Saturday, September 4, 2010

The NFL season will begin Thursday night in an NFC Championship rematch between the New Orleans Saints and the Minnesota Vikings. While the family members of 4th string linebackers may wish the preseason lasted a few weeks longer, it’s safe to say the rest of us are ready for the games that matter. Bill speaks to Gregg Doyel of CBSSports.com for an NFL Preview.

Reality TV shows like The Real World and Jersey Shore attract massive audiences every week, so why not use the format to attract more NASCAR fans? That’s what Max Siegel has done with Changing Lanes. The show, which airs on BET, places young female and minority drivers in a house together and awards the top four drivers a spot in the Toyota All-Star Showdown. Only A Game’s Karen Given reports.

If the beginning of the NFL season doesn’t provide enough action for you, you’ll be sure to catch some scoring in college football’s opening week as top-ranked powerhouses feast on doormat opponents. But there are also early-season games that may have title implications down the road. Bill discusses these matchups and other college football stories to watch this season with Dan Wetzel of Yahoo! Sports.

Before the University of Washington started their football season in 2000, police began investigating allegations that one player robbed and shot a drug dealer. That player suited up to play. Later, teammates accused of domestic violence, rape and other felony charges suited up, while coaches, University officials, police and prosecutors all turned the other way. Bill speaks with Ken Armstrong and Nick Perry, the authors who chronicle Washington’s season in their book Scoreboard, Baby.

Roger Goodell has made a point of keeping NFL players from carrying guns, how will the commissioner react if Chad Ochocinco goes through with his plan to incorporate a musket into a touchdown celebration? Charlie Pierce joins Bill to ponder this and discuss the rest of the week's news.

At the intersection of the Long Trail and the Appalachian Trail, the Long Trail Inn in Killington, Vermont is the perfect place for weary hikers to kick off their boots, take a hot shower and trade stories over a cold one. Vermont Public Radio’s Nina Keck reports on the inn that has provide rest for the weary for more than 60 years.