Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
TEAM
* Cardinal Tough! No question. Man was that game physical. That was a bunch of tough Redbirds at work versus some equally tough Seahawks. NFC West is looking strong, imo.
* Mental Discipline needs work, as we saw with the penalties.
WHISENHUNT
* Had team well-prepared for the first half.
* Got far too conservative in the second half. Looked like he was just trying to sit on the lead and let the defense force more Seattle mistakes.
* Won the coin toss and deferred again---Whisenhunt is big on field position, so I understand his reasoning---but, he keeps lamenting the slow starts on offense and let's face it, having to wait on the sidelines for the first 10-15 minutes of the game is tough.
* But then what makes little sense is to get the football at the start of the second half and he gets 7 1/2 yards from Beanie on first down---best run of the day---then opts for a two step drop three yard pass play on 2nd and 2 1/2, that gets batted down at the line---my question is, if you are going to throw on 2nd and 2 1/2, go play-action and take a shot downfield, not try a three yard pass into congestion that didn't fool anyone. Then---the third down call---pretty tough to convert 3rd and 2 1/2 in this league on the ground against a loaded box....especially when everyone is expecting a run.
* Then it seemed every second half series play-calling wise began with a no yard run into the line, then a short passing attempt from a short drop, and then on third and 10 a pass underneath the sticks...or one time the perfunctory one feeble screen pass attempt---again not throwing to areas over the sticks. THIS has been the pattern for far too long and it puts the QB at such a disadvantage.
* The play that showed some creativity was the bootleg---but it was to Skelton's left, and the Seahawks were sitting right in it as if they knew the play, which caused Skelton to try to scramble out of it and then try to throw the ball past the line of scrimmage, which is harder from that angle going left than you think---which is why it gave Richard Sherman a chance to make a spectacular play on.
* Where Whisenhunt deserves a ton of credit is in the way he did his best in the Tennessee game to try to build back at least some self-respect and confidence in Kevin Kolb---at the time it was too bad it was at the expense of not giving Skelton a good half of work to prepare for the Seahawks---but, as it turned out, Kolb needed to be ready and he needed to feel confident enough to get the job done, especially down the stretch in a come from behind situation, which Kolb struggled with last year.
* Great call on the backward pass.
* What was he thinking in calling the double timeout?
* Great reprieve on the near timeout before the Kolb to Roberts TD.
* Overall I would give a game ball to Whisenhunt for this game.
SKELTON
* Good first half---he was shifting nicely around the pocket and zipping the ball accurately to his receivers---loved the back shoulder pass to Fitz, the rope he throw to Doucet over the middle and the perfect rope to Roberts on the out pass.
* I thought he was the victim of questionable and overly conservative play-calling in the second half---as mentioned earlier.
* Honestly, I found myself tearing up when he went down. I just love the way he handled himself all week---it was like he was on a one man Cardinal publicity tour and was really talking up the team's chances at a time when the team needed some good vibes in the face of all the negative publicity this pre-season.
KOLB
* Was sensational. His best drive, by far, in Cardinal red. He was decisive, instinctive, totally on target and spinning them in there like a juggs machine.
* Feel so happy for him and the team---and as I said I give Whisenhunt a lot of credit for doing what he could to give Kolb a much needed saving hand.
* Hopefully, Whisenhunt puts Kolb as much as he can in the hurry-up this week. Kolb himself emphasized " up tempo" when he was interviewed after the Titans' game. We have the depth and strength on defense to handle an offense that plays up tempo---so give Kolb the best chance and keep him in that role as much as possible. I think with this team in general---the less they have to think, the better.
O-LINE
* Better than I ever would have expected in pass pro---which Grimm obviously focused on most during the week.
* Running game was not good, as we saw---but the timing and execution should get better each week.
* Bobby Massie was very good as a rookie playing in his first game.
* D'Anthony Batiste did his job and his technique was solid---a little sloppy with his feet on occasion but he maintained a good base and played hard to the whistle every snap.
* Ironically, it was the inner three who had the toughest time---as both Colledge and Sendlein were flagged for holding, and Snyder had all he could handle at times, as they were penetrating his A gap with consistency.
TE
* Todd Heap was a factor, especially in the game winning drive.
* Still don't get keeping 4 TEs---what did Jim Dray offer in this game?
* Rob Housler made the TD saving tackle on the Washington KO return, but was a no-show on offense again.
* Jeff King---not quite back to being himself yet.
WR
* Good games from Fitz and Roberts.
* Doucet was a factor which was nice to see---glad he didn't get flagged though for jumping up into the defender's face.
* Sleepy Floyd, oh well, for now.
RB
* Wells looks slow.
* Williams had a huge hole on the counter play that he fumbled on and ran to the left of it---and then cut back into it, it was still there. His timing and execution looked very rusty.
* Hyphen should have gotten more snaps---great TD using his quickness to slip the ball over the goal-line---plus, he made a good block in pass pro.
* Sherman had maybe his worst game as a Cardinal, both in the offense and especially on STs. Not sure what his situation was.
NT
* Williams was very good.
DE
* Dockett was fierce and ferocious but missed finishing off key tackles. But he sure created havoc.
* Campbell again with the FG block (how BIG did that turn out to be?) and the batted passes. But, Paul McQuistan did a nice job on him---have to admit it.
* Eason was horrible---was getting blown off the ball.
* Carter had one good play---was expecting more from him.
* Holliday held his own.
ILB
* Lenon and Washington and Walker were the story on defense---filling gaps, blitzing with suddenness (even Walker from the edge!---but stupid roughing penalty was regrettable---but hey, he could be a real help there! Did you see Washington blow up the blockers on the designed run for Wilson that the DBs were able to stop short of a first down? Wow!
OLB
* Acho had Russell Okung on his heels and false starting twice.
* Schofield played hard but was not a difference maker.
* I thought Groves was a difference maker---he really got after it and made some big plays chasing down Lynch and Wilson.
CB
* Peterson still hasn't learned how to lay off the WR and play the ball when the ball is heading his way---the thing is---he's so in the way of the WR, which is good, but it gets him in trouble, especially when the WRs act interfered with. Boy he should have picked off the pass after the bogus 4th timeout---that would have been poetic justice. But, again, he's not finding the ball yet.
* We saw why Horton likes Gay---he's physical and around the ball---good tackler. A little too handsy like Peterson. which will likely mean more PIs.
* Money Mike---what can you say? When the lights are on, he shows up. Can't believe they had him on Sydney Rice the last play (on a GOOD switch---which enabled Gay to cover the slant---good thing Wilson threw inside---a lob to Rice would have been tough for Adams to defend. Notice too that Adams made the first few tackles on STs.
* Still wish we hadn't made the Jefferson trade---now with Fleming injured and Toler not seeming ready. I hope the team calls up Larry Parker, whom I think will be a real good player for us.
S
* Wilson---so smart handing the interception to Peterson! Wilson was solid---very physical as always.
* Rhodes played more physical when he was in the box---out of the box he was soft---like on the Rice TD where it makes no sense to play the middle zone three yards deep into the end zone and stay there when a WR like Rice comes into his zone.
* Rashad Johnson was one of the few studs on STs---he made two great tackles.
STs
* Feely was great on FGs, but in this day and age he has got to be able to kick the ball out of the end zone (indoors)---the game was totally changed by the Washington return.
* Zastudil would be better off punting for hang-time than distance as our cover teams right now are awful.
Play of the Game: Kolb to Roberts with Whisenhunt running on the field to call timeout. There was no sense slowing down Kolb at that point. Good thing the play was on!
Non-Play of the Game: Baldwin's drop in the end zone. We would be out of our minds right now in disbelief and anger--give Russell Wilson a great deal of credit---he had the game-winner right there and Baldwin dropped it.
But---the Cardinals' defense contained Wilson and limited him better than many folks realize---and that was perhaps the main reason why the Cardinals won.
* Cardinal Tough! No question. Man was that game physical. That was a bunch of tough Redbirds at work versus some equally tough Seahawks. NFC West is looking strong, imo.
* Mental Discipline needs work, as we saw with the penalties.
WHISENHUNT
* Had team well-prepared for the first half.
* Got far too conservative in the second half. Looked like he was just trying to sit on the lead and let the defense force more Seattle mistakes.
* Won the coin toss and deferred again---Whisenhunt is big on field position, so I understand his reasoning---but, he keeps lamenting the slow starts on offense and let's face it, having to wait on the sidelines for the first 10-15 minutes of the game is tough.
* But then what makes little sense is to get the football at the start of the second half and he gets 7 1/2 yards from Beanie on first down---best run of the day---then opts for a two step drop three yard pass play on 2nd and 2 1/2, that gets batted down at the line---my question is, if you are going to throw on 2nd and 2 1/2, go play-action and take a shot downfield, not try a three yard pass into congestion that didn't fool anyone. Then---the third down call---pretty tough to convert 3rd and 2 1/2 in this league on the ground against a loaded box....especially when everyone is expecting a run.
* Then it seemed every second half series play-calling wise began with a no yard run into the line, then a short passing attempt from a short drop, and then on third and 10 a pass underneath the sticks...or one time the perfunctory one feeble screen pass attempt---again not throwing to areas over the sticks. THIS has been the pattern for far too long and it puts the QB at such a disadvantage.
* The play that showed some creativity was the bootleg---but it was to Skelton's left, and the Seahawks were sitting right in it as if they knew the play, which caused Skelton to try to scramble out of it and then try to throw the ball past the line of scrimmage, which is harder from that angle going left than you think---which is why it gave Richard Sherman a chance to make a spectacular play on.
* Where Whisenhunt deserves a ton of credit is in the way he did his best in the Tennessee game to try to build back at least some self-respect and confidence in Kevin Kolb---at the time it was too bad it was at the expense of not giving Skelton a good half of work to prepare for the Seahawks---but, as it turned out, Kolb needed to be ready and he needed to feel confident enough to get the job done, especially down the stretch in a come from behind situation, which Kolb struggled with last year.
* Great call on the backward pass.
* What was he thinking in calling the double timeout?
* Great reprieve on the near timeout before the Kolb to Roberts TD.
* Overall I would give a game ball to Whisenhunt for this game.
SKELTON
* Good first half---he was shifting nicely around the pocket and zipping the ball accurately to his receivers---loved the back shoulder pass to Fitz, the rope he throw to Doucet over the middle and the perfect rope to Roberts on the out pass.
* I thought he was the victim of questionable and overly conservative play-calling in the second half---as mentioned earlier.
* Honestly, I found myself tearing up when he went down. I just love the way he handled himself all week---it was like he was on a one man Cardinal publicity tour and was really talking up the team's chances at a time when the team needed some good vibes in the face of all the negative publicity this pre-season.
KOLB
* Was sensational. His best drive, by far, in Cardinal red. He was decisive, instinctive, totally on target and spinning them in there like a juggs machine.
* Feel so happy for him and the team---and as I said I give Whisenhunt a lot of credit for doing what he could to give Kolb a much needed saving hand.
* Hopefully, Whisenhunt puts Kolb as much as he can in the hurry-up this week. Kolb himself emphasized " up tempo" when he was interviewed after the Titans' game. We have the depth and strength on defense to handle an offense that plays up tempo---so give Kolb the best chance and keep him in that role as much as possible. I think with this team in general---the less they have to think, the better.
O-LINE
* Better than I ever would have expected in pass pro---which Grimm obviously focused on most during the week.
* Running game was not good, as we saw---but the timing and execution should get better each week.
* Bobby Massie was very good as a rookie playing in his first game.
* D'Anthony Batiste did his job and his technique was solid---a little sloppy with his feet on occasion but he maintained a good base and played hard to the whistle every snap.
* Ironically, it was the inner three who had the toughest time---as both Colledge and Sendlein were flagged for holding, and Snyder had all he could handle at times, as they were penetrating his A gap with consistency.
TE
* Todd Heap was a factor, especially in the game winning drive.
* Still don't get keeping 4 TEs---what did Jim Dray offer in this game?
* Rob Housler made the TD saving tackle on the Washington KO return, but was a no-show on offense again.
* Jeff King---not quite back to being himself yet.
WR
* Good games from Fitz and Roberts.
* Doucet was a factor which was nice to see---glad he didn't get flagged though for jumping up into the defender's face.
* Sleepy Floyd, oh well, for now.
RB
* Wells looks slow.
* Williams had a huge hole on the counter play that he fumbled on and ran to the left of it---and then cut back into it, it was still there. His timing and execution looked very rusty.
* Hyphen should have gotten more snaps---great TD using his quickness to slip the ball over the goal-line---plus, he made a good block in pass pro.
* Sherman had maybe his worst game as a Cardinal, both in the offense and especially on STs. Not sure what his situation was.
NT
* Williams was very good.
DE
* Dockett was fierce and ferocious but missed finishing off key tackles. But he sure created havoc.
* Campbell again with the FG block (how BIG did that turn out to be?) and the batted passes. But, Paul McQuistan did a nice job on him---have to admit it.
* Eason was horrible---was getting blown off the ball.
* Carter had one good play---was expecting more from him.
* Holliday held his own.
ILB
* Lenon and Washington and Walker were the story on defense---filling gaps, blitzing with suddenness (even Walker from the edge!---but stupid roughing penalty was regrettable---but hey, he could be a real help there! Did you see Washington blow up the blockers on the designed run for Wilson that the DBs were able to stop short of a first down? Wow!
OLB
* Acho had Russell Okung on his heels and false starting twice.
* Schofield played hard but was not a difference maker.
* I thought Groves was a difference maker---he really got after it and made some big plays chasing down Lynch and Wilson.
CB
* Peterson still hasn't learned how to lay off the WR and play the ball when the ball is heading his way---the thing is---he's so in the way of the WR, which is good, but it gets him in trouble, especially when the WRs act interfered with. Boy he should have picked off the pass after the bogus 4th timeout---that would have been poetic justice. But, again, he's not finding the ball yet.
* We saw why Horton likes Gay---he's physical and around the ball---good tackler. A little too handsy like Peterson. which will likely mean more PIs.
* Money Mike---what can you say? When the lights are on, he shows up. Can't believe they had him on Sydney Rice the last play (on a GOOD switch---which enabled Gay to cover the slant---good thing Wilson threw inside---a lob to Rice would have been tough for Adams to defend. Notice too that Adams made the first few tackles on STs.
* Still wish we hadn't made the Jefferson trade---now with Fleming injured and Toler not seeming ready. I hope the team calls up Larry Parker, whom I think will be a real good player for us.
S
* Wilson---so smart handing the interception to Peterson! Wilson was solid---very physical as always.
* Rhodes played more physical when he was in the box---out of the box he was soft---like on the Rice TD where it makes no sense to play the middle zone three yards deep into the end zone and stay there when a WR like Rice comes into his zone.
* Rashad Johnson was one of the few studs on STs---he made two great tackles.
STs
* Feely was great on FGs, but in this day and age he has got to be able to kick the ball out of the end zone (indoors)---the game was totally changed by the Washington return.
* Zastudil would be better off punting for hang-time than distance as our cover teams right now are awful.
Play of the Game: Kolb to Roberts with Whisenhunt running on the field to call timeout. There was no sense slowing down Kolb at that point. Good thing the play was on!
Non-Play of the Game: Baldwin's drop in the end zone. We would be out of our minds right now in disbelief and anger--give Russell Wilson a great deal of credit---he had the game-winner right there and Baldwin dropped it.
But---the Cardinals' defense contained Wilson and limited him better than many folks realize---and that was perhaps the main reason why the Cardinals won.
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