SB Nation Atlanta: All Posts by Steven Mumahttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2013-01-04T17:18:34-05:00https://atlanta.sbnation.com/authors/steven-muma/rss2013-01-04T17:18:34-05:002013-01-04T17:18:34-05:0013 UGA recruits enroll early
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<p>Thirteen football recruits have enrolled for the spring semester at Georgia. </p> <p>Thirteen members of Georgia's 2013 football recruiting class enrolled early, according to the school. Those players will be on campus for the spring semester and will be able to participate in spring drills. <a href="http://georgia.247sports.com/Board/19/-UGA-confirms-13-early-enrollees-15494536">The early enrollees</a>:</p>
<p>John Atkins (four-star prospect according to Rivals.com)<br>Aulden Bynum (three-star)<br>Josh Cardiello (three-star)<br><span class="sbn-auto-link">Reggie Carter</span> (four-star)<br>J.J. Green (three-star)<br>Tray Matthews (four-star)<br>Quincy Mauger (three-star)<br>Chris Mayes (three-star)<br>Brice Ramsey (four-star)<br>Ryne Rankin (three-star)<br>Jonathon Rumph (four-star)<br>Tramel Terry (four-star)<br>Reggie Wilkerson (four-star)</p>
<p>Georgia's 2013 class <a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/commitments/2013/georgia-68">includes a total of 30 commitments</a>, 14 of which are rated as four-star prospects by Rivals. The class is ranked No. 9 nationally by Rivals but trails fellow SEC schools Alabama, LSU, Florida and Texas A&M in the top 10. If that ranking holds for the Bulldogs, this will be the third time in the last five years that they've finished with a top 10 class.</p>
<p>The rest of UGA's commitments will officially join the fold on National Signing Day, which is Feb. 6.</p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/georgia-football-recruiting/2013/1/4/3836866/uga-football-recruiting-early-enrollees-2013Steven Muma2013-01-03T10:01:19-05:002013-01-03T10:01:19-05:00Matt Ryan trying to stay in rhythm
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<p>With an extra week off, Ryan says it's important that he keep his timing with his receivers.</p> <p>Matt Ryan and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> are using their playoff bye week to concentrate on themselves and staying sharp. Ryan said he <a href="http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/article-1/Transcripts-Mike-Smith-and-Matt-Ryan-Interviews/f52d6f90-8ebb-49bc-820a-9255d44f1a4e">needs to keep his timing with his wide receivers</a> and added that having a pass rush pressuring him in practice will help him stay sharp.</p>
<p>"That’s probably the biggest thing is staying on time with your wideouts," Ryan said. "Also, just having pass rush around you even when you’re not getting hit is something that just kind of helps you stay in rhythm."</p>
<p>With the help of his receivers, Ryan set career-bests in completion percentage, passing yardage, passing touchdowns and quarterback rating. Atlanta finished the regular season sixth in the NFL in passing yards per game, eighth in total offense and seventh in scoring.</p>
<p>Atlanta will host either the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Vikings</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a> or <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Redskins</a> in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, and the Falcons could know their opponent as early as Saturday night, which is when Minnesota plays the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Packers</a>.</p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/falcons/2013/1/3/3831512/matt-ryan-atlanta-falcons-2013-nfl-playoffsSteven Muma2013-01-03T09:36:31-05:002013-01-03T09:36:31-05:00Turner fresh heading into postseason
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<figcaption>Kevin C. Cox</figcaption>
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<p>The Falcons running back feels better physically than he has at this point in the past.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> running back <span>Michael Turner</span> did not carry the ball as often in 2012 as he did in 2011, and head coach Mike Smith said <a href="http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/article-1/Transcripts-Mike-Smith-and-Matt-Ryan-Interviews/f52d6f90-8ebb-49bc-820a-9255d44f1a4e">Turner is feeling better heading into the postseason</a> as a result.</p>
<p>"His work load is definitely down this year in terms of the number of snaps," Smith said. "He seems to feel very good when I asked him. I’m sure the wear and tear on his body isn’t near as bad as it’s been the last four years."</p>
<p>Turner finished the regular season with 222 carries, which is down from 301 last season and is his lowest total since the 2009 season. Since joining the Falcons in 2008, Turner has three seasons of 300 carries or more; he eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark those three years as well.</p>
<p>He finished the year with his lowest rushing total as a Falcon, but he did get into the end zone 11 times, including the first receiving touchdown of his career.</p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/falcons/2013/1/3/3831426/mike-smith-atlanta-falcons-2013-nfl-playoffsSteven Muma2013-01-03T09:10:02-05:002013-01-03T09:10:02-05:00Jackets move on to conference play
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<figcaption>Josh D. Weiss-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Georgia Tech carries a six-game winning streak into conference play, which begins on Saturday. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/georgia-tech-yellow-jackets">Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets</a> finished non-conference play with a 74-58 victory over Chattanooga on Wednesday, which was their sixth straight win. The Jackets did not lose any bad games during the out-of-conference portion of the schedule, and head coach <a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia-tech-sports/2013/01/02/tech-closes-nonconference-play-with-win/?cxntfid=blogs_georgia_tech_sports">Brian Gregory is pleased with the way his team handled itself</a>.</p>
<p>"One of the key kind of markers for a team in the rebuilding phase is a team that does not lose games that they shouldn’t," Gregory said. "And I think that over the first 12 games, we took care of the business that we were supposed to take care of."</p>
<p>Georgia Tech, which was picked during the preseason to finish ninth in the ACC, begins league play against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/miami-hurricanes">Miami Hurricanes</a> on Saturday. That's part of a difficult early stretch for Georgia Tech -- the Jackets also have road games against N.C. State, Duke and North Carolina in January. Those teams were picked to finish first, second and third in the ACC, respectively, by media members.</p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/georgia-tech-ncaab/2013/1/3/3831338/georgia-tech-basketball-brian-gregorySteven Muma2013-01-03T08:48:07-05:002013-01-03T08:48:07-05:00Falcons get back to basics this week
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<p>Atlanta is working on the basics in practice this week as it waits to learn which team it will face in the Divisional Round. </p> <p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Falcons</a> earned a first-round bye in the 2013 NFL playoffs, so without a game to play this weekend, <a href="http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/article-1/Falcons-Focus-On-Falcons-This-Week/4c92905a-8a42-4a89-92f3-6d36c3b4a95c">they'll use the extra time to get back to basics</a>. The Falcons practice four times this week, and the format is something closer to what they do during training camp rather than what they typically do during the season.</p>
<p>"Obviously we don’t know our opponent yet, so the gist of it is practicing against what Mike Nolan’s defense does and vice versa," <span>Justin Blalock</span> said.</p>
<p>While the team is just trying to stay sharp and focus on fundamentals, the coaching staff began scouting opponents on Wednesday. They started with the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Seahawks</a>, and they'll cover the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Vikings</a> Thursday and the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins" class="sbn-auto-link">Redskins</a> on Friday.</p>
<p>Atlanta finished the regular season 13-3, which earned it the NFC's No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. Should the Packers beat the Vikings, the Falcons would host the winner of the Seahawks-Redskins game. A win by the Vikings over Green Bay would send Minnesota to Atlanta.</p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/falcons/2013/1/3/3831278/2013-nfl-playoffs-falcons-bye-weekSteven Muma2012-12-30T08:00:31-05:002012-12-30T08:00:31-05:00Jackets remain underdogs in Sun Bowl
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<figcaption>Bob Donnan-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Yellow Jackets are not expected to beat USC, but the Trojans will be without star quarterback Matt Barkley.</p> <p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/usc-trojans" class="sbn-auto-link">USC Trojans</a> <a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/georgia-tech-southern-cal-odds-december-31-2012">opened as 9.5-point favorites</a> over the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/georgia-tech-yellow-jackets" class="sbn-auto-link">Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets</a> in the 2012 Sun Bowl, but that margin has since moved in Tech's direction, and USC is now favored by 7.5 to 8.5 points, depending on the sportsbook.</p>
<p>USC announced Thursday that starting quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2012/12/27/3808400/matt-barkley-injury-usc-sun-bowl">Matt Barkley will not be able to play </a>in the bowl game, which put an end to his college career. Barkley will be replaced by freshman <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136352/max-wittek" class="sbn-auto-link">Max Wittek</a>, who made seven appearances and one start during the regular season. In that lone start, which came against Notre Dame, Wittek completed 14 of 23 passes for 186 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.</p>
<p>The Jackets, who come into the game at 6-7 overall, have no such issues at quarterback, as veteran <a href="http://atlanta.sbnation.com/georgia-tech-ncaaf/2012/12/28/3811144/sun-bowl-2012-georgia-tech-usc-tevin-washington">Tevin Washington will make his final collegiate start</a>. The Washington-led Georgia Tech offense ranks fourth nationally in rushing yards per game.</p>
<p>USC ranks 63rd in total defense and 59th in rushing defense.</p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/georgia-tech-ncaaf/2012/12/30/3813094/2012-sun-bowl-georgia-tech-usc-spread-oddsSteven Muma2012-12-28T19:50:34-05:002012-12-28T19:50:34-05:00Capital One Bowl CEO happy to have UGA
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<p>The Capital One Bowl's CEO believes they made the right choice in selecting Georgia over Texas A&M. </p> <p>The Capital One Bowl selected the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/georgia-bulldogs">Georgia Bulldogs</a> to play in the game over the Texas A&M Aggies, as the bowl's executives felt UGA was the more deserving of the two. Picking the Aggies may have brought more revenue to the Capital One Bowl -- <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/jeremy-fowler/21464932/capital-one-bowl-has-no-regrets-about-taking-georgia-despite-texas-am-buzz">perhaps as much as $500,000 more</a> -- thanks to the appeal of Heisman-winning quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134696/johnny-manziel">Johnny Manziel</a>. But bowl CEO Steve Hogan has no regrets.</p>
<p>"I know a lot of people speculated about A&M, and that's a nice story, but we're very happy with the way everything ended up," Hogan said. "Georgia's been great."</p>
<p>Hogan added that ticket sales are in line with what the bowl has averaged in recent years; the Bulldogs have sold more than 10,000 tickets so far, out-pacing their opponents in the game, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/nebraska-cornhuskers">Nebraska Cornhuskers</a>.</p>
<p>Georgia finished the regular season 11-2 overall, ending its year with a loss to Alabama in the SEC title game.</p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/georgia-ncaaf/2012/12/28/3813126/2013-capital-one-bowl-uga-texas-a-m-johnny-manzielSteven Muma2012-12-22T08:01:45-05:002012-12-22T08:01:45-05:00Falcons vs. Lions game day guide
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<p>Atlanta can clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs with a victory over Detroit. </p> <p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Falcons</a> will go for their 13th win of the season when they face the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Lions</a> on Saturday night. The Falcons have already secured a division title, and they can lock up the NFC's No. 1 playoff seed and home field advantage with a victory over the Lions.</p>
<p>Atlanta heads into the game ranked seventh in the NFL in both total and scoring offense. It ranks 19th in total defense and fourth in points allowed per game.</p>
<p>The Lions have lost six games in a row, dropping their record to 4-10 and ending their playoff hopes. But the team ranks second in the league in total offense and first in passing yardage per game. Quarterback <span>Matthew Stafford</span> has thrown for 4,252 yards this season, though he also has 15 interceptions.</p>
<p><b>Game time</b>: 8:30 p.m. ET</p>
<p><b>TV</b>: ESPN</p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/nfl/atlanta-detroit-odds-december-22-2012">Odds</a></b>: Atlanta is favored from 3.5 to 4.5 points, depending on the sports book.</p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/falcons/2012/12/22/3793260/lions-falcons-2012-schedule-game-time-tv-injury-updatesSteven Muma2012-12-21T18:11:06-05:002012-12-21T18:11:06-05:00Lions injury update
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<p>Detroit is relatively healthy heading into its game against the Falcons on Saturday, though its starting tight end appears unlikely to play.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> may be without a couple of players when they face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> on Saturday night. Tight end <span>Brandon Pettigrew</span> (ankle) is doubtful, while safety <span>Louis Delmas</span> (knee) is questionable. Pettigrew wasn't able to practice Friday; he has 57 receptions for 556 yards and three touchdowns this season. Delmas has been limited by injury to just six games.</p>
<p>Wide receiver Calving Johnson (knee), running back <span>Mikel Leshoure</span> (calf), cornerback <span>Don Carey</span> (knee), linebacker <span>DeAndre Levy</span> (ankle) and cornerback <span>Chris Houston</span> (hamstring) are probable. Johnson, who hasn't missed a game for Detroit all season, was limited during the last day of practice. He has a career-best 106 receptions this season and is likely to set a new career high in receiving yardage as well. Leshoure has made 12 starts for Detroit this year and has 695 yards rushing as well as eight touchdowns.</p>
<p>The Lions host the Falcons at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, with television coverage from ESPN.</p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/nfl-week-16-falcons-vs-lions/2012/12/21/3793568/lions-injury-report-week-16Steven Muma2012-12-20T16:00:11-05:002012-12-20T16:00:11-05:00Boise State highlights weekend bowl schedule
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<figcaption>Otto Kitsinger III</figcaption>
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<p>Boise State and Washington headline what is a light bowl schedule this weekend.</p> <p>The bowl season is still in the early stages, so the schedule is a light one this weekend. Here's a look at what's ahead in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2012/12/3/3720706/2012-college-football-bowl-games-picks-tv-schedule">2012 bowl schedule</a>.</p>
<p><b>Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) -- Ball State vs. Central Florida</b><br>Ball State won its final six regular season games to finish 9-3. The Cardinals scored at least 30 points in all six of those games. Central Florida (9-4) had a successful season in Conference USA, reaching the league's title game.</p>
<p><b>R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl (Saturday, noon ET, ESPN) -- East Carolina vs. Louisiana-Lafayette</b><br>Louisiana-Lafayette (8-4) is riding a three-game winning streak and ranks among the nation's top 35 in total offense and scoring offense. East Carolina (8-4) also finished its regular season on a three-game winning streak, including a 65-59 double overtime victory over Marshall. The Pirates rank 58th in total offense and 77th in total defense.</p>
<p><b>MAACO Las Vegas Bowl (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) -- Washington vs. Boise State</b><br>Boise State finished 10-2 thanks in large part to a defense that ranks among the nation's top 10 in several categories. The Huskies (7-5) rank 30th nationally in total defense, and they've won four of their last five games.</p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/12/20/3777800/2012-bowl-game-scheduleSteven Muma