AZ Republic: Changes in store for offensive line

[pinnacle]

Jurecki....former Cardinals insider radio guy...now on in the AM on local sports radio...keeps saying over and over again that wells cannot be a tackle as his arms are too short. Just repeating what Jurecki keeps saying...I get the feeling he thinks Wells would be best suited at Center...

Jurecki seems convinced and claims that various NFL folks have told him Wells cannot play tackle due to short arms...

I guess we will find out if he is correct over the next few weeks.

 

[stewdog1]

Jurecki....former Cardinals insider radio guy...now on in the AM on local sports radio...keeps saying over and over again that wells cannot be a tackle as his arms are too short. Just repeating what Jurecki keeps saying...I get the feeling he thinks Wells would be best suited at Center...

Jurecki seems convinced and claims that various NFL folks have told him Wells cannot play tackle due to short arms...

I guess we will find out if he is correct over the next few weeks.

Heck, all we need is someone to get in the way of the rusher. I've seen Ross throws his hands at an approaching lineman like he was fighting like a girl.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Gorin may also not be playing because the trade was for a conditional draft pick.Right now, i think it's a 7th rounder. Who knows how and when it gets to be a higher round draft pick. I'm sure he was just brought in for depth and they don't want it to end being a 4/5th round pick that they gave up.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Gorin may also not be playing because the trade was for a conditional draft pick.Right now, i think it's a 7th rounder. Who knows how and when it gets to be a higher round draft pick. I'm sure he was just brought in for depth and they don't want it to end being a 4/5th round pick that they gave up.

That would be interesting if true. We need all of the higher picks that we can get.

 

[Mainstreet]

My goal for the offensive line is pretty simple. Let's run the ball and then run it some more... not because it's effective but to keep our franchise QB (Leinart) from getting mauled when he drops back to pass.

I want the other team to think the run is coming even if it is third and fifteen. I would hate to lose Leinart because this offensive line is terrible and is not likely to get any better until next season.

 

[Pariah]

My goal for the offensive line is pretty simple. Let's run the ball and then run it some more... not because it's effective but to keep our franchise QB (Leinart) from getting mauled when he drops back to pass.

I want the other team to think the run is coming even if it is third and fifteen. I would hate to lose Leinart because this offensive line is terrible and is not likely to get any better until this season.

I think we'll see a lot of third and 15s if we run too much.

 

[Mainstreet]

I think we'll see a lot of third and 15s if we run too much.

So be it.

The Cardinals future rests with Leinart and this team is not going anywhere this year. IMO, the Cardinals need to reevaluate every position on the offensive line so it can be corrected after the season.

Maybe the offensive line will get tired of being humiliated. I'm not saying Leinart cannot pass, but opposing defenses should always be expecting the run so he can do legitimate play action.

 

[Russ Smith]

So be it.

The Cardinals future rests with Leinart and this team is not going anywhere this year. IMO, the Cardinals need to reevaluate every position on the offensive line so it can be corrected after the season.

Maybe the offensive line will get tired of being humiliated. I'm not saying Leinart cannot pass, but opposing defenses should always be expecting the run so he can do legitimate play action.

Am I the only one who's not convinced Matt is really in "danger" yet? As bad as Ross was Sunday, against the Bears matt was well protected except for the one sack and fumble. The biggest hit he took Sunday was from Tyrone Poole, Burgess was in the backfield all day and screwed up our passing game, but he wasn't really getting big hits on Matt.

So far Matt is getting rid of the ball quick enough I don't think he's getting pounded. He's only been sacked 9 times.

 

[Skkorpion]

Finally! I like the changes. So now we'll see if we change the play calling too. More first down throws and some play-action?

 

[BACH]

Jurecki....former Cardinals insider radio guy...now on in the AM on local sports radio...keeps saying over and over again that wells cannot be a tackle as his arms are too short. Just repeating what Jurecki keeps saying...I get the feeling he thinks Wells would be best suited at Center...

Jurecki seems convinced and claims that various NFL folks have told him Wells cannot play tackle due to short arms...

I guess we will find out if he is correct over the next few weeks.

And he's probably right that Wells is better suited at C, BUT he's our best option at blindside tackle currently on the roster. Big and Ross don't have the feet for playing that blindside.

 

[ChandlerCard]

Did you notice that Big did just fine last week? No penalties, no screwups. He may be OK at LT given that it's no longer the blindside. Granted, I thought he made a damn good guard and would like to see him back at LG, but not likely until we bring in a better LT candidate next year. In the mean time, Wells has quickness, hits his assignments very consistently, and gets push when needed; he's definitely an upgrade over Ross at RT. I'm worried about Lutui being put in before he's ready, but hopefully what happened last year with Elton Brown won't happen to Deuce. Denny doesn't seem happy with Milford Brown right now, so that still leaves a slot that's going to be inconsistent, and being a guard spot it means we may see better protection and passing this week but not much run improvement.

 

[BigRedArk]

Why put Deuce at RG when he played LG in college (except for Matt's Heisman year when he was in for Justice at RT). Why not leave Lew at RG where he already is and simply move Wells to RT and insert Deuce at LG? Seems like it would minimize the musical chairs effect and adverse impact on OL chemistry. At this point in time it probably doesn't matter much though.

 

[MadCardDisease]

My friend just sent me this article from the Arizona Republic:

Subject: AZ. Republic, October 24th

Phoenix, AZ-- A seven-year-old boy was at the center of a Phoenix courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over who should have custody of him. The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents, and the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with child custody law and regulations requiring that family unity be maintained to the degree possible.


The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his Aunt beat him more than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her. When the judge then suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried out that they also beat him.


After considering the remainder of the immediate family and learning that domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to propose who should have custody of him. After two recesses to check legal references and confer with child welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody to the Arizona Cardinals, whom the boy firmly believes is not capable of beating anyone.

 

[Russ Smith]

Why put Deuce at RG when he played LG in college (except for Matt's Heisman year when he was in for Justice at RT). Why not leave Lew at RG where he already is and simply move Wells to RT and insert Deuce at LG? Seems like it would minimize the musical chairs effect and adverse impact on OL chemistry. At this point in time it probably doesn't matter much though.

You're just thinking too logically BRA. Just because Lutui played LG in college, and LG in camp(starting while Wells was out with an ankle injury during OTA's) does in no way suggest he should play LG now!!

It actually is quite weird as you say he's played LG before not RG, Brown is the RG so if/when he comes back do they then bench Deuce, or move him to LG?

There's also the issue you mentioned of having 2 new starters (Lutui and Wells at RT) on the same side as opposed to having one new starter on each side.


It's amazing how we keep hiring OL coaches who can't make their minds up, literally astounding.

 

[BigRedArk]

You're just thinking too logically BRA. Just because Lutui played LG in college, and LG in camp(starting while Wells was out with an ankle injury during OTA's) does in no way suggest he should play LG now!!

It actually is quite weird as you say he's played LG before not RG, Brown is the RG so if/when he comes back do they then bench Deuce, or move him to LG?

There's also the issue you mentioned of having 2 new starters (Lutui and Wells at RT) on the same side as opposed to having one new starter on each side.


It's amazing how we keep hiring OL coaches who can't make their minds up, literally astounding.

Astounding fer shure Russ! Good point on when M. Brown comes back. I didn't even consider that. Yes indeed the Right side is totally new now. Keep Lew there and maintain any chemistry that might have been established between him and Leckey. I guess at this point we should just be happy that they are willing to try something. I am almost to the point of something is better than nothing.

 

[Russ Smith]

Astounding fer shure Russ! Good point on when M. Brown comes back. I didn't even consider that. Yes indeed the Right side is totally new now. Keep Lew there and maintain any chemistry that might have been established between him and Leckey. I guess at this point we should just be happy that they are willing to try something. I am almost to the point of something is better than nothing.

I was just subtly suggesting that all this indecision isn't really the OL coach it's the head coach.

I like the move benching Ross, hope it works out. I also like starting Lutui although like you I think the logical move is him at LG keeping Lew where he's been playing and then when Brown comes back, hopefully Lutui is playing better than Lew so you just bench Lew for Brown. Also the vet on Matt's blindside makes more sense than the rookie.

I also think playing Deuce next to Big figures to be our best chance at being able to run the ball.

I guess we'll find out.

 

[Mitch]

Ok...but...

The biggest, boldest, smartest move is not a part of the plan here...

Moving LD to LG where he belongs...had he been matched up against DT Tommie Harris, the Cardinals would have beaten the Bears...it's that simple. Davis could have muscled Harris, which would have freen Leckey to try to block Urlacher...

This isn't hindsight...I posted this before the Bears game...at the time I said that if the only player on the Cardinals' roster who could handle Harris, Leonard Davis, wasn't matched up against him, the Cardinals had no chance of winning the game...well, the Cardinals still had a chance, but tell me this...if Davis was pounding on Harris down the stretch and Leckey could be free to block Urlacher, the result would have been different, there is no doubt in my mind.

Forget about the short arms thing...Wells has the feet to play tackle...that's the more important thing...Anthony Clement had long arms but no feet...proof enough...what Wells needs is a course in leverege for the running game...which he should be able to get against DEs...as far as pass blocking is concerned, Wells needs to keep his shoulders square and his feet quick and balanced...sopmething he's very capable of.

If Davis were switched to LG, I would even mind Ross next to him at LT for now because Matt Leinart has a nifty way of avoiding pressure (when he can see it)...and Ross with Davis could blow open holes on the left side in tandem.

The other thing is...on occasion it behooves the Cardinals to keep a TE in to block on passing plays and/or keep the RB in...Edge is relishing the role of circle route safety valve, but what good is that if Leinart is being harrassed too quickly and the MLB stciks with Edge...it's doing nothing...if anything Edge should protect Leinart and then run a delay slip up the middle or to the side.

The best lineup with what we've got right now:

LT Ross

LG Davis

C Leckey

RG Lutui

RT Wells (or Gorin...who has been unrightfully neglected in my opinion)

And while there at it, they should take some of the onus off of Edge by mixing in Arrington and Shipp...and whenever Ayanbadejo gets in the game it seems no one covers him. It takes a team...and if Edge has a problem with that, he can take a hike as far as I'm concerned.

 

[BigRedArk]

I was just subtly suggesting that all this indecision isn't really the OL coach it's the head coach.

I like the move benching Ross, hope it works out. I also like starting Lutui although like you I think the logical move is him at LG keeping Lew where he's been playing and then when Brown comes back, hopefully Lutui is playing better than Lew so you just bench Lew for Brown. Also the vet on Matt's blindside makes more sense than the rookie.

I also think playing Deuce next to Big figures to be our best chance at being able to run the ball.

I guess we'll find out.

That completely went over my head on the hiring of OL coaches coaches who can't make up their minds! Yes Big and Deuce together might have the potential of opening some holes long enough for Edge or JJ to get through. Yep this all too logical. Maybe DG has a convoluted explanation of why this was deemed necessary. Guess I should just be happy he decided to make a move and hope it doesn't get worse before it gets better.

 

[BigRedArk]

The best lineup with what we've got right now:

LT Ross

LG Davis

C Leckey

RG Lutui

RT Wells (or Gorin...who has been unrightfully neglected in my opinion)

And while there at it, they should take some of the onus off of Edge by mixing in Arrington and Shipp...and whenever Ayanbadejo gets in the game it seems no one covers him. It takes a team...and if Edge has a problem with that, he can take a hike as far as I'm concerned.

At this point it just might be worth a try Mitch. I keep thinking about minimizing the moves to preserve at least a modicum of chemistry which is important on the OL. However at this point and the all too often pathetic play we have seen it just might be worth a try. Sometimes you just have to go back to the drawing board and think radically. It might work.

 

[Mitch]

At this point it just might be worth a try Mitch. I keep thinking about minimizing the moves to preserve at least a modicum of chemistry which is important on the OL. However at this point and the all too often pathetic play we have seen it just might be worth a try. Sometimes you just have to go back to the drawing board and think radically. It might work.

Look at it this way, BigRedArk, this lineup puts the best two run blockers on the roster, Davis and Lutui, at guard. Can it be more simple than that?

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Look at it this way, BigRedArk, this lineup puts the best two run blockers on the roster, Davis and Lutui, at guard. Can it be more simple than that?

Not to me.

 

[BACH]

The best lineup with what we've got right now:

LT Ross

LG Davis

C Leckey

RG Lutui

RT Wells (or Gorin...who has been unrightfully neglected in my opinion)

I disagree.. Ross struggled even as a frontside tackle, and don't have the feet for playing tackle. Davis is way more capable than Ross playing LT.

I don't buy the Tommie Harris argument. If Big had been moved inside, sure the pressure from Harris would have decreased, BUT that would have left Ross with Alex Brown I've watched the Bears in two other games and Brown has been the best defensive player in both games. Big totally neutralized him. Brown would have killed Ross.

 

[Mitch]

Not to me.

Are you kidding me? Moving Davis and Lutui to guard changes the whole mentality of the defense...no longer can they count on blowing up the middle of the Cardinals line...which means that the DEs, who can freely storm the edge without having to worry about the run, will now have to think twice about flying off the edge when their DTs are being handled at the line of scrimmage...

When the DTs blow up the middle of the line, it immediately slows the RB to a halt...if the guards actually get a PUSH on the DTs the holes between the DT and DE will be as wide as a semi...which will cause the DEs to play honest...which will then lead to easier pass protection and play action opportunities.

 

[imaCafan]

I think he was agreeing with you, Mitch.......

 

[az1965]

The best lineup with what we've got right now:

LT Ross

LG Davis

C Leckey

RG Lutui

RT Wells (or Gorin...who has been unrightfully neglected in my opinion)

It seems that we essentially have bunch of guards and no good tackles. I agree Davis would be better at guard. I think Ross might pan out if used as a guard. Wells just sucks. I just don't think he is good enough. Why is Gorin ignored? Why did we trade for him? Wasn't he starting for NE?