A few days ago, the Arizona Cardinals and the Green Bay Packers put on a scoring onslaught the likes of which had never been seen in the postseason. The teams had combined for 91 points after Arizona’s Michael Adams stuck his index finger inside Aaron Rodgers’ face mask, causing the football to come loose and Karlos Dansby to recover the fumble for a 17-yard touchdown.
Ball game.
A shootout of epic proportions that went into overtime has put the Cardinals in a really bad position heading into Saturday. Seriously, the Cards just had to score 51 points and now will face the top offense in the NFL on six days rest.
Could it get worse for Arizona?
Look at this.
“Let me tell you something - that dude is scary. We have a great defense and we were up on him and ready to pounce, and he found ways to tear us apart. I don't ever want to face him again in my life. I am dead serious. I'll face Drew Brees any day of the week before I face him again.” – Antrel Rolle
Ahem. That last part bears repeating.
“I'll face Drew Brees any day of the week before I face him again.”
Yep, Antrel Rolle just gave the Saints what we in the biz like to call “bulletin board material.” To educate, “bulletin board material” occurs when someone makes an idiotic comment that coaches and players can refer to as fodder to fire the team up even more. Rolle’s comment qualifies as idiotic, for sure.
Keep going? Don’t mind if I do.
Not only did Rolle make the comment, he followed it up a few days later with this gem.
"I don't call any player out. I'm a professional in this league. Drew Brees has earned his right as one of the most outstanding quarterbacks in this league. His play on the field speaks for itself. But it is what it is. If they want to go use that as ammunition, something that I didn't say, then let it be done. I don't back down from anyone. I'm not scared of anyone. The game still has to be played on Saturday, and I'm coming there to play ball, bottom line."
(Side note: If he backpedals this well on the field tomorrow, the Saints receivers are in trouble… but don’t count on it…)
Oh, and then?
"(The reporter) threw Drew Brees' name out there as I was walking out of the locker-room, and I'm like 'I'm not talking about Drew Brees right now.' After a game like that, who is going to be thinking about Drew Brees? I mean, the guy who just ripped us was Aaron Rodgers. That's who I was talking about. That's who I was giving praise to."
/End copy + pasting quotes. Antrel Rolle is a good safety; nobody’s going to deny that. But he wasn’t very smart and savvy after the Green Bay game last week.
Right now, New Orleans is a sleeping giant. And yes, the Saints have been asleep for a few weeks it seems. But would you in a million years want to do anything to motivate the best offense in the NFL in its own backyard? Especially now that the team is healthy again and they signed Deuce McAllister for the playoffs? (Side note: Even if Deuce doesn't play, this just took the Superdome crowd from a 9.5 to nuclear holocaust.)
Sorry, Antrel. You’re about to be on the wrong side of history. When I saw the Cardinals would be our divisional round opponent, I breathed a sigh of relief. Relief because I know there’s no way your team will show up two weeks in a row.
Need proof? Gosh, you’re pushy today.
You’ve won three straight games only two times this year. Your winning streaks consisted of teams like the Texans, the Seahawks, the Bears, the Rams, and I could keep going on but the Arena Football League didn’t play this year. Who’s the best team you beat in the regular season? A Minnesota Vikings’ team that’s folded faster than a senator at a temp convention.
The Cardinals’ win over Green Bay doesn’t look all that impressive since the defenses took a vacation until overtime began. And now they have to play on the road six days after that yardage explosion.
Mark it down: this is why I’d rather see Arizona any day of the week. And I’m not paying them a compliment in any way.
One week away from Balboa-Drago.
Nostra-Saints Guy predictions for Wildcard Weekend
Saints 31, Cardinals 14
Colts 21, Ravens 10
Chargers 21, Jets 7
Cowboys 28, Vikings 14
