10 thoughts - Rams game

[Gandhi]

Disclaimer: this column could be outdated soon if Bidwill makes an announcement that the coaching staff is out. That is why I posted it already, even though it is not worked through.

1 - During the game I wrote in my notes “this is the NFL. You cannot win on 85%.” Well, turns out that you can.

2 - McVay really took Rallis to school. Sure, McVay is also one of the best in the business, but that’s the guy the Cards need to beat. Figure it out. Find a way.

3 - Outside of Dante Stills, when is the last time the Cards’ GM has found a late-round building block like a Puka Nacua, a Kyren Williams, a Tyler Higbee? You must make those day 3-picks count.

4 - Last week, in this column, I got some heat for saying that Brissett could go .500 with some better players around him, before turning it over to a rookie. I still truly believe that.

5 - Michael Wilson has turned into a star.

6 - As the Rams pulled away, you started to think about being 3rd in the draft line, and what it could become. I think that Dante Moore will come out. Young people tend to like getting 40-50 million and move to live in Las Vegas or New York. That would be helpful to the Cardinals.

7 - Elijah Jones sighting!

8 - If both declare (it sounds like Mendoza will since Indiana has recruited Josh Hoover), I think you have to try to trade up for a QB. I would guess it will be impossible, but at least give it a shot. Maybe either the Raiders or the Jets are not enchanted by the two top ranked.

9 - They might have something in Isaiah Adams. Two good games in a row.

10 - Many, many posters keep saying that coaches or coordinators would be idiots to come to the Cardinals, but I don’t believe it. I don’t know that this is the right place to list them all, but I think there are multiple good reasons. Multiple. I actually think it would be one of the most attractive places.

 

[slanidrac16]

Disclaimer: this column could be outdated soon if Bidwill makes an announcement that the coaching staff is out. That is why I posted it already, even though it is not worked through.

1 - During the game I wrote in my notes “this is the NFL. You cannot win on 85%.” Well, turns out that you can.

2 - McVay really took Rallis to school. Sure, McVay is also one of the best in the business, but that’s the guy the Cards need to beat. Figure it out. Find a way.

Love your post. Spot on here. Look at the Bears. Look at the Jaguars.
That’s why I’m beating the drum for a guy like Klint Kubiak. RAID Seattles staff. He KNOWS how to compete with McVae and Shanahan. To piece meal this staff is not going to work.

3 - Outside of Dante Stills, when is the last time the Cards’ GM has found a late-round building block like a Puka Nacua, a Kyren Williams, a Tyler Higbee? You must make those day 3-picks count.

4 - Last week, in this column, I got some heat for saying that Brissett could go .500 with some better players around him, before turning it over to a rookie. I still truly believe that.

No qb is going to succeed with this staff and current roster. What Brissett has done has been pretty remarkable. However, .500 is perhaps the ceiling and that’s not good enough.

5 - Michael Wilson has turned into a star.

Thank you Brissett!

6 - As the Rams pulled away, you started to think about being 3rd in the draft line, and what it could become. I think that Dante Moore will come out. Young people tend to like getting 40-50 million and move to live in Las Vegas or New York. That would be helpful to the Cardinals.

I don’t really like any of the qb’s in the draft aside from Mendoza and I don’t want to trade additional picks to get him.

7 - Elijah Jones sighting!

8 - If both declare (it sounds like Mendoza will since Indiana has recruited Josh Hoover), I think you have to try to trade up for a QB. I would guess it will be impossible, but at least give it a shot. Maybe either the Raiders or the Jets are not enchanted by the two top ranked.

If we trade an insanely amount of picks , what would we have to look forward to? If we had an aggressive operation then maybe. The Rams trade picks all the time but then they go out and sign Devonte Adams. See the difference?

9 - They might have something in Isaiah Adams. Two good games in a row.

10 - Many, many posters keep saying that coaches or coordinators would be idiots to come to the Cardinals, but I don’t believe it. I don’t know that this is the right place to list them all, but I think there are multiple good reasons. Multiple. I actually think it would be one of the most attractive places.

Somebody would take the job. But bringing an OC to this staff is a bandaid on a terrible staff. That person is going to be a rookie or somebody who has failed in the past.

 

[Buckybird]

Disclaimer: this column could be outdated soon if Bidwill makes an announcement that the coaching staff is out. That is why I posted it already, even though it is not worked through.

1 - During the game I wrote in my notes “this is the NFL. You cannot win on 85%.” Well, turns out that you can.

2 - McVay really took Rallis to school. Sure, McVay is also one of the best in the business, but that’s the guy the Cards need to beat. Figure it out. Find a way.

3 - Outside of Dante Stills, when is the last time the Cards’ GM has found a late-round building block like a Puka Nacua, a Kyren Williams, a Tyler Higbee? You must make those day 3-picks count.

4 - Last week, in this column, I got some heat for saying that Brissett could go .500 with some better players around him, before turning it over to a rookie. I still truly believe that.

5 - Michael Wilson has turned into a star.

6 - As the Rams pulled away, you started to think about being 3rd in the draft line, and what it could become. I think that Dante Moore will come out. Young people tend to like getting 40-50 million and move to live in Las Vegas or New York. That would be helpful to the Cardinals.

7 - Elijah Jones sighting!

8 - If both declare (it sounds like Mendoza will since Indiana has recruited Josh Hoover), I think you have to try to trade up for a QB. I would guess it will be impossible, but at least give it a shot. Maybe either the Raiders or the Jets are not enchanted by the two top ranked.

9 - They might have something in Isaiah Adams. Two good games in a row.

10 - Many, many posters keep saying that coaches or coordinators would be idiots to come to the Cardinals, but I don’t believe it. I don’t know that this is the right place to list them all, but I think there are multiple good reasons. Multiple. I actually think it would be one of the most attractive places.

10) if Gannon is indeed brought back imo the biggest hurdle the team will have in hiring a quality coordinator would be it’s unlikely any of those guys would want to join a staff that has a lame duck HC. That lame duck HC could quickly be fired during the season with a poor start or canned at the end. Most quality coordinators want zero part of that uncertainty

 

[kerouac9]

3 - Outside of Dante Stills, when is the last time the Cards’ GM has found a late-round building block like a Puka Nacua, a Kyren Williams, a Tyler Higbee? You must make those day 3-picks count.

Buddy Stills isn’t in the same constellation as those guys.

 

[Gandhi]

Love your post. Spot on here. Look at the Bears. Look at the Jaguars.
That’s why I’m beating the drum for a guy like Klint Kubiak. RAID Seattles staff. He KNOWS how to compete with McVae and Shanahan. To piece meal this staff is not going to work.

Slanidrac, I see it as kind of a philosophical choice, and I would like your take on it. I think we can agree that McVay and Shanahan are two of the best playcallers in the NFL? So, to me the question becomes if you try to beat that or stop that.

If you try to beat it, I agree completely that Kubiak is a very interesting option.

If you try to stop it, I would look at someone like Robert Saleh, since I also agree with your point of choosing someone that knows the division.

Of course, ideally you would do both at once, Seahawks-style, but let’s be realistic. My dream is Saleh with his best buddy, Mike McDaniel, as the OC, but obviously that requires a few steps first (that Gannon and McDaniel get fired).

No qb is going to succeed with this staff and current roster.

That is an absolutely fair take. My opinion is that you have to keep trying. You have to find a solution at QB - just like you have to keep swinging at the head coach-position.

If we trade an insanely amount of picks , what would we have to look forward to?

That is fair. I would argue that we could have a lot to look forward to. Imagine if that quarterback makes the team competitive. I know it is a bit controversial to say, but I honestly do believe that the team is closer than it seems. I truly believe that the right coaching staff and quarterback could take the Cards far within a year or two.

By the way, another controversial thought is that I am not so sure that Mendoza will go #1. If Moore comes out, I could see the Raiders going with him because of potential.

 

[Gandhi]

10) if Gannon is indeed brought back imo the biggest hurdle the team will have in hiring a quality coordinator would be it’s unlikely any of those guys would want to join a staff that has a lame duck HC. That lame duck HC could quickly be fired during the season with a poor start or canned at the end. Most quality coordinators want zero part of that uncertainty

This is one of the things I disagree with. First, why would you think Gannon is a lame duck? I mean, I know why you and I would think that, but do NFL coaches think the same way? Don’t they think that at least they are big enough geniuses themselves to save the situation?

Also, some options (Brian Daboll, Kevin Stefanski, others) might see it as a way to a head coach-position. If they truly believe that Gannon will get fired, then they also believe that the team will need an interim coach at some point, and if so, they would be obvious candidates.

 

[Gandhi]

Buddy Stills isn’t in the same constellation as those guys.

Unfortunately, you missed the “building block”-part.

 

[kerouac9]

Unfortunately, you missed the “building block”-part.

I obviously didn’t because whatever you’re building with Dante Stills as a block isn’t going to be very sound.

 

[Buckybird]

This is one of the things I disagree with. First, why would you think Gannon is a lame duck? I mean, I know why you and I would think that, but do NFL coaches think the same way? Don’t they think that at least they are big enough geniuses themselves to save the situation?

Also, some options (Brian Daboll, Kevin Stefanski, others) might see it as a way to a head coach-position. If they truly believe that Gannon will get fired, then they also believe that the team will need an interim coach at some point, and if so, they would be obvious candidates.

It’s all good, doesn’t matter now that JG & his inept staff got sent packing thank goodness!

Most interim coaches don’t get the job going forward, they’re sent packing after the season as well. Very few do. Yes Gannon would’ve been a lame duck & most likely fired during season given his coaching record

 

[TRW]

My wife and I left our friends house in Mesa and it was 20-16 Cardinals and I was, like, "Wow". By the time we exited the off ramp in Avondale it was 37-20 and I was, like, "That's more like it!". I always hope for a win but I knew with over a quarter of the game left there was no way the Cards would yesterday.

JG being gone is a good first step but they need to get rid of the ENTIRE staff also IMO.

Not happy that we are still getting the full Monti...oh well...

 

[Gandhi]

JG being gone is a good first step but they need to get rid of the ENTIRE staff also IMO.

They will. It is normal that they keep much of the staff, since they are still on contracts, just to let the new guy decide if he wants to retain any of them. Usually he wants to bring in his own staff.

Not happy that we are still getting the full Monti...oh well...

I am in the minority, but I am fine with Ossenfort staying. I think he has done a much better job than Gannon (if you can even make that comparison), and I think the coaches should have gotten a lot more out of the squad Ossenfort assembled.

 

[Capital Card]

They will. It is normal that they keep much of the staff, since they are still on contracts, just to let the new guy decide if he wants to retain any of them. Usually he wants to bring in his own staff.


I am in the minority, but I am fine with Ossenfort staying. I think he has done a much better job than Gannon (if you can even make that comparison), and I think the coaches should have gotten a lot more out of the squad Ossenfort assembled.

I'm with you on Ossenfort. His draft picks have mostly been praised; however, for whatever reason, few have developed. That's a fault of the coaching staff. Gannon never adjusted his scheme as his roster diminished. He kept trying to run Philly's defense without the elite pass rushers to make it work. Let's see if the next staff can turn that around. If not, then it'll be time to move on, but I absolutely believe he should get another bite at the apple. We came into the season with high expectations. Those were based on the roster Monti put together. If I'm wrong... wont the be first or last time.

 

[Totally_Red]

I'm with you on Ossenfort. His draft picks have mostly been praised; however, for whatever reason, few have developed. That's a fault of the coaching staff. Gannon never adjusted his scheme as his roster diminished. He kept trying to run Philly's defense without the elite pass rushers to make it work. Let's see if the next staff can turn that around. If not, then it'll be time to move on, but I absolutely believe he should get another bite at the apple. We came into the season with high expectations. Those were based on the roster Monti put together. If I'm wrong... wont the be first or last time.

It will interesting to see who interviews here. Monti hasn't been an absolute draftung disaster like Steve Keim but he has settled for mediocrity. So many bad choices..Max Melton over Cooper DeJean for example. For every Michael Wilson, there are 3 or 4 Trey Bensons.

 

[kerouac9]

My wife and I left our friends house in Mesa and it was 20-16 Cardinals and I was, like, "Wow". By the time we exited the off ramp in Avondale it was 37-20 and I was, like, "That's more like it!". I always hope for a win but I knew with over a quarter of the game left there was no way the Cards would yesterday.

JG being gone is a good first step but they need to get rid of the ENTIRE staff also IMO.

Not happy that we are still getting the full Monti...oh well...

Literally the same thing happened with me but it was going to the grocery store

 

[unseenaz]

You beat McVay by doubling his salary to come be our president of football ops

 

[Russ Smith]

I think much of 9, Adams, is that when he was starting early we were a run first team and he can't run block. When he came back starting after Hernandez got hurt, we were a pass first team and he's a better pass blocker? I am still not much of a fan but he was definitely better 2nd time around.

 

[Gandhi]

I'm with you on Ossenfort. His draft picks have mostly been praised; however, for whatever reason, few have developed. That's a fault of the coaching staff.

My point exactly, CC. I think that Ossenfort drafted very specific to the game, scheme, playcalling that Gannon and Petzing wanted to utilize. I think that you could see a plan with every pick - maybe except for Elijah Jones and Xavier Thomas that felt a little beside logic. It is not his fault that the coaches have not been able to maximize them (the super strange way of using Darius Robinson and Marvin Harrison comes to mind).

 

[Gandhi]

I think much of 9, Adams, is that when he was starting early we were a run first team and he can't run block. When he came back starting after Hernandez got hurt, we were a pass first team and he's a better pass blocker? I am still not much of a fan but he was definitely better 2nd time around.

Yes, Russ, Adams is clearly a much, much better pass blocker than run blocker. Hopefully he can improve on that.

 

[Stout]

Yes, Russ, Adams is clearly a much, much better pass blocker than run blocker. Hopefully he can improve on that.

Hopefully he's a backup.

 

[Proteus]

Yes, Russ, Adams is clearly a much, much better pass blocker than run blocker. Hopefully he can improve on that.

When he played in 2024, Adams was a lot better run blocker than pass blocker (he was a disaster at that).

 

[Russ Smith]

When he played in 2024, Adams was a lot better run blocker than pass blocker (he was a disaster at that).

I actually don't remember his rookie year but this year early in the year when we actually had Conner and Benson it was so obvious how often the run play got blown up by his man.

The interesting thing is the best run Benson had all year that long run against NO, was over Adams side. And if you watch replays of the run the one guy who really didn't get a good block, was Adams. RT pulling guard, C, the TE, all of them cleaned out the side gave Benson the edge. The one guy who didn't was Adams.

 

[AZCB34]

My point exactly, CC. I think that Ossenfort drafted very specific to the game, scheme, playcalling that Gannon and Petzing wanted to utilize. I think that you could see a plan with every pick - maybe except for Elijah Jones and Xavier Thomas that felt a little beside logic. It is not his fault that the coaches have not been able to maximize them (the super strange way of using Darius Robinson and Marvin Harrison comes to mind).

Who hired those coaches that can’t develop the draft picks?

 

[Gandhi]

Who hired those coaches that can’t develop the draft picks?

I honestly don't know, but I assume it was Bidwill. Probably with input from different people (including Ossenfort), but he certainly took the decision. Just like he will this time. I think that people are confusing themselves. Just because Ossenfort is leading the search, doesn't mean that he is also finishing the search. Bidwill is known as a very involved owner.

 

[slanidrac16]

Hopefully he's a backup.

It’s exactly how we should be looking at him. If we are wrong and he turns out very good, then we are better.

 

[Proteus]

I honestly don't know, but I assume it was Bidwill. Probably with input from different people (including Ossenfort), but he certainly took the decision. Just like he will this time. I think that people are confusing themselves. Just because Ossenfort is leading the search, doesn't mean that he is also finishing the search. Bidwill is known as a very involved owner.

Michael should stick to having fun flying planes and let actual football people make these decisions.