Edge on the bench

[nashman]

Can someone please explain how having Edge just sit on the bench is helping this team right now? TH clearly was having a terrible game but the coaching staff doesn't even say well then lets try something different. I just don't get it, we were lucky to get out of there with the win. How we can't be aggressive enough at the end of the game to pick up a 3rd and 2 to finish the game what a joke. And you just knew if we gave them the ball back the D was going to let them drive it down there. Thank god SF was so dumb they decided to not throw it once they got it down to the 2 geesh.

 

[Cheesebeef]

2-0 and 32 ppg. That's how it works.

you keep talking about Edge as if he's a leader or has lead this team somewhere before. He hasn't been that player here. Past glory and a big contract don't dictate who gets on the field and considering we're really only successful throwing the ball what seems like 80% of the time, might as well try to maximize whatever we can do on the ground. Warner's pass protection has gotten no worse with Hightower in there and the running game is just as hit or miss as it was when Edge was in there so what's the difference except there is more upside?

 

[joeshmo]

Warner's pass protection has gotten no worse with Hightower in there and the running game is just as hit or miss as it was when Edge was in there so what's the difference except there is more upside?

Agreed. Pass pro hasnt got any worse with Edge out so there goes the one reason to keep Edge in the game over Hightower. Run game is just as good with Hightower as Edge. Might as well go with the guy who has more upside and can at least break that 10+ yarder like Hightower did once last night.

We still cant be happy with the run game though.

 

[Cheesebeef]

We still cant be happy with the run game though.

no, the running game sucks. The problem I have with putting Edge in there is that it doesn't really mix up the running game. We're basically putting in a more experienced, albeit slower version of Hightower so it's not like a thunder/lighting combo that the Giants have. It's more like a thunder/rumble combo, or hell, a rumble/smaller rumble combo.

was surprised at how little they used JJ. I thought they found a good niche for him the last couple games. he's the guy (unfortunately) who they need to mix it up with.

but ultimately, it all starts and ends with the O-line and Deuce and Awful Awful Levi Brown just suck.

Levi Brown. Good lord.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Agreed. Pass pro hasnt got any worse with Edge out so there goes the one reason to keep Edge in the game over Hightower. Run game is just as good with Hightower as Edge. Might as well go with the guy who has more upside and can at least break that 10+ yarder like Hightower did once last night.

We still cant be happy with the run game though.

In sports, I firmly believe that there are a few unmistakable, non-debatable truths that transcend time and teams...
In football, one fundamental truth is that in order to win championships, you must be able to do two things well:

1.) Run the ball

2.) Stop the run

Yes, this season has been more fun than many of us could have ever imagined... And yes, I now have little doubt that the Cards will be hosting a Playoff game in January!
However, should we win that game and need to travel east to play the Giants, or Philly, or Carolina... our chances of winning are greatly reduced because of our inability to do the two things noted above...

Regarding "stopping the run" - we have been decent thus far, however, against quality running games we still suffer...

 

[RolleRocks]

Edge is terrible. He is painfully slow.

You know that you are ready for retirement as a running back when they are forced to rave about your pass blocking ability.

Hightower doesn't look like Gayle Sayers, but he is definitely faster than Edge.

That being said, Hightower also was unable to get to the edges last night. San Fran has some speed on their D.

So when things don't work, it's time to change some things up.

Personally, I would have like to have seen JJ get a few cracks at it.

 

[SoCal Cardfan]

Your politics got stuck in my peanut butter!

 

[Goldfield]

We can stop the run. Our Running game seemed to improve with HT until last nights game...

Why we used little to no FB is beyond me.

 

[Kablansky]

Can someone please explain how having Edge just sit on the bench is helping this team right now?

That's what people do when they can't contribute physically anymore. It's like how my dad helps make Thanksgiving dinner without ever getting up from his recliner. Sometimes it's just good to know you have a cheerleader sitting there for you.

 

[NeverSayDieFan]

I've listened to Kurt's comments

and he talks about how "valuable" Edge STILL is. Yes! We know Hightower brings MORE to the table. (ie; Burst, Break-away threat, etc.) BUT...TEAM CHEMISTRY is CRITICAL to a teams' success. IF, GOD FORBID, Timmy goes down, do we turn to Edge and say, Yeah we treated you like crap but we need you to bail us out now. I think Whiz' & Staff (...and Edge) have handled this potentially destructive situation pretty well.

 

[SoCal Cardfan]

That's what people do when they can't contribute physically anymore. It's like how my dad helps make Thanksgiving dinner without ever getting up from his recliner. Sometimes it's just good to know you have a cheerleader sitting there for you.

lmao

 

[Russ Smith]

Nashman, repeat after me:

Edge is not the Messiah, and I will not give him the same god-like status that the country enjoys giving to Obama.

Edge is not the Messiah, and I will not give him the same god-like status that the country enjoys giving to Obama.

Edge is not the Messiah, and I will not give him the same god-like status that the country enjoys giving to Obama.

I just have to ask, who is that in your avatar, and can she play RB?

 

[NeverSayDieFan]

I agree about the avatar...

I would luv to play tackle/tickle with HER!

 

[Chris_Sanders]

no, the running game sucks. The problem I have with putting Edge in there is that it doesn't really mix up the running game. We're basically putting in a more experienced, albeit slower version of Hightower so it's not like a thunder/lighting combo that the Giants have. It's more like a thunder/rumble combo, or hell, a rumble/smaller rumble combo.

was surprised at how little they used JJ. I thought they found a good niche for him the last couple games. he's the guy (unfortunately) who they need to mix it up with.

but ultimately, it all starts and ends with the O-line and Deuce and Awful Awful Levi Brown just suck.

Levi Brown. Good lord.

I second this!

 

[JC_AZ]

If the obvious lack of a running game was a concern last night, let's mix in Edge's lost step and lack of quickness to the problem... it only gets worse...as hard as that is to imagine, it would have been worse. Besides, TH proved that he can be an asset as an outlet in the passing game, as well as improving on his blocking skills... as Whiz says... whoever gives us the best "chance" to win... right now it is TH.

 

[Totally_Red]

In sports, I firmly believe that there are a few unmistakable, non-debatable truths that transcend time and teams...
In football, one fundamental truth is that in order to win championships, you must be able to do two things well:

1.) Run the ball

2.) Stop the run

Yes, this season has been more fun than many of us could have ever imagined... And yes, I now have little doubt that the Cards will be hosting a Playoff game in January!
However, should we win that game and need to travel east to play the Giants, or Philly, or Carolina... our chances of winning are greatly reduced because of our inability to do the two things noted above...

Regarding "stopping the run" - we have been decent thus far, however, against quality running games we still suffer...

IMO, part of the red zone woes can be directly traced to the anemic running "attack." Look at the three touchdowns last night. How many came by ground, and how many came by air? Whis and Todd Haley have to be very frustrated with how poorly the ground game was last night.

Last offseason the priority was upgrading the defense front seven. This offseason it's likely to be pass defense and the running game offense IMO.

 

[nashman]

You guys are funny you think if TH gets hurt the guy they just basically said screw you is just going to happily go in and give it his all? No he won't and Whiz shouldn't expect it with the crap of just benching him for what? Because he has been performing sub par behind the crap line? Yeah TH really looked awesome last night one run for 12 yrds then 12 or so more runs for a total of 10 yrds, 22 yrds against the niners...think about that! If Edge is so bad or slow how did he get triple digits rushing against this same D in the first game when everyone was totally healthy? You guys beleive what you want, when the time comes and IT WILL we need Edge he may not want to help and then we are screwed. Just because Edge isn't starting doesn't mean he should be getting no carries, good coaches keep their players involved and wanting to play hard. Not just bench them with no warning and try to make a statement.

 

[Mulli]

You guys are funny you think if TH gets hurt the guy they just basically said screw you is just going to happily go in and give it his all? No he won't and Whiz shouldn't expect it with the crap of just benching him for what? Because he has been performing sub par behind the crap line? Yeah TH really looked awesome last night one run for 12 yrds then 12 or so more runs for a total of 10 yrds, 22 yrds against the niners...think about that! If Edge is so bad or slow how did he get triple digits rushing against this same D in the first game when everyone was totally healthy? You guys beleive what you want, when the time comes and IT WILL we need Edge he may not want to help and then we are screwed. Just because Edge isn't starting doesn't mean he should be getting no carries, good coaches keep their players involved and wanting to play hard. Not just bench them with no warning and try to make a statement.

So Edge can't be counted on anymore? Fine with me. Benched he stays.

 

[nashman]

SOcal don't be ridiculous no one is giving Edge god like status. If anything you guys are giving WAY WAY to much credit to TH for his one good game in his career against a pathetic Rams team. Edge for my money is the proven guy has done it year in and year out, may not always be pretty but back to back 1200 in Az is not something we get all the time, actually pretty much never. So please excuse me if I am not thrilled we are benching a back that gets it done to start a rookie that had 22yrds against the niners last night! Sure the whole country really thought TH was a real solid RB. I will take Edges' consistancy over the one 12 yrd run and 12 crap runs any day as its more productive for our style offense not to be losing yards!

 

[D-Dogg]

Yes, he will nashman. Edge will play whatever role he is asked to. He's a damn solid professional and stand up guy. He wants touches, but he isn't going to pout.

 

[nashman]

Edge still has talent left to offer its sad that some of your are so desperate to find a young stud RB your willing to toss aside the one thats proven. The problem is they are not just making TH the starter they are totally saying screw you to Edge by giving him no playing time. And I am inclined to believe last night the last few times we had the ball would have been perfect Edge time get the yards and run the clock out.

I just don't get how you guys think a back that had one good carry out of 13 or 14 touches for a total of 22yrds in A WHOLE GAME against the niners is better than the experience vet whom put up triple digits rushing on this same defense. Whatever I guess some of you are the same that wanted Shipp to start for so long, you see what you want to and you all aparently think TH is a star in the making.

It doesn't click with you guys that our offense has more struggles the last few games staying on the field? No gains and losses on running plays really hamper this offense, but you guys seem to feel a 10-15 yrd run once every 10 times the guy runs the ball makes it all ok. Sorry I feel Edge getting 3-4 every time he touches the ball puts us in much better down and distances which is why our offense seem to function better before TH. Go back and watch the last 2 games you tell me how many 3rd and longs we keep getting!

 

[D-Dogg]

Whatever I guess some of you are the same that wanted Shipp to start for so long, you see what you want to and you all aparently think TH is a star in the making.

Nope, I was not even close to a Shipp fan.

 

[Russ Smith]

SOcal don't be ridiculous no one is giving Edge god like status. If anything you guys are giving WAY WAY to much credit to TH for his one good game in his career against a pathetic Rams team. Edge for my money is the proven guy has done it year in and year out, may not always be pretty but back to back 1200 in Az is not something we get all the time, actually pretty much never. So please excuse me if I am not thrilled we are benching a back that gets it done to start a rookie that had 22yrds against the niners last night! Sure the whole country really thought TH was a real solid RB. I will take Edges' consistancy over the one 12 yrd run and 12 crap runs any day as its more productive for our style offense not to be losing yards!

Did it surprise you that not a single national football commentator, expert what have you has come out and said the Cards were wrong for benching Edge? At least none that I'm aware of.

Last night with all the coverage we got, I didn't hear one person say I think Edge should still be starting.

 

[Cheesebeef]

You guys are funny you think if TH gets hurt the guy they just basically said screw you is just going to happily go in and give it his all? No he won't and Whiz shouldn't expect it with the crap of just benching him for what? Because he has been performing sub par behind the crap line? Yeah TH really looked awesome last night one run for 12 yrds then 12 or so more runs for a total of 10 yrds, 22 yrds against the niners...think about that! If Edge is so bad or slow how did he get triple digits rushing against this same D in the first game when everyone was totally healthy?

a) Edge rushed for 91 yards in his first game. That's not triple digits. And in Edge's last three games he looked exactly as horrid as Hightower did last night.

You guys beleive what you want, when the time comes and IT WILL we need Edge he may not want to help and then we are screwed.

First, as to the "IT WILL" happen... what will happen? Hightower will get hurt? What's going to happen that we absolutely WILL need Edge?

2nd, even if something happened and we did need him, do you think that a RB who knows he's looking at FA next year isn't going to think about the fact that WHENEVER he gets on the field (if he does), that he will need to be as productive as humanly possible regardless of what the coach has "done" to him? Do you think if we absolutely "needed" Edge he'd pull some kind of Scottie Pippen and refuse to go back in to the game? If only for his own self-interest, whenever Edge gets in there he needs to be as productive as humanly possible because otherwise no one will pay him any money next year and he'll end up as Shawn Alexander.

 

[Cheesebeef]

SOcal don't be ridiculous no one is giving Edge god like status. If anything you guys are giving WAY WAY to much credit to TH for his one good game in his career against a pathetic Rams team. Edge for my money is the proven guy has done it year in and year out, may not always be pretty but back to back 1200 in Az is not something we get all the time, actually pretty much never. So please excuse me if I am not thrilled we are benching a back that gets it done to start a rookie that had 22yrds against the niners last night! Sure the whole country really thought TH was a real solid RB. I will take Edges' consistancy over the one 12 yrd run and 12 crap runs any day as its more productive for our style offense not to be losing yards!

were you writing this same thing in Edge's last three weeks when he was 7 for 17? or 9 for 29? or 21 for 57? Is that consistency you want? Is that "doing it"? There's no upside with Edge. That's why he's benched. If you're gonna have a bad running game (which is what we had with Edge in there), you might as well have a bad running game which can actually pop a couple every once in a while.