The Atlanta Falcons has a similar problem to the Atlanta Braves in wondering who is the leader of the team. Except with the Falcons, that’s actually a good thing. Arthur Smith is trying to change the culture and having Matt Ryan gone will make that a little easier. Not because Ryan was bad for culture, but Smith now sets the tone, not the franchise QB who has been there for 14 years. Secondly, the Atlanta Braves dropped their opener to the Arizona Diamondbacks. It's another one of those losses that makes you scratch your head because of the way they played the game. The Braves playing bad baseball has become more common this year than not and it is getting frustrating to watch. Plus, Mark Zinno hands out a Shovel of Wisdom. Lastly, Aaron Freeman, of Locked on Falcons, joined A to Z with Mark Zinno to discuss the absence of Matt Ryan and how it can help build what Arthur Smith wants the franchise to be. They also talked about the offense and how target share should be a major measure of performance this year. Freeman and Zinno also try to figure out what the defensive line-up will look like when they start OTAs again. 

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The Atlanta Braves lost last night to the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-2. The Braves have been pretty consistent with their struggles this year. They are one of the worst teams in the league with runners in scoring position. Jon Chuckery explains how the Braves just can’t get out of their own way when clutch moments come about. Secondly, as the Boston Celtics and the Golden State Warriors get ready to compete for an NBA championship, the Atlanta Hawks are still trying to figure out how to get themselves into that position. Jon Chuckery points out how the Hawks have to figure out how to continue to build their team so they can end up in the same position as the Celtics and the Warriors. Also, Chuckery mentions that it will be extremely hard for the Hawks because they have some hard decisions to make. Lastly, the Atlanta Falcons’ roster looks a lot different now than it did in 2021. The Falcons have talked about wanting competition throughout training camp. Jon Chuckery explains how it’s been quite some time since so many spots have been up for grabs going into training camp. Also, Chuckery thinks that will be one of the more interesting preseasons in quite some time.

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Arthur Smith and the Atlanta Falcons continued with their offseason program yesterday. Grady Jarrett and Smith both talked about the type of players that are walking into their building in Flowery Branch. Jarvis Davis and Tenitra Batiste discussed how this season feels different for the Falcons because of the roster turnover. Also, they talked about some guys who need to play like they have a chip on their shoulder in 2022. The Atlanta Braves lose again. Secondly, the Atlanta Hawks have been rumored as one of the teams who are willing to make wholesale changes to their roster. There are reports that Kevin Durant hasn’t been in contact with the Brooklyn Nets since the season has ended. Also, the Nets seem like they aren’t willing to give Kyrie Irving a long term contract. Jarvis Davis and Tenitra Batiste discussed whether Durant would be a good fit for the Hawks. Also, who the Hawks would have to part ways with. Lastly, in For The Culture, Major League Baseball is in the news again. And Martin Lawrence wants to run it back. Jarvis Davis and Tenitra Batiste discussed how MLB has dropped the ball again when it comes to an inclusive work environment. Also, they discuss which old television show they would like to reboot.

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The Atlanta Falcons held their OTAs out at Flowery Branch yesterday. The news came down that Deion Jones will be out for the offseason. Jon Chuckery explains how it’s quite interesting that Jones is out with all of the rumors about the team potentially trading or cutting him after June 1st. Secondly, the Atlanta Braves have been consistently inconsistent this year. Gabe Burns, of the AJC, joined Hittin’ Hard with Jon Chuckery to talk about whether or not the Braves can fix whatever the issue is. They discussed what the Braves should do with Ronald Acuna’s injury issues and if Spencer Strider will get a start anytime soon. Lastly, the Atlanta Braves have been one of the most inconsistent teams in Major League Baseball. And it’s hard not to look across the country at the Los Angeles Dodgers and see how well Freddie Freeman is doing. Jon Chuckery talked about Braves fans not fully understanding how much Freeman’s presence is missed.

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The Atlanta Falcons continued with their offseason program yesterday. Voluntary OTAs are underway, and the news about Deion Jones' injury certainly puts the Falcons in a tight spot with whether or not they can trade him or cut him. Plus, Arthur Smith is really creating a culture here that I think will make this team more competitive than people are expecting. Mark Zinno is optimistic about Smith and his ability to do more with less. Secondly, Britt Ghrioli of the Athletic joins A to Z with Mark Zinno to discuss the Atlanta Braves. The Braves have gotten off to a slow start and it just seems like something is missing. Also, they talk about the New York Mets getting off to a hot start and if it can continue given all the injuries that they have. Lastly, Mark Zinno gives out his Shovel of Wisdom. Zinno talks about the passing of Ray Liotta and one of the greatest movies of all time in Goodfellas. Also, he gives a quick reminder of what Memorial Day should be all about.

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Terry Fontenot and Arthur Smith are trying to change the culture in Flowery Branch. The 2022 NFL Draft class for the Atlanta Falcons seems to be part of that change. Jarvis Davis and Tenitra Batiste discussed the possibility of being better and having a worse record at the end of the year. Also, they talked about Deion Jones missing OTAs, and the Atlanta Braves winning back-to-back games. Secondly, coming off winning a national championship, the Georgia Bulldogs have found themselves in the running for big-time prospect, Arch Manning. Head coach Kirby Smart is known as one of the best recruiters in the country. Jarvis Davis and Tenitra Batiste talked about whether or not they need to pursue a prospect like Manning. Lastly, the Boston Celtics defeated the Miami Heat 93-80 last night, and are looking to the NBA Finals. In For The Culture, Jarvis Davis and Tenitra Batiste discussed how the NBA playoffs have been underwhelming in the conference finals. Also, they talked about whether or not Manning wanted to establish his own legacy.

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There was a lot of news yesterday about Colin Kaepernick getting a workout for the Las Vegas Raiders. Mike Florio, of Profootballtalk.com, tweeted that Kaepernick could potentially start right away for the Atlanta Falcons. Jon Chuckery explains how that would be a terrible idea. Also, Chuckery points out that no one knows what Kaepernick is capable of because he’s been out of the NFL for so long. Secondly, the Atlanta Braves finally were able to put together solid back-to-back performances. The Braves defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 8-4. Jon Chuckery talked about the value of Spencer Strider in the high-leverage reliever role. Also, Chuckery talked about giving Tucker Davidson some more time in the fifth spot of the rotation. Lastly, the Atlanta Hawks have been in a lot of conversations about potential trades this summer. The Chicago Bulls is in a space where they are trying to figure out what to do with Zach Levine. Jon Chuckery talked about a trade that is being floated around that involves Levine coming to the Hawks via trade.

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The Atlanta Braves got a win last night, doing it with a lot of power. And while there are local media members wondering if the Braves need an "a-hole" like Joc Pederson back to shake things up, Mark Zinno disagrees. Also, Zinno explains how the Braves know what it takes to win games, they just have to go out there and do it. Secondly, D. Orlando Ledbetter, of the AJC, joined A to Z with Mark Zinno to discuss the role for Kyle Pitts this season and expectations for each position group. Arthur Smith's mindset heading into training camp was on the docket, they discussed the likelihood of Desmond Ridder getting a chance to start. Lastly, Mark Zinno passes out a shovel of wisdom and then discusses Colin Kaepernick's workout with the Las Vegas Raiders. Zinno certainly agrees that Kaepernick got a raw deal, but it's been six years since he's played. Zinno believes Kaepernick is a back-up at this point in his career. It’s time for people to move on.

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The Atlanta Falcons have been on a budget the last couple of years when it comes to NFL free agency. Cordarrelle Patterson was a guy who came in last year that exceeded most people’s expectations on a one-year deal. Jarvis Davis and Tenitra Batiste discussed what free agent the Falcons signed this year could have that same type of impact. Also, they discussed the Atlanta Braves actually looking like a Major League Baseball team. Secondly, the Atlanta Hawks will forever be questioned by some for-trading Luka Doncic for Trae Young in the 2018 NBA draft. Young was selected to third team All-NBA yesterday, which should quiet some of those critics of the Hawks. Jarvis Davis and Tenitra Batiste discussed whether or not the escalator in Young’s contract should not have an effect on upgrading their roster. Lastly, the NFL has finally put together an initiative that actually might work. The NFL selected four Historically Black Graduate Institutions as its first members of the inaugural NFL Diversity of Sports Medicine Pipeline Initiative. Jarvis Davis and Tenitra Batiste discussed exactly how partnering with HBCUs could see almost an immediate return.

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The Atlanta Falcons are taking a big hit in the salary cap this year in large part because they traded Matt Ryan away. The excitement for the amount of space the Falcons may have in 2023 has fans dreaming of free agency next season. Jon Chuckery explains how it’s not necessarily a good thing to have so much cap space next season. Secondly, the Atlanta Hawks are set to pay Trae Young a lot more money now. Young made the All-NBA third team this year which bumps the total value of his contract from 177 million to 212 million dollars. Jon Chuckery makes a case for Young to be on the second team instead of Ja Morant. Lastly, the Atlanta Braves have plenty of guys that are struggling in their lineup. If there is a weak spot to point to in the outfield, it has to be Adam Duvall. Jon Chuckery explains how it might be time to make a change in centerfield. Also, given his age, Chuckery points out that Duvall might need some rest as well.

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