Poll time: Which Atlanta team is closest to a title?
Who is more likely to win a title this year: Matt Ryan or Chipper Jones? (Curtis Compton/AJC)
The NBA championship will be decided tonight between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. This comes a day after the New Orleans Saints received their $30,000 Super Bowl rings Wednesday and a week after the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup.
Feeling a little left out of title celebration nirvana?
Loading ...I do this every once in a while — seemingly every time somebody wins a championship — but here we go again. If you had to pick the next Atlanta pro sports team to win a title, who would it be? (I could’ve thrown college teams into this debate, but I figured we have plenty of time to have every blog devolve into a you stink/no you stink drunk argument between drunk frat boys from Georgia and Tech, and I mean disrespect to drunk frat boys, especially the ones on game days who offer me a beer when I walk by their house.)
Anyway, we’re in baseball season now and there has been this general feel-good atmosphere around the Braves in the past six weeks. It would be one of the greatest stories in Atlanta sports history if the Braves could somehow win their second World Series in probably the final season for both Chipper Jones and manager Bobby Cox.
But if I’m ranking the four teams right now, the Braves’ title chances are No. 2. Here goes:
♦ 1.) Falcons: They’re coming off a season during which almost everything went wrong, including injuries, and they still won nine games. They’ve improved their defense this offseason (signed cornerback Dunta Robinson; drafted linebacker Sean Weatherspoon) and bounce back seasons are expected for quarterback Matt Ryan and running back Michael Turner. One NFL expert already has picked them to win the NFC South, ahead of the Saints. Ryan obviously is the biggest key.
♦ 2.) Braves: They’ve managed to take over and hang onto first place in the National League East despite slow starts from several key players. Starting pitching (on non-Kenshin Kawakami nights) will keep them in the race this season, regardless of how the offense goes. If improbable success stories like Troy Glaus and Eric Hinske keep hitting like this, they could win the division. If Jones, Yunel Escobar and Brian McCann come around, they have a real chance to win it all. But I still see the Philadelphia Phillies as the best team in the league, notwithstanding their problems over the past month.
♦ 3.) Hawks: They’ve made the playoffs the last three years, which puts them ahead of the other three franchises. But there are too many uncertainties right now: Joe Johnson’s impending free agency; the development of point guard Jeff Teague; the lack of a legitimate NBA center; and the transition of new head coach Larry Drew.
♦ 4.) Thrashers: General manager Rick Dudley still hasn’t hired a head coach, the roster needs proven scorers and ownership is expected to provide him with a Walmart budget to work with (again). Dudley’s eye for personnel will help, but there are limits to what the team can do in the short term.
So, what do you think? Agree with the rankings, or do you think the Braves (or another team) are closer than the Falcons?
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
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298 comments Add your comment
hiramsaint
June 17th, 2010
1:27 pm
thats what i was wondering… if robinson is the NEW TEAM SAVIOR why didn’t everyone else go after him instead of saying ‘ no we’ll pass’
Trolling the Troll
June 17th, 2010
1:27 pm
hiramsaint
June 17th, 2010
1:22 pm
the falcons would have a better D if ryan would quit throwing picks and int.’s. they are worn out being on the field so much by the 2nd qtr. that they become ineffective and their ranking drops. pretty simple is it not . did you read the espn profile yet?????????????
_________________________________
Matt Ryan career INTs: 25 (in 30 games)
Joe Flacco career INTs: 24 (in 32 games)
Falcons average defensive rank under Ryan: 23/32
Ravens average defensive rank under Flacco: 2.5/32
Would you like to try again hiramtool?
Matt "Choke" Ryan
June 17th, 2010
1:28 pm
CHOKE’s last 3 seasons of football has yielded 37 PICKS – should that be a warning sign?
The dude is just not NFL starting material.
I know you guys want him to make the town forget about the old regime, but stinking up the place only makes a bad smell gets even more fowl.
HA HA HA.
Trolling the Troll
June 17th, 2010
1:35 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan
June 17th, 2010
1:28 pm
CHOKE’s last 3 seasons of football has yielded 37 PICKS – should that be a warning sign?
The dude is just not NFL starting material.
I know you guys want him to make the town forget about the old regime, but stinking up the place only makes a bad smell gets even more fowl.
HA HA HA.
______________________________
And Joey boy’s last 3 seasons have yielded 29 (35 including playoffs). Guess he shouldn’t be starting either, huh?
Colorado bulldog
June 17th, 2010
1:46 pm
If the Braves can remain hot and get some production from McCain, Escobar and Chipper for 2nd half, they can make the playoffs and anything can happen. Their bench and bullpen is as solid as I can ever recall which would be key in the playoffs. And if Saints can go from 8-8 to Super Bowl, the Falcons can go from 9-7 to Super Bowl after a year of key injuries and added players like Dunta. So I think either of them have as a legitimate chance though it would be an upset for either to do it. If I had to pick one, I’d pick Braves because players might be more motivated to send Bobby out as a winner. (And yes, Bobby Cox is the greatest manager the Braves have ever had or will have.)
For the Hawks, its a different story. The only way a team in the NBA has a chance to win it all is to have a dominating superstar, which we don’t have. No one win w/o a Jordan, Bryant or a Duncan unless they are loaded with stars like Pistons were and the Celtics are. Hawks can remain a solid team but missed out on ever having a chance to win it all by not drafting that player when we had down years. Hate to keep beating a dead horse but we missed big time by not drafting Deron Williams or Paul instead of Marvin or by not drafting Rondo instead of Sheldon the next year. JJ is virtually gone and Josh & Al are good but don’t have offensive skills to dominant night after night.
Thrashers… never in my lifetime.
Dr. Warren
June 17th, 2010
1:46 pm
Falcons may have the best organization, but the Braves have the best shot to win a championship. It is a franchise with a very strong winning history (over the past 20 seasons), and they have already won a World Series. It is so much harder to get over that hump the first time, in any sport, especially when you have the ignominious history that the Falcons do.
hiramsaint
June 17th, 2010
1:54 pm
@ troll- i’m not bringing flacco into this you are. one look at matty slush, his stats, performance , scared look under center sais it all. why demean another qb by comparing him to ryan. the falcons will tire of ryans 72 mil contract, trade him for another washed up injury prone vet. they can’t help but do it – it’s their nature
.
June 17th, 2010
2:08 pm
doncha know all the Ryan haters are just Vick lovers who can’t get a crip on life.
Trolling the Troll
June 17th, 2010
2:09 pm
hiramsaint
June 17th, 2010
1:22 pm
the falcons would have a better D if ryan would quit throwing picks and int.’s. they are worn out being on the field so much by the 2nd qtr. that they become ineffective and their ranking drops. pretty simple is it not . did you read the espn profile yet?????????????
_____________________________
I picked Flacco based solely on this argument. According to what you said, any QB who throws INTs at a rate similar to Ryan’s will have a defense with a low ranking. So if that’s the case, why is Flacco’s defense ranked so much higher if he has almost identical numbers?
Also, I picked Flacco just to aggravate off Choke.
Jonathan
June 17th, 2010
2:16 pm
If the question was “title in 10 years,” then I’d most likely say none of the above. But I’m a pessimist. The Braves, right now, June 17th, could win a 5 and 7 game series against Philly, LA, Cincy, StL, whoever and take 4 of 7 from the Rays. But come October? I wouldn’t bet on this tear continuing. And in coming years, who knows?
Now the NFL is practically a lottery at this point (I should say building and maintaining a championship team) , so I’d say Falcons will be next.
Jonathan
June 17th, 2010
2:18 pm
What I mean is: Braves have the best chance this season, but Falcons have a better shot over the next however many years because of the differences in their respective leagues’ structures
JSS
June 17th, 2010
2:19 pm
Matt Ryan 2009 stats
http://www.nfl.com/players/mattryan/profile?id=RYA238179
Falcons
http://www.nfl.com/teams/roster?team=ATL
See the boxes in the top right hand corner for the team’s offensive rankings
JSS
June 17th, 2010
2:21 pm
@ Jeff Schultz…
Another link message in the filter… Thanks
ocoordinator
June 17th, 2010
2:21 pm
The falcons are our of touch with the league. They don’t have enough receivers to scare anyone. Running every play never got Ledamian or Ricky a championship. We can’t tell if MCR is correct because we have only two options to pass to. The saints have 7-8, the colts have 4-5.
JSS
June 17th, 2010
2:23 pm
“Crip” vs the “Bloods,” must be another Gwinnett County gang war?
hiramsaint
June 17th, 2010
2:24 pm
not looking at any information on flacco i would GUESS that his completion % is higher allowing for longer sustained drives. again i’m only guessing for i’m not to interested in flacco or the ravens though in the upcoming post-season i probably will be
hiramsaint
June 17th, 2010
2:26 pm
@ JSS – how ya doin’? i saw that too and chuckled softly to myself
JSS
June 17th, 2010
2:31 pm
You do realize the Flacco threw less INT’s while playing two more games and attempting 50 more passes?
JSS
June 17th, 2010
2:31 pm
Doing fine Hiram…
JSS
June 17th, 2010
2:32 pm
Flacco stats…
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=11252
Matt "Choke" Ryan
June 17th, 2010
2:36 pm
Trolling the Troll
June 17th, 2010
2:09 pm
hiramsaint
June 17th, 2010
1:22 pm
————————————————–
The biggest difference between Joe “Playoff wins” Flacco and Matt “CHOKE” Ryan other than playoff wins would be progression.
CHOKE with the blessing of the 9th EASIEST schedule in 2008 put up decent numbers, but in 2009 when rookies should improve or suffer sophomore slumps, there was a big trend in opposite directions.
Flacco improved in every category, out shining CHOKE by:
- 700+ more passing yardage
- Higher qb ranking
- Higher qb rating
- Less picks
Furthermore, Joe Flacco accomplished this number without the benefit of a pro bowl receiver or hall of famer tight end.
Now, when the Ravens play the Falcons this year, we shall finally put to rest the idiotic debate between Flacco and CHOKE.
Unless of course CHOKE sustains another “PHANTOM” Turf Toe
4th Place SEC East Dawg
June 17th, 2010
2:38 pm
Thrashers win a championship. OMG. LOL. That the funniest thing I have EVER heard. The Thrashers are EASILY the worst team in all of professional sports. Period.
Lank
June 17th, 2010
2:38 pm
Agree 100% with Falcons, Braves, Hawks, Thrashers. But I would also give an Atlanta MLS team a better chance than the Thrashers.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
June 17th, 2010
2:40 pm
The bottomline is that CHOKE cost the Falcons 42 more million than the Ravens coughed up for Joe Flacco. That alone should not even give CHOKE a leg to stand in in comparison, because if you make 42 million more than another player, you should be playing at a WAY HIGHER level.
He should be playing TWICE as well as Flacco, otherwise he is vastly overpaid.
Trolling the Troll
June 17th, 2010
2:43 pm
hiramsaint
June 17th, 2010
2:24 pm
not looking at any information on flacco i would GUESS that his completion % is higher allowing for longer sustained drives. again i’m only guessing for i’m not to interested in flacco or the ravens though in the upcoming post-season i probably will be
______________________________
Ryan’s is 59.7 vs. Flacco’s 61.7.
Paddy
June 17th, 2010
2:45 pm
I had no idea we had a lady basketball team in town till just now. Where do they play and who do they play? Is this their first year? Do they draw any fans to their games? Maybe they should advertise! Fill me in here, ok!
hiramsaint
June 17th, 2010
2:47 pm
@ troll -thanks , thats what i figured
Trolling the Troll
June 17th, 2010
2:51 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan
June 17th, 2010
2:40 pm
The bottomline is that CHOKE cost the Falcons 42 more million than the Ravens coughed up for Joe Flacco. That alone should not even give CHOKE a leg to stand in in comparison, because if you make 42 million more than another player, you should be playing at a WAY HIGHER level.
He should be playing TWICE as well as Flacco, otherwise he is vastly overpaid.
_________________________
You do, of course realize that the Ravens actually tried to trade picks with the Falcons to pick Ryan, right?
http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2008/04/Around_the_Web-_Draft_Grades.aspx
Flacco was seen as the second best QB in the draft, and so far he and Ryan are putting up nearly identical numbers. I’ll even admit that I wanted the Falcons to trade back and get Flacco. However, to suggest that Flacco being in Atlanta and Ryan in Baltimore would have meant the Falcons won more games is ludicrous. The Ravens have the one thing the Falcons need to build: A top tier defense. You may hate Ryan (mainly cause he’s in Atlanta), but with the Ravens’ defense it’s pretty obvious he would have led that team to even more wins.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
June 17th, 2010
2:55 pm
Trolling the Troll
June 17th, 2010
2:51 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan
June 17th, 2010
2:40 pm
The bottomline is that CHOKE cost the Falcons 42 more million than the Ravens coughed up for Joe Flacco. That alone should not even give CHOKE a leg to stand in in comparison, because if you make 42 million more than another player, you should be playing at a WAY HIGHER level.
He should be playing TWICE as well as Flacco, otherwise he is vastly overpaid.
——————————————————
What you also are missing is that the Ravens were drafting a backup because they had a starter. Flacco got the start because the starter got injured.
Therefore, if they drafted CHOKE he would have been a backup. Only for the sorry Falcons would he be a starter.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
June 17th, 2010
2:58 pm
CHOKE is not even better than Henne for the Dolphins, so he is nowhere near the value of Flacco, who only cost the Ravens 30 million instead of 72 million.
Trolling the Troll
June 17th, 2010
2:58 pm
@ hiramtool: FYI, 2% over 2 seasons breaks down to less than 1 completion per game, so the higher completion percentage argument still holds no water in making the D better.
Remember, the Ravens D was ranked 6th in 2007, and that was with Kyle Boller at QB and his percentage of 61.1.
New Orleans, on the other hand, ranked 25th on D in 2009, and that was with Brees and his percentage of 70.6%.
The stats just don’t back up your argument. Sorry
Its not Frank, its Bobby!!
June 17th, 2010
3:03 pm
Oh and BTW, “Choke”, Flacco can’t hold Ryans jock strap. Flacco certainly wasn’t the reason they beat the Patriots and he got totally sifled by an average Colt defense. 20-3 ring a bell? O Touchdowns, 1 int.
If Ryan had the Ravens defense there is no doubt he would have won a Championship in 2009 if not last year. I have no delusions that the Falcons are not a championship caliber team YET…but its not because of Matt Ryan, its because they don’t have the pieces necessary on defense to consistently stop opposing offenses.
Trolling the Troll
June 17th, 2010
3:05 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan
June 17th, 2010
2:55 pm
Trolling the Troll
June 17th, 2010
2:51 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan
June 17th, 2010
2:40 pm
The bottomline is that CHOKE cost the Falcons 42 more million than the Ravens coughed up for Joe Flacco. That alone should not even give CHOKE a leg to stand in in comparison, because if you make 42 million more than another player, you should be playing at a WAY HIGHER level.
He should be playing TWICE as well as Flacco, otherwise he is vastly overpaid.
——————————————————
What you also are missing is that the Ravens were drafting a backup because they had a starter. Flacco got the start because the starter got injured.
Therefore, if they drafted CHOKE he would have been a backup. Only for the sorry Falcons would he be a starter.
____________________
I’m sure the Ravens were willing to trade up to the #3 pick to take someone that would only be a backup. Remember, the starter for the Ravens was Kyle Boller, who was out of football by 2008 and then started (and lost) 4 games for the Rams in 2009. Boller has a career winning % of 43.4% and a career rating of 70.6. Ryan would have been the go to starter on day one for the Ravens as well, injury to Boller or no injury.
Sorry but you’re argument in this case has no merits. Try again.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
June 17th, 2010
3:11 pm
Trolling the Troll
June 17th, 2010
3:05 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan
June 17th, 2010
2:55 pm
Trolling the Troll
June 17th, 2010
2:51 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan
June 17th, 2010
2:40 pm
————————————–
Wrong again – the starting qb was going to be Troy Smith, who also is way better than CHOKE.
Luke M
June 17th, 2010
3:12 pm
LOL at the Thrashers being included. Might as well throw the Dream in there too right? I’d say the Braves/Falcons are about equally set up. Both are fringe contenders at the moment, top 5-6 in their league. A few breaks either way and I could conceivably see either team in a position to win a title. Whether or not they can capture one though is another issue entirely.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
June 17th, 2010
3:13 pm
The fact is there are wannabe’s and there are winners.
Until CHOKE gets a few playoff wins under his belt, he is just OVERRATED.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
June 17th, 2010
3:14 pm
hiramsaint
June 17th, 2010
3:12 pm
@ frank bobby –again, whats your fascination with mens butts and jockstraps. i don’t know much about flacco but i really don’t think he would want to hold matty slushs’ jockstrap– though it sounds like you would
————————————————-
You may have something there………………. ha ha ha.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
June 17th, 2010
3:15 pm
Its not Frank, its Bobby
————————————————
Located that pro bowl that the CHOKE played in yet or you still holding his jock strap?………….. ha ha ha.
Trolling the Troll
June 17th, 2010
3:16 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan
June 17th, 2010
3:11 pm
Trolling the Troll
June 17th, 2010
3:05 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan
June 17th, 2010
2:55 pm
Trolling the Troll
June 17th, 2010
2:51 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan
June 17th, 2010
2:40 pm
————————————–
Wrong again – the starting qb was going to be Troy Smith, who also is way better than CHOKE.
_______________________
Troy Smith? He of 14 games, only 2 starts, and 84 pass attempts? Did you even read the article I provided earlier? Let’s try again:
http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2008/04/Around_the_Web-_Draft_Grades.aspx
From that article (Paragraph 5 to be exact):
Pick to watch // QB Joe Flacco has a better temperament to lead the team than Kyle Boller. It shouldn’t take long before he takes over.
Kyle Boller was the starter. Still not a valid argument. Please, try again.
hiramsaint
June 17th, 2010
3:21 pm
he can’t see the screen to well with it pulled over his hesd
Matt "Choke" Ryan
June 17th, 2010
3:21 pm
Trolling the Troll
June 17th, 2010
3:16 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan
June 17th, 2010
3:11 pm
Trolling the Troll
——————————————–
What has CHOKE done that no other Raven qb on the roster in 2008 has not?
Regardless who was the qb, CHOKE would only start for the hopeless Falcons
Ryan
June 17th, 2010
3:21 pm
My vote went to the Braves, because the World Series is before the Superbowl. Both Braves and Falcons win it all this year!
Matt "Choke" Ryan
June 17th, 2010
3:24 pm
Trolling the Troll
June 17th, 2010
3:16 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan
June 17th, 2010
3:11 pm
Trolling the Troll
—————————————–
So how many more seasons should we be hearing your excuses for the CHOKE’s failures? 3,4 5 more years?
The last Franchise Quarterback went to the pro bowl, finished 2nd in MVP and beat Green Bay on the road (1st in NFL history), so how long should we hear the excuses?
Tim
June 17th, 2010
3:25 pm
4th Place SEC East Dawg – Come on.
Watch a game. Be original.
The Thrashers aren’t even the worst team in their own division. There are several teams that would love to have their young core. Their are even more that would love to build a team around Evander Kane, his guts and his leadership. I know they don’t deserve any more chances but… this is the first time this team is built around a core of hardworking, young players. This will be the first time (since the franchises infant years) that a Thrasher team NOT built around an overpaid, over-hyped, overrated, momentum-killing, coach-killing, non hardworking, floating, non-defending diva… will take to the ice. Have just a smidgeon of faith please.
Of course, you’re probably just a hockey hater anyway.
Evander Kane will Captain The Thrashers into a perennial playoff team. I would not be so presumptuous as to predict a Stanley Cup victory.
To answer the question… The Braves could win it all this season. If, big if of course, but if JJ comes back strong this pitching staff could be something special.
Tim
June 17th, 2010
3:25 pm
Edit – There not their
Trolling the Troll
June 17th, 2010
3:33 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan
June 17th, 2010
3:21 pm
What has CHOKE done that no other Raven qb on the roster in 2008 has not?
Regardless who was the qb, CHOKE would only start for the hopeless Falcons
___________________________
Reverting to this statement proves that you have no argument. What has he done? Hmm, well he’s started more than 3 games, so there goes Troy Smith, John Beck, and Cleo Lemon. Hmm, he’ss also never lost more than 2 games in a row, which Flacco has done. Twice.
Face facts, if the Falcons had traded down and picked Flacco, allowing the Ravens to take Ryan, history would be nearly identical, except the Ravens might have won a few more games and you would be sitting here saying the Falcons should have drafted Ryan instead of Flacco.
Dr. Phil
June 17th, 2010
3:33 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan you have “Serious” Issues. Chill the H*ll Out!
hiramsaint
June 17th, 2010
3:41 pm
the falcons have serious issues
James Stephenson
June 17th, 2010
3:47 pm
For you NO Aints fans, if I remember correctly, if not for some serious non-calls and bogus calls, the Falcons beat you twice last year. Or are we forgetting the fake Pass interference call, or the defensive pass interference not called on a int for a td last year?
The Ghost of Scott Hunter
June 17th, 2010
3:51 pm
It would be nice if the choke artist (the blog idiot, not Matt Ryan) did. Soon.