"They Fell on the Shield" Mike Reiss on Cardinal Debacle

[phillycard]

Seriously....How did something so good and wonderful 4 weeks ago get sooooo bad?! Only the Cardinals could have done this. The curse rears it's ugly head and taints the very fabric of the NFL. An accomplishment (NFC West Crown and a home playoff game) that all of us have been waiting for for years is now an embarrasement to the NFL. It just isn't fair! If the Cards go 1 and done there will forever be an * in the history books....Just 2 weeks ago all of my friends were calling me to congratulate me on being a long suffering fan who finally got to enjoy a winning team...now those same friends are laughing at me.....

Jttsaz, do we have the same friends??

 

[phillycard]

It was the Packers in Green Bay in another cold and snowy game..I think it was in 1999..the Cards lost 49-24...The Packers scored 34 points in the 2nd half...

http://www.footballdb.com/boxscore/2000010207

I never forgave Ray Rhodes for that. The reason being was that the Packers had already gotten word that they were in, and he continued to run it up.

 

[Jttsaz]

Jttsaz, do we have the same friends??

I think it is a common theme with die hard Cards fans...My tombstone will say a few things about me and one of them will be that I was a die hard Cards fan until the end

 

[NeverSayDieFan]

Rudest, Nastiest, UGLIEST people....

on the planet! YUP! New Englanders! Now, there are a few exceptions but I grew up here and couldn't wait to leave. You couldn't pay me any amount $$ to live here. So, any comments from New England sportswriters aren't worth hearing ,reading, or even giving (5) seconds of my time. Oh, and did this genuis have a rationale for Cassell STILL being in the game when they were up by 40?? YUP! ARROGANCE!! Plain & simple! New England may have the trophies but they have NO CLASS! NEVER WILL! GO CARDS!

 

[Cheesebeef]

If a struggling playoff team such as the Cardinals are "a disgrace to the entire NFL and the NFL Shield," what is a winless team such as the Detroit Lions considered? What is lower than a disgrace?

the Cardinals?

 

[Cheesebeef]

I never forgave Ray Rhodes for that. The reason being was that the Packers had already gotten word that they were in, and he continued to run it up.

wrong. the situation was that the Packers and Carolina had come down to a scenario where the tie-breaker to make the playoffs between them was going to be total points scored (or point differential) because all the other tie-breakers were even. thus, the Panthers and Packers ran up the score as much as possible to try to get into the playoffs, not to rub it in. The 7-8 Pack scored 49, and the 7-8 Panthers 45... and both ended up missing the playoffs because later that day a 8-7 team won.So you got mad at him for trying to make the playoffs. Me thinks you owe Ray Rhodes an apology!

I remember this well because it was the first time I ever bet heavy (or any money) against the Cardinals. It was a snow game, the last game of the season and the Packers needed to score as many points as possible. making money on that game was like stealing candy from a baby.

 

[CtCardinals78]

I am glad the press is calling out their effort. I almost went to the game Sunday and if I drove through 60 miles of heavy snow and ice to witness that garbage yesterday I would have quit being a fan of that team right there on the spot without a doubt after 17 years of watching them. If that makes me a bad fan so be it. This team deserves every bit of bad press they are getting.

 

[IAWarnerFan]

the Cardinals?

You think the Cardinals are lower than the winless Lions? Come on! Things are bad, but they're not that bad!

 

[Duckjake]

I really wish we were using these games like preseason games. I would've liked to see them continue to work on trying to run the ball, even when we were down 30 points, keep working on the run game. What better way to practice? Their team was going all out for a chance at the playoffs so it's even better than preseason because we're getting their best effort.

We're in a rare situation, I think we should use the next game as if it were a live scrimage and just work on the things we need to get better at. It's like practice but there's full contact that you can't simulate in practice. Run the ball the entire game next game. Work on some screen passes. Work on blitz packages.

I could care less if we lose 56-0 if it means that our team will have improved for the playoffs.

That's the only thing that really bothered me about the game Sunday, the Car*s didn't use the game like a live scrimmage and wasted a great chance to work and develp the backups.

Now they won't do that at all this Sunday. They will play straight up trying to get that winning record... I hope.

have the lions given up close to or over 50 points in three games this season? the lions have seemingly been a lot more competitive in the last few games than have our cardinals. at least we see effort from them, even in futility

I'm having horrible nightmares...that the Car*s did give their best effort against Minn & NE and Arizona simply stinks.

 

[Kablansky]

wrong. the situation was that the Packers and Carolina had come down to a scenario where the tie-breaker to make the playoffs between them was going to be total points scored (or point differential) because all the other tie-breakers were even. thus, the Panthers and Packers ran up the score as much as possible to try to get into the playoffs, not to rub it in. The 7-8 Pack scored 49, and the 7-8 Panthers 45... and both ended up missing the playoffs because later that day a 8-7 team won.So you got mad at him for trying to make the playoffs. Me thinks you owe Ray Rhodes an apology!

I remember this well because it was the first time I ever bet heavy (or any money) against the Cardinals. It was a snow game, the last game of the season and the Packers needed to score as many points as possible. making money on that game was like stealing candy from a baby.

You have that dead on!

 

[D-Dogg]

Then none of the starters should have been out there in the 3rd quarter even. If it was about keeping guys healthy and a meaningless game then why did we leave Warner out there until almost the end of the 3rd quarter? And why did Fitz play the whole game?

Because we had a chance until we were down 44.

Stupid. I wanted them to start Matt from the beginning, and he DAMN sure should have started the second half. Kurt looked HORRIBLE. Just horrible. Deer in the headlights...throwing balls into the snow, looking like an idiot. He's tired...rest the man.

 

[Rivercard]

have the lions given up close to or over 50 points in three games this season? the lions have seemingly been a lot more competitive in the last few games than have our cardinals. at least we see effort from them, even in futility.

The Lions have given up over 30 points in 66% of their games including a 48-25 shelacking by the GB Peckers, a 47-10 blasting by the Tennessee Tight-ones, and last weeks 42-7 thrashing by the NO Stains. Thankfully I haven't watched Detroit too closely, but I recall they looked totally uninspired on Turkey day. But like the Cards they've played a pretty tough out of conference schedule.

 

[daves]

Another putrid moment in Cardinals history

Most won't remember but YEARS ago we played a game last game of the season where the team we were playing had to win, and by a certain margin, to make the playoffs. I'm thinking it was the Bears but don't quote me. We laid down, got HAMMERED, and they made the playoffs.

I remember it well... 1979, Cardinals 6, Bears 42.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197912160chi.htm

At least it was the Redskins who were passed up for a Wild Card berth....

...dave

 

[phillycard]

wrong. the situation was that the Packers and Carolina had come down to a scenario where the tie-breaker to make the playoffs between them was going to be total points scored (or point differential) because all the other tie-breakers were even. thus, the Panthers and Packers ran up the score as much as possible to try to get into the playoffs, not to rub it in. The 7-8 Pack scored 49, and the 7-8 Panthers 45... and both ended up missing the playoffs because later that day a 8-7 team won.So you got mad at him for trying to make the playoffs. Me thinks you owe Ray Rhodes an apology!

I remember this well because it was the first time I ever bet heavy (or any money) against the Cardinals. It was a snow game, the last game of the season and the Packers needed to score as many points as possible. making money on that game was like stealing candy from a baby.

Cheese you sound like you're right, but I have to examine the scenario again. I wasn't mad becasue I knew Rhodes had to do what he had to do, but I distinctly remember the Panthers game ending and the Packers had won the points battle and Farve threw another TD. Now either I'm an old senile bastard or I just drank too many beers that day. Can you link up that scenario through an almanac? Again not doubting you, but I swear I remember differently.

 

[Pariah]

He is pissed off the Pats may miss the playoffs.

One wonders if a lack of cheating was a problem.

Are you kidding? They lose the league MVP QB in the first game, start a guy that hasn't started since high school, have a seive of a secondary and the oldest LB corps in the league...and they still may go 11-5.

They'll miss the playoffs because their division got better and they lost arguably the best QB in the league.

...and I really don't care for the pats, but the job that organization has done this season is nothing short of miraculous, playoffs or no.

 

[red desert]

This board is acting like the Germans just bombed Pearl Harbor or something. We lost a meaningless game yesterday. The Cards played like it was an exhibition game, because it basically it was. If Warner or Fitz (or insert any other name here) had broken a leg out there yesterday, we would all be yelling like a stuck pig and calling for Whiz's head on a platter.

Was this our shining moment? Well hell no. But other than pride, what difference does it make?

I expect that we will be seeing something similar next Sunday; that being players playing not to get hurt. And in one sense, how can you blame them? It's not like any of them have ever gone to the playoffs with the Cardinals before, and you can certainly make an argument that they might not make it again. So I ask you, does it make sense that Dockett might look at the Patriot game and say there's no way he's trading a hollow victory in December for a playoff game in January?

And as far as this game being embarrassing, well the current Cards have a long way to go to get to truly embarrassing, as any long time fan can painfully re-count.

So, Hey! Mr. Boston Fishwrap Hack: Your team got a gift yesterday. Don't be an ingrate writing this drivel, when you should be spending the last week of your season figuring out which teams need to lose their games next week, so your bitter team can back their way into the playoffs.

JTS

THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOR? WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN?

 

[red desert]

omg, nidan . . . not once, NOT ONCE did he make mention of the pats and the playoffs. not once, NOT ONCE did he state that it was a travesty that the cards make the playoffs and the pats won't. it was just a straight forward blasting of the wussy cardinals. and it was POINT ON. but you just can't accept that they rolled over.

i wanted to puke at berry's comment that everyone was trying to win. b/c the "effort" was less than pathetic. the league SHOULD fine the team as a whole for the putridity that they put forth.

I agree.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Cheese you sound like you're right, but I have to examine the scenario again. I wasn't mad becasue I knew Rhodes had to do what he had to do, but I distinctly remember the Panthers game ending and the Packers had won the points battle and Farve threw another TD. Now either I'm an old senile bastard or I just drank too many beers that day. Can you link up that scenario through an almanac? Again not doubting you, but I swear I remember differently.

trust me. I had lots of money riding on that game and sat in the NYNY sportsbook with an eye on both our game and the Panthers game because everytime the Panthers scored, it would be announced in GB and that would lead to Favre throwing another bomb to counter them. It was as if the Packers weren't playing us. They were playing Carolina's offense.

 

[82CardsGrad]

The Lions have given up over 30 points in 66% of their games including a 48-25 shelacking by the GB Peckers, a 47-10 blasting by the Tennessee Tight-ones, and last weeks 42-7 thrashing by the NO Stains. Thankfully I haven't watched Detroit too closely, but I recall they looked totally uninspired on Turkey day. But like the Cards they've played a pretty tough out of conference schedule.

We are a playoff team and the Lions will go winless... are we supposed to take some sort of solace in knowing that we are comparable to the Lions?

 

[CaptTurbo]

I agree. I think the owner and the coach should be fined for the last 2 weeks. The owner for allowing the coach to act the way he does and Whiz for all but saying he doesnt give a crap he lost the team.

 

[Sandan]

Oh I know that, but frankly an organization that knowing cheats deserves NOTHING.

The head coach should have been suspended for several years

 

[conraddobler]

I think this team is doing some horribly dangerous things IMO.

It's basically gone rouge and is deciding when to try and not to try and that's a form or a coach losing a team IMO and a terrible sign for the future.

Oh I think they'll try and turn it on like a light switch, and if they win against the Seahawks they might be able to get some of that going into the playoffs but as soon as they step on the field against a quality opponent then I think that stupidity is going to open up an industrial strength can of whoopass on them.

 

[SuperSpck]

It's basically gone rouge

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[dreamcastrocks]

THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOR? WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN?

Person # 84,405 who hasn't seen Animal House.

 

[Mulli]

The outrage about the 8-8 teams making the playoffs is about as worthless as the outrage about who gets left off of allstar rosters and who is the best bball team.