Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
Wolf and Calvisi recently conducted a lengthy interview with Cardinals' DC James Bettcher. Here are my takeaways:
* Bettcher's passion is clear. He takes a highly detailed approach (writes copious notes on a daily basis). Very articulate, a la Steve Keim.
* Wolf kind of fawned over him and really didn't ask any tough questions like why the defense gave up so many scores on the first possession of the second half---or why---Bettcher thought he could defend Drew Brees and Sean Payton's offense with a steady diet of soft zone coverages.
* Wolf kept gushing about the Cardinals' being the #2 defense and #1 in sacks---yet those of us who watched every game know how frequently disappointing the defense was, especially in close games. We also know that in the games that mattered the most in November and early December, the Cardinals' pass rush was stale and unproductive. And how, unlike last year, the defense didn't close out close games with key drive-stopping sacks.
* Bettcher's player assessments, imo, were very revealing (and hinted toward which players will be re-signed).
* Chandler Jones---Bettch said that Jones' presence created one on one rush opportunities for the rest of the defensive line. When Jones was getting chipped and double teamed they moves him inside on occasion. Said that in practice Jones made a couple of stunning interceptions when dropped back into coverage. Said "this is why i love BA" when Wolf mentioned how BA has already told the media that Jones will be f-tagged at the very least.
* Markus Golden---Bettch said that Golden did what the coaches hope most of all 2nd year players which is to make a big jump to the next level. Bettch credited LB coach Bob Sanders for helping to develop Golden's game. (Bettch's reference to Sanders was his only reference to any of his assistants).
* Tony Jefferson---Bettch didn't elaborate on Jefferson's performance other that to say twice that he was one of the team's defensive MVPs and that he had a great year.
* Calais Campbell---same. Bettch acknowledged his impressive season but did not expound further.
* D.J. Swearinger---conversely Bettch had numerous things to say about Swearinger---how impressed he was with how good a communicator he became for the secondary and how no one studied more tape.
* Kevin Minter---got the same kind of rave review as Swearinger---how Minter did an outstanding job of quarterbacking the defense.
* Tyrann Mathieu---removed all doubt about where HB will play next year: "in the box, blitzing, forcing the run and covering TEs and slot WRs." Said that HB will be totally dedicated to getting back to the player he was before the injury and that all he ever wants to do is make a big contribution.
* Justin Bethel---feels like he may have found his niche as nickel CB.
* Josh Mauro---loves his versatility and how hard he plays the game. Fits their aggressive style.
* Robert Nkemdiche---said that he needed to learn how to budget his time on a daily basis, so as to become a pro.
* Olsen Pierre and Xavier Williams---said they were kept all year because they are very promising young players they did not want to lose.
* Tyvon Branch---said how much he appreciated how Branch and HB tried to play injured.
* Cory Peters---likes his versatility, but didn't say much more than that.
* Deone Bucannon---said that of all the players on the defense, he thinks Deone will have the biggest year next year.
* Patrick Peterson---said that determining the #1 matchup in coverage for Pat P. was the first order of business each week.
If I were to guess---based on Bettcher's comments what the off-season is going to look like, I would guess that there will be quite a push to re-sign Swearinger and Minter...and that Jones will likely be tagged for the year.
I think re-sgning Swearinger is smart because he can play both safety spots, whereas Jefferson is mostly a SS and is not as good in space as DJ. I think they would love to keep Jefferson too---but the speculation is that he is looking at $7-8M a year, which on top of HB's salary may be too expensive. However---with this year deep and talented safety crop in the draft, Jefferson might not get $7-8M, which may bring him back into the Cardinals' price range.
As for Minter---I get the communication thing---but i thought Sio Moore looked much more athletic and quick on his feet---and no Cardinal ILB has defensed Russell Wilson better. Moore is better in coverage too. If Minter is re-signed, hopefully they will sub in a nickel LB. keeping him on the field all three downs was a mistake, as Minter had a very difficult time covering RBs. Plus, there are several very good ILB prospects in this year's draft.
* Bettcher's passion is clear. He takes a highly detailed approach (writes copious notes on a daily basis). Very articulate, a la Steve Keim.
* Wolf kind of fawned over him and really didn't ask any tough questions like why the defense gave up so many scores on the first possession of the second half---or why---Bettcher thought he could defend Drew Brees and Sean Payton's offense with a steady diet of soft zone coverages.
* Wolf kept gushing about the Cardinals' being the #2 defense and #1 in sacks---yet those of us who watched every game know how frequently disappointing the defense was, especially in close games. We also know that in the games that mattered the most in November and early December, the Cardinals' pass rush was stale and unproductive. And how, unlike last year, the defense didn't close out close games with key drive-stopping sacks.
* Bettcher's player assessments, imo, were very revealing (and hinted toward which players will be re-signed).
* Chandler Jones---Bettch said that Jones' presence created one on one rush opportunities for the rest of the defensive line. When Jones was getting chipped and double teamed they moves him inside on occasion. Said that in practice Jones made a couple of stunning interceptions when dropped back into coverage. Said "this is why i love BA" when Wolf mentioned how BA has already told the media that Jones will be f-tagged at the very least.
* Markus Golden---Bettch said that Golden did what the coaches hope most of all 2nd year players which is to make a big jump to the next level. Bettch credited LB coach Bob Sanders for helping to develop Golden's game. (Bettch's reference to Sanders was his only reference to any of his assistants).
* Tony Jefferson---Bettch didn't elaborate on Jefferson's performance other that to say twice that he was one of the team's defensive MVPs and that he had a great year.
* Calais Campbell---same. Bettch acknowledged his impressive season but did not expound further.
* D.J. Swearinger---conversely Bettch had numerous things to say about Swearinger---how impressed he was with how good a communicator he became for the secondary and how no one studied more tape.
* Kevin Minter---got the same kind of rave review as Swearinger---how Minter did an outstanding job of quarterbacking the defense.
* Tyrann Mathieu---removed all doubt about where HB will play next year: "in the box, blitzing, forcing the run and covering TEs and slot WRs." Said that HB will be totally dedicated to getting back to the player he was before the injury and that all he ever wants to do is make a big contribution.
* Justin Bethel---feels like he may have found his niche as nickel CB.
* Josh Mauro---loves his versatility and how hard he plays the game. Fits their aggressive style.
* Robert Nkemdiche---said that he needed to learn how to budget his time on a daily basis, so as to become a pro.
* Olsen Pierre and Xavier Williams---said they were kept all year because they are very promising young players they did not want to lose.
* Tyvon Branch---said how much he appreciated how Branch and HB tried to play injured.
* Cory Peters---likes his versatility, but didn't say much more than that.
* Deone Bucannon---said that of all the players on the defense, he thinks Deone will have the biggest year next year.
* Patrick Peterson---said that determining the #1 matchup in coverage for Pat P. was the first order of business each week.
If I were to guess---based on Bettcher's comments what the off-season is going to look like, I would guess that there will be quite a push to re-sign Swearinger and Minter...and that Jones will likely be tagged for the year.
I think re-sgning Swearinger is smart because he can play both safety spots, whereas Jefferson is mostly a SS and is not as good in space as DJ. I think they would love to keep Jefferson too---but the speculation is that he is looking at $7-8M a year, which on top of HB's salary may be too expensive. However---with this year deep and talented safety crop in the draft, Jefferson might not get $7-8M, which may bring him back into the Cardinals' price range.
As for Minter---I get the communication thing---but i thought Sio Moore looked much more athletic and quick on his feet---and no Cardinal ILB has defensed Russell Wilson better. Moore is better in coverage too. If Minter is re-signed, hopefully they will sub in a nickel LB. keeping him on the field all three downs was a mistake, as Minter had a very difficult time covering RBs. Plus, there are several very good ILB prospects in this year's draft.
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