AZ vs TEN MNF Game Thread

[clif]

swd you are killing me tonight. if only it weren't true. If I was a fan in the stands I would ask for a refund. This is complete bullsh**. I actually almost felt bad for ESPN... wasting all that good film and slow motion technology on showing us how bad we stink.

 

[clif]

I mean seriously, how many more veteran days off are we going to give? Was tonight one of them? How many more practices is Whiz going to call off 30 minutes early? When is the next movie day? This is damn atrocious. I swear.. whatever we do... we got to be the worst at it. Not a single person looked good tonight. Never in my life have I seen a team look so effin out of sync and disinterested.

 

[SunsTzu]

It's like people forget what every preseason has been like under Wiz.

 

[clif]

Yeah, you would think somebody would do something on national tv. Show some kind of pride. Unless they like getting their head smashed in.

 

[Shane]

Yeah, you would think somebody would do something on national tv. Show some kind of pride. Unless they like getting their head smashed in.

Kenny iwebema, Stephen Williams, max hall, Stevie bags and a few flashes from Washington again. A few showed up.

 

[PACardsFan]

Yeah, you would think somebody would do something on national tv. Show some kind of pride. Unless they like getting their head smashed in.

When you avoid blocking & tackling, you tend to avoid having your head smashed in. I'll be concerned when we look like that in a meaningful game. Until then, I don't give a rats a$$. I saw too many Cardinal teams go 4-0 in the preseason, only to go 4-12 when it counts. The Colts haven't won like 1 preseason game in the last 5 years. So what.

 

[Shane]

When you avoid blocking & tackling, you tend to avoid having your head smashed in. I'll be concerned when we look like that in a meaningful game. Until then, I don't give a rats a$$. I saw too many Cardinal teams go 4-0 in the preseason, only to go 4-12 when it counts. The Colts haven't won like 1 preseason game in the last 5 years. So what.

Exactly. When we look like that week 1 vs the rams I'll worry!

 

[Mainstreet]

The Cardinals should keep Leinart to appease the fans who think he should be the Cardinals starting QB. Maybe the light will finally come on but I don't think so. Also he has been in study just for this occasion. Let's give it a go.

DA is terrible. I'd rather take my chances with rookie QBs. The Cardinals will not be missing much losing DA. Then keep Hall and Skelton for the second and third QBs rather than let some other team pick one of them up off the PUP squad. One might be the Cardinals QBs of the future. I'm betting on Skelton.

 

[Duckjake]

Kenny iwebema, Stephen Williams, max hall, Stevie bags and a few flashes from Washington again. A few showed up.

How do the stat people at nfl.com credit tackles? Iwebema looked like he was all over the place but is credited with only one tackle.

Calais had a good game. But overall nothing noteworthy from anybody and none of the young guys did anything to pressure the vet in front of them.

About the only thing I saw tonight was that Robinson just isn't the answer at NT and if he starts its going to be a long season for our defense.

 

[SunsTzu]

Yeah, you would think somebody would do something on national tv. Show some kind of pride. Unless they like getting their head smashed in.

You mean like the pride they showed last year on the MNF opener against the team that beat them in the Super Bowl?

The coaching staff obviously doesn't want the same things out of pre-season as others seem to and they've been pretty successful once the games matter, so I'll trust their judgement.

 

[Big Deal]

Yeah I think Robinson is done.

 

[Duckjake]

You mean like the pride they showed last year on the MNF opener against the team that beat them in the Super Bowl?

The coaching staff obviously doesn't want the same things out of pre-season as others seem to and they've been pretty successful once the games matter, so I'll trust their judgement.

So are you saying the coaches tell their players not to run too fast or hit too hard or do anything more than give a halfhearted shove at a pass rusher or go out of their way to catch the football?

On the other hand I did see some plays that were head scratchers where Titan defenders simply were not blocked. Nobody missed a block there just wasn't a Cardinal player in position to block them. Now those would be a sign that the Cards are playing it close to the vest.

BTW: the game vs the Steelers last season was on a Thursday and the Cards lost 20-10.

 

[SunsTzu]

So are you saying the coaches tell their players not to run too fast or hit too hard or do anything more than give a halfhearted shove at a pass rusher or go out of their way to catch the football?

I'm saying that the NFL more than any other sport relies on coaching and game planning. How fired up are the players going to be knowing the coaching staff is going to be so bland and not trying to win?

The 1st team offense against the Steelers looked even worse than it did tonight(down it's best offensive player) and I'm pretty sure the MNF crew called the game, but maybe I'm mistaken.

 

[Duckjake]

I'm saying that the NFL more than any other sport relies on coaching and game planning. How fired up are the players going to be knowing the coaching staff is going to be so bland and not trying to win?

The 1st team offense against the Steelers looked even worse than it did tonight(down it's best offensive player) and I'm pretty sure the MNF crew called the game, but maybe I'm mistaken.

OK I see what you are saying but the Steelers game from last pre season is a poor comparison.

The first team offense with Warner had 6 first downs and gained 65 yards and converted on three 3rd down plays in a drive and a half. Nowhere near as bad as tonight's performance.

 

[john h]

Toast has a ton to prove... not necessarily tonight, but at some point he has to show he belongs as a starter in this league. The entire pro football community (players, coaches, "experts" and fans) all have a very dark perception of the kid.
Wow!

82Cards you have said it as about as good as it can be said. Matt has a bad perception all around among experts, players, coaches and fans. Where it all comes from his performance or lack of or of the playboy image he created I do not know. I am among those who are concerned more than just a little. If he cannot perform then the entire team and season is in jeopardy. It is up to Matt to change all this and will be the only way to shut up all us doubters. Getting all those millions up front can change some young guys perceptions of what they really want to do in life. To be a NFL starting QB you have to be smart, tough, and totally committed.

 

[john h]

It's driving me insane.

And Matt's lack of anticipation is also driving me crazy. Holding the ball a second longer, or letting it go a second earlier are intangibles that cannot be taught. And Matt Leinart does not posses those qualities.

In college Matt had one of the best offensive lines in college and had future pro RB's. Maybe he will never be ready for the speed of the NFL rushes. Warner was one of the best ever at getting rid of the ball and stopping the blitz. Matt does not see what Kurt could see when he lined up. Maybe he never will or maybe by some miracle a light will come on. Archie Manning played for years on one of the worst teams in the NFL but was always considered one of the best QB's in the NFL. Let is face the fact that Warner was the heart and soul of this team. It is going to be a long year. We will see several QB's starting from time to time.

 

[JC_AZ]

The Cardinals should keep Leinart to appease the fans who think he should be the Cardinals starting QB. Maybe the light will finally come on but I don't think so. Also he has been in study just for this occasion. Let's give it a go.

DA is terrible. I'd rather take my chances with rookie QBs. The Cardinals will not be missing much losing DA. Then keep Hall and Skelton for the second and third QBs rather than let some other team pick one of them up off the PUP squad. One might be the Cardinals QBs of the future. I'm betting on Skelton.

Since it is impossible to tell at this point what Skelton and Hall can do against the "1's", it may be premature, however, the potential and composure shown by both seems worth considering...DA has had more opportunity in the first two games than any of them and I believe he is demonstrating why he was dumped from Cleveland and lost out to who? Seriously, start with ML and if the O really continues to suck we have two compettitors who can vie for number 2... DA has a great arm, but so did Jeff George...use his salary to sign DD and develop the other two guys with actual potential and COMPETITIVENESS... JMHO of course

 

[CardLogic]

Matt has a bad perception all around among experts, players, coaches and fans. Where it all comes from his performance or lack of or of the playboy image he created I do not know.

I'll grant that Leinart was more than a little responsible for the "playboy" image from USC and early in his pro career. But it has been three years since the beer bong and hot tub days. It's time to let it go.

Maybe this will help: http://www.azcardinals.com/photos-v...herhood-/76c0dd7e-e2b5-44b9-8ec6-38ed2ec898fe

 

[82CardsGrad]

I'll grant that Leinart was more than a little responsible for the "playboy" image from USC and early in his pro career. But it has been three years since the beer bong and hot tub days. It's time to let it go.

Maybe this will help: http://www.azcardinals.com/photos-v...herhood-/76c0dd7e-e2b5-44b9-8ec6-38ed2ec898fe

That story won't help at all... The ONLY thing that will improve his image around the league is what he does ON the field, not off. The reality is that perception often becomes reality. Matt - nobody else but Matt, created a very bad perception of himself. Now, the only way to remove that stain is to demonstrate that he can consistently perform in the NFL. Right now, his ineptitude on the field is only feeding into the perception he helped to create.
Trying to strike the balance between football and being a father is admirable. And if he can become an effective NFL QB, his desire to be a solid dad will only help the perception. However, if all he ever becomes known for is a guy who attempted to strike the balance between football and fatherhood, while falling short of his on-the-field promise, his soft, playboy reputation will be cemented...

 

[CardLogic]

82, my post wasn't addressed to "around the league"; my post was addressed to Cardinal fans whom ought to be more in the know than to hang on to perceptions about a guy based upon his college days and shortly thereafter.

God knows, none of us did things in our early twenties that we wouldn't do now!

In your words, if Leinart fails his playboy reputation will be cemented. Shouldn't it be,if he fails in the NFL, that his reputation will be that he never made the transition on the field from great college QB to good NFL QB?

Because from what I am seeing he has already made the transition in his personal life.

If what Leinart is ultimately going to be judged upon is his on field performance, why do people consistently dredge up three year old off-field items to criticize him?

 

[DemsMyBoys]

A beam of light just fell on me and I've decided how I'm going to judge Matt: If he shows up as a waiter at Fitz's Celebrity Servers Night next Monday at Morton's. If Matt is there he is a team player. His relationship with Fitz is Perfect. He is a family man who gives his time to charity. Yup. I've decided it. Next Monday night I will know everything I need to know about Matt Leinart as a man, as a father, and as a teammate. And as a waiter. If he doesn't show up I'll be shaking my head and mumbling about SC and hot tubs. Again.

 

[conraddobler]

Matt's been acknowledged to have put his younger ways behind him, for at least two years now.

That's not the problem, if he has a problem, that's not it.

 

[82CardsGrad]

If what Leinart is ultimately going to be judged upon is his on field performance, why do people consistently dredge up three year old off-field items to criticize him?

Judged by those who are commenting on his perception at this moment in time... I have no doubt that those who aren't commenting already know the true, non-Football Matt.

And, people dredge up the "three year old, off the field items" because Matt hasn't done anything on the field to change their perception...

 

[desertrat218]

I can't see Matt Leinart ever emerging as a legitimate NFL QB. He seems to be very indecisive and dumps the ball off to backs much too quickly without even attempting to throw the ball downfield. Max Hall has shown some potential and so has Skelton. Derek Anderson may be the best option early on as the Cards groom one of the rookies for the future.

 

[D-Dogg]

Everyone is turning into a bunch of postal workers in here. Stay way from weapons, people.