Lomax to Green 84
Hall of Famer
Now because we are talking about the Cardinals, we could probably say every week of the season there is a history of ineptitude, but I went back and looked at the last 10 years or so and its quite amazing how awful the Cards typically play in the 2nd game of the season.
Even in the most awful of seasons (Mac years for example), the Cards usually showed up the first game of the year and played a rather spirited and competitive game. Then things went way, way wrong in the 2nd game and each of those games had that same (looks like the other team is on speed and looks like the Cardinals are playing in quick sand). Also, some of the wierdest, most inexcusable mistakes are made in these games.
Some examples:
1994-Buddy's first year. Expectations are sky high and even though the Cards lost the first game to the Rams, they outplayed the Rams in all facets. 2nd game rolls around and the Cards look like they are playing a pre-season game against the Giants, get way behind early (sound familiar) and never seem to be in the game mentally (sound familiar).
1995-Buddy's 2nd year. Cards again look terrible in the 2nd game against the Eagles. I remember when they tried to play Seth Joyner at Defensive End, set him out like 5 yards outside of the defensive tackle and the Giants ran right at that gap all night and the Cards never adjusted. I remember hearing the announcers say that they had never seen such an odd defensive alignment.
1996-Tobin's first year. The Cards play great in a losing effort the first game of the year at Indy, then totally lay an egg in the 2nd game at New England. Boomer Esiason throws some of the worst passes I have ever seen.
1998-The big playoff year. Cards get thumped by Seattle 33-14, even though they outgain the Seahawks. Seattle returns 2 interceptions for touchdowns, runs back a kick for a touchdown and we get blown out.
1999-Cards win opener versus the Eagles, then lay an egg versus a Miami team that was beatable. I remember a play where Plummer just has to flip the ball the Micheal Pittman and Pittman walks in for a touchdown and Plummer inexplicably throws a missle at Pittman's feet. The most winable game because the Dolphins play horrible as well.
2001-Cards play pretty competitively against the Broncos in week #1 in Mac's first full year as head coach. Things are looking up and then they play the Falcons in game #2 and its probably the worst game I have ever seen a team play and that is saying something. The announcers comment that there is a wierd vibe in the stadium, some 3rd string runningback signed just days before the game runs for about 170 yards against the Cards. One play sticks out as a typical game #2 play. Handoff to this unknown back, who takes for what seems like 10 seconds to change directions, he crosses the field and goes 80 yards for a touchdown. No Cardinal gets within 10 yards of this guy evne though it takes an eterinity for the play to get going.
2003-Cards play competitively against the Lions in the first game. Anquan gets his 200 plus yards recieving and if not for some fumbles in the 3rd quarter, the Cards may win the game. Game two against you know who (Seattle Seahawks), Jeff Blake gets hurt, the Cards turn over the ball each of their first 3 possesions and they get blown out 38-0 in front of the smallest home opener crowd in NFL history (20,000 fans).
2004-Cards once again play very well against the Rams in game #1. Should have won the game if not for a phantom holding call on Levar Woods when James Darling intercepted the pass and went 80 yards for the go ahead touchdown. 2nd game we play New England and even though New England plays poorly, the Cards look like a team in the first day of training camp. Green and the offensive line coach almost come to blows, Alex S. doesn't know what to do with line calls and Josh McCown makes some of the worst decisions I have ever seen a quarterback make. Once again its that wierd, you know they will play horrible feel the entire game.
2005-Even though the Cards get thumped on the scorebook against the Giants in game #1, they actually play pretty solid except for some special teams breakdowns and some interceptions. Game #2 the Cards walk up and down the field against the Rams and yet constantly trail the game. Once again the Cards defense gives up an opening drive touchdown in less then 3 minutes and then they decide to start playing hard.
This team drives me nuts!!!!! Sometimes I really hate these guys for how they make me feel on Monday's.
Even in the most awful of seasons (Mac years for example), the Cards usually showed up the first game of the year and played a rather spirited and competitive game. Then things went way, way wrong in the 2nd game and each of those games had that same (looks like the other team is on speed and looks like the Cardinals are playing in quick sand). Also, some of the wierdest, most inexcusable mistakes are made in these games.
Some examples:
1994-Buddy's first year. Expectations are sky high and even though the Cards lost the first game to the Rams, they outplayed the Rams in all facets. 2nd game rolls around and the Cards look like they are playing a pre-season game against the Giants, get way behind early (sound familiar) and never seem to be in the game mentally (sound familiar).
1995-Buddy's 2nd year. Cards again look terrible in the 2nd game against the Eagles. I remember when they tried to play Seth Joyner at Defensive End, set him out like 5 yards outside of the defensive tackle and the Giants ran right at that gap all night and the Cards never adjusted. I remember hearing the announcers say that they had never seen such an odd defensive alignment.
1996-Tobin's first year. The Cards play great in a losing effort the first game of the year at Indy, then totally lay an egg in the 2nd game at New England. Boomer Esiason throws some of the worst passes I have ever seen.
1998-The big playoff year. Cards get thumped by Seattle 33-14, even though they outgain the Seahawks. Seattle returns 2 interceptions for touchdowns, runs back a kick for a touchdown and we get blown out.
1999-Cards win opener versus the Eagles, then lay an egg versus a Miami team that was beatable. I remember a play where Plummer just has to flip the ball the Micheal Pittman and Pittman walks in for a touchdown and Plummer inexplicably throws a missle at Pittman's feet. The most winable game because the Dolphins play horrible as well.
2001-Cards play pretty competitively against the Broncos in week #1 in Mac's first full year as head coach. Things are looking up and then they play the Falcons in game #2 and its probably the worst game I have ever seen a team play and that is saying something. The announcers comment that there is a wierd vibe in the stadium, some 3rd string runningback signed just days before the game runs for about 170 yards against the Cards. One play sticks out as a typical game #2 play. Handoff to this unknown back, who takes for what seems like 10 seconds to change directions, he crosses the field and goes 80 yards for a touchdown. No Cardinal gets within 10 yards of this guy evne though it takes an eterinity for the play to get going.
2003-Cards play competitively against the Lions in the first game. Anquan gets his 200 plus yards recieving and if not for some fumbles in the 3rd quarter, the Cards may win the game. Game two against you know who (Seattle Seahawks), Jeff Blake gets hurt, the Cards turn over the ball each of their first 3 possesions and they get blown out 38-0 in front of the smallest home opener crowd in NFL history (20,000 fans).
2004-Cards once again play very well against the Rams in game #1. Should have won the game if not for a phantom holding call on Levar Woods when James Darling intercepted the pass and went 80 yards for the go ahead touchdown. 2nd game we play New England and even though New England plays poorly, the Cards look like a team in the first day of training camp. Green and the offensive line coach almost come to blows, Alex S. doesn't know what to do with line calls and Josh McCown makes some of the worst decisions I have ever seen a quarterback make. Once again its that wierd, you know they will play horrible feel the entire game.
2005-Even though the Cards get thumped on the scorebook against the Giants in game #1, they actually play pretty solid except for some special teams breakdowns and some interceptions. Game #2 the Cards walk up and down the field against the Rams and yet constantly trail the game. Once again the Cards defense gives up an opening drive touchdown in less then 3 minutes and then they decide to start playing hard.
This team drives me nuts!!!!! Sometimes I really hate these guys for how they make me feel on Monday's.
