Patriots coach Belichick says Cardinals are a talented foe
Sep 12, 2012, 12:34 AM | Updated: 1:02 am
Bill Belichick has won 139 games over the last 12 seasons as the head coach of the New England Patriots.
He’s 1-0 in season 13 after his team thrashed the Tennessee Titans 34-13 in Nashville, and is set to host the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2.
A Cardinals team, the three-time Super Bowl champion coach said, that has some of the best players in the NFL.
“I see a very talented team,” the coach told Arizona Sports 620’s Doug and Wolf when asked what he sees on film. “I think there are some of the very best players at their position on this team.”
Belichick pointed to Larry Fitzgerald, Calais Campbell, Adrian Wilson and Patrick Peterson, adding that Arizona’s playmaking ability in the kicking game is a real weapon.
“As you know, nothing can turn a game around quicker than a play on special teams.”
The Cardinals may need all the help they can get Sunday.
The early betting line for the game has the Cardinals as nearly two-touchdown underdogs, a number that may seem a bit low given the fact that the last time these teams met was a 47-7 Patriots blowout.
That Patriots team was starting Matt Cassel at quarterback, whereas the Cardinals (who would reach the Super Bowl) had Kurt Warner under center.
But that was four years ago, and much has changed. Including, of course, the men under center. Tom Brady is directing one of the league’s most dynamic offenses, while some combination of Kevin Kolb and/or John Skelton is and will be slinging the ball around for the Cardinals.
Skelton is nursing an ankle injury but not yet ruled out for the game, though many assume Kolb will get the start Sunday. Team president Michael Bidwill even said as much Tuesday.
