The first rookie hasn't been duct taped to a goalpost yet, and already the NFL season is shaping up to be an interesting one.

Of course, the NFL is heralded with mass cheers and a near ticker-tape parade in Western Pennsylvania. What else is there to look forward to in early August?

Some training camps have just begun. Others will begin soon. All 32 teams have a chance (well, except for the Browns. Nothing in Cleveland has a chance).

Some teams have a better chance than others.

Here's a look at some of the intriguing story lines while we wait for Dez Bryant to carry Roy Williams' shoulder pads:

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The J-E-T-S Jets, Jets, Jets.Not only are the New York Jets trying to catch the Patriots in the AFC East, they also are trying to catch them on the hate meter.Mission accomplished.Their coach, Rex Ryan, is a pretty loathable dude — if you aren't a Jets fan.Their roster is dotted with questionable characters: Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards to name two. And they tried to sign every aging veteran looking for a job in the offseason, including Terrell Owens.But they won't show the money to arguably their best player, Darrelle Revis.Tisk. Tisk.•

Ochocinco and T.O. — a love story.Seismologists are on standby, waiting for the 10.0 rumble on the Richter scale that inevitably will happen if the Cincy Bengals get off to a bad start.I feel for you, Carson Palmer.•

A more homebody Ben Roethlisberger.It's looking more and more like Big Ben will miss only four games — he's managed to keep himself away from college bars for the last four months. Good job, Ben.The question is, what will the Steelers' record be when he returns? And what happens if Pittsburgh is 4-0 with fan-favorite Byron Leftwich under center?•

Tampa Bay will win the NFC South.Stop laughing.This is less of a crazy prediction than it is a fact. In four of the last five seasons, the team that finished dead last in the NFC South won the division the next year.Mark it down. Pewter Power.•

Concussions.After many a scrambled brain, the NFL finally is getting serious about head injuries.The league conducted a study of helmet safety and released a poster with the most stern words about concussions to date.Problem is, as long as those big, bone-crushing hits continue to be a staple on "SportsCenter," players will lead with their heads.•

Labor deal.There will be no need to worry about concussions next year if no deal between the owners and players is reached.Enjoy this season. It may be the last one for a while.Mike Kilroy is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.