MIA 26 AZ 23 Thoughts

[cardpa]

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.

You r not the only one this is lost on.

 

[Mitch]

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...

I never said that I blame the loss solely on Palmer...but game after game on the road since Carolina, he's been a turnover machine. Even in the pre-season he was a turnover machine. All because he hurries and forces the issue when by now he should smart enough not to.

It all starts with BA's offense and what he expects the QB to be able to do. Clearly, BA hasn't been able to impress upon Palmer that he can't be turning the ball over like this and expect the team to win. But, does BA try to do more to give Palmer better protection? No. So, it has become Einstein's definition of insanity...doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

Watching Palmer in this offense has become excruciating. He takes forever and day to get the team out of the huddle. He winds the play clock down to 2-3 seconds every play...he snaps the ball on 1 every play and then he hurries like he's got ants in his pants.

There comes a point where the excuses have to stop. Look at the excuses you continue to make for him---and even worse that BA continues to make for him even though it is clear that BA can't coach the mistakes out of him, or that BA refuses to make things a little easier for Palmer.

It is an regrettable and costly disconnect between the both of them.

This offense has been out of sync for the vast majority of this season. Making matters worse, BA gives Palmer days off on Wednesdays---and that has been a colossal failure, especially losing 3 of the last 4 games and trying to adjust to the changes in personnel week to week.

I had to laugh yesterday when BA said they practice with wet balls on Wednesdays. Palmer doesn't practice on Wednesdays.

 

[82CardsGrad]

I never said that I blame the loss solely on Palmer...but game after game on the road since Carolina, he's been a turnover machine. Even in the pre-season he was a turnover machine. All because he hurries and forces the issue when by now he should smart enough not to.

It all starts with BA's offense and what he expects the QB to be able to do. Clearly, BA hasn't been able to impress upon Palmer that he can't be turning the ball over like this and expect the team to win. But, does BA try to do more to give Palmer better protection? No. So, it has become Einstein's definition of insanity...doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

Watching Palmer in this offense has become excruciating. He takes forever and day to get the team out of the huddle. He winds the play clock down to 2-3 seconds every play...he snaps the ball on 1 every play and then he hurries like he's got ants in his pants.

There comes a point where the excuses have to stop. Look at the excuses you continue to make for him---and even worse that BA continues to make for him even though it is clear that BA can't coach the mistakes out of him, or that BA refuses to make things a little easier for Palmer.

It is an regrettable and costly disconnect between the both of them.

This offense has been out of sync for the vast majority of this season. Making matters worse, BA gives Palmer days off on Wednesdays---and that has been a colossal failure, especially losing 3 of the last 4 games and trying to adjust to the changes in personnel week to week.

I had to laugh yesterday when BA said they practice with wet balls on Wednesdays. Palmer doesn't practice on Wednesdays.

Mitch, have you considered that the a reason the offense takes so long in the huddle at times, is because there are few on the offense who actually know what the hell they're doing?? Seriously, Palmer has to essentially coach up more than half the offense DURING the game!
And yes - BA is at fault here in a major way, as he and the other coaches should be able to adjust to the realities this offense has been dealing with. But seriously man, you are asking Palmer to be someone he's not. The problem is not him as much as it is BA who refuses to give Palmer and the offense the best shot at success. When one of the announcers yesterday asked Barber "Why doesn't BA put in an extra lineman or TE to block?", Barber replied "He doesn't have those sets and plays on his offense!" Egregious....

 

[Mitch]

Mitch, have you considered that the a reason the offense takes so long in the huddle at times, is because there are few on the offense who actually know what the hell they're doing?? Seriously, Palmer has to essentially coach up more than half the offense DURING the game!
And yes - BA is at fault here in a major way, as he and the other coaches should be able to adjust to the realities this offense has been dealing with. But seriously man, you are asking Palmer to be someone he's not. The problem is not him as much as it is BA who refuses to give Palmer and the offense the best shot at success. When one of the announcers yesterday asked Barber "Why doesn't BA put in an extra lineman or TE to block?", Barber replied "He doesn't have those sets and plays on his offense!" Egregious....

I think we are getting closer to agreeing with each other. The point is---it is BA who is asking Palmer to be someone he's not. That's the disconnect.

Chip blocking isn't rocket science---all the TE has to do is make one good hit on the DE to take away his first step, then hand the DE over to the tackle, who by now is fully set up in his fan blocking stance. The TE can then still release on a pass route. Taking away the DE's first step gives the QB an added couple of seconds to let the play develop and to find the open man. Plus it frustrates the heck out of the DEs. But, without such help the DEs are licking their chops like Cameron Wake was yesterday.

It's good you mentioned Barber's comments, which echoed Spielman's comments the week before. BA's offense has become so predictable that even the TV crews who come in for one week, know exactly what to predict. Imagine then what the opposing DCs and players know coming in. Compound this with snapping the ball on 1 every single play and the Cardinals are giving the defense every advantage imaginable. Not only do they know the plays, they know they can be the first ones off the snap.

 

[82CardsGrad]

I think we are getting closer to agreeing with each other. The point is---it is BA who is asking Palmer to be someone he's not. That's the disconnect.

Chip blocking isn't rocket science---all the TE has to do is make one good hit on the DE to take away his first step, then hand the DE over to the tackle, who by now is fully set up in his fan blocking stance. The TE can then still release on a pass route. Taking away the DE's first step gives the QB an added couple of seconds to let the play develop and to find the open man. Plus it frustrates the heck out of the DEs. But, without such help the DEs are licking their chops like Cameron Wake was yesterday.

It's good you mentioned Barber's comments, which echoed Spielman's comments the week before. BA's offense has become so predictable that even the TV crews who come in for one week, know exactly what to predict. Imagine then what the opposing DCs and players know coming in. Compound this with snapping the ball on 1 every single play and the Cardinals are giving the defense every advantage imaginable. Not only do they know the plays, they know they can be the first ones off the snap.

For the record, as much as adding a TE to chip might help, it won't solve Shipley getting destroyed on virtually every play...

But yes, as I have been saying since camp, BA hasn't been right... This has not been a good coaching year for him at all. Of course, with all of the injuries I don't know how different things could've been. But it seems as though BA isn't even trying to deal with the conditions at hand.

 

[daves]

Why BA hasn't designed more plays to Gresham and Fells is lost on me...

Gresham and Fells have been targeted a total of 27 times in the last 3 games - FAR more than earlier in the season.

Plus with the state of the OL, the TEs have been needed more as blockers lately.

...dbs

 

[82CardsGrad]

Gresham and Fells have been targeted a total of 27 times in the last 3 games - FAR more than earlier in the season.

Plus with the state of the OL, the TEs have been needed more as blockers lately.

...dbs

Good. Should've been more...

 

[NJCardFan]

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.

Not to mention the Cards bought into their own hype in the beginning of the season. Truth is, the writing was on the wall in the pre-season and the coaching staff and front office didn't address any of the problems then. This season is a self inflicted gunshot wound.

 

[NJCardFan]

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.

This is what I don't get. The Cards drafted an offensive lineman in the first round in 2007, 2013, and 2015. 2 of whom are no longer in the league and the 3rd I'm cautiously optimistic but you'd think we'd have a good line by now but instead we've drifted back into horribleness(injuries didn't help either).

 

[RugbyMuffin]

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

As was the entire football media/league sphere. Its not like the Cardinals were all alone in their thoughts of being contenders.

I think the biggest misconception was that the 2017 team "was the same team" as the 2016 team. I keep hearing about how they got everyone back, and that is just not the case. It wasn't the case to start this season, and is without a doubt the case with the current state of the roster. I bought into it at first but when the cracks in the foundation started to show, it actually was very apparent.

Not to mention it feels like every roster spot that wasn't the same as in 2016 not only was worse but cost this team a game, this season.

BTW - I do not think Bruce Arians, or any coaches system works with 4th and 5th string offensive tackles.

There is no doubt this team is not a contender, and probably wasn't at the beginning of the year, but I would argue this team still should have made the playoffs. A one and done playoff appearance but an appearance none the less.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Arians is probably thinking that if he leaves TEs and RBs in to block that he has to drastically reduce his playbook. He'd rather risk the hits on Palmer than to lower the potential of the offense.

What the Cardinals are going through is a tough situation to go through. Two 1,000 yard receivers are shells of their former selves. The offensive line has more injuries than usual.

What I would say was foolhardy is that the team hasn't made any credible moves to improve special teams play. The team treated #2 cornerback like most teams treat #2 TE. The team still doesn't have a credible QBOF. Backup ILB has not been address with a draft pick. Young players (Toner/Boehm) are sitting on the bench while the starters struggle.

 

[slanidrac16]

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.

By no means am I suggesting we are an elite defense. But despite the unbelievable special teams and lack of scoring and turnovers they have kept us in games. Games we would/should have won by simply making a fg, extra point or not allowing a 104 yd KO return.
If we are going back to the playoffs next year it has to start with our o-line no matter who I qb is, which I believe will be Palmer.

 

[mrbyte]

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

This needed to be said at the start of the season along with "Stop reading your own press" and "Red carpets don't 'make' you special play does"

 

[JeffGollin]

Agree with Mitch that it's not all Palmer, it's what the coach asks him to do.

Example: Rainy weather. Slick pigskin. Yet plays called in by BA asks Palmer to execute quick short passes that require moving the football quickly from the left hand to the right. (Let's just say that Carson's ball-handling was less than crisp).

That said, I think it's fair to ask: "Regardless of who's at fault from play to play, can we still win with Carson as our QB" and, if not, what are we going to do about it?

 

[b8rtm8nn]

That said, I think it's fair to ask: "Regardless of who's at fault from play to play, can we still win with Carson as our QB" and, if not, what are we going to do about it?

Yes, we can win with Palmer next year. And yes, we should really invest in young QBs next year as well.

 

[JeffGollin]

This is what I don't get. The Cards drafted an offensive lineman in the first round in 2007, 2013, and 2015. 2 of whom are no longer in the league and the 3rd I'm cautiously optimistic but you'd think we'd have a good line by now but instead we've drifted back into horribleness(injuries didn't help either).

Just a thought - Could it be that "Riskit/Biscuit" makes it necessary for our linemen to sustain blocks too long and that it makes our O linemen look worse than they really are?

Are QB's who have patience and are adept at sustaining drives with 8 - 15 yard passes more effective than chunk-yardage guys?

Also - along those lines of thinking: Have other defenses adjusted to counter the Cardinal offense? (& will they spend nost of the off-season figuring out how to stop David Johnson)? It's all part of the process of "adjust" and "readjust."

 

[NJCardFan]

Just a thought - Could it be that "Riskit/Biscuit" makes it necessary for our linemen to sustain blocks too long and that it makes our O linemen look worse than they really are?

No. They just stink.

 

[cardpa]

Just a thought - Could it be that "Riskit/Biscuit" makes it necessary for our linemen to sustain blocks too long and that it makes our O linemen look worse than they really are?

Are QB's who have patience and are adept at sustaining drives with 8 - 15 yard passes more effective than chunk-yardage guys?

Also - along those lines of thinking: Have other defenses adjusted to counter the Cardinal offense? (& will they spend nost of the off-season figuring out how to stop David Johnson)? It's all part of the process of "adjust" and "readjust."

Arians said part of the problem in Miami was Palmer not getting enough time on the 7 step drop plays. Then why the hell was he calling 7 step drop plays in the first place?