Positives
- Matthew Stafford actually played after getting demolished at the end of last weeks game. That alone is an impressive feat. However, the lack of practice clearly showed. I’m excited for next week, with 10 days in between games to heal and practice up for the Bungals.
- Aside from getting burned deep by Donald Driver early in the game, Marvin White actually played pretty well for a guy who has barely played any NFL action. I’d give this kid another shot for a few weeks and see if we have anything here.
- Aaron Brown looks like he’s getting his act together as a kick returner. Derrick Williams will not be getting his job back, I can confidently say. Let’s hope that as Brown builds confidence in the role, he can finally add that dimension to our team that we haven’t had since Eddie Drummond left town.
- Special Teams coverage units were spectacular today. Nick Harris is really one of the better punters in the NFL
Negatives
- Brandon Pettigrew’s injury looked like a torn ligament to me. That will hinder his development, as he was just starting to come into his own the last 2 games. Let’s hope I’m wrong on this one. He would be the 14th!!! Lion put on injury reserve this season if I’m right. That’s got to be close to a record.
- Our pass defense might be the worst I’ve seen on an NFL field. We need to spend a minimum of 4 of our first 5 picks on defensive linemen and cornerbacks. William James has maybe had one good game this season and been burned consistently in all other games.
- Thumbs down to Daunte Culpepper for his selfishness. I understand his situation but he can not argue that Stafford gives this team the best chance to win every week. Stop worrying about your next contract Daunte and be a mentor to this kid. Let him learn from your mistakes.
- Bryant Johnson is a flat out pansy. This guy should be cut in the offseason because he’s given us nothing this year. He doesn’t attack the football, he always lets the football come to him, which is not the way to be a receiver in this league. Add in the fact that he drops half of these balls anyway and you have an overpaid bust.
- Third quarters have been horrific for this team this year. I don’t know where the disconnect is and who it is with but that quarter in particular has really hurt us. I know Stafford in particular hasn’t been good in 3rd quarters but I wonder if this is a QB issue or a coaching issue.
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Really thought I’d see on the negative list that Kevin Smith DOGGED IT near the end. I understand that his ineffectiveness in the game has as much to do with the O-line as it does him, so I don’t chastise him for that.
But at the end of a game, we have a team that’s just trying to get in good reps on offense, Stafford is still in the game despite injury, and Kevin Smith is not only dropping screen passes, but also showing that he doesn’t give a shit about it.
I’ve always been a Smith supporter (still am) but it looks like he might be developing that I’m a lion and I’m miserable and I’m gonna show it attitude. If that’s the case (It probably isn’t yet), we might as well give up on him now.
good cardinal,
i too have always been a major kevin smith supporter……but that all changed this week…i don’t think i’ve ever seen him break a tackle, ever………. he gets tripped up all the time and as soon as someone puts a hand on him, he goes down….. there were three times in the GB game where he was one move away from a HUGE gain and then a guy would get a hand on him and he’d go down…. he’s a great #2 back or even a complimentry back but we need someone else….