Arizona Cardinals Starting Secondary Gives Hope For 2011
by Andrew602 on Dec 29, 2010 2:01 PM MST
in NFL Regular Season
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PrintIt's not easy to pull a positive note out of a losing season, but for the Arizona Cardinals their secondary has played considerably well. Granite, they haven't been a shutdown defense in all of 2010. There's been both high and low points throughout the year. If you're going to build a good secondary however, you'd want a true strong safety, a play-making free safety, and two fast and athletic cornerbacks. The Cardinals have all the right makings of a dominant NFL secondary. I can't tell you why they haven't smothered the competition, but I do believe defensive coordinator Bill Davis has something to do with it. There's also a lack of a pass rush that makes life in the secondary difficult for any team. Either way, these four men give hope for the 2011 season:
Wilson was selected to the fourth Pro Bowl of his career this past Tuesday after the play he put forth this season. Although Wilson admittedly disagreed with the selection, he and the fans hold increasingly high standards for the ten-year pro. Adrian Wilson has done more for the Arizona Caridnals then most players ever will. At 31 years old and three years left in his deal, he's here to stay. This season hasn't showcased his greatest moments. Considering that the Cardinals have been one of the worst teams in the league, it hasn't shown great moments for most of the team. Fortunately for Wilson, he pushes himself to become better and he keeps himself in phenomenal shape. Since his game isn't built around speed, I see no reason to think his production will decrease drastically in the next few years.We all know what we're getting out of the most beloved Cardinals in franchise history.
I don't know what more I can say about the play of Kerry Rhodes in 2010. One of the best moves Rod Graves ever made was trading for Rhodes, regardless of the Antrel Rolle fiasco. In the secondary, he's provided solid coverage while allowing little to no big passing plays this season. What's really amazing is the big plays he's recorded himself. This season Rhodes has been a Johnny-on-the-spot with the interceptions and fumble recoveries he's recorded. He also returned two fumbles to the house in back-to-back weeks earlier this season. At 28 years old and a low-priced contract signed through 2013, he gives the Cardinals defense a valuable asset for the future.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
#29 / Cornerback / Arizona Cardinals
6-2
182
Apr 07, 1986
Tennessee State
It's easy to come down hard on DRC after the high expectations that were set for the third year pro earlier this offseason. Many fans expected Rodgers-Cromartie to develop into a shutdown cornerback immediately. 2010 has been a roller coaster ride for DRC, and he hasn't always been strapped in. There were moments when it was tempting to scream through the television after a bonehead play. There were also the moments when he reminded me of his true potential he still holds. In spite of everything DRC has experienced this year, it's not hard to argue that he insert himself into the upper echelon of cornerbacks throughout the NFL. His 16 passes defended ranked eighth in the league. At just 24-years old, it isn't difficult to imagine Rodgers-Cromartie owning the Cardinals starting cornerback position for years to come.
If there's anything we learned from Greg Toler in just his second season, it's that he is a tackling machine. With a whopping 86 tackles, Toler ranks third among the Cardinals defenders. With his speed and physical play, Toler's potential as starting cornerback for the next 4-5 seasons has fans licking their chops. At times however, he's joined DRC on that same roller coaster ride. Becoming a starter in just two seasons is no easy task to accomplish. The mere fact that he's kept his composure through the midst of a disappointing five-win season tells me that Toler is the real deal. He may not be the flashiest corner in the league, but he's a lunch-pale type player that will get the job done more often then not.
Before this season began, many questioned the abilities of Kerry Rhodes and whether or not he'd be the "model" that Jet's fans claimed he was in New York. He stepped up to the plate in a season filled with agony and delivered a home run to us all. Adrian Wilson was picked to a Pro Bowl despite a "down year" on his part. If you want an example of what Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Greg Toler are capable of, re-watch Saturday's victory over the Cowboys.
I won't sit here an preach that the Cardinals secondary is levels above the rest of the league. Nevertheless, they all give hope of a better year in 2011. With three out of the four defensivebacks still in their twenties, they even provide hope of a better future beyond 2011.
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I'm pretty sure
DRC has 2 INT TDs, and Toler has 1 (nitpicking I know). Nice write up all the way around though. I personally would be ok with getting another starter quality CB and playing around with using Toler as a Nickel back. With a lot of teams going pass happy, there is a need for 3 starter quality CBs and I think Toler would be a monster on NB blitzes with his tackling ability.
Hate to say it, but whoever next year’s DC is needs to come up with better schemes to hide A-Dubb’s obvious decline. he is a major liability in coverage as we’ve seen throughout this season.
We all bleed Cardinal Red, but most of us don't recognize it!
"It takes no talent to give great effort"--Chris Petersen
Agreed
Great write up Andrew.
I do disagree about the CB though, I think we need a coverage safety type so we can keep AW in the box more.
by Jesse Reynolds on Dec 29, 2010 3:11 PM MST up reply actions
I kind of like RJ
He has shown tremendous improvement this year, and wouldn’t be shocked to see him have a break out role next season.
We all bleed Cardinal Red, but most of us don't recognize it!
"It takes no talent to give great effort"--Chris Petersen
R Johnson
Has had a lot of playing time this year. Haven’t seen much of Ware at all. I just don’t see any big changes at safety coming. As of right now I think Johnson is the eventual replacement plan for Wilson. The CBs could get shuffled around a lot. Agree that 3 start worthy CBs are a necessity. Bengals corner Johnathan Joseph is about to become a free agent. Not that I see the Cardinals making a move like that.
Oh I dont make those stat charts
I just select them. But i can fix it
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
It is something that SBN lets you insert into the article
I’m going to start using them more too
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 Dec 29, 2010 5:09 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
what you said about using Toler in NB blitzes is interesting
I also think he would be great in it, I’m not sure why they haven’t experimented with it this year though.
by CanadianCard on Dec 29, 2010 6:00 PM MST up reply actions
A legit third corner is needed
and completely agree that we need better schemes to hide A-dub’s deficiencies.
by Steamin' Beamin' on Dec 29, 2010 9:39 PM MST reply actions
Agreed
Wilson is a huge liability in coverage, I can only hope Rashad Johnson plays more next season. I also think it would be extremely beneficial if we add another quality corner, going with Amukumara, or trading down and grabbing Janoris Jenkins+ an elite pass rusher (I like Akeem Ayers and Von Miller).
I also think we should ditch Billy Davis, and try for Wade Phillips. He has alot of experience in the 3-4.
All good comments
Get a new DC
Better defensive scheming
Use ADub for what he can do (he’s got skills – they just need to be highlighted)
Get another CB for nickel packages (still think they blew it last year by waiting till round 6 last year to address this and then trading Colvin for a FB, who we cut a week later?)
Continue developing DRC, Toler, and Johnson (DRC looked timid at times – someone needs to spend some quality time developing his skills and mental game – that is if he wants it!)
Rhodes was a great trade and response to Rolle leaving…
DRC is what every other corner with elite skills is.....
he’s either afraid or unwilling to stick his nose is and make tackles on a consistent basis. Deion Sanders called it a “business decision” and there are plenty of corners in this league who play the exact same kind of game. It doesn’t make it right but it is what it is and I’m not sure they can do to change it.
by Steamin' Beamin' on Dec 31, 2010 2:58 PM MST up reply actions
What irritates me about DRC
is that when he does “tackle” he usually just bumps the ball carrier with a shoulder or pushes him. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen DRC wrap up someone with proper technique. You watch Mike Adams and he’s taking them out at the legs all the time. When he tackles he is all in. DRC is just a ball hawk with speed. If I were an opposing OC I’d be running sweeps and off tackle run plays into DRC all day long.
agreed
Its the mentality. I know a lot of these guys don’t like contact, but you get a rep in the league, and it sticks….Year 1 into 2, DRC had a rep that he was a ‘shut-down corner’.
Year 3 – Teams found out you could throw on him, and he was weak against the run…
I still think he’s a good corner, and can be great, but
He has to want it….I’m not sure he gets it by some of his year-end comments….
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