Where to Start?

[Harry]

My first thought is that I'm sure glad I'm not one of the Cardinal players who will be on the practice field this upcoming week. BA must be embarrassed to lose to a former Cards' coach with a team that truly made no effort to show pride. BA is not a guy I'd want to embarrass. Practice will be hell! I earlier posted how deep this team was. I may have been wrong. The O-line backups again looked bad, especially Crisp. If Peterson gets hurt the Cards might not have a winning record. I know TM will help, but I'm not sure he can help enough. Hartfield & Miller didn't give any indication they'd played college ball. Williams didn't cover anyone either. He caught a break because everyone was open so there was no need for SD to focus on Him. Stanton looked like a fourth stringer. He repeatedly missed open receivers, though once again he hit a defender. Bradley can throw in the middle of the field but appears to have no clue how to hit receivers elsewhere. Special teams continued to be worthless whether kicking or returning. The first string offense looked disorganized. Palmer seemed to think he was back playing Carolina. This was certainly the worst game I've seen a BA team play. I would be remiss to ignore the play calling which reminded me of a high school game. Certainly drops and poor throws undermind the offense. It's also true you don't want to show too much. Of course showing nothing isn't good either.

I would also be remiss if I didn't mention a few good efforts. Butler had a few good plays and should make this roster. BJ seemed steady. All the running backs looked fine. Beyond that it was scary!

 

[SeattleCard]

I agree with all points, Harry... particularly about the play calling. I like Harold Goodwin, seems like a good dude, but I *hope* he does not end up being our head coach someday. Of course, I guess I have to keep in mind this is preseason but MAN it's been a rough two first games. :S

 

[BurqueCardFan]

I think both our coordinators are sub-par. I know BA calls plays, so that minimizes Goodwin's effect on the team. I think BA made a huge mistake trying to stay in house with his underlings instead of getting some proven guys.

 

[MrYeahBut]

Continued horrific special teams play just baffles me. It's not like they don't practice or review it on film... wth?

 

[Paso Fino]

I think you meant Barkley rather than Bradley and I thought he played well. A lot has to do with reasonable expectations. It certainly is reasonable to expect someone like Palmer and even Stanton to play very well. Certainly even with a first round QB draft pick you don't expect him to come out playing like an all pro. I have the impression that BA expects too much from young QBs and is too quick to pass on them and then go on to another one the next season. Why he is so enamored with Stanton is a mystery.

 

[Garthshort]

Harry, excuse me, but who is BJ?

 

[PJ1]

While I agree it was a dismal effort I disagree on Williams. Thought he improved in this one. Miller flashed some too. He will take some time and we know that.

If they don't bounce back with a good effort next week we may have a problem we weren't anticipating. I believe they will open up the offense more and have a good game.

 

[PJ1]

Harry, excuse me, but who is BJ?

Believe he meant DJ but his mind is elsewhere.

 

[Broseph]

You guys notice a theme in the NFL preseason? Bad teams often look really good in the pre-season and good teams often look really bad. There is no doubt in my mind we would destroy the Chargers in the regular season.

 

[Jim Otis]

Harry, excuse me, but who is BJ?

I could be wrong , but I think he meant Jaron Brown , just typed it backwards .

 

[b8rtm8nn]

I don't put too much credence in ST play in the preseason as they literally seem to throw every third and fourth stringer in the mix to see how they hustle.

 

[MrYeahBut]

I don't put too much credence in ST play in the preseason as they literally seem to throw every third and fourth stringer in the mix to see how they hustle.

They weren't all that good in the regular season last year were they? I think that's why there are ongoing concerns.

 

[Harry]

Fair to assume I was pretty frustrated when I wrote the above. Amusingly I have a dog named Barkley, so you'd think I'd get that right. I did mean BJ but JB looked good too. Not everyone tanked it, but I was shocked to see a team with this much internal leadership play this way. I'm sadden these guys weren't calling out some guys on the sideline; preseason or not.

 

[Mitch]

Fair to assume I was pretty frustrated when I wrote the above. Amusingly I have a dog named Barkley, so you'd think I'd get that right. I did mean BJ but JB looked good too. Not everyone tanked it, but I was shocked to see a team with this much internal leadership play this way. I'm sadden these guys weren't calling out some guys on the sideline; preseason or not.

It was very frustrating to watch, especially after last week.

The QB play, imo, has prevented the Cardinals from showing off their depth. This roster is very talented. The QBs have been playing hot potato instead of focused, gritty football and all it does is painfully remind everyone (especially the players) of the Seattle and Carolina blowouts.

 

[az jam]

Good writeup, Harry. Total team embarrassment especially the offense. Very concerned about major holes at center and cornerback. No way can Shipley be the starter at center or Williams at CB. Must fix this for sure or this will be a long season
.

 

[Finito]

You guys notice a theme in the NFL preseason? Bad teams often look really good in the pre-season and good teams often look really bad. There is no doubt in my mind we would destroy the Chargers in the regular season.

Yup it's pre season.

 

[kerouac9]

Can't grade units in preseason. Can grade how player win one-on-one battles. DJ Williams can't win against bad players; he's gonna hamper the O when he's lined up against good ones. Brandon Williams may be able to slow down mediocre #2 wideouts, but he's no better a starting corner than Bethel. If we have to protect him, it means a less effective Mathieu.

The defensive line and OLBs look as good as I've ever seen.

 

[Garthshort]

Not making an excuse, but I am wondering if BA's illness coupled with the death of Mike's mother contributed to such a laxadasical (Sp?) effort?

 

[TJ]

Not making an excuse, but I am wondering if BA's illness coupled with the death of Mike's mother contributed to such a laxadasical (Sp?) effort?

Lackadaisical

Doubt it, but in the post game radio show, I believe it was Roy Green who implied that because the team had been in San Diego since Monday, they just wanted to go home.

Makes sense, but not an excuse to crap all over the field.

 

[MrYeahBut]

Can't grade units in preseason. Can grade how player win one-on-one battles. DJ Williams can't win against bad players; he's gonna hamper the O when he's lined up against good ones. Brandon Williams may be able to slow down mediocre #2 wideouts, but he's no better a starting corner than Bethel. If we have to protect him, it means a less effective Mathieu.

The defensive line and OLBs look as good as I've ever seen.

K9, did you mean DJ Humphries in bolded text above? Entirely possible I'm missing something if not.

 

[Reign Blood]

Keenan Lewis anyone? Didn't want to start a thread but he's worth the thought?

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Good writeup, Harry. Total team embarrassment especially the offense. Very concerned about major holes at center and cornerback. No way can Shipley be the starter at center or Williams at CB. Must fix this for sure or this will be a long season
.

Shipley is potentially a huge problem. Everything else I take with a grain of salt because it's meaningless pre-season minutia.

I do find it somewhat amusing that people are questioning play calling in pre-season. There is no game plan.

 

[speedy]

Lackadaisical

Doubt it, but in the post game radio show, I believe it was Roy Green who implied that because the team had been in San Diego since Monday, they just wanted to go home.

Makes sense, but not an excuse to crap all over the field.

Thats a horrible excuse. When I have to leave San Diego in August to come back here, I am usually bitchy, disappointed, if not ready to cry.

Why would you want to leave SD to practice in Tempe?????

 

[Reign Blood]

I can see now not resigning Larson was a misstake. It's bad enough Chi got Massie now they get our depth as well.

 

[Garthshort]

1. Brandon Williams, according to BA, had a good game. As I've said, I've thought he improved from his first game. He's a VG pick, imo, even if he's not ready to be a starting CB. His future looks bright to me. Can Ball, Bethel or Jenkins start and thus bring BW along, slowly?
2. We have a VG group of TE's. Let's use them.
3. Washington, I think, lost their starting RB, Jones. Are they a possible trade partner? With the growth of Jaron Brown, is Michael Floyd a trade possibility? Or with the aging of Fitz, is MF too valuable to let go?
4. Only one week for Redemption?