Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
1. Without a doubt, the game changing play yesterday was delivered by Antrel Rolle, who made a textbook read and reaction to Marc Bulger's seam pass to Donnie Avery...a play that worked for a big-time TD versus the Patriots last week...and Rolle, who also tackled with authority yesterday throughout the whole game, has just an uncanny nose for the end zone---the way he eluded the last couple defenders was brilliant, for he was hardly even touched and just side-stepped into the end zone. He has such good body control and vision when he runs the ball...
Which, while we're talking about Rolle--how about trying him on occasion as punt returner? With Steve Breaston's ever growing role in the offense it seems he could use spot duty on returns. Still not sure why J.J. Arrington wasn't returning kickoffs until late in the second half yesterday...Arrington should resume that role permanently, for he is the best at it, and he is getting less snaps on offense than Breaston.
2. The game changing decisions from the coaches during the week were giving the starting RB spot to Tim Hightower and focusing the defense on tackling.
Hightower is the first Cardinal rookie RB to gain over 100 yards in his first start since O.J. Anderson (correct me if I am wrong---but that's the only one I can remember)...and that was over 25 years and a few first round RB picks ago.
Hightower's 30 yard TD was a real thing of beauty, and is the main proof why he should be the starter over Edge...the way Hightower stuttered stepped and burst to the inside, froze the Ram defender in his tracks. On the same play James wouldn't have gotten to the perimeter as quickly and he would not have put any moves on the Ram defender and likely would have been dragged down for a five yard gain.
Speaking of Edge...while it is truly commendable how he is supporting Hightower...his lack of understanding of the offense's real strengths and his own diminishing skills, are what put him in the doghouse in the first place. Two weeks ago Edge was complaining about his role in the offense...which, as we know, is a familiar refrain from Edge...only this time his complaints were completely unfounded and untimely. Then, fumbling in the worst possible situation last week versus Carolina only made Edge's complaints all the more dubious.
Edge has run hard this year, and he ran hard last year. That's not the problem. It's his lack of explosiveness and being a step too slow getting to the hole that hold his (and the team's) numbers in check...and then when he does get into the second level of a defense, he seems to slow down rather than take off.
Hats off to the coaches who are doing what's best for the team...and while Whiz said today that Edge is still a valuable part of the team as long as he accepts his role, one has to think that Edge's "I am not a yes man" and "this is personal" quotes would indicate that his morale, at this point anyway, is pretty much shot.
The other thing is that with the way J.J. Arrington ran the and caught the ball yesterday, Edge should be #3 on the depth chart. Arrington has developed very nicely, and it would be wise to get him inked to a new deal, seeing as he is a fit as a change of pace back in this offense and he is just coming into his prime. Even he probably realizes that he is not ever going to be a feature back in the NFL.
And secondly, the defensive coaches and players deserve a good deal of credit for not only changing the game back in the Cardinals' favor for a change, but for obviously stressing the need to tackle with better desire and fundamentals. We saw it all afternoon...save the first ten yard running play from Antonio Pittman and a couple of runaway scrambles from Bulger, the Cardinal defense totally shut down the Rams' running game, as attested by Steven Jackson's 7/17 yard stifling. Sure, Jackson is hampered by his thigh injury, but, even if he was healthy, he would have been able to get a head of steam going on most of his carries anyway, for the Cardinal defense was getting upfield...as in the way DE Antonio Smith busted through the middle on one play to blow up Jackson in the backfield.
I have been saying that as Dockett and Smith go...the Cardinals go. Yesterday was added proof. Both Dockett (who had an outstanding sack to go with some solid interior play) and Smith were energized, and this affects the whole defense, and certainly gave Bulger some pause.
Chike Okeafor made one of the best tackles of the day on a beautifully set up fake reverse screen left...that may have been another Marion Barber/Steve Smith short play homerun...
And, what told me more than anything else how much the Cardinal coaches drilled the tackling focus into the players' head was the excessive sideline tackle DRC made on Torry Holt. I believe DRC when he said he wasn't aware Holt was out of bounds...and after last week's debacle (and Eric Green inexcusable quitting on the TD bomb that he should have at least tackled the player on---didn't he learn from the Steve Smith play to make sure of the tackle?), DRC was making sure Holt wasn't going anywhere. Sure, it was a bad penalty, as it turned out, but let's just say even the rookie defenders got the message from the coaches...even if Green didn't.
3. The second half was rather ugly football on both sides...which the coaches can get after the players on. But, let's face it, the Cardinals haven't had too many big leads on the road, and they were learning how hard it is to maintain focus and momentum.
But...the areas on offense that still need added attention are the late snaps and delay of game threats...let's not forget the delay of game that cost the Cardinals a game versus Washington...and game after game Warner ticks that clock down to the last possible second too many times.
Also, let's just hope we finally start seeing the coaches chip the DEs to give Warner a second or two more time, and fewer quick hits from the edge on him like the one he received from Leonard Little, who blew right by the Cardinal TE, who ironically was probably lined up to slow Little down. In that scenario, it is better to "flex" the TE into the slot and have him short motion back down on the DE, who would be set by then. The Cardinal slot WRs can do the same...short motion...chip and release. Just preventing the first quick step by the DE is enough!
Warner, given that extra second of time, has been about as good finding and hitting WRs downfield as any QB the Cardinals have ever had. This is why giving him the best help possible should be paramount in the team's preparation.
Kudos to the offensive line (Gandy--Wells--Sendlein--Lutui--Brown)---mistakes by Lutui and Gandy were the glitches---but, they paved the way for a huge offensive performance.
Funny that the Cardinals amassed 510 yards of total offense and yet Fitz uncharacteristically dropped two passes and another 30-40 yards of offense was called back due to penalties.
Pretty sure we won't see Warner running any more QB sneaks, as he's not a pile mover and Lyle Sendlein is more of a finesse blocker at this point in his young career.
How about Jerheme Urban? What an alert play that was...and once he snagged the ball he took a beeline to the endzone, no hesitation at all. That was a nice and lucky reprieve for missing out on the first TD. And, hopefully after watching the tape, Urban will realize that he can't square his shoulders on the DB on the pick play..all he has to do is look back for the ball as if he thinks he's going to be thrown to and the refs will never call a pick play.
And Anquan Boldin...how about his plays from the backfield! Is the Wildcat on it's way? As inspired as Q is playing, we can guarantee his money is on its way...there's no way Q is going anywhere!
And even though Brian Billick tried to claim that the Cardinals will have a tough decision to make about Matt Leinart this off-season, he should have realized that Ken Whisenhunt's answer to his question (whether Whiz believed that Warner could win a Super Bowl this year or in the next two years), should have told him the answer. Whiz said, "I have no doubt." Didn't Billick read the papers during the week? Warner's agent and the Cardinals are already talking.
The only other areas to mention are the few miscommunication hot reads Warner is missing with his WRs and TEs...that needs to be straightened out...
And...who is in favor of Adrian Wilson blitzing 5-6 times a game, if not more? The guy is phenomenal at getting to the QB. Man, what a play he made yesterday, basically juking the blocker to the inside and just steamrolling straight toward Bulger, who as hit so fast he didn't know what was happening...and good alert play by Bertrand Berry for pouncing on the football.
Kudos to the special teams too...very good game from them...too bad Highsmith got hurt, despite his penalty he was laying the wood on the return men. Another good game from Rackers to boot...and Johnson was no Donnie Jones (boy is he the best in the biz or what?), but he did a good job.
Man it feels so good to see these Cardinals making strides. There's much more to accomplish. And these redbirds look hungry, not just for wins, but for eyecatching plays and monster stats!
All this and, let's all admit it, for the first quarter yesterday we were all doo-dooing in our pants. C'mon, admit it. Then, Antrel Rolle...
Which, while we're talking about Rolle--how about trying him on occasion as punt returner? With Steve Breaston's ever growing role in the offense it seems he could use spot duty on returns. Still not sure why J.J. Arrington wasn't returning kickoffs until late in the second half yesterday...Arrington should resume that role permanently, for he is the best at it, and he is getting less snaps on offense than Breaston.
2. The game changing decisions from the coaches during the week were giving the starting RB spot to Tim Hightower and focusing the defense on tackling.
Hightower is the first Cardinal rookie RB to gain over 100 yards in his first start since O.J. Anderson (correct me if I am wrong---but that's the only one I can remember)...and that was over 25 years and a few first round RB picks ago.
Hightower's 30 yard TD was a real thing of beauty, and is the main proof why he should be the starter over Edge...the way Hightower stuttered stepped and burst to the inside, froze the Ram defender in his tracks. On the same play James wouldn't have gotten to the perimeter as quickly and he would not have put any moves on the Ram defender and likely would have been dragged down for a five yard gain.
Speaking of Edge...while it is truly commendable how he is supporting Hightower...his lack of understanding of the offense's real strengths and his own diminishing skills, are what put him in the doghouse in the first place. Two weeks ago Edge was complaining about his role in the offense...which, as we know, is a familiar refrain from Edge...only this time his complaints were completely unfounded and untimely. Then, fumbling in the worst possible situation last week versus Carolina only made Edge's complaints all the more dubious.
Edge has run hard this year, and he ran hard last year. That's not the problem. It's his lack of explosiveness and being a step too slow getting to the hole that hold his (and the team's) numbers in check...and then when he does get into the second level of a defense, he seems to slow down rather than take off.
Hats off to the coaches who are doing what's best for the team...and while Whiz said today that Edge is still a valuable part of the team as long as he accepts his role, one has to think that Edge's "I am not a yes man" and "this is personal" quotes would indicate that his morale, at this point anyway, is pretty much shot.
The other thing is that with the way J.J. Arrington ran the and caught the ball yesterday, Edge should be #3 on the depth chart. Arrington has developed very nicely, and it would be wise to get him inked to a new deal, seeing as he is a fit as a change of pace back in this offense and he is just coming into his prime. Even he probably realizes that he is not ever going to be a feature back in the NFL.
And secondly, the defensive coaches and players deserve a good deal of credit for not only changing the game back in the Cardinals' favor for a change, but for obviously stressing the need to tackle with better desire and fundamentals. We saw it all afternoon...save the first ten yard running play from Antonio Pittman and a couple of runaway scrambles from Bulger, the Cardinal defense totally shut down the Rams' running game, as attested by Steven Jackson's 7/17 yard stifling. Sure, Jackson is hampered by his thigh injury, but, even if he was healthy, he would have been able to get a head of steam going on most of his carries anyway, for the Cardinal defense was getting upfield...as in the way DE Antonio Smith busted through the middle on one play to blow up Jackson in the backfield.
I have been saying that as Dockett and Smith go...the Cardinals go. Yesterday was added proof. Both Dockett (who had an outstanding sack to go with some solid interior play) and Smith were energized, and this affects the whole defense, and certainly gave Bulger some pause.
Chike Okeafor made one of the best tackles of the day on a beautifully set up fake reverse screen left...that may have been another Marion Barber/Steve Smith short play homerun...
And, what told me more than anything else how much the Cardinal coaches drilled the tackling focus into the players' head was the excessive sideline tackle DRC made on Torry Holt. I believe DRC when he said he wasn't aware Holt was out of bounds...and after last week's debacle (and Eric Green inexcusable quitting on the TD bomb that he should have at least tackled the player on---didn't he learn from the Steve Smith play to make sure of the tackle?), DRC was making sure Holt wasn't going anywhere. Sure, it was a bad penalty, as it turned out, but let's just say even the rookie defenders got the message from the coaches...even if Green didn't.
3. The second half was rather ugly football on both sides...which the coaches can get after the players on. But, let's face it, the Cardinals haven't had too many big leads on the road, and they were learning how hard it is to maintain focus and momentum.
But...the areas on offense that still need added attention are the late snaps and delay of game threats...let's not forget the delay of game that cost the Cardinals a game versus Washington...and game after game Warner ticks that clock down to the last possible second too many times.
Also, let's just hope we finally start seeing the coaches chip the DEs to give Warner a second or two more time, and fewer quick hits from the edge on him like the one he received from Leonard Little, who blew right by the Cardinal TE, who ironically was probably lined up to slow Little down. In that scenario, it is better to "flex" the TE into the slot and have him short motion back down on the DE, who would be set by then. The Cardinal slot WRs can do the same...short motion...chip and release. Just preventing the first quick step by the DE is enough!
Warner, given that extra second of time, has been about as good finding and hitting WRs downfield as any QB the Cardinals have ever had. This is why giving him the best help possible should be paramount in the team's preparation.
Kudos to the offensive line (Gandy--Wells--Sendlein--Lutui--Brown)---mistakes by Lutui and Gandy were the glitches---but, they paved the way for a huge offensive performance.
Funny that the Cardinals amassed 510 yards of total offense and yet Fitz uncharacteristically dropped two passes and another 30-40 yards of offense was called back due to penalties.
Pretty sure we won't see Warner running any more QB sneaks, as he's not a pile mover and Lyle Sendlein is more of a finesse blocker at this point in his young career.
How about Jerheme Urban? What an alert play that was...and once he snagged the ball he took a beeline to the endzone, no hesitation at all. That was a nice and lucky reprieve for missing out on the first TD. And, hopefully after watching the tape, Urban will realize that he can't square his shoulders on the DB on the pick play..all he has to do is look back for the ball as if he thinks he's going to be thrown to and the refs will never call a pick play.
And Anquan Boldin...how about his plays from the backfield! Is the Wildcat on it's way? As inspired as Q is playing, we can guarantee his money is on its way...there's no way Q is going anywhere!
And even though Brian Billick tried to claim that the Cardinals will have a tough decision to make about Matt Leinart this off-season, he should have realized that Ken Whisenhunt's answer to his question (whether Whiz believed that Warner could win a Super Bowl this year or in the next two years), should have told him the answer. Whiz said, "I have no doubt." Didn't Billick read the papers during the week? Warner's agent and the Cardinals are already talking.
The only other areas to mention are the few miscommunication hot reads Warner is missing with his WRs and TEs...that needs to be straightened out...
And...who is in favor of Adrian Wilson blitzing 5-6 times a game, if not more? The guy is phenomenal at getting to the QB. Man, what a play he made yesterday, basically juking the blocker to the inside and just steamrolling straight toward Bulger, who as hit so fast he didn't know what was happening...and good alert play by Bertrand Berry for pouncing on the football.
Kudos to the special teams too...very good game from them...too bad Highsmith got hurt, despite his penalty he was laying the wood on the return men. Another good game from Rackers to boot...and Johnson was no Donnie Jones (boy is he the best in the biz or what?), but he did a good job.
Man it feels so good to see these Cardinals making strides. There's much more to accomplish. And these redbirds look hungry, not just for wins, but for eyecatching plays and monster stats!
All this and, let's all admit it, for the first quarter yesterday we were all doo-dooing in our pants. C'mon, admit it. Then, Antrel Rolle...
