Trent Dilfer said something interesting about the Cards...

[red desert]

the other day. That is, that they were an average team, and that the measure of whether or not they could be a contender next season would be

HOW THEY HANDLE SUCCESS.

Now, I don't care for Dilfer at all. Especially how he always minimizes the Cards. That said, I think he makes a good point with that statement.

These are uncharted waters for out boys. How will they navigate them?

Will they stay united? Doing what it will take to make another run at the ultimate tiltle in all of sports? Or will the team succumb to ego and decide that it was mostly their individual efforts that got us to the big game and therefore they (the individual) should be taken care of first thing?

Me, more than anything, I worry that our front office will be unable to handle the situation before them.

Regardless, Dilfer's still a hack.

 

[TheHopToad]

Trent Dilfer said something interesting...

You lost me after that...

 

[Shzm13]

I think it will have to do with what sparked our playoff run in the first place, pride.

The coaches also preached "prove it" when the media doubted that they should even be in the playoffs.


They'll hear a lot of criticism before the season starts again, and I believe they'll take the same approach. "Prove" that 08/09 wasnt a fluke year and have some "Pride" in changing the football culture in Arizona.

 

[red desert]

You lost me after that...

I hear you.

 

[Buckybird]

Realistically, we could take a HUGE step back next season. Our Offensive co-ordinator could be gone (with others), the QB could retire, a star WR could be dealt and the teams most solid playmaker on defense (Dansby) could defect for $$$. That's not counting other long time vets such as Berry, Chike and Gandy. Be realistic, this team could be totally differant than the one that was 2:35 away from winning the Super Bowl. Changes are bound to occur, but losing alot of team leaders could be devastating!!! This offseason is the most important in Cardinal history. Between Kurt, Q and Dansby we can only afford to lose one. In my opinion Q is the odd man out!!! Come on Mr. Graves, step the freak up ASAP!!!

 

[sportznutt]

I've heard it in other sports, and it remains true in football too.

It's hard enough to succeed for the first time. It's even harder to maintain that success and move forward.

 

[Carddan]

One of the constants we carry over is Whisenhunt.

 

[Spielman]

My question... what's Dilfer know about handling success?

Only time his squad had success, they got rid of him the next year.

 

[IAWarnerFan]

You lost me after that...

Me too!

 

[1DS]

How will they handle success? Great question. The answer lies in the coaching satff (95% of this falls on Whiz, imo).

I have the utmost faith that he will guide the young players down the right path.

 

[D-Dogg]

I feel that they really don't think they had success. I get that feeling from their interviews, postgames and quotes that have popped out. They are NOT even close to satisfied. Especially the defense.

I think this monkey will sit on their back all season long, and will drive them back into a deep playoff run REGARDLESS of what happens with Q.

And I love all the busts on that freaking Nanny QB Dilfer...what a freaking douchebag.

 

[BillsCarnage]

One of the constants we carry over is Whisenhunt.

Exactly.
While this may be new for the franchise, Whiz is the one steering this ship and he knows how to handle success. As does Warner.

There's no reason, baring catastrophic injuries, that they don't go on a nice run over the next 3-5 seasons.

 

[Duckjake]

I've heard it in other sports, and it remains true in football too.

It's hard enough to succeed for the first time. It's even harder to maintain that success and move forward.

While moving forward might be hard, maintaining the success really isn't in the NFL. The Steelers have been in the AFC Championship game 4 times in the last 8 years, 6 times in the last 14. NE has 5 AFC championship appearances in the last 8 and also 6 in the last 14. Between them they have won 5 of the last 8 SuperBowls.

The Eagles have 5 NFC Championship games in 8 years.

The Colts have been in the playoffs 9 times in the last 10 years.

From 1993-2004 the Packers went to the playoffs 8 times.

Tennessee has 6 double digit win seasons in the last 10 years.

The Cardinals are now in a position to have several years of success because we have a solid group of veteran starters. This will allow the team to have their draft picks watch and learn before having to step in and play. It also means that we have 1st, 2nd and 3rd round draft picks playing special teams instead of a bunch of UDFA's. They just have to keep those veterans on the team instead of having them leave for free agency.

 

[Jetstream Green]

the moment he called the Cardinals an 'average' team he lost my attention, this season the talent on the team finally played to their level