Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
It would be nice if the Cardinals could give Carson Palmer some max protection early in the games because for the past few weeks he has been getting drilled hard on the first possession on hits that could be prevented. The thing is---teams know that the Cardinals have been coming out of the gates fast, so they are trying to spoil Palmer from the get-go---and the Cardinals' tackles do not have anyone near as athletic to block on the edges in practice, so there needs to be some chipping and an adjustment period before they can adapt to the speed of the rush.
The way Palmer is getting hit early is akin to a prize fighter getting cold-cocked on the first punch of the bout. Coaches talk about making a statement early, as in let your man know it is going to be a long, tough day. It took Palmer a few series last week to get his feet and composure back---same this week---as evidenced by the rushed throw he made on third down that resulted this time in a pick six.
However, Palmer is one tough cookie, isn't he? Down 10 point on the road before a raucous, fired-up Cowboys' crowd, Palmer regained his feet and his composure and what he was able to do on third downs after that was spectacular.
Andre Ellington was able to bounce outside a number of occasions---the three sweetest of which were the fake hitch pass left, screen pass right that Lyle Sendlein led for a big gain---the sweet slip to the flat TD on third and goal to give the Cardinals a two score lead---and the hurry-up sweep right after the spectacular Ginn Jr. catch. Ellington had another twenty or so yards called back on penalties---but he is running super smart---squirming for as much as he can get and diving under direct hits like a surfer diving under waves.
It was great to see Marion Grice get his feet wet---certainly BA and the team are going to need a good number two RB to go to so as not to keep too much burden on Sir Juke. Plus, Robert Hughes atoned for an earlier drop and botched kickoff gaffe when he split the seam for a beautiful reception down the Cowboys' five yard line. That pass was a thing of beauty---boy does Carson Palmer throw a clean, tight spiraled pass, as he did on the beautiful TDs to John Carlson and to Jaron Brown.
The Cardinals' o-line made some mistakes---but when it mattered most, especially in the red zone, they kept Palmer clean. These boys play very physical football---much more so that people think. They had the Cowboys' d-line banged up and gassed in the 4th quarter.
One point that deserves emphasis here is that not only is Carson Palmer showing exemplary toughness---how about Larry Fitzgerald? Fitz made the absolutely most of every one of the 70 yards he amassed in this game. The fade pick pass set up perfectly by Ted Ginn Jr. was perfecto---moreover, the balls Fitz caught over the middle and broke tackles on were huge advances into the red zone. Fitz's leadership is bound to have a positive effect on Michael Floyd who this week will understand how to tuck the ball in and drive it upfield instead of racing skittishly sideways. And Fitz's toughness should rub off on John Brown who may have heard footsteps on a perfect 20 yard pass that he dropped over the middle. I don't know about you, but after that drop i just gave him a mulligan for having come up with one of the most brilliant catches in Cardinals' history versus the Eagles.
On defense, after the 10-0 deficit, they put the clamps on the Dallas offense in impressive fashion---by corralling, slowing and punishing DeMarco Murray. Dan The Man Williams dominated the interior of the Cowboy's good, young, physical line, while Calais Campbell, Frostee Rucker, Tommy Kelly and Ed Stinson all made big stops, the best fo which may have been Stinson's quick takedown of Brandon Weeden on a scramble that looked like it would extend a key drive---which then set up the fantastic 4th down stop on Murray that Williams and Campbell stone walled and Deone Bucannon finished. Stinson's inside quickness has become quite an asset versus scrambling QBs.
The linebackers were solid---Larry Foote, per usual. And while Acho, Okafor and Alexander lack the edge speed one desires and often needs, they are fundamentally sound and very physical.
The secondary was outstanding in this game. Sure, Peterson had the penalties again, but he played and worked his butt off versus Dez Bryant and not only nullified him but got into his head. But, the other CBs and safeties were just as stingy in this game. Honey Badger and Red Cro had beautifully played interceptions---and it might actually be good to have Honey Badger and Red Cro impress upon Patrick Peterson that when he plays the right angles and uses his superior athleticism to his advantage, he really doesn't have to hold or to panic on plays. Bucannon and Johnson were solid and made noise on their tackles---and it was extra great to give Tony Jefferson a week to shake the cobwebs off.
The blocked field goal was a thing of beauty---Justin Bethel was like a racehorse out of the gate and he planed out perfectly for the block, while Patrick Peterson made a great play on the ball and would have scored had not savvy veteran Jason Whitten taken a textbook pursuit angle on the play.
The Cardinals' success stems form the coaches having the players mentally and physically prepared for the plethora of situations that arise in a football game. Like BA says, it isn't always pretty and it often isn't going to be. But the preparation is pretty danged impressive.
The way Palmer is getting hit early is akin to a prize fighter getting cold-cocked on the first punch of the bout. Coaches talk about making a statement early, as in let your man know it is going to be a long, tough day. It took Palmer a few series last week to get his feet and composure back---same this week---as evidenced by the rushed throw he made on third down that resulted this time in a pick six.
However, Palmer is one tough cookie, isn't he? Down 10 point on the road before a raucous, fired-up Cowboys' crowd, Palmer regained his feet and his composure and what he was able to do on third downs after that was spectacular.
Andre Ellington was able to bounce outside a number of occasions---the three sweetest of which were the fake hitch pass left, screen pass right that Lyle Sendlein led for a big gain---the sweet slip to the flat TD on third and goal to give the Cardinals a two score lead---and the hurry-up sweep right after the spectacular Ginn Jr. catch. Ellington had another twenty or so yards called back on penalties---but he is running super smart---squirming for as much as he can get and diving under direct hits like a surfer diving under waves.
It was great to see Marion Grice get his feet wet---certainly BA and the team are going to need a good number two RB to go to so as not to keep too much burden on Sir Juke. Plus, Robert Hughes atoned for an earlier drop and botched kickoff gaffe when he split the seam for a beautiful reception down the Cowboys' five yard line. That pass was a thing of beauty---boy does Carson Palmer throw a clean, tight spiraled pass, as he did on the beautiful TDs to John Carlson and to Jaron Brown.
The Cardinals' o-line made some mistakes---but when it mattered most, especially in the red zone, they kept Palmer clean. These boys play very physical football---much more so that people think. They had the Cowboys' d-line banged up and gassed in the 4th quarter.
One point that deserves emphasis here is that not only is Carson Palmer showing exemplary toughness---how about Larry Fitzgerald? Fitz made the absolutely most of every one of the 70 yards he amassed in this game. The fade pick pass set up perfectly by Ted Ginn Jr. was perfecto---moreover, the balls Fitz caught over the middle and broke tackles on were huge advances into the red zone. Fitz's leadership is bound to have a positive effect on Michael Floyd who this week will understand how to tuck the ball in and drive it upfield instead of racing skittishly sideways. And Fitz's toughness should rub off on John Brown who may have heard footsteps on a perfect 20 yard pass that he dropped over the middle. I don't know about you, but after that drop i just gave him a mulligan for having come up with one of the most brilliant catches in Cardinals' history versus the Eagles.
On defense, after the 10-0 deficit, they put the clamps on the Dallas offense in impressive fashion---by corralling, slowing and punishing DeMarco Murray. Dan The Man Williams dominated the interior of the Cowboy's good, young, physical line, while Calais Campbell, Frostee Rucker, Tommy Kelly and Ed Stinson all made big stops, the best fo which may have been Stinson's quick takedown of Brandon Weeden on a scramble that looked like it would extend a key drive---which then set up the fantastic 4th down stop on Murray that Williams and Campbell stone walled and Deone Bucannon finished. Stinson's inside quickness has become quite an asset versus scrambling QBs.
The linebackers were solid---Larry Foote, per usual. And while Acho, Okafor and Alexander lack the edge speed one desires and often needs, they are fundamentally sound and very physical.
The secondary was outstanding in this game. Sure, Peterson had the penalties again, but he played and worked his butt off versus Dez Bryant and not only nullified him but got into his head. But, the other CBs and safeties were just as stingy in this game. Honey Badger and Red Cro had beautifully played interceptions---and it might actually be good to have Honey Badger and Red Cro impress upon Patrick Peterson that when he plays the right angles and uses his superior athleticism to his advantage, he really doesn't have to hold or to panic on plays. Bucannon and Johnson were solid and made noise on their tackles---and it was extra great to give Tony Jefferson a week to shake the cobwebs off.
The blocked field goal was a thing of beauty---Justin Bethel was like a racehorse out of the gate and he planed out perfectly for the block, while Patrick Peterson made a great play on the ball and would have scored had not savvy veteran Jason Whitten taken a textbook pursuit angle on the play.
The Cardinals' success stems form the coaches having the players mentally and physically prepared for the plethora of situations that arise in a football game. Like BA says, it isn't always pretty and it often isn't going to be. But the preparation is pretty danged impressive.
