Well the first preseason game has finally happened and it was a 24-10 loss to the New Orleans Saints. Most of you already know that the preseason score doesn’t matter much so I don’t think that’s something I concern myself with. I’d rather break down the good and the bad of the game.

Lets switch things up and talk about the bad first…

The opening series of the game was not good at all. I know it was the first defensive series of the preseason but it still put a bad taste in my mouth. I felt like I was watching the Cardinals. By that I mean I felt like I was watching the same old Cardinals that get stupid penalties and allow big play after big play. Arizona is always among the league leaders in penalties and that was something Ken Whisenhunt said this team would work on a lot in the off season. Well they obviously haven’t perfected penalties yet. The starting defense itself was not that great, too many runs up the middle were allowed. It showed how important it is to have a hole plugger like Gabe Watson healthy.

Leonard Pope started where he left off from last season allowing a sack and getting a false start penalty. Hopefully Ben Patrick who had a nice catch can take his starting spot.

Special Teams wasn’t so special against the Saints. Terrible blocking and a couple big returns were allowed. That’s something the Cardinals have to improve on if they’re going to make the playoffs this season.

Now to my positives of the game…

Matt Leinart played very well completing 7 of 8 passes for 91 yards. I think the game plan for Matt was to build his confidence and get him comfortable after a 10 month layoff. Leinart managed the game nicely and completed his short passes and that was nice to see. We didn’t get any Kurt Warner which was too bad but hopefully we’ll get to see what Kurt has next week against Kansas City. Kurt made some interesting comments during the game to sideline reporter Michelle Tafoya pretty much saying he would welcome a trade as long as he would become the starting quarterback of that team. But for the time being I think Kurt loves Arizona and wants to be a Cardinal and will continue to work to become the starting quarterback here. It would be a mistake to trade Kurt in my opinion and I don’t think that will be happening. So lets not worry about that.

On the subject of quarterback, 3rd stringer Brian St.Pierre looked very nice as the emergency quarterback in case Leinart and Warner get injured. So that was pretty comforting for myself and I’m sure other Cardinal fans.

Another positive was rookie running back Tim Hightower. Hightower ran for 23 yards on 5 carries including a touchdown along with 2 catches for 11 yards.  It looks like Tim will be running away with the running back competition (I’m suppose to say pardon the pun but I hate saying that). Hightower looks like an exciting player and I can’t wait to see him next week.

Kenny Iwebema recorded a nice sack and Calais Campell looked pretty good in their first preseason game. Quietly the defensive player of the game for the Cardinals was undrafted rookie out of LSU Ali Highsmith. He lead the Cardinals in tackles with 6 and seemed to be all over the field including a big stop on 4th and goal. Highsmith seems like he has a real chance at making this team.

I should probably mention the wide receivers since that seems to be the most competitive competition. Early Doucet who looks to be one of the front runners for the number 3 receiver spot did not play so we couldn’t get a great read on things. But Steve Breaston looked real good and I’d say he might be in the lead after one game to get the spot behind Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.

One more note… Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie had two tackles including one big hit knocking a Saints tight end out of the game. DRC did allow one catch but that was really it.

Overall nice first game, lots of things could and should improve over the next couple weeks. Nothing to panic about. Mark and I will be trying to get out a podcast on tonights game for you. So keep your eyes out for that.

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