Jaguars’ pass defense stifles Fitzgerald, Boldin

azdad1978 · November 28th, 2005, 05:36 AM

By Darren Urban, Tribune
November 28, 2005

The Cardinals tired of the smack talk they heard over and over from the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday. The problem was, in what has become the theme of their season, they weren’t able to smack back.

Arizona tried to retaliate on a relatively chilly day at Sun Devil Stadium. But the Cards were still stuck with a 24-17 loss, a failure ripe with penalties and emotion and an offense that came alive too late.

"They were doing a lot of talking and dancing and stuff," said quarterback Kurt Warner, who fumbled away the team’s last chance after a blindside sack. "But our job is to go out and perform and that’s going to quiet them up.

"We have to go and battle and not let someone else get into our head. We have to execute to get them out of their ranting and raving."

There were reasons why the Jaguars (8-3) popped off. Their No. 1-ranked pass defense held receiver Larry Fitzgerald in check until late and frustrated fellow wideout Anquan Boldin to the point that Boldin committed two costly personal foul penalties.

The Jags also won without top running back Fred Taylor, who sat out with a bad ankle, and with backup quarterback David Garrard, who came in on the game’s first drive after starter Byron Leftwich broke his ankle on the very first play.

The Cardinals (3-8), coming off a spirit-lifting win the week before in St. Louis, felt there was another upset to be had.

Instead, it was more disappointment.

"I like the way we competed," fullback Obafemi Ayanbadejo said. "We didn’t lie down. It was something until we won last week I wasn’t seeing."

Certainly, the Cards could have caved. Their first drive fizzled when kicker Neil Rackers missed a field goal for the first time this season, and then the Jags followed with a touchdown drive despite Leftwich leaving the game.

When Arizona finally got on the scoreboard midway through the third quarter to pull within 10-3, the Cards allowed Derrick Winbush to break out a 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Only then did the Cards’ offense seem to awake. Of Arizona’s 368 total yards, 278 came in the second half.

Warner completed 29-of-46 passes for 315 yards, with 10 completions (for 115 yards) going to Boldin. He tossed touchdown passes to Fitzgerald and tight end Eric Edwards.

But when the Cardinals reached the Jacksonville 36-yard line with 32 seconds left, Warner held the ball and was creamed from behind by linebacker Akin Ayodele. Warner fumbled, Jacksonville recovered, and the game was over.

"It really shows how things are for us," center Nick Leckey said. "There’s a fine line for us being (close to) a high-powered offense."

The Cardinals are on the wrong side of the line these days.

Of course, much of that was self-inflicted. The worst came when Boldin threw Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis to the ground in a third-quarter tussle, moving the Cards from the Jacksonville 5 to the 20, leading to a field goal instead of a touchdown.

"I know a lot of players on that team so I know their character," Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett said. "They are going to talk trash and play dirty; that’s just the way they are.

"The best thing to do is take nothing from them. If they know you are going to take it, they’re going to keep on giving it. It’s about matching their intensity."

The perspective was slightly different on the Jaguars’ side. Said Mathis, "There was trash-talking, but it wasn’t more than normal."

Boldin’s second big penalty came after an incomplete pass on fourth-and-1, as he ripped off his helmet on the field to protest that no penalty was called on what he deemed overly physical coverage.

It cost the Cards 15 yards and the Jaguars scored what became the clinching touchdown on the next play.

"How do you fault a guy for playing with passion?" Warner said of Boldin. "Sometimes it goes both ways, but you have to love his fire. You can say what you want but I’ll take it every day of the week."

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=54110

john h · November 28th, 2005, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azdad1978

By Darren Urban, Tribune
November 28, 2005

The Cardinals tired of the smack talk they heard over and over from the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday. The problem was, in what has become the theme of their season, they weren’t able to smack back.

Arizona tried to retaliate on a relatively chilly day at Sun Devil Stadium. But the Cards were still stuck with a 24-17 loss, a failure ripe with penalties and emotion and an offense that came alive too late.

"They were doing a lot of talking and dancing and stuff," said quarterback Kurt Warner, who fumbled away the team’s last chance after a blindside sack. "But our job is to go out and perform and that’s going to quiet them up.

"We have to go and battle and not let someone else get into our head. We have to execute to get them out of their ranting and raving."

There were reasons why the Jaguars (8-3) popped off. Their No. 1-ranked pass defense held receiver Larry Fitzgerald in check until late and frustrated fellow wideout Anquan Boldin to the point that Boldin committed two costly personal foul penalties.

The Jags also won without top running back Fred Taylor, who sat out with a bad ankle, and with backup quarterback David Garrard, who came in on the game’s first drive after starter Byron Leftwich broke his ankle on the very first play.

The Cardinals (3-8), coming off a spirit-lifting win the week before in St. Louis, felt there was another upset to be had.

Instead, it was more disappointment.

"I like the way we competed," fullback Obafemi Ayanbadejo said. "We didn’t lie down. It was something until we won last week I wasn’t seeing."

Certainly, the Cards could have caved. Their first drive fizzled when kicker Neil Rackers missed a field goal for the first time this season, and then the Jags followed with a touchdown drive despite Leftwich leaving the game.

When Arizona finally got on the scoreboard midway through the third quarter to pull within 10-3, the Cards allowed Derrick Winbush to break out a 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Only then did the Cards’ offense seem to awake. Of Arizona’s 368 total yards, 278 came in the second half.

Warner completed 29-of-46 passes for 315 yards, with 10 completions (for 115 yards) going to Boldin. He tossed touchdown passes to Fitzgerald and tight end Eric Edwards.

But when the Cardinals reached the Jacksonville 36-yard line with 32 seconds left, Warner held the ball and was creamed from behind by linebacker Akin Ayodele. Warner fumbled, Jacksonville recovered, and the game was over.

"It really shows how things are for us," center Nick Leckey said. "There’s a fine line for us being (close to) a high-powered offense."

The Cardinals are on the wrong side of the line these days.

Of course, much of that was self-inflicted. The worst came when Boldin threw Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis to the ground in a third-quarter tussle, moving the Cards from the Jacksonville 5 to the 20, leading to a field goal instead of a touchdown.

"I know a lot of players on that team so I know their character," Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett said. "They are going to talk trash and play dirty; that’s just the way they are.

"The best thing to do is take nothing from them. If they know you are going to take it, they’re going to keep on giving it. It’s about matching their intensity."

The perspective was slightly different on the Jaguars’ side. Said Mathis, "There was trash-talking, but it wasn’t more than normal."

Boldin’s second big penalty came after an incomplete pass on fourth-and-1, as he ripped off his helmet on the field to protest that no penalty was called on what he deemed overly physical coverage.

It cost the Cards 15 yards and the Jaguars scored what became the clinching touchdown on the next play.

"How do you fault a guy for playing with passion?" Warner said of Boldin. "Sometimes it goes both ways, but you have to love his fire. You can say what you want but I’ll take it every day of the week."

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=54110

Got to like Warner coming to the defense of his receiver even if the receiver lost his cool. This will pay off for Warner next year. The game was over so no use being critical of Boldin now. Let the Coach do that. Boldin is firey no doubt. So was Conrad Dobler and Jim Brown.

Totally_Red · November 28th, 2005, 03:27 PM

I don't know what made Anquan angrier, the Jaguars dirty play *or* the incompetent officiating which allowed them to get away with it.

Anquan and the Cardinals have to play smarter and not let these pi$$ ants get under their skin. The best antidote to smack talking jerks is to beat them. Since we likely won't play them for another four years, we have plenty of time to get better before we get even.

The lesson learned is cut down on the senseless penalties, and try not to let the frustration of incompetent and unbalanced officiating deter you from the ultimate mission.