Here are our opening day quick hits:
-“The Emperor Chazz” Chuck Noll when asked if he was worried about how tough his schedule was replied, “Our schedule isn’t tough; we don’t have to play the Pittsburgh Steelers.” I think Peyton Manning would agree.
-The player to watch in Denver is Peyton Manning. Not really a shock; the future Hall of Famer brings his pedigree to the table and to a new city. While Tim Tebow is safely stealing every headline in NY, Manning will have to answer for the “Denver Debacle” of last year.
-Art Modell passed this week. His legacy is extremely complicated. I never liked Art Modell and it would be hypocritical for me to pretend I did now. He reminded me of Mr. Potter from “It’s a Wonderful Life”. What he did to the fans of Cleveland was one of the worst things, in the history of pro sports. He is the Walter O’Malley of football but without the same causes that O’Malley had. But it would also be extremely short sighted and unfair if that was his all he was remembered for. He brought the NFL back to a great city in Baltimore and he is the father of the Ratbirds. That is a huge contribution. He also saw the value of TV and helped make the NFL better because of it. Lastly, he was a pioneer when it came to the issue of race which is still complicated in the NFL today. RIP Art Modell.
-I have a family obligation on Sunday so the NFL schedule makers have smiled on me with the night game.