Here is the reason Cards will have trouble advancing in Playoffs

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcwest/0-6-203/Where-they-rank-on-defense--Week-15.html


I know how much we all lament our complete joke of a running game, but it is our defense that has been abhorrent IMO...

I think Cards need to seriously consider scrapping Pendy...

 

[bg7brd]

I completely agree. Everyone is talking about how the lack of running game is hurting us but our real weakness is defense. If we want to do anything in the playoffs this is where it starts. DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!!

 

[Second Deck]

I am not going to go back and get all the stats but I think the only games the defense has been awful were the Vikings, Philly and Jets and in these three games the team as a hole did not seem was in focus.

I expect a much better performance by the D against NE. After last week I cannot imagine this team not being focused. We do need to get the running game working so we can have a sustained drive and keep the D off the field.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I suppose I am getting very predictable at this point but I will lead the charge nonetheless.

DO you realize we lead the NFL in opponents possesions beginning on OUR side of the field at like 50 something?? Thats turnovers and ST's (mostly TO's though) making that happen. Do you know how demoralizing that is as a defense. Especially early in the game.

I am not trying to say we are all world or anything but thats a lot of pressure to put on a unit. I feel that if we actually played the field position game and had the opportunity to make offenses work then we wouldn't look near as bad.

Its unquantifiable how demoralizing it can be. In the games we play field positon the defense has looked damn good. And in the Giants and Carolina games if we had not been stupid on ST's (NY) and with TO's (CAR) we would have won both of those games. Those are the best two teams in the NFC!

I think we are putting our defense in horrible situations. And its not just Kurt. Im talking Edge's fumbles and Boldins as well that have been killer.

We stop the run well (except last week against AD) and our pass defense is poor statistically but part of that is the inability to run and part of that is Green playing before DCR took off.

If we just put them in more managable situations I think we would be Top 12. But I don't know if the 85 Bears Defense could sustain against the multiple opportunities we give the other teams on the wrong side of the field.

 

[bg7brd]

You make some good points but the stats don't lie.
29th in the red zone
29th on 3rd down
27th in pts per game
22nd in yds per pass
The only stat effected by turnovers and STs is points per game. These number just aren't good enough. Our offense is one of the highest scoring units in the league and our time of possession is pretty good. People think that because we pass all the time it must mean we can't control the clock but that isn't true.
Our defense rarely gets it done when we need them the most. Last weekend is a good example. After Hood returned the blocked field goal for a TD we cut the deficit to 28-14 and had the momentum on our side. If the D could have held them on the next series it would have made a huge difference in the game. Unfortunately that didn't happen and Minny quickly went down and scored and completely took the wind out of our sails. I don't know if it's the schemes or the personnel or both but I really think this team needs to strengthen the defense in the off season.

 

[wembley88]

The crappiness of our special teams play continues to shock me

 

[Duckjake]

The crappiness of our special teams play continues to shock me

An indication of how poor the scouting was in Tempe for a long time. Even Gary Zauner, considered a special teams guru couldn't fix the Car*s long standing problem in that area. The depth was just so bad that there wasn't any talent for the kicking units.

 

[az1965]

I suppose I am getting very predictable at this point but I will lead the charge nonetheless.
...

If we just put them in more managable situations I think we would be Top 12. But I don't know if the 85 Bears Defense could sustain against the multiple opportunities we give the other teams on the wrong side of the field.

I don't care where the ball is. I'm sick and tired of opposing team converting 3rd and 18, 3rd and 20, etc. easily, effortlessly due to the Pendy's pathetic prevent poop.

 

[Buckybird]

The play that summed up our defensively problems occured last week against the Vikes. They were inside our 20 yard line on 3 and long and they ran a middle screen to the RB. Our LB'ers and secondary dropped to prevent a throw to the WR's. A screen to the middle and he walked into the endzone, untouched!!! Freaking Pendergast Did anyone else notice that play?

 

[Cheesebeef]

I am not going to go back and get all the stats but I think the only games the defense has been awful were the Vikings, Philly and Jets and in these three games the team as a hole did not seem was in focus.

I expect a much better performance by the D against NE. After last week I cannot imagine this team not being focused. We do need to get the running game working so we can have a sustained drive and keep the D off the field.

they've given up an average of 33.8 ppg against teams with winning records. They've been awful a plenty this season.

 

[Duckjake]

I don't care where the ball is. I'm sick and tired of opposing team converting 3rd and 18, 3rd and 20, etc. easily, effortlessly due to the Pendy's pathetic prevent poop.

That's been the hallmark of the Pendergast defense; to break but not bend.

They've been playing tough and then wasting that by giving up a big play for years now.