Revenge of the Birds - 2013 Arizona Cardinals film reviewAn Arizona Cardinals community -- the best one there ishttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51297/rotb_fav.png2014-02-13T07:01:03-07:00http://www.revengeofthebirds.com/rss/stream/51638692014-02-13T07:01:03-07:002014-02-13T07:01:03-07:00Cards season review: What failed against Rams?
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oH0evvf7vDeOYvFaDAy8LCjLJ8U=/0x110:4000x2777/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28511915/20130908_mbr_sr6_150.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Looking at what failed for the Cardinals as they dropped the 2013 season-opener to the Rams.</p> <p>You've seen <a href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2014/2/11/5399386/arizona-cardinals-2013-season-review-worked-week-1-rams">what worked</a> for the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Cardinals</a> in their Week 1 loss to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Rams</a>. (If you haven't seen it, click that link.) Now it's time to go over what didn't work and ultimately led to the 27-24 defeat.</p>
<p>Quarterback Carson Palmer threw well for the most part in his Cardinals debut, completing 26 of 40 passes (65.0%) for 327 yards, two touchdowns and an interception for a 96.6 passer rating.</p>
<p>But that interception proved costly, leading to a go-ahead field goal in the third quarter. We'll get to that in a minute, as first we must cover Palmer's protection and a running play head coach Bruce Arians tried twice and saw fail both times.</p>
<p>Here is what failed against the Rams.</p>
<h4><b>Early run blocking</b></h4>
<p>We'll be going over two plays in this segment, because they are the exact same play. Same formation, same personnel -- everything. The first, which was the first play the offense ran, netted no gain. The second, which came on the first play of the second drive, netted just two yards.</p>
<p>Here is the first.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3994805/1st_Play_STL_large.jpg" class="photo" alt="1st_play_stl_large"></p>
<p>You can see a transposed <span>Michael Floyd</span> down in the slot. He came in motion before the snap and was set to throw a crack block on safety <span>Rodney McLeod</span> (in the bottom blue box), who ended up making the play.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3994813/1st_Play_STL2_large.jpg" class="photo" alt="1st_play_stl2_large"></p>
<p>At the moment running back <span>Rashard Mendenhall</span> received the handoff from Palmer, Floyd was in position to take on McLeod and get him out of the way, opening what would have been a gaping hole for Mendenhall. But defensive tackle <span>Michael Brockers</span> (top blue box from the first picture) blew up left guard <span>Daryn Colledge</span>, setting off a chain reaction that completely ruined the play for Arizona.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3994821/1st_Play_STL3_large.jpg" class="photo" alt="1st_play_stl3_large"></p>
<p>Floyd pulled up at the last second, fearing he would run into Mendenhall (with no running lane, he stopped and attempted to change direction). That gave McLeod the opportunity to take down the first-year Cards back for no gain.</p>
<p><a href="https://imageshack.com/i/mjmcvug" target="_blank"></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img811/9143/mcvu.gif"></p>
<p>Floyd started late anyway, so this play may have been doomed even if the lane was there. If Colledge won his battle with Brockers, McLeod may have been able to force Floyd back into Mendenhall as he crossed Floyd's back, thus throwing a wrench into things. All hypothetical, of course.</p>
<p>Onto the second play.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3994837/1st_Again_STL_large.jpg" class="photo" alt="1st_again_stl_large"></p>
<p>Again, Floyd is sent in motion with the same intention as before: throwing a crack block.</p>
<p>We'll take a look at this play from behind to show you how Brockers once again ruined this very basic run play.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3994845/1st_Again_STL2_large.jpg" class="photo" alt="1st_again_stl2_large"></p>
<p>Look closely at hand placement here. Brockers (blue arrow) had inside placement, while Colledge (red arrow) had outside placement. What that means is that Brockers can control where Colledge goes because he has all the leverage.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3994877/1st_Again_STL3_large.jpg" class="photo" alt="1st_again_stl3_large"></p>
<p>And with leverage, Brockers easily shoved Colledge out of the way as Mendenhall entered the running lane, making the play with fellow defensive tackle Kendall Langford.</p>
<p><a href="https://imageshack.com/i/mz92yg" target="_blank"></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img827/7270/92y.gif"></p>
<p>This play could have gained a nice chunk if Colledge had his right hand to the inside Brockers' left arm. It's amazing how many details go into football, isn't it?</p>
<h4>Brown vs. Quinn</h4>
<h4></h4>
<h4></h4>
<p>This game was the beginning of the end for Levi Brown in Arizona. The struggling left tackle surrendered three sacks to Rams defensive end <span>Robert Quinn</span> -- three weeks later, the Cardinals traded Brown for literally nothing (originally a late-round conditional pick that turned into nothing once Brown went on IR).</p>
<p>We won't spend too much time on these, because all three are the result of Brown being thoroughly manhandled by Quinn on speed rushes. However, we will briefly go over what happens when an average left tackle sees a speed rush over and over again, then sees something new.</p>
<p><a href="https://imageshack.com/i/0w8e1dg" target="_blank"></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img32/578/8e1d.gif"></p>
<p>The first sack by Quinn was nasty. He ran by Brown as though the 324-pound tackle wasn't even there en route to forcing a fumble by Palmer. Brown did record a fumble recovery on the play -- a poor consolation prize after the beating he had just received.</p>
<p><a href="https://imageshack.com/i/f2brrg" target="_blank"></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img542/9523/brr.gif"></p>
<p>The second was just as bad as the first. Brown has always been strong enough to handle power pass-rushers just fine, but Quinn is a speed guy, and Brown's feet get in the way when he needs to hurry his steps.</p>
<p><a href="https://imageshack.com/i/manmxg" target="_blank"></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img802/3127/nmx.gif"></p>
<p>Sack three: another speed rush. This time, Quinn gave a little dipsie-doo as though he was about to switch from a speed to a bull rush, then blew right by Brown again. Another forced fumble, this time recovered by Rams defensive end <span>Chris Long</span>.</p>
<p>Ugh, this guy.</p>
<p><a href="https://imageshack.com/i/10goxg" target="_blank"></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img36/5889/gox.gif"></p>
<p>And finally, we have what happens when a pass-rusher switches it up on a lineman.</p>
<p>After seeing nothing but a speed rush the entire first half and most of the third quarter, Quinn went with a "cross the face" move. That is, he started out as though he was going to speed rush again, but as he planted his outside foot, he shifted his weight to dip to Brown's inside shoulder, "crossing his face" in the process.</p>
<p>Brown was anticipating another speed rush, so he shuffled to the outside as quickly as he could. But Quinn's move threw him off. The only thing Brown could do to save his quarterback from assured destruction was hold. And he got caught, negating an 8-yard gain.</p>
<h4>Palmer's interception</h4>
<p>Throughout the early part of the 2013 season, we heard a lot from coach Arians about how Palmer's interceptions were a result of miscommunication between quarterback and receiver. Most times, the receiver was said to have run the wrong route.</p>
<p>Palmer's first interception with the Cardinals was his own fault, however.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3994917/Palmer_INT_STL_large.jpg" class="photo" alt="Palmer_int_stl_large"></p>
<p>Here, Palmer had 11 personnel with wideout <span>Andre Roberts</span> in the slot to the quarterback's right. The play was designed for <span>Larry Fitzgerald</span> as an option route where he could either sit underneath over-the-top coverage or run a corner route between the cornerback and safety to break a zone.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3994941/Palmer_INT_STL2_large.jpg" class="photo" alt="Palmer_int_stl2_large"></p>
<p>It was a straight man-to-man coverage to the top side, but to Fitzgerald's side, it was a zone -- as shown here by cornerback <span>Trumaine Johnson</span> with his eyes on Palmer and passing Fitz off to the deep safety.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3994957/Palmer_INT_STL3_large.jpg" class="photo" alt="Palmer_int_stl3_large"></p>
<p>Fitzgerald runs the correct route, heading to the wide-open sideline. Johnson is right there for the easy interception, though, as Palmer expected Fitz to stop and turn instead of break outside.</p>
<p><a href="https://imageshack.com/i/jj6nakg" target="_blank"></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img703/9020/6nak.gif"></p>
<p>From the GIF, you can see safety <span>T.J. McDonald</span> sliding toward the middle of the field as Roberts completes his post route. That means Fitz's corner route would likely have been a big-time success had Palmer thrown it.</p>
<p>*****</p>
<p>Stay tuned all offseason for what worked and what didn't for the Cardinals during the 2013 season. Week 1 was fun to break down despite the loss. Just wait until the winning begins...</p>
<p><i>All screen grab and GIF footage courtesy of <a href="https://gamerewind.nfl.com/nflgr/secure/packages?ttv=1">NFL Game Rewind</a></i></p>
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https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2014/2/13/5405846/arizona-cardinals-2013-season-review-failed-week-1-ramssmchurch2014-02-11T07:01:04-07:002014-02-11T07:01:04-07:00Cards season review: What worked against Rams?
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gC6S4K4CqobobcYEPVfZalyh_Ps=/0x340:2850x2240/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28402949/20130908_pjc_ac1_366.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Looking at three plays from Arizona's Week 1 game against NFC West-rival St. Louis. How and why were they successful? Shaun Church's in-depth analyses provide the answers.</p> <p></p>
<p>Welcome to the first installment of an offseason-long review of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> 2013 season. Each week, we will go over a new game, beginning here with what went right during the Week 1 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a>.</p>
<p>These pieces are intended to show how Bruce Arians' offense grew and improved as the season progressed.</p>
<p>From great play-calling and individual effort to those calls and player gaffes that left us scratching our heads, we will go beyond the highlights to illustrate the evolution of the downfield passing attack that became more conservative throughout the year, while also highlighting a running game that improved as a rookie cut his teeth.</p>
<p>Here is what worked against the Rams.</p>
<h4><b>Floyd's One-Handed Catch</b></h4>
<p>With 12 personnel in the game on the first play of the second quarter, Arians dialed up a two-man route against a Cover 1 that led to the first highlight of the season. It's not uncommon to see a deep shot from near midfield on second down, with the offense knowing it has third down to make something happen.</p>
<p>If the deep ball fails on second down and the offense cannot gain a first down on third, just punt the ball away and play the field-position game -- especially with a good defense.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Palmer_to_floyd_44_stl1_large" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3984795/Palmer_to_Floyd_44_STL1_large.jpg"></p>
<p>To start, you can see the two-man route called by Arians. It's Michael Floyd on the go and <span>Larry Fitzgerald</span> on the deep post. Cornerbacks Cortland Finnegan (covering Floyd) and <span>Janoris Jenkins</span> (covering Fitz) are in man coverage and playing off the ball, anticipating the deep routes.</p>
<p>That's strong safety <span>T.J. McDonald</span> in the blue box, who helped Jenkins with Fitzgerald, leaving the smaller Finnegan on the larger Floyd.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Palmer_to_floyd_44_stl_large" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3984813/Palmer_to_Floyd_44_STL_large.jpg"></p>
<p>The story here, however, was not the route run by Floyd. It wasn't even about the throw from quarterback Carson Palmer. This play was about the protection Arians called to ensure Palmer and Floyd had enough time to connect down the field.</p>
<p>With a two-man route and a quarterback to throw the ball, that means it was an eight-man protection. The offensive linemen, plus tight ends Kory Sperry and <span>Jim Dray</span>, as well as rookie running back Andre Ellington -- who was in on his first NFL snap, by the way -- all stay in to protect Palmer while Floyd worked his way downfield.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Palmer_to_floyd_44_stl2_large" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3984829/Palmer_to_Floyd_44_STL2_large.jpg"></p>
<p>Dray comes across Palmer's face to help left guard <span>Daryn Colledge</span> with defensive lineman <span>William Hayes</span>, while Ellington executes a perfect cut block on blitzing safety <span>Rodney McLeod</span> (remember that name).</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://imageshack.com/i/j7b3jg"></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://imageshack.com/a/img691/587/b3j.gif" border="0"></p>
<p>The result of such great protection, of course, was Floyd's one-handed catch over Finnegan. Poor, little Finnegan was picked on all afternoon in both the passing and running game.</p>
<p>In fact, he's a part of all three plays mentioned here today -- by complete coincidence, for what it's worth.</p>
<h4><b>Mendenhall makes it happen</b></h4>
<p>The running game did not get going as planned in this game. With a new starting running back, essentially three new offensive linemen and an entire new coaching staff, it assuredly would take some time to get everyone in rhythm and doing what they're supposed to do on every play.</p>
<p><span>Rashard Mendenhall</span> had his share of problems in 2013, from missing wide-open running lanes -- seemingly avoiding them at times -- to doing just what you're about to see. What he did on this play worked, but it was not always the right call; in fact, cutting to his right was often the wrong choice, as it went hand-in-hand with the first issue mentioned.</p>
<p>Onto the play.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Mendenhall_9_stl_large" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3984877/Mendenhall_9_STL_large.jpg"></p>
<p>This play was designed to give Mendenhall the option of running through the A-gap or the C-gap, depending on which was open. With a struggling offensive line, it's a good idea to have more than one option for the running back. The thinking is that two gaps are harder to close off than one.</p>
<p>Except on this play, St. Louis had the perfect play called to counter the two-gap option -- a run blitz.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Mendenhall_9_stl2_large" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3984885/Mendenhall_9_STL2_large.jpg"></p>
<p>Linebackers James Laurinaitis (A-gap) and <span>Kevin Ogletree</span> (C-gap) took off toward the line of scrimmage at the snap, ruining any thought of a Mendenhall option.</p>
<p>Both Colledge and rookie tight end <span>D.C. Jefferson</span> were forced to abandon their original assignments -- picking up a blitzing linebacker assuredly was a secondary assignment -- to take on Laurinaitis and Ogletree. They did so perfectly but left nowhere for Mendenhall to go.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Mendenhall_9_stl3_large" class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3984893/Mendenhall_9_STL3_large.jpg"></p>
<p>That's where Mendenhall's habit of cutting to the right came into play and saved him from sure failure. With nowhere to go, the only thing standing between him and a first down on 2nd-and-1 was little Finnegan. Poor guy.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://imageshack.com/i/mkpmog"></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://imageshack.com/a/img812/2497/pmo.gif" border="0"></p>
<p>Mendenhall runs over the veteran en route to a 9-yard gain, even knocking the overmatched cornerback's helmet off in the process.</p>
<h4><b>Palmer to Fitz part deux</b></h4>
<p>Palmer's first touchdown pass as a member of the Cardinals was to Fitzgerald -- from four yards out just two plays after Floyd's one-handed catch. His second was also to Fitzgerald and covered 24 yards.</p>
<p>Just before its culmination, this touchdown drive had covered 59 yards on 10 plays with 36 of those yards coming on 4-of-6 passing from Palmer.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Palmer_to_fitz_24_tdstl_large" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3984901/Palmer_to_Fitz_24_TDSTL_large.jpg"></p>
<p>The first option on this play was Fitzgerald. His go-route was first and foremost, and it was all that mattered. The second option likely would have been <span>Andre Roberts</span>, who ran a 10-yard dig -- he would have been Palmer's next read had McLeod helped Finnegan with Fitz. After that, it would have been a free-for-all -- a "get-open-if-you-can," if you will.</p>
<p>St. Louis was once again in a Cover 1, only this time McLeod covered deep while McDonald took Roberts. The blue arrow on Finnegan is pointing out that Finnegan had just motioned to McLeod to help him in anticipation of Fitzgerald's deep route.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Palmer_to_fitz_24_tdstl2_large" class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3984909/Palmer_to_Fitz_24_TDSTL2_large.jpg"></p>
<p>As you can see, McLeod was in a bad spot. Having a split second to choose the underneath route or the deep route, he froze, confused on which way to go. Palmer saw this and was already winding up to uncork the pass toward the goal line at the time of this screen shot.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3984917/Palmer_to_Fitz_24_TDSTL3.jpg" target="_blank"></a> <br id="1392079999495"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Palmer_to_fitz_24_tdstl3_large" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3984917/Palmer_to_Fitz_24_TDSTL3_large.jpg"></p>
<p>McLeod finally reacts to Fitzgerald's deep route but, by now, it was too late. Had he paid attention to Finnegan before the snap, this touchdown on a 3rd-and-5 play may have gone to Roberts and merely converted a first down.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://imageshack.com/i/nsq87qg"></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://imageshack.com/a/img856/2112/q87q.gif" border="0"></p>
<p>Instead, Palmer connects with Fitz for the 24-yard score, leaving Finnegan with a more-than-forgettable day despite his team rallying late to win.</p>
<p>*****</p>
<p>Again, stay tuned all offseason for what worked and what didn't for the Cardinals during the 2013 season. This was Week 1. It's going to be a fun summer.</p>
<p><i>All screen grab and GIF footage courtesy of <a href="https://gamerewind.nfl.com/nflgr/secure/packages?ttv=1">NFL Game Rewind</a></i></p>
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https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2014/2/11/5399386/arizona-cardinals-2013-season-review-worked-week-1-ramssmchurch2014-02-10T10:01:08-07:002014-02-10T10:01:08-07:00Rookie mistake leads to Fitz concussion
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ye6Tk-WtFD0DpHwLblwXTogPaBU=/0x0:3999x2666/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28373061/456909055.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Wesley Hitt</figcaption>
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<p>After recalling a Bruce Arians quote, I had to scratch an itch. </p> <p>Since it is the offseason, I had a few minutes to scratch an itch I had. I wanted to know about the blown onside kick that led to <span>Larry Fitzgerald's</span> concussion. I recall Bruce Arians saying that a rookie blew his assignment (although I cannot find that quote exactly now), so I went to NFL Rewind to see what happened.</p>
<p>It turns out that Arians wasn't just spinning things. It was, in fact, a rookie who could have done two different things that would have prevented the hit on Fitz that led to a fumble and the Tennessee recovery near the end of regulation in the game against the <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tennessee Titans</a>. It was running back <span>Stepfan Taylor</span>.</p>
<p>Picking out "the rookie" was easy. He was the only rookie on that side of the field to protect Fitz, which tells you a lot about how much the team trusts him on special teams.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3982471/onsides1.PNG"><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3982471/onsides1_large.PNG" class="photo" alt="Onsides1_large"></a></p>
<p>You have, from the sideline, <span>Jim Dray</span>, <span>Jasper Brinkley</span>, <span>Rashad Johnson</span>, Taylor and <span>Bryan McCann</span> -- all vets except for Taylor.</p>
<p>What happens? As you can see below, Dray, Brinkley and Johnson all engage with a Titans player, except Taylor. He didn't get over there quickly enough.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3982479/onsides2.PNG" target="_blank"><img alt="Onsides2_large" class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3982479/onsides2_large.PNG"></a></p>
<p>The man that Taylor didn't get to is the guy that gets to Fitz (<span>Zaviar Gooden</span>) as he leaps up to attempt the catch.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3982487/onsides3.PNG" target="_blank"><img alt="Onsides3_large" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3982487/onsides3_large.PNG"></a></p>
<p>Once Gooden gets to Fitz, you will notice that Taylor has slowed up, while running back <span>Jackie Battle</span> for the Titans sees an opening to get to Fitz. Taylor does not go to engage Battle.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3982503/onsides4.PNG" target="_blank"><img alt="Onsides4_large" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3982503/onsides4_large.PNG"></a> <br id="1392045243173"></p>
<p>Taylor does not block Battle, so when Gooden has upended Fitz, Battle goes in and makes the hit, where his helmet makes contact with Fitz', causing him to drop the ball.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3982519/onsides5.PNG" target="_blank"><img alt="Onsides5_large" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3982519/onsides5_large.PNG"></a></p>
<p>The rest we know. The ball comes loose, Tennessee recovers and then go down to score the tying touchdown. Luckily, the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cardinals</a> win in overtime. Fitz is lost for the remainder of this game, but comes back to play in Seattle.</p>
<p>As for Taylor, I imagine that this mistake (or pair of mistakes) was hashed out in film with the team. I imagine this won't be something he messes up again, at least we should hope so.</p>
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https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2014/2/10/5397548/arizona-cardinals-2013-film-review-rookies-mistake-leads-to-larryJess Root