Arizona Cardinals

I’m an idiot…

cardinal_chick — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:26:08 +0000

Cardinals 41, Bears 21

After last week’s debacle and my double fantasy loss, I decided not to start Kurt Warner today. Big mistake. Big. Huge.

Great game!! I hope Boldin is back next week when they host Seattle.

What the heck was THAT?!?!?

cardinal_chick — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:18:44 +0000

Cardinals 21, Carolina 34

Holy hot-and-cold-play Batman, what is up with the Cardinals? They beat the New York Giants and the next week look horrendous vs. the Panthers. Kurt Warner threw 5 INTs and fumbled the ball once!???? How incredibly unlike him. And Larry Fitzgerald dropped a few passes he would normally have caught. The defense was atrocious and the running game virtually non-existent. I don’t know, maybe the full moon had a hand in the debacle, but nevertheless, that game was awful. Let’s just leave it at that. Maybe they’ll rebound next week when they travel to Chicago and play the Bears (whose defense had a field day against Cleveland Sunday.)

In a battle of the NFC champs….

cardinal_chick — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:59:00 +0000

…the Cardinals best the formerly-undefeated-but-now-who-have-lost-2-in-a-row Giants in the Meadowlands!

Cardinals 24, Giants 17

It appears that Arizona finally found their running game despite the fumble problems both Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells continue to have. In fact, all 3 TDs tonight were by RBs (the third was a pass by Kurt Warner to Jason Wright. Larry Fitzgerald uncharacteristically dropped a few passes including a nice toss by Antrel Rolle (yes, Antrel Rolle.) Warner wasn’t his usual incomparable self (and lost me one of my fantasy games to boot); however, the Cardinals won and that’s really what matters, isn’t it? (Well, unless money is involved.)

The defense manhandled the Giants offense with 3 INTS, 3 sacks, and a FF, including Rolle’s game-cinching INT during the Giants’ potential game-tying drive. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who recorded a BEAUTIFUL INT in the end zone, injured his right ankle but x-rays were negative. Hopefully he’ll be good to go soon.

Next week Arizona hosts the horrendous Carolina Panthers.

That was a nice win…

cardinal_chick — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 03:32:22 +0000

Cardinals 27, Seahawks 3

Wow, after Matt Hasselbeck’s fabulous game last week, I was surprised that he and the Seahawks didn’t put up much of a fight against the Cardinals. Not only was the offense on fire as usual but the defense stepped it up a notch or two as well. Perhaps the biggest statistic was the seriously unbalanced time of possession stat: 42:50 for Arizona and a meager 17:10 for Seattle. Wow…

Also noteworthy is Kurt Warner’s accomplishments…he is not only the fastest QB to reach 50 300-yard passing games but is also the fastest to 30,000 yards…WTG Kurt! And kudos to Larry Fitzgerald for tying his own record high 13 receptions, along with 100 yds and a TD. Steve Breaston caugh Warner’s other TD and Tim Hightower ran one in. Neil Rackers was perfect, 2/2 on FGs and 3/3 on XPs.

Next week the Cardinals travel to New York to play the Giants who were SPANKED by the Saints (YAY!)

2-2 after an exciting victory…

cardinal_chick — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:11:56 +0000

Cardinals 28, Texans 21

Sorry folks, I know this is late but I’ve had tons of “real” work to do lately.

Anyway, I was at the game and have never seen so many Houston Texan fans in one place in my life. There were more at University of Phoenix Stadium than I think I’ve ever seen at a Texans home game on TV. Many of those with whom I spoke actually flew to Phoenix just for the game.

The first half was quite boring, resulting in a halftime score of 21-0 Arizona - well en route to a blowout; however, Gary Kubiak incited his Texans who came back in the 2nd half with a vengeance. Had it not been for Dominique Rodgers-Cromatie’s 4th quarter pick-6 to give the Cardinals a 28-21 lead, then the outcome could have very well been different. Nonetheless, the Cardinals’ defense stuffed the Texans on a 4th-and-goal on the 1-yard line with a few seconds left to ensure their victory. Interestingly, DRC’s INT came after 11 straight completions by Matt Schaub.

Both QBs tossed 2 TDs and over 300 yards; however, Matt Schaub’s INT was the deciding factor. While Andre Johnson caught both TD passes for Houston, Larry Fitzgerald did the same for Arizona.

I was having a difficult time because in my 2 fantasy leagues I had collectively started Kurt Warner, Tim Hightower, Anquan Boldin, Neil Rackers, Owen Daniels, Andre Johnson, and Kevin Walter so I really must have been overtly annoying rooting for both offenses whilst clad in my San Diego Chargers jersey.

At any rate, the Cardinals are back to .500 and travel to Seattle on Sunday to face a newly-recharged Seahawks team with the return of Matt Hasselback. Should be a good one!

That was UGLY!!

cardinal_chick — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:15:26 +0000

Cardinals 10, Colts 31

What happened to the defending NFC Champs last night? The Colts were without several defensive starters yet the Cardinals were unable to capitalize on anything and were, quite simply, atrocious.

I know Kurt Warner (30/52, 1 TD, 2 INTs) is nursing a sore shoulder but he has been all season and looked great last week. And I can’t even remember the last time I saw either Larry Fitzgerald (7 receptions, 76 yds) or Anquan Boldin (6 receptions, 83 yds, 1 TD) drop passes and they both did last night. Tim Hightower (9 carries, 22 yds) was unfortunately ineffective. The team’s top yardage receiver was Steve Breaston (7 receptions, 94 yds).

The Colts sacked Warner 4 times compared to zero for Peyton Manning. Antrell Rolle did intercept Manning but that was the only turnover. Hightower fumbled twice and Warner once but, thankfully, they only lost one. The offensive line appeared confused by the Colts’ threat of blitz that they were seemingly kept off balance all night and, as a result, Warner had constant pressure. By the end of the game Matt Leinart got some playing time because the game was truly a lost cause.

I really don’t know how else to explain it but ugly. And I was getting so sick of hearing Cris Collinsworth and Al Michaels constant praise of Manning that I didn’t even watch the last 10 minutes of the game.

Anyway, the Cardinals get a much-needed bye next week. Hopefully Warner et al. can rebound and regain the cohesiveness of last year. They host the Houston Texans the following week and I will be at that game!!

Much improved!

cardinal_chick — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:41:08 +0000

Cardinals 31, Jaguars 17

What a fabulous showing by the Cardinals in Jacksonville! Kurt Warner was almost perfect, throwing 24/26 for 243 yds and 2 TDs - setting an NFL completion percentage record of 92.3% (previously held by Vinny Testaverde in 1993)- before being replaced by Matt Leinart in the 4th quarter who didn’t get much of anything accomplished but, by then, Arizona had enough of a lead where it really didn’t matter. I was a bit irked because I have Warner in one fantasy league but, as it turned out, didn’t need anymore points to win my matchup.

The Cards did turn it over 3 times on fumbles by Beanie Wells (2 of them) and Antrel Rolle, but Rolle did redeem himself by recovering a Jax fumble as well as blocking a FG and returning it for a score. Neil Rackers missed a FG but nailed a 45-yarder.

The defense stepped it up and held a normally dangerous Maurice Jones-Drew to under 100 yards. Of note: Karlos Dansby (1 FF, 1 sack), Adrian Wilson (1/2 sack), Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (1 INT, 1 FF), Darnell Dockett (1 FF), Bertrand Berry (1 sack), and Calais Campbell (1/2 sack). Also notable was the reduction in penalties against Arizona; something that Ken Whisenhunt and Anquan Boldin were not happy about last week.

Next week Arizona host the Colts and if the defense keeps it up will likely pressure Peyton Manning enough to make him toss a pick or two (or three, or four…)

What Happened?

cardinal_chick — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 01:36:48 +0000

Arizona 16, San Francisco 20

OK, I know that Steve Breaston, Kurt Warner, and Anquan Boldin were not 100% but, come on, this was the 49ers. Apparently, Mike Singletary was able to whip that team into shape in the offseason. San Fran looked scary good (or did the Cardinals’ defense just not look up to snuff?!) Also, I don’t think I’ve seen Larry Fitzgerald EVER drop a pass before although he did score the team’s only TD. And Warner’s 2 INTs were uncharacteristic as well. The offensive line didn’t give him much protection either as he was sacked 3 times. For an old guy with a surgically-repaired hip, this can prove detrimental, as it did.

Penalties were the downfall of the Cards I believe. And stupid ones too. 12 penalties for 82 yards which prompted Ken Whisenhunt to proclaim that those guilty of such offenses will not play. Harsh? Yes. Necessary? Also yes.

Enough of the bad stuff…on to the good stuff - and there was a lot of that as well. Tim Hightower only carried the ball 8 times for 15 yards but was a regular Darren Sproles with 12 receptions for 121 yards; leading all receivers on BOTH teams. WTG Tim, glad I drafted you (although not nearly as glad as I am for drafting Drew Brees…holy cow!! Sorry Tim!) Jerheme Urban pulled in 5 catches for 74 yards and 1st-round pick Beanie Wells, in his debut, managed 7 carries for 29 yards.

Defensively, Chike Okeafor, Darnell Dockett, and Bertrand Berry each recorded a sack; however, Shaun Hill, despite losing a fumble, did not throw any INTs.

Neil Rackers was perfect (I drafted him too!) with 3 FGs and an XP.

Interestingly, of the last 7 out of 8 matchups, the winning margin was 7 points or less.

Next week the Cards travel to Jacksonville to take on “pocket rocket” Maurice Jones-Drew and the Jaguars, also coming off a close divisional loss (to the Colts.)

My Draft Day

cardinal_chick — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:11:43 +0000

Well, I have to say I’m certainly not disappointed with either of my fantasy teams this season (unlike last season where I went through as many RBs as did Denver.)

Of the Cardinals I was lucky enough to pick up:

Team 1:

Kurt Warner, Steve Breaston, Karlos Dansby, Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie

Team 2:

Anquan Boldin, Tim Hightower, Neil Rackers, Cardinals DST

Here’s hoping for a repeat of last year’s season!!

Chargers @ Cardinals, preseason week 2

cardinal_chick — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:36:16 +0000

Chargers 17, Cardinals 6

Despite the score, which didn’t reflect the quality of the Cardinals’ defense, it was a fun game. Anquan Boldin, the perpetually-underrated Leonard Pope, and Tim Hightower looked fabulous. The 2nd string QB battle, to me, is still up the air. Stat-wise, Brian St. Pierre and Matt Leinart were similar save for the INT by St. Pierre but Leinart was not as up-to-snuff as last week,

Of particular interest was 7th round pick LaRod Stephens-Howling from Pittsburgh who, in addition to a handful of carries, was the return man since Steve Breaston did not play. The first KR was 89 yards (and he was chased down by former U of A Wildcat Antoine Cason). In the second half, again, he looked as though he might break another and was, again, run down by Cason. Stephens-Howling looked a lot like San Diego’s Darren Sproles, both in size and style and will be a great addition to the team.

The defense rocked, however, sacking Philip Rivers 4 times (Dockett, Dansby, Campbell, & Robinson); however, no turnovers albeit they were close.

Ed Hochuli called a good game for a change and was looking a bit undersized last night (either that or the league made him upsize his shirt!)

All in all, it was an electric crowd and fun game. Enjoy the pictures…

For my Chargers’ take on the game, check out http://sandiegochargers.contentquake.com