I think BA tanked this game

[slanidrac16]

I don't think BA tanked the game---I think he thought he could focus on getting Stanton into enough 3rd and 4's that he could move the chains. But, Stanton, unlike Palmer, has yet to show a high enough completion percentage to warrant a run to set up the pass on third down offense. Apparently, Pete Carroll predicted this (not a high enough completion percentage from Stanton to keep the chains consistently moving) before the game to the FOX crew (which they articulated during the broadcast)---and thus the ultra conservative game plan fed right into Pete Carroll's prediction.

It wouldn't surprise me to see BA flip the focus over this week to a pass to set up the run approach---which would make the offense less predictable and give Stanton more time to throw off play actions and versus stop the run heavy personnel.

Agree. I think BA played this game close to the vest. We WILL see the Seahawks once more and maybe twice down the road. A win in January will be a lot bigger than a win in November.

BA is the smartest coach we have ever had in Arizona. I think he approaches every game differently and is able to impose match-ups to win games. He put this game all on the defense to win. When you look back we should have had at least a 10-6 lead at halftime.

I'm surprised Special teams aren't getting blasted more this week. The way I see it the missed field goal and blocked punt lead to a 10 pt swing. You might be able to overcome mistakes like that at home against a weaker team but road games inevitably comes down to TO's.

 

[devilalum]

Conversely it seemed like Carroll went out of his way to keep things very low key and avoid giving the Cards any board material for the rematch.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

This sounds more like an excuse for why we lost. We got beat and there is nothing more to it. Don't need to make excuses for it, Seattle was just the better team on the field on Sunday.

 

[CardsFan88]

I don't think he tanked the game. I just think with all the media screaming how we are going to go downfield, and with Sea's secondary, and Fitz likely not playing (which he didn't), they went conservative.

Maybe I'm wrong, but that offensive playcalling looked by far the most conservative this year.

Perhaps it wouldn't of been as conservative as it turned out, but Stanton threw that pick relatively early, and the defense was playing lights out.

Even the halftime quote that they need to 'scratch out a TD' would lend some weight to the argument. Not exactly a quote you'd likely use if you were planning on going deep a lot. Though with BA, he definitely could of said something like that, and then thrown deep alot.

I do agree with the notion that because we were conservative this game, we could really let things ride when they play here.

 

[SissyBoyFloyd]

You have pointed out something insightful about smart coaches. They aren't concerned about going undefeated or winning every game. They know when to pull back and when to step on the gas. Some games are better off lost in order to set up for something greater.

Story you might find interesting:
I once coached a really good baseball team composed of small Latino kids whose parents were mostly farm workers. We were a week away from the start of our league championship tournament and had one game left against the supposed biggest and baddest team in the league, a big school of 1200 kids compared to my desert school of 60 kids. Knowing the draw of the tournament fitted us the following week against this same team in game 1 of the tournament, and knowing this last regular season game meant nothing, I played all my starting players out of position. I never let them see our starting pitcher who was the best in the league. My players were mad at me that day, but that was soon forgotten. They creamed us like 24-5 on our home field that day and laughed at us afterward.

We beat them bad the next week when it counted most and went on to win the league championship. I still remember their coach and players after that game all just motionless wondering what just happened to their dream season. It was so much fun for my kids to see a bunch of loudmouth bullies, their parents, and friends all "crying" after the game, which by the way was on their own home field. (I use the term "bullies" in reference to what happened between them and us during football season earlier that school year. But that is another good story for another time.)

 

[Seandonic]

Interesting theory.

 

[DeAnna]

Oh, I absolutely believe BA played it conservatively and kept it vanilla on purpose. He's no dummy - he knows they'll see these guys in December, and possibly the playoffs. He is not going to tip his hat for a game that has lesser implications than the season finale.

As we all know, the post-season is a different animal. They come up with very different game plans - which teams haven't seen on film.

 

[Mitch]

Oh, I absolutely believe BA played it conservatively and kept it vanilla on purpose. He's no dummy - he knows they'll see these guys in December, and possibly the playoffs. He is not going to tip his hat for a game that has lesser implications than the season finale.

As we all know, the post-season is a different animal. They come up with very different game plans - which teams haven't seen on film.

While I think your argument makes some sense, DeAnna, what made BA's approach on offense so tantalizing in this game was the fact that his defense was playing their ever-livin' arses off and the philosophy of trying to create a bunch of 3rd and 4s for the offense was great for Palmer who was converting a high percentage of those, but not great for Stanton who has struggled with completion percentage on the whole, let alone 3rd down completion percentage. Wasting that defensive effort was tough.

if it's one thing that Stanton has shown thus far and in recent games is a pretty good ability to throw the deep shots---and the only real deep shot, if you don't consider 20 yard out passes to John Brown deep passes, Stanton got a PI called when Brown was bear-hugged.

For those who would argue, well, with the Seahawks' rush, Stanton had no time to throw deep, this is where BA could have gone into some max protections---looked the FS away to one side (as Wilson did on his deep shot to Lockett) and thrown deep to the other. Backing the Seahawks' secondary off in this game was key---yet they played up all game and dared the Cardinals to throw deep---and the Cardinals didn't.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Don't buy it... Cards win that game and Seattle's season is toast... and #1 seed would be pretty tough to lose.

 

[Cards_Campos]

Don't buy it... Cards win that game and Seattle's season is toast... and #1 seed would be pretty tough to lose.

Everyone you guys seem to forget we have lost our QB and didn't have FItz in an environment that was set up to fail.

You guys are saying crazy when it was a game we probably couldn't win if we played great because of the circumstances.

BA has never never never back downed,,,except this game. You tell me if he was afraid??? Hell no He was playing to see if the defense could win the game and if they couldn't....lets get out of dodge...and re group. His play calling was to set up the defense but the punter screwed up. But he never put our offense in a position to win.

Tank may be a harsh word. But Bruce didn't play this game to win...unless the defense pulled it out. If we lose another WR for a last 5 games ...he knew we might not make the playoffs....Losing FItz made him realize....hey we lose any body else...and we are toast. and which defense can cause that .....Seattle at home and desperation mode.

think what you want....but he isn't dumb. We win next 3...and we can win home field without beating them.

 

[desertdawg]

Everyone you guys seem to forget we have lost our QB and didn't have FItz in an environment that was set up to fail.

You guys are saying crazy when it was a game we probably couldn't win if we played great because of the circumstances.

BA has never never never back downed,,,except this game. You tell me if he was afraid??? Hell no He was playing to see if the defense could win the game and if they couldn't....lets get out of dodge...and re group. His play calling was to set up the defense but the punter screwed up. But he never put our offense in a position to win.

Tank may be a harsh word. But Bruce didn't play this game to win...unless the defense pulled it out. If we lose another WR for a last 5 games ...he knew we might not make the playoffs....Losing FItz made him realize....hey we lose any body else...and we are toast. and which defense can cause that .....Seattle at home and desperation mode.

think what you want....but he isn't dumb. We win next 3...and we can win home field without beating them.

I'm still in shock you didn't quit or disown the Cardinals after a loss... new meds?

 

[Cards_Campos]

I'm still in shock you didn't quit or disown the Cardinals after a loss... new meds?

Dude never disliked or angry with the Cardinals...If you recall...I hated Whiz and obviously again...like with Warner ...I was right. Whiz was horrible...new coach...same players we are great...and Whiz has turned Tennessee into the old Cardinals.

 

[desertdawg]

Dude never disliked or angry with the Cardinals...If you recall...I hated Whiz and obviously again...like with Warner ...I was right. Whiz was horrible...new coach...same players we are great...and Whiz has turned Tennessee into the old Cardinals.

Lol, I recall you being way worse than Whiz was, just sayin. I don't think you can say you were right about anything though, you just couldn't hack being a Cardinal fan... "dude".

Yeah, roses really smell like poo-oo-oo

 

[Cards_Campos]

Lol, I recall you being way worse than Whiz was, just sayin. I don't think you can say you were right about anything though, you just couldn't hack being a Cardinal fan... "dude".

Yeah, roses really smell like poo-oo-oo

IM 45 I have been a fan for 37 years....I can hack being a cardinal fan.....definitely can handle that. last 15 years twenty times better than 1990's

I hated Whiz period....Never was overly angry with Chilli Dog..because he could draft....Whiz rode the coat tails of Warner.....and yet it took him 1.5 half to put him in and fought with the decision the whole time....and when Warner succeeded he looked like a good coach...when he wasn't. Grimm was awful too.

I love he Cards...I don't like stupidity...and they had an abundance of it with Whiz.

 

[desertdawg]

IM 45 I have been a fan for 37 years....I can hack being a cardinal fan.....definitely can handle that. last 15 years twenty times better than 1990's

I hated Whiz period....Never was overly angry with Chilli Dog..because he could draft....Whiz rode the coat tails of Warner.....and yet it took him 1.5 half to put him in and fought with the decision the whole time....and when Warner succeeded he looked like a good coach...when he wasn't. Grimm was awful too.

I love he Cards...I don't like stupidity...and they had an abundance of it with Whiz.

Um, we sucked way before Whiz, and way worse before Whiz was around. We've always sucked, the folks that remember us not sucking are now sucking oxygen or are pushing daisies. Don't blame your shatty fanhood on one Ken Whisenhunt, a Coach that took us to the Superbowl. You love long time for 5 dolla.

 

[Cards_Campos]

Um, we sucked way before Whiz, and way worse before Whiz was around. We've always sucked, the folks that remember us not sucking are sucking oxygen. Don't blame your shatty fanhood on one Ken Whisenhunt, a Coach that took us to the Superbowl.

whatever superFan you should win Fan of the year....lol....im sorry if you think Whiz is good....Warner took 2 teams to super bowls that have sucked for a long time. BA has the same players actually less...then Whiz...and he has a great record. WHiz took over Tennessee Titans who were 7-9 and getting better....and has them arguably the worst in the league.

Whiz sucks...my fandom doesn't But obviously you are not smart enough to see that....not my fault.

 

[Cards_Campos]

I see now why I had you on ignore.....I suggest you do the same with me....And I will place you back on there.....since you and Whiz are about the same intelligence.....Remember....WHiz will be fired in next 2 years....and he will never be a head coach again....we get bet that 5 dolla....genius

 

[desertdawg]

whatever superFan you should win Fan of the year....lol....im sorry if you think Whiz is good....Warner took 2 teams to super bowls that have sucked for a long time. BA has the same players actually less...then Whiz...and he has a great record. WHiz took over Tennessee Titans who were 7-9 and getting better....and has them arguably the worst in the league.

Whiz sucks...my fandom doesn't But obviously you are not smart enough to see that....not my fault.

And once again it must come down to other fans and other fan's intelligence.. other fans that stayed true to the game and the team the whole time, not just circling around like a bandwagon bottomfeeder when we win. You are still the worst kind of fan ever, you already think BA would tank a divisional game. You will thrash this team like I thrash your mama when we lose, don't lie. At least your mama likes it. :iwin:

 

[GatorAZ]

IM 45 I have been a fan for 37 years....I can hack being a cardinal fan.....definitely can handle that. last 15 years twenty times better than 1990's

I hated Whiz period....Never was overly angry with Chilli Dog..because he could draft....Whiz rode the coat tails of Warner.....and yet it took him 1.5 half to put him in and fought with the decision the whole time....and when Warner succeeded he looked like a good coach...when he wasn't. Grimm was awful too.

I love he Cards...I don't like stupidity...and they had an abundance of it with Whiz.

Hold up...

You hated Whiz for not going with Warner earlier yet you liked Green who wanted Leinart to replace him. Unless I'm understanding this wrong your post makes no sense.

Whiz believed in Kurt more than anyone and I remember a lot of people trashing him when he announced Kurt the starter even though Matt had a crappy preseason.

 

[desertdawg]

I see now why I had you on ignore.....I suggest you do the same with me....And I will place you back on there.....since you and Whiz are about the same intelligence.....Remember....WHiz will be fired in next 2 years....and he will never be a head coach again....we get bet that 5 dolla....genius

That's funny because me and Whiz was talking about your mama the other night. She always got our 5 dollars, and just like you, she sucked. :safe:

 

[Cards_Campos]

cant read it...don't want to read it...and If you hit user CP...you can ignore me too...and then you wont worry about my opinion. just like I don't care about yours.
I know im older....I know I have been a fan longer...and if I complain more....who cares....they are being run and coached right. and yes we have tank games before...Whiz did it in New England...and Green Bay...

 

[desertdawg]

Cards_Quitos

 

[Cards_Campos]

Hold up...

You hated Whiz for not going with Warner earlier yet you liked Green who wanted Leinart to replace him. Unless I'm understanding this wrong your post makes no sense.

Whiz believed in Kurt more than anyone and I remember a lot of people trashing him when he announced Kurt the starter even though Matt had a crappy preseason.

Green brought Warner here and then Drafted Lienart....Warner got hurt and Lienart played well his rookie season. But WHen Whiz got here.....Warner finsished the 2nd half of the season..with the 2nd best QB stats in the NFL...and still started Lienart the next year. That is dumb. Green didn't have any positives from Warner yet...so his decision wasn't stupid! Whiz's was...

ANd you are wrong!!!! He started Lienart and announced him...until Lienart threw 3 int's against the raiders!!!! And he started Warner...who only took us to the Super Bowl......Lienart was named starter after Warner won 5 games and threw for 300 yards a game. the end of the season.

 

[desertdawg]

cant read it...don't want to read it...and If you hit user CP...you can ignore me too...and then you wont worry about my opinion. just like I don't care about yours.
I know im older....I know I have been a fan longer...and if I complain more....who cares....they are being run and coached right. and yes we have tank games before...Whiz did it in New England...and Green Bay...

Unfortunately for you, your Cardinal loyalty is well documented. You quit more than batteries bought from the dollar store. With the stuff you've said on here, you don't get to say you've always been down. You are a bandwagon fan, plain and simple.

 

[Cards_Campos]

listen I backed Warner...it was obvious...and he proved to be pretty good...I hated Whiz and he proved to suck....that is where I stand...other coaches and decisions... are moot.....they all had bad flaws...BA so far has none.