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#40 Never Forget
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.
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.
