RugbyMuffin
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Let's do it.
Defense:
Overall Defense grade: B+
Overall the defense has been unreal. It has tapered off a little since the beginning of the season, but the defense is still getting turnovers, it is still causing fumbles, it is still coming up with key 3 and outs, and our pass defense is 3rd in the league. Imagine the pass defensive stats for this team if it could just stop the big play more. Of course the weakness that teams are picking up on, is that you can run on this defense. Not every opponent can, but they try and will continue to try since it seems to be the only ***** in the armor.
Yet, this defense is fast, aggressive, and fun to watch. There is room for improvement too, which is even more exciting to think about. My happy thought of the day: Patrick Peterson: Age 22, Daryl Washington: Age 26, and Calias Campell: Age 26. That is quite a triple threat the Cardinals have here in AZ.
Defensive Line:
Overall Grade:B
Calais Campbell: Grade A
Highly respected throughout the league, and only getting better by the game. Campbell is not only creating pressure on the QB with offenses focusing on stopping him and him alone, he has become a better player against the run. The only thing I can see him doing better is bringing the QB down for a sack when he gets to the QB. Biggest move of the season we resigning the keystone of the defense to an extension.
Darnell Dockett: Grade B+
Funny to think of Dockett as an old player, but he is getting up there in terms of NFL football players. Still has a great first step off the snap that gives offenses fits. Yet, it is the same first step that many teams exploit by the "vertical hole" it creates sometime. A healthy Dockett was playing so fast, and well that he could recover and make a tackle when coming to far up field, and an unhealthy Dockett has not been able to do so. Best thing 90 has improved upon this year, is he is acting like a mature leader of the team.
Dan Williams: Grade B
He only plays a few snaps a game, and ends up playing more when we are losing because that is when most teams run against us. He is not playing at a 1st rnd pick level, but he has made a leap in his game this year. He has had a couple nice plays against the run in clutch situation, and has shown his quickness has improved. Yet, he IS the key component when it comes to stopping the run. Where Campbell and Dockett are the only two linemen on most passing plays, and our defense is top 3 against the pass, our defense is less stout against the run, thus Williams takes on that criticism.
David Carter:Grade D-
Has anyone vanished faster than David Carter ? Kid was making plays last year, this year he looks like someone who Bryan Robinson could come back and play over. No quickness, no big plays.
Nick Eason: Grade C
Eason has filled in, and is doing what is asked of him to do. He is playing to the level one would expect of a player at his age and position. Yet, the drop off from Dockett to him is considerable.
Vonnie Holliday: Grade C+
See Nick Eason above. Yet, Holliday seems to be more focused this year, and better at playing off the bench. Has gotten some pressure, and playing within the scheme very well. IMO, Holliday is our best depth player off the bench.
Others: Daryl Talley = Inc.
Linebackers:
Overall Grade:B-
Daryl Washington: Grade A+
You tell me what Washington is doing poorly and I will take this A+ from him. He makes most tackles, and yes, here and there are a few he misses one but Washington is all over the field, and our biggest pass rushing threat. While he has not come up with a huge play in coverage, we know he has that in him as well. That is it. Washington just needs to keep playing at the level he is at or better. My biggest surprise about Washington ? His ability to cause fumbles at key times.
Paris Lenon: Grade C+
He gets the "+" cause he is still a very good leader for this team. He has no business being out on the field during passing downs, and because of the mystery that is Stewart Bradley and the injury to Reggie Walker he has been forced to be in that position. Against the run he is played solid, but like what you expect from an older player sometimes he just can't get to the spot. He knows his job, does a solid job of it, and still can bring the wood when called upon. I am not looking for this old dog to learn new tricks, but at some point he is going to decline to a player that just can't get it done. He needs to be better against the run, and way better in coverage to be a "A or B" type player and that is not the direction his skills are going.
Sam Acho: Grade B-
Hmph. Tough one. Very very tough. Has three sacks on the season. Has only made about 25 tackles. The biggest knock on the guy is the lack of consistent pressure. He is solid against the run, plays smart, makes a play here, and misses a play there. I give him a B- cause he has shown the ability to make a play, and has zero depth behind him, so he is on the field all the time. I could easily give him a C and be comfortable with it though.
O'Brien Schofield: Grade C+
In the beginning of the year he was doing nothing, regardless what the Cardinals website says about him doing his job. Yes, his overall play within the system is better than last year. He improved against the run from Week 1 till his season ending injury. He can provide some pressure, but we need more from him at the position. Not to mention he is now injured again, and eventually those injuries stack up and the next thing you know a player can't get the job done anymore. Schofield is good depth, IMO. This position is becoming a more than a little worrisome and needs to be addressed in the offseason. It is a need that most teams need too. Starting caliber OLB that can pass rush.
Reggie Walker: Grade B-
I honestly feel bad for Walker. Was a dead man walking in the middle of preseason, and just woke up. Picture the adrenaline shot from the movie Pulp Fiction. Just all of a sudden Reggie Walker became that player who would flash from time to time what he can do. He plays very well against the run, can cover way better than I ever expected. You don't think he was that important on defense, but he was that key depth guy that we would put in for Lenon now and again during the first 4 games. At 25 years old, I expect Walker to be given a fair contact of at least 4 years to stick around AZ.
Quentin Groves: Grade C+
Payback. Yes, payback for Alan Branch. We all love the light bulb analogy Whiz used with Alan Branch. Well, Arizona spent 4 years re-wiring Alan Branch so his light bulb would go on, and just when Branch became something of an exceptable NFL player, he was gone to another team. Enter Quentin Groves, who has underachieved every place he has been. Gets to the Cardinals, and something in him clicks, and BAM.... you got a NFL football player. He far Groves takes this situation is up to him. If you look back through his experience he is still raw in the transition from DE to OLBer. Groves will be getting a lot of time, and probably will be starting at OLBer for the rest of the year. This should be very interesting. Guy has all the ability in the world physically. Mentally is where he needs to be polished. Would love to see our depth in 2013 be Groves and Schofield. Groves has been a pleasant surprise this season.
Stewart Bradley: Grade D
I dunno. Just don't know what to say. Preseason it looked like we had our new starting ILBer. Have only seen him in special teams so far. Just do not know what the deal is here. I would say Bradley would see the field more after Schofield's injury........but why? It seems they would put Early Doucet at LB before Bradley sees the field again.
Jamall Westerman: Grade Inc
We will see what Westerman can do. He will see playing time. Played 3 years with the Jets as depth at the OLBer position
Zack Nash: Grade Inc
All I know about this kid, is that Mitch really likes this guy, and he is supposedly a good special teams player.
Defensive Backs:
Overall Grade:B-
Adrian Wilson: Grade B+
This grade might be a little high for Wilson. Right now I am not sure where his head is at. He says the right things in the locker room, and he is playing his butt off. Yet, I feel the tinge of frustration, and yes this is pure speculation on my part. His play has leveled off from the beginning of the year when he seemed like he was every where. Still has the ability to make the big play, or the big hit. Still top of the line safety and his coverage skills have been better than in past years. Yet, he is the man on this defense and it seems like this game has reflected the Cardinals playoff chances. The better they are the better he plays, the farther away those hopes get, his game goes down a bit.
Kerry Rhodes: Grade A-
The guy is having another good year for us. Makes big plays and big situations. He is our FS and is never going to be a tackling machine but he has done well in coverage and is that perfect blend of size, speed and agility to cover TE's and big slot WR's. When he is injured there seems to be more big plays against this defense.
Patrick Peterson: Grade B
The kid is getting too much flak this year. Cornerback is a tough position to play, and in his 2nd year Peterson is playing the role of #1 cornerback. There have been some serious game-losing mistakes. Yet, there have been some amazing game winning plays, and if we had an offense worth a poop, there would be more than just the one INT he had in NE that won a game for this team. There is much to learn for the CB who is clearly pressing and trying to do too much, and with that being said, imagine what this team will have when he does improve.
William Gay: Grade C
William Gay has been exactly what we thought he would be. He is a very average NFL cornerback that understands the system he is in. He does everything well, but nothing great. I am one of the few that is happy with his acquisition, and though I want him to be supplanted as the CB#2 on this team, I am fine with him being our nickel back or dime back. As a starter, he has been what his grade shows.
Greg Toler: Grade C+
Greg Toler has some very very bad luck. Gets put into a system where he should thrive, and can't stay healthy. I was very excited to see him get some time this year and do well. Yet, again, was hurt and hasn't seen the field since. This is a career at its cross roads, IMO. Toler could easily come back and be an option at CB, or he could be out of the league in less than a year.
Jamell Flemming: Grade C
That is a tough grade to give a rookie. He deserves better than a "C" for where he is when looking at him from a rookies situation. More times then not he looks like a rookie. Missed tackle here, faked out of his boots there, and bad technique sprinkled over the top. But, man oh man, when he shows what he can do, the looks like the player, who if he can stay the course and improve, that will be across from Peterson for some time to come. He has had a few plays where he looked like he could give Peterson a few pointers on proper technique.
Rashad Johnson: Grade C+
Johnson has played better than he has in the past. He has shown the ability to be a solid back up for us. He still misses way too many tackles, and takes horrible angles. For all his football knowledge he doesn't show it in coverage. I cannot seem him as the answer for who will eventually replace Rhodes or Wilson. Happy to have him, yet wouldn't be sorry to see another player in his spot in the future.
Frank Sanders: Grade C+
The compliment to Rashad Johnson yet his role is better defined within the team, and has done well with whatever is asked of him. He is doing his job and doing it well, IMO. He is not going to be the guy you want starting by when your starter goes down, you are happy to have him. He even got a bonus this year for being the recipient of a good bounce that gave him a 90+ fumble return TD. I would love to see Sanders stick around for a few years. Solid backup, with solid skills.
Justin Bethel: Grade D+
Another tough grade for a rookie, but when you keep a player like Bethel to be a special teams ace, he has to do his job. He flashed his skills at the beginning of the season, but has been very silent, and when talked about it usually is for some penalty. Again, we are talking about a rookie who has probably hit the rookie wall and hard. Yet, he has to show a lot more, IMO, to be not only on the 53 man roster, but to be active on game day. With so much reliance on special teams to be a weapon this year, it has not been that.
Michael Adams: Grade C
Kinda of tired of this moxie player. Still does pretty well on specials teams, and still plays his butt off when asked to play as a DB. Yet, still gets beat more times then not in coverage. He gets a "C" because for your 5th CB on the roster he is better than most. Yet, if he were to be looked at as the 4th CB on the roster I would probably have him as a "D". As for special teams, I have not seen anything out of Adams and he doesn't get the rookie excuse that Bethel receives.
Coaching: Grade: A+
Ray Horton has shown to come up with great game plans to stop any offense. as it stands players wise he has had "B-" talent, and has gotten "A" results out of them. He keeps players accountable, he puts in players whom he thinks will produce results, and while fair gives a pretty quick hook to whomever players he feels are not getting the job done. Third best passing defense in the league, has a offense so bad they his defense has to play and succeed in spite of it. Even more so, the special teams has given little to no help to the defensive side of the ball as well. All success is funneling through the defensive play of this team, and Horton is the guy who is getting the job done week in, and week out. Horton has been a great coach for this team.
For Mid-Season Offensive Grades: http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/f4/rms-mid-season-grades-offense-187114.html#post2735619
Defense:
Overall Defense grade: B+
Overall the defense has been unreal. It has tapered off a little since the beginning of the season, but the defense is still getting turnovers, it is still causing fumbles, it is still coming up with key 3 and outs, and our pass defense is 3rd in the league. Imagine the pass defensive stats for this team if it could just stop the big play more. Of course the weakness that teams are picking up on, is that you can run on this defense. Not every opponent can, but they try and will continue to try since it seems to be the only ***** in the armor.
Yet, this defense is fast, aggressive, and fun to watch. There is room for improvement too, which is even more exciting to think about. My happy thought of the day: Patrick Peterson: Age 22, Daryl Washington: Age 26, and Calias Campell: Age 26. That is quite a triple threat the Cardinals have here in AZ.
Defensive Line:
Overall Grade:B
Calais Campbell: Grade A
Highly respected throughout the league, and only getting better by the game. Campbell is not only creating pressure on the QB with offenses focusing on stopping him and him alone, he has become a better player against the run. The only thing I can see him doing better is bringing the QB down for a sack when he gets to the QB. Biggest move of the season we resigning the keystone of the defense to an extension.
Darnell Dockett: Grade B+
Funny to think of Dockett as an old player, but he is getting up there in terms of NFL football players. Still has a great first step off the snap that gives offenses fits. Yet, it is the same first step that many teams exploit by the "vertical hole" it creates sometime. A healthy Dockett was playing so fast, and well that he could recover and make a tackle when coming to far up field, and an unhealthy Dockett has not been able to do so. Best thing 90 has improved upon this year, is he is acting like a mature leader of the team.
Dan Williams: Grade B
He only plays a few snaps a game, and ends up playing more when we are losing because that is when most teams run against us. He is not playing at a 1st rnd pick level, but he has made a leap in his game this year. He has had a couple nice plays against the run in clutch situation, and has shown his quickness has improved. Yet, he IS the key component when it comes to stopping the run. Where Campbell and Dockett are the only two linemen on most passing plays, and our defense is top 3 against the pass, our defense is less stout against the run, thus Williams takes on that criticism.
David Carter:Grade D-
Has anyone vanished faster than David Carter ? Kid was making plays last year, this year he looks like someone who Bryan Robinson could come back and play over. No quickness, no big plays.
Nick Eason: Grade C
Eason has filled in, and is doing what is asked of him to do. He is playing to the level one would expect of a player at his age and position. Yet, the drop off from Dockett to him is considerable.
Vonnie Holliday: Grade C+
See Nick Eason above. Yet, Holliday seems to be more focused this year, and better at playing off the bench. Has gotten some pressure, and playing within the scheme very well. IMO, Holliday is our best depth player off the bench.
Others: Daryl Talley = Inc.
Linebackers:
Overall Grade:B-
Daryl Washington: Grade A+
You tell me what Washington is doing poorly and I will take this A+ from him. He makes most tackles, and yes, here and there are a few he misses one but Washington is all over the field, and our biggest pass rushing threat. While he has not come up with a huge play in coverage, we know he has that in him as well. That is it. Washington just needs to keep playing at the level he is at or better. My biggest surprise about Washington ? His ability to cause fumbles at key times.
Paris Lenon: Grade C+
He gets the "+" cause he is still a very good leader for this team. He has no business being out on the field during passing downs, and because of the mystery that is Stewart Bradley and the injury to Reggie Walker he has been forced to be in that position. Against the run he is played solid, but like what you expect from an older player sometimes he just can't get to the spot. He knows his job, does a solid job of it, and still can bring the wood when called upon. I am not looking for this old dog to learn new tricks, but at some point he is going to decline to a player that just can't get it done. He needs to be better against the run, and way better in coverage to be a "A or B" type player and that is not the direction his skills are going.
Sam Acho: Grade B-
Hmph. Tough one. Very very tough. Has three sacks on the season. Has only made about 25 tackles. The biggest knock on the guy is the lack of consistent pressure. He is solid against the run, plays smart, makes a play here, and misses a play there. I give him a B- cause he has shown the ability to make a play, and has zero depth behind him, so he is on the field all the time. I could easily give him a C and be comfortable with it though.
O'Brien Schofield: Grade C+
In the beginning of the year he was doing nothing, regardless what the Cardinals website says about him doing his job. Yes, his overall play within the system is better than last year. He improved against the run from Week 1 till his season ending injury. He can provide some pressure, but we need more from him at the position. Not to mention he is now injured again, and eventually those injuries stack up and the next thing you know a player can't get the job done anymore. Schofield is good depth, IMO. This position is becoming a more than a little worrisome and needs to be addressed in the offseason. It is a need that most teams need too. Starting caliber OLB that can pass rush.
Reggie Walker: Grade B-
I honestly feel bad for Walker. Was a dead man walking in the middle of preseason, and just woke up. Picture the adrenaline shot from the movie Pulp Fiction. Just all of a sudden Reggie Walker became that player who would flash from time to time what he can do. He plays very well against the run, can cover way better than I ever expected. You don't think he was that important on defense, but he was that key depth guy that we would put in for Lenon now and again during the first 4 games. At 25 years old, I expect Walker to be given a fair contact of at least 4 years to stick around AZ.
Quentin Groves: Grade C+
Payback. Yes, payback for Alan Branch. We all love the light bulb analogy Whiz used with Alan Branch. Well, Arizona spent 4 years re-wiring Alan Branch so his light bulb would go on, and just when Branch became something of an exceptable NFL player, he was gone to another team. Enter Quentin Groves, who has underachieved every place he has been. Gets to the Cardinals, and something in him clicks, and BAM.... you got a NFL football player. He far Groves takes this situation is up to him. If you look back through his experience he is still raw in the transition from DE to OLBer. Groves will be getting a lot of time, and probably will be starting at OLBer for the rest of the year. This should be very interesting. Guy has all the ability in the world physically. Mentally is where he needs to be polished. Would love to see our depth in 2013 be Groves and Schofield. Groves has been a pleasant surprise this season.
Stewart Bradley: Grade D
I dunno. Just don't know what to say. Preseason it looked like we had our new starting ILBer. Have only seen him in special teams so far. Just do not know what the deal is here. I would say Bradley would see the field more after Schofield's injury........but why? It seems they would put Early Doucet at LB before Bradley sees the field again.
Jamall Westerman: Grade Inc
We will see what Westerman can do. He will see playing time. Played 3 years with the Jets as depth at the OLBer position
Zack Nash: Grade Inc
All I know about this kid, is that Mitch really likes this guy, and he is supposedly a good special teams player.
Defensive Backs:
Overall Grade:B-
Adrian Wilson: Grade B+
This grade might be a little high for Wilson. Right now I am not sure where his head is at. He says the right things in the locker room, and he is playing his butt off. Yet, I feel the tinge of frustration, and yes this is pure speculation on my part. His play has leveled off from the beginning of the year when he seemed like he was every where. Still has the ability to make the big play, or the big hit. Still top of the line safety and his coverage skills have been better than in past years. Yet, he is the man on this defense and it seems like this game has reflected the Cardinals playoff chances. The better they are the better he plays, the farther away those hopes get, his game goes down a bit.
Kerry Rhodes: Grade A-
The guy is having another good year for us. Makes big plays and big situations. He is our FS and is never going to be a tackling machine but he has done well in coverage and is that perfect blend of size, speed and agility to cover TE's and big slot WR's. When he is injured there seems to be more big plays against this defense.
Patrick Peterson: Grade B
The kid is getting too much flak this year. Cornerback is a tough position to play, and in his 2nd year Peterson is playing the role of #1 cornerback. There have been some serious game-losing mistakes. Yet, there have been some amazing game winning plays, and if we had an offense worth a poop, there would be more than just the one INT he had in NE that won a game for this team. There is much to learn for the CB who is clearly pressing and trying to do too much, and with that being said, imagine what this team will have when he does improve.
William Gay: Grade C
William Gay has been exactly what we thought he would be. He is a very average NFL cornerback that understands the system he is in. He does everything well, but nothing great. I am one of the few that is happy with his acquisition, and though I want him to be supplanted as the CB#2 on this team, I am fine with him being our nickel back or dime back. As a starter, he has been what his grade shows.
Greg Toler: Grade C+
Greg Toler has some very very bad luck. Gets put into a system where he should thrive, and can't stay healthy. I was very excited to see him get some time this year and do well. Yet, again, was hurt and hasn't seen the field since. This is a career at its cross roads, IMO. Toler could easily come back and be an option at CB, or he could be out of the league in less than a year.
Jamell Flemming: Grade C
That is a tough grade to give a rookie. He deserves better than a "C" for where he is when looking at him from a rookies situation. More times then not he looks like a rookie. Missed tackle here, faked out of his boots there, and bad technique sprinkled over the top. But, man oh man, when he shows what he can do, the looks like the player, who if he can stay the course and improve, that will be across from Peterson for some time to come. He has had a few plays where he looked like he could give Peterson a few pointers on proper technique.
Rashad Johnson: Grade C+
Johnson has played better than he has in the past. He has shown the ability to be a solid back up for us. He still misses way too many tackles, and takes horrible angles. For all his football knowledge he doesn't show it in coverage. I cannot seem him as the answer for who will eventually replace Rhodes or Wilson. Happy to have him, yet wouldn't be sorry to see another player in his spot in the future.
Frank Sanders: Grade C+
The compliment to Rashad Johnson yet his role is better defined within the team, and has done well with whatever is asked of him. He is doing his job and doing it well, IMO. He is not going to be the guy you want starting by when your starter goes down, you are happy to have him. He even got a bonus this year for being the recipient of a good bounce that gave him a 90+ fumble return TD. I would love to see Sanders stick around for a few years. Solid backup, with solid skills.
Justin Bethel: Grade D+
Another tough grade for a rookie, but when you keep a player like Bethel to be a special teams ace, he has to do his job. He flashed his skills at the beginning of the season, but has been very silent, and when talked about it usually is for some penalty. Again, we are talking about a rookie who has probably hit the rookie wall and hard. Yet, he has to show a lot more, IMO, to be not only on the 53 man roster, but to be active on game day. With so much reliance on special teams to be a weapon this year, it has not been that.
Michael Adams: Grade C
Kinda of tired of this moxie player. Still does pretty well on specials teams, and still plays his butt off when asked to play as a DB. Yet, still gets beat more times then not in coverage. He gets a "C" because for your 5th CB on the roster he is better than most. Yet, if he were to be looked at as the 4th CB on the roster I would probably have him as a "D". As for special teams, I have not seen anything out of Adams and he doesn't get the rookie excuse that Bethel receives.
Coaching: Grade: A+
Ray Horton has shown to come up with great game plans to stop any offense. as it stands players wise he has had "B-" talent, and has gotten "A" results out of them. He keeps players accountable, he puts in players whom he thinks will produce results, and while fair gives a pretty quick hook to whomever players he feels are not getting the job done. Third best passing defense in the league, has a offense so bad they his defense has to play and succeed in spite of it. Even more so, the special teams has given little to no help to the defensive side of the ball as well. All success is funneling through the defensive play of this team, and Horton is the guy who is getting the job done week in, and week out. Horton has been a great coach for this team.
For Mid-Season Offensive Grades: http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/f4/rms-mid-season-grades-offense-187114.html#post2735619
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