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Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald (11) makes a jumping touchdown catch in front of Philadelphia Eagles' Nnamdi Asomugha in the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
It seems history was on everybody's mind at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Right next to me in the press box, our own Vince Marotta is furiously finding the top TV shows, songs and movies from the last time the Cardinals started a season 3-0; 1974.

(It was, by the way, a damn good year for movies. The Godfather: Part II, Chinatown, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein…the movie geek in me never takes a day off, never)

History too was on the mind of Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt. He slyly dropped a reference to James Harrison's interception return for a touchdown in Super Bowl 43. Clearly it is far better to receive than give when it comes to one of those length-of-the-field deals that break both the back and the heart.

The history on my mind though takes me back to December 6, 2009.

On Sunday Night Football, the nation watched as Kurt Warner and Arizona beat Minnesota -- who was 10-1 coming into the game -- 30-17. After the game Brett Favre, who was picked off twice and sacked three times, commented the Cardinals "played like they were in the Super Bowl last year." Warner said the win proved that "they can play with anybody; we can play with the big dogs."

I recall walking out of this stadium with that same limitless feeling. There was no ceiling for that team. Nothing -- not even a return trip to the Super Bowl -- couldn't be done.

It's a similar sensation now. It's boundless. The Arizona Cardinals, the (clearing throat) first place Arizona Cardinals are one of three 3-0 teams in the NFL. Cards broadcaster Dave Pasch made the point in the pregame show; you go 3-0 and you're talking about a magical season. Where is the ceiling for this football team? How good can they be? How far can they go?

To hazard a prediction on any of those questions is risky business to be sure but know this: they're good. Argue that the two wins against Seattle and New England were lucky but make no such claims about this Philly game. The defense treated Michael Vick like a piñata in the backyard. Seemingly everybody; Kerry Rhodes, Daryl Washington, Calais Campbell, O'Brien Schofield, Sam Acho and Quentin Groves took a whack with the stick. Five sacks, 13 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles. The defense continues to be exceptional.

Larry Fitzgerald did what he always does to the Eagles...dominate. First round pick Michael Floyd juggled his way into the end zone for the first time in his career. Forty-two of Ryan Williams' 83 yards came on the drive that bled the clock out; a measure of redemption after last week's fumble.

But if history is the theme of the game, then the game belongs to Kevin Kolb. History has not treated Kolb or the Cardinals well since the trade of a year ago. It's appropriate to look at everything given up to get Kolb (players, picks, money) and conclude that they were swindled. Truthfully, Kolb was never going to conquer that mountain and change all those minds by winning this game. And yet…

Beating his old team is a major plateau in that climb. He, and we, should all stop and admire the view for a moment.

If you want a history lesson, how about this one: exactly one month ago from Sunday, the Cards lost to the Titans in a preseason game that saw Kolb throw two picks, including the mind-numbing pick-six to start the second half. The journey from where they were to where they are -- a 3-0 start with Kolb at the helm -- seems quite literally impossible.

Yet here we are. And just like that December night three years ago I can't wait to see what's next.

12 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
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    KDub&ADub1324 wrote...
    Like I said before...
    Let the season start and things play out first, BEFORE you write off the Cards, or Kolb for that matter...you never know how things are going to pan out. You analysts are singing a different song now, how does it feel?
  • Abuse
    Kreedos wrote...
    Excellent win...
    1: I like how Whiz called out the local media for doubting the Cards in the post game interview with Calvisi, everyone is jumping back on the bandwagon, and I cant wait to hear your show today. I wonder if Burns will still call Kolb a great "Backup QB"
  • Abuse
    Kreedos wrote...
    Three things cont'd
    2: I told my folks this would be the game where we'd see Nick Foles. We came close. Vick was confused, the whole Eagles offense, at one point, didnt even know what down it was. They were all over the place.3: Major kudos to Kolb, who is really coming along. Pretty sure Skelton will ride the bench for the remainder of the season barring injury. Its never too late to reinvent yourself.
  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    This is good stuff
    And to be honest at the maximum extent... This is what I was looking for from the QB position. Based on the way Kolb played last year and this pre season, I didnt expect he'd have IT to offer. I was a little disappointed the Cards only managed to score a FG in the 2nd half. But it was all made up for the defense holding the Eagles to 2 FG's in the 3rd qtr. Next time they might not be so lucky. I think Ryan Williams is going to come to it. Although it took until the 4th qtr for him to get a rythm going, he at least got it going. Time for him to do it all the time.
  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    What do I have to say about Kolb now?
    Im glad hes playing well. The team deserves a sufficient enough QB (which is what he is). That is all I have to say about that subject. For those of you that want to say "I told you so", I suggest you save that until after the division is won because its a long season. As happy as I am for the team, no one should be content and satisfied with these 3 wins.
  • Abuse
    red7037 wrote...
    FitzisMyHero....Nobody cares what you think
    The only reason people read your post is because your a lunatic and its comical to read.
  • Abuse
    Teddy P wrote...
    Remember when?
    Remember when Burns, Gambo, Doug, and Green were all huge Skelton supporters/Kolb haters? Man that was funny. Thanks for the comedy arizonasports.com! At least Foster and Wolf actually have brains!
  • Abuse
    red7037 wrote...
    Teddy P right on
    Wolf - Funny delivery, but dude played the game and knows his stuff. Foster - Only columnist on here that has any sense and just doesn't rip national articles and rehash them. Burns - Annoying but he is a smart dude just makes bad choices all the time Franz - NERD, can't stand this guy, fringe athlete, total stat nerd and just liked to hear himself talk.
  • Abuse
    red7037 wrote...
    Teddy P right on cont...
    Green - Has no talent he literally scours your espn's of the world and rehashes national articles all day. FINALLY GAMBO - Total unprofessional, never does any research for his show, just "guesses" on stat lines, pronounces names wrong all the time, and ends "r's" to the end of words that don't have an R...like saw it to SAWR IT. Also total NEW YORK homer that couldn't make it in the big city and had to come out here.
  • Abuse
    johnnyb588 wrote...
    Just because someone is paid...
    ...to write about sports or give their opinions over the air doesn't mean they have any idea what they're talking about. These az sports guys (and gals) are just as susceptible to group think and bandwagoneering as the rest of the general population.
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