Soap Box 3 of 3: What the Defense needs to do to win me over

[D-Dogg]

To be honest, they've done it already. I'm a defense kind of guy in the first place...but I freaking love this defense to death. They make me have goosebumps every time they take the field. And it is only going to get better.

However...of course....there is a however. They need to do a few things before I'm fully on board with thinking they are as badass as I think I think they are.

First, they MUST start forcing more turnovers. INTs especially. More picks, more fumbles. Sacks are looking good, but it seems like we don't jump routes when it is there.

And they HAVE to avoid quick starts like the Browns got.

And the MAIN thing I need to see before I go into koolaid koma over them is this - and it isn't fair that it needs the offense to put them in this position, but anyway - I need to see them hold a two score lead. And hold it well, consistently. They have proven to be GREAT when down, and getting the ball back. But playing low and playing in the lead are two VERY different mindsets.

Do them both, D.

Thoughts? Agree/disagree and why?

 

[Shane]

I just want to see more TO's totally agree. Especially INT's!

 

[52brandon]

keep in mind both CBs have no NFL experience, our FS was out half the season, our SS is playing with a torn bicep. I think we will only see improvement in the DBs, especially with Rhodes back. Peterson is progressing well, Toler will be back for the #2 spot next season. I have high hopes for our D.... so long as they keep CC, dropping the ball on this situation could wreck the chemistry and deflate the whole unit. The most important move on D is in the front office

 

[D-Dogg]

keep in mind both CBs have no NFL experience, our FS was out half the season, our SS is playing with a torn bicep. I think we will only see improvement in the DBs, especially with Rhodes back. Peterson is progressing well, Toler will be back for the #2 spot next season. I have high hopes for our D.... so long as they keep CC, dropping the ball on this situation could wreck the chemistry and deflate the whole unit. The most important move on D is in the front office

Don't doubt that I am in total happy go joy and happy ending with the D right now.

This is about me going fully koolaid. I'm not there.

It's not about personnel at this point...it is about want to.

I personally think that if given a 10 point or 14 point lead, this D will rock it out like crazy, but we haven't seen it yet. I need to SEE that before I completely give in to what I want to cry at the feet of...

 

[Cardiac]

Good stuff Donald. I would add that the run D needs to step it up some. I know Dumpster Dan is out but even when he was in it's not like stuffing the run was a given.

 

[52brandon]

Don't doubt that I am in total happy go joy and happy ending with the D right now.

This is about me going fully koolaid. I'm not there.

It's not about personnel at this point...it is about want to.

I personally think that if given a 10 point or 14 point lead, this D will rock it out like crazy, but we haven't seen it yet. I need to SEE that before I completely give in to what I want to cry at the feet of...

I agree and disagree. I've stuck by the cards the past 2 seasons when all the "same old cards", "fire the only coach that took us to a SB (and almost won) after one bad attempt at a rebuilding season due to losing the greatest QB this franchise has EVER seen" comments were everywhere. Calais IS very much about personnel. He brings so much to the intensity of this D, him and DD feed off eachother and compliment eachother perfectly, losing him would be a MAJOR setback. I think the sky is the limit with this D, if they stay together. Sadly, we need AW's replacement, he's my favorite player ever, what he's done for this team cannot be measured and I hope he gets put in the front office and his number retired. But the guy is getting old

 

[MadCardDisease]

I need to see consistancy. The last half of the season has been a total transformation. However it has also come against some of the worst offenses in the NFL. For me the key is shutting down the next two opponents.

Still I love what I have seen so far. The playoff years were ruled by the offense. Now we have officially transitioned to a team where the defense is king. Ironically so have the other teams in the NFC West.

 

[52brandon]

I need to see consistancy. The last half of the season has been a total transformation. However it has also come against some of the worst offenses in the NFL. For me the key is shutting down the next two opponents.

Still I love what I have seen so far. The playoff years were ruled by the offense. Now we have officially transitioned to a team where the defense is king. Ironically so have the other teams in the NFC West.

Philly (not to mention brutalizing dog shocker) and Dallas have good offenses. If it weren't for the giants player "giving himself up" (which I watched an identical play last season of the chargers v patriots that was ruled a fumble) and our D-scheme's inability to adjust to Baltimore's HT adjustments, we would have quite a few good offenses as notches in the clubhouse. I believe we're 5 of our last 6, pretty consistent to me. I think if we win sunday, it's a franchise record win streak

 

[82CardsGrad]

I have no doubt that the turnovers will come in due time... right now, we've got PP, AJ Jefferson and Rashad Johnson back in our secondary. With the exception of PP, the other two are not playmakers. And PP will soon begin to feel comfortable enough to jump routes and make plays on the ball he's still too uncertain to make at present.
With Rhodes now being back and playing more, perhaps he can be more of a ball hawk?
And I have to believe that Daryl Washington will continue to improve in his coverage skills and soon begin to show up on passing plays while in coverage...

They key will be to continue to invest in a legit pass rush. Can we FINALLY say that we can bring pressure when only rushing 4 guys, allowing us to keep 7 in coverage?? If so - watch out!!

And lastly, I don't have the stats at my fingertips, but over the past 7 weeks or so, this defense has been lights out in the 2nd half, and particularly in the 4th quarter! THAT is a tremendous indication of where this unit is at and what lies ahead!!

 

[john h]

I have no doubt that the turnovers will come in due time... right now, we've got PP, AJ Jefferson and Rashad Johnson back in our secondary. With the exception of PP, the other two are not playmakers. And PP will soon begin to feel comfortable enough to jump routes and make plays on the ball he's still too uncertain to make at present.
With Rhodes now being back and playing more, perhaps he can be more of a ball hawk?
And I have to believe that Daryl Washington will continue to improve in his coverage skills and soon begin to show up on passing plays while in coverage...

They key will be to continue to invest in a legit pass rush. Can we FINALLY say that we can bring pressure when only rushing 4 guys, allowing us to keep 7 in coverage?? If so - watch out!!

And lastly, I don't have the stats at my fingertips, but over the past 7 weeks or so, this defense has been lights out in the 2nd half, and particularly in the 4th quarter! THAT is a tremendous indication of where this unit is at and what lies ahead!!

My concern is the offense not the defense. We are about as good as it gets for the past 6 games on defense. We still do not know what we have at QB. Until we have a QB that can prove himself over a season we will never win a title of any sort.

 

[oaken1]

I am not too concerned over INT's as I would rather keep seeing PD's.....turnovers behind the line of scrimmage would turn me on...be it the RB or the QB, when we get in the backfield we should be making big plays.......I do not know the numbers but over the past month or so our opponents completion percentage on down field passes has to be very low....keep tight on the run, eliminate big pass plays down field,...disrupt the ball carrier in the backfield to create turnovers.....that is what I want to see......adding a few INT's would just be gravy.


ahhh, yes....would also like to see them pitch a shutout ot two...and maybe not let some teams score until garbage time.

 

[ajcardfan]

Yeah, our leading INT guys have 2, that's not very flashy. But, the DBs have cut WAY down on the amount of space WRs have which has resulted in a lower completion percentage or a quick tackle if completed. Remember how many WIDE OPEN WRs there were in the Carolina, Washington, Giants, etc games? The next step is to jump the routes and make picks. Hopefully, we see that in the last two games, not next season. But, even so, I'm pleased with the progress made.


But, to be honest, the bigger surprise, to me, is how stout how front seven has become against the run. I saw the LBs as the weak link of this defense going into the season and they are playing pretty much lights out. Very rarely out of position and physical in tackles and taking on blockers.

 

[Duckjake]

Actually it is our Field Goal Defense that is responsible for the Cards going 6-1.

 

[Russ Smith]

Yeah definitely more turnovers. They're really good right now but we're not forcing any turnovers yet.

 

[Duckjake]

Yeah, our leading INT guys have 2, that's not very flashy. But, the DBs have cut WAY down on the amount of space WRs have which has resulted in a lower completion percentage or a quick tackle if completed. Remember how many WIDE OPEN WRs there were in the Carolina, Washington, Giants, etc games? The next step is to jump the routes and make picks. Hopefully, we see that in the last two games, not next season. But, even so, I'm pleased with the progress made.


But, to be honest, the bigger surprise, to me, is how stout how front seven has become against the run. I saw the LBs as the weak link of this defense going into the season and they are playing pretty much lights out. Very rarely out of position and physical in tackles and taking on blockers.

It's always interesting how stats can be skewed because the Cards have allowed almost the same amount of rushing yards the last 7 games as they did in the first 7. The big difference in in passing yards with the Cards allowing over 500 yards less the last 7 than the first 7. Yet we all can see that the Cards are playing tougher against running plays.

 

[82CardsGrad]

It's always interesting how stats can be skewed because the Cards have allowed almost the same amount of rushing yards the last 7 games as they did in the first 7. The big difference in in passing yards with the Cards allowing over 500 yards less the last 7 than the first 7. Yet we all can see that the Cards are playing tougher against running plays.

Good point... In the first 7 games, the Cards defense gave up an average of 113 yards per game on the ground. In the last 7 games, that number actually increased to 121 yards per game!!
HOWEVER - in the first 7 games, the defense gave up an average of 277 yards per game in passing. In the last 7 games, that number has plummeted to 203 yards per game!!

Also, in the first 7 games, the Cards defense gave up more than 400 yards in 4 games. In the last 7 games, they ahve only given up 400-plus yards ONCE! That was in the first 9ers game which of course we lost. Which of course is our only loss over the last 7 games...

FWIW: our offense has yet to exceed 400 yards in a game! Even in the Rams game where Beanie went off, we only threw for 106 yards in that game... The closest we've come to putting up 400 yards of offense was in the very first game of the season - 394 yarss...

 

[londonpete]

The one thing I am looking for from the D is a by-product of more turnovers and that is getting the Offense better field position.

The D is getting great at stopping offenses and seem to produce 3 and outs almost at will which I haven't seen for a long long time , but they are just forcing teams to punt and we have faced some great punters...Andy Lee twice, the Rams guy twice, the Eagles and Browns punter boomed some big ones and that has pinned us too deep.

Our offense isn't yet too good at long drives and PP can only produce a few amazing returns so a nice few turnovers to get the O to start at midfield , and at least get us Fgs to get the scoreboard ticking over would be great. Then teams would have to take chances against us, we produce more TOs....

Hopefully it would stop games being so close!

 

[Duckjake]

The one thing I am looking for from the D is a by-product of more turnovers and that is getting the Offense better field position.

The D is getting great at stopping offenses and seem to produce 3 and outs almost at will which I haven't seen for a long long time , but they are just forcing teams to punt and we have faced some great punters...Andy Lee twice, the Rams guy twice, the Eagles and Browns punter boomed some big ones and that has pinned us too deep.

Our offense isn't yet too good at long drives and PP can only produce a few amazing returns so a nice few turnovers to get the O to start at midfield , and at least get us Fgs to get the scoreboard ticking over would be great. Then teams would have to take chances against us, we produce more TOs....

Hopefully it would stop games being so close!

The Cards have nine I think in the last two games including a 3 and FG vs the 49ers when SF started on the AZ 4 yard line. Biggest change of all for the defense. They have really cut back on giving up ridiculous plays on 3rd down.

 

[Vermont Maverick]

Excellent points. Wouldn't change them a bit.

 

[az1965]

I just want to see more TO's totally agree. Especially INT's!

Only 9 ints so far in 14 games (0.6 per game) with a projection of 10 for the season... way too low. We had 17 last year with a poor defense.

 

[az1965]

The defense has given up 3624 yards with 259 YPG and a projection of 4142 yards total for the season. Last season the defense gave up 3881 yards. However, I think most of it was during the early six game losing streak.

For passing TD, we are much better giving up only 14 for the season (1 per game) with a projection of 16 total for the season compared to 22 last year.

 

[Duckjake]

Last year the Cards had a gillion returns for TDs. And sucked as bad as any McGinnis team. Turnovers? Who cares? the Cardinals are just different from any other NFL team in history.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I don't really have a long, drawn out post for this one. I am pretty won over by the defense right now.

I think the INT's and TO will come. Heck, if Adrian Wilson (who is playing great right now) could catch we would have another 3 at least.

Looking at the future.

DE: Campbell
NT: Williams
DE: Dockett

Depth:
Carter
Eason

I really like what Vonnie Holliday has brought to this team depth wise yet he will probably retire, but I think we will have to do better than Ronald Talley depth wise. Other than that our defensive line is in great shape. I'll take this moment to say I am extremely happy with Nick Eason this year.


OLB: Schofield
ILB: Bradley
ILB: Washington
OLB: Acho

Depth:
-----

Schofield is becoming more of a complete player & he needs to become one if Haggans retires, and if Bradley can catch up mentally to what he needs to do, we [gasp] might be in good shape with our 1st team linebacking core. Obviously depth will be an issue.


CB: Peterson
CB: Toler
FS: Rhodes
SS: Wilson

* 3rd DB - Marshall

Depth:
Jefferson
Adams
Johnson

I am pretty happy with our secondary, and I think Toler will fill in as the CB#2 very nicely. There is no doubt Peterson is our number 1 CB, and I am extremely happy about that. I think the only thing missing from this secondary, and I may be saying the wrong thing by "missing" is a back up strong safety. Still angry that Andrew Rich, decided he was not going to play football for a living. Had high hopes for him, but someone with his size, and ability is who the Cardinals should be looking for.

 

[az1965]

We can safely say Bradley was a failed signing. We should either draft middle rounds or get another FA. Lenon should be a solid backup.

We still need a stud pass rushing OLB.

 

[Darkside]

To be honest, they've done it already. I'm a defense kind of guy in the first place...but I freaking love this defense to death. They make me have goosebumps every time they take the field. And it is only going to get better.

However...of course....there is a however. They need to do a few things before I'm fully on board with thinking they are as badass as I think I think they are.

First, they MUST start forcing more turnovers. INTs especially. More picks, more fumbles. Sacks are looking good, but it seems like we don't jump routes when it is there.

And they HAVE to avoid quick starts like the Browns got.

And the MAIN thing I need to see before I go into koolaid koma over them is this - and it isn't fair that it needs the offense to put them in this position, but anyway - I need to see them hold a two score lead. And hold it well, consistently. They have proven to be GREAT when down, and getting the ball back. But playing low and playing in the lead are two VERY different mindsets.

Do them both, D.

Thoughts? Agree/disagree and why?

Like everyone else said, I'd like to see more TO's on D. I'm fine with everything else, but we need to produce more TO's, especially considering our offensive struggles this season. TO's would make a huge difference.