Was this a Cheap Shot?

You tell me football fans. After the shock of the reigning MVP being put on the shelf for the season wears off will the league look at this play and hand out a fine? The only logical outcome from diving at a QB's legs while he steps up in the pocket is injury. Also I would like to be the first one to say that the Patriots will still be a factor in who reaches the Super Bowl from the AFC. I seem to recall this same situation happening in 2001 and everyone said it was over for New England. We all know how that turned out.

Week 1: Cards 23 - 49ers 13

To all the 49er fans I encountered this past week "Bite me". All I heard this week was how SF swept the series last year and the Mike Martz led offense was going to put up points. Good call tweakers. Being a Cardinal loyalist I could spout off how excited I am for Anquan Boldin's 8 second half receptions or Tim Hightower's 1st NFL touchdown or how Edge ground out another 100 yard effort for the Birds. No the stat that gives me (cover your eyes true Cardinal fans) hope is the Time of Possession (AZ 37:05 - SF 22-55). The one thing all AZ fans know is that we can score when we need to. Holding the lead is an entirely different beast. One that new coach Ken Whisenhunt seems ready to slay. The biggest mistake of the day was Mike Gandy(69-T) taking a cheap shot at Patrick Willis early in the game. The Cardinals were pushed back 15 yards and ended up missing the Field Goal attempt. These are the mental mistakes that tend to sink the Cards in years past. Hopefully the coaching staff will chew his ass royally for that one. Defensive studs were Adrian Wilson who secured his 1st pick of the season and Travis LaBoy who collared 2 sacks and a fumble recovery late in the game. Offensively the list is long. Whether it was Steve Breaston coming up huge (3 rec-52yds) or Larry Fitzgerald getting up for a TD over $80 million dollar Nate Clements. The man who seemed least likely to contribute after a quiet 1st half was Anquan Boldin. After being a non factor for 30 minutes #81 decided to show his other-wordly athleticism and drop 8 receptions for 82 yards on the 49er D. Boldin proved once and for all that he is the numero uno receiver on this squad. Kurt Warner had a solid day( 19-30, 197 yds, 1 TD), but showed his knack for hanging on to the ball too long more than once. Special teams were anchored by head case Neil Rackers going 3 of 4 on FG attempts. Punter Dirk Johnson definitely helped the sputtering AZ offense in the 1st half by pinning SF deep inside the 20 yard line twice. Let's just improve on that 2.8 yards per carry next week. Week 1 is in the books and Arizona stands firmly atop the NFC West. Next up Da Tuna and his phish from Miami(0-1).