Cardinals’ Pre-Camp Defensive Back Analysis

July 25, 2007 by Walter Mitchell

In 2007, if the Cardinals are going to be a playoff contender, they will need to show vast improvement in the secondary. In recent years, the Cardinals have struggled in pass coverage because of passive schemes, loose coverage, untimely penalties and shoddy fundamentals. This year, with the addition of two free agents and the anticipated growth of the young players in the mix, the Cardinals may feature one of the stronger secondaries in the NFC.

The first thing Clancy Pendergast has to do is find a way to maximize the strengths of his personnel. Pendergast deserves kudos for the way in which he has tailored All-Pro SS Adrian Wilson’s role in order to take advantage of Wilson’s superb aggressiveness and blitzing ability. Wilson (6-3, 230, 7th, N.C. St.), is a major force to be reckoned with. Opponents always have to be aware of where he is lined up, not only to determine what pass coverage the Cardinals are in, but also to adjust their blocking assignments so as not to allow Wilson a clear path to the QB.

Wilson thrives in the box, where he makes full use of his instincts to attack the ball. As a deep safety in coverage, Wilson tends to struggle more often than not. He gets a little flat-footed and often finds himself caught in no-man’s land trying to read whether the pass is coming underneath or behind him. This deficiency in Wilson’s game presents a major problem for Clancy Pendergast in terms of how Pendergast runs his base defense. If Pendergast plays Wilson in the box, which he is inclined to do, he is leaving his defense vulnerable to the intermediate and deep pass.

With Wilson in the box, an extreme amount of pressure falls on the free safety because now he has to read the play and protect whatever deep third might be attacked. Last year that free safety was Robert Griffith, a converted strong safety, who forced the run with aplomb, but did not display the range or sudden instincts to get to many deep passes.

Further complicating Griffith’s job was the erratic play of the team’s LCB Antrel Rolle (6-0, 228, 3rd, Miami). Because Rolle was often being exploited, and because he lacks adequate recovery speed, Griffith was forced to tilt towards Rolle’s side, which left the backside post wide open…something the Broncos exploited for long TDs in both the pre-season and the regular season.

This year the Cardinals have upgraded the competition at free safety by re-signing potentially fast-rising star Aaron Francisco (6-2, 212, 3rd, BYU) and adding cagey veteran Terrence Holt (6-2, 208, 5th, N.C. St.) in free agency. Francisco thrives on instincts…he’s dynamic in forcing the run and delivers big-time hits and textbook tackles. This year in order to win the starting job, Francisco is going to need to show better angles and range in getting to the deep thirds in order to break up the deep pass…much the way he did when he intercepted a Rex Grossman pass up the right sideline on Monday Night Football. Cardinal fans will not soon forget Francisco’s thrilling interceptionreturn on that play.

Holt, thrives on intelligence and preparation. He has a knack for snuffing plays out. He is not the open field tackler that Francisco is, but he’s a steadier pass defender. The good news is that the Cardinals should be much stronger in passing situations with Francisco and Holt playing in tandem as the deep safeties.

The question with Rolle is…is he a strong safety trying to play LCB? Rolle is viscious attacking the run…he is about as good as defensive backs get in that regard. But, he’s a consistent liability in coverage either because he gives up way too much cushion (which allows for easy ten yard gains), or whenever he loses his cushion he panics and reaches out to hold the WR. In both cases, Rolle has thus far been far too slow in locating and reacting to the football.

The challenge for new defensive backs coach Teryl Austin is to teach Rolle the proper techniques and angles of cornerback play so that Rolle can not be so readily exploited. The scheme that would best suit Rolle’s talents is to have him press the WR at the line of scrimmage and either remain in the 5-7 yard flat zone or shadow the WR in man with the free safety doubling the outside. Should Rolle not be able to demonstrate significant improvement, his days as a LCB in the NFL may well be numbered.

Over at RCB one of the fierstest competitions in camp will be taking place where 3rd round pick in the 2005 draft Eric Green (5-11, 198, 3rd, Va. Tech.) is being challenged by free agent signee Roderick Hood (5-11, 196, 5th, Auburn). Green was an enigma last year. For a small stretch of games he showed remarkable improvement as a cover corner and hard charging run defender. Then Green got toasted on a couple of deep balls, lost his confidence and was relegated back to the bench. Green has the quick feet and athleticism to be a good, productive RCB…but, like Rolle, Green needs to show improved ball awareness, stronger fundamentals and better recovery ability.

Roderick Hood may well be the most valuable free agent addition to this year’s club. Hood brings a moxie to the position that the Cardinals have lacked in years. Hood loves to bait the opposing QB…and he likes to gamble, which, of course, can result in a huge turnover or an untimely setback. Hood has good feet and solid ball awareness, and he’s an able and willing tackler.

It would not be surprising to see Hood take over the LCB position should Rolle continue to struggle. In any event, if Hood wins the starting RCB job, Green will be the nickel back…and vice versa.

The depth in the secondary is young and inexperienced…but quite talented. The most intriguing prospects are: CB Darryl Hunter (6-0, 206, 2nd, Maimi-OH)–perhaps the fastest player on the entire team, who made some good plays on special teams last year; CB Travarous Bain (6-0, 175, R, Hampton via Miami-FL)–a good sized, aggressive young cover corner; and two big, athletic free safety candidates in Will Gulley (6-3, 200, R, Houston) and Brandon Keeler (6-3, 215, R, Eastern Washington).

Should the Cardinals need more veteran help in the secondary they can turn to free agent CB signee Ralph Brown (5-10, 185, 8th, Nebraska)—who plays angles well, but is not particularly fast–SS Hanik Milligan (6-3, 200, 4th, Houston)–the special team’s ace who wants to prove he can contribute if needed at strong safety–and CB turned FS Matt Ware (6-2, 210, 4th, UCLA)–a tall, athletic defensive back who is still trying to find his niche in the NFL.

Long shots to make the team are CB Justin Wyatt (5-9, 193, 2nd, USC)—a super smart player with limited physical abilities who played in NFL Europa this past season–and CB Michael Adams (5-8, 178, R, Louisiana-Lafayette)–a quick diminutive corner who could could add value as a nickel back.

It should be interesting to see how things shake out in the secondary this year. One of the innovative schemes that Clancy Pendergast might devise is a three safety, hybrid type of defense, where Wilson (or Rolle) plays up in the box and Francisco and Holt man the deep halves. Pendergast has some inetersting pieces to work with. But, one thing Pendergast must do this year, is install far more sticky coverage packages. Should the Cardinals continue to play passively and loose in coverage, they will continue to lose more than they win.

Posted in arizona cardinals