Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
Like many of you, I am running on 2-3 hours of restless sleep, so I will try to be as coherent as possible.
I am so smitten by these Cardinals---what a genuine and lovable band of brothers they are, led so tenaciously by a mix of football codgers, former players turned coaches and one of the youngest coordinators in the NFL.
This game was a treat and an absolute love fest in the City of Brotherly Love.
Guess that Chip Kelly hadn't been paying attention to the Cardinals' formula for success which begins with wanting the ball on offense first, seeing as he chose to defer and kick the ball to the Cardinals hungry offense.
The night began with a bang---as Carson Palmer threw a perfect bomb to Smokey Brown who may have lost the ball for a second in the lights and dropped what would have been an electrifying TD. Instead, Palmer calmly evaded pressure and found Michael Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald on key pass plays and then started handing the ball off to rookie David Johnson who pounded and slashed and grinded through any and every crack in the Liberty Bell to ring the bell on the other end.
Johnson's TD to cap off the first drive was the result of the left side of the Cardinals' line manhandling the Eagles' defensive front. LG Mike Iupati drove his man three yards into the end zone while LT Jared Veldheer and TE Darren Fells delivered punishing down blocks and while the Eagles' safety and ILB converged on Johnson, he lowered his shoulder and plowed right through.
The Cardinals' defense was not quite as effective early on, partly because the leader of the calls, Rashad Johnson, was on the sidelines and the Cardinals' CBs were giving up too much cushion---and---James Bettcher tried to disguise some mock blitzes which resulted in 3 man rushes, zones behind and subsequent Eagle conversions. When it was clear on one play that the Cardinals had rushed their 11th man on defense off the field---all 6'8" of Calais Campbell was calling for a timeout that the refs mistook for some form of American Sign Language or exotic hand signals, and the result was a TD pass over the middle to the TE where FS Tony Jefferson slipped on the TE's break.
And then answered Palmer and David Johnson, as Johnson pulled off one of the most memorable TD runs in Cardinals' history, ducking under would-be tackles, then breaking through the proverbial gauntlet and then stiff arming his way to the pylon.
Right before the half, Chip Kelly goes for it on 4th and 1 and Jerraud Powers, back from injury this week, stuffs Mathews in his tracks with Tony Jefferson finishing him off. Wow.
While the defense continued to give up yards in the passing game in the second half---it was able to create turnovers, thanks to yet another forced fumble by a hard-chasing Josh Mauro and a strip sack of Bradford by Markus Golden.
Plus, the defense kept 2 of the Eagles top playmakers in their big win the week before, dynamic speed RB Darren Sproles and 1st round pick WR Nelson Agholor, totally in check. That was huge---as was not letting the Eagles' get their running game on track.
Then just when the Cardinals had taken a 20 point lead in the 3rd quarter, thanks to yet another Johnson power-drive TD and followed by Chandler Catanzaro's 4th missed extra point of the season---Deone Bucannon happened.
The pass rush got Bradford to hurry a short pass to the TE which sailed wide right into the waiting arms of hybrid speed ILB Deone Bucannon who raced it to house and, bang, the Cardinals were up 30-10.
But, we fans nor the team could not relax just yet because the defense bit inside on under routes and allowed Jordan Matthews to catch a wide open uncontested bomb and now the worry about a, epic Philly comeback and potential 1 point victory because of the missed extra point was back in play---and then Palmer dislocates his index finger, Drew Stanton throws wide of an open Michael Floyd---Drew Butler punts it down inside the 5 yard yard line where Ed Stinson, on a loop stunt, nearly sacks Bradford for a safety, but Bradford bails the team out by throwing a laser out pass before his WR even made his cut and Matthews makes a great diving catch and suddenly the Eagles are marching to pull the game within 6 points---only bang---Mauro, in chase mode, knocks the ball loose from Ryan Mathews, Tony Jefferson surrounds the ball and D.J. Swearing recovers it.
Then the Cardinals offensive line (who has now worn out the Eagles' top defensive linemen), David Johnson (who has been fighting off some hard contact and a slight knee injury) and Carson Palmer (who has resocketed his finger and taped it up) reappear---and they promptly drive the ball down the field where Palmer finished it off on an out pass to Smokey Brown who deeks the defender and scoots up the sideline for the TD. 37-17 Cardinals.
Sadly on the last defensive snap of the game, Honey Badger---who was having a typically busy as a bee, Johnny-on-the Spot game---intercepts Bradford and hurts his right knee trying to twist his body into return mode. Every Cardinals' fan was holding his or her breath and praying for the best. Many of us could not sleep---not in Philly again for the Badger. Not again.
Happily the game ended with Drew Stanton at QB and Stepfan Taylor running hard for first downs.
Yes----some mistakes were made---but zero turnovers and only 2 penalties---and a team brimming with poise and confidence was prevailing as the equipment managers were readying the NFC West Champion hats and shirts in the locker room.
But, the celebrations were subdued---one could see it in the face of Carson Palmer---it was looking like a pyrrhic victory with the fear that the Cardinals' Achilles on defense had gone down for what will be the remaining battles of the team's pursuit of victory.
But, knowing BA and knowing the veteran leadership on this team, they will use Honey Badger's superb season and sudden injury as an inspiration.
There is no "next Badger" up. Badger is one of a kind.
Badger hopefully will reach out to Gronk---who tore his ACL in his other knee two years ago and returned last year to help lead the Patriots win the Super Bowl. Plus, Badger can go on Carson Palmer's rehab regimen. Badger could be back better than ever next year.
However, for now, Jerraud Powers moves back to the slot where he is best. Justin Bethel now gets more PT on the outside. Aggressive safeties Tony Jefferson and newly added D.J. Swearinger (both 3rd year players with solid experience) will have to step up. Plus, Rashad Johnson, the glue and puppeteer of the secondary, is on his way back. And oh, there's the green elf on the other side---St. Patrick Peterson---who is playing inspired football.
Unsung players this week: A.Q. Shipley, Bobby Massie, Darren Fells (man, don't you just love this guy?), Jaron Brown (key first down conversion on first drive), Ed Stinson (near safety), Josh Mauro (key FF), Kevin Minter (he was around the ball all night and helping to stuff that running game and the RB passing game with Deone Bucannon, who was matched up on Sproles and Matthews!), Markus Golden (key sack, FF), D.J. Swearinger (made his presence felt---great break on ball and hit on Ertz over the middle for key 3rd down stop) and Jerraud Powers (best tackle of the night). Oh and on STs Troy Niklas, who made a key tackle and recovered the Peterson fumble, yes, after knocking into Peterson, but still, Niklas was being aggressive in his role as blocker and misjudged Peterson's plant and cut.
I am so smitten by these Cardinals---what a genuine and lovable band of brothers they are, led so tenaciously by a mix of football codgers, former players turned coaches and one of the youngest coordinators in the NFL.
This game was a treat and an absolute love fest in the City of Brotherly Love.
Guess that Chip Kelly hadn't been paying attention to the Cardinals' formula for success which begins with wanting the ball on offense first, seeing as he chose to defer and kick the ball to the Cardinals hungry offense.
The night began with a bang---as Carson Palmer threw a perfect bomb to Smokey Brown who may have lost the ball for a second in the lights and dropped what would have been an electrifying TD. Instead, Palmer calmly evaded pressure and found Michael Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald on key pass plays and then started handing the ball off to rookie David Johnson who pounded and slashed and grinded through any and every crack in the Liberty Bell to ring the bell on the other end.
Johnson's TD to cap off the first drive was the result of the left side of the Cardinals' line manhandling the Eagles' defensive front. LG Mike Iupati drove his man three yards into the end zone while LT Jared Veldheer and TE Darren Fells delivered punishing down blocks and while the Eagles' safety and ILB converged on Johnson, he lowered his shoulder and plowed right through.
The Cardinals' defense was not quite as effective early on, partly because the leader of the calls, Rashad Johnson, was on the sidelines and the Cardinals' CBs were giving up too much cushion---and---James Bettcher tried to disguise some mock blitzes which resulted in 3 man rushes, zones behind and subsequent Eagle conversions. When it was clear on one play that the Cardinals had rushed their 11th man on defense off the field---all 6'8" of Calais Campbell was calling for a timeout that the refs mistook for some form of American Sign Language or exotic hand signals, and the result was a TD pass over the middle to the TE where FS Tony Jefferson slipped on the TE's break.
And then answered Palmer and David Johnson, as Johnson pulled off one of the most memorable TD runs in Cardinals' history, ducking under would-be tackles, then breaking through the proverbial gauntlet and then stiff arming his way to the pylon.
Right before the half, Chip Kelly goes for it on 4th and 1 and Jerraud Powers, back from injury this week, stuffs Mathews in his tracks with Tony Jefferson finishing him off. Wow.
While the defense continued to give up yards in the passing game in the second half---it was able to create turnovers, thanks to yet another forced fumble by a hard-chasing Josh Mauro and a strip sack of Bradford by Markus Golden.
Plus, the defense kept 2 of the Eagles top playmakers in their big win the week before, dynamic speed RB Darren Sproles and 1st round pick WR Nelson Agholor, totally in check. That was huge---as was not letting the Eagles' get their running game on track.
Then just when the Cardinals had taken a 20 point lead in the 3rd quarter, thanks to yet another Johnson power-drive TD and followed by Chandler Catanzaro's 4th missed extra point of the season---Deone Bucannon happened.
The pass rush got Bradford to hurry a short pass to the TE which sailed wide right into the waiting arms of hybrid speed ILB Deone Bucannon who raced it to house and, bang, the Cardinals were up 30-10.
But, we fans nor the team could not relax just yet because the defense bit inside on under routes and allowed Jordan Matthews to catch a wide open uncontested bomb and now the worry about a, epic Philly comeback and potential 1 point victory because of the missed extra point was back in play---and then Palmer dislocates his index finger, Drew Stanton throws wide of an open Michael Floyd---Drew Butler punts it down inside the 5 yard yard line where Ed Stinson, on a loop stunt, nearly sacks Bradford for a safety, but Bradford bails the team out by throwing a laser out pass before his WR even made his cut and Matthews makes a great diving catch and suddenly the Eagles are marching to pull the game within 6 points---only bang---Mauro, in chase mode, knocks the ball loose from Ryan Mathews, Tony Jefferson surrounds the ball and D.J. Swearing recovers it.
Then the Cardinals offensive line (who has now worn out the Eagles' top defensive linemen), David Johnson (who has been fighting off some hard contact and a slight knee injury) and Carson Palmer (who has resocketed his finger and taped it up) reappear---and they promptly drive the ball down the field where Palmer finished it off on an out pass to Smokey Brown who deeks the defender and scoots up the sideline for the TD. 37-17 Cardinals.
Sadly on the last defensive snap of the game, Honey Badger---who was having a typically busy as a bee, Johnny-on-the Spot game---intercepts Bradford and hurts his right knee trying to twist his body into return mode. Every Cardinals' fan was holding his or her breath and praying for the best. Many of us could not sleep---not in Philly again for the Badger. Not again.
Happily the game ended with Drew Stanton at QB and Stepfan Taylor running hard for first downs.
Yes----some mistakes were made---but zero turnovers and only 2 penalties---and a team brimming with poise and confidence was prevailing as the equipment managers were readying the NFC West Champion hats and shirts in the locker room.
But, the celebrations were subdued---one could see it in the face of Carson Palmer---it was looking like a pyrrhic victory with the fear that the Cardinals' Achilles on defense had gone down for what will be the remaining battles of the team's pursuit of victory.
But, knowing BA and knowing the veteran leadership on this team, they will use Honey Badger's superb season and sudden injury as an inspiration.
There is no "next Badger" up. Badger is one of a kind.
Badger hopefully will reach out to Gronk---who tore his ACL in his other knee two years ago and returned last year to help lead the Patriots win the Super Bowl. Plus, Badger can go on Carson Palmer's rehab regimen. Badger could be back better than ever next year.
However, for now, Jerraud Powers moves back to the slot where he is best. Justin Bethel now gets more PT on the outside. Aggressive safeties Tony Jefferson and newly added D.J. Swearinger (both 3rd year players with solid experience) will have to step up. Plus, Rashad Johnson, the glue and puppeteer of the secondary, is on his way back. And oh, there's the green elf on the other side---St. Patrick Peterson---who is playing inspired football.
Unsung players this week: A.Q. Shipley, Bobby Massie, Darren Fells (man, don't you just love this guy?), Jaron Brown (key first down conversion on first drive), Ed Stinson (near safety), Josh Mauro (key FF), Kevin Minter (he was around the ball all night and helping to stuff that running game and the RB passing game with Deone Bucannon, who was matched up on Sproles and Matthews!), Markus Golden (key sack, FF), D.J. Swearinger (made his presence felt---great break on ball and hit on Ertz over the middle for key 3rd down stop) and Jerraud Powers (best tackle of the night). Oh and on STs Troy Niklas, who made a key tackle and recovered the Peterson fumble, yes, after knocking into Peterson, but still, Niklas was being aggressive in his role as blocker and misjudged Peterson's plant and cut.
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