The storylines are plentiful in this gem. Emmitt Smith rushing for over 100 yards, tying Walter Payton for career 100 yard games...and becoming the second player over 35 to rush for over 100 yards. The eventful debut of the new and much improved right side of the offensive line with Jeremy Bridges at RG and L.J. Shelton at RT. Josh McCown bouncing back nicely from last week's benching. The suddenly formidible Cardinal defense, once again forcing two huge turnovers...no rushing TDs for the 4th game in a row...and no TDs period, the last two games. The much improved play of the front seven...which included Russell Davis' best performance of his career, and another great sack and forced fumble by Calvin Pace. Adrian Wilson, the highlight film waiting to happen...that is now playing on TV screen all over the USA...his fumble recovery TD will be on every highlight reel and his monster 3rd down hit on Dante Stallworth should be a shoe-in for ESPN's "He got Jacked Up" weekly segment with Tom Jackson and Michael Irvin. And let's not forget about the stellar play by the Cardinal corners, David Macklin and Duane Starks and the continued placekicking excellent provided by Neil Rackers. And...of course...last but not least...Dennis Green's first win at Cardinal head coach...and a resounding win at that.
Offense:
QB: McCown has lost the foggy glare and traded it in for a calm and self-assured countenance. He remains extremely accurate with his throws...as evidenced by the outstanding 3rd down conversion he threw to Nate Poole on a crossing route past the left hash...and the three strikes he threw to Larry Fitzgerald. McCown hung in the pocket better...and made better decisions on the perimeter after he got dragged down for a 12 yard loss by Charles Grant, who was sitting on the bootleg all game. Grade: B+
RB: Emmitt hit some of the holes faster than he has this year...the last of which resulted in a stunning 29 yard TD scamper. The red zone fumble was uncharacteristic...about as much as him throwing the football! Troy Hambrick looks faster than his chunky size would indicate. He looks like a real keeper. Obafemi Ayanbadejo played hard and tough and made a nice TD catch on Emmitt's well placed duck. The only downer was Josh Scobey's knee injury. Grade: A-
OL: One has to wonder why it took over three games to try some different players on the right side of the line. Bridges and Shelton were just what the offense needed...and, in reality, had as much to do with this win as any two players. The left side of the line in Davis and Wells and the fast improving center, Stepanovich were solid once again. Grade: B+.
WR/TE: Fitzgerald's three catches were the highlight in a game plan that focused on running the ball. Nate Poole should find himself on the field more and more in the next few weeks. Bryant Johnson needs a breakout game and needs to play with more suddenness. Freddie Jones made a great catch up the seam...finally the Cardinals send Jones up the seam, hurray! Jones is still struggling with his blocking assignments. Grade: C.
DL: Berry was very active and got consistent pressure on Brooks. Pace is stepping up so well he's practically getting held on every rush. Dockett is a load with wheels and is really exerting himself. Yet, Russell Davis was the huge surprise today...both in the running and passing games. Not only are they as a unit generating greater pressure, they are defending the run much better. Grade: B+.
LB: James Darling is playing his tail off. The stick he put on Brooks on the one yard line saved the TD. And this guy is covering up the seams very well...he's very active. Thompson was quick to the ball in his first action of the year. Ron McKinnon was solid. Karlos Dansby may well be the best all around athlete on the defense and is playing with real moxie, especially for a rookie.
Grade: B+
DB: Wilson is a star in Pendergast's defense. Get him signed to a new deal, asap. Macklin and Starks have been outstanding...Renaldo Hill was very active, as usual. As a unit these guys are flying to the ball in run defense and in coverage as well as any Cardinal secondary since the days of Larry Wilson and Roger Wehrli. Grade: A.
ST: The punt protection was an issue that Green will fix this week. Karl Williams looks real tentative, most likely because he is playing hurt. The coverage teams remain outstanding...nice tackle by Michael Stone included. Now that Scobey is hurt, look for Green to active Larry Croom next week. Croom could be a natural returning kickoffs. Neil Rackers is clearly playing at the top of his game. Grade: B.
Coaching: The defensive coaching, led by Clancy Pendergast has been first-rate. These guys are playing loose and fast and hungry. A real joy to watch. And, wow, it's actually a nice reprieve to actually look forward to watching the Cardinal defense take the field. It's been a while! Despite a very flat start in play calling...with the subbing of Bridges and Shelton and a little nice imagination (Smith's halfback pass)...Alex Wood called a good game. Loved the addition of the quick slant dive to Smith and Hambrick with zone blocking schemes, especially in short yardage situations. Wood needs to get the passing game going this week...and needs to employ the shotgun more often...and less bootlegs, now that teams are prepared for them. Dennis Green has his team where he wants them right now...they are focussed and hungry and growing confident...there's no question this guy gets his teams ready to play...he's 4 for 4 in that stat...and deserves a great deal of credit. He was also much more animated during the game today...looks like he's starting to bond with the players...which is what he needed to do more than anything else. Grade: A.
Offense:
QB: McCown has lost the foggy glare and traded it in for a calm and self-assured countenance. He remains extremely accurate with his throws...as evidenced by the outstanding 3rd down conversion he threw to Nate Poole on a crossing route past the left hash...and the three strikes he threw to Larry Fitzgerald. McCown hung in the pocket better...and made better decisions on the perimeter after he got dragged down for a 12 yard loss by Charles Grant, who was sitting on the bootleg all game. Grade: B+
RB: Emmitt hit some of the holes faster than he has this year...the last of which resulted in a stunning 29 yard TD scamper. The red zone fumble was uncharacteristic...about as much as him throwing the football! Troy Hambrick looks faster than his chunky size would indicate. He looks like a real keeper. Obafemi Ayanbadejo played hard and tough and made a nice TD catch on Emmitt's well placed duck. The only downer was Josh Scobey's knee injury. Grade: A-
OL: One has to wonder why it took over three games to try some different players on the right side of the line. Bridges and Shelton were just what the offense needed...and, in reality, had as much to do with this win as any two players. The left side of the line in Davis and Wells and the fast improving center, Stepanovich were solid once again. Grade: B+.
WR/TE: Fitzgerald's three catches were the highlight in a game plan that focused on running the ball. Nate Poole should find himself on the field more and more in the next few weeks. Bryant Johnson needs a breakout game and needs to play with more suddenness. Freddie Jones made a great catch up the seam...finally the Cardinals send Jones up the seam, hurray! Jones is still struggling with his blocking assignments. Grade: C.
DL: Berry was very active and got consistent pressure on Brooks. Pace is stepping up so well he's practically getting held on every rush. Dockett is a load with wheels and is really exerting himself. Yet, Russell Davis was the huge surprise today...both in the running and passing games. Not only are they as a unit generating greater pressure, they are defending the run much better. Grade: B+.
LB: James Darling is playing his tail off. The stick he put on Brooks on the one yard line saved the TD. And this guy is covering up the seams very well...he's very active. Thompson was quick to the ball in his first action of the year. Ron McKinnon was solid. Karlos Dansby may well be the best all around athlete on the defense and is playing with real moxie, especially for a rookie.
Grade: B+
DB: Wilson is a star in Pendergast's defense. Get him signed to a new deal, asap. Macklin and Starks have been outstanding...Renaldo Hill was very active, as usual. As a unit these guys are flying to the ball in run defense and in coverage as well as any Cardinal secondary since the days of Larry Wilson and Roger Wehrli. Grade: A.
ST: The punt protection was an issue that Green will fix this week. Karl Williams looks real tentative, most likely because he is playing hurt. The coverage teams remain outstanding...nice tackle by Michael Stone included. Now that Scobey is hurt, look for Green to active Larry Croom next week. Croom could be a natural returning kickoffs. Neil Rackers is clearly playing at the top of his game. Grade: B.
Coaching: The defensive coaching, led by Clancy Pendergast has been first-rate. These guys are playing loose and fast and hungry. A real joy to watch. And, wow, it's actually a nice reprieve to actually look forward to watching the Cardinal defense take the field. It's been a while! Despite a very flat start in play calling...with the subbing of Bridges and Shelton and a little nice imagination (Smith's halfback pass)...Alex Wood called a good game. Loved the addition of the quick slant dive to Smith and Hambrick with zone blocking schemes, especially in short yardage situations. Wood needs to get the passing game going this week...and needs to employ the shotgun more often...and less bootlegs, now that teams are prepared for them. Dennis Green has his team where he wants them right now...they are focussed and hungry and growing confident...there's no question this guy gets his teams ready to play...he's 4 for 4 in that stat...and deserves a great deal of credit. He was also much more animated during the game today...looks like he's starting to bond with the players...which is what he needed to do more than anything else. Grade: A.
Great write up and grades also.
