Love the win but STUPID STUPID STUPID

[TJ]

There were about 5 PIs not called and 8 holding penalties. The one that pissed me off the most is when we suffocated them in their own endzone and the RT was holding like crazy. That would have been a safety.

 

[conraddobler]

I was just shaking my head about the refs all night.

The head ref with a NY accent was the clincher, oh no I'm sure he'll call a fair game, really he will.

 

[moklerman]

Okay but if Boldin isn't on that play who gets the huge gain that puts us in FG range before the end of the half.

Boldin deserves a lot of praise for doing what 99% of us probably couldn't and that is run up and down the field while injured all game AND still make an impact at even 25% of his ability.

I'm not saying he shouldn't have played at all but by that play, his ankle had him hobbled. He played pretty well in the first half but the ankle seemed to keep getting worse as the game went on.

Like I said though, it's just a nitpick. I'm sure Boldin thought he could beat the coverage and it sure looked like he was refusing to acknowledge the pain trying to run that pattern but there's only so fast you can go on a flat tire.

Just like last week, I'm not going to spend much time micro analyzing every negative thing that happened in the game because a perfect game isn't going to happen.

The Cardinals won on the road without playing their best, with 3 starters in the secondary banged up or out, with Boldin at less than 100% and Warner not having a great day. I have nothing but praise for the team effort tonight.

Of course, I was having flashbacks on the 3rd and 15 conversion and the last pass that was eventually intercepted had me wringing my hands. The pass was just over the underneath coverage and the receiver looked like he was going to catch it just like in the Super Bowl. Thank goodness it was Eli and not Ben.

 

[EndZone]

Looking back, it was 5.26 in the 4th. We were at the NYG's 37, which puts the FG attempt at 54 yds assuming no gain. So, just looking at the numbers after the game (and not in the heat of the moment) - it was the right call.

Despite what I posted mere moments ago...

I am talking about at like 3:30ish not the 5 minute mark. We had like 5 runs in a row, all of them for positive yardage...we were in field goal range and Kurt took a sack back at the 45. Oh well, we won

 

[az1965]

The defense won the game
but I did not like 3 plays that could have costed us the game

1) Giants 3rd & 11 and we committed two offsides to move Giants to 3rd & 1

2) Giants again 3rd & 11 and couldn't get a 1st down but a 15 yards penalty against Dansby

3) 3rd & 14 for the Giants near on their 4 - and Eli managed a long pass for 26 yards

We need some consistency of 3rd & long defense. Either we commit penalties or we sleep sometimes

Wilson had a clear int dropped from his hands.

 

[splitsecond]

Baby steps. We made some HUGE gains this game on both offense and defense and corrected a TON of errors that we have been making all season. Beanie's coming out will only help us in the future to be able to run in these situations. Patience, this team is finally 100% in the right direction IMO.

 

[Perfectionist]

Baby steps. We made some HUGE gains this game on both offense and defense and corrected a TON of errors that we have been making all season. Beanie's coming out will only help us in the future to be able to run in these situations. Patience, this team is finally 100% in the right direction IMO.

But those back to back defensive offsides for 10 yards, is enough to make anyone scream.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I completely agree.

I was screaming at the TV for the same reason.

Kinda crazy we didn't run the ball in that situation, and take more time off the clock.

Especially with Beanie running like he was last night.

 

[SuperSpck]

While I'd have liked to see more rushes I get why they passed, but why didn't they at least line up in conventional formations and give the PA a shot.

If a team can't get a PA pass off when the other team knows the Cards are probably going to try to run then they have no hope at all.

I really hope Coach takes something away from that experience. You can learn in a win as easily as a loss.

 

[New Mexico]

Loved the aggressive play call. If it had worked, Whiz would have been a genius and it usually does work! 54 yard field goal in the swirling Meadowland winds? Come on!

 

[Mr Rogers]

Maybe I am a year late in saying this, but it sure is nice to be finding fault in a win rather than finding a silver lining in a turd of a game.

That said the Cards better whoop on the Panthers like it's the playoffs again next week.

 

[bg7brd]

While I'd have liked to see more rushes I get why they passed, but why didn't they at least line up in conventional formations and give the PA a shot.

If a team can't get a PA pass off when the other team knows the Cards are probably going to try to run then they have no hope at all.

I really hope Coach takes something away from that experience. You can learn in a win as easily as a loss.

Thats exactly what I was thinking. To me , it was a perfect time for play action. I was thinking the very first play from scrimmage when Warner faked the hand off and rolled out. That would have been a nice call in that situation.

 

[RedRob]

The reason we didn't run...

Add these together:

#1 - Coach is terrified that one of our backs will fumble the football, especially in this particular situation. This situation referring to the defense that's expecting the run, stuffs the back at the LOS, holds the running back up, and strips the ball away (ala James against the Bears on MNF).

#1A - Coach has more faith in Warner, Fitz, Breastonn combo than he does in offensive line, running back combo.

#2 - Coach Whiz is aggressive in his philosophy, not only on offense (passing in obvious run situations), but on defense as well when Coach Davis never let off of the blitzes.

#3 - Field position - Did you notice how bad the wind was swirling? Feagles punts were just awful and he's one of the best in the biz. We would have needed to be on the 15 yard line prior to attempting to kick a field goal (32 yarder). Whiz was thinking a couple first downs and we win the game, I think there is a final touchdown drive by the opposing team that occured recently, approximately 9 months ago, that still sticks in his mind.

I know it is a sad day when a concern for fumbling is so huge that we risk a pass and interception, but I think it's a very real concern.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

So you can list one time it didnt work.. how bout the 100 times it worked before that?

Well, to be fair we had a similar circumstance in the second half of the Texans game, we passed when we should have ran, and it almost cost us the game.

Furthermore, against the Seahawks we ran when we were supposed to in the second half, and the Hawks never had a chance to come back.

I agree, and would add that the fact we passed it on 1st, 2nd and 3rd down in that situation with 3 minutes to go was a very poor decsion.

We should have ran it, I said it then, I say it now, and will say it in the future if we keep trying to do it.

 

[Duckjake]

Add these together:

#1 - Coach is terrified that one of our backs will fumble the football, especially in this particular situation. This situation referring to the defense that's expecting the run, stuffs the back at the LOS, holds the running back up, and strips the ball away (ala James against the Bears on MNF).

#1A - Coach has more faith in Warner, Fitz, Breastonn combo than he does in offensive line, running back combo.

#2 - Coach Whiz is aggressive in his philosophy, not only on offense (passing in obvious run situations), but on defense as well when Coach Davis never let off of the blitzes.

#3 - Field position - Did you notice how bad the wind was swirling? Feagles punts were just awful and he's one of the best in the biz. We would have needed to be on the 15 yard line prior to attempting to kick a field goal (32 yarder). Whiz was thinking a couple first downs and we win the game, I think there is a final touchdown drive by the opposing team that occured recently, approximately 9 months ago, that still sticks in his mind.

I know it is a sad day when a concern for fumbling is so huge that we risk a pass and interception, but I think it's a very real concern.

The Cards need to get a RB who is about 250 or so who can just bang it 3 times with both hands on the ball and take about 6-7 guys to bring him down and then run 10-20 seconds extra off the clock getting all the guys off the pile.

Like that guy who played for the Vikings, I forget his name, who said "If you need 3 yards I'll get you 3 yards. If you need 5 yards I'll get you 3 yards."

 

[slanidrac16]

One problem when questioning the play calling for this team is just who is to blame?
We know Kurt has freedom to change the play. Did he?

The other logic here is how often do we get pissed off when a team stops doing what we do best? ANY play called when unsuccessful can be deemed the wrong call.

I know when we had the G-men down near the goal with 2 minutes I was PLEADING for the D to keep doing what they were doing and not go into a prevent. That's just what we did.

However, had we blitzed and Manning would have hooked up for a 90 yard pass and run, what would we be saying today.

Bottom line, when the game is on the line and we call a play, I can live with the call if it involves Fitz, Q, or Breaston.

 

[MrYeahBut]

Like that guy who played for the Vikings, I forget his name, who said "If you need 3 yards I'll get you 3 yards. If you need 5 yards I'll get you 3 yards."

"If you need 1 yard, I'll get you 3, if you need 5 yards, I'll get you 3"

Leroy Hoard, Mini Vikes

 

[DieHardCardFan]

The dude was all over Larry's back before the ball got there. Shoulda been a flag. Personally, I have no problem asking your superstars to ice the game.

Exactly!!!

 

[football karma]

Come on admit it how many of you wanted to jump through the TV and strangle somebody when the Cards threw the ball on the first play of the drive from their own 42 with 3:52 left in the game? And then threw it on 2nd and 3rd down and went 3 and out and only ran one minute off the clock?!?!!?

I almost had a stroke.

in one of the monday interviews, Wis mentioned that on the first down, they had gotten Larry one on one with a CB and were going for the "kill shot" -- but the pass got batted down at the line.

Obviously, the best case is to run the ball and pick up a first down. However, I don't really have an issue with the "kill shot" approach.

The reality is that even if you run the ball three times without a first down, you punt the ball back to the Giants with just a hair under 2 mins left, but they have all three timeouts. Still plenty of time for them.

 

[Duckjake]

in one of the monday interviews, Wis mentioned that on the first down, they had gotten Larry one on one with a CB and were going for the "kill shot" -- but the pass got batted down at the line.

Obviously, the best case is to run the ball and pick up a first down. However, I don't really have an issue with the "kill shot" approach.

The reality is that even if you run the ball three times without a first down, you punt the ball back to the Giants with just a hair under 2 mins left, but they have all three timeouts. Still plenty of time for them.

Unfortunately the Cards also had #20 zero on one* and so they give the Giants back the ball with just under 3 minutes left and an extra time out with the two minute warning.

Even though it all worked out I still can't wait for the day the Cards can run the ball late in games and actually pick up a first down.

*It looked like the Cards blocked that play to make it look like a run. But that left nobody to block #20 if he blitzed, which he did, and when Sendlein released to block a LB the DT just ran right by Wells. Warner never had a chance.

 

[conraddobler]

Unfortunately the Cards also had #20 zero on one* and so they give the Giants back the ball with just under 3 minutes left and an extra time out with the two minute warning.

Even though it all worked out I still can't wait for the day the Cards can run the ball late in games and actually pick up a first down.

*It looked like the Cards blocked that play to make it look like a run. But that left nobody to block #20 if he blitzed, which he did, and when Sendlein released to block a LB the DT just ran right by Wells. Warner never had a chance.

Correct.

It's nitpicky and all and on the bright side we won the game.

I know I'm guilty of being too harsh sometimes, it seems all teams make mistakes, there are very few examples of teams that seem to be rock solid in all phases of the game but if you watch closely those that tend to be more so tend to end up playing for the championship and winning it.

So all our complaining might be for nothing or it might be just pointing out what it really takes to win it all.

 

[Cards232]

Thats exactly what I was thinking. To me , it was a perfect time for play action. I was thinking the very first play from scrimmage when Warner faked the hand off and rolled out. That would have been a nice call in that situation.

Great point! I've been thinking this all season, why don't we play action more? Warner's qb rating out of play action is insane & in my opinion would do more to open the pass game than the run would (not to say we shouldn't run). It would certainly give that split second more for deeper routes.

Also, let's get real. Whis comes from the Steelers & always had that run game mentality. That's the fiber of his being. His reluctance to run late in games says more about his lack of faith in the o-line & run game than a shift in philosophy IMHO.

But, we were running better on Sunday & if you watch the tapes, they were biting HARD on the run, especially w/ Wells running, meaning that play action would have opened up huge holes in the zones, especially deep. I can only wonder if Whis isn't saving this kind of stuff for later in the year. He's a pretty bright guy & he has to be seeing what I & many others here are seeing. Interesting.

 

[Cards232]

in one of the monday interviews, Wis mentioned that on the first down, they had gotten Larry one on one with a CB and were going for the "kill shot" -- but the pass got batted down at the line.

Obviously, the best case is to run the ball and pick up a first down. However, I don't really have an issue with the "kill shot" approach.

The reality is that even if you run the ball three times without a first down, you punt the ball back to the Giants with just a hair under 2 mins left, but they have all three timeouts. Still plenty of time for them.

Personally, I like the kill mentality better than the passive "not lose" mentality we've had in the past that has lost us far more games.

BTW, on another topic, what was up w/ Levi's cheap shot chop block? I've been trying to give the guy some slack, but my patience is wearing thin. That cost us big, but is also just flat out wrong on so many levels. Bridges anyone?

 

[football karma]

Unfortunately the Cards also had #20 zero on one* and so they give the Giants back the ball with just under 3 minutes left and an extra time out with the two minute warning.

Even though it all worked out I still can't wait for the day the Cards can run the ball late in games and actually pick up a first down.

*It looked like the Cards blocked that play to make it look like a run. But that left nobody to block #20 if he blitzed, which he did, and when Sendlein released to block a LB the DT just ran right by Wells. Warner never had a chance.

I wonder if it was an audible that was missed

 

[Shane]

Look at the bright side. If warner drops back and gets sacked it takes just as much time off the **** as a run.

So it isn't all bad.