Week 9 Snap counts, usage trends, and roster thoughts

[Chopper0080]

Week 9 snaps in detail

Offense (67 snaps)

Carson Palmer - 67 (100%)

Andre Ellington - 45 (67.2%)
Robert Hughes - 17 (25.4%)
Marion Grice - 9 (13.4%)

Larry Fitzgerald - 62 (92.5%)
Michael Floyd - 56 (83.6%)
John Brown - 36 (53.7%)
Jaron Brown - 11 (16.4%)
Ted Ginn - 11 (16.4%)

John Carlson - 58 (86.6%)
Rob Housler - 26 (38.8%)
Troy Niklas - 4 (6.0%)

Jared Veldheer - 67 (100%)
Ted Larsen - 67 (100%)
Lyle Sendlein - 67 (100%)
Paul Fanaika - 67 (100%)
Bobby Massie - 67 (100%)

Defense (64 snaps)

Calais Campbell - 57 (89.1%)
Tommy Kelly - 40 (62.5%)
Dan Williams - 30 (46.9%)
Ed Stinson - 33 (51.6%)
Frostee Rucker - 35 (54.7%)
Kareem Martin - 3 (4.7%)

Larry Foote - 64 (100%)
Alex Okafor - 53 (82.8%)
Sam Acho - 50 (78.1%)
Kevin Minter - 12 (18.8%)
Lorenzo Alexander - 5 (7.8%)
Marcus Benard - 4 (6.3%)

Patrick Peterson - 63 (98.4%)
Antonio Cromartie - 60 (93.8%)
Rashad Johnson - 64 (100%)
Deone Bucannon - 39 (60.9%)
Jerraud Powers - 40 (62.5%)
Tyrann Mathieu - 34 (53.1%)
Tony Jefferson - 19 (29.7%)

Trends

1-We have 3 LBs who are playing this year. Foote, Okaform and Acho are getting most of the reps, and Bowles is being creative with the rest. Big props to Bowles for being creative with having so little depth at LB, and running an solid 3-4 defense.

2-I think this game is a nice example of where the Cards are heading with their defensive line over the rest of the season. Calais Campbell never coming off the field (89%), and a really nice rotation of guys which allows them to play fresh (a mix of 45% to 60%). If you look at how the Cardinals finished that game, it shows you they are working a nice rotation to keep guys productive into the 4th Q. Not much you can do about a pass rush this far into the season, but this is a way to get a little more of it.

3-Ellington had his 2nd lowest snap % since week 2 which seems odd, because it seemed like he was always on the field making plays, and taking shots. I'm guessing he got his rest at the end of the game, which was smart of Arians, but all of the hits he is taking are going to start adding up. I really hope we see his usage drop a bit before the playoffs because he seems to be taking more and more big shots each week which speaks to his health IMO. I get you have to keep winning games, but I feel like I can see the workload taking it's toll.

4-So, another interesting note was Dan Williams's usage. When watching the game, Dan Williams seemed like he was in on every big play, and shut down the middle of the Dallas offensive line all game. He was in on 46.9% of the defensive snaps. This isn't to dimminish his worth, but just to give folks an idea of the overall usage of a role player is.

5-Left out. Troy Niklas, 6%. Kareem Martin, 4.7%. Kevin Minter, 18.8%. As much as we may believe in the future of these players and their potential, this is disappointing. I believe Niklas has the most potential to increase his contributions this year because we all see the issues Housler has, and his lack of impact in the passing game. Martin was a raw player when we drafted him, and the Bronco game apparently exposed this. I don't like to talk about The Ghost, but this game tells you all you need to know about Minter IMO. If he was a two down LB, his usage would mirror Dan Williams, but it doesn't. Dan Williams played 18 snaps without Kevin Minter which should tell you all you need to know.

Thoughts

1-Drops are becoming an issue. Not a big issue right now, but it will be a bigger issue when the games become bigger. I have no idea how you fix this in-season, but it is killing offensive momentum.

2-I really liked the overall game delivered by our defensive secondary. Not too many big plays surrendered, especially not to Dez or Terrance Williams. Mathieu made plays, Rashad Johnson blends in, Deone made some plays, and Peterson and Cro held up well outside. Peterson could have had more penalties but the refs decided to keep the flags in their pockets which allowed him to be physical.

3-Ed Stinson is really strong, and our defensive front man handled the vaunted Dallas offensive line. What demonstrates the strength of Stinson is his ability to disengage from offensive linemen. Stinson locks onto guys, diagnoses the play, and then is able to disengage and make a play on the ball. That is not a common thing for defensive players, and do not be shocked to see him draw holding calls because of it. Linemen like to grab inside, and it doesn't get called unless defensive linemen are able to seperate.

4-Interior OL is a glaring issue every week, and isn't something that gets solved with keeping more guys into block. We will struggle with the Rams interior defensive line. It is funny that I also believe Sendlein is having the best year of his career despite this.

5-Nice to see us run successful screen plays. They aren't all great, but there has been some really great ones. Nice to see as it can be a real weapon to slow down a pass rush.

###

That is all I have this week. If you have other questions, let me know.

 

[kerouac9]

I haven't read the entire post--I'm sure I'll have thoughts later--but I swear that I saw Lorenzo Alexander out there on a snap or two with the defense. I even thought it was weird because there was a linebacker with a Captain's patch.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I haven't read the entire post--I'm sure I'll have thoughts later--but I swear that I saw Lorenzo Alexander out there on a snap or two with the defense. I even thought it was weird because there was a linebacker with a Captain's patch.

Alexander was definitely out there.

I think too much is being made on snap count %. Dan Williams is a big part of the defense. I don't care how many snaps he plays. Put it this way, would you rather pay Dan Williams for 30-40% of the plays or Sam Acho for 70-80%. To me, it's a no brainer that Williams is ahead in that conversation.

 

[Chopper0080]

I haven't read the entire post--I'm sure I'll have thoughts later--but I swear that I saw Lorenzo Alexander out there on a snap or two with the defense. I even thought it was weird because there was a linebacker with a Captain's patch.

Oops....forgot to add him when I cut and pasted. I will edit.

 

[Totally_Red]

1-Drops are becoming an issue. Not a big issue right now, but it will be a bigger issue when the games become bigger. I have no idea how you fix this in-season, but it is killing offensive momentum.

This was also a big issue in the Denver game. It doesn't seem to affect Larry, but Michael Floyd, John Brown and Carlson are really hurting the offense with their inconsistency.

On the other hand, I thought Ted Ginn had his best game as a Cardinal with a couple of key catches and a couple of nice punt returns. We'll need him to continue that trend down the stretch.

 

[BigRedRage]

I haven't read the entire post--I'm sure I'll have thoughts later--but I swear that I saw Lorenzo Alexander out there on a snap or two with the defense. I even thought it was weird because there was a linebacker with a Captain's patch.

he was out there. caught me off guard seeing his number.

 

[kerouac9]

There's lots of time for Niklas to get untracked. It's unfortunate that he missed so much of training camp and in-seasons development, but that's a sunk cost at this point.

I wonder if we don't miss Kulabafi the most in pass protection. He seems to be really good at picking up unchecked linemen off the blitz. Neither Ellington nor Hughes are very good at this. Get better soon, Stepfan.

 

[Chopper0080]

Alexander was definitely out there.

I think too much is being made on snap count %. Dan Williams is a big part of the defense. I don't care how many snaps he plays. Put it this way, would you rather pay Dan Williams for 30-40% of the plays or Sam Acho for 70-80%. To me, it's a no brainer that Williams is ahead in that conversation.

Dan Williams is absolutely a force when it comes to stopping the run. He has tremendous value in that area of the game. While I was watching the game, it seemed like Williams was in on every big defensive play vs the run. I was shocked to see his snap %. I think his usage will be part of the negotiation talks, but it is becoming a smaller part as he flashes more on film.

 

[Chopper0080]

There's lots of time for Niklas to get untracked. It's unfortunate that he missed so much of training camp and in-seasons development, but that's a sunk cost at this point.

I wonder if we don't miss Kulabafi the most in pass protection. He seems to be really good at picking up unchecked linemen off the blitz. Neither Ellington nor Hughes are very good at this. Get better soon, Stepfan.

Re: Niklas...I agree he has plenty of time to improve, and I just get frustrated because I see the opportunity every week when watching Carlson. Personally, I think Niklas takes Housler's snaps by the end of the year which would be nice progress.

Re: Taylor. I forget where I read that he was behind Dwyer on the depth chart because he was struggling with protection pickups. I think he looked good in that area vs Washington and Oakland, and is miles ahead of Ellington and Hughes.

 

[Cardiac]

As always great stuff Chopper.

I agree we need another back shouldering some more of the load but Juke avoids a lot of needless hits by stepping out of bounds of getting down.

It is a great discussion in how much we can pay Dumpster Dan when he's only getting ~35% of the snaps every week. Bowles and BA believe that stopping the run is priority #1 & 2 so if DW is that good and impactful in the run D they may justify the CAP hit for a PT player.

 

[jbeecham]

Niklas is coming off that ankle injury that kept him out for a few weeks. I don't think he's even close to 100%, but he came back this week after BA made a comment in the media about Niklas not needing his ankle to be 100% when he's just in there for blocking.

I didn't go back and re-watch the game, but I think Niklas got his snaps on the goal-line plays. I hope he can stay healthy now and start making contributions, but I'm not counting on it in his 1st year. The offensive playbook is tough to pick up... look at Floyd's 1st year and how many times he lined up in the wrong place. If they expect him to block DEs & LBs one-on-one with a bad ankle then that's a good way to get re-injured quickly.

 

[splitsecond]

The Dan Williams number is mind boggling, because it really did feel like he was in there making a play on every play.

 

[Vermont Maverick]

Yes, 97 was out there in the second half. I found myself uttering the following sentence: "What the hell is Alexander doing out there?"

 

[MadCardDisease]

The thing that is brilliant was that Bowles came out and ran a 4-3 instead of the usual 3-4 this past game against the Cowboys. Bowles just continues to amaze me!

Kudos to Calais Campbell, Dan Williams, Frostee Rucker, and Tommy Kelly for pulling this off with such success! Plus throw in Stinson as a rotational guy who is really making some big plays.

 

[cardncubfan]

Dan Williams is absolutely a force when it comes to stopping the run. He has tremendous value in that area of the game. While I was watching the game, it seemed like Williams was in on every big defensive play vs the run. I was shocked to see his snap %. I think his usage will be part of the negotiation talks, but it is becoming a smaller part as he flashes more on film.

I thought he played a lot more as well. Btw thanks again for these write ups. I look forward to them every week.

 

[don7031]

I don't know if it is an indictment or affirmation of the Cardinals' scouting department that the Birds are getting more out of the bottom rounds of the draft than the first couple rounds.

 

[az jam]

I just don't understand, with all the interior line problems, they don't give Cooper some playing time. I know that Goodwin wants to keep the same 5 starting and staying in the entire game but if one is not playing well????
Maybe Cooper really is gong to be a bust.

 

[BigRedRage]

I don't know if it is an indictment or affirmation of the Cardinals' scouting department that the Birds are getting more out of the bottom rounds of the draft than the first couple rounds.

LAst year:

Cooper: has huge potential, should be a long time player for us. Jury is out though.

Minter: Not what was expected but is playing injured. I'll wait until end of next season to pass judgement but he is playing.

Honey badger: enough said

Okafor: Might be our best OLB at this time.

Watford: Potential, good backup at a minimum which is find for a 5th round pick.

Kulabafi: jury out. Good backup. That is fine in round 5.

Swope: oops

Ellington: enough said

DC Jeff: oops

Tony Jefferson UDFA: Solid. Starter.


So yes, the lower end did turn out better so far but Ill wait until next year to decide on Minter and Cooper.

I think the first rounds are more boom or bust than later rounds where you just take swings.

 

[BigRedRage]

I just don't understand, with all the interior line problems, they don't give Cooper some playing time. I know that Goodwin wants to keep the same 5 starting and staying in the entire game but if one is not playing well????
Maybe Cooper really is gong to be a bust.

I predict if he doesnt crack the lineup this year, he will be our starting LG for the following 3 years.

 

[Chopper0080]

I don't know if it is an indictment or affirmation of the Cardinals' scouting department that the Birds are getting more out of the bottom rounds of the draft than the first couple rounds.

People will tell you that the first couple rounds are tough because you are trying to make greta athletes fit into your specific scheme, and their is generally more baggage that you are willing to accept. In the later rounds, you are looking almost exclusively for players who can fill specific roles, and you pick and choose the baggage that those players come with. Also, players picked in the later tend to understand the sense of urgency to contribute and make a roster, whereas 1st and 2nd round guys can come with some entitlement.

There is also the school of thought that you take athletes early and football players late. Guys drafted late who understand the game are more likely to make a roster than guys who are just good athletes. Less room for mistakes and errors by bubble guys.

 

[seesred]

I agree it's good to see these stats . Can't wait till they start moving in guys like Cooper into some snaps . Our guards need help as we witnessed from this weeks game.

GBR
40

 

[Catfish]

Chopper, I'm not so sure about the lack of play by Minter as being due to his ineptitude. For much of this game, the Cards used 4 down linemen and only 3 linebackers, (with Minter being the odd man out). I do know that the idea was to counter the good Dallas O-line and the running of Murray. What Bowles and Buckner did worked, and controlled their run game, so it is hard to tell if not using Minter was because he was not capable, or simply not needed in this case. I still do not really know what we have in him, except that he seems to be pretty immobile for a LB.

 

[Darkside]

Good post Catfish.

 

[Chopper0080]

Chopper, I'm not so sure about the lack of play by Minter as being due to his ineptitude. For much of this game, the Cards used 4 down linemen and only 3 linebackers, (with Minter being the odd man out). I do know that the idea was to counter the good Dallas O-line and the running of Murray. What Bowles and Buckner did worked, and controlled their run game, so it is hard to tell if not using Minter was because he was not capable, or simply not needed in this case. I still do not really know what we have in him, except that he seems to be pretty immobile for a LB.

Ok...so when you are putting a game plan together, you are finding ways to scheme against what you think the other offense will do, and finding areas to create mismatches with your players. If you look at what the Cardinals have done with Bucannon, it realy highlights this. So, that is one knock on Minter. When putting together their game vs a run heavy offense, they didn't scheme in a young player whose strength is supposed to be stopping the run.

Secondly, the NFL is full of good players. One of the ways that fringe players get opportunities is by being versatile. Minter is not which has been proven by his inability to get on the field in passing downs.

Look, people can site a lack of opportunities all day as an excuse for Minter. However, the facts are this. One, Minter is so bad in pass coverage that he can't beat out 30-whatever Larry Foote for a nickel LB spot, and the team has been willing to play their first round draft pick this year OUT OF POSITION because he offers a better option. Two, this is a very pass happy league, and if you don't play on passing downs, your reps are going to be very limited. Three, when developing schemes and implementing defensive packages, Minter is being left out in favor of players like Ed Stinson, Alex Okafor, Frostee Rucker, Sam Acho, Deone Bucannon, and Tony Jefferson. It isn't to say that those players aren't good, but it is saying that the team is favoring schemes which feature 4 S's and 4 DL vs multiple LBs.

The Dallas game is a perfect example. Bowles, a 3-4 defensive coach whose scheme puts an emphasis on LBs, decided to develop a completely different scheme vs a run heavy offense rather than stick with their scheme which would have relied more on Kevin Minter (in reality, they went with a 4-3 because a 3-4 would have overmatched Bucannon too much because he would have been playing the other ILB spot).

OK, that is it. I'm back to no longer talking about The Ghost.