Game Thoughts: Cardinals 31 Rams 10

[Mitch]

What a game for the players, coaches and the fans! How about the following milestones that were reached right there with the roof open and U of P stadium in its full glory!!!:

1. The Cardinals earn their 10th regular season win, the first time since 1976.

2. Kurt Warner becomes the 2nd QB in NFL history to throw 100 + TDs for two different teams (Fran Tarkenton: Giants and Vikings).

3. Warner throws for 196 yards in the 2nd quarter, his second highest 2nd quarter total in his career.

4. Tim Hightower scored his 18th regular season TD in his first two years, tying a Cardinal record shared by Ernie Nevers and Ottis Anderson.

5. Adrian Wilson becomes the 10th player in NFL History to join the 20 sack/20 intercpetion club.

And on a more minor scale:

6. Greg Toler makes his first NFL interception.

7. Early Doucet catches his first NFL TD.

What a feel good game!

Other highlights were:

1. Anquan Boldin's 8 catches for 116 yards.

2. Steve Breaston's 53 yard catch.

3. Calais Campbell's sack.

4. Bertrand Berry's sack.

5. Chike Okeafor's sack.

6. Alan Branch's active and super powerful play...Watson too.

7. Clark Haggans was outstanding today in all aspects especially keeping contain and finishing off tackles.

8. DRC's second "lord's a leaping" interception in two weeks...man, he played that pick perfectly.

9. Adrian Wilson's bating of Null to step in front of the TE for his nice interception.

10. Ben Graham, by his standards, may not have had one of his best days, but hey, he forced a key fumble on the long punt return. G'day, mate!

11. How about Michael Adams' run blitz to stop a Rams' drive on 3rd and 1!

12. And Toler made a great tackle to force a punt.

13. Levi Brown played a great game. Give it up. The guy played great.

14. How about Lyle Sendlein's swivel seal block of Hightower's TD!...with a little help from Deuce!

15. Beanie Wells' TD! Man, when he kicks up the backs of his hips and takes off he looks like a stallion! What a burst!

16. Some very good ST play by Jason Wright.

17. Hightower's first quarter annihilation of the Ram's inside blitz.

Concerns:

1. Hayes and Dansby: not filling holes and really look slow to the ball.

2. Steve Breaston: too many mental errors...first he drifted on that "stop" route allowing his CB a clean break at the ball that should have been a pick six. He HAS to come back to the ball on that. Second, he still doesn't know where to line up half the time...on the l.o.s. or off the l.o.s....which cost the team a beautiful 20 plus yard completion to Anquan Boldin. Thirdly, he's shown only two gears on punt returns these days: sideways and reverse. He clearly does not want the role.

3. Jeremy Bridges: no match for Chris Long, but got whipped badly a couple of times, and was not given much help either. But, on MOST ocassions he steered Long wide of the pocket, and Warner was doing a good job of stepping up. It didn't help Bridges that on one key run play that Anthony Becht whiffed on Long too.

The memory I think I will savor most of this game was how Fitz, Q and Breaston tackled Early Doucet in the end zone and piled on him following his first NFL TD. That and seeing the coaches, especially Bill Davis, all smiling and winking at each other after Adrian Wilson's sack. This team played today for the love of the game and for the love of each other. And what we saw, although never perfect, was pretty darned special, especially with all the milestones to applaud!

Stay thirsty, my friends!

 

[ajcardfan]

It was a very satisfying game. It was one of those rare games where the Cardinals seemed to be in complete control from start to finish. Yeah, they were a little sluggish in the 1st quarter maybe, but the idea of the Rams winning the game was never possible. When you look at all the inferior road teams that beat good teams today, that makes it even more satisfying.

 

[az1965]

Other concerns:
4. Fumbling continues to be an issue... two by Warner, one lost and resulted in a TD for the pathetic Rams.

5. Punt return coverage was awful allowing several long run backs. Any other decent team would have taken advantage of these run backs and great field positions.

 

[Buckybird]

Good thoughts about the many milestones today Mitch.

While I agree with everything you wrote, I strongly disagree with you on Levi Brown. Come on, the guy was just as bad as Bridges at pass blocking today. He was beat upfield at least twice while the Lambs rush 3 guys. Even Pasch & Wolf made at least 5 comments on the radio broadcast about him getting beat.

After giving Bridges help in the Vikes game, why does the coaching staff refuse to give him help now? Very frustrating!!! Mitch?

I think Dansby & Hayes are so hurt they are saving themsleves. Numerous times I watched Karlos pitter-patter after a ball carrier & seldom pile on in for an assist. Could his looming free-agency be playing a part in his less than stellar efforts lately? I think so.

This team needs a punt returner soooooooo bad next season. I dont care if it takes a trade or a major signing, we must get better at returning punts.

 

[az1965]

This team needs a punt returner soooooooo bad next season. I dont care if it takes a trade or a major signing, we must get better at returning punts.

Why not Rolle? He runs well after catching the ball... all he needs is some work on decision making on catching the ball.

 

[Buckybird]

Why not Rolle? He runs well after catching the ball... all he needs is some work on decision making on catching the ball.

maybe, but I want a sure thing, a guy that you know is going to catch the ball & get you an 8-10 yard average. Rolle's hands are the reason he isn't back there.

 

[lauraw]

go after the guy in Cleveland!!!!

 

[Russ Smith]

Why not Rolle? He runs well after catching the ball... all he needs is some work on decision making on catching the ball.

Rolle scares the pants off me in punt returns. In preseason he held the ball like a loaf of bread and started juking and stopping and starting. That works when you return a pick because it's offensive players, often linemen, trying to tackle you. The main concern is a RB or WR coming from behind to force a fumble.

On punt returns you have good tacklers running right at you and they're taught to try and knock the ball out.

That and I wouldn't want Rolle to get hurt.

Gotta find a PR in the draft or FA.

 

[ajcardfan]

I think Rolle definitively proved he was NOT a PR with how he did earlier this year.

 

[CardLogic]

10. Ben Graham, by his standards, may not have had one of his best days, but hey, he forced a key fumble on the long punt return. G'day, mate!

I love it, that the Cardinals have the two most bad-ass kickers in the league!

17. Hightower's first quarter annihilation of the Ram's inside blitz.

That was beautiful!

Stay thirsty, my friends!

So... you're that guy!

 

[PJ1]

Hightower laying out the DB blitzing was great.

Very concerned about Hayes and Dansby. No way they are healthy.

Another concern is Nugent's kickoffs aren't getting inside the 10 yard line. Not a strong leg. Get well Neil.

I hope Toler is ok. I want him in the game more.

 

[Buckybird]

Another concern is Nugent's kickoffs aren't getting inside the 10 yard line. Not a strong leg. Get well Neil.

I hope Toler is ok. I want him in the game more.

Is it me or are Nugents kicks kicked too low? It appeared to me the Lambs almost blocked every kick.

Toler has an elbow strain according the Calvisi on the radio broadcast, nothing severe.

 

[WarnerHOF]

Seeing Warner get sacked/pressured by 3 man rushes is depressing.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

the biggest concern after today's game has to be Bridges. He may steer his guy wide but KW isn't always going to have a lane to step up in to.

 

[Chopper0080]

LT is a concern, but only if we leave him on an island. I this was a true gauge of what we can expect from Bridges, and it shows that we need to chip his man w/ a back. Nothing more, nothing less.

I liked C Wells catch out of the backfield, and I would like to see him and Hightower flanking Warner in the gun. I think that it would give us more options.

Our linebackers, especially the two inside, just don't seem very instinctive. I think that Dansby hides it with his athleticism, but there are times that he seems as lost as Hayes. Haggens might be the only real keeper out of this bunch and he isn't young.

Hayes is having a terrible year, and I would like to know what has happened with him.

I hope to see a ton of Toler in the Green Bay game to see where he is at in his development. If he can be a 3 or 4 corner in the playoffs, it will add much needed speed to our nickel or dime coverages. Denver showed that if you have speed to match up with Philly at corner, you can make them struggle on offense.

I wonder if it is scheme related, but Rolle seems to have had less of an impact lately.

It is nice to see Doucet making an impact. It will lessen the blow of losing either Boldin or Breaston in the next few years.

After watching Green Bay today, I am starting to worry a bit about their edge rush, as well as their secondary's ability to catch the ball. It is not that I don't think that we can beat them, we can, but they just don't allow much margin for error.

I think that we match up better with Minnesota and New Orleans than we do with Green Bay and Philadelphia.

 

[Cardiac]

What a game for the players, coaches and the fans!
The memory I think I will savor most of this game was how Fitz, Q and Breaston tackled Early Doucet in the end zone and piled on him following his first NFL TD. That and seeing the coaches, especially Bill Davis, all smiling and winking at each other after Adrian Wilson's sack. This team played today for the love of the game and for the love of each other. And what we saw, although never perfect, was pretty darned special, especially with all the milestones to applaud!

Those were sweet. The pure joy the top 3 WR's had for Early was fantastic to see. Obviously a very close group.

Davis looked like the cat the swallowed the canary.

I got the feeling the Cards not only expected to win but KNEW they would.

It was a very satisfying game. It was one of those rare games where the Cardinals seemed to be in complete control from start to finish. Yeah, they were a little sluggish in the 1st quarter maybe, but the idea of the Rams winning the game was never possible. When you look at all the inferior road teams that beat good teams today, that makes it even more satisfying.

cosign.

I actually stopped watching the game somewhere in early in the 4th Qtr so that my wife could see her Jets because I was that confident the Cards would win. After the Jets won I watched the remainder of the Cards win (DVR's rock).

 

[CardLogic]

Our linebackers, especially the two inside, just don't seem very instinctive. I think that Dansby hides it with his athleticism, but there are times that he seems as lost as Hayes. Haggens might be the only real keeper out of this bunch and he isn't young.

Hayes is having a terrible year, and I would like to know what has happened with him.

Dansby has been a Cardinal for six seasons, Hayes for seven. at various times, both have had great games for the Cardinals; but Haggans is the only keeper? That's ridiculous.

You do know that both Dansby and Hayes are playing hurt, don't you? The real problem with the LBing corp is lack of depth behind the starters...

 

[Crimson Warrior]

For half a second, our "complete control" looked perilously close to disappearing.

But the ram db dropped the easy pick six, and it stayed 17-7, instead of 17-14.

But, other than that brief moment, I agree we dominated. The rams are pathetic and we freaking own them lately.

Another thing that stuck out were the announcers talking about "well, what do the rams do in the draft, and "the rams are trying to build something", as they floundered around on the field.

Another good one: "The rams have had a couple of opportunities to make big plays, but haven't". It all sounded very familiar.

Five years ago that was us...

 

[RON_IN_OC]

go after the guy in Cleveland!!!!

I can here Deion Sanders now..."They won't pay Boldin, but they will bring in Josh Cribbs?"

 

[BigDavis75]

Dansby has been a Cardinal for six seasons, Hayes for seven. at various times, both have had great games for the Cardinals; but Haggans is the only keeper? That's ridiculous.

You do know that both Dansby and Hayes are playing hurt, don't you? The real problem with the LBing corp is lack of depth behind the starters...

I don't think that Haggans is the only keeper from the group, but I certainly see where the post is coming from. Haggans was was a small cost pickup that has performed extraordinarily well with regards to his age and cap hit. Haggans has been our best rush LB and has been very solid in his tackling ability and run contain.

Hayes on the other hand has been terrible in coverage and has showed a severe lack for big plays. Argue what you may (position, assignments, injury), but stats are stats. As for Dansby, he has gained a negative image with our fanbase for his perceived desire to leave. Couple that with our vision of him as a player that takes plays off and the reality that he, as well as Hayes, has failed to produce big plays and you have a recipe for two players that an observer would rate below Haggans.

By the way, Mitch, although I have failed to recognize your insight in any of these threads, these are excellent observations that you are giving us and I always look forward to reading these game threads.

 

[jw7]

7. Early Doucet catches his first NFL TD.

What a feel good game!

That was impressive, but what stuck out to me was the way that Fitz, Boldin, and Breaston dogpiled him to congratulate him. These guys really like each other - it is a TEAM!

Oh, and if you don't have this bookmarked - do it now.

NFL.Com Cards video page

 

[Catfish]

Just a note about the play, (and the health), of Dansby and Hayes. For some weeks now, there have been rumors about both of these guys playing hurt. I believe that, as I have seen a marked increase in rushing allowed by our middle defense in recent games. (Gore had 169 yards against us), after only having 37 in the season opener. Some have said that Hayes is playing with a disk problem, and it is believed that Dansby is playing with 2 partially separated shoulders. I believe this to be true, and I am so very proud of how they have continued to man the bastion, even though normal men wouldn't try. I can't imagine the effort that this must take on their parts to continue to show up on game day and accept the pain and punishment that they are suffering. God bless them both.

 

[Totally_Red]

Nice win by the Cardinals.

Anquan Boldin made another strong statement about being an integral part of this offense. If the Cardinals were waiting for that before making a long term commitment, they can now dig deep and "Pay the Man!"

The offensive tackles are a huge concern. At least Levi was adequate at times in the run game, Jeremy looked absolutely helpless against Chris Long.

Loved during the telecast when Tim Ryan said, "The Cardinals absolutely stole him(Chris Wells) at the bottom of the first round."

I want to see more of Greg Toler. Yeah, he is going to make mistakes, but he has the size and hands to play cornerback, and hopefully step into the #3 or even the #2 cornerback role going forward.

Hopefully Ben Patrick is back for the Green Bay game. He is far and away the most versatile and talented tight end on the roster.

Congrats A-Dub on reaching the 20-20 milestone. He has really come on strong in the last month or so, and is playing at a pro-bowl level.

The Cardinals are just missing on some pass plays. They are just off, e.g. Larry not holding on when he hit the ground on the long pass, and Steve not holding on to a difficult catch over the middle. Hopefully, the near misses become completions in the playoffs.

It was nice to see Rod Graves get some face time during the telecast.

 

[Garthshort]

Mitch, I wasn't able to watch the game (but I had it taped), but my understanding, from Somers' blog, was that Levi Brown didn't have a good game. You felt differently. Why?

 

[Totally_Red]

Mitch, I wasn't able to watch the game (but I had it taped), but my understanding, from Somers' blog, was that Levi Brown didn't have a good game. You felt differently. Why?

On a relative basis he looked better than Jeremy Bridges, but still he struggled again yesterday in pass protection. Kurt was doing a nice job of stepping up to avoid the rush, but Brown's man was consistently beating him to the outside. Warner was able to step up because the Cardinals inside three were doing a solid job on the Rams interior line.