I know I probably shouldn't, but I'm starting to get excited about football.

[Pappy13]

Yes, it was just a scrimmage. Yes it's only practice. Yes it's only a week into camp. Yet I can't help it.

The work stoppage has really put a damper on things for me this spring. Normally I'm "ready for some football" from about June, but this year has been really hard to get that feeling going. That all changed sunday.

After reading how Henne and Marshall "cleared the air" before the scrimmage and then went out and had 3 TD connections, I finally started to get excited about this year. I know, it doesn't mean anything and I know that Marshall wasn't being double covered like he will be in games and yet I can't help finally getting into that eternally optimistic mode that I'm usually in come preseason. Even the INT that went for a pick six, I somehow chalked up to great defense rather than poor offense and could even get excited about that.

Because it's not just about Henne and Marshall and the offense, it's about the defense too. I know most of you have been telling me this defense can be very good and I've been cautious, but I'm starting to get excited about that too. Solaia seems ready to become a dominant force. Odrick seems even more eager to show everyone why he was drafted in the first round than he did last year. Dansby and Wake should be better in year 2 of this defense. Taylor brings in a bit of experience and locker room presence. Vontae and Smith are starting to get a little of that swagger that great CB's get. Maybe, just maybe this defense is for real and if it is, then that makes the job of the offense even easier.

It wasn't just the fact that Miami turned the ball over too much last year, it was also the fact that they didn't take the ball away enough either. Give the offense a lot more chances and maybe Sparano won't be so reluctant to take more chances. Maybe he'll actually believe that taking a shot into the endzone from the 30 is worth the risk even if it means you might lose a chance at a FG. The defense could help the offense and not just in games. Going up against a first class defense only helps the offense get better, as long as the offense has some success. Sunday's scrimmage I thought brought out the best in both the offense and the defense.

Yes I know, I'm getting ahead of myself, but I'm okay with that because for the first time this year, I've felt like there was some reason to be excited and for the first time this year, I'm ready to hear those words again.

Are you ready for some football?!!!!

[Dave Gray]

I think you should get excited.  Lockout over.  I'm starting to get excited myself.  The idea of watching football again on Sunday is getting me pumped.