Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
What to do from here:
1. I was actually quite encouraged by Derek Anderson's play yesterday, obviously until the interception. There's no question that the ball comes out of his hand so much faster and with greater steam than it does from Hall's. And there were times he threw with some touch like the pass he threw over the CB and underneath the FS to Breaston up the left side.
What I started to think yesterday is that Whiz could start to build the offense around DA's strength, which is throwing the ball downfield. He's not a good dinker and dunker. Late in the game, every time he threw short over the middle didn't you cringe? The thing is, throwing over the middle wasn't necessary...the intermediate and deep routes were available all game long.
Thus...with DA at QB, put more emphasis on the running game, with the idea that when we pass via play action or straight drops, we attack downfield...the only short dink passes being safety valves and RB, WR or TE screens...which DA threw well as evidenced by his TD to Fitz.
It's shocking that Whiz is still deliberating over whom to start. And Whiz could have offered higher praise for DA in his presser...which DA deserved...and expecially if Whiz is ever going to help DA turn the corner. Whiz looked completely soured on him.
2. Hightower should return as the starter and should be the starter until Wells proves he is an equal blocker and pass receiver. Hightower has run well this year. The fumbles have been costly, but at some point THT has to correct this. I believe he can. The big difference to me as well is...THT runs with no fear and his pad level is lower...BW runs half-scared at times, almost tiptoes and runs straight up, which is why he got planted on his keister and is now nursing a sore back.
3. The Bucs beat up the Cards' skill players and were the much more physical team on defense yesterday. They punished Breaston, LSH and Wells. One could make the argument that the most consistent, sure-tackling and disciplined safety on the field yesterday was rookie SS Cody Grimm. And between Ronde Barber, Geno Hayes and Barrett Ruud, man those guys lay a licking.
4. The Cardinals' defensive line's inability to dominate a beat-up makeshift Bucs' o-line was---aside from the turnovers---the most costly development in the game. It's just so hard to imagine that with the talent the Cardinals have up front and with 62,000 fans screaming and exhorting them on play after play that the defensive line didn't exert itself nearly the way it should have. If you gave the defensive linemen 1/4 of the intensity and passion that the fans gave yesterday the Cardinals would have taken control of this game, especially after the offense gave the team the lead twice, once in each half...only to watch Freeman and the Bucs respond with long, immediate and demoralizing TD drives.
5. What's particularly disturbing about DRC and Rhodes yesterday...their quitting on plays that wound up burning them, almost as if they were sure Freeman wouldn't or couldn't connect on the deeper passes. On the Benn play, for example, Rhodes was in perfect position to turn and sprint to stay behind Benn. Instead, he allowed Benn to run right into him and then blow past him...again, it looked like Rhodes had no belief that Freeman was going to burn him on that play and slowed down rather than sped up.
6. What a difference Steve Breaston makes for this offense. It's almost always at least 120-140 yards better with him in the game. Breaston's play yesterday was inspirational...as was that awesome leaping sideline catch.
Yet, like so many of the Cardinals, Breaston looked like he was taking way more hits and exterting far more energy than he bargained for.
7. That said, it seems this team more than most team does not relish the phsycial aspects of the game the way winning teams do. They always seem to want the easy way out...which in games like this make the difference between winning and losing. They got lucky versus the Raiders and should have learned their lesson...but these guys are so fickle, they don't seem to learn lessons, nor do they ever seem to carry momentum from one game to another. A lot of it is on the players, but a lot of it is how enabled and spoiled they are by the coaches.
Hate to say it...but this is why the team will do now shows for games---they are soft...dreadfully soft.
8. The Cardinals have to find a way to keep Daryl Washington on the field...he's too talented to be relegated to spot duty. Hayes was nice surprise..,and Lenon nas been steady, tough and reliable. But, Washington has at times been lightning in a bottle...which is what this team needs, especially when the OLBers are slow and sluggish. I sure would like to see what would happen if Washington and Wilson are moved around on passing situations and sent after the QB. Stack the edges...storm the A gaps...get them after it.
9. Look at how many young players the Bucs are playing and leaning heavily on. Rookies don't always need to be coddled...think of the rookies that made a huge impact for the Bucs yesterday: Mike Williams, Arrelious Benn, Cody Grimm, LeGarrette Blount...in addition to all the young linemen they played and a second year QB.
10. The Cardinals' sideline...too much laughing and fraternizing...not nearly the right emotion...and the only coach with any semblance of fire and passion is the S & C coach, John Lott. The rest of the coaches look like chaperones for a high school dance.
1. I was actually quite encouraged by Derek Anderson's play yesterday, obviously until the interception. There's no question that the ball comes out of his hand so much faster and with greater steam than it does from Hall's. And there were times he threw with some touch like the pass he threw over the CB and underneath the FS to Breaston up the left side.
What I started to think yesterday is that Whiz could start to build the offense around DA's strength, which is throwing the ball downfield. He's not a good dinker and dunker. Late in the game, every time he threw short over the middle didn't you cringe? The thing is, throwing over the middle wasn't necessary...the intermediate and deep routes were available all game long.
Thus...with DA at QB, put more emphasis on the running game, with the idea that when we pass via play action or straight drops, we attack downfield...the only short dink passes being safety valves and RB, WR or TE screens...which DA threw well as evidenced by his TD to Fitz.
It's shocking that Whiz is still deliberating over whom to start. And Whiz could have offered higher praise for DA in his presser...which DA deserved...and expecially if Whiz is ever going to help DA turn the corner. Whiz looked completely soured on him.
2. Hightower should return as the starter and should be the starter until Wells proves he is an equal blocker and pass receiver. Hightower has run well this year. The fumbles have been costly, but at some point THT has to correct this. I believe he can. The big difference to me as well is...THT runs with no fear and his pad level is lower...BW runs half-scared at times, almost tiptoes and runs straight up, which is why he got planted on his keister and is now nursing a sore back.
3. The Bucs beat up the Cards' skill players and were the much more physical team on defense yesterday. They punished Breaston, LSH and Wells. One could make the argument that the most consistent, sure-tackling and disciplined safety on the field yesterday was rookie SS Cody Grimm. And between Ronde Barber, Geno Hayes and Barrett Ruud, man those guys lay a licking.
4. The Cardinals' defensive line's inability to dominate a beat-up makeshift Bucs' o-line was---aside from the turnovers---the most costly development in the game. It's just so hard to imagine that with the talent the Cardinals have up front and with 62,000 fans screaming and exhorting them on play after play that the defensive line didn't exert itself nearly the way it should have. If you gave the defensive linemen 1/4 of the intensity and passion that the fans gave yesterday the Cardinals would have taken control of this game, especially after the offense gave the team the lead twice, once in each half...only to watch Freeman and the Bucs respond with long, immediate and demoralizing TD drives.
5. What's particularly disturbing about DRC and Rhodes yesterday...their quitting on plays that wound up burning them, almost as if they were sure Freeman wouldn't or couldn't connect on the deeper passes. On the Benn play, for example, Rhodes was in perfect position to turn and sprint to stay behind Benn. Instead, he allowed Benn to run right into him and then blow past him...again, it looked like Rhodes had no belief that Freeman was going to burn him on that play and slowed down rather than sped up.
6. What a difference Steve Breaston makes for this offense. It's almost always at least 120-140 yards better with him in the game. Breaston's play yesterday was inspirational...as was that awesome leaping sideline catch.
Yet, like so many of the Cardinals, Breaston looked like he was taking way more hits and exterting far more energy than he bargained for.
7. That said, it seems this team more than most team does not relish the phsycial aspects of the game the way winning teams do. They always seem to want the easy way out...which in games like this make the difference between winning and losing. They got lucky versus the Raiders and should have learned their lesson...but these guys are so fickle, they don't seem to learn lessons, nor do they ever seem to carry momentum from one game to another. A lot of it is on the players, but a lot of it is how enabled and spoiled they are by the coaches.
Hate to say it...but this is why the team will do now shows for games---they are soft...dreadfully soft.
8. The Cardinals have to find a way to keep Daryl Washington on the field...he's too talented to be relegated to spot duty. Hayes was nice surprise..,and Lenon nas been steady, tough and reliable. But, Washington has at times been lightning in a bottle...which is what this team needs, especially when the OLBers are slow and sluggish. I sure would like to see what would happen if Washington and Wilson are moved around on passing situations and sent after the QB. Stack the edges...storm the A gaps...get them after it.
9. Look at how many young players the Bucs are playing and leaning heavily on. Rookies don't always need to be coddled...think of the rookies that made a huge impact for the Bucs yesterday: Mike Williams, Arrelious Benn, Cody Grimm, LeGarrette Blount...in addition to all the young linemen they played and a second year QB.
10. The Cardinals' sideline...too much laughing and fraternizing...not nearly the right emotion...and the only coach with any semblance of fire and passion is the S & C coach, John Lott. The rest of the coaches look like chaperones for a high school dance.
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Actually, on the long pass play that he was burned on (happened right in front of me), he had great position on the WR the whole way, until just at the last second, Kerry turned one way (he may have guessed?) and turned his back to the WR, while the WR turned inside and grabbed huge separation from Rhodes... Other than that, I think Rhodes played another solid game. DRC is a clueless, free-lancing punk. Been saying this for 2 straight years now. I can't stand the kid. He thinks he's Deon Sanders, yet, in truth, he can't even hold Deon's jock. I'm you or someone else can do this - I know I can't - but, DRC must lead the league in giving up 3rd down conversions... He SUCKS! 
Sad to say it is true. 
