Vikings

I normally don't care about pre-season games. The first team offense and defense may play a quarter or two. They may let some of the top rookies get some significant playing time...

...or they might be playing mostly scrubs just to get a look at them in game conditions.

Either way, I HOPE to see some of the game with my visiting brothers.

I expect more from the Vikings this year than in several seasons.

Why?

1) They have a new head coach who seems to understand that a typical offensive game plan is not to run it up the middle on every play.

2) That head coach hired an offensive coordinator who hasn't doesn't even know how to run the same play twice in a row, AND he likes passing the ball. A lot.

3) Matt Cassel is expected to start the first few games of the season, and he is so much better at leading a team than last year's designated starter.

4) Last year's designated starter is going to be the emergency third-string starter this year if he's not traded before the season starts.

5) Everything is much better with a better offense. With an offense that moves the ball the defense will be on the field less. With an offense that moves the ball we won't have to rely on special teams doing miraculous things every week.

6) Our special teams are really special this year. They should do miraculous things every single week even though they don't have to.

I expect a lot from THE PURPLE this year.

They better not let me down.