Well we are finally here, it is wild card weekend and my Cardinals will be taking on the Packers today. Boy, I hope it is me, I am just not nearly as excited as last year. Ididn’t even watch football yesterday? Of course last year was the first time we won the division since the Cardinals came to Arizona some 22 years ago. And it was the first time they were in the playoffs, since Jake Plummer took them to Dallas for that fantastic victory in 1998. I still remember that crew with Frank Sanders, Rob Moore, Aeneas Williams, Pat Tillman, Eric Swan, Simeon Rice, Lomas Brown and Corey Chavous. We struggled all year back and forth at a .500 record. Then we were 6 wins and 7 losses with 3 games to go. We started with an over time win against Philadelphia Eagles, then squeakers over the saints and San Diego. At the San Diego game, if I am remembering correctly, on our final drive there was a fake punt. Pat Tillman got the direct snap and ran for a first down. Chris Jacke went on to kick a 52 yard field goal and win the game. We rushed the field like a college team. We were playing at ASU stadium, so what the heck. They tore down the goal post and marched it out of the stadium. I was a fantastic day. The next week we beat the arrogant Cowboys in Dallas. Then went to Minnesota and got stomped by the Vikings.
Last year we went real early and cruised around Westgate, got our faces painted and all pumped up. Who was to know we would go all the way to the Superbowl? Not I, I was just happy to be there. My expectations were none. The Atlanta Falcons were 11 – 5 and we were a 9 -7 team. I am still shocked to look back at the pictures from Tampa Bay and the first time My team was in the Super Bowl. I was so fortunate to have been treated to the game by my good friends John and Lori.
This year my excitement level has dropped off. I hope I get excited soon. It was our first 10 win season, YAY! I guess last week just took the wind out of my sails. We rested players and lost. I am good with that. They played their starters and won. I am good with that. I guess what is sticking in my side is that even though we rested players, we suffered several key injuries. I am very sad to see Anquan Boldin injured. I want him to have a great game and get re-signed with the team. I think this injury will distant him with the team and this may be his last year as a Cardinal. That is sad. If we are one and done, does Kurt Warner retire? What about Matt Leinart?
My coffee is ready. I need to stop crying about the what if and get my self up for this game. The team needs me and I need the team. The hell with all this! We are eating CHEESE today! I am ready. Oh shit I am going crazy right now. What happens when I get to the coffee. Is this it? Is my excitement finally here? Was I just too tired from a long week of work?
GO CARDINALS! OK, I FEEL IT NOW. TODAY WILL BE A GREAT DAY!
Just my opinion…Jeff Cameron
480-652-2004