Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
In the effort to embrace this week's challenges, BA and the coaches used the following as motivation this week:
* Next Man Up
Losing Tyrann Mathieu was very emotional for the team and the coaches to the point of BA welling up in his presser---but BA talked about how a number of his secondary players would be given specific roles this week:
(1) Justin Bethel would be playing more on the outside---which in this game meant playing the Packers' most productive WR, James Jones. BA's and James Bettcher's instructions were not to let Jones beat them deep---check. While Jones got the better of Bethel on the back shoulder throws and was the benefit of a holding and a PI call (on an uncatchable ball), Bethel intercepted Rodgers on a key red zone play when the score was 10-0 and later Bethel broke up a back shoulder attempt in the end zone, which showed that Bethel was adjusting and learning on the job---the interesting thing is---Bettcher never switched Peterson over to Jones, because Bettcher wanted Bethel to gain confidence.
(2) Jerraud Powers moved to the slot where he did a superb job on Randall Cobb, one of the better slot WRs in the NFL. Plus, Powers factored into the blitz schemes. Yes, he did go helmet to helmet on Rodgers, but Powers turned the corner so fast to get to Rodgers who was already being brought down, thus Powers didn't have to time to adjust his tackle angle. However, moments later Powers was in the right place at the right time to take one of the strip sacks of Rodgers to the house.
(3) Patrick Peterson was put on the WR opposite of Jones---which was usually either Davante Adams or Jared Abbrederis---and this forced Rodgers to focus on the other side of the field, save for a quick WR screen to Peterson's side, which Peterson blew up in textbook fashion, by bulldozing over Randall Cobb's block to then make a great standup tackle. In addition, Peterson made yet another nice tackle on special teams this week.
(4) D.J. Swearinger was inserted at FS in the place of Rashad Johnson, and made the most punishing tackle of the game on the very first play of the second half, as he ran the alley in a flash to meet James Starks as quickly as possible, then lowered his pad level to produce a jarring hit on the ball, which in turn flipped Starks over and caused the fumble that Jerraud Powers, embracing Honey Badger's Johnny-On-The-Spot role, scooped up and ran with.
(5) Chris Clemons, just re-signed this week, was assigned at times to cover TE Richard Rodgers, who has emerged as one of Aaron Rodgers' go-to receivers, and Clemons' coverage was tight.
* Create a Family Atmosphere During the Holidays:
Coaches always worry about breaks in routine, especially around the holidays. And sensing the team's disappointment about losing the Honey Badger to IR, BA invited the players' families to practice on Friday. The families were happy to be there and came out in full force and helped contribute to what was a very spirited practice.
* The Preparation For a Host of Packer Fans:
All week BA was harping and chirping on this. He was chastising AZ fans who had sold their tickets, and was imploring the fans to keep their tickets and to keep the Red Sea at high tide and the sound levels at the highest decibels. One can just imagine what BA was telling his players about having a host of Packer fans at this game. Just in case, BA and Carson Palmer were prepared to go into a silent snap count, if the Packers' fans were loud. How satisfying to was for BA and the team to be able to mute the Packer fans in the stadium and to provide for all the fans there a dominant performance. At BA's presser he quipped very wryly, "There were Packer fans there? I didn't hear any."
* In-Game Adjustments:
The Packers, despite not putting up the kind of offensive numbers they have been accustomed to in recent years, have won 10 games largely because their defense has been playing sound, physical football, especially up front with the imposing trio of DTs Mike Daniels, B.J. Raji and Datone Jones inside with Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers outside. Behind them is a young, but aggressive and physical secondary. Thus, in this game, it took some time for the Cardinals' offensive line to adapt to the Packers' strength and quickness in the middle. Both Ted Larsen and Mike Iupati got beat badly for sacks in the first quarter. Plus, it was some tough sledding between the tackles at times for David Johnson. So what did BA do? He realized the importance of giving Carson Palmer quick timing passes and in the spirit of that adjustment, BA turned David Johnson loose in the quick passing game to the tune of 88 yards in 4 catches.
BA, as we know, loves to take his deep shots, but in this game he took and exploited what the Packers' defense was giving him. Play after play in the second and third quarters, the ball was coming out of Carson Palmer's hand in well under three seconds.
One of the matches Palmer liked beside the matches he was getting on David Johnson was the matchup he was getting on Michael Floyd. Palmer loves the chemistry he as with Floyd and in this game it was one of the main reasons why Palmer was able to lead the team, following Justin Bethel's interception, which bailed Palmer out for the poor screen pass interception he threw to Mike Daniels, on an 80 yard TD drive with under a minute left.
The skinny post strike to Floyd over the middle for 40 plus yards put the offense in position to throw a few more quick passes into the red zone and then with Fitzgerald getting double attention in the middle of the goal-line in light of the nice earlier TD Palmer threw to him, Palmer sensed he could squeeze a quick slant throw outside of Fitz's double team in to Smokey Brown, who snatched the pass and then pinballed his way into the end zone.
In the second half, BA made a conscious effort to rest David Johnson in order to give Andre Ellington and Kerwynn Williams some carries and catches. Ellington looked fresh, as did Williams, who somewhat atoned for his fumble by adding some key third and long conversions late in the game when Drew Stanton was at QB.
On the defensive side of the ball, as I wrote in my post "The Cardinals' Evolution," James Bettcher tried to mix in some zone cover variations---once it burned them on a third and 18 when the safety was late covering the deep third. However, one of the more ingenious adjustments Bettcher made was playing Deone Bucannon in a dual role, one man zone in the middle, while those behind him played man-to-man. If no one became a receiving threat in his zone, Deone could spy Rodgers---but if one of their WRs or RB was shaking free over the middle Deone could pick him up, which is exactly what he did on Davante Adams on a key 3rd down pass breakup.
The preparation and man-to-man coverage by the secondary was so good that they repeatedly took away Rodgers' first option, which is what led to so many sacks, as the Cardinals' rushers were free to pin their ears back and tee off. Plus, Kevin Minter was given the green light to blitz if the RB stayed in to block, and one time when the RB released Minter was there to make an instant tackle.
On special teams, other than giving up a first down on the Packers' fake punt, the Cardinals got superb play from Justin Bethel, per usual, and Drew Butler had another nicely timed punt downed inside the five that Bethel and Brittan Golden made a nice play on. The Cardinals gunners were very good...one of the reason why they profited from a facemark holding call on punt that Peterson returned for 5 yards. Chandler Catanzaro was solid.
* Keeping a Close Watch on the Panthers' score:
BA used this as icing on the cake. Once the Falcons had posted the upset win, BA and the players were all the more motivated to make their move.
* Earning the Bye in Round 1 of the Playoffs:
As competitively as the Cardinals have played every game this year and with the chance to catch their breaths and build their strength for the playoffs, earning the bye was quite an impressive accomplishment. But, as BA has already said, "they don't give rings for byes." So, as the team prepares itself for the tournament, the players can look forward to having BA chewing out their butts for two weeks---with the intention---that he can hug them later.
* Next Man Up
Losing Tyrann Mathieu was very emotional for the team and the coaches to the point of BA welling up in his presser---but BA talked about how a number of his secondary players would be given specific roles this week:
(1) Justin Bethel would be playing more on the outside---which in this game meant playing the Packers' most productive WR, James Jones. BA's and James Bettcher's instructions were not to let Jones beat them deep---check. While Jones got the better of Bethel on the back shoulder throws and was the benefit of a holding and a PI call (on an uncatchable ball), Bethel intercepted Rodgers on a key red zone play when the score was 10-0 and later Bethel broke up a back shoulder attempt in the end zone, which showed that Bethel was adjusting and learning on the job---the interesting thing is---Bettcher never switched Peterson over to Jones, because Bettcher wanted Bethel to gain confidence.
(2) Jerraud Powers moved to the slot where he did a superb job on Randall Cobb, one of the better slot WRs in the NFL. Plus, Powers factored into the blitz schemes. Yes, he did go helmet to helmet on Rodgers, but Powers turned the corner so fast to get to Rodgers who was already being brought down, thus Powers didn't have to time to adjust his tackle angle. However, moments later Powers was in the right place at the right time to take one of the strip sacks of Rodgers to the house.
(3) Patrick Peterson was put on the WR opposite of Jones---which was usually either Davante Adams or Jared Abbrederis---and this forced Rodgers to focus on the other side of the field, save for a quick WR screen to Peterson's side, which Peterson blew up in textbook fashion, by bulldozing over Randall Cobb's block to then make a great standup tackle. In addition, Peterson made yet another nice tackle on special teams this week.
(4) D.J. Swearinger was inserted at FS in the place of Rashad Johnson, and made the most punishing tackle of the game on the very first play of the second half, as he ran the alley in a flash to meet James Starks as quickly as possible, then lowered his pad level to produce a jarring hit on the ball, which in turn flipped Starks over and caused the fumble that Jerraud Powers, embracing Honey Badger's Johnny-On-The-Spot role, scooped up and ran with.
(5) Chris Clemons, just re-signed this week, was assigned at times to cover TE Richard Rodgers, who has emerged as one of Aaron Rodgers' go-to receivers, and Clemons' coverage was tight.
* Create a Family Atmosphere During the Holidays:
Coaches always worry about breaks in routine, especially around the holidays. And sensing the team's disappointment about losing the Honey Badger to IR, BA invited the players' families to practice on Friday. The families were happy to be there and came out in full force and helped contribute to what was a very spirited practice.
* The Preparation For a Host of Packer Fans:
All week BA was harping and chirping on this. He was chastising AZ fans who had sold their tickets, and was imploring the fans to keep their tickets and to keep the Red Sea at high tide and the sound levels at the highest decibels. One can just imagine what BA was telling his players about having a host of Packer fans at this game. Just in case, BA and Carson Palmer were prepared to go into a silent snap count, if the Packers' fans were loud. How satisfying to was for BA and the team to be able to mute the Packer fans in the stadium and to provide for all the fans there a dominant performance. At BA's presser he quipped very wryly, "There were Packer fans there? I didn't hear any."
* In-Game Adjustments:
The Packers, despite not putting up the kind of offensive numbers they have been accustomed to in recent years, have won 10 games largely because their defense has been playing sound, physical football, especially up front with the imposing trio of DTs Mike Daniels, B.J. Raji and Datone Jones inside with Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers outside. Behind them is a young, but aggressive and physical secondary. Thus, in this game, it took some time for the Cardinals' offensive line to adapt to the Packers' strength and quickness in the middle. Both Ted Larsen and Mike Iupati got beat badly for sacks in the first quarter. Plus, it was some tough sledding between the tackles at times for David Johnson. So what did BA do? He realized the importance of giving Carson Palmer quick timing passes and in the spirit of that adjustment, BA turned David Johnson loose in the quick passing game to the tune of 88 yards in 4 catches.
BA, as we know, loves to take his deep shots, but in this game he took and exploited what the Packers' defense was giving him. Play after play in the second and third quarters, the ball was coming out of Carson Palmer's hand in well under three seconds.
One of the matches Palmer liked beside the matches he was getting on David Johnson was the matchup he was getting on Michael Floyd. Palmer loves the chemistry he as with Floyd and in this game it was one of the main reasons why Palmer was able to lead the team, following Justin Bethel's interception, which bailed Palmer out for the poor screen pass interception he threw to Mike Daniels, on an 80 yard TD drive with under a minute left.
The skinny post strike to Floyd over the middle for 40 plus yards put the offense in position to throw a few more quick passes into the red zone and then with Fitzgerald getting double attention in the middle of the goal-line in light of the nice earlier TD Palmer threw to him, Palmer sensed he could squeeze a quick slant throw outside of Fitz's double team in to Smokey Brown, who snatched the pass and then pinballed his way into the end zone.
In the second half, BA made a conscious effort to rest David Johnson in order to give Andre Ellington and Kerwynn Williams some carries and catches. Ellington looked fresh, as did Williams, who somewhat atoned for his fumble by adding some key third and long conversions late in the game when Drew Stanton was at QB.
On the defensive side of the ball, as I wrote in my post "The Cardinals' Evolution," James Bettcher tried to mix in some zone cover variations---once it burned them on a third and 18 when the safety was late covering the deep third. However, one of the more ingenious adjustments Bettcher made was playing Deone Bucannon in a dual role, one man zone in the middle, while those behind him played man-to-man. If no one became a receiving threat in his zone, Deone could spy Rodgers---but if one of their WRs or RB was shaking free over the middle Deone could pick him up, which is exactly what he did on Davante Adams on a key 3rd down pass breakup.
The preparation and man-to-man coverage by the secondary was so good that they repeatedly took away Rodgers' first option, which is what led to so many sacks, as the Cardinals' rushers were free to pin their ears back and tee off. Plus, Kevin Minter was given the green light to blitz if the RB stayed in to block, and one time when the RB released Minter was there to make an instant tackle.
On special teams, other than giving up a first down on the Packers' fake punt, the Cardinals got superb play from Justin Bethel, per usual, and Drew Butler had another nicely timed punt downed inside the five that Bethel and Brittan Golden made a nice play on. The Cardinals gunners were very good...one of the reason why they profited from a facemark holding call on punt that Peterson returned for 5 yards. Chandler Catanzaro was solid.
* Keeping a Close Watch on the Panthers' score:
BA used this as icing on the cake. Once the Falcons had posted the upset win, BA and the players were all the more motivated to make their move.
* Earning the Bye in Round 1 of the Playoffs:
As competitively as the Cardinals have played every game this year and with the chance to catch their breaths and build their strength for the playoffs, earning the bye was quite an impressive accomplishment. But, as BA has already said, "they don't give rings for byes." So, as the team prepares itself for the tournament, the players can look forward to having BA chewing out their butts for two weeks---with the intention---that he can hug them later.
Last edited:
Mitch
