Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
Considering the historic failure of this franchise it shouldn’t be surprising that the fan base includes a sizable number of optimists or they wouldn‘t keep selling all those tickets. I’m sure several of them will object to this post. However, IMO, they continue to be victims of wishful thinking.
I’ll be told the Cards are 2-2, not great, but not a cause for major alarm. My concern is simple. Sunday I saw one of the worst performances by a Cardinal team that I have witnessed. This is a bad team, though not all bad. However I don’t see the playoffs in their future. First, consider who they have beaten; quite possibly the 2 worst teams in the league. Second, consider it took until the second half of the fourth game for the Cards even to acquire a lead during regulation time. Third, if this isn’t the worst play calling and play design you’ve seen, I’m surprised you still view football. Assuming they are not decimated by injury, the team will get better when Hopkins returns. Just not enough better for a successful season.
Certainly the defense has exceeded expectations, though I don’t see them beating many teams that have a good passing offense. The Cards’ offense is perhaps the most predictable I’ve seen. Consider the use of Rondale Moore. The Cards have been saying how his absence has limited the offense’s options. Yet, Sunday did we see any impact plays by Moore? In fact, they weren’t even really attempted unless you count those weird behind the line calls. Dortch, who has been one of the few offense threats, was largely ignored except for punt returns. They finally did run Murray some, but not enough. The Cards’ offensive alignments and personnel packages virtually telegraphed what the play would be. Thus Carolina often seemed to be in the perfect defensive alignment for almost every play. I’ve covered elsewhere issues of red zone strategy and timeout usage. The level of chaos is staggering. So much so it appeared at one point Murray and Kingsbury were shouting at each other.
Next week the Cards play the Eagles. The Eagles are undefeated, but looked terrible last Sunday. That said, this figures to be a bad matchup for the Cards. The Eagles dropped an incredible number of passes. Hurts is not a great passer, but he’s decent and a solid rushing threat. If they don’t keep him contained he’ll burn them. AJ Brown will required safety assistance over the top. They use 3 WRs often, employing numerous crossing routes to confuse the CBs. He’s a special player, like Hopkins. The Eagles defense was sound against both the rush and the pass. The Eagles got penetration and constantly harassed Lawrence. If the Cards start slowly again, they will risk getting blown out.
I don’t see a path to victory in this game. The Eagles are a far better team than expected. They are well coached and even if the Cards take a step forward it won’t likely be enough.
I’ll be told the Cards are 2-2, not great, but not a cause for major alarm. My concern is simple. Sunday I saw one of the worst performances by a Cardinal team that I have witnessed. This is a bad team, though not all bad. However I don’t see the playoffs in their future. First, consider who they have beaten; quite possibly the 2 worst teams in the league. Second, consider it took until the second half of the fourth game for the Cards even to acquire a lead during regulation time. Third, if this isn’t the worst play calling and play design you’ve seen, I’m surprised you still view football. Assuming they are not decimated by injury, the team will get better when Hopkins returns. Just not enough better for a successful season.
Certainly the defense has exceeded expectations, though I don’t see them beating many teams that have a good passing offense. The Cards’ offense is perhaps the most predictable I’ve seen. Consider the use of Rondale Moore. The Cards have been saying how his absence has limited the offense’s options. Yet, Sunday did we see any impact plays by Moore? In fact, they weren’t even really attempted unless you count those weird behind the line calls. Dortch, who has been one of the few offense threats, was largely ignored except for punt returns. They finally did run Murray some, but not enough. The Cards’ offensive alignments and personnel packages virtually telegraphed what the play would be. Thus Carolina often seemed to be in the perfect defensive alignment for almost every play. I’ve covered elsewhere issues of red zone strategy and timeout usage. The level of chaos is staggering. So much so it appeared at one point Murray and Kingsbury were shouting at each other.
Next week the Cards play the Eagles. The Eagles are undefeated, but looked terrible last Sunday. That said, this figures to be a bad matchup for the Cards. The Eagles dropped an incredible number of passes. Hurts is not a great passer, but he’s decent and a solid rushing threat. If they don’t keep him contained he’ll burn them. AJ Brown will required safety assistance over the top. They use 3 WRs often, employing numerous crossing routes to confuse the CBs. He’s a special player, like Hopkins. The Eagles defense was sound against both the rush and the pass. The Eagles got penetration and constantly harassed Lawrence. If the Cards start slowly again, they will risk getting blown out.
I don’t see a path to victory in this game. The Eagles are a far better team than expected. They are well coached and even if the Cards take a step forward it won’t likely be enough.
