1. FOX PAW (Faux Pas)
Man, it was tough to sit there in the pre-game and hear the FOX crew gushing all over the 1-2 Panthers for the vast majority of their segment and then basically scoff at and quickly dismiss the Cardinals' chances.
Funny, how by the 4th quarter they were now talking about how Cam Newton is something like 2-10 in close games, then lauding the dominance of the Cardinals' defense and finally drawing close attention to the venerable coaching staff that BA has assembled.
2. D--LIGHTFUL
This was a defensive game for the ages---a Rembrandt---in colorful Jackson Pollack-like splashes of red, white and black (with tinctures of pink thrown in).
Have we seen such a dominant second half performance? I mean, ever?
These swarming Cardinals chased and harassed Newton and his receivers like mad crows.
A shout-out to the Big Crows---DOCK, CAMBY, TA-AMMO (this big boy has feet and some bounce, doesn't he?), D-WILL, MUTHA-RUCKA & TALLY MONKEY. They be bringing da chowdah and da hammah.
3. DYNAMIC DUO
D-Wash is Batman and K-Danz is Robin. WHAM, BAM, THANK YOU CAM!
Is there a more versatile duo of inside linebackers in the league?
In this pass happy league---these are the kind of new age linebackers you want. They can chase, they can finish, they can cover, they can pick off passes and boy oh boy can they get to the QB. In this game---how about the execution of the timing of their blitzes---especially Dansby how he delayed for a 1-1,000 count and then looped up like a Lexus RX350 up the free lane.
4. BLANKET COVERAGE
Peterson is en fuego---especially now that he's playing such fine technique, sans the holding and straight-arming. He looks in total command out there.
How about Jerraud Powers' textbook "off-coverage" (playing with cushion) on the go-routes?
Mathieu---sticking to slot WRs like the Honey Badger that he is.
Bell---much stickier this week.
5. Z-STUD, J-FREE and J-"Crystal" BETH
As clutch as Walter White.
6. DUKE ELLINGTON
Well, maybe not a Duke yet---but certainly Prince Ellington with "The Duke" in his hands.
He's become the darling and the personality of this personality lacking offense.
7. INVISIBLE MEN
Fitz, Housler, Roberts, Brown, Sperry---O for October thus far in second halves.
Ground control to Major Housler---did you happen to see his face in the huddle before the very play that Palmer hit him in the hand while Houlser was running his own route somewhere between Saturn and Uranus? If you have the tape---it's worth looking at. Dude's eyes are rolling around in their sockets like bees outside a hive. Talk about Lost in Space.
8. ROBERT PALMER
Throwing interceptions: "Simply Irresistible."
What's most worrisome---is
when he throws them----on first or second downs with the team driving, when you don't
have to force the ball.
Look---it's great he is taking shots at the end zone---but the plays have to be there.
The flea flicker---totally mistimed by Floyd---he should have sold run on the CB, then run his go-route. But still, Palmer can't under-throw the ball like that---what, all for a "jump ball"? You can get that easier any time you want by running Fitz as a decoy up the middle to occupy the FS.
The Kuechly gift---just like the pass versus the Saints where he panicked and threw wildly to Dray over the right hash. Just horrible and totally careless.
The tight window to Fitz---it was first down for crying out loud. The FS was sitting on it. A veteran QB has to read that. He HAS to.
Part of the problem is the 0 backfield strategy---which accelerates Palmer's decision making because he senses he has to play hot potato.
Fortunately, Palmer had more time than he thought this week---but he was still playing like he had to get the ball out as quick as 1---2---throw, when 1----2---3---throw would have opened larger windows.
The best news---two weeks in a row Palmer held it together and got the job done late. It's a crazy game---to think that Tony Romo passed for over 500 yards and all those TD's yesterday---but he couldn't deliver when the team needed it most and threw the pick that cost his team the win.
I've been saying this and I will keep on saying it---Carson Palmer needs to be be re-taught how to win. It's been too long---and there's been too many bonehead decisions on his part.
Hopefully---Carson will re-learn what it takes, and then we might as well face it, he will be addicted to winning. Usually you get the girl in those situations too. For me, any of those tall brunettes swinging electric guitars with their hair slicked back and shiny red lipstick gleaming in the lights will do.
9. WOO PIG SOOWIE
Yes, he's a Rebel, John H, not a Razorback, but if it's SEC it's all good---and Bradley Sowell played like a good ol' hog at LT yesterday. It was a good start---the proof was that for the first time in many many games I actually took my eyes off the LT position during pass plays.
How about the Mendenhall TD? What a superb down block that was by Sowell, and an equally impressive scrape and block the ILB maneuver by the unsung Lyle Sendlein. That was a HUGE play. Not to be under-estimated or taken for granted, that's for dang sure.
10. GOLD MINING
Even though the Niners looked impressive yesterday versus the reeling Texans---this time is as good as any to be panning for gold in SF. Willis has a groin issue---Aldon Smith is doin' the rehab---the WR situation is down---and Kaepernick has looked at time like a player who hasn't started a full season yet. If we can somehow match their physicality on the o-line---and I hear a jumbo package awaits with D-WILL and TA-AMMO both covering the guards---this could get interesting. Peterson takes Boldin and D-Wash takes the prima donna TE. Who knows? Maybe Carson's recent familiarity with the Golden Gate is the bridge to a stunning discovery----that the Cardinals are FOR REAL in 2013.
geez, PWI, Pierre?
