K-9-----to be fair, this defense was doing pretty well stopping the run when Dumpster Dan was in the line-up------and stopping the run yesterday didn't really matter, because until Brees had the game sowed up, they didn't need to run. The only did so late in order to kill clock.
As I've said multiple times elsewhere, what does stopping the run matter when you're hemmorgaing yards and big plays through the air. It's a passing league, and we can't pressure the passer or stop him from completing passes.
We've gone from 1st in opponent QB rating in 2012 to 25th this year. So... at least we're stopping the run? I guess?
You may hate what Keim has done here, but this is his first year as GM. He has made many more good moves as GM than bad ones. Whether or not you wish to acknowledge that Whiz had final say on picks is your choice, but nearly all public information says otherwise.
I don't hate what Keim has done here. I just don't think that he's deserving of the effusive praise you're laying at his doorstep (most vocally of all the posters including Mitch). We're 1-2 after three games, including a blowout to the Saints and a close loss to the 1-2 Rams. We're not exactly building an immediate contender right now, and that was the express desire of the front office when they got hired last February.
I'm happy to see "nearly all the public information" that you have illustrating that Whis had final say on draft choices. Because no one has produced it.
So far as dismantling the defense, Keim only dismantled our Safety position, and neither Rhodes nor Wilson is making any difference anywhere this year, and Wilson made very little, (if any last year).
So I must have imagined the two new cornerbacks and three linebackers who weren't playing for the 2012 Arizona Cardinals. Two safeties, 2 corners, and 3 LBs is seven of twelve defensive starters (counting nickel DB as a starter). Sounds like an overhaul to me.
Your disgust with Keim is at least as flawed as my enthusiasm was for all the good done so far by BASK. Until 2011 he was merely a scout. In 2011 he was made head scout. Michael saw that he still did not have enough power to contend with Graves and Whiz, so in 2012 he upped the ante to Head Scout and VP in charge of player personnel. He (still) had a hard time overcoming Whiz and Graves, (hence the complete change out by Michael).
Ugh. If you're going to try and bust some knowledge, at least check your facts before you do.
Keim was Director of College Scouting (head scout) from 2006-2008.
In 2008, he was promoted to Director of Player Personnel (the guy who is the point man for all draft-related evaluations and recommendations), where he served until 2012, when he was promoted to VP Player Personnel, where he essentially became on the same level as Graves and Whis in regard to personnel decisions.
Facts.
Meanwhile, Keim did procure Palmer, Winston, and Abraham, and did it for far less than one might have expected. Everyone else in the league had that opportunity, but Keim made it happen here. That should be acknowledged. He also manufactured extra picks in the draft, something NEVER done by Graves, who was famous for giving picks away.
He made it happen because no one wanted Palmer, Winston, or Abraham. Winston and Abraham have pretty much illustrated why no one wanted them, and Palmer has shown himself to be the league-average quarterback who falls apart under pressure that was the scouting report on him.
Other than the Browns (who had a less-expensive version in Brandon Weeden) and the Jags, who would have wanted Carson Palmer?
What picks did Graves "give away" after the Pace/Johnson draft (which rumors are was asked for by Dave McGinnis)?
Tell you what, I will soften my stance on enthusiasm and exhuberance, if you are willing to meet me a little bit and give at least some credit to Keim for doing about the most that a GM could do in this one off season to make us better.
This was one terrible game, against a very good opponent on their turf. If we were to tank a game, THIS would be the one to tank. This, (at least at this point) does not define our season. Let us see what happens from here on out before we both continue with our charade's.
I don't think that Keim did the most that any GM could have done. That's what Miami's GM and Indy's owner did this offseason. Keim made a bunch of moves. Some of them haven't panned out, some of them might still, drafting Mathieu seems like a great way of maximizing a potential draft pick.
It's just too early to sing Hosannas to Steven Keim and Bruce Arians when this could very well be a 5-11 football team.
And how are the St. Louis Rams a "Very good opponent"? This season (LIMITED SAMPLE SIZE) they're 23rd in offense, 26th in defense, and have a point differential of -28. The Saints are a very good opponent, and they dismantled us after the first drive.
51) 26-D.Richardson left end to ARI 30 for -2 yards (91-M.Shaughnessy).
