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Defensive Front 7 Of The Arizona Cardinals Comparison

by cdeveau on Sep 8, 2011 9:11 PM MDT

I've seen the words in print, "The Arizona Cardinals do not have the personnel to run a 3-4 D." I found that interesting, so I did a little comparison. Hit the jump to see some numbers.

Defense #1)

RDE = 6'5", 285# (33 TKL, 3 SCK, 2 FF, 1 INT) NT = 6'1", 325# (20 TKL, 1 SCK, 1 FF) LDE = 6'5", 298# (15 TKL)

ROLB = 6', 242# (100 TKL, 11 SCK, 6 FF, 2 INT) RILB = 6'1", 234# (132 TKL, 3 SCK, 2 FF, 2 INT) LILB = 6'2", 243# (109 TKL, 6 SCK, 1 FF) LOLB = 6'2", 265# (50 TKL, 10 SCK, 3 FF, 2 INT)

3 down linemen = 68 TKL, 4 SCK, 3 FF, 1 INT

Backers = 391 TKL, 30 SCK, 12 FF, 6 INT

Total: 459 TKL, 34 SCK, 15 FF, 7 INT

Defense #2)

RDE = 6'8", 300# (60 TKL, 6 SCK,) NT = 6'3", 327# (38 TKL) LDE = 6'4", 290# (52 TKL, 5 SCK, 1 FF)

ROLB = 6'3", 248# (50 TKL, 5 SCK, 2 FF) RILB = 6'2", 240# (125 TKL, 2 SCK, 1 FF, 2 INT) LILB = 6'2", 230# (75 TKL, 1 SCK, 1 FF, 1 INT) LOLB = 6'4", 243# (47 TKL, 5 SCK, 1 FF)

3 down linemen = 150 TKL, 11 SCK, 1 FF

Backers = 297 TKL, 13 SCK, 5 FF, 3 INT

Total: 447 TKL, 24 SCK, 6 FF, 1 INT

Team 1 is the Pittsburgh Steelers:

3 down linemen: Brett Keisel, Casey Hampton, Aaron Smith

Backers: James Harrison, Lawrence Timmons, James Farrior, LaMarr Woodley

Which makes the Arizona Cardinals team 2 by default:

3 down linemen: Calais Campbell, Dan Williams, Darnell Dockett

Backers: Joey Porter, Paris Lenon, Daryl Washington, Clark Haggans

The stats show that the Cards get better performance out of their down three than the Steelers do. On the flip side, the Steelers backers unit walks away with the trophy, easily outperforming the Cards unit in every stat. I've also heard that, "The Cards are better staffed to run a 4-3 D." I can say that the Steelers are able to generate a pass rush presence from either edge just through athletic ability, which allows a D coordinator to scheme. The Cards, not so much.

My question is this, are the Cards better suited to run a 4-3 D, or are 2010 #'s for the Cards linebacker unit due to poor 3-4 scheme and/or poor D coordinator game management rather than a lack of athleticism? BTW, the Steelers were 1st in rush D, 12th in pass D, and 2nd in total D for YPG season 2010. The Cards are 30th in rush D, 23rd in pass D, and 29th in total D for YPG season 2010.

Tell me in the poll below.

Poll

Will the Cards backer unit have a breakout season under Coach Horton?

Yes, it was poor 3-4 scheme

32 votes

Yes, it was poor game management

16 votes

Yes, it was both of the above

66 votes

No, the backers aren't the athletes needed

30 votes

Yes, but only slightly as the backers aren't the athletes needed

71 votes

215 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Revenge of the Birds' (ROTB) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of ROTB's editors.

Tweet Comment 22 comments | 1 recs |

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Comments

Voted for the last option

Our LBs have been pretty bad. But our schemes havent helped either.

by Jesse Reynolds on Sep 8, 2011 8:12 PM MDT via mobile reply actions

That's why it was there

So the question is this? Does Bradley upgrade us at MLB? Can Schofield and Acho be the athletic duo the Cards need on the edge? Or do the Cards need to dip into the OLB pool in FA or the 2012 draft?

Just a guy, because I was born that way.

by cdeveau on Sep 8, 2011 8:17 PM MDT up reply actions

Bradley is a good start

A good 3-4 needs to invest in good linebackers. It is also a position that should be continually refreshed through the draft, as evidenced by the Steelers & Ravens.

by tw3kr on Sep 8, 2011 10:11 PM MDT up reply actions

100% agreed

I also think our LB core should play much better this season and not just due to Horton. We finally have some young guys who look like they can contribute. Washington is a stud and Bradley looks like he can be a stud. I think Acho has looked pretty good too and appears to be making the transition well. I still have questions about Schofield. He has great speed but doesn’t seem too dynamic as a pass rusher. I am hoping it’s more about experience than ability.

by Jesse Reynolds on Sep 9, 2011 12:44 AM MDT up reply actions

Rhodes and Wilson

tend to pick up the slack our LB’s have been leaving, but Billy Davis was in over his head.

by Cardsfan928 on Sep 8, 2011 8:16 PM MDT reply actions

That could be part of the problem

Our safeties are asked to do too much. They shouldn’t have to be LB’s and safeties.

by Jesse Reynolds on Sep 9, 2011 12:44 AM MDT up reply actions

Could be...

but Horton is from Pitt. And safeties like that can open up a defense’s playbook. Its nice to have a Polamalu on a defense.

In Every Climb and Place....

I am an ass hat.

by PhoenicianPakFan on Sep 9, 2011 2:38 AM MDT up reply actions

Polamalu may be heavy on the hype

he’s a good Safety, but not like he is made out to be, last two SB’s Polamalu got punked by Kurt Warner than Aaron Rodgers.

by Cardsfan928 on Sep 9, 2011 7:41 PM MDT up reply actions

I agree to an extent

He’s only completed one season since 2005 and he’s just turned 30 so it’s mostly down hill from here for him. But when healthy he is a force.

by Jesse Reynolds on Sep 9, 2011 8:11 PM MDT up reply actions

Our whole team sucked last year.

2010 stats dont count for squat. There was times that our D won the game. How about that Saints game last year? I agree, there came a time when they couldnt stop anyone, but that was after the team showed no offence. I did not like our secondary coaches at all, the last few years.

by Reo Hays on Sep 8, 2011 10:42 PM MDT reply actions

We sucked because our QB sucked

I think we’re going to be a much better team overall this year with Kolb at the helm, more confident anyways.

Cardinals Rock!

by Kristen87 on Sep 9, 2011 12:31 PM MDT up reply actions

I think if Horton is the guy to run the D for a while...

they will draft and develop to fit his scheme. So I picked the last option. They will be better because I think Horton is a good coordinator and there is talent there, but if they specifically draft and develop for Horton in the future, they will become even better.

The line looks good, The backers could get better but some are young and untested yet.

In Every Climb and Place....

I am an ass hat.

by PhoenicianPakFan on Sep 9, 2011 12:28 AM MDT reply actions 1 recs

Too young...Too old (last year)

I think the issue last year was that our young athletic backers were still too young and our older backers just weren’t athletic enough. Between Washingtons maturation, acquiring Bradley and younger guys like Obie and Acho, I feel like this group can grow into a very good group that can handle the 3-4.

by Joe Zuppa on Sep 9, 2011 4:34 AM MDT reply actions 1 recs

It will be very interesting to see how both Acho and Schofield are used this season and moving forward to provide more pressure from edges. Both are ridiculous athletes and obviously younger and quicker than Porter and Haggans.

Both are young and still learning but they should bring a bit more to the table than what the team had last year. O’Brien is getting there so that he can play without thinking and Acho is adjusting to his pass coverage responsibilities but is very smart and has basically attached himself to Haggans (I see the two of them together all the time).

The other guy to watch for is David Carter. He looks far more mobile than Dan Williams and Whisenhunt speaks very highly of him.

Overall, the front 7 has a lot of depth and with Horton’s new aggressive style, this could be a very different season.

Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo

by Seth Pollack on Sep 9, 2011 9:47 AM MDT reply actions

Agreed

David Carter looks like he’s going to be a stud.

Cardinals Rock!

by Kristen87 on Sep 9, 2011 12:33 PM MDT up reply actions

whats with all the hype surrounding acho?

The guy is one of the stiffest players I’ve ever seen, he’s like a robot out there!

by forget on Sep 9, 2011 10:16 AM MDT via mobile reply actions

He's still got skillz

Give him time to develop.

Cardinals Rock!

by Kristen87 on Sep 9, 2011 12:32 PM MDT up reply actions

His biggest problem is he's built more like a 4-3 DE.

I think an off season losing weight will help him a lot next year.

by GraydonS on Sep 9, 2011 7:17 PM MDT up reply actions

Nah

Keep the mass. It’ll help him at the line of scrimmage. Did you see the numbers from his workouts? He’s plenty athletic.

by tw3kr on Sep 9, 2011 10:08 PM MDT up reply actions

Wrong Personnel

That sack differential of 17 between linebacker groups is the main signifier. Porter and Haggans are slowing down. O’Brien Schofield looks like he will be a good fit. On the inside bringing in Stewart Bradley is a great move that strengthens the middle for years to come. Washington is a stud. Paris Lenon has clearly impressed both the coaching staff and his teammates.

On the defensive line we are looking more like we have the right people with Dan Williams at NT. With Bryan Robinson starting there not so much. I’ve heard people say Dockett and / or Campbell fit a 4-3 system better and are wasted in a 3-4. I think Ray Horton will prove that is baseless. What we have seen of his defense is already far beyond anything Davis had up his sleeve.

The biggest change in the defense I’ve noticed is the soundness of their tackling. Last season they were at the bottom in missed / broken tackles. I don’t see a repeat of that happening.

by hadrarius on Sep 9, 2011 9:41 PM MDT reply actions