Fitz/Boldin - downgrade? (1 Viewer)

[jbz]

After watching the Card/49ers game, it's pretty obvious that the Cards want to run the ball a majority of the time. It doesn't help that Leinart looked timid and confused out there most of the time. The thing that worries me the most as a multiple Fitz owner is that there was multiple red zone/short yardage packages where he wasn't in and Boldin was. I liked Fitz being the main red zone threat with his leaping and catching ability. Looks like this isn't the case. It also looks like we won't be seeing those sling em shoot out games of the past that the Cards used to get involved in. (Cards D looked pretty active as well)

Downgrade or just a week 1 anomaly?

 

[kutta]

The talk all summer here was that they were going to establish the running game, but I didn't think that meant being so conservative with the play calling. I'm a huge Cardinals fan, but in a weird way I'm glad they lost tonight. Hopefully they will open things up a bit from here on.

I do think that Fitz and Boldin deserve a bit of a downgrade based on the play calling. They were so unwilling to take any chances it was sickening.

Damn. Some things never change

 

[DarabZarrabi]

The talk all summer here was that they were going to establish the running game, but I didn't think that meant being so conservative with the play calling. I'm a huge Cardinals fan, but in a weird way I'm glad they lost tonight. Hopefully they will open things up a bit from here on.I do think that Fitz and Boldin deserve a bit of a downgrade based on the play calling. They were so unwilling to take any chances it was sickening. Damn. Some things never change

I agree the Cards looked horrific on offense and made the 49ers defense look like the Bears. The conservative playcalling at the end lost them the game, and they arent going to be able to establish the run very often because against better opponents they will be losing after the 1st quarter and probably airing it out...but Leinart obviously did nothing to better himself over the offseason he just looked horrible

 

[minister]

After watching the Card/49ers game, it's pretty obvious that the Cards want to run the ball a majority of the time. It doesn't help that Leinart looked timid and confused out there most of the time. The thing that worries me the most as a multiple Fitz owner is that there was multiple red zone/short yardage packages where he wasn't in and Boldin was. I liked Fitz being the main red zone threat with his leaping and catching ability. Looks like this isn't the case. It also looks like we won't be seeing those sling em shoot out games of the past that the Cards used to get involved in. (Cards D looked pretty active as well)

Downgrade or just a week 1 anomaly?

IMO this is cause for a slight Fitzgerald downgrade.I don't recall this happening in the past, but I'm guessing this won't be typical.

Fitzgerald's all-world ball skills are valuable in a short field.

There will be clear mismatches in his favor down the road.

 

[Sweetness_34]

Whisenhunt is stupid if he does not start utilizing Fitz better....his team will need to score points to win. Only the 9ers O could make the Zona D look great.....what a sad game this was....yuck. 2 horrible teams, 2 horrible offenses and no freaking imagination when it came to passing the ball.

 

[Steeler07]

The Cards playcalling was a disgrace at the end of the game, but well, what did you expect, Whiz learned from the king of turtle offense, Bill Cowher.

 

[doughboydeluxe]

The Arizona play-calling was atrocious throughout the game, but especially at the end. They have two great weapons in Boldin and Fitz, and not once do the challenge the defense down the field. Not once do they counter the blitz with a slant or short cross.

I read an article today about Jason Garrett's play-calling, and how he never stopped being aggressive last night at the end of the Cowboys game. Contrast that to the Cardinals running the ball on 3rd and 10 with 3 minutes left and a 4 point lead. When you play not to lose, chances are that you will lose.

 

[westyplz]

Leinarts field awareness was embarassing, not the play calling.

Leinart looked fine when he could sit back and step into throws, but he didn't read the defense well or find open receivers. I am confident in saying I felt Charlie Frye looked better than Leinart running their respective offenses, and Frye got benched.

 

[jbz]

Let's not forget the one time they got a little creative and went for the flea-flicker. Fitz turns his guy around and is one on one with a step and a half on him. Boldin is double covered and bracketed. Leinart pulls back from throwing at Fitz, turns and throws at Boldin. WTF?

 

[Aussie Cowboy]

The Arizona play-calling was atrocious throughout the game, but especially at the end. They have two great weapons in Boldin and Fitz, and not once do the challenge the defense down the field. Not once do they counter the blitz with a slant or short cross.

I think the only person that enjoyed watching today's game was John Shoop.

 

[Spartans Rule]

The Arizona play-calling was atrocious throughout the game, but especially at the end. They have two great weapons in Boldin and Fitz, and not once do the challenge the defense down the field. Not once do they counter the blitz with a slant or short cross.I read an article today about Jason Garrett's play-calling, and how he never stopped being aggressive last night at the end of the Cowboys game. Contrast that to the Cardinals running the ball on 3rd and 10 with 3 minutes left and a 4 point lead. When you play not to lose, chances are that you will lose.

My football philosophy has always been that the best way to protect a lead is to make it bigger.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

Fitz and Boldin owners can take heart in the fact that the team lost. The ball-control, run-at-all-costs method still has them 0-1. They'll get plenty of criticism for bland play-calling and maybe that will encourage them to use their weapons a bit more.

If they had won they could claim an ugly win is still a win. Now they have some splainin' to do.

 

[Pyramid Scheme]

I sent out an invitation for trade offers on Boldin this morning. I know it's important not to overreact, but what I saw last night was not encouraging. I'll be happy to reduce my exposure to the Cardinals if I can do it at the right price.

I don't consider this selling low--more like a stop-loss.

 

[maxwell1295]

Fitz and Boldin owners can take heart in the fact that the team lost. The ball-control, run-at-all-costs method still has them 0-1. They'll get plenty of criticism for bland play-calling and maybe that will encourage them to use their weapons a bit more.If they had won they could claim an ugly win is still a win. Now they have some splainin' to do.

I hope so because I have them BOTH (and played them) in one league last night. My opponent had Edge.....I had Rudi and McGahee. Not a good night.... :(

 

[FFCrazy]

I watched the game last night, and from a completely impartial view (not a Card fan, and don't have ant of my FF teams), the only thing really bad about the Card's game was Lienhart. He sucked last night.

I really don't think you can blame the coaches for keeping the ball on the ground....half the balls Matt threw should've been interceptions. At least they were making some progress with Edge and the running game. The passing game was atrocious.

 

[Urinal Mint]

One game doesn't make a trend, fellas.

 

[Schrute]

One game doesn't make a trend, fellas.

No, it doesn't. But when everyone was predicting this kind of thing all preseason and then it happens, it's not good.

 

[switz]

Let's not forget the one time they got a little creative and went for the flea-flicker. Fitz turns his guy around and is one on one with a step and a half on him. Boldin is double covered and bracketed. Leinart pulls back from throwing at Fitz, turns and throws at Boldin. WTF?

I'm a Fitz owner, but I've been saying all along that Leinart far prefers Boldin over Fitz.

 

[kncks12]

Let's not forget the one time they got a little creative and went for the flea-flicker. Fitz turns his guy around and is one on one with a step and a half on him. Boldin is double covered and bracketed. Leinart pulls back from throwing at Fitz, turns and throws at Boldin. WTF?

I'm a Fitz owner, but I've been saying all along that Leinart far prefers Boldin over Fitz.

I am a Boldin owner and I don't agree with that. Some sharks last year posted stats where Fitz was much more targeted when Leinart was in there, and when Warner was in then Boldin was targeted more. Maybe it will change this year, because in Whiz's offense, Boldin is more of the HInes ward and he did pretty good in those years at PItt. I thought the play calling and the game last night was embarrasing. Not a good start

 

[Pyramid Scheme]

I watched the game last night, and from a completely impartial view (not a Card fan, and don't have ant of my FF teams), the only thing really bad about the Card's game was Lienhart. He sucked last night.I really don't think you can blame the coaches for keeping the ball on the ground....half the balls Matt threw should've been interceptions. At least they were making some progress with Edge and the running game. The passing game was atrocious.

True. My impression (and admittedly it was just that) is that the new Cards regime is being very hard on Leinart. Of course you need some of that kind of guidance to improve, but what I saw was a young QB with serious confidence problems. Why else did he second-guess his instinct on the flea-flicker when Fitz was wide open?Again, just my impression, but I see a passer who's being pressured to become a game-manager, and being coached first and foremost to take care of the ball. The result is that he was holding it too long, thinking too hard, throwing off-target because his timing was off, and looking to run for short gains rather than trusting his arm. He was playing not to lose.

 

[solwoldjr]

I watched the game last night, and from a completely impartial view (not a Card fan, and don't have ant of my FF teams), the only thing really bad about the Card's game was Lienhart. He sucked last night.I really don't think you can blame the coaches for keeping the ball on the ground....half the balls Matt threw should've been interceptions. At least they were making some progress with Edge and the running game. The passing game was atrocious.

True. My impression (and admittedly it was just that) is that the new Cards regime is being very hard on Leinart. Of course you need some of that kind of guidance to improve, but what I saw was a young QB with serious confidence problems. Why else did he second-guess his instinct on the flea-flicker when Fitz was wide open?Again, just my impression, but I see a passer who's being pressured to become a game-manager, and being coached first and foremost to take care of the ball. The result is that he was holding it too long, thinking too hard, throwing off-target because his timing was off, and looking to run for short gains rather than trusting his arm. He was playing not to lose.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

This downgrade should have been done before your draft.

 

[North]

Hopefully they will use this game as an example what not to do.

Wisenhunt needs to realize that what worked in Pitt., worked because of the players they had.

Just because it worked there does not mean it will immediately work in Arizona.

I'm not saying it will never work, but it will take some time. They looked good at times running the ball, but to completely abandon the passing game is a mistake. You have to utilize the talent that you have on the team.

There is no way that Boldin and Fitz should have combined for 7 rec. for 42 yds. A complete botch in their game planning.

 

[Bri]

Whisenhunt is stupid if he does not start utilizing Fitz better....his team will need to score points to win. Only the 9ers O could make the Zona D look great.....what a sad game this was....yuck. 2 horrible teams, 2 horrible offenses and no freaking imagination when it came to passing the ball.

I watched just some of them game not the whole thing.Both lines allowed someone to get in every time. That can't happen. The announcers said "no one's open" a number of times. Fitz and Boldin both should have been able to get open, I mean what's up with that? Fitz was horrible at runblocking on a number of plays that I could see him. That'll get under the skin of many NFL coaches. I don't know Whisenhunt's style of coaching much at all but he'd be getting scolded(what's the right word here) by Coughlin, Parcells, BB, Mangini, Gibbs, Lewis, and Phillips if he were playing for them. I gotta figure he's getting an earful from Whis after he watches the tape. All in all I thought both teams(and several others this week) weren't sharp at all and the coaches better remember that next summer when they're going easy on them as camp closes. There's little doubt in my mind that Boldin and Fitz can get open in future weeks, they're just so good. As I said in the game thread, Warner should have been put in. When your first stringer stinks you put your second stringer in. Warner has done real real well in the limitted time he's had to play for the Cardinals recently like 400 in the final game of 06. IF IF IF He did well, there's a good learning point for Matt. What's Kurt doing that he wasn't doing? If those two really weren't open much then Kurt's highly regarded short throws where he leads the WR perfectly maybe would have worked. Matt's no superstar yet and I think they missed a chance to show him something.BTWPatrick Willis looks like he'll be as awesome as many thought he'd be. Definitely needs to improve but he was all over the field hitting everybody he could. Reminded me of Ryans last year

 

[saintsfan]

Too early to push the panic button, IMO.

 

[JAMMIN]

The Arizona play-calling was atrocious throughout the game, but especially at the end. They have two great weapons in Boldin and Fitz, and not once do the challenge the defense down the field. Not once do they counter the blitz with a slant or short cross.

I think the only person that enjoyed watching today's game was John Shoop.

This is the funniest comment of all time. Seriously best ever.I am glad they lost. If they expect to win behind Edge and that offensive line then they might not win all year. Leinart needs to get his head out of his ### and learn to sneak a bit. At least move around in the pocket and avoid a few guys. I think AZ plays to win from now on.

 

[Gold Plated Nails]

The Cards playcalling was a disgrace at the end of the game, but well, what did you expect, Whiz learned from the king of turtle offense, Bill Cowher.

now now, the king of turtles is Marty. But I agree with the rest of your post.

 

[DarabZarrabi]

Let's keep in mind that Wisenhunt is a rookie too, and maybe his ego got the best of him and he felt that he was the one that made it work in Pittsburgh...but after last night its clear that the personnel played a key role as well, and hopefully they spread the field and use a passing game to help set up the running game, rather than using the run to put the game in their defenses hand

 

[patv66]

After watching the Card/49ers game, it's pretty obvious that the Cards want to run the ball a majority of the time. It doesn't help that Leinart looked timid and confused out there most of the time. The thing that worries me the most as a multiple Fitz owner is that there was multiple red zone/short yardage packages where he wasn't in and Boldin was. I liked Fitz being the main red zone threat with his leaping and catching ability. Looks like this isn't the case. It also looks like we won't be seeing those sling em shoot out games of the past that the Cards used to get involved in. (Cards D looked pretty active as well)Downgrade or just a week 1 anomaly?

JBZI just posted about this, and I saw the same things you saw.I love both Fitzgerald, and Boldin as a players, but I think both are downgrades (especially Fitz considering the fact that Boldin was used as the lone WR on Red-Zone sets).My post was a bit long winded (so if you can't read it...I'll try to be concise). I feel Fitz is a definite downgrade because:1- Wisenhunt will run the ball alot this year. I don't feel that this statement is a generalization based on one game. The Cardinals are a RUN team now.2- Leinart is inexperianced. Most QB's take a few years to adjust. He is no different from most young QB's.3- Fitzgerald is NOT the clear cut #1 WR on this team. The stats over the past 3 seasons show this, and so does the fact that Blodin played on 1-WR sets yesterday. 4- The Cardinal line is still not good. It's a below average pass protection line, and it is still a below average run blocking line.Cheers

 

[jbz]

yeah, I saw your post patv, I gave a tongue in cheek response. I'm kicking myself for passing on Wayne for Fitz.