Expectations and perception

[moklerman]

Now that week 5 is officially over the MNF game made me take a step back from the ledge a little bit. It was an exciting game to watch but I had no vested interest in either team winning or losing so I got to just watch football and started to ponder the big picture and state of the Cardinals in general.

If I project back to before the season started and was offered where the Cardinals are right now, especially compared to the rest of the league, it's hard to imagine saying no.

After only 5 games, they are in first place with a two game lead.

There are no significant, long term injuries. AW and Q are battling it right now but both are expected back before too long.

The offense still hasn't found itself or played it's very best but is #5 in scoring.

The defense, although shaky at times is still doing pretty well and is giving up 16 points per game when not facing the Jets.

Fitz has taken it to the next level. His YPC is over a yard better than his career average, he's #4 in the league in receptions and he's #2 in TD at WR. Guess who's #1?

Anquan Boldin. Even while missing a game with his injury. Even that, to me, has a silver lining. As horrific as it was to watch, it may have actually pulled the team together and re-focused them. Bolding getting 3 weeks off and only missing 2 games isn't going to be such a bad thing either. He's always going to miss some time so the fact that it was a sinus and not a knee or hip or toe is, practically speaking, a good thing.

The o-line hasn't been great but, going back to last night's game, look at Minnesota. They're supposed to have one of the best line's in the NFL and the also have AP. They were shut down by the Saints. My point is, as nice as it would be to have a mythical o-line that offers great pass protection and 5 yards per carry in the running game, the Cards are in pretty good shape. It could always be better but it is by no means a liability and I'm content for now.

The GM has made some really good moves too. LaBoay leaps to mind and in general, I think this year continues the growth that I've seen from them over the last few years.

Rackers is still shaky as hell but his kicks are just making it rather than just missing it. Not a ringing endorsement but in addition to doinking one off the upright, the pre-snap penalities aren't killing the team and in some cases even benefitting.

There was certainly a meltdown game amongst all of this positive news but a loss is a loss. This year's Cardinals bounced back and used the loss to grow. Didn't let it unravel what they have going.

A big part of that debacle was Kurt Warner and it's hard not to be concerned about it considering his history. But, big picture, over the course of the year if he plays 13 games of mistake free football and has 3 bad ones, I think most Cards fans would be at least satisfied. I would be remiss if I didn't point out that he is the #1 QB in the NFC after 5 weeks.

Hightower is 2nd in the league with 5 TD's as an unheralded rookie.

I could go on but I think it's clear that the team is doing very well and I just wanted to take a moment to enjoy the present(the "now" and the "gift"). Who knows what will happen by the end of the year but right now the team is losing on flukes as opposed to winning on them. They have good coaching, leadership, DEPTH, and dare I say it? A future.

 

[Spielman]

A big part of that debacle was Kurt Warner and it's hard not to be concerned about it considering his history. But, big picture, over the course of the year if he plays 13 games of mistake free football and has 3 bad ones, I think most Cards fans would be at least satisfied.

Even in that scenario, it all depends. Mostly, it depends on how he then performs in the PLAYOFF game(s) that follow(s).

 

[moklerman]

Even in that scenario, it all depends. Mostly, it depends on how he then performs in the PLAYOFF game(s) that follow(s).

You must be registered for see images

Very true but even in that scenario if Warner tanks in the playoffs, he's essentially handing the keys of a playoff team to Leinart. But it also goes back to expectations. In the playoffs a QB is generally going to have a dropoff in their production/efficiency and overall, dealing with how the team or a player is responding in the playoffs is a good problem to have.

It's all too early for too much talk on that front though and I don't want to exude Kool-Aid from my pores, I just think it's too easy to get caught up in looking at Dallas and Carolina and the playoffs and the next 5 years at WR or QB or whatever. As fans, these are really the times to sit back and enjoy. The coaches and players are dealing with next Sunday and Dallas.

And speaking of coaches, I just watched the Whisenhunt presser on the official site and it's hard not to be impressed with this guy. He speaks very clearly, consicely and seems to really have a handle on things. I guess it's just a pet peeve of mine but I always put at least a little stock in how a coach or player speaks and Whis' words and speech pass the test to me.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

A couple of points. I don't like us 'having' a two game lead. We have a one game lead. Once we play SF again and the tiebreaker is determined, then we can give us that extra game.

Second, I don't think that our offense can do any better.

Third, you can't throw the Jets game out for the defense either. Just like you can't throw out KW's first half.

 

[slanidrac16]

Good perspective MM. But I would like to look into the future just a little bit....like the next 2 weeks.
If by the garce of God we can beat the Cowboys we will be sitting at 4-2 with a bye week to follow.

The Seahawks host Green Bay and then travel to Tampa Bay
The 49er's host the Eagles and then visit the Giants.


It's very possible these clubs could both games. So what would the standings look like after week 7?

Cards 4-2
49ers 2-5
Hawks 1-5
These 2 teams face each other in week 8. It is very possible the loser of that game will be out of any serious playoff talks.

We don't have to be the perfect team. This division is ours for the taking. Add that to the fact that we are still growing as a team and getting better. Things certainly appear to be pointing in the right direction.

 

[Totally_Red]

A couple of points. I don't like us 'having' a two game lead. We have a one game lead. Once we play SF again and the tiebreaker is determined, then we can give us that extra game.

Second, I don't think that our offense can do any better.

Third, you can't throw the Jets game out for the defense either. Just like you can't throw out KW's first half.

I do. Lots of young players like Lutui, Levi Brown, Breaston, and Doucet, and even Tim Hightower can get better as they get experience and playing time.

Also, there is the confidence factor. The actual experience of winning some tough close games should give this offense and team more confidence. I'm not sure that has EVER existed in the Arizona Cardinals before. Yeah, there was the occasional upset, but to go out and really and truly believe you can win each and every game, that's what I'm talking about.

((Of course a loss to the 'Boys Sunday puts us right back to square one. ))

 

[moklerman]

A couple of points. I don't like us 'having' a two game lead. We have a one game lead. Once we play SF again and the tiebreaker is determined, then we can give us that extra game.

It's counting chickens somewhat but SF has to beat the Cardinals at home as well as play 1 game better overall. I'm just going by where it stands right now though.

Second, I don't think that our offense can do any better.

Can't or won't? The emergence of Hightower, Doucet, Breaston and the return of Boldin give me reason to think the offense will be better. Even if it's just being more consistent week in and week out, that's still better.

Third, you can't throw the Jets game out for the defense either. Just like you can't throw out KW's first half.

I'm not saying it doesn't exist just that it was a very unusual game. Not entirely indicitive of how the defense is playing.

We don't have to be the perfect team. This division is ours for the taking. Add that to the fact that we are still growing as a team and getting better. Things certainly appear to be pointing in the right direction.

I guess I'm just superstitous and feel that looking ahead or predicting other teams "obvious" losses is just tempting fate. I'll settle for the Cardinals to take care of their own business and good things will happen. At the end of the year if team A has to beat team B and team C needs to lose to team D for the Cardinals to get in, then I'll join in that barrel of fun.

 

[MrYeahBut]

I don't want to get to caught up in any kind of expectations. The Cards have been 4-2 before and we all know how that turned out.

I'm sure Lions fans were pretty wired up when they were 6-2 last year before completely imploding.

Beat the 'pukes this week. Stay healthy

 

[moklerman]

I'm sure Lions fans were pretty wired up when they were 6-2 last year before completely imploding.

That's a valid point but I caution you to really enjoy the good while it's happening. In 1999, I had very much the same approach to watching the Rams season. Years of negative reinforcement is hard to overcome but I did miss out on some of the enjoyment of the season because I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Also, I think the Lions were playing above themselves last year not to mention being led by Matt Millen and having a high risk OC in Martz. Similar yet different situation to what the Cards have going on.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I do. Lots of young players like Lutui, Levi Brown, Breaston, and Doucet, and even Tim Hightower can get better as they get experience and playing time.

Also, there is the confidence factor. The actual experience of winning some tough close games should give this offense and team more confidence. I'm not sure that has EVER existed in the Arizona Cardinals before. Yeah, there was the occasional upset, but to go out and really and truly believe you can win each and every game, that's what I'm talking about.

((Of course a loss to the 'Boys Sunday puts us right back to square one. ))

Individual players can play better, but we aren't going to average any more points....

 

[slanidrac16]

I don't want to get to caught up in any kind of expectations. The Cards have been 4-2 before and we all know how that turned out.

I'm sure Lions fans were pretty wired up when they were 6-2 last year before completely imploding.

Beat the 'pukes this week. Stay healthy

Absolutely. But I think the point MM is making is to enjoy the moment. Too many times in the past weve been sitting at 1-4 or 2-3 and looking up at the teams in the playoff hunt. We were left thinking about the if's and but's about being a winning team . If it weren't for 1 play her and 1 play there we'd be 4-1. Worse than that we were all hoping to catch lightning in a bottle or have a magical season.
I think many of us now believe we have enough talent and coaching to actaully compete.

 

[moklerman]

Individual players can play better, but we aren't going to average any more points....

It's certainly a lofty goal to do so, averaging 29.4 per game so far but I think there are many points that have been left on the field to this point even with all the scoring they've done. If the red zone offense continues to become multi-faceted then 30+ isn't unreasonable. Especially considering that the defense will likely be giving up some points and the offense will have to continue to score. On top of that, there haven't been any non-offensive points scored have there? A pick-6 or punt return added into the mix will up the average as well.

Overall, the offense seems to be finding itself and that uncertainty leaves just as much of a chance for improvement as it does plateau and dropoff.

 

[MrYeahBut]

Believe me, I do enjoy it when the Cards have won this year. Like Sunday, they were winning big and my wife, who's a Bronco fan, wanted to change the big screen to her game. She just didn't understand how could I want to sit and watch the end of a blowout.

I went and sat in the bedroom and watched til the last second. Then I watched the Tivo instead of the Steelers/Jags that night.

 

[NeverSayDieFan]

Cheating ourselves...

I know it's just human nature to want MORE... and want it NOW!! Especially being Cardinal fans. We've endured, and I think that's the right word, because we're STILL here. We've gotten a taste of winning this year and we like it. That's GREAT but by projecting & expecting we're missing the "moment". I AGREE that this organization is clearly headed in the right direction. We all read the papers and follow the latest news and in the Past I know I would grown out-loud many times and ask, "WHY did we do that?" That's not happening now, though I was a bit disappointed that Moates was cut last week from the practice squad because I'd read some "positive" comments on him from you guys. BUT, I have a genuine TRUST in the Coaches, Mgmt., these days and we're watching our players grow into a dangerous team. I'm wandering a bit so to re-focus on my original point. I always give my friends this advice. ENJOY THE MOMENT!! We're (4-2)! We're all alone in 1st Place! We have the opportunity to achieve our goals this year! Forget the Past! Because it is just that! ENJOY the MOMENT, my friends! It's been a long time coming and I for one am not going to just glance over it or fully appreciate it. GO CARDS! SHOCK THE WORLD!! WE BELIEVE!!!

 

[chicards11]

I do. Lots of young players like Lutui, Levi Brown, Breaston, and Doucet, and even Tim Hightower can get better as they get experience and playing time.

Also, there is the confidence factor. The actual experience of winning some tough close games should give this offense and team more confidence. I'm not sure that has EVER existed in the Arizona Cardinals before. Yeah, there was the occasional upset, but to go out and really and truly believe you can win each and every game, that's what I'm talking about.

((Of course a loss to the 'Boys Sunday puts us right back to square one. ))

THANK YOU! All this positive talk could turn into "fire whiz" and "start leinart" in a matter of a week. Enjoy it while ya got it but dont forget there are a lot of games left

 

[TruColor]

We're (4-2)!

Uh, 3-2. Let's not get ahead of ourselves (!).

 

[NeverSayDieFan]

OOPPSS!! You're right....(3-2)

FUMBLE by NSDF!!! LOL

 

[Shane]

Second, I don't think that our offense can do any better.

.

Sure they can. They could do quite a bit better in the redzone. There is room for improvement and they are capable of it.

 

[Totally_Red]

THANK YOU! All this positive talk could turn into "fire whiz" and "start leinart" in a matter of a week. Enjoy it while ya got it but dont forget there are a lot of games left

It would be sweeeeeeeeeeeet to go into the bye week with a win over the 'boys. I just reading the official board. Man, some of those Cowboy "fans" really are felons. Screaming obscenities at a 14-year-old girl? That's sick. Hope there is a robust security presence on Sunday.