NFL back on...is Cold Omaha back too?

We might be back. It has been a long time since we blogged in this space. For the thousands of (thousands sounds like more than 75) people who check this site three to four times a week, we might reward you with a few posts here and there with some consistency again.

The NFL is back. Ray Edwards and Sid Rice are going to leave us. Chris Ponder is going to be our quarterback. The Twins have to sweep a series against the Rangers to stay in the AL Central race.

The NFL is back. Good times.

Kill not blowing smoke - it's a start.

Jerry Kill is the new head football coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Yesterday was national signing day and for the first time in ten years, the Gophers didn't have their best recruiting class in the history of the institution. And that's a good thing.

Let me explain. For the most part, college coaches go out of their way to talk up a recruiting class and to sell a bill of goods that just isn't there. Kill admitted yesterday that he has no idea how good this class is - and he won't know for two years. How refreshing is that?

The previous coach and even Glen Mason bragged about recruiting classes all the time. Kill is going to let the process play out and not give an over-the-top opinion when it isn't warranted. Say what you will about him not being a big name and not having the big-time experience on his resume. Yesterday was a great first step toward managing expectations and showing us what his personality will be when it comes to over-hyping his squad. Sound great to me.

Matt Capps is worth every penny. Or not.

The Twins didn't have much choice - they had to give Matt Capps a one-year-deal because he's basically the only sure thing they have in the bullpen right now and even though it will cost them $7 million - it had to be done.

But wow...it sure seems like a lot of money for a guy who has no "out" pitch, doesn't get many clean saves, and made "pitching to contact" a household phrase last summer.

The Twins payroll will be pushing $115 million this year and you can't argue with the team spending that kind of money. Some will argue that they didn't spend the money all that wisely, but we have two words for you: Jim Thome.

Just be happy he is back here in a Twins uniform. Will anyone be surprised if Justin Morneau isn't ready to start the season? I will be shocked if he's ready to go by May. So having Thome's bat in the lineup will be huge for the club.

As for the relievers - the Twins always find a way to patch up a leaky bullpen from within. I have faith. It might be blind faith, but I have faith. Is there really much choice at this point? The windchill will be -20 tonight...let me have blind faith in my favorite baseball team. If the cold isn't bad enough, the Packers and Bears are playing for a chance to go to the freaking Super Bowl -- I think I have the right to be optimistic during this difficult time.