Keanu Neal hits you like you owe him money. He sees you, he zeroes in, and you’re on your back before you can figure out why or what day it is. The prodigious punishment he inflicts upon opposing players is a beautiful thing to behold, and unfortunately it’s going to be at least a year before we’re privileged enough to bear witness to it again.
Neal is the sledgehammer of the defense, permanent resident in Willie Snead’s nightmares, and unquestionably one of the best additions to the Falcons in a long, long time. His twice-buckling knee on Thursday night was a tragic reminder that demi-gods are still part human, and the Falcons are now forced into the daunting position of replacing the irreplaceable.