Game Preparation

[Mulli]

That's cool, I figured other teams probably do it too. But I do wish our plain rides were a bit more serious from the get. 0-5, need to quit all the BS and get back to basics IMO.

You want to offense to be even more basic?

 

[desertdawg]

You want to offense to be even more basic?

Basically.

 

[Mulli]

Basically.

That should help Skelton keep up mentally.

 

[Duckjake]

A team that was 36-2 (Or Something like that at the time) at home and we beat them because of the replacements refs? On a early game East coast road trip. All add up to odds that replacement refs are not enough to overcome for it to just be a coincidence. Not giving credit where credit is due me thinks. No one was saying that at the time, but hindsight is 20/20 I guess.

New England was 1-2 with replacement refs. 5-1 without replacement refs. Pittsburgh was 1-2 with replacement refs and 4-1 with regular refs. That says it all for me.

 

[desertdawg]

That should help Skelton keep up mentally.

He should spend his per deim on better pads, a little "Fire Grimm" propoganda, and some voodoo protection spells.

 

[Catfish]

Someone on the board yesterday wrote that the Cardinals weren't losing for lack of effort.

I beg to disagree.

Effort manifests itself in three ways: (1) preparation; (2) physical effort; (3) mental sharpness.

The Cardinals for the past six weeks have failed in all three categories. I included the Miami game because the Cardinals were outplayed in that game and were fortunate to come away with the win. But that game in particular started a disturbing pattern---a pattern that I will discuss at the end of the post.

Preparation---

If you were watching the Seahawks' 28-7 victory over the Jets yesterday, you likely heard the NBC announcers allude to rookie QB Russell Wilson's exemplary game preparation, which begins immediately after each game on Sunday.

Wilson is handed a package of game tapes on the next opponent.

He studies them Sunday night and takes copious notes.

He looks for defensive trends---he examines the defensive personnel, their blitz packages and their cover schemes.

On Monday---he carefully examines the tapes of each of the opponents' last four games.

By Monday night he has written his own scouting report---which he shares and goes over with all of his offensive teammates---

By Wednesday he presents his teammates with a package of plays and audibles that he believes will work versus certain "looks" (formations and schemes).

This is exactly what Kurt Warner did when he took command of the Cardinals' offense.

The question is: is there evidence to suggest anyone in the Cardinals' facility has been doing the same since Warner retired?

The evidence suggests just the opposite.

At times it looks as if the Cardinals' coaches have just rolled out the exact same blueprint game after game.

If anything, it appears the opponents are so well versed and prepared for the Cardinals' offense that they know the plays before the ball is even snapped.

If we fans actually knew how little preparation Ken Whisenhunt and Mike Miller put into each game, I believe we would be outraged.

The tapes don't lie.

They tell you who is prepared and who is not.

What's even worse is that the Cardinals' lack of preparation has included not accounting for their greatest weaknesses---the inability of the offensive tackles to handle one on one assignments, and the tackle-guard tandem not being coached well enough to block a classic TEX stunt, where the DT steps hard to the outside to try to bring the guard with him, so that the DE can loop around to the inside and charge the vacated middle created when the guard chases the DT.

When the Cardinals are on offense---do you ever get the sense that they are consciously trying to exploit a weakness in the defense?

Or do you get the sense that the Cardinals just run their own stuff week after week, regardless of who the opponent is?

And finally, ever since Warner left the coaches have been lamenting "slow starts" on offense.

Why does this still remain the case, perhaps even worse now than ever?

For one, the head coach prefers to defer when winning the coin toss.

This strategy hasn't helped the offense one bit.

Then when the offense does get the ball---it's run left, run right and pass incomplete on 3rd and 9.

Running versus loaded boxes and passing versus loaded secondaries.

And when players go out and the personnel on the field changes---the same perfunctory play calls are made regardless of whatever the personnel is on the field---like trying to throw a flat pass to Reagan Maui'a on a critical 4th and 1...with the oppoenents' best CB covering, to boot.

Physical toughness---

It sure says something about the offense when the toughest player the past two games has been a a 5'7" 180 pound halfback.

It sure says something that safety Adrian Wilson who is supposed to be one of the team's toughest players merely throws a feeble shoulder toward Packers' WR Randall Cobb at the four yard line on a 4th and goal from the 14 yard line, which allowed Cobb to scamper into the endzone with ease.

Mental sharpness---

How can anyone explain Early Doucet dropping two perfectly thrown passes, both of which ended Cardinal drives.

How can anyone explain how a slow backup TE was able to run for a 75 yard TD untouched on a seam route up the middle. Just when the Cardinals had gotten within a TD, no less.

How can anyone explain how a punt goes right through both of Patrick Peterson's arms so badly that all the ball hit was his right thigh pad.

Slow starts?

When you watch the last six games---here's the pattern I alluded to in the beginning of the post---

The Cardinals are playing first half like it's the NBA.

You know, keep it slow and not turn the real burners on until the 4th quarter.

Well, in the NBA both teams tend to do it. They play 82 games after all.

But in the NFL? 16 games?

The Cardinals' offense just goes through the motions trying to feel the defense out and playing with no confidence or direction in the first half.

The Cardinals' defense was coming out stronger the first 3 games---but not anymore---they too a rolling through the motions---only in their case the DC makes adjustments at half-time and does his best to get the unit fired up.

The offense? Adjustments at half-time?

It took 8 1/4 games to just try another player at LT---how can one expect adjustments to be made at half-time?

This is the worst coached and most ill-prepared offense in the NFL.

And it's for lack of all three: preparation, physical toughness and mental sharpness.

And worse of all---the coaches take no blame whatsoever---it's always the players' fault for all the "missed opportunities."

:

Mitch------this assessment is so right and correct, (at least for the last 6 games), that it is spot on. Hasn't anyone else heard CKW explain that there were things that we didn't 'execute', in nearly each of his post game pressers lately. He then avows to 'stay the course', because he is convinced that his system is sound, (look no farther than our previous success), the last 6 games of 2011, and the first 4 games of 2012. To me at least, this is the perfect acknowledgement by Whiz that his system works, (no matter who you plug in to play it). It is simply trying to pound square pegs into round holes over and over, (all the while hoping for different results).

It simply overwhelms me to think that Whiz can possibly believe that he can have success with his system, no matter what team we play, and no matter who we have in our lineup, simply by practicing our system during the week and hoping to succeed with it on Sunday against a REAL opponent. Then, when failure follows, he simply lays the blame on failed execution, and vows to stay the course. In case he hasn't looked lately, that course has led to one lucky, (gift), win against a really weak opponent, and 5 consecutive losses. Why would anyone want to stay that course?

While I have, (at times), called out CKW for his extremely predictable game plan, and poor play calling and clock usage, I have always believed that he was THE right head coach for this franchise. Even after Warner retired, and Whiz created the ultimate QB disaster, (which by the way we are still enmeshed in), I have NEVER called for his removal as head coach. I have always felt that he was a better than average head coach, and that he had better than average talent to work with. I have been disappointed in his choice of supporting position coaches, especially on the offense. If you recall, he was forced by ownership to accept our existing defensive coordinator when he accepted the job. What has simply disgusted me about his tenure here, is that any progress to correct what are obvious coaching failures by his staff, have either been non-existent, or extremely slow to come. His only real bright spot in his selection of coaching talent has been Ray Horton as his latest selection for defensive coordinator.

Whiz accepted this job, and was given a reasonably talented, (though not deep), roster. In my opinion, he has managed to allow the talent level to deplete, (though I believe he has increased the depth level) during his tenure. Sadly, his efforts to improve this team overall, and especially his position assistant's efforts to 'coach-up' the players has been a miserable failure, given what he had to start with. The only exception to this is Horton's success with a defense that is still either very old, (or very young), and is being required now, to hold opponents to less than 10 points per game in order to secure the opportunity to compete for a win. In my opinion, unless Whiz turns this team around right now, (this bye week), and has some REAL success in the W/L column the remainder of this season, the time has come for ownership to seriously look for his replacement. At this time, I simply do not see any real possibility of Whiz finding a great deal of success in the remaining weeks of this season. I have NEVER called for Whiz to be replaced, but if he does not suddenly get a string of wins to finish this season, I seriously believe that he cannot adapt to what is really needed to make this team 'playoff caliber', and something special for the future.

 

[Duckjake]

He should spend his per deim on better pads, a little "Fire Grimm" propoganda, and some voodoo protection spells.

How about a "Fire Grimm" tat on his backside?

 

[desertdawg]

How about a "Fire Grimm" tat on his backside?

Have to pick a different location. The tramp stamp spot will never be seen with this O-line. He should write it on the very bottom of his cleats, that way everytime he goes down...

 

[Duckjake]

Have to pick a different location. The tramp stamp spot will never be seen with this O-line. He should write it on the very bottom of his cleats, that way everytime he goes down...

Maybe it should be a picture of Grimm instead of Fire Grimm. That way every time he goes down he'll bash Grimm in the face.

I like your idea though. Sort of like the wedding shoes that have Help and Me on the bottom.

 

[Mitch]

:

Mitch------this assessment is so right and correct, (at least for the last 6 games), that it is spot on. Hasn't anyone else heard CKW explain that there were things that we didn't 'execute', in nearly each of his post game pressers lately. He then avows to 'stay the course', because he is convinced that his system is sound, (look no farther than our previous success), the last 6 games of 2011, and the first 4 games of 2012. To me at least, this is the perfect acknowledgement by Whiz that his system works, (no matter who you plug in to play it). It is simply trying to pound square pegs into round holes over and over, (all the while hoping for different results).

It simply overwhelms me to think that Whiz can possibly believe that he can have success with his system, no matter what team we play, and no matter who we have in our lineup, simply by practicing our system during the week and hoping to succeed with it on Sunday against a REAL opponent. Then, when failure follows, he simply lays the blame on failed execution, and vows to stay the course. In case he hasn't looked lately, that course has led to one lucky, (gift), win against a really weak opponent, and 5 consecutive losses. Why would anyone want to stay that course?

While I have, (at times), called out CKW for his extremely predictable game plan, and poor play calling and clock usage, I have always believed that he was THE right head coach for this franchise. Even after Warner retired, and Whiz created the ultimate QB disaster, (which by the way we are still enmeshed in), I have NEVER called for his removal as head coach. I have always felt that he was a better than average head coach, and that he had better than average talent to work with. I have been disappointed in his choice of supporting position coaches, especially on the offense. If you recall, he was forced by ownership to accept our existing defensive coordinator when he accepted the job. What has simply disgusted me about his tenure here, is that any progress to correct what are obvious coaching failures by his staff, have either been non-existent, or extremely slow to come. His only real bright spot in his selection of coaching talent has been Ray Horton as his latest selection for defensive coordinator.

Whiz accepted this job, and was given a reasonably talented, (though not deep), roster. In my opinion, he has managed to allow the talent level to deplete, (though I believe he has increased the depth level) during his tenure. Sadly, his efforts to improve this team overall, and especially his position assistant's efforts to 'coach-up' the players has been a miserable failure, given what he had to start with. The only exception to this is Horton's success with a defense that is still either very old, (or very young), and is being required now, to hold opponents to less than 10 points per game in order to secure the opportunity to compete for a win. In my opinion, unless Whiz turns this team around right now, (this bye week), and has some REAL success in the W/L column the remainder of this season, the time has come for ownership to seriously look for his replacement. At this time, I simply do not see any real possibility of Whiz finding a great deal of success in the remaining weeks of this season. I have NEVER called for Whiz to be replaced, but if he does not suddenly get a string of wins to finish this season, I seriously believe that he cannot adapt to what is really needed to make this team 'playoff caliber', and something special for the future.

Catfish---I have always believed, for right or for wrong, that the players play according to how well they are prepared. It is the coaches' job to give the players confidence and a belief that they have a competitive edge over the competition.

Talent, of course, helps. But it's what coaches do with talent that matters most.

The NFL---in terms of talent---is geared toward creating parity.

An organization has the opportunity every year to find the right puzzle pieces---so why is it that some organizations flourish every year and others flounder?

Obviously, it takes a FO that puts the organization in the right hands, from the GM to the DOPP (Director of Player Personnel) to the Head Coach and to all the assistant coaches.

Everyone needs to be in agreement about what the system is and what kinds of players would flourish in it.

When you draft a player you have to know what the player's mental makeup is---you have to know what makes the player tick.

That's the greatest challenge about coaching because some players need to be coddled while others need the proverbial swift kick.

But let's take a look at the Cardinals' 1st round picks under Whisenhunt:

2007 Levi Brown---the much questioned #5 pick of the draft. A LT mauler at Penn State who the Cardinals switched immediately to RT where he was clumsy and inconsistent. Was moved to LT---a move that many questioned, and struggled in pass pro there until the last 8 games of his contract year.

2008 DRC---all-world in talent, but all-world headcase---traded away.

2009 Beanie Wells---big-time talent, oft injured, had fumble issues, has had one good year in a system that is pass happy.

2010 Dan Williams---weight issues, motivation and stamina concerns---starting to improve---but he's three years in and still not playing like a 1st round pick.

2011 Patrick Peterson---big-time talent, but struggling with technique (PI penalties) and is now suddenly shaky at his forte (punt returns).

2012 Michael Floyd---top shelf college WR, not a burner, but needs to catch the ball better to be the possession-type of receiver he is.

The question is---are any of these players significantly better because of the coaching they are getting in Arizona?

Right now you could make the case that all of them have underachieved to date.

is that just a weird coincidence?

The talent is there---but are the results?

 

[vinnymac]

Here is my take with the Cardinals this season.


1. I have seen reciever get wide open and not get the ball.

Reason A: Due to not enough time to get the reciever the ball. The offensive line is
just as bad as the Eagles o-line. How else do you explain that defenses like the Bills
and Eagles get pressure and multiple sacks againist the Cardinals. By the way those
defenses ranked at the bottom of the league for getting to the qb.

Reason B: When the Qb actually had time to throw the ball, The qb doesn't see the open reciever(Fitzgerald). Too many times I have seen the qb throw to Roberts or Doucet in double coverage instead of a one on one with Fitzgerald. The ball isn't getting thrown Fitzgerald way as often as it is needed. When you are on a 5 game losing streak, get the ball to your playmakers.

2. The run game is lacking.

A:The run game is lacking once again because the cardinals are on their 3rd, 4th, and 5th string runningbacks. Once again Wells and Williams are injured. I never expected Hyphen or the other runningbacks to carry the load for the Cardinals. I blame the front office for drafting players who have a history of being injuried.


3. Coaching.

A: Russ Grimm is doing a good job with what he is given. Colledge and Synder are fa pick-ups and they are solid not great. Now the Cardinals hope that a bunch of late round draft pick and non drafted players can fill the tackle position. IMO, the front office didn't put Grimm in the position to succeed. Again the Offensive Line should be the main concern for the Arizona Cardinals this offseason.

B: The coaches did change up the game plan according to the personel that they have. If you notice the coaches are calling plays to get the ball out of the QB hand quicker. The QB is taking less hits and sacks now. Now they need to figure out how to get the ball down field to Fitzgerald their biggest playmaker on the team.

4. John Skelton.

A: Sometimes Skelton has the "deer in headlights" look. He holds the ball a little longer than he should. Especially when he takes a 3 step drop. He doesn't find the open reciever. His Accuracy isn't the best. I will give him kudos in the Green-Bay game. He was finding the open reciever early and delivering the ball on time and accuarally. Unfortunate for Skelton the reciever couldn't hang on to the ball (Doucet!).

 

[Duckjake]

2010 Dan Williams---weight issues, motivation and stamina concerns---starting to improve---but he's three years in and still not playing like a 1st round pick.

It's really not Dan's fault. The only weight issues were in the minds of the coaching staff that thought Lutui was to heavy and so Rex Hadnot and Adam Snyder would be better at RG. I just don't think he's as effective at the lighter weight.

Plus right after Medium Dan was drafted the Cards switched from a 3-4 to a 2-4-5. Hard to have much impact when you aren't on the field. However, he sure is an upgrade over Russel Davis and Brian Robinson.

On a side note: The 2-4-5 is doing what Horton designed it for, limited the pass. But as we can see from the stats it is weak against the run.

 

[joeshmo]

Rampant gambling instead of preparation. Turrible.

Touche

 

[joeshmo]

That's cool, I figured other teams probably do it too. But I do wish our plain rides were a bit more serious from the get. 0-5, need to quit all the BS and get back to basics IMO.

I agree to a point, just bustin your balls.

 

[joeshmo]

He should spend his per deim on better pads, a little "Fire Grimm" propoganda, and some voodoo protection spells.

He just needs to buy Grimm some Springstein memorabilia and Grimm will have the OL prepared to protect him.

 

[desertdawg]

Touche

I just think the club should be winning before they allow the "Soul Plane" type of fun.

 

[joeshmo]

I just think the club should be winning before they allow the "Soul Plane" type of fun.

You down with "Snakes on Planes" fun though? You got to give them something to release some steam.

 

[john h]

Someone on the board yesterday wrote that the Cardinals weren't losing for lack of effort.

I beg to disagree.

Effort manifests itself in three ways: (1) preparation; (2) physical effort; (3) mental sharpness.

The Cardinals for the past six weeks have failed in all three categories. I included the Miami game because the Cardinals were outplayed in that game and were fortunate to come away with the win. But that game in particular started a disturbing pattern---a pattern that I will discuss at the end of the post.

Preparation---

Maybe this would help them Mitch:

Katie Linendoll of ESPN.com reports that across the NFL teams “are trading in their 500-page printed playbooks for iPad.” Linendoll notes that iPad and an app called PlayerLync have revolutionized how the Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, and San Diego Chargers share plays and distribute practice and game film among coaches and players. “It changes the way you prepare,” says Broncos tight end Jacob Tamme. “You can come off the practice field, get in the cold tub and watch film in the cold tub on your iPad.”
Read more…

 

[desertdawg]

You down with "Snakes on Planes" fun though? You got to give them something to release some steam.

True that. I don't know homie, I think I'm coming down with sucky post syndrome (SPS) (COPYWRITE 2012/13), these last 5 games have been rough on a hippie. The once flowing koolaid well is no mas, now all I have is tear drenched IPAs for the second half of the beatdown.

 

[joeshmo]

Maybe this would help them Mitch:

Katie Linendoll of ESPN.com reports that across the NFL teams “are trading in their 500-page printed playbooks for iPad.” Linendoll notes that iPad and an app called PlayerLync have revolutionized how the Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, and San Diego Chargers share plays and distribute practice and game film among coaches and players. “It changes the way you prepare,” says Broncos tight end Jacob Tamme. “You can come off the practice field, get in the cold tub and watch film in the cold tub on your iPad.”
Read more…

We don't even let players have free Gatorade, what makes you think we would give players IPads. We would probably buy some cheap tablet without flash player and they wouldn't even be able to watch the game tapes. Can we get anymore cheap.

 

[JeffGollin]

Interesting theory, Mitch; but you don't have any empiracle evidence to prove it.

Unless you (& the rest of us) are given the privilege of being embedded with specific players and coaches 24/7 and can see for ourselves how much time goes into game-prep, how effective those prep methods are, how it stacks up against what other teams are doing (your description of Wilson's game prep certainly setting a high standard) and how well individual players absorb this information and translate it to execution on the field - we're only guessing.

It's one thing to legitimately question whether our game prep is where it needs to be but not very cool to throw bricks without having proof.

 

[Duckjake]

We don't even let players have free Gatorade, what makes you think we would give players IPads. We would probably buy some cheap tablet without flash player and they wouldn't even be able to watch the game tapes. Can we get anymore cheap.

Sounds like our boys however these are the new Cardinals. They'd probably buy the highest rated tablet they could find only to find the tablet was overrated and have it break after 6 weeks.

 

[joeshmo]

Interesting theory, Mitch; but you don't have any empiracle evidence to prove it.

Unless you (& the rest of us) are given the privilege of being embedded with specific players and coaches 24/7 and can see for ourselves how much time goes into game-prep, how effective those prep methods are, how it stacks up against what other teams are doing (your description of Wilson's game prep certainly setting a high standard) and how well individual players absorb this information and translate it to execution on the field - we're only guessing.

It's one thing to legitimately question whether our game prep is where it needs to be but not very cool to throw bricks without having proof.

Jeff comes through voice of reason style.

 

[joeshmo]

Sounds like our boys however these are the new Cardinals. They'd probably buy the highest rated tablet they could find only to find the tablet was overrated and have it break after 6 weeks.

Considering it becomes irrelevant every six weeks you are saying we would buy an ipad then. Who is going to wait in line for it though, definitely not a lineman because they cant hold their position.

 

[Duckjake]

Considering it becomes irrelevant every six weeks you are saying we would buy an ipad then. Who is going to wait in line for it though, definitely not a lineman because they cant hold their position.

Best line of the day.

No they'd buy used ones and they'd work fine for a year and then start to wear down.