Footballguys.com interview with Kent Somers

[nurnay]

Noticed this pop up in my podcast list, thought I'd share. The mp3 file is about 3mb, interview is a little over 12 minutes long.

http://www.normalst.com/rsff/KentSomersInterview.mp3

 

[CardLogic]

Good discussion by Somers.

• [*]Matt Lienart - by all indications will have pretty good season players like him alot, he is a big reason why they are optomistic about the future of the franchise (not certain as to referenced "they" - players?). Will blossom even more under Whisenhunt et al.
  [*]Whisenhunt and Grimm - putting their stamp on the team; very bright staff; they have a plan. "If you ask three coaches a question you will get the same answer, each time; that didn't always happen under Denny Green."
  [*]Edge is gonna carry the load 300 of 500 carries. Running behind FB about 50% of the time. Will have to make adjustments. J.J. Arrington - One guy that has speed and big-playability, hasn't shown the toughness. Shipp is currently clear #2 back, very solid.
  [*]Levi Brown to be starting if not by opening day, very soon into season. Wells is key to OL changes. Movement and pulling.
  [*]A lot of responsibililties on Russ Grimm shoulders. By FAR the highest paid assistant coach ever hired by the Cardinals. Expecting a lot from him.
  [*]TE - Wide open competition - Pope, Patrick, Euhus. Weakest position on the team. Looking for a TE through camp and beyond. Would like to get a vetern, to bring along young guys.
  [*]Defense - 3-4 base defense this year, practically everything done so far has been 3-4; Position changes Dockett, Dansby, Oakefor, too much time invested, during summer practices, in 3-4 for it to be part time defense. Elements of 4-3 will still be employed in obvious pass rush situations. 3-4 team.
  [*]Steve Breaston - all kinds of speed and athletic ability. Unsure running routes, a little rough, dropped some balls. Has got a ways to go as a reciever. Projected punt and kick returner.
  [*]Prediction: Somers self assessment: typically as pessimistic as anyone. Under Green during training camp thought this team will have a hard time to get to 8-8. But feels the opposite this year. Impressed by Whisenhunt and his staff. This staff has a definite plan, each position working, well-coached, detailed oriented. Somers believes that the Cardinals will "win a couple more games just because they are going to be better coached." Should hover around .500. Going to make strides this year. Don't know if they will make playoffs, but 8-8 certainly feasible.
  [*]

 

[AsUdUdE]

good stuff... thanks for the recap...

 

[Divide Et Impera]

That's good to hear. I still call a 5-11 team by the end of the year, but it will be a GOOOOOOD 5-11 team - ie, very competitive and losing a lot of razor thin margins....

 

[Skkorpion]

Nurnay, thank you. That was a great find.

 

[conraddobler]

Every year there is a team that goes from bad to good.

Every year we aren't that team.

Change that please and no 8-8 isn't good enough, make the playoffs, it's more fun that way.

I like this staff a lot, they get the obligatory 1 year pass no matter what, excepting in game management.

I want that to be solid, rock solid, anything less and I'll be looking for a bridge, the players if they mess up that's understandable but if the coaching staff looks lost as to what to do I swear I will buy lots of rope.

 

[CardLogic]

That's good to hear. I still call a 5-11 team by the end of the year, but it will be a GOOOOOOD 5-11 team - ie, very competitive and losing a lot of razor thin margins....

Isn't that a recap of last year??

 

[Garthshort]

Weak Spot

Everyone, including Somers, says that the OL is the bigest questionmark, and it's hard to argue with that. But the post seems to indicate that Somers either wasn't asked or had nothing to say about the CB position. Or the LB's. Personally, I think we'll be okay at LB, switch to a 3-4 non-withstanding. But feel that CB is the defensive weak spot. I'm hoping that 1) better coaching will translate into better CB play, and 2) Hood is a step up over previous CB's.

 

[Goldfield]

Good find Thx...

 

[CardLogic]

Everyone, including Somers, says that the OL is the bigest questionmark, and it's hard to argue with that. But the post seems to indicate that Somers either wasn't asked or had nothing to say about the CB position. Or the LB's. Personally, I think we'll be okay at LB, switch to a 3-4 non-withstanding. But feel that CB is the defensive weak spot. I'm hoping that 1) better coaching will translate into better CB play, and 2) Hood is a step up over previous CB's.

He did not do a position, by position breakdown; Somers didn't make any comments regarding LB or CB.

I truly believe that a great deal of the problem the CB's have had the last couple of years is due to crappy to non-existent coaching. Out of DG's staff it was very likely the weakest in the organization. There is no question that Eric Green and Antrel Rolle both have talent, include Hood in the mix also. I am looking forward to seeing improved technique and play from the Cardinals corners this season...

 

[JeffGollin]

Nice to hear someone "talking ball." Good get, Nurn.

Just wondering - you keep hearing glowing comments about Wiz "having a plan." Is there any substance here, or is it just the organization and media people playing "follow the leader."

It's important to have a plan, so long as it's a good plan. But I don't know what the plan is - other than we want to play "smart, physical and disciplined." We'll get a snippet or two like moving toward a 3-4 and using a lead FB, but that's not the same as having a full blown plan that includes a sitrep, objectives/strategies, challenges/opportunities. risks to the plan etc.. Anyone here know?

 

[CardLogic]

Nice to hear someone "talking ball." Good get, Nurn.

Just wondering - you keep hearing glowing comments about Wiz "having a plan." Is there any substance here, or is it just the organization and media people playing "follow the leader."

It's important to have a plan, so long as it's a good plan. But I don't know what the plan is - other than we want to play "smart, physical and disciplined." We'll get a snippet or two like moving toward a 3-4 and using a lead FB, but that's not the same as having a full blown plan that includes a sitrep, objectives/strategies, challenges/opportunities. risks to the plan etc.. Anyone here know?

You're right Jeff, at this juncture we really don't know for certain. But most reports of Whisenhunt, from both inside and outside the organization, both now and in the past, label him as being a "bright guy".

I think that come game time we are going to see a team, including players and staff, that is prepared, strategized, and ready to rock. They may not always outplay the opponent, but I don't think the Card's will be beaten mentally and in preparedness, as they have been often during the past two regimes.

Of course, I'm a kool-aid kind of guy!

 

[Skkorpion]

Kent Somers is nobody's fool. And when his whole tone is positive and upbeat, we need to take notice.

 

[Brighteyes]

Kent Somers is nobody's fool. And when his whole tone is positive and upbeat, we need to take notice.

I'm with Skorp. When the local press is cautiously optimistic, that's a good thing.

 

[Redheart]

Nice to hear someone "talking ball." Good get, Nurn.

Just wondering - you keep hearing glowing comments about Wiz "having a plan." Is there any substance here, or is it just the organization and media people playing "follow the leader."

It's important to have a plan, so long as it's a good plan. But I don't know what the plan is - other than we want to play "smart, physical and disciplined." We'll get a snippet or two like moving toward a 3-4 and using a lead FB, but that's not the same as having a full blown plan that includes a sitrep, objectives/strategies, challenges/opportunities. risks to the plan etc.. Anyone here know?

I think, at this point I prefer Wiz's "Plan" to Denny's "System".

Of course, my eyes are full of stars and Kool-aide dreams... .

On the factual side; we have had a MAJOR upgrade in coaching down to the position-level. I have to admit, as a long-time Cardinal's fan, that is new wrinkle I have not seen before.

 

[SuperSpck]

On the factual side; we have had a MAJOR upgrade in coaching down to the position-level. I have to admit, as a long-time Cardinal's fan, that is new wrinkle I have not seen before.

I wish Mean Joe's talent on the field had better value during his coaching days here.

 

[Redheart]

I wish Mean Joe's talent on the field had better value during his coaching days here.

LOL!

Mean Joe is what makes me worry about Russ Grimm.

 

[CardLogic]

LOL!

Mean Joe is what makes me worry about Russ Grimm.

The difference is that Grimm has demonstrated ability as a coach, something that Joe Green never did!

 

[CardinalChris]

The difference is that Grimm has demonstrated ability as a coach, something that Joe Green never did!

Here or in Miami, but yet he stayed on the staff forever!!