Observations from week 1 of the NFL season:

• TV: So far, Sunday Ticket + 42″ HD x NFL = hot damn! I recognize that this indulgence in watching football could be seen as, I dunno, juvenile. However, the fact is that I love the NFL. To be able to choose fromt the full schedule of games, pick the ones I most want to watch, and record and watch them on a big fat crispy screen in Dolby surround …. I mean, wow! Not cheap, of course. But not a moment of doubt or regret (so far, at least!)
• Best new color guy: Brian Billick. He did the Saints game, which was the early game that I watched. Dude has chops. As a head coach, he was always one of the best, in terms of quips and cleverity, for post-game interviews. As a broadcaster, he brings the deep insight into stratgey and psychology that only a head coach is likely to have, and offers the kind insightful comments that you never get from all the John Madden wannabes that have dominated the second-tier broadcast booth teams for the past decade. Also, he seems to have decent chemistry with play-by-play guy Dick Stockton.
• Logo overload: Between the league logo neck shield, Gene Upshaw patch, American flag decals, special event memorial patches (Colts’ stadium opening), athletic apparel branding, helmet manufacturer, and acual team logo, the players’ uniforms have become almost unbearable to look at. Jesus H. Christ, what is next? TV screens on the side of the helmets?
• Trend alert: crazy eyeblack. Last week I noticed that lots of college players are wearing the band-aid-like eye-black patches with professionally printed text on them. Sure, no problem. This week, I saw at least five NFL players with eyeblack grease that looked more like war paint. It looks mean, I guess.
• Loose ends:
  - Play of the day: Reggie Bush’s 4th-quarter score, starting with a great catch, followed by some darting cuts, finished off by a wicked dive into the end zone. Dude has skills.
  - Matt Forte, rookie running back for Chicago, looked phenomenal against Indy. Too bad I didn’t start him on my fantasy team.
  - Lucas Oil Stadium: Wow. Why are all the good football stadiums other states? Also, cool first name.
  - Hyundai Genesis commercials: Yawn. Third rate Lexus riffing.
  - Other commercials: Skipped ‘em all! DVRs rule.

Oh yeah, I have a TV now. Did I mention that?