Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
1. Can anyone make sense of the Teryl Austin DC signing by the Florida Gators? Where's the connection?
If one looks at the job he did with the Cardinals DBs the past few years, the results are decidedly mixed:
The Positives:
a) Developing DRC into a Pro Bowl caliber CB...although I think we all recognize that DRC is far too inconsistent to be worthy of this honor so early in his career. While he at times is an electrifying presence, he also is a significant liability in the tackling aspects of his job and is still very prone to biting on fakes. But, Austin, IMO, deserves credit for helping DRC develop thus far. We cannot expect DRC to have a polished game at this point.
b) Developing Antrel Rolle into a solid FS. His progress was readily apparent this year. Again, like DRC, he really doesn't deserve Pro Bowl status, but he's been steadily improving his game.
c) Although we only got a small glimpse of Greg Toler in the playoffs, he looks pretty sound technique and effort wise. One has to wonder, hey, why so late?
d) Matt Ware was much improved at nickel safety this year and was missed when he was injured.
The Negatives:
a) Both Bryant McFadden and Rod Hood struggled mightily under Austin's watch...as neither of them ever seemed to understand that seeing the ball is a part of playing defense. Despite their struggles, the younger players sat anyway.
b) Adrian Wilson---for a Pro Bowl safety---has repeatedly shown poor technique and effort in man-to-man pass coverage---and he still is a liability in space. This year he made the Pro Bowl on reputation and the fact that when he's put in intermediate zones he still can pick passes and deliver big hits.
c) Rashad Johnson---for a player whom Nick Saban called "the smartest player I've ever coached" to be left out in the playoffs with a glaring need at FS...in favor of a player who was on the roster for two weeks---sorry but something's wrong here. Plus, I went back and watched the Packer game he started in Week 17 for the third time just to see once again if my eyes were deceiving me, and I have to tell I saw no dropoff at FS from Antrel Rolle in this game. Johnson made good reads most of the time, made good clean tackles in the open field (only missing one) and took good angles in deep coverage (he got beat over the top once when he covered a wide open Jermichael Finley on a seam route (but, because Finley was so open, Johnson does not deserve the blame on that one).
d) Michael Adams and Ralph Brown looked so poorly prepared, utilized and coached in the playoffs...as well as the whole secondary in general...it was really embarrassing.
It's amazing to me that a guy who really, in light of the way his unit stunk in the playoffs, could from seemingly out of nowehere land the Florida DC job, especially in light of his inexperience as a DC, his so-so performance as a DB coach and the fact that Florida could attract a far more high profile and successful coach for that job.
2. I was wondering if Aeneas Williams would be interested in becoming the new DB coach. I know he's a minister in Missouri, and might be fully committed to his calling there. But, wow, imagine what he could do with DRC and Toler.
The other guy I am very curious about is Doug Plank, who was the asst. DB coach with the Jets this past year, recently let go (not sure why other than economics). Plank is such a smart guy and having spent the year coaching those Jets' DB and how aggressive a good they were, could be a real boon to the Cardinals.
3. The last several DCs who won Super Bowls:
2010: Greg Williams
2009: Dick LeBeau
2008: Steve Spagnuolo
2007: Tony Dungy (in essence)
2006: Dick LeBeau
2005: Bill Billichick (in essence)
My point is you really need established DCs to get this job done...or a HC who really runs the defensive shots. This is why I am still bewlildered as to why Whiz, an offensive coach, wouldn't do all he could to put the defense in the hands of someone with the right pedigree.
That said, if Bill Davis is retained as DC, we have to hope his learning curve is high because...he did show some innovative game plans versus the Giants and Vikings, but his game plans in the playoffs were sadly poor, woefully poor. It does not bode real confidence moving forward, unless Davis somehow can reschool himself in what it means to play playoff caliber aggressive defense.
4. It's looking more and more like the Cardinals may be losing two #1 draft picks (Rolle and Leinart) and 2 #2 draft picks (Boldin and Dansby) without any compensation (unless the team can get something for Boldin in a trade this year, which as of today seems to mean accepting a third round draft pick, possibly the 1st one in the 3rd round (#65) from the Bears---who offered the #49 (2nd round) last year.
The reality is, IMO, none of them are worth the money they want or will ask for...which puts the Cardinals in a very difficult position of either to overpay for them or let them go.
I know this opinion is unpopular, but I do believe that none of the four players are worth going forward with if it means overpaying them. Rolle is a marginal FS, yet is a playmaker, but is better suited to play SS...which we already just payed AW handsomely to play for the next few years.
Leinart is a poor fit for this offense...simply because he lacks the big arm and quick release...it really is as simple as that.
Dansby is one of the more over-rated players in the NFL. He doesn't play consistently tough, and far too may big plays happen to his side.
Anquan Boldin is tough, no question, but he won't take advantage of John Lott, and thus is often hurt. Enough already. Go get your game somewhere else. The thing is too, he puts pressure on the QBs because he's high maintenance and needs his touches. To me he has evolved into the epitome of the selfish WR who cares more about his own gig than doing what's best for his team to win. His talent is unmistakable, but here is a player who absolutely needs to be a #1. He cannot accept a subordinate role, it's not in his DNA. And as long as Fitz is in Cardinal red, Boldin will never be the #1 here anymore.
5. The most salient and significant statement I've read on the board this week was from Joe who has realized that with so many RFAs in this year's off-season dealings, the BEST way for teams to improve their personnel is to make trades...especially for playoff teams in the final eight.
The problem is the Cardinals' front office lack the creativity, decisiveness and the gumption to make trades...(hey, were any of the Cardinals' starters the last two years acquired in a trade?)
My thought here is that the Cardinals are 4 player additions away from maintaining their current reign as NFC West Champs.
If the Cardinals get the right QB, the right ILB, the right CB addition and the right pass rusher addition, they can still be NFC West Champs and a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
They have Boldin to offer in a trade and all of their first four draft picks.
For once I would love to see the Cardinals have a clear-cut plan...have players singled out as the right fits and...have the alacrity and immediacy to get deals done.
Alas, if they don't rise to the occasion I cannot realistically envision a scenario where they could maintain their recent dominance of the NFC West.
The status quo is NOT going to work this time.
This weekend I will target the 4 players that I think the Cardinals should wheel and deal for.
If one looks at the job he did with the Cardinals DBs the past few years, the results are decidedly mixed:
The Positives:
a) Developing DRC into a Pro Bowl caliber CB...although I think we all recognize that DRC is far too inconsistent to be worthy of this honor so early in his career. While he at times is an electrifying presence, he also is a significant liability in the tackling aspects of his job and is still very prone to biting on fakes. But, Austin, IMO, deserves credit for helping DRC develop thus far. We cannot expect DRC to have a polished game at this point.
b) Developing Antrel Rolle into a solid FS. His progress was readily apparent this year. Again, like DRC, he really doesn't deserve Pro Bowl status, but he's been steadily improving his game.
c) Although we only got a small glimpse of Greg Toler in the playoffs, he looks pretty sound technique and effort wise. One has to wonder, hey, why so late?
d) Matt Ware was much improved at nickel safety this year and was missed when he was injured.
The Negatives:
a) Both Bryant McFadden and Rod Hood struggled mightily under Austin's watch...as neither of them ever seemed to understand that seeing the ball is a part of playing defense. Despite their struggles, the younger players sat anyway.
b) Adrian Wilson---for a Pro Bowl safety---has repeatedly shown poor technique and effort in man-to-man pass coverage---and he still is a liability in space. This year he made the Pro Bowl on reputation and the fact that when he's put in intermediate zones he still can pick passes and deliver big hits.
c) Rashad Johnson---for a player whom Nick Saban called "the smartest player I've ever coached" to be left out in the playoffs with a glaring need at FS...in favor of a player who was on the roster for two weeks---sorry but something's wrong here. Plus, I went back and watched the Packer game he started in Week 17 for the third time just to see once again if my eyes were deceiving me, and I have to tell I saw no dropoff at FS from Antrel Rolle in this game. Johnson made good reads most of the time, made good clean tackles in the open field (only missing one) and took good angles in deep coverage (he got beat over the top once when he covered a wide open Jermichael Finley on a seam route (but, because Finley was so open, Johnson does not deserve the blame on that one).
d) Michael Adams and Ralph Brown looked so poorly prepared, utilized and coached in the playoffs...as well as the whole secondary in general...it was really embarrassing.
It's amazing to me that a guy who really, in light of the way his unit stunk in the playoffs, could from seemingly out of nowehere land the Florida DC job, especially in light of his inexperience as a DC, his so-so performance as a DB coach and the fact that Florida could attract a far more high profile and successful coach for that job.
2. I was wondering if Aeneas Williams would be interested in becoming the new DB coach. I know he's a minister in Missouri, and might be fully committed to his calling there. But, wow, imagine what he could do with DRC and Toler.
The other guy I am very curious about is Doug Plank, who was the asst. DB coach with the Jets this past year, recently let go (not sure why other than economics). Plank is such a smart guy and having spent the year coaching those Jets' DB and how aggressive a good they were, could be a real boon to the Cardinals.
3. The last several DCs who won Super Bowls:
2010: Greg Williams
2009: Dick LeBeau
2008: Steve Spagnuolo
2007: Tony Dungy (in essence)
2006: Dick LeBeau
2005: Bill Billichick (in essence)
My point is you really need established DCs to get this job done...or a HC who really runs the defensive shots. This is why I am still bewlildered as to why Whiz, an offensive coach, wouldn't do all he could to put the defense in the hands of someone with the right pedigree.
That said, if Bill Davis is retained as DC, we have to hope his learning curve is high because...he did show some innovative game plans versus the Giants and Vikings, but his game plans in the playoffs were sadly poor, woefully poor. It does not bode real confidence moving forward, unless Davis somehow can reschool himself in what it means to play playoff caliber aggressive defense.
4. It's looking more and more like the Cardinals may be losing two #1 draft picks (Rolle and Leinart) and 2 #2 draft picks (Boldin and Dansby) without any compensation (unless the team can get something for Boldin in a trade this year, which as of today seems to mean accepting a third round draft pick, possibly the 1st one in the 3rd round (#65) from the Bears---who offered the #49 (2nd round) last year.
The reality is, IMO, none of them are worth the money they want or will ask for...which puts the Cardinals in a very difficult position of either to overpay for them or let them go.
I know this opinion is unpopular, but I do believe that none of the four players are worth going forward with if it means overpaying them. Rolle is a marginal FS, yet is a playmaker, but is better suited to play SS...which we already just payed AW handsomely to play for the next few years.
Leinart is a poor fit for this offense...simply because he lacks the big arm and quick release...it really is as simple as that.
Dansby is one of the more over-rated players in the NFL. He doesn't play consistently tough, and far too may big plays happen to his side.
Anquan Boldin is tough, no question, but he won't take advantage of John Lott, and thus is often hurt. Enough already. Go get your game somewhere else. The thing is too, he puts pressure on the QBs because he's high maintenance and needs his touches. To me he has evolved into the epitome of the selfish WR who cares more about his own gig than doing what's best for his team to win. His talent is unmistakable, but here is a player who absolutely needs to be a #1. He cannot accept a subordinate role, it's not in his DNA. And as long as Fitz is in Cardinal red, Boldin will never be the #1 here anymore.
5. The most salient and significant statement I've read on the board this week was from Joe who has realized that with so many RFAs in this year's off-season dealings, the BEST way for teams to improve their personnel is to make trades...especially for playoff teams in the final eight.
The problem is the Cardinals' front office lack the creativity, decisiveness and the gumption to make trades...(hey, were any of the Cardinals' starters the last two years acquired in a trade?)
My thought here is that the Cardinals are 4 player additions away from maintaining their current reign as NFC West Champs.
If the Cardinals get the right QB, the right ILB, the right CB addition and the right pass rusher addition, they can still be NFC West Champs and a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
They have Boldin to offer in a trade and all of their first four draft picks.
For once I would love to see the Cardinals have a clear-cut plan...have players singled out as the right fits and...have the alacrity and immediacy to get deals done.
Alas, if they don't rise to the occasion I cannot realistically envision a scenario where they could maintain their recent dominance of the NFC West.
The status quo is NOT going to work this time.
This weekend I will target the 4 players that I think the Cardinals should wheel and deal for.
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