Arizona Cardinals

It took me this long to calm down. Really there is not much to say - maybe just give a few shout outs to great players and call out the sucky ones.
Eric Green - his best game ever as a Cardinal - go so far as to say he was MVP of the game
Darnell Dockett - his big raise did not go to his head - he played very well
Gabe Watson - the rookie did well too
Bert Berry - he showed up
Gerald Hayes - played as well as excpected
Anquan Boldin - him and Leinart are the only ones who want to win on offense
Matt Leinart - see above
Edgerrin James - I'm sorry, but he sucks. I won't let the line take all the blame. Shipp hits the whole much faster and could at least fall forward for positive yards. Edge - 2nd half - 27 carries for 25 yards. Oh by the way - when Leinart got hit from behind for the fumble - that was Edge's fault. Matt called an audible which required Ross to let the DE go and Edge was supposed to change direction and hit the DE. Good move Edge.
Scott Player - why did we keep him - Crenshaw had a much better training camp, yet we keep Scott Player?
Neil Rackers - has missed 5 this year - can't handle the pressure?
Nick Lechey - actually played better than Stepanovich - maybe it was the right move

check out this link for offensive production so far:

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/1019cardsrankings.html

Dockett is extended through 2011. Reportedly a big raise this year with a 3.5m bonus, plus a bonus next year of 3.5m Decent money for a DT. Is he worth it? Probably, it's nice to lock him up, but what worries me is that he will fall back on his thug days and have off field problems. But I won't knock a player wanting to stay here. With the right coach, this team could go far.

Well - if the Cardinals would win more often, I might say the game against the Chief's was a good game. I say that - because the excitment was there. Leinart looked good, he scored on his first 2 posessions, making it very exciting. Problem is, our coaching staff just does no know how to win. The did 6 straight passes with a ten point lead. Run the Ball! With that said - Leinart was comfortable and the play calling seemed to utilize more options. We should be 3-2 right now instead of 1-4. Pathetic

Leinart's touchdown pass to Boldin was Leinart's call! He called an audible at the line of scrimmage, and went for it! Our future could be bright with a new coaching staff.

quote from Bickley article about the line: 10/3/06

Sadly, against good opponents Warner ran for his life more often than Edgerrin James ran for positive yardage. Yet when pressed on how a switch in quarterbacks can make the blocking better, the coach almost blew a gasket: "I already told you," Green snapped. "I think you're just trying to get on my nerves. I've already answered that question two times. I said (it's) because I feel that way. I think goes under coaching. If you think it does, it does. I (won't) get into a dissertation right now. Maybe I will Wednesday. Maybe I won't."
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Can our line play decent enough? The biggest problem I see, is that they are not nasty. Big Leonard Davis is just a rich kid who doesn't have the mean streak to be a good offensive lineman. Pete Kendall provided that, but Green got rid of him. I am sorry I go back to that, but Green dismantled this line, and Kendall was not only my favorite, but our best lineman. Green also got rid of LJ Shelton for some reason. Shelton was not a superstar, but a much better LT then Davis. Davis could have stayed at guard, Shelton (with his better footwork and positioning) could have stayed at LT. We would have Reggie wells at guard, Pete Kendall at center, and then Whomever at rt. Oliver Ross may become servicable there. Or pay big money for a proven veteran.

This Cardinals team is really bad. It seems as we get better players, we become worse. I blame one man - Dennis Green. Our offense is pathetic. We have played the Falcons twice in the Green era - 6 offensive points combined for both games. I want a new coach, but I do not want to start from scratch again. I would love to add one or two stud o-lineman in the off season, and hire a dynamic, emotionally charged, proven coach with some imagination to take this team to the playoffs and beyond.

But let's focus on now. Even though Atlanta racked up almost 300 yards rushing, I actaully think our defense played well. If our offense could have kept something alive, not had the four turnovers, we would have been in this game and it would have been exciting to watch. Leinart is not the quick fix, but at least he creates a few more play calling options. Our play calling is pathetic, it is so predictable. Defenses know, all you have to do is jam our receivers, provide only one on one coverage and apply pressure to QB - you win the game agaisnt the Cardinals. It is know around the NFL, that our receivers run the same routes all the time. It is really easy to defend predictability.

I will give Dennis Green props on one thing - at lease he called out Kurt Warner for something saying he holds onto the ball too long.

Well - I do think we will beat Kansas City this week. Then get crushed by the Bears. But without giving away the St. Louis game, we could be maintaining the 500 record. At least Leinart is exciting, and I hope he lives up to expectations.