Packers vs. Cardinals: A view from the desert

Raymond Rivard — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 16:59:49 +0000

Oct 29, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is stopped at the goal line by San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Patrick Willis (52) and free safety Dashon Goldson (38) during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The 49ers beat the Cardinals 24-3. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE

Scott Allen, the editor of Raising Zona, took some time today to answer some questions we had about the Cardinals and how he feels heading into Sunday’s Lambeau Field showdown between the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals. Here is what Scott had to say about what he feels will be a one-sided affair …

Q. The Cardinals got off to an incredibly hot start with Kevin Kolb as their starting quarterback, but could that hot start be just as much attributable to an aggressive defense that took the ball away and helped turn games for the Cards? It could to a point.

A. I think you could make that argument in the wins over New England and Philadelphia. Kolb has been a game manager though. He almost lost the Miami game, but found a way to help his team win at the end.

Q. Speaking of the defense – the Cardinals and Packers are tied with 26 team sacks and both employ the 3-4 defense. Having to practice against that defensive scheme, do you think both teams’ offenses will have an advantage? In other words, could this be a shootout?

A. The only shooting the Cards will be doing is to themselves in the foot. There is absolutely no way this will be a shootout. The Cards have scored just 36 points in their four October losses. To think they can score that in one game is just impossible. They squander too many scoring opportunities. Bad play calling comes into factor as well.

Q. We know about the Cards’ stars like Larry Fitzgerald, Patrick Peterson and up-and-comer Daryl Washington, but tell us about a couple of players who may be flying under the radar, but contributing to the team’s success. A. Consistently, it’s hard to find someone on either side of the ball.

A. On offense wide receiver Andre Roberts can make plays. He is second on the team in receptions behind Fitz with 36 catches and five touchdowns. On defense outside linebacker O’Brien Schofield can get after it.

Oct 29, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback John Skelton (19) during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at University of Phoenix Stadium. The 49ers beat the Cardinals 24-3. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE

Q. John Skelton has shown flashes of brilliance, but is coming off of one of his worst games last Monday Night. Tell us about his strengths and weaknesses and what he needs to do to succeed against the Packers.

A. It is really tough to find strengths. I guess the best thing I could find to say about him is he can usually take a hit and keep on ticking. He doesn’t give up, I’ll give him that. He in my mind is still that 3-4 year project he was supposed to be two years ago. He hold the ball too long and air mails his passes quite often. There never seems to be a sense of urgency when things go wrong and some of that blame can be placed on coaches. His overall record as a starter is completely overrated.

Q. How will the Cardinals approach this game from an offensive standpoint. Will they try to run the ball to set up the pass or do you think they will attack the Packers depleted defensive backfield?

A. Well, as soon as they run the ball eight times for minus 15 yards, they’ll abandon the run, just like they did on Monday night. They’ll use the sack to set up the pass. I promise you, even a depleted Packers defense will get 2-3 turnovers from Skelton. I imagine they will change nothing. You’ll see a lot of the same things you saw Monday night.

Q. Give us your thoughts on how you feel this game will go … and include a final score.

A. This one will be over early. I expect it to be Green Bay 14-0 in a blink of an eye early on. Final score prediction: Green Bay 41 Arizona 13

FantasyCPR’s preview of the Arizona Cardinals

Raymond Rivard — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 14:55:07 +0000

FantasyCPR continues with their team previews, this time interviewing Scott from fellow-Fansided blog Raising Zona.

The Cardinals are an interesting team. With quarterbacking continuing to be a question, the team could be on the brink of major improvements. Could this team be one of those surprising upstarts in 2012? They made some good moves in the draft that could help them, namely the drafting of Michael Floyd to play opposite of Larry Fitzgerald.

But I’ll let the expert from Raising Zona tell you about it.

See below … or check out the links provided above. There is some great stuff on our fellow websites here on the fansided network. Enjoy.

Major League Baseball returns after it’s All-Star break, but it’s quickly becoming eclipsed by the monster that in the NFL news cycle as teams get ready for camp. The NFL teams firing things up means we’re getting close to fantasy football time and time for you to start your preparations for your Championship-winning season.

As we continue our fantasy football season previews, today we’ll focus on the Arizona Cardinals as they try and get back into the playoffs out of the improving NFC West. We’re joined today by Scott from our fellow-Fansided blog Raising Zona who was gracious enough to answer our questions about the Cardinals players and their role in fantasy football this year.

Zach Thompson, FantasyCPR: Hey Scott, thanks for helping us out with our Q&A for our season preview. It’s always good to get the opinion of a fan who follows the team on how they’ll be this year. As someone who covers the Cardinals all year round, I’m sure your insight will help us in our fantasy football draft. We’ll start with the obvious question… Who is your QB? I like your receivers and Beanie Wells looked like a legit running back at time last yaer, but who’s the man under center for Arizona coming into the year? What do you think his ceiling is?

Scott, Raising Zona: QB will be a fight between Kevin Kolb, the presumed starter and backup John Skelton. I’m a Kolb man personally. I think people aren’t giving him enough of a chance. I mean, he got booed during the team’s Fan Fest last month. Bad show by Cards fans. Kolb spent most of last season hurt and didn’t have a full off-season with a new playbook. People will compare him to Cam Newton, a rookie, and they will say, well Cam came in as a rookie and did what he did. First of all, Cam was able to get his playbook during that 2-day window players were allowed at team headquarters, so he did have more time. Plus, Cam also played the entire season. Kolb missed more than half of gametime. I will be with Kolb until he shows he can’t do it and failure for me is not an 0-4 preseason either.

Z: I loved the draft pick of Michael Floyd and think he’ll be the best rookie receiver that comes out of last year’s draft. What do you think his upside is and how risky of a pick in a fantasy draft to you feel he is?

Scott, Raising Zona: Well clearly, as far as fantasy value goes, that’s unknown cause although I’m sure the plan is to utilize Floyd often, it’s a matter of getting him the ball and throwing the ball. Larry Fitzgerald is still on the other side of the field. Floyd may be a good guy to draft mid rounds and put on your bench. See how he performs the first month or so. If he isn’t producing, drop him. I agree though, I think he will produce. He was my Cards first round pick in every mock draft I did from January until April. I never wavered.

Z: What does the depth chart look like behind Beanie Wells and is there any kind of time-share? Beanie’s been good when healthy, but how is Arizona going to keep him in the game?

Scott, Raising Zona: One of the bigger unknowns. The reason for that is his backup Ryan Williams is coming off a major injury that kept him out all of last season. If Williams shows in the preseason he can go – Wells will have a nice backup who can spell him for stretches. Otherwise, there is no plan b and the running game will look a lot like 2011 and Beanie may end up having to play hurt at times again.

Z: Do you see any reason why Larry Fitzgerald isn’t a sure-fire top 10 WR?

Scott, Raising Zona: No. Who would think otherwise? Someone on crack?

Z: Is there a player on the Cardinals offense you see having a breakout year?

Scott, Raising Zona: Rob Housler, TE. Would have been a breakout last year if he and the QB’s could have gotten on the same page.

Z: Patrick Peterson seemed to be a big boost in the return game as well as on defense. Will the Cardinals defense take another step forward this year or do you see regression coming?

Scott, Raising Zona: Defense should be better. They get Greg Toler back in the defensive backfield. He missed all of last season thanks to an injury. They were depleted depth wise in the defensive backfield. They have a couple of stud linebackers in Sam Acho and Daryl Washington.

Z: Last one, give me your realistic expectation for the Cardinals this season, and then your perfect scenario. Can they realistically make the playoffs?

Scott, Raising Zona: Realistically, 9-7 at best. They finished 8-8 last season and this year’s team is better and healthier – right now. However they finished 8-8 after starting 1-6. With the way the schedule is built this year, they won’t repeat that if they fall to 1-6 to start. If they are 4-4 or 5-3 half-way through – they have a legit shot at 10 wins, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. Yes, they can make the playoffs, but they will need to win at least 1 of 2 against the 49′ers or the best they can hope for is a wild-card, which they came within one game of getting last season.

Lombardi Ave » Arizona Cardinals

Packers vs. Cardinals: A view from the desert

FantasyCPR’s preview of the Arizona Cardinals