WK 4 PREVIEW: ARI @ NYJ 1:00 PM (EST) KICKOFF
September 25, 2008
NFL Week 4 Matchup: Arizona Cardinals vs. New York Jets
Overview: Win now, or you might have to wait awhile. With tough games coming up against Buffalo (3-0) and Dallas (3-0) in Weeks 5 and 6, the Arizona Cardinals have a must-win situation when they face Brett Favre and the (1-2) New York Jets.
The Cardinals offense hopes to rebound after a sub-par performance in a 17-24 loss to the Redskins last week, but the real problem was generating defensive pressure. Although nursing a sore ankle, Brett Favre will pick the Cardinals secondary apart unless pressured early and often by Clancy Pendergast´s blitz schemes.
Offensive Keys:
* Protect Kurt Warner. Facing motivated ex-teammate Calvin Pace, the Cardinals offensive line must provide Warner with adequate protection to scan the field and make accurate reads. Given time, Warner operates the team with surgical precision.
* Spread the field. Sweeps, reverses, and misdirections do just as much to upset a defensive scheme as do long passes down the middle. The Cardinals were too formulaic against Washington and lost.
* Control the ball. Long sustained drives and turnover-free ball will be required to keep the ball out of Brett Favre´s capable hands.
Defensive Keys:
* Pressure Brett Favre. Bertrand Berry is out for the next 3-4 weeks (groin), so Darnell Dockett and Clark Haggans need to step up and make Brett Favre feel uncomfortable in the pocket.
* Shut down the hot reads. Favre will attempt to make the Cardinals pay with short slants and outlet passes WRs Jerricho Cotchery and Laveranues Coles, exploiting man coverage. Defensive lineman need to get their arms up and disrupt Favre´s throwing lanes.
* Create turnovers. The Cardinals have forced 0 turnovers in their past two games. Coach Ken Whisenhunt needs his team to generate turnovers if they intend to become a playoff caliber team.
Predicted Outcome:
* Kurt Warner finishes with 200 yards, 2 TDs, and 2 INT against an aggressive blitzing Jets team.
* The Red Storm defense led by Travis LaBoy and Calais Campbell sacks Favre 3.0 times and forces 2 turnovers.
* In sloppy conditions, the Cardinals beat the Jets 24-16.
WK 3: Player Props/Player Knocks
September 22, 2008
This weekly segment focuses on players gettin’ props, and players gettin’ knocked for their hustle or lack thereof on the football field.
Player Props: Gerald Hayes #54
Why: The Washington Redskins touched the ball 73 times on Sunday, Gerald Hayes led the Cardinals by tackling 17.8% of them (nearly 1 out of every 5 snaps). That’s a pretty good day at the office.
Honorable Mention: Antrel Rolle #21
Why: Who made Antrel mad? Jeez… Antrel flew around FedEx Field sticking his hat into all kinds of Redskins trouble to the tune of 6.0 tackles (5.0 solo) and 1 pass defensed. If anyone came close to generating a turnover Sunday, it was Antrel who applied bone-jarring hits and doubled his tackle totals from the previous 2 games combined.
Player Knocks: Roderick Hood # 26
Why: Hood was caught guarding a Gatorade bucket on a Jason Campbell TD bomb to Devin Thomas, but was bailed out by a phantom Redskins personal foul occurring away from the ball. Regardless of the outcome, if you let a guy get at LEAST 30 yards open behind you and shy away from tackles all day, you’re going to end up in the Player Knocks section.
What’s up with THAT, Whisenhunt?
September 21, 2008
Penalties, turnovers, and a stupid punt with 2:37 left in regulation leads to a 17-24 loss to the Washington Redskins.
Coach Ken Whisenhunt has the Cardinals headed in the right direction, but Whisenhunt lost his way with an inexplicable decision to punt on 4th and 4 from the Arizona 42 yard line with 2:37 left in regulation. Coming on the heels of a clock-eating 6:32 drive by the Redskins, the call just didn’t make any sense. Oh sure, 6 costly penalties and 2 turnovers by the Cardinals ultimately caused the 17-24 loss, but there’s no more surefire way to kill a comeback than to give the other team the ball with less than 3 minutes to go.
Full video highlights on NFL.com here.
What went wrong:
* Turnovers - Edgerrin James fumbled in the first half and Kurt Warner was intercepted off a tipped ball, leading to 10 Redskins points. Defensively, the Cardinals were unable to pressure Jason Campbell into mistakes, or cause any momentum changing turnovers.
* No Defensive Stops - the Cardinals held Clinton Portis to 68 yards on 21 carries (3.2 yard avg) and 1 TD, but couldn’t stop Washington when they needed it most. Campbell had plenty of time in the pocket, and frustrated the Cardinals with a 73.3 completion % to seven different receivers, utilizing WRs (11-105-TD) and TEs (9-76-TD) almost equally.
* Offensive Predictability - Kurt Warner held the ball to long, Washington sat back in a zone, and the offense never looked explosive, despite a 62-yard TD pass to Larry Fitzgerald and a nifty 18-yard pass from WR Jerheme Urban to RB Tim Hightower to setup a short TD pass to Anquan Boldin.
Category: 2008 Season, Game Results | Tags: Anquan Boldin, Edgerrin James, Jerheme Urban, Ken Whisenhunt, Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Losses, Tim HightowerWK 2: Player Props/Player Knocks
September 20, 2008
This weekly segment focuses on players gettin’ props, and players gettin’ knocked for their hustle or lack thereof on the football field.
Player Props: Bertrand Berry #92
Why: Berry chased down running backs like a runaway hay baler and gobbled up everything in sight. My props to a man who had 4.0 tackles (3.0 solo) and a sack against Washington.
Honorable Mention: Calais Campbell #93
Why: Campbell, congrats on your best game as a Pro. Way to blow up the line and torpedo the running back behind the line of scrimmage. Nice job hustling that big 6′8″ frame of yours downfield on punt coverage to stop the ball on the 1-yard line… I’m sure Miami loved that one! Nothing but good things ahead for you.
Player Knocks: Ralph Brown #20
Why: Brown didn’t bring his tackling “A” game against the Redskins, and got exposed when Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown shoved him to the ground on screens and sweeps. Probably not the most fun Ralph’s had in a film session, but that’s why there’s next week.
WK 3 PREVIEW: ARI @ WAS 1:00 PM (EST) KICKOFF
September 19, 2008
NFL Week 3 Matchup: Arizona Cardinals vs. Washington Redskins
Overview: Heartbreak. For any Cardinal fan with a pulse, there’s no other way to describe last year’s 21-19 loss to the Washington Redskins in Week 7 last year. Want to feel angry all over again? Watch the heartbreaking missed extra point, missed FG as time expires, etc. on NFL.com here. Want to feel redemption? Beat the 1-1 Washington Redskins on their home turf for the first time since 1998. If the Cardinals win this game, they’ll start the season 3-0 for the first time since 1974, and establish themselves as the team to beat in the 2008 NFC West.
Offensive Keys:
* Win on the ground. “Heresy!” you may say after Kurt Warner’s perfect 158.3 quarterback rating last week. Yep, sorry to say, but unless you want Warner getting blasted by Jason Taylor, Andre Carter, and a blitzing LaRon Landry, Cardinals RBs Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower need to rumble for a combined 120 rushing yards to keep everyone honest. No joke.
* Protect Kurt Warner. If given time, Warner will dismantle the blitzing ‘Skins with quick passes to the hot read. However, if blockers miss assignments and Kurt gets knocked around back there, it could be a long day.
* Play smart. Don’t beat yourselves with stupid offensive penalties. Washington poses the first defensive test for the Cardinals, so ball control on sustained drives will be key.
Defensive Keys:
* Shut down Clinton Portis. The Redskins want the Cardinals to commit extra defenders to stopping Portis’s 4.1 rush yard/attempt average, and then break explosive WRs Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El over the top. If the Cardinals can stop Portis without committing safety help, the Redskins big-play offense will fizzle.
* Hit Jason Campbell. Knock him down, make him uncomfortable in the pocket. The Giants beat the Redskins in Week 1 by taking Campbell out of rhythm. Last week the Saints failed to get into Campbell’s head, and lost.
* Create turnovers. The Cardinals forced 5 turnovers (4 FFs and 1 INT) in Week 1, but forced the Miami Dolphins into zero miscues in Week 2. Let’s get back to the ball-hawking defense of Week 1.
Predicted Outcome:
* Kurt Warner finishes with 250 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT to balance 90 yards and 1 TD on the ground from Edgerrin James.
* Jason Campbell throws 2 interceptions, Antrel Rolle scores his first defensive TD of the year.
* The Cardinals beat the Redskins 34-23.
Hat trick!!!
September 16, 2008
Kurt Warner and Anquan Boldin connected for 3 TDs in a convincing 31-10 home victory over the Miami Dolphins.
Kurt Warner described Sunday as “one of those days when everything’s clicking and you feel like you can’t be stopped”.
The aerial assault began with Warner’s first pass of the day, a 79-yard TD completion to Anquan Boldin, and they were just getting started. Watch video highlights on NFL.com here.
Keys to Victory:
* Offensive Rhythm - Warner hit Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin in rhythm, which allowed the athletic wide receivers to run after the catch for huge gains. Warner spread the ball around with completions to 7 different receivers, which kept the Dolphins’ secondary from successfully double teaming any one player. Warner’s quarterback rating of 128.5 is second best in the NFL (Ben Roethlisberger leads with a 136.3 rating).
Arizona Receiving
* Offensive Line Play - the Cardinals have allowed 5.0 sacks this year through the first two games (compared with 1.0 total last year at this time), but thus far the offensive line has been fantastic in protecting Warner, it’s just that he refuses to throw the ball away and takes coverage sacks. Similarly, the team is averaging a paltry 2.7 yards per rushing attempt (31st in the league), but the line has only allowed 4 drive-stalling tackles for a loss on running plays in 2008 (combined -6 yards), compared to 6 tackles for a loss (combined -20 yards) through the first two games in 2007. That’s a huge improvement.
* Quarterback Pressure - Bertrand Barry (1 sack) and the Cardinals kept the opposing team’s quarterback uncomfortable in the pocket for the second straight game.
WK 2 PREVIEW: MIA @ ARI 4:15 PM (EST) KICKOFF
September 11, 2008
NFL Week 2 Matchup: Miami Dolphins vs. Arizona Cardinals
Overview: All eyes are on Kurt Warner as the Cardinals QB attempts to lead the team to its first 2-0 start since 1991. The Cardinals face a Miami Dolphins team that finished a league worst 1-15 in 2007, but narrowly lost 20-14 in Week 1 versus a much improved New York Jets team.
The Cardinals offense was brutally efficient, but not spectacular in a 23-13 win over the 49ers. The Cardinals controlled the ball for 37:05 (61.8% of the game), which helped limit the potent San Francisco offense to only 44 offensive plays (second fewest in Week 1).
Edgerrin James rushed for 100 yards in the opener, but with a team average of 2.8 yards per attempt (30th in the league), Warner needs to stretch the field with early completions to Leonard Pope and Anquan Boldin down the middle, and Larry Fitzgerald on the outside to keep physical Miami linebackers Channing Crowder and Joey Porter from crowding the line.
Offensive Keys:
* Warner needs to make quick reads and get rid of the ball. He held onto the ball too long in the opener and was sacked 3.0 times.
* Win the tough yards again inside. Tim Hightower is 2-2 on converting short 4th down conversions, but needs to improve on his 1.7 yards per carry average.
* Play smart. Don’t commit stupid offensive penalties.
Defensive Keys:
* Shut down tight ends David Martin and Anthony Fasano over the middle. Make Dolphins QB Chad Pennington beat you with throws to the WRs outside.
* Travis LaBoy, Bertrand Berry and Darnell Dockett must provide QB pressure, but can’t overcommit allowing Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown to capitalize on draws inside.
* Keep the ball out of Ted Ginn Jr.’s hands on punt and kickoff returns.
Predicted Outcome:
* Kurt Warner will finish with 250 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT in leading a balanced offensive attack.
* Led by 4.0 sacks, the Cardinals “Red Storm” defense will score its first defensive TD of the year.
* The Cardinals will edge the hard-running Dolphins 27-20.
The Boldin the Beautiful
September 8, 2008
No drama here, the Cardinals begin 2008 with a convincing 23-13 win over the 49ers and the NFC West lead.
They didn’t soar to victory, but the Cardinals sure knew how to play keep away from the 49ers in the second half. Tied 10-10 at halftime, Arizona controlled the ball for 22:38 in the second half (75%), keeping Frank Gore and the 49ers offense off the field, and cruised to a 23-13 victory. Full video highlights from NFL.com here.
Keys to Victory:
* Turnovers - last season the Cardinals lost the turnover battle 1-6 versus the 49ers and lost both games. In Sunday’s victory, the Cardinals won the turnover battle 5-0 (4 fumbles and an Adrian Wilson interception), and controlled the game.
* Quarterback Pressure - the Cardinals sacked J.T. O’Sullivan 4 times and forced him into 3 turnovers (2 fumbles and 1 interception). On numerous plays O’Sullivan was knocked down or taken out of rhythm by pressure from Darnell Dockett (5 tackles, FF), Bertrand Barry (1 sack, FF), and Travis LaBoy (2 sacks, FF, fumble recovery).
* Running Game - The Cardinal offense never fully clicked, but the rushing game did just enough to keep the chains moving. Edgerrin James rushed 26 times for 100 yards (3.8 yard avg), and Tim Hightower converted on the tough short yards, including a 1-yard TD plunge on 4th down.
Category: 2008 Season, Game Results | Tags: 49ers, Adrian Wilson, Anquan Boldin, Bertrand Barry, Darnell Dockett, Edgerrin James, Larry Fitzgerald, Tim Hightower, Travis LaBoy, WinsWK 1 PREVIEW: ARI @ SF 4:15 PM (EST) KICKOFF
September 7, 2008
NFL Week 1 Matchup: Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers
Overview: It’s deja vu all over again, as the Cardinals return to the site of their heartbreaking 20-17 loss to the 49ers in Week 1 of the 2007 season.
The Cardinals 2007 playoff dreams were crippled by a second loss to the 49ers in Week 12, this time a gut-wrenching 37-31 OT home loss. The Cardinals (8-8) clearly outmatched the 49ers (5-11) on paper, but lost the turnover battle 6 to 1.
If the Cardinals intend to be 2008 playoff contenders, they must finish at least .500 against their first four opponents, who had a combined record of 19-64 (.297 winning %) in 2007.
Offensive Keys:
* Average 3.5 yards rushing per attempt to keep linebacker Patrick Willis honest against the run.
* Use Kurt Warner’s strong arm to exploit favorable matchups for Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin on the sidelines, and 6-8″ Leonard Pope up the middle.
* Eliminate turnovers.
Defensive Keys:
* Travis LaBoy and Darnell Dockett must pressure Mike Martz’s strong-armed QB J.T. Sullivan into mistakes.
* Use Adrian Wilson to shadow Frank Gore, who burned the Cardinals for a combined 214 yards (116 rushing) and 2 TDs in Week 12 last year.
* Win the battle for field position by shutting down punt and kickoff returns.
Predicted Outcome:
* The Cardinals “Red Storm” defense will pressure J.T. Sullivan into 2 interceptions.
* The offense will score just enough behind a Tim Hightower rushing TD and a Leonard Pope TD catch.
* The Cardinals will edge the 49ers 23-17.
AZ Cardinals Preseason Report Card
September 3, 2008
Tim Hightower video “highlights” from an exciting preseason
Improved offensive and defensive line play helped the Arizona Cardinals finish the 2008 preseason with a record of 2-2, tied for second place behind 3-1 Seattle.
2008 Preseason NFC West Standings
TEAM________W L T PF PA
Seattle______ 3 1 0 103 77
San Francisco__2 2 0 94 74
Arizona_______2 2 0 75 69
St. Louis______2 2 0 61 71
The Cardinals had the stingiest defense (17.3 points per game), but finished second to last in offense (18.8 points per game). Division leader Seattle allowed a division worst 19.3 points per game, but scored a robust 25.8 points per game.
The quarterback competition between Kurt Warner and Matt Leinart was the biggest headline of the preseason, but several players made notable impacts, including six out of seven rookies from the 2008 draft class. The below is a quick recap of notable players and contributions.
OFFENSE:
Kurt Warner = B+
Warner completed 12 of 17 passes 142 yards (8.4 yard avg), 0 TDs and 0 INTs, for a passer rating of 95.7. He looked solid.
Matt Leinart = C
Leinart completed 28 of 45 passes 354 yards (7.9 yard avg), 2 TDs and 3 INTs, for a passer rating of 73.8. Leinart actually played much better than his 73.8 rating in three out of the four games played, but had one disastrous start against the Raiders, completing just 4 of 12 passes for 24 yards (2.0 yard avg), 0 TDs and 3 INTs that ultimately cost him the starting job.
Brian St. Pierre = B
St. Pierre faced third string competition in most games, but completed 24 of 37 passes 233 yards (6.3 yard avg), 2 TDs and 0 INTs, for a passer rating of 100.4.
Tim Hightower = B+
Hightower rushed 28 times for 107 yards (3.8 yard avg) with 3 TDs and 2 fumbles. He also caught 4 passes for 14 yards (3.5 yard avg) and 0 TDs. He ran with authority, displaying a good one-cut slashing style, and looks to be a fantastic 5th round draft pick.
J.J. Arrington = B+
Arrington made the most of his preseason touches and thensome. Arrington rushed 11 times for 123 yards (11.2 yard avg) with 2 TDs and 0 fumbles. He also caught 2 passes for 10 yards (5.0 avg) and 0 TDs. Arrington broke TD runs of 67 and 27 yards in his final two preseason games, displaying the quickness and straightaway speed that made him a 2nd round draft pick in 2005.
Leonard Pope = B
Pope made the most of his preseason touches, catching 4 passes for 44 yards (11.0 yard avg) for 2 TDs and 0 fumbles. Pope looks to increase on his 5 TDs from 2007, and after a strong preseason that included TD catches of 18 yards and 17 yards in back-to-back games against Oakland and Denver, he certainly seems poised for a strong season in 2008.
Brandon Keith = ?
Hard to say. The 6-5″ 343 lb rookie offensive tackle selected in the 7th round from Northern Iowa made the team, so I’m guessing that’s a good start.
Early Doucet = C
Doucet had 1 catch for 7 yards in his first three games, but ended the preseason on a high note, recording 3 catches for 45 yards (15.0 yard avg) against Denver.
DEFENSE:
Calais Campbell = A-
The first of the Cardinals two rookie DEs had a monster preseason, leading the team with 15 total tackles (12 solo), and 0 sacks. At 6-7″ and 282 lbs, Campbell looks to be an instant contributor in 2008.
Kenny Iwebema = B+
Iwebema was also a preseason rookie DE force, displayed a tremendous bull rush, and recorded 9 total tackles (8 solo), and 2 sacks (tied for the team lead with Travis LaBoy and Clark Haggans).
Chris Harrington = F
Unfortunately, Harrington did not survive final roster cut.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie = B
The Cardinals highly touted 1st round draft choice, Rodgers-Cromartie was steady in preseason play, recording 2 solo tackles in each of the first three games, and ended with 3 solo tackles and 1 pass defensed against Denver. His preseason totals were 9 tackles (9 solo) with 0 INTs and 1 pass defensed.
Category: 2008 Season, Editorial | Tags: Brandon Keith, Brian St. Pierre, Calais Campbell, Chris Harrington, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Early Doucet, J.J. Arrington, Kenny Iwebema, Kurt Warner, Leonard Pope, Matt Leinart, Tim Hightower