Catfish
Registered
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2006
- Posts
- 4,551
- Reaction score
- 64
With all the change that this off-season has brought to this team, there are still some things that remain unchanged. Unfortunately, one of those is the Cardinal's penchant for 'tanking' it in a game where they had the opportunity to take a big step forward.
BA, (in his post-game presser), dutifully took responsibility for the debacle that was 'Cardinal's Football' in U of P Stadium Saturday evening, and said that the poor play was fixable. He also noted that unfortunately, injuries aren't.
The injuries, (given the fact that the Cards on-field leadership failed to rouse their level of play enough to match San Diego's effort), were almost bound to occur. That almost always happens when two forces meet, and only one of them is willing to play as hard as the other. This was a near perfect setting for Cardinal's to become injured. They played without the fire and determination of the San Diego team, who came here with something to prove. Getting fired can do that to a man like Whiz, and he certainly had the Charger offense playing in high gear. From that standpoint alone, this game was very costly.
The fix that BA alluded to in his post-game presser may be harder to make than simply being a matter of preparation. This is nothing new for the Cards, (just ask any old time fan of the red birds and they will tell you). This kind of fiasco happens at least once a season, (more than once normally). In my opinion, it has nothing to do with coaching preparation. It has everything to do with on-field leadership, (or I should say, lack of it).
Many are saying that fortunately, this one occurred during a meaningless game that was not on prime-time national TV. Try telling that to the 60+ thousand fans wearing red at the Stadium last night. The disgust that they felt, and the anger incurred, may be very damaging to this franchise.
This could effect not only the string of sell-outs compiled at the stadium, but the change in colors worn by the fans at home games, which has gradually turned to red instead of the opponent's colors. This is precisely the situation that several posters, (myself included), had talked about early-on this off-season, when there was a post asking 'what the most important thing was that BA should know about this job'? Many posters, (if not most), felt that BA should not underestimate how important it was for this team to not fall into that old trap of settling into complacency just when things appeared to be going well.
This is NOT a battle hardened team. In fact, it is the opposite, in that THIS team did not scrimmage or tackle each other during training camp. The collective psyche of this team is very fragile. There are only really two on-field leaders, Fitz on offense, and Dockett on defense. Fitz, while quietly showing the way to prepare, is NOT vocal enough, (or 'in your face' enough), to lead this offense. That has to come from Carson Palmer, and until he steps in and takes charge of his huddle, he cannot inspire this offense to greatness, (as Kurt Warner did).
On defense, Dockett is the vocal leader, but that comes with a caveat. Dockett has the bad habit of becoming complacent, and not getting involved, (or investing himself), in situations where there seems to not be anything in it for him. This game was a perfect example of that.
Dockett hated camp, and was more than happy to get home to his own bed. That had just happened, and he was content. After all, his job was not on the line, the game was a meaningless pre-season game, and the defense had already shown that it was better than most. He could simply ride this one out. WRONG !!! That is precisely why this defense will never be great while Dockett remains its leader and spokesperson. He falls into this trap far too often, and too many of the other veterans follow him into it.
It is imperative that BA sees this, and that he realizes that part of this 'FIX' is that Dockett is either totally invested, (or subplanted), as the defensive leader on this team. Until someone on the defense is willing to step up and take this challenge EVERY game, and be the Ray Lewis of this team, this will continue to happen. BA is in the position to encourage new leadership on this defense.
Replacing the on-field leadership on this team will not be easy, but I believe it is imperative if this team is to take that next step forward to solid respectability. BA can influence it, but he can't BE the on-field leader. There must be someone to step-up and be the Ray Lewis for the Cardinals, and inspire us to 'return-in-kind' when the opponent punches you right in the face, no matter what game it is. A real leader refuses to allow anyone to come into his house and disrespect him. Right now, we still don't have that leadership established. Dockett seems to be supremely equipped for it, but he doesn't always deliver on his responsibility as the leader of the defense. When he fails to do so, the usual result is what we saw in Glendale on Saturday evening. In my opinion, until either 'he' takes responsibility, or someone else challenges him for that leadership, this team will not progress to REAL respectability.
BA, (in his post-game presser), dutifully took responsibility for the debacle that was 'Cardinal's Football' in U of P Stadium Saturday evening, and said that the poor play was fixable. He also noted that unfortunately, injuries aren't.
The injuries, (given the fact that the Cards on-field leadership failed to rouse their level of play enough to match San Diego's effort), were almost bound to occur. That almost always happens when two forces meet, and only one of them is willing to play as hard as the other. This was a near perfect setting for Cardinal's to become injured. They played without the fire and determination of the San Diego team, who came here with something to prove. Getting fired can do that to a man like Whiz, and he certainly had the Charger offense playing in high gear. From that standpoint alone, this game was very costly.
The fix that BA alluded to in his post-game presser may be harder to make than simply being a matter of preparation. This is nothing new for the Cards, (just ask any old time fan of the red birds and they will tell you). This kind of fiasco happens at least once a season, (more than once normally). In my opinion, it has nothing to do with coaching preparation. It has everything to do with on-field leadership, (or I should say, lack of it).
Many are saying that fortunately, this one occurred during a meaningless game that was not on prime-time national TV. Try telling that to the 60+ thousand fans wearing red at the Stadium last night. The disgust that they felt, and the anger incurred, may be very damaging to this franchise.
This could effect not only the string of sell-outs compiled at the stadium, but the change in colors worn by the fans at home games, which has gradually turned to red instead of the opponent's colors. This is precisely the situation that several posters, (myself included), had talked about early-on this off-season, when there was a post asking 'what the most important thing was that BA should know about this job'? Many posters, (if not most), felt that BA should not underestimate how important it was for this team to not fall into that old trap of settling into complacency just when things appeared to be going well.
This is NOT a battle hardened team. In fact, it is the opposite, in that THIS team did not scrimmage or tackle each other during training camp. The collective psyche of this team is very fragile. There are only really two on-field leaders, Fitz on offense, and Dockett on defense. Fitz, while quietly showing the way to prepare, is NOT vocal enough, (or 'in your face' enough), to lead this offense. That has to come from Carson Palmer, and until he steps in and takes charge of his huddle, he cannot inspire this offense to greatness, (as Kurt Warner did).
On defense, Dockett is the vocal leader, but that comes with a caveat. Dockett has the bad habit of becoming complacent, and not getting involved, (or investing himself), in situations where there seems to not be anything in it for him. This game was a perfect example of that.
Dockett hated camp, and was more than happy to get home to his own bed. That had just happened, and he was content. After all, his job was not on the line, the game was a meaningless pre-season game, and the defense had already shown that it was better than most. He could simply ride this one out. WRONG !!! That is precisely why this defense will never be great while Dockett remains its leader and spokesperson. He falls into this trap far too often, and too many of the other veterans follow him into it.
It is imperative that BA sees this, and that he realizes that part of this 'FIX' is that Dockett is either totally invested, (or subplanted), as the defensive leader on this team. Until someone on the defense is willing to step up and take this challenge EVERY game, and be the Ray Lewis of this team, this will continue to happen. BA is in the position to encourage new leadership on this defense.
Replacing the on-field leadership on this team will not be easy, but I believe it is imperative if this team is to take that next step forward to solid respectability. BA can influence it, but he can't BE the on-field leader. There must be someone to step-up and be the Ray Lewis for the Cardinals, and inspire us to 'return-in-kind' when the opponent punches you right in the face, no matter what game it is. A real leader refuses to allow anyone to come into his house and disrespect him. Right now, we still don't have that leadership established. Dockett seems to be supremely equipped for it, but he doesn't always deliver on his responsibility as the leader of the defense. When he fails to do so, the usual result is what we saw in Glendale on Saturday evening. In my opinion, until either 'he' takes responsibility, or someone else challenges him for that leadership, this team will not progress to REAL respectability.
