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Cards Fold, Warner Falls, Matt Gets Job!
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By: Kevin Pakos for S&E News
Arizona had a chance to make their mark when they went into Atlanta to face the Falcons and their running quarterback Michael Vick. But tipped passes, no blocking by the Cardinals offensive line on pass plays, both of which turned into Falcon scores dropped the Big Red to 1-3. They share the basement of the NFC West with the fading Fourty Niners who got pounded 41-0 by the Cards next opponent, the KC Chiefs.
Atlanta stunk in the red zone against Arizona but on the long field they did fine as Jerious Norwood went 78 yards for a score. To add insult to injury the Falcons DeAngelo Hall returned an interception 36 yards for a score. Then, to make it even worse, a player that in football years is 10 years past his prime kicked five (5) field goals. Yep Morten Anderson may need a steam bath to warm up and get the blood circulating, but between the lines he just needs his toe.
Now Atlanta gets a week off to heal before they play again. Their defense sure does not need it. They have allowed only one touchdown so far. The Arizona touchdown was by its defense when Adrian Wilson went 99 yards for a franchise record with the pick. With 13 minutes in the game the Cardinals replaced the Super Bowl MVP Kurt Warner with Heisman trophy winner Matt Leinart. His first drive ended with a fumble that Atlanta turned into three points.
The low light for the Cardinals was not Warner who finished with 128 yards on 11 of 10 completions and one interception. (The INT was a pass that a Cards receiver tipped to Atlanta) No, the low light for Arizona came when they needed one yard for a first down and ran behind the biggest man in the NFL with Edgerrin James and lost one yard. James who came to Arizona talking rushing title and more picked up 41 yards on 20 carries. The team finished with 31 rushing yards. Maybe the Colts knew something that the Cardinals front office missed. Maybe it’s time to use the pre-season to actually test player’s abilities instead of buying into their past accomplishments and giving them a lot of money for nothing.
The Cards should cut their losses and cut James and bring back Damien Anderson and put him in the rotation with Shipp and Arrington. Why not let this team grow up with Leinart. Since ownership is determined not to spend money on players, at least let the players that are willing to fight for a job earn their spots. Same on defense, that side of the ball has more than a few players that are playing well below their talent level. Why, because they can. It should not be too long before one of the NFL’s best defenders Adrian Wilson is asking to be traded.
Next week the Cardinals return to Glendale to host the Chiefs on the U of Phoenix field. There are some perks for fans that will be attending the game, they will be able to drive up late and still have plenty of time to get to their seats.
