Things-----they are a changin'-----

Catfish

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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 !!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Shane

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Dont get too excited its 2 damn games. Lets compare an appropriate sample size at years end.
 

Duckjake

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Dont get too excited its 2 damn games. Lets compare an appropriate sample size at years end.

Especially when one of those games was our usual win over Detroit. It's not like the Cards beat the Vikings or the Packers or the Bears. Heck that horrendous team we had last season beat Detroit 38-10.

The one thing that was different was that they actually scored a TD to go ahead instead of attempting a FG. Now that was new and different.
 
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LoyaltyisaCurse

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So when the league was a running league we couldn't stop the run. However, now that it's a passing league we can't defend the pass? :D
 

BigRedRage

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Dont get too excited its 2 damn games. Lets compare an appropriate sample size at years end.


the sky was falling everywhere for many posters after game one so whats wrong with mainlining koolaid after game two? :)
 
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Catfish

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Hey-----the handwriting's on the wall-----

If you wish to remain on the outside looking in that's fine with me. I just know that I have given in to what's happening here-----and that it's undeniable. There is just too much change for the good to ignore. You can 'nay say' and complain all you want about what is happening, but you can't change it. If you want to maintain a sour heart and a PO'd disposition-----so be it. Meanwhile, I'm having the time of my life.
 

Redheart

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If they can run the ball and stop the run; it would be a dream.

I would eat all my crow about this being a re-building team that will win less than five games.

But I am not wrong.

It was good to knock the Bush out early...in the Lions game, I mean.
 

Mitch

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I agree Catfish. Like WR Kerry Taylor said---"we've got something special going on here."

I know too that we as Cardinal fans still have to cope with the annual throes of BCFS---"Battered Cardinal Fan Syndrome"---which means it is hard to get too excited for fear of the same old same old letdowns and disappointments.

However, what buoys me in all of this is, I feel that I can handle the disappointments when I know how hard and smart the coaches are working. Same goes for the young owner and the GM. It is a joy to see how up front and candid they are.

Of course I want the Cardinals to win and never look back---but, as long as the players are playing hard and the coaches are working their tails off, I can accept whatever the results are, because I believe that eventually due diligence and teamwork pay handsome dividends.
 

b8rtm8nn

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I am ecstatic after the last game - not because we are anything but average, but because our coaching actually adapted to the game...all game long!

I really can't say I saw that too much outside of 2009 with Haley (but only the offense) and the last 18-24 months with Horton (but only the defense).
 

Buckybird

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Dont get too excited its 2 damn games. Lets compare an appropriate sample size at years end.

Especially when one of those games was our usual win over Detroit. It's not like the Cards beat the Vikings or the Packers or the Bears. Heck that horrendous team we had last season beat Detroit 38-10.

The one thing that was different was that they actually scored a TD to go ahead instead of attempting a FG. Now that was new and different.

So when the league was a running league we couldn't stop the run. However, now that it's a passing league we can't defend the pass? :D

:thumbup:

IMO this team still has is its sores that will get infected off & on during the year & until they are fixed with new medicine: LT, pash rush, secondary & DC. Hope I'm wrong, but my doubts are still the same as this past offseason & until I see 10 weeks of a top 10 defense I will be skeptical. Also still not certain on our ability to stop the run, given it was against a Lambs rook & no Bush after injury.

On to Nawlins :D
 

Cheesebeef

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One needs look no farther than the difference in what is happening in Indy since their regular head coach came back to replace BA.

really? prior to this week, you know...week 2...they looked like the EXACT same team as last year, playing a very close game and Luck pulling it out in the end. this week looked like the same exact thing, except Luck couldn't pull out a game-winning drive.

looking at Indy who's 1-1 and saying it's because Pagano's there and not BA is kinda silly at this point.

that being said, I like what Arians has done with this offense. they're light-years better then what we saw at the end of last season. the jury's out on the Defense.
 

speedy

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really? prior to this week, you know...week 2...they looked like the EXACT same team as last year, playing a very close game and Luck pulling it out in the end. this week looked like the same exact thing, except Luck couldn't pull out a game-winning drive.

looking at Indy who's 1-1 and saying it's because Pagano's there and not BA is kinda silly at this point.

that being said, I like what Arians has done with this offense. they're light-years better then what we saw at the end of last season. the jury's out on the Defense.

I must disagree Cheese; this team looks unlike any of my memory. I said this at half time of the Rams game. This is the most complete team I have can remember seeing from the Cardinals. Notice I didnt say the "best" team, just the most complete...

I am not going to look too much into the defensive stat on passing; the league broke records the first week with passing the ball.

I also agree with Shane; its only 2 weeks. Last week the sky was falling, this week this is the greatest team ever.

Call it what it is and enjoy this season.
 

ajcardfan

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Dont get too excited its 2 damn games. Lets compare an appropriate sample size at years end.

No doubt. Let's remember how we beat Seattle (in a very similar fashion as the Detroit win) and then beat New England on the road last year. In the end, we still sucked. We could duplicate that, to an extent, by winning in New Orleans on Sunday but still winding up 5-11.


I hope you are right Catfish, but the proof that things have really changed is still far down the road.
 

ajcardfan

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I must disagree Cheese; this team looks unlike any of my memory. I said this at half time of the Rams game. This is the most complete team I have can remember seeing from the Cardinals. Notice I didnt say the "best" team, just the most complete...

I am not going to look too much into the defensive stat on passing; the league broke records the first week with passing the ball.

I also agree with Shane; its only 2 weeks. Last week the sky was falling, this week this is the greatest team ever.

Call it what it is and enjoy this season.

Seriously?

Whisenhunt's team in 2009 looked far superior to any Cards team before or since. We thumped the Jets and Vikings (both made the playoffs) on national TV, a feat not close to being rivaled by any other Cardinals team. Not to mention the playoff win over Green Bay, and then getting cheap-shotted into oblivion by the Saints..
 
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Catfish

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I hear you all but-----you have no idea just how lame some of you are beginning to sound. I'll not name anyone, but there are about 7-8 regulars who have had nothing good to say about this franchise, this team, this off-season, this front office, this ownership, this coaching staff, for the last 2 years or better.

Some of you have called me out to eat crow because there was 'no way' that the Cards could muster a defense that could stop the run with the roster that Keim had provided for BA to work with. After two games the Cards lead the NFC and rank third in the entire League in stopping the run. I said they would, and they have thus far delivered. They only look to get better as the season goes on, as at some point D-Wash will return and both Karlos Dansby and Greg Minter will be worked into the mix a little differently.

Some of you have said that we will know more about how this team is after they play other teams in pre-season. We went 3-1. Some said we can't know until the regular season starts. Well, we lost one we really should have won on the road, and won one at home after our offense scored 9 points in the 2nd half while our defense gave up none. We are currently tied with SF, and St. L. after two games, just one game back of Seattle. Yes, it's only two games, BUT:

We have a running game.

We have a passing game.

We can stop the run.

While we give up yards, we don't give up a lot of passing scores.

BEST OF ALL:

After each of the steps along the way, our coaching staff has corrected the problems that occurred in the previous game, (something that almost NEVER happened under the previous staff).

Now-----some of you are saying that we need to go the entire season before we can say that change has occurred. BALONEY !!!!! As I said before, this change is happening as we speak, and there is nothing you can do about it. You might as well come along for the ride. It is surely more damned fun than constantly ragging on your own team just so you can bitch. Things are going to get a whole lot better here before they get worse than what we had !!!!!!!! You can take that to the bank !!!!!
 

ajcardfan

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I hear you all but-----you have no idea just how lame some of you are beginning to sound. I'll not name anyone, but there are about 7-8 regulars who have had nothing good to say about this franchise, this team, this off-season, this front office, this ownership, this coaching staff, for the last 2 years or better.

Some of you have called me out to eat crow because there was 'no way' that the Cards could muster a defense that could stop the run with the roster that Keim had provided for BA to work with. After two games the Cards lead the NFC and rank third in the entire League in stopping the run. I said they would, and they have thus far delivered. They only look to get better as the season goes on, as at some point D-Wash will return and both Karlos Dansby and Greg Minter will be worked into the mix a little differently.

Some of you have said that we will know more about how this team is after they play other teams in pre-season. We went 3-1. Some said we can't know until the regular season starts. Well, we lost one we really should have won on the road, and won one at home after our offense scored 9 points in the 2nd half while our defense gave up none. We are currently tied with SF, and St. L. after two games, just one game back of Seattle. Yes, it's only two games, BUT:

We have a running game.

We have a passing game.

We can stop the run.

While we give up yards, we don't give up a lot of passing scores.

BEST OF ALL:

After each of the steps along the way, our coaching staff has corrected the problems that occurred in the previous game, (something that almost NEVER happened under the previous staff).

Now-----some of you are saying that we need to go the entire season before we can say that change has occurred. BALONEY !!!!! As I said before, this change is happening as we speak, and there is nothing you can do about it. You might as well come along for the ride. It is surely more damned fun than constantly ragging on your own team just so you can bitch. Things are going to get a whole lot better here before they get worse than what we had !!!!!!!! You can take that to the bank !!!!!

Hope you are right bro.

But I've read things like this for 25 years in Arizona, but the light at the end of the tunnel was a train 22 out of 25 times.

If you can dance around with red and white poms-poms in your living room chanting "BA - SK!" over a 1-1 regular season record... hey, more power to you. I actually wish I could. I don't think that makes you a better fan than anyone else though. Certainly not to the point you can think of anyone as "lame" for being a die hard for this team. It is not our fault the data is overwhelming that the Cardinals don't win and go to the playoffs very often. Data is what it is.
 
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bankybruce

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Keep the dream alive and the positive energy flowing Catfish.:thumbup:
 

Cheesebeef

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I must disagree Cheese; this team looks unlike any of my memory. I said this at half time of the Rams game. This is the most complete team I have can remember seeing from the Cardinals. Notice I didnt say the "best" team, just the most complete...

I am not going to look too much into the defensive stat on passing; the league broke records the first week with passing the ball.

I also agree with Shane; its only 2 weeks. Last week the sky was falling, this week this is the greatest team ever.

Call it what it is and enjoy this season.

You must disagree...about what? All I said about this team
Is that the offense is light years better then it was last year and the jury is out on the D.
 

PACardsFan

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Seriously?

Whisenhunt's team in 2009 looked far superior to any Cards team before or since. We thumped the Jets and Vikings (both made the playoffs) on national TV, a feat not close to being rivaled by any other Cardinals team. Not to mention the playoff win over Green Bay, and then getting cheap-shotted into oblivion by the Saints..

If Horton was the DC in 2009, we would have won the SB!! Davis was worse than Pendergast, and that was pretty bad. The 2009 Cardinals were a better team than Coryell's teams too.
 

Cheesebeef

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Hope you are right bro.

But I've read things like this for 25 years in Arizona, but the light at the end of the tunnel was a train 22 out of 25 times.

If you can dance around with red and white poms-poms in your living room chanting "BA - SK!" over a 1-1 regular season record... hey, more power to you. I actually wish I could. I don't think that makes you a better fan than anyone else though. Certainly not to the point you can think of anyone as "lame" for being a die hard for this team. It is not our fault the data is overwhelming that the Cardinals don't win and go to the playoffs very often. Data is what it is.

Agreed.
 
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ProdigalSun

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The biggest change that I've seen so far is that the games are actually enjoyable to watch unlike the last half of last year
 

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We could be on track to finish 8-8, but injuries play such a big part in how a team performs, you just never know how a season will turn out. But I think that Catfish nailed it when he pointed out the Organization is built to succed in both the short and long term. And while we don't know how well BA SK will perform in their jobs, the early returns are encouraging. Hopefully I'll still be around in about three years, when we'll have a MUCH BETTER idea about the team. Thanks Catfish for giving us your take.
 

PJ1

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The offense is night and day different from last year which is a joy to watch.

The D puts in the effort but lacks the talent to take us anywhere in my opinion.
 
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