Gandy still on Cards' radar .. Whiz names Ross starter at LT ..

[BullheadCardFan]

March 29, 2007

Cardinals notebook: Whisenhunt to implement zone blitz packages

Darren Urban, Tribune

While in Pittsburgh, Ken Whisenhunt watched the Steelers play a 3-4 alignment on defense. It’s been a popular theory that the Cardinals will themselves switch to such a look.

But Whisenhunt said Wednesday during the NFC coaches breakfast at the Arizona Biltmore the Cardinals will be a 4-3 team — although there will be “elements” of the 3-4 philosophy.

That makes sense, given that defensive ends Calvin Pace, Chike Okeafor and even Bertrand Berry could be used as linebackers in certain situations.

Whisenhunt also emphasized the need to use Pro Bowl safety Adrian Wilson as a blitzer and said the Cards will incorporate some of the zone blitz packages the Steelers made famous.

“You’ll see a couple of different fronts, a couple of different packages off the blitzes that will help keep people on their toes,” Whisenhunt said.

The coach added he has had to tell defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast to “get out of my office” because Pendergast has been so excited to talk about the new defensive schemes.

“I like the direction we are going defensively,” Whisenhunt said.


ROSS’ RETURN

In what comes as little surprise given his history with offensive line coach Russ Grimm, Oliver Ross — who had played himself out of favor and onto the bench under the Dennis Green regime — will be the team’s starting left tackle when the Cards hold their first minicamp in mid-April.

“We’re going to start him out there and see if he can handle it,” Whisenhunt said.

Reggie Wells will be the right tackle at first, although the draft will dictate where Wells (who could also start at guard) will play.

The Cardinals are still hoping to sign free agent offensive lineman Mike Gandy to help with depth, although Gandy remains unsigned while the sides remain far apart in money.


ONE-TRACK MATT

Quarterback Matt Leinart has plenty going on in his life outside of football, from a son to endorsement deals to the fun a young, rich millionaire can have.

But Whisenhunt said he has already learned that when it is time for football, Leinart is single-minded.

“He’s got a lot going on,” Whisenhunt said.

“But the one thing that I’m impressed with is he can block everything out and focus on football. He can tune it out.”


EXTRA POINTS

Whisenhunt acknowledged he is a “little bit” concerned about linebacker depth. The team is still budgeted to sign a few veteran free agents for small salaries, and the door would seem open for free agent linebacker James Darling to return. …

Whisenhunt wouldn’t rule out carrying just two quarterbacks (Shane Boyd is the probable third-stringer), but “I wouldn’t like to do that, unless (receiver) Anquan (Boldin) really lives up to what he says about throwing the football.” …

Longtime Cardinals treasurer and chief financial officer Charley Schlegel is expected to announce his retirement in the upcoming few weeks. …

Whisenhunt, the Georgia native who used to work the Masters scoreboard at Augusta National as a teen (he has also played the course five times), was a member of the trio that won the NFL’s golf tournament held at the Biltmore.

“Know what I got for it?” Whisenhunt said.

“ 'Atta boy.’ ”

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/86771

 

[Gambit]

Smokescreen for Joe Thomas?

 

[seesred]

I'm so pumped about our positive direction. Can't wait for draft day and then a winning 2007 season.

GBR
40

 

[Crazy Canuck]

If we have a left tackle, whether Ross, Gorin or a rookie, who gives up less than Big's total of 11 penalties and 8 sacks last season... we will be in OK shape.

My thoughts:

If Thomas is at #5 great. I'd pick him.

If not, and Peterson's on the board, pick him.

If Peterson's gone and Quinn is there at #5 trade down.

If there all gone... pick the best "D" prospect on the board, and address O-line depth later on first day, or with the 4th. round pick.

 

[BigRedRage]

I dont like that ross is being mentioned as over wells, ross's position should be questionable if we draft a tackle, wells may be able to play everywhere but he played by far the best he had all year when he was at tackle.

 

[Duckjake]

If we have a left tackle, whether Ross, Gorin or a rookie, who gives up less than Big's total of 11 penalties and 8 sacks last season... we will be in OK shape.

That's some serious Kool-Aid your drinking.

Of course there were people who thought the Cards were going to be in OK shape in 2003 with just about any QB who wasn't Jake Plummer.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

That's some serious Kool-Aid your drinking.

Of course there were people who thought the Cards were going to be in OK shape in 2003 with just about any QB who wasn't Jake Plummer.

At the end of next season... total up the penalties and sacks allowed by our LT, and our left side rushing stats... compare them to Big's final season... and get back to me.

 

[Duckjake]

At the end of next season... total up the penalties and sacks allowed by our LT, and our left side rushing stats... compare them to Big's final season... and get back to me.

And if the Cards finish 5-11 what difference will it make? We're also getting a bunch of penalties from our RT and a critical sack from the right side that changed the momentum of what could have been the biggest win for Arizona in years. I don't think a drop in the number of false starts by our left tackle will make any difference in our W-L record. It sure didn't in 1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996,1997,1999,2000,2001,2002,2003 or 2004.

The hope we do have with Ross or a Rookie playing LT is that for the first time since Lomax we have a prototype NFL QB going into his second year as a starter. Stats indicate that Leinart will improve exponentially over last year and the experience alone will reduce the number of sacks as several of them came when the QB backed into a rusher who had been blocked past and behind the pocket by our tackles.

It also vastly reduces the likelihood that we'll see the 4,5,6 straight incompletions we saw from Matt last year and increases the chances we'll see far more of the type of drive he engineered in the closing minutes of that same Bears game.

Now that is some kool-aid I CAN drink.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

And if the Cards finish 5-11 what difference will it make? We're also getting a bunch of penalties from our RT and a critical sack from the right side that changed the momentum of what could have been the biggest win for Arizona in years. I don't think a drop in the number of false starts by our left tackle will make any difference in our W-L record. It sure didn't in 1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996,1997,1999,2000,2001,2002,2003 or 2004.

The hope we do have with Ross or a Rookie playing LT is that for the first time since Lomax we have a prototype NFL QB going into his second year as a starter. Stats indicate that Leinart will improve exponentially over last year and the experience alone will reduce the number of sacks as several of them came when the QB backed into a rusher who had been blocked past and behind the pocket by our tackles.

It also vastly reduces the likelihood that we'll see the 4,5,6 straight incompletions we saw from Matt last year and increases the chances we'll see far more of the type of drive he engineered in the closing minutes of that same Bears game.

Now that is some kool-aid I CAN drink.

More than happy to share the drink.

I was not attempting to analyse our whole O-line in my earlier point, and have no idea as to our win-loss stat come the end of next season. I was merely saying that there's at least one way to assess our LT position, and that's to use Big's final season as as comparison with the numbers at the end of this year. It won't answer all questions, but gives us some idea as to whether not investing $50 million in Big was a good decision.

 

[MadCardDisease]

For the last two months I've been saying that Oliver Ross would be our starting left tackle. Unless Joe Thomas falls to us in the first round I'm guessing that he will be starting come the begining of the season.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

For the last two months I've been saying that Oliver Ross would be our starting left tackle. Unless Joe Thomas falls to us in the first round I'm guessing that he will be starting come the begining of the season.

I just don't like the way Whiz is annointing Ross as the starter when he hasn't even seen Gorin play ... sounds like Denny favoritism again ..

He said there would be competition for every position .. and now he goes and says this .. I still think that Grimm and Whiz are trying to make an apple out of an orange with Ross .. there is very little talent to coach up .. I could be wrong, but that my opinion ..

I was very critical of the way Denny so called addressed the Oline the last 2 years and I can see it happening again ...

 

[Duckjake]

I was merely saying that there's at least one way to assess our LT position, and that's to use Big's final season as as comparison with the numbers at the end of this year. It won't answer all questions, but gives us some idea as to whether not investing $50 million in Big was a good decision.

I get it.

But here's some interesting stats to look at. With BIG at Left tackle in 2005 and 2006 the Cards ranked higher in total yards and scoring both seasons than at any time since 1998. In 2005 the Cards gained more total yards than any Cardinal team since 1984.

They gained 1,466 more yards combined those two years than they had in 2002 and 2003 combined, the two years before LD moved to Left Tackle.

The Cards also had their first 1000 yard rusher since 1998.

But it didn't make any difference the Cards went 5-11 as usual.

 

[AntSports Steve]

If the Cards do not get a LT that is much better than Ross/Gorin, you won't see any QB growth except in his "Running for his life" ability.

 

[Dback Jon]

I just don't like the way Whiz is annointing Ross as the starter when he hasn't even seen Gorin play ... sounds like Denny favoritism again ..

He said there would be competition for every position .. and now he goes and says this .. I still think that Grimm and Whiz are trying to make an apple out of an orange with Ross .. there is very little talent to coach up .. I could be wrong, but that my opinion ..

I was very critical of the way Denny so called addressed the Oline the last 2 years and I can see it happening again ...

That is not what he said. He said that Ross will be the starter for the FIRST MINI-CAMP,

“We’re going to start him out there and see if he can handle it,” Whisenhunt said.

You have to have a starter at each position for mini-camp. Whiz is not guaranteeing that he will be the starter at the end.

 

[Duckjake]

If the Cards do not get a LT that is much better than Ross/Gorin, you won't see any QB growth except in his "Running for his life" ability.

Well it wouldn't be Cardinal football without our QB "running for his life".

 

[Heucrazy]

I get it.

But here's some interesting stats to look at. With BIG at Left tackle in 2005 and 2006 the Cards ranked higher in total yards and scoring both seasons than at any time since 1998. In 2005 the Cards gained more total yards than any Cardinal team since 1984.

They gained 1,466 more yards combined those two years than they had in 2002 and 2003 combined, the two years before LD moved to Left Tackle.

The Cards also had their first 1000 yard rusher since 1998.

But it didn't make any difference the Cards went 5-11 as usual.

Yeah and all of that had alot more to do with Anquan, Fitz, and Edge than it did with Davis.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

In 2005 the Cards gained more total yards than any Cardinal team since 1984.

I also believe that we had more penalty yards than rushing yards ... only the second time in NFL history .. ??

 

[Duckjake]

Yeah and all of that had alot more to do with Anquan, Fitz, and Edge than it did with Davis.

Anquan Fitz and Edge can do nothing without blocking. Everybody knows that.

The Cards had David Boston, Thomas Jones, and Frank Sanders in 2001 and got about 700 fewer yards than the 2005 team that had JJ and Shipp as the primary RBs.

 

[Duckjake]

I also believe that we had more penalty yards than rushing yards ... only the second time in NFL history .. ??

That's another catagory in which Green's teams ranked highly. I know they were top 5 in number of penalties last year as well.

 

[BigRedRage]

Anquan Fitz and Edge can do nothing without blocking. Everybody knows that.

The Cards had David Boston, Thomas Jones, and Frank Sanders in 2001 and got about 700 fewer yards than the 2005 team that had JJ and Shipp as the primary RBs.

All we did was throw the ball that year.

 

[TheCardFan]

For the last two months I've been saying that Oliver Ross would be our starting left tackle. Unless Joe Thomas falls to us in the first round I'm guessing that he will be starting come the begining of the season.

And your still wrong...

 

[Duckjake]

All we did was throw the ball that year.

2005? Nah, they only tried to throw it 670 times. That's nothing.

Amazingly they still managed to rank higher in points scored than any team since 1998 and 2nd highest since 1993.

Sad bit of trivia, the 1991 Cardinals scored only 196 points. Even the dreadful 2003 team scored more.

 

[stewdog1]

You guys are missing the most important part of this article:

Whisenhunt wouldn’t rule out carrying just two quarterbacks (Shane Boyd is the probable third-stringer), but “I wouldn’t like to do that, unless (receiver) Anquan (Boldin) really lives up to what he says about throwing the football.” …

Prediction: Q will be the starting QB by game 6.

 

[Stout]

For the last two months I've been saying that Oliver Ross would be our starting left tackle. Unless Joe Thomas falls to us in the first round I'm guessing that he will be starting come the begining of the season.

If that's the case, and we don't get better depth there and at G, we'll be 4-12. Bank on it. This scares me, REALLY scares me. How the coaching staff can feel that Ross can start at LT is baffling. Please, oh PLEASE be a smokescreen!!!

 

[BigRedRage]

2005? Nah, they only tried to throw it 670 times. That's nothing.

Amazingly they still managed to rank higher in points scored than any team since 1998 and 2nd highest since 1993.

Sad bit of trivia, the 1991 Cardinals scored only 196 points. Even the dreadful 2003 team scored more.

I'm thinking of the right year right? The one where ALL we did was throw because JJ was scared of safetys and noone could brake the line of scrimmage. the year before edge, greens second year.