That might be Dennis Green’s mantra as he heads into his first season with the Cards. He once thought taking on the head coaching job at perennial doormat, Northwestern, was a daunting task. I suspect he now has a new definition of daunting.
It’s to early to analyze his predicament fully, so here’s a few thoughts on what I see and hear.
My understanding is that Green didn’t spend much, if any, time reviewing Cards’ film before taking the job. He felt in his analyst role that he had a decent handle on everyone’s personnel. I think, though he’ll never say it, that the personnel was far weaker than he had expected. As for the “making the playoffs” comments, what would you expect him to say? Sorry, this team (regardless of Boldin’s injury result) is not playoff bound. If Shipp and Boldin are both lost for the season, the Cards should have a great shot at a key draft pick next year. It’s true I said earlier that 8-8 was possible, but that was before the recent personnel developments.
Let’s start with the offensive line. The Davis move to left tackle should have happened three years ago. I have been yelling for Shelton’s head and my attacks on Graves for dooming a season (and a coach) by saving money to sign Shelton seem well founded. I never saw any ranking of left tackles that put him in the top 25, yet he was signed for number 10 or better money. It's that type of wasted dollars signing that will kill a team in the cap era. Fortunately, I doubt Graves now is allowed to go to the bathroom with out checking in with Mr. Green. Don’t mourn the loss of Kendall. I think there is little doubt the move was related to the recently imposed practice sanction. In Green’s world you are on his road or on the road out of town. Complaining this team was practicing too much is so absurd as to not be worth discussing. I know Kendall felt he had a duty to represent the players, but this team needs a “whatever it takes attitude” and Kendall betrayed that concept. He got the Jets money, but I suspect he and the remainder of the team got the message and can hear Mr. Green quite clearly now. I think Davis will be better at tackle. I think Shelton could be a good right tackle, but with much of his money already in the bank, I don’t see that happening. I suspect he will be cut, though maybe next year. As to the others, I don’t think Clement makes it at tackle, but may yet be a serviceable guard. Beyond that it’s too early to tell about the rest. It’s a scary line considering they must protect a young QB who needs time to read defenses if he is to avoid constant turnovers. This type of situation permanently damaged Plummer.
If Boldin is fine, then the receiving corps will be very good. Don’t worry about Fitzgerald. He will adjust, but it will take time. It may be three years before he reaches his potential, but he will get there. As is, he will post much better numbers than Johnson did last season. If Boldin is healthy, he will still be the big weapon this season. Johnson should improve, but it’s hard to get a handle on his ceiling at this stage. Often receivers adjust slowly to the league. If Poole isn’t the fourth receiver, Green is making a mistake. Jones looks to be benefiting from Green’s demanding presence. Jones will block or sit this season.
Smith will be better at running back than he was last year, but he is now too slow to the hole to be truly effective. If Anderson is healthy, his emergence wouldn’t surprise me. I thought he was a great pickup as a UFDA and I don’t think he got much of a chance under the previous staff. Scobey figures to be little more than the short yardage back. He does hit a hole quickly and is a decent North-South runner. Green will make more use of his fullback than expected. Remember he moved Kleinsasser there for a while in Minnesota.
Finally, there’s McCown. I like him. He is mobile, has a strong arm and his feet aren’t too happy. If he can read defenses and play under control, he could be “the man.” His chances are better than average, especially with Kruczek overseeing his development. Much of his success or lack there of will depend upon the line.
If Boldin can play without impairment, then this offense will put up points against most teams. The smart defenses will try to overplay the pass and try to force the Cards to beat them with the run. Sometimes that strategy will work, often it will not. However, even when it doesn’t work, games will still look like an Indy playoff game; frequently won by whoever has that last possession.
I’ll post a defensive overview in the next couple of day. Overall, it looks to me like the team may not win as many as I early hoped, but they will be more fun to watch than recent editions. Green made some tough decisions that cost him at least one productive player when he had few at his disposal. Still, I can see the logic of his moves. Upgrading the personnel is important, but upgrading the attitude is more critical. For my money, I don’t care how many they win this year. Next year is soon enough for me if they just takes a few steps in that direction this year.
It’s to early to analyze his predicament fully, so here’s a few thoughts on what I see and hear.
My understanding is that Green didn’t spend much, if any, time reviewing Cards’ film before taking the job. He felt in his analyst role that he had a decent handle on everyone’s personnel. I think, though he’ll never say it, that the personnel was far weaker than he had expected. As for the “making the playoffs” comments, what would you expect him to say? Sorry, this team (regardless of Boldin’s injury result) is not playoff bound. If Shipp and Boldin are both lost for the season, the Cards should have a great shot at a key draft pick next year. It’s true I said earlier that 8-8 was possible, but that was before the recent personnel developments.
Let’s start with the offensive line. The Davis move to left tackle should have happened three years ago. I have been yelling for Shelton’s head and my attacks on Graves for dooming a season (and a coach) by saving money to sign Shelton seem well founded. I never saw any ranking of left tackles that put him in the top 25, yet he was signed for number 10 or better money. It's that type of wasted dollars signing that will kill a team in the cap era. Fortunately, I doubt Graves now is allowed to go to the bathroom with out checking in with Mr. Green. Don’t mourn the loss of Kendall. I think there is little doubt the move was related to the recently imposed practice sanction. In Green’s world you are on his road or on the road out of town. Complaining this team was practicing too much is so absurd as to not be worth discussing. I know Kendall felt he had a duty to represent the players, but this team needs a “whatever it takes attitude” and Kendall betrayed that concept. He got the Jets money, but I suspect he and the remainder of the team got the message and can hear Mr. Green quite clearly now. I think Davis will be better at tackle. I think Shelton could be a good right tackle, but with much of his money already in the bank, I don’t see that happening. I suspect he will be cut, though maybe next year. As to the others, I don’t think Clement makes it at tackle, but may yet be a serviceable guard. Beyond that it’s too early to tell about the rest. It’s a scary line considering they must protect a young QB who needs time to read defenses if he is to avoid constant turnovers. This type of situation permanently damaged Plummer.
If Boldin is fine, then the receiving corps will be very good. Don’t worry about Fitzgerald. He will adjust, but it will take time. It may be three years before he reaches his potential, but he will get there. As is, he will post much better numbers than Johnson did last season. If Boldin is healthy, he will still be the big weapon this season. Johnson should improve, but it’s hard to get a handle on his ceiling at this stage. Often receivers adjust slowly to the league. If Poole isn’t the fourth receiver, Green is making a mistake. Jones looks to be benefiting from Green’s demanding presence. Jones will block or sit this season.
Smith will be better at running back than he was last year, but he is now too slow to the hole to be truly effective. If Anderson is healthy, his emergence wouldn’t surprise me. I thought he was a great pickup as a UFDA and I don’t think he got much of a chance under the previous staff. Scobey figures to be little more than the short yardage back. He does hit a hole quickly and is a decent North-South runner. Green will make more use of his fullback than expected. Remember he moved Kleinsasser there for a while in Minnesota.
Finally, there’s McCown. I like him. He is mobile, has a strong arm and his feet aren’t too happy. If he can read defenses and play under control, he could be “the man.” His chances are better than average, especially with Kruczek overseeing his development. Much of his success or lack there of will depend upon the line.
If Boldin can play without impairment, then this offense will put up points against most teams. The smart defenses will try to overplay the pass and try to force the Cards to beat them with the run. Sometimes that strategy will work, often it will not. However, even when it doesn’t work, games will still look like an Indy playoff game; frequently won by whoever has that last possession.
I’ll post a defensive overview in the next couple of day. Overall, it looks to me like the team may not win as many as I early hoped, but they will be more fun to watch than recent editions. Green made some tough decisions that cost him at least one productive player when he had few at his disposal. Still, I can see the logic of his moves. Upgrading the personnel is important, but upgrading the attitude is more critical. For my money, I don’t care how many they win this year. Next year is soon enough for me if they just takes a few steps in that direction this year.
