Post-Season Thoughts

[Mitch]

Despite yesterday's painful loss, this past season was a ringing success.

BA breaks the season into 4 game segments and here are the results:

Segment 1: 3-1
Segment 2: 4-0
Segment 3: 2-2
Segment 4: 2-2
Segment 5: 0-1 eliminated from playoffs

Versus NFC West: 3-3 (2-4 last year)
Versus NFC East: 4-0
Versus AFC West: 3-1
Versus NFC: 8-4
Home: 7-1
Road: 4-5
National TV Games: 2-2
Final record: 11-6

BA's 2014 Formula:

1. Win at home and try at least to split on the road: accomplished.
2. Keep games close and win them with strong 4th quarters: accomplished very well at home, although it is more difficult to do on the road.

Modifications for 2015?:

Develop a knockout punch. This past year the formula was to keep games close---next year---there needs to be a concerted effort to put away teams before the 4th quarter, if and when possible.

Personnel Decisions by Unit (my thoughts and hopes):

QB: Add a talented, younger QB, via a trade.
RB: Add a feature RB who can be a consistent threat between the tackles.
WR: Continue to add speed.
TE: Add a FA all-purpose TE.
OL: Improve run-blocking personnel.
DL: Develop a 4 man pass rush. Keep building the depth.
LB: Add speed and athleticism.
DB: Get more physical and athletic.
ST: Add talent and improved coaching.

Critique of Offense:

1. Lack of consistent running game.
2. Not QB friendly.
3. Too many negative yard plays and penalties.
4. Too many empty backfield pass plays.
5. Poor use of TEs.
6. Lack of production from 2 TE Jumbo sets.
7. Lack of focus on team speed and exploiting coverage mismatches.
8. Immobility and poor footwork from QBs.
9. Predictable play-calling.

Critique of Defense:

1. Lack of edge pass rushers.
2. Lack of a 4 man rush.
3. Lack of athleticism at OLB and ILB.
4. Lack of physical play at CB.
5. Lack of consistent tackling and coverage at S.
6. Inconsistent tackling.
7. Blown coverages.

2014 Acquisition/Re-Signings Home Runs:

1. T Jared Veldheer.
2. WR John Brown.
3. DE Frostee Rucker
4. DE Tommy Kelly
5. ILB Larry Foote
6. CB Antonio Cromartie
7. K Chandler Catanzaro

2014 Decent Return Value Acquisitions:

1. RB Kerwynn Williams
2. G Ted Larsen
3. G Paul Fanaika
4. TE Darren Fells
5. WR Jaron Brown
6. DE Ed Stinson
7. DE Josh Mauro
8. LB Glen Carson
9. S Deone Bucannon

2014 Acquisition Disappointments:

1. TE John Carlson
2. TE Troy Niklas
3. WR/KR Ted Ginn Jr.
4. QB Ryan Lindley
5. DE Kareem Martin
6. QB Logan Thomas

High Achiever Accolades:

1. DE Calais Campbell
2. T Jared Veldheer
3. CB Jerraud Powers
4. DE Frostee Rucker
5. K Chandler Catanzaro
6. QB Carson Palmer
7. CB/ST Justin Bethel

2015 Question Marks:

1. QB Carson Palmer. How soon and well can he bounce back from ACL injury? Why was he saying the he wasn't sure what the team would do regarding his future? Why was he a zero presence on the sidelines, when other injured players like Dockett were there to support the team? Can he regain the momentum he garnered before the shoulder and ACL injuries? Would the team be better off turning the reins over to a younger QB?

2. RB/WR Andre Ellington. Is he better off assuming a diversified role as a slot WR and change-of-pace RB? How is he going to hold up physically this time around?

3. LG Jonathan Cooper. Can he get his mind and his body right? can he get in tip-top shape? Can he start to lead a vastly improved running game?

4. RG Paul Fanaika. Can the team add an upgrade at RG? Could Earl Watford be the answer at RG? Isn't Fanaika better off being the swing depth G/T?

5. T Cameron Bradfield. Started 27 games in 4 years for Jaguars. Can he challenge Bobby Massie for the RT job?

6. RT Bobby Massie. Can he develop as a run blocker and become more consistent in pass protection?

7. C/G Ted Larsen. isn't he perfect for the swing C/G depth role?

8. QB Drew Stanton. is he injury prone? Has he shown enough command of the offense, especially to warrant a $3.4M salary?

9. QB Logan Thomas. Is he better off switching to TE and maybe having a small situational role as a read option QB?

10. RB Kerwynn Williams. Is he a keeper? I think he is as a #2, #3 RB. Dude has wheels and he's tough.

11. WR Larry Fitzgerald. Will he be traded?

12. WR Ted Ginn Jr. Did he lose all trade value? How soon will he be released? Will BA&SK really want to hold on to him?

13. NT Dan Williams. Is he a risk on a lucrative new contract? Does he sign elsewhere?

14. NT Almeda Ta'amu. Will he be able to be a factor this year?

15. DE Tommy Kelly. Is he one and done?

16. DE Darnell Dockett. Can he bounce back at his age? Can he hold up? Will he take a pay cut?

17. DE Kareem Martin. What happened to him? Where does he factor in this year?

18. ILB Larry Foote. Is he going to retire? Is he worthy of another contract?

19. ILB Kevin Minter. Is he going to step up this year or fall by the wayside?

20. OLB Sam Acho. Will the Cardinals re-sign him? His lack of athleticism on the edge sure was exposed the past few weeks, although he did show improved rush ability.

21. CB Patrick Peterson. Will he bounce back from an up and down year? Is he worth the contract? Will he ever embrace the physical aspects of playing NFL CB?

22. CB Antonio Cromartie. Will Steve Keim offer him the money to stay? Will he want to stay?

23. S Tyrann Mathieu. Will be become the Honey Badger again?

24. S Rashad Johnson. What happened to him down the stretch?

25. S Deone Bucannon. Why didn't he beat Jefferson out as the starter at SS? Is he the starting SS this year?

26. CB Justin Bethel. Will he get snatched up by another team like Greg Toler was? Could he emerge as the starting RCB this year?

27. P Dave Zastudil. Will he return to form this year?

28. DC Todd Bowles. Will he land a HC job this year? Will the fall-off on defense the last few weeks deter his chances?

29. STC Amos Jones. Will BA&SK look to upgrade the coaching on STs?

30. ILB Daryl Washington. Is there any scenario in which he returns at some point?

31. What will the FA and 2015 NFL Draft Priorities be?

 

[82CardsGrad]

Amazingly, after all these years, including our Super Bowl run, the Cards remain a soft team with little to no ability to make big plays...
Our o-line, aside from Veldheer, remains painfully weak and inept. Our front 7 on defense is pathetically weak...Aside from Campbell, we have no consistent playmaking threat in that front 7.
We can't run the ball and we can't consistently pressure the opposing QB. The very same issues this team has faced for decades now!!!
And the results won't change until the day comes - if ever, when we fix these decades long issues... Forget about everything else and focus on these glaring issues. Get tougher at the point of attack on both sides of the ball! Find a credible run game! Find some playmakers in our front 7... Everything else will fall into place.

 

[MrYeahBut]

Amazingly, after all these years, including our Super Bowl run, the Cards remain a soft team with little to no ability to make big plays...
Our o-line, aside from Veldheer, remains painfully weak and inept. Our front 7 on defense is pathetically weak...Aside from Campbell, we have no consistent playmaking threat in that front 7.
We can't run the ball and we can't consistently pressure the opposing QB. The very same issues this team has faced for decades now!!!
And the results won't change until the day comes - if ever, when we fix these decades long issues... Forget about everything else and focus on these glaring issues. Get tougher at the point of attack on both sides of the ball! Find a credible run game! Find some playmakers in our front 7... Everything else will fall into place.

I think their first real attempt to fix the Oline was with Cooper. With the LG position solidified they could get someone serviceable for RG. A for effort, D for execution.

 

[Jay Cardinal]

Great review, I agree with many of your lists posted. I thought for the most part Keim has a keen eye for talent.

One thing I have been wondering about specifically is the acquisition of Ryan Lindley. Keim and Arians repeatedly said they picked him up because he was "familiar with the offense". I am curious as to what the familiarity is supposed to achieve. Are they saying he simply knows what the plays mean? as in "Eagle right 92 post cross" or are they saying he understands how to read defenses and make the plays on the field?

If Arians has one issue (and probably only one as he is one of my favorite coaches ever) he may be a little overly loyal. In the case of Ted Ginn, he made one good play all season and there was other players that can return kicks. I think a team plays best when they know the coach gives them the best shot to win by putting the best players on the field. I can buy that Butler and Lindley were the best on the roster, but I don't see how John Brown or even Patrick Peterson (in the playoff game) did not get a look at PR/KR.

 

[Mitch]

Great review, I agree with many of your lists posted. I thought for the most part Keim has a keen eye for talent.

One thing I have been wondering about specifically is the acquisition of Ryan Lindley. Keim and Arians repeatedly said they picked him up because he was "familiar with the offense". I am curious as to what the familiarity is supposed to achieve. Are they saying he simply knows what the plays mean? as in "Eagle right 92 post cross" or are they saying he understands how to read defenses and make the plays on the field?

If Arians has one issue (and probably only one as he is one of my favorite coaches ever) he may be a little overly loyal. In the case of Ted Ginn, he made one good play all season and there was other players that can return kicks. I think a team plays best when they know the coach gives them the best shot to win by putting the best players on the field. I can buy that Butler and Lindley were the best on the roster, but I don't see how John Brown or even Patrick Peterson (in the playoff game) did not get a look at PR/KR.

Excellent points.

Familiarity with the offense doesn't mean too much, does it? It took Carson Palmer 3 PS games and 8 regular season games in 2013 to start to show a command of it. Stanton has been in BA's system for 3 years and his command of the offense was not quite as strong as one would expect.

It took Carson Palmer all that time while getting all the reps.

I don't quite understand why BA's offense is so hard to learn, Jay. Do you?

 

[Jay Cardinal]

Excellent points.

Familiarity with the offense doesn't mean too much, does it? It took Carson Palmer 3 PS games and 8 regular season games in 2013 to start to show a command of it. Stanton has been in BA's system for 3 years and his command of the offense was not quite as strong as one would expect.

It took Carson Palmer all that time while getting all the reps.

I don't quite understand why BA's offense is so hard to learn, Jay. Do you?

I am not sure either. I just wonder if at any point Keim and Arians were thinking "Oh this is why we cut the guy". I will give them that there were not many options out there at that point, but the performance on the field (both in preseason and recently) was such that I would have preferred to start fresh with a new choice at QB. Oh well, chalk it up as a learning experience and maybe we will act differently if god-forbid we get down to the 3rd string QB again.

 

[don7031]

I think their first real attempt to fix the Oline was with Cooper. With the LG position solidified they could get someone serviceable for RG. A for effort, D for execution.

They tried to fix the offensive line with Cooper two years in a row. He was drafted to replace free agent bust Adam Synder. Then he was slated to replace cap casualty Daryn Colledge. He has basically cost the team two starting guards.

Two years in the league, two games played, one quarterback maimed. Time not to plan on him being a starter.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

FO has their work cut out for them this off-season.

We still have many holes to fill on the roster and areas to improve in.

 

[WisconsinCard]

Excellent points.

Familiarity with the offense doesn't mean too much, does it? It took Carson Palmer 3 PS games and 8 regular season games in 2013 to start to show a command of it. Stanton has been in BA's system for 3 years and his command of the offense was not quite as strong as one would expect.

It took Carson Palmer all that time while getting all the reps.

I don't quite understand why BA's offense is so hard to learn, Jay. Do you?

I think when they say "command of the offense" they are refering as much about getting players lined up correctly and then the recievers, blocking scemes, and QB being on the same page. I think BAs offense has a great deal of varables, and it takes all 11 guys seeing the same thing and reacting correctly to it.

 

[KANIDJA]

Biggest needs:
1. QB. By far, in my opinion, biggest need. Not just any but QBOF. All winning teams have this in common.
I would release Lindley no explanation here. Stanton as well. One trick pony. Way to injury prone. In 6 games or whatever he played maybe 4 he got injured twice. This is after BA came out and said we have to protect out QB if we have to hold we will hold them and get penalties. First contact St Louis had with him and they injure him. But this is also by design to force your hand to go after QB hard. All you would have on your roster basically is Palmer. Do you trust him to play all year? I dont and that is why i bring somebody either draft or trade and probably both. Every penny you spend here is money well spent.
2. Pass rusher or safety that can cover TE. Has to address both. D. Washington coming back? Could change #2 biggest need a bit but not much.
3. Offensive line. Is Cooper a difference maker? Out run game was much better in the two games he played. Was it because of him? This is when K. Williams emerges. Fanaika and Larsen are back ups. Massie back up material as well. They really failed with o-line here in AZ. No matter what they do just cant fix it for years and years and years. Drafting rb is pointless if he has no chance to get to the second level once in a while.

And then you have to get a punter. OMG is finding a backup punter really this hard. I mean that was unbelievable why even punt. Just go for it on the 4th down you are only losing about 20 yards and has a chance to get a firet down. He killed us.

 

[Bodha]

QB: Add a talented, younger QB, via a trade.

who

 

[Buckybird]

Damn good breakdown Mitch.

We heard all TC of the progress Bethel made as a DB, but yet he rarely played, Why is that? As you say this may be Toler all over.

 

[NJCardFan]

2014 Acquisition Disappointments:

1. TE John Carlson
2. TE Troy Niklas
3. WR/KR Ted Ginn Jr.
4. QB Ryan Lindley
5. DE Kareem Martin
6. QB Logan Thomas

Wow Mitch, a little harsh aren't we? How can you be disappointed in a player when nothing was supposed to be expected of him this season?

 

[Mitch]

who

Glennon or Foles would suit me just fine.

 

[Mitch]

Damn good breakdown Mitch.

We heard all TC of the progress Bethel made as a DB, but yet he rarely played, Why is that? As you say this may be Toler all over.

Bethel played when Cro went out for a short time. Otherwise, Cro and PP were taking all the snaps. I think that Bethel is poised and ready to take over at RCB. He won't back down and he'd be an upgrade in the tackling department.

 

[NJCardFan]

They tried to fix the offensive line with Cooper two years in a row. He was drafted to replace free agent bust Adam Synder. Then he was slated to replace cap casualty Daryn Colledge. He has basically cost the team two starting guards.

Two years in the league, two games played, one quarterback maimed. Time not to plan on him being a starter.

Wow, really? I guess it was his fault HE BROKE HIS LEG LAST YEAR!? He wasn't even given a chance this season. Arians instead opted for the human turnstile in Fanaika. You guys are harsh. Did you expect him to come right in, after recovering from a broken leg, and be Russ Grimm? You go out there and do it if it's so easy. Give the kid a break and a chance first before labeling him a bust.

 

[Mitch]

Wow Mitch, a little harsh aren't we? How can you be disappointed in a player when nothing was supposed to be expected of him this season?

The fact that he wasn't far along enough to play in front of Lindley is why. That's disappointing, isn't it?

 

[Buckybird]

Wow Mitch, a little harsh aren't we? How can you be disappointed in a player when nothing was supposed to be expected of him this season?

Because he couldn't even perform decent enough to play over a guy who doesn't deserve to be in the NFL that's why!!! Thomas was bad in college & he will be bad in the NFL bet that.

 

[Mitch]

Wow, really? I guess it was his fault HE BROKE HIS LEG LAST YEAR!? He wasn't even given a chance this season. Arians instead opted for the human turnstile in Fanaika. You guys are harsh. Did you expect him to come right in, after recovering from a broken leg, and be Russ Grimm? You go out there and do it if it's so easy. Give the kid a break and a chance first before labeling him a bust.

Cooper had a whole year to bounce back and get himself ready. He came back tentative and out of shape. It's on him.

The light better go on this off-season.

Fanaika was not a human turnstile. He battled hard. Perfect, no? But, not for lack of effort or physicality.

 

[kerouac9]

Any review of the defense that fails to mention how Bowles failed to adapt to covering tight ends in 32 NFL games is at the very least incomplete.

 

[Mitch]

Because he couldn't even perform decent enough to play over a guy who doesn't deserve to be in the NFL that's why!!! Thomas was bad in college & he will be bad in the NFL bet that.

Has little chance in AZ under BA. BA believes in playing young QBs, not sitting them. Doubtful if he even works his way up to #2 at some point. They really should get something out of him at TE.

 

[Buckybird]

Any review of the defense that fails to mention how Bowles failed to adapt to covering tight ends in 32 NFL games is at the very least incomplete.

Totally agree. But it's also been going on way before Bowles. The lack of speed at LB really showed this year & Bucannon hasn't proven he can do it as well

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Any review of the defense that fails to mention how Bowles failed to adapt to covering tight ends in 32 NFL games is at the very least incomplete.

It's been a mystery for 2 seasons.

 

[Buckybird]

Has little chance in AZ under BA. BA believes in playing young QBs, not sitting them. Doubtful if he even works his way up to #2 at some point. They really should get something out of him at TE.

Mitch, I laughed the day we drafted the kid seriously. It's one thing to be infatuated with a QB with size, athleticism & a gun when he fits what your looking for but it's another to draft a kid who was non productive in college. It was an atrocious pick by Bask. You're right, move him somewhere else & don't waste the time with him at QB.

 

[Buckybird]

It's been a mystery for 2 seasons.

6-7 in all honesty