Game 12 Impressions: Rams 19 Cardinals 6

[Mitch]

Players who played well today:

1. S Kerry Rhodes
2. NT Dan Williams
3. DE Darnell Dockett
4. DE Calais Campbell
5. RB Tim Hightower
6. RB/KR LSH
7. LG Alan Faneca
8. P Ben Graham
9. K Jay Feeley
10. QB John Skelton

Case for why Ken Whisenhunt should not be an HC/OC:

The first call for Max Hall. After watching the Rams run a full house blitz (to throttle the run and rush the passer) on first down for the last six series, to call a play action pass to Hall's left, that wasn't a bootleg...Hall did not have a chance. The RB (Wells) cannot carry out the fake and then block the edge...it's humanly impossible.

Case for why Bill Davis should not be a DC:

Lining up DRC on the edge one play...and he doesn't even blitz...even worse, the run comes his way and he turns his back to the blocker and offers no resistance whatsoever. This play epitomizes the awful preparation of the DC and the gutless play of DRC.

Case for why the Cardinals are now the worst coached team in the NFL:

12 men on the field for the FG attempt...and then...10 men on the field for the next.

Case for why Ken Whisenhunt not only is one of the most awful time management coaches...but why he does not understand what momentum is in a football game:

When the Rams intercepted Anderson, they marched 60 yards for a FG.

When the Cardinals intercepted Bradford, Whiz runs dive left on the first play into yet another Rams' full house run blitz. Leads to an awful 3 and out where not one yard is gained.

Case for why the team should convince Larry Fitzgerald to accept a trade offer (if he does not agree to a new contract):

He's become the biggest hugger and schmoozer after the games with every opponent...as if to say, hey, y'know I'm almost outahere.

I know, I know...maybe an over-reaction...but...I've said it before this year and I will say it again, I do not like Fitz's attitude this year...he's supposed to be the CAPTAIN of this offense and he, IMO, is not acting like one.

Case for why two years ago following the Super Bowl the Cardinals should have drafted LB James Laurinaitis or a pass rusher instead of Beanie Wells:

Coming off a year where the Cardinals needed to vastly improve the defense, defense should have been the priority...especially with the pending defection of Karlos "Shw me the Love" Dansby. Laurinaitis is a 4 down LB...who already is acting like a captain on the field...and sure is playing like one.

Wells, on the other hand, with all his prodigious talent, can't even start on this team...a 3-9 team to boot. Today, Tim Hightower showed once again why he is the starter...he ran hard and well...AND...he picked up some blocks in pass pro.

Plus...with Whiz as HC/OC...it makes no sense to draft a RB in the first round if you are not going to commit to running the ball.

Case for why you start Daryl Washington instead of Gerald Hayes:

He easily gets to Stephen Jackson up the sideline on his TD run...Hayes was running his number a 5.4, in pursuit.

If it were up to me...

1. You'd have a new GM...a real football guy and difference maker.

2. While I agree that Whiz deserves another year...he needs to be coached up by the new GM as to what it will take to turn this thing around. Whiz is too pig-headed to see it.

3. New DC...and this time, an experienced one.

4. New OC...same...like Haley did in KC landing Charlie Weis.

5. No more over-the-hill has been players...get rid of them all.

6. Free agent acquisitions: 2-QBs; 1-RB; 2-OTs; 2-DE/OLBs; 1-SILB; 1- CB.

7. Trade: (1) DRC---if you can't tackle or don't want to tackle...you're gone...I'd use him to trade up to get Andrew Luck; (2) Adrian Wilson...the Ravens would know how to use him...but, IMO, next year you go with Kerry Rhodes at SS and Rashad Johnson at FS anyway; (3) Fitz (if he does not agree to a new contract by February);

8. Draft: (1) If Luck is available...take him asap, otherwise, draft the best impact defensive player on the board---like a Von Miller, Texas A&M. (2) Hope for QB Colin Kaepernick to be there in Round 2; (3) Draft kids who are tough and like to tackle---and o-linemen who love to block; (4) Draft leaders.

9. Franchise Tag---If you have to use it on Breaston, you have to. There is no choice---except to get a GM who will lock him up asap, so you don;t have to use the f-tag.

10. Black Jerseys---scrap them. We are the Arizona Cardinals, not the Arizona Falcons or even worse the Arizona Crows.

What I actually liked was the look of the Cardinals helmets with the blue NFC jerseys at the Pro Bowl...make the jerseys NFC style Red White and Blue...or...and I've been wondering about this...a yellow jersey (the beak) with red numbers and black trim (with red Cardinals on the sleeves).

11. On sunny days in the 70s...always keep the roof open. Let the place breathe.

12. I sooo want the Rams to win the division---they are so much more likeable than the Seahawks or 49ers. Don't you agree?

Over and out...stay thirsty my friends...love and appreciation to all...

 

[Assface]

The RB (Wells) cannot carry out the fake and then block the edge...it's humanly impossible.

I don't think I've ever seen a RB expected to block an edge rusher on a PA up the middle. Sell the fake and then pick up anyone coming in between the guards.

 

[TJ]

Case for why Ken Whisenhunt should not be an HC/OC:

The first call for Max Hall. After watching the Rams run a full house blitz (to throttle the run and rush the passer) on first down for the last six series, to call a play action pass to Hall's left, that wasn't a bootleg...Hall did not have a chance. The RB (Wells) cannot carry out the fake and then block the edge...it's humanly impossible.

This is kind of a weak case to be honest w/ you, especially if you only reference one play. At this rate, amateur coaches and coordinators (us) are looking way too hard at every play call.

As for that play. Hall's "strength" is the bootleg. We saw that against New Orleans. If our line blocks, it is a terrific play. They didnt and he gets sandwiched.

I do like your list of players who played well, however.

 

[Mitch]

This is kind of a weak case to be honest w/ you, especially if you only reference one play. At this rate, amateur coaches and coordinators (us) are looking way too hard at every play call.

As for that play. Hall's "strength" is the bootleg. We saw that against New Orleans. If our line blocks, it is a terrific play. They didnt and he gets sandwiched.

I do like your list of players who played well, however.

The point is...it wasn't a designed bootleg or Hall would have been running the other way. He faked the handoff and took a two step drop straight back right in line with pressure. Check it again. You will see.

 

[Mitch]

I don't think I've ever seen a RB expected to block an edge rusher on a PA up the middle. Sell the fake and then pick up anyone coming in between the guards.

Exactly.

 

[NJCardFan]

Good analysis and I agree with you on every point with the exception of the Luck thing. There are at least 3 franchise changing QB and at this point, we'll be drafting in the top 5 and not all of those who will be drafting ahead of us are going to want a QB.

 

[Mitch]

Good analysis and I agree with you on every point with the exception of the Luck thing. There are at least 3 franchise changing QB and at this point, we'll be drafting in the top 5 and not all of those who will be drafting ahead of us are going to want a QB.

I think Luck is the only one you can start right away. This is why---if he's gone--I would prefer to pick up the starting QB in free agency and draft defense. If we don't straighten out this defense, it won't matter who is the QB. Seriously, this defense (and they played fairly well today versus a totallly conservative offense)...is flat-out awful...not necessarily for lack of talent...but for mental and physcial toughness. Pitiful, really.

How about the goal-line play where, thank goodness Calais or Williams batted down the pass? The TE...per usual...was wide open and no one was covering him. This (leaving WRs or TEs or RB totally uncovered) is the rule around here...not the exception...and THAT HAS to change.

 

[TJ]

The point is...it wasn't a designed bootleg or Hall would have been running the other way. He faked the handoff and took a two step drop straight back right in line with pressure. Check it again. You will see.

What I saw was an offensive line breaking apart to the point where Hall was forced to bootleg. This was evident on virtually every snap Hall took.

It wasnt a play call issue. It was execution all across the board.

 

[DoTheDew]

This is kind of a weak case to be honest w/ you, especially if you only reference one play. At this rate, amateur coaches and coordinators (us) are looking way too hard at every play call.

As for that play. Hall's "strength" is the bootleg. We saw that against New Orleans. If our line blocks, it is a terrific play. They didnt and he gets sandwiched.

I do like your list of players who played well, however.

At the time I was saying "why the hell are we calling play action, we haven't run all half and we know the D is going to go after Hall in this situation." It'd be one thing if we'd been establishing the run and actually set up the play action, but it did not fit at all with the current flow of the game. Whiz has no feel for when to call what play. This is hardly the only example.

While I will agree that the line didn't block well, on that particular play they were outnumbered to begin with.

 

[Zeno]

I think Luck is the only one you can start right away. This is why---if he's gone--I would prefer to pick up the starting QB in free agency and draft defense. If we don't straighten out this defense, it won't matter who is the QB. Seriously, this defense (and they played fairly well today versus a totallly conservative offense)...is flat-out awful...not necessarily for lack of talent...but for mental and physcial toughness. Pitiful, really.

I agree with you about Luck...I think he is the only QB worth taking in the top 5 (where we very likely will be picking) and the only one capable of starting from Week 1....BUT we can't say we can pick up a starting QB in free agency if we don't get him because free agency will have been going on for awhile before the draft and any QBs in free agency will likely be snatched up before April.

I wonder what this defense would be capable of with good coaching and schemes. Sure we lack talent but not so much talent that we are consistently THIS bad.

 

[TJ]

At the time I was saying "why the hell are we calling play action, we haven't run all half and we know the D is going to go after Hall in this situation." It'd be one thing if we'd been establishing the run and actually set up the play action, but it did not fit at all with the current flow of the game. Whiz has no feel for when to call what play. This is hardly the only example.

At the same time, the only facet of our offense that was working at all was the running game. When you have an anemic passing attack and need to pass, it's the best way to try and get a completion.

Once again, it's execution, not scheme. No offensive playbook or play in the history of football can help Anderson or Hall play well

 

[187]

Case for why two years ago following the Super Bowl the Cardinals should have drafted LB James Laurinaitis or a pass rusher instead of Beanie Wells:

Coming off a year where the Cardinals needed to vastly improve the defense, defense should have been the priority...especially with the pending defection of Karlos "Shw me the Love" Dansby. Laurinaitis is a 4 down LB...who already is acting like a captain on the field...and sure is playing like one.

All the scouts considered Laurinaitis to be strictly a 4-3 linebacker, because they did not think he was physical enough to consistently shed blocks playing inside in a 3-4. The Cardinals FO probably not expect Dansby to run to another team for the same money either.

Other than tha I agree with everything you said. I'm already into full blown draft mode, because this season has been over.

 

[Mitch]

I agree with you about Luck...I think he is the only QB worth taking in the top 5 (where we very likely will be picking) and the only one capable of starting from Week 1....BUT we can't say we can pick up a starting QB in free agency if we don't get him because free agency will have been going on for awhile before the draft and any QBs in free agency will likely be snatched up before April.

I wonder what this defense would be capable of with good coaching and schemes. Sure we lack talent but not so much talent that we are consistently THIS bad.

Great points, Zeno.

About the defense...

Personnel changes have to made at 3 of the 4 LB positions (with Washington the one starter to remain---oh yeah he isn't starting---wow---but for next year, the new DC will recognize and utilize his unique talents)...and either AW gets a new hybrid role...or he can no longer start on this defense because he cannot cover man-to-man or in space.

And then there's DRC...you have to hope that the new DC will have some Todd Haley in him and challenge DRC by calling him a "one-trick pony." Have you ever seen a pro football player on defense run so much away fropm contact? Did you see him turn his back and cave down on a blocker in several situations?

And this guy was voted to the Pro Bowl?

It's a travesty.

 

[Mitch]

All the scouts considered Laurinaitis to be strictly a 4-3 linebacker, because they did not think he was physical enough to consistently shed blocks playing inside in a 3-4. The Cardinals FO probably not expect Dansby to run to another team for the same money either.

Other than tha I agree with everything you said. I'm already into full blown draft mode, because this season has been over.

My rebuttal to the scouts is that The MLB in a 4-3 is far more vulnerable to blocks that the WILB on a 3-4...it's not even close.

 

[DoTheDew]

On Lauranitis, Mitch, I think it's a case of drafting what was perceived as need. At the time we believed Dansby would be extended.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Two positives from me (and yes there is no need to throw rotten tomatoes, I stress positives for the sake of positives):

1. The stadium looked unreal with the rood open today. Beautiful.

2. Skelton throws a real nice ball.

 

[Mitch]

On Lauranitis, Mitch, I think it's a case of drafting what was perceived as need. At the time we believed Dansby would be extended.

Excellent point, Dew...

Still...defense was the top priority following the Super Bowl. That and re-signing Kurt Warner...and the FO whiffed on the defense part (drafting a RB in Rd. 1 and Cody Brown---Rd. 2) and they nearly screwed up the Warner situation (I still think---morale-wise that took the wind out of Warner's sails---I mean Warner deserved a king's ransom and he had to sweat out a settlement instead just to keep his family in AZ---it was bad all the way).

 

[Mitch]

Two positives from me (and yes there is no need to throw rotten tomatoes, I stress positives for the sake of positives):

1. The stadium looked unreal with the rood open today. Beautiful.

2. Skelton throws a real nice ball.

Yeah. Rugby, Skelton is finally out of the closet!!!

 

[conraddobler]

I have no idea why we run the 3 4 when we have no Lber's.

Can anyone explain this to me?

 

[82CardsGrad]

Guys who showed up today:

Dockett
Wilson
Rhodes
Washington
Williams

Campbell is the sole reason why Jackson scored on the long TD run! Campbell had him dead to rights, and whiffed! I'm still not sure how it happened as Jackson didn't even attempt any type of juke! CC just missed... What a horrendous season he is having.

Schofield seemed stronger and more active today. I am definitely interested in seeing more of him!

On offense, Timmy played very well today, given the fact that it was him against 11 on defense. Incredible. Just don't know what's up between Whiz and Beanie, but, clearly it's not looking favorable for Beanie long-term. He is flat out in the Whiz doghouse and he just needs to call Matty to find out what that's all about!

And of course, Skelton raised some eyebrows... perhaps showing that Whiz just might be incrediby deficient in identifying QB talent... In just a few series (which is of course, just a few series) Skelton at minimum made you wonder why Whiz has had him on the shelf for so long...

Today was yet another sad day at UoP... Can't believe just how awful the atmosphere has now become... Fans have already checked out for the season. Next year is gonna be real interesting... What a shame. This year is gonna set this franchise back another 10 or more...

The only positive thing I can say is that the Cheerleaders wore their red uni's in the 2nd half. That's all I got...

 

[Duckjake]

On Lauranitis, Mitch, I think it's a case of drafting what was perceived as need. At the time we believed Dansby would be extended.

Pick out who you think are the 5 best 3-4 WILBs in the NFL. Then go look up their rookie stats. Then ask yourself what Daryl Washington is doing sitting behind Paris Lenon.

 

[Duckjake]

Campbell is the sole reason why Jackson scored on the long TD run!

Timmy played very well today, given the fact that it was him against 11 on defense

These don't seem to go together.

 

[82CardsGrad]

These don't seem to go together.

Why don't they? Campbell whiffed on Jackson's TD run. And Timmy was one-man versus the entire Rams defense...

I was there. It's just the way it was...

 

[Dr. Jones]

Great points, Zeno.

About the defense...

Personnel changes have to made at 3 of the 4 LB positions (with Washington the one starter to remain---oh yeah he isn't starting---wow---but for next year, the new DC will recognize and utilize his unique talents)...and either AW gets a new hybrid role...or he can no longer start on this defense because he cannot cover man-to-man or in space.

And then there's DRC...you have to hope that the new DC will have some Todd Haley in him and challenge DRC by calling him a "one-trick pony." Have you ever seen a pro football player on defense run so much away fropm contact? Did you see him turn his back and cave down on a blocker in several situations?

And this guy was voted to the Pro Bowl?

It's a travesty.

Isn't he related to Antonio Cromartie? And Deion Sanders is a family friend I think. They hate contact as well....

Very frustrating year.

 

[PJ1]

Good post Mitch. A little harsh with Beanie. He ran well when given the chance today as did TH. He has trouble blocking but TH not without faults either. Big drop today and he has had a few this year. I like both of these guys and feel bad for them in this offense.

Yellow uniforms? I sure hope not. How long before we are called the Canary's?