Russell was running for his life all game and I felt pretty bad for the guy; Um, nah I didn’t! It refreshing to see the other teams QB’s get it for a change. (On a side note, even with a lousy blocking line, Russell looked pretty good and I think he is going to be the real deal). Our run game, WOW! What more could fans ask? Hightower of course didn’t let us down and continued to impress, but what about JJ? Where has this guy been the last three years, seriously? He’s running with authority and after Saturday you can definitely see he’s got the homerun threat. I have always liked Edge. He’s been a workhorse for years averaging 317 carries a year for the last nine seasons, but that kind of wear and tear on a back is tough. I still think he’s one of the best pass blocking backs in the NFL, but the Cards need to find how to get the 1-2 punch of Hightower and Arrington more carries this season. Warner is going to have so many weapons this season to work with, I am pumped to see what kind of numbers they put up this season.

Is this a contract year for JJ? He’s starting to play like his job depended on it. And maybe it does. Don’t forget that the fans have been begging for his head after a second round selection and nothing significant to show for it. Not to mention his summer legal issues that I doubt are completely resolved. Tomorrow at least four players are to be cut to get to the league mandated 75. A few days later the other 22 are gone. With defense the priority and depth on the offensive line and defense a must have, how many backs do we really need? I would guess that just in case, he’d better continue to shine on special teams if nothing else. He went from back of the future to third string at best.

very catchable for at least 12 yards that Boldin dropped during one of those drives.

Or will his competitive side take over and he’ll start making plays. I think he’ll be sporadic at best, and we definitely won’t see any blocking out of him this season.

G, great points to note without overstating the obvious (other news outlets can do that). I especially appreciate your attention to the Special Teams issue. And it is an issue.

I fear the punter position is going to be a “flavour of the year” situation. Dirk shows flashes of why he’s made NFL teams, but is still showing why he cannot stick with a team for very long. His net average isn’t any better than what Player was giving the Cards after 8+ years but Player could at least stick a punt inside the 20 with regularity.

Our coverage teams are a little loose and have always tended to be that way. I suspect the trend seen so far in the preseason is a lot of “bubble” players are getting plugged into coverage teams to see what they have. I haven’t seen Sean Morey, our defacto “ST Stud”, on ST yet. Is he being “saved” for the season? I was encouraged to see Lance Long getting a shot at punt returns,as that tells me the coaches are trying to find a way to get him on the team. He didn’t do much but at least he didn’t make some glaring mistakes. Perhaps Morey is on the way out to make room for Long?

I’d really like to see Rackers thrown out there to take a whack at a long field goal against Denver. He’s sharp at close range but it’s the long ones we’ll need at the end of the half that could make or break a victory. It is good to see he’s toned down his emotions too. Please no more Bill Gramatica-like celebrations.

The Defense is deep and exciting as hell. I’m kicking myself for not drafting them in my fantasy league now. So many tools, so many schemes, I hope to see a lot of sacks spread throughout the defense and a few more INTs. This should happen if the Cards are scoring and forcing the other team to throw.

As for the penalties…I guess I’ll just be yelling at the TV a lot this year too. At least the cats have learned to stay out of kicking distance. ::wink:: The Raiders were the most penalized team for years, even when they were winning, let’s hope the Cards can mimic that since the team cannot seem to fix it for long.

Before I forget, I love TiVo! I love a Cardinals running game! I think I rewinded every 5+ yard run to see how the blocking set up. It was refreshing to see the Cards dominating on the run. The two-TE set is showing a lot of promise. There were a few runs that could have been a lot longer had the back seen the angle quicker. Clearly Chris Vincent was brought in to work the late minutes of the preseason but he shows some game. He may edge out Baylark for a spot on the practice squad this year. Who else was giddy to see Castille making the plays he did? A noteworthy FB in Arizona? Wha? Who? Is that Larry Centers reborn out there?

Yes, sitting a player for dumb penalties makes sense, but late in a close game I don’t see Docket sitting for long, or Dansby at all, or Wilson. I’d suggest Whiz should create the “Penalty Pool”, fining each player $100 per yard of penalty. At the end of the year the Penalty Pool is donated to the local charities. He may as well turn these annoying things into a positive for the community. ::shrugs::

Their longest runs came to the right side, though they broke a few to the left as well. Tuman has impressed me. Probably my biggest surprise has been Elliot Vallejo. Right Tackle. He’s been pretty quiet because he hasn’t done anything wrong and done a lot of things right-on. But that’s what you want out of your linemen, right? Keith is giving him a run for his spot though, but if Keith can play G AND T, then our right side has some better depth than thought at the beginning of camp. I like what I’ve seen out of Alex Shor as a Tuman back-up but I don’t see the Cards keeping four tight-ends. As vulnerable as the o-line is perceived to be, I think the depth is there in talent, just not in experience…yet.

Anyone else have the Fred Wakefield sighting during the Oakland game? Wearing #78, playing tackle again. I’m rooting for him to make the cut.

I just realized this. The Raiders game was an example of classic smashmouth Steelers football. Ball control, great rushing and shut out defense.

Go Whiz