Things I Love About Football (And I Don't Mean Soccer)

(every Thursday at "OOB" I'll rant in list fashion. Last week it was "Things I Can Do Without") Things I Love About Football 1. Second and one. There's nothing better than when your team gets nine yards on first down. The playbook opens wide, like a bank vault. It's almost like a free play -- as long as you don't do anything silly, like throw an interception. But the Lions never do silly things, do they? 2. Measuring for a first down. I remember ex-Bucs coach John McKay, talking to NFL Films, and he was amazed at how the officials were able to toss the ball around after a play, and somehow manage to place it where it was when the ball carrier touched the ground. He said it with his classic sarcastic edge, i.e. Do they REALLY know where to put the ball? Anyhow, I must admit that there is some nifty little drama when the chain comes onto the field and it gets extended, and the camera is showing the ball and the end of the chain in extreme c...