Cards rank LAST in rushing attempts

[Krangodnzr]

Football is a game of adjustments and quite frankly our coaching staff just isn't doing it. Talent is a problem but its not even close to being the only one

Yes it's a game of adjustments, but I don't think we'd be able to run the ball like everyone else on this board assumes. Nor do I think we'd be able to get to QB more if we played a more aggressive scheme. I think for the most part, we are a 5 win team at best with Derrick Anderson (or worse with Max Hall) as our QB.

As bad as this may seem, I think one of the reasons Whisenhunt is passing so much is that he's trying to develop a rhythm. And it doesn't help that we're usually down early in games.

 

[nashman]

Krang you do realize Whiz chose these players right? Should I not hold him accountable for thinking DA was the best option this team had? Should we not hold him accountable for the basic plain playcalling and schemes we have seen fail all year? You honestly think we have no talent? Whiz is not utilizing the personell properly and that's on him. He hAs made questionable decisions like the releasing Leinart, the continuing trend of not utilizing beanie more, some flat out sucky playcalling and more. These things are his fault and he should man up instead of blaming players for it. Good coaches take one for the team sometimes you dont call them out for not performing, especially when it's your playcalling and terrible DC's schemes that are not working. This coaching staff seems to not be able to make adjustments and that is scary!

 

[azsouthendzone]

Krang you do realize Whiz chose these players right? Should I not hold him accountable for thinking DA was the best option this team had? Should we not hold him accountable for the basic plain playcalling and schemes we have seen fail all year? You honestly think we have no talent? Whiz is not utilizing the personell properly and that's on him. He hAs made questionable decisions like the releasing Leinart, the continuing trend of not utilizing beanie more, some flat out sucky playcalling and more. These things are his fault and he should man up instead of blaming players for it. Good coaches take one for the team sometimes you dont call them out for not performing, especially when it's your playcalling and terrible DC's schemes that are not working. This coaching staff seems to not be able to make adjustments and that is scary!

Great post!

 

[Stout]

Yes it's a game of adjustments, but I don't think we'd be able to run the ball like everyone else on this board assumes. Nor do I think we'd be able to get to QB more if we played a more aggressive scheme. I think for the most part, we are a 5 win team at best with Derrick Anderson (or worse with Max Hall) as our QB.

As bad as this may seem, I think one of the reasons Whisenhunt is passing so much is that he's trying to develop a rhythm. And it doesn't help that we're usually down early in games.

1--We can't know if we'd be able to run the ball or not until we actually try.

2--We have an ultra-aggressive scheme to get after the QB...a stupid scheme, but an ultra-aggressive one. Our DC lines guys up and blitzes lots of players...exactly where it looks like they'll blitz. Offensive lines, backs and TEs have no question who they need to block. Another reason for Davis to go.

3-If that's why Whis is passing so much, he's an idiot. You won't get rhythm passing more with a lousy QB.

 

[kerouac9]

LOL, I forgot how anal this board can be at times!

When 1 of your 3 major personnel groups of your defense is terrible, your defensive talent is going to be subpar. Especially when it's the d-line in a 4-3 and the LBs in a 3-4. Additionally, our secondary isn't even good; We have 1 good corner (DRC), one adequate one (Toler), a pretty good FS, and an extremely flawed SS.

So the difference between mediocrity and terrible for our defense is... Karlos Dansby? I love Karlos Dansby, but I don't believe this for a moment. Is the difference Bertrand Berry & Chike Okeafor? You can't say the defense is terrible when we're ostensibly better at almost every position from where we were last year, and then blame it on talent.

You're definitely wrong on the secondary talent. We probably have the most talented starting 4 in the secondary in the NFC West, and I think there are a dozen or more defenses around the NFL that would trade their back 4 for ours in a heartbeat.

I don't know what happened with the defense this season, except that Karlos Dansby was more important strategically for the execution of our defense than anyone including the front office realized. Yes, Paris Lenon sucks, but why can't Daryl Washington take his job?

 

[Krangodnzr]

So the difference between mediocrity and terrible for our defense is... Karlos Dansby? I love Karlos Dansby, but I don't believe this for a moment. Is the difference Bertrand Berry & Chike Okeafor? You can't say the defense is terrible when we're ostensibly better at almost every position from where we were last year, and then blame it on talent.

No it's not just Karlos Dansby; it's Gerald Hayes becoming nearly worthless and Clark Haggans (who played decently last year) a year older. As much as I like our defensive line, we're also getting less production as well. Porter has been a slight upgrade over Berry, since he can play more than just passing downs, but the unit as a whole is playing terrible and linebacker play is the heart and soul of the 3-4 defense.

You're definitely wrong on the secondary talent. We probably have the most talented starting 4 in the secondary in the NFC West, and I think there are a dozen or more defenses around the NFL that would trade their back 4 for ours in a heartbeat.

Have they played well? I mean I know they're not getting a pass rush support, but DRC has played piss poor lately. Toler has been an upgrade at the other spot, but Wilson has regressed from being a below average SS in coverage, to being terrible in coverage. Overall the secondary IMO is not a problem, but breakdowns there have hurt us quite a bit as well.

I don't know what happened with the defense this season, except that Karlos Dansby was more important strategically for the execution of our defense than anyone including the front office realized. Yes, Paris Lenon sucks, but why can't Daryl Washington take his job?

I think the combinations of age/injuries to Haggans, less production from the front 3, the loss of Karlos Dansby, and Adrian Wilson's regression in coverage have been the key factors for the defenses issues.

We need an infusion of talent in the linebacking corps. Washington, Lenon (as a backup), Davis (as a backup), and Porter can be kept, but we need a serious upgrade at the other spots. Two new starters and at least another back up or two. Adrian Wilson needs play in the box always or come off the field. Sure that tips your hand, but Wilson is the type of player who can be physically dominant at times.

Washington is making mental mistakes, but I agree, he needs to play through them. I still believe Washington has a bright future in the NFL as a WLB/WILB.

 

[Pariah]

Adrian Wilson needs play in the box always or come off the field. Sure that tips your hand, but Wilson is the type of player who can be physically dominant at times.

Agreed. And I don't think it needs to tip your hand all that much. He can play the traditional role of an OLB in passing downs--just put an extra S or CB on the field.

 

[kerouac9]

I don't know, Krang. Porter has been terrible. He's been a non-factor against below-average LTs like Mario Henderson of the Raiders. He's been terrible against the run and a non-factor in coverage. I think I'd begin re-vamping my defense by replacing Joey Porter. His leadership has obviously been worth less than zero.

Not only would I say that Joey Porter has been a downgrade from Bertrand Berry; I'd say that he's been significantly worse than Bertrand Berry was last year.

With Wilson, I think the problem is with playing him essentially as an OLB is that you're seeing offenses move guys around until he's forced to match up with someone. OLBs frequently are forced into coverage situations.

 

[Pariah]

With Wilson, I think the problem is with playing him essentially as an OLB is that you're seeing offenses move guys around until he's forced to match up with someone. OLBs frequently are forced into coverage situations.

He'll be okay (in fact, probably pretty good) playing in matchups that offenses can force an OLB into. In fact, I'll bet OCs don't work for that matchup as much as they might even some of the better coverage OLB guys. Yes, Wilson is a turrible cover safety, but compared to a LB, he's pretty good at it.

JMHO

 

[Krangodnzr]

I don't know, Krang. Porter has been terrible. He's been a non-factor against below-average LTs like Mario Henderson of the Raiders. He's been terrible against the run and a non-factor in coverage. I think I'd begin re-vamping my defense by replacing Joey Porter. His leadership has obviously been worth less than zero.

Not only would I say that Joey Porter has been a downgrade from Bertrand Berry; I'd say that he's been significantly worse than Bertrand Berry was last year.

With Wilson, I think the problem is with playing him essentially as an OLB is that you're seeing offenses move guys around until he's forced to match up with someone. OLBs frequently are forced into coverage situations.

I disagree with Porter being worse than Berry. Berry had 10 total tackles last year. And that's including his sacks as tackles. He was an absolute nonfactor other than getting to the QB. Porter hasn't been very good, but he's been better than Berry was last season.

Regardless, I think we can all agree that OLB is a huge problem with the defense, and LB as a whole is putrid. Longterm the only guy on the squad worth a damn IMO is Washington.

 

[Krangodnzr]

He'll be okay (in fact, probably pretty good) playing in matchups that offenses can force an OLB into. In fact, I'll bet OCs don't work for that matchup as much as they might even some of the better coverage OLB guys. Yes, Wilson is a turrible cover safety, but compared to a LB, he's pretty good at it.

JMHO

Those matchups are generally a RB out in the flat, Wilson will be fine in that situation most of the time.

 

[Duckjake]

I disagree with Porter being worse than Berry. Berry had 10 total tackles last year. And that's including his sacks as tackles. He was an absolute nonfactor other than getting to the QB. Porter hasn't been very good, but he's been better than Berry was last season.

Regardless, I think we can all agree that OLB is a huge problem with the defense, and LB as a whole is putrid. Longterm the only guy on the squad worth a damn IMO is Washington.

Krang, the problem with that take is you can't just judge Porter vs Berry because we had two guys rotating at the ROLB spot last season. Okeafor AND Berry. Bertrand's job was to get to the passer. He did ok, not great with 6 sacks.

Chike was the full time guy and he played well. I think the Cards miss him almost as much as they do Dansby. The Berry/Okeafor combo totaled 10.5 sacks last season. That's some good production from your ROLB. (BTW it doesn't matter that it was two guys the Cards still got 10.5 sacks from one position.)

Dansby wasn't Ray Lewis but he was our defensive QB. Losing both veteran QBs in the same off season produces what we've seen so far this year.

 

[nashman]

Losing players AND THE COACHING is what we are seeing so far. I'm sorry but this team has talent and more talent than 3-7, our coaching staff is failing miserably so far this season!