Totally_Red
Air Raid Warning!
The Chiefs are a very young team, that much is obvious.
The reduction in penalities is mildly encouraging, but you have to realize that two of the primary offenders, Darnell Docket and Antrel Rolle, did not see the field Saturday night.
The slow start by both quarterbacks is mildly concerning. This is a Cardinal offense that,k by and large last season, got off to very slow starts. I can see why Whis has deferred after winning the toss in both preseason games so far. Kurt Warner looked rusty and out-of-sync in his first series and almost threw a pick. Matt Leinart looked even worse in his first series with a fumble and a near pick. Both redeemed themselves later, although Leinart's redemption came against the Chiefs second-string defense, with the starting offensive line in place, albeit with the second string backfield and receivers. He also struggled with accuracy early on.
I am ready to say based on this game that backup LT Kelly Butler and third string LCB Tavarious Bain won't be on the final roster. From casual observation, both seemed to struggle. Butler was getting beaten regularly by backup defenders, and Bain seemed to struggle making tackles and gave up the late Chiefs touchdown.
Neil Rackers showed why so many of us are frustrated with him, blasting the opening kickoff out of bounds, then missing a PAT. Even given that holder Dirk Johnson admitted screwing up the hold, you can't miss PATs at any FB level. Johnson himself had ONE decent punt, but a couple others that weren't up-to-snuff. He really paled in comparison with Dustin Colquitt of the Chiefs, one of the best all around punters in the league. Why the Cardinals are so reluctant to adequately address the mediocre to lousy punting situation is one of the great mysteries of the Ken Whisenhunt era IMO.
Teams are going to continue to expose Bertrand Berry as they have when he's been healthy the past couple of years. He struggled getting pressure last night, and the only time he seemed to get near the QB was when the Chiefs were running screen passes to his side and suckering him in. He has to be smart enuf to sense when he is being drawn in, and back off to defend the screen pass. Don't be surprised if based on Saturday night's performances, Travis Laboy is starting against Oakland next week.
Karlos Dansby seemed inspired, although his overpursuit on one play, opened up the D to a big gain.
Edgerin James had a key fumble that the Cardinals were fortunate to recover, when Lyle Sendlein alertly jumped on the ball.
I thought both Steve Breaston and Tim Hightower played very, very well in extended playing time. Hightower made a good play holding the ball over the goal line, even though the official at the time missed it.
Larry Fitzgerald showed why he is an all-pro, but still managed to let a young CB knock the ball away on a good throw for a potential first-down by Leinart. Be strong Larry, be strong!
Adrian Wilson was very active and looked good out there.
All-in-all a decent performance against a very young Chiefs team that is playing hard for Coach Herm Edwards. Now let's see how the Cardinals do in the all important third preseason game against an improved Ray-duhs team on the road. It will be the most important evaluation and the most important test before the opener at Candlestick.
Go CARDINALS!!!
The reduction in penalities is mildly encouraging, but you have to realize that two of the primary offenders, Darnell Docket and Antrel Rolle, did not see the field Saturday night.
The slow start by both quarterbacks is mildly concerning. This is a Cardinal offense that,k by and large last season, got off to very slow starts. I can see why Whis has deferred after winning the toss in both preseason games so far. Kurt Warner looked rusty and out-of-sync in his first series and almost threw a pick. Matt Leinart looked even worse in his first series with a fumble and a near pick. Both redeemed themselves later, although Leinart's redemption came against the Chiefs second-string defense, with the starting offensive line in place, albeit with the second string backfield and receivers. He also struggled with accuracy early on.
I am ready to say based on this game that backup LT Kelly Butler and third string LCB Tavarious Bain won't be on the final roster. From casual observation, both seemed to struggle. Butler was getting beaten regularly by backup defenders, and Bain seemed to struggle making tackles and gave up the late Chiefs touchdown.
Neil Rackers showed why so many of us are frustrated with him, blasting the opening kickoff out of bounds, then missing a PAT. Even given that holder Dirk Johnson admitted screwing up the hold, you can't miss PATs at any FB level. Johnson himself had ONE decent punt, but a couple others that weren't up-to-snuff. He really paled in comparison with Dustin Colquitt of the Chiefs, one of the best all around punters in the league. Why the Cardinals are so reluctant to adequately address the mediocre to lousy punting situation is one of the great mysteries of the Ken Whisenhunt era IMO.
Teams are going to continue to expose Bertrand Berry as they have when he's been healthy the past couple of years. He struggled getting pressure last night, and the only time he seemed to get near the QB was when the Chiefs were running screen passes to his side and suckering him in. He has to be smart enuf to sense when he is being drawn in, and back off to defend the screen pass. Don't be surprised if based on Saturday night's performances, Travis Laboy is starting against Oakland next week.
Karlos Dansby seemed inspired, although his overpursuit on one play, opened up the D to a big gain.
Edgerin James had a key fumble that the Cardinals were fortunate to recover, when Lyle Sendlein alertly jumped on the ball.
I thought both Steve Breaston and Tim Hightower played very, very well in extended playing time. Hightower made a good play holding the ball over the goal line, even though the official at the time missed it.
Larry Fitzgerald showed why he is an all-pro, but still managed to let a young CB knock the ball away on a good throw for a potential first-down by Leinart. Be strong Larry, be strong!
Adrian Wilson was very active and looked good out there.
All-in-all a decent performance against a very young Chiefs team that is playing hard for Coach Herm Edwards. Now let's see how the Cardinals do in the all important third preseason game against an improved Ray-duhs team on the road. It will be the most important evaluation and the most important test before the opener at Candlestick.
Go CARDINALS!!!
