Boldin and Hayes: Game-Time Decisions

[sportznutt]

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin, along with inside linebacker Gerald Hayes, did not practice Thursday.

Boldin has been nursing left ankle and knee injuries he suffered in the Cardinals' regular-season finale against Green Bay. He was inactive for their 51-45 overtime victory over the Packers in the first round of the NFC playoffs Sunday.

Hayes suffered a right ankle injury on the first play of the playoff game but played with it the rest of the way.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt said both players "certainly will be a game-day decision.''

The Cardinals play at New Orleans on Saturday.

foxsports

Hayes is a huge loss, as is Boldin.

Yikes.

 

[CtCardinals78]

The Cards are 6-1 without Boldin. Although his absence would hurt, it is not as severe with Breaston and Doucett stepping up. It may actually help the Cards without Boldin because they should have more offensive sets that teams haven't seen as much. Hopefully Hayes plays Saturday.

 

[Duckjake]

The Cards are 6-1 without Boldin. Although his absence would hurt, it is not as severe with Breaston and Doucett stepping up. It may actually help the Cards without Boldin because they should have more offensive sets that teams haven't seen as much. Hopefully Hayes plays Saturday.

I remember when the Cards were 5-11 without Boldin.

Then 5-11 with Boldin, Fitz, Warner,Dansby,Wilson,Dockett,Rolle, Okeafor,RWells,Hayes and Berry.

Twice.

And then went to the Super Bowl with the same guys.

Strange game isn't it?

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I disagree. On both players.

BOLDIN:
First off, he hasn't practiced in two weeks. He is not playing against the Saints.

I think Boldin was needed more in the Packers game (thankfully others stepped up in that game and "filled in"), but without stating the obvious that our team is better with Boldin, I don't think he is "needed" as much against the Saints.

REASON: The Saints defense is not exactly big on blitzing, and one of their best pass rushers Charles Grant is on IR.

What Boldin is best at, dare I say the best in the league and maybe ever, is reading the blitz pre-snap, reading the defense after the snap, finding the hole in the defense, catching the ball, and grinding out a 6 to "take it to the house" yard gain.

Where I would have labeled Boldin a key to he game last week, I would not this week.

What we would miss this week is his run blocking. Yet, I will say no matter what Boldin does bring leader ship with him. Even while injured he is this teams leader. Last week if you read about the game, Doucet and Breaston talked about how they would be talking to Boldin during the game. Seeing what they did right, what they are doing wrong. They know their sensei and do not want to let him down.


On offense, for this week the key to the game is Beanie Wells. Levi Brown + Deuce Lutui + Kreider + Wells. That is what will win the game for us this week.

GERALD HAYES:
There is no way he is playing. Like Q, he not only has a back ankle, but has another injury (back) as well.

REASON: I would be surprised if the Cardinals find themselves going up against the run time and time again against the Saints. If the Saints run the ball over 20 times in this game then our team is in deep do-do anyway. Hayes is a HUGE liability in coverage, I have never seen a guy beat so bad as Jermichael Finley beat him last week. So, losing Hayes when playing a team that is going to pass,pass,pass is not a huge loss.

Just like the Cardinals did with Boldin, Hayes will be replaced by two players. One a vet and one a yougin'. Reggie Walker, and Monte Biesel will fill in and I feel will step up to the challenge. And before you worry about losing size at the position: Hayes 6'1" 246lbs - Beisel 6'2" 244lbs so Beisel is no slouch. As for Reggie Walker ? Anyone that thinks this kid can't bring it when stopping the run has NOT been paying attention. He can deliver a serious blow and get RB's moving backwards.

The concerns on defense should be our banged up secondary. This is Wednesday's injury report.

The other players on the injury list are expected to be available, including five who were limited Wednesday: LB Will Davis (knee), DE Calais Campbell (thumb), CB Bryant McFadden (chest), P Ben Graham (left groin) and CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (toe, knee). Two listed players practiced fully, S Antrel Rolle (thigh) and K Neil Rackers (right groin)

Will Davis, and Campbell are very important to the pass rush that we will desparately need. Not to mention McFadden, DRC, and Rolle are banged up a little.

With the size and skill of the WR's of the Saints. We NEED all these guys, especially Rolle and DRC.

But to summarize. The Cardinals have the players they need to win the game. What is left, is for our team to come ready to play, because the Saints are no joke. They are an extremely good football team, that is healthy. It is going to be a challenge, and would have been even if Boldin and Hayes were good to go.

 

[CaptTurbo]

REASON: The Saints defense is not exactly big on blitzing, and one of their best pass rushers Charles Grant is on IR. .

I had to stop there. One the saints blitzed I believe the second most of any team.

Also Grant is considered the run stopping DE and saints fans say his backup is the pass rusher.

 

[CaptTurbo]

I think if any game Hayes sits and Beisel plays this would be the game. Saints pass and Beisel will be much better in coverage.

 

[cardsfanmd]

I feel so much better about losing Hayes now that Beisel is back.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I had to stop there. One the saints blitzed I believe the second most of any team.

Also Grant is considered the run stopping DE and saints fans say his backup is the pass rusher.

Really ?

I obviously didn't know that.

Stupid wrist, and too much work. I had to stop "Know thine enemy" for the playoffs, and now I guess I don't know thine enemy.

I am not surprised by Will Smith and his 13 sacks.

I have heard about Anthony Hargrove having some sucess this year, and he has 5 sacks.

And I remember Bobby McCray from his days in Baltimore and he can bring the heat as well.

So, I stand corrected. The only reason I said such a thing is that I believed that there blitz was not to where the Green Bay blitz was, but after last week GB's blitz didn't look to good as well.

So maybe Boldin's absence will be more of a hit to the Cardinals than I first thought.

 

[D-Dogg]

The other players on the injury list are expected to be available, including five who were limited Wednesday: LB Will Davis (knee), DE Calais Campbell (thumb), CB Bryant McFadden (chest - heart especially, missing jock strap), P Ben Graham (left groin) and CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (toe, knee). Two listed players practiced fully, S Antrel Rolle (thigh) and K Neil Rackers (right groin)

Fixed.

 

[CaptTurbo]

How did Graham get injured he only punted once last week for crying out loud. And blew it at that. He is one of my favorite cardinals so I am bitter! lol

 

[RugbyMuffin]

How did Graham get injured he only punted once last week for crying out loud. And blew it at that. He is one of my favorite cardinals so I am bitter! lol

Probably still agitated from the season.

He had the same situation last year as well. Sounds like a chronic problem.

 

[joeshmo]

Yep Saints Blitzed the second most in the NFL. Blitz means 5 or more players rushing the line of scrimmage.

The only reason I know this is because on NFL network Brian Billick mentioned it in passing as a reason why he thinks Warner is going to go off again. Mentioned how Warner is the most efective QB ever when blitzed. In fact he has a better QB rating when blitzed then when not blitzed. Them blitzing so much is why they are not very good at covering the slot WR, ranked 23 in the NFL against the slot WR. When teams blitz a lot the slot is usually the spot that suffers for it the most in any D, and the outside #1 WR suffers on the O because QB's dont have time for their routes to occur and read the slot hot routes instead. So watch for a lot of similar bunch packages to get the slot or middle of the field open this game like we did against the Packers

Also the Saints are not a passing team. In todays NFL they are one of the more balanced. They actually ran the ball as many times as the Ravens did. Ranked 7th in run plays attempted per game. And they dont just run with one guy they run with 4 different guys equally. They also surpisingly run a lot out of passing formations and pass out of a lot of run formations.

When passing they have one main guy in Colston of course but after that there really is no real #2 reciever. Brees uses 6 guys about equally as his secondary target. Which means having Monte in the lineup over Hayes might be a blessing in disguise because the DB's and LB's will be spread thin in coverage.