A quick look at the Arizona Cardinals
Coach: Ken Whisenhunt (Georgia native who played at Georgia Tech and for the Falcons from 1985 to 1988.)
Last time played: The Cardinals defeated the Falcons, 3024 in the wildcard round of the playoffs after the 2008 season. The Cardinals hold a 10 advantage in playoff meetings and 1410 in regular season meetings. The Falcons have a 96 edge in games played in Atlanta. In the last regular season meeting, the Cardinals beat the Falcons, 3027, in overtime in 2007.
In the wildcard game on Jan. 3, 2009, Falcons safety Eric Coleman levels Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who had 6 catches for 101 yards and a score. He was healthy enough to bail them out with a late fourth quarter touchdown to help them beat the St. Louis Rams, 1713 last week. Steve Breaston has a careerhigh 132 yards receiving last week. The team No. 3 receiver is Early Doucet, but he suffered a groin injury against the Rams in the first half and did not return. The running game is led by Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower. Wells didn play last week, but is expected back at practice today. Hightower, who was roommates with Falcons defensive end Lawrence Sidbury at Richmond, is getting a reputation as a fumbler. He lost two against the Rams.
Arizona on defense: Darnell Dockett is a game wrecker at defensive tackle. He had the big tideturning play when he jumped the snap count and busted up the Matt Ryan to Michael Turner handoff in the wildcard game. The fumble led to a touchdown. Right end Calais Campbell, who 6foot8, is coming on after turning in a spectacular preseason. They also added Joey Porter this offseason. Safety Adrian Wilson had two interceptions, one sack and blocked field goal against the Rams and was named the NFC defensive player of the week. Wilson was the first NFL player to have all three in a game since Julius Peppers (then with Carolina) did it against Tampa Bay in 2004.
090103 Glendale, Arizona Falcons head coach Mike Smith meets Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt at the end of the game following a 3024 defeat at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2008. www.shopcoltsnfljersey.com/WOMENS-TY-HILTON-JERSEY.html He made a 22yarder against the Rams in his only attempt. Punter Ben Graham averaged 39 net yards on six punts. Rookie punt returner Max Komar muffed a pair of catches on punts last week. LaRod HowlingStephens had three kickoff returns including a long of 31 yards.
What you should know: Derek Anderson spent the preseason throwing to the secondstring receivers while the departed Matt Leinart ran with the first team. Anderson is not in sync with Fitzgerald yet. He missed on 12 of 15 passes he threw to Fitzgerald against the Rams.
What you might not know: Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff, Whisenhunt and Cardinals defensive coordinator Bill Davis were all part of the Cleveland Browns staff for the 1999 season.
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01. It one game. Naysayers get over it. This is a team still in transition. They will come together and there is no sense in throwing the team under the bus for one loss.
This team is young and will figure out how to win have the talent and the coaching. Some questinable play calling does not make the best use of the talent on the field am hopeful this will change.
They were in the game at Pittsburgh and came away with a loss, but there is time to correct the mistakes that were made and the coaches know what they are doing. This should be a valuable lesson to players and coaches alike and they must win these close ones. MM went to the well one too many times on that out. Somebody else was open, HD? I hope MR2 learns from this one, but I also hope the OL steps up. Even though MT was running like he was in quicksand you have to give credit to the Pit D where its due manhandled Dahl like he was a ragdoll and blew through Baker all day needs more time to make his reads. But Ryan 27/44 61% 252 INT is culpable too, telegraphing his reads and seemingly skittish in the pocket at times.
I thought the D played a great game until the 50 YD scamper by Mendelhall (sp?). Womens T.Y. Hilton Jersey The 50 Yd toss was problematic for sure. Those two plays marred an otherwise impressive performance by the young Falcons D. The Cards are very close to that, probably 5th best, so Atlanta fans should not be overconfident this Sun day. Under Coach Whisenhunt, the Cards went 62 on the road last year, one of the league best road records. They are twotime defending NFC West Champions, and came within a play of winning the Super Bowl two years ago. On Sunday, they be hampered by injuries to Doucet (out), Fitzgerald (playing, but diminished with a knee injury) and Beanie Wells (probable, but injured knee also). But undrafted rookie receiver Stephen Williams has game and will rise to the occasion. If Wells plays, Cards win by 3.
Mr. DOL. Thanks for your detailed coverage of Falcons players, including trying to get at what going on in the back room. It good timing on your part because the new Falcons website is just pitiful in terms of similar information. Tell your boss you need a helper so you can get to more info and insights, like what are the views of unbiased third party sports commentators on the teams status, etc.
Now for Sunday, Mr. Falcon PLEASE don let me see . . . .
1. The QB pointing his helmet at the intended receiver as soon as ball is snapped.
2. Arm tackling and dive tackling.
3. Respond to an 8inthebox defense with Turner up the middle.
4. Not using hard count to prevent the Cardinal defense from being in the backfield so quickly as they