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First of all, props to Mike Singletary for telling it like it is...wanting players who are "solutions'' to the problems, rather than those who perpetuate the problems.
While Vernon Davis deserved the treatment he got, in his defense, he, moments earlier, made an unbelievable attempt (as in a 70 yard dash to the pylon) to run down DB Josh Wilson on his interception.
Singletary has it right...and boy how we all can relate to his situation, because it's been the perpetual Cardinals' situation...and, as the rest of this post will attest, is STILL the Cardinals' situation.
Now I am going to do what I can't wait to do...I am going to call out the Cardinal defense man to man for their flat-out embarrassing Rolle-over-and-die performance in, not only the second half yesterday, but typically in almost all their close games, especially on the road.
First of all, I am going to give some props to Clancy Pendergast for showing us that he actually can coach the players to play sticky man defense...something that has been conspicuously lacking in his schemes prior to two weeks ago.
Props too to Rod Hood, who battled Terrell Owens and Steve Smith tooth and nail for 120 minutes and had NO freeking help from Antrel "Jelly" Rolle, the most pathetic FS in the NFL.
Here goes:
Let's start in the PENTHOUSE with LB Karlos "9M a year" Dansby...unreal that Mike Sando just threw him a Pro Bowl bone, when Dansby shouldn't make the Toilet Bowl with his uninspired play this year. All you have to do is run his side, or pass short to his side and you are looking at a HUGE gain. The only two things Dansby can do are run stunts, which command him to be aggressive, as in the great sack and strip he had yesterday, and play man coverage...that's it. If you run at him, there's virtually no downhill in this guy. Run a screen, reverse or hitch pass to his side, and ask him to blow it up and he'll freeze every time. Funny how teams have been exploiting the left side of the Cardinal defense versus a freeking franchise player. It's a joke.
What his new team will do with Dansby is eliminate the read and react in his game, because he can't do it...they will stick him on the edge where he belongs and tell him to get after the ball. That's his game. Period. Too bad the Cardinal coaches can't see that.
The Cardinals would be FAR better off with Monty Beisel at WILB, because Beisel will take on blockers at the point of attack...he will chase and finish plays laterally and he will blow up screens.
2. FS Antrel Rolle. The kid has proven he's uncoachable, because he couldn't play CB without giving up huge cushion or holding. Now he's at FS and he takes angles to the ball that Pop Warner kids don't take. He is by far the most incompetent FS in the NFL, and even worse, the Cardinals' defensive coaches are not demanding stronger play...and look l;ike they have done nothing to coach this kid, even after a bye week.
Rolle is a solid nickel back...but, for a top ten draft pick, it's safe to say he's a major bust.
3. Darnell "Wannabe" Dockett. All the griping he did about salary when the truth is he only shows up when he wants to. His road games recently have been a joke, especially yesterday versus a mediocre offensive line. Other than stuffing the first reverse, he was invisible all day. And don't tell me this guy can defend the run...he's a DT on roller skates.
4. Antonio Smith...in a contract year no less...probably thinks he can turn it on in small spots on national TV and get a Dockett-like contract, for basically showing promise, but in the final analysis Smith has very questionable heart.
5. NT Bryan Robinson. Yeah, I'm calling you out big fella, because you make absolutlely ZERO plays, and the NFL is about making plays, in case you didn't notice. At least when Watson gets in there on one good leg no less, he gets to the ball occasionally. You do nothing. You don't belong on this team and won't be if Alan Branch ever wakes up out of his inexcusable slumer.
6. Chike Okeafor. All we heard about from the coaches was how amazing you were in the 3-4, and all you've been is amazingly absent. You were once a player, now you are playing like a chump. No heart. No leadership. No sack.
7. Gerald Hayes. Where do you disappear to? Are you interested in leading an NFL defense? Or are you just another Cardinal fat-cat who doesn't really care as long as you get your money? We've seen you play inspired and then the next week, you hardly even try. What's up with that?
8. Eric Green...Rod Hood is over on the other side busting his hump and you, in a contract year, are a sieve on your side. If DRC had been coached properly to this point you wouldn't even be on the field. You are a waste of talent.
9. Adrian Wilson. Hey, man, are you the leader on this defense or not? Show your face...the last anyone checked it ain't broken like Q's. The only thing you are leading is the new shoulder hit brigade...the only difference is that your shoulder usually knocks perople down. The rest of these chumps think they can shoulder thump a RB down. Are you going to be a leader, or not? Your defense just laid about as bad an egg as a defense can lay...what do you have to offer this situation? Or are you just into your own space?
That's about it.
I love Travis Laboy...he's a winner. I love Calais Campbell and why he isn't starting over any of the interior lineman on the team add further evidence to the small sighted coaching on this defense. I love Bertand Berry...he gives all he's got. I love Rod Hood these days...he's playing to win. And while I couldn't belive Francisco laid a weak shoulder tackle himself on the first Panther TD...at least he delivered the best hit of the day on WR Dwayne Jarrett, whom he jacked up on the slant late in the game. Francisco can tackle and he will lay the wood, so he deserves some props there, especially on one of the worst tackling defense in the NFL.
Overall, thanks defense for playing uninspired football, while one of your teammates on the other side of the ball is playing with platinum plates in his face and the 37 year old QB is getting hit play after play and still delivering strikes...you can't go out there and hit anybody?
And the worst part, as Dan Bickley pointed out so aptly today in his column, several of these players think they are Pro Bowlers. The joke is on those wannabes and anyone who buys into their hype.
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And what about Anquan, mitch? I'm still fuming over the comments made by fellow posters about him not being worth the hassle. Unreal. If yesterday's game doesn't illustrate how HE, and only HE, is thee best damn football player on this team, if not the entire NFL, then this organization truly doens't deserve him.
I'll say it again...
Anquan Boldin in thee best football player in the NFL. Period. And time will prove him to be one of the three best WR's in the history of the NFL.
He's back. We will make the playoffs. And we better freakin' pay the man.
Not a bad rant Mitch... However, I don't think it's a matter of "heart" with some of these guys... I really believe guys like Dockett, Smith, Dansby and Wilson have huge hearts and truly desire to give each play 100%...
Frankly - I think they do. And we see the results. They are trying... hard! But merely trying hard doesn't always get it done in the NFL, particularly when you suffer from inferior ability and smarts...
Rolle tries - hard. But he seriously lacks ability and smarts, and I think the same can be said of Dockett, Smith, Dansby, Hayes, Robinson & Green. I don't know what's up with Wilson... He's got the entire package so why he's not been more consistent I have no idea...
Okeafor is the one dude who I would argue does not give it 100% on every play. IMO, if there is anyone to be called out for taking plays off, it's him...
We need more Gabe... We need more Calais Campbell... And, we need a new corner and a new FS...
And what about Anquan, mitch? I'm still fuming over the comments made by fellow posters about him not being worth the hassle. Unreal. If yesterday's game doesn't illustrate how HE, and only HE, is thee best damn football player on this team, if not the entire NFL, then this organization truly doens't deserve him.
I'll say it again...
Anquan Boldin in thee best football player in the NFL. Period. And time will prove him to be one of the three best WR's in the history of the NFL.
He's back. We will make the playoffs. And we better freakin' pay the man.
I just don't see how this team will keep him next season... Heck, if anything, we won some critical games without him, and still lose road games with him. Don't get me wrong - I LOVE Q... He is by far my most favorite player on this team...
But, we need so much help in other areas... I just can't see any viable method of keeping him and adequately addressing the many holes this team still has...
[quote=82CardsGrad;1855572]Not a bad rant Mitch... However, I don't think it's a matter of "heart" with some of these guys... I really believe guys like Dockett, Smith, Dansby and Wilson have huge hearts and truly desire to give each play 100%...
Frankly - I think they do. And we see the results. They are trying... hard! But merely trying hard doesn't always get it done in the NFL, particularly when you suffer from inferior ability and smarts...
Rolle tries - hard. But he seriously lacks ability and smarts, and I think the same can be said of Dockett, Smith, Dansby, Hayes, Robinson & Green. I don't know what's up with Wilson... He's got the entire package so why he's not been more consistent I have no idea...
Okeafor is the one dude who I would argue does not give it 100% on every play. IMO, if there is anyone to be called out for taking plays off, it's him...
Re; Dockett and Smith...they dominated one of the best o-lines in football versus the Cowboys...and then this week versus a mediocre one, disappeared. Sorry, 82, not buying your effort theory at all.
Re; Dockett and Smith...they dominated one of the best o-lines in football versus the Cowboys...and then this week versus a mediocre one, disappeared. Sorry, 82, not buying your effort theory at all.
Mitch, the Cowboys o-line was a perfect match-up for Dockett and Smith, who are more athletic, smaller and speedy... Dallas's o-line is HUGE, but slow...
Carolina used a more athletic o-line, along with a bruising FB to totally neutralize Dockett and Smith, who do not have nearly enough game or smarts to overcome this type of matchup...
This may be over simplifying things but I believe we're 2nd in the NFC in scoring with (200) points. Not sure where our (171) points given up "ranks" but I'd guess mid-to bottom. Hey, it's NOT rocket-science! We're (4-3) and I think the point-differential reflects that. We look like a (9-7) team. ...And that's NOT BAD for year #2 in the Whiz'-Grimm era. GO CARDS!
And what about Anquan, mitch? I'm still fuming over the comments made by fellow posters about him not being worth the hassle. Unreal. If yesterday's game doesn't illustrate how HE, and only HE, is thee best damn football player on this team, if not the entire NFL, then this organization truly doens't deserve him.
I'll say it again...
Anquan Boldin in thee best football player in the NFL. Period. And time will prove him to be one of the three best WR's in the history of the NFL.
He's back. We will make the playoffs. And we better freakin' pay the man.
Q plays the game like an old-school player, but to say he is the best player on his own team over Fitz is stretching it. If Quan wasn't hurt for 3-4 games every year you may have a case. Don't get me wrong Q is a GREAT player but I think Fitz has better skills and natural ability.
I just don't see how this team will keep him next season... Heck, if anything, we won some critical games without him, and still lose road games with him. Don't get me wrong - I LOVE Q... He is by far my most favorite player on this team...
But, we need so much help in other areas... I just can't see any viable method of keeping him and adequately addressing the many holes this team still has...
The Cards will be drilled by media, fans and players regardless of what happens in the Quan situation unless it can win a championship in the next few years.
Hey, the defense simply plays better at home than on the road for one thing. For another they are notorious for second half collapses and/or let-downs. Supposedly, the improved depth in the front seven would help address that but it hasn't seemed to help.
I thought the defense had a good, solid first half, then completely disappeared in the second half. I'm not sure what the answer is there, but the Carolina offense was dominant in that second half. Combine poor tackling with not having an answer for Steve Smith and get what happened Sunday. The Cardinals are just not a good one-on-one tackling team for the most part. One of the very worst offenders in that regard is Antonio Smith. I don't how many times he has had running backs or mobile quarterbacks and they slithered away.
Regarding Aaron Francisco, he is a very good tackler in pursuit mode, but when teams run up the gut directly at him, he is a liability. It's part of what makes him so good on special teams, but not so good at safety.
If you look at a legitimately good defense like Tampa Bay, you will find good tacklers. If you look at a wannabe good defense like Arizona, outside of Gerald Hayes and most of the time, Adrian Wilson, you just don't get that consistently.
__________________ "Q-Gear. It's what all the others lack." brighteyes
Mitch - Relax - they admitted on air that Cardinals defenders are going for the "kill shot" rather then wrapping up and tackling.
I think (led by Dockett) they wanted to prove they are a "physical" defense and our looking to lay people out.
They lead the league in forced fumbles but at what cost?
I blame coaching for that. Get them out of that mindset and have Gerald Hayes go one on one with everybody and show them to wrap up is the way to go and 3 and outs can be just as effective as turnovers.
__________________
Just remember, the sweet is never as sweet without the sour, and WE know the sour.
I just don't see how this team will keep him next season... Heck, if anything, we won some critical games without him, and still lose road games with him. Don't get me wrong - I LOVE Q... He is by far my most favorite player on this team...
But, we need so much help in other areas... I just can't see any viable method of keeping him and adequately addressing the many holes this team still has...
Completely agree. I've man-crushed on Q since his very first game, as I'm sure all of us have, but this is a business. We can't afford to play our top two recievers 18 to 20 million a season. We've got a keep our heart out of the picture and trade Q for either picks or players shore up areas of need. Think of it this way, do we need two Pro Bowl WRs (and Breaston) more than we need a competent FS or a better offensive lineman, or better CB, or upgrade over Chike?
What his new team will do with Dansby is eliminate the read and react in his game, because he can't do it...
Even though he did just that last year and had his best year yet?
He already has just as many sacks as he had last year and already has more tackles for loss. Already has more fumble recovers then last year. On the verge of having his first 100+ tackle season of his career. The only aspect of Dansbys game this year that he is missing compared to his best year last year is pass coverage.
Beisel starting over Danbsy, come on now. Epitime of an over the top rant. And thats why we like you so much.
First of all, props to Mike Singletary for telling it like it is...wanting players who are "solutions'' to the problems, rather than those who perpetuate the problems.
While Vernon Davis deserved the treatment he got, in his defense, he, moments earlier, made an unbelievable attempt (as in a 70 yard dash to the pylon) to run down DB Josh Wilson on his interception.
Singletary has it right...and boy how we all can relate to his situation, because it's been the perpetual Cardinals' situation...and, as the rest of this post will attest, is STILL the Cardinals' situation.
I think Singletary made a complete ass out of himself after the game. Rants like this will eventually cost him the locker room. Isee a bit of Denny Green in him. I prefer the demeanor that Whiz shows week in and week out.
Now I am going to do what I can't wait to do...I am going to call out the Cardinal defense man to man for their flat-out embarrassing Rolle-over-and-die performance in, not only the second half yesterday, but typically in almost all their close games, especially on the road.
First of all, I am going to give some props to Clancy Pendergast for showing us that he actually can coach the players to play sticky man defense...something that has been conspicuously lacking in his schemes prior to two weeks ago.
Props too to Rod Hood, who battled Terrell Owens and Steve Smith tooth and nail for 120 minutes and had NO freeking help from Antrel "Jelly" Rolle, the most pathetic FS in the NFL.
I agree it is refreshing to see us playing tighter coverage. With that comes some big plays. Many times those big plays would not have happened if we just tavkled the guy or made SURE he was out of bounds.
Here goes:
Let's start in the PENTHOUSE with LB Karlos "9M a year" Dansby...unreal that Mike Sando just threw him a Pro Bowl bone, when Dansby shouldn't make the Toilet Bowl with his uninspired play this year. All you have to do is run his side, or pass short to his side and you are looking at a HUGE gain. The only two things Dansby can do are run stunts, which command him to be aggressive, as in the great sack and strip he had yesterday, and play man coverage...that's it. If you run at him, there's virtually no downhill in this guy. Run a screen, reverse or hitch pass to his side, and ask him to blow it up and he'll freeze every time. Funny how teams have been exploiting the left side of the Cardinal defense versus a freeking franchise player. It's a joke.
I like Dansby but I can't say he is playing up to his 9m salary.
What his new team will do with Dansby is eliminate the read and react in his game, because he can't do it...they will stick him on the edge where he belongs and tell him to get after the ball. That's his game. Period. Too bad the Cardinal coaches can't see that.
The Cardinals would be FAR better off with Monty Beisel at WILB, because Beisel will take on blockers at the point of attack...he will chase and finish plays laterally and he will blow up screens.
2. FS Antrel Rolle. The kid has proven he's uncoachable, because he couldn't play CB without giving up huge cushion or holding. Now he's at FS and he takes angles to the ball that Pop Warner kids don't take. He is by far the most incompetent FS in the NFL, and even worse, the Cardinals' defensive coaches are not demanding stronger play...and look l;ike they have done nothing to coach this kid, even after a bye week.
Rolle is a solid nickel back...but, for a top ten draft pick, it's safe to say he's a major bust.
This was one of my biddest concerns coming out of camp. We found a niche for him last year and we took him out of that role. This area should be our top priority in free agency next year.
3. Darnell "Wannabe" Dockett. All the griping he did about salary when the truth is he only shows up when he wants to. His road games recently have been a joke, especially yesterday versus a mediocre offensive line. Other than stuffing the first reverse, he was invisible all day. And don't tell me this guy can defend the run...he's a DT on roller skates.
No player is going to be in on every play. No player is going to suceed every play. We need to understand that there are schemes to take certain players out of the play. DD might not be the greatest player on the D but he is versitale and someone I want to keep.
4. Antonio Smith...in a contract year no less...probably thinks he can turn it on in small spots on national TV and get a Dockett-like contract, for basically showing promise, but in the final analysis Smith has very questionable heart.
Plays in spurts. When the light is on he is very disruptive. He has to show more often if he plans on sticking around here next year.
5. NT Bryan Robinson. Yeah, I'm calling you out big fella, because you make absolutlely ZERO plays, and the NFL is about making plays, in case you didn't notice. At least when Watson gets in there on one good leg no less, he gets to the ball occasionally. You do nothing. You don't belong on this team and won't be if Alan Branch ever wakes up out of his inexcusable slumer.
Strictly a role player forced into playing more because of the disappointment in Aln Branch.
6. Chike Okeafor. All we heard about from the coaches was how amazing you were in the 3-4, and all you've been is amazingly absent. You were once a player, now you are playing like a chump. No heart. No leadership. No sack.
Couldn't agree more. No excuse for his lack of impact on this defense.
7. Gerald Hayes. Where do you disappear to? Are you interested in leading an NFL defense? Or are you just another Cardinal fat-cat who doesn't really care as long as you get your money? We've seen you play inspired and then the next week, you hardly even try. What's up with that?
Disagree. He plays hard and does what I believe is asked of him. He is a solid tackler to boot.
8. Eric Green...Rod Hood is over on the other side busting his hump and you, in a contract year, are a sieve on your side. If DRC had been coached properly to this point you wouldn't even be on the field. You are a waste of talent.
Green is history. We knew DCR was very raw but he will be paying dividends by next year.
9. Adrian Wilson. Hey, man, are you the leader on this defense or not? Show your face...the last anyone checked it ain't broken like Q's. The only thing you are leading is the new shoulder hit brigade...the only difference is that your shoulder usually knocks perople down. The rest of these chumps think they can shoulder thump a RB down. Are you going to be a leader, or not? Your defense just laid about as bad an egg as a defense can lay...what do you have to offer this situation? Or are you just into your own space?
We need to unleash this guy. He needs to be going forward. For as fast as he is his speed does not show up when he is going backward.
That's about it.
I love Travis Laboy...he's a winner. I love Calais Campbell and why he isn't starting over any of the interior lineman on the team add further evidence to the small sighted coaching on this defense. I love Bertand Berry...he gives all he's got. I love Rod Hood these days...he's playing to win. And while I couldn't belive Francisco laid a weak shoulder tackle himself on the first Panther TD...at least he delivered the best hit of the day on WR Dwayne Jarrett, whom he jacked up on the slant late in the game. Francisco can tackle and he will lay the wood, so he deserves some props there, especially on one of the worst tackling defense in the NFL.
Overall, thanks defense for playing uninspired football, while one of your teammates on the other side of the ball is playing with platinum plates in his face and the 37 year old QB is getting hit play after play and still delivering strikes...you can't go out there and hit anybody?
And the worst part, as Dan Bickley pointed out so aptly today in his column, several of these players think they are Pro Bowlers. The joke is on those wannabes and anyone who buys into their hype.
One point about Francisco. He is always a day late and a dollar short. Yes, nice hit on Jarrett. Too bad he was playing 6 yards beyond the first down marker. Menatl error or bad scheme. I'm going with menatl error because he is never at the point where the ball comes down. His attempted "tackle" of Williams should make the football follies reel.
I'm not ready to throw the towel in on this defense. They have shown sparks of life at times but lack the consistency to be a quality defense. I'm not ready to throw everybody under the bus either.We will probably have to be a high risk high reward type of Defense and hope the offense can keep it going.
__________________
"Every time we step off the field, if our opponents say, 'Man, I hate playing that team', then we are making progress."
Ken Whisenhunt 11-06-08
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