Arizona Cardinals 2011 Season Grades: The Defensive Line

by Jess Root on Jan 18, 2012 11:00 AM MST in NFL Offseason/Free Agency

We now move to the defensive side of the ball and start to grade it. The offense has been graded very averagely overall. Quarterbacks get a C, running backs get a B, the receivers graded almost perfectly equal at a B, D and F. Tight ends get a C. The offensive line is evenly split between a D and an F.

We would imagine that the defense will get better grades, considering their play the second half of the season. Let us start with the defensive line.

Coming in to the season, the defensive line was expected to be a strength of the team. It was, but it wasn't without some disappointment. But let us start with the good.

The good begins with Calais Campbell, who had a monster season. He had eight sacks and a whopping 72 tackles. That is a very high number for a lineman. He had 13 tackles for losses, an additional 17 hits on QBs and defelcted 10 passes. That's not to mention his blocked field goals on special teams.

Darnell Dockett started out struggling a little with his role in Ray Horton's defense. However, while he was not a Pro Bowler this year, he had an underrated year. With 50 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 10 TFL and 16 QB hits, he was quite disruptive this season.

Tackle Dan Williams started the year out of shape and spent most of the season before his broken arm ended his season on the sideline. With the exception of the game against the 49ers, he did not even see 30 snaps on defense. He did start becoming a force, but it took half to season. The result of his play led to a lot of two DL formations.

The reserves that played were solid contributors. Nick Eason stepped in for Williams and ate space. Rookie David Carter was a surprise. He brought a more athletic style to the tackle position, even when he was drafted projected to play defensive end. He had a sack, a couple of tipped passes and three TFL. Vonnie Holliday did not fill the stat sheet for the season, but made several very good plays in Week 17 after Campbell came out with an ankle injury.

An obvious "A" goes to Campbell. The rest of the group was solid. Only Williams gets a low grade, I would grade him individually at a "D" because of what he was expected to do.

Overall...the line earns an A- in my gradebook. With the early season struggles of the defense on the whole, I struggle to give a solid A, but this is awful close.

Should I have graded the line higher or lower? Let me know what you think.

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Poll

What grade did the Arizona defensive line earn in 2011?

A

76 votes

B

105 votes

C

15 votes

D

2 votes

F

2 votes

200 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 39 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Who voted F?

…

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by Jess Root on Jan 18, 2012 11:14 AM MST reply actions

Yeah that's pretty harsh

by Drullin'OverDaCards on Jan 18, 2012 11:18 AM MST up reply actions

Trolls

No way you can give this unit a D or F. C is barely defensible I guess if you wanted Dockett to live up to Pro Bowl status and had high expectations from Williams.

by CardsFan1976 on Jan 18, 2012 12:21 PM MST up reply actions

I went with a B

In the 3-4 scheme being a lineman is not very, well, ah, sexy. The primary job of the 3 lineman is to make 4-5 guys have to block the 3 of them freeing up the line backers to make plays. I thought they did a pretty good job of this, but could not go to an A based upon the first half of the season.

by Drullin'OverDaCards on Jan 18, 2012 11:17 AM MST reply actions

B

Would have been higher if not for two things – Dumpster Dan starting slow and being out of shape, and the whole D starting the season slow. But the unit was outstanding the later part of the season. Campbell gets an A on an outstanding season. Dockett a B+; not an outstanding year, but did his role in the new D very well once he got the hang of it. Williams a D, for the same reasons outlined above. Holliday and Eason a C+, they both did a fine job in their intended limited roles. Carter a B+ since he contributed much more than expected from his draft status.

Can’t go with an A because it should be on the whole season, not just the finish, and they weren’t as sharp the first half. Would have been a B+ if Williams didn’t drag them down with his disappointing year.

by CardsFan1976 on Jan 18, 2012 11:45 AM MST reply actions

I can go with that.

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by Jess Root on Jan 18, 2012 12:00 PM MST up reply actions

Thanks

I think D grades in general are going to be tough to do. Do you grade them on a curve for the first half given learning the new complicated defense, or do you grade them objectively on absolute performance? I think it’s fair either way, and although I’m going with the latter, I would agree with your A- if grading on the curve.

by CardsFan1976 on Jan 18, 2012 12:16 PM MST up reply actions

I looked at the season on the whole

but even during the crap part of the season, Dockett and Campbell played very well. DT and OLB were the issues mostly then…as well as exposed bad coverage.

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by Jess Root on Jan 18, 2012 12:39 PM MST up reply actions

A

CC and DD are such a good combo they outweigh the negative of Dan Williams for me. CC is the best 3-4 DE in the league and while I think DD is playing out of position in the 3-4 and has been overrated the past couple of years, he’s still an above average defender. Together they are in the most dynamic set of 3-4 ends in the NFL.

The fact that we got some meause of average play out of the guys who tooks snaps at NT are enough to give the entire line an A in my book. Dan Williams has to get better, no doubt about that, but I think the changing nature of the NFL (quickly trending to a pass first, pass second, then pass again type of league) place less importance on the “space eating” NT. Running your nickel defense just as often as your base defense allows you have a disapointment at NT without tanking your whole defense.

by Steamin' Beamin' on Jan 18, 2012 12:07 PM MST reply actions

I don't disagree in general, but

to me “A” is near-perfection, so just have a hard time giving the entire OL for the season an A with the disappointment of Williams and overall just slightly above average play at NT, and with the slow start.

I think A is fair for where they are now, though, just not as a season grade.

by CardsFan1976 on Jan 18, 2012 12:10 PM MST up reply actions

There's certainly some truth to that

And I definitely look at it with more emphasis on end of the season play. If you want to give week 1 the same importance in these grades as week 17, then I can see how you’d downgrade the overall grade. I just tended, especially this year with the screwed up training camp and preseason, to grade these things on a sliding scale with the most emphasis put on the most recent play.

by Steamin' Beamin' on Jan 18, 2012 12:16 PM MST up reply actions

Yeah, just commented similarly above

It’s tough to decide whether to grade on a curve or as absolute. I still think Williams’ overall disappointment would prevent me from giving an A, but your points on NT are certainly good ones, and from a curve perspective I think some form of “A” is very defensible.

by CardsFan1976 on Jan 18, 2012 12:18 PM MST up reply actions

I'd say

that since this is for the whole group, not individual players, A is not unreasonable. Personally I’d go B+, but as a unit, it was definitely one of the best in the league.

by KDean75 on Jan 18, 2012 12:17 PM MST up reply actions

Passing has nothing to do with why a NT is supposed to eat up space

The job of the NT is to take on double teams to allow the LB to shoot the gaps, stop the run, and get to the QB… In that order.

by cgcardzfan on Jan 18, 2012 2:31 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

Also they say after QB and CB

3-4 DT (NT) is the hardest position to transition to from college to the NFL.

by cgcardzfan on Jan 18, 2012 2:33 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

which is why I said that this new passing league places LESS importance on having a space eating NT

by Steamin' Beamin' on Jan 19, 2012 8:55 AM MST up reply actions

Which is a false statement

More passing has no effect on the importance of a space eating NT. Whether passing or running the football, the NT has to be big enough to contain two O Lineman so that the LBs can shoot the gaps and make plays on the ball. That’s basically the main trait of a 3-4 defense.

If the NT wasn’t a big guy that ate up space, and only commanded single coverage, that would leave an interior offensive Lineman free to block and contain the LB, no matter if the offense is passing or running.

by cgcardzfan on Jan 19, 2012 11:53 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

Go watch the Steelers nickel defense....

Casey Hampton is on the sidelines with his helmet in hand. Every player on the field is either a pass rusher or a cover guy.

Go big or go home!! Bet big to win big!!

by Steamin' Beamin' on Jan 20, 2012 9:19 AM MST up reply actions

Okay so for maybe 20% of the defensive snaps

Their NT doesn’t play. So what about the other 80% of the time when they need him? Your theory is flawed because you are picking certain situations to prove your point and not looking at the whole picture.

When its 3rd down and 14, sure, you could take your NT out and replace him with a DE because obviously the other team must pass. The LBs will most likely be in coverage, so the NT is not needed.

How often do teams, even teams such as GB and NE go to 4 WR sets? Not often enough to say that NTs aren’t needed anymore.

by cgcardzfan on Jan 21, 2012 1:26 AM MST via mobile up reply actions

Never said it wasn't needed.....

I said that the way the NFL is evolving, the “importance of having a space eating NT is diminishing.”

And I’d venture a guess that teams run some form of nickel defense close to 50% of the time against certain teams. Again, not saying that it’s not a need at all, just saying that it’s not absolutely vital to a stud NT like Casey Hampton, Jamal Williams etc.

Go big or go home!! Bet big to win big!!

by Steamin' Beamin' on Jan 23, 2012 8:47 AM MST up reply actions

B

They played very well but still allowed a too many rushing yards. Hopefully Dan Williams comes back with a vengeance next season. If he does, this will be the best 3-4 line the league.

by Jesse Reynolds on Jan 18, 2012 12:53 PM MST reply actions

Dan W

Gets an “F”. He Failed to stay in shape, he failed to contribute fully (before injury) and he’s failing to live up to his draft status and ability.
Overall I give the unit a “B”. Tackles played very well and backups stepped in and got the job done.

by defense_dad on Jan 18, 2012 1:27 PM MST via iPhone app reply actions

Wrong place for this, but FYI

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/jets/2012/01/sources-todd-haley-unlikely-to-join-the-jets-staff-olbs-coach-mike-smith-accepts-positi

by Cardsfankev on Jan 18, 2012 1:50 PM MST reply actions

FanShot!

Like the Cardinals? Revenge of the Birds is where to go.
Like Arizona Sports in general? SB Nation Arizona is where you'll get it all.
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by Jess Root on Jan 18, 2012 2:01 PM MST up reply actions

I would say an A- or a B+

CC and Darnell did a great job this year for us and I even liked our depth with Vonnie and Eason. Horton got everyone in position to be successful and they made some plays for us. Williams needs to improve but I like what I see in Carter regardless so we will see what happens at NT.

"If Gortat pulls off a real Dream Shake in-game this year I will shave my head.
Mark my words." Piotr Szczesniak 12/12/11 2:12 PM
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by Airwave on Jan 18, 2012 1:53 PM MST reply actions

Dockett

Is the best 3-4 DE/4-3 DT in the NFL hands down. Suh, Ngata, Ratliff, Smith… All got nothin on Dockett. Calais Campbell wouldn’t have had near the success he did this season without dockett getting double teamed every snap. Dockett beats single coverage any and every time. I’ve heard other players and coaches say Dockett is the best DLineman as well so this isn’t just my opinion.

He is a straight up beast! And in a 4-3 people would really get to appreciate it cause he’s easily a 10 sack a year guy, not to mention how everytime he gets to the guy with the ball he usually strips it. Just pure beast…..!

by cgcardzfan on Jan 18, 2012 2:27 PM MST via mobile reply actions

not to mention how everytime he gets to the guy with the ball he usually strips it.

He has a grand total of ONE forced fumble in the past three seasons soooo……

I’d take Campbell over Dockett any day.

by Steamin' Beamin' on Jan 19, 2012 8:59 AM MST up reply actions

Its obvious you dont know football

by cgcardzfan on Jan 19, 2012 10:07 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

It's also obvious you didn't check you stats before you said Dockett strips the ball everytime he gets there

Go big or go home!! Bet big to win big!!

by Steamin' Beamin' on Jan 20, 2012 9:20 AM MST up reply actions

Dockett was often double teamed.

We all know how beastly 9-0 can be and how big his presence is in the huddle but, he needs to have an eye-opening season this year or else he could end up being someone else’s vanden bosch.

by navajocard on Jan 18, 2012 2:40 PM MST reply actions

lol

Cmon man VDB is a 4-3 DE. You might know how big his presence is in the huddle but its obvious you don’t understand how big his presence is during the game. They just locked him up to a long term deal, he’s not going anywhere. Without dockett our defense isn’t half as good as it was the second half of the season. It all starts at the line, and the line starts with dockett. Period. If you could find a 3-4 D Lineman that has the impact that dockett does, please share. The only one I could think of is Jay Ratliff… And I’ve never heard anybody ever say he is gonna end up somebody elses Kyle Van Den Bosch.

by cgcardzfan on Jan 18, 2012 2:54 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

Uh, CC has more impact that DD

by Steamin' Beamin' on Jan 19, 2012 9:00 AM MST up reply actions

Campbell had an insane year

But a lot of his success comes because Dockett eats up double teams. Teams can only double 1 of them and they double Dockett for a
reason. He is 5x better then Campbell right now.

Dockett is just pure beast. Always making plays, in on tackles, sacking, stripping, beating defenders, shedding blocks, stopping the run.

Dockett, right now, if not the best 3-4 DE/4-3 DT is easily top 3. There are only 4 players that are on Docketts level IMO its Justin Smith, Haloti Ngata, Jay Ratliff, and Suh.

by cgcardzfan on Jan 19, 2012 10:06 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

Dockett is just pure beast. Always making plays, in on tackles, sacking, stripping, beating defenders, shedding blocks, stopping the run.

If you’re correct that teams double DD and let CC run free, then they should switch up their scheme because CC has more tackles (180 vs 154), sacks (21 vs 15.5), passes defended (17 vs 4) and forced fumbles (4 vs 1) in the past three seasons. CC sure seems like the one that is making plays, in on tackles, sacking, stripping, beating defenders, shedding blocks, stopping the run

Go big or go home!! Bet big to win big!!

by Steamin' Beamin' on Jan 20, 2012 9:25 AM MST up reply actions

lol

You don’t think the fact DD gets consistantly double teamed and even triple teamed has anything to do with why CC numbers are that high? I never said CC runs free I said he is usually facing a single blocker unlike DD. There are 5 OL right? When two have to cover dockett, 2 cover the NT, that leaves CC with one blocker and usually a chip from a TE or RB. It’s very simple and plain to see that CC benefits a lot from playing with Dockett.

And I wish defenses would switch up their scheme and double CC instead of dockett. Cause when we played a 4-3 you could pencil dockett in for around 10 sacks a season.

by cgcardzfan on Jan 20, 2012 8:00 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

If your trying to convince me or anybody else that CC is a better player then DD it aint gonna work

People that understand more then just stat lines know that Dockett is on another level. Imo CC has all the potential in the world and could easily be as good as Docketts ever been, I think CC could be one of the best ever. Especially under the wing of Dockett. But right now he’s still developing and developing nicely at that.

by cgcardzfan on Jan 20, 2012 8:04 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

So are saying he's easily top 3 or easily top 5?

Go big or go home!! Bet big to win big!!

by Steamin' Beamin' on Jan 20, 2012 9:26 AM MST up reply actions

D-line the strength of the Cards D

For those of you that think Double D had a down year dont know a thing about football or the value and role he filled for the D. Prostats (and others) showed that he was one of the most double teamed D-linemen in the NFC. He was doubled more that Justin Smith of SF (probowler) and Demarcus Ware (probowler). He was doubled more than anyone on the Cards by far. When he was single blocked he had one of the highest percentages of PIBF/PFL (plays in back field/PFL). Double D was absolutely incredible the second half of the season as he played unselfishly and ate up double and triple teams like none other!
Once he learned the scheme and gave into playing a different role, he was outstanding. This allowed for the linebackers to be the stars and get all of the credit.

by ccnellie on Jan 18, 2012 3:06 PM MST reply actions

Dockett’s role has changed from the goal of disruption, to that of containment (while occasionally being allowed to try and blow things up). It’s unfair to compare what his job is now to what it was.
I love his hustle and his willingness to take on the double teams, and how heads up he is about what’s going on around him.
It’s been interesting watching the way his responses to questions have changed, from being a young man to an adult (at least through the filter the press gives us).

If the Cardinals resign Campbell (which they really must) then they’ve got a great thing going on with bookend DEs. But the tragedy of sports is, as soon as they do, it’s time to start grooming that replacement.

by superpsck on Jan 18, 2012 4:27 PM MST reply actions