Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
Last year the Cardinals realized that if they are going to compete once again for the NFC West Championship, they had better buckle up their chinstraps and start matching the toughness the 49ers bring to the field.
The Seahawks and Rams have been arriving at the same realization---as the Seahawks have been stressing a power running game and an aggressive attack-oriented press defense, and the Rams have hired one of the toughest head coaches (Jeff Fisher) in the NFL whose defensive roots go back to Buddy Ryan and his all-out assault on offenses and offensive coordinators (remember when Buddy tried to land a right hook on Kevin Gilbride?).
But---the bellwether team for toughness in the NFC West is the 49ers---they bring it full bore and you had better match it, or they will rub your face in it.
What we saw last year was quite an amazing transformation---the Cardinals, despite an awful 2-6 start started manifesting unparalleled toughness in that they showed up to hit people for every one of the last 8 games. Once known for taking weeks off---these Cardinals did not. It was the most consistently sustained effort and toughness the Cardinals have put into an eight game stretch since they arrived in Arizona.
The reward was a 6-2 second half of the season record, which included a three-game sweep of the NFC West rivals over the last 6 weeks---and first time wins versus SF in a few years and over Pete Carroll in his previous three games versus Arizona.
Now for a look at this year's personnel and how it applies to Cardinal Tough Year II:
QB
John Skelton---because of his toughness---will emerge as the QB as early as week one. Yes, he certainly needs to start games more efficiently. But he has a command of the pocket that the coaches emphasize---and he was a big part of the 6-2 momentum that the team wishes to carry over into this season. Psychologically, to go back to Kolb will be a reminder of how the season started last year, and the coaches know the team needs to start winning this year straight out of the gate.
Kevin Kolb---hard to imagine that after suffering a season-ending concussion that continued to ail him for over seven weeks that he will be able to overcome his pocket jitters. If he does, then Kolb deserves a world of credit---because he no longer has any financial incentive to produce, as he has made well over $30M in guaranteed money between his Eagle and Cardinal contracts the last three years. Kolb seems like a prideful guy---he will try hard---but physical toughness is an inherent quality---and one that is very difficult to manufacture.
Rich Bartel---he too has shown happy feet in the pocket---so one has to wonder. Like Kolb, he can be accurate in the short and intermediate areas. And he's a solid preparer.
Ryan Lindsey---this kid plays tough---he's not timid at all. But he now plays in an offense where he can throw for a higher percentage, and I think he will surprise us and be in the mix for the #2 job next year.
RB
Beanie Wells---proved how tough he can be last season. He started delivering the blows instead of taking them. The problem is his high running style---for two reasons: (1) he doesn't make people miss, so he's constantly absorbing contact; (2) his great stiffarm can't always prevent him from getting hit in his knees, which are his Achilles heels. He also needs to show he can block and catch consistently well. Not sure about him holding up, or about him being the right fit, style-wise for this offense. But---he's tough and that's a great start.
Ryan Williams---has been working his tail off to get back to full health. The question will be whether this injury will slow him down the way his hamstring injury in college did. He was not quite the same runner as he was the year before. For now he might have to try to thrive in spot duty---and his uptempo style is a good fit for the offense.
LaRod Stephens-Howling---this kid has it all, everything the offense needs in a rushing and receiving RB except durability---and that's a big except. The offense needs quick to the hole RBs who can catch and LSH is excellent in both areas. If he was durable---he would be the starting RB on this team. But because he is so exceptional on STs---it puts the coaches in a tough spot as to how much to run him with the offense. This kid is fearless, despite his diminutive size.
Alfonso Smith---the wild card here, especially if he learns to acquire greater body control and the ability to elude the first tackler. He runs like a rocket straight ahead, but he loses his feet. He can catch too. He plays hard and tough. He's a fit. I just worry that they are going to run him into the ground in the 5 pre-season games, seeing as the first three on the depth chart will be used very sparingly...and there's not much depth behind him. Javarris James could be a short yardage RB and may need to be. William Powell is another small RB with scoots.
Therefore, don't be surprised if a big contributor at RB comes in a trade or waiver wire pickup. The odds on that? 50/50 at this point?
FB
Anthony Sherman---look for him to be the blocking back and safety valve receiver in passing situations, in addition to remaining a strong force in the running game. This kid is tough. The coaches will like Jared Crank---he's a good one---and could excel on STs---but there may not be much wiggle room for a #2 FB to make the roster.
LT
Levi Brown---a consummate mauler in the running game who caves in his side of the defensive line, especially in the red zone. Improved from being an erratic pass protector to being solid and dependable over the last 8 games. This guy is tough and workmanlike, no question about it. D'Anthony Batiste is the short term sub here. Nate Potter---long term.
LG
Daryn Colledge---played with flair last year--is very solid and competitive---a little error prone at times, but was less so the more comfortable he became with the offense. Short term sub---D'Anthony Batiste. Long term---Senio Kelemete.
C
Lyle Sendlein---this guy has always been part of the solution not the problem. Mentally tough and physically sound. Nothing spectacular---just steady and workmanlike. Short term sub: Adam Snyder. Long term---Ryan Bartholomew or Scott Wedige.
RG
Adam Snyder---played very well and tough versus Darnell Dockett and the Cardinals last year. You could see why Dockett would have endorsed him. Tips off running plays, though, with his stance---which needs to be camouflaged better. Solid in pass pro. Again, workmanlike and highly competitive. Short term sub---D'Anthony Batiste (possibly Chris Stewart). Long term---Ryan DeChristopher.
RT
Jeremy Bridges---get the job done. Doesn't look pretty at times, but he plays with a strong will and resolve. For now he starts until Bobbie Massie is ready. Massie has all the physical gifts one could want for the RT position---and it's where he played in college. Not sure he will be able to be comfortable mentally early on, but here's where a 5th pre-season game could really help. D.J. Young is in the mix here as well and could make the roster in the next year or two.
TE
Jeff King---Todd Heap---Rob Housler---Jim Dray. They all bring value---Housler will be featured in the passing game and if he starts perfecting his routes and his timing, look out! King is tough and steady. Heap needs to stay healthy because if he does he might catch 40-50 balls this year, asnd be a huge factor. Dray is tough and good on STs. Sleeper: Steven Skelton. He's going to open some eyes this summer...as will Martel Webb who has very good size.
WR
Larry Fitzgerald---Andre Roberts---Early Doucet---Michael Floyd---Isaiah Williams. Fitz and Floyd are an imposing tandem. Roberts, Doucet and Williams (isaiah) can scoot and deliver (as Coach puts it) "chunks." Isaiah gets favored because of his speed and his STs ability. Steven Williams may play well enough again to be the sixth WR. DeMarco Sampson has to beat out Isaiah and, he can, because of STs. Jaymar Johnson is the wild card---he can get the ball to the house in a hurry from the slot. It won't really matter who starts other than Fitzgerald. Doucet didn't start last year and he was 2nd in receptions.
Is this offense tougher than it was a year ago? I believe that with the additions of Snyder, Floyd, Massie, Kelemete, Linsday, Potter, DeChristopher, Wedige and Crank, etc.---the answer is yes.
The Seahawks and Rams have been arriving at the same realization---as the Seahawks have been stressing a power running game and an aggressive attack-oriented press defense, and the Rams have hired one of the toughest head coaches (Jeff Fisher) in the NFL whose defensive roots go back to Buddy Ryan and his all-out assault on offenses and offensive coordinators (remember when Buddy tried to land a right hook on Kevin Gilbride?).
But---the bellwether team for toughness in the NFC West is the 49ers---they bring it full bore and you had better match it, or they will rub your face in it.
What we saw last year was quite an amazing transformation---the Cardinals, despite an awful 2-6 start started manifesting unparalleled toughness in that they showed up to hit people for every one of the last 8 games. Once known for taking weeks off---these Cardinals did not. It was the most consistently sustained effort and toughness the Cardinals have put into an eight game stretch since they arrived in Arizona.
The reward was a 6-2 second half of the season record, which included a three-game sweep of the NFC West rivals over the last 6 weeks---and first time wins versus SF in a few years and over Pete Carroll in his previous three games versus Arizona.
Now for a look at this year's personnel and how it applies to Cardinal Tough Year II:
QB
John Skelton---because of his toughness---will emerge as the QB as early as week one. Yes, he certainly needs to start games more efficiently. But he has a command of the pocket that the coaches emphasize---and he was a big part of the 6-2 momentum that the team wishes to carry over into this season. Psychologically, to go back to Kolb will be a reminder of how the season started last year, and the coaches know the team needs to start winning this year straight out of the gate.
Kevin Kolb---hard to imagine that after suffering a season-ending concussion that continued to ail him for over seven weeks that he will be able to overcome his pocket jitters. If he does, then Kolb deserves a world of credit---because he no longer has any financial incentive to produce, as he has made well over $30M in guaranteed money between his Eagle and Cardinal contracts the last three years. Kolb seems like a prideful guy---he will try hard---but physical toughness is an inherent quality---and one that is very difficult to manufacture.
Rich Bartel---he too has shown happy feet in the pocket---so one has to wonder. Like Kolb, he can be accurate in the short and intermediate areas. And he's a solid preparer.
Ryan Lindsey---this kid plays tough---he's not timid at all. But he now plays in an offense where he can throw for a higher percentage, and I think he will surprise us and be in the mix for the #2 job next year.
RB
Beanie Wells---proved how tough he can be last season. He started delivering the blows instead of taking them. The problem is his high running style---for two reasons: (1) he doesn't make people miss, so he's constantly absorbing contact; (2) his great stiffarm can't always prevent him from getting hit in his knees, which are his Achilles heels. He also needs to show he can block and catch consistently well. Not sure about him holding up, or about him being the right fit, style-wise for this offense. But---he's tough and that's a great start.
Ryan Williams---has been working his tail off to get back to full health. The question will be whether this injury will slow him down the way his hamstring injury in college did. He was not quite the same runner as he was the year before. For now he might have to try to thrive in spot duty---and his uptempo style is a good fit for the offense.
LaRod Stephens-Howling---this kid has it all, everything the offense needs in a rushing and receiving RB except durability---and that's a big except. The offense needs quick to the hole RBs who can catch and LSH is excellent in both areas. If he was durable---he would be the starting RB on this team. But because he is so exceptional on STs---it puts the coaches in a tough spot as to how much to run him with the offense. This kid is fearless, despite his diminutive size.
Alfonso Smith---the wild card here, especially if he learns to acquire greater body control and the ability to elude the first tackler. He runs like a rocket straight ahead, but he loses his feet. He can catch too. He plays hard and tough. He's a fit. I just worry that they are going to run him into the ground in the 5 pre-season games, seeing as the first three on the depth chart will be used very sparingly...and there's not much depth behind him. Javarris James could be a short yardage RB and may need to be. William Powell is another small RB with scoots.
Therefore, don't be surprised if a big contributor at RB comes in a trade or waiver wire pickup. The odds on that? 50/50 at this point?
FB
Anthony Sherman---look for him to be the blocking back and safety valve receiver in passing situations, in addition to remaining a strong force in the running game. This kid is tough. The coaches will like Jared Crank---he's a good one---and could excel on STs---but there may not be much wiggle room for a #2 FB to make the roster.
LT
Levi Brown---a consummate mauler in the running game who caves in his side of the defensive line, especially in the red zone. Improved from being an erratic pass protector to being solid and dependable over the last 8 games. This guy is tough and workmanlike, no question about it. D'Anthony Batiste is the short term sub here. Nate Potter---long term.
LG
Daryn Colledge---played with flair last year--is very solid and competitive---a little error prone at times, but was less so the more comfortable he became with the offense. Short term sub---D'Anthony Batiste. Long term---Senio Kelemete.
C
Lyle Sendlein---this guy has always been part of the solution not the problem. Mentally tough and physically sound. Nothing spectacular---just steady and workmanlike. Short term sub: Adam Snyder. Long term---Ryan Bartholomew or Scott Wedige.
RG
Adam Snyder---played very well and tough versus Darnell Dockett and the Cardinals last year. You could see why Dockett would have endorsed him. Tips off running plays, though, with his stance---which needs to be camouflaged better. Solid in pass pro. Again, workmanlike and highly competitive. Short term sub---D'Anthony Batiste (possibly Chris Stewart). Long term---Ryan DeChristopher.
RT
Jeremy Bridges---get the job done. Doesn't look pretty at times, but he plays with a strong will and resolve. For now he starts until Bobbie Massie is ready. Massie has all the physical gifts one could want for the RT position---and it's where he played in college. Not sure he will be able to be comfortable mentally early on, but here's where a 5th pre-season game could really help. D.J. Young is in the mix here as well and could make the roster in the next year or two.
TE
Jeff King---Todd Heap---Rob Housler---Jim Dray. They all bring value---Housler will be featured in the passing game and if he starts perfecting his routes and his timing, look out! King is tough and steady. Heap needs to stay healthy because if he does he might catch 40-50 balls this year, asnd be a huge factor. Dray is tough and good on STs. Sleeper: Steven Skelton. He's going to open some eyes this summer...as will Martel Webb who has very good size.
WR
Larry Fitzgerald---Andre Roberts---Early Doucet---Michael Floyd---Isaiah Williams. Fitz and Floyd are an imposing tandem. Roberts, Doucet and Williams (isaiah) can scoot and deliver (as Coach puts it) "chunks." Isaiah gets favored because of his speed and his STs ability. Steven Williams may play well enough again to be the sixth WR. DeMarco Sampson has to beat out Isaiah and, he can, because of STs. Jaymar Johnson is the wild card---he can get the ball to the house in a hurry from the slot. It won't really matter who starts other than Fitzgerald. Doucet didn't start last year and he was 2nd in receptions.
Is this offense tougher than it was a year ago? I believe that with the additions of Snyder, Floyd, Massie, Kelemete, Linsday, Potter, DeChristopher, Wedige and Crank, etc.---the answer is yes.
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I thought he was best catching the ball and horrible blocking. King isn't the strongest of tight ends, and he frequently gets overpowered or outquicked by quick guys.
