I always slept a little better/deeper when my Doberman was alive and sleeping on the first floor after he did bed-check. I'd hear him walking down the stairs and plunking down in the middle of the hall and off I'd go...Maroon knows what he is, versus what he used to be, verus what he's here for now.
As I watched that game last night, I realized how badly this team needed toughness the last few seasons, given its intangible benefits. There's something soothing about knowing he's in the lineup.