SB Nation Arizona - Cardinals vs. Seahawks: John Skelton gets ready to take on Seattlehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46593/arizona-fave.png2012-12-10T14:36:49-07:00http://arizona.sbnation.com/rss/stream/34929072012-12-10T14:36:49-07:002012-12-10T14:36:49-07:00Wedige makes first NFL appearance in loss
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<figcaption>Christian Petersen</figcaption>
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<p>Wedige was signed to back-up Rich Orhenberger who was filling in for the injured Lyle Sendlein. </p> <p>There weren't too many bright spots for the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Cardinals</a> yesterday in the Emerald City. They suffered through one of the worst shutout losses in league history, 58-0 to the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Seahawks</a>. The offense turned the ball over eight times and the defense couldn't do anything to slow down the Seahawks offense.</p>
<p>In the second quarter, things seemed to keep piling on when center <span>Rich Ohrnberger</span> was injured. That meant rookie center <span>Scott Wedige</span> out of Northern Illinois, who was signed just two weeks ago would have to come in to replace Orhenberger but his start wasn't exactly auspicious. On Wedige's first snap, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.azcardinals.com/news-and-events/article-2/Petersons-Tough-Day-With-Punts/ec66ba20-0721-431b-aebe-c2e636e4be0d">the ball was fumbled and luckily, John Skelton recovered. </a></p>
<p>"I went on the first one instead of the second," Wedige said after the game. "I messed up and it’s alright. I’ll be man enough to say I made a mistake. After that everything was fine."</p>
<p>Orhenberger eventually came back into the game after recovering from a knee injury.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/2012/12/10/3752150/nfl-cardinals-scott-wedigeMichael Preston2012-12-10T10:55:47-07:002012-12-10T10:55:47-07:00Peterson fumbles two punts in loss to Seahawks
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<figcaption>Otto Greule Jr</figcaption>
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<p>Even talented cornerback and return man Patrick Peterson struggled against the Seattle Seahawks.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> cornerback <span>Patrick Peterson</span> is one of the most feared return men in the NFL, but even he struggled in Arizona's 58-0 loss against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a>.</p>
<p>The Cardinals turned the ball over eight times against the Seahawks, and Peterson was responsible for two of the turnovers. Peterson muffed a punt and fumbled on a punt return, and Seattle recovered both fumbles.</p>
<p>Peterson addressed the media following the difficult loss, and <a href="http://www.azcardinals.com/news-and-events/article-2/Petersons-Tough-Day-With-Punts/ec66ba20-0721-431b-aebe-c2e636e4be0d" target="_blank">discussed his turnovers</a>:</p>
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<p>"The muffed punt, the first one just bounced off my hands, I wish I could have it back. The second one, the gunner did a great job coming back and stripping the ball out. I thought he did it well, pulled the ball out from the back. </p>
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<p>Peterson can only take so much of the blame for Sunday's loss, as a loss this one-sided falls on the entire team. The cornerback also made one of the few positive plays for the Cardinals.</p>
<p>Seattle quarterback <span>Russell Wilson</span> threw a pick to Peterson late in the first half, the only turnover forced by the Cardinals the entire game. <span>John Skelton</span> tossed an interception to turn the ball back over to the Seahawks, negating any positive momentum.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/2012/12/10/3751156/nfl-cardinals-patrick-petersonConnor Moylan2012-12-10T10:30:51-07:002012-12-10T10:30:51-07:00Loss to Seahawks is worst in Cardinals history
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Arizona Cardinals loss on Sunday to the Seattle Seahawks is the worst loss in the history of the franchise.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Cardinals</a> suffered their worst loss in franchise history on Sunday, losing on the road to the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Seahawks</a> 58-0.</p>
<p>A game this one-sided is rare in the NFL and provides plenty of statistical oddities. Arizona turned the ball over eight times en route to their ninth straight loss. The Cardinals only had two more first downs than turnovers, and Seattle out-gained Arizona 493-195.</p>
<p>The Seahawks win gave them their <a target="_blank" href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=321209026">largest victory in team history</a>. The previous largest victory came in 1984, when Seattle defeated the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kansas City Chiefs</a> 45-0. Arizona had not been shutout since 2003, when Seattle defeated them 38-0.</p>
<p>The 58-point loss is the <a target="_blank" href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azcentral.com%2Fmembers%2FBlog%2FKentSomers%2F174433%3Fnclick_check%3D1&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Farizona.sbnation.com%2F2012%2F12%2F10%2F3751028%2Fnfl-cardinals-seahawks-ken-whisenhunt" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">largest by margin of victory</a> in Arizona franchise history. Their previous largest defeat came against the Chiefs in 2002, when Arizona lost 49-0. The Cardinals have now suffered 10 losses of 40-plus points in franchise history, most recently in 2008. The Cardinals lost to the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Patriots</a> 47-7, although that Cardinals team had already cliched the division and would go on to play in the Super Bowl.</p>
<p>This Cardinals team has not won a game since September.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/2012/12/10/3751028/nfl-cardinals-seahawks-ken-whisenhuntConnor Moylan2012-12-10T10:17:04-07:002012-12-10T10:17:04-07:00Head coach Ken Whisenhunt apologizes to fans
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<figcaption>Kevin Casey</figcaption>
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<p>Ken Whisenhunt felt it was necessary to begin his Sunday post-game press conference with an apology to the fans following the Cardinals' 58-0 defeat.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Cardinals</a> head coach Ken Whisenhunt <a href="http://www.azcardinals.com/news-and-events/article-2/Brutal-Day-In-Seattle/81b1fd2b-d842-43f6-a23f-cd4f79862d6a" target="_blank">took the time to apologize to the fans</a> after Arizona's "embarrassing" 58-0 loss set a record for the worst defeat in the history of the faulty franchise. </p>
<p>The loss, which was Arizona's ninth straight after their 4-0 start, was by the second largest margin in a shutout since the AFL/NFL merger. Sunday's margin also eclipsed the previously long-standing record of the Whisenhunt era (a 47-7 loss to New England in 2008) by a whopping 18 points. </p>
<p>With statistics like that, it's understandable that Whisenhunt also had to address his job security following the defeat. Here's what the winningest head coach in Cardinals history had to say about the potential of being fired:</p>
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<p>"We all know this business...I've been in it a long time as a player and a coach. I'm not worried about that."</p>
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<p>Whisenhunt went on to add that his team owes it to the fans "to give them a better product" before jokingly asking a reporter if he plays when questioned who the quarterback would be this upcoming week. </p>
<p>Then again, Whisenhunt might not even be around to make that decision when the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> head into town next Sunday.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-cardinals/2012/12/10/3750868/nfl-cardinals-seahawks-ken-whisenhuntCody Ulm2012-12-10T10:03:24-07:002012-12-10T10:03:24-07:00Cardinals looking to media for starting QB
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<figcaption>Kevin Casey</figcaption>
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<p>Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt is desperate to find a quarterback he can rely on.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Cardinals</a> suffered their worst loss and franchise history on Sunday, getting blown out by the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Seahawks</a> 58-0 at CenturyLink Field. The loss had Whisenhunt searching for answers, especially at starting quarterback.</p>
<p>The Cardinals' struggles at quarterback are nothing new, but were particularly prevalent on Sunday. <span>John Skelton</span> turned the ball over five times before being removed for <span>Ryan Lindley</span>, who lost a fumble on his first drive replacing Skelton. A reporter asked Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt about which quarterback would start next week, and Whisenhunt responded sarcastically, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.azcardinals.com/news-and-events/article-2/Brutal-Day-In-Seattle/81b1fd2b-d842-43f6-a23f-cd4f79862d6a">asking</a>:</p>
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<p>"Do you play?"</p>
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<p>Whisenhunt did give a serious answer to the question, adding:</p>
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<p>"Let's face it, in this league, part of our struggles have been tied to that position. You have to have someone there that can cover up other areas."</p>
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<p>After Sunday's loss, everyone working for the Cardinals starts to worry about their future with the organization. Running back <span>Beanie Wells</span> addressed the issue, telling the media:</p>
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<p>"You try not to think about it but some of it is inevitable. It crosses everyone minds. Not just coaching changes but player changes. Guys worry about their jobs."</p>
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<p>Whisenhunt also understands that he is on the hot seat, but is trying not to think about it, stating:</p>
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<p>"We all know this business. I've been in it a long time as a player and a coach. I'm not worried about that."</p>
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<p>Turning to the media in search of a quarterback should reveal how desperate the team's situation is.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/2012/12/10/3750858/nfl-cardinals-seahawks-ken-whisenhuntConnor Moylan2012-12-10T09:14:51-07:002012-12-10T09:14:51-07:00'Lack of desire' attributed to Arizona's 58-0 loss
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<figcaption>Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It was pretty much apparent to everyone that the Cardinals waved the white flag Sunday.</p> <p>When you lose by a franchise-record 58 points, it's pretty easy to find some negatives to talk about. The difficult part is limiting the negatives to just five, which is what <a target="_blank" href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2012/12/10/3749704/cardinals-vs-seahawks-5-negatives-from-the-worst-loss-in-franchise/in/3513871">Revenge of the Birds writer Tyler Nickel</a> attempted to do when analyzing the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cardinals</a>' ninth-straight loss.</p>
<p>Among Arizona failures, in his opinion, was <span>Patrick Peterson's</span> special teams woes (two muffed punts), an inability to get <span>Larry Fitzgerald</span> the ball yet again (one catch for two yards) and <span>John Skelton's</span> overall play (11-for-22, 74 yards, five total turnovers). But the analysis that really stuck was Nickel's view of the Cardinals' perceived "lack of desire." Here's what he had to say about a team that seemed to simply roll over and die:</p>
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<p>"The Cardinals just truly never looked engaged at any point during the game. The tackling was horrible, their pursuit to the ball carrier was lazy and the team looked lackadaisical. It appears that the defense has finally followed suit with the offense and has officially given up on the season. Maybe the coaching staff has, too. Regardless, changes need to be made. Better now than later."</p>
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<p>One of the potential changes that Nickel is likely talking about is the firing of head coach Ken Whisenhunt. With only three games left in a lost season, it's possible that they'll just let Whisenhunt finish out the year. But with GM Rod Graves' neck also on the line, there's always a chance that he lets the most successful coach in franchise history go to direct the blame somewhere else.</p>
<p>For more Cardinals coverage, head on over to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Revenge of the Birds. </a></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-cardinals/2012/12/10/3750686/seahawks-vs-cardinals-2012Cody Ulm2012-12-10T09:01:09-07:002012-12-10T09:01:09-07:00Skelton shows his true colors in loss to Seahawks
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<figcaption>Kevin Casey</figcaption>
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<p>Mine, and pretty much everyone else's hopes for John Skelton have gone out the window after Sunday's performance against the Seattle Seahawks. </p> <p>While the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Cardinals</a>' 58-0 loss was about as atrocious as it gets, none of it would have been possible without the absolutely deplorable play of Cards quarterback <span>John Skelton</span>. </p>
<p>After relishing the opportunity to have finally regained his starting job earlier in the week, Skelton took the field against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a> on Sunday and laid the biggest egg you will ever see. His 11/22 for 74 yards, 4 interceptions and a sack that led to a fumble saw him right back to the bench in favor of rookie <span>Ryan Lindley</span>. Although Lindley was hardly an upgrade, it just went to show how little Skelton has actually improved since coming into the league. </p>
<p>In fact, it could be argued that he has actually been worse. </p>
<p>Taking a look at the numbers, Skelton will come nowhere close to reaching the same plateau that he hit last season. In 8 games in 2011, Skelton passed for almost 2,000 yards, a 54.9% completion rate and 11 touchdowns compared to 14 interceptions. This year, his six games played have yielded about half the yardage, a lower completion rate (albeit by just .2%) and a worse touchdown to interception ratio. </p>
<p>To me, Skelton is always going to be a guy that overthrows his receivers, throws more interceptions than touchdowns and loses games due to silly mental errors. Sure, he can come in and maybe win your team a game or two, but he seemingly does not take his job seriously enough to ever become a starting caliber quarterback in the league. He has not taken the time to perfect his craft since being given the chance to play in the NFL. </p>
<p>Skelton reminds me quite a bit of <span>Rex Grossman</span>. Grossman had his chance to shine plenty of times while he was with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Bears</a>, but could never show any sort of consistency during his tenure in Chicago. He consistently threw more interceptions than he did touchdowns and, eventually, the team got tired of watching him struggle. That is why he is currently the third string quarterback for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Redskins</a> behind two rookies. </p>
<p>Will Skelton end up like Rex Grossman? It's hard to say. Like Grossman, his original team just might give up on him soon. But one thing has become inherently clear. Skelton is never going to be a starting force in the National Football League. </p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-cardinals/2012/12/10/3749800/john-skelton-proves-to-football-fans-that-he-will-be-a-career-backupTyler Nickel2012-12-10T08:28:08-07:002012-12-10T08:28:08-07:00Cardinals DT Dan Williams suffers hamstring injury
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<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Injury was added to insult Sunday when Dan Williams left the Cardinals' 58-0 loss with a tight hamstring. </p> <p>Lost in the worst defeat in <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a>' history was that key defensive lineman <span>Dan Williams</span> was forced from the game with a hamstring injury early in the second quarter.</p>
<p>With Williams down and DE <span>Darnell Dockett</span> riding the pine for much of the game, the Cardinals' already questionable run defense was exposed in a major way as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a> racked up 284 yards and four rushing touchdowns on 42 attempts.</p>
<p>Head coach Ken Whisenhunt did not address Williams' injury post-game so it remains unclear if this will be a day-to-day or week-to-week issue.</p>
<p>In other injury news, the Cardinals briefly lost yet another offensive lineman as center <span>Rich Ohrnberger</span> went sustained a knee injury. This forced recently signed rookie <span>Scott Wedige</span> into the first action of his brief NFL career and it wasn't too pretty as he botched his first snap. Luckily, Ohrnberger was eventually able to return which bodes well for his availability for next week's home game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a>.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-cardinals/2012/12/10/3750492/nfl-injury-report-cardinals-week-14Cody Ulm