Raising Zona
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Players, not head coach should be blamed for terrible play

By Mark A. Hernandez

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 08: Head coach Bruce Arians of the Arizona Cardinals looks on in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 8, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Cardinals 34-7. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 08: Head coach Bruce Arians of the Arizona Cardinals looks on in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 8, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Cardinals 34-7. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Despite some poor play in all three phases for the Arizona Cardinals, coach Bruce Arians is pointing the finger at himself

Let me start this off by saying that Bruce Arians is not what’s wrong with the Cardinals. He didn’t all-of-the-sudden forget how to coach his team, and remains one of the best and most respected coaches in the NFL.

He just happens to coach a team that lacks the ability — and effort — to win games in the NFL.

But all is not lost for the Cardinals just yet. At 2-3, they still have an opportunity to win some meaningful games and keep pace in the NFC West. But if they want to do that, they’ll need their players to play better — I don’t see a problem with the coaching staff.

But as the head coach, when you’re fed up and disgusted by the play of the entire team, you have to own up to it.

“This is one of those game,” Arians said, “where everyone is looking for an excuse or somewhere to point a finger. But I’ve got to point it at me because our team obviously was not ready to play in all three phases.”

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Solid ownership from a coach who has no issues calling out players for poor play on the field. But when you show up for a tough road game against a first-place team and lay an egg, I think Bruce Arians made the right call in blaming himself.

Moving forward, however, I’d love to see more players do the same and take ownership.

There was a glimpse of that during the game when Patrick Peterson lost his cool on the sidelines. And who can blame him? He’s been the one constant on a sporadic, inconsistent defense.

This isn’t about playing a blame-game, though. It’s about another year of anxiously awaiting for an Arizona sports team to finally make it over the proverbial hump.

The Cardinals came into 2017 looking to right the ship and get back into contention. After five games, the ship seems to have drifted off into the unknown and has fans wondering if they’re prepared for another disappointing season.

Take the blame all you want, B.A., but your players need to pick you up now.

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