Phew. I know. It’s been a while, and here we are with an article that is a bit of everything. Here are just a few thoughts: It’s the first article following the overhaul work of the In My Backpack site. It’s setting up a return to regular sports writing from me and at Backpackville. The dogs are back into the action with weekly NFL picks against the spread. Almost twenty years ago, Molly and Gus – resident experts and St. Bernards – joined in on the fun. I a

The NFL season is always a nightmare early on for making wagers. Not that it’s an easy win at any time of the year. But early on, before teams have had a chance in a live game that counts to demonstrate what they’re going to bring to the field, it’s just this side of impossible to be certain of what you’re looking at. Do you know how disruptive Aaron Donald will be? Is he going to be playing at an extreme high level for extended stretches of the first game? How about