82CardsGrad
7 x 70
This team is better than a .500 team. We have more than enough talent on both sides of the ball to be a playoff team, even with Chandler Jones and Corey Peters gone. And even with a kicker who is fantastic at kicking extra points, but can't make FG's...
However, the two most critically important positions are now our two most glaring areas of massive concern: Quarterback and Head Coach.
With regard to Murray, I am deeply concerned by what I see and what I don't see. However, rather than reiterate all of my prior gripes about Kyler, I'll simply say that I am willing to hold out hope for him...To be totally honest, I believe that if this offense is not turned around, even partially, so that the continual negative feedback loop is stopped, the resurrection of Murray may take a lot longer than it should...and it could be irreparable. Kyler's confidence is clearly shaken. So, along with the several other issues/problems he needs to fix, his foundation of confidence is now severely cracked.
I made the comment in the game day thread that at this point, a very strong argument can be made to sit Kyler down and let him simply watch. That isn't likely as the team still believes it's in a playoff hunt (it's not), however, I personally believe more would be gained than lost if Kyler sat out a game or two...
As for the Head Coach, just as Baker Mayfield benefited by a coaching change, I am convinced Kyler and the entire team would be FAR better off if LuLu Kliffy was sent packing.
I was not in favor of his hire from the day it was announced and he's only validated my position... I see nothing from him that suggests he's a NFL-caliber Head Coach. Nothing.
It's embarrassing frankly. I know many of you want to remain loyal to Keim and to Kliffy, however, I can't. Keim went for a Hail Mary by hiring a guy who's only shred of credibility was that he knew Kyler since his high school days. That's it. Surprisingly (or maybe not), Keim somehow forgot everything he knew about the NFL and believed that a dude like LuLu Kliffy could prance into the NFL and turn the game on its head, simply because this otherwise unremarkable college coach who had a relationship with the #1 overall pick, also was supposed to be a disciple of the Run & Shoot. And, although the #1 overall pick is the shortest QB in the NFL, the relationship dating back so many years, combined with Kliffy being some sort of offensive savant the likes of which the NFL has never seen - all shortcomings (pardon the pun) of both the QB and Head Coach would be rendered immaterial. All fundamental truths that have been a part of the NFL for decades, would no longer matter as much...
So although LuLu Kliffy still can't manage a game any better than he can manage his way out of a paper bag...with his embarrassingly adolescent play-calling & decision-making...and, although Kyler continues to demonstrate shockingly poor throwing mechanics, zero pocket-presence and total inability to make crucial pre-snap reads, Keim (and Mike B.), decided to look away as Keim dropped back and heaved his Hail Mary.
Well, the Hail Mary failed... The NFL remains the pinnacle of professional sport competition and as such, the Head Coach in Football remains the most important Head Coaching position in any major professional sport. For the Cardinals, they are showing up to gun battles with kitchen knives. That is how much of a weakness LuLu Kliffy creates for this team.
So I wonder if/when Kyler will turn on Kliffy? Or D-Hop...or any number of other players. I wonder if we will ever really know if/when this happens? Regardless...if Mike B truly wants to win, he will suck it up and make the extremely difficult decisions to fire both Keim and Kliffy.
However, the two most critically important positions are now our two most glaring areas of massive concern: Quarterback and Head Coach.
With regard to Murray, I am deeply concerned by what I see and what I don't see. However, rather than reiterate all of my prior gripes about Kyler, I'll simply say that I am willing to hold out hope for him...To be totally honest, I believe that if this offense is not turned around, even partially, so that the continual negative feedback loop is stopped, the resurrection of Murray may take a lot longer than it should...and it could be irreparable. Kyler's confidence is clearly shaken. So, along with the several other issues/problems he needs to fix, his foundation of confidence is now severely cracked.
I made the comment in the game day thread that at this point, a very strong argument can be made to sit Kyler down and let him simply watch. That isn't likely as the team still believes it's in a playoff hunt (it's not), however, I personally believe more would be gained than lost if Kyler sat out a game or two...
As for the Head Coach, just as Baker Mayfield benefited by a coaching change, I am convinced Kyler and the entire team would be FAR better off if LuLu Kliffy was sent packing.
I was not in favor of his hire from the day it was announced and he's only validated my position... I see nothing from him that suggests he's a NFL-caliber Head Coach. Nothing.
It's embarrassing frankly. I know many of you want to remain loyal to Keim and to Kliffy, however, I can't. Keim went for a Hail Mary by hiring a guy who's only shred of credibility was that he knew Kyler since his high school days. That's it. Surprisingly (or maybe not), Keim somehow forgot everything he knew about the NFL and believed that a dude like LuLu Kliffy could prance into the NFL and turn the game on its head, simply because this otherwise unremarkable college coach who had a relationship with the #1 overall pick, also was supposed to be a disciple of the Run & Shoot. And, although the #1 overall pick is the shortest QB in the NFL, the relationship dating back so many years, combined with Kliffy being some sort of offensive savant the likes of which the NFL has never seen - all shortcomings (pardon the pun) of both the QB and Head Coach would be rendered immaterial. All fundamental truths that have been a part of the NFL for decades, would no longer matter as much...
So although LuLu Kliffy still can't manage a game any better than he can manage his way out of a paper bag...with his embarrassingly adolescent play-calling & decision-making...and, although Kyler continues to demonstrate shockingly poor throwing mechanics, zero pocket-presence and total inability to make crucial pre-snap reads, Keim (and Mike B.), decided to look away as Keim dropped back and heaved his Hail Mary.
Well, the Hail Mary failed... The NFL remains the pinnacle of professional sport competition and as such, the Head Coach in Football remains the most important Head Coaching position in any major professional sport. For the Cardinals, they are showing up to gun battles with kitchen knives. That is how much of a weakness LuLu Kliffy creates for this team.
So I wonder if/when Kyler will turn on Kliffy? Or D-Hop...or any number of other players. I wonder if we will ever really know if/when this happens? Regardless...if Mike B truly wants to win, he will suck it up and make the extremely difficult decisions to fire both Keim and Kliffy.
