Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
Was very surprised to see how conservative the offense was out of the gates for the second game in a row---could not believe the coaches actually thought running sweeps to Thomas Davis' side was a good idea. Could not believe that when Carson Palmer finally started to relax a little and made a couple of good throws, BA had the offense go into the Wildcat, which was stuffed. Strange timing and strategy versus such a run stuffing defense.
I thought the Cardinals played into Carolina's hands as if they did not understand where their weaknesses are. Not putting any pressure on the Carolina secondary early in the game, gave them some mojo and confidence.
The Peterson muffed punt was incredibly ironic. Last year it was Ted Ginn giving Carolina a gift fumble on a return---this year it was Peterson, who clearly is not 100% interested or committed to being the punt returner. And then to watch Ginn beat Peterson and the whole secondary was salt in old wounds.
Carson Palmer was way too anxious, obviously. But what he is learning is that playoff football is at such a different speed and intensity level---that it takes some time and experience to get oneself to slow down---which he never was able to versus such a ferocious defense.
On the bright side---David Johnson played very well, which bodes well for him and team moving forward. I thought Kevin Minter played tough and very physical. Darren Fells had a nice couple of catches and a TD. J.J Nelson played well too.
Hard to imagine that BA and Palmer ignored Fitz again for a whole first half. Smokey Brown still needs to learn how to come back for the football---which in time he should learn.
Justin Bethel made a couple of good plays, but got beaten on some key plays like on the Ginn reverse and the Olson seam. He is fighting through what young players face---which is thinking too much and not playing on instinct.
The DB who has really struggled down the stretch two years in a row is FS Rashad Johnson. He's battled injuries and general year-end fatigue. I thought that D.J. Swearinger gave the team a real lift after the Honey Badger got injured. The team needs tacklers like Mathieu and Swearinger (did he even play?)---but tonight's secondary wasn't up for tackling (save a few solid ones by Tony Jefferson) and it gave Carolina added confidence.
The interior of the line played hard versus the run---Gunter, Bryant, Stinson in particular. Sad to see Calais Campbell fade out the last two games---he too looks like he hit a physical wall. He is too critical to this defense. Again, the defense got little to no pressure on the QB. Credit Carolina's o-line, but also recognize that without a consistent pass rush, teams generally can't get to the Super Bowl. This year the two best pass rushes are Carolina and Denver.
It should be interesting to see how this lopsided loss motivates Steve Keim, BA and the players this off-season. Clearly the Cardinals need to get tougher and more cohesive and they need faster, more explosive edge players (OLBs, CBs) on defense. Look at Carolina's and Denver's speed at the linebacker position---that's something to emulate.
This season has been a joy---winning the NFC West and closing it out so quickly---going an unprecedented 7-1 on the road (3-0 versus the NFC West) during the regular season and up until tonight, and going highly impressive 6-0 in Prime Time games. There is a ton of character on this football team---there is accountability and a very strong work ethic. Marvel at and appreciate all the excitement they generated this year. They sure made many new fans across the nation. Hail to the Cardinals for warming our hearts deep into January.
In finishing---a game like this will make it all the sweeter for the Cardinals and for us as fans if and when they finally overcome all the odds to win it all. Yes, it hurts to come this far and lose---but---the experience is valuable and is something to build on.
I thought the Cardinals played into Carolina's hands as if they did not understand where their weaknesses are. Not putting any pressure on the Carolina secondary early in the game, gave them some mojo and confidence.
The Peterson muffed punt was incredibly ironic. Last year it was Ted Ginn giving Carolina a gift fumble on a return---this year it was Peterson, who clearly is not 100% interested or committed to being the punt returner. And then to watch Ginn beat Peterson and the whole secondary was salt in old wounds.
Carson Palmer was way too anxious, obviously. But what he is learning is that playoff football is at such a different speed and intensity level---that it takes some time and experience to get oneself to slow down---which he never was able to versus such a ferocious defense.
On the bright side---David Johnson played very well, which bodes well for him and team moving forward. I thought Kevin Minter played tough and very physical. Darren Fells had a nice couple of catches and a TD. J.J Nelson played well too.
Hard to imagine that BA and Palmer ignored Fitz again for a whole first half. Smokey Brown still needs to learn how to come back for the football---which in time he should learn.
Justin Bethel made a couple of good plays, but got beaten on some key plays like on the Ginn reverse and the Olson seam. He is fighting through what young players face---which is thinking too much and not playing on instinct.
The DB who has really struggled down the stretch two years in a row is FS Rashad Johnson. He's battled injuries and general year-end fatigue. I thought that D.J. Swearinger gave the team a real lift after the Honey Badger got injured. The team needs tacklers like Mathieu and Swearinger (did he even play?)---but tonight's secondary wasn't up for tackling (save a few solid ones by Tony Jefferson) and it gave Carolina added confidence.
The interior of the line played hard versus the run---Gunter, Bryant, Stinson in particular. Sad to see Calais Campbell fade out the last two games---he too looks like he hit a physical wall. He is too critical to this defense. Again, the defense got little to no pressure on the QB. Credit Carolina's o-line, but also recognize that without a consistent pass rush, teams generally can't get to the Super Bowl. This year the two best pass rushes are Carolina and Denver.
It should be interesting to see how this lopsided loss motivates Steve Keim, BA and the players this off-season. Clearly the Cardinals need to get tougher and more cohesive and they need faster, more explosive edge players (OLBs, CBs) on defense. Look at Carolina's and Denver's speed at the linebacker position---that's something to emulate.
This season has been a joy---winning the NFC West and closing it out so quickly---going an unprecedented 7-1 on the road (3-0 versus the NFC West) during the regular season and up until tonight, and going highly impressive 6-0 in Prime Time games. There is a ton of character on this football team---there is accountability and a very strong work ethic. Marvel at and appreciate all the excitement they generated this year. They sure made many new fans across the nation. Hail to the Cardinals for warming our hearts deep into January.
In finishing---a game like this will make it all the sweeter for the Cardinals and for us as fans if and when they finally overcome all the odds to win it all. Yes, it hurts to come this far and lose---but---the experience is valuable and is something to build on.
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