We tend not to take the preseason so seriously, especially a team's record in it.
Some notable Cardinals leaders don't agree. In comments to XTRA 910 in Phoenix (via ESPN), safety Adrian Wilson said the team was "lethargic throughout the preseason."
"The excitement wasn't there, for whatever reason," Wilson continued. "I can't put my finger
on it. But whatever it took to make that run in the playoffs that we
had last year, we didn't have that. I think a lot of it comes from
people still talking about what we did last year.
"Last year is last
year and it's kind of a dead issue now. We shouldn't have to go back
and try to relive what we did last year. It's a new year and a new
team. We have to somehow find a way to rekindle whatever we had."
After covering the Cardinals for one whole week at the Super Bowl, it became obvious that Wilson is a man that speaks the truth. And while he's not always a vocal leader for the Cardinals, it's unlikely that anyone's words on the defense carry more weight.
If Wilson says the disease of "last year" is a problem, who are we to disagree?
Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt has downplayed any concern, but Kurt Warner also bemoaned the team's lackluster preseason in a radio interview. He seemed to hint the team could use a little butt-kicking, like the one former offensive coordinator Todd Haley used to administer.
"I am not going to put [our struggles] all on Todd but he was very much a vocal, in-your-face, challenging type of coach that would really push guys," Warner said. "The one thing that I appreciated about Todd is that he pushed us to be great and he wasn't worried about being our best friend. He just wanted us to respect him for making us better players."
The great part about the preseason is that it can be erased in a couple successful drives against San Francisco Sunday. But if Arizona's troubles linger, especially on offense, questions will mount about a Super Bowl hangover.
The Cardinals were successful at turning their emotional switch back "on" at the start of the playoffs last year. It sounds like they are counting on doing the same thing again this year after a preseason that lacked electricity.
Should the Cardinals be worried?
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on September 9, 2009 2:05 PM ET
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Sounds like they've lost the "eye of the tiger", all right.
There's going to be a lot of disappointed players in that locker room if they feel they can just sleepwalk through the season and then recreate the magic from last year's playoffs.
It's not about record in the opreseason, it's about how the 1st teamers played when they are in there during the prerseason. Since I didn't keep an eye on them, I have no earthly idea how they looked when they were in.
Who is excited about the preseaon?
"Practice? You talking about practice? Not a game, but PRACTICE??"
Of course they should be worried.
They gave a 38 year old qb pre-hip surgery a horribly structured contract.
Warner's already limited movement looked even more horrible in the pre-season.
It will be fun watching teams treat him like a pinata until Leinart replaces him and leads them to the playoffs.
Don't worry boys, you'll get your ass-kicking by the 49ers on Sunday.
they should be worried seattles winning the west again with the 49ers second
Hell, maybe Richard Seymour will show up there.
IF this is accurate, Week 1 vs. the 49ers will be an interesting look into the roles of headcoaches. Namely, the strategist vs. the motivator.
Ken Whisenhunt is obviously the headcoach with better knowledge of the Xs and Os of an offense, and possibly even a defense just through exposure and working with the great Dick LeBeau.
Singletary is obviously the headcoach who is the better motivator of a player, as evidenced by the 49ers of last year playing above their ability, and his strong success as a motivational speaker (keep the scoffing to a minimum).
So assuming that the Cards have the 49ers out-gameplanned (not a word, I know), and the 49ers have the Cards out-motivated, it will be interesting.
That's of course assuming that the talent level on each team is equal, which is hard to believe even for this optimistic 49ers fan.
Hey Hap - Newsflash - Adrian Wilson is a starter and he could care less about how the second team and those bound for the practice squad or the cutting room floor perform, he was talking about the starters.
The Cardinals have always been inconcistent and the 49ers always put up a good fight against them, even during their worst years, and expect the 9ers to be better this year.
they needed just enough play time in the preseason to remember how.
excessive preseason time for starters means december will be a lost month.
The excitement drain of playing in a SuperBowl to playing in the preseason should be expected. It's like coming down from a pot of coffee after riding the caffeine high all day long. It sucks, but it's inevitable.
I can't believe anyone would really put any stock into what happens in the preseason. The plays from the playbooks are limited, the players are at half speed, and, it is the PRE season. No one really cares except the bubble guys trying to make the team.
No.
They should not be worried.
It would be like being worried because you are ugly. You suck.
Just go with it.
They still have a hangover from the butt whopping the Steelers put on them in the Superbowl. hehehe
They should be worried considered they were the benefactor of playing in the worst division in football and was statistically the worst team to ever even make it to the Super Bowl. I believe it was the only team that ever went to the Superbowl that gave up more points on defense than it scored on offense.
They should be worried because their lucky run in the playoffs made their fans think they are actually a legit team, so when they fall back to where they belong, people aren't going to be happy about being deceived.
KURT WARNER FOR MVP!
HAH!
Swift kick in the ass coming Week 2
history proves how hard it is for the super bowl loser to make it back to the playoffs the following year.. even the Pats couldnt get in and they had an 11-5 record
Maybe b/c they know last yr was a fluke!
Well, they sleep-walked through last (regular) season, and it didn't hurt them too badly! But I doubt their division will be as easy as last year, so if they do it again they probably won't make it to the playoffs.
I hope they find their spark, whatever it is. That franchise has been walking through a haze for many years, and last year they finally saw a way out of it--they believed they were good enough to win the Super Bowl, and really, they were. Don't lose it, fellas! As a long-suffering Cowboys fan, I say: don't let what's happened to them happen to you!
@auburncowboyz
That Iverson line sums it all up. You da man.
"how the hell am i gonna make my teammates better by practicing" LOL
No they shouldn't be worried. Why?
Go to NFL.com, look at the team stats.
Look at who had the #1 offense in the preseason.
That's right.
Is it really going to carry over to the regular season?
http://www.nfl.com/stats/team
All of you that want to run your mouth about the Cardinals being lucky last year...having a let down this season....make sure you come back and show some sack when we roll through the NFC West and make another run in the playoffs.
Go ahead and underestimate Whiz. Go ahead and ignore the fact the Cardinals can now run the ball with Beanie in the backfield. Talk your shit all you want....after we jack up the Niners you'll see this team is the real deal.
A lot of chirping going on....Beat down by the Steelers in the Super Bowl? Foolish comment, #10 as yet to get two feet on the FIELD. Keep bashing Big Red. And as far as the Seachikens and the fellows by the bay.You will fall in line and like it..You boys need to be concerned with finishing ahead of the Rams..Baby steps boys...Now the season of defending the NFC CHAMPIONSHIP starts!!!!!
"eagler63 says:
September 9, 2009 6:40 PM
All of you that want to run your mouth about the Cardinals being lucky last year...having a let down this season....make sure you come back and show some sack when we roll through the NFC West and make another run in the playoffs.
Go ahead and underestimate Whiz. Go ahead and ignore the fact the Cardinals can now run the ball with Beanie in the backfield. Talk your shit all you want....after we jack up the Niners you'll see this team is the real deal."
Get a grip.
If the Niners had fired Nolan sooner, you wouldn't have even made the playoffs.
If the Niners had fired Nolan sooner, you wouldn't have even made the playoffs.
Ouch That hurts more than Kurt Warner fumble or interception with the game on the line.
See the Super Bowl for multiple examples.