Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
Interesting to see that heading into tonight's opener the two straws who stir the Cardinals' drink on offense and defense, Andre Ellington and Tyrann Mathieu respectively, are game-time decisions.
On the one hand, you want the team to be cautious with its two most dynamic catalysts---and yet, on the other hand, you want them to play and be the game changers they are.
The good news is that Ellington is no longer the team's only speed threat on offense thanks to the additions of Brown and Ginn and the depth in the Cardinals' secondary has been developing nicely thanks to the efforts of messers Jefferson, Johnson, Bucannon, Peterson, Cromartie, Powers and Bethel.
This game versus the Chargers is quite a challenge, obviously, especially seeing as the Chargers are a playoff caliber team coming off a good season and that it is Monday Night Football, a venue that has not been very auspicious for the Cardinals historically speaking.
Then there will be the emotion of inducting Kurt Warner into the Cardinals' Ring of Honor at half-time---where one wonders whether the fans will be feeling very good about the Cardinals' first half performance or still wishing the the magic of Kurt Warner had never left the building. Regardless, Warner deserves his rightful place in The Ring and it is nice to be able to broadcast the ceremony on national TV.
The players who worry me most on the Chargers are TE Antonio Gates on offense (who has carved us up at will whenever he has played us) and DT/DE Corey Liuget (who is big and cat-quick and quite a first game assignment for new LG Ted Larsen. I worry about the Chargers RBs Ryan Matthews and Danny Woodhead---as much in their all-purpose ability as in their rushing potential. Plus---the Charger WRs, led by Keenan Allen are gamers. Back on the pther side of the ball, the trio of edge rushers in messers Ingram, Freeney and Johnson could make things very difficult for the Cardinals' passing game.
The biggest dilemma for me personally is what in the world to do about the game and work tomorrow. If I watch the game live and stay up until 2 AM EDT doing so---I can only get 3 hours of sleep (that is if I can get to sleep while being wired thinking about the game). If I tape the game and wake up at 4 AM (to watch a speed version of the game for two hours)---can I possibly sleep (for the first time ever) while knowing the Cardinals are on live? I think I would be waking up every ten minutes and wondering what the score is. I have been thinking about taking a personal day at work---but I hate the guilt that comes with that. I just can't enjoy it the way I would want to. Anyone have some advice?
In any event, I hope everyone enjoys the game tonight and that the Cardinals come out of the gates soaring! Hope everyone endured the flood. Stay dry---but stay thirsty, my friends!
On the one hand, you want the team to be cautious with its two most dynamic catalysts---and yet, on the other hand, you want them to play and be the game changers they are.
The good news is that Ellington is no longer the team's only speed threat on offense thanks to the additions of Brown and Ginn and the depth in the Cardinals' secondary has been developing nicely thanks to the efforts of messers Jefferson, Johnson, Bucannon, Peterson, Cromartie, Powers and Bethel.
This game versus the Chargers is quite a challenge, obviously, especially seeing as the Chargers are a playoff caliber team coming off a good season and that it is Monday Night Football, a venue that has not been very auspicious for the Cardinals historically speaking.
Then there will be the emotion of inducting Kurt Warner into the Cardinals' Ring of Honor at half-time---where one wonders whether the fans will be feeling very good about the Cardinals' first half performance or still wishing the the magic of Kurt Warner had never left the building. Regardless, Warner deserves his rightful place in The Ring and it is nice to be able to broadcast the ceremony on national TV.
The players who worry me most on the Chargers are TE Antonio Gates on offense (who has carved us up at will whenever he has played us) and DT/DE Corey Liuget (who is big and cat-quick and quite a first game assignment for new LG Ted Larsen. I worry about the Chargers RBs Ryan Matthews and Danny Woodhead---as much in their all-purpose ability as in their rushing potential. Plus---the Charger WRs, led by Keenan Allen are gamers. Back on the pther side of the ball, the trio of edge rushers in messers Ingram, Freeney and Johnson could make things very difficult for the Cardinals' passing game.
The biggest dilemma for me personally is what in the world to do about the game and work tomorrow. If I watch the game live and stay up until 2 AM EDT doing so---I can only get 3 hours of sleep (that is if I can get to sleep while being wired thinking about the game). If I tape the game and wake up at 4 AM (to watch a speed version of the game for two hours)---can I possibly sleep (for the first time ever) while knowing the Cardinals are on live? I think I would be waking up every ten minutes and wondering what the score is. I have been thinking about taking a personal day at work---but I hate the guilt that comes with that. I just can't enjoy it the way I would want to. Anyone have some advice?
In any event, I hope everyone enjoys the game tonight and that the Cardinals come out of the gates soaring! Hope everyone endured the flood. Stay dry---but stay thirsty, my friends!
