In Tampa, Greg Auman notes the Buccaneers do not disclose season-ticket totals, but team COO Brian Ford said "everything is trending up," and he fully expects "some sellouts" this year, with home games against the Bears, Broncos and Raiders the most likely. Bucs season-ticket holders this week are receiving their passes "in a decorative box, showing the stadium's new video boards and info on the upcoming season." Members of the team's new "Stadium Club" area, will "get a branded Bucs Tervis tumbler and a certified autographed photo" of former NFLer John Lynch, who enters the team's Ring of Honor this season (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 8/4).
BIRD WATCHING? In Philadelphia, Mike Kern notes "only about 15,000 fans" showed up on Sunday morning at Lincoln Financial Field for the Eagles’ first open training camp practice. Fans "seemed to be wondering whether that meant there was a lot less interest in the team this year, since nearly three times that many people were there for the second open practice last summer." Not "many folks, either here or around this NFL-centric sports world of ours, seem to think too much" of the Eagles' '16 prospects (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 8/4).
PLAYING IT SAFE: The L.A. Police Protective League yesterday demanded that Rams Owner Stan Kroenke "pay the full cost for necessary police services to ensure public safety at the team’s home games as long as it plays" at L.A. Memorial Coliseum. LAPPL spokesperson Dustin DeRollo said the "estimated cost" is $2M a year. He said, "Thus far the Rams have not agreed to pay their fair share of policing costs and this will drain police coverage in other areas of our city." A Rams statement said the team is “working with the LAPD to find solutions that work for everyone" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 8/4).
THE BIG CHILL: In DC, Dan Steinberg noted Redskins QB Kirk Cousins is "on the tickets" for the team's game against the Browns this season. New Browns QB Robert Griffin III was drafted in front of Cousins for the Redskins, and he battled Cousins "for several seasons" before ultimately losing the job. Meanwhile, former Eagle and current Redskins WR DeSean Jackson "is again on the Eagles ticket" this season. Redskins CB Bashaud Breeland, after a "strong showing" against Cowboys WR Dez Bryant in his rookie season, is "now on the Cowboys ticket" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 8/2).
