Bleedburgundy's Week 3 Preview (Skins vs Cards)

[BleedBurgundy]

It’s Monday afternoon and I’m still feeling great about yesterday’s win and the prospect of JC taking the mythical “next step” that we’ve all been anxiously awaiting. That said, euphoria is beginning to give way to reason. Thoughts of 4th string Rookie DB’s being burned by a veteran pro bowl caliber receiver aren’t psyching me up as much as they did on Sunday.

As fantastic as it was to see aggressive, successful play calling, the fact that it didn’t come against the ’85 Bears or the ’00 Ravens bares mentioning. After only two weeks, the Saints rank 26th against the run and 28th against the pass. I’d be positively less than enthusiastic if the game hadn’t been nearly so close as the final score would indicate and if we hadn’t absolutely dominated this team between the 20’s.

That brings us to week 3. As some of you know, the Cardinals are my “2nd team.” Don’t get me wrong, the difference between my loyalty to the Skins and the Card’s is something akin to the difference in love you feel for your first son, who looks exactly like you and has many of your same attributes, compared to the mere “affection” you have for your 2nd child, whose hair color is a shade never before seen in your family, and who happened to come along 9 months after your wife spent a drunken weekend at a friend’s bachelorette party in Las Vegas. Having said that, I still feel that I have a little more respect for the battered Arizona franchise than most and would like to point out some interesting facts as we head into our 3rd matchup of the season.

The Cardinals’ defense is GOOD. Through Week 2 (among teams that have played both games) the Cards are ranked 4th in the NFL in points allowed, 9th against the run and 14th against the pass. The secondary is a standout group with potential to be special. Rod Hood is a legit number 1 NFL CB (5 ints in ’07), Eric Green is a solid, if unspectacular #2 and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie playing at nickelback is a wild card. Safeties Adrian Wilson and Antrel Rolle (5 ints last year in limited time) combine to form one of the top duos in the league. I believe going up against a secondary of this caliber will give us a pretty good read on just how much progress JC and the rest of the offense have made. I will be surprised if we score more than 24 points and get out of this game without any turnovers by JC. If that happens, then I will have to seriously upgrade my expectations for this year.

This is no surprise to anyone paying attention, but the Cardinals’ offense can put up points with anyone in the league. The Cardinals are ranked 5th in the NFL through week 2 in total offense among teams that have played both of their games. They are 3rd in the NFL in passing yardage (no big surprise) and 17th in rushing. I think they made the obvious (correct) choice in naming Kurt Warner the starting QB. He has not thrown a pick yet through 2 games and if he is given time can light up a defense. The plus side is that the Oline has given up 5 sacks through 2 games and Warner’s M.O. is to get careless with the ball once you rough him up. The Cards have averaged less than 100 yds per game rushing as a team and I believe we have an opportunity to make them one dimensional early. Edgerrin James is still serviceable, but he’s no longer the player that he was in Indianapolis (nor does he have the same quality Oline…). While EJ had a respectable 3.8 yd per carry average last year, I think our D line should be able to shut him down.

Key Matchups:

DEFENSE

Andre Carter vs Mike Gandy

Gandy is a below average left tackle. He struggles versus speed rushers due to poor footwork and lack of quickness. This is a guy that Andre Carter should abuse. With Jason Taylor gimpy and matched up with a promising Levi Brown, AC needs to have a big game for us here. If he can generate a consistent pass rush on Warner, we may be able to get ahead early in the turnover battle.

OFFENSE

Chris Cooley vs Karlos Dansby

Dansby is a beast at LB. Athletically, he’s one of the few linebackers that I feel can cover Cooley man to man. If he’s able to limit CC’s effectiveness, that’s obviously going to disrupt our gameplan. If CC can win this matchup though, that could be decisive in our favor.

Prediction: Skins win 24-21 in a close game that could preview a possible post-season matchup.

[birdz4gibbs]

who lknows at this point.the skins will be up and down but with more ups hopefully as the season progresses.so if the skins stay on the attack they will win this game
score.skins 24-17....and i wouldn,t be suprised if it,s closer..

it,s only monday

[SFREDSKIN]

This game is going to be tougher than the NO game. Arizona has 3 great receivers (yes, Breaston is a beast) a pretty solid running game (That kid Hightower is a beast) a solid OL and Defense and probably the best S (Adrian Wilson) in the league. They are NOT the OLD Cardinals that we have seen in the past. Warner having time from his OL is throwing TD's, I'm worried about this game. Please don't say that they beat the Dolphins, I watched them against the 49ers and they are tough.

[MTK]

I'll chime in later in the week for my thoughts on the Cards game. Right now I'd just like to bask in the glow of this win for a day or two.

[Paintrain]

I'm going to enjoy this one until mid week before focusing on the Cards, but I will hedge the OP's praise of the rankings for the Cardinals with the fact they've played SF and Miami. Both are starting new QB in new offenses and have expectations to do virtually nothing this season.

[rypper11]

Originally Posted by BleedBurgundy

That brings us to week 3. As some of you know, the Cardinals are my “2nd team.” Don’t get me wrong, the difference between my loyalty to the Skins and the Card’s is something akin to the difference in love you feel for your first son, who looks exactly like you and has many of your same attributes, compared to the mere “affection” you have for your 2nd child, whose hair color is a shade never before seen in your family, and who happened to come along 9 months after your wife spent a drunken weekend at a friend’s bachelorette party in Las Vegas.

Pay for them long enough and they start to look like you. BTW, when's the next bachelorette party?

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by BleedBurgundy

It’s Monday afternoon and I’m still feeling great about yesterday’s win and the prospect of JC taking the mythical “next step” that we’ve all been anxiously awaiting. That said, euphoria is beginning to give way to reason. Thoughts of 4th string Rookie DB’s being burned by a veteran pro bowl caliber receiver aren’t psyching me up as much as they did on Sunday.

As fantastic as it was to see aggressive, successful play calling, the fact that it didn’t come against the ’85 Bears or the ’00 Ravens bares mentioning. After only two weeks, the Saints rank 26th against the run and 28th against the pass. I’d be positively less than enthusiastic if the game hadn’t been nearly so close as the final score would indicate and if we hadn’t absolutely dominated this team between the 20’s.

That brings us to week 3. As some of you know, the Cardinals are my “2nd team.” Don’t get me wrong, the difference between my loyalty to the Skins and the Card’s is something akin to the difference in love you feel for your first son, who looks exactly like you and has many of your same attributes, compared to the mere “affection” you have for your 2nd child, whose hair color is a shade never before seen in your family, and who happened to come along 9 months after your wife spent a drunken weekend at a friend’s bachelorette party in Las Vegas. Having said that, I still feel that I have a little more respect for the battered Arizona franchise than most and would like to point out some interesting facts as we head into our 3rd matchup of the season.

The Cardinals’ defense is GOOD. Through Week 2 (among teams that have played both games) the Cards are ranked 4th in the NFL in points allowed, 9th against the run and 14th against the pass. The secondary is a standout group with potential to be special. Rod Hood is a legit number 1 NFL CB (5 ints in ’07), Eric Green is a solid, if unspectacular #2 and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie playing at nickelback is a wild card. Safeties Adrian Wilson and Antrel Rolle (5 ints last year in limited time) combine to form one of the top duos in the league. I believe going up against a secondary of this caliber will give us a pretty good read on just how much progress JC and the rest of the offense have made. I will be surprised if we score more than 24 points and get out of this game without any turnovers by JC. If that happens, then I will have to seriously upgrade my expectations for this year.

This is no surprise to anyone paying attention, but the Cardinals’ offense can put up points with anyone in the league. The Cardinals are ranked 5th in the NFL through week 2 in total offense among teams that have played both of their games. They are 3rd in the NFL in passing yardage (no big surprise) and 17th in rushing. I think they made the obvious (correct) choice in naming Kurt Warner the starting QB. He has not thrown a pick yet through 2 games and if he is given time can light up a defense. The plus side is that the Oline has given up 5 sacks through 2 games and Warner’s M.O. is to get careless with the ball once you rough him up. The Cards have averaged less than 100 yds per game rushing as a team and I believe we have an opportunity to make them one dimensional early. Edgerrin James is still serviceable, but he’s no longer the player that he was in Indianapolis (nor does he have the same quality Oline…). While EJ had a respectable 3.8 yd per carry average last year, I think our D line should be able to shut him down.

Key Matchups:

DEFENSE

Andre Carter vs Mike Gandy

Gandy is a below average left tackle. He struggles versus speed rushers due to poor footwork and lack of quickness. This is a guy that Andre Carter should abuse. With Jason Taylor gimpy and matched up with a promising Levi Brown, AC needs to have a big game for us here. If he can generate a consistent pass rush on Warner, we may be able to get ahead early in the turnover battle.

OFFENSE

Chris Cooley vs Karlos Dansby

Dansby is a beast at LB. Athletically, he’s one of the few linebackers that I feel can cover Cooley man to man. If he’s able to limit CC’s effectiveness, that’s obviously going to disrupt our gameplan. If CC can win this matchup though, that could be decisive in our favor.

Prediction: Skins win 24-21 in a close game that could preview a possible post-season matchup.

Damn bro. I'm not trying to rain on your parade but it's Mon. I want to enjoy this win. That was great stuff yesterday. I'm not thinking about Ariz. Plus who the hell have they played? SF and Miami.

[BleedBurgundy]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

Damn bro. I'm not trying to rain on your parade but it's Mon. I want to enjoy this win. That was great stuff yesterday. I'm not thinking about Ariz. Plus who the hell have they played? SF and Miami.

Yesterday is behind us. On to the next one!

[vaoutlaws2006]

Originally Posted by BleedBurgundy

Yesterday is behind us. On to the next one!

I am still basking in the glow of yesterdays game and FYI I dont offically start thinking about next week til after the MNF game...its hard to root one way or the other for me tonight.....I wanna see the eagles and cowboys beat up on each tonight.

[BleedBurgundy]

Originally Posted by vaoutlaws2006

I am still basking in the glow of yesterdays game and FYI I dont offically start thinking about next week til after the MNF game...its hard to root one way or the other for me tonight.....I wanna see the eagles and cowboys beat up on each tonight.

Yeah, if there's any way for a team of midgets to run around knee capping everyone at tonights game, then that's the only real possibility for a win-win.

[dmvskinzfan08]

IM hoping that the secondary holds up and that Jason Taylor and Andre Carter make a couple of sandwiches out of Warner. If we pressure the QB we have a good chance of winning. But we must play good in the secondary. Boldin is playing with a vengeance. So our D has to have their A game. I think the Offense will improve from next week.

[Redskin]

49ers and dolphins. They sure have played some great offenses

[BleedBurgundy]

Originally Posted by Redskin

49ers and dolphins. They sure have played some great offenses

49ers put up 33 to beat the Seahawks. Martz coached teams always put up points...

[SFREDSKIN]

Originally Posted by Redskin

49ers and dolphins. They sure have played some great offenses

Don't knock the 49ers they have a solid Defense and decent offense and beat Seattle in Seattle, something we couldn't do.

[dmvskinzfan08]

Originally Posted by SFREDSKIN

Don't knock the 49ers they have a solid Defense and decent offense and beat Seattle in Seattle, something we couldn't do.

Dont mean any harm but Seattle sucks so far this year and 49ers are better than last year...but not that great.