FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The blank stare Marquand Manuel wears as he emerges from the Atlanta Falcons' locker room on any given game day is intimidating.
Bose SoundLink II wireless headphones cover Manuel's ears as he shifts into his "zone" by meditating to the old-school R&B sounds of Teddy Pendergrass. Shortly afterward, Manuel starts to nod his head emphatically as he picks up his jogging pace, mouthing the lyrics of 2Pac's "Against All Odds" as he makes his trek around the stadium.
Nike gloves cover Manuel's hands as if he's one of the receivers set to catch passes from Matt Ryan.