Mike Triplett misses the point
 

Makes some good points about Jimmy Graham being missed and is correct about our redzone woes, however he is completely of base when talking about the defense.

This defense played fairly well and if not for some awful calls by the refs they would have played much better. Blaming this loss on the defense or even comparing it to last years is idiotic.

1-4 in the redzone is what lost this game.

New Orleans Saints falter in red zone in first game minus Jimmy Graham - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN

Re: Mike Triplett misses the point
 

Our defense was a little better in the second half, but here's major problem about today. The cardinals have one of the worst O-lines in football and, an old, statue QB coming off his second major knee injury, and we had ZERO SACKS. We're not going to get any better opportunities than we had today to get to the QB and we still couldn't do it.

There were some questionable calls, but Breaux was holding all day. He was just awful.

Brees looks exactly the same. All this hoopla about getting his mechanics back proved to be nothing more than hype. He still stares down receivers, especially when we try to run those WR screens... Telegraphs those. The blocking on those plays was also really bad, but that tends to happen when the defense can see it coming. I've been saying it's less mechanical as it is decisions and execution.

I have never gotten the hype about Coleman's alleged potential. He's big... ok... Anything else? Colston drops almost everything that touches his hands. He's been in decline for a long time. He just looks like a plug in our offense now.

If that seems like a rant, believe that is the tame version of what I think. The cardinals have a good defense, so We'll have better days offensively, but if we were hoping get to the playoffs and actually go somewhere, we need to show a little more competence, even against a good defense.

Lastly, while I mentioned Brees staring down receivers giving plays away, it is equally true that the play calling got very predictable. SOOO many screens. We busted a couple, but most of the day those were drive killers.

Re: Mike Triplett misses the point
 

He is way off the mark as it relates to the defense.

Re: Mike Triplett misses the point
 

awful calls? I thought the calls were spot on. I didn't see any calls that were horrible. They were certainly earned. But I can see the game plan to beat us is to just lob the ball up towards who ever is covering #40.

Re: Mike Triplett misses the point
 

Fair criticisms...

Re: Mike Triplett misses the point
 

If Spiller and Lewis get healthy, a lot of the coaching will look better.

Re: Mike Triplett misses the point
 

I have to agree with Triplett on the defense. They were really bad today. Yes, they had a nice little stretch in the middle of the game but that was it. They got shredded for 427 yards and 31 points against a mediocre at best offense. The defense also made zero plays in the 4th quarter. Arizona is a defensive minded team whose season high last year was 31 points. They only had 2 games where they scored in the 30's all of last year (their other one was exactly 30). Arizona was 24th last year in points averaging 19.4 ppg and 24th in the league with 319.8 ypg. It's not like our offense was turning it over and giving them great field position. It's not like they got points off special teams. This was just simply the cards offense dominating our defense. We couldn't stop their passing game or the run. If we are thinking this was a good effort by our defense then we are in trouble because there are a lot of other offenses out there on our schedule who are much more dangerous.

With all that being said, I hope we can get some guys back and the defense will improve. I really think getting Lewis and a healthy Byrd back could make this defense solid. I did see signs of potential but if I'm evaluating the game as a whole, I'd say it was a bad performance from the defense.

Re: Mike Triplett misses the point
 

I disagree as well....the only thing mediocre about the Cards Offense is their o line...they have plenty of speed on offense, a good QB when healthy, and height. But pressure is key...we have got to figure out a way to get in the qbs face....if not they need to be putting their hands up to block passing lanes...

Re: Mike Triplett misses the point
 

Their offense was very good until Palmer got hurt....then they couldn't buy a first down.

Re: Mike Triplett misses the point
 

Your comparison to them last year is completely irrelevant because they didn't have Palmer.

Bottom line, the D didn't look as bad as the offense. The D also didn't look as bad as last year which is what Triplett was comparing them to.

Re: Mike Triplett misses the point
 

In games Palmer played last year they scored 30 once. I don't know how you can call their offense "very good." Maybe we have different expectations. I thought the defense was bad today. I thought the offense was bad today. I thought the coaching was bad today. Doesn't mean we can't improve in these areas but for this game, I wasn't impressed with any area of this team.

Re: Mike Triplett misses the point
 

Not sure where I said their offense was very good.

Don't be mistaken, I don't think the D played well, but they defiantly looked better than last year and considering we are missing some key starters in addition to having 5 rookies playing I think the potential for them to be good exists.

I am mostly disappointed with the offense. Payton's play-calling was once again pretty pathetic. He let's Carmichael call plays all preseason then takes over now... Just leave it alone Payton...

Re: Mike Triplett misses the point
 

With their defense they don't really need to score 30...but we do and we do. The problem is that we are too predictable and will have a hard time scoring 30 points with this offense...we don't scare anyone anymore..

Re: Mike Triplett misses the point
 

The other guy I quoted said "really good." I agree there seems to be potential and I am more excited about the defense this year than last year that's for sure. We're young and it showed today. I think if Lewis and Byrd can come back healthy we will see a much improved defense. However, while I did see some signs of potential I'm not going to pat them on back. They gotta do a better job, especially closing out games.

Agreed the offense and play calling was awful. I have major concerns about our WR's this year and I think that was a huge position our front office overlooked this off season.

I guess while I liked a few things I saw, I still as a whole wasn't thrilled with our offense or defense.

Re: Mike Triplett misses the point
 

The only bright spot for the D was their effort and desire. Hope they can convert that into results at some point.

Re: Mike Triplett misses the point
 

Hocker was awesome in the kicking dept ;).

Re: Mike Triplett misses the point
 

Agreed. I was FAR more frustrated with the Offensive performance than the defense.

For what it's worth I still think we're going 10-6 but we're going to lose a few more early until we get healthy and get a few games as a true team under our belt.

:bng: