Darius Robinson

Garthshort

ASFN Addict
Joined
Aug 11, 2002
Posts
9,507
Reaction score
5,785
Location
Scarsdale, NY
Stout, no doubt that our O is better than our D, but consider this. On defense, in comparison to last year's team:
1. DL should be much improved.
2. ILB improved.
3. OLB about the same.
4. CB improved.
5. S improved.

Don't know how many PPG we gave up last year, but I see improvement this year. Chance we move from the bottom to middle of the pact. And, going forward we just have to target our Edge group for an upgrade to make our Defense a Top Half group. I realize this is an optimistic POV, but think that most would agree we'll be better on D.
 

Stout

Hold onto the ball, Murray!
Joined
Dec 30, 2002
Posts
40,148
Reaction score
24,640
Location
Pittsburgh, PA--Enemy territory!
Stout, no doubt that our O is better than our D, but consider this. On defense, in comparison to last year's team:
1. DL should be much improved.
2. ILB improved.
3. OLB about the same.
4. CB improved.
5. S improved.

Don't know how many PPG we gave up last year, but I see improvement this year. Chance we move from the bottom to middle of the pact. And, going forward we just have to target our Edge group for an upgrade to make our Defense a Top Half group. I realize this is an optimistic POV, but think that most would agree we'll be better on D.
1. Maybe the DL improved, but improved from garbage to slightly okay with no inside pass rush threat.
2. ILB about the same.
3. OLB worse, clearly, as Beej is lost for the season.
4. CB maybe improved. There is hope there. The talent needs to show out, though.
5. Safety maybe improved, all hinging on one non-premium draft pick. The talent still needs to show out.

I'd say our D has improved slightly, but nowhere near as much as needed. We're still a ways away from being a bang average defense, for my part. We could have done a lot better improving that side of the ball and it would have given us a legit shot at the playoffs.
 

Garthshort

ASFN Addict
Joined
Aug 11, 2002
Posts
9,507
Reaction score
5,785
Location
Scarsdale, NY
Of course it was made to seem higher with the claim that we have to score 30+ to win. But don't let facts ruin an opinion. I get it.
 

Krangodnzr

Captain of Team Conner
Joined
Jul 21, 2002
Posts
36,498
Reaction score
34,505
Location
Charlotte, NC
1. Maybe the DL improved, but improved from garbage to slightly okay with no inside pass rush threat.
Can't really disagree, especially with DRob down. Justin Jones was a decent interior pass rusher last year and Nichols once was viewed as a guy who could get some push, but there really isn't a clear answer.
2. ILB about the same.
The hope is that Mack Wilson is better than Woods (he should be) and that Pappoe has improved. There is room for improvement here.
3. OLB worse, clearly, as Beej is lost for the season.
This is likely true, but X. Thomas is a clear wildcard on passing downs. As much as I wanted BO to be the guy, I would say at best it's a 50/50 proposition.
4. CB maybe improved. There is hope there. The talent needs to show out, though.
Agreed. Williams was the best CB the Cardinals had last year, albeit on limited snaps. But the lack of pass rush will be a challenge for this young group.
5. Safety maybe improved, all hinging on one non-premium draft pick. The talent still needs to show out.
I'm pretty bullish on Rabbit. The Cardinals had no answers when Budda and Jalen were injured.
I'd say our D has improved slightly, but nowhere near as much as needed. We're still a ways away from being a bang average defense, for my part. We could have done a lot better improving that side of the ball and it would have given us a legit shot at the playoffs.
Agreed that it's only a slight improvement. I expect the Cardinals to at best be a bottom 10 defense.
 

Chopper0080

2021 - Prove It
Joined
May 15, 2002
Posts
28,880
Reaction score
42,067
Location
Colorado
This issue with the defensive improvement discussion is that the talent level was so bad last year. Is SMB an upgrade at CB? Yes. Is he a "good" NFL CB? Probably not without a decent pass rush (which we don't seem to have). Starling Thomas was our #2/3 CB last year...and he is still our #2/3 CB. Melton and Jones are different players than what we had last year, but neither has looked this preseason. Maybe they get better. Maybe not.

I think you can easily say our DL is better and potentially could be a league average group once DRob comes back.

Our EDGE group is one of the worst in the NFL.

ILB is probably about the same. I am sure Mack Wilson is better but not sure how much better and if it will really matter.

We have more talented depth at S but it is unproven. I would make S a push with potential for better.

CB is a mystery box. The lack of pass rush will make it tough to evaluate. Few CBs in the league look good when the QB can sit in the pocket.

My point is that the defensive talent could be improved from last year and the Cardinals could still be a bottom 5 defense. Monti gutted the unit that was already short on talent, and has done piecemeal improvements.
 

Chopper0080

2021 - Prove It
Joined
May 15, 2002
Posts
28,880
Reaction score
42,067
Location
Colorado
Of course it was made to seem higher with the claim that we have to score 30+ to win. But don't let facts ruin an opinion. I get it.
Cardinals gave up 30+ points 7 times last year and had the 5th worse point differential. Based upon that, saying the Cardinals will likely have to score 30+ to win games (especially vs good QBs) is not a stretch.
 

ASUCHRIS

ONE HEART BEAT!!!
Joined
Sep 2, 2002
Posts
16,670
Reaction score
15,020
The "Trust Monti" contingent has never explained how signing a decent pass rusher on a short term deal would have prevented long term success. I'm guessing that's a question that just won't be addressed.
 

Ouchie-Z-Clown

I'm better than Mulli!
Joined
Sep 16, 2002
Posts
64,155
Reaction score
59,166
Location
SoCal
lol. I don't believe I have that club in the bag.

Seriously though, the inability for people to say they are/were wrong on this board is one of the few issues I have with it. It's ok to have a misinformed take. I have my share of them for sure, and I have spent a lot of my life around football. I would rather have K9, Dvontel, Chris, Cheese, crimson or madcard point it out than continuing to be misinformed.

I will get off my soapbox now.
Amen. I’ve always said I would prefer to be proven wrong today so I can be correct tomorrow than to dig in and be wrong forever due to ego or pride.
 

Chopper0080

2021 - Prove It
Joined
May 15, 2002
Posts
28,880
Reaction score
42,067
Location
Colorado
The "Trust Monti" contingent has never explained how signing a decent pass rusher on a short term deal would have prevented long term success. I'm guessing that's a question that just won't be addressed.
This is an actual truth.

Daniel Hunter signed a 2 year contract.

Marcus Davenport signed a 1 year contract.

Chase Young signed a 1 year contract.

Bryce Huff signed a 3 year contract.

Dorance Armstrong signed a 3 year deal.

Leonard Floyd a 2 year deal.

Yetur Gross-Matos signed a 2 year deal.

None of these contracts were cost prohibitive in either the short or long term. Monti crapped the bed when it came to EDGE this off-season.

EDIT: Would I be surprised if there was a spending limit put on Monti? No, but I also don't really care. He took the job. It is on him to figure it out.
 

MadCardDisease

Moderator
Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
May 13, 2002
Posts
20,824
Reaction score
14,841
Location
Chandler, Az
This issue with the defensive improvement discussion is that the talent level was so bad last year. Is SMB an upgrade at CB? Yes. Is he a "good" NFL CB? Probably not without a decent pass rush (which we don't seem to have). Starling Thomas was our #2/3 CB last year...and he is still our #2/3 CB. Melton and Jones are different players than what we had last year, but neither has looked this preseason. Maybe they get better. Maybe not.

I think you can easily say our DL is better and potentially could be a league average group once DRob comes back.

Our EDGE group is one of the worst in the NFL.

ILB is probably about the same. I am sure Mack Wilson is better but not sure how much better and if it will really matter.

We have more talented depth at S but it is unproven. I would make S a push with potential for better.

CB is a mystery box. The lack of pass rush will make it tough to evaluate. Few CBs in the league look good when the QB can sit in the pocket.

My point is that the defensive talent could be improved from last year and the Cardinals could still be a bottom 5 defense. Monti gutted the unit that was already short on talent, and has done piecemeal improvements.
As you mentioned, last season was a complete reset and because of that the defense has zero depth to start the season. So once injuries started piling up last season the wheels really started to fall off on the defense side of the ball.

I think the big difference this season is that the depth is much improved on the defensive side of the ball across the board. Yes CB is still a question mark but I like it much better than what they had last season. Edge is the one position where there are still huge question marks. Monti still hasn't found an adequate replacement for BJ and that is very concerning. I like the potential of Thomas but I really don't want to have to rely on an unproven rookie to fill that role.
 

JohnnyCakes

Alpha Male
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2020
Posts
4,651
Reaction score
3,406
Location
Phoenix
The "Trust Monti" contingent has never explained how signing a decent pass rusher on a short term deal would have prevented long term success. I'm guessing that's a question that just won't be addressed.
who are the candidates for this?
 

PDXChris

All In!
Supporting Member
Banned from P+R
Joined
Mar 28, 2003
Posts
31,662
Reaction score
28,586
Location
Nowhere
You'd rather have our current group than add ANY of these players? That's a wild take.
Hunter for sure, even for more years. These two on 1 year deals.


Daniel Hunter signed a 2 year contract.

Marcus Davenport signed a 1 year contract.

Chase Young signed a 1 year contract.
 

gmabel830

It's football season!!
Joined
May 8, 2011
Posts
13,028
Reaction score
8,123
Location
Gilbert, Arizona
Two guys I wouldn't mind us taking a look at via trade:

1. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka - Bucs declined his 5th year option, so there's speculation about him, He had 5 sacks last year and 13 in his first 3 seasons. Read there's a proposed trade to 49ers for a 6th round pick that was recently discussed. I'd be willing to give that up for him.

2. Azeez Ojulari (BJ's older brother) - Giants - His numbers have gone down in each of his first 3 seasons as he's battled injuries, but still has 16 sacks in his first 3 years (half of which as a rookie when healthy all year).

Both guys in last year of their contract, but young so we could potentially re-up if they have a good year.
 
Top