Your Evaluation of Skelton's Play?

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I truly believe that the beginning of the game drops by the receivers where due to the fact that they needed to adjust to a better thrown ball than they had become accustomed to.

really? the reason the wr's dropped the balls were because they were thrown better? folks, this is called working (overtime) to see what you WANT to see.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

But I'll try:

Skelton completed less than 50% of his passes and had a QB Rating in the neighborhood of 52.8 (That's "Derek Anderson Country"). Yet he's precisely what we needed. How can that be?

Best way to describe it might be to visualize Skelton fading back to pass and facing considerable pressure from enemy pass rushers. If it had been #3 (Anderson), you'd expect him to pivot the wrong way, trip over one of his blockers or throw the ball into a group of 3 defenders. If it had been #6 (you'd expect him to be...like...trying to throw out of a manhole before being squished by a 6-5 300lb defensive tackle).

But - at 6-6 with nimbler than expected feet and good vision - Skelton never made the wrong move, never tripped over his blockers or put the ball up for grabs. In fact, that one scramble after putting his hand on the ground for ballance was very Favre-like. So too was his block on the end-around. And mention was made of the hard-count and calling the time out in the nick of time. And how about the number of passes he threw away because the play simply wasn't there? (& overthrowing or underthrowing covered receivers in order to avoid grounding calls)? And how he didn't crumble when his receivers repeatedly dropped catchable balls early in the game?

All of which translated into zero picks and zero sacks, which, in turn, allowed our running attack, defense and Feely win it for us (& in a big way).

Would you have seen any of these things from Anderson, Hall or even Leinart? (I don't think so).

Bottom line - When you see Skelton fade back to pass, you get the feeling "he can be trusted."

Now - Let's seem him do it a couple more times in a row and I will be really, really (as opposed to very) excited.

i agree with everything here except the last line.

 

[82CardsGrad]

shane, stop it. you're slobbering. he had a nice first game. but i think some of you are overstating it. EVERY QB has drops. they DO factor into completion percentage. but let's say we give him those 6 additional completions, then what, his completion percentage goes up to 55%? that's still not great. the lack of turnovers i liked. the inaccuracy is a concern. fitz made one hell of a catch contorting over the middle that makes up for two drops. impressed? mmmm, maybe. "VERY impressed?" not by a shot yet. the cowboy game will be the litmus test (next week just won't count for anything).

I'm not saying you're guilty of this, but, the ONLY stats that matter for Skelton yesterday are these: NO turnovers, and the Win! That's it. Looking at completion % or yards or any other stat is stupid and pointless. The kid took snaps with the first unit for the first time last week!
He showed the poise of a seasoned veteran yesterday. Made quick decisions - which happened to be the right decision more often than not. He showed his teammates that he can lead.
So, no turnovers (against one of the best secondaries in the league), with tons of poise and leadership - and look what happens... Our defense responded, as did our run game.
I think you have to admit that you can't help but be excited about what might lie ahead...
Sure, he could flame out. It should be very interesting to see how he handles the game up in SF. He will have played against a crappy Carolina team that should help to build his confidence and mojo with the rest of the first unit. Dallas is playing much better and has talent across their defense, so that should be his first real test against a legit defense. And then comes the final game of the season against the 9ers. A team that will be licking their chops, looking to send a message to Skelton...

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I'm not saying you're guilty of this, but, the ONLY stats that matter for Skelton yesterday are these: NO turnovers, and the Win! That's it. Looking at completion % or yards or any other stat is stupid and pointless. The kid took snaps with the first unit for the first time last week!
He showed the poise of a seasoned veteran yesterday. Made quick decisions - which happened to be the right decision more often than not. He showed his teammates that he can lead.
So, no turnovers (against one of the best secondaries in the league), with tons of poise and leadership - and look what happens... Our defense responded, as did our run game.
I think you have to admit that you can't help but be excited about what might lie ahead...
Sure, he could flame out. It should be very interesting to see how he handles the game up in SF. He will have played against a crappy Carolina team that should help to build his confidence and mojo with the rest of the first unit. Dallas is playing much better and has talent across their defense, so that should be his first real test against a legit defense. And then comes the final game of the season against the 9ers. A team that will be licking their chops, looking to send a message to Skelton...

other than the stupid and pointless comment (which i think is somewhat ignorant), i can't quibble with anything else you've stated. we'll see what he's really got in the cowboys and niners games. he doesn't have to be lights out, but he's gotta show us some leadership and spark.

 

[MrYeahBut]

other than the stupid and pointless comment (which i think is somewhat ignorant), i can't quibble with anything else you've stated. we'll see what he's really got in the cowboys and niners games. he doesn't have to be lights out, but he's gotta show us some leadership and spark.

If the Oline doesn't crumble, he should have a chance. I'm more worried about them than Skelton at this point. If the pass rush overwhelms him it could get ugly. Same thing could happen in Carolina for that matter

 

[Gaddabout]

I think the only insane positions are:

1) Skelton is Dan Marino incarnate
2) No QB ever improves from their first outing, especially a mediocre outing from a 5th round pick from Fordham, don't tell me otherwise, nah nah nah nah nah I'm not listening to you.

Anything else in between is fair game, IMO.

 

[CtCardinals78]

I do think there have been some questionable moves this year but I still think Wiz is in a better position to decide whats best for Skeleton or not. Her sees the bigger picture unlike fans who are more into instant gratification. Again I have been repeating this over and over but for me personally:

3 Good Years > 1 Bad Year

If throwing away a gift wrapped third division title on experiments is "seeing the big picture",than you're correct, he see's the bigger picture.

I was a huge Wiz fan, in fact I was clamoring for him when DG was still the coach. I do think he had too much success early which led to some bad decisions which cost this team another NFCW Title. I know it's not all Wiz, a lot of it has to do with the FO as well.

It's too bad but the Cardinals are now in a full blown re-building mode and that shouldn't be, especially in a division this weak. This team should have been re-tooled,not rebuilt. Wiz bit off way more than he could chew this offseason. It's funny some slam posters in here with "Wiz can't win with some people in here", but those same people are turning a blind eye to all the bad decisions made that turned the Cards from division champs to division chumps in 9 months.

I'm glad Skelton played "good" considering it was his first start, but I think this could come back to hurt the Cards in the long run. There's no doubt in my mind that Skelton could be Wiz's guy and a "good" start against a crappy Denver team and possible even worse Carolina team will mean that Skelton will be the guy and this team will pass on a blue chip prospect in the draft or not go after a legit veteran this offseason.

I don't want to see Wiz fired, but at the same time it is no longer "in Wiz we Trust". Yes, he took the Cards to the big game and damn near won it, but that was two seasons ago and it doesn't give him a lifetime pass from criticism as HC for as long as he is the Cards coach. I guess Wiz can do no wrong with some fans....

 

[AsUdUdE]

Not true. His throwing motion is pretty quick.

I stand corrected, at the time of the game, it seemed really long, after going back and rewatching the game, in reality not nearly as long of a motion as I remember watching it live

Still though, he was ok for his first start, and I believe he deserves another start, but I am not sold like many seem to be..

 

[AzStevenCal]

I stand corrected, at the time of the game, it seemed really long, after going back and rewatching the game, in reality not nearly as long of a motion as I remember watching it live

Still though, he was ok for his first start, and I believe he deserves another start, but I am not sold like many seem to be..

I think many of us are sold on his first game performance, not necessarily on his long term viability. I think we're a long way from knowing whether he's just the best of a bad group of QB's or whether he's the QB of the future.

Steve

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Alot of the excitement I think is coming from not having to watch Scud out there. After watching Breaston's heave to Fitz I'm kind of wondering why he hasn't replaced Anderson .

 

[Duckjake]

Ridiculous. Teams that can't run don't average 4.5 yds a carry. We have 2 good backs that can move the ball especially out of normal offensive sets (meaning not delayed draws out of shotgun with no TEs in to block).

We have less attempts a game because the playcalling never allows for the establishment of a running game. Not establishing a running game makes the play action pass meaningless which could help especially when teams do not respect our passing game.

How many times do we have to point this out. The Cards cannot run the ball consistently. Hightower started the game with runs for 1 yard, no gain, 2 yards and -1. So the Cards on their first two drives find themselves facing a 2nd and 9 and a second and 10 after two runs by Hightower on first down.

The norm for the Cards is 1 yard, 1 yard , 18 yards, 1 yard, 2 yards... 4.6 yards per carry.

We aren't going to play a team whose QB can't hit the broad side of a barn every week.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

We have 2 good backs

We have 2 average backs at best. We certainly don't even have one top 15 RB. I like Hightower as a 2nd back, but he's not an above average starting back. Beanie is one of the most disappointing players in the league, and not only can't stay healthy, he isn't effective. Maybe the light will turn on ala a Darren McFadden, but I'm not holding my breath.

Not establishing a running game makes the play action pass meaningless which could help especially when teams do not respect our passing game.

Considering we have the worst qb trio in the league, and one of the worst in recent memory, do you assume the entire coaching staff is somewhere beyond stupid, and is avoiding the establishment of a run game for a particular reason? Knowing how weak our QB play is, and bringing in guys like Faneca, and starting Brandon Keith, doesn't that indicate that the team would prefer to run and have a more run oriented offense? It's not that we don't want to run, we can't, especially not consistently.

The fact of the matter is, while we average 4.5 ypc (boosted by several TH breakout runs), we're also 28th in the league in rushing, and can't grind out the tough yards or control games with our running attack. I doubt the plan before the year started was to feature the talents of DA and Wingnut, but because the running game can't be depended on for consistent production, (and constant fumbles) it put the ball in the hands of the qb clowns. Add a joke of a defense into the equation, and you get a 4-9 team with the easiest schedule in football.

 

[AzStevenCal]

We have 2 average backs at best. We certainly don't even have one top 15 RB. I like Hightower as a 2nd back, but he's not an above average starting back. Beanie is one of the most disappointing players in the league, and not only can't stay healthy, he isn't effective. Maybe the light will turn on ala a Darren McFadden, but I'm not holding my breath.



Considering we have the worst qb trio in the league, and one of the worst in recent memory, do you assume the entire coaching staff is somewhere beyond stupid, and is avoiding the establishment of a run game for a particular reason? Knowing how weak our QB play is, and bringing in guys like Faneca, and starting Brandon Keith, doesn't that indicate that the team would prefer to run and have a more run oriented offense? It's not that we don't want to run, we can't, especially not consistently.

The fact of the matter is, while we average 4.5 ypc (boosted by several TH breakout runs), we're also 28th in the league in rushing, and can't grind out the tough yards or control games with our running attack. I doubt the plan before the year started was to feature the talents of DA and Wingnut, but because the running game can't be depended on for consistent production, (and constant fumbles) it put the ball in the hands of the qb clowns. Add a joke of a defense into the equation, and you get a 4-9 team with the easiest schedule in football.

+1

Steve

 

[dreamcastrocks]

This.

I am VERY stoked about how well he played. Those miracle catches Fitz made--I have no doubt that Fitz would not have caught them if the exact same pass came from DA or Hall. I can just picture what would be running through their heads every time they lined up w/DA..."oh, boy...what now? Is THIS the play I'm gonna die?"

They all seemed to have more confidence in Skelton, and that TEAM aspect has been missing.

OT (sorta): DAMN! Our defense showed up to PLAY!

I feel the whole team's play was a reflection on how they felt about the QB.

They had the exact same feeling with DA instead of Leinart because 'he didn't earn it' and Hall for DA because he sucks. No way am I giving any QB on this team any more benefit of the doubt this year. No way!

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Plus would anyone really want Luck over Skelton?

Me. 1,000,000 times ME.

 

[Zeno]

We have 2 average backs at best. We certainly don't even have one top 15 RB. I like Hightower as a 2nd back, but he's not an above average starting back. Beanie is one of the most disappointing players in the league, and not only can't stay healthy, he isn't effective. Maybe the light will turn on ala a Darren McFadden, but I'm not holding my breath.

Considering we have the worst qb trio in the league, and one of the worst in recent memory, do you assume the entire coaching staff is somewhere beyond stupid, and is avoiding the establishment of a run game for a particular reason? Knowing how weak our QB play is, and bringing in guys like Faneca, and starting Brandon Keith, doesn't that indicate that the team would prefer to run and have a more run oriented offense? It's not that we don't want to run, we can't, especially not consistently.

The fact of the matter is, while we average 4.5 ypc (boosted by several TH breakout runs), we're also 28th in the league in rushing, and can't grind out the tough yards or control games with our running attack. I doubt the plan before the year started was to feature the talents of DA and Wingnut, but because the running game can't be depended on for consistent production, (and constant fumbles) it put the ball in the hands of the qb clowns. Add a joke of a defense into the equation, and you get a 4-9 team with the easiest schedule in football.

Well I say yes we have 2 good backs and yes our coaching staff is severely lacking the playcalling. This is the same coaching staff that thought going in to the season with DA backed up by Max Hall was a good idea. If you can't question their sanity after that I don't know what to tell you. I don't know where to look it up but I bet you we have run a higher % of plays out of 1 back, shotgun or 3 wide than any team in the NFL. Those aren't good formations to establish a running game...yet we STILL average 4.5 yds a carry.

How hard is it to understand we are 28th in the league in rushing because we have the FEWEST attempts in the NFL???? We are top 10 in average per carry, you can't throw out "thats boosted by long runs" that is garbage--you can do that for every back in the league and if you did that Barry Sanders probably averaged less than 3 yards a carry.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Well I say yes we have 2 good backs and yes our coaching staff is severely lacking the playcalling. This is the same coaching staff that thought going in to the season with DA backed up by Max Hall was a good idea. If you can't question their sanity after that I don't know what to tell you. I don't know where to look it up but I bet you we have run a higher % of plays out of 1 back, shotgun or 3 wide than any team in the NFL. Those aren't good formations to establish a running game...yet we STILL average 4.5 yds a carry.

How hard is it to understand we are 28th in the league in rushing because we have the FEWEST attempts in the NFL???? We are top 10 in average per carry, you can't throw out "thats boosted by long runs" that is garbage--you can do that for every back in the league and if you did that Barry Sanders probably averaged less than 3 yards a carry.

Wasn't that what you pretty much always heard about Sanders. He's a threat every time he touches the ball but he's a drive killer? We don't have a Barry Sanders but we have sort of a catch-22 situation here. You're supposed to run the ball to set up the passing game but because our passing game is so bad we can't afford all those sub 2 yard runs.

With DA back there, our opponents didn't actually have to cover our receivers. As a matter of fact, with DA back there, the best way to play us was to keep the coverage away from the receivers because DA was going to do the same with the ball.

We've been so offensively inept that the defense didn't have to stack the line to stop our run, they didn't need to drop an extra man into coverage to stop the pass and they didn't need to send an extra guy after the QB to disrupt our backfield.

Steve

 

[WildBB]

Well I say yes we have 2 good backs and yes our coaching staff is severely lacking the playcalling. This is the same coaching staff that thought going in to the season with DA backed up by Max Hall was a good idea. If you can't question their sanity after that I don't know what to tell you. I don't know where to look it up but I bet you we have run a higher % of plays out of 1 back, shotgun or 3 wide than any team in the NFL. Those aren't good formations to establish a running game...yet we STILL average 4.5 yds a carry.

How hard is it to understand we are 28th in the league in rushing because we have the FEWEST attempts in the NFL???? We are top 10 in average per carry, you can't throw out "thats boosted by long runs" that is garbage--you can do that for every back in the league and if you did that Barry Sanders probably averaged less than 3 yards a carry.

Lining up three wide/ single back also forces the opposing D, not to line up 7/8 in the box with a sucky QB. It MAY also have contributed to some success running. Albeit we used it as a compliment a majority of the season.

When we tried to establish the run for a few games (after the bye week) the results were pretty bad. Pretty much making Beannie eat his words. He was EASILY my biggest dissapointment this season.

The guy CAN'T STAY HEALTHY. At this point he's the b/U - period. A very good b/u. But the BACKUP.

At all that, your right - the coaching staff didn't dedicate ENOUGH, to running the ball. They gave it a half hearted try, but when your trailing often and early - I think they panaked some. The result was more mistakes and greater yet deficits.

You have to commit to running early and throughout in games. I do not think I've seen decent screen plays from this staff yet as well.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Plus would anyone really want Luck over Skelton?

Is this for real?

 

[chickenhead]

My evaluation of Skelton's play: as a 5th round rookie out of the Patroit League in his first start, he did well. He also did well relative to the performances we've seen out of Anderson and even Hall. Over the next three games he might put up similar bad performances, but he earned the opportunity to prove otherwise.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Well I say yes we have 2 good backs and yes our coaching staff is severely lacking the playcalling. This is the same coaching staff that thought going in to the season with DA backed up by Max Hall was a good idea. If you can't question their sanity after that I don't know what to tell you. I don't know where to look it up but I bet you we have run a higher % of plays out of 1 back, shotgun or 3 wide than any team in the NFL. Those aren't good formations to establish a running game...yet we STILL average 4.5 yds a carry.

How hard is it to understand we are 28th in the league in rushing because we have the FEWEST attempts in the NFL???? We are top 10 in average per carry, you can't throw out "thats boosted by long runs" that is garbage--you can do that for every back in the league and if you did that Barry Sanders probably averaged less than 3 yards a carry.

No joke. I'm here thinking that we are playing a great game with a few minutes to go in the half, (I think) and here we are in the Shotgun 4WR formation. This coach needs to relinquish his play calling responsibilities. It's not as bad as the defensive play calling, but damn. It has been atrocious on both sides of the ball.

 

[WildBB]

My evaluation of Skelton's play: as a 5th round rookie out of the Patroit League in his first start, he did well. He also did well relative to the performances we've seen out of Anderson and even Hall. Over the next three games he might put up similar bad performances, but he earned the opportunity to prove otherwise.

For sure, there's no pressure right now. All he has to do is go out and play.

And remember next year, what that's like (to just go out and play).

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Lining up three wide/ single back also forces the opposing D, not to line up 7/8 in the box with a sucky QB. It MAY also have contributed to some success running. Albeit we used it as a compliment a majority of the season.

You would think...... but we have been so terrible at rushing for so long, no matter the formations/personnel.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Well I say yes we have 2 good backs

You can continue to insist this, but it just isn't true. "Good" would constitute having at least 1 top 15 back. Anything past 15 is average at best, which is where both Beanie and Tim fit.

This is the same coaching staff that thought going in to the season with DA backed up by Max Hall was a good idea.

I love how you can say this with any sense of certainty. I highly doubt that the plan was to end up with DA and Hall as 1 and 2. Unfortunately, the FO wouldn't pull the trigger on a better option, and it's really hard to find good qb's in this league. Ask about 80% of the teams out there. Considering DA was a backup throughout early preseason and Hall was barely getting snaps, it seems ridiculous to assume the coaching staff thought the personnel at qb was a good idea. Unfortunately, you can't make chicken salad out of...well you know...

I don't know where to look it up but I bet you we have run a higher % of plays out of 1 back, shotgun or 3 wide than any team in the NFL. Those aren't good formations to establish a running game

OF COURSE...it's because we can't run the ball, and have to use trickery and deception to try and run the ball. I'm not sure if you've watched every game this year, but we continue to struggle running out of traditional sets. If it worked, they would do it more.

How hard is it to understand we are 28th in the league in rushing because we have the FEWEST attempts in the NFL????

How hard is it to understand we have the fewest attempts in the NFL because we can't maintain a decent running attack? It's a chicken and egg question, but the bottom line is that with the personnel we have, the obvious choice would be to try and run it all the time. Unfortunately, for some reason, you don't realize that it's not a matter of choice, it's a matter of ability.

You don't think the coaching staff with Russ Freaking Grimm and Whiz from a heavy run background would love to take the ball out of DA's hands and grind away, keeping our pathetic D off the field as much as possible? You think DA has some scandalous pics of the coaching staff? C'mon Zeno...read between the lines here.

 

[Zeno]

If you think the coaching staff was forced by the front office to sign DA, cut Leinart and elevate Max Hall to the #2 you are nuts.

We don't run the ball because our coaching staff chooses to throw all the time. I'd rather get 2 yards on first down than DA throw an INT, take a sack or throw an incomplete pass--you ask yourself which is more likely one our backs getting 2 yds or one of those other 3 things. I am sure if you look it up also you will find we probably throw more on first down than any team in the NFL too...that to me says we do not even try to establish a running game.

Whisenhunt is trying to run the same offense he ran with Warner, the one he was most succesful with. He is trying to force that on the QBs, he rarely makes adjustments to the QBs playing. There was NO reason for Skleton to throw the ball 37 times NONE especially against one of the worst rush defenses in the NFL--even with one RB that was sick.