Cardinals Vs. Cowboys: Five Negatives From The 19-13 Victory

by Tyler Nickel on Dec 5, 2011 5:02 AM MST in Arizona Cardinals Postgame Recaps

Whenever the Arizona Cardinals get the opportunity to play the Dallas Cowboys, it always proves to be a game that keeps fans on the edge of their seats until the end. Such was the case when Dallas visited University of Phoenix and the Cards rolled to a 19-13 overtime victory. In a game that lacked consistent offensive movement (although it wasn't as bad as an LSU-'Bama matchup), it looked as if the Cardinals were going to need another special teams miracle to pull off a win.

Instead, the defense was able to take care of business and the offense was able to muster up some energy to perform in the second half. However, this game had it's fair share of ugly moments. Let's take a look at five of those negatives after the jump.

No Boost From Special Teams:

OK, maybe I am getting a bit too used to having the amazing Patrick Peterson make some dynamic return plays. Today, the Cardinals were unable to get much at all from their special teams. Peterson was contained to the sidelines by Mat McBriar for one yard on one return and LaRod Stephens-Howling only had an average of 22 yards on his kick returns. Most of this was due to the good scheming by Dallas, but it seemed that LaSH would have been better off downing it in the end zone a couple of times.

To top it all off, Felix Jones was almost able to take a kick return to the house. He ended up getting tackled at the Cardinals 35 yard line and the Cowboys got no points out of it, but it could have proved fatal to the Cards' chances at victory.

First Half Offense:

This first half gave fans no indication that the Cardinals were going to pull out a W on Sunday. By halftime, Kevin Kolb had a total of 23 passing yards and Beanie Wells rushed for 11 yards on seven attempts. Kolb was sacked four times, disallowing him to keep the Cards' defense off the field. Arizona walked into the locker room with a mere field goal on the board. Whatever Ken Whisenhunt said to the guys to get them to come out and play inspired in the second half, thank goodness for it. It could have been a long day at the pace they were going.

Offensive Line Play:

This has been a mainstay to the weekly five negatives post. The offensive line simply cannot seem to keep defenders off of Kolb's back. He was sacked a total of five times during the game. Also, the O-Line collected it's fair share of penalties. Brandon Keith and Daryn Colledge both received holding infractions, while Colledge and Levi Brown each felt like contributing a false start as well.

A couple of the sacks can be attributed to Kolb holding onto the ball for way too long, but the offensive line still has some work to do.

Third Down Efficiency:

The Cardinals were up against a good defense in the Cowboys, but they were 4-13 on third down conversions. If the defense wouldn't have been able to hold Dallas to an equally poor 4-12, the Cardinals would have been left in the dust.

Costly penalties coupled with crucial drops (see: Doucet, Early) kept the Cardinals from maintaining drives.

Home Field Advantage?:

Like we see every year the Cowboys come to town, the Cardinals seemed to be playing in Jerry Jones' palace as opposed to the friendly confines of UoP stadium. The announcers estimated that 40% of the fans within the arena were wearing blue, rooting the Cowboys to victory.

The negative? Because of the "Protect the Nest" ticket plan, many of the Cowboys fans would to have had to purchase their entry passes from Cardinals fans. This negative goes to the lack of a home crowd. Hopefully with this victory, red jerseys won't have to be picked out of a sea of blue in the next game.

What were your five negatives of the game? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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Comments

I would also mention,

Playcalling, why are we not seeing much LSH involved in the offense?

Formerly known as Cardsfan928, If you wanna grab a quick game of madden, my screenname is also my Xbox name.

by INSOMAN1ATIC on Dec 5, 2011 5:40 AM MST reply actions

for sure

For some reason the only plays that LSH gets are draws up the middle. We’ve seen twice what LSH can do with the ball in space, two long touchdowns

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by GreaZzy on Dec 5, 2011 9:20 AM MST up reply actions

Well, think of all the stuff he does

Hes on every special teams, we dont wanna wear him out. He’d lose some effectiveness

by forget on Dec 5, 2011 9:27 AM MST via mobile up reply actions

True

but he’s such a weapon on offense, that we have to use him better when he’s out there.

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by GreaZzy on Dec 5, 2011 9:28 AM MST up reply actions

I also think

The reason why he’s so effective on his few plays are for just that reason; he only has a FEW plays. I agree with forget, much of the reason LSH was able to scamper for a “jump up and down, screaming my butt off” TD run was b/c he had fresh legs against a Cowboy defense that’s been running around all day. But you’re right also, GreaZzy; I wouldn’t mind a couple more LSH screens!

"When life gives you lemons, I say f**k the lemons and bail."

by SGM on Dec 5, 2011 1:26 PM MST up reply actions

LSH is on the field: here comes another draw up the middle -yawn-

OH SHI-

by tw3kr on Dec 5, 2011 10:43 PM MST up reply actions

Then reduce his role on special teams...

Offense is a higher priority than ST

Formerly known as Cardsfan928, If you wanna grab a quick game of madden, my screenname is also my Xbox name.

by INSOMAN1ATIC on Dec 5, 2011 5:36 PM MST up reply actions

yup

not that hard to find a good gunner. And LSH hasn’t been that good on KR this year either. Offense should take priority

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by GreaZzy on Dec 5, 2011 6:46 PM MST up reply actions

It has to be the new kick off rule

He is so dynamic and good at making people miss that it has to be that stupid rule.

by Airwave on Dec 5, 2011 7:17 PM MST up reply actions

thats what i think

right now all you need is a guy to catch it and take a knee, KR are almost completely useless

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by GreaZzy on Dec 5, 2011 7:22 PM MST up reply actions

Mhmm

In fact, has there even been another KR TD outside of week 1 for the Packers? I don’t think I have seen one….

by Airwave on Dec 5, 2011 7:26 PM MST up reply actions

Same here

They should change everything back to how it was. The new rule doesn’t make kickoffs any safer.

Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan
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by JoeCB1991 on Dec 5, 2011 8:26 PM MST up reply actions

I think they did a good job with the playcalling and using plays that fit Kolb's skillset more

Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan
Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers fan
[I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].

Leading the NFL in swagtangibles

by JoeCB1991 on Dec 5, 2011 9:45 AM MST up reply actions

I agree. They made great adjustments at half time offensively.

But I have also long been a proponent for getting LSH more touches on offense. Not trying to run up the middle either. He is best in space so get him the ball in space.

by hadrarius on Dec 5, 2011 7:31 PM MST up reply actions

KOLB

I agree he held the ball to long on a few of those sacks but they were coverage sacks. If he threw them out of bounds we would be talking about him being skittish and throwing it away. In the second half, once the rust was knocked off Kolb did well. He stepped up in the pocket, ect. I’m anxious to read what the Kold haters have to say.

by defense_dad on Dec 5, 2011 7:04 AM MST via iPhone app reply actions

Penalties at the worst possible times

is my big negative with this team. I fully expected Keith’s false start penalty, as we were going for the touchdown on the first drive of the second half, to cost us the game. If Garrett didn’t ice his own kicker that is exactly what would have happened. If we had scored the TD instead of a field goal that would have been a four point lead at the end of the game forcing the cowgirls to go for a touchdown to win, not a field goal.

by Birdman2 on Dec 5, 2011 7:34 AM MST reply actions

Amen

I agree. I was so mad on that false start. 1st and goal on the 4 and stupid mistakes. What about the drive killers in the first half. A couple of dropped balls and Kolb holding the ball too long cost them some points the first half as well.

by ccnellie on Dec 5, 2011 9:14 AM MST up reply actions

Yeah, that would have been a TD, I'm sure of it, if we got thay play off.

Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan
Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers fan
[I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].

Leading the NFL in swagtangibles

by JoeCB1991 on Dec 5, 2011 9:46 AM MST up reply actions

3rd down

Efficiency would be another, 4-13. Needs to get better

by defense_dad on Dec 5, 2011 7:56 AM MST via iPhone app reply actions

That was one of them

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by Tyler Nickel on Dec 5, 2011 10:55 AM MST up reply actions

Add that big Dez punt return that was negated by a penalty

I’ve seen plenty of Boys fans saying that was a pretty ticky tacky penalty and if they get the ball there, we probably never make it to over time.

Other than that, I think you nailed it. First half offense was putrid and the one, most consitent thing about this team is that the offensive line is terrible.

Bet big, win big...Welcome to Arizona Kevin Kolb!!!

by Steamin' Beamin' on Dec 5, 2011 7:57 AM MST reply actions

If Doucet doesn't get his arm grabbed in the end zone he makes the touchdown catch.

If the official throws the flag on it the Cardinals get first and goal from the one. All that what if crap goes both ways. It’s just crying over spilled milk.

by hadrarius on Dec 5, 2011 7:34 PM MST up reply actions

Nothin' questionable about that flag, imo

by tw3kr on Dec 5, 2011 10:44 PM MST up reply actions

The bottom line is being in position to win: See Tim Tebow

This Cardinals D team has allowed Arizona to be standing under the edge of the table when the crumbs fall. It hasn’t been a feast, but just enough to survive. If they keep hanging around, maybe they’ll be invited to the meal?

That would mean cleaning up your presentation and controlling that damn dog!

by AZ retiree on Dec 5, 2011 8:54 AM MST reply actions

O-line played better.

The sacks were on Kolb holding on to the ball too long. We were counting. All but one came after 5 seconds. In the second half he was making that quick read and throw the way it is supposed to be done. On the sack near the goal line, he was in the shot gun took 2 or 3 steps back and never stepped up until the defender was right there and got nailed. On that play, he had both housler and roberts on guick slant in the middle. He just had to pick one. O-line still made some mistakes but they played much better than past weeks. Remember when they would have 10+ penalties and several on just one drive, or back to back to back penalties? Good hole for beanie and kolb even had a good one to run. A tougher QB scores on that QB draw.

by ccnellie on Dec 5, 2011 9:21 AM MST reply actions

Its really frustrating when the cowboys can rush 3 or 4

and then lock down our receivers. When you have that much time, someone has to get open and Kolb has to deliver the ball. About that QB draw near the goaline, the only QB that scores on that play is Newton or Tebow. Those two guys are built like brick sh*thouses. Prototypical QBs, like Kolb, can’t run though LBs and DLinemen. I was just happy he showed some fire in trying to run through him, but it was an effort in futility

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by GreaZzy on Dec 5, 2011 9:27 AM MST up reply actions

Remember the Minnesota game? McNabb pulled it on us.

Where were his blockers? Kolb got swamped. Not a bad audible. Took a bet that they wouldn’t credit him with running for it with a bad foot. Just didn’t quite make it. You see pretty much every quarterback make that play from time to time. Not just the likes of Newton or Tebow.

by hadrarius on Dec 5, 2011 7:38 PM MST up reply actions

Difference being McNabb was smart an ran it when the defenders had cleared

Kolb tried to run through defenders. Kolb should have waited longer and then he could have scored easier, i agree, but i did like the effort. I was just saying that only Tebow and Newton could have scored on that exact same run, trying to run over defenders.

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by GreaZzy on Dec 5, 2011 7:44 PM MST up reply actions

Ok. I can agree with that.

Not too many quarterbacks are going to plow through like that. It wasn’t so much the play call as the execution that failed. But kudos for the attempt. And yeah, he should have waited a touch longer. It’s obviously not a play they planned on using much.

by hadrarius on Dec 5, 2011 8:07 PM MST up reply actions

I thought he shoulda waited a half second longer on the draw

Then he would’ve walked in

by forget on Dec 5, 2011 9:30 AM MST via mobile up reply actions

Good point about the Special teams

we may have become spoiled by Peterson, but LSH gave us bad field position on many KRs. Take the knee and get better field position, rather than taking it out and getting tackled on the 10

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by GreaZzy on Dec 5, 2011 9:22 AM MST reply actions

He has been all year; all the returners have

LSH actually said after a game that he asked the special teams coach if he should change what he was doing (bringing it out) but was told to keep doing it.

by tw3kr on Dec 5, 2011 10:46 PM MST up reply actions

The greatest thing was

I don’t think kolb ran backwards once! It was good to see!

by forget on Dec 5, 2011 9:28 AM MST via mobile reply actions 1 recs

he actually avoided pressure on multiple occasions

On the play that Early dropped the 1st down conversion near the end of the 4th, Kolb did a great job avoiding the pressure and made a heck of a play. He was running to his left, and had to contort his body to make a throw, got it off in time and delivered a strike. Good to see from Kolb

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by GreaZzy on Dec 5, 2011 9:59 AM MST up reply actions

The Boys have a really strong D-line

I think our o-line did a decent job considering the glaring lack of talent. Just imagine if the o-line gave Kolb 1-2 more seconds on each snap…

"When life gives you lemons, I say f**k the lemons and bail."

by SGM on Dec 5, 2011 1:45 PM MST up reply actions

Put on the brakes,

his performance average, and it still needs to be seen every week.

Formerly known as Cardsfan928, If you wanna grab a quick game of madden, my screenname is also my Xbox name.

by INSOMAN1ATIC on Dec 5, 2011 5:40 PM MST up reply actions

He did a helluva lot better avoiding pressure then he had

i was just noting the improvement. Obviously its not at the level it need to be, but it is a positive sign. Kolb still has to work on his internal clock, and getting rids of the ball

Follow me on Twitter at @AlexDavidson68

by GreaZzy on Dec 5, 2011 6:47 PM MST up reply actions

I was really pleased with that

It wasn’t running just to run, he was keeping his eyes downfield and making plays (not just throwing it out of bounds).

by Airwave on Dec 5, 2011 3:05 PM MST up reply actions

Seemed like having a bad foot actually forced him to improve his game.

He couldn’t just hare off on instinct which is what has been causing so much of his troubles.

by hadrarius on Dec 5, 2011 7:40 PM MST up reply actions

As for the negatives

3rd down efficiency was terrible, but the Cowboys are tops in the league in D against 3rd down%. However, there were at least 5 or 6 plays that the Cards should have completed but didnt due to Doucet having a case of the dropsies, Kolb missing Housler all alone and Kolb just making a poor play. But I love a good smash mouth defensive game.
The other non negative is the accusation against Cardinals fans selling their protect the nest tickets to cowboys fans. The protect the nest is the lamest thing there is! Lower the ticket price on those games and I guarantee better cards attend. I dont live in Az anymore and have bought the lame protect the nest package. I attended the one game I wanted and sold the others. This is what people are doing. I know many other people that do the same thing. They will buy season tickets but dont live in the valley. They are fans of 2 teams and want to see just one game (because they are originally from somewhere else) and then sell their remaining tickets on RazorGator or StubbHubb.
This is vary common in baseball. I have a friend that lives just down the road and he and his brothers along with several others from his office have season tickets to the 9ers and SF Giants. They go to a couple of games and then sell the rest on Razor Gator or StubbHubb, making a profit. They are going the Steelers Niners Monday night game. It will be the only game they attend.

by ccnellie on Dec 5, 2011 9:34 AM MST reply actions

Cowboy fans think money is no object,

which is why I was more than happy to unload my tickets for the game.

Formerly known as Cardsfan928, If you wanna grab a quick game of madden, my screenname is also my Xbox name.

by INSOMAN1ATIC on Dec 5, 2011 5:46 PM MST up reply actions

This is not a comment directed to Tyler or any specific person just a general frustrated rant

I am tired of hearing about announcers (who don’t buy their own tickets), players (who don’t by their own tickets (except for relatives)), and fans who don’t buy tickets complain about the number of other teams fans at the game.

Arizona is a transplant state – true natives born here are few and far between. Until the I am tired of hearing about announcers (who don’t buy their own tickets), players (who don’t by their own tickets), and fans who don’t buy tickets complain about the number of other teams fans at the game.

Arizona is a transplant state – true natives born here are few and far between. The Cardinals are a transplant team. Until the Cardinals came here this was a Cowboy’s town. Many fans buy tickets because they love to watch football and they madly cheer for the Cardinals 9 home games a season, but that last game, whether their allegiance is to Dallas, Pittsburgh, SF, or wherever, they cheer for the team they have loved their whole life. We have 8 people in front of us that are in the born Cowboy fan group, but wildly cheer for the Cardinals every other game. People need to get over it or get off their asses and buy some season tickets!

Do some season ticket holders sell their tickets to opposing teams fans –sure. How can the team stop this? WIN MORE THAN 5-6 GAMES A SEASON!

by Drullin'OverDaCards on Dec 5, 2011 1:03 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

I agree

Once I grow up more and start making a better salary to where I can consistently support my teams (I am only 20) I can’t show up to support the Cardinals or what have you. I really want to be able to go out lots of times to see my teams play and help the attendance and it always sucks to see so many fans in the stands not rooting for the Cardinals. But I realize I can’t complain because I am not spending on season tickets or loads of game day tickets.

This state is unlike others in that there are so many transplants as you say. What are they supposed to do though? A consistently losing season and so many people who are fans of other teams doesn’t breed lots of season tickets or people going to single games. I myself know probably 10 people TOTAL who support an Arizona sports team first and foremost. It is just ridiculous, I don’t understand it, but there are things the Arizona franchises can do nothing about. They need a proven winning history and they need people to grow up here and love the Arizona sports programs.

by Airwave on Dec 5, 2011 3:03 PM MST up reply actions

I can see how you say special teams play was a negative

But the Dallas kicker was simply phenomenal and Peterson just had no chance to do anything. The only negative was that big return but besides that they had no chance to do anything special because of all the punts on the sideline pinned in the 20.

by Airwave on Dec 5, 2011 2:59 PM MST reply actions