Let's face it: This team is cursed
Alfred Hitchcock could not have scripted a better story. Unbelievable. Surreal. Cursed. Just a few words to emphasize what happened on Monday Night Football. I mean, where do we start?
The Arizona Cardinals set all kinds of NFL records, but the wrong kind -- most carries for a running back who did not average at least two yards per rush; first team to lose consecutive games after leading by at least 14 points at the end of the first quarter in each; first team to blow a 20-point lead without allowing an offensive touchdown.
The Cardinals began the game spreading the Chicago Bears' defense out and creating passing lanes for quarterback Matt Leinart to get the ball to playmaking wide receiver Anquan Boldin and running lanes for Edgerrin James. Leinart looked phenomenal in his second start, leading two first-quarter touchdown drives, but the offense sputtered in the second half and Arizona could not hold on. The Cardinals played much better than the Bears, but in true Cardinals fashion, they found a way to lose.
The Cardinals jumped on the Bears early and took advantage of the fact Chicago wasn't blitzing. Bears MLB Brian Urlacher finished the first half with only two tackles, but by the end of the game, after Chicago had adjusted, he finished with 11 tackles.
The Bears climbed back into the game because of lack of focus and discipline on the part of the Cardinals. Some of you may have heard the commentators make note of the Cardinals playing conservatively on offense and not finishing the game. Offensive coordinator Keith Rowen must learn to use the weapons he has and continually attack opposing defenses by passing the ball, as opposed to using the traditional method of running the ball late in games to help move the chains and keep the clock running. The Cardinals are just not strong in that area.
I would not say the Cardinals began to play conservatively, but they did get away from what got them the lead. The Cardinals are just plain better throwing the football than they are running, and their attempts to finish games by running out the clock and controlling the ball just do not work. The Cardinals have not been able to get anything going with their run game all season, and that weakness was exploited on a national stage Monday.
Arizona used more two-tight end formations late in the game to help create more dominance up front, but their two best blocking tight ends actually don't block very well. TE Fred Wakefield is a converted defensive end who has been a failed project at defensive tackle, defensive end, offensive tackle and now blocking tight end. TE Leonard Pope has been struggling with his blocking due to his height. Pope stands 6-foot-8 and struggles to get leverage against opposing defenders. The Cardinals tried to use Wakefield and Pope on the edges in the run game, to help protect the corners, but neither held up well and too often let defenders penetrate and stop RB James in the backfield.
The Cardinals' defense played very well, and there is no reason to put any blame on them. They forced six turnovers and held the Bears to three offensive points. The defense has been playing very well, and because they were able to create pressure on the Bears' QB Rex Grossman, they kept him rattled all night long. Safety Adrian Wilson's blitzing ability has been outstanding, and that was a significant factor in rattling the Bears' offense.
The Cardinals' energy on defense was contagious, and early on the offense seemed to feed off it. But week after week, they cannot find ways to close the deal. When that happens, you let teams back in the game and lose games you should win.
Simply put, the Cardinals just choked. When a team gets away from its bread and butter and starts trying to do things it is not sound at doing, it makes it hard to build confidence and sustain momentum.
I am convinced the Cardinals are cursed, and I do not think there is a spell that can break this curse. The coaches cannot execute the plays that are called. That is left up to the players. The coaches cannot block. That is left up to the players. The coaches cannot protect the ball. That is left up to the players Yes, there is plenty of blame to go around, but when it comes down to it, the players have to make the plays, and that is where I press the relief valve for the coaching staff.
I am shocked and stunned and don't know what to say. Where does it stop? When does it end? Cardinals' fans, I wish I could tell you relief is on the way, but even with all the positives in the play of Leinart, the Cardinals seem destined eventually to find a way to tarnish the lone bright star in the Cardinals' organization.
