Reasons to remain optimistic.

[Lomax to Green 84]

There is no denying that yesterday was an utter disaster. 10 years ago I would have let a loss like this ruin my week, but age and maturity do have its advantages. For all the horribleness of yesterday, there are some signs of optimism is you look deep enough.

6 reasons to stay optimistic (maintain sanity)

1. 2 road games to start the year. We are only one of 4 teams in the league to endure this type of start. I'm pretty sure none of the other 3 teams are 2-0 either.

2. Atlanta is a really tough place to play and win. The Falcons have owned the Cardinals in Atlanta even on years when the Falcons really sucked. It seems like every time we play those guys, they roll out some unknown runningback who looks like a hall of famer. They had a slow fullback named Bob Christian who used to look like Larry Czonka against the Cardinals.

3. This was a payback game for the Falcons. Just like last year when Carolina played with a chip on their shoulder and kicked our butt, the Falcons still had the memory of getting beat in the playoffs fresh in their mind. Add to that, the Falcons had to win this game to have any shot in that tough division.

4. The running blocking potential of our offensive line. This may sound like the ultimate Kool Aid drinker here, but I really think this is the best run blocking line we have had since the Dierdorf days. This line is built for the run and even though we got it handed to us yesterday, we still ran the ball quite well. The average run per carry through the first 2 games has to be as good as they have had in the last 20 years. For all the Brandon Keith hate going on out there, he was the guy who absolutely flattened the linebacker on Hightower's 80 yard run. Mauii also threw a key block, but it was Keith's that sprung Hightower.

5. The 3 headed monster of Wells, Hightower, and Stephens-Howlings. The potential is there for huge success with our runningbacks. When Hightower runs downhill and stops the juking, he is a legit back who has that rare knack of hitting the homerun without having bigtime speed. Wells has shown glimpses of being a star and Stephens-Howlings looks like the 2nd coming of Darren Sproles.

6. The depth of the defensive line. Hopefully, the Cardinals coaching staff starts to realize that its ok to go to 4-3 looks more often and better utilize the depth of our defensive line. Fritz Shurmer of the Big Nickel days had a simple theory regarding defense: Play your best 11 players and find a defensive alignment to accompany those 11 players. If I were the d-coordinator, the Cards would be playing a 4-3 with Dockett and Campbell at the ends and Williams and Branch at tackle. Activate Watson when he gets healthy and play almost exclusively a 4-3. The advantage of this also helps a guy like Joey Porter in that Porter can be used exclusively as a pass rusher and can sit on run downs.


To sum this up, there is no doubt that the Cardinals are going through the pains of transition. Hopefully yesterday was the ugliest it will get for this year. The optimist in me tries to envision a team that slows down the game by running the ball and dominating the line of scrimmage while keeping the thought of a vertical passing game in the back of defensive coordinators minds. DA can't be successful if he has to play from behind. He may be the worst QB in the league when he needs to chuck it 40+ times a game. The inaccuracy will rear its ugly head over and over if we constantly get into playing catch up mode.

However, if we can keep games close and have success running the ball and stopping the run, Anderson gives us that "wildcard" advantage of the big play potential when the opposing defense has to respect the run game. The run game potential is there, but it will never be revealed if the defense is constantly allowing 15 play drives and never gets off the field.

 

[English on tour]

on option 2.

I aint got time to find it right now but on the 2010 predictions thread there was one that said something along the lines of 'a running back we have never heard of will have a career day of 200 yards and multiple Td's' I laughed at the time thinking how right they were and as soon as the kid got going last night it was the first thing i thought of.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Plenty of reasons for hope.

I stated before in another thread that this "game" (I have a hard time calling yesterdays event an actual game) showed our team for who it was, or at least what it was labeled in the offseason.

This team can win, but against the best in the league ? I don't think so unless 4 or 5 players, all play above their potential for the same game.

Not going to stop watching or tuning in of course, but I do not see us winning against the better teams in the league.

 

[kerouac9]

I'm not sure a lot of those are "reasons for hope." Are the Falcons owning us in the Georgia Dome and getting payback for 2008 really things we can build on?

But you're wrong about teams with two road games to start the season. The Miami Dolphins are now 2-0 after winning at Buffalo and at Minnesota.

On #6: We don't have the personnel anymore to run a 4-3. Who are the edge pass rushers? Dockett is a good pass rusher because he's going up against bigger, slower OGs, not the more nimble LTs against whom he wouldn't have a speed advantage. If we had Berry or Okeafor still on the roster, the move would make more sense. Even if we had Cody Brown. But without a legitimate pass rushing defensive end, there's no way that's happening.

Also, if you switch to a 3-4 you're hurting that DL depth because you're playing more players, which would hurt your rotation.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

The Cards can't/won't switch to a 4-3 but I can see your thinking. It's pretty hard to play a 3-4 when you don't have any good LB's. Washington may turn out to be good eventually but there is a serious lack of talent at LB. Then, think of next year. Porter and Haggans are already over the hill and they'll be a year older. Hayes will likely be gone. Lenon is not a starting NFL LB and there is no one else. Hopefully Schoefield gets healthy and can play but still, where is a pass rush going to come from and who is going to make any plays in the running game?

 

[PACardsFan]

As long as DA is behind center, nothing else really matters. DA is a train wreck!

 

[Lomax to Green 84]

I'm not sure a lot of those are "reasons for hope." Are the Falcons owning us in the Georgia Dome and getting payback for 2008 really things we can build on?

But you're wrong about teams with two road games to start the season. The Miami Dolphins are now 2-0 after winning at Buffalo and at Minnesota.

On #6: We don't have the personnel anymore to run a 4-3. Who are the edge pass rushers? Dockett is a good pass rusher because he's going up against bigger, slower OGs, not the more nimble LTs against whom he wouldn't have a speed advantage. If we had Berry or Okeafor still on the roster, the move would make more sense. Even if we had Cody Brown. But without a legitimate pass rushing defensive end, there's no way that's happening.

Also, if you switch to a 3-4 you're hurting that DL depth because you're playing more players, which would hurt your rotation.

In regards to the 4-3 issue, I'm thinking more the stop the run being priority #1 and then use Porter and Haggans as 3 point stance pass rushers on 3rd down. Replace Williams and Branch with Dockett and Campbell as pass rushing tackles on 3rd down as well.

Daryl Washington is great, but a run stuffing 3-4 inside backer he aint. Outside of the legit 4-3 pass rushing end, I think we have the all the pieces for a 4-3 defense. Washington is the perfect weakside backer in a 4-3 in the role of a Lance Briggs with the Bears. Haggans can fill the strongside role and Lenon fills the middle.

I don't think we have the personnel for the 3-4. Dockett is a playmaker and in the 3-4 the ends are not in that role. When I think 3-4 end, I think Aaron Smith from the Steelers. Stout vs. the run, very gap disciplined, willing to do the dirty work. That isn't Dockett. DD is best as a gap penetrating undertackle in the Lovie Smith type 4-3 defense.

 

[azsouthendzone]

As long as DA is behind center, nothing else really matters. DA is a train wreck!

+1

 

[kerouac9]

In regards to the 4-3 issue, I'm thinking more the stop the run being priority #1 and then use Porter and Haggans as 3 point stance pass rushers on 3rd down. Replace Williams and Branch with Dockett and Campbell as pass rushing tackles on 3rd down as well.

Daryl Washington is great, but a run stuffing 3-4 inside backer he aint. Outside of the legit 4-3 pass rushing end, I think we have the all the pieces for a 4-3 defense. Washington is the perfect weakside backer in a 4-3 in the role of a Lance Briggs with the Bears. Haggans can fill the strongside role and Lenon fills the middle.

I don't think we have the personnel for the 3-4. Dockett is a playmaker and in the 3-4 the ends are not in that role. When I think 3-4 end, I think Aaron Smith from the Steelers. Stout vs. the run, very gap disciplined, willing to do the dirty work. That isn't Dockett. DD is best as a gap penetrating undertackle in the Lovie Smith type 4-3 defense.

I don't know. The natural 4-3 alignment along the front would be Porter-Dockett-Watson-Campbell. In pass rush situations, you probably move Campbell inside--but then you don't have anyone on the outside. Clark Haggans isn't a pass rusher.

As I said, we just don't have the personnel. In a 3-4, we should basically have 5 linemen with two playing in a two-point stance. It's just that Bryan Robinson was maybe at his worst last week and Lenon and Washington are too small to stand up to the run if there isn't a legit NT protecting them.

None of this should have been news.

 

[Shane]

I don't know. The natural 4-3 alignment along the front would be Porter-Dockett-Watson-Campbell. In pass rush situations, you probably move Campbell inside--but then you don't have anyone on the outside. Clark Haggans isn't a pass rusher.

As I said, we just don't have the personnel. In a 3-4, we should basically have 5 linemen with two playing in a two-point stance. It's just that Bryan Robinson was maybe at his worst last week and Lenon and Washington are too small to stand up to the run if there isn't a legit NT protecting them.

None of this should have been news.

Just out of curiosity why is it that you cant use 3-4 OLB as pass rushers? seems to me those are the guys in 3-4 defenses that are your pass rushers. Your Demarcus Wares, Joey Porters etc.... Is there really that big of a difference rushing from the outside whether its in a 3-4 or 4-3?

It seems that many many teams take DE's out of college and convert them to 3-4 OLB's unless I'm mistaken? Wouldn't it be natural for them just to go back to playing DE?

 

[kerouac9]

Just out of curiosity why is it that you cant use 3-4 OLB as pass rushers? seems to me those are the guys in 3-4 defenses that are your pass rushers. Your Demarcus Wares, Joey Porters etc.... Is there really that big of a difference rushing from the outside whether its in a 3-4 or 4-3?

It seems that many many teams take DE's out of college and convert them to 3-4 OLB's unless I'm mistaken? Wouldn't it be natural for them just to go back to playing DE?

You can; a lot of teams do. But I think that the wider split that 3-4 OLBs have allows them to use their speed more than they would closer to the DT in a 4-3 defense. Most 3-4 OLBs would get engulfed at the POA by the quicker LTs. LTs have to take a BIG dropstep in pass pro to reach a fast, smaller OLB than they do versus the larger DEs.

One reason that good pass rushing 4-3 DEs are hard to find is that you want a guy who is fast enough to set and turn the corner, but also big and strong enough to shed LTs in run support or bowl them over with a bull rush. Those guys are rare, and becoming increasingly more rare as college defenses are getting smaller and lighter.

That's why you see the proliferation of the 3-4 defense in the NFL, IMO.

 

[CardLogic]

2 road games to start the year. We are only one of 4 teams in the league to endure this type of start. I'm pretty sure none of the other 3 teams are 2-0 either.

Only three teams total. Why am I not surprised that the Cardinals are one of the three?

Dolphins 2-0
Ravens 1-1
Cardinals 1-1

In two weeks of play only ten teams have managed a win on the road. (Eleven wins total out of 32 road games played.) Seven of those teams are 2-0; five of the seven opened the season with a home win, followed by a road win. The remaining three teams are 1-1, two of which have yet to have a home game. So far only Philadelphia has lost a game at home and won on the road.

 

[Treefiddy]

I'd like to add #7:

7) We play in the NFC West. The Seahawks got beat by Denver (who I think is worse than Atlanta), San Fransisco is melting down, and we've already beat the Rams.

We're in week 2 and we lost a road game that 80% of the world had us losing. If someone said, we'll be 1-1 after Week 2 and playing the Rams and Falcons on the road, pretty much everyone would have said, "Yea, that sounds about right." It sucks that we got blown out, but none of those scores carry over into next week.

I'm glad we got blown out, it brings our players back to earth, and gives me hope that all of our players decided to have their worst game at the same time. Sometimes a huge ass kicking is the kick a team needs to turn it up. The Cardinals did it in 2008 after New England, and in 2009 after Indianapolis.

Let's all put the razors away and see what happens in the coming weeks. This division IS bad enough that someone could go into the playoffs at 6-10.

 

[LVCARDFREAK]

I'd like to add #7:

7) We play in the NFC West. The Seahawks got beat by Denver (who I think is worse than Atlanta), San Fransisco is melting down, and we've already beat the Rams.

We're in week 2 and we lost a road game that 80% of the world had us losing. If someone said, we'll be 1-1 after Week 2 and playing the Rams and Falcons on the road, pretty much everyone would have said, "Yea, that sounds about right." It sucks that we got blown out, but none of those scores carry over into next week.

I'm glad we got blown out, it brings our players back to earth, and gives me hope that all of our players decided to have their worst game at the same time. Sometimes a huge ass kicking is the kick a team needs to turn it up. The Cardinals did it in 2008 after New England, and in 2009 after Indianapolis.

Let's all put the razors away and see what happens in the coming weeks. This division IS bad enough that someone could go into the playoffs at 6-10.

Like every coach I have ever been around has said: A loss is a loss, no matter the score

 

[Duckjake]

In regards to the 4-3 issue, I'm thinking more the stop the run being priority #1 and then use Porter and Haggans as 3 point stance pass rushers on 3rd down. Replace Williams and Branch with Dockett and Campbell as pass rushing tackles on 3rd down as well.

I don't think that is necessary. What is necessary is to get Bryan Robinson to the bench. I don't know what is wrong with Watson but we really need he and Big Dan at NT.

Our defense is horrendous because Robinson gets blown up and that allows the offense to get Olinemen on our linebackers and Daryl Washington will be nothing but another Raynoch Thompson, so much driftwood getting flooded downstream as the opposing team rips off 12 yard runs, if our Dline can't keep the Guards and Centers off him.

Another thing that has to change is Porter and Haggans lining up tight at the los and then running straight into the offensive tackles. Drop them back and move them outside a little like real OLBs in a 3-4. 245lb guys HAVE to run around 335lb guys!

 

[kerouac9]

I don't think that is necessary. What is necessary is to get Bryan Robinson to the bench. I don't know what is wrong with Watson but we really need he and Big Dan at NT.

Our defense is horrendous because Robinson gets blown up and that allows the offense to get Olinemen on our linebackers and Daryl Washington will be nothing but another Raynoch Thompson, so much driftwood getting flooded downstream as the opposing team rips off 12 yard runs, if our Dline can't keep the Guards and Centers off him.

Another thing that has to change is Porter and Haggans lining up at the los and then running straight into the offensive tackles. Drop them back and move them outside a little like real OLBs in a 3-4. 245lb guys HAVE to run around 335lb guys!

But Daryl Washington had 10 tackles yesterday! 10! He's a stud! A beast!

Sincerely,

All of the people who are locked into the opinion that Daryl Washington is already better than Karlos Dansby.

 

[Doug]

But Daryl Washington had 10 tackles yesterday! 10! He's a stud! A beast!

Sincerely,

All of the people who are locked into the opinion that Daryl Washington is already better than Karlos Dansby.

Did you see the game? Yes Washington is a speedy stud for the future but most of his tackles were made after folks made first downs like Gonzalez recieving on Washingtons coverage of him and then tackled after the 1st down was made.

Washington chased down many a rb way down field many times.please re-watch the game.Washington is not in Dansby's league of player right now.Dansby stood up Adrian Peterson for a loss on 4th and goal in Minnesota while washington is fast but still too light to stop any RB man up that is'nt a lil' guy.

Love D. Washington but he's not bringing the pop yet when he is making the tackle.

 

[LVCARDFREAK]

But Daryl Washington had 10 tackles yesterday! 10! He's a stud! A beast!

Sincerely,

All of the people who are locked into the opinion that Daryl Washington is already better than Karlos Dansby.

We can hope he will be a good LB, and in time we will be able to tell. Those "people who are locked into the opinion that Daryl Washington is already better than Karlos Dansby" are as about as right as you are already writing him off....


Sincerely,
Mr Know-it-all

 

[kerouac9]

We can hope he will be a good LB, and in time we will be able to tell. Those "people who are locked into the opinion that Daryl Washington is already better than Karlos Dansby" are as about as right as you are already writing him off....


Sincerely,
Mr Know-it-all

Where am I writing him off? Have you seen my sig?

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

 

[Arizona's Finest]

As long as DA is behind center, nothing else really matters. DA is a train wreck!

Yup. Thats a thread closer if there ever was one.

 

[CardLogic]

What is necessary is to get Bryan Robinson to the bench. I don't know what is wrong with Watson but we really need he and Big Dan at NT.

Our defense is horrendous because Robinson gets blown up and that allows the offense to get Olinemen on our linebackers and Daryl Washington will be nothing but another Raynoch Thompson, so much driftwood getting flooded downstream as the opposing team rips off 12 yard runs, if our Dline can't keep the Guards and Centers off him.

At this point the less B-Rob is on the field the better!!! He served the Cardinals as best he could the past couple of seasons and I appreciate that. But he was set to retire, and I don't think that his heart is truly in it this year; or if it is, it's just not enough anymore! Get Watson on the field, or play Williams more and take your lumps that way, because with Robinson at NT you are going to take them anyway!

 

[Chopper0080]

Did you see the game? Yes Washington is a speedy stud for the future but most of his tackles were made after folks made first downs like Gonzalez recieving on Washingtons coverage of him and then tackled after the 1st down was made.

Washington chased down many a rb way down field many times.please re-watch the game.Washington is not in Dansby's league of player right now.Dansby stood up Adrian Peterson for a loss on 4th and goal in Minnesota while washington is fast but still too light to stop any RB man up that is'nt a lil' guy.

Love D. Washington but he's not bringing the pop yet when he is making the tackle.

Am I the only person on the board who watched that goal line sequence? Dansby didn't stand AP up, he hit him low only to have AP spin off the tackle. Vontae Davis was the player that took AP to the ground after AP spun off Dansby's hit. I am not saying that it wasn't a good play by Dansby, but he wasn't the player that took AP to the ground.

 

[Duckjake]

Am I the only person on the board who watched that goal line sequence? Dansby didn't stand AP up, he hit him low only to have AP spin off the tackle. Vontae Davis was the player that took AP to the ground after AP spun off Dansby's hit. I am not saying that it wasn't a good play by Dansby, but he wasn't the player that took AP to the ground.

Sorry but you're incorrect. Dansby wrapped up AP low and then Davis came in and finished him off. AP was going down short of the goal whether Davis hit him or not. Just watched the replay on nfl.com. AP spun but he didn't spin off Dansby's tackle.