Optimism Abound in Oakland With the Start of the New Season

The 2009 NFL season kicks off tonight in Pittsburgh as the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers host the Tennessee Titans.

NFL fans across the country are breathing a collective sigh of relief as their constant, ever-growing lust for meaningful football is only a few hours from being satiated.

Baseball, which lost its title as "America's Pastime" long ago, does an admirable job in holding over football fans through the summer. College football has its loyal diehards, but despite the pageantry and tradition that go along with it, it still doesn't equate to a Tim McGraw-Black Eyed Peas pregame concert.

And as for the preseason? Well, four games of little or no consequence are just a tease, and football fans are not ones to be baited.

The 2009 NFL season is fi...

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