PS Game 2: SD 19 AZ 3

[Mitch]

Mitch, agree with most of what you wrote, and just want to add the following:
1. I know BA doesn't agree, but I feel that we should go more to our TE's. We had very few TE targets, and most were successful. In my memory, the four or five TE's on our roster are the best we've had.
2. If center is our biggest OL concern, then maybe we should go with Earl Watford, if Evan Boehm isn't the answer.
3. Okpalaugo, to me, is our third best OLB with Okafor out. Martin is good against the run, but doesn't add much as a PR. I'm not saying that Okpa is there as a PR, but he shows PR potential. I stopped the DVR after the ball was snapped and Okpa was a step ahead.
4. Mauro played well, and played well early. Was he being showcased?
5. Christian was a VG pick, but he's probably a year away from being able to play pass defense. For now he's good against the run and should excel on ST's.
6. Miller looks like a PS player at best, and Brooks is ahead of him as a CB. I realize that Brooks is more experienced.
7. DJ didn't look VG to me. But the fact that he got less PT than last week, so maybe the coaches disagree.
8. Thought that Crisp and Wetzel looked better, playing their more natural positions. And Toner looked good. I'm still hoping that he'll be tried at center.
9. We are loaded at RB. Could we trade one for a CB or a Swing Tackle?
10.This is probably treason, but Jauron Brown should play before John Brown. He and Floyd on the O/S and Fitz in the slot, look like our best combo.
11.While Shipley didn't have a good game, I like him better than Nelson. More versatile. But I know BA is in his corner.
12.Our Defense played well. Gave up 19 points and the first 10 were gifts from our offense.
13.Swanson is our best hope at punter and to paraphrase BA, it's not even close.
14.And now we have to wait eight days for a better effort.

Good post, Garth. Hard to argue with anything you said, pal.

 

[Mitch]

My thoughts...

Our special teams is going to be a liability this year. We don't show any ability in either return game, and our FG and punt units are struggling.

Barkley looked better than last week, but still not good.

C is an issue. Shipley is not good. EB looks like a 4th rounder.

DJ is ok. Still up and down, but he seems to bounce back after bad plays which is important.

I hate how Michael floyd seems to refuse to try and high point catch balls. He seems to drift away from the ball rather than attack it.

Toner looked like he played well. Might be a long term backup.

Outside of Minter, our front 7 might be the best and deepest in team history.

Pass rush seemed lacking, still no explosion. I expect to see better in the regular season.

Williams is going to stick in the NFL at CB. It isn't ideal technique yet, but his speed and length will ensure he sticks around.

I wonder is the Cards will look at Keenan Lewis at CB. There was a time when he was a very good press CB.

I am curious to see how Christian develops as he seems to have a knack from being around the ball.

Great point about Floyd not coming back to the ball and high pointing it, although he did break up Verette's int. attempt at least.

As good as Toner is looking I am wondering if he's our RG next year if Mathis retires. Or could it be Watford finally, if they re-sign him?

I think your assessment of Brandon Williams is on the money.

 

[Mitch]

The whole Super Bowl talk needs to end. It looks like the team is reading the press clippings. This could be very dangerous as we have seen in the past where they take another team for granted and have to battle back in the second half. I'm old school and believe full effort, every game for the entire game.

I have to admit...the Cardinals' incessant talk got tiring toward the end of "All or Nothing." No question the Super Bowl seed has been firmly planted. But, as you suggest, now it's time to put aside the talk and let the preparation take over. Man, every team is going to be in the Cardinals' faces about the show and how it ended.

This year's team could go either way...it gets harder to sustain double digit winning seasons, unless the team plays in a weak division. The grind can be almost unbearable at times. And the frustration of getting so close and then getting routed in the NFC Championship game can carry over like a hangover and/or make the team feel like they are a modern application of the myth of Sisyphus. One has to hope that BA, having been in that position so many times, will have creative ways to keep the fires burning.

The two things that concern me the most, BCF, are coaches on the staff who are over their heads and/or who are just not very effective and how soft this team can be in comparison to the toughest, most physical teams. I hope this year that I we all will be pleasantly surprised by the coaching and the Cardinals' tough, physical play. But, if the pre-season is any indication, this team is flat as a pancake.

 

[b8rtm8nn]

Ah, thanks for catching this...I saw #58 a few times and thought that he had some athleticism and potential - they also gave him 49 snaps - so it looks like they are trying hard to see if he is worth the roster spot. Here is the snap count for OLB last night (sans Jones/Golden) - since it's preseason, it is hard to determine to the high count is good or bad for a player...

(LB) Okpalaugo 49, K. Martin 34, Riddick 21

Nevermind - I am watching the game again and focusing on #58, he isn't very good...K Martin looked ok though. Both in setting the edge and on a couple of rushes. Much improved over last year.

You know who looked the worst, and by a large margin? Riddick. Guy looks terrible, even against third stringers.

You know who else plays with some spunk? Harlan Miller

 

[BullheadCardFan]

The two things that concern me the most, BCF, are coaches on the staff who are over their heads and/or who are just not very effective and how soft this team can be in comparison to the toughest, most physical teams. I hope this year that I we all will be pleasantly surprised by the coaching and the Cardinals' tough, physical play. But, if the pre-season is any indication, this team is flat as a pancake.

Good point about the coaching staff. Are they not preparing the team correctly? Is the game plan flawed? Are they not making in game adjustments? Why does the team seem to come out flat to start most games?

One big area of concern is ST's and the poor coaching and preparation. They look unorganized this year so far, again. BA needs to address this area of the team as it could cost us game/games this year.

 

[juza76]

Riddick was very raw when he got drafted
His mainly weapon in college was his quickness,but after the last year draft he came to rookie minicamp 30lb heavier, obviously he lost his first step
Anyway was a project

 

[Mitch]

Riddick was very raw when he got drafted
His mainly weapon in college was his quickness,but after the last year draft he came to rookie minicamp 30lb heavier, obviously he lost his first step
Anyway was a project

Yes, and at West Virginia, they played him a lot inside on the d-line, not on the edge until his last few games.

 

[GoldGloveschmidt]

My biggest frustration when watching the Cardinals play is that the opposing receivers seem to be 5 yards ahead of their defender any time they run a crossing route across the middle of the field. But our receivers never run those routes, we seem to only run curl routes and out routes, and our receivers have to make contested catches with a defender draped over them.

In sum - we seem to get no separation, opponents gets lots of separation. Maybe that's just my perception as a one-sided fan.

 

[Big red 2]

Team Assessment:

Recently I went back and studied the SNF game last November when the Cardinals played the Bengals. You might recall that Carson Palmer was "off" (according to BA) in the first half, throwing two first quarter interceptions, one on a 3rd and 10 seam pass to Larry Fitzgerald where Leon Hall jumped the route and the second on a pass that sailed over the head of a post pattern right into the waiting arms of the Bengals' FS.

The Cardinals were down by a TD at halftime---but came out and owned the third quarter. At one point the Cardinals' offense had 200 yards in the quarter and the Bengals' offense had 0. BA always stresses that the first five minutes of the second half are the most important tone setting minutes of the game. In that particular game, both the Cardinals' offense and defense were up to the task. Palmer found his rhythm and the defense stymied the Bengals' offense, both stuffing the run and disrupting the timing of Andy Dalton.

But, in light of what occurred in the Seattle game in Week 17, the Carolina NFC Championship game and now both of the Cardinals' pre-season games this year...a handful of disturbing trends are evident:

1. Throwing two early interceptions on forced passes, usually one of them being badly overthrown and right to the free safety.

2. Cardinals' QB throwing to areas, rather than adjusting to the WR's route.

3. Trying to run the ball and doing absolutely nothing to block the opponents' inside LBers.

4. Failing to account for and stop blitzes right up the middle.

5. Opponents' receivers at times getting wide open, with no defender in sight.

6. Losing edge contain on running plays and on QB waggles, bootlegs and scrambles.

7. Inside rushers losing their lanes creating an easy QB scramble escape route right up the middle.

8. Giving up long, time-consuming drives on defense to start the second half.

9. Erratic special teams' play.

Now that the Cardinals find themselves acting out a similar script from week to week, it should be interesting to see how they address these disturbing trends.

If BA is really serious about running the football and even he has said that he think David Johnson has HOF ability and potential, BA has to make necessary adjustments to his offense.

The biggest thing is in the running game---when is he ever going to design blocking schemes that account for blocking the ILBers?

What compounds the matter is BA's refusal to use a FB.

If teams are making it difficult for you to get your linemen to the ILBers, which teams are wont to do, then you need a FB to key on taking out the run blitz and the placed ILB.

FBs, unlike pulling guards, have a straight shot at the ILB. Today's ILBers are so fast that you cannot rely on pulling guards to get to them.

Cases in point...the first running play of the game...and then the 1st and 10 running play backed up on the 2 yard line---both are handoffs to David Johnson who gets met by a blitzing LB just as he secures the handoff. With no FB in front of him as a protector, he's a sitting duck. To his credit he spun out of the first one to get the ball back to the l.o.s., and the second one he powered his way back to the l.o.s....but those are plays that take a toll on a RB.

Put it this way---if your weakest link on the offensive line is the center---you need a good FB in order to compensate for that weakness or teams are just going to exploit that weakness ad nauseum.

On defense, there are times when it looks like the unit is being coached by a young, second year DC who had no experience running a defense at any level. The defense is loaded with talent...but it lacks discipline...and it regularly blows assignments.

For example...why have the CBs play up in press position and then not press? Time and time again, the opponents' WRs are getting free releases. That is a total lack of discipline---and it defeats the whole purpose of press coverage.

Secondly, for a team that plays so much man to man coverage, how and why do so many TEs and receivers look like they are playing against a loose zone because of how open they are?

Thirdly, why does this defense make backup QBs look good, especially because the backups have such easy escape routes from pressure?

Players On The Rise:

QB Matt Barkley---for the simple reason that he looks more accurate and competitive than the #2 QB---and he did flash deep ball arm strength last night, albeit a little too deep.

RB Andre Ellington---he looks stronger a little more up to the task physically this year, and he showed some promise on returns last night, which the team desperately needs.

RBs Stepfan Taylor---ran hard and I wonder if he could be converted to being a situational FB like he was early in his career.

RB Kerwynn Williams---he continues to flash on runs with good burst.

WR Jaron Brown---he is making the most of his opportunities each day in practice and in the games, plus he's a good STs player.

T D.J. Humphries---save for the first snap of the game (and even then he did enough to recover), he played very well. I was impressed with his technique in fan blocking---he sealed off his edge consistently.

C Evan Boehm---he's starting to make his move up the ladder---looks the part physically and mentally.

DE Josh Mauro---the way he is playing he might win the starting DE job opposite Calais Campbell.

DT Red Bryant---made a handful of splash plays last night.

$LB Deone Bucannon---he sure took the romance out of the inside drag route last night.

OLB Kareem Martin---had the one good edge rush of the night.

CB Brandon Williams---this week he mirrored better and made breaks on the ball better. He's still got a ways to go, but the progress is evident.

CB Cariel Brooks---not only was he applying blanket coverage when inserted at LCB for Pat P., he was outstanding as a gunner on STs.

CB Harlan Miller---took a step forward last night---not a monumental one, but a decent one.

S Marqui Christian---he plays with suddenness---too bad he dropped the interception---but he is establishing himself as a playmaker and a good, force tackler.

P Garrett Swanson---clearly he has the stronger leg and quicker get-off.

LS Danny Dillon---he's been very efficient.

Players On the Decline:

QB Drew Stanton---he just can't seem to help himself, playing very much the way Derek Anderson did.

WR Jaxson Shipley---dropped passes at a time when he could really make a push.

TE Darren Fells---surprised to see that he didn't start and then to see him committing two penalties while playing on the 2nd team.

ILB Donald Butler---when you are a veteran playing deep into the 4th Q in PS games---and not standing out---you are in trouble.

OLB Alex Okafor---was having a good camp, but man now the OLB depth is very thin losing him to a torn tricep.

OLB Tristan Okpalaugo---decent versus the run, but not showing up yet as pass rush threat.

OLB Shaq Riddick---where is this guy?

P Drew Butler---you look at the other team's punter and get envious---like the Chargers' rookie Kaser.

K Chandler Catanzaro---Steve Keim needs to sign a kicker this week to offer some competition---why that hasn't happened with a 90 man roster is mind-boggling for a kicker who missed 5 extra points last year.

 

[CFLredzoned]

If BA is really serious about running the football and even he has said that he think David Johnson has HOF ability and potential, BA has to make necessary adjustments to his offense.
The biggest thing is in the running game---when is he ever going to design blocking schemes that account for blocking the ILBers?
What compounds the matter is BA's refusal to use a FB.
If teams are making it difficult for you to get your linemen to the ILBers, which teams are wont to do, then you need a FB to key on taking out the run blitz and the placed ILB.
FBs, unlike pulling guards, have a straight shot at the ILB. Today's ILBers are so fast that you cannot rely on pulling guards to get to

Well you answered my question. The entire first half, every time we tried to run the ball, the line blocking seemed okay, but there was always a Charger ILB or DB in the backfield to spoil the play. It was frustrating to watch - first because why was it so easy? And second, why don't we do that more on defense if it's so easy?

I was thinking preseason/lack of game planning maybe. But that makes sense what you said about no FB. We're trying to pull 330 lb Iupati. That reminds me of a play they showed in the NFL Top 100 show. They were doing Luke Kuechly and they show him against the Cardinals, preplay, calling out the play. "The guard is pulling.", pointing over to the right, where he knows Iupati will be pulling. Sure enough, Iupati pulls, the run goes right, and Kuechly stuffs it. They might need to change that up.

So how ironic is this? The coach who's been the posterboy for no FB - his team's defense arguably being the defense taking credit for the $LB position and getting the ball rolling on this new breed of small ILB - this trend now coming full circle and forcing him to start using the FB that he never wanted to use. I can't wait to listen to Doug and Wolf tomorrow because you know Wolfley's going to be crowing about this. But will BA cave? I don't think he does. At least if it comes to a traditional FB. But I think the good news is you don't need that. Since the ILBs are now smaller, you should be able to get away with a smaller FB - and you might actually need the added quickness anyway. So maybe Taylor will have his niche? He looks quicker this year for some reason.

I thought Boehm looked good against the scrubs. Didn't allow any pressures. Looked really good run blocking and getting downfield on a couple plays. He did get blown up pretty bad in the first half against a 350 lb monster NT. He'll need to beef up because that's all day who you face in the NFC West - plus Carolina. I shutter to think of what they'll do to Shipley. You know Micheal Bennett can't wait to get his hands on the entire right side of our line.

It was hard not to notice our new ILB Butler flash a couple times. He's definitely alot quicker than Minter - same size about 6'1" 240 lb.

 

[sunsfan88]

Who was the guy he laid the snot bubbler on?

Inman. Thankfully, not KA or Benjamin.

Clemons showed why he's such garbage with that throw. Rivers would have been more alert and knew not to throw that putting his reciever in jeopardy.

 

[football karma]

my macro observation:

looking back at the past six or seven years: the Cards just dont play well on the "extended trip" games -- where they relocate somewhere else for a week

the games they play after those weeks all tend to be sloppy affairs

this game in San Diego was no different

 

[ajcardfan]

The game was meaningless. The score even more so. Preseason NFL games are totally worthless except for getting injuries. I have grown to despise preseason. I hope I get to see the day the NFL crap cans it and starts with games that matter instead of wasting everyone's money, time and effort.

 

[Mitch]

my macro observation:

looking back at the past six or seven years: the Cards just dont play well on the "extended trip" games -- where they relocate somewhere else for a week

the games they play after those weeks all tend to be sloppy affairs

this game in San Diego was no different

Good point.