Professional Sports

General manager Thomas Dimitroff and coach Mike Smith have promised to give the Atlanta Falcons a physical brand of football.

Ashley Force beat father John on Sunday in the NHRA Southern Nationals in Commerce to become the first female driver to win a national Funny Car event.

Horford doesn't look like a rookie!

NEW YORK -- John Smoltz left Atlanta's 6-3 loss to the New York Mets on Sunday with what he called "discomfort" in his throwing shoulder. The Braves right-hander allowed four runs and seven hits in a season-low four innings. He also gave up his first two home runs of the season.

TALLADEGA, ALABAMA -- Kyle Busch came back from a lap down, then survived a near wreck with Jamie McMurray for his first win at Talladega. It was won under caution when a 12-car accident brought out the yellow flag on the final lap, freezing the field and allowing Busch to slowly make his way across the finish line - a rare completion considering his history at the track.

ATLANTA -- Kanstantin Sivtsov of Belarus, racing in the United States for the first time, won the Tour de Georgia while his teammate, New Zealand's Thomas Henderson, won the race's final stage.

NEW YORK -- Carlos Delgado turned boos into a standing ovation with his first two-homer game in almost a year, leading the New York Mets to a 6-3 win over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday.

BRASSTOWN BALD MOUNTAIN -- Kanstantin Sivtsov of Belarus, competing in the United States for the first time, pedaled to a surprising mountain stage win Saturday and became the fourth overall leader of the Tour de Georgia.

ATLANTA -- Led by high-flying Josh Smith, the Atlanta Hawks finally showed they can beat the Boston Celtics. Good timing. Smith scored 27 points - and give him a perfect 10 in his own personal dunking contest - to lead the Hawks to a 102-93 victory Saturday night that breathed life into their long-shot playoff hopes.

BRASELTON