Bold ‘n Determined! ‘Q’ Dismisses Excuses For Slow Offensive Start

Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin, shown last week against the 49ers, won’t sit on his laurels.

Anyone that has watched Cardinals football for the past few years, knows that WR Anquan Boldin doesn’t make excuses. He is one of the hardest working players in the NFL, a Pro Bowl receiver in a league filled with a glut of talent at the position.

They have seen his grinding, twisting, turning, churning, tackle-breaking abilities on display, and most appreciate the kind of player he is. And the kind of man he is.

Playing for a historically lousy team in the desert isn’t exactly how you want to put yourself on the football map. But Q did just that from his rookie season, on.

As a rookie, Boldin caught 101 passes for over 1330 yards and eight touchdowns. Some guys burst onto the scene with fine rookie efforts. Boldin exploded, destroying the Detroit Lions defense for 10 catches for 217 yards and two touchdowns.

He quickly became my favorite receiver in the game. Not so much because of the huge numbers he put up. But more because of how he accumulated those numbers.

Fast forward to last season. Two pro-bowls and one contract re-negotiation removed from that rookie season, Boldin is still right up there at the top. He may be one-two with fellow All-Pro Larry Fitzgerald, but none of the recent flap over his contract had deminished what the guy does on the field in my eyes.

Last season’s speedy and gutsy return from having his face blown up in the Meadowlands just added to his legacy. His tackle-breaking/staying in bounds TD against the Falcons added even more, even though you could see him pulling up 10 yards from the goalline with (you guessed it) that hamstring injury.

Many fans, egged on by a media that loves making mountains out of molehills, kind of lost favor with Q after his (actually, since fired agent Drew Rosenhause’s) threats and eventual trade demand. But knowledgele fans are well aware that without Anquan Boldin last season, there would have been no Super Bowl XLIII appearence.

Boldin hasn’t practiced in weeks. He has that nagging hamstring injury, an injury that you can’t know what it feels like unless you experience it yourself. Most of us would want crutches to walk from our car to the building. But not Q.

Most observers thought that Boldin likely wouldn’t play against San Francisco. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt is notorious for keeping guys off the field on Sunday if they can’t be on the prectice field Wednesday through Saturday. It didn’t look good.

But when Anquan Boldin got word that fellow receiver Steve Breaston wouldn’t be able to play, even though he HAD practiced all week, Q knew what he had to do. He went to coach Whiz and asked (I’m guessing rather emphaytically) to be inserted into the lineup. The ultimate ‘take one for the team’ request.

The Cardinals look at facing a similar team in Jacksonville this Sunday as they faced last week in Glendale, and are asking themselves what’s missing from last seasons magic. Yet as the players, the media, and the fans are trying to put their collective fingers on the ills of the sputtering offense, Q refuses to buy a lot of what’s being sold.

“Its not that we can’t put our finger on it. We know what it was. It’s not like it can’t be fixed,” Boldin said on Wednesday. “I don’t think we’re missing anything,” he continues. “We just need to play deciplined football.”

That the Cardinals had half a dozen penalties before the ball was snapped last week, four from the offense and from four different players, shows that Q knows what he’s talking about. He added that there were too many times it was “…just guys not paying attention.”

But when asked if injuries played a part, Boldin wouldn’t take the bait. “I told you exactly what it is,” he said. “We probably had six pre-snap penalties. That’s something we can control. It’s just guys not paying attention to detail.”

Coach Whisenhunt agrees. “If we could get a play where all 11 guys were operating the right way, that would help to start with.”

Q says he feels better this week than at the same point last week. That’s good news for the Cardinals. And not exactly what the Jaguars want to hear.

Anquan Boldin doesn’t mince words. He doesn’t say a lot, letting his game do the talking for him. But when he does speak, players listen. The sooner they listen, and take to heart what’s said, the sooner this offense will get back to it’s ‘Super Bowl’ form.

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The Brady Hunch: 49ers @ Cardinals Pregame

The Cardinals and 49ers kickoff the season at University of Phoenix Stadium, which will forevermore in this space be known simply as Cardinals Stadium, ‘The Nest’, or UoP Stadium.

This is a series that has been close and entertaining since their first matchup in 1951 (A Cards win). Example: What long time Cardinals fan can forget ‘The Comeback’ in the Big Red’s inaugural season in the Valley? This was the 6-4 Young/Rice/Craig, etc.. Champion 49ers against the 6-4 underdog Cardinals in a classic at Sun Devil Stadium, the Cards old stomping grounds on ASU’s campus.

Trailing 23-0 late in the 3rd quarter, Cards QB Neil Lomax hooked up with WR Roy ‘Jetstream’ Green on a 35 yard TD pass to narrowed it to 23-7, and ignite the rally. In a fast and furious 4th quarter, following an Al DelGreco FG, Lomax hit Ernie Jones, to close the gap to 23-17. Then, as the November sun was setting in the west, and on the game, Lomax hit Green in the corner of the endzone on a 9 yard TD pass that will forever live in Cardinals lore!

The Cards and 49ers have been a very evenly matched team over the years. If fact, it wasn’t that long ago that the Big Red actually had the series advantage over the Niners. No, REALLY!

But San Francisco dominated the early 90’s through the early 2000’s, winning 5 straight before the teams later joined divisions and now, of course, play twice a year. It took last years series sweep for the cards to close that gap to within 3 games, which now stands at a 19-16 49ers advantage.

This is a big game for both teams (obligatory cliche’)!

The Cards need to get off to a good start if they want to avoid playing catchup later, as they have a rough first half schedule before things ease up a bit.

This is a game they should win. They have been together longer. They have better players at most ‘skill’ positions. They’re at home. They’ll have just dropped their first Conference Title banner since FDR was in office. They’ll have 65,000 extremely enthusiastic fans providing what is fast becoming one of the best home field advantages in the NFL. And they’re just better overall.

But as they say, this is why they play the games.

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Post Super Bowl Confidence Not in the Cards?

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Cardinals Starters Pack It In: Beanie, Leinart Lead Furious Comeback

“Oh, my God! The most amazing, sensational, dramatic, heart-rending, exciting, thrilling finish in the history of preseason football!”

Which, let’s be honest, is kind of like kissing your sister.

Man, where do we begin? Remember last week when I said it wasn’t time to panic in regards to the Cardinals first string offense not getting into the end zone the first two games? I meant it. And I had guys like Kurt Warner, coach Whisenhunt, and others backing up my suggestion throughout the week.

But as sure as I meant it when I said that, I mean it now that this is a FINE time to officially be concerned! And not just with Warner and company either.

It was a tale of two games.

The first string D, which has been rock solid throughout the first two games, completely imploded in the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. By the time CB Dominick Rodgers-Cromartie got done laughing after getting burned time after time, and looked up a the clock at halftime, Green Bay has amassed a 38-10 cushion.

That’s right! 38! Count ’em, t-h-i-r-t-y e-i-g-h-t points in just 30 minutes of play!

It wasn’t just the defensive ineptitude that led to those 38 points. Penalties and offensive ineptitude played a major role as well. Warner fumbled twice, losing both with one being returned for a touchdown. He threw an interception late in the 2nd quarter that pretty much summed up the Cards misfortunes at least during the first half.

Warner’s best drive of the night was the showcase of first rounder RB Beanie Wells. Wells’ first NFL carry netted 11 yards around the right side. The kid has speed and burst! Then a churning run up the gut for another five yards. The kids have guts and strength!

(We interrupt this drive/stellar debut to bring you two straight penalties, and a forced fumble by the ageless Charles Woodson, recovered and returned for a TD. We now take you back to your regularly scheduled drive).

Warner started moving the ball, hitting Larry Fitzgerald twice for first downs, and a sweet seam pass to Jeremy Urban down the middle for 27 yards. The drive culminated in a beautiful 20 yard run by Beanie who patiently waited for blocks to develop. Then after a couple of nice cuts, the Cardinals No. 1 offense scored its first touchdown of the 2009 season!

The crowd went WILD not so much for the TD itself, but for the way Wells and some great blocking delivered it!

First half bright spots include the hope for an improved running game this year. Starter Tim Hightower averaged over six yards per carry (6/38) in his short stint, and Beanie matched and bettered that with 46 yards on 7 carries, with 2 TDs (his second coming early in the 3rd quarter).

The celebration didn’t last long however. Defensively, The Cards made Aaron Rodgers look like 1995 Brett Favre. He carved up the Cardinals secondary like a turkey breast, and picked on CB Dominic Rogers-Cromartie relentlessly in what I felt was DRC’s worst game in a Cardinals uniform.

Following Beanie’s touchdown, Rodgers quieted the crowd on the first play after the ensuing kickoff, hitting Jordy Nelson for 76 yards over (guess who) and yet another Packers score. Cameras showed DRC laughing following the play.

He set the tone for his miserable night when, on the games 2nd play from scrimmage, he made a beautiful play by keeping up with and then stepping in front of Packers WR Donald Driver for what turned out to be a broken up pass.

I thought this should have been a pick! Yes, he broke up the pass, but to me you HAVE TO make that interception! It was right in both hands!

Then, DRC, apparently satisfied with stopping a completion and/or covering for a dropped pick, walked away with a mighty stomp, and slipped in the classless ‘cut throat’ gesture. Others say they didn’t see it, that it was more across his chest (which it was… kind of), but that’s what it looked like to me.

Either way, bad Karma. Act like you’ve broken up a pass before.

The Cardinals, on both sides of the ball, committed constant penalties. Sometimes two or three on a single play! But they don’t show up in the stats because they were often on plays that, because of a better outcome despite the penalties, they were declined. Turnovers on offense gave GB opportunities, and lousy defense cashed them in.

The NFC Champs, the new conquering heroes of Valley sports, were gently booed off the field at the half, and justifiably so.

But boy oh boy did things certainly got interesting in the second half.

Matt Leinart, Warner’s backup (That’s right, I said it), led a furious 4th quarter rally. This had the few thousand that stuck around justifiably believing that the Cards could somehow pull themselves from a four TD deficit, and actually pull out a win!

Leinart started the second half with a nice 14 play, 80 yard drive that ended in Beanies second touchdown. That despite two penalties against TE Steven Spach, including a holding that brought back a 10—yard Beanie run up the gut.

Following a three and out, Leinart started moving the ball again. Starting at their own 15, Leinart moved the ball and hit Early Ducett for 38 yards over the middle to the GB 38. Yet another false start penalty later (Oliver Ross.. and yes, he’s still on the roster), Leinart dropped back and tried to hit TE Leonard Pope in the end zone, but was picked at the goalline and brought back to the Packers 29.

But the Cards backup defense dropped a second straight three and out on Packers backup QB Brian Brohm. An undaunted Leinart took the reins again with just over a minute to go in the 3rd quarter, and the Cards still down 38-17. 

Leinart put together an 11 play drive that really has to give fans encouragement as far as offensive depth. Leinart has been very good throughout the preseason, and last week’s hyphenated hero, LaRob Stephens-Howling and 2nd year RB Chris Vincent contributed, as well as Doucet all contributed.

Doucet (5/93 yds/1 TD) scored on what was, at this point, a good night for a former 3rd round pick that’s trying to stick with the team. His earlier personal foul didn’t help, but that wasn’t the only thing that soured an otherwise sweet night for him.

Brohm finally got a drive going that could have all but killed the comeback. A missed field goal with about four minutes left gave Leinart and company enough time to pull off the highly improbable.

Leinart took the team on a quick 11 play TD drive that included completions of 12, 18, 13, and 20 yards to set up a little 1 yard TD pass to 136th string rookie WR Onrea Jones.

With just 1:35 on the clock, Neil Rackers was set to drop the expected onside kick. Packers guarded each sideline, but Rackers called his own number. He dribbled the ball straight into unoccupied territory between the Packers hands team, and collected it himself, giving Leinart yet another chance.

Six plays and 57 seconds later, Leinart hit RB Jason Wright for an 11 yard TD pass that pulled the cardinals within one point. This following what I thought was a touchdown pass to Lance Long that was looked at in the booth, but called out of bounds. I still disagree with the call.

But anyway, it was Leinart’s third touchdown pass of the quarter, and put the Cardinals a point after away from tying it up! However, being preseason, coach Whiz decided to just go for the win. I would have too, maybe even during the regular season, too. What with the momentum decidedly on the Cardinals side, and playing at home.

But Early Doucet, who I promised you earlier wasn’t done screwing up, flat dropped a perfect pass in the corner of the end zone with like 10 seconds left, and that was the ballgame.

So, there you have it. I’ll do a Bird Droppings in a little bit later, but this will have to do for now.

Preseason games mean diddly squat to me as far as wins and losses. The Cards need to get serious soon if they want to get a decent start to the season. With the opener against San Francisco just a couple weeks away, they could get in trouble early if they don’t take care of business from opening night.

And while preseason games mean nothing for to me on the scoreboard or in the won/loss column, this was the most exciting preseason game I’ve ever seen.

Take from that (and the story above) what you will.

Sack Happy Cardinals Defense Shines!

Big Red Sack Attack Produces 4 by the 1st String

Note to: The Rest of the NFL

It may not be smart to drop a 50 yard bomb on the 1st play from scrimmage, or you might just piss these guys off.

Love, the Football Gods

While the Cards offense sputtered, the Big Red D, following a 49 yard wake up call from Chargers QB Philip Rivers on the ‘Bolts first possession, ran on all cylinders.

Led by 4 sacks of Rivers, the Cardinals defense showed it’s muscle and shine like a fully blown ’69 Camaro at an auto show.

Cards defenders Darnell Dockett/Nine-O (Pictured) and Karlos Dansby had back-to-back sacks in that first drive, following a 1 yard run by RB Ladanlian Tomlinson to the Cards 35.

This pushed the ball back to the Cards 48, turning a potential game-tying FG into a punt.

Second year DE Calias Campbell who had his 2nd straight solid performance, and 13 year veteran Bryan Robinson feasted on Rivers with a sack each later in the first half. The Cards starting D amassed four sacks in SD’s first three possessions. 

Veteran linebacker Victor Robinson, who the Cards picked up last year off waivers from the Bengals, joined the party and recorded a 5th sack (Whitehurst) early in the 4th quarter.

Once most the first stringers left the field early in the 2nd quarter, San Diego left a mushroom sta,..errrrrr, beat up on the backups.

First, Rivers directed a 9 play, 72 yard drive that ended in a Micheal Bennett 4 yard touchdown. On the next Charger possession, backup veteran QB Bobby Volek directed a 12 play, 95 yard drive that culminated in a 5 yard TD pass to WR Legedu Naanee.

The same Legedu Naanee that pimp-slapped the Cards defense awake with that opening 49 yard pass on SD’s first play.

It should be noted that most of the Cardinals starters had already called it a night by the time Rivers scored that first TD.

Campbell looked good again in his quest to start and make an impact on the Dl following the departure of Antonio Smith in the off season.

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