Red Zone Problems

[Chris_Sanders]

https://theathletic.com/1213324/201...-play-calling-or-execution/?source=dailyemail

Most importantly, the Cardinals had a chance to win on the road in the fourth quarter against a good Ravens football team.

That sure beats 2018.

“I think everybody in this locker room knows who we are,” tackle D.J. Humphries said.

But a pattern also has developed through the first two games, one that starts with Johnson and ends with the Cardinals’ inability to score touchdowns in the red zone.

Kingsbury said before the season opener that he wanted to run a balanced offense, 50 percent passing, 50 percent running. But that hasn’t happened. The Cardinals threw the ball 54 times against Detroit and ran it 23 times. That, perhaps, could be explained by the fact Arizona was down 24-6 early in the fourth quarter and had to throw on every down.

But Arizona never trailed by more than 11 points Sunday and the running game still vanished. The Cardinals ran the ball 11 times for 20 yards and Murray, as noted, threw it 40 times.

The other similarity through the first two games is Arizona’s slow starts. The Cardinals trailed Detroit 17-3 at halftime and fell behind Baltimore 17-6.

Wide receiver Christian Kirk doesn’t believe that’s a coincidence.

“I think No. 1 is just establishing the run,” Kirk said. “That’s a big thing in this offense. Playing in it before in college (Texas A&M) that was one thing that got us to start fast, establishing the run early and then kind of build on that.”

The question is whether the Cardinals can’t run the ball or Kingsbury and Murray, who has the freedom to change calls at the line of scrimmage, are too enamored of the “Air” part of the Air Raid offense. Arizona had three possessions inside Baltimore’s 20-yard line through three quarters and threw the ball eight times and ran it twice.

Six of those plays started inside Baltimore’s 10. The Cardinals came away with three field goals.

“We make those touchdowns we win this game,” center A.Q. Shipley said. “As an offense, your goal is to score touchdowns, right? The defense almost feels like they win when they hold you to three. We have to do a better job down there.”

 

[Chris_Sanders]

I think it was Chopper who asked if Murray can audible to a run. Apparently he can.

However, last week we learned that Murray isn't vocal about questioning his coach. He just says he can do whatever is asked.

This is going to be where Murray needs to grow.

 

[football karma]

i think so much of this offenses effectiveness can come from misdirection (waggles, boots, Murray keeping) -- but that only works if the defense really believes that DJ is going to get the ball

at least in the first two games, the defenses clearly dont believe the Cards are going to run the ball -- and are playing the misdirection.

I posted earlier-- look at DJs walk in TD yesterday: there was a Raven defender in position to challenge the run, but he completely ignored DJ and took Murray.

Defenses have decided (correctly) that KK doesnt want to power run and will revert to trickery down inside the 10.

maybe D coords are giving Murray run stop looks pre snap to get him to move to a pass -- only to bail and play coverage. I dont know.

 

[gimpy]

How is our offensive coordinator playing into all of this? Is he advising? Is he keeping quiet? Is KK ignoring him?
Just wondering?

 

[slanidrac16]

If we ran two te, two wr, single back it actually would open things up a bit inside the red zone, especially inside the 10.

Two te sets advertises smash mouth football coming. It forces a defense to commit 8 men to the line of scrimmage thus opening space behind them. Now we can run or we can keep the tight ends in to block. We can release one of the te’s into the pattern or we can release both into the pattern.

If you watch the game again kyler throws the fade twice to Fitz. He had no other option. Our wr’s were covered like blankets. One reason being there was no threat to run.

I hope Kliff catches on.

 

[Zeno]

How is our offensive coordinator playing into all of this? Is he advising? Is he keeping quiet? Is KK ignoring him?
Just wondering?

Kliff is the Offensive coordinator, Clements is just the passing game coach.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Listened to the first half of the game while driving down from Payson and Pasch was hammering away on one thought - "Run the ball in the red zone." One series went something like: Fade pass, fade pass, throw in tight to a double-covered WR, FG. Thought Pasch was going to lose his mind. Then when DJ ran one in - "Finally !! See what happens when you run in the red zone ?!" LOL

 

[Brian in Mesa]

It's a little ironic that we are struggling to get TD's in the red zone, but once we do we seem to easily convert a two-point conversion (which is essentially getting a TD in the red zone).

 

[Chris_Sanders]

It's a little ironic that we are struggling to get TD's in the red zone, but once we do we seem to easily convert a two-point conversion (which is essentially getting a TD in the red zone).

I am certain that is where Kyler is making the calls at the line.

 

[football karma]

It's a little ironic that we are struggling to get TD's in the red zone, but once we do we seem to easily convert a two-point conversion (which is essentially getting a TD in the red zone).

we may be in small sample size land

 

[TheCardFan]

Interesting stat...Baltimore has given up 18 rushing attempts and 25 yards in first 2 games.