Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
Let’s start from the beginning. It was, I believed, correctly determined that a coaching change was needed. It was also a time of significant personnel changes due in part to aging players. The Cards offense was built for the big play they had speed guys, a gambling mentality and wily veterans. The defense was a 3-4, stop the run and a bend but don't break pass defense. They played close expecting to win at the end. Their coach was a total optimist who believed in continuous risk taking.
The Cards elected to blow up everything, literally choosing a coaching staff that has a philosophy which was the total opposite of the previous staff. This created a host of issues including could the remaining personnel fit, was the GM capable of assembling a draft that supported the new philosophy, could impact free agents be signed to facilitate the new game plan and could a coaching staff be assembled to execute these new systems?
Let me make it clear early on that I’m not saying Wilks is a bad coach. It’s way too early to make that call. However, there can be little question that fully revamping both sides of the game plan would be a challenging task for a veteran coach. That expectation by a first time head coach maywell have been naive.
In looking at the offense the receiving staff, except for a Fitz, was allowed to depart with no effort to retain them. On the surface frankly they appeared to not be a major loss. That said they were dependable route runners who knew how to get open, especially on third downs. They also were willing downfield blockers. They understood what an NFL defense would do to shut them down. They weren’t great but they were gritty. Beyond Fitz the Cards kept the two least productive and least reliable members of the receiving corp. They drafted a good looking punt returner, but first year receivers are rarely impact players. Kirk needs to learn where the line to make is. He could catch and run to it in college but he’s not in college any more. Williams looks like a high school player in terms of route running sophistication. The Cards elected to use Keim’s garage sale system to fill out the group, passing on previously successful receivers like Amendola. To say they couldn’t have signed him is to ignore where he ended up signing. So they have a new QB with one credible target.
While it’s hard to believe this to be true, I think the running back unit was handed even more poorly. I have to chuckle at Wilks’ idea of fixing the offense by moving Johnson around. I actually suggested that was the best reason for exercising Peterson’s option. Of course moving Johnson means someone else would be the RB in the set. A credible threat like Peterson or Kerwynn Williams would have seemed a better diversion than a mid-round rookie. As an aside I’m disappointed they just gave Penny away. They did sign a legitimate FB, but I’m still waiting to see plays designed to exploit his availability.
The tight end handling was no better. They had an overpaid veteran, a 2nd year flash in the pan and basically appeared to make little effort to secure an impact player.
Then there’s the group I previously dubbed the “eggshell” line. They were supposed to be the run blockers who would be the spearhead of the new run first offense. I thought the Cards would have the inside track on
Norwell. Again as far as I can determine they were fine with him helping to build Jax into a Super Bowl team. They had the money but elected not to spend it, deciding to spend two-thirds of that money on a vastly inferior player, Pugh. That player had ironically been released by the team that went on to sign the second best free agent O-linemen. The Cards also kept a player whose skills have diminished due to injury and signed a right tackle who would never have been classed as premier. This was the group that would make Johnson the centerpiece of the new offense.
Finally since the team was devoid of QBs so the final offense pieces needed were at that spot. You might have expected a running team would want a double-threat QB. Instead they chose an immobile QB with a big arm. In fact he was so fragile they overpaid for an experienced backup. They couldn’t have anticipated Rosen, so it not fair to put him in the mix. I do think I’d have moved a Glennon, even at a loss once Rosen was obtained.
A couple of things seem apparent. Keim made little effort to secure impact players who could have made Wilks time easier. Only Coleman would seem a potential asset. Wilks belief he could rapidly develop young players exemplified his inexperience.
Most new coaches who served their time have guys in their pocket who’ve also been passed over. Bruce Arians had Todd Bowles. I don’t believe McCoy was Wilks’ choice. Read this and see what you think.
https://www.4for4.com/fantasy-footb...e-mccoy-impact-cardinals-2018-fantasy-outlook
I think McCoy was forced on Wilkes. I decline to say why. Maybe I’m missing it but I don’t see their connection. I think this is a shame.
In my mind the bigger problem is how to fix this mess. Certainly this season is doomed. Keim must go. His draft history and inability to shape a roster to his coach constitutes sufficient grounds. I think the Cards start with the O-line mostly having to use the draft. Useful free agents at WR & RB are readily available. Get a real tight end. Dump Bradford. Start Rosen. Glennon will be cheap enough to keep, though I admit not liking him. Beyond that the Cards will be in great shape cap-wise; having a good balance between returning starters and recovered cap money. They will be in an excellent position to rebuild rapidly and perhaps even contend depending on Rosen’s development.
I’ll post something on the defense soon. Don’t give up your season tickets. By next year they may be fun again.
The Cards elected to blow up everything, literally choosing a coaching staff that has a philosophy which was the total opposite of the previous staff. This created a host of issues including could the remaining personnel fit, was the GM capable of assembling a draft that supported the new philosophy, could impact free agents be signed to facilitate the new game plan and could a coaching staff be assembled to execute these new systems?
Let me make it clear early on that I’m not saying Wilks is a bad coach. It’s way too early to make that call. However, there can be little question that fully revamping both sides of the game plan would be a challenging task for a veteran coach. That expectation by a first time head coach maywell have been naive.
In looking at the offense the receiving staff, except for a Fitz, was allowed to depart with no effort to retain them. On the surface frankly they appeared to not be a major loss. That said they were dependable route runners who knew how to get open, especially on third downs. They also were willing downfield blockers. They understood what an NFL defense would do to shut them down. They weren’t great but they were gritty. Beyond Fitz the Cards kept the two least productive and least reliable members of the receiving corp. They drafted a good looking punt returner, but first year receivers are rarely impact players. Kirk needs to learn where the line to make is. He could catch and run to it in college but he’s not in college any more. Williams looks like a high school player in terms of route running sophistication. The Cards elected to use Keim’s garage sale system to fill out the group, passing on previously successful receivers like Amendola. To say they couldn’t have signed him is to ignore where he ended up signing. So they have a new QB with one credible target.
While it’s hard to believe this to be true, I think the running back unit was handed even more poorly. I have to chuckle at Wilks’ idea of fixing the offense by moving Johnson around. I actually suggested that was the best reason for exercising Peterson’s option. Of course moving Johnson means someone else would be the RB in the set. A credible threat like Peterson or Kerwynn Williams would have seemed a better diversion than a mid-round rookie. As an aside I’m disappointed they just gave Penny away. They did sign a legitimate FB, but I’m still waiting to see plays designed to exploit his availability.
The tight end handling was no better. They had an overpaid veteran, a 2nd year flash in the pan and basically appeared to make little effort to secure an impact player.
Then there’s the group I previously dubbed the “eggshell” line. They were supposed to be the run blockers who would be the spearhead of the new run first offense. I thought the Cards would have the inside track on
Norwell. Again as far as I can determine they were fine with him helping to build Jax into a Super Bowl team. They had the money but elected not to spend it, deciding to spend two-thirds of that money on a vastly inferior player, Pugh. That player had ironically been released by the team that went on to sign the second best free agent O-linemen. The Cards also kept a player whose skills have diminished due to injury and signed a right tackle who would never have been classed as premier. This was the group that would make Johnson the centerpiece of the new offense.
Finally since the team was devoid of QBs so the final offense pieces needed were at that spot. You might have expected a running team would want a double-threat QB. Instead they chose an immobile QB with a big arm. In fact he was so fragile they overpaid for an experienced backup. They couldn’t have anticipated Rosen, so it not fair to put him in the mix. I do think I’d have moved a Glennon, even at a loss once Rosen was obtained.
A couple of things seem apparent. Keim made little effort to secure impact players who could have made Wilks time easier. Only Coleman would seem a potential asset. Wilks belief he could rapidly develop young players exemplified his inexperience.
Most new coaches who served their time have guys in their pocket who’ve also been passed over. Bruce Arians had Todd Bowles. I don’t believe McCoy was Wilks’ choice. Read this and see what you think.
https://www.4for4.com/fantasy-footb...e-mccoy-impact-cardinals-2018-fantasy-outlook
I think McCoy was forced on Wilkes. I decline to say why. Maybe I’m missing it but I don’t see their connection. I think this is a shame.
In my mind the bigger problem is how to fix this mess. Certainly this season is doomed. Keim must go. His draft history and inability to shape a roster to his coach constitutes sufficient grounds. I think the Cards start with the O-line mostly having to use the draft. Useful free agents at WR & RB are readily available. Get a real tight end. Dump Bradford. Start Rosen. Glennon will be cheap enough to keep, though I admit not liking him. Beyond that the Cards will be in great shape cap-wise; having a good balance between returning starters and recovered cap money. They will be in an excellent position to rebuild rapidly and perhaps even contend depending on Rosen’s development.
I’ll post something on the defense soon. Don’t give up your season tickets. By next year they may be fun again.
