Arizona Cardinals Emerge on Top 21-13 Despite Rough Second Half Against the St. Louis Rams
by Pyromnc on Nov 23, 2009 4:00 AM MST
in 2009 Season
13 comments
The Arizona Cardinals discovered a little bit more about Matt Leinart in Sunday's win against the St. Louis Rams. It wasn't because Arizona was blowing out the Rams, but because Kurt Warnercame out after getting a big blow to the head in the first half. Warner would be alright and would end up on the sidelines the remainder of the game, but coach Whisenhunt didn't want to take any chances. Luckily for the Cardinals, all of this happened after Warner led them to three touchdown drives.
The Good
The passing game was good despite not having Kurt Warner in the second half. Warner completed 15/19 passes (78.9 completion percentage) for 203 yards and two touchdowns. He would end up leaving because St. Louis's safety Oshiomogho Atogwe slammed Warner's head to the turf. This meant Matt Leinart would get a chance to prove he is the future of this team. Leinart looked rusty in the beginning but started to show signs that he could be a decent quarterback towards the end of the game. Despite the rustiness he would complete 10/14 passes (71.4 completion percentage) for 74 yards and no touchdowns. Overall, Leinart wasn't that bad considering he hasn't had much playing time this season.
Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells continue to run very well against the opposition as they racked up 184 yards in Sunday's game. Hightower had the better game of the two rushing for 110 yards on 14 carries (7.9 yards per carry). This would be the first 100 yard rusher Arizona has had all season. Beanie also got 14 carries which went for 74 yards (5.3 yards per carry) and 1 touchdown. Both running backs were explosive and dragged defenders as they ran for extra yardage. The one blip was a lost fumble by Beanie on the opening drive, although it was credited to Warner. If they can continue this week in and week out, the Cards will be among the best teams in the league.
The defense also had a nice game even though they had a rough second half. They would allow just a field goal in the first half and contained Steven Jackson pretty well as he had not passed the 50 yard mark yet. In the second half though, the Rams offense would make adjustments to the Cardinals defense. Jackson came out and broke off a 44 yard run and also broke the 100 yard rushing mark.. This is something he has never done against a Arizona defense in his career. They would also convert three fourth downs on one drive that would end in them scoring their lone touchdown. Despite all of this, the defense stepped up and made the plays needed to win the game. The key play was Darnell Docket's sack on the final drive that really shook up Marc Bulger. After that sack he missed wide open receivers on multiple downs, allowing Arizona to force the turnover on downs. Even though the defense can be very inconsistent, they play well enough for Arizona to win every week.
Special teams continues to do their part. This week they had good coverage on returns allowing a nine yard average on punt returns and 30 yards on kick returns. They also helped punter Ben Graham pin the Rams inside their own 20. Speaking of Ben Graham, he continues to make a bid to become a pro bowl punter. He had two more punts inside the 20 on Sunday, which he leads the NFC in. LaRod Stephens-Howling also had a decent day on kick returns as he averaged 22 yards per return. This unit continues to be a strength of the team.
The Bad
Holding penalties continue to hurt this team. Every week they have one of those penalties that brings back a big play. This week's play would have been a 16 yard rush by Beanie Wells. Instead it was a 10 yard holding penalty on fullback Dan Kreider. These are starting to get ridiculous and must stop.
Michael Adams had a tough day trying to defend St Louis receivers. Adams came in to replace Bryant McFadden, who suffered a knee injury early in the game. Adams at times would play back allowing St. Louis to complete quick passes. The one obvious one went to Randy McMichael, who would turn it into a first down. Adams did not allow a touchdown but he did allow too many completions and it showed why he is the fourth string defensive back.
There really was not much bad about this game with the exception Kurt Warner having to come out early. You could point out that we did not score at all in the second half but this is almost certainly because Warner came out. Next week will be a big game on the road against the Tennessee Titans, who have won three straight and play the Houston Texans tonight. What did you think of this game?
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Cardinals v. Rams
Overall, Az did enough to win the game. Wells/Hightower are beginning to show that they can become the 2nd best 1-2 combo in the NFL (behind Williams/Stewart in Carolina). Leinart still has yet to show that he can be a starting Qb, and that should be addressed in next year’s draft. I’ve heard mentioned elsewhere that the play-calling went conservative when he came him, but I would have to imagine that Whiz had a reason for it. He sees Leinart every day in practice and he knows what he has in 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.
by Josh Trull on Nov 23, 2009 7:53 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
I thought he was fine...
considering he gets no reps with the first team offense. He missed his passes early on and held onto the ball a little too long when he got sacked on 3rd and 3 but other than that I thought he looked ok. Wasn’t enough there for me to determine if he looked bad or not.
by Pyromnc on Nov 23, 2009 8:08 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I do think we need to think about drafting a QB next season but look for one between round 4-6. We have much bigger needs in the first 3 rounds than a QB.
by Pyromnc on Nov 23, 2009 8:09 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Yep, later on
Someone to develop and possibly push Leinart…
by tw3kr on Nov 23, 2009 10:38 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
yea leinart did what he needed to do for his team by not turning it over
he might not done enough for us as the fans because we exspect greatness i think when he gets his real chance you will see why he is the most decorated passing collage qb in the ncaa
The Devil Birds just got cha
by DaCards on Nov 23, 2009 8:56 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
I don't understand why Warner leaving the game with a head injury is in the good section
by badmatty53 on Nov 23, 2009 9:46 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
It wasn't...
How good Warner played despite the injury was in the good and how Leinart played having to come in for an injured Warner was good.
I also pointed out in the conclusion that Warner having to come out early was not good.
There really was not much bad about this game with the exception Kurt Warner having to come out early.
by Pyromnc on Nov 23, 2009 9:50 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Wear, Tear, Leinart, Kreider, Boldin
What a great game from Hightower! 110 yard on 14 carries wasnt it? Sure he got caught from behind on a 50 yard run but it had been FIVE years since we last saw a 50 yard in in Cardinals uniforms!
Beanie I though quietly had a good game ammassing somewhere around 75 yards again. He also had a couple nice runs called back on holds.
Leinart didnt have a good or bad game. Whiz definitely called a conservative game after Warner got hurt. I think his overthrows were a product of lack of playing time as Leinart past problems have been underthrowing receivers. I was extremely impressed with him staying in the pocket and not panicing (I was) on that 20 yard completion to Doucet. What are thoughts of giving Warner the Tennesse game off after seeing what happened with Morey & Westbrook. Granted it wasnt a concussion as far as we know but with the niners loosing maybe we just give ole gray beard a rest?
Krieder had a pretty bad game getting called for multiple holds and a false start. Interesting to see Whiz use Wright as the fullback in some type of trips variation formation.
Boldin had a good game (still want to trade him) but was absolutely livid on the sideline after the fumble by Becht. As far as the announcers could tell he was yelling at Leinart because he “was open”. Replays showed Boldin was well covered with an extra man undernearth. just food for thought.
Never do card tricks for the group you play poker with.
by sc464 on Nov 23, 2009 10:12 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Was glad to see the passion from Q. Doug and Wolf on KTAR said he was going off on the O Line for not giving Leinart time. Just goes to show how good Warner’s quick release really is, as Leinart didn’t seem to have a whole lot of time to throw at all yesterday.
Kreider has not exactly been that good. I think we should have resigned Terrell Smith for that spot.
I don’t know about Warner. Part of me thinks it would be good to let him have a game off to rest and the other part of me says we need him to play that game. I would say sit him if it was Detroit but it is against a Tennessee Titan’s team that is on a tear right now. I think a decision will have to be made based on how his health and practice is this week.
by Pyromnc on Nov 23, 2009 10:33 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
The conservative part of me wants Warner to sit out Tennessee so he is healthier for a playoff run
On the other hand, the greedy part of me wants him to play so we have the better chance of going 8-0 on the road this year.
Section 135, Row 35
by AJ BirdWatcher on Nov 23, 2009 11:04 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Same here....
The superstitious part of me wants him to start all 16 games because he has never taken a team to a Super Bowl in which he did not start all 16 games.
by Pyromnc on Nov 23, 2009 11:07 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
That too of course
Section 135, Row 35
by AJ BirdWatcher on Nov 23, 2009 1:28 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
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