Archive for September, 2011

Week one, it was all about the Arizona Cardinals offense producing.  In week two, it was really neither, except the offense did put up some numbers.  The defense couldn’t get off the field.  In last week’s game, the Cards offense sputtered and the defense was able to put pressure on the quarterback, although they still gave up a lot of underneath because that’s what the defense was allowing.  At least the ball control was better.

Well, that was the easy part of the schedule.  The Arizona Cardinals went 1-2 in the three easiest games of the season.  If that was easy, I’m afraid of what October, November, and December bring.  Oh sure, still plenty of opportunities to find wins, but now the sledding gets tougher.  The New York Giants come to town this week.  They just beat the Philadelphia Eagles.

Remember the San Francisco 49ers of 2010?  They were heavily favored to win the NFC West last year. Then they went 1-6 in their first seven games, and never were able to recover. This year, the St. Louis Rams were also heavily favored to win the NFC West.  They are 0-3 right now, and play Washington, Green Bay, Dallas, and New Orleans in their next four games. My strong guess is that they will be 1-6 after playing these games–maybe even 0-7–and similar to the Niners of last year, will be unable to recover from such a poor start. The [...]

1) Alfonso Smith showed some positive signs in this game.  I like the way he protects the ball and barrels into the line, and there were several instances where his second effort gained him some extra yards. 2) I know everyone is saying how marvelous that Kolb to Fitzgerald TD was.  My take?  It was an extremely dangerous pass, thrown by Kolb off one foot pedaling backwards that could easily have been intercepted.  The Cardinals got very lucky on that throw. 3) The Cardinals defensive line looked very aggressive, especially Calais Campbell.  It was the best game they played so [...]

It’s going to be a long season.  Forget the 9-7 record predictions.  Forget things getting better.  Everything the Arizona Cardinals have been working towards improving gets thrown right out the door with the pitiful play and pitiful coaching that took place today as the Cards lose to the Seattle Seahawks 13-10 on Sunday afternoon.  The blame can be spread all over the place.

You have to believe the Arizona Cardinals will do everything possible to get running back Beanie Wells ready to go on Sunday.  I know you don’t want to rush an injury, but from the sounds of it, he should be given the chance to go.  The Cards will need him.  If the Cards have to rely on Chester Taylor, it will be a very long afternoon against the Seattle Seahawks.

Keith Myers from Fansided’s Seattle Seahawks blog took some time out ahead of today’s matchup between the Arizona Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks to answer some questions from Raisingzona.com about the Hawks.  Raising Zona: Many think the Seahawks will try to tank the season just to get Andrew Luck and the first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.  I don’t see them being able to do that with some of the talent they have.  I think they will be just good enough to not be bad enough.  Do you agree? 12th Man Rising: This is a team that won a [...]

So much has been made about the fan noise in Seattle over the past several years.  I’m tired of hearing about it myself to be honest.  Yes, the Seattle Seahawks have the benefit of some of the noisiest and most passionate fans in the National Football League.  I do love to see it.  It makes the game fun.  Yes, Seattle is not my favorite place for the Arizona Cardinals to visit because past less-experienced, less-talented teams have gone into Seattle and let the noise get to them and then use it as an excuse.  I say, just play your game [...]

Just 14 carries this past Sunday for Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells.  Some of that was dictated by the defense not getting the Washington Redskins offense off the field.  The Cards ran 48 plays, but could have been more if they had gone to Beanie just a little more.  Beanie ran for 93 yards.  I’m a huge fan of the passing game, but if Wells can control the ball, the Cards can control the time of possession and the game.

After two weeks of the regular season gone by, the Arizona Cardinals Kevin Kolb is the highest ranked quarterback in the NFC West.  Not that that is such a surprise, although it is a little bit given Kolb is new to the Cards.  Kolb has not played mistake free but he has made few mistakes.  The Cards are just one mistake away from being 2-0.  The rankings aren’t all the surprising given the opponents of the NFC West teams so far, however here is how it looks after week two.