Cardinals @ Vikings

Ah, so we have one preseason game down and we're getting to the important Game 2 where we will see the starters get more time. Hopefully you all got my last-minute email about the game last week. If not, shoot me an email and I'll resend it, simply because it included the usual "list housekeeping" information with which I start each season.

Last week's game was fun to watch (yes, it's been a while since I said that - yay, Bill Musgrave is gone). Cassel looked crisp and marched the Vikings downfield to their only score. Cordarelle Patterson and Jerrick McKinon looked excellent and I think Cordarelle will breakout this year. Teddy looked a little bit rough, but not terrible. I'm glad he's not starting the season, but wouldn't be distraught if he ended up coming in to finish this season.

Christian Ponder looked ... well, exactly like Christian Ponder. One reason I'm optimistic right now is that I can see that the optimism is not merely due to the fact that it is early in the season. Watching Ponder play brought back unpleasant flashbacks to last season. He underthrew (or overthrew) passes, flung a few balls behind his receivers and looked no different than he has looked the last few years. It seemed like he didn't want to be there and is content to just play out his time and go back to his wife and baby. There does not seem any desire on his part to make an impression for any other team. I'll be sorry to see him go at the end of the season. Not.

This week, we face the Arizona Cardinals. It should be a fun game (this season may be more fun than we've had in years). BILL MUSGRAVE IS GONE! The starters will play longer and if that's not enough for you, Sheila will be at home and will probably cook some dinner for us if you're interested in joining us. Please drop me a note if you plan to come for dinner before the game.

Hope to see you this weekend or sometime this season.

Let the fun begin.