On to the Rams, your thoughts?

[blindseyed]

We pulled out a squeaker on Sunday, so Thursday, IMO, we cannot play like we did on Sunday and expect to win.
I really hope this was a slap in the face, a wake up call if you will, for our guys to understand they haven't "arrived", they need to prepare and play like the Super Bowl every game.

The Rams looked like they are improving, we'll be in their house, what are you all expecting from the team and certain players?

 

[Totally_Red]

We pulled out a squeaker on Sunday, so Thursday, IMO, we cannot play like we did on Sunday and expect to win.
I really hope this was a slap in the face, a wake up call if you will, for our guys to understand they haven't "arrived", they need to prepare and play like the Super Bowl every game.

The Rams looked like they are improving, we'll be in their house, what are you all expecting from the team and certain players?

To state the obvious, their defensive backfield is greatly improved.

Our receivers, particularly Early Doucet, have to avoid retaliating when Courtland Finnegan does something dirty and/or late - which he most assuredly will.

As Columbo would say, 'one more thing': the Rams have an awesome field goal kicker who has a range of 60+ yards.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Jeff Fischer is going to come after us with everything he has. Every trick, every mis-match he can make, etc., etc., etc.

This is a division game against a vastly under-rated team. They beat Seattle, and they can beat us.

Short week, after an OT win, nationally televised game, at St. Louis.

We will see

 

[cardpa]

After having gotten past the trap game with Miami I believe the team will not be under estimating the Rams especially after having beat the Seahags. In fact I expect to see a defensive effort similar to the Eagle game. Divisional game with an unbeaten streak on the line should be enough of an incentive to play well.

As always I do worry about the offensive game plan and how that will play out. If there is one glaring weakness on this team it is the game planning of the offensive coaching staff. Sometimes they are brilliant and other times they can't find their way out of a 10x10 room with an exit door on each wall.

 

[Cardsfanstl]

Rams d is improved. I expect to be sitting in the stands watching a defensive game. I predict Peterson runs back a punt for TD hopefully it is to the endzone I am sitting by. Score Prediction 21-17 Cards

 

[Totally_Red]

Jeff Fischer is going to come after us with everything he has. Every trick, every mis-match he can make, etc., etc., etc.

This is a division game against a vastly under-rated team. They beat Seattle, and they can beat us.

Short week, after an OT win, nationally televised game, at St. Louis.

We will see

Yes! Even with a short week he will have a trick or three up his sleeve. He used a fake FG to great effect against the Seahawks Sunday. You better believe he'll have something for us.

 

[kerouac9]

Take the ball out of the hands of Kevin Kolb. Their defensive ends are good; their defensive tackles are (below) average. Run it up the middle and demonstrate that you made a good decision in giving Daryn Colledge and Adam Snyder gobs of money. James Laurinitis can be pushed around.

The Rams offense isn't very good. Their offensive line is a mess. If we have a healthy DL, we should be able to rush only four, drop seven, and let Sam Bradford throw the ball to our guys.

 

[seesred]

This game concerns me. The Rams are coming off a big win. We had to play an hard fought overtime game. CC said the only thing he was concerned with is energy. We practiced last night,will do it again today. fly out Wed and play Thursday at 8(I think) eastern time.

Our D is the key. Energy the question. I believe, but it's not going to be a walk im the park!

GBR
40

 

[crisper57]

Rams d is improved. I expect to be sitting in the stands watching a defensive game. I predict Peterson runs back a punt for TD hopefully it is to the endzone I am sitting by. Score Prediction 21-17 Cards

Actually, in their first 4 games, their stats aren't all that different from last year. They can still be run on. They give up something like 140 yards on the ground, per game. I think this is the key. We have to get the run game going against the Rams.

Our D is pretty good at shutting down big time backs, so I am not too worried about that. I am concerned about Bradford. After the Miami game, I think Fisher will put the game in his hands. Our secondary better come to play.

 

[A fan who cares]

The Cardinals need to hit the ground running, literally. Run the ball on 1st down, play action on 2nd, draw on 3rd down. Maybe they can give the Rams a taste of their own medicine by using a fake punt or fake field goal plays. Heck, put PP behind center once or twice. Pass the ball when you have 12 personnel and run it in the shotgun. All you need are mismatches and this game can be won.

As for defense, don't underestimate the Rams. Always be attacking Bradford and Jackson. Trust our secondary to cover their receivers and blitz 5 on average every play. Go for the blocked kicks every time the kicker is out, but make sure you watch out for any funny business!

 

[Perfectionist]

The only way we win is if every prognosticator picks us to lose. Jay Feely will get the troops riled as Skip Bayless just told him we would not make the playoffs.

 

[Capital Card]

Hopefully, last week was a wake-up call that we cant ease up on anyone.

I think the game will go quick as both teams run the ball with some success. The key question is whether or not Sam Bradford can pull off a decent Tannehill impersonation against us? I don't think so.

I think we win a very close game. Put me down for 20-16, Arizona.

Oh, and I'd probably rest Dockett one more game to give his hammy an extra 10 days to recover. That is one dude we're going to need down the stretch.

Go Cards!!!

 

[crisper57]

Hopefully, last week was a wake-up call that we cant ease up on anyone.

I think the game will go quick as both teams run the ball with some success. The key question is whether or not Sam Bradford can pull off a decent Tannehill impersonation against us? I don't think so.

I think we win a very close game. Put me down for 20-16, Arizona.

Oh, and I'd probably rest Dockett one more game to give his hammy an extra 10 days to recover. That is one dude we're going to need down the stretch.

Go Cards!!!

I took the opposite opinion. Because it is a division game, AND he has ten days to rest after, he needs to go. It'll be interesting to see which path the team takes.

 

[A fan who cares]

I took the opposite opinion. Because it is a division game, AND he has ten days to rest after, he needs to go. It'll be interesting to see which path the team takes.

QFT. Dockett needs to dress for that game, he's the cornerstone of the pass rush. They can take him out early if we have a comfortable lead and he's hurting, but he needs to start.

 

[ThunderCard]

Defense:

Stop the slant and short hitch route passes. Have the corners play man and bump at the line with AW and Rhodes over the top.

Blitz often on 1st and 2nd down

Want to see Flemming over Gay and Toler. Also shadow Amendola with PP

Offense:

We need to start chip blocking and helping our OT early. Chris Long will be a handful.

Start running and practicing screens all week. The best way to get over aggressive DE's is short screens. The one to Ryan Williams last week would have been so good. He might have even scored with no defenders in sight. For some reason this team can never do this ??

We need to start running the ball effectively

More play action passing. I also want to see 2-3 deep balls to Larry Fitz

 

[ajcardfan]

The Rams have the upper hand going in to this one. Short week, and we are the team that travels.

We need to get up on them by ten or more points. Early sacks and turnovers will be necessary for us to win. Then, I think we will hang on late, by the skin of our teeth. If we get down to the Rams like we did to Miami, we won't win.

 

[NeverSayDieFan]

Expect the Rams' best....

That's a given. Home-field; national audience, Fischer's influence...ALL things point to a very difficult game to win. However, we have enough play-makers on either side of the ball to get it done. I expect a close game and hopefully, we win another "squeaker". We're good enough to battle ANYBODY but to think we're dominant seems a bit of a reach at this point.

GO CARDS! Mark in SC

FAN OF THE STILL UNDEFEATED ARIZONA CARDINALS!!

 

[slanidrac16]

Here's the match up that has not been mentioned.


Horton vs Fisher. Both have seen a lot of each other over the years. I see this as being a very defensive game that will come down to special team play and turnovers.

We need to stay patient and not give up on running the ball. Throw everything we have at Bradford.

 

[Mulli]

Cards have the edge in talent.

 

[Cards Czar]

The week spot for the rams is the inside run plays. Hearing about this all week on the STL Radio. If you can get early to Bradford you can rattle him into making mistakes.
Yes the Rams backfield has improved but you can throw over the middle on them and I hope the cardinals OC sees that and KK gets the ball to the TE more.
There should be about 25-30% Cardinals fans there. Yes I said that. There are more Cardinal fans here then you think.

GO CARDINALS!! I want LAMB CHOPS late Thrurday Night! "YUMMMM"

 

[PortlandCardFan]

An RW break-out game would be awesome!!!

 

[JeffGollin]

Thursday

First, I hope we don't automatically assume that past 4 weeks' tendencies will automatically continue in Week 5. Look what Hartline and Bess did to our vaunted secondary or how Wake - all. by himself - had more sacks than the entire Dolph team had over the first 3 games.

That said - there are a few tendencies that could work in our favor:

- Bradford's been sacked nearly 5 times per game. Gotta like that matchup.

- Steven Jackson is only averaging 3.0 - 3.3 yds per carry. We've been tough vs. the run.

- None of StL's 6 sacks have come from its LB's. Most if not all of the damage has come from their DL.

- 4 of their 6 leading tacklers are DB's. What's that say about their Front 7 as run stoppers? Or do other teams merely pass a lot when they play the Rams?

- Amendola is by far their leading receiver. Their TE (Kendrick) only has 9 catches.

It all seems much too easy. (Just like the Dolphins).

 

[DemsMyBoys]

The Rams are bottom of the league for home attendance. That could work to our advantage. No screaming hordes of fans in a sold-out stadium. I think shutting up the Pats fans early in the game was a huge factor in the win there. I can see us scoring early (please baby Jesus) and taking the steam out of the stadium.

I'd like to see how ticket sales are for this game.

 

[desertdawg]

The Rams are bottom of the league for home attendance. That could work to our advantage. No screaming hordes of fans in a sold-out stadium. I think shutting up the Pats fans early in the game was a huge factor in the win there. I can see us scoring early (please baby Jesus) and taking the steam out of the stadium.

I'd like to see how ticket sales are for this game.

 

[kerouac9]

The Rams are bottom of the league for home attendance. That could work to our advantage. No screaming hordes of fans in a sold-out stadium. I think shutting up the Pats fans early in the game was a huge factor in the win there. I can see us scoring early (please baby Jesus) and taking the steam out of the stadium.

I'd like to see how ticket sales are for this game.

I saw a tweet from Sando yesterday saying that St. Louis had applied for an extension on the blackout deadline because they were some 1500 seats short of a sellout for Thursday night.