Kolb's history coming into this season was basically the same as Alex Smith's history going into last season. His mediocrity didn't stop them from being on the doorstep of the Superbowl.
I'm not hoping for any of those things. This game really was not on Vick. Coaching was the problem. Reid and Mornhinweg have to remember who they have in their backfield. The first series they went 3 passes and 3 and out. Not one run. In fact, does anybody know how many attempts McCoy was given in the first half? I do and it was 4. 4 damn rushes. I guarantee you Foster, Rice and any other top level running back does not have so few attempts in a first half. Ridiculous. Also, being so pass happy you put your quarterback at even greater risk for injury, something that everybody knows is crucial to the success of the team this year. Somehow Fitzgerald keeps destroying your team and you don't game plan for him...again. Terrible clock management (what else is new) in the first half which pretty much led to the sack, fumble scores for the Cardinals at the end. Just horrible, horrible coaching calls all around. Vick did hold the ball too long at times leading to more hits, Maclin was out which hurts the passing offense and the shifting of the offense line was more than likely going to lead to protection issues. It did look like there was some miscommunication on defense at times. I don't want to take anything away from the Cardinals, they won the game in dominating fashion and there is no guarantee the Eagles win by making the adjustments above but the coaching of the game on the Eagles side pretty much doomed them in the first half.
Yeah, because people won't watch the Super Bowl because of the teams, even if they're both 7-9 or something like that. Besides, the Titans-Rams Super Bowl where both teams came out of nowhere that year was a pretty memorable game no one should have seen according to that logic. Even when the Panthers (2003) and especially the 9-7 Cardinals (2008) made it, they played in some of the most classic Super Bowls ever played. I get your point and you weren't being too serious but except three total Super Bowl duds (32, 35, 37) the SB has had some serious classics and otherwise good games in the last 15 years and people more than ever will tune in. It's been like the anti-90's to early 90's.
Way too early to say so far, they've looked impressive so far and NO ONE beats Brady in Foxboro, especially in September yet they did.
Cardinals defense is every bit real. Their offense may be a little more pretentious until Kolb proves he can do this consistently. I can see them really battle for a WC spot or even give the Niners their money for the div if their defense keeps playing like this. Their defense I'd say is up there with the Texans and Niners.
As someone who had Ray Rice in FF last year and has a deep seeded hatred for the Ravens' OC I can attest that Rice has seen this kind of inexplicable OC amnesia.... alot
I haven't had the chance to watch a Cardinals game. How are they doing it? I know who they're playmakers are, I can view the stats, but what is it? The strategy? They pass rush? Disrupt? Discipline? What is it?
Their DC, Ray Horton, was an assistant coach for Pittsburgh's defense during the mid-2000s while Whisenhunt was their OC. I'm seeing shades of that 3-4 pass rush in his gameplan. Their defense was underrated last year because of injuries and how absolutely terrible their offense was, but they were a top 5 unit in the last 8 games of the season. They have some SERIOUS talent on D. Calais Campbell, Vonnie Holliday, Sam Acho, Darnell Dockett, Patrick Peterson, William Gay, Adrian Wilson. Those dudes can bring it.
Their Defense is excellent...but their offense is suspect...if Kolb doesnt try being a gun slinger...they have a chance to be a very special team...but its still very early in the season.
It's a little of everything you mentioned. Their secondary is pretty disciplined and also very quick when reacting to passes. Patrick Peterson has allowed something wild like 2 catches or something around those lines when thrown in his direction. Their pass rush is strong... and I would really give a lot of the credit of the defense to their DC Ray Horton. His schemes are pretty good too. They know how to disguise their schemes well and it fools the defense a lot. Here's an example.. http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-...30434/jaworski-cards-confused-brady-in-week-2
Surprised to hear Petersen is doing so well. I only saw him play twice last year, early in the season, and he looked rough in coverage. I figured it would be at least 2 years before he got it together. I need league pass man.
Last year at a game I went to, Ravens @ Jaguars. I had Rice on my FF team. My whole team sucked ass that week. I don't think I had a single TD from anyone. Rice had 8 carries the entire game. Ravens lost 7-12. He had another game where he had 5 carries, shockingly they also lost that one to the Seahawks.
I guess I need to start paying attention to the Cardinals. I couldn't name a single player on their defense outside of Patrick Peterson, but clearly they have some talent.
