Arizona Cardinals: 10 Things Learned in Tough Loss To Niners on Monday Night

Ugh. 

Does anyone know how much this slideshow is going to hurt?

Anyone?

Never mind. 

If you're reading, you're in pain already. 

This is going to be a long last five games...

I think that Arizona fan in the picture is thinking the same thing. 

Either that or he's yelling at Coach Whisenhunt. 

That makes two of us. 

1. 261...

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 29: Runningback Brian Westbrook #20 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the football on a 8 yard rushing touchdown past Adrian Wilson #24 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter of the NFL game at the University of Phoen

That's how many rushing yards the Niners got on Monday night.

Without Frank Gore (who got 52 on 5 carries). 

I think I can safely say this is the low for the defense on the season. 

Sure, the Falcons, Bucs, Seahawks, and Chargers ripped the defense to shreds.

But I'd say all those offenses have been more consistent this season that San Francisco's. 

And then they lost their best player. 

Pathetic. 

2...13

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 29: Runningback Beanie Wells #26 of the Arizona Cardinals rushes the football against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 29, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona

This is the lowest amount of rushing yards since 1950 for the Cardinals. 

I'm not sure which is more pathetic:

The fact that the Cardinals ran the ball on 2nd and 16, or Tim Hightower's numbers: 5 carries for 0 yards. 

3. Whisenhunt Has Lost His Mind

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Ken Whisenhunt of the Arizona Cardinals walks off the field following the NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 29, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The 49ers defeated t

I will say yet again another disclaimer here: I love Coach Whisenhunt. 

But he has lost his mind. 

His decision making in this game was worse than a man under the influence of alcohol. 

Am I being harsh? 

Maybe. 

But his team just got thoroughly embarrassed on national TV by a mediocre team at best. 

He should be far more ticked off than the fans are. 

4. Derek Anderson Is As Bad As Everyone Said He Was

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 29: Quarterback Derek Anderson #3 of the Arizona Cardinals walks off the field during the NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 29, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christia

I regret every time I defended the Cardinals choice to stick with Anderson. 

He's been absolutely terrible this season.

And it seems that the Cardinals two wins with him at QB came in spite of him, instead of because of him. 

While we're at it, can anyone give me a real reason he was left in the game?

Was Max Hall injured?

Could John Skelton not throw a forward pass? 

5. Derek Anderson's Outburst Is Unacceptable.

Speaking of pathetic, Derek Anderson smiling on the sideline was pathetic. 

And even if he had had a calm, collected reaction to it, that would have been one thing. 

Instead, he blew up at a completely reasonable question: "Why were you smiling down by 18 (and he should've added 'and playing like crap')?"

Dennis Green, eat your heart out. 

6. The Cardinals Still Need To Change The Playcalling

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Ken Whisenhunt of the Arizona Cardinals watches from the sidelines during the NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 29, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The 49ers defeat

This goes back to Whisenhunt, but the Cardinals continue to be predictable, and wonder why they can't move the ball. 

The 49ers have a decent defense. They haven't been as good as many claimed they would be this year though. 

But boy, the Cardinals made them look like the Steelers on Monday night. 

That's what you get when you run on second and 16. 

7. Gerald Hayes Has to Sit

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Linebacker Gerald Hayes #54 of the Arizona Cardinals walks off the field after defeating the Green Bay Packers 51-45 in the 2010 NFC wild-card playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2010 in Glendale, Arizo

Hayes was absolutely embarrased by Brian Westbrook in the second half last night, when Hayes had a clear tackle, and Westbrook simply did a spin move. 

That'd be one thing if this were five years ago. 

My call? Move Daryl Washington into the starting lineup, as he looked good in limited duty. 

8. The Offensive Line Has To Open Up Some Holes

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 29: Runningback Beanie Wells #26 of the Arizona Cardinals rushes the football against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 29, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona

The Run Game isn't all on the offensive line--let me make that clear.

There's the playcalling for one thing. So teams just can guess when the Cardinals are going to run. 

For another, Beanie Wells has lost a step this season, and Tim Hightower definitely dances around too much. 

But the offensive line hasn't done anything to help them. 

While the line has done a better job in recent weeks in pass protection, they've really slipped when it comes to open up running lanes. 

9. LaRod Stephens-Howling Will Be a Pro Bowler

Harry How/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 31: LaRod Stephens-Howling #36 of the Arizona Cardinals warms up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at University of Phoenix Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

At least I hope he will be. 

He's been the Cardinals most consistent performer, making big plays week after week. 

And several of his big plays have been taken away due to penalty, like it was on Monday night. 

It was good to see him catch a couple of passes too. 

Can we see him get a couple more carries Coach?

10. Good News: The Cards Have Young Talent

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 29: Cornerback Nate Clements #22 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after stopping a pass to Early Doucet #80 of the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 29, 2010 in Glendale, A

Some young guns really stood out for the Cardinals, despite the terrible loss. 

The Hyphen for one. 

Andre Roberts for another, as he has been a solid 4th receiver, and added a couple of catches Monday. 

Daryl Washington, as mentioned earlier, did well in limited duty. 

Early Doucet led the team in catches. 

Michael Adams had an interception. 

So not all is bad in the desert. 

The Cardinals would do well to get these guys, and others, ready for 2011.