Game thoughts...Whiz hating is getting old

[PoolBoy]

"get an offensive coordinator" "free beanie" "blitz more" "blitz less"

get over it.

Did Whiz's "terrible" play calling make Boldin fumble?
Did it make Urban drop a wide open big gain?
Did it make Fitz and Boldin drop catchable balls on the sideline?

NO

We won the game.

Also it's not plausible to bring in a new offensive coordinator right now to completely put in a new system MID SEASON. get real.

It's like the Whiz haters realize it's not realistic to hate on the players cause they aren't close to their physical capabilities, but you guys go to ASFN or NFL.com everyday or play madden so you think you can coach. He knows what this teams strength is, which is to throw it all day long.

I realize the team is not playing well, but that is because the offensive and defensive lines are the root of the problem. Whats the point of blitzing if even when we blitzed SEVEN, schaub had all day to throw. Might as well drop back in coverage.

enjoy a win guys.

 

[az1965]

I agree it does not make sense to bring in an OC middle of the season. It will further screw up things. But this OC by committee clearly was not the right decision.

I like Whiz but clearly the team is struggling and it is eventually head coach's responsibility when all facets of the team has problems. The examples you mentioned show lack of concentration, discipline, and mental lapses.

 

[Shane]

Bringing in an OC right now no matter what your opinion on the matter would be beyond stupid.

 

[JerkFace]

Wiz used a whole season to 'prepare' Haley before letting him make plays. Maybe he is 'preparing' either Grimm or Miller in the same way.

 

[Rats]

The Texans headcoach made adjmnts at halftime. Whiz kept the status quo even after the Texans tied the game. At the start of the 2nd half had he adjstd to running to set up the pass we would have kept there D off balance and had more success. A 2nd year intern on offense knows this. The Texans coach changed the game by getting on his Qb and lifting there offense. The Whiz....just whizzed all over himself. I am sure he knows he is out manned. It is tough to get a win in the NFL with a mediocre roster. Don't' fool yourself. That is what the Cards have. They have to rely on there playmakers as they did tonight to win. We are 8-8 at best with the schedule we have and more likely 6-10. Whiz has to get Levi over to guard and next season get someone that can play tackle. Probably needs 2 for both sides. Either way we need the playmakers to win as the Lines will not dominate anyone and neither will the other team be out coached. Going to be a long season. The only thing that can change this is Warner to Boldin and Fitz for a TD a piece and hope the D comes up with one or Breaston on a return. Big plays are the only chance of stealing games like tonight.

 

[Doug]

One of if not the biggest things as a team is that we don't show up for the fouth quarter.No excuses.Thats been a common thread in all of our games and we've got to get that turned around now.

I'm not on Whiz at all.The coaches coach and the players play.I took notes on every play of the game and one of the biggest things is the Howlers penalty that stopped a for sure scoring drive that Fitz just made an awesome gain on.

If Warner does'nt make the tackle after Boldins fumble then its almost a 100 yard score the other way and the game changes before half.I wonder who else saw that?

Don't throw the ball to Kreider no matter what he and the Howler can't catch.Period.

The offense only had the ball for just over 2 minutes in the fourth quarter.We've got to do better than that.

We did the same thing to the Jags that the seahawks did except we did it in Jacksonville and we let up at halftime again.If Warner stayed in we could have scored more than the hags did.So don't be afraid of going into Qwest field next week.We've been there and done that.

Plus we get a real tight end back to join the team in Patrick and I'm sure we can cut Byrd when he returns.Its gonna be good to know we have a real tight end to throw too and have block again on the team.Hope he works hard all week.

Whiz is OJT....Thats all.So far so good.Yes we could have done better so far but I'm not into the If's and buts of what has gone wrong in the games we lost.We just had our bye and we play 3 of our toughest games in the next 3 games.Good timing for a change.No I'm referring to the away game with the seahawks then the giants and bears away also. So I'm missing one home game.Probably the pissed off titans.

 

[ajcardfan]

I get home from the game, and the tone of the board is like we had lost. Personally, having seen the Cards blow games in almost every way possible over the years, I am extremely relieved and happy. I can't imagine the wrist-slashing and anger that would be here had we blown it.

We're 2-2 and in the thick of everything. Enjoy it. Life is too short to bitch about the quality of Cardinals victories. JMO

 

[Shane]

I get home from the game, and the tone of the board is like we had lost. Personally, having seen the Cards blow games in almost every way possible over the years, I am extremely relieved and happy. I can't imagine the wrist-slashing and anger that would be here had we blown it.

We're 2-2 and in the thick of everything. Enjoy it. Life is too short to bitch about the quality of Cardinals victories. JMO

Im ecstatic

Only 1 game out. Although IMO next week is a must win. We can't realistically expect to go into NY and win the following week and 2-4 = NOT GOOD.

 

[ajcardfan]

Im ecstatic

Only 1 game out. Although IMO next week is a must win. We can't realistically expect to go into NY and win the following week and 2-4 = NOT GOOD.

Yep. You never know i guess, but catching the Giants on a bad night is nothing to count on. We'd better take care of Seattle next week. And, that's not going to be easy.

 

[Brighteyes]

I'm with you, Aj

I think it's just that we expect them to be perfect, never make a mistake. But they still have things to do, to improve. They're not a 16 and 0 team. Yet, anyway.

BUT how could you possibly watch that goal line stand, with 3 - THREE - tries from the one yard line, and not feel pumped about that effort? How could you watch DRC - with a bandaged hand - make that interception and take it to the house and not feel pumped?

I'm just gonna enjoy the win.

 

[az1965]

I'm with you, Aj

I think it's just that we expect them to be perfect, never make a mistake. But they still have things to do, to improve. They're not a 16 and 0 team. Yet, anyway.

BUT how could you possibly watch that goal line stand, with 3 - THREE - tries from the one yard line, and not feel pumped about that effort? How could you watch DRC - with a bandaged hand - make that interception and take it to the house and not feel pumped?

I'm just gonna enjoy the win.

Because of the things that happenned between half time and these two plays...

No question I was much relieved and happy after these plays and the win... but to ignore problems with the team is just too naive.

 

[D-Dogg]

Bringing in an OC right now no matter what your opinion on the matter would be beyond stupid.

Yep...it was just a bad decision by a good HC, IMO. Unfortunately, it was a big fracking decision.

This team is talented, no doubt. But it doesn't cover its talent deficiencies very well at all (oline). Instead of more protection schemes, we roll out Jerehmeheue Urban so he can drop a sure TD pass instead. Yeah, we need 4 WR sets when our uber-accurate QB has very little time and our running game can't get untracked. Stubborn or stupid, I'm not sure which. I hope the former, because I understand that (being that way myself).

Shane H, of course, understands the latter, being that way himself. heehee!

 

[SuperSpck]

get over it.

Mostly this, although I agree a lot of the thread in general.

There are a lot of flaws on the team right now. Some of it is coaching, some of it is the players. I'm guessing the bulk of it is hubris. On the upside, like all the Cardinal flaws, it's something that can fade.

 

[binkar]

I'll stand by what I said earlier...
There is no excuse for the poor plays mentioned above, but there is also no excuse for throwing 73% and running on 27% against a team that has been AWFUL against the run all year. When you are up 21 points, you run the ball, period. The most frustrating was in the 4th quarter Beanie ran for 6 yards on first down, then we threw on 2nd and 3rd and were forced to punt.

Listen, I LOVE Whiz as the Head Coach, but there should be some accountability on both player and coach. Can we hire an OC now? Absolutely not. However, it is very apparent that not doing so in the offseason was a mistake.

 

[Duckjake]

He knows what this teams strength is, which is to throw it all day long.

Attempting 14 passes and gaining 40 yards and one first down in 5 possessions is a strength? That's what the Cards did in the 2nd half. Teams seem to be adjusting to our throw it all day offense.

This is the second game this season and 3rd in the last 5 if you go back to the NFC Championship game that the Cards have played a stellar first half and gone to sleep in the second.

BUT how could you possibly watch that goal line stand, with 3 - THREE - tries from the one yard line, and not feel pumped about that effort?

That goal line stand was fantastic as was the run defense yet again. I still have a hard time believing that is really the Arizona Cardinals out there stuffing one run after another game after game. Haven't seen a run D like this in the AZ since 1994.

The #2 ranked rushing DEFENSE in the NFL at 71ypg and only allowing 2.9 yards per carry!

 

[SuperSpck]

That goal line stand was fantastic as was the run defense yet again. I still have a hard time believing that is really the Arizona Cardinals out there stuffing one run after another game after game. Haven't seen a run D like this in the AZ since 1994.

The #2 ranked rushing DEFENSE in the NFL at 71ypg and only allowing 2.9 yards per carry!

They've been on a hardcore roll for a while now.
It's great!

But I also can't help but wonder, does the Cardinals scheme to take away the run have a possible negative impact on the pass rush?

Probably not, but hey, the mind wanders.

 

[RedViper]

I can't be mad at a team that can win on a goal line stand. Especially when it happens two years in a row. Imagine how gross it must feel to be a Houston fan watching that. Despite the absurdity that was the second half, we needed a turnover, a score and a stop and we got all three. It was a good day.

 

[Stout]

You know, all this rah-rah 'we won so no complaining' crap is simply putting on the blinders. Denial--it's not just a river in Egypt. I love that we managed to eke out the win, and that we're 2-2, and I'm going to root for us every second of every down. The problem I have is, IMO, the dream just died today. We had the bye week, we had the time to get this team's head put right and get it going for the season. And we were handed the same steaming pile of dog crap we keep getting handed. Promise on one hand, immaturity and stupidity on the other. And that goes for everyone, from the coaches to the players. To me, this team doesn't have it in them to win more than 9 games at most. We just aren't good enough. Unless that magical light switch that we keep talking about somehow flips, it ain't gonna happen. It is what it is, folks, and we are what we are...a maddeningly inconsistent .500 ball club.

Oh, and to all those people claiming that we must pass because that is our strength and that we shouldn't run to protect a lead? How'd that go for us last year? What happened that helped us start winning last year and get on that huge run? Oh, what was that? Was it because WE HAD THE SEMBLENCE OF A RUNNING GAME? Was it that, when we didn't have any running game we sucked, but when we had even a modest running game we were money? Hmmmmm....

 

[az1965]

By the way those of us taking this win with a grain of salt aren't alone...

After the game, the Cardinals locker room wasn't joyous, and that was fine with Warner.

"You can go home and smile and laugh and have a good time," he said. "It's easier to correct those mistakes after a win, but guys aren't satisfied and that's a good thing. Our expectations have to be higher than how we played (Sunday)."

 

[az1965]

I don't care how they were stacking the box... we gotta attempt more that 2 attempts with 21 point lead saying "screw you, we are going to run even if you put 9 in the box." We did not give our running backs any chance by continuing to check down pass plays.

 

[az1965]

Oh, and to all those people claiming that we must pass because that is our strength and that we shouldn't run to protect a lead? How'd that go for us last year? What happened that helped us start winning last year and get on that huge run? Oh, what was that? Was it because WE HAD THE SEMBLENCE OF A RUNNING GAME? Was it that, when we didn't have any running game we sucked, but when we had even a modest running game we were money? Hmmmmm....

Right on...

 

[Buckybird]

You know, all this rah-rah 'we won so no complaining' crap is simply putting on the blinders. Denial--it's not just a river in Egypt. I love that we managed to eke out the win, and that we're 2-2, and I'm going to root for us every second of every down. The problem I have is, IMO, the dream just died today. We had the bye week, we had the time to get this team's head put right and get it going for the season. And we were handed the same steaming pile of dog crap we keep getting handed. Promise on one hand, immaturity and stupidity on the other. And that goes for everyone, from the coaches to the players. To me, this team doesn't have it in them to win more than 9 games at most. We just aren't good enough. Unless that magical light switch that we keep talking about somehow flips, it ain't gonna happen. It is what it is, folks, and we are what we are...a maddeningly inconsistent .500 ball club.

Oh, and to all those people claiming that we must pass because that is our strength and that we shouldn't run to protect a lead? How'd that go for us last year? What happened that helped us start winning last year and get on that huge run? Oh, what was that? Was it because WE HAD THE SEMBLENCE OF A RUNNING GAME? Was it that, when we didn't have any running game we sucked, but when we had even a modest running game we were money? Hmmmmm....

Well said Stout, I couldn't agree more.

You can't have a running game unless you try. This teams offensive mindset will never change as long Warner is at the helm, I'm convinced of that. Pass, pass, pass just doesn't consistanly win in this league.

 

[az1965]

Check Sando's take on it... he is essentially saying the same thing.

 

[TJ]

I agree a win is a win, but what did we demonstrate today? Our offense can put us in a great position to win by giving us a 3 possession lead going into the half, yet still have the propensity to give the momentum right back to the opposition. The team tends to shift into neutral after wards and let the opposition cruise back in it. Refer back to the regular season game last season against the Panthers, which we lost, and the NFC Championship game, which we won but didn't do anything until the final drive to seal the deal.

This team gets too full of itself and starts loafing around in all facets of the game. In the 2nd half, Kurt was off target and checking off run plays to pass plays, receivers all of a sudden had a case of the dropsies, penalties started floating around, and the defense.....well.....same song and dance. This team needs to learn how to step on a team's throat once they have a big lead like that. We played maybe 35 minutes of 110% effort and decided that's enough. Fortunately, we caught a good break with the DRC pick-6 and the superb goal line stand; however, this sort of play isn't going to work against upper echilon teams, such as the Giants and surely won't work in the playoffs.

What I am happy about is that the players are taking the results of this game seriously, as well as the coach. They knew that they were inches away from a possible defeat and a total team collapse. Perhaps, they will limit their mistakes and start playing like the high power offense that we're used to. I'm very hopeful of this.

 

[D-Dogg]

Sando:

Sometimes the Cardinals forget how dynamic their passing game can be without using three-plus wide receivers every time. Four of their six longest plays in the 2008 postseason featured two or fewer wideouts. Those four plays averaged 47.5 yards. Arizona has had three or more wideouts on the field for all six of its longest plays this season. Those plays averaged 27 yards.

Wells carried only seven times Sunday, once in the second half. That isn't enough, even if he still has much to learn about pass protection and a pro-style offense.

Friggin nailed it.