Sep 24, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions players take the field before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
During their week three matchup, the Detroit Lions hosted the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field. Like any NFL game I cover, I arrived early to beat the traffic. The way I look at it is, I’d rather leave early and sit in the stadium being productive than leaving later and get caught in traffic.
Another reason I like to arrive early is because the players, coaches and owners are all out on the field a couple of hours before the game. As Matthew Stafford was warming up the Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank came over to speak with him. Additionally, Stafford’s wife, Kelly, surprised him by bring their twin daughters to the game.
Sep 24, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank talks to Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) before the game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY SportsSep 24, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) kisses his wife and daughters before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
After the warm ups, the teams head back up into the locker rooms before coming down for the game. This gives me a few minutes to run back up to the photographers workroom and send some pregame pictures. After sending some images, it is time to run back down to the tunnel to wait for the teams to take the field.
Sep 24, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Atlanta Falcons kicker Matt Bryant (3) and long snapper Josh Harris (47) and punter Matt Bosher (5) walk to the field before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY SportsSep 24, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions players take the field before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
After the introductions, it is game time! One of the first items on my checklist every game is to get each quarterback dropping back to pass. I try to get these images in the first drive and then run back up to the workroom to send the images.
Sep 24, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) drops back to pass during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
After that the key things I have to pay attention to are the touchdowns, injuries, key leaders for the game, etc. Here are some of those images.
Sep 24, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones (11) is unable to complete a pass as Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert Alford (23) applies pressure during the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY SportsSep 24, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Eric Ebron (85) is tackled by Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert Alford (23) during the game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY SportsSep 24, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) goes after a lose ball during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY SportsSep 24, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) in a huddle during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY SportsSep 24, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) celebrates with offensive guard T.J. Lang (76) and offensive guard Graham Glasgow (60) during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY SportsSep 24, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Lastly, once the game is over I run out onto the field to catch the handshakes.
Sep 24, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell and Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn after the game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
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