The Arizona Cardinals suffered more defensive problems on Sunday in a 34-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. They have one of the league’s worst defenses statistically and are the worst defense against the pass.
It was on display on Sunday with 10 plays of at least 20 yards. Players were left wide open on several occasions.
While defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has been criticized for his scheme and plan, linebacker Jordan Hicks believes the problem lies with the players. It isn’t an issue of talent.
“I’d say it was the communication,” he told reporters after the game. “A lot of it is our guys being on the same page. When somebody is running wide open, most of the time it’s a bust. Most of the time, somebody is supposed to have that person. When one or two people are playing something different or playing a different leverage than what everybody else is playing, you are exposed. With one person out of position, you are going to get exposed.”
The problem is that it occurs over and over again each week.
Hicks says the team is being prepared in practice for what they see in the games.
“We have to do a better job of executing and doing what we’ve practiced. ,” he said. “We’ve practiced 95 percent of the plays where guys were running wide open. It’s absolutely unacceptable.”
The Cardinals have four games to improve and get things to an acceptable level.
There already have been personnel changes. Haason Reddick was benched in favor of Joe Walker full-time. Tramaine Brock has been cut. D.J. Swearinger was cut earlier in the season. Jalen Thompson began playing every down instead of splitting with Deionte Thompson.
Is it scheme, talent, communication or execution? It is likely a bit of all.
But if the Cardinals actually executed the scheme in place, we could see if the scheme is bad or not.
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