Arizona Cardinals vs Green Bay Packers: 5 Things to Watch For
by Andrew602 on Aug 26, 2009 12:52 PM MDT
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PrintSince we technically have an earlier game this week, it's time to put the Chargers game behind us, and start preparing for the Packers game this Friday at University of Phoenix Stadium. As we all know, the third preseason game of the year is usually the game where the starters play significantly more then they would in the other preseason games. That means we'll be able to see more of the offense and Kurt Warner. We also will be able to see the defense and after the 4 sack performance from the starters last week, we can expect to see some aggressive blitz packages this week. The performance in this game is also critical, as the first set of roster cuts takes place September 1st, when the roster is cut down to 75 players. The final cut will be September 5th, when the team is finally cut down to 53 players. With that in mind, here are 5 things to watch for, for Friday's game...
- The opening kick off. Assuming the Cardinals receive the ball, most Cardinal fans will be on the edge of their seats waiting to see LaRod Stephens-Howling return the kick off. Last week he had over 150 yards on 2 kick returns. If he can mimic that performance, or come near it, then there's no doubt that LSH will make the roster cut.
- First team offense. There's been some question marks about the starting offense, as they have yet to score a touchdown in the last two preseason games. Kurt Warner stated that he's not worried, and that he did feel comfortable on the field on Saturday, despite throwing a pick in the red zone. The lone bright spot was Tim Hightower, who carried the load in the first quarter against the Chargers.
When the Cardinals take the field on Friday, obviously there will be more things to watch for. These things stand out the most to me. We may not see Wells, and LSH might not even have a big return. What are you looking forward to seeing the most? Will LSH take a kick off to the house this time? How many snaps should Wells get if he plays?
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ROTB
ROTB – Are you going to do another interview with SB Nation Green Bay, I really enjoyed the one with San Diego, made it intersting to watch the game…
Thanks
by thereallacardsfan on Aug 26, 2009 12:58 PM MDT reply actions
We haven't received a response from them yet..
So at the very least we’ll post a fanpost over there so they can ask questions, hopefully they can post one over here as well so we can ask any questions.
Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds
I agree with your top 5, so here are my "2nd 5:
6. How do LSH and Wright fare when running the ball and blocking out of the backfield. Also, what rotation will Whisenhunt use for a 3rd down back. This may tell us if the depth chart has changed.
7. Which TE’s see action with the 1st team and which ones perform? So far this pre-season it has been Spach #1, Patrick #2, Pope #3 and Byrd #4. Will Becht move up now that he is playing again?
8. What percentage of run/pass will be called. I think we may see more running to get everyone more looks.
9. Can the starting offense and defense play mistake free? It is important to reduce penalties and mistakes.
10. Lastly, because it is only for entertainment, will we see Palko do the mop-up work? That could be fun.
There are actually a lot of other things I’m looking forward to. Will our game management and playcalling be up to par? Will McFadden be back in at CB? Are there any surprise changes to the second string? Who plays first, Doucet or Long? Is Fowler the #2 Center or is Claxton hanging on?
We actually missed the game this last week due to Matt's bachelor party...
so I recorded the replay last night and am getting my first look of the whole game as we speak. I have got to say, Wright looks aweful! He has been blowing blocking assignments this whole game in the backfield and that was the one area he was supposed to have a leg up on the younger Backs. We need to cut his ass and lock LSH up at the #3 spot. Outside of everyone else already mentioned, Long seems very heads up and he’s really pushing for a roster spot. At this point I’m liking him more than Doucet. Damn this is a good problem to have!
Who would win in a fight, Whisenhunt or a Hurricane?
Hold on, hold on, what if the Hurricanes name was Whisenhunt?
Daaaaaaaaaa Cards, Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards!!!
Just saw your post Carddan, didn't mean to repeat what you said... My bad
Who would win in a fight, Whisenhunt or a Hurricane?
Hold on, hold on, what if the Hurricanes name was Whisenhunt?
Daaaaaaaaaa Cards, Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards!!!
Yeah good thing for NFL network right? Tons of replays
Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds
Doucet or Long as WR#3 this week?
I just read that Boldin is more than likely going to sit this week with a sore hamstring, and Breaston is still out, so Urban will be the #2 behind Fitz. So the question is who gets the nod at number 3, Long or Doucet?
I’m sure both will get plenty of time to shine, but this will be the shot to find out where each player is falling on the rosters at the moment.
Section 102, Row 18
Good post, Andrew
Good preview of the matchups and the keys to the game. Kudos, man.
Now, in light of Q’s hammy tweak suffered yesterday in practice, it will be Harris and Woodson versus #11- Larry Fitzgerald and #25-Jerheme Urban. Both Q and Breaston will be sitting this one out. This means more time for Lance Long and Early Doucet, which, IMO, will—-by virtue of the current WR injuries and Long’s and Doucet’s talent—-make it virtually imperative that both Long and Doucet make the 53 Man Roster.
Hey, we are the Cardinals and it’s no secret—-we pass the football….another reason why LSH makes this team is he’s a receiving threat on 3rd downs, a la JJA.
And it’s still quite possible that Dominique Byrd, because of his pass catching and RAC ability makes the squad.
NFC Champs
+1
Just noticed we’re on the same page, I should have scrolled down a little ways before posting above.
I’m really hoping for a lot of the underdogs this year, like Byrd, Long, and LSH. I think they’ve all got a shot to make the team though as they’ve all shined in the preseason.
Section 102, Row 18
I still think either Doucet or Long make the team but together they won't.
From what I have heard Q could play on Friday but the team doesn’t want to push him since it is a game that doesn’t matter. From what I have heard from Whiz on Breaston I would assume the same is for him as is for Q.
As we have said in the past it’ll probably be Morey that holds one of these talented receivers off the roster and as much as I would like them both to make it we need Morey since our special teams were so bad this past season.
Green Bay’s line is a in flux. They’ve got a youth movement going on inside because they can’t really find a combination they’re happy with. The left side of their line is more stable than the right, but outside an aging Clifton there’s no household name on that side of the line.
Grant had an off year, but still made it look good. Possibly because outside the Vikings there isn’t a ton of run defense (am I allowed to poke fun at other divisions considering the Cards are of the West?).
If the Cards were successful against an overrated Chargers line they should be able to expect similar results against Green Bay. Different line philosophies, but still plenty of questions marks.
Woodson’s a great in the Bates’ press-coverage system, but Bates is in Tampa now. How will Woodson, who’s aging, adapt to a new system? It’ll be interesting to see how Fitz responds to a pretty ugly Charger appearance, but ultimately Madden-boy just needs to get through the preseason healthy.
Warner’s pick last week wasn’t that bad, just a gamble by the QB and CB that Cromartie won.
My prediction for the game:
Cards run offensive right a lot avoiding Kampman and attacking Jolly. Hightower and Wells both look great. Wells looks slightly better with second team reps and we all lose our damn minds and start creating a controversy.
What I’ll be watching:
As always, the right side of the Cardinal line. How are Brown and Deuce coming along? Deuce has had a great preseason and seems to be playing to keep his job. Brown’s starting to show some of his college aggression (get ’em big dog).
Brandon Keith is a natural tackle and isn’t having the amazing preseason he did last year (he’s a RG this year, a RT last), but has played adequately enough to probably earn the trust of the staff. With Vallejo on IR I could only hope he gets a look at LT, but I don’t think changing things willy-nilly like that is probably in the best interests of anyone…
Johnson gave up his first sack last game (ah RT and the speed rusher, whoever lines up there) and it’ll be good to see how he rebounds.
I clicked "actions"... what'd I just do? Report myself?
Anyway…
I forgot to mention Alan Branch.
I killed him earlier in the preseason, but against the Chargers he dropped the goofy spin and just pushed his way into the backfield. He had a great game and he relied on his raw strength to do it. I don’t think he can command two blockers, but I do think he could be a hell of a LDE in the 3-4 and really make a case for rotation…
as long as he leaves the spin moves and the Dwight Freeney stuff in his other pants. They just don’t fit him well.
Packers thoughts
Green Bay’s line is a in flux. They’ve got a youth movement going on inside because they can’t really find a combination they’re happy with. The left side of their line is more stable than the right, but outside an aging Clifton there’s no household name on that side of the line.
Grant had an off year, but still made it look good.
The line is young, without big names, but FWIW Rodgers has not been sacked yet. I don’t think he’s even been knocked down. Part of it is that Rodgers doesn’t hold the ball to long, and if he does, he will usually step up or roll out. But the offensive line is solid if unspectacular. The flux, has been more of a couple of younger guys improving, than a lack of talent. Grant had about the quietest 1200 yd rushing season ever, but looks better than last year when he had a hamstring issue
Cards run offensive right a lot avoiding Kampman and attacking Jolly
Kampan will be playing as an OLB on that side with Jolly. The Packers are a 3-4 team now. The primary backup at the left DE position is BJ Raji, the highly touted 1st round pick. The Packers defense was not very good in run defense last year and are bringing back most of the same guys. The scheme has changed though, so we’ll see how it goes. The Packers defense has 5 picks and 4 fumble recoveries in two games most of them from the starters.
Raji is the backup DE?
I assume that means that he’s not the starting NT?
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
It sounds like Pickett will be the starting NT for the year.
Raiji is expected to start at LT at left DE during the season and be the backup at NT. Because he signed late, he only played about 10-12 snaps last week, and will get about 20-25 snaps in the Cardinals game (probably all at DE). As far as I know, the coaches are just teaching him the one poisition for now, and will work on the NT position later.
I think that Jolly will start tonight and Raji will back up, but I could be wrong. Again, its only becaus Raji was late in signing.
I was about to say
They’re getting the most out of him if he’s starting both ways. hehe
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
Kampman is best as a pass rusher but does defend the run well. However, if I were the Cardinals, I would try to isolate him is pass coverage. As an OLB he has pass coverage responsibilities now that he has not had really had before. To me he hasn’t looked totally comfortable dropping in to coverage, but he’s a talented guy, so we’ll see how it goes.
I’m not sure if the Packer run defense is any better or worse in either direction
The Fitzgerald – Woodson matchup may be kind of skewed should both Breaston and Q be held out of the game.
But it does elevate to prime time the battle for other WR roster spots between Morey, Doucet, Long and O Jones.
Also – DirecTVers who live at or near the East Coast. Be prepared to look for a later NFL replay in case pending Hurricane Danny locks up your satellite picture over the weekend.
GBR
by jeffgollin@aol.com on Aug 27, 2009 7:54 AM MDT reply actions
Things to watch for:
Calais Campbell. Has he really taken over for the departed Antonio Smith. He almost had a sack on Ben Roth, and he sacked the $92 million man in Phillip Rivers. Can the rest of the Cards D, hold up against the preseasons #1 offense so far.
The Running Game. Is it balanced in the first half. Can all three running backs maintain 4.5 ypc and have at least one run of at least 10 yards. This speaks to our improved offensive line, and the depth at running back.
Michael Ray Garvin, LSH , Lance Long, and Jason Wright. Lance will wind up on someones team, but LSH (12 carries for 30 yards) might be our third down back depending on Jason Wrights performance. (4 carries for 10 yards) He has the Darren Sproels quickness, and size, and has had an average of 75 kick return yards and 12 punt return yards. Likely to make special teams, but his Running back performance didn’t net less than 3 yards during the Charger game. Our Special Teams return game has been the untold story. Imagine how many touchdowns we will get if we continue the preseason returns. (9 carries for 319 yards, an average of 35.4 yp return) Remember that is how Chicago made it to their Superbowl.
The Tight End Chase…. We need a Tight End that is more than a blocker. So far during the preseason Dominique Byrd has 3 missed passes two completions in the Steeler game, and a ST tackle and fumble recovery in the Charger game. If he gets no playing time tomorrow expect him to be cut.
Corners: Greg Toler is still young, and he got burned in the Chargers game for 105 yards, and then did a boneheaded late hit penalty that cost the Cards another 15 yards. Watch him warm the bench in game three, and pack his bags two days later.
Michael Adams is much shorter than most of the recievers, but he makes amazing plays. The Steelers hounded him with Sweed who is 7" taller and yet Adams deflected a sure thing touchdown, just after he got between Sweed and the ball for a 40 yard gain. Sweed only got the completion, because he held the ball against Adams head. He did have a penalty in the Charger game with an Illegal block above the waist, but it didn’t count because time ran out at the half.
Quarterbacks: The real story is BSP vs. Palko for the third spot. Palko didnt get to play in game two, but in game one, he was spectacular. He avoided sacks, kept plays alive by moving in the pocket, and completing 8 of 11 including a touchdown. He did have an interception, but that was due to a tipped ball by LSH who wasnt ready for the zip Palko put on it. Not only did Palko perform like a star QB (granted against a bunch of third stringers) but he commanded the team with confidence. I hope we keep him. I expect to see Palko in the second half of the GB game extensively. Remember Joe Flacco left the school because Palko was the starting QB, and was keeping Flacco on the bench.
by AZCardinalFaninNY on Aug 27, 2009 11:22 AM MDT reply actions
Toler's penalty was questionable.
If I remember right, it had looked like Sproles stepped out right as Toler hit him. It really could have gone as a no call.
Toler is just a rookie and will still get his playing time to further his transition to the NFL. This kid looks like he could be a future starter and doubt he will be packing his bags anytime soon.
I don’t think BSP is going to lose the third spot. Remember he is a Whiz and Grimm player and they promised him a shot at the 2nd string to keep him around. Palko looked good but I doubt he makes this team.
Toler and Palko
Whisenhunt has hinted that Palko will get extensive playing time tomorrow. BSP had his shot and I think that was his last chance. If BSP does not play expect him to get moved to the practice squad or released. Toler is a rookie but his performance will not warrant a roster spot. You are right though he is a rookie and will likely make the practice squad. Also as other players are released next Tuesday, the Cards may pick up one or two before the 4th preseason game to fill spots.
by AZCardinalFaninNY on Aug 27, 2009 11:57 AM MDT up reply actions
Whiz said that BSP might not get time because he hurt his back. Otherwise I would expect to see BSP play because Whiz has not officially announced Leinart as the backup QB, even though we all know he is the backup.
Released players have to basically clear through waivers for us to get them because they have to go through 30 other teams. I doubt that anyone special will drop to us.
plus....
why would we drop more players than we have to just to turn around and pick up other guys who aren’t among the 75 best on their teams? Not only would that make less than zero sense, the Cards would also have to try and bring in guys off the street and get them ready to play in less than a week?
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
+1
Aside from some passes given up, Toler has looked solid to me for being a rookie out of a small school. That was not a late hit no matter how you warrent it. If he doesn’t make the hit, Sproles could easily stay in bounds and probably make it to the endzone. I think some of us are basing a little too much on Palkos game against the Steelers 4th string defense. Let’s wait till he plays some real competition.
Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds
- There’s no way that Toler get’s cut and I agree with Pyro, that was a pretty questionable penalty. We knew that he was very raw when he was drafted and I don’t think he’s done anything worthy of being cut. He’s making this team.
- The TD pass that Adams batted down wasn’t to Sweed, it was to a Steelers rookie receiver Mike Wallace.
- The tipped pass from Palko was to Garvin, not LSH.
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
Long and LSH need to make the roster!
Doucet would be nice, but I have yet to see him accomplish very much.
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