The Result Doesn’t Count and Other Fairy Tales

[Harry]

Second preseason game was worrisome but not fatal. It’s hard to tell what they didn’t have or didn’t want to show. My biggest concern remains Murray. I feel like I’m listening to Allen Iverson when Murray says these games don’t count. The score doesn’t count. Skill improvement surely does. Of course it’s easier to look good when the other team can’t hit you and you’ve seen all your opponents move but it doesn’t yield growth. If Murray doesn’t come around to accepting this, the Cards have a major problem. If he manifests this attitude how does that impact the play of his teammates who need to improve.

I don’t fault Kingsbury for a bland game plan. I do fault him for the hideous execution. Sure they were up against a strong defense, but once again Kingsbury was out coached.

There we a few players who were bad enough to get noticed. Gowan seemed more focused on tackling than preventing receptions. Whittaker was even worse than last week. Williams was slow in coverage. Weaver, who needs to make an impression, missed an open tackle while filling a hole at the line. You just don’t get many chances to impress. Alford looked rusty but showed athleticism. Dimukeje got no closer to a roster slot as the game seemed to move too fast for him. Kirk had a chance to impress but gained no separation. I don’t see in him a player who’s grown much since he was drafted. I know they weren’t all there but for all the talk of an improved offensive line I didn’t see it in either the running or passing game. Several others had less egregious showings, but weren’t worth a comment beyond the tackling overall was atrocious.

There is no doubt the secondary looked weak. Still their performance should look much stronger when the real pass rush plays. That should be the most exciting part of the future.

On the plus side, despite the bad interception, McCoy looked decent. Both reserve backs looked good. Murphy had a nice game, even without the interception. Butler looked okay. Everybody gets beat here and there. I thought the Collins/Simmons combo looked good. You’ve got to cut them some slack being so young, but the potential is huge. I thought Mauro looked like he belonged for depth.

On the whole this looked like the old first of four preseason exhibition games. It’s always critical not to read too much into preseason games. Still I can’t help feeling that Kingsbury blew the preseason last year and I hope this is just not more of the same. I still feel confident the talent and competence the Cards added this offseason will have them contending for a playoff. This should be an explosive offense and a bend but not break defense. I still have a positive feel about the season.

 

[juza76]

Nothing to say about the great streveler?

 

[az jam]

I know that preseason games are meaningless but it was frustrating to watch the starting offense do nothing.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Alford looked rusty but showed athleticism.

I was surprised by his play

His biggest problem is being injured

 

[AZman5103]

The difference was Iverson was a HOFer that carried his entire team on his back.

Murray plays poorly and the pouts like a baby. He seems just as interested in being a video game streamer than he does an NFL qb. Doesn't like to run, get hit, play in preseason, etc. What he does seem to like is everyone treating him like he is the 2nd coming...and blaming other people for his mistakes

 

[RON_IN_OC]

I was surprised by his play

His biggest problem is being injured

I thought Alford made a couple nice plays on a screen and on a run...Tackled well at, or behind the LOS. Something most Cards CB's are usually allergic to.

 

[slanidrac16]

When I see Kyler scramble to his right and then run out of bounds for a two yard loss I cringe. It’s down right dumb not to just throw the ball away.
When I see Conner try to bounce outside instead of putting his head down a getting a couple of yards, I cringe. Again it’s stupid. It was 2nd and 3. Should be thinking first down.
I see a lack of communication and/or the understanding of the offense.

 

[Snakester]

The starters need to play the first half or until they show they are in sync. It’s one thing if the starters come out if they are playing well but the way they played against KC they should have not come off the field until they deserved it. I believe in tough coaching not babying players.

 

[Russ Smith]

When I see Kyler scramble to his right and then run out of bounds for a two yard loss I cringe. It’s down right dumb not to just throw the ball away.
When I see Conner try to bounce outside instead of putting his head down a getting a couple of yards, I cringe. Again it’s stupid. It was 2nd and 3. Should be thinking first down.
I see a lack of communication and/or the understanding of the offense.

That play bugged me too because it's not like he's avoiding contact because its' preseason, he wasn't going to get hit there if he just threw the ball out of bounds. he has to learn that losing 2 yards for no reason is bad

 

[Jetstream Green]

I have made my opinion known that after years of watching pro ball the preseason does not give much of a indication of what a team looks like, but holy freaking WT^ when your starting offense cannot get just one freaking first down. Think about that. Well, I did and I am sure you did. Look, I do not think this spread offense to a college extreme is going to work. There is just not enough space and pro athletes even when fooled can still make the distance up on defense to stifle that. Kliff needs to ask himself if he's about winning on the pro level or being the patron saint of a spread college offense that actually worked in the NFL. Drop the freaking obsession Kliff, when you implemented more runs and got out of the damn WR galore package, this offense was moving on the ground without Kyler having to offer his body to sacrificial hits. Dump this college crap as a full definition of your approach and just pepper your offense with that because it does not work and Kyler needs to suck it up and start taking some snaps under center because we really do have enough talent to make the playoffs even in the NFC West

 

[Russ Smith]

I have made my opinion known that after years of watching pro ball the preseason does not give much of a indication of what a team looks like, but holy freaking WT^ when your starting offense cannot get just one freaking first down. Think about that. Well, I did and I am sure you did. Look, I do not think this spread offense to a college extreme is going to work. There is just not enough space and pro athletes even when fooled can still make the distance up on defense to stifle that. Kliff needs to ask himself if he's about winning on the pro level or being the patron saint of a spread college offense that actually worked in the NFL. Drop the freaking obsession Kliff, when you implemented more runs and got out of the damn WR galore package, this offense was moving on the ground without Kyler having to offer his body to sacrificial hits. Dump this college crap as a full definition of your approach and just pepper your offense with that because it does not work and Kyler needs to suck it up and start taking some snaps under center because we really do have enough talent to make the playoffs even in the NFC West

One of the points made in the first game is they think Kyler WILL be taking more snaps under center this year. That part of why he didn't last year seemed related to the absence of an NFL caliber C, now that we have Hudson they trust him to control the middle more.

 

[kerouac9]

That play bugged me too because it's not like he's avoiding contact because its' preseason, he wasn't going to get hit there if he just threw the ball out of bounds. he has to learn that losing 2 yards for no reason is bad

I think we have to start taking about Murray’s fitness and stamina. His 8-yard run was followed by a give up play up the middle to Conner. Seems to happen often that Kyler needs a play or two to reset after these scrambles and it put us off schedule again.

After the 2-yard loss on the scramble it was a huge sack.

 

[Russ Smith]

I think we have to start taking about Murray’s fitness and stamina. His 8-yard run was followed by a give up play up the middle to Conner. Seems to happen often that Kyler needs a play or two to reset after these scrambles and it put us off schedule again.

After the 2-yard loss on the scramble it was a huge sack.

I don't blame him for the Conner play if Conner goes forward and gets the tough yards that's a first down. He tried to get cute and didn't get anything.

But taking a loss when you can just Russell Wilson the ball forward out of bounds and lose nothing bugs me. It's preseason like the pick that Mahomes threw that he probably doesn't throw in a real game, but kyler has done that same move in multiple real games, he has to learn on that. 2 yards is huge in the NFL.

 

[SissyBoyFloyd]

my main concern is if Murry can throw the ball down field. Its either just the boring weak play calling or Kyler just seems incapable of trying to throw deep to loosen up the other team's D. We have a great squad of WRs, but don't seem to use them. For God's sake quit the dam 3-6 yard passes on 1 and 2nd downs and sling the dang thing. We have a great dump off guy now we drafted in Moore, but he will be useless if we don't throw deeper passes to spread out their backfields. We shouldn't have to wait until we are behind by double digits or there is only half of the 4th quarter left before we open it up.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

The difference was Iverson was a HOFer that carried his entire team on his back.

Murray plays poorly and the pouts like a baby. He seems just as interested in being a video game streamer than he does an NFL qb. Doesn't like to run, get hit, play in preseason, etc. What he does seem to like is everyone treating him like he is the 2nd coming...and blaming other people for his mistakes

Never seen him blame others.

for not liking to run he sure piled up a ton of yards running last year.

and my god the video game silliness again?

and btw, Murray may not be a HOF at this point but he is a ROY and pro bowler and has carried this team to their victories for two years now.

 

[Stout]

my main concern is if Murry can throw the ball down field. Its either just the boring weak play calling or Kyler just seems incapable of trying to throw deep to loosen up the other team's D. We have a great squad of WRs, but don't seem to use them. For God's sake quit the dam 3-6 yard passes on 1 and 2nd downs and sling the dang thing. We have a great dump off guy now we drafted in Moore, but he will be useless if we don't throw deeper passes to spread out their backfields. We shouldn't have to wait until we are behind by double digits or there is only half of the 4th quarter left before we open it up.

That is 100 percent pollyanna hope. We MIGHT have a good WR corps, and we might have a lousy one. We have one star, for certain. Then we have an aged has-been who we hope can be again, a guy who can't catch a cold, it seems, and a rookie who could never stay healthy in college. Kirk I have little hope for. Ditto Green, because father time always wins. People are going nuts for Rondale, but I'll wait for him to prove it, and to catch a pass more than five yards down the field.

The WRs and RBs in particular, on offense, coupled with KK, have me worried.

 

[blindseyed]

On a good note I really liked Simmons and Collins , if they keep on track we could have a really nice LB duo there

 

[football karma]

When I see Kyler scramble to his right and then run out of bounds for a two yard loss I cringe. It’s down right dumb not to just throw the ball away.

by year 3 this shouldnt be happening

 

[football karma]

my biggest issue from Game 2: the starting offensive line got worked. KC has one very good player, and then standard NFL guys. Edmonds/ Connor probably averaged sub 3 yards a carry

for all the angst about KK's passing scheme and K1s choices:

if a defense can play nickel, keep 2 safeties high and the opposing offense can't make them pay by running the ball for 4+ yards a carry ----- the offense isn't going to be very productive or consistent.

 

[CFLredzoned]

When I see Kyler scramble to his right and then run out of bounds for a two yard loss I cringe. It’s down right dumb not to just throw the ball away.

Its almost passive aggressive because he knows he's doing it.

 

[QuebecCard]

When I see Kyler scramble to his right and then run out of bounds for a two yard loss I cringe. It’s down right dumb not to just throw the ball away.
When I see Conner try to bounce outside instead of putting his head down a getting a couple of yards, I cringe. Again it’s stupid. It was 2nd and 3. Should be thinking first down.
I see a lack of communication and/or the understanding of the offense.

Jones got blown up in the hole. There was nowhere for Conner to go.

 

[football karma]

one more thing and then I am flushing Fri night frustration:

for all the talk of leadership, when your offensive leader (K1) basically says preseason games "are a something that doesn't matter / I would rather not play them" --

dont be surprised that the other 10 guys treat it the same way.

 

[az jam]

my biggest issue from Game 2: the starting offensive line got worked. KC has one very good player, and then standard NFL guys. Edmonds/ Connor probably averaged sub 3 yards a carry

for all the angst about KK's passing scheme and K1s choices:

if a defense can play nickel, keep 2 safeties high and the opposing offense can't make them pay by running the ball for 4+ yards a carry ----- the offense isn't going to be very productive or consistent.

This is a very good point. Kyler had no time at all in the pocket, the KC defense was instantly on him. Bottom line is that the starting OL really sucked.

 

[kerouac9]

On a good note I really liked Simmons and Collins , if they keep on track we could have a really nice LB duo there

This could be an example of good communication misinterpreted, but people are constantly talking to Isaiah Simmons pre-snap and making sure he’s in position. People across the defense were gesturing to him on that out route he cut short on third and long.
I’m certain he has A LOT to do in this defense; just hope he creates a mental structure to carry it all faster. He came from inside the box and closed out a Mecole Hardman out route to force fourth down.

 

[kerouac9]

my biggest issue from Game 2: the starting offensive line got worked. KC has one very good player, and then standard NFL guys. Edmonds/ Connor probably averaged sub 3 yards a carry

for all the angst about KK's passing scheme and K1s choices:

if a defense can play nickel, keep 2 safeties high and the opposing offense can't make them pay by running the ball for 4+ yards a carry ----- the offense isn't going to be very productive or consistent.

I think Michael Lombardi is pretty much a blowhard, but he always says the most important player in the spread offense is the RB, because he has to keep the defense honest with little extra blocking. I don’t think Edmonds or Conner are that special, but maybe Edmonds shows more once the games start to count.