Arizona Cardinals @ New Orleans Saints: Interview with the Enemy

by Dave Cariello on Jan 16, 2010 6:00 AM CST

You didn't think I forgot, did you? Here is our usual Interview with the Enemy post, this time with Andrew602 from Revenge of the Birds. Read on to learn a little bit more about the Saints opposition this afternoon, including Beanie Wells, the teams weakness and how they can be beat.

CSC: The Saints tried very hard to trade up in the draft last year to get Beanie Wells. How's he doing and how do fans feel? There were concerns about his injury proneness if I'm not mistaken.

ROTB: There were concerns about his injury problems and we were worried when he injured his ankle on his first day of training camp. Then the season started and most of that concern vanished. He was banged up a few times but didn't miss any action all season long. Right now the general feeling is that this guy's going to be a star running back in this league. He's a man beast and has a very good stiff arm to combine with explosive speed. I think the Cardinals are set at running back for quite some time.

CSC: Do you expect Anquan Boldin to be back this Saturday? How effective will he really be coming off injury?

ROTB: Right now he's a game day decision and earlier in the week I thought for sure he'd be back. He doesn't sound too confident he'll return but you can never underestimate Anquan Boldin. If he does decide to play I'm sure he won't be at 100% and if he's not I'd prefer him to sit out this week. The Cardinals are 7-1 without him and their two highest scoring games (51 last week, 41 against the Bears earlier in the year) occurred when Boldin didn't play this year.

CSC: LSU fans should have been happy to see Early Doucet have a big game last weekend. Doucet has come on strong over the last month. Where is this coming from?

ROTB: I think he always had the talent to be a very good receiver in the NFL. Most thought he was a steal in the 3rd round and the Cardinals were happy that they were able to land him there. Honestly, when you have guys like Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston ahead of you, you're going to get buried in the depth chart. Plus Ken Whisenhunt prefers to let rookies learn on the sideline their first year.

CSC: What have opponents done well this season to effectively stop the Cardinals passing attack?

ROTB: Watch a Cardinals/49ers match up. They know how to stop the Cardinals and it paid off in their two wins this year. The 49ers can effectively rush a four man line and drop the rest of their defense in coverage. If you can get after Kurt Warner without bringing the blitz then you'll win for sure. Simple as that.

CSC: What are your biggest concerns about the Cardinals defense?

ROTB: Easily the biggest concern is the secondary. Beyond Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie the Cardinals are in trouble at cornerback. Bryant McFadden hasn't turned out what we thought he'd be at the other side and was burned a lot last week. After McFadden there's a big fat question mark. The Cardinals must address CB in the draft or offseason.

CSC: Care to make a prediction?

ROTB: Sure and I'll obviously take the Cardinals, 38-31.

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Comments

I got it !!!!!!

Lets just take the 49ers,dress them up in Saints uniforms and let them play the Birdys. That ought to confuse the Hell out of everybody.

I'll be your huckleberry- Doc Holliday to Ringo

by KilnBill on Jan 16, 2010 6:52 AM CST reply actions

I was thinking we just watch their game film because

After that ex 49er QB showed up in the dome for the cowboys game I was hoping we would start a petetion to ban all ex 49ers QB’s and all ex Cowpunk QB’s from the dome

by mississippisaintsfan on Jan 16, 2010 7:11 AM CST up reply actions

Saints 31, Cardinals 24 — Dec. 16, 2007 in New Orleans

WHO DAT

by Deckape 69 on Jan 16, 2010 7:10 AM CST reply actions

You did some amazing things last year

Other then Beanie Wells what do you think is the biggesat defference in your team this year

by mississippisaintsfan on Jan 16, 2010 7:13 AM CST reply actions

The improved play fo the O-Line

Allowed for a more consistent run game with Beanie and Tim Hightower. Also, the Defense was able to get a lot more pressure on opposing QBs this year. I think the Cards were top 5 in sacks with over 40 in the regular season.

We all bleed Cardinal Red, but most of us don't recognize it!

by robloosli on Jan 16, 2010 8:27 AM CST up reply actions

I wasn't aware

That the Saints were trying to get Beanie Wells. Really? Had they given up all hope on Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush? I would have thought if anything that the Saints would have tried to trade up to get a stud LB or TE.

People with high-blood pressure should consult their doctor and ask if they're healthy enough for Saints activity before rooting for this team.

by Malsby on Jan 16, 2010 8:03 AM CST reply actions

If I remember right...

… the Saints might have taken him if he was available. They were offerred a trade up, but declined it. When asked why he didn’t trade up or draft another RB, he said that he felt he already had a good stable “in the house”. Of course, he was right, since PT, Bell, and Hamilton have all proven themselves at the position.

The only thing worse than losing is not winning.

by Tigernut on Jan 16, 2010 8:27 AM CST up reply actions

yup...

Hey man, i will say this though… As we all know, Pt & Bell are proven RB’s, but i’ll be honest, if in a few year’s Hamilton get’s the GO-SIGN full-time, he will be a FORCE-2-BE RECKONED with, bro!!!

He’s got a SOLID build & qwick feet, but has NO problem at all going head on with ANYONE at all. He could possibly be a future SLEEPER/BEAST & i HOPE the SAINT’s are the ones who use him & DON’T cut him. If given the chance, he WILL PRODUCE. In college, he would’nt have hardly any yard’s, low YPC, but once the 2nd QTR started, he would LIGHT there A$$ up, lol. He’s REAL GOOD!!!

by RealDeal37 on Jan 16, 2010 9:57 AM CST up reply actions

100% agreement.

The only thing worse than losing is not winning.

by Tigernut on Jan 16, 2010 2:29 PM CST up reply actions

Relaxe bro... LoL

Yes, they liked Beanie Well’s, but it’s NOT like what ur think’n… There’s alota he say/she say about is wanting Well’s. Like i said, Yes we liked him, but we were focusing on our MOST IMPORTANT nedd’s at the time 7 yes we did kninda need another RB, or we atleast we thought we did, which we ended up being ok on that issue, but anyway’s. NO, it’s not all what u think & what so many other’s make it out to be about Beanie Well’s. We had (4) player’s ahead of him on our RATED NEED LIST. If the other (4) player’s had already been picked by another team & Well’s was availible, then YES we would have picked him up then, but ONLY if those other player’s we wanted were gone, thats it.
So, NO, it’s all good. Well’s is & will be a great RB for year’s to come. He was a wonderful pick-up for Arizona 7 will pay off down the road. As for us, we are fine. Like i said, he was on our top-(5) player’s to draft, but (4) other’s were far more important at the time & that’s/that!!!

by RealDeal37 on Jan 16, 2010 9:50 AM CST up reply actions