This boy can run. Anyone watching the Tenessee/Pittsburgh season opener this past Sunday could see that. I saw it watching last season's final regular season game in Buffalo, where the Steelers' 2nd and 3rd teams beat up on a strong, desperate Bills team, and Willie Parker busted some serious moves. This past Sunday he proved that not only does he have speed, but he's strong and smart to boot. Top backs Duce Staley and Jerome Bettis are going to be fighting for a starting job now. I knew it. I just knew it. I even picked up Parker for my fantasy team at the last moment (he was undrafted) and started him... he's player of the week in just about every fantasy football organization. He had over 200 total yards in the dominating 34 -7 win over the Titans. I think Willie Parker may be this year's Roethlisberger... a young and inexperienced player fills in for an injured veteran... and blows everyone away.

Speaking of Roethlisberger, he put to rest all the fears of a "sophomore slump" by having a career day, posting the first perfect passer rating the NFL has seen in 2 years. He looks confident and talented, and with the rookie year under his belt, Roethlisberger could become a pro-bowl caliber QB very quickly. Week 3 will be the big test, though, with the champion Patriots coming to town. New England has a way of making even the best teams look bad (see last year's AFC playoffs).

I'm so happy that football is finally back. Life is good.

:arrow: Rizzo