For Those of Us Who Are Still Here...

[JeffGollin]

It's still the Cardinals and (for better or worse) we're still Cardinal fans.

You can see members of the national press corps jumping off the boat like rats leaving a sinking ship;

Mike Ditka said something prior to yesterday's game that made me want to fight him: He said: "If you think the Cardinals failed to show up for the Minnesota game last week, wait til you see the team bus pull a "drive by" right on past snowy Foxboro Stadium today..."

But you know what? He turned out to be right.

He, Chris Collingsworth, Terry Bradshaw, Sean Brennan (of the NY Daily News) and other members of the media have every right to jump ship because their credibility as so-called pundits are at stake.

No doubt a number of fair weather Cardinal fans will take the flying leap as well. But I can't blame any of them because we've played horribly enough of late to cause all but the most loyal of fans to want to peck their lips off.

But to all of you who are still here - Go Cards! We were with you before; we're still with you now (although we must admit that even a couple of double-strength aspirins won't make the headache go away).

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I am with you.

I saw nothing surprising yesterday. I expect that all to happen.

We are who we are. It hasn't changed since week 4. Our competitiveness is my one additional concern right now to what I thought about this team at week 4.

Go Cards!! Darn right!

I will be there in person to give them my full support Sunday. Big game against a big opponent.

 

[LVG]

The Cardinals.

Weeding out fair weather fans since 1898!

 

[CaptTurbo]

Thats a funny quote by Ditka. LOL

 

[MadCardDisease]

I'm still a huge Cardinal fan.

However I turned off the game at half time and went shopping at Costco instead of watching the rest of that game.

 

[D-Dogg]

You can't get too high or too low on the Cards. Either way, you'll lose your mind.

 

[jmt]

Still hoping for 9-7, a playoff win and no snow in New York January 10-11. GBR!

 

[82CardsGrad]

Here' my sentiment...

I'm a season ticket guy. Had them now for 7 years... I wouldn't write that check each year if I didn't want this team to succeed... if I didn't enjoy (for the most part) being at the games and the total game (tailgating included) experience... My kids enjoy the experience as well and that adds to the fun and connection to the team.

That said, as a season ticket holder, I have the right to complain and call out a pathetic performance. As someone who is indeed invested in this team financially and emotionally, I strongly desire to see a team that at minimum, CARES about playing the game the way it's supposed to be played... The wins and losses will fall where they may, but an indifferent team - including the coaching - is something I simply can't digest.
This team, since clinching the division, has given up. For anyone to say otherwise and attempt to rationalize these latest performances by saying crap like "It's the Cards - what did you expect", says so much about the type of "fans" this franchise possesses... Indifferent team = Indifferent Fans...
Again - it's not about the W's & L's (well, ultimately it is of course, but my rant is not...). Show some respect for yourself, your team, your franchise, your fans and your city/state.

Anyway - I wouldn't blame the entire football media if they all reverted back to slamming the Cards back down into the pit of hell where they belong - and can only escape once they have proven they are worthy of anything better... It would be a suicide mission for any NFL "expert" to do anything but...

I have often said that this team is nothing more than a high-wire circus act. Their brand of football is often fun to watch as Kurt & Co. toss the ball all over the field... When it's on, it's addictive... However, as I have also often said, there is nothing sustainable about this style. Nothing that endures and allows for sustained success. And sadly, frustratingly, combined with a HUGE dose of indifference, this team has proven me correct and has actually far exceeded my most dire concerns...

Looking ahead, since we get a home game and can play in conditions that are optimal, who knows - we just might grab a win. And should that happen, which would only happen if our circus high-wire act was hitting on all cylinders, people might once again get sucked into believing the myth that this team has actually improved and is credible. NOT!
Looking ahead, I would not at all be surprised if next year, this team loses the divsion to the 9ers - who are a less talented team, but infinitely tougher.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

The Cardinals.

Weeding out fair weather fans since 1898!

Sounds familiar

 

[RedViper]

For me there is no use in trying to leave because its pointless. After all these years if I could have gone over the wall, I would have by now. I feel like one of the inmates in One Flew Over the CucKoos Nest, when McMuphy finds out they can all walk out of the asylum at any point but none of them ever do. I'm just as crazy as any of those poor bastards to stay on. But I always do. And I can run off a long litany of completely demoralizing, soul sucking milestones over twenty years where it sure looked like the very bottom, but I'll refrain from that for now.

I sure wish the trend with this team wasn't that something pretty good always is just a set up, for something awful. The other shoe always has to drop with the ridiculous team. Who would have been able to predict that winning the division and hosting a playoff game was just a set up for embarrassment, drudgery and complete ridicule. Its just another way, that something positive with this team, that seems great on its face, morphs into a nightmare. Thats always the way with this team.

Anyway, I'll be here for the duration. Its not even worthwhile to dream of getting out. Its not in me. This will just be one more week where it will occur to me many times that Cardinal fandom is mostly about disappointment and that its my own choice to keep putting up with it.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Looking ahead, I would not at all be surprised if next year, this team loses the divsion to the 9ers - who are a less talented team, but infinitely tougher.

Agreed.

But that is IF we don't look to re-vamp the roster next offseason. Whiz/Grimm has yet to bring in some power running personel.

That could happen, we could still go 7-9 and still lost the division, but we would be in better shape for the future.

Gotta run the ball in the NFL. That is a truth that our current AZ team is proving this year.

 

[Gambit]

We will never leave the nest even if all the eggs are broken.

Go Cards! Find your mojo again and prove them all wrong!

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Still here. Not going anywhere.

 

[Perfectionist]

The Cardinals.

Weeding out fair weather fans since 1898!

Fabulous! Don't know if in my 40 years of being a Cardinals fan that I have ever been as disgusted as I am now (but surely there must have been times).

As with most Cards fans I have sworn off them only to return the next Sunday cheering them on.

 

[DemsMyBoys]

The flag is still flying over the ranch. After living too many years, in another state, without a home-town team, they are my team.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Always expect the worse, be pleasantly surprised when good things happen.

 

[Avondale Red Rage]

I'm not sure what still being here has to do with anything? I have decided I am done spending my hard earned money on these bozos. I tried for five years but the last month has been the last straw.

I am not willing to allow a team put forth a gutless, heartless performance and get away with it. Did I expect them to win yeserday? No, but I expect them to put up a fight with some heart and pride. Not roll over like a bunch of pansy-ass wimps.

I'll still be around, just not going to reward them with my money.

 

[RonF]

There's always next year and I don't care what the pundits say about us.

 

[TheCardFan]

Thanks Jeff.

Ditka was right...that was a drive by performance. I hate it when the negative stuff is...true.

I read something that Jay Cutler said after yesterday's game. Keep in mind, Denver could have clinched the division and a playoff berth a few times now. Faced with a do or die game next week to the once buried Chargers (on the road)...

Cutler said:

"If you would have told us at the beginning of the year that it was a one-game series with us down in San Diego to go to the playoffs, we probably would have taken it," Cutler said. "We've got to keep our heads up."

Let's keep our heads up too. 100 out of 100 of us would have taken 8-7 and the NFC West title at this point ANY season in the last 30!

 

[Perfectionist]

ANY[/b] season in the last 30!

Yes, BUT I don't remember us being 7-3 during those seasons we were always 3-7 fighting our way back. It is just discouraging to watch us lose the last 4 out of 5 games and not even being competative in most.

 

[IAWarnerFan]

If you are willing to jump ship when times are tough you were never a true fan of the team to begin with. It is also the right of true fans to let their voices be heard if they feel it is necessary. I'm not saying that true fans are right or even necessarily right most of the time, but if a true fan feels like they want their voice to be heard they should be able to do so.

 

[SuperSpck]

Present, accounted for, and annoyed.

It's a season like we haven't had in a decade and yet it feels so similar to every season we've had in a decade.

 

[phillycard]

As much as I am angry about the last few weeks, I will NEVER go the route that clown Bengals fan did and burn his gear. I love this team too much, and will give hell to anyone who speaks ill of my boys. I had to remind an eagles fam today, that he'll be watching us in 2 weeks.

 

[NeverSayDieFan]

I think those of us on here....

that are over-all happy with this season are in the minority but so be it. Would I stick my chest out a lil' further if we were 10-5 at this point?? To me it's a moot point. WE will be in the play-offs this year! I'll take it! The potential is there to be even better next year. As for the National media, other NFL fans, etc... Oh, like they were our BEST FRIENDS before this season?? Yeahhhhhh, right. So let 'em jump ship. I should care? I share this experience with my Cardinal family. It's by invite ONLY! GO CARDS!

 

[slanidrac16]

I'm still here and always will be.

It's been a long and winding road. There have been twist and turns , good and bad, but in the end we are in the playoffs. WE ARE IN THE PLAYOFFS! We are 1 of 12 teams and somebody has to come here and beat us.

Come January 3rd or 4th, this team and it's fans heart will be beating a little faster. The adrenalin will be flowing more than opening day. We will be on the edge of our seats, squirming, twisting, turning, screaming, and yes, believing.

If we can get back to playing like we were a few weeks back, then we are capable of beating anybody. It's the same 53 guys we had at the start of the season. Am I down? you bet I am. Have I given up? Not a chance. I won't give up until the last seconds tick off the clock.............



unless of corse we are down 31-0 at halftime. But that ain't gonna happen.