No change...

The meaner Matt Ryan sporting the new Nike uniform: Photo Atlantafalcons.com

So the unveiling of the new 2012 NFL Nike uniforms have come and gone. And well, as many of us expected, no change. The only change I saw with the Atlanta Falcons uniforms is instead of the Reebok logo, it's the Nike logo. So with the design no different, what is new about the uniforms other than the Nike swoosh on the sleeves and pants? Word is its how they feel. A looser material that is cooler and lets the sweat breathe. In a sport that you are covered from helmet to cleat, with an added 10-15 to your weight with all the extra padding, this is important. If I had to choose a new uniform for the team, I would have chosen the throwback uniform, with red helmet and current logo. My second choice would just leave the uniform the same, which is what they did. Nike did a great job with not messing with the NFL tradition, unless the team wanted to tweak their uniform. Seattle Seahawks, as many suspected, was the only team the had a drastic change. My opinion is their new uniforms look like college. It's left up to see what they look like in action. Commissioner Roger Goodell, on hand for the unveling, stated that they wanted to leave the uniforms the way they were. And in a couple years make little changes if the teams so desire. All the players that I heard interview said they like the new uniforms and they do feel better. The uniforms have a tighter feel to them, which could lead to lesser holding penalties. Me being old school and like the tradition. But a lot of these younger players do not know this tradition, except from word of mouth. So I kind of wonder if they did want to spice up the uniforms a little, but just saying the right thing to to stay in good favor with their team and the NFL.But again, maybe they do like them. The NFL has come out to say that alternate uniforms will be coming out soon, but there is no timetable. The time will be determined by the team and the design will be determined by the team as well. The Pittsburgh Steelers and St. Louis Rams have noted that they will make changes to their alternate uniforms from what was worn last year.

If I was making the decision, my choice of the Atlanta Falcons Nike uniform

New, but yet same helmet: Photo CBSSports.com Will Brinson

All the new Nike merchandise is now on sale with the authentic jerseys on sale beginning April 15. This is just in time for the NFL draft where the players will be sporting off the new looks of their respective teams. So now all the buzz that really wasn't buzz can be set aside, and we can get ready for the draft beginning April 26-28 in NYC Radio City Music Hall

Mark A. Kirkley: twitter @makirkley