Arizona Cardinals Welcome Back Daryl Washington Against Carolina

Oct 6, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington (58) celebrates after tackling Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) and preventing a first down during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Cardinals Welcome Back Daryl Washington Against Carolina

How sweet it was to have Daryl Washington back on the field against the Carolina Panthers! Let me start by saying the first half was brutal all around on the both sides of the ball. The offense couldn’t get moving and the defense couldn’t catch a break. After halftime these Cardinals, especially the defense, came out ticked off and it showed. Cam Newton was sacked a total of seven times on Sunday for a total loss of 50 yards. It seemed like each sack/interception that occurred had happened at times that they were really needed. Karlos Dansby had a HUGE sack to keep Carolina out of field goal territory, or Washington having an interception while the Panthers were trying to get into the Red Zone.

Calais Campbell after the game had said “When you have so many guys that are as talented as we have, you’ve got to pick your poison. You can try to take one of us out of the game, somebody else is going to eat.” That couldn’t have been more true on Sunday. If you limit Dockett, Campbell will hurt you. If you limit Dansby, Washington will hurt you. If you limit Peterson…you can’t limit Peterson. My wife and I sit right behind the bench on game days and my wife was trying to get Patrick Peterson’s attention after he ran back a decent punt asking him if he wanted some popcorn. She was of course joking, but Peterson turns around and says “Keep it, it’s going to be a show!” Sure enough Peterson would pick off Cam Newton. The Cardinals defense seems to really be clicking on all cylinders right now as the held the Panthers to ZERO points in the second half. Not to mention setting up the struggling Cardinals offense in the process. The only thing I think the Cardinals still need work on is defending tight ends. Greg Olsen had 79 yards on only five catches yesterday. The Cardinals need to address that soon as their next four games feature good tight ends.

Now on the flipside the Cardinals offense still needs a lot of work. Our running game was decent as Mendenhall and Ellington combined for 95 yards on the day, but it could be better. Roberts and Housler were virtually non existent, only being targeted three times. Bradley Sowell was never mentioned among fans or referees. Also meaning that he never allowed a single sack. Sowell has definitely proved himself so far and will hopefully continue to provide protection for Carson Palmer. Again and again Carson and the receivers just don’t seem to be on the same page. Three interceptions in a game will make it very hard to score points. Period. You better believe that the offense is going to work on that this week as they have four very good teams ahead of them.

Source: http://espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=331006022