Arizona Cardinals Play-Calling: The Team Wants To Run, So Why Not Do So?

by Tyler Nickel on Sep 22, 2011 6:01 AM MDT in General Arizona Cardinals News

Ken Whisenhunt spoke with the media yesterday and during his time speaking with them, he took questions regarding the lack of carries Beanie Wells has received so far this season.

Whiz knows people want to see Beanie get more snaps, but he said in his presser that, "there's other things that are going on that fall into it that you have to take into consideration."

Beanie is currently averaging 5.7 yards per game, which is good for seventh in the NFL. Kevin Kolb has stated that he would like more of the responsibility placed into Beanie's hands and that running allows the Cardinals to, "impose their will."

Well, coming out of the gates running would make sense, but against the Washington Redskins, the team really didn't start running the ball until the second half. In fact, there were a total of six rushing yards in the first half.

Whiz also stated this:

"We had opportunities in that (Redskins) game and we didn't execute."

I think that's the whole problem. It seems to me that once the running game loses a little steam, it feels like it gets abandoned all together. The team was not down by an extraordinary amount, so the excuse that we had to play to catch up is not viable. Also, the offensive line is built to run, with porous pass protectors like Levi Brown specializing in run blocking. Taking any pressure off that unit the team can through running is in their best interest.

Beanie also looks to be ready to take over the run game by himself and he has worked hard at finishing runs and making run plays that look like losses into positive gains. So what's the hold up Whiz? Your QB wants it, your halfback wants it, your O-line wants it and your fans want it. Let's pound the rock.

What's your opinion fans? Why do you think the team favors passing the ball? Do you think it should stay that way?

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i cant figure it out

I used to think whiz was a great coach, but lately I’m having my doubts. He even abandoned the run towards the end of the skins game, which made no sense. I assume he is trying to use the pass to set up the run, but really isn’t that a little backwards and ends up putting Kolb in a more dangerous position to get hit early and then underperformed via sacks, fumbles, and ints?

by mrhocken on Sep 22, 2011 6:43 AM MDT via mobile reply actions

he took the CARDINALS to the super bowl...nuff said

He deserves a few more seasons to figure it out. I mean, seriously, look at the roster, its not that talented. We have 2 run support safeties, a second year undrafted CB, paris lenon at ILB, clark haggans and joey porter as the OLBs, and an average at best O-line. Their WR corps is average, their RB situation is average at best as well. Beanie is not the greatest. Take a step back and look at what whiz is dealing with here.

by forget on Sep 22, 2011 11:21 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions

Dealing with the team he built.

by hadrarius on Sep 22, 2011 4:56 PM MDT up reply actions

true

But to be fair, this team has been trying to rebuild on the go, sort of like what the suns have done these past seasons. We haven’t just started from scratch and rebuilt. It is still kind of puzzling that we still don’t have the right personnel on defense though…

by forget on Sep 22, 2011 7:09 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions

run the dam ball

Whiz still thinks we have Warner with his quick release.
Please we can now pick up a first down by running if its 5 4 3 2 1 yard why throw all the time

by naironpalm3 on Sep 22, 2011 7:12 AM MDT reply actions

Agreed, but Hawks Run D this week?

Totally agree we need to feed Beanie more, but I question whether it will happen this week as it seems that Run D is really about the only thing Seattle has been doing well. I feel like if Beanie is getting stopped after 2 yards each touch, the OC / Whiz will go back to the air. Waiting to see Beanie break 100yds. this season!!

by CardsRepInChile on Sep 22, 2011 7:27 AM MDT reply actions

One explanation would be that the Cards

only have ONE decent RB who can play right now. The replacement brought in for Williams had the worst YPC of any RB with a decent number of carries. last year. He was brought in as a blocker mostly. If Beanie carried 30 times a game, his likelihood of injury would be higher and there is no back-up right now who could be depended on to gain 2 yards with the additional injury to LSH.

Would I do the same?? I don’t get the big bucks. I was pretty darn disappointed when the possession, to hold a lead, at the 5 minute mark was over in 40 seconds without the 5.7 YPC RB touching the ball. That seems pretty boneheaded. But, refer to who gets the bucks. I agree with the above comment about the Seahawks being much more vulnerable to the pass…But, if we’re protecting a lead, can we please keep the ball for longer than 40 seconds?? Please???.

by Revenge of the Birds on Sep 22, 2011 8:44 AM MDT reply actions

I agree

playing smart without suffering a significant loss in the RB position. But Beanie should have had the carries at the end of the game.

by TheGivingTree on Sep 22, 2011 8:53 AM MDT up reply actions

Have to agree

Beenie has proven to be pretty fragile since he’s been here, and if he get’s hurt now the run game is screwed. Definately wondering why They didnt use him to preserve the lead and burn up the clock. Especially when they were so successful running the ball in the second half.

by Dem_Cardz on Sep 22, 2011 4:06 PM MDT up reply actions

Talk is cheap

The team (specifically Whisenhunt) talks about “wanting to run,” but time and again, the action on the field clearly indicates that he is mesmerized with throwing the ball. Nothing has changed no matter who the QB is. Is it frustrating? Hell yes. This team has shown that it can run the ball and I’m sure the players want to run the ball, but the coach only wants to pay it lip service.

by Zapf on Sep 22, 2011 9:24 AM MDT reply actions 1 recs

One thing to consider

regarding the drive at the five-minute mark is that the lack of clock running actually helped the team in the end. It would have been different had the offense driven down the field and put points up. But if they run three times and still punt, then the result would have been the Redskins driving down the field and kicking a field goal as time expired. Cards never get the ball back with even a chance to get down the field.

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by Jess Root on Sep 22, 2011 10:11 AM MDT reply actions

If they run three times and don't punt they probably never get behind to begin with.

Beanie was averaging 6.64 per carry and needed seven yards for the first. A team serious about running the ball wouldn’t have twitched. That failed offensive drive was not a blessing in disguise nor should it be dressed up as one. It was a blown opportunity to kill the clock with a sustained drive.

by hadrarius on Sep 22, 2011 5:03 PM MDT up reply actions

True, however, Whiz has said

that where the team need to improve is at running the ball when the opposing team knows they are going to run the ball. They were having success running our of passing schemes. That has been the issue for a long time. They can run it, but when it comes down to running when it is expected, the success is not the same.

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by Jess Root on Sep 23, 2011 10:54 AM MDT up reply actions

With Larry on the team, you know we are going to pass

But you would think a former Steeler coach who wants a physical team would run the ball more. I want to see Beanie get a chance to control the game on Sunday, lets see the Cardinals get off to a good lead right away and then have Beanie just pound it at the Seahawks and impose his will on them.

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by JoeCB1991 on Sep 22, 2011 10:27 AM MDT reply actions

im pretty sure the cards are middle of the pack in terms of pass/run ratio.

And also, one possible reason we passed at the end was that washington’s secondary was decimated by injuries by the end of that game. Landry was out, and I’m prety sure they lost 2 more corners during the game.

To me, this teams biggest problem is defense, particularly their inability to rush the passer. Our offense is fine IMO

by forget on Sep 22, 2011 11:25 AM MDT via mobile reply actions

Defense

definitely is the main problem. Better play from our tackles and a healthy backfield sorts out the offense. Defense has some issues.

by hadrarius on Sep 22, 2011 5:04 PM MDT up reply actions

Vindicated, but not pleased.

All last season I caught hell from the “In Whiz We Trust” bunch because I called out the HC for his performance. This year I have chosen to give the coaching another chance. Other fans have, however, opened their eyes to the same issues I called attention to from the beginning of the Whiz era.

Warner was able to overcome and audible his way around Whiz. Now it is all Whiz, all the time. There is no where for the HC to escape responsibility.

The good news is, the season is young and can be salvaged. Seattle is the perfect place to establish not only the Defense but also an up-tempo run oriented Offense with Wells and Taylor. We don’t need a multitude of deep passes if the receivers are hit in stride, especially Fitz. The YAC will add up as will the first downs. I have hope that Whisenhunt has the ability to be an average NFL HC, in which case we win the games we should. With our Division and schedule that translates to 8-10 wins.

I agree that we need to establish the running game, but more than that, this team needs to pick up the pace and move into the modern game of football, which emphasises speed. Speed and quickness in all phases on both sides of the ball. The Cardinals look like a team stuck in a black and white re-run of the NFL of yesteryear. It is up to the HC to make the necessary adjustments now, not later.

Let me be the first to say: Whiz is no longer a first year HC, it is time to prove his value or be replaced.

I have nothing personal against Whiz, but it is time to put up some wins or get out. I hope he is overwhelmingly successful.
Go Cards!

by AZ retiree on Sep 22, 2011 11:33 AM MDT reply actions

he's the best cardinals coach of the modern era

….who could we get that is better? Remember, we are talking about the cardinals

by forget on Sep 22, 2011 11:42 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions

Whiz not bigges problem

I agree that he’s probably not the best but I haven’t lost faith in the guy, I just feel like we’re missing some pieces – OTs, LBs, DBs, and it’s hard to get wins without those positions providing an impact. Plus with the shortened off-season, I would at least like to see what happens, this year, this off-season, and next year, before I start calling for heads rolling….

Now RUSS GRIMM, that guy is on my hot seat!!!!

by CardsRepInChile on Sep 22, 2011 12:07 PM MDT up reply actions

+ 1

can I plus one myself about Russ Grimm? lol

by CardsRepInChile on Sep 22, 2011 2:44 PM MDT up reply actions

Kicking and screaming!

I will not accept another season like last and then sign up to do it again. It is the job of the Head Coach to mold his NFL level talent into a cohesive unit. He must then be able to design a game plan each week that will defeat a specific team. Either Whiz has this ability or he does not. This season will give us the answer, we won’t need another.

Go Cards!

by AZ retiree on Sep 22, 2011 12:43 PM MDT reply actions

It seems to me that once the running game loses a little steam, it feels like it gets abandoned all together. The team was not down by an extraordinary amount, so the excuse that we had to play to catch up is not viable. Also, the offensive line is built to run, with porous pass protectors like Levi Brown specializing in run blocking. Taking any pressure off that unit the team can through running is in their best interest.

I literally feel like I have read and/or posted this exact comment after every Cardinals game for the last three years.

by tw3kr on Sep 22, 2011 11:28 PM MDT reply actions