Game 13 Impressions: Cardinals 43 Broncos 13

[Mitch]

1. You've gotta love winning...this team needed it...and to beat the Broncos, a team that has owned us in PS and in reg. season...I don't care about the circumstances...we kicked their asses, and kicked them good.

2. Speaking of kicked...Jay Feeley was the hottest person on the planet today...the TD was golden...and his FGs this year have been near perfect...except when his own HC ices him after already making 4, 2 from deep (all I can say is WTF, Whiz...the guy is having the game of his life and you send in Graham with the ball on the Broncos' 31 yard line?).

3. Speaking of the ball at the Broncos' 31 yard line...where has this defense been all year? Save the only other time the team started a rookie at QB at home...2-0 with rookie debuts at home...2 best games of the year, and by far, two best defensive performances, in an otherwise defensive abomination of a year.

4. Speaking of defensive performances...the front three of Dockett, Williams and Campbell played their best game today...they were studs all three of them. Rookie Daryl Washington was hitting and so was Kerry Rhodes and Adrian Wilson. And the coverage was extra sticky today...where has that been? Plus, we have a player in FS Rashad Johnson...he's a right place right time player...and it's all ahead of him now.

5. Speaking of all ahead of him now...How about QB John Skelton....he played so within himself and within the system (for a guy who until this week has had 0 reps with the first team---which, with all the practices these guys have, imo, is a travesty that he wouldn't get a taste with the first team in practice...but hey...HE PROVED WHIZ WRONG!!!! He was indeed worthy of starting and that the ridiculous drama of him finally getting the nod over a guy who was dog hunting last weeked...announced as late as Friday...wow.

6. Speaking of wow...here is what I like about Skelton:

A. He does not play afraid (unlike ML and DA). How about him lowering his shoulder on a tackler? This inspires the whole team to be physical.
B. His release is a lot like Peyton Manning's...he even has that slight little Manning wobble on the ball.
C. He runs around like Big Ben...actually faster than Big Ben
D. Unilke DA...when the play is broken and the team is in FG range, he throws the ball out of bounds. Go Fordham!
E. Even as a rookie, he fed Fitz even though Fitz was being hounded by Champ...which means each week now it will get easier. But, the no fear factor is huge here.
F. He's got good size and stature in the pocket.
G. He converted some third and longs!!!

He needs to hone those fundys and the playbook...we can see that...but for a first start...this was very very good.

7. Speaking of very very good...how about the play of these young players...

A. RB Tim Hightower (fumble excluded)...148 yards, 2 TDs.
B. RB LSH...no fumble anywhere anytime from this electric dynamo.
C. PR Andre Roberts...getting better and better and better.
D. NT Dan Williams...it's a joke at how better the interior of the defense is when he is in there...just ask Moreno on the ball he fumbled.
E. LB Daryl Washington (Leon Lett-itis excluded)...this kid is explosive and how in the world he has been sitting all this time is beyond imagination.
F. LB O'Brien Schofield...made saving tackles on STs...made the darting play into the backfield that caused the end around turnover...nearly made a pick six.
G. CB Greg Toler, CB Mike Adams, CB DRC...stickier this week than lint...Money Mike with the great int...how many coverage sacks/pressures were there?
H. S Rashad Johnson...he is starting to feel it.

8. Speaking of starting to "Feel" it...game ball goes to Jay Feely...one can make a great case that he has been the most consistently good Cardinal all year. He deserves it!!! #4 kicks and runs Cardinals to their #4 win!!!

9. Speaking of #4...the Cardinals will likely draft in the top 5, possibly 10...and, imo, they should take the best edge rusher...if indeed they have signed a veteran FA to battle it out with Skelton. As we saw today, when the secondary can blanket teams (and this Bronco trio of WRs is top 5 NFL)...if they can get edge pressure...watch out.

10. And speaking of watch out...if Whiz thinks BD saved his job with today's effort...the Cardinals are in for another long year in 2011. This was a classic case of the players deciding on their own to show up, which BD has had nothing to do with for most of the games this year. One good game...after all the presuure is over...is not enough. Not even close. But, hey, knowing Whiz, BD will be the DC next year. It's never the coaches fault.

 

[desertdawg]

1. You've gotta love winning...this team needed it...and to beat the Broncos, a team that has owned us in PS and in reg. season...I don't care about the circumstances...we kicked their asses, and kicked them good.

2. Speaking of kicked...Jay Feeley was the hottest person on the planet today...the TD was golden...and his FGs this year have been near perfect...excect when his own HC ices him (all I can say is WTF, Whiz...the guy is having the game of his life and you send in Graham with the ball on the Broncos' 31 yard line).

3. Speaking of the ball at the Broncos' 31 yard line...where has this defense been all year? Save the only other time the team started a rookie at QB at home...2-0 with rookie debuts at home...2 best games of the year, and by far, two best defensive performances, in an otherwise defensive debacle of a year.

4. Speaking of defensive performances...the front three of Dockett, Williams and Campbell played their best game today...they were studs all three of them. Rookie Daryl Washington was hitting and so was Kerry Rhodes and Adrian Wilson. And the coverage was extra sticky today...where has that been? Plus, we have a player in FS Rashad Johnson...he's a right place right time player...and it's all ahead of him now.

5. Speaking of all ahead of him now...How about QB John Skelton....he played so within himself and within the system (for a guy who until this week has had 0 reps with the first team---which, with all the practices these guys have, imo, is a travesty that he wouldn't get a taste with the first team in practice...but hey...HE PROVED WHIZ WRONG!!!! He was indeed worthy of starting and that the ridiculous drama of him finally getting the nod over a guy who was dog hunting last weeked...announced as late as Friday...wow.

6. Speaking of wow...here is what I love about Skelton:

A. He does not play afraid (unlike ML and DA).
B. His release is a lot like Peyton Manning's...he even has that slight little Manning wobble on the ball.
C. He runs around like Big Ben...actually faster than Big Ben
D. Unilke DA...when the play is broken and the team is in FG range, he throws the ball out of bounds.
E. Even as a rookie, he fed Fitz even though Fitz was being hounded by Champ...which means each week now it will get easier. But, the no fear factor is huge here.
F. He's got such good size and stature in the pocket.
G. He converted some third and longs!!!

He needs to hone those fundys...we can see that...but for a first start...this was very very good.

7. Speaking of very very good...how about the play of these young players...

A. RB Tim Hightower (fumble excluded)...148 yards, 2 TDs.
B. RB LSH...no fumble anywhere anytime from this electric dynamo.
C. PR Andre Roberts...getting better and better and better.
D. NT Dan Williams...it's a joke at how better the interior of the defense is when he is in there...just ask Moreno on the ball he fumbled.
E. LB Daryl Washington (Leon Lett-itis excluded)...this kid is explosive and how in thw world he has been sitting all this time is beyond imagination.
F. LB O'Brien Schofield...made saving tackles on STs...made the darting play into the backfield that caused the end around turnover...nearly made a pick six.
G. CB Greg Toler, CB Mike Adams, CB DRC...stickier this week than lint...Money Mike with the great int...how many coverage sacks/pressures were there?
H. S Rashad Johnson...he is starting to feel it.

8. Speaking of starting to "Feel" it...game ball goes to Jay Feely...one can make a great case that he has been the most consistently good Cardinal all year. He deserves it!!! #4 kicks and runs Cardinals to their #4 win!!!

9. Speaking of #4...the Cardinals will likely draft in the top 5, possibly 10...and, imo, they should take the best edge rusher...if indeed they have signed a veteran FA to battle it out with Skelton. As we saw today, when the secondary can blanket teams (and this Bronco trio of WRs is top 5 NFL)...if they can get edge pressure...watch out.

10. And speaking of watch out...if Whiz thinks BD saved his job with today's effort...the Cardinals are in for another long year in 2011. This was a classic case of the players deciding on their own to show up, which BD has had nothing to do with for most of the games this year.

With a good win comes a positive Mitch post, this day just keeps getting better. Nice read Mitch, I liked Skelton's first start as well.

 

[Mitch]

With a good win comes a positive Mitch post, this day just keeps getting better. Nice read Mitch, I liked Skelton's first start as well.

Think of it, dawg...it's been a long eight weeks, hasn't it???...nine really with the infamous BYE---take the rest of the season off---week.

 

[desertdawg]

Think of it, dawg...it's been a long eight weeks, hasn't it???...nine really with the infamous BYE---take the rest of the season off---week.

Loooong 8 weeks is right, I might have to change my sig though.

 

[Zeno]

10. And speaking of watch out...if Whiz thinks BD saved his job with today's effort...the Cardinals are in for another long year in 2011. This was a classic case of the players deciding on their own to show up, which BD has had nothing to do with for most of the games this year. One good game...after all the presuure is over...is not enough. Not even close. But, hey, knowing Whiz, BD will be the DC next year. It's never the coaches fault.

This is my big worry as well.

 

[dylanbw]

Gotta love winning!

1. You've gotta love winning...this team needed it...and to beat the Broncos, a team that has owned us in PS and in reg. season...I don't care about the circumstances...we kicked their asses, and kicked them good.

2. Speaking of kicked...Jay Feeley was the hottest person on the planet today...the TD was golden...and his FGs this year have been near perfect...except when his own HC ices him after already making 4, 2 from deep (all I can say is WTF, Whiz...the guy is having the game of his life and you send in Graham with the ball on the Broncos' 31 yard line?).

3. Speaking of the ball at the Broncos' 31 yard line...where has this defense been all year? Save the only other time the team started a rookie at QB at home...2-0 with rookie debuts at home...2 best games of the year, and by far, two best defensive performances, in an otherwise defensive abomination of a year.

4. Speaking of defensive performances...the front three of Dockett, Williams and Campbell played their best game today...they were studs all three of them. Rookie Daryl Washington was hitting and so was Kerry Rhodes and Adrian Wilson. And the coverage was extra sticky today...where has that been? Plus, we have a player in FS Rashad Johnson...he's a right place right time player...and it's all ahead of him now.

5. Speaking of all ahead of him now...How about QB John Skelton....he played so within himself and within the system (for a guy who until this week has had 0 reps with the first team---which, with all the practices these guys have, imo, is a travesty that he wouldn't get a taste with the first team in practice...but hey...HE PROVED WHIZ WRONG!!!! He was indeed worthy of starting and that the ridiculous drama of him finally getting the nod over a guy who was dog hunting last weeked...announced as late as Friday...wow.

6. Speaking of wow...here is what I like about Skelton:

A. He does not play afraid (unlike ML and DA). How about him lowering his shoulder on a tackler? This inspires the whole team to be physical.
B. His release is a lot like Peyton Manning's...he even has that slight little Manning wobble on the ball.
C. He runs around like Big Ben...actually faster than Big Ben
D. Unilke DA...when the play is broken and the team is in FG range, he throws the ball out of bounds. Go Fordham!
E. Even as a rookie, he fed Fitz even though Fitz was being hounded by Champ...which means each week now it will get easier. But, the no fear factor is huge here.
F. He's got good size and stature in the pocket.
G. He converted some third and longs!!!

He needs to hone those fundys and the playbook...we can see that...but for a first start...this was very very good.

7. Speaking of very very good...how about the play of these young players...

A. RB Tim Hightower (fumble excluded)...148 yards, 2 TDs.
B. RB LSH...no fumble anywhere anytime from this electric dynamo.
C. PR Andre Roberts...getting better and better and better.
D. NT Dan Williams...it's a joke at how better the interior of the defense is when he is in there...just ask Moreno on the ball he fumbled.
E. LB Daryl Washington (Leon Lett-itis excluded)...this kid is explosive and how in the world he has been sitting all this time is beyond imagination.
F. LB O'Brien Schofield...made saving tackles on STs...made the darting play into the backfield that caused the end around turnover...nearly made a pick six.
G. CB Greg Toler, CB Mike Adams, CB DRC...stickier this week than lint...Money Mike with the great int...how many coverage sacks/pressures were there?
H. S Rashad Johnson...he is starting to feel it.

8. Speaking of starting to "Feel" it...game ball goes to Jay Feely...one can make a great case that he has been the most consistently good Cardinal all year. He deserves it!!! #4 kicks and runs Cardinals to their #4 win!!!

9. Speaking of #4...the Cardinals will likely draft in the top 5, possibly 10...and, imo, they should take the best edge rusher...if indeed they have signed a veteran FA to battle it out with Skelton. As we saw today, when the secondary can blanket teams (and this Bronco trio of WRs is top 5 NFL)...if they can get edge pressure...watch out.

10. And speaking of watch out...if Whiz thinks BD saved his job with today's effort...the Cardinals are in for another long year in 2011. This was a classic case of the players deciding on their own to show up, which BD has had nothing to do with for most of the games this year. One good game...after all the presuure is over...is not enough. Not even close. But, hey, knowing Whiz, BD will be the DC next year. It's never the coaches fault.

...had forgotten what that was like....so two back with three to play, we stomp the guts out of the Saints (AGAIN) in the 4-5 game, then we have to man up on the road....all very doable..

Great write-up as always, Skelton looked good especially the Big Ben-like pocket awareness and mobility......D was outstanding, Williams, Washington, & OB (stolen in 4th round) have hopefully proven enough now to play the majority of the reps....

Yeah Jay Feely!!!!

 

[Brian]

This is my big worry as well.

Yep. Thought it the entire game. Was hoping that today didn't save BD's job.

 

[azmike74]

The season is almost over, but I was happy to see a few offensive play calls that were thinking outside the box.

 

[Capital Card]

Andre Roberts drives me crazy as a punt returner. I think he leaves a LOT of yards on the field.

He's got 2 jobs:

1. Catch the punt.
2. Return yards.

He's been consistant catching the ball since the first few games, so I've been quiet on him; however I haven't seen anywhere near enough from him actually returning the ball.

If we end up drafting a WR in the 1st round come April - Breaston goes back to PR and Roberts struggles to make the roster as a 5th WR.

Go Cards!!!

 

[conraddobler]

The players showed up for the kid, I said this in one of my posts to look for that, players are human too, they know it's a big deal for him and I figured they'd go out there and actually play.

BD as you said needs fired bad.

 

[Hypothesis]

Andre Roberts drives me crazy as a punt returner. I think he leaves a LOT of yards on the field.

He's got 2 jobs:

1. Catch the punt.
2. Return yards.

He's been consistant catching the ball since the first few games, so I've been quiet on him; however I haven't seen anywhere near enough from him actually returning the ball.

If we end up drafting a WR in the 1st round come April - Breaston goes back to PR and Roberts struggles to make the roster as a 5th WR.

Go Cards!!!

5 returns for a 14.4 yard average today...that's pretty darn good. He's been getting more confident each week, so I'm not going to bash him. Most people will tell you that being a punt returner is one of the harder jobs to do in the NFL.

 

[Dr. Jones]

Andre Roberts drives me crazy as a punt returner. I think he leaves a LOT of yards on the field.

He's got 2 jobs:

1. Catch the punt.
2. Return yards.

He's been consistant catching the ball since the first few games, so I've been quiet on him; however I haven't seen anywhere near enough from him actually returning the ball.

If we end up drafting a WR in the 1st round come April - Breaston goes back to PR and Roberts struggles to make the roster as a 5th WR.

Go Cards!!!

I think the Roberts punt returns today were aided by the punter KILLING the ball deep. 60 yard punts tend to be returned.



GO FORDHAM!!

 

[slanidrac16]

All I really cared about was to see Skelton play within himself and he did it to perfection for a rookie. I know he didn't "light it up", but he was steady and like you said Mitch, he didn't play scared. He also threw some balls in some tight spots where it was either going to be caught by our guy or nobody.

I still believe Whiz need to get an OC. His play calling at times is just dumb. Example. Beanie goes up the middle for 5 or 6 yards. Next play( 2nd and 4 or 5) we are in a shot gun formation in essence telling the defense we are going to pass or if we do run it will be an inside handoff. Why? Why not line up in a run formation and keep play action somewhat in play especially with a rookie QB. If my memeory serves me right , they blitzed and Skelton was forced to throw it away.

As far as the defense goes the speed of our young players is so evident. On one completed crossing pattern to Royal, Washingtons speed alone prevented him from turning the corner forcing him out of bounds. Royal may have scored on the play had Hayes been in the game.

Schofield is REALLY coming on. And if Mike Adams was 3 inches taller he'd be a starter on most teams.

It was fun watching the game today. Not because we won but because I saw a glimmer of what the future holds with Williams, Washington, Schofield, Roberts and Skelton. Skelton showed more poise at the qb position than we have seen all year. Does he need to improve. Of course. But remember when Anderson was forced out of the pocket and got sacked thus taking us out of FG range? We didn't see that today did we. The only pass that I can remember being unhappy about was the quick short pass to Fitz that was closed to be picked by Bailey.

It sure beat the hell out of watching Scud.

 

[O]

It's not Feel It.

It is:

Feel Em!!!

 

[DoTheDew]

Great post Mitch. I have to say though, I have mixed feelings on Skelton. I feel his play was an improvement over Hall and DA, but at the same time he has a LONG way to go before he is the caliber of an NFL starter.

He should be our QB the rest of the year, but beyond that I just don't know about him.

 

[dogpoo32]

Andre Roberts drives me crazy as a punt returner. I think he leaves a LOT of yards on the field.

He's got 2 jobs:

1. Catch the punt.
2. Return yards.

He's been consistant catching the ball since the first few games, so I've been quiet on him; however I haven't seen anywhere near enough from him actually returning the ball.

If we end up drafting a WR in the 1st round come April - Breaston goes back to PR and Roberts struggles to make the roster as a 5th WR.

Go Cards!!!

Roberts has been a better receiver this year than Doucet. Not saying a lot, but the kid can play. They need to work his ass off. He can be very good in this league.

 

[CardLogic]

As far as the defense goes the speed of our young players is so evident. On one completed crossing pattern to Royal, Washingtons speed alone prevented him from turning the corner forcing him out of bounds. Royal may have scored on the play had Hayes been in the game.

I re-watched some of last weeks game vs. the Rams. On numerous plays Hayes looked weak, getting blown back from the line of scrimmage; on others while trying to run down plays he looked very old and very slow.

Hayes was inactive today, called a "healthy scratch", but I would'nt be surprised if his back has flared up again... ILB is still an off-season need.

 

[mrbyte]

if anything this screams the reason why BD should go.

it shows what we could have had all year if the team had been motivated and used correctly.

I firmly believe with the right DC this team will leap forward and compete for the division again

 

[Garthshort]

Mitch, it's my belief that Shelton was told early in the week that he would be the starter, even though the press wasn't informed until Friday. Just a hunch on my part.

 

[Snakester]

Nice write-up Mitch. I was very pleased the way Skelton handled himself. His block on the end-around and when he lowered his shoulder on the CB were really nice extras to see from him. For such a big guy he moves well. If his receivers hadn't dropped about 8 or so balls his stats would look better. It was really nice to see good QB play for once this year. Instead of taking a sack or throwing an int like DA would do he either made the throw or threw the ball away. He was smart and very poised in the pocket. Man I would love to see Skelton become the starter for us where we can draft the best passrusher at number 5. It would be so nice to not have to worry about taking a QB number one and just drafting the best player available.
If Andrew Luck is there I would still go all out to get him but no other QB is worth a top five pick in this draft to me.

 

[LarryStalling]

Nice post Mitch! I look forward to reading each one.

Any preferences atm on draftable edge rushers?

 

[BigRedRage]

speaking of..

 

[Pariah]

My brief thoughts:

1. Skelton was impressive (relatively speaking). He looks like he could be legit in a couple of years. Hopefully, we hang on to him long-term and don't run him out of town for being raw.

2. For as bad as Billy Davis was all year, he was that good on Sunday. He finally started using Wilson like the hybrid player he is instead of treating him like Ed Reed. On at least a couple of occasions he had him up on the line, then quickly looking like he'd drop into coverage pre-snap and then blitzing from 10 yards off.

3a. The debate about THT and Beanie should be over. It's not a one or the other thing, people. We have a two-back offense and while it may drive you nuts in fantasy football, in the NFL it's a luxury to have two guys that can pound the rock like these guys do. We should relish it...it wasn't that long ago we didn't even have one.

3b. Is it just me or is Hightower getting faster? He's been reaching the edge with a lot more authority lately, it seems.

4. Speaking of fast: Feely really showed some wheels on that fake. Good on you, Jay! Can you imagine trying to run that play with Gramatica?

 

[dylanbw]

4. Speaking of fast: Feely really showed some wheels on that fake. Good on you, Jay! Can you imagine trying to run that play with Gramatica?

Um, can you imagine running that play with Al Del Greco?

#ohwaitaminutewedidthat

 

[Shane]

Reference 3b pariah? He is absolutely increased his speed. No doubt about it. I read last year that he was training on his "burst" somewhere. If I find it I'll post it.