AS AUTUMN STARTS by Steve Tannen

With Oregon's Pac-10 season about to get rolling, 2 full weeks of NFL in the books, plus the feel of baseball's pennant chase, it's my favorite time of year. Always loved having a birthday in early October. Growing up in Jersey we got the mixed bag. Celebrated some in the swimming pool, while others required a coat to keep warm. Regardless, the sports freak in me always viewed things as a tradeoff. Sure summer was over, but my world was buzzing with Yankees, Jets & Giants, and since the move to Eugene in 1990, Oregon, as well as Pac-10 football.
I've mentioned it before, but the members of C.J.A(Conclusion Jumpers Anonymous) has grown out of control. As recently as post Purdue/pre Utah, maniacs claiming Chip Kelly wasn't right for the job. Wonder if they were the same naysayers who didn't see the logic of giving another offensive coordinator from a small school the big gig when Rich Brooks bolted for the NFL's Rams? How'd that turn out? Relax, this team will experience even more growing pains, but the signs are there. With USC obviously down a bit and Cal having played absolutely no one thus far, there are no logical conclusions to leap to.
As for the NFL. Save a moronic decision by Buffalo kick returner Leotis McKelvin the Patriots are 0 & 2. It's key to remember they've taken a monster hit on defense with the retirement of LB Teddy Bruschi, the trade of fellow linebacker Mike Vrabel, the injury to their best young LB Jerrod Mayo, the late summer dealing of Richard Seymour to Oakland and some other changes, this unit is not championship caliber. Plus Tom Brady simply can not be expected to jump in as the best in the game after missing a full season with a serious knee injury.
Some other thoughts include a significant upgrade on the defensive side of the ball by my J.E.T.S, & a much more poised and focused Eli Manning for that other New York team. The New Orleans offense looks unstoppable, NFC South rival Atlanta seems to be proving 08 was no fluke and in Frisco, Shaun Hill is now 9 & 3 as a starter. They have a stout rush attack led by Frank Gore and an athletic, young, attack style defense. It's early, and things will change, but for now, lot of great story lines.
We'll catch up with baseball down the road but suffice to say, the pennant fever has been kept under control with way too many foregone conclusions. The AL is down to seeing if the Twins can catch the Tigers, but will it matter with one of Minny's stud's Justin Morneau done for the year with a vertebrae injury? The best races are for the Cy Young awards. I have Kansas City's Zack Greinke with a short lead over the Mariner's Felix Hernandez in the AL. Tim Lincecum of the Giants is in a tussle with a pair of Red Birds, Adam Wainright and Chris Carpenter. Too close to call right now.
Here's the question for some Oregon gear and a gift certificate to enjoy some eats.
Of all the pitchers currently on an American League roster, New York's Andy "The Juicer" Pettite has the most career wins. Who is 2nd?
E-mail the answer to:
stevetannen@live.com
We will announce the winner of the drawing at the bottom of today's 5 o'clock hour..