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
♦
Recent posts:
♦ Rankings that matter: Falcons are better than Saints
♦ LIVE blog: More bad history for Kawakami (0-9), but Chipper homers
♦ Chipper Jones has more pride than to sit back, collect checks
♦ Tuesday Countdown: Vuvuzelas, USC’s arrogance, Hugo’s a ‘dogos; fan
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
298 comments Add your comment
Phil
June 17th, 2010
3:53 pm
The Braves chances go up a lot when Cox leaves.
Dallas Ex
June 17th, 2010
3:56 pm
This is a joke question, right? hehehehehe
hiramsaint
June 17th, 2010
3:57 pm
@ james== you remember incorrectly. the saints won both games last year against the falcons as a warm-up to playing the real teams in the playoffs and superbowl. in fact i can’t remember the last time y’all beat us twice- go look it up for me would you?
Matt "Choke" Ryan
June 17th, 2010
4:04 pm
The 3 facts of life:
- Death
- Taxes
- Excuses for CHOKE’s failures
HA HA HA
Dr. Phil
June 17th, 2010
4:04 pm
hiramsaint… Most of what I’m reading is Football people are picking the Falcons to win the division…not the aints!
John
June 17th, 2010
4:05 pm
You forgot about the Atlanta Dream! It’s time to give the ladies R-E-S-P-E-C-T!
Matt "Choke" Ryan
June 17th, 2010
4:07 pm
Somebody please tell me who this 2009 stat line belongs to:
- 6 straight games with a pick
- 4 straight games with 2 or more picks
- 4 straight games with qb ratings in the 70s, 60s and 50s
- 3 picks against the Saints (4 if the other pick was not dropped)
Matt "Choke" Ryan
June 17th, 2010
4:10 pm
Dr. Phil
June 17th, 2010
4:04 pm
hiramsaint… Most of what I’m reading is Football people are picking the Falcons to win the division…not the aints!
———————————-
You should stop reading “The National Inquirer”!
The Falcons will never be successful with old NOODLE ARM behind center.
DUMP THE POODLE WITH THE ARM MADE OF NOODLE
JSS
June 17th, 2010
4:12 pm
@ John…
Jeff Schultz does not consider women’s professional or collegiate athletic teams worthy of attention. Not being mean Jeff Schultz, just paraphrasing your previous comments on the matter.
However, many of us have already stated the obvious. They’ll be the first to win a championship by a long shot!
ATL Fan
June 17th, 2010
4:13 pm
I think the Braves have a good shot to win it this year. We are already in first place in the tough NL East division. Plus, JJ will be back which is similar to a big mid-season free agent signing (don’t forget Matt-the-bat-Diaz is coming off the DL too). Furthermore, the Braves have cash available to sign a big-time free agent.
Great pitching, hot bats, and money to spend; a very good combination for the first place Braves.
jesse james
June 17th, 2010
4:16 pm
I like the Braves chances. Starting pitching stays healthy and if Escobar can give more offensively will be the key. They are not for off with the bullpen they have also.
hiramsaint
June 17th, 2010
4:18 pm
@ the dr.– solomin wilcots just said on nfl network that the saints with their returning coaching staff and almost the entire team- minus a few who should not impact them at all.should go deep into the playoffs. the FOOTBALL PEOPLE are who? some scrubs that write sports commentary for local newspapers. they said the same things last year and the year before and on and on. look at their record over the years and you will have very little faith in what they say as i do . lets just wai and see what happens during the season . that should give the falcon nation time to pool up new ideas for excuses as to why it happened again this year
What?
June 17th, 2010
4:18 pm
“You only won one with Maddox, Glavine, Smoltz, Avery, Mercker…. etc… etc…
Good luck with that Hudson, Juirgens, Medlen, KK, Lowe, and Hanson rotation and riding that to a Series championship!”
Just wanna clear some things up, MaddUx, Jurrjens. Both Mercker and Avery had an ERA above 4, Smoltz and Glavine in the 3s, with Maddux having an ERA in the 1s when they won it all.
Let’s look at these Braves: Hanson: 3.38. Hudson: 2.43. Medlen: 3.23. Jurrjens(last year since he’s been injured): 2.60 Lowe: 4.81.
Beyond Maddux’s freakish numbers, on ERA alone they compare favorably to the 1995 team. I think we all know when JJ’s back KK’s going to the bullpen. So I would pick a better thing to bash beyond the Braves pitching.
JSS
June 17th, 2010
4:19 pm
@ Everyone…
The 2008 Baltimore Ravens QB job was open. Troy Smith had started the final 2 games of the previous season after Boller’s concussions. Harbaugh named the Boller the starter during the pre-season; however during pre-season game 2 vs. the Vikings, he suffered a shoulder injury. Flacco outperformed Smith and earned the starting spot. Boller was placed on the IR on Sept. 3rd. The rest is history…
Illegal AT QB # 2
June 17th, 2010
4:22 pm
YOU PEOPLE HAVE LOST YOUR MIND! WE HAVE NO DEFENSE. TUNNER NOT 100% AND YOUR QB IS PURE HYPE!
WARNING WHEN PERSSURE IS APPLY RYAN TURN TO PURE CHUMP. HE HAS A WEAK ARM 40 + NOT!!! THIS A PURE PENT UP HYPE. 300LB HIT RYAN TURN TO PUNK!! YOU NEED A BACK UP QB THAT CAN WIN.7-9. A GOOD DEFENSE COACH KNOWS KNOK OFF HIS TIMMING HE IS NOTHING WATCH THE TAPE!!
the man of constant sorrow
June 17th, 2010
4:23 pm
yep thats me a hocky fan
never going to happen for the thrashers
i will just drink more beer
Trolling the Troll
June 17th, 2010
4:24 pm
Oh Choke, how I love how you never try to make any new arguments. All you do is say the Falcons should “dump” Ryan. But there’s a problem with that, Ryan has the highest winning percentage of any starter in Falcons history. So what you really want is for the Falcons to get rid of a proven winner.
Really, try to come up with something new, how about that Flacco has a QB rating of 43 in the playoffs? Or 6 picks. You call him a winner and yet it seems to me he chokes in big games and, were it not for his D, would have a much worse record.
DUDE
June 17th, 2010
4:24 pm
PLEASE take your meds
Delbert D.
June 17th, 2010
4:25 pm
Falcons. NFC South.
JSS
June 17th, 2010
4:29 pm
@ What?…
You won’t be facing an over the hill Orel Hershiser and Dennis Martinez this year… And saw what happened the following year…
Trolling the Troll
June 17th, 2010
4:29 pm
Illegal AT QB # 2
June 17th, 2010
4:22 pm
YOU PEOPLE HAVE LOST YOUR MIND! WE HAVE NO DEFENSE. TUNNER NOT 100% AND YOUR QB IS PURE HYPE!
WARNING WHEN PERSSURE IS APPLY RYAN TURN TO PURE CHUMP. HE HAS A WEAK ARM 40 + NOT!!! THIS A PURE PENT UP HYPE. 300LB HIT RYAN TURN TO PUNK!! YOU NEED A BACK UP QB THAT CAN WIN.7-9. A GOOD DEFENSE COACH KNOWS KNOK OFF HIS TIMMING HE IS NOTHING WATCH THE TAPE!!
_________________________
Please locate the Caps Lock button and disengage it before you post again.
Ryan is 20-10 as a starter, since I’m guessing you didn’t make it out to minicamp, should know he’s stronger and tougher this season. Even Roddy White is saying the ball is coming out harder and faster than ever before.
Really, I’m starting to think ajc blogs need a better level of troll.
Gwinnett Fred
June 17th, 2010
4:30 pm
This is going to sound wierd, but since none of them have a Championship calibur roster (not saying Braves, Hawks & Falcons aren’t goor to very good) that can come close to stacking up against the teams they’d have to beat to win it all – I’m going with the Thrashers.
Reason being – a #7 seed just went to the Cup finals. Granted, the ASG will have to eventually give a crap – but if they ever do – it’s easier to turn around a hockey team and ride a hot streak thru the playoffs than any other sport. Not that it can be done with smoke and mirrors, but the NHL provides that potential much better than the other 3.
JSS
June 17th, 2010
4:31 pm
@ What?…
Look up Avery’s ERA in 1995 World Series…
Matt "Choke" Ryan
June 17th, 2010
4:43 pm
Trolling the Troll
June 17th, 2010
4:24 pm
Oh Choke, how I love how you never try to make any new arguments. All you do is say the Falcons should “dump” Ryan. But there’s a problem with that, Ryan has the highest winning percentage of any starter in Falcons history. So what you really want is for the Falcons to get rid of a proven winner.
————————————————
No – Michael Turner has the highest winning percentage……….. ha ha ha
With Turner 11-5 and in playoffs
Without Turner 9-7 out of playoffs
With Dilfer the Falcons would have won the superbowl in 2008.
HA HA HA
Matt "Choke" Ryan
June 17th, 2010
4:47 pm
CHOKE is full of ZEROs
- ZERO Playoff wins
- ZERO pro bowls
- ZERO Division titles
- ZERO backbone
HA HA HA
ATL Fan
June 17th, 2010
4:50 pm
Gwinnett Fred, Gutsy call. Especially given the intense apathy shown the Thrashers by fans and ownership alike.
ATL Fan
June 17th, 2010
4:52 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan,
Didn’t you expect the next ZERO to be:
Matt “Choke” Ryan – ZERO
?
rekingball
June 17th, 2010
5:09 pm
They let “Choke” out of jail again?
CarDog
June 17th, 2010
5:10 pm
ARTHUR BLANK: PLEASE BUY THE BRAVES
rekingball
June 17th, 2010
5:12 pm
Whatever happened to the 3 strikes and your out law?
Dr. Phil
June 17th, 2010
5:12 pm
“Choke” needs to get a life. I think he has “Mother” Issues! Hates living at home!
hiramsaint
June 17th, 2010
5:13 pm
i think y’all hate hearing the truth
Matt "Choke" Ryan
June 17th, 2010
5:17 pm
Dr. Phil
June 17th, 2010
5:12 pm
“Choke” needs to get a life. I think he has “Mother” Issues! Hates living at home!
——————————————
Why should I get a life when its so much fun bashing the CHOKE and watch his blind apologists come to his rescue.
HA HA HA
Dr. Phil
June 17th, 2010
5:19 pm
hiramsaint…Who goes on other teams blogs & rants about their quarterback. What’s that song ” Too Much Time on My Hands” Definetly ” Pent Up Anger”
Matt "Choke" Ryan
June 17th, 2010
5:20 pm
The value of 72 million dollars:
- NO Playoff wins
- NO Pro bowls
- NO Division titles
Now that is 72 million dollars well spent.
HA HA HA
Matt "Choke" Ryan
June 17th, 2010
5:21 pm
Dr. Phil
June 17th, 2010
5:19 pm
hiramsaint…Who goes on other teams blogs & rants about their quarterback. What’s that song ” Too Much Time on My Hands” Definetly ” Pent Up Anger”
————————————————–
Are you still upset that Dr. Oz has better ratings?…… ha ha ha
Dr. Phil
June 17th, 2010
5:23 pm
Ouch! That Hurt!
hiramsaint
June 17th, 2010
5:24 pm
i do …whats your point? CHOKE does so what about it. i don’t think “pent up anger ” was the band. you falcants fans have a hard time getting anyhting right
Delbert D.
June 17th, 2010
5:26 pm
Someone is obsessed on this blog..
"Chef" Tim Dix
June 17th, 2010
5:27 pm
Gotta go with the Braves since their the only team playing.
Tim
June 17th, 2010
5:28 pm
The Hawks have a legit center, tool.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
June 17th, 2010
5:38 pm
An interesting quote I read……………………
“That probably about as wrong as you can get. I dislike Ryan also, but I’m not illogical. The kid has everything he needs to be elite and seems to have the work ethic. The problem is, that a lot of QBs have had these traits also. There is a good chance that he may reach his potential and there’s a chance that he may not. I think saying he will never get better when he’s only been in the league two years is just flat out crazy.
With that said, I’ll never call him elite as long as he is on a run-first team. Even in his “great, but not so great” rookie season, he leaned upon his running game. Last year, when he was suppose to have a breakout year his RB got hurt and he had a down year. When Turner went down, he didn’t step up to the plate and put the team on his shoulders. That could have been a defining moment for him. Right now, he’s an above average QB. Look at the consensus top 3 QBs in the NFL, Brees, Brady, and Manning. All of them have done it without a running game. An elite QB is the focus of an offense and it flows through him. Ryan, in his current state is FAR from that.
hiramsaint
June 17th, 2010
5:42 pm
oooooooouch
Matt "Choke" Ryan
June 17th, 2010
5:47 pm
Damn it must suck that other people outside of AJC that knows CHOKE is just average and a game manager……………
HA HA HA
JR1967
June 17th, 2010
5:53 pm
It must be close to football season- Matt “Choke” Ryan is back!!!
Colin
June 17th, 2010
6:12 pm
girls basketball doesn’t count – no one cares, and no one watches it – I’ve seen the numbers
Gwinnett Fred
June 17th, 2010
6:22 pm
Never seen anyone so stuck up on himself as Choke Ryan.
What a f-ing cop out artist. How easy is it to jump on somebody until they’ve won a Super Bowl? You hate on Dan Marino all your life too?
Why don’t you show some guts and pick someone to back instead of someone to hate? Every year there is 1 winner in the NFL and 31 losers.
How pathetic you are to jump on the side with a 97% chance of being right than a 3% chance. Why don’t you try crawling out from under your mothers skirt and take a chance on something dill-brain?
Instead of hating on Ryan, why don’t you pick another QB and back him – there are 31 others out there to choose from you piece of trash!
Nacho Daddy
June 17th, 2010
6:29 pm
“choke” I think I hear your mother calling you for dinner, “come on up outta the basement, Honey, your fish sticks are getting cold”
Kev
June 17th, 2010
6:34 pm
I think more appropriate is which team will have Atlanta’s first dynasty. No one fears you because of ONE championship. The Braves of the ’90s had their opportunity but couldn’t close the deal in ‘96 and wasted BACK TO BACK 100 WIN SEASONS in ‘97 and ‘98 by losing in the NLCS both of those years. Someone has to win the World Series/Super Bowl/NBA Finals/Stanley Cup Finals every year. So if your team gets one, of course you will be happy for that year but people don’t really take notice until you win multiple titles. Consistency proves that you’re not a fluke. That’s what gets you respect.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
June 17th, 2010
6:39 pm
Nacho Daddy
June 17th, 2010
6:29 pm
“choke” I think I hear your mother calling you for dinner, “come on up outta the basement, Honey, your fish sticks are getting cold”
———————————————————
Yeah I think we are having NOODLES and CHOKE knows all about NOODLES………
HA HA HA