Rebuilding or, Retooling or,------

[Catfish]

-----whatever you want to call it, this team is hugely changed since we played the Saints in the Divisionsal series in the playoffs last year. While our record to date, may not show it, I am thoroughly convinced that we are a far better team than that one.

QUARTERBACK:

It was unfortunate that we took some backward steps during this change,-----naming DA as a starter was one that I would have been happy to do without. While Whiz has now regelated DA to the bench, and has seen how Max Hall has won the confidence and the trust of his team-mates, I believe that we are ahead of where we would have been at QB, even if we had kept Leinart as a starter at this point in the season.

Max is a tenacious, gritty, hard-working, local talent, who has not only sold his team-mates what he is selling, but has sold the Cardinals Fans as well. He appears to be smart, and willing, not only to learn, but (painfully) to give up his body, a trait that, while admired by this team-mates, will quickly change his status as a functioning person unless he curbs it.

We have, at least for a time, gained a new and vibrant starting QB. Hopefully, that will turn out to be the beginnings of our QBOF, though there will always be those who believe he is too small, too weak-armed, and too lacking in experience to be that person. I believe that Max Hall, (at least for now), is the single most needed ingredient in this mix that is the 2010 Arizona Cardinals. He is beyond gutsy, and has proven to be a true leader who commands the respect and loyalty of his team-mates.

I hope we see much more of him at QB this year, and for more to come.

 

[Duckjake]

Have you lost your mind?

We lost 41-7 and 41-10 and needed a miracle missed FG to beat Oakland.

Our offense hasn't scored a TD on a drive longer than 2 yards in 9 quarters.

We're bottom ten in points allowed and points scored and rushing offense and rushing defense and passing offense and passing defense and turnover differential.

The only thing the Cards aren't bottom 10 is wins and losses and that is solely a result of the Magic that is Whisenhunt.

 

[Catfish]

Have you lost your mind?

We lost 41-7 and 41-10 and needed a miracle missed FG to beat Oakland.

Our offense hasn't scored a TD on a drive longer than 2 yards in 9 quarters.

We're bottom ten in points allowed and points scored and rushing offense and rushing defense and passing offense and passing defense and turnover differential.

The only thing the Cards aren't bottom 10 is wins and losses and that is solely a result of the Magic that is Whisenhunt.

Hmmmmmmmmmm-----could be, but I doubt it---------we certainly aren't bottom 10 in having a starting QB who beat the Saints on Sunday. Jake-----you can wallow in your decades of despair, (or whatever), if you want to, but this long-time Card fan sees things, shall we say 'more RED!!!!!

 

[Duckjake]

Hmmmmmmmmmm-----could be, but I doubt it---------

Sane or not Catfish those are some really, really bad numbers.

McGinnis era bad. Thank God we're finally getting the ball bouncing our way or we could be looking at 1-4 or 0-5.

 

[Cheesebeef]

if this team had Kurt Warner, with as weak as the NFC is, we'd probably be a legit Super Bowl contender this year.

freaking Twinkle Toes...

 

[kerouac9]

Max Hall<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<Kurt Warner + Karlos Dansby + Anquan Boldin

You're insane. Max Hall has his teammates' confidence until he has his first three-turnover, 0 TD game. Just like Derek Anderson.

 

[82CardsGrad]

There are rumors that Max Hall studied engineering at BYU...

 

[Cardiac]

There are rumors that Max Hall studied engineering at BYU...

 

[Catfish]

Sane or not Catfish those are some really, really bad numbers.

McGinnis era bad. Thank God we're finally getting the ball bouncing our way or we could be looking at 1-4 or 0-5.

I say this Jake-----OK we lost two games 41-7 and 41-10. That is just two games, and we are 3-2 so far with up-side coming. Even you must know that the defense hardly showed up in either of the losses. They flat out laid down in the Falcons game.

As far as the ball bouncing our way,-----it has always bounced both ways. Most of our pre-Whiz problems were self-caused, either by ownership, coaching, or players themselves. The ball probably bounced our way then, as much as it does now, but we failed to take advantage of it when it did, and we shot ourselves in the foot when it didn't.

That's what I like most about the Saints game. We shot ourselves in the foot, then we made a really good play to make up for it. When the Saints, shot themselves in the foot, we capitalized on it. That is not something that happened with any regularity before Whiz came here.

Whiz changed our culture here. He did not, I believe, bring in either Leinart or Warner. In fact, he initially had Leinart rated ahead of Warner, and worked with Warner on such things as footwork, and ball safety, (remember the gloves), and getting rid of the ball as opposed to taking the big hit. When he felt Warner was ready, he platooned him with Leinart, then eventually replaced Leinart with Warner after Leinart's shoulder injury.

I believe that Whiz will try to do the same with DA at some point, if he sees any fall-off in player loyalty to Max, or if suddenly DA becomes accurate. That's just my opinion, and I know that most here can't even bring themselves to think about such a thing. I believe that because Whiz still has us as a pass first team, and is desperately trying to get teams to get the 7-8 defensive players out of the box against our offense. Unless Max can sustain long, time consuming drives, with a great deal of regularity, I believe that Whiz thinks a more accurate DA can make the defense get out of the box with so many defenders.

Our Defense responded to the Saints because they were angry to a man. They had taken a lot of heat from the two losses where we gave up 41 points each. I personally don't think that this was the whole story though. Max got the offense to buy into what he was selling. The D saw this, and they ended up buying it too. I believe that Max makes us stronger offensively, (right now), than either Leinart or DA would have. As for Warner, he is gone, and totally out of the picture and should not even be considered beyond using how Whiz treated him as an example of how he is treating DA.

THose are my thoughts-----next I'll talk about the O-line.

 

[desertdawg]

Max Hall<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<Kurt Warner + Karlos Dansby + Anquan Boldin

You're insane. Max Hall has his teammates' confidence until he has his first three-turnover, 0 TD game. Just like Derek Anderson.

I think your wrong, I think Max has his teams confidence and they probably expect Max to struggle. Your the only one waiting for him to turnover 3 times. So you as a fan or whatever can be right.
Max Hall did good his first game. You said he wouldn't, you'll keep saying this until he has a bad game and then you will be right. Every QB has bad games,but you'll still be right.
Why root for the new QB? Oh thats right, that would make me a fan.
Just like Derrek Anderson, that makes me laugh.

 

[Buckybird]

-----whatever you want to call it, this team is hugely changed since we played the Saints in the Divisionsal series in the playoffs last year. While our record to date, may not show it, I am thoroughly convinced that we are a far better team than that one.

Better? Fish, your opinions are respected but this one is crazy off the charts.

QB-worse, cross your fingers we have a QBOF on this roster in Hall or Skelton
RB-same, but haven't played as well
WR-worse, though injuries have been a factor
OLine-much worse
Dline-same but playing worse
LB-worse, no playmakers...so far
DB-better
ST-same, outstanding
Coaching-worse, Wiz is still playing like Warners in the huddle & the Davis is well Davis.

As Duck said, this team is very, very fortunate its not 0-5. Two plays have keep this team from the winless record (Breaston's strip & Janikoskis missed FG). Don't be fooled into thinking this team doesn't have major issues on the roster.

The 3 most important positions on an NFL team are QB, OT & edge pass rusher!!! Do we have any of the three? Right now the answer is a resounding NO!!!!!!. IMO the Lambs are closer to winning a Super Bowl than us because they have the most critical piece...a QB

 

[Catfish]

I think your wrong, I think Max has his teams confidence and they probably expect Max to struggle. Your the only one waiting for him to turnover 3 times. So you as a fan or whatever can be right.
Max Hall did good his first game. You said he wouldn't, you'll keep saying this until he has a bad game and then you will be right. Every QB has bad games,but you'll still be right.
Why root for the new QB? Oh thats right, that would make me a fan.
Just like Derrek Anderson, that makes me laugh.

Nice rebuttal Dawg-----I like that------I like it a lot-----

 

[desertdawg]

I just don't know what it is. 3 turn overs, Brees (the defending super bowl champion QB) had 3 picks on Sunday against the Cards defense who we all know all to well.(Hall didn't turn it over when the game mattered at the end). I don't think the Saints players will lose confidence in Drew. Has Hall won a super bowl or should he merit the respect Brees deserves? No.

If Hall threw 3 picks in the game vs the Saints, would we still have won? Probably not. As far as the team being confident in Max, he got more of the teams respect fumbling the ball on the one yard line than DA ever got hitting Fitz wide open in the end zone for a touch down. (JMO)

I am not saying Hall will be our knight in Reebok armor, I darn sure am not saying he won't have bad games. But he lights up the team, learns from his mistakes, (in the very same game) and in my personal opinion gives us a much better chance to defend our division title. (JMO)

 

[desertdawg]

I also think Whiz chose DA as his first choice, for the whole season. I don't blame him for it. With all the tools we have you'd figure anybody who made the pro-bowl could be semi successful here. I wanted DA to succeed, you can want in one hand and....

I also think he (Whiz) did see something in Max early. Something he felt gave the Cards a better shot than Matt. And I applaud him for that.

My basic theory is Whiz wanted DA to continue where Warner left off. He made another tuff choice letting Matt go. He liked what he saw in Hall, but considered him a back up option in case DA got hurt.

DA played so badly, Whiz did the only thing he could do. Put in Max, see what happens. Max brings a lot, and he says he is a smart minded QB. If he gets hurt the team goes back to DA. If Hall is really a Cards fan, he will slide.

 

[Catfish]

I just don't know what it is. 3 turn overs, Brees (the defending super bowl champion QB) had 3 picks on Sunday against the Cards defense who we all know all to well.(Hall didn't turn it over when the game mattered at the end). I don't think the Saints players will lose confidence in Drew. Has Hall won a super bowl or should he merit the respect Brees deserves? No.

If Hall threw 3 picks in the game vs the Saints, would we still have won? Probably not. As far as the team being confident in Max, he got more of the teams respect fumbling the ball on the one yard line than DA ever got hitting Fitz wide open in the end zone for a touch down. (JMO)

I am not saying Hall will be our knight in Reebok armor, I darn sure am not saying he won't have bad games. But he lights up the team, learns from his mistakes, (in the very same game) and in my personal opinion gives us a much better chance to defend our division title. (JMO)

I agree with you DesertDawg-----Max Hall certainly does light up the personality of this team. Its been some time since they played for a QB who corrected mistakes (during the game they were playing). Haven't seen that since Warner. These guys like playing for Whiz, and they certainly like playing for Max Hall. You could see the happiness and the closeness that occurred during the game, when the D came off the field and they were back-slapped by the offense as it went on. Max exhibits some kind of magic----he is very charismatic.

OFFENSIVE LINE:

You could see the charisma with the O-line when, fairly early in the game, I don't recall if it was late first, or early second quarter, Max called a play, then while in the huddle, he grabbed Levi by the arm and apparently extolled him and the rest of the O-line to take care of him. I'm guessing this because he had just been chased out of the pockett. Levi gave him a big grin, and a very positive head shakebefore the linemen broke from the huddle, and you kind of knew that everything was going to be fine. The undrafted rookie had called them out, and they responded VERY positively.

Man for man, this line is stronger than last year's version. Gandy and Wells and House are gone. Faneca and Hadnot have been added. Duece and Sendlein remain in their spots while Levi moved to his natural position. Keith was promoted from the backups. Bridges remains as well.

It may not be as nifty at pass-protection yet, but it has a good chance to be. I don't know if you recall this, but I didn't hear the announcers call Brandon Keith's name at all this week. That ususally means someone had a real good game when it comes to O-linemen. That is a far cry from all the calls for his head that were coming before this week.

This line played as well this game as any last year. They had fun, something that has been missing from the O-line for a long time, even under Warner.
They really like playing for this kid, and I truly believe that they will gell faster because of this.

With the strength we gained in Faneca and Hadnot, plus their versatility and leadership, we are stronger, and much deeper than we were across the board last year. We also have much more upside. In fact, this line has a possibility of becoming a VERY good O-line, and it can be good very deep into personnel.

Max has the charisma flowing, and these guys especially are lovin' it. If they continue to work together like they did this past Sunday, they just might become something very special.

 

[Duckjake]

This line played as well this game as any last year. They had fun, something that has been missing from the O-line for a long time, even under Warner.
They really like playing for this kid, and I truly believe that they will gell faster because of this.

I think you forgot your sarcasm smilie.

4 sacks. 9 the week before. 1.7 yards per carry rushing and less than 200 yards of offense for the second straight week. No TD drives longer than 2 yards in two games.

Nowhere near as well as any game last year. 2003 maybe but not 2009.

 

[Catfish]

I think you forgot your sarcasm smilie.

4 sacks. 9 the week before. 1.7 yards per carry rushing and less than 200 yards of offense for the second straight week. No TD drives longer than 2 yards in two games.

Nowhere near as well as any game last year. 2003 maybe but not 2009.

Not talking about the week before-----talking about playing with Max. Yes 4 sacks, but some caused by holding the ball too long or having players go the wrong way etc. Line played well this game, and you can almost take it to the bank that they will continue to improve.


RUNNING BACKS:

The biggest surprise with the backs this year is LHS. Howler has really come into his own as a kick-returner. He is completely under control, both at securing the catch, and especially when running. No more headlong dash to the inevitable collision. He is looking for an alley and finds it more and more. Maybe his biggest improvement has been out of the backfield as a receiver. He is really becoming dangerous there.

Both Beanie and THT have been unspectacular so far this year. Beanie has missed time due to injury, and Timmy has been up and down. When he's run hard he has been very good. Both have been under-used so far, although Beanie got a bunch of carries against the Saints. We are still well below the break-even point in rushes vs. passes. Look for this to improve.

The packages used often indicate to the opponents what to expect from our running backs. For instance, Beanie alone in the backfield early, simply means he gets the ball-----we have never passed when he first comes into a game alone in the backfield.

I would like to see more packages of LHS and Timmy together, or even Timmy and Beanie together. The defense would be much less likely to know who gets the ball, or even if it is pass or run. Anything to keep from telegraphing our intent by the package installed in the backfield.

So far as Full-back is concerned, I am not impressed. He has done virtually nothing out of the backfield, not even block effectively. His biggest contribution so far is a few ST tackles.

Look for our running backs to get untracked and called upon more often against the Seahags after the bye week.

 

[Brighteyes]

I just don't know what it is. 3 turn overs, Brees (the defending super bowl champion QB) had 3 picks on Sunday against the Cards defense who we all know all to well.(Hall didn't turn it over when the game mattered at the end). I don't think the Saints players will lose confidence in Drew. Has Hall won a super bowl or should he merit the respect Brees deserves? No.(JMO)

That wasn't all bad luck on the Saints -- that's the result of very good defense.

Until last week I thought our Defense wasn't playing. It felt like they were dismayed at the lack of offense (I guess a lot of turnovers can get to you). This past week they did play -- regardless of the offense success or lack thereof.

I am encouraged. Not because we've been playing great all along, but because the Defense woke up and the switch to QB seems to mean we'll get better on offense every week. I honestly had the opposite feeling with DA.

Add to that we're getting 3 key starters back after the bye ...

 

[cardpa]

Catfish is blind. It was koolaid poisoning!

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Duckjake]

That wasn't all bad luck on the Saints -- that's the result of very good defense.

Until last week I thought our Defense wasn't playing. It felt like they were dismayed at the lack of offense (I guess a lot of turnovers can get to you). This past week they did play -- regardless of the offense success or lack thereof.

I am encouraged. Not because we've been playing great all along, but because the Defense woke up and the switch to QB seems to mean we'll get better on offense every week. I honestly had the opposite feeling with DA.

Add to that we're getting 3 key starters back after the bye ...

I don't know, the defense forced a bunch of turnovers and played fairly well against the Rams also. Could be that seeing what DA was like in a real game got to them the next 3 weeks but I think that it is just more what our defense is.

They are not steady but they are opportunistic and will look weak for awhile but then have a game where they force 3-4 turnovers, don't miss tackles and assignments and we wonder where the heck they've been.

 

[Duckjake]

Not talking about the week before-----talking about playing with Max. Yes 4 sacks, but some caused by holding the ball too long or having players go the wrong way etc. Line played well this game, and you can almost take it to the bank that they will continue to improve.

Max played the entire 2nd half the week before.

I just don't see how an offensive line played well when the team was held to 3 FGs and almost blew a TD after getting the ball on the opponents two yard line and averaged 1.7 yards per carry after having had decent success running the football earlier in the season.

 

[BurqueCardFan]

I think your wrong, I think Max has his teams confidence and they probably expect Max to struggle. Your the only one waiting for him to turnover 3 times. So you as a fan or whatever can be right.
Max Hall did good his first game. You said he wouldn't, you'll keep saying this until he has a bad game and then you will be right. Every QB has bad games,but you'll still be right.
Why root for the new QB? Oh thats right, that would make me a fan.
Just like Derrek Anderson, that makes me laugh.

I agree with this. With Max Hall, I think the players expect some growing pain's but also see more potential. DA was supposed to be a veteran player with several years of starting experience yet he was making rookie mistakes. It's easier to swallow Max Hall making stupid mistakes than it is for DA. Max Hall also made some throws last weekend (especially to Fitz) that DA had not been able too.

 

[Catfish]

RECEIVERS:

Coming into the bye week, what has been an unfortunate set of circumstances for the receivers, (at least the wideouts), could ultimately turn out to be a benefit. There is no covering up the loss of Q. He is having a Q-type year with the Ravens, and will not be replaced here. But we go on.

So far, our year has been marked by injuries to key receivers. First Fitz, then Doucet, then Breaston. Fitz looked more toward being his old self against the Saints. Hopefully Breaston can return at strength against the Seahags. Doucet is his old self too, but that is not a good thing-----injured far too often.

I look forward to the return of our three top receivers against Seattle. I also hope that they all get lots of reps with Max during this next week. That could go far toward getting this offense going again. Meanwhhile, what was a liability, (having to play three rookies), may just turn out to be a huge benefit.

The biggest surprise here is Steven Williams. He is settling nicely into his role at the #4 spot, but with Doucet's penchant for injuries, I can see him taking over the #3 spot eventually. If he does, don't look for him to give it up any time soon. He has been a real find. Sticky hands, tall and rangy, and lightning quick down the field. If he gets the playbood committed to memory and his route running improved, he will become a very formidable force for us.

Max Komar, though he had a terrible start, had a relatively good game against the Saints. He handled his punt return duties very well, securing the ball without apparent nervousness, and he got what he could out of his only return. It was as a WR where he had his best game so far. Look for more of this to follow, as he gets more opportunities to play. I would like to see him in a double slot application with a 5 receiver set. Max seems to have a good repoire with all of the WR's and this should once again become a strong point in our offense.

Now for the best receiver surprise. Max likes him some TE's. He likes them in the pattern, and looks for them to go to. I can't remember a day where one of our TE's caught 4 passes in one game here in Az. Ben Patrick could become a favorite of his, and both he and Spach could become dangerous in 2 TE sets. He also made a nice throw to Dray, although he didn't bring it in. The bottom line is, that Whiz likes TE's too, and I look for him to incorporate much more of them into the offensive package now that Max is our QB. This could help again to spread the defense, and open our running game. Every little bit helps. I would really look forward to seeing our TE's chip at the rush end as they go out into their patterns. This would go far toward helping the O-line, especially Keith, who has had his troubles getting settled in to his new starting spot this year, (though he did OK against the Saints).

 

[JeffGollin]

Each season is different. Each team we put out on the field is different.

To keep things simple -

- We're stuck with the same up & down play at RB, TE and the O-line we had last season.

- Hall for Warner.

- Less stability at wide receiver (Not so much due to the loss of Boldin as the early injury to Fitz and more recently, Doucet and Breaston).

- A defense that's demonstrated that it can be very very good or very very horrid.

- Better ST play.

The good news is that, (a) when the defense brings its A Game and Hall doesn't hurt us, we can compete with anybody and (b) Hall is a smart guy who figures to get better with each successive snap.

Keys to success: (1) The defense/ST plays consistently lights-out and (2) Hall gets better.

Everything else is gravy.

 

[Duckjake]

Each season is different. Each team we put out on the field is different.

To some extent yes. But this isn't college where you constantly have changes through the expiration of eligibility. Pro teams have many of the same players for years and so carryover things from one year to the next. Ownership also has much more of an effect on the personality of the team and that also carries over year after year.

So while each team each year is different it is still heavily influenced by what has happened in the past.