Cards Down at Halftime
By Scott Allen
The Cardinals are down 14-3 at halftime to the San Diego Chargers. There are definitely some positives and most definitely things the Cards need to work on.
The good:
- The opening kickoff returned for 89 yards by LaRod Stephens-Howling. It set up a Neil Rackers field goal (hint – the field goal was not the good part of this equation).
- Running back Tim Hightower rushing 9 times for 42 yards.
- The first team defensive line had four sacks. I really liked the intensity they brought, especially for a preseason game.
The bad:
- The secondary. After the Cards took a 3-0 lead, Ralph Brown was torched on the first pass by the Chargers Philip Rivers.
- Kurt Warner looked less than sharp, including being picked off at the end zone.
- The offensive play calling. I’m not sure why, even in a preseason game, the Cards didn’t get the fans and players charged up with a follow-up to the long opening kickoff return, by throwing a jump ball in the end zone to Larry Fitzgerald. Boggles the mind. This is the time to get the timing down on those type of plays.
The Ugly:
- Quarterback Brian St. Pierre. He is playing awful for the second week in a row. He also was intercepted once. He doesn’t even look like he’s a candidate for third string, much less fighting for the backup with Matt Leinart. Coach Ken Whisenhunt wanted to see what he could do with the second team. Well, I think he got his answer.
Almost time for the second half.
Scott Allen