In case you missed it, the inaugural UFL (United Football League) game is on Versus tonight from 9:00PM-12:30AM (Eastern) featuring California Redwoods (coached by Dennis Green) vs. Las Vegas Locomotives (coached by Jim Fassel).

The current setup involves four teams playing six regular season games with a championship game being played in Las Vegas in November.

• California Redwoods, coached by Dennis Green
• Florida Tuskers, coached by Jim Haslett
• Las Vegas Locomotives, coached by Jim Fassel
• New York Sentinels, coached by Ted Cottrell

The players are a mix of recent collegiate players on up through semi-retired NFL players, including Simeon Rice & Tatum Bell.

My hunch is that this will be better than the goofy XFL that failed miserably back in 2001, but I’m not holding my breath for anything spectacular.  But it’s football and I’ll watch for a sports history lesson if nothing else (like I did with the XFL).  I’m not sure on the decision to compete with the NFL season, but maybe that’s to avoid competition with the new Arena Football 1.  Regardless,  I wish the UFL the best of luck and if it takes off, bring a team to Indiana!

Related posts around the web:

• Las Vegas Sun: UFL officials ready, optimistic
• UFL Season Kickoffs Today In Las Vegas
• With modest expectations, the UFL is open for business

Thursday night, the best night of Network Television, is on it again.  The largest audience will probably be watching The Office hour long wedding episode.

Here are my top picks for the evening:

8-9

1. Bones (FOX) – 05×04 – The Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
2. Flash Forward (ABC) – 01×03 – 137 Sekunden
3. Community (NBC) – 01×04 – Social Psychology (30 minutes)
4. The Vampire Diaries (The CW) – 01×05 – You’re Undead To Me

9-10

1. Fringe (FOX) – 02×04 – Momentum Deferred
2. Supernatural (The CW) – 05×05 – Fallen Idol
3. The Office (NBC) – 06×04 – Niagara (1) (30 minutes)
4. The Office (NBC) – 06×05 – Niagara (2) (30 minutes)

And don’t forget that we have Nebraska vs. Missouri on ESPN from 9:00PM-midnight (Eastern) and the inaugural UFL (United Football League) game on Versus from 9:00PM-12:30AM (Eastern) featuring California Redwoods (coached by Dennis Green) vs. Las Vegas Locomotives (coached by Jim Fassel).

Indianapolis, Indiana — According to a source at the Indiana Chronicle, rumors are starting to fly that the 2008 NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals are interested in bringing in former Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback Michael Vick as a backup and eventual replacement for Kurt Warner, provided that he is reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Tom Smith, spokesman for the Arizona Cardinals, denies these rumors.

In a phone interview with the Indiana Chronicle, Smith stated, “Why in the world would the Arizona Cardinals be interested in Michael Vick? We just re-signed Kurt Warner to a two year deal and have Matt Leinart waiting in the wings. That’s about as ludicrous as saying that the Arizona Cardinals want to bring back Dennis Green as their head coach.”

Personally, I would have to agree with Smith’s assessment. It makes no sense to bring in Vick unless 1)  you are unsure of Warner’s health given his recent hip surgery and/or 2) you just have no confidence in Leinart as a starter AND 3) you want to get back to your losing ways.

So what does the NFL think about this?

Roger Goodell could not be reached directly, but a spokeswoman for the NFL stated, “We have not heard any such reports and note that Michael Vick is still banned from playing in the NFL . In the event that Mr. Vick is reinstated and the Arizona Cardinals are interested in signing him, the NFL will stand behind it.”

Typical response.

While all of this is a bit intriguing, if the rumors are true I’d advise the Arizona Cardinals to not go down this path. Turn around and talk to someone like Jay Cutler if you really want to throw another quarterback in the mix. If you opt for Vick you might as well chase down all of the other goons that are currently available and sign them as well.