Cardinals at Broncos PS G2 gameday thread 8-16-25

[Weenus O'Baggins]

Wasn’t that Jones the other big signing last year? Collier had a helluva game last week

Sure he was also a big signing...

These are the results:

Collier is a likely cut
Jones is a FA no one wants
Nichols would be cut if not for his cap number being 33% more than his actual wage. Next year though a cut.

 

[Weenus O'Baggins]

In my defense, I generally see all three guys as the same unimpactful player

 

[oaken1]

it amazes me how people get so emotional over a pre season games.
These are nothing more than elevated practices... they often have themes...like "D Line only uses pass rush techniques they learned in camp last week"
or some crap... what we never see in pre season is a team being coached, and plays being called, specifically to counter the opponent they are facing.
Maybe tonights theme on defense was " Lets see how you react when the defensive scheme has you out of position for the offensive play called"
or maybe not.
But the entire purpose is to evaluate individual performances. Not team or unit results.
I didnt really key into anybody in the half I saw...mostly because by the second half there were not many names I recognized.

so far, from pre season...we got this...
Burch looked pretty good even going against the first team in KC.
Our good on KC's goods...we held our own quite well.
our positions that have a designed rotation...like D Line...are doing pretty damned good.
But the positions that just have standard backups...like ILB...aint doing so good.
our o line has decent starters...and maybe three quality depth pieces...if we have to go deep we are in deep doodoo
our defensive back situation is strong. The biggest issues with them are lack of experience...we might even release a safety that gets signed by another team before we can get them on the PS...maybe.
Weaver is showing he belongs in the NFL regardless of what 32 teams thought 7 times each on draft day. good on him...him adding kick returner to his resume was a stroke of brilliance... kinda gives him the boost over Fahoko and the other guys fighting for the last spot or two.
I am getting concerned about our TE and RB coverage...over the middle short seems to be the weakest spot in our defense. I can see us getting burned on a lot of checkdowns this season.
I find it curious that reports from camp had Weaver challenging Jones for WR3/4,..and being an apparent legit deep threat...but so far in quite a bit of pre season action we really havent seen any deep shots to Weaver...
is JG trying to keep it a secret? Or was the camp hype over blown?

 

[BACH]

Sure he was also a big signing...

These are the results:

Collier is a likely cut
Jones is a FA no one wants
Nichols would be cut if not for his cap number being 33% more than his actual wage. Next year though a cut.

Collier played really well last week. I highly doubt that he’s getting cut.

As I stated in my earlier post. I just think it’s the reality of the NFL. You have back-up players that look very good surrounded by good players, but are not good enough to be the top guy even against 2nd stringers because he’s now the guy opponents focus on them and the snap count goes up dramatically

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I think it’s just the reality of the NFL that ithe talent drop-off from 2nd to 3rd stringers is this great.

What you look for in a game like this are players that can stand out against relative competition like Burch did last week.

Very few did today, but a few questions answered.

Who stood out (a little bit):
Gaines is OL #9.
Fehoko and Weaver are clear #5 and #6 receiver (which order I do not know)
Back-up TEs
Crawford

Who didn’t:
Carter and especially Carter’s salary will not make the team nor PS this year.

Pappoe is not making the team.

Simon is not ready to push for a starting role. He should have stood out for that to happen.

Players like XT and Burke showed their relative value IMO. They are probably good enough to be on the team as back-ups and could play and play decent when surrounded by 1st stringers. They cannot shine on their own. They are at #48-#58-ish on the roster and not potential stars.

I had forgotten about Simon. I meant to comment on that too. Disappointed. At one point he totally diagnosed a swing pass and was beelining for the running back and then totally missed him for a nice gainer. I started out excited to see his smarts and ended up disappointed to see his poor execution. He otherwise seemed to be out of position and consistently a step slow all night.

I thought Burke looked pretty good other than the TD where he had good position and let the receiver get last second separation and failed to make the play.

 

[CardNots]

He will play most of the game next week as well. What kind of an evaluation can be made when he is at QB?

How fortunate we are he is not backing up KM?

 

[CardNots]

I just think it’s the reality of the NFL. You have back-up players that look very good surrounded by good players, but are not good enough to be the top guy even against 2nd stringers

You’re being gracious…

 

[eastcoastDave]

Agree but he ain’t had a chance today, is Denver depth that good or is cards depth that bad?

That, my friend, is the question of the night. Hope it’s the former, but either way, it spells disaster for the Cards.

 

[GeorgiaCard88]

Sure he was also a big signing...

These are the results:

Collier is a likely cut
Jones is a FA no one wants
Nichols would be cut if not for his cap number being 33% more than his actual wage. Next year though a cut.

We need a separate thread just discuss our D line. The only way Nichols makes it on this team is on IR- he has been useless to this team on and off the field. I have no problem stashing him - but when you are talking about cutting a Collier or Stills who have actual utility on this roster as rotational guys - that I have a problem with

 

[Harry]

This game illustrates why teams can’t survive massive injuries like the Niners faced last season. Usually depth beyond the second string is illusionary. What teams hope to get by playing this level of player is seeing someone who they think might develop; a diamond in the rough (mostly ruff). Sometimes someone will emerge and even dominate. I did’t see much of that. Burke had a couple of decent plays. Crawford looked to have potential. Beyond those 2 I mostly saw people costing themselves spots in the 53. Don’t forget teams make money off these games. So fans indeed were the losers.

Tune was bad, though I’m not sure Brady could have functioned behind that line. It looked more like subway turnstiles when they suspend fares. I would say it was the worst AZ performance I can recall. CB Clark has taken much flack and clearly deserves all of it. He couldn’t cover third stringers. I was in the minority when I criticized drafting Simon. I could still be proven wrong, but he was no asset in this game. I think he was using the “Think System” featured in the Music Man. Pappoe continued leading the race to the exit. In fairness both units looked like fire drills, making it hard for anyone to display talent. The game was simply a waste of fans’ time. If you feel violated, you should. I haven’t watched the Squid Game, but it must be similar to this.

It’s worth noted my understanding is the coaching staff saw what they were hoping to see in the scrimmage. It would have been kinder if they’d televised that event. Don’t be shocked if the first or second string plays a little in game 3, but don’t schedule a viewing party. It will likely be brutal as well.

 

[602 Native]

Agree but he ain’t had a chance today, is Denver depth that good or is cards depth that bad?

Our play calling is also that bad.

Tune still needs to go. His game has zero upside.

 

[football karma]

Evergreen pre-season tweet:

I wish the people calling the game would give us a sense of where on the depth chart each unit is

It felt to me like the Cards started with a mix of 2nd/3rd tier players and after the second series, moved to 3rd /4th for the remainder of the game. I feel like I keep up with the roster, but by the 2nd quarter I was like "who is that?"

In the 1st half, it seemed like the Broncos were a depth chart tier above in terms of who they were playing -- I noticed Barron their 1st round pick playing into the 2nd quarter -- but who knows

 

[QuebecCard]

I'm annoyed that their future insurance salesmen are better than our future car salesmen.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

This game illustrates why teams can’t survive massive injuries like the Niners faced last season. Usually depth beyond the second string is illusionary. What teams hope to get by playing this level of player is seeing someone who they think might develop; a diamond in the rough (mostly ruff). Sometimes someone will emerge and even dominate. I did’t see much of that. Burke had a couple of decent plays. Crawford looked to have potential. Beyond those 2 I mostly saw people costing themselves spots in the 53. Don’t forget teams make money off these games. So fans indeed were the losers.

Tune was bad, though I’m not sure Brady could have functioned behind that line. It looked more like subway turnstiles when they suspend fares. I would say it was the worst AZ performance I can recall. CB Clark has taken much flack and clearly deserves all of it. He couldn’t cover third stringers. I was in the minority when I criticized drafting Simon. I could still be proven wrong, but he was no asset in this game. I think he was using the “Think System” featured in the Music Man. Pappoe continued leading the race to the exit. In fairness both units looked like fire drills, making it hard for anyone to display talent. The game was simply a waste of fans’ time. If you feel violated, you should. I haven’t watched the Squid Game, but it must be similar to this.

It’s worth noted my understanding is the coaching staff saw what they were hoping to see in the scrimmage. It would have been kinder if they’d televised that event. Don’t be shocked if the first or second string plays a little in game 3, but don’t schedule a viewing party. It will likely be brutal as well.

i kept asking my wife if she drugged me - i just couldn't stay awake for this one

 

[CardNots]

This game illustrates why teams can’t survive massive injuries like the Niners faced last season. Usually depth beyond the second string is illusionary. What teams hope to get by playing this level of player is seeing someone who they think might develop; a diamond in the rough (mostly ruff). Sometimes someone will emerge and even dominate. I did’t see much of that. Burke had a couple of decent plays. Crawford looked to have potential. Beyond those 2 I mostly saw people costing themselves spots in the 53. Don’t forget teams make money off these games. So fans indeed were the losers.

Tune was bad, though I’m not sure Brady could have functioned behind that line. It looked more like subway turnstiles when they suspend fares. I would say it was the worst AZ performance I can recall. CB Clark has taken much flack and clearly deserves all of it. He couldn’t cover third stringers. I was in the minority when I criticized drafting Simon. I could still be proven wrong, but he was no asset in this game. I think he was using the “Think System” featured in the Music Man. Pappoe continued leading the race to the exit. In fairness both units looked like fire drills, making it hard for anyone to display talent. The game was simply a waste of fans’ time. If you feel violated, you should. I haven’t watched the Squid Game, but it must be similar to this.

It’s worth noted my understanding is the coaching staff saw what they were hoping to see in the scrimmage. It would have been kinder if they’d televised that event. Don’t be shocked if the first or second string plays a little in game 3, but don’t schedule a viewing party. It will likely be brutal as well.

Yeah I’m out until the regular season begins.

 

[CardNots]

Our play calling is also that bad.

Tune still needs to go. His game has zero upside.

zero improvement in his game in two+ years. He disappointed me…

 

[Garthshort]

I know that PS games don't mean anything, but living in NY, I stayed up past 12:30 watching, with the hope that I'd see something positive. And, probably will have to experience the same, next week. Come on Sept. 7th.

 

[QuebecCard]

I know that PS games don't mean anything, but living in NY, I stayed up past 12:30 watching, with the hope that I'd see something positive. And, probably will have to experience the same, next week. Come on Sept. 7th.

1. You tape the game
2. You get a good night's sleep
3. You check the box score when you wake
4. You decide whether it's worth watching

No thanks necessary.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

We need a separate thread just discuss our D line. The only way Nichols makes it on this team is on IR- he has been useless to this team on and off the field. I have no problem stashing him - but when you are talking about cutting a Collier or Stills who have actual utility on this roster as rotational guys - that I have a problem with

I didn't watch last night but based on last year's play too, Collier and Stills would at least be visible during the games, and often make a play or two.

Last year Nichols, before he got hurt, made like zero plays, and was invisible.

If I had to keep one out of the three, it's Stills all the way, since he's still developing. Collier has probably hit his ceiling, and is replacement level.

Nichols is just bad at this point. A bust unfortunately. I guess he'll have a few regular season games this year to redeem himself and change the narrative. We'll see.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

I was watching simon - he was trying too hard and not letting the game come to him on both run and pass - pappoe coming back in signified how bad simon was playing

 

[THESMEL]

Back up are not prepared for regular season, Denver’s are!

 

[slanidrac16]

2nd team Oline, yikers

They couldn’t run or pass block but other than that they looked good…

 

[Metcalf Rules]

Gillikin looked good.

Watching on NFL network and the Denver analyst said, “When you have more punts than points, that’s not good.”

 

[slanidrac16]

I wouldn’t read too much into this game. Broncos taking advantage of a young and inexperienced secondary and Cardinals got most of their guys out early in the 2nd.

I agree. They did not design plays to help Tune. It looked like they were testing the o-line no matter what the situation.

 

[slanidrac16]

Notable names playing in the 4th quarter on defense.
Xavier Thomas
Owen Pappoe
Darren Hall
Elijah Simmons

Pappoe seems to be gone.