Catfish
Registered
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2006
- Posts
- 4,551
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- 64
This was the most complete game the Cardinals have played so far this year. All three fazes of the game were solid, with the defense playing stellar.
The offense got off to a rocky start with the pick six early, but then settled into a very good ball control offense that featured runs by Ellington, and enough passes to keep the Dallas defense on its heels.
The special teams play was decent with the exception of one punt return given up for a 17 yard gain by Dallas. The kick teams were otherwise very good.
Defensively, the Cardinals absolutely stoned the Dallas run game. Murray was kept in check all game. It would be hard not to believe that the Cards run defense returns to its former number one ranking among run defenses after this effort. Adding an assist to the run game, the defensive secondary was absolute shut down on the Dallas WR's, and stayed that way until garbage time at the end of the game. That is when Dez Bryant got his only two receptions, (one for a TD).
The offense complimented the team by playing ball control most of the game, which also meant clock control. There was a nice mix of run and pass to load up on 1st downs, and keep the clock moving. While Palmer was not sharp for much of the game with his passes, he did manage to stick some very tight throws into almost impossible windows to keep drives alive. He was also hit a number of times after or during his delivery of the ball, even though the offensive line played very well. Eventually the Cardinals offense wore down the Dallas defense and made it pretty irrelevant.
Credit Brandon Wheedon for providing a very tough performance at the hands of the Cards defense. He hung in there all game, even though he was not often able to connect with his receivers. He battled hard, and never lost sight of the objective. In my opinion, he played as tough as Romo would have, (had he been healthy), and was maybe a little more mobile than Romo would have been.
I believe that this was the Cardinals best all around performance to date this year.
The offense got off to a rocky start with the pick six early, but then settled into a very good ball control offense that featured runs by Ellington, and enough passes to keep the Dallas defense on its heels.
The special teams play was decent with the exception of one punt return given up for a 17 yard gain by Dallas. The kick teams were otherwise very good.
Defensively, the Cardinals absolutely stoned the Dallas run game. Murray was kept in check all game. It would be hard not to believe that the Cards run defense returns to its former number one ranking among run defenses after this effort. Adding an assist to the run game, the defensive secondary was absolute shut down on the Dallas WR's, and stayed that way until garbage time at the end of the game. That is when Dez Bryant got his only two receptions, (one for a TD).
The offense complimented the team by playing ball control most of the game, which also meant clock control. There was a nice mix of run and pass to load up on 1st downs, and keep the clock moving. While Palmer was not sharp for much of the game with his passes, he did manage to stick some very tight throws into almost impossible windows to keep drives alive. He was also hit a number of times after or during his delivery of the ball, even though the offensive line played very well. Eventually the Cardinals offense wore down the Dallas defense and made it pretty irrelevant.
Credit Brandon Wheedon for providing a very tough performance at the hands of the Cards defense. He hung in there all game, even though he was not often able to connect with his receivers. He battled hard, and never lost sight of the objective. In my opinion, he played as tough as Romo would have, (had he been healthy), and was maybe a little more mobile than Romo would have been.
I believe that this was the Cardinals best all around performance to date this year.
