2008 season kicks off in minutes

I was hoping to do a bit more specific write-up on the Hall of Fame inductions from Saturday but the day got away from me a bit. I’ll let the NFL Hall of Fame Web site profiles and induction speeches speak for themselves. Please see attached.

Congratulations to the six inductees, five of whom I grew up watching – I’m not ready to say I’m getting old, but the fact that guys I watched when I was in college are now making the Hall is … eye opening.

But we’ll get past that pretty easily tonight. The 2008 season is about to kick off. I don’t think there’s a ton to be learned about the Indianapolis Colts from tonight’s tilt. Perhaps it’ll be worth paying attention to what Jim Sorgi does in case Peyton Manning misses a game or two of the real season, but Marvin Harrison and several of the other Colts veterans aren’t expected to play much if at all.

The early minutes of the Redskins season, on the other hand, could be telling. Jason Campbell is learning something like his 23rd offense in the last eight seasons going back to his college years. How is he picking it up? Will Jim Zorn’s version of the West Coast offense succeed? What is it going to mean for Clinton Portis? Chris Cooley? Both are guys who could improve their numbers and thus their fantasy statuses this year – but only if Campbell proves capable.

In reality this game is probably only going to be interesting for a quarter – if that. But the big picture for me is that the games are starting – that means the true countdown can begin. Just a month and a day until the Regular Season begins – woo hoo!!! To borrow a line from Monday nights, “Are you ready for some football?”