Dansby loss killing this defense

[Mulli]

It was totally Dansby's fault that DRC can't tackle and Bryant McFadden couldn't cover anyone. The defense was getting beat down with Calais Campbell, Darnell Dockett, and Adrian Wilson on the field, too.

You are right Dansby ALWAYS was awesome and never disappeared in games.

 

[Rats]

I am not sure where you get this idea that the Cardinals rush defense was really good last year-

they had 10 games where the opponent averaged more than 4 yards a carry--

they had 4 games where the opponent averaged more than 6 yards a carry (yikes!)--

so -- overall, I dont see a whole lot of difference between this defense and the one last year

As I was reading this thread I was thinking just what you say here. There is no missing Dansby or Rolle or anyone else. The D stunk last year and it stinks again this year. Poorly coached players and poor effort players will make a D look bad no matter the talent. Many games the stars disappear. Dansby did for half the season last year. They all need to be called on the carpet. There play has sucked. It is not like we didn't give up tons of yardage and give up lots of scores last year. This D and O blow.

 

[MadCardDisease]

The downside is that Joey Porter looks finished, and Clark Haggans is being asked to provide a pass rush he cannot produce. I expect their play to wear down as the season progresses, which is much, much worse.

I really think that Porter is a liability out there especially in run defense. Teams are running right at Porter and are racking up the yards.

 

[Duckjake]

I'm not going to debate Dansby's value to this team, but I remember the defense getting beat-down like a rented mule just as often when Dansby was around.

The defensive woes are not something that can be laid at the feet of any one or two or even three players. Dansby and Dockett and Wilson and Berry had been on the defense together for 5 years going into last season and with the exception of D&D's rookie year when Berry had 14.5 sacks ranked poorly every season.

There is a systemic problem with defense in Arizona. And darned if I can figure out what it is.

 

[SeattleCard]

Everyone we have lost has hurt, with the exception of Rolle.

 

[CardLogic]

FWIW, I fully expect the defense to get better as the season wears on (if they're not totally exhausted by the bye week). Washington, Williams, and Toler are rookies (essentially); Rhodes and Lenon are being integrated into a new system. As these players become more comfortable with their roles, their play ought to improve.

The downside is that Joey Porter looks finished, and Clark Haggans is being asked to provide a pass rush he cannot produce. I expect their play to wear down as the season progresses, which is much, much worse.

Especially considering that the reinforcement that is being counted on is Will Davis, (Has there been a Will Davis sighting yet this season?) and O'Brien Schofield, a rookie that missed all the OTA's and training camp!

 

[crisper57]

I think this is a little premature only in that it is tough to gauge what kind of D we have this year. Our offense can't stay on the field and eventually, everyone on the D is running on fumes. Penalties and stupid mental errors are also killing us. Not sure how much a difference Karlos would have made when everything else is falling down around him.

 

[SoCal Cardfan]

It was totally Dansby's fault that DRC can't tackle and Bryant McFadden couldn't cover anyone. The defense was getting beat down with Calais Campbell, Darnell Dockett, and Adrian Wilson on the field, too.

True, but if you read the title of the thread THEN my statement it makes more sense I suppose.

 

[football karma]

The defensive woes are not something that can be laid at the feet of any one or two or even three players. Dansby and Dockett and Wilson and Berry had been on the defense together for 5 years going into last season and with the exception of D&D's rookie year when Berry had 14.5 sacks ranked poorly every season.

There is a systemic problem with defense in Arizona. And darned if I can figure out what it is.

This is where I am at. The defense just ought to be better given the reputations of many of the players. I feel like it has underachieved for a couple years.

 

[Chopper0080]

I would agree that while we definitely miss Dansby's experience on defense, we miss Hayes' physicality even more. It is no coincidence that our defense has been its best when Hayes has been healthy. What has hurt us is that Hayes has never really been healthy for a significant amount of time.

Dan Williams, Daryl Washington, Paris Lenon, and Rhodes have been very good additions to the team and I expect them to progress and develop as the season goes on. What we are missing is a true outside edge rusher and a physical presence at the inside backer position. And a real defensive coordinator.

 

[CardLogic]

What we are missing is a true outside edge rusher and a physical presence at the inside backer position. And a real defensive coordinator.

Accurate on all three accounts...