Overlooked Facts about AZ Cardinals 2024
Sept 6, 2024 16:00:25 GMT -7
End Zone, Dry Heat, and 2 more like this
Post by connormelton on Sept 6, 2024 16:00:25 GMT -7
Hey guys,
I am new here but I got kinda sick of the negativity on the cardinals youtube videos. So I am curious what you die-hard fans think of my thoughts.I am not going to go into the record prediction as much but I feel it is important to explain the keys to the season. Also the things other people tend to overlook. Hoping this post can stand on its own as a thread. I will try to be brief but I have bipolar disorder so my thoughts tend to be always running at a mile a minute lol. I tend to be an optimistic person but also try to be objective.
1. The "lack of a pass rush."
- It is true that missing Robinson and especially Ojulari will hurt us. But I believe Robinson will be back soon and other things are relevant here.First of all, our whole defense has improved. Even if you consider certain spots were horrible last year, new pieces have become at least below average. Particularly the CBs. We had the worst rated CB 1 last year in Marco Wilson for most of the year. So how can our pass def not at least improve to below average in many areas. Additionally, the fact that Dobbs was horrible in terms of fumbling and our offense would often get into a bad habit of punting for whole halves (think NYG, really hurt us.) Defenses that get gassed will hurt any team. Even if our rush def didn't improve,our pass def finished in the top 3 since Kyler returned. This was with 0 sacks since the CHI game. But this year it is inevitable we will get some coverage sacks and pressure we didn't get last year. Also, many overlook the impact Rabbit could make. I think there is a possibility he could end up playing lb or lining up as one as a third safety due to his tackling. Also, look up Mack Wilsons stats when he has played. Dude has been getting pressures, forcing fumbles and pressuring the QB like crazy when he played. I may be being overly positive here, but I think him and Xavier Thomas have the possibility to be very effective. To the point one of them could match Ojulari's stats from last year. To wrap this up, our rush def will remain the main issue imo but many nfl analysts and former players will tell you that pass def is more important.
2. Most likely X factors:
Garrett Williams- Probably was the best rookie last year or maybe tied with Wilson when he played. He can defend the slot which is something we really haven't had. Also, I think he has the potential to match up vs TE's in a non-slot scenario. I literally think we should have the most confidence in him out of any CBs we have. A good year for him would be huge for us.
Any signing Monti pulls off at some point during the season.
Greg Dorch- One of the biggest mistakes of this coaching staff was not playing him at WR all year. And Dallas looks great returning kicks. Dorch and Benson will be the type of players the defense can't always account for imo. Also, don't discount Weaver when he plays. Wilson said he made difficult catch after difficult catch in practice and we saw how special he can be in preseason. Gannon said putting him in at 4th down is highly considerable. Also, if you are concerned about our oline in pass protection don't forget about Demarcado's skill as a blocker. Our depth on offense with our weapons is pretty insane. A top 7-10 offense seems very likely.
Prediction:
Improvement from 31st in def to something like 21st would be good enough and is realistic. It matches how they played with Kyler on the field.
3. Suns comparison
-Like I said, I don't want to focus on every game this season, mostly because we have a tendency with Kyler to lose a game or two we should win and win a game we shouldn't with Kyler. Think back to last year and the surprise for alot of people when we beat PITT in PITT. A team that had won 6 in a row, competing for the playoffs and had the best rated def at the time. In terms of bad losses, losing to someone like the Chargers at home seems like it would be a pretty big letdown. Whether, we beat BUF or not, I just want us to play well most of us all to start the year. Lastly, I see this season as similar to the suns last year. There are very high expectations and there should be. I don't believe 11 wins is very attainable but 7 wins would be catastrophic in my opinion. We are good enough on offense to win 8 games and be .500 period. We just need to go 2-4 in the division most of all.
The big thing is that I think 7 wins would be big a letdown for the players, coaches and fans. We know this team is better than that. If we really think next year could be our year in terms of making a run and using our huge cap space, we need to define ourselves this year as a good team. 9 wins is something that has been stuck in my head all offseason, and it is not very important if we make playoffs or not. Although it would be good experience for everyone if we did.
Is anyone really confident that the Suns will contend for a title this year?
It is certainly possible with their signings, but I highly doubt it after the horrible way they ended last year. Stuff like that can really screw with your mindset and 7 wins does nothing to prove Kyler can be a star or this coaching staff can really put it all together.
4. Final Thoughts
People talk about how Kyler is the leader of the team now and we can certainly see that. But like he said, his biggest thing is he no longer will have to be superman like in Kliff's basic and predictable offense. Furthermore, he ironically has similar stats to Josh Allen. Especially if you compare them in terms of what Kyler's stats would be without injuries. So what has been the difference? Well Josh allen has had a top 5 def every year. The Bills have actually had the most consistent great defense his entire career. How many years has Murray had that? I can't even start to compare the differences in coaching staffs. Not to mention the fact his oline has usually been above average. These sort of things, really account for record difference between the two.
stathead.com/football/vs/josh-allen-vs-kyler-murray
I don't believe Kyler needs to even be the best player on the offense for us to win.
The fact that Connor had 1,000 yds while missing 3 games, in a new system, with a backup QB for 10 weeks is pretty spectacular. He is obviously a co-leader on the team. People get excited at the stadium when Kyler runs and breaks a big play. But there is also an obvious nervousness about him getting hurt at the same time. In comparison, Connor is really the heart and soul of our offense. In comparison, when he breaks a big run and breaks tackles, the place goes electric. Not only that, but the coaches and every player got absolutely insane on the sidelines.Because everyone knows how the momentum just changed and how unstoppable we look and soul crushing it is to the defense. It is prob one of the best things in the game for us on offense besides a td. I am very excited for this team and I don't believe Rallis is faking optimism about the defense either.
lfg!
I am new here but I got kinda sick of the negativity on the cardinals youtube videos. So I am curious what you die-hard fans think of my thoughts.I am not going to go into the record prediction as much but I feel it is important to explain the keys to the season. Also the things other people tend to overlook. Hoping this post can stand on its own as a thread. I will try to be brief but I have bipolar disorder so my thoughts tend to be always running at a mile a minute lol. I tend to be an optimistic person but also try to be objective.
1. The "lack of a pass rush."
- It is true that missing Robinson and especially Ojulari will hurt us. But I believe Robinson will be back soon and other things are relevant here.First of all, our whole defense has improved. Even if you consider certain spots were horrible last year, new pieces have become at least below average. Particularly the CBs. We had the worst rated CB 1 last year in Marco Wilson for most of the year. So how can our pass def not at least improve to below average in many areas. Additionally, the fact that Dobbs was horrible in terms of fumbling and our offense would often get into a bad habit of punting for whole halves (think NYG, really hurt us.) Defenses that get gassed will hurt any team. Even if our rush def didn't improve,our pass def finished in the top 3 since Kyler returned. This was with 0 sacks since the CHI game. But this year it is inevitable we will get some coverage sacks and pressure we didn't get last year. Also, many overlook the impact Rabbit could make. I think there is a possibility he could end up playing lb or lining up as one as a third safety due to his tackling. Also, look up Mack Wilsons stats when he has played. Dude has been getting pressures, forcing fumbles and pressuring the QB like crazy when he played. I may be being overly positive here, but I think him and Xavier Thomas have the possibility to be very effective. To the point one of them could match Ojulari's stats from last year. To wrap this up, our rush def will remain the main issue imo but many nfl analysts and former players will tell you that pass def is more important.
2. Most likely X factors:
Garrett Williams- Probably was the best rookie last year or maybe tied with Wilson when he played. He can defend the slot which is something we really haven't had. Also, I think he has the potential to match up vs TE's in a non-slot scenario. I literally think we should have the most confidence in him out of any CBs we have. A good year for him would be huge for us.
Any signing Monti pulls off at some point during the season.
Greg Dorch- One of the biggest mistakes of this coaching staff was not playing him at WR all year. And Dallas looks great returning kicks. Dorch and Benson will be the type of players the defense can't always account for imo. Also, don't discount Weaver when he plays. Wilson said he made difficult catch after difficult catch in practice and we saw how special he can be in preseason. Gannon said putting him in at 4th down is highly considerable. Also, if you are concerned about our oline in pass protection don't forget about Demarcado's skill as a blocker. Our depth on offense with our weapons is pretty insane. A top 7-10 offense seems very likely.
Prediction:
Improvement from 31st in def to something like 21st would be good enough and is realistic. It matches how they played with Kyler on the field.
3. Suns comparison
-Like I said, I don't want to focus on every game this season, mostly because we have a tendency with Kyler to lose a game or two we should win and win a game we shouldn't with Kyler. Think back to last year and the surprise for alot of people when we beat PITT in PITT. A team that had won 6 in a row, competing for the playoffs and had the best rated def at the time. In terms of bad losses, losing to someone like the Chargers at home seems like it would be a pretty big letdown. Whether, we beat BUF or not, I just want us to play well most of us all to start the year. Lastly, I see this season as similar to the suns last year. There are very high expectations and there should be. I don't believe 11 wins is very attainable but 7 wins would be catastrophic in my opinion. We are good enough on offense to win 8 games and be .500 period. We just need to go 2-4 in the division most of all.
The big thing is that I think 7 wins would be big a letdown for the players, coaches and fans. We know this team is better than that. If we really think next year could be our year in terms of making a run and using our huge cap space, we need to define ourselves this year as a good team. 9 wins is something that has been stuck in my head all offseason, and it is not very important if we make playoffs or not. Although it would be good experience for everyone if we did.
Is anyone really confident that the Suns will contend for a title this year?
It is certainly possible with their signings, but I highly doubt it after the horrible way they ended last year. Stuff like that can really screw with your mindset and 7 wins does nothing to prove Kyler can be a star or this coaching staff can really put it all together.
4. Final Thoughts
People talk about how Kyler is the leader of the team now and we can certainly see that. But like he said, his biggest thing is he no longer will have to be superman like in Kliff's basic and predictable offense. Furthermore, he ironically has similar stats to Josh Allen. Especially if you compare them in terms of what Kyler's stats would be without injuries. So what has been the difference? Well Josh allen has had a top 5 def every year. The Bills have actually had the most consistent great defense his entire career. How many years has Murray had that? I can't even start to compare the differences in coaching staffs. Not to mention the fact his oline has usually been above average. These sort of things, really account for record difference between the two.
stathead.com/football/vs/josh-allen-vs-kyler-murray
I don't believe Kyler needs to even be the best player on the offense for us to win.
The fact that Connor had 1,000 yds while missing 3 games, in a new system, with a backup QB for 10 weeks is pretty spectacular. He is obviously a co-leader on the team. People get excited at the stadium when Kyler runs and breaks a big play. But there is also an obvious nervousness about him getting hurt at the same time. In comparison, Connor is really the heart and soul of our offense. In comparison, when he breaks a big run and breaks tackles, the place goes electric. Not only that, but the coaches and every player got absolutely insane on the sidelines.Because everyone knows how the momentum just changed and how unstoppable we look and soul crushing it is to the defense. It is prob one of the best things in the game for us on offense besides a td. I am very excited for this team and I don't believe Rallis is faking optimism about the defense either.
lfg!
