OP
OP
Catfish
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- Aug 14, 2006
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NOW THE DEFENSE:
Clearly, this side of the ball can come and go, (and has so far this year). Perhaps, no other group on this team has had a harder time trying to assymilate their new players into what is needed on the field, and new players on this unit are many indeed-----at least new to us.
The brightest spot has been the play of Kerry Rhodes, who seems to have found a very comfortable home here in the desert. Hollywood aside, he has been everything that we had hoped he would be and then some, in replacing the freelancing (Antron Rolle) as the center fielder for our defense. He has accepted A-dub's challenge to work hard, and the two of them have become a force in our secondary. In fact, they just might become one of the best in the league.
Probably the single most missing part of the defense has been the D-line play. Docket for sure, (and CAmpbell to an extent), have been double teamed far too much to be effective. I still say that much of that is because Whiz is still starting Bryan Robinson at the nose. I think that was evident to some extent when Branch replaced Campbell in the lineup. His low center of gravity, (compared to Campbell) was a much better fit at DE, and then when Williams and Watson got into the game instead of Robinson, we finally stopped their run, and they went away from it.
I love Whiz and what he has done to change the culture of this team. I just don't see his love for BA at the nose any more than I like DA at QB. Both are supposed to be the QB of their unit, (at least the one that the unit is built around), and neither is able to do the job.
The upside of the entire defense is that they took it upon themselves to get out of their funk. I liked the no talk, (let your play speak for you), attitude they displayed during the preparation week for the Saints. DD and A-dub led this group, and they had them ready for the Saints.
Then something wonderful happened. Max got a couple of completions under his belt, and began to move the offense. They didn't score, but they did use some clock and give the Defense a rest. They began having some fun, and they back-slapped the D when it came off the field at one point. Suddenly they were together, for the first time in a long time. Max is contagious, and when the D saw the O-line having fun, they stepped up their game. Yes, they gave up yards, but they held the score down. Then the stopped giving up yards too. Then they began to take the ball away from Brees and the Saints. This was the best thing that happened to this team so far this year. Everyone began having fun, Offense, Defense, and ST's. That was a long, long tme coming.
Our corners became terrors on the field, and stalked the WR's of the Saints. They each took balls from them, with DRC taking one to the house. Even Rhodes took another one to the house. Toler was a tackling machine, matched almost tackle for tackle by Money Mike Adams who became downright viscous. The TD saving tackle he made on the 10 yard line was text-book, especially in light of the fact that he gave away more than 50 lbs to the ball carrier.
Other players began to contribute, Washington, Porter, (Paris Lenon was solid ALL DAY). This was by far, the best defensive effort this year, and it came not against the Rams, but the Saints, the team that beat us mercilessly in the playoffs and went on to win the SB. We gave them, some of what the Falcons had given us, a sound whuppin'.
The bottom line is that this team, (the one who showed up to stomp the Saints), played very hard, and had a lot of fun. I don't believe the fun part would have happened without Max, and because of that, I believe there is a lot more fun to come. So does Whiz. Havent you heard him saying that we can become a VERY good team. I believe him.
We get Breaston and Doucet back this next week. We also get Gerald Hayes, and while he is suspect because of his back problems, he should be a good fit in the middle on almost certain running plays. When healthy, he is a force in the middle, and we could sure use one there. Let's not forget that in a couple more weeks, we could get a rush linebacker from off the PUP. If that happens, and Hayes is healthy, then I believe that we will be able to produce a stronger defense than last year. Better yet, if Max continues to be Max, our players will be having fun again, and when that happens, we can play with the very best.
I know we are thin on D, but we are getting deeper. Don't forget that Rashod Johnson is making progress, and we may yet get help from McBride, and Abdulah. I am really looking forward to what could happen after this bye week. I hope this has given us something to talk about, and to look forward to in the meantime, so we can get through this period easier. I am sooooooooo ready for the Seahags, even though we are travelling to the Great Pacific North West. They will play us tough there, they always do. I like what we can bring to that table though, and I believe we can do this thing. GO CARDS !!!!!!!!!
Clearly, this side of the ball can come and go, (and has so far this year). Perhaps, no other group on this team has had a harder time trying to assymilate their new players into what is needed on the field, and new players on this unit are many indeed-----at least new to us.
The brightest spot has been the play of Kerry Rhodes, who seems to have found a very comfortable home here in the desert. Hollywood aside, he has been everything that we had hoped he would be and then some, in replacing the freelancing (Antron Rolle) as the center fielder for our defense. He has accepted A-dub's challenge to work hard, and the two of them have become a force in our secondary. In fact, they just might become one of the best in the league.
Probably the single most missing part of the defense has been the D-line play. Docket for sure, (and CAmpbell to an extent), have been double teamed far too much to be effective. I still say that much of that is because Whiz is still starting Bryan Robinson at the nose. I think that was evident to some extent when Branch replaced Campbell in the lineup. His low center of gravity, (compared to Campbell) was a much better fit at DE, and then when Williams and Watson got into the game instead of Robinson, we finally stopped their run, and they went away from it.
I love Whiz and what he has done to change the culture of this team. I just don't see his love for BA at the nose any more than I like DA at QB. Both are supposed to be the QB of their unit, (at least the one that the unit is built around), and neither is able to do the job.
The upside of the entire defense is that they took it upon themselves to get out of their funk. I liked the no talk, (let your play speak for you), attitude they displayed during the preparation week for the Saints. DD and A-dub led this group, and they had them ready for the Saints.
Then something wonderful happened. Max got a couple of completions under his belt, and began to move the offense. They didn't score, but they did use some clock and give the Defense a rest. They began having some fun, and they back-slapped the D when it came off the field at one point. Suddenly they were together, for the first time in a long time. Max is contagious, and when the D saw the O-line having fun, they stepped up their game. Yes, they gave up yards, but they held the score down. Then the stopped giving up yards too. Then they began to take the ball away from Brees and the Saints. This was the best thing that happened to this team so far this year. Everyone began having fun, Offense, Defense, and ST's. That was a long, long tme coming.
Our corners became terrors on the field, and stalked the WR's of the Saints. They each took balls from them, with DRC taking one to the house. Even Rhodes took another one to the house. Toler was a tackling machine, matched almost tackle for tackle by Money Mike Adams who became downright viscous. The TD saving tackle he made on the 10 yard line was text-book, especially in light of the fact that he gave away more than 50 lbs to the ball carrier.
Other players began to contribute, Washington, Porter, (Paris Lenon was solid ALL DAY). This was by far, the best defensive effort this year, and it came not against the Rams, but the Saints, the team that beat us mercilessly in the playoffs and went on to win the SB. We gave them, some of what the Falcons had given us, a sound whuppin'.
The bottom line is that this team, (the one who showed up to stomp the Saints), played very hard, and had a lot of fun. I don't believe the fun part would have happened without Max, and because of that, I believe there is a lot more fun to come. So does Whiz. Havent you heard him saying that we can become a VERY good team. I believe him.
We get Breaston and Doucet back this next week. We also get Gerald Hayes, and while he is suspect because of his back problems, he should be a good fit in the middle on almost certain running plays. When healthy, he is a force in the middle, and we could sure use one there. Let's not forget that in a couple more weeks, we could get a rush linebacker from off the PUP. If that happens, and Hayes is healthy, then I believe that we will be able to produce a stronger defense than last year. Better yet, if Max continues to be Max, our players will be having fun again, and when that happens, we can play with the very best.
I know we are thin on D, but we are getting deeper. Don't forget that Rashod Johnson is making progress, and we may yet get help from McBride, and Abdulah. I am really looking forward to what could happen after this bye week. I hope this has given us something to talk about, and to look forward to in the meantime, so we can get through this period easier. I am sooooooooo ready for the Seahags, even though we are travelling to the Great Pacific North West. They will play us tough there, they always do. I like what we can bring to that table though, and I believe we can do this thing. GO CARDS !!!!!!!!!
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