Enough with the training and practices. Let the games commence!

Preseason has begun! And what better place to open it but in - Japan? Whatever.

The World Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers (never thought you'd ever read that line, did you?) made a mess of Herm Edwards' New Jersey Jets, 30-14. Sure it's only preseason, but the Jets didn't even look like they made the flight over to Japan.

One player to watch in the coming years will be third round pick quarterback Chris Simms, who threw for one touchdown and led a drive for a field goal. Simms, son of former Giant Phil Simms, played well and showed a lot of poise.

The Bucs never punted once in the game, and were able to convert 11 of 13 third downs. The Jets, however, had good drives at the opening and closing of the game, but were a disaster in between.

Preseason games will be marching right along for the next month.

There are five new inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Hank Stram, Marcus Allen, James Lofton, Elvin Bethea and Joe DeLemaielleure were enshrined in Canton on Saturday before 115 fellow members, family, friends and just dodging rain showers.

Hank Stram coached for 17 years that included taking the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs to three AFL titles and a Super Bowl win. He was presented by his former quarterback, Len Dawson, who said, "He had the ability to make each and every one of us feel special. I wear a Super Bowl ring on this hand, and a Hall of Fame ring on this one, and it's all because of Hank Stram."

Marcus Allen played 16 years and rushed for 12,234 yards as a premier running back for the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs.

James Lofton played for 16 years and 233 games on three teams as a wide receiver: The Packers, the Raiders and the Bills. His 43 games of a 100 yards or more in receptions sits at third on the all-time list.

Elvin Bethea also played 16 years, all for the Houston Oilers, and recorded 105 sacks over 210 games played. He was selected for the Pro Bowl eight times.

Joe DeLemaielleure was a guard for the Bills and the Cleveland Browns. He was a part of the "Electric Company" offense in Buffalo that helped O.J. Simpson rush for 2,000 yards in 1973. Of that, he said, "We ran the ball because we couldn't pass."

This is the 40th Anniversary of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. All 144 living members were invited; 115 were able to attend. The weekend will be capped off tonight for the Hall of Fame game with Green Bay vs. Kansas City on Monday Night Football.

The Monday Analysis congratulates all the inductees.

Three new partners will become part of the Redskins' ownership, after ponying up a total of $200 million. Money from the sale will be used to work down the Redskin debt, which totaled $500 million at one time. Daniel Snyder will still remain in majority control and run the football operations....Speaking of the Redskins, QB Danny Wuerffel has been brought back to Washington for depth at the quarterback position...In more running news, the Patriots have signed running back Frank Moreau and have released cornerback Ben Kelly...The Broncos released Terrell Davis on July 24th, and now the running back is realizing his playing days are numbered. "Eventually, no matter what I do, I'm going to have to move on. And sometimes it's better to cut your losses while you can and just move on without trying to come back and stretch things out."

Monday Night Football makes its 2003 season debut tonight at 8PM for the Hall of Fame game, Green Bay versus Kansas City in Canton, OH.

The New England Patriots will play the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium Thursday night at 8 PM. The game will be carried live on ESPN.

1. Writing about actual games again. I get tired of this so and so got traded, so and so got signed business. Time for some action.

2. Chris Simms is going to be a player to watch in the next coming years. He reminds me of Steve Young, and its not just because he's a lefty.

3. A lot of teams, particularly the Patriots have been going easier on the players, giving veterans time off during training camp. I say bravo. Why burn yourself out in July and August. There's sixteen weeks in the season to do that.

4. Can someone please tell what is with Trot Nixon and all these home runs? He may have packed on the pounds this off season, but he's hitting the ball like never before.

5. I think Bruce Springsteen will be able to say that he is the only musician to ever tour all of Boston's grand arenas. The Boss had two shows at Gillette Stadium over the weekend, giving him the Razor as a notch on his touring belt. We know he's played Boston Garden, and did a couple of shows at the FleetCenter in the past year or so. He's scheduled to play Fenway Park in September, and I will be willing to wager serious money that he played Foxboro Stadium during it's thirty-year reign.

6. This humidity is killing me. Just killing me.

7. Daniel Graham will have a good season this year. The early reports on Graham are positive: he looks good in camp, had a productive off season and is energized.

8. I like having an edge player like Rodney Harrison. The Patriots had Bryan Cox in 2001, and I think that helped them win the Super Bowl. Cox was gone last season, and there was no edge. The difference: no playoff appearance.

9. Bravo to Don Banks of Sports Illustrated. Don picks the Patriots to finish atop the AFC East, followed by Buffalo and Miami with Jersey at the bottom.

10. I am still buzzed over Lance Armstrong's win. I love how all of his endorsers have changed their ads to "5-time Tour de France winner" and the commercials have increased.

ejh