Arizona Cardinals: All or Nothing, Episode 4
By Scott Allen
Amazon’s all-access series All or Nothing featuring the Arizona Cardinals and their journey in 2015
The Arizona Cardinals have a lot of athletic skills, more than just football. As the episode starts, we are on the practice field with quarterback Carson Palmer and the boys. The boys wonder if defensive tackle Calais Campbell can play. Palmer believes he can rebound all day but would never pass him the ball.
These are the things players talk about amongst themselves. The Cardinals are preparing for their game against the Cincinnati Bengals. It is more than just another game for Palmer, a former Bengal.
Palmer says he doesn’t believe in revenge but does admit the game is more than just another game. While he is in the midst of that, we follow cornerback Patrick Peterson and his wife, who are about to have a baby girl. They are naming her Peityn.
The Cardinals go into the Bengals game with a record of 7-2. The game starts slowly for the offense. Palmer throws a couple of interceptions. They find themselves down 14-7 at halftime. That is uncharacteristic for the Cardinals to be in that position.
They come out in the second half and get things going though. Three third quarter touchdowns put the Cardinals up 28-14. However the Bengals make it interesting and tie the game at 28-28 late in the fourth quarter.
As the Cardinals are trying to line themselves up for a game-winning field goal, the Cardinals seemingly jump for a false start. Ted Larsen jumps. The Bengals though are flagged for simulating the snap and Larsen is off the hook. Kicker Chandler Catanzaro hits the game winning 32-yard field goal and the Cardinals are sitting at 8-2.
As the practice weeks starts, coach Bruce Arians tells Ted Larsen he is lucky. Had the false start cost them the game, Larsen wouldn’t be sitting in the meeting room anymore. Your luck in the NFL can change that quickly.
The Cardinals did feel a loss in the game though. The Cardinals are now in the market for another defensive tackle after losing Frostee Rucker to an ankle injury. They call on Red Bryant who was out in the woods hunting in Texas. Despite it being the day before Thanksgiving, Bryant tells the Cardinals he will be there on Thanksgiving morning. He shows up at 10:00 am.
Vice President of Player Personnel Terry McDonough tells President Michael Bidwill and General Manager Steve Keim that Bryant said “I don’t need the money, I want to play cause it’s the Cardinals.” Wow. Coming from a former Seattle Seahawks player, that means a lot.
As the episode starts winding down, Peterson’s wife gives birth to Peityn. We see Palmer in the weight room with his son Fletch. The preparation for the San Francisco 49ers continues.
The Cardinals go into the 49ers game with a poor week of preparation and Arians is afraid of a sluggish game. He got it and the Cardinals escape with a 19-13 victory. As they said though, there are no ‘bad’ victories.
Arians gives the team Victory Monday however Peterson tells the defense to hold up. They are coming in a 11:00 am on Monday. They need to talk. That’s a leader right there.