There is no such thing as "easy part of the schedule" for the Arizona Cardinals
By Walter Mitchell
graphic courtesy of neworleanssaints.com
For those fans and pundits who are inclined to think and say this about the Cardinals' first few games of the 2025 season, please, for the sake of karma and sanity, kindly refrain.
Just last year, everyone was adamant that the Cardinals' schedule after the bye week was the "easy part of the schedule."
"Easy part of the schedule" for an Arizona Cardinals' fan is always a jinx.
Just like calling Cardinals' draft picks who have yet to play in an NFL game "elite," "generational talents," "first ballot future Hall of Famers."
Just like claiming that a young QB who, after winning OROY in 2019 and Pro Bowl nods in 2020 and 2021, but suffered through majorly disappointing, under-inspiring endings to his seasons ---
Even after the worst football game of his career in his only playoff game --- a game in which JJ Watt miraculously rehabbed like a madman from major shoulder reconstruction in order to return to the field for the playoffs --- and a game where team leader and mega baller, Budda Baker, while making a big-hit tackle, was knocked unconscious and taunted by the Rams' RB and then surrounded by praying teammates and hosts of Rams --- except for the Cardinals' two QBs who sat with a coach 50 yards away on the team's bench, while Budda was being loaded onto a gurney and transported via an ambulance to the nearest emergency room in LA ---
And yet the young QB decides not to take the field with his teammates at the end of the game --- then makes the off-season all about his contract ---yet through all of these red flags --- that "there was no choice" but to have the Cardinals bestow the immature QB with a 5-year $230.5 million dollar contract --- two years earlier than they ever had to.
Just like claiming the Cardinals' "owned" and "fleeced" the Houston Texans in the 1st round of the 2023 NFL Draft --- only to see the Texans under first year head coach DeMeco Ryans with a rookie QB in Ohio St.'s C..J. Stroud (2023 NFL OROY) and NFL 2023 DROY, edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. from Alabama lead the team to a 10-7 regular season AFC South title and a 1-1 record in the playoffs, then repeat as 10-7 AFC South champs and an 0-1 playoff record in 2024, while the Cardinals, under Jonathan Gannon, in two seasons, can only match the 11 wins the Texans celebrated in their first season under Ryans.
Like vehemently claiming that Kliff Kingsbury ruined Kyler.
When will the jinxes ever stop?
To quote Alanis Morisette, "isn't it ironic?"
"Like ray-ee--aa-- ee---ain on your wedding day?"
But wait --- the Cardinals' first opponent happens to suck, right?
Game 1: ARI @ NO
All-time record: Cardinals 16 Saints 16
Over the last 15 years the Saints have won 11 of the last 17 games including their 2009 45-14 playoff rout in what turned out to be Kurt Warner's last game.
Which team has the better trio of WRs?
NO --- Chris Olave (82.4), Brandin Cooks (63.2), Dante Pettis (70.2)
ARI --- Marvin Harrison Jr. (77.7), Michael Wilson (62.9), Zay Jones (53.1)
The Saints' trio is certainly faster.
Which team has the better trio of tight ends?
NO --- Juwan Johnson (66.7), Taysom Hill (73.3), Foster Moreau (71.7)
ARI --- Trey McBride (86.8, 1 Pro Bowl), Elijah Higgins (61.9), Tip Reiman (49.3)
The Saints' TEs are more proven. Juwan Johnson in 4 seasons has 18 TDs. Trey McBride in 3 seasons has 6 TDs.
Which team has the better, more talented offensive line?
NO --- LT Kelvin Banks Jr., LG Trevor Penning, C Erik McCoy; RG Cesar Ruiz, RT Taliese Fuaga
ARI --- LT Paris Johnson Jr., LG Evan Brown, C Hjalte Froholdt, RG Isaiah Adams; RT Jonah Williams
Look at the draft capital the Saints have invested in their offensive line: 4-1st Round picks in Banks, Penning, Ruiz and Fuaga, 1-2nd round pick, McCoy (94.4) who is a 2-time NFC Pro Bowl center (2023, 2024).
Playing this offensive line is going to be easy?
Which team has the better trio of running backs?
NO --- Alvin Kamara (73.3 --- 5 Pro Bowls, 2 2nd Team All Pro), Kendre Miller (73.3), Cam Akers (67.7)
ARI --- James Conner (90.4 --- 2 Pro Bowls), Trey Benson (62.8), Emari Demercado (70.8)
Which team has the better quarterback?
NO --- Spencer Rattler or Tyler Slough
ARI --- Kyler Murray
Kyler by a mile, right? But, it depends on Kyler's poise and focus, right?
Which team has the better coaching staff?
NO --- HC-Kellen Moore; OC-Doug Nussmeier; DC-Brandon Staley
ARI --- HC Jonathan Gannon; OC-Drew Petzing, DC-Nick Rallis
Kellen Moore, as offensive coordinator, helped to lead the Eagles to their 40-22 win over the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. Posting 40 points and 36.8 minutes of time of possession versus a Steve Spagnuolo coached defense is a stellar accomplishment. Kudos as well for Jalen Hurtz's 119.7 RTG and being awarded Super Bowl MVP.
Veteran Advisors:
NO --- Offensive Senior Advisor: Scott Linehan (36 years NFL experience), Defensive Senior Advisor: Peter Giunta, 34 years NFL experience, 3 Super Bowl rings).
ARI --- None
Defensive advantages:
Saints --- ILBs
* MLB --- Demario Davis (73.2) --- Mack Wilson Sr. (63.8)
* WLB --- Pete Werner (69.0) --- Akeem Davis-Gaither (59.0)
ABOUT EVEN --- starting secondaries
* LCB --- Isaac Yiadom (59.5) --- Max Melton (55.4)
* SS --- Justin Reid (76.9) --- Jalen Thompson (68.8)
* FS --- Julian Blackmon (69.3) --- Budda Baker (77.8)
* RCB --- Kool-Aid McKinstry (66.1) --- Garrett Williams (82.0)
Cardinals --- Front 5
* SOLB --- Zaven Collins (72.0) --- Chase Young (66.8)
* DT --- Calais Campbell (82.3) --- Bryan Breese (36.5)
* NT --- Dalvin Tomlinson (67.4) --- Davon Godchaux (51.6)
* DE --- Darius Robinson (48.4) --- Jonathan Bullard (56.1)
* WOLB --- Josh Sweat (76.1) --- Carl Granderson (79.7)
Special Teams advantages:
* LS NO-Zach Wood (68.0) --- ARI-Aaron Brewer (51.3)
* K ARI-Chad Ryland (90.2) --- NO-Blake Grupe (76.6)
* P ARI-Blake Gillikin (75.0) --- NO-James Burnip (R)
* KR NO-Rasheed Shahhed (63.0) --- ARI Greg Dortch (58.3)
Here at Red Rain we do not look beyond the next game. One game at a time. Just wanted to give everyone a closer look at how the Cardinals match up with their first opponent, the New Orleans Saints.
Upon further review --- how many of you believe that this Week 1 game for the Cardinals is going to be easy?
Like they say --- "look before you leap."
Like Bill Parcells insists, "potential means you haven't done shit yet."
Eye opener! Close in talent across the board and NO better staff in terms of experience and relative success. Rattler v KM-depends on the KM we get but I'll bet that KM comes out and plays well as he did last season in the Buffalo away opener. KM has a problem finishing seasons not starting.
ReplyDeleteStill, we gotta open on the road, this season's Saints might be the best place and team to start another "No More Excuses" season.
I would be so psyched to see the Cardinals show up big-time at the Superdome. What makes me a tad nervous is that we have seen a Kyler-led team lose to a number of 1st-2nd year QBs (at the time) over the past few years --- ones that come to mind are Tua Tagovailoa, C.J. Stroud, Brock Purdy, Justin Fields, Jayden Daniels and Bryce Young. But I think it was very good that Kyler and the starters played in the 1st pre-season game. Would like to see JG play the starters on offense until they finish a drive with a TD. Love Drew Petzing's mantra of 1. High Motors. 2. Finish.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I've learned in boxing is to never underestimate anyone. The moment you think your opponent will be easy to beat, that's when he lands a hit and knocks you on your ass. Fortunately, as it relates to football, I don't think our team makes any assumptions about how easy or difficult our schedule is. As one analyst recently said, "The Cardinals are going to be an absolute nuisance to play." SO it would be wise for other teams to not underestimate us. Or to my boxing analogy, I hope they do.
ReplyDeleteI would like to believe that the team doesn't underestimate any of their opponents, but man their post bye week efforts were very disappointing. As was the coaching.
DeleteI was thinking Gannon might approach the bye week differently this year. His preseason approach seems to be have us better prepared. Tackling and overall game readiness seems to have inproved.. See how it looks in a few weeks.
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