Then there were my hometown Rockets and Suns (whom I want to succeed for professional reasons) this past season -- the epitome of mediocrity and uncertainty. I can't tell you how many times I swore off being a hard core fan in February, March and April.

Can July 25th hurry up and get here already?!

That's when the Cardinals hit the field for the first day of training camp. I know they're already getting a head start on most other teams, but that's how ready I am for something else to focus on. While this year's camp promises to be somewhat different than in years past (thanks to new player-friendly CBA rules), it's still football, as well as a reprieve from sports-fan purgatory of following frustrating teams.

Now, I truly love the gridiron. It's not just a rebound sport for me when baseball season isn't going my way. Plus, as frustrating as it may be for Ken Whisenhunt to have to deal with, I eagerly anticipate watching the Cardinals' quarterback competition unfold. While it's too bad it has to come down to Kevin Kolb vs. John Skelton -- especially considering what the Cards paid for Kolb -- it will still be entertaining to watch coaches and fans live and die with every snap during every practice, scrimmage and preseason game. What will be even better is hearing how many different ways Coach Whiz can answer the same questions, posed in different forms and fashions each day.

Truth be told, I have high expectations for the Cards. Unlike many experts and prognosticators, I expect them to play more than 16 regular season and five preseason games. I believe Kolb will be better than last year. I believe a healthy combo of Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams will be a big reason why. While I'm not quite sure what to make of the offensive line (and that is a big question), I am confident the defense will pick up where it left off in the second half of last season.

Baseball, I still love you. D-backs, I still believe you can keep things interesting in August and September. Unfortunately, I can only take so much of two wins here, three losses there and the star player drama.

I need me some pigskin!