Arizona Cardinal's CB Michael Adams Just Keeps Fighting
by Undrafteds on Jan 14, 2010 1:09 PM MST
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PrintHe has been ridiculed for getting beaten repeatedly in pass coverage in recent weeks, leading critics to proclaim that at 5'8", Cardinals CB Michael Adams is simply over-matched because of his less than ideal height.
Darrell Green was one of the best defensive backs in NFL history and he was 5'9"/184 lbs. Adams is 5'8"/181 lbs.
While Green's best asset was his Olympic-caliber speed, Adams has shown off an astounding vertical leap. Adams is a work in progress and a great prospect if he continues to improve. He has flashed tremendous athleticism and is a hard worker.
Yet those positive qualities are not going to keep fans off of his back should he continue to get burnt, as he did for almost the entire game against the Packers in last weekend's first round of the 2010 NFL playoffs. Fortunately, Adams showed his resiliency by battling through a long string of near-misses to make the play of the game—a sack and a forced fumble on Aaron Rodgers that Karlos Dansby scooped up and ran in for the game-winning score.
Perhaps this is the defining play that kick-starts Adams' career?
His former coach at Louisiana-Lafayette Ricky Bustle is obviously a believer. As he watched the game on TV, he yelled, "Keep picking on him," Bustle said he screamed, "because he’s going to make a play."
In taking his lumps, Adams has been a hair late and an inch shy, but you have to admire a guy who can shrug that off and continue to bring the heat.
New Orleans' Drew Brees is sure to pick on Michael Adams again this weekend. It will prove to be another tough assignment, but it is also another opportunity for Adams to continue his maturation process and who knows? Maybe he can come up with another crucial stop now that his confidence is soaring.
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hit on Chris Johnson
btw, does anyone else remember the hit Adams laid on Chris Johnson in the Titans’ game? It knocked CJ sideways and was one of the tough hits of the game.
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Darrell Green
Started the NFL in ‘83 (played thru ’02). The difference in height between him and the recievers he covered wasn’t as much as what Adams has to deal with. The NFL is continually trending towards taller more physical recievers (and players in general). What was the average sized QB 20 years ago? Nothing like what you see today. I am not going to bash on Adams. Being short myself, I certainly root for the guy to succeed but the truth is he is at a serious disadvantage due to his size. As to Darrell Green, any guy that plays 20 years in the NFL (295 games) is going to be one hell of a ball player.
Its a valid point
but I’d like to see some factual data about avg height of receivers then vs now. I say this because if the avg height was 1 inch less, I think the overall effect is negligible, especially if you factor in Adams vertical jump. I don’t have that stat either, but we’ve all seen the guy leap, I don’t need a measuring stick to see he is talented in that area.
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During practice he must be showing something...
…especially against our WRs, to be ahead of vet Ralph Brown and rookie Greg Toler. Perhaps he’s seen enough of Fitz/Q/Boobs/Urban/Doucet that he knows their tendencies and can jump their routes. If so, it seems that Adams needs to be putting a lot of film time in on the Saints’ stable of receivers so he can find just enough of an advantage to not be schooled like he was against Driver and Jennings. Then again, I’m sure he’s put the film time in and then it just comes down to experience. It’s just unfortunate that experience is necessary to be gained during the playoffs. If the coaches have faith in him, I do too in this case. He’s shown a lot of toughness and is certainly a “mighty mite” and the fact that his apparent nickname is “Mighty Mike”, he has his fellow players believing in him too.
Don't waste time or Time will waste you.
Man I got a bad feelin bout giving him so much time
hes been playin a few games now and if hes not getting burned hes getting penalties. Sure he does have the raw talent and looks to be an impact player eventually, Can the team risk another game like last weekend in the playoffs? Its a guarantee the Saints are gonna gameplan for number 27, Maybe if Whiz can draw up some plays using him for bait or some kind of sucker play for a possible INT perhaps, otherwise he looked pretty good as a pass rusher
He won't be the only target.
B Mc was posterized at least three times last week for scores. If anyone is game planned against it is him.
Life's too short. Be a fan. Orlando Magic, Arizona Cardinals,Tampa Bay Rays and of course "the U"! What a winning combo.
by hevchv on Jan 14, 2010 6:45 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
+1
and to think in the offseason I was excited by McFadden’s signing. He has been a disappointment in coverage.
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Noticed that a while ago too, unfortunately
Well the Steeler fans did say it wasnt a big loss when he left. He is still an upgrade over Hood tho
Hood
made more plays on the ball than McFadden seems to have. Hood did also get burnt, but I don’t think quite as much as McF
McF is a hard hitter but slightly clueless in coverage.
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Gotta agree about his cover skills
He’ll run with the receiver but wont turn and make a play on the ball, just makes the tackle after the catch. Teams did shy away from him in the first half of the season, but unfortunately he got exposed. McFadden took DRC under his wing at the beginng of the year and I do wonder if that had anything to do with DRC’s decline earlier on.
Adams blows...
He’s been getting burnt the last several weeks and he also blew that first sack horribly. He left his feet for no reason when he had a free blindside shot at Rodgers. That is rookie shit and there was absolutely no excuse for that. B-mac was a huge disappointment also. I’ve been down on him all season after seeing him play in red. Rod Hood IMO was way more solid and would have been a much cheaper alternative. I was blown away when they released him because I thought that would have been great competition for the 2 and 3 spots on our defense. Our secondary would be looking pretty stout if either Hood or B-mac were in the nickel.
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!!!
Adams just made the play of the game btw
Give Adams time my man. He just made the play of the game in our biggest game of the year to help us advance to the 2nd round. That can’t be denied.
I agree completely about Hood. Hood had a better year last year than BMac is having this year. Hood would occasionally get burnt badly but he also made some crucial stops in coverage, more than BMac IMO
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Money Mike
I must have heard it wrong, I though I was hearing Money Mike?
In any case, I too was wondering why we have been seeing so much of Adams in the last few games, and then I gathered that he had surpassed Ralph Brown on the depth chart, end of November or early December I believe?
I agree, if the coaches have him there, I agree.
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He won't be a CB for long.
He is 5’8" just the Jets starting SS Leonard. With his aggressive hitting style I see him transitioning into that role. A starter, no, but a good SS none the less.
Life's too short. Be a fan. Orlando Magic, Arizona Cardinals,Tampa Bay Rays and of course "the U"! What a winning combo.
by hevchv on Jan 14, 2010 6:37 PM MST via mobile reply actions
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