ATL Daily Notebook 8/3: Braves On Fire, Falcons Deciding Kick Returner, Hawks Officially Sign DeMarre Carroll
Apr 9, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz small forward DeMarre Carroll (3) grabs a rebound during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at EnergySolutions Arena. The Thunder won 90-80. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Braves
Eight.
Eight wins in a row. The Braves are playing like the best team in baseball right now. With the Royals losing last night they do have the best winning streak in baseball. The closest team in baseball are the Detroit Tigers, with six wins in a row. The offense has now had eight games in a row with a five-run inning or more and things are generally perfect in Braves country.
Check out what Brad S. had to see in the recap if you didn’t bother to click the link above:
"The offense continues to shine during this eight-game win streak and it continued tonight. During this eight-game win streak, the offense has score 57 runs, has had 94 hits and 11 homeruns in last eight games. That’s getting the job done and that’s a very good reason why they’ve been extremely hot."
If that’s still not enough good news for you then check out DOB’s column that he posted before the game yesterday:
"B.J., Schafer updates: B.J. Upton played his third injury-rehab game Friday for Triple-A Gwinnett, and the center fielder was expected to be activated from the disabled list to join the Braves this weekend in Philadelphia. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said Upton would probably be in Philadelphia for Saturday’s 4 p.m. game against the Phillies.Out since straining a right adductor muscle in the last series before the All-Star break, Upton went 3-for-4 with two doubles Thursday, and 1-for-5 with three strikeouts Friday.Backup outfielder Jordan Schafer is set to begin his rehab assignment Saturday at Gwinnett. He’s missed a month recovering from a stress fracture after fouling a ball off his right ankle. Gonzalez said Schafer would probably play at three or four rehab games."
Oh and Chris Johnson is still on fire.
Falcons
Some actual news came out of Falcons camp yesterday and it’s actually something that is kind of important. Who’s returning the kickoffs?
"Falcons special-teams coach Keith Armstrong said there’s “a pretty good chance” that rookie cornerback Robert Alford will get a chance to return punts and kicks.The other candidates are Jacquizz Rodgers for kick returns and James Rodgers and Dominique Franks to return both punts and kicks."
Personally it would be great to see what Robert Alford could do in the role because apparently he was a wiz at the return game in college. Jacquizz Rodgers would also be a good fit for the role but I think the team will be hesitant to throw him out there all the time if he is going to be getting significant time at running back.
Either war the Falcons have some really good options at kick returner and even with the kickoff spot moved up the Dirty Birds have the speed to make some things happen.
Hawks
If you haven’t heard the Jim Thomas news, then you should be aware that the Hawks have signed a new assistant coach.
Jim Thomas.
The latest news out of Hawks camp however is that DeMarre Carroll has finally officially signed with the team. The Hawks are set to announce the signing at some point today according to Chris Vivlamore:
"early a month after DeMarre Carroll agreed to terms with the Hawks he signed his contract Friday night.Carroll announced the signing on Twitter as he wrote: “Now I can Officially say I’m a Atlanta Hawk. God has been better to me then I have been to myself! The Junkyarddog is on his way!!”The Hawks waived veteran DeShawn Stevenson Friday afternoon in a move that signaled the Carroll signing was imminent. The Hawks are expected to announce the Carroll signing Saturday.Carroll agreed to a two-year, $5 million contract on July 5th, the same day the team agreed to a deal with his Jazz teammate Paul Millsap. The delay in signing was for salary cap reasons as the Hawks rebuilt much of their roster this offseason. The Hawks were retaining Bird rights for several of their unrestricted free agents. However, Anthony Tolliver remains the only player that has not signed elsewhere or had his rights renounced."