First:
The Josh Rosen era is here. We throw the term “era” around in sports quite a bit but in reality most coaches, players and GM’s performances would slip off the pages of history without anyone noticing. There have only been 3 QB era’s in the history of the Arizona Cardinals: The Jake Plummer Era, the Kurt Warner Era and the Oh My God, He’s Our Quarterback?!? Era. Carve out some space in the Cardinals history books, get the ink ready because Josh Rosen very well could have a few pages dedicated to his time as Arizona QB.
And 10:
1. There are three qualities that make up the holy grail for modern QB play in the NFL: 1) Accuracy - can you fit the ball into tight windows, put the ball where only a WR can make a play and effectively put the ball where you want it 2) Extending the play - can you manipulate the pocket, move the pocket, avoid pass rushers,keep your eyes downfield and still connect on plays that breakdown at the point of attack 3) Downfield accuracy - can you accurately deliver the ball downfield,consistently give receivers a chance to make the play or draw contact and take advantage of big chunk plays that transform chess board for both teams? I saw Josh Rosen consistently do all 3 to varying levels of success. He threw receivers open in short and intermediary passing situations, fit the ball consistently in small windows and most importantly made many beautifully accurate, catch able deep throws.
2. We still don’t know a few things about Rosen, such as his ability to over come critical mistakes, long term leadership and whether he can successfully with stand the array of terrible play calls without challenging Mike McCoy to a duel.
3. What a difference a week makes. The trio of Josh Rosen/David Johnson/Christian Kirk inspires the kind of confidence and optimism that has been sorely lacking this season for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals run defense has now jumped to the top of the list of the most immediate, pressing concerns
4. Defensively, Arizona was pushed around up front like a mid major would be against a top 25 team in college football. The Cardinals run defense has now jumped to the top of the list of the most immediate, pressing concerns for this franchise on the field. Even with Robert Nkemdiche producing and Olsen Pierre healthy, the Cardinals have a dire need for a run stuff, space clogging mountain of a man to anchor their defensive line.
His decision making to play for the FG combined with his 1st half punt brain fart last week are maybe the most damning mistakes of this terrible start
5. <Best Dad voice> We need to talk about the coaching staff. Steve Wilks has led the Arizona Cardinals to an 0-4 start for the first time in franchise history and that includes the worst efforts from Joe Bugel and Dave McGinnis. His decision making to play for the FG combined with his 1st half punt brain fart last week are maybe the most damning mistakes of this terrible start.
to say he tried something new, like a toddler eating vegetables at dinner.
6. And then there’s Mike McCoy. While the Cardinals did incorporate some new wrinkles offensively including running a (one) jet sweep, lining up David Johnson as a WR (also once, I believe) and getting the ball to Christian Kirk in space, I’d hardly argue they’ve turned over a new leaf. Mike McCoy approached these new wrinkles very cautiously and only did the bare minimum to be able to say he tried something new, like a toddler eating vegetables at dinner.
7. The real culprit is that the offensive DNA between Wilks and McCoy is to be conservative and passive. Mike McCoy looks at what Sean McVay is doing with the Rams like a grandma would being explained what Tinder is for the first time.He simply cannot believe you would throw the ball so many times and so aggressively. And Wilks has preached his conservative offensive principles from Day 1. He’s the Denzel Washington of coaches but only if Denzel decided that each heroic effort was too dangerous and decided to stay at home for a quiet evening instead.
if Rosen is as good as it appears he may be, he’s probably as secure in his job as he’s ever been.
8. Steve Keim hired both, by the way. And the defensive line that was pushed around by a terrible Seahawks offensive line and allowed Mike Davis to gash them most of the night. Yet, if Rosen is as good as it appears he may be, he’s probably as secure in his job as he’s ever been.
Phil Dawson may finally get to spend some quality time with his family in October.
9. Silver linings other than Josh Rosen? Chad Williams has at least one story to tell his grandchildren from his NFL days, Bene Benewikere flashed again, both Haason Reddick and Deone Bucannon made headway to seeing the field more regularly and Phil Dawson may finally get to spend some quality time with his family in October.
The Cardinals have a talent advantage at virtually every position on the field but winning on the road in the NFL is always a tall task.
10. What’s next? A road contest against the 49ers. The Cardinals have a talent advantage at virtually every position on the field but winning on the road in the NFL is always a tall task. If the Cardinals can convince Mike McCoy it’s a home game and he heads to State Farm Field, they may be celebrating their first win of the season.