Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
The Good News
Before I list specifics, one general observation. Tune should start every game until Murray returns. McCoy is a known commodity, since the Cards are going nowhere this season they have to find out what they have in Tune. Everyone is assuming if Murray doesn’t hold up the Cards will take Williams or Maye if they have one of the top 2 picks. If Tune is the real deal, they could grab Harrison and a top defensive player or trade a pick after they get Harrison. Frankly the Cards are less likely to win early games with Tune, so a better draft spot probably results. Even if he’s good he’ll make rookie mistakes. If Tune needs more seasoning they could play Murray in 2025 and then trade him. Tune said he was the best drafted QB and so far he could be right. His fits this offense, possibly better than Murray who will have to adjust. Tune seems to have a very secure ego so he’s unlikely to be ruined by starting early.
As to the game, Tune again looked very sound for a rookie. Tune does so much right already it’s shocking. Even if the first rusher comes free Tune is rarely thrown for a loss. He knows where his safety outlet is and he uses it effectively. He’s very agile and can shake off weak hits. He backpedals with such poise and patience, he looks like a veteran. He loops out of the backfield when pressured and this week sometimes pulled up to throw. He didn’t do that last week. If that’s a game film correction, it’s an amazingly rapid adjustment. When he’s running for more than just the boundary, he tucks the ball. He exhibits excellent arm strength and continues to excel at ball placement. Nobody’s perfect at that but he’s already very good. He takes what the defense gives him, which is rare in a rookie. He does need work on a few things. He continues to overthrow short receivers and the Cards have a bunch. Baccellia seems to be the exception that proves the rule. He ran out of bounds on a clear offsides rather than taking a low percentage throw. He was late on out routes, but getting more accustomed to receiver speed should reduce that. I do wonder about receivers approaching the boundary who don’t adjust routes when Tune has been flushed out or pressured.
Dortch should start. Watkins and Luketa looked efficient in limited play. Ingram locked up the backup slot IMO. Prater still has a big leg. Hairston showed good tackling form, which was all too rare. The tight end blocking was sound. On the whole the offensive play calling and design was very good. There were no stupid calls, but I’m not sure about the Moore catch. Did he know where the line to make was?
The Bad News
The tacking was bad. Pappoe, Matthew and Simmons were especially poor tacklers. Simmons had a terrible game and looked totally lost. I’ve come back to my opinion that he’d best be used as a situational pass rusher. Pass coverage was weak. Matthew doesn’t belong on the field; neither does Chachere. Clark looked like a rookie. McMichael looked stiff and awkward in coverage. Hamilton should be starting. Hayes had another concentration lapse that caused a penalty. Togiai made a costly drop. For the entire game there was little if any pressure on the passer. On the whole the defense is desperately thin personnel-wise. The first unit played decently, but if injuries hit, this defense could collapse.
In general, the team came prepared to play. They played hard. They were not as disciplined as game one. This will be a good test of the coaching staff’s ability to get them back to game one level of self control. Of course they were playing a much better team. So far the coaching has been sound.
Before I list specifics, one general observation. Tune should start every game until Murray returns. McCoy is a known commodity, since the Cards are going nowhere this season they have to find out what they have in Tune. Everyone is assuming if Murray doesn’t hold up the Cards will take Williams or Maye if they have one of the top 2 picks. If Tune is the real deal, they could grab Harrison and a top defensive player or trade a pick after they get Harrison. Frankly the Cards are less likely to win early games with Tune, so a better draft spot probably results. Even if he’s good he’ll make rookie mistakes. If Tune needs more seasoning they could play Murray in 2025 and then trade him. Tune said he was the best drafted QB and so far he could be right. His fits this offense, possibly better than Murray who will have to adjust. Tune seems to have a very secure ego so he’s unlikely to be ruined by starting early.
As to the game, Tune again looked very sound for a rookie. Tune does so much right already it’s shocking. Even if the first rusher comes free Tune is rarely thrown for a loss. He knows where his safety outlet is and he uses it effectively. He’s very agile and can shake off weak hits. He backpedals with such poise and patience, he looks like a veteran. He loops out of the backfield when pressured and this week sometimes pulled up to throw. He didn’t do that last week. If that’s a game film correction, it’s an amazingly rapid adjustment. When he’s running for more than just the boundary, he tucks the ball. He exhibits excellent arm strength and continues to excel at ball placement. Nobody’s perfect at that but he’s already very good. He takes what the defense gives him, which is rare in a rookie. He does need work on a few things. He continues to overthrow short receivers and the Cards have a bunch. Baccellia seems to be the exception that proves the rule. He ran out of bounds on a clear offsides rather than taking a low percentage throw. He was late on out routes, but getting more accustomed to receiver speed should reduce that. I do wonder about receivers approaching the boundary who don’t adjust routes when Tune has been flushed out or pressured.
Dortch should start. Watkins and Luketa looked efficient in limited play. Ingram locked up the backup slot IMO. Prater still has a big leg. Hairston showed good tackling form, which was all too rare. The tight end blocking was sound. On the whole the offensive play calling and design was very good. There were no stupid calls, but I’m not sure about the Moore catch. Did he know where the line to make was?
The Bad News
The tacking was bad. Pappoe, Matthew and Simmons were especially poor tacklers. Simmons had a terrible game and looked totally lost. I’ve come back to my opinion that he’d best be used as a situational pass rusher. Pass coverage was weak. Matthew doesn’t belong on the field; neither does Chachere. Clark looked like a rookie. McMichael looked stiff and awkward in coverage. Hamilton should be starting. Hayes had another concentration lapse that caused a penalty. Togiai made a costly drop. For the entire game there was little if any pressure on the passer. On the whole the defense is desperately thin personnel-wise. The first unit played decently, but if injuries hit, this defense could collapse.
In general, the team came prepared to play. They played hard. They were not as disciplined as game one. This will be a good test of the coaching staff’s ability to get them back to game one level of self control. Of course they were playing a much better team. So far the coaching has been sound.
