ATLANTA UNITED By Doug Roberson doug.roberson@ajc.com a a ve approach has been the key to his success this season. Atlanta United is tied for the fewest goals allowed (7), in part because Guzan has the third-best saves percentage is tied for third-most clean sheets (2) and second for pass-completion percent- age (49). Oh, and he has an assist, too. a bit different from last year, first back in action after sustaining an Achilles injury two years ago, when he received a lot of criticism for his play and the poor defense. The as it has been described by one of the supporters, seems on pace to potentially make him a Best XI candidate.
you look at players, important that players have an even Guzan said. when things are great, probably never as great as you really think. And when things are not so great, and bad, proba- bly not as bad as you think. And the more you can have a steady mindset, a strong men- tality a belief and willingness in yourself, you know, nor- mally good things will hap- pen. And, you know, that part for me is never wavered.
I always believe in my Guzan and the team have been helped by better play on defense. post- shot expected goals minus goals allowed, an indication of shot-stopping ability, is Last season, it was a collective as well; we win together, we lose he said. are things that are being asked of individuals, of players in the group at different moments. And all part of But you still have to make the saves, and Guzan is mak- ing them. He stopped a point- blank shot against Philadel- phia, got up and kicked the goal post in excitement.
It was one of several difficult saves he has made this season. Guzan said the sign- ing of Josh Cohen pro- vide any extra motivation for his improved play because he need any. part of the business, you expect these things, to be honest with Guzan said. always said a club that wants to push the bar, and you do that by sign- ing good players at every posi- tion and unique competition at every position. our job as players to go out and show that we are able and deserv- ing, and you need to be able to help the team in whatever way you can.
no different for the goalkeeper Injury updates: Atlanta United striker Giorgos Giak- oumakis, winger Xande Silva and centerback Stian Gre- gersen have resumed train- ing ahead of match against Cincinnati at Mer- cedes-Benz Stadium. Giakoumakis, who leads the team with five goals, and Gre- gersen, who has missed the past four matches, worked out Monday. Silva, who has missed the past two matches after sustaining an adduc- tor injury, resumed training Tuesday. The majority of the play- ers, many of whom played in the 2-2 draw Sunday against Philadelphia, worked out in the gym Tuesday. Seven play- ers, including two goalkeep- ers, participated in some team drills Tuesday.
Cen- terback Derrick Williams, who sustained a calf injury two weeks ago, remains out. Major anniversary: Tuesday (April 16) was the 10-year anniversary of the news conference in which Arthur Blank revealed he was purchasing the MLS franchise. The event was held near Olympic Park, with Blank and MLS Commissioner Don Garber taking a short heli- copter ride from the build- ing to the event space on the other side of the park. Atlanta United played its first match in 2017, won its first MLS Cup in 2018 and its first U.S. Open Cup in 2019.
It has led the league in attendance in each of the past seven seasons. Goalkeeper is off to strong start after struggling last year. GEORGIA LOTTERIES TUESDAY, APRIL 16 Cash 3 Midday: 9-1-0 Cash 3 Evening: 2-3-8 (Monday) Cash 3 Night: 1-4-4 (Mon.) Cash 4 Midday: 3-2-7-1 Cash 4 Evening: 5-0-6-9 (Monday) Cash 4 Night: 4-0-2-6 (Monday) Georgia Five Midday: 8-1- 7-1-5 Georgia Five Evening: 0-5- 1-9-2 (Monday) Fantasy 5: 16-17-22-23- 27 (Monday) Jumbo Bucks Lotto: 01-02- 11-36-40-41 (Monday) On the Web: galottery.com By phone: 1-800-GALUCKY Please verify numbers with Georgia Lottery Corp. before claiming a prize. SPORTS TV today Baseball Noon MLB Giants at Marlins 2:10 p.m.
BSSE Braves at Astros 3 p.m. MLB Yankees at Blue Jays 5 p.m. SEC Texas Tech at Arkansas 7 p.m. MLB Guardians at Red Sox Basketball 7:10 p.m. ESPN NBA play-in: Heat at 76ers 9:30 p.m.
ESPN NBA play-in: Hawks at Bulls Bowling 7 p.m. FS1 WSOB PBA Shark Championship, at Allen Park, Mich. Futsal 1:55 p.m. FS2 CONCACAF Championship: Costa Rica vs. Canada 3:55 p.m.
FS2 CONCACAF Championship: Panama vs. U.S. 5:55 p.m. FS2 CONCACAF Championship: Guatemala vs. Mexico 8 p.m.
FS2 CONCACAF Championship: Dominican Republic vs. Cuba Golf 7 p.m. Golf Western Intercollegiate, at Santa Cruz, Calif. Hockey 7 p.m. TNT Maple Leafs at Lightning 9:30 p.m.
TNT Blues at Stars Lacrosse 7 p.m. ACC Women: Virginia at Virginia Tech Rugby 5:30 a.m.* FS2 NRL: Melbourne at Sydney Soccer 3 p.m. CBS UEFA Champions League: Real Madrid at Manchester City Softball 6:30 p.m. BTN Wisconsin at Minnesota 7 p.m. PAC12 Weber State at Utah Tennis 5 a.m.* Tennis Barcelona Open; Romanian Open; Bavarian International; Porsche Tennis Grand Prix; Open de Rouen early Thursday morning ON THE AIR Calendar BRAVES Today at Astros, 2:10 p.m.
(BSSE); Friday vs. Rangers, 7:20 p.m. (AppleTV); Saturday vs. Rangers, 7:20 p.m. (BSSO).
680 AM, 93.7 FM, 103.7 FM, 1340 AM COLLEGE BASEBALL Georgia: Friday vs. Ole Miss, 6 p.m.; Georgia State: Friday at Troy, 7 p.m.; Georgia Tech: Friday at Virginia, 6 p.m.; Kennesaw State: Today vs. Georgia Southern, 6 p.m. HAWKS Today at Bulls (play-in tournament), 9:30 p.m. (ESPN).
92.9 FM STRIPERS Today vs. Memphis, 12:05 p.m.; Thursday vs. Memphis, 7:05 p.m.; Friday vs. Memphis, 7:05 p.m. SWARM Friday vs.
Knighthawks, 7:30 p.m. UNITED Saturday vs. Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. (AppleTV); April 27 at Chicago, 8:30 p.m. (AppleTV); May 4 vs.
Minnesota, 7:30 p.m. (AppleTV). 92.9 FM UNITED 2 Today vs. Chattanooga, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday vs. FC Cincinnati II, 3 p.m.; April 28 at Chicago II, 2 p.m.
(AppleTV). 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds and 4.46 seconds at the NFL scouting combine, which was faster than former Alabama running back Derrick Henry, who ran a 4.54 at the 2016 scouting combine. Turner also had a 40.5- inch vertical jump. would be an Turner said about possibly being the first edge rusher selected in the draft. At the scouting combine, Turner was in heavy demand.
He met with 12 teams on the first night, including the Fal- cons. meeting with the Fal- cons was Turner said. had a good conversation with coaches and stuff like that, so it would be a good Turner would seemingly be a perfect fit for the Falcons. about him screams a 10-plus-sack-a- year said ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper, who has been the expert analyst for the draft coverage since 1984. Kiper has the Falcons selecting Turner in his lat- est mock draft.
The Fal- cons missed out on free- agent defensive end Dan- ielle Hunter, who took his career sacks to the Texans. The Falcons must also replace the production from Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree, who accounted for 13 of their 42 sacks last season. Both have not re-signed and remain free agents, with Campbell considering retire- ment. All 32 NFL teams were pres- ent at pro day, including coaches Mike Tom- lin (Steelers), Mike McCarthy (Cowboys), Antonio Pierce (Raiders) and Brian Callahan (Titans) and general man- agers Brad Holmes (Lions), Brian Gutekunst (Packers) and Ran Carthon (Titans). Turner had tackles for loss over his career with the Crimson Tide.
was Kiper said. developed the sec- ondary The Falcons had a double-digit sack player since Vic Beasley had in 2016. Turner is considered a bet- ter option than Florida Jared Verse and Laiatu Latu, who are defensive ends, as pass rushers. Latu has a neck injury that will scare off some teams. Turner had to find his opti- mum playing weight at Ala- bama.
weight journey at Ala- bama was Turner said. in I was 260 pounds, but that was a COVID-19 260 pounds. I fluctuated. I played my freshman year at 240, my sophom*ore year at 245 and my junior year at 255, which probably the best weight I had was my junior Turner had a key third- down sack of Georgia quar- terback Carson Beck in Ala- 27-24 win in the SEC title game that snapped the 29-game win streak Dec. 2.
The Bulldogs went on to miss a field goal attempt after sack. my ability, my explosiveness, my versatil- ity of being able to play off the ball and be on the ball as Turner said when describing his pass-rush rep- ertoire. many things that make me the player on the Turner played with Chris Braswell last season and with Will Anderson, the former Dutchtown High and AJC Super 11 star, who was drafted third overall by the Texans last season. every single day, first of all, close off the field and have a lot of fun, but we learn (from) each Turner said. three of us are different, and we kind of took bits and pieces from each other and fit them into the games we Turner has tried to con- tain his enthusiasm when on the field, but a fierce hitter.
how I Turner said. not trying to be dirty with my hits. I just play between the whistles and play at Draft continued from B1 FALCONS PICKS Round Pick 1 8th overall 2 11th(43rd) 3 10th(74th) 3 15th(79th) 4 9th(109th) 5 8th(143rd) 6 11th(187th) 6 21st(197th) NFL DRAFT INSIDE LINEBACKERS 1. Junior Colson, Michigan (6-foot-2, 247 pounds, second): Led the national champs with 95 tackles. He had 101 tackles in 2022.
2. Jeremiah Trotter Clemson (6-0, 230, second or third): He had 192 tackles for tackles for loss and 13 sacks over his career. His father played in the NFL from 1998-2009 and was a four-time Pro Bowler. 3. Cedric Gray, North Carolina (6-2, 232, third): He was named All-ACC in 2022 and 2023.
He led the Tar Heels with 121 tackles last season and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.64 seconds at the NFL scouting combine. 4. Nathaniel Watson, Mississippi State (6- 2, 244, third): a good run-stuffer but has struggled in coverage. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.63 seconds and has a 31-inch vertical jump. 5.
Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State (6-2, 239, third or fourth): He made 268 tackles over his four-year career, including 21 tackles for loss. He plays with good physicality in the run game. OUTSIDE LINEBACKER 1. Dallas Turner, Alabama (6-4, 242, Turner had sacks in 2021 and came back with 10 in 2023. Turner did most of his work for the scouts at the scouting combine.
He did only the bench press during the pro day, lifting 225 pounds 20 times. 2. Chris Braswell, Alabama (6-3, 257, or second): He played in 14 games and made two starts last season. He had tackles for loss and eight sacks in 2023. Was a reserve in 2021 and 2022.
3. Edgerrin Cooper, Texas (6-4, 234, second or third): He was a Associated Press All-American and All-SEC selection. He had 17 tackles for loss and eight sacks last season. 4. Payton Wilson, NC State (6-4, 234, second or third): He was the Dick Butkus award winner, which goes to the top linebacker.
He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds and has a 34.5-inch vertical jump. 5. Trevin Wallace, Kentucky (6-1, 237, third): He played at Wayne County High and was a three-year letter winner for the Wildcats. He played in 36 games and made 19 starts. He with 166 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, quarterback hurries, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and a pass breakup.
Best of rest: ILB Jaylan Ford, Texas-El Tyrice Knight, Edefuan Ulofoshio, Notre JD Bertrand and Michael Barrett. OLB Gabriel Murphy, Javon Solomon, Colorado Mohamed Kamara, Notre Marist Liufau and Penn Curtis Jacobs. OTHER LOCAL PROSPECTS Michael Barrett, 6-0, 239, Michigan (Lowndes HS): He started all 15 games and contributed on special teams. Set a new Michigan record for games played during his career (64). JD Bertrand, 6-1, 233, Notre Dame (Blessed Trinity): Led the Fighting Irish with 76 tackles last season.
Aaron Casey, 6-2, 235, Indiana (Alexander HS): Became the 12th linebacker in Indiana history to earn All-Big Ten honors. Steele Chambers, 6-1, 232, Ohio State (Blessed Trinity): Chambers was a three-year starter for the Buckeyes and played seasons, including his two seasons as a running back. Kalen DeLoach, Florida State (Islands HS): He made 66 total tackles, including a career-high tackles for loss and seven sacks. Khalid Duke, 6-4, 246, Kansas State (Riverside Military): He earned all-state honors from The Atlanta Journal- Constitution in 2018, the all-state honor since 2013. He served as a ball boy for the Falcons.
Hopper, 6-2, 221, Missouri (Roswell HS): 55 tackles through 10 games led the Tigers, before he sustained an ankle injury that forced him to the sideline for the two games of the regular season. Jontrey Hunter, 6-2, 240, Georgia State: He was named to the 2023 All-Sun Belt Conference (third team) and was the defensive player of the game in the 2020 LendingTree Bowl. Teams in need: Raiders, Bears, Lions, Rams and Seahawks Need area for Falcons: Yes. The Falcons are switching to a 3-4 and need outside linebackers and another inside linebacker to step forward behind Kaden Elliss, Nate Landman and Troy Andersen. D.
Orlando Ledbetter, AJC PRO FOOTBALL No Dawgs among top linebackers in NFL draft The top 10 prospects at the position (with height, weight and projected round) for the NFL draft, which will be held April 25-27 in Detroit: FALCONS Tampering case still under review By D. Orlando Ledbetter FLOWERY BRANCH The review of the alleged tampering in the signing of quarterback Kirk Cousins is ongoing. As of Monday afternoon, there was no update from the NFL office, and no time- line for the review had been set. Last tampering case between the Eagles and Car- dinals was settled before the start of the draft. This draft is scheduled to start April 25.
I 2 02 3 a accused the Cardinals of tampering with defensive coordinator Jonathan Gan- non. The Cardinals eventu- ally hired him as their head coach. The teams agreed to a settlement that called for the Eagles to trade the No. 94 pick in the 2023 draft and a 2024 fifth-round pick for the 66th pick in 2023. In his first comments to The Atlanta Journal-Con- stitution since the signing of Cousins, Falcons owner Arthur Blank denied that the team tampered in vio- lation of league rules.
tampering deal, we obviously believe we Blank said recently at the league meet- ings in Orlando, Florida. shared all of the informa- tion with the league. review the process and the facts. They are in the middle of doing that. Whatever the result is, deal with The Falcons signed Cous- ins to a four-year contract worth up to $180 million on March 13.
The NFL is review- ing the signing for possible tampering violations. The Falcons initially issued a statement that said, to the review, we are unable to provide information or have addi- tional NFL investigating efforts to land Cousins. Cincinnati at Atlanta United, 7:30 p.m., AppleTV, 92.9 FM MATCH Guzan credits even approach to success Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan is having a bounce-back season and is a big reason the club is tied for the fewest goals allowed (7). ALEX UNITED B2 THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2024.
