Will Jonathan Gannon play the starters for a couple of series versus the Chiefs?
By Walter Mitchell
Jonathan Gannon appears to be taking a different, more aggressive approach to this off-season, as evidenced by his decision to host back-to-back high intensity practices during the first two days of full pads.
The question is --- will he now elect to play his starters at least for a series or two this Saturday at home in the Cardinals' first pre-season game versus the Kansas City Chiefs?
NFL head coaches are divided when it comes to playing their starters in pre-season. Some do not want to put their starters at risk for injuries. Others feel that for the same of teamwork, chemistry and getting the squad into good football shape, the reward for playing the starters is greater than the risk.
Jonathan Gannon, now heading into his 3rd season as head coach has yet to play his starters in pre-season. On the other hand, Andy Reid believes in doing so. For example, QB Patrick Mahomes took 48 pre-season game snaps last season. The Chiefs wound up winning 15 regular season games and 2 playoff games on their way to their 5th Super Bowl berth in the last 6 seasons.
In Gannon's two seasons, the Cardinals have yet to win a Week 1 regular season game. And, in retrospect, both of those games could have been wins had the Cardinals played stronger in the 4th quarter.
The Chiefs have won 9 of their 10 Week 1 games.
Commentary:
I want the Cardinals to drink whatever Adny Reid and Patrick Mahomes are drinking.
It's surprising to me that Cardinals' GM Monti Ossenfort who spend 14 illustrious years working for Bill Belichick in New England has not followed the "Patriots Way" with regard to having the starters play in pre-season games. There were some years where Belichick was not satisfied with a pre-season game performance in the first half and therefore had Tom Brady and the starters on the field to start the second half. Now that's maybe taking things a little too far. But you get the gist as to how important the pre-season games were to the NFL's career leader in Super Bowl wins as a head coach.
Not only does playing live football in these pre-season games help the players harden their bodies and enhance their conditioning in preparation of the regular season, but it can also give a team an extra mental edge in feeling like they are doing everything they can to win.
For the coaches, the games provide valuable tape sessions for the players in their team rooms.
How is it going to look this Saturday if Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' starters are on the field at State Farm Stadium making this type of physical and mental commitment to winning, only to see JG trot out Jacoby Brisset and the Cardinals' 2nd team offense?
The Cardinals' 1st team defense has a number of new players, particularly on the front seven. This would be a good opportunity to test just how far they have come this off-season to cohering with Nick Rallis' schemes and play calls.
Plus --- perhaps of paramount importance --- this gives the defensive players the first opportunity to see how forceful, precise and improved they are at tackling --- because the Cardinals simply cannot be the worst tackling team again in the NFC West, that is if they have any intentions of trying to win the division and/or make the playoffs.
In my opinion, going into Week 1 versus the Saints with the defensive starters having yet to tackle any opponent could diminish their chances to earn an important NFC road win.
This morning, I posted a poll on X to ask Cardinals' fans whether they think JG should play the starters this Saturday. Please cast your vote @WBJMitch. Currently with 43 votes, 81% of the fans say YES.
What do you think? What's your vote and why?
Special Note: I want to thank all of you for your impressive turnout during the first week of the Red Rain Blog. The 8 posts thus far have combined for 1,292 views. Special thanks as well to those who are writing such cogent comments about the questions at hand. If you have any suggestions, please let me know at waltermitchell@ comcast.net. This is a brand-new venture, and we are all in this together.
AI query-Studies suggest there's little to no significant correlation between a team's preseason performance (including how much playing time their starters get) and their regular-season winning percentage.
ReplyDeleteArizona has had two cornerbacks ruled out for the season, another one placed on IR, one linebacker hospitalized, first-round pick sidelined and star wide receiver dealing with a nagging knee issue. The team is already banged up. Yet, preseason training camp is for competition and growth. JG has gotten props for putting his kids in pads 2 days in a row? 2025 Broncos, Rams, Bills, Ravens, Chiefs have been in pads for 3 practices straight-the NFL limit. Teams are allowed a maximum of 16 padded practices during training camp and the preseason. I'd like to know which team's use how many padded practices and how many JG uses by comparison. Does it make a real difference in W/L, early season?
More concerning than playing preseason, is the my impression that there is a lack of real competition to earn a job in JGs camps. Team's use joint practices to get players ready and find starters.
The offense is almost identical to last year. The chemistry is already in place for the unit, and despite some small aspects to work on, the starters likely will only need to play a couple of quarters throughout the entire preseason to get back into the groove. The same can’t be said for the opposite side of the ball. The defense has a lot of young players who need to earn their jobs. We don't need Campbell nor Thomlinson, Budda to rep the preseason.
Interestingly, Card despite some close losses, under JG, Cards have look better early season than late.
You have to give your starters 25-35 snaps minimum to get some synchronicity with each other. Let hour guys hit a little too. We cant keep dropping early season games with poor tackling and a out of sync offense. It feels like Gannon is changing his approach this year. Let's hope we can see some preseason results so we don't hit the regular season flat footed.
ReplyDeleteI've always been a proponent of playing starters in pre-season. I understand the mentality of trying to avoid injuries. But I still believe the reward of having starters in sync with play against opponents helps to gel the players on both side of the ball out-weighs the risk of injury.
ReplyDeleteThey will apparently! Lets see what the impact is for the season, do we incur more injuries or do we stay healthier for the season? Do we get off to a hot start because they are in rhythm or is it irrelevant? Only time will tell.
ReplyDelete