Race To Ten: Here We Go

Posted Sep 9, 2010 by Darin Shaw

Updated Sep 9, 2010 at 12:03 AM

Yes, I had decided to give the Pigskin Preachin’ up.  Four years of being a regular Buccaneers and NFL blog superstar had taken its toll on me.  But—and you know I’m fond of that word—football season is here again and the juices just started flowing.  How could I let down the masses who depend upon my weekly wit and prognostication?  How could I pass on opportunities to goof on old man Brett Favre, back for his twentieth season?  How could I possibly step away when Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens are on the same team?  And what of the second year of Rah in Tampa?  This is either going to be miraculous—or darn amusing.

So have no fear fiends, the Preachin’ continues for a fifth year.

In Pewter We Trust ~

How about the Bucs wearing the all whites for all four preseason games this year?  I liked it.  They looked like the good guys.  I hope Rah will do this more often.  I mean, if we can’t play good, at least we can look fashionable. 

Greg Olson promised the Bucs offense would pack a little more punch this year.  Indeed we will.  The team added LeGarrett Blount to the roster just this week.  I’m not sure if he’ll help us beat the Browns on the scoreboard, but bet on us in the post-game brawl. 

Seriously, I think the key to this season is going to be getting off to a good start.  You hate to call week one a must win, but this one will go a long way.  The schedule makers wrapped us a gift with the first three weeks on the slate—well, actually, Big Ben gave a big assist.  There is a real opportunity for starting well.  What will we do with it?

Kellen Winslow Jr. is speaking of this game—his return to Cleveland—like any other.  Don’t buy it.  As T.O. would say, “Get your popcorn ready!” 

The NFL Blogwork ~

The joke is on the Arizona Cardinals, eh?  Kurt Warner retired.  Matt Leinert… well, he’s Matt Leinert.  And now he’s a Houston Texan back-up QB, which is exactly what he should have been all along.  Derek Anderson is the starting QB in Arizona, because he wasn’t good enough to make it in… wait for it…  CLEVELAND!  I know!  You’re like, peeing yourself laughing!  Me too.

How about this one?  They talk 66 year old Brett Favre into coming back out of retirement for the eleventh time because the Vikings have “so much talent around him.”  Then their best receiver goes on I.R., their second best offensive threat has debilitating headaches, and the change-of-pace back is nursing sore ribs.  Let’s top this off with a season opener in New Orleans, oh joy!  Welcome back rag-doll.

Rex Ryan says his New York Jets are the best team in the NFL.  Well that’s not exactly how he said it.  He said, “The {bleep} New York mother {bleeping} Jets are the {bleepity bleep} best {bleeeeeeeeeeep!} football team in the {bleep-bleep} NFL!”

Oh and this just in: Albert Haynesworth will still be a Redskin on Sunday.  They’re not sure about Monday, but at least this Sunday…

Take It To The Bank ~

Just like the Bucs, the Pigskin Preacher will start strong.  You ready for this?  Saints over Vikings; Dolphins over Bills; Titans over Raiders; Patriots over Bengals; Giants over Panthers; Steelers over Falcons; Bucs over Browns; Jags over Broncos; Colts over Texans; Bears over Lions; Niners over S’Hawks; Packers over Eagles; Cardinals over Rams; Redskins over Cowboys (no, I’m not kidding… Haynesworth will still be a Redskin, after all); Ravens over Jets (but remember: the Jets are the best team in the NFL); Chargers over Chiefs.