Bick makes a great analogy (MLF as "servant" to Sean McVay as "master") to Sting's lyrics in "Wrapped Around Your Finger" --- must see TV!

The Cardinals were awarded a waiver claim on RT Albert Reese IV, 6-7, 330, Mississippi St. who made the Panthers' 53-man roster after a superb pre-season: 4 games at RT, 77.6 OVER, 70.0 PBLK 84.9 RBLK

Bourne has plenty of separation? You cannot be serious. It was a shitty route by Bourne where Watson was able to hop on the top of it, creating a clear passing lane to the football. As Jacoby started his throw, he saw Watson was far too close and baiting the throw, so he threw the ball way high over Bourne's head, which Jacoby almost never does unless he sees close leverage like this. These are called (into the huddle) timing routes by Mike LaFleur where Jacoby is asked to throw the football off the receiver's break. There are no progressions on these called plays --- the QB is asked to make the throw where the receiver is supposed to be off his cut. The QB can't WAIT on timing passes. That defies the whole point. Rams with Stafford have made a living off these types timing throws with Kupp and Nacua. But Kupp and Nacua set up and influence the CB at the top of their routes as well as any WRs in the NFL. Here Bourne allowed Watson to maintain strong outside leverage. Your photo freeze is misleading because if Jacoby hadn't hastily thrown the ball away with such high velocity, if he tried to thread the needle there, Watson could have made a pick-six. Way too risky a play, especially after getting picked on similar timing plays by Devonte Banks and Quentin Lake (earlier in the game). Mike LaFleur has admitted these called timing passes have become "way too predictable." This week after the 18-16 win: “I thought Jacoby played the position well,” LaFleur told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo on Monday. “I feel like the last few weeks, his accuracy has just been dynamite. I mean, he’s been putting it right where he wants it.” “I’m killing myself on that first pick because that’s just going to the same play too often right there. So, put that on me,” LaFleur said. “(Quentin) Lake undercuts it. Good play by a smart football player there. So, not good from a schematic standpoint.” Do you think Mike LaFleur had wished Jacoby would have thrown that pass given Watson's coverage? No way. It could have cost the Cardinals the game.

No question about Quenton Nelson's talent. But giving up the high draft capital, having to use the f-tag and paying the $25-$30M a year contract he will command as a 2027 free agent it would require to acquire him does not help the team address its biggest needs, especially on top of signing Isaac Seumalo to a 3 year $31M deal, and spending 2nd, 3rd and 4th round picks on Chase Bisontis, Isaiah Adams and Jon Gaines II who just posted the highest grade on the Cardinals' offense versus the Ram's formidable defensive interior.

1. True 2. False. Those are timing pass play calls where it is Jacoby's job to pass precisely when the #1 option is making his break. There is no reading involved. Just trusting. That's why Mike LaFleur has been taking ownership of the results.

Versus Rams defensive interior of Aaron Donald, Poonah Ford and Kobie Turner in Cardinals' 18-16 win: LG Isaac Seulmalo - 72.8 C Hjalte Froholdt - 69.2 RG Jon Gaines II - 78.1 Three of the Cardinals top five game grades. 0 sacks.

This is what a timing pass-oriented offense looks like. The QB's key is to throw the pass just as the receiver is making his break on the top of the route. The problem here is that Kendrick Bourne doesn't get enough separation (it's not a good, sharp route) and CB Jalen Watson while shading outside the whole time is in a good position to jump the route. Jacoby saw how close Watson was and threw it way out of bounds. That was smart. The thing is, the QB on timing routes has to commit to throwing at the top of the route. What Bourne needed to do was make a stutter step fake at the top of his route so as to buy the extra second of time that would have Watson concerned about defending the slant, then it also would have created much better spacing on the route (LaFleur's route calls have spacing issues, as was the case here with what needed up being such a tight space with a CB having a clear path to the football). Mike LaFleur blamed himself for the McBride interception. He called the play too predictable. And if Trey McBride was asked about it, he would tell you that he rounded off his route and lost outside leverage to Quentin Lake. Jacoby was doing what he was asked to do on that play. Same as with this play call, once again, too predictable and poorly run red zone route. The big adjustment that Mike LaFleur can make is to start calling "choice routes" --- where the receiver runs his route away from wherever his route is being leveraged. On this play, Bourne could have easily won on the slant (look at the crow hop Watson took toward the outside at the top of the route). It's like Watson knew the route and sat on it the whole time. Just as over the past two weeks, Devonte Banks and Roger McCreary knew the routes and were leveraging them left and right to great success.

One of the main reasons why Trey McBride and Michael Wilson emerged as the NFL's most productive TE/WR tandem in 2025 with 2,245 yards and 18 TDs was that Jacoby Brissett was #2 in the league in "catchable passes." Jacoby accomplished this despite being pressured 367 times, hit 110 times and sacked 43 times.

This is false. Last season, Jacoby elevated the offense's 3rd conversion percentage all the way up to #9 by the season's end. This season, the philosophy of the offense has changed. This is an adjustment period for all the players.

The billboards are an excellent visual and emphatic message. The petition was an aggressive way to document Bidwill's transgressions in the fans' protest of his failing leadership to Roger Goodell and the NFL. Yet, best of all, the survey is the chance for every pissed off fan to make her/his voice be heard --- heard as in clearly and loudly. Kudos and huge thanks to Mr.AZ, JoannaJ.Love and Christopher Maddox @maddox_lglp and to every one of you who is making #BidwillOut a total team effort.

Vintage Budda Baker as the "Cobra." Great job by Baldy!

Thanks so much, Christopher! What a fantastic idea. I just completed the survey. It is quick, easy and right to the point. Can't wait to see the results. If anyone hasn't filled out the survey, hop right on it!

Red Rain Podcast 229: #BidwillOut, ARI 18 LA 16Analysis, Top Plays and PFF Grades redrainblogforazcardinalsfan…

Red Rain Key Stat from ARI 18 LAR 16 A week after Trey McBride and Michael Wilson were effectively double teamed: TMB/MW 11 catches, 85 yds, 7.7 ave. KB/EH/JB/BK/TA 13 catches 133 yds, 10.2 ave.