I can just feel the Wells-Hightower double whammy coming. Once Beanie gets going and these guys start alternating doing their thing respectively, along with our three headed monster in receivers (plus one......can't forget Urban and give him his due), it's going to give opposing defenses fits. Hightower's strength may be his receiving, but if Beanie becomes the big play guy on the ground and opponents start anticipating pass when Tim comes in, they could find themselves getting burned by Tim on the ground also while lying back assuming pass. And vice versa.......if Wells becomes more adept at coming out of the backfield for short drops, defenses can get burned also by Wells, as well as our receivers while anticipating run just because Wells is brought in. Throw in a quiet producer like Jason Wright for those unexpected burns like we saw in the Giants game, and the sky's the limit.

I'm telling you guys, if the Cards keep their act together with improvement, they can truly evolve as one of the elite teams, and Warner may very well see another SB victory before hanging it up.

Still way early........one game at a time with a lot of games left.......but man, the prospects!!!!!! I've never felt this encouraged about a Cardinal team, even during the Coryell years as a kid.

 THE BIG RED RAGE IS COMING! 

I'm waiting, I'm waiting. Strange that in our upcoming seventh game it seems like we are still waiting for the offense to come to life. Even with performances (like Warners' passing record) and three straight wins, it is like we are still missing a stroke.

IMO........it's the missing link (Wells/running game). Coach is taking a gradual approach to try and bring him along, and if Wells continues to progress and ultimately fulfills his potential, the sky is going to open up. Everything else seems to be falling in place.........defense is better, OL is starting to hold up again, Warner is still sharp when given protection, and special teams is holding up better as well (how about that Ben Graham!). So once we can start getting defenses guessing and not just sitting on pass-pass-pass (though we still seem to do it at will), we could be looking at establishing quite the winning tradition here.

I imagine the last thing you guys want to see right now is a Panthers avatar, but I have to chime in here. I think the biggest reason you guys are having trouble running the ball is your OL. We had the same problem in Carolina before last year despite signing big-name free agents like Mike Wahle & Justin Hartwig.

Thing is, our line at the time was great at pass blocking, but couldn't get any push in the run game. Prior to 2008, we revamped the entire line, moved Jordan Gross from right to left tackle, our former left tackle Travelle Wharton inside to guard, where he's a MUCH better player, released Justin Hartwig and replaced him with Ryan Kalil, signed Keydrick Vincent, and drafted big Jeff Otah to play right tackle.

The results were the huge years for Williams & Stewart last year. I believe your OL is good, but so was ours. What your line isn't is built to run the football, which is a shame because Wells & Hightower have the potential to be a dynamic running tandem.

Hopefully in the offseason your coaching staff can make the moves to get it going. It can be as simple as one free agent or draft pick. Ours was Jeff Otah; he allowed us to move Gross to left tackle, Wharton to guard, and of course immediately upgraded our play at right tackle. Those moves right there were THE keys to our running game.

Not sure what your OL is like talent-wise, but you'd be seriously dangerous if you could run the ball with those three WR's and Warner already getting so much attention from defenses.

SecondCitySaint wrote:

I imagine the last thing you guys want to see right now is a Panthers avatar, but I have to chime in here. I think the biggest reason you guys are having trouble running the ball is your OL. We had the same problem in Carolina before last year despite signing big-name free agents like Mike Wahle & Justin Hartwig.

 

Thing is, our line at the time was great at pass blocking, but couldn't get any push in the run game. Prior to 2008, we revamped the entire line, moved Jordan Gross from right to left tackle, our former left tackle Travelle Wharton inside to guard, where he's a MUCH better player, released Justin Hartwig and replaced him with Ryan Kalil, signed Keydrick Vincent, and drafted big Jeff Otah to play right tackle.

 

The results were the huge years for Williams & Stewart last year. I believe your OL is good, but so was ours. What your line isn't is built to run the football, which is a shame because Wells & Hightower have the potential to be a dynamic running tandem.

 

Hopefully in the offseason your coaching staff can make the moves to get it going. It can be as simple as one free agent or draft pick. Ours was Jeff Otah; he allowed us to move Gross to left tackle, Wharton to guard, and of course immediately upgraded our play at right tackle. Those moves right there were THE keys to our running game.

 

Not sure what your OL is like talent-wise, but you'd be seriously dangerous if you could run the ball with those three WR's and Warner already getting so much attention from defenses.

            Thanks for stopping by man.   You hit the nail on the head.  Our OL is not built for run

            blocking.  Right there is our archilles heel.  Even under the tuteledge of Russ Grimm.

            Brown, Lutui, and Gandy have been underacheiving.  So yes this should be our first

            area of addressment come the draft or free agency or both.  It is really disappointing to

            have all that talent on offense and us not being able to fully exploit it.

            Again, thanks for your input and swing by anytime.

SecondCitySaint wrote:

 

 I believe your OL is good, but so was ours. What your line isn't is built to run the football, which is a shame because Wells & Hightower have the potential to be a dynamic running tandem.

 

 

Not sure what your OL is like talent-wise, but you'd be seriously dangerous if you could run the ball with those three WR's and Warner already getting so much attention from defenses.

Great analysis of our situation IMO. And fixing our O-Line is not only a necessity for us to achieve a more balanced offense, it's also crucial to Warner's health and Leinart's success when he steps in. The fact that Hightower as a RB is one of our leading receivers supports SecondCity's assessment that our O-Line is more adept at pass protection than helping the run.

On a side note, the thought occurs to me that the inconsistant play of the O-Line may be a contributing factor in Grimm being passed over for head coach consideration from other teams. Just a thought.

If Consistency of our OL is a prerequisite for Grimm to get a HC job then Grimm  is S.O.L.  Our OL is horrid at best and has been since he arrived. We can lie to ourselves if we want but as for me its as bad as it ever has been since Grimm arrived in AZ. We all having been assuming he would fix the OL but if anything they have become worse IMO.

 O how I long for the days of Conrad Dobler, Dan Deirdorf, Tom Banks and Luis Sharpe. I cant remember the last time the Cardinals sent an OL to the Pro Bowl 

I guess that would be a good triva question: When was the last time a Cardinal OL went to the Pro Bowl? My guess Luis Sharpe 1983. I dont know if that is correct its only a guess. Whats your guess boys and girls.

cardinals08 wrote:

 

 O how I long for the days of Conrad Dobler, Dan Deirdorf, Tom Banks and Luis Sharpe. I cant remember the last time the Cardinals sent an OL to the Pro Bowl 

 

             Don't forget big Bob Young.   That combo if I remember right set an NFL record for fewest

             sacks allowed.

             Yeah we have "issues" to say the least.  And they better get ironed out pronto!!!!!

Core,

I feel your pain dude, no it doesnt make any sence!!! As I and others have said we are dearly missing Todd Haley more than we can possible imagine. Whiz while a good HC is not consistent enough to be a OC and HC. He has shown he has little trust in the  running game regardless if we are effective. Perfect example was your point Core!!! Whiz was doing a great job of mixing pass and run keeping the Panthers off Balance. Then Whiz went Bi Polar on us.  

 IMO Warner has too much say so in the offence.  There was a point in the Panther game where Warner called a 2nd time out in the 4th quarter becasue he didnt like the play call of a run burning timeout we needed dearly..... then next play, yep you got it a pass that went incomplete and we had to punt. It was 3rd and 2 and a run would have been a great play call because Panthers were expecting a pass. Earlier in the game we had 4th and one and the panthers were selling out for the pass and Beannnie got 11 yards on a flip 80 running play. 

 I think Warner gets into Whiz ear and convinces him to do what he really doesnt want too. If that makes since.  

While Whiz has issues in trusting rookies, he has too much trust in Warner. A sure sign that he dosnet have control of the play calling the way Haley did. Haley owned the play calling while Whiz leans on Warner too much. Heck, if left up to Warner he would heave the pigskin 60x a game if it was left up to him. Whiz needs to trust his judgement and his players and take ownership, he 2nd guesses himself too much during games JMHO.

Whiz has got to be getting tired of shooting himself in the foot every other week 

I can't help but believe if Haley were still here, Wells' explosive abilities would be utilized more. I just can't see for example him (Haley) pulling Wells out immediately after the kid rips off an 11 yard carry. Whiz is telling his players to be lose and relax, and have fun, but he seems uptight about keeping Wells in the game to help establish the run, because Tim just ain't doing it.

As I have said in previous posts it has a lot to do with the inconsistency of the coaching as well as the team not being prepared for these games or enthusiastic enough. They show shades of brilliance then they show a lack luster performance there is more to this than meets the eye.

I do not think we will see a 1 -2 punch this season unless things drastically change in the way the offense on this team is run. They have success running the ball early and will not stay with it long enough to tire out the defense and take advantage to have success in the running game that we so desire. JMHO...

Reddog7 wrote:

I can just feel the Wells-Hightower double whammy coming. Once Beanie gets going and these guys start alternating doing their thing respectively, along with our three headed monster in receivers (plus one......can't forget Urban and give him his due), it's going to give opposing defenses fits. Hightower's strength may be his receiving, but if Beanie becomes the big play guy on the ground and opponents start anticipating pass when Tim comes in, they could find themselves getting burned by Tim on the ground also while lying back assuming pass.

Please forgive me if I'm the only one who's ever quoted himself (and on his original post no less), but todays game I just found so encouraging after having started this thread some weeks ago. Cards are looking improved and at the right time!

Im with you Dog, not to put a damper on things but lets remember that our running game has improved at the expense of some pretty bad defences. Chicgo, Seattle now the Rams. At the risk of jinxing the OL..... they have opened up some gapping holes for our RB. Our WR have not go enough credit for downfiled blocking!!

The last 3 games really shows how dominate we will continue to be if Warner has the luxuary of using play action at his disposal. When you run for 180+ yards 2 out of the last 3 weeks that is an afirmative that we are becoming a better blocking team overall. One game at a time.... however, the trend is showing that we are becoming the balanced team we were all hoping for. 

The Minn game will be a huge test for us in a few weeks to see just how good our Running game truly is and if we can stay balanced

   With our recored being 7-3 its exactly where we were last year. Lets hope we can do better down the stretch this year!!! Teams like the Rams, Hawks etc, are teams we are supposed to beat however, Minn, Grenn Bay and Tenn IMO will be the true test games for us. We prove that we can beat those teams IMO the AZ Cards will start getting the National attention as a true contender and no longer the underdog.... Dont know if thats a good thing but if we can somehow beat Minn we have a legit shot of a first round bye. Another first in Cardinal History.

 I believe by the Minn game BW will be our starter. We see that Jeremy Urban has been surpassed by Early Doucet on the depth chart and IMO BW will be next to move up the dept chart, past TH. JMO