A: Not necessarily. While players dread participating in preseason games and they can be painful to watch because the quality is so poor, they play critical roles in player evaluation and in ensuring that teams will be cohesive and provide a worthy product in Week 1. Beyond that, given the current rate of attrition during the regular season, how many stars and starters would be left standing by postseason?.But what really fascinates me is the really nonfootball, cultural side of the equation. A significant part of Tim Tebow's appeal stems from his deep faith and his willingness to (some would say insistence on) publicly display that faith. And it goes without saying that his legend is rooted in his great college football career.

Steve Hartman cohosts a midday talk show on XTRA690 and also works weekends at the CBSTV affiliate in Los Angeles. He said calls to the TV station have been mostly from people concerned the Raiders would no longer be shown locally. Listeners are al