NFL 2009 Season Preview

The 2009 NFL Season is almost upon us, with the first game of the season between the defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers and last year's #1 AFC seed heading into the playoffs, the Tennessee Titans, not too far away. The Steelers and Titans will be squaring off in the first meaningful action since early February when Santonio Holmes and Ben Roethlisberger combined to win the Steelers' third Super Bowl title in four years.

Now, after four weeks of mind-numbing pre-season action, the real thing is going to get underway. Here are seven thoughts and observations to get you ready for kick-off:

1. It will be interesting to see how Tom Brady goes, coming back from an injury that ended his season after less than a half of football last year. People expect the Pats to struggle. I think they'll be there or thereabouts when things get serious. Don't forget, Brady still has Wes Welker and Randy Moss - and that, folks, is a dangerous combination.

2. Who got the better of the trade that sent Jay Cutler to Chicago and Kyle Orton to Denver? By the looks of things it's the Bears. We'll see. Cutler has a history of not always performing to his peak when he needs to. But Orton isn't exactly a superstar either.

3. Can the surprises of Season 2008, the Cardinals and the Titans, show their impressive seasons were not a fluke. Plenty think they'll be back to the doldrums this year.

4. Will the Steelers defense be as good as last year? All signs point to them being even better. That's a scary thought.

5. Will Eli Manning and the Giants have success in 2009 without his two top receivers of the last few years in Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress and old warhorse Amani Toomer? Heading into their season opener vs. Washington, Steve Smith and Kevin Boss are the only two familiar faces for Eli.

6.All eyes will be on the rookie quarterbacks Mark Sanchez (for the Jets) and Matthew Stafford (for the hapless Detroit Lions). There are plenty of fans in both cities who're hoping that these hotshot rookies, whose college careers were impressive, will lead their new pro teams to a similar amount of success as they experienced in the NCAA.

7. Honestly, I think that this season might be the last chance for the much-hyped group of college superstars who were picked up by NFL franchises for the 2006 season. Yes, I'm talking about you, Matt Leinart, Kellen Clemens and Vince Young. Head Coaches in the NFL don't and won't wait around forever!

Enjoy the first weekend of the season!