iRobot
Veteran
In the first game of the season, the Cardinals defense made some great defensive plays but more often than not, looked dominated and out matched. It’s the first game though of the season and important to note that it’s a new defensive coordinator in Todd Bowles and a different scheme. This is not an excuse but is something to note when reviewing the week one performance. When Ray Horton had his first game as the Cardinals coordinator, rookie QB Cam Newton threw for records that day and many a BirdGang fan was crying out of fear. We saw what that eventually led to so I think it’s early to be screaming and punching the panic button.
ProFootballFocus released their thoughts on the game and the biggest standout on defense is Darnell Dockett. Not in a good way…
Dockett was complaining about Horton’s scheme not allowing him to play to his ability. He was raving that the Bowles movement would allow him to do what he does best — get to the QB. “Yesterday he got just one hurry, missed a tackle and a earned a -8.2 overall grade” per ProFootballFocus. The even more concerning thing is, this is a trend of Dockett. He’s been on the decline for a while now and he is paid ($7.7M 2013, $8.75M 2014, $9.8M 2015) to be a fierce, disruptive defensive lineman.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Dockett’s story of how he came up and his hunger to be great when coming out for the Draft, but he’s reached his potential and is now on a sharp decline that I’m not so sure he can recover from.
For God’s sake, where was the pass rush? No sacks recorded against a Rams offensive line that has been terrible in past years. John Abraham was practically a non-factor until the 4th quarter where he was able to pressure Bradford to get him out of the pocket. Granted, Abe only logged about 20 snaps in the game (which I didn’t expect even for someone his age) so it’s hard to get production as he has in past years when he’s limited in his opportunities.
Sam Acho and Lorenzo Alexander are our options at outside linebacker when Abraham isn’t on the field and both of those two are better suited as backups. Acho’s best career year in sacks came when he was a backup to Joey Porter (Acho had 7 sacks that year). Alexander hasn’t even really ever played the OLB position in his career. The only real hope on the line is Calais Campbell and the hope that Daryl Washington’s week four return means that some linemen get freed up to get to the QB.
I don’t even want to get into the cornerback position for those not named Peterson.
Arizona only allowed 67 rushing yards to the Rams........ because they realized they could throw at will basically and complete the pass.
This is not an over reaction. Jared Cook was nearly unstoppable, save for a Tyrann Mathieu punch near the end zone, as he racked up 141 yards on 7 catches (20.1 yards per catch) and 2 touchdowns. There was no answer for Cook as Brinkley was unable to cover him nor was Yeremiah Bell.
So what can this defense do? Well, as mentioned before, pray Washington’s return makes magic happen would be the first thing. Beyond that, they need Abraham to be productive when his number is called, Acho to at least get a handful of QB pressures a game and the occasional sack, Dockett to live up to his now “hype”, and Campbell to be what he has been for a few years. They need someone outside of Peterson to step up and play well. They don’t need to be as good as Peterson they just need to be better than average. These corners may be able to cover well enough if there was more pressure though, so that’s something to consider too. I also wonder if Tony Jefferson will see the field at all during this season without Bell having an injury. He played well when the lights were on, so I wonder what he can do for this team.
The Detroit Lions will pose a good test for the defense again, as Reggie Bush and Calvin Johnson will be great weapons to go against.
ProFootballFocus released their thoughts on the game and the biggest standout on defense is Darnell Dockett. Not in a good way…
Dockett was complaining about Horton’s scheme not allowing him to play to his ability. He was raving that the Bowles movement would allow him to do what he does best — get to the QB. “Yesterday he got just one hurry, missed a tackle and a earned a -8.2 overall grade” per ProFootballFocus. The even more concerning thing is, this is a trend of Dockett. He’s been on the decline for a while now and he is paid ($7.7M 2013, $8.75M 2014, $9.8M 2015) to be a fierce, disruptive defensive lineman.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Dockett’s story of how he came up and his hunger to be great when coming out for the Draft, but he’s reached his potential and is now on a sharp decline that I’m not so sure he can recover from.
For God’s sake, where was the pass rush? No sacks recorded against a Rams offensive line that has been terrible in past years. John Abraham was practically a non-factor until the 4th quarter where he was able to pressure Bradford to get him out of the pocket. Granted, Abe only logged about 20 snaps in the game (which I didn’t expect even for someone his age) so it’s hard to get production as he has in past years when he’s limited in his opportunities.
Sam Acho and Lorenzo Alexander are our options at outside linebacker when Abraham isn’t on the field and both of those two are better suited as backups. Acho’s best career year in sacks came when he was a backup to Joey Porter (Acho had 7 sacks that year). Alexander hasn’t even really ever played the OLB position in his career. The only real hope on the line is Calais Campbell and the hope that Daryl Washington’s week four return means that some linemen get freed up to get to the QB.
I don’t even want to get into the cornerback position for those not named Peterson.
Arizona only allowed 67 rushing yards to the Rams........ because they realized they could throw at will basically and complete the pass.
This is not an over reaction. Jared Cook was nearly unstoppable, save for a Tyrann Mathieu punch near the end zone, as he racked up 141 yards on 7 catches (20.1 yards per catch) and 2 touchdowns. There was no answer for Cook as Brinkley was unable to cover him nor was Yeremiah Bell.
So what can this defense do? Well, as mentioned before, pray Washington’s return makes magic happen would be the first thing. Beyond that, they need Abraham to be productive when his number is called, Acho to at least get a handful of QB pressures a game and the occasional sack, Dockett to live up to his now “hype”, and Campbell to be what he has been for a few years. They need someone outside of Peterson to step up and play well. They don’t need to be as good as Peterson they just need to be better than average. These corners may be able to cover well enough if there was more pressure though, so that’s something to consider too. I also wonder if Tony Jefferson will see the field at all during this season without Bell having an injury. He played well when the lights were on, so I wonder what he can do for this team.
The Detroit Lions will pose a good test for the defense again, as Reggie Bush and Calvin Johnson will be great weapons to go against.
