Cardinals Can Point to Penalties as Source of Failures

by tomvanwyhe on Dec 19, 2007 3:23 PM MST in General Arizona Cardinals News

The Cardinals certainly have originally accepted the philosophies of Ken Whisenhunt at the beginning of the season, but one in particular seems to have escaped them: discipline. While the ex-Steelers coach preaches it on a consistent basis, the players have apparently not bitten into the idea enough to keep from committing costly penalties and mental errors which have ultimately cost them a shot at the postseason.

The 6-8 record was no accident. Take a look at the number of penalties and turnovers that happened in Arizona's 8 losses this season:

at San Francisco: 10 penalties for 71 yards. 2 turnovers.
at Baltimore: 6 penalties for 65 yards. 1 turnover.
vs. Carolina: 11 penalties for 101 yards. 5 turnovers.
at Washington: 9 penalties for 75 yards. 3 turnovers.
at Tampa Bay: 8 penalties for 64 yards. 2 turnovers.
San Francisco: 10 penalties for 70 yards. 4 turnovers.
at Seattle: 7 penalties for 55 yards. 5 turnovers.
at New Orleans: 10 penalties for 78 yards. 2 turnovers.

I think it's obvious the team has had problems with penalties and turnovers and it's ultimately cost us wins. Look at the Carolina game. How can a team win if it turns the ball over five times and loses (or gives the opponent) 101 yards on penalties?

Clearly, Whisenhunt will need to coach the Cardinals on the fundamentals before next season. Averaging 9 penalties and 3 turnovers a game will result in a losing season. It's a shame that the team, despite playing hard football, isn't playing smart football and the resulting goal is the hope to finish .500.

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Wow

I knew it was bad but I didn't know it was THAT bad. The Carolina game that you brought up was particularly painful as that was 1 of the 2 games I've been to this season. That was one of the worst excuses for "pro" football that I have ever seen in person.

When you put the penalties and turnovers in writing, I find it absolutely amazing that we've actually won 6 games this season. Shouldn't these guys, after 15 years or so of playing organized football, know what you can and cannot get away with on the field? Is it the coach's responsibility to teach guys what a false start is?

Another thing that gets me is that we could've won a couple of those games despite the penalties and turnovers had a certain kicker put the ball between the uprights.

by AZSEAfan @ Revenge Of The Birds on Dec 19, 2007 4:04 PM MST reply actions

Ouch

That must have been a painful game to watch from the stands.

The Cardinals this season have been incredibly inconsistent, so it is a wonder the team has the record it does. In fact, what's more surprising is that, like you pointed out, the team could still be in the thick of the playoff hunt if Rackers could punch it through the uprights in the clutch.

Speaking of that, there was one game this season that I missed but was keeping up with the team's field position during the game while watching on CBS. After catching the final score (OT - loss) I was watching some of the highlights afterwards. Before they came I on I told my brother sitting next to me that either Kurt Warner made a costly turnover or Rackers blew a field goal.

It was both.

It's just one of those seasons that a fan comes to accept because he or she is a Cards fan. Too bad it has to be that way.

Go Cards!

by tomvanwyhe on Dec 19, 2007 5:30 PM MST up reply actions