One of the things the Cardinals do well

[chickenhead]

Keep in mind that the team just let Boston walk. Now, his flame-out later makes it look better in retrospect, but at the time I really felt that the front office being unable to either extend him or trade him was inexcusable (and unfortunately par for the course). Since Boldin was a 2nd rounder we might have still picked him, and a tandem of a young Boldin and "normal" Boston could have been pretty cool.

Anyway, I do agree with the OP that WR is something we do well--through luck or design. I hope that Fitz not only mentors Floyd, but also draws enough attention away from him to allow him some confidence-building catches early on.

 

[BigRedRage]

Keep in mind that the team just let Boston walk. Now, his flame-out later makes it look better in retrospect, but at the time I really felt that the front office being unable to either extend him or trade him was inexcusable (and unfortunately par for the course). Since Boldin was a 2nd rounder we might have still picked him, and a tandem of a young Boldin and "normal" Boston could have been pretty cool.

Anyway, I do agree with the OP that WR is something we do well--through luck or design. I hope that Fitz not only mentors Floyd, but also draws enough attention away from him to allow him some confidence-building catches early on.

I think the walk was allowed because of the cocaine DUI in ahwatukee.

 

[Duckjake]

I think the walk was allowed because of the cocaine DUI in ahwatukee.

Just amazing that only 3 seasons after averaging 100 yards per game receiving in 2001 Boston was done as an NFL player at 27 years old. What a tremendous waste of talent.

Which brings up another WR talent we wasted. Does anyone remember why Don Coryell didn't keep Ahmad Rashad? I do know that at first Air Coryell involved throwing to the RBs and TEs as much or more than the WRs. Maybe that was it.

 

[DemsMyBoys]

I may be wrong, but just like the Leinart cut- We will never know -

I just got off the phone with Miss Cleo.

She said we'd have stunk worse if we'd have kept him.

Feel better now?

 

[Darkside]

I have enjoyed these last 5 years, I just thought we left a lot on the table, Passing so much is feast or famine. I don't think passing so much with young or bad QB's is a good thing.

The Niners did to us and the NFC exactly what I have wanted the Cardinals to do last year, I feel that we are a more talented team than the Niners, EVEN at QB!

I may be wrong, but just like the Leinart cut- We will never know - cause we were 24th in rushing attempts last year as a team. if we are good at passing I feel in my bones we would be mUCH improved executing a balanced game plan,

Rather than just blubbering about and not doing it repeatedly. Fired coaches did as much with less talent. And i'm trying to be an honest fan.

Agree to some extent. However, if they're working off Whis's game plan and playbook and it calls for 60%+ passing then that's what you do until it gets learned. Changing your plan because of one player (like John Fox did with Tebow) isn't a solution for long-term success. If the rest of our team has learned the playbook(s) and one guy hasn't (QB), then you either teach it until it gets learned or you find another QB.

I compare our game-plan (which really only worked when Kurt Warner ran it) to those of coaches like Lombardi, Landry, Walsh, Coryell, Shula, and even Mike Shanahan etc. Not in execution or similarity mind you, but in the fact that they stuck with their game-plans (and in some cases changed the game of football) even when it wasn't working because the players couldn't adjust. Sometimes it took years. But in the end it paid off. I much prefer long-term game-planning philosophy (which Whisenhunt seems to adopt) over a coach who plugs in plans or pieces as he goes and just hopes for the best. At times it looks downright bad, but when it works that team starts to look unstoppable.

That being said, our game-plan is wholly dependent on having more-than-capable receivers and I think we've done a really good job of drafting them. Also think a lot of our receiver acquisitions started long before Whisenhunt got here, but it definitely fits what we're trying to do. This is a pass-happy league and becoming more so. With the new rule changes (and perhaps more changes in the future) teams are going to have to pass and pass well. Not just for stretches (like SF), but all game long. We already have a game-plan for that and as soon as we can find or develop a QB who "gets it" we'll look unstoppable too.

And this doesn't even take into account the possibility of an 18 game season. When that happens the RB position becomes even less valuable. Now we have a 2-back system in this league, but I can see that going to more 3-back if the season drags on for 18 games.

The need for quality receivers will only increase. We have one of the best, if not the best, in the league, and have had decent depth at that position for years. Roberts and Doucet wouldn't have looked as bad last year under a competent QB. Fitz made Kolb and Skelton look almost average (as opposed to as bad as they were), because he can catch anything, but it's ridiculous to expect the 2's and 3's to make those catches regularly. Half the time when they got hit in the chest with the ball they were surprised.

 

[Darkside]

Didn't know there was a time span for how far back I could go.

Cause if you don't think:

CB: Night Train Lane
CB: Aneas Williams/Roger Wehrli
FS: Larry Wilson
SS: Adrian Wilson

is not one of the best secondaries you could field......well, then your expectations are beyond HOF credentials. The only way you could get a big play best that secondary is if they all ran into each other when they converged on a pass. LOL.

I'm not even sure Night Train could play in today's league. He so worked guys that I don't think he could even adjust to today's game, because that was his mentality. He was borderline back then, when you could literally chuck dudes all the way down the field.

I like your list, but it's hard to mix era's, because then you have to figure out which rules to adopt.

Lane against Fitz would be a beheading. The roar of panties being wadded would far outweigh the # of teeth Fitz spit out.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Meh.

Fitz was a clear cut superstar, there was no skill in that pick.

Q and Breaston were brilliant picks.

Roberts and Doucet are average. Which isnt a bad thing, this is the NFL and so obviously they have considerable talent. But neither are special.

Floyd is no superstar. He was a smart pick. He helps us out in many areas of the game, but people shouldnt expect consecutive pro bowls out of him.

I disagree about our depth. Im over the Stephen Williams experiment. He and Sampson cant seem to get into game mode once the season starts. Both perform well in pre season, but disappear during real games. Gino wont make the team come cuts.


If theres anything the Cards do well, its drafting late round talent.

Meh to your posts on the whole.

 

[THESMEL]

plans

I'm trying to embrace it but a less talented Giants team( I emphasize team) was very balanced in attempts even though their run production sucked- won the SB, for the 2nd time with ELI? ELI is an unselfish team player and a great field general. He is patient which is opposite of Whiz with any QB.

I think the run plays that won those SB's were never shown on sportcenter, so although experts force feed the emphasis on passing, teams that are better balanced in run vs pass attempts win championships.

Green Bay over powered with the pass - but The Steelers and Saints were some of the best balanced in attempts on their championship years regardless of production.

link

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categoryst...efensiveStatisticCategory=null&qualified=true

The further we climb into this Darkness , the closer we come to the light.

We were 15th in pass attempts and 24th in run attempts at 8-8. One 1500 yard reciever does not a season make. FITZ can not be the engine of this offense - even Faulk was the Engine of the GSOT- EDGE was the engine of our 08 playoff wins. Beanie in our 09 playoff WIN!

Agree to some extent. However, if they're working off Whis's game plan and playbook and it calls for 60%+ passing then that's what you do until it gets learned. Changing your plan because of one player (like John Fox did with Tebow) isn't a solution for long-term success. If the rest of our team has learned the playbook(s) and one guy hasn't (QB), then you either teach it until it gets learned or you find another QB.

I compare our game-plan (which really only worked when Kurt Warner ran it) to those of coaches like Lombardi, Landry, Walsh, Coryell, Shula, and even Mike Shanahan etc. Not in execution or similarity mind you, but in the fact that they stuck with their game-plans (and in some cases changed the game of football) even when it wasn't working because the players couldn't adjust. Sometimes it took years. But in the end it paid off. I much prefer long-term game-planning philosophy (which Whisenhunt seems to adopt) over a coach who plugs in plans or pieces as he goes and just hopes for the best. At times it looks downright bad, but when it works that team starts to look unstoppable.

That being said, our game-plan is wholly dependent on having more-than-capable receivers and I think we've done a really good job of drafting them. Also think a lot of our receiver acquisitions started long before Whisenhunt got here, but it definitely fits what we're trying to do. This is a pass-happy league and becoming more so. With the new rule changes (and perhaps more changes in the future) teams are going to have to pass and pass well. Not just for stretches (like SF), but all game long. We already have a game-plan for that and as soon as we can find or develop a QB who "gets it" we'll look unstoppable too.

And this doesn't even take into account the possibility of an 18 game season. When that happens the RB position becomes even less valuable. Now we have a 2-back system in this league, but I can see that going to more 3-back if the season drags on for 18 games.

The need for quality receivers will only increase. We have one of the best, if not the best, in the league, and have had decent depth at that position for years. Roberts and Doucet wouldn't have looked as bad last year under a competent QB. Fitz made Kolb and Skelton look almost average (as opposed to as bad as they were), because he can catch anything, but it's ridiculous to expect the 2's and 3's to make those catches regularly. Half the time when they got hit in the chest with the ball they were surprised.

 

[Jetstream Green]

Meh.

Fitz was a clear cut superstar, there was no skill in that pick.

Q and Breaston were brilliant picks.

Roberts and Doucet are average. Which isnt a bad thing, this is the NFL and so obviously they have considerable talent. But neither are special.

Floyd is no superstar. He was a smart pick. He helps us out in many areas of the game, but people shouldnt expect consecutive pro bowls out of him.

I disagree about our depth. Im over the Stephen Williams experiment. He and Sampson cant seem to get into game mode once the season starts. Both perform well in pre season, but disappear during real games. Gino wont make the team come cuts.


If theres anything the Cards do well, its drafting late round talent.

I think you need to realize he said the Cardinals and our history of WRs being good go farther into the past than just Breaston and Q

 

[Jetstream Green]

No kidding. Sonny Randle, Mel Gray, Roy Green, Rob Moore, Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald. Heck even David Boston had 1,598 yards receiving one season.

Even some of our 2nd WRs have done well. Bobby Joe Conrad (led the NFL in receptions in 1963) Pat Tilley, John Gilliam, Rickey Proehl, Frank Sanders.

Compare that to the other skill positions QB, RB, and TE.

and don't forget us acquiring JT Smith and Ernie Jones had a few good seasons

 

[Bodha]

I think you need to realize he said the Cardinals and our history of WRs being good go farther into the past than just Breaston and Q

I recognize the fact, but how many winning seasons have all those awesome WRs earned us?

Its like the Raiders bragging about having an awesome punter and kicker.

 

[Duckjake]

I recognize the fact, but how many winning seasons have all those awesome WRs earned us?

Its like the Raiders bragging about having an awesome punter and kicker.

Who cares about that? I guess all the fans of the 100's of college teams that never win should quit going to the games and never talk about the great players they do have. Lions fans should never mention Barry Sanders. Bears fans about Gale Sayers.

By the way when you stole Christmas where did you hide it?

 

[BigRedRage]

I recognize the fact, but how many winning seasons have all those awesome WRs earned us?

Its like the Raiders bragging about having an awesome punter and kicker.

If all you want to talk about is win loss records you root for the wrong team. "why discuss anything but wins and losses?" because we are on a message board and want to talk about other things besides our losses.