First and 10: The season opener (finally) approaches …

OK … there's not a lot new from last week, except the final roster, and I talked about that on Saturday. So this week's First and 10 will contain as much Browns news and oh-so-cogent insight as seems relevant, but I reserve the right to discuss other things as well.

Why do I even say that? This is my blog, isn't it?

1) Much was made by many (including me) of the Browns receiver situation. Well, Dallas enters the Browns game with two receivers with NFL experience – Terrell Owens and Patrick Crayton. Owens being one of them makes up for a lot of inexperience, and the Cowboys do have Jason Witten at tight end as well. But their backups and third wideout are Stan Hurd, Miles Austin and Isaiah Stanback. Austin and Hurd will not play due to injury, and Stanback is coming off a shoulder subluxation. This might limit the passing game a bit.

2) It also means the Browns might not have to worry about their secondary depth. The Cowboys won't really be able to spread the field with receivers when they don't have receivers. For a week at least, Travis Daniels is safe.

3) If you've heard of any of those backup receivers, you're more Mel Kiper than Mel Kiper is Mel Kiper. And while you're in earshot, how about doing something with the hair.

4) Of course a couple years ago, an unknown named Marques Colston arrived with New Orleans for the season opener. He had a darn good game, and has made a name for himself. So … anything is possible.

5) I seem to have forgotten to purchase tickets for Toby Keith at Blossom. Anyone who has extras may forward them. Along with my iPod, which someone seems to have run off with. I blame Sarah Palin.

6) Speaking of Sarah Palin, folks tell me this is her giving the sports in Alaska a few years back. What's impressive is not once did she say "Boom goes the dynamite!"

7) We all have ambitions, but given the ruthlessness of the rumors on the internet these days and the tenacity of the press during election time, I really wonder if I'd have said yes to the vice presidential spot knowing my 17-year-old daughter was pregnant. I'd have asked myself: Is it worth putting her under such scrutiny at this time in her life?

8 ) Trivia time! (Like I said, we're reaching this week, folks): Who are Stricker, Mahan, Holmes and Campbell? No, not a law firm. And not a barbershop quartet. They are the four guys named to the U.S. Ryder Cup team by captain Paul Azinger. Steve Stricker, Hunter Mahan, J.B. Holmes and Chad Campbell. Now that's a foursome that ought to keep Nick Faldo up at night.

9) Interesting take from Phil Savage on the preseason: "I think this year we did try to emphasize that it's all about getting ready for the regular season. We are not up in arms or overly concerned about the result of the preseason because we feel like when our starters were in, they played pretty well other than a five-to-ten minute spell in New York. It's not reality that we were going to go out there and win every game 20-0 and have no injuries, it just doesn't happen. It doesn't happen across the NFL and it isn't going to happen here." Savage also said that if Lewis did not play that Jerome Harrison would "take over the first and second-down type plays and Jason (Wright) would probably stay in the role that he now has, which is a third-down back and a special teams guy." This is very interesting. And it will be more interesting if Harrison actually starts.

10) Savage also had an interesting take on the season opener. "As we saw last year," he said, "the first game certainly doesn't make a season." If the Browns trade Derek Anderson next week, though, I'm going to go cover Alaska high school hockey.

Three and Out

There was a) nothing to be three-and-outish about, and b) not enough letters to make three-and-out viable. Perhaps next week? Same with "You're an Idiot." For one week, at least, I can say I am not an idiot. Hoo hoo.