5 THINGS TO KNOW

1. 4 years, $38M for Falcons’ Alford

Falcons cornerback Robert Alford signed a $38-million four-year contract extension with the team on Thursday. The contract would make him the 12th-highest-paid cornerback in 2016 and has $21 million in guaranteed money. Falcons coach Dan Quinn has shown extreme patience and support for Alford, who was stacking up penalties at an alarming rate earlier this season. He has improved his play lately. Alford was in the final year of his four-year $3.4 million rookie contract.

2. Junior cleared for new year

NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr., who missed the final 18 races of last season because of a concussion, has been medically cleared to return next year. Hendrick Motorsports said Earnhardt will take part in the seasonopening Daytona 500. Doctors cleared the 42-yearold driver Wednesday.

3. Braves, Rangers swap prospects

The Braves traded pitching prospects Tyrell Jenkins (2-4, 5.88 in 14 appearances) and lefty reliever Brady Feigl to the Rangers for hard-throwing right-handed reliever Luke Jackson on Thursday. A former first-round draft pick, Jackson can touch 100 mph but still needs to harness his control. He had a 10.80 ERA in eight outings.

4. Braves’ unique job offer

A college graduate? Physically fit? Willing to strike a pose with children and cameras? The Braves may want you for team mascot. According to the job description on the Braves’ job board, the role requires more than prancing around the stadium for 81 games. The representative of the Braves brand must have good business acumen and will be in charge of managing more than 200 appearances throughout the year.

5. Owls to open at Samford

The Kennesaw State football team, which just completed a eight-win season, released its 2017 schedule Thursday. Kennesaw State opens on Thursday, Aug. 31, at Samford, while the home opener at Fifth Third Bank Stadium is slated for the following Saturday (Sept. 9) versus Tennessee Tech. The Owls non-conference schedule also includes home games versus North Greenville (Sept. 30) and Texas Southern (Oct. 7).