Yesterday, I took mini to the ATL/Carolina game. Been to one NFL game in my life and that had to be 30 years ago. A few observations:
*The Falcons were cringeworthy bad. Very pleasing to Uncle Sani. Horrific on both sides of the ball. Nothing positive at all to say.
*The Panthers were the complete opposite. Dominant on both sides of the ball from start to finish.
*Cam was the best player on the field by a long shot. No bias. He just was. Ran it well and threw with pinpoint accuracy. Stats would have been better had Kelvin Benjamin not dropped several right in his mitts.
*Luke Kuechly is just plain badass. In on everything.
*Very surprised at the atmosphere as far as the fans go. Thousands of Carolina fans there and very vocal. Atlanta fans were extremely vocal too....until the game started. Oh, and if you go to an NFL game, apparently the standard, even required attire...is a jersey. 70,000 jerseys.
*Loved the pace of the game. The NFL gets to it. No bands at half time. The players run off. Someone puts on a little entertainment, in this case a trampoline show, and the teams get back after it.
*Give me the college atmosphere every time, though. Since there are no bands, no real cheers, no real traditions, they feel like they have to blast something through the speakers at eardrum shattering decibels between EVERY SINGLE PLAY. Got real old after about one quarter.
*Wore my AU gear and got War Eagle'd about 30 times. Very satisfying.
*Now, for the sack-relij. I went over there for the experience. Pulled for the Falcons but wanted to see Cam throw for 400 and rush for 200. He didn't do that but he certainly didn't disappoint either. However, if Cam wasn't our guy. If we didn't feel like we "know" him, he'd be my least favorite NFL player. No wonder the Saints tried to beat his ass. You're the QB and leader of an NFL team. You don't have to put on a display after every first down. He does. It's really a cool gesture that you grab every TD ball and give it to a fan. But we don't need an 8 second seizure dance and Superman, rip the suit open move before you do it. Then he runs around the perimeter of the field and jumps between two guys on the sideline.
I know, I know...all these NFL guys do it. But for the most part, the most you get out of the established QB's is a Discount Double Check. There's enthusiasm, then there's....ME!!!!!! Like I said, if he wasn't our guy...
*Anyway, been there, done that now as far as the Falcons go. Would like to give another pro team a shot. Anyone been to a venue they'd recommend?
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