Green rips defense, penalties

Jttsaz

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http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=73854&source=rss&dest=STY-73854

By Darren Urban, Tribune
September 12, 2006
Dennis Green figured the Cardinals’ defensive performance Sunday was worse than in any game they played last season. His offensive line, he reiterated Monday, was just OK.
A day to think about his team’s season-opening game against San Francisco didn’t relieve any of Green’s concerns, despite the Cards notching a 34-27 win.

“I am in the coaching business,” Green said. “When you don’t like things, win or lose, you’re going to say it.”

Green also didn’t sound all that thrilled that NFC West opponent Seattle — where the Cardinals visit this weekend — was able to trade for former Super Bowl MVP wide receiver Deion Branch Monday.

Branch may not play against Arizona, and Green acknowledged he didn’t know what to expect with Branch’s arrival. But asked if the Seahawks were better than last year, Green said, “They seem to be able to make any kind of move they want to make.”

“They can spend a lot of money on one receiver (free agent Nate Burleson), they can trade for another receiver (Branch), they get to do a lot of different things,” Green said.

There may have been a message with the comment, since the Cardinals have somewhere between $8 million and $10 million in salary cap space. In the preseason, Green more than once lamented his team’s lack of depth.

Already, Green has benched starting cornerback David Macklin after Macklin dropped an interception and then missed a tackle on tight end Vernon Davis’ touchdown catch. Eric Green has the starting job now opposite Antrel Rolle, and Dennis Green said newly acquired Matt Ware will now get a chance to earn some playing time.

The 49ers ended up with 393 yards in offense, and Green said the Cardinals did a poor job attacking young quarterback Alex Smith.

“It was by far our worst defensive game since we have been here,” Green said, before catching himself. “Well, I don’t know about that. It was worse than any game we played last year, put it like that.”

Said Rolle, “It should’ve been a 40-to-nothing game.”

The Cardinals also collected three unnecessary roughness penalties on defense, on all of which Green said his players used poor judgment. He emphasized the late hit by Darnell Dockett on Smith was not a smart play. Dockett may get fined by the NFL.

“You just can’t be wrong all the time like we were (Sunday),” Green said.

The Cards may not get help with healing injuries. Linebacker Calvin Pace came out of the game with a right ankle sprain and Green said Pace as of Monday will be listed as questionable this week. The same goes for linebacker Karlos Dansby (toe) and offensive tackle Oliver Ross (knee), both of whom Green said could practice this week.

EXTRA POINTS: If Dansby and/or Ross do return this week, Green said it was unlikely either one would be thrust into the starting lineup. Dansby has not practiced since training camp began, while Ross has been out since Aug. 2.

“They first need to put a helmet on and run into somebody,” Green said. “The Seattle game will be a very physical game. I don’t think it’s a game for those not accustomed to being physical.” Green didn’t have much sympathy for his players.

“Between the sideline stripes there is a lot of blasting going on,” Green said. “That’s part of the game and even 75-year-old women like that part of the game. That’s why people like boxing, because you are hitting people. At the same sense, when the bell rings, you don’t hit people.” . . .

Green said the 49ers loaded up to defend running back Edgerrin James and left top receivers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald open often. While Green wants to better James’ 2.8-yards-per-rush average, he said the Cardinals couldn’t force the run game. “If they are going to give us the pass, we have to take the pass,” Green said.
 

slanidrac16

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Green said the 49ers loaded up to defend running back Edgerrin James and left top receivers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald open often. While Green wants to better James’ 2.8-yards-per-rush average, he said the Cardinals couldn’t force the run game. “If they are going to give us the pass, we have to take the pass,” Green said.

Thats exactly right. If Edge only gets 70 yards because they are playing 8 men up we would be stupid not to exploit our opponents defenses with Fitz and Q.
That being said I hope Seattle plays 8 up.
 

AZ Shocker

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slanidrac16 said:
That being said I hope Seattle plays 8 up.
Me too! I think the NFL might in for a rude awakening this year. This whole "threat" of a running game might just be for real.

Our o-line pass blocks very well, and we have great receivers, plus edge to pick up the blitz. Oh and by the way...we're NOT starting some scrub for a qb either. As the season progresses and we burn teams by throwing the ball...our runing game should start to materialize as teams try to adjust their secondary coverages. We just need to be smart about it, and push the tempo.
 

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This is about as candid and upfront as Denny has ever been and this is a very good sign. He is definitely holding the players and assistant coaches accountable...also a very good sign. It's time this organization put more onus on the players to perform at the highest of levels...and anything short of that should not be condoned or ignored. Kudos to you, Denny.

That said...get a LG in there who can lay the wood on people...stop running the overly congested stretch play ad nauseum...and get an under tackle in there who can actually tackle...and a free safety who can actually get to the deep ball up the sideline...make those changes and you will win me over even more.
 
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black

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When I seen the hail mary ended up for no good, I could tell Green was really ticked. Good for Green, speak Dennis, we're all listening.
 

BullheadCardFan

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It all boils down to Dennis Green .. if this team is not prepared either mentally or emotionally its his fault ... period ...

I don't need to hear him telling me this stuff .. tell it to your coaching staff and your players ...
 

red desert

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BullheadCardFan said:
It all boils down to Dennis Green .. if this team is not prepared either mentally or emotionally its his fault ... period ...

I don't need to hear him telling me this stuff .. tell it to your coaching staff and your players ...

Thank you. I think Green is being given too much credit for his recent rants.

He is, IMO, selective in when he decides to call someone out. Sitting Macklin is good, but there are a lot of other players over the time he's been here that've played like crap and he continues to play them. Hell, he even praises some of these underachievers at times. And if there is no one backing them up worth a damn... go out and get someone else. He has had the opportunity to do that, IMO.
 
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Redsz

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lol. Yeah, I'm sure he says this type of thing to the media and then turns around to his coaching staff and goes 'great job guys! 1-0! WOOOOOOO!!!'

All people are saying is that they can see that Green sees the same stuff as we do. The coaches and players have to hold their own water aswell as Green.
 

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red desert said:
And if there is no one backing them up worth a damn... go out and get someone else. He has had the opportunity to do that, IMO.

Getting FA's is Greens job. Leaving 10 Mill on the table is Greens fault?

There is a lot of blame to put on Green but this isnt even close to being one of them.
 

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joeshmo said:
Getting FA's is Greens job. Leaving 10 Mill on the table is Greens fault?

There is a lot of blame to put on Green but this isnt even close to being one of them.

I see. But he does get credit for signing Edge? And he does get credit for signing Berry? And he does get credit for signing Huff? And Okeafor? Etc...

Is that how it works?

Let me ask your opinion on something, since you claim there is a lot of blame to be put on Green. What exactly is Green to blame for? Enlighten me.
 

LoyaltyisaCurse

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That play by Dockett had to be one of the most idiotic plays I have ever seen...
 

ajcardfan

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Head coaches are like QBs. They probably get too much credit when things go well, and too much blame when things go wrong.

Green has made it pretty obvious he wishes we would've used more of our cap money. Not now...but back in May after the draft. I wonder who he would've tried to bring in?
 

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I agree that Green seems more PO'd and less diplomatic than at any point since he's been here. Looking forward to more of it. Nothing should be good enough. Especially when its crap. He's not running a daisy farm.
 

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red desert said:
I see. But he does get credit for signing Edge? And he does get credit for signing Berry? And he does get credit for signing Huff? And Okeafor? Etc...

Is that how it works?

Let me ask your opinion on something, since you claim there is a lot of blame to be put on Green. What exactly is Green to blame for? Enlighten me.

green says he wants this player and it is up to the person signing the checks to yes. green should get credit for selling the cardinals to fa. let us be honest here. who is out there that is worth signing on the defensive side of the ball. i can't think of anybody.
 

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red desert said:
I see. But he does get credit for signing Edge? And he does get credit for signing Berry? And he does get credit for signing Huff? And Okeafor? Etc...

Is that how it works?

Let me ask your opinion on something, since you claim there is a lot of blame to be put on Green. What exactly is Green to blame for? Enlighten me.

First I dont give Green Credit for getting those players I give it to a Mike, Graves, and Green. Green gets credit for targeting said players. Graves gets credit for making the contracts, and Mike gets credit for getting his Dad to sign off on those contracts. Without question Green had more players targeted but once again his name isnt on the pay checks. To blame Green for not signing more players just is not right. You really think he was the one to cancel Will Allens and RW McQuarters visits. Especially after his many comments about lack of depth at CB and other spots since day one of camp and even now in an interview yesterday. Green had a lot more players targeted that he didnt get a chance to even interview that is easy to see.

As for what I do blame Green for which I thought we all ready went over last year when you asked me the same question and labeled me a Green Kool-aider.

1. Crappy OL - I dont mind losing Pete or Shelton but you have got to have a replacement.

2. Some of his assistant coaching choices have been all time bad choices in the history of coaching choices.

3. Pre - Gameday prep.

4. Game Management.

5. In game adjustments.

I would love to see him as a GM, but as a coach ???

You want to blame someone of anything at least blame them with something that has a basis to it.
 

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ajcardfan said:
I wonder who he would've tried to bring in?

Not sure about anyone else but he did try to bring in

CB's - Will Allen and RW McQuarters, LB - Bart Scott all had flights to come to town and be their first team to visit. All 3 were canceled.
 

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vinnymac said:
let us be honest here. who is out there that is worth signing on the defensive side of the ball. i can't think of anybody.

Not now there isnt.
 

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joeshmo said:
2. Some of his assistant coaching choices have been all time bad choices in the history of coaching choices.
I am of the mind that over the years...this is the biggest tragedy of this organization. I mean, you still have to coach up players to NFL caliber. Maybe pay a little more and attract quality assistants. When and who was the last Cardinal assistant to do anything? I know Jim Fassel, but who else in the history of the organization?
 

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Fritz Shurmur, defensive coordinator for Bugel was D-coordinator for the Superbowl Packers.
 

Mulli

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AZ Shocker said:
I am of the mind that over the years...this is the biggest tragedy of this organization. I mean, you still have to coach up players to NFL caliber. Maybe pay a little more and attract quality assistants. When and who was the last Cardinal assistant to do anything? I know Jim Fassel, but who else in the history of the organization?

Marc Trestman. :(
 

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vinnymac said:
green says he wants this player and it is up to the person signing the checks to yes. green should get credit for selling the cardinals to fa. let us be honest here. who is out there that is worth signing on the defensive side of the ball. i can't think of anybody.

neither can anyone.....the only position there appears to be a semi-surplus of is WR's...guys on the street and disgruntled ones...that is one position "i think" we are pretty strong at this time. if you stretch your imagination MAYBE in a few weeks before the trading deadline we might be able to pry some guy off a team that is going south and is looking for a draft choice...
 

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lobo said:
neither can anyone.....the only position there appears to be a semi-surplus of is WR's...guys on the street and disgruntled ones...that is one position "i think" we are pretty strong at this time. if you stretch your imagination MAYBE in a few weeks before the trading deadline we might be able to pry some guy off a team that is going south and is looking for a draft choice...

Every year I hear the same refrain from Cardinal fans: "There's nobody any good to bring in." Yet other teams are making moves all the time. Must be a lot of room on NFL rosters for guys without NFL talent.
 

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Mulli808 said:
Marc Trestman. :(

i am too lazy and busy at work to look it up...but take a look at the assistants (ancient history) we had under coryell

starting with joe gibbs
 

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Duckjake said:
Every year I hear the same refrain from Cardinal fans: "There's nobody any good to bring in." Yet other teams are making moves all the time. Must be a lot of room on NFL rosters for guys without NFL talent.

Yeah, look at Carolina who just picked up Bridges. :bigyawn:

Duane Starks is still out there looking for a job. :bhiich:

Let's face it, the bed is made - we now get to sleep in it.

The Shark
 

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