Gannon Losing It
photo: @yahoosports.com
By Walter Mitchell
What Jonathan Gannon did by getting physical with RB Emari Demercado on the sidelines after Demercado did the inexcusable by dropping the football short of the goal line was inexcusable.
Exactly. Suz. A line was crossed when Gannon got physical with Emari. What likely happened is Michael Bidwill negotiated one of his patented quid pro quos with the NFLPA for the Cardinals to fine Gannon $100K instead of him having to face a possible 1 game suspension. The $100K figure is a clear indication of how serious Gannon's actions were with regard to the NFLPA and the NFL.
This morning in the Boston Globe they revealed that "two people who requested anonymity" reported the Cardinals' fining of Gannon to the tune of $100,000. What that means is --- the two anonymous people were speaking on the behalf of the NFLPA and/or the NFL.
For those of you who feel incensed by Jonathan Gannon having to be the one fined and punished, rather than Emari Demercado, you will find yourself at odds with the number of NFL players, present and former who said that Gannon's actions were egregious.
What no one seems to be talking about beyond Gannon being fined by his own owner, is what kind of ripple effect Gannon's striking of Demercado apparently had on the football team. At the time of the sideline incident, where, by the way, the coolest heads on the sidelines, Paris Johnson Jr. and Will Hernandez, were doing his utter best to console his teammate, the Cardinals were still up 21-6.
Gannon created the precise kind of diversion that seasoned coaches know could very well take the players' and coaches' minds off the game while they are still trying to finish the game. During the remainder of the 4th quarter, while some bounces didn't go the Cardinals' way, the team, by virtue of the number of critical mistakes they made turning what looked like a safe 21-6 lead into an unthinkable 22-21 loss, looked and played like they were distracted.
What About Emari?
How in the world could Emari have dropped the football an inch short of the goal line?
Or did he?
Did the review booth see this angle? Once the ball crosses the plane with the ball in his hand, it's a TD.
Regardless, it should have never been this close. And with that understood, Emari took full responsibility for it.
Yet, perhaps what transpired here stems back to what happened during the prep week.
When the players were told that Michael Carter had finally been promoted to the 53-man roster, they burst into applause --- which seemed like a mixture of genuine happiness for Carter, but also in the form of a Bronx cheer toward the organization for not duly awarding Carter with a roster spot from the get-go, now two years in a row.
Then, during what was one of the most bizarre press conferences imaginable, despite the coaches already saying that they were going to see what happens in practice before deciding on which RB would start the game, Michael Carter is laughing at the fact that he was being added to the roster as this week's starting running back.
If you are Emari Demercado, how does this make you feel?
In 2022, Emari Demercado, in his senior season, was the second fiddle at TCU behind Kendre Miller. Yet, in TCU's stunning 51-45 upset win over Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, Emari rushed for 150 yards (versus arguably the best defense in college football) and 1 TD. He also was the only bright spot for TCU's offense in the Championship Game versus Georgia rushing for 59 yards at 4.2 yards per carry.
As an undrafted rookie for the Cardinals and one of Monti Ossenfort's best CFA signings, Emari made the team's 53-man roster, thanks to his ability to rush between the tackles and to stop blitzers stone cold in the tracks on passing downs.
When James Conner was out for a couple of games in 2023, Emari played very well in his two starts against Seattle away and Baltimore at home, combining for 136 rushing yards at 4.1 yards per carry. He finished the season rushing 58 times for 284 yards (4.9 ypc) with 2 TDs and catching 21 passes for 119 yards.
Once again, imagine what it would have been like for Emari Demercado to learn during the next NFL draft that the Cardinals selected Trey Benson in Round 3. And that they signed UFA RB DeeJay Dallas to a 3-year deal.
Obviously, the Cardinals GM and coaches were pigeonholing Emari Demercado as strictly a 3rd-down back. So here he goes from being a productive RB2 as a rookie to being on the roster bubble in his 2nd year.
The profound irony is that Monti drafted Trey Benson to be the "breakaway back" they wanted to compliment James Conner, when Emari Demercado has been the most dynamic breakaway back the Cardinals have had in a long, long time.
Cases in point: (feat your eyes on these)
Here's his coach's breakdown of Emari's 49-yard TD run versus the 49ers:
This is remarkably explosive playmaking on Emari's part.
So, let's go back to the coaches' decision to make Michael Carter the starter.
Who is the better RB for running between the tackles?
Emari Demercado (career to date): 596 yards rushing, 6.1 yards per carry, 2 TDs, 236 yards receiving, 1 TD
This is why it wouldn't be a surprise to think that as Emari Demercado was inches from the goal line he was thinking "what do I have to do to convince the coaches that I deserve the rock in my hands?"
It's kind of reminiscent of the time in 2023 when Greg Dortch made a big play versus the Eagles and Jonathan Gannon tried to hug him on the sidelines. Dortch was looking at him like, "Dude, you been ignoring me all year and now you want to hug me?"
Part of the reason why Jonathan Gannon and his inexperienced staff are losing the locker room is how they pigeonhole a number of their players --- which tells the players how little they are believed in.
Competitive players like Emari Demercado take this shit personally.
They think the coaches are fricking with their livelihoods.
Gannon's actions did him and the team no favors and neither did his words.
So, let's get this straight. Kyler post-game says all chagrinned, "I just run the play that's called." Today, Gannon indicates it was Petzing's call but "we both didn't like the play call." So, Gannon is standing there with a couple of timeouts in his pocket and does nothing. And then he has the temerity to indicate that Petzing could have called the timeout. Think any of the other NFC West head coaches, OCs and QBs operate in this fashion? This is exactly what coaching inexperience and the arrogance/ignorance of having no senior advisors who understand the import of the 3rd and 8 situation looks like. Plus, all of the other NFC West head coaches call the plays on their side of the ball and take full ownership and responsibility for it.
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Very interesting to note how both Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray made sure to make it clear that Drew Petzing called the 3rd and 8.
How convenient it is for both Gannon and Murray to have Petzing as a scapegoat, even though a couple off weeks ago against the Seahawks, Gannon claimed that Petzing had called "his best game of the season."
Also very interesting to obtain more evidence of how little an impact and influence Jonathan Gannon has on the sidelines. Of course, when it's his coordinators' decisions in question, Gannon can avoid the blame.
This validates the question that many of us have been asking --- what special attributes does Jonathan Gannon bring to the team in key in-game situations and the all-important adjustments that affect the outcomes of the games?
What do you think the Cardinals' players are feeling about losing games in such an uncannily similar fashion the last three weeks after losing last year in Minnesota pretty much the exact same way?
The current Cardinals' coaches and the QB appear to be incorrigible.
JG keeps saying "we aren't coaching the details well enough," but what details of soft zones at ends of games that he has watched 5 weeks in a row giving Rattler, Young, Jones, Darnold (twice in the last 10 games) and rookie Ward wide open throws and easy catches have anything to do with details? It's the chicken shit scheme with zero tangible adjustments, 5 weeks in a row. What's the definition of insanity?
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Cardinals' going to get stampeded by fast-charging Colts?
Colts' Top 5 on Defense:
1. ED Laiatu Latu --- 91.0
2. CB Charvarius Ward --- 83.4
3. CB Kenny Moore --- 80.8
4. S Camryn Bynum --- 73.7
5. DI DeFoarest Buchner --- 73.6
Colts' Top 5 on Offense:
1. QB Daniel Jones --- 81.0
2. WR Josh Downs --- 79.4
3. G Quenton Nelson --- 77.6
4. TE Tyler Warren --- 72.6
5. C Tanor Bortolini --- 72.0
Overall:
IND - #4
ARI - #26
Offense:
IND - #6
ARI - #26
Defense:
IND - #13
ARI - #23
Special Teams:
IND - #4
ARI - #9
Coaches:
Head Coaches: IND - Sean Steichen (3 years) --- ARI - Jonathan Gannon (3 years)
OCs: IND - Jim Bob Cooter (16 years, 6 years OC) --- ARI Drew Petzing (12 years, 3 years OC)
OL Coaches: IND - Tony Sporano (15 years) --- ARI - Justin Frye (1 year)
DCs: IND - Lou Anarumo (14 years, 8 years DC) --- ARI - Nick Rallis (8 years, 3 years DC)
Defensive Senior Advisors: IND - Matt Raich (22 years) --- ARI --- none
Your thoughts on Gannon, Kyler, Emari, Petzing, Rallis, the $100,000 fine and the Colts game?
Jeff Saturday's reaction to Gannon's fine and apology:
This week turned the spot light off of individual players and refocused it on the underlying issue for this teams record ...coaching. For the third straight week this team was a tale of two halves. From conservative game plans to defensive implosion this team couldn't finish. Gannon is starting to run out of excuses in his third year. There was nothing in this game that indicated we could beat the leagues worst team. We are about to get exposed by some of the better teams in the league.
ReplyDeleteSame old same old, different game, regardless of the opponent --- and yet people are lauding the Cardinals for keeping the games close. That's how low the bar is.
DeleteGannon: To. date Gannon has not shown any head coaching gravitas. He is not tough on players, coaches. He has not shown a penchant for game management. In essence he is more like a lame duck occupying the head coaches seat. What culture shift? I suspect Gannon to have a tough time regaining players trust of Demarcado incident.
ReplyDeleteKyler: He is what he is - a bonehead who can't put team on back or motivate his teammates to get it going. Rather he seems to be one of the problems, willing to give-up on players and games. His accuracy is hit or miss (throwing late). His attitude is questionable. One thing I thought interesting was 'Kyler's Injury' - he looked like he was dazed on the play, comes off field looking confused and out-of-it (this wa same play he took snap to helmet) - I was wondering if Kyler had some kind of head injury on previous play...it didn't appear so, but his actions didn't seem like a 'foot injury'. Its time to trade Kyler for a bag of peanuts! He will never take AZ Cards to promised land.
Emari: Lack of Discipline - I blame coaches for not focusing on fundamentals of the game. Things like tackling, not committing penalties, and holding on to the rock are "fundamentals"
Petzing: His play-calling has sucked all 5-games this year, for three years he has failed to adjust his schemes and playcalling to (a) personnel he actually has (b) adjust in-game plans (c) deficiency of other team (ie taking advantage of opponent weakness)
Rallis: It amazes me how good our Defense has looked for 5-games in first 3 Qtrs only to have all 5-games squandered by that same Defense in every 4th Qtr of games. Something is definitely off. But it would seem correctable with the stellar play for 3Q (it hasn't been Defense being worn out either). Prevent/ Soft-zones must be eliminated from game plan. Insert more man-to-man coverage.
100K: The fine was fine by me, Since the days of Woody Hayes it has been UNACCEPTABLE for a coach to get physical with his player - regardless of the the protective gear a player wears. It is Physical Abuse - if any of us do this on our job we get fired immediately. Double Standards do exist!
Colts: They have looked extremely good the past few weeks. Jonathon taylor might feast on our suspect tackling. Resurgent, Daniel Jones will be best QB we've faced this season. Can our depleted secondary hold out? I expect us to lose this one in bad fashion. Gannon loses locker room.
Terrific and agree on all subjects. Ownership was coached by the NFLPA on the fine and ownership was smart to comply.
DeleteMy thoughts on Gannon, Kyler, Emari, Petzing, Rallis? They'll all be gone end of the season maybe take MO with them. Another failure endured by the fanbase and frankly no great loss.
Who will Bidwill hire next-anyone with prior HC, OC, DC, GM experience or another group of learn on the job scapegoat Yes Men who will work cheap?
Gannon has serious deficiencies. He has tried to turn his job as HC into a sinecure by hiring young coaches who will do whatever he wants and to whom he delegates the onus of responsibility and accountability. While McVay, Shanahan and Macdonald are working their asses off coaching the games, Gannon stands there on the sidelines and basically does nothing. Who gets to do that in today's NFL? Pete Carroll at 74 works the sideline more aggressively, actively involved and intensely focused far more. As fans we are getting scammed. Worst of all, so are the players.
DeleteThe Bidwillian Football experience!
DeleteI'm not certain Bidwill will fire all the staff and trade Kyler. My gut says we will get more excuses (injuries held team back) from their game plans. Bidwill says, "They deserve another chance to prove themselves" and puts out same dysfunctional product.
It matters not WHO Bidwill hires if Bidwill remains in building making any decisions you can rest assured those decisions will lead to another 3-5yr 'rebuild' process, where the PR team blasts out as much positive spin about HOW the Cardinals are 'must watch TV' and to renew season ticket holders.
I've wished for a consistent coaching staff that is able to develop players and having a front-office that can evaluate players better than you or I (it is their 'profession'). Something we have really never seen as Cardinal fans (BA definitely didn't develop players; Coryell, 50yrs ago...did on offense but so much on defense). Rams, 49'rs, and Seahawks have all rebuilt/retooled their teams in past two years and gotten more from their drafts (and FA additions) than Cardinals...it baffles the mind!
The hope we had for changes when Jr took over for daddy has long since faded!
The padding to the family trust remains the only goal of Bidwillian Football.
I think there's a serious lack of character on this team. MO breaking league rules to sign Gannon initially. Gannon for doing that on the eve of a Superbowl. Kyler constantly acting like anytime something bad happens it is always someone else's fault. This has been an issue since long before this regime though. Keim being given a slap on the wrist for his DUI, then violating his suspension and communicating with Wilks when he shouldn't. Or certain guys like Hopkins being given a free pass to skip practices.
ReplyDeleteIt all starts at the top and it is a testament to MBs character or lack thereof that he has a pattern of hiring these types of people.
Unfortunately, Bidwill is the most experienced and winningest football person in the building. How's that for complete and total failure and more of the same after this iteration of Keystone Cops are shown the door.
DeleteMakes you wonder how this team ever had a SB run in the first place? I guess Kurt Warner is so good it was almost enough to cancel out the Bidwill stink.
DeleteWarner is one of the very few players that transcended the permanent stink and stench of ownership. Few coaches have. I can think of only 2-Arians and Coryell. Whisenhunt didn't IMO cause he resisted Warner and coat tailed Warner's excellence.
DeleteAnd in true Bidwillean form, after Warner led the team to its only Halas trophy and its first and only trip to the Super Bowl, Bidwill tried to low ball him on a new contract so badly that Kurt and his wife had to fly to SF to interview with the 49ers before Bidwill upped the ante. But in that process, Warner has said it took some of the wind out of his sails. Has there ever been an NFL organization so utterly pathetic in trying to sustain what little success they've had?
DeleteHas there ever been an NFL organization so utterly pathetic in trying to sustain what little success they've had?
DeleteYou might think there is some design / conspiracy theory behind the 50yr run of ineptitude.
You are so correct, UFan. The organization far ages has lacked class and integrity from the top on down. It's trickle-down football-nomics. And just like in today's politics, lying and deceiving has always been the norm. Cases in point with Gannon. Not only did he lie (and say no) when he was confronted about taking a call from Monti and the Cardinals about the HC opening during the forbidden Super Bowl prep weeks, when he talked on Monday about his sideline behavior, he said he hadn't watched the incident on tape. I mean if anyone found out there was a video going viral about an egregious act you were on tape committing, would you choose not to watch the video? It's absurd for anyone to believe Gannon didn't rush to his phone to watch the video. This --- while his owner was trying to get the NFLPA and NFL to agree to a quid pro quo so as to mitigate Gannon's punishment --- and Gannon wants everyone to believe he never watched the viral video? He thinks he can fool people left and right.
DeleteDon’t forget the way he lied right to Josh Dobbs face.
DeleteIf I hadn’t taken such a dissociative mindset towards this organization all the nuances you’ve hit on would make my blood boil. The fact Gannon isn’t calling the defense is just flat out wrong. If Rallis is a better defensive play caller then Gannon has no biz being HC, getting paid more etc. If Rallis isn’t, then it’s malpractice our most talented defensive mind on payroll isn’t calling the game.
ReplyDeleteSo to share a different perspective that some of us fans, just as loyal as most Cardinals fans who have offered their opinions, but just don’t share the vitriol that the only player who shares responsibility for the current situation is Kyler. In the 5 games played, the offense, for as conservative and disfumctional as it’s been, has given the defense a lead to defend 4 out of 5 games. In the 5th game the offense stormed back and tied the game, another game the defense couldn’t defend. Starting with the three losses, in the San Francisco game, Harrison dropped a 50 year gain and possibly a touchdown. Dimarcado dropped a touchdown 7 yards from the end zone, had the angle on the only player that could have stopped the touchdown, just one player to beat. Jones dropped a third down pass that would have kept San Francisco from having any chance to win. Can’t blame that on Kyler. There are other culprits. Including the uber conservative run first philosophy. A philosophy that can work if the offensive line functioned as it did for the last two years. A philosophy that can work if the defense puts pressure on the opposing quarterbacks late in the games. Rallis, the mad genius who got more sacks from his prior defenses without the current talent, has reverted to the Eagles philosophy of rush 4 and if we don’t get the pressure with that, we’ll just let the QB have all day to pick our zone coverage apart. I not sure if that rush 4 on those final drives is coming from Rallis or Gannon but it sure ain’t coming from Kyler. The Seattle game, the offense ties the game with 28 seconds, has all the momentum, and Gannon calls for a short kick showing what lack of trust he has in his special teams, or maybe he thought he was smarter than the other teams coaches and he could fool them. And again the soft 4 man rush of the defense give up the lead as time expires. That wasn’t Kyler’s doing either. And Sunday against the Titans, the offense gives the defense a lead to hold and the 4 man rush and soft zone coverage did exactly what it has done the prior two weeks. Lose the game. That’s not Kyler’s fault. And to be perfectly frank about what lead to that, the lack of trust that Gannon and his offensive coordinator Petzing has for Kyler, McBride, Harrison, is baffling. Except is it the lack of trust they have in the offensive line which is making a 4 man rush look like a full blitz every time Kyler goes back to pass. What has happened to our offensive line production. And please don’t throw up stats saying PFW stats say they are a top ten protection unit. Kyle’s ability to avoid the rush is the only saving grace. And remember this is the same line as last year end of season. Finally the personal that was hired from the 2024 free agency has been non existent. 15,000,000 for Williams, 9,000,000 for Jones, 6,000,000 for Nichols, a total of 30,000,000. What a travesty. The draft has become a travesty. Our GM is so smart he can continually wheel and deal and trade back and outsmart every other GM in the NFL. We walked away from multiple CB’s to draft Melton. A projected late second or early third round pick. The Roberson pick is turning out to be a disaster. The 4 third round picks a disaster. The list goes on and on. And you sure can’t blame Kyler for that. Finally something I and other will agree with you on, because of the lack of trust, because of the desire to have your QB be a game manager, running a boring offense, because of the lack of imagination constructing the offense, please trade Kyler, let him move on, and swap him for Gino Smith and a whatever pick you can get. Their salaries are close for 2025 and you can move on from Gino for 18,000,000 next year. Do it now because this blame Kyler as the only player who is culpable for the disaster just ain’t fair and it sounds like a broken record. Very sorry to rain on your party. I won’t do it again.
ReplyDelete