Brightest Cardinals and Most Troubling Defensive Flaws in Hall of Fame Game 

                                                                           graphic courtesy of azcardinals.com


By Walter Mitchell

See the play videos and stats for yourselves:

Carson Beck, QB

https://x.com/ChaseDaniel/status/2085524808456949987?s=20

https://x.com/barstoolsports/status/2085530540870889636?s=20

https://x.com/NFLPerformances/status/2085539234308354147?s=20

• 15/19 (79% completion percentage) • 188 passing yards (led team) • 3 rushing yards • 1 passing TD (led team) • 125.4 passer rating (led team) • 3 scoring drives led (2 TD’s, 1 FG)

Kedon Slovis, QB

9/10, 80%, 106 yards, 1 TD, 144.2 RTG

https://x.com/FightOnRusty/status/2085563570222399562?s=20

https://x.com/DigginBrigham/status/2085554178714206497?s=20

Jalen Brooks, WR

3 catches on 4 targets for 99 yards, 33.3 ave.

https://x.com/NFLPerformances/status/2085547244996964577?s=20

https://x.com/SharpFootball/status/2085530224788193552?s=20

Reggie Virgil, WR

5 catches on 6 targets for 66 yards, 15.3 ave.

https://x.com/Maitland__R/status/2085536501912260661?s=20

https://x.com/TexasTechFB/status/2085563394115907667?s=20

Simi Fehoko, WR, ST

1 catch TD for 5 yards

https://x.com/MySportsUpdate/status/2085531642664300726?s=20

Bryson Green, WR

1 catch TD for 1 yard

https://x.com/NFLPlus/status/2085564446727131279?s=20

Harrison Wallace III, WR

2 catches on 2 targets for 34 yards. 17.0 ave.

https://x.com/DigginBrigham/status/2085554178714206497?s=20

Matt Fryar, T, Chase Bisontis, G, Jon Gaines II, C

https://x.com/frankZONEa/status/2085552294687539387?s=20

https://x.com/iliketofootball/status/2085726282722243030?s=20

Hayden Conner, G, Jayden Williams, T

https://x.com/BreidenFehoko/status/2085524462955344118?s=20

Andrew Billings, NT

https://x.com/desertmotmot/status/2085631076932939867?s=20

https://x.com/brgridiron/status/2085520002774700444?s=20

Austin Keys, LB

https://x.com/SportsFanInAz/status/2085528553345663242?s=20

Elijah Jones, CB

https://x.com/TheAZsportsfan1/status/2084427831950618651?s=20


Boston College CB Elijah Jones this season: 🦅 32% Completion Rate Allowed 🦅 5 INTs | 6 PBUs 🦅 18.1 Passer Rating Allowed 🦅 89.8 Coverage Grade


Clay Fink
@clay_fink
Highest 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 in 2023 Among 𝟒𝟓𝟕 FBS Cornerbacks 1. Elijah Jones (BC) - 90.8 𝟐. 𝐉𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐉𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 (𝐅𝐒𝐔) - 𝟗𝟎.𝟕 𝟑. 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐨 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 (𝐅𝐒𝐔) - 𝟗𝟎.𝟎 4. Tacario Davis (ARIZ) - 89.0 5. Quinyon Mitchell (TOL) - 88.7

Quinton Newsome, CB

https://x.com/SportsFanInAz/status/2085546326557937892?s=20

Glaring Defensive Flaws --- Deja Vu 

I had been hoping that Nick Rallis would play a strict diet of man coverages during the 4 pre-season games. The defense last night was much better off when Rallis played man. Austin Keys and Owen Pappoe were sticky on TEs and RBs. 

But once again, any time the opponents needed a big conversion or TD pass, the tight ends and RBs were wide open. 

Fans will say "pipe down it's only 2nd and 3rd stringers playing in meaningless pre-season games."

Except --- this is the way Nick Rallis coaches and gives up so easily with his starters. 

Game Winning TD

https://x.com/pigskinpetey/status/2085678348982702118?s=20

On the final play of the game, the TV booth knew the play was going to be a QB draw by Haynes King, which King had previously burned the Cardinals with on a 3rd and long 26-yard run. 

The Cardinals had two timeouts left. Why not use a timeout to get the coverage assignments 100% understood and to designate a spy on King with also instructing the two DTs to stay in their lanes, chuck their blocks and try everything they can to take down the QB?

Mike LaFleur said all week that the Panthers and the Cardinals will be playing hard to win the game. Why not, with the game on the line, make the smart coaching move of calling a timeout? 

Accolades:

Offensive MVP Carson Beck (15/19, 79%, 188 yards, 1 TD, 125.4 RTG)

Defensive MVPs Andrew Billings (4 tackles, 2 solo, 1 sack, 2 TFL), Austin Keys (11 tackles, 7 solo, 1 TFL, 2 PD)

Special Teams; MVPs: Chad Ryland (3/3 FG, 3/3 XPT), Blake Gillikin (1 punt 55 yards pinned on CARs 3 yard line

Mike LaFleur and the entire offensive coaching staff Stat to Gawk at:

Carson Beck and Kedon Slovis combined:

24/29, 83%, 282 yards, 10.1 APA, 2 TDs, 0 ints. 131.9 RTG, 30 points

Rushing game, no clouch either: 34 carries, 143 yards, 4.2 ave., 1 TD


Walter B J Mitchell
@WBJMItch
Boost
This Cardinals' vertical passing game layered with intermediate crossers, plus sideline hole shots and a host of RB checkdowns is vintage BA v. 2, welcome back to the future!
Quote
Walter B J Mitchell
@WBJMItch
Man, this Cardinals vertical passing game mixed with RB checkdowns is potent! x.com/SportsFanInAz/…
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Really fun games to watch, maybe the most exciting HOF game in quite some time, which seems fitting on the eve of the "Hail Larry" (plus Luke, Drew, Adam and Roger) Hall of Fame Weekend.







Comments

  1. TMAttyAugust 7, 2026 at 10:48 AM

    The game really bolstered my hopes for the offense, but reinforced my fears for the defense. Are we going to be in a lot of shootouts?

    Most importantly, does this move the needle on your opinion of Beck? Could we see him even earlier in the season if he keeps this up and if we don't see some early season wins?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Walter MitchellAugust 7, 2026 at 11:26 AM

      We need to see, TMatty, how Carson Beck plays with the 1st Team. That needs to start by giving him some 1st team reps in practice, while having him keep improving the 2nd team. Make it competitive. That could be great for Jacoby, Carson and the team.

      Delete
  2. Since 61August 7, 2026 at 11:57 AM

    Wide-zone runs setting up boot and play-action, pre-snap motion to ID the coverage, and timing routes where the dump to the back isn't a panic button, it's the last read in the progression. That's why Beck looked so composed: the system tells him where to go and gets the ball out on rhythm. Those sideline double-moves off the pump fake were the cherry — scheme and a QB who already trusts it.
    Let's see if it travels next Thursday in Vegas against bodies that'll actually be on a 53.
    Lots to discuss on todays RedRain Podcast

    ReplyDelete
  3. sneakyjobuAugust 8, 2026 at 9:09 AM

    Carson and the offense looked sharp, this could be a top 15 offense this year regardless of who plays QB but the defense is certainly the biggest unknown. Rallis atleast needs to learn how to become more aggressive dialing up blitzes if the back end is not going to be playing good coverage.

    ReplyDelete
  4. RedrunAugust 8, 2026 at 11:04 AM

    I missed the game as I was traveling all week for work. So I appreciate the breakdown. It is our first pre-season game so much still to be determined and we didnt see 1st team really by either team. walter, I agree with you regarding Rallis. He hasn't shown an ability to match his defense to players and development. Its been 3yrs going on his forth season with players and he is still struggling to have a competent defensive unit - The DL still seems to be an issue, and DB's are still playing soft-zones. When will we see an aggressive defense that can stop an offensive drive. It is still my assumption that he may be the next scapegoat to blame.

    ReplyDelete

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