NFL schedules are released...

1. Tough flying for Falcons
Maybe I missed it, but the Atlanta Falcons must have done something to tick off the guy who makes the schedule. A year after a stunning worst-to-contender season, they face a difficult climb.

They start with back-to-back home games against 2008 playoff teams and a road trip to New England before taking an earlier-than-needed bye. After playing the Dolphins, Panthers and Pats, the Falcons could have two weeks to stare at a record of 1-2 or worse.

In contrast, the 2008 Falcons built confidence with homes games against the Lions and Chiefs in the season's first three weeks—between them, Detroit and Kansas City had two wins for the season.

And it gets worse. The Falcons play four teams coming off bye weeks: the Bears, Cowboys, Redskins and Giants. As to three of those games, the Falcons play on the road in the week before playing the team that has had a week off.

2. Quinn's potential homecoming
Amid rumors that Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn is on the trading block and in light of the fact that the Vikings still need a good one, a trade of Quinn to Minnesota would give interesting flavor to Week 1.

On Sept. 13, the Vikings play in Cleveland. It would make for an interesting homecoming, to say the least.

Even without Quinn playing for the Vikes, the Browns face another possible 0-3 start, with the home game against the defending NFC North champs followed by trips to Denver and Baltimore.

3. Not much respect for the Cardinals
Apparently, the NFL doesn't think that the Arizona Cardinals' Super Bowl run has transformed the long-suffering franchise into a national attraction.

After the first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history, the Cardinals have one Monday night game, on Dec. 14 at San Francisco. The Cardinals also have two Sunday night games—at home against the Colts and on the road against the Giants. Both games land before the annual "flex schedule" feature launches, which means that Arizona's potential blowout losses in each of the games is guaranteed to be seen by a national audience.

4. Lions get early crack at a win
During their historic 0-16 season, the Detroit Lions had near-miss games against their NFC North nemesis—the Vikings.

This season, the Lions get a crack at the Vikings in Week 2 at Detroit.

So the Lions could be at .500, a year after their finished at .000.

But it won't be their only shot at getting that elusive victory. With games from last season against AFC South and NFC South teams replaced by games with AFC North and NFC West teams, the Lions get a crack at 2008 also-rans the Browns, Bengals, Seahawks, Rams and 49ers.

5. Merry Christmas from NFLN
This year, Christmas lands on a Friday. And Christmas night will feature a special gift from the NFL.

But you'll need access to the NFL Network in order to unwrap the prime-time present between the San Diego Chargers and Tennessee Titans in Nashville.

In other words, Comcast customers will be getting a lump of coal in their stockings.

Though it would be nice to see the NFL and Comcast (and every other major cable company) work out their differences by Dec. 25, there's a greater chance of Santa Claus sliding down the chimney, pulling up a seat next to you on the couch and chugging Coronas while taking in the game via satellite.

6. ESPN's schedule still leaves much to be desired
As ESPN enters the fourth season of a deal that pays the league $1.1 billion for the privilege of airing the Monday night package, the folks in Bristol continue to get games that are less than stellar.

One of the 17 games features two playoff teams from 2008. Two of the games involve two teams that didn't make it to the playoffs last season.

There aren't many appearances from the teams that carry a rabid national following. The Patriots appear twice. The Cowboys, once. The Steelers and Colts land on ESPN one time each. Also, the New York teams—the Jets the Giants—play on Monday night one time each as well.

Meanwhile, the NBC schedule has eight games featuring two 2008 playoff teams and three games featuring the Cowboys, Giants, Colts and Steelers.

And the flex scheduling.

NBC is paying roughly half the amount that ESPN forks over.

7. NFL still fears baseball
One of my major pet peeves regarding the NFL schedule is the inevitable October open Sunday night, coinciding with a World Series game.

Why won't the NFL go toe-to-toe with baseball? Even the most humdrum NFL regular-season game would draw more eyeballs than postseason baseball.

Maybe it's a professional courtesy. Or maybe the NFL wants the baseball folks to continue to fall under the grossly mistaken impression that their sport is still the national pastime.

It isn't, and the folks who run baseball seem to be the only ones who have yet to figure that out.

8. Bye weeks could see several teams saying "buh-bye" to their coaches
Every year, a stumbling team considers the possibility of dumping a coach on the Monday before their bye week.

This season, several bye weeks could result in one or more coaches bidding farewell to their employment.

After five weeks, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones could decide to send Wade Phillips packing. In the days preceding Week 8, the Redskins could cut short the Jim Zorn experiment.

Week 9 could be the worst. Depending on how their respective teams finish the season's first half, Brad Childress of the Vikings, Dick Jauron of the Bills and Tom Cable of the Raiders could be in trouble.

Then there's Gary Kubiak of the Texans, who could be in serious danger of being bumped if his team is stuck in the AFC South basement after nine games.

9. Several key teams don't have to fret "bye" weeks
With the Falcons facing four teams who'll have two weeks to prepare, several franchises won't play a single team coming off a bye week.

The list includes the participants in Super Bowl 43—the Steelers and Cardinals.

The Eagles, Vikings, Colts and Patriots also get the benefit of playing no teams whose prior week involved no game.

Though the league is taking steps to make the schedule more equitable, this is one area that requires immediate and meaningful attention.

10. Dawkins' homecoming could be anticlimactic
One of the most anticipated games on the 2009 schedule features safety Brian Dawkins' return to Philadelphia.

But the game comes late in the season—in Week 16 to be precise, the Eagles' regular-season home finale.

A cynical mind might wonder whether the Eagles asked the league to delay the game. In late December, there's a greater chance that Dawkins will be injured and unable to play than if the game had been set for September.

Also, the passage of time could make the home crowd less inclined to make a huge fuss.

Besides, if it's really cold out that day, all those orange Broncos jerseys will be covered by winter coats.