Game Thoughts: Cardinals 28 Texans 21

[john h]

Great write up, Mitch.

Most fumbles or breakup of passes appear to usually be caused by defenders ripping the ball out of the ball carrier or receivers hands. Yesterday I saw a couple where the defender hit the ball with his helmet really hard with direct hits. No one is going to hold on to the ball when a defender hits the ball with his helmet while on the move. If the carrier has both hands on the ball he is going to end up with a broken hand or lose the ball. One was with Boldin I do not recall who the other one or two were. This was an anomaly

 

[DemsMyBoys]

Another interesting write up Mitch. Thanks!

After thinking about it all morning I have one thing to say: For pity's sake, IT'S A WIN!! The game, ugly though it was at times, goes in the "W" column.

I'm going to enjoy it.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

I got a positive. I think our front 3 DL rotation is freaking awesome. Against the run they are some of the best in the NFL IMO. Against the pass they are doing their jobs that 3 men can do against 5 OL. They are doing their jobs for the blitzers behind them to succeed. The problem is our blitzers are just plain old getting stoned at the line of scrimmage. Wilson has blitzed a ton, with nothing to show for it, Dansby has blitzed a ton with nothing to show for it, Haggans is getting there but is always a split second to late. Anyways I think our front 3 rotation of Campbell, Dockett, Branch, Robinson, and Watson are doing an awesome job. If we can get some better LB's behind them, or mostly some better speed rushers on the outside, heck even marginally better or faster, watch out. Becuase of the front 3 play I think we are so close to having a legit pass rush.

 

[D-Dogg]

The thing that I liked most and most impressed me was our goal line stand at the end of the game. It is not often that the defensive line and linebackers turn out to be the ultimate heroes. That usually goes to QB's, WR's. To see our lineman on the ground beating it like a drum after that stand was really great. I can only imagine what he felt. That one play is the play of the year so far in my mind. They get a lot of bad mouth but this morning they can crow. Our defense was every bit as much as anyone in winning this game. Way to go defense. Game ball to your guys.

Agreed.

I felt bad for the D for having to play that "give up the under" scheme which gave 10, 12, 7 yard plays up in favor of getting beat, combined with 3 and outs by the offense (2 1/2 minutes TOP in the fourth quarter, unbelievable). They then dug deep, and made a wicked set of goalline stands. That was all right in front of our section, too.

 

[john h]

On the drive that Boldin fumbled on Beanie had two carries.One for 0 yards and another for 1 yard.Then we threw it to Urban for 13 yards and the next play was on a first down on the 10 and we threw it 7 yards to Boldin when he fumbled.

Warner made the tackle on the interceptor also.He was the last man or it would have been a score.Go back and watch the tape.You probably remember though.

For what ever reason we still do not have an effective running game. Our strength is perhaps the best passing game in the NFL other than Peyton Manning. It looks like Hightower and Bennie are legit runners although not great or have great speed. We are very much like the greatest show on earth much of the time ala the Rams and Warner in years past. Ultimately we have to play to our strength and that is without a doubt the pass or the short pass and run which we do with Hightower very often. What we have not tried over the years is a real speedster who can turn the corner in our mix of runners. Maybe it is or OL maybe it is our blocking scheme. I frankly do not know but any way you look at it the pass will be the backbone of this teams offensive success or lack thereof for this year as it was last year. If Kurt were to go down we would be in deep trouble. I was very impressed with that all pro receiver for the Texans and the return guy.

 

[82CardsGrad]

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.

Huh?? That pass was perfectly placed on Urban's hands. Led him perfectly. That incompletion is all on Urban. The play happened right in front of me. Urban short-armed it. Had he made that catch, he could have easily gone for 6.

 

[D-Dogg]

Huh?? That pass was perfectly placed on Urban's hands. Led him perfectly. That incompletion is all on Urban. The play happened right in front of me. Urban short-armed it. Had he made that catch, he could have easily gone for 6.

My comment at that point was "hmm, I guess Urban doesn't like touchdowns."

 

[82CardsGrad]

My comment at that point was "hmm, I guess Urban doesn't like touchdowns."

LMAO... Yea, my whole section felt the same. Kurt made the perfect read and threw a perfect pass. And alligator arms Urban failed to hold up his end of the deal. Man that sucked!

 

[RugbyMuffin]

LMAO... Yea, my whole section felt the same. Kurt made the perfect read and threw a perfect pass. And alligator arms Urban failed to hold up his end of the deal. Man that sucked!

That is the way I saw, but I am bias since I hate Urban, who did a great job getting crushed on the big kickoff return at the end of the game.

 

[Shane]

Wilson blitzed like crazy against the Texans and did nothing.

Yes he did. He Whiffed quite a bit.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Yes he did. He Whiffed quite a bit.

Extremely frustrating... Not sure what it is with him, but he just can't get to the QB this year. Rolle also blitzed a few times yesterday and again, we got nothing out of it. In fact, on the Texans' final drive yesterday, Rolle blitzed on the key play to Daniels that went for a first down...

Man we suck at pass rushing...

 

[Totally_Red]

My comment at that point was "hmm, I guess Urban doesn't like touchdowns."

He's the second coming of Bryant Johnson. Just when you think he is over the dropsies, he commits another one at a critical time in the game. Ugh!

 

[football karma]

LMAO... Yea, my whole section felt the same. Kurt made the perfect read and threw a perfect pass. And alligator arms Urban failed to hold up his end of the deal. Man that sucked!

Watching the replay -- I disagree.

The ball was too far out in front of Urban.

That being said -- it was a catchable ball but one that Urban had to leave his feet and lay out a bit to get. I got the impression that Urban wanted to keep his feet because he knew that if he caught it while running, it was 6.

 

[football karma]

BTW:

while the numbers rushing weren't big-- Steve Slaton is really good. Open field? I held my breath. Pretty stout in pass pro as well.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Watching the replay -- I disagree.

The ball was too far out in front of Urban.

That being said -- it was a catchable ball but one that Urban had to leave his feet and lay out a bit to get. I got the impression that Urban wanted to keep his feet because he knew that if he caught it while running, it was 6.

One thing, above anything else, is a known truth in the NFL. If, as a WR the ball hits your hands, it's your job to catch it. Period. End of discussion. The ball hit Urban's hands. It was his job to make the catch. It's not Warner's fault that Urban may have been "thinking" that he should lay out. The ball was immensely catchable. Urban failed. Which, sad to say, is not unexpected...

 

[CardLogic]

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.

Good observation.

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!

Plus Campbell has a great attitude; hard to believe he came out of Miami U.
See: http://www.azcardinals.com/news-and...-Offense/ad4ad32c-c260-4f05-b106-d48411381a89

...for some words from Campbell following yesterday's game. He gave Gabe Watson props for the field goal block and made a joke about the TD saving tackle on the punt play.

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...

Yes, I thought both McFadden and DRC played much better in this game!

This was a big win in many ways. It did not come easily and the Texans are a lot better than we even realize.

Absolutely! The Texans are a dangerous team; this was a very good win! I do wish that the Cardinals once again wouldn't have made it quite so difficult on themselves though.

 

[CardLogic]

I got a positive. I think our front 3 DL rotation is freaking awesome. Against the run they are some of the best in the NFL IMO. Against the pass they are doing their jobs that 3 men can do against 5 OL. They are doing their jobs for the blitzers behind them to succeed. The problem is our blitzers are just plain old getting stoned at the line of scrimmage. Wilson has blitzed a ton, with nothing to show for it, Dansby has blitzed a ton with nothing to show for it, Haggans is getting there but is always a split second to late. Anyways I think our front 3 rotation of Campbell, Dockett, Branch, Robinson, and Watson are doing an awesome job. If we can get some better LB's behind them, or mostly some better speed rushers on the outside, heck even marginally better or faster, watch out. Becuase of the front 3 play I think we are so close to having a legit pass rush.

Exactly, joe!

 

[CardLogic]

And Adrian Wilson is the one Arizona Cardinal who most misses Clancy Pendergast IMO. Under the much maligned CP, Wilson was an animal on defense, making play after play after play, and striking fear into offenses from Seattle to Buffalo. Under Davis, he has been a total non-factor so far this season.

I got to disagree, it is not our DC stopping Wilson, it is Wilson stopping Wilson. Davis is putting Wilson in the box just like Wilson likes, Davis is blitzing him like crazy just like Wilson likes. It is Wilson who isnt making the plays in the situations that he is supposed to make plays in. Wilson blitzed like crazy against the Texans and did nothing.

I don't think this has anything to do with the DC. I believe that the league officials have completely taken A-Dub off his game! He is playing with hesitancy due to being targeted by the officals; and yes I do mean targeted. Wilson has been called on and fined, and threatened with suspension for hits that many others get away with on a weekly basis.

 

[Totally_Red]

I don't think this has anything to do with the DC. I believe that the league officials have completely taken A-Dub off his game! He is playing with hesitancy due to being targeted by the officals; and yes I do mean targeted. Wilson has been called on and fined, and threatened with suspension for hits that many others get away with on a weekly basis.

I saw something yesterday I never thought I'd see. Ray Ray was finally flagged for a questionable hit. He hit Chad OchoCinco way late and knocked 85's helmet flying. Two flags came flying. It's amazing how many times he's gotten away with that. Of course, Sanders questioned the call on NFL Network. Can you tell I hate the Ravens?

 

[Mitch]

On TV the pass to Urban looked a tad too wide, as football karma suggested...and not only have we been so used to Warner's accuracy, so are his WRs, which is why, IMO, Urban didn't dive for the ball as he felt he could catch it in stride...and take it the distance as Fitz did in the Super Bowl...it was basically the same play only to Urban.

Judging from Warner's reaction, it looked as if he knew he thrown the ball a little wide...or...what we don't know is whether Urban was supposed to run the skinny post with a little sharper angle to it, in which case warner was throwing the ball to where he thought Urban should be.

Very glad that Joe pointed out his praise of the front 3 rotation. Stopping the run they've been very very good...Dockett had the great play where he busted up the run to Slaton...and Branch was the main reason why the Cardinals stopped the Texans on two runs inside the 2 yard line as he, in textbook fashion, got underneath his man's pads and pushed him backward into the play. The announcers kept crediting Watson, but it was Branch. Watson did a good job as well.

The one things about the front 3, though, as I pointed out, with the lack of edge rushers the Cardinals have, it's imperative that they get their sacks from the front 3...and they struggled yesterday, not only getting penetration, but in shedding their bockers to get to Shaub when he was flushed into the pocket.

On passing situations, the Cardinals should, IMO, rush Adrian Wilson from the edge (either left or right) every time...he's the best edge rusher on the team, by far.

Don't see what Okeafor is doing to help this defense...he's really slow this year. And Dansby has been especially poor in coverage this year thus far...he was exploited yesterday.

All the same the Cardinals found a way to prevail against a team that, quite frankly, may be, in the all-around sense, more talented. They have better TEs, a much better pass rush, an All-Pro WR, very good LBers (better than the Cardinals'), and an explosive, speedy RB. Their secondary looks better balanced as well. This is why yesterday's win was better than some people think.

 

[Mitch]

On TV the pass to Urban looked a tad too wide, as football karma suggested...and not only have we been so used to Warner's accuracy, so are his WRs, which is why, IMO, Urban didn't dive for the ball as he felt he could catch it in stride...and take it the distance as Fitz did in the Super Bowl...it was basically the same play, only to Urban.

Judging from Warner's reaction, it looked as if he knew he thrown the ball a little wide...or...what we don't know is whether Urban was supposed to run the skinny post with a little sharper angle to it, in which case Warner was throwing the ball to where he thought Urban should be.

Very glad that Joe pointed out his praise of the front 3 rotation. They've been very very good at stopping the run...Dockett had the great play where he busted up the run to Slaton...and Branch was the main reason why the Cardinals stopped the Texans on two runs inside the 2 yard line as he, in textbook fashion, got underneath his man's pads and pushed him backward into the play. The announcers kept crediting Watson, but it was Branch. Watson did a good job as well.

The one things about the front 3, though, as I pointed out, with the lack of edge rushers the Cardinals have, it's imperative that they get their sacks from the front 3...yet they struggled yesterday, not only getting penetration, but in shedding their blockers to get to Shaub when he was flushed up in the pocket.

On passing situations, the Cardinals should, IMO, rush Adrian Wilson from the edge (either left or right) every time...he's the best edge rusher on the team, by far.

Don't see what Okeafor is doing to help this defense...he's really slow this year. And Dansby has been especially poor in coverage this year thus far...he was exploited yesterday.

All the same the Cardinals found a way to prevail against a team that, quite frankly, may be, in the all-around sense, more talented. They have better TEs, a much better pass rush, an All-Pro WR, very good LBers (better than the Cardinals'), and an explosive, speedy RB. Their secondary looks better balanced as well. This is why yesterday's win was better than some people think.

Edited version.

 

[joeshmo]

The point is that Pendergast put Wilson in position to make plays. That is not happening this season.

And where are those positions to make plays? I thought it was inside the box and blitzing from the edge? Of which Davis is doing a lot of for Wilson, other then the Colts Game Wilson has lived inside the box and blitzing heavily.

What other positions should Wilson be in to be able to make plays?

Davis is using Wilson exactly the same way Wilson was used in his best year he went to his first pro bowl.

 

[Doug]

And where are those positions to make plays? I thought it was inside the box and blitzing from the edge? Of which Davis is doing a lot of for Wilson, other then the Colts Game Wilson has lived inside the box and blitzing heavily.

What other positions should Wilson be in to be able to make plays?

Davis is using Wilson exactly the same way Wilson was used in his best year he went to his first pro bowl.

We're gonna have to start running twists where the defensive lineman take each others man and like a crossbuck play on offense it opens a hole for a blitzing lb to come through.Doing it up the middle is the quickest way to the qb,and better than A-Dub over running the qb on the outside as he has done way too many times.

Mitch your posts are on fire today.

 

[Stout]

We're gonna have to start running twists where the defensive lineman take each others man and like a crossbuck play on offense it opens a hole for a blitzing lb to come through.Doing it up the middle is the quickest way to the qb,and better than A-Dub over running the qb on the outside as he has done way too many times.

Mitch your posts are on fire today.

Yes, exactly! The problem is that, although we're blitzing, we're telegraphing the blitzes in an obvious fashion. If a guy steps up to the line at a gap, that's where he's going to rush. Twists, stunts and other tricks MUST be put into our defense to try and generate a rush.