C3 Scouting Report: Arizona Cardinals
/Panther fans know their Panthers, but sometimes it’s knowing the skinny about our opponents. The C3 Scouting Report gives you the lowdown on this week’s opponent, the Arizona Cardinals.
Overall:
Division: NFC West
Record: 11-5
Division Standing: 2nd
Streak: 2 loss
Offense
Key Players: Larry Fitzgerald (WR), Josh Brown (WR), Michael Floyd (WR), Stepfan Taylor (RB), Ryan Lindley (QB)
Hot Players: Michael Floyd (841 yds, 17.9 ypc, 6 TDs) Larry Fitzgerald (784 yds., 12.4 ypc, 2 TD)
Tendencies: Run first (This team is really struggling with Lindley having a 56 QBR and their stud RB, Ellington, out. Stepfan Taylor is only averaging 3.8 ypc).
Execution: The Cardinals looked the best offensively that had in some time early in their game against the Cowboys. Going games without scoring a touchdown, Lindley connected twice against a suspect Cowboys secondary. Lindley and the Cardinals had trouble sustaining success throughout the entire game. Without a rushing attack, Arizona asks a lot out of Lindley, not because they want to, but because there isn’t another choice.
Passing: Moderate-Poor- Lindley - (23/39 316 yds, 2 TDs, 3 INTs,)
Rushing: Less than adequate Williams - (17 carries for 67 yds, o TD)
Defense:
Key Players: Calais Campbell (DE), Frostee Rucker (DT), Alex Okafor (OLB), Patrick Peterson (CB), Antonio Cromartie (CB), Tyrann Mathieu (CB)
Hot Players: Calais Campbell (58 Tackles, 7 sacks, 1 FF, 1 Int), Alex Okafor (30 Tackles, 8 Sacks, 1 Int), Patrick Peterson (50 Tackles, 1 Sack, 3 Ints)
Execution Last Week: Below Average - gave up 395 yards total offense, Surrendered 101 yards on kickoff returns, quarterback threw 3 interceptions
Head Coach: Bruce Arians (11-5)
Offensive Coordinator: Tom Moore ( Asst Head Coach/Offense) Harold Goodwin (Offensive Coordinator)
Offensive Scheme: Vertical Passing Game
Defensive Coordinator: Todd Bowles
Defensive Alignment: 3-4
Coaching: Arians is front-runner for Coach of the Year. He would have won it likely had it not been for the 8-game winning streak Ron Rivera’s Carolina Panthers put together last season. Beset by an endless set of obstacles this season, from losing his starting quarterback to losing his defensive quarterback in Daryll Washington, Arians Cardinals scraped and clawed to an 11-5 season. This season just rounded out a 3-year inspirational stretch that began with him taking over the Indianapolis Colts for Head Coach Chuck Pagano, who was diagnosed with leukemia.
Arizona’s defense doesn’t blow you away when looking at yards allowed per game. This defense, however, is stingy. 5th in the league in scoring and not helped by a struggling offense, these guys don’t give up points. They confuse quarterbacks with a blitz heavy scheme, one that has give the Carolina Panthers problems in the past. These coaches get these guys to play, and there are players with talent on this team.
Standing: Immovable. Arians could pick his job right now.
