Rivalry can be traced to the womb
The NFL already gave fans CowboysGiants. And before opening weekend is out, it will give us SteelersBroncos, 49ers-Packers and perhaps even a Tim Tebow sighting. The NFL does enjoy a compelling story line for opening weekend.
But it’s doubtful the NFL took this rivalry into account when it concocted its Week 1 schedule in the spring: The first NFL meeting of McCourty vs. McCourty.
Devin and Jason McCourty aren’t just brothers going against each other today, but twin brothers. Devin, the older of the two by 27 minutes, plays cornerback for the New England Patriots. Jason, the richer of the two (he just signed a $44.3 million contract last month), plays cornerback for the Tennessee Titans. They will be on opposite sidelines today in Nashville.
The two last spoke a week ago today. “I told him to lose my number,” Devin said.
Chief among them
In another bit of scheduling happenstance Atlanta’s Tony Gonzalez appreciates, the NFL’s No. 2 pass catcher of all time (1,149) will begin his 16th and final season where he played his first 12 — Kansas City. It marks his first regular-season game there since he was traded to the Falcons four years ago. Says Gonzalez: “The only way it could be more special … is if it was the last game of the season, and there were playoff implications.” He also will seek to extend a streak of 164 consecuitive games with a reception — longest active streak and fourth-longest in history.
The defending champ
NBC enters the season a marked, uh, network. With an average of 20.7 million viewers for its “Sunday Night Football” extravaganza last year, it was the highest-rated show on TV, knocking off seven-time champion “America Idol” in the process. A reminder: Hines Ward makes his debut on the pregame show tonight.
Check back in December
Steelers fans have another reason not to like Philadelphia. In the Philadelphia Daily News season preview issue, longtime NFL writer Paul Domowitch listed the Steelers first among three teams “Going Down” and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger tops on a list of most overrated players in the NFL.
Just like grandpa
Jim Harbaugh missed a day of practice to be with his wife Sarah as she gave birth to son, Jack, but was back at work Wednesday in anticipation of today’s 49ers-Packers game. Said Harbaugh: “Jack Jr. will understand in 20 years. He wants to win, too.” Probably. Jack Jr. is named for Harbaugh’s father, who coached collegiately for 43 years.
A good investment
A footnote to the death of Art Modell reminds us again how big the NFL has become. Modell purchased the Cleveland Browns for $4 million in 1961. According to Forbes magazine’s annual ranking of most valuable NFL franchises that came out this past week, the franchise — now in Baltimore — is valued at $1.16 billion (11th of 32 teams).
Remembering (or not)
After announcing plans to honor Modell before their season opener, the Browns Saturday canceled those plans at the request of Modell’s family. Meanwhile in Baltimore, fans lined up by the hundreds Saturday morning to pay respects. inside M&T Bank Stadium.
Quick hits
Scott Fujita, one of the four players who had their Bountygate suspensions reversed Friday, not only will dress for the Browns today but is likely to start. … After a year off, Randy Moss makes his return and will be in the 49ers starting lineup when they visit Green Bay, where he has caught 13 TD passes — most by a receiver against the Packers. … The Cowboys’ 24-17 win vs. the Giants was the NFL’s first Wednesday game since 1948.