Arizona Cardinals Defensive Philosophy To Bend But Not Break
by Andrew602 on Dec 10, 2009 3:00 AM MST
12 comments
The Arizona Cardinals defense has faced its fair share of comeback attempts this season. Games against the Texans, Bears, Giants, and Rams rest in recent memory.
That could be due largely to the conservative plays the offense run once they have they've established a lead in the second half of games. Minus the Tennessee game, the Cardinals defense has done an admirable job at preventing any comebacks and have solidified themselves as a defense that doesn't fold under pressure. They currently stand at 8-4 and five of their wins have been when the Cardinals led at halftime.
The Cardinals may be relinquishing 257 passing yards a game (30th) to opponents, but they are currently ranked 2nd overall in defensive 3rd down efficiency. They're only allowing 33.1% of 3rd down conversions to opponents and have improved their red zone defense as well — they currently rank 10th in the league at keeping teams from scoring when inside the 20. On Sunday the Vikings only scored twice in the red zone and the Cardinals held the Vikings to 5 of 15 (33%) on 3rd down attempts. Considering the Vikings usually convert 47% of 3rd down attempts (3rd in NFL), the Cardinals' defensive effort becomes even more impressive.
The Red Birds cannot get too comfortable though, especially against division rival San Francisco 49ers.
In week 1, the 49ers converted 7-18 (38%) of their 3rd down attempts including 4 on their 80-yard game-winning drive and also scored 2 touchdowns in the red zone. The good news is that San Francisco is currently 29th in the league, only converting 30.2% of their 3rd down attempts — however, they're 8th in red zone offense. Luckily the Cardinals appear to be ready for the divisional opponent, with revenge being the primary ingredient.
"Just because you can do drills real good doesn’t mean you can play football on Sundays," Dockett said. "That’s been our approach. They beat us the first time and we don’t like losing in the division. We’re coming and they know we’ll be ready. I’m not going to give them any (bulletin) board talk or anything. But they know we’re coming."
The Cardinals take their 5-1 road record to San Francisco to take on the 49ers on ESPN's Monday night football. The Cardinals have improved on the national stage (2-1) and a win on Monday would clinch the NFC West for a second consecutive year and add further fuel to the 49ers rivalry.
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"Bend but dont Break" = "prevent defense"
I dont like the philosophy. As long as you are facing average teams with a good lead, then you can give up some plays and still keep them out of the endzone. And props for dominating boh sides of the ball. But the game gainst Tenesee showed me that you can’t just sit back on your heels and then hope to turn on your game when you need to. Especially for the playoffs, they need to be a shut down defense, not a prevent defense.
there's huge difference between the two
Bend but don’t implies that you don’t give up big plays, something that absolutely killed this team in 2008, but you’re not necessarily sitting back in deep zones and only rushing three. The Cardinals are better than league average in points allowed, something they haven’t been able to say for quite some time, and that’s a testament to what this defense has been able to accomplish.
It’s takes great, great players to be a shut down defense and there are only two or three teams a year that can claim that title, if that many. For now the Cardinals are doing everything they can with a defensive unit that has very clear flaws and I think they’re results far exceed the actual talent.
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
Yeah I wasn't really going for the "prevent defense", but welcome to ROTB anyway.
Really, everyone knows the prevent defense prevents you from winning. The Cardinals aren’t the type to sit back and not bring the heat when the other team is going for the win(Subtract the Tennessee game, you know the one that Warner didn’t play in). Really the defense has it’s struggles at times, but when it matters(3rd down, red zone) they seem to step their game up.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
in fact I'm pretty sure anytime you watch a Cardinals game....
there is always some mention of how they are one of the most blitz-heavy teams.
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
What are they like 3rd in the league in sacks?
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
Love it!
Remember when we couldn’t get a sack even if the QB fell down?
We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!
Those were the days
///Rolls eyes///
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
After Simeon left town it was a rough patch until....Bertrand in '04?
We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!
The thought just crossed my mind
that I really have nothing to look forward to on sunday and will most likely have to do chores around the house…suck
I can empathize...
…the wife thinks I’m available to be her pack mule for Xmas shopping.
We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!
Sounds like my weekend as well. Should be fun and I should be broke afterwards. Yay
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
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