Catfish
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- Aug 14, 2006
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In another thread, DuckJake pointed out that the Cards have gone from 5th in pass defense to 21st, and from 28th in run defense to 3rd. He had amusingly referred to it as 'News of the Wierd'.
While that is wierd, the fact that such changes are taking place within this organization is not. The changes brought about by BA and SK in one off-season are, (at least for this franchise), phenominal.
Among the greatest of these, is the intense bonding that is occurring at all levels within this organization. One needs to look no farther than the post-game locker room celebration after the Lions game to see this. To see BA award the game ball to a rookie after his first game, and to see the genuine love and respect that the other players on the team had for that move was truly touching. Then to have the Owner/President of Football Operations award two more game balls to Arians and Keim, shows the reach that this bonding has achieved.
I was genuinely touched by the emotion in the room as BA instructed Kory Sperry, (the rookie), to bring the team down to set the tone for the next step on the road this week against New Orleans. This has become one VERY TOGETHER organization. It is very clear that they ALL have one common purpose in mind, and while they are not all complete and polished in what they do, the ALL aspire to become that way. I have not seen that in this organization from top to bottom like it is happening right now before our eyes.
This is truly so different from what we have been accustomed to seeing, that I really understand the reluctance of many on this board to take the risk of once again jumping on the band wagon. So often, that has been a treacherous and even painful leap of faith for many here. For instance Whiz would not have done this-----(in fact Whiz would not have been playing a rookie WR). He cared far more (who you were), than (how you played), and he sometimes carried that so far as to cut his nose off to spite his face. Remember sitting Branch for a whole season in order to start an over-the-hill veteran in the middle of the defensive line? Remember starting a completely worn out veteran pass rusher, (as an every down player), while sitting a youngster who did very well every time he had to spell the old man who Whiz continued to start?
This just hasn't happened with Whiz as a HC, but those are my most recent memories of the franchise. The comparisons are applicable to all former members of our ownership, front office, and coaching staff.
We are much farther into something very special, (top to bottom), than we have EVER encountered here in the desert. This organization is on the verge of gaining genuine, and long-term respectability throughout the league, because it finally has figured it out.
We have a young, bright, owner who has turned the daily operations of the football team over to his GM and Head Coach. They, in turn, have steadfastly agreed with the owner on how they want to approach this change, and they have churned this roster into players who genuinely are appreciative of their opportunities to contribute, and are willing to really work to make the best of those opportunities. ALL have bought into what the Owner wants.
They have become like 'family'. You see it in every practice, where older players, (or coaches), take players aside to help them with technique or questions and explanations. You saw it after the game Sunday, when the owner and the head coach walked off the field arm-in-arm. You saw it in the locker room.
The results of the combined efforts are beginning to bear fruit in a football sense. While we are not yet where we need to be, we have truly come so far from what we were that the difference is undeniable.
This is NOT a franchise that is going to ride a hot, (but wise old QB) to a Super Bowl appearance, then disappear from the big screen when he leaves. This change is going to be very long term. This change is going to create generations of Cardinal's fans here in the Valley. Great effort will be made to keep the players who gut-out the hard performances. Great effort will be given to teaching those who lack technique or knowledge. Great attention will be paid by players who have bought into the change that is happening.
One needs look no farther than the difference in what is happening in Indy since their regular head coach came back to replace BA. The change here is all encompassing-----and it is for real. I would urge those of you who are still riding the fence, (because of past experiences with this team), to consider joining in on the fun. Allow yourself to give in to the swell of the tide, and ride with it. Allow yourself to dream the dream, because it is so much fun !!!!!!!!!!!!!
While that is wierd, the fact that such changes are taking place within this organization is not. The changes brought about by BA and SK in one off-season are, (at least for this franchise), phenominal.
Among the greatest of these, is the intense bonding that is occurring at all levels within this organization. One needs to look no farther than the post-game locker room celebration after the Lions game to see this. To see BA award the game ball to a rookie after his first game, and to see the genuine love and respect that the other players on the team had for that move was truly touching. Then to have the Owner/President of Football Operations award two more game balls to Arians and Keim, shows the reach that this bonding has achieved.
I was genuinely touched by the emotion in the room as BA instructed Kory Sperry, (the rookie), to bring the team down to set the tone for the next step on the road this week against New Orleans. This has become one VERY TOGETHER organization. It is very clear that they ALL have one common purpose in mind, and while they are not all complete and polished in what they do, the ALL aspire to become that way. I have not seen that in this organization from top to bottom like it is happening right now before our eyes.
This is truly so different from what we have been accustomed to seeing, that I really understand the reluctance of many on this board to take the risk of once again jumping on the band wagon. So often, that has been a treacherous and even painful leap of faith for many here. For instance Whiz would not have done this-----(in fact Whiz would not have been playing a rookie WR). He cared far more (who you were), than (how you played), and he sometimes carried that so far as to cut his nose off to spite his face. Remember sitting Branch for a whole season in order to start an over-the-hill veteran in the middle of the defensive line? Remember starting a completely worn out veteran pass rusher, (as an every down player), while sitting a youngster who did very well every time he had to spell the old man who Whiz continued to start?
This just hasn't happened with Whiz as a HC, but those are my most recent memories of the franchise. The comparisons are applicable to all former members of our ownership, front office, and coaching staff.
We are much farther into something very special, (top to bottom), than we have EVER encountered here in the desert. This organization is on the verge of gaining genuine, and long-term respectability throughout the league, because it finally has figured it out.
We have a young, bright, owner who has turned the daily operations of the football team over to his GM and Head Coach. They, in turn, have steadfastly agreed with the owner on how they want to approach this change, and they have churned this roster into players who genuinely are appreciative of their opportunities to contribute, and are willing to really work to make the best of those opportunities. ALL have bought into what the Owner wants.
They have become like 'family'. You see it in every practice, where older players, (or coaches), take players aside to help them with technique or questions and explanations. You saw it after the game Sunday, when the owner and the head coach walked off the field arm-in-arm. You saw it in the locker room.
The results of the combined efforts are beginning to bear fruit in a football sense. While we are not yet where we need to be, we have truly come so far from what we were that the difference is undeniable.
This is NOT a franchise that is going to ride a hot, (but wise old QB) to a Super Bowl appearance, then disappear from the big screen when he leaves. This change is going to be very long term. This change is going to create generations of Cardinal's fans here in the Valley. Great effort will be made to keep the players who gut-out the hard performances. Great effort will be given to teaching those who lack technique or knowledge. Great attention will be paid by players who have bought into the change that is happening.
One needs look no farther than the difference in what is happening in Indy since their regular head coach came back to replace BA. The change here is all encompassing-----and it is for real. I would urge those of you who are still riding the fence, (because of past experiences with this team), to consider joining in on the fun. Allow yourself to give in to the swell of the tide, and ride with it. Allow yourself to dream the dream, because it is so much fun !!!!!!!!!!!!!
