Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
Personal Note: I have been spending the past week at odds with whether I should continue to blog here. Like anyone else, I am fine with differences in opinion---that's what makes the board engaging and interesting. But, when the posts turn personal and a deliberate attempt to denigrate, humiliate and belittle the poster---which is in direct violation of the ASFN rules---it shatters the integrity of the board and it makes bloggers like myself wonder whether this is worth the aggravation.
It really hit home this past week when one of my all-time favorite students, who is such an avid Cardinals fans that he wears Fitz and ADub jerseys to school here in Foxborough, googled my name to try to find my book and saw that I am blogger on ASFN. He then went to the ASFN site and started to read my posts and then next day he was visibly upset by the personal attacks that were levied against me and others, to the point where he asked me why I put up with it.
A couple of years ago I retaliated to a couple of posters---to whom I profusely apologized to afterward, and have deeply regretted ever since---but this is what the aggravation can do to me and anyone else---but the way things are if you want to respect others and abide by Skkorp's rules, you either have to sit there and take it time and time again, or you have to stop putting yourself out there and walk away.
Putting people on ignore is NOT an option. Because that is simply ignoring the problem---and students like mine who read the posts are going to see the personal attacks and thread trashings anyway.
I recently received an apology from someone here I value---and I appreciate that---and I want to trust that he doesn't throw an ad hominem at me or anyone else again. And many of you have always been respectful even when you ardently disagree with my opinions. That's the intended spirit of this board that I love. And there are others of you I consider my dear friends---people here I think the world of.....some of whom I PMed my game thoughts to. But that isn't the answer either. The answer is that we all contribute to the integrity of the board so that we can continue to have the best Arizona Cardinals forum for avid fans that there is on the planet.
So---I am going to try this again---but, honestly, if I continue to see posters bashing me or anyone else, I am going to stop. I hope you will understand and respect that.
My thoughts---
1. When was the last time we played a very good team and we as fans could actually relax at half-time? Glory be!
2. Horton's pressure was so relentless I was actually starting to feel sorry and afraid for Michael Vick (who earned my respect for doing his best to hang in there despite the constant punishment).
3. Kerry Rhodes? Now we know what he is capable of and what he had been capable of all along, but hadn't brought it. he even conceded it himself aster the game when he said something to the effect of hey everyone else is making plays, so I figured why not me?
Horton has built such a defensive bandwagon right now that we are starting to see what the players' maximum potential really is.
Room for improvement---there are times when the players set up a little late---and that should improve as the games proceed. And we are just starting to see the DBs making plays on the ball. Once they get into interception mode---just think of what this defense could accomplish!
As for Horton, I think we are all wondering at this point---how could the Cardinals possibly let him go coach somewhere else? Clearly---he is the straw that is stirring this drink. When you have something this special and uplifting---you cannot risk letting it go. The players are garnering more confidence and more identity from him than anyone else. The identity piece is key.
4. Ken Whisenhunt and Mike Miller are doing a fabulous job---the way CKW has lifted Kevin Kolb's spirits up from the NFL dregs (and with it the level of his play) is fantastic. Kolb actually looks comfortable---and the couple of collapsed pocket sacks he took were fine and it seems he is starting to recognize that. And he is now taking off with the ball---which is a further indication that things with Kolb are moving forward, not backward. But man, Kolb is spinning the ball in there to Fitz, Roberts, Floyd, Doucet, King, Housler, etc. as well as he ever has as a pro. I had to laugh when Brian Billick tried to say that Kolb's goal-line pass to Doucet was "a little behind him and this has been Kolb's problem." That pass to Doucet could not have been throw more on time or more accurately.
5. The unsung heroes? Obviously, the offensive line. Batiste has been solid at LT---and is playing with good technique....which hasn't totally surprised me because I and Gary and others noticed him show up well at LT last year in pre-season. Massie is playing like a three year vet---and get this: we can run the ball to the right now!
6. Beanie Wells---a square peg for a round hole, and because of his liabilities teams have been able to key on him when he's in there because they know he is going to run the ball. Good player---just not the right fit.
7. Ryan Williams---is the right fit. he gets to the hole faster and he can make the first guy miss which is exactly what CKW has been wanting from his RB. Plus, this kid has such a work ethic and heart, you can't help but love the kid.
8. Symbolic play of the game? Floyd knocking DRC on his keister. Cardinal tough is showing up even with first round WR draft picks! You know---as crazy as this sounds, especially when a few weeks ago the Cardinals were still getting trashed on the blogs for getting hosed in the Philly deal---but I will bet you there are thousands of Eagle fans who watched this game and wondered why they gave up on Kolb in favor of Michael Vick---and I bet you that most of those fans are almost just as frustrated with DRC as we were. Yes, all-world talent (as Fitz has said)---but where's his head?
At this point, let me ask you this---who would you rather have?
QB Vick---CB DRC---LB Kendricks
QB Kolb---CB Peterson---LB Bradley
Rhetorical question?
9. What I like best about the Kolb/Skelton combo is that I believe they are learning from each other. Kolb has learned quite a bit from Skelton's pocket play and Skelton is learning from Kolb to spin it faster and on time. We are going to need both QBs---so we can ride with the hot hand and we should. Kolb is the man right now.
10. Special teams---looking more and more special all the time. The only thing to worry about is Zastudil over-kicking the coverage, but otherwise Zastudil has been fantastic.
It really hit home this past week when one of my all-time favorite students, who is such an avid Cardinals fans that he wears Fitz and ADub jerseys to school here in Foxborough, googled my name to try to find my book and saw that I am blogger on ASFN. He then went to the ASFN site and started to read my posts and then next day he was visibly upset by the personal attacks that were levied against me and others, to the point where he asked me why I put up with it.
A couple of years ago I retaliated to a couple of posters---to whom I profusely apologized to afterward, and have deeply regretted ever since---but this is what the aggravation can do to me and anyone else---but the way things are if you want to respect others and abide by Skkorp's rules, you either have to sit there and take it time and time again, or you have to stop putting yourself out there and walk away.
Putting people on ignore is NOT an option. Because that is simply ignoring the problem---and students like mine who read the posts are going to see the personal attacks and thread trashings anyway.
I recently received an apology from someone here I value---and I appreciate that---and I want to trust that he doesn't throw an ad hominem at me or anyone else again. And many of you have always been respectful even when you ardently disagree with my opinions. That's the intended spirit of this board that I love. And there are others of you I consider my dear friends---people here I think the world of.....some of whom I PMed my game thoughts to. But that isn't the answer either. The answer is that we all contribute to the integrity of the board so that we can continue to have the best Arizona Cardinals forum for avid fans that there is on the planet.
So---I am going to try this again---but, honestly, if I continue to see posters bashing me or anyone else, I am going to stop. I hope you will understand and respect that.
My thoughts---
1. When was the last time we played a very good team and we as fans could actually relax at half-time? Glory be!
2. Horton's pressure was so relentless I was actually starting to feel sorry and afraid for Michael Vick (who earned my respect for doing his best to hang in there despite the constant punishment).
3. Kerry Rhodes? Now we know what he is capable of and what he had been capable of all along, but hadn't brought it. he even conceded it himself aster the game when he said something to the effect of hey everyone else is making plays, so I figured why not me?
Horton has built such a defensive bandwagon right now that we are starting to see what the players' maximum potential really is.
Room for improvement---there are times when the players set up a little late---and that should improve as the games proceed. And we are just starting to see the DBs making plays on the ball. Once they get into interception mode---just think of what this defense could accomplish!
As for Horton, I think we are all wondering at this point---how could the Cardinals possibly let him go coach somewhere else? Clearly---he is the straw that is stirring this drink. When you have something this special and uplifting---you cannot risk letting it go. The players are garnering more confidence and more identity from him than anyone else. The identity piece is key.
4. Ken Whisenhunt and Mike Miller are doing a fabulous job---the way CKW has lifted Kevin Kolb's spirits up from the NFL dregs (and with it the level of his play) is fantastic. Kolb actually looks comfortable---and the couple of collapsed pocket sacks he took were fine and it seems he is starting to recognize that. And he is now taking off with the ball---which is a further indication that things with Kolb are moving forward, not backward. But man, Kolb is spinning the ball in there to Fitz, Roberts, Floyd, Doucet, King, Housler, etc. as well as he ever has as a pro. I had to laugh when Brian Billick tried to say that Kolb's goal-line pass to Doucet was "a little behind him and this has been Kolb's problem." That pass to Doucet could not have been throw more on time or more accurately.
5. The unsung heroes? Obviously, the offensive line. Batiste has been solid at LT---and is playing with good technique....which hasn't totally surprised me because I and Gary and others noticed him show up well at LT last year in pre-season. Massie is playing like a three year vet---and get this: we can run the ball to the right now!
6. Beanie Wells---a square peg for a round hole, and because of his liabilities teams have been able to key on him when he's in there because they know he is going to run the ball. Good player---just not the right fit.
7. Ryan Williams---is the right fit. he gets to the hole faster and he can make the first guy miss which is exactly what CKW has been wanting from his RB. Plus, this kid has such a work ethic and heart, you can't help but love the kid.
8. Symbolic play of the game? Floyd knocking DRC on his keister. Cardinal tough is showing up even with first round WR draft picks! You know---as crazy as this sounds, especially when a few weeks ago the Cardinals were still getting trashed on the blogs for getting hosed in the Philly deal---but I will bet you there are thousands of Eagle fans who watched this game and wondered why they gave up on Kolb in favor of Michael Vick---and I bet you that most of those fans are almost just as frustrated with DRC as we were. Yes, all-world talent (as Fitz has said)---but where's his head?
At this point, let me ask you this---who would you rather have?
QB Vick---CB DRC---LB Kendricks
QB Kolb---CB Peterson---LB Bradley
Rhetorical question?
9. What I like best about the Kolb/Skelton combo is that I believe they are learning from each other. Kolb has learned quite a bit from Skelton's pocket play and Skelton is learning from Kolb to spin it faster and on time. We are going to need both QBs---so we can ride with the hot hand and we should. Kolb is the man right now.
10. Special teams---looking more and more special all the time. The only thing to worry about is Zastudil over-kicking the coverage, but otherwise Zastudil has been fantastic.
