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Should Fans be Concerned With the Arizona Cardinals Sputtering Offense?

If there was one thing that fans of the Arizona Cardinals have grown accustomed to over the past season and a half, it's a high flying, potent offense. Last season only three teams (Saints, Broncos and Texans) had more yards per game and only two teams (Saints and Chargers) scored more points than Kurt Warner and company. This season figured to be no different with ten starters returning and a high profile first round pick at running back. While it's certainly too early to make any conclusive statements about how the offense will perform in the regular season, their preseason performance through two games has been anything but encouraging. Is it time to be concerned though?

First the facts:

  • Week 1: @ Pittsburgh -  The entire starting eleven played two drives (minus Kurt Warner for the final three plays of the second), each drive consisting of ten plays. The first drive ended with a punt and the second drive ended on downs after getting inside the Steelers' ten yard line. The two drives totaled 82 yards worth of offense (42 yards and 40 yards respectively) and registered three first downs on each drive. Each drive consisted of three running plays and seven passing plays and they converted three of five third down opportunities.
  • Week 2: vs. San Diego - The entire starting eleven played four drives with the results (in order) of field goal, punt interception, punt. The first two drives were simple three and outs that consisted of four incomplete passes, a five yard dump off pass and an eight yard run. Luckily for the offense the first drive started at the Charger's seven yard line so their five yards in three plays still resulted in three points. The third and fourth drives combined for 17 plays and a total of 98 yards. On the third drive they managed three first downs, went two for two on third down conversions and was perfectly balanced with five running plays and five passes. The five runs accounted for 29 yards and the five passes consisted of two completed passes (for 38 yards), two imcompletions and one interception. The fourth drive started promising with two first downs in the four plays but an offensive holding, a run for no gain and a fumbled snap left the offense facing a third and 21. 

Star-divide

For the mathematically challenged, through two games the Cardinals starting offense has run 44 plays resulting in 193 yards (4.4 yards per play) and a grand total of three points (although to be honest. They've turned the ball over once, fumbled a snap and allowed two sacks. So the question remains, is this just a case of dusting the cobwebs off of a Ferrari or do the Cardinals have a reason to be concerned?

  • Kurt Warner: So far ole Grey Beard's preseason line looks like this....
  • 12 of 23 for 133 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception and a sparking QB rating of 51.5
  • Larry Fitzgerald: So far Larry Fitzgerald's preseason work has consisted of one catch for eight yards.
  • Ken Whisenhunt: While many believe that the whole "losing Todd Haley will greatly effect the offense" story has been overblown, you've got to wonder if he's still a bit rusty with the play calling duties.

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We'll restate one more time that it's way too early in the process to make any definitive conclusions about the Cardinals offense but considering how important Warner and company are to the success of this team, it's worth mentioning at this point. Are you concerned yet? What is the biggest factor in their struggles so far?

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I'm not worried too much.

The team was able to get into the redzone several times so that tells me that our offense can get into position. Whiz then came out and said that he hasn’t had a game plan for the redzone in the preseason.

The only thing I am concerned about is Warner. He hasn’t exactly looked like the Warner we have seen the past couple seasons.

by Pyromnc on Aug 24, 2009 10:50 AM MDT reply actions  

Not concerned

Maybe after the preseason is over and they’ve only scored 9 points total then I may be. But how serious do the starters, coaching staff, etc take the preseason?

Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Aug 24, 2009 10:55 AM MDT reply actions  

I'm not worried

They don’t really have a game plan, and I think they always blow the Preseason but they are ready when the regular season starts.

by JoeCB1991 on Aug 24, 2009 11:00 AM MDT reply actions  

Unconcerned.

The preseason you watch stats. The regular season its wins and losses. Here are the important stats that show that the Cards are better than last year. Constant pressure on the Steelers, and four sacks in the first quarter against the Chargers. An average of 45 return yards by our potential rookie kick returners. That means our special teams is MUCH improved. With the exception of BSP falling down every two plays becasue he holds the ball for 10 seconds per play, there has been no pressure on the QB’s. (except on Palko, and he performed admirably) We have an improved recieving core depth, with Lance Long and Onreo Jones (although Jones will likely be cut this week) and our Cornerbacks are improved with the exception of Toler who got burned on 8 plays, plus caused a penalty. (He will also get cut this week) Overall, I think our defense will put us on the equivalent of the 07 Patriots.

by AZCardinalFaninNY on Aug 24, 2009 11:35 AM MDT reply actions   1 recs

Welcome to ROTB

Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

by Bezekira on Aug 24, 2009 11:52 AM MDT up reply actions  

+1

Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Aug 24, 2009 12:46 PM MDT up reply actions  

07 Patriots?

Bartender…I’ll have what hes having…

by badmatty53 on Aug 24, 2009 12:50 PM MDT up reply actions  

LOL

Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Aug 24, 2009 1:05 PM MDT up reply actions  

+1

Tis preseason don’t ya know!
No point in worrying about glorified practices.

by CardsIrish on Aug 24, 2009 1:02 PM MDT up reply actions  

Welcome to ROTB scotthoward42

Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Aug 24, 2009 1:06 PM MDT up reply actions  

Thanks

Thrilled to be here. This is a great site.

http://seasonsofdiscontent.com/

by Scott Howard on Aug 24, 2009 3:03 PM MDT up reply actions  

Defense wins games

I am MUCH more encouraged by the defensive effort than I am discouraged by our lackluster offense.

"There are preachermen on TV in a suit and a tie, they tell you to send your money to the Lord, but they give you their address" Hank Williams Jr.

by StuckinColorado on Aug 24, 2009 1:44 PM MDT reply actions  

agree

it’s not the lackluster offense as much as the lackluster quarterbacks.

by KDean75 on Aug 24, 2009 3:01 PM MDT up reply actions  

+1

Never do card tricks for the group you play poker with.

by sc464 on Aug 24, 2009 3:03 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions  

The Cardinals don't want to show too much

Preseason is more about conditioning and working on timing than results.

For the record: if the core players on offense stay healthy, this team will set statistical records during the up-coming season. Warner is Warner and the receiving corp is one of the best ever assembled and deeper than last year. The running back position is much stronger and will demand respect—and the O-line is a year more experienced. Statistical metrics don’t assure success in the won/loss column, but watch out for the fireworks!

by redvine on Aug 26, 2009 6:34 PM MDT reply actions  

+1 with a caveat; scoring will be down, time of possession way up. Wins will also be up.

by superpsck on Aug 26, 2009 10:17 PM MDT up reply actions  

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