Sando's take on defense

[Cbus cardsfan]

Is there any other team in ANY league for which Porter and Haggans will be starting OLBers in a 3-4 D???

FTFY

 

[Totally_Red]

FTFY

For Porter at least I can think of only one. The women's lingerie league. Of course that's if they could accept his frequent offsides penalties.

 

[Sunryze88]

I think if we had younger pass rushers we would improve. We need more speed at the position. We absolutely had no pressure on the QB today which will definitely make our secondary look bad.

 

[kerouac9]

I usually like Sando but I don't get the comment it's clear it's going to get worse before it gets better? We played the whole game without our best LB Washington, and more than half the game without Lenon. We are starting 2 new CB's, both of whom figure to get better with experience. And we are starting a one armed SS who figures to get better as the season goes on and he hopefully gets healthier.

I think the defense stinks right now but they should get better. Teams that put in new systems are at a HUGE disadvantage this year with the short camp, add in playing new guys like our CB's and to say we're not going to get better seems wrong.

I think he was maybe looking down the schedule? Cam Newton lit us up at home in his first start with Daryl Washington on the field, and we didn't do much to make Rex Grossman trip over his own feet. If we don't win in Seattle next week and Tavaris Jackson completes 65% of his passes for 350 yards on us, we're looking forward to taking a 1-2 record against:

New York Giants
Minnesota Vikings (think that AD might be better than Tim Hightower? He could have 125 yards at the half!)
Pittsburgh
Baltimore
Philly
Dallas

There are some weaker offenses scattered between some of those games, but we needed to get fat and figure things out early in the season. I was hoping that we could win shootouts while the D figures its stuff out, but that doesn't seem to be happening.

Maybe the defense makes a quantum leap between yesterday and after the bye, but the offenses and defenses around the league are going to improve, and they might improve more quickly against us as tape of Kolb in our offense comes out (I think this is another reason why passing numbers are so high right now--not only are systems changing but we're seeing new QBs in those systems--call it the Caleb Haenie effect).

 

[Russ Smith]

I think he was maybe looking down the schedule? Cam Newton lit us up at home in his first start with Daryl Washington on the field, and we didn't do much to make Rex Grossman trip over his own feet. If we don't win in Seattle next week and Tavaris Jackson completes 65% of his passes for 350 yards on us, we're looking forward to taking a 1-2 record against:

New York Giants
Minnesota Vikings (think that AD might be better than Tim Hightower? He could have 125 yards at the half!)
Pittsburgh
Baltimore
Philly
Dallas

There are some weaker offenses scattered between some of those games, but we needed to get fat and figure things out early in the season. I was hoping that we could win shootouts while the D figures its stuff out, but that doesn't seem to be happening.

Maybe the defense makes a quantum leap between yesterday and after the bye, but the offenses and defenses around the league are going to improve, and they might improve more quickly against us as tape of Kolb in our offense comes out (I think this is another reason why passing numbers are so high right now--not only are systems changing but we're seeing new QBs in those systems--call it the Caleb Haenie effect).

THe Giants offense seems to be hit or miss, when everyone says they're good they aren't, and vice versa. Minnesota so far can't throw the ball and hopefully we'll have Washington and Lenon when we play them so the run D will be better.

Obviously the other teams are better my point is it's a brand new DC and scheme, and a bunch of new players, and guys out or playing hurt. To say it's not going to get better is very pessimistic.

The opponents may get better too sure, but the D itself is going to get better.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I feared this would be the worst cardinals defense we've ever seen and thus far, I've seen nothing to change my mind unfortunately.

thank GOD we don't face Brady, Rivers, Rodgers or Brees this year. Those guys would set passing records on us.

Worse than the David Barrett, McKinnon, Levar Woods, Raynoch Thompson, etc., etc. ?

Wow. That is an accomplishment.

 

[Capital Card]

hopefully we'll have Washington and Lenon when we play them so the run D will be better.

As cryptic as our coaches are about injuries, I'm not going to be surprised if it turns out Washington had ACL surgery and the coaches are hoping he can make it back for playoffs.

Go Cards!!!

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Is there any other team in the league for which Porter and Haggans will be starting OLBers in a 3-4 D???

The 2006 Steelers?

 

[Cheesebeef]

Worse than the David Barrett, McKinnon, Levar Woods, Raynoch Thompson, etc., etc. ?

Wow. That is an accomplishment.

by the end of the year, i fear we'll get there. remember, we haven't exactly been playing offensive juggernauts so far (and luckily DON'T for the most part).

 

[Dayman]

While the personnel on the D has too many obvious flaws, keeping them on the field for so long certainly isn't helping. Our offense is 31st in TOP, which is a death sentence for a D that's a strange combination of too old and too inexperienced.

 

[40yearfan]

While the personnel on the D has too many obvious flaws, keeping them on the field for so long certainly isn't helping. Our offense is 31st in TOP, which is a death sentence for a D that's a strange combination of too old and too inexperienced.

The only reason for our TOP is the inability of our defense to stop the other team. The offense has had very few 3 and outs.

 

[kerouac9]

The only reason for our TOP is the inability of our defense to stop the other team. The offense has had very few 3 and outs.

Maybe not three-and-outs, but we have very few sustained drives, either:

Arizona Cardinals at 10:04
1-10-ARI 19 (10:04) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass short middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald to ARI 33 for 14 yards (20-O.Atogwe; 59-L.Fletcher).

1-10-ARI 33 (9:27) 26-C.Wells left tackle to ARI 35 for 2 yards (59-L.Fletcher; 37-R.Doughty).

2-8-ARI 35 (8:51) 4-K.Kolb pass incomplete short right to 11-L.Fitzgerald.

3-8-ARI 35 (8:44) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass incomplete short middle to 85-E.Doucet.

4-8-ARI 35 (8:40) 9-D.Zastudil punts 51 yards to WAS 14, Center-82-M.Leach. 16-B.Banks to WAS 19 for 5 yards (27-M.Adams).

Arizona Cardinals at 04:32
1-10-WAS 37 (4:32) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass short right to 12-A.Roberts pushed ob at WAS 21 for 16 yards (22-K.Barnes).

1-10-WAS 21 (4:02) 4-K.Kolb pass short left to 87-J.King for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

WATCH HIGHLIGHT
3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
ARI 7 WAS 0 Plays: 2 Possession: 0:38

1-10-ARI 29 (2:52) 26-C.Wells left tackle to ARI 30 for 1 yard (91-R.Kerrigan).

2-9-ARI 30 (2:52) (Shotgun) PENALTY on ARI-75-L.Brown, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at ARI 30 - No Play.

Two-Minute Warning
2-14-ARI 25 (2:00) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass incomplete short right to 17-C.Stuckey.

3-14-ARI 25 (1:55) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass incomplete short middle to 26-C.Wells.

4-14-ARI 25 (1:51) 9-D.Zastudil punts 45 yards to WAS 30, Center-82-M.Leach. 16-B.Banks to ARI 35 for 35 yards (87-J.King). PENALTY on ARI-87-J.King, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards

1-10-ARI 23 34) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass incomplete short middle to 26-C.Wells (52-R.McIntosh).

Timeout #1 by ARI at 00:29.
2-10-ARI 23 29) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb sacked at ARI 19 for -4 yards (91-R.Kerrigan).

WATCH HIGHLIGHT
Timeout #2 by WAS at 00:22.
3-14-ARI 19 22) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass short right to 12-A.Roberts to ARI 25 for 6 yards (26-J.Wilson).

Timeout #3 by WAS at 00:15.
4-8-ARI 25 15) 9-D.Zastudil punts 53 yards to WAS 22, Center-82-M.Leach. 16-B.Banks to WAS 29 for 7 yards (23-H.Abdullah).

You have that right. The Cards got the ball with 00:38 left on the clock in the 1st half and couldn't stay on the field and had to punt.

1-10-ARI 7 (1:33) (Shotgun) 26-C.Wells left end to ARI 18 for 11 yards (20-O.Atogwe).

1-10-ARI 18 52) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass incomplete short right to 85-E.Doucet (96-B.Cofield).

2-10-ARI 18 47) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass incomplete short right to 12-A.Roberts [59-L.Fletcher]. PENALTY on ARI-4-K.Kolb, Intentional Grounding, 15 yards, enforced at ARI 18.

3-25-ARI 3 40) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass short middle to 85-E.Doucet to ARI 17 for 14 yards (59-L.Fletcher; 34-B.Westbrook).

4-11-ARI 17 03) 9-D.Zastudil punts 53 yards to WAS 30, Center-82-M.Leach. 16-B.Banks pushed ob at ARI 44 for 26 yards (49-R.Johnson).

4-G.Gano kicks 65 yards from WAS 35 to ARI 0. 20-A.Jefferson to ARI 32 for 32 yards (50-R.Jackson, 13-A.Armstrong).
1-10-ARI 32 (11:09) (Shotgun) PENALTY on ARI-26-C.Wells, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at ARI 32 - No Play.

1-15-ARI 27 (11:09) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass deep right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 73 yards, TOUCHDOWN [59-L.Fletcher].

WATCH HIGHLIGHT
3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
ARI 21 WAS 13 Plays: 1 Possession: 0:20

1-10-ARI 20 (5:17) 26-C.Wells right guard to ARI 23 for 3 yards (52-R.McIntosh).

2-7-ARI 23 (4:35) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass incomplete short right to 85-E.Doucet. Penalty on ARI-86-T.Heap, Illegal Motion, declined.

3-7-ARI 23 (4:32) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass incomplete short right to 85-E.Doucet (91-R.Kerrigan).

4-7-ARI 23 (4:28) 9-D.Zastudil punts 41 yards to WAS 36, Center-82-M.Leach, downed by ARI. WAS-24-D.Gomes was injured during the play.

 

[Jasper]

While the personnel on the D has too many obvious flaws, keeping them on the field for so long certainly isn't helping. Our offense is 31st in TOP, which is a death sentence for a D that's a strange combination of too old and too inexperienced.

That is really weird, I never really thought of that. Usually its nice to have a mix of veterans and rookies.

 

[Capital Card]

Although it injects even more inexperience into the defense, I'm hoping that Acho and Schofield will begin to significantly take plays away from Haggans and Porter.

Personally, Id gradually increase their playing time each week and then have them start following the bye week.

Go Cards!!!

 

[conraddobler]

I haven't watched the game yet so take this for what's it's worth but just looking at the stat line we had 15 rushing attempts for 93 yards, 14 of which were Beanie, that's 6.64 yards a carry.

It's idiotic that we only had 15 attempts, unfathomable, with a lead in the 4th.

The crucial decision IMO was the decision after Beanie got 3 yards on 1st down with about 5 minutes to go we tried a pass then another pass both incomplete.

That's where you let you running back have three cracks at making first downs for you, right there.

It's a very small point, fairly well lost in the game but the guy is averaging 6 yards a carry up until then, RUN HIM.

Just because he didn't get the first down there, two more tries are in order IMO.

Instead we passed the ball saved time on the clock then punted the ball back to them so that they could score on our defense.

We should of run more in the game but right there is what killed us IMO.

 

[Jasper]

I haven't watched the game yet so take this for what's it's worth but just looking at the stat line we had 15 rushing attempts for 93 yards, 14 of which were Beanie, that's 6.64 yards a carry.

It's idiotic that we only had 15 attempts, unfathomable, with a lead in the 4th.

The crucial decision IMO was the decision after Beanie got 3 yards on 1st down with about 5 minutes to go we tried a pass then another pass both incomplete.

That's where you let you running back have three cracks at making first downs for you, right there.

It's a very small point, fairly well lost in the game but the guy is averaging 6 yards a carry up until then, RUN HIM.

Just because he didn't get the first down there, two more tries are in order IMO.

Instead we passed the ball saved time on the clock then punted the ball back to them so that they could score on our defense.

We should of run more in the game but right there is what killed us IMO.

That second down play was a head scratcher. Which lead to a tough 3rd down which lead to a weak punt.

 

[kerouac9]

We got the ball with :38 seconds left in the 1st half and still had to punt. We couldn't run :38 seconds off the clock.

 

[BigRedArk]

Do we have enough DL to go to the 4-3 instead of the 3-4 D we are in now? Or say more of a hybrid like we did under Pendy perhaps?

Not saying we will but just wondering if we had a mind to do we have the depth at DL to make the switch?

Also how long does it take Horton to throw in the towel and go with Schofield at ROLB? If he did would we be any worse off than Porter? Is Scho ready to start yet?

 

[az1965]

The only reason for our TOP is the inability of our defense to stop the other team. The offense has had very few 3 and outs.

Mix that with one or two offense series with quick long scoring throws (70 yards to Doucett, 73 yards to Fitz, 48 yards to King...which is good) so the offense is off the field quicker and sucking defense is back on the field.

 

[az1965]

Do we have enough DL to go to the 4-3 instead of the 3-4 D we are in now? Or say more of a hybrid like we did under Pendy perhaps?

Not saying we will but just wondering if we had a mind to do we have the depth at DL to make the switch?

Also how long does it take Horton to throw in the towel and go with Schofield at ROLB? If he did would we be any worse off than Porter? Is Scho ready to start yet?

We will NOT be going to 4-3.

Right now anyone on team will be better than Porter who is a total waste of a roster spot let alone starting.

 

[Duckjake]

We will NOT be going to 4-3.

Right now anyone on team will be better than Porter who is a total waste of a roster spot let alone starting.

Funny though that they are playing a 4-2.

 

[Stout]

Do we have enough DL to go to the 4-3 instead of the 3-4 D we are in now? Or say more of a hybrid like we did under Pendy perhaps?

Not saying we will but just wondering if we had a mind to do we have the depth at DL to make the switch?

Also how long does it take Horton to throw in the towel and go with Schofield at ROLB? If he did would we be any worse off than Porter? Is Scho ready to start yet?

No, nor do we have the LBers to run the 4-3.

 

[kerouac9]

No, nor do we have the LBers to run the 4-3.

Sure we do. We could play Washington at WLB, Lenon at MLB, and Haggans at SLB (or Bradley where he was playing after an undrafted rookie (IIRC) took his job last year).

The problem is that we don't have a rush end anymore than we have a rush linebacker.

 

[Vermont Maverick]

Nice of A-Dub to throw the corners under the bus...

A-Dub is a stand up guy. He takes plenty of blame when it's his.

 

[BigRedRage]

I know there's a new scheme, but should the tackle list really look like this?

Arizona                TK    AST   COM    
K.Rhodes                7        1        8    
P.Peterson                5        3        8    
S.Bradley                5        2        7    
R.Walker                4        3        7    
P.Lenon                4        2        6    
J.Porter                4        1        5    
A.Jefferson        3        2        5    
C.Haggans                3        1        4    
A.Wilson                3        1        4    
O.Schofield        2        1        3    
R.Marshall                2        1        3    
D.Dockett                2        0        2    
V.Holliday                1        1        2    
R.Johnson                1        0        1    
D.Carter                1        0        1    
C.Campbell        1        3        4

minus rhodes and peterson, yes!