I know I mentioned earlier today about the Cards and the whole "disrespect" thing. After I posted that, I had a talk with a couple of friends in the media about it. There have been few teams that haven't said such things in the postseason, even teams that were really good -- it was pointed out that juggernaut 2001 Yankees team that eventually lost to the Diamondbacks in the World Series crowed about not getting the proper respect -- but the Cardinals are one of the few teams that may actually deserve to say it.
Sometimes the blows are softened with some props at the same time. Sometimes it's just a plain statement. Sometimes it's the way this guy or that guy is picking the game, sometimes it's the sheer volume of the picks against.
I am guessing the criticism will ease up a bit this week, but not altogether.
"I don't really care what they say," defensive end Bertrand Berry said. "The only thing that makes a difference to me is what the guys in this locker room think. We can play with anybody, it's a matter of us going and doing it. We know the outside world doesn't think much of us, but that's fine. They can't help us win when the ball kicks off."
