The focal point for the Cardinals will be containing Steven Jackson, who has averaged five yards per carry while topping 130 yards in each of his last three games, and is only 85 yards shy of going over 1,000 for the 5th straight season. If they can do that, stopping the Rams' passing game should be fairly easy.
St. Louis has lost two of its top three receivers to IR and is now down to practice squad warriors, outside of second year wideout Donnie Avery. Marc Bulger and Kyle Boller have combined for only seven touchdown passes in nine games.
Although Arizona is still ranked in the top ten against the run, they have stumbled [...]
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We've been waiting, and the moment has come. Beanie Wells has arrived.
Wells is establishing himself not only as the most talented running back the Cardinals have seen since the long gone days of Hall of Fame nominee Ottis "O.J." Anderson, but also the final piece of their elaborate puzzle which could make Arizona a true contender for another Super Bowl run this year and beyond. Against the Seahawks in a game that saw Arizona struggle early, it was Wells who gave them the extra notch of MVP-esque intensity and determined running that sparked the team to victory.
In three out of the last [...]
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Arizona took Seattle's best shot, bounced off the mat and reiterated their alpha status in the NFC West with a 31-20 pillar victory. With the win the Cardinals sit firmly entrenched as the team to beat in the division, now with a 6-3 record and a season sweep of the Seahawks.
Below are some of my in-game notes, and postgame observations
In-game notes:
Cardinals wearing all red uniforms: priceless. I had been waiting for them to do this. There is just something more menacing looking about monochrome uniforms. Don't ask me why, I don't understand the psychology of it either, but it works for me. [...]
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~PANTHERS~
Jake Delhomme- The Panthers are sticking with Delhomme, who hasn't played a good game since last December, going up against a team that made him look like a 75-year old quarterback in their last meeting. What's worse is that this year's Cardinals defense is better. Luckily, you weren't idiotic enough to invest 42.5 million dollars in Delhomme, so you can [...]
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Last postseason the Arizona Cardinals showed flashes of what this team could turn into this season- one of the league's best. They are still not there yet, but if they continue this level of play for a few more games even Chris Collinsworth and Al Michaels will be drinking the Kool-Aid. As well as their defense played in the playoffs, this defense is better. As much as their running game produced in the playoffs, this running team is stronger and has more big play potential. Those are just a few of the exciting possibilities on the horizon for the Cardinals, after their impressive road victory over the Giants to put them atop the NFC West at 4-2.
Rushing offense: B-
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Who isn't ready for the Cardinals to run the darn ball already? Every week there is a pundit somewhere declaring Tim Hightower or Beanie Wells a pick of the week, a sleeper of the week, or a start of the week. We're all waiting Cardinals. Give both of them the rock. Please. Its not just something to appease fantasy footballers, it makes your offense click like an NFC Champion, instead of a .500 ball club that can't get out of its own way.
I know I know, every week is THE week that its going to happen, and then it doesn't. So I can't exactly suggest you count on this week to be the one. Therefore I can't recommend Beanie Wells as a strong play, even if hindsight ends up suggesting otherwise. Starter Tim Hightower has more roles in the offense though, therefore he gets more snaps and [...]
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>>>First things first.
How does a team that is trying to get their running game going, decide to rush the ball a total of sixteen times versus the Texans? This after having initial success on their very first drive that ended in a TD. Tim Hightower bolted for an 11-yarder, and Beanie Wells dashed for a 9-yarder. Coach Ken Whisenhunt insists the Cardinals didn't take their foot off the throttle in any way.
Coach says they were run-pass check [...]
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In front of a national audience this Sunday Night , two high-powered offenses collide at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals look to prove their defense is for real while the Colts will try to extend their rookie Head Coach's record to 3-0.
Here is some keen insight into this matchup from around the web, and other Cardinal news:
Andrew602 from RevengeoftheBirds.com discusses Keys to the Game.
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During the first drive of the Week 2 game for the Arizona Cardinals, Beanie Wells was inserted into the lineup and ran very effectively. Had he not fumbled he may have been on his way to many more carries. Instead, the fumble was recovered by teammate Anthony Becht at the 1-yard line, Wells was replaced with Tim Hightower who punched it in for the score on the next play.
Wells was not yanked for good, he was given more chances to tote the rock and again flashed star potential, finishing with 44 yards on a mere seven carries for an outstanding 6.3 yards per carry average. Yet he fumbled once more, something he will have to work hard on before he will be trusted to take on more of a workload.
This is a developing tandem that has [...]
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Kurt Warner broke the NFL record for completion percentage for a single game, connecting on 24 of 26 passes for 243 yards and 2 TDs as the Arizona Cardinals dominated the Jacksonville Jaguars en route to a 31-17 road drubbing on Sunday. Arizona played nearly flawless football for three quarters, building a 31-3 lead the Jaguars could only begin to overcome in garbage time.
Coming off of a Week 1 game that saw the Offense completely out of sync, the Warner-led Cardinals responded by putting together a balanced attack that was effective across the board. Tim Hightower had 72 yards on 15 carries and a TD, and [...]
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