It's an improved team... With some holes.

[sundevil04]

Overall this is an improved team from last year. The defense seems to have taken a step backwards, but we may see some improvement as they learn Bowles system and when DWash gets back. Remember many on here were calling for Horton to get fired in the first 8 games of his time in AZ.

We do have a few glaring holes, unfortunately at key positions. We need an LT and pass rusher in he worst way.

I didn't see a playoff team out there today, but to be competitive against a good rams team on the road is much more than we could've expected last year. I see 7 wins this season.

If we can plug one of those holes in Rd1 of next years draft and the other in FA, I see a 10 win team next year

 

[Zeno]

I agree for the most part. Unfortunately pass rush and LT are holes that the team has been unable to fill for years.

I think we will be competitive in most games this year but come out on the losing end more often than not.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

Overall this is an improved team from last year. The defense seems to have taken a step backwards, but we may see some improvement as they learn Bowles system and when DWash gets back. Remember many on here were calling for Horton to get fired in the first 8 games of his time in AZ.

We do have a few glaring holes, unfortunately at key positions. We need an LT and pass rusher in he worst way.

I didn't see a playoff team out there today, but to be competitive against a good rams team on the road is much more than we could've expected last year. I see 7 wins this season.

If we can plug one of those holes in Rd1 of next years draft and the other in FA, I see a 10 win team next year

Very good post. One that reflects my thoughts pretty well...

We'll be better even better with DWash on the field, and this team will fight and scratch all year. We'll win a fair number of games.

I'd like to see a little more, but even though I think its probable we'll miss the playoffs (mainly because of the two big holes the OP notes), it's possible, just possible, that we'll make some noise in the NFC this year.

We'll be tough at home...

 

[BW52]

Overall this is an improved team from last year. The defense seems to have taken a step backwards, but we may see some improvement as they learn Bowles system and when DWash gets back. Remember many on here were calling for Horton to get fired in the first 8 games of his time in AZ.

We do have a few glaring holes, unfortunately at key positions. We need an LT and pass rusher in he worst way.

I didn't see a playoff team out there today, but to be competitive against a good rams team on the road is much more than we could've expected last year. I see 7 wins this season.

If we can plug one of those holes in Rd1 of next years draft and the other in FA, I see a 10 win team next year

Palmer is better than last years QBs.Unfortunately Levi Brown showed that he isn`t a good left Tackle.DocketT was a non -factor and Campbell wasn`t much better.No pass rush at all.Still this was one that got away.

 

[Paso Fino]

My expectations were that the Cardinals would be blown away. They were much better than I expected and could have won the game. I strongly disagree with those who say Arians is a bad coach. He had to play with the hand he was dealt which unfortunately included Levi Brown.

 

[Duckjake]

The only things that are improved from last year are our QB, which is huge, and our RB as long as Alphonso Smith doesn't play.

Meanwhile, as most of us expected, our defense is worse especially the secondary.

And that was basically what was predicted by ASFN. I sure wish Arians had had some surprises for us but that just didn't happen.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

The only things that are improved from last year are our QB, which is huge, and our RB as long as Alphonso Smith doesn't play.

Meanwhile, as most of us expected, our defense is worse especially the secondary.

And that was basically what was predicted by ASFN. I sure wish Arians had had some surprises for us but that just didn't happen.

Wait till we get DWash back before you call the defense worse.

He's a difference-maker...

 

[Duckjake]

My expectations were that the Cardinals would be blown away. They were much better than I expected and could have won the game. I strongly disagree with those who say Arians is a bad coach. He had to play with the hand he was dealt which unfortunately included Levi Brown.

What do you mean play with the hand he was dealt? There are 27 new players on the roster. There were something like 8 new starters on offense. Almost that many on Defense.

Arians played with the hand he dealt. The large turnover from last year's roster including players like Rhodes and Wilson sure doesn't indicate he had to keep Levi Brown or any other player.

Our offense looks better our defense looks worse. With Palmer we should be in almost every game. And that's a heck of a lot better than the second half of last season.

 

[Duckjake]

Wait till we get DWash back before you call the defense worse.

He's a difference-maker...

I'm calling the defense right now worse. And I don't think they'll be any better when he gets back because he doesn't play DB. Besides I thought Dansby and Brinckley both played well today.

 

[Darkside]

I'm calling the defense right now worse. And I don't think they'll be any better when he gets back because he doesn't play DB. Besides I thought Dansby and Brinckley both played well today.

As did I. However, Dansby can't cover a TE the way DWash can, and also doesn't have the range of Washington. That being said, I really don't think having DWash would have changed the outcome. Maybe Cook only has 100 yards receiving instead of 141, but he wasn't the only one running open. Seemed like everyone was open--our defensive backs didn't get their hands on many balls, if any. I need to find the # of passes we defensed (tipped, etc)--I bet it's close to 0.

 

[Darkside]

I'm calling the defense right now worse. And I don't think they'll be any better when he gets back because he doesn't play DB. Besides I thought Dansby and Brinckley both played well today.

As did I. However, Dansby can't cover a TE the way DWash can, and also doesn't have the range of Washington. That being said, I really don't think having DWash would have changed the outcome. Maybe Cook only has 100 yards receiving instead of 141, but he wasn't the only one running open. Seemed like everyone was open--our defensive backs didn't get their hands on many balls. I need to find the # of passes we defensed (tipped, etc)--I bet it's close to 0.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

I'm calling the defense right now worse. And I don't think they'll be any better when he gets back because he doesn't play DB. Besides I thought Dansby and Brinckley both played well today.

I think he helps the secondary personally. He was our sack leader last year and thus he helps our pass rush by being in the game. He is also much better in coverage than Brinkley and makes a lot more plays in the back field. Not saying he will make this a lock down defense, but they will definitely be better than they are without him.

 

[Buckybird]

I don't think we improved that much if any. This team is just the opposite of last years team. Now we can't stop anyone & last year we couldn't score.

Decent to mediocre teams don't have these issues:

1) a bad defense led by a DC who has never really been part of successful defenses. I'm beginning to think his 5 games here now are a trend. We can't play man to man & repeated do.

2) a average Oline that has a putrid LT. We still aren't that good at either pass blocking or running the rock

3) a defense who has issues getting to the QB

Teams can get away with 1 of those weaknesses, 2 makes your team mediocre to average & all 3 say you're not that good & have major issues. We are what we are, below average to bad, regardless of the upgrade at QB.

 

[kerouac9]

The difference between the defense under the first half of the season under Horton and this one is that there were clear breakdowns with Horton in charge, including players pointing at each other as Steve Smith caught the ball and ran into the end zone.

This wasn't a case of confusion about what was happening. It was a case of some parts the defense not being as talented, and some parts the scheme neither highlighting any assets nor hiding any liabilities.

The defense doesn't get two VERY lucky breaks, and the scoreboard would have looked as bad as it will against New Orleans shortly.

 

[Cheesebeef]

The difference between the defense under the first half of the season under Horton and this one is that there were clear breakdowns with Horton in charge, including players pointing at each other as Steve Smith caught the ball and ran into the end zone.

This wasn't a case of confusion about what was happening. It was a case of some parts the defense not being as talented, and some parts the scheme neither highlighting any assets nor hiding any liabilities.

The defense doesn't get two VERY lucky breaks, and the scoreboard would have looked as bad as it will against New Orleans shortly.

that game will be SERIOUSLY ugly.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

The difference between the defense under the first half of the season under Horton and this one is that there were clear breakdowns with Horton in charge, including players pointing at each other as Steve Smith caught the ball and ran into the end zone.

This wasn't a case of confusion about what was happening. It was a case of some parts the defense not being as talented, and some parts the scheme neither highlighting any assets nor hiding any liabilities.

The defense doesn't get two VERY lucky breaks, and the scoreboard would have looked as bad as it will against New Orleans shortly.

Just because there weren't any blatant blown coverages like we saw a couple years ago against Carolina doesn't mean that there wasn't guys out of position or guys missing their assignments. Do I think this defense will be really good after a few more weeks to gel? Not necessarily, but I do think they will improve. Especially when D-Wash gets back because his athleticism brings so much versatility to the defense. He will be able to cover some of these tight ends better than we saw today and he has a knack for making plays in the backfield to include leading the team in sacks last year.

 

[Chaz]

The lack of speed at linebacker a huge problem.

Still a better effort than last year in SL. They still need to get the protection figured out.

 

[nashman]

The coaching staff is much better that alone should make for more entertaining and competitive football!

 

[Duckjake]

I think he helps the secondary personally. He was our sack leader last year and thus he helps our pass rush by being in the game. He is also much better in coverage than Brinkley and makes a lot more plays in the back field. Not saying he will make this a lock down defense, but they will definitely be better than they are without him.

But the coach who made him that isn't here anymore.

By the way, I thought the Safeties were supposed to cover the TE's. Isn't that why we were on Adrian Wilson because he couldn't cover TE's anymore?

DWash is credited with only 2 passes defensed last season which would indicate he wasn't exactly spectacular in pass defense. Am I confused about this as usual?

 

[Duckjake]

The coaching staff is much better that alone should make for more entertaining and competitive football!

The last coaching staff won their first road game last season. In New England. Don't pay any attention to the fact that they lost all the rest of them.

 

[Jasper]

The last coaching staff won their first road game last season. In New England. Don't pay any attention to the fact that they lost all the rest of them.

Last season the team just gave up. The defense held it but eventually folded because the offense ceased to exist. We just couldn't score and the defense just wore out.

 

[Buckybird]

Last season the team just gave up. The defense held it but eventually folded because the offense ceased to exist. We just couldn't score and the defense just wore out.

Exact opposite this year! Typical Cardinal luck lol One of the Bidwills has to return the 1925 championship trophy or else.

The D is gonna suck ass all year til Bowels is sent walking like the Iggles did last year.

 

[kerouac9]

Just because there weren't any blatant blown coverages like we saw a couple years ago against Carolina doesn't mean that there wasn't guys out of position or guys missing their assignments. Do I think this defense will be really good after a few more weeks to gel? Not necessarily, but I do think they will improve. Especially when D-Wash gets back because his athleticism brings so much versatility to the defense. He will be able to cover some of these tight ends better than we saw today and he has a knack for making plays in the backfield to include leading the team in sacks last year.

That's what you choose to believe, not something based in fact. When there are scheme breakdowns, they tend to b obvious. This just looked like shoddy talent and scheme.

 

[Chopper0080]

That's what you choose to believe, not something based in fact. When there are scheme breakdowns, they tend to b obvious. This just looked like shoddy talent and scheme.

Yeah, it looked like we played a scheme that did nothing to hide our deficiencies which were proven to be numerous.

 

[Buckybird]

Yeah, it looked like we played a scheme that did nothing to hide our deficiencies which were proven to be numerous.

Way too much man to man IMO.