Heat Check: Braves, Falcons, Hawks, Tech, UGA – all HOT!
"Our team is red hot! (Clap, clap.) Our team is red hot!" (AP photo by David Tulis)
Today we offer the (long-deferred if not necessarily long-awaited) return of the Monday Heat Check, in which we take the figurative temperature of our local sporting entities. And, in keeping with climatic conditions, I must note that every team is HOT!HOT!HOT!
BRAVES: They haven’t lost in a week, and the week ahead looks most inviting. They’re home for four games against the Marlins, who have given up, and three against the Astros, who snapped a 12-game losing slide Sunday and are the worst team in baseball by some distance.
And there’s every chance the Braves will make a trade by 4 p.m. Tuesday. Zack Greinke is gone to Anaheim, and the Braves claim to have moved on from their pursuit of reluctant Ryan Dempster, but I’m not convinced that ship has sailed. There’s no reason for the Cubs to keep Dempster — they’re not going to re-sign him — and the Dodgers’ offer hasn’t been convincing. (If it had, he’d be gone by now.) And if his preferred destination isn’t an option, mightn’t Dempster be tempted to say, “I could live out of a hotel in Buckhead for three months if it means pitching in the World Series”?
As noted earlier, the Braves can and should qualify for the playoffs as is. If they get Dempster — who’s the only starting pitcher good enough to make a difference who’s apt to be available at a non-Teixeira price — they’d be good enough to win a postseason series. Heat Index: Hot, with a real opportunity to get hotter still.
FALCONS: They haven’t lost since Jan. 8. They’re in training camp with new coordinators and a new O-line coach, and they’re making all the happy noises teams in training camp, be it with or without new coordinators, make.
The big news so far has been that Lofa Tatupu, imported as insurance at middle linebacker, got hurt and got cut without playing a down. Some have taken this development as cause for hand-wringing. Please. The Falcons’ Plan A was always to give young Akeem Dent every chance to seize the job, and that hasn’t changed. Save your real concern for something that really matters, like left tackle. Heat Index: The belief here is that Hotlanta’s NFL franchise is primed to have its hottest season since 1998.
HAWKS: They haven’t lost since May 10. They’ve excised two of the Core Four. They’re starting anew under general manager Danny Ferry, which isn’t to stay they’re starting over. You can make a little something of a roster that includes Josh Smith, Al Horford, Jeff Teague, Lou Williams, DeShawn Stevenson, Kyle Korver, Devin Harris and John Jenkins. (You mightn’t be able to make the playoffs, but you shouldn’t stink on ice.)
Unless they trade for Dwight Howard, whatever the Hawks do over the next 11 months won’t much matter. Come July 2013, they’ll have money to spend and free agency to explore/exploit. Heat Index: The season ahead mightn’t be warm and fuzzy, but the future of this franchise looks rather toasty.
GEORGIA TECH: The Jackets haven’t lost since Dec. 31. They’re picked to finish second in the ACC Coastal Division. They play Virginia Tech, which is picked to finish first, on Labor Day night. If they win that game, they should take the Coastal. I like this team’s chances. Heat Index: Well, how hot would a division title be?
GEORGIA: The Bulldogs haven’t lost since Jan. 2. They’re picked to win the SEC East. They’ve lost Isaiah Crowell, but they should be able to fill out a backfield this season. Crowell or no Crowell, I like this team’s chances. Heat Index: Well, how hot would a BCS title game berth against the Men of Kiffin be?
By Mark Bradley
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183 comments Add your comment
Prado Wan Kenobi
July 30th, 2012
2:01 pm
Mark missed your colums while you were away, In the words of Susanna Hoffs “It’s just another manic Monday
I wish it was Sunday
‘Cause that’s my funday
My I don’t have to runday
It’s just another manic Monday “
6-18 Against End of Season Ranked Teams Since '05
July 30th, 2012
2:03 pm
Prado…..that is one GAY song
the truth...
July 30th, 2012
2:03 pm
As per DOB via Twitter:
David O’Brien@ajcbraves
Chipper has played in 24 of past 29 #Braves games and hit .384 with 9 doubles, 5 HR, 17 RBIs, .449 OBP/.663 slugging (1.112 OPS).
Sonny Clusters
July 30th, 2012
2:06 pm
Mark: Two points: Disagree that we need Dempster. Second point: Can you remember a post by Clusters that did not have something negative to say about a Braves player? – Stinger2
Third point: Your pointed head, Stinger2. Why don’t you blog about baseball instead of Clusters? If we was you (and we would never want to be whiny like you) we would go find a hobby or maybe a girlfriend or maybe just read a good book. In any case, Chipper Bobblehead Night is coming up and you can buy ours for $50. We hate to think what you may do with that Bobblehead.
evil empire
July 30th, 2012
2:12 pm
@6-18 Against End of Season Ranked Teams Since ‘05
your name says it all…but these uga-holics will still come on here and talk about winning the natchamp…america’s dumbest fanbase…
Sonny Clusters
July 30th, 2012
2:13 pm
We was filtered . . . but we probably deserved it. The way this page jumps around we never know if we’re going to finish typing and get to post or if somebody’s face is going to popup and tell us we need to buy a car. Anyway, we was just pointing out how tender some of the little fans are on here and how they are a big part of the problem with the team not having to get better. We think the Braves are shooting for the wild card and that is too low.
Elmer Fudd
July 30th, 2012
2:18 pm
CPJ aka ” The new Sheriff ”
2 – 10 vs Va Tech UGA and Bowl Game
Including 0 for the last 6.
Pathetic.
evil empire
July 30th, 2012
2:21 pm
nl playoff teams: washington, cincy, LA, pitt..al playoff teams: yankees, tigers, rangers, angels……no braves…the baseball gods are not happy about the idiot braves fans voting uggla ahead of phillips for nl all-star team..karma is a lex…uga goes 8-4, runs off richt, loses another bowl game…hawks, who cares…LSU defeats Oklahoma in miami for national championship…falcons finish 8-8, smith fired, no playoffs…
Elmer Fudd
July 30th, 2012
2:22 pm
your name says it all…but these uga-holics will still come on here and talk about winning the natchamp…america’s dumbest fanbase…
Why shouldn’t we ? With a 4 team playoff we would have won it in 2002 and 2007. We were the best teams both years.
We have been awfully awfully close under CMR. Its just a matter of time.
Here is a stat for you. UGA is 3 – 1 in its last 4 against Bama. And has an even record against LSU under CMR.
I dont think anyone in Athens is scared of Bama or LSU. Respect yes. Scared no.
Elmer Fudd
July 30th, 2012
2:24 pm
One good thing UGA fans.
If the trolls are here telling us how bad we are we must be doing something right.
Nobody is trolling the Rutgers boards today talking trash.
Number of Trolls = Amount of Success
bulldogbubba
July 30th, 2012
2:26 pm
If we make to September still in the race do we have anybody in gwinnett or mississippi who can pick us up?
evil empire
July 30th, 2012
2:26 pm
Why shouldn’t we ? With a 4 team playoff we would have won it in 2002 and 2007. We were the best teams both years.
___________________________________________
but you didn’t win it in 2002 or 2007, because the people who vote on these things did not consider uga to be worth of a title bid. they saved you from getting rolled on national tv, something uga is good at…
Macon Mike
July 30th, 2012
2:35 pm
Hearing rumors regarding another dawg losing eligibility.
WM
July 30th, 2012
2:38 pm
The University of Georgia will win the SEC and the national championship this year. Really!
It’s the same crazy dream they have had for the past thirty-one years.
COlumbus
July 30th, 2012
2:39 pm
The time off must have done wonders. Come back with a positive column on everybody! Should we expect a totally opposite spin tomorrow or will this last a few days? I hope it does! Welcome back. Since you came back not hatin’
Columbus
July 30th, 2012
2:44 pm
UGA will have great shots at winning it all the next 5 years….more than I can say for most schools in the nation…Go Dawgs! Go Richt! Go Braves too! Go everybody. Except Tech, Auburn, Bama, South Carolina, LSU and Florida…did I forget anybody? Might as well throw Clemson in there too to cover the adjacent state. Not worried about Tenn…
Josh Smith for 3
July 30th, 2012
2:47 pm
UGA being unproven at RB is going to hurt them? Correct me if I’m wrong, but I seem to remember a freshman running back being quite the stud on offense last year whenever he was actually on the field. So suddenly two more highly-touted freshman backs are just going to be non-factors this year?
evil empire
July 30th, 2012
2:50 pm
come on columbus…winning it all???…try beating a ranked team every once in a while…won’t happen with cmr at the helm…his best teams played when everyone else was down…sad but true…
Sage of Bluesland
July 30th, 2012
2:59 pm
What’s the temperature of the Thrashers?
evil empire
July 30th, 2012
3:03 pm
the thrashers would have survived had they played in an arena in the northern suburbs…
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
July 30th, 2012
3:24 pm
Mark, haven’t you AJC guys been saying the same prime noise since 2008?
The question is, what will you say if the Eagles are in the superbowl this season?
Stinger 2
July 30th, 2012
3:50 pm
evil empire: Do you know there will be five teams in the playoffs?
Apparently not. You only named four. The Braves would be in if the season ended today. Wake up.
Stinger 2
July 30th, 2012
3:53 pm
Clusters: Congratulations!! You made a post and forgot to say something negative about a Braves player. There may be some hope left for you.
evil empire
July 30th, 2012
3:57 pm
add the giants and white sox….season doesn’t end today…
Sonny Clusters
July 30th, 2012
3:58 pm
Little Man, we had something just for you but it was caught in the filter. We was thinking you must be the real Braves fan and we are just a pretender. Golly, gee, baseball players, wow!
Sonny Clusters
July 30th, 2012
4:06 pm
We like baseball and we like nuclear physics but we don’t get carried away with either one. If we was trying to split an atom over and over again and we was having a hard time doing it we would try something a little different and see if that would help. If we was Fredi Gonzalez we would also consider some different things. Now, the Braves are on a nice little streak right now and we like it just like everybody else, but the entire body of work must be considered and when we look at that we think maybe Fredi could use some more atom smashers. If we was wanting to smash an atom we’d want somebody with big arms but somebody who could make contact because swinging and missing at an atom could disrupt the universe and make us miss the wild card.
HUH?????????????
July 30th, 2012
4:14 pm
Where’s DawginLex? I want to hear more about how awesome UGA football is.
gbal
July 30th, 2012
4:20 pm
I think UGA and most all SEC schools have a back or two or three that are capable…. IF ….
1) They hold on to the ball.
2) The OL can open some holes.
3) The playcalling is somewhat unpredictable and keeps the defenses off balance and not stacking the box.
Several 3-4-5 **’s that can run…. need the holes and some creativity.
a country boy can survive
July 30th, 2012
4:22 pm
not just lexi. i miss the drama that the kingdaddy/brainiac character brings to the table. along with the worlds smartest man, altamahadawg.
kral
July 30th, 2012
4:23 pm
you are a treat SC..do not always agree..but your use of analogies are funny
LT
July 30th, 2012
4:34 pm
The Falcons won’t make the playoffs. They’re going to miss those offensive linemen they should have instead of Julio Jones.
GTBob
July 30th, 2012
4:38 pm
So suddenly two more highly-touted freshman backs are just going to be non-factors this year?
Neither are as talented as Crowell was coming out of high school and Crowell wasn’t really all that great last year. He probably would have been much better this year if he kept his head together. Its hard to imagine either of the freshman being anything more then a good backup this year.
willieghateslibertymedia
July 30th, 2012
4:44 pm
the braves need to get the smartzga from the cubs hes getting good now , or get price or schields fronm tampa bay and get a left fielder in case chipper goes down and prado can play 3rd., put medlin back in bullpen , let him always come in with ben sheets.
robodawg
July 30th, 2012
4:52 pm
Love the idea of the Dawgs in the championship, but I don’t see it happening. The roster attrition is a major concern — more wear and tear on the players that are left.
Cant wait....
July 30th, 2012
4:58 pm
Would love for this to be Tech’s year!! Bring it on…….we are ready!!
OldFan
July 30th, 2012
5:03 pm
I’m pulling for all these to happen. I have absolutely no reason to believe any of them will happen. An incremental improvement for all these teams in the same year would be astounding in and of itself. I just want UGA to whip a team that ends the year ranked. With a big game mojo-less QB, inexperienced O-line, unseasoned runing backs, revamped special teams, and completely untested kicking game, all we need is for every opponent to roll over, and the NC game is a sure thing.
Stinger 2
July 30th, 2012
5:10 pm
Clusters: Sorry it got caught in the filter. It must have been really bad. But thats o.k. Say what you want. Not saying you are not a fan but just saying you have some kind of a disorder that make you say disparaging or negative comments any time you can about a Braves player or their management. I see you are back to bashing Uggla again.
NCAA FAN
July 30th, 2012
5:12 pm
Mark how about a similar column on each of these teams and what would be considered a disappointment? For instance, how many losses gets the Falcons’ Smith fired? How many losses gets Richt fired? How many losses puts Johnson on the hot seat? Would another Braves disaster like last year get Fredi fired? For the record…The one I can most see under performing is UGA. Very soft schedule SEC wise and they’d better perform this year because next year will be 6-6 or worse since we will be losing so many Juniors on D to NFL, lots of seniors, and likely lose our QB to NFL as well. Better get healthy quick with Bama and LSU reappearing on the schedule in upcoming years.
230gr Full Metal Jacket
July 30th, 2012
5:24 pm
GT has a VERY good shot at defeating VT early. IF they do that, they should win their division, and very likely the conference championship. I think they are going to really shock some folks this season, but please — ya’ll just go right on and underestimate them, lol.
UGA, with their schedule, SHOULD win all of their regular season games. But then comes that nasty little encounter with the Western champion (probably LSU this season). IF they somehow win that one (AND all of their regular season games), then they will have earned the right to play for the national title. The problem is, they will get blown out by the Western division champion (again) and will probably drop one or two (S. Carolina, Florida, Auburn, and Tech are all real possibilities) during the regular season. They’ll still have another very good season — but not a great one. All of that being said though, this UGA team is loaded with talent so if CMR can’t get it done this season, then perhaps it really is time for UGA to start considering other options (Grantham as a head coach???? That’s actually kind of scary if you think about it!).
dawg4u
July 30th, 2012
5:35 pm
Welcome back, Mr. Bradley. Been missing your articles. I was afraid you were on some extended sabbatical or something a la Gary Trudeau!
WhoCares?
July 30th, 2012
5:48 pm
NO, NO, NO to Dempster, please. He is a mediocre pitcher at best (look at his career stats), and we got enuf No. 3 hurlers right now. I will continue to underestimate GT until they do something notable, like beat UGA more than once a decade or win a bowl game.
KJ
July 30th, 2012
6:28 pm
I love positive articles about UGA. Not because I agree with Mark (They’re still a longshot to beat the SEC West champion, imo), but it gets the pathetic no-lifers like SSIGator, evil empire, country boy, et al frothing at the mouth and pounding on their (well, their parents’) keyboards, and displaying their loserdom for our amusement. It’s great entertainment in the offseason, to be sure.
dc74
July 30th, 2012
6:56 pm
Yeah yeah..it’s always great according to Bradley. Perhaps Atlanta can add to it’s already impressive list of championships.
bfred
July 30th, 2012
7:01 pm
The issue is at this point Dempster is a two-month rental, plus (hopefully) post-season. His WAR is 2.2, implying that he’d be good for MAYBE one extra win over the course of those two months. His 2.25 ERA is about half his career average; I see him getting taken apart in the post-season against top talent. Unless we get him for scraps there’s nothing about a trade scenario for the guy that I like. Granted the Cubs might do that just to clear some salary.
realitycheck
July 30th, 2012
7:31 pm
Elmer Fudd………Yes UGA is 3-1 vs Bama in the last four meetings, but lets dissect those games. 1. 2002 game in Tuscaloosa where UGA scored very late and pulled out a close one against Franchione a couple months before his exit to Texas A&M. 2. 2003 game in Athens was an easy Dawg win against an outmanned Mike Shula team playing with a third string QB. UGA should’ve won 56-0. 3. 2007 game in Tuscaloosa went to OT where UGA edged Bama in Saban’s first year playing mostly with Shula’s players. UGA was at least four TD’s better than Bama, yet Saban almost stole the game. 4. 2008 Blackout game in Athens where Saban, in only his second year at Bama, took a 31-0 lead into the half and coasted to a 41-30 win in a game not nearky as close as the final score indicated. UGA had better players and more of them, but was clearky outcoached and outprepared. Today Bama has the better players, more of them and SUPERIOR COACHING. Bama is stacked and the Tide is rolling and UGA hasn’t beaten a top 20 team in two years. These two football programs aren’t even comparable, and if you don’t believe it look at the all time records of the two. Compare NC’s, SEC Championships, Bowl wins, and their head to head all time record, Here’s a hint: They aren’t anywhere close! Yes, UGA won a few battles against subpar Bama teams, but when the stakes are really high, Bama usually always wins. Bama has won 2 NC’s in the last 3 years and 14 total, UGA has won 1 in what 120 years. This just isn’t a fair fight!
Dawg-Hatin' Jacket
July 30th, 2012
8:32 pm
Sorry, Mark, the only “title” thUGA will be in the race for this year is the Fulmer Cup (again).
john
July 30th, 2012
8:47 pm
mb feelin good today. love the optimism and you are still the man
Bugs Bunny
July 30th, 2012
9:10 pm
Elmer does not talk like that…
Mark Bradley
July 30th, 2012
9:26 pm
Thanks, john.
Stumpknocker
July 30th, 2012
9:36 pm
Mark…..You had better be careful riding around Athens/Clark Cnty smokin them tatters . You know how the law is there…………and besides that stuff makes you delusional………BCS championship game ? You gotta be kidding.