Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
BA said all week he wanted a fast start. What makes the reality of the Cardinals' fast start versus the Lions all the more impressive is---it's pretty hard not to watch a ferocious defense like theirs on tape all week and not feel more than a little awed.
Here's where preparation comes in. Faced with the challenge of trying to slow down as dominant a front seven as there is in the NFL what was the game plan?
The first strategy was---which is a little more difficult to do with a new signal caller at QB---give the Lions plenty of hard counts. Drew Stanton was so good at it, that he had two freebie plays, one of which was the first jump ball TD to Michael Floyd.
The second strategy was to keep the front seven honest by making them pay attention to Andre Ellington. Even though most of Ellington's runs were snuffed out---the focus on Ellington kept the pass rush in check...which would turn out to be a key factor for the Cardinals in this game.
The third strategy was to isolate Floyd and John Brown on favorable matchups.
The fourth strategy was---once Floyd and Brown were commanding safety help over the top---to try to exploit the middle of the defense with John Carlson and Larry Fitzgerald. At times this strategy was successful---especially on the gutsy, game-icing 3rd and 11 pass to Fitzgerald over the middle. However, Stanton, as we saw, threw two unforced error interceptions over the middle, which, as he learned, was delving a little too deep and risky into the Lion's den. Why? Because the Lions' front four is so good that they rarely have to blitz, which often leaves their linebackers free to jump the passing lanes in the seams. Yet---BA and Stanton never cowered away from trying to beat the Lions at one of their most prolific strengths, as evidenced by key 4th quarter over-the-middle catches by Carlson and Fitzgerald....this time thrown with more mustard and with much better timing and accuracy.
The fifth strategy was to be have "hot reads" ready on the few occasions the Lions did blitz....the best of which were the quick strikes to Fitzgerald and to Robert Hughes who lowered the boom on one safety, caromed forward and completed a whopping chuck yard reception for 49 yards.
The sixth strategy was to lure the pass rush toward Stanton and run some nifty slip screens, the best of which was a sweet 27 yard catch and run by Rob Housler led by the imposing, hard charging Jared Veldheer. Another nifty little swing pass to Ellington gained 24 yards with Ted Larsen making a nice upfield block.
All in all, there were six pass plays of over 20 yards---and two other big pass plays in the teens to Carlson (17 yards) and Floyd on the 12 yard back shoulder TD that Stanton threw with precise timing on a rope. Ten players caught passes. Stanton threw for over 300 yards.
The offensive line did not get much push in the running game (which is a given for any team versus the Lions), and when they did get some push the Lions' linebackers were cleaning up on run blitzes. However, in terms of pass protection, the offensive line was danged solid and up for the task.
The Lions felt that if they could keep Ellington in check and rattle Stanton with their pressure, they would be able to win the game. Well, the Lions accomplished their goal of limiting Ellington (66 yards total), like few defenses have, but they did not quite rattle Stanton---especially early in the game where he actually startled them with his hard counts and advantageous smarts on free plays---and even though Stanton threw the two interceptions, both were not because of pressure but more because of poor timing and reads on Stanton's part. Stanton had been able to avoid such mistakes in previous games---but---give Stanton and the coaches credit---they stuck to the game plan anyway---even by trusting Stanton to close out the game on a 3rd and 11, instead of running the ball down to the 2 minute warning and punting the ball back to a Lions offense that has been 2 minute drill wizards this season---BA and his coaches were fully cognizant of that and made the gutsy call to try to ice the game with the offense instead.
As for the Cardinals' defense, while they uncharacteristically missed some key tackles in traffic and gave up 3-4 10-33 yard gallops by Joique Bell, they once again showed tremendous heart and strength in making key, clutch 3rd down and 4th down and short stops. The best and most telling one on the Lions' last possession when they tried a Calvin Johnson short inside motion out pass that was wide open earlier in the game, only this time, Jerraud Powers recognized the play and jumped the route in a flash, which caused Matthew Stafford to overthrow the ball.
These Cardinals pay attention, don't they? This is yet another prime example of making in-game adjustments. The Lions at that point were in a hurry-up too---which made it all the more impressive that in that key situation in the game, the secondary was primed and ready for it.
The thing about this defense is---it has become rock solid in the middle---and none of these guys (Dan Williams, Larry Foote, Jerraud Powers, Tyrann Mathieu and Rashad Johnson) are going to get even a whiff of any Pro Bowl consideration. But what they all have in common is their exemplary discipline, toughness and reliability. While Larry Foote lacks the physical prowess of the ILBers last year, he excels at making the precise reads, stepping up at the exact time and finishing off the plays. Apply that as well to Powers, Mathieu and the unsung Johnson. They make the plays they are expected to make---when and where they are expected to make them. As Emily Dickinson would say, they are "as punctual as a Star."
This type of discipline is contagious and now we are seeing Deone Bucannon making his presence felt in that middle as well---in addition to the ultimate "plug and play" DTs in Tommie Kelly, Frostee Rucker, Ed Stinson and Kareem Martin who are playing their tails off inside.
Calais Campbell is the feature player inside (if anyone has a chance at the Pro Bowl, he certainly does)---yet he would be the first to applaud the kind of help he's getting around him. And back to Dan Williams---please Steve Keim get him and Foote signed up for 2015 and beyond. Williams is playing like a stud.
Which brings us to the cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Antonio Cromartie, both of whom should garner their share of recognition and attention, especially now that Peterson is no longer overplaying his position and is allowing his sheer athleticism to shine. Cromartie's versatility---look at how valuable he is covering the TEs like Eric Ebron when needed---gives the defense the edge and the dependability it has lacked at the #2 CB position for many years (possibly decades) now.
The special teams has made tangible strides---they tackle with ferocity and Justin Bethel remains a Pro Bowl performer, as evidenced by his catch of the ball on the one inch line with his two feet reestablished in the field of play. Credit BA for being totally on top of that ruling. Anyone ever see anything like it before? Well, this is why having experienced coaches who are fully prepared is such an advantage. Credit the Lions for being prepared on that play as well---it's a quirky little advance-the-ball-at-no-detriment rule that rarely has cause to happen.
BA has complete confidence in Chandler Catanzaro, but in this game, BA wanted to make things as difficult as possible for the Lions' offense and wanted to pin them deep. Between you and me---I think he was confident the defense could put 7 points on the board as they did twice in the 4th quarter versus the Rams. Why settle for 3? Haha!
What's so refreshing about this team is how humble they have remained. Drew Stanton wouldn't gloat or bask in the glory of the win at all after the game---he wanted no part of that. Fitz remained very matter-of-fact. It gave me goosebumps to see Larry Wilson and Aeneas Williams clad in yellow HOF jackets standing next to BA, Michael Bidwill and Steve Keim in that jubilant and yet commendably composed locker room---saluting the Cardinals for playing the game they way did---humbly---and---on-time.
Here's where preparation comes in. Faced with the challenge of trying to slow down as dominant a front seven as there is in the NFL what was the game plan?
The first strategy was---which is a little more difficult to do with a new signal caller at QB---give the Lions plenty of hard counts. Drew Stanton was so good at it, that he had two freebie plays, one of which was the first jump ball TD to Michael Floyd.
The second strategy was to keep the front seven honest by making them pay attention to Andre Ellington. Even though most of Ellington's runs were snuffed out---the focus on Ellington kept the pass rush in check...which would turn out to be a key factor for the Cardinals in this game.
The third strategy was to isolate Floyd and John Brown on favorable matchups.
The fourth strategy was---once Floyd and Brown were commanding safety help over the top---to try to exploit the middle of the defense with John Carlson and Larry Fitzgerald. At times this strategy was successful---especially on the gutsy, game-icing 3rd and 11 pass to Fitzgerald over the middle. However, Stanton, as we saw, threw two unforced error interceptions over the middle, which, as he learned, was delving a little too deep and risky into the Lion's den. Why? Because the Lions' front four is so good that they rarely have to blitz, which often leaves their linebackers free to jump the passing lanes in the seams. Yet---BA and Stanton never cowered away from trying to beat the Lions at one of their most prolific strengths, as evidenced by key 4th quarter over-the-middle catches by Carlson and Fitzgerald....this time thrown with more mustard and with much better timing and accuracy.
The fifth strategy was to be have "hot reads" ready on the few occasions the Lions did blitz....the best of which were the quick strikes to Fitzgerald and to Robert Hughes who lowered the boom on one safety, caromed forward and completed a whopping chuck yard reception for 49 yards.
The sixth strategy was to lure the pass rush toward Stanton and run some nifty slip screens, the best of which was a sweet 27 yard catch and run by Rob Housler led by the imposing, hard charging Jared Veldheer. Another nifty little swing pass to Ellington gained 24 yards with Ted Larsen making a nice upfield block.
All in all, there were six pass plays of over 20 yards---and two other big pass plays in the teens to Carlson (17 yards) and Floyd on the 12 yard back shoulder TD that Stanton threw with precise timing on a rope. Ten players caught passes. Stanton threw for over 300 yards.
The offensive line did not get much push in the running game (which is a given for any team versus the Lions), and when they did get some push the Lions' linebackers were cleaning up on run blitzes. However, in terms of pass protection, the offensive line was danged solid and up for the task.
The Lions felt that if they could keep Ellington in check and rattle Stanton with their pressure, they would be able to win the game. Well, the Lions accomplished their goal of limiting Ellington (66 yards total), like few defenses have, but they did not quite rattle Stanton---especially early in the game where he actually startled them with his hard counts and advantageous smarts on free plays---and even though Stanton threw the two interceptions, both were not because of pressure but more because of poor timing and reads on Stanton's part. Stanton had been able to avoid such mistakes in previous games---but---give Stanton and the coaches credit---they stuck to the game plan anyway---even by trusting Stanton to close out the game on a 3rd and 11, instead of running the ball down to the 2 minute warning and punting the ball back to a Lions offense that has been 2 minute drill wizards this season---BA and his coaches were fully cognizant of that and made the gutsy call to try to ice the game with the offense instead.
As for the Cardinals' defense, while they uncharacteristically missed some key tackles in traffic and gave up 3-4 10-33 yard gallops by Joique Bell, they once again showed tremendous heart and strength in making key, clutch 3rd down and 4th down and short stops. The best and most telling one on the Lions' last possession when they tried a Calvin Johnson short inside motion out pass that was wide open earlier in the game, only this time, Jerraud Powers recognized the play and jumped the route in a flash, which caused Matthew Stafford to overthrow the ball.
These Cardinals pay attention, don't they? This is yet another prime example of making in-game adjustments. The Lions at that point were in a hurry-up too---which made it all the more impressive that in that key situation in the game, the secondary was primed and ready for it.
The thing about this defense is---it has become rock solid in the middle---and none of these guys (Dan Williams, Larry Foote, Jerraud Powers, Tyrann Mathieu and Rashad Johnson) are going to get even a whiff of any Pro Bowl consideration. But what they all have in common is their exemplary discipline, toughness and reliability. While Larry Foote lacks the physical prowess of the ILBers last year, he excels at making the precise reads, stepping up at the exact time and finishing off the plays. Apply that as well to Powers, Mathieu and the unsung Johnson. They make the plays they are expected to make---when and where they are expected to make them. As Emily Dickinson would say, they are "as punctual as a Star."
This type of discipline is contagious and now we are seeing Deone Bucannon making his presence felt in that middle as well---in addition to the ultimate "plug and play" DTs in Tommie Kelly, Frostee Rucker, Ed Stinson and Kareem Martin who are playing their tails off inside.
Calais Campbell is the feature player inside (if anyone has a chance at the Pro Bowl, he certainly does)---yet he would be the first to applaud the kind of help he's getting around him. And back to Dan Williams---please Steve Keim get him and Foote signed up for 2015 and beyond. Williams is playing like a stud.
Which brings us to the cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Antonio Cromartie, both of whom should garner their share of recognition and attention, especially now that Peterson is no longer overplaying his position and is allowing his sheer athleticism to shine. Cromartie's versatility---look at how valuable he is covering the TEs like Eric Ebron when needed---gives the defense the edge and the dependability it has lacked at the #2 CB position for many years (possibly decades) now.
The special teams has made tangible strides---they tackle with ferocity and Justin Bethel remains a Pro Bowl performer, as evidenced by his catch of the ball on the one inch line with his two feet reestablished in the field of play. Credit BA for being totally on top of that ruling. Anyone ever see anything like it before? Well, this is why having experienced coaches who are fully prepared is such an advantage. Credit the Lions for being prepared on that play as well---it's a quirky little advance-the-ball-at-no-detriment rule that rarely has cause to happen.
BA has complete confidence in Chandler Catanzaro, but in this game, BA wanted to make things as difficult as possible for the Lions' offense and wanted to pin them deep. Between you and me---I think he was confident the defense could put 7 points on the board as they did twice in the 4th quarter versus the Rams. Why settle for 3? Haha!
What's so refreshing about this team is how humble they have remained. Drew Stanton wouldn't gloat or bask in the glory of the win at all after the game---he wanted no part of that. Fitz remained very matter-of-fact. It gave me goosebumps to see Larry Wilson and Aeneas Williams clad in yellow HOF jackets standing next to BA, Michael Bidwill and Steve Keim in that jubilant and yet commendably composed locker room---saluting the Cardinals for playing the game they way did---humbly---and---on-time.
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