MIA 26 AZ 23 Thoughts

[Mitch]

Same old road game script dating back to the Carolina playoff game: (1) Palmer playing hot potato early and often---leading to bad turnovers and digging the team a hole; (2) defense giving up untimely TDs, worse of all game after game following half-time; (3) STs proving to be an embarrassing liability.

In looking ahead---here are some thoughts:

1. Either the offense has to change or the team needs a different QB.

Palmer is not a hot read QB like Warner or Brady or Rodgers. If you speed up Palmer's clock he is going to do what he did again today---throw the ball too soon (1st interception) or throw the ball out in desperation (2nd interception). He needs time and plenty of it.

Expecting Ulrich John to handle Cameron Wake one on one is just plain idiotic---there is no other way to put it. The only kind of QB who can handle zero sets without sterling bookends is a mobile one who can break pressure with his feet. Carson Palmer, as we know, is not that guy.

2. The defense still needs a stronger 4 man rush, a more instinctive and athletic Mike ILB, a competent #2 CB and a nickel FS who can cover over the top.

One could argue that this was the biggest game of the season today---and yet, where was Chandler Jones? There is absolutely no way Jones is worthy of $17.M a year. If he believes he deserves that kind of money, then the Cardinals need to f-tag him and do everything they can to trade him. Jones cannot handicap the total 2017 cap the way Calais Campbell did this year.

For $17.5M the Cardinals can add 4-5 good starters and a couple of good STs players.

Good to see Corey Peters almost get a sack today---but the Cardinals kept an inordinate number of interior defensive tackles and none of them has provided an ability to rush the QB. That has to change.

Kevin Minter is not cutting it. Heck, Sio Moore, made three of the more athletic plays from the ILB position than Minter has all year.

The Dolphins did what most of the Cardinals' opponents have done all year---pick on Marcus Cooper or Justin Bethel. Their subpar play cost the team 10 points and probably more---including the game winning FG. Plus it certainly didn't help that Tyvon Branch's missed tackle led to yet another opening drive 3rd quarter TD. Branch has been a disappointment as well. One has to wonder how effective the Cardinals CB coaches are.

While D.J. Swearinger and Tony Jefferson make good tackles over the middle---teams know they can beat the Cardinals' defense deep because the FSs are not good at anticipating the deep pass and lack the requisite speed it takes. Thus, a nickel FS who can cover over the top is important to add.

3. The Special Teams needs new leadership (coaching) and Steve Keim's full attention in FA and the NFL Draft. These embarrassment cannot continue.

4. The Cardinals have to stop leading the league in talk.

They are still pretenders, not contenders.

 

[Vermont Maverick]

4. The Cardinals have to stop leading the league in talk.

They are still pretenders, not contenders.

Good stuff here, Mitch. I particularly like this one.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

They are still pretenders, not contenders.

+1

Good read.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Not much else to add Mitch... other than what I've been saying since preseason... Which is - something isn't right with this team. I have no idea what they did last off season, from the coaches to the players... but whatever it is they did, it didn't do a damn thing to get this team ready to compete.
Yes, injuries killed the team... our oline is truly laughable. Not sure what happened to Hump today, but the last half of the game we had Iupati as the only legit NFL caliber lineman!
And here is a question - why the hell does John Brown even suit up?? I feel for the kid, but is he really the only option we have? There is nobody on the practice squad or walking around who can actually run and maybe even catch a pass?? Seriously?? Palmer has been squeezed into an unbearable situation, where the only players he can rely on are Fitz and DJ. It's almost not even worth wasting time by looking at any other player as that wasted time usually means he gets pounded in the pocket.
Why BA hasn't designed more plays to Gresham and Fells is lost on me...
And I will never let BASK off the hook with regard to the situation with Special Teams. It's actually downright negligent and borderline dereliction of their duties, to stay with Amos Jones and a collective unit that is hysterically horrendous. There is no excuse for it - period, and they should be called out for it.
Same for Minter and Shipley. Keeping them as our starters is again, negligent.
And finally, I really, really, really hope Keim learned a lesson from this past draft, as it is historically bad. The only off-season move he made that panned out, if only marginally, is Chandler Jones. Every other move Keim made (draft and Free Agency), may have made our team worse.

 

[slanidrac16]

Mitch, I believe overall the defense has played a bit more than adequate. When you take into consideration our failure in the red zone, our turnovers, and of course our kikcking game I think the defense has held up quite well.
We are averaging over 8 points a game less than we did last year. Why?
1. Our o-line has been depleted. Kiem did address the o-line over the last 3 years with Veldeer,Iupati,Mathis and the Humphrey. If this group stayed healthy I think we would not be great but at least competent.
2. I agree with you about philosophy or QB change. However, we are who we are and we have been damn good at it until this year. The o-line injuries and the big drop off of Floyd combined with the injury to a very underated Jaron Brown has killed this offense and it is impossible to change on the fly with the personel we have. Either bolster the o-line or find a mobile QB that can keep defenses at bay.
3.We will look back and we will pin the failure to make the playoffs on Special teams and rightfully so. Little did we know the Leach retirement would have such a profound affect on our season. It is really sad to think we could not find a punter for 2016. I think part of it was arrogance by BA. The 5 ,10 or more yards flip in field position with every exchange of punts simply didn't bother him. We simply overcame that ( in the past) with a terrific offense.

Finally, I would look to free agency to bolster our WR corp and o-line. In the draft we need to decide on a QBOTF, ILB's,CB, O-line and punter. Face it, Palmer is going to be here next year so we really need to solve our o-line which will help in 2018 with a QBOTF.

 

[b8rtm8nn]

Good post Mitch - I don't think the adjustments on the offensive side of the ball are adequate given the number of injuries and declining WR play. I'm not as down as you are, but as we watch Dallas run 6-7 OL on a run play, and we use Gresham, Fells and Fitz - I shake my head

I thought Branch was SUPPOSED to be the long range FS - but misusing him at the beginning of the season, and even now (although we have more injuries, so you play who you have) - is an issue. We don't even know how he would look at FS yet.

 

[Mitch]

I think that the All or Nothing series turned out to be a significant detriment to this season. The bitter taste after the embarrassment in Carolina should have been the Cardinals greatest source of motivation. Instead, the All or Nothing series gave the players and coaches a false sense of self-worth...and let's face it, the series really downplayed the playoff loss at Carolina.

I think Steve Keim as much as anyone did not have a good handle on what the team needed most to get back on a positive track. He thought he could be cute in the draft and UFAs, feeling that the roster was already deep and championship caliber. He also did not address pass rushing depth (no offer to Freeney), veteran offensive line depth at tackle, STs upgrades, etc.

Thus, the Cardinals, instead of reeling over the NFC Championship game debacle, were blinded by the lights of the tv cameras.

 

[Mitch]

It looks very clear that the NFC West is now the weakest division in the NFL. Boy how things have changed in a couple of years.

 

[az jam]

Good stuff Mitch. I can't understand why the Special Teams problems have not been addressed. If Amos isn't fired BA will lose all credibility with the players and fans.

 

[Mitch]

Mitch, I believe overall the defense has played a bit more than adequate. When you take into consideration our failure in the red zone, our turnovers, and of course our kikcking game I think the defense has held up quite well.
We are averaging over 8 points a game less than we did last year. Why?
1. Our o-line has been depleted. Kiem did address the o-line over the last 3 years with Veldeer,Iupati,Mathis and the Humphrey. If this group stayed healthy I think we would not be great but at least competent.
2. I agree with you about philosophy or QB change. However, we are who we are and we have been damn good at it until this year. The o-line injuries and the big drop off of Floyd combined with the injury to a very underated Jaron Brown has killed this offense and it is impossible to change on the fly with the personel we have. Either bolster the o-line or find a mobile QB that can keep defenses at bay.
3.We will look back and we will pin the failure to make the playoffs on Special teams and rightfully so. Little did we know the Leach retirement would have such a profound affect on our season. It is really sad to think we could not find a punter for 2016. I think part of it was arrogance by BA. The 5 ,10 or more yards flip in field position with every exchange of punts simply didn't bother him. We simply overcame that ( in the past) with a terrific offense.

Finally, I would look to free agency to bolster our WR corp and o-line. In the draft we need to decide on a QBOTF, ILB's,CB, O-line and punter. Face it, Palmer is going to be here next year so we really need to solve our o-line which will help in 2018 with a QBOTF.

Slan---the lack of pass rush, shoddy tackling and poor coverage at the #2 and #3 CB positions were significant factors in the loss. The yardage stats are very misleading.

Great point about Mike Leach and the value he had to the team, esp. in close games. But, then again, SK should have had a good Plan B instead of hitvhing his and the team's wagon to an untested UFA.

 

[Mitch]

Good stuff Mitch. I can't understand why the Special Teams problems have not been addressed. If Amos isn't fired BA will lose all credibility with the players and fans.

I get why BA could't fire Jones during the season---there is no logical asst. coach on the staff who could take over the STs job, save for Bettcher and of course he has his hands full.

BA is likely to blame the STs mess on the personnel, not his pal Amos Jones. It is what it is. BA never blames himself or any of his coaches---it is always the players who frick up. Any coach who would refuse to give Ulrich John any help blocking Cameron Wake is living in his own private Idaho. BA is not going to change. That much is clear.

 

[PJ1]

I have changed my mind on Chandler Jones and agree with you Mitch....No way this guy is worth $17M...A must win game today and you wouldn't even know he played.....

 

[Broseph]

Really good write up. There has been a general dysfunction with this team dating back to the latter part of last season. This team just isn't right in certain areas, SK is going to have his hands full scrambling to save face and put together a respectable team for next year. His first order of business is not whiffing on our potential low draft pack.

Chandler Jones is kind of an enigma as well. Most of us were feeling really good about him and various parts of the season but I haven't heard his name called in a while (1 sack in the last 5 games??). Didn't someone mention that Patriots fans say he doesn't show up at all in big games? Although I feel our pass rush is improved, its not elite and many opposing QB's have all day to throw. I have a feeling Keim will break the bank over Jones and the dude will disappear after getting paid.

 

[Mitch]

Not much else to add Mitch... other than what I've been saying since preseason... Which is - something isn't right with this team. I have no idea what they did last off season, from the coaches to the players... but whatever it is they did, it didn't do a damn thing to get this team ready to compete.
Yes, injuries killed the team... our oline is truly laughable. Not sure what happened to Hump today, but the last half of the game we had Iupati as the only legit NFL caliber lineman!
And here is a question - why the hell does John Brown even suit up?? I feel for the kid, but is he really the only option we have? There is nobody on the practice squad or walking around who can actually run and maybe even catch a pass?? Seriously?? Palmer has been squeezed into an unbearable situation, where the only players he can rely on are Fitz and DJ. It's almost not even worth wasting time by looking at any other player as that wasted time usually means he gets pounded in the pocket.
Why BA hasn't designed more plays to Gresham and Fells is lost on me...
And I will never let BASK off the hook with regard to the situation with Special Teams. It's actually downright negligent and borderline dereliction of their duties, to stay with Amos Jones and a collective unit that is hysterically horrendous. There is no excuse for it - period, and they should be called out for it.
Same for Minter and Shipley. Keeping them as our starters is again, negligent.
And finally, I really, really, really hope Keim learned a lesson from this past draft, as it is historically bad. The only off-season move he made that panned out, if only marginally, is Chandler Jones. Every other move Keim made (draft and Free Agency), may have made our team worse.

Palmer is part of the problem---he is not the right QB for the system. Arians isn't changing. If Tina Fey was playing RT Arians would still go into zero RB, 5 spread sets. Problem is, opponents know all they have to do is play a furious 4 seconds of defense while the defensive line licks its chops at the change to plaster a stationary, mistake-prone QB.

 

[Mitch]

I have changed my mind on Chandler Jones and agree with you Mitch....No way this guy is worth $17M...A must win game today and you wouldn't even know he played.....

Pretender---not a contender. Major disappointment the past 5-6 weeks. He came nowhere close to making an impact today, PJ.

 

[Mitch]

Good post Mitch - I don't think the adjustments on the offensive side of the ball are adequate given the number of injuries and declining WR play. I'm not as down as you are, but as we watch Dallas run 6-7 OL on a run play, and we use Gresham, Fells and Fitz - I shake my head

I thought Branch was SUPPOSED to be the long range FS - but misusing him at the beginning of the season, and even now (although we have more injuries, so you play who you have) - is an issue. We don't even know how he would look at FS yet.

Great point about the Cowboys loading up on the run even when their starting 5 is the best in the NFL. Some coaches don't take anything for granted and want to make things easier on their RBs and QBs.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Palmer is part of the problem---he is not the right QB for the system. Arians isn't changing. If Tina Fey was playing RT Arians would still go into zero RB, 5 spread sets. Problem is, opponents know all they have to do is play a furious 4 seconds of defense while the defensive line licks its chops at the change to plaster a stationary, mistake-prone QB.

Sorry Mitch but I can't go there on Palmer... how many games has the guy won here in AZ with BA? So what's changed this year? The "problem" is Carson is working behind an injury-riddled and now ridiculously horrendous oline, with only two players capable of making anything happen in DJ and Fitz. THAT is the problem...
Oh, and special teams which has cost us at least 4 games this season. If we were 10 & 3 you would be singing Palmer's praises. Instead, our special teams has helped to produce a 5-7-1 record and now Palmer is the problem... Sorry, can go there...

 

[Mitch]

Sorry Mitch but I can't go there on Palmer... how many games has the guy won here in AZ with BA? So what's changed this year? The "problem" is Carson is working behind an injury-riddled and now ridiculously horrendous oline, with only two players capable of making anything happen in DJ and Fitz. THAT is the problem...
Oh, and special teams which has cost us at least 4 games this season. If we were 10 & 3 you would be singing Palmer's praises. Instead, our special teams has helped to produce a 5-7-1 record and now Palmer is the problem... Sorry, can go there...

In 6 of the last 7 road games going back to the NFC Championship game, Palmer has consistently made bad mistakes which have put the team in the hole, whether his line was all healthy or not. It is a pattern.

 

[82CardsGrad]

In 6 of the last 7 road games going back to the NFC Championship game, Palmer has consistently made bad mistakes which have put the team in the hole, whether his line was all healthy or not. It is a pattern.

Yes Mitch, Palmer didn't turn himself into Russell Wilson, Dak Prescott, Marcus Marriotta, or even Jamis Winston... So yea, I guess he is the problem.

 

[DeAnna]

Palmer is part of the problem---he is not the right QB for the system. .

not with this current o-line.

 

[Cards_Campos]

I get why BA could't fire Jones during the season---there is no logical asst. coach on the staff who could take over the STs job, save for Bettcher and of course he has his hands full.

BA is likely to blame the STs mess on the personnel, not his pal Amos Jones. It is what it is. BA never blames himself or any of his coaches---it is always the players who frick up. Any coach who would refuse to give Ulrich John any help blocking Cameron Wake is living in his own private Idaho. BA is not going to change. That much is clear.

Saying that Mitch. Do you think Arians is becoming a lot like Whisenhunt? I think genus a combination of him and Buddy Ryan. His system works and his buddies can play or coach!

 

[Mitch]

Yes Mitch, Palmer didn't turn himself into Russell Wilson, Dak Prescott, Marcus Marriotta, or even Jamis Winston... So yea, I guess he is the problem.

He is not the entire problem...it all starts with BA and what he asks CP to do...

Yes Mitch, Palmer didn't turn himself into Russell Wilson, Dak Prescott, Marcus Marriotta, or even Jamis Winston... So yea, I guess he is the problem.

Palmer made 4 huge mistakes...and all 4 were because of trying to hurry: (1) the 1st interception, thrown a second too soon; (2) the second interception, thrown under duress and up for grabs; (3) the botched snap, pulling away from center too soon; (4) the hurried pass on 1st and 10 on the last series which slipped out of Palmer's hand.

Only on one of these plays was Palmer under immediate pressure (interception #2).

With a wet ball the worst thing a QB can do is to hurry his ball handling and passes. Especially with the game on the line at 23-23.

Palmer fought back, as he usually does, but the 4 mistakes cost the Cardinals big-time and a chance to be right in the thick of the playoff race today.

 

[Mitch]

Saying that Mitch. Do you think Arians is becoming a lot like Whisenhunt? I think genus a combination of him and Buddy Ryan. His system works and his buddies can play or coach!

I think that BA is his own kind of stubborn. he is by far a better OC than Whisenhunt. Whisenhunt got carried by Kurt Warner, who personally coached up the offense and tailored it to his penchant for exploiting coverage mismatches.

Buddy Ryan as a head coach showed a disdain for even his own offense. BA shows much more of an interest and commitment to his defense than Buddy ever did for his offense. Although one could make a case that BA's mishandling of his STs is akin to Buddy's mishandling of his offense.

While BA's offense can be very effective at times---his refusal to tweak the offense in order to cater it to its weaknesses and whatever personnel is on the field for that week is absolutely mind-boggling. Call it stubbornness...but it also could well be laziness, as in not wanting to spend the extra effort and practice time to make the necessary adjustments.

I think what Whisenhunt and BA have most in common---worst commitment to pass protection in the NFL and possibly anywhere in football.

 

[82CardsGrad]

He is not the entire problem...it all starts with BA and what he asks CP to do...


Palmer made 4 huge mistakes...and all 4 were because of trying to hurry: (1) the 1st interception, thrown a second too soon; (2) the second interception, thrown under duress and up for grabs; (3) the botched snap, pulling away from center too soon; (4) the hurried pass on 1st and 10 on the last series which slipped out of Palmer's hand.

Only on one of these plays was Palmer under immediate pressure (interception #2).

With a wet ball the worst thing a QB can do is to hurry his ball handling and passes. Especially with the game on the line at 23-23.

Palmer fought back, as he usually does, but the 4 mistakes cost the Cardinals big-time and a chance to be right in the thick of the playoff race today.

You're mad... I get it. I am too. We all are. But your anger is blinding you from seeing the forrest thru the trees...
Palmer is trying too hard, I'll grant that. But do you blame him? The guy is a literal punching bag and he knows that each and every time he drops back - even on 3-step drops, he's going to get hit...often HARD. Worse, if both DJ and Fitz aren't open, then what? The first INT he clearly tried to squeeze it in to Fitz who was not open. But if all you know is that Fitz (on that play) is your only option, chances are you're going to give the future hall of famer the chance to make a play...
The fumbled snap was equally attributable to Shipley. He sucks. His snaps when Carson is in the gun are often poor and wobbly. And on this fumble, Shipley should've known to take extra caution with the soaking wet ball. Watch the replay and you'll see he delivers the snap awkwardly with the ball semi-turned in an abnormal manner.
I am not going to fault a QB for succumbing to the brutal reality that he himself, thx to a sad and sickening oline and only two viable options to save his ass on offense (DJ and Fitz), has to find ways to make plays... which is what he did in the 4th quarter.
Meanwhile, had Catman made any one of the 3 kicks he missed, we win. Or, had our punt team not given up the long return on Miami's last drive, we go to OT. Or, if Branch and Jefferson actually tackle Landry on a 3rd and 7, when Branch had him wrapped up well short of the sticks,but instead allowed Landry to break free for a 70 yard play to set up another TD, we win...
Instead, you solely put the blame on the QB?
I think you're better than this Mitch...

 

[cardpa]

Really good write up. There has been a general dysfunction with this team dating back to the latter part of last season. This team just isn't right in certain areas, SK is going to have his hands full scrambling to save face and put together a respectable team for next year. His first order of business is not whiffing on our potential low draft pack.

Chandler Jones is kind of an enigma as well. Most of us were feeling really good about him and various parts of the season but I haven't heard his name called in a while (1 sack in the last 5 games??). Didn't someone mention that Patriots fans say he doesn't show up at all in big games? Although I feel our pass rush is improved, its not elite and many opposing QB's have all day to throw. I have a feeling Keim will break the bank over Jones and the dude will disappear after getting paid.

I posted this in another thread that centered around paying Jones. I looked up stats and in 11 games Freeney had 8 sacks and 3 forced fumbles in 2015. In 2016 Jones has 8 sacks and 3 forced fumbles in 11 games. After Sunday make that 12 games. Would anyone here pay Freeney $17MM, I think not, so why would you pay Jones $17MM for the exact same output. There is a reason the Patriots traded him away and I suspect it was because they figured he was the easiest to replace. Maybe they saw that what other players around him did impacted how effective he was and when he is placed on a island or needs to be the guy he really can't cut it.