NFL 2016 Season Analysis: Arizona Cardinals
FACTS AND STATS
2015 Finish: First in NFC West, 1-1 in playoffs
RECORD: 13-3
DIVISIONAL RECORD: 4-2
Total offense: 408.3 (1st)
Rushing: 119.8 (8th)
Passing: 288.5 (2nd)
Total defense: 321.7 (5th)
Rushing: 91.3: (6th)
Passing: 230.4 (8th)
COACH: Bruce Arians
4th season as Cardinals/NFL head coach
35-16 overall; 1-2 postseason
XTRA FACTOR
–Given the overall talent and Arians leading the charge, the Cardinals are almost certainly a playoff team at the very least. But don’t discount the real value that Steve Keim brings as general manager. He brokered several one-year deals with veterans that were helpful over the past three seasons and if the Cardinals find themselves a player or two short somewhere due to injury or ineffectiveness, Keim will find stellar replacements.
2016 UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS
By TSX reporter covering team:
QUARTERBACKS: Starter – QB Carson Palmer. Backup – QB Drew Stanton
RUNNING BACKS: Starter – David Johnson. Backups – Chris Johnson, Andre Ellington, Stepfan Taylor
TIGHT ENDS: Starters – Jermaine Gresham, Darren Fells. Backup – Troy Niklas.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd. Backups – John Brown, Jaron Brown, J.J. Nelson
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters – LT Jared Veldheer, LG Mike Iupati, C A.Q. Shipley, RG Evan Mathis, RT D.J. Humphries. Backups – LT John Wetzel, C/T Earl Watford, C Evan Boehm, G Cole Toner
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters – DT Calais Campbell, NT Corey Peters, DT Rodney Gunter. Backups – DT Ed Stinson, NT Xavier Williams, DT Frostee Rucker, NT Olsen Pierre, DT Robert Nkemdiche, DT Josh Mauro
LINEBACKERS: Starters – SLB Chandler Jones, ILB Deone Bucannon, ILB Kevin Minter, WLB Markus Golden. Backups – SLB Alex Okafor, ILB Gabe Martin, ILB Alani Fua, WLB Kareem Martin, ILB Lamar Louis
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters – LCB Patrick Peterson, RCB Brandon Williams, SS D.J. Swearinger, FS Tyrann Mathieu. Backups – LCB Marcus Cooper, RCB Justin Bethel, SS Tyvon Branch, FS Tony Jefferson, SS Marqui Christian
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Chandler Catanzaro, P Drew Butler, LS Kameron Canaday, KOR Andre Ellington, PR Ellington, KOR/PR J.J. Nelson.
PRACTICE SQUAD: WR Brittan Golden, WR Chris Hubert, CB Harlan Miller, TE Ifeanyi Momah, RB Elijhaa Penny, T Givens Price, OLB Shaq Riddick, TE Hakeem Valles
2016 SCHEDULE
All times Eastern
Sept. 11, NEW ENGLAND, 5:30
Sept. 18, TAMPA BAY, 1:05
Sept. 25, at Buffalo, 10:00
Oct. 2, LOS ANGELES, 1:25
Oct. 6, at San Francisco (Thu.), 5:25
Oct. 17, N.Y. JETS (Mon.), 5:30
Oct. 23, SEATTLE, 5:30
Oct. 30, at Carolina, 1:25
OPEN DATE
Nov. 13, SAN FRANCISCO, 2:25
Nov. 20, at Minnesota, 11:00
Nov. 27, at Atlanta, 11:00
Dec. 4, WASHINGTON, 2:25
Dec. 11, at Miami, 11:00
Dec. 18, NEW ORLEANS, 2:05
Dec. 24, at Seattle (Sat.), 2:25
Jan. 1, at Los Angeles, 2:25
NFL 2016 Season Analysis: Los Angeles Rams
FACTS AND STATS
2015 Finish: Third in NFC West
Record: 7-9
DIVISIONAL RECORD: 4-2
Total offense: 297.6 (32nd)
Rushing: 122.3 (7th)
Passing: 175.3 (32nd)
Total defense: 367.8 (23rd)
Rushing: 113.8 (20th)
Passing: 254.1 (23rd)
COACH: Jeff Fisher
5th season with Rams
27-36-1 overall
21st full season as NFL coach
174-162-1 overall; 5-6 postseason
XTRA FACTOR
–Quarterback remains less than on schedule as No. 1 overall draft pick, Jared Goff, is third on the depth chart behind Case Keenum and Sean Mannion. Things seem to be pointing up, but there a lot of work that remains. They survived their preseason reality TV exposure, but will continue to deal with the distractions of a new home and temporary facilities. SoCal is NOT St, Louis.
2016 UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS
By TSX reporter covering team:
QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Case Keenum. Backups — Sean Mannion, Jared Goff
RUNNING BACKS: Starter — Todd Gurley. Backups — Benny Cunningham, Malcolm Brown, Chase Reynolds
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters– Kenny Britt, Tavon Austin. Backups — Pharoh Cooper, Nelson Spruce, Bradley Marquez. Brian Quick, Michael Thomas
TIGHT ENDS: Starter — Lance Kendricks. Backups — Tyler Higbee, Temarrick Hemingway, Cory Harkey
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Greg Robinson, LG Rodger Saffold, C Tim Barnes, RG Jamon Brown, RT Rob Havenstein. Backups — G/T Cody Wichmann, C Demetrius Rhaney, T Andrew Donnal, OL David Arkin, OL Pace Murphy.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — DLE William Hayes, DRE Robert Quinn, DT Aaron Donald, DT Michael Brockers. Backups — DE Ethan Westbrooks, DT Dominique Easley, DE Matt Longacre, DE Eugene Sims.
LINEBACKERS: Starters — OLB Mark Barron, ILB Alec Ogletree, OLB Nic Grigsby. Backups — Bryce Hager, Josh Forrest, Cory Littleton.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — CB Trumaine Johnson, CB E.J. Gaines, S T.J. McDonald, S Maurice Alexander. Backups — S Cody Davis, CB Coty Sensabaugh, CB Troy Hill, CB Lamarcus Joyner.
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Greg Zuerlein, P Johnny Hekker, LS Jake McQuadide, PR Tavon Austin, KR Benny Cunningham.
PRACTICE SQUAD: T Isaiah Battle, LB Brandon Chubb, DB Blake Countess, DE Morgan Fox, RB Aaron Green, DB Isaiah Johnson, DB Michael Jordan, RB Terrence Magee, WR Paul McRoberts, TE Bryce Williams
2016 SCHEDULE
All times Eastern
Sept. 12 at San Francisco (Mon.) 7:20
Sept. 18, SEATTLE, 1:05
Sept. 25, at Tampa Bay, 1:05
Oct. 2, at Arizona, 1:25
Oct. 9, BUFFALO, 1:25
Oct. 16, at Detroit, 10:00
Oct. 23, N.Y. GIANTS (London), 6:30
OPEN DATE
Nov. 6, CAROLINA, 1:05
Nov. 13, at N.Y. Jets, 10:00
Nov. 20, MIAMI, 1:05
Nov. 27, at New Orleans, 10:00
Dec. 4, at New England, 10:00
Dec. 11, ATLANTA, 1:25
Dec. 15, at Seattle (Thu.), 5:25
Dec. 24, SAN FRANCISCO (Sat.), 1:25
Jan. 1, ARIZONA, 1:25
NFL 2016 Season Analysis: San Francisco 49ers
FACTS AND STATS
2015 Finish: Fourth in NFC West
Record: 5-11
DIVISIONAL RECORD: 1-5
Total offense: 303.8 (31st)
Rushing: 96.5 (21nd)
Passing: 207.3 (29th)
Total defense: 387.4 (29th)
Rushing: 126.3 (29th)
Passing: 261.2 (27th)
COACH: Chip Kelly
1st season with 49ers
4th season as NFL head coach
26-22 overall; 0-1 postseason
XTRA FACTOR
–Coaching changes typically breathe life into a franchise, and Kelly’s arrival should do that, although predictions that the old Oregon offense is good for quarterback Colin Kaepernick were premature. This once strong organization remains in flux until a series of wins changes that prevailing perception.
2016 UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS
By TSX reporter covering team:
QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Blaine Gabbert. Backups — Colin Kaepernick, Christian Ponder
RUNNING BACKS: Starter — Carlos Hyde. Backups — Shaun Draughn, Mike Davis, DuJuan Harris
TIGHT ENDS: Starter — Vance McDonald. Backups — Garrett Celek, Blake Bell
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Torrey Smith, Quinton Patton, Jeremy Kerley. Backups — WR Rod Streater, WR Aaron Burbridge
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Joe Staley, LG Zane Beadles, C Daniel Kilgore, RG Anthony Davis, RT Trent Brown. Backups — C Marcus Martin, G Joshua Garnett, G/T Andrew Tiller, T John Theus
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — DRE DeForest Buckner, DT Quinton Dial, DLE Arik Armstead. Backups — DT Mike Purcell, DE Glenn Dorsey, DE Tony Jerod-Eddie, DE Ronald Blair
LINEBACKERS: Starters — LOLB Ahmad Brooks, LILB Gerald Hodges, RILB NaVorro Bowman, ROLB Aaron Lynch. Backups — OLB Eli Harold, OLB Tank Carradine, ILB Ray-Ray Armstrong, ILB Michael Wilhoite, ILB Nick Bellore
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — LCB Tramaine Brock, RCB Jimmie Ward, FS Eric Reid, SS Antoine Bethea. Backups — CB Chris Davis, CB Keith Reaser, CB Dontae Johnson, CB Rashard Robinson, FS Marcus Cromartie, SS Jaquiski Tart
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Phil Dawson, P Bradley Pinion, LS Kyle Nelson.
PRACTICE SQUAD: RB Kelvin Taylor, TE Je’Ron Hamm, WR Dres Anderson, WR Chris Harper, C Alex Balducci, G Fahn Cooper, G Norman Price, OLB Marcus Rush, ILB Shayne Skov, DB Prince Charles Iworah.
2016 SCHEDULE
All times Eastern
Sept. 12, LOS ANGELES (Mon.), 7:20
Sept. 18, at Carolina, 10:00
Sept. 25, at Seattle, 1:05
Oct. 2, DALLAS, 1:25
Oct. 6, ARIZONA (Thu.), 5:25
Oct. 16, at Buffalo, 10:00
Oct. 23, TAMPA BAY, 1:05
OPEN DATE
Nov. 6, NEW ORLEANS, 1:05
Nov. 13, at Arizona, 1:25
Nov. 20, NEW ENGLAND, 1:25
Nov. 27, at Miami, 10:00
Dec. 4, at Chicago, 10:00
Dec. 11, N.Y. JETS, 1:05
Dec. 18, at Atlanta, 1:05
Dec. 24, at Los Angeles (Sat.), 1:25
Jan. 1, SEATTLE, 1:25
NFL 2016 Season Analysis: Seattle Seahawks
FACTS AND STATS
2015 Finish: Second in NFC West, Wild Card
Record: 10-6; 1-1 in postseason
DIVISIONAL RECORD: 3-3
Total offense: 378.6 (4th)
Rushing: 141.8 (3rd)
Passing: 236.9 (20th)
Total defense: 291.8 (2nd)
Rushing: 81.5 (1st)
Passing: 210.3 (2nd)
COACH: Pete Carroll
7th season with Seahawks
68-40 overall; 8-4 postseason
11th season as NFL head coach
102-73; 9-6 postseason
XTRA FACTOR
–Seattle proved it can win a Super Bowl to get back to another one. Now the question is whether the relatively disappointing 2015 season is a sign of cracks in the foundation or just a bump in the road on the way to staking a place in NFL history. This season looms pivotal in determining if the Seahawks were a one-Super-Bowl-and-done or something more.
2016 UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS
By TSX reporter covering team:
QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Russell Wilson. Backup — Trevone Boykin
RUNNING BACKS: Starter — Thomas Rawls. Backups — Christine Michael, C.J. Prosise, Alex Collins, FB Tania Tupou
TIGHT ENDS: Starter — Jimmy Graham. Backups — Luke Willson, Brandon Williams, Nick Vannett
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Doug Baldwin, Tyler Lockett. Backups — Jermaine Kearse, Paul Richardson, Tanner McEvoy
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Bradley Sowell, LG Mark Glowinski, C Justin Britt, RG Germain Ifedi, RT Garry Gilliam. Backups — T George Fant, G/T Rees Odhiambo, C Joey Hunt, OT J’Marcus Webb
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LE Cliff Avril, NT Jarran Reed, DT Ahtyba Rubin, RE Michael Bennett. Backups — DE Frank Clark, DT Tony McDaniel, DE Cassius Marsh, DE Quinton Jefferson, DT Garrison Smith
LINEBACKERS: Starters — WLB K.J. Wright, MLB Bobby Wagner, SLB Mike Morgan. Backups — MLB Brock Coyle, WLB Kevin Pierre-Louis
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — LCB Richard Sherman, FS Earl Thomas, SS Kam Chancellor, RCB DeShawn Shead. Backups — CB Jeremy Lane, CB Tharold Simon, S Kelcie McCray, DB Steven Terrell, DB Tyvis Powell, CB DeAndre Elliott, S Dewey McDonald
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Steven Hauschka, P Jon Ryan, LS Nolan Frese, KOR/PR Tyler Lockett
PRACTICE SQUAD: WR Kasen Williams, LB Kache Palacio, G/C Will Pericak, WR Marcus Lucas, DE Tylor Harris, LB Jordan Tripp, WR Kenny Lawler, WR Rodney Smith, DT Justin Hamilton
2016 SCHEDULE
All times Eastern
Sept. 11, MIAMI, 1:05
Sept. 18, at Los Angeles, 1:05
Sept. 25, SAN FRANCISCO, 1:05
Oct. 2, at N.Y. Jets, 10:00
OPEN DATE
Oct. 16, ATLANTA, 1:25
Oct. 23, at Arizona, 5:30
Oct. 30, at New Orleans, 10:00
Nov. 7, BUFFALO (Mon.), 5:30
Nov. 13, at New England, 5:30
Nov. 20, PHILADELPHIA, 1:25
Nov. 27, at Tampa Bay, 1:05
Dec. 4, CAROLINA, 5:30
Dec. 11, at Green Bay, 1:25
Dec. 15, LOS ANGELES (Thu.), 5:25
Dec. 24, ARIZONA (Sat.), 1:25
Jan. 1, at San Francisco, 1:25