Sep 26 2012
Eagle Down! Eagle Down! Week 3 Birdgang Blowout
Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep….ya’ll hear that noise? That my friends is the sound of the birdgang bandwagon loading up and backing out of the station. Oh yeah, we are rolling. Fans are coming out of the woodwork and partying like it is 2008.
For the first time since I was lying in my crib (not my house…an actual crib), the Cardinals are 3-0 after an impressive beatdown of the previously undefeated Philadelphia Eagles. And by beatdown, I mean that I was legitimately concerned for Michael Vick’s safety. Vick was harassed on seemingly every play and even when there was no pressure he waited and waited and waited….but the receivers were locked down well enough that there was just nowhere to go with the ball. The Eagles greatest weapon, Lesean McCoy was pretty much neutralized as soon as the Cards began to build a lead. I actually thought the Eagles might consider giving Nick Foles some time behind center, if for no other reason than to prolong Vick’s lifespan. But, it may be too early for them to open that can of worms. Needless to say, it was a dominating defensive performance.
In my last blog, I outlined what I thought needed to happen to get a win over Philly. Well, I am happy to report; mission accomplished. In addition to the stellar defense, they provided a defensive score just as I had highlighted as a key. The defense looked solid and the schemes that Ray Horton is dreaming up are genius. I love the organized chaos and the creativity. This game also featured a Michael Floyd sighting, redemption for Ryan Williams, a little PatCat, a decisive Kevin Kolb and of course Fitz, Fitz and more Fitz.
If you were one of those who benched (or god-forbid, traded) Larry in you fantasy league, I am sorry for your loss. You really thought Larry was going to have 1 catch for 4 yards regularly? Really? Nobody puts Larry in the corner, Nobody (obscure movie reference there for you). And you, Andy Reid…you thought you could put Nnamdi on Fitz 1-on-1 and call it good? It does not work like that-ever. And, I think they learned that pretty quickly. But, I welcome other teams to try again.
This game was possibly the first game since Kolb has come to Arizona that he was not only serviceable but pretty good. He seemed to have some zip on the ball, was accurate and poised in the pocket. When he chose to scramble, it was largely effective and his grasp of the offense has greatly improved. Now, I also think the coaching staff has done a good job of finding parts of the offense which he is comfortable with and building on that. Perfect! Do that again this week and I think we can move to 4-0.
This week, it looks like it will be Ryan Williams as the feature back. I have always believed that he would pass Beanie and be the starter early in the season so it comes as no surprise. I hope he is up to the challenge. I know the talent is there, I just worry about ball security and running tentative to protect the knee. I would like to see a high-tempo pass-first assault on the fish from Miami early in the game. I think an early lead can get the defense some real opportunities for big plays against Ryan Tannehill. The Cardinals beat Sam Bradford, Cam Newton and Russell Wilson in their rookie years recently; there is no reason to believe Tannehill will not suffer the same fate. He is on the road, across country and will likely be looking across at some of the craziest stuff he has ever seen. The kitchen sink is what he will see, oh yes Ryan Tannehill, they are coming for you. And, I don’t know if Reggie Bush is going to be there for the bailout dump off…so you better know where you are going with that ball.
As a diehard Cardinal fan, I don’t ever expect a win. I expect a nail-biter pretty much every week and I certainly am not over-confident. As a Cards fan, that is not even in my vocabulary. I just know the Birdgang might be for real…and to be real, you gotta win games like this so we will see.
Oh and again Mrs. Kolb, please do what you can to not deliver little Kevin Jr on Sunday.
Thank you, #Birdgang
Ray Horton for President.
The kitchen sink is coming!!!!!