Category Archive for ‘Ron Wolfley’ at Doug & Wolf Blog

Two seasons ago the Phoenix Suns were the most exciting, cutting edge team in the National Basketball Association, the panacea to boring, back-it-down basketball – the future of the NBA. Last season the Phoenix Suns were the most exciting, cutting edge team in the National Basketball Association that couldn’t beat San Antonio. This season the Phoenix Suns look like every other average team in the Association.

The reasons for this are varied and often complicated but Dogma may have more to do with the Suns declivitous path than anything else.

According to dictionary.com:
Dogma: 1. a system of principles or tenets, as of a church.

The Suns believed they were good. The Suns knew they were good. The Suns believed they could win an NBA title. The Suns knew they were special. The Suns believed…

Belief is critical to the success of any entity; it’s the thing that keeps you grounded, together and on the same page when that entity is a human being and things are going well. Faith is critical to the success of any entity; it’s the thing that keeps you grounded, together and on the same page when that entity is a human being and things are not going well. Belief becomes faith when the fire’s flickering tongue begins to test one’s resolve.

Confidence is a must in the world of professional sports. People that get paid to perform in front of the masses because they possess a desired skill or vocation must be confident above all else or their doom is currently perched above their chamber door.

In order to be confident a person must believe in something that defines him/her or the collection of souls they call “team;” This belief system turns to faith when falling rocks come crashing down…and they will come crashing and you will be tested. Being a confident person or team means you know who you are, you know who your teammates are, you believe in where you’re going and you believe you know how to get there.

Confidence, individually or as a team, comes by experiencing success through “a system of principles or tenets.” Eventually, by experiencing success, this becomes a player’s or a team’s dogma.

This no longer appears to apply to Planet Orange. They have lost their mojo, their dogma.

The Suns are not a confident team. Their beliefs about themselves and their team no longer compel them to summon the requisite passions to play inspired basketball, special basketball. What they once knew about themselves and took for granted has washed upon the shore like a Pilgrim with a musket.

Unless the Suns can find a new system of principles and tenets, the dream is done. And that new system of principles and tenets sounds a lot like a rebuilding project, something that has been under way since the beginning of the season.

Wolf’s Chalkboard Chat - 1/19

Published by Doug & Wolf on January 20, 2009 in Ron Wolfley and Wolf's Chalkboard Chat. 0 Comments

Welcome! You have entered [Sports 620 KTAR] at 9:01 am
[imdchf@yahoo.com] 9:02 am: who was the mvp of the nfc
championship game?
[big red 43 09] 9:02 am: without a doubt it was fitz
[imdchf@yahoo.com] 9:03 am: is there a award for being the mvp
[big red 43 09] 9:03 am: not like the superbowl mvp
[Redskins Preston] 9:03 am: yes, the $$ promised in his contract
[Redskins Preston] 9:04 am: hizzah Wolfley !!
[WOLF] 9:04 am: Good morning, Basinonians. Shall we proceed?
[hardforcards] 9:05 am: wolf, the ‘art of war’ knew it all along!!!
[Redskins Preston] 9:05 am: the meet George Jetson music is a killer
[lumberjacks8] 9:05 am: How bout them CARDS
[ndarus] 9:05 am: I did not know it
[mwelch0428@cox.net] 9:05 am: Wolf - your singing led ESPNs First
Take interview with JJ Arrington a few minutes ago on ESPN2!!!
[WOLF] 9:06 am: The Cardinals have suddenly turned into a
battle-tested playoff team, capable of running the football and
stopping the run. Can you feel that?
[sandy] 9:06 am: Surreal. Still takin it all in!!
[ndarus] 9:06 am: ya it is a rummbling and a bumbling in my stomach
right now
[jeepjim] 9:07 am: I am so proud to be a Phoenix Cardinals
Fan……there’s one thing we need however……A TROPHY CASE!
[ndarus] 9:07 am: lol yep now w do need a trophy case
[big red 43 09] 9:07 am: do you thinks the cards can be competitive
against the steelers i want them to win so bad and i think they have a
good chance
[patricia] 9:07 am: HI Wolf! Great game yesterday!
[saintchad] 9:07 am: the 2 week break is a killer, i want the steelers
right now
[lumberjacks8] 9:07 am: We could not be happier. We got a letter on
Saturday from the Cardinals that we have tix for the game! See you in
Tampa Wolf.
[ndarus] 9:07 am: look at all the penalties given to the steeelrs verses
the cards
[WOLF] 9:08 am: How about Whiz going for it on 4th & 1 with
8-minutes to go in the game! Was that incredible?
[ndarus] 9:08 am: penalties willl be the factor
[WeDidTHISTogether] 9:08 am: Was AWESOME!
[zilla21] 9:08 am: that was awesome!
[fatlady] 9:08 am: The Defense REALLY reponded after the Int/Lost
Fumble to just give up a FG. That was huge!
[saintchad] 9:08 am: stones the size of boulders
[rstreeb] 9:08 am: The Red Sea definetly “rose up” yesterday!
[ndarus] 9:08 am: He is coach of th year easily
[sandy] 9:08 am: No guts No glory!!
[patricia] 9:08 am: I was amazed and never prayed so much during a
football game!
[big red 43 09] 9:08 am: that’s what championship teams are made of
[Jericho] 9:08 am: I made that call. I told my buddy they HAD to go for it
at that point. I love the guts Whiz shows!
[fatlady] 9:08 am: great call by WHIZ!
[patricia] 9:09 am: So does the wife get to go to Tampa with you?
[TychoAZ] 9:09 am: That call on 4th and 1 is exactly why we brought
Coach Wiz to Arizona. Don’t forget that he knows the Steelers system;
it could be a huge advantage to us in the Super Bowl
[Redskins Preston] 9:09 am: only if she pays her own way
[ndarus] 9:09 am: true whiz has the advantage easily
[zilla21] 9:09 am: that’s just wrong!
[WOLF] 9:09 am: I will be taking the Beautiful Miss Stephanie and
Savannah Shea with me to Tampa!
[big red 43 09] 9:09 am: but in the same respect alot of those guys
played for whiz it goes both ways
[WeDidTHISTogether] 9:10 am: Wiz drew up schemes agains Le
Beau….gotta like our chances but already a 6 1/2 point dogs…..but we
OWN the underdog role!
[ndarus] 9:10 am: ya but they did not have warner, fitz, and a great
defense
[fatlady] 9:10 am: The beach will be fun!
[Redskins Preston] 9:10 am: daughters can stay at the Motel 6 for free
!!!
[patricia] 9:10 am: She is a lucky woman. What do you think their
chances are ?
[saintchad] 9:10 am: Haley vs. Labeau, great battle
[lumberjacks8] 9:10 am: any bonus codes today would help
[Jericho] 9:10 am: As THE voice of the Cards on the radio and as a
former player I say TAKE THE RING! :^)
[patricia] 9:11 am: Will this become a new chapter in the book you are
writing?
[zilla21] 9:11 am: TAKE THE RING! Or you can give it to me.
[fatlady] 9:11 am: the last Super Bowl in Tampa, The Ravens killed the
Giants.
[mnir1972@yahoo.com] 9:11 am: Wolf, what are the chances the Cards
have to win? the Steelers are tough, especially Polamalu.
[ross.tucker@cox.net] 9:11 am: WOLF…why do you think that
Kurt/Haley stopped going to Fitz and Edge in the 3rd quarter? That was
scary my brutha!!!
[fatlady] 9:11 am: I think that Anquan is pissed!
[patricia] 9:12 am: Wolf, will you include this experience in your book?
[ndarus] 9:12 am: I hope Anquan is pissed he needs to go somewhere
else after this year we have a wonderful arsenal of talent.
[zilla21] 9:12 am: what happened with Q? i didn’t know anything about
that until i got home and saw it on tv.
[ross.tucker@cox.net] 9:12 am: Yeah…Anquan wasn’t happy was he?
He didn’t get the ball much.
[Redskins Preston] 9:12 am: what can they do that the Steelers won’t
expect?? SOmething that will really take the Steelers out of their
game??????
[fatlady] 9:12 am: The Cards offense really took advantage of the Eagles
aggressivness!
[azffm] 9:12 am: I wonder what Q said to Haley. Cause you read
Haleys lip saying Don’t call me that, Don’t call me that!
[ndarus] 9:12 am: play defense is what they need to do
[ndarus] 9:12 am: and sack roth like a million times
[brutusjoe] 9:12 am: what did happen with haley and boldin on the
sidelines wolf?
[mnir1972@yahoo.com] 9:12 am: I about had a heart attack when the
Cards looked like they were going to give the game away yesterday.
Thank God they stood their ground and won. I am excited beyond belief.
[saintchad] 9:13 am: they definitely need to get in Big Ben’s kitchen
[TychoAZ] 9:13 am: With 2 weeks to get ready, I think Q will be a much
bigger factor in the SB
[ndarus] 9:13 am: Boldin got pulled and did not like it
[ross.tucker@cox.net] 9:13 am: I bet he wanted the ball and he wasn’t
getting it.
[brutusjoe] 9:13 am: that was obvious but what ahppened after
[patricia] 9:13 am: but he wasn’t what the game needed!!!
[big red 43 09] 9:13 am: i think Q will be having a career game against
the steelers
[Gary] 9:13 am: Time to start gathering everyone together for Superbowl
in AZ? U of PHX Stadium or Chase Field on the Big Screen?
[Philly2Phx] 9:14 am: Why did the Cards keep trying to run up the
middle? Was that just to psych them out for the pass?
[saintchad] 9:14 am: Q will be playing for dollars
[ndarus] 9:14 am: I think fitz will have another big game
[ross.tucker@cox.net] 9:14 am: Big screen…good idea. I hope they do
it!
[patricia] 9:14 am: he just make any big plays. i don’t know if it was the
hamstring or just that they had him covered, but he couln’t do anything.
[mnir1972@yahoo.com] 9:14 am: Q isn’t T.O. Sure, he wanted to be
part of the action, but I think he was upset cuz the coaching staff
wanted to keep him out for the sake of his hammy.
[ndarus] 9:14 am: Larry Larry Larry Larry Larry
[ndarus] 9:14 am: He was covered very closely
[ross.tucker@cox.net] 9:14 am: That’s a good thought mnir
[WOLF] 9:15 am: Let me just say that screaming matches between
players and coaches are not uncommon. I will find out what
happened and let you know. But don’t sweat a screaming
match…they happen.
[zilla21] 9:15 am: good point
[fatlady] 9:15 am: Fitz is better than TO, Moss or anyone else!
[ndarus] 9:15 am: that is a good thought
[mnir1972@yahoo.com] 9:15 am: We don’t allow prima donnas here in
AZ.
[ndarus] 9:15 am: Fitz is the bomb sha bomb
[patricia] 9:15 am: Wolf, are you still out there?????
[Redskins Preston] 9:15 am: guess the Cards were sandbagging their
last 6 reg season games
[ross.tucker@cox.net] 9:15 am: If they beat the Steelers and Anquan is
a big part of that, then that will be a good call
[azffm] 9:15 am: Thats for sure! L FITZ is da bomb
[zilla21] 9:15 am: Is an MVP picked in an NFC Championship game?
[brutusjoe] 9:15 am: maybe he can channel the anger and use against
the steelers
[saintchad] 9:15 am: Wolf, isn’t it great the Cards will be playing for the
Championship at the home of the Pirates
[saintchad] 9:15 am: ARRRRRRRRRRR
[TychoAZ] 9:16 am: That screen pass to Timmy for the last TD was one
of the gutsiest calls I’ve ever seen
[WOLF] 9:16 am: I have to leave, my friends. I have a meeting.
God Bless you guys! Stay together and don’t get bent.
[brutusjoe] 9:16 am: lol
[patricia] 9:16 am: Wolf, do they get rings for winning the NFC
championship?
[ndarus] 9:16 am: I don’t like the safe play the cards played in the third
quarter playing halfway though. They need to play 100%
[ross.tucker@cox.net] 9:16 am: YOu too bro!
[ndarus] 9:16 am: Later Wolf
[fatlady] 9:16 am: Could someone help me out with the 5:50AM Word of
the Day?
[ndarus] 9:17 am: Tampa
[Gary] 9:17 am: Me too was listening and missed it
[mnir1972@yahoo.com] 9:17 am: The defense is going to be key if
we’re going to make it to the Promise Land. We have to shut down Big
Ben and stomp those Steelers down at the line of scrimmage.
[lumberjacks8] 9:17 am: did anyone get the overtime bonus code???
[Gary] 9:17 am: Thnks
[fatlady] 9:17 am: thanks a lot indarus!
[Gary] 9:17 am: FITZ
[ndarus] 9:17 am: We need to sack him a million times
[ndarus] 9:17 am: Bruise and batter Roth
[ndarus] 9:18 am: Fitz
[ndarus] 9:18 am: yw fatlady
[lumberjacks8] 9:18 am: Thx
[ndarus] 9:18 am: yw
[ndarus] 9:18 am: yw lumberjack
[mnir1972@yahoo.com] 9:19 am: Fitz was da BOMB yesterday.
Edgerrin was great too. It’s about time we got a running game that did
something and kept us from being one dimensional.
[lumberjacks8] 9:19 am: anyone have the 10,000 bonus code for the
Aeron Chair???
[ndarus] 9:19 am: ya we will need to run
[mnir1972@yahoo.com] 9:19 am: Hightower needs to step it up a notch
and quit trying to go up the middle.
[ndarus] 9:20 am: the outside worked great for the ravens and the inside
was hollow though.
[ndarus] 9:20 am: We need to do short throws and stay away from
polimolou
[mnir1972@yahoo.com] 9:21 am: But the Steelers will not leave the
middle open, I know it. And Polamalu is too big a threat to just keep
throwing it.
[ndarus] 9:21 am: true running on first only is a good option but to the
outside with james or hightower
[ndarus] 9:22 am: and then short passes or crossovers are the key to
open players not doubled
[mnir1972@yahoo.com] 9:22 am: Our offensive line better learn how to
make holes so our runners can get the long yardage.
[ndarus] 9:22 am: offensive line is the key to the game
[Gary] 9:23 am: Whisenhut should know Big Ben’s tendencys even if
Tomlin has changed the playbook
[mnir1972@yahoo.com] 9:23 am: Yeah, but defense wins
championships.
[ndarus] 9:23 am: Warner will have to throw some balls away
[ndarus] 9:23 am: Yep good pressure on the quarterback
[Gary] 9:23 am: That should help the Defense
[ndarus] 9:23 am: time of possession is key too
[ndarus] 9:24 am: The faster the cards can get down the field the more
advantage verse the steelers who take long periods to get down field
[mnir1972@yahoo.com] 9:24 am: Maybe, but the way Larry can catch
balls out of thin air, I don’t think we’ll have too many problems with that.
Plus having Q back at full strength will really help. Did anyone notice
that Breaston wasn’t in the game at all it seemed.
[ndarus] 9:25 am: I think it was for safety too
[mnir1972@yahoo.com] 9:25 am: He’s young, let the kid play.
[ndarus] 9:25 am: He returns the ball on every kick off so they were
being safe for injury sake
[ndarus] 9:25 am: Who else would return the ball just as good as the kid
[mnir1972@yahoo.com] 9:26 am: I vaguely seeing him return 1 or 2
kickoffs.
[ndarus] 9:26 am: He had around fourty yards in the game
[ndarus] 9:27 am: Using more than one player helped spread the
offensive including the line man on that 2 point conversion
[ndarus] 9:27 am: That is key also
[mnir1972@yahoo.com] 9:27 am: What about Urban? He caught one
pass then nothing. He’s really stepped up his game in recent weeks.
[ndarus] 9:27 am: That is why fitz was so open on that touchdown.
[ndarus] 9:27 am: Urban caught a key pass
[ndarus] 9:27 am: so did boldin near the end of the game
[mnir1972@yahoo.com] 9:28 am: Gotta go. We’ll talk 2morrow. This
was fun.
[ndarus] 9:28 am: and important catches in the game matter
[ndarus] 9:28 am: talk to you then

Wolf’s Chalkboard Chat - 10/27

Published by Doug & Wolf on October 27, 2008 in Ron Wolfley and Wolf's Chalkboard Chat. 0 Comments

Welcome! You have entered [Sports 620 KTAR] at 9:17 am
[RASVEGAS] 9:17 am: Wolf…what did you think of that run by steve
smith where he clearly stepped out of bounds?
[RASVEGAS] 9:18 am: I know they should have made the tacke…but…
[WOLF] 9:18 am: Good morning, my friends.
[eyeshield21] 9:18 am: morning wolf
[thespiderbat] 9:18 am: morning wolf
[RASVEGAS] 9:18 am: Good morning my brutha
[eyeshield21] 9:19 am: do you think that the Cardinals will ever learn
how to wrap up when tackling?
[WOLF] 9:19 am: What shall we discuss?
[RASVEGAS] 9:19 am: That steve smith OUT OF BOUNDS TD
[laslar2@cox.net] 9:19 am: Can we start with why the officiating differs
from state to state??
[dg06] 9:19 am: Dirk Johnson messing up on two key plays
[thespiderbat] 9:19 am: Heartbreaker yesterday, but i think it will
motivate them and they will rip the Rams up.
[WOLF] 9:20 am: Steve Smith was out of bounds. His cleat mark
proved it.
[RASVEGAS] 9:20 am: Yes indeed! Robbed again!!!!!!!!!
[RASVEGAS] 9:20 am: They still should have wrapped him up and
made that tackle though
[laslar2@cox.net] 9:20 am: Rolle should have made that tackles’
[WOLF] 9:20 am: Dirk Johnson had a tough day but he’s punting
much better and that’s encouraging.
[thespiderbat] 9:20 am: It happens alot in the NFL, it’s not perfect
[cbobstay] 9:20 am: Just wanted to say I like where the programming is
headed.
[Mike] 9:21 am: Maybe he should pass with his leg!
[RASVEGAS] 9:21 am: Love the chat Wolf
[eyeshield21] 9:21 am: Do punters ever practice throwing the ball?
Because Dirk sure did lob that ball very softly
[RASVEGAS] 9:21 am: Seems like y’all are making improvements on a
weekly basis. LOVE IT!!!
[thespiderbat] 9:21 am: he’s a punter what do you want?
[WOLF] 9:21 am: The tackling yesterday was as bad as it was
good against the Cowboys. Take away the Marion Barber 70 TD
play and the Cards tackled better than I’ve seen them in years.
[RASVEGAS] 9:21 am: God Bless everybody…I gotta TRY to get some
work done!!!
[RASVEGAS] 9:22 am: Yer right Wolf! As usual my brutha. later
[dg06] 9:22 am: I want him to do his job, which is handle a snap and get
it down for the extra point attempt
[WOLF] 9:22 am: Dirk practiced that play all week and he did it
well but it’s a different ballgame on Sunday.
[Mike] 9:23 am: I LOVE the fact that Whiz called that fake kick. The
strategy was sound. The execution failed.
[dg06] 9:23 am: I still like the play call
[eyeshield21] 9:23 am: Do you think Edge will see his role decreased
after his speaking to the media before the game and then his poor
performance on Sunday?
[thespiderbat] 9:23 am: Wolf what do you see the record at at the end of
the season?
[laslar2@cox.net] 9:23 am: Wolf-are we going to see Edge less and
less or same as usual. It may be time to move on now that we got
Hightower and we culd use the money on Boldin or Dansby?
[WOLF] 9:23 am: The startegy was sound. I’d rather have a coach
that isn’t afraid to make a call than one that worried about what
others might say.
[Mike] 9:24 am: Right on!
[aodogui] 9:24 am: What is the deal with Rolle he is not looking too
good he needs to wrap up instead of just trying to hit guys with his
shoulder.
[thespiderbat] 9:24 am: Really want to see the Cards keep Q, Dansby,
A-Dub, and Big Gabe
[WOLF] 9:24 am: Speaking out and fumbling in a game is usually
not a good combination.
[eyeshield21] 9:24 am: Aaron Francisco did the same thing on the TD
run
[nferriby] 9:25 am: Wolf, when you watch the replay of the hit Anquan
took do you think both players should have been fined? -To me it looked
like they BOTH were trying to use the helmut as a weapon.
[eyeshield21] 9:25 am: Dude Quan was defenseless, he didnt even see
the hit coming
[Mike] 9:25 am: Was Aaron healthy enough to play effectively? He’s
usually doesn’t miss too many tackles.
[nferriby] 9:26 am: true that eyeshield!
[WOLF] 9:26 am: I worry about Antrelle Rolle and his tackling
ability. I have been ripped for this on many message boards but
your safety is the last line of defense. They are called safeties for
a reason. He needs to tackle better.
[laslar2@cox.net] 9:26 am: Was it me or did it look like there was some
holding going on with one of the receivers on that last 3rd and long play
that bascially sealed the game?
[WOLF] 9:27 am: Aaron Francisco is one of my favorite p[layers
but he needs to wrap when he tackles!
[eyeshield21] 9:27 am: Rod Hood did a good job on Steve Smith, but it
boggles the mind to think that the Cardinals didnt shade a safety over to
help Hood on both his TD catches.
[laslar2@cox.net] 9:27 am: yup
[laslar2@cox.net] 9:28 am: BUt thats football-it’s bascially a guessing
game
[eyeshield21] 9:28 am: true but with a guy of Smith’s speed and caliber,
you should always have a safety on him
[WOLF] 9:28 am: They put a safety over the top on his 65-yard TD
but didn’t on the fade-route. Rod Hood did do a great job.
[WOLF] 9:29 am: Was anyone else disappointed in how our
defense responded once the team went up 17-3?
[eyeshield21] 9:30 am: Its like they fell asleep
[eyeshield21] 9:30 am: i mean they contained the panthers ebautifully
for the first half
[eyeshield21] 9:30 am: and then suddenly there was no fire
[Mike] 9:30 am: Wolf….. Couldn’t agree more with your Singletary
take. I loved his passion, but if he pulls that crap on a daily basis he’s
toast. Let’s hope he keeps it up until after the Cards play them on
Monday night :o)
[mitch] 9:30 am: I still thought the touchdown should have been
reversed, but then again the tackles should have been made as well.
Does anyone think the game out come would have changed if the call
was reversed?
[laslar2@cox.net] 9:30 am: Seemed like they relaxed. I was telling my
buddies that they had never been in that position before, so they”ll
probably screw it up and they did.
[WOLF] 9:31 am: The Panthers ran six-plays: +14, +13, +31, +3, +4,
+15 (TD).
[centers37] 9:31 am: What your thoughts on why the Cardinals def
came out so flat in the second half?
[nferriby] 9:31 am: Yeah I was thinking maybe they CAN win on the
road and then it reminded me of the Bears Monday Night Game!
[eyeshield21] 9:31 am: foosha!
[WOLF] 9:31 am: Yeah, Sing Sing can’t be a screamer every day.
It won’t work…but he knows this, my friend.
[eyeshield21] 9:32 am: Do you think we will see more of this spread
ofeense or is it more of a take what the defense will give you approach?
The panthers did a great job of containing our run yesterday.
[laslar2@cox.net] 9:32 am: word.
[aodogui] 9:33 am: Where was the blitzing we needed to get after their
QB more. It worked earlier with dansby.
[laslar2@cox.net] 9:33 am: they stopped the run cause edge is about
as fast as my lawn mower!
[dg06] 9:33 am: What are some positives you take from yesterdays
loss, is it safe to say Kurt Warner is locked in!
[cardsfan15] 9:33 am: What are you thoughts on getting away from the
run game so much?
[eyeshield21] 9:33 am: Tim Hightower was stuffed as well, save for his
touchdown run he got nothing on his runs
[laslar2@cox.net] 9:34 am: yeah but edge drives me crazy some
times…
[eyeshield21] 9:34 am: yeah Edge is done in AZ for all intents and
purposes
[WOLF] 9:34 am: The Cards only dressed 1-TE for the game
because Pope and Patrick were hurt. This limited what the Cards
could do in the running game. But make no mistake, we throw
the ball better than we run it. So why run it? To prove a
philosophy?
[laslar2@cox.net] 9:34 am: Wolf’s the man
[centers37] 9:35 am: tru
[nferriby] 9:35 am: Warner is such a great passer, they should just stick
with what they know works.
[WOLF] 9:35 am: I would like to be a balanced team, offensively.
But I would prefer to win. Does this make sense?
[eyeshield21] 9:35 am: its true but its nice to be able to control the
clock in the second half when we needed it
[mitch] 9:35 am: They couldn’t stop the pass. I questioned why we
even tried to run.
[nferriby] 9:35 am: the wr’s we have are very talented too.
[Mike] 9:35 am: What’s the poop with Pope? I know injuries are
unavoidable, but, in your opinion, is he soft? He doesn’t get down the
field after a catch. He seems to get knocked over by the wind if they
leave the doors open too long!
[WOLF] 9:36 am: I agree, but don’t give up on the running game
just yet. Remember, they couldn’t use one of their favorite run
personnel groups: 2-TE’s.
[laslar2@cox.net] 9:36 am: I heard some crap about the cards high
powered passing offense is eqevilant to the suns with d’antonie…simular
in the fact that it can’t win championships-break it down for me wolf..
[eyeshield21] 9:37 am: the high power offense can win if we could
actually tackle on defense, lol
[centers37] 9:37 am: will the Cardinals make an attempt to bring in
another TE this week ?
[laslar2@cox.net] 9:37 am: Is Chuck Cecil still in shape??
[WOLF] 9:37 am: Did the Ramd win a SB being one-dimensional?
Yes. How about the Ravens? All they could do is run the ball.
Scooring points is what matters.
[aodogui] 9:37 am: Man Warner looked good yesterday and he didn’t
even have much time. He took many hits, what a warrior.
[nico] 9:37 am: the defense looked good the first half but then decided
not to tackle
[mitch] 9:38 am: No don’t give up on the running game. But against this
defense the run should have been thrown out the window. We have the
best passing team in the league.
[eyeshield21] 9:38 am: Warner looked very mobile in the Pocket, I was
really impressed with Warner’s footwork
[laslar2@cox.net] 9:38 am: dido
[WOLF] 9:39 am: Kurt Warner is playing at a Pro Bowl level.
Shoot, if the Cards won more games he’d be an MVP candidate
right now!
[laslar2@cox.net] 9:39 am: Does the coach ever do tackleing drills-like
back to the basics tackling drills?
[Mike] 9:39 am: Amen
[eyeshield21] 9:40 am: Well Warner heads back to the Dome, he
always does great there. I dont see anything on the Rams defense to
stop us. Hopefully we can pull out a W.
[WOLF] 9:40 am: It’s hard to do LIVE tackling drills in practice
once the season starts. You can’t afford to have injuries. But the
cards aren’t alone in this.
[laslar2@cox.net] 9:41 am: It makes sense but all that money for a
shoulder or arm tackle is kinda BS….it looked like the special teams
was tackling better yesterday.
[WOLF] 9:42 am: Brothers and Sisters. it is time for me to go.
Thank you for joining me in this chat and I’ll see you next week
at 9:15.
[WOLF] 9:42 am: PEACE
[eyeshield21] 9:42 am: later Wolf
[mitch] 9:42 am: Warner will make the pro bowl, as long as he stays
healthy all season. The 5 receiver set looked great. They need to stick
with their strenghts
[centers37] 9:42 am: thanks Wolf
[aodogui] 9:42 am: later Wolf.
[laslar2@cox.net] 9:42 am: later wolf
[nferriby] 9:42 am: ttyl

Wolf’s Chalkboard Chat - 10/20

Published by Doug & Wolf on October 20, 2008 in Ron Wolfley and Wolf's Chalkboard Chat. 0 Comments

Welcome! You have entered [Sports 620 KTAR] at 9:19 am

[jemeser] 9:20 am: Looking forward to a tough fought game this Sunday

in Carolina. Give us some insight as toi what the linemen have to do for

AZ to push the ball ove the goaline.

[WOLF] 9:20 am: Welcome, brothers and sisters of the Basin.

Proceed…

[jemeser] 9:22 am: This looks like it will be a better game than Dallas

was. Some good old fashioned physical battles in the trenches.

[cardswinontheroad] 9:22 am: Wolf… Carolina looks awfully good at

home. We did have the bye week to get healthy, how are you feeling

about the trip?

[WOLF] 9:22 am: Of which game do you speak, my friend?

[Turambar] 9:23 am: Perhaps he is refering to the Cardinals matchup?

[WOLF] 9:23 am: The odds don’t look good. Teams from the West

traveling East are 0-12 in 2008!

[Cardsfan50] 9:24 am: Carolina won yesterday, so maybe they won’t be

as hyngry for a win.

[jemeser] 9:24 am: Will arriving there early to prepare give a better

chance then it did on the last road trip (more familiarity with the

process)?

[Dino] 9:24 am: Quick question Wolf - What do you think, were the

Rams that good or was Dallas that bad in their matchup on Sunday?

[cardswinontheroad] 9:24 am: There is no getting around the travel but

can’t the NFL do something about this many West to East trips.

[WOLF] 9:24 am: I’m glad Carolina beat New Orleans! This will be

a great litmus test for the Cards.

[WOLF] 9:25 am: Dallas was that bad on Sunday. Brad Johnson

looked like he never played in the league before.

[Cardsfan50] 9:26 am: Are the Cards leaving early or doing anything

special?

[WOLF] 9:26 am: The NFL should schedule any west to east trip

for a 4:oo pm start. That would give west coast teams a better

chance.

[Dino] 9:26 am: My thoughts exactly - I know I’m looking ahead but how

do you see the Red Birds faring agianst the Rams in St. Louis

[WOLF] 9:26 am: The Cards are leaving on Friday as they have on

every east-coast trip.

[WOLF] 9:27 am: The cardinals are a team in bloom, right now.

They are a mystery and only time (and road games) will

determine how good they’re going to be in 2008.

[jemeser] 9:29 am: With regard to starting the games latter in the East

time zone because the West coast teams have done so poorly this

seaon. Is this a new phenomena? Has the west team traveling to the

east really dione that badly for the past oh, say 5 decades?

[WOLF] 9:29 am: Playing at home is like leading the band in the

parade. Playing on the road is like following the elephants in the

parade with a shovel.

[Cardsfan50] 9:29 am: LOL, good analogy Wolf

[cardswinontheroad] 9:30 am: It seems that West Coast teams are have

to travel to the East Coast more than ever before for this year. It won’t

be like this next season.

[WOLF] 9:30 am: I can’t say for certain, but I do know how tough it

was when I played. Traveling back East meant trying to sleep at

7:00 pm and getting up at 4:00 am (Pacific time)

[phxsunsfan] 9:32 am: Hey Doug….what is an “insepid” gonad &

“french” uppercut

[WOLF] 9:32 am: Whatever the schedule, a policy should be

adopted where any team traveling East should play at 4.

[jemeser] 9:32 am: Any thoughts on the regular season expanding to 18

games?

[WOLF] 9:33 am: I am Wolf, not Doug-leese. Insipid-dull, without

flavor. French Uppercut deals with an attack on one’s cradle.

[Cardsfan50] 9:33 am: Thankfully, playing later in the day did not help

Seattle last night.

[jemeser] 9:33 am: Would they take away one or two preseason

games? Expand the rosters?

[WOLF] 9:33 am: I think it’s going to happen but I believe it is still

2-3 years away.

[jemeser] 9:34 am: Make it part of the collecting barganing chip to

entice the players to keep from a work stoppage?

[WOLF] 9:34 am: They would take away preseason games. The

rosters would remain. The question becomes, how much more do

players get and how is the revenue going to be shared.

[phxsunsfan] 9:34 am: Thx for answer….do you think Hines will get fined

for yesterday’s hit?

[WOLF] 9:35 am: He should not be fined. I am growing tired of the

player-safety policy in the NFL. Although I am all for player

safety, it’s not a safe game.

[eyeshield21] 9:37 am: Hey Wolf do you think the Cards will start off

sluggishly again on the east coast or do you have any indication that

they will come out well oiled against the Panthers?

[jemeser] 9:37 am: This game was my passion in the 70’s and 80’s but

rule changes have changed the dynamics of the game. I still love it, but

do you believe it is the game it was back when you played?

[Bloodsport] 9:38 am: Wolf….will the Cards win 10 games?

[WOLF] 9:38 am: I think this team is growing. They are in the

process of discovering if they’re a good team. The road remains

the only hurdle. Having said that, I think they’ll play very well in

Carolina.

[WOLF] 9:39 am: It is not the same game. They punishment for not

paying attention is being weeded out of the game.

[WOLF] 9:40 am: I think the Cards are going to win 10-games and

win the division. That has been my prediction from day-one.

[eyeshield21] 9:41 am: The Rams seem to be responding to their new

coach. Do you think that the Rams have turned it around or is Dallas

really just not that good?

[WOLF] 9:42 am: I think the Rams are playing better because

Linehan was not popular in the locker room. But Dallas has just

gone in the tank. They are a soft football team.

[Sensei11] 9:42 am: Good morning my fellow not-so-young cronk

brother…What is the latest prognosis on Boldin’s return?

[jemeser] 9:42 am: Thanks Wolf. Great to talk with you!

[WOLF] 9:43 am: I am going over to the facility after this chat. I’ll

have a full report on tomorrow’s show.

[cardswinontheroad] 9:43 am: Will Dallas recover in that tough division?

[Sensei11] 9:44 am: I was very impressed with the way that the defense

played against Dallas, do you think that the Cardinals will maintain that

level of play?

[WOLF] 9:44 am: Dallas is just too good to not make the playoffs.

Don’t count them out yet.

[eyeshield21] 9:44 am: Is their any word that the Cards will be staying

out east again for this road trip? I think it was a good idea on the first

one.

[WOLF] 9:45 am: If the defense balls like it did against Dallas, this

team will become a viable alternative to the favorites in the NFC.

[WOLF] 9:46 am: It is time for me to go, my friends. I’ll see you

next week at 9:15. Peace, and remember, the true measure of a

man can be found in his capacity to love. Spartans, prepare for

glory!

[eyeshield21] 9:46 am: thank you wolf

[admin] 9:46 am: Thank you for joining Wolf’s Chalkboard Chat and we

will see you next week.

[Sensei11] 9:46 am: Great talking with you - have a Zen day…

Wolf’s Chalkboard Chat - 10/13

Published by Doug & Wolf on October 14, 2008 in Ron Wolfley and Wolf's Chalkboard Chat. 0 Comments

Welcome! You have entered [Sports 620 KTAR] at 4:14 pm
[WOLF] 4:15 pm: Shall we begin?
[WOLF] 4:15 pm: What sayeth thou about Big Red, my friends?
[rich] 4:16 pm: wolf do u thinf the cardinals will make the playoffs?
[WOLF] 4:16 pm: Yes. I think they’ll win the division. That was my
prediction at the beginning of the year and it hasn’t changed.
[rich] 4:17 pm: were there any key injuries yesterday
[Bret] 4:17 pm: What goes thru a players mind when play after play is
overturned and the emotions have more than likely already exploded out
of your skin???
[WOLF] 4:18 pm: Not that I know of. And injury could be the only
thing that keeps the Cards from winning the division.
[ecaringo] 4:18 pm: Wolf, Doesn’t seem the defense has much improved
when Gabe Watson came back to close the middle and free up
Dockett. Ernie
[cafaro12] 4:18 pm: what is up with the officiating this year? Are they
that inept that they keep blowing the same calls game after game?
[WOLF] 4:19 pm: You get down. You think that fate is not on your
side. When it happens over and over it becomes part of the
culture. This is what Coach Whiz is trying to change.
[WOLF] 4:19 pm: Yes.
[WOLF] 4:20 pm: Gabe Watson has changed the dynamic for the
Cards.
[Bret] 4:20 pm: Speaking of Coach Whiz- Is he the Coach of the Year
leader right now?
[WOLF] 4:21 pm: I think Whiz has done a remarkable job but Mike
Smith from Atlanta has the inside track.
[frank] 4:21 pm: Wolf, this win obviously puts the Cards in the drivers
seat to win the division, but what are your thoughts about what this
does for the hated Cowboys? Big win for the Cards, but bigger LOSS
for the ‘boys?
[cafaro12] 4:21 pm: speaking of the Falcons, they are kind of a mirror of
the cardinals, only their young QB has a clue
[WOLF] 4:22 pm: Bigger loss for the Cowboys. They play in the
toughest division in the league and now they lose Romo.
[Martyg] 4:23 pm: Romo got hurt?
[How’boutdemCards] 4:23 pm: Who is Dallas’ backup QB anyways?
[WOLF] 4:23 pm: Matt Ryan has been impressive. I’m not ready to
give up on Leinart.
[WOLF] 4:24 pm: Brad Johnson is Romo’s backup.
[Bret] 4:24 pm: Wolf…you do a great job on the broadcasts. Thanks for
being “out there” and exciting. It makes the game an experience.
[ecaringo] 4:25 pm: What is wrong with our prevent defense or did we
have one?
[WOLF] 4:25 pm: Thank you. I don’t do national broadcasts, I do
Cards broadcasts for Cardinals fans.
[Martyg] 4:26 pm: whats wrong with Tony Romo?
[WOLF] 4:26 pm: We had a prevent defense but we didn’t tackle
well on the Barber 70-yard TD. That was one of the few plays
where the Cards didn’t tackle well.
[WOLF] 4:27 pm: Tony Romo broke his finger and I’ll bet you he
broke the finger when Okeafor slapped the ball from his hand in
OT.
[frank] 4:27 pm: Story on ESPN says he could be out a month.
[WOLF] 4:27 pm: That sounds about right.
[Lewis] 4:28 pm: Did we do anything differently that allowed us to get
pressure on Romo?
[WOLF] 4:29 pm: That’s the best part of it, my friend. The Cards
rushed four and got pressure on Romo. When you can rush 4 and
drop 7 into coverage, you have a HUGE advantage on defense.
[ecaringo] 4:29 pm: Do you think the Cards will try to work a deal for
Tony Gonzalas? Would you give them Leanard Pope and a third?
[How’boutdemCards] 4:30 pm: The Cards should be healthier and well
prepared when heading east this time right Wolf? We should expect
different team in Carolina?
[WOLF] 4:30 pm: No. I don’t think they can fit him under the
salary-cap. But, if they could, I’d be willing to give up a 2nd and a
5th round pick (2010).
[frank] 4:31 pm: Wolf, the Giants showed in the Super Bowl that if you
can get pressure on the quarterback, especially with the front 4, you
can beat ANYONE. More and more teams seem to be subscribing to
this strategy, and it looks like that’s also how the Cards got the win.
What are your thoughts?
[WOLF] 4:32 pm: The confidence the Cards gained against Dallas
should pay dividends on the road. Coach Whiz believes this is the
difference between good road teams and bad road teams.
[Lewis] 4:32 pm: It seems we were rotating Dockett in and out of the
game… was that to keep him fresh? It seems we are doing that more
with Watson healthy.
[WOLF] 4:32 pm: You are correct, my friend. But this is not
anything new. The problem is, do you have four guys that can get
there?
[WOLF] 4:33 pm: Yes.
[WOLF] 4:33 pm: This is the biggest difference in the defense this
year: a rotation that goes 8-deep.
[Lewis] 4:34 pm: Will Breaston’s role be increased even after Boldin
gets back?
[dmannavy] 4:35 pm: Wolf (howl) I cant believe this talk about T.Gon.
This is not what the Cards need to get them over the proverbial “hump”.
Are there even enough passes to go around to him with Breaston
coming into his own. Shouldnt we be talking about bolstering the “D”
instead of picking up the best TE in the game?
[WOLF] 4:35 pm: No. The Cards need him to be that 3rd receiver
but Warner likes to spread the ball. Remember, QB’s go through
progressions. Warner throws the ball to whomever is open.
[frank] 4:35 pm: Wolf, I know it’s early in the season still, but if you
could predict the playoff berths in the NFC (knowing what we now know)
how do you see it panning out?
[JOSH] 4:36 pm: HELLO
[WOLF] 4:36 pm: Gonzalez is just talk, an interesting proposition
but just a proposition nonetheless.
[LT56] 4:36 pm: This is the scariest time for Cardinal’s fans. Momentum
is on our side and the team is somewhat healthy going into the bye
week. What we really need to avoid is breaking a hand answering the
phone(T.Jones), falling through a window and slicing an arm(C.Pace).
And this win only means we can’t finish worse than 4-12. True Cardinal’s
fans should know by now not to hold there breathe. They still need to
‘prove it’ by finsishing the year in the playoffs.
[WOLF] 4:36 pm: Giants win the East.
[WOLF] 4:37 pm: New Orleans wins the South.
[Lewis] 4:37 pm: Maybe the Cards will use more 3 and 4 wide receiver
sets, with the added confidence in Breaston.
[WOLF] 4:37 pm: Arizona wins the West.
[WOLF] 4:37 pm: Bears win the North.
[JOSH] 4:37 pm: WHAT HAPPENS IF WARNER GETS HURT
[WOLF] 4:38 pm: Cowboys and Redskins are Wild Cards.
[JOSH] 4:38 pm: HI DARREN
[darren] 4:39 pm: hi josh
[brad h] 4:39 pm: I was at the Game and it was great to see the cowboy
fan leave with thier mouth closed
[darren] 4:39 pm: the worst officiating ever
[WOLF] 4:39 pm: You don’t need to force Breaston into the lineup.
There are many opportunities for the Cards to go 3-wides in a
ballgame. This is a common personnel package in the NFL.
[WOLF] 4:39 pm: Warner gets hurt and the Cards are in trouble.
[brad h] 4:39 pm: I agree wolf, he is still young lot to learn
[darren] 4:40 pm: will we see more doucette?
[JOSH] 4:40 pm: yeah that will ruin the season for them
[ruckus50] 4:40 pm: Our mouths may have been open but its also a
great satisfaction to see the reaction as if you all won the superbowl the
next day!
[brad h] 4:40 pm: Romo is hurt, its part of the game
[WOLF] 4:40 pm: The Red Sea swelled and Cowboys fans were
left with nothing but the cold, hard reality of a troubled horizon.
[Lewis] 4:40 pm: Do you think the cards will keep Arrington in the lineup
the rest of the season?
[thelevite] 4:41 pm: Wolf - what’s YOUR OPINION of the call in the end
zone where Romo was given the “tuck rule?”
[brad h] 4:41 pm: Warner is turning into a tough old man
[WOLF] 4:41 pm: The officials made the correct call on the Romo
tuck. Is it a good rule? No.
[darren] 4:41 pm: josh is a woman and chances are that he likes the
cowboys
[ruckus50] 4:41 pm: Im a cowboy fan but that rule is rediculous and
needs to be thrown out! It was a fumble!
[darren] 4:42 pm: you are the woman then
[WOLF] 4:42 pm: That’s going to do it for me. I’ll see you back
here next Monday at 9:15.
[thelevite] 4:42 pm: THANKS WOLF

Wolf: Cardinals had their Opportunities

Published by Doug & Wolf on September 22, 2008 in Column and Ron Wolfley. 1 Comment

The Washington Redskins played well. They didn’t turn the ball over, they created two turnovers, they converted third-downs, they were perfect in the red zone and they ran the ball well when they needed it most.

This wasn’t a game where you shook your head and said, “We should have won that game.” The Redskins made fewer mistakes and capitalized off the Cards mistakes. In fact, this game was decided by the 10-points Washington scored off of Cardinals turnovers.

Edge fumbled the ball on Arizona’s 34-yardline. The Skins ran 3-plays, gained 4-yards and kicked a 48-yard field goal.

Kurt Warner didn’t get enough on the ball when Steve Breaston had a step on the defender, running a post-route, the ball was deflected into the air and Carlos Rogers made a great play – picking the deflection. He promptly returned the interception to the Cards 15-yardline. Santana Moss eventually scored on a wide receiver screen.

Ten points off two turnovers.

The Cards had not turned the ball over yet this season until Sunday. This was the difference in the game and credit belongs to Jim Zorn and the players for winning the turnover battle.

Big Red’s defense seemed to tire in the fourth-quarter. Even with their enhanced rotation, Washington ran the ball effectively in the fourth-quarter when they hadn’t whizzed-a-drop all game long.

Much will be made of Ken Whisenhunt’s decision to punt the football with 2:46 to go in the game and would-be coaches will have a field-day with his decision.

Punt the football:

The Cards had 2-timeouts and the 2-minute warning left. They could punt the ball, pin the Redskins deep in their end and get the ball back with great field-position. They wouldn’t have any timeouts left but they would have just under 2-minutes to score on a short field.

Go for it:

Give Kurt Warner the opportunity to decide the outcome of the game. The defense struggled to stop the run on the Redskins last possession and they appeared to be tired. Even though there is no guarantee the Cards convert AND score a touchdown after the conversion, why not have Warner decide it right there and then?

There are arguments that can be made for either decision and I understand them both. But I was surprised to see coach Whiz punt the ball. He is a gambler. We’ve seen him go for it on a lot of fourth-downs and make it. He showed great faith in his defense to come up with a stop and they let him down.

Questioning his decision is fine with me, believing he shouldn’t have punted the ball is fine with me, just don’t make it seem like it was a “no-brainer;” it wasn’t and anybody that says otherwise is a buffoon.

Punting the ball in that situation or not punting it didn’t lose the game for the Cards…turnovers did.

Wolf Words on MNF

Published by Doug & Wolf on September 16, 2008 in Column and Ron Wolfley. 0 Comments

Philadelphia @ Dallas:

Bad Omen: Dallas kicks the ball out of bounds and the eagles take the ball down the field and put three-points on the board. This is not the way to start a game.

Interesting decision by Jimmy Johnson: The Eagles only rush 4 on the first 3rd and obvious, but they’re run blitzing early in this game.

Eagles defense is playing physical. They’re laying the wood, early.

Again, the Eagles rush 4 in 3rd and obvious and Romo hits TO for a TD. I wonder if Coach Johnson changes his strategy.

Dallas 7, Philly 3:

There was a biological explosion on the ensuing kickoff. This is an intense, physical game…I love it! This is how the game should be played: with malice!

I’m surprised how open the Eagles receivers are getting against the Cowboys secondary, play-action and straight-drop-back. The Eagles are moving the ball well…this is a very good offense. no wonder why the Rams got torched!

Dallas 7, Philly 6:

The most important kickoff you’ll ever cover is the one after you score. Felix Jones…to the house! That was pure electricity! Wow!!!!

Dallas 14, Philly 6:

The Eagles are controlling the ball, dominating the T.O.P and they’re down by 8. Big plays for Dallas, sustained drives for Philly. If Philly can weather-the-storm, they should be encouraged. Dallas can’t keep scoring on big-plays, right?

The Cowboys are trying to establish Barber but the Eagles are controlling the L.O.S. if they stick to it, the Cowboys will wear them down with that massive offensive-line!

Bad throw by Romo…He still has a bit of wild hair in him, doesn’t he? Asante Samuel in zone coverage is lethal…he aint bad in man, either.

What a game! This is everything it was billed to be. I know it sounds crazy, but this game is trending well for the Eagles. They look like they are better prepared but Dallas is making all the big plays!

After the pass interference, the Eagles must get this ball in! doh, false start! How do you overcome a false start? Get the ball to Westbrook! The Eagles are hanging tough so far. Again, if they can survive this initial tsunami, they may win this game.

Dallas 14, Philly 13: Smart not to go for 2. There’s plenty of time and you don’t need to be chasing that point for the rest of the game.

Romo fumbles the ball in the end-zone!!!! The Cowboys look dazed, confused and not ready to play. trending, trending…

Philly 20, Dallas 14:

I can’t help but think of the week in Dallas and in Philly. To talked and Dallas was supremely confident, Philly stayed fairly silent and their intensity level is through the roof.

Philly continues to control the L.O.S.

The Eagles come with the heat on 3rd and obvious and Romo makes them pay. Good protection. The Cowboys have moved the chains…they need to sustain.

Great drive by the Cowboys…This is exactly what they needed.

Jim Johnson loves to come after a QB near or in the red-zone. Look for some serious junk down here.

Finally, Marion Barber breaks through! I love this kid! He’ll just brutalize you.

T.O. is a good player…what an impressive drive by the ‘boys! They needed this, badly. This might be one for the ages…

Dallas 21, Philly 20:

Sack…The eagles may have stoked the beast in dallas.

DeSean Jackson is not a smart man! I’d chew his can into next week. Why can’t some players learn to expect their own success? Why act surprised when you succeed? Control your emotions, son. Just ridiculous.

Philly 27, Dallas 21:

I might have to sit back and enjoy this one, my friends. Unbelievable.

I cannot believe how easily McNabb is throwing the ball against the Cowboys. Dallas is going to see the pass for the next four-weeks until they prove they can stop it.

McNabb wants to win this game so badly…He’s playing with great desperation. Eagles fans can thank T.O. for McNabb’s intensity!

Philly 30, Dallas 21:

This may have been the most entertaining half of football I’ve ever seen…seriously.

Dallas answers with :37 left!! Not possible! That was huge for dallas.

Philly 30, Dallas 24:

I am not a DeSean Jackson fan. The NFL really needs to let DB’s knock the crap out of receivers again. You want humble? You’ll get humility back in the game.

The frenetic pace of this game has slowed a little, settling into a black and blue rhythm.

Marion Barber is starting to get it going. This will win the game for the Cowboys, balance them out.

Great throw Tony Romo! Marion Barber on the wheel-route. This was exactly what the doctor ordered for Dallas: a long, time-consuming drive.

Dallas 31, Philly 30:

My apologies. The beautiful miss Stephanie made something different for dinner. It didn’t go well for me.

Philly scored again?

Philly 37, Dallas 34:

These are the two best teams in the NFC.

I have to go…I’m sure you understand.

Wolf: Does character matter?

Published by Doug & Wolf on May 30, 2008 in Column and Ron Wolfley. 4 Comments

Character matters when you vote for an athlete to be inducted into a Hall of Fame. If it didn’t, we would not be human but mere beasts of the field, snorting for roots in an open field.

As Homo-sapiens, we have the ability to decipher right and wrong, the knowledge of good and evil. What is right for one person is wrong for another but, unless you’re a nihilist, there is a line of right and wrong for all of us.

We make moral judgments every day of our lives and those decisions are different for each and every one of us. But no matter our vocation, no matter our lot in life, no matter our dogma, our morality (or lack thereof) governs the decisions we make.

It is morally reprehensible to vote a convicted serial killer into the Hall of Fame because he won 350-games as a pitcher in the Major-Leagues. Better still, it is sub-human. To do so places greater emphasis on a man’s athletic prowess than on our ability to reason, to think and to be human.

If a man was caught in the act of raping a 12-year-old girl, killed her and threw her body into a river, would you still vote for him to be inducted into the Hall of Fame because he hit 800 home-runs? Please…tell me you wouldn’t. Of course you wouldn’t!

A character line has been drawn, hasn’t it?

If you would vote for Mr. 800 to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, you just put the dignity of humanity under the thumb of some stupid rule that says the Hall of Fame is about what a player did on the field. In fact, that stupid rule just became your moral compass, your god.

In the above example, you would have made a moral decision to ignore the actions of a convicted child-killer in favor of honoring a stupid rule about Hall of Fame credentials being confined to a field or diamond. You would have placed more moral import on adhering to the rules than being human – unless you think killing children isn’t wrong.

And that doesn’t make you feel like a caveman? You can’t see there MUST be a character line – albeit an extreme line?

The Hall of Fame is about what a player did on the field or diamond. But that’s only because we haven’t had a player convicted of some horrific crime while being considered for the Hall of Fame. A player with great character should not be voted in because of said character, but a player that rapes a 12-year-old girl should not be considered based on our ability to know what is evil…and be strong enough to stand and call it as much.

I would never vote a player into the Hall of Fame if he was convicted of some heinous act.

Does that make me a moralist? No, it makes me human.

Wolf: Grading the NFL Draft

Published by Doug & Wolf on April 26, 2008 in Column and Ron Wolfley. 0 Comments

2008 NFL DRAFT

ROUND 1 (1-16):

1) MIAMI:
JAKE LONG (OT, MICHIGAN) 6-7, 315, 5.29
Bill Parcells believes in building a team on the strength of the line-of-scrimmage. He did it in New York (twice) and he did it in Dallas. I thought he might actually go with a DE (Chris Long or Vernon Gholston), trying to recreate a Lawrence Taylor/DeMarcus Ware scenario, but Jake Long will be the starting tackle for the Dolphins for the next decade.

This pick could have been five different players. Nobody would have batted and eye if Chris Long, Matt Ryan, Darren McFadden, Glenn Dorsey or Vernon Gholston would have been selected with this pick.

I love this pick because NFL games are won and lost on the line-of-scrimmage. Jake Long will win many more battles than he loses.

2) ST. LOUIS:
CHRIS LONG (DE, VIRGINIA) 6-3, 278, 4.75
This pick was a toss-up between Long and Glenn Dorsey. Ironically, the player they would pick may have been based on the Rams first-round selection of a year ago, Adam Carriker. Carriker played over the center last year but many experts believe his natural position is at DE. If the Rams wanted to move Carriker to DE, they probably would have selected Dorsey. But apparently, they like the job Carriker did at nose so they picked Chris Long.

Chris Long has got the motor of a Mustang Shelby-Cobra 500! The kid will flat-out ball and has an outstanding pedigree (his father is Howie Long). Every great pass-rusher has two qualities: athleticism and a relentless determination to get to the quarterback. Long has got both in spades.

It’s hard to argue this pick unless you think Carriker is a better DE than NG.

3) ATLANTA:
MATT RYAN (QB, BOSTON COLLEGE)
This pick threw a wrench in the machine. Many thought this would be Glenn Dorsey. In the end, a wounded franchise decided to heal itself.

What’s the best way to put an era behind you? Start a new one. That’s exactly what the Falcons did with this pick. Not only do they get a very talented, smart, franchise quarterback, but they officially put the Mike Vick era behind them.

Ryan reminds me of Tom Brady. His throwing mechanics are eerily similar to Brady; he has the same body type and athleticism as Brady. And most importantly, the same brain as Brady.

I LOVE this pick by Atlanta. Ryan should develop into a Pro Bowl QB but it took courage to select – and pay – another franchise quarterback so early in the draft.

4) OAKLAND:
DARREN McFADDEN (RB, ARKANSAS) 6-2, 210, 4.33
What a shocker here…a player with character questions ends up in the silver-and-black! But Al Davis had to ake this pick. McFadden may be the biggest freak in the draft and no team is more susceptible to freaks than the Raiders.

McFadden is Adrian Peterson with more speed. I thought he was a better back than Peterson after watching him play this year. Experts are worried about his skinny legs and upright frame but he’s powerful and runs with great authority. This guy is the best athlete in the draft and should help Lane Kiffin deliver on his promise to “bring an explosive offense” to Raider-Nation.

This pick makes perfect sense but one wonders how McFadden will fair off the field going to LA from Little Rock, Arkansas?

5) KANSAS CITY:
GLENN DORSEY (DT, LSU) 6-1, 313, 5.0
Merry Christmas, Coach Edwards! This had to be the most implausible scenario the Chiefs could have imagined when they ran through their mock-drafts. Many experts believed Glenn Dorsey may have been the best player on the board. When the Falcons passed on Dorsey, the Chiefs draft room must have exploded, knowing the Raiders would most likely take McFadden at four.

Dorsey can play the 1-technique (shaded on the center) or the 3-technique (shaded on the weak-side guard) equally well. He has the bulk and strength to hold the point and the speed and quickness to get up the field and disrupt blocking schemes. He is without question the best interior defender in this draft and the Chiefs got a steal at five.

6) NEW YORK JETS:
VERNON GHOLSTON (DE, OHIO STATE) 6-3, 266, 4.58
In my opinion, Gholston is the BIGGEST freak in this draft. I had him number one on my board. Knowing the Patriots were drafting behind them and knowing that Belichik covets versatility in a player, the Jets had to take Gholston even if they weren’t crazy about him or face him twice a year for the next decade!

Gholston’s combination of speed, strength and size makes him a unique player. He shows up in big games and will terrorize quarterbacks for years to come. Bill Parcells loved him and considered him for the top spot.

I love the pick because I love this player. He’ll have Pro Bowls under his belt in no time and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Rams kick themselves for not taking this guy when they had the chance.

7) NEW ORLEANS (FROM NEW ENGLAND):
SEDRICK ELLIS (DT, USC) 6-0, 307, 5.3
The Saints wanted Glenn Dorsey but couldn’t move up to get him. Ellis was the next best defensive tackle in the draft, a poor man’s version of Dorsey. The Saints could not stop the run to save their souls and needed this pick badly. Ellis will move right in at NG and start from day one.

Although Ellis doesn’t have great speed, he is extremely quick and has a great get-off. This will suit him well playing in the “A” gaps. Also, because he’s so short, he’s hard to get under and plays with great leverage. He’s almost impossible to move off the ball, which is exactly what the Saints were looking for.

I like the pick but I don’t know why the Saints would give up picks to move up. I think Ellis may have been there at ten, but it does show how much they liked him.

JACKSONVILLE (FROM BALTIMORE):
DERRICK HARVEY (DE, FLORIDA) 6-4, 260, 4.84
Reach? Wow, I did not have Harvey going this high and the Jaguars moved up to get him! Marcus Stroud is in Buffalo and Jacksonville’s aging DL is going through changes so I guess it does make sense. But here? The Wizard of Baltimore, Ozzie Newsome, worked his magic again, trading down, gaining picks and still getting their quarterback at 18: Joe Flacco out of Delaware State.

Harvey is not without skills. He has great get-off, uses his hands well and plays with good leverage. He’ll be a solid starter in this league for a while, able to hold up against the run and contribute a few sacks every year but he isn’t flashy.

This certainly isn’t a sexy-pick but playing in the SEC probably prepares Harvey to contribute immediately than other conferences. Jack Del Rio loves workman-like players and Harvey fits-the-bill: a blue-collar pick from a blue-collar coach.

9) CINCINNATI:
KEITH RIVERS (OLB, USC)
Rivers might be the best person in the draft! It doesn’t surprise me the Bengals would be the team to select the best OLB in the draft, whom happens to be on the All-Character team. The Bengals desperately needed to improve their defense and their line-backing unit was a mess in 2007. Rivers fills that need both on and off the field.

When I watch Rivers play I see Derrick Brooks. Rivers does everything well. He may not be the best pass-rusher in the draft, the best tackler, the best cover-guy or the most physical at his position, but he’s darn good at all of these things. This guy does not have a lot of weaknesses and I’m shocked Belichik moved behind Cincinnati, knowing how badly the Bengals needed a linebacker.

Rivers may not have been the best LB on the Trojans football team but he was the best pure OLB in the 2008 draft. This was a safe, no-brainer pick for the Bengals. Just what the doctor ordered!

10) NEW ENGLAND (FROM NEW ORLEANS):
JAROD MAYO (ILB, TENNESSEE)
This guy’s stock has been rising over the past week or so, but no one thought he would go this high. His versatility makes him appealing to many teams, especially to Bill Belichick. I thought Keith Rivers was the perfect fit for the Patriots at 7 but New England traded down to 10. Knowing how badly the Bengals needed a LB, and that Rivers was rated the best of the bunch, it tells me they wanted Mayo the whole time.

Mayo can play ILB or OLB and is a bit of a “tweener,” just the way Belichick likes it. He may have more upside than Rivers but he isn’t as steady. Still, he is a fierce tackler, especially in the open-field, and has a nose for the ball.

Belichick, love him or hate him, knows what he’s doing and this alone makes me think he knows something about Mayo that others do not.

11) BUFFALO:
LEODIS McKELVIN (CB, TENNESSEE STATE) 5-10, 186, 4.37
The first CB finally makes his debut in the 2008 draft. Buffalo still has not recovered from losing Nate Clemens and their porous secondary was in dire need of a facelift.

McKelvin was the best CB in the draft according to most of the experts. He’s got decent size and long arms, which allows him to defend jump-balls and hold up well against bigger receivers. He may be the best man-cover CB in the draft and he becomes dangerous once he has the ball in his hands.

I like the pick but I don’t think the Bills got the best CB in the draft, even though they picked the first one.

12) DENVER:
RYAN CLADY (OT, BOISE STATE) 6-6, 320, 5.15
The Denver Broncos have built their entire franchise on generally drafting OL in the mid-to-late rounds of the draft. Their scheme, the quintessential zone-scheme in the league, is predicated on undersized, fleet-footed, intelligent lineman. Because they don’t look for road-graders, they have had the pick of the litter for the type of lineman they want and it’s all because of their scheme.

Clady breaks the mold but will fit into their scheme perfectly. He has great range, long arms, great feet and a football IQ that will allow him to develop quicker than most rookie tackles.

13) CAROLINA:
JONATHAN STEWART (RB, OREGON) 5-10, 235, 4.48
Carolina moved DeShaun Foster so nobody was surprised they took a RB but THIS RB was a bit of a surprise! Jonathan Stewart has had surgery on his toe and won’t be ready to go until sometime in August. Although any team would be able to live with this because of Stewart’s incredible talent, many felt that Rashard Mendenhall (Illinois) would be the second RB taken after McFadden.

I love the pick because Stewart will be an every-down back. He has great explosion and decent speed, but he is a punisher as well. His stocky frame makes him a load to tackle and he can make people miss in the open-field. His ability to hold up in pass-protection allows him to stay on the field on third-down.

14) CHICAGO:
CHRIS WILLIAMS (OT, VANDERBILT) 6-6, 317, 5.16
Ryan Clady started the run on OT’s at #12 and Williams makes the run official. Chicago is in the process of rebuilding their offense after losing Bernard Berrian, Thomas Jones, Mushin Muhammed over the last couple of years. And Cedric Benson (RB) and Rex Grossman/Brian Griese/Kyle Ortman are expanding question-marks. It wasn’t a surprise the Bears went offense, but I did not expect them to draft an OL with all the skill-position players they’ve lost.

Williams should do well and has all the tools to be a Pro Bowl tackle but only time will tell.

15) KANSAS CITY (FROM DETROIT)
BRANDEN ALBERT (OT, VIRGINIA) 6-6, 320, 5.16
The Chiefs will not be pushed around anymore. Carl Peterson and Herman Edwards were mortified last year, watching their players get whipped at the point-of-attack. By receiving the gift of Glenn Dorsey at #5, they continued to get stronger up front by drafting the most athletic OL in the draft.

Albert can play inside but I think he’s going to be a LT some day, maybe sooner than later. He has great feet and all the size a QB would ever hope for from their LT. He reminds me of Walter Jones when he came out of college.

The Chiefs have had a great day and it only got better when Brandon Flowers (CB, VaTech) was drafted in the second-round.

16) ARIZONA:
DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIE (CB, TENNESSEE STATE) 6-1, 183, 4.33
The Cards needed a RB or a CB with this pick, but getting Rodgers-Cromartie here was a blessing if you’re a Cardinals fan. Antrelle Rolle is moving to safety and although Rod Hood and Eric Green are doable starters, depth at the position was a major concern. This guy is the real-deal and will compete for a starting job immediately.

I love his height and his vertical game is second-to-none. He may be the fastest CB in the draft and his ball-skills are superb. He’s going to have to put on some weight and be more physical against the run, but his upside is absolutely huge.

The Cards got what they wanted and to get a player of this quality at #16 improves the Big Red now.

Archive for the 'Ron Wolfley' Category

Doug & Wolf Audio Archive

Wolf: The Cards have what the Suns are losing

Wolf’s Chalkboard Chat - 1/19

Wolf’s Chalkboard Chat - 10/27

Wolf’s Chalkboard Chat - 10/20

Wolf’s Chalkboard Chat - 10/13

Wolf: Cardinals had their Opportunities

Wolf Words on MNF

Wolf: Does character matter?

Wolf: Grading the NFL Draft

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

Doug & Wolf

Archives

Categories