It seemed that finally this past week, Ken Whisenhunt started to feel the pressure of losing 15 of his last 18 games. I can't put a finger on it exactly---maybe you can---but Whisenhunt seemed a little more outwardly intense and focused this past week---and, to his and his staff's credit, there were tangible differences in the team's preparation this week.
Offense:
1. First of all, it is more meaningful than some fans think that Whisenhunt turned to John Skelton as his starter and not Richard Bartel. Bartel had a very good pre-season and even though Skelton was de-activated for the first few games because of his ankle injury---it appeared at least that Bartel had wrested the #2 job from Skelton.
When Bartel came in in mop-up duty versus the Vikings, however, Bartel looked as skittish as Kolb. Perhaps---the coaches looked at this and remembered Skelton's "poise."
2. "Poise" is the word that Whisenhunt used repeatedly during and after the game yesterday to describe Skelton's performance.
This might not mean much---Whisenhunt was openly critical of Skelton's mistakes---but all in all, he gave Skelton a favorable review.
And Whisenhunt should have---especially seeing as Skelton hadn't played a live snap since the 3rd pre-season game and hadn't been even activated until recently.
Yet---here's the rub: Whisenhunt has Skelton in his thoughts now---because there is no way Whisenhunt or the offensive coaches could be coaching Kolb to play as jittery as he has over the past 6 games---no coach in his right mind would instruct a QB to run backwards the way Kolb has.
Kolb will now be under pressure to step up (literally and figuratively)---and that's a good thing.
And it makes one wonder whether a coach can actually teach poise. Skelton has it---and it certainly doesn't hurt that he's got the big arm to go with it---plus, as we saw on the clutch 4th quarter game tying TD drive, Skelton is a threat to run.
A poised and tough QB can settle everyone down---and, despite the safeties, the team looked much more settled in the 2nd half of a game finally. Plus---Skelton gets the plays off more briskly---there was more tempo on the offense in the second half than we have seen in weeks.
When you look at the final stats---despite not having a running game to aid his cause the way Sam Bradford did---check out the numbers:
Skelton: 20/35, 222 yds., 6.3 YPA, 1 TD, 0 int, 85.7 rating (+ 4/38/9.5 rush)
Bradford: 23/36, 255 yds., 7.1 ypa, 0 TD, 1 int., 73.3 rating (+ 1/2/2.0 rush)
If you didn't know who the #1 and #155 picks in the 2010 draft were---could you see that great of a difference in their games yesterday?
Plus---this was Bradford's 22nd start---Skelton's 5th.
Under the circumstances---for Skelton to play this well was impressive.
Sure the 2 safeties were glaring mistakes---but may have had more to do with inexperience than anything else.
But---as it turned out the 4 points may have saved the day for the Cardinals in that they didn't have to punt out of their end zone, which could have led to Ram TDs.
3. Evidence of improved preparation:
* The max protection set with two added protectors in the backfield that enabled Skelton to zing in the long in-seam pass to Roberts.
* No dreaded screen passes, especially in key situations.
* The attempted TE fade pass to Jeff King---looks like they added the play this week after seeing the Steelers run it to Heath Miller.
* The continued focus on Doucet in key third down situations.
* The adding of PP into the offense (even though the play was never snapped---at least there was some creativity involved).
* Finally---motioning Fitz to try to take him off press coverage and easy brackets.
* Getting good play from RB Chester Taylor---and his hustle fumble recovery was huge.
On Defense:
* Using Wilson in the box exclusively---his blitz and stuff of Steven Jackson on 3rd and short was one of the biggest plays of the game.
* The short yardage defense down the stretch, especially on the 4th down sweep stop of Jackson.
* Keeping PP assigned all day to Brandon Lloyd. The coverage assignments were much clearer and much more aggressive.
* Getting good play at OLB from Haggans, Acho and Schofield---best OLB play in a game this year.
* Playing Richard Marshall as a Cover 2 safety (in tandem with Rashad Johnson) in passing situations.
On Special Teams:
* Not only were the Cardinals extremely well prepared to make the two plays that won the game (the blocked FG and the 98 yard punt return TD)---they tried their best to pressure P Donnie Jones (who is arguably the best punter in the NFC)---and they came close to blocking a punt once.
4. Game Management:
* Whisenhunt called timeout to try to prevent the Rams from running out the clock and kicking the winning FG. This was smart, even if the defense still gave up the next first down.
* No epic head-scratching meltdowns from the coaches or the team late in the game. Yes, the Rams had a good chance to win---but the Cardinals didn't make it super easy for them---this time they looked better prepared---and will even more prepared when they can get CB technique down to the point where they are not getting these tough, chain-moving 3rd down flags.
