Game Thoughts: Cardinals 30 Vikings 17

[Mitch]

What we are witnessing is the metamorphisis of one-time two pound weaklings into newly bronzed smashmouth gargantuans. It is becoming more and more clear that the Arizona Cardinals will hit you and the Arizona Cardinals will hit you hard.

Al and Cris concluded that the game was won by both of Arizona's lines. Minnesota's d-line had been the best in the NFL...that is, until last night. Minnesota's o-line has been considered one of the elite lines in the league...but the Cardinals played ferociously on both lines, and both lines persevered.

In my opinion, last night was the best offensive line performance I have seen from the Cardinals since the days of Dierdorf, Dobler and Young. Interestingly, it was reported last night that the last time the Cardinals were 8-4 was in 1974...yup, during the days of Dierdorf, Dobler and Young.

It was exhilarating to watch the Cardinals (a) double team Jared Allen; (b) use the two TE formation and watch Patrick and Becht thumping as hard as they could to try to beat the snot out of the Vikings DEs and LBs; (c) pass protect versus the blitz time and time again by having Tim Hightower step up and take the romance out of it...like as in stepping up to stuff the LB or SS in his tracks.

On defense, THIS time with a lead the Cardinals GOT sacks (A Campbells' Soup Special and a Double Berry Delight)! When they weren't thwarting AP up the middle with a steel wall of Robinson, Branch, Campbell and Dockett, they were getting key turnovers (great plays by Karlos Dansby and Michael Adams...and two near picks by a revitalized Adrian Wilson). THIS is why they closed this game out. They kept the pedal on the metal...and they realized they had to outmatch the Vikings' desire to win the game. The Cardinals did that and did it with remarkable determination and aplomb.

On STs...these boys layed the wood on the Vikes: how about Kenny Iwebema's pasting of the Viking's up man who fielded the last kickoff? How about LSH's great tackle where he took the Viking's punt returner's legs out?

And it was a ST play that ignited this victory: Steve Breaston's explosive punt return and near TD.

The game was very reminiscent of the away Panthers game in the playoffs...where the other team looks totally dominant early on and you wonder how in the world the Cardinals are going to even hang in there, and all of a sudden, the Cardinals tie the game and then are running away with it in dramatic and dynamic fashion...much the way Anquan Boldin ran away with that sideline pass (one of the more remarkbale runs and catches one will ever see)...or Larry Fitzgerald running away with the TD corner pass...and in tighter spaces, carrying three Vikings' defenders for five extra yards.

This is one tough football team, my friends...propelled by an innovative head coach who gets EVERYONE involved (how about the way he gave Jason Wright his moment in the lights last night? Or how about that Wildcat with Antrel Rolle...or should they call it the Untacklebable Jitterbug? Or how about the way the secondary was fired up to shadow and pester the Vikings' WRs and TEs? Has Adrian Wilson ever covered a TE better?

And, we saw last night once again, a near total masterpiece from our venerable QB, Kurt Warner. Make it five games in a row with QB ratings in the 120s to 140s. These performances are goosebump inducing...they are that brilliant and extraordinary.

 

[Cardiac]

As always Great stuff Mitch. You write as well as the Cards played last night.

 

[conraddobler]

Warner dosen't like chipping, he likes all his guys out as options.

Thing is with the extent of our weapons what he should like at his age is time, just a little extra at the expense of one or two options given our talent at the skill positions IMO is worth the abscence of an option or two.

Kurt is smart enough to see this and if we just take the time to protect him mostly good things will happen IMO.

 

[Totally_Red]

In my opinion, last night was the best offensive line performance I have seen from the Cardinals since the days of Dierdorf, Dobler and Young. Interestingly, it was reported last night that the last time the Cardinals were 8-4 was in 1974...yup, during the days of Dierdorf, Dobler and Young.

They had a couple hiccups, e.g. when Seinlein got beaten early by Pat Williams and the RB got stuffed on a 3rd and 1, but, by and large, the O-line performed well last night against a very good front four.

A lot of us have commented on how the Cardinals finally woke up and started given their OLT some occasional help in pass protection. If we are fortunate to get to the Super Bowl and Indianapolis is the opponent, I hope the lesson has been learned.

Thanks for another solid write up Mitch! It is appreciated.

 

[Buckybird]

Mitch your words are always appreciated

 

[DemsMyBoys]

Mitch, your first sentence is classic, just classic. Thanks, as always, for a great, astute write-up.

 

[Shane]

Good stuff Mitch!

 

[Catfish]

Thanks my friend------your summation of this game is wonderful. Mitch, I will take the memory of this particular game to my grave with me. For me, it was the perfect game. It was played at home with a full house, and on National Television in Prime Time. The Big Red totally dominated a very good team, and virtually every Cardinal who entered the game made some significant contribution to that dominating performance. Never has a Cardinal's Team performance equaled this one.

 

[NeverSayDieFan]

GREAT post, Mitch...

I keep thinking "RESILIENT HEART". This team has learned to COMPETE! ...and that's ALL I've ever asked of my teams. PLAY with PASSION & HEART! BUT I think it starts w/ LEADERSHIP. I think of Whiz' having the "stones" to sit Q and NOW, look at the result. A healthy Q is once-again a FORCE to be dealt with. I could go on and on about the "positives" I'm seeing. It is a WONDERFUL time to be a Cardinals' fan! GO CARDS! Note: Just got props on ESPN from Trent Dilfer. He said that the Chargers & the Cardinals are two teams you DON'T want to see in the play-offs! SWEET!

 

[CardLogic]

Warner dosen't like chipping, he likes all his guys out as options.

I wouldn't call what Hightower was doing last night chipping; He was launching himself into Allen!

 

[82CardsGrad]

Good summary Mitch. And, I have to give credit where it's due. YOU, more than anyone here have been talking up Michael Adams. I honestly never saw in him what you clearly did. He played not a good game last night, but a GREAT game. He is extremely tough and delivers a solid blow on just about every tackle he makes. I still have some doubts about his cover ability, but I will take him on my time any day of the week!

 

[Totally_Red]

I wouldn't call what Hightower was doing last night chipping; He was launching himself into Allen!

Timmy was blocking with enthusiasm last night. In fact he showed more enthusiasm in pass protection then I can remember from a Cardinal running back. He learned a lot from Edge last year and he's putting it to good use. His picture is in the dictionary next to the definition for 'passion.'

 

[conraddobler]

I wouldn't call what Hightower was doing last night chipping; He was launching himself into Allen!

My kids were laughing at me I was livid when he fumbled and they kept pointing out his blocking and asking if he was off my list yet.

I said he's still shoveling his way out but making progress...

Yeah he was doing an awesome job at picking up blitzers and helping out, was key on a couple of plays.

 

[conraddobler]

Timmy was blocking with enthusiasm last night. In fact he showed more enthusiasm in pass protection then I can remember from a Cardinal running back. He learned a lot from Edge last year and he's putting it to good use. His picture is in the dictionary next to the definition for 'passion.'

I agree he learned a ton, turned him into a very solid back I think, very valuable and while I like Well's upside more, I love having THT on the team.

 

[ajcardfan]

Timmy was blocking with enthusiasm last night. In fact he showed more enthusiasm in pass protection then I can remember from a Cardinal running back. He learned a lot from Edge last year and he's putting it to good use. His picture is in the dictionary next to the definition for 'passion.'

What Hightower learned from Edge, and what Wells is learning from Hightower, is that you step up and attack the blitzer and hit them hard. Watch other teams, and you'll often see the back "catch" rather than attack. For all of Edge's faults, I do appreciate he passed that on to TH. Watch Wells, he tries to attack as well, he is just a bit slower in identifying who he has to take.

 

[Garthshort]

Mitch, thank you. Speaking of the Dierdorf, Dobler, and Young OL, did DeMarco, and Reynolds play with them? And what about Banks? I'm really bad with matching names with years, but am pretty sure McMillan came a little later. Can you, or anyone, help?

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Mitch, thank you. Speaking of the Dierdorf, Dobler, and Young OL, did DeMarco, and Reynolds play with them? And what about Banks? I'm really bad with matching names with years, but am pretty sure McMillan came a little later. Can you, or anyone, help?

Banks played with them. I think McMillan did briefly but that was toward the end of his career. I think the main 5 were Finney,Young, Banks, Dobler, and Dierdorf. Finney is the one i'm nor that sure about. Calling Duckjake.

 

[Brighteyes]

I don't think I fully appreciated our Special Teams until I watched the Vikings. They were pale in comparison.

And when the onsides kick was crucial to them, that pathetic attempt had Fitz just shaking his head.

 

[moklerman]

Warner may not like chipping but just as he didn't like the flea-flicker in the playoffs he seems willing to acclimate himself to things that work. I would bet dollars to donuts that he has been liking what the Cardinals are doing on offense his last 4 starts. 2 sacks in his last 121 attempts, not to mention his own production going through the roof.

Warner's preference is to throw the ball but I think that is only part of the conversation. For him, throwing the ball has always equated to scoring points. What the Cardinals have had in recent weeks does that as well as protect him and put "W's" on the board.

No way does he have a problem with Hightower being used to chip Allen in the Minnesota game.

 

[slanidrac16]

Great write up , Mitch. I'd like to ad a couple of random thoughts.

I have learned this year that a team needs to evolve as the year unfolds. Players need to settle into their roles and then play up to expectations.
A few examples.

LSH. After showing promise in the preseason, he had not done much up until last week. Suddenly he has made his presence felt on special teams in all phases. Not enough has been said about this young man.

Michael Adams. I watched him in St. Louis and I thought he played rather well. I was surprised to seesome poster's bashing him a bit after that game. He came up and stuffed Steven Jackson on a sweep to his side, one on one. He is small in stature but very quick and plays with heart. He belongs on this team.

Steve Breaston. Never thought in a million years he would develop into the WR he has become. All he does is catch EVERYTHING thrown to him. This may come as a shock , but he makes Fitz and Boldin even better!

Alan Branch. OMG! EVERYBODY wanted this young man gone, including me. I'm here to tell you, the light has gone on! He was all over the place Sunday night.

Whiz. He is the smartest head coach we have EVER had. That's right. EVER! I have officially moved him ahead of Coryell because of the job he has done with this team in regards to defense, special teams and depth. His demeanor on the sidelines and with the press is so even keeled and consistant. I have no idea how he can remain so calm. A perfect example and comparison. When Timmy fumbled the camera immediately went to Whiz. He had already moved on the the problem at hand. No signs of disgust, throwing headsets, rolling his eyes or staring down the player at fault.
In contrast, Mike Singletary. Gore fumbles. Singletary is 10 yards on the field staring at Gore shaking his head. He contantly seems to berate players through out the game. He could not carry Whiz's clip board, at least not to this point.

Special teams. Again , at the risk of being redundant, OMG. They , as a group, may be the most improved unit of this team.

And last Kurt Warner. If this guy isn't the MVP of the league then I don't know what MVP stands for. He elevates this offense to a level that not many others could. Rating him from 1 to 10, I rate him 11. As fans, we have to realize we can never expect this level of play from Leinart. It's not to say Leinart can't become an 8 or a 9 or even a 10. But in the future, to compare him to Warner or expect the same from him will be grossly unfair.

Now let's go show the 49er's who we really are and wrap up the West on National TV Monday Night!

 

[Pariah]

What Hightower learned from Edge, and what Wells is learning from Hightower, is that you step up and attack the blitzer and hit them hard.

He does look like Edge when he blocks. Nice call.

 

[Linderbee]

What I noticed about this game, more than any other this year, is we just seemed to have a solid, TEAM win. Usually we have one or two players that just light it up (LSH last week, for example) but this week it was everyone. All aspects, all around, were fantastic...if it weren't so awesome, it would have been boring! The entire team was like a well-oiled machine. If we can continue at this level, there's no stopping us.

 

[MrYeahBut]

I must say that Warner's performance Sun night finally totally won me over. While I have always appreciated what he has done to help this team, I was never fully behind him, only because of him being a former Ram, didn't like his pouty face, Brenda, fumbles, interceptions, was really excited when Leinart was drafted, etc. Just my own personal prejudices

What he did against the Vikes was nothing short of masterful and a complete clinic on quarterbacking in the NFL. Kudos to him.

 

[Shane]

He does look like Edge when he blocks. Nice call.

Edge was a really good blocker no doubt. But I can't think of one single instance where he blocked with the same ferocity as timmy. JMO.

 

[mrbyte]

This is one tough football team, my friends...propelled by an innovative head coach who gets EVERYONE involved (how about the way he gave Jason Wright his moment in the lights last night? Or how about that Wildcat with Antrel Rolle...or should they call it the Untacklebable Jitterbug?

No we should call it the wildcat...god forbid we have to say Untacklebable jitterbug everytime there is a direct snap