Packers 44 Cardinals 37: Game Notes and Roster Considerations

[Mitch]

Great write-up Mitch.

I disagree with you recommended changes on defense. I do agree that Rolle would be more effective as a strong safety, but I don't think we have the personnel to run your recommended defense either. The truth of the matter is we aren't very deep at any position on defense IMO. I like parts about Rolle's game, but with Wilson on our roster I wouldn't be crushed to see Rolle leave in free agency if Johnson develops as planned this year, and/or we get a true free safety in the off season.

That said, I think your analysis of the game and players was spot on.

The Bad (in terms of individual players):
-Watson just doesn't seem to be right. He isn't holding his ground well and that can't happen.
-Ralph Brown looks terrible in both his coverage and his tackling. I do think he will make the team, but I wouldn't be disappoined at all if he didn't.
-Bertrand Berry seems like he just doesn't care much anymore. He is getting zero pressure on the QB. This is unfortunate because we could REALLY use depth at OLB and he was expected to help provide that. I just don't understand what his deal is.
-DRC had a bad game. Aside from a great play in the opening series, he was taken advantage of on a couple of occasions. I am not worried about him obviously, but he had a bad game.
-Long, Spach, Urban, Doucet, and Castille all dropped balls that should have been caught.
-Warner didn't look great. He made some bad decisions and didn't take care of the ball on a few occasions.

The Good:
-Beanie is going to be an incredible back in this league.
-Leinart looked fantastic for the 3rd week in a row.
-We seem to have had another terrific draft. Other than the disappointing injury to Cody Brown, each rookie looks solid, if not great. LSH's success has been well documented, Will Davis has provided some pass rush and solid special team play, Toler has shown flashes of big time potential, Herman has been impressive, and Johnson has shown flashes. Each of them have had some expected rookie mistakes, but I would say without reservation that up to this point it looks like we had a terrific draft.

Mitch, explain what you mean regarding Francisco. You said he could back both Wilson and Rolle up, but then in the next breath said to keep him away from FS for good. Clarify what you mean.

Nice breakdown, Binkar.

What I meant about Francisco is he could back up Rolle at SS and Wilson at Rover/Monster.

Get him out of nickel FS...although he did lay a serious lick on Greg Jennings...hate to see anyone get hurt...but AF socked it to him.

 

[Buckybird]

i'm not concerned about defense at all. Last week people were raving about the D,this week they need to change everything .

I respect your positive outlook but this defense isn't near as good as it needs to be. Is your red, green, orange or what? This defense is average at best. No edge rushers and lack a legit FS, they couldn't close the deal at last years Super Bowl and many games before it couldn't hold leads in the 4th qtr. This defense is what it is, undermanned when facing the better offenses in the NFL.

 

[RonF]

On offense, this is the first thing to address and clean up...the Cardinals cannot for another year leave the edges so vulnerable...if it means keeping two RBs in the backfield at times...if it means chipping the edge rushers with the slot WR or TE...if it means running 2 TE sets...the Cardinals MUST start countering for edge pressue. Every opponent knows...you get to Warner, you beat the Cardinals.

Great writeup Mitch as usual, lot's of observations to chew on. I thought the key to preventing the QB from being harrassed by the edge rushers is using Hightower and Wells to keep them honest. If we can truly establish a ground game then we can use it to open up play/action scenerios.

As far as the overall play of our starters last night and last week, they didn't have their heart in it. God help us if the players think they can turn on their poor play around in game one. Whiz needs to kick some butt, starting with his coaching staff. It may be too much for him to call the plays and stay focused on the big picture.

 

[Buckybird]

Great writeup Mitch as usual, lot's of observations to chew on. I thought the key to preventing the QB from being harrassed by the edge rushers is using Hightower and Wells to keep them honest. If we can truly establish a ground game then we can use it to open up play/action scenerios.
.

Running will set up that playaction stuff, but when we go to 4-5 WR's Kurt is likely to take a big hit from a blindside/blitzing CB like last night.

 

[Duckjake]

I respect your positive outlook but this defense isn't near as good as it needs to be. Is your red, green, orange or what? This defense is average at best. No edge rushers and lack a legit FS, they couldn't close the deal at last years Super Bowl and many games before it couldn't hold leads in the 4th qtr. This defense is what it is, undermanned when facing the better offenses in the NFL.

Hard to argue with that take. We almost got to see the Cards defense blow critical games against SF and Philly in our own house. Not good.

 

[Dr. Jones]

Pope =Gone

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Pope =Gone

Nope, there were reports of smoke coming out the top of Cardinals headquarters. Of course,it hasn't been confirmed that that means Leonard has made team or if it's just the steam coming off of Whiz's head as he watched last night's first half game film.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Nope, there were reports of smoke coming out the top of Cardinals headquarters. Of course,it hasn't been confirmed that that means Leonard has made team or if it's just the steam coming off of Whiz's head as he watched last night's first half game film.

4/5... I'd give it a 5/5 but it may take a few moments for some to realize what you're referring to...

 

[Saxon079]

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[Kel Varnsen]

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LOL.

These threads are great. The level of detailed analysis is astonishing.

 

[binkar]

Nope, there were reports of smoke coming out the top of Cardinals headquarters. Of course,it hasn't been confirmed that that means Leonard has made team or if it's just the steam coming off of Whiz's head as he watched last night's first half game film.

4/5... I'd give it a 5/5 but it may take a few moments for some to realize what you're referring to...

Haha I give it a 5/5.

 

[RonF]

Running will set up that playaction stuff, but when we go to 4-5 WR's Kurt is likely to take a big hit from a blindside/blitzing CB like last night.

If you can establish the running game, especially late in the game, you don't need to use 4-5 receivers. However, I agree, rushing Kurt is the key to beating the Cards. You don't even have to hit him, when rushed he coughs up the ball on his own.

 

[cardpa]

Why would you keep Pope if you keep Byrd. Both can catch and neither is a great blocker. At least Byrd fights for yards and doesn't fall down like a overgrown oak tree that just got cut down. There is no reason to keep both. At least Byrd doesn't draw penalties like Pope.

I think they keep Spach, Byrd, and Becht. Then 4 weeks down the road they decide what to do with Patrick.

 

[Perfectionist]

What's most encouraging about last night's game is the emergence of what looks to be a much stronger running game, led by Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells...and complimented nicely by the speedy LaRon Stephens-Howling.

Hey Mitch welcome back!

These three running backs combined for 16 rushes and a 6.312 yards per attempt, if we can do this in the regular season, Kurt will do alot more play action passing and reduce the number of times he will face getting hit. Howling returning kicks and used as a third down back should be a definate threat. Hightower and Wells definately will push each other which will definately be an asset.

 

[Mitch]

On offense, this is the first thing to address and clean up...the Cardinals cannot for another year leave the edges so vulnerable...if it means keeping two RBs in the backfield at times...if it means chipping the edge rushers with the slot WR or TE...if it means running 2 TE sets...the Cardinals MUST start countering for edge pressue. Every opponent knows...you get to Warner, you beat the Cardinals.

Great writeup Mitch as usual, lot's of observations to chew on. I thought the key to preventing the QB from being harrassed by the edge rushers is using Hightower and Wells to keep them honest. If we can truly establish a ground game then we can use it to open up play/action scenerios.

As far as the overall play of our starters last night and last week, they didn't have their heart in it. God help us if the players think they can turn on their poor play around in game one. Whiz needs to kick some butt, starting with his coaching staff. It may be too much for him to call the plays and stay focused on the big picture.

Good point, Ron, about protecting the edge with the RB. But this is why the Packers kept the RBs honest---when they blitzed Woodson from the edge, by blitzing a LB up the middle---because the middle blitz is the RB's first read, and that's where the RBs went, to block the LB (which was right on their part because the LB is the "first" threat---the classic blitz pickup rule).

Some of the Cardinals, like Ralph Brown and Gabe Watson were not putting any significant effort in out there...

But, most of all, the Cardinals were way out-coached. The Packers came prepared and they laid it on thick.

 

[WildBB]

But, most of all, the Cardinals were way out-coached. The Packers came prepared and they laid it on thick.

Somewhat outcoached. Not way. Bill Davis on D was outcoached. He needs to account for the deep plays over Rolles' watch more. I think Rolle is pretty much a specialist (5th DB), not a FS. That is being made evident more and more to me. They can fix that and the other things will work themselves out IMO.

I think that playing Wilson as a hybrid OLB/SS and having 4 DB's back there is probably the Cards most effective overall package. Rolle should back Wilson as the 2nd in line SS (nickle) with Rashad Johnson playing next to him. Okeafor or Haggins will have to split time, IMO.

 

[Second Deck]

Glad to see you back Mitch always enjoy reading your take. I think you have to consider keeping Walker or Davis at LB. I also though Canfield had some good blocks on the OL. Will be interesting to watch the final game against Denver to see who picks it up. I hope I have seen the last of Brown and Francisco.

 

[WildBB]

Glad to see you back Mitch always enjoy reading your take. I think you have to consider keeping Walker or Davis at LB. I also though Canfield had some good blocks on the OL. Will be interesting to watch the final game against Denver to see who picks it up. I hope I have seen the last of Brown and Francisco.

I thought the FB #45 Maula (sp.) made some great blocks out there. They're going to have to take a good look at him in the Den game as someone who can open lanes.

 

[joeshmo]

Glad to see you back Mitch always enjoy reading your take. I think you have to consider keeping Walker or Davis at LB. I also though Canfield had some good blocks on the OL. Will be interesting to watch the final game against Denver to see who picks it up. I hope I have seen the last of Brown and Francisco.

Canfield didn't play. They mentioned him on the broadcast as #60 but it was really #50 Melvin Fowler.

 

[Russ Smith]

Good point, Ron, about protecting the edge with the RB. But this is why the Packers kept the RBs honest---when they blitzed Woodson from the edge, by blitzing a LB up the middle---because the middle blitz is the RB's first read, and that's where the RBs went, to block the LB (which was right on their part because the LB is the "first" threat---the classic blitz pickup rule).

Some of the Cardinals, like Ralph Brown and Gabe Watson were not putting any significant effort in out there...

But, most of all, the Cardinals were way out-coached. The Packers came prepared and they laid it on thick.

There was one play I think it was Stephens-Howling stepped up and helped block an inside rusher who was already engaged, that left the outside guy wide open and he got Warner. They showed the replay, GB brought 7, we had 6 guys to block, and the RB picked up a guy inside who was already being blocked.

I know you say that's the first read for the RB, protect the middle, but I'm assuming if that guys is engaged the RB "should" try to pick up one of the unblocked blitzers?

there was some disagreement on that point in the game thread just curious whether you think the RB made the right decision or not.

 

[Buckybird]

Canfield didn't play.

I don't recall him playing all preseason. Could it be he is being stashed for the PS?

 

[Crazy Canuck]

There was one play I think it was Stephens-Howling stepped up and helped block an inside rusher who was already engaged, that left the outside guy wide open and he got Warner. They showed the replay, GB brought 7, we had 6 guys to block, and the RB picked up a guy inside who was already being blocked.

I know you say that's the first read for the RB, protect the middle, but I'm assuming if that guys is engaged the RB "should" try to pick up one of the unblocked blitzers?

there was some disagreement on that point in the game thread just curious whether you think the RB made the right decision or not.

It was Jason Wright.

 

[joeshmo]

There was one play I think it was Stephens-Howling stepped up and helped block an inside rusher who was already engaged, that left the outside guy wide open and he got Warner. They showed the replay, GB brought 7, we had 6 guys to block, and the RB picked up a guy inside who was already being blocked.

I know you say that's the first read for the RB, protect the middle, but I'm assuming if that guys is engaged the RB "should" try to pick up one of the unblocked blitzers?

there was some disagreement on that point in the game thread just curious whether you think the RB made the right decision or not.

It was Wright and he made the right decision IMO. His first key is inside, especially when they show a stunt. It also depends on who the Center points out and how the QB calls the pre-snap protections and reads. Without knowing that we just don't know for certain. IMO it was a well designed zone blitz play that's all.

 

[Russ Smith]

It was Jason Wright.

Thanks it was Wright you're correct.

I'm not sold on him either, earlier in that same drive he caught a swing pass and seemed to have room to run but he got caught easily from behind by a LB, really surprised me.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Thanks it was Wright you're correct.

I'm not sold on him either, earlier in that same drive he caught a swing pass and seemed to have room to run but he got caught easily from behind by a LB, really surprised me.

Saw Herman catch a guy he outweighed by a 150 lb.

These guys are quick...