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Maybe it was someone's idea of a prank. Or maybe it was something much more serious. Either way, midfielder Adel Kolahkaj and everybody else involved in Sepahan's AFC Champions League match against Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahlion on Wednesday night were lucky to emerge unscathed after an explosive went off just outside of the playing area at Shahr Stadium in Iran. Play was stopped after debris apparently was thrown onto the field. Kolahkaj casually picked up a small, black object and tossed it out of the way. Just seconds after it left the player's hand, the object exploded.

Cleveland Browns President Mike Holmgren, who caused a rift with legendary running back Jim Brown when he dismissed him as a special adviser to the Browns when Holmgren became president in 2010, wants to make things right. Holmgren says plans to meet with the Hall of Fame running back in the next few days, hoping to repair their relationship. Brown has told the team he will take part in alumni activities this weekend surrounding Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills. Brown was so upset by Holmgren's decision to change his role with the club that he refused to attend the ceremony in which the Browns unveiled a ring of honor inside their stadium, a permanent display instituted by Holmgren.

Darrelle Revis was cleared for contact in practice Thursday for the first time since suffering a concussion in the season opener. That could be great news for the New York Jets, who could have used the star cornerback's services during a 27-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday. Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completed passes to 10 different receivers and finished with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Revis' possible return is not such great news for Miami Dolphins rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who appeared to be making progress after a rough outing to start his NFL career.

Tim Tebow hasn't done a whole lot for the New York Jets so far this season, rushing just six times for 33 yards, attempting no passes and recovering an onside kick. That may be more work than a lot of the backup quarterbacks in the NFL have gotten up to this point, but for a guy who receives as much attention as Tebow, it doesn't seem like much. So does that make him football's version of Kim Kardashian or any other member of the reality-TV family that seems to be famous just for being famous?

With Steve Sabol as lensman, editor and resident poet, NFL Films didn't just capture pro football's blood-stained quirks and foggy breath, it established an aura you could see and feel. "The autumn wind is a pirate, blustering in from sea," he once wrote for voiceover specialist John Facenda, whose bell-tower tones earned him the nickname "The Voice of God. " So, yeah, in a way, Sabol put words into God's mouth. Sabol, an art history major who went on to become one of the most celebrated sports filmmakers of his time, died of brain cancer Tuesday at the age of 69, leaving behind a legacy that can be seen in every video montage from "SportsCenter" to your local news.

  NFL columnist Sam Farmer and former radio personality Mark Thompson got together today for a live Google+ hangout chat (you can watch a replay above) on the NFL, including the amazing start by Robert Griffin III. Farmer pointed out that there is one thing that should concern people about Griffin: He's very thin, which could make him injury prone. "He's thin. And he throws his body in there with abandon," Farmer said. "You just hope that RG3 doesn't put himself too much in peril.

  Join us at 10 a.m. today for a live Google+ Hangout chat with NFL columnist Sam Farmer, deputy sports editor John Cherwa and Mark Thompson, best known as the Mark part of the "Mark and Brian" radio show. They will be discussing the upcoming NFL season. The season kicks off tonight, when the New York Giants, eager to pick up where they left off last season, take on the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys have been dominated by the Giants in recent years, losing seven of nine meetings since early 2008.

Tonight's game DALLAS AT N.Y. GIANTS TV: Channel 4, 5:30 PDT Line: Giants by 4. Over/under: 45 Sam Farmer's pick: Even with the improvements to Dallas' secondary, Eli Manning will find his receivers. The Cowboys will struggle to contain New York's defensive line. Giants 24, Cowboys 20.

In predicted order of finish by division: AFC EAST NEW ENGLAND 2011: 13-3, 1st in East. 2011 playoffs: Lost to New York Giants, 21-17, in Super Bowl XLVI. They're going all the way: What's not to love about these Patriots? They're coming off a 13-3 season and, going by 2011 results, have the easiest schedule in the league. Tom Brady is still in his productive years at 35, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez are at the cutting edge of receiving tight ends, and the defense will get a big boost from the draft and free agency.