ARIZONA CARDINALS

Bird Bits: Cardinals embarrassed by Rams

Nov 26, 2012, 12:14 AM | Updated: 12:32 am

Sure, you could read the box score and know who won, but we all know that won’t tell you everything that happened in a football game. So, we will give you Bird Bits providing you with the analysis, quotes and notes from the Cardinals’ 31-17 loss to the St. Louis Rams.

The Story:

Rookie quarterback Ryan Lindley made his first professional start and it didn’t go well. The sixth-round pick threw four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns by St. Louis rookie cornerback Janoris Jenkins.

The Good:

Beanie Wells returned to the gridiron after a prolonged absence with a turf toe injury and played well. The fourth-year pro ran for 48 yards on 17 carries and scored two touchdowns — his first two scores of the season.

The Bad:

Lindley’s second half performance left a lot to be desired. To his defense, the Rams brought a lot more pressure with blitz schemes, and they seemed to confuse the rookie.

Even with the quarterback change, the Cardinals failed to get the ball into the hands of Larry Fitzgerald. Fitz had just three catches for 31 yards and has just four receptions in the last two games.

Noted:

• Jenkins became the first Ram in history to have two interception returns for touchdowns in the same game. As a franchise, they’ve played 1,030 games.

• The Rams hadn’t forced a turnover in their previous five games, but picked off four passes against the Cardinals.

• St. Louis’ 31 points tied their season-high. They also had 31 in a Week 2 win over the Washington Redskins.

• The Rams picked up their first road win of the season, snapping a seven-game road losing streak.

Coming Up Next:

The Cardinals hit the road to take on the New York Jets at Met Life Stadium in New Jersey next Sunday.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

John Gambadoro

The Gambo 5: Predicting whom the Arizona Cardinals pick 1st in 2024

Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze and two others are on Gambo's list of predicted Arizona Cardinals picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.

4 hours ago

Monti Ossenfort speaks at the NFL Combine...

Tyler Drake

NFL mock draft tracker: What will the Cardinals do with the No. 4 pick?

A look at the players being mocked to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 4 overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

5 hours ago

Steve Keim looks on...

Tyler Drake

Ex-Cardinals general manager Steve Keim ‘much happier now’ after rehab stint

Arizona Cardinals GM Steve Keim opened up about his mysterious leave of absence and parting of ways from the team on Tuesday.

24 hours ago

Presented By...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: What is the best move the Cardinals can make in the 1st round of the NFL Draft?

On this episode of Cardinals Corner, Arizona Sports Cardinals reporter Tyler Drake and do-it-all contributor Lauren Koval dive into their best- and worst-case scenarios for the Cardinals in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

1 day ago

Malik Nabers celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Prisco: Cardinals ‘should’ take Malik Nabers over Marvin Harrison Jr. in NFL Draft

CBS Sports draft analyst Pete Prisco believes LSU's Malik Nabers should be the Cardinals' pick at fourth overall in his latest mock draft.

1 day ago

Chop Robinson runs the 4-=yard dash at the NFL Draft Combine...

Tyler Drake

Which NFL Draft prospects are being mocked to Cardinals’ No. 27 pick?

A look at what NFL Draft analysts are thinking when it comes to the Arizona Cardinals' second first-round pick.

1 day ago

Bird Bits: Cardinals embarrassed by Rams