Cardinals' "X Factors" for each of the three phases
by Walter Mitchell
X Factor on Defense:
Dadrion Taylor-Demerson
If the Cardinals are truly going to get their hands on many more passes this season, they need a playmaker at safety on the back end who can allow the cornerbacks the freedom to jump routes and passing lanes. Check out this back-end interception:
https://x.com/NFL/status/1824964816139866599
Not only is Rabbit custom made to play the deep safety role, in certain man-to-man matchups the coaches can bring him up to cover the slot, as he did so well last season. Like in Week 5 last year (look at this stat line):
https://x.com/PFF_Cardinals/status/1843745846736695562
Concern: The coaches are still going to play Budda Baker and/or Jalen Thompson at deep safety in base packages with Rabbit off to the sidelines. In my opinion, Rabbit should never come off the field because he is by far the best cover safety on the team. If the coaches are going to change their conservative stripes, Rabbit is the back-end cover safety who best allows them to be more aggressive.
X Factor on Offense:
Tip Reiman
Not only can Tip Reiman's physicality at TE in 12 and 13 personnel help the Cardinals dominate in the running game, this season he could emerge as a bona fide receiving threat. Imagine what kind of pressure Tip Reiman, opposite Trey McBride, could put on opposing defenses in run support and in pass coverage.
https://x.com/BrandonThornNFL/status/1954925424569688243
Concern: at times being too undisciplined:
https://x.com/BoBrack/status/1954790952062648339
Offense: Trey Benson. This preseason we’ve heard more about having co-RB1s. While I think that talk is likely overblown (Conner is clearly #1), involving Benson more could be good in terms of extending Conner’s health and putting Benson in position as heir apparent.
ReplyDeleteDefense: Darius Robinson. Most of the attention to the team this offseason was rightfully put on the free agent and draft acquisitions, but I think an X-factor may be a guy already on the roster. Darius had a difficult rookie season on multiple fronts, but started to come on strong toward the end of his limited playing time. Those game reps and a little extra fuel on the fire makes me think he might surprise this year.
ST: Chad Ryland. Okay, maybe not a classic “X-factor,” but I think just sustaining the level of what we saw in 2024 would be big. Particularly if the offense struggles in the red zone.
I like your choices TMatty. I might've selected Dortch as my ST returner to be X factor. But I really like Benson & Robinson (Those are the two players I am most keen on seeing how they can improve team OFF/DEF respectively). I really don't like making rookies into any expectation.
DeleteConner Injury (knock on wood) is more than likely for part of season making Benson RB1 for part of season at least.
Robinson having red-shirt year should give him edge to have a nice jump in year 2. With all assets we added, should open up for play-making.
...I don't expect DTD to be on field for more than 50% of snaps as he is stuck behind JT in depth chart (to my disappointment).
...Reiman may breakout this year but again, I don't want to place that as expectation for him with McBride clearly ahead in depth. Even with 2 TE sets run 50% of plays that would leave Reiman at less than 50% of opportunity.
Thank you! I'm always a supporter of Dortch and have high expectations for him on ST. I'm also in agreement about rookie expectations. With the occasional exception, I think big rookie contributions are more of a bonus.
DeleteMaybe KM will actually throw a pass or two to Dortch this season. McBride MHJ Connor out of the backfield are his targets and he’s overwhelmed with those
DeleteDarius Robinson has done nothing A wasted rookie season that will most likely be duplicated by Nolan. Lots of players with lots to
Deleteprove and the same goes for our overhyped coaching staff that has never had a winning season.
Thake a look around the League at franchises that started where we did 2 or 1 season ago. We are in last place
@61
DeleteI agree this is not the most experience coaching staff but here are my thoughts on why. in 2022, MB gives K2 a contract extension and then fires him 10 months later resulting in having to pay K2 through 2027. That right there blew my mind and really showed how poorly this team was being run. Now SK was the GM at the time but I find it hard to believe that SK gave K2 that extension or made any major decisions without MB being heavily involved in the decision making. Then MB looks for a new GM, interviews MO and they talk about where the team is with K2 and that fiasco. MB tells MO he can have the job if he thinks he can win games with a coaching staff on a shoestring budget. MO isn't going to turn down such an opportunity so he says he can win even with those financial constraints and accepts. MO interviews JG, and tells him the situation and of course JG isn't going to turn down one of 32 head coaching gigs so he also says he can win games under those conditions, accepts the HC job and MO and JG proceed to seek out and hire a staff that will coach on the cheap. I don't know this to be true but after watching the ownership of this team for the past 5 decades, that's what makes the most sense to me.