15 thoughts - Chargers game

[Gandhi]

Sorry for not doing this column last week. I had too many other things to take care of. I thought I would include 15 thoughts this week instead.

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1 – What a great game! Hard, tough, fighting for every yard. Instead of the high octane-pass happy-nonsense where both teams have 20 drives in a game. These physical, high intensity games are much more entertaining.

2 – James Connor is perfect for the scheme.

3 – Wonderful special teams play. Field position is huge, and every Chargers drive started inside their 20-yard line.

4 – Imagine if the Chargers had scored early on a turnover, after last week’s destruction in Green Bay. Could have been a very different game. Thank God for James Connor and Michael Wilson.

5 – All season the receivers have not been helping Murray. Got to make those difficult catches.

6 – We are starting to see why Chad Ryland was a fourth-round pick, which is not exactly normal for a kicker. 6 of 7 field goals made, including two game winners.

7 – Humiliation of Max Melton in the second half.

8 – I will defer to @BACH on this one, as he knows more about offensive line-play, but I thought that Trystan Colon played pretty well, especially on run plays.

9 – Waaaaaay too many pass plays where the defensive line is basically irrelevant. No pressure at all.

10 – I wholeheartedly disagree with Petzing and Murray that they shouldn’t force the ball to Harrison, but I also think it is an incorrect view. Harrison has the second most targets on the offense (trailing McBride with two targets), and only in two games a WR has been targeted more times than Harrison. And for comparison, he has more targets than players such as Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Brandon Aiyuk had through six games of their rookie year. And significantly more than Rome Odunze, who he was rated at an almost equal level with before the draft. It’s more that Harrison has been a bust so far. No other way to put it.

11 – They still haven’t scored a touchdown after forcing a turnover this season.

12 – How do you fail on two tush push-plays in a row? I mean, forget about the play call. How do you screw it up twice?

13 – Dante Stills was a great draft pick. I don’t know the stats, but it is pretty obvious that he is their most (and only?) talented defensive lineman.

14 – The season is very much alive for the Cards. Now is the time for Ossenfort to strike a deal for a great defensive lineman or edge rusher.

(And now I also see the horrible news about Gardeck, which just makes the point even more important).

15 – Connor broke ten tackles throughout the game. Wow.

 

[MadCardDisease]

8 – I will defer to Bach on this one, as he knows more about offensive line-play, but I thought that Trystan Colon played pretty well, especially on run plays.

I noticed that as well. Looked like Colon didn't play as crappy as I was expecting.

 

[slanidrac16]

#2. Why isn’t our play action taking advantage of the threat Connor brings?#14. It’s been mentioned to “ be patient”. But do we have to wait until March to improve this roster? Either
1. Monti isn’t to smart or
2. Bidwill has the pocketbook locked up.
I chose number 2.

 

[Harry]

Sorry for not doing this column last week. I had too many other things to take care of. I thought I would include 15 thoughts this week instead.

-------------------

1 – What a great game! Hard, tough, fighting for every yard. Instead of the high octane-pass happy-nonsense where both teams have 20 drives in a game. These physical, high intensity games are much more entertaining.

2 – James Connor is perfect for the scheme.

3 – Wonderful special teams play. Field position is huge, and every Chargers drive started inside their 20-yard line.

4 – Imagine if the Chargers had scored early on a turnover, after last week’s destruction in Green Bay. Could have been a very different game. Thank God for James Connor and Michael Wilson.

5 – All season the receivers have not been helping Murray. Got to make those difficult catches.

6 – We are starting to see why Chad Ryland was a fourth-round pick, which is not exactly normal for a kicker. 6 of 7 field goals made, including two game winners.

7 – Humiliation of Max Melton in the second half.

8 – I will defer to Bach on this one, as he knows more about offensive line-play, but I thought that Trystan Colon played pretty well, especially on run plays.

9 – Waaaaaay too many pass plays where the defensive line is basically irrelevant. No pressure at all.

10 – I wholeheartedly disagree with Petzing and Murray that they shouldn’t force the ball to Harrison, but I also think it is an incorrect view. Harrison has the second most targets on the offense (trailing McBride with two targets), and only in two games a WR has been targeted more times than Harrison. And for comparison, he has more targets than players such as Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Brandon Aiyuk had through six games of their rookie year. And significantly more than Rome Odunze, who he was rated at an almost equal level with before the draft. It’s more that Harrison has been a bust so far. No other way to put it.

11 – They still haven’t scored a touchdown after forcing a turnover this season.

12 – How do you fail on two tush push-plays in a row? I mean, forget about the play call. How do you screw it up twice?

13 – Dante Stills was a great draft pick. I don’t know the stats, but it is pretty obvious that he is their most (and only?) talented defensive lineman.

14 – The season is very much alive for the Cards. Now is the time for Ossenfort to strike a deal for a great defensive lineman or edge rusher.

(And now I also see the horrible news about Gardeck, which just makes the point even more important).

15 – Connor broke ten tackles throughout the game. Wow.

5. Strongly agree, though McBride gets it done
7. Don’t give up on Melton yet. I think he might still be solid.
10. I agree with the announcers, they’re throwing to Harrison but using the wrong patterns.
14. Still think a major deal is unlikely. Maybe some rotational guy.
15. Connor is clearly from another planet.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

12 – How do you fail on two tush push-plays in a row? I mean, forget about the play call. How do you screw it up twice?

Only the Cardinals can do things like this...

 

[MadCardDisease]

12 – How do you fail on two tush push-plays in a row? I mean, forget about the play call. How do you screw it up twice?

When Clayton Tune can do this then you can ask that question:

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[Stout]

I noticed that as well. Looked like Colon didn't play as crappy as I was expecting.

He pulled so quickly on one play I thought he went too early. That was an impressive play.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

Sorry for not doing this column last week. I had too many other things to take care of. I thought I would include 15 thoughts this week instead.

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13 – Dante Stills was a great draft pick. I don’t know the stats, but it is pretty obvious that he is their most (and only?) talented defensive lineman.

A 6th round pick too!

18 tackles, 2 sacks, and 1.5 TFL in limited playing time this year.

 

[Card4Life]

Sorry for not doing this column last week. I had too many other things to take care of. I thought I would include 15 thoughts this week instead.

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3 – Wonderful special teams play. Field position is huge, and every Chargers drive started inside their 20-yard line.

Gilliken put all 4 of his punts inside their 20.

 

[Gandhi]

#14. It’s been mentioned to “ be patient”. But do we have to wait until March to improve this roster? Either
1. Monti isn’t to smart or
2. Bidwill has the pocketbook locked up.
I chose number 2.

I think you are exactly right, Slanidrac. I see a lot of arguing that the Cards should sign big players to use some of all the cap space available. Well, the salary cap doesn’t matter. Cash is king. It is not about how to account for the contract money, but rather about how much Michael Bidwill wants to pay in both a signing bonus and guaranteed money in the contract. I am sure that Ossenfort also can see that adding firepower to the team might be necessary to go somewhere this season, but he also has a budget to work with, and that budget is not the salary cap.

Another little “interesting” speculation could be from when they looked for a general manager before last season. It was reported from several sides that Ian Cunningham from the Bears was the preferred choice, but after interviews, he turned it down because he didn’t see the right “fit with the organization.” Now, that could mean many things, but one of them could be that Bidwill had shown him his budget.

 

[Gandhi]

7. Don’t give up on Melton yet. I think he might still be solid.

Sure, Harry, I agree. I am not giving up on him. I must admit that I did get some flashbacks to Isaiah Simmons getting torched against the Niners, but in reality, he is not the first rookie to be exposed, and he would not be the first one to come back from it to play well.

14. Still think a major deal is unlikely. Maybe some rotational guy.

Yes, I also agree with this. ESPN is suggesting cornerback Greg Newsome from the Browns (2024 NFL trade deadline: Players to watch, team needs, rumors - ESPN), and I think that is the maximum level of star power to hope for. Not that he is bad (actually the contrary), but he is not exactly a superstar.

“Which player should they target? Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II. I'm not sure the Browns would really part with Newsome, but the Cardinals should be first on the phone if so. Newsome has inside-outside versatility and strength in both zone and man coverage. He would immediately slot in as the desperately needed CB1 in Arizona, while the rest of the young players on the depth chart fight for the remaining spots. – Solak”

I don’t have any guesses myself (but I would prefer a pass rusher – d-line or edge), but I would be surprised if they buy anyone that costs more than a third-round pick at the absolute most, and even that seems unlikely to me.

 

[daves]

Here's another thought about the game: the Cardinals cleaned up their penalty issue from the Packers game, and only had 3 accepted for 15 yards.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Here's another thought about the game: the Cardinals cleaned up their penalty issue from the Packers game, and only had 3 accepted for 15 yards.

They’ve been pretty disciplined from a penalty standpoint save that Packers game. That’s one sign of good coaching.

 

[oaken1]

I think you are exactly right, Slanidrac. I see a lot of arguing that the Cards should sign big players to use some of all the cap space available. Well, the salary cap doesn’t matter. Cash is king. It is not about how to account for the contract money, but rather about how much Michael Bidwill wants to pay in both a signing bonus and guaranteed money in the contract. I am sure that Ossenfort also can see that adding firepower to the team might be necessary to go somewhere this season, but he also has a budget to work with, and that budget is not the salary cap.

Another little “interesting” speculation could be from when they looked for a general manager before last season. It was reported from several sides that Ian Cunningham from the Bears was the preferred choice, but after interviews, he turned it down because he didn’t see the right “fit with the organization.” Now, that could mean many things, but one of them could be that Bidwill had shown him his budget.

All that Cunningham crap is BS... dude even spouted we didn't offer enough money like he was something special.

But what has he done?? I mean, other than be part of a management team that has kept the bears drafting early until a good QB prospect came along??

 

[Gandhi]

All that Cunningham crap is BS... dude even spouted we didn't offer enough money like he was something special.

But what has he done?? I mean, other than be part of a management team that has kept the bears drafting early until a good QB prospect came along??

Yes, but my argument was not about if he was qualified. It was that he might have indicated that Bidwill was not willing to pay enough, and that could indicate that many fans are right when they argue that Bidwill is holding the team back in that regard.

 

[Gandhi]

They’ve been pretty disciplined from a penalty standpoint save that Packers game. That’s one sign of good coaching.

Sure, it is actually very impressive. They are the sixth least penalized team and have an average of five penalties per game. But if you take the average without the Green Bay game, and put the average from the other games into that game, they would be the least penalized team by a decent margin.

It is a bit strange, though, because the instability from game to game is sign of the exact opposite – bad coaching. Don’t you agree, Cheesebeaf?

 

[CardNots]

Yes, but my argument was not about if he was qualified. It was that he might have indicated that Bidwill was not willing to pay enough, and that could indicate that many fans are right when they argue that Bidwill is holding the team back in that regard.

Or simply he exposed his ass in the interview which is a common thing when dealing with an over confident individual