STREVELER STRUGGLES, BOOMER ENRAGES CANADA
INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Kyler Murray’s injured right ankle was the least of his concerns after the Arizona Cardinals’ post-season hopes were dashed with an 18-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
Murray’s status going into Sunday was in doubt earlier in the week after he suffered a right leg injury in last week’s loss to San Francisco. He was a full participant during practice leading up to the game though.
But on a third-and-12 from the Rams 49 on the first series, Los Angeles defensive end Morgan Fox landed on Murray’s ankle while being sacked. Murray limped off the field and went into the medical tent before going into the locker room.
By the time he came back into the game early in the fourth quarter, the Cardinals were trailing 18-7. Murray completed his first five passes when he returned – including throws of 26 yards to Trent Sherfield and Dan Arnold for 25 yards – to get them into the red zone.
Coach Kliff Kingsbury said it Murray’s call on going back into the game.
“He needed to loosen it up. He couldn’t push off on it,” he said. “He felt like (the pain) was bearable when he came back in. I’m proud of him. It was gutty, especially a guy who uses his legs like that.”
Former CFLer and Winnipeg Blue Bomber hero Chris Streveler came on in relief of Murray and led the Cardinals to a touchdown on his first drive, but was ineffective after that. Streveler, who had never thrown a pass in an NFL game, had a short field after Jordan Hicks intercepted John Wolford’s pass at the Rams 20 and returned it 6 yards.
Streveler completed both of his passes on the drive, including an 11-yard touchdown to Jonathan Ward to give the Cardinals a 7-0 lead with 10:09 remaining in the first quarter.
The Cardinals though were hardly able to move the ball in Streveler’s other drives. Besides going three-and-out on three drives, Arizona mistakes led to nine points by the Rams defence in the second quarter. Left guard Justin Pugh was called for holding in the end zone to cut the Cardinals’ lead to 7-5.
Troy Hill then intercepted Streveler’s pass intended for Sherfield and returned it 84 yards for a pick-6 to give the Rams a 12-7 lead at halftime.
Streveler said he thought a hard count had caused the Rams to jump offside, but it wasn’t called.
“I thought we had a free play. I tried to put in play and we didn’t get the call,” said Streveler, who was 11 of 16 for 105 yards.
CBS colour commentator Boomer Esiason – pinch-hitting for regular colour man Tony Romo who was scratched due to Covid protocol – offered scathing commentary of Streveler’s Pick Six.
“What a horrific mistake,’” said Esiason. “He throws it in between three Ram defenders as he is getting hit in the pocket. This isn’t the Grey Cup. This isn’t the CFL. You can’t just take chances and throw the ball down the middle of the field and expect somebody not to come down with it. There’s just no reason to throw the ball there.”
Esiason’s comments drew the ire of several CFL personalities on Twitter including Travis Lulay, Derek Dennis, Randy Chevrier, Dave Campbell and Chris O’Leary.
“Boomer knows that doesn’t work in the CFL either, right?” Lulay Tweeted. “Also, Boomer knows he’s only calling this game because the starter is out too, right? Ok now I’m done.”
“Yes this is a CFL outrage Tweet,” wrote long-time CFL long-snapper Randy Chevrier. “But Boomer Esiason talking like CFL quarterbacks are a bunch of blathering idiots that just chuck the ball up when there are no options. I’ve seen that play a million times by bad and well-established QBs. Offer intelligence to analysis.”
“Boomer just hating now,” Tweeted free agent lineman Derek Dennis.
“The CFL slander has got to stop,” Tweeted TSN anchor Kayla Grey.
As for the game, Kingsbury said there wasn’t any thought of having Brett Hundley – who has nine NFL starts – active for the game instead of Streveler.
Arizona finishes the season 8-8, which is a three-win improvement from last year. But the Cardinals won only two of their final seven games after they beat Buffalo on the 43-yard “Hail Murray” to DeAndre Hopkins on the last play of the game.
Four of the Cardinals’ final five losses were to NFC West foes, including two to the Rams.
(With files from Associated Press)
Boomer took cheap shot. He used to be a cool dude now he is an old grouch. I would point out he was filling in for Tony Romo in the booth and did not exactly talk his way back onto the A team. This was from the guy who did not manage the clock properly in a Super Bowl and contributed the legend of Joe Montana. Nobody has pointed that out so he should not toss stones in a glass house. I have a memory like an elephant on that one. Mr. Morals Tony Dungy also took his shot too… Read more »
Many ‘Mericains’ are afflicted with a blind nationalism. “Everything about ‘Merica’ is the best in the worrrrld.” And there’s little hope this will change. Meanwhile, Canadian Rules ruuuule! I enjoy both types of gridiron football, but football played the way a nation of hockey lovers play it – wide open, and constantly moving – still warms my heart! Go CFL!
Hi Grant I have thought about this as Americans are different. In a good way. There is a theory about American Exceptionalism. They are inherently unique as it is born from the American Revolution. They broke away and on Planet Earth truly are the only “new” nation. I give them many passes as they have done so much for the world. My dealings with them in my travels is they truly are reasonable people. This is an opportunity for us to do a seek to understand situtation. Peter King and Chris Berman are CFL supporters. The same goes for Marc… Read more »