The NFL's August fakery is done and now King Sport launches its 89th season for real Thursday night as the champion New York Giants face the Washington Redskins following a bombastic ''Kickoff Weekend'' concert headlined by either Keith Urban and Usher or Keith Usher and Urban.
UF OFFENSE
A few years ago, Florida coach Urban Meyer stood at the dais of the Southeastern Conference Media Days and told the college football world that it was his goal to field the fastest team in college football.
FSU
Putting a premium on mobility over maturity, offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher announced Wednesday that sophomore Christian Ponder will open the season as Florida State's starting quarterback.
The defense is getting some reinforcements this week to go against an Iowa offensive line that might be the largest FIU faces face this season. Coach Mario Cristobal said Wednesday that he expects to have linebacker Michael Dominguez back for Saturday's game. . The defense also will see freshman linebacker Aaron Davis and freshman defensive end Kambriel Willis make their debuts.
ROUNDUP
Tryouts for the USA Baseball Under-16 national team are being held in Miami this week, with the final roster to be announced at 10:45 p.m. Friday. Play is being held on the campuses of the University of Miami and FIU.
BROWARD NOTEBOOK
Piper, which returns most of its starters from last year, will get more talent from a couple of key transfers -- linebacker Kerry King Brown and running back Deshaun Sands.
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
Florida Gators booster Bill Heavener, whose name is on the school's new football complex, is in the music business. He knows a great singing voice when he hears it. The vocal talents of his longtime buddy, Bob Tebow, cannot, under any circumstance, be categorized as great.
ROUNDUP
Sineidy Cruz had 12 points, four aces and six assists to lead first-year school West Broward to the first volleyball win in school history.
Receiver Louis Murphy isn't the only Gators player whose picture and quote can be found taped to every Canes locker at Greentree Practice Field. The Canes haven't forgotten about what Florida defensive tackle Matt Patchan said last year after UM's blowout loss to Virginia in the final game at the Orange Bowl that ``half those guys in Miami uniforms shouldn't be there.''
The announcement that sophomore Christian Ponder will start at quarterback Saturday against Western Carolina wasn't the only quarterback news out of camp.
When Miami and Florida face off in The Swamp on Saturday, the Gators will try to win back the rivalry's prize, the War Canoe Trophy.
UM AT FLORIDA, 8 P.M. SATURDAY, ESPN
University of Florida sophomore Major Wright was supposed to be the next great safety at the University of Miami. Born in Hollywood, Wright grew up worshipping one of the greatest safeties in the history of college football, Sean Taylor. By all accounts, Wright was supposed to be the extenuation of Taylor's legacy.
DOLPHINS
A reality of modern labor: nobody stays in the same work space from the day they're hired to the day they're retired. At some point, you will be asked to change positions and, likely, change careers.
BRAVES 16, MARLINS 14
The Marlins might never win back-to-back games again. It seems that way for a club that has had an exasperating free fall over the past month -- there have been so many painful losses for the Marlins during this stretch, it's impossible to rank them in any order. But Tuesday's has a place all its own.
FLORIDA SPORTS BUZZ
The suspicion was there, even among some players, initially: Would Tony Sparano command respect on his own or would he simply be considered a puppet for Bill Parcells?
SOCCER
They certainly are getting a taste of Cuba by training in Miami for four days -- everything from the steamy weather to the language to the café cubano -- but members of the U.S. national soccer team say they really have no idea what to expect as they head to Havana for a World Cup qualifying match on Saturday night.
Freshman quarterback Robert Marve had to wait an extra week to start his first game for the University of Miami. So, naturally, he's eager to complete his first pass.
2. BOOKER T. (0-0) AT WARNER ROBINS (GA.) NORTHSIDE (1-0) Saturday, 1 p.m. Losing by three touchdowns in your own backyard wasn't the way Booker T. wanted to begin its title defense this season. But the fact is that much like their rivals from Liberty City, the Tornadoes will miss their graduated stars early this season.
U.S. Open favorites Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic shared more than the same outcome as qualifier and 130th-ranked Gilles Muller. The three prevailed in marathon matches to earn quarterfinal berths.
ROUNDUP
The Coral Park girls' volleyball team outlasted host Coral Gables on Tuesday night 25-17, 14-25, 20-25, 25-15, 15-13. Lydia Sanchez led the Rams (1-0) with five kills, 16 digs and three aces.
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