ATL 38 AZ 19

Mitch

Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
Joined
Aug 10, 2005
Posts
13,405
Reaction score
2,982
Location
Wrentham, MA
Positives:

* Best first drive on offense this year---played with good tempo and play calling. Didn't let ATL load up on the run.
* David Johnson---another stellar performance---160 yards total.
* Jefferson & Swearinger---best all-around defensive players on the field for Cardinals.
* Gresham's TD and other catches---too bad PI wasn't called on the key 3rd down try in Q2.
* Golden and Campbell---good effort.
* Chanler Jones' big 3rd down stop
* Peterson on Jones---1st PI was bull----. 2nd one was legit.
* Swearinger's interception---too bad he missed the other one that he perfectly timed on Ryan and Jones.
* The quick toss to Fitz at end of 1st half to set up FG.
* Catanzaro's 54 harder.
* Bettcher's edge blitzes in 2nd half---right on the money---to bad the illegal contact penalty prolonged the first ATL possession.

Negatives:

* Sluggish defense to start having been handed a 7-0 lead.
* DEs/OLBs poor so often losing contain.
* CB Marcus Cooper, passive, running half-speed off WRs breaks.
* LBs Bucannon and Minter---worst players on defense in this game, brutally bad.
* No MLB on one ATL rushing TD---wtf was that? Buccaneer was lined up on edge with no LB in the middle.
* Peterson's tackling effort on Gabriel screen TD, totally lame.
* Campbell doing the unthinkable jumping off-side on punt---turned a close game into a blowout.
* Horrendous effort anf tackling on Gabriel screen (save HB getting held).
* Poor offensive tempo in quarters 2,3,4. Palmer too slow getting unit out of huddle.
* Bad drops by Floyd and Nelson.
* Little to no help for T Ulrich John, making his 1st start. Typical BA negligence.
* Gresham awful as edge blocker. Why have him on the l.o.s against Freeney. Off-set him and have the WR be the man on the line.
* Iupati---man, has he regressed.
* Shipley---Dan Quinn had designated NT hammer him and it led to poor snap and play.
* Ellington in Game 11 not on any kind of page with Carson Palmer.
* Taking a timeout on the 4th and 7 and even worse calling the pass to Floyd---same as on 2 pt. conversion.

The Cardinals have to run the table to go 9-6-1. Right now it doesn't look like a team that is well coached enough or hungry enough to make a push.

Issues Going Forward:

Offensive Scheme and Tempo


BA's offense with Palmer (or anyone statuesque) at QB, "zero protections" and lack of slot WRs. is a recipe for disaster and the coaches refuse to change regardless of personnel and the GM refuses to add the type of personnel to make it work. It won't work when 3 of your 4 WRs (Floyd are not possession slot WRs---they are too frail and shy---same as Ellington.

Plus, with such minimal pass protection in the scheme, Palmer didn't have time to hit Fitz and his deep crossing pattern and Palmer really hasn't hit any deep passes all year.

BA's play calling (slow) and Palmer's tempo (super slow) is agonizing to watch. Look at Matt Ryan's tempo. Look at Kurt Cousins'. Heck, even Scott Tolzein played with tempo for the Colts Thursday night.

There's such little urgency (tempo-wise) in BA's offense---by the QB especially.

Bettcher's defense---issues with contain, covering screens and covering RBs out of backfield---which should not be such an issue in a 34, yet Bettcher has the OLBers crash inside repeatedly and thus become sitting ducks. Both starting CBs, Peterson and Cooper are awful force the run and screen corners. If they get away with a hold on HB and momentarily block Jefferson, it could be a TD every time. Why were Falcon RBs able to run free so often to the outside and go uncovered on passing routes?

Punting Game---there's a good reason why every punter has a field day versus the Cardinals, even a rookie punting for the first time. When they look at the tape they see that the Cardinals put zero pressure on the punter time and time again. One would think then that the Cardinals setting up the punt return blocking would help spring returns, but no, the Cardinals are worst in the NFL on PRs and have been awful for years. Ironically, despite never rushing the punter, Campbell jumps off-side at the worst possible time.

Personnel---Tony Jefferson would be a better ILB than Bucannon or Minter---put Jefferson anywhere in the box and he will thrive---he and Swearinger are the best tacklers on the team and have an excellent chemistry as a safety tandem. Steve Keim has to re-sign both of them. Swearinger is the only legit FS on the roster.

It looks like D.J. Humphries is a better fit at LT than RT. If so, there is one silver lining to this week. Plus, John Wetzelk could develop into a solid RG. He made some good "man over" run and pass pro blocks---but needs to master the footwork and technique of reach blocks (man inside) on running plays---which takes time and game experience.
 

82CardsGrad

7 x 70
Joined
Dec 31, 2004
Posts
36,085
Reaction score
7,938
Location
Scottsdale
Mitch, agree with so much of what you write here... However, Wetzel? Seriously?? He was horrific today in every phase of the offense! I mean, the entire line was laughable...so it's nearly impossible to call out one guy for being a positive or negative. Collectively, that was one of the worst performances for a unit I've seen in a very long time. They were brutal - which isn't surprising given who they are. I really believe though that the biggest issues are right in the middle...the 2 guards and center position. I think Veldheer and Hump are plenty good enough to get the job done more often than not. But they, nor Palmer, nor DJ can compensate for how bad we are at the guard and center positions... With respect to Iupati, I have to believe his ankle is a problem and that he is simply gutting it out. Yes, he was never a rock-start pass blocker, but to see him now as nothing better than a turnstile, I gotta believe he's battling the ankle...

So now we look to the offseason... And I'll simply say this, IF we enter the 2017 season with a WR corps anything close to what we have today, I would be shocked. Floyd simply can't return. At any price, he is a liability and a classic scam as he'll do just enough to make ya think twice... but in reality he is a gaping hole as a starter. Brown and Nelson should only be situational - at best - wideouts. So yea, we need to rebuild our entire WR starting unit with the exception of #11, should he actually return...Ellington should be treated identically as Floyd... see ya!

On defense, as I have pointed out (as have others of course), we need to locate (maybe it's Williams?), a viable #2 CB.
And we remain desperate to locate a competent, NFL caliber ILB.
I am totally torn on CC... Wouldn't mind seeing him back here but only at a bargain deal - which is highly unlikely...
Jefferson needs to remain and he deserves to get paid! And I pray that Badger can somehow figure out how to be Badger, while remaining healthy - something I am not at all confident can be done...

And then the most obvious of all... somehow, some way we need to find our YOUNG QBOF... Palmer can still play. And I actually believe that behind a quality o-line and with NFL caliber WR's, he's more than good enough to lead a team into the post season... Which means even if he plays next season, we aren't heading to the playoffs as there is no way BOTH our o-line and WR issues get remedied in a way Palmer requires...

Lastly - the Falcons used a Punter today who had NEVER, EVER kicked a punt in the NFL - and he was lightyears ahead of Butler!!!!! Please, if we don't do anything else, PLEASE, for the sake of my blood pressure - PLEASE, do what 31 other teams seem capable of doing, PLEASE find a NFL caliber punter...PLEASE!!!

Anyway - this has easily been one of the most, if not THE most frustrating and deflating seasons I've experienced in my 17 years as a Cards fan. To think this team was being talked about as a Super Bowl contender... and I bought into the hype... Damn... This hurts....
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
Mitch

Mitch

Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
Joined
Aug 10, 2005
Posts
13,405
Reaction score
2,982
Location
Wrentham, MA
Nice wrinkle by BA with the Wildcat. The first play was a good run by Johnson...and the second play was a very good 10 yard run by K. Williams (nullified, alas, by Shipley's hooking penalty.

As for the defense being billed at the #1 defense---we've all seen the games---the Cardinals' defense may have had the best yards given up stats going into today, but those stats are largely the result of the offense mounting so many time-consuming drives (too many of which were ended by turnovers or loss of downs). No question the defense has been able to stay fresher because the offense has been moving the ball. Plus, the Cardinals' punting game has not flipped the field position the way our opponent's punters have. Too many short fields for the defense.
 

Shaggy

Site Owner Administrator
Administrator
Moderator
Joined
Sep 29, 2008
Posts
9,048
Reaction score
2,989
Location
Arizona
Why are they not going to Fitz more often? It seems Palmer was trying to get Floyd more involved so he can get some good tape on him, instead, making it worse for him. Fitz had only 4 catches. Get him the ball more!
 

82CardsGrad

7 x 70
Joined
Dec 31, 2004
Posts
36,085
Reaction score
7,938
Location
Scottsdale
Why are they not going to Fitz more often? It seems Palmer was trying to get Floyd more involved so he can get some good tape on him, instead, making it worse for him. Fitz had only 4 catches. Get him the ball more!

Because Fitz was being double-teamed and Palmer had a nano-second to throw the ball before getting crushed... Well, I guess I'm being a bit generous by saying "nano-second"...
 

Cardiac

ASFN Icon
Joined
Jul 21, 2002
Posts
12,060
Reaction score
3,320
As it stands now my offseason plan is to focus on the Oline and Defense. Don't care who the WR's are because with a good Oline David Johnson can win us many games if our D is legit.

Buthead didn't cost us the game today but he didn't help and as I stated in the game thread just grab whoever the Falcons don't want to keep between their two punters.

Absolutely must find real PR & KR players.
 

b8rtm8nn

ASFN Lifer
Joined
Jan 14, 2003
Posts
3,370
Reaction score
1,647
Location
Tucson
Negatives:

* OLBs poor so often losing contain.
* CB Marcus Cooper, passive, running half-speed off WRs breaks.
* LBs Bucannon and Minter---worst players on defense in this game, brutally bad.
* Horrendous effort anf tackling on Gabriel screen (save HB getting held).
* Gresham awful as edge blocker.


Bettcher's defense---issues with contain, covering screens and covering RBs out of backfield---which should not be such an issue in a 34, yet Bettcher has the OLBers crash inside repeatedly and thus become sitting ducks. Both starting CBs, Peterson and Cooper are awful force the run and screen corners. If they get away with a hold on HB and momentarily block Jefferson, it could be a TD every time. Why were Falcon RBs able to run free so often to the outside and go uncovered on passing routes?

Thanks for pointing these out Mitch.

Most frustrating aspect of our defense is the lack of physicality of our corners (HB takes some blame too, he has been playing soft all year in the open field) and the lack of discipline/ability of our ILBers.
 

JeffGollin

ASFN Icon
Joined
May 14, 2002
Posts
20,472
Reaction score
3,056
Location
Holmdel, NJ
Key factor in the loss -

Compare separation by WR's and tightness of coverage.

Even when our receivers hung onto the ball, their defenders were all over them like a cheap suit.

But when their receivers were open, it was by at least 5 - 10 yards. (And when our coverage guys were more aggressive, they got flagged for defensive PI, whereas Atlanta's DB's weren't).

Why?

Is it play calling? Is it tipping off plays? Are their guys being taught better techniques? Are our WR and DB coaches good teachers? Are they focusing on technique-work.

If the two teams were equal in this area, the game at the very least would have been a whole lot closer.
 

gmabel830

It's football season!!
Joined
May 8, 2011
Posts
12,968
Reaction score
8,049
Location
Gilbert, Arizona
As it stands now my offseason plan is to focus on the Oline and Defense. Don't care who the WR's are because with a good Oline David Johnson can win us many games if our D is legit.

Buthead didn't cost us the game today but he didn't help and as I stated in the game thread just grab whoever the Falcons don't want to keep between their two punters.

Absolutely must find real PR & KR players.
Adoree Jackson of USC had TDs receiving, kickoff return and punt return against Notre Dame.. and he can be our #2 corner. Definitely someone who should be on the radar in Rd 2 if available.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 

NJCardFan

ASFN Icon
Joined
Jul 14, 2005
Posts
14,974
Reaction score
2,968
Location
Bridgeton, NJ
Iupati---man, has he regressed.
I actually don't think he's healthy. He hasn't been the same since he hurt his neck/back last season. And totally agree on Cooper. On the, IIRC, 4th down play on ATL's first drive, he literally was moving at half speed. And Floyd, they need to release him. I'm tired of watching him drop passes right in his hands.
 

Jetstream Green

Kool Aid with a touch of vodka
Joined
Feb 5, 2003
Posts
29,476
Reaction score
16,649
Location
San Antonio, Texas
I like Campbell the person immensely and he is a solid force containing the run but for what he is paid, Jefferson and Swearinger are worth the money spent on him
 

WildBB

Yogi n da Bear
Joined
Mar 20, 2004
Posts
14,295
Reaction score
1,239
Location
The Sonoran Jungle - West
Personnel---Tony Jefferson would be a better ILB than Bucannon or Minter---put Jefferson anywhere in the box and he will thrive---he and Swearinger are the best tacklers on the team and have an excellent chemistry as a safety tandem. Steve Keim has to re-sign both of them. Swearinger is the only legit FS on the roster.

It looks like D.J. Humphries is a better fit at LT than RT. If so, there is one silver lining to this week. Plus, John Wetzelk could develop into a solid RG. He made some good "man over" run and pass pro blocks---but needs to master the footwork and technique of reach blocks (man inside) on running plays---which takes time and game experience.

Agreed here. The coaches not going with Swearinger from the get go is looking more and like an egregious oversight. Humphries on his more natural side can only help the development of the OL. Veldheer is OK but not a natural LT. We'll see what happens. But this team is going to start to have to go younger. ILB has to be looked at seriously this off season.
 

MartinD

Rookie
Joined
Aug 23, 2015
Posts
95
Reaction score
105
The question I have is, what happened to Ellington? The man was a potential star -- and, from my seat, he's starting to look like a liability. The same with Floyd. If either of them was at the top of their game, the team would have a great weapon.
 

juza76

ASFN Icon
Joined
Sep 5, 2009
Posts
13,791
Reaction score
9,602
Location
milan-italy
Fs swearinger
Ss bucannon

Cb1 peterson
Cb2 free agent/draft
Cb3/fs mathieu

ROlb chandler jones
LOlb golden
RILB free agent
lILB draft
DE Free agent/Mauro
DT Peters/Xavier Williams and he
DE Nkendiche/rucker
 

Buckybird

Hoist the Lombardi Trophy
Joined
Nov 11, 2002
Posts
25,262
Reaction score
6,191
Location
Dallas, TX
The question I have is, what happened to Ellington? The man was a potential star -- and, from my seat, he's starting to look like a liability. The same with Floyd. If either of them was at the top of their game, the team would have a great weapon.
Guys who shy away from contact in the NFL rarely are stars. Just sayin
 

Big D

...and STILL...
Joined
Dec 9, 2004
Posts
817
Reaction score
381
Location
Chandler
The question I have is, what happened to Ellington? The man was a potential star -- and, from my seat, he's starting to look like a liability.

It seems pretty obvious to me watching Ellington play this year that he knows he will not be back next year and he is in "just ride it out and don't get hurt" mode.

He will be a semi-attractive free agent to several teams and preserving his health seems to be more important to him than fighting for yards.
 
Last edited:

Cards_Campos

ASFN Addict
Joined
Nov 4, 2007
Posts
5,596
Reaction score
2,390
Ok. Let's look at this way.....Tampa Bay couldn't play defense against us if they had 13 players on the field. Yet the last 2 weeks they look like the best defense in the league. The 49ers have looked really good the last couple of weeks especially on offense. How is that possible? New England has pedestrian players all over the field ...yet never lose hardly.. The Rams have held every team down but New Orleans looked like the best team.in football against them. I'm.sayimg this because it is that close in the NFL. And that's why I get upset that the refs change the entire complexity of the game with their calls. In the NFL. 3 calls that go against you either way is the difference of 17 points. That's my take. Because 1 pass interference on illegal touching are automatic first downs. Instead of punting or fgs we have given 7 points.... we had 2 penalties cost us 28 yards of gains. Subtract the 10 each time and that's a difference of 48 yards. In today's NFL that's a touchdown or atleast a fg. The TD that Tampa scored on their first TD against seattle you could have called offensive pass interference on Evans. If that was us....they call it....instead of scoring a TD we would have had to punt. So that game goes from 14-5. To 7-5. Seattle's last possession would have been to kick a fg which they would have and they win 8-7. Just that 1 call.
We lead the league in yard differential ....we have a +/- of positive 20. Our defense was number 1 in TDs allowed. They showed a stat yesterday where we led in in almost every statistical category in defense. Our offense has the number 2 player from scrimmage and Palmer is averaging 312 passing yards a game!!!! We were 3rd in yardage. We have played a brutal schedule....the reason we are 4-6-1 is because we missed 2 kicks. And the penalties are being called to negate big gains and or promote the other team from punting. Just change the kicks and we are 6-5 and in the playoff hunt. Change 5 penalities and we are 8-3. And have 2nd seed. That's crazy when you think about it. Because I feel the same way....we need to blow up the team....but it's so.close. That's why I think Arians is sick. Because if he says that he looks like a whiner. But it is true.
 

Latest posts

Staff online

Forum statistics

Threads
552,680
Posts
5,401,906
Members
6,313
Latest member
50 year card fan
Top