Positive Note on Derek Anderson

[Capital Card]

I'd like to add that Anderson and Fitz aren't going to go 3-15 again; (dear lord, I hope he doesn't try to proove me wrong.) but, I can now see how he went 2-17 against Buffalo last year.

Go Cards!!!

 

[Bobcat]

Why did he retire Like Kurt did?

 

[Derm]

This was the first time he's faced an NFL defense with the Cardinals a) not against preseason play-calling, and b) for more than a couple series. I'm as concerned as anyone, but I would like to qualify *some* of his inconsistency with that. If we see exactly the same inconsistency a few weeks from now, it will speak loudly.

right on.

I hope that DA does well and he redeems himself in the League.

I'm not making comparisons but what did the Giants fans think of KW as their QB? It would be nice that DA takes the same track as KW....

Dreaming is free, right?

 

[Sunburn]

right on.

I hope that DA does well and he redeems himself in the League.

I'm not making comparisons but what did the Giants fans think of KW as their QB? It would be nice that DA takes the same track as KW....

Dreaming is free, right?

Naaarrrrrrgggggggggggggg!

 

[conraddobler]

I thought parts of the game DA played were great and parts were mysterious to say the least.

I can't see any team going forward with a QB unless they can flush most of that inconsistency out, it just defy's NFL logic to put your eggs into that streaky a basket.

He's either got to be more consistent or good teams will roll us, JMO.

 

[thephoenixson28]

This is a good read on Anderson


Anderson's teammates believe in him


Derek Anderson already has something Matt Leinart never fully had: teammates who believe in him.

"I'll tell you what," center Lyle Sendlein said Monday. "He's got a lot of respect from us for taking those hits and staying in there."

One hurdle solved; another awaits. He must prove that he's more than a strong-armed quarterback with accuracy issues.

He didn't do much to dispel the rap Sunday in a 17-13 victory over the St. Louis Rams. He completed 53.7 percent of his passes (22 of 41) which is in line with his career mark of 53 percent.

His completion percentage ranked 23rd in the NFL after Sunday's games. Typical Anderson, many thought, but coach Ken Whisenhunt disagrees.

"I don't buy into that," he said. "I think he missed some throws. . . . but the guy hung in there, and he made a big throw at the end of the game to win it for us. That to me means you have a lot to work with, and I'm excited about that."

After a breakthrough 2007 season, which included a Pro Bowl appearance, Anderson's percentage dropped steadily, from 56.5 percent to 50.2 to 44.5. He didn't have the type of receiving talent his past two seasons in Cleveland that he has here, but it's clear his mechanics took a backseat somewhere along the way.

The Cardinals saw enough in Anderson's past performances to believe they could shape him into a more-efficient quarterback. There was evidence Sunday that they might be right.

Twelve of his 19 incompletions against the Rams came on passes to Larry Fitzgerald. Take Fitzgerald out of the equation, and Anderson was 19 of 26 for 73 percent.

Chemistry and timing is an issue. Fitzgerald lamented about it last week, expressing concern that Anderson practiced primarily with the second team in the off-season and that the wide receiver's sprained knee ligaments slowed his progress.

Fitzgerald clearly was bothered by the injury against the Rams. Botched routes and miscommunications also played a role.

Early-season stuff, according to Whisenhunt. The coach pointed to the 2009 opener, when starting quarterback Kurt Warner posted Anderson-like numbers: 26 of 44 completions (59 percent) for 288 yards and two interceptions.

Anderson will have trouble matching Warner's follow-up act. Warner redefined accuracy in the second game of the season against Jacksonville, completing 24 of 26 passes (92.3 percent) with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Both Warner and Anderson will be working on their footwork this week, but the latter's efforts will have nothing to do with the tango.

A lot of factors enter into the accuracy equation. Footwork. Arm strength. The ability to read defenses. Comfort with receivers.

"I think we've been spoiled the last two-and-a-half years, because Kurt and Larry had gotten I don't know how many reps together and had a very good feel for that," Whisenhunt said. "That will come."

Anderson acknowledged that "not having (Fitzgerald) for a month or three weeks throws a wrench in things. I don't know exactly how he feels, but it shows a lot of toughness to go out there and play. I had a knee injury in the past, and I know it's tough to trust it."

The Cardinals clearly are committed to throwing the ball. Their 266 passing yards ranked sixth after Sunday's game. They seemed at their most productive in a four-receiver set.

This is not a bad thing. At its best, it's an offense that keeps the opposition off balance. But it requires accuracy and commitment and a quarterback who is in tune with his receivers.

"I think resiliency is what I see in him, and leadership," Whisenhunt said of Anderson. "I think that the team responds to him. I knew when he threw the pass at the end of the game, they were happy for him.

"I think they have great respect for him because of his toughness. That goes a long way with your club."

Hurdle No. 1 overcome. Hurdle No. 2 remains a work in progress.

 

[conraddobler]

I don't doubt his teamates respect him but it's still about wins and losses, if he plays like he did yesterday we'll win about 6 games tops.

It was his first game, I will be looking at how he does against some more pressure from teams putting up more points than the Rams are capable of, forcing us to be more agressive than we were.

 

[seesred]

What were the positives

Since 1978, when the NFL adopted the 16-game schedule, and excluding the abbreviated season of 1982, teams that are victorious on Kickoff Weekend are more than twice as likely to reach the playoffs than losers of their opening game:

Of the 458 teams which won openers…243 went to the playoffs (142 won division titles).
Of the 458 teams which lost openers…107 went to the playoff (60 won division titles).

In 2009, 10 of the 12 playoff teams – Baltimore, Dallas, Green Bay, Indianapolis, Minnesota, New England, New Orleans, New York Jets, Philadelphia, and San Diego – were victorious on Kickoff Weekend.

The 17-13 victory over St. Louis yesterday marked Arizona’s eighth consecutive win over the Rams. It also marks the second-longest winning streak against any franchise in team history, trailing only the nine consecutive wins over the Eagles between 1974-78.

The win in St. Louis was the Cardinals sixth in a row at the Edward Jones Dome dating back to 2005.

The win also marks the third consecutive season the Cards won their road opener. It marks the first time the Cardinals have won their road opener in three consecutive seasons since 1972-74. Arizona is now 7-2 in its last nine regular season road games.

The Cardinals joined the Packers and Dolphins as the only three teams to win on the road in week one. The Ravens (@ NY Jets) and Chargers (@ Kansas City) play tonight on Monday Night Football.

The win improved the Cardinals record to 14-5 against NFC West opponents under Ken Whisenhunt. Arizona has now won 12 of its last 14 games against division opponents.

The win puts the Cardinals in a first-place tie in the NFC West with the Seattle Seahawks, who defeated the San Francisco 49ers in their opener.

As a team, the Cardinals rushed for 112 yards and a TD on 21 carries (5.3 avg.) in yesterday’s win. Dating back to last season (including the postseason), Arizona has rushed for over 100 yards in nine of its last 12 games.

Arizona’s first TD drive consisted of five plays, all runs, and covered 76 yards:
21-yard run by LaRod Stephens-Howling
15-yard run by Stephens-Howling
19-yard run by Tim Hightower
20-yard run by Hightower
1-yard TD run by Hightower

Arizona’s second TD drive consisted of seven plays, all passes, and covered 86 yards (15 yards in penalties):
11-yard pass to Breaston
20-yard pass to Max Komar
6-yard pass to Stephens-Howling
16-yard pass to Hightower
27-yard pass to Breaston
Incomplete
21-yard TD pass to Fitzgerald

WILSON DOES IT ALL
SS Adrian Wilson recorded two INTs, a sack, and a blocked FG in yesterday’s win over St. Louis. Wilson became the first player to record an INT, sack and blocked FG in a game since Julius Peppers accomplished the feat on 11/28/04 vs. Tampa Bay. Wilson became the first Cardinals player in history to record two INTs, a sack and a blocked FG in the same game. Below are notes about Wilson’s performance:

Wilson’s block of Josh Brown’s 34-yard FG attempt yesterday was the first FG block of his career.

With his two INTs yesterday, Wilson now has 25 for his career, passing Kwamie Lassiter for sixth place on the franchise career list.

Franchise Interception Leaders
INTs Player (Years)
52 Larry Wilson (1960-72)
46 Aeneas Williams (1991-2000)
40 Roger Wehrli (1969-82)
30 Night Train Lane (1954-59)
29 Pat Fischer (1961-67)
25 Adrian Wilson (2001-present)
24 Kwamie Lassiter (1995-2002)
22 Norm Thompson (1971-76)
21 Jerry Davis (1948-51)
Ray Ramsey (1950-53)

Wilson now has an INT in the last three games against the Rams. He had an INT in each of the Cards two games against the Rams in ’09. He now has seven INTs in his last eight games against St. Louis.

Yesterday’s game marked the second multi-INT game of Wilson’s career and the first since recording three INTs against Dallas on 10/20/02.

The blocked FG by Wilson was the first of his career (he has one career blocked punt: 10/26/03 vs. SF). Arizona’s last blocked FG was 11/9/09 at Chicago by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

With his second quarter sack of QB Sam Bradford, Wilson now has 21.5 career sacks, 7.5 of which have come against St. Louis. Wilson has more sacks against the Rams than he does against any other team in the NFL.

Yesterday’s game marked the fifth time Wilson has recorded an INT and a sack in the same game.

BREASTON’S BIG DAY
WR Steve Breaston established a career-high with 132 receiving yards on seven receptions in the win. It marked his fourth career regular season 100-yard game and first since 11/10/08 vs. San Francisco.

Breaston’s 132 receiving yards were the 4th-most in the NFL in week one behind Cincinnati’s Chad Ochocinco (159), Chicago’s Matt Forte (151) and Dallas’ Miles Austin (146). They represented the 2nd most yards in a winning effort (Forte).

Breaston had six receptions for 120 yards in the second half after the Rams took a 13-10 lead mid-way through the third quarter. He had three receptions for 73 yards on third down plays in the game.

Breaston had three receptions of 20+ yards in the game, including receptions of 22, 35 and 27 yards. Three of the Cardinals four longest pass plays were to Breaston.

Breaston made the biggest play of the day for the Cardinals. With Arizona trailing 13-10 with just over 7:00 minutes remaining in the third quarter, QB Derek Anderson was sacked by Rams DE C.J. Ah You and fumbled. Rams DT Clifton Ryan recovered the fumble and returned it 18 yards to the AZ 4-yard line before Breaston chased the play down and stripped the ball from behind. Cards C Lyle Sendlein recovered the Rams fumble in the AZ endzone, resulting in a touchback and Arizona re-gaining possession at their own 20-yard line.

Breaston also saved a potential TD with his tackle of Rams CB Bradley Fletcher following a first quarter Cards turnover. Fletcher recovered a Cards fumble at the STL-21-yard line and returned it 43 yards to the AZ 32-yard line before Breaston chased him down. Five plays later, on the Rams ensuing drive, Adrian Wilson blocked Brown’s FG attempt.

FITZGERALD HAULS IN 60th CAREER TD RECEPTION
With his game-winning 21-yard TD reception in the fourth quarter yesterday, Larry Fitzgerald now has 60 career TDs, tying Sonny Randle for second place on the franchise career TDs list.

Career TDs—Franchise Record
TDs Player (Years)
69 Roy Green (1979-90)
60 Larry Fitzgerald (2004-present)
Sonny Randle (1959-66)
51 Ottis Anderson (1979-86)
John David Crow (1958-64)
50 Ollie Matson (1952, ’54-58)
46 Mel Gray (1971-82)

The TD reception also gives Fitzgerald a TD reception in four consecutive regular season games, tying the third-longest streak in franchise history. Fitzgerald had five consecutive games with a TD reception in 2007.

Consecutive Games with a TD Reception—Franchise Record
TDs Player (Years)
6 Anquan Boldin (2008)
5 Larry Fitzgerald (2007 and 2008-09)
Ricky Proehl (1993)
Jackie Smith (1967)
Bobby Joe Conrad (1963)
Sonny Randle (1960 and 1961-62)
Bob Shaw (1950)
Mal Kutner (1947
4 Larry Fitzgerald (2009-present)
David Boston (2001)
Roy Green (1983-84 and 1986)

The TD reception also gives Fitzgerald a TD reception in the season opener for the third consecutive season. It marks his 12th TD reception in the last 12 games vs. St. Louis.

ANDERSON SHINES IN 4th QUARTER
QB Derek Anderson, making his first start for the Cardinals, completed 22 of 41 passes for 297 yards, a TD and a passer rating of 85.1. Where Anderson really made his mark was in the fourth quarter. With Arizona trailing the Rams 13-10, Anderson completed 7 of 9 pass attempts for 110 yards, a TD and a passer rating of 154.6 in the fourth quarter. His 154.6 passer rating in the fourth quarter was the best in the NFL in week one.

Fourth Quarter Passing Leaders—NFL
Rating Player (Team) Att Com Com% Yds YPA TD INT
154.6 Derek Anderson (Ari) 9 7 77.8 110 12.22 1 0
152.1 David Garrard (Jax) 3 3 100.0 33 11.00 1 0
146.7 Peyton Manning (Ind) 20 16 80.0 224 11.20 2 0
137.0 Tom Brady (NE) 8 7 87.5 59 7.38 1 0
128.0 Josh Freeman (TB) 7 4 57.1 65 9.29 1 0

On the Cardinals fourth quarter, game-winning TD drive, Anderson completed 6 of 7 attempts for 101 yards, including the 21-yard TD strike to Fitzgerald. Arizona was called for two penalties (15 combined yards) on the drive.

Anderson’s 297 passing yards were the 4th-most in the NFL in week one and 2nd most among winning QBs (Chicago’s Jay Cutler, 372)

FS Kerry Rhodes intercepted a Sam Bradford pass in the fourth quarter, returning it 65 yards to the St. Louis 29-yard line. It was the longest INT return of Rhodes’ career, surpassing his previous long of 50 yards, established on 11/9/08 vs. St. Louis, as a member of the Jets. Rhodes’ INT return was the longest in the NFL in week one.

LB Daryl Washington, the Cardinals second round selection (47th overall) in the 2010 NFL Draft, started at ILB in yesterday’s game, making him the first rookie defender to start on opening day during the Whisenhunt era. The last rookie defender to start on opening day for the Cardinals was Antrel Rolle (9/11/05 @ NY Giants). In his debut yesterday, Washington finished the game with six tackles.

RB LaRod Stephens-Howling rushed for 49 yards on seven carries (7.0 avg.) with a long run of 21 yards in yesterday’s game, all of which were career-highs. His 21-yard run in the second quarter was the longest run of the game for either team. As a rookie in ’09, Stephens-Howling totaled six carries for 15 yards on the season. In addition to his rushing totals yesterday, Stephens-Howling also caught three passes for 16 yards and returned three kickoffs for 82 yards (27.3 avg.).

With his first quarter sack of Sam Bradford, DE Calais Campbell now has at least a partial sack in five of his last seven regular season games.

P Ben Graham punted six times in yesterday’s game, landing two of his kicks inside the Rams 20-yard line. Graham now has an ongoing streak of 78 consecutive punts without a touchback dating back to last season. In that span, he has landed 39 punts inside the 20-yard line.

GBR
40

 

[TheHopToad]

Since 1978, when the NFL adopted the 16-game schedule, and excluding the abbreviated season of 1982, teams that are victorious on Kickoff Weekend are more than twice as likely to reach the playoffs than losers of their opening game:

Of the 458 teams which won openers…243 went to the playoffs (142 won division titles).
Of the 458 teams which lost openers…107 went to the playoff (60 won division titles).

In 2009, 10 of the 12 playoff teams – Baltimore, Dallas, Green Bay, Indianapolis, Minnesota, New England, New Orleans, New York Jets, Philadelphia, and San Diego – were victorious on Kickoff Weekend.

So it doesn't look good for the Vikings, Bengals, Colts, Falcons, Eagles, 49ers, Cowboys, Jets, and Chargers.

A lot of pre-season predictions could be in jeopardy.....or this year could be an exception to the norm. It is the NFL after all...

 

[lobo]

The only positive about Anderson is that if if you didn't watch the game, his stats didn't look too bad when compared to Bradford, and Bradford is being praised for a solid debut.

Bradford: 32/55, 253 yds, 1 TD, 3 INT, 53.0 QB rating, Loss
DA: 22/41, 297 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT, 85.1 QB rating, Win

This shows why stats can often be misleading. We would all take Bradford over DA in a heartbeat, but statistically, DA had the better day yesterday.

yeah and we would take manning all day too.....but with his 450 or so yards he lost too...gotta' watch those stats but the one to really watch is W and L!!

 

[lobo]

right on.

I hope that DA does well and he redeems himself in the League.

I'm not making comparisons but what did the Giants fans think of KW as their QB? It would be nice that DA takes the same track as KW....

Dreaming is free, right?

They wanted to run he AND Brenda out on the first stage out of town!!!

Know anything about training horses....some are literally impossible to break and you want them sent to the proverbial glue factory, and then somehow the light goes on in their heads....think about that

 

[Cards_Campos]

The coach had to come in and call timeout because there was going to be a definite delay called.

Yes but that was after Anderson got drilled and was holding his ribs. Remember? It was actually amazing Anderson stayed in for the play.

 

[Duckjake]

"I'll tell you what," center Lyle Sendlein said Monday. "He's got a lot of respect from us for taking those hits and staying in there."

Lyle, that is good for him but not for you and the other guys on the line. How about blocking somebody so he doesn't have to take those hits.