Reality check from Jason La Canfora

[Totally_Red]

Listening to the podcast of his interview with M.J. and reading the CBS Sports online article, he lays it on the offensive line. The Cardinals success or lack thereof, will depend largely on how much protection the O-line is able to provide Carson Palmer and how well they open holes for the running backs. He loves the Jonathan Cooper pick [who doesn't] and sees Eric Winston as the starter at right tackle, but left tackle is still a concern. [It is with me also. Levi coming off injury, and Potter still unproven IMO.]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/j...tions-arizonas-o-line-key-link-to-improvement

 

[Goldfield]

It can't get worse can it? It has to be improved. Palmer will help also, getting the ball out quicker.

 

[Totally_Red]

It can't get worse can it? It has to be improved. Palmer will help also, getting the ball out quicker.

Yeah -32nd in first down run-blocking and 28th in pass protection are pretty pathetic.

 

[JeffGollin]

Reality check / Jason La Canfora
Oxymoron.

(I do agree, though, that our OL play will be central to our success and share his and the skepticism and concern about Levi).

But OL play is only one aspect of football. Also guaranteed to happen - Something we never even thought about will come out of nowhere to pose a potential obstacle to our success. It could be a key injury. It could be a drug suspension. It could be the decimation of a position like DT or TE. But (as in every NFL camp) it will happen, and we'll have to be ready to address it.

 

[Goldfield]

Were used to such pathetic OL play. This year's group might seem all pro, if they are average.

 

[Mulli]

These "observations" are not new.

 

[TJ]

I listened to part of the interview. La Canfora is really down on Carson Palmer. He feels he gets a pass far too often for quitting on the Bengals and openly questioning the Raiders' direction. Thinks he's losing a step due to age and rotator cuff issues, and indicated that the 4,000 yards last season was due to necessity of being down all of the time and not out of skill.

I think he makes sound points in that he's had less than amicable exits from his past two employers and he's not getting younger. The rotator cuff thing is news to me (I thought it was the elbow). At the same time, he never mentioned the young and inexperienced receiving corp in Oakland and the fact that their leading receiver in 2012 was a tight end.

La Canfora is spot on about the line, but he sounds like sour grapes about Palmer.

 

[Garthshort]

Logic check for JLC. CP's 4K total was not due to skill, but rather because the team was down ALL the time? Earth to Jason, "McFadden was hurt and they didn't have a running game, and it takes SKILL to amass 4K passing yards when your opponent KNOWS that you're going to be throwing the ball."

As for the OL, every poster on this board knows that a big improvement is required if we are to improve this year. And if we are only worried about the LT position that's a step in the right direction as I believe, last year, we were worried about every (OL) position.

And finally don't use LaCanfora and Reality in the same sentence, JMO.

 

[b8rtm8nn]

we were down all the time last year - did we rack up 4k yards passing?

 

[AngelaLansburyIsHot]

I listened to part of the interview. La Canfora is really down on Carson Palmer. He feels he gets a pass far too often for quitting on the Bengals and openly questioning the Raiders' direction. Thinks he's losing a step due to age and rotator cuff issues, and indicated that the 4,000 yards last season was due to necessity of being down all of the time and not out of skill.

I think he makes sound points in that he's had less than amicable exits from his past two employers and he's not getting younger. The rotator cuff thing is news to me (I thought it was the elbow). At the same time, he never mentioned the young and inexperienced receiving corp in Oakland and the fact that their leading receiver in 2012 was a tight end.

La Canfora is spot on about the line, but he sounds like sour grapes about Palmer.

I can't fault him for the Bengals thing, I wouldn't wanna be part of that circus either. He and the Raiders were amicable in their split. The dude wanted a ring and they're rebuilding.

 

[D-Dogg]

Wow. He's a football genius. What a mind. I wish someone were making these oline observations in the past. Well, at least someone is talking about it. And it doesn't take skill to throw for 4K yards when you are down a lot. Heck, just look at Kolb & Skelton. They tore the roof off this joint because they were down a lot.

 

[Totally_Red]

I listened to part of the interview. La Canfora is really down on Carson Palmer. He feels he gets a pass far too often for quitting on the Bengals and openly questioning the Raiders' direction. Thinks he's losing a step due to age and rotator cuff issues, and indicated that the 4,000 yards last season was due to necessity of being down all of the time and not out of skill.

I think he makes sound points in that he's had less than amicable exits from his past two employers and he's not getting younger. The rotator cuff thing is news to me (I thought it was the elbow). At the same time, he never mentioned the young and inexperienced receiving corp in Oakland and the fact that their leading receiver in 2012 was a tight end.

La Canfora is spot on about the line, but he sounds like sour grapes about Palmer.

I was taken aback by his extreme negativity on Palmer in the podcast versus the more muted take in the online article. I'm not expecting an all-pro quarterback, but the level of incompetence at the position the last three years, will make average play seem all-pro.

The advantage Palmer has over all the other quarterbacks in the division is veteran experience and savvy IMO. He will need that [and decent protection] to overcome the lack of mobility that La Canfora obsesses about.

 

[Totally_Red]

Logic check for JLC. CP's 4K total was not due to skill, but rather because the team was down ALL the time? Earth to Jason, "McFadden was hurt and they didn't have a running game, and it takes SKILL to amass 4K passing yards when your opponent KNOWS that you're going to be throwing the ball."

As for the OL, every poster on this board knows that a big improvement is required if we are to improve this year. And if we are only worried about the LT position that's a step in the right direction as I believe, last year, we were worried about every (OL) position.

And finally don't use LaCanfora and Reality in the same sentence, JMO.

Not sure how much I agree with his take, but at least he is visiting NFL camps and seeing different teams. I like to get a skeptical take even though I'm still optimistic about the season IF the Cardinals can stay healthy and quickly gel on offense.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Recently-signed veteran right tackle Eric Winston brings some injury risk as well, but should at least solidify things there

What injury risk does Winston bring?

 

[Mulli]

What injury risk does Winston bring?

He is day to day. Like we all are.

 

[CardsFan88]

I think he makes sound points in that he's had less than amicable exits from his past two employers and he's not getting younger.

This part is like Richard Gere in gerbils, it's far from true.

Like many people on many teams, he didn't like the direction of the team, who knows what exactly, and PRIVATELY asked for a trade.

The backwater ownership of the Bengals took it personal and threw him under the bus, leaking crap left and right, took Dalton in the draft, and then said na na na na poo poo to him. It's the Bengals organization that was completely in the wrong 100 percent. But has Palmer thrown THEM under the bus? Nope. Been professional about it 100 percent.

The Raiders changed their GM, and their new one wanted to go in a new direction. I think it was the 2nd or 3rd time they asked Palmer to restructure, and this time with 0 guaranteed money. Who knows, had he agreed to it, he might have already been released and without a contract. (a risk, but a small one given his services would be in demand) Had he accepted and then they got Flynn, he could of been released. Or during training camp, etc. Which would of been worse, not a good chance to start if you're cut week 6.

So how reality switches from this to he quit on two teams, is like saying the 2008 Lions were a playoff team.

Palmer is anything but a quitter or a malcontent. He's been in bad and crazy situations and taken the high road. But you know, you actually have to spend five minutes on google to find this stuff out, and we all know journalists can't be bothered with research in today's world. By you I mean, La Confora.

 

[Russ Smith]

I listened to part of the interview. La Canfora is really down on Carson Palmer. He feels he gets a pass far too often for quitting on the Bengals and openly questioning the Raiders' direction. Thinks he's losing a step due to age and rotator cuff issues, and indicated that the 4,000 yards last season was due to necessity of being down all of the time and not out of skill.

I think he makes sound points in that he's had less than amicable exits from his past two employers and he's not getting younger. The rotator cuff thing is news to me (I thought it was the elbow). At the same time, he never mentioned the young and inexperienced receiving corp in Oakland and the fact that their leading receiver in 2012 was a tight end.

La Canfora is spot on about the line, but he sounds like sour grapes about Palmer.

how can anybody question Palmer "quitting" on the Bengals? how many guys was he supposed to watch get arrested before he was allowed to decide the franchise was being run by morons who kept making the same mistakes?

They kept taking high risk players and acting surprised when they weren't coachable. Palmer is not a HOFer or something but he's a good QB and a good guy, it had to be maddening to watch it happen year after year. Most people would have asked out earlier, the Bengals didn't want to trade him so he forced their hand. Then he winds up in Oakland, not exactly a well run organization.

He's getting older and he's not what he used to be arm wise, but I can't fault him at all for the way he left the Bengals and Raiders.

 

[crisper57]

I don't think there is any doubt the 2013 Cardinals could beat the 2012 Cardinals. The real question is can the 2013 Cardinals beat the 2013 Niners, Hawks, and Rams?

Um...Probably not.

 

[MrYeahBut]

What injury risk does Winston bring?

The injury risk will be to Palmer.

.

 

[outcent13]

So if our QB stays healthy and our oline can make it possible to run and pass succesfully then the team can be succesful? Thanks La Canfora ....very enlightening.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

This part is like Richard Gere in gerbils, it's far from true.

Like many people on many teams, he didn't like the direction of the team, who knows what exactly, and PRIVATELY asked for a trade.

The backwater ownership of the Bengals took it personal and threw him under the bus, leaking crap left and right, took Dalton in the draft, and then said na na na na poo poo to him. It's the Bengals organization that was completely in the wrong 100 percent. But has Palmer thrown THEM under the bus? Nope. Been professional about it 100 percent.

The Raiders changed their GM, and their new one wanted to go in a new direction. I think it was the 2nd or 3rd time they asked Palmer to restructure, and this time with 0 guaranteed money. Who knows, had he agreed to it, he might have already been released and without a contract. (a risk, but a small one given his services would be in demand) Had he accepted and then they got Flynn, he could of been released. Or during training camp, etc. Which would of been worse, not a good chance to start if you're cut week 6.

So how reality switches from this to he quit on two teams, is like saying the 2008 Lions were a playoff team.

Palmer is anything but a quitter or a malcontent. He's been in bad and crazy situations and taken the high road. But you know, you actually have to spend five minutes on google to find this stuff out, and we all know journalists can't be bothered with research in today's world. By you I mean, La Confora.

Great post!

 

[Darkside]

So if our QB stays healthy and our oline can make it possible to run and pass succesfully then the team can be succesful? Thanks La Canfora ....very enlightening.

He should have just written: If the Cardinals don't score as much as their opponents they will lose.

 

[Buckybird]

how can anybody question Palmer "quitting" on the Bengals? how many guys was he supposed to watch get arrested before he was allowed to decide the franchise was being run by morons who kept making the same mistakes?

They kept taking high risk players and acting surprised when they weren't coachable. Palmer is not a HOFer or something but he's a good QB and a good guy, it had to be maddening to watch it happen year after year. Most people would have asked out earlier, the Bengals didn't want to trade him so he forced their hand. Then he winds up in Oakland, not exactly a well run organization.

He's getting older and he's not what he used to be arm wise, but I can't fault him at all for the way he left the Bengals and Raiders.

And who the hell would want to be on a team with Ocho Stinko yelling in your ear every play, every second. I wouldn't wish that on anyone, cause IMO he & TO have been 2 of the most selfish NFL football players in history!

IMO #85 was a big reason Palmer wanted out & I can't blame him at all.

 

[Cardiac]

Jason La Conforda (don't care if I spelled it right) is very low on my list of talking heads. He stammered and hacked his way off of the NFLN, no way his move to CBS was a step up career wise.

I understand how some come to the conclusion that CP racked up yardage because the Raduhs were always behind. Several posters have shown why that is a pretty silly hypothesis.

Jason is worried about the Cards Oline but wasn't the Raduhs nearly as bad or worse? CP seemed to survive the year with that pitiful line.

Ask 100 reporters to name the 5 worst NFL FO's and the Bengals and Raduhs would be listed by all of them. Unfortunately many might list the Cards as well but that's a topic for a different time.

Has anyone broken down the horrible Oline and offensive stats for when Batiste wasn't playing or after Massie found the light switch. My point is that we all saw how Warner made an okayish Oline look solid because of his quick release and decision making. Well CP will have a similar impact on any Oline that doesn't have Batiste and rookie Massie's shaky start to his career blowing blocks etc.

I would list all the wrong info Jason has produced over his "illustrious" career but I have honestly stopped paying attention to anything he has said for 2 plus years now. This recent article simply confirms I made the right decision after all.

 

[Mulli]

I am pretty sure LaCanfora is the one who said Ray Horton was on his way to Dallas to interview for a DC position within 15 minutes of Ray Horton being named DC for the Cardinals.