Cardinals' top game grades vs. Broncos at each position
By Walter Mitchell
Note: the grades are for players who took more than 10 snaps.
* QB --- Jacoby Brissett --- 92.1 (more on the significance of this grade at the end)
* RB --- Michael Carter --- 67.5 --- 81.7 PBLK
* TE --- Josiah Deguara ---52.7 --- 69.8 PBLK
* WR --- Simi Fehoko --- 69.7 ---74.8 BLKG
* T --- Josh Fryar --- 59.3 --- 78.7 PBLK
* G --- Jon Gaines II --- 67.5 --- 86.1 PBLK
* C --- Sincere Haynesworth --- 60.0 --- 64.5 RBLK
* DT --- Kyon Barrs --- 80.7 ---73.4 PRSH
* NT --- Elijah Simmons --- 59.3 --- 70.4 RDEF
* DE --- Patrick Jenkins --- 68.0 --- 71.3 PRSH
* ED --- Benton Whitley --- 70.0 --- 4 QB pressures
* LB --- Mykal Walker --- 78.6 --- 83.0 COV
* CB --- Elijah Jones --- 73.8 --- 80.3 COV
* S --- Joey Blount --- 66.6 --- 83.3 TACK
Roster Chances:
* QB Brissett --- QB2 who appears to have a full command of Drew Petzing's offense. Here are some numbers to behold with regard to the 5 QBs the Broncos have harrassed in their two pre-season whooping of the 49ers and Cardinals:
QBR vs DEN:
* Jacoby Brissett (ARI) --- 133.9
* Clayton Tune (ARI) --- 68.8
* Mac Jones (SF) --- 54.2
* Carter Bradley (SF) --- 20.5
* Tanner Mordecai (SF) --- 18.8
* RB Carter --- the fact that he started the game could indicate that he has perhaps a better chance to be RB4 this season.
* TE Deguara --- one can imagine that TE coach Ben Steele likes the added depth he has in veteran receiver Josiah Deguara and young blocking standout Travis Vokolek. Will one of them make the 53?
* WR Fehoko --- his height, speed and STs prowess places him squarely on the 53 man roster
* T Fryar --- as since61 and I agreed on Red Rain Podcast, this Buckeye is earning a spot the 53.
* G Gaines II --- should be the team's swing C/G on game days.
* C Haynesworth --- has continued practice squad value.
* DT Barrs --- one cannot deny the roster case that he is making.
* NT Simmons --- could be a stalwart on goal line and short yardage situations.
* DE Jenkins --- this versatile defensive lineman from Tulane is very talented.
* ED Whitley --- we can see why Whitley was poached from practice squads twice last season, first by the Giants the Vikings' and second by the Cardinals from the Giants'.
* LB Walker --- would like to see him get some run early on versus Raiders. One would have to believe that the ILB spots are up for grabs and this young man is showing up. Plus, he is a very good ST player.
* CB Jones --- great to see him have his best performance to date. Cardinals are going to need CBs who are sticky in coverage and not penalty prone.
* S Blount --- he's the Cardinals' closest version of Dennis Gardeck on special teams and with this performance he is making a strong case for snaps on defense.
What other players who stood out to you in game two?
Red Rain Podcast mentions (with special guest since61):
Links:
https://x.com/WBJMItch/status/1957163609231876238
* Offense --- RG Royce Newman
* Defense --- DT P.J. Musitipher
* Special Teams --- P Blake Gillikin (co-MVP of the game with Jacoby Brissett)
How much time will Hayden Connor miss and who will benefit? Gaines will certainly make the 53. Will Haynesworth stick because of the Connor injury?
ReplyDeleteE Jones showing up just in time to make the squad.
We are weak at ILB.
Maybe we should play Brissett the 3rd preseason game because poor Clay Tune hasn't had the coaching to use him to determine the future of all the bubble players in their last shot to make the team and publish some good tape.
All JG would say about Hayden's knee is that "he is going to miss some time." Agree with you on Elijah Jones and an ILB group that, despite JG saying he likes where they are at, is underwhelming and MWJ at MIKE is a real reach yet the pundits think he's a sure thing. As for Jacoby the coaches won't play him more that 1-2 series. I am hoping that Clayton Tune, by his own resolve, has a good bounce back game this week.
DeleteTune has a ton of resolve, he doesn’t have any coaching.
DeleteI'm curious to know Walt's opinion on this (everyone else, too). What's the benefit to not game planning during preseason? Is it to look at players' instincts? I mean, I get it, the outcome in terms of the score doesn't realoy matter. So if there's no real plan or preparation, is it to see and evaluate players' instincts? Maybe to see where they are mentally?
ReplyDeleteSomeone explain how the DC doesn't bother to call plays in preseason? I've watched most preseason games (gotta get a life) and why do I have the impression that my Cardinals were without a doubt the least, focused, communicating, organized and the most confused lost in scheme and lackluster in effort of any team? K2 caught a ton of crap for coddling players. Has anything has changed?
DeleteThe reasoning behind that was likely to help prepare his assistants for future advancement opportunities. What better way to see where they are in their development than running an offense/defense and calling plays in a live game? It's better to have them give it a whirl during a game that doesn't matter than in one that does.
DeleteWith that said, I think it's clear both Drew Terrell and Ryan Smith are not ready to be OC/DC -- especially the latter. Defensive calls seemed way off in the last game.
Delete