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Arizona Cardinals Beat Niners 23-13: Offensive Breakdown

The Arizona Cardinals strolled into San Francisco and used brute force to get the first win of the season and even though the offense wasn't spectacular, they did what they had to do to win the game. It was a workman-like performance with no one player sticking out as the key to the offense but a good job of every player doing his part.

Quarterback: If you had told me going into the game that Warner would throw 30 passes but less than 200 yards, I'd have been awful worried about the outcome of the game. Efficient would be the best way to describe his game though, with 63.3% completion and a QB rating of 93. His yards per attempt (6.6) was a full yard and a half below his career average but the best stat of the for Kurt was zero turnovers and if he's not turning the ball over, this team will difficult to beat. The Niners seemed content with sitting back and trying to take away any kind of down the field passing game and Warner did a good job of taking what he was given. Grade: BEdge5_medium

Running Backs: Edgerrin James is the epitome of a blue-collar back these days. He carried the load again yesterday and finished with his sixth 100 yard game as a Cardinal. His longest run was only 10 yards and his yards per carry wasn't great (3.8), but when the offense needed to grind out some yards and let the clock run, he was at his best. Together he and Hightower just kept pounding out the tough yards and putting the offense in manageable third down situations. Hightower only added 13 yards on 8 carries but his fourth down TD run in the third quarter was crucial. He also added 3 receptions for 21 yards. With the Niners defense focused on making the running game beat them, Edge and Hightower did enough to make them pay.  Grade: B

Wide Receivers: The receivers ended up playing less of role than we thought going into the game but we saw some promising things from each of the big three. Anquan Boldin was the leading receiving in both receptions and yards, but his biggest contribution was being Kurt's go-to receiver in the second half. The Cardinals finished the game with ten first downs via the pass and Boldin had six of them on his eight catches. Fitz didn't get many opportunities with only four passes thrown his way but he hauled in three of them, including a beautiful one yard TD on a perfectly thrown fade route. Steve Breaston had a really good game as the #3 receiver and is proving that he's better than Bryant Johnson already. His forty yard reception was the biggest play of the game and he had a crucial third down catch in the third quarter on the drive that the Cardinals took the lead. The tight end duo of Pope and Patrick were virtually non-existent. Grade: B+

Boldin4_medium

Offensive Line: This is obviously the hardest unit to judge when watching a game and if anyone really broke down the play of the offensive line, please chime in with your observations. From what I could tell though watching the game at full speed, it was a mixed bag. I wasn't overly impressed with the group but they stepped up when they were really needed, after all it's nearly impossible to dominate the time of possession like they did without a good offensive line. The team as a whole only averaged 3.2 yards per carry (not counting Warner's four kneel downs), but they also only allowed one rush for negative yardage. While they weren't spectacular in the running game, I thought that they were good enough to give Edge and Hightower a chance to succeed. In the passing game, they struggled more than I thought they would giving up three sacks but overall they gave Warner enough time to get rid of the ball more times than not and at least one of the sacks could be a result him not wanting to force the ball. Grade: C+

Play Calling: Overall the play calling was more conservative than I would have imagined and I'm not sure if that was the gameplan going in or if Todd Haley just decided to take what the Niner defense was giving them. The first down play calls were pretty even with 15 rushes (not counting Warner's kneel) to 12 passes and my only real complaint is that the offense seemed to get even more conservative as the offense neared the end zone. Hopefully it was just some opening day jitters or it could have been the Niner defense forcing Warner to take check downs, but they'll have to improve in the red zone if they want to make a run at the West. Grade: B-

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Overall not bad for the first game out of the gate and there were definitely some bright spots and areas that need to be improved. Thoughts? Agree/Disagree? How would you grade each unit?

0 recs  |  Comment 13 comments |

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Frankly...

I dont think Whiz was in the locker room after the game giving any high fives or ass pats.

I saw a lot of individual efforts sporadically through out the game. I saw a lot of people with amazing ability and motivation making amazing plays. But I also say a lot of room for improvement in a lot of areas.

Frankly, I think we were lucky to be playing SF and not Buffalo, Dallas, NYG, NE, etc…

But a “W” is a “W” and i was on my feet getting loud most of the game. GO CARDS!

by badmatty53 on Sep 8, 2008 11:38 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

you're probably exactly right

This wasn’t a great win by any means but it was a W against a team that swept us last year. It probably should have been about 35-13 but oh well. They’ve got at least this week to get the kinks worked out before they head to the great northeast for WAS and NYJ.

by cgolden on Sep 8, 2008 11:46 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

OL

The thing about Warner being the QB over Leinart is that Levi Brown is not a left tackle, he’s a right tackle playing left tackle since the left-handed QB was supposed to be the starter. He’s going to have some issues, but he’s talented.
Obviously the center situation is a mess. The center “typically” makes the line calls so that might be a problem. However, time will only help.

My $.02

by KDean75 on Sep 8, 2008 12:35 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

good point about center

I actually like the idea of Sendlein starting. I think he’s the future and in time he’ll be just as good if not better than Al J. He probably doesn’t have the veteran savy yet and he may get mixed up on a some calls but I like his ability and I think the OL will be better with him in there.

by cgolden on Sep 8, 2008 12:51 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Center is good, but signing some depth would be nice

I’m really liking the idea of Sendlein under Center. It’s going to take some time for him to truly take control of the OL, but I think Sendlein actually gives us a better chance to make the Playoffs than Al does. He’s young, has good punch, and was moving down the field well to make wholes for the running game. I know this is optimistic but I really think we have a shot this year. The only thing I want now is a quality backup Center.

by CardsFan08 on Sep 8, 2008 10:50 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

True that

I think it was Darren Urban who said he expected Pat Ross to me moved back to the practice squad and a decent backup center to be signed.

by cgolden on Sep 9, 2008 6:10 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Center position is fine

Sendlein had a couple starts last year and plenty of practice time. He was the #1 for training camp. The Cards must have a lot of confidence in his ability to effectively dump Al Johnson on IR with the plans to cut him as soon as he’s healthy. If Sendlein were to go down…that would qualify as a “mess”!

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

by Hawkwind on Sep 8, 2008 1:12 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

kind of my point

Signing practice squad members to be your primary backup on the O. line is less than ideal.

by KDean75 on Sep 8, 2008 3:49 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

On the Road

During the past twenty-plus years in the desert, the percentage of road victories against divisional foes may not have crested the Mendoza line. I was really encouraged by the performance on Sunday. Furthermore, the victory was not an “ugly” win but was a great example of the manner in which the coaching staff managed to suppress Kurt Warner’s “riverboat gambler” inclinations. I believe that very few road teams record the turnover margin turned in by the Cardinals. It is something to build on for the entire season.

Our heroes will be heavily favored against the Fish this week. While this team can never take a game for granted, we have opportunities for a great start and a one game lead on the division is, well, a one game lead on the division. I believe the Rams coaching staff had a bit of a “Dead Man Walking” demeanor on Sunday. I believe they will have difficulties turning things around. Lest we all get giddy, though, I don’t think the Seahawks practices will feature a whole bunch of Kumbaya sessions during the next few weeks. I predict they will be back with a vengeance.

Let’s just go out and win the division. Wouldn’t it be nice to ring in the Holidays by preparing for the post-season rather than firing up the mainframe computer to itemize all of the possible scenarios allowing us to sneak in with the Wild Card.

Admit it, hevchv, you never thought you would hear it from me.

by SanAntone on Sep 8, 2008 2:28 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

early line for the Miami game -- Cards -7

I thought it might be a tad more than that but whatever, bring ’em on.

by cgolden on Sep 8, 2008 2:43 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

As long as you can be objective you can be Dr. Phil anytime you want.

My montre has always been to be subjective for my Cards. Like I said. I was definitely having fun with you. Go Cards!! But no. I didn’t expect that from you.

by hevchv on Sep 8, 2008 5:08 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Q looked mad and played with purpose

I really liked Q pushing his way down the field on Sunday. That play where he blasted past two defenders and was finally taken down by the third charged me up. I’m hoping he stays focused on football and keeps bringing the same intensity.

by CardsFan08 on Sep 8, 2008 10:52 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

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