1 – Horrible news about Robert Alford, especially after his difficult season last year. I feel bad for him. In an on-the-field perspective I don’t really know what to do. I think they had very few cornerbacks on the field most of the time last season (but don’t hang me up on it), and instead used a lot of safeties, so maybe they add a safety where the selection field in free agency is probably a bit better? For many reasons, I think Eric Berry is interesting.
2 – Man, did the 1st defense get abused? And it was not just one unit. It was a very collective performance in the fine art of humiliation.
3 – The starting offensive line was certainly bad, and thus it is hard to point out one single player as the worst, but non the less I will give my vote to Humphries.
However, I think there is light at the end of the tunnel. Continuity and cohesiveness is extremely important to every unit, but especially at the offensive line it is essential. The five projected starters has not even played together yet, so I think there is pretty significant chances for improved play later on. I trust offensive line coach Sean Kugler.
To me, the more pressing problem is the lack of viable backups. I would like them to bring back offensive tackle Joe Barksdale. He is still a free agent though I thought he played well last season. I mean, is William Sweet keeping him of the roster? Is Rees Odhiambo? Come on…
4 – Chad Williams sighting!
5 – I liked the 2nd team defensive line much better than the 1st team. Terrell McClain did well, Michael Dogbe did well, Sterling Bailey did well. Don’t know if I would trust them in a rotation against the best opponents, but I do think they have potential.
6 – Some analysts and people in the business think that it won’t take more than a second round pick to trade for edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney. If so, do it immediately! Understand what Clowney is; he is an edge defender, but he is by far best when rushing inside between the tackle and the guard, and he has even lined up at defensive tackle from time to time. Clowney is probably the best run stopping edge defender in the NFL. He would immediately improve the run defense.
Also, with Alford out the Cards obviously has massive problems in the secondary, and one way to hide that a bit is with dominant play up in the trenches.
Oh, and sign defensive tackle Corey Liuget who has just visited as well!
7 – Anybody else think wide receiver coach David Raih looks a little like Jon Gruden?
8 – Of all the players, I think rookie offensive lineman Lamont Gaillard was the most impressive to me. First at guard, and even better at center. Had he done that against 1st team players, we would all be singing his praise.
And while on the topic of rookie interior offensive linemen, I really liked how Patrick Lawrence played at center late in the fourth quarter.
9 – I had (and to some degree still have) high hopes for wide receiver Kevin White, but as Bruce Arians used to say: you can’t make the club from the tub. I am really frustrated about his development.
10 – A little detail about Kyler Murray is how he is really good at “rolling the right way” when he goes down to avoid hits by opposing players. I think it is very important in terms of longevity.
11 – Seems like Kingsbury try to get tight end Maxx Williams a lot of playing time – even before Ricky Seals-Jones. And it seems like rookie tight end Caleb Wilson is stepping up a bit. Would be great.
12 – It is fun to see a preseason stud like second year player Pete Robertson. Maybe it won’t lead to anything for him, but he sure does his best to take advantage of the opportunity.
13 – It is not just Kingsbury and Vance Joseph that has work to do. Jeff Rodgers certainly does too after that horrible special teams blocking.
14 – Once again I was impressed by linebacker Zeke Turner. I really think he has already supplanted Dennis Gardeck, and if Reddick don’t come back on a high level, I think Turner will be above him on the depth chart as well.
15 – Calm down. Many teams are significantly different from preseason to regular season. Get the mistakes out of the system now.
2 – Man, did the 1st defense get abused? And it was not just one unit. It was a very collective performance in the fine art of humiliation.
3 – The starting offensive line was certainly bad, and thus it is hard to point out one single player as the worst, but non the less I will give my vote to Humphries.
However, I think there is light at the end of the tunnel. Continuity and cohesiveness is extremely important to every unit, but especially at the offensive line it is essential. The five projected starters has not even played together yet, so I think there is pretty significant chances for improved play later on. I trust offensive line coach Sean Kugler.
To me, the more pressing problem is the lack of viable backups. I would like them to bring back offensive tackle Joe Barksdale. He is still a free agent though I thought he played well last season. I mean, is William Sweet keeping him of the roster? Is Rees Odhiambo? Come on…
4 – Chad Williams sighting!
5 – I liked the 2nd team defensive line much better than the 1st team. Terrell McClain did well, Michael Dogbe did well, Sterling Bailey did well. Don’t know if I would trust them in a rotation against the best opponents, but I do think they have potential.
6 – Some analysts and people in the business think that it won’t take more than a second round pick to trade for edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney. If so, do it immediately! Understand what Clowney is; he is an edge defender, but he is by far best when rushing inside between the tackle and the guard, and he has even lined up at defensive tackle from time to time. Clowney is probably the best run stopping edge defender in the NFL. He would immediately improve the run defense.
Also, with Alford out the Cards obviously has massive problems in the secondary, and one way to hide that a bit is with dominant play up in the trenches.
Oh, and sign defensive tackle Corey Liuget who has just visited as well!
7 – Anybody else think wide receiver coach David Raih looks a little like Jon Gruden?
8 – Of all the players, I think rookie offensive lineman Lamont Gaillard was the most impressive to me. First at guard, and even better at center. Had he done that against 1st team players, we would all be singing his praise.
And while on the topic of rookie interior offensive linemen, I really liked how Patrick Lawrence played at center late in the fourth quarter.
9 – I had (and to some degree still have) high hopes for wide receiver Kevin White, but as Bruce Arians used to say: you can’t make the club from the tub. I am really frustrated about his development.
10 – A little detail about Kyler Murray is how he is really good at “rolling the right way” when he goes down to avoid hits by opposing players. I think it is very important in terms of longevity.
11 – Seems like Kingsbury try to get tight end Maxx Williams a lot of playing time – even before Ricky Seals-Jones. And it seems like rookie tight end Caleb Wilson is stepping up a bit. Would be great.
12 – It is fun to see a preseason stud like second year player Pete Robertson. Maybe it won’t lead to anything for him, but he sure does his best to take advantage of the opportunity.
13 – It is not just Kingsbury and Vance Joseph that has work to do. Jeff Rodgers certainly does too after that horrible special teams blocking.
14 – Once again I was impressed by linebacker Zeke Turner. I really think he has already supplanted Dennis Gardeck, and if Reddick don’t come back on a high level, I think Turner will be above him on the depth chart as well.
15 – Calm down. Many teams are significantly different from preseason to regular season. Get the mistakes out of the system now.
