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NEXT YEAR, IN MIAMI
- - - - - Don't blame it on the officials. Don't blame it on the half-ending interception return. And please don't blame it on Pottsville. The Cardinals overcame their first-half mistakes. They overcame the poor officiating. Once they stormed back to claim the 23-20 lead, Arizona had essentially negated any ill effects lingering from the above.
- - - - - They had to hold on for just over two-and-a-half minutes, and were unable to do so thanks in large part to the play of the Pittsburgh Steelers. At least twice on the game-losing drive, Ben Roethlisberger eluded would-be Cardinals tacklers to complete critical conversions. One of these came on a first-and-twenty in the shadow of his own goalposts. The defense's inability to cover Santonio Holmes in the final moments also proved costly, and you've got to hand it to him on that final catch. At least I feel we didn't give up the score playing the dreaded "prevent defense." It didn't help, though, to see Aaron Francisco flailing around in the defensive backfield on the final drive, making me wonder what personnel situation led to him even being on the field in the waning moments.
- - - - - As for the experience of the game, the overall atmosphere was a bit of a disappointment. The "neutral site" factor almost made it feel as if not much was riding on the outcome of the game, despite being surrounded by numerous fans of both teams (and not just the corporate bigshots). This just makes me hold more strongly to my belief that the Super Bowl should be HOSTED by one of the contending teams (alternate between AFC/NFC) like they used to do for the NFL title back when the Cardinals were last any good.
- - - - - Well, despite the Cardinals' success this season, it's too bad it had to leave us feeling as if we gave something away. Plus, with personnel changes at both key coordinator spots as well as uncertainty regarding our starting quarterback and receiver, we go into the off-season with many more questions than answers. I'm fine with Haley's departure; he seems to have mostly fallen into a good situation with the Cardinals rather than actually being responsible for creating it. The move on Pendergast was more about the defensive philosophy, and so we'll have to wait and see who replaces him. As for Boldin, while he is still under contract, I can't see him getting the money he seeks with so much more needed to be invested in the defense.
NEXT WEEK, OFF-SEASON: As efforts to locate the music to the original Cardinals 1941 fight song have come up short, I have taken the liberty to add new music to Coach Conzelman's lyrics of "It's In the Cards to Win."
It's in the Cards to win
Get ready to cheer when they begin
Watch how the red team goes
Just give it a sign to break up the line of foes
Fight for the right to score
Let's roll up a lead and then go out for more
It's in the Cards to win
Get ready to cheer, let's go!
Thank you, Cardinals, for a thrilling season, and let's go make 2009 another one to remember!
THIRTEENTH SEASON COMPLETED
- - - - - As you've probably already noticed, "The Cardinal's" Nest, the Internet's longest-running website dedicated to the Arizona Cardinals, has
undergone a few changes over the years as we conclude our 13th season. This newer setup will hopefully make it easier for you, the fans, to navigate
these pages. After all, isn't life already hard enough being a Cardinals fan?
- - - - - The bar at the left will contain the links to the other pages on this site, including icons for some of the larger features.
Meanwhile, play in my Thirteenth-Annual On-Line NFL Pool has begun and the Chicago Cardinals Photo
Album, featuring photos and other game memorabilia from the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s has opened. Also, check out the
"Arizona Sports Fans" Message Board. As always, if you have any
suggestions, comments, or questions, please feel free to send me E-mail at sgoldber@chuma.cas.usf.edu;
I always enjoy hearing from Cardinals fans around the country and the world.
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