The Cardinals aren't "too good" for this. Monday, September 14, 2009

"We're definitely too good to be having these kind of performances," Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald said.

The 49ers beat the Cardinals 20-16 to kick off Mike Singletary's first full season as head coach. I'll admit I'm rooting for the 49ers this year. I like Mike Singletary. He'll never be the quality of coach that Mike Tomlin is, but he has the two essential ingredients of a good coach: a no-nonsense outlook and the willingness to work way harder than the other guy. Dare I say "Cowher-like"?

Meanwhile, Fizgerald's quote above makes me shake my head. That perspective isn't going to help the Cardinals win games. Just as the Steelers have resisted the idea that they're "defending" the championship, the Cards should not be looking to evidence of last year to evaluate their own team. A comment of, "We just need to work harder, fix mistakes, get better, try to win next week" would have been more appropriate.

Because I'm not so sure I believe Larry when he tells me how good the team that lost to San Francisco yesterday is. After all, they've got a "zero" in the win column.

2009 NFC West Predictions Tuesday, September 8, 2009

I'm running short on time here... 55 hours away from Game 1. Very quickly... the NFC West. This is a traditionally bad division, and they have a tough schedule this year, playing the NFC North and AFC South.

1. San Francisco 49ers - Some have faith in Mike Singletary. Others think he'll be a major flop. I have observed that he is not all emotion and fire but works hard and wants his teams to be prepared. Could be only 8-8 or 9-7 with a division crown.
2. Seattle Seahawks - Hasselback returns, head coach does not mail it in, team improves.
3. Arizona Cardinals - I like Whisenhunt. The problem is Warner. Chances are great that's he'll regress to the mean a great deal, or even worse, get injured and hand the reigns to Leinart.
4. St. Louis Rams - This team is currently a big mess, although there's nowhere to go but up after Scott Linehan's regrettable tenure.

Broken Beanie Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Beanie Wells out again with an ankle.

OSU alum Beanie Wells is out again with a hurt ankle. This guy is more fragile than a whisper. I'm just happy for him that he already signed and collected his $2 million signing bonus, because he may never be a good pro, considering his propensity to end up in the training room with ice on his feet.

Supposedly, this is not serious and he'll be back soon, but Cardinal fans are surely groaning with regret over this pick already.

(Then again, I would still trade Mendenhall for him straight up in a second.)