Week 1 University of Phoenix Stadium - Glendale, AZ San Francisco 49ers 20 - Arizona Cardinals 16
Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce you to the start of the 2009 regular season. The long wait is over, the sputtering preseason is behind us, and the Cardinals are back to try and go on another Super Bowl run. This year, however, it may not be the high-octane offense leading the way; this could be the year of Bill Davis and the hungry defensive line. At least against the 49ers today, the Cardinals defense looked like a whole new animal, getting pressure on Shaun Hill and not allowing Frank Gore any real running room all game long. Unfortunately, the offense struggled to get any consistent momentum and never got it together, a carryover from a preseason that saw zero touchdown passes from Kurt Warner.
As is usually the case in the first game of the season, there were mistakes, but different from the Cardinals of old, this team didn’t look inept in the loss - they simply got beat in a close game to an improved 49ers team. Mike Singletary really should be applauded for getting this team to where it is. They probably won’t be playing for a Super Bowl this year, but they’re going in the right direction.
First, the negatives…
Offensive play-calling - Todd Haley is now the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, so Ken Whisenhunt is back to calling all the plays - to put it nicely, the play-calling was unimaginative and too conservative, especially in the first half. When you have weapons like Fitzgerald and Boldin (and what looks like a new weapon in Beanie Wells), there needs to be some risk-taking. It’s what got the Cardinals to the Super Bowl last year and it will be even more important when playing teams better than the 49ers.
Penalties - No no no no no no. The Cardinals had 12 penalties for 82 yards, many at inopportune times, and that is unacceptable. No doubt Whisenhunt and staff will be making this a point of emphasis this week because this just can’t happen against good teams if you want to win consistently.
3rd down efficiency - The Cardinals went 4 for 14 on 3rd down and that won’t cut it. With a prolific passing attack, 3rd downs shouldn’t be an issue for this team. Again, penalties played a huge factor here since 3rd downs are hard to get when you always have a long way to go.
Scoring touchdowns - This was a major issue in the preseason, so for the Cardinals to have trouble getting it in the endzone again today is a little worrisome. The Cardinals have a ton of talent on offense, so it probably won’t be a nagging weakness, but it is definitely something to keep an eye on as the weeks progress.
Kurt Warner - Warner just wasn’t very accurate all game long. Though he looked comfortable at times, there was simply no consistency. Any time you throw more interceptions than touchdown passes, it is hard to win. Let’s hope this was just a hiccup because this offense goes as Warner goes.
Lack of run game - For a coach who believes so highly in the run, Whisenhunt sure didn’t show it today. Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower only got 15 carries combined and that’s not enough if you want to keep opposing defenses honest. I know this was Wells’ first NFL game, but in the limited carries he had, he averaged 4.1 yards a carry - that is a great sign, but he just wasn’t used enough.
But there were some positives…
Defensive line - From Darnell Dockett to Alan Branch to Calais Campbell, this line looked dangerously good across the board. Hill was hurried on most plays and they held Gore to 30 yards rushing, which are great signs that Davis is doing all the right things with this group. When you can limit your opponent to 21 total rushing yards rushing yards, you are dominating the line of scrimmage.
Chris “Beanie” Wells - As stated above, he averaged 4.1 yards a carry on 7 rushes and looked quick, tough, and ready to play at the NFL level. There were no signs of injury issues and he moved entire piles of 49ers at the end of runs - this really could be the start of an added dimension to the Cardinals offense.
Deep coverage - The Cardinals only got beat once and it was on a beautiful double move by the experienced veteran, Isaac Bruce. this seemed to be an issue throughout the preseason, so it was very nice to see that it was a non-issue today.
Clancy Pendergast is gone - Pendergast is now with Haley in Kansas City and the Chiefs got ripped apart for 501 total yards today. Bill Davis’ defense only allowed 203. That is beautiful.
From now through Friday, the NFC West Examiners will be answering some questions about their respective teams, bridging the gap between now and the much anticipated beginning of the season. Today’s topic: coaching staffs.
The Cardinals made some major staff changes this off-season. How have these changes affected the Cardinals and what might it mean for the coming season?
The two biggest changes on the Arizona Cardinals coaching staff came after they lost the Super Bowl last year in the last two minutes of the game. They lost offensive coordinator Todd Haley to the Kansas City Chiefs and fired defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast (who was subsequently hired by the aforementioned Haley). To replace both coordinators in the same season is almost unheard of, especially after a Super Bowl run, but the transitions on both sides of the ball should be smooth.
Head coach Ken Whisenhunt will be sharing the offensive coordinator duties with offensive line coach Russ Grimm (an odd way to replace an offensive coordinator, to say the least) with Whisenhunt calling the plays. Since Todd Haley was given the play-calling duties by Whisenhunt, there definitely won’t be a dropoff in coaching ability. In fact, coach Whiz may be better at it than Haley and Grimm has been with Whisenhunt long enough that should coach Whiz want to pass the reins to Grimm (like he did with Haley), the transition should be fairly easy. Expect to see more of the same this year with the Cardinals offense, with the goal being balance and some savvy play-calling at times that will test the limits of trickeration. If everyone stays healthy, there will be fireworks.
On the other side of the ball, the former linebackers coach, Billy Davis, will be moving to replace Pendergast at the defensive coordinator position. Because Clancy’s defense got the Cardinals to the Super Bowl last year (and played well in the postseason), some questioned this move, blaming it on a reactionary move to the final two minutes of the Super Bowl. Looking closer at the numbers, however, shows that this move goes far beyond any one game. Most specifically, the lack of any pass defense would alone warrant a firing. That said, the question remains to be seen whether or not Davis can bring any toughness or discipline to a struggling D.
So far, the preseason has seen some ups and downs on the defensive side, but if you’re a Cardinals fan, you have to like what you’re seeing. Davis’ schemes should create some major confusion for opposing quarterbacks and if his new found discipline starts to set in, there’s enough talent here to make some noise. The key word in this case is “potential.” If Bill Davis can unlock this defense’s potential, the Cardinals may not need to score 30 points a game…and that would be a good thing.
From now through Friday, the NFC West Examiners will be answering some questions about their respective teams, bridging the gap between now and the much anticipated beginning of the season. Today’s topic: the rookies.
Which rookies will make the biggest impact for the team in 2009?
With Cody Brown out for the season with a wrist injury and Trevor Canfield on the practice squad, six draft picks (and one undrafted free agent) are left that could have an impact this year for the Cardinals. But which ones will make an impact right away, which ones should come around eventually, and which ones might not pan out?
Immediate Impact Rookies
Chris “Beanie” Wells - Wells has already made an impact, even it has been simply to push Tim Hightower to improve his game. But that won’t be his only impact this year. Expect Beanie to be getting most of the carries by week three or four after he breaks more 20+ yard runs in a few games than the Cardinals had all last season.
LaRod Stephens-Howling - Though he’s listed as a running back, his potential lies in the kick return game and it’s not going to take long for him to make an impact. Think Darren Sproles and Leon Washington.
Herman Johnson - Johnson probably won’t play a whole lot this year, but his impact will be in providing depth for the Cardinals offensive line. With very few options beyond the starting five lineman, Johnson gives Russ Grimm another solid option if someone goes down.
Eventual Impact Rookies
Will Davis - This guy has surprised some people and if he continues to progress at this speed, he will be an impact player by the beginning of his second year. He has a high motor and a hunger for the quarterback. The Cardinals need all the pass rushers they can get and Davis could be a great asset down the road.
Reggie Walker - The only undrafted free agent from this year that should be able to make an impact for the Cardinals at some point, the coaching staff loves Walker’s upside and potential. Walker and Davis should be playing shoulder to shoulder in a few years if they can both stick around that long.
Greg Toler - He really does look like DRC at times and that makes him a great prospect for the future. He’s not the most cerebral of players, but his talent and speed more than makes up for it and he and DRC should be sharing the field some time soon.
Possible Dud Rookies
Rashad Johnson - I was very high on this kid when the Cardinals drafted him, but he has dissapointed so far through preseason. Often times, he has been caught out of position and he never really made the kinds of key plays you expect from an NFL safety. If the Cardinals were looking for the next Adrian Wilson, Johnson’s not it. That all said, he can still turn it around with a little maturation, growth, and physical bulk.
Arizona Cardinals at Denver Broncos Sept. 3rd, 9:00 PM ET (6:00 PM Arizona) TV: Local Ch. 15 Radio: 92.3 KTAR-FM
Look, the Cardinals played the Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, the very dangerous San Diego Chargers, and the offensive powerhouse Green Bay Packers - It’s not like they’ve been playing cupcakes. That said, it’s still nice for the Cardinals to get to relieve themselves of the memory of the Packers game. Remember that teams that have made it to the Super Bowl in the last few years have for the most part had less than stellar preseason records, but with one caveat - no team that has made it to the Super Bowl in the last five years has gone 0-4 in the preseason. With that thought in mind, here’s what to watch for in the Arizona Cardinals final 2009 preseason game against the Denver Broncos with the Cardinals back-ups fighting for a spot on the final 53-man roster.
Offensive side: 1. Beanie Wells - Yes, this is the second time Beanie’s been in the “things to watch” category, but since this will only be his second game of the preseason, it is important that he plays, plays well, and gets off the field uninjured. Watch to see if he can replicate the kind of game he had against the Packers.
2. Matt Leinart - Leinart will get a lot of snaps with Warner playing little this game, so watch to see if he can continue what has been a very consistent preseason. It would be nice to go into the season knowing that it wouldn’t be the end of the road for the Cardinals if the elder Warner gets injured.
3. Herman Johnson and Trevor Canfield - Both of these guys were draft picks this year and both have shown some promising stuff. Though Johnson’s probably already got a spot locked up in the final 53, Canfield is still fighting to stay alive. They’ll both get a good amount of playing time, so it should be easier to evaluate them during this game.
4. Lance Long, Onrea Jones, and Sean Morey - Most likely, only one of these three will be in the final 53 and at this point, the special teams pro-bowler Sean Morey has the upper hand, so look to see if Long or Jones can make a large enough statement to make the coaches think about keeping either of them.
Defensive side: 1. Ralph Brown, Mike Adams, and Matt Ware - Unlike the receivers, two of these three will most likely make the team, so the odds are better. Unfortunately for Matt Ware, Brown and Adams have the upper hand going into this game, but if Ware continues to make plays and the other two continue to miss tackles, I wouldn’t be surprised if Ware unseats one of them.
2. Rashad Johnson and Greg Toler - These two draft picks are the future of the Cardinals defensive backfield, so watch to see how they play now that they’ve had a few NFL-like games under their belts. We’re all still waiting for Johnson to unleash one of his brutal hits on an opposing wide receiver.
3. Will Davis - Davis showed some signs of life against the Packers, so watch to see if he can continue that momentum into this game and have an impact early. So far, he’s been solid on special teams and has gotten some pressure on opposing quarterbacks on defense. With Cody Brown out with a season-ending injury, this is Davis’ chance to step-up and show the coaches that he’s for real.
4. Alan Branch - Yes, Mr. Branch, we’re still watching you…and waiting for you to produce. Branch has shown some flashes of brilliance both in camp and in the preseason, but he needs to do more than show flashes - he needs to be consistent to really make some noise on this team.
This post was originally posted on Examiner.com by friend of Fanster, Krag Klages, the Arizona Cardinals Examiner. For more from Krag check out his articles here.
(AP Photo / Morry Gash)
Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals 10:00 PM ET (7:00 PM Arizona) TV: Local Ch. 15 Radio: 92.3 KTAR-FM
This game will be like no other, and it’s not because it’s at the University of Phoenix Stadium (Cardinals fans did that last week) nor is it because the Packers are in town without Brett Favre (Aaron Rodgers played last year, too). No, this game will be like none other for the Cardinals because if all goes well in the next 24 hours, Chris “Beanie” Wells will be taking the field for the first time in uniform. If that doesn’t get you excited for this game, nothing will. Here are the things to watch throughout this third preseason game.
Offensive side: 1. Beanie Wells - Shocker, right? Expect a standing ovation from the crowd for the most coveted first-round pick since Matt Leinart as all eyes will be on this rookie running back from Ohio State. There might also be a collective holding-of-the-breath as he meets head-on with real NFL defenses in hopes that no further injury occurs.
2. Tim Hightower - Okay, so with Wells out on the field, how will Hightower respond? And on top of that - Wells aside - can Hightower continue to hit holes fast and hard as he’s done in the first two preseason games? Wells and Hightower are #1 and #2 for things to watch for a reason. Many pundits are already saying that if this run game can improve, the Cardinals will be very dangerous this year.
3. Wide Receivers - With Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston both likely out nursing minor injuries, receivers 2 through 7 should get a lot of looks (behind Larry Fitzgerald, of course). Jerheme Urban will especially benefit from the chance to show what he can do at the number two spot. Following Urban could be any combination since it’s pretty tight at the moment, but I expect the rest to go something like Early Doucet and Lance Long, followed by Onrea Jones, Sean Morey, Edward Gant, and Michael Ray Garvin. This will be an interesting position to watch.
4. Offensive line depth - Herman Johnson has been pleasantly solid against second and third team defenses and he may actually help provide some much needed depth to this offensive line. Watch to see if he and his counterparts can play well deep into the fourth quarter.
Defensive side: 1. Quarterback pressure - The first two preseason games (vs. the Steelers and vs. the Chargers) have seen great execution and discipline from Bill Davis’ defense, but can they keep it up against a better offensive line in the Packers and a good quarterback in Aaron Rodgers? Will Calais Campbell continue to play above the level most expected? Will Darnell Dockett and Karlos Dansby continue to get consistent pressure on Rodgers and earn sacks or force bad throws? If so, the Cardinals could be looking at one of the more dominating defenses thus far. Two good games could be chance…Three good games is a pattern.
2. Man-to-man coverage - Adrian Wilson and Antrel Rolle are one of the best safety tandems in the league, but they can’t do their jobs if the man-coverage breaks down. Can Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Bryant McFadden keep their guys in front of them? Can Michael Adams and Ralph Brown stop getting beat? Can Greg Toler finally have an impact?
3. Stopping the big play - Philip Rivers had a couple of long balls with wide open receivers in the last preseason game and big plays was one of the areas that Bill Davis was brought in to fix. Can the Cardinals stop Rodgers from going over the top? Rashad Johnson will be interesting to watch into the fourth quarter, as the coaches still expect this draft pick to make an impact down the road?
4. Stopping the screen play - As weird as it sounds, the Chargers killed the Cardinals with the screen play in the last game. Some of that comes from lack of true game-planning on the coaches part due to the preseason, but some of that is getting left in the dust. Can the Cardinals “stay home” and break up these plays early so they don’t turn into 15-20 yard gains?
This post was originally posted on Examiner.com by friend of Fanster, Krag Klages, the Arizona Cardinals Examiner. For more from Krag check out his articles here.
(Photo by Red Rain Photography)
Preseason Game 1 Arizona Cardinals at Pittsburgh Steelers 8:00 PM ET - ESPN
The players you love to watch throughout the regular season most likely won’t play more than one possession in this game. In fact, my guess is that Kurt Warner won’t even take a snap. So which players should you focus on? Which positions will be most interesting to watch? And why should you tune in for a full four quarters?
The players to watch are below, starting with the offense. As for watching four quarters of a preseason game…First, it’s been seven months since the Cardinals were on the field in a competitive nature, so just be happy they’re out there. Second, the future of the Cardinals will be playing deep into the fourth quarter. Some won’t make the cut, but some will, and then you can say you saw them when…
Offensive Players to Watch #2 QB Brian St. Pierre - He is pushing Leinart for the backup role…No, seriously, he is. It seems highly improbable that the #1 draft pick in 2006 could actually be a third-string going into the 2009 season, but St. Pierre has created a real position battle here.
#18 WR Michael Ray Garvin - Watch for Garvin to play late in the game, but watch closely…he is very very fast. Which is why he’ll probably set up for a kick or punt return as well.
#19 WR Lance Long - On this wide receiver heavy Cardinals team, it is difficult for a second or third string to stand out, but watch Lance Long play and it’s not hard to see why he does. His heart is his biggest asset and it shows.
#39 TE Dominique Byrd - This is an obvious position to watch in this game since the Cardinals still have seven tight ends on the current roster with no real winner in sight and Dominique Byrd has the size and hands to push for the third or fourth spot. Watch to see if he can block as well as he catches.
#67 G/T Herman Johnson - You won’t have to watch too closely…He is a very big boy and you’ll know it when he’s out there. The biggest player ever to go through LSU (a school that has no shortage of big men), if he can get his technique down, he could be a huge asset down the road.
Defensive Players to Watch #25 CB Bryant McFadden - He won’t play for long, but I do expect him to get some looks since this his first real competitive play as a Cardinal. It’s not a matter of making the team - it’s simply going to be fun to watch.
#32 CB Greg Toler - Toler will most likely make the cut since he’s an upcoming prospect for this team, but watch to see if his play is above where it ought to be at this point. Some have compared him with DRC, which means he could actually make an impact this year.
#41 FS Rashad Johnson - The third pick in the draft out of Alabama, Johnson had an incredible hit in the “Red and White” game and that is exactly why he was drafted. He’s not as big as Adrian Wilson, but he is as mean. This could be the future of the safety position for the Cardinals.
#52 OLB Cody Brown - He’s looked a little slower than advertised so far through training camp, but maybe all he needs is a little competitive fire. Look to see if he can get around his third string offensive lineman.
#59 OLB Will Davis - Different from Cody Brown, Davis has looked better that predicted thus far, but Davis and Brown are pretty even at this point in the rotation. Watching Davis and Brown in this game should be fun.
#78 DT Alan Branch - Most media pundits had written Branch off this offseason when he seemend to be overweight in the Spring, but he came to camp in great shape and has looked very good up until now. He may play a bit with the second team, so watch to see if he gets pushed around or if he can show again what everyone once saw in him when he was at Michigan.
#93 DE Calais Campbell - Talk around camp is that he is the next big thing on this defensive line. If you buy the hype, he should absolutely rule whoever he goes up against in this game. He is big and fast and this could be his break out year.
#95 LB Ali Highsmith - Ali had some shining moments last year and just like Campbell, this could be his break out year. Watch to see if he can stay home and do his job since Highsmith can find himself out of position at times.
This post was originally posted on Examiner.com by friend of Fanster, Krag Klages, the Arizona Cardinals Examiner. For more from Krag check out his articles here.
(Photos by Red Rain Photography)
The Cardinals were very impressive this weekend during their “Red and White” game as the known quantities showed off how they got this team to the Super Bowl last year (Fitzgerald, Warner, Hightower, etc.). But what about the those players that haven’t yet earned those kinds of accolades? Though there are only so many roster spots and you can never really predict who will make the cut and who won’t, there were two specific semi-unheard of players that looked like they were pushing a little bit harder than the rest this weekend.
First off, a guy who has been recently written about on Darren Urban’s blog on AZCardinals.com, wide receiver Lance Long looked very impressive on Saturday. Not only did he get wide open multiple times, but even when he was covered, he won the battle and came down with the football more often than not. At one point, Long caught the ball and made a cut so sharp that every defensive back lost their footing and he got an extra 10-15 yards. That’s the kind of drive and hunger that Whisenhunt and the coaching staff love to see. I more than expect to see Lance Long on the roster when the season begins.
The second guy who was very impressive and who has been for the most part unknown was running back Chris Vincent. Also on the offensive side, Vincent came out of Oregon in 2007 and battled injuries early on. Now fully recovered and trying desperately to make the team, he ran with a passion and sharpness this weekend that looked a little like Barry Sanders (okay, okay, that’s a bit of a stretch, but he did look very quick on his feet). And even though he was going up against the Cardinals third string defense, you could tell he wanted to get yards more than the defensive backs wanted to stop him. Hightower and Wright ran well, but the man who benefited the most from Wells sitting out of practice was definitely Chris Vincent. Keep an eye on this kid. It may be difficult for him to make the team with what looks like three very solid running backs on the Cardinals roster, but it also wouldn’t be a shock if he could eventually close the gap.
This post was originally posted on Examiner.com by friend of Fanster, Krag Klages, the Arizona Cardinals Examiner. For more from Krag check out his articles here.
When the Cardinals are on the road and you can’t join the other 60,000 people inside University of Phoenix Stadium to watch your beloved team, where can you go to share your passion with other fans? Well, I’m going to help answer that question. Based on certain factors, which I’ll outline below, I’m going to give you the five best places to watch the Cardinals when they’re playing on the road.
Here are the metrics I’ll be using (each on a 1 to 5 scale):
Atmosphere: this includes cheering fans (an absolute must), enough TV screens to catch the game from every angle, and a friendly enough staff that if you decide to get a little rowdy (after a beer…or eight), they’ll forgive you. Food: Watching a football game without great food is un-American, be it wings, burgers, pizza, or tasty fried appetizers. Beer: This is maybe the biggest overall factor. If you don’t have draft beers, you’re not on this list. Location: Not the most important factor, but if you’re in Tonopah, you’re not on this list. A great place to watch the Cardinals has to be at least semi-accessible by most of the city.
Without further ado:
5. Half Moon Sports Grill (2 locations in Phoenix) - With TV’s everywhere, a friendly staff, a constant crowd, and great food (their burgers are incredible and their menu is vast), this bar and grill can be a lot of fun. Parking can drive you nuts on it’s busiest days and it’s not exactly the rowdiest of places, but if you want some good food while you watch the game, this is the place to go.
4. Native New Yorker (22 locations in Phoenix, 1 location in Tucson, 1 location in Yuma, 1 location in Show Low) - Not the best service in the world, but there are enough TV’s to go around, the wings and pizza are perfect with their draft beers, and there is no doubt to be Cardinals fans filling the place. Add to that the fact that you can find one almost anywhere and you’ve got a pretty solid place to catch the game.
3. Zipps Sports Grill (6 locations in Phoenix) - Zipp’s was created with sports fans in mind, no doubt about it. There’s even a tab at the top of their website called “Sports.” Most locations have pool tables, shuffle board, golden tee, or darts and there are definitely enough TV’s to catch the game. Oh yeah, and their menu is full of fatty greasy goodness.
2. Old Chicago (4 locations in Phoenix, 1 location in Tucson) - If you’ve ever been to an Old Chicago, you know why it’s included in this list. Yep, beer. Lots of it. 110 to be exact. That’s kind of like being in sports heaven. The food’s pretty good, too, and there’s always a rowdy bunch of people to cheer with.
1. Buffalo Wild Wings (7 locations in Phoenix, 2 locations in Tucson, 1 location in Flagstaff, 1 location in Prescott, 1 location in Yuma, 1 location in Sierra Vista, 1 location in Bullhead City) - If you are a Cardinals fan and you live in Arizona, you can definitely find your way to one of these locations in what can only be described as the ultimate sports bar. There aren’t just a bunch a small screen TV’s in corners throughout the room - you are surrounded by big screens everywhere you look. And if you’re a fantasy football fan, you can find every single game that’s being played that day, no questions asked. Add to that their famous wings, wonderful cold draft beer (there’s always a draft beer of the month that you can drink on the cheap), the usually friendly servers, and an always rowdy Sunday football crowd, and you’ve got a recipe for the best place to watch the Cardinals when they’re on the road.
Places that just missed the cut: Tilted Kilt - Female servers in short kilts and tight white shirts. Almost too distracting…almost. http://www.tiltedkilt.com Four Peaks - Great place to hang with friends and have some very tasty local brews. http://www.fourpeaks.com McDuffy’s - One of the best true Cardinals atmospheres, this place is for the fanatics, especially the Peoria location. http://www.mcduffys.com
And I know there are a lot more - just let me know which ones I’ve missed by leaving a comment below.
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