-team format has existed.
Georgia vs. Florida State in Orange Bowl
Critics of the controversy surrounding the snub say the move has tarnished college football and will hurt the credibility of the sport.
UGA Coach Kirby Smart said that many of his players are hurt that Georgia didn’t get into the College Football Playoff with one loss.
”We’ve got a whole hornets nest of players who are mad they didn’t get in,” he said in a recent interview.
While you can expect some UGA players with NFL draft prospects to weigh whether to play in the game, Georgia running back Kendall Milton told reporters that he will suit up against Florida State.
“There’s no way I would abandon my brothers,” Milton said. “I’ve been through hell and back with these boys, so there’s no way that I won’t take every opportunity that I can to be able to play with them.”
The Georgia didn’t think their 2023 schedule would end this way. They lost to the Alabama Crimson Tide 27-24 on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 in a showdown between the best teams in the SEC.
The Dawgs, which saw their 29-game win streak end, pulled up just short in their bid to win a third straight SEC Championship and national title after playing from a 10-point lead for most of the second half.
Final Score
The College Football playoffs feature a quartet of perennial juggernauts.
The No. 1 Michigan Wolverines will play the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl semifinal. The Washington Huskies, No. 2, will face the No. 3 Texas Longhorns in the Sugar Bowl semifinal.
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The Georgia Bulldogs lost to the Alabama Crimson Tide 27-24 on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 in a showdown between the best teams in the SEC.
The Dawgs, which saw their 29-game win streak end, pulled up just short in their bid to win a third straight SEC Championship and national title after playing from a 10-point lead for most of the second half.
UGA quarterback Carson Beck had a solid game, finishing with 249 yards passing. He also rushed for two touchdowns from the one yard line.
Georgia’s outstanding tight end Brock Bowers, who had 51 yards receiving, looked to be not 100% since coming back from injury two weeks ago. Ladd McConkey finished the night with 38 yards and seemed to be limping after a first-half collision.
On the other side of the field, Alabama freshman quarterback Jalen Milroe officially put the SEC on notice that he is coming strong in 2024. Tide Head Coach Nick Saban said after the game that the victory took not only Milroe, but the whole squad.
“This is a team. These guys here are what you call a team,” Saban said. “This is a great team. They play together as a team. They overcame adversity. They showed today and proved that they can win against anybody.”
The loss means that Georgia may lose out on a chance to make it to the College Football Playoff, which Head Coach Kirby Smart does not agree with.
“You’re going to tell me, someone is sitting in that committee room and doesn’t think that Georgia team is one of the best four teams, I don’t know if they’re in the right profession,” Smart said after the game.
Final Play
Will Georgia make it to the Big Dance? The Dawgs’ strength of schedule is impeccable. We will have to wait and see.
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The Atlanta Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints, 24-15 on Sunday, November 25, 2023 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta. It was the return of Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder, who had missed the previous two games due to injury and the coach’s decision.
Ridder looked sharp and relaxed in his most confident win of his NFL career. That bodes well for the Falcons as they get into the teeth of their 2023 schedule.
Here are three things we learned about Sunday’s victory.
Falcons Won Big at the Line of Scrimmage
“They did a good job of blocking us up front,” said Saints coach Dennis Allen. “We will look at schematically what we can do to be better there. That was a big factor, them winning the line of scrimmage.”
Not only did the Falcons’ offensive and defensive lines rule the day, but the Falcons safety Jessie Bates came up with a pick six that ushered in the scoring for Atlanta. Here’s how it all went down, courtesy of former NFL quarterback turned analyst RGIII.
Bijan Robinson Is a Star
The Saints had no answer for the Falcons rushing attack, led by rookie Bijan Robinson, who ran for 91 yards and a touchdown to finish with 123 total yards. He also caught a touchdown.
The Falcons (5-6) ran for 228 yards between rushes from Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Cordarrelle Patterson and Ridder.
Behind the running game, the Falcons were able to ice the game and play keep away from the Saints in the closing minutes of the game.
“That was encouraging,” said Falcons coach Arthur Smith. “That’s where we need to be to close out game.”
Desmond Ridder Shows Confidence
Although he threw two interceptions, both of Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu, Ridder and the Falcons overcame those turnovers to get the win.
“What you like about him is the way he came back,” Coach Smith said of Ridder fighting through his struggles. “He doesn’t flinch. He’s resilient and we’ll keep working.”
“However it came, good, bad or ugly, go out and get a win,” quarterback Ridder said after the game.
Final Play
The Falcons now are in a tie with the Saints for first-place in the NFC South. Should the playoffs start today, the Falcons would get the nod due to their head-to-head battle with New Orleans and their undefeated division record (4-0).
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Atlanta will be the host city for the opening match of the 2024 Copa América, the world’s oldest soccer tournament, which will be held in the United States.
The announcement was made by CONMEBOL, the South American Football Confederation. The United States is co-hosting the tournament with Colombia.
If you want to know more about Copa América and Georgia’s largest city, keep reading.
What Is The Copa América?
The Copa América is a major international soccer tournament that has been held since 1916. It is the oldest continental soccer championship in the world, and it is considered to be one of the most prestigious tournaments in the sport.
CONMEBOL’s 10 South American national teams are set to participate in the Copa América next year along with six national teams with CONCACAF (The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football).
When Will The Copa América Take Place In Atlanta?
The opening match is scheduled for June 20, 2024 in downtown Atlanta’s Mercedes Benz Stadium, home of Atlanta United FC, the city’s soccer club. The match will mark the start of the 48th edition of the world’s oldest soccer competition for National Teams.
Atlanta’s entry into the Copa América will be the first time that the tournament has been held outside of South America.
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a state-of-the-art stadium that has a capacity of over 71,000 people. It is home to the Atlanta United MLS team and the Atlanta Falcons NFL team.
Final Word
Atlanta is for tourists, but it’s also for locals. If you want to explore Georgia’s largest city, do it on your terms and check out the fun, cool and new things happening in Atlanta this weekend and even on the weekday. You can start downtown, and get it crackin’ in Buckhead. Check out the newest Atlanta restaurants, beautiful parks and unexplored spots you’ve only heard about. AtlantaFi your experience!
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The Atlanta Falcons are going to re-insert Desmond Ridder back into the starting lineup at quarterback for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints, the team has announced.
The Falcons’ plan is for Ridder to be the starter for the rest of the season.
An Atlanta win on Sunday would put them in first place in the NFC South with a 5-6 record. The Falcons have the easiest schedule in the NFL.
Ridder told reporters that he is more than good to go against New Orleans, which is always a tough opponent.
“My job is to be a starting quarterback in this league,” Ridder was quoted as saying. “And so every day I come in here and everyone, no matter quarterback, running back, doesn’t matter your position, wants to be that starter.
Ridder was benched two games ago after suffering a concussion against the Tennessee Titans. The Falcons went with second-string quarterback Taylor Heinicke against the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals but he has gone down with a hamstring injury.
Falcons Coach Arthur Smith said that if Ridder gets hurt, Atlanta would go with third-string signal caller Logan Woodside.
Smith said that Ridder has used his time on the bench wisely.
“I think he’s done a really good job of that and taking advantage of what can be perceived as a major negative and trying to turn it into a positive,” Smith told media after practice Monday.
On the season, Ridder has rushed for four touchdowns, completed 65.4% of his passes for 1,740 yards, 6 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He has also lost six lost fumbles.
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The Atlanta Braves has landed a homerun of sorts for next year: The Braves have been tapped to host the 2025 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
If you watch Braves games, you know that this is a big deal.
Commissioner Rob Manfred announced Thursday ,Nov. 16, 2023, that big game and the accompanying All-Star Week events have been awarded to the Braves, the third time Atlanta will host the events.
“I commend Terry McGuirk, Derek Schiller, the entire Braves organization and the Atlanta Sports Council for leading this effort,” Manfred said. “As a model of success on and off the field, the Braves deserve to host the All-Star Game. Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta will provide fans a world-class experience in 2025. We look forward to working with the Braves and local leaders to deliver a memorable All-Star Week that brings people together and benefits the community in many ways.”
Next year’s All-Star festivities will take place at Globe Life Field in Arlington, while the 2026 event will be in Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park in honor of the 250th anniversary of American independence, 50 years after Veterans Stadium hosted the All-Star Game in the year of the United States’ bicentennial.
The 2025 All-Star Game will be the 95th Midsummer Classic, the first held in Atlanta since 2000, when Derek Jeter earned Most Valuable Player honors at Turner Field. The city’s first All-Star Game took place in 1972 at Atlanta Stadium, highlighted by Hank Aaron’s two-run home run that helped pace an NL victory.
Where Will the 2025 MLB All-Star Game Be Played?
The 2025 MLB All-Star Game will be played at Truist Park, the home of the Braves. The address of the ball park is 755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30339. Here’s a map to help you find it.
“We are thrilled that Major League Baseball has awarded the Atlanta Braves the 2025 All-Star Game,” said McGuirk, the Braves’ chairman. “Time and time again, Atlanta has proven to be a world-class destination for the most exciting entertainment and sporting events. I am excited that baseball fans will have the opportunity to experience Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta along with all this area has to offer. Over the coming months, we look forward to working alongside MLB to create memorable experiences that will showcase and support our community.”
Since Truist Park opened in 2017, the Braves have enjoyed a long run of regular-season and postseason success, providing multiple opportunities for fans to enjoy the facility and The Battery Atlanta, a sports and entertainment complex located next to the ballpark.
When they won the World Series in 2021, the Braves designated Truist Park as the final stop of their parade, holding a rally at the facility in front of thousands of fans.
“It’s exciting to see what the Braves have built and it should be celebrated,” said CC Sabathia, who serves as a special assistant to the Commissioner. “They are leading the way in baseball culture, fully embracing all of Atlanta’s music and food scenes.”
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The Georgia Bulldogs blew out the Ole Miss Rebels 52-17 on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023 in a showdown between two top 10 SEC teams.
The Bulldogs racked up 610 yards of offense, including 309 passing from first-year quarterback Carson Beck. Running back Kendall Milton added 127 rushing yards for the Dawgs, who should be the undisputed #1 team in the land after Saturday night.
How to watch the Georgia game for free.
The game marked the return of star tight end Brock Bowers, who was injured a month ago. Beck said after the game that Ole Miss had a game plan of taking Bowers out of the game, which played right into the quarterback’s hands.
“I would assume that their attention would be shifted to him,” Beck told reporters. “If you’re gonna focus attention on him, OK, I’m gonna spread the ball around.”
As for Ole Miss, they were knocked out of contention for the SEC West crown earlier in the day when Alabama won, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t put up a fight.
In the first quarter, the teams were tied 14-14 before the Georgia defense began to put the clamps on Ole Miss. During the process, Rebels, quarterback Jaxson Dart was knocked out of the game.
Watch the highlights here.
The Georgia schedule wraps up against Georgia Tech in two weeks.
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Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Arthur Smith is no longer playing a game of “wait and see” when it comes to who will start at quarterback on Sunday. Smith said on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, that Taylor Heinicke will start for the second week in a row.
Atlanta’s schedule has been called one of the easiest in the NFL, but its record (4-5) doesn’t match that. The Falcons play the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, at 4:05 p.m. ET.
Heinicke Will Start Against Arizona
Atlanta lost a nail biter last week to the Minnesota Vikings 31-28 with both teams starting new quarterbacks on the season.
The Falcons’ Heinicke threw for 268 yards with a touchdown and an interception vs. Josh Dobbs who passed for 158, including the game winner with under a minute left.
Still, Smith was evidently impressed enough with Heinicke that he’s confident that he can get Atlanta a much-needed win.
“”You don’t want to play with a two-quarterback system and whatnot. But I think just kind of where we’re at, and everything that’s going on, the bye week will be a good time to assess,” Smith said, according to the Atlanta Falcons website. “I certainly don’t plan on it being week-to-week after that. But we need to do everything we can to go get this win out in Arizona.”
Smith has been criticized for not getting the bill to playmakers like running back Tyler Allgeier, who Smith says is “one of the best goal line and short-yardage backs in the league.”
Atlanta’s breakout back Bijan Robinson wasn’t feeling well last game. He reportedly was coping told with a bad headache. Smith chose not to test him.
Will Desmond Ridder Return?
Ridder suffered a concussion two weeks ago but was cleared to go back in the game, which has puzzled fans who want yo see him play.
Smith said he has just been following the advice from the team’s doctors who hav Ed been examining Ridder.
“I’m not ever going to claim to be a medical expert,” he said.
Smith has purportedly taken umbrage to the social media posts from former Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, who has been breaking down lapses in the Falcons protection schemes and plays.
“I don’t care. I really don’t. Everybody has their opinions,” Smith said according to
https://www.outkick.com/retired-qb-kurt-warner-sacked-by-falcons-coach-arthur-smith-over-hot-takes/. “He’s welcome to come down here to our meetings. I would actually embrace that. I’m sure he gets paid a lot of money. I could give a rat’s… whatever. Unless you’re in the building with our guys and know what is asked of them and know what is really going on.”
Want more sports content? Read why Atlanta is a sports paradise.
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Could this be a new era for the Atlanta Falcons?
In their runup to the Minnesota Vikings game, Falcons Head Coach Arthur Smith named third-string quarterback Taylor Heinicke as the starter.
Will Desmond Ridder Get His Job Back?
Only time will tell if this is a temporary move or one that has been made to save the season at the halfway mark. . You can buy season tickets to Falcons home games now.
Smith has been vocal about the change, saying that Ridder’s performance wasn’t the reason for the switch. But it’s no secret that the difference with Heinicke behind center was obvious:
- Ridder: 8/12 for 71 yards, 0 TD, 5 sacks, 1 fumble lost
- Heinicke: 12/21 for 175, 1 TD, no turnovers
Smith is no stranger to quarterback changes. Twelve games into the 2022 season, Smith pulled quarterback Marcus Mariota and went with rookie Marcus Mariota for the final four games of the season.
This time, Heinicke has gotten the nod after Ridder suffered a concussion in the first half against the Tennessee Titans in the Falcons’ 28-23 loss last week.
Who Is Taylor Heinicke?
Heinicke played college football at Old Dominion and signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2015. Two years later he was acquired by the Houston Texans before a brief stint with the Carolina Panthers.
In 2020, he landed with the Washington Commanders and saw significant playing time in 2021 and 2022 when he threw 20 touchdowns and 12 touchdowns respectively.
He signed with Atlanta as a third-string quarterback but has been thrust into the starting spot due to Ridder’s injury.
Does this mean that the Falcons have a quarterback controversy. Yes, it does. But that doesn’t mean it will last for long. If Heinicke does well, it will be hard for Smith to pull him. At the same time, if Heinicke stinks it up, Smith already has a narrative (injury) that can seamlessly put Ridder back behind center.
As long as the Falcons win, we’ll be OK with however is the signal caller.