Birdgang MVP – Arizona Cardinals Regular Season Week 2

Sep 14, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) forces New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) to fumble during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Another week, another victory for the Arizona Cardinals as they would take care of business against the New York Giants, 25-14. With quarterback Carson Palmer winning BirdGang MVP in week one, it would be obvious for him to be ca candidate for week two also right? Nope. Palmer would be out with a shoulder injury against the G-men so their backup, Drew Stanton, had to be the leader of the offense in week two.

Stanton did enough to win the game but showed no flashes that would spark the offensive attack so Stanton does not get the MVP for this week. So who stood out from the rest?

For week two, we would have to go to the defensive side of the ball and choose defensive end, Calais Campbell. Campbell made a big impact for the Cards’ defense posting 10 tackles and 1 quarterback sack. It is one thing for a linebacker to get 10 tackles in a game but for a defensive end in a 3-4 defense, its extremely impressive. That is because this means a 300 pound man has to be able to have quick feet and beat the offensive linemen on multiple plays to make the tackle.

As a result, the Cardinals run defense would be in command as they would hold the Giants’ starting running back, Rashad Jennings, a mere 3.6 yards per carry average on 16 carries.

A couple of players do deserve honorary mentions for their own contributions this week. Cards’ running back, Andre Ellington, is one of these players who seemed to carry the offense in the absence of Carson Palmer. Ellington, on 15 carries, had 91 rushing yards for an impressive 6.1 yards per rush average. He did not do too much in the receiving category (1 reception for 10 yards) so that is the only reason why Ellington falls to 2nd in this week’s BirdGang MVP.

The last player we need to mention is wide receiver/return man Ted Ginn Jr. Ginn did not have a reception in this game but he made a play with truly shifted the game towards the Cardinals’ favor when he would return a punt return for a touchdown which would be a 71-yard return. This return would not only give the Cards’ a touchdown but, most importantly, it would give the Cardinals the lead in the 4th quarter which would, ultimately, be all they would need to secure the victory.

Here is the punt return for touchdown by Ted Ginn Jr.

Two weeks done with and now it is on to the Cards’ toughest opponent yet going against a division rival in the San Francisco 49ers at home in Arizona. This upcoming game will truly decide whether if the Cards are real contenders in the NFC West in 2014. As of right now, they sit alone at the top in the NFC West. Get pumped!

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