The Saints struck first after a Drew Brees near-flawless drive, going 6-7 for 40 yards and a TD strike that was lofted over the Cardinals secondary. The Cardinals responded with a 63 yard drive for that was capped off with a 1 yard touchdown run by (impressive) running back Tim Hightower (scoring drive in video below). Matt Leinart, also looked very impressive during his limited time in the game 7-8 for 91 yards.

I am elated (SAT Word, kinda) that MNF has started, except for the fact somebody put it on Thursday, and have been waiting for football season for a longggg time. Enjoy my video of the Cardinals first scoring drive of the 08 pre-season with my new toy.

Leagues Top five Quarterbacks…

Tom Brady.

now everybody knows this is basically as safe of a guess that one can possibly make, but after years of trying to convince myself that Tom Brady is not actually that good, i have finally given in and put him in his rightful spot. And although i must admit that Tom is among the leagues elite, don’t look for him to put up the same numbers he did last year. By no means will he have a bad season, but he will not have a repeat of last year. Season Predictions- 3,900 pass yards. 39 TD’s 11 Int’s

Peyton Manning- This was a tough one for me because although i feel that Manning belongs at the top, i just could not justify putting him above Brady, That being said, I do feel that Manning is gonna come to play this year and will regain his top spot as the leagues top QB. After all, he still has a good combo of Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison as well as a young talent in Anthony Gonzalez who looks to be a future star in this league. also lets not forget the fact that Manning has Joseph Addai ande on of the NFL’s top coaching crews. Season Predictions- 4,100 yards, 34 TD’s 9 Int’s

Matt Hasselbeck-

Now for all the Tony Romo fans out there who feel that this spot belong to Romo, relax, he is next on the list. The reason Hasselbeck comes in above Romo in my oppinion is that every full season he plays, Hasselbeck Seems to get better and better and this season will be no different. This season has all the looks of a stellar season for Matt. One of the major reasons he is poised for such a breakout season, is that last year he put up huge number, and did this with one of the NFL’s worst running games backing him. This means that he couldn’t get the playaction passes he wanted in order to get the defense to bite. Also he was not facing an eight man front meaning that he had more DB’s or Drop back linebackers to throw into, and even with all of that he produce. This year he gets something he sorely needed, a Running back. Julius Jones should provide Hasselbeck with the solid running game he needs to complete his game. Look for the seahawks to pound the ball and then let Hasselbeck run some play action and really open the offense up. Season Predictions- 3,800 yards 33 TD’s 12 Int’s

Tony Romo- Ok the first thing i have to say here is why does everyone look at the fact that he dates Jessica Simpson as a negative thing (ARE THESE PEOPLE NUTS?!?!) basically 99 percent of all men would date her if they could so i think we should cut this guy some slack as far as that one goes. Now back to football, Romo is a young player and yet he keeps on producing and putting up stellar numbers. One thing i don’t like about him though is decision making, he throws into double coverage too much and he turns it over to much (which is the reason that Drew Brees is not making the top five, now i know what you’re thinking, “Brees threw less INT’s than Romo” that is true but Brees had overall more turnovers last season, plus i think Romo will use last year’s experience to grow and cut back on the Int’s.)He returns this year with Marion Barber pounding the ball as well as a stud rookie in Felix Jones. These two backs will have the defence on it’s heels and really tire them out. Doing this will let Romo do what he does best, drop back set his feet and release (to T.O. of course who will then take the 5 yard pass for 70 yards and a touchdown) but seriously, look for Romo to put up big number this year, he has in my opinion a a better offense surrounding him than last year as well as another year of experience under his belt. Season Predictions-3,900 yards 32 TD’s 14 INT’s

and now for my suprise pick…landing himself in the top five by finishing the post season in top form and looking to build on those numbers….

Phillip Rivers- (and no i am not on drugs, this is a real prediction)

Yes this pick seems a little crazy, but when you take into consideration how he played in the playoffs and what he has to work with, this is a very realistic pick. Rivers really stepped up in the playoffs and if it were not for his injury, the Chargers may have made it to the bowl. Rivers is looking to build off of a sub par season last year, but lucky for him, he has everything he needs to do so. Rivers returns this season with LaDainian Tomlinson who is the easily the top Back in the NFL but that is not the only weapon that Rivers has, he has a young and extremely talented WR who really stepped up in the playoffs in Vincent Jackson, Jackson will continue to get better and better and will provide Rivers with a big target who can take it the distance. After getting that akward first season with a new team thing out of the way, look for Chris Chambers to also step up and haul in alot more passes. As if that was not impressive enough, Rivers also has the leagues top TE in Antonio Gates (Gonzalez and Winslow are close seconds) and he has a young player yet to emerge in wide receiver Craig “Buster” Davis. All in all i look for Rivers to make the biggest turn around of any player this season and really step his game up. Season Predictions- 3,800 yards 31 TD’s 13 INT’s

Honorable Mention- Drew Brees (too many Turnovers) Carson Palmer (Receivers are a mess) Derek Anderson (one year wonder?)

Stay tuned next week for the top five Running backs of the 08-09 Season