Week 14 - Sunday 10th December 2006

Well what can we say about a divisional rival that we haven't said already? How about the University of Phoenix Stadium?

I know, you've been a follower of NCAA Football for ages but you sure aint never heard of no University of Phoenix, so what gives? The U of P is sort of like the Open University with bells on, and lots of lights, and some of those expensive ornaments you admire but never bother buying.

It sponsors a football stadium because it is a profit making educational organisation aimed primarily at adults in employment so they can continue their studies alongside their work and family life. They even offer online course work which sounds great to me, copy and paste homework in the few clicks of a mouse! Enough of this madness but I though you might like to know. I guess the important fact is that the next seasons Superbowl will be played there.

A new stadium has scarcely brought a new beginning for the Cardinals. Every season they are predicted to have a better season and every year I say they are like a pub near me that promises 'free beer tomorrow'.

Currently standing at 3-9 they have shown some signs of improvement in recent weeks although it is doubtful that whatever happens between now and the end of the season will be enough to save Head Coach Denny Green his job.

After winning the season opener they went on an 8 game losing streak including an incredible home defeat against the Bears who were losing 23-3 with a little over a quarter to play. Amazingly they coughed up 2 fumble returns and a punt return to lose causing Denny Green to have this reaction in his post game press conference: click here

Last week they did beat the Rams in St Louis so they deserve extra credit for that and they did so by realising that they had signed Edgerrin James to their roster. The previous week against Minnesota he had a grand total of 4 carries whereas against the Rams he had 26 and his first 100 yard+ game for the Cards.

The Seahawks will also be facing a new quarterback and Lofa Tatupu's old USC team-mate Matt Leinart. A recent father, bless, he has a reputation for being arrogant and whilst hardly setting the NFL alight in his rookie season he has some reasonable figures not a million miles away from what Matt Hasselbeck has posted.

Overall however the Cards offense only ranks at 27th in the NFL and the defense at 30th which tells it's own story of why they have been struggling. They just never seem to be able to fix their O-Line and D. We can worry about Fitzgerald and Boldin but is it just me or are we getting better at pass coverage? Shame about the tackling.

On the injury front they were further hurt when star DE Bertrand Berry went on injured reserve a couple of weeks ago with a torn triceps. Former Seahawk DE Chike Okeafor remains healthy but must shake his head most mornings about his decision to leave the Seahawks exactly when he did.

Of other Cards on this weeks injury report DT Kendrick Clancy has been returning to action slowly following an injury and is listed as Doubtful. RB Marcell Shipp, who ran in 3 short yardage TD's last week, is probable and expected to play as is WR Brandon Johnson.

As for the Seahawks the good news is that Sean Locklear will return at RT although that is not to diminish how Tom Ashworth has played as back up. They are expected to split time for this week at least. Bobby Engram could return but is more than likely to be another week away. Interestingly Mike Holmgren said that he would get him back into the line up when healthy no doubt at the expense of DJ Hackett which I can't help thinking would be a shame.

Mack Strong is listed as questionable but expected to play whilst on the Doubtful (haven't a hope) list are Rob Tobeck, DD Lewis and Ituli Mili.

As far as the game goes the Seahawks have been so unconvincing on the road all season then although I can predict a win, I won't be advising anyone to bet their houses on the outcome. I wouldn't expect anything surprising from the Seahawks offense but on D, Mike Holmgren has encouraged defensive co-ordinator John Marshall to take a few more chance in bringing pressure. This is no doubt a reaction to leaving rookie Jay Cutler relatively unscathed so perhaps Leinart might see more of the Seahawks at close quarters than Cutler did.

As ever, the game will be followed live in our exclusive Seahawkers UK chat room (no jeans or trainers please) where the properly attired are more than welcome.

Whilst there we like to listen to the radio coverage from the States www.thegamelive.com in the past the top link has been reliable.

There is also now a live streaming option for UK based fans with broadband via http://sports.yahoo.com/nflgamepass but this service has not been totally reliable so please check out the chat room first for further information.

HawksHead (6/12/06)

HOME

FORUM

CONTACT