QB (3): Skelton, Kolb, Lindley.
The offense for the entire pre-season was and remains out of sorts. All three QBs struggled with the execution, the timing and the breakdowns in protection.
It makes absolutely no sense to bench the #2 QB in this game, whomever he is and as much as one can respect Rich Bartel, it makes no sense to give him snaps when he is just going to be released anyway...although ironically for a small stretch there Bartel was looking as good as any QB we've seen this summer. Hope he's ok. Classy guy and player.
Lindley came out with far more attempts and playing time in the pre-season, which also makes little sense, seeing how much the top two struggled and were never given a whole half to get things going.
Quite possibly the worst coached, worst handled QB unit in the NFL this pre-season.
RB (4): Wells, Williams, Stephens-Howling, Powell.
Wells ran well---although he was a little slow out of the gates. Powell has made quite a name for himself---and with as dinged up as Hyphen gets, Powell's KO return ability gives him the edge on Alfonso Smith (who will be waiting for a call if and when the Cardinals need him this year).
FB (1): Sherman.
One of the better players on the team even as a sophomore.
OL (8): Batiste, Colledge, Sendlein, Snyder, Massie, Kelemete, Ohrnsberger, Bridges.
Weird handing of Bridges who basically played with the 2nd and 3rd lines the last few games---might be on the way out if the team ever gets off its arse and brings in another tackle. Just weird.
TE (3): King, Heap, Housler.
King and Heap look gimpy and Housler is hurt as well. Right now this unit isn't looking very good at all. Keeping a 4th TE with all the other roster issues would be a classic Whisenhunt move---so add another poor performer this pre-season in there like Dray.
WR (6): Fitzgerald, Roberts, Doucet, Floyd, Byrd, I. Williams.
The team has always like to keep 6 WRs---there was a classic Doucet chew and screw tonight---a great Barnum and Bailey (Wolfley) TD catch by a double teamed Floyd---but we saw a WR actually get behind a defense in Isaiah Williams, a true rarity amongst these birds---which actually may mean he will be cut tomorrow due to the assessment of his whole body of work and his arguing with Whisenhunt on the sidelines. Sampson will probably make the team because they drafted him and they think he's ok on STs when he really is no great shakes there. Drops and fumbles tonight exposed him as a below average NFL WR.
NT (2): Williams, Eason.
Williams and Eason have had good pre-seasons.
DE (4): Dockett, Campbell, Carter, Holliday.
Calling Carter (Wolfley again) the 4th starter and Holliday the old salty dog was amusing and befitting. Ronald Talley was not good the past few weeks.
ILB (4): Lenon, Washington, Bradley, Walker.
Four starting caliber LBers here---wonder if Bradley and/or Walker might get some looks on the outside---both have show good bursts rushing the passer---at least from the inside.
OLB (4): Schofield, Acho, Haggans, Groves.
Groves and Haggans had good games and were active in pursuit, albeit versus 2nd and 3rd stringers---being 13th in line on the waiver wires means that any decent pass rushers who are waived wont make it to the Cardinals. If the Cardinals want to bolster this position they will have to make a trade---which they wont. Brandon Williams showed real difficulty defending the run in this game---and he's not a consistent edge threat.
CB (6): Peterson, Gay, Fleming, Jefferson, Adams, Toler.
Adams has struggled all pre-season in coverage---BUT---the STs coverage teams this pre-season have been awful, as witnessed yet again in this game. Adams HAS to stick, but strictly on STs. Toler looks hampered still. But, with the mergence of Fleming there's time for him to get stronger.
S (5): Wilson, Rhodes, Sanders, Bethel, Johnson.
This kid Bethel is now one of the best tacklers on the team. He was around the ball and finishing plays all game. Sanders is solid---and Johnson needs to get back to full strength.
ST (3): Feely, Leach, Zastudil.
One could argue the pre-season MVPs are: RB William Powell (offense), LB Stewart Bradley (defense) and P Dave Zastudil & S Justin Bethel (special teams).
Wonder if Feely's two misses and shorter than desired kickoffs will have the coaches looking more closely at the waiver wire. Probably not, but it's possible---like last year when they cut Graham.
It's been a tough pre-season---with only 3 home games in the last 8---this team needs a fast start---but this team is letting off a dubious vibe---the buzz from last year's wins down the stretch seems like a distant memory---but it's only the pre-season, right? Many keep thinking the defense will carry the team early---but, when you look at them fundamentally right now (tackling, getting off blocks, covering, etc.), and how weak they have been on the edges, it would not be difficult to imagine a slow start like last year's. Not sure these guys will handle the pressure of having to carry the team this early in the season. Hopefully they can and will. The players are excited about bringing on the full package of blitzes and schemes---but the fundamentals have to be good, regardless of the schemes.
