Can you feel it?

It is purple excitement and it is growing. One tries to be subtle, humble, approach the preseason with reserve.. but we cannot. We read the pundits saying we were a flash in the pan in 2012, and the 'patterns' say we will fall back down.

We don't see it.

The list of blue-chip players on this team is growing, and as a regular drinker of purple kool-aid, we are drunk with giddiness. A little concerned Greg Jennings is talking trash so early, but hey, we have his back now that he is in purple. Aaron Rodgers a pompous ass? OK, if you say so, our new favorite receiver. Week one was a glimpse at a few players fighting to make the squad, and impressive efforts by players such as Stephen Burton and John Carlson. We saw that Matt Cassel throws just a wee bit better than Joe Webb. Sure we lost, but that is not a worry week one.

This week the Vikings will play against the Buffalo Bills. Their rookie quarterback E.J. Manuel is all the rage, and Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller are a very good 1-2 punch at running back. They scored 44 points in the first preseason game, albeit much of the scoring through reserves. The Bills are not an elite NFL talent, having finished 6-10 last year, but their first team is decent, and even strong at pass defense last year. Christian Ponder will face a test in the one or two quarters he is expected to play.

And that is what we can get focus on here. How will Ponder handle his new receivers? What does the addition of Jennings and Patterson do to the pass offense, but maybe equally important, opponent's run defenses? If Minnesota presents any kind of a solid passing attack, AP may have undercut himself at 2,500 yards.

I know what you are thinking. I am a gung-ho homer. The experts are not convinced. And you would be right.

This time of the year how can I be anything else?

But I am not alone...

There are many fans who feel as I do. We are trying not to talk cocky, or sound like complete homers, but we are. Most of us remember the winning ways of this franchise, the NFC Central domination, the frequent visits to the NFC Championship and/or Super Bowls. We know talent when we see it. And this team is loaded.

Tonight the Vikings play a relatively meaningless game against the Bills. The first few series on offense and defense will have merit, and fuel homers like myself to great heights should we do well. Most understand that this is not the time to judge a season, however, and these games are for coaches and scouts to evaluate talent.

Let's call it an appetizer.

Skol.