Post Game Reaction: Warner Out Second Half, Arizona Cardinals Still Win 21-13
by Andrew602 on Nov 22, 2009 5:49 PM MST
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PrintToday's game was a flip flop performance by the Cardinals offense. That could also be blamed on the fact that the Cardinals pro bowl quarterback Kurt Warner didn't play the second half of the game. The game began with a Beanie Wells fumble, and the Rams taking advantage of the turnover with a field goal. The offense took a couple drives to get going as they always seem to do, but once they were firing on all cylinders, they jumped out to a 21-3 lead, by running and passing the ball successfully. After Kurt Warner was knocked down halfway through the 2nd quarter, he was able to finish the scoring drive, but didn't return in the game after that. Matt Leinart finished the game, and there was an immediate drop-off on offense. The Cardinals didn't score for the remainder of the game, but the defense came through to hold off the Rams upset. Let's take a look at the positives and negatives.
The Positives
- The running game was also outstanding for a third week in a row. The Cardinals ran for 183 yards, their highest of the season. 50 of the rushing yards came on a big run by Tim Hightower, in which he broke through the line of scrimmage and ran into Rams territory. The Cardinals ability to run has dramatically made this offense better.
- Kurt Warner was spot on once again, making that three games in a row that he hasn't thrown an interception. He's also been considerably better on the road this season. Let's hope that he's only suffering from a mild concussion and that his return next week is probable.
- The Cardinals defense was solid despite the Rams getting more opportunities in the second half. The inability of the Cardinals to drain any time off the clock, allowed the Rams offense to get more scoring chances. The Rams also had 4, 4th down attempts, converting 3 of them. Despite all of this, the Cardinals defense made the stops when they needed to.
- The Seahawks and the 49ers both lost today, making the Cardinals lead above the 49ers 3 games.
The Negatives
- Matt Leinart wasn't able to heat up as the game went on. It's certainly justified for him to be rusty once he comes into the game, but for Leinart to have trouble throwing the ball down field in the fourth quarter is unacceptable. Once Leinart came into the game, the offense sputtered, and is the primary reason the Rams had a chance at tying the game. The Cardinals should hope that Warner is ready to play by next week, otherwise we may see another poor offensive performance.
- Beanie Wells fumbled on the Cardinals first drive of the game, allowing the Rams to score a field goal. Wells has had issues holding on to the ball this year. The run was a shovel pass that Beanie wasn't able to hold on to. This issue has essentially kept Wells from taking over the starting job.
- Michael Adams isn't a starter, but he had a tough game today despite covering a young receiver in Brandon Gibson. Adams was also flagged for a holding call that gave the Rams a first down.
- The Cardinals had 6 penalties, a number that lowered from last week but still hurt them at times in the game. They also turned the ball over two times - both were fumbles on offense.
Thoughts
Overall it's not hard to be mad at the offense for not putting up any points in the second half. After all, Warner understands how to run the offense and Leinart did not look comfortable in the pocket. Other then that, the defense played well under pressure and the running game was dominant agian. What are your thoughts on the game?
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Warner
Even if it is a mild concussion, the team should seriously consider sitting him for at least one week. With the NFC West firmly in the Cardinal’s control, it’s better to be overly cautious than risk him ending up like Westbrook out in Philly.
"Though liberals do a great deal of talking about hearing other points of view, it sometimes shocks them to learn that there are other points of view." - William F. Buckley, Jr.
+1
At least Leinart made the big play to Doucett when he needed to. He didn’t turn the ball over either but they have to stop rolling him out to the right. I think a week of practice with the first team would do him good and we don’t need to take any risks with Warner.
+2, +1, +1 and +1
+2: Kurt should sit out a week for precautionary reasons. We will still need him for the SB.
+1: When he needed to make a play he did,
+1: Why is a lefty rolling out to his right. He will never get his footwork set on those plays.
+1: He just needs time with the first team. It took Kurt five weeks to get comfortable.
Life's too short. Be a fan. Orlando Magic, Arizona Cardinals,Tampa Bay Rays and of course "the U"! What a winning combo.
I'd say Leinart is more of a result of the playcalling.
He could still make that third down pass to Doucet with the guy draped on his arm. We should get off his back, he wasn’t that bad.
I would give him some time in practice with the starters in case Warner can’t play.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.
No band-wagoner fans allowed, pick a team and stick with em, throughout the good and the bad.
forget leinart's performance
these guys didn’t play for him … that was a joke … i’m glad we got a win but what does it say about a team that doesn’t even try that hard because they have a lead and the # 1 QB isn’t in ? Even Fitz stopped on a Leinart scramble .. what’s up with that ?? NOBODY stops when Rothlisberger scrambles … that’s why they beat us .. play every down cards… or your out the second playoff game (if not the first) … and apologize to leinart while your at it (especially Whiz)
Leinart's performance
Why should they apologize to Leinart? WR= “I’m sorry, Matt, that you threw a pass about 2 feet over my head.” Coach= “My apologies, Matt, I thought you could execute basic pass plays.” Now mind, I don’t think Leinart is garbage and can’t play in this league. I just don’t believe that anybody should be apologizing to him.
"Though liberals do a great deal of talking about hearing other points of view, it sometimes shocks them to learn that there are other points of view." - William F. Buckley, Jr.
-10
these boneheads have played 1 (that’s right) 1 complete game (against Seattle… first one) .. and that shows you how much talent is on the Cardinals … looking at the record .. the O plays a 1/2 and cruises … the D plays a 1/2 and cruises (sometimes the same 1/2… sometimes not) … and they are still winning … imagine if they actually played ALL the time EVERY game ?? i moved here in 93 and have been a cards fan since i stepped off the plane thinking ‘hey… I live in a town with a team … at last.. so I have no patience with this much talent deciding to cruise … and the side show of that thyis time is they made leinart look bad .. if I was him I’gd asked to be traded and hope to catch a team that palys EVERY down, until the whistle blows… even with less talent THAT team would beat THESE cardinals (unless they wake up)
Not exactly on topic...
…but watching Jay Cutler play QB makes me really happy we have Warner. I mean, rrrrreally happy.
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome again. True story.
-Barney Stinson
Yeah
But Cutler is doing better now. It just looks like his confidence is gone after some of the bad games he had.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.
No band-wagoner fans allowed, pick a team and stick with em, throughout the good and the bad.
It's a good day!
When your division goes 1-3 and your the 1 it’s a pretty good day.
Let’s hope Warner is able to play next week.
Lienart looked like a backup QB (which is what he is for now). I would never judge a backup QB based upon his performance in a game where the starter gets injured.
Worst case senario, if Warner does not practice this week and cannot play next Sunday, then we’ll get to see where Lienart is after watching Warner the last couple years.
by Drullin'OverDaCards on Nov 22, 2009 10:11 PM MST reply actions
As for the Cards...
We all can see how this offense does without Warner, not surprising seeing as how it’s taylor made for Warner. But like everyone else, I would like to see where Leinart is at after a week of practice with the 1st team offense, and him knowing the game will depend on his performance. The D I think is what makes Cardinals football Cardinals football. They’ll give you a fuckin heart attack, but they come through when it counts. Did anyone else think A-Dub was going 20/20 today? 19/21! I think matching up Adams with Gibson (6’3",6’4"?) was ridiculous, and the Rams definitely capitalised on that. Greg Toler would have been a better match up, but would have had to rely on his athleticism instead of using technique. And after this game, I can only see Adams becoming a liability if he starts. Overall, I would give the Cards a B- minus. They couldn’t get it done in the 2nd half with Leinart under center, but the Defense held up and made the plays when it mattered most. Beanie needs to teach Hightower how to stiff arm though, definitely. lol
by lifeinthepit00 on Nov 22, 2009 10:45 PM MST reply actions
I would give a lot of credit to the Rams though.
I don’t nessicarily see this game as JUST bad football on the Cards part, but a testament to how the Rams are improving under Spagnuolo. Watch out for them Rams!
by lifeinthepit00 on Nov 22, 2009 10:48 PM MST reply actions
And who else went ape shit over the Will Davis sack?
by lifeinthepit00 on Nov 22, 2009 10:52 PM MST reply actions
that was a nice sack
he showed the quick step to turn the corner and the closing speed to lay a pretty decent hit on Bulger.
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
the sack on old matte
was a whif by gandy he got a swim move by chris long and shoved to the ground on his blind side so lighten up he should of hit breasten on the crossing route but couldnt cause of the lack of time to throw
The Devil Birds just got cha
davis had some good hits but only got credit for 2 tackles one being the sack
he has 11 tackles for the year 11 are solo 2 sacks and 3 pass defended
The Devil Birds just got cha
Very anxious to see how the tandem of Davis and Brown will be next season.
Like all the the players that are the same position and drafted together here, they became good friends during the off season and preseason. Like Dockett with Smith, Campbell and Iwebema (not so much now that Campbell is starting), I want to see how they progress and feed off eachother.
by lifeinthepit00 on Nov 23, 2009 12:06 PM MST up reply actions
I Completely Disagree with this Analysis:
Once Leinart came into the game, the offense sputtered, and is the primary reason the Rams had a chance at tying the game.
Leinart executed precisely in the manner in which he was asked to by his head coach.
Last I checked, it was still a team’s defense that is “primarily” responsible for keeping the other team from scoring points, not the back up QB.
LOL!
All in all, the defense played well enough to only give up 13 points, which is excellent.
Leinart played the clock and protected the ball, which is exactly what he was asked to do by Whiz.
Result: W
Enough said, I think.
Below is a Pyrrhuloxia nest we discovered in a cholla near our home in the spring:
http://football.ballparks.com/NFL/ArizonaCardinals/turf.jpg
by Maynard Leopold on Nov 23, 2009 3:58 PM MST reply actions
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