Quick Observations post Skins game

[dreamcastrocks]

Wasn't 3 feet over his head. Watch it again.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d819f9676/Cardinals-vs-Titans-highlights

1:30 mark.

 

[Russ Smith]

Has Cody Brown even had is name called all pre-season? I can't remember an announcer even saying his name. Epic bust for a 2nd rounder so soon. Yeah, the injury thing was a bummer, but he should have shown more by this point.

He apparently caused the fumble in the first game that Washington recovered. I say apparently because it's really hard to see from the angles they gave us who hit the RB, but the announcers said Brown.

 

[Shane]

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d819f9676/Cardinals-vs-Titans-highlights

1:30 mark.

Its nice to compare. But Breatons would have been a MUCH higher degree of difficulty. Barely touched one hand not two and much shorter field to adjust to the velocity as you see it coming in. MUCH MUCH less time to react.

I'm not arguing that Anderson could have taken a tad off the throw to Spach. But regardless of that fact the catch still should have been made. Saying it would have to have been highlight reel material like Donald is a gross over exaggeration.

 

[D-Dogg]

Its nice to compare. But Breatons would have been a MUCH higher degree of difficulty. Barely touched one hand not too and much shorter field to adjust to the velocity as you see it coming in. MUCH MUCH less time to react.

I'm not arguing that Anderson could have taken a tad off the throw to Spach. But regardless of that fact the catch still should have been made. Saying it would have been to be highlight reel material like Donald is a gross over exaggeration.

Agree to argue. :coach:

 

[Shane]

Agree to argue. :coach:

No. Your just wrong. :iwin:

 

[Covert Rain]

I'm not arguing that Anderson could have taken a tad off the throw to Spach. But regardless of that fact the catch still should have been made. Saying it would have been to be highlight reel material like Donald is a gross over exaggeration.

Spot on. Every football coach I ever had told me that if the ball hit my hands I should of caught it. No excuses. I lived by that motto and always felt no matter how hard the ball hit my hands etc...that if I didn't bring it in it was my fault.

 

[MrYeahBut]

If perfection is to be demanded of the receivers, it should be the same with the QB

Most of us have played ball at some level in our lives and have heard coaches preach to catch the ball if it touches you. IMO it's a motivational tool as much as anything else

 

[Mainstreet]

It has probably already been covered but did anyone else but me think that Hall stepped out at the 1 yard line before he put the ball over the pylon on that running TD. Too me, it seemed obvious on replay.

 

[Russ Smith]

It has probably already been covered but did anyone else but me think that Hall stepped out at the 1 yard line before he put the ball over the pylon on that running TD. Too me, it seemed obvious on replay.

Yes I saw that too, the angle was hard to tell what happened first ball breaking plane or right foot on the sideline but I was quite happy to see us kick the XP quickly before that got reviewed.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Everyone forgets that Matt is a good b/u. That's what he is. He basically led this team to a W in Tenn last yr. A pretty good team, and that was on the road. The D gave up the W.

this is so ridiculous. the D/ST lead the team to be in position to win the game, not Matt's whopping 10 points put up on the board. His anemic running of the O as Captain Checkdown was just as much a culprit for the loss as was the last drive.

 

[Duckjake]

Spot on. Every football coach I ever had told me that if the ball hit my hands I should of caught it. No excuses. I lived by that motto and always felt no matter how hard the ball hit my hands etc...that if I didn't bring it in it was my fault.

I don't think there are 3 receivers in the entire NFL who could have caught that pass. Much less a Tight End.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Its nice to compare. But Breatons would have been a MUCH higher degree of difficulty. Barely touched one hand not two and much shorter field to adjust to the velocity as you see it coming in. MUCH MUCH less time to react.

I'm not arguing that Anderson could have taken a tad off the throw to Spach. But regardless of that fact the catch still should have been made. Saying it would have to have been highlight reel material like Donald is a gross over exaggeration.

I thought if it touched his fingertips, he should catch it? Flip flopper!

 

[dreamcastrocks]

this is so ridiculous. the D/ST lead the team to be in position to win the game, not Matt's whopping 10 points put up on the board. His anemic running of the O as Captain Checkdown was just as much a culprit for the loss as was the last drive.

I'd say the D let the team down on the last drive. We wouldn't have been in the game without the D. Catch 22.

 

[moklerman]

After watching the replays/highlights again I noticed that on all of DA's passes, Washington only rushed 4. He had plenty of time to drop, plant and step into his throws. He continues to be in sync with Williams but the pass to Spach was just plain inaccurate. Led him too far inside and put too much zip on the ball for Spach to catch it. As was the bad pass to Breaston in the earlier preseason game, Anderson has to make that throw. Not perfectly but at least where the receiver can make a play on the ball.

Also noticed on Leinart's sack, the Redskins blitzed and brought more than 4. Seindlein was gracious enough to pat the Redskin blitzer on the back as he went by, congratulating him on a free path to Leinart and a sack. On Leinart's last pass that was nearly picked, the Redskins blitzed again and Leinart was hit as he threw. The pass was almost picked but was the blitz recognition on that play supposed to be a 40 yard bomb as Williams ran the route or was Williams supposed to cut the route off at the first down marker where Leinart threw it?

In fact, keep in mind I'm going from memory since my Tivo is almost maxed out and I don't still have the whole preseason on tape, haven't most of the ugly passes that Leinart has thrown come when he's trying to get the ball to Williams? Is it just coincidence or do Leinart and Williams just not see the field the same?

I still feel like Anderson's impressive looking plays are misleading. Not that the passes don't hit the receivers in a nice rhythm but I just don't see how he's going to be getting the same 4 man rushes and clean pocket to throw from during the regular season. Perhaps the book is out on Leinart and teams are choosing to blitz because of that but Leinart hasn't had the clean pocket or time that Anderson has had and in fact, Leinart's time has looked like a fire drill and he's been running for his life.

Is that because he's holding the ball too long? Perhaps to some degree but I think he's had very little time to operate overall.

 

[Duckjake]

After watching the replays/highlights again I noticed that on all of DA's passes, Washington only rushed 4. He had plenty of time to drop, plant and step into his throws. He continues to be in sync with Williams but the pass to Spach was just plain inaccurate. Led him too far inside and put too much zip on the ball for Spach to catch it. As was the bad pass to Breaston in the earlier preseason game, Anderson has to make that throw. Not perfectly but at least where the receiver can make a play on the ball.

Also noticed on Leinart's sack, the Redskins blitzed and brought more than 4. Seindlein was gracious enough to pat the Redskin blitzer on the back as he went by, congratulating him on a free path to Leinart and a sack. On Leinart's last pass that was nearly picked, the Redskins blitzed again and Leinart was hit as he threw. The pass was almost picked but was the blitz recognition on that play supposed to be a 40 yard bomb as Williams ran the route or was Williams supposed to cut the route off at the first down marker where Leinart threw it?

In fact, keep in mind I'm going from memory since my Tivo is almost maxed out and I don't still have the whole preseason on tape, haven't most of the ugly passes that Leinart has thrown come when he's trying to get the ball to Williams? Is it just coincidence or do Leinart and Williams just not see the field the same?

I still feel like Anderson's impressive looking plays are misleading. Not that the passes don't hit the receivers in a nice rhythm but I just don't see how he's going to be getting the same 4 man rushes and clean pocket to throw from during the regular season. Perhaps the book is out on Leinart and teams are choosing to blitz because of that but Leinart hasn't had the clean pocket or time that Anderson has had and in fact, Leinart's time has looked like a fire drill and he's been running for his life.

Is that because he's holding the ball too long? Perhaps to some degree but I think he's had very little time to operate overall.

I know the Titans brought the house on almost every play but in comparing Matt to Warner I noticed that as soon as Kurt got the football he was in position to throw but not Leinart. Leinart has to take a little longer to get into throwing position. It is like throwing a punch with your hands up in the boxing stance vs having them at your side standing flat footed. If you have a chance to watch look at where they hold the ball and how they drop back.

 

[moklerman]

I know the Titans brought the house on almost every play but in comparing Matt to Warner I noticed that as soon as Kurt got the football he was in position to throw but not Leinart. Leinart has to take a little longer to get into throwing position. It is like throwing a punch with your hands up in the boxing stance vs having them at your side standing flat footed. If you have a chance to watch look at where they hold the ball and how they drop back.

I have't paid close attention to that aspect as I've never really considered Leinart to be in the Cunningham/Leftwich/Tebow level of concern with his delivery. I can see how it wouldn't be considered along side Warner's considering Warner was clocked with a faster release than Marino during the GSOT days(Bulger was clocked even faster than that, so take that for what it's worth).

Overall, I still contend that Leinart's read & recognition times would greatly improve with playing time and confidence.

Which I think is his biggest issue right now. He's been rebuilt and retaught everything he knew since his college days and I think he's not only feeling the pressure of his situation, not playing loose because he scared to death to make a mistake and still not a seasoned vet in terms of recognizing what NFL defenses are going to throw at him. If he's thinking about his feet, drop depth and whatever else he was supposedly doing wrong(and when I say thinking I just mean he hasn't really played much since Whis decided to "fix" him) and trying to make the right reads, protect the ball but be aggressive, etc. it's understandable that he doesn't look fluid.

Like I said, I appreciate what Whis is trying to do, toughen him up and make him a better QB and all but to be really fair to Leinart, the offense should be built around his strengths. I don't think that's the case right now. I think he's being asked to do what Warner did and that just won't happen.

 

[Duckjake]

I have't paid close attention to that aspect as I've never really considered Leinart to be in the Cunningham/Leftwich/Tebow level of concern with his delivery. I can see how it wouldn't be considered along side Warner's considering Warner was clocked with a faster release than Marino during the GSOT days(Bulger was clocked even faster than that, so take that for what it's worth).

Overall, I still contend that Leinart's read & recognition times would greatly improve with playing time and confidence.

Which I think is his biggest issue right now. He's been rebuilt and retaught everything he knew since his college days and I think he's not only feeling the pressure of his situation, not playing loose because he scared to death to make a mistake and still not a seasoned vet in terms of recognizing what NFL defenses are going to throw at him. If he's thinking about his feet, drop depth and whatever else he was supposedly doing wrong(and when I say thinking I just mean he hasn't really played much since Whis decided to "fix" him) and trying to make the right reads, protect the ball but be aggressive, etc. it's understandable that he doesn't look fluid.

Like I said, I appreciate what Whis is trying to do, toughen him up and make him a better QB and all but to be really fair to Leinart, the offense should be built around his strengths. I don't think that's the case right now. I think he's being asked to do what Warner did and that just won't happen.

I'm not really talking about delivery but in how they set up. Warner's hands were up and slightly back and he moved his feet in a manner that allowed him to stop, set and get into position to deliver the ball faster. I see it in Hall. Maybe its something the shorter QBs develop.

Who knows. But it is an interesting topic for conversation.

 

[Chopper0080]

After watching the replays/highlights again I noticed that on all of DA's passes, Washington only rushed 4. He had plenty of time to drop, plant and step into his throws. He continues to be in sync with Williams but the pass to Spach was just plain inaccurate. Led him too far inside and put too much zip on the ball for Spach to catch it. As was the bad pass to Breaston in the earlier preseason game, Anderson has to make that throw. Not perfectly but at least where the receiver can make a play on the ball.

Also noticed on Leinart's sack, the Redskins blitzed and brought more than 4. Seindlein was gracious enough to pat the Redskin blitzer on the back as he went by, congratulating him on a free path to Leinart and a sack. On Leinart's last pass that was nearly picked, the Redskins blitzed again and Leinart was hit as he threw. The pass was almost picked but was the blitz recognition on that play supposed to be a 40 yard bomb as Williams ran the route or was Williams supposed to cut the route off at the first down marker where Leinart threw it?

I still feel like Anderson's impressive looking plays are misleading. Not that the passes don't hit the receivers in a nice rhythm but I just don't see how he's going to be getting the same 4 man rushes and clean pocket to throw from during the regular season. Perhaps the book is out on Leinart and teams are choosing to blitz because of that but Leinart hasn't had the clean pocket or time that Anderson has had and in fact, Leinart's time has looked like a fire drill and he's been running for his life.

Is that because he's holding the ball too long? Perhaps to some degree but I think he's had very little time to operate overall.

Anderson gets a 4 man rush because of his ability identify single coverage, and throw it down the field. He has shown the ability to burn single coverage deep, and so therefore teams will blitz less frequently.

Leinart has not shown this ability, thus the jailhouse blitz. Teams know that if they blitz heavy and have an umbrella coverage behind that Leinart will checkdown and they can make the tackle short of the first down.

It isn't a coincidence that teams every team plays these two differently defensively.

 

[football karma]

Anderson gets a 4 man rush because of his ability identify single coverage, and throw it down the field. He has shown the ability to burn single coverage deep, and so therefore teams will blitz less frequently.

Leinart has not shown this ability, thus the jailhouse blitz. Teams know that if they blitz heavy and have an umbrella coverage behind that Leinart will checkdown and they can make the tackle short of the first down.

It isn't a coincidence that teams every team plays these two differently defensively.

the book is out on Matt: he is scared of the rush.

Ever since the broken collarbone, he has been a different guy.

 

[Buckybird]

Anderson gets a 4 man rush because of his ability identify single coverage, and throw it down the field. He has shown the ability to burn single coverage deep, and so therefore teams will blitz less frequently.

Leinart has not shown this ability, thus the jailhouse blitz. Teams know that if they blitz heavy and have an umbrella coverage behind that Leinart will checkdown and they can make the tackle short of the first down.

It isn't a coincidence that teams every team plays these two differently defensively.

And that will change come next week. Teams will try to force DA into some picks & he's not the most mobile QB. This isn't Warner facing the blitz!!!

 

[Chopper0080]

And that will change come next week. Teams will try to force DA into some picks & he's not the most mobile QB. This isn't Warner facing the blitz!!!

Not really. With a guy like DA, you almost want to let him make the wrong read in a zone coverage rather than blitz and allow him to identify man coverage and play to his strength. If anything, I would expect defenses to play a deep zone, and force DA to make underneath throws which are his weak point. You basically wait for him to fastball off a players hands and have your guys in coverage behind to make the pick.

DA wants to push the ball down field, so as a defense you want to make him uncomfortable and force him to throw underneath. What this opens up for the Cardinals is the running game.