Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
There are so many positives to dwell on from this game...many more, I think, than we even realize.
To get right to the point, the offense was totally in sync and on fire in the first half. Had it not been for another red zone turnover, the Cardinals would likely have scored 28 points and had close to 300 yards passing in the first half. And the even distribution of the ball was absolutely remarkable, as 5 Cardinal receivers (Fitzgerald, Boldin, Breaston, Urban and Hightower) were at or over the 50 yards in catches mark at the half. And, what's most encouraging, is that with Hightower being such a threat and distraction as a receiver out of the backfield, these Cardinals are almost impossible to defend when they are executing and playing smart (some of the first half play calls were just stunningly smart and wel executed).
The one gripe I have about the first half on offense, was the play call on the pass to Boldin that resulted in the fumble. Fitzgerald was isolated in one-on-one coverage to the left, and it's time for Whiz and Warner to stop using Fitzgerald as a decoy whenever he matched one-on-one. The fade to him on that play would have been an easy TD, far easier than taking a slant into tthe teeth of the defense.
Whiz was great at using trickery when he was the OC in Pittsburgh...but the Pittsburgh passing attack was very limited, and Whiz had to find ways to advance the ball and score TDs that were not able to be converted on the ground. Here in Arizona, he really doesn't need to be that cute as far as trickery goes...all he really needs to do is exploit matchup advantages. This year the trick plays have stalled drives and have been superfluous.
As for the second half, IMO, the play calling was right...clearly Whiz and Warner wanted to keep playing to the offense's strengths and did not want to take the air out of the ball (imagine if the Cardinals' three and outs were becuase they were trying to run the ball---everyone would be saying, hey, they passed for nearly 300 yards in the first half, why go away from it? We can't have it both ways. The fact that the Cardinals came out aggressive in the second half is a GREAT thing). The problem was the execution broke down repeatedly...and that's what needs to be addressed in practice this week.
The Texans did what they had to do, they found ways to pressure Warner...and oddly this year, Warner's passing stats under pressure are near record lows for him...especially seeing as he is usually a master at finding the hot receiver. But, this is the thing about good pressure, it makes even the best QBs rush their throws and thus spoils the timing...as in the time Warner missed a wide open Urban on the skinny post, a pass that Warner usually can make with his eyes closed.
The offensive line played hungry in the first half...and they broke down miserably in the second half. The coaches really have to start considering some lineup changes if this trend continues. The continuity romance is fading, for these players have grown a little complacent as they haven't felt threatened for playing time.
One more offensive note: the offense should be upgraded with TE Ben Patrick's return this week. The question is, what TE will be waived, Spach or Byrd? Becht's blocking was very good yesterday. He's been solid. Spach has not and has been mistake prone, and Byrd could be quite a receiving weapon if and when he even gets a chance.
The Cardinals' special teams were quite good, save the one long punt return. Ben Graham is playing at a Pro Bowl level thus far...his play has been brilliant. Rackers has been solid, but his kickoffs have been inconsistent. Sean Morey has been outstanding...and Ali Highsmith and Will Davis have made some good hits. But, most of all, Calais Campbell is emerging as a ST super nova. Not only did he make another great play blocking the field goal, did you see the TD saving tackle he made on the lomg punt return? Wow! What an athlete and what a good football player he is!
As for the defense...they deserve a ton of credit for securing this victory. Yes, it got ugly in the second half...but the trifecta of stopping the Texans' first potential scoring drive, DRC's outstanding pick six at the most fortuitous of times, and the goal-line stand (reminiscent of the 49er game at home last year), allowed the Cardinals to win this game. In a way, this is exactly what this defense needed as a morale and confidence booster. It closed out a game in royal fashion.
The Cardinals CBs were very very good in this game. Bryant McFadden played his best game as a Cardinal...he was physical in the way that we had imagined he's be and he did everything in his power to dog Andre Johnson as best he could...and really could have had a great pick when he jumped the out pass in the third quarter. DRC played much more within himself...and the thing was...which is the big thing...these guys didn't have two things CBs really need: adequate safety help and a good pass rush.
The Texans knew the Cardinal blitz packages better than any team they've faced. Steve Slaton was outstanding picking up the right blitzer each time. The one bright spot was the pass rushing of Clark Haggans. Bertrand Berry was a total non-factor and the interior rushers did not shed their men well at all, even when Shaub was flushed into the pocket.
Zero sacks in a game where the Cardinals had a 21 point lead and should have been teeing off. Bill Davis has to figure something out...it may not hurt to play Will Davis in passing situations and perhaps even promote Chris Harrington from the PS to be a situational player.
This was a big win in many ways. It did not come easily and the Texans are a lot better than we even realize. It always great when a team can win and then learn from their mistakes. The Cardinals can breathe that sigh of relief this week as they prepare for a hug game up at Seattle.
To get right to the point, the offense was totally in sync and on fire in the first half. Had it not been for another red zone turnover, the Cardinals would likely have scored 28 points and had close to 300 yards passing in the first half. And the even distribution of the ball was absolutely remarkable, as 5 Cardinal receivers (Fitzgerald, Boldin, Breaston, Urban and Hightower) were at or over the 50 yards in catches mark at the half. And, what's most encouraging, is that with Hightower being such a threat and distraction as a receiver out of the backfield, these Cardinals are almost impossible to defend when they are executing and playing smart (some of the first half play calls were just stunningly smart and wel executed).
The one gripe I have about the first half on offense, was the play call on the pass to Boldin that resulted in the fumble. Fitzgerald was isolated in one-on-one coverage to the left, and it's time for Whiz and Warner to stop using Fitzgerald as a decoy whenever he matched one-on-one. The fade to him on that play would have been an easy TD, far easier than taking a slant into tthe teeth of the defense.
Whiz was great at using trickery when he was the OC in Pittsburgh...but the Pittsburgh passing attack was very limited, and Whiz had to find ways to advance the ball and score TDs that were not able to be converted on the ground. Here in Arizona, he really doesn't need to be that cute as far as trickery goes...all he really needs to do is exploit matchup advantages. This year the trick plays have stalled drives and have been superfluous.
As for the second half, IMO, the play calling was right...clearly Whiz and Warner wanted to keep playing to the offense's strengths and did not want to take the air out of the ball (imagine if the Cardinals' three and outs were becuase they were trying to run the ball---everyone would be saying, hey, they passed for nearly 300 yards in the first half, why go away from it? We can't have it both ways. The fact that the Cardinals came out aggressive in the second half is a GREAT thing). The problem was the execution broke down repeatedly...and that's what needs to be addressed in practice this week.
The Texans did what they had to do, they found ways to pressure Warner...and oddly this year, Warner's passing stats under pressure are near record lows for him...especially seeing as he is usually a master at finding the hot receiver. But, this is the thing about good pressure, it makes even the best QBs rush their throws and thus spoils the timing...as in the time Warner missed a wide open Urban on the skinny post, a pass that Warner usually can make with his eyes closed.
The offensive line played hungry in the first half...and they broke down miserably in the second half. The coaches really have to start considering some lineup changes if this trend continues. The continuity romance is fading, for these players have grown a little complacent as they haven't felt threatened for playing time.
One more offensive note: the offense should be upgraded with TE Ben Patrick's return this week. The question is, what TE will be waived, Spach or Byrd? Becht's blocking was very good yesterday. He's been solid. Spach has not and has been mistake prone, and Byrd could be quite a receiving weapon if and when he even gets a chance.
The Cardinals' special teams were quite good, save the one long punt return. Ben Graham is playing at a Pro Bowl level thus far...his play has been brilliant. Rackers has been solid, but his kickoffs have been inconsistent. Sean Morey has been outstanding...and Ali Highsmith and Will Davis have made some good hits. But, most of all, Calais Campbell is emerging as a ST super nova. Not only did he make another great play blocking the field goal, did you see the TD saving tackle he made on the lomg punt return? Wow! What an athlete and what a good football player he is!
As for the defense...they deserve a ton of credit for securing this victory. Yes, it got ugly in the second half...but the trifecta of stopping the Texans' first potential scoring drive, DRC's outstanding pick six at the most fortuitous of times, and the goal-line stand (reminiscent of the 49er game at home last year), allowed the Cardinals to win this game. In a way, this is exactly what this defense needed as a morale and confidence booster. It closed out a game in royal fashion.
The Cardinals CBs were very very good in this game. Bryant McFadden played his best game as a Cardinal...he was physical in the way that we had imagined he's be and he did everything in his power to dog Andre Johnson as best he could...and really could have had a great pick when he jumped the out pass in the third quarter. DRC played much more within himself...and the thing was...which is the big thing...these guys didn't have two things CBs really need: adequate safety help and a good pass rush.
The Texans knew the Cardinal blitz packages better than any team they've faced. Steve Slaton was outstanding picking up the right blitzer each time. The one bright spot was the pass rushing of Clark Haggans. Bertrand Berry was a total non-factor and the interior rushers did not shed their men well at all, even when Shaub was flushed into the pocket.
Zero sacks in a game where the Cardinals had a 21 point lead and should have been teeing off. Bill Davis has to figure something out...it may not hurt to play Will Davis in passing situations and perhaps even promote Chris Harrington from the PS to be a situational player.
This was a big win in many ways. It did not come easily and the Texans are a lot better than we even realize. It always great when a team can win and then learn from their mistakes. The Cardinals can breathe that sigh of relief this week as they prepare for a hug game up at Seattle.
