Wednesday Thoughts

[Mitch]

1. From the sounds of Adrian Wilson and Darnell Dockett---it looks like the players are supporting Kevin Kolb, but with the caveat, "he had better be humbled." Wilson was emphatic that Kolb retain the edge he showed Sunday---which indicated there is a worry that he will go back to the same old same old.

What's great about this---is the players truly have the ownership of the team---which is the same reason why they didn't quit on last season. The Birdgang is in the hands of the Birdgang!

2. Can we finally get one thing straight? NO MATTER WHAT BASE DEFENSE YOU PLAY, if you can add a player who can rush the edge, you jump on him.

Yes, the Cardinals play a base 3-4---but in passing situations that changes into a 4 man front with ILB/S/CB blitz threats inside and from the slot---thus, a rush threat from a hand down edge rusher is paramount. How many OLBers on this roster can be a hand down DE in the 4 man rush? Acho? isn't that about it?

This is exactly why they are kicking the tires on Andre Carter---they wouldn't care if he ever fit the 34 OLB mold---they need to be ABLE to PRESSURE with a 4 man rush---last week, as Sando reported, the Cardinals sent 5+ man rushes the most of any team in the NFL...more than 50% of the time on virtually every down. Against some of the better QBs---not so fast.

Look at it this way:

a). What's the best luxury to have for the defense in baseball?

Answer: a ground ball pitcher, because even with men on base the threat of a double play is always in place.

b). What's the best luxury to have for a defense in the NBA?

Answer: a shot-blocking dynamo in the middle who can allow the other players to be super aggressive defending the perimeter, knowing the help behind them is built right in.

c). What's the best luxury for a defense in the NFL?

Answer: being able to generate effective pressure on the QB with a 4 man rush. It allows you to cover 5 receivers with 7, as in sticky, all-out aggressive man to man on the 5 under with two safeties helping over the top---.

3. Therefore---perhaps the player they missed out on the most in this draft was DE Chandler Jones. Jones was a hot name---and some draft pundits had him going as high as to Jacksonville at 7 or Carolina at 9. If you haven't seen him yet, you will this Sunday, and even as a rookie the Cardinals are going to have to alter their game plans to chip on him.

4. Speaking of edge rushers---having gone back and watched both Jamaal Westeman and Ricky Elmore for all the snaps they took in pre-season, I came away much more impressed with Elmore. Of course, the year before Elmore jumped out on tape to me when I was trying to focus on OLB/DE Brooks Reed. What I saw then was that Elmore got consistently more pressures than Reed.

Westerman---on his rush would consistently get out maneuvered on the edge, and what he would do is try to club his way back to the inside, only to get stopped in his tracks. Recently signed T Pat McQuistan dominated Westerman in the 4th week of pre-season---that tape on Westerman sealed his fate in Miami, if it wasn't sealed before.

Elmore, on the other hand, made quite an impact in every game he played---in fact, he sealed two Charger wins late in the game with a sack strip in the red zone and a forced fumble in flat coverage. I am surprised the Chargers released him---because he really played well.

Elmore is on the PS---but, who knows, maybe he gets a call up to the roster at some point. I think the fans will really like this Wildcat, if they don't like him already.

5. Yes, very disappointed to see that Larry Parker was released---to show you how anxious I was to see whether he made the practice squad, I must have googled him and checked the transaction wires/rumors 30 times in the two days the Cardinals were not announcing their PS picks.

McCoy is a kickoff return guy---and a raw CB.

I don't get it.

First AJ and now LP...and the odds of Greg Toler being on the roster next year are not good---unless he agrees to give the Cardinals a hometown discount.

6. I am very interested to see how aggressive the Cardinals will be versus the Patriots this week. I imagine that Belichick, after watching the Cardinals tape versus the Seahawks is very concerned about the ferocity and physical aggression the Cardinal defense manifested in that game. The Pats have been struggling some in pass pro---so I think they will try to attack the Cardinal safeties left and right with their exceptional TEs.

If Gronk is dominating our defense, I wonder if Horton would consider putting Patrick Peterson on him---who at this point seems like the only Cardinal DB who could give Gronk some trouble---the other wild card is Daryl Washington on Gronk. Either way, if Gronk and Hernandez run free, the Cardinals will have no chance.

Been reading articles about how the Seahawks sure could have used Kellen Winslow versus the Cardinals....because the Cardinals are pretty solid at CB, but vulnerable in the middle.

7. Still curious about the Cardinals not signing a QB this week---

I think, Dems, it may be another Whisenhunt superstition to keep the same roster no matter what.

We always seem like the team and organization that is least prepared to react to personnel needs.

At least they were looking at DE Carter---but, no action on him as of yet.

 

[Bodha]

First AJ and now LP...and the odds of Greg Toler being on the roster next year are not good---unless he agrees to give the Cardinals a hometown discount.

AJ suuucked. He was a pure "Hes tall! Hes fast!" guy who got you excited becuase he was...tall and fast. Too bad he had zero instincts or football IQ.

Some of the best CBs in the history of the NFL have been short and avg.-speed. But they can read routes and mirror a WR.



I like Toler, but hes nothing special. Everyone last year was devastated when he was injured because he was going to be our #1 or 2 CB. People forget that prior to last year, hed never been higher than #3. So where is this amazing Greg Toler reputation coming from?

I like the guy. Would love him healthy, but it is what it is. If his knee is screwed, then hes no help to us, and hes taking up room.

6. I am very interested to see how aggressive the Cardinals will be versus the Patriots this week. I imagine that Belichick, after watching the Cardinals tape versus the Seahawks is very concerned about the ferocity and physical aggression the Cardinal defense manifested in that game. The Pats have been struggling some in pass pro---so I think they will try to attack the Cardinal safeties left and right with their exceptional TEs.

Rest assured, BB is going to make Whiz his whipping boy in this game. Wont be pretty.

Our one advatage is Horton. The man is a top 3 DC.

When Gronk is dominating our defense, I wonder if Horton would consider putting Patrick Peterson on him---who at this point seems like the only Cardinal DB who could give Gronk some trouble---the other wild card is Daryl Washington on Gronk. Either way, when Gronk and Hernandez run free, the Cardinals will have no chance.

Nothing else to be said. Much like that unavoidable trip to the DMV. Theres nothing you can do to stop it. You can only grit your teeth and take whats coming.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

I believe that Westerman, who played 3-4 OLB in NY, was asled to transition to DE in Miami in their new 4-3. Would change, I would imagine, his pass rushing angles. Agree completely on the need for a situational pass rusher ala Carter, generating pressure with 4. Fact is.... we need that this Sunday.

 

[gmabel830]

If you sign Carter, who are you cutting? Eason? Westerman? Dray?

Also, I'd be interested to see how well D-Wash could hold up against Gronk and quickly move on to Gay/Wilson if he can't hang. If you put PP21 on Gronk, who is guarding the deep threat in Lloyd?

If Skelton is looking like he may only need 2 weeks, I'm wondering if the coaches would spend the roster spot to bring in another QB? If something happens to Kolb, absolutely. Given we can't bring back Bartel, who are you brining in who could understand the system and would be an obvious upgrade over Lindley in the next 2 weeks?

 

[Mitch]

AJ suuucked. He was a pure "Hes tall! Hes fast!" guy who got you excited becuase he was...tall and fast. Too bad he had zero instincts or football IQ.

Some of the best CBs in the history of the NFL have been short and avg.-speed. But they can read routes and mirror a WR.



I like Toler, but hes nothing special. Everyone last year was devastated when he was injured because he was going to be our #1 or 2 CB. People forget that prior to last year, hed never been higher than #3. So where is this amazing Greg Toler reputation coming from?

I like the guy. Would love him healthy, but it is what it is. If his knee is screwed, then hes no help to us, and hes taking up room.




Rest assured, BB is going to make Whiz his whipping boy in this game. Wont be pretty.

Our one advatage is Horton. The man is a top 3 DC.



Nothing else to be said. Much like that unavoidable trip to the DMV. Theres nothing you can do to stop it. You can only grit your teeth and take whats coming.

Sorry but SO many players SUCK to you that you lose credibility.

Guess you have a better sense of talent than the Vikings?

A.J. Jefferson---go back and watch his work versus Q in the Raven game that so many people flamed him for---and when you see how CLOSE he was WITH NO SAFETY HELP on so many of those plays, and how Flacco threaded the ball in there to Q---then---ask yourself, why did Horton put an essential rookie on Q in the first place?

Then watch the pre-season game tapes and watch Jefferson's coverage---obviously the Vikings did, because it was stride for stride play after play.

Plus, the guy has value as a KO returner---he led the NCAA's as a junior for a reason.

And what really bothers me is how many times people like you pull the plug on players who are in their first three years in the league, by saying they suck.

What? You either come in a raving star or you suck?

No learning curve allowed?

Playing CB in the NFL, the rules they way they are, is a ******. It's so difficult. Look at Peterson---he's still trying to make his game count and he's not there yet. Does HE suck? Or do you give him a pass because he was a first round draft pick?

Whether you want to make excuses or not Peterson got flagged on two passes, the first of which gave the Seahawks early momentum, which thank goodness was negated by CC's FG block---the second of which nearly cost the Cardinals the game in the most critical of situations, especially, if moments later Baldwin catches a TD pass that 18 out of 20 time he would catch.

 

[Mitch]

I believe that Westerman, who played 3-4 OLB in NY, was asled to transition to DE in Miami in their new 4-3. Would change, I would imagine, his pass rushing angles. Agree completely on the need for a situational pass rusher ala Carter, generating pressure with 4. Fact is.... we need that this Sunday.

Good point about the angles---hope you are right!

 

[Mitch]

If you sign Carter, who are you cutting? Eason? Westerman? Dray?

Also, I'd be interested to see how well D-Wash could hold up against Gronk and quickly move on to Gay/Wilson if he can't hang. If you put PP21 on Gronk, who is guarding the deep threat in Lloyd?

If Skelton is looking like he may only need 2 weeks, I'm wondering if the coaches would spend the roster spot to bring in another QB? If something happens to Kolb, absolutely. Given we can't bring back Bartel, who are you brining in who could understand the system and would be an obvious upgrade over Lindley in the next 2 weeks?

Good questions, all.

1. I still don't get the romance for Jim Dray---it's been 4 years now and he is still performing below average as the 4th TE and taking a roster spot away from a player who could make a role impact---like even what Garth suggested about a kicker who could kick the ball out of the end zone every time. Think having that player would have helped us Sunday more than Dray?

2. Lloyd doesn't concern me nearly as much as Gronk and Hernandez---or Welker for that matter. The Pats' outside WRs are largely irrelevant and only become relevant in the odd chance they can't feed the TEs and slot WRs and slot RBs.

3. Wilson can't handle Gronk---I don't think they will even consider him. If any safety it would be Rhodes, but that matchup doesn't seem realistic. Washington yes. But we need him to be in Brady's face---so wouldn't it be cool to see PP21 on Gronk? Why not?

4. The QB situation---one is out for possibly 2-3 weeks, the other is one hit away from a season and possible career ending concussion and the third is a rookie---think we should add another QB? The MOST important position on the team---and with QBs the sooner the better so they can learn the playbook---every week makes that harder.

 

[binkar]

Sorry but SO many players SUCK to you that you lose credibility.

Guess you have a better sense of talent than the Vikings?

A.J. Jefferson---go back and watch his work versus Q in the Raven game that so many people flamed him for---and when you see how CLOSE he was WITH NO SAFETY HELP on so many of those plays, and how Flacco threaded the ball in there to Q---then---ask yourself, why did Horton put an essential rookie on Q in the first place?

Then watch the pre-season game tapes and watch Jefferson's coverage---obviously the Vikings did, because it was stride for stride play after play.

Plus, the guy has value as a KO returner---he led the NCAA's as a junior for a reason.

And what really bothers me is how many times people like you pull the plug on players who are in their first three years in the league, by saying they suck.

What? You either come in a raving star or you suck?

No learning curve allowed?

Playing CB in the NFL, the rules they way they are, is a ******. It's so difficult. Look at Peterson---he's still trying to make his game count and he's not there yet. Does HE suck? Or do you give him a pass because he was a first round draft pick?

Whether you want to make excuses or not Peterson got flagged on two passes, the first of which gave the Seahawks early momentum, which thank goodness was negated by CC's FG block---the second of which nearly cost the Cardinals the game in the most critical of situations, especially, if moments later Baldwin catches a TD pass that 18 out of 20 time he would catch.

I agree with the point you are trying to make, but it's difficult for me to see you use this argument when you are constantly criticizing the coaches and saying what you would do that's better. If you can be smarter than the coaches, Bodha can be smarter than the Vikings FO. In reality, both are smarter than you guys

Not to be a jerk, just saying it like it is.

What I do respect about you though, Mitch, is that you aren't afraid to compliment the coaches when they do something you view as good too. Most people are all love or all hate.

 

[DemsMyBoys]

Mitch - I'm really hoping that's not one of Whiz's superstitions, and I rather doubt it. I think it's more a matter of him thinking/knowing that's what he has to work with. Keep your guys and build with what you have.

I'd love to be a fly on the wall and hear the discussions about getting their money's worth out of Kolb. Because I suspect there's been more than one of those seeing as how they spent their beaucoup bucks on him rather than that quy who is QBing up in Denver.

How long do they have to wait until they can bring Bartel back? It wouldn't surprise me a bit if he's (eventually) back as a Cardinal. (Rather then bringing in a new QB from outside the organization.) If he can come back at some point mid-season-ish and we need a QB, I think Bartel's the guy. He knows the system and the team. And he's a known quantity.

 

[JeffGollin]

Most intriguing X's & O's battle of wits during the entire season may turn out to be McDaniel vs. Horton. Can't wait.

 

[NeverSayDieFan]

Hey, Mitch...Possible X-Factor....

Correct me if I'm wrong but hasn't Horton been on the Steelers' coaching staff for alot of their games against the Pats? Now, I realize that "players" change but not so much schemes and, especially, tendencies. Could be our Mr. Horton has a few "surprises" in store for ol' Mr. Brady. Should be interesting to watch the chess-match un-fold.

GO CARDS! Mark in SC

Fan of the UNDEFEATED ARIZONA CARDINALS!!!

 

[Mitch]

Correct me if I'm wrong but hasn't Horton been on the Steelers' coaching staff for alot of their games against the Pats? Now, I realize that "players" change but not so much schemes and, especially, tendencies. Could be our Mr. Horton has a few "surprises" in store for ol' Mr. Brady. Should be interesting to watch the chess-match un-fold.

GO CARDS! Mark in SC

Fan of the UNDEFEATED ARIZONA CARDINALS!!!

Great point, Nevah (as we would say it in Bahston)! Very interesting to see!

 

[Mitch]

Most intriguing X's & O's battle of wits during the entire season may turn out to be McDaniel vs. Horton. Can't wait.

Yeah, JG!

 

[Mitch]

I agree with the point you are trying to make, but it's difficult for me to see you use this argument when you are constantly criticizing the coaches and saying what you would do that's better. If you can be smarter than the coaches, Bodha can be smarter than the Vikings FO. In reality, both are smarter than you guys

Not to be a jerk, just saying it like it is.

What I do respect about you though, Mitch, is that you aren't afraid to compliment the coaches when they do something you view as good too. Most people are all love or all hate.

I am probably never going to jive too much with Whisenhunt---brick on brick. I do respect many of the things he does, however. I just don't think you manage men like he does. I think the players are managing themselves. They are the Birdgang!

 

[red desert]

1. From the sounds of Adrian Wilson and Darnell Dockett---it looks like the players are supporting Kevin Kolb, but with the caveat, "he had better be humbled." Wilson was emphatic that Kolb retain the edge he showed Sunday---which indicated there is a worry that he will go back to the same old same old.

What's great about this---is the players truly have the ownership of the team---which is the same reason why they didn't quit on last season. The Birdgang is in the hands of the Birdgang!

2. Can we finally get one thing straight? NO MATTER WHAT BASE DEFENSE YOU PLAY, if you can add a player who can rush the edge, you jump on him.

Yes, the Cardinals play a base 3-4---but in passing situations that changes into a 4 man front with ILB/S/CB blitz threats inside and from the slot---thus, a rush threat from a hand down edge rusher is paramount. How many OLBers on this roster can be a hand down DE in the 4 man rush? Acho? isn't that about it?

This is exactly why they are kicking the tires on Andre Carter---they wouldn't care if he ever fit the 34 OLB mold---they need to be ABLE to PRESSURE with a 4 man rush---last week, as Sando reported, the Cardinals sent 5+ man rushes the most of any team in the NFL...more than 50% of the time on virtually every down. Against some of the better QBs---not so fast.

Look at it this way:

a). What's the best luxury to have for the defense in baseball?

Answer: a ground ball pitcher, because even with men on base the threat of a double play is always in place.

b). What's the best luxury to have for a defense in the NBA?

Answer: a shot-blocking dynamo in the middle who can allow the other players to be super aggressive defending the perimeter, knowing the help behind them is built right in.

c). What's the best luxury for a defense in the NFL?

Answer: being able to generate effective pressure on the QB with a 4 man rush. It allows you to cover 5 receivers with 7, as in sticky, all-out aggressive man to man on the 5 under with two safeties helping over the top---.

3. Therefore---perhaps the player they missed out on the most in this draft was DE Chandler Jones. Jones was a hot name---and some draft pundits had him going as high as to Jacksonville at 7 or Carolina at 9. If you haven't seen him yet, you will this Sunday, and even as a rookie the Cardinals are going to have to alter their game plans to chip on him.

4. Speaking of edge rushers---having gone back and watched both Jamaal Westeman and Ricky Elmore for all the snaps they took in pre-season, I came away much more impressed with Elmore. Of course, the year before Elmore jumped out on tape to me when I was trying to focus on OLB/DE Brooks Reed. What I saw then was that Elmore got consistently more pressures than Reed.

Westerman---on his rush would consistently get out maneuvered on the edge, and what he would do is try to club his way back to the inside, only to get stopped in his tracks. Recently signed T Pat McQuistan dominated Westerman in the 4th week of pre-season---that tape on Westerman sealed his fate in Miami, if it wasn't sealed before.

Elmore, on the other hand, made quite an impact in every game he played---in fact, he sealed two Charger wins late in the game with a sack strip in the red zone and a forced fumble in flat coverage. I am surprised the Chargers released him---because he really played well.

Elmore is on the PS---but, who knows, maybe he gets a call up to the roster at some point. I think the fans will really like this Wildcat, if they don't like him already.

5. Yes, very disappointed to see that Larry Parker was released---to show you how anxious I was to see whether he made the practice squad, I must have googled him and checked the transaction wires/rumors 30 times in the two days the Cardinals were not announcing their PS picks.

McCoy is a kickoff return guy---and a raw CB.

I don't get it.

First AJ and now LP...and the odds of Greg Toler being on the roster next year are not good---unless he agrees to give the Cardinals a hometown discount.

6. I am very interested to see how aggressive the Cardinals will be versus the Patriots this week. I imagine that Belichick, after watching the Cardinals tape versus the Seahawks is very concerned about the ferocity and physical aggression the Cardinal defense manifested in that game. The Pats have been struggling some in pass pro---so I think they will try to attack the Cardinal safeties left and right with their exceptional TEs.

If Gronk is dominating our defense, I wonder if Horton would consider putting Patrick Peterson on him---who at this point seems like the only Cardinal DB who could give Gronk some trouble---the other wild card is Daryl Washington on Gronk. Either way, if Gronk and Hernandez run free, the Cardinals will have no chance.

Been reading articles about how the Seahawks sure could have used Kellen Winslow versus the Cardinals....because the Cardinals are pretty solid at CB, but vulnerable in the middle.

7. Still curious about the Cardinals not signing a QB this week---

I think, Dems, it may be another Whisenhunt superstition to keep the same roster no matter what.

We always seem like the team and organization that is least prepared to react to personnel needs.

At least they were looking at DE Carter---but, no action on him as of yet.

Spot on, Mitch. I bought the last second hype on Chandler Jones. Would still have taken Mel Ingram. That dude brings big boy ferocity to the table.

I make the next statement as a huge Belichick fan:

Regarding how Belichick will regard to us after watching our game tape... wouldn't it be super cool if Horton said, "who cares. we do what we do."

I think that will be the case. And I do think we come away with a victory. I'm not crazy, and I'm not drunk. I think Ray Horton puts us in a position to win.

The Seattle victory will define our season.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

6. I am very interested to see how aggressive the Cardinals will be versus the Patriots this week. I imagine that Belichick, after watching the Cardinals tape versus the Seahawks is very concerned about the ferocity and physical aggression the Cardinal defense manifested in that game. The Pats have been struggling some in pass pro---so I think they will try to attack the Cardinal safeties left and right with their exceptional TEs.

If Gronk is dominating our defense, I wonder if Horton would consider putting Patrick Peterson on him---who at this point seems like the only Cardinal DB who could give Gronk some trouble---the other wild card is Daryl Washington on Gronk. Either way, if Gronk and Hernandez run free, the Cardinals will have no chance.

Been reading articles about how the Seahawks sure could have used Kellen Winslow versus the Cardinals....because the Cardinals are pretty solid at CB, but vulnerable in the middle.

We are one coverage man short, IMO. Someone has to get a tough assignment and step up.

Are we really going to take Patrick Peterson off Wes Welker ? I too sat back and tried to think about how to cover the TE's.

I would put Daryl Washington on Gronk, and Peterson on Welker. Yet, that leaves the very dangerous Aaron Hernandez. Adrian Wilson ? No, please no. Rhodes? Sanders ? Gay ? Flemming ? And just when we think everything is taken care of, Brandon "the Cardinals Killer" Lloyd is the #2 WR in NE. Oh boy.

The Cardinals will have to run a lot of nickel packages, and that 2-4-5 defense to try and stay with this NE offense. But by doing so ? The Cardinals weaken themselves against the run, which seems to be a resurgence in NE so far this season.


It is going to be a challenge.

 

[Garthshort]

From a FF perspective, I've stayed away from NE RB's, because each week their gameplan changes. One week is run heavy and the next it's pass heavy. Ridley is a VG FF selection, but the genius of Bill B., also makes him a riskey selection. I have a feeling this week NE will be throwing a lot.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

I am probably never going to jive too much with Whisenhunt---brick on brick. I do respect many of the things he does, however. I just don't think you manage men like he does. I think the players are managing themselves. They are the Birdgang!

A team manages itself effectively when it fully inculcates the Coach's message and makes it their own. The Birdgang is a byproduct of the Whiz message. They parrot his lines like the Pats parrot Belichek.

 

[MadCardDisease]

7. Still curious about the Cardinals not signing a QB this week---

I think, Dems, it may be another Whisenhunt superstition to keep the same roster no matter what.

We always seem like the team and organization that is least prepared to react to personnel needs.

At least they were looking at DE Carter---but, no action on him as of yet.

A Superstition? Really?

Maybe it's because Skelton hasn't even been ruled out for the Patriots game this week?

Yes we dodged a bullet on the Skelton injury. Could have been much much worse.

 

[john h]

1. From the sounds of Adrian Wilson and Darnell Dockett---it looks like the players are supporting Kevin Kolb, but with the caveat, "he had better be humbled." Wilson was emphatic that Kolb retain the edge he showed Sunday---which indicated there is a worry that he will go back to the same old same old.

What's great about this---is the players truly have the ownership of the team---which is the same reason why they didn't quit on last season. The Birdgang is in the hands of the Birdgang!

2. Can we finally get one thing straight? NO MATTER WHAT BASE DEFENSE YOU PLAY, if you can add a player who can rush the edge, you jump on him.

Yes, the Cardinals play a base 3-4---but in passing situations that changes into a 4 man front with ILB/S/CB blitz threats inside and from the slot---thus, a rush threat from a hand down edge rusher is paramount. How many OLBers on this roster can be a hand down DE in the 4 man rush? Acho? isn't that about it?

This is exactly why they are kicking the tires on Andre Carter---they wouldn't care if he ever fit the 34 OLB mold---they need to be ABLE to PRESSURE with a 4 man rush---last week, as Sando reported, the Cardinals sent 5+ man rushes the most of any team in the NFL...more than 50% of the time on virtually every down. Against some of the better QBs---not so fast.

Look at it this way:

a). What's the best luxury to have for the defense in baseball?

Answer: a ground ball pitcher, because even with men on base the threat of a double play is always in place.

b). What's the best luxury to have for a defense in the NBA?

Answer: a shot-blocking dynamo in the middle who can allow the other players to be super aggressive defending the perimeter, knowing the help behind them is built right in.

c). What's the best luxury for a defense in the NFL?

Answer: being able to generate effective pressure on the QB with a 4 man rush. It allows you to cover 5 receivers with 7, as in sticky, all-out aggressive man to man on the 5 under with two safeties helping over the top---.

3. Therefore---perhaps the player they missed out on the most in this draft was DE Chandler Jones. Jones was a hot name---and some draft pundits had him going as high as to Jacksonville at 7 or Carolina at 9. If you haven't seen him yet, you will this Sunday, and even as a rookie the Cardinals are going to have to alter their game plans to chip on him.

4. Speaking of edge rushers---having gone back and watched both Jamaal Westeman and Ricky Elmore for all the snaps they took in pre-season, I came away much more impressed with Elmore. Of course, the year before Elmore jumped out on tape to me when I was trying to focus on OLB/DE Brooks Reed. What I saw then was that Elmore got consistently more pressures than Reed.

Westerman---on his rush would consistently get out maneuvered on the edge, and what he would do is try to club his way back to the inside, only to get stopped in his tracks. Recently signed T Pat McQuistan dominated Westerman in the 4th week of pre-season---that tape on Westerman sealed his fate in Miami, if it wasn't sealed before.

Elmore, on the other hand, made quite an impact in every game he played---in fact, he sealed two Charger wins late in the game with a sack strip in the red zone and a forced fumble in flat coverage. I am surprised the Chargers released him---because he really played well.

Elmore is on the PS---but, who knows, maybe he gets a call up to the roster at some point. I think the fans will really like this Wildcat, if they don't like him already.

5. Yes, very disappointed to see that Larry Parker was released---to show you how anxious I was to see whether he made the practice squad, I must have googled him and checked the transaction wires/rumors 30 times in the two days the Cardinals were not announcing their PS picks.

McCoy is a kickoff return guy---and a raw CB.

I don't get it.

First AJ and now LP...and the odds of Greg Toler being on the roster next year are not good---unless he agrees to give the Cardinals a hometown discount.

6. I am very interested to see how aggressive the Cardinals will be versus the Patriots this week. I imagine that Belichick, after watching the Cardinals tape versus the Seahawks is very concerned about the ferocity and physical aggression the Cardinal defense manifested in that game. The Pats have been struggling some in pass pro---so I think they will try to attack the Cardinal safeties left and right with their exceptional TEs.

If Gronk is dominating our defense, I wonder if Horton would consider putting Patrick Peterson on him---who at this point seems like the only Cardinal DB who could give Gronk some trouble---the other wild card is Daryl Washington on Gronk. Either way, if Gronk and Hernandez run free, the Cardinals will have no chance.

Been reading articles about how the Seahawks sure could have used Kellen Winslow versus the Cardinals....because the Cardinals are pretty solid at CB, but vulnerable in the middle.

7. Still curious about the Cardinals not signing a QB this week---

I think, Dems, it may be another Whisenhunt superstition to keep the same roster no matter what.

We always seem like the team and organization that is least prepared to react to personnel needs.

At least they were looking at DE Carter---but, no action on him as of yet.

I much agree we need to add a QB of some sort. Kolb is prone to injury. Skelton is already inured and all we have is a guy who never took an NFL snap. This sounds a little short sighted. I recall many years ago in a NFL championship game that both QBs went down The team had to use a RB at QB who went on to win the game like he had always played QB. I think that team was Baltimore but it has been many years ago. Right now even before the game starts we know we have issues with QB injuries. Better to be safe than sorry even if our chances of winning are very slim. Last I looked we were a 13 1/2 underdog. I thought that was generous but games are won and lost on the field not in the paper.

 

[Big Deal]

We are one coverage man short, IMO. Someone has to get a tough assignment and step up.

Are we really going to take Patrick Peterson off Wes Welker ? I too sat back and tried to think about how to cover the TE's.

I would put Daryl Washington on Gronk, and Peterson on Welker. Yet, that leaves the very dangerous Aaron Hernandez. Adrian Wilson ? No, please no. Rhodes? Sanders ? Gay ? Flemming ? And just when we think everything is taken care of, Brandon "the Cardinals Killer" Lloyd is the #2 WR in NE. Oh boy.

The Cardinals will have to run a lot of nickel packages, and that 2-4-5 defense to try and stay with this NE offense. But by doing so ? The Cardinals weaken themselves against the run, which seems to be a resurgence in NE so far this season.


It is going to be a challenge.

Wasn't money Mike born to cover Welker? That leaves Peterson on Hernandez cards advantage. I would give help on Welker because Brady is going to make a point to get him in the game early after being shut down last week.

 

[CardLogic]

Wasn't money Mike born to cover Welker? That leaves Peterson on Hernandez cards advantage. I would give help on Welker because Brady is going to make a point to get him in the game early after being shut down last week.

Excellent comments! I was just thinking this, BD! Adams is the mirror of Welker - short guy that works his tail off to play in the NFL. But like you, I also would give Adam's some assist...

 

[Cardiac]

A team manages itself effectively when it fully inculcates the Coach's message and makes it their own. The Birdgang is a byproduct of the Whiz message. They parrot his lines like the Pats parrot Belichek.

Fully agree.

 

[Cardiac]

Wasn't money Mike born to cover Welker? That leaves Peterson on Hernandez cards advantage. I would give help on Welker because Brady is going to make a point to get him in the game early after being shut down last week.

Excellent comments! I was just thinking this, BD! Adams is the mirror of Welker - short guy that works his tail off to play in the NFL. But like you, I also would give Adam's some assist...

My thoughts as well.

That means we put Peterson on Lloyd or simply play at his RCB position.

I like DWash on Hernandez and a combo of the Safeties and Stew Bradley on Gronk.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Great point, Nevah (as we would say it in Bahston)! Very interesting to see!

Mark does make a great point Mitch... however, those "surprises" from Horton better be in the form of some crazy pass rush schemes, because if Brady has time in the pocket, it won't matter what surprise coverage scheme Horton throws at him... Brady, with time, will pick us apart all day long. Our offense will never see the ball... it WILL be ugly...
The only way we can have any hope at all is to knock Brady down as often as possible, flush him out of the pocket and generally make his life a living hell everytime he takes a snap.