Leyden's Log - Week One

For a 13th straight year I’m buckling the chinstrap, applying the eye-black (sans any reference to Mike Vick) and taping the loose joints. My 22-week voyage through the NFL’s 90th season has reached blast-off and Leyden’s Log is ready to rock and roll.

A welcome back to my veteran Loggers and a hearty hello to hundreds more who will follow Leyden’s Log for the first time in 2009. I’m thrilled technology has finally caught up with my vision. The Log is now distributed through numerous platforms – E-Mail, Twitter, Facebook, WXYZ.com and the Scripps Networks online football home – “Upon Further Review.”

Of course, you can always watch LogTV in the video player on the right side of the column as it appears on WXYZ.com. That’s bound to make you giggle once or twice.

Before we hop into the Week One fare, a quick review of the rules.

Leyden’s Log thrives on interactivity from its readers. In fact, I reward those who are most creative. Each week, I’ll ask a question, sometimes related to football, most of the time not. Your job is to provide a witty response that will make me laugh or teach me something I don’t already know. If it’s the best answer, you get three points. Second best, two. Third best, one.

The Logger who accumulates the most points at the end of the season will receive the 13th Annual Tom LOGbardi Trophy – an official Super Bowl XLIV game ball. Back to defend his 2008 championship is Brian King, Patriots fan and former Boston College resident assistant who never once wrote me up. God bless BK!

Got it? Good. Cue the Stones - It’s Go Time.


SONG OF THE WEEK

If you LOG me up, if you LOG me up I’ll never stop….


QUESTION OF THE WEEK

In your mind, what is the most unlikely finish to the 2009-10 NFL season?

Respond to tleyden@wxyz.com, leave a comment on Facebook or send a response via Twitter to @tomleyden


FOUR TOPS The best four games of the week

With 25 wins between them in 2008, the Titans and Steelers exceeded the Lions total by 2,500%. To say they’re in a different league wouldn’t be fair or true, but a different stratosphere is certainly accurate. The last time the Steelers lost a home opener was 2002. The last time the Steelers lost (period) was to the Titans last December. Never before has a team started a season with two Super Bowl MVPs on the edge. Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward carry that distinction and Ben Roethlisberger couldn’t be happier. He’ll also be thrilled NOT to see Albert Haynesworth lined up across from him Thursday night. Can Kerry Collins duplicate the magic for a second straight year? If he does, he’ll eclipse 40,000 yards passing for his career. Remarkable.

How is it possible Dallas and Tampa Bay have only played 11 regular season games in 33 years? The Bucs turn the keys over to Byron Leftwich this year with the hopes he can regain the form of 2005. The Boys laid low this offseason (save the scoreboard fiasco) and we’ll see if the different approach pays off. Say what you want about Tony Romo shedding the baggage and focusing, but he won’t do much without some major support from Marion Barber and Roy Williams.

Here’s a good note for you – Tampa Bay head coach Raheem Norris was born nine days before the Buccaneers franchise played its first game in 1976.

Take my word for it, the San Francisco/Arizona game is always good. It’s quickly falling in line with the Dolphins/Jets matchup – must-see TV. Dating back to 2003, only two games between these two have been separated by more than 10 points, four have gone to overtime and they’ve average a combined 48 points per game. All we need is Charlie Jones and we’ve got ourselves an AFL throwback.

I’m torn here because in my heart I don’t feel the Patriots/Bills matchup will be a good game, but it will certainly be a spectacle. Tom Brady’s return. Terrell Owens debut with a Pop Warner offense. Fred Taylor and Joey Galloway on the Patriots. Worth checking out early, but I’m not sure I’ll be there in the fourth quarter.


OVERTIME Other Game To Watch

Giants/Redskins – I have a standing arrangement with a colleague from work who roots for the Skins. Let’s just say President Jackson always has his bags packed and ready to go. Last year was a good one for me and I hope the Giants don’t let me down in Week One.

Fins/Falcons – The darlings of 2008 meet in Kickoff Weekend – how cute. I’m anxious to see how/if the Dolphins utilize Pat White. Stereotypical third QB? Active on the 45-man roster? Wildcat option? Something to watch this week.

Eagles/Panthers – A throwback to the 2004 NFC Championship.

Jets/Texans – Mark Sanchez becomes first rookie to start for the Jets since Matt Robinson in 1977.

Lions/Saints – How much has Detroit improved? How many points can the Saints score against that defense? How many times will Matthew Stafford get sacked? All legitimate questions.

Seahawks/Rams – I just want to see Edgerrin James in that uniform.


PICK UP

Denver/Cincy, Minny/Cleveland, Chicago/Green Bay, lines make me laugh.

PUT DOWN

Jax/Indy, San Diego/Oakland, the cannoli and step away from the car.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Buggs Illuzzi, Tim Morrison, Stephen Clark, Jeff Riger, Sarah Greenwood, Andy Dehler, Sue Ellen Ewing (who turns 69 on Saturday) and Milton Hershey, who would have celebrated a very chocolaty 152nd birthday on Sunday.