Heroes and Goats: ARI@PHI

cardpa

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Because there are a lot of teams that are worse than us! We still have, IMO, a Top 8 or so defense; I don't think Philly found a cheat code for this D. Having a top defense places a floor on how bad you can be as a football team.

I think we beat the Bucs next week because Jameis loves to choke away wins.
I think we split with the Rams.
I think we sweet the 49ers because their home stadium is that abandoned dog track at I-10 and the 303.
I think we beat the Jags at home because Blake Bortles.
I think we beat the Titans at home because I don't believe in their offense.
I think we beat the Giants at home because their offense is even more toothless than ours.

Those are 6 games that should be close enough for us to win. If we actually win 4 of them, all we have to do is have a variance win against Seattle (x2), Houston, or Washington to get to 7-9.
I think you are being way over optimistic. Both Mike Evans and Deshawn Jackson get behind the defense for long TD passes. Maybe one of these get two long TD passes. Winston will run one in. Figure a couple of FGs and that is the game because this offense is never going to score 27 points. The Rams take both games easily and Palmer gets sacked at least 10 times between both games. The 49ers win because that is what the Cardinals do for winless teams, besides the Niners can run the ball. If the Jags defense plays one of its better games Palmer may get sacked 10 times alone in this game. I do agree the Titans is a winnable game as well as the Giant game because the Giants may be mailing it in by then. Seattle, Washington and Houston are mismatches and not in the Cardinals favor. I see two wins and the only way the 49er game becomes a win is if they fold up their tent before the Cardinals play them again and that is assuming the Cardinals don't fold their own tent by then.
 

cardpa

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I'd be having a meltdown too. They are playing way too much zone, which is not even their strength. Is it because TM32 is still not 100%, or because of the new guys? :shrug:
Probably both. If yo are playing zone because of TM32 then you are a piss poor coach.
 

Russ Smith

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Or the young guy would have some success scrambling on broken plays. Teams would watch tape on his playground antics. Teams would adjust to a QB who then never took the time or had the time to learn to read a NFL defense and then would say this mobile young QB sucks


Yeah I've been pretty clear over the years that I like mobile QB's and don't like running QB's. I think there's a very clear difference. Wentz is a mobile QB,he uses his legs to buy time and make plays downfield. Guys like Vick and Kaepernick are running QB's and inevitably take a ton of hits and get hurt, or people figure them out.

It sure looks like Watson would have been a terrific pick for us and we should have traded up to get him but there are going to be several good QB's in the next draft too, and we have to get one.

Even Russell Wilson as good as he is, is having a slightly above average season, 8 TD 3 int, 4 fumbles. Terrible OL, running game struggling. It'd be great if Palmer could move around and make plays like Wilson can, but he can't and they knew that when they built this team and yet the OL is still horrible.
 

DeAnna

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The radio guys made a good point - why are they blitzing on 3rd & 19 when they just paid millions to Chandler Jones? Send him off to do this job and sack the QB.
 

Russ Smith

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Then by this view, he is either a waste of his contract now or Bettcher sucks rocks... but it not ridiculous as much as everyone is different. obviously he is no Adrian Peterson or Jaron Brown considering the injury


He's had 2 of them in relatively short time frame. I tend to agree with others he just doesn't seem to be the same guy.

I feel for him, I'm in my 2nd week coming off surgery for a torn right patellar tendon, I can completely relate to his situation, but I'm not an NFL defensive back. at a certain point he either gets his speed back, or he's going to have trouble sticking.

He still has the instincts and he still makes plays, but right now in coverage he's just not that good.
 

Russ Smith

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One other point that troubles me. One of the real problem signs with a team is when players start freelancing because they're not convinced they can just stick to the system and win. We saw that a couple of times yesterday.

THe obvious one was early in the game on 3rd down when they hit Jeffery(?) over the top of PP. Patrick tried to get a press coverage and when he lost leverage it seemed he just decided OK I'm jumping the route, and Wentz through it right over the top of him for a big first down. It was 3rd and long there was no real reason for him to do that but he was trying to make a big play. Guys do that IMO because they're not convinced they can win just playing the system.

The 3rd and 19 jailbreak blitz by Bettcher was a similar example, we can't just play deep tackle them short and get the punt, we need to get a big sack or maybe cause a fumble. I get the idea but at that point and time in the game it was a huge risk that killed us.
 
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kerouac9

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The radio guys made a good point - why are they blitzing on 3rd & 19 when they just paid millions to Chandler Jones? Send him off to do this job and sack the QB.

I'm fine with it. They have paid a lot of money to Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu, Justin Bethel, and Tyvon Branch to cover someone. But that blitz has to get home. It's a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't situation. I want these guys to be aggressive, and don't mind going down fighting.

One other point that troubles me. One of the real problem signs with a team is when players start freelancing because they're not convinced they can just stick to the system and win. We saw that a couple of times yesterday.

THe obvious one was early in the game on 3rd down when they hit Jeffery(?) over the top of PP. Patrick tried to get a press coverage and when he lost leverage it seemed he just decided OK I'm jumping the route, and Wentz through it right over the top of him for a big first down. It was 3rd and long there was no real reason for him to do that but he was trying to make a big play. Guys do that IMO because they're not convinced they can win just playing the system.

The 3rd and 19 jailbreak blitz by Bettcher was a similar example, we can't just play deep tackle them short and get the punt, we need to get a big sack or maybe cause a fumble. I get the idea but at that point and time in the game it was a huge risk that killed us.

I dunno. I don't think you micromanage Patrick Peterson's technique; Bettcher should have bigger fish to fry. It's easy to say that didn't work, but it's the first quarter, score 0-0, and 3rd and 11. Peterson's trying to set a tone there, and just missed on his jam.
 

Russ Smith

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I'm fine with it. They have paid a lot of money to Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu, Justin Bethel, and Tyvon Branch to cover someone. But that blitz has to get home. It's a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't situation. I want these guys to be aggressive, and don't mind going down fighting.



I dunno. I don't think you micromanage Patrick Peterson's technique; Bettcher should have bigger fish to fry. It's easy to say that didn't work, but it's the first quarter, score 0-0, and 3rd and 11. Peterson's trying to set a tone there, and just missed on his jam.


That was actually my point, that PP went for it there in the first quarter of a scoreless game is something that concerns me. I love PP, best player on the team IMO. But when you see guys doing stuff like that it's often a sign IMO that they don't believe they can just go play the system and win.

That is I think even the players already realize we're not good enough to just play our game and beat you so we're going to have to take chances to make big plays. When it works great, like Dansby's gamble for a pick a few weeks ago that led to a pick for a teammate, when it doesn't work you see PP give up a first down, or Dansby try and guess in the zone and wind up vacating the area where Wentz went for a first down.
 

NJCardFan

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Because there are a lot of teams that are worse than us! We still have, IMO, a Top 8 or so defense; I don't think Philly found a cheat code for this D. Having a top defense places a floor on how bad you can be as a football team.

I think we beat the Bucs next week because Jameis loves to choke away wins.
I think we split with the Rams.
I think we sweet the 49ers because their home stadium is that abandoned dog track at I-10 and the 303.
I think we beat the Jags at home because Blake Bortles.
I think we beat the Titans at home because I don't believe in their offense.
I think we beat the Giants at home because their offense is even more toothless than ours.

Those are 6 games that should be close enough for us to win. If we actually win 4 of them, all we have to do is have a variance win against Seattle (x2), Houston, or Washington to get to 7-9.
Dude. We can't score points. You need to score points to win and scoring on average 16 points a game ain't gonna cut it.


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Big D

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Peterson has said that part of what makes him so effective is that he constantly changes up the looks he gives guys so they never truly know how he is going to play them. Sometimes he presses, sometimes he plays off, sometimes he tries to jam a guy, etc.

That particular play he attempted to jam Jeffery and just sort of whiffed. I think he really only got a hand on his towel instead of his hips and ended up out of position. He wasn't trying to go rogue or freelance though.
 
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kerouac9

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Dude. We can't score points. You need to score points to win and scoring on average 16 points a game ain't gonna cut it.


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That's fine, but I don't think we've seen anywhere close to our defense's best game. I think this is the offense that we have, but I think there will be games where the defense scores once and sets up two other scores with turnovers.

They won't be against good teams, but they'll be against average teams. Our defense is 28th in fumbles recovered. That's going to regress toward the mean some.
 

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The question should be why BA & staff needed a sack so badly on 3 & 19 on Phillys 28 yard line in the 1st place?? When offense is so bad that you risk everything for strip sack or few extra yards lost yardage it's time to completely change what u doing & go back to square 1
 

Ouchie-Z-Clown

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Keim on Famous Amos.

— Keim was asked about special teams coach Amos Jones, and what goes on behind the scenes that make the Cardinals know Jones is the right coach.

“I think there are always things that people don’t see,” Keim said. “… More than anything, me or coach (Bruce Arians) or Michael (Bidwill) knowing that, the type of things that need to be taught are being taught. It’s whether the players are correcting those issues or not. We tried to really improve football I.Q. with our players, because that’s one of the issues we’ve had in the past. Once I think we get some of that stuff cleaned up and guys can play a little bit smarter, I think you’ll start to see some improvement.

“Again, week after week, the same mistakes keep happening. Quite frankly, if anything, we need to continue to rotate players in and out of here and find players who can help us. If a guy continually makes the same mistakes and isn’t going to fix it, we’ll go ahead and make a decision and look at ready list and bring in some guys and make some changes.”

http://blog.azcardinals.com/2017/10/09/keim-cardinals-need-chip-back-on-shoulder/
You know what Steve? F you! Don't peddle that BS to us. Just start to answer "no comment" you f'in p$&@y! That lame answer upsets me almost as much as Amos having a job.
 

Ouchie-Z-Clown

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It would make more sense to cut Brandon Williams, who gave up outside contain on that big punt return, than fire Amos Jones. I get that, ultimately, the coach is responsible for the design of the special teams, but let's be real: the talent on this roster is bad.

Maybe you bring in some help for Jones next year, but what's really going to make the difference? Would firing Jones make you feel better if the special teams doesn't improve anyway?
Sorry K9, I can't see way any way special teams doesn't improve immediately with Amos' firing. He's the constant. Always look to the constant with repeated failures. The variables can't always be at fault.
 

Ouchie-Z-Clown

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He's had 2 of them in relatively short time frame. I tend to agree with others he just doesn't seem to be the same guy.

I feel for him, I'm in my 2nd week coming off surgery for a torn right patellar tendon, I can completely relate to his situation, but I'm not an NFL defensive back. at a certain point he either gets his speed back, or he's going to have trouble sticking.

He still has the instincts and he still makes plays, but right now in coverage he's just not that good.
Cut Russ! He can't cover anymore!
 

Russ Smith

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sadly...we wont see "The Real TM32" until his contract year


I certainly hope his speed comes back but it's been long enough that it seems like maybe it won't.'

The other thing people seem to forget is that HB didn't just tear his ACL the first time around he tore the LCL too. If you read the stories at the time that was the main concern the LCL not the ACL.

I think that's why it took him as long as it did to get back the first time. Tearing the ACL again he just right now doesn't seem nearly as fast.

He's always had that instinct as a ball hawk that put him a half step to a step ahead of everyone else, combined with his speed it made him lethal. He's just not as fast now, the instincts are still there but he's a step slower now and it shows.

You hope he gets it back but 2 major surgeries in 3 years, who knows.
 

pmacLean

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I think we beat the Bucs next week because Jameis loves to choke away wins.
I think we split with the Rams.
I think we sweet the 49ers because their home stadium is that abandoned dog track at I-10 and the 303.
I think we beat the Jags at home because Blake Bortles.
I think we beat the Titans at home because I don't believe in their offense.
I think we beat the Giants at home because their offense is even more toothless than ours.

Those are 6 games that should be close enough for us to win. If we actually win 4 of them, all we have to do is have a variance win against Seattle (x2), Houston, or Washington to get to 7-9.

That is some pretty hilarious wishful thinking, right there. :koolaid:
 
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You know what Steve? F you! Don't peddle that BS to us. Just start to answer "no comment" you f'in p$&@y! That lame answer upsets me almost as much as Amos having a job.

For a second there I thought you were talking to me. (my name is Steve) I was thinking don't shoot the messenger. ;)
 

pmacLean

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Keim on Famous Amos.

— Keim was asked about special teams coach Amos Jones, and what goes on behind the scenes that make the Cardinals know Jones is the right coach.

“I think there are always things that people don’t see,” Keim said. “… More than anything, me or coach (Bruce Arians) or Michael (Bidwill) knowing that, the type of things that need to be taught are being taught. It’s whether the players are correcting those issues or not. We tried to really improve football I.Q. with our players, because that’s one of the issues we’ve had in the past. Once I think we get some of that stuff cleaned up and guys can play a little bit smarter, I think you’ll start to see some improvement.

“Again, week after week, the same mistakes keep happening. Quite frankly, if anything, we need to continue to rotate players in and out of here and find players who can help us. If a guy continually makes the same mistakes and isn’t going to fix it, we’ll go ahead and make a decision and look at ready list and bring in some guys and make some changes.”

http://blog.azcardinals.com/2017/10/09/keim-cardinals-need-chip-back-on-shoulder/


If I was a player on the Cardinals I would, after that, contact my agent and tell him to start engineering my exit. I would tell the agent "if it means less money, I don't care, just get me out of this lunatic, snakepit".
I have quit jobs for far less management incompetence than what Keim displays here. I am definitely adding Keim to the list of those who must go. Yes, some players, but mostly Keim and ALL the coaches.

Clean slate now !!! Clean slate now !!! (I wrote that while taking a knee.)
 

pmacLean

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It would make more sense to cut Brandon Williams, who gave up outside contain on that big punt return, than fire Amos Jones. I get that, ultimately, the coach is responsible for the design of the special teams, but let's be real: the talent on this roster is bad.

Maybe you bring in some help for Jones next year, but what's really going to make the difference? Would firing Jones make you feel better if the special teams doesn't improve anyway?


Yes. Emphatically yes. Because guess what, they will improve, no question, guaranteed.
 

cardpa

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Keim on Famous Amos.

— Keim was asked about special teams coach Amos Jones, and what goes on behind the scenes that make the Cardinals know Jones is the right coach.

“I think there are always things that people don’t see,” Keim said. “… More than anything, me or coach (Bruce Arians) or Michael (Bidwill) knowing that, the type of things that need to be taught are being taught. It’s whether the players are correcting those issues or not. We tried to really improve football I.Q. with our players, because that’s one of the issues we’ve had in the past. Once I think we get some of that stuff cleaned up and guys can play a little bit smarter, I think you’ll start to see some improvement.

“Again, week after week, the same mistakes keep happening. Quite frankly, if anything, we need to continue to rotate players in and out of here and find players who can help us. If a guy continually makes the same mistakes and isn’t going to fix it, we’ll go ahead and make a decision and look at ready list and bring in some guys and make some changes.”

http://blog.azcardinals.com/2017/10/09/keim-cardinals-need-chip-back-on-shoulder/

If this is what the big three really believe, then there is little hope for this team. They have either assembled the dumbest group of football players in the history of the NFL or they have a coaching staff that are the poorest teachers and communicators in the history of the NFL. Either way it's a recipe for failure. These guys have been playing football most of their lives and if they still can't execute the basics then they are doomed. How in the hell did they ever play college ball? Did they get fed stupid pills once they got drafted or signed by Keim? I heard a saying once and it may apply here, "Ego is the anesthesia for painless stupidity".
 

bojack

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I certainly hope his speed comes back but it's been long enough that it seems like maybe it won't.'

The other thing people seem to forget is that HB didn't just tear his ACL the first time around he tore the LCL too. If you read the stories at the time that was the main concern the LCL not the ACL.

I think that's why it took him as long as it did to get back the first time. Tearing the ACL again he just right now doesn't seem nearly as fast.

He's always had that instinct as a ball hawk that put him a half step to a step ahead of everyone else, combined with his speed it made him lethal. He's just not as fast now, the instincts are still there but he's a step slower now and it shows.

You hope he gets it back but 2 major surgeries in 3 years, who knows.

How come SK signed him to a record breaking contract (with lots of guaranteed money) without seeing him play a snap in regular season after an injury that usually ends up ending a career early or resulting in a significant decrease in performance? No other GM would have done that deal. Is SK that bad of a GM or did BA tell him to throw him a bone. Either it means our GM is incompetent or that BA is the also the GM and he is just another assistant now. Neither bodes well for us but I doubt SK would have paid HB that much, kept Stanton around as the highest paid backup and held on to other dead weight for so long if it wasn't at BA's requirement.

BA is determined to do it his way whether it is good for the franchise or not. Instead of getting a wake up call last year he would rather destroy the franchise than make changes and evolve. Think about the Amos situation... BA is so loyal to guy whose unit is consistently deficient year after year, hurting our team, hurting BAs rep and generally bringing him tons of heat. But Amos is such a disloyal friend that even after riding the gravy train for years now he won't resign for the sake of his friend.

I think why we had some players move on we would have liked to keep is because of the politics on the team. When players don't think things are fair and equitable they aren't going to battle for you.

The big question is luster of BA has wearing off in the locker room also? The team almost looks like it is going through the motions and doesn't have a lot confidence on the field.
 
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