Talking about player Anthopoulos and departing the Braves, Ron Washington.
Ron Washington discusses leaving the Braves and Alex Anthopoulos.
The value of Justin Fields’ transaction will surprise Falcons supporters.
Prospective head coach for the Falcons: Anthony Weaver
The top 101 prospects for the Falcons according to Baseball Prospectus do not include AJ Smith-Shawver. Ja’Lynn Polk and Jayden Daniels in the most recent mock draft.
For Ron Washington, the former third base instructor for the Braves, it has taken a while to get another chance at managing, this time with the Los Angeles Angels. Washington will be missed in Braves Country, but no one is more worthy of another chance. He has been passed over a several times in recent years.
Washington didn’t find it easy to leave Atlanta, either, even if he wanted to manage again. The Braves just granted Alex Anthopoulos an eight-year agreement that would keep him with the team until at least the 2031 season, which is a major factor in that.
In response to a question about Anthopoulos’ extension with the Braves on Foul Territory, Ron Washington said, “When it happened, I certainly called him, because Alex (Anthopoulos) is a great man.” He provided for all of his people because he believed in doing so. When I was there, he looked after me. In the background, which many people are unaware of, I was given positions to leave, but I informed Alex when I arrived that I wouldn’t be leaving Atlanta until I was hired as a manager.
One of the best things about Alex Anthopoulos’ time as the Braves’ general manager is how well he gets along with everyone on the team. Every player and coach in Atlanta has the utmost regard for Anthopoulos and his management style. This is very helpful when negotiating with free agents as well as players who have been with the team for a long time. The Braves have the best reputation in the league, and almost every new player who signs with the team talks about it.
However, everyone must eventually move on, and after seven seasons with the Braves, Washington thought this was the ideal chance to do so.
“It was the perfect opportunity for me to manage,” Washington said. It was my time to go. It was about time those men learned how to look out for one another, because every time they went to that ballpark, Eric Young Sr., myself, and the other members of the coaching staff were on top of them. They only entered the clubhouse when someone was laying on top of them. Now that two of the most influential men in the clubhouse have departed, they will undoubtedly need to rely on the remaining instructors as well as on the love, knowledge, wisdom, and other things we left behind. Although it was difficult to leave Atlanta, I now have the chance to join the Los Angeles Angels in something really unique.
In Atlanta, people will always remember Ron Washington with affection as a national treasure. His contribution to the team’s current extraordinary success, which includes six consecutive division victories and a World Series in 2021, was crucial. It won’t be simple to turn the Angels around, but Wash is the one who is up to the job. From a distance, Braves Country will be supporting him.
It makes sense that the Falcons’ head coaching search has dominated media coverage. The first domino of the off-season is waiting to fall before the others do.
Though, publicly at least, the team has cast a broad net in the hiring pool, Bill Belichick seems to be Arthur Blank’s preferred goal. There’s a good chance it’s not Belichick since the Falcons have already interviewed six candidates and have the same number waiting to speak with them.
Choosing a quarterback will undoubtedly be the most difficult chore this summer, regardless of the head coach. It is obvious that Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke are not the solutions to Atlanta’s issues.
There aren’t many good free agency alternatives, but there are plenty of franchise quarterbacks in the draft class. The head coach will ultimately choose the course that the Falcons go.
As Matt Ryan noted, a seasoned quarterback becomes more plausible if Atlanta chooses Bill Belichick. Furthermore, a younger quarterback makes more sense under the new head coach.
With the opportunity to choose with the eighth overall selection, the Falcons may be able to select Jayden Daniels, or the new head coach may decide to develop Michael Penix Jr., Bo Nix, or J.J. McCarthy in subsequent rounds. They also have a plenty of cap room to add an experienced player.
The Falcons might also consider pursuing Justin Fields. Despite the Bears are still considering their options, I think it’s reasonable to assume that Ryan Poles will move Fields and choose either Caleb Williams or Drake Maye with the first overall selection.
If that’s the case, Justin Fields’ long-term potential makes him a much more desirable target than any other free agent. Although I would rather have Jayden Daniels, I would also rather have Brandon Fields than either Russell Wilson or Kirk Cousins, depending on what the Bears are asking for.
Mel Kiper of ESPN repogggrts that Chicago may get a first-round selection in exchange for Justin Fields. He even suggested that Atlanta may choose with the eighth overall selection.
I’m out of the sweepstakes if that’s the going pay for a deal including Justin Fields. That is just absurd for a quarterback who hasn’t improved enough over the course of three seasons to warrant a contract extension from his own organisation.
If that’s the case, the Falcons would be better off looking at other possibilities. That being said, I disagree with Mel Kiper’s evaluation of Fields’ value. Daniel Jeremiah said that the Panthers would have to pay a second-round, fourth-round, and sixth-round selection in exchange for Sam Darnold.
Additionally, Yahoo! Sports’ Charles Robinson questioned seven current general managers about the possible cost, and their answers are heartening for Falcons fans who are hoping for Justin Fields.
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