And the beat goes on

I'm sick.

No, I'm not sick of my team, though certainly I would have reason to be. No, I've caught a cold that should have been my excuse for not attending last Sunday's game. But I went anyway.

I saw a Redskins team that had no business winning but did anyway. The Cardinals gave up yet another touchdown return that ended up being the difference between winning and losing.

The folks who sit in the two seats in front of me had more important things to do than attend a football game, so they let their $62.70 seats go empty this week. What a good idea. I am beat. I am discouraged. Next week, the Cards travel to Houston to take on the worst team in the league, and according to the latest line, it's the most closely matched game of the week. How pathetic. Another year of being good enough to not get a top draft pick but being bad enough to be embarassing.

Week to Week

So much time has passed since my last post. I read an article in the Republic about fans reading too much into the week to week results posted by the team.

But I'm going to anyway.

Since my last post, I've gone to Sun Devil Stadium to be demoralized by the Seahawks loss and watched the Cards completely fall apart in the second half of the Lions game.

But like any Cardinals fan, I've learned to ignore the past and rejoice in the victories as they come. Boy did they look good on Sunday. And now, a few pictures from the Seahawks game (I really thought they had a chance).

For Veterans' Day, Luke AFB arranged a flyover.












Quite the impressive catch, and it wasn't Fitzgerald or Boldin.












And sometimes, the running game looks awesome.












But the most impressive of all was the threading of this touchdown pass to Bryant Johnson. Alas, it was not enough. Sure glad the Rams were on the schedule.

Words Can't Describe

Scott Bordow of the East Valley Tribune posted an article that asks the important question. Just what is Green doing for the Cardinals.

Don't get me wrong. I want Dennis Green to come to Arizona a year before he actually made it. I still hold out hope that things will turn around. But Bordow correctly points out that two years in, we have yet to see the "improvements" translate into actual victories, and sadly, that's the point.

We suffered for years under Joe Bugel giving us the best losing team in football. It would sure be nice to not have to listen to friends and co-workers ridicule me for being stupid enough to follow the local team.

Man, What a (Great) Snoozer

There were points during the game yesterday when I wished I could just go to sleep. Certainly, the offense was encouraging me.

After the game, Denny mentioned that it was a great defensive matchup. Yes, that's it. Josh has Q running out to the flat, but he sees Lee open a few yards downfield. Result: interception.

And, yes, I was very impressed with the defense, but one of our group at the stadium asked, after the Titans scored a touchdown on their opening drive, what was wrong with the defense at the start of every game. Let's see...Giants first drive: TD; Rams first drive: TD; Seahawks first drive: TD; 49ers first drive: punt (their two touchdowns were on fumble recoveries); Panthers first drive: fumble; Titans first drive: TD.

So four of six games have started with the Cards digging themselves out of a hole. Yesterday was no exception.

Don't get me wrong. I'm happy they won, and I sure hope they do the same against the Cowboys, but 173 yards of total offense is just pathetic. Baltimore was held to six points by the Bears but still gained 15% more yardage than the Cardinals.

I am not a rash person, but I believed before the game, and also now, that Kurt Warner should be manning the offense. Here's hoping Texas Stadium wakes up the team.

Kill Me. Kill Me Now.

Going into halftime, I was encouraged. The Cards were up, but they had clearly shown themselves what adjustments they needed to make in order to shut down the Panthers in the second half. It was only going to get better.

Then came the litany of turnovers that made the game unwinnable, or at least unwinnable for Arizona.

With over three minutes left, the fans started leaving en masse after McCown threw the jump ball on 4th down that was intercepted by Carolina. I asked some of them why they were leaving with so much time and three time outs available. No one answered. I should never have asked. So now I get to hope for the 11-5 season. It's a good thing our division is so bad (though amazingly, not as bad as the NFC North).

Take a week off fellas. Come back and tear apart Tennessee.

Oh, Joy!

I watched the game at the new home of our company's owners. They built a home theater in the basement with a 100+ inch screen (front projection), and the view was unbelievable. Of course, I was watching with a normal assortment of Cardinals detractors who, like oh so many people, insist that Bill Bidwill is the reason for the team's troubles over the years. I believe that assessment to be too simplistic.

To blame him for the team's failures, one would necessarily need to credit him for their successes, such as the Air Coryell years in St. Louis, but for those in need of simple explanations, the reasoning is that when things go wrong, it's Bidwill's fault. When they go right, it's in spite of Bidwill. I suggested that if Bidwill was so wrong, how do you reconcile Oakland choosing a former Cardinal head coach for their own team only to see that head coach flounder in Oakland just as he did in Arizona? I also weighed in on the success of Daniel Snyder in Washington. He's no hoarder of money, but his teams have been rather pathetic as well (this appears to be a better year, but being 3-0 for Washington is more an issue of a freak comeback against Dallas, winning in overtime when Seattle should have put them away in regulation, and winning at home against a less than impressive Bears team).

In other words, Bidwill could have made different choices that could have improved his success, but week in and week out, he is never the one putting on the pads.

Indeed, when the 49ers got off to that 14-0 lead, I was dreading hearing the incessant reminders of how stupid I am to be a fan, but a funny thing happened on the way to the NFC West cellar. The team woke up. The defense reminded us of their potential. The offense showed off why they have Boldin and Fitzgerald. And McKown showed why he was worthy as the starter last year. Oh, what a joyful game to watch.

And now, the Panthers get to play a Monday nighter followed by a short week of practice and travel across country to face us. And I suspect that either Seattle or St. Louis will lose (since they're playing each other). Time to move into second place.

Go Cards!

Painful but True

In between my tears, I read this. He feels my pain.

My Faith is Shaken

How can they be this bad?

We all heard about Oliver Ross and how he would energize the offensive line, but between him and Davis, the main thing they energized was the market for flags. Surely they wore out the officials' pockets yesterday.

But that wasn't the worst of it. The Cards have given up touchdowns on the opening drives of each game this year. And not because the other team got lucky. The defense was decimated each time. Is this the same defense we saw last year? Clearly it isn't.

So what do you get when you combine a porous defense, an offense that seems incapable of scoring touchdowns and a whole pile of penalties? You get 0-3. Coming into this season, San Francisco was the consensus pick as worst team in football. Sunday night (boy, how happy is ESPN to have this game?), the 49ers will probably be heavy favorites.

Maybe I should learn to love hockey.

The End of Depression

I have dreaded this for some time. Another post after another disappointing performance. As I left Sun Devil Stadium, dazed as a result of the surreal end to an exciting final drive, I started visualizing the future.

Monday, I would come to work to hear my coworkers laugh at me for being a Cardinal fan. Then Brian would come in and find new ways to make fun of my devotion. I seriously considered calling in sick.

So here it is, Thursday, and life is not yet over. I enter yet another NFL weekend fully expecting the turnaround that I know is coming. Seattle is in for quite the surprise. And when Dallas and Tennessee also win, we'll get the humor of noting that all the teams in the NFC West are 1-2. So be it. Go Cards!

Okay, I Was Off a Little

So my 15-1 prediction did include the expected win over the Giants, so I guess I'll have to modify my prediction to 14-2.

Boy was that depressing. As halftime approached, I was giddy. With the Cards dominating in all phases of the game, victory was just a matter of not letting up their guard. Even after giving up a drive to start the second half, I rationalized it as being equivalent to the drive at the start of the game.

And when the team responded to the second score in the quarter with the Fitzgerald TD, I was calm again. Then the wheels came off. My only solace is knowing that only San Francisco managed to win among the teams in the division. The season now begins on 9/18.

Already Someone Who Agrees with Me

I bring you the Houston Chronicle and Norman Chad with his prediction for the 2005 season, "He (Kurt Warner) and his earthly Cardinals teammates are destined for Super Bowl 40 in Detroit."

Uh, Coach Slouch, for the record, I bought my ticket to win on 8/22/05, but I appreciate someone who agrees.

If they can do it, so can I

Since every sports pundit in the country has taken the time to inform us of how this season will end up, I have decided to do the same. So, on to my dubious, at best, predictions.

NFC West

It should come as no surprise to anyone who can read the name of my blog how I pick this division to end up. What may surprise some is that I think that this will be a surprisingly powerful division this year. While I respect the Rams offense, the overall balance in Seattle should provide them with a wild card entry into the post season.
Cardinals (15-1)
Seahawks (10-6)
Rams (8-8)
49ers (1-15)

NFC North

While I would love to see Favre wind down his career on a high note, I have little confidence in his team. The Vikings look tough, though I don't think a Mike Tice led team will ever be truly great.
Vikings (13-3)
Packers (6-10)
Lions (4-12)
Bears (3-13)

NFC South

Here is the other tough NFC division. While I like the Falcons, they sure have a rough schedule compared to the Panthers.
Panthers (12-4)
Falcons (10-6)
Buccaneers (8-8)
Saints (4-12)

NFC East

Yet another weak year for the East. I don't see Philadelphia being as dominant as last year, but with little competition in this division, they'll have a better record than they deserve.
Eagles (12-4)
Cowboys (9-7)
Giants (6-10)
Redskins (4-12)

AFC West

The AFC, once again, appears to be tougher than the NFC. As a result, teams that otherwise would have made it to the post season will be stopped due to the volume of quality in this conference. And the West will be the toughest division of them all.
Chiefs (14-2)
Chargers (10-6)
Raiders (7-9)
Broncos (7-9)

AFC North

This division will come back to earth after last year's stellar showing by Pittsburgh. I still expect greatness from them, but Ben could not have two consecutive lucky streaks.
Steelers (12-4)
Ravens (10-6)
Bengals (6-10)
Browns (5-11)

AFC South

And now for the obvious choice of the list: who will win this division?
Colts (14-2)
Jaguars (11-5)
Titans (8-8)
Texans (3-13)

AFC East

And now for the weakest division in football. Not only do I expect a weak showing from the defending champs, but the division around them will be awful. Expect a cake walk for the Patriots, at least until playoff games begin.
Patriots (11-5)
Jets (8-8)
Bills (3-13)
Dolphins (2-14)

As I've already stated before, I've already placed my bet on the Cardinals to win Super Bowl XL (over the Colts, in case you're curious). I look forward to seeing how stupid I was in very short order.

Enough of the Practice Games

So I forgot to bring my camera to work last Friday. I remembered my ticket. So when I picked up my father to go to the game, I borrowed his (also a 5 MP model, but with a bit less configuration ability). Curiously, while all of my photos have 0.07 fewer MP, his averaged 0.9 MB per photo while mine averaged 2.9 MB per photo. I have no idea why. But on to the meager photos.

First, we have an action shot (the only one that was even remotely usable).

But there came a point where I decided that the only people doing their jobs properly were the cheerleaders, so I got a fuzzy image of them.

Sure hope next week goes better.

Getting My $61.20 Worth

Last year, season tickets in the seat I have were $56.70 per game ($63 - 10%). This year they went up to $61.20 ($68 - 10%). Since preseason games were never that good to begin with, I always justified it as 8 games at full price and two preseason games at half price. So 8*63+31.5+31.5=$567 for the full season.

With the new pricing combined with a game in Mexico City, it is 7 games at the new, higher, full price and two preseason games at $37.40 each (or 55% of normal games). In other words, this year's preseason, on a relative cost basis, are 10% higher than last year's (not even accounting for the price hike that was also sent our way).

So adding to the disappointment of a significantly more expensive preseason, we get a Broncos team that does not intend to play their starters. We're paying to see a scrimmage of second teamers. Whoop-de-doo!

Easy to be a Fan Now

I realize that it's still just preseason, but they've looked so very good in their first team offense. I fully expect to watch a win on Friday simply because it means more to Dennis Green than it does to Mike Shanahan. As I understand it, Plummer and crew won't play more than a single series.

Still, It'll be nice to go to New York with a load of confidence at their backs. Go Cards!

But What About the Chiefs?

It occurred to me that in my rush to happily note my purchase of a ticket to win for the Cardinals in the Super Bowl that I haven't made any comments about their most recent encounter in Kansas City.

I didn't see all of it. Being away from home, I couldn't watch live (I was competing) and the hotels don't carry the NFL Network. So I watched when I got home and kind of wished that my Tivo would have failed to record it. As most fans know, the Cards won, but only because the second and third teams made up for the ineptitude of the first team. Up front blocking seemed to be the key, and there are plenty of reasons why, so I won't be too frustrated. That's why they play in preseason.

Vegas, Baby!

I shoot pool. Not very well, mind you, but I'm in a handicapped league, and our 9-Ball team made it to the national finals last weekend at the Riviera. We did well. Not great, but well enough. Of the 287 teams that qualified for the event (from among many thousands of teams), only 32 progressed farther than we did.

As long as I was in Vegas for the tournament, however, I decided to get in my bet for the Cardinals to win the Super Bowl. That's right, my $20 is down on the Cards to win (with a payoff of $1000 when they do). Go Cards!

New Uniforms, Old Frustration

A couple of pictures from last Saturday's game...


First, we have a picture of the opening kickoff. You'll note that the sun is still slightly out at this point. By the way, no matter what the people on ESPN say, I like the new uniforms. Note the sparse crowd even though it's the Cowboys. Hmmm.


And an action shot. But in this case, I was limited on the shots I could use. Since this was a night game and my ISO was not properly set, there was quite a bit of action that just turned out too blurry to use (this one is really not an exception to the rule). Note that this is the second team getting a very Cardinal-like one yard gain on a rushing play.

That Was a Beautiful Thing

It was great to go to a game surrounded by Cardinals fans for a change. The seat I have is not in a cheap section of the stadium, but since it is in the shaded portion (and has a back), the people who buy there tend to be loyal. That said, all too many of the seats just go unsold, and we regularly have visiting family of the opposing team. Maybe when the Eagles come to town, TO can serve his suspension in my section.

But I digress. This team looked fantastic on Saturday night. How many more days until 9/11 in New York (wonder what the halftime will be like)?

26.5 Hours and Counting

It's finally (almost) here. The opportunity to go to Sun Devil Stadium, with all the hope and expectation that attends a new football season.

How exciting to see my acquaintances over in Section 9, complete with the ability to glare at people who deign to bring beer into our section; the deep green of a carefully manicured, yet thoroughly unused football field ready for a new season; the view of millionaires getting ready to work themselves to exhaustion simply for my benefit (we don't thank the players enough).

For this season, my goal is to document the beauty that is football, and to be on the bleeding edge of the legion of Cardinals fans that will instantly sprout as so often happens when a team finds success.

Go Cards!

Hallelujah!

And I'm not even religious. With today's news, all the pieces are in place. It's time for the Cards to shock the NFL.

I was out today and drove by the stadium (my future cathedral). It was amazing to see so many workers standing on the roof doing their work. Ah, and now for Saturday to come.

Go Cards!

I'd Feel Better if Rolle Was Signed

But then that goes without saying.

As many people making blog entries do (I hate to call myself a "blogger" since I'm not that serious about it), I waste entirely too much time on the Internet. Today, I visited the ESPN site and looked at the SportsNation polls.

They had one about NFL jerseys. Which player would you buy? Would you buy Terrell Owens? How many do you own? I had to laugh when I got to the last question. "Are you wearing a jersey right now?" Yes, I'm wearing Rob Moore right now.

I love the scene in "Fletch" where Larry (Geena Davis) observes him and says, "Magic today?" He replies, "Yeah, Kareem's in the wash."

On any given day, for me, it will be one of Joyner, Hill, Williams (35), Plummer, Tillman, Moore, Smith (22), Boston, Wadsworth, Sanders. Notably, I tend to buy a player right before he leaves the team (true of all but Emmitt).

T-3 Days

Okay, so only two draft picks are signed so far, but I'm not panicking. That said, I've done some predicting among my friends. It's shocking how many of them are not on board with my 15-1 prediction.

Okay, so Tennessee might present a bit of a problem. Sure, Philadelphia is good, but are they that good on the road? 15-1, here we come!

Prescott, Here They Come

My first thought was to say, "Here We Come", but then I realized that I'm just an idiot with a blog. That was one of my favorite moments in "Fever Pitch".

• They let you go to their camp? Actually we just observe. To see who should go and who should stay.
• And the team takes your advice?

Ah, to understand the true fan. This year is gonna be special.

Just What Are They Saying?

Another preseason poll is out, and the Cards rank only 10th in the NFC in this list. Why, oh why do the Cowboys get so much respect? And why does an aging Brett Favre garner so much hope with a coach who has not yet inspired success for the team? And how in the world did they pick the Lions higher?

I know I'm a homer. But I see the team jumping out to victory in their first five matchups (at NYG, vs StL, at Sea, vs SF, vs Car), then they get two weeks to prepare to host the Titans. Again, I know I'm biased, but I don't see why they can't be 14-0 when they meet the Eagles on 12/24. So 14-1 or 15-0 when they go to Indianapolis in a meaningless game (having locked up homefield advantage throughout the playoffs).

I love the view through these rose colored glasses.

Ten Days and Waiting

While I'm nervous about the lack of signings of draft picks, at least I know that it's common to all of the NFL.

In my Internet wanderings yesterday, I came across an anti-Cardinals site run by someone who has a bit too much time on his hands. His site proclaims his love of the Cowboys (hey, they won six games last year, too) and even boasts a forum for bashing the Cards. I actually enjoyed reading it due to the large number of posts he was forced to delete for violating the "bashers only" rule.

I sure can't wait until even greater success breeds frustration on his part.

The good folks at blogger.com recently added a feature for posting photos to a blog in line. I'm going to test it out with a photo from the last home game of the year.

My fear is that it will only upload the entire 5MP photo which is too large to post on an ongoing basis. That said, there's Frank Kush Field (inside Sun Devil Stadium) from the perspective of my seat.

Oh, the memories. Snoopy and I share a moment the day before the Cardinals played their most recent postseason game near the Mall of America. 

Countdown is at 12 Days

It's amazing how slowly time can pass when all too much of your life is consumed by thoughts of a football season. It's all the more maddening when the object of your devotion has rewarded it so seldom. It is in this vein that I anticipate the opening of training camp.

The team is getting ready for the season certainly. I have not yet received my tickets, but the parking passes have arrived along with four additional solicitations to purchase season tickets. Okay, I get it. You have season ticket packages available, and buying one gets me priority at the new stadium (which I already have).

How many hours in 12 days? Around 288? Go Cards!

Anyone Care to Join In?

The reason for this site was to track the trials and tribulations of the common fan. It doesn't need to be a one-sided conversation. So if anyone is interested in being added to the list of contributors, let me know. Drop me a line (look to your right).

It's Cover Time

Woo hoo, a Cardinal makes the cover of The Sporting News! Then the writer goes on to give conflicting signals.

In his writeup, he says that, of the two pictured, Drew Bledsoe is likely to see more success citing a better running game, seasoned veterans at wide receiver (who still believes the hype about Keyshawn Johnson?). Then they grade team prospects and rate the Cardinals higher than the Cowboys. Go figure (and enjoy).

Talking the Talk

Michael Bidwill has said it, so will I. The Cards are a team to fear this next postseason. With 102 days left until the first kickoff, well, I just don't know what to do with my time. How much longer 'till training camp?

Oh, the Joy of Good Press

Pete Prisco is a believer.

The very things that, for so long, I have been spouting to friends and family is finally coming from the mouths of a sports writer. Only 108 more days to go to opening day.

Cleaning House

I get a little confused by the short-sighted beliefs of reporters sometimes. Arizona Central reported on the release of L. J. Shelton expressing disbelief at the timing. They pointed out that releasing now puts $3 Million against this year's cap while releasing him in two weeks would have reduced that figure to 7/8 of $1 Million.

News flash for the Republic. That money will clear against the cap some time. It'll either be this year or next, but it will clear. Why put off until next year such a huge hit, and let it impact the team two years in a row?

Way to go Cards!

The News Just Keeps Coming

Ain't that peculiar.

I remember, long before the big vote that finally authorized funds for a new stadium, going to a park in Mesa where like minded fans met with Michael Bidwill to discuss building a new stadium in Mesa. It would be an uphill battle, though, because local voters were so averse to using taxpayer money to finance projects for private entities.

Now comes word that Mesa voters have approved an $84 Million dollar bond issue for a project at the same site. I think I see what's happening here. It wasn't that the people of Mesa were against spending money, they just didn't want the Cardinals in their back yard.

Bully for them. Thanks to their pigheadedness, my side of town got this beautiful stadium. Hey Mesa! Thanks!

Drugs

Where in the draft did we get Wendell Bryant? Man! Nothing like having an important player go down to stupidity.

And Life Gets Calmer

The news that Anquan Boldin was returning to work out with the Cardinals sure made me feel better. Reading the article, I note that the team has offerred quite the generous signing bonus which, when combined with an also generous yearly salary, I'd think would make everyone happy.

So we seem more set for the regular season. Just gotta wait for the Suns to win the NBA Finals, then we'll be ready for training camp.

Kurt Warner: Arizonan

With Warner putting in an appearance at the Special Olympics, Arizonans are getting another reminder of why it is that we root for our home teams.

Sports bring so much more to a community than just the ability to cheer them on. So for that multitude of football fans who make a sport of rooting against the Cardinals, remember that you're taking pleasure in the heartache of your neighbors, your friends, your family. If this gives you some perverse pleasure, then nothing can be done about a rat like you. But if a sense of togetherness represents an improvement at home, join us now before you get a chance to prove that you have the fiber of Homer Simpson.

132 and Counting

So Boldin missed the mandatory camp, but otherwise all is well in Cardinal country.

Speaking strictly as fan (which is pretty much all that I am), watching the team on NFL Total Access was quite a rush. Speaking also as someone who had to miss on the open practice last week (job blues), getting an extended look at the team and the new uniforms was a nice thrill as well. Sure would like to see the Cards get the authentic jerseys in the shop.

136 Days to Go

Is there anything more excruciating than waiting for the first game to begin?

The Cards announced their happiness with the players they acquired after the draft ended, and while I'm happy about these, what I can't wait for is the time when they hit the field.

Most News Is Good News

It wasn't enough that one site after another has rated their draft very highly, once it was over, the Redbirds took to the free agent market to ink the remainder of their needs and then some. Nice job guys!

Now for the bad news. It appears that Anquan Boldin is making a move for more money (which he deserves) by holding out on voluntary practice (which he shouldn't). Thankfully, no one is spewing any hyperbolic statements, so a deal is reachable.

Hey, Rod, what's one more contract to negotiate?

What a Draft!

So they took none of my advice and did great anyway (shows what I know).

While I was disappointed that none of the four guys I wanted to see them draft was even available in the 8th position, Rolle is by no means chopped liver.

I realize this team still needs a tight end, but oh, what a collection they added on draft day. Time for Mike and Rod to make sure they don't miss a minute of training camp.

Christmas Eve is Here Again!

One more day to draft day (sure wish I didn't have to work tomorrow morning).

I don't know about you, but I'm all in favor of getting the Travis Henry deal done so we can concentrate on other areas in the draft. Scout.com (through Yahoo!) delineates the team's needs here, but seems to offer no ideas on a potential solution.

I say trade down a few notches. Either Adam Jones or Carlos Rogers should still be available further down the line, and an easier signing coupled with additional draft picks would be sweet.

Woo-Hoo?

Okay, the new uniforms are a significant change, but I'm not so sure that copying the Falcons' method was exactly what I was looking for. That said, I'm sure I'll be dropping my $250 (or more) on an authentic Darnell Dockett or Larry Fitzgerald or Anquan Boldin or Karlos Dansby or Kurt Warner (can't remember the last time there were so many good names to choose from). The official story on the unveiling can be found here.

Two more days 'till the draft and only 114 days to the first preseason game. Why must time move so slowly?

Excitement A-Plenty!

Big day today, Cards fans!

The Cardinals introduce their new uniforms today, and while the new logo was a bit underwhelming, I know I'm looking forward to the change even though I was never unhappy with the old look.

Side note about drafts (just noticed a tidbit) in Arizona. In the 17 seasons the Cardinals have played here, they have finished the season with a top 10 pick in 14. The exceptions are Buddy Ryan's 8-8 season in '94, Vince Tobin's playoff year of '98 (9-7 Reg, 10-8 Overall) and Dave McGinnis' 7-9 season in '01.

Draft Parties

The official Cardinals draft party is set for Saturday morning. And while their web site makes no mention of it, Valle Luna at 35th Ave and Bell is hosting an unofficial draft party as well.

According to the story on the Cards' official web site, they'll go with the best available player regardless of position, but I'd sure like to see them find the best available running back and cornerback. An aside to the author of the story, Reynaldo Hill does not have an 's' in his last name.

This is the year. It's also the last year that ABC had a chance to show these future Hall-of-Famers in their formative years. Tough luck guys.

Welcome!

We are few and far between, at least for now.

Anyone coming across this particular blog will, no doubt, know that the Arizona Cardinals are a regular source of ridicule, but I believe that the time is now for improvement.

Watch this spot for links to stories and original commentary. Welcome aboard.