This is a great scene-setting time in Las Vegas.  College football season hits full stride and the NFL campaign begins September 10, bringing fans en masse to the sports books. Boxing corrals center stage when Floyd Mayweather opposes Juan Manuel Marquez September 19, one step in a potential Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao summit for 2010.

It’s all out there—a schedule, a sense of probability and, above all, questions. Let’s look at them, starting with the NFL, and set a few lines of our own.

Questions:

1) Will Michael Vick help or hurt the Philadelphia Eagles?

Vick may not relish the backup role to Donovan McNabb once his dog fighting profile subsides. McNabb can’t be a backup, either. This is his team, the one he took to one Super Bowl and nearly a second last year.

At some point this season, a chemistry clash is likely. Yes, McNabb lobbied for Vick, who may become a natural heir apparent if McNabb breaks down. But can Vick wait? Can any team have two No. 1s?

Technically, Vick gives Philadelphia the running threat McNabb no longer does. Defenses must prepare exactly opposite for him than they do for McNabb because the southpaw Vick throws and runs from the opposite. But, like McNabb, he lacks touch on mid-range routes.

Key factor: Vick accepting role as insurance policy.

Odds on a clash: 2-1.

2) Can Arizona overcome the recent jinx of Super Bowl runner-ups?

Most miss the playoffs the following year. The gut feeling here is that the Cardinals buck the trend. They are not an aging team that made one emotional push and came up just short. This was the NFL’s best Cinderella playoff team in many years, beating Atlanta, Carolina and Philadelphia en route to a close Super Bowl loss against the Steelers. Kurt Warner is back and this team has the weak NFC West schedule. They open at home against the 49ers.

Odds to avoid jinx: 8-5.

3) Does T.O. stand for Terrific      

Off-season move or Terrible Off-season move?
Owens made immediate impacts in Dallas and Philadelphia. He’ll be craving the ball in Buffalo, especially on a team that won’t have the suspended Marshawn Lynch for three games. T.O. will also want to make a statement in week one with Randy Moss in the house. The Bills play in a small media market, which could deflect the glare on Owens and keep his statements in perspective.

What he brings is the ability to get open, even against tough defenses. He can also become an effective decoy and substantially elevate other receivers. But when he doesn’t get the ball, he pouts.

Odds he turns Bills around: 3-1.

4) What about Matt Cassel?

His move to Kansas City from New England should help the Chiefs, but they have been hurt more by predictable play-calling rather than quarterback inefficiency. This team tips off its plays by feeding Larry Johnson amid stacked eight-man fronts and passing primarily on second and third downs. And receiving threat Tony Gonzalez went to Atlanta. Was it the New England system or Cassel who produced the big 2008 campaign?

We’ll see.

Odds for a strong season: 7-2.


5) How angry is New England?  

This team lost its Super Bowl and unbeaten season to the Giants in an improbable last-minute drive, and then suffered the loss of Tom Brady last year. Had the Pats made the playoffs (they were beaten on a tiebreak), there was every reason to believe they would have won everything. If Tom Brady stays healthy, this is an elite team. Even without him, they were good.

New England in the revenge mode under Bill Belichick  is a good success formula.

Odds for big season: 4-5.

By Dave Bontempo

Casino Connection Sports Editor Dave Bontempo is an award-winning sports writer and broadcaster who calls boxing matches all over the world. He has covered the Philadelphia Flyers in the playoffs, as well as numerous PGA, LPGA and Seniors Golf Tour events, and co-hosted the Casino Connection television program with Publisher Roger Gros.