Arizona Cardinals Size Up the Upstart St. Louis Rams

by cgolden on Oct 30, 2008 6:34 AM MDT in General Arizona Cardinals News

The Arizona Cardinals face a familiar opponent this week, the St. Louis Rams. The Cardinals are used to the Rams, but even they might be surprised by the team that takes the field on Sunday. The Rams started the season a laughing stock and after four weeks they were the consensus worst team in the league and looked like a virtual lock for top three pick in next year's draft. Looking for a jump start, they changed the quarterback, but it didn't work. The team was 0-4 and had been outscored by an unheard of 104 points. A change in the head coach would come next and Jim Haslett would have one bye week to turn the team. The change was unlike anyone could have possibly imagined. The 0-4 September that gave way to the 2-1 October:

	September	October
Points	11	23
Points Allowed	37	18
Yards	187	295
Yards Allowed	412	352
Turnover Battle	-3	+7
Passing Yards	182	201
Rushing Yards	84	118

It's pretty amazing that Haslett has been able to improve both sides of the ball so dramatically. It's even more impressive when you consider that the teams they've played in October are a combined 16-7. They're playing within themselves and relying on the running game and a suddenly improved defense to keep them in games. They've also gotten at least one big play in each of the past three games from rookie, Donnie Avery. Avery totaled just six receptions for 46 yards the first four games but the past three games he's becoming a bigger and bigger part of the offense. He's averaged just over four receptions and 97 yards per game the past three weeks and he's had at least one play of 40 yards in each game.

Are you buying the Rams as a good team yet or have the past three games just been an aberration?

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Playing to their ability

The Scott Linnehan situation must have been stewing all off-season. The Rams played heartless football to start games, fell behind quickly, and the team lost it’s soul. The raw stats above hint at that and just watching snippets of their games on TV left me feeling that the Rams were the Lambs once more.

Jim Haslett take over and the metamorphasis has been startling. How can a “dead” team suddenly look so lively? A change in coach midseason is usually good for one inspired win, but two in a row against quality NFC East opponents? I’m worried.

The Rams looked good against the Patriots on the road and should have had that game until some tipped passes turned into INTs for the home team. The Rams had some big plays against their last three opponents and we all know how the Cards tend to give up big plays.

Both teams must feel like this is a game they should win. It comes down to the same hackneyed things that always decided victory: minimize turnovers and execute the offense. The Cardinals’ secondary needs to wake up and make some plays this week as Bulger loves to fling the ball as much as ever. The defensive line needs to get the pressure on regularly. The Cards offensive line needs to keep Warner vertical both in posture and in the passing game. It’s become an annual tradition to have a QB knocked out of this game in St. Louis. Matt Leinart broke his collarbone here last year and Bulger was knocked out the year before. The Cardinals need to take advantage of the one place in the NFL where they can foster a homefield advantage outside of Arizona and get the old St. Louis Cardinals fans going. I imagine tickets are easy to come by so there could be more than normal to see a winning Cardinals team.

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Oct 30, 2008 7:01 AM MDT reply actions

Compare

What it comes down to is who is the better team? Carolina or St louis? Which is a harder place to play? The the Rams are not as good as Carolina, and it will be easier to play in an indoor environment. The Rams will put up a fight, but this one is in the Cards favor.

Keys to victory will be:

Stopping the big play, run or pass.
Limit turnovers, especially from Warner.
Develop a running game, James needs to produce.
Whether Steven Jackson will play. If he doesn’t, that will be significant.

by Andrew602 on Oct 30, 2008 10:25 AM MDT reply actions

good keys

Can’t argue a bit on the Carolina/St. Louis comparison. If the Cards can play the Panthers to within four points, they should be able to handle the Rams. Of course, a couple teams a week say about the same thing and then get embarrassed.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Oct 30, 2008 12:14 PM MDT up reply actions

Be afraid; just not very afraid

As a St Louis guy, and Rams fan, I can tell you that the turnaround has been dramatic. Haslett is a good motivator, and has gotten the horned ones back on track. He also has them playing like its a game, which always brings out the best in a team. However, there are still a lot of question marks which I would expect Kurt, Larry, and Anquan to exploit. The secondary is ballhawkish, but there is not an exceptional cover guy (think Aeneas Williams) amongst them, nor a sure handed tackler. The linebackers are actually pretty good in my opinion, but the line still needs work (and experience) to bring the pressure that rattles QBs. But, Jackson is an absolute stud, and Avery looks like the real deal as well. All in all, I have been quite pleased with the change in the Blue and Gold, but I think the Sultan of Stubble and your desert fowl will find themselves on the winning end of a 38 – 31 shootout when the smoke clears in the Dome on Sunday. Best of luck in the division, and enjoy the playoffs!! I mean that.

by warnerforhof on Oct 30, 2008 4:33 PM MDT reply actions

Welcome

And thanks for your input. Good stuff

by badmatty53 on Oct 30, 2008 4:36 PM MDT up reply actions

Good to have some competition in the division

All the teams need to improve (including the Cards) so we are not the laughing stock of the NFL.

by AJ BirdWatcher on Oct 30, 2008 4:56 PM MDT up reply actions

glad to have you aboard and thanks for the compliment.

And you’re right, it will be a close game and I hope we do come out on the right side of the triple zeros (game clock for those not following).

by hevchv on Oct 30, 2008 5:09 PM MDT up reply actions

Jim Haslett is a great coach

He did some great things in New Orleans before injuries/circumstances pushed him out. I’ve thought highly of the guy since ‘92 when he was the Sacramento Surge’s (WLAF/NFLE) defensive coordinator for that championship year. I wish him well and hope the Rams can mess up the playoff hopes of the other NFC teams OTHER THAN the Cardinals.

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Oct 30, 2008 6:43 PM MDT up reply actions