What a difference a week makes! The Vipers looked like a totally different team Saturday night after their 74-20 win over Quad City. The Vipers looked like the team that captured the 2008 ArenaCup Championship, and looked like a team ready to defend their title.

The Vipers committed three turnovers at Green Bay, and took themselves out of the game with costly mistakes, and ultimately lost the game 53-40, but that was nothing but a distant memory Saturday night as the Vipers celebrated the unveiling of the 2008 Championship banner and a thrashing of an old foe. Quarterback Kevin Eakin looked to have found his groove after tossing Quad City an early gift early in the game, and had a smile on his face following the game. Why wouldn't he? He had just finished torching the Quad City defense for seven touchdown passes.

My broadcast partner, and arena football expert Coach Ray Greene made a great statement following the game Saturday night, he said the Vipers looked more prepared for this game and they looked like what a defending champion is supposed to look like. I also saw Coach Cokinos at the post-game party and I said to him, "that's more like it". Coach Cokinos just smiled and shook his head. He didn't have to say anything else.

So, the Vipers move on with a trip to South Georgia this Saturday night, and thus the beginning of the division games. South Georgia is the defending champ, and it is no doubt on the Vipers list of goals is a South Division Championship, but this is arguably the toughest division in the af2 and the Vipers will have to bring the exact effort they brought against Quad City. Also, I don't have to remind you that the Vipers will get everybody's best shot this year. Being the Champ brings out the best in opposing teams doesn't it?