Ol’ Orleans Saints March Past Same New Cardinals

By Beandipdodg

The title of this article was going to be: The Cardinal’s New Winning Formula – Lose the Coin Toss, Kick and let the D give you the Ball!! After an early fumble by the Deuce McAlister-less/Reggie Bush-less Saints and a nifty return by LB Blackstone, the Cardinals got the ball!!! Three runs and then a 4^th Down TD Pass! The Cards have the No. 2 Red Zone success ratio in the league, but Ol’ Orleans is Numero Uno!! So, without delay, the Saints score a touchdown! Twice!! Both displaying the Pass First Offense and shredding the Cards’ Swiss Cheese D!! But, the Same New Cardinals evened the game and were presented with mid-field position after a nice punt return by Steve Breaston late in the second quarter. Then, it happened, DEJA’ VU all over again!! Just like the Meltdown in Seattle, the Urgently Mandatory Cardinal Play!! Nominations are now being accepted for Cardinal Play of the Year and this one is for you, Coach KW and QB KW!! What a GREAT Call!!

Over the middle and through the woods, we go…to the exact same spot at the same time as the Seattle game!! El Paso Intercepto is returned past the mid-field position we occupied at the start of the play and from there, the Saints Run the Ball!! First Down, Running Play is called!! Then, they shred the Swiss D for the go-ahead score before Halftime! Are you kidding me?? Happy Holidays from the Same Ol’ Cardinals!!

The coin toss called for a 2nd half appearance of the Urgently Mandatory Initial Series Turnover (UMIST) and the Cardinals got it done!!! SPORTSCENTER gets another chapter of Cardinal Woeful Football Memories and Ol’ Orleans takes the lead by a Pair of Touchdowns!!! But, don’t give up!! The Cardinals cut the lead in half on their next possession with a proper mix of good runs from Edgerrin James and timely QB KW passing!! Suddenly, the game is perking along at 28-21 and there is hope. After similar long drives by both teams that result in respective Field Goals, the Cards get the ball in the middle of the 4^th Quarter and there is hope! A touchdown is needed to tie the game!! So, all the chips are on the table and you gotta’ bluff!! A successful Fake Punt gives the offense reprieve and there is hope!! But, alas, the Saints prevail and we are left with the Same Ol’ Cardinals – Too Many Turnovers and Penalties!! No Smashmouth Football and Not Smart!!

Regardless of your point of view, the size of the screen, your angle of attack, or season ticket seat location - the Cardinals Beat Themselves!

Again!! Truly Loyal Cardinal Fans know this was the last gasp at the playoffs!! Playoffs?? What Playoffs?? Did you really say Playoffs??

It appeared that the running game had been established, but, the passing game got most of the plays. Why?? Edgerrin James rushed 16 times for 84 yards! Did we sign him to run the ball? Can he carry the load? Can we commit to the running game! Two Games Left, Coach W!!!

A Cardinals Win!

The defense came up with a turnover on the first series against the Browns for a touchdown. Roderick Hood ran back a 71-yard-interception for a touch down. Hey Rod Graves, you made the right move signing Hood as a free agent. He has been a pleasant surprise for the Cardinals secondary this year, and Antrel Rolle has filled in admirably for Eric Green.

However, the key to the game was the Cardinals running the ball, “smash mouth football.” Keep running the ball until they stop you. This is a simple formula Coach Whisenhunt must stick with even if they are only getting two or three yards a carry. I have said it before: Run the ball, run the ball, run the ball, and you will win.

The Cardinals got a win against the Browns that they desperately needed but they must eliminate the penalties and Whisenhunt must get the plays in right away, and if he doesn’t, then Kurt Warner has to take control and get the team to the line of scrimmage and call a play quickly. Beandipdodg has pointed this out to me a thousand times—so why can’t Whisenhunt and Warner figure this out?!

But we must give Whisenhunt and the Cardinals credit for the effort they gave against the Browns. In years past the Cardinals would have laid down like lambs waiting for the slaughter after the horrific loss to the 49ers, but instead they played hard throughout the whole game.

So once again, Coach Whisenhunt, when you go to Seattle this week you must run the ball because your two best receivers are hurt. Also, a note to the defense: You must be ready to go for the whole game, and be mentally prepared from the start to stop the Seattle running game and be ready to blitz them the whole game. Coach Whisenhunt: You have nothing to lose and everything to gain; so go for it! Pull out all the stops and be aggressive in your play calling.