Here’s what went down Monday on G&A…
Colt 45ed…The Colts spanked the Cards 31-10 Sunday in Glendale in front of a national NBC audience. The guys weren’t shocked the Colts won, but know the Red Birds didn’t put up much of a fight. Ash marveled at the way Peyton Manning coolly picked apart the Birds’ secondary. Gambo feels once Arizona abandoned the downfield passing attack, the game was essentially over. Both agree Kurt Warner’s accuracy on underneath routes can’t be questioned, but he can’t seem to connect on deep balls as was evidenced again on Sunday. Both know they have plenty of work to do during the bye week.
Protection Plan…Warner was harassed and under pressure the entire game Sunday and G&A say the blame falls on the Cards’ coaching staff, not Warner himself. John knows Mike Gandy is a quality tackle, but questions why he got no help trying to slow down Dwight Freeney who finished with two sacks. Ash believes Beanie Wells isn’t playing because, not only did he fumble twice against Jacksonville, but he can’t seem to figure out the pass protection blocking schemes as proven Sunday when he missed a Freeney block which led to a sack. G&A are certain right tackle Levi Brown stinks and will never be any better than he is right now.
DRC now KFC?…Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie who shined as a rookie in 2008 is having a much tougher time in 2009. DRC was burned twice on long Manning touchdowns Sunday. One listener e-mailed Mark and suggested DRC change his nickname to “KFC” because he gets deep fried so much. Ash thought the Cards let go of Rod Hood. John isn’t sure if DRC let his rookie success go to his head, but knows quarterbacks will continue to pick on him until he can improve his cover skills, especially on deep balls.
Bye-ing Their Time…The Cards enter the bye week 1-2 and Whiz knows his team has plenty to work on before hosting the Texans October 11th. John thinks the coaching staff needs to find ways to get the ball downfield to playmakers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. Ash predicted a 2-1 record entering this week, but knows the 49ers are for real and any “slip up” from the Cards could come back to haunt them in the NFC West with Mike Singletary’s team playing such inspired football thus far this season.
Who’s Yer Daddy?…A.J. Green and Georgia held on to beat ASU on a last-second field goal in Athens. The star sophomore receiver consistently beat ASU’s cornerbacks and blocked the Devils potential go-ahead field goal in the final four minutes. This comes just a year after Green put himself on the college football map with his big game at Sun Devil Stadium. Green had eight catches for 153 yards Saturday.
Toughest Loss…Head coach Dennis Erickson called the loss to UGA, one of, if not the toughest in his long coaching career. He emphasized his team didn’t travel across country for a “moral victory.” The guys love the approach, but know saying you’re going to get a “statement win” and doing it, are two different things. Gambo felt ASU could have made a statement for their program, and the Pac-10, with an upset of Georgia. Ash expects big things from Erickson and is confident, with time and big-time recruits like Burfict, the goal can be accomplished.
Super Bowl Hangover…The Super Bowl champion Steelers fell to 1-2, as did the NFC Champion Cardinals. The guys compared the direction of both teams and which has brighter outlook in for the remainder of the season. The Steelers are struggling without their leader Troy Palamalu, while the Cards’ consistency on offense has left something to be desired.
We were joined by former Washington Huskies and NFL quarterback Brock Huard who called Saturday’s Georgia-ASU game for ESPNU in Athens. He shared his thoughts on the game, Dennis Erickson’s 2009 team, and how Steve Sarkisian has revitalized Washington football. He came away impressed with ASU’s defense, particularly stud freshman linebacker Vontez Burfict. Huard is a mid-day talk show host on ESPN Radio in Seattle.
Suns 2-time MVP and All-Star point guard Steve Nash checked in to discuss his off-season, the tough Western Conference, and how the team will adjust with Alvin Gentry now entrenched as the full-time head coach heading into training camp which starts Tuesday in San Diego.
Tuesday we’ll be joined by Suns star Amare Stoudemire (TBD), A.J. Hinch at 3:00, Diana Taurasi at 3:40, and ESPN college football analyst Mark May at 4:25.




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