I'm always amused at how the NFL's offseason events steal attention from other sports. When the NBA is about to begin its playoffs and major league baseball is at the start of its season, pro football dominated the sports conversation Thursday night with the release of its team schedules. ESPN devoted hours of analysis to the different week by week matchups.
Only a day before, the NFL caused a stir with a massive trade between the recycled Los Angeles Rams and the Tennessee Titans. Rams coach Jeff Fisher, who a few years ago led the Titans to their only Super Bowl appearance, had the courtesy to delay the announcement so that Lakers star Kobe Bryant's last NBA game wouldn't be overshadowed.
The big trade raised the excitement level even further over the NFL's biggest manufactured TV extravaganza, the draft. The Rams in the trade received the No. 1 pick, presumably to generate excitement for its return to the Los Angeles market by drafting a quarterback. Tennessee, showing an unexpected boldness, received multiple draft picks and the opportunity to build a Super Bowl contender.
My disdain for the NFL's hype machine didn't stop me from rushing to check the Saints' schedule and calculating how they're likely to finish. Alas, I fear the Saints will have a hard time doing better than 9-7.
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