Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
This game was like a standing-room-only operatic performance of the classic Dylan Thomas villanelle Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Such is the case in playoff football---it is do or die.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Applies so well to the Cardinals because they have never won a Super Bowl. Heading into the game, the head coach, Bruce Arians was 0-1 in the playoffs. The Cardinals' QB, Carson Palmer, was 0-2 in the playoffs. Both the head coach and the QB are in the latter years of their careers. As is the face of the franchise, WR Larry Fitzgerald, who, when congratulated by the passionate owner, Michael Bidwill, said, "This is why you brought me back, right?"
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
This applies well to the Packers---who, with their HOF QB Aaron Rodgers, came within an on-side kick recovery of heading the Super Bowl last year---and all the shoulda coulda wouldas that they and their fans have been pondering for the last few years---and in this business, at the end of the season, despite all the worthy contenders, only one team "dances in a green bay."
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Patrick Peterson's near 100 yard pick six---alas, called back because of a defensive face mask penalty. Peterson, who may have vexed the football gods for finger wagging at the last chasing Packer as he was prancing onto the end zone, nearly paid the ultimate humility for not properly tracking Aaron Rodgers' Hail Mary pass, which essentially was thrown right to him, the most able human on the planet to track a football in flight.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
First, for Aaron Rodgers, who threw two successful Hail Marys, the first out of a 4th and 20 hole from the end zone, when CB Justin Bethel and FS Rashad Johnson did the unthinkable by allowing WR Jeff Janis to beat them deep on the play. The second, in which, Rodgers cleverly read how the Cardinals were going to prevent his patented roll out right, so he swiveled his hips to the left and threw the ball 60 yards from a hop on his back foot with stunning air and accuracy.
Second, for Carson Palmer, who, on the first play of overtime, in the face of extreme pocket pressure, stumbled into his own blocker like a blind man, managed to keep his feet and suddenly in a second's flash spotted a wide-open Larry Fitzgerald in the opposite flat of the field---"blind eyes can blaze like meteors!"
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
This goes out to our head coach, Bruce Arians and his staff---who never take their feet off the pedals---which ultimately has helped shape a fast and furious mindset on the part the players on what it takes to succeed. Bruce Arians is as fierce as they come---and if anyone alive possesses the knowledge of how to turn curses into blessings, he does---and by the same token, so does QB Carson Palmer, who manifests the uncanny ability to respond to his mistakes by being even more aggressive the next time (there is nothing gentle about Palmer's approach )---and by the same token, so does WR Larry Fitzgerald who is the franchise's all-time paragon of diligence, loyalty and perseverance in helping the Arizona Cardinals expunge the stigma of a hapless, perennial doormat.
The Packers and Cardinals gave the world a stunning view of two teams that, yes made their fair share of mistakes, but, in the end, gave every ounce of courage and unyielding determination to try to stay alive. Neither team did not go gentle into that good night. One team prevailed in the end---but, both teams deserve the highest of praise---both teams proved themselves worthy of the occasion.
Harkening back to the issue of "no respect"---here is how far the Cardinals have come---you can see it all in this one minute video--- if you see it through to the end---it is a fitting reflection of the Arians Way!
Added Thoughts:
Players who stepped up big-time:
C Lyle Sendelin---maybe the best game of his career---did you see his block on B.J. Raji on the key third and short run to David Johnson? Wow.
RB David Johnson---that third down catch in traffic and backward tumble for the first down was sensational.
WR Michael Floyd---Johnny on the Spot, baby!
WR Smoke Brown---when Dom Capers switched to zone because Fitz was starting to go off---Smoke ran the zone routes to perfection.
DT Rodney Gunter---played hard all night.
ILB Deone Bucannon---was absolutely dynamic.
OLBs Dwight Freeney and Markus Golden---showed up big when they were needed the most.
S Tony Jefferson---led the team in tackles and had the best pass break up of the night on TE Richard Rodgers.
K Chandler Catanzaro---was super concentrated and efficient.
Cause for Concern?
G Mike Iupati---wonder of the shoulder is really hampering him.
G Ted Larsen---wildly inconsistent.
DT Frostee Rucker---not his usual self.
CB Justin Bethel---needs to play with more energy and bounce---never thought he would be the kind of player who would play lazy and mentally out of it at times.
FS Rashad Johnson---really slow reacting to so many plays, especially the Hail Marys that any FS should have been able to get to much earlier---am beginning to wonder whether D.J, Swearing is the better option right now. Like Rucker and iupati, Johnson appears to be hampered by injuries.
Turning Point?
Getting Dom Capers to switch to zone---which he did ironically to do a better job of containing Fitz.
That and---the now infamous coin toss!
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Such is the case in playoff football---it is do or die.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Applies so well to the Cardinals because they have never won a Super Bowl. Heading into the game, the head coach, Bruce Arians was 0-1 in the playoffs. The Cardinals' QB, Carson Palmer, was 0-2 in the playoffs. Both the head coach and the QB are in the latter years of their careers. As is the face of the franchise, WR Larry Fitzgerald, who, when congratulated by the passionate owner, Michael Bidwill, said, "This is why you brought me back, right?"
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
This applies well to the Packers---who, with their HOF QB Aaron Rodgers, came within an on-side kick recovery of heading the Super Bowl last year---and all the shoulda coulda wouldas that they and their fans have been pondering for the last few years---and in this business, at the end of the season, despite all the worthy contenders, only one team "dances in a green bay."
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Patrick Peterson's near 100 yard pick six---alas, called back because of a defensive face mask penalty. Peterson, who may have vexed the football gods for finger wagging at the last chasing Packer as he was prancing onto the end zone, nearly paid the ultimate humility for not properly tracking Aaron Rodgers' Hail Mary pass, which essentially was thrown right to him, the most able human on the planet to track a football in flight.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
First, for Aaron Rodgers, who threw two successful Hail Marys, the first out of a 4th and 20 hole from the end zone, when CB Justin Bethel and FS Rashad Johnson did the unthinkable by allowing WR Jeff Janis to beat them deep on the play. The second, in which, Rodgers cleverly read how the Cardinals were going to prevent his patented roll out right, so he swiveled his hips to the left and threw the ball 60 yards from a hop on his back foot with stunning air and accuracy.
Second, for Carson Palmer, who, on the first play of overtime, in the face of extreme pocket pressure, stumbled into his own blocker like a blind man, managed to keep his feet and suddenly in a second's flash spotted a wide-open Larry Fitzgerald in the opposite flat of the field---"blind eyes can blaze like meteors!"
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
This goes out to our head coach, Bruce Arians and his staff---who never take their feet off the pedals---which ultimately has helped shape a fast and furious mindset on the part the players on what it takes to succeed. Bruce Arians is as fierce as they come---and if anyone alive possesses the knowledge of how to turn curses into blessings, he does---and by the same token, so does QB Carson Palmer, who manifests the uncanny ability to respond to his mistakes by being even more aggressive the next time (there is nothing gentle about Palmer's approach )---and by the same token, so does WR Larry Fitzgerald who is the franchise's all-time paragon of diligence, loyalty and perseverance in helping the Arizona Cardinals expunge the stigma of a hapless, perennial doormat.
The Packers and Cardinals gave the world a stunning view of two teams that, yes made their fair share of mistakes, but, in the end, gave every ounce of courage and unyielding determination to try to stay alive. Neither team did not go gentle into that good night. One team prevailed in the end---but, both teams deserve the highest of praise---both teams proved themselves worthy of the occasion.
Harkening back to the issue of "no respect"---here is how far the Cardinals have come---you can see it all in this one minute video--- if you see it through to the end---it is a fitting reflection of the Arians Way!
xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
Added Thoughts:
Players who stepped up big-time:
C Lyle Sendelin---maybe the best game of his career---did you see his block on B.J. Raji on the key third and short run to David Johnson? Wow.
RB David Johnson---that third down catch in traffic and backward tumble for the first down was sensational.
WR Michael Floyd---Johnny on the Spot, baby!
WR Smoke Brown---when Dom Capers switched to zone because Fitz was starting to go off---Smoke ran the zone routes to perfection.
DT Rodney Gunter---played hard all night.
ILB Deone Bucannon---was absolutely dynamic.
OLBs Dwight Freeney and Markus Golden---showed up big when they were needed the most.
S Tony Jefferson---led the team in tackles and had the best pass break up of the night on TE Richard Rodgers.
K Chandler Catanzaro---was super concentrated and efficient.
Cause for Concern?
G Mike Iupati---wonder of the shoulder is really hampering him.
G Ted Larsen---wildly inconsistent.
DT Frostee Rucker---not his usual self.
CB Justin Bethel---needs to play with more energy and bounce---never thought he would be the kind of player who would play lazy and mentally out of it at times.
FS Rashad Johnson---really slow reacting to so many plays, especially the Hail Marys that any FS should have been able to get to much earlier---am beginning to wonder whether D.J, Swearing is the better option right now. Like Rucker and iupati, Johnson appears to be hampered by injuries.
Turning Point?
Getting Dom Capers to switch to zone---which he did ironically to do a better job of containing Fitz.
That and---the now infamous coin toss!
Last edited by a moderator:
