Brainstorming Session: "How to Fix the Arizona Cardinals"

by Hawkwind on Dec 17, 2008 11:52 AM MST in General Arizona Cardinals News

The Arizona Cardinals aren't perfect, we all know that, but they are headed to the playoffs, no matter what. The past four weeks have brought every short coming and weakness that this team has to the surface. I don't think any of these weaknesses are fatal but they certainly are holding the Cardinals back from realizing their potential. They still have two weeks to get this thing turned around, but what will it take? Here's your chance to lay out exactly what the Arizona Cardinals have to do to shore up their weaknesses.

Feel free to lay out as many or as few problems as you like and be as detailed or concise as you want. Bottom line, put your two cents out there......

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That's easy

All they have to do is run the ball better and protect Warner. It’d also be a good idea to focus on tackling as opposed to trying to make a Sportscenter-worthy hit. Done, done and done. :)

I love the smell of commerce in the morning

by Red Reign on Dec 17, 2008 12:29 PM MST reply actions

Interesting idea

Problem #1 – Running Game: They’ve got big problems running the ball and I’m not sure that the problem can be fixed with this personnel but the best scenerio, IMO, is to start JJ. He’s the best back for the ‘poor man’s’ spread that they’re running right now, and the system that they’re best suited to run. They also need to get a good look at him before they decide what to do with him in the off season. The running game won’t be great but it can be better than league worst.

Problem #2 – Predictable Play Calling: After watching the Eagles last Monday, the coaching staff should try to copy their system. It’s not quite a west coast system but it’s similar. Quick throws would benefit KW and keep him from taking so many hits. The Eagles do a great job of utliizing of Westbrook and the Cardinals could copy that as well with their lesser-version (JJ).

Problem #3 – Pass Rush: The pass rush has disappeared but I think most of it is just guys being dinged up. LaBoy’s gone through about a dozen small injuries and Berry hasn’t been the same since his groin injury. Okeafor’s fallen off and I’m wondering if father-time is catching up with him. All that adds up to them needing some rest. The problem with that is that you can’t rest them all at the same time. Outside of lining Calais Campbell up at OLB, I don’t see the pass rush getting any better than it is right now.

by RedBirds to the SB on Dec 17, 2008 12:43 PM MST reply actions

“Fixing” the running game is not something that can be fixed this season. That’s a long term project.
They’ve actually done a decent job of protecting Warner, given how often he’s blitzed.

What would be good to see is a commitment to stopping the run. DRC seems to have become an excellent cover corner. R. Hood has moments, and Rolle is a former corner. Why not leave the three alone and see what happens? I don’t mean all the time of course, but just in some choice running downs.
Additionally, the team seems to go all out on pass rushing. Keeping some lane discipline would help with run defense.

This is simplistic, but it’s things that can be done in the short-term.

by KDean75 on Dec 17, 2008 12:45 PM MST reply actions

fix the cards?

Sure they have a bad run game, predictable calling, yes but not bad, some time great calling, pass rush used to be great at beginning of season but injuries has slowed that down bigtime, not to mention that the secondary has struggled which restricts the pass rush somewhat. But my biggest thing is the Cards’ poor special teams, letting the opponents run back punts and kickoffs for huge yardage and touchdowns. If Rackers could put it in the endzone everytime for a touchback that would be the Cards safefest play, but he probably can’t or else he might pull a groin muscle trying to do that every kick? Special teams has been the worst this year and doesn’t seem to have a chance of improving. New special teams coach is what I’m saying.

by Kokoloco on Dec 17, 2008 12:48 PM MST reply actions

Welcome to RotB

I have to agree with you on the ST, whole-heartedly. Ever since Ali Highsmith went down and Hightower was pulled off of coverage, the Cards have been atrocious. Opposing teams know to put 2 people on Morey and Biesel and prevent them from getting the right position. Other people are down and ready to make a play but take the wrong angles. That comes down to coaching. Rackers’ leg is getting tired and even when he does kick it in the endzone the opposing team still brings it out because they know the coverage teams stink.

The Cards’ ST coach is highly regarded in league circles but it’s worth noting he was out of work for a year having been sacked by Pitt before Whisenhunt hired him on.

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Dec 17, 2008 12:56 PM MST up reply actions

well said Hawk

The losses of Highsmith and Hightower have definitely hurt. Not to mention that Highsmith’s replacement has been hurt as well and more recently they’ve also lost Clark Haggans, who was a big contributor.

by RedBirds to the SB on Dec 17, 2008 1:01 PM MST up reply actions

If Grimm is an o-line guru and the

Cards’ ST coach is highly regarded in league circles

and Pendergast was one of the brightest young defensive minds just two years ago, then maybe its all personnel related. Fixing our problems won’t happen in season, though I still think we can make enough adjustments to make some noise in the playoffs.

by hevchv on Dec 17, 2008 5:35 PM MST up reply actions

welcome to ROTB

I forgot to mention special teams coverage but that is definitely a problem.

by RedBirds to the SB on Dec 17, 2008 12:59 PM MST up reply actions

Short fields are hard to defend without defensive front pressure

Cards are usually good at “bending but not breaking”, have been for years, but when the field is half a long because of poor punt coverage, the Cards are still bending by the time the opposing team scores. Also this defense seems to “give up” far too quickly. Saw that with the Jets and especially against Philly.

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Dec 17, 2008 1:08 PM MST up reply actions

+1

by CardsFan08 on Dec 17, 2008 1:58 PM MST up reply actions

Get rid of that big red bird on the helmet.

Just Kidding folks.

by AJ BirdWatcher on Dec 17, 2008 1:17 PM MST reply actions

Man AJ, I thought you were a Dallas fan posting on here for a minute.

That was a good joke.

by CardsFan08 on Dec 17, 2008 1:58 PM MST up reply actions

What you mean replace it with a big blue gay sheriff star?

by AJ BirdWatcher on Dec 17, 2008 6:06 PM MST up reply actions

What do you guys think of the new punter?

Even though he failed to knock Berrian out of bounds, what do you think of his kicking game? We’ve seen some range from decent to very good so far.

by CardsFan08 on Dec 17, 2008 1:59 PM MST reply actions

punter

I’m starting to understand why Mangenuis didn’t like the hang time on his punts. Other than that though, no complaints.

by RedBirds to the SB on Dec 17, 2008 2:03 PM MST up reply actions

Punts are getting into returner's hands pretty quick

Which doesn’t help a poorly performing coverage group. I like the way he can nail a kick inside the 20. No more wobbly shanks either.

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Dec 17, 2008 2:14 PM MST up reply actions

running the ball

I think the running scheme is the problem. We don’t have the personell to run all these delays, counters and sweeps. It seems to me that when we run the ball straight up the middle we gain yards consistently. Hightower has been successfull when he has just pinned his ears back and ran smash mouth style football. After all, look where Whiz came from. Using JJ as a delay or sweep type back is good every once in a while, but not every single time we run the ball. I say just pound the ball over and over again until the D is tired (when we are not throwing the ball to Q and Fitz). We cannot continue to throw the ball 50 times a game. That is clearly not going to work against top tier teams.

by clevercarbon on Dec 17, 2008 6:28 PM MST reply actions

Great points and welcome to rotb.

Yes we need to attack the middle. We ourselves are weak on the corners. B/C everyone knows we are gonna pass, we just get the normal 3 to 4 man blitz from the wings which can’t be stopped by the way and disrupts our backs causing useless studder steps.

by hevchv on Dec 17, 2008 8:01 PM MST up reply actions

Yea welcome to ROTB

It would be interesting to see if this OL could wear down a defense. I wouldn’t mind seeing a fourth quarter where the opposing defense is worn down and not very effective against the run or with their pass rush. What a novel idea…..

by RedBirds to the SB on Dec 18, 2008 6:41 AM MST up reply actions