Arizona Cardinals/Oakland Raiders: Cardinals Bonehead Play Of The Game

QB Kevin Kolb played a very safe first drive. The starting offense was given a short field thanks to our Pro Bowl returner Patrick Peterson gaining 46-yards and flashing in front of the home crowd, and Offensive Coordinator Mike Miller wanted to play it very safe on the first drive. Miller called plays which would give Kolb plenty of options for a check down if the protection broke down or the play didn't develop. It was noticeable how safe they wanted to play the first drive, to try to ease Kolb into the game and not deflate his ego by asking too much of him early.

The positives were seeing guys like second year FB Anthony Sherman get more involved in the passing game, seeing second year RB Ryan Williams providing pass protection like a pro to Kevin Kolb's blind side, and most importantly seeing positive gains out of the starting unit, albeit game manager style. But that is all that the offense needs at this point, is someone to play well enough to gain positive yards and put the playmakers in position to score. The first drive was balanced, but guarded as they relied on Ryan Williams to punch in the ball for the first touchdown of Kevin Kolb's preseason as a starter.

The Bonehead plays show up back-to-back on the offenses second possession. After a 6 yard stumbling gain from Ryan Williams, which could have been a 10 yard gain had he not stumbled, Kevin Kolb is faced with pressure and throws the fundamentals out the door.

On 2nd and 4, 4:50 left in the first quarter, the Raiders bring pressure on the left side but RB Ryan Williams steps up to block the free blitzer, Kolb looks down field but sensing pressure rolls left and back to try and extend the play but is now back at his own one yard line. Raiders LB Rolando McClain releases from Colledge and catches Kolb dragging him down from behind. The right side is beat to a man, Colledge now sees Kolb being pursued by Raider Richard Seymour from from behind. Colledge runs between Kolb and Seymour and the three fall down together.

Finally Kolb, whose toes are walking the field like it's a tight rope just outside end zone, throws the ball away as he falls and draws an intentional grounding call due to "the QB being outside the tackle box, but the ball not getting to the line of scrimmage therefore" resulting in intentional grounding. Intentional grounding, but not a safety.

The next play, the Raiders blitz, RT Batiste is beat by Raiders DT Kelly and sacks Kolb for the sack and safety.

Back-to-back bonehead plays.

UPDATED: The O-Line was beat on both plays, particularly on the right side, and Kolb tried to extend the first play using his feet but ended up running into Rolondo McClain who released off of Colledge. Together the QB and O-Line failed. I think if he had quick release he could have thrown the ball away before trying to extend the play, but time was short due to the lack of protection.

I can't help but mention watching Miami Dolphins rookie QB Ryan Tannehill and Cleveland Browns rookie QB Brandon Weeden throughout the preseason and how each of them has made quick decisions to throw the ball away when faced with indecision or overwhelming pressure. Two rookies are making names for themselves as starters and playing at a high level, even though they're rookies against other teams #1's. The argument that Kolb has only started x games mean nothing when you can see two rookie QBs come in and play fundamental QB play. Kolb should have thrown the ball away and faced a 3rd and 4, rather than give the opponent two points and huge ego boost for their defense.

What was your "favorite" bonehead play?