Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
I spent most of the first quarter on the phone with DirecTV trying to figure out why the game was blacked out...they couldn't give me an answer. So I was relegated to watching and listening to the game on the tiny Game Channel screen and occasionally on The Red Zone---so honestly I missed being able to focus on the line play.
1. Epic Meltdowns.
No lead is safe when teams go into the prevent mode. Look at the Browns' 4th quarter collapse last week versus the Pats. Look at the Packers' incredible come from 23 down to win at Dallas.
BA said Todd Bowles used "every play on his sheet."
Except the ones where you play man on all 5 eligible receivers and keep 2 deep at safety.
The wide open receivers---repeatedly---even in OT---was a major mental gaffe by Bowles and the defense.
What's strange about this is---Bowles has been doing the right thing in coverage in recent weeks. And the team has shown it can for the first time in ages generate pressure with 4 rushers.
The pass rushers need to pin their ears back and feast off those situations. Yesterday they didn't in the 4th quarter. Weird.
2. Drive Extenders.
Horrible and stupid penalties for the Cardinals in this game, save Rashad Johnson's clean hit in the end zone. That one drive where they had the Titans stopped three times on third downs was excruciating.
Penalties are always a sign that a team doesn't have its head in the game.
3. The Cason in Point.
He plays the ball.
Because he actually turns to see the ball.
In this defense that's a smart thing to do if you are a DB.
Powers has been a weak link almost every game---and is almost never in a position to make a play on the ball.
Cason comes in and in one game makes two of the biggest plays of the year. if not for him, the vitriol on this board today would be off the charts.
4. The Deep Breath Technique.
I sat there as you did and watched the 17 point lead dissipate faster than a thin coat of snow on a 50 degree morning...and for some strange reason, I just got up when OT started, put the game on pause, poured myself a drink, and said just take a deep breath because maybe, just maybe, these boys can come back from this.
I recommend the technique.
When Feely split those uprights everything was good and right.
5. The Temptation to Write About Next Year.
Not going to do it. We will have forever and a day before next year's May draft, ugh. I just want to continue to see how this team, these coaches and these players continue to perform---and expend all my energy and thoughts into how in the world they can go into Seattle and stick the Space Needle into those cocky, arrogant, trash-talking, sideline strutting Seahawks. Harken back if you will to the day BA was hired and Steve Keim was at the podium and what was the one game that he swore would never happen on his watch as GM. Steve Keim has his hands on the Space Needle as we speak.
6. Carson City V. 2.0.
You know---he's more emotional, more demonstrative and he's learned that taking a sack here and there is better than throwing the ball up for grabs. Let's see if he can continue his strong second half push. The man is winning me over. How about you?
7. Saint Peterson.
Rough one for him yesterday---but, in fairness, no safety shades to his side and we all know why. I love the guy. This week, imo, we will see his true talent like we haven't seen it before.
8. Cold Play.
Major kudos to the Cardinals' offense for being left in a deep freeze for the last half an hour of the game while it became the Ryan Fitzpatrick Show. They calmly took charge of the game sans Larry Fitzgerald off of Cason's interception and methodically marched down to the Titans' 20 yard line. Mendy was tough...the line got off the ball...no brain fart penalties...no sacks...a nice pitch and catch to Dray over the middle. That was a beautiful little drive, particularly under the circumstances.
9. The Juke.
Most exciting play of the game was, imo, the pass to Juke over the middle where he left two Titans with their jocks up to their chinstraps. The versatility is exhilarating---even the FOX crew remarked, "that was a WR route." You know what? it was.
10. Taylor Made.
Best hit of the day? Stepfan Taylor's hit on the ever-dangerous, always seems to break a big one versus the Cardinals, Leon Washington. Not this time, baby!
1. Epic Meltdowns.
No lead is safe when teams go into the prevent mode. Look at the Browns' 4th quarter collapse last week versus the Pats. Look at the Packers' incredible come from 23 down to win at Dallas.
BA said Todd Bowles used "every play on his sheet."
Except the ones where you play man on all 5 eligible receivers and keep 2 deep at safety.
The wide open receivers---repeatedly---even in OT---was a major mental gaffe by Bowles and the defense.
What's strange about this is---Bowles has been doing the right thing in coverage in recent weeks. And the team has shown it can for the first time in ages generate pressure with 4 rushers.
The pass rushers need to pin their ears back and feast off those situations. Yesterday they didn't in the 4th quarter. Weird.
2. Drive Extenders.
Horrible and stupid penalties for the Cardinals in this game, save Rashad Johnson's clean hit in the end zone. That one drive where they had the Titans stopped three times on third downs was excruciating.
Penalties are always a sign that a team doesn't have its head in the game.
3. The Cason in Point.
He plays the ball.
Because he actually turns to see the ball.
In this defense that's a smart thing to do if you are a DB.
Powers has been a weak link almost every game---and is almost never in a position to make a play on the ball.
Cason comes in and in one game makes two of the biggest plays of the year. if not for him, the vitriol on this board today would be off the charts.
4. The Deep Breath Technique.
I sat there as you did and watched the 17 point lead dissipate faster than a thin coat of snow on a 50 degree morning...and for some strange reason, I just got up when OT started, put the game on pause, poured myself a drink, and said just take a deep breath because maybe, just maybe, these boys can come back from this.
I recommend the technique.
When Feely split those uprights everything was good and right.
5. The Temptation to Write About Next Year.
Not going to do it. We will have forever and a day before next year's May draft, ugh. I just want to continue to see how this team, these coaches and these players continue to perform---and expend all my energy and thoughts into how in the world they can go into Seattle and stick the Space Needle into those cocky, arrogant, trash-talking, sideline strutting Seahawks. Harken back if you will to the day BA was hired and Steve Keim was at the podium and what was the one game that he swore would never happen on his watch as GM. Steve Keim has his hands on the Space Needle as we speak.
6. Carson City V. 2.0.
You know---he's more emotional, more demonstrative and he's learned that taking a sack here and there is better than throwing the ball up for grabs. Let's see if he can continue his strong second half push. The man is winning me over. How about you?
7. Saint Peterson.
Rough one for him yesterday---but, in fairness, no safety shades to his side and we all know why. I love the guy. This week, imo, we will see his true talent like we haven't seen it before.
8. Cold Play.
Major kudos to the Cardinals' offense for being left in a deep freeze for the last half an hour of the game while it became the Ryan Fitzpatrick Show. They calmly took charge of the game sans Larry Fitzgerald off of Cason's interception and methodically marched down to the Titans' 20 yard line. Mendy was tough...the line got off the ball...no brain fart penalties...no sacks...a nice pitch and catch to Dray over the middle. That was a beautiful little drive, particularly under the circumstances.
9. The Juke.
Most exciting play of the game was, imo, the pass to Juke over the middle where he left two Titans with their jocks up to their chinstraps. The versatility is exhilarating---even the FOX crew remarked, "that was a WR route." You know what? it was.
10. Taylor Made.
Best hit of the day? Stepfan Taylor's hit on the ever-dangerous, always seems to break a big one versus the Cardinals, Leon Washington. Not this time, baby!
