Next Day Notes: Cardinals Beat Lions 31-24 After Sloppy Second Half
by Pyromnc on Dec 21, 2009 5:00 AM MST
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PrintAfter a tough loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the Arizona Cardinals were looking to rebound against the Detroit Lions. Everything indicated that happened when the Cardinals took an early 17-0 lead going into the half. Coming out of the half was a different story. Detroit came out and scored 17 unanswered points in the third quarter. The Cardinals pulled it together in the fourth quarter however, by putting up 14 points. The Cardinals were supposed to use this game to make a statement. They did - the Cardinals play down to the competition they face.
The Good
Beanie Wells had quite possibly, his best game since becoming a pro. He recorded his first 100 yard rushing game by putting up 110 yards on 17 carries (a 6.5 yard per carry average). He also tacked on a pivotal 18 yard touchdown in the 4th quarter that would get the Cardinals back into the game. Beanie is clearly the best back on the team, and it's evident coach Whisenhunt is aware as Wells had 17 carries compared to Tim Hightower's 6. Wells also recorded a 13 yard catch in the game.
Anquan Boldin got his usual catches in the game - plowing over defenders and making vintage Boldin runs. Q's last catch was a touchdown that only he could've pulled off, forcing his way into the end zone. This catch would be the deciding touchdown in the game, giving the Cards the win. Boldin continues to play hard this season and has definitely been a big reason the Cardinals have won nine games this year.
The Cardinals Special Teams is one of the best units in the league right now. That didn't change in Sunday's game. Punter Ben Graham pinned the opposition three more times inside the 20 yard line, adding to his league-leading total of 37. He also averaged 45.4 yards per punt on his seven punts. LaRod Stephens-Howling also had another impressive game, averaging 23 yards per kick return and playing very well on coverage. He helped recover a fumble on a Lions muffed punt in the first half. Newly signed kicker Mike Nugent also chimed in with a 48 yard field goal and hit each of the extra points. The Cardinals defense and offense should take some notes from special teams, as they have been the only unit to play consistently well week in and week out.
The Eh
The Defense played well enough to win despite allowing over 100 yards rushing to a back up running back. They began the first half shutting out the Lions but sadly, they couldn't keep up the effort in the second half, as they allowed 24 points. Part of the problem can be attributed to the offenses sloppy play with turnovers, as the defense has less time to rest and less field position to defend. Despite allowing 24 points they were able to make the Lions make mistakes, with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie intercepting two passes. Adrian Wilson also got one step closer to his 20/20 goal by splitting a sack with Clark Haggans. Overall the defense played well enough to win the game, but a consistently good effort for an entire four quarters is something that is needed as the playoffs draw closer.
The Bad
Kurt Warner had a decent game but not the type of game we have been accustomed to seeing from him. The good from him was his two touchdowns and 233 passing yards, but he had problems turning the ball over for the second game in a row, throwing an interception and losing a fumble. He now has 5 turnovers in his last 2 games, and the Cardinals should be lucky they played a bad team like the Lions, who weren't able to take advantage.
The Ugly
Turnovers have been awful for the Cardinals at times this year. They had a six turnover game against the Panthers earlier this year, then 10 in their last two games. Last week Stephens-Howling, Hightower, Wells, Boldin, and Warner couldn't hang onto the ball, and this week it was Warner and Steve Breaston. The Cardinals had issues turning the ball over late last season, but were able to clean up their act in the playoffs. If they want to make a serious run this year, they'll need to do the same.
Despite some erratic play they did manage to win and also got an early Christmas present from the Eagles as they beat the 49ers, allowing the Cardinals to clinch the division. Now should the Cardinals try and win their next two games to hope for better playoff seeding? Or should they rest some of the starters like Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald so they are fresh for the playoffs?
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Kick-off coverage was the poor
Perhaps it’s due to Nugent not kicking it as deep as Rackers or perhaps it’s because our “ace” coverage tackler Rackers was inactive. Oh wait, they’re the same person. Regardless, our coverage teams were giving up more yards than normal on kick returns which is potentially troubling but a moot point when Daunte Culpepper cannot do anything with the extra 10 to 15 yards of field position.
Graham’s a bad-ass. ‘Nuff said. How’s that Pro-Bowl ballot box stuffing coming along, RotBers?
Don't waste time or Time will waste you.
I think they need to win at least 10 games.
I don’t think they’re going to move up in the playoff seeding, but it would be nice to see an improvement on their record from last year and give the team their first double-digit win season in a long, long time.
To expand:
I believe they should go all-out to beat the Rams at home, and then rest folks against the Packers. As odd as it sounds, I’m a bit believer that — in the NFL especially — it is very difficult to beat the same team twice in a row. Perhaps this is just a superstitious thing of mine rather than something that can be objectively evidenced. However, I still think they should concentrate on beating the Packers when it matters, since they’ll likely be playing each other in the wild card round of the playoffs.
I thought the same thing
Rest starters and possibly lose the last weeka against the Packers – basically play possum. Then in the 1st round complete surprise the Packers.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
to rest or not to rest
One nice thing about the scheduling, the game against the pack is the late game and all the other important NFC games are early. That means that by kickoff they will know for sure whether they could win and get the #3 seed or whether they would meet GB the next week no matter what. I would say that they should practice the starters throughout the last week and then if it winds up that the game is meaningless give the ball to Leinart (or maybe St Pierre)
Great thinking
Play the Rams tough, get your groove and rest on your own terms. Like your plan Arm, they wait and see how the day goes. If truly a pointless game, rest your starters and use this as a glorified exhibition game.
Section 102, Row 18
I go for momentum
I think Warner and Fitz and anybody else with a nagging injury should rest against the Rams. I say we then hit the Pack with everyone and everything. Having momentum going into the playoffs is important.
They are who we thought they were!
by Jesse Reynolds on Dec 21, 2009 11:19 AM MST up reply actions
Unless we play the Packers the very next week
You don’t want to show them everything you got considering that game may mean nothing.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
turnovers
I think in discussing QB turnovers you need to distinguish between interceptions and fumbles that are a direct result of lack of protection. Warner’s fumbles in the last two games were caused by blindside hits, some when his arm was already in motion and his arm was grabbed. Try NOT fumbling when a 300-pound DE grabs your passing arm from behind. Since they are not his fault, it is misleading to say he commited five turnovers. I would say two of the three interceptions were his fault, the other being caused when Boldin abruptly terminated a route for some reason in the SFR game when the ball was perfectly thrown. I agree, however, that Warner has not been as sharp as usual. The safeties are laying back in deep coverage waiting for the long pass, usually to Fitzgerald, and they have been able to get to a couple of those passes in the last two weeks. Maybe some underneath routes would be good to the TE or running backs to force coverages in a bit.
The fumbles have been a problem for Warner.
Sure, not all the blame should go to him but he most definitely does deserve some of the blame. He has created a reputation around the league that if the defender can get to him, go after his arm. This is partly because he will just throw it away if they hit him anywhere else but also because he has had fumbling issues throughout his career.
True, they are targetting Warners arm for a reason...
Because they know he will stand in the pocket and try to make the play. He’s trusting his protection to give him a certain amount of time. So the internal QB clock which is counting down for the hit isn’t going off in his head when in the San Fran game they were already sacking or grabbing his throwing arm.
Both starting tackles (Gandy and Brown) have had big issues the last two weeks. Now that Gandy is on the verge of hitting IR and Bridges has been playing pretty well* (other than the false start that would have cost a TD) I think they need to take a look at more two TE sets with one on each side to at least get chip blocks. In the 49er game Gandy was getting destroyed and Brown looked bad a few times. The fumble yesterday was mainly Brown’s fault for getting beat so quickly off of the snap.
Section 102, Row 18
I do agree there.
I am not arguing the fact that we have bad tackles, because we do. I just think the fumbling problem isn’t just because we have a few bad tackles in Gandy and Brown.
I do think we need to have more of the two tight end sets. It worked wonders against the Vikings defense.
fumbles
I think all defensive players are taught to go for the arm no matter who the QB is. You see this all the time throughout the league because nobody can hold onto the ball when the arm is being ripped from behind. The arm with the ball is the most vulnerable area and most likely to produce a turnover so that is where they aim. I would agree that Warner would be to blame if the defender is in his view and he tries to get the pass off anyway, but that hasn’t been the case recently. I don’t think he should be blamed for not having eyes in the back of his head.
Yes, but you don't hear defenders talking about how they have to get at other QB's arms.
Jared Allen specifically said if you don’t go after Warner’s arm, he’ll just get rid of the ball.
Plus, Warner had this problem back in St. Louis where he had a decent offensive line, and one of the better OT’s to play this game in Orlando Pace. You gonna blame Pace too for those fumbles?
Let me get this straight
Because Allen says he goes for Warner’s arm, that somehow makes Warner to blame for blindside hits where the OLine gets blown out? I suspect Allen’s comment was meant as a compliment in that Warner gets rid of the ball quickly when hit. I never said Warner is not to blame for all fumbles, much less those from St. Louis days, just that the ones from the last two games do not establish anything other than the OLine got beat.
Haha, I have to agree
You can’t blame Pace, Warner does stand and deliver or be express delivered into the ground at times.
I think just these recent weeks the fumbles in particular are not as much his fault. The INT’s, one was Boldin’s fault. The others all KW’s.
Section 102, Row 18
Playoff Scenarios
There are more chances that the Cardinals won’t face the Packers twice than there are that they will. If the Giants win out GB may not even be in the playoffs. After last night’s performance by the Vikes I can even see some hope for the Cards grabbing the #2 seed. (The playoff scenario generator on yahoo really is sweet.) I don’t think they should rest anyone unless due to injury. To go 11-5 would shut down a lot of criticism and sure wouldn’t hurt Whisenhunt’s rep either. Besides, they need to ramp up their performance going into the post season.
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