QB Jake Plummer took more than a little heat in the Valley of the Sun last week following what was widely interpreted as a derogatory comment directed at Cardinals fans. When reporters asked him how he felt about the booing that cropped up during his mediocre effort in Arizona?s Week Three loss to San Diego, Plummer referred to a similar question that was asked around the same time last year and said, "I could give a rat?s ass." While Plummer?s comments were downplayed by head coach Dave McGinnis, our source?s eyebrows were raised following the head coach?s response to the question of whether or not Plummer was capable of taking the team to the next level. McGinnis? end-around to the question heightened the likelihood that the Cardinals intend to keep their options open all season regarding Plummer?s impending free-agent status.
Offensive coordinator Rich Olson took away most of Plummer?s on-the-fly decision-making and made the offense a little simpler, and Jake's competions have gone up. The results are favorable with Plummer coming off his first year with more TD's than INT's, and that trend is continuing so far in 2002. Plummer is completing right at 50% for the season while taking EVERY snap from center. Im expecting a 250+ yard performance today. Why?
Thomas Jones has been nursing an ankle injury, and Marcel Shipp, who filled in with two touchdowns last week, has a sprained ligament in his knee. Damien Anderson, a practice squad player, got most of the carries this week.and might be burdened with the load of running today which in my opinion will be minimal
The Panthers win most of their football games . They have a lead-leading sack total (19) for the first 4 games, and all four defensive linemen - Peppers, Jenkins, Buckner and Rucker - plus linebackers like Fields and Morgan can really bring it. And to top it off, you have former Giant defensive guru, John Fox, calling the schemes.
It's essential that the Cardinal offensive line protect Plummer. Leonard Davis did a superb job last week against arguably the best defensive end in professional football (Old Gap Tooth - Michael Strahan). He will have his work cut out again going up against Julius Peppers . Jake's the only legitimate QB AZ's got (taking all snaps TY), and they have to keep him healthy. The O-Line has proved it has the physical ability to get the job done. The one thing Cards need to focus on is preventing the one or two mental lapses per game that each offensive lineman is prone to make. (That can get your QB killed).
The Pantera secondary appears to have played well throughout the season, but look at the opponents weak lines. Have to suspect part of this is due to the furious pass rush their front seven can put on. That plus excellent coverage skills by their LB corp.
Expect Plummer to throw a lot of quick timing routes to his receivers and TE with the objective of springing them on long runs after the catch. In Boston, Jenkins, Sanders and F Jones, the Cards have the weapons to make this work.
Not that sure of how the physical matchups will work - particularly considering David Boston's injury status. But suspect Howard (6-0 190) and Cousin (5-10 181)might find themselves mismatched vs. bigger Cardinal receivers including FJ. Grant (6-2 207) has nice size at safety, but Minter a 5-10 188 safety) seems a tad small.
Don't be surprised to see the Cardinals spread things out quite a bit in order to achieve the matchups they want. While the Cards O-line has not impressed me this season, they have only allowed 6 sacks thusly. Improved numbers from past years involving the scrambling QB. Hopefully we have a situation with all the makings of a pass-happy offense with time to throw. If you have read this far without skimming, congrats. Hopefully this can put a bit of thickness in your roll. GL today everyone.
Playing
Plummer OVER 16' completions -120
Plummer +12' yards OVER Peete -140
Offensive coordinator Rich Olson took away most of Plummer?s on-the-fly decision-making and made the offense a little simpler, and Jake's competions have gone up. The results are favorable with Plummer coming off his first year with more TD's than INT's, and that trend is continuing so far in 2002. Plummer is completing right at 50% for the season while taking EVERY snap from center. Im expecting a 250+ yard performance today. Why?
Thomas Jones has been nursing an ankle injury, and Marcel Shipp, who filled in with two touchdowns last week, has a sprained ligament in his knee. Damien Anderson, a practice squad player, got most of the carries this week.and might be burdened with the load of running today which in my opinion will be minimal
The Panthers win most of their football games . They have a lead-leading sack total (19) for the first 4 games, and all four defensive linemen - Peppers, Jenkins, Buckner and Rucker - plus linebackers like Fields and Morgan can really bring it. And to top it off, you have former Giant defensive guru, John Fox, calling the schemes.
It's essential that the Cardinal offensive line protect Plummer. Leonard Davis did a superb job last week against arguably the best defensive end in professional football (Old Gap Tooth - Michael Strahan). He will have his work cut out again going up against Julius Peppers . Jake's the only legitimate QB AZ's got (taking all snaps TY), and they have to keep him healthy. The O-Line has proved it has the physical ability to get the job done. The one thing Cards need to focus on is preventing the one or two mental lapses per game that each offensive lineman is prone to make. (That can get your QB killed).
The Pantera secondary appears to have played well throughout the season, but look at the opponents weak lines. Have to suspect part of this is due to the furious pass rush their front seven can put on. That plus excellent coverage skills by their LB corp.
Expect Plummer to throw a lot of quick timing routes to his receivers and TE with the objective of springing them on long runs after the catch. In Boston, Jenkins, Sanders and F Jones, the Cards have the weapons to make this work.
Not that sure of how the physical matchups will work - particularly considering David Boston's injury status. But suspect Howard (6-0 190) and Cousin (5-10 181)might find themselves mismatched vs. bigger Cardinal receivers including FJ. Grant (6-2 207) has nice size at safety, but Minter a 5-10 188 safety) seems a tad small.
Don't be surprised to see the Cardinals spread things out quite a bit in order to achieve the matchups they want. While the Cards O-line has not impressed me this season, they have only allowed 6 sacks thusly. Improved numbers from past years involving the scrambling QB. Hopefully we have a situation with all the makings of a pass-happy offense with time to throw. If you have read this far without skimming, congrats. Hopefully this can put a bit of thickness in your roll. GL today everyone.
Playing
Plummer OVER 16' completions -120
Plummer +12' yards OVER Peete -140
