Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
Much has been written and said about it taking the Cardinals' offense longer than usual last year to click---that BA's exacting scheme and style was difficult for some players to pick up, particularly the mental aspects and nuances of the assignments.
Any time there is change, the learning curve and it's timetable are going to be factors.
But, the way I look at it, it wasn't so much the players not grasping the offense as it was the players learning how to win again---and learning what it takes preparation-wise to win.
Carson Palmer had to learn how to win again.
And so did every Cardinal who played under the previous staff.
When you come right down to it---there are two basic preparation philosophies in sports: (1) do what we do best and keep trying to do it better; (2) analyze the opponents' strengths and weaknesses and game plan to minimize their strengths and exploit their weaknesses.
Under the previous staff---what we saw was the same predictable schemes. The idea was---the system works---we just have to run it better.
Under BA and his staff---what we see is detailed game planning week after week. The idea is we have figured out a way to beat the opponent at hand and we just have to execute the game plan.
The past Cardinal players didn't really know how to game plan. That is why it took 8 games for last year's team to start jelling.
Once the players understood the process and how it gave them a "competitive edge" from week to week---the Cardinals were as competitive a team as there was in the NFL the last 8 games.
Thus, there are a number of tangible reasons for BA's team in Year Two to be very optimistic:
1. All eyes are firmly fixed on the prize. This is quite a departure from years past. Anything less than the prize will not be accepted.
2. Even though the Cardinals went 7-2 down the stretch last year, BA and his staff have emphasized to the players how much better their performances in those games could have been had the team been more efficient and more focused on the game plan. Even in wins---BA has the team focusing in on correcting and "cleaning up" the glitches.
3. Patience. This is the most wonderful and paradoxical aspect of BA and his staff's approach---while they have instilled an urgency to win and win now, they also are patient enough to hammer their way through the glitches---to keep running the ball and not abandon the running game when it isn't working early on in games---sticking with the QB when he is making sloppy decisions and mistakes---switching the matchups on defense when the opponents are finding a way to move the ball---instilling a belief and commitment to the younger players by helping them work through rough patches.
4. Half-time Adjustments. Have we ever seen anything like it from the Cardinals? No sooner have the players taken a knee in the locker room than masterful blueprints for second half success are being unrolled like the U of P turf before their eyes.
5. Personnel Honing. Look at what Steve Keim, in tandem with BA and the team scouts, have been accomplishing in just two short years. Take the TE position, for example. Last year, BA had to get creative with his roster to get some blocking on the edge and had to turn to Bobby Massie. This year, the TE group is deep and has been catered to fit BA's system. On defense, the secondary is now deep and diverse which is the key to Todd Bowles' innovative combo blitz-cover schemes. This off-season the Cardinals have become a considerably faster and tougher football team. Playing fast, physically and briskly is a BA mandate.
6. Careful Calculations. Everything about the organization right now is being carefully calculated. There are short term goals, from practice to practice, and long-term goals. The plan is squarely in place.
7. Scouting. You just know that BA, his staff and the advance scouts, with another year under their belts have copious scouting reports on all of the Cardinals 2014 opponents and most especially on the teams in the NFC West. General game plans have already been mapped out---and will be adjusted as this year's games give the Cardinals more tape to analyze. There is already a plan as to how to get to Colin Kaepernick---even to the point of having a QB on the scout team, in 4th round pick QB Logan Thomas, to emulate him.
Josh Weinfuss' 53 Man Roster Prediction:
I really like Weinfuss---he delves deeply into the Cardinals scenarios the way we at ASFN do---like a true, hungry and knowledgeable fan. And I was particularly impressed with his recent roster prediction, because I think he understands what BA&SK want. I will add some of my own comments here but I think for the most part, Weinfuss' assessment is spot-on at this point---and I stress at this point because as BA has stressed, nothing really will be decided until the pads come on.
Quarterback (3)
Carson Palmer*
Drew Stanton
Logan Thomas
The only question here is whether Ryan Lindley can challenge Drew Stanton for the #2. That would seem unlikely at this point, but, I get the feeling that BA likes Lindley enough to give him the opportunity to stick.
Running back (4)
Andre Ellington*
Stepfan Taylor
Jonathan Dwyer
Robert Hughes
The question i have here is the absence of another speed RB. I think it is quote possible that one of the speed RBs in camp (Bauman, Parmele or Thigpen could supplant Dwyer or Hughes). ST consideration will be a factor as well.
Wide Receiver (5)
Larry Fitzgerald*
Michael Floyd*
Ted Ginn
John Brown
Walt Powell
I think it is going to be near impossible to cut Juron Brown---and I think Walt Powell will make the roster on STs alone (to start with)---so I think keeping 6 WRs is a strong possibility. The other guy to keep an eye on is Brittan Golden. He might be a surprise.
Offensive line (8)
Bobby Massie*
Earl Watford*
Lyle Sendlein*
Jonathan Cooper*
Jared Veldheer*
Bradley Sowell
Ted Larsen
Nate Potter
Weinfuss argues that if Watford wins the RG position, as he thinks Watford will, that because Larsen and Potter can play guard, Paul Fanaika could be the odd man out. I do not see the Cardinals keeping Potter over Fanaika. I can also see the Cardinals adding a guard and another tackle to the mix. And I could see BA keeping Potter over Sewell if Sewell fails to impress. By the end of camp, i wouldn't be surprised to see two new names here...one quite possibly being G Anthony Steen, depending on his recovery.
Tight end (4)
Jake Ballard*
John Carlson*
Rob Housler
Troy Niklas (injured)
Looks pretty set here, but I still think that Fells or Hardy will make a very strong case.
Defensive line (7)
Calais Campbell*
Darnell Dockett*
Dan Williams*
Kareem Martin
Frostee Rucker
Ed Stinson
Alameda Ta'amu (injured)
The kid Gaston from Purdue has a shot here, depending on Ta'amu's recovery.
Outside Linebacker (5)
John Abraham*
Matt Shaughnessy*
Sam Acho
Alex Okafor
Marcus Benard
The one guy I am very curious to see in live action is Adrian Tracy---a fast player I could also see getting a look at WILB. I wonder about Acho and Okafor---as neither one showed consistent pressure ability last year.
Inside Linebacker (4)
Larry Foote*
Kevin Minter*
Kenny Demens
Lorenzo Alexander
I think we are going to see a new name in here---most likely via trade or the waiver wire. I could see Alexander making the team because of STs. But, his foot injury looks like it could be an ongoing issue.
Cornerback (6)
Patrick Peterson*
Antonio Cromartie*
Justin Bethel
Bryan McCann
Jerraud Powers
Teddy Williams
The question I have here is whether both McCann and Williams makes the roster. I can see why both would, especially for the sake of STs. But, if BA keeps 6 WRs, one of the CBs could be on the bubble.
Safety (4)
Deone Bucannon*
Rashad Johnson*
Tony Jefferson
Tyrann Mathieu (injured)
Love that Jefferson has been impressing thus far. That's huge. I could see Curtis Taylor or Anthony Walters making the roster if the Honey Badger isn't ready week one.
Punter (1)
Dave Zastudil
Kicker (1)
Jay Feely
Long snapper (1)
Mike Leach
If Feely struggles in the pre-season, a waiver wire pickup could occur. The kickoff issues are still pressing.
Bubble Players on Weinfuss' Roster, imo:
RB Dwyer
RB Hughes
T/G Potter
WR Powell
OLB Acho
OLB Okafor
ILB Alexander
CB McCann
CB Williams
K Feely
Challengers, imo:
QB Lindley
RB Bauman
RB Parmele
RB Thigpen
TE Fells
TE Hardy
G Fanaika
G Steen
WR Juron Brown
WR Golden
WR Buckner
DT Gaston
DT Renfro
DT Topou
LB Tracy
LB Clayton
LB Dickson
LB Carson
LB Jonathan Brown
CB Legree
CB Whitley
S Taylor
S Walters
Any time there is change, the learning curve and it's timetable are going to be factors.
But, the way I look at it, it wasn't so much the players not grasping the offense as it was the players learning how to win again---and learning what it takes preparation-wise to win.
Carson Palmer had to learn how to win again.
And so did every Cardinal who played under the previous staff.
When you come right down to it---there are two basic preparation philosophies in sports: (1) do what we do best and keep trying to do it better; (2) analyze the opponents' strengths and weaknesses and game plan to minimize their strengths and exploit their weaknesses.
Under the previous staff---what we saw was the same predictable schemes. The idea was---the system works---we just have to run it better.
Under BA and his staff---what we see is detailed game planning week after week. The idea is we have figured out a way to beat the opponent at hand and we just have to execute the game plan.
The past Cardinal players didn't really know how to game plan. That is why it took 8 games for last year's team to start jelling.
Once the players understood the process and how it gave them a "competitive edge" from week to week---the Cardinals were as competitive a team as there was in the NFL the last 8 games.
Thus, there are a number of tangible reasons for BA's team in Year Two to be very optimistic:
1. All eyes are firmly fixed on the prize. This is quite a departure from years past. Anything less than the prize will not be accepted.
2. Even though the Cardinals went 7-2 down the stretch last year, BA and his staff have emphasized to the players how much better their performances in those games could have been had the team been more efficient and more focused on the game plan. Even in wins---BA has the team focusing in on correcting and "cleaning up" the glitches.
3. Patience. This is the most wonderful and paradoxical aspect of BA and his staff's approach---while they have instilled an urgency to win and win now, they also are patient enough to hammer their way through the glitches---to keep running the ball and not abandon the running game when it isn't working early on in games---sticking with the QB when he is making sloppy decisions and mistakes---switching the matchups on defense when the opponents are finding a way to move the ball---instilling a belief and commitment to the younger players by helping them work through rough patches.
4. Half-time Adjustments. Have we ever seen anything like it from the Cardinals? No sooner have the players taken a knee in the locker room than masterful blueprints for second half success are being unrolled like the U of P turf before their eyes.
5. Personnel Honing. Look at what Steve Keim, in tandem with BA and the team scouts, have been accomplishing in just two short years. Take the TE position, for example. Last year, BA had to get creative with his roster to get some blocking on the edge and had to turn to Bobby Massie. This year, the TE group is deep and has been catered to fit BA's system. On defense, the secondary is now deep and diverse which is the key to Todd Bowles' innovative combo blitz-cover schemes. This off-season the Cardinals have become a considerably faster and tougher football team. Playing fast, physically and briskly is a BA mandate.
6. Careful Calculations. Everything about the organization right now is being carefully calculated. There are short term goals, from practice to practice, and long-term goals. The plan is squarely in place.
7. Scouting. You just know that BA, his staff and the advance scouts, with another year under their belts have copious scouting reports on all of the Cardinals 2014 opponents and most especially on the teams in the NFC West. General game plans have already been mapped out---and will be adjusted as this year's games give the Cardinals more tape to analyze. There is already a plan as to how to get to Colin Kaepernick---even to the point of having a QB on the scout team, in 4th round pick QB Logan Thomas, to emulate him.
Josh Weinfuss' 53 Man Roster Prediction:
I really like Weinfuss---he delves deeply into the Cardinals scenarios the way we at ASFN do---like a true, hungry and knowledgeable fan. And I was particularly impressed with his recent roster prediction, because I think he understands what BA&SK want. I will add some of my own comments here but I think for the most part, Weinfuss' assessment is spot-on at this point---and I stress at this point because as BA has stressed, nothing really will be decided until the pads come on.
Quarterback (3)
Carson Palmer*
Drew Stanton
Logan Thomas
The only question here is whether Ryan Lindley can challenge Drew Stanton for the #2. That would seem unlikely at this point, but, I get the feeling that BA likes Lindley enough to give him the opportunity to stick.
Running back (4)
Andre Ellington*
Stepfan Taylor
Jonathan Dwyer
Robert Hughes
The question i have here is the absence of another speed RB. I think it is quote possible that one of the speed RBs in camp (Bauman, Parmele or Thigpen could supplant Dwyer or Hughes). ST consideration will be a factor as well.
Wide Receiver (5)
Larry Fitzgerald*
Michael Floyd*
Ted Ginn
John Brown
Walt Powell
I think it is going to be near impossible to cut Juron Brown---and I think Walt Powell will make the roster on STs alone (to start with)---so I think keeping 6 WRs is a strong possibility. The other guy to keep an eye on is Brittan Golden. He might be a surprise.
Offensive line (8)
Bobby Massie*
Earl Watford*
Lyle Sendlein*
Jonathan Cooper*
Jared Veldheer*
Bradley Sowell
Ted Larsen
Nate Potter
Weinfuss argues that if Watford wins the RG position, as he thinks Watford will, that because Larsen and Potter can play guard, Paul Fanaika could be the odd man out. I do not see the Cardinals keeping Potter over Fanaika. I can also see the Cardinals adding a guard and another tackle to the mix. And I could see BA keeping Potter over Sewell if Sewell fails to impress. By the end of camp, i wouldn't be surprised to see two new names here...one quite possibly being G Anthony Steen, depending on his recovery.
Tight end (4)
Jake Ballard*
John Carlson*
Rob Housler
Troy Niklas (injured)
Looks pretty set here, but I still think that Fells or Hardy will make a very strong case.
Defensive line (7)
Calais Campbell*
Darnell Dockett*
Dan Williams*
Kareem Martin
Frostee Rucker
Ed Stinson
Alameda Ta'amu (injured)
The kid Gaston from Purdue has a shot here, depending on Ta'amu's recovery.
Outside Linebacker (5)
John Abraham*
Matt Shaughnessy*
Sam Acho
Alex Okafor
Marcus Benard
The one guy I am very curious to see in live action is Adrian Tracy---a fast player I could also see getting a look at WILB. I wonder about Acho and Okafor---as neither one showed consistent pressure ability last year.
Inside Linebacker (4)
Larry Foote*
Kevin Minter*
Kenny Demens
Lorenzo Alexander
I think we are going to see a new name in here---most likely via trade or the waiver wire. I could see Alexander making the team because of STs. But, his foot injury looks like it could be an ongoing issue.
Cornerback (6)
Patrick Peterson*
Antonio Cromartie*
Justin Bethel
Bryan McCann
Jerraud Powers
Teddy Williams
The question I have here is whether both McCann and Williams makes the roster. I can see why both would, especially for the sake of STs. But, if BA keeps 6 WRs, one of the CBs could be on the bubble.
Safety (4)
Deone Bucannon*
Rashad Johnson*
Tony Jefferson
Tyrann Mathieu (injured)
Love that Jefferson has been impressing thus far. That's huge. I could see Curtis Taylor or Anthony Walters making the roster if the Honey Badger isn't ready week one.
Punter (1)
Dave Zastudil
Kicker (1)
Jay Feely
Long snapper (1)
Mike Leach
If Feely struggles in the pre-season, a waiver wire pickup could occur. The kickoff issues are still pressing.
Bubble Players on Weinfuss' Roster, imo:
RB Dwyer
RB Hughes
T/G Potter
WR Powell
OLB Acho
OLB Okafor
ILB Alexander
CB McCann
CB Williams
K Feely
Challengers, imo:
QB Lindley
RB Bauman
RB Parmele
RB Thigpen
TE Fells
TE Hardy
G Fanaika
G Steen
WR Juron Brown
WR Golden
WR Buckner
DT Gaston
DT Renfro
DT Topou
LB Tracy
LB Clayton
LB Dickson
LB Carson
LB Jonathan Brown
CB Legree
CB Whitley
S Taylor
S Walters
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