More Thoughts and Mid-Season Report Cards

[Mitch]

1. Wasn't yesterday's game remarkably similar to last year's playoff win at Carolina? Boldin was inactive. The offense clicks on all cylinders. Fitz runs wild, scores two TDs, one reaching inside the right pylon. After giving up an easy first drive TD, the defense tightens up and plays well.

2. Boldin returned the next week for the NFC Championship Game, but as we all saw, threw a tantrum on the sidelines when he was being platooned. If Boldin is platooned again this week (albeit it's not an NFC Championship Game, but certainly a very important game in terms of getting things straightened out at home and gaining a firmer grasp on the lead in the NFC West) who will Boldin yell at this time? Ken Whisenhunt? The coach who wasn't "man enough" to tell Boldin he'd been deactivated?

3. Whiz is such a cool customer and continues to have his wits about him especially in the face of adversity. He had Warner's back last week, and this week he has Boldin's (although it would be difficult to imagine that Boldin appreciates that). Plus, it was great to learn that Whiz went out of his way to text message and console Matt Leinart...and that Leinart was seen this afternoon on a day off at the practice field throwing passes to a teammate. That's great stuff, my friends. Great stuff, all of it.

4. Seattle is going to be coming into U of P on a mission...this game really is their season...if they win, they are still in the thick of the NFC West picture. if they lose, at 3-6, and with two losses to the Cardinals, they'd be out of it. The Cardinals have to make the proper adjustments this time, even though they played well at Seattle. They have to...that's right...have to chip DE Patrick Kerney. And they have to generate a consistent pass rush on Matt Hasselbeck. Those are the two keys.

Mid-Season Report Cards: (with respect to each player's role)

Neil Rackers-A
Ben Graham-A-
Larry Fitzgerald-A-
Kurt Warner-B+
Calais Campbell-B+
Darnell Dockett-B+
Mike Leach-B+
Tim Hightower-B
Lyle Sendlein-B
Deuce Lutui-B
Antrel Rolle-B
LeRon Stephens-Howling-B
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie-B-
Clark Haggans-B-
Reggie Wells-B-
Beanie Wells-B-
Ali Highsmith-C+
Anthony Becht-C+
Alan Branch-C+
Karlos Dansby-C+
Michael Adams-C+
Will Davis-C+
Mike Gandy-C
Gerald Hayes-C
Bryant McFadden-C
Ben Patrick-C
Steve Breaston-C
Anquan Boldin-C
Sean Morey-C
Jason Wright-C-
Levi Brown-C-
Dan Kreider-C-
Bryan Robinson-C-
Chike Okeafor-C-
Adrian Wilson-C-
Ralph Brown-C-
Matt Ware-C-
Greg Toler-C-
Gabe Watson-C-
Jerheme Urban-D+
Bertrand Berry-D+
Stephen Spach-D+

Coaches:

Ken Whizenhunt (Head Coach): A-
Ken Whisenhunt (Offensive Coordinator): B
Russ Grimm: C
Bill Davis: B-
Kevin Spencer: A-

 

[Buckybird]

Thx Mitch for you time & grades

Let me follow up:

Morey-D this is a supposed ProBowler that rarely makes a play outdie of last years Dallas game. Can the NFL remove his name from the Pro Bowl ballot & send LSH to the game? This little guy is great as a gunner & would be better as a KR with some blocking.

Bert Berry- F 1 word, Terrible. Will Davis needs to assume all of his snaps.

Levi Brown-D Is there a more uninspiring RT in the game? Has anyone ever seen the big guy finish a block instead of arm wrestling with a defender?

AW- D Wilson has had 1 good game all year after a big extension. Sometimes I wonder if we would be better off with Rolle playing SS & added Darren Sharper

 

[Mitch]

Thx Mitch for you time & grades

Let me follow up:

Morey-D this is a supposed ProBowler that rarely makes a play outdie of last years Dallas game. Can the NFL remove his name from the Pro Bowl ballot & send LSH to the game? This little guy is great as a gunner & would be better as a KR with some blocking.

Bert Berry- F 1 word, Terrible. Will Davis needs to assume all of his snaps.

Levi Brown-D Is there a more uninspiring RT in the game? Has anyone ever seen the big guy finish a block instead of arm wrestling with a defender?

AW- D Wilson has had 1 good game all year after a big extension. Sometimes I wonder if we would be better off with Rolle playing SS & added Darren Sharper

You are a tougher grader than I, Bucky.

I think Morey's been solid...not great...just solid. We need him to make plays the second half and he is capable.

Berry has been a disappointment. I agree. He has generated a little pressure here and there so I at least gave him a passing grade.

Wilson isn't being used properly, IMO. He should be rushing the passer at every chance. With Matt Ware playing decently, perhaps we will see more of AW in the opponents' backfield where he belongs.

 

[Doug]

I'll only question a couple grades Mitch...Dansby leads the team with 57 tackles with the closest being Hayes who missed a game.They both stunk in the panther game but that is the only game they just stunk to high heaven.The rest was team leading tacklers game in and out.No way would I grade them that low.Hayes has had 2 ,10 tackle games this year and has even missed a game with his back.He's had one of his best years in a long time except for the panther game and the play against the wr from the texans where he got bowled over.

Calais' Campbell should'nt be graded on effort alone.He got nothing yesterday and was sealed off many times as the runner got around his end.Yes you can blame Okeafor for that too.Yet you give Berry with a team tying High of 3 sacks the worst grade on the board?How many sacks has Calais' missed? How many does he have?

Krieder is worse than a C and Latui could'nt get a B in a crayon coloring contest.No way does he get a B.The worst of the lineman.Yet he does'nt block the big studs of the other teams defenses with the big paydays like Gandy and Levi do week in and week out.

 

[MrYeahBut]

Latui could'nt get a B in a crayon coloring contest.

That's funny..however I would give him an A for his acting job yesterday.



Mitch, I'm not sure I would grade DRC that high. Sure, he has made some nice plays, but he has really shown his weaknesses & trying to jump routes and get toasted.

Breaston has shown me more than a C-, also

 

[Mitch]

I'll only question a couple grades Mitch...Dansby leads the team with 57 tackles with the closest being Hayes who missed a game.They both stunk in the panther game but that is the only game they just stunk to high heaven.The rest was team leading tacklers game in and out.No way would I grade them that low.Hayes has had 2 ,10 tackle games this year and has even missed a game with his back.He's had one of his best years in a long time except for the panther game and the play against the wr from the texans where he got bowled over.

Calais' Campbell should'nt be graded on effort alone.He got nothing yesterday and was sealed off many times as the runner got around his end.Yes you can blame Okeafor for that too.Yet you give Berry with a team tying High of 3 sacks the worst grade on the board?How many sacks has Calais' missed? How many does he have?

Krieder is worse than a C and Latui could'nt get a B in a crayon coloring contest.No way does he get a B.The worst of the lineman.Yet he does'nt block the big studs of the other teams defenses with the big paydays like Gandy and Levi do week in and week out.

Doug, I am always surprised by the tackle stats on Dansby...they don't tell the story, at least the way I see it. He and Hayes are at their best when BD calls for them to blitz a gap...when they are left on their own they tend to play laterally, they don't step up and make plays...I call LBers like that "skaters." I still believe Dansby is playing out of position...he should be on the edge...but, the major reason for his C+ this year is he's been a non-factor in coverage unlike last year...and Hayes has been even worse this year.

Do yourself a favor...go and watch Lutui only for one whole game...the guy has real bounce to his game, he's always moving his feet and getting downfield...he plays with a passion and it has rubbed off on Lyle Sendein...the two of them side by side are real good...watch them...they play to the whistle and they bring energy and passion to the positions.

 

[Doug]

That's funny..however I would give him an A for his acting job yesterday.



Mitch, I'm not sure I would grade DRC that high. Sure, he has made some nice plays, but he has really shown his weaknesses & trying to jump routes and get toasted.

Breaston has shown me more than a C-, also

Ditto,with a bum knee and limited practice everyone this season and still returning punts or trying too?He has the heart of a lion in a strawmans body.I'm afraid he's gonna break in half sometimes.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Betrand leads the teams in sacks and pressures. Hard not to give him a C.

Dockett and Rolle get A's.

 

[Doug]

Been an offensive lineman my whole life and I do watch the guys as much as the tv allows.I'm used to game film where every flinch and technique can be studied.

I've watched Latui too much.Sorry we just agree to dissagree.A post like that is always gonna have a very long thread with everyone wanting to add thier two cents into it and reasons why a certain player deserves a higher or lower grade.

I think many of them deserve INCOMPLETES as of this moment.Like Highsmith and Doucet& Campbell and Branch as they all can and MUST get better if we are to even challenge for the NFC Title this year.

I wish we had a healthy Dockett but thats gonna take time.Plus some guys are still not in the shape I'd like them to be in for the best results.Kreider needs to bulk up his upper body a lot more.Shame the bengals took our other FB off our practice squad.

First game all season I saw the Kurtis Eugene Warner of last season come to play for the CARDINALS of 2009.It really looked good too.Hope that and his hair dye last till the playoffs end.Gotta feeling were gonna see the vikes twice this year.Kurt beat brett in the 2000 playoffs while brett went off for 6 interceptions in that game.Kurt beat Brett at Lambeau as a giant.Just has'nt done it yet as a CARDINAL.They both have a past.

 

[Mitch]

Betrand leads the teams in sacks and pressures. Hard not to give him a C.

Dockett and Rolle get A's.

I watch BB a lot...because we need an edge rusher...and he does very little to excite. I think the stats may work in his favor, but his overall effort is uninspiring, IMO.

As for Dockett...he takes too many plays off. When he doesn't he's an A+...no question.

As for Rolle, he's getting there, Chris. You are onto something there. I never thought he could be a good FS and he's gaining in leaps and bounds...an A is a tad rich at this point, but I agree with your praise of him. The guy is a player.

 

[Mitch]

Been an offensive lineman my whole life and I do watch the guys as much as the tv allows.I'm used to game film where every flinch and technique can be studied.

I've watched Latui too much.Sorry we just agree to dissagree.A post like that is always gonna have a very long thread with everyone wanting to add thier two cents into it and reasons why a certain player deserves a higher or lower grade.

I think many of them deserve INCOMPLETES as of this moment.Like Highsmith and Doucet& Campbell and Branch as they all can and MUST get better if we are to even challenge for the NFC Title this year.

I wish we had a healthy Dockett but thats gonna take time.Plus some guys are still not in the shape I'd like them to be in for the best results.Kreider needs to bulk up his upper body a lot more.Shame the bengals took our other FB off our practice squad.

First game all season I saw the Kurtis Eugene Warner of last season come to play for the CARDINALS of 2009.It really looked good too.Hope that and his hair dye last till the playoffs end.Gotta feeling were gonna see the vikes twice this year.Kurt beat brett in the 2000 playoffs while brett went off for 6 interceptions in that game.Kurt beat Brett at Lambeau as a giant.Just has'nt done it yet as a CARDINAL.They both have a past.

]

Wow, you were an o-lineman and you don't appreciate Deuce? Not sure i understand. I love his energy and his passion...yes a tad overzealous at times, but this guy comes to play.

 

[dogpoo32]

I think Beanie deserves at least the same grade as TH. Chike seems graded low for his production on paper. Levi should be an F. Are you grading Q on production or behavior? Despite his attitude he's been good considering his injuries.

 

[O]

That's funny..however I would give him an A for his acting job yesterday

He should get an oscar.

 

[dogpoo32]

]

Wow, you were an o-lineman and you don't appreciate Deuce? Not sure i understand. I love his energy and his passion...yes a tad overzealous at times, but this guy comes to play.

Deuce is a bright spot on this OLine. He's outplaying his peers. That doesn't necessarily mean much though.

 

[Brighteyes]

When I first saw it, I was so worried over Deuce. Told my husband -- Harris should be ejected! Poor Deuce!

Then I saw the replay, and had to ask -- how did that punch make Deuce flop around like that? I don't quite understand.

When my husband told me (2 plays later), that Deuce was back -- I realized I'd been 'Deuced.'

 

[Buckybird]

Do yourself a favor...go and watch Lutui only for one whole game...the guy has real bounce to his game, he's always moving his feet and getting downfield...he plays with a passion and it has rubbed off on Lyle Sendein...the two of them side by side are real good...watch them...they play to the whistle and they bring energy and passion to the positions.

I agree with you on Lutui Mitch, the guy is quietly having a good year. Spectacular by no means but very solid. When the announcers dont call your name that usually means you are doing your job. Deuce has been a quiet suprise.

 

[Duckjake]

I am always surprised by the tackle stats on Dansby...they don't tell the story, at least the way I see it. He and Hayes are at their best when BD calls for them to blitz a gap...when they are left on their own they tend to play laterally, they don't step up and make plays...I call LBers like that "skaters." I still believe Dansby is playing out of position...he should be on the edge...but, the major reason for his C+ this year is he's been a non-factor in coverage unlike last year...and Hayes has been even worse this year.

The tackle stats are a result of Dansby shutting things down laterally. I see him make several key stops on the perimeter every game.

But you are right that Dansby, while being a steady performer, just isn't making the plays he's made in the past. He also looks a step slower. I wonder if he has added some weight to fit better as an inside LB as opposed to an OLB in a 4-3?

Could be that "skating" is what Davis wants him to do, be a sideline to sideline player with Hayes designated to be the guy filling inside.

Or it could be that he's so rich now that the good life has slowed him down a step.

 

[Buckybird]

The tackle stats are a result of Dansby shutting things down laterally. I see him make several key stops on the perimeter every game.

But you are right that Dansby, while being a steady performer, just isn't making the plays he's made in the past. He also looks a step slower. I wonder if he has added some weight to fit better as an inside LB as opposed to an OLB in a 4-3?

Could be that "skating" is what Davis wants him to do, be a sideline to sideline player with Hayes designated to be the guy filling inside.

Or it could be that he's so rich now that the good life has slowed him down a step.

I think a big part of Dansby's decline as a playmaker is the switch to a differant defense. More man to man & less zone because of the 3-4 switch. It diffantly is a differance in his pass coverage. Whens the last time we have seen the Cards play so much man coverage? A long time!!!

 

[Doug]

I saw Dansby playing excellent underneath coverage last Sunday.How could you have missed it.They guy is filling gaps,playing side to side and playing pass coverage and leading the team in tackles by a mile.

No don't give him a high grade at all.I even wish he had about 10lbs more of muscle weight on him.He's awesome.One bad game with the whole defense.Thats all.