Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
I really feel for Ken Whisenhunt. He had to use up a good offensive gimmick that I’m certain he wanted to save for the Steelers. Now he must face them with an even further depleted line and one of his biggest weapons likely on the bench. Despite naming Leinart as the starter, don’t be surprised if Warner takes the first series. The Cards need to get the Steelers’ defense back on their heels and they also need to open up the field, so Edge can have some impact. I expect even if Whisenhunt does this and it works, he will return to Leinart with the second series.
Despite the loss of Boldin, the weakness of Johnson and no weapon at tight end, the Cards will have to beat Pittsburgh through the air if they are to compete. Look for them to throw often to players coming out of the backfield. It's also time for Fitzgerald to assert himself.
On defense they must find a way to both limit the run and get pressure on Roethlisberger. Like Whisenhunt, Tomlin is an outstanding first year coach. His team won’t beat itself, as the Seahawks did. I think the Cards will be hard pressed to win this game. If they play well and lose, try to be encouraged. The remainder of their schedule does not include another opponent as tough as this one. So even if the Cards fall to a record of 1-3, they aren’t out of the hunt. They will have little margin for error, but they do have a legitimate chance. The decline of Seattle, St. Louis, Atlanta and New Orleans has left the Cards with the most favorable schedule in the league. If the injuries don’t get any worse, the Cards could still finish 9-7.
Despite the loss of Boldin, the weakness of Johnson and no weapon at tight end, the Cards will have to beat Pittsburgh through the air if they are to compete. Look for them to throw often to players coming out of the backfield. It's also time for Fitzgerald to assert himself.
On defense they must find a way to both limit the run and get pressure on Roethlisberger. Like Whisenhunt, Tomlin is an outstanding first year coach. His team won’t beat itself, as the Seahawks did. I think the Cards will be hard pressed to win this game. If they play well and lose, try to be encouraged. The remainder of their schedule does not include another opponent as tough as this one. So even if the Cards fall to a record of 1-3, they aren’t out of the hunt. They will have little margin for error, but they do have a legitimate chance. The decline of Seattle, St. Louis, Atlanta and New Orleans has left the Cards with the most favorable schedule in the league. If the injuries don’t get any worse, the Cards could still finish 9-7.
