Difference in the Game...

[Black Jesus]

We didn't get the breaks we usually got. Yes Larry Fitzgerald was a man amongst boys again... BUT

-Kurt gets sloppy with his playread on INT TD, didn't happen rest of playoffs
-Running game was shut down, first time that happened and we stuck with it too long
-DRC struggled when Roethlisberger got out of pocket, like he also did with McNabb.
-Rolle doesn't get that tipped pass, tipped balls and bounces were friendly to cards this postseason.

and the problem that has plagued us all season- our end of game defense let up again. Anyone who watched any football this season knows that we suck at protecting a one score lead with some time left. Our D gets nervous and tentative, and the play calling changes DRAMATICALLY.

Overall, great ride. Unfortunately Larry Fitzgerald's MJ-like playoff performance will not be as legendary. This kid is no doubt the best player in the NFL right now, and I'm glad he's on out side for years to come. Wish Kurt had gotten that ball in the air, I wanted to see Fitz get in, and I think he would have.

 

[Spielman]

and the problem that has plagued us all season- our end of game defense let up again. Anyone who watched any football this season knows that we suck at protecting a one score lead with some time left. Our D gets nervous and tentative, and the play calling changes DRAMATICALLY.

That drives me insane. They've had some great defensive gameplans, but the attitude on those late drives is a killer.

I'm thinking back to the Falcons game, where the offense took risks to shut the game down without the defense having to go back on the field. I firmly believe they'd have lost in that game if the offense had played it more conservatively.

 

[conraddobler]

That drives me insane. They've had some great defensive gameplans, but the attitude on those late drives is a killer.

I'm thinking back to the Falcons game, where the offense took risks to shut the game down without the defense having to go back on the field. I firmly believe they'd have lost in that game if the offense had played it more conservatively.

I don't think Clancy is long for this world personally.

A lot of it was fatigue, our Defense wears out just about then and Docket has only so much in the tank.

If you watch him he musters up some insane pressure for the right times but he can't do that all game he has to pick his spots, that's not at all a slam on DD he's very smart to do this, it's just he's human and can't do it every play but he can pretty much do it when he wants.

He was a beast but again he needs some help.

 

[mjb21aztd]

Yup I think defintally the play that changed the game was the pick for 6 by the steelers to end the half... that play was just a heartbreaker and to hard to overcome . AWww well great year just seriously disapointed right now. I will feel like doing nothing all week just crap

 

[moklerman]

Overall, great ride. Unfortunately Larry Fitzgerald's MJ-like playoff performance will not be as legendary. This kid is no doubt the best player in the NFL right now, and I'm glad he's on out side for years to come. Wish Kurt had gotten that ball in the air, I wanted to see Fitz get in, and I think he would have.

I think this further the perception already established. Warner and Fitz come out looking good but the bad defense and absent running game once again torpedo their efforts.

 

[conraddobler]

I think this further the perception already established. Warner and Fitz come out looking good but the bad defense and absent running game once again torpedo their efforts.

Dude your'e like a Kurt commercial.

Fitz had no turnovers this game, zero, your guy had two.

One was a 14 point swing.

The D wasn't on the field when that transpired.

He bears SOME accountability for this loss, Fitz bears zero, none, zilch, nada and if you're guy retires do you still follow this team?

Yes or no?

 

[moklerman]

Warner cemented his place in the HOF with this game and put up huge numbers on the biggest stage vs. the top defense. He did it with no running game and a defense that has continually struggled to hold leads.

Fitz also played well and the media perception is clearly hyping what each/both of them did. They are being revered for their efforts in post game analysis.

Everyone saw very clearly how the defense couldn't hold an 80 yard field with a 3 point lead. 35 yards rushing is just a fact. Defense choked and the running game was a non factor. Just like many games before. Warner and Fitz both had big games. No other Cardinals really did.

This isn't bias, it simply is fact.

 

[conraddobler]

Warner cemented his place in the HOF with this game and put up huge numbers on the biggest stage vs. the top defense. He did it with no running game and a defense that has continually struggled to hold leads.

Fitz also played well and the media perception is clearly hyping what each/both of them did. They are being revered for their efforts in post game analysis.

Everyone saw very clearly how the defense couldn't hold an 80 yard field with a 3 point lead. 35 yards rushing is just a fact. Defense choked and the running game was a non factor. Just like many games before. Warner and Fitz both had big games. No other Cardinals really did.

This isn't bias, it simply is fact.

When Kurt is gone do you still root for this team?


BTW when he goes in the Hall what does he go in as?

Yeah he'll go in as a Ram.

Or do you disagree?

You didn't answer my question.

I doubt you will either.

 

[Assface]

I think this further the perception already established. Warner and Fitz come out looking good but the bad defense and absent running game once again torpedo their efforts.

The defense played pretty well today. They held Willie Parker to 53 yards on 19 attempts for a 2.8 average. They held up in some tough situations and got pretty consistent pressure on Roethlisburger, he just played out of his mind today. Our D held the Pittsburgh offense to 20 points. Edge didn't get that many carries so his rushing total was only 33 yards but he had a higher ypc than Parker.

As far as the rest of the team torpedoing Warner's efforts, for the most part they bailed him out. He looked like crap during the first half. He was consistently throwing too high and behind receivers. There were several plays where the receiver made the catch so Kurt got his completion and some yardage on the stat sheet but it was such a bad throw that they couldn't get any yac because of the way they had to either jump or turn around in order to catch the ball. Kurt had many stellar performances during the year but this wasn't one of them, regardless of what the box score says.

 

[IAWarnerFan]

When Kurt is gone do you still root for this team?

You didn't answer my question.

I doubt you will either.

I know you are asking moklerman this, but as a Warnerphile I'll answer this too. I've been a fan way before Kurt Warner got here and will continue too even if he decided to retire. I follow all Arizona teams since childhood, but more so at different times. So yes I will, but I may not follow as close. I actually have another team I've liked since a child, but I will always cheer for all of the AZ teams. I'm just not sure right now who my favorite player will be and I've always had a favorite player.

 

[moklerman]

You didn't answer my question.

yes, I will. I'm a big fan of Fitz and especially Whisenhunt and I will want to see if the Matt Leinart project pans out. I've said this many times previously but it doesn't really matter until it happens does it?

Warner will go into the HOF as a...Kurt Warner. This isn't baseball.

If Warner comes back next year he should surpass his total number of passes as a Ram so it will be an interesting discussion whether not he is a Ram or Cardinal. I think his overall success will still make people think of him as a Ram but who knows?

 

[IAWarnerFan]

When Kurt is gone do you still root for this team?


BTW when he goes in the Hall what does he go in as?

Yeah he'll go in as a Ram.

Or do you disagree?

You didn't answer my question.

I doubt you will either.

He'll go in as both! Football isn't like baseball where the athlete has to select how he goes in. He'll also be listed as a Giant.

 

[conraddobler]

I know you are asking moklerman this, but as a Warnerphile I'll answer this too. I've been a fan way before Kurt Warner got here and will continue too even if he decided to retire. I follow all Arizona teams since childhood, but more so at different times. So yes I will, but I may not follow as close. I actually have another team I've liked since a child, but I always cheer for all of the AZ teams.

As I thought.

One thing in the NFL, there is only one team in your true heart at a time and IMO that's the problem with you warnerphiles.

You refuse to see what he does that at times puts a big old turd in the punchbowl.

He's got a habit of racking up insane yards and stats in a losing effort.

I'll be the first to admit there is no way in heck Matt takes us this far, unless I'm doing heavy drugs no way I can imagine that.

That being said I prefer drafted Cardinals to mercenaries and Warner for all the good he does always has struck me as that.

I don't hate the guy but this Warner love in the middle of a Cardinal Greek tragedy here more than hacks me off a little.

It's a team loss, touting one guy, especially a guy who threw a monumental turnaround pick 6 as the hero of the game and throwing the defense under the bus to make your guy look good is so so so why I don't like Warner.

 

[IAWarnerFan]

As I thought.

One thing in the NFL, there is only one team in your true heart at a time and IMO that's the problem with you warnerphiles.

You refuse to see what he does that at times puts a big old turd in the punchbowl.

He's got a habit of racking up insane yards and stats in a losing effort.

I'll be the first to admit there is no way in heck Matt takes us this far, unless I'm doing heavy drugs no way I can imagine that.

That being said I prefer drafted Cardinals to mercenaries and Warner for all the good he does always has struck me as that.

I don't hate the guy but this Warner love in the middle of a Cardinal Greek tragedy here more than hacks me off a little.

It's a team loss, touting one guy, especially a guy who threw a monumental turnaround pick 6 as the hero of the game and throwing the defense under the bus to make your guy look good is so so so why I don't like Warner.

Again he did well enough to win! Do you argue that? We had the lead with just over two minutes left and the defense gives up the late TD. Also I saw on another forum a replay of the Int and there was at least one block to the back that should have been called. Not making an excuse, but that shouldn't have been 6 for the Steelers.

 

[conraddobler]

Again he did well enough to win! Do you argue that? We had the lead with just over two minutes left and the defense gives up the late TD. Also I saw on another forum a replay of the Int and there was at least one block to the back that should have been called. Not making an excuse, but that shouldn't have been 6 for the Steelers.

Yes I argue with that.

Do you have any idea what the stats are for teams leading at halftime to win the Super Bowl?

If he simply does nothing there and we kick, we're tied and we have the ball in the third quarter.

Instead we go in down 10.

But even if it was just 3 then he's still screwed up, and the stat still applies on teams leading at half.

We had to go hurry up to catch back up, which means we kept scoring fast to catch up, the entire complextion of the game was different and the defense got tired from being out there constantly.

We scored right away and our defense had to go right back out there, if we're playing normally and driving then maybe our defense has the gas to stop someone.

You can't remove blame simply cause he rallied his ass off to get them back in it, they shouldn't have been down there in the first place, people used to say stuff like that defending Jake all the time.

Yeah it was heroic as heck, caused in total by the QB in the first place.

 

[IAWarnerFan]

Yes I argue with that.

Do you have any idea what the stats are for teams leading at halftime to win the Super Bowl?

If he simply does nothing there and we kick, we're tied and we have the ball in the third quarter.

Instead we go in down 10.

But even if it was just 3 then he's still screwed up, and the stat still applies on teams leading at half.

Agreed! That was huge mistake, but all QBs make mistakes. Credit the Pittburgh defense for making the most out of that one. Our defense holds Pittsburgh's weak (regular season) offense, we win the game even with the mistake. He could have made other huge mistakes and just about every QB you could name would have. He is the best QB we could ask for right now.

 

[Evil Ash]

I think this further the perception already established. Warner and Fitz come out looking good but the bad defense and absent running game once again torpedo their efforts.

Our defense gave up 20 and scored 2 points by themselves. The slow start to the offense (7 points in 3 qtrs isn't good) and an untimely turnover were big reasons for the loss.

Unfortunately the end of the game the D couldn't get pressure with a 4 man rush (considering the circumstamces blitzing probably wasn't the best option especially with our poor tackling against big ben) and the lack of depth in our secondary was exposed.

The defense wasn't the reason we lost this game.

 

[IAWarnerFan]

Our defense gave up 20 and scored 2 points by themselves. The slow start to the offense (7 points in 3 qtrs isn't good) and an untimely turnover were big reasons for the loss.

Unfortunately the end of the game the D couldn't get pressure with a 4 man rush (considering the circumstamces blitzing probably wasn't the best option especially with our poor tackling against big ben) and the lack of depth in our secondary was exposed.

The defense wasn't the reason we lost this game.

Disagree, just over 2 and a half minutes left and up by a FG. The defense needs to hold them to a FG in that situation. Pittsburgh pass offense isn't anything special, but the defense certainly made it look like it was on that final possession. I'd be interested in TOP as well.

 

[conraddobler]

Agreed! That was huge mistake, but all QBs make mistakes. Credit the Pittburgh defense for making the most out of that one. Our defense holds Pittsburgh's weak (regular season) offense, we win the game even with the mistake. He could have made other huge mistakes and just about every QB you could name would have. He is the best QB we could ask for right now.

Ben didn't make a like mistake and he won.

All QB mistakes are not equal.

That one is a time capsule of what I don't like about Warner, he wanted to score so bad that he threw the damn game away.

Situations man, situations, same as the Ram game, fumbles the game away, throws the game away, couldn't be in a worse spot, all turnovers are not equal.

BTW his first TD toss was a fluke of biblical proportions, he tripped, AGAIN and flung up a prayer that was caught for a td.

 

[conraddobler]

Disagree, just over 2 and a half minutes left and up by a FG. The defense needs to hold them to a FG in that situation. Pittsburgh pass offense isn't anything special, but the defense certainly made it look like it was on that final possession. I'd be interested in TOP as well.

Read my post above.

Going in down ten means you have to hustle your ass off, means the time of possesion game is blown, which means your defense is out there over and over again.

They wore down.

One more minute of possesion and they have the gas to sack Ben a couple more times they were so close but they were tired.

 

[Assface]

Agreed! That was huge mistake, but all QBs make mistakes. Credit the Pittburgh defense for making the most out of that one. Our defense holds Pittsburgh's weak (regular season) offense, we win the game even with the mistake. He could have made other huge mistakes and just about every QB you could name would have. He is the best QB we could ask for right now.

Our defense held the Pitt offense to 1 point less then there regular season average. Keep in mind that Willie Parker was injured and only played in 11 games this year.

During the playoffs the Steelers averaged 29 ppg. Our D held them to 9 less today and even added 2 points of their own. Our defense held them to less points than the vaunted Ravens and Chargers defenses did. The defense shut down Parker and harassed Ben all night, they're not the sole reason why we lost.

 

[Evil Ash]

Disagree, just over 2 and a half minutes left and up by a FG. The defense needs to hold them to a FG in that situation. Pittsburgh pass offense isn't anything special, but the defense certainly made it look like it was on that final possession. I'd be interested in TOP as well.

We were only up by 3 and should have been up by more if not a horrible turnover that was a 14 point swing. Not to mention AGAIN that we scored exactly 7 points through 3 qtrs.

Blaming everything on the defense is a cheap out and is incredibly weak.

 

[Linderbee]

Ash & Ass...you don't really expect him to ever see this rationally/logically, do you? Really?

 

[IAWarnerFan]

Ben didn't make a like mistake and he won.

All QB mistakes are not equal.

That one is a time capsule of what I don't like about Warner, he wanted to score so bad that he threw the damn game away.

Situations man, situations, same as the Ram game, fumbles the game away, throws the game away, couldn't be in a worse spot, all turnovers are not equal.

BTW his first TD toss was a fluke of biblical proportions, he tripped, AGAIN and flung up a prayer that was caught for a td.

Ben threw an Int as well. Kurt threw for 3 TDs and 377 yards against the best pass defense in the NFL. Yes the mistake ended up huge, but considering that's only one mistake to a defense that lives on mistakes such as that one he shouldn't get the finger pointed at him like you're doing.

 

[IAWarnerFan]

Read my post above.

Going in down ten means you have to hustle your ass off, means the time of possesion game is blown, which means your defense is out there over and over again.

They wore down.

One more minute of possesion and they have the gas to sack Ben a couple more times they were so close but they were tired.

You don't think Pittsburgh's defense and our inability to run had anything to do with that as well?