All Good Things Must Come To An End .....

For all 32 teams of the NFL , they start out , on an even keel. There'll be those who've the aspirations of having what they deem to be a successful season. And then there'll be others who'll just look to make of it, what they will, as to the season. [caption id="attachment_2640" align="alignnone" width="350" caption="Browns\' quarterback Derek Anderson (3) throws a pass during the team\'s training camp on Wednesday , held in Berea , Ohio. Brown and teammate Brady Quinn are in competition for the starting job on the team. And team coach Eric Mangini has yet to make a decision as to who his starter will be for either the presason or the regular season games. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/Tony Dejak ................. "][/caption] The preseason schedule notwithstanding, gives the fans something of an insight, as to the direction of their team or teams might be taking . OK, so we can all agree, we'll see something of a watered down product on the field. As many of the starters won't be in a game , for more than one or two series at best , during the preseason. And this will give the coaching staffs of the respective teams more of an insight as to their draftees and practice squad players on the fringe of making a team's roster. [caption id="attachment_2642" align="alignnone" width="306" caption="Jags\' wide receiver Troy Williamson makes a catch during training camp, held in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars are hoping for a far more successful season. Given last year\'s disappointment of a 4-12 debacle as to their season\'s aspirations. If anything their coach Jack Del Rio is one of the coaches , most consider to be on the hot seat. Failure again and most likely this season will be his last. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Phil Coale ............"][/caption] With that in mind , I look at this season, as one of hope for a number of teams. In particular , for the likes of the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars , Carolina Panthers , New Orleans and somewhat optimistically, the Detroit Lions . These teams in particular , I feel in many ways , they've either been overwhelmed with the expectations placed upon them. Or in some cases in terms of their personnel, they just didn't have what it'd take to acquit themselves well, this past season. That being said, I'm not so sure that they'll have enough of what it might take to actually make amends this upcoming season. And with the preseason already underway , with the Hall of Game having been played between the Tennessee Titans and Buffalo Bills . There's a feeling in the air that this season is all but under way , bar the preseason. [caption id="attachment_2644" align="alignnone" width="331" caption="Saints\' wide receiver Devery Henderson makes a touchdown catch in front linebacker Usama Young during the team\'s training camp in Metairie , La ,. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Bill Haber ....................... "][/caption] As a New England Patriots' fan , I'm hoping to see the team rebound from last season. And especially so , given the fact that we came oh so close , to making the playoffs. Were it not for the spectacular turnaround by the Miami Dolphins and their inspiring play. It may well have been a season, whereby the Pats could've made some real noise in the postseason. But alas, it wasn't to be ! This season however, with Tom Brady , back helming the team at the quarterback position. The franchise is expected to do well. And with the addition of seasoned veterans Joey Galloway , Fred Taylor and Derrick Burgess . They ought to prove themselves more than up to the task of reclaiming their status amongst the elite of the NFL. [caption id="attachment_2646" align="alignnone" width="409" caption="Pats\' quarterback Tom Brady (12) leads the team\'s qb\'s through a team drill at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough , Mass,. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Winslow Townson ......................"][/caption] And while there are but thirty two teams within the NFL and parity being what it is. Well all know that in essence, it's really about 5 or 6 teams that in reality have a real chance of raising the Lombardi Trophy. OK , so once in a while there'll be a Cinderella story that'll have the public in awe. As it was last year, with the Arizona Cardinals and their surprising ascent and a place in the Superbowl. The other teams might well be thought of as also rans or just there to make up the numbers. The point is , that during the regular season we'll get to see each episode unfold as the season progresses. [caption id="attachment_2648" align="alignnone" width="410" caption="Lions\' fans watch the training camp practice at the team\'s facility in Allen Park, Michigan. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Paul Sancya ................"][/caption] Tonight's preseason game is a rematch of Superbowl XLIII between the reigning champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals. This ought to be a game in show only . It bears no real semblance as to how both teams will fare with regard to the remainder of the preseason. It's merely a guide for the respective coaching staffs , as to how their draftees and practice squad assignees are hoping to fare. This much is true for these players, in particular, they're going to have to justify the faith shown in them by the coaches. As to the front-line players this merely gives them a chance to shake off the rust of the off-season. Practicing in pads is one thing , the preseason is another. But nothing , absolutely nothing , gets the players' juices rushing once the whistle is blown for that first regular season game and the first hit is landed. That's what the players yearn and the fans genuinely live for . And who can blame them ? [caption id="attachment_2650" align="alignnone" width="390" caption="Steelers\' running back Rashard Mendenhall (34) runs through the defensive line during practice at the team\'s practice facility on the campus of St Vincent College in Latrobe , Pa,. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Gregory Shamus ................. "][/caption] As the sixteen game schedule reaches its culmination and the berths are assigned for the playoffs. Let's hope your team is there. If not, then you can always rally around another , if that's your wish. But then again, the aspirants as they are, know that at the end of the day . There can but be only two teams playing in the Superbowl, itself. And for the 30 teams sitting at home on the 8th February 2010 . The two teams playing in Miami , will be looking to have their names etched on the Lombardi Trophy and become part of NFL folklore. The Super Bowl and the NFL have become a part of the fabric of the country's society. And if anything it's become almost as important as a national holiday , for many. Fortunately for the most rabid of fans it's something that we've come to appreciate. Perhaps more so, than any other national sporting event that the country has. However , for those teams who aren't a part of the day's events as to their participation . For them , as it's often been said " ...... all good things must come to and end."