Week 3 Prep for Seattle

[Mitch]

Personal Note:

At halftime of the Carolina game I experienced an epiphany of sorts. I realized, as I have on many previous occasions, that I was feeling so uptight that I was not enjoying the game. Thus, I made a concerted effort to make sure that in the second half, no matter what, that I was going to simply try as best as I could to enjoy the game. I truly enjoyed the second half and was elated with the outcome---and afterward I decided not to dwell on the negatives---I was happy just to be happy.

Yesterday---at halftime I was convinced that the Cardinals had virtually NO shot of winning the game---and once again had to remind myself to try to enjoy watching the game anyway, as difficult as it is to watch the other team's offense mount long time-consuming scoring drives while the Cardinals' defense repeatedly offered poor tackling/shedding blocks efforts and drive extending penalties left and right. That said, the second half was far more bearable---save the last 8 minutes, which was a return to the first half total and complete domination.

When I am not watching the Cardinals I am studying the other NFC West teams---and what I believe is that the Cardinals have the most skill position talent on offense (although the 49ers and Rams are very close---closer than you think---and they have stronger, better o-lines)---and that conversely the Cardinals have by far the weakest defense. This makes me especially nervous---and when Mike Sando said in his "no defending the Cardinals' defense" blog that "it's going to get worse before it gets better", I understand what Sando is saying because as slow as the Cardinals typically are in making changes, the necessary changes on defense likely won't be made for another several weeks---and by then it may be too little too late.

But---I am going to go ahead and talk about the changes that need to be made on both sides of the ball and on special teams---anyway.

Personnel Decisions:

1. Crezdon Butler (ankle) is headed to the IR, which opens up a roster spot. What a shame because Butler could have really helped at both CB and S. The Cardinals need CB and S help---so knowing the Cardinals they probably will take the easy and familiar route and re-sign Matt Ware.

Injury Report:

1. LB Daryl Washington (calf)
2. LB Paris Lenon (ankle)
3. RB/KR LaRod Stephens-Howling (wrist)

The hope is that all three will practice this week and be ready to play. All three are key players.

Personnel Needs:

1. OLB/DE
2. LT
3. RT
4. #2 RB
5. CB
6. S
7. Speed WR

Back End Roster Players:

1. CB Korey Lindsay---is he too young and raw to contribute?
2. TE Jim Dray---do the Cardinals really need 4 TEs?
3. WR Chansi Stuckey---do the Cardinals need a 3rd slot WR, especially with Heap, King and Housler as slot options as well?
4. WR Stephen Williams---love his talent, but when is he going to contribute?
5. S Hamza Abdullah---is he improved enough and good enough on STs to warrant a roster spot?
6. RB Alfonso Smith---is he really the #2 RB? He is PS eligible, which could help in the decision making.
7. RB Chester Taylor---is he fitting in?

The Cardinals usually stand pat---but this year, if they are serious about trying to win the NFC West they need to be creative enough to find ways to add key players. Seattle acquired RB Marshawn Lynch via trade last year early in the season and that move was one of the keys for their winning the division.

Defensive Personnel Adjustments:

1. Start CB Richard Marshall and move CB Patrick Peterson to the nickel. Marshall will have a better chance to take away the slant to WR Mike Williams---and the team needs to take some of the pressure off of Peterson, at least for now. At nickel he gets to do the two things he does best---press WRs and TEs and blitz. Taking Williams away on the slant---which the Cardinals failed to do in both Seattle losses last year is one of the keys---and playing a FS over the top to pick up the TE up the seam and/or speedster Doug Baldwin (4/83/1 TD in Week 1) on the deep post or go route---not to mention the possible return of Sydney Rice.

2. Play SS Adrian Wilson exclusively in the box and/or short to intermediate coverage areas.

3. Involve nickel FS Rashad Johnson more so that Horton can move Kerry Rhodes up for blitzes and TE covers. The Cardinals cannot afford to let Zack Miller, who has been dinged a little and has only caught 2/19/9.5/0 TD thus far, to have a big day.

4. Play DEs Nick Eason and Vonnie Holiday (or David Carter when he is not in for Dan Williams) on running downs. What a thoroughly pitiful effort Darnell Dockett and Calais Campbell made defensing the run versus Washington. Dockett showed up in the second half after being a non-factor/liability in the first half. You just know that despite not running the ball that well yet, seattle is going to drool looking at the Washington tape and believe that their #1/#2 RB combo in Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett will be their version of Tim Hightower and Roy Helu.

5. Use OLB O'Brien Schofield as an edge rusher---not as a cover LB, for crying out loud. Limit the slow and lethargic Joey Porter to 20 snaps max in the hope that he could go full tilt when you need him to.

Offensive Personnel Adjustments:

1. With the Seattle crowd noise and their DEs storming the edges as they always do versus the Cardinals, how many penalties and sacks will Levi Brown have this week? How about giving D'Anthony Batiste some reps with the first team in practice this week---and activate him for the game? Could it hurt? Same with Jeremy Bridges on the right side. And don't be afraid to use them if the tackle continue to struggle.

2. Silent counts---wonder if the offense has the discipline to pull them off---but they will need to. Seattle and their fans will be hungry, furious and loud.

3. Beating press coverage---they are going to roll up the CB and press all over the place. Unlike the Cardinals they are not going to sit back and give cushion---especially since no WR on the Cardinals scares them speed-wise. They will tilt their FS Chancellor to Fitz's side---but they will also disguise the FS shade and have him sprint over to the backside seam to take away the TE every now and then. Motion Fitz---gives him a distinct edge in beating press coverage and coming off clean for quick outs, quick ins and double moves.

4. This week make Kolb a threat to run---not wide but through openings in the pocket if the pocket closes faster than expected. A man coverage defense fears this the most.

5. Play a more steady diet of the Spread---it opened up the offense both in the passing and running games...only on occasion, motion back a TE and go into added protection in order to take some deep shots this week. Deep shots---is where the Seattle defense will be most vulnerable---so were the Redskins but the coaches didn't find a way to take more than 1 the whole game. The 1 was a thing of beauty---as in a 73 yard TD.

Special Teams' Adjustments:

1. Kick the ball away from Lionel Washington. Period.

2. Spare LSH this week on KOs---so he can focus on being the gunner on the kick off and punt teams---and if there is a wind factor holding up kickoffs---have Patrick Peterson return those ones. get the ball in his hands as much as possible.

3. Understand how good P Jon Ryan is---his punts generally go 46-54 yards---but they are returnable (48.6 ave/ 36.9 net).

I am committing myself to doing all I can to enjoy the games. I hope you can do the same!

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

Good write up Mitch Unfortunately for us fans, the Cards will make no changes. Wilson will continue to get burned relentlessly, Brown and Keith will continue to be the worst OT's in the league, and for some unknown reason, Schofield will not be used as the primary pass rusher

 

[RonF]

Mitch, what I fear most on defense is that it appears we have no on the field leader that everyone can look up to, at least, not yet. That dominate alpha male that sets the tone of play for others to follow. I'm looking forward to see who wants to take over this role in the games ahead.

 

[Mitch]

Good write up Mitch Unfortunately for us fans, the Cards will make no changes. Wilson will continue to get burned relentlessly, Brown and Keith will continue to be the worst OT's in the league, and for some unknown reason, Schofield will not be used as the primary pass rusher

It's amazing to me, ASU-Prodigy, that WE have been seeing these things for years and yet the FO and the coaches continue to be oblivious and just plain ignorant of them. Not only we---Mike Sando---the entire media---even Kent Somers has finally started getting sardonic in his own assessments---it is a study in the Einsteinian Theory of Insanity of making the same mistakes over and over again and expecting a different result.

 

[Mitch]

Mitch, what I fear most on defense is that it appears we have no on the field leader that everyone can look up to, at least, not yet. That dominate alpha male that sets the tone of play for others to follow. I'm looking forward to see who wants to take over this role in the games ahead.

You said it, Ron. No "do as I say, do as I do" guy at all. I was watching PP21 yesterday and was thinking that on any team with real leadership on defense, he wouldn't be playing this passively---he would be playing with attitude and with far more aggression. The players on this defense show up only when they want to, and have done so for the past 5 years---and no one has done anything about it---especially not the coaches.

 

[az jam]

Personal Note:

At halftime of the Carolina game I experienced an epiphany of sorts. I realized, as I have on many previous occasions, that I was feeling so uptight that I was not enjoying the game. Thus, I made a concerted effort to make sure that in the second half, no matter what, that I was going to simply try as best as I could to enjoy the game. I truly enjoyed the second half and was elated with the outcome---and afterward I decided not to dwell on the negatives---I was happy just to be happy.

How do you manage to do this? When I attend the games, I'm ok but get knots in my stomach watching them on TV. I guess its easier to take with the crowds at the game than sitting alone in front of the TV at home.

I agree with your analysis but don't see change occurring yet.

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

It's amazing to me, ASU-Prodigy, that WE have been seeing these things for years and yet the FO and the coaches continue to be oblivious and just plain ignorant of them. Not only we---Mike Sando---the entire media---even Kent Somers has finally started getting sardonic in his own assessments---it is a study in the Einsteinian Theory of Insanity of making the same mistakes over and over again and expecting a different result.

I think it's pretty simple, honestly. Whisenhunt just doesn't want to be proven wrong, or that 'his' way isn't the best route. It has everything to do with being stubborn. He wants to prove to himself, and all the doubters, that his personnel group is the best possible solution, when in fact, it's not even close. He will stick with the same exact group until he's run out of town, which seems inevitable at this point. The best example is with the defense, he will change the DC, Secondary and LB coaches, but will never-ever attempt to change the players. Also, for the past couple of years, a lot of people have been saying that the Super Bowl team was a product of Denny Green's talent, so what does he do, he gets rid of practically every Green player and replaces them with his own. The fact that he likes grandpa Steeler players is disheartening, to say the least, there's absolutely no room for improvement with these players, and it really just doesn't make any sense...

 

[MrYeahBut]

You said it, Ron. No "do as I say, do as I do" guy at all. I was watching PP21 yesterday and was thinking that on any team with real leadership on defense, he wouldn't be playing this passively---he would be playing with attitude and with far more aggression. The players on this defense show up only when they want to, and have done so for the past 5 years---and no one has done anything about it---especially not the coaches.

I think part of the reason there is no accountability is there is no depth at critical positions. How can a player be threatened with loss of playing time when there is no one behind him to take his roster spot?

 

[Mitch]

I think it's pretty simple, honestly. Whisenhunt just doesn't want to be proven wrong, or that 'his' way isn't the best route. It has everything to do with being stubborn. He wants to prove to himself, and all the doubters, that his personnel group is the best possible solution, when in fact, it's not even close. He will stick with the same exact group until he's run out of town, which seems inevitable at this point. The best example is with the defense, he will change the DC, Secondary and LB coaches, but will never-ever attempt to change the players. Also, for the past couple of years, a lot of people have been saying that the Super Bowl team was a product of Denny Green's talent, so what does he do, he gets rid of practically every Green player and replaces them with his own. The fact that he likes grandpa Steeler players is disheartening, to say the least, there's absolutely no room for improvement with these players, and it really just doesn't make any sense...

You make an very astute point. Signing ex-Steelers who want a good paycheck is EASY---just as re-signing less than average, unproductive players like Matt Ware is easy. But--wait---he knows the system! Yeah, he knows that in half or more of the games it's OK to not show up, let alone hit somebody. It all just perpetuates itself over and over.

Now that you have me on a rant---why does it take Chester Taylor two weeks to be activated? Why does it take Stewart Bradley two months? What---are they learning Chinese translations of the play calls? It's unreal. Marshawn Lynch was playing after 3 days of practice in Seattle and he was a difference maker from the get-go.

 

[Mitch]

I think part of the reason there is no accountability is there is no depth at critical positions. How can a player be threatened with loss of playing time when there is no one behind him to take his roster spot?

Yes, this, MYB. There's no threat of losing a job. We are still not playing our best o-lineman because he is now 7 pounds overweight and Russ Grimm likes the continuity.

The thing is---and this is where Whiz has lost his cajones---Whiz was the one who subbed in THT for Edgerrin after Edge fumbled away a game---and it led to a three game winning streak that propelled the team to its first NFC West Championship---but those days are gone, like Hightower is---too many soft egos to protect.

 

[slanidrac16]

We are at best a middle of the pack team.

If you can accept that, it makes it a bit easier. There are no all pros sitting on the bench waiting to start. If PP21 was on the bench or just in nickel we would all be screaming to put him in there because things would be about the same.
I think we need to let PP21 play and grow so if by some chance we can hang around .500 he will be more prepared for any stretch run.

Wilson is a bigger problem than PP21. He should be used as a hybrid roving LB on 1st and 2nd down and then let the situation dictate what to do on 3rd down. Wilson is one helluva player when he is coming forward. Get him moving laterally and he is in trouble.

Look at this division...we all stink. It will be the team that stinks the least that will win the West.....and I'll take it because we all know what can happen if you make the playoffs.

I was a bit leary about the Kolb trade but I'll tell you now I'm all in. He has shown more leadership and fire in 2 games than all the qb's combined last year. Given just a little time he has the accuracy needed to move an offense. And for as much as the Redskins manhandled us, if Stuckey doesn't fumble I believe Kolb would have led us to a game winning FG.

Can you imagine the what we would be talking about today?

Oh, one other thing. The 'terrible' Cardinal defense was carved up by Newton for 422 yards. He threw for 432 yds. against the Packers. What does it all mean? The Packers suck too?

 

[Duckjake]

4. Play DEs Nick Eason and Vonnie Holiday (or David Carter when he is not in for Dan Williams) on running downs. What a thoroughly pitiful effort Darnell Dockett and Calais Campbell made defensing the run versus Washington. Dockett showed up in the second half after being a non-factor/liability in the first half. You just know that despite not running the ball that well yet, seattle is going to drool looking at the Washington tape and believe that their #1/#2 RB combo in Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett will be their version of Tim Hightower and Roy Helu.

I have been commenting on this for a long time. Darnell Dockett and Calais Campbell cannot man the DT spots in the 2-4-5 (or 4-2-5) Horton seems to love. Washington just ran over the front of Haggans, Dockett, Campbell, and Porter. It wasn't a lack of effort by DD and CC. They are just too small to play inside without some bigger guys on the outside. And the gaps that setup leaves are huge.

If Horton wants to continue to do that 4-2-5 the better personnel package would be Acho, Dockett,Carter and Campbell. So what if Acho and Campbell might be a liability in pass coverage? So are Haggans andPorter. And you have 5 DBs in the game.

Acho is younger, bigger and has more experience as a 4-3 DE than Haggans. Carter has shown he could be a poor man's DD. I'd bet that foursome could get better pressure on the QB.

They just can't keep running that Hole in the Wall alignment. It has been gouged for big yards since last year.

Note: Yes I do know that Horton wasn't the DC last season. Davis ran that same alignment in 2010.

 

[SuperSpck]

Oh, one other thing. The 'terrible' Cardinal defense was carved up by Newton for 422 yards. He threw for 432 yds. against the Packers. What does it all mean? The Packers suck too?

I've been wondering about this.
Think about all the amazing passing days QBs have had in the last two weeks.
Product of the lock-out?

 

[Russ Smith]

You make an very astute point. Signing ex-Steelers who want a good paycheck is EASY---just as re-signing less than average, unproductive players like Matt Ware is easy. But--wait---he knows the system! Yeah, he knows that in half or more of the games it's OK to not show up, let alone hit somebody. It all just perpetuates itself over and over.

Now that you have me on a rant---why does it take Chester Taylor two weeks to be activated? Why does it take Stewart Bradley two months? What---are they learning Chinese translations of the play calls? It's unreal. Marshawn Lynch was playing after 3 days of practice in Seattle and he was a difference maker from the get-go.

Because Lynch was the best RB on the Seattle roster the day he walked in there. Taylor isn't our best RB, he'll eventually find a role but he's not good enough to walk in and play when he doesn't know the system.

Bradley hasn't done anything yet to suggest he should be playing more.

i agree some of this stuff drives me nuts, Porter continuing to play over Schofield, why we didn't get a better LT etc. But I don't think it's that Whiz is afraid to be proven wrong I think it's much simpler, Whiz would rather face the devil he knows than the one he doesn't know.

he knows what Porter can't do but he knows what he can expect from him, with Schofield he's not sure. I'm not saying I agree with it, but I think that's how he sees it, he trusts Porter more.

I don't like it but I don't think it's ego or I'm right so much as it's I know what I'll get from him, eventually the coach has to be willing to give the kids a chance to show what they can do though.

 

[JeffGollin]

I want to see the Game 2 stats and injury list before I'd do any prep thought for Seattle.

But based on the Week 1 results, there appear to be weaknesses throughout their lineup.

 

[Duckjake]

Oh, one other thing. The 'terrible' Cardinal defense was carved up by Newton for 422 yards. He threw for 432 yds. against the Packers. What does it all mean? The Packers suck too?

It might. Warner & Co. put over 500 on them. In the playoffs. And remember we never had the ball in overtime so that was all done in 4 quarters.

Also the Packers were only 10-6 last year plus they are operating with the SB hangover. We even beat New Orleans last season.

Find another team to say we are as bad as so we must not be as bad as we think.

 

[lobo]

How do you manage to do this? When I attend the games, I'm ok but get knots in my stomach watching them on TV. I guess its easier to take with the crowds at the game than sitting alone in front of the TV at home.

I agree with your analysis but don't see change occurring yet.

Whoa....do I agree with you!! For my entire 40+ years of rooting for the Chicago, St. Louis, Phoenix, Arizona teams there are a number of occasions where I just get up and walk away for awhile....just can't stand what I am seeing.....at least the team does not look like Indy so far this year.

 

[Mitch]

Because Lynch was the best RB on the Seattle roster the day he walked in there. Taylor isn't our best RB, he'll eventually find a role but he's not good enough to walk in and play when he doesn't know the system.

Bradley hasn't done anything yet to suggest he should be playing more.

i agree some of this stuff drives me nuts, Porter continuing to play over Schofield, why we didn't get a better LT etc. But I don't think it's that Whiz is afraid to be proven wrong I think it's much simpler, Whiz would rather face the devil he knows than the one he doesn't know.

he knows what Porter can't do but he knows what he can expect from him, with Schofield he's not sure. I'm not saying I agree with it, but I think that's how he sees it, he trusts Porter more.

I don't like it but I don't think it's ego or I'm right so much as it's I know what I'll get from him, eventually the coach has to be willing to give the kids a chance to show what they can do though.

I hear you Russ. My only question is when does "eventually" come? Shouldn't this have been accounted for in the off-season? It's all extraordinarily predictable.

That said, what is your take on the 49er/Cowboy game yesterday? Harbaugh is being criticized rather vociferously for a number of late game decisions he made, like taking the 55 yard FG in lieu of accepting the penalty that would have given the 49ers a chance to keep the ball and drive for a game locking TD.

And with that what do you think the Cardinals' chances are of breaking the 49ers' domination of them in recent years?

 

[Duckjake]

Whoa....do I agree with you!! For my entire 40+ years of rooting for the Chicago, St. Louis, Phoenix, Arizona teams there are a number of occasions where I just get up and walk away for awhile....just can't stand what I am seeing.....at least the team does not look like Indy so far this year.

Back to the days of yesteryear when we would yell "YOUR TEAM'S WORSE THAN OURS!" at the Detroit fans.

 

[kerouac9]

We are at best a middle of the pack team.

This is the thing that my mind knows but my gut is refusing to accept. 8-8 might be the ceiling for this particular team this particular season.

A good team puts Carolina away at home (in fact, I think that Green Bay might not be as good a team as people think and might not win their division); a good team beats this really, really average Washington team decisively. This is not a good team. If we're struggling against (below) average NFL teams, what's going to happen when we play Baltimore/Dallas/Philly/Pittsburgh? We're going to get slaughtered.

The offense can't sustain drives and the defense can't get anyone off the field. It's the same song as last season, just in a slightly different key.

To the leadership question, I think we still miss Karlos Dansby. Despite all his contract stuff, he was voted Team Captain and was the hype-man in pregame (does anyone who goes to games early know who does this now?). He was the attitudinal leader of the defense. Bickley tweeted out this offseason that he hadn't heard anyone mention missing DRC this camp, while lots of guys were saying it last year.

Lenon is famously quiet. Washington is trying to play it up, but you can't lead in sweats from the sideline.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

If we're struggling against (below) average NFL teams, what's going to happen when we play Baltimore/Dallas/Philly/Pittsburgh? We're going to get slaughtered.

All 1-1 teams. Bmore lost to a bad Titans team on the road and Dallas went to OT to beat a bad SF team on the road. Road games are hard to win. In fact those 4 teams are a combined 2-4 on the road with one win in OT and the other with the Rams best player(SJax) missing virtually the entire game.

 

[Catfish]

Good stuff Mitch-----When I watched the game, I wondered why, (if we were passing down the slot at the end of the game), was the skinny weakling working the slot instead of, oh say-----Heap, or King, or even Housler. How humiliating it is to see a kid with no strength to speak of have the ball batted away when we have battle toughened TE's to do the same job. Is this yet another attempt by Whiz to play 'smart' football?

 

[Cardiac]

It's a fine line in the NFL from winning and losing and sometimes even losing and losing big.
What's going on in KC? Two blow out losses, I guess the team has quit on Haley.

Have the Colts suddenly given up and are not trying?

Falcons laid down in the first game of the season?

Why can't Harbaugh in Balt get his team to play hard every week; especially with Ray Lewis, Q and Reed as team leaders?

I'm not buying into the Cards quit, they just got outplayed and made mistakes more often then not against the Redskins.

It is impossible for even the most rabid and well read fans to truly know all the ins and outs of what is happening in practice and the locker room. None of us have access to the coaches films or the full knowledge of current NFL schemes. I don't care about how much you study the game or have coached or played, unless you have actual NFL experience you are simply not going to be correct with many of your conclusions.

Having said that, I do receive a lot of FB knowledge from many of the posters and truly appreciate their posts.

 

[Duckjake]

I don't care about how much you study the game or have coached or played, unless you have actual NFL experience you are simply not going to be correct with many of your conclusions.

I'll never agree with that.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

This is the thing that my mind knows but my gut is refusing to accept. 8-8 might be the ceiling for this particular team this particular season.

A good team puts Carolina away at home (in fact, I think that Green Bay might not be as good a team as people think and might not win their division); a good team beats this really, really average Washington team decisively. This is not a good team. If we're struggling against (below) average NFL teams, what's going to happen when we play Baltimore/Dallas/Philly/Pittsburgh? We're going to get slaughtered.

The offense can't sustain drives and the defense can't get anyone off the field. It's the same song as last season, just in a slightly different key.

To the leadership question, I think we still miss Karlos Dansby. Despite all his
contract stuff, he was voted Team Captain and was the hype-man in pregame (does anyone who goes to games early know who does this now?). He was the attitudinal leader of the defense. Bickley tweeted out this offseason that he hadn't heard anyone mention missing DRC this camp, while lots of guys were saying it last year.

Lenon is famously quiet. Washington is trying to play it up, but you can't lead in sweats from the sideline.

Fair to ask that with so much roster turnover ( well above league average), a new coordinator, and change at the most important position in sports that the team is a work in progress?

Maybe if the team played Carolina in Week 8 they blast them like you would like? First 6 games hope for a winning record and enough signs that will allow you to believe this team can do damage the last ten. That's when the division games are so that's what really matters.

That's my outlook. People get too worked up over a game we looked pretty good in, especially with everyone still integrating into the team. Everyone can make the comment "oh well everyone had turnover" but find me another team with a new vet QB this year that looks good so far? Keep looking? The titans maybe?

Would you change rosters and coaching staffs with them? I wouldn't.

Here's saying everyone is all smiles next week and the reality is we are still a team with deep flaws, but likely still the division favorite.

Are pats and Packers fans jumping off buildings because of their pass defense too?