Random Thoughts Before Cards 2007 Camp
July 1, 2007 by Jim Skane
Expectations.
None that can be backed up with logical analysis. Everything is too new, too first-timish. Whisenhunt has never run a camp before, never supervised a staff, never had the final say, never felt the pressure of being the boss.
Clancy Pendergast is being asked to run a hybrid 3-4 and 4-3 defense, transitioning as quickly as possible to a full 3-4 system, with players who may or may not have the skills to make the system work.
What offense will the Cardinals end up running this year? We know what they’d like to do. Whisenhunt wants to run a two WR, double TE, two back offense with a true lead blocking FB. He wants quick pulling guards and power blocking tackles and wants to run, run, run.
If the offensive line can’t open holes, or Edgerrin James can’t reliably pick up yards and move the chains, or the TEs can’t block, or a good FB doesn’t emerge, or the team finds itself trailing early in games by large margins, then Whisenhunt may be forced into a three or four WR spread package, and have Matt Leinart throw the ball 37 times a game.
If the team is trailing often, early in games, will Pendergast be forced to abandon the 3-4 and go back to a blitzing 4-3?
Hopes.
In terms of wins and losses? More than 5 wins, to show improvement in that category over last year, enough to take pressure off a new coaching staff.
In terms of offensive stats? To average close to four yards per carry in the run game, to complete at least 63% of our pass attempts, to score, on average, 1.5 points per game more than last year, and to average at least 27 run attempts per game.
In terms of defensive stats? To give up 1 point per game less than last year, record at least 7 more sacks, to not allow a single 4th quarter comeback at home, and not more than a 10 point comeback on the road.
In terms of special teams? To not give up any return for a TD. To not miss a single 4th quarter game-tying or lead-taking FG attempt of 45 yards or less.
In terms of overall performance, as the year goes on? To be playing better by the end of the year than at the beginning. To have seen enough good things in this team, by year’s end, to have real hope that the Arizona Cardinals will become winners by 2008 and a playoff team by 2009.
Posted in football, arizona cardinals
subscribe to our full feed!
Loading ...
content rss
“What offense will the Cardinals end up running this year? We know what they’d like to do. Whisenhunt wants to run a two WR, double TE, two back offense with a true lead blocking FB.”
If he ran a 2WR, 2TE, 2 back offense, Whis would either have to go without a quarterback or would be constantly taking penalties for having 12 men on the field.
I don’t think Whis wants to go with 2 TEs, but I think he’d like the flexibility to go to 2 TEs and take the FB off the field on a lot of plays, which I don’t think he believes he has right now.
Very nice article, though, and I think we all should manage our expectations this season.
Yeah, I know. I was in a hurry and didn’t want to stop to explain that all three main sets wouldn’t be run at the same time, although it could be argued, and probably will, that Gandy counts as one of theirs, not ours, thus freeing up another spot for us and putting them at 12 men on the field every play.
Thanks, Kemper, for pointing out my goof.
My expectations arent really all that high for this year. I think our o ranking will be similar to last years ranking and the D ranking will also stay about the same. The new O is just to new and the D is a completely different scheme with a bunch of players learning new positions and new techniques, some of which arent even suited for their new role. 3-4 Personel is something that is going to have to be addressed big time next offseason IMO. It oculd be our biggest need besides someone to take Gandys place. Its going to be another year before we see real noticable improvements to the O and the D IMO. And if we start to see it during the season it will probably be to late in the season.
Where I think we will see real big improvements will be fewer penalties and better special teams. We were one of the most penalized teams last year while Pitt is usually near the bottom every year. But that in itself should mean an 8-8 record.
We shall see.
Nice commentary to help break the tedium of the June/July “black (info) hole.”
I can’t automatically accept that Pendergast was “asked” to develop a hybrid 3-4/4-3 defensive scheme. Pendy’s track record and aggressive personality suggests that he may have welcomed the move (and possibly instigated it).
Should the Cards fall behind, I don’t think this would force them to abandon the 3-4 for a more aggressive 4-3 (or vice versa). You can do all kinds of stuff from either scheme. Regardless of down, distance and game-situation, I fully expect Pendergast to mix things up. provide false looks and “bring it” from all kinds of weird angles. (It will be a beautiful thing).
So far as prognosticating goes, I agree that the new regime naturally brings lots of open questions.
About all we can say – as we spend 4 more weeks waiting for the initial hitting to begin – is that Whisenhunt and Graves have positioned the team to crank things up in order to succeed.
But positioning doesn’t equal results: Every team in our division figures to be as good or better than a year ago. The injury gods lie in wait. We don’t know how well the newcomers will play. We don’t know which veterans will(a) maintain their consistent play,(b) backslide a little or©step up and play better.
But all in all, I feel good about this team on the eve of TC….for whatever that’s worth.
Jim, this is the reasoned, logical, somewhat conservative analysis we love from you. You drink the kool-aid, but you can really hold your liquor!
It does provide a lot to chew over in this black hole of early July. The only thing I would add would be to the end.
I hope that not only will I not be able to wait to plop down $1000+ for tickets for 2008, but I will be demanding more tickets for this championship team!
Good article, Jim. What intrigues me most about this year’s Cardinals is what they can accomplish now that they will be well coached. We might be blown away by how good these Cardinals can actually be when they are well caoched and well prepared.
At this point, there are many questions regarding how the personnel and new schemes will shake out…but whichever way they do, it will be very interesting to see how quickly Whiz can cultivate a winning attitude. I think this team is hungry to win, moreso than we even realize at this point.
I agree with Joe’s and Walters comments. I don’t think 8-8 is expecting too much from this team, right now. We have, everyone agrees, extensive talent. Now we will have the direction as well and it will be more cohesive than many think. It’s when we hit a dry spell that will shape this team. One week the Offense will need to carry the Defence when maybe they’re not expected to and visa versa. And I look forward to vastly improved special teams play also.