Sunday – September, 12 2010
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Arizona at St. Louis 4:15 PM FOX – I think the heat in the Sonoran Desert may have gotten to Arizona GM Rod Graves as he has reduced the Cardinals to a just an mere skeleton of what they were just two seasons ago.
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The biggest swap meet of the decade was held in Glendale just shortly after Kurt Warner’s retirement in what likely could be perceived as a rebuilding move, beginning with wide receiver Anquan Boldin’s trade to Baltimore, followed by the release of safety Antrel Rolle, and the recent decision to release Warner replacement Matt Leinart.
His surrogate come Sunday against the Rams will be Derek Anderson who lost the starting job in Cleveland after throwing three touchdowns and 10 interceptions over eight games in 2008. And this is Arizona’s answer? He’s the only guy with a worse QB rating since 2008 is JaMarcus Russell.
Meanwhile, Kerry Rhodes will replace Rolle and returning receivers Steve Breaston and Early Doucet will combine to fill in for Boldin, while Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower will work to improve on a poor 2009 rushing campaign, that that ranked 28th on the ground a year ago.
In sharp contrast the Rams camp is buzzing with the awaited debut of Sam Bradford, who won the Heisman in 2008 at Oklahoma, and was then drafted No. 1 by St. Louis who signed him to a six-year, $78 million contract with $50 million in guaranteed money — the most ever in the NFL.
To make sure Bradford’s debut goes off without a hitch, the Rams brought on receiver Mark Clayton from Baltimore on Monday. His is expected to be the No. 1 receiver after Donnie Avery went down with a season-ending knee injury during the preseason.
This will put more emphasis on RB Steven Jackson, who rushed for 1,416 yards in 2009 and if fully healthy should have a good day if he can avoid Arizona veteran linebacker Joey Porter.
Porter, who has 92 career sacks, will also be expected to be effective on putting pressure on Bradford, bolstering the Cards pass rush.
The weak link for St. Louis still remains with the defense, and could be the Achilles for the Rams in 2010.
The last time the teams met in 2009, Arizona won the game 31-10.
St. Louis probably won’t see the payoffs for another season or two, but I think Bradford, with the help of RB Stephen Jackson, gives them enough of a chance to win their home opener on their way to a better 2010 season.
The odds makers have the Cardinals as a -4 point favorite with an over/under of 39.
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Arizona Cardinals Betting Trends:
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Arizona’s last 9 games
- Arizona is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games
- Arizona is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
- Arizona is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games on the road
St. Louis Rams Betting Trends:
- St. Louis is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis’s last 5 games
- St. Louis is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
- St. Louis is 6-12 ATS in its last 18 games at home
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