Snap Counts + Thoughts: Week 18 vs Seahawks

[kerouac9]

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Thoughts:
- This game was fun as heck, especially as exemplified by the fact that Prater and Gillikin got offensive snaps as part of a wild fake field goal.
- Cards played a lot of three-TE sets to protect both of their tackles.
- WR Michael Wilson finished the year strong with an extremely efficient 6/95 stat line. Could he be the third option in a good offense?
- James Conner had four receptions on four targets. I wonder if Petzing can find ways to get him more involved in the passing game next season (as well as Michael Carter).
- BJ Ojulari had his most snaps of the season and looked visibly gassed at times when he was on the field for more than four or five plays.
- Kei'Trel Clark again had zero defensive snaps. Good to see Andre Chachere get absolutely roasted again. The way we've run personnel in the secondary this season is mystifying.

 

[Mulli]

Great post. I am shocked that the Seahawks didn't score more. The talent level on this defense is woeful.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

Great post. I am shocked that the Seahawks didn't score more. The talent level on this defense is woeful.

The talent level of Geno Smith is worse.... probably.

 

[kerouac9]

Great post. I am shocked that the Seahawks didn't score more. The talent level on this defense is woeful.

I'm continually mystified how Gannon and Rallis have mind-tricked teams into not running the ball at us over and over again. Seattle's second-half possessions went punt-punt-punt-punt-TD with two first downs before that final drive.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

Thanks K9!

Zero sacks since the NFC/AFC merger for ARZ is troubling!

Also, defensive players who played Sunday who'll start on opening day 2024:

SS - Thompson
FS - Baker
RDT - Fotu (maybe, also wow I can't believe I just typed that)
LDE - Collins (maybe but he's hanging on by a thread)
RDE - Ojulari (maybe, looks a little doubtful at this point)
CB2 - Hamilton (maybe, but probably not, although he deserves a roster spot for sure)

Also I think Kyzir White will probably start at MLB, and Garrett Williams (CB1?) + Dantee Stills (LDT) are both maybes.

So we'll need need at least two (sorry Dennis Gardeck and Josh Woods), and perhaps as many as eight new defensive starters next year.

 

[TheCardFan]

RDT - Fotu (maybe, also wow I can't believe I just typed that)
Also I think Kyzir White will probably start at MLB,

Fotu is a FA and I don't see him being a starter next year.

Kyzir is 100% a starter next year IMO.

 

[CardNots]

I'm continually mystified how Gannon and Rallis have mind-tricked teams into not running the ball at us over and over again. Seattle's second-half possessions went punt-punt-punt-punt-TD with two first downs before that final drive.

Compromising photos is my best guess

 

[kerouac9]

Thanks K9!

Zero sacks since the NFC/AFC merger for ARZ is troubling!

Also, defensive players who played Sunday who'll start on opening day 2024:

SS - Thompson
FS - Baker
RDT - Fotu (maybe, also wow I can't believe I just typed that)
LDE - Collins (maybe but he's hanging on by a thread)
RDE - Ojulari (maybe, looks a little doubtful at this point)
CB2 - Hamilton (maybe, but probably not, although he deserves a roster spot for sure)

Also I think Kyzir White will probably start at MLB, and Garrett Williams (CB1?) + Dantee Stills (LDT) are both maybes.

So we'll need need at least two (sorry Dennis Gardeck and Josh Woods), and perhaps as many as eight new defensive starters next year.

Fotu is a free agent -- our entire DL room aside from Stills are pending free agents. All or none of them can return, but I doubt that makes much of a difference. They're all replacement-level players. You'd love to bring in a starting-caliber free agent and a day 1 or day 2 draft choice in that position group.

I think Collins and Ojulari are both rotational players on a good team. Collins probably shouldn't be rushing the passer as frequently as he was, but be brings more juice as a chase player than pretty much everyone else. I wouldn't pick up Collins' fifth-year option, but I'd consider giving him a Markus Golden-level deal.

We were 29th in sacks, 31st in pressure percentage, 32nd in QB knockdowns, 31st in opponent passer rating allowed, 29th in yards per rush allowed, and 32nd in expected points.

There are good reasons to have a bias toward offense in roster-building, but this defense is so very crappy.

 

[gmabel830]

I couldn't have named any of these players as being on the Cardinals for a million dollars:

Travis Vokolek
Phil Hoskins
Naquan Jones
Tyreke Smith

The rest of the guys I've at least heard of (not that I've been paying that much attention to the bottom of the roster anyway).

 

[Stout]

Ojulari just wasn't good. He has to add bulk, and not just maintain his physical traits while adding bulk, but also add speed/bend/explosiveness to boot. He's going to struggle mightily to be JAG even. We burned a 2nd on him and still have edge as one of our top needs. I do not care about his injury; he has to progress leaps and bounds next year or he'll get a certain negative label.

 

[Chopper0080]

I'm continually mystified how Gannon and Rallis have mind-tricked teams into not running the ball at us over and over again. Seattle's second-half possessions went punt-punt-punt-punt-TD with two first downs before that final drive.

It is really weird.

 

[Chopper0080]

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Thoughts:
- This game was fun as heck, especially as exemplified by the fact that Prater and Gillikin got offensive snaps as part of a wild fake field goal.
- Cards played a lot of three-TE sets to protect both of their tackles.
- WR Michael Wilson finished the year strong with an extremely efficient 6/95 stat line. Could he be the third option in a good offense?
- James Conner had four receptions on four targets. I wonder if Petzing can find ways to get him more involved in the passing game next season (as well as Michael Carter).
- BJ Ojulari had his most snaps of the season and looked visibly gassed at times when he was on the field for more than four or five plays.
- Kei'Trel Clark again had zero defensive snaps. Good to see Andre Chachere get absolutely roasted again. The way we've run personnel in the secondary this season is mystifying.

Agree on Conner. I would love to see another physical RB on the roster to enable him to be on the field for passing downs. A couple options in FA.

 

[slanidrac16]

Agree on Conner. I would love to see another physical RB on the roster to enable him to be on the field for passing downs. A couple options in FA.

With what seems to be the philosophy of this staff, I think picking up a big rb later in the draft would be a grand idea. Today, if Connor were to go down with injury, the whole dynamics of this offense changes.

 

[Stout]

With what seems to be the philosophy of this staff, I think picking up a big rb later in the draft would be a grand idea. Today, if Connor were to go down with injury, the whole dynamics of this offense changes.

I would not be opposed to having King Henry on a team friendly short-term deal.

 

[Chopper0080]

With what seems to be the philosophy of this staff, I think picking up a big rb later in the draft would be a grand idea. Today, if Connor were to go down with injury, the whole dynamics of this offense changes.

Hell. If you can get AJ Dillon for cheap...might be able to save a pick.

 

[Chopper0080]

I would not be opposed to having King Henry on a team friendly short-term deal.

I got a bit roasted for this idea a while back. Some of it is dependent on Henry taking a 5 mil per year deal that is only one or two years. Essentially giving us a little Conner insurance, and one of two years to draft a RB or two.

 

[kerouac9]

I got a bit roasted for this idea a while back. Some of it is dependent on Henry taking a 5 mil per year deal that is only one or two years. Essentially giving us a little Conner insurance, and one of two years to draft a RB or two.

In this offense Henry is less of a liability because we don't throw the ball to RBs much. It would really depend on if King Henry is willing to move for a non-featured role.

Monti will know for sure the culture fit.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Fotu is a free agent -- our entire DL room aside from Stills are pending free agents. All or none of them can return, but I doubt that makes much of a difference. They're all replacement-level players. You'd love to bring in a starting-caliber free agent and a day 1 or day 2 draft choice in that position group.

I think Collins and Ojulari are both rotational players on a good team. Collins probably shouldn't be rushing the passer as frequently as he was, but be brings more juice as a chase player than pretty much everyone else. I wouldn't pick up Collins' fifth-year option, but I'd consider giving him a Markus Golden-level deal.

We were 29th in sacks, 31st in pressure percentage, 32nd in QB knockdowns, 31st in opponent passer rating allowed, 29th in yards per rush allowed, and 32nd in expected points.

There are good reasons to have a bias toward offense in roster-building, but this defense is so very crappy.

A few weeks ago, I listened to Lorenzo Alexander talk about Zaven. He pointed out to how many different ways Zaven has been used and moved around and Zo's take was that Collins played pretty well at all of them, but that he should be featured more as a pure pass rusher. Zo said that's why he's not putting up sack numbers

 

[kerouac9]

A few weeks ago, I listened to Lorenzo Alexander talk about Zaven. He pointed out to how many different ways Zaven has been used and moved around and Zo's take was that Collins played pretty well at all of them, but that he should be featured more as a pure pass rusher. Zo said that's why he's not putting up sack numbers

As I was watching he seemed to get plenty of pass rush opportunities. He looked better doing it than BJ Ojulari, who was doing basically nothing when he wasn't Very Tired after five or six straight plays, but didn't really showcase any standout traits.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Ojulari just wasn't good. He has to add bulk, and not just maintain his physical traits while adding bulk, but also add speed/bend/explosiveness to boot. He's going to struggle mightily to be JAG even. We burned a 2nd on him and still have edge as one of our top needs. I do not care about his injury; he has to progress leaps and bounds next year or he'll get a certain negative label.

LOL you've already labeled him for sure.

It's not uncommon for guys who missed virtually all of the off-season to not be contributors.

It's also not uncommon for guys to be less productive when they are surrounded by replacement level players. I say to my Rams fan friend that it's hard to gauge how good any front seven player on the Rams is because of how good Aaron Donald is. The opposite can be true as well.

Ojulari was literally the youngest player in the draft. He still has significant physical growth to go through at 21 years old.

I remember in all of last year and in the off-season how much you panned McBride. That take looks real dumb now. Have some patience.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I got a bit roasted for this idea a while back. Some of it is dependent on Henry taking a 5 mil per year deal that is only one or two years. Essentially giving us a little Conner insurance, and one of two years to draft a RB or two.

I think everyone expects him to make Conner like money on the FA market - if he's available for 5M per, I'd be fine with it. Let's really lean into Smel ball!

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Ojulari just wasn't good. He has to add bulk, and not just maintain his physical traits while adding bulk, but also add speed/bend/explosiveness to boot. He's going to struggle mightily to be JAG even. We burned a 2nd on him and still have edge as one of our top needs. I do not care about his injury; he has to progress leaps and bounds next year or he'll get a certain negative label.

Gotta hit on high 2nd rounders.

 

[Stout]

A few weeks ago, I listened to Lorenzo Alexander talk about Zaven. He pointed out to how many different ways Zaven has been used and moved around and Zo's take was that Collins played pretty well at all of them, but that he should be featured more as a pure pass rusher. Zo said that's why he's not putting up sack numbers

'Zo is full of poo. The whole reason he was moved was because he wasn't good enough at where he was drafted to play--and he hasn't played well as a pass rusher either. Another Keim time pick.

 

[Stout]

LOL you've already labeled him for sure.

It's not uncommon for guys who missed virtually all of the off-season to not be contributors.

It's also not uncommon for guys to be less productive when they are surrounded by replacement level players. I say to my Rams fan friend that it's hard to gauge how good any front seven player on the Rams is because of how good Aaron Donald is. The opposite can be true as well.

Ojulari was literally the youngest player in the draft. He still has significant physical growth to go through at 21 years old.

I remember in all of last year and in the off-season how much you panned McBride. That take looks real dumb now. Have some patience.

Thanks for the potshot!

I'm not giving up on him--he's here for the foreseeable future and he absolutely has a chance to develop. Yes, I was wrong on McBride, and happily so. Unfortunately, I'm right on these players not developing far more often. Ojulari has a huge hill to climb to be effective, let alone live up to his draft status. Were he a round or two later, I wouldn't be as down on him. Now we're still left with a great need at the same position. I put that on Monti. If Ojulari doesn't take a big leap next year, it will be bad for our chances.

 

[bankybruce]

I would not be opposed to having King Henry on a team friendly short-term deal.

I think he finds a contender to chase a ring. Guy is 30 and led the league in rushing attempts 4 of the last 5 years. Also worth noting that in 2021, he played only 8 games and was 9th in rushing yards and 10th in rushing attempts. He's been a workhorse and probably ends up in Baltimore or KC. Or could you imagine him and McCaffrey together??? And how is McCaffrey 28 already?