Mitch,,,wheres my weekly game eval?

[cardcrazy]

Always look forward to reading your posts.
Curious to see your opinion of yesterdays game.

 

[crisper57]

+1

 

[DemsMyBoys]

Me too! When Whiz said "See you on Wednesday" in the locker room after the game the first person I thought of was Mitch.

 

[Mitch]

Thanks for your patience cardcrazy & crisper57---I taped the game and then watched it last night.

Loved the game---loved the intensity---the Cardinals are really getting after it, especially on defense---they look like a team that is starting to understand how to play to their strengths---and yesterday, we saw defensive and offensive adjustments that were lacking in close games during the first 7 games.

Game Balls:

1. Ray Horton and the entire defense once again. They are carrying the team---and smart adjustments are being made such as stacking the box when Murray started out getting 7 yards a carry---and when they stacked the box they mixed up their coverages to try to confuse Romo, whom they were able to sack an impressive 5 times. The young LBers (Wash, Acho, Scho) are stepping up, no question. Lenon is playing very well. Dockett and Campbell are taking charge. Good game from Haggans too. The speed to the ball is the best it has been in ages---that and the tackling and consistency of the coverages. Plus, Horton has settled the DB situation down amazingly well. Wilson is playing smarter and with more instincts. Rashad is solid---as is Marshall---and PP21 is now turning his game on.

2. Kevin Kolb. Even though Kolb was rusty in the first half, it appeared that he and the coaches are much more understanding of what needs to get done. It looks to me like Kolb understands now that he can't be running backward and taking 17 yard losses---that it is OK to take a sack because there is a belief that they can get it back on the next play. Very wise. Plus, as the announcers were saying the coaches are adjusting and catering their game plans to allow Kolb to do what he does best. he made some great plays with his feet---and his poise and precision in the 2nd half were very good---and he properly sold a screen, which gave the team the exhilarating victory. Once he develops chemistry with Housler---this offense withing the current adjustments could start to light the scoreboard.

3. Beanie Wells. The numbers weren't as good this week, but the effort was. Man is he running hard and strong!

4. Andre Roberts. Great to see him and Kolb developing a chemistry.

5. Hyphen. Get this kid signed to a long-term contract---he's special, as we have known all along through the best and worst of times.

6. Levi. The guy is making strides in pass pro and remains a beast in the running game.

7. Feely & Zustadil---great games.

This week's game will be a barometer check---the Cardinals have raised the physical level of their game to the point where the 49ers are not going to intimidate the Cardinals---and if the Cardinals put a pounding on them, that will send a resounding message.

Whisenhunt owes a great deal to Ray Horton---and to John Skelton---without the turnaround the past 5 weeks, yesterday's game would not have had the same feel and impact. The defense has come to play EVERY week for the past 5 weeks---that and very good special teams, a redefined RB in Beanie Wells, and timely offense, particularly late in games.have turned this team around.

 

[nationsrj]

Good read, thanks mitch

 

[splitsecond]

Can we just repeat the fact that we won on a SCREEN PLAY?!?!?! I mean, how many threads and posts just this season have been dedicated to browbeating the fact that we were wholly unable to execute a screen?

To me, that was the biggest wow of the game.

 

[BigRedRage]

1st screen in cardinals history (barely got off btw) beats the cowboys!

 

[Duckjake]

1st screen in cardinals history (barely got off btw) beats the cowboys!

Inquiring minds want to know. Was that really a screen or just a heads up play by LSH and Kolb reacting to the unblocked defender?

 

[82CardsGrad]

Inquiring minds want to know. Was that really a screen or just a heads up play by LSH and Kolb reacting to the unblocked defender?

LSH, Andre Roberts, Kolb and Whiz all referred to that play as a screen. In fact, all the more amazing is what LSH did before he caught the ball! Acccording to Roberts, Kolb, Whiz and LSH himself, the screen was supposed to more more up the middle. However, LSH saw that the Cowboys came hard up the middle and would force Kolb out of the pocket, so, he instantly decided to run his route more outside, to allow Kolb the chance to roll from the pressure and find him... He also knew that some of his blockers would not be positioned properly, mainly because they were going to get caught up attempting to slow the rush... Yet, he said he caught the ball and saw a lane to the end zone... He also picked up an early, critical block from Roberts (I think it was on Newman), that really sprung him and sent him off to the races!!! Just a GREAT, GREAT play by both Kolb and LSH, and Roberts with the key block!

 

[AZ Native]

Doesn't a screen play involve the offensive line letting the defenders through and then the offensive lineman lead the play by blocking? At least that was my understanding.

 

[conraddobler]

I saw the replay, it looked like a typical screen play we'd run, completely annihilated from the start.

The only reason it worked was someone plays with a functioning brain.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Doesn't a screen play involve the offensive line letting the defenders through and then the offensive lineman lead the play by blocking? At least that was my understanding.

Typically I would reply by asking you if you have ever seen the Cards attempt a screen pass... however, in this case, I can be ok with the o-line not getting downfield as, for the most part, they got caught up in the Cowboys rush/blitz...

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I saw the replay, it looked like a typical screen play we'd run, completely annihilated from the start.

The only reason it worked was someone plays with a functioning brain.

+1

 

[Chopper0080]

Doesn't a screen play involve the offensive line letting the defenders through and then the offensive lineman lead the play by blocking? At least that was my understanding.

You don't let the blockers through clean, but you are only supposed to chip and then release. In a situation like this however, you have to hold on a little bit longer to let the back get out of the backfield. Why the Cardinals have so many issues with screens is that our linemen are terrible at disguising them. You have to make the defender think that he beat you, and then release to the linebackers. Our linemen typically just let them through clean which results in a sack (as the RB doesn't have time to get through the muck) or the linemen recognize that they weren't blocked at all and drop into the throwing lane to the back. Screen plays take timing, familiarity and improvization, neither which our team is good at.

 

[john h]

You don't let the blockers through clean, but you are only supposed to chip and then release. In a situation like this however, you have to hold on a little bit longer to let the back get out of the backfield. Why the Cardinals have so many issues with screens is that our linemen are terrible at disguising them. You have to make the defender think that he beat you, and then release to the linebackers. Our linemen typically just let them through clean which results in a sack (as the RB doesn't have time to get through the muck) or the linemen recognize that they weren't blocked at all and drop into the throwing lane to the back. Screen plays take timing, familiarity and improvization, neither which our team is good at.

Kolb ran out to the right on the winning TD pass. Do you not usually backup and not move to the side on the screen. Kolb's feet saved a sack. I doubt Skelton would be elusive enough to have made that play. The run by LSC was no simple run. He was elusive and used his blockers well. Good balance when he almost went down. Liked that big lineman of our carrying him down the field on his shoulders. Coach Ryan looked totally deflated after that run.

 

[PortlandCardFan]

There were linemen downfield. Hyphen ran into one at the 10...

 

[82CardsGrad]

There were linemen downfield. Hyphen ran into one at the 10...

If you stop this video at about the 2:14 mark, you'll see that the only linemen that got a release to get downfield was Colledge, who, not surprisingly is the guy who LSH ran into at about the 10! Here's the link: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2011120411/2011/REG13/cowboys@cardinals#menu=highlights&tab=recap

 

[Phrazbit]

Colledge has been a money signing. Has blocked well in the passing game and has had several plays where he is busting up the linebackers and secondary on runs.

 

[TRW]

That may have been a screen pass called, but it wasn't a screen pass as executed.

Still, it counted for SIX BABY!!!!

 

[dreamcastrocks]

That may have been a screen pass called, but it wasn't a screen pass as executed.

Still, it counted for SIX BABY!!!!

Disagree. It was a screen; a poorly executed one turned into a perfectly executed one.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Disagree. It was a screen; a poorly executed one turned into a perfectly executed one.

The block by Roberts on Newman was huge on the play....

 

[splitsecond]

Was nice to watch it repeatedly on the Top 10 this morning while I got ready for work, thats for sure. Looks like the Hyphen is finally going to become the official nickname.

 

[PortlandCardFan]

If you stop this video at about the 2:14 mark, you'll see that the only linemen that got a release to get downfield was Colledge, who, not surprisingly is the guy who LSH ran into at about the 10! Here's the link: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2011120411/2011/REG13/cowboys@cardinals#menu=highlights&tab=recap

I saw the video. Posts were made saying linemen didn't get down field which is incorrect. A lineman did for good or bad...

 

[Chopper0080]

Kolb ran out to the right on the winning TD pass. Do you not usually backup and not move to the side on the screen. Kolb's feet saved a sack. I doubt Skelton would be elusive enough to have made that play. The run by LSC was no simple run. He was elusive and used his blockers well. Good balance when he almost went down. Liked that big lineman of our carrying him down the field on his shoulders. Coach Ryan looked totally deflated after that run.

Yes, Kolb was supposed to drift back, but he couldn't because of the free edge rusher. He improvized, beat the rusher outside, and then flipped the ball to LSH who had it easy because the Cowboys brought an all out blitz.

 

[Chopper0080]

Disagree. It was a screen; a poorly executed one turned into a perfectly executed one.

Yep, why it looks weird is because the Cowboys brought a ton of pressure which forced Kolb to roll out of the pocket rather than back in the pocket.