Sports Page Atlanta

I know it will come as a shock to nobody, but Mike Hampton’s rehab from eleventy-billion injuries over the last two plus years hit yet another minor snag Wednesday, as the oft-injured lefty pulled himself out of a AAA rehab start for Richmond in the fourth inning in Durham, N.C. Hampton said that he felt his left pectoral muscle, which caused his most recent journey to the disabled list before his first start in 2 1/2 years, twinged a little bit, and that he’d rather be safe than sorry. That bodes the question, is Hampton playing it too safe?

There was a lot of hype surrounding Hampton’s first start of the season. Then, it all came crashing down just a few pitches into his warm up session in the bullpen. Pectoral strain. Another trip to the DL. More frustration for Hampton, the Braves, and us fans. I had more than a few people tell me that, following Hampton’s late scratch early in the season, that if they were coaching, they would more-or-less force Hampton to play. It seems like Hampton’s injuries are a bit ticky-tack. I, for one, am not going to sit behind my keyboard and pretend to know how Hampton feels and what he should do. However, I am fed up with it. And, I have a sinking suspicion that the Braves might be getting to that point too.

If Hampton can’t play, he can’t play. The constant false sense of hope that his never-ending rehabilitation gives the Braves is hurting them in a sense. As much as the Braves say that they aren’t depending on him, they are to some degree. Considering the rash sense of injuries, they need him now. And, he is again letting them down. It’s now time for Hampton to “blank” or get off the pot. He’s either a baseball player, or he’s not. And, from the outsider’s point of view, it appears that he doesn’t want to be a baseball player anymore.

With the conclusion of this weekend’s NFL draft and subsequent free agent signing process, many familiar players from the area are headed off to pursue their NFL dreams. Here’s a rundown of who went where and what kind of role they’ll play on their new team.

Curtis Johnson, Indianapolis (Clark Atlanta) - Johnson is a true project player, but with the right coaching, he could really become a star in this league. A future OLB, he is a very physical player who could excel at the next level with enough refinement. I read one NFL scout compare him to a young Joey Porter, who took years to develop but eventually became a star. Johnson really does have that kind of raw talent.

Jayson Foster, Miami (Georgia Southern) - The Walter Payton Award winner as the best player in FCS football, Foster will look to make the team as a return specialist. While he played QB at Georgia Southern, it was an option-based scheme. Foster has experience returning kicks as far back as high school. An intelligent team-driven player, Foster is explosive and elusive with the ball in hand. A few years ago, he wouldn’t have had this chance, but thanks to Devin Hester, he might really catch on somewhere.

Aaron wrote earlier about the possiblility of John Smoltz moving back into the bullpen and becoming the Braves closer once again.  The 41-year old has 154 career saves to match his 210 career wins.

Even though he was a closer for just a super-short time, he is currently 14th on the active list for most saves.  There are 4 players that may join a team this season that have more saves than Smoltzie, but they haven’t taken the mound in 2008, so I am not counting them.

Of the active pitchers that have more saves than Smoltz, only one pitcher comes close in career wins (if you can count having 135 wins close.)

Here are active pitchers with the most wins that have more saves than John Smoltz…

Tom Gordon: 157 saves - 135 wins

Mariano Rivera: 451 saves - 62 wins

Todd Jones: 306 saves - 54 wins

Trevor Hoffman: 528 saves - 53 wins

John Smoltz is on the disabled list right now with a shoulder injury that does not require surgery. Prior to yesterday, the big question was centered around when Smoltz would return to the lineup. Now, after a phone interview with Dave O’Brien, the question on everyone’s mind is whether or not Smoltz will even be back in the rotation.

After going on the disabled list Tuesday with inflammation in the rotator cuff and a biceps tendon in his pitching arm, Smoltz said it’s possible he would return to the closer role where he dominated during the 2002-04 seasons.

“Yes,” he said during a phone interview Tuesday night. “Right now I’m sitting at ground zero, taking it day by day, looking at every option to help this team get to the playoffs and end my career the way I’d like to end it.”

It was a surprising acknowledgment from Smoltz, who returned to his preferred starting role in 2005 after converting 154 saves in 3 1/2 seasons as a closer, including a National League-record 55 saves in 2002. He is 47-26 as a starter since the beginning of the 2005 season.

I’m not a fan of this move, unless it’s being made as a result of Smoltz’s shoulder wearing down. By that, I mean if this move is a knee-jerk reaction to the failing Braves bullpen, it’s a poor decision. However, if Smoltz returning to the closer role extends his career, or even allows him to continue with his career at the level of dominance he’s established, then, by all means, let’s get Smoltz pitching in the 9th inning again.

With the conclusion of this weekend’s NFL draft and subsequent free agent signing process, many familiar players from the area are headed off to pursue their NFL dreams. Here’s a rundown of who went where and what kind of role they’ll play on their new team.

Philip Wheeler, Indianapolis - This is a good fit for the Colts, and he should play fairly soon on running downs. The Colts like LBs who can go downhill and find a ball carrier, and that’s Wheeler’s strength. I’m not sure if he’s ready for pass coverage at the NFL level, but he’s ready to help out the run defense. He could even fight Tyjuan Hagler for the starting WLB spot.

Tashard Choice, Dallas - With Marion Barber and Felix Jones entrenched as the top two in Dallas, Choice is the favorite to win the #3 job. He has to beat out Alonzo Coleman and Ronnie Cruz, and that should be a manageable task. Dallas sure needs a good teammate like Tashard, what with the bevy of eccentric personalities they’ve got.

Durant Brooks, Washington - This pick certainly made sense considering Washington had no punter entering the draft. Brooks at this point has to be the favorite to win the job, though they’ll probably bring someone in to challenge him for the job. Brooks already has possibly the best hang-time in the NFL, so this pick should work out wonderfully for the Redskins.

Mike Cox, Kansas City - Herm Edwards loves to grind it out on the ground, so he’ll always have a need for run blockers like Cox, who aren’t threats out of the backfield but can lock in on someone and clear space for Larry Johnson to run through.

Gary Guyton, San Francisco - Guyton is likely playing for a special teams role or a practice squad spot until he can learn how to better himself as a linebacker. If he ever does, he certainly possesses the athleticism and raw talent necessary to be a star.

Darrell Robertson, Dallas - Dallas loves hybrid rushers, and that’s exactly what Robertson is. I had him going to a 3-4 defense, just not this one. The only real surprise here is that he wasn’t drafted. I really expect him to make the team out of camp.

Nate McManus, New Orleans - This was a surprise, as I was unaware McManus was even pursuing a pro career, but the Saints are pretty thin along the O-Line and need some depth, so even though he’s a longshot to survive cuts, the situation isn’t all that bad for him.

I just took a look at the top home run hitters in NCAA baseball. These numbers are tabulated through games on April 28th, and I only went as far as the top 50. Here are the best home run hitters in Georgia, and where they rank on the NCAA list.

• Gordon Beckham, Georgia - 20 Home Runs (1)
• A.J. Wirnsberger, Georgia Southern - 16 Home Runs (T7)
• Chris Shehan, Georgia Southern - 14 Home Runs (T21)
• Derek Dietrich, Georgia Tech - 13 Home Runs (T31)
• Tony Plagman, Georgia Tech - 13 Home Runs (T31)
• Ty Wright, Georgia Southern - 13 Home Runs (T31)

With the conclusion of this weekend’s NFL draft and subsequent free agent signing process, many familiar players from the area are headed off to pursue their NFL dreams. Here’s a rundown of who went where and what kind of role they’ll play on their new team.

Marcus Howard, Indianapolis - Faithful readers will know this is where I had Howard going (albeit in another round), and it makes plenty of sense. He’s a small edge rusher, and the Colts have shown they can have success with small, speedy linemen like Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. Howard won’t start any time soon, but he could be utilized as a situational rush specialist this year.

Thomas Brown, Atlanta - This is a great fit for Brown, and the new regime in Atlanta will value a hardworking athletic back who can block. He should beat out Jason Snelling, who is more of a fullback anyway, for the #3 spot in Atlanta. He won’t carry a full workload, but he should be a valuable 3rd down back somewhere along the line.

Chester Adams, Chicago - My guess is that Adams is in Chicago to provide bulk and versatility to a fairly shallow line. If Adams is starting or playing much this year, it means something has gone wrong for the Bears, but he should be a 3rd string player while they work on this project.

Brandon Coutu, Seattle - If Coutu can beat out Olindo Mare in camp this year, he will handle field goals. If not, he’ll probably be cut and find another team to kick for. He definitely has an NFL career ahead of him, with or without Seattle.

Kregg Lumpkin, Green Bay - With Green Bay loaded with running backs, Lumpkin’s a longshot to make it out of camp, but don’t be shocked if he does. With Ryan Grant, Brandon Jackson, Vernand Morency, and DeShawn Wynn all also present, Lumpkin will be hard-pressed to make the team as a halfback. As a receiving fullback, though, he has a shot.

Kelin Johnson, Seattle - Kelin has a great chance to stick in Seattle as a special teams player and it won’t surprise me at all if he makes the team out of camp. Don’t expect to see him playing safety very much this season.

Brandon Miller, Atlanta - I didn’t even include Miller in my preview because I thought it was such a longshot he’d get drafted, and while that was true, Atlanta signed him, presumably to be a defensive end. Miller is blessed with exceptional athleticism, and while he played linebacker somewhat poorly in college, he could become a real sleeper at defensive end. He’s very raw, but with players this athletic, you can’t rule anything out.

Fernando Velasco, Tennessee - The Titans just got a lineman that will make them proud. He’s a hard working player who will adapt to anything the team asks of him. Considering Tennessee doesn’t really have any reliable backup guards, Velasco has a really good chance of sticking with the team.

Sean Bailey, Kansas City - It always surprised me when Bailey wasn’t considered a pro prospect, and now I’m really happy to see him sign somewhere. He has the NFL pedigree, he has the skills, and he just needs to add some bulk and work on some technical things. There’s no telling if he’ll make the team, or even be on the practice squad, but it’s nice to know there’s some interest out there for him.

As you read below in Bart’s article about the Atlanta Falcons seven undrafted players, the Falcons signed Brandon Miller from Georgia. Well if you are a big-time Bulldog fan or Falcon fan you might have heard this before.

There was another Brandon Miller that played defensive tackle for the Bulldogs in 1996 to 1999. He was from Greensboro, Georgia and had 76 career tackles and 2 big sacks in the 1998 Peach Bowl vs Virginia.

In 2000, he was a member of the Indianapolis Colts and then…

On January 9, 2002 he was signed as a free agent to the Falcons.

On August 31st he was let go…

But he was signed again on September 3rd…

But he was cut again on September 19th.

Later…

He did make the All-NFL Europe team in 2002 when he played for the Rhein Fire.

Monday was a day for the Falcons to sign undrafted free agents. They picked up seven, including one player from down the road in Athens.

• Brandon Miller, DE, Georgia
• Isaac Brown, LB, Central Michigan
• Jimmie Kaylor, P, Colorado State
• Glenn Sharp, QB, Miami
• D.J. Wolfe, FS, Oklahoma
• Jamar Brittingham, RB, Bloomsburg of Pennsylvania
• Mike Butterworth, OT, Slippery Rock

Disclaimer: I would like to reiterate again, that I am the most pessimistic person on the planet.  I’m the kind of guy that goes to Auburn games thinking that we will lose to directional Louisiana schools (oh wait, that only happens to Alabama).

The injury bug has riddled the Braves early into the 2008 season.  I mean, REALLY bitten the Braves.  It all started with John Smoltz starting out the year on the DL, and really grew steam with the injuries to Mike Hampton, Tom Glavine, Rafael Soriano, Yunel Escobar, Chipper Jones, Peter Moylan and, perhaps, Smoltz again.  So, I pose this question…is there reason to be concerned?

The answer is no.  This Braves team was constructed with depth in mind, especially to the starting pitchers, where the injury bug has bitten the organization the hardest.  Of course, the Braves didn’t expect Moylan’s elbow to become an issue, and certainly didn’t think that Escobar would forget the fundamentals of bunting, but they are prepared for this.  Moylan perhaps being gone for the year definitely hurts, but the bullpen was strengthened sufficiently in the off-season to compensate for that.  Don’t forget, Mike Gonzalez comes back in a month or so.  Escobar should be back.  But, if he’s not, Martin Prado has shown that he is legit.  Don’t forget, Omar Infante is down in extended Spring Training and will re-join the team soon.

The rest of the injuries don’t concern me in the least bit. The Braves planned accordingly for these things to happen.  Did they expect them to happen all at once?  Probably not.  However, the fact that the Braves are still hovering around .500 and have had this many injuries is a good sign for this team.  They are legit.  They will be back in the playoffs.  And, for reference on how much that means coming from me, please refer back to the disclaimer above.  Good day.