Staying the Course

[vince56]

"You can't put the toothpaste back in the tube."

Rediculous. In the immortal words of Bill Romanowski, "Give me a syringe."

 

[TruColor]

Be serious. The Cardiac Cardinals had far more talent then this team. 3 HOFers if you count Wilson who retired early in 70s and Wehrli a finalist who did not make it last year would be the 4th. An offensive line that set a record for fewest sacks allowed. A team that went 11-3, 10-4, 10-4 and won the bad ass East two years in a row. Pro Bowlers: Hart, Metcalf, Gray, Tilley, Smith, Bakken, Dobler, Dierdorf, Banks, Young, Wilson, and Wehrli. I recall a ProBowl where 4 of the 5 starting linemen were Cardinals. I dont ever recall seeing that since for a team. Those Cardinal teams would put 7+ players on those Pro Bowl teams. It takes the current Cards 7 years to put 7 players on the ProBowl teams now at the current rate of 1 a year.

Coryell's Cardiac Cards were great offensively, but sucked on defense. One of the best all-time OLs, but I believe that the current DL and LBs are MUCH better.

This is why none of Coryell's teams could win the Big One - all offense, no defense...

Oh - and Larry Wilson retired after the 1972 season...the season before Don Coryell took over (and subsequently led the Cardinals to a 4-9-1 record; their third straight 4-9-1 season)...

 

[CaptTurbo]

With McCown in the lineup...we will be able to see just how creative Keith Rowen is, because it will be imperative for Rowen to use Josh's athleticism, particularly his running ability, in order to put maximum pressure on the opponents' defense.
.

You do not need Mike Vick speed to have movement in the pocket. More successfull QB's are more like warner than mccown.

It is a myth, said over and over on here, that Warner had no movement. Warners movement has been excellent this year. He wont tuck and run a 4.2 but he has those subtle step ups or side steps that are just as effective if not moreso.

 

[CaptTurbo]

is the very reason why, if McCown is smart, he will never re-sign here.

This is a matter of respect...which Josh McCown has gotten very little of from his head coach...and this is just another chapter..."OK, Josh, you can start, but let's keep this our little secret right up until game time..." This kid played his heart out for the last two games...he's thrown for nearly 800 yards in two games and he has the team's only win...why Josh's performance would merit a secret start is beyond imagination.

wow its getting deep in here. I better get my hip boots.

 

[Bobcat]

You guys, and especially Jim, are making me feel like Alfred E. Neuman. I would agree this season has been a disappointment. I would also agree that Green's ego often gets in his way (I expect him to go back to Warner). That said, this definitely is not the "same old Cards." Plus, winning or not, this is a fun team, though mixed in with equal amounts of frustration.**

First, even the Cardiac Cards weren't this athletic. This team has athletes. On offense, especially, this is still a very young team. It will be inconsistent. Receivers don't come back to help out the QB. They fail to read blitzes. The line doesn't pick each other up. It's easy to see the problems. The big difference between this team and its predecessors is that this team can be taught to improve. It has a huge upside.

Second, this team coaching staff is creative. Look at the defensive game plan against the Panthers. No NFL level corners, no true anchor tackle and no real middle linebacker and they play the Panthers to a standstill. Pendergast continues to grow in his role and that is huge. Much the same can be said for Rowen. I actually saw them throw a swing pass. Wasn't that Boldin I saw in the backfield? These are not the "same old Cards." They have a ways to grow, but this is not business as usual. This is about the coaches asking, "What can we do to win?" When an OC starts thinking outside the box anything can happen. They may have broken our hearts, but at least they weren't boring doing it.

Third, this team had little depth going into to the season. It was too much to ask that Green build depth by the second year. Also, the gods of football have not been kind when it comes to injuries, but this team isn't mailing it in; they're still fighting. This is a team worth paying money to see.*

I think they could win the next two, though the odds would be better if McCown starts. This kid is still getting better. He lacks a line, a tight end and running weapons, but he has the tools. If he doesn't make it here, mark my words; he will make it.*

I don't think they can still contend for anything, but I wouldn't write them off too easily. This is not a team of destiny, but with a little better fortune it may yet have a destiny worth seeing. Add one more good off-season and a new stadium and that destiny just might get fulfilled sooner than it seems at this moment.

THANK YOU GREAT ARTICLE. MAYBE NOW WE WILL WIN SOME DARN GAMES.

BOBCAT :notworthy

 

[phillycard]

I spoke with Josh tonight. He will start and he is very upbeat!WE will win this gam e o0n Sunday and who knows what happens after that. By the way spoke with Russell Davis and his wife they really would love to stay here and hope that thier agent can get a deal done.Also spoke with linsbacker Darling and his wife. She is going to have a baby in three months and he is very up on what Green is doing.


GBR
40

Josh has gotta keep his head up literally. He's the leader of this team at least for this week and needs to act like it. Get this one Josh!!!!

 

[jmr667]

Josh or Kurt. Arrington or Shipp. Who cares? First thing is the O-Line has got to get it together. Who said with a couple new players and a new OC this O-Line might take a while to gel?
Well its getting close to mid-season and we are seeing the pass protection improve. Now they are working hard on run blocking. If they can improve over the next 2 games on the run as much as they improved on passing in the last 2 games...

Gotta agree with Harry. Some of us got our hopes up too high and then dropped too low this year. If nothing else the games are not generally over by the time the 2nd quarter starts anymore.

 

[chickenhead]

I became a Cardinal fan when they moved to Arizona, but over the years I've come to embrace the entire history. Those 70s squads are some teams I wish I could have cheered for.

 

[conraddobler]

It's Arizona's team now but with the advent of Direct TV and all the internet boards like this, you can be a fan of any team you want and that's fun.

I understand the sentiment of being tired of hearing about the St. Louis days, this and that and to be honest with you I hope the team exceeds that because they never won a playoff game in St. Louis.

This team needs all the fans it can get and personally I am so stoked you all get a state of the art Stadium to watch the games in.

That will be awesome and if I lived there I'd hardly be able to contain myself. I might just have to fly out there and try that bad boy out next year.

Go Cardinals.