How Arizona Is Feeling About the Cards

It was a bar in Old Town Scottsdale. Not a very trendy one like Charles Barkley might be leaving, just a regular sports bar that had a few televisions, a couple of beer specials, and the option of a dozen miniature corn dogs.

When my buddies and I showed up, the place was packed to the gills. People in Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and, yes, occasionally Matt Leinart jerseys were hooting and hollering about what might happen in the game or how the Cardinals might pull this one out or how Boldin's injury would affect the team. They were sports fans, but Cardinal sports fan. How are they supposed to know how to feel?

It isn't like this occurs yearly in Phoenix.

After Carolina scored on the first possession, though, the mood was "worried realism." Sure, the Cardinals faithful had come for a win, but do you think they really expected it? I bought the new GQ because I thought Jennifer Aniston looked incredible, but it doesn't mean I think she'll date me.

It took Carolina 1:04 to make the score 7-0. Yikes. Oops. S*#@. Good season boys, we always have next year.

You probably know what happened next. The Cards dominated the game, on the road, on the East Coast, in convincing fashion. Kurt Warner was solid. Larry Fitzgerald was from some other planet where people have gum for hands. The Arizona secondary was just as good as Jake Delhomme was bad. It was, in the simplest form, a perfect playoff game from the biggest underdog of the weekend.

Sitting around this bar in Scottsdale, the looks on the faces were a mixture of things, the two most prominent emotions being jubilation and confusion. "What do we do next?" "Is Arizona really in the NFC Championship game?" "We beat the Panthers?!?!"

The one thing people know is that, if the Eagles can pull off another upset today, another playoff game will be at the University of Phoenix Stadium, in front of a crowd that didn't expect it but will be nothing but loud and crazy anyway. They'll yell. Scream. Pump the team up.

Honestly, what do they have to lose? The Cardinals just did what nobody thought they would. Who's to say they can't continue that trend?

You can bet your house that the beer went down a little better last night than it had before the game kicked off. The Arizona Cardinals are one game away from the Super Bowl. I guess Kevin Garnett was right -- anything is possible.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-11-2009 @ 12:56PM

Bruce said...

Well im a diehard eagles fan being from philadelphia, and im very happy the cardinals are there get a team in there thats never there thats good for you arizonia residents congratulations you waited a long time good luck next week hope its in arizionia anyway

1-11-2009 @ 12:55PM

Alicia W. said...

I'm LOVING the Cold Day in Hell sign.

1-11-2009 @ 1:08PM

John said...

Whew. So, having been through a good first and middle parts of the season, then those three wipeouts at the end of the season, a lackluster win over Seattle at the end, and last week's win over the Falcons, I'm thinking, "Yep, it's been a good run - just keep the Carolina score respectful, we'll see how next year goes. And it's basketball season, so I can move on. But what the heck's up with the Suns??""

I told my wife as we turned the game on last night, "You know the drill, as soon as we're down by 14 points in the first quarter, we'll turn the channel (to ease the pain), you can watch What Not To Wear, I'll go hide on the computer."

Well kiss my grits, ..... look what they did! Sure, the Panthers helped them a bunch, but hey .....

1-11-2009 @ 1:21PM

amart7 said...

I am a Cowboys fan. I will admit that they did a great job of underacheiving, as much as maybe the Eagles did a great job of pulling themselves out of a dire situation. As disappointed as I am that my 'boys choked, I am amazed that I am not in the mood to hate the Eagles or Giants - both very solid teams (although the Iggles are really hot lately). I like the idea of some new blood with a chance to go to the Superbowl. So, I am pulling for the Cards this year. Great game last night and I don't think the Cardinals were as surprised as their fans...

1-11-2009 @ 2:10PM

Michelle said...

I am 43 years old and I have been a Cardinals fan since I was about 10. I started because they were in St Louis but didn't switch teams when they moved. I have never stopped believing that this day would come. I don't care what anyone says about them not deserving to be where they are. When it comes down to plays offs it comes down to who can do the job and right now....it's the Cardinals. I was at that game last night. I was the only Cardinal fan in my whole section and I was not quiet about it. Yes I am in shock but not disbelief. I can't tell you how excited I am! Go Cardinals! Not only do the Cardinals deserve this but I think fans like me deserve this. I've taken a lot of ridicule over the years and to all those who have done the ridiculing, I simply say, HA!

1-11-2009 @ 2:31PM

Taz said...

I've been a Cardinal fan since 1964. I have never given up on the Cardinals. I have been waiting for this for a long time. The cold day in hell sign is great. Go Cardinals!

1-11-2009 @ 2:55PM

Aaron said...

This was a rare case of one team having a QB on the field for every play. The Cardinals and Jake Delhomme beat the rest of the Panthers. I feel sorry for Jake. If I were in his shoes I would have pulled out all my hair by this morning. On the flip side way to go Cards. It's been a long time coming and I hope the fans enjoy every second of it. As a Redskin fan I can say love it while it's here and love the memories down the road. I can't wait for the next time the Burgandy and Gold again sits in your position.

1-11-2009 @ 6:58PM

Mike said...

The Cards can thank Delhomme for the win just like the Cowboys can thank O'Donnell for that Superbowl win. (he was throwing and completing more passes to players in red jerseys)

1-13-2009 @ 7:07PM

TJ said...

Taz and Michelle....I've been a Big Red fan since 1960 playing football (QB) in JR High. I moved away from East St. Louis, Illinois and settled in California, but never did I give up on my Cards. We're going to get the last laugh and revenge that lose to Philly. Most people don't believe it, but it's going to happen.
The Steelers will be next!

1-15-2009 @ 11:44PM

Hey TJ and Taz This is all so incredible isn't it! I have 6 different Cardinal shirts,jerseys and have been wearing one every day for a little over 2 weeks. I'm so excited! Go Cardinals!