Cardinals Bird Nest Season

[TheKingOfVa]

Changes in Arizona


After a loss to the Patriots defensive coordinator Ray Horton moves to a new scheme

A lot of Cardinals fans don't recognize this defense. After finishing 6th and 3rd the last two seasons in defensive points per game and going to the NFC Championship in back to back seasons, the defense doesn't have the same swagger. In four games the defense is surrendering 27 ppg 16th in the league. Defensive coordinator Ray Horton had this to say "We aren't a middle of the pack D. Look at the talent on the roster, every year we spend our first two picks to bring young defensive talent to an already talented roster. I'm going to turn this unit into an elite defense in the SFL." 1st round pick DE (76 rating) Quayshon Merchant didn't see the field much in the old 3-4 scheme so now the Cardinals will test out a 4-3 scheme that Merchant will start in. Merchant who is a Dwight Freeney clone should be able to reach double digit sacks in the new 4-3 defense. 2nd round pick Ashley Marsh who started as the number 2 MLB in the 3-4 scheme moves to the bench in the new 4-3 scheme.

Arizona is hoping the 4-3 scheme gives them a chance to put their most talented players on the field for the maxium amount of time. DE Darnell Dockett will now move inside as the teams top DT in the 4-3, where he has had much success in the past. The main concern leaving the 3-4 was the many formations were 3 safeties were featured but in the new 4-3 scheme there will be 2 formations where all 3 talented safeties will play at the same time. The one bright spot on the defense so far has been the emergence of 4th year OLB O'Brien Schofield. After releasing OLB Joey Porter, Schofield has been playing like a mad man. He has 4 sacks in 2 forced fumbles in 4 games and should produce his first career double digit sack season. The key thing will be to see how he adjusts to playing in the 4-3 after playing in the 3-4 his whole career.


The Cardinals picked the right time to test a new defensive playbook, their next 3 games are vs the Dolphins, Lions and Rams. If the defense isn't playing lights out in those games then they can go back to the 3-4 scheme that has been successful for them in the past. After the soft part of their schedule they have a NFC Championship rematch vs the Super Bowl winning Eagles and a showdown vs an improved 49ers team.


Defensive Starters

LE Calais Campbell
RE Quayshon Merchant
DT Darnell Dockett
DT Dan Williams
LOLB Shaun Phillips
MLB Daryl Washington
ROLB O'Brien Schofield
CB Patrick Peterson
CB Richard Marshall
FS Kerry Rhodes
SS Adrian Wilson

[TheKingOfVa]

Cardinals 4-3 Defense a success!

Young Merchant QB Hunting


For the last two games the Cardinals have been transitioning to a 4-3 defense to take advantage the talents of rookie 1st round pick DE Quayshon Merchant. So far so good, Vs the Dolphins the D only surrendered 10 points and Merchant won defensive player of the week with 4 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. This week in a blow out vs the Lions, Merchant abused QB Matt Stafford with another 4 sack performance. Had Merchant started all year in a 4-3 defense he probably would be leading the league in QB tackles. Defensive coordinator Ray Horton is excited to see Merchant live up to the 1st round hype "He is the player I envisioned he would be. Skys the limit for this kid, he could be another Trent Cole." The next 3 games will be a test for how good this defense really is when they take on the Rams, SFL Champion Eagles, and reloaded 49ers.

[Simile000]

Quote: Originally Posted by TheKingOfVa

Cardinals 4-3 Defense a success! Young Merchant QB Hunting For the last two games the Cardinals have been transitioning to a 4-3 defense to take advantage the talents of rookie 1st round pick DE Quayshon Merchant. So far so good, Vs the Dolphins the D only surrendered 10 points and Merchant won defensive player of the week with 4 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. This week in a blow out vs the Lions, Merchant abused QB Matt Stafford with another 4 sack performance. Had Merchant started all year in a 4-3 defense he probably would be leading the league in QB tackles. Defensive coordinator Ray Horton is excited to see Merchant live up to the 1st round hype "He is the player I envisioned he would be. Skys the limit for this kid, he could be another Trent Cole." The next 3 games will be a test for how good this defense really is when they take on the Rams, SFL Champion Eagles, and reloaded 49ers.

Looks like a future star in the making. That Arizona defense is looking more dangerous than ever

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

[TheKingOfVa]

Quote: Originally Posted by Simile000

Looks like a future star in the making. That Arizona defense is looking more dangerous than ever Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

Yeah I hope he can keep it up vs the better offensive lines. So far so good, having an elite rusher helps the secondary a lot.