And about time, too.

Football season starts tomorrow, if you don't count that odd Thursday night game that hase been a feature of recent NFL seasons. Of course, those of us north of the 49th have been able to watch the CFL since July, but I must say NFL rules and a greater number of teams make for much better product.

This year is the first I've actually had the cable bill in my name, so I coughed up the $29.95 a month for Roger's super sports pak, which includes NFL Sunday Ticket, NHL Centre Ice, NCAA sports as well as pro basketball, baseball, OHL hockey and NASCAR. Which, really, is a great deal (except in the summer, since I'm not a baseball fan).

I'm looking forward to the improved coverage, for a number of reasons. I'm a Broncos fan, my second favorite team is the Packers, two teams that rarely get TV time on the east coast. In fact, for those of us who aren't Patriots fans, the coverage on basic cable is rather lack luster. Also, most times that the Broncos play its a 4:15 ET start time, and since all but local affilates have to finish the first game first, I've often been obliged to miss the first quarter even when I've been able to get the Broncos game. Also, this is the first season when I've had no homework/work on Sunday to take up time that I'd rather spend watching football. And when hockey starts, I will actually be able to watch the Sens of Saturday night, which owing to CBC's version of regional coverage isn't otherwise possible outside the Ottawa Valley. I took advantage of the new channels today to watch Akron go down to Ohio State 2-20, agian a game not otherwise available in my area.

Tomorrow is a big day for me, the Italian Grand Prix followed by chicken wings and football. So let me ask you this, why is it that watching football makes me crave meat? Just wouldn't be a super sports pak without it.