FOOTBALL: Green Bay at Cincinnati

This game marks the end of week 3 of the exhibition season. Only one more round of games to go and then your favorite football team takes the field for real beginning on September 7th.

I'm interested in this one mostly because it's on ESPN, the new home of Monday Night Football. I like what I've heard from the new broadcast team. Mike Tirico is a pro and I've always enjoyed his work on Thursday night college football. He's got a deep clear voice and generally remains focused on the play-by-play with only the occasional tangent. Joe Theisman, on the other hand, can get on my nerves. But that seems to be an accepted part of the job of the ex-jock analyst. Guys like Paul McGuire and John Madden can't help but act like they know-it-all because with the benefit of instant replay, you do! So take it for what it's worth. Finally, I expect Tony Kornheiser to become the star of this show. I'm one of the few who actually liked Dennis Miller in the booth. Tony is in that same sarcastic mode, but he brings many years as a respected sportswriter to add credibility to his football commentary.

Concerning the actual game, look no further than the QBs if you need a reason to watch this one. Brett Favre is coming off the worst season of his career. I was really surprised to see him return. Favre still moves ok and has that cannon arm. It was actually his decision-making that betrayed him more than anything else in 2005. Let's see if he can finish his career on a high note or if returning to a bad Packers team will prove to be a big mistake.

This game will mark the preseason debut of Carson Palmer following offseason knee surgery. This was one of those injuries that would have ended someone's career just 10-20 years ago. In fact, I recently saw an interview with the Bengals QB where he revealed that doctors actually repaired his knee with a tendon from an organ donor who had been killed by a drunk driver. That's freaky! Let's see if Palmer can put the injury behind him and display the all-pro form he showed in 2005.

My pick: Green Bay. Palmer's comeback is a nice story, but the Bengals are the new "bad boys" that I'll be rooting against in 2006. They had several players arrested or suspended for drug use in the off-season. Here's one person hoping for a return of the Cincinnati Bungles.

In honor of Bengals loudmouth WR Chad Johnson, here's another of the best known asses in the world, Jennifer Lopez. And I'd much rather see J-Lo do a victory dance in the end zone anyday!