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AP: 81aa2b55-9ce0-43aa-a850-c0291c892354
Arizona Cardinals quarterback John Skelton (19) throws against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. The 49ers won 24-3. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
I've always been impressed with the movies that can take several different stories, with several different characters and somehow intertwine them throughout the course of two and a half hours. I'm talking about movies like "Traffic" and "Crash" and even "Pulp Fiction" (in fact if you Google "movies with intertwining storylines" you get this). How the director and writer are able to take all those separate angles and turn it into one singular story is, at worst, a neat gimmick and, at best, a work of art.

My first temptation following the nationally televised punchline on Monday Night Football was to lay into John Skelton. But that's not fair, his offensive line is terrible. Although let's be honest, it's not their fault when a Skelton pass sails away like a kite when the string is let go. A running game would help too, but you know, the Cardinals are missing their top two running backs, haven't bothered with trying to find another, and frankly the way they run block, really what's the point. There have been a few missed kicks in there too. I suppose, if I wanted, I could make a case for all the dropped balls that have hindered the Cardinals offense these last few weeks.

Drafting a wideout would have helped - oh wait, they did that - but I've hardly noticed Michael Floyd this entire season. Maybe that pick would have been better spent on a tackle, but then again how could they have predicted their left tackle was going to hurt in August. And until the last eight games of the 2011 regular season, Levi Brown was a massive bust in his own right. I guess that's part of the reason why Russ Grimm gets so much grief from the fans; it doesn't feel like he's really developed any of his linemen, but, let's be fair, it's not like they've really committed to drafting offensive linemen.

You can assume they'll take one next year in the draft, unless they take a quarterback, unless they think they already have one in Ryan Lindley and really, isn't the clock ticking on his NFL debut?

There is not one definitive angle. Not one person to blame. Not one overriding theme or obvious solution. All these intertwining Cardinal storylines add up to one simple conclusion: this offense is broken.

Coach Whisenhunt knows there is no easy fix. He was asked after the game if he still has confidence in the offense as a whole.

His answer: "I guess we don't have a lot of choices."

My point can be illustrated by a question. If I gave you the opportunity to change out one part. One position, player or coach. At this point would it make much of a difference in the overall production? While the Cards shouldn't give up trying, it's hard to see that one switch could make a world of difference.

The Eagles made a big change heading into their bye week by firing their defensive coordinator. In the end, their defense got worse at home against Atlanta. Perhaps, after the Green Bay game, the Cards will look to change things up going into their bye week but I imagine the same conclusion will be reached. They don't have a lot of choices.

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    Jim R. wrote...
    No Easy Fix
    That's right, there is no easy fix this season. New offensive linemen will have to wait until the season is over. Ditto for reliable running backs. Hope Lindley gets some game time this season to see what he has since we know what we have with Skelton and Kolb.
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    Patrick Peterson's Talent wrote...
    Great Piece
    Another great piece Burnsy. Always appreciate your columns because you're a true Valley fan. I think you're dead on with this one.
  • Abuse
    AirForceCardsFan wrote...
    No Skelton Fan
    I'm getting really tired of Skelton getting all the praise when this team wins last year and this one but none of the blame when they lose. When they went on the winning streak last year it wasn't because of Skelton, it was because the D played lights out and they got timely special teams play from LSH and Peterson. I also don't want to hear how the terrible O line is the reason he stinks this year, Kolb had the same line and won 4 games. I really think it's time for Whiz to go he is a .500 coach and that is unacceptable anywhere else he would be gone already.
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    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    Your correct there arent many options...
    right now. Going into next season, thats a whole different story, and we'll find out when we get there. Graves and Whiz are the masterminds and creators of this mess. And based on what theyve done so far, do you really trust them to continue rebuilding? I dont. Next season, the Cards will have options. How about start with giving Bill Parcells a call for that GM position.
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    HunterSThompson wrote...
    Ugly...and about to get uglier.
    Well said, Dave. Unfortunately, things are going to be really ugly this offseason. Let's face facts - the Cards need at LEAST 2-3 starting-caliber O-linemen, a starting QB, AND at least one durable running back capable of carrying the ball 25 times a game. To make things worse, we have a GM that has ZERO ability to manufacture trades. Not enough draft picks in the world to fix this any time soon....
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    HunterSThompson wrote...
    One piece to swap out...
    In answer to your question Dave, the one piece I would swap out that would have the most long-term effect on production for the Cardinals going forward would be ROD GRAVES. All these problems will NEVER be effectively addressed unless the person who's JOB DESCRIPTION is to evaluate and bring in the talent is actually upgraded. Maybe at 4-12 the Bidwills will see that also....
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    theuglytruth wrote...
    There has to be changes
    because the current line up is not working. Move Floyd up to the 2nd WR, move Flemming up to start, move WIPO up to start, move Groves up to start, work Laron Byrd in....shake up the lineup! Change the game plan...start the game with no huddle, spread them out, silent counts, etc. Maybe drop Heap because he may never get healthy. They have to work with what they have. Clearly the current path is fruitless.
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    mesa mad man wrote...
    Quick Fix
    You want a quick fix - find an offensive lineman. By making one change, even if its just bringing in a left tackle, it will solve more than half of this teams problems. If Sherman can focus on helping the right side instead of the left, it will be more effective. That will give the qb time to make some more passes and not rush the ones he does make, and prevent injuries. Getting more time to pass will allow for us to run some draws which will kickstart the running game. This would keep the offense on the field and the defense fresher.
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    mesa mad man wrote...
    options
    what options are out there? they still have two days left to make a trade. What about Branden Albert on the Chiefs, Michael Roos from the Titans, Jared Veldheer on the raiders? Just a few examples of decent to above average lineman whos teams are going nowhere this season and could use as many picks as they could get. Why not float a #2 out there and see if any of the teams would bite.
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    redstick88 wrote...
    not this year
    Their is no easy fix this year. Russ should go at the end of the year. Fitz ie the best we have no reason to trade him so stop the talk now, its dumb. I like the idea of getting legarrett Blount in a trade for dirt cheap right now. Skelton is a decent back up kolb is a great back up and lindely is still a ?.
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