Neutered

[Russ Smith]

How can you expect a tough team, when you allow them Mondays off after blowouts? Or, "practice" without even helmets?

Exactly. We were told we were going to be a tough hard nosed team like Pittsburgh. We're better than we were for sure, but we're not tough and as you say we don't even practice like we want to be tough.

I do think it's possible to be a pass happy team and still be tough, do it on defense, do it on ST. Hell Pittsburgh had some pretty good passing teams(think Ward and Plaxico together) and they were still tough.

This team early on seemed mentally tough, even the jets game we didn't quit.

But the last 4 weeks have been pathetic.

 

[Stout]

Yeah, I was ripped for ripping the team after the Philly game. I bet those same people would apologize for it if they remembered. Ugh.

 

[Russ Smith]

Yes, that is all true TR. And, if we had lost all of these games like we lost the Skins and Panthers games, I would be proud of the team. But, to lose these games like we lost them during McGinnis era? No excuse for that none. I mean, can understand one perhaps, but not a handful.

Exactly. Earlier in the year I made the comparison of UCLA under Lavin to under Howland. You knew things were better when they stopped falling behind by 25 and losing by 40, if they fell behind, they fought back even if they still lost. We did that against the Jets. But now it's like we are regressing
like we got the division and everyone just let up.

And I do mean everyone including the coaching stiff I mean staff. I just don't see any indication that there's a switch they can flip off or on. I'm counting on the home stadium excitement in the first playoff game, probably setting myself up for another letdown.

 

[conraddobler]

Exactly. Earlier in the year I made the comparison of UCLA under Lavin to under Howland. You knew things were better when they stopped falling behind by 25 and losing by 40, if they fell behind, they fought back even if they still lost. We did that against the Jets. But now it's like we are regressing
like we got the division and everyone just let up.

And I do mean everyone including the coaching stiff I mean staff. I just don't see any indication that there's a switch they can flip off or on. I'm counting on the home stadium excitement in the first playoff game, probably setting myself up for another letdown.

So you're saying theres no uber secret mad scientist revamping of the entire offense going on under the radar?

No mad scientist defensive revamps, like playing bump and run on the WR's when it's 3rd and 4 instead of giving a 6 yard cushion?

You're telling me their is no Santa Claus?

Heartless and cruel!!!

 

[JC_AZ]

So you're saying theres no uber secret mad scientist revamping of the entire offense going on under the radar?

No mad scientist defensive revamps, like playing bump and run on the WR's when it's 3rd and 4 instead of giving a 6 yard cushion?

You're telling me their is no Santa Claus?

Heartless and cruel!!!

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[Totally_Red]

Yes, that is all true TR. And, if we had lost all of these games like we lost the Skins and Panthers games, I would be proud of the team. But, to lose these games like we lost them during McGinnis era? No excuse for that none. I mean, can understand one perhaps, but not a handful.

Oh, I agree.

This team just cannot block or tackle worth a darn against good teams. That just seems like basic football 101. We are in week 17 and the fundamentals are still lacking.

On one of the early runs, #50 for New England surged into the backfield to stop Hightower at the handoff. Then there comes Stephen Spach, one of Whis's heroes, who had obviously whiffed on the block. All it takes is one screwup blocking and the run is stopped in its tracks. Frustrating!

It all snowballed downhill from there. Pun intended.

 

[Renz]

Yesterday was the first time I really thought the team quit. Like Russ said, they fought back against the Jets and even in Philly they got within 14 points and had the ball until Q's fumble effectively ended the game. Against Minn. they again fought back to within two scores.

In NE they just laid down after the first series, which was disappointing to say the least.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Oh, I agree.

This team just cannot block or tackle worth a darn against good teams. That just seems like basic football 101. We are in week 17 and the fundamentals are still lacking.

On one of the early runs, #50 for New England surged into the backfield to stop Hightower at the handoff. Then there comes Stephen Spach, one of Whis's heroes, who had obviously whiffed on the block. All it takes is one screwup blocking and the run is stopped in its tracks. Frustrating!

It all snowballed downhill from there. Pun intended.

You are on to something.

If Whiz doesn't re-haul this offense this year, he will never be successful.

Stephen Spach playing instead of Patrick or Pope.

Hightower and JJ Arrington instead of Edge ?

I dunno. It looks like Whiz is starting to get furstrated trying to put these round blocks into his square holes.

If we are going to be a power running team changes have to be made.

 

[Rivercard]

Yeah, I was ripped for ripping the team after the Philly game. I bet those same people would apologize for it if they remembered. Ugh.

No need for anyone to apologize. The "Phily folly" was somewhat forgivable at the time because it followed a pretty gritty effort against the Giants preceeded by 3 straight wins. With the last two weeks however, the suckage appears to be a trend.

 

[Russ Smith]

Oh, I agree.

This team just cannot block or tackle worth a darn against good teams. That just seems like basic football 101. We are in week 17 and the fundamentals are still lacking.

On one of the early runs, #50 for New England surged into the backfield to stop Hightower at the handoff. Then there comes Stephen Spach, one of Whis's heroes, who had obviously whiffed on the block. All it takes is one screwup blocking and the run is stopped in its tracks. Frustrating!

It all snowballed downhill from there. Pun intended.

That was the 3rd down run on the first drive and it was then the announcers started talking about Tim chopping his strides. Seems to me that's how he always runs, short strides? And it also seems to me they teach you to cut your stride on a slick field, but they were trying to make it sound as if Tim was being hesitant. On that play Vrabel came in unblocked behind the play and caught Tim because as you said, Spach missed the damn block entirely.

God if we do nothing else this offseason bring in TE's who can block!!!

 

[Totally_Red]

That was the 3rd down run on the first drive and it was then the announcers started talking about Tim chopping his strides. Seems to me that's how he always runs, short strides? And it also seems to me they teach you to cut your stride on a slick field, but they were trying to make it sound as if Tim was being hesitant. On that play Vrabel came in unblocked behind the play and caught Tim because as you said, Spach missed the damn block entirely.

God if we do nothing else this offseason bring in TE's who can block!!!

Yup! Four tight ends on the roster and none can block your sister. With the quality of this year's tight end class, I suspect the Cardinals will draft one at some point.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Let's look at who was missing:

Clark Haggans, Travis Laboy, J.J. Arrington, and Anquan Boldin. That's four key components.

as key as Tom Brady, Adalius Thomas, Rodney Harrison? All of those guys - perenial Pro-Bowlers and a HOF QB were all missing (and a host of others for the Pats including their starting RB) and they still beat us by 40.

injuries are not any kind of excuse for what happened yesterday.

 

[AzCards21]

Just a horrible effort all day long. The worst part is we're going to the playoffs and I may still have to pay off a 50 dollar bet. I bet we would win more than 8 games and that doesn't look too good right now.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

That was the 3rd down run on the first drive and it was then the announcers started talking about Tim chopping his strides. Seems to me that's how he always runs, short strides? And it also seems to me they teach you to cut your stride on a slick field, but they were trying to make it sound as if Tim was being hesitant. On that play Vrabel came in unblocked behind the play and caught Tim because as you said, Spach missed the damn block entirely.

God if we do nothing else this offseason bring in TE's who can block!!!

Maybe one of the biggest underlying problems. I am unsure if their is a FA available but I expect this is driving Wiz nuts.

I would guess if there is no one in FA they will spend a top 2 pick on it.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I would guess if there is no one in FA they will spend a top 2 pick on it.

And therein lies Cardinal futility - go into the draft every year with gaping holes and hope you can fill them with rookies.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

And therein lies Cardinal futility - go into the draft every year with gaping holes and hope you can fill them with rookies.

Wasn't the case last year for the first time in ages. We need an infusion of talent at that position and with what Carlson has done for Seattle, I wouldn't say its out of the realm that we get a good one.

Although I am intrigued at the possibility of Kellen Winslow if he and the Browns part ways.

 

[Totally_Red]

Wasn't the case last year for the first time in ages. We need an infusion of talent at that position and with what Carlson has done for Seattle, I wouldn't say its out of the realm that we get a good one.

Although I am intrigued at the possibility of Kellen Winslow if he and the Browns part ways.

A Kevin Boss clone would be nice. That is a tough, but relatively cheap, guy who can block all day long, doesn't commit foolish penalties, stays healthy, and is a decent receiver in the clutch. Now if only our scouting department could locate one of those and we could draft him in the fourth or fifth round.

 

[Renz]

And therein lies Cardinal futility - go into the draft every year with gaping holes and hope you can fill them with rookies.

Not true in this case. Wasn't Jeremy Tuman brought in to be the blocking TE?

 

[Stout]

Not true in this case. Wasn't Jeremy Tuman brought in to be the blocking TE?

He was, and he's usually good at it, but wasn't he injured for going on half the season? Plus, with the kind of offense we run (i.e., not a running offense) he doesn't really fit. We need to decide to go back to a more balance offense, or else no number of blocking TEs will make a lick of difference.

I say we go back to a traditional set and sign Bo Scaife in the offseason. He can block and catch and would be a HUGE upgrade to this offense. He also shouldn't break the bank.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

He was, and he's usually good at it, but wasn't he injured for going on half the season? Plus, with the kind of offense we run (i.e., not a running offense) he doesn't really fit. We need to decide to go back to a more balance offense, or else no number of blocking TEs will make a lick of difference.

I say we go back to a traditional set and sign Bo Scaife in the offseason. He can block and catch and would be a HUGE upgrade to this offense. He also shouldn't break the bank.

would love to see bo sciafe here.

here's a lovely thought . . . we will have a shot at ending our season a playoff team with an overall losing record (8-9, including playoffs). yeesh.

 

[DemsMyBoys]

The high school I went to was a football powerhouse. Anaheim High - early 1970s. I mean we murdered our opponents. One playoff game was stopped at half-time because we were wining 64-0. (And there was a future NFL player named Isaac Curtis on the other team.)

But, and I will never forget this, after the game was called our players walked across the field to congratulate the other team on a good game and they meant it! The other guys never gave up. They hustled on every single play. And there were players who cried when it got called because even though they were getting skunked, they wanted one more down to see if they could turn it around.

It's called hustle. It's called pride. It's called heart. If a bunch of 16 year old kids could have it...

 

[az jam]

The good news for me is that I didn't pay the $900 they wanted from me for Club seat playoff tickets.