Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
OFFENSE
QB:
Skelton came out hitting his targets---but the drives were halted by third and short running play blowups and a late throw downfield off a scramble. He played with good composure---save the risky pass he hung up for too long to Fitz. In a regular game, as someone posted last night (please remind me who did---kudos), the odds are Skelton would have tried to run for the first down. His most impressive play was when he niftily side-stepped an airborne edge rusher, maintained his concentration and threw a strike to Andre Roberts.
Ryan Lindley came out hitting his targets too---and he did a very smart thing when he ran for a first down to the two yard line in the red zone. Lindley shows a strong arm and plays with good energy---but seems to get a little too hyped up in the red zone---although, if Michael Floyd runs a better fade it might have been a TD.
What Kevin Kolb needs to do is scramble forward with the ball every now and then (the way Skelton and Lindley did) to keep the pass rush honest---but, in light of his medical issues he is not apt to do that. Kolb threw a couple of nice passes---and early on he looked a little more comfortable, only as time went on just reverted back to running wide right from the pocket---a proclivity he cannot seem to shake---and one that ends potential drives.
Rich Bartel worked hard---and had some good passes---but he still looks very fidgety in the pocket.
RB:
Alfonso Smith at this point seems like a lock to make the roster---and quite possibly could be the Cardinals leading rusher, if Wells and Williams don't hold up. Smith isn't the prettiest of runners, but he almost always seems to get a very good forward lean into his runs---and winds up chalking up plenty of positive yards.
William Powell was the offensive MVP last night. He has now made himself relevant and a roster possibility. Not only did he display impressive wheels on his long run---he stepped up and stonewalled a blitzing Chief LB (best RB block of the pre-season thus far)---and he continued to show an uncanny knack at his size for punching the ball into the end zone---something that stood out a little in the Red and White scrimmage. Plus, he shows good hands, which is a real asset and virtually a pre-requisite in this offense.
Thomas Clayton ran hard as well.
Best unit for the Cardinals on the field last night: RBs.
FB:
Not a big night for Anthony Sherman, save the nice plays he continues to make on STs.
OL:
Levi Brown---many will say that he was awful last night---but you really have to look more closely at all his plays and understand too that in a real game it would behoove any team to give their LT help on the Chiefs' very good edge rusher Tamba Hali. On the play where Brown gave up the sack, a Cardinal RB was lined up to Hali's side and could have easily chipped him---but he did not.
It is surprising that an offensive line coached in the same system by the same coaches, with 4 of the 5 starters returning would look so disorganized in pass protection at times. And that the coaches continue to ignore the other team's most dangerous pass rushing threat.
Daryn Colledge and Adam Snyder were solid.
Lyle Sendlein was having a very difficult time blocking NT Anthony Torbio, who was masterful at executing the NT angle leverage technique.
Jeremy Bridges was solid.
But there's a new guy in the RT competition: D'Anthony Batiste. He was one of the 4 players I signed up for to watch every play. I thought he would be the 2nd team RG as he was last week, but he was the 2nd team RT instead (Bobby Massie has been relegated to 3rd team for now). I said this last year and I will say it again---the guy is good. His technique is excellent and he gets off the ball well. Last night on running plays he was driving his man five to six yards downfield. On pass plays, he nullified everything to his side---showing a strong base and very good fan techniques.
D.J. Young had a rough night at LT---but he's still ahead of Nate Potter on the depth chart. At this point it would seem both Young and Potter's best chances are for making the PS.
Senio Kelemete continues to impress at LG. He's a natural athlete who plays within himself and with very good, controlled aggression.
Scott Wedige struggled a good deal at the center position---he's no match as of yet for the likes of Dontari Poe.
Ross Hochstein took over for Wedige at center and played well. His shotgun snaps were right on the money and he held the point of attack well.
Rich Ornsberger was the 2nd team RG and he was solid.
Chris Stewart played RG in the 4th quarter and again got turned around in pass pro.
Bobbie Massie played RT in the 4th and was mostly effective.
TE:
Steve Skelton has been the most active and visible TE in the games thus far.
Todd Heap---the most invisible.
Jim Dray had a nice catch in the red zone and a very good block on one running play.
Martell Webb threw some good blocks.
WR
Fitzgerald had a good game---but they really shouldn't play him more than one series.
It's time for Michael Floyd to step up---he doesn't look ball hungry the way LaRon Byrd is, for example. His effort to tackle on STs was a disgrace. Yes, he throws good blocks downfield which is great---but other than that, you would never know this guy was taken #10 in the draft...not in effort and not in skill level.
What was tough to watch was seeing Melvin Ingram wreak havoc on Aaron Rodgers two nights ago. He looks like a stud. Floyd thus far looks like a first round dud.
Kudos to Byrd---he's doing what it takes to make the team, although he needs to show ST's ability.
Sampson factored in---and contributed on STs.
Jaymar Johnson---nice TD catch to atone for last week's red zone drop. The QBs are looking for him---like on the deep pass that Lindley overthrew---but it's clear that they are trying to make him a factor.
Andre Roberts played well---he got robbed on the spot I thought on the catch that preceded the 3rd-and-1 3 yard loss in the backfield.
Doucet---taking the PS off? Interesting. Fitz is out there giving it up. Doucet?
ROSTER UPDATE:
QB (3): SKELTON, Kolb, Lindley
RB (4): WELLS, Williams, LSH, Smith.
FB (1): SHERMAN
OL (9): BROWN, COLLEDGE, SENDLEIN, SNYDER, BRIDGES, Batiste, Kelemete, Hochstein, Massey.
TE (3): HOUSLER, Skelton, Heap.
WR (5): FITZGERALD, ROBERTS, Doucet, Floyd, Byrd.
PS (4): T-Potter, RB-Powell, TE-Webb, WR-TBA
DEFENSE:
Ray Horton has some tough decisions to make:
(1) Darnell Dockett---doesn't play the 34 DE position the way Horton needs. Did you see the play last night where the Chiefs' RB blew right inside of Dockett as he was inexplicably riding his blocker into O'Brien Schofield and his man?
Dockett's main value is as a rush DT in the 4 man rush on passing downs.
The player who fits the base defense 34 DE mold is David Carter.
Wonder if Horton can start and play Carter on running downs and then come in with Dockett.
(2) O'Brien Schofield---too small to hold up at SOLB. From the beginning of the pre-season when it was announced that Schofield would start at SOLB and Acho at WOLB, it felt like it should be the reverse, as Acho is the bigger, more physical player, and better run defender.
Neither Schofield nor Acho is having a good pre-season thus far---which is a cause for concern. And, for that matter, neither is anyone else at OLB.
The answer may be to play Stewart Bradley at SOLB---keep Sam Acho at WOLB and sub Schofield in as a rusher in the nickel.
(3) Kerry Rhodes---did you see on the same play that Dockett screwed up, that's an inside run that the FS has to step up and take care of---best of all, to make a statement on---and the RB didn't make any juke moves---all Rhodes had to do is run through him and make the play---instead he drifts toward the RB and winds up diving at the RB's ankles and never even touches him. Peterson had to make the tackle five yards later.
The question is---is Rashad Johnson a clear-cut upgrade? Johnson was the FS during the team's best stretch last year. He too whiffed on tackles in the first game---he did better last night and he did make a nice interception of Wylie's tip.
What about Justin Bethel? He seems more like a SS---and actually might earn a good deal of time there if Horton does what I think he will in giving Adrian Wilson a hybrid-type role in the defense.
(4) William Gay is at his best playing the nickel. Michael Adams is struggling in the nickel. That switch needs to be made. It looks as if Jamell Fleming is on track to be the starter. A.J. jefferson played pretty well last night---and he's a factor on STs. Adams sticks because of STs and there are certain slot WRs he can hound in passing situations. Greg Toler needs to make a move---if he is strong enough.
The other thing is the play of Larry Parker. How about the blanket coverage he showed last night on the two deep passes to his man.
ROSTER UPDATE
NT (2): WILLIAMS, Eason
DE (5): DOCKETT, CAMPBELL, Carter, Talley, Holliday
ILB (4): WASHINGTON, BRADLEY, Lenon, Walker
OLB (4): ACHO, SCHOFIELD, Haggans, Groves
CB (6): PETERSON, FLEMING, Gay, Jefferson, Adams, Parker
S (4): WILSON, RHODES, Bethel, Johnson
ST (3): FEELY, Leach, ZASTUDIL
PS (4): NT-Lumpkin, LB-Parker, LB-Nash, S-Gideon
QB:
Skelton came out hitting his targets---but the drives were halted by third and short running play blowups and a late throw downfield off a scramble. He played with good composure---save the risky pass he hung up for too long to Fitz. In a regular game, as someone posted last night (please remind me who did---kudos), the odds are Skelton would have tried to run for the first down. His most impressive play was when he niftily side-stepped an airborne edge rusher, maintained his concentration and threw a strike to Andre Roberts.
Ryan Lindley came out hitting his targets too---and he did a very smart thing when he ran for a first down to the two yard line in the red zone. Lindley shows a strong arm and plays with good energy---but seems to get a little too hyped up in the red zone---although, if Michael Floyd runs a better fade it might have been a TD.
What Kevin Kolb needs to do is scramble forward with the ball every now and then (the way Skelton and Lindley did) to keep the pass rush honest---but, in light of his medical issues he is not apt to do that. Kolb threw a couple of nice passes---and early on he looked a little more comfortable, only as time went on just reverted back to running wide right from the pocket---a proclivity he cannot seem to shake---and one that ends potential drives.
Rich Bartel worked hard---and had some good passes---but he still looks very fidgety in the pocket.
RB:
Alfonso Smith at this point seems like a lock to make the roster---and quite possibly could be the Cardinals leading rusher, if Wells and Williams don't hold up. Smith isn't the prettiest of runners, but he almost always seems to get a very good forward lean into his runs---and winds up chalking up plenty of positive yards.
William Powell was the offensive MVP last night. He has now made himself relevant and a roster possibility. Not only did he display impressive wheels on his long run---he stepped up and stonewalled a blitzing Chief LB (best RB block of the pre-season thus far)---and he continued to show an uncanny knack at his size for punching the ball into the end zone---something that stood out a little in the Red and White scrimmage. Plus, he shows good hands, which is a real asset and virtually a pre-requisite in this offense.
Thomas Clayton ran hard as well.
Best unit for the Cardinals on the field last night: RBs.
FB:
Not a big night for Anthony Sherman, save the nice plays he continues to make on STs.
OL:
Levi Brown---many will say that he was awful last night---but you really have to look more closely at all his plays and understand too that in a real game it would behoove any team to give their LT help on the Chiefs' very good edge rusher Tamba Hali. On the play where Brown gave up the sack, a Cardinal RB was lined up to Hali's side and could have easily chipped him---but he did not.
It is surprising that an offensive line coached in the same system by the same coaches, with 4 of the 5 starters returning would look so disorganized in pass protection at times. And that the coaches continue to ignore the other team's most dangerous pass rushing threat.
Daryn Colledge and Adam Snyder were solid.
Lyle Sendlein was having a very difficult time blocking NT Anthony Torbio, who was masterful at executing the NT angle leverage technique.
Jeremy Bridges was solid.
But there's a new guy in the RT competition: D'Anthony Batiste. He was one of the 4 players I signed up for to watch every play. I thought he would be the 2nd team RG as he was last week, but he was the 2nd team RT instead (Bobby Massie has been relegated to 3rd team for now). I said this last year and I will say it again---the guy is good. His technique is excellent and he gets off the ball well. Last night on running plays he was driving his man five to six yards downfield. On pass plays, he nullified everything to his side---showing a strong base and very good fan techniques.
D.J. Young had a rough night at LT---but he's still ahead of Nate Potter on the depth chart. At this point it would seem both Young and Potter's best chances are for making the PS.
Senio Kelemete continues to impress at LG. He's a natural athlete who plays within himself and with very good, controlled aggression.
Scott Wedige struggled a good deal at the center position---he's no match as of yet for the likes of Dontari Poe.
Ross Hochstein took over for Wedige at center and played well. His shotgun snaps were right on the money and he held the point of attack well.
Rich Ornsberger was the 2nd team RG and he was solid.
Chris Stewart played RG in the 4th quarter and again got turned around in pass pro.
Bobbie Massie played RT in the 4th and was mostly effective.
TE:
Steve Skelton has been the most active and visible TE in the games thus far.
Todd Heap---the most invisible.
Jim Dray had a nice catch in the red zone and a very good block on one running play.
Martell Webb threw some good blocks.
WR
Fitzgerald had a good game---but they really shouldn't play him more than one series.
It's time for Michael Floyd to step up---he doesn't look ball hungry the way LaRon Byrd is, for example. His effort to tackle on STs was a disgrace. Yes, he throws good blocks downfield which is great---but other than that, you would never know this guy was taken #10 in the draft...not in effort and not in skill level.
What was tough to watch was seeing Melvin Ingram wreak havoc on Aaron Rodgers two nights ago. He looks like a stud. Floyd thus far looks like a first round dud.
Kudos to Byrd---he's doing what it takes to make the team, although he needs to show ST's ability.
Sampson factored in---and contributed on STs.
Jaymar Johnson---nice TD catch to atone for last week's red zone drop. The QBs are looking for him---like on the deep pass that Lindley overthrew---but it's clear that they are trying to make him a factor.
Andre Roberts played well---he got robbed on the spot I thought on the catch that preceded the 3rd-and-1 3 yard loss in the backfield.
Doucet---taking the PS off? Interesting. Fitz is out there giving it up. Doucet?
ROSTER UPDATE:
QB (3): SKELTON, Kolb, Lindley
RB (4): WELLS, Williams, LSH, Smith.
FB (1): SHERMAN
OL (9): BROWN, COLLEDGE, SENDLEIN, SNYDER, BRIDGES, Batiste, Kelemete, Hochstein, Massey.
TE (3): HOUSLER, Skelton, Heap.
WR (5): FITZGERALD, ROBERTS, Doucet, Floyd, Byrd.
PS (4): T-Potter, RB-Powell, TE-Webb, WR-TBA
DEFENSE:
Ray Horton has some tough decisions to make:
(1) Darnell Dockett---doesn't play the 34 DE position the way Horton needs. Did you see the play last night where the Chiefs' RB blew right inside of Dockett as he was inexplicably riding his blocker into O'Brien Schofield and his man?
Dockett's main value is as a rush DT in the 4 man rush on passing downs.
The player who fits the base defense 34 DE mold is David Carter.
Wonder if Horton can start and play Carter on running downs and then come in with Dockett.
(2) O'Brien Schofield---too small to hold up at SOLB. From the beginning of the pre-season when it was announced that Schofield would start at SOLB and Acho at WOLB, it felt like it should be the reverse, as Acho is the bigger, more physical player, and better run defender.
Neither Schofield nor Acho is having a good pre-season thus far---which is a cause for concern. And, for that matter, neither is anyone else at OLB.
The answer may be to play Stewart Bradley at SOLB---keep Sam Acho at WOLB and sub Schofield in as a rusher in the nickel.
(3) Kerry Rhodes---did you see on the same play that Dockett screwed up, that's an inside run that the FS has to step up and take care of---best of all, to make a statement on---and the RB didn't make any juke moves---all Rhodes had to do is run through him and make the play---instead he drifts toward the RB and winds up diving at the RB's ankles and never even touches him. Peterson had to make the tackle five yards later.
The question is---is Rashad Johnson a clear-cut upgrade? Johnson was the FS during the team's best stretch last year. He too whiffed on tackles in the first game---he did better last night and he did make a nice interception of Wylie's tip.
What about Justin Bethel? He seems more like a SS---and actually might earn a good deal of time there if Horton does what I think he will in giving Adrian Wilson a hybrid-type role in the defense.
(4) William Gay is at his best playing the nickel. Michael Adams is struggling in the nickel. That switch needs to be made. It looks as if Jamell Fleming is on track to be the starter. A.J. jefferson played pretty well last night---and he's a factor on STs. Adams sticks because of STs and there are certain slot WRs he can hound in passing situations. Greg Toler needs to make a move---if he is strong enough.
The other thing is the play of Larry Parker. How about the blanket coverage he showed last night on the two deep passes to his man.
ROSTER UPDATE
NT (2): WILLIAMS, Eason
DE (5): DOCKETT, CAMPBELL, Carter, Talley, Holliday
ILB (4): WASHINGTON, BRADLEY, Lenon, Walker
OLB (4): ACHO, SCHOFIELD, Haggans, Groves
CB (6): PETERSON, FLEMING, Gay, Jefferson, Adams, Parker
S (4): WILSON, RHODES, Bethel, Johnson
ST (3): FEELY, Leach, ZASTUDIL
PS (4): NT-Lumpkin, LB-Parker, LB-Nash, S-Gideon
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I guess the Olines pressure issues are all Kolbs fault.
WTF
