The Predator: Cardinals LB Dontay Moch

The Arizona Cardinals even with Daryl Washington returning to lineup are depleted at the linebacker spot.  And not knowing how the groin injury Jasper Brinkley suffered against Tampa makes matters worse. Not to mention Darnell Dockett leaving with an injury as well, the Cards looked stifled in terms of pass rush.  But I think the Cardinals have something that they chose not to put on display too much in their win against Tampa Bay. Going into that game it was clear as day that in order for Tampa to win the run game had to get cranked up. The Cardinal defense did what it has been doing all year and held the Buccaneer run game to a lowly average of 1.7 yards per carry. But there was one situation that stuck out to me the most.

When the run was working in the game for Tampa Mike Glennon was able to make some things happen off the play action pass.  Part of that is due to the extra soft coverage Todd Bowles has deployed throughout the season on opposing team receivers.  Another is due to the lack of pass rush the Cardninals have been able to generate.  Mike Glennon in the first half looked like a veteran quarterback throwing quick passes and even a touchdown in the first half.  But with the Buccaneers backed up on their own 6 yard line, and the Game tied Glennon was asked to make a play with his arm.  And seemingly out of nowhere an unknown to the football world and I am even sure the Buccaneers scouting report came mauling his way from the Bucs left side to not only pressure the young quarterback but sack him on his 1 yard line.  That guy is Dontay Moch.  “I’m a predator out there,” he said, earlier in the week. “I’m not no prey. And that’s for sure.” And boy did he hold true to his word.  He had a QB hurry and a sack in crunch time situations.

Moch coming out of the University of Nevada was an undersized pass-rusher who made up for lack of size with flat out speed. He ran a 4.44 40-yard dash at the 2011 NFL scouting combine and hasn’t slowed down.  And does not look like he is going to slow down. Arizona coach Bruce Arians said he talked to his counterpart in Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis, who didn’t want to lose Moch after drafting him in the third round of the 2011 NFL draft.He is a strong and fast presence on defense off the edge for the Cardinals.  I have been watching the Cardinals for 14 years and I have not seen anything like him in pass rush situations with the a white helmet on and a yard bird on the side. I think he can be a diamond in the rough and hopefully Arians and Bowles plan on using him on passing downs.  With the Panthers, Niners and Texans coming up it is time for the Cardinals to rev up the pass rush and Moch along with other Cardinals observers should want to see more of him.