Pepsi is pouring it on in Coke’s house — injecting som

ATLANTA (AP) —e fizz into its biggest rivalry during the buildup to the Super Bowl.While the visitors had called for a “cola truce” on social media with the NFL title game in the shadows of its competitor’s Atlanta-based headquarters Youth Terry Godwin Jersey , it seems to have been more of a Trojan Horse subterfuge designed to lure Coke into lowering its defenses.Billboards all around Atlanta call for Pepsi to “paint the town blue” and announce “Pepsi in Atlanta — how refreshing.”“I’d say Pepsi’s had a great heritage of being a challenger brand,” Todd Kaplan, Pepsi’s vice president of marketing, said Thursday. “The Pepsi-Coke rivalry has been going on for years. As a marketer, it’s been a fun, friendly kind of a thing. As a challenger brand, it’s really embracing the role to show everybody we’re the official NFL sponsor. Do it in a fun way with a competitor that we respect.”But while Pepsi has been intent on having fun at Coke’s expense, Coke will be tapping into its home-field advantage: Because it owns the “pouring rights” at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Coke products will be for sale at the fountains during the game between the Patriots and Rams. But the drinks will be served in NFL-themed Super Bowl cups.That hasn’t deterred Pepsi. The company, based in Purchase, New York, wheeled a life-sized statue of its founder, Caleb Bradham, in broad daylight to toast a soda with none other than the statue of Coca-Cola founder John Pemberton. The meeting came just outside the World of Coke museum in downtown Atlanta.And it didn’t last long.Pepsi was asked to leave a few minutes after setting up on the Coke property that’s located just a couple of blocks from the stadium.But Coke believes it has home-field advantage and has gone out of its way to stay above the fray.“I think certainly they came and they used Atlanta as an opportunity to have an Atlanta-focused message, and what I would say is that we have a message that is uniquely Coca-Cola,” said Brynn Bardacke, vice president of content and creative excellence for Coca-Cola North America. “I think we’re going to leave the rumbling to the football.“We’re going to use our advertising to talk about what’s important to the brand.”The latest chapter in the decades-long rivalry between Coke, the longtime leader in worldwide soda sales Blue Michael Palardy Jersey , and its not-quite-as-massive rival has been entertaining.Ask almost anyone around Atlanta — anywhere, really — and they have very strong opinions about the soda giants.Mark Meek, a Carolina Panthers fan from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, wasted no time choosing a side.“I like being the little guy, fighting for his place in the world,” he said. “I like it because it’s from my home state and we’ve got a little rivalry thing going with Georgia anyway. I like Lowe’s more than Home Depot. I like Pepsi more than I like Coke. I like the Panthers more than I like the Falcons. I like Bojangles more than I like Chick-Fil-A.”His friend Keith Priest, also Panthers fan from Winston-Salem, is a Coke man all the way.“Pepsi’s too sweet, way too sweet,” he said. “The carbonation seems better in a Coke. Every now and then I’ll get Cherry Coke, but other than that, it’s always just Coke.”Lest anyone forget that, Coke has bought the time slot right before the national anthem to roll out its big Super Bowl ad, “A Coke is a Coke,” a strategic move it would’ve made regardless of Pepsi being in his hometown.“Well, we are here to welcome everybody to the city, Pepsi included Michael Palardy Jersey 2019 ,” Bardacke said. “Our effort is really focused on what our brand is and means to people and really what we offer. The message at a high level is that Coke is for everyone.”Maybe so, but not for Kaplan. Pepsi knows where it stands in pecking order, and has launched a marketing campaign that Pepsi is “more than OK.”“Every day there’s a cultural truth that people get asked this question when they’re in a restaurant.” Kaplan said. “Sometimes they will order our competitor’s beverage and they’ll be asked the question, ‘Is Pepsi OK?’ That’s a question that, for years, people get asked, and we wanted to take that truth and flip it on its head. Absolutely, Pepsi is more than OK.”But not for Atlanta resident Jack Jessen.“You’ve got to go with the hometown teams,” he said. “Coke and Falcons.”For Houston resident Zephra Belle, there’s no way she’s drinking Coke.“I’m Team Pepsi all the way,” she said. “It’s sweeter. It makes me feel better. I haven’t adjusted to Coke. I don’t understand the Coke people.” It was announced yesterday that Mississippi State defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons won’t be receiving an invite to the NFL Combine. Simmons’ off field history dates back to 2016 when a video surfaced of him repeatedly punching a female (viewer discretion advised). The incident took place before Simmons took the field for the Bulldogs. There are reports that Simmons has rehabilitated his image in Starkville during the past three years.Only time will tell if Simmons has actually repaired his image off the field, but on the field he possesses a desirable skill set. As I mentioned in my scouting report on Russell Wren, the Panthers have questions at defensive tackle. They have invested more than enough resources into the position, but the production was unacceptable last season. Pass rushSimmons’ physical profile is excellent. He possess a large stout frame with plenty of length. He only managed two sacks in 2018, but he was responsible for thirty two pressures.This was the best pass rush I saw from Simmons in the four games I watched. He uses an effective swat and arm over move to beat the center. Simmons has a repertoire of counters in his arsenal, which bodes well for his future. Simmons uses a one arm bull rush to collapse the quarterback and affect the throw. This pure power is appealing, but the ability to make this play on pass rushing downs inflates Simmons’ value.Simmons gets the quarterback off his spot on this play. He swats the guard’s hands away, avoids the help block by the running back Daryl Williams Jersey 2019 , and then chases the quarterback out of the pocket to force a throw away. Simmons displays violent hand movement, athleticism to elude the running back, and a non stop motor to chase the quarterback.Simmons rarely attacks the offensive line without a counter. He starts with a bull rush, but he transitions with a rip move to get right in the quarterback’s face. Simmons is also a smart player. He immediately picks up on the middle screen to target the running back, which forces a minimal gain. Run defenseDefending the run was where Simmons made his money in Starkville. He has terrific lateral movement, leverage, and flexibility to defend against zone and power concepts. Simmons eludes the reach block, but he’s able to work laterally through multiple gaps to force a tackle for loss. His tackling can be inconsistent, so he has to finish better once he enters the league. He finishes perfectly on this play, though.Simmons avoids the short reach block on this play, but he’s also able to use his leverage to continue moving for the finish. Simmons’ diagnoses run concepts well too. He stays low to the ground before pursing and finishing on the quarterback.Fit with CarolinaWithout question, Simmons has to answer to the red flags regarding his off field incident in 2016. If teams are willing to believe Simmons has learned from his actions in 2016, his talent deserves top 10 consideration. His production is a concern, but there were enough dominant plays where he was close to finishing sacks and tackles for loss. The Panthers might not have the option of selecting Simmons, but if they do prioritize repairing the defensive line then drafting him would be an ideal start.