Two great things happened at my fantasy football draft. First, I snagged two Buffalo Bills running backs. I know, you’re jealous. Second, my friend Fitz introduced me to pistachios. I had never tasted pistachios, but they are delicious and help lower your cholesterol. They’re also big in NASCAR, as evidenced by the Wonderful Pistachios 400 on Saturday night. Just don’t try to shell them when you’re going 200 and turning left.

The NFL kicks off in full today. The Bengals might not be Super Bowl timber, but it will be refreshing to watch wide receivers who are more interested in running proper routes than prepping for their reality shows. Team chemistry matters, but Cincinnati always seems to ignore that fact.

Rebuilding won’t be easy, especially with a rookie throwing the football. The Bengals will be bad; I predict a 2-14 season. The good news: They probably won’t sell out Paul Brown Stadium, so the home games will be blacked out on local TV.

The Browns seem to be headed in the right direction, and fortunes change quickly in the NFL. This isn’t baseball, where the Orioles are as likely to overtake the Yankees and Red Sox as Pete Rose is to stay out of Las Vegas.

Colt McCoy is a solid quarterback, and he’s a leader. I get the feeling that he won’t put up with any drama his receivers dish out. Maybe that’s the difference between growing up in Texas and California (Carson Palmer).

The Buckeyes had a tough time with Toledo, which was predictable. (I hope you wise guys took the points, for entertainment purposes only, of course.) The Rockets have some talent, and OSU had to be looking ahead to next week’s Probation Bowl in Miami.

What wasn’t predictable was Braxton Miller standing by himself on the sidelines for the entire game. Luke Fickell insists he has confidence in Miller. Wonder if he’d say that after guzzling a bottle of truth serum.

Ten years ago, on 9/11, our country changed forever. In many ways, it never will be the same. It’s good that sports offers venues in which to remember our past, celebrate the present and cultivate hope for our future.

And to all the brave men and women who protect our freedom, a heartfelt thank you.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2163 or bkollars@DaytonDailyNews.com.