10 thoughts - Titans game

[Gandhi]

1 - Per NFL Next Gen Stats, the average win probability for the Titans at any point during this game was 12.1%, the lowest for any winning team in any game since 2016.

I would like to extend my congratulations to the Cardinals for making history.

2 – Before the season I was absolutely sure that Gannon and Ossenfort was not in danger of getting fired after the season. Now I am not sure. Bidwill was extremely loyal to Keim, but he kicked out Wilks after one horrible season, and later Kingsbury after his first very bad season (and 10 months after signing him to a six-year extension). I don’t know about Ossenfort, but he should be in danger too.

3 – Have you ever seen a worse intentional grounding than the one Murray threw? I mean, in the history of the sport?

In my column after the Niners game, I mentioned how a decision he made in that game was one of the stupidest in his career. Well, I guess he showed me.

4 – Explain me this: Last drive of the half. 14 seconds left. Ball is on own 44 yard-line. 4th down. You have two time-outs. Tennesse get the ball to start the second half. Why oh why would you punt the ball away? Even if you don’t convert, what’s the risk? That’s a 60+ yard kick for their struggling kicker! You could very, very easily argue that giving them a chance to return the punt is a much bigger risk. #Gannonshow

5 – One full quarter of fantasizing and dreaming about how this beautiful, powerful offense could lead to great things, until it crashed and demolished and burned in flames. Hey, that was a good time!

6 – Beachum had a lot of struggles at RT last season, but wouldn’t he still be better than Jonah Williams at the moment?

No, let me re-phrase that: my grandma had back surgery last month, but wouldn’t she still be better than Jonah Williams at the moment?

7 – I don’t know what to say about Demercado. I simply don’t have the words.

But teams ahead by 22 in the fourth quarter are 1,276-1 over the past 25 seasons. I think it is a fair argument that the Cardinals had a good chance of winning if he had hold on to the ball for a few more inches.

8 – It is a massive disappointment that Isaiah Adams is that big of a liability in his second season. Horrible draftpick.

9 - I will give the word to @vince56 for this thought: “3rd and 8, game on the line, you need 1 first down to secure the win. Who gets the ball, the $250m QB, the 4th pick in the draft WR, the best TE in the league... or... hear me out... the practice squad running back?”

I don’t have anything to add. #Petzingshow

10 – Every single time a Cardinals player – for whatever reason – is close to the Cards’ sideline, Brissett is the first one out to greet him with (I assume) encouraging words. You can see why he is so well-liked inside the team. I don’t know what to use that information for. I just wanted to finish on a positive note.

 

[HairZach]

This really was a turning point for the coaching staff in my mind. They just have not adapted to the fact that they can't run the ball anymore. They still think we can run block like we did in 2023 and 2024; we just can't. Pure denial of reality. Last year we were top 10 in rushing success rate, this year we're 32nd.

31 touches for Demercado, Michael Carter, and Bam Knight. 9 touches for MHJ and McBride, who both looked fantastic. I wonder why we lost?

That 3rd and 8, that we ran? It only burned 6 seconds, it was right before the 2 minute warning. Brain dead decision, so bad that I'm mad at Kyler for not going rogue and audibling. Kyler was angry at that decision in the post game presser.

 

[Totally_Red]

#9 It is obvious that Klayton and JC were mostly responsible for the running game success last season. Petzing is sub optimal in every way. Even JG has to see that at this point. Sadly, I don't see anyone on the staff that can take over playcalling

 

[HairZach]

#9 It is obvious that Klayton and JC were mostly responsible for the running game success last season. Petzing is sub optimal in every way. Even JG has to see that at this point. Sadly, I don't see anyone on the staff that can take over playcalling

I think Klayton might just be a wizard. The cowboys RB room is the worst in the league; Javonte had a top 3 OL last year with the Broncos and was terrible. Now he's got wide open holes to the 2nd level.

He might be a headcoach next year.

 

[pemory09]

1 - Per NFL Next Gen Stats, the average win probability for the Titans at any point during this game was 12.1%, the lowest for any winning team in any game since 2016.

I would like to extend my congratulations to the Cardinals for making history.

2 – Before the season I was absolutely sure that Gannon and Ossenfort was not in danger of getting fired after the season. Now I am not sure. Bidwill was extremely loyal to Keim, but he kicked out Wilks after one horrible season, and later Kingsbury after his first very bad season (and 10 months after signing him to a six-year extension). I don’t know about Ossenfort, but he should be in danger too.

3 – Have you ever seen a worse intentional grounding than the one Murray threw? I mean, in the history of the sport?

In my column after the Niners game, I mentioned how a decision he made in that game was one of the stupidest in his career. Well, I guess he showed me.

4 – Explain me this: Last drive of the half. 14 seconds left. Ball is on own 44 yard-line. 4th down. You have two time-outs. Tennesse get the ball to start the second half. Why oh why would you punt the ball away? Even if you don’t convert, what’s the risk? That’s a 60+ yard kick for their struggling kicker! You could very, very easily argue that giving them a chance to return the punt is a much bigger risk. #Gannonshow

5 – One full quarter of fantasizing and dreaming about how this beautiful, powerful offense could lead to great things, until it crashed and demolished and burned in flames. Hey, that was a good time!

6 – Beachum had a lot of struggles at RT last season, but wouldn’t he still be better than Jonah Williams at the moment?

No, let me re-phrase that: my grandma had back surgery last month, but wouldn’t she still be better than Jonah Williams at the moment?

7 – I don’t know what to say about Demercado. I simply don’t have the words.

But teams ahead by 22 in the fourth quarter are 1,276-1 over the past 25 seasons. I think it is a fair argument that the Cardinals had a good chance of winning if he had hold on to the ball for a few more inches.

8 – It is a massive disappointment that Isaiah Adams is that big of a liability in his second season. Horrible draftpick.

9 - I will give the word to @vince56 for this thought: “3rd and 8, game on the line, you need 1 first down to secure the win. Who gets the ball, the $250m QB, the 4th pick in the draft WR, the best TE in the league... or... hear me out... the practice squad running back?”

I don’t have anything to add. #Petzingshow

10 – Every single time a Cardinals player – for whatever reason – is close to the Cards’ sideline, Brissett is the first one out to greet him with (I assume) encouraging words. You can see why he is so well-liked inside the team. I don’t know what to use that information for. I just wanted to finish on a positive note.

Many thanks Gandhi. I always enjoy your postgame analysis. But after this week’s debacle it includes some fantastic comic relief—bravo!

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

My 10 thoughts:

1. Fire Gannon

2. Fire gannon

3. Fire gannon

4. Fire gannon

5. Fire gannon

6. Fire gannon

7. Fire petzig

8. Fire petzig

9. Cut demercado

10. Trade Kyler for bottle of water. Water optional.

 

[Goodyear Card]

Just wanted to put this somewhere. https://cardswire.usatoday.com/stor...stakes-cost-arizona-a-needed-win/86541761007/

 

[some dumb guy]

You guys are missing the big picture....this week the cardinals are making every highlight reel across the country....more press coverage than when we made it to the superbowl....LOL

 

[Goodyear Card]

You guys are missing the big picture....this week the cardinals are making every highlight reel across the country....more press coverage than when we made it to the superbowl....LOL

That should help us when we sign free agents next year.

 

[BirdGangThing]

1 - Per NFL Next Gen Stats, the average win probability for the Titans at any point during this game was 12.1%, the lowest for any winning team in any game since 2016.

I would like to extend my congratulations to the Cardinals for making history.

2 – Before the season I was absolutely sure that Gannon and Ossenfort was not in danger of getting fired after the season. Now I am not sure. Bidwill was extremely loyal to Keim, but he kicked out Wilks after one horrible season, and later Kingsbury after his first very bad season (and 10 months after signing him to a six-year extension). I don’t know about Ossenfort, but he should be in danger too.

3 – Have you ever seen a worse intentional grounding than the one Murray threw? I mean, in the history of the sport?

In my column after the Niners game, I mentioned how a decision he made in that game was one of the stupidest in his career. Well, I guess he showed me.

4 – Explain me this: Last drive of the half. 14 seconds left. Ball is on own 44 yard-line. 4th down. You have two time-outs. Tennesse get the ball to start the second half. Why oh why would you punt the ball away? Even if you don’t convert, what’s the risk? That’s a 60+ yard kick for their struggling kicker! You could very, very easily argue that giving them a chance to return the punt is a much bigger risk. #Gannonshow

5 – One full quarter of fantasizing and dreaming about how this beautiful, powerful offense could lead to great things, until it crashed and demolished and burned in flames. Hey, that was a good time!

6 – Beachum had a lot of struggles at RT last season, but wouldn’t he still be better than Jonah Williams at the moment?

No, let me re-phrase that: my grandma had back surgery last month, but wouldn’t she still be better than Jonah Williams at the moment?

7 – I don’t know what to say about Demercado. I simply don’t have the words.

But teams ahead by 22 in the fourth quarter are 1,276-1 over the past 25 seasons. I think it is a fair argument that the Cardinals had a good chance of winning if he had hold on to the ball for a few more inches.

8 – It is a massive disappointment that Isaiah Adams is that big of a liability in his second season. Horrible draftpick.

9 - I will give the word to @vince56 for this thought: “3rd and 8, game on the line, you need 1 first down to secure the win. Who gets the ball, the $250m QB, the 4th pick in the draft WR, the best TE in the league... or... hear me out... the practice squad running back?”

I don’t have anything to add. #Petzingshow

10 – Every single time a Cardinals player – for whatever reason – is close to the Cards’ sideline, Brissett is the first one out to greet him with (I assume) encouraging words. You can see why he is so well-liked inside the team. I don’t know what to use that information for. I just wanted to finish on a positive note.

cosign

 

[oaken1]

You guys are missing the big picture....this week the cardinals are making every highlight reel across the country....more press coverage than when we made it to the superbowl....LOL

Gonna sell some casitas with publicity like that!!

 

[slanidrac16]

Ghandi it is very difficult to have anything good to say.
It is gut wrenching to follow this team with the passion we all share.
I am so sick of the cliches. “ I gotta coach them better” bs.
There are things these guys learned in pee wee football that you have to believe you just don’t have to go over, like “ Don’t drop the ball before crossing the goal one”. “Throw the ball away rather than running out of bounds behind the LOS.”
Maybe Petzing has to move upstairs. Maybe he can’t see what’s happening on the sideline.
It started at the end of the second quarter. I said out loud “ Don’t take your foot off the gas pedal”. When we went up 21-3 it seemed the whole place just leaned back in their seats and thought the game was over.
I wish I could end up on a positive note.
I can’t.

 

[Dback Jon]

4 – Explain me this: Last drive of the half. 14 seconds left. Ball is on own 44 yard-line. 4th down. You have two time-outs. Tennesse get the ball to start the second half. Why oh why would you punt the ball away? Even if you don’t convert, what’s the risk? That’s a 60+ yard kick for their struggling kicker! You could very, very easily argue that giving them a chance to return the punt is a much bigger risk. #Gannonshow

7 – I don’t know what to say about Demercado. I simply don’t have the words.

But teams ahead by 22 in the fourth quarter are 1,276-1 over the past 25 seasons. I think it is a fair argument that the Cardinals had a good chance of winning if he had hold on to the ball for a few more inches.



9 - I will give the word to @vince56 for this thought: “3rd and 8, game on the line, you need 1 first down to secure the win. Who gets the ball, the $250m QB, the 4th pick in the draft WR, the best TE in the league... or... hear me out... the practice squad running back?”

I don’t have anything to add. #Petzingshow

I had scribbled some thoughts while walking my dogs this morning - you touched on a couple of them:

#4 AZ was having success moving the ball in the 1st half. Why stop now? They could have thrown to McBride a couple of times and gotten to within a 50-52 yard field goal - very makeable.

#7 Less than a second. Less than 6 inches. That close. He does that, AZ goes up 28-6 and none of the rest happens or matters

#9 When you need it the most, you HAVE to go to your stars (such as the Cards have). You have to put it in their hands. If they fail, you gave the team the best shot. Playing conservative with leads has cost the Cardinals two wins, and almost two others. Gannon should be fired for just that series.



#11 McBride is your best weapon. Harrison was having a good game. Yet they were basically invisible in the second half? Why???

#12 AZ was playing against another rookie QB. Pressure him. Rattle him. These four man rushes are worthless. Almost no blitzing. Little pressure.

 

[Gandhi]

#9 It is obvious that Klayton and JC were mostly responsible for the running game success last season. Petzing is sub optimal in every way. Even JG has to see that at this point. Sadly, I don't see anyone on the staff that can take over playcalling

TR, I think that Drew Terrell makes a lot of sense. He is the WR coach and passing game coordinator, so I guess he would favor that aspect more than Petzing, and further, Terrell has experience in calling plays. Last year he was the OC at the East-West Shrine game, and in this year’s preseason, he got the playcalling responsibilities for a couple of games.

 

[Gandhi]

There are things these guys learned in pee wee football that you have to believe you just don’t have to go over, like “ Don’t drop the ball before crossing the goal one”.

What makes Demarcado’s idiocy even worse, Slanidrac, is that it happened for a Colts-player just last week. He had seen the clip of a stupid play like that during the preparation for this game! He knew that he should not do something like that. That really should not be necessary to teach him.

It started at the end of the second quarter. I said out loud “ Don’t take your foot off the gas pedal”. When we went up 21-3 it seemed the whole place just leaned back in their seats and thought the game was over.

At that point, I told my wife that it would be an easy win. That they would roll over Tennessee. I should have known better after almost screwing up against the Saints and Panthers.

 

[Gandhi]

He might be a headcoach next year.

I think that Adams is the most realistic replacement, if Gannon is axed. My only hesitation is that Adams is sort of involved with the current coaching staff, so if you want a completely clean slate, maybe you need to go with someone else.

 

[Gandhi]

#11 McBride is your best weapon. Harrison was having a good game. Yet they were basically invisible in the second half? Why???

I assume because Petzing wanted to basically run out the clock from the start of the second half. Without your top two runningbacks, and with an offensive line that cannot run block, that is a strange approach, to say the least. I agree, DJ, you must get your playmakers involved.

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

I assume because Petzing wanted to basically run out the clock from the start of the second half. Without your top two runningbacks, and with an offensive line that cannot run block, that is a strange approach, to say the least. I agree, DJ, you must get your playmakers involved.

You would think they'd want the ball in K1's hands, but they clearly don't trust him, for whatever reason.

 

[daves]

You would think they'd want the ball in K1's hands, but they clearly don't trust him, for whatever reason.

I think the reasons are obvious... but they've got to put Murray in a position to show who he is.

 

[Russ Smith]

I had scribbled some thoughts while walking my dogs this morning - you touched on a couple of them:

#4 AZ was having success moving the ball in the 1st half. Why stop now? They could have thrown to McBride a couple of times and gotten to within a 50-52 yard field goal - very makeable.

#7 Less than a second. Less than 6 inches. That close. He does that, AZ goes up 28-6 and none of the rest happens or matters

#9 When you need it the most, you HAVE to go to your stars (such as the Cards have). You have to put it in their hands. If they fail, you gave the team the best shot. Playing conservative with leads has cost the Cardinals two wins, and almost two others. Gannon should be fired for just that series.



#11 McBride is your best weapon. Harrison was having a good game. Yet they were basically invisible in the second half? Why???

#12 AZ was playing against another rookie QB. Pressure him. Rattle him. These four man rushes are worthless. Almost no blitzing. Little pressure.

Not saying I agree but 4 was obvious we all said it in the game thread take a shot maybe you get a penalty and kick a FG.

9 again 100% agree and with the time it was even dumber we barely saved anything. They should have taken a shot to get the first down.

11 I think Petzing got spooked by Simmons. He was already wrecking plays in the first half and did it early and often in the 2nd half I think Drew got scared to throw thinking we might get fumbles or picks other big mistakes due to pressure so instead he just ran into punts.

12 I again I don't agree but I get Rallis, we were at times playing 4 safeties out there, 3 almost the whole game. Jalen Thompson basically played CB the whole game and Ridley was killing him. The fear was if we blitz, those guys are going to get WIDE open so he rushed 4. My counter is he's a rookie, if you do the creative blitzes Rallis was using the last 2 years, it's quite possible if not likely Ward gets confused and just throws one right to us guessing wrong on where the open man is going to be

 

[Gandhi]

You would think they'd want the ball in K1's hands, but they clearly don't trust him, for whatever reason.

Great point, but also a bit worrying. If they don’t trust him, why are they playing him? Do they trust Brissett even less, and if so, why was he signed?

I do agree, though, that it seems like they are kind of holding Murray back. Try to control him more. Not that I am saying he would be All-Pro without Petzing, but just that he doesn’t seem to have much freedom.

Maybe we will soon see Murray yell at Petzing on the field, Kingsbury-style.

 

[Dback Jon]

You would think they'd want the ball in K1's hands, but they clearly don't trust him, for whatever reason.

Then they have basically given up on the season.

 

[Goodyear Card]

They may be trying to limit the interceptions. So far this year he has 3. The one MHJ fumble int was not his fault and the int when MHJ stopped running may not have been his fault. His only fumble this year was when the snap hit him in the facemask. Also not his fault. Last year he averaged almost a turnover per game.

 

[phillycard]

Petzing has to be the most clueless offensive coordinator in the history of the sport. I almost wish he had not publicly admitted that after he watched the tape, he should have focused on getting Marv the ball more. You could have at least stood by your own incompetence and owned your malfeasance. Admitting it just proved you have no idea what you're doing.

 

[Dback Jon]

They may be trying to limit the interceptions. So far this year he has 3. The one MHJ fumble int was not his fault and the int when MHJ stopped running may not have been his fault. His only fumble this year was when the snap hit him in the facemask. Also not his fault. Last year he averaged almost a turnover per game.

A conservative offense isn't going to win games