COPING

December 19, 2007 by Jo Sparkes

Each of us has our way of coping with a few disappointments. Throw things at the television. Jump up and down on your Cardinals Baseball cap. Present a finger to a police officer at an inappropriate time.

I don’t recommend the latter.

For me, it’s remembering the good times. Like the opening of the Browns game just a few weeks back, when we were in the thick of the playoff hunt. It’s the opening – and the Cardinals defense is facing the Browns. I’m yelling my head off. Three rows ahead of me, a guy in a brown baseball cap – embroidered, mind you – is unhappy.

“You’re too loud,” the man said.

“What?”

“You’re too loud.” And as I continue to stare at him, he adds, “Look, I’m a Cardinals fan too.”

His girlfriend is also wearing brown, a sweater right out of a Vermont ski lodge. They don’t look like a couple to casually wear this particular shade by happenstance. And I’ve never seen them before, although the season ticket holders I can easily recognize.

“Lady,” he tries again. “You’re too loud.”

“Thank you.”

It was early in the game – very early – and my team needed me. After a killing loss the week before my team needed to re-establish themselves. Cleveland’s offense was supposed to be good, so we couldn’t afford to wait on this. Had to scream early and often.

One of the regulars turns to me after the Browns complete a long pass into Arizona territory. “Are you sure screaming helps?”

“If you make enough noise, their offense will make mistakes.”

The guy in the embroidered brown cap gives me a “don’t kid yourself – these are professional football players. They don’t make mistakes,” look.

(Ian thinks I read far too much into people’s expressions. But men are insensitive to stuff like that. You can give them dirty looks all around the trash, for example, but they never get the hint and put it out.)

Third and eight, and I leap to my feet screaming DEFENSE. Anderson lobs one up –

– Hood intercepts. And takes it 71 yards back for an Arizona touchdown. The guy in the brown cap never looked me in the eye for the rest of the game.

So you see, that particular win had a lot to do with me. If I’d gone to the away games, we’d have the Division locked up by now.

My friend and fellow Arizona Sports Fans member, David, has other ways to avoid the pain. During the Seattle game his wife tried to get him to go Christmas shopping. Especially at the half, when the Cards are down 20 points.

“We really need to finish our Christmas list,” she urges. “You don’t need to watch this.”

At that point, the Cardinals score a Touchdown. “Uh huh,” says David, eyes glued to the set. Rackers kicks onsides – and recovers it himself, after brilliantly watching the markers to be sure it goes the requisite yards. “Oh yeah!” he yells. His wife wisely assumes this enthusiasm isn’t for shopping.

Then Seattle runs back an interception for a Touchdown, and David’s wife drags him off to Old Navy.

Wearing his Anquan jersey, he stands waiting glumly as his wife sorts through sweatshirts. And then notices another guy waiting glumly – in a red cap and Edgerrin James Jersey. They exchanged a long sigh, and then carefully avoid eye contact for the remainder of the shopping.

Yes, we all have our ways to handle the pain, from screaming on the message boards to sobbing over Monday coffee. Personally, I prefer shopping.

As I listen to Coach Whisenhunt, I find the best method for me is not to dwell in the past, but to dream of the future. Some insist upon reliving history, but in the immortal words of Jake Plummer, ‘what does history have to do with any of us now playing?’ That was the 1998-year, by the way, when my Cardinals beat the Cowboys in the playoffs.

For me, it’s easy to believe in the future. I’m impressed with our coaches – and I love Whisenhunt’s style. The fact that he’s a new head coach means he’ll grow and learn – and this delightfully humble guy seems exactly the type to not only grow, but to become one of the greats. Just my own humble opinion, but I’m willing to wait five years to find out. I like his choices, you see.

And Arizona has my gorgeous stadium, a Super Bowl this year with others to follow, and some really tremendous players. Really.

Yep – the end of the season has certainly demanded patience from the loyal. But then, anyone who is loyal to my Cardinals is patient by definition.

So hang in there folks. It’s always darkest before the dawn.

From Ian and George, from Jim Skane and the moderators, and from me – Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and especially a wonderful New Year to all of you.

Peace.

Posted in edgerrin james, neil rackers, ken whisenhunt, anquan boldin, football, nfl, arizona cardinals