Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
The pundits often refer to football games as a chess match. When newly appointed DC James Bettcher arranges his board on game days for the Arizona Cardinals, he could have some very intriguing moves to make.
Queens:
What a luxury it is for a chess player to add a second queen to his board. Bettcher, in my opinion, starts his first game as DC with two queens:
Tyrann Mathieu---when 100% healthy, this young man can do it all on the football field: he's the team's best and most fundamental tackler because he understands pad levels and he drives through his tackles and wraps up. He can blitz off the edge or up the middle. Fundamentally he is the team's most sound cover man---he plays solid angles while maintaining proper cushion, he always has a sense of where the ball is, he anticipates with excellent timing and he makes sudden breaks on the ball. He can play CB, SS, nickel CB and FS. Talk about versatility.
Deone Bucannon---due to the team's lack of a nickel LB, Bucannon filled that role as a rookie and proved himself to be a highly athletic chaser, thumper and finisher. Like Mathieu, Bucannon takes ball carriers out by the knees and he drives through on his tackles. In coverage, he has the speed to run side by side with any TE or RB. He is still learning cover techniques and proper leverage. There was a good deal of improvement in that area this past season. And---look out this year, because Bucannon is going to be let loose as a heat seeking missile on blitzes.
The question now is---will Bettcher move Bucannon into the starter's role at SS? If so, where does Mathieu play? CB opposite Patrick Peterson? At FS?
The luxury the Cardinals have at safety is that FS Rashad Johnson is coming off his best season as a pro. He is super smart and has developed into a very good ballhawk and open-field tackler. Johnson wore down physically toward the end last year---and has played through all kinds of painful injuries. But, if he can maintain his health this year, there is no reason he shouldn't start at FS.
I will go out on a bit of a limb here---but I think that James Bettcher is going to implement a hybrid defense wherein both of his queens, Matthieu and Bucannon will be used where they thrive: in the box. Thus, the employment of twin strong safeties? Essentially, yes. It will at certain times look like the old 53 defense---and at others like the old 44. And what Bettcher will be able to do is to disguise all kinds of blitz and coverage packages.
The philosophy of the scheme is to funnel everything into the middle---where an array of rooks (castles) will be hell-bent on punishing the RBs and QBs.
Castles:
Calais Campbell---has been very outspoken about the Cardinals maintaining the aggressive shoot the gap and penetrate the backfield approach. This is his game and he's becoming an All-Pro at it.
Frostee Rucker---even if Darnell Dockett returns, Rucker will remain the starter, because he is now thriving in this role---and there is a sense that Ed Stinson is right on the doorstep as well. Dockett can rotate in---and if not Dockett, there should be an attempt to re-sign Tommy Kelly. Plus, Kareem Martin and Josh Mauro add intriguing depth and versatility, especially if Tom Pratt develops them as nickel pass rushers.
At NT, Dan Williams has steadily progressed and hopefully is re-signed. If not, the Cardinals will hope that Alemda Ta'amu returns to his 2013 form and that the team can land a FA or draft pick.
The Thumper---MJ keeps alluding to the fact that he keeps hearing that the Cardinals want to add a "thumper" at ILB, which at first, at least to me, sounded a little curious, seeing as there has been hope that 3rd year ILB Kevin Minter would assume that role. But, without question, Minter has not manifested the kind of punishing downhill tackling that the Cardinals have been expecting from him, and thus, patience is wearing thin.
The question is---who will that thumper be?
For starters, while Larry Foote isn't what anyone would call a classic thumper, he is a classic downhill cleaner upper. He reads the holes quickly and decisively and he is an outstanding wrap-up tackler. The issue for him obviously is being able to hold up physically over the course of a 16 game schedule. However, it would be good for the Cardinals to re-sign Foote and then add one of the best thumpers in this upcoming draft, such as Benardrick McKinney (6-5, 235, Mississippi St.), Denzel Perryman (6-0, 242, Miami) or Stephone Anthony (6-2, 245, Clemson)---or stay in the Foote mold and draft a swift downhill tackler in Eric Kendricks (6-0, 228, UCLA) or Shaq Thompson (6-2, 225, Washington).
My favorite is McKinney...because I value his leadership skills, his freakish size to speed ratio, his aggressiveness and his versatility (he can be a real force outside as well as inside). Scouts question his coverage ability, but there is no reason why a superior athlete like McKinney can't learn to master the techniques. Check out this thread---with short videos of McKinney:
http://www.battleredblog.com/2015/1...osition-indeed-benardrick-mckinney-linebacker
My second favorite is Perryman because he plays tough and with a mean streak. Funneling the action toward him would be a coup because he can clean everything up with a bang. Not sure if he can be a three down player, but how many thumpers are? Here's a short highlight video of Perryman:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beChRWODiSI
I like Stephone Anthony as well---he's a well-built, decisive, run through the ball carrier type of tackler. Check this highlight video of Stephone:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRcYu-RD68Q
In FA---Brandon Spikes (6-2, 255, 6, Florida) is a classic thumper, if the team wants to address the need before the draft in order to open up its options. Patriots' highlights of Spikes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFskYtAJbNA
On the outside---the emphasis is on setting and controlling not only the edge but containing the pocket.
Bishops:
Matt Shaughnessy---classic edge setter. It will be good to get him back to full strength.
Alex Okafor---really came on in his second year---shows the strength, discipline and sack artist abaility.
Classic FA fits: Jason Worilds (6-2, 262, 6, Virgina Tech), Jabaal Sheard (6-2, 264, 5, Pittsburgh), Derrick Morgan (6-3, 271, 6, georgia Tech), Brooks Reed (6-3, 254, Arizona) and as a bargain FA Dan Skuta (6-2, 250, 7, Grand Valley St.).
On the perimeter and deep middle the emphasis is on athleticism, anticipation and breaking on the ball.
Knights:
Patrick Peterson should be very well motivated to dominate the way he can this year. Has all it takes when his technique is right.
Jerraud Powers was outstanding as the slot/nickel CB where he shows outstanding technique, anticipation and ball awareness. His versatility is also a plus.
Justin Bethel, like Peterson, has all the physical gifts, but needs to hone his techniques and feel for the position. Good tackling ability a real plus.
Rashad Johnson, as stated earlier, is a savvy QB back there at FS. What he lacks for in blinding speed, he makes up for in anticipation, quick reads and break on the ball abilities
While it would seem unlikely that the Cardinals will be able to re-sign CB Antonio Cromartie, perhaps the Cardinals will ink a deal with one of these good FA CBs: Buster Skrine (5-9, 185, 5, Chattanooga), Davon House (6-1, 195, 5, New Mexico St.), Kareem Jackson (5-10, 188, 6, Alabama), Patrick Robinson (5-11, 191, 6, Florida St.), Byron Maxwell (6-1, 207, 5, Clemson) or Chris Culliver (6-0, 199, 5, South Carolina).
Maybe Rashad Johnson could sway his 'Bama teammate Kareem Jackson to join the Cardinals---if the Cardinals can afford him and if Jackson isn't tagged. Stealing Maxwell or Culliver away from a division rival is a bonus.
The Cardinals want to add speed---but not at the expense of losing toughness and good, sound, tackling ability. Steve Keim loves to draft and sign playmakers. It should be very interesting to see which ones will be dressed in Cardinals' white, red and black when the chess board is set and clock starts.
Queens:
What a luxury it is for a chess player to add a second queen to his board. Bettcher, in my opinion, starts his first game as DC with two queens:
Tyrann Mathieu---when 100% healthy, this young man can do it all on the football field: he's the team's best and most fundamental tackler because he understands pad levels and he drives through his tackles and wraps up. He can blitz off the edge or up the middle. Fundamentally he is the team's most sound cover man---he plays solid angles while maintaining proper cushion, he always has a sense of where the ball is, he anticipates with excellent timing and he makes sudden breaks on the ball. He can play CB, SS, nickel CB and FS. Talk about versatility.
Deone Bucannon---due to the team's lack of a nickel LB, Bucannon filled that role as a rookie and proved himself to be a highly athletic chaser, thumper and finisher. Like Mathieu, Bucannon takes ball carriers out by the knees and he drives through on his tackles. In coverage, he has the speed to run side by side with any TE or RB. He is still learning cover techniques and proper leverage. There was a good deal of improvement in that area this past season. And---look out this year, because Bucannon is going to be let loose as a heat seeking missile on blitzes.
The question now is---will Bettcher move Bucannon into the starter's role at SS? If so, where does Mathieu play? CB opposite Patrick Peterson? At FS?
The luxury the Cardinals have at safety is that FS Rashad Johnson is coming off his best season as a pro. He is super smart and has developed into a very good ballhawk and open-field tackler. Johnson wore down physically toward the end last year---and has played through all kinds of painful injuries. But, if he can maintain his health this year, there is no reason he shouldn't start at FS.
I will go out on a bit of a limb here---but I think that James Bettcher is going to implement a hybrid defense wherein both of his queens, Matthieu and Bucannon will be used where they thrive: in the box. Thus, the employment of twin strong safeties? Essentially, yes. It will at certain times look like the old 53 defense---and at others like the old 44. And what Bettcher will be able to do is to disguise all kinds of blitz and coverage packages.
The philosophy of the scheme is to funnel everything into the middle---where an array of rooks (castles) will be hell-bent on punishing the RBs and QBs.
Castles:
Calais Campbell---has been very outspoken about the Cardinals maintaining the aggressive shoot the gap and penetrate the backfield approach. This is his game and he's becoming an All-Pro at it.
Frostee Rucker---even if Darnell Dockett returns, Rucker will remain the starter, because he is now thriving in this role---and there is a sense that Ed Stinson is right on the doorstep as well. Dockett can rotate in---and if not Dockett, there should be an attempt to re-sign Tommy Kelly. Plus, Kareem Martin and Josh Mauro add intriguing depth and versatility, especially if Tom Pratt develops them as nickel pass rushers.
At NT, Dan Williams has steadily progressed and hopefully is re-signed. If not, the Cardinals will hope that Alemda Ta'amu returns to his 2013 form and that the team can land a FA or draft pick.
The Thumper---MJ keeps alluding to the fact that he keeps hearing that the Cardinals want to add a "thumper" at ILB, which at first, at least to me, sounded a little curious, seeing as there has been hope that 3rd year ILB Kevin Minter would assume that role. But, without question, Minter has not manifested the kind of punishing downhill tackling that the Cardinals have been expecting from him, and thus, patience is wearing thin.
The question is---who will that thumper be?
For starters, while Larry Foote isn't what anyone would call a classic thumper, he is a classic downhill cleaner upper. He reads the holes quickly and decisively and he is an outstanding wrap-up tackler. The issue for him obviously is being able to hold up physically over the course of a 16 game schedule. However, it would be good for the Cardinals to re-sign Foote and then add one of the best thumpers in this upcoming draft, such as Benardrick McKinney (6-5, 235, Mississippi St.), Denzel Perryman (6-0, 242, Miami) or Stephone Anthony (6-2, 245, Clemson)---or stay in the Foote mold and draft a swift downhill tackler in Eric Kendricks (6-0, 228, UCLA) or Shaq Thompson (6-2, 225, Washington).
My favorite is McKinney...because I value his leadership skills, his freakish size to speed ratio, his aggressiveness and his versatility (he can be a real force outside as well as inside). Scouts question his coverage ability, but there is no reason why a superior athlete like McKinney can't learn to master the techniques. Check out this thread---with short videos of McKinney:
http://www.battleredblog.com/2015/1...osition-indeed-benardrick-mckinney-linebacker
My second favorite is Perryman because he plays tough and with a mean streak. Funneling the action toward him would be a coup because he can clean everything up with a bang. Not sure if he can be a three down player, but how many thumpers are? Here's a short highlight video of Perryman:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beChRWODiSI
I like Stephone Anthony as well---he's a well-built, decisive, run through the ball carrier type of tackler. Check this highlight video of Stephone:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRcYu-RD68Q
In FA---Brandon Spikes (6-2, 255, 6, Florida) is a classic thumper, if the team wants to address the need before the draft in order to open up its options. Patriots' highlights of Spikes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFskYtAJbNA
On the outside---the emphasis is on setting and controlling not only the edge but containing the pocket.
Bishops:
Matt Shaughnessy---classic edge setter. It will be good to get him back to full strength.
Alex Okafor---really came on in his second year---shows the strength, discipline and sack artist abaility.
Classic FA fits: Jason Worilds (6-2, 262, 6, Virgina Tech), Jabaal Sheard (6-2, 264, 5, Pittsburgh), Derrick Morgan (6-3, 271, 6, georgia Tech), Brooks Reed (6-3, 254, Arizona) and as a bargain FA Dan Skuta (6-2, 250, 7, Grand Valley St.).
On the perimeter and deep middle the emphasis is on athleticism, anticipation and breaking on the ball.
Knights:
Patrick Peterson should be very well motivated to dominate the way he can this year. Has all it takes when his technique is right.
Jerraud Powers was outstanding as the slot/nickel CB where he shows outstanding technique, anticipation and ball awareness. His versatility is also a plus.
Justin Bethel, like Peterson, has all the physical gifts, but needs to hone his techniques and feel for the position. Good tackling ability a real plus.
Rashad Johnson, as stated earlier, is a savvy QB back there at FS. What he lacks for in blinding speed, he makes up for in anticipation, quick reads and break on the ball abilities
While it would seem unlikely that the Cardinals will be able to re-sign CB Antonio Cromartie, perhaps the Cardinals will ink a deal with one of these good FA CBs: Buster Skrine (5-9, 185, 5, Chattanooga), Davon House (6-1, 195, 5, New Mexico St.), Kareem Jackson (5-10, 188, 6, Alabama), Patrick Robinson (5-11, 191, 6, Florida St.), Byron Maxwell (6-1, 207, 5, Clemson) or Chris Culliver (6-0, 199, 5, South Carolina).
Maybe Rashad Johnson could sway his 'Bama teammate Kareem Jackson to join the Cardinals---if the Cardinals can afford him and if Jackson isn't tagged. Stealing Maxwell or Culliver away from a division rival is a bonus.
The Cardinals want to add speed---but not at the expense of losing toughness and good, sound, tackling ability. Steve Keim loves to draft and sign playmakers. It should be very interesting to see which ones will be dressed in Cardinals' white, red and black when the chess board is set and clock starts.
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