Good bye

October 30, 2007 by Harry Greene

An old song asks, “Where is the good in good-bye?” For the Arizona Cardinals, it would be hard to imagine a better good bye than this weekend. Also, for the first time in many years, the bye week is not causing Cardinal fans to turn their attention to the draft.

The Cards are 3-4; have been in every game this season and can look ahead to perhaps the weakest group of remaining opponents on any NFL schedule. They are clearly still in the proverbial hunt. That said, it’s not time to schedule your playoff party just yet. Nonetheless, this seems like a good time to review each position and see where things stand.

Quarterbacks: I have to think it’s odd that Leinart was put on the IR. He would likely have been available in late November and all of December. It may give credence to the rumors that he is not Whisenhunt’s guy. If the Cards had someone exciting to sign, it would be different. You’d have to think Leinart would be a better option to have waiting in the wings if Warner can’t finish the season. The issue is clear, can Warner be effective enough to take a team to the playoffs? He hasn’t done it since 2001. His velocity is down from his heyday and a thumb fracture has left him unable to protect the ball securely. Make no mistake, he’s a warrior, but can he continuously win in battle? Whisenhunt had him perfectly placed as a change-of-pace quarterback who could quickly create disarray among NFL defenses. Being an every down quarterback is a far more difficult task. If Warner can play under control; if he can refrain from forcing the ball into coverage; if he can avoid putting the ball on the ground and if he is still healthy, he’s still good enough to get the Cards to the promised land. That’s just a large amount of “if’s.” As to the backups, Rattay is serviceable. Hasselbeck knows the game, but it would be a stretch to see his insertion as anything beyond the end of all hope.

Running Backs: I may be alone in my feeling here, but I do not like this group. Like Warner, James is a warrior, but is not the big play threat he was at Indy. On the other hand, he is rarely utilized to the max. He is not a burner and even with the Colts he couldn’t get the outside from direct handoffs. More toss plays, swing passes and screens would seem to play to his strengths better but the Cards don’t seem to utilize many of those types of plays. He could also be used as a receiver out of the slot, as the Cards seem to lack a quality 3rd receiver. The other running backs might as well not be on the roster. Shipp was outstanding last season from inside the 10 yard line. He definitely has a different style than James and I’d like to see him get a few more carries to see what would happen with this improved blocking. Arrington shows little ability to run from the back position, but adds some needs speed on short passes. Despite one moment of glory he seems marginal on kick returns. If he had any trade value, I would have moved him. He certainly hasn’t been worth the pick the Cards used to acquire him.

Tight Ends: There have actually been a couple of Leonard Pope sightings this month. It’s clear now that he seems too inflexible to block well at his height, resulting in too many penalties or missed blocks. He shows occasional signs of being a useful receiver, but for a starting tight end, he should have shown more by now if he had it to show. The Cards do not have one NFL caliber player in this entire group.

Wide Receivers: Fitzgerald’s fumbles aside (and I know that’s a lot to set aside), the Cards have arguably the best receiver tandem in the game, though it is a concern that their skill sets are so similar. Fitzgerald and Boldin make the tough catch over the middle, they help with the blocking and they get tons of yards after the catch. Beyond them there seems little of value. Johnson drops so many passes that his round one draft status was clearly a waste. Urban’s lack of speed wouldn’t be so bad if he had better hands. Breaston doesn’t run good routes and seems to get little separation considering his speed. Even naming the other receivers is a challenge. It’s hard to believe how many drafts and free agents have passed without the Cards getting a decent third receiver. Would I consider trading Fitzgerald? Yes, but I would have to get a proven top tackle (very unlikely) or a quality speed receiver who could spread the field. The Cards can’t reduce the number of impact players on that side of the ball. It would have to be a value for value trade.

Tackles: I won’t beat the dead horse anymore than to mention how ridiculous it is to enter a season with no experienced backups at tackle. Levi Brown shows promise and the Cards were desperate, but I would rather have had my draft day selections of Peterson or Landry. Both of them were impact players and Brown has not displayed that level of performance. Gandy has played well under Grimm and though not great is adequate. Elton Brown has been valiant at tackle, but clearly lacks the footwork to handle elite speed rushers. Ross appeared to have a similar problem last season. Several teams have had success with picking tackles in later rounds; sadly the Cardinals aren’t among them.

Guards: Wells, like several others, has had penalty issues. He has also been somewhat inconsistent, but overall should be okay if left in one place. Lutui’s situation is more bizarre. To me he appears to play at an elevated level when Leinart is the QB. Perhaps it’s just familiarity with the cadence, but he looks like a real find with Leinart is taking the snaps. When Warner is the QB, he seems no more that adequate. Elton Brown has developed into a nice backup at guard. Another veteran would help here. A player who could fill in across the line would be ideal. Gandy is such a player if a better starter was acquired and hopefully that is the long-term plan.

Center: The change to Johnson seems to have improved the line calls for blocking. Sendlein did a surprisingly nice job of filling in for Johnson. However, when Sendlein had to move to guard, his limitations were exposed. It’s hard to carry a backup who can only play center.

In the end the offensive line as a unit lacks depth and flexibility. This is a tough weakness to hide for 17 weeks. Some may be thinking that I’m being inconsistent by saying I didn’t want Levi Brown, but we should have acquired more help at tackle. This goes back to that age old conflict about drafting for need or best athlete available. I believe when you draft that early you get a rare chance to acquire impact players. Successful teams do so. Less successful teams spend time filling holes. I take a long-run view on the draft. It’s true the Cards might have had a weaker season if they’d taken Peterson or Landry. However, I feel that in the long run they could have filled the tackle slot elsewhere and had more of the type of players needed to move to the next level.

Special Teams: I know it’s become fashionable to kick Rackers to the curb, but it’s also a case of not seeing the entire picture. He’s made 2 onside kicks this season and the Cards have recovered both of them. No other kicker in the league has done that. His 10 touchbacks are tied for 3rd in the league. He also has not had a kickoff returned for a touchdown this season and he is one of the few kickers capable of making a real tackle as a defender. Everyone’s top kicker, Adam Vinatieri, made one field goal of over 50 years in 5 year period of 2002-2006. Shayne Graham made 7. Remember Joe Nedney? He also had 7 over the same 5 years. Round one draft pick Janikowski had 8. Rackers made 14 and missed half a season in 2003. Rackers had a tough year last season and is working with a new holder this year and that matters. I think he’s on the way back and it would be a huge mistake to give up on him now. Kickers tend to blow hot and cold. Even when cold, Rackers is a middle of the pack kicker. When on his game, he might be the best in the NFL. Breaston seems to be a one-trick pony at this point, offering mostly just quality punt returns. That said, field position is so critical it seems worthwhile to maintain him in that role. If he develops as a receiver, he secures his position if not I be looking to upgrade his position every spring and summer. Barr has kicked well, though coverage seems to be an issue. A true gunner seems absent from the roster. As a holder, Barr has already muffed an important point and a repeat of that would be a major cause for concern.

On defense the front 7 have been the main reason for the Cards generally productive defense. The unit has played effectively as a team and the sum of their performances has been greater than the individual parts.

Defensive Tackles: No player on this team is more improved than Gabe Watson. Had he played this well last season the Cards likely would not have spent a draft pick to move up and take Alan Branch. Branch has been hampered by nagging injuries, but that in and of itself is a concern. Beyond those 2, everyone else is more of a defensive end or a situational player.

Defensive Ends: Dockett is a little reckless at times, but is the biggest impact player on the line and only consistent sack threat. He has been helped by moving outside, but is also reasonably successful at penetrating when he moves inside as well. Smith started the season looking improved but seems to have hit a wall. The loss of Okeafor was huge, though he would like have played more at OLB. If he can return to form next season, he can help the Cards move closer to being a title contending team. Berry had been spotty at best. Injuries and age had limited his closing speed and robbed him of being a force as a pass rusher. On running plays he has problems maintaining contain and keeps getting sucked too far inside. He has not played poorly, but has not been a major asset either. He is a great leader, but it’s hard to maintain influence when you’re having trouble getting your job done.

Linebackers: The fact that Dansby wasn’t re-signed a year ago speaks volumes about the front office of this team. Except perhaps for Dockett, he’s the only top impact player in the front 7. Now he will cost more to sign and it wouldn’t surprise me if they lose him. He is a rare combination of speed and power and will be hard to replace. If any player has benefited from the regime change, it has been Pace. In previous years he has looked good in the preseason and then disappeared as the season wore on. This year he has been one of the most consistent players on the team and been effective in almost all aspects of a complex position. Inside Hayes is decent against the run and can blitz a little, but he still seems to have major problems in coverage. When playing zones he just can’t get a deep enough drop. They can live with him, but he makes a weak pass protection scheme weaker.

Cornerbacks: I am about ready to gut this unit and start over. It’s not helped by the inconsistent pass rush, which leaves them vulnerable to double moves. That said, Rolle has never developed. Green, while showing improvement, simply can’t stay with top receivers. Hood is a half-step slow and is very inconsistent. He looks fine for several plays and then gets beat like a rug. Sometimes it’s hard to tell who he thinks he is covering.

Safeties: Something has gone wrong here. Thought to be a solid unit, this group makes too many mistakes. Holt is slow to recognize his target in zone coverage and seems to have no ball skills. Francisco has regressed after a solid season last year, perhaps because he never got a true shot at the starting slot. Wilson has caught quite a bit of flack and some of it is deserved. He needs to be more game situation aware. However, he also in an intimidator and most of those guys get occasional penalties. That is good. It creates “alligator arms” on quite a few of the receivers going over the middle. He forces the defense to account for him and his pre-snap movement often disrupts the offense. He’s still a big time player, but he made more contributions last year.

So where do the Cards go from here? They should stay focused on making the playoffs and winning this division. Only Seattle really seems to want to fight for that slot. There is also a more remote shot at a wildcard. Beating Detroit and Tampa would provide nice steps forward in that regard. If Dansby is back next Sunday, that objective seems more obtainable. The Cards have trouble with mobile QBs and Dansby speed is critical. The only real weapon the Bucs have is Galloway . The Cards cannot let him get behind the defense, so Holt must stay focused. If the Cards don’t get to hyped up and let Garcia run right by them, they should be in this game.

They have to stay with Warner, as he provides the best chance to win. They must get more creative with their pass rush, though not this upcoming week. They need to keep their backs fresher and pound the Tampa defense the way Jax did. As for the upcoming off-season, we’ll take that up when it gets closer. The NFC’s general weakness and this easy schedule have made the Cards a contender for a playoff spot. However, if they want to win even a league title, they have got to do a better off-season job. More titles are won in the off-season than in the regular games.

As for now, hopefully the Cards will come out of the bye week with improved health, a better pass rush and a backed-against-the-wall attitude. Getting the job done won’t be easy, but at least there is still a job.

Posted in larry fitzgerald, edgerrin james, leonard pope, tim rattay, kurt warner, football, nfl, anquan boldin, arizona cardinals