My game thoughts

[Russ Smith]

I'm up to midway through the 3rd quarter.

In no particular order.

Defense looks awful, Denver's 2nd team offense plus 3 rb's competing for the #1 job marched up and down the field on us. One busted play for a 86 yard TD, Devoe dropped another TD pass. Cutler has a great arm, he does stare down Wr's at times that's how Tate got the Picksix, but boy is Cutler going to be good.

I'm still very worried about our CB's, obviously with Berry and Dansby both out we're missing our big play guys and that impacts pass rush and thus DB's, but Cutler was just playing pitch and catch and this was Kircus and Devoe beating Macklin and Rolle. Can't really say vanilla scheme we were blitzing quite a bit.

Offense looks great, Warner is so sharp it's very impressive and jeez Leinart is so good already it's frightening. Anquan was open the whole game, not facing starters of course but he looked great.

I thought Shipp had his best game, that 4th and 1 was all him the hole wasn't there and he bounced it out and then spun for the first. Arrington had some nice runs, nearly got the corner and scored in the first half. Still concerned about his catching the ball, bobbled one, failed to catch another one. Wasn't a great throw but the look on Warner's face seemed to be how did you miss that ball THAT badly? JJ has improved and he looks like he's going to be a solid KO returner but he's got to work on catching the ball. edge is a great guy to watch in that regard.

I love Antonio Smith. Really liked Langston Moore tonight, haven't really noticed Watson yet. Darling made a great play batting down a pass to the TE to kill a drive. Francisco is looking great in ST's, huge hit on that one KO return.

I was watching Lutui pretty closely and so far he seems to be doing ok, nothing special but no major problems. Center continues to concern me, the announcers even pointed it out one time we had a nice push, Arrington get the ball and a LB shoots the Center gap untouched and takes him down in the backfield. I have no idea who's responsibility it is but one would assume it's the C. I think it was Leckey not Step that was in then.

Sam Brandon sure is a trash talker, bit dirty too how about that play where the CB is holding up Anquan and Brandon comes in and spears him? Anquan stared him down. He even got JJ to go head to head and jaw at him which is something we haven't really seen before.

Overall the offense looks terrific, I'm just real concerned right now about how easily Denvers backups moved the ball on our defense.

And boy am I glad Leinart says he's ok, he looked terrific again that hot read TD pass to Walters, not only did he make the right read, he put the ball perfectly to LEAD Walters to the open field, I can't recall the last time I saw a rookie QB this poised. Cutler looked terrific but he had 2 mistakes, the pick six, and the fumble which was wiped out by the hold on Green. Leinart really didn't make any glaring mistakes, I just love the kid so far.

 

[PortlandCardFan]

I was looking at the stats on nfl.com and it looked like the majority of the Defensive starters were out for most of the game. Is that a true assessment?

 

[Russ Smith]

I was looking at the stats on nfl.com and it looked like the majority of the Defensive starters were out for most of the game. Is that a true assessment?

Pretty much our defensive starters were in the first drive and I think they were all in on the long TD pass to Kircus. After that we subbed heavily. Obviously no Berry or Dansby but Dockett, Okeafor, Clancy, Pace, Hayes, Rolle, Macklin, Wilson et al were all in on the first drive and pretty sure they were in the next one as well.

 

[Russ Smith]

Forgot to add, Hodgins looked really good, I think he makes the roster, he threw a couple of nice lead blocks.

And for the first time, Holiday impressed me, one great catch, one nice run after catch, starting to look like he has a future.

Remember McCoy didn't play, I think our WR depth is a lot better this year although very young and raw, we actually have guys with talent.

 

[PrescottLooie]

Russ, the thing that really bothers me is the fact that in EVERY preseason game, just like in the regular season last year, the opposing team moved the ball with ease on their 1st possession. We always seem to be playing from behind. With all the hoopla about our defense nothing has changed here.

 

[Russ Smith]

Russ, the thing that really bothers me is the fact that in EVERY preseason game, just like in the regular season last year, the opposing team moved the ball with ease on their 1st possession. We always seem to be playing from behind. With all the hoopla about our defense nothing has changed here.

Can't argue with you, it's just all the more disturbing when it's a backup offense doing it against your starters.

 

[CardLogic]

I think that it's safe to assume that the Cardinals 1st team defense; which as has been said was minus Berry, Dansby (and Gabe Watson which is why he wasn't noticed); wasn't really working hard this game. And why would they... Get some reps, get out of the game safely!!

While I do think that there are some coverage issues with the LB's and secondary, I believe that we will see a much higher level performing defense when the action counts.

Yeah, I am a Kool-aide kind of guy!


GBR

 

[Russ Smith]

I think that it's safe to assume that the Cardinals 1st team defense; which as has been said was minus Berry, Dansby (and Gabe Watson which is why he wasn't noticed); wasn't really working hard this game. And why would they... Get some reps, get out of the game safely!!

While I do think that there are some coverage issues with the LB's and secondary, I believe that we will see a much higher level performing defense when the action counts.

Yeah, I am a Kool-aide kind of guy!


GBR

a lot of that is true what concerns me is that Denver was throwing the ball in the first half, not running it. SO it's not that our D was laying down to avoid injury on their cut blocks, because we were pass rushing not run stopping.

But I won't panic, D looked terrible against them last year and played much better against the Giants it was really ST that lost that game.

 

[Goodyear Card]

I try not to much thought in to the last preseason game but our inability to stop the run is going to be a major problem this year. I know Berry is out but Denver's second string was playing and we still could not stop them. Macklin drives me crazy. I was hoping Green would be pushing to be a starter but the coaches seem to prefer Macklin's experience. However, if he gives up too many big plays, Green will get his chance to be a starter.

I am not sure what the problem is with Dockett. If he doesn't start to contribute maybe Green should sit him until he improves his performance.

Dockett, Dansby and Green were three guys I thought would be big time contributers this year. Unfortunately, it has not happened.

 

[Denny Green Fan]

Russ what has happened to Dockett? I was sold on him after his rookie season and thought he was going to be a stud.

 

[Russ Smith]

Russ what has happened to Dockett? I was sold on him after his rookie season and thought he was going to be a stud.

Who knows I thought he stunk all last year and then Green and Clancy said it was the scheme and he did what they wanted him to do. I am not a big Dockett fan, never have been, he's good at slashing and penetrating but he does not stand up in the run game. He's got talent.

Again I go back to the comment made here about Dockett(Jeremy Green said it on ESPN it was reprinted here). He said dockett plays for all the wrong reasons and if he doesn't change that soon, he won't be a Cardinal much longer. I don't think he means we'll cut him, just think he means Dockett will be getting his next contract elsewhere. I gotta believe JG gets that from DG, and I gotta think DG WANTED his son to put that in print so he could call out Dockett without having to do it himself since he can get the point across without embarassing his player.

From what I've seen of Clancy, Moore and Watson, even Lewis, I think Dockett better step it up or he's going to lose his job. Green isn't looking for helmets popping off or twisting someone's knee in the pile, he wants someone to make plays, this is his year to show he's that guy.

 

[joko4]

The defensive line does not worry me in the least.
Reasons
1.We play them in regular season. Clancy will show them nothing.

2. Denver with there illegal blocking schemes, do you think 1st and 2cd stringers
are going to mix it up with them in a pre-season game? Denver is a team that can hurt you for the whole year. JUST IS NOT WORTH THE RISK.

 

[CardLogic]

I try not to much thought in to the last preseason game but our inability to stop the run is going to be a major problem this year. I know Berry is out but Denver's second string was playing and we still could not stop them. Macklin drives me crazy. I was hoping Green would be pushing to be a starter but the coaches seem to prefer Macklin's experience. However, if he gives up too many big plays, Green will get his chance to be a starter.

I am not sure what the problem is with Dockett. If he doesn't start to contribute maybe Green should sit him until he improves his performance.

Dockett, Dansby and Green were three guys I thought would be big time contributers this year. Unfortunately, it has not happened.

Didn't notice Dockett if he played much last night. He may not have been in there much, but I do agree with the comments that he really needs to step it up this year or one of the other guys will take his slot.

Regarding the Cardinals run D: Berry was out, Watson did not play, Kendrick Clancy played sparingly and I believe Dockett wasn't in much either. Langston Moore continues to impress - he plain blew up the Broncos OL a few times!

This game was not a fair indication of the Cardinals D...