The most impressive thing about this Cardinal team - No quit.

[D-Dogg]

I've been watching these guys lose in heart crushing manner after heart crushing manner this season, and have been wondering when they were going to pack it in. What play would it be that finally had them walk off the field in disgust, never to take it again as a team for the rest of the season.

Surely the Baltimore game would be it. And they came out vs. the Rams looking meh, but the defense was flying around. And with CC's block, and the incredible Patrick Peterson show getting a freaking lucky win for us, I felt that would probably be the pinnacle of the season.

But they don't have any quit in them. I have to respect that, completely. They played the most complete game of the season on both sides of the ball on Sunday.

They did NOT pack it in, and they aren't looking like they plan to pack it in anytime soon.

They now face the biggest test of the season, coming off a big win and building some momentum. However, SF always pulls their man card, tears it up and stomps it in the dirt. Then they make out with the Cardinals' mom and laugh. Next week they either suck it up and play tough across the board, or they wilt like daisies yet again.

I'm very intrigued by this matchup - a team that clearly has no quit in them against a team that has made them big fat sissy quitters for a few years now.

 

[Cheesebeef]

yup... i was wrong. this is NOT Mackage. i've definitely been on the ledge most of the season and hated the off-season and a lot of what wiz was doing at the beginning of the year, but he's kept them from quitting and that's saying something for any cardinals team. Not only that, but it seems like there's FINALLY some fire in Wiz on the sidelines which i've enjoyed seeing.

 

[Mulli]

 

[Catfish]

yup... i was wrong. this is NOT Mackage. i've definitely been on the ledge most of the season and hated the off-season and a lot of what wiz was doing at the beginning of the year, but he's kept them from quitting and that's saying something for any cardinals team. Not only that, but it seems like there's FINALLY some fire in Wiz on the sidelines which i've enjoyed seeing.

Agreed-----Seeing the Whiz join his players by investing emotion into the games the past two weeks has been fantastic. I suspect that seeing this emotion from Whiz is the catalyst that bound the team together in their common purpose these two games.

I know that I feel it as a fan. I can only believe that the players are relishing in Whiz' change of character on the sidelines too. The switch from the stoic figure hiding behind the play card, emotionless and for all practical purposes, uninvolved in the real time momentum swings and passion of the game, has brought about a new solidarity and commitment from the players. It is like the players believe, like I do, that the coach is finally invested in the ebb and flow of the games like they are.

In any event, this has been missing for about two years now, and it is good to see it back. This is much more like the Whiz who poured out his emotions on the plane ride back from the fiasco in New England in '08, and had his charges bring their 'big boy pads' to practice over the Christmas Holiday. I can't begin to tell you just how much easier it is to write about the games when EVERYBODY seems to be involved like the players are. Welcome back Coach Whiz, from wherever it is that you have been for the past couple of years. We have missed you.

 

[BigRedRage]

 

[ajcardfan]

The only time they folded this season was the first quarter of the Vikings game. That was obvious.

Other than that, I've never been able to say they weren't trying hard. Often making a lot of dumb mistakes, or just getting beaten, but they are not quitters.

 

[Darkside]

I've been watching these guys lose in heart crushing manner after heart crushing manner this season, and have been wondering when they were going to pack it in. What play would it be that finally had them walk off the field in disgust, never to take it again as a team for the rest of the season.

Surely the Baltimore game would be it. And they came out vs. the Rams looking meh, but the defense was flying around. And with CC's block, and the incredible Patrick Peterson show getting a freaking lucky win for us, I felt that would probably be the pinnacle of the season.

But they don't have any quit in them. I have to respect that, completely. They played the most complete game of the season on both sides of the ball on Sunday.

They did NOT pack it in, and they aren't looking like they plan to pack it in anytime soon.

They now face the biggest test of the season, coming off a big win and building some momentum. However, SF always pulls their man card, tears it up and stomps it in the dirt. Then they make out with the Cardinals' mom and laugh. Next week they either suck it up and play tough across the board, or they wilt like daisies yet again.

I'm very intrigued by this matchup - a team that clearly has no quit in them against a team that has made them big fat sissy quitters for a few years now.

Thanks for posting this, it had to be said. There's no quit in Cardinal-land. Not even close. We've lost 4 early games by a total of 11 points. They could have packed it in bigtime and didn't even come close to that. I'm very proud of our guys and the coaches for that, we all should be proud.

People get on Whis (and some of the players) for saying we're close, the system works, guys are just leaving plays on the field, etc, but that's the truth. You have to believe in what you're doing, and this bunch does. I'm most proud of our defense. They looked so lost out there in the beginning of the season, totally incredibly lost. These past couple games, while nowhere near perfect, they actually look like they have a plan, a system, a scheme on defense.

And no fingerpointing!! I've read so many comments wanting players to step up and call out guys publicly and that doesn't happen on our team. That is what being a pro is all about. Same thing goes for the coaches, you keep that stuff in-house, behind closed doors.

Regarding the 49ers. They are for real and it won't be easy to beat them. Personally, my only hope is that Horton figures out a way to make Alex Smith play like the real Alex Smith. On NFL Network they call Gore "the inconvenient truth" and that about sums it up.

 

[kerouac9]

Props go out to Horton for getting this done. Even more than Whis. The offense remains unproductive (20th in yardage, 23rd in scoring--thanks, Kevin!), but the defense believes that they can make plays and have a chance to keep us in games.

The defense pulled up stakes SOOOOO easily last year--maybe a lot of that was on DRC and Toler--but this year they don't let the Vikings roll over them after that first quarter, and keep us competitive and focused even when the offense can't get untracked.

I was a huge critic of the Horton hiring at the time and I'm happy to admit that I was really, really wrong. He wasn't ready to step in and run the D, but in half a year he's really got these guys playing.

Also, can we just put Zombie Joey Porter on IR?

 

[Stout]

Not only that, but it seems like there's FINALLY some fire in Wiz on the sidelines which i've enjoyed seeing.

Did you see him swearing at the ref repeatedly after that awful personal foul penalty on the Peterson return? One of the assistants grabbed him, and had to let him know he was on TV. He kept right on swearing at the refs, though he did try to hold up his play sheet to keep it from the TV

 

[Cheesebeef]

Did you see him swearing at the ref repeatedly after that awful personal foul penalty on the Peterson return? One of the assistants grabbed him, and had to let him know he was on TV. He kept right on swearing at the refs, though he did try to hold up his play sheet to keep it from the TV

what exactly was that call? i was at the bar and couldn't hear the play by play but it looked like NOTHING happened. i couldn't and still can't figure it out for the life of me. a little help here?

 

[Darkside]

Props go out to Horton for getting this done. Even more than Whis. The offense remains unproductive (20th in yardage, 23rd in scoring--thanks, Kevin!), but the defense believes that they can make plays and have a chance to keep us in games.

The defense pulled up stakes SOOOOO easily last year--maybe a lot of that was on DRC and Toler--but this year they don't let the Vikings roll over them after that first quarter, and keep us competitive and focused even when the offense can't get untracked.

I was a huge critic of the Horton hiring at the time and I'm happy to admit that I was really, really wrong. He wasn't ready to step in and run the D, but in half a year he's really got these guys playing.

Also, can we just put Zombie Joey Porter on IR?

Totally agree about Horton. I was kind of meh about his hiring when it happened, if not downright negative, but he has these guys playing a system that they're only going to get better in. Huge props for last week's gameplan against Philly: 2 Dlineman, 2 LB's and 7 DB's on 3rd down's and Vick couldn't do anything. First time we've used it all year and it worked, guys were flying to the ball. Acho and Scho make a huge difference on this D, that can't be understated. DWash is quickly becoming pro bowl talent. Knock on him is his size and strength but he was tossing Philly dudes to the side and getting hits on Vick or the RB, the guy is just a beast, he's got speed and power.

 

[Fitz Rulz]

what exactly was that call? i was at the bar and couldn't hear the play by play but it looked like NOTHING happened. i couldn't and still can't figure it out for the life of me. a little help here?

unnecessary roughness on #31 when he blocked as PP caught the punt

 

[cardncubfan]

unnecessary roughness on #31 when he blocked as PP caught the punt

I didn't get that call. It seemed like a good block to me.

 

[ajcardfan]

I didn't get that call. It seemed like a good block to me.

The announcers said a punt coverage guy can be considered to be defenseless, like a WR. But, the block didn't seem to be even a hard block, although the cover guy did get knocked down.

It was a weak call.

 

[PJ1]

I hope this post is still valid a week from now. Tough one coming up Sunday.

 

[PJ1]

unnecessary roughness on #31 when he blocked as PP caught the punt

I thought it was #45?

 

[82CardsGrad]

Props go out to Horton for getting this done. Even more than Whis. The offense remains unproductive (20th in yardage, 23rd in scoring--thanks, Kevin!), but the defense believes that they can make plays and have a chance to keep us in games.

The defense pulled up stakes SOOOOO easily last year--maybe a lot of that was on DRC and Toler--but this year they don't let the Vikings roll over them after that first quarter, and keep us competitive and focused even when the offense can't get untracked.

I was a huge critic of the Horton hiring at the time and I'm happy to admit that I was really, really wrong. He wasn't ready to step in and run the D, but in half a year he's really got these guys playing.

Also, can we just put Zombie Joey Porter on IR?

Not coincidentally, the uptick on the defensive side of the ball mirrors the reduction in minutes from Porter! Suddenly, Campbell's play skyrockets... Washington is playing like an legit All-Pro. Schofield is making an impact everytime he's on the field... even Lenon is playing better. Damn if Joey Porter wasn't a huge waste!!

 

[Fitz Rulz]

I thought it was #45?

Not sure. They only replayed it once. And it Whiz reaction on TV all the time after the call.

 

[Mulli]

Not sure. They only replayed it once. And it Whiz reaction on TV all the time after the call.

Ref corrected his call. It was #49.

 

[CardLogic]

No kidding...

 

[CardLogic]

I was a huge critic of the Horton hiring at the time and I'm happy to admit that I was really, really wrong. He wasn't ready to step in and run the D, but in half a year he's really got these guys playing.

Wow!

Also, can we just put Zombie Joey Porter on IR?

I wish! That would be a great decision, don't need him and it would free up a roster spot.

Sadly, I keep thinking that they are going to start Porter again when healthy.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Wow!


I wish! That would be a great decision, don't need him and it would free up a roster spot.

Sadly, I keep thinking that they are going to start Porter again when healthy.

starting Kolb when healthy I could somewhat understand, but if this staff goes back to Porter again when healthy it would truly be the definition of insanity.

 

[Darkside]

They're never going back to Porter.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Did you see him swearing at the ref repeatedly after that awful personal foul penalty on the Peterson return? One of the assistants grabbed him, and had to let him know he was on TV. He kept right on swearing at the refs, though he did try to hold up his play sheet to keep it from the TV

Loved that. It was easy to read his lips.

"That's B.S. !!! F'ing B.S. !!"

 

[AZ Native]

Loved that. It was easy to read his lips.

"That's B.S. !!! F'ing B.S. !!"

Loved it!