I'm So Proud of our Defense

[Stout]

Who would have thought that we'd become a defense-dominated team...and this year, no less! It's not what KW would want, but that's what he has...a team that is better when they run the ball and play solid defense. No, we didn't have the run today (we had some huge plays instead), but that's the team we have become. And I am FINE with that.

 

[Chopper0080]

Great game. Limited big plays, pressured the QB, played great in the red zone, and got off the field on 3rd down. The ENTIRE defense played well today. Very impressive.

 

[187]

Midway through the first half it dawned on me that lately, I've been more excited to see the defense on the field than the offense. Absolutely love watching this group since the light switch finally got flipped on. If we find that monster threat at OLB, oh lordy. And we definitely need to bring Marshall back, absolutely a perfect fit for Horton's scheme. Loved when he blew through traffic to knock one of SF's WR's out of bounds on what I think was a screen.

So nice to see them close games out for a change!

 

[CFLredzoned]

Can't say enough for the mental toughness they showed. They had to hang tough every time they hit the field. One time, they could have hung their head, accepted defeat, and that's it. Game over. That's how the 49ers get you. But they didn't lose focus. That was huge! 0 for 3 in the red zone. 3 for 17 on third down.

This is going to be a fun defensive rivalry to watch for the coming years. Both teams playing at a very high level. With lots of promise for the future. You can laugh at me for saying this, but I think there's a real good chance of these two teams taking the torch from the Steelers/Ravens as the defensive rivalry of the future. After the game, the coaches handshake, you can see the respect the two coaches have for each other. Two guys cut from the same stone. This is going to get interesting.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Re-sign Campbell and draft couple of stud LB's to replace Haggans and Lenon and this defense will be awesome...

if this D just got ONE MAJOR pass-rushing LB like a Woodley, they would be terrifying. pretty good as is though. they're finally a D that MAKES THE STOP at the end of the game.

incredibly refreshing to see.

A pass rushing LB would be great but Lenon needs to go and that, to me, is the biggest need. He continues to make terrible reads and overrun plays. Overall, I can't knock the defense one bit. I love how they attack the offense.

 

[Totally_Red]

Don't disagree with re-signing Marshall, but Calais Campbell has to be the priority and we all know Graves can't multi-thread contract negotiations.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

It is so, so refreshing to see the defense actually close out a game instead of giving up the game.

 

[Chopper0080]

Most impressive thing about the defense. Only 2 first downs allowed in the 2nd half, and one was by penalty on R Johnson. Amazing.

 

[MadCardDisease]

I'm so proud.

On the field the entire first half. The game could have easily gotten out of hand, SF could have been up 20-7 or 24-7 at the half and we would have stood no chance.

I bet they were gassed on those last few plays at end of the 2nd quarter. I bet they were going "F"! Give us a break offense!

But they stood their ground like champions. Like a Superbowl defense.

Close game through the entire 2nd half. Every stop was crucial. Critical. They kept after smith. Six times they got him. Gore got loose once. That was it.

Give the "O" some credit. On those last two SF possessions, the D must have been relatively fresh.

And then D-Wash and Campbell, and even Money Mike Adams made some plays, and they saved the day.

The Birdgang. The Redshirts. The Wrecking Crew. This defense ROCKS.

Thanks Eason, Dockett, Adub, PP21, Jefferson, Johnson, Campbell, Haggins, Lenon, Washington, Acho. Also, Schofield, Carter, Holiday, Talley, Adams, Marshall, and the rest of the defensive players.

Thanks Defense! Thanks for making me proud to be a Arizona Cardinals Fan!

Well put! How many times did the Niners get the ball with amazing field position and come away with a field goal at best. Our D was on the field for a long time and they never quit. Kudos to them!

 

[Stout]

Most impressive thing about the defense. Only 2 first downs allowed in the 2nd half, and one was by penalty on R Johnson. Amazing.

Wow!

 

[Cheesebeef]

i was pretty critical of Marshall in the abbreviated off-season and during the beginning of the season, but he's definitely made an impact on this D the second half of the year. Still think Jefferson's a relative waste of space, but I'd like to see Marshall come back. Between Marshall, Peterson and a hopefully healthy Toler and Rhodes, that's a solid group of DBs to go with AW who found the fountain of youth post bye week as well.

really, they get CC and Marshall back and just find that one guy who can wreak havoc on the QB and this D won't just be good, it'll be lights out Pittsburg style.

 

[PoolBoy]

Horton's system is working. Once Stew Bradley learns it better and we get some more guys in, including getting Toler and Rhodes back, look out.

 

[Dayman]

I can't remember the last time I was excited about a Cards' defense taking the field. It's a good feeling. Acho has far exceeded my expectations, and I've been a fan of his since before the draft. D-Wash is on his way to being a star. Wilson is having a great year for a guy playing with two arms, much less a guy with a torn bicep. The take aways are down a bit, but so are the missed tackles and blown coverages. I'll take that tradeoff, although a few more take aways would be nice. As long as we re-sign CC and keep adding pieces this offseason, I think this defense can be in the top 10 by this time next year.

 

[Chopper0080]

I can't remember the last time I was excited about a Cards' defense taking the field. It's a good feeling. Acho has far exceeded my expectations, and I've been a fan of his since before the draft. D-Wash is on his way to being a star. Wilson is having a great year for a guy playing with two arms, much less a guy with a torn bicep. The take aways are down a bit, but so are the missed tackles and blown coverages. I'll take that tradeoff, although a few more take aways would be nice. As long as we re-sign CC and keep adding pieces this offseason, I think this defense can be in the top 10 by this time next year.

Wilson has really elevated his game over the past couple weeks.

 

[Dayman]

merrilhoge Merril Hoge

Cards D on tape look like they are playing with 15 guys, and they are outstanding at blitzing.

The league is taking notice.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Horton's system is working. Once Stew Bradley learns it better and we get some more guys in, including getting Toler and Rhodes back, look out.

Getting Toler and Big Dan back will make this defense much better. I would take Rhodes back on a very team friendly contract only and would rather sign Marshall and use him like they have been lately. The "learn the defense" excuse for Stewart is no longer valid unless he's the only guy to not be able to pick it up 14 weeks into the season, which, in itself, say alot. Sadly, I think there's more hope for Quan Sturdivant impacting the defense than Bradley. If the Cards can get a young ILB and a pass rusher in the draft this defense is going to continue to be lights out. I would like to see Lenon and Haggans be moved to more rotational players next year.

 

[Cheesebeef]

The league is taking notice.

love that quote. We're actually blitzing now... and NOT running right into blockers. We're gang tackling. We're flying all over the field. it's pretty damn awesome to watch.

 

[wa52lz]

Wilson has really elevated his game over the past couple weeks.

From PFF
"Another great game in the books for our top-rated safety, Adrian Wilson. It appeared as if he was the biggest contributing factor as to why Alex Smith was off his game. Wilson seemed to know what Smith was going to do before Smith had a chance to decide. Aside from the facemask in the first quarter, Wilson had an almost perfect day everywhere else. In the pass game, he was thrown at twice–allowing one completion for no gain with two passes defended–and on three blitz attempts, he picked up two quarterback pressures. The two passes defended both came in the third quarter (one at the 5:52 mark, the other at 1:21) and both were highly acrobatic, athletic plays where he was unfortunate not to end up with an interception as he anticipated where Smith would be throwing the ball."
http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/12/14/re-focused-49ers-cardinals-week-14/