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The Arizona Cardinals lost 27-17 to the Kansas City Chiefs and did so in a way that has taken the wind out of almost every fan's sail. The quarterback play wasn't good, the defense could not stop the Chiefs' starting offense and the players seem to be getting restless, while head coach Ken Whisenhunt is very upset at his team.
It will be easy to pick out things that didn't go well, but what about any positives?
Was there anything good that came from it?
In fact, yes.
The positives:
The possible beginning Lindsanity gives hope
It is way, way, WAY too early, but rookie Ryan Lindley was impressive in his time on the field. He made great looking throws and showed poise. Crazy, delusional fans (because the most fanatical of fans truly are that way) have already jumped on the bandwagon calling for a Lindley in 2012 campaign. Sure, we can look back to Max Hall and shake our heads for getting excited there, but anytime you have a developing quarterback show any promise at all, there is reason to smile -- even if it just gives you hope for the future.
As a side note, remember when Peter King said the Lindley might get a shot at starting this season? With how badly the line has been blocking, it doesn't seem so crazy now. It still means the season will have gone terribly wrong, but at least for now, it doesn't seem so laughable.
Jamell Fleming looks like he will be a contributor this year
It may not be Week 1, but when you see a rookie cornerback make an instinctual play on the outside against the run (he took out the blocker on the outside down low and disrupted the play on the edge rather than being engaged and getting run around), you get the feeling that he is going to be a playmaker in some way.
The running game had some success early, with the team's fourth string running back
Alfonso Smith carried the ball nine times for 40 yards in the first half. Aside from one play in which he made a poor decision of cutting back and getting tackled in the backfield instead of following his blockers, he looked pretty good. And that gives hope because both Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams will be even better. It is actually a smidge unfair to be so critical of the team's offense when their running backs are not playing. But only a smidge.
Kevin Kolb didn't get hurt (!)
It is a positive, but one you want to cry about. we are happy that Kolb, with two series, didn't hurt himself. But hey...baby steps, right?
Kevin Kolb can make the back shoulder throw to his receivers
Kolb, in his two preseason appearances has not shown much, but you like one thing. He is pretty good at the big league back shoulder throw to his receiver near the sideline. He put it right on the money two times in a row. The first was dropped by DeMarco Sampson and the second was hauled in. Combine that with the one throw to Andre Roberts against New Orleans that they miscommunicated on, and you see that something is there. It may not be enough, but it is indeed a positive.
The negatives:
The quarterbacks are not doing anything to help the decision about the starter
Neither John Skelton nor Kevin Kolb look like they want to be the starter. It says a lot about both. Kolb can't separate himself from a small-school, inaccurate low draft pick. Skelton, who looks more comfortable on the field than Kolb, undoes every great play with a terrible one. One practice is good, then next is bad. One drive he looks solid, the next he is getting picked off on a questionable throw. It is depressing.
The offensive line is just bad right now
Kolb had no time, Skelton was pressured. Rich Bartel was sacked five times in his limited time on the field. The way things are looking, it wouldn't matter if Kurt Warner were taking snaps, he would get killed back there.
The first team defense gave up two touchdowns in two drives against KC's starting offense
The defense was supposed to be a strength. The Chiefs do not have the most talented offense. But they went in short gains all the way down the field on their opening drive and used big plays in their second to score a pair of TDs before they called it a night. That isn't how a supposedly vaunted defense should play.
Early Doucet is missing
For the second game in a row, Doucet failed to make a catch. After a pretty decent 2011 season, he has been MIA this preseason. No one can even remember whether or not he has been on the field.
People have already begun talking about Ryan Lindley as the starter
Yes, I mentioned this as a positive. It is, but it is also a HUGE negative. Your rookie sixth-rounder should not be getting attention when you have two guys that are battling it out to be the starter. That just means that things are bad at the quarterback position.
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Fortunately, there are still three preseason games remaining. This can be fixed.
Next up are the Raiders.
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