In his look at some of the key matchups for Week 1 of the NFL season, NFL Network’s Solomon Wilcots expects the Philadelphia Eagles to have some trouble in Carolina.

Each year the Labor Day weekend serves as D-Day in the NFL. It is a time when NFL players participate in their own game of “Survivor” and believe me, no one wants to leave the Island.

The New Orleans Saints may not have finished the preseason undefeated (3-1), but they accomplished just about every goal on their list.

A few observations from the game between the Saints and Texans, including how Drew Brees is a bonafide candidate for league MVP and Mario Williams is ready to launch his career to a higher level.

Irony, a twist of fate or just poetic justice? Call it what you want, but while Bret Favre’s return is dripping with revenge and the lust to beat his former team, the questions remain: How much does Favre improve the Vikings, and how will the Green Bay Packers compete against their former savior?

In calling my first preseason game of the summer I noticed that it takes a little time reacclimating to the booth, the crew and all the elements required to help the broadcast go smoothly. It reminded me of how the coaches and players were using the preseason to iron out wrinkles in their game.

Even while The City of Brotherly Love requires its athletes to weather the storm of criticism, the Eagles organization is the perfect place for Michael Vick to rehabilitate his life and resurrect his career.

After several changes in offensive coordinators and schemes, along with the offseason flirtation with Pro Bowl QB Jay Cutler, many are left wondering if Jason Campbell can grow through the adversity to become the playmaking quarterback the Redskins are looking for.

For everyone who wants Reggie Bush to be their kind of runner, try allowing him to be his own kind of runner. Just as we watched Gale Sayers and Barry Sanders create a new artistic form of running, we should allow Bush to freely find his own road to the endzone.

One of the biggest surprises in the NFL last season was the Titans’ improbable run to a league-best 13-3 regular-season record and the dethroning of the almighty Colts, snapping Indianapolis’ five-year reign as AFC South champions. Even more stunning was the rebirth of 36-year-old Kerry Collins, who led the Titans to a 10-0 start and a No.1 seed in the AFC playoff race. Now, everyone wants to know if the Titans can do it again with Collins at quarterback.

After being knocked down, bloodied and bruised last season, the Bengals appear ready to get up off the canvas and fight back in 2009.

My Sirius Radio co-host Jim Miller put it best when he stated that at this time last year, the Colts hid Peyton Manning from the media so well that he may as well have been in a witness protection program.

While resting on my final vacation before the start of the 2009 season, my stay in North Falmouth on Cape Cod was an interesting one.

I couldn’t help but polling the locals at Gourmet Brunch in Hyannis and the members of Otis Model Aircraft Club at the Crane Wildlife Airfields on the possibility of Michael Vick joining their beloved Patriots.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell‘s move to conditionally reinstate Michael Vick was a Solomon-like decision that came short of splitting the baby. The parameters that allow Vick to return to the NFL speak to the concerns of everyone who cares.

Having quieted those in his circle who have urged him to continue playing despite physical fatigue and an aging arm, Brett Favre came to the realization that a half-tired arm does not grow stronger by season’s end.