Biggest Surprises & Disapointments of the Preseason

[Capital Card]

Surprises:

1. Daryl Washington had a great preseason and looks like he'll get a LOT of playing time as a Rookie. Not something Coach Whiz generally does.

2. Steven Williams - Not only will he make the team, I think he is going to see considerable playing time this season. Amazing for an undrafted rookie.

3. Max Hall - Another undrafted rookie who may end up taking the spot of the top 10 pick Matt Leinart. He may not see the field this season - but at this point, you have to say his future as a Cardinal is a lot brighter than Leinarts. Two weeks ago, I never would have thought I'd be writting those words.

Disappointments:

1. OL - where are they? With the major reshuffling taking place, I expect it to take time for them to gel; but most of them just look....Lost. I've been listening to Wolfley wax poetic on Keith for 2 years. He appears dreadful to me more often than I've seen him make a play.

2. Beanie Wells - did he play this season? Outside of his fumble, I barely recall seeing him do anything. Hopefully his leg injury against Washington isn't serious.

3. Matt Leinart. Wasted resources. It doesn't sound like he learned anything from Whiz or Warner over the last two years, and from watching his pouting routine this week, he didn't learn anything from Q either on how to remain a professional while furious with the organization. I still think he makes the final 53 - but what a waste.


What others should be added to these lists?

Go Cards!!!

 

[vince56]

You must be registered for see images attach

More a disappointment than a surprise, but still I had hopes he'd be at least a serviceable player this year.

 

[O]

I have to give a shout out to Clark Haggans!
If he continues to play as he has in the preseason, watch out!

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Surprise:

1) Max Hall - an UDFA rookie as our #2 quarterback. Well done man.

2) Stephen Williams - another UDFA rookie making the roster and likely to get some burn.

3) Duece Lutui - from disgraced fatso to starter in a month.

4) Tim Hightower - apparently not ready to cough up job quite yet


Disappointment:

1) Matt Leinart - Congrats, you'll now be remembered with the likes of Wendell Bryant and Tom Knight

2) Early Doucet - injured and never playing is no way to keep earning paychecks

3) Brandon Keith - what exactly does Russ Grimm see in this guy?

 

[kerouac9]

I'll add to the list with people who haven't been mentioned, although I'll throw in with Daryl Washington and Stephen Williams being great surprises and #7 being a great disappointment.

Surprise: Greg Toler. It wouldn't take a lot to replace what Bryant McFadden brought to the table, but the competition with Trumaine McBride brought out a lot in Toler and he's going to be interesting to watch if/how teams attack him once the games start counting.

Disappointment: Beanie Wells. Yes, it's the preseason. But Beanie lost 20 pounds in the offseason and he doesn't look faster, he doesn't look more powerful, and he doesn't look like he's ready to win the starting job. I may have wasted my second round fantasy pick.

 

[Shane]

I may have wasted my second round fantasy pick.

You and me both my friend!

 

[Mulli]

If a couple good throws can convince me to like DA, I can certainly fool myself into thinking Beanie will have a decent year.

 

[Nash2Amare]

No Iwebema on the surprises? He played out of his mind.

 

[Shane]

No Iwebema on the surprises? He played out of his mind.

Has been all pre season. Actually healthy and good to see after the tumor scare last year.

 

[THESMEL]

I think Matt outplayed everybody, the closest thing to an INT was this game as a defense player hurdled a block and made agreat play on our QB. When Matt leaves the building I'll believe it. Da was a 44% passer last year with a slew of INT's. He aint a kissed frog yet, maybe on his way but Matt is our best chance to win.

Our defense is worse than it was unless Hayes pulls us together, I don't see them carrying many games, Matt might not give it back evertime they get a turnover, but our defense is feast or famine tripolar. thats my surprise.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Surprises- to go along with the obviuos choices, i'm throwing Rashard Johnson in there. He's been playing more assertivley and is around the ball alot.

Disappointments-
Faneca, the OL plays better with Well and Lutui at the guard positions.
Beanie hasn't done a whole lot but hopefully that will change.
Kerry Rhodes,may want to wait on making plans to attend the pro-bowl, he's been insignificant on the field and I think that continues throughout the regular season.

 

[Duckjake]

Surprises- to go along with the obviuos choices, i'm throwing Rashard Johnson in there. He's been playing more assertivley and is around the ball alot.

Disappointments-
Faneca, the OL plays better with Well and Lutui at the guard positions.
Beanie hasn't done a whole lot but hopefully that will change.
Kerry Rhodes,may want to wait on making plans to attend the pro-bowl, he's been insignificant on the field and I think that continues throughout the regular season.

I'm sure It has been posted in other threads but to me the oline looked best with Hadnot at LG and Lutui at RG.

 

[mrbyte]

Surprise:

1) Max Hall - an UDFA rookie as our #2 quarterback. Well done man.

2) Stephen Williams - another UDFA rookie making the roster and likely to get some burn.

3) Duece Lutui - from disgraced fatso to starter in a month.

4) Tim Hightower - apparently not ready to cough up job quite yet


Disappointment:

1) Matt Leinart - Congrats, you'll now be remembered with the likes of Wendell Bryant and Tom Knight

2) Early Doucet - injured and never playing is no way to keep earning paychecks

3) Brandon Keith - what exactly does Russ Grimm see in this guy?

plus Faneca and Sendlein, Faneca seems to be puzzled by pass protection (how did he get to all those pro bowls and not be able to pass block?)
last night Sendlein on an empty backfield pass just didn't block ....anyone! he let the Washington LB run right by no no he watched the LB run right by him, it was an empty backfield who did he think was going to pick him up!!!!

our OL better shape up or this will be a looooooong season.

 

[CaptTurbo]

I'm sure It has been posted in other threads but to me the oline looked best with Hadnot at LG and Lutui at RG.

+1

 

[john h]

Surprises:

1. Daryl Washington had a great preseason and looks like he'll get a LOT of playing time as a Rookie. Not something Coach Whiz generally does.

2. Steven Williams - Not only will he make the team, I think he is going to see considerable playing time this season. Amazing for an undrafted rookie.

3. Max Hall - Another undrafted rookie who may end up taking the spot of the top 10 pick Matt Leinart. He may not see the field this season - but at this point, you have to say his future as a Cardinal is a lot brighter than Leinarts. Two weeks ago, I never would have thought I'd be writting those words.

Disappointments:

1. OL - where are they? With the major reshuffling taking place, I expect it to take time for them to gel; but most of them just look....Lost. I've been listening to Wolfley wax poetic on Keith for 2 years. He appears dreadful to me more often than I've seen him make a play.

2. Beanie Wells - did he play this season? Outside of his fumble, I barely recall seeing him do anything. Hopefully his leg injury against Washington isn't serious.

3. Matt Leinart. Wasted resources. It doesn't sound like he learned anything from Whiz or Warner over the last two years, and from watching his pouting routine this week, he didn't learn anything from Q either on how to remain a professional while furious with the organization. I still think he makes the final 53 - but what a waste.


What others should be added to these lists?

Go Cards!!!

Max Hall without a doubt to me. Last night he reminded me of Joe Montana. A lot of mobility and can pass with accuracy on the run. He seems mature beyond his years. He looked at all his receivers and was not fixated. He escaped what I think would have been more than one sack had Matt been in there. Mobility in a QB really adds a tool we have not possessed in a long time. This guy looked to me like a real QBOTF. I really knew nothing about him but I sure learned a lot last night. If Anderson falters he could be the next Jim Hart to come off the bench and never look back. I really tried to focus closely on Matt last night in the few plays he was in on. On one passing play I noticed he did not even look at the right side of the field what so ever. A receiver could have been wide open and he would never have seen him. He did not and often does not survey the field. Yes he took a lot of blitzes but Anderson evaded those blitzes with his feet and still was looking down field for a receiver. I am convinced Matt will never make it in the NFL. Hall has never been on my radar but he sure is now. Skelton was not at all impressive and will be a work in progress if we keep him. I saw a lot of good young players really trying for a spot on the team last night. We are going to be better than I thought. I also liked our kicker consistentlyy putting the ball into the end zone. Washington looked terrible even though their starting QB was not in there. It will likely be a long year for that team. I noticed that Vegas had us as a 100-1 shot to go the Super Bowl.

 

[john h]

Surprises:

1. Daryl Washington had a great preseason and looks like he'll get a LOT of playing time as a Rookie. Not something Coach Whiz generally does.

2. Steven Williams - Not only will he make the team, I think he is going to see considerable playing time this season. Amazing for an undrafted rookie.

3. Max Hall - Another undrafted rookie who may end up taking the spot of the top 10 pick Matt Leinart. He may not see the field this season - but at this point, you have to say his future as a Cardinal is a lot brighter than Leinarts. Two weeks ago, I never would have thought I'd be writting those words.

Disappointments:

1. OL - where are they? With the major reshuffling taking place, I expect it to take time for them to gel; but most of them just look....Lost. I've been listening to Wolfley wax poetic on Keith for 2 years. He appears dreadful to me more often than I've seen him make a play.

2. Beanie Wells - did he play this season? Outside of his fumble, I barely recall seeing him do anything. Hopefully his leg injury against Washington isn't serious.

3. Matt Leinart. Wasted resources. It doesn't sound like he learned anything from Whiz or Warner over the last two years, and from watching his pouting routine this week, he didn't learn anything from Q either on how to remain a professional while furious with the organization. I still think he makes the final 53 - but what a waste.


What others should be added to these lists?

Go Cards!!!

Max Hall without a doubt to me. Last night he reminded me of Joe Montana. A lot of mobility and can pass with accuracy on the run. He seems mature beyond his years. He looked at all his receivers and was not fixated. He escaped what I think would have been more than one sack had Matt been in there. Mobility in a QB really adds a tool we have not possessed in a long time. This guy looked to me like a real QBOTF. I really knew nothing about him but I sure learned a lot last night. If Anderson falters he could be the next Jim Hart to come off the bench and never look back. I really tried to focus closely on Matt last night in the few plays he was in on. On one passing play I noticed he did not even look at the right side of the field what so ever. A receiver could have been wide open and he would never have seen him. He did not and often does not survey the field. Yes he took a lot of blitzes but Anderson evaded those blitzes with his feet and still was looking down field for a receiver. I am convinced Matt will never make it in the NFL. Hall has never been on my radar but he sure is now. Skelton was not at all impressive and will be a work in progress if we keep him. I saw a lot of good young players really trying for a spot on the team last night. We are going to be better than I thought. I also liked our kicker consistently putting the ball into the end zone. Washington looked terrible even though their starting QB was not in there. It will likely be a long year for that team. I noticed that Vegas had us as a 100-1 shot to go the Super Bowl.

 

[john h]

I think Matt outplayed everybody, the closest thing to an INT was this game as a defense player hurdled a block and made agreat play on our QB. When Matt leaves the building I'll believe it. Da was a 44% passer last year with a slew of INT's. He aint a kissed frog yet, maybe on his way but Matt is our best chance to win.

Our defense is worse than it was unless Hayes pulls us together, I don't see them carrying many games, Matt might not give it back evertime they get a turnover, but our defense is feast or famine tripolar. thats my surprise.

If you think Matt outplayed everyone you must have been asleep and dreaming when he was in there. He was about as bad as you can get when he was in there. He continues with those 3 yd passes because he cannot see down field and is almost a statue with a target that says hit me. So he lost his starting job. Is that a good reason to sulk around the field and bring other players down? It is great to see the emotion a Max Hall and some of the other young guys displayed in stark contrast to Matt. We do not need any bad attitude players unless they come to play every game. Dockett had an attitude last year but he sure came to play every game. He and Wilson were the defensive team leaders. Now we have a former older all pro on defense with Dockett. He could end up as the leader. You never know except in the case of Wilson who has been here forever and remains a hitting machine and one people look up to.

 

[kerouac9]

Surprises- to go along with the obviuos choices, i'm throwing Rashard Johnson in there. He's been playing more assertivley and is around the ball alot.

Disappointments-
Faneca, the OL plays better with Well and Lutui at the guard positions.
Beanie hasn't done a whole lot but hopefully that will change.
Kerry Rhodes,may want to wait on making plans to attend the pro-bowl, he's been insignificant on the field and I think that continues throughout the regular season.

But he hasn't been out there very much, and I prefer that my free safety is neither seen nor heard, which means that he's not letting anyone dash by him into the end zone.

I almost put Rhodes on my "surprises" list because I've thought he's been doing well. But I think Rashad Johnson might be cut. Talk about a guy who hasn't done anything but jump on piles this preseason.

 

[Russ Smith]

I almost put Rhodes on my "surprises" list because I've thought he's been doing well. But I think Rashad Johnson might be cut. Talk about a guy who hasn't done anything but jump on piles this preseason.

Yeah I was tough on Rashad last season and really hoped he'd be vastly improved this year but I don't see it. Just as you said he's the guy that's there to finish off the play as the guy is down. He also seems extremely "stiff" for a DB, doesn't seem to react well when the ball is in the air.

Hopefully Brown improves because it would really stink if the #2 and #3 picks from last year both wash out. Brown at least is athletic, so far I don't see anything in Johnson.

 

[Catfish]

Biggest surprises-----Steven Williams, Max Hall

Biggest disappointments-----Matt Leinart, Beanie Wells, Early Doucet

 

[RonF]

The biggest surprise for me was the lack of progress with Beanie Wells. He says he wants to be the starter, yet struggles when he is put on the field to make things happen. He should be much further ahead in his progression than what he shows this preseason.

I'm hoping that O. Jones will make the taxi squad, he looked pretty good out there the last couple of games.