The Cardinals are coming off arguably their toughest loss of the season. Leading 24-6 at halftime, the Red Birds gave the game to the Baltimore Ravens thanks to penalties, an inadequate offense and a porous defense that made Joe Flacco look like Aaron Rodgers.
The loss drops the Cardinals to a lowly 1-6 and into a tie with the St. Louis Rams for last place in the NFC West. As mobs line up for the heads of Ken Whisenhunt and Kevin Kolb, the team remains confident that thing will get better.
"The whole team is confident," said a surprisingly upbeat Darnell Dockett. "These guys are giving everything they got, and if we are going to go down losing, I would rather it be that way."
The Cardinals have been in every game this season with the exception of the Minnesota blowout and the Cardinals are known for having one east coast clunker a year. Dockett made sure it was clear that the Cardinals are not throwing in the towel this season. "When we step on the field, we expect to win."
Coach Ken Whisenhunt has moved past using the NFL lockout as an excuse and after a game in which his team made several big plays is no longer using his go-to "we need to make plays" talking point either. All Whisenhunt has left is an expression of support for his team's work ethic and solidarity.
"But let me tell you this, it's not because our guys aren't working and they're not trying," Whisenhunt said Monday.
"You know, it's one of those things, we've got to stick together. I believe this team is going to come out of it and have success. It's an important part of this process."
What else is there to say?
The Cardinals need something good to happen to them, they need the ball to bounce their way a couple of times. And most importantly they need a win.
They have a great opportunity this Sunday as the host the 1-6 Rams, but they understand how difficult even that challenge will be. The Rams are coming off a huge win over the New Orleans Saints with their starting QB Sam Bradford sidelined with an ankle sprain.
"They will probably come in here feeling like they can win the game so we have to go out there and fight. Hopefully, we can find a way to win it," Calais Campbell said.
One thing is for sure, there is no (public) quit in the Cardinals locker room. According to Dockett once the team gets off this losing streak things will could change for the better. "Once we get one or two wins back to back, things are going to change for us."