SB Nation User Blog: Pyromnc

St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals: Know Thy Enemy

Pyromnc — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 13:06:03 -0000

25 days ago: Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, right, is sacked for a 7-yard loss by St. Louis Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)

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The St. Louis Rams really don't have a whole lot of talent on their team. Their record of 1-13 really points this out. However, the talented players they do have should give them hope on their future. Now the obvious player to talk about would be Steven Jackson, but he was covered in the last game the Cardinals had faced them. All the same holds true in this game as it did in the last game; Jackson has got to be stopped. The other player the Cards will want to look out for is inside linebacker James Laurinaitis.

Laurinaitis was drafted with the 35th overall pick in this year's draft by new head coach Steve Spagnuolo, the former defensive coordinator for the New York Giants. Spagnuolo came over trying to fix a team that had a bad offense and a bad defense. He would take care of the offense, or at least start the process, by picking up such players a center Jason Brown in free agency and tackle Jason Brown in the first round of the draft. He would then start the process of fixing the defense by picking up safety James Butler and linebacker James Laurinaitis. Laurinaitis was projected to be a first round pick but slipped to the second and had to have made Spagnuolo very happy that he was there with their pick.

Laurinaitis has not been with this team long but has made his presence felt from day one. Ha has started every game for the Rams and has made the tackles in each one of them. Through the first 14 games he has racked up 109 total tackles (96 solo), two interceptions, and one forced fumble. Not bad stats for a rookie. If he can keep this up he should have a very solid career. He will also have to continue to play well against the Cardinals if he wants to help his team get back to the playoffs.

In his first career game against the Cards, he had 16 solo tackles. He was really the main tackler in this game as the only other player to have more than four solo tackles was safety James Butler. While Laurinaitis will need help from the rest of the Rams defense, he is a player the Cards will need to be on the lookout for on the field. The terrible St. Louis offense would be great full if the defense could give them more chances. Thoughts?

Next Day Notes: Cardinals Beat Lions 31-24 After Sloppy Second Half

Pyromnc — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:59:37 -0000

More photos » by Al Goldis - AP

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After a tough loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the Arizona Cardinals were looking to rebound against the Detroit Lions. Everything indicated that happened when the Cardinals took an early 17-0 lead going into the half. Coming out of the half was a different story. Detroit came out and scored 17 unanswered points in the third quarter. The Cardinals pulled it together in the fourth quarter however, by putting up 14 points. The Cardinals were supposed to use this game to make a statement. They did - the Cardinals play down to the competition they face.

The Good

Beanie Wells had quite possibly, his best game since becoming a pro. He recorded his first 100 yard rushing game by putting up 110 yards on 17 carries (a 6.5 yard per carry average). He also tacked on a pivotal 18 yard touchdown in the 4th quarter that would get the Cardinals back into the game. Beanie is clearly the best back on the team, and it's evident coach Whisenhunt is aware as Wells had 17 carries compared to Tim Hightower's 6. Wells also recorded a 13 yard catch in the game.

Anquan Boldin got his usual catches in the game - plowing over defenders and making vintage Boldin runs. Q's last catch was a touchdown that only he could've pulled off, forcing his way into the end zone. This catch would be the deciding touchdown in the game, giving the Cards the win. Boldin continues to play hard this season and has definitely been a big reason the Cardinals have won nine games this year.

The Cardinals Special Teams is one of the best units in the league right now. That didn't change in Sunday's game. Punter Ben Graham pinned the opposition three more times inside the 20 yard line, adding to his league-leading total of 37. He also averaged 45.4 yards per punt on his seven punts. LaRod Stephens-Howling also had another impressive game, averaging 23 yards per kick return and playing very well on coverage. He helped recover a fumble on a Lions muffed punt in the first half. Newly signed kicker Mike Nugent also chimed in with a 48 yard field goal and hit each of the extra points. The Cardinals defense and offense should take some notes from special teams, as they have been the only unit to play consistently well week in and week out.

The Eh

The Defense played well enough to win despite allowing over 100 yards rushing to a back up running back. They began the first half shutting out the Lions but sadly, they couldn't keep up the effort in the second half, as they allowed 24 points. Part of the problem can be attributed to the offenses sloppy play with turnovers, as the defense has less time to rest and less field position to defend. Despite allowing 24 points they were able to make the Lions make mistakes, with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie intercepting two passes. Adrian Wilson also got one step closer to his 20/20 goal by splitting a sack with Clark Haggans. Overall the defense played well enough to win the game, but a consistently good effort for an entire four quarters is something that is needed as the playoffs draw closer.

The Bad

Kurt Warner had a decent game but not the type of game we have been accustomed to seeing from him. The good from him was his two touchdowns and 233 passing yards, but he had problems turning the ball over for the second game in a row, throwing an interception and losing a fumble. He now has 5 turnovers in his last 2 games, and the Cardinals should be lucky they played a bad team like the Lions, who weren't able to take advantage.

The Ugly

Turnovers have been awful for the Cardinals at times this year. They had a six turnover game against the Panthers earlier this year, then 10 in their last two games. Last week Stephens-Howling, Hightower, Wells, Boldin, and Warner couldn't hang onto the ball, and this week it was Warner and Steve Breaston. The Cardinals had issues turning the ball over late last season, but were able to clean up their act in the playoffs. If they want to make a serious run this year, they'll need to do the same.

Despite some erratic play they did manage to win and also got an early Christmas present from the Eagles as they beat the 49ers, allowing the Cardinals to clinch the division. Now should the Cardinals try and win their next two games to hope for better playoff seeding? Or should they rest some of the starters like Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald so they are fresh for the playoffs?

Arizona Cardinal at Detroit Lions: Know Thy Enemy

Pyromnc — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:12:41 -0000

More photos » by Duane Burleson - AP

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For the past decade, the Detroit Lions have been one of the worst organizations in the NFL. They failed to draft much talent and have had a handful of 1st round busts. They also failed to sign key players in free agency, and in front of their eyes they were actually running the organization into the ground. Those tendencies have started to change the past couple of seasons with very good draft picks in linebacker Ernie Sims, quarterback Matthew Stafford, running back Kevin Smith, and the immense talent at wide receiver in Calvin Johnson (aka Megatron). The Cardinals defensive backs better be aware of where Johnson is at all times, otherwise they may be in for a long game.

Johnson was widely considered the best receiving prospect to come out of college in NFL history. This was most certainly due to the fact that he held multiple skill sets that most receivers will never begin to have. At the NFL Combine he ran a 4.35 40 yard dash, an amazing number despite weighing in at 238 (heavy for a receiver). He also had an amazing vertical jump posting 42 and a half inches (Larry Fitzgerald is a 38). He has the physicality of a Fitzgerald / Andre Johnson type, making him quite possibly the most dangerous wide receiver, if only he had a consistent QB (which they hope Stafford will be).

Johnson has only faced the Arizona Cardinals once in his career and that came in his rookie season. He didn't put up spectacular numbers, catching just 3 passes for 37 yards and no touchdowns. Part of the reason could have been that it was his rookie season or the fact that he was playing with back problems that entire year - but it was most likely a combination of both. Things will definitely be different this week with Johnson adding some veteran experience to his resume, although the knee problems he's had this season may pose a problem.

The match up to watch in this game will be 2nd year corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie against Johnson. Cromartie does not have the physicality that would be needed to tackle Johnson if he were to get the ball in open space. However, he is the only defensive back that has the type of speed to keep up with Johnson. DRC won't be able to contain Johnson by himself, as it will need a solid team effort to slow the Lions best offensive player. Thoughts?

Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers: Know Thy Enemy

Pyromnc — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:36:03 -0000

More photos » by Elaine Thompson - AP

18 days ago: San Francisco 49ers' Vernon Davis scores a touchdown in the first quarter with Seattle Seahawks' Aaron Curry in pursuit during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

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When playing the San Francisco 49ers the past few years, you used to only worry about one player. That player was running back Frank Gore. While he is still a threat on offense, he hasn't been quite as good as he has been the last few games. This can be attributed to the new offense that has been made to make new starting quarterback Alex Smith comfortable. Since then, the dominate player has been tight end Vernon Davis.

Vernon Davis had been a tight end that wasn't producing the kind of numbers you'd expect for a player that had a lot of hype surrounding him coming out of the NFL Draft. Through his first three years he had compiled just nine touchdowns and 1132 receiving yards. This year was going to be a different year however. After he was publicly embarrassed by head coach Mike Singletary last season, he vowed to come out and play as hard as he possibly could in 2009. This would turn out to be a good thing for the Niners because not only would he become a team captain, but he would also become their best receiver.

For the 2009 season Davis had a decent start catching 22 passes for 262 yards and 3 touchdowns over 5 games, which wasn't bad for a tight end but he could've done better. This would become evident when the Niners would change their starting quarterback from Shaun Hill to Alex Smith. Once that happened Davis caught 41 passes for 519 yards and 7 touchdowns over 6 games. Those were the type of numbers the Niners were expecting after drafting him with the sixth overall pick. This is something the Arizona Cardinals will have to worry about as they have not particularly been stellar against opposing team's tight ends.

Over the course of this season the Cardinals have given up over eight touchdowns to tight ends. This has been a problem for them the past few seasons and will be one the Niners will be sure to test against them on Monday night. In the seven games the Cardinals have matched up with Davis they have contained him pretty well holding him to just over 250 yards and 3 touchdowns. They haven't faced him since they changed to a spread offense however, so this will surely be a test for the Cardinals safeties as they will need to shut him down if they want to lock up the division. Thoughts?

Minnesota Vikings at Arizona Cardinals: Know Thy Enemy Edition.

Pyromnc — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:39:33 -0000

More photos » by HANNAH FOSLIEN - AP

about 1 month ago: Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre (4) hands the ball off to running back Adrian Peterson (28) during the first quarter of a NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, against Seattle Seahawks at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Hannah Foslien)

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The past few seasons the Minnesota Vikings had been one of the better teams in the NFL. They had drafted, traded for, and signed such star players as defensive end Jared Allen, runningback Adrian Peterson, and guard Steve Hutchinson. These players are among the best at their positions in the league and helped the Vikings become a playoff team, but they still lacked the one player that could put them over the top. That player would end up being quarterback Brett Favre.

Everyone knew that the Vikings were just a quarterback away from becoming a very scary team, and that is exactly what they have become since signing Brett Favre. He has leaded this team to a record of 10-1 and has done it in a way that most people did not figure he would do. Most people thought he would have a decent season but not a season in which could be considered his best season ever. The gunslinger has made a reputation of winning games with his amazing touchdowns but he has also made a reputation of turning the ball over (He holds the league record for most interceptions ever). This season he has just three interceptions, after a season in which he had 22. He has never had a season in which he had less than 13 interception, this year he is on pace to have just four. To go along with those three interceptions he has 24 touchdowns (8:1 touchdown to interception ratio), he had 22 all of last year. He is also on pace to have 35 touchdowns, he has not thrown that many touchdowns in 12 seasons. Based on how Favre as played this season and then add in Peterson, the Arizona Cardinals will have their hands full.

Last time the Cardinals faced a Brett Favre team, he owned them. He completed 24 of 34 passes (70.6 completion percentage) for 289 yards and 6 touchdowns. This has got to be a huge motivation for the Cardinals to try and stop Favre in this game on Sunday night. In order for them to get their revenge for what he did to them last season they will have to get pressure on him. Darnell Dockett has had a nice string of games of where he has compiled six total sack, and he will have to continue that in this game. If they can get pressure on him, it will make it easier for the secondary to cover his receivers and thus giving the offense a chance to keep this game close. Can the Cardinals contain the Vikings offense? Why or why not?

Arizona Defense Faulters on Final Drive as Tennessee Wins 20-17

Pyromnc — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:06:26 -0000

More photos » by John Russell - AP

24 days ago: Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young tosses a 10-yard touchdown pass in the final moments of an NFL football game to beat the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009 in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 20-17. From left are Titans offensive tackle David Stewart, Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett (90), Young, and Titans center Kevin Mawae. (AP Photo/John Russell)

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The title says it at all as the Tennessee Titans would need every second to win this game. The Arizona Cardinals offense was not as good but that was because Kurt Warner sat out this game despite practicing all week. This would mean Matt Leinart would be getting his first start since 2007 when he got hurt against the St. Louis Rams. With Leinart getting the start, with virtually no practice time, the defense and run game would need to step up and help win this game. The run game was almost nonexistent and the defense did not play well when they needed to the most.

The Good

Matt Leinart was much better than most will give him credit for. He did start this game off pretty slow and some of his passes lacked some zip, but he would start to show some life in the second quarter. Through the first quarter and a half Leinart would complete just three of his nine passes (33.3 completion percentage) for 27 yards. For the rest of the game he would complete 18 of 22 passes (81.8 completion percentage) for 193 yards. Clearly he was rusty in the beginning of the game but after a few passes he helped this team move down the field. He would only help lead the team to one touchdown and one field goal but key drives would be held up because of penalties or dropped passes. Overall, Leinart had a pretty good performance despite having just ten percent of the practice reps during the week.

Tim Hightower also had a pretty decent game even though he did not get many touches. Hightower had 55 rushing yards on 11 carries (5 yards per carry) and the team's lone touchdown on offense. This can be added to one of his good performances he has had over the last four weeks compiling 279 rushing yards on 50 carries (5.6 yards per carry). He has also had 11 catches that went for 60 yards. Hightower has been overlooked this season because of rookie running back Beanie Wells but if you look at him run he is a very good back.

Special teams had another very good week as they continue to do everything right. The biggest spotlight has be put on LaRod Stephens-Howling. He not only returned his first regular season kick return for a touchdown he also helped in pinning the opposition deep in the own territory on punts by Ben Graham. LSH has had a solid season on special team and in my opinion should go to the pro bowl as a special teamer. Graham also continued his great season as the Cards punter by having five of his six punt pin the Titans inside their own 20. He also averaged 48 yards per punt, his longest being a 64 yarder.

Darnell Docket would have seemed to start the season off very slowly, as he had just one sack in his first seven games. This would be misleading as he was getting constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks but was coming up short of the sack. This has changed however as he has had six sacks over his last four games. Three of those six sacks came against the Titans. He was consistently making big plays against them. The Cards will need him to continue to do so the next few weeks with big games against the 49ers and Vikings.

The Bad

The defense played well enough to win most games they play but this game was different. The offense was missing the key player that has made them among the best in football, Kurt Warner. That meant the defense was going to have to step up and play well. For the most part they did play well, except for when it mattered the most. The defense would allow the Titans with, just around two and a half minutes to go, to drive 99 yards down the field and score the winning touchdown. The biggest problem surrounding the comeback was the fact that they allowed them to convert 3-3 fourth downs. Can't really get mad at them if they allow just one of those to be converted but to allow three conversions on one drive? That is just sloppy and cannot happen, especially when you're trying to get the division locked up.

Beanie Wells had been rolling along the past few weeks looking unstoppable; he looked anything but unstoppable in this game. Beanie had just 20 yards on eight carries (2.5 yards per carry) and to top it off had another fumble on a botched pitch. These games will be expected, especially in a rookie season and is ultimately why he was not in the ugly section.

Overall, the Cards pretty well even though they lost. The only thing they really did wrong in this game was the fact that they could not stop the Titans on any of their fourth down conversions. Hopefully they can rebound against the 10-1 Minnesota Vikings next week. Thoughts?

Multiple sources report Kurt Warner not feeling well, Leinart to start.

Pyromnc — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:58:19 -0000

Multiple sources report Kurt Warner not feeling well, Leinart to start.

KTAR Texts

Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans: Know Thy Enemy Edition

Pyromnc — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:01:23 -0000

More photos » by Wade Payne - AP

about 1 month ago: Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson (28) is congratulated by quarterback Vince Young (10) after Johnson ran for an 89-yard touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. The Titans won 30-13 for their first win of the season. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

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After a season in which the Tennessee Titans started 10-0, they weren't able to duplicate that start for the 2009 season. They started this season off by going 0-6 and have not played well in any of those contests. Since that awful start, they made a change at quarterback by starting Vince Young instead of Kerry Collins. Ever since that move they have won four straight to make their record 4-6. Even though Young has played pretty decent since becoming the starter, he has not been the player that has carried this team, as that player would be running back Chris Johnson.

Johnson was a first round draft pick last season and was brought in to compete with LenDale White for the starting job. These two backs would not only compete with each other but become quite possibly the best running back duo in the NFL last season. Both runningbacks would combine for a total of 2277 yards and 25 touchdowns. Those are big numbers for a pair of runningbacks but this season has been different. Johnson has had an amazing season leading the league in rushing yards with 1242 over 10 games (124.2 yards per game) and 262 receiving yards. He has also has eight rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown. White has seen his playing time dwindle to almost nothing compared to last season getting just 63 touches that have gone for 220 total yards and two touchdowns. Johnson is clearly the back to worry about in this game.

For Johnson, he has never faced the Arizona Cardinals but that does not mean he will not play well against them. All he has to do is look at a similar running back in DeAngello Williams, who has had some solid games against the Cardinals. In Williams career he has played four games against the Cardinals. In those four games he has had 445 rushing yards on 62 carries (7.2 yards per carry average) and two touchdowns. Johnson will want to study some of those games to see how Williams ran all over the Cards and try to duplicate or better those numbers.

As for the Cardinals, their defense will have to play some of the best run defense they have had to play. They will be counting on safety Adrian Wilson, inside-linebacker Gerald Hayes, and inside-linebacker Karlos Dansby to stop Johnson. They will not have to necessarily stop him from getting over 100 yards rushing but they will need to make sure he does not break a long run, which he has done a lot of this season, or get any touchdowns. If they can do that than the Cards should have a good chance at winning this game. Can the Cardinals stop Chris Johnson from running all over them?

Rookie Linebacker Will Davis to Miss the Next 4-6 Weeks

Pyromnc — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:57:18 -0000

Rookie Linebacker Will Davis to Miss the Next 4-6 Weeks

He has had knee problems this season but for the most part has played through it. Now that knee problem has turned into a torn meniscus. He's already had surgery on the knee and is expected to miss the next 4-6 weeks.

Leinart's MMA Workout with Jay Glazer in the Offseason

Pyromnc — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:13:45 -0000

Leinart's MMA Workout with Jay Glazer in the Offseason

This article goes into more depth of what Matt Leinart had to do during his MMA training over the offseason.. We saw a little bit of this toughness show in the St. Louis game when he shook off a defender and threw a bullet to Early Doucet.

Jay Glazer's thoughts on Leinart: "The Matt Leinart I knew was some prissy pretty boy who I would love to have fought in two seconds," he says. "But he's not the same Matt Leinart."

The 49er's Patrick Willis also did these workouts to toughen him self up, like he needed to get any tougher.

Very interesting article.