Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
As Bert so rightly posted about the Cardinals' woes going back to what was one of the more dreadful pre-seasons in ages---it appears, first and foremost, that the players are going through the motions.
It isn't by pure happenstance that the majority of the few players who are playing at the highest levels this season (see messers Jones, Campbell, Jefferson, Swearinger, Jaron Brown, et. al)---are in contract years.
Then there is David Johnson, who has become enamored with the national; praise he has been receiving as a player and high fantasy league draft pick---he's playing in his second year of a 3rd round contract.
Then there is Fitz---who is as constant as the North Star.
Then there is Palmer, who is highly motivated, but struggling to galvanize an offense that is sluggish and mistake prone.
Then there is Pat P.---who remains an A cover guy, an F tackler and a C- punt returner.
BA&SK, coming off handsome raises, have not been on their A games this year and the players know it.
In short, Steve Keim never finished off the roster---he left the team too vulnerable in some key need areas.
In short, Bruce Arians has gotten so out of control that he's hanging players out to dry in the media, he's having zero success getting his team and in particular his offense to come out for first halfs and second half with conviction, he's f-bombing every ref on his sideline and calling the NFL's handling of officiating "BS."
The wheels have been coming off since the Seahawks humiliated and pounded the then 13-2 Cardinals into submission in Week 17 of last year.
The coaches seems all the more ineffective since then (how about the arguing on the sidelines versus Cardinals last January) and the players seem all the more tentative and passive---almost to the point where it makes one wonder whether they really want to play the games.
This is a team that on the whole look afraid of getting hurt---either physically or emotionally (if they put their hearts into it again).
This is a team that looks like it is not willing to make sacrifices again, this time around.
This is a team that looks like it wants a year off.
Is there a fix?
Can the Cardinals suddenly regroup and find their desire to win and with it, their mojo?
I truly believe they can.
First of all, they have to go 6-2 to win the division---and they can sit back and see this weekend that this goal is entirely possible given the state of the NFC right now. Teams are banged up and reeling---just like the Cardinals are---only the Cardinals get their bye at the most advantageous time.
Secondly, I believe that Carson Palmer, David Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald will lead this offense to a second half surge. The good news it that one of the only bright spots off the pre-season was the play of its second string offensive linemen who now have their chance to show their talent and their worth.
Thirdly, three young players are emerging as bona fide leaders on the defense---Deone Bucannon, Tony Jefferson and Markus Golden. These three play with a real passion that gets the entire unit fired up.
Fourthly, I predict that BA will take an added interest in the STs during the second half to make sure that he turns what has been a real liability into a positive. BA knows how important field position is and how important it is to cash in on STs in close games.
Furthermore, this week BA is going to get his A game back on. We are going to see him coaching ahead of the games, rather than behind them. That's the secret to great coaching. Not getting too lost or caught up in the moment, but constantly thinking a play to two ahead of the action.
The Chiefs came back from 1-5 last year and then they won handily in the first round of the playoffs at Houston (30-0) and then narrowly lost to the Pats in NE (20-27).
The Cardinals are going to be this year's Chiefs and hopefully exceed them in the playoffs.
It isn't by pure happenstance that the majority of the few players who are playing at the highest levels this season (see messers Jones, Campbell, Jefferson, Swearinger, Jaron Brown, et. al)---are in contract years.
Then there is David Johnson, who has become enamored with the national; praise he has been receiving as a player and high fantasy league draft pick---he's playing in his second year of a 3rd round contract.
Then there is Fitz---who is as constant as the North Star.
Then there is Palmer, who is highly motivated, but struggling to galvanize an offense that is sluggish and mistake prone.
Then there is Pat P.---who remains an A cover guy, an F tackler and a C- punt returner.
BA&SK, coming off handsome raises, have not been on their A games this year and the players know it.
In short, Steve Keim never finished off the roster---he left the team too vulnerable in some key need areas.
In short, Bruce Arians has gotten so out of control that he's hanging players out to dry in the media, he's having zero success getting his team and in particular his offense to come out for first halfs and second half with conviction, he's f-bombing every ref on his sideline and calling the NFL's handling of officiating "BS."
The wheels have been coming off since the Seahawks humiliated and pounded the then 13-2 Cardinals into submission in Week 17 of last year.
The coaches seems all the more ineffective since then (how about the arguing on the sidelines versus Cardinals last January) and the players seem all the more tentative and passive---almost to the point where it makes one wonder whether they really want to play the games.
This is a team that on the whole look afraid of getting hurt---either physically or emotionally (if they put their hearts into it again).
This is a team that looks like it is not willing to make sacrifices again, this time around.
This is a team that looks like it wants a year off.
Is there a fix?
Can the Cardinals suddenly regroup and find their desire to win and with it, their mojo?
I truly believe they can.
First of all, they have to go 6-2 to win the division---and they can sit back and see this weekend that this goal is entirely possible given the state of the NFC right now. Teams are banged up and reeling---just like the Cardinals are---only the Cardinals get their bye at the most advantageous time.
Secondly, I believe that Carson Palmer, David Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald will lead this offense to a second half surge. The good news it that one of the only bright spots off the pre-season was the play of its second string offensive linemen who now have their chance to show their talent and their worth.
Thirdly, three young players are emerging as bona fide leaders on the defense---Deone Bucannon, Tony Jefferson and Markus Golden. These three play with a real passion that gets the entire unit fired up.
Fourthly, I predict that BA will take an added interest in the STs during the second half to make sure that he turns what has been a real liability into a positive. BA knows how important field position is and how important it is to cash in on STs in close games.
Furthermore, this week BA is going to get his A game back on. We are going to see him coaching ahead of the games, rather than behind them. That's the secret to great coaching. Not getting too lost or caught up in the moment, but constantly thinking a play to two ahead of the action.
The Chiefs came back from 1-5 last year and then they won handily in the first round of the playoffs at Houston (30-0) and then narrowly lost to the Pats in NE (20-27).
The Cardinals are going to be this year's Chiefs and hopefully exceed them in the playoffs.
