Arizona Cardinals Vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Three Keys To Success
Before Sunday's game, I wanted to roll out three keys to success against the Bucs. It's difficult to pinpoint why the Cardinals have appeared so poorly at times this season. A rookie quarterback will have a lot to do with it but the roster is filled with veterans that know what to do with the football. Let's hope Sunday's game is one that the Cardinals surprise us.
Begin the game strong - Right now a quick start to Sunday's game at home is what the doctor ordered for the struggling Arizona Cardinals. The offense snoozed out of the gate against the Seattle Seahawks last week and the result was a rough away game for the young Max Hall. In front of a home crowd, Ken Whisenhunt must orchestrate an opening drive that defines the game. The Bucs are a young team that can be taken out of their element if they fall behind quickly. Scoring early will alleviate some tension away from the defense as well.
Rattle Josh Freeman - Freeman is still a young quarterback, and although he's experienced success this season, forcing him into ill-advised passes on the road will improve the Cardinals chances of success. The Bucs have rode on Freeman's shoulders so far this season. In the Bucs only two losses, Freeman's quarterback rating was below 80. It should also be no coincidence that 5 of the 12 sacks allowed this season came in both of the Buccaneers' losses as well. The Cardinals' defense needs to play smart, but also not be afraid to get after Freeman.
Move the ball on offense - Perhaps the Cardinals biggest downfall so far this season has been the productivity on offense. They're dead last in passing yards and 28th in rushing. They also have the 30th worst third down completion rating -- standing at a mere 27.4%. It's no wonder that fans have become upset. With players like Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston at receiver, there's little excuse to why they've failed to convert downs. Whisenhunt would be wise to run the ball more against the Bucs young defense and let Hall get into a rhythm.
What are your keys to success?
19 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I'll give you #2.
1. Keep an move the ball. Limit turnovers. Whether special teams or regular offense, the Cards need to stop giving away the game and start getting first downs and points.
2. Pressure Freeman. What you said.
3. Continue to bring the D. The defense played well last week. They need to do it again if they want to beat the “best team in the NFC.”
Special teams
Need to dominate here. Any more mistakes on punt returns and Breaston goes in, no questions asked.
Defense
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team(s), throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
Cards Match Up Well v Bucs
The Bucs are ranked 31st in run defense. Their defense has only has five sacks. They don’t run the ball very well and rely on the pass. They win because they don’t turn the ball over. They have 8 turnovers compared to the Cardinals 19. If they Cards run the ball and don’t turn it over, they should win.
Back to basics......
We have a rookie QB. So let’s stick to the simple things that make a game! 1.) Time management (control the ball as much as possible) 2.) Protect the QB and give him time in the pocket. 3.) Good Defense 4.) Accuracy, accuracy, accuracy…… connect with WR’s, make tackles and don’t give up the big plays. Is there really anything else to say?????
Sorry folks, park's closed. Moose out front shoulda told ya.
Three keys
1) The quarterback can’t suck this week.
2) Run the ball right down their 31st ranked run defenses throat. Control time of possession. Limit their opportunities to score.
3) Continue the level of defensive play of the last two weeks.
Bonus.
Shouldn’t even have to mention turnovers. It’s always of utmost importance. The Cardinals screwed themselves out of a win last week because of them.
Don’t give Freeman a chance for any 4th quarter heroics. Put the game away.
"Put the game away"
Last line says it all – I want 4 good quarters of football!!
Don't choke in the 2nd half like the Rams did.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team(s), throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
Three?
1) Start Skelton and let’s see what we have!
2) Hire the two best veteran QBs currently in the Arena league.
3) Release Hall and Anderson, and don’t look back. Better yet, drive them far out into the countryside then release them and drive away before they know what is happening. No, wait, they still might find their way back, take them to the SPCA and tell them they are a couple of strays and the wounds they have are from being part of Mike Vick’s stable and it would be best if they were put down. That should do it.
Do these three things and they still may not beat the Bucs but I could at least sleep at night knowing that something positive was being done.
4) Extend Coach Whiz’s contract for five additional years and double his salary retroactive to the start of camp and pre-season.
by Arizona Retiree on Oct 30, 2010 1:43 AM MDT reply actions
Skelton is even more raw than Hall
Big mistake.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team(s), throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
Humor is difficult!
It is not easy to be funny when people in charge of a situation refuse to acknowledge that hard choices need to be made to keep the fan base interested and engaged.
In fact, it totally pisses me off and I want them to turn over every rock in an effort to find a suitable QB. I don’t care if he is inexperienced, at least let us, the fans, have some hope. if Skelton flops, he flops.
Anderson flopped, Hall flopped, what is the big deal? Don’t want to show all your “Cards”? (Pun definitly intended!)
At least we can be satisfied that Whiz knows talent when he sees it or not. Show us your hand! We, the fans are calling your bluff. Put your next piece of “Whiz approved” talent on display for the entire NFL and their fans to enjoy.
We Cardinal fans can not be more embarrassed then we already have been. We get it, we are a joke to the Arizona Cardinals Franchise, deserving of ridicule and embarassment. Join us, and put your next best QB on display! Let’s all have some fun!
I know, in the words of Terry Bradshaw, “That’s not funny!”
by Arizona Retiree on Oct 30, 2010 11:21 AM MDT up reply actions
Your humor on your first post was funny
At least I found it funny. Though I completely disagree.
Give Hall one more game (this game) to decide whether he has it or not. If he sucks it up again for a third straight game (I do not count his first game as good as in all practicality it wasn’t and he got very lucky) than bench him put DA back and accept the fact that this season we are going to mediocre.
Than next season hope that Whiz’s ability to evaluate talent remains as good as it has and Skelton is the real deal.
by Jesse Reynolds on Oct 30, 2010 7:35 PM MDT up reply actions
Ok, I'll move a little.
Let Max start the game, if he has not scored a TD by the end of the first quarter, pull his ass and let Skelton try his hand. Let both guys know that the starting QB job is up for grabs and Max, it ain’t you!
My biggest problem with Hall is his complete lack of production. Last week Anderson got the call and put seven points on the board in a hurry. Too bad he’s such a clutz and has no touch or accuracy.
Hall tries but also does not seem to have the basic physical tools to score or even put his weapons into play (Fitzgerald).
We don’t want to hurt Max’s feelings, so have a trophy waiting for him on the sidelines. When he gets pulled after another scoreless fifteen minutes, he can look at the inscription that will say “Good Job!” or “Worlds Best Quarterback” and feel proud that he has something to show for his effort. How about “Most Improved Cardinal Quarterback”? Cool, a trophy, some cookies and a juice box, I’m starting to envy this guy!
But please, keep him away from the equipment, especially the game balls. I don’t want him to get hurt. I may come down on the field and strangle him myself, before I gain my composure! The sight of him wandering around and bothering the rest of the team would be too much to handle.
by Arizona Retiree on Oct 30, 2010 11:04 PM MDT up reply actions
Excellent points, Andrew
totally agree. Minimal mistakes are needed in all 3 aspects of the game. We need to win the turnover ratio. Game plan needs to be very tight and set Max up for success…Emphasis should be on the run. But simplify things for Max. Roll him out, dump passes, slants, screens. If they stack the box, then run some slants, or take a shot with Larry. I liked what I saw from Doucet in the middle….that will probably be there again tomorrow.
GO CARDS!!!!!
Three Keys
1) Run the Ball
2) RUN the ball!
3) RUN THE GD BALL!!
If for no other reason you shorten the game, keeping our defense fresher(our D has been on the field for more plays than any other team in the league) and there is less of a chance for TO’s.
I went back and watched TB’s games this season. This team is so beatable it is not funny. WE just can’t beat ourselves. Win the TO battle, play good special teams and RUN THE GD BALL and you will win this game.























