GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The tape doesn't lie.
Coach Bruce Arians' instant analysis of the Arizona Cardinals' 24-23 loss to the Chicago Bears this past Saturday night was that they had played "poorly," but after watching film of the game over the weekend, he changed his mind. By the time he pulled the starters, the Cardinals had a 7-3 lead about midway through the second quarter.
"I did not like the way we started the game, but I like the fact that when [the first string] left the game, we were winning," Arians said.
As with any game, Arians took away positives and negatives from both individual and team play. But Arians said all the issues he saw were "easily correctable."
Here’s a recap of Arians' review of the loss:
Arians didn't think some young players played as well as he had expected. He pointed out that rookie inside linebacker Haason Reddick missed a couple coverages that resulted in "easy" receptions and that rookie safety Budda Baker got "victimized" on one play by looking in the backfield during a bootleg. But Arians feels his first two draft picks this year have grown and will continue to improve with more snaps.
Arians didn't think the running game performed up to par. "There were some holes that we just didn't hit. They would've been 4- or 5-yard gains, [but they] tried to bounce away for nothing." In particular, Arians said Chris Johnson had a run where he could've "crammed it up" the middle but bounced outside and lost out on 4 or 5 yards. Arians felt Johnson was "pressing a little bit."
Arians felt the offensive line played "OK."
The tight ends "didn't play very well." He felt they had "very poor" blocking technique and couldn't think of one who blocked well, especially on easy plays.
Arians felt the same way about the inside linebackers. He said they jumped out of their gaps, trying to do too much.
Arians felt outside linebacker Kareem Martin "had a hell of a game."
He had a similar sentiment about defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche.
Wide receiver Chris Hubert caught Arians' attention with a "heck of a game." A pass intended for Hubert was intercepted, but Arians didn't blame Hubert for the "crazy" play.
Quarterback Blaine Gabbert had a "really good game," Arians said.
Arians also was impressed with wide receiver Jeremy Ross, who caught four passes for 32 yards. "He can really catch the football ... and he's not shy about putting his face in there," Arians said.
