ESPN Hacks still consider Cardinals middle of the pack team...

[RugbyMuffin]

Going off the top of my head and not in any particular order...

Patriots
Colts
Falcons
Eagles
Giants
Vikings* (with Favre and the Williams duo)
Steelers
Chargers
Bears
Titans

Just a little above middle of the pack. I think the Cardinals are a Top 15, even Top 12 team. I just don't think the Cardinals are a top tier team after a playoff run. You have to take the season record just as serious as the playoff run.

I do however think the Cardinals will win the division and make the playoffs again though.

That is a good list I will give you that.

Bears, Vikings, and Chargers are the ones that most will have a problem with. They are the three teams that I have a problem with.

I think the Bears, Vikings, and Chargers are all hype, especially the Bears.

Putting the Bears, and Chargers ahead of the Cardinals is arguable in the least, and IMO just plain silly.

Yet, we are better off, motivation and all that.

I will also note that I think it is premature to put the Patriots and Colts ahead of the Steelers and the Falcons. Not to mention, leaving the Ravens off the list entirely is a bit silly as well.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Clayton doesn't ever get anything right he says on air. Tell me he doesn't look like a lightbulb.

crossed with a turkey, IMO.

 

[JeffGollin]

ESPN Hacks still consider Cardinals middle of the pack team
It's only fitting - ESPN has turned into a middle of the pack sports cable channel.

 

[Stout]

Patriots-ONLY IF BRADY IS HEALTHY
Colts--NOT
Falcons--NOT
Eagles--NOT
Giants
Vikings* (with Favre and the Williams duo)
Steelers
Chargers--MAYBE
Bears--NOT
Titans--MAYBE

Just had to make a few corrections there. I think there are only 3 teams definitely better than we are, 4 if Brady is healthy. I think the Chargers and Titans are about on par with us. That's about it.

As for your edge rushers statement, yes, that is a valid concern. IMO, that's what will bring this defense down a notch from great to merely good enough.

 

[lobo]

Pay no mind...they are no more than hacks with a notepad...use your eyes and head and figure it out yourselves...we all know as much as they do but they get to dip their beaks at the local buffets and watering holes for free

 

[lauraw]

We will win the NFC West and AT Least 1 Playoff Game... Bank on it!!

 

[lauraw]

With Beanie in the fold our offense will be better, along with the improved OL depth, The ? is going to be on the defensive side of the ball...

 

[Mulli]

So, how do the Cards avoid losing east coast road games 77-7 this year?

Don't kill me. Just wondering.

 

[chickenhead]

They do have us atop the division. Goad #1 is to win the NFC West. Beyond that, we play five of the teams ranked ahead of them this season (Colts, @Giants, Panthers, @Titans, Vikings). As the season goes on, the Cards will definitely be ranked as they perform. I expect most of those teams on the list to get the nod until we've beaten them, and it doesn't bother me. I'm much more interested in being ranked ahead of them because we've beaten them.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

So, how do the Cards avoid losing east coast road games 77-7 this year?

Don't kill me. Just wondering.

Spanking the Panthers on the road in the playoffs should help.

 

[Mulli]

Spanking the Panthers on the road in the playoffs should help.

I like it.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

So, how do the Cards avoid losing east coast road games 77-7 this year?

Don't kill me. Just wondering.

Kick field goals only.

 

[Mulli]

Kick field goals only.

 

[the_future23]

That is a good list I will give you that.

Bears, Vikings, and Chargers are the ones that most will have a problem with. They are the three teams that I have a problem with.

I think the Bears, Vikings, and Chargers are all hype, especially the Bears.

Putting the Bears, and Chargers ahead of the Cardinals is arguable in the least, and IMO just plain silly.

Yet, we are better off, motivation and all that.

I will also note that I think it is premature to put the Patriots and Colts ahead of the Steelers and the Falcons. Not to mention, leaving the Ravens off the list entirely is a bit silly as well.

Bears were 9-7 last year and added a pro bowl QB, a RB in his 2nd year who looks to be the real deal, and a couple of O-Linemans. The Chargers are always a good team and considering there in the AFC West this year, they will probably end up winning 12 games, and the Falcons added Tony G and Matt Ryan going into his 2nd year with more experience.

I left the Ravens off because I feel they won't be as good this year. They're older, no WR's, defensive coordinator left, lost some parts of their defense. And as I said, the list was in no order.

 

[187]

My fear is, in Smith's absence, we're going to discover that much of Dockett's success had a lot to do with playing on the same side as Smith. I like Campbell but he's not going to receive the kind of attention Smith did. Smith always got a quality push up field, allowing more room for Dockett to create havoc as a pass rusher.

I'm not worried about it. I think it's more much of Smiths success had a lot to do with playing on the same side as Darnell Dockett.

 

[azmike74]

Clayton doesn't ever get anything right he says on air. Tell me he doesn't look like a lightbulb.

I always thought he looked like Mr. Mackey from South Park.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Buckybird]

I always thought he looked like Mr. Mackey from South Park.

You must be registered for see images attach

nice

 

[TJ]

ehhhh Im not put off. Pundits had us all but written off all season. Where did that take us? IIRC, it was the Superbowl, right? This team is better than last season, especially on defense. The two key rankings that needed to be addressed were average yards per game and TD receptions against. Beanie Wells will add another offensive threat, while McFadden fills in perfectly as the #2 CB.

Heres to this team thriving off negative media attention like last season

 

[chickenhead]

IMO it's still a hangover from the loss in NE. The Cards looked like they wanted no part of that game, and all it did was reinforce the media's view of them. People are also quick to dismiss what they consider Cinderella playoff runs.

The good news is: I don't think a performance like the one in NE happens this year. I think the team now has too much pride. This is a HUGE turn for this organization. The bar was always set low before--not so anymore.