I bet on the Cardinals today. I had them on 3 parlay tickets. I needed them for about $100. But that’s not important. We all know what it’s like to lose. But it’s how we lose that really matters. Do yourself a favor: if you’re going to lose by one game, don’t let that game involve the Cardinals.

The Cards were supposed to be a decent team coming into the 05/06 season. Dennis Green isn’t Tony Dungy, but he’s a decent coach. Their receivers compare favorably with the pass catchers on any NFL squad. I still don’t think it matters. You can cite players, stats, and totals forever and a day. The Cardinals were bad in the past, they’re bad in the present, and they’ll continue to be bad in the future. They may even get worse.

Aside from Bert Berry their defense is just a bunch of high-energy renegades flying around the field with absolutely no sense of positioning. I’m not sure if they game-plan in the desert. But if they do we must be looking at a whole bunch of basket-weaving majors in that locker room. Because these guys have no clue what’s going on. Their offensive line is the worst I’ve ever seen. Oliver Ross on the right side was just so bad today that, literally, the only time he stuffed Leonard Little happened on a play where the Rams’ lineman tripped and fell down at his feet.

Elton Brown is just as awful. And Alex Stepanovich is among the worst centers in the NFL. There was actually a play today where Chris Claiborne, the Rams MLB, sacked Warner as Stepanovich was coming out of his stance. Let’s stop for a second so you’ll understand me. These guys aren’t just bad; they’re terrible.

Kurt Warner’s not an MVP candidate anymore, but if these guys could just give him some time he might still be able to make some throws. I guess that’s a questionable assertion. But when he’s not fumbling or being sacked he seems to be able to hit his spots. Anquan Boldin is solid, and Larry Fitzgerald is a huge talent. But this line is worse than the pitiful group you’ve got in Houston. So what’s going to happen? Nothing good.

All those high draft-picks and the Cardinals are still a lost cause. Don’t expect any more than 4 wins this year. That’s probably going to be a heckuva lot less than the average number of holding penalties they take per game. Oh, and their return game is beyond bad. Reggie Swinton may have put up decent numbers today, but he shouldn’t be in the NFL.

Consider the score in today’s game to be an indicator of how bad St. Louis is on the road. The Cards played like an XFL team and still almost won. But Adam Archuleta sacked Warner on the St. Louis 5 to run out the clock. Yes, another sack. It’s just getting embarrassing.