The Clipboard duty ACC preview

There are a lot of ways you could look at the Atlantic Coast Conference for 2010. New coaches have come in (Jimbo Fisher at FSU, Mike London at Virginia), and several coaches that could be heading out (Ralph Friedgen at Maryland, Tom O'Brien at NC State). There are very good quarterbacks (Tyrod Taylor at VaTech, Jacory Harris at Miami), great runners (Joshua Nesbitt of GT), and fantastic receivers (Donovan Varner at Duke).

However, the conference will be decided by who can shut out distractions and just play the best football they possibly can. There is no question the conference is a basketball conference which just so happens to be good at football here and there. I do believe that there are a couple teams that could be great. Lets start with each division.

ATLANTIC DIVISION:

Florida State Seminoles: Last Year 7-6 (4-4)

Whether you believe that Bobby Bowden was fired, pushed, resigned, retired... it was time to go. The program he basically created had become third in the state of Florida. Usually, that still means you have the guns to compete. However, you wonder what restraints Bowden put on his coaches. Jimbo Fischer has already taken those restraints and thrown them away. Practices have quicker paces, there are new assistants that have brought in new systems, and there is new accountability. Does that mean this team will be better? Probably, however it may take a while to see it. Christian Ponder will have to be healthy from a faulty shoulder in order to match the numbers he had last year, which happened to lead the ACC in total offense. Offensively this team will be stacked at both the running back and wideouts. Jermaine Thomas will still be able to run like he did last year, and Bert Reed and Jarmon Fortson will replace the void from Rod Owens' graduation. Mark Stoops is in to run a defense that only has one way to go from being 108th last year. There is some depth questions at secondary, but there will be improvement.

Boston College Eagles: Last Year 8-5 (5-3)

They have the greatest story in college football this year with the return of LB Mark Herzlich from his battle with Ewing's Sarcoma (bone cancer), a very easy schedule, and a defense that doesn't let you run the ball and keeps you out of the end zone. So what's not to like? Well... there are the quarterback questions. Former Twins farmhand Dave Shinskie will get the first shot being the incumbent, but Justin Tuggle will be a option if Shinskie keeps throwing interceptions. Easier said than done with a very young wide receiver corp. The offense will go as long as Montel Harris stays healthy. The line is pretty solid, so I would think Harris can go for a 1300 yard season again. Defensively, this team must get sacks. The secondary was much better than numbers told you because this line, while able to stop any rushing attack, couldn't get a sack when they needed it. They get Virginia Tech and Notre Dame on back to back weeks at home, and if they get through there 4-0, they will have the confidence needed to be a top 10 team.

Clemson Tigers: Last year 9-5 (6-2)

Dabo Sweeney got the most out of his team last year, and it culminated with a division title. However, you lose C.J. Spiller and Jacoby Ford, and you have a very tough time replacing playmakers and leaders. I like Kyle Parker a lot, but the thought of him embracing being the BMOC will never be there with the lingering baseball playing time over his head. Plus, there are a lot of young players at wide receiver and tight end to replace. With no real option at running back yet, Parker will have to bear the load till playmakers emerge. That also puts a lot of pressure on this defense, which was alright last year but will have to be better in order for the Tigers to be winners. The line will have to anchor this team, with Jarvis Jenkins and Miguel Chavis having to be the cornerstones.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons: Last Year 5-7 (3-5)

Jim Grobe's team was one of if not the most unluckiest teams last year. There were countless fumbles, penalties, a muffed punt... well, if you're a fan, you know. To further the issue, this year's team will be one of the youngest ones in FBS. A combination of Skylar Jones and Brendan Cross will replace 4 year starter Riley Skinner at quarterback. Grobe will be hoping that Josh Adams returns to his ACC newcomer of the year status to help out at running back. If you see Jones at quarterback, don't be suprised to see Brandon Pendergrass at running back with him. It could easily be the fastest backfield duo in the conference. There are three great receivers in Marshall Williams, Devon Brown, and Chris Givens to throw to. With a iffy offensive line, look for a lot of perimiter plays and such to get the ball around. The defense will have to get better in the secondary to compete better, and with the trial-by-fire from last year, there is no doubt that there will be improvement.

North Carolina State Wolfpack: Last Year 5-7 (2-6)

The pressure to win in Raleigh is clearly on Tom O'Brien this year. While the schedule offers no favors, I do think, with the issues at Chapel Hill and finally being healthy, he will be alright come January. Russell Wilson is the real deal, and there is a stable of wideouts available starting with Jarvis Williams and Owen Spencer. With the line issues and the uncertainty at running back, this team will have to throw to win. This team must improve defensively from allowing 31 ppg last year. T.J Graham will easily be the premier return man in the ACC again, and Josh Czajkowski is as close to money as they come. For O'Brien to return in 2011, he better be.

Maryland Terrapins: Last Year 2-10 (1-7)

How Ralph Friedgen kept his job, I am still trying to figure out. Maybe he has pictures, blackmail.. I really don't know. This team will be much more experienced this season, however that won't make them necessarily better skill wise. The strength of the team is at linebacker, with Alex Wujack, Darin Drakeford, and Adrian Moten doing work back there. Offensively, wide receiver is and will be the deepest and most talented. Da'Rell Scott and Davin Meggett will be only as good as a experienced yet young line will let them be. Opening against Navy and West Virginia will not help Fridge keep his job.


COASTAL DIVISION

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: Last Year 11-3 (7-1)

Nobody laughs at Paul Johnson now. Oh, they did when he thought he could bring the double wing option to the ACC. With their first outright conference title since the national title year of 1990, he has brought back life to the Ramblin Wreck. Offensively, they run till till you put 11 in the box, then run some more. Joshua Nesbitt will be the catylist once again, running and throwing for over 2700 yards last year. Expect Anthony Allen to continue the number Jonathan Dwyer came up with. Johnson hired Al Groh to run the defense that was okay, but nothing spectacular last year. He will change to a 3-4 this year, with the main issue replacing ACC defender of the year Derrick Morgan. Expect the secondary to be the strength of the defense. The game in Blacksburg Nov. 4th will be for the division title and possibly have national championship implications for the Yellow Jackets.

Virginia Tech Hokies: Last Year 10-3 (6-2)

Most teams wish they could compete for a conference and national championship while rebuilding. And yet, the Hokies seem to have not done a lot with what they have had available to them. Tyrod Taylor is back, and is looking to finally provide a consistant offense for Frank Beamer. Ryan Williams led the ACC in rushing last year, and Darren Evans returns from a torn ACL to make the attack even more potent. There is youth on defense, but when has Bud Foster ever had a bad unit, age be damned? The opening game against Boise State at FedEx Field will either make the national title hopes rise or crash to the ground. The conference schedule isn't very forgiving (games at GT, NC, Miami) but expect VaTech to be in the mix come December.

Miami Hurricanes: Last Year 9-4 (5-3)

The contract extention finally came to Randy Shannon after a 9 win season, and this team could be even better this season. This team is starting to look physically like the great Miami teams of the 2000's, fast and physical on both sides of the ball. Jacory Harris will still be the man that will lead the offense, throwing to proven playmakers Leonard Hankerson and LaRon Byrd. The defense is loaded in the front seven but shaky in the secondary where they were lit up like the Rockerfeller Christmas Tree during the spring game by everyone but Harris. Matt Bosher is probably the best all-around kicker east of the Mississippi. Games at Ohio State and Pittsburgh will tell soon if this team is going to be as good as last year's group was.

North Carolina Tar Heels: Last Year 8-5 (4-4)

Butch Davis loves to just stockpile talent. Pretty easy with John Blake on your staff to do that. That being said, the NCAA also has an interest in Blake, and that's never good for your program. The Heels are loaded on defense, which will be good with Marvin Austin and Robert Quinn anchoring this line (that's if the NCAA doesn't find anything to keep them out). Quan Sturvant and Bruce Carter are first round draft picks at linebacker. The reason that the Heels have not gone farther is because of an anemic (at best) offense. T.J. Yates is back at quarterback and tight end Zack Pianalto return, along with Ryan Houston who was a nice suprise after injuried depleted the running back spot. Opening against LSU, Georgia Tech, and at Rutgers will test this offense quickly. If there are issues after three games, expect Davis' seat to get very hot very quickly. Carolina doesn't like to lose, and with the NCAA wanting some answers about Blake and Austin, this could get out of hand for Butch easily.

Duke Blue Devils: Last Year 5-7 (3-5)

I really like what David Cutcliffe has done with Duke football. I feel like he wasn't appreciated at Ole Miss, and he is going to show what he can do at Durham. The facilities are getting a much needed facelift, and the team is really competitive for the first time in a while. Donovan Varner is a stud at receiver in a defensively stout division. Sean Renfree is a classic drop back passer who will have Varner and two veteran tight ends to use. However, this team MUST run better to be a threat (last year's rushing leader for Duke was Desmond Scott with 262 yards.). The defense will be young and inexperieced, as graduation and dismissals have thinned out all spots, especially on the line. I expect Duke to make a bowl game this year, and with Alabama coming to town Sept. 18 for a nationally televised game, the exposure will only help Cutcliffe get the Blue Devils even better in the future.

Virginia Cavaliers: Last Year 3-9 (2-6)

Mike London comes into Virginia with a FCS title at Richmond. He knows how to win, but with what Al Groh left him, lets hope he has patience too. This is the third offensive system in as many years in Charlottesville, and the defense will go back to a 4-3. There will be some passing done, as Marc Verica will have a pretty deep wideout crew to throw it to. The defense will not be great, but will get better as players get acclimated to new spots in a new scheme. Without a lot of time to save the recruiting class (only 17 signed, what a concept Houston Nutt!), there will be some lean times for Virginia. They will be better next year, and London has to just make sure they stay focused on the process of becoming a good team.


PREDICTIONS:

Atlantic: Florida State

Coastal: Georgia Tech

Conference Winner:  Georgia Tech


The Wreck will be the champion in a very competitive yet rebuilding themed conference. I think Virginia Tech is too green on defense, and Miami is not good enough in the secondary to turn the corner this year. Florida State will have a great rennisance with Jimbo Fisher running the show. However, Paul Johnson has too much discipline in his offense and program to just fold under pressure.

Player of the year: Joshua Nesbitt, Georgia Tech

Coach of the year: Jimbo Fischer, Florida State

The Clipboard Big East Preview

For a conference that was very good about three years ago, the Big East has fallen on hard times football-wise. From RichRod's failure to take West Virginia to powerhouse status, to Cincinatti going belly-up after Brian Kelly walked away from a undefeated team going to the Sugar Bowl, there has been more wimper than bang at the end of the year. Without a real dominant team this year, I can't really see anyone in this league doing much of anything unless you go on a game-by-game basis.

Contenders:

Connecticut Huskies: Last year 8-5 (3-4)

There was a lot of heartache last year with this team. Not only was there a lot of close games that didn't go Randy Edsall's way, the October death of Jasper Howard made a lot of things come into perspective for such a young team. However, the Huskies stayed the course and finished with a very respectable 8 win season. Virtually every starter comes back, starting with Zack Fraser leading an offense that wasn't bad at all (31.2 ppg, 27th overall in FBS). However, this team will live and die with the secondary, which was a little green last year. Maturity and Edsall's leadership will help this team contend, along with a pretty favorable schedule. They do open at Michigan, and with how everyone in Ann Arbor walking on eggshells to see RichRod finally open with a win, the victory is their's for the taking.

Cincinatii Bearcats: Last year 12-1 (7-0)

Oh, Brian Kelly.. what I would have given to see you go against Florida in the Sugar Bowl. But alas, you had to run to $outh Bend where you needed to get started. There will be two constants from 2009 that will stay in Cincinatti. That Zack Collaros will be just as good if not better than he was while replacing a injured Tony Pike, and how the defense has little to zero depth. Butch Davis will be going to a 3-4, but it won't matter if they are still bad in the secondary. Expect to play the overs a lot from this team, especially when they play in Norman.


Pittsburgh Panthers: Last year 10-3 (5-2)

Remember a couple of years ago when we thought Dave Wannestet was going to go the way of Bill Callahan and flame out as another guy who should stay in the NFL? He's actually done very well now, but there is a consensus that he just can't take the next step. Tino Sunseri steps in to replace much maligned Bill Stull. Expect this defense to be just as good as it was last year, which will be needed because this offense will struggle with interior line issues. Yes, they have Dion Lewis. But it won't matter behind this line. It also doesn't help to start your season at Utah either.

West Virginia Mountaineers: Last year 9-4 (5-2)

Dear Bill Stewart, the natives are restless! They won't care if Geno Smith is a Sophomore, they want to win. Noel Devine is going to have to make or break you, because I have no clue who you expect to throw it to. Defensively, you're going to have to be as good as you think you will be. While I think you will be better than people think, your best way to prove it is going to Death Valley Sept. 25th.

Pretenders:


South Florida Bulls: Last Year 8-5 (3-4)

Jim Leavitt built a lot of this program. Unfortuanely, temper tantrum and beating kids got him a infinite day pass away. I'm not a Skip Holtz fan (i'm not a Holtz fan period, but that's another show), but it's too hard to overlook what they lost on defense. Pierre-Paul, Selvie, and Allen? Gone. Matt Grothe? Gone. B.J. Daniels does have some experience coming back, and they will be closer than people think, but opening with Stony Brook, followed by going to the Swamp will not treat this team well. However, the rest of the out of conference schedule will get them ready for the meat of the schedule.

Syracuse Orangemen: Last Year 4-8 (1-6)

Doug Marone, damnit, you are trying hard! You will probably be 3-1 going into conference play, but not having Delone Carter will hurt you when the weather gets cold and you have to move out of the toasty air of the CarrierDome. Ryan Nassib is a step up from a unwanted Duke point guard, but I can't see you being too much better this year. The max for this team would just to make a bowl game, which would be better than anything Greg Robinson ever did for you.

Louisville Cardinals: Last Year 4-8 (1-6)

Charlie Strong is a great hire for the other team in Kentucky. He is a great offensive mind who can make anything happen.. and even he will have his hands and a dumptruck full trying to get this team over 20 ppg. Adam Froman will get the keys to the Edsel first, but I have a feeling there will be much to see from Justin Burke. With a new offensive scheme and two good runners in Jeremy Wright and Victor Anderson, they will be better, even if the defense can't stop anyone (which they wont).

Rutgers Scarlet Knights: Last Year 9-4 (3-4)

Greg Schiano is a good coach, but it also just seems like he's waiting for JoePa to finally retire from Penn State so he can get out of Jersey. This team came out like champs but fizzled badly last year, and it doesn't help that three offensive line starters need to be replaced. If they can show anything of a running game, Tom Savage will do his thing and be able to move this offense. The schedule helps early (recurring theme with this conference, no?), but when all your tough conference games are on the road, you better be able to move the line of scrimmage on both sides. I don't think they will be able to.

BT'S CONFERENCE WINNER: West Virginia

The differnce that sets WVU over UConn and Pittsburgh is the defense. Bill Stewart has a hot seat in Morgantown (hotter than it should be, because RichRod is coming back?)and will win at Pittsburgh on Nov 26th for the title. Experience isn't a bad thing, and West Virginia has it in the right places for this season.

Player of the Year: Noel Devine

Coach of the Year: Doug Marone (For getting Syracuse to a bowl game? Easy!

Big Ten Preview: Can Ohio State Win the National Championship and Do You Know John Clay?

College football is just around the corner and while the people in the South, especially the Southeast, believe that they are “football country” but the North is where real football is played. The cold early Saturday mornings will be good watching for football purists again this year with a few schools looking to make a run at Pasadena and one with legitimate national championship dreams.

National Championship Material?
Ohio State University
The Ohio State Buckeyes look to follow the University of Texas 2004-2006 team’s footsteps by using a Rose Bowl win over Oregon as a launching pad to the national championship.

The Buckeyes are led on offense by their ultra-athletic quarterback Tyrelle Pryor and will go as far as he takes them. Pryor is not a shoe in to be great in 2010 though. The QB has been inconsistent at best while in Columbus and part of that is the seeming reluctance of Jim Tressel to truly turn the potential playmaker loose.

The running game will again be the heart and soul of this team. For all of Pryor’s ability he a legit running threat and their offense is built to move the ball five yards at a time. The skill at receiver is pretty low for one of the top five programs in the country reaffirming my belief that the running game will be featured. Pryor can sling it all over the yard but it takes two to complete a pass and they do not have the proven horses to match up with elite secondaries.

If Jim Tressel is the coach you know their team is going to be tough on defense. There is no lack of playmakers on defense and the unit will suffocate opposing attacks. The truth is that outside there is no offense in the Big Ten that matches the Buckeye defense well. Ohio State will be in every game because of this unit.

With a very manageable schedule and more talent than their conference counterparts, Ohio State are looking a possible undefeated regular season. They will get tested by Penn State, Iowa, Michigan, Miami, and Wisconsin but are favorites in every match. If they play to their potential and stick to “Tressel ball” we could see them in Glendale in January of 2011.

Big Games: 9/11 v. Miami (FL), 10/16 at Wisconsin, 11/13 v. Penn State, 11/20 at Iowa, 11/23 v. Michigan

Prediction: Conference Champions, 11-1 with a loss to Iowa

Bowl Game: Rose Bowl

The Contenders
University of Wisconsin
Bret Bielema’s group is not fancy. They are the epitome of Big Ten football. This year will not be any different. They pound the ball for sixty minutes on both sides and I love it! John Clay is the best running back for Wisconsin since Ron Dayne and will receive a similar workload. Running behind an experienced and tough offensive line means that Big Ten defenses better come to play physical. This offense is tailor made for the cold northern winters of the Big Ten and if you love the running game John Clay is a must see. The defense is not flashy but is solid. They wrap up and make tackles. In an offensively challenged Big Ten that is key.

Big Games: 10/16 v. Ohio State, 10/23 at Iowa

Prediction: 11-1 with a loss to Ohio State

Bowl Game: Fiesta Bowl

University of Iowa
Like Ohio State, the Hawkeyes are looking to use a BCS bowl victory as a launching pad for success this season. A team that seemed to play with fire on a weekly basis and survived injury to quarterback Ricky Stanzi somehow made it to the Orange Bowl and beat Georgia Tech. It seems that 2009-2010 was the return of Kirk Ferentz after a few years of sub-par performances.

Their offense is led by Stanzi who is a year older and wiser as a returning starter and senior. Stanzi has three of his top five receivers coming back with him behind an experienced offensive line. For all their experience the Hawkeyes still lack true playmakers but do enough on offense to get the job done. Another year together will not hurt.

Tyler Stash and Jeff Tarpinian lead an experienced a ball hawking defense back. Truth be told, the defense is the reason for Iowa’s success last year. The group is returning upper-classmen at every position and should be able to create the type of play that made the Hawkeyes an 11 win team last year.

Big Games: 10/2 v. Penn State, 10/23 v. Wisconsin, 11/20 v. Ohio State

Prediction: 10-2, losses to Wisconsin and Penn State

Bowl Game: Capitol One Bowl

The Rest
Penn State returns RB Evan Royster but loses a lot with the graduation of QB Daryl Clark. For all the offensive and defensive talent this is a team that will need a quarterback to step up before we know how good they will be, especially in conference play. Sophomore Kevin Newsome is the leader to replace Clark and the kid better be ready to fulfill the expectations in Happy Valley. The defense is good and will keep them in most games behind a strong secondary. Alabama in week two will be tough.

Prediction: 8-4

Michigan State missed a winning season in 2009-2010 with a loss in the Alamo Bowl to Texas Tech. The returns of Kirk Cousins (QB), Greg Jones (OLB), and Eric Gordon (OLB) have me excited about this team making progress. Mike Dantonio is a very good coach and I think he has his team ready to take a step forward. I am interested to see how Keith Nichol transitions from QB to WR this year.

Prediction: 7-5

Michigan is in the “rest” category again. The once storied program is getting more publicity for Rich Rodriquez’ inability to read a clock than their athletes or potential play on the field. Jonas Mouton and Troy Woolfork are good young talents on defense but the loss of Brandon Graham will hurt. Incumbent QB Tate Forcier returns but I wonder how long before Denard Robinson gets the keys to the spread option full-time? I think it is soon if the season starts slow. Is this going to be another bad season in Ann Arbor? If so, Michigan alumni Jim Harbaugh and Les Miles may want to keep their cell phone handy.

Prediction: 7-5

Purdue got an infusion of talent at the quarterback position with Robert Marve transferring from Miami (FL). Purdue returns most of its skill position talent on an offense that is designed to score in bunches. Marve’s ability to pick up the offense and play well will have a huge effect on a team that is replacing three starters on the offensive line and five total on defense. Depending on Marve’s play this team could surprise and win eight games this year.

Prediction: 6-6

Minnesota is at a crossroads in 2010. Coach Tim Brewster as certainly improved the recruiting profile of the program and the new stadium is nice, although it may be the coldest in the NCAA, but that has not translated to on the field success. The Golden Gophers return nine starters on offense, including quarterback Adam Weber and his talented back up Marques Gray. Weber was up and down last year and without star wideout Eric Decker there is a chance Brewster moves the Gophers to a more run based attack and inserts Gray full time. While the Gophers return experience on offense the defense loses nine starters from a sub-par group. It may be another cold long year in Minneapolis but Brewster’s seat may get hotter and hotter as the season progresses.

Prediction: 5-7

Northwestern lost eight guys on defense and twelve on offense from an 8-5 team. Dan Persa will take over at quarterback in an up-tempo offense. Truthfully there is not much to like about this team but their offense always keeps them in games and wacky things seem to happen when they are involved.

Prediction: 5-6

Indiana’s program failed to build off their success in 2008 in the 2009 season. 2010 looks to be another disappointment. The program returns eight starters on offense but only four on defense. Unless success comes with the youth movement it will be another year of looking forward to basketball season. The two bright spots for the Hoosiers are returning starters Ben Chappel (QB) and Darius Willis (HB). Both players could have good seasons.

Prediction: 4-8

Illinois is a rare case of a team losing their four year starting quarterback and having good odds of being better for it. For all his talent, Juice Williams never got close to fulfilling his potential. With no Arrelious Benn and Jon Asamoh the offense for the Fighting Illini is a mystery. Jared Fayson is a talent but there is little else to get excited about in what could be Zook’s final season.

Prediction: 3-9

Game of the Year: 10/16 Ohio State at Wisconsin
Offensive Player of the Year: John Clay, RB, Wisconsin
Defensive Player of the Year: Tie: Jonas Mouton, LB, Michigan/Greg Jones, LB, Michigan State
Freshman of the Year: Jamaal Berry, RB, Ohio State
Coaches that will be fired: Rich Rodriquez, Michigan; Tim Brewster, Minnesota; Ron Zook, Illinois

To the Surprise of Nobody, Brett Favre Returns, AGAIN

You knew he could not walk away from the game with this look
on his face after the NFC Title game loss to the Saints.

In case somehow you have avoided all things sports in the past month, Brett Favre did some of his usual antics, only this time not going quite so far as if to actually announce an actual retirement, yet still indicating multiple times that he would not 100% for sure be playing in the September 9th opener in New Orleans, a rematch of last season's NFC Title Game, or for that matter, anytime during the 2010 season.

But did anybody really think there was any way he wouldn't be there donning his purple get-up opposite Drew Brees to get the season going?

This guy sure did not, nor do I imagine many others anywhere really had any doubts.  Not after the season he had last year.  Not after the heartbreaking way it ended.  And surely not with the way the schedule begins this season.

But is Brett Favre really to blame at all for this becoming yet another media spectacle, even if it did not even begin to compare to what the sporting world went through in the summer of '09, or is it really the media themselves?

It was almost instantaneous after the loss in New Orleans in January that the media began to talk about whether or not he would return. We would get the occasional break over the next few months when the LeBron talk would heat up, along with the 'where would Tebow end up saga', but throughout it all, any football talk in May and June had to have some mention of whether or not Favre may play in 2010.

As soon as LeBron made his 'DECISION', you almost had to expect that ESPN was doing all they could to get Favre to make his own 'Decision', although ESPN stands by their notion that they had nothing to do with the LeBron ordeal, nor did they benefit from it.  But as much as I like ESPN as a network, I fully realize just how much they can beat a story into the ground, and even this summer's Favre saga was no different.

A simple text message from Favre a few weeks back blew up to the fact that he was retiring, and maybe he did actually say to a few friends/teammates that he was stepping away during a down moment because of his ankle, but he stood by his saying that is his ankle was healthy, he would play, and now we have come to realize that was in fact the case.

Viking teammates Steve Hutchinson, Jared Allen and Ryan Longwell flew down to Mississippi, presumably to find out what his decision would be, and maybe to do a little coaxing at the same time, and if so, that is fine.  Tedy Bruschi of ESPN says he has lost all respect if that is the case, but WHY?  They know full well just who Favre is, and what he means to the team, and in no way do I think that disrespects the other QB's on the team, they just know Favre is a real legend of the game.  It was also August 17th, 1 day short of one full year of his return last year, time to get things rolling or move along if he were not going to return.

But now that he is back, the anticipation for the new football season can resume, and the anticipation of one of the best opening night NFL games in recent memory.  We do not have to endure another New York/Washington bore fest, or another Pittsburgh/Tennessee defensive battle to get things started.  We can sit back and watch the fireworks that the 2 high powered offenses of the Saints and Vikings are sure to provide, and get the season rolling along right away.

We can also rest assured in the world of fantasy football that Favre will indeed be there, and Sidney Rice is not some extremely risky pick in the early rounds as a receiver.  But more on all the fantasy talk later.

For the first time in 4 years, this blogger is finally happy that Favre is not leaving the game.