Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
1. Kolb: something is wrong when you stack the T and TE to block T-Sizzle and he goes wide of BOTH of them and still has a direct shot at the QB. As many of us have been stating, Kolb sets the back edge of the pocket too deep and then his instinct under pressure is not to step up---but to run wide or backwards---by then he has distanced himself so far from his WRs that finding them and throwing to them moving way wide or backward is almost impossible.
The problem for the blockers is that as deep as Kolb stations himself it makes it all the more difficult to fan and ride. Yes, as we know the Cardinals' tackles are not even average pass protectors---but protecting an unconventional QB who avoids stepping into the pocket makes it much worse.
Kolb's decision making and execution in the second half was abysmal. With a lead---he at least should be conscious of not turning the ball over---but, look at HOW he turned the ball over---his play was reckless---look at the way he threw the ball up for grabs (lucky the second interception was called back on an iffy call)---and how about the way he exposed the ball on his scramble---that was a gift-wrapped fumble and it ruined the game and the Cardinals best chances.
Then we learn he had trouble planting the whole second half---well, if you can't plant and all you do is throw of the back foot or running backward---what chances did the Cardinals have?
2. Whisenhunt: again---playing an injured player to the detriment of the team. Again, running an offense that tips off the snap and puts no pressure on the opposing defense as virtually all the throws are dinks and dunks with an occasional; 15 yard out pass to Fitz.
By the way---watching the Cardinals' offense, do you ever get the sense of what they are trying to do? Every pass play looks like a version of the one before it---a lot of short hooks, drags, outs---overloading zones---with occasional seam passes.
And for those who think the Cardinals lack talent on offense---this just isn't so. They have good talent and depth at the skill positions (take LSH for example, who is grossly under-utilized)---but it's wasted talent because of the system and the inconsistent, ragged performance from the QB.
Going back to the Steeler game---did you see that the Pats found themselves threatening the Steelers late in the game when they scored with 2:30 left to make it 23-17. Belichick had all 3 TOs like Whisenhunt did---and Belichick wasn't even TWO scores behind. Do you think Belichick elected to eschew the on-side kick? Not a chance. The Pats' on-side attempt failed---but it was by far the right call. As Herm Edwards says, "You play to win the game."
The Cardinals were TWO scores down---same scenario (time and TOs) and kick off deep. That is how hapless this HC is.
3. Skelton: while it would be very interesting to see what Kevin Kolb would look like playing for a HC who will not allow Kolb's bad habits---and while Kolb's instincts indicate he lacks the mettle and the hunger to do what it takes to win---there's no sense giving up on him completely at this point. However, it may do Kolb some good to watch a game from the sidelines---especially to see like we all will what the offense looks like with a QB who will define and step up into the pocket.
Skelton is apt to be rusty---but---I think we will see a noticeable difference in what a poised QB can do---and if Skelton can get into a rhythm, who knows? But to expect that from him after not playing for the last 8 weeks would be naive.
The whole offense will look calmer with Skelton in there. Right now this offense needs a calm presence.
4. Patrick Peterson. Once he learns to come off the press with the idea of beating his man to the ball, he is going to be Charles Woodson-esque. Too bad he got a little handsy with Boldin on the attempted TD pass, because had Peterson tried to beat Q to the ball, he could have intercepted that pass...on what was one of the key plays of the game.
The CB coverage was better, Jefferson too---save for, mostly in Jefferson's case, not playing the ball (and some great catches on near perfect throws---Q's one hander, Smith's go pass late---but there is some real progress being made there and the CB could start to become one of the real strengths, particularly if Schofield and Acho keep stepping up.
5. Michael Adams: sure, like all slot CBs he is not going to defend every pass---but the Cardinal defense is better whenever he is on the field because he tackles with authority and it sets the tempo for all the other players. And you know what? Adams dogged TE Ed Dickson pretty well in that second half---especially considering the heigh disadvantage. How about the pass up the seam in Dickson's hands that Adams punched out. Nice!
Marshall is close to becoming a good player---that is if and when he stops over-reacting and over-thinking and starts to play on instincts and when he gets a little more physical in his press coverage. His coverage on Torrey Smith's go pass was good---had Marshall pressed him better that's an incomplete pass.
6. Feely: back to being clutch.
The problem for the blockers is that as deep as Kolb stations himself it makes it all the more difficult to fan and ride. Yes, as we know the Cardinals' tackles are not even average pass protectors---but protecting an unconventional QB who avoids stepping into the pocket makes it much worse.
Kolb's decision making and execution in the second half was abysmal. With a lead---he at least should be conscious of not turning the ball over---but, look at HOW he turned the ball over---his play was reckless---look at the way he threw the ball up for grabs (lucky the second interception was called back on an iffy call)---and how about the way he exposed the ball on his scramble---that was a gift-wrapped fumble and it ruined the game and the Cardinals best chances.
Then we learn he had trouble planting the whole second half---well, if you can't plant and all you do is throw of the back foot or running backward---what chances did the Cardinals have?
2. Whisenhunt: again---playing an injured player to the detriment of the team. Again, running an offense that tips off the snap and puts no pressure on the opposing defense as virtually all the throws are dinks and dunks with an occasional; 15 yard out pass to Fitz.
By the way---watching the Cardinals' offense, do you ever get the sense of what they are trying to do? Every pass play looks like a version of the one before it---a lot of short hooks, drags, outs---overloading zones---with occasional seam passes.
And for those who think the Cardinals lack talent on offense---this just isn't so. They have good talent and depth at the skill positions (take LSH for example, who is grossly under-utilized)---but it's wasted talent because of the system and the inconsistent, ragged performance from the QB.
Going back to the Steeler game---did you see that the Pats found themselves threatening the Steelers late in the game when they scored with 2:30 left to make it 23-17. Belichick had all 3 TOs like Whisenhunt did---and Belichick wasn't even TWO scores behind. Do you think Belichick elected to eschew the on-side kick? Not a chance. The Pats' on-side attempt failed---but it was by far the right call. As Herm Edwards says, "You play to win the game."
The Cardinals were TWO scores down---same scenario (time and TOs) and kick off deep. That is how hapless this HC is.
3. Skelton: while it would be very interesting to see what Kevin Kolb would look like playing for a HC who will not allow Kolb's bad habits---and while Kolb's instincts indicate he lacks the mettle and the hunger to do what it takes to win---there's no sense giving up on him completely at this point. However, it may do Kolb some good to watch a game from the sidelines---especially to see like we all will what the offense looks like with a QB who will define and step up into the pocket.
Skelton is apt to be rusty---but---I think we will see a noticeable difference in what a poised QB can do---and if Skelton can get into a rhythm, who knows? But to expect that from him after not playing for the last 8 weeks would be naive.
The whole offense will look calmer with Skelton in there. Right now this offense needs a calm presence.
4. Patrick Peterson. Once he learns to come off the press with the idea of beating his man to the ball, he is going to be Charles Woodson-esque. Too bad he got a little handsy with Boldin on the attempted TD pass, because had Peterson tried to beat Q to the ball, he could have intercepted that pass...on what was one of the key plays of the game.
The CB coverage was better, Jefferson too---save for, mostly in Jefferson's case, not playing the ball (and some great catches on near perfect throws---Q's one hander, Smith's go pass late---but there is some real progress being made there and the CB could start to become one of the real strengths, particularly if Schofield and Acho keep stepping up.
5. Michael Adams: sure, like all slot CBs he is not going to defend every pass---but the Cardinal defense is better whenever he is on the field because he tackles with authority and it sets the tempo for all the other players. And you know what? Adams dogged TE Ed Dickson pretty well in that second half---especially considering the heigh disadvantage. How about the pass up the seam in Dickson's hands that Adams punched out. Nice!
Marshall is close to becoming a good player---that is if and when he stops over-reacting and over-thinking and starts to play on instincts and when he gets a little more physical in his press coverage. His coverage on Torrey Smith's go pass was good---had Marshall pressed him better that's an incomplete pass.
6. Feely: back to being clutch.
