Remember last week’s post about shrinking the NFL preseason to two games and expanding the regular season? Two things: Any chatter about such a change was likely accelerated over the weekend when Giants star Osi Umenyiora was lost for the season, Cincy QB Carson Palmer broke his nose, and Skins DE savior Jason Taylor went down.

(The preseason can also wound pride: Just ask rockstar Matt Leinart.)

Obviously, preseason injuries are nothing new, but allow us to make our second point: No coach with plans to contend this season will be playing a valued starter this weekend. So essentially, you’re down to three weeks of games, and most starters only play a combined six quarters in said games, perhaps less. If you’re paying money to attend a week four preseason game, you’re dammed fool.

Unrelated: Jets No. 1 pick, Vernon Gholston, the workout wonder from Ohio State, is going to be a backup. It could be worse: They could have taken Florida’s Derrick Harvey, who is still holding out in Jacksonville.

Does the Union-Tribune really have nothing on Shawne Merriman today? Nada? A case could be made that he’s the most impactful defensive player in the AFC, and the best pass-rusher in football. (He-he.) We’ll do the Super Bowl picks post next week, but we’re leaning Dallas/Minnesota vs. New England. Not sure SD can pull it off without Merriman. And how drunk did Jake the Snake get this weekend now that he knows Merriman won’t play in the opener?

Colts watch, 2008: Center Jeff Saturday got dinged up Saturday night. Worth monitoring, you know, for anyone delusional enough to think Indy might not roll to 12-13 wins this year.