Game 5 Impressions: Cardinals 30 Saints 20

[Mitch]

You've gotta love the guy who makes the Arizona Cardinals banner for each home game. You've got the Arizona rising sun in the background and the brilliant red Cardinal in the middle...and below all that color is this week's mantra...which...read: MAX EFFORT.


I grew up in the NY Metropolitan area, and there was a sign maker who went to the New York Mets' games...and for every game during the famous run of the Miracle Mets in 1969...this guy had a new sign...and his most famous one was: YOU GOTTA BELIEVE.

Fans are what makes sports such a fun, passionate and creative pastime to share with all and one another---and we have a great one in Glendale---and not just a great one---try a great number of thousands who rocked and rolled the U of P yesterday so well we even saw our very first Birds' Nest Leap, when FS Kerry Rhodes scooped up Ladell Betts' 4th quarter fumble and raced it to "the house" to put the Cardinals up 23-13.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt lauded the fans after the game...and he is apt and excited to go shake every fans' hand in the house when the occasion is warranted.

9-0 DD tweeted love to the fans immdediately following the game.

There were players and coaches hugging all over the place...

Because there was...as the great fan in the rafters above forecasted...MAX EFFORT!

And when there is MAX EFFORT, unlike the MIN EFFORT showcased in two of the previous three games, often times that crazy pointed pigskin can bounce right into your own arms at the most critical of times...

Kerry Rhodes was not the only Cardinal to attest to that.

How about perhaps the most unlikeliest of recipients LT Levi Brown, who had never scored a TD in his entire football career dating back to Pop Warner?

Not only did Brown look perfectly zeroed in on the bouncing ball...not only did he look the ball right smack dab into his mitts...he had the wherewithal to know where the goalline was...and when he plunged over it...he did it with tremendous style points, like the humpback whale at Sea World with a football tucked under its flapper, surging out of the water, twisting and turning in mid air and hitting the water with a resounding splash!

How about LG Alan Faneca who was hustling downfield on a Max Hall scramble so well that he was able to turn what could have been a disasterous fumble into a 10 yard, chain-moving gain, that, minutes later allowed the Cardinals to tie the game at 13-13.

How about the Ben Graham punt that landed on the three yard line and bounced straight up to Money Mike Adams on the one inch line...that led one play later to Paris Lenon's interception that he was somehow able to secure off a quick bounce carom off Ladell Betts' hands.

How about the fumble in the 4th quarter by Beanie Wells that very fortunately bounced straight back up to him as he was cascading to the ground.

And, how about, the Ben Patrick fumble that should have never been enabled in the first place...that---if scooped up by the Saints a la Kerry Rhodes, could have resulted in a last minute loss that some would compare to the Joe Pisarcik meltdown in the Meadowlands. How about that the ball wound up in Larry Fitzgerald's hands---in bounds---and the clock was able to run after all.

How about the bounce of the on-side kick straight into the arms of Larry Fitzgerald, the possessor of the best hands in the house.

Oh the fickle bouncing of the ball...and this little thing called MAX EFFORT!

And, oh, by the way, on a win that was attained largely because of the Cardinals' defense...a defense that has been giving up a whopping 27 points per game thus far (worst in the NFC)...a defense that at times has looked explosive and at other times has looked like a complete and total dud...

Well, these boys made their own little locker room sign of their own: SHUT THE F UP AND PLAY. Which less euphemisitically translates to the sign in the rafters: MAX EFFORT.

Perhaps the most fortuitous bounce of all was a bounce that happened way back in April when---despite putting together an impressive combine performance and winning a record 32 games at BYU---Max Hall was shunned by all 32 teams in the NFL Draft. And that afternoon on the third day of the draft just after Mr. Irrelevant was selected...Max Hall bounced right up into the arms of the Arizona Cardinals.

For a team that was bitterly disappointed and demoralized to learn that Kurt Warner was retiring and not returning for the second year of his deal--- for a team that did not know what it had in Matt Leinart---for a team that tried to trade a draft pick for Charlie Whitehurst and got out-trumped by the Seahawks---for a team that couldn't find a reason to wait around for Marc Bulger or to make a move to acquire a Donovan McNabb or a Jason Campbell and thus chose to sign a QB in Derek Anderson who in many respect is the exact opposite of Kurt Warner---for a team that had ALREADY drafted a rookie QB in John Skelton and may have been satisfied with that---

To be waking up this morning a 3-2 football team---having just knocked off the Super Bowl Champs---with a new QB in place (who comes out of the blue---undrafted---and unheraded---just as #13 was) that is Warner-esque in so many uncanny ways---is a bounce from the place where hopes and dreams are born.

Sure, no one is crowning Max Hall the savior after one start...but...there is NEW HOPE in Glendale this morning. Go check out the front page of ESPN.com. This is America's front page sports story on Columbus Day. And it makes you wonder---seeing as this is America---and no one loves a sports underdog more than Americans---whether the bye week is another extremely fortuitous bounce in that it will give Max Hall a chance to ensconce himself further into his role as starting QB...it will give him a chance to develop some chemistry with Steve Breaston and Early Doucet...when he isn't appearing on the Today Show and Late Night with David Letterman...in fact, I heard Larry King has been calling!

The comparisons to Warner are legit when you look at the timing and touch Hall put on his passes to Larry Fitzgerald---who yesterday looked reborn. The fade pass on third and 5...Warner-esque. The post pass thrown at the precise time with the right zip...etc. etc.

Hey...this alone shows why Hall is a fit. He has the ability to get Fitz the ball on time and in stride. Who else could do that?

Then you look at the passes he zipped over to Andre Roberts...and for more than a second there it looked like Steve Breaston type passes...which certainly bodes well for Breaston's return.

Then the touch and accuracy on the short routes up the middle and to the flats. One time, Fitz caught a perfectly zipped skinny post and he was inches from breaking it like he did in the Super Bowl.

The other uncanny resemblances: (1) Hall is tough and comes right back after hits---(2) He's greedy for wanting more and more each drive, each play; (3) His ball-handling on hand-offs---which obviously needs improvement---that even looked Warner-esque yesterday, as he was just a tad late exchanging the ball almost every time. (4) There is no question of who is in command...and there is no question that his head is into every play, every nuance---which was Warner's greatest strength.

Obviously, Max Hall has a long, long way to go, to be even mentioned seriously in the same breath as Kurt Warner...but some of the resemblances are remarkable.

While Hall is two inches shorter than Warner, he keeps his eyes peeled down field the same way and senses passing lanes quite similarly...and he brings a running, scrambling dimension that Warner lacked. After one rollout in the red zone where he forced a ball into a crowd (Warner never wanted to quit on a play, did he?), the next time around Hall threw one out of bounds (which drew high praise from Kurt himself). Hall shows he can and will adjust. Warner even predicted that Whiz would pass the ball late in the game on third and short...Warner already could sense Whiz's trust in Hall...which during a very first start is all the more impressive.

Hall was very forthright in his own self-criticism after the game. He knows that in the future he needs to protect the ball and himself better. And you get the sense that as Whiz avowed as well that this is just the starting point for Hall...yet a potential launching pad.

Most importantly, the fun is back for the offense...you can see it in all the coaches and players faces...now it's time to work Hall into a rhythm.

(I will post this and return on this thread to add my thoughts about the rest of the personnel---more MAX EFFORT to come).

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Nice write up Mitch. The name of the guy who does the big banners is "Mad" Jack

 

[RugbyMuffin]

First note:

IF Max Hall turns into our QOF, then Whiz and Company get FULL credit for having the courage to keep Hall instead of Leinart.

That was an extremely gutsy call, and they have all been under a lot of flack for it. Our scouting department recommend Hall, Graves signed him after the draft before the other 31 teams, Whiz stood by his word of competition over draft spot, etc., etc.

No luck, no being cheap. Just hard work, and making the right decision.

 

[Mitch]

Thanks Chris! That's right, MAD JACK! Gotta love the guy! Heck, he was even going to write one up for Skkorp!

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Thanks Chris! That's right, MAD JACK! Gotta love the guy! Heck, he was even going to write one up for Skkorp!

I believe he did.

 

[az jam]

Great write up Mitch. Enjoyed being at the game and the crowd was really into it. My only concern on Max Hall are the hits that he is taking. I don't think its the OL but his style of trying to be a playmaker. I had my binoculars on him after he took several hits and thought he may have injured his leg or knee but he did come back in the 2nd half. If he continues playing like this, no way will he stay healthy for the full season.

 

[Redheart]

A little credit to the coaching staff?

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

like the humpback whale at Sea World with a football tucked under its flapper, surging out of the water, twisting and turning in mid air and hitting the water with a resounding splash!

LOL!

 

[MadCardDisease]

LOL!

Humpback Whales?

Forget it, he's rolling.

 

[john h]

You've gotta love the guy who makes the Arizona Cardinals banner for each home game. You've got the Arizona rising sun in the background and the brilliant red Cardinal in the middle...and below all that color is this week's mantra...which...read: MAX EFFORT.


I grew up in the NY Metropolitan area, and there was a sign maker who went to the New York Mets' games...and for every game during the famous run of the Miracle Mets in 1969...this guy had a new sign...and his most famous one was: YOU GOTTA BELIEVE.

Fans are what makes sports such a fun, passionate and creative pastime to share with all and one another---and we have a great one in Glendale---and not just a great one---try a great number of thousands who rocked and rolled the U of P yesterday so well we even saw our very first Birds' Nest Leap, when FS Kerry Rhodes scooped up Ladell Betts' 4th quarter fumble and raced it to "the house" to put the Cardinals up 23-13.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt lauded the fans after the game...and he is apt and excited to go shake every fans' hand in the house when the occasion is warranted.

9-0 DD tweeted love to the fans immdediately following the game.

There were players and coaches hugging all over the place...

Because there was...as the great fan in the rafters above forecasted...MAX EFFORT!

And when there is MAX EFFORT, unlike the MIN EFFORT showcased in two of the previous three games, often times that crazy pointed pigskin can bounce right into your own arms at the most critical of times...

Kerry Rhodes was not the only Cardinal to attest to that.

How about perhaps the most unlikeliest of recipients LT Levi Brown, who had never scored a TD in his entire football career dating back to Pop Warner?

Not only did Brown look perfectly zeroed in on the bouncing ball...not only did he look the ball right smack dab into his mitts...he had the wherewithal to know where the goalline was...and when he plunged over it...he did it with tremendous style points, like the humpback whale at Sea World with a football tucked under its flapper, surging out of the water, twisting and turning in mid air and hitting the water with a resounding splash!

How about LG Alan Faneca who was hustling downfield on a Max Hall scramble so well that he was able to turn what could have been a disasterous fumble into a 10 yard, chain-moving gain, that, minutes later allowed the Cardinals to tie the game at 13-13.

How about the Ben Graham punt that landed on the three yard line and bounced straight up to Money Mike Adams on the one inch line...that led one play later to Paris Lenon's interception that he was somehow able to secure off a quick bounce carom off Ladell Betts' hands.

How about the fumble in the 4th quarter by Beanie Wells that very fortunately bounced straight back up to him as he was cascading to the ground.

And, how about, the Ben Patrick fumble that should have never been enabled in the first place...that---if scooped up by the Saints a la Kerry Rhodes, could have resulted in a last minute loss that some would compare to the Joe Pisarcik meltdown in the Meadowlands. How about that the ball wound up in Larry Fitzgerald's hands---in bounds---and the clock was able to run after all.

How about the bounce of the on-side kick straight into the arms of Larry Fitzgerald, the possessor of the best hands in the house.

Oh the fickle bouncing of the ball...and this little thing called MAX EFFORT!

And, oh, by the way, on a win that was attained largely because of the Cardinals' defense...a defense that has been giving up a whopping 27 points per game thus far (worst in the NFC)...a defense that at times has looked explosive and at other times has looked like a complete and total dud...

Well, these boys made their own little locker room sign of their own: SHUT THE F UP AND PLAY. Which less euphemisitically translates to the sign in the rafters: MAX EFFORT.

Perhaps the most fortuitous bounce of all was a bounce that happened way back in April when---despite putting together an impressive combine performance and winning a record 32 games at BYU---Max Hall was shunned by all 32 teams in the NFL Draft. And that afternoon on the third day of the draft just after Mr. Irrelevant was selected...Max Hall bounced right up into the arms of the Arizona Cardinals.

For a team that was bitterly disappointed and demoralized to learn that Kurt Warner was retiring and not returning for the second year of his deal--- for a team that did not know what it had in Matt Leinart---for a team that tried to trade a draft pick for Charlie Whitehurst and got out-trumped by the Seahawks---for a team that couldn't find a reason to wait around for Marc Bulger or to make a move to acquire a Donovan McNabb or a Jason Campbell and thus chose to sign a QB in Derek Anderson who in many respect is the exact opposite of Kurt Warner---for a team that had ALREADY drafted a rookie QB in John Skelton and may have been satisfied with that---

To be waking up this morning a 3-2 football team---having just knocked off the Super Bowl Champs---with a new QB in place (who comes out of the blue---undrafted---and unheraded---just as #13 was) that is Warner-esque in so many uncanny ways---is a bounce from the place where hopes and dreams are born.

Sure, no one is crowning Max Hall the savior after one start...but...there is NEW HOPE in Glendale this morning. Go check out the front page of ESPN.com. This is America's front page sports story on Columbus Day. And it makes you wonder---seeing as this is America---and no one loves a sports underdog more than Americans---whether the bye week is another extremely fortuitous bounce in that it will give Max Hall a chance to ensconce himself further into his role as starting QB...it will give him a chance to develop some chemistry with Steve Breaston and Early Doucet...when he isn't appearing on the Today Show and Late Night with David Letterman...in fact, I heard Larry King has been calling!

The comparisons to Warner are legit when you look at the timing and touch Hall put on his passes to Larry Fitzgerald---who yesterday looked reborn. The fade pass on third and 5...Warner-esque. The post pass thrown at the precise time with the right zip...etc. etc.

Hey...this alone shows why Hall is a fit. He has the ability to get Fitz the ball on time and in stride. Who else could do that?

Then you look at the passes he zipped over to Andre Roberts...and for more than a second there it looked like Steve Breaston type passes...which certainly bodes well for Breaston's return.

Then the touch and accuracy on the short routes up the middle and to the flats. One time, Fitz caught a perfectly zipped skinny post and he was inches from breaking it like he did in the Super Bowl.

The other uncanny resemblances: (1) Hall is tough and comes right back after hits---(2) He's greedy for wanting more and more each drive, each play; (3) His ball-handling on hand-offs---which obviously needs improvement---that even looked Warner-esque yesterday, as he was just a tad late exchanging the ball almost every time. (4) There is no question of who is in command...and there is no question that his head is into every play, every nuance---which was Warner's greatest strength.

Obviously, Max Hall has a long, long way to go, to be even mentioned seriously in the same breath as Kurt Warner...but some of the resemblances are remarkable.

While Hall is two inches shorter than Warner, he keeps his eyes peeled down field the same way and senses passing lanes quite similarly...and he brings a running, scrambling dimension that Warner lacked. After one rollout in the red zone where he forced a ball into a crowd (Warner never wanted to quit on a play, did he?), the next time around Hall threw one out of bounds (which drew high praise from Kurt himself). Hall shows he can and will adjust. Warner even predicted that Whiz would pass the ball late in the game on third and short...Warner already could sense Whiz's trust in Hall...which during a very first start is all the more impressive.

Hall was very forthright in his own self-criticism after the game. He knows that in the future he needs to protect the ball and himself better. And you get the sense that as Whiz avowed as well that this is just the starting point for Hall...yet a potential launching pad.

Most importantly, the fun is back for the offense...you can see it in all the coaches and players faces...now it's time to work Hall into a rhythm.

(I will post this and return on this thread to add my thoughts about the rest of the personnel---more MAX EFFORT to come).

Good post. Did Max and even Brees appear to have oversized eyes. Man, when the cameras showed the two looking over their offensive lines their eyes seemed to as wide open as they could probably get them. They almost had eyes like Oscar Robertson who could see almost backwards.

My prediction was the only way the Cards could win was with 4 interceptions and four fumbles and the ball bouncing our way. I would not have taken a 100 to 1 bet with 7 points. I think you failed to mention Howling and his two monster returns which made the Chargers kick the next kickoff short to keep it out of his hands. He is developing into a premier returner. I would like to see him used like Reggie bush. Short throw out into the flat in space and let him do what he does. Where did those receivers I have never even heard of come from? They made some major league catches in traffic. Max is going to two weeks off for his body to heal. Glad to see a QB with some feet who can move around. Our OL gave the QB decent protection but we still cannot run the ball. Is it the runners or the OL? Maybe the runners just do not see the holes or do not run with their eyes open once they hit the line? Both of our runners are big and fast but just cannot get through the first line of defense. Perhaps some more short passes to them in the flat. Patrick is making a good comeback. Keep it up Ben. I thought the Chargers coach made a bad call when there was around 2 minutes left and he punted on 4th and two and they were down by 10. Maybe that was the right call but that is just me.

Game ball goes to Special Teams, Kicker and Punter, and defense. They scored all the points which is totally amazing. Maybe I should add "the way the ball bounces" to that list. I have never seen the ball bounce better for the Cards in my life. After 5 games we remain in first place. Who would have ever thought that. The 9ers are toast. We need Seattle to start losing.

 

[DemsMyBoys]

Mitch, I just read Max "Little Big Man" Hall was an Eagle Scout. It just gets better and better.

I'd love to know if somewhere in his lineage is a woman who pulled a handcart across hundreds of miles of the American West. He got that fire in his blood from someone.

There were so many clues yesterday that are pointing out just how special he may turn out to be. My favorite? After the interception he was right at Whiz's side. Listening. Whiz is calming him down and Little Big Man is all ears. (Yup. I said it.) He's COACHABLE!! (Even at this level, not every player is.) He's going to listen to his elders and he's going to learn from them. (Plus the connection between Max and Whiz is obvious.)

Plus that whole Get Your Mind Right thing. He's not going to be afraid to get in anybody's face. He'll rumble with the best of them.

I'm going to repeat a story from up in Flag: Practice in the Skydome. Max throws one into the tarps that are rolled up against the wall under the goal post. He's ordered to go get it. It's buried. Little Big Man spends several minutes upside down, legs sticking up into the air, trying to get a hold of it. Comes out with the ball in his hands and a huge grin on his face. Round of applause from the audience. This is a happy, go-get-em, Max Effort kind of a guy.

I am a very, very happy person right now. (Fitz may be happier.) We're going to have us some FUN this year!

 

[Mitch]

Bye Week Personnel, Coaching, Schemes Thoughts

QB:

I thought Whiz did the right thing this week by putting Max Hall more in the shotgun, where he seems more comfortable in passing situations. I think too that Whiz will work more of the running game from the shotgun, in that the shotgun makes it less apparent that team will run the ball.

Whiz seems OK with Derek Anderson as the #2, and while DA seems like a great guy, he is not a fit in this offense, for the energy level goes down when he is in, as does the confidence level. Plus, more penalties and awkwardly delayed snaps seem more frequent with him under center.

While it probably won't happen, the Cardinals should try to acquire a better fit at the #2. Jeff Garcia, because of his savvy, could be a boon for making Max Hall better and for being someone to count on if needed, if Garcia would be willing to give up his UFL gig. The Cardinals have the money to make a good offer. Maybe even a two year contract?

The interesting thing to watch from here is how improved John Skelton becomes in the next year or two. Will he challenge Hall down the road?

RB:

Beanie cries to the media, speaks with Whiz and gets his way. I personally think that is bogus. Beanie's two runs for 8 1/2 yards late in the game were big...but the earlier fumble had me very worried. Beanie runs too upright on insiide runs and leave the ball unprotected as a result.

THT ran for over 100 yards versus the Saints last time and was relegated to spot duty and 5 carries...even after a fast start last week where he had a 22 yard TD run on the first drive called back for a dubious holding call.

What THT is doing better this year is letting the holes develop...he's even shown an improved ability to shake the first man. Meanwhile, Beanie has little patience to let a play develop. He's good when he gets a crease and is very explosive...but he is still very much a work in progress.

LSH is an ace on STs and an energy booster off the bench. His role in the offense should be expanded. He's too fast and electric to keep sitting for too long.

Wright has been a good lead blocker on the kickoffs...and is earning his keep on STs.

FB:

Reagan Maui'a has shown improvement. He is physical, but is still learning technique. His STs play has been a bonus. He tackles.

WR:

Fitz looks reborn, which is significant, especially to the morale and confidence of the offense as a whole.

Getting Breaston and Doucet back is also significant. Breaston in particular.

The three rookies Williams, Komar and Roberts are making small strides...and it may not be long until one of them has a breakout game. Hopefully Williams is OK...he remains a respectable deep threat. Max and Max had very good chemistry in the pre-season. Max and Andre looked sharp yesterday.

TE:

Good to see the team throwing to the TEs again. Patrick had a good day, and was very focused on the lob pass, which was a good sign. The fumble was not, especially in that situation.

Dray should have caught his one pass...and was open several times. He may start to make some noise.

Still can't belive the play where Spach was lined up to DE Alex Brown's side, as was THT and both Spach and THT ran right past Brown on routes leaving Brown untouched to Hall, where he spun and threw Hall like a rag doll. It's alarming the way Whiz refuses to do all he can scheme-wise to block DEs.

The run blocking from the TEs has been inconsistent and needs to be improved.

OL:

I thought that in terms of pass protection yesterday...and facing the tough, unpredictable Greg Williams' blitz schemes, the o-line held up very well and played pretty much penalty free.

The run blocking was not good, obviously...partly because the Saints were stacking the box and partly because too few of the runs were run to the left where Brown and Faneca have been quite good at times. Beanie's best run went to the left late in the game. And on that 3rd and 1 1/2 Whiz should have loaded up the left side and ran right over Brown and Faneca...same as on 2nd and goal from the 1 1/2. MUCH IMPROVEMENT NEEDED HERE.

The best news was how alert the o-line was and how much support they gave Max Hall. It was obvious that they were pulling for Hall to do well.

I think that we may start to see this o-line gel in both phases, pass pro and running. Right now they seem decent at one area for a game, but not both.

NT:

You simply cannot like what you see when you watch Bryan Robinson on tape...which makes you question the mindset of the coaches. Playing him is like playing 10 on defense, as he gets knocked back five yards repeatedly, which opens immediate holes and wide open cut back holes.

Dan Williams, at least held his ground yesterday, but did not shed blocks well this time (which he has in previous games).

Watson barely played.

But...if you were going to name the 3rd best DL next to DD and CC, it's been Alan Branch...isn't it about f'in time they plunked him down in the middle and told him to bust up the middle?

A trio of Dockett, Branch and Campbell would be formidible. But, the coaches and Alan Branch himself seemingly see it otherwise.

DE:

Dockett is playing hard...as is Campbell...and Dockett busts through for some big plays, while Campbell seems to get stuck on blocks. If Campbell ever starts teeing it up, this defense could be amazing.

Kenny Iwebema and Alan Branch are perfect off-the-bench complements. Iwebema with his quickness and Branch with his power.

ILB:

Paris Lenon has been very soild and Daryl Washington has been showing excellent flashes. They need to develop more of their own chemistry...but the talent is there.

Not so sure about Gerald Hayes...certainly not sure if his back can hold up, and not so sure he would be better than what we have now. He may be more stout, but certainly not more rangy or quicker to the ball.

Reggie Walker is making strides but needs to get fully healthy.

OLB:

Haggans had a great sack yesterday...but has not been as consistently around the ball as he was last year. This needs to change. Good thing Max suggested he get his head right!

Porter is being misused. He should be asked to rush the edge on passing downs. Playing him in space is costing him his legs and he isn't very good in space anyway. On running downs the team should play Will Davis.

We need to see another edge rusher. It's amazing how gassed the coaches are getting Haggans and Porter by keeping them in there all the time and not giving them a chance to get their legs back.

Where has Alex Hall been?

What a boon it would be to get O'Brien Schofield in there if he's back to full strength.

Antwan Barnes was just released by the Eagles, who have good depth in their pass rush, as we saw last night. Barnes may be struggling to catch on right now, but he has the physical talent.

The point is...edge rushers STILL needed.

CB:

Greg Toler has been the most consistent CB. He's been solid. DRC admitted that while he looks spaced out, he's really not. After finishing off yesterday's game maybe he will be up for the task here on out.

Money Mike Adams is not only one of the more aggressive cover men, he and Toler are a prodigious tackling tandem. It's almost impossible to believe that Bill Davis chose not to have a deep FS at the 1:49 mark with a 10 point lead yesterday. Do not blame that TD on Adams...a slot CB playing press coverage is at a total disadvantage without deep help. The fact that Adams was close to making the play is a credit to him...and up to that point and his holding penalty, he had been playing his best game...which included the great stick tackle he made on third and goal on Betts.

McDonald is now in for McBride...but we didn't see much of him, just as we didn't see much of McBride.

I still think the gem is A.J. Jefferson...tall, fast and physcial.

S:

It looks like the coaches are starting to play AW more to his strengths, as he played in the box a lot yesterday. One of the most important and best plays yesterday was when Kerry Rhodes was assigned to Jeremy Shockey and broke up the third down pass attempt to him. Finally!

What has allowed the coaches more flexibility in moving Rhodes (who has been the most consistent and reliable right-place-right-time player on defense) around, has been the imporved safety play of Rashad Johnson. Johnson is bracketing well and several times yesterday was quick to the ball. He is ready to have a breakout game any game now.

Matt Ware has been good too, when healthy, which seems to be a yearly issue with him.

ST:

Ben Graham was being Ben Graham yesterday, and when Ben Graham is being Ben Graham, there is no better punter in the world!

Mike Leach is excellent.

And Jay Feely had a near perfect day yesterday connecting on a three field goals in clutch fashion and driving his kickoffs consistently five yards deep or deeper into the end zone, save one line drive.

Coaching:

Whiz deserves a ton of credit for making the move to start Max Hall as it raised the energy level and the morale of the entire team. It also put pressure on the defense and special teams (whom Whiz personally exhorted) to put forth their best efforts to win. Whiz seems to be able to push the right buttons following losses---even humiliating ones---as it's been 26 games now (since the NE blizzard game in 2008) that the Cardinals have not incurred consecutive losses (including the playoffs).

Realistically, though, were it not for a missed 31 yard chip shot FG the Cardinals would have lost three in a row.

It also appears---especially in light of yesterday's performance---that Whiz's players are grossly underperforming in games that either do not capture their interest, or ones they do not think they can win.

The players are ruling the roost still...they play when they want to play...it's become like the NBA...and the Cardinals play at times like NBA teams do on the first or second nights of back-to-backs. They seem put out. They seem like all they want to do is save themselves.

Yesterday's performance and MAX EFFORT is a true indication of how focused, energized and truly good the players can be when they want to be.

Thus...you have to wonder whether how much criticism the players and the coaches deserve when the players pull no-shows as they did in Atlanta and San Diego, and in parts of the home opener versus Oakland, which they obviously took lightly.

Yet...this all goes back to the climate that is being set by the coaches. It's almost as if the players have a tacit agreement with Whiz that as long as they rally up for what they all consider to be the BIG games, then they can take games off in between.

As for Bill Davis...one has to wonder whether yesterday's effort and execution by the defense was coach driven or player driven. Davis did the right thing by getting all the players and coaches together to watch and crtitique the tape last Monday. Davis is endearingly humble...he will admit to the players where he went wrong...but he expects the players to do the same...and for the most part, players like AW do and have...which is great.

One also has to wonder what was said to the defense at halftime and who did the talking. The defense came out and flattened the Saints' first drive with their best three-and-out of the year...at a MOST critical time. The coverage---which was unbelievably poor once again early in the game---as Colston, Shockey and company were WIDE open---even when the Cardinals tied the game 10-10 before the half and the Saints went into a bit of a hurry up, how was Colsoton WIDE OPEN for 20 yards right down the middle on teh first play? How?

But...to hold the Saints' offense to 7 second half points---which actually could have been just 3 (Carney's missed 29 yarder---after one of the most unusual drives where the Cardinals looked like they couldn't tackle a tackling dummy, yet stiffened inside the 10 yard line like champs) if the Cardinals have FS help with 1:49 left and properly defend that TD pass---was stunning---as it was done with a spirited effort to rush Brees and sticky plus coverage all over the field.

Someone said something at halftime. Was it Donnie Henderson? Adrian Wilson? Darnell Dockett? Or was it the soft-spoken Bill Davis himself.

The problem is...if history repeates itself this sticky cioverage may not carry over to the next game, nor may the passion or the MAX EFFORT. And what concerns me about Bill Davis he is a rather passive personality for a DC...he and Whiz stand there like statuettes on the sideline...Whiz with that thinkers pose and Davis usually donning a look of incredulity and/or chagrin. A defensive coach HAS to get some passion going...especially if and when the players don't. It takes great EMOTION to play defense...and at some point the coaches have to show it, yes, expecially on the sidelines.

As for Whiz yesterday...his clock managment was flat-out awful and practically inexusable...and he would probably admit it, and maybe he already has. But...what stands out is that Whiz does have faith in Max Hall to deliver in clutch situations, so as a message to Hall and the team, Whiz's aggressive tactics are actually good in the long run. And especially good that the team didn't have to suffer an excruciating loss in the process.

Even when Whiz decided to put DA in the game at the end of the half...which looked all the more dubious when the sideline reports were that Hall just had the wind knocked out of him and Hall was standing right next to Whiz with his helmet on wanting to play...WHY did Whiz have DA throwing 4 yard passes? That was disaster waiting to happen...and it cost the team another WR injury to boot.

The Saints were out of timeouts...all Whiz had to do was run out the clock...same as with under 1 minute and the Saints out of timeouts...run the clock down to 20 seconds. To throw the ball in that situation was about as stupid as it ever gets. If it's a batted down incomplete pass you are giving the Saints 48 seconds to get in FG range. And even worse if Patrick fumbles, as he did, and it's scooped up for a TD, you've just cost your MAX EFFORT team all the just fruits of their labors.

Whiz does deserve great credit for the game plan he gave Max Hall....and Whiz's best decision was to punt with 35 seconds left despite being well into field goal territory...for a missed FG would have given the Saints a shot a getting into decent FG position themselves.

Hey...the fun is back...that's what matters most...that and hoping for MAX EFFORT from here on in.

 

[john h]

You've gotta love the guy who makes the Arizona Cardinals banner for each home game. You've got the Arizona rising sun in the background and the brilliant red Cardinal in the middle...and below all that color is this week's mantra...which...read: MAX EFFORT.


I grew up in the NY Metropolitan area, and there was a sign maker who went to the New York Mets' games...and for every game during the famous run of the Miracle Mets in 1969...this guy had a new sign...and his most famous one was: YOU GOTTA BELIEVE.

Fans are what makes sports such a fun, passionate and creative pastime to share with all and one another---and we have a great one in Glendale---and not just a great one---try a great number of thousands who rocked and rolled the U of P yesterday so well we even saw our very first Birds' Nest Leap, when FS Kerry Rhodes scooped up Ladell Betts' 4th quarter fumble and raced it to "the house" to put the Cardinals up 23-13.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt lauded the fans after the game...and he is apt and excited to go shake every fans' hand in the house when the occasion is warranted.

9-0 DD tweeted love to the fans immdediately following the game.

There were players and coaches hugging all over the place...

Because there was...as the great fan in the rafters above forecasted...MAX EFFORT!

And when there is MAX EFFORT, unlike the MIN EFFORT showcased in two of the previous three games, often times that crazy pointed pigskin can bounce right into your own arms at the most critical of times...

Kerry Rhodes was not the only Cardinal to attest to that.

How about perhaps the most unlikeliest of recipients LT Levi Brown, who had never scored a TD in his entire football career dating back to Pop Warner?

Not only did Brown look perfectly zeroed in on the bouncing ball...not only did he look the ball right smack dab into his mitts...he had the wherewithal to know where the goalline was...and when he plunged over it...he did it with tremendous style points, like the humpback whale at Sea World with a football tucked under its flapper, surging out of the water, twisting and turning in mid air and hitting the water with a resounding splash!

How about LG Alan Faneca who was hustling downfield on a Max Hall scramble so well that he was able to turn what could have been a disasterous fumble into a 10 yard, chain-moving gain, that, minutes later allowed the Cardinals to tie the game at 13-13.

How about the Ben Graham punt that landed on the three yard line and bounced straight up to Money Mike Adams on the one inch line...that led one play later to Paris Lenon's interception that he was somehow able to secure off a quick bounce carom off Ladell Betts' hands.

How about the fumble in the 4th quarter by Beanie Wells that very fortunately bounced straight back up to him as he was cascading to the ground.

And, how about, the Ben Patrick fumble that should have never been enabled in the first place...that---if scooped up by the Saints a la Kerry Rhodes, could have resulted in a last minute loss that some would compare to the Joe Pisarcik meltdown in the Meadowlands. How about that the ball wound up in Larry Fitzgerald's hands---in bounds---and the clock was able to run after all.

How about the bounce of the on-side kick straight into the arms of Larry Fitzgerald, the possessor of the best hands in the house.

Oh the fickle bouncing of the ball...and this little thing called MAX EFFORT!

And, oh, by the way, on a win that was attained largely because of the Cardinals' defense...a defense that has been giving up a whopping 27 points per game thus far (worst in the NFC)...a defense that at times has looked explosive and at other times has looked like a complete and total dud...

Well, these boys made their own little locker room sign of their own: SHUT THE F UP AND PLAY. Which less euphemisitically translates to the sign in the rafters: MAX EFFORT.

Perhaps the most fortuitous bounce of all was a bounce that happened way back in April when---despite putting together an impressive combine performance and winning a record 32 games at BYU---Max Hall was shunned by all 32 teams in the NFL Draft. And that afternoon on the third day of the draft just after Mr. Irrelevant was selected...Max Hall bounced right up into the arms of the Arizona Cardinals.

For a team that was bitterly disappointed and demoralized to learn that Kurt Warner was retiring and not returning for the second year of his deal--- for a team that did not know what it had in Matt Leinart---for a team that tried to trade a draft pick for Charlie Whitehurst and got out-trumped by the Seahawks---for a team that couldn't find a reason to wait around for Marc Bulger or to make a move to acquire a Donovan McNabb or a Jason Campbell and thus chose to sign a QB in Derek Anderson who in many respect is the exact opposite of Kurt Warner---for a team that had ALREADY drafted a rookie QB in John Skelton and may have been satisfied with that---

To be waking up this morning a 3-2 football team---having just knocked off the Super Bowl Champs---with a new QB in place (who comes out of the blue---undrafted---and unheraded---just as #13 was) that is Warner-esque in so many uncanny ways---is a bounce from the place where hopes and dreams are born.

Sure, no one is crowning Max Hall the savior after one start...but...there is NEW HOPE in Glendale this morning. Go check out the front page of ESPN.com. This is America's front page sports story on Columbus Day. And it makes you wonder---seeing as this is America---and no one loves a sports underdog more than Americans---whether the bye week is another extremely fortuitous bounce in that it will give Max Hall a chance to ensconce himself further into his role as starting QB...it will give him a chance to develop some chemistry with Steve Breaston and Early Doucet...when he isn't appearing on the Today Show and Late Night with David Letterman...in fact, I heard Larry King has been calling!

The comparisons to Warner are legit when you look at the timing and touch Hall put on his passes to Larry Fitzgerald---who yesterday looked reborn. The fade pass on third and 5...Warner-esque. The post pass thrown at the precise time with the right zip...etc. etc.

Hey...this alone shows why Hall is a fit. He has the ability to get Fitz the ball on time and in stride. Who else could do that?

Then you look at the passes he zipped over to Andre Roberts...and for more than a second there it looked like Steve Breaston type passes...which certainly bodes well for Breaston's return.

Then the touch and accuracy on the short routes up the middle and to the flats. One time, Fitz caught a perfectly zipped skinny post and he was inches from breaking it like he did in the Super Bowl.

The other uncanny resemblances: (1) Hall is tough and comes right back after hits---(2) He's greedy for wanting more and more each drive, each play; (3) His ball-handling on hand-offs---which obviously needs improvement---that even looked Warner-esque yesterday, as he was just a tad late exchanging the ball almost every time. (4) There is no question of who is in command...and there is no question that his head is into every play, every nuance---which was Warner's greatest strength.

Obviously, Max Hall has a long, long way to go, to be even mentioned seriously in the same breath as Kurt Warner...but some of the resemblances are remarkable.

While Hall is two inches shorter than Warner, he keeps his eyes peeled down field the same way and senses passing lanes quite similarly...and he brings a running, scrambling dimension that Warner lacked. After one rollout in the red zone where he forced a ball into a crowd (Warner never wanted to quit on a play, did he?), the next time around Hall threw one out of bounds (which drew high praise from Kurt himself). Hall shows he can and will adjust. Warner even predicted that Whiz would pass the ball late in the game on third and short...Warner already could sense Whiz's trust in Hall...which during a very first start is all the more impressive.

Hall was very forthright in his own self-criticism after the game. He knows that in the future he needs to protect the ball and himself better. And you get the sense that as Whiz avowed as well that this is just the starting point for Hall...yet a potential launching pad.

Most importantly, the fun is back for the offense...you can see it in all the coaches and players faces...now it's time to work Hall into a rhythm.

(I will post this and return on this thread to add my thoughts about the rest of the personnel---more MAX EFFORT to come).

A passing thought. Kurt was not very good in his new job. I guess like anything else it is going to take some time to learn the broadcast business. He seemed to almost pointedly not to compliment the Cards, which is probably appropriate in his case. He used some words repeatedly. He did not give much inside information which he obviously has in his head. I give Kurt a "D" on his debut in Arizona as a broadcaster but expect him to improve. Still the best QB the Cards have ever had in my opinion and one of the most likable players we have had. We will not see the likes of him around here in a long time. He sort of put the Cardinals on the map and made us a team to be talked about. He also has allowed us to get some FA who previously would never have considered playing for the lowly Az Cards. I will forever be thankful for Kurt Warner and for the things he brought to this team. Skill, Class, and respect and even a near win in the Super-Bowl.

 

[AzStevenCal]

NT:

You simply cannot like what you see when you watch Bryan Robinson on tape...which makes you question the mindset of the coaches. Playing him is like playing 10 on defense, as he gets knocked back five yards repeatedly, which opens immediate holes and wide open cut back holes.

Dan Williams, at least held his ground yesterday, but did not shed blocks well this time (which he has in previous games).

Too light? Wouldn't that be ironic!

Steve

 

[john h]

Great write up Mitch. Enjoyed being at the game and the crowd was really into it. My only concern on Max Hall are the hits that he is taking. I don't think its the OL but his style of trying to be a playmaker. I had my binoculars on him after he took several hits and thought he may have injured his leg or knee but he did come back in the 2nd half. If he continues playing like this, no way will he stay healthy or the full season.

I think you are spot on. He surely wanted to let his team know that he came to play and would take his licks like anyone else. He gained a lot of respect from his team mates but it is now time for Max to protect his body. He is not a big guy and cannot take big hit after big hit. Fortunately he has some good legs and knows how to use them. No more going head first into a group of head hunters at the goal line who like nothing better than knocking out a QB. There have been some good if not great QBs about the size of Max. Some like Tarkenton lasted because he was hard to lay a hand on. Brees is not giant. Eventually these smaller guys can be knocked out with one big hit. On at least one of those hits yesterday Max was thrown to the ground like a rag doll. I thought the ref might call a foul on that play but I guess that is a legal take down. One of the first things he must learn is to protect your self. You have proven you are tough to all who have watched you including your team mates and your coach. He clearly was pumped as he often pumped his arm after a competition. I like that emotion.

 

[ReddBird]

Nice write-up. Special teams were a monster this week and I'm finally starting to feel like we have the right guy on KR...unlike Rolle, who never maintained consistency.

When you say the players "play when they want to play", you're right. Warner wouldn't stand for it, though, and he called them out for it. From everything I read, Hall (the ROOKIE) won't stand for it, either. In today's Republic, Beanie expressed his admiration for Hall's confidence and ability to command the huddle.

The team liked DA but nobody called him a leader. They're saying "ultra competitive" and "extremely confident" about Hall. I hope that continues.

 

[DemsMyBoys]

As always, nice job Mitch!!

I have to say it, though. I totally disagree with you on Whiz. He's laconic outside. But inside his mind is clicking and his gut is churning. Whiz will never be the guy jumping up and down and throwing his headset every game. He's Ashley Wilkes.

 

[Brewster10]

Nice to see the defense perform yesterday, but I still have no faith whatsoever that this will be a LT trend.

Bill Davis still is not the right man for this job.

I agree that Porter should not be on the field so often, but keep in mind he made 2-3 of the critical run stops in this game. It's not as if he's been totally useless against the run.

The main issue right now is getting an answer at NT, getting Haggans to step his game up, and getting a consistent effort out of the secondary like we saw yesterday...The combination of using Adams and Johnson more often, and using Adrian more in the box was a nice adjustment. Greg Toler has been our best CB this year.

So we saw some thing that were encouraging yesterday, but I'm not convinced we will have any long term success with Davis leading this group.

 

[Chopper0080]

NT:

You simply cannot like what you see when you watch Bryan Robinson on tape...which makes you question the mindset of the coaches. Playing him is like playing 10 on defense, as he gets knocked back five yards repeatedly, which opens immediate holes and wide open cut back holes.

Dan Williams, at least held his ground yesterday, but did not shed blocks well this time (which he has in previous games).

Watson barely played.

But...if you were going to name the 3rd best DL next to DD and CC, it's been Alan Branch...isn't it about f'in time they plunked him down in the middle and told him to bust up the middle?

A trio of Dockett, Branch and Campbell would be formidible. But, the coaches and Alan Branch himself seemingly see it otherwise.

DE:

Dockett is playing hard...as is Campbell...and Dockett busts through for some big plays, while Campbell seems to get stuck on blocks. If Campbell ever starts teeing it up, this defense could be amazing.

Kenny Iwebema and Alan Branch are perfect off-the-bench complements. Iwebema with his quickness and Branch with his power.


Dockett has been playing pretty well. Campbell has been playing too high, and uses his swim move too much. This lets linemen get into his body which is why he has been so ineffective.

Disagree on Branch. He might be the third best d lineman out there, but he hasn't been great. Of all of our d linemen, he is the worst at turning his shoulders and creating cutback lanes. It was very noticeable yesterday.

 

[Duckjake]

Nice to see the defense perform yesterday, but I still have no faith whatsoever that this will be a LT trend.

Bill Davis still is not the right man for this job.

I agree that Porter should not be on the field so often, but keep in mind he made 2-3 of the critical run stops in this game. It's not as if he's been totally useless against the run.

The main issue right now is getting an answer at NT, getting Haggans to step his game up, and getting a consistent effort out of the secondary like we saw yesterday...The combination of using Adams and Johnson more often, and using Adrian more in the box was a nice adjustment. Greg Toler has been our best CB this year.

So we saw some thing that were encouraging yesterday, but I'm not convinced we will have any long term success with Davis leading this group.

The Cards just don't have the right personnel for a 3-4 imo. Dockett, Branch, Williams and Campbell with Haggens, Lenon and Washington would work better.

Anything would be better than Haggans, Dockett, Campbell, Porter with Lenon and Washington. That front just gets destroyed.

 

[Catfish]

Mitch-----that was a great pair of write-ups. You have once again captured the very essence of a game, and reading your post is like rewatching the game itself.

You posed a very astute question with-----which effort will we get next game, MAX EFFORT, or I'm saving myself for some other time. My guess is that if Hall remains the QB, then we get max effort. That kid won the loyalty and the respect of the players yesterday with his own Max effort and especially with his COMMAND PRESENCE. He has that in spades, and inspired these guys to overcome each of our own miscues, and even to respond to the opponents good plays with more of our own. I believe that these players would follow this kid into the very breech of hell if he led them there. They are definitely buying what he is selling.

As for Whiz's sideline demeanor------don't forget that he is an engineer. He is not a person who has a feeling for things-----with him it is strictly putting the round pegs into round holes and trying to hammer the square ones into round ones. He works with measureables, not intangibles. He does not get very high or very low with what is happening, because he is caught up in maneuvering his chess pieces into the right place to make the next play happen.

Remember, one of the reasons that Whiz benched DA was that he believed that bringing DA into a game cold would take the pressure off him. Whiz still believes that DA IS his QB, and he proved it by bringing him in just before the half when Max got the wind knocked out of him. The timing was perfect for DA to succeed in Whiz's mind, but the result was again a dismal failure. Unlike Max, DA simply cannot learn from his own mistakes, and unlike Max, DA will NEVER DEVELOP A COMMAND PRESENCE. He will never inspire his players to follow him, because he goes no where.

Meanwhile Whiz, ever the engineer, plods on, still believing that DA is his answer at QB, and that Bryan Robinson is the logical call for a Nose Tackle. Both have the measurables, right height, right weight, good past experience and knowlege of the game and their positions.

DA will never LEAD this team because he can't. Robinson would have been better off left retired. Max is our obvious leader on the field------until the next time he gets hurt, or Whiz wants to call a play where he lacks confidence in Max's measurables, and again brings DA off the bench to win the day.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Mitch-----that was a great pair of write-ups. You have once again captured the very essence of a game, and reading your post is like rewatching the game itself.

You posed a very astute question with-----which effort will we get next game, MAX EFFORT, or I'm saving myself for some other time. My guess is that if Hall remains the QB, then we get max effort. That kid won the loyalty and the respect of the players yesterday with his own Max effort and especially with his COMMAND PRESENCE. He has that in spades, and inspired these guys to overcome each of our own miscues, and even to respond to the opponents good plays with more of our own. I believe that these players would follow this kid into the very breech of hell if he led them there. They are definitely buying what he is selling.

As for Whiz's sideline demeanor------don't forget that he is an engineer. He is not a person who has a feeling for things-----with him it is strictly putting the round pegs into round holes and trying to hammer the square ones into round ones. He works with measureables, not intangibles. He does not get very high or very low with what is happening, because he is caught up in maneuvering his chess pieces into the right place to make the next play happen.

Remember, one of the reasons that Whiz benched DA was that he believed that bringing DA into a game cold would take the pressure off him. Whiz still believes that DA IS his QB, and he proved it by bringing him in just before the half when Max got the wind knocked out of him. The timing was perfect for DA to succeed in Whiz's mind, but the result was again a dismal failure. Unlike Max, DA simply cannot learn from his own mistakes, and unlike Max, DA will NEVER DEVELOP A COMMAND PRESENCE. He will never inspire his players to follow him, because he goes no where.

Meanwhile Whiz, ever the engineer, plods on, still believing that DA is his answer at QB, and that Bryan Robinson is the logical call for a Nose Tackle. Both have the measurables, right height, right weight, good past experience and knowlege of the game and their positions.

DA will never LEAD this team because he can't. Robinson would have been better off left retired. Max is our obvious leader on the field------until the next time he gets hurt, or Whiz wants to call a play where he lacks confidence in Max's measurables, and again brings DA off the bench to win the day.

Dude... you're so lost with this "Whiz is an engineer and only works with measurables" crap... I suppose Adams meets all of the measurables, right? Or Hall? Or Howlings? Whiz often gets accused of being too creative with his play-calling... Too unconventional... I suppose going with two more undrafted rookies to start at WR is holding to some sort of measurable as well, right? Or perhaps sticking with a 5th rounder from such a highly touted powerhouse like Richmond at RB is again, something an engineer would do, right??
Or starting a guy from St. Paul's College at Cornerback (Toler)... again, certainly that school fits all the right measurable criteria, doesn't it??

 

[DemsMyBoys]

Catfish, you got me laughing with the command presence statement. You are dead on. I'll bet he has a command and control voice that could wake the dead.

He's a bantam rooster.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Remember, one of the reasons that Whiz benched DA was that he believed that bringing DA into a game cold would take the pressure off him. Whiz still believes that DA IS his QB, and he proved it by bringing him in just before the half when Max got the wind knocked out of him.

he brought him in because the kid basically had to be carried off the field by his teammates, not because he wanted to platoon the QBs. Come on, the above is just freaking stupid. If Anderson was really Wiz's QB, he wouldn't have plunked his butt on the bench for all of two plays which solely came after Hall got destroyed by four Saints.

The timing was perfect for DA to succeed in Whiz's mind, but the result was again a dismal failure. Unlike Max, DA simply cannot learn from his own mistakes, and unlike Max, DA will NEVER DEVELOP A COMMAND PRESENCE. He will never inspire his players to follow him, because he goes no where.

Meanwhile Whiz, ever the engineer, plods on, still believing that DA is his answer at QB,

seriously... this is ridiculous. Your rookie QB just got carried off the field, you let him regroup, get his bearings at half and bring him back in the game... which is EXACTLY what happened. Trying to argue otherwise makes you look pretty foolish.

 

[Shane]

he brought him in because the kid basically had to be carried off the field by his teammates, not because he wanted to platoon the QBs. Come on, the above is just freaking stupid. If Anderson was really Wiz's QB, he wouldn't have plunked his butt on the bench for all of two plays which solely came after Hall got destroyed by four Saints.



seriously... this is ridiculous. Your rookie QB just got carried off the field, you let him regroup, get his bearings at half and bring him back in the game... which is EXACTLY what happened. Trying to argue otherwise makes you look pretty foolish.

Completely agree. Catfish is grasping at some major straws with that conclusion.