JeffGollin
ASFN Icon
This team isn't deficient in talent; nor is it lacking in effort or heart. It's a more physical team than I can remember and it seems to feel pretty good about itself compared to other seasons.
That's why they aren't the "same old Cardinals."
But here's one reason they still are - Mistakes.
Without boring you with all the specific miscues, I'd like to see Coach W and his team spend the next 13 days cleaning up the following:
- Kickoff coverage (On that one long return, you could see nearly all our guys peeling left away from the direction of the wedge. The wedge literally had thin air to block).
- Coach to QB Communication - Two "delay of game calls on Warner. (One occurred at the start of the quarter - Kurt and Ken had plenty of time on the sideline between quarters to determine the play).
- Downfield Blocking by Receivers & TE's - It's not that Fitz and Pope aren't willing to block, it's that they don't do it very well and wind up with holding calls.
- Ball Protection - Kurt's brace notwithstanding, we're not going to win many games where we cough up the ball and the other guys run it in for a TD. If it means Warner has to curl up in the fetal position a second earlier, it may not look pretty but it might save a game or two.
- Field Goal and XP Accuracy - If Neil has a head problem, he should visit a shrink (as often as he needs to). And if kicking 100 consecutive successful FG's in practice isn't improving his game-day percentage, maybe he should up that number to 500 - if that's what it takes.
And whether his holder is Barr, Morey or anyone else - he should be out there with Neil for all 500 (or more) practice snaps until bothof them can do it blindfolded.
(Note - Fitzy tends to "challenge the refs" a little by stretching out the ball when he thinks his knee is on the ground. Problem is: the officials don't always see it that way, and he's been burnt at least once. If he's going to continue doing it, he must learn to be a bit more careful).
Here's the deal: For every big play our guys make, there's another play where we screw things up. (Bzzzzz!!!!) Not good enough - getting it right 50% of the time makes us a .500 football team.
Cut our mistakes in half and we'd approach .750.
Until then, the mistakes this team continues to make represents a "same old/same old" carry-over. Eliminate or reduce them and perhaps we can finally shed that tiresome label.
That's why they aren't the "same old Cardinals."
But here's one reason they still are - Mistakes.
Without boring you with all the specific miscues, I'd like to see Coach W and his team spend the next 13 days cleaning up the following:
- Kickoff coverage (On that one long return, you could see nearly all our guys peeling left away from the direction of the wedge. The wedge literally had thin air to block).
- Coach to QB Communication - Two "delay of game calls on Warner. (One occurred at the start of the quarter - Kurt and Ken had plenty of time on the sideline between quarters to determine the play).
- Downfield Blocking by Receivers & TE's - It's not that Fitz and Pope aren't willing to block, it's that they don't do it very well and wind up with holding calls.
- Ball Protection - Kurt's brace notwithstanding, we're not going to win many games where we cough up the ball and the other guys run it in for a TD. If it means Warner has to curl up in the fetal position a second earlier, it may not look pretty but it might save a game or two.
- Field Goal and XP Accuracy - If Neil has a head problem, he should visit a shrink (as often as he needs to). And if kicking 100 consecutive successful FG's in practice isn't improving his game-day percentage, maybe he should up that number to 500 - if that's what it takes.
And whether his holder is Barr, Morey or anyone else - he should be out there with Neil for all 500 (or more) practice snaps until bothof them can do it blindfolded.
(Note - Fitzy tends to "challenge the refs" a little by stretching out the ball when he thinks his knee is on the ground. Problem is: the officials don't always see it that way, and he's been burnt at least once. If he's going to continue doing it, he must learn to be a bit more careful).
Here's the deal: For every big play our guys make, there's another play where we screw things up. (Bzzzzz!!!!) Not good enough - getting it right 50% of the time makes us a .500 football team.
Cut our mistakes in half and we'd approach .750.
Until then, the mistakes this team continues to make represents a "same old/same old" carry-over. Eliminate or reduce them and perhaps we can finally shed that tiresome label.
Last edited:
