Gasp

A few take-away notes before you dive into summer's last gasp:

• Over the weekend, there will be three NFL-related posts. 
• Two will focus on a different kind of preview that should get the fantasy geeks revved up (or ticked off) and the actual fans thinking about what the season holds.
• The other post talks to you Giants fans. You need not worry too much. Moments after winning Super Bowl XLII, your team was written off for the 2008 season based on how much talent Dallas has and how challenging the schedule was. This was before Michael Strahan retired, Jeremy Shockey was traded and Osi Umenyiora had season-ending surgery on his knee. After reading my season preview that was published in the New York Beacon this week, you'll be a little more settled about where the team lies.
  
  
• Being that Barack Obama's historic acceptance for the Democratic nomination for President took over the airwaves last night (and it should, no matter how you feel about politics or these specific politicians), you might have missed out on the official start of college football. An interesting piece from Rivals.com about Jacksonville State QB Ryan Perrilloux, whose trangressions led to his dismissal from national champion LSU.
  
  
• The 188th-ranked player in the world knocks off the top-ranked woman in the world at the US Open. It's not to say that Ana Ivanovic is or is not deserving of her post and maybe she just had a bad night at the most inopportune time. Yet, since the sudden retirement of Justine Henin a few months ago, there has been intrigue at the top. Six of the top ten in the WTA are from Russia (the most recognized, being fifth-ranked Maria Sharapova, who did not make it to Flushing Meadows because of injuries). The Williams sisters are the lone Americans up top and they have made their long-anticipated return to the upper echleon. A great showing for either Venus (8) or Serena (3) possibly resulting in consideration for numero uno.
  With Rafael Nadal having officially usurped Roger Federer as the top male, tennis could be getting a shot in the arm: staying power could be fleeting in both tours, which can lead to every tournament beyond the majors having increased attention. Of course, one or two players can take the rest of the season by storm and put the kibosh on everything before this sentence.
  
  
• Finally, be safe, everybody. Get a good grill going, don't drink-and-drive (or walk for some of you stumblers out there) and enjoy the good company around you. Take in some college football, some tennis and ask yourself one question: could Usain Bolt really run a 40-yard dash in under four seconds... as an NFL receiver prospect?