Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
QB (2): Palmer; Barkley;
I would try to trade Stanton to the Cowboys or some other team. I want Barkley to play the whole game this Thursday. Stanton is wildly inconsistent---and at this point in his career I don't want to hear about mechanics.
Palmer has to stop playing hot potato. He thinks he can just throw to spots and get away with it. What I like about him is that when he summons the will to play well, like he did on that bounce back TD drive, and, for example, that beautiful throw he made to TE Darren Fells, he's an All-Pro.
Plus, I would advise Palmer to stay away from throwing short and intermediate passes up the left hash---that's his Bermuda triangle, for whatever reason. That tipped pass was a poor decision because of the heavy traffic in that area and it's not a pass a QB can just drop in to a well covered RB with a well covered WR also in the vicinity.
RB (5): David Johnson; Chris Johnson; Ellington; K. Williams; Taylor
Was BA trying to hide K. Williams in this nationally televised game? The way the second unit was run blocking, he could have gone for big yards. Taylor and Penny ran hard but neither of them has any shake or breakaway speed. Taylor remains one of the better STs player, although he's not making enough tackles this year thus far.
Was very impressed once again with David Johnson's composure, Chris Johnson's toughness and Ellington's elusive on offense (not as a return man, however---looked shy, hesitant and ready to take a dive at any second).
TE (3): Fells; Gresham; Niklas
Good to see Fells back with the first team and playing well. Gresham showed tremendous toughness on his catch and RAC. Niklas---one game wonder in the pre-season? Momah is likely to pass through waivers and be signed to the PS. The big kid Valles had a good tackle on STs (on a kickoff) and looks like a good target on offense. He too could be a solid choice for the PS. Gerald Christian hasn't done much to even warrant a PS spot, at least thus far.
OL (8): Feldherr; Iupati; Shipley; Mathis; Humphries; Watford; Boehm; Toner
Boehm is gaining ground on Shipley. I have to be honest and say that Cole Toner is actually out-playing Evan Mathis (who doesn't quite seem right). D.J. was solid.
On the second unit, LG Antoine McClain and RT John Wetzel had their best games---I don't think either one will be claimed off waivers and seeing as for right now they wouldn't be in the game day 7, it's just as well to keep them on the PS.
The one guy who really struggled was LT Rob Crisp. At this point I am not sure if he is worthy of another year on the PS. I was hoping BA would sub Clay DeBord in at LT, but it could be that they are trying to hide him.
WR (6): Fitzgerlad; Floyd; John Brown; Jaron Brown; Nelson; Hubert
With Smoke suffering, Little Smoke is making a very good case for the roster. What's impressive about him is how well he adjusts to the football when going at top speed. Plus, could he be the answer asa the punt returner? He had one chance and tried to find a wall or a crease to his left---but let's try him there from the get-go this week. At this point I would consider playing him in the offense ahead of Nelson at times.
Brittan Golden and Jaxson Shipley had good games---but Hubert's combination of speed, hands and route running is superior to theirs.
Offense: 24
DT (3): Peters; X. Williams; Bryant
MJ has the Cardinals cutting Bryant, but he was named a captain for this week's game and BA has been effusive in his praise of Bryant's run stuffing ability and his leadership. Peters does not look very strong at this point---but with Stinson injured, this week he sticks. Xavier Williams is emerging as one of the better interior pass rushers.
DE (5): Campbell; Rucker; Mauro; Gunter; Nkemdiche
Rucker, Mauro and Nkemdiche flashed once or twice in the game. Gunter's been solid, but hasn't flashed the way I thought he would thus far. I really liked the play of Olsen Pierre---I see now why BA has mentioned his progress. He has a nice sack on an inside rush. Right now I am tempted to hold on to Pierre and give Peters some time on the IR to get back to full strength. i think Pierre can help us inside in the 4 man rush---I think he's athletic enough to shed his man and tackle the QB when he breaks the pocket, which is one qualm I have about the Cardinals' inside rushers---they don't react quickly enough to the QBs and they lose their rushing lanes. Nkemdiche made a nice penetration play on the goal line just very similar to how he penetrated Alabama's backfield. However, he was getting stood up and nullified to easily on his pass rush. Like BA had said,, he has a to get his pad level down.
Stinson is injured right now which is too bad because he could have some trade value as a run stuffer---like to SD who needs one. Maybe it would be best to put Stinson on the IR and not risk waiving him.
ILB (4): Minter; Bucannon; Clemons; Louis
Minter and Bucannon are forming a formidable tandem in the middle. Clemons proved his worth as a cover LB by breaking up a key third down pass to the TE. And Lamar Louis (LSU) is emerging as one of the best tacklers on STs---much needed.
Didn't see much of Butler and Alani Fua seems to be ailing physically as he is not running as swiftly as he did last year. Gabe Martin was in on some plays, but wasn't able to finish the tackles, but he was close.
OLB (5): Jones; Golden; Martin; Okpalaugo; Okafor
Good to see Chandler Jones record his first sack. Markus Golden looks good, as do Kareem Martin and Tristan Okpalaugo (both made a number of good plays). Would like to see Okafor this week to see if he can play with his torn bicep. Otherwise, it would be wise of Steve Keim to try to add another edge rusher.
CB (4): Peterson; Williams; Bethel; TBA
It was tough to see Mike Jenkins go down---he was just starting to make a good case for playing time. Hopefully his injury is not as scare as it looked. On the other hand, it was very good to see Brandon Williams play well---on the one pass that was completed against him, he had mirrored De'Andre Hopkins very well, which isn't easy to do on crossing routes. Justin Bethel was very rusty, obviously, but was at least close to his man, albeit with his back turned.
It looks like Steve Keim needs to make a trade for a CB asap. He can't rely on the waiver wire because the Cardinals are 29th in the pecking order and the good Cbs will be claimed well before the Cardinals have a chance.
S (5): Mathieu; Jefferson; Branch; Swearinger; Christian
Would like to see Tyvon Branch make more plays on the ball. He is a key player in the Cardinals' cover schemes and matches. Love the way Christian flies down the alley to the ball.
ST (3): Catanzaro; Swanson; Canaday
Catanzaro had a stronger game this week---which is good. The coaches named Drew Butler the STs captain this week, which likely means he's still their choice, but it is getting so tiring to see out punt returners having to retreat on punts and the other team's punt returners have to run up for punts. Swanson not only has the better leg, he's good on kickoffs too. It is possible that Steve Keim might be scouting other punters in preparation for the waiver wire---but Butler seems like the Stanton of the STs---he gets the coaches' vote of confidence without playing confidently.
It seems that Kameron Canaday is winning the LS job. Funny that BA calls him and Dany Dillon "best friends." Apparently, Buck and Aikman got quite a chuckle out of that one.
There were a number of positives from this week's game---it's just difficult to relish those positives while enduring yet another display of carelessness with the football from Cardinals' QBs and piss-poor CB and STs coverage.
I would try to trade Stanton to the Cowboys or some other team. I want Barkley to play the whole game this Thursday. Stanton is wildly inconsistent---and at this point in his career I don't want to hear about mechanics.
Palmer has to stop playing hot potato. He thinks he can just throw to spots and get away with it. What I like about him is that when he summons the will to play well, like he did on that bounce back TD drive, and, for example, that beautiful throw he made to TE Darren Fells, he's an All-Pro.
Plus, I would advise Palmer to stay away from throwing short and intermediate passes up the left hash---that's his Bermuda triangle, for whatever reason. That tipped pass was a poor decision because of the heavy traffic in that area and it's not a pass a QB can just drop in to a well covered RB with a well covered WR also in the vicinity.
RB (5): David Johnson; Chris Johnson; Ellington; K. Williams; Taylor
Was BA trying to hide K. Williams in this nationally televised game? The way the second unit was run blocking, he could have gone for big yards. Taylor and Penny ran hard but neither of them has any shake or breakaway speed. Taylor remains one of the better STs player, although he's not making enough tackles this year thus far.
Was very impressed once again with David Johnson's composure, Chris Johnson's toughness and Ellington's elusive on offense (not as a return man, however---looked shy, hesitant and ready to take a dive at any second).
TE (3): Fells; Gresham; Niklas
Good to see Fells back with the first team and playing well. Gresham showed tremendous toughness on his catch and RAC. Niklas---one game wonder in the pre-season? Momah is likely to pass through waivers and be signed to the PS. The big kid Valles had a good tackle on STs (on a kickoff) and looks like a good target on offense. He too could be a solid choice for the PS. Gerald Christian hasn't done much to even warrant a PS spot, at least thus far.
OL (8): Feldherr; Iupati; Shipley; Mathis; Humphries; Watford; Boehm; Toner
Boehm is gaining ground on Shipley. I have to be honest and say that Cole Toner is actually out-playing Evan Mathis (who doesn't quite seem right). D.J. was solid.
On the second unit, LG Antoine McClain and RT John Wetzel had their best games---I don't think either one will be claimed off waivers and seeing as for right now they wouldn't be in the game day 7, it's just as well to keep them on the PS.
The one guy who really struggled was LT Rob Crisp. At this point I am not sure if he is worthy of another year on the PS. I was hoping BA would sub Clay DeBord in at LT, but it could be that they are trying to hide him.
WR (6): Fitzgerlad; Floyd; John Brown; Jaron Brown; Nelson; Hubert
With Smoke suffering, Little Smoke is making a very good case for the roster. What's impressive about him is how well he adjusts to the football when going at top speed. Plus, could he be the answer asa the punt returner? He had one chance and tried to find a wall or a crease to his left---but let's try him there from the get-go this week. At this point I would consider playing him in the offense ahead of Nelson at times.
Brittan Golden and Jaxson Shipley had good games---but Hubert's combination of speed, hands and route running is superior to theirs.
Offense: 24
DT (3): Peters; X. Williams; Bryant
MJ has the Cardinals cutting Bryant, but he was named a captain for this week's game and BA has been effusive in his praise of Bryant's run stuffing ability and his leadership. Peters does not look very strong at this point---but with Stinson injured, this week he sticks. Xavier Williams is emerging as one of the better interior pass rushers.
DE (5): Campbell; Rucker; Mauro; Gunter; Nkemdiche
Rucker, Mauro and Nkemdiche flashed once or twice in the game. Gunter's been solid, but hasn't flashed the way I thought he would thus far. I really liked the play of Olsen Pierre---I see now why BA has mentioned his progress. He has a nice sack on an inside rush. Right now I am tempted to hold on to Pierre and give Peters some time on the IR to get back to full strength. i think Pierre can help us inside in the 4 man rush---I think he's athletic enough to shed his man and tackle the QB when he breaks the pocket, which is one qualm I have about the Cardinals' inside rushers---they don't react quickly enough to the QBs and they lose their rushing lanes. Nkemdiche made a nice penetration play on the goal line just very similar to how he penetrated Alabama's backfield. However, he was getting stood up and nullified to easily on his pass rush. Like BA had said,, he has a to get his pad level down.
Stinson is injured right now which is too bad because he could have some trade value as a run stuffer---like to SD who needs one. Maybe it would be best to put Stinson on the IR and not risk waiving him.
ILB (4): Minter; Bucannon; Clemons; Louis
Minter and Bucannon are forming a formidable tandem in the middle. Clemons proved his worth as a cover LB by breaking up a key third down pass to the TE. And Lamar Louis (LSU) is emerging as one of the best tacklers on STs---much needed.
Didn't see much of Butler and Alani Fua seems to be ailing physically as he is not running as swiftly as he did last year. Gabe Martin was in on some plays, but wasn't able to finish the tackles, but he was close.
OLB (5): Jones; Golden; Martin; Okpalaugo; Okafor
Good to see Chandler Jones record his first sack. Markus Golden looks good, as do Kareem Martin and Tristan Okpalaugo (both made a number of good plays). Would like to see Okafor this week to see if he can play with his torn bicep. Otherwise, it would be wise of Steve Keim to try to add another edge rusher.
CB (4): Peterson; Williams; Bethel; TBA
It was tough to see Mike Jenkins go down---he was just starting to make a good case for playing time. Hopefully his injury is not as scare as it looked. On the other hand, it was very good to see Brandon Williams play well---on the one pass that was completed against him, he had mirrored De'Andre Hopkins very well, which isn't easy to do on crossing routes. Justin Bethel was very rusty, obviously, but was at least close to his man, albeit with his back turned.
It looks like Steve Keim needs to make a trade for a CB asap. He can't rely on the waiver wire because the Cardinals are 29th in the pecking order and the good Cbs will be claimed well before the Cardinals have a chance.
S (5): Mathieu; Jefferson; Branch; Swearinger; Christian
Would like to see Tyvon Branch make more plays on the ball. He is a key player in the Cardinals' cover schemes and matches. Love the way Christian flies down the alley to the ball.
ST (3): Catanzaro; Swanson; Canaday
Catanzaro had a stronger game this week---which is good. The coaches named Drew Butler the STs captain this week, which likely means he's still their choice, but it is getting so tiring to see out punt returners having to retreat on punts and the other team's punt returners have to run up for punts. Swanson not only has the better leg, he's good on kickoffs too. It is possible that Steve Keim might be scouting other punters in preparation for the waiver wire---but Butler seems like the Stanton of the STs---he gets the coaches' vote of confidence without playing confidently.
It seems that Kameron Canaday is winning the LS job. Funny that BA calls him and Dany Dillon "best friends." Apparently, Buck and Aikman got quite a chuckle out of that one.
There were a number of positives from this week's game---it's just difficult to relish those positives while enduring yet another display of carelessness with the football from Cardinals' QBs and piss-poor CB and STs coverage.
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