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Cardinals Digest
Volume #1, Issue #6
Monday August 16th 2004
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Cardinals Suffer Un"Bear"able loss to Grizzlies
The 2-3 Cardinals faced another stern challenge this week against the 3-1 Hartford Grizzlies, it was yet another tight, defensive battle, but in the end it was also another home loss for the Redbirds.
With the help of 2 first quarter Cardinals turnovers, a McMurray fumble and interception, Hartford took a 3-0 lead at the end of 1 quarter.
A tight 2nd quarter gave way to a last minute 69 yard Hartford drive that they capped with a 1 yard TD run with only 1:12 left in the half to go up 10-0 at halftime.
The 2 teams traded possesions and pounding defense well into the 4th quarter before the Cardinals finaly broke thru.
A 15 yard Charles Yon punt return set St. Louis up at the Hartford 47 and 5 plays later Walter McKelvey dashed 17 yards for a TD and the first Cardinals score on the day, making it a 10-7 game with 9:16 left but the Cardinals would never threaten again, Hartford hunkered down and moved the ball enough to control field postion and blanketed Cardinals recievers, not allowing near enough movement for the Redbirds to ever get into FG position.
In the end it was a strong effort from a solid young defense, but it's clear that the offense, for whatever reason, is not up to their level yet, and until they are, we can expect alot of close games like today, Cards fans just wish they could find a way to win a few.
A Passing Fad
After last weeks rumblings from fans and commentators, it has to be noted that while they rushed the ball 22 times today, coach Nichols did in fact open up the passing game, as Mark McMurray threw 30 passes today, his most ever in an IFL game.
Nichols addressed the philosophy switch in his post game press conference. "It isn't about throwing more or running more, it's about what needs to be done, honestly i'm getting tired of the question, if we fell behind 30-0 and threw the ball 50 times you guys would come in here and ask me why we abonded the running game, I know what i'm doing, that's why i'm the coach and you're the reporters, you see what happens and comment on it, I see what happens and prepare 46 guys to go out next week and adjust to it".
Players Of The Week
Walter McKelvey gained 26 yards on 5 carries, while Alexis Winton struggled to gain just 42 yards on 13 carries.
Mark McMurray went 18-30 with 181 yards and 1 interception on the day.
Zachary Hall (5), Zachary Coward (4) and Brauer, McGriff and Desantis (3) all contributed to the Cardinals passing attack today.
Gil Langevin led the team with 8 tackles and 6 assists while Noel Daniels added 6 tackles and 2 assists.
Louie Maldanado Annibal Stafford each recorded a sack.
MIA
LB Robert Yates was held out of his 5th straight game, still sufering from a sprained knee, the coaches clearly want to get him back in action but as long as Annibal Stafford continues to play so well it's clear that Yates won't return until he's 100%. After losing Walter Borja for the year, the coaches don't wanna take any chances on another superbly talented young Linebacker.
Volume #1, Issue #6
Monday August 16th 2004
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cardinals Suffer Un"Bear"able loss to Grizzlies
The 2-3 Cardinals faced another stern challenge this week against the 3-1 Hartford Grizzlies, it was yet another tight, defensive battle, but in the end it was also another home loss for the Redbirds.
With the help of 2 first quarter Cardinals turnovers, a McMurray fumble and interception, Hartford took a 3-0 lead at the end of 1 quarter.
A tight 2nd quarter gave way to a last minute 69 yard Hartford drive that they capped with a 1 yard TD run with only 1:12 left in the half to go up 10-0 at halftime.
The 2 teams traded possesions and pounding defense well into the 4th quarter before the Cardinals finaly broke thru.
A 15 yard Charles Yon punt return set St. Louis up at the Hartford 47 and 5 plays later Walter McKelvey dashed 17 yards for a TD and the first Cardinals score on the day, making it a 10-7 game with 9:16 left but the Cardinals would never threaten again, Hartford hunkered down and moved the ball enough to control field postion and blanketed Cardinals recievers, not allowing near enough movement for the Redbirds to ever get into FG position.
In the end it was a strong effort from a solid young defense, but it's clear that the offense, for whatever reason, is not up to their level yet, and until they are, we can expect alot of close games like today, Cards fans just wish they could find a way to win a few.
A Passing Fad
After last weeks rumblings from fans and commentators, it has to be noted that while they rushed the ball 22 times today, coach Nichols did in fact open up the passing game, as Mark McMurray threw 30 passes today, his most ever in an IFL game.
Nichols addressed the philosophy switch in his post game press conference. "It isn't about throwing more or running more, it's about what needs to be done, honestly i'm getting tired of the question, if we fell behind 30-0 and threw the ball 50 times you guys would come in here and ask me why we abonded the running game, I know what i'm doing, that's why i'm the coach and you're the reporters, you see what happens and comment on it, I see what happens and prepare 46 guys to go out next week and adjust to it".
Players Of The Week
Walter McKelvey gained 26 yards on 5 carries, while Alexis Winton struggled to gain just 42 yards on 13 carries.
Mark McMurray went 18-30 with 181 yards and 1 interception on the day.
Zachary Hall (5), Zachary Coward (4) and Brauer, McGriff and Desantis (3) all contributed to the Cardinals passing attack today.
Gil Langevin led the team with 8 tackles and 6 assists while Noel Daniels added 6 tackles and 2 assists.
Louie Maldanado Annibal Stafford each recorded a sack.
MIA
LB Robert Yates was held out of his 5th straight game, still sufering from a sprained knee, the coaches clearly want to get him back in action but as long as Annibal Stafford continues to play so well it's clear that Yates won't return until he's 100%. After losing Walter Borja for the year, the coaches don't wanna take any chances on another superbly talented young Linebacker.