How skittish coaching decisions and QB play did in the Arizona Crows
If crows have ever visited your back yard, you know how awfully skittish they are. Heck, in my back yard, the crows get routinely chased away by the squirrels.
Yesterday, the Arizona Crows, from the coaches to the team’s mercurial quarterback, got whooshed away by a feisty flock of ospreys, to the delight of the flocks of Seattle fans happily assembled at State Farm Stadium clad in blue, gray and neon green.
Skittish post-bye week personnel decisions:
Why are Cards so out of sync after the bye? During the 4 game W streak, the defense was playing by far its best ball with Garrett, Max, Star, Budda and Rabbit. Offensive line had best chemistry by far with PJJ, Evan, Fro, TC and Beach. Why make any changes? Why coach so chicken…
— Walter B J Mitchell (@WBJMItch) December 9, 2024
This is a chemistry lesson.
When the chemistry is good, you don’t change the formula.
The defense was playing more aggressive, instinctive and faster.
The offensive line was playing in unison like steel-forged links in a chain.
Skittishly passive in-game coaching decisions:
Cardinals’ coaching is so passive it’s stupid. Down 9 on 3rd and 3, you have 2 downs to get 3 yards. If you take a deep shot and miss, you still have to go for the 3 yards. If it’s 8 or 9 yards, kick the FG. Getting the TD first with 7 minutes left in game is paramount. Can’t…
— Walter B J Mitchell (@WBJMItch) December 9, 2024
Jonathan Gannon and Drew Petzing clearly do not trust their QB or their offense to convert on 4th and 3 —- eschewing the option to go for it with the offense driving, two games in a row now with the games on the line.
The way Gannon and Petzing have been coaching Kyler Murray is akin to how some coaches cautiously treat rookie QBs. Similar to the way Gannon and Petzing have treated the rookie WR, Marvin Harrison Jr. The MHJ situation has gotten so bad that the Seahawks said pre-game that they did not made defending MHJ one of their top game prep priorities because he has yet to be unleashed or used in a variety of impactful ways.
Red Rain Podcast Question:
On the Red Rain Podcast today, Kyle, special guest Marcos Labrada and I are going to attempt to answer the question —- if Monti Ossenfort decides to double down on Jonathan Gannon and Drew Petzing moving forward, then are finesse players like QB Kyler Murray and WR Marvin Harrison Jr. the right kind of fits for their much preferred, ultra-physical style of offense?
I have two players to suggest as stronger system fits at QB and WR.
How would you answer that question?
The Cardinals’ PATH to the playoffs (albeit seemingly a miraculous one at this point):
Cards have to hope SEA loses 3 straight, like Cards now have after winning 4 in a row. Cards have to run the 4-0 table. With tiebreakers over LAR and SF, Cards win 4, and SEA loses 3, Cards win NFC West. Hard to imagine post-bye, but hey “Hope is good thing, Red.”
— Walter B J Mitchell (@WBJMItch) December 9, 2024
If the outcomes of these games occur, then the Cardinals would win the NFC West, regardless of what the Rams and 49ers do.
Cardinals:
- W over NE
- W over CAR
- W over LAR
- W over SF
Seahawks:
- L to GB
- L to MIN
- W over CHI
- L to LAR
At least, as far as we know, the Cardinals will dress to look like Cardinals for the last 4 games.