Aug 5, 2012; Canton, OH, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb (4) lays on the field after an incomplete pass against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter of the pro football hall of fame preseason game at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE

It might not have been the Rams, but it was still football, and football is good. The Arizona Cardinals and New Orleans Saints opened up the 2012 preseason on Sunday night in the Hall of Fame Game, with the Saints beating the Cards 17-10.

As with most preseason games, the final score wasn’t what was important. What is important, however, is that Arizona’s quarterback situation looks just as bad as it was last season. Potential starter Kevin Kolb came out and promptly threw an interception on his first pass of the game, then after a three-and-out, he was hit and left the game with a rib contusion. Yeah, that sounds about right for Kolb. John Skelton actually looked pretty solid during his turn, but everyone who is saying the Rams are a sure thing to finish last in the West again should probably rethink that opinion until Arizona finds a quarterback.

Drew Brees was Drew Brees in his only drive of the evening, as he marched the Saints down the field for a touchdown and finished 4/5 for 41 yards. Mizzou great Chase Daniel had a nice night after Brees left, as he finished 15/20 for 203 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT. Not bad.

Overall, although I didn’t really care much about this game, it was still great to see NFL football back on the TV screen. Now we just have to wait a week to finally see the Rams.

November 13, 2011; Tampa, FL, USA; Houston Texans running back Derrick Ward (32) prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

This NFL offseason will be remembered for a couple different things, like the Drew Brees contract and guys like Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III starting their careers, but nothing will stand out more than the numerous arrests from drinking and driving. In case you stopped keeping track, here is the list of guys in the league that we know of who have been arrested for driving while impaired: Robert Quinn, Nick Fairley, Kenny Britt, Donald Washington, Marshawn Lynch, Aaron Berry, David Diehl, Justin Blackmon, Jerome Felton, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Brandon Meriweather, Knowshon Moreno and Aldon Smith. Former NFL running back Derrick Ward has seen enough.

Ward took to Twitter on Saturday to impart some wisdom to the guys who apparently need all they can get. Here is a list of tweets, and while it’s long, it’s all pretty interesting and certainly valid.

“Alright NFL players!!! Its absolutely E-N-O-U-G-H!!! Drinking and Driving? How dumb can u be? Its absolutely stupid and your making the good guys that actually do right in the NFL look bad. How easy is it to call a cab to get a ride home? So what? Leave your car get it in the am!? Stop being so dumb! Yes that’s right dumb! I’m sitting here retired enjoyed a great career now all I want to do is become a fan and I see numerous arrest for DWI in the past several weeks? How many has it been this week 4? Absolutely ridiculous your not only putting yourself in danger but your putting other innocent people in danger that don’t deserve your stupidity. Open your eyes and do the right thing. I know what its like to get go out get drunk and debate on weather to drive home or not. Call a taxi! So what if u spend some money to take one or U get a ticket on your car in the am when u go bac 2 get it At least u won’t have to pay bail and then lawyer fees and then miss game checks from being suspended for a few games. Damn this really has me furious and its so avoidable. Tighten up youngsters of the NFL because guess what it doesn’t mean National Football League it really means Not For Long league. There’s no excuse to drive drunk! NONE! If all else fails WALK! NFL players are world class athletes Walking should be nothing!”

Jan 14, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) calls an audible from behind the line of scrimmage against the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter of the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Candlestick Park. San Francisco defeated New Orleans 36-32. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

This isn’t Rams news, but it’s big news around the NFL. The New Orleans Saints have finally paid quarterback Drew Brees, and they did it in a big way. Brees agreed to a five-year, $100 million deal on Friday, with a reported $60 million of that guaranteed. That number is the biggest guaranteed in NFL history.

That’s a heck of a payday, and it’s about time. Brees is the face of not only that franchise, but the entire city. I don’t blame him one bit for threatening to hold out, and it worked. I didn’t think it would work as well as it did, but I’m glad he got his money. There are very few players in this league who deserve it, but Brees is one of them.

Now, if the Chicago Bears would just pay running back Matt Forte, then things would be even better.