Redbirds Squeak Past Falcons

The Arizona Cardinals are one win away from the NFC Conference Championship game.  The Cards defeated the Atlanta Falcons in the first game of the 2009 NFL Playoffs 30-24. 

 

Arizona, surprisingly out rushed the blackbirds 86 to 60.  Edgerrin James continued his reemergence with 73 yards on 16 carries.  Offensive coordinator Todd Haley and Coach Ken Whisenhunt inexplicably only gave James the ball six times in the first half.  To the coaching staff’s credit, they went in at halftime and made the correct adjustments.  As we saw on the Larry Fitzgerald flea flicker touchdown reception in the first quarter, the Cards were able to use the run to set up the pass.  Haley and Whiz fed the rock to Hightower and Edge in the second half, especially on their 7 minute and 43 second drive in the third quarter that was capped with a Tim Hightower 4 yard TD run.  That drive consisted of eight runs and six passes.  Next week 16 carries for James will not cut it out on the East Coast.  Whisenhunt should not be shy to take a page out of the Giants playbook and use Edgerrin, Timmy, and JJ Arrington as the focal point of the offense.

 

Big plays saved the Cardinals today.  Despite being outplayed in the first two quarters Arizona was only down 17-14 at the half because of the two long TD receptions to Fitz and Boldin.  Atlanta was using the short passing game to control the clock and move the ball up and down the field against Clancy Pendergrast’s defense.  The Antrel Rolle fumble recovery for a TD changed the complexion of the game.  The Cards third quick score gave them the lead for good and Atlanta never fully recovered.  Rolle will you ever learn?  I have had enough of his childish acts, I almost wish that Matt Ryan would have caught him and knocked the ball out of his hand on the way into the end zone.  The Falcons have not done the dirty bird dance since 1998, who in the world are you taunting?

 

The big question that comes with the Cards advancing to next weekend is how will they handle prosperity?  In single games and throughout the season the Redbirds have proven to be a very immature team.  Getting swept on the East Coast after a 2-0 start, Darnell Dockett acting like a fool after the Antonio Smith safety in the game against the Falcons, the above mentioned Antrel Rolle, DRC body slamming Torry Holt, Edgerrin James skipping practice without telling anyone, and the swoon after clinching the NFC West are all examples of this team’s lack of maturity.  The Panthers and Giants are both better teams than the Cardinals.  To defeat the #1 or #2 seed the Redbirds must play a flawless football game, no excessive celebration penalties, personal fouls, or other mental mistakes.  Ken Whisenhunt and QB Kurt Warner have both been where Arizona wants to go, it is time for them to step up teach the other players on this team how to win with dignity and class.

written by Matt