From prep to the pros Extra Points will bring you reactions to sports biggest local and regional stories on a weekly basis.
DESHAUN WATSON LOOKED THE PART
First and foremost, did you all see that man walk into NRG Stadium in a tuxedo? I suppose formal attire was fitting though considering Thursday was somewhat of a coronation for Watson. His numbers in his first start - an eventual win against Cincinnati - weren’t eye-popping, but his poise was attention-grabbing to say the least. Many have pointed to his 49-yard touchdown run as the highlight that best indicates Watson’s readiness, but to me it was an entirely different play that goes back to what grabbed my attention about his performance in the first place, his poise. I don’t remember quarter, down and distance or anything of the sort, but Watson approached the line, read the defense, called an audible, called for the snap, didn’t like something he saw so he called another audible, saw the play clock winding down and called a timeout with about one second remaining. For a rookie quarterback in his first start to not only have the presence of mind to react pre-snap to the defense twice, but also keep an eye on the clock and then burn a timeout instead of try and make something happen is a good sign. It’s been said by Texans coach Bill O’Brien that Watson is ahead of where most rookies are at the same career juncture, it was proven on that play and exciting to see.
GEORGIA DOES WHAT IT SHOULD HAVE DONE
Nobody should get high on Georgia based on it beating Samford, however, the fact that the Bulldogs dominated a team they should dominate is a good thing, especially considering what came before and what comes next. The Bulldogs weren’t caught in an emotional lull after a big win against Notre Dame, nor were they caught looking ahead to what we now know is going to be a marquee matchup against No. 17 Mississippi State. Coaches preach “one game at a time,” all of the time, but even the best get caught relishing in the rearview or dreaming of glories to come. It was good to see the Bulldogs locked in on an opponent they could have gotten by with overlooking. It was even better to see the ball get handed to Nick Chubb more than anyone else, in my humble opinion.
FALCONS PICK UP RIGHT WHERE THEY LEFT OFF…KIND OF
In the context of who the Falcons have become under Dan Quinn, Atlanta did not look like itself in Week 1 against the Bears. The offense struggled to produce in Chicago and that sent off panic waves Georgia-…wait…Atlanta-wide especially considering the front-row seats of the struggle bus Matty Ice and the boys occupied for most of the preseason. That said, while welcoming opponents, fans and the country into the Mercedes Benz Stadium on Sunday night, the Falcons also welcomed back their offense. The 34-23 win against the Packers was as laughable as the NFC title game, and became so more quickly than the January game. Matt Ryan was accurate, Julio Jones got his 100, Devonta Freeman scored and the defense made Aaron Rodgers look like Mike Glennon, something they had a hard time doing against, you know, Mike Glennon. When it comes to the NFL, you should read as much into Week 1 as you do any of the preseason games. With as little as the starters are asked to contribute in live game action throughout preseason, the rust still exists for them in the first few weeks, unless you’re Tom Brady. Tom Brady did not look rusty Sunday against my Saints “defense.”
BRIAN SNITKER SHOULD BE FIRED
No, he shouldn't. If the Braves are supposed to be contenders and fall short in 2017 fashion, my tune will change. Braves fans were given false hope when the team was vying for favorable wild card positioning in and around the All-Star break, but the truth is it's still an organization in rebuild. Yes, you can make sweet tasting lemonade out of sour lemons, however, one rotten lemon squeezed can derail the whole thing (Bartolo Colon, Jim Johnson, the pitching staff's inconsistency as a whole, Dansby Swanson most games, Freddie Freeman's injury, you get the point).
QUICK HITTERS
- Alexi Lalas was right, you know? This generation's version of the US Men's National Team has more at its disposal than any other version has, but has done less. Is it embarassing to be called out by one of the all-time greats? I'm sure it is. But his comments shouldn't be taken by Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley and the guys as an old man shouting at them to get off his lawn. Looking in the mirror is hard, especially when you're searching for what is making you fall short time and time again.
- I was pulling for the Cleveland Indians to keep the streak going and break the all-time wins-in-a-row record. While Cleveland doesn't have a lot of championships to show for being a great sports town, it is one, and sport is made better when teams with already incredibly passionate fan bases get them even more riled up by going for a historical mark the way the Indians were.
- Clay Travis is click bait personified; stop clicking and he'll go away, or change his antagonistic outlook one.
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