Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
Here were the considerations I offered after last week's game---let's see what considerations may still apply after this week's meltdown.
* Stop scripting the plays—it’s just making Carson Palmer all the more programmed and robotic.
---another slow start and a 4th straight game with 0 points in first quarter
* Whoever is assigned to tell BA when to challenge a play should be replaced.
---no issues with that for BA today
* Start Jaron Brown at WR in place of Michael Floyd. Jaron has earned it.
---once again a poor start by Floyd
* If Mathis can’t play, start Cole Toner at RG. Toner was the 3rd best G in pre-season, not Watford. Hopefully Mathis can play because this week’s assignment is Aaron Donald.
---Mathis is one tough cookie
* Try C Evan Boehm for a series or two if possible. It’s time to work him in some.
---untimely false start penalty by Shipley helped stall a drive
* Stop throwing those ill-advised WR screens—other teams know when they are coming—plus if you are going to run them the tackle HAS to cut the DE.
---a couple of them worked (when the CB was giving John Brown a 10 yard cushion), but a couple of them got blown up
* Encourage Carson Palmer to play with emotion like he did in the second half of the Cincy game last year.
---Palmer looks like he's wound up too tightly, of course, constant pressure doesn't help
* When behind the offense has to play with much more urgency—Palmer’s delay of game penalty was totally inexcusable and a key error in the game—and then he nearly got another one when somehow they were bailed out by the Bills calling TO.
---Palmer played with greater urgency today, too bad he was knocked out before the last two minute drill
* Run more 2 RB sets with Chris Johnson at RB and David Johnson in the slot.
---Didn't see them in the game together. Both had some good runs, but both made big errors, and then both were injured.
* Re-sign DT Red Bryant. It was a mistake to waive him and this game proved it.
---I still think Red Bryant is a better option as a run stuffer than any DT on the roster---but can't believe they won't even activate X. Williams and R. Nkemdiche.
* Put in a claim for the Patriots’ DT Anthony Johnson who was waived. He had 5 tackles and two QB hurries in the first 3 games and played well versus the Cardinals.
---didn't happen...their love affair with Ed Stinson continues
* Sign an OLB—Okafor hasn’t been a factor, Martin is still rehabbing and they have top find a way to keep Golden’s and Jones’ legs fresh for the 4th quarter.
---figures they signed an OLB (Cam Johnson) to the PS and he gets signed by the Browns to their 53---we saw Okafor cannot tackle even at point blank range.
* Try to coax LS Mike Leach out of retirement—give him the money and the leeway to spend the early part of each week with his family.
---Brewer looked good.
* Sign Ryan Quigley as the punter and holder. He can placekick too if need be and might be better at pooch kickoffs that Catanzaro.
---they did and he got better as the game progressed---but should have been instructed to make a directional punt so that Tavon Austin doesn't get a clean return---obviously no such instruction came from Amos Jones.
* Have Gabe Martin sub for Kevin Minter on passing downs.
---no brainer, right? Even after Gurley was abusing Minter, no switch was made, and it allowed for the key 3rd down conversion on the Rams GW TD drive.
* Re-assign STs coordinator Amos Jones and switch James Bettcher over the STs coordinator. Bettcher was a STs coordinator twice in college and did a very good job—that’s where he can thrive.
---STs play is atrocious---there is no other way to put it.
---today's defense was much better versus the run---but the holding penalty on Pat P. was poor leadership on his part and totally unnecessary---it wound up leading to the Rams first TD---but look at how disorganized the defense was on the Brian Quick TD pass, the line wasn't even in their stances---and the zone call on 3rd and long, that once again left a WR WIDE OPEN down the sideline for an easy conversion and into FG territory was such a bad call to begin with---I was screaming at the TV before the snap---it was easy to see they were in zone and without decent zone safeties and with CBs who routinely miscommunicate, it was gift for the Rams---clearly Bettcher is over his head and the disorganization on defense is costing the team wins.
* Promote Bob Sanders, Nick Rapone or Larry Foote to DC. Sanders has NFL DC experience, Rapone was an outstanding DC at Delaware and no one knows the 34 defense and how to call it better than Larry Foote.
---I would roll the dice with Larry Foote, for the reasons I mention next.
* The players could relate to Foote especially well and may very likely respond with a bang. In PIT and AZ, Foote had so many years of experience running the defensive huddle, calling the plays on the field and directing his teammates where to go. That experience could easily translate to the sidelines.
---I think switching the calls and coordination over to Foote could energize our team like the coordinator switch did in Buffalo.
Players Who Played Reasonably Well:
RB David Johnson---was having a superb game and was in position to take over the game and then he fumbled.
LT Jared Veldheer---he was called for holding once, but he did reasonably well versus Robert Quinn.
RG Evan Mathis---what a pro.
WR John Brown---huge time for him to have a big game
WR Larry Fitzgerald---not sure why BA & CP keep wanting to throw to the diminutive John Brown at the back corner of the end zone---the Rams didn't put their best CB (T. Johnson) on Fitz and this he could have an even bigger day if BA&CP targeted him more.
DE Calais Campbell---he was very active versus the run and finally got a couple of pressures
OLB/DE Chandler Jones---loved that they moved him around this game---he responded well.
OLB Markus Golden---set the edge well and created some good pressure and a nice hustle sack
ILB Deone Bucannon---showed up like his former self today
K Chandler Catanzaro---good game
Players Who Struggled
QB Drew Stanton----carry over from two bad pre-seasons
RB Andre Ellington---has evolved into Sir Duck..or is it Sir Dive?
WR Michael Floyd---slowing team down
TE Jermain Gresham---worst game as a Cardinal---got pushed around and got called for a holding penalty when his man was not even a factor on the TD run.
OLB Alex Okafor---his feet are fairly good, but what does it matter if he can't tackle?
ILB Kevin Minter---asking him to cover Todd Gurley was a huge mistake by an inexperienced, unqualified DC.
CB Marcus Cooper---again, gets good position but doesn't react quick enough to the ball.
PR Patrick Peterson---fair catch on the 5 yard line? Are you serious?
Why?
---BA telling the media and the team this week that it was going to be a low scoring game---it really shouldn't have been---but why tell the players that? It sure looks now like they believed him.
---Throwing the bomb to John Brown on 1st down up the right side versus the Rams' best CB (T. Johnson) with Johnson giving up a 7 -8 yard cushion-- the next play after Brown had just made a 17 yard catch on the left side. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
---Keep 2 punters (still can't believe Butler wasn't placed on the IR) and 9 DL, 4 of whom you don't even activate each week, at the expense of giving away your 5th round pick.
As for BA---
Can he address some of his blind loyalties (coaches and players) and stubbornness in his decision making? Because, he is losing some valuable credibility.
BA deserves this year and next before anyone should suggest moving on from him. Sometimes things can get stale---this team isn't "trying too hard", as BA tried to suggest. It is playing stupid situational football. A shakeup right now could sway the tide the other way---it's worth the try, because next year's team is very likely going to be vastly different, personnel-wise with 23 UFAs waiting to hit the market.
It seemed like the past few years BA was able to address issues and correct them during the weeks and during the games. This year the same old issues cost the team over and over and little seems to be changing or even addressed. BA said last week that everything is correctable---but here we are a week later and this time it is 4 turnovers again, a game changing gaffe on STs and impatient or disorganized play execution on both ends.
* Stop scripting the plays—it’s just making Carson Palmer all the more programmed and robotic.
---another slow start and a 4th straight game with 0 points in first quarter
* Whoever is assigned to tell BA when to challenge a play should be replaced.
---no issues with that for BA today
* Start Jaron Brown at WR in place of Michael Floyd. Jaron has earned it.
---once again a poor start by Floyd
* If Mathis can’t play, start Cole Toner at RG. Toner was the 3rd best G in pre-season, not Watford. Hopefully Mathis can play because this week’s assignment is Aaron Donald.
---Mathis is one tough cookie
* Try C Evan Boehm for a series or two if possible. It’s time to work him in some.
---untimely false start penalty by Shipley helped stall a drive
* Stop throwing those ill-advised WR screens—other teams know when they are coming—plus if you are going to run them the tackle HAS to cut the DE.
---a couple of them worked (when the CB was giving John Brown a 10 yard cushion), but a couple of them got blown up
* Encourage Carson Palmer to play with emotion like he did in the second half of the Cincy game last year.
---Palmer looks like he's wound up too tightly, of course, constant pressure doesn't help
* When behind the offense has to play with much more urgency—Palmer’s delay of game penalty was totally inexcusable and a key error in the game—and then he nearly got another one when somehow they were bailed out by the Bills calling TO.
---Palmer played with greater urgency today, too bad he was knocked out before the last two minute drill
* Run more 2 RB sets with Chris Johnson at RB and David Johnson in the slot.
---Didn't see them in the game together. Both had some good runs, but both made big errors, and then both were injured.
* Re-sign DT Red Bryant. It was a mistake to waive him and this game proved it.
---I still think Red Bryant is a better option as a run stuffer than any DT on the roster---but can't believe they won't even activate X. Williams and R. Nkemdiche.
* Put in a claim for the Patriots’ DT Anthony Johnson who was waived. He had 5 tackles and two QB hurries in the first 3 games and played well versus the Cardinals.
---didn't happen...their love affair with Ed Stinson continues
* Sign an OLB—Okafor hasn’t been a factor, Martin is still rehabbing and they have top find a way to keep Golden’s and Jones’ legs fresh for the 4th quarter.
---figures they signed an OLB (Cam Johnson) to the PS and he gets signed by the Browns to their 53---we saw Okafor cannot tackle even at point blank range.
* Try to coax LS Mike Leach out of retirement—give him the money and the leeway to spend the early part of each week with his family.
---Brewer looked good.
* Sign Ryan Quigley as the punter and holder. He can placekick too if need be and might be better at pooch kickoffs that Catanzaro.
---they did and he got better as the game progressed---but should have been instructed to make a directional punt so that Tavon Austin doesn't get a clean return---obviously no such instruction came from Amos Jones.
* Have Gabe Martin sub for Kevin Minter on passing downs.
---no brainer, right? Even after Gurley was abusing Minter, no switch was made, and it allowed for the key 3rd down conversion on the Rams GW TD drive.
* Re-assign STs coordinator Amos Jones and switch James Bettcher over the STs coordinator. Bettcher was a STs coordinator twice in college and did a very good job—that’s where he can thrive.
---STs play is atrocious---there is no other way to put it.
---today's defense was much better versus the run---but the holding penalty on Pat P. was poor leadership on his part and totally unnecessary---it wound up leading to the Rams first TD---but look at how disorganized the defense was on the Brian Quick TD pass, the line wasn't even in their stances---and the zone call on 3rd and long, that once again left a WR WIDE OPEN down the sideline for an easy conversion and into FG territory was such a bad call to begin with---I was screaming at the TV before the snap---it was easy to see they were in zone and without decent zone safeties and with CBs who routinely miscommunicate, it was gift for the Rams---clearly Bettcher is over his head and the disorganization on defense is costing the team wins.
* Promote Bob Sanders, Nick Rapone or Larry Foote to DC. Sanders has NFL DC experience, Rapone was an outstanding DC at Delaware and no one knows the 34 defense and how to call it better than Larry Foote.
---I would roll the dice with Larry Foote, for the reasons I mention next.
* The players could relate to Foote especially well and may very likely respond with a bang. In PIT and AZ, Foote had so many years of experience running the defensive huddle, calling the plays on the field and directing his teammates where to go. That experience could easily translate to the sidelines.
---I think switching the calls and coordination over to Foote could energize our team like the coordinator switch did in Buffalo.
Players Who Played Reasonably Well:
RB David Johnson---was having a superb game and was in position to take over the game and then he fumbled.
LT Jared Veldheer---he was called for holding once, but he did reasonably well versus Robert Quinn.
RG Evan Mathis---what a pro.
WR John Brown---huge time for him to have a big game
WR Larry Fitzgerald---not sure why BA & CP keep wanting to throw to the diminutive John Brown at the back corner of the end zone---the Rams didn't put their best CB (T. Johnson) on Fitz and this he could have an even bigger day if BA&CP targeted him more.
DE Calais Campbell---he was very active versus the run and finally got a couple of pressures
OLB/DE Chandler Jones---loved that they moved him around this game---he responded well.
OLB Markus Golden---set the edge well and created some good pressure and a nice hustle sack
ILB Deone Bucannon---showed up like his former self today
K Chandler Catanzaro---good game
Players Who Struggled
QB Drew Stanton----carry over from two bad pre-seasons
RB Andre Ellington---has evolved into Sir Duck..or is it Sir Dive?
WR Michael Floyd---slowing team down
TE Jermain Gresham---worst game as a Cardinal---got pushed around and got called for a holding penalty when his man was not even a factor on the TD run.
OLB Alex Okafor---his feet are fairly good, but what does it matter if he can't tackle?
ILB Kevin Minter---asking him to cover Todd Gurley was a huge mistake by an inexperienced, unqualified DC.
CB Marcus Cooper---again, gets good position but doesn't react quick enough to the ball.
PR Patrick Peterson---fair catch on the 5 yard line? Are you serious?
Why?
---BA telling the media and the team this week that it was going to be a low scoring game---it really shouldn't have been---but why tell the players that? It sure looks now like they believed him.
---Throwing the bomb to John Brown on 1st down up the right side versus the Rams' best CB (T. Johnson) with Johnson giving up a 7 -8 yard cushion-- the next play after Brown had just made a 17 yard catch on the left side. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
---Keep 2 punters (still can't believe Butler wasn't placed on the IR) and 9 DL, 4 of whom you don't even activate each week, at the expense of giving away your 5th round pick.
As for BA---
Can he address some of his blind loyalties (coaches and players) and stubbornness in his decision making? Because, he is losing some valuable credibility.
BA deserves this year and next before anyone should suggest moving on from him. Sometimes things can get stale---this team isn't "trying too hard", as BA tried to suggest. It is playing stupid situational football. A shakeup right now could sway the tide the other way---it's worth the try, because next year's team is very likely going to be vastly different, personnel-wise with 23 UFAs waiting to hit the market.
It seemed like the past few years BA was able to address issues and correct them during the weeks and during the games. This year the same old issues cost the team over and over and little seems to be changing or even addressed. BA said last week that everything is correctable---but here we are a week later and this time it is 4 turnovers again, a game changing gaffe on STs and impatient or disorganized play execution on both ends.
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