Peter King says Cardinals are 21st in the NFL

[cgolden]

First off, I'll start by saying I can't stand Peter King. He tries to come off as knowing everything about every team but instead he just looks ridiculous to the avid fan. Here he ranks every team by some metric and the Cards come in 21st under the title of "They Could Win Ten or Six." It's hard to argue with what he says here but my main complaint is with his ranking of 21st in the league. I will say that if Leinart can't play, I feel comfortable that Warner can lead this team. That obviously wouldn't be ideal for the future but strictly speaking of 2008, I have faith in the QB position. Edge is getting up in age and he has a ton of mileage on him but he's got at least one more season of decent production in him. All in all, I feel somewhat comfortable that the offense can perform well enough to keep them in games as long as the defense can slow down opposing offenses. Am I too much of a homer or is King the blow-hard I think he is?

21. Arizona. Paul Zimmerman wanted me to put the Cards higher. But I don't know who's playing quarterback, nor how good that quarterback will be. I don't know how much Edgerrin James has left coming off a 3.8-yards-per-carry season. I do know a defense that allowed a gaudy 399 points will be a little better because of the arrival of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie at corner. But every year for the past three or four, some wise man in the media (I think it was me two years ago) says, "This is Arizona's year.'' And in the last four of those Arizona years, the Cards have gone 6-10, 5-11, 5-11 and 8-8.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I actually agree with him. This team could win anywhere between 5 and 11 games this year. The safer bet would be the lower end of the win scale.

I'm thinking 9-7 with playoffs.

 

[nurnay]

I thought the ranking was too low as well, but I agree with his comment about the last few years everyone saying it was our year to turn things around (and you know how that went). Let them prove it this time.

 

[RedViper]

I'm not going to agree with his reasoning, but I will agree with his rank. Here's why. The Cardinals in their time in Arizona have the following trend. They will progress and improve the team to either .500 or slightly above or below and follow that with a year of dismal failure. 1994: they went 8-8 in 95they win four games. 1998: 9-7 in 99 they win 6 games, 2001: 9-7 in 02 they win 5 games. Until they follow up slightly good with a year of very good or great, I don't think we deserve very much respect.

I know a lot of folks want to talk about then new organization and how we've turned the corner. But until we prove that mediocrity isn't our high water mark and an eight win season isn't a guarantee of a complete wipeout season the next year, this is who we are. This trend is what defines us. We often reach that corner but for some reason we never turn it. The only way to change it is by making it happen. Right now it is still a dream that we won't completely crumble after reaching 8-8. We always have before.

 

[CardLogic]

I'm not going to agree with his reasoning, but I will agree with his rank. Here's why. The Cardinals in their time in Arizona have the following trend. They will progress and improve the team to either .500 or slightly above or below and follow that with a year of dismal failure. 1994: they went 8-8 in 95they win four games. 1998: 9-7 in 99 they win 6 games, 2001: 9-7 in 02 they win 5 games. Until they follow up slightly good with a year of very good or great, I don't think we deserve very much respect.

It was 7-9 in 2001.

There is a critical difference between 2001 and now. The 2001 Cardinals were a not very talented club playing their hearts out for Mac.

Problem was that Mac was a great motivator, but he didn't know how to get beyond being one big pep talk. Eventually that wears thin and the club begins to tune it out. They didn't have the talent nor the teaching (coaching staff) to sustain the momentum.

Where Mac was "all heart", Whiz is analytical; figure out the weaknesses and design and implement a plan to resolve them. The talent began to improve under D. Green and R. Graves and continues to improve; unlike in '99 when it was like a fire-sale. Additionally, the current coaching staff is the best since Coryell.

I don't know if this years Cardinals will improve upon last season's 8-8 record. But I am fairly certain that they will not fall apart and revert to "same ol' Cardinals".

If I have to guess... Cardinals will achieve the playoffs this season!

 

[RedViper]

It was 7-9 in 2001.

Correct. Thanks for catching that. I agree with all your good points on the differences with Mac's Cards. We are totally different from each of these era's. But, nevertheless IMO, they have to break the trend of mediocrity followed by suck until they will get real respect. I hope they do. There has never been a better time than now.

 

[earthsci]

There is a critical difference between 2001 and now. The 2001 Cardinals were a not very talented club playing their hearts out for Mac.

Problem was that Mac was a great motivator, but he didn't know how to get beyond being one big pep talk. Eventually that wears thin and the club begins to tune it out. They didn't have the talent nor the teaching (coaching staff) to sustain the momentum.

Where Mac was "all heart", Whiz is analytical; figure out the weaknesses and design and implement a plan to resolve them.

Running through a wall for someone is great until you realize that there are just more walls to run through.

Athletes would rather play for a coach that they think knows what he is doing.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

First we need to win more games than we lose. Then the rankings will follow suit.

 

[TJ]

This is just "pundits" sick of calling the Cards a "sleeper" team and being let down at the end of the year. Either they do it or they don't at this point. No more guessing.

 

[PACardsFan]

I personally hope that every prognosticator has us winning 5-6 games. Unless we get hammered with injuries (and it's possible), a 9-7 record would be a conservative expectation. I know the history of this franchise better than most, but this coaching staff is BETTER than even Coryell's. We really, really, really have the ability to be quite scary on BOTH sides of the ball. The offense under Coyell was dangerous, but the D was utterly putrid. Whether it's this year or next, this may be the absolute best team in Cardinal HISTORY!

 

[cardsfanmd]

Peter King is an idiot. Everything he writes is utterly stupid.

 

[SuperSpck]

Cardinals say Peter King is 21st in sports writing.

 

[Treesquid PhD]

Running through a wall for someone is great until you realize that there are just more walls to run through.

Athletes would rather play for a coach that they think knows what he is doing.

actually it was the media and fans that would run through walls for Mac the players quit on him.

 

[jefftheshark]

Cardinals say Peter King is 21st in sports writing.

lol, good one!

JTS

 

[cgolden]

Peter King is an idiot. Everything he writes is utterly stupid.

Couldn't agree more, I think my disgust with his work outraged me more than what he actually wrote. How to some of these writers get so much recognition for doing so little?

 

[earthsci]

actually it was the media and fans that would run through walls for Mac the players quit on him.

Not at first. The players loved Mac. For a while. Remember Emmitt talking about what a great coach he was to play for? Eventually they realized he couldn't coach himself out of a paper bag. Hence, the more walls.

 

[TigToad]

reminds me...

this reminds me of the Bengals assention from a few years ago. The Bengals were the 'in' sleeper pick for several years running... the media turned on them when it made them look bad... then they put on a burst and had a couple nice seasons.

Of course, then they self-destructed with criminals and low-character guys leading the way.

The media seems to be able to see the signs of improvement, but they are so eager to look smart they predict things too early. The Cardinals have gotten better every year in terms of talent for the last 4 years or so... now we gotta see if Whis can coach that talent better than Denny could. I think so.

Then we have to avoid criminals and low character guys

 

[40yearfan]

this reminds me of the Bengals assention from a few years ago. The Bengals were the 'in' sleeper pick for several years running... the media turned on them when it made them look bad... then they put on a burst and had a couple nice seasons.

Of course, then they self-destructed with criminals and low-character guys leading the way.

The media seems to be able to see the signs of improvement, but they are so eager to look smart they predict things too early. The Cardinals have gotten better every year in terms of talent for the last 4 years or so... now we gotta see if Whis can coach that talent better than Denny could. I think so.

Then we have to avoid criminals and low character guys

WOW!!! That's about half the posters on this board.

 

[black]

Couldn't agree more, I think my disgust with his work outraged me more than what he actually wrote. How to some of these writers get so much recognition for doing so little?

Me three. Peter is a perfect name for a hack.

 

[vinnymac]

I'm not going to agree with his reasoning, but I will agree with his rank. Here's why. The Cardinals in their time in Arizona have the following trend. They will progress and improve the team to either .500 or slightly above or below and follow that with a year of dismal failure. 1994: they went 8-8 in 95they win four games. 1998: 9-7 in 99 they win 6 games, 2001: 9-7 in 02 they win 5 games. Until they follow up slightly good with a year of very good or great, I don't think we deserve very much respect.

I know a lot of folks want to talk about then new organization and how we've turned the corner. But until we prove that mediocrity isn't our high water mark and an eight win season isn't a guarantee of a complete wipeout season the next year, this is who we are. This trend is what defines us. We often reach that corner but for some reason we never turn it. The only way to change it is by making it happen. Right now it is still a dream that we won't completely crumble after reaching 8-8. We always have before.

I agree with Peter King & this post a 100%