2006 Cardinals: Game 9 (DAL 27 ARI 10) Analysis

[Mitch]

When RG went public this week with his insistance that Cards' management should not be blamed for underspending on the cap...and basically contradicted his statement four weeks ago that the Cardinals are still a couple of players away from being contenders (still sitting on $10M at the beginning of the season)...RG went on to say that the team normally spends a lot of time preparing for the week's opponent, but that this time around during the bye week the team's focus was to "work on themselves." When RG said this, as I posted at the time, my immediate reaction was to challenge just how much time the Cardinal staff actually prepares for opponents...and if the Cardinals were truly working on themsleves and not a two week total preparation on Dallas, we could expect a Dallas blowout...which is exactly what we got.

I also opined at the time that this bye week for the Cardinals was a total joke...and that, it was. The first blame for this falls on the Bidwills who have enabled these pathetic preparations and performances to continue. Secondly, the blame belongs to Dennis Green, who has seemingly mastered the role of lame duck coach...and is simply counting the days and counting the millions of dollars that he will pocket for spending the next year fishing. Thirdly the blame belongs to these Cardinals players who epitomize the term loser. Bertrand Berry called them out...even held a players only meeting...all to no avail...these players have conceded defeat and some of them don't even care if they embarrass themselves, as long as the money is still green.

Blame belongs to Clancy Pendergast...for playing his linebackers back in Tempe and his safeties back in Scottsdale...and even worse, which makes absolutlely NO SENSE whatsoever...decide to play one-on-one press coverage on T.O. and Crayton, with a single safety playing centerfield (the slowest DB on the team at safety, to boot). Even worse...the one hope in that gambling coverage is to jam the WR to spoil the timing with the QB...what does Eric Green do on both occasions? He doesn't even lay a finger on his man.

Gee, the Dallas coaches didn't miss calling go routes on that alignment did they?

Blame Pendergast too for a season's worth of blown coverages or no coverages in the last four games...his defenses don't cover...they just don't.

Press coverage is GREAT...and the Cardinals SHOULD run it with Rolle and Green, as long as they both JAM the WR and have cover 2 safeties to help them deep.

As for the new OC...Mike Kruzcek...blame belongs to you in spades...you had two weeks to put your stamp on this offense and you did squat...it's about as simple as this question: why in the world, if you are having trouble giving Matt Leinart decent time to throw...why do you have Edgerrin James (the ONE RB) abandon the backfield every play to slip into the middle?

Why not have James protect for Leinart and then, if necessary, run a delay for a dump pass, where Leinart is far more likely to be able to see him? And James is more likely to be open on.

The one time the Cardinals actually tried to chip Greg Ellis who was owning Reggie Wells all day, Marcel Shipp pats him on the shoulder pad and releases into the flat and a split second later Leinart is getting nailed by Ellis.

How about calling a 3rd and one dive play to J.J. Arrington? Is there an understanding of the team's personnel here?

What epitomizes all the reasons why the Cardinals are the worst coached team in the league is the series following Anquan Boldin's nice sideline catch down to the five yard line late in the second quarter. At this point it's only a 10-0 ballgame...here's what ensued:

1. Boldin starts jumping up and down like he scored a TD and does not quickly return to the huddle.

2. The offense seems to take forever to get into the huddle.

3. The play for 1st and goal from the five seems to arrive too late into the huddle.

4. Leinart gets to the line of scrimmage and has to call a timeout.

RIGHT HERE IS WHY THE CARDINALS HAVE NOT BEEN TAUGHT HOW TO WIN...BECAUSE THEY HAVE ABSOLUTLEY NO UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO CAPITALIZE ON MOMENTUM.

The timeout has destroyed the short-lived momentum and instead of playing winded and on their heels, the Cowboys' defense has time to rest and re-focus.

Had the Cardinals gotten quickly out of the huddle and run a dive for Edge over Deuce, Edge probably scores or at least gets the ball to the one...because of momentum and because the defense is grapling with the reality that the Cards are marching for a score.

5. 1st and goal from the 5 after the timout: a fade to Fitz that is too high for Wilt Chamberlain to catch.

6. 2nd and goal...now that momentum has clearly shifted back to Dallas...guess who jumps off-side? The same player who earlier dove at Demarcus Ware's ankle on a passing down, allowing Ware a free shot at Leinart...the same player who has been stalling drives for the three years Dennis Green has been in town...three years of it people...and Rod Graves is telling us the Cards spent the two weeks working on themselves?

Now it's 2nd and goal from the 10...and the momentum is lost...just as another opportunity is lost...just as a two week period to shuffle the deck and get prepared from one team was lost...

Let's leave this post on this note...let me ask you to respond to the following question: what current players on this roster DO YOU THINK are interested and committed to being part of the solution and not part of the problem?

Bertrand Berry spoke his mind...but where was he on the field today? His lack of pressure was one of the main reasons why Tony Romo goes 20-28, 308 yards and 2 TDs.

Edgerrin James had a better rushing average today...but...he is doing nothing to try to energize the players around him...he's acting like he's ABOVE it all. If it were me I would sit his sorry butt on the bench and keep it there. Figures he fumbles on the first play after the defense finally gets a stop...on a first down running play with the Cards down 17 and 5 minutes remaining...which has been the pattern, hasn't it? It's all about getting James his stats...and making things look better than what they really are.

At least we saw the hurry-up...and wouldn't you know...it produced the one Cardinal TD of the game...wouldn't you know!

Leinart...well, he's a rookie dealing with the ugliness of losing on a professional team...there are pitiful aspects to this that even Matt would likely be unwilling to share with anyone...

The truth is...the wind has been knocked out of his sail and now he's acting like the rookie who wants to do and say all the right things...but things have gone very well for Matt in his playing career to date, and he's had a lot of help in the past (H.S. and USC) from the coaches and talent around him...wonder if he can deal with this type of adversity...

Because he is a rookie playing for a lame duck coach, Leinart deserves a mulligan...but Leinart will need to take this team by the horns and make it his this off-season...as will the other players who decide to be a part of the answer...

 

[Crimson Warrior]

Mitch, all that rings pretty true.

I wanted to give the coaching staff the benefit of the doubt, but they have failed and failed miserably.

There is no way on God's green earth that we keep this same staff here next year.

Everybody goes.

As for the ownership, well, we can't do anything about that. But do you get the sense that they are going 90-95% at least? I don't think the Bidwills are the most culpable for 1-8.

I think this goes mostly on the GM and the coaching staff. They all get pink slips as soon as the final gun sounds for this dreadful season.

 

[joeshmo]

Blame belongs to Clancy Pendergast...for playing his linebackers back in Tempe and his safeties back in Scottsdale...and even worse, which make absolutlely NO SENSE whatsoever...play one-on-one press coverage on T.O. and Crayton, with a single safety playing ceneterfield (the slowest DB on the team at safety, to boot). Even worse...the one hope in that gambling coverage is to jam the WR to spoil the timing with the QB...what does Eric Green do on both occasions? He doesn't even lay a finger on his man.

Blame Pendergast too for a season's worth of blown coverages or no coverages in the last four games...his defenses don't cover...they just don't.

Press coverage is GREAT...and the Cardinals SHOULD run it with Rolle and Green, as long as they both have cover 2 safeties to help them deep.

I got to say, Pendy or shall I way was the most overrated thing to come out of AZ in a long time.

The guy refuses to even slightly change his schemes or playing to take advantage or to hide his players weaknesses and strengths. For example, Playing Griffith center field all alone in press coverage, huh? I also feel he has no lcue what so ever what it means to game plan the week before a game or in game changes.

When he first got here his schemes and playing calling were sort of new and unpredictable. Now they are just plain old predictable and old. Doesnt kow how to disguise a blitz to save his life. Honestly who here cant tell you exactly what our D will do right before the snap.

And if that isnt enough -

1. Dockett completely scammed this team out of 20+ Mill dollars. When we could have just as easily paid him his RFA tender this coming off season. We would have never given him that contract this early when he would have been a RFA if we didnt keep over 10 Mill in cap space IMO. Another Shipp, Shelton, and others that season type signing to appease the fans and being question on the cap.

2. Okeafer stinks and Berry got old in a matter of seconds. They are horrible. Also if you believe anything that Jurecki says he was told many ties after Berrys on air comments taht Berry is actually one of the players who doesnt practice all that hard or prepares all that hard, which is why a lot of players rolled their eyes when Berry came out and said his comments. And Berry did a complete 180 at the players only meeting which was a complet bust according to jureckis scources. I fear that DE is fast becoming one of our biggest needs in the offseason, more so then FS, CB or LB.

3. There is not a leader among this team. Not one of them has any pride what so ever. I for one would not mind a mini overhaul that a new GM and Coach will bring.

4. For all the calls for Leckey over Step. Sorry but Leckey is just as bad as Step. Further more leckey is so chort to the ground that the anouncers were saying the Matt doesnt like it and has never had to go so low to the ground to get his snap and for being such a tall guy Matt has ben having trouble with his first couple of initial steps when going into a drop.

I would write more but I dont think this team desreves my time at the moment. I am now in full offseason mode, and will be spending time watching College football tape rather then waste my time watching this team on sundays, If they dont care why should I.

 

[Mitch]

Mitch, all that rings pretty true.

I wanted to give the coaching staff the benefit of the doubt, but they have failed and failed miserably.

There is no way on God's green earth that we keep this same staff here next year.

Everybody goes.

As for the ownership, well, we can't do anything about that. But do you get the sense that they are going 90-95% at least? I don't think the Bidwills are the most culpable for 1-8.

I think this goes mostly on the GM and the coaching staff. They all get pink slips as soon as the final gun sounds for this dreadful season.

That's what will likely happen...but...if you are a Bidwill and you are watching your team get embarrassed (by an egregious lack of preparation and effort) in your new stadium with, to make matter worse, seemingly half the crowd cheering for the Cowboys, wouldn't you want to do something now and not later? Something? Anything?

 

[Crimson Warrior]

I got to say, Pendy or shall I way was the most overrated thing to come out of AZ in a long time.

The guy refuses to even slightly change his schemes or playing to take advantage or to hide his players weaknesses and strengths. For example, Playing Griffith center field all alone in press coverage, huh? I also feel he has no lcue what so ever what it means to game plan the week before a game or in game changes.

When he first got here his schemes and playing calling were sort of new and unpredictable. Now they are just plain old predictable and old. Doesnt kow how to disguise a blitz to save his life. Honestly who here cant tell you exactly what our D will do right before the snap.

And if that isnt enough -

1. Dockett completely scammed this team out of 20+ Mill dollars. When we could have just as easily paid him his RFA tender this coming off season. We would have never given him that contract this early when he would have been a RFA if we didnt keep over 10 Mill in cap space IMO. Another Shipp, Shelton, and others that season type signing to appease the fans and being question on the cap.

2. Okeafer stinks and Berry got old in a matter of seconds. They are horrible. Also if you believe anything that Jurecki says he was told many ties after Berrys on air comments taht Berry is actually one of the players who doesnt practice all that hard or prepares all that hard, which is why a lot of players rolled their eyes when Berry came out and said his comments. And Berry did a complete 180 at the players only meeting which was a complet bust according to jureckis scources. I fear that DE is fast becoming one of our biggest needs in the offseason, more so then FS, CB or LB.

3. There is not a leader among this team. Not one of them has any pride what so ever. I for one would not mind a mini overhaul that a new GM and Coach will bring.

4. For all the calls for Leckey over Step. Sorry but Leckey is just as bad as Step. Further more leckey is so chort to the ground that the anouncers were saying the Matt doesnt like it and has never had to go so low to the ground to get his snap and for being such a tall guy Matt has ben having trouble with his first couple of initial steps when going into a drop.

I would write more but I dont think this team desreves my time at the moment. I am now in full offseason mode, and will be spending time watching College football tape rather then waste my time watching this team on sundays, If they dont care why should I.

Good DTs are hard to come by, and Dockett has been playing better this year.

Agree that he's shaky as a starter, and on a short leash, but I would my take on him is not as harsh as yours.

And I completly disagree with you on Step vs. Leckey. Leckey is twice the center step is. Leckey never gets beat in pass protection like step did, and Leckey is way better at run blocking.

Strangely, though, our pass protection has really deteriorated vs. last year. And wells is no better at RT that Ross.

 

[john h]

Mitch, all that rings pretty true.

I wanted to give the coaching staff the benefit of the doubt, but they have failed and failed miserably.

There is no way on God's green earth that we keep this same staff here next year.

Everybody goes.


As for the ownership, well, we can't do anything about that. But do you get the sense that they are going 90-95% at least? I don't think the Bidwills are the most culpable for 1-8.

I think this goes mostly on the GM and the coaching staff. They all get pink slips as soon as the final gun sounds for this dreadful season.

I fully concur. Every coach on this staff and Graves should be out of here the day the season ends. This is the worst Cards team I have ever seen if not the worst NFL team ever. I do not know who has quit and who has not as everyone looks horrible. What a sorry team. The only game we have won was with the guy on the bench named Warner. After 8 in a row why not send him in just for the hell of it.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

That's what will likely happen...but...if you are a Bidwill and you are watching your team get embarrassed (by an egregious lack of preparation and effort) in your new stadium with, to make matter worse, seemingly half the crowd cheering for the Cowboys, wouldn't you want to do something now and not later? Something? Anything?

I don't know. Not this week.

But there may come a point where the friction between the players and coaches reaches a critical mass, and Mike B might be forced to pull the trigger before the last game.

 

[joeshmo]

Good DTs are hard to come by, and Dockett has been playing better this year.

Agree that he's shaky as a starter, and on a short leash, but I would my take on him is not as harsh as yours.

And I completly disagree with you on Step vs. Leckey. Leckey is twice the center step is. Leckey never gets beat in pass protection like step did, and Leckey is way better at run blocking.

Strangely, though, our pass protection has really deteriorated vs. last year. And wells is no better at RT that Ross.

Except for the one Seattle Game, Dockett has been none existent IMO. he still hasnt had as good of a season as his rookie year, yet we piad him like he has.

And I do think Leckey is better then Step, But just like a little turd is better then a big steaming pile of turd, there both still a turd.

 

[Russ Smith]

That's what will likely happen...but...if you are a Bidwill and you are watching your team get embarrassed (by an egregious lack of preparation and effort) in your new stadium with, to make matter worse, seemingly half the crowd cheering for the Cowboys, wouldn't you want to do something now and not later? Something? Anything?

the time to do it was during the bye. To do it now you just know is going to be ugly. Part of me would love to see Mike B at a press conference ala the 49ers firing of Trestman and have Bidwill asked about Green say "he's out of here." But part of me thinks he dug this hole, filled it full of dog poop, and now he needs to wallow in it the rest of the year so that he's fully exposed. I don't think the Bidwills want to read all offseason how Green took the fall but it's not his fault blah blah, so let him coach out this mess.

 

[Mitch]

I got to say, Pendy or shall I way was the most overrated thing to come out of AZ in a long time.

The guy refuses to even slightly change his schemes or playing to take advantage or to hide his players weaknesses and strengths. For example, Playing Griffith center field all alone in press coverage, huh? I also feel he has no lcue what so ever what it means to game plan the week before a game or in game changes.

When he first got here his schemes and playing calling were sort of new and unpredictable. Now they are just plain old predictable and old. Doesnt kow how to disguise a blitz to save his life. Honestly who here cant tell you exactly what our D will do right before the snap.

And if that isnt enough -

1. Dockett completely scammed this team out of 20+ Mill dollars. When we could have just as easily paid him his RFA tender this coming off season. We would have never given him that contract this early when he would have been a RFA if we didnt keep over 10 Mill in cap space IMO. Another Shipp, Shelton, and others that season type signing to appease the fans and being question on the cap.

2. Okeafer stinks and Berry got old in a matter of seconds. They are horrible. Also if you believe anything that Jurecki says he was told many ties after Berrys on air comments taht Berry is actually one of the players who doesnt practice all that hard or prepares all that hard, which is why a lot of players rolled their eyes when Berry came out and said his comments. And Berry did a complete 180 at the players only meeting which was a complet bust according to jureckis scources. I fear that DE is fast becoming one of our biggest needs in the offseason, more so then FS, CB or LB.

3. There is not a leader among this team. Not one of them has any pride what so ever. I for one would not mind a mini overhaul that a new GM and Coach will bring.

4. For all the calls for Leckey over Step. Sorry but Leckey is just as bad as Step. Further more leckey is so chort to the ground that the anouncers were saying the Matt doesnt like it and has never had to go so low to the ground to get his snap and for being such a tall guy Matt has ben having trouble with his first couple of initial steps when going into a drop.

I would write more but I dont think this team desreves my time at the moment. I am now in full offseason mode, and will be spending time watching College football tape rather then waste my time watching this team on sundays, If they dont care why should I.

Good notes, Joe. Real good.

1. The report from the players after Dockett's new contract was that many of them rolled their eyes. I do think that Dockett is having a better year than last, but if Gabe Watson has a great off-season and Clancy returns with fire in his eyes, Dockett may not even be a starter next year. He will have to endear himself to the new staff, that's for sure. Don't count out Jonathan Lewis either. This kid's a gamer.

2. Berry had been returning to form the past few games, until today. Okeafor is not hitting the edge like he used to...and he's crashing inside far too often.

Wouldn't it be wise for the Cardinals to return Calvin Pace to DE and have him spell Berry...and, on the other side, wouldn't it make sense to start Antonio Smith at LDE? Smith had some very good games as a starter last year down the stretch in place of Berry.

3. As for leadership, I once thought Q was a good one...now he seems like he's firmly in the Edge "what me worry?" camp.

On defense Berry was a good leader a few years back...he was having the whole defense meet at his house for a dinner each week, etc. But, now, if what you say (per Jurecki) is true, Berry has no creds with the players.

Hopefully this off-season, Leinart will take the reins on offense and Hayes, on defense.

4. Leckey is better than Step, IMO...except on QB sneaks...because Leckey can't undercut the NT for fear that he will have a clear shot at the QB, so he has to try to outmuscle a player who has 25 pounds on him.

Joe...what else have your heard per Jurecki and others?

Thanks for all the good reports...you are an outstanding poster...

 

[Brewster10]

1) Anyone else absolutely disgusted that the Cowboys kept finding running room.. right where Bert Berry is supposed to be.... God forbid Berry plays the run and doesnt just jet for the Qb...

2) As for Okeafor... please... he's worthless... If it was up to me Antonio Smith and Pace would be seeing half the DE snaps...

3) I thought Dockett played okay.. He's doubled nearly every play.. and actually made a few plays and drew a couple holding calls.. I actually dont have a problem with Dockett, Clancy, Watson, Lewis...

4) As stated above.. Pendy is a hit or miss coordinator... he has one strategy every game and if it doesnt work... there are no adjustment... I dont know bout you guys.. but I dont want a defense that only shows up in half the games..

5) Lutui deserves some praise... He's actually helped the run game.. pass protects well enough.. and is one of the only linemen who actually finishes plays... i saw him downfield on a couple occasions today lookin for someone to "clean up"...

 

[Russ Smith]

2. Okeafer stinks and Berry got old in a matter of seconds. They are horrible. Also if you believe anything that Jurecki says he was told many ties after Berrys on air comments taht Berry is actually one of the players who doesnt practice all that hard or prepares all that hard, which is why a lot of players rolled their eyes when Berry came out and said his comments. And Berry did a complete 180 at the players only meeting which was a complet bust according to jureckis scources. I fear that DE is fast becoming one of our biggest needs in the offseason, more so then FS, CB or LB.

.

Interesting regarding the Jurecki comment about the meeting. On the radio today Calvisi said, and Pasch and Wolfley agreed, that the players all told them the meeting was necessary, overdue, and very productive. That they had a great week of practice after the meeting and everyone seemed energized.

Based on the game, I'd say Jurecki was right.

 

[Duckjake]

The same player who earlier dove at Demarcus Ware's ankle on a passing down,

Some of those "dives" are by design to get the DE's hands down for a short outlet pass.

However BIGG is awful. Along with everybody else with a handful of exceptions.

Got to give credit to Hayes who led the team in tackles AFTER getting his big payday.

 

[slanidrac16]

It all comes down to the coaching staff. Players play. Players get frustrated and down. Players need to be in sync with one another as a single unit. Players are human.
Answer this. When you were watching the game Sunday vs DAllas, how "pumped up" were you? When Q made that catch did you jump out of your seat and scream GREAT CATCH? How did you react 7 or 8 weeeks ago? Remember being on the edge of your seat on every play? Remember your heart racing with the thought of "holy cow, we are going to beat the Rams".
Players are human just like us. I would imagine MOST players try to execute what they are told to do by their coaches. Any of us who have worked for an inept boss or company knows the feeling. You go to work, do your job and go home, although you probably don't do it quite as well as you are capable of.
I'm not defending the players and saying they are faultless in this whole fiasco, but nothing will change until next year with an entire change of the coaching staff.
Attitudes will change. Enthusiasm will change along with an entire new philosophy. All players will start off even. I'll bet the new head coach will even state that Leinart will have to earn the starting job.
And I'll bet the new coaching staff will ask Eric Green to single cover T.O. one on one with no help deep. Nuf said?

 

[BigDavis75]

I agree on Dockett, he absolutely stinks. He sucked last year and is just as bad this year, why, if our team is so bad, do we keep resigning OUR bad players to huge contracts?

 

[Duckjake]

I agree on Dockett, he absolutely stinks. He sucked last year and is just as bad this year, why, if our team is so bad, do we keep resigning OUR bad players to huge contracts?

Because the NFL's CBA has a minimum spending requirement?

 

[Cheesebeef]

I agree on Dockett, he absolutely stinks.

surely, you jest! He's part of the deepest/most talented defensive line in the league so someone used to say! Funny, that guy hasn't commented on the line for the better part of a month... wonder what happpened to him? Some people...

 

[Pariah]

I don't think Dockett stinks, but I also don't think he deserved the contract he got. He's a great guy to have in the rotation, but he's not an every-down player, IMO.

Believe it or not guys, there is a grey area between "all-pro" and "stinks."