Cardinals: Why do they block so many kicks ?

[RugbyMuffin]

http://www.si.com/nfl/2014/09/25/arizona-cardinals-calais-campbell-tommy-kelly-san-francisco-49ers

One of the coolest things about being a Cardinals fan. Always thinking there is a chance we block a FG.

 

[b8rtm8nn]

Not only is that a great article, but the 8 minutes interview with Todd Bowles and Peter King is good as well.

 

[gmabel830]

http://www.si.com/nfl/2014/09/25/arizona-cardinals-calais-campbell-tommy-kelly-san-francisco-49ers

One of the coolest things about being a Cardinals fan. Always thinking there is a chance we block a FG.

Agree - I always find myself watching the line as the snap/kick happen rather than just focusing on the uprights. Agree that there's always a chance with this unit!

 

[AZCrazy]

Campbell and Bethel are two of the best defensive special teams players in the league. Their tough athleticism gets around defenders who aren't used to all out aggressiveness on simple field goal kicks.

I haven't looked directly at the personnel used in kick defense, but if I were lining it up, I'd put all our 6'6" and above players on the line. One reason Campbell is so effective is his sheer height. In shoes, with hands up, he's nearly 9 feet. I'd line up Campbell, Fells, Fanaika, Kelly, Housler, Carlson, Massie, Martin, and whomever else I could on the kick defense line. All 6 foot 5 or better. You'd block a bunch of kicks. It's not a brushoff consideration, those are gamechangers.

 

[LarryStalling]

Good read. Ty

 

[Covert Rain]

When they talked about the Cards blocking the most kicks in recent years during the game, I was sort of shocked. I always knew they blocked some but never knew how many.

 

[Cardiac]

Not only is that a great article, but the 8 minutes interview with Todd Bowles and Peter King is good as well.

I enjoyed the interview with Bowles as well, thanks for point it out. Bowles is like the opposite of BA with his awshucks demeanor and giving all the credit to the players.

Most interesting to me was when King asked him which player would become great that most don't know about, after a very long pause Bowles said Jefferson. I was hoping he would say Bethel or Martin because both play more impactful positions but the way Bowles plays extra Safeties having several good to great ones would be nice.

 

[Duckjake]

When they talked about the Cards blocking the most kicks in recent years during the game, I was sort of shocked. I always knew they blocked some but never knew how many.

Not only are they blocking them but their pressure is forcing missed kicks as well. In fact our FG defense is so good it once forced Dallas to ice their own kicker.

 

[Jetstream Green]

Not only are they blocking them but their pressure is forcing missed kicks as well. In fact our FG defense is so good it once forced Dallas to ice their own kicker.

lol