Cards-21 Redskins-22: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

[NJCardFan]

No intro for this one, I'll just get right to it:


The Good

Kevin Kolb-17-30 for 251 yards, 2TD, and 1 pick. That pick turned into a huge mistake as we were driving but all in all, another good game by him. He still put his team in position to win. Sad that Whiz didn't find it necessary to get him an offensive line.

Fitz-What more can be said about this guy? Big play after big play and yet this pathetic defense spoils it.

Beanie-93 yards on the ground and this is with only 3 carries in the 1st half.

The Bad

I think I'm going to skip the bad and go right to...

The Ugly

The coaching-Sucks. Once again this team came into a game totally unprepared to play. That is on the coach. When a team comes out completely unmotivated, that is on the coach. When a team has no answer for a 2nd rate QB, that is on the coach. Whiz's coaching style goes to show that this team wins in spite of him and not because of him. Had Kurt Warner not had a renaissance, Whiz would have been fired after 2009. That fact is blatantly obvious with each passing week. And I believe Whiz has officially spent the last of his juice card from making the Super Bowl.

Defense-455 yards against today added to the 477 from last week. That's damned near 1,000 yards against in 2 weeks...and against a rookie QB and a 2nd rate QB. And to think we still have to face Flacco, Roethlisberger, Vick, and Bradford yet. This defense showed not one iota of fire. The way PP quit on the last TD was maddening. And 1 sack? Against a QB who's about as mobile as a road grater? And how many 3rd and 4th and longs is this defense going to allow the other team to convert?

Offensive Line-You know, just 3 seconds. That's all I ask. Give Kolb just 3 seconds but noooooo, he had to be running for his life all day. These guys need a heart transplant and fast.

Penalties-97 yards this week. 75 yards last week. Again, coaching. And if I hear "False Start #75" one more time I'm going to throw my TV into the fire. No discipline at all on this team. And that, again, falls on the coaching staff and more specifically, Whiz.

That's all. Regardless of what some here may think, this was a must win and we all but had this game in our pocket before Whiz did his usual coaching not to lose instead of coaching to win. And the reason why this was a must win is because after the bye, we have a brutal stretch and going into that stretch we needed to be at least 3-2 or maybe 4-1 and right now I don't have a lot of confidence in beating Seattle next week. Not with this defense. But this team needs to get it's head out of their kieseters and quick. And someone needs to step up as a leader. Right now I don't think this team has one.

 

[Krangodnzr]

I agree Whisenhunt got outcoached, but if you're talking X's and O's, Shanahan is among the very best.

This game teaches what has been a broken record: We need OL help and we need OLBs bad. Too often, Grossman was completely untouched. We sent many blitzes that didn't get there.

This team will win some games, but we'll lose to teams we should beat (Redskins) because of being outcoached and having holes on our roster at crucial positions (OT and OLB).

 

[NJCardFan]

I need to add Chris Myers to the ugly list. I mean, how professional is it to have one of the commentators openly rooting for a team?

 

[kerouac9]

This is Brandon Keith's fourth season in the NFL. He got repeatedly put on roller skates by a rookie playing his 2nd NFL game.

Russ Grimm needs to be fired. Unfortunately, I'd guess that Whis stands by Grimm again this offseason when the front office turns to oust the Mean Joe Green of the offense.

Someone needs to remind Whis that you can run the ball as well as pass it. 6 pass calls vs. 2 runs early in the game. Turns out that you can run the ball down the throat of a fresh Washington Redskins defense. Imagine if we'd taken some effort to tire them out?

Kolb needs to put together some offensive drives. Live by the big play and you die by it.

 

[kerouac9]

I agree Whisenhunt got outcoached, but if you're talking X's and O's, Shanahan is among the very best.

This game teaches what has been a broken record: We need OL help and we need OLBs bad. Too often, Grossman was completely untouched. We sent many blitzes that didn't get there.

This team will win some games, but we'll lose to teams we should beat (Redskins) because of being outcoached and having holes on our roster at crucial positions (OT and OLB).

Don't forget that the team remains utterly undisciplined on either side of the football.

 

[NJCardFan]

Don't forget that the team remains utterly undisciplined on either side of the football.

And that is all on the coach.

 

[D-Dogg]

This game teaches what has been a broken record: We need OL help and we need OLBs bad.

This bears repeating. Again and again. LOUDLY.

The difference in pressure we get by bringing guys, and the pressure we give up when other teams DON'T bring extra guys is staggering. JUST looking at that alone, it is shocking we were a point away from 2-0.

Those two crucial areas are our two biggest weak links. Not. Good.

 

[NJCardFan]

This bears repeating. Again and again. LOUDLY.

The difference in pressure we get by bringing guys, and the pressure we give up when other teams DON'T bring extra guys is staggering. JUST looking at that alone, it is shocking we were a point away from 2-0.

Those two crucial areas are our two biggest weak links. Not. Good.

The only reason why we're not 0-2 is because of PP's punt return last week.

 

[conraddobler]

Out coached, out front officed and the beat goes on.

We got a fork stuck in us when someone thought Levi was worth the pick, that one hurt so bad it's nauseating.

We continue to compound the issue by refusing to admit the mistake and address the roster position.

We cut our starting QB a week before the season started.

Good teams don't do these things, so I wish they'd stop it.

 

[Fiasco]

Out coached, out front officed and the beat goes on.

We got a fork stuck in us when someone thought Levi was worth the pick, that one hurt so bad it's nauseating.

We continue to compound the issue by refusing to admit the mistake and address the roster position.

We cut our starting QB a week before the season started.

Good teams don't do these things, so I wish they'd stop it.

+1

 

[Bodha]

We got a fork stuck in us when someone thought Levi was worth the pick, that one hurt so bad it's nauseating.

Get off it dude, im so tired of hearing that. Woulda, coulda, shoulda. Adrian Peterson, Adrian Peterson.

Levi Was the Pick, He Is here now and you have to deal with it now. No point in crying about something that happened years ago. Address the problem NOW instead of saying "Aw we shouldnt have.." Because we did and I dont have a time machine (do you?) and so complaining about it will change nothing.

 

[Broseph]

couldn't agree with you more bro, you accurately nailed it.

 

[john h]

I agree Whisenhunt got outcoached, but if you're talking X's and O's, Shanahan is among the very best.

This game teaches what has been a broken record: We need OL help and we need OLBs bad. Too often, Grossman was completely untouched. We sent many blitzes that didn't get there.

This team will win some games, but we'll lose to teams we should beat (Redskins) because of being outcoached and having holes on our roster at crucial positions (OT and OLB).

One of the large holes in our roster will continue to be to have only one good RB. He will wear down by the 3rd or 4th Qtr.

Our two rookies on the corners will continue to be exploited all year. When the opposition can get guys open time after time and even as much as 10 yds they will use it against us. I do not know why they quit using Hightower in the second half. He was darn near unstoppable the first half. Reminded me of Stephen Jackson. Close but no cigar.

 

[BigRedArk]

This is Brandon Keith's fourth season in the NFL. He got repeatedly put on roller skates by a rookie playing his 2nd NFL game.

Russ Grimm needs to be fired. Unfortunately, I'd guess that Whis stands by Grimm again this offseason when the front office turns to oust the Mean Joe Green of the offense.

Someone needs to remind Whis that you can run the ball as well as pass it. 6 pass calls vs. 2 runs early in the game. Turns out that you can run the ball down the throat of a fresh Washington Redskins defense. Imagine if we'd taken some effort to tire them out?

Kolb needs to put together some offensive drives. Live by the big play and you die by it.

Are you saying that the F.O. wanted to fire Grimm but Whis prevailed and kept him on board? How do you know that or did I miss something?

 

[john h]

And that is all on the coach.

I think we lost it on the field and not by the coach. Rookie CB's can be exploited no matter how famous they were in college. I continue to be amazed at how wide open receivers can get against our pass defense. I am talking 10-15 yds on occasion. That 4th down TD was the real killer. Seattle got crushed so lets see what we do against a team that probably sucks.

 

[Mitch]

Are you saying that the F.O. wanted to fire Grimm but Whis prevailed and kept him on board? How do you know that or did I miss something?

And doesn't it gall you when the announcers say time and time again Whiz loves to run the ball? That Whiz loves the power game? When the Cardinals show power formations and run the ball---they are good for 2 yards at best. At least they found the answer in spread running---that is until they abandoned it with the game on the line.

 

[BigRedArk]

And doesn't it gall you when the announcers say time and time again Whiz loves to run the ball? That Whiz loves the power game? When the Cardinals show power formations and run the ball---they are good for 2 yards at best. At least they found the answer in spread running---that is until they abandoned it with the game on the line.

Sad but true Mitch. Grimm needs to be retired so he can become a Springsteen roadie.

 

[JeffGollin]

We lost by a point, and it sucked.

The almost global condemnation of just about everything by a lot of people is, therefore, to be expected.

To some degree, though, this was a "definition" game for us, and it did expose a few weaknesses (some of them fixable, but some of it chronic).

- I don't think A-Dub is physically able to give us more than his B-minus game, and it weakens us.

- We were vulnerable vs. the power run game off both tackles - I'm not sure why, but it seemed like DDock and Calais were playing "too light" to keep opposing run-blockers off our LB's. Or our LB's weren't protecting their assigned gaps. Or all of the above.

- Graham did a better job overall than has Zastudil (at least to date).

- Brandon Keith continues to not get it done.

- We lost most of the physical battles in our power run blocking.

- Our corners had better grow up faster.

- I like Kolb, but he's far from perfect.

- I have too much respect for Russ Grimm to arbitrarily throw him under the proverbial Greyhound. But I am disappointed in our O-line's lack of improvement since he arrived. Each new year seems to bring the Same old same old."

As I previously said: Much of this Is fixable (but unfortunately some of it is chronic and will have to be worked around).

 

[NJCardFan]

I think we lost it on the field and not by the coach. Rookie CB's can be exploited no matter how famous they were in college. I continue to be amazed at how wide open receivers can get against our pass defense. I am talking 10-15 yds on occasion. That 4th down TD was the real killer. Seattle got crushed so lets see what we do against a team that probably sucks.

And that is coaching my friend. When your DB's are being exploited and you keep blitzing even though you can't get into the same area code as the QB, you're going to get beat. I don't care if you have a defensive backfield of Charles Woodsen, Ronnie Lott, Deon Sanders, and Larry Wilson, when you only have 4 DB's to the offenses 5 potential receivers, someone is going to be open if you can't pressure the QB and we can't pressure the QB.

 

[NJCardFan]

We lost by a point, and it sucked.

The almost global condemnation of just about everything by a lot of people is, therefore, to be expected.

To some degree, though, this was a "definition" game for us, and it did expose a few weaknesses (some of them fixable, but some of it chronic).

- I don't think A-Dub is physically able to give us more than his B-minus game, and it weakens us.

- We were vulnerable vs. the power run game off both tackles - I'm not sure why, but it seemed like DDock and Calais were playing "too light" to keep opposing run-blockers off our LB's. Or our LB's weren't protecting their assigned gaps. Or all of the above.

- Graham did a better job overall than has Zastudil (at least to date).

- Brandon Keith continues to not get it done.

- We lost most of the physical battles in our power run blocking.

- Our corners had better grow up faster.

- I like Kolb, but he's far from perfect.

- I have too much respect for Russ Grimm to arbitrarily throw him under the proverbial Greyhound. But I am disappointed in our O-line's lack of improvement since he arrived. Each new year seems to bring the Same old same old."

As I previously said: Much of this Is fixable (but unfortunately some of it is chronic and will have to be worked around).

The offensive line has been an issue with this team all through Whiz's tenure and he's given it a cursory glance at best. Bringing in patchwork veterans is bad enough but convincing himself that at some point a lightbulb is going to go off in Keith and Brown to where they suddenly start playing like Anthony Munoz brings up Einsteins definition of mental illness. His failure to address the offensive line is going to be our Waterloo this season.

 

[Buckybird]

We lost by a point, and it sucked.

The almost global condemnation of just about everything by a lot of people is, therefore, to be expected.

To some degree, though, this was a "definition" game for us, and it did expose a few weaknesses (some of them fixable, but some of it chronic).

- I don't think A-Dub is physically able to give us more than his B-minus game, and it weakens us.

- We were vulnerable vs. the power run game off both tackles - I'm not sure why, but it seemed like DDock and Calais were playing "too light" to keep opposing run-blockers off our LB's. Or our LB's weren't protecting their assigned gaps. Or all of the above.

- Graham did a better job overall than has Zastudil (at least to date).

- Brandon Keith continues to not get it done.

- We lost most of the physical battles in our power run blocking.

- Our corners had better grow up faster.

- I like Kolb, but he's far from perfect.

- I have too much respect for Russ Grimm to arbitrarily throw him under the proverbial Greyhound. But I am disappointed in our O-line's lack of improvement since he arrived. Each new year seems to bring the Same old same old."

As I previously said: Much of this Is fixable (but unfortunately some of it is chronic and will have to be worked around).

Jeff I really like most of your posts because much of the time you're a good voice of reason. But let me add this, the 2 biggest issues the Cards have are at OT & the lack of a pass rush. Neither of those are fixable & the reason the Cards are probably in trouble, once again.

 

[Bert]

I dont even know what to say anymore. I've watched this team gut out so many games on offense only to watch the defense let the other team march down and steal the win at the end, it's just depressing. It's like a nightmare that I keep having again and again and again.....

 

[NJCardFan]

Jeff I really like most of your posts because much of the time you're a good voice of reason. But let me add this, the 2 biggest issues the Cards have are at OT & the lack of a pass rush. Neither of those are fixable & the reason the Cards are probably in trouble, once again.

And the lack of a pass rush s the reason why our rookie DB's are on an island or they end up allowing a receiver to get behind them. 4 pre-season games is hardly enough to get someone ready.

 

[Buckybird]

And the lack of a pass rush s the reason why our rookie DB's are on an island or they end up allowing a receiver to get behind them. 4 pre-season games is hardly enough to get someone ready.

6 preseason games & 10 regular season games wont change much what we're seeing defensively...trust me!!!

 

[kerouac9]

Are you saying that the F.O. wanted to fire Grimm but Whis prevailed and kept him on board? How do you know that or did I miss something?

I'm not saying that's what definitely happened, but it's interesting that we've scapegoated two defensive coordinators now but Russ Grimm is making over $1 million per year and carrying an assistant head coach title while producing the worst offensive line product in the NFL and everyone in the building is now admitting his handpicked LT was a huge mistake.

So either everyone on Hardy Drive is accepting Russ Grimm's repeated failures and happily cutting him checks, or someone above Russ Grimm is standing up for him year after year.

I prefer to believe it's the latter, because the former is too dark a scenario even for me.