Arizona Cardinals at Denver Broncos: 5 Things to Watch for

by Andrew602 on Sep 3, 2009 5:00 AM MDT Comment 15 comments

Today officially marks the near end of the 2009 preseason. After four long weeks, the Arizona Cardinals wrap up their preseason tonight against the Denver Broncos. I think I speak for everybody when I say thank god the preseason is just about over. But tonight the Cardinals, or should I say the second string team has to take on the Broncos reserves in which should be ~~an exciting battle till the end,~~ ok maybe it won't be but there's sure to be some things to watch for, and that's what we'll break down today. Remember that last weeks game didn't get exciting until the ~~agonising first half slaughter was over~~ reserves came out in the second half. Here's five things to watch for tonight:

Will Matt Leinart come out on fire tonight?After last weeks incredible showing by Leinart, we could see the same performance tonight against the Broncos. It also wouldn't be a surprise to see a similar stat line, especially considering that Kurt Warnerwill likely not play, if at all. With that in mind, expect to see a large chunk of playing time for Leinart during this game.
Beanie Well's second NFL game. Last week many of us were anticipating the debut of Chris Wells and we were not disappointed. Wells came into the game and couldn't have looked anymore impressive. This week he should get a decent amount of playing time since Tim Hightower won't. Watch to see how he does against Denver's suspect defense. They were terrible last year and haven't started the preseason that great, giving up an average of 107 rushing yards a game, with 27 attempts, a 3.9 yard average and 2 touchdowns allowed.

The amount of playing time for the first team defense. Last week we saw a defense that didn't come out with any passion or chemistry. Granted it was a preseason game, but it frustrated many Cardinal fans, and the coaching staff, who made the starters stay in the game well into the third quarter. You have to wonder if they'll make them play a meaningful amount of time tonight to get the chemistry possibly flowing.

Will a tight end ever step up?So far this preseason we haven't seen much of the Cardinals tight ends, and you can rule a competitive battle for the starting position out the window. So far Stephen Spach has went from a playoff favorite to a preseason dud, by dropping balls and committing penalties. Leonard Pope has been invisible on the receiving end, and that's his strong suit! I don't even know what to say about ~~what's his name~~ Anthony Becht (considering I had to look up the Cardinals roster because I forgot his name). As we all know Ben Patrick is out for the first four games, but did he ever dominantly declare himself the starter? The only tight end that's stuck out in my mind is Dominique Byrd, who's made the blocks when he's needed to, and has been able to catch the ball when it was thrown his way.

The fight for 53. The most important part of the game to watch for is the fight for 53. The Cardinals make their final cut this Saturday, when they drop their roster to 53 players. This means a good amount of solid players that we've already grown accustomed to, will likely be released. This last game is the most important to these bubble players, as it could determine who makes the team. Players like Lance Long, Matt Ware, Victor Hobson, Alan Branch, or one of the tight ends I named above, may not be a Cardinal after this Saturday.

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That's it for this game. Hopefully we can see a competitive game out of the reserves, otherwise I might have to record the second half to skip through later. Although it's only the preseason, it would be nice for the Cardinals to get a win before the 49ers come to town. Is there anything else important that comes to mind? What else should we watch for?

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The only Cardinals fan in the state

I’ll be about 15 rows up in the north end. A buddy of mine has season tickets (can you believe I associate with Bronco fans). It sucks that this is the most meaningless game of the four meaningless games we call preseason, but I will still be glad to see a game in person this year. Hope we can avoid any injuries.

"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 Sep 3, 2009 7:27 AM MDT reply actions

Have fun at the game.....maybe you can give us a "feel from the stadium kind of report"

If nothing else, at least you can tell all your friends that for once the Cards are in a better situation than the Broncos.

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

by Bezekira on Sep 3, 2009 8:45 AM MDT up reply actions

It’s not meaningless for most of the guys that are gonna be out there. Looking forward to some surprises.

by tw3kr on Sep 3, 2009 6:26 PM MDT up reply actions

I only care about 2 things:

1. No injuries.

2. Impact on the Final 53 + PS

GBR

by jeffgollin@aol.com on Sep 3, 2009 7:35 AM MDT reply actions

Sadly, the main thing I'm looking forward to seeing is a guy who most likely won't make the team

I’ve been jonesing for some Palko and we should get to see him play a whole half tonight.

On defense I’ll keep keeping an eye on the second and third team LB’s. Will Walker do enough to secure a roster spot? Will Davis have another impressive showing? Will Highsmith show signs of being the beast that we saw last year?

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

by Bezekira on Sep 3, 2009 8:49 AM MDT reply actions

I’m interested in what Leinart, Palko, and Beanie will do tonight.

by JoeCB1991 on Sep 3, 2009 9:17 AM MDT reply actions

Lets Go Rookies On Defense!!!

Lets see a big game from our rookie “D” …..

-Will Davis lets get some sacks we need a proven pass rushing LB!!

-Greg Toler lets see a pick 6!!!

-Rashard Johnson lets take Francisco’s spot Im sick of seeing him on the field (sorry guys hate that guy)

-Cody Brown I guess Ill see ya next year…..

by azcardswinez on Sep 3, 2009 9:29 AM MDT reply actions

seeing Rashad Johnson do something encouraging would be a great sign

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

by Bezekira on Sep 3, 2009 9:38 AM MDT up reply actions

i totally agree about Francisco

I still in a way blame him for our super bowl lost. if Francisco tackles homes and not slip the steelers get a FG and we have a chance to win the game in regulation or overtime.

not taking the blame away from the entire defense because we still could of stopped them though and i6t too a great catch to beat us.

i still however don’t know how Francisco can sleep at night knowing that if he would have not slipped he could be getting a ring.

to my disappointment though he will make the team.

by cinsana88 on Sep 3, 2009 2:47 PM MDT up reply actions

Only reason he will make the team is because he is a solid player on special teams, an area we struggled at last year.

by Pyromnc on Sep 3, 2009 2:51 PM MDT up reply actions

Nice roundup for an horribly meaningless game

Hope Leinart plays decently.

by Irishcardinal on Sep 3, 2009 9:50 AM MDT reply actions

A decent tight end would be nice.

I think leonard pope and alan branch have run their course. Branch is a huge bust has all the talent and none of the desire. On the plus side i met will davis not only is he a really cool guy but a freakin beast on the field. I think with the injury to cody brown we will see a ton of him this year.

by pat6972 on Sep 3, 2009 12:14 PM MDT reply actions

Even if the First team defense tears it up...

They’re doing it against Tom Brandstater. Guess we’ll be waiting until Week 1 to figure out how they respond.

http://seasonsofdiscontent.com/

by Scott Howard on Sep 3, 2009 12:15 PM MDT reply actions

I think Hightower needs a score or a few more impact runs. If Beanie comes in and scores tonight, especially in an early series, then a strong case can be made for him to start against the 49ers(although unlikely).

He made a strong impression and ran hard with the ball, one preseason game or not. The first impression is always the best.

by KREEDOS on Sep 3, 2009 12:45 PM MDT reply actions

this is do or die for beanie

if he wants to start he must have a terrific game like last game if he want the chance to start week 1. he needs to blow whiz away to the point where he has to start him.

similar to how we said Saint Pierre had to totally dominate to be the 2nd string over matt.

a tie goes to Hightower as it would have for matt.

prediction: Hightower does good and so does Beanie meaning Hightower wins the starting job.

Prediction: defense gets like 2 to 4 sacks and we win our first and last preseason game.

by cinsana88 on Sep 3, 2009 2:57 PM MDT reply actions