Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
Like many of you, I spend an anxious filled week trying to figure out how in the world the Cardinals' offense could prevail versus the Seahawks' prolific defense with yet another change at QB. Simply put, any QB that faces that defense is going to have to find a way to pinpoint passes into the tightest windows in the NFL with constant pressure in his face.
As NBC's Rodney Harrison figured out from the teams the Seahawks lost to (Chargers, Cowboys, Rams and Chiefs)---the formula is to run on them and keep running on them...which all of those teams did, save the Chargers who got a 3 TD performance from Philip Rivers.
The first curious move that BA made in this game was his decision to defer the coin toss. That was the previous coach's style, not BA's. What it suggested was that he was convinced the offense was likely to go 3 and out and a punt would leave the Seattle offense in good field position, which the Seahawks enjoyed all through their previous 19-3 win in Seattle. It's understandable---but---BA had been saying all week that the Cardinals were not going to change their stripes. Yet, in this case, the decision was an aberration.
However, the first quarter was actually working well in the Cardinals' favor in terms of field position. Then to get a good solid drive going at the start of the second quarter, following a missed Hauschka FG from 52 yards, thanks to the running and receiving of Stepfan Taylor, a tough as nails catch from Marion Grice and a nifty little TE slip screen to Rob Housler---a drive which looked like to could be a TD drive until G Ted Larsen jumped off-side on 3rd and goal from the 4 yard line. After avoiding what could have been an end zone interception, the Cardinals kicked the FG and went up 3-0.
At that point, I was feeling very confident that with the Red Sea urging on the defense---and having previously seen Frostee Rucker planting a straight-back whiplash pin on Russell Wilson, that the usually unflappable Wilson was going to struggle under the noise and pressure.
Then it happened---the play I think all of us have been worried about all year---knowing how when a defense goes all-out pressure it leaves itself vulnerable to the big play---which amazingly this defense has pretty much eluded all season long.
Russell Wilson caught OLB Matt Shaughnessy crashing down inside on the run fake and made an easy break of contain to his right---which caught the attention of FS Rashad Johnson as a potential big chunk yard run---and now Johnson, whose first responsibility is deep coverage---found himself in no-man's land while speedy TE Luke Wilson was slipping deep behind Johnson with no one covering him---and Russell Wilson calmly laid a perfect strike over the top which Luke Wilson was able to catch right in stride and take to the house for a stunning 80 yard TD.
Apparently, LB Larry Foote, has stated that he blew the coverage on Luke Wilson---but as we saw, Foote is clearly not fast enough to cover Wilson especially off of play action.
What became clear form that point on is how well prepared the Seahawks were to know when they could exploit ILB Kevin Minter on off-tackle runs to his side and ILB Larry Foote on play action passes to the TE to his side. The bailout player in both those scenarios is FS Rashad Johnson, who had a rough night, despite being the Belichick of the defense in previous weeks.
After the offense sputtered deep---following a curious deep throwback pass attempt from Logan Thomas (which in retrospect was not a good call from the 5 yard line and with Thomas not getting enough depth on his drop to step into that throw---the defense found itself in a tight position.
The three most disappointing plays on that ensuing Seahawks' TD drive was the wide open 22 yard scramble by Russell Wilson though a hole in the middle that you could drive twin Cadillac Escalades through (btw---the Seahawks' C and Gs are taught to clear out the middle so that Wilson has clearer passing lanes and/or the wide-open option to bolt the pocket---and btw the Cardinals' defense has been very good at usually keeping their inside lanes so as not to let Wilson escape---on this night, however, that discipline was conspicuously absent), then on 3rd and 8, giving Wilson an easy wide open throw to Doug Baldwin---which, is mind-boggling in that situation and so anomalous to what the Cardinals have been doing on key 3rd downs all year---and then the TD run off right tackle by Marshawn Lynch of 6 yards---again, not something we have been used to seeing from this defense.
Being down 14-3 to this Seahawks' team felt like being down 3-0 in a soccer game---which is why BA started to try somehow to get Ryan Lindley into a passing rhythm---especially since on running downs the Seahawks were dropping their "doberman with a rifle" SS Cam Chancellor into the box where he was crashing the backside w/o being touched---and where he planted a tackle on Stepfan Taylor so hard that Taylor was knocked airborne three yards sideways.
These Seahawks they intimidate---and teams have to be prepared to match their intensity and their physicality.
Alas, both the Cardinals' lines were beaten badly---the most surprising of which was the Seahawks' o-line w/o 2 Pro Bowlers pounding on the Cardinals' defensive line.
Even so---and even though the Seahawks were out-gaining the Cardinals by 394 yards to 110---thanks to three missed FGs---and a good little drive toward the end of the third quarter, amazingly the Cardinals were only down 14-6 at the end of the third quarter.
Typically this year the Cardinals have found a way to win those type of close games at home. That has been their forte.
What too has been their forte is making half-time and in-game adjustments, especially on defense when the team is trailing.
This time---the adjustments never came, because the Cardinals' defense kept Larry Foote on Luke Wilson and the pass rush didn't stay disciplined in their lanes, which allowed Russell Wilson free and easy scramble exits.
Had the defense not given up TDs immediate following both of their FGs---I think BA would have mixed Kerwynn Williams in like he had the past two weeks, but being behind by 15 points in the 4th quarter basically took away that option. Look for Williams to get numerous carries this week.
In reality---the way the defense has shut down the opponents in the 2nd halves of games this year has been a genuine treat---but on this night, the Seahawks had all the right answers. They deserve credit.
I thought their celebrations showed just how genuinely worried they were about this game---especially after the normally reliable Hauschka was missing those FGs.
In a way---I felt as if it was a sign of respect---hard-earned respect for just how far our hungry Cardinals have come in such a short time.
As for what Richard Sherman said about Patrick Peterson, I think the game itself manifested certain veracities of what Sherman was saying, in that Peterson, unless he starts to relish and embrace the mental and physical toughness aspects of his position, would not fit in with their defense, as he would be held accountable for his shortcomings, such as the pitiful effort he made in trying to do whatever he was trying to do with Marshawn Lynch---one can't even call it trying to make a tackle. Whereas, as Cris Collinsworth pointed out, Sherman forced the run like a stud and delivers tough, hard-nosed form tackles.
As for Larry Fitzgerald, it agonized me to see him on the field at scrub time getting beat up on by the Seahawks' second stringers. What in the world he was doing on the field at that time is beyond any comprehension---that is a decision the previous coach repeatedly made, keeping Fitz in during scrub time and risking further injuries and worsening the ones he's already nursing.
Steve Keim said Fitz' cap figure is "baked into" next year's figures---but---anyone can see how transparent that statement from Keim is---there is no way the Cardinals can continue to challenge in the NFC West allotting $23M to one player, let alone to Fitz, who is now a glorified TE in the team's offense.
Fitz will want to go to perennial winner where he will feel more at ease with his role in the offense. Plus, even though the Cardinals have Carson Palmer returning, Palmer was not targeting Fitz in the manner that Fitz is accustomed to. To Fitz's credit, he has sacrificed his own personal goals for the sake of the team winning. But, to expect that to continue, when other options are likely to be available, is far-fetched.
As for Ryan Lindley, he played like a QB who has had one week of reps with the first team---and under the most pressure-packed conditions. When one harkens back to Carson Palmer's early season shoulder injury---if the team knew then that Logan Thomas would not be an option---Steve Keim could have very well done something back then---there was a bye week then too and still the chance to make trades.
The whole team and organizational focus on making a run at the Super Bowl was always the goal---although originally Keim was thinking three years---but as well as the players were embracing the system and the new culture---there grew a feeling that the Cardinals could make a big run earlier than expected. Keim has made some brilliant moves---and the coaching has been brilliant---it will be interesting to see how the players respond to this dose of humble pie and all the naysayers now saying "we told you so."
As NBC's Rodney Harrison figured out from the teams the Seahawks lost to (Chargers, Cowboys, Rams and Chiefs)---the formula is to run on them and keep running on them...which all of those teams did, save the Chargers who got a 3 TD performance from Philip Rivers.
The first curious move that BA made in this game was his decision to defer the coin toss. That was the previous coach's style, not BA's. What it suggested was that he was convinced the offense was likely to go 3 and out and a punt would leave the Seattle offense in good field position, which the Seahawks enjoyed all through their previous 19-3 win in Seattle. It's understandable---but---BA had been saying all week that the Cardinals were not going to change their stripes. Yet, in this case, the decision was an aberration.
However, the first quarter was actually working well in the Cardinals' favor in terms of field position. Then to get a good solid drive going at the start of the second quarter, following a missed Hauschka FG from 52 yards, thanks to the running and receiving of Stepfan Taylor, a tough as nails catch from Marion Grice and a nifty little TE slip screen to Rob Housler---a drive which looked like to could be a TD drive until G Ted Larsen jumped off-side on 3rd and goal from the 4 yard line. After avoiding what could have been an end zone interception, the Cardinals kicked the FG and went up 3-0.
At that point, I was feeling very confident that with the Red Sea urging on the defense---and having previously seen Frostee Rucker planting a straight-back whiplash pin on Russell Wilson, that the usually unflappable Wilson was going to struggle under the noise and pressure.
Then it happened---the play I think all of us have been worried about all year---knowing how when a defense goes all-out pressure it leaves itself vulnerable to the big play---which amazingly this defense has pretty much eluded all season long.
Russell Wilson caught OLB Matt Shaughnessy crashing down inside on the run fake and made an easy break of contain to his right---which caught the attention of FS Rashad Johnson as a potential big chunk yard run---and now Johnson, whose first responsibility is deep coverage---found himself in no-man's land while speedy TE Luke Wilson was slipping deep behind Johnson with no one covering him---and Russell Wilson calmly laid a perfect strike over the top which Luke Wilson was able to catch right in stride and take to the house for a stunning 80 yard TD.
Apparently, LB Larry Foote, has stated that he blew the coverage on Luke Wilson---but as we saw, Foote is clearly not fast enough to cover Wilson especially off of play action.
What became clear form that point on is how well prepared the Seahawks were to know when they could exploit ILB Kevin Minter on off-tackle runs to his side and ILB Larry Foote on play action passes to the TE to his side. The bailout player in both those scenarios is FS Rashad Johnson, who had a rough night, despite being the Belichick of the defense in previous weeks.
After the offense sputtered deep---following a curious deep throwback pass attempt from Logan Thomas (which in retrospect was not a good call from the 5 yard line and with Thomas not getting enough depth on his drop to step into that throw---the defense found itself in a tight position.
The three most disappointing plays on that ensuing Seahawks' TD drive was the wide open 22 yard scramble by Russell Wilson though a hole in the middle that you could drive twin Cadillac Escalades through (btw---the Seahawks' C and Gs are taught to clear out the middle so that Wilson has clearer passing lanes and/or the wide-open option to bolt the pocket---and btw the Cardinals' defense has been very good at usually keeping their inside lanes so as not to let Wilson escape---on this night, however, that discipline was conspicuously absent), then on 3rd and 8, giving Wilson an easy wide open throw to Doug Baldwin---which, is mind-boggling in that situation and so anomalous to what the Cardinals have been doing on key 3rd downs all year---and then the TD run off right tackle by Marshawn Lynch of 6 yards---again, not something we have been used to seeing from this defense.
Being down 14-3 to this Seahawks' team felt like being down 3-0 in a soccer game---which is why BA started to try somehow to get Ryan Lindley into a passing rhythm---especially since on running downs the Seahawks were dropping their "doberman with a rifle" SS Cam Chancellor into the box where he was crashing the backside w/o being touched---and where he planted a tackle on Stepfan Taylor so hard that Taylor was knocked airborne three yards sideways.
These Seahawks they intimidate---and teams have to be prepared to match their intensity and their physicality.
Alas, both the Cardinals' lines were beaten badly---the most surprising of which was the Seahawks' o-line w/o 2 Pro Bowlers pounding on the Cardinals' defensive line.
Even so---and even though the Seahawks were out-gaining the Cardinals by 394 yards to 110---thanks to three missed FGs---and a good little drive toward the end of the third quarter, amazingly the Cardinals were only down 14-6 at the end of the third quarter.
Typically this year the Cardinals have found a way to win those type of close games at home. That has been their forte.
What too has been their forte is making half-time and in-game adjustments, especially on defense when the team is trailing.
This time---the adjustments never came, because the Cardinals' defense kept Larry Foote on Luke Wilson and the pass rush didn't stay disciplined in their lanes, which allowed Russell Wilson free and easy scramble exits.
Had the defense not given up TDs immediate following both of their FGs---I think BA would have mixed Kerwynn Williams in like he had the past two weeks, but being behind by 15 points in the 4th quarter basically took away that option. Look for Williams to get numerous carries this week.
In reality---the way the defense has shut down the opponents in the 2nd halves of games this year has been a genuine treat---but on this night, the Seahawks had all the right answers. They deserve credit.
I thought their celebrations showed just how genuinely worried they were about this game---especially after the normally reliable Hauschka was missing those FGs.
In a way---I felt as if it was a sign of respect---hard-earned respect for just how far our hungry Cardinals have come in such a short time.
As for what Richard Sherman said about Patrick Peterson, I think the game itself manifested certain veracities of what Sherman was saying, in that Peterson, unless he starts to relish and embrace the mental and physical toughness aspects of his position, would not fit in with their defense, as he would be held accountable for his shortcomings, such as the pitiful effort he made in trying to do whatever he was trying to do with Marshawn Lynch---one can't even call it trying to make a tackle. Whereas, as Cris Collinsworth pointed out, Sherman forced the run like a stud and delivers tough, hard-nosed form tackles.
As for Larry Fitzgerald, it agonized me to see him on the field at scrub time getting beat up on by the Seahawks' second stringers. What in the world he was doing on the field at that time is beyond any comprehension---that is a decision the previous coach repeatedly made, keeping Fitz in during scrub time and risking further injuries and worsening the ones he's already nursing.
Steve Keim said Fitz' cap figure is "baked into" next year's figures---but---anyone can see how transparent that statement from Keim is---there is no way the Cardinals can continue to challenge in the NFC West allotting $23M to one player, let alone to Fitz, who is now a glorified TE in the team's offense.
Fitz will want to go to perennial winner where he will feel more at ease with his role in the offense. Plus, even though the Cardinals have Carson Palmer returning, Palmer was not targeting Fitz in the manner that Fitz is accustomed to. To Fitz's credit, he has sacrificed his own personal goals for the sake of the team winning. But, to expect that to continue, when other options are likely to be available, is far-fetched.
As for Ryan Lindley, he played like a QB who has had one week of reps with the first team---and under the most pressure-packed conditions. When one harkens back to Carson Palmer's early season shoulder injury---if the team knew then that Logan Thomas would not be an option---Steve Keim could have very well done something back then---there was a bye week then too and still the chance to make trades.
The whole team and organizational focus on making a run at the Super Bowl was always the goal---although originally Keim was thinking three years---but as well as the players were embracing the system and the new culture---there grew a feeling that the Cardinals could make a big run earlier than expected. Keim has made some brilliant moves---and the coaching has been brilliant---it will be interesting to see how the players respond to this dose of humble pie and all the naysayers now saying "we told you so."
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