XFL open thread: What do you think about the XFL so far?

The XFL kicked off Saturday with two entertaining games featuring some former Falcons. Another day of football — as close as we can get to it in the NFL offseason — fires up Sunday.

The Tampa Bay Vipers take on the New York Guardians at 2 p.m. ET. Former Falcons DT Joey Mbu will be on the field for New York. CB Jalen Collins and S Marcelis Branch are two familiar names on the Vipers’ roster. Former Falcons WR Freddie Martino will suit up for the Dallas Renegades in the late game against the St. Louis Battlehawks at 5 p.m. ET.

One of the most notable things from the first day of XFL play was how much better the pace of play is compared to the NFL. The play clock is only 25 seconds, which moves things along. Reviews are fewer and farther between (only requiring one foot inbounds to confirm possession helps with this, too).

The quality of play also seems to be superior to that which we saw in the now-defunct AAF. So far, the XFL seems like an entertaining option in these long, long months without the NFL.

If you want a more in-depth look at how the new XFL came together, you can check out the conversation Blogging the Boys’ RJ Ochoa and I had with Oliver Luck (yes, Andrew’s dad is the XFL commissioner) on Super Bowl LIV’s Radio Row.

Use this thread to discuss today’s games, the former Falcons on the field, and your thoughts on the XFL so far.