No surprise: Cardinals tackles struggled in pass protection

By Adam Green/Arizona Sports
Published: February 20, 2012 @ 11:07am
If you watched the Arizona Cardinals last season you know they struggled to protect the quarterback.

Whether it was Kevin Kolb or John Skelton, it seemed like there was pressure on nearly every pass play.

Well, according to ProFootballFocus.com, Arizona's trio of Levi Brown, Jeremy Bridges and Brandon Keith deserve a good share of the blame.

The site ranked pass blocking efficiency for all of the NFL's tackles, and all three ranked in the bottom 20.

Keith was the worst of the bunch, allowing pressure on 31 of 321 pass block snaps. Brown allowed 56 pressures on 620 snaps, and Bridges 26 on 319.

In other words, if a Cardinals QB was under duress, chances are you could point to the tackles as the reason.

That's why it will be interesting to see what the Cardinals do this off-season, as Keith is a free agent and Brown is likely to become one.

Will either be brought back? How about both? Either way something has to change, as the Cardinals passing game will never be able to take flight as long as their tackles remain some of the worst pass blockers in the NFL.

ArizonaSports.com - Purpose of Comments statement


Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comment boards following articles, blog posts and other content can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior here. We encourage your thoughtful comments which:

  • Have a positive and constructive tone
  • Are on topic, clear and to-the-point
  • Are respectful toward others and their opinions

Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

close

  • 6
    messages
     

    policy>>

  • It nice to be vindicated
    6thCavAirCav (February 20, 2012 11:18 am)
    Now have statistical numbers to back up all my rants about how terrible the Tackles were. Especially when they let the defense men loose into the pocket. If you’re gonna get beat at least get beat to the outside to give your QB room to scrabble.
    Abuse
  • You Know
    6thCavAirCav (February 20, 2012 11:45 am)
    If you give Kolb or Skelton time to let the play develop they can be just as good as Manning. So let’s save some money and get a pair of book ends that can shut down the pass rush from the outside. Maybe we could get Demetrus Bell or Jared Gaither, and then sign Jonathan Martin out of Stanford or Mike Adams out of Ohio to fill in.
    Abuse
  • Uh, what? 6thAirCav?
    Think4URself (February 20, 2012 3:28 pm)
    Dont need a stat to tell us that. But, fortunately the Cards can have both a great QB and a good line. Kolb and Skelton will be as good as Manning? Oh man, I cant believe I am read that correctly...Ummm, dont know how to put this. But, I am sorry 6thaircav, someone has slipped something in your drink. You may be halucinating. Neither will ever be remotely close to as good as Peyton Manning is.
    Abuse
  • Was with ya up to...
    Tennisgrandpa (February 20, 2012 9:33 pm)
    Cav, first off I don't think anyone was arguing about your rant about the tackles, I have dents in my TV with Browns, Keiths and Bridges name on'em. As far as our QB's being as good as Manning, uhhhhhhhh no, not even close. Either way, with or without Manning we need new tackle play this season and if Levi Brown is even on the squad next year, I'm preparing correctly abd duct taping foam rubber around my TV.
    Dale
    Abuse
  • I'm Just saying
    6thCavAirCav (February 21, 2012 9:09 am)
    If Manning is not 100% Kolb and Skelton could be just as good. I want what will make this team sound for awhile not just a couple of years. Good tackles that can protect would do that.
    Abuse
  • agree with Cav
    FitzIsMyHero (February 22, 2012 5:20 pm)
    If Kolb and Skelton just had time for the play to develop they could be good. Both have ability to scramble, especially John with his big body. I wouldnt say they'll be better than Manning but I could see them taking the cards to the plaoffs with a good o line just like manning does with the volts every year...
    Abuse
Home | Contact Us | Advertise With Us | Copyright Policy | Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Contest Rules | Employment Opportunities | EEO Public File Report
Copyright © 2012 Bonneville International. All rights reserved.