It's late here in Canton -- past 2 a.m. -- so this is going to be an efficient post, in part because it's the first of five preseason games and yeah, the preseason. That doesn't mean things of importance can't happen. You wish the head coach wasn't saying "fingers crossed" about an injury to the rookie who was already showing he could be that dynamic return man you had been seeking.

But it was hard not to notice quarterback Blaine Gabbert as the top story of the evening. With all the caveats of preseason/the Cowboys only using three defensive starters, Gabbert looked very good in completing 11-of-14 passes for 185 yards. What does this mean? It means that Gabbert succeeded when, frankly, he should have. Beyond that, we'll still see.

The last time a new Cardinals QB played so well in the preseason opener? (It just happened to be the last time a Cardinal was going into the Hall of Fame, Aeneas Williams.) Logan Thomas completed 11-of-12 passes against the Texans, for 113 yards and a TD. We all know how that turned out. Now, Gabbert is not Thomas. As much as Gabbert has struggled, his NFL career was still light years better. But it's a reminder to hold off on grand pronouncements.

-- Speaking of the Hall of Fame, Kurt Warner had his party Thursday night, and both Larry Fitzgerald and Adrian Wilson made it over there to celebrate post-game.

-- Logan really looked good as a return man. For a guy who hadn't returned punts in college, he impressed.

-- Tight ends Troy Niklas and Ifeanyi Momah also made some plays. Momah in the passing game, grabbing three receptions. If he is able to play special teams like he did last year before getting hurt, Momah has a place on this roster.

-- Andre Ellington scored on a three-yard run that showed some grit, fighting his way between the tackles. If you recall, Bruce Arians said Ellington had to run tougher. The TD run was a good sign.

-- Rookie safety Budda Baker made some plays. Arians praised Haason Reddick too.

-- Robert Nkemdiche took a step forward again, playing much of the time in the first half. He busted up a couple of plays. He says being healthy, he feels more like himself. Again, he's going in the right direction.

-- The backups who played the offensive line for Gabbert mostly held up (from left tackle, Wetzel, Kaleb Johnson, Toner, Bergstrom, John.) The second-unit pass rushers who started didn't generate enough pressure.

-- The Cardinals return to practice Saturday (it's closed to the public). Meanwhile, I'll be here in Canton, covering Warner's induction. Look for my big Warner-years-in-Arizona story tomorrow (today, here in the Eastern time zone).

-- UPDATE: Some are wondering why I didn't bring up the missed field goals, and it's simple. Phil Dawson didn't kick. The punters, Richie Leone and Matt Wile, kicked, each missed a field goal, but the punter will only be kicking when it counts if Dawson goes down in a game. That's unlikely to happen.