Did the Cardinals do it with smoke and mirrors?

[DVontel]

Cardinals 5-11 in 2015 or worse. Rams should be thinking about Seahawks not cardinals and 9ers.

Lmao.

 

[Rmfnlt]

Which is why I'm not a fan of Run centric offenses. Hard to recover from mistakes.

For far too many years lately, if the Rams went down by more than 21, I just knew they were toast (yes, there were some exceptions).

Yeah, you can win with scores of 17-13 and 21-17. But you'd better be damned good at executing all phases of the game on a consistent basis.

If what is being widely reported (that Jeff Fisher intends to run the ball down the opponent's throats) is true, he'd better tighten up that consistency part.

 

[Fatbot]

Lmao.

The 5-11 is a pretty ballsy prediction, but not really "lmao". Long-suffering Cards fans deserve this winning, but shouldn't be cocky. Remember that the last time the Cardinals were 11-5 since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule in 1978 (36 years ago) was... never. These eleven wins is their high in the modern era -- this is new territory for the Cards, we'll see if they can finally maintain elite success.

On top of that lack of history, it's just hard to maintain winning in today's NFL -- most teams that win 11 games collapse. Since 2005, 26 teams finished with 11 wins. 77% got worse the next year. Almost half finished 8-8 or worse the following year, including 2006 TB (4-12) and 2008 Jax (5-11). In the Cards favor is the NFC West has been pretty damn good so it's hard to get a cheap record in this division, so maybe they can keep it going.

But an ominous warning for Cards fans might be that 2006 TB team that seemed to be unable to get over losing defensive line/assistant head coach Rod Marinelli -- *cough* Todd Bowles?

 

[Corbin]

Cardinals 5-11 in 2015 or worse. Rams should be thinking about Seahawks not cardinals and 9ers.

Wishful thinking is good.

 

[CGI_Ram]

The Cardinals have got some good young players. And... Arians is a pretty good coach.

I'm not sure I trust Palmer to stay healthy and like every team they can't afford many injuries. But they'll be a tough team.

 

[RAMSinLA]

Coaching and a timely beneficial schedule

 

[Leuzer]

I'm all for hating the Cards but looking past them, or anyone else in our division, is something we simply cannot do. It's clear the Seahawks are the team to beat but if we only focus on them, the Cards and 49ers could sneak right past us.

Besides that, winning 11 games in the NFL isn't something any team can just do. Sure you can have favorable match-ups, but saying that the majority of their wins were flukes is a bit ignorant. Is it still called any given Sunday if a 'bad' team keeps on winning? Keep in mind that Palmer - who was playing fairly well for the Cards - tore his ACL against us in Arizona and was out for the rest of the season.

The way I see it is that we are the fourth team in our division because that's where we finished last year. I believe we will be the best in the west, but first we need to go out and play good football.

 

[PFaulk]

2 things about them really stand out to me on the per drive stats.

1.) They did a great job limiting their turnovers. (.097 per drive, fifth in the NFL).

2.) Semi-related, their defense has an excellent advantage in terms of starting field position against them 6th in the league, teams started on AVG at the 25.6 yard line).

So, opponents had to march down the field further than most against them to score. Then you think about Campbell breathing down the opposing QB's neck when a drive against them starts to stall, Peterson (in the first half of the season, before he fell off a cliff), Cromartie, Honey Badger in the secondary tightening up...

But then they lose Palmer, Peterson's play does fall off a cliff, and they struggle. 4-5 down the stretch...

 

[Yamahopper]

Arians has good schemes, hit gets players that fit the scheme. They play as one which offsets some of the lack of talent.
But the loss of their DC has to hurt them going forward.

And they still need to dress half a dozen QB's when they play the Rams.

 

[Warner4Prez]

It's a new year for the Cards. Arians has Mojo to be sure, but I think Todd Bowles brought something special to that defense.

The offense is going to be a little different. David Johnson is a big physical back capable of wearing down a defense. Having him allows them to use Ellington in more of a change of pace/misdirection role where he killed teams a couple years ago.

If the Rams can truly control the line of scrimmage this year, it will go a long way to determining their success against these teams in the division. We already know Seattle and San Fran are going to pound the rock. I think Arizona is going to try it as well.

 

[JUMAVA68]

The loss of their DC and Cromartie will hurt that team the most Bowles had that defense flying all over the field.And with the loss of Cromartie they will give up some big plays when they blitz and don't get there.

 

[azcards]

The 5-11 is a pretty ballsy prediction, but not really "lmao". Long-suffering Cards fans deserve this winning, but shouldn't be cocky. Remember that the last time the Cardinals were 11-5 since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule in 1978 (36 years ago) was... never. These eleven wins is their high in the modern era -- this is new territory for the Cards, we'll see if they can finally maintain elite success.

On top of that lack of history, it's just hard to maintain winning in today's NFL -- most teams that win 11 games collapse. Since 2005, 26 teams finished with 11 wins. 77% got worse the next year. Almost half finished 8-8 or worse the following year, including 2006 TB (4-12) and 2008 Jax (5-11). In the Cards favor is the NFC West has been pretty damn good so it's hard to get a cheap record in this division, so maybe they can keep it going.

But an ominous warning for Cards fans might be that 2006 TB team that seemed to be unable to get over losing defensive line/assistant head coach Rod Marinelli -- *cough* Todd Bowles?

Ray horton leaving worked out ok.

 

[azcards]

The loss of their DC and Cromartie will hurt that team the most Bowles had that defense flying all over the field.And with the loss of Cromartie they will give up some big plays when they blitz and don't get there.

The scheme won't change. I imagine top 3 of most blitz heavy team in the league. Cards are good to give up big passing plays anyways , specifically to a TE.

 

[OldSchool]

They limited both turnovers and penalties. Couple that with a few bad games for both the offense and defense and that can seriously skew the overall rankings greatly. A good team but had some things go their way and obviously with injuries that didn't go their way. Their defensive numbers were hurt by a few games especially late in the year. Also the Denver and Washington games didn't help them. It's hard to look at total offense and defense numbers and get an accurate reading.

Lmao.

We all know that anything is possible. While I don't really think his record is right to laugh it off might not be the best reaction Hell the Rams went from 4-12 to winning a Super Bowl the next year.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

They get lucky in a few games. They were not so far from 8-8.

 

[DVontel]

The 5-11 is a pretty ballsy prediction, but not really "lmao". Long-suffering Cards fans deserve this winning, but shouldn't be cocky. Remember that the last time the Cardinals were 11-5 since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule in 1978 (36 years ago) was... never. These eleven wins is their high in the modern era -- this is new territory for the Cards, we'll see if they can finally maintain elite success.

On top of that lack of history, it's just hard to maintain winning in today's NFL -- most teams that win 11 games collapse. Since 2005, 26 teams finished with 11 wins. 77% got worse the next year. Almost half finished 8-8 or worse the following year, including 2006 TB (4-12) and 2008 Jax (5-11). In the Cards favor is the NFC West has been pretty damn good so it's hard to get a cheap record in this division, so maybe they can keep it going.

But an ominous warning for Cards fans might be that 2006 TB team that seemed to be unable to get over losing defensive line/assistant head coach Rod Marinelli -- *cough* Todd Bowles?

Oh, I have no problem seeing predictions of us not matching our win total from last year, but to 5-11? Unless Palmer goes down early, I just don't see it. Yes, I can see 7-9 or 8-8 even if Palmer plays most of the season.

And that Bucs team, if I remember correctly, lost 5 starters on offense early in the season, including their QB & RB.

I also find it very odd of not worrying about a team that (I am not trying to take shots at all) that we(speaking from his view here) lost to twice, despite them playing their 2nd(half of the 1st game) & 4th string QB(yes, yes, bad QB play was involved from you guys due to your QB situation, but you guys STILL managed to beat Seattle & San Fran at least once when they both had their 1st string QBs play the whole game). I would agree about not worrying(as much) about the 49ers since they lost A LOT on both sides of the ball, from coaches to players.

I trust our new DC, Bettcher. They're might be growing pains early(hell, I'm expecting it, lol), but I still think we're talented enough to overcome those growing pains sooner rather than later, especially with overdosing on pass rushing talent in the draft(Something Bowles had to deal with last year was VERY little pass-rush without blitzing 24/7) & the playmaking Honey Badger coming back to his 2013 form(He has been looking great so far in Training Camp.)

But most imporantly, it all rests on Palmer's health on how this season will dictate.

 

[dbrooks25]

Ray horton leaving worked out ok.

Just because it worked out once, doesn't mean it will work out yet again. Not saying it won't, but ya never know.

 

[dbrooks25]

Oh, I have no problem seeing predictions of us not matching our win total from last year, but to 5-11? Unless Palmer goes down early, I just don't see it. Yes, I can see 7-9 or 8-8 even if Palmer plays most of the season.

And that Bucs team, if I remember correctly, lost 5 starters on offense early in the season, including their QB & RB.

I also find it very odd of not worrying about a team that (I am not trying to take shots at all) that we(speaking from his view here) lost to twice, despite them playing their 2nd(half of the 1st game) & 4th string QB(yes, yes, bad QB play was involved from you guys due to your QB situation, but you guys STILL managed to beat Seattle & San Fran at least once when they both had their 1st string QBs play the whole game). I would agree about not worrying(as much) about the 49ers since they lost A LOT on both sides of the ball, from coaches to players.

I trust our new DC, Bettcher. They're might be growing pains early(hell, I'm expecting it, lol), but I still think we're talented enough to overcome those growing pains sooner rather than later, especially with overdosing on pass rushing talent in the draft(Something Bowles had to deal with last year was VERY little pass-rush without blitzing 24/7) & the playmaking Honey Badger coming back to his 2013 form(He has been looking great so far in Training Camp.)

But most imporantly, it all rests on Palmer's health on how this season will dictate.

I feel everything you're saying. I won't say I'm not worried about AZ, but that team just does not scare me one bit. I know what happened last year, but just going off of the eyeball test, AZ doesn't do a thing to make me shake in my boots for this Rams team.

 

[kurtfaulk]

And some db...not sure who...gave up that damn bomb to Brown and the 3rd string QB...at the end of the game....who was that?!?

should i hazard a guess or was this a rhetorical question?

.

 

[Mojo Ram]

Turnovers? I knew their defense statistically wasn't very good...but they got results...It has to be hidden in the stats somewhere....

My 2 cents:
1) Excellent red zone defense
2) Teams didn't gameplan very intelligently against them IMO
3) Palmer when healthy is a pretty good QB
4) They only surrendered 49 points directly off turnovers all season(4th best in the NFL behind Seattle, Green Bay and New England). Our Rams surrendered 102 pts(2nd worst)....for reference.
5) Arians is the offensive play-caller, and that bloated, classless turd is good at it.