QB (4): 7-Leinart; 3-Anderson; 19-Skelton; 6-Hall.
In light of Skelton's red-hot performance I moved him ahead of Hall...but I still believe that because of the general uncertainty (present and future) at QB, Whiz will keep all 4.
Skelton threw the best passes of the night, the most impressive of which was the go pass up the sideline to Max Komar. Skelton threw that pass just the Warner used to throw that pass: with a rising trajectory that enables the ball to climb up and drift down to where the WR can run under it. In this case, Komar made a spectacular diving catch.
The interesting thing is, it wasn't until Skelton entered the game that a Cardinal QB threw the ball deep or up the sidelines. Until that point, virtually every pass was over the short to intermediate middle, save a dump pass to Hightower and couple of flat passes to Reagan Mauia.
As interesting is the fact that Whiz stayed with the struggling Anderson as long as he did. Clearly, Whiz wanted to stay with Anderson long enough to have him redeem himself. This may indicate that the QB competition is closer than people realize.
Anderson's problem wasn't his arm...it was his subpar timing. He was throwing the ball too quick and too hot. What compounded the timing problem was Anderson's slow and lumbering drops. Thus, he was much much better throwing from the pocket...but this is an offense where Whiz would love to throw a good deal of play action and Matt Leinart is heads and shoulders better at it than Anderson.
As for the drops...one thing to consider is the adjustment the WRs have to make going from Leinart to Anderson, not just in terms of how faster the ball arrives from Anderson, but how the spins and tails of the football are in reverse. That may seem like a potentially insignificant nuance, but actually it can cause drops, especially if the pass is not a tight spiral.
What I loved about Skelton was the third down out pass he threw to Andre Roberts...he pinpointed it and he didn't over-gun it. Impressive too was the way Skelton sold the slip screen to Jason Wright...Skelton looked very well coached out there.
To say that Matt Leinart played well is an overstatement. While you can't blame Leinart for some of the other breakdowns from other players...what you can't be happy with is the lack of production when he was in the game. Yes, he threw a nice pass on a rope to Fitz, that thank goodness Fitz wasn't seriously hurt on...which shows progress from the same pass he threw to Boldin too high in Week 17 that landed Boldin on the sidelines. But the throws Leinart made were safe and cautious...the kind of throws that any NFL QB should be able to complete. The two yard dump pass on 3rd & 6 epitomized Leinart's safe and cautious approach to the game. No interception...but another potential drive ended.
Plus, had Reggie Wells not pounced on the embarrassing trip and blown handoff Leinart made to Hightower, today's reviews of Leinart's overall play might be a little more tepid.
RB (3): 34-Hightower; 26-Wells; 36-Stephens-Howling; 31-Wright.
Why Beanie Wells was playing deep into the 2nd half of this game is mind-boggling. The good thing is that the Cardinals second string o-line is pretty good...but for a player who is nursing sore ribs and is such a key figure in the offense this year to be playing with second stringers in a meaningless pre-season game, is assinine.
Again, I think Whiz was feeling desperate about giving Derek Anderson a chance to leave on a positive note...and to get at least some production offensively that he resorted to keeping Wells in the game.
The Cardinals' depth at RB beyond TH and Beanie, with regard to the kind of RB you want to give the ball to 10 or more times, is a question mark, as LSH, Jason Wright and Alfonso Smith are all 3rd down RB types. It wouldn't surprise me if Whiz goes heavily after Willie Parker if Parker is the odd RB out in DC.
It was mysterious that LSH was left out of this game on offense...but we know that LSH has a role and will be used in his role come Game 1.
Jason Wright and Alfonso Smith made good cases for themselves in this game. I added Wright back to the roster this week.
FB (1): 32-Broughton
Reagan Mauia made a case for himself in this game, not only with a real good block on the goal-line to set up the first TD, but by making two good tackles on STs. In addition, he showed good hands (2 catches)...which for a player his size is impressive. Mauia is in the thick of the competition now.
WR (5): 11-Fitzgerald; 15-Breaston; 80-Doucet; 14-Williams; 12-Roberts.
The Cardinal coaches developed a good rapport with Stephen Williams prior to the draft for three reasons: (1) they love tall WRs; (2) the other WRs other than Fitz are smaller possession types and thus Williams is the right complement; (3) they fully anticipated that with a good camp Williams could make the roster....and this is what makes the Cardinals so good at attracting UCFAs.
This should be a very interesting year for Steve Breaston. First of all, he is scheduled to become a UFA next year and is on the verge of earning himself a big long-term contract, if not with the Cardinals, with another team. Secondly, his game emerged the past two years because Anquan Boldin was often hurt and Breaston had the perfect QB throwing to him. Warner had a knack for knowing exactly when and where to throw the ball to Breaston. Again...it's all timing and accuracy.
Thus far, Breaston does not have that chemistry with Leinart or Anderson...which was in full evidence in the Red-White scrimmage. If this continues, Breaston will become extremely frustrated...which could lead to erratic play.
Doucet remains an enigma of sorts. He should be shining in the Arizona sun this year the way Breaston did the past two years and yet he's still standing in the shadows due to injury issues and inconsistencies.
Stephen Williams will not only make the team, he will have every opportunity to make the WR rotation and could wind up---at some point---passing by Breaston and Doucet.
With Roberts, the team needs to be patient. Neither Breaston nor Doucet were instant hits in training camp either. For now, if Roberts can earn his stripes as a punt returner the way Breaston did his first year, then he can buy the time to let the rest of his game develop.
I left these comments from last week because they still apply.
The other player rising up the chart is Max Komar. At the very least he just made the PS with his play this week...assuming Todd Haley doesn't claim him.
TE (3): 89-Patrick; 84-Becht; 83-Spach.
Dominique Byrd did little to make his case for the roster, but Jim Dray made quite a statement with the level of his play (2 nice catches and solid blocking). It's good to see the Cardinals throwing to the TEs...Spach was wide open for a nice catch as well
OL (9): 75-Brown; 66-Faneca; 63-Sendlein; 76-Lutui; 72-Keith; 74-Wells; 73-Bridges; 70-Hadnot; 67-Johnson.
Despite his holding call, I thought Deuce Lutui played very well. I was happy he was in the game when Beanie was still getting late second half carries. I also thought the second line played well...all of them...Bridges, Hadnot, Claxton, Lutui and Johnson. This is the deepest and most talented o-line in Cardinals' history.
I am not worried about Brandon Keith. There's no one he goes against in practice that's as strong, big and explosive as Mario Williams...it's good he can learn and adjust from the beating he took on that first sack. I thought he countered well after that.
I am not worried about Alan Faneca in the least. I watched him every snap and he was good. Leinart's second sack was not Faneca's fault. Leinart was too late shuffling his feet to avoid the pressure and slipped. Faneca had ridden his man to the side.
NT (3): 98-Watson; 92-Williams.
Watson is playing better than B-Rob. Williams played well, IMO. He is quick for his size and can even chase plays to the sideline and finish them with a bang.
DE (4): 90-Dockett; 93-Campbell; 91-Iwebema; 78-Branch.
Iwebema and Branch played well.
ILB (4): 51-Lenon; 58-Washington; 56-Walker; 95-Togafau.
Lenon was a man out there (what a great and much needed surprise), and really needs to be shifted over to MILB in order to get Washington on the field. Togafau is gaining ground...he was in the middle of what caused the fumble on the goal-line and he and Washington seemed to have some good chemistry. Walker did not play, so we'll have to see him next week. Beisel started and made one good tackle...but the defensive star of the game was Daryl Washington, whose speed and tenacity are outstanding. He's like having another Adrian Wilson as a blitzer. Wow!
OLB (5): 53-Haggans; 55-Porter; 59-Davis; 50-Brown; 57-Baggs
Davis was active and had some pressures. Brown was not as athletic I was hoping, nor did he fight off blocks well. Baggs was so-so. As a unit, I was most disappointed with them.
CB (5): 29-Rodgers-Cromartie; 28-Toler; 37-McBride; 27-Adams; 47-Miller
"Money" Mike Adams' and Justin Miller's ST prowess wins them the spots.
I will stick with that comment another week, although Marshay Green, Jorrick Calvin and Trevor Ford are knocking on the door, for real.
Toler looks like the real deal...which, with the play of Lenon and Washington, makes this defense more exciting to watch.
S (4): 24-Wilson; 25-Rhodes; 22-Ware; 49-Johnson
Abdullah and Rouse made some good plays, but they have an uphill battle to make it.
ST (3): 4-Feely; 5-Graham; 82-Leach
Feely was not at his best, but kickers have dead legs two weeks into camp, so give him some time. I am just glad that the game didn't end with Rackers missing a long FG. I would have hated that for him.
PS (8): RB-Smith; T-Knips; WR-Komar; TE-Dray; DE-Fletcher; CB-Calvin; CB-Green; CB-Ford.
Nice game ending sack by Fletch!
