Short & Quick

Vikings- Browns
We like the Vikings to handle the Browns 27-20 in the opener. Minnesota should be able to hold and control the ball – keeping the Browns’ offense off the field and limiting their possessions. Unless Brett Favre implodes, it’s hard to imagine Cleveland winning this one.

I have had more than one individual remind me the “BQ Era” starts this weekend. I guess better late than never. One thing is for sure, Quinn wasn’t handed anything when he turned pro – unlike a lot of young athletes these days.

Quinn handled the past 2+ years with class. He could have complained after dropping in the draft, after sitting the past two years, and again after being told he had to compete with DA for the starting job in year three after Anderson imploded in 2008. He didn't whine. He just competed and said all the right things. Now this is finally his team. Good for him.

If I am right, he’ll quickly become the best signal-caller this city has seen since Bernie was earning MVP votes back in the late 80s while leading the Browns to a trio of AFC Championship game. If I’m wrong, this team will continue to wallow in mediocrity or worse for the foreseeable future.

Statistically, keep your eyes on BQ's touchdown to interception ratio. Remember, the first sign you have something special at that position (QB) is if the guy can consistently put up a 2-1 ratio or better from year to year. Anything better than that and you have a horse you can ride to a title with the right pieces around him.

Super Bowl
As far as the big picture, we have the Patriots winning the Super Bowl this year – assuming Tom Brady is healthy. It’s basically the same prediction we made a year ago before he went down. We picked the Steelers after Brady went down in '08.

This fall, New England again has too many weapons and too much experience. Their defense has lost several key pieces due to retirement and free agency. However, I trust Mr. Bill to reload on that side of the ball. You have to give the guy credit –he can flat-out coach defense.

As for who they will play – I have no idea.

Culture of Personality
I have complained about the “Culture of Personality” for years – both in real life (i.e.reality television and hero worship) and the silly world of sports. In sports, it began with athletes doing touchdown dances, stomping around after making tackles and generally genuflecting every chance they get.

This has led to teams wearing fatigues coming off planes (Miami, FLA), pre-game fights at midfield and players now taking swings at opponents after a tough loss.

The NCAA’s solution – have players shake hands at midfield before kick-off. Right. It’s a little too late for that boys. You can’t put the toothpaste back in the bottle. The NCAA, head coaches and athletic directors let this get out of hand years ago.

The solution involves stiff penalties for self-promotion and benchings from coaches when appropriate. For example, the moron who taunted in the post-game melee between Oregon and Boise State should have been suspended for a minimum of one game. He wasn’t. That’s a coach sending the wrong message. Period.

The same can be said for Alabama’s coaching staff last week when their best defensive player picked up two personal foul penalties on ONE play. They never took him off the field – not even for one play. Again, the wrong message was sent by Nick Saban and his staff.

SC-OSU
Yes, we like USC to double up Ohio State tonight. Again, the Big-10 lacks the quarterback talent to beat the big boys.

Here's hoping TP doesn't wear eye black with the dog killer's name on it tonight. That was a terrible idea a week ago. It made him look ignorant. Again, Tressel and company dropped the ball. If I'm a coach or AD at OSU, I would have made him clean that mess off his face immediately. And please don't tell me no coach saw it. That's an insult to my intelligence.

Sometimes I wonder where the adults are. Vick deserves a second chance. He paid his debt to society. But he shouldn't be honored in any way, shape or form.

Tribe
I have actually watched the Indians play lately. What can I say – I like watching the kids. One thing is certain, if Westbrook and Carmona don’t make it all the way back, it’s going to be very difficult for Cleveland to contend anytime soon.

The good news is they have added the power arms we were begging for long before anyone noticed. The bad news is they still need a couple veterans in the rotaton to stabilize the staff.