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Winning on road still problem for Cardinals
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VIENNA, VA. - The Cardinals' mission is to put their dreary past firmly in their rearview mirror.
Sunday's loss at Washington shows how far they still need to go.
As much progress as they made last year, they still had a tendency for mistake-filled losses on the road.
That's what happened again on Sunday, as the Cardinals started slow, fought back to tie, then faded to a loss.
Two turnovers, after they had zero in their first two games, plus special-teams blunders added up to a familiar formula for a road loss.
"We can't have the slow starts, especially on the road," receiver Larry Fitzgerald said.
"I'm looking forward to correcting the mistakes ... and not let this discourage us."
"I kind of got a sick feeling in my gut" from missed opportunities and mistakes, coach Ken Whisenhunt said.
At the same time, he pointed out what he thinks are improvements from last year's poor showings on the East Coast.
"There was a much different feel this game. ... Last year, there was a sense of uncertainty. I never sensed that on the sideline. That was evident in how we responded (from a 10-0 deficit in front of 90,000 opposing fans)."
A different view came from quarterback Kurt Warner.
Asked if the Cardinals' past is really in the past, Warner said, "I'm not confident until we do it. That's the bottom line.
"I think we're growing in a lot of areas. I think we're getting better and growing up.
"But the bottom line in this business is that to be a playoff team you have to go on the road against good football teams and win. Even when things don't go in your direction and you don't play your best, you have to find a way. We really haven't done that yet."
Warner bemoaned the result of a late, long pass that hit a defender's helmet and ended up as a long interception return that pretty much decided the game.
"I wish I could have done something different on that play that wouldn't have hurt us. Other than that, not a whole bunch I would take back ... (other than) I wish we would have made a few more plays."
Of course, it's also true the Redskins may simply be much better than anyone had thought, especially considering they have a rookie coach in Jim Zorn.
Quarterback Jason Campbell, who did little against the Cards last year, was too much for them on Sunday.
"If Jason Campbell can play like he did yesterday, not making mistakes and being decisive with his throws, he gives them a great chance to go to the playoffs," Cards cornerback Rod Hood said.
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