Here's the second installment of my list of sportsy-type things that will absolutely, definitely, guaranteed, positively take place over the next 12 months...or not.

I cranked the list up to 11 and each prediction guarantee is progressively more likely to occur as the numbers fall. In other words, the lower the number, the more likely the events are to happen. (But they're all guarantees,...

Here's my list of sportsy-type things that will absolutely, definitely, guaranteed, positively take place over the next 12 months...or not.

I cranked the list up to 11 and each prediction guarantee is progressively more likely to occur as the numbers fall. In other words, the lower the number, the more likely the events are to happen. (But they're all guarantees, so that shouldn't really...

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White, who was named to his third straight Pro Bowl yesterday, is a frequent user of that Twitter contraption that all the kids are into these days.

White—or @roddywhiteTV as he's known in tweetland—likes tweeting about everything from his apparent affinity for Thrashers hockey to his sleeping habits.

Mostly all of White's tweets are in good humor and in...

The year was 1998.

A gallon of gas costs about $1.15.

Google takes its maiden voyage on this interweb thing.

Will Smith was cranking out one hit single after another. Ya know, the post-Fresh Prince days when Smith was laying down hot tracks such as 'Just the Two of Us', 'Miami' and my personal theme song, 'Gettin' Jiggy Wit It."

Everything from the FDA's approval of Viagra to President...

As my colleague Glenn LaFollette pointed out yesterday, the Phillies have now assumed the role of the 13-year-old who's still in 4th grade, yet continues to dominate the daily recess kickball game—crushing the athletic hopes and dreams of every 10-year-old he bullies as he rounds the bases for his seventh home run of the day.

Adding a pitcher of Cliff Lee's caliber to a starting rotation...

In a world where collegiate athletics have become the measuring stick by which a majority of universities judge their overall worth, it's always refreshing to see a school that still knows what it means to be an institution of higher learning.

With football and basketball coaches making five times as much money as university presidents and alumni donations being used to build new practice...

Sometime later this morning, the executive committee for the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) will hand down its decision on which country will host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

With soccer-hungry, hooligan-ridden countries like England, Russia, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Portugal in the running, you may be asking yourself why this vote is relevant to the United...

Less than two days after watching their basketball team pull off the biggest victory in school history, Kennesaw State students took to the polls in order to determine the fate of a start-up football program.

The Owls defeated the national regional city powerhouse Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Monday night, 80-63, inside the KSU Convocation Center in front of a record crowd of 4,784.

It...

For those of you who aren't aware, Cam Newton is—for the time being—the quarterback for the second-ranked Auburn Tigers and a front runner for the Heisman Trophy.

And before this week, that was pretty much all we knew about the former Westlake standout or his father, Cecil.

But allegations stemming from Cam's recruitment from junior college earlier this year and in 2009 have thrust the...

When dissecting the Atlanta sports landscape for a singular intriguing topic to discuss every week, there are some weeks that are easier than others—this was not one of them.

Keeping that in mind, I wanted to open up the discussion on which Atlanta sports team is currently the most intriguing. Also bear in mind that this is not a debate on which team is the best, most popular or your...

The Atlanta Hawks 2010-11 season tips off tonight in Memphis, Tenn., against the Grizzlies, but it should end the same way the 2007-08 season did: A first round playoff loss to a far superior team.

I apologize for bursting anyone's bubble, but before you get too wrapped up in the six-month NBA season just know that it will likely be a waste of your time to follow this Hawks team too...

• http://clatl.com/atlanta/ImageArchives?by=1223504
• Douglas during his rookie season in 2008

Despite their forgettable performance this past Sunday against the Eagles in Philadelphia, a 31-17 loss, the Atlanta Falcons should be contenders in the NFC South this season.

That is, of course, if Harry Douglas wants it that way.

The third-year wide receiver from Jonesboro sat out all of last...

As I awaited the start of Bobby Cox's farewell address to the media inside the auxiliary clubhouse at Turner Field yesterday afternoon, I kept asking myself the same question: "How's he going to do it?"

It wasn't a curiosity about what he was going to say his favorite moment was or what he's going to miss most, I was wondering how he planned to announce his return for a 26th season as Braves...

Unless you've been hiding out with former University AD Damon Evans for the past five weeks, you're well aware that the Georgia Bulldogs football team isn't playing very well.

The Dawgs are 1-4 so far this season—their worst start since 1993—and Bulldog Nation is less than pleased.

Everyone from the AJC's Mark Bradley and Jeff Schultz to this guy has shared their opinion on why the Georgia...

https://media2.fdncms.com/atlanta/imager/bens-sports-take-atlanta-corporate-fight/u/original/2157568/1285732057-acfn.jpg

I'm not one who has ever been a big proponent—or even a passive onlooker—of reality television.

The idea that otherwise nondescript people could somehow offer an alternative and illuminating perspective on life simply by carrying out their everyday, mundane routine seems...

We all remember the rise and fall of one Michael Vick.https://media1.fdncms.com/atlanta/imager/bens-sports-take-hes-baaaaackdid-you/u/original/2128170/1285134738-1285105548-441px-michael-vick_jets-vs-eagles-sept-3-2009_post-game-in.jpg

Drafted number one overall in the 2001 NFL Draft, Vick quickly became the city's most recognizable athlete thanks to his thrilling play on the field and his...

The Atlanta Braves' away game last night versus the Philadelphia Phillies was interrupted during the seventh inning when a fan wearing a red bodysuit and mask stormed the field.

Stadium officials gave chase but couldn't catch up to the imaginative character. Luckily, Braves outfield Matt Diaz knew how to gracefully put an end to the madness.

UPDATE: The previous version was pulled. Let's...

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The 2010 college football season is now underway, but it isn't electrifying touchdowns or bone-jarring tackles that has fans talking, coaches complaining and players watching their collective backs.

No, the most talked about storyline of this year's college football season has been the one thing that the players aren't allowed to have, but somehow always seem to get: Money.

Georgia...

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Although it came as no surprise to yours truly, the Atlanta Braves have relinquished their 99-day reservation atop the National League's Eastern Division—and it doesn't appear that they'll be reclaiming it anytime soon.

The team's ultimate descent can be attributed to a plethora of issues that have, until now, been nullified thanks to the team's overachieving All-Stars and surprisingly...

As Georgia State University's inaugural football season approaches, many people—CL included—are still questioning the school's desire to start a football program.

With the increase in student fees and the falsely assumed triviality of collegiate athletics in general, it's easy to understand why current GSU students might not be quite as "football-giddy" as the throngs of alumni anxiously...

https://media2.fdncms.com/atlanta/imager/falcons-linebacker-coy-wire-right-not-on/u/original/2032496/1282770491-army.mil-41750-2009-06-18-170654_1_.jpg

• Falcons linebacker Coy Wire (right) not only brings the hammer on the field, but off it as well

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Coy Wire may look like your prototypical football player.

He's intense, he's built like a fire hydrant and he's bald—not sure whether or...

As I sat inside the Georgia Dome press box before kickoff of the Falcons first preseason game of the 2010 season, there was an undeniable sense of energy and excitement stemming from the 65,726 fans in attendance—and this was just a preseason game.

Less than two miles away, 38,602 baseball fans filed into Turner Field to watch the first-place Braves take on the Los Angeles Dodgers.

(Don't...

https://media2.fdncms.com/atlanta/imager/falcons-rookie-lb-sean-weatherspoon-gives/u/original/1973537/1281388799-spoon.jpg

• Falcons rookie LB Sean Weatherspoon says that he knows a thing or two about 'Hotlanta'

"Whooooo."

That's the reaction from newest Atlanta Falcon Sean Weatherspoon when asked about his initial feelings after being drafted 19th overall by his new team back in April....

The Braves (64-47) managed to take three out of four from the visiting San Francisco Giants (63-49) over the weekend and in doing so, improved their league-best home record to 39-15.

However, another mundane performance from Atlanta closer Billy Wagner prevented the Braves from the four-game sweep and a more comfortable three-game division lead.

Wagner hasn't been quite as dominant of late...

(DISCLAIMER: My sincerest apologies to redheads and stepchildren for the disparaging comparisons in the following article. Being one of the latter myself, I'm fully aware of the hardships that my fellow "multi-parented" individuals have long endured. The following remarks were not meant to offend anyone of fair skin tone or people who celebrate every holiday twice.)

When you type the phrase...

The Braves won their first series in nearly two weeks on Wednesday night after a 8-3 victory over the New York Mets and have miraculously maintained their division lead in the N.L. East.

And while Atlanta's struggles with runners in scoring position have been well-documented, there seems to be one key area where the Braves are struggling that few people have recognized.

We all know that...

After Atlanta's worst nine-game stretch (3-6) since late April—when they lost nine consecutive games—there isn't too much for Braves fans to get excited about (making my job harder).

But here goes nothing.

Thanks to an extra-inning victory on Friday night and a Brad Lidge blown save on Saturday, Atlanta avoided a 2-7 road trip and what would be a microscopic division lead of just 0.5...

The Braves lost their second consecutive series for the first time in nearly three months this week in Miami and Washington, D.C., respectively.

This abrupt streak of losing—notice the refrain of the term 'losing streak' as the Braves haven't lost three games in a row since June 22-24 against the White Sox—has caught most fans off-guard, but if you take a closer look at the recent...

The Braves (56-39) reclaimed the National League's best record following their midweek series win over the San Diego Padres (55-39) on Thursday afternoon.

In what very easily could have been a three-game sweep for Atlanta, had it not been for Billy Wagner's fourth blown save of the season, the Braves more or less dominated the weak-hitting Padres who managed to score only seven runs...

https://media1.fdncms.com/atlanta/imager/dont-let-medlens-innocent-demeanor-fool/u/original/1789686/1279816013-kris_medlen.jpg

• Don't let Medlen's innocent demeanor fool you—hidden beneath that ballcap is a shining beacon of wizardry

At first glance, Braves pitcher Kris Medlen may look like your average, everyday baseball player.

Weighing in at 190 pounds of Herculean body mass and...

Two impressive wins sandwiched around two lousy losses equaled one dissatisfying weekend series for the Braves as they returned from the All-Star break looking to maintain their place atop the National League East.

While Atlanta has yet to lose a series at home in over two months, splitting its series against an underachieving Milwaukee team has to somewhat mirror the experience of a...

The Atlanta Braves (52-36) head into the All-Star break sitting in first place in the N.L. Eastern Division and winners of four consecutive inter-divisional series.

But their Sunday afternoon performance against the second-place Mets in Flushing, N.Y., was—rather ironically—a stinker.

Cue the proverbial disappointing horn sound:

In what has been a miraculously entertaining and remarkably...

Cynicism Lineup:
1. What's the rush to 50 W's?
2. Eric Hinske
3. Matt Diaz

—The Braves took two out of three from the three-time defending N.L. East Champion Philadelphia Phillies and, in the process, gave themselves a Chino Cadahia F.U.P.A.-sized cushion of three games over the New York Mets.

This is the fastest that Atlanta has reached the 50-win plateau since 2003—finishing with a record...

Cynicism Lineup:
1. Troy Glaus
2. Yunel Escobar
3. Vuvuzelas

—Glaus, the National League player of the month for May, is batting .125 (6-for-48) since June 13 and was hitless in the series against the Nationals.

Once tabbed as the Braves' unemployed, basement-dwelling uncle, Glaus has seemingly laid claim to that pullout sofa in the Atlanta clubhouse once again as his average has now dropped...

https://media1.fdncms.com/atlanta/imager/braves-looking-to-prove-that-strasburg-21/u/original/1568685/1277753940-straskkid.jpg

• Braves looking to prove that Strasburg, 21, despite his 100-mph fastball, is still just a kid

The Stephen Strasburg Tour hits Atlanta tonight as the young fire-baller looks to continue his absurd domination of "professional" baseball players.

Strasburg is 2-1 with...

Cynicism Lineup:
1. Tommy Hanson
2. Lady Luck
3. Jason Heyward

—For the second cynical recap in a row, "Big Red Letdown" finds himself batting leadoff in the "Cynicism Lineup".

Hanson's performance over his last two starts (21 hits, 15 runs allowed in 7.1 innings pitched) would normally be enough by itself to put him up there, but it's his mental state that has The Cynic concerned.

Hanson,...

Cynicism Lineup:
1. "Big Red" letdown
2. Good outings wasted
3. Andruw gets last laugh

—Tommy Hanson has "gingerly" taken a gigantic step backwards following his impressive rookie campaign that catapaulted him into the third slot in the 2010 starting rotation.

Hanson went 11-4 in his 21 starts in 2009 and posted a boastful 2.89 ERA while striking out 116 in just 127.2 innings of work.

So...

Cynicism Lineup:
1. Jair Jurrjens
2. Dayton Moore
3. Troy Glaus

—Kenshin Kawakami isn't very good.

But with the return of staff ace Jair Jurrjens seemingly on the not-to-distant horizon, Braves fans may not be subject to Kawakami's batting practice performances for much longer.

And with "KK" out of the fifth spot, the rotation should look something like this:
Hudson (2.34 ERA)
Hanson (86...

Cynicism Lineup:
—Kenshin Kawakami
—Hitting with runners on base

When Kenshin Kawakami steps onto the pitching mound, you can expect two things to happen: the Earth will continue its orbit of the sun and the Braves will lose.

Atlanta has won just three of KK's 13 starts in 2010 and his role as the team's fifth starter is quickly becoming an open casting call—especially with the imminent...

• Follow CL Sports on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SportsLoaf

Cynicism Lineup:
—Brian McCann
—Chipper Jones

It should come as no surprise that the Braves No. 3 and 4 hitters find themselves front and center on the "Cynic Radar" this week following yet another underwhelming performance in the Twin Cities.

Run-scoring opportunities are wasting away thanks to weak ground outs, pop ups and...

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Cynic Lineup:

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• Jason Heyward

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• Kenshin Kawakami

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• Martin Prado's left hand

"The Chosen-- Blind One" struggled all weekend in Los Angeles and as a result saw his batting average drop from a respectable .287 to a wimpy .269---thanks to a 2-for-17 series where Heyward struck out eight, count 'em, EIGHT times.

When a batter strikes out four...

image-1Cynicism Lineup:

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• Nate McLouth

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• Brian McCann

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• Peter Moylan

Nate "The Not So Great" McLouth went 0-for-5 against the Phils, dropping his average down to a minuscule .178---over 100 points lower than starting pitcher Tim Hudson's .286 batting average.

McCann, last year's team RBI leader (94), went 1-for-9 and is on pace to drive in less than 70...

image-1Cynicism Nutshell: The Braves (18-19) inched closer to the ever elusive .500 mark over the weekend with their series victory over the lowly Arizona Diamondbacks (15-23).

A rather fortuitous late-inning victory on Friday night and a 13-1 rout on Sunday afternoon were adequate diversions from the Braves' glaring weaknesses despite winning 10 of their last 15 ballgames.

image-1Cynicism Nutshell: For the second time this season, the Atlanta Braves (16-18) were somehow able to pull off a three-game sweep.

And boy did they need it.

Losers of two consecutive series and four of their last six games, the Braves entered Monday's series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers in search of offensive consistency and, more importantly, some wins.

Fortunately...

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Cynicism Nutshell: Following two consecutive inter-divisional series losses, the Braves (13-18) now sit in last place in the N.L. East and are six games behind the division-leading Phillies.

The Atlanta offense ranks 15th (out of 16 teams) in the National League with a .232 team batting average but ranks first in gut-wrenching disappointment—not an official statistic,...

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Cynicism Nutshell: Well it's over. The Braves' nine-game losing steak that hung over the baseball fans of Atlanta like an ominous, black cloud for the past week and a half finally ended with a three-game sweep of the equally abysmal Houston Astros.

No longer does Atlanta claim to have the league's worst offense as the Braves saw their team batting average jump 10 points to...

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The Series Cynic/D.O.W.

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• The Atlanta Braves have lost nine consecutive games and just wrapped up an 0-7 road trip---their first 0-7 road trip since 1949.

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• Their record sits at 8-14 which is good for last place in the NL East.

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• A .228 team batting average is the worst in the National League

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• Jair Jurrjens fell to 0-3 and saw his ERA balloon...

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Nutshell of Cynicism: Losers of two consecutive series and five games in a row, Atlanta (8-10) isn't making my search for cynicism very easy. As the Braves continue to disappoint fans with feeble hitting and amateurish disregard for the rules of the game, my job of ignoring silver linings to unearth the team's fundamental flaws has become near impossible.

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Nutshell of Cynicism: The Atlanta Braves offense continues to sputter and their .229 team batting average-tied for second-lowest in the National League-is a clear testament to that.

Despite hitting two of the most unpredictable home runs in recent memory, Troy "Big Lazy" Glaus and Lil' Nate McLouth remain gaping holes in the Braves' lineup.

It's becoming increasingly...

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This past weekend series against the Colorado Rockies (6-6) was an up-and-down affair for the Atlanta Braves (7-5) inside the friendly confines of Turner Field.

Atlanta enjoyed two victories sandwiched around one rather forgettable loss that seemed to further reveal the Braves' most crippling deficiency at this point of the 2010 season: an epically anemic offense....