Cardinals' Loss No Reason For Disappointment

by Andrew602 on Jan 18, 2010 10:36 AM MST

The Cardinals looked poised for another playoff run before the postseason ever began. They won ten games, featured a more complete offense, and finally had the solid defense they lacked in 2008.

They also won the division and hosted a home playoff game for the second year in a row. In the opening round, Kurt Warner and the offense looked unstoppable, but the defense clearly had its question marks. Nevertheless, our team took part in one of the greatest postseason games in NFL history and prevailed.

Then the Arizona Cardinals were trounced by the New Orleans Saints on Saturday - ending any hopes for another Super Bowl appearance. Yes, they lost 14-45 and never appeared to be in sync, but they were severely under-manned and played in perhaps, the most hostile environment of the playoffs. It's no excuse but remember that the playoffs have featured blowouts in almost every game up until this point. The average playoff score has been 32.2 - 15.1 - let's not feel too bad.

One thing I can say is not to be disappointed. I'll admit that I was hoping destiny was on our side and that we'd get back to the Super Bowl only to see Kurt Warner end his career on a high note, especially after the way they won against Green Bay. Unfortunately, things happen and 2009 wasn't the Cardinals year.

That's not to say that we have nothing to be proud of. That marks three straight non-losing seasons that we as Cardinals have experienced under the Ken Whisenhunt era. During that time we saw one of the most explosive offenses in the league that won the division twice, won four playoff games and one NFC Championship game. We've also seen countless records broken and more national recognition that we've ever been accustomed to before. The Cardinals have the pieces set in place to be a competitive team for a long time. With some tweaking to both sides of the ball, the Cardinals may be ready to make another Super Bowl run in 2010

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It says a lot just that we now EXPECTED the Cardinals to get back to the Super Bowl.

Three years ago, we were psyched if they won 6 games.

by jburning on Jan 18, 2010 10:45 AM MST reply actions

+1

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

by Bezekira on Jan 18, 2010 12:51 PM MST up reply actions

+1 Hopefully the tweaking will begin soon to address the problems.

Overall, another exciting year. Whiz and Graves are smart enough to know what needs to be fixed, but how much money do they have to work with?

by BPaul on Jan 18, 2010 11:17 AM MST reply actions

+1

With all the guys wanting new extensions, free agents and holes we need to fill, I don’t envy Graves the task set before him. Thank goodness he’s a lot smarter than I am!

by Birdman from Mesa on Jan 18, 2010 12:10 PM MST up reply actions

Hate the playoff schedule

some teams only get 6 days to prepare for their next game on the road (Cardinals) whereas some teams get 8 days to prepare for their next game at home (Saints). Retarded.

With that factor and the injuries we already had, the moment urban (cut this moron for god sake’s and let him pursue his career in the special olympics) had the ball knocked away from this vagina I knew we lost. The moment DRC was carted off the field I knew it would be a blow-out, didn’t take a rocket scientist.

B-Mac sucks but let’s not make the same mistake we did with Hood, simply demote him. I know people are fiery right now and want to make hasty decisions but B-Mac would make a solid nickelback option (where he was most effective with the Steelers) and we address the other starting cornerback one way or another in the offseason.

If the Bidwell’s pull out the checkbook we have a real solid chance to be contenders next year, if history repeats itself… were f***ed.

GO CARDINALS!!!

by cardsfanforlife24 on Jan 18, 2010 12:10 PM MST reply actions

At least we got to see a good season for once.

Things have been different over the last 3 years…

Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.

I can't stand band-wagoner fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad.

by JoeCB1991 on Jan 18, 2010 12:14 PM MST reply actions

We're going to be OK

The Cardinals are going to be just fine. Even if Warner retires. We have a lot of great athletes and a taste for winning. We are no longer the “sad saps” of the NFL. Next year, we will be back even stronger.

It’s true this was a disappointing finish, but we can console ourselves with what we have done: Two consecutive trips to the playoffs (the Steelers didn’t even make it this year!), a record setting win against the Packers, and participation in one of the greatest Super Bowls ever played. Not to mention our future HOF players Warner and Fitzgerlad. And our four Pro-Bowlers. And our All-Pro Wilson.

The Cardinals are a great team…just what the fans have been waiting for!!

-- Red headed Cardinals Fan
(Sort of like being the red-headed step child...everyone jokes about beating us a lot.)

by cdredhead on Jan 18, 2010 12:39 PM MST reply actions

+1

We are a work in progress, and the team is moving in the right direction, hope Warner comes back but if he doesn´t we will be back next year to defend our title as back to back NFC West Champions… GO CARDINALS

paco cabrera

by pacocab on Jan 18, 2010 12:58 PM MST reply actions

The Cardinals have nothing to be ashamed of.

Good luck next year, y’all have a great organization.

by DrWhoDat on Jan 18, 2010 4:04 PM MST reply actions

Nope You have had a fine season.. Hopefully Kurt will return for one more year but with all he has done and achieved I think no one will be begrudge him thinking of himself for a change. Might not be a bad idea to try and see if he would love to coach ..

Falcon’s fan

by DavidMB on Jan 18, 2010 5:46 PM MST reply actions

I can honestly say I'm proud to be a Cards fan.

For the 1st 43 years of my life, the Cards won 1 playoff game (1998). They were losers for what seemed like forever. The only sports franchise that might have been worse is the LA Clippers.
The past 2 years have been great!!!
If Warner plays next year—We’ll be favorites to win the division again. If he doesn’t we’ll still have a fighting chance with Leinert at the helm.
There are a lot of young, talented players on the roster. There’s good verteran presence as well. There are a lot of good people too. Other than Matt’s beer bong party (@ his house in the off season—nothing wrong with that.)…have there been any arrests, shootings, drug trials or other bad things going on with this team like so many other sports teams across the country? NO THERE HAVEN"T!!!
I’ld like to see an improved defense. Maybe, Cody Brown (this years 2nd rd pick—dnp because of injury) will help along with a new crop of draft picks.
Michael Bidwill, Rod Graves, Coach Whiz—-KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!

GO CARDS!

by Cuckoo for Coco Puffs on Jan 18, 2010 6:09 PM MST reply actions

I love that im not the only optimistic person left

last year we thought we were a badd call from the elite title but what this year has truely taught us is we are emergeing and we now know what are weakness is last year it was running and this year it is coverage. We needed this loss to make us aware of how close we are but still have key areas to adress

The Devil Birds just got cha

by DaCards on Jan 18, 2010 7:03 PM MST up reply actions

Chin up guys...

I honestly think the Cardinals were better than last year, even though they fell short of the superbowl. I just think the Saints got that much better.

I was cheering for the Cardinals to beat the Saints, to give the Vikings another home game for the NFC, but I wasn’t entirely sure I wanted to play the Cardinals again after the beatdown they put on the Vikings.

If Warner comes back, the Cardinals will be a force next year. If not… well, it could be rough, but who knows?

by Minnyfan on Jan 19, 2010 1:38 PM MST reply actions