Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
Last Sunday it seemed to me that the Seahawks laid down on the tracks and the Cards derailed rather than run over them.
Sorry I didn’t get to this sooner. I spent the week in Wisconsin, including Green Bay, and if you think Cards’ fans are concerned……
Here’s how I saw it. The coaching staff has to assume much of the blame for this loss. On defense, the blitz package and pass rush looked old and Seattle handled most of it. Jones owned Berry and that makes two games in a row that he was ineffective as a pass rusher. I was very surprised the Cards didn’t stunt with him more and try to move him around. Maybe Dansby is not 100%, but Pace is and I didn’t see the Cards attack with the linebackers to create pressure. I know Seattle didn’t score much, but they stopped themselves as much as the defense stopped them. The Cards did stop Alexander fairly well, but Seattle still rushed for nearly 150 yards. Hasselbeck had a terrible game, but Seattle still had only 10 yards passing less than the Cards. The defense wasn’t terrible, but they were also a long way from dominant.
On offense, the line seemed to be regressing rather than moving forward. There were solutions available this off-season and the Cards did virtually nothing. It wasn’t like every experienced writer in the world didn’t point this out. The only “major” acquisition, Brown, contributed to poor line play at Texas and he’s making the same contribution in Arizona. The remaining cast members performed poorly last year. The line lacks discipline and leadership. Even routine stunting still continues to befuddle them. I agree with previous posters that more would be gained from putting people in one place and leaving them there. Flipping Wells and Liwienski was nonsensical. Green has coached both players and it seems bizarre that he wasn’t aware of their capabilities. The offensive line moves seem like desperation. Closely related to this issue is the Cards failure to sign a strong blocking tight end. Those guys are not cap busters. Bergen and Pope have been astoundingly ineffective when used in this role. Until this line becomes more accountable, wins will be tough, like week one.
On offense, the running game is a disaster. Maybe now the dissenters, who thought every AZ running back was lousy, will finally understand that no back runs well behind a bad line. Who knows how good Shipp or Arrington could do with a real line in front of them? Jones seems to be at least adequate in Chicago. I must add in all fairness that play design is not very imaginative. Few screens, counter plays and other measures to slow penetration were employed. Slants, wide receiver screens and swing passes would help. Certainly trying a two-man backfield to get a lead blocker would be an option.
The passing game is also unimaginative. Of course, Warner is under so much pressure that there is little time to accomplish complex routes. There rarely seems to be a “hot” read on blitzes, though they did hit Johnson on one. The absence of blazing speed among the Cards’ offensive skill players does impact this strategy somewhat. When you don’t have either speed or protection, it’s hard to design a successful offense.
I expect the O-line to improve enough that the Cards can limp into the playoffs. However, several teams in this league are improving at a much faster pace. If this team doesn’t make the playoffs Green has no basis for a complaint if there is a price to be paid.
Sorry I didn’t get to this sooner. I spent the week in Wisconsin, including Green Bay, and if you think Cards’ fans are concerned……
Here’s how I saw it. The coaching staff has to assume much of the blame for this loss. On defense, the blitz package and pass rush looked old and Seattle handled most of it. Jones owned Berry and that makes two games in a row that he was ineffective as a pass rusher. I was very surprised the Cards didn’t stunt with him more and try to move him around. Maybe Dansby is not 100%, but Pace is and I didn’t see the Cards attack with the linebackers to create pressure. I know Seattle didn’t score much, but they stopped themselves as much as the defense stopped them. The Cards did stop Alexander fairly well, but Seattle still rushed for nearly 150 yards. Hasselbeck had a terrible game, but Seattle still had only 10 yards passing less than the Cards. The defense wasn’t terrible, but they were also a long way from dominant.
On offense, the line seemed to be regressing rather than moving forward. There were solutions available this off-season and the Cards did virtually nothing. It wasn’t like every experienced writer in the world didn’t point this out. The only “major” acquisition, Brown, contributed to poor line play at Texas and he’s making the same contribution in Arizona. The remaining cast members performed poorly last year. The line lacks discipline and leadership. Even routine stunting still continues to befuddle them. I agree with previous posters that more would be gained from putting people in one place and leaving them there. Flipping Wells and Liwienski was nonsensical. Green has coached both players and it seems bizarre that he wasn’t aware of their capabilities. The offensive line moves seem like desperation. Closely related to this issue is the Cards failure to sign a strong blocking tight end. Those guys are not cap busters. Bergen and Pope have been astoundingly ineffective when used in this role. Until this line becomes more accountable, wins will be tough, like week one.
On offense, the running game is a disaster. Maybe now the dissenters, who thought every AZ running back was lousy, will finally understand that no back runs well behind a bad line. Who knows how good Shipp or Arrington could do with a real line in front of them? Jones seems to be at least adequate in Chicago. I must add in all fairness that play design is not very imaginative. Few screens, counter plays and other measures to slow penetration were employed. Slants, wide receiver screens and swing passes would help. Certainly trying a two-man backfield to get a lead blocker would be an option.
The passing game is also unimaginative. Of course, Warner is under so much pressure that there is little time to accomplish complex routes. There rarely seems to be a “hot” read on blitzes, though they did hit Johnson on one. The absence of blazing speed among the Cards’ offensive skill players does impact this strategy somewhat. When you don’t have either speed or protection, it’s hard to design a successful offense.
I expect the O-line to improve enough that the Cards can limp into the playoffs. However, several teams in this league are improving at a much faster pace. If this team doesn’t make the playoffs Green has no basis for a complaint if there is a price to be paid.
