Drew Petzing Deserves More Praise Than Derision
image courtesy of @azcardinals.com
By Walter Mitchell
On X yesterday, there was this chance for Cardinals' fans to grade Jonathan Gannon, Drew Petzing and Nick Rallis thanks to @BirdmanofAZ.
Bye week report card.......coaching staff
Jonathan Gannon ________
Drew Petzing ________
Nick Rallis ________
Here are the average results thus far of the fans' grades:
Jonathan Gannon: D
Drew Petzing: F
Nick Rallis: C
Why is it that Drew Petzing has drawn such abject scorn from Cardinals' fans? Going back to last year, the PHNX Cardinals media site has been waging a daily campaign to see Drew Petzing get fired, that is if he can't coach up a weekly magical connection between Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr.
This season, in light of Kyler Murray's inconsistencies and Marvin Harrison Jr.'s struggles, the daily criticisms of Drew Petzing have become a deafening din among the Cardinals' fans on X. Petzing dissenters have been convinced that he is the worst coach on the staff, that his passing game schemes are pitifully bad and because of that, the Cardinals have what appears to be the least talented and most incompetent WR unit in the NFL
Seeing as this grading opportunity comes after Jacoby Brissett should have allayed and mitigated whatever concerns there were about the competence of Drew Petzing's passing schemes and the talent level of the Cardinals' WRs, it appears that Petzing dissenters only care about Kyler and Marv and no one else.
The obvious problem for the Petzing dissenters is that the math works in direct opposition of their insistence that the OC is the weakest link on the coaching staff. Check out the numbers:
Arizona Cardinals offense and defense grades over the past 3 seasons:
2023: Offense - 67.8; Defense - 50.9
2024: Offense - 81.0; Defense - 64.8
2025: Offense - 65.5; Defense - 60.6
3 Year Averages: Offense - 71.4; Defense 58.7
Points Per Game:
Offense in 41 games: 21.5. Defense in 41 games: 24.2
To say that the offense has been carrying the Cardinals since Jonathan Gannon arrived as head coach is an irrefutable fact.
Yet, the majority of Cardinals' fans on X give passing grades to Gannon (D) and Rallis (C) but give Petzing (F) the failing grade.
The fans on X aren't the only ones piling on Petzing, so is Sports Illustrated's beat writer for the Cardinals, Donnie Druin:
Amazing to see that in light of Jacoby Brissett's gutsy and highly productive performance versus a Packers' defense that is currently ranked 6th in total defense (giving up 288.5 yards per game) and #10 in the NFL in points allowed at 20.8 --- a surprise performance that prevented this game from being a Packers' blowout win, somehow the onus of the Cardinals' 27-23 loss appears to belong to Drew Petzing?
The Packers' defense heading into the game was giving up 280.2 yards per game. Petzing's 330 yards of total offense exceeded the Packers' average by 50 yards. The Cardinals' 23 points exceeded the Packers' average by 3 points.
Jacoby Brissett completed 25 of 36 passes (69.4%) for 279 yards, 2 TDs and 0 ints. Coming into the game the Packers' defense had been allowing 198.6 passing yards per game. Brissett exceeded that figure by over 80 yards.
Furthermore, the Packers' defense came into the game as the #1 run defense in the NFL allowing a mere 71.0 yards rushing per game. The Cardinals posted 94 yards rushing versus the Packers and Bam Knight had one of the best games against them rushing for 57 yards on 14 carries for a 4.1 average.
I was very impressed with Bam and the blocking that gave him some holes, particularly off tackle. Were you?
Over the past two weeks with Jacoby Brissett at QB that Cardinals have improved their passing yards per game from 187 to 299. That's over 100 yards per game. Their receiving stats have improved dramatically:
Trey McBride: 18 catches for 146 yards and 3 TDs
Zay Jones: 7 catches for 146 yards
Marvin Harrison Jr: 4 catches for 84 yards
Michael Wilson: 7 catches for 84 yards
Michael Carter: 7 catches for 70 yards
Elijah Higgins: 3 catches for 37 yards
Bam Knight: 4 catches for 27 yards
Greg Dortch: 4 catches for 12 yards and 1 TD
Over the past two games the Cardinals' offense has produced twice as many 20+ yard explosive receptions than they had in the previous three games combined.
The Cardinals 3rd down percentage has climbed from 39% with Kyler to 57% with Jacoby (which right now is the #1 3rd down completion percentage for a QB in the NFL).
Third and longs with Brissett have been vastly improved. Brissett hangs in the pocket and delivers on passes that go beyond the sticks. Big difference.
The Cardinals' points per game with Brissett at QB has improved from 20.6 to 25.0.
In light of Jacoby Brissett's rejuvenation of a once floundering passing game, the team should stick with him at QB. They should ride the hot hand, so they say.
#1 Improvement Area:
The area that Petzing and Brissett need to improve is their red zone TD percentage.
Recommendations:
1. On 1st downs in the Red Zone, pass the ball. The Cardinals had 1st and goal at the 9-yard line and ran the ball for no gain. They have even taken losses running the ball in that same type of situation. Running the ball in that situation is counter-intuitive in that even if they get 3 yards, when it turns into a 2nd and goal from the 6-yard line, it shrinks the passing area into the end zone. It's often better to take 3 shots into the end zone than be left with only 2 shots at it.
2. Make a more concerted and consistent effort to throw into the end zone rather than settle too often for throwing passes short of it.
3. As a rule, make sure that the best pass rusher on the opposing defense is double teamed on every Red Zone play.
4. Stop swinging RBs out of the backfield and thereby leaving no one to pick up the blitz or first threat to the QB.
The major reason why the Cardinals lost the last two games was due to red zone TD percentages:
Colts: 4-4; Cardinals 3-6
Packers: 3-4; Cardinals 2-4
Red Zone TD percentage is a stat that also should be of utmost concern to the Cardinals' defense, especially considering that 4 of the opponent's TDs the last two weeks have come in 4th quarters. In both games the Cardinals were outscored in the 4th quarter by the identical score of 14-3.
Awesome Mea Culpa by Liam Coen
If you haven't watched the Liam Coen footage of telling his Jaguars' players how he needs to do a better job in the Red Zone, this is what Drew Petzing needs to do in order to get his offense over the next hurdle.
What grade would you give Drew Petzing?
My Grades:
Petzing: C+
Rallis: C-
Gannon: F
F's across the board.
ReplyDelete4th QTR AZ Cards-Can’t finish a drive and can’t stop a drive.
Pathetic, almost non existent situational play calling by an arrogant staff learning on the job.
The lack of any understanding situational football was clear for all to see when J Williams had zero help on Parsons at the end of the game (entire game) when he totally wrecked the game plan. Just plain stupid and failure from an inexperienced coach whose entire offense has regressed in every aspect since the real OC, K Adams, was allowed to leave the building.
No one should expect any epiphany, improvement or success from this organization. The 105 yr culture of losing is safe in the hands another iteration of Bidwill failure.
I would give them all a solid D rating. They have each had moments that make you see what this team could be, but then ultimately fall back to their mediocre approach to series football.
ReplyDeleteThey just don't appear to be able to adjust in game to keep the pressure on an opossing team.
they're all in the same rebuild class at school-Cards, Colts, Pats, Broncos, Seahawks, Chargers,Commanders. Who's coaches have flunked their midterms?
DeleteYou could add the Texans to the list as well but none of those teams are even remotely similar to the rebuild that Monti and JG took on - with Chargers the exception.
DeleteAnd they all have something in common for when things finally turned around for the organization - they hit on a new QB. Either via draft or a reclamation project.
Texans and Commanders rushed it and are paying the price now (and will continue to). Colts have been a perpetual rebuild since Luck and has been incredibly bleak till the last 7 games - in a cupcake division. Seahawks started their rebuild in 21, 2 years before the Cardinals and was greatly enriched with the proceeds of the Wilson trade in 22. They are finally seeing the results from that now only because Darnold looks to be for real. As you well know, the Broncos had it worse than the Cardinals for a couple of years before Payton got it together this year and last.
The Patriots started 2 years before Belichick was fired and would still be at it if the worse year didn't have good qb's in the draft.
The Chargers are the only team that looks to have successfully rebuilt around a qb on a substantial contract without changing qb's. And you could easily argue it started with Staley and not Harbaugh. We are 2 years away from that.
OK, the Chargers are the best example-they hired about as experienced successful HC as any team could hire who brought in a staff of the same ilk. What did MO do?
DeleteJust plain incompetent irresponsible and inexcusable. No question Harbaugh would never work for BidShit, but what's MOs excuse for allowing inexperienced JG to hire inexperienced children to develop his talent (his excuse might be that BidShit has no $$ to pay a top flight staff?).
BTW-Seattle new coach, new staff, new QB- got rid of an ineffective QB and improved the position with a journeyman and an experienced creative playcalling developing OC, Kubiak. They are, after 1+ season 5-2 and in position to win the Division. Cards can't beat them. They did not get a head start, they are much better run organization in every way.
BTW-Texans not messing around fired an underperforming OC and replaced him. No smug "we're close" from that GM
BTW-Pats quickly replaced an underperforming over their heads staff with one of the best proven successful staffs in the League. Also hired one of the smartest young FO to build the roster who was available to BidShit.
BTW-Commanders would look better if their QB was healthy. He's developing, our 7 season QB is regressing along with most of his teammates on offense. WTF are they doing with M Wilson's development after 3 seasons as an example?
You are 1000% correct, a lucky draft QB spot is the ticket to success (Burrow v Murray) so is dumping a poor QB for an ascending one (G Smith for Darnold) but looking at the QBs MO brought in here over his tenure, does he have a clue and can his staff develop one (Tune, Dobbd, Ridder). I'm not giving him much props on an obvious Brissett signing-I could've made that move.
I'll give you this-MO, JG and staff first season was a talentless effort in futility because BidShit had no $$ to spend on talent and they had to shed talent on top of it. I don't excuse them nor feel sorry for them cause they knew they were coming to work for a POS. You lay down with losers....
Absolutely agree that a talented coaching staff and experience is important. But if MO and JG are hiring within the parameters that they are given to work with from Bidwell (which seems to be the case), is it truly an indication of their ability to hire talented coordinators?
DeleteSeattle absolutely had a head start. MacDonald took over a team that was full of talent and high draft picks from the rebuild put in place by Carroll and Robinson. His D-line had more talent in the very first game he ever coached for the team than the Cardinal have today. But they definitely get props for the levers they pulled - which most thought could go sideways.
If the Cardinals had Shroud, how do you think we would be doing today? I don't feel bad for the Texans, if they built their program a little more like MO with Shroud and Ryans, they would be farther ahead now.
Patriots do deserve Kudos. But Maye certainly helps.
If the Commanders deserve some latitude for their injuries, shouldn't the Cardinals? We are more injured than they are including our quarterback.
I do believe that JG, NR and DP are talented coaches - albeit with growing pains.
Fair enough.JG, NR and DP certainly have some talent. Yet, experience in their current roles? None. Their growing pain is mostly felt by the fans.
DeleteNo one could disagree that the, ahem, "Owner" had to put limits on their staff and FA payroll. It's what he does.
I took a look back at a lot of articles re hot coaching and GM prospects back in 2023-23. None of our guys were highly regarded. In fact, MO wasn't BidShit's 1st choice and MO was passed over by the Titans after 3 seasons in the FO. In fact , it's on the record that MO, as Titans Dir of Player Personnel, wasn't hired as GM due to the significant underperformance and outright failure of the team's draft classes from 2020 to 2022.
JG-Several media outlets graded the Gannon hire as the worst of the 2023 offseason, citing concerns over his resume, the team's messy situation with quarterback Kyler Murray, and the failed Super Bowl performance. His selection of an OC was even more questioned at the time by the media.
Hard to debate that
DeleteMonti was an abject failure of a hire and should’ve never even been in consideration for the job but he’s a perfect yes man to Mikey which is why he was able to find his way into getting hired.
DeleteAtm he’s the only F grade in the building, along with Mikey and Kyler. Him and Kyler must go. The coaching staff he’s put together is even worse than the roster he’s bungled. He’s in way over his head and I’d not be worried about a lesser performance from just about anyone so no concern about who the next guy could be, he can’t be any worse than Monti. I’d rather have Keim come out of retirement.
JG- D-
Petzing - D
Rallis - D+
I don’t disagree with Walt all that often but did above when he said the offense has carried the team. I’m not seeing that as reality—-21ppg simply doesn’t meet the weight of carrying. The defense last 24 games has been approx 21-22ppg given up iirc, and has kept us in a significant amount of ball games. Not to say the defense is carrying because they’re not which is why I’ve got Rallis at a D+. It’s been bad football all around.
Petzing I had as an F prior to Brissett coming in and playing a sort of devils advocate to things. Realistically it’s too small of a sample size to truly move the needle but it’s certainly moved the needle in my train of thought on him. However the fact he’s not been able to coach Murray up and get the most out of the guy was a big part of his role and he’s been a failure at that. Of course I believe Murray bears most of that responsibility but I do believe there’s coaches who’d have gotten a hell of a lot more out of him. It’s been asked “why did we hire Petzing of all people?” when he certainly was a poor system fit for Kyler. Very likely, much like with Gannon, is there just wasn’t a lot of people that wanted to come work for Mikey.
Ultimately there’s not one good excuse for our 4-11 record over the last 15 and being the least impressive team in the entire nfc. Murray and all the coaches + personnel staff need to go in order to ever have a team that’s built to consistently win more games than they lose.
For the record, BBRY, this is what I was alluding to:
Delete2023: Offense ranked #25; Defense ranked #32
2024: Offense ranked #7; Defense ranked #23
2025: Offense ranks #21; Defense ranks #27
I hear ya Walt! Perhaps I’m taking an overly simplistic view of things in chunking it down to ppg
DeleteProgram Year Three D-. The Kyler and offensive issues have taken the majority of everyone's attention. Its taken the spot light off of other glaring issues with the team...poor division record, prime time melt downs and situational coaching. Instead of being in the mix of things this year we are in a five game free fall. This team is on the ropes headed into a MNF show down which has most fans cringing. If the Cowboys mop the floor with us the only thing we can look forward to is when this entire coaching staff gets shown the door.
ReplyDeleteGood point. For so many fans all the seems to matter are Kyler (whom the begged MB to give him his bag) and Marv (whom they wanted the team to tank for).
DeletePetzing: C
ReplyDeleteRallis: C
Gannon: C
Ossenfort - D
Bidwill - F
The main issue for DP is that he hasn't been able to get good production out of Kyler. It's true that Kyler was a bad fit for his system, but if DP was actually a good coordinator, he'd adjust his system to fit the personnel. The fact that he hasn't done that shows he will never be above mediocre. What's more is the system doesn't appear to be all that good anyway. Why are we importing the Stefanski system that couldn't make it work with Baker Mayfield, who is now lighting up the league?
ReplyDeletePetzing's offense without Klayton Adams means the Cardinals now have to put greater time and effort into their passing game, particularly from the pocket and off play action. Brissett is the better fit for this role.
DeleteNo disputing that. It is just a shame that DP insists on running a system that can't work with the QB that he was tasked to coach from day 1. While I am firmly in the move on from Kyler camp, I still think it is important to point out that this same system didn't work with Baker Mayfield and he clearly has shown since then that he is elite.
DeleteActually, Baker Mayfield took the Browns to its only playoff appearance and beat the Steelers on the road. The next season, as we saw, he tried to play through a painful shoulder injury and struggled --- and the Browns didn't want to invest in him. That said, Baker Mayfield is in a class of tough, relentless QBs that is quite separate from the likes of Kyler Murray.
DeleteI have been as disappointed as everyone else but simply don't get the call for heads to roll. Certainly seems erratic and impulsive to be calling for a house cleaning at this point.
ReplyDeleteWe just when toe to toe with 2 superbowl contenders with our back up qb. We have more players this year on IR or PUP than every other team in the NFC West combined, including SF. However, we also have depth like we haven't seen in years and this has given us a chance in every game. We could be 7-0 as easily as we could be 0-7.
If we are saying the coaches are terrible and are not capable of finishing the games, than we are implying that the team is talented and shouldn't be losing the games. This would indicate that the roster is a strength and MO should get an A+ for the job he has done putting the roster together, especially considering the injuries we are dealing with (F for conditioning staff).
If we are saying MO gets an F and needs to be fired because the roster is so poor after 2 plus years, than the coaching staff should all get A+'s for keeping us in the games with nothing to work with.
The roster is talented. But the GM's coaching decisions, imo, cannot be excused. I want a new guy with a much better plan.
DeleteI would agree but the next person will likely have the same parameters as this regime. Nothing will change until that does.
DeleteGood stuff NSCard!
DeleteEvery roster in the nfl is talented. The Cards, after 15 top 100 picks in 3 years, should have a top 1-5 young core in the league and atm we’re getting zero impact play from non top 10 picks + Will Johnson. Giving MHJ credit for “impact play” is a bit of a reach considering he was the first position player off the board in the entire draft but I’ll give the credit anyhow despite his underwhelming performance.
DeleteI’ll give Monti plenty of credit for ending WJ free fall in the draft but the guy is a legitimate red flag for injury. He’s missed 2 games already, which is 29% and until I see him play 60+/68 games over his rookie deal its hard to tell what to make of it. Garrett Williams is an example of why—-talented young player who also came with a serious injury flag which has materialized into reality. Is he someone you want to invest 4/80M+ into when he’s up for free agency? I don’t imagine that to be prudent and could see WJ being a guy who you’ve got to make a similar scary decision on. Talented no doubt but some teams don’t take those risks in rounds 1-3 and it’s very clear why. Monti thinks he’s smarter than everyone in the league which is why he takes the risks and makes such head scratching reaches. It’s very Keim-esque. You’d almost think they were related.
We’re on the same page, definitely want a new guy with a much better plan. Someone with a bit of natural talent for evaluation. Not another guy who just stick around for a couple decades moving their way up from volunteer doorman at the team HQ like Keim and Monti did. Kudos to the perseverance involved moving their way up but yet and still, not the path of our next GM please.
One last tbing and I understand it’s early. Out of all Monti 25 picks there is only ONE that has shown themselves deserving of a significant contract that wouldn’t come with any significant concerns—-PJJ. You’d figure with 15 top 100 picks there’s be a plethora of young guys the fan base wouldve fallen in love with but at this point PJJ is the only one who whose been consistently solid. We got used to Keim botching frp so we’re sort of ambivalent to it all but a GM hitting on the #6 should be the bottom of the baseline of expectations, not the only thing they can take to the bank. We should be an ascending juggernaut of youth with those 25 picks, 15 top 100—instead the best wr can say is “the roster has talent”. Well shit id hope so, 15 top 100 picks is an absurd amount of high end drsft capital. Damn near every single one of them is either underperforming, injured or both. It’s tragic mismanagement
DeleteNo argument there. Will Hernández is the only guy on the line whose not lacking in strength relative to the guys he’s going up against so it’s no surprise we’re consistently bullied at the point of attack.
DeleteA little late to the party!
ReplyDeleteGrades:
MO - D > While he added talent, he also hired JG as his head coach, his draft selections are head scratching and haven't been developed at all. Two #1 draft selections placed on IR shouldnt really reflect on the GM but I feel like there is some 'trickery' going on with Cardinals staff wasting these players.
JG - F > No in-game adjustments, no development of coaches or players, a defensive-minded head coach who has one of worst defenses in league, failures in 4th Quarters boil down to his lack of aggressiveness and playing not-to lose.
DP - D > lack of QB development and adjusting scheme to best fit his leader on offense.
NR - D > $4th Qtr failures in every game this year.
Mikey - F > 'nuff said already, its a tired and worn-out assessment of the Bidwill family record.
You're never late to the party Buddy and the party is always better with you. Appreciate your thoughts and opinions
DeleteWhile I understand your point about Petzing adjusting his scheme to Kyler's talents, in Petzing's defense he was hired to run his system, the one he knows like the back of his hand but lacks the OC experience and diversity to overhaul certain aspects of it. MOJO hired DP to do "his thing." Kyler was the one who was supposed to assimilate and adapt. The last two weeks, as I predicted, we saw how DP's offense is supposed to quarterbacked. I would give Petzing a B+ for the last two weeks and feel that in light of having the #7 ranked offense last year (albeit with Klayton Adams as OLC), Petzing deserves at least a C/C+.
Delete2024 PFF Team Offense grade: Cardinals 81.2, tied with BUF for #7.
DeleteAgree Walter no question that DPs offense should improve KMs play, specifically from the pocket. He has improved but not enough.
DeleteThen there's the matter of regressing to pathetic OL play. DP has coaching issues beyond his QB's play. I've got PCSD (poor coaching stress disorder) from DPs complete failure to chip or double team Parsons last week which gives him an F. I have lost all confidence in him.
I personally believe good coaches make their players better by adjusting schemes and play-calling to match the players they have. I was debating a "C" rating (2024 he would have received a C-C+) to begin with due to the Jacoby-effect as you say showing team is better without Kyler (FYI , not included in this grading is KM who gets a D- only saving grace is his athleticism plays). But as I look at Petzing's player development (Harrison, Wilson, Benson, etc.) he has not done his job. Adams departure showed how much Petzing relied upon Adams for player development in run-game and O-line play (both of which are struggling without Adams in building). My opinion is it is Gannons lack of involvement "arrogance" trickling down to his OC & DC also feeling like they don't need to address the basics like blocking and tackling. Those are points which I feel deserving of a D grade. It is year 3 of tenure, we should not be having problems we are as a team.
DeleteI am in-favor of full regime change. Change in ownership would result most effective culture and long-term competitiveness. That is not going to happen. So even another full regime change will not make impacts necessary. We will just get a run back with same results leading to yet another regime change after another. Until Bidwills' ownership tenure ends, I doubt there will be any long term success are change in dysfunctional culture.
For what is worth Bidwill is the real driving force of the organization. When Wilks was fired and Kingsbury was brought in as Head Coach was/is what led to regime chaos. Who brings in an HC and undermines his entire tenure. Bidwill/Keim thought they would be head-coach in-fact. A major ownership blunder. They could have brought Kliff in as a OC and hired a real HC with experience. But nobody wanted to be the head coach then or now under Cardinals owner. Then again outside Arians & Coryell there have not been a lot of quality at head coach position in Cardinals storied history. I once hoped and had higher expectations of Mikey as a replacement to his father, unfortunately Mikey has not raised the bar of the team.
100% correct and 1000% sad
DeleteHey guys, we are taping a Red Rain tomorrow morning at 6:30 am AZ time. If you have any questions or thoughts that you would like us to cover, please express them here. We love tapping into your input.
ReplyDeleteNever to early to talk draft. What QBs do you like this year and what are your top 3 positions we need to target?
DeleteIn line with Flash87, who do you see as potential candidates the Cardinals should look at for HC, OC, and DC?
DeleteHaving seen the Cardinals play very well at times and with ever game coming down to the wire, we are currently 2 - 5. Knowing that a bounce here or there (or holding onto the ball for another 8 to 10 inches before you let it go) could be the difference between our record being anywhere from 7 - 0 to 0 - 7, I always wonder about if things played out differently.
DeleteIf the Cardinals were 5 - 2 today, how would your opinion of the coaching staff differ?
What would need to happen in the next five to ten weeks for you to think this regime and coaching staff deserves another year? What moves would the front office have made or results achieved for you to believe we need to stay the course?
Does karma and momentum really ever play a roll in a football game?
What are. our weakest position groups? Who can be traded, and upcoming prospects FA or draft.
DeleteWe were taping while this was asked. Great question, Redrun. I think we answered this pretty well in the podcast. My hunch is if they can get value for Kyler, Budda, Calais, Dalvin, JT and/or Zaven, they would take it, particularly if it opens up more cap room for 2026.
DeleteWeakest positions: RT, LG, RG, NT, MLB, ED, WR.
When do you think Bidwill would be willing to move on from Kyler? We all know MBs cheap and he's still paying K2 so when do you think Bidwill will move on from Kyler. MB has to be hearing and feeling the pressure from outraged fans about the whole situation.
ReplyDeleteI have heard that the coaches think Kyler doesn't fit their system the way a sturdier pocket and play action passer would. If they get a decent offer for Kyler before Tuesday November 4 at 4 PM EDT, then they would take it.
DeleteAnd as you say, Jethro, Bidwill typically wants to please the fans.
Delete