Time for Whiz to step up-----

[Catfish]

Clearly Whiz's best performance as a head coach came in '08 when the Cards made their SB run. The W/L record might not have been as good as '09, but the results of the season were. Co-incidently, that was the last year that Whiz was not playing at being an Offensive Coordinator.

You remember '08 don't you? Whiz was actually performing Head Coaching duties. He had Todd Haley as an Offensive Coordinator, who did arguably a better job of calling plays than Whiz has. The best part was that Whiz was free to be a head coach, and he did the things that a head coach does to make things work.

That was the year we drafted Tim Hightower, to supplement our running game by pairing with Edgarin James at running back. Timmy came to us with the nick-name 'Breadbox', because of his penchant for fumbling. After putting the ball on the ground with some alarming frequency, Timmy was relegated to carrying the ball with him at all times while at the training facility. The fumbling stopped, and Whiz used him to rest James during the run-up for the SB. THat was good head coaching stuff.

So was, telling the boys to 'bring their big boy pads' with them to practice after the debacle in the snow at NE. He had promised us smart, tough, disciplined football, and he did something about it when his team laid-down and quit in the snow. When he was finished shaping them up, they turned into beasts who KNEW that he was serious about how they performed, not only in practice, but on the field. That year was just about the last time we have seen anything from the head coach by way of attention to discipline or toughness, or playing smart. Sad, too, because it was the last time we were anywhere close to playing at that a play-off team level.

Whiz had ample time, and opportunities, both last year and this one, to replace Haley as OC when he won the KC head coaching job. He passed on several opportunities to hire well qualified OC's, because 'he enjoys calling the plays'.

Meanwhile, he seems to have gotten so caught up in play calling that he completely lost sight of a few minor things like------who was the most logical choice for him to start at QB, based on game statistics, OR who was the logical starter at the nose tackle position based on performance during training camp and pre-season play. He has failed at both those choices so far, and actually ran off the most qualified QB on his roster. You can look up the game stats for Matt and DA, as I have already posted them once, (see the thread titled 'Somebody break down Alan Branch'), and will not do so again here.

Even more sadly, he has neglected the 'tough, smart, disciplined,' approach that he promised us when he came here, and his team has retreated into a bunch of individuals who thrive more on 'doing their thing', than on 'doing this together'. Since the '08 season now, there has been virtually no attempt at correcting such things as discipline or smarts, (see THT, Beanie, (fumbles)-----DRC, (head up a-- in so very many ways), ------DD, (frequent personal foul penalties), etc, etc, ad-nauseum.

Not all has gone downhill-----as John Lott has this team stronger and much more well-conditioned. Even Alan Branch and Gabe Watson came to OTA's early and stayed for the duration, EACH losing a ton of weight and both getting strong and fit. DRC has even shown a propensity to use his body to make an occasional tackle now and then. Sadly, however, Whiz seems to have not hardly noticed this, as Bryan Robinson is still starting at the nose, and Branch is still subbing for Campbell at DE. These are the kinds of things that Whiz saw, and acted upon when Haley was the actual OC.

But-----Whiz is hopefully having fun calling plays, while his team is going down in flames. He SHOULD be doing things to fix this mess, but he doesn't seem to have time, (or care?). Maybe he would care more if he was forced to give up a game's pay for every game we throw away because of lousy QB play, or because of the same mistakes being repeated over and over by the same players. Maybe then, he would demand action from his position coaches, and pay attention to his HC job along with having fun.

 

[kerouac9]

Hightower's nickname was "Bread Truck."

 

[Catfish]

Hightower's nickname was "Bread Truck."

K-9-----I almost knew I could count on you or Warner HOF to provide a comment about separating the fly-sh_t from t he black pepper, when clearly the purpose of the thread was to separate the salt from the black pepper.

 

[Catfish]

What's the matter-------nobody else care to comment besides K-9?????

OK-----let me give you something else to think about. All during the time when Whiz was deciding what to do with Leinart, we heard over and over about how the 'team' did not want to play for Leinart. Funny that, not once did ANY member of this team go on record saying that-----yet in virtually every other case of this kind, there were ALWAYS players who went down in print saying they didn't like playing for the QB that was being replaced. So-----if that was the reason for flushing Leinart down the proverbial stool without ANY compensation, why was no-one willing to say it, and worse yet-----why did we at least not keep him as a back-up. Shouldn't Whiz be answering for that?????

 

[LVCARDFREAK]

No comments other than K-9---------?????

OK-----let me give you something else to think about. All during the time when Whiz was deciding what to do with Leinart, we heard over and over about how the 'team' did not want to play for Leinart. Funny that, not once did ANY member of this team go on record saying that-----yet in virtually every other case of this kind, there were ALWAYS players who went down in print saying they didn't like playing for the QB that was being replaced. Huh? its usually the opposite. I am suprised no one came to his defense. I heard a lot of "We believe in coach and we will be prepared etc etc" Seems to me the team said a lot w/o saying anything.

So-----if that was the reason for flushing Leinart down the proverbial stool without ANY compensation, why was no-one willing to say it, and worse yet-----why did we at least not keep him as a back-up. Shouldn't Whiz be answering for that?????

[/QUOTE]

When you lose the confidence of your team and its coaches, why would he even want to be in AZ? Obviously no one thought he could do the job (lord knows he had ample opportunity to win it) so they cut their losses (and his salary) and are going in a new direction. I am fine with that decision.

What I am not fine with is why it took so long and why the Cards options come down to Hall and DA. We may never know what really transpired in that front office/locker room but there was some reason why the Cards didnt make moves in the off season and it couldnt be b/c Whiz thought Leinart was gonna be the guy. Im convinced he had no other choice.

 

[Catfish]

Quote LVCARDFREAK:
When you lose the confidence of your team and its coaches, why would he even want to be in AZ? Obviously no one thought he could do the job (lord knows he had ample opportunity to win it) so they cut their losses (and his salary) and are going in a new direction. I am fine with that decision.

What I am not fine with is why it took so long and why the Cards options come down to Hall and DA. We may never know what really transpired in that front office/locker room but there was some reason why the Cards didnt make moves in the off season and it couldnt be b/c Whiz thought Leinart was gonna be the guy. Im convinced he had no other choice.[/quote]

So-----are you also fine with the lack of discipline and the apparent inability to teach these guys how to play smart. Leinart's handling was like a knee jerk reaction------and while I hate that it took Whiz so long to decide that HE HIMSELF did not want Leinart, it probably left him with only one option-----'flush' !!!!!

What about his failing to take care of all the other team business that I have aluded to in this thread. Leinart was just a small part of it.

 

[DemsMyBoys]

Sorry, Catfish, but I couldn't sleep Sunday night because the steam shooting out of my ears was peeling all the paint off the walls and the whistling noise made the dog howl so I took one of the pills my doctor gave me to sleep when I pulled my back out and my head hasn't been clear so I'm just now getting back to the board so just let me say...I agree.

Everybody on the team needs a kick in the pants. I don't know who is going to kick Whiz in the butt but Sunday afternoon I'd have volunteered.

 

[Catfish]

Sorry, Catfish, but I couldn't sleep Sunday night because the steam shooting out of my ears was peeling all the paint off the walls and the whistling noise made the dog howl so I took one of the pills my doctor gave me to sleep when I pulled my back out and my head hasn't been clear so I'm just now getting back to the board so just let me say...I agree.

Everybody on the team needs a kick in the pants. I don't know who is going to kick Whiz in the butt but Sunday afternoon I'd have volunteered.

I understand your feelings after this one, and I appreciate your comment. As for the rest of you-----there has never been a lack of criticism about my posts-----and I have been harping about these same topics since our SuperBowl run. Nothing has changed for me in that regard, ----- so I guess that I am finished for awhile. I could use a break------

 

[desertdawg]

I get the message, fans blame the HC for what ever is going wrong. HC is always ultimately responsible for the bottom line and I agree. Truth is (IMO), every thing besides the QB issues, can be or has been getting fixed.

The Cards seem to roam around on issues they are having, on offense and defense.While they continue to improve on what they focus on, (QBs aside) I have to give the HC some credit (not blame) mostly on defense but other areas as well.

I agree with you Catfish about Whiz needing a quality OC to help out for sure. I think Whiz is understanding all of this as well. If he dedicates his focus on a new style offensive game plan, keeping it simple for Hall and running the ball, then I would say he is stepping up.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I actually thought Whiz's best job as a HC was in 2007.

8-8 with a team that was mired in a losing culture, and he took the talent on the roster and made it competitive.



This year has A LOT to do with youth at key positions. Any Cardinals fan has been though more than enough youth movements to realized that in-experience leads to head-scratching, almost miraculously bad, play on the field.

 

[cardpa]

Whiz was a OC in Pittsburgh. Now having been in that position wouldn't one think he of all people should understand that this team would need a dedicated OC and not some OC by committee.

If he loves calling plays so much he should go back to being an OC and quit as HC.

The impression I get is Whiz holds certain players more accountable than others. Especially the younger players. They seem to get thrown into the doghouse much quicker than the veterans.

We always hear about getting better or correcting things and this line has been out there for several years now. The problem is most of the time things never actually get better or corrected. DD is still drawing stupid personal foul penalties, THT is still putting the ball on the ground. The OL still can't pass block, they still can't tackle, etc, etc.

Yes Whiz should get credit for turning the once woeful franchise around but he himself must get better as a head coach and in that respect he is not. This I think is what is holding back this team from getting better. Whiz has plateau as a head coach and is not getting better at the job.

 

[dogpoo32]

Whiz was a OC in Pittsburgh. Now having been in that position wouldn't one think he of all people should understand that this team would need a dedicated OC and not some OC by committee.

If he loves calling plays so much he should go back to being an OC and quit as HC.

The impression I get is Whiz holds certain players more accountable than others. Especially the younger players. They seem to get thrown into the doghouse much quicker than the veterans.

We always hear about getting better or correcting things and this line has been out there for several years now. The problem is most of the time things never actually get better or corrected. DD is still drawing stupid personal foul penalties, THT is still putting the ball on the ground. The OL still can't pass block, they still can't tackle, etc, etc.

Yes Whiz should get credit for turning the once woeful franchise around but he himself must get better as a head coach and in that respect he is not. This I think is what is holding back this team from getting better. Whiz has plateau as a head coach and is not getting better at the job.

Agree completely. Whiz was the benefactor of Warner's resurrection. I think Kurt made Whiz look a lot better than he really is. Look back on the o-line back then. Kurt was constantly under pressure, but knew how to change the play so that the defense would pay for blitzing. The O-Line is, and has been bad for years. The defense is inconsistent, and always has been.

Nothing has changed except the level of talent on the field. There is no excuse for that because the front office had plenty of time to prevent such an upheaval.

Time for Whiz to stop calling plays and to start making way better personnel decisions. I'm tired of Moxie and Intangibles. I want some freaking talent.

 

[cardpa]

With regards to Whiz has anyone noticed that since He signed the extension as head coach and got more influence on player personnel the decisions have gotten more bizarre and left you scratching your head?

Maybe the FO was doing a better job than we give them credit for and now that Whiz has more input on player decisions things are getting messed up.

 

[kerouac9]

With regards to Whiz has anyone noticed that since He signed the extension as head coach and got more influence on player personnel the decisions have gotten more bizarre and left you scratching your head?

Maybe the FO was doing a better job than we give them credit for and now that Whiz has more input on player decisions things are getting messed up.

I don't know. There was so much turnover this season that it's impossible to assign blame. I don't think that power suddenly went to Whis's head and he became Buddy Ryan. I think that Whis wants someone to talk back to him and have a strong personality to counter-balance his views. He had this is Haley, and then he had it in Warner.

I think that one reason that #7 is gone is because he listened and absorbed what the coaching staff was telling him, but maybe not pushing back to the extent that speaks "leadership" to Whis. What is the story that we hear over and over about Max Hall? Where after taking a hit in the preseason, he says, "I got it. Let's go." I think that's what Whis/the staff want from their quarterback and what "leadership" means to them. Anything else is "passive" and unacceptable.

 

[THESMEL]

ad nauseum

what a waste, long post ate by not able to copy and paste again,

yea Whiz is responsible top to bottom and has been for 4 years.

I get the message, fans blame the HC for what ever is going wrong. HC is always ultimately responsible for the bottom line and I agree. Truth is (IMO), every thing besides the QB issues, can be or has been getting fixed.

The Cards seem to roam around on issues they are having, on offense and defense.While they continue to improve on what they focus on, (QBs aside) I have to give the HC some credit (not blame) mostly on defense but other areas as well.

I agree with you Catfish about Whiz needing a quality OC to help out for sure. I think Whiz is understanding all of this as well. If he dedicates his focus on a new style offensive game plan, keeping it simple for Hall and running the ball, then I would say he is stepping up.

 

[Catfish]

Thanks guys-----that's better. K-9 and Dawg, you are correct about the amount of change that we have undergone this one year. Not all of that should be laid on the HC.

So far as I am concerned, however, the QB predicament is strictly on him though. He had ample time and warning about Warner leaving, and he knew the likely results of setting a team up to play for Leinart------AND then suddenly opting for DA at the very last minute. That was a horrible decision, and has gone much farther to disrupt this team than ALL the other changes combined. He HAD to have known what would happen if his experiment failed. Being willing to accept those consequenses is beyond my comprehension.

The other thing that bothers me is his open-door policy with the players. I really wish that I could be sure that he is not actually using that policy to determine who is crying to him about what is happening, then putting those guys in his dog-house. I guess that I should give him the benefit of the doubt on that one, but I just can't shake that feeling for some reason. It would really be nice to have some REAL inside information about this, instead of having to rely on gut-feelings-----especially when my gut tells me something that I fear like this.

Something needs to be done about the allowing of the same mistakes by the same people over and over without correction though. That is one thing that he DID accomplish during the '08 playoff run-up. We haven't seen anything solid done about that since, however, and that is really eating on me, and MUST be eating on the guys who are busting their butts to make those corrections, when those that aren't taking that action just seem to keep getting away with it. That kind of problem leads to only one result, and that is a like a sore, that when left unattended continues to grow and fester until it is a full blown infection. I guess that one bugs me more than any of the rest, because EVERY week he harps on that during his pressers. Nothing seems to get done however------some of you may be right about that favorites thing you allude to with some of 'his guys' as opposed to the dog house guys like Branch, Watson, and Lutui.

 

[Cardiac]

Thanks guys-----that's better. K-9 and Dawg, you are correct about the amount of change that we have undergone this one year. Not all of that should be laid on the HC.

So far as I am concerned, however, the QB predicament is strictly on him though. He had ample time and warning about Warner leaving, and he knew the likely results of setting a team up to play for Leinart------AND then suddenly opting for DA at the very last minute. That was a horrible decision, and has gone much farther to disrupt this team than ALL the other changes combined. He HAD to have known what would happen if his experiment failed. Being willing to accept those consequenses is beyond my comprehension.

I don't know that the QB issue is completely on Whiz. As you said later in this post none of us have inside info on what happens. We have heard rumors that several of the coaches wanted Bulger when he became available but the FO said no. Was that RG, I doubt it because he appears to try and get any and everything Whiz wants. Is that Michael, maybe but he also appears to do anything and everything Whiz wants. Is it Bill Sr., that would be my guess but again none of us know.

I will never understand how the whole ML thing played out. It makes no sense to me at all. I don't believe that Whiz all of sudden went stupid.

The other thing that bothers me is his open-door policy with the players. I really wish that I could be sure that he is not actually using that policy to determine who is crying to him about what is happening, then putting those guys in his dog-house. I guess that I should give him the benefit of the doubt on that one, but I just can't shake that feeling for some reason. It would really be nice to have some REAL inside information about this, instead of having to rely on gut-feelings-----especially when my gut tells me something that I fear like this.

Conspiracy theories drive me crazy. Beanie whines and then has a one on one with Whiz and gets more carries. Branch is really starting to play very well and therefore he is getting more snaps. Toler earned his starting spot and is in fact starting. None of this sounds like putting people in the dog house for no reason.

Something needs to be done about the allowing of the same mistakes by the same people over and over without correction though. That is one thing that he DID accomplish during the '08 playoff run-up. We haven't seen anything solid done about that since, however, and that is really eating on me, and MUST be eating on the guys who are busting their butts to make those corrections, when those that aren't taking that action just seem to keep getting away with it. That kind of problem leads to only one result, and that is a like a sore, that when left unattended continues to grow and fester until it is a full blown infection. I guess that one bugs me more than any of the rest, because EVERY week he harps on that during his pressers. Nothing seems to get done however------some of you may be right about that favorites thing you allude to with some of 'his guys' as opposed to the dog house guys like Branch, Watson, and Lutui.

Not sure what you want. One mistake and the player gets benched or cut? Is it two? Do you want to cut DD because he has a tendancy to get stupid penalties (which he has improved upon)? Do we take DRC off the FG unit becaue he jumped offsides (multiple times)?

Levi Brown struggled his first several seasons with us, especially with penalties. He has now corrected that issue so far this season. Should Whiz have sat him down and not allowed him to learn and grow?

How many punts has Roberts fumbled. IIRC it's one. He didn't fumble against Oakland but was out of position and the ball hit DRC and ?. Since that game he hasn't had that same issue. He actually started to look better during the returns this week. He still has a LOT of improvement to make but he is a rookie who is improving. He has fixed the dropsies and is making some very difficult catches and yet some fans still want him executed.

The O-line had zero false starts in Seattle, how about some praise to Grim and Whiz. The run blocking scheme in Seattle was incredible yet most fans are still harping on how bad the Oline is.

Many fans have forgotten how truly rotten this organization and team was for .......ever.
DG had one great draft and some give him credit for stocking this team for Whiz.
Warner stank for 2 years before Whiz got here but now it's Warner that carried Whiz to the SB.
Haley is the only reason our offense was any good. Yet the chiefs don't do anything on O until Charlie Weiss is brought in. The genius Haley hired Pendergast for crying out loud.

Whiz took a team with a losing culture and taught the players how to win. How to do their jobs the right way. He brought in coaches and players that set the tone. Yes Whiz (as does any HC) has his favorite players. Fitz would be one of them and can anyone thing of a single reasons any coach wouldn't love Fitz? Morey was one because of his work ethic, attention to detail and never quit attitude. When Morey couldn't produce as well as others on the team he was let go.

This team has undergone a huge turnover in personel this year and obviously our QB position is currently as big a mess as a mess could ever be. Yet this team is 3-3, that doesn't happen without the foundation Whiz has helped create in the desert.

 

[Catfish]

Not sure what you want. One mistake and the player gets benched or cut? Is it two? Do you want to cut DD because he has a tendancy to get stupid penalties (which he has improved upon)? Do we take DRC off the FG unit becaue he jumped offsides (multiple times)?

Levi Brown struggled his first several seasons with us, especially with penalties. He has now corrected that issue so far this season. Should Whiz have sat him down and not allowed him to learn and grow?

How many punts has Roberts fumbled. IIRC it's one. He didn't fumble against Oakland but was out of position and the ball hit DRC and ?. Since that game he hasn't had that same issue. He actually started to look better during the returns this week. He still has a LOT of improvement to make but he is a rookie who is improving. He has fixed the dropsies and is making some very difficult catches and yet some fans still want him executed.

The O-line had zero false starts in Seattle, how about some praise to Grim and Whiz. The run blocking scheme in Seattle was incredible yet most fans are still harping on how bad the Oline is.

Many fans have forgotten how truly rotten this organization and team was for .......ever.
DG had one great draft and some give him credit for stocking this team for Whiz.
Warner stank for 2 years before Whiz got here but now it's Warner that carried Whiz to the SB.
Haley is the only reason our offense was any good. Yet the chiefs don't do anything on O until Charlie Weiss is brought in. The genius Haley hired Pendergast for crying out loud.

Whiz took a team with a losing culture and taught the players how to win. How to do their jobs the right way. He brought in coaches and players that set the tone. Yes Whiz (as does any HC) has his favorite players. Fitz would be one of them and can anyone thing of a single reasons any coach wouldn't love Fitz? Morey was one because of his work ethic, attention to detail and never quit attitude. When Morey couldn't produce as well as others on the team he was let go.

This team has undergone a huge turnover in personel this year and obviously our QB position is currently as big a mess as a mess could ever be. Yet this team is 3-3, that doesn't happen without the foundation Whiz has helped create in the desert.

You make a lot of great points here Cardiac-----Whiz did change the culture. (Haley hiring Pendergast was more a friend helping a friend out for a year, when Haley had no players anyway). He took what he did in that draft, hired some coaches and co-ordinators, and made a culture change there just like Whiz did here.

Yes-----Levi has corrected his penchant for false starting. DRC, on the other hand is still wandering around in a daze, enjoying the crowd etc. for too many plays. He got away with that when we had McFadden and Hood playing opposite him because they hardly ever threw to him. Problem was it gave him a big head, and now he thinks he is better than he actually is. Toler has covered and tackled well enough for teams to go back against DRC, and he is not always ready, and certainly hasn't improved his game except for the occasional tackle now and then. Somebody needs to be jacking this kid upside the head to get his mind right. I thought Donnie Henderson would do that, but no results yet to be noticed.

Also, Timmy is still fumbling waaaay too much-----yet Beanie was the one in the dog house for that purpose-----go figure. Timmy was given much more trust from Whiz this many games into his first year, than Beanie has been given this many games into his second year. Yet Timmy ALWAYS has had more fumbles than Beanie. Hard to figure that one.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Also, Timmy is still fumbling waaaay too much-----yet Beanie was the one in the dog house for that purpose-----go figure. Timmy was given much more trust from Whiz this many games into his first year, than Beanie has been given this many games into his second year. Yet Timmy ALWAYS has had more fumbles than Beanie. Hard to figure that one.

There is a lot more to it than just who has more fumbles. Beanie's biggest problem is that he has been very slow to understand his responsibilities when it comes to pass protection. Being from Ohio St he isn't the brightest bulb in the bunch and it's taking him longer to recognize who he is responsible to block in the passing game. The coaches trust Hightower much more with this.

 

[THESMEL]

Take the fly poop out of the pepper?

I see a poorley coached football team, players not ready to play, put in the worse situations possible to do well. No accountabilty by HC or the weird structuresd PGC Mike Miller, RGC, ASST HC, Oline coach Russ Grimm, DC Davis or ST Spencer. the buck stops there as far as repeated mistakes, penalties, bad schemes and horrible fundementals.

poorley ran front office, Whiz and coordinators hand picked Faneca, Porter, DA, Hadnot. and Rhodes was a blessing. Where is the accountability for not signing more drafted Cards than FITZ, AW and DD in 4 years here? Graves? Whiz with new contract? We had our best era ever and have self destructed, not going to have utterly and completely self destructed.

The NFCW are not that much better We are that much worse! And Whiz is the decider. He chose all this! burnt bridges and set fire to success.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Take the fly poop out of the pepper?

But can you take the smell out of the fly poop?

 

[joeshmo]

There is a lot more to it than just who has more fumbles. Beanie's biggest problem is that he has been very slow to understand his responsibilities when it comes to pass protection. Being from Ohio St he isn't the brightest bulb in the bunch and it's taking him longer to recognize who he is responsible to block in the passing game. The coaches trust Hightower much more with this.

Which is odd because Hightower has been pretty bad in pass pro this year. More then once he is just completely getting destroyed or completely missing his assignment. I think Somers in an article recently talked about how the coaches are starting to see the two getting closer in that department.

 

[Duckjake]

DG had one great draft and some give him credit for stocking this team for Whiz.

DG also brought in Warner, Edge, Berry, Okeafor, Rolle, Antonio Smith, and Lutui all guys who made big contributions to the SB run. Add in Boldin, Hayes, and RWells from 2003 and Fitz, Dockett, and Dansby from 2004 and of course Adub and you have 14 guys who were in the cupboard when CKW took over.

14.5 if you count Leonard Pope.

 

[joeshmo]

The impression I get is Whiz holds certain players more accountable than others. Especially the younger players. They seem to get thrown into the doghouse much quicker than the veterans.

Every coach in the league does that. Every last one of them. Every coach in the league gives preferential treatment to certain players. It is especially true since not every player responds in the same way. Some players dont respond to dog house treatment, some players respond to tough love, and so on. I haven't seen anything from Wiz that any other coach in the history of the NFL doesn't do or has done in the past.

This is especially true when you deal with Rookies/youngins compared to veterans. They each have different attitudes, the veterans have been there and done that before, they have more respect.

 

[joeshmo]

Also, Timmy is still fumbling waaaay too much-----yet Beanie was the one in the dog house for that purpose-----go figure. Timmy was given much more trust from Whiz this many games into his first year

That isnt very true actually. Every time Hightower fumbled this and last year if you noticed Hightower rarely saw the field after that and Wells would finish off a game. Not just getting a few more carries but the vast majority of them. People are still way to caught up with the starters tag. Wells had more carries last year and he has more carries this year even though he has a lower YPC and missed some games. Hard to tell Wells was in the dog house compared to Hightower with those numbers.