(Ed. Note: The goal is to make it through this post without a single Shawshank redemption. I think I can do it. Brooks Wuz Here. D'oh!)

The morning has come, and things don't look as bad.  Yes, we sucked. Mightly.  But maybe it was a perfect storm of being on the road, injuries, and us keeping the playbook vanilla. Maybe Brodie just had a bad game. Maybe... here's what I hope this season.  I don't have unrealistic expectations. I'm not hopeful of the playoffs, or of Bowe being a ProBowler.  But here's what I hope.

I hope Brodie gets to work in a system he's comfortable with, that teaches him to limit his mistakes but not be afraid of making them.

I hope the Show gets enough touchdowns for him to feel like he's a central part of this team for the future.

I hope Tony Gonzalez finds some comfort in teaching the new kids how to win, and how to do it with class. Then I hope he gets traded to a contender.

I hope Albert stays healthy enough to pancake a few guys and show Brodie that help is on the way.

I hope LJ stays healthy and motivated, and doesn't get ridden into the ground again.

I hope LJ stays out of trouble.

I hope Franklin, Price, SOMEBODY comes out as a viable #2.

I hope Chan lets the cuffs off sometimes, and Herm lets him.

I hope Tank and Tyler make the jump, and every now and then, just now and again, absolutely crush some quarterback.

I hope DJ takes this challenge as something to commit to, rather than get frustrated with.

I hope Hali makes Herm look like a genius for trading Drunky McDrunkerson.

I hope Pat Thomas turns into Kawika Mitchell 2.0, or at least Mazlowski 1.5.

I hope Brandon Flowers runs a pick six on Cutler.

I hope LaDainian Tomlinson doesn't kill us.

I *really* hope Darren McFadden doesn't kill us.

I hope Page and Pollard just get a _little_ better at attacking the ball and not just the ball-carrier.

I hope Page lights up people.

I hope Gunther makes them belive.

I hope we beat the Raiders, just at home.

I hope we beat the Broncos, just at home.

I hope we keep the margin of defeat under 14.

I hope we play with passion and pride.

I hope I don't drink myself into a coma.