Rams come home to a re-named dome

The Cardinals begin a seven game road trip today (they're 26-30 road games this year) so no baseball this week.

But that's OK because it's finally (sound the trumpets!) football season. The Rams break the seal on a new stadium name when they play their home opener this week.

The ink is still drying on the Edward Jones Dome, not that it matters -- or does it? It does raise the question: What's in a name?

The Ravens were forced to rename their stadium last year after PSI Net filed for bankruptcy. The defending world champs went 11-7 and were ousted in the second round of the playoffs. Oh by the way, they lost their home preseason opener to the Jets.

The Broncos moved into Invesco Field last year after retiring old Mile High. They failed to make the playoffs.

The Steelers opened Heinz Field last year and made the AFC title game but lost to the world champion Patriots.

The Rams will see what their new stadium title can do for them later in the week, but first:

Today

The Memphis Redbirds host the Nashville Sounds and it's a bobblehead night. Can't get any better than this: The first 2,500 fans will receive a Rockin' Rockey bobblehead doll. He's no Fredbird, but Rockin' Redbird has been the Redbird's mascot since 1998.

Tuesday

NASCAR Winston Cup driver Michael Waltrip will be at Auto Tire and Parts Racepark near Benton, Mo., to kick off fan appreciation night. Waltrip won the Daytona 500 in 2001 and the Pepsi 400 this year. Brendan Gaughan, a NAPA Craftsman Truck series driver, will also be at the track. Both drivers will sign autographs starting at about 7 p.m. and will be there for about two hours. Neither is scheduled to race.

Friday

Maybe it's no coincidence that an investment firm invested in the naming rights to the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams' stock is rising and with any luck they could make their third Super Bowl in four years. The Rams will peel the tape off the Dome when they play their preseason home opener against 'da Bears.

Kick off Fan Appreciation Weekend with the Zooperstars: Shark McGwire, Clammy Sosa, Ken Giraffey Jr. and more. These inflatable characters will be in Memphis to entertain fans at AutoZone Park when the Redbirds play the Iowa Cubs. I hope a fan runs onto the field and pokes a hole in those walking balloons.

Saturday

The Central High School Tigers will host a football clinic for their mothers. The Central coaching staff will give moms a first-hand look at what their cubs have to go through. And it's a great chance for moms to show off their talent and coordination that was passed on to their sons.

Sunday

The final weekend game of the Redbirds' season should be a hit. The first 1,500 fans to enter AutoZone Park will receive a 29-inch Redbirds Louisville Slugger replica bat. Gates open at 4:30 for a game against New Orleans.

Down the Road

Zoom, zoom, zoom: The IRL is coming to Gateway International Raceway on Aug. 25.

David Wilson is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian