What's your name again? The magic of preseason.

Preseason games have an aura of their own. So many times players from schools with 3 or 4
names that begin with Northern-something and end in Tech or State – become preseason
stars – only to be never heard from again.

Take a look at this year's bunch . . .

A guy by the name of Pat Angerer of the Colts led the league in tackles. Running back Anthony
Dixon of the 49ers was the NFL's leading rusher. Geno Atkins of the Bengals dominated
the preseason with 4.5 sacks. And Morgan Trent also of the Bengals led the league in
interceptions.

I'm not saying these guys will not make the team. Chances are, they will . . . but will Dixon
supplant Frank Gore?  Will Morgan Trent put Bob Sanders on the bench?  I can say with
confidence, Nope.

But there are a few that could surprise.  Victor Cruz, an undrafted receiver with the Giants
who led the NFL this preseason in receiving yards, has Eli Manning AND Tom Coughlin excited.
He has speed and has proven the ability to make silly circus catches. Receiver Matt Willis of the
Broncos could be a nice surprise for Denver as well. He was second in the league behind Cruz
and seemed to be Tim Tebow's life raft whenever he got into trouble.

When I was 14 back in 1977, my dad took me to my 2nd Broncos game against the Eagles. The
game was pretty ho-hum except for a rookie RB on the Eagles who returned a kickoff for a TD.
"Thay guy is pretty fast," my dad said. "He may become a good player."  I wasn't so sure. But
then again, my father was usually right.

The rookie RB's name was Wilbert Montgomery.  And for any of you older fans out there,
Montgomery became a great Pro Bowl RB who carried the Eagles to their only Super Bowl
in 1980.

Hmmm, maybe I should see about getting an Anthony Dixon jersey!

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