Over the past few weeks I've received a bunch of emails, challenging me to write an updated column about Albert Pujols and the Cardinals.

Here's a short version: "The Cardinals are struggling, and Pujols has heated up. When are you going to have the guts to admit that the Cardinals miss Pujols? I dare you to write that column, but you won't do it."

Actually, I have no reason to avoid writing a rather brash column declaring that the Cardinals are drifting and sinking without the Great Pujols to save them.