Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
For most teams an impending Seahawks game would be a routine matchup. For the Cardinals, who couldn’t cover a twin bed with a king-size sheet, this game is a daunting task. The Seahawks have 2 quality receivers. Lockett in particular has proved difficult to contain even when the Cards had a veteran secondary.
The situation is not hopeless. The Seahawks have exhibited 2 major deficiencies, they’ve failed on third downs and in the red zone. However, their quick strike ability still has them in the top 10 in scoring. Most of their third down deficiencies have been tied to Smith, who’s been vulnerable under pressure (40% of throws pressured). This is reflective of the poor performance of their OL, which is still suffering from extensive injuries.
Largely also because of their OL, they have struggled running the ball. This will be a good test to see if the DL has anything left. So far the DL has struggled with the run, being ranked 27th league wide. The Cardinals are additionally one of the worst in the league on third down defense. I put this largely on their inability to defense passes in the flat. Certainly giving excessive cushion to receivers also makes it almost impossible to close quickly enough on third and short.
So how do the Cards defend the Seahawks? Like I’ve recently suggested for other games, the Cards need to pressure Smith early and often. With a weakened OL, the Cards’ DL must step up and control the running game with minimal LB & secondary help. Assuming the Cards haven’t been waiting to release the ferocity of Ojulari, they will need to pull out all the stops on blitzes and stunts. Collins needs to rush the passer more often. They need to overload Gardeck’s side to give him more flexibility. I liked the formation used in an earlier game putting Thomas on the hip of a DE. It’s like the coverage confusion that comes from crossing receivers. Blockers, for example, sometimes both take one rusher. Smith can be rattled and the Cards need to do the rattling.
Designing the cover scheme is more challenging. I’d put Hamilton on Metcalf. There’s a speed issue but Hamilton will be more physical with him. They’ve got to put Clark on Lockett, unless Clark’s confidence is shot. Clark has the athleticism. He’ll need help over the top, which the Cards have been surprisingly reluctant to provide.
On offense I continue to be frustrated by the low number of targets directed at McBride and Wilson. Unless they intend to re-sign Brown, those guys are the future. They need to rollout Dobbs with an option to throw. Typically that will go better with crossing routes or 2-man games with McBride. It would be nice to think Dobbs could actually hit Brown on one of those deep routes. Wouldn’t it be fun to see them bring in Murray for a single play on that deep throw. He couldn’t miss any further than Dobbs. If he hit, imagine the lift the team and the fans would get. Of course they’d have to probably activate 3 QBs to do that. What have they got to lose?
The situation is not hopeless. The Seahawks have exhibited 2 major deficiencies, they’ve failed on third downs and in the red zone. However, their quick strike ability still has them in the top 10 in scoring. Most of their third down deficiencies have been tied to Smith, who’s been vulnerable under pressure (40% of throws pressured). This is reflective of the poor performance of their OL, which is still suffering from extensive injuries.
Largely also because of their OL, they have struggled running the ball. This will be a good test to see if the DL has anything left. So far the DL has struggled with the run, being ranked 27th league wide. The Cardinals are additionally one of the worst in the league on third down defense. I put this largely on their inability to defense passes in the flat. Certainly giving excessive cushion to receivers also makes it almost impossible to close quickly enough on third and short.
So how do the Cards defend the Seahawks? Like I’ve recently suggested for other games, the Cards need to pressure Smith early and often. With a weakened OL, the Cards’ DL must step up and control the running game with minimal LB & secondary help. Assuming the Cards haven’t been waiting to release the ferocity of Ojulari, they will need to pull out all the stops on blitzes and stunts. Collins needs to rush the passer more often. They need to overload Gardeck’s side to give him more flexibility. I liked the formation used in an earlier game putting Thomas on the hip of a DE. It’s like the coverage confusion that comes from crossing receivers. Blockers, for example, sometimes both take one rusher. Smith can be rattled and the Cards need to do the rattling.
Designing the cover scheme is more challenging. I’d put Hamilton on Metcalf. There’s a speed issue but Hamilton will be more physical with him. They’ve got to put Clark on Lockett, unless Clark’s confidence is shot. Clark has the athleticism. He’ll need help over the top, which the Cards have been surprisingly reluctant to provide.
On offense I continue to be frustrated by the low number of targets directed at McBride and Wilson. Unless they intend to re-sign Brown, those guys are the future. They need to rollout Dobbs with an option to throw. Typically that will go better with crossing routes or 2-man games with McBride. It would be nice to think Dobbs could actually hit Brown on one of those deep routes. Wouldn’t it be fun to see them bring in Murray for a single play on that deep throw. He couldn’t miss any further than Dobbs. If he hit, imagine the lift the team and the fans would get. Of course they’d have to probably activate 3 QBs to do that. What have they got to lose?
