I miss the Arizona Cardinals.  My Sunday just isn’t the same without them.

(sigh)

I just swept and vacuumed the floor.  I googled a recipe for cooking prime rib.    I fixed a window screen.  I’m helping my daughter with her piano lessons.  I might even help The-Decision-Maker give the puppies a bath.  I’ve been far more productive than any red blooded American male has a right to be on a Sunday.

Because I miss the Arizona Cardinals.

Oh don’t get me wrong.  I’m watching football.  Right now it’s the Colts and Packers.  Later I’ll watch the Red Sox/Rays.  But the Cardinals have become far more relevant and compelling than I could have ever imagined.  And my Sunday feels empty without them.

It wasn’t always like this.  In the past, the bye week was a respite…for all of us.  The team needed a break from football and I needed a break from the team.  They would use phrases like “we’ve got to figure some things out,” and “the break comes at a really good time for us.”   I would use phrases like, “Thank God, now I can watch some decent football.”

The bye week for the Cardinals used to be like that moment where you and your girlfriend decided to see other people.  You were free to do whatever you wanted with whomever you wanted.  Good times.

It gave those of us who can’t afford the Direct TV package a one week window to watch something other than Cardinals football.  Real NFL football with real NFL teams.  It was a gift.

But now I’m hooked and I need my fix.

I miss Kurt Warner.  Will he toss the boneheaded pick or complete the spectacular throw?  Larry Fitzgerald’s circus catches.  Ken Whisenhunt’s decision making - sometimes daring sometimes silly - but always fascinating.  I miss a team that has as good a chance, if not a better chance, as any of its predecessors to be a factor in November and December.  To be a playoff team.

They’ll be back next weekend.  I’ve already got the couch time reserved.  But in the meantime, the Colts and the Packers just ain’t doing it for me…..I got to go fold the laundry.

I miss the Cardinals.