An inside look: Wolf’s notes for Cardinals vs. Rams

Nov 25, 2012, 5:15 PM | Updated: 5:18 pm

Arizona Sports

Arizona Sports’ Ron Wolfley also serves as the color commentator for Arizona Cardinals radio broadcasts. He’s been kind enough to share his notes for this game against the St. Louis Rams. Here’s a look at what Wolf will be paying attention to Sunday at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Here comes the blitz!

1) The CARDINALS need to beat the blitz Sunday!!

a. Kevin Kolb was sacked 9 times the last time these two teams played. The Rams came after Kolb with a vast a varied blitz package that included a couple zero looks. If they did it to Kolb, they’ll do it to Ryan Lindley.

b. They did it to Ryan Tannehill until he threw a 9-route for a TD. Once he proved he could beat them, the Rams backed off and gave him more vanilla coverages. But then they ramped it back up again. MAKE THEM PAY WHEN THEY BLITZ!!

2) The Cards have to stay out of third and obvious situations with Lindley.

a. Be good on first down

b. Get Larry involved underneath early in the game.

c. REDRUN!

3) Balance, balance, balance…

a. The Cards need to run the ball as much as they throw it and use play-action liberally. They need to be three-dimensional.

4) Pound the rock with Beanie Wells…I don’t care if he’s rusty, these guys remember Beanie Wells knocking their face off. As long as he’s healthy, I’ll give him the ball 25 times!

5) Protect the ball. There is only one other team in the league that has generated fewer turnovers than the Rams defense (9). The Cardinals need to continue that woeful trend by not giving up anything cheap.

BIG RED OFFENSE:

Rams Defense:

Points Allowed/Game: 23.7 (T18)
Red Zone Defense: 59% (26)

DQBR: 91.0 (17)
Sacks/Attempt: (3)
Third Down %: 39% (18)

Average yards/Carry Allowed: 4.14 (15)
Rushing First-Downs Allowed: 72 (25)
Rushing TDs Allowed: 12 (T29)

Takeaways (plus/minus): 9 (-6)

Balance and moderation in all things…

The Rams revealed how you beat Ray Horton’s defense: run the ball and use play-action. Atlanta didn’t pay attention to what the Vikings, 49ers and Packers did and threw the ball with impunity.

They almost lost the game (and should have) because of their insolence and played into the strength of this defense. This will not be the case Sunday. The Rams will run it and stay balanced.

1) Stop Steven Jackson and Co. Do not allow the zone-scheme to have success.

a. Gap discipline

b. Tackle well

2) Be good on play-action: There is not a better play-action passing game than the tackle zone play-action. And Bradford is good at it. They will use it to throw the ball down the field.

3) Get to Bradford. Much has been said about the Cardinals protection problems (and rightfully so) but the Rams have struggled to protect Bradford.

4) Continue the turnover trend. The Rams have turned the ball over 15 times in 10 games. They will give the defense an opportunity to make a play and generate a takeaway.

5) Don’t get cocky: the pass defense for the Cardinals has been outstanding for most of the year (Cards are #2 in DQBR: 72.8 {Bears}). They can ill-afford a letdown against Bradford; even though he only completed 7 passes against them in October, the Cards cannot get complacent on defense.

BIG RED DEFENSE:
Rams Offense:

Points/Game: 17.4 (28)
Red Zone: 48% (22)

QBR: 83.5 (21)
Sacks/Attempt Allowed: 23
Third Down %: 35% (22)

Average yards/Carry: 4.35 (10)
Rushing First-Downs: 54 (22)
Rushing TDs: 3 (29)

Giveaways (plus/minus): 15 (-6)

The Dark Corners and the Shadows Creeping…

Ryan Lindley v Jeff Fisher Blitz

Nate Potter v Robert Quinn

Bobby Massie v Chris Long

Front 7 v Steven Jackson

Patrick Peterson?

Beanie Wells v Everybody