Pressure is on Kyler and Petzing much more than our oline holding up

[cardinals2025]

First of all, I would argue that Marv and Benson improving during the 2nd half of the season is going to continue. That Connor runs so violently, the oline injuries did not prevent him from being the highest rated RB of his career by PFF (5th). Add to this fact that Kyler got sacked less in 17 games last year than in 14 games in 2020 and 16 games in 2021. He is obviously used to offensive line issues and makes adjustments like Russell Wilson used to. Which leads me to my point about the oline…our division.

SEA had the 31st ranked offensive line and went 10-7. The only oline that played less snaps together than ours did at 25%. SF had an above average oline and went 6-11. People don’t give credit for Kyler beating the Rams because their oline was decimated in week 2. Then they grabbed players from our team and started them in the playoffs. Like Charlie Heck…

And how far did the Rams get last season with these issues and Puca Nukau hurt?

A few plays away from beating the Eagles. The teams in our division has oline problems and overcame them because the SEA and LAR defense played lights out the 2nd half of the season. If there is a concern, it is blocking the SEA def line and making sure we get a split this year. Other than that, the Seahawks and Rams have bigger issues on the oline than we do.

And the 49ers have bigger issues trying to improve a 28th ranked def with rookies on the dline and no depth at the positions of WR and RB if their superstars get hurt this year.

Finally, the Cardinals have already proven this to be something they can adjust to. Murray got sacked 31 times in 2021 when we went 11-6. That was with him playing only 14 games. It was 30 sacks last year. So the best season we have had since Bruce Arians was the coach was the one with the worst offensive line. Connor also tore it up that year as well.

The kicker is this, we scored more points in 2021 with LESS yards on offense than we had in 2020. That is how a defense forcing 3 and outs, turnovers and not being 31st in time of possession like in 2024 makes the offense better. Because they are no longer forced to play bend but not break and send exotic blitzes due to lack of talent. The defense improved and the offense had to work less hard to score.

Oline will prob be an issue all year and will prob be a bigger concern if we are in the playoffs.

But I am more concerned about our playcalling especially in the 4th qtr where we were one of the worst teams in terms of scoring points. I am more concerned with Kyler’s trend of 2nd half struggles even though he struggled in the 2nd half of 2021 and we finished 11-6. Cuz those are things that are harder for improved talent on defense to fix. Getting 3 and outs doesn’t guarantee Petzing calls better plays. And our schedule to end the year is extremely tough.

I really don’t want to see an end around on 3rd and 20 to Michael Wilson again in the Rams game at a pivotal moment. Only for fans to blame Kyler on the next play cuz Marv Harrison hasn’t yet learned how to knock down jump balls when he throws it up on 4th and 12 in the endzone.

This whole offseason Petzing hasn’t been talked about much. Pressure is on him as much as Kyler imo.

Rams beat SF 12-6

They beat us 13-9

MINN 27-9

Then they almost had a chance to beat the Eagles despite only having 15 pts going into the 4th qtr.

Their defense was the reason for almost all of that.

 

[Stout]

TL;DR

I'd say the pressure is on all 3 and that they each greatly affect the other. "Much more" is too definitive a statement.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Is this Mitch's new alias?

 

[oaken1]

Is this Mitch's new alias?

Good call

 

[BACH]

Great post!

While a good discussion, I do not think the two things are as interlinked as you make them out to be.

I definately think there is/was an issue with scheme, playcalling and game strategy.

And I definately think there is an issue with talent on the O-line.

BUT! both of these issues will (as you say) be mitigated with a better defense.

On 1)
I think there were issues developing the scheme and the chemistry between Petzing and Kyler. But at the same time, I have to assume that the scheme was held back to protect the defense. It was both stunning and frustrating to see how Dortch, Jones and Reiman suddenly could become a bigger part of the passing game AFTER the play-offs elimination.

On 2)
We have two good OL in PJJ and Froholdt - both borderline pro-bowlers. We have a lot of quality back-ups. We are missing at least one quality starter. Having 1-2 adequate starters is not a problem. 3 is pushing the limit IMO.