Don't Forget to Dot the "i"

Don't call it a comeback!  After a brief August vacation, On The Ball is ready to run wind sprints, endure two-a-days, and get into shape as football kicks off, baseball makes its stretch run, and the NBA takes a backseat to, well, everything.

Vick's Payday
Michael Vick has completed his comeback from a social outcast and prison inmate to the present and future starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles by reportedly signing a six-year, $100 million contract with $40 million guaranteed.  After playing sparingly in 2009 with Philadelphia, Vick took over for Kevin Kolb in 2010 after Kolb was injured in the season opener, and had the best season of his NFL career by leading the Eagles to the NFC East Division title.  Vick was also named the AP Comeback Player of the Year as he threw for over 3,000 yards, 21 touchdowns, and only 6 interceptions.

Michael Vick will be keeping his talents in the City of Brotherly Love making
yet another significant step in his comeback to the NFL.

In fact, according to Darren Rovell at CNBC, based on Vick's career averages, he will get $956,755 per touchdown and $6,074 per yard over the course of the six-year deal.  Although you would think that Vick and Eagle fans everywhere are elated about having a very profitable (for Vick) and long-term solution at quarterback for the foreseeable future (for Eagle fans), the happiest constituents in this transaction?  Vick's creditors.  See, Vick declared bankruptcy shortly after leaving prison.  No doubt his new contract will help with his financial troubles.

O-h-i-o?
Speaking of troubles, Ohio State's athletic and football program has come under a great deal of scrutiny and sanctions from the NCAA this summer, leading to the "resignation" of Jim Tressel, the departure of star quarterback Terrelle Pryor to the Oakland Raiders, and an interim coach charged with the expectations of contending for another Big Ten title and a BCS national championship.  But the biggest issues may actually lie (pun intended) with their fans.

Insert your own caption here, it's really not worth my time...

You have to understand that it is a tradition and an honor at Ohio State to dot the "i" in the spelling of O-h-i-o before a football game, and apparently the deceased 80-year old Roy Miracle's last act above ground was to dot the "i" in Ohio as evidenced in this creepy, delusional picture.  That's all I have to say about that.

Game to Watch - Week 1
I love to watch football.  It is probably my favorite sport to watch (of course, it depends on the day).  But in order to keep Mrs. On The Ball and Lil' Miss On The Ball happy this fall, my goal is to control my football intake by focusing on one big game each week to watch and/or pay significant attention to.  Disclaimer:  This does not apply to any BYU games, which due to BYU's declaration of independence in August 2010 will gladly result in me being able to watch every single BYU game this year.  This week, the college football season gets off to a great start with a couple of made-for-TV games between Oregon and LSU and Boise State and Georgia.

Boise State and star quarterback Kellen Moore will try to get
their 2011 season off to a good start by taking down the 'Dawgs.

Although Oregon and LSU are both ranked in the Top 10 to begin the season, it is clearly not going to be the high profile matchup it was once dreamed to be with both the Ducks and Tigers dealing with significant offseason issues and suspensions of key players, including LSU's starting quarterback.  So my focus is on the Broncos and the Bulldogs in primetime in Atlanta.  Bronco quarterback and Heisman candidate Kellen Moore will lead the perennial BCS busters into SEC country, which has crowned the last 5 BCS national champions, to try and stick their flag in the sand as an early season contender to be the first non-BCS conference team to reach the BCS national championship game (again).  It will be very intriguing to watch the well-rounded Broncos go deep into SEC territory to take down the up-and-coming Georgia Bulldogs in what will undoubtedly be a "home" game for Georgia even though it is being played at a neutral field.  Whichever game you decide to tune in to watch, the Oregon and Boise State jerseys  will NOT disappoint.  Check out the Oregon jerseys here and the Boise State jerseys here.