Arizona Cardinals Suffering Pass Rush Limiting Defense As A Whole
by Andrew602 on Oct 6, 2010 2:19 PM MDT
in NFL Regular Season
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If I told you that the Arizona Cardinals defense would be one of the worst pass-rushing units through four games this season, you'd probably believe me. That doesn't change the fact that this lack of a pass rush is hindering the defense entirely.
Without a good pass rush, opposing quarterbacks can tee off on the secondary. This season the Cardinals have allowed 233 passing yards per game and seven passing touchdowns. If the pass game is flourishing, the opposition can open up the run. The defense has allowed the third most rushing yards, at 155 per game. With teams throwing and passing at will, it should come at no surprise that the Cardinals are allowing 29.5 points per game, good for 31st in the league.
Last season the defense compiled 43 sacks, with nine players holding two or more. This year seven Cardinals have only one. It's safe to say that the Cardinals' defense has seen better days, it's figuring out who's fault it is that becomes the dilemma.
Defensive coordinator Bill Davis is the first culprit that comes to mind as the main reason the defense has suffered. His schemes haven't worked in any scenario presented, and as we all know, he can be predictable. He wasn't highly touted coming to Arizona and no one was jubilant when he was promoted to coordinator. That makes it even more bewildering that he's kept his job this far. By any means, he's a Ken Whisenhunt-guy, who was brought aboard and then promoted. That should tell you that his job security is relatively safe for now. It's a matter of how long his piss-poor defense will continue before Whisenhunt finally raises an eyebrow.
As many experts know however, it often comes down to leadership and talent that makes up a good defense. Adrian Wilson and Darnell Dockett are leaders, but have only accounted for two combined sacks. Wilson played the worst game of his career this past Sunday in a blowout loss to the Chargers. Dockett has seen the most double teams then ever before, due to his loud persona and the new contract extension he recently received. The double teams will effect his numbers, making the opportunity sweater for someone else. Calais Campbell could've been that player. He was counted on to lead the blitz this season, but to date he's been silenced with only 1 sack. The leaders on the defense haven't done their part.
Kerry Rhodes, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Dan Williams, Joey Porter, and the aforementioned Dockett, Campbell, and Wilson make the Cardinals defense one of the most talented in the league. Porter was the big acquisition of the summer, but he hasn't been a factor as of yet. If these players can't step up, then someone else will. The problem the Cardinals face, is that no one appears ready. Will Davis hasn't had any significant playing time. Fourth round draft pick and college pass rush specialist O'Brien Schofield began his NFL career on the Cardinals' PUP list. Clearly the Cardinals' defense is climbing an uphill battle at this point.
For years the Cardinals have always possessed Pro Bowl talent throughout the defense. Cardinals' fans have seen the potential, yet somehow, blowouts have always been a part of their schedule. It may be a lack of chemistry or it could just be terrible coaching. With twelve games left in the season, it's pretty hard to imagine someone not getting replaced somewhere down the line.
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I wouldn't be surprised if the D had a huge game this week
Now that we are all down on it…
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team(s), throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
by JoeCB1991 on Oct 6, 2010 3:47 PM MDT via mobile reply actions
agreed Joe
I can’t take it to the bank, but I am certainly hopeful this week we get to see the entire team firing on all cylinders for the first time this year.
as far as pressure, scheme or no scheme, single or double team, its about fire and intensity. Porter is not getting it done. Dockett hasn’t made quite the impact we’ve grown accustomed to. the list goes on.
really need Gerald Hayes back. Schofield back would be nice.
but there are some veterans being released I would give a chance. DE Mark Anderson was just released by the Bears. others I am forgetting. worth a look for sure.
http://www.reverbnation.com/chrisfarmer
I also would not be surprised if the defense was dominated by the Seahawks if they have a big game against the Saints...
(Looks back at the Giants/Panthers games….)
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team(s), throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
Someone picked him up if I'm not mistaken.
Can’t remember who though.
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
stinks....if Mark Anderson was picked up
there have been a few others released recently. hope we get some help somewhere. or maybe Hayes and Schofield make appearances in the next few weeks
http://www.reverbnation.com/chrisfarmer
Hayes and Schofield
Last I heard they would be looking at Schofield possibly coming in around week 9 or so. Toward the end of his window, whatever it is. With Hayes it was at soonest availablity, hinging on his health. Week 7 maybe? I don’t remember the exact time frames but those are fairly close I think.
Really?
I’d bet you would be surprised. It would be a plesant surprise but still a surprise. We are playing against a team with a SB title to defend and the pride of the people of New Orleans to protect. Do you really believe that any part of this team will show up on Sunday, when they can mail it in and claim it was a moral victory to be trounced by less than 30 points and that we are improving?
I hope and pray that I am totally wrong and Hall shows that he is strong NFL material and the Cards keep the game within one score at the end. I also hope and pray that the D stiffens and creates punts and turn overs. May our offense click together with timing and harmony of motion, and i would love to see Hall take control of the offense and be smart enough check off bad plays that are called from the sideline and have sense enough to move out of the pocket and throw the ball away to avoid a sack or run to the open field and slide to avoid injury.
If Hall stands his ground and performs well, the entire offense will rally around him with renewed vigor. He will have a team to lead but he can not be afraid to establish that he is the driver and controls the horses.
If he falls on his face I believe the Cards are doomed to failure for the rest of the season. Thank goodness there are other NFL products to watch.
Are you a fan of AZ or not? If so then have some fucking faith. Hall may be of diminutive size but that doesn't equate to his football IQ and heart. I have faith he'll get it done. Period.
Swagtangibles aside the kid is smart and already showed way more IMHO than D.A. has in 4 games by far in his limited time on the field.
Faith?
Very good word. There is no evidence, so far this season, that a single change will turn things around. There is an outside chance that a rookie leader could get it done, but it is highly unlikely.
I am a Card’s fan, but a disalusioned one. I can not rev myself up to the point of having faith in the current system. The play calling on both sides of the ball has been wanting, the execution on both sides of the ball has been terible and we lucked into two wins. Had we actually controlled the games we won I could have faith, but that is not what happened.
by Arizona Retiree on Oct 7, 2010 8:59 AM MDT up reply actions
Defensive Woes
I’ve been following the Cards the last couple of years, and I don’t recall their every really having a “pass rush” much less much of defense (consistency wise). Since Whisenhunt has arrived we have had poor luck drafting outside linebackers to support the 3-4 defense. Maybe we should go back to the 4-3. The transition back seems to be working for the Patriots. Perhaps Whiz can convince Dick LeBeau to join our staff or at least hire an innovative and competent defensive coordinator. This defense is ugly and it’s not for a lack of talent.
43 sacks was good for 6th in the league last season
I’d say that was a good pass rush. And the Cardinals just officially switched to the 3-4 defense this year. I’ll admit it hasn’t been working however. Some kind of change needs to be made.
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
+1, lot of talents but Piss-Poor coaching
Classic, star players need to STEP UP. Mr. Davis, you need to show more different line up. You’re losing your players.
You sure?
We ran a lot of 3-4 fronts last year
We did but it was a hybrid defense. Same with the year before.
They said entering camp this year that it was strictly a 3-4. Anyone else wanna back me 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
Saints
New Orleans is playing like an average, middle of the road NFL team. The Chargers have played at the same level as the Saints. I have a feeling our Cardinals are in for another beat down. Middle of the road is so beyond our capabilities with the politics of this franchise.
I feel like the politicians are losing the war for us. Memo to the Arizona front office: The good ol’ boys club does not win games or lead to the playoffs. You don’t cut players because they say “Put me in coach!” and that is taken as an affront to The Organization or the politicians that make up the boys club within the Cardinals franchise.
As a cards fan I must say this is a little disturbing and quite frustrating. The obvious target of blame is held in high esteem by his buddies in the club as the team flounders and the fans suffer.
We need some kind of Tea Party type movement to protest the fact that the Cardinal front office does not care about the fans and refuses to listen to them. This team must be put together based on cohesive talent and not personality preferences or dislikes.
We fans just want a competitive NFL team! The life and heart seem to have been sucked out of this team, and the whole league can see it.
This has been a very sad turn of events for me as an Arizona Cardinals fan. I am highly saddened by the product that we are forced to call our own. Am I alone?
I wonder how long before the D players start tuning out the coaches.
Pitty these guys got pay so much to play so poorly. Damn I hate to be the Cards of old..
Chicken little, the sky is falling.
Or not. Look, the organization has taken a major turn these last three years. Extended guys like Fitz, Dockett, Wilson, and even paid Warner 10 mil a year. We had playoff success, yes one of the worst franchises in history made a SB appearance. These aren’t your same ol’ cards. The NFL is an incredibly tough place to compete, a team can have a turn around pretty quickly and vice versa. We have had a bad start yes, but it doesn’t mean the ship is sinking.
Jump like a rat or hold on like a captain. Your choice.
by Jesse Reynolds on Oct 6, 2010 6:54 PM MDT up reply actions
i read these post and anything i can find on web regarding azcardinals
I guess by your definition, criticizing our players and coaches, I AM not a cardinal fan. LOL.
Criticizing is one thing
Making preposterous claims are another. You don’t jump ship just because we had a bad start to a season. If these season ends and we have only 6-7 wins I will be very frustrated but I will hang on. Now after another season if we still haven’t improved only than will I start calling for heads to roll.
by Jesse Reynolds on Oct 6, 2010 7:09 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
+1
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team(s), throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
by JoeCB1991 on Oct 6, 2010 7:25 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
that's what made you a diehard fan. LOL
you can support the losing team all you want. If you accept winning 6-7 games a season, your’re right, I am not a diehard fan as you. Winning is only thing that matter in sport. Winning brings in fan, sponsor, good players, and bragging rights. who wants to go to game watching your team lose. By the way did I call for firing WHIZ.
who cares which of you is the "better" fan!!!
We need to fix the defense. Now if the coaches only listened to us.
I really think we need to start using more D lineman.
Iwebema, D Williams,Branch, Watson are all better players than Haggans and Porter. D Wash has looked impressive. And when Hayes comes back they can be a good tandem. I don’t understand the reasoning for not using more lineman.
It’s obvious to me that the “Zone Blitz” possibilities from the 3-4 alignment aren’t working. They’re killing us both in the run and pass game. (maybe that’s because we keep sending both safties along with the LB’s)-although that doesn’t explain the run defense sucking so bad.
No more night. I have seen the light. Let it shine on bright.
HANG HIM HIGHER!!!
by Cuckoo for Coco Puffs on Oct 6, 2010 8:53 PM MDT up reply actions
Ok, guy
Did I state I was a “better” fan? No. Did I say I want to lose? No. Are you just assuming? Yes. Don’t be simple, of course I do not want to lose. But I am not impatient. I have watched this team sucks for YEARS and I am not going to jump ship just because of one bad season and call for the firing of the BEST coach AZ has ever had. Will he remain the best coach? We will see. Will he succeed? I do not know, but I sure hope so.
Go be a Colts fan if you don’t have the mettle to deal with the tough times.
by Jesse Reynolds on Oct 6, 2010 10:09 PM MDT up reply actions 2 recs
Cash strapped!
I really don’t have money to waste on bad products that are not essential. I don’t have a need for a Nintendo, a cassette player, a rotary telephone or a losing Cardinals football team. Been there, done that. In these times I must be very careful about how my money is spent.
The rest of the NFL are ashamed and have empathy for us, here in Arizona. The guys on Fox NFL Sunday called the Cards embarassing and confused. They asked “How can a head coach be this far into the season, with a team he constructed and say he still does not have a feel for it?”
Some people I will never understand. Like the ones who visit brothels in Nevada and instead of gettig laid they asked to get beaten, they love the pain. I do not understand sports fans who put up with losing franchises unless a family member is somehow involved with it.
Life is too short to squander hours at a time on an NFL product that causes me mental anguish. I’d rather watch a competitive team or play a round of golf.
then why do you spend so much time posting?
No more night. I have seen the light. Let it shine on bright.
HANG HIM HIGHER!!!
by Cuckoo for Coco Puffs on Oct 6, 2010 9:13 PM MDT up reply actions
Faith
I pray a lot and believe that sometimes the impossible does occur. However, if positive change does not show soon, I will take that as a no from above and you will not hear from me until next season. If I bore you or something about my posts just rub you the wrong way, pray for the Cards to keep doing the same thing for two more weeks and I’ll be gone for awhile.
Just can’t stand the pain!
see ya next season retiree. LOL
At least you’re in AZ and not in northeast or midwest and freeze your bottom off.
Bye Fooch thanks for all the comments
by Dem_Cardz on Oct 6, 2010 10:15 PM MDT up reply actions 2 recs
Don't worry!
You will be able to find me over at the Sun’s crib. I know you will miss me. I wish I could say it’s been fun but then that would be a lie. Losing by ineptitude hurts.
I am a homer but the Diamondbacks lost me as soon as they fell 10 games back. I hope Gibson has a high baseball IQ and allows me to hang around a little longer next year. I still have the NCAAF and the NFL in general but it is not the same as cheering for a home town NFL winner.
Lucky for us the Suns look like they have a good chance to make another playoff run this year.
Later.
More like another disappointing season where they break your heart in the playoffs
Good ole AZ sports.
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
Didn't the Suns lose by 50 points in their Preseason game today?
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team(s), throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
congratulations AZ retiree
You are now the biggest clown I have come across on Revenge of the Birds.
All you need to do is go back and read your own posts to understand that you have no place here. Why stay?
your enthusiasm for AZ Cardinals football only goes as far as the ‘W’ column. you hate coach Whisenhunt, the best coach in AZ Cardinals history by far.
maybe it is just entertaining for you to hate. if thats the case why don’t you head over the Bills or 49ers forums?
http://www.reverbnation.com/chrisfarmer
Wow!
I am so embarrassed! Your opinions are so much more valuable than mine. I am impressed by your intellect as well as your fine prose. You guys are indeed special, to be able to live in the past when it comes the Cardinal’s achievements is admirable.
I am cursed to live in the moment and be tormented by the current play of the Arizona team. The pain I feel is for the dads out there trying to have a good time with their kids and enjoy the game together. Tough thing to do when what you see on the field of play makes you want to curse.
That is my problem and I understand that in your reality this is just a temporary set back that Whiz will correct in short order, because you are correct he is the best HC we’ve had, ever. Quite an achievement!
is there somewhere we could vote for blocking a participant?
now dude’s moved his target to us forum members.
we have our own cancer in the locker room now
http://www.reverbnation.com/chrisfarmer
I can ban anyone I want
But I normally just do that with Trolls. If Andrew wants to do anything, its his choice.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team(s), throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
In this case a warning is appropriate
I welcome feedback of the Cardinals just as most of us do. Obviously they will struggle at times and we’ll all be the first to vent about it. That I don’t mind. Hammering at the same subject and taking frustrations out on each other is different.
AZ Retiree — you’re more then welcome to stay here and discuss the Cardinals. At some point however, new subjects should be brought up, as most here don’t like to continuously hear why you want Ken Whisenhunt out of Arizona. Let’s just try to get along and talk about fresh topics.
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
by Andrew602 on Oct 8, 2010 12:52 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
+1
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team(s), throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
by JoeCB1991 on Oct 8, 2010 11:34 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions
No problem
You got it!
Thanks for the warning.
by Arizona Retiree on Oct 8, 2010 2:28 PM MDT up reply actions
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