1 00:00:03,800 --> 00:00:07,680 Speaker 1: The offense was good at times, the defense just got overwhelmed. 2 00:00:07,920 --> 00:00:11,840 Speaker 1: Welcome Bird Gang. On today's show, Paul Calvi's he joins me, Yes, folks, 3 00:00:11,880 --> 00:00:14,480 Speaker 1: He's back and back to discuss a loss of the 4 00:00:14,480 --> 00:00:16,680 Speaker 1: forty nine ers. The offense did things that had not 5 00:00:16,760 --> 00:00:20,200 Speaker 1: done all season. That's the good. The bad just can't 6 00:00:20,200 --> 00:00:23,680 Speaker 1: settle for field goals and defensively too much brought party, 7 00:00:23,880 --> 00:00:27,560 Speaker 1: too much Christian McCaffery. It's Cardinals Cover two, Episode seven 8 00:00:27,600 --> 00:00:29,440 Speaker 1: to eleven, and it starts now. 9 00:00:32,560 --> 00:00:34,639 Speaker 2: Welcome to Cardinals Cover two. 10 00:00:34,560 --> 00:00:39,000 Speaker 3: Hood to Baker, What Heart? What rent? This guy's unbelievable. 11 00:00:39,159 --> 00:00:43,400 Speaker 2: Cardinals Cover two is presented by Hyundai, proud partner of 12 00:00:43,440 --> 00:00:49,280 Speaker 2: the Arizona Cardinals, and by Arizona Cardinals Podcasts. Visit Acycardinals 13 00:00:49,280 --> 00:00:51,040 Speaker 2: dot Com, Slash Podcasts. 14 00:00:51,120 --> 00:00:53,360 Speaker 3: He's a ten half of five. He's it again? 15 00:00:53,880 --> 00:00:55,560 Speaker 4: So more urry magic? 16 00:00:55,800 --> 00:00:58,480 Speaker 2: WHOA, here's Craig Grioloud. 17 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:07,720 Speaker 1: Well, the Prodigal Sun has returned. Paul Calvc is back 18 00:01:08,080 --> 00:01:12,160 Speaker 1: after what seems like months, although really less than less 19 00:01:12,160 --> 00:01:14,600 Speaker 1: than a month, but still good to have Paul Calvis 20 00:01:14,720 --> 00:01:17,640 Speaker 1: here on a Monday morning. Unfortunately, it is not a 21 00:01:17,760 --> 00:01:20,600 Speaker 1: victory Monday. It is a look back at a forty 22 00:01:20,600 --> 00:01:23,640 Speaker 1: five twenty nine loss to the San Francisco forty nine Ers, 23 00:01:23,640 --> 00:01:26,800 Speaker 1: who clinched the NFC West for a second straight. 24 00:01:26,520 --> 00:01:29,759 Speaker 4: Season geez, and their twelfth straight win in the division. 25 00:01:30,480 --> 00:01:30,680 Speaker 3: Yeah. 26 00:01:30,680 --> 00:01:32,880 Speaker 4: I'm definitely not poly prodigal right now, but I do 27 00:01:33,000 --> 00:01:36,120 Speaker 4: put the po into prodigal, I'll say that much. You know, 28 00:01:36,160 --> 00:01:38,720 Speaker 4: a little salty here on a Monday after a loss, 29 00:01:38,800 --> 00:01:43,080 Speaker 4: especially in the forty nine ers. And well, it's two 30 00:01:43,240 --> 00:01:46,120 Speaker 4: guys who hail from the Bay Area. You know, your 31 00:01:46,120 --> 00:01:50,320 Speaker 4: phone's light up with all the Niner Nation bandwagon jumping. 32 00:01:50,480 --> 00:01:54,280 Speaker 4: You know, two million dollars, two bedroom condo paying Niner fans. 33 00:01:54,720 --> 00:01:57,200 Speaker 4: We win in data us over here. Okay, all right, 34 00:01:57,280 --> 00:02:01,960 Speaker 4: we get it. But just remember, okay, just remember that 35 00:02:02,040 --> 00:02:06,360 Speaker 4: the az produced your quarterback, developed and produced brock Purty, 36 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:09,120 Speaker 4: who has saved your keyster from the disaster that was 37 00:02:09,160 --> 00:02:12,040 Speaker 4: the Trey Lance deal. So for everyone who thinks that 38 00:02:12,240 --> 00:02:15,440 Speaker 4: brock Purty is simply a game manager, I have the 39 00:02:15,480 --> 00:02:18,120 Speaker 4: Niners spared with other quarterbacks not named brock Purty. 40 00:02:18,360 --> 00:02:18,919 Speaker 3: How about this. 41 00:02:19,160 --> 00:02:22,800 Speaker 1: In two games against the forty nine Ers, rock Purty 42 00:02:23,320 --> 00:02:28,280 Speaker 1: seventy seventy eight point two percent completion percentage for five 43 00:02:28,360 --> 00:02:32,799 Speaker 1: hundred and twenty five yards, five touchdowns, six touchdowns overall, 44 00:02:33,520 --> 00:02:37,480 Speaker 1: he is number one in darn near every single passing 45 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:44,440 Speaker 1: statistic through fifteen weeks. And yeah, and mister irrelevant very 46 00:02:44,560 --> 00:02:48,200 Speaker 1: relevant here this season, And yes, a couple of Bay 47 00:02:48,200 --> 00:02:51,360 Speaker 1: Area guys, it is a fun watch, just not fun 48 00:02:51,800 --> 00:02:54,480 Speaker 1: when you're on the receiving end of that kind of 49 00:02:54,480 --> 00:02:57,520 Speaker 1: a beatdown. Because dare I say the forty nine Ers, Yes, 50 00:02:57,639 --> 00:02:59,720 Speaker 1: they are the number one team in the division, They 51 00:02:59,760 --> 00:03:01,840 Speaker 1: are the number one team in the conference. And dare 52 00:03:01,880 --> 00:03:04,720 Speaker 1: I say the number one team in the entire NFL? 53 00:03:05,200 --> 00:03:05,840 Speaker 3: And I get it. 54 00:03:05,919 --> 00:03:08,800 Speaker 4: You know, the Niners have done a great job building 55 00:03:08,960 --> 00:03:13,480 Speaker 4: that roster where Kyle Shanahan seemingly on every play there's 56 00:03:13,520 --> 00:03:17,280 Speaker 4: a checkdown, And then on that checkdown, guess what if 57 00:03:17,280 --> 00:03:22,280 Speaker 4: it's Deebo Samuel or Christian McCaffrey or George Kittle. I 58 00:03:22,280 --> 00:03:24,840 Speaker 4: almost called him Trey McBride. There's a subliminal reference we'll 59 00:03:24,840 --> 00:03:27,440 Speaker 4: get to a little bit later, a Brandon Ayyuk. You know, 60 00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:30,400 Speaker 4: they've done a great job, obviously putting Pro Bowl weapons 61 00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:33,440 Speaker 4: around him, so even when he does go underneath, it's 62 00:03:33,480 --> 00:03:36,400 Speaker 4: sort of like the Trey McBride effect. They're gonna make 63 00:03:36,440 --> 00:03:39,280 Speaker 4: a couple of guys miss or break an arm tackle 64 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:42,400 Speaker 4: or three, and they're gonna turn it into a big gainer. 65 00:03:42,440 --> 00:03:45,960 Speaker 4: Bud Brock perty going downfield, having the wherewithal to go 66 00:03:46,040 --> 00:03:50,280 Speaker 4: through his progressions. The Christian McCaffrey touchdown pass where by 67 00:03:50,360 --> 00:03:52,840 Speaker 4: Mike count it was his third read and then he 68 00:03:52,840 --> 00:03:54,880 Speaker 4: found him boom on the deep slant right into the 69 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:57,680 Speaker 4: middle of the end zone. The Deebo Samuel touchdown pass 70 00:03:57,720 --> 00:04:00,920 Speaker 4: at the very end that was an absolute dying between 71 00:04:00,920 --> 00:04:04,840 Speaker 4: Antonio Hamilton, the pylon and the sideline right on the money. 72 00:04:04,840 --> 00:04:07,520 Speaker 4: I was right down there, so I mean everything that. 73 00:04:07,720 --> 00:04:09,800 Speaker 4: And then he's tough the way he got drilled by 74 00:04:09,840 --> 00:04:13,600 Speaker 4: Dennis Gardeck and came back into the game. So yeah, 75 00:04:13,720 --> 00:04:16,920 Speaker 4: Niners are loaded the you know, Super Bowl favorite at 76 00:04:16,920 --> 00:04:21,440 Speaker 4: this point, and honestly they needed that win because you 77 00:04:21,520 --> 00:04:23,320 Speaker 4: got to stay ahead of a Dallas team that at 78 00:04:23,360 --> 00:04:26,680 Speaker 4: home is unbeatable. Yeah, the Cowboys went and they obviously 79 00:04:26,720 --> 00:04:29,880 Speaker 4: had an epic fail in Buffalo, but you know, Niners 80 00:04:29,880 --> 00:04:32,040 Speaker 4: didn't know that when they started that game. They needed to, 81 00:04:32,360 --> 00:04:35,080 Speaker 4: you know, keep some distance so they can stay at 82 00:04:35,120 --> 00:04:37,200 Speaker 4: home because if you're in the NFC, you don't want 83 00:04:37,240 --> 00:04:39,120 Speaker 4: to go to Dallas the way they won fifteen straight 84 00:04:39,320 --> 00:04:39,920 Speaker 4: in the Big d. 85 00:04:40,040 --> 00:04:42,359 Speaker 1: And then, of course with the Philadelphia Eagles playing on 86 00:04:42,360 --> 00:04:44,839 Speaker 1: Monday Night football against the Seahawks, and what's going on 87 00:04:44,880 --> 00:04:47,479 Speaker 1: in Philadelphia as far as they're shuffling with respects to 88 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:49,880 Speaker 1: who's calling the defense. So yeah, it is a top 89 00:04:49,960 --> 00:04:52,400 Speaker 1: heavy conference. But let's just turn our attention to what 90 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:55,640 Speaker 1: happened what did not happen at State Farm Stadium on Sunday. 91 00:04:56,640 --> 00:05:01,960 Speaker 1: Offense set season eyes in points, total yards, and rushing yards, 92 00:05:02,120 --> 00:05:04,400 Speaker 1: and let's just start right there with the rushing yards 93 00:05:04,440 --> 00:05:08,400 Speaker 1: because all week long it was number one rush defense 94 00:05:08,800 --> 00:05:12,760 Speaker 1: seventy eight point three yards allowed per game. That's what 95 00:05:12,800 --> 00:05:16,400 Speaker 1: the forty nine Ers did coming into Sunday's contest. And yes, 96 00:05:16,520 --> 00:05:20,039 Speaker 1: Eric Armstead John Hargrave not on the football field for 97 00:05:20,080 --> 00:05:21,960 Speaker 1: that forty nine Ers defense, But paul I did not 98 00:05:22,120 --> 00:05:26,279 Speaker 1: expect the Cardinals' ability to not only run the football, 99 00:05:26,279 --> 00:05:29,160 Speaker 1: but even sustaining the run. Even when it got a 100 00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:32,000 Speaker 1: little bit sideways in the fourth quarter, you still saw 101 00:05:32,240 --> 00:05:34,320 Speaker 1: Kyler Murray hand the ball off to either a James 102 00:05:34,400 --> 00:05:36,800 Speaker 1: Connor a Mario deMercado or Michael Carter. 103 00:05:37,400 --> 00:05:39,960 Speaker 4: You're seeing the confidence in the run game, not just 104 00:05:40,600 --> 00:05:44,160 Speaker 4: the players themselves, but the coaching staff Drew Petsing sticking 105 00:05:44,160 --> 00:05:48,520 Speaker 4: with it. You're seeing how it really it energizes the 106 00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:52,000 Speaker 4: entire sideline when James Connor is getting fed and when 107 00:05:52,080 --> 00:05:54,520 Speaker 4: you're feeding it to the front seven like the Cardinals 108 00:05:54,520 --> 00:05:57,840 Speaker 4: did at times. I mean, you had a Fred Warner 109 00:05:57,880 --> 00:06:01,200 Speaker 4: and a Dre Greenlaw. These guys are probably the best 110 00:06:01,279 --> 00:06:04,240 Speaker 4: pairing of linebackers in the NFL, and you were able 111 00:06:04,279 --> 00:06:06,000 Speaker 4: to take advantage of them. You were able to go 112 00:06:06,080 --> 00:06:09,039 Speaker 4: right at a Nick Bosa. Now obviously missing those two 113 00:06:09,080 --> 00:06:13,200 Speaker 4: keys starting interior defensive tackles makes sense. Okay, here we 114 00:06:13,240 --> 00:06:15,560 Speaker 4: come right through the A and B gaps. But the 115 00:06:15,560 --> 00:06:19,400 Speaker 4: ability to execute that and sustain that, and to be 116 00:06:19,480 --> 00:06:21,600 Speaker 4: the first team and want more than six years to 117 00:06:21,680 --> 00:06:24,080 Speaker 4: rush for more than two hundred yards against the forty 118 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:28,000 Speaker 4: nine ers, that just speaks as to the effectiveness. So 119 00:06:28,320 --> 00:06:30,640 Speaker 4: former Cardinals head coach Steve Wilkes, he jogged off the 120 00:06:30,640 --> 00:06:33,040 Speaker 4: field afterwards, and yeah he got the win, but as 121 00:06:33,120 --> 00:06:36,400 Speaker 4: defensive coordinator, you gave up four hundred and thirty six 122 00:06:36,480 --> 00:06:39,799 Speaker 4: total yards and over two hundred yards rushing. You can't 123 00:06:39,800 --> 00:06:42,320 Speaker 4: feel real good about what your defense put out there. 124 00:06:42,640 --> 00:06:45,720 Speaker 1: Most rushing yards allowed by a forty nine ers defense 125 00:06:45,760 --> 00:06:50,279 Speaker 1: since twenty seventeen, and they had allowed only six rushing 126 00:06:50,320 --> 00:06:54,520 Speaker 1: touchdowns this season. Cardinals had two, and it was James 127 00:06:54,600 --> 00:06:57,600 Speaker 1: Connor on that first drive, a great opening drive, seven plays, 128 00:06:57,600 --> 00:07:00,240 Speaker 1: seventy five yards. You give the ball to either James 129 00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:03,400 Speaker 1: Connor or Kyler Murray and then the de Mercado run. 130 00:07:03,760 --> 00:07:06,359 Speaker 1: I'm not quite sure still how he was able to 131 00:07:06,360 --> 00:07:09,080 Speaker 1: slip through the line of scrimmage and then busted out 132 00:07:09,120 --> 00:07:11,960 Speaker 1: for the longest scoring run of the season. So that 133 00:07:12,080 --> 00:07:14,200 Speaker 1: was a good news as far as the ability to 134 00:07:14,280 --> 00:07:17,000 Speaker 1: run the football, and again going back to what you said, 135 00:07:17,600 --> 00:07:20,720 Speaker 1: keeping the ball on the ground even when you're down 136 00:07:20,760 --> 00:07:22,920 Speaker 1: a score or even two scores, because that was something 137 00:07:22,920 --> 00:07:25,679 Speaker 1: that we had not seen earlier in the year, Petson 138 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:27,840 Speaker 1: kind of going away from the run when you were 139 00:07:27,840 --> 00:07:29,240 Speaker 1: trailing by double digits. 140 00:07:29,440 --> 00:07:31,800 Speaker 4: So think about it, it's twenty eight to thirteen, it's 141 00:07:31,840 --> 00:07:34,320 Speaker 4: mid to late third quarter. Cardinals have the ball. That 142 00:07:34,400 --> 00:07:36,640 Speaker 4: was where they had the forty four yard run by 143 00:07:36,680 --> 00:07:39,920 Speaker 4: James Connor, right, the big old chunk run, and then 144 00:07:39,960 --> 00:07:43,480 Speaker 4: from there you had Kyler hitting Trey McBride. Now you're 145 00:07:43,520 --> 00:07:46,080 Speaker 4: near the goal line, and you had that second and 146 00:07:46,240 --> 00:07:49,120 Speaker 4: goal from the five, and you had the messed up handoff. 147 00:07:49,120 --> 00:07:52,240 Speaker 4: Now there was penetration. Someone messed up that play came 148 00:07:52,320 --> 00:07:54,800 Speaker 4: right through the a gap whoever was on the niners, 149 00:07:54,800 --> 00:07:59,400 Speaker 4: So it might have hurried or hastened the handoff process. 150 00:07:59,480 --> 00:08:02,320 Speaker 4: I'm not sure sure. But on the sideline, James Connor 151 00:08:02,480 --> 00:08:05,640 Speaker 4: was mad at himself. He was furious because right there, 152 00:08:05,680 --> 00:08:07,200 Speaker 4: you know, they had the fumble, they were lucky to 153 00:08:07,240 --> 00:08:09,559 Speaker 4: recover it. And then on third and goal from the five, 154 00:08:09,960 --> 00:08:12,239 Speaker 4: Kyler gets blitzed and he can't get the ball off 155 00:08:12,280 --> 00:08:14,480 Speaker 4: in sync with Michael Wilson. You got to settle for 156 00:08:14,520 --> 00:08:16,520 Speaker 4: a field goal twenty eight to sixteen. And that was 157 00:08:16,520 --> 00:08:19,320 Speaker 4: a big deal. I mean that that was a semi 158 00:08:19,440 --> 00:08:22,120 Speaker 4: turning point in that second half because at that moment, 159 00:08:22,520 --> 00:08:25,000 Speaker 4: to get down to the five yard line, you gotta 160 00:08:25,080 --> 00:08:26,960 Speaker 4: cash that in for a touchdown if you have any 161 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:27,800 Speaker 4: hope of coming back. 162 00:08:27,880 --> 00:08:30,200 Speaker 1: Only the second time this season the Cardinals failed to 163 00:08:30,240 --> 00:08:32,760 Speaker 1: score a touchdown on a first in goal situation. 164 00:08:33,120 --> 00:08:35,040 Speaker 3: Wow, And officially. 165 00:08:34,600 --> 00:08:37,400 Speaker 1: That went down as a fumble by Kyler Murray, but 166 00:08:37,480 --> 00:08:39,400 Speaker 1: it was at least on the broadcast, and you bring 167 00:08:39,440 --> 00:08:41,239 Speaker 1: it up right now as well. But on the broadcast 168 00:08:41,440 --> 00:08:43,920 Speaker 1: you brought up that, Yeah, Connor said that that was 169 00:08:44,200 --> 00:08:47,240 Speaker 1: on me. He took responsibility for that bobbled exchange. 170 00:08:47,440 --> 00:08:47,920 Speaker 3: And you're right. 171 00:08:48,320 --> 00:08:50,320 Speaker 1: In order to beat a forty nine ers team, or 172 00:08:50,400 --> 00:08:53,040 Speaker 1: just beat the elite of the elite, you can't settle 173 00:08:53,080 --> 00:08:54,920 Speaker 1: for field goals. You have to punch it in there, 174 00:08:55,080 --> 00:08:56,600 Speaker 1: and then you have to get a little bit lucky. 175 00:08:56,760 --> 00:09:00,559 Speaker 1: And the Cardinals were unlucky twice. Once it was the 176 00:09:00,600 --> 00:09:04,760 Speaker 1: scoop and score by Joey Blunt that was overturned on replay, 177 00:09:04,800 --> 00:09:07,480 Speaker 1: which was a good call, and then the George Kittle 178 00:09:07,480 --> 00:09:11,000 Speaker 1: fumble that was not again another good call. But if 179 00:09:11,040 --> 00:09:14,040 Speaker 1: those two plays go the Cardinals way, well, one you've 180 00:09:14,080 --> 00:09:16,840 Speaker 1: got points on the board, and then two you've stopped 181 00:09:16,840 --> 00:09:19,600 Speaker 1: the forty nine ers defense and you give yourself a 182 00:09:19,720 --> 00:09:22,280 Speaker 1: chance to get back into the ballgame, perhaps make it 183 00:09:22,320 --> 00:09:24,600 Speaker 1: a little bit more interesting late in the context. 184 00:09:24,720 --> 00:09:27,920 Speaker 4: Look, Niners came in plus eleven in the turnover ratio, 185 00:09:28,200 --> 00:09:31,439 Speaker 4: tied for first in the NFL, best record in the NFL. 186 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:34,720 Speaker 4: It's highly unlikely. Let's put it this way that you 187 00:09:34,880 --> 00:09:38,120 Speaker 4: lose the turnover battle and beat that forty nine Ers team. 188 00:09:38,520 --> 00:09:41,839 Speaker 4: So honestly, the postgame conversation could have begun and ended 189 00:09:42,040 --> 00:09:44,640 Speaker 4: with the whole turnover battle, and especially the fact that 190 00:09:44,679 --> 00:09:46,640 Speaker 4: the forty nine Ers cashed in one of the two 191 00:09:47,040 --> 00:09:51,480 Speaker 4: interceptions for a pick six, which a couple of things 192 00:09:51,480 --> 00:09:54,320 Speaker 4: on that pick six first off, Sjarvarius Ward has turned 193 00:09:54,360 --> 00:09:57,600 Speaker 4: into an elite cover corner. I mean he is CB 194 00:09:57,880 --> 00:10:00,040 Speaker 4: one you saw when he went out of that S 195 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:03,720 Speaker 4: game last week two games ago where Seattle is able 196 00:10:03,920 --> 00:10:07,160 Speaker 4: to go after the backups and DK Metcalf initially was 197 00:10:07,200 --> 00:10:11,439 Speaker 4: able to eat Charvarius Ward is very talented. He really 198 00:10:11,440 --> 00:10:15,240 Speaker 4: solidifies that secondary. You saw the athleticism, but I think 199 00:10:15,280 --> 00:10:17,880 Speaker 4: he also saw an extra bit of attention being paid 200 00:10:17,880 --> 00:10:21,199 Speaker 4: to Trey McBride in money moments. Kyler is obviously going 201 00:10:21,520 --> 00:10:25,160 Speaker 4: to Trey McBride and for good reason, and good defenses 202 00:10:25,200 --> 00:10:27,640 Speaker 4: are noticing this tendency. They always look at the last 203 00:10:27,720 --> 00:10:30,439 Speaker 4: month's worth of film and if you go back, obviously 204 00:10:30,480 --> 00:10:33,920 Speaker 4: Trey McBride is getting the bulk of the targets, especially 205 00:10:33,920 --> 00:10:36,880 Speaker 4: in money, high leverage moments, And so there you had it. 206 00:10:37,160 --> 00:10:39,080 Speaker 4: Even the Ward is a cover corner. It was almost 207 00:10:39,080 --> 00:10:42,120 Speaker 4: like he was lurking and playing center field and waiting 208 00:10:42,160 --> 00:10:44,560 Speaker 4: for that. I know Trey held himself accountable for not 209 00:10:44,600 --> 00:10:46,240 Speaker 4: coming back to the ball, but there was only so 210 00:10:46,320 --> 00:10:47,680 Speaker 4: much he was going to be able to do with that. 211 00:10:48,240 --> 00:10:51,360 Speaker 1: It's funny we waited, or I should say Cardinals fans 212 00:10:51,400 --> 00:10:54,079 Speaker 1: waited thirty four years for a tight end to have 213 00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:57,400 Speaker 1: a one hundred yard receiving game, and now Trey McBride 214 00:10:57,400 --> 00:11:00,640 Speaker 1: has done it twice in five games, first time being 215 00:11:00,720 --> 00:11:04,120 Speaker 1: Week ten against the Falcons, which was Kyler Murray's first 216 00:11:04,160 --> 00:11:08,120 Speaker 1: game back. And we're seeing that connection quarterback tight end, 217 00:11:08,520 --> 00:11:11,400 Speaker 1: But Paul, we're seeing a little bit too much of it. 218 00:11:11,440 --> 00:11:14,040 Speaker 1: And it's not just Trey mcbid it's the entire tight end, 219 00:11:14,280 --> 00:11:16,480 Speaker 1: even the running backs a little bit and the lack 220 00:11:16,520 --> 00:11:18,480 Speaker 1: of production from the wide receiver room. 221 00:11:18,600 --> 00:11:19,800 Speaker 3: Some numbers for you. 222 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:21,880 Speaker 1: Again, I know you're not supposed to want to beat 223 00:11:21,880 --> 00:11:23,520 Speaker 1: you over the head with a numbers stick, but again, 224 00:11:23,559 --> 00:11:30,439 Speaker 1: these are eye popping numbers. Tight ends on Sunday targeted 225 00:11:30,559 --> 00:11:34,480 Speaker 1: sixteen times fifteen catches for a bucks seventy two. It's 226 00:11:34,520 --> 00:11:36,880 Speaker 1: better than eighty percent of the passing yards going to 227 00:11:36,920 --> 00:11:40,400 Speaker 1: the tight end. Wide receivers targeted thirteen times, but just 228 00:11:40,400 --> 00:11:44,240 Speaker 1: four catches for twenty yards the past two games. Now, 229 00:11:44,280 --> 00:11:46,640 Speaker 1: keep in mind last week or two weeks ago in 230 00:11:46,679 --> 00:11:49,720 Speaker 1: Pittsburgh the rain, maybe that had a factor. No, Michael 231 00:11:49,720 --> 00:11:52,520 Speaker 1: Wilson Hollywood, Brown continues to deal with that heill injury. 232 00:11:53,120 --> 00:11:56,800 Speaker 1: But past two games, tight ends twenty six catches for 233 00:11:56,840 --> 00:11:59,400 Speaker 1: two hundred and ninety two yards on twenty nine targets. 234 00:11:59,720 --> 00:12:04,760 Speaker 1: Why receivers twenty fewer catches six for forty five yards 235 00:12:05,200 --> 00:12:06,760 Speaker 1: on twenty one targets. 236 00:12:06,880 --> 00:12:08,920 Speaker 4: And how many calls did you get after the game. 237 00:12:09,040 --> 00:12:12,160 Speaker 4: With fans wanting Marvin Harrison junior, hey. 238 00:12:12,320 --> 00:12:15,080 Speaker 1: Based off of what we did not see on Sunday, 239 00:12:15,520 --> 00:12:17,839 Speaker 1: I'm right there with them because if you're looking at 240 00:12:17,840 --> 00:12:21,800 Speaker 1: what is glaring that this offense needs, it's a wide receiver. 241 00:12:21,880 --> 00:12:25,280 Speaker 1: It is a playmaker. Now defensively, that's another story. Edge 242 00:12:25,360 --> 00:12:28,200 Speaker 1: rushers where I'm looking at. But wide receiver, yeah, it is. 243 00:12:28,240 --> 00:12:30,960 Speaker 1: It is hard to argue with that assessment. 244 00:12:31,040 --> 00:12:33,559 Speaker 4: See a month ago, it would have been a hard 245 00:12:33,679 --> 00:12:37,480 Speaker 4: no from yours, truly, it would have been absolutely not. 246 00:12:38,200 --> 00:12:40,880 Speaker 4: You need to get to the quarterback. Cardinals have gone 247 00:12:40,920 --> 00:12:42,240 Speaker 4: three straight games with a a sack. 248 00:12:42,320 --> 00:12:42,920 Speaker 3: We'll get to that. 249 00:12:43,360 --> 00:12:45,880 Speaker 4: You need to have a cornerback one to match up 250 00:12:45,920 --> 00:12:48,880 Speaker 4: with the other team's best receiver. There's really not a 251 00:12:48,920 --> 00:12:51,640 Speaker 4: Sauce Gardner projected to be in the top five of 252 00:12:51,679 --> 00:12:54,440 Speaker 4: this draft. There's not that sort of guy Derek Stingley junior, 253 00:12:54,480 --> 00:12:56,600 Speaker 4: who was a dude in Houston, even though they had 254 00:12:56,640 --> 00:12:59,160 Speaker 4: to wait a year because of injury. I mean, honestly, 255 00:12:59,200 --> 00:13:02,920 Speaker 4: you know, hey, another dominant offensive lineman, a three technique. 256 00:13:02,960 --> 00:13:04,800 Speaker 4: I mean, these are all categories that a month ago, 257 00:13:04,880 --> 00:13:07,280 Speaker 4: I would have said would far outweigh the need at receiver. 258 00:13:08,200 --> 00:13:10,800 Speaker 4: But after the last couple of games, and when you 259 00:13:10,840 --> 00:13:14,480 Speaker 4: think about what a Justin Jefferson did to instantly transform 260 00:13:14,559 --> 00:13:17,120 Speaker 4: the Vikings offense a couple of years ago, what Jamar 261 00:13:17,320 --> 00:13:21,080 Speaker 4: Chase did for Joe Burrow and the Bengals, and the 262 00:13:21,080 --> 00:13:23,959 Speaker 4: way they've made deep playoff runs two years in a row. 263 00:13:24,200 --> 00:13:26,679 Speaker 4: When you think of what some of these wide what 264 00:13:26,760 --> 00:13:31,320 Speaker 4: Tyreek Hill did in Miami, and what the Chiefs have 265 00:13:31,360 --> 00:13:35,840 Speaker 4: looked like this year minus that guy at receiver, you 266 00:13:35,920 --> 00:13:39,600 Speaker 4: start to maybe get a newfound appreciation for what a 267 00:13:39,640 --> 00:13:43,040 Speaker 4: Marvin Harrison junior, if indeed he's that caliber we know 268 00:13:43,080 --> 00:13:46,199 Speaker 4: he has the measurables. Is he truly that sort of player? 269 00:13:46,280 --> 00:13:46,800 Speaker 3: I don't know. 270 00:13:46,880 --> 00:13:49,920 Speaker 4: But if the Cardinals end up going that direction four 271 00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:53,520 Speaker 4: months from now and a lot can change. Yeah, you 272 00:13:53,520 --> 00:13:57,000 Speaker 4: can look at these last two games as evidence that 273 00:13:57,120 --> 00:13:59,120 Speaker 4: you know what you need to spread the field a 274 00:13:59,160 --> 00:14:02,240 Speaker 4: little bit more, you need to get I mean, brock 275 00:14:02,280 --> 00:14:05,280 Speaker 4: Purty was so good at the throws outside the numbers. 276 00:14:05,520 --> 00:14:07,200 Speaker 4: Right here it is I think this is the next 277 00:14:07,240 --> 00:14:10,160 Speaker 4: gen stat eleven to seventeen for a Bucks sixty eight 278 00:14:10,200 --> 00:14:13,920 Speaker 4: and three touchdowns on throws outside the numbers against the Cardinals. 279 00:14:14,320 --> 00:14:16,640 Speaker 4: How much production did the Cardinals have in the pass 280 00:14:16,679 --> 00:14:19,080 Speaker 4: game outside the numbers, because when you did hit the 281 00:14:19,120 --> 00:14:21,720 Speaker 4: tight ends, for the most part, it was between the numbers, 282 00:14:22,000 --> 00:14:25,120 Speaker 4: you know, the hash marks and so. And this year 283 00:14:25,560 --> 00:14:29,880 Speaker 4: brock Purty has seventeen touchdowns and one pick on those 284 00:14:29,920 --> 00:14:32,360 Speaker 4: throws outside the numbers. So you need to be able 285 00:14:32,360 --> 00:14:35,920 Speaker 4: to use the entire field. Spread the field, and obviously 286 00:14:35,960 --> 00:14:37,960 Speaker 4: the last couple of weeks that has not been the case. 287 00:14:38,000 --> 00:14:40,240 Speaker 4: It's been the run game, it's been the tight end. 288 00:14:40,960 --> 00:14:43,920 Speaker 4: If even in Jonathan Gannon mentioned this, even if you 289 00:14:43,920 --> 00:14:47,320 Speaker 4: had a healthy Hollywood Brown, just the threat of a 290 00:14:47,360 --> 00:14:50,280 Speaker 4: guy who runs a four to three forces a defense 291 00:14:50,320 --> 00:14:53,440 Speaker 4: to play either a shell coverage or devote to Shaveri's 292 00:14:53,520 --> 00:14:56,880 Speaker 4: ward to travel and shadow a Hollywood Brown. So when 293 00:14:56,920 --> 00:14:59,800 Speaker 4: he's standing on the sideline dealing with severe pain for me, 294 00:14:59,840 --> 00:15:02,600 Speaker 4: he injury and he's got a knit cap on. Now, 295 00:15:02,640 --> 00:15:04,720 Speaker 4: all of a sudden, it's not nearly the same sort 296 00:15:04,760 --> 00:15:07,240 Speaker 4: of offense that defenses have to account for. And you 297 00:15:07,280 --> 00:15:08,560 Speaker 4: saw that play out the last. 298 00:15:08,400 --> 00:15:10,520 Speaker 1: Three quarters and just thinking out loud right here on 299 00:15:10,560 --> 00:15:12,800 Speaker 1: a Monday, I wonder if we're at the point of 300 00:15:12,840 --> 00:15:15,920 Speaker 1: the season with three games left, and for the benefit 301 00:15:16,040 --> 00:15:19,080 Speaker 1: of Hollywood Brown and his future, remember he is a 302 00:15:19,120 --> 00:15:22,920 Speaker 1: free agent to be is it time maybe for the 303 00:15:22,920 --> 00:15:26,520 Speaker 1: Cardinals and for Hollywood to come to a mutual agreement. Hey, 304 00:15:26,600 --> 00:15:29,680 Speaker 1: let's just shut this down because he needs to get 305 00:15:29,680 --> 00:15:33,120 Speaker 1: healthy and he is maybe hurting the team more than helping, 306 00:15:33,880 --> 00:15:35,800 Speaker 1: whether you're on the sideline or on the football field. 307 00:15:35,800 --> 00:15:38,080 Speaker 1: Because he did play, but he seemed like he was 308 00:15:38,200 --> 00:15:40,880 Speaker 1: more of a decoy and not quite full speed when 309 00:15:40,880 --> 00:15:42,040 Speaker 1: he was running his routes. 310 00:15:42,920 --> 00:15:43,680 Speaker 3: It was interesting. 311 00:15:43,920 --> 00:15:47,080 Speaker 4: Hollywood told the media this past week that he's at 312 00:15:47,120 --> 00:15:52,160 Speaker 4: peace with his season because on film he knows he's winning. Now, 313 00:15:52,240 --> 00:15:54,880 Speaker 4: obviously he hasn't had the production. A lot of that 314 00:15:54,960 --> 00:15:57,440 Speaker 4: had to do with not having QB one Kyler Murray 315 00:15:57,920 --> 00:16:01,440 Speaker 4: for the majority of the season. Now he's dealing with injury. 316 00:16:01,880 --> 00:16:06,120 Speaker 4: But his numbers are so suppressed based on the lack 317 00:16:06,160 --> 00:16:09,160 Speaker 4: of production. Did I really wonder what his fair market 318 00:16:09,240 --> 00:16:11,000 Speaker 4: value is going to be as a guy who's in 319 00:16:11,000 --> 00:16:14,840 Speaker 4: the last year of his contract? Just thinking ahead, Okay, 320 00:16:14,840 --> 00:16:17,440 Speaker 4: what are the odds Cardinals hit the off season and 321 00:16:17,520 --> 00:16:20,120 Speaker 4: they let him hit the open market? And then what 322 00:16:20,280 --> 00:16:22,880 Speaker 4: sort of offer may or may there not be for 323 00:16:22,960 --> 00:16:25,360 Speaker 4: a Hollywood Brown? And do the Cardinals able to secure 324 00:16:25,400 --> 00:16:29,280 Speaker 4: his services even perhaps on another one year deal at 325 00:16:29,320 --> 00:16:33,520 Speaker 4: a fair number, a fairly feasible economical number where he 326 00:16:33,560 --> 00:16:35,200 Speaker 4: has to come back and try and prove it. In 327 00:16:35,280 --> 00:16:36,440 Speaker 4: twenty twenty. 328 00:16:36,160 --> 00:16:40,680 Speaker 1: Four, Brown played twenty four snaps. Was not targeted in 329 00:16:40,760 --> 00:16:43,880 Speaker 1: that game. So here are his numbers through week fifteen. 330 00:16:44,040 --> 00:16:47,080 Speaker 1: Fifty one catches for five hundred and seventy four yards. 331 00:16:47,120 --> 00:16:49,840 Speaker 1: But Paul, he's been targeted one hundred and one times. 332 00:16:49,880 --> 00:16:52,520 Speaker 1: And I heard pass mention this on the broadcast. If 333 00:16:52,560 --> 00:16:56,160 Speaker 1: you look at the catch rate, it is just barely 334 00:16:56,680 --> 00:17:00,120 Speaker 1: above fifty percent. So fifty percent of the time the 335 00:17:00,200 --> 00:17:05,840 Speaker 1: quarterback dobbs tune Murray is looking at Hollywood Brown, only 336 00:17:05,880 --> 00:17:08,280 Speaker 1: fifty percent of those attempts are being caught. 337 00:17:08,440 --> 00:17:11,840 Speaker 4: I mean, honestly, we've seen every snap of every game. Conservatively, 338 00:17:11,920 --> 00:17:15,840 Speaker 4: he should have four more chunk throw touchdown catches should 339 00:17:15,840 --> 00:17:19,440 Speaker 4: he not correct between Josh Das missing three and Kyler 340 00:17:19,560 --> 00:17:23,040 Speaker 4: one at least maybe even five or a half dozen. 341 00:17:23,160 --> 00:17:26,560 Speaker 4: So again, and as stute general manager, if indeed he 342 00:17:26,600 --> 00:17:29,040 Speaker 4: does hit the free agency market, would look at the 343 00:17:29,040 --> 00:17:31,560 Speaker 4: film and say, he's been winning a lot on film, 344 00:17:31,600 --> 00:17:35,119 Speaker 4: win healthy. They just didn't maximize him a because it 345 00:17:35,240 --> 00:17:38,280 Speaker 4: was a backup quarterback. B because maybe you know, Kyler 346 00:17:38,320 --> 00:17:39,840 Speaker 4: was dealing with some russ and it's a brand new 347 00:17:39,880 --> 00:17:43,240 Speaker 4: offense and they weren't quite in sync. But I still 348 00:17:43,280 --> 00:17:46,399 Speaker 4: believe in Hollywood Brown and his abilities. But he's not 349 00:17:46,480 --> 00:17:49,920 Speaker 4: healthy right now. And so to your point, yeah, maybe 350 00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:52,159 Speaker 4: it's in everyone's best interest to see if they can 351 00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:54,159 Speaker 4: get him right in perhaps maybe just maybe he can 352 00:17:54,200 --> 00:17:55,160 Speaker 4: play the final two. 353 00:17:54,960 --> 00:17:58,400 Speaker 1: Games, and just having some wide receiver production would help 354 00:17:58,480 --> 00:18:01,560 Speaker 1: this offense because if you look at what happened on Sunday, 355 00:18:01,640 --> 00:18:04,800 Speaker 1: each team had six scoring drives. Forty nine ers had 356 00:18:04,800 --> 00:18:07,560 Speaker 1: five touchdowns to the Cardinals three. But it was how 357 00:18:07,600 --> 00:18:09,719 Speaker 1: the forty nine ers were able to move up and 358 00:18:09,760 --> 00:18:14,119 Speaker 1: down the field two scoring plays, two scoring drives excuse me, 359 00:18:14,480 --> 00:18:18,680 Speaker 1: of eight or more plays. Cardinals had five scoring drive 360 00:18:18,760 --> 00:18:21,200 Speaker 1: of at least eight plays, so it was more difficult. 361 00:18:21,359 --> 00:18:24,880 Speaker 1: It took the Cardinals a lot longer to move the football. 362 00:18:24,960 --> 00:18:27,040 Speaker 1: They were very well at moving the ball up and 363 00:18:27,080 --> 00:18:29,560 Speaker 1: down the field four hundred and thirty six yards most 364 00:18:29,640 --> 00:18:32,920 Speaker 1: yards this season, but it was something that took them 365 00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:35,199 Speaker 1: a long period of time. And if you don't have 366 00:18:35,240 --> 00:18:37,960 Speaker 1: that thread of a wide receiver, yes McBride can go 367 00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:40,520 Speaker 1: out deep, but if you don't have that wide receiver threat, now, 368 00:18:40,520 --> 00:18:43,080 Speaker 1: all of a sudden, defenses can lay back a little 369 00:18:43,080 --> 00:18:45,800 Speaker 1: bit and force you to make mistakes. And the Cardinals 370 00:18:45,880 --> 00:18:48,280 Speaker 1: made their fair share of mistakes. That's why they settled 371 00:18:48,520 --> 00:18:50,520 Speaker 1: four field goals as opposed to touchdowns. 372 00:18:50,680 --> 00:18:54,159 Speaker 4: Think of how far just the chunk played touchdown here 373 00:18:54,200 --> 00:18:57,200 Speaker 4: and there would go for the Cardinals, something that is absent. 374 00:18:57,640 --> 00:19:01,760 Speaker 4: Every single touchdown drive seemingly is ten twelve, fifteen plays, 375 00:19:01,800 --> 00:19:04,800 Speaker 4: whereas the Niners get a four place, seventy five yard 376 00:19:04,840 --> 00:19:07,840 Speaker 4: touchdown drive capped by a Christian McCaffrey forty one yard 377 00:19:07,920 --> 00:19:10,080 Speaker 4: strike where he's so wide open he's able to fall down, 378 00:19:10,160 --> 00:19:14,280 Speaker 4: get up, and then finish the touchdown. So that is 379 00:19:14,320 --> 00:19:17,479 Speaker 4: an element that is most definitely missing from the Cardinals offense. 380 00:19:17,600 --> 00:19:22,840 Speaker 4: That big play, big strike, explosive where you finish it 381 00:19:23,040 --> 00:19:26,080 Speaker 4: and you get a quick touchdown that is not happening. 382 00:19:26,400 --> 00:19:27,720 Speaker 4: And then you have a nine ers team that once 383 00:19:27,720 --> 00:19:30,359 Speaker 4: they get got into the red zone was perfect. They 384 00:19:30,400 --> 00:19:32,760 Speaker 4: went four for four in the red zone. Very efficient. 385 00:19:33,240 --> 00:19:36,280 Speaker 4: Kyle Shanahan among the best in the business, just keeping 386 00:19:36,280 --> 00:19:39,800 Speaker 4: a defense, honest, having so many different options, and Purty's 387 00:19:39,840 --> 00:19:42,960 Speaker 4: able to stay patient and you know not risk doesn't 388 00:19:42,960 --> 00:19:45,320 Speaker 4: have to take some of those big risks, whereas Kyler 389 00:19:45,320 --> 00:19:47,720 Speaker 4: at times, you know he had to throw into traffic 390 00:19:47,760 --> 00:19:50,800 Speaker 4: he was forced to. That wasn't the case for a 391 00:19:50,840 --> 00:19:53,640 Speaker 4: Brock Party who was very efficient. I mean, in my mind, 392 00:19:53,680 --> 00:19:57,480 Speaker 4: if Brock Purty isn't the league MVP, then it's Christian McCaffrey. 393 00:19:57,920 --> 00:20:00,840 Speaker 4: And what Christian McCaffery is doing right now well leading 394 00:20:00,880 --> 00:20:04,679 Speaker 4: the NFL and rushing yards yards from scrimmage tied for 395 00:20:04,760 --> 00:20:10,439 Speaker 4: first and touchdowns yards after contact running back receiving yards 396 00:20:10,520 --> 00:20:12,919 Speaker 4: just the routtree has. It's like on first and second down, 397 00:20:12,960 --> 00:20:14,560 Speaker 4: he's a running back. On third down, they just split 398 00:20:14,640 --> 00:20:16,679 Speaker 4: them out wide and he's got a complete routtree as 399 00:20:16,720 --> 00:20:17,159 Speaker 4: a receiver. 400 00:20:17,359 --> 00:20:19,960 Speaker 1: And that's what the Cardinals defenders were saying earlier in 401 00:20:20,000 --> 00:20:22,800 Speaker 1: the week that no, McCaffrey is not a running back 402 00:20:22,800 --> 00:20:24,440 Speaker 1: who can catch the ball. He is a running back 403 00:20:24,480 --> 00:20:27,800 Speaker 1: and a wide receiver. He's almost two different players based 404 00:20:27,840 --> 00:20:30,000 Speaker 1: off his skill set. And if there is any doubt 405 00:20:30,200 --> 00:20:32,400 Speaker 1: at least in my mind or anyone as far as 406 00:20:32,520 --> 00:20:35,440 Speaker 1: is McCaffrey or Purty, if you want to just throw 407 00:20:35,520 --> 00:20:38,880 Speaker 1: on these two games against the Cardinals, as far as hey, 408 00:20:39,000 --> 00:20:42,760 Speaker 1: Christian McAffrey is the MVP. Fifty times he's touched the 409 00:20:42,800 --> 00:20:46,040 Speaker 1: ball in two games for three hundred and sixty four 410 00:20:46,119 --> 00:20:48,480 Speaker 1: yards right and seven total touchdowns. 411 00:20:48,520 --> 00:20:51,359 Speaker 4: See now, in the first game, you didn't have Buddha Baker, 412 00:20:51,640 --> 00:20:53,880 Speaker 4: and so we were thinking out loud in the pregame, 413 00:20:53,920 --> 00:20:57,800 Speaker 4: show is Buddha Baker a spy against Christian McCaffrey in 414 00:20:57,880 --> 00:21:00,639 Speaker 4: the second game, And at times it looked like he was. 415 00:21:00,680 --> 00:21:03,840 Speaker 4: It's always hard to tell exactly, but at other times 416 00:21:03,840 --> 00:21:07,000 Speaker 4: I think Perty and Shanahan were very adept at assessing 417 00:21:07,160 --> 00:21:10,679 Speaker 4: whether a linebacker was on Christian McCaffrey, and if indeed 418 00:21:10,680 --> 00:21:14,040 Speaker 4: that was the case, well that's advantaged Christian McCaffrey and 419 00:21:14,119 --> 00:21:16,800 Speaker 4: you're without your starting mic linebacker. And I think at times, 420 00:21:17,119 --> 00:21:21,080 Speaker 4: you know, they went directly at Josh Woods, especially in 421 00:21:21,080 --> 00:21:23,280 Speaker 4: that touchdown catch where he had the deep slant and 422 00:21:23,880 --> 00:21:26,720 Speaker 4: that grab in the red zone. So there were different 423 00:21:26,760 --> 00:21:29,159 Speaker 4: times where you know, what, Christian McCaffrey is a handful 424 00:21:29,280 --> 00:21:32,840 Speaker 4: for anybody, but you know, there's only one Buddha Baker 425 00:21:32,880 --> 00:21:35,399 Speaker 4: out there, and when you have him perhaps on a 426 00:21:35,480 --> 00:21:38,560 Speaker 4: George Kittle, then you can't have him a Christian McCaffrey. 427 00:21:38,560 --> 00:21:40,880 Speaker 4: And Perty did a real good job at discerning those 428 00:21:40,880 --> 00:21:41,840 Speaker 4: matchup advantages. 429 00:21:41,920 --> 00:21:43,720 Speaker 1: By the way, I know, it might have happened while 430 00:21:43,760 --> 00:21:46,639 Speaker 1: you were en root or might have been getting ready 431 00:21:46,720 --> 00:21:50,080 Speaker 1: for the pregame huddle. But Buddha Baker on Sunday played 432 00:21:50,119 --> 00:21:53,080 Speaker 1: all but one snap, and as our colleague Darren Urban 433 00:21:53,160 --> 00:21:56,159 Speaker 1: noted earlier on Monday, perhaps had the tweets of the 434 00:21:56,240 --> 00:21:58,840 Speaker 1: day because he did show up in the injury report 435 00:21:58,880 --> 00:22:03,840 Speaker 1: on Sunday morning because of illness and Buddha postgame mentioned that, well, 436 00:22:04,359 --> 00:22:06,880 Speaker 1: go to Buddha Baker's social media page and you'll find out. 437 00:22:06,880 --> 00:22:10,240 Speaker 1: But it seems like Paul things were maybe coming out 438 00:22:10,280 --> 00:22:12,720 Speaker 1: both ends, if you will, based off of some emojis 439 00:22:12,800 --> 00:22:15,199 Speaker 1: that Buddha Baker had tweeted. So he was less than 440 00:22:15,200 --> 00:22:18,880 Speaker 1: one hundred percent but still gutted it out to play 441 00:22:18,920 --> 00:22:22,399 Speaker 1: all but one defensive snap against the Cardinals on Sunday. 442 00:22:22,440 --> 00:22:24,600 Speaker 4: So you're saying he put the gut into gutted it out. 443 00:22:24,640 --> 00:22:26,920 Speaker 4: Is that what you're saying? Maybe he lost a few 444 00:22:27,000 --> 00:22:30,719 Speaker 4: LB's the hard way, maybe a little trepidation. The Cardinals 445 00:22:30,760 --> 00:22:32,400 Speaker 4: are wearing all white. I mean, what are you saying 446 00:22:32,440 --> 00:22:34,919 Speaker 4: over there? Okay, So Buddha Baker went out there and 447 00:22:34,960 --> 00:22:39,840 Speaker 4: he and he bawled, and so look, yeah, I shuddered 448 00:22:39,840 --> 00:22:42,720 Speaker 4: to think what the defense would look like minus Buddha Baker. 449 00:22:42,760 --> 00:22:46,840 Speaker 4: He is indeed that important. So you know, you hit 450 00:22:46,920 --> 00:22:51,520 Speaker 4: zoom out. And this is the challenge in the off season. 451 00:22:51,760 --> 00:22:55,359 Speaker 4: To me, it's the division. It's figuring out Sean McVay, 452 00:22:56,200 --> 00:22:57,880 Speaker 4: what fourteen to sixteen he's won. 453 00:22:58,200 --> 00:22:58,679 Speaker 2: I think. 454 00:23:00,119 --> 00:23:02,520 Speaker 4: Now Kyle Shanahan and the forty nine ers who have 455 00:23:02,560 --> 00:23:05,200 Speaker 4: won twelve straight in the division. You got to figure 456 00:23:05,200 --> 00:23:08,160 Speaker 4: that out. Now, the Seahawks, I'm not exactly sure what 457 00:23:08,200 --> 00:23:10,840 Speaker 4: to think. I like to think that you go plus 458 00:23:10,880 --> 00:23:13,239 Speaker 4: three in the turnover battle at Seattle earlier this year 459 00:23:13,280 --> 00:23:15,879 Speaker 4: and you have Kyler Murray, you win that game. But 460 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:19,040 Speaker 4: obviously Seattle has had a couple of pretty stellar draft classes. 461 00:23:19,280 --> 00:23:20,800 Speaker 4: What are they going to do a quarterback going for 462 00:23:21,080 --> 00:23:25,320 Speaker 4: Nobody truly knows, but they have talent and they play hard, 463 00:23:25,640 --> 00:23:29,199 Speaker 4: and so to me, that's the off season challenge is 464 00:23:29,240 --> 00:23:31,440 Speaker 4: your own division. Because you can look at the rest 465 00:23:31,440 --> 00:23:33,840 Speaker 4: of the NFC and I like to bag on the 466 00:23:33,880 --> 00:23:36,399 Speaker 4: Minnesotas and Green Bays and Atlantas of the world and 467 00:23:36,440 --> 00:23:39,640 Speaker 4: everyone else in the lack thereof and Tampa leading its division. 468 00:23:39,720 --> 00:23:41,680 Speaker 4: But you got to get out of your own division 469 00:23:41,840 --> 00:23:45,639 Speaker 4: and you have two really tough challenges for your team 470 00:23:46,200 --> 00:23:49,880 Speaker 4: in recent history, and in another team that's on the upswing. 471 00:23:50,040 --> 00:23:52,560 Speaker 1: And to me, it starts on the defensive line, it 472 00:23:52,640 --> 00:23:55,359 Speaker 1: starts at outside linebacker. You brought it up earlier as 473 00:23:55,400 --> 00:23:57,960 Speaker 1: far as the Cardinals for the third straight game did 474 00:23:58,000 --> 00:24:01,879 Speaker 1: not record a sack. And it's not always the sack total, 475 00:24:01,920 --> 00:24:04,760 Speaker 1: but how about just one quarterback hit? In other words, 476 00:24:04,800 --> 00:24:07,320 Speaker 1: brock Party was able to stand in that pocket. Have 477 00:24:07,440 --> 00:24:09,560 Speaker 1: all the time in the world. And I don't care 478 00:24:09,640 --> 00:24:11,879 Speaker 1: how good of a cornerback you are or a safety, 479 00:24:11,880 --> 00:24:15,840 Speaker 1: you could have all pros across the board. Good quarterback 480 00:24:16,080 --> 00:24:18,600 Speaker 1: and even a decent wide receiver is going to beat 481 00:24:18,680 --> 00:24:21,720 Speaker 1: coverage if you give the quarterback enough time. And I 482 00:24:21,800 --> 00:24:24,760 Speaker 1: go back to what Drew Stanton, our colleague on the 483 00:24:24,760 --> 00:24:27,560 Speaker 1: Red Sea Report, has always said when you ask him 484 00:24:27,600 --> 00:24:32,200 Speaker 1: about an edge rusher versus a cornerback and a quarterback, 485 00:24:32,320 --> 00:24:35,080 Speaker 1: will always say I fear the edge rusher more than 486 00:24:35,119 --> 00:24:37,720 Speaker 1: I do the cornerback. So to me, if you're looking 487 00:24:37,840 --> 00:24:41,280 Speaker 1: at the front seven, that is where this defense needs 488 00:24:41,320 --> 00:24:43,440 Speaker 1: to improve versus the back end. 489 00:24:43,760 --> 00:24:46,720 Speaker 4: I totally agree. And I actually got into a discussion 490 00:24:46,880 --> 00:24:49,120 Speaker 4: late in the game with Passion Wolf on the radio side, 491 00:24:49,160 --> 00:24:50,720 Speaker 4: and they were talking about all right, and it was 492 00:24:51,040 --> 00:24:53,600 Speaker 4: during a down moment as an injury timeout, and what 493 00:24:53,640 --> 00:24:55,440 Speaker 4: do you think? And I think the question passed the 494 00:24:55,520 --> 00:24:58,639 Speaker 4: Wolf was what position room is in the most need? 495 00:24:59,240 --> 00:25:03,080 Speaker 4: And they both went offensive line and I was raising 496 00:25:03,080 --> 00:25:04,800 Speaker 4: my hand on the sideline. Let me in, Jim I 497 00:25:04,880 --> 00:25:07,520 Speaker 4: monro let me in, and I jumped in and I 498 00:25:07,520 --> 00:25:11,199 Speaker 4: said guys. Look, if there was a Sauce Gardener in 499 00:25:11,240 --> 00:25:13,840 Speaker 4: the top five, I might be convinced to go corner. 500 00:25:14,280 --> 00:25:18,040 Speaker 4: But how can you not go defensive front. Whether it's 501 00:25:18,040 --> 00:25:22,200 Speaker 4: a dominant three technique who can destroy and disrupt from 502 00:25:22,200 --> 00:25:25,600 Speaker 4: the inside out, whether it's that edge rusher with the 503 00:25:25,680 --> 00:25:29,760 Speaker 4: elite talent, it is still about a the quarterback. B 504 00:25:30,520 --> 00:25:33,520 Speaker 4: get to the quarterback. Those are always the two most 505 00:25:33,520 --> 00:25:37,560 Speaker 4: important things in the NFL in my mind. And if 506 00:25:37,600 --> 00:25:41,080 Speaker 4: you give quarterbacks, even mediocre quarterbacks, a ton of time, 507 00:25:41,600 --> 00:25:44,000 Speaker 4: guess what, it's going to be very difficult. And that 508 00:25:44,119 --> 00:25:46,879 Speaker 4: has been the case for the Cardinals recently in trying 509 00:25:46,920 --> 00:25:49,600 Speaker 4: to get home. And so I don't know what's there 510 00:25:49,600 --> 00:25:51,239 Speaker 4: in the top five of the draft. I don't think 511 00:25:51,280 --> 00:25:54,440 Speaker 4: there's a Miles Garrett. I don't think there's a Nick Bosa. 512 00:25:54,520 --> 00:25:57,000 Speaker 4: Think of some of the elite guys the Cardinals have 513 00:25:57,119 --> 00:26:00,320 Speaker 4: had to go against so far this season. Now they 514 00:26:00,320 --> 00:26:02,879 Speaker 4: get another one going to Chicago. Montes Sweat, who the 515 00:26:02,920 --> 00:26:06,040 Speaker 4: Bears traded for it before the deadline, has thirteen sacks 516 00:26:06,040 --> 00:26:07,440 Speaker 4: this year. He had a two and a half sack 517 00:26:07,560 --> 00:26:10,320 Speaker 4: game this past week against the Browns. He's a dude, 518 00:26:10,359 --> 00:26:12,480 Speaker 4: a former first round or you got to account for 519 00:26:12,680 --> 00:26:15,199 Speaker 4: So you know, that's the way the game planning works. 520 00:26:15,440 --> 00:26:17,360 Speaker 4: You know, Drew Petsen sits down and the first thing 521 00:26:17,359 --> 00:26:19,240 Speaker 4: he says, all right, what are we doing about number 522 00:26:19,320 --> 00:26:21,800 Speaker 4: ninety five or number ninety nine or you know whoever 523 00:26:21,840 --> 00:26:23,840 Speaker 4: the other team's best guy is. We got to account 524 00:26:23,920 --> 00:26:27,639 Speaker 4: for that guy. And the Cardinals need that guy if 525 00:26:27,680 --> 00:26:29,920 Speaker 4: he's there in the draft a week ago, two weeks ago? 526 00:26:30,000 --> 00:26:32,720 Speaker 4: Who was number ninety and the Cardinals shut down TJ. 527 00:26:32,840 --> 00:26:33,199 Speaker 3: Watt. 528 00:26:33,600 --> 00:26:37,040 Speaker 1: You don't hear offenses say, okay, who's in the secondary? 529 00:26:37,040 --> 00:26:38,919 Speaker 3: Who do we need to throw away from? Okay? 530 00:26:38,960 --> 00:26:41,440 Speaker 1: So you cut off one side of the field, all right, 531 00:26:41,480 --> 00:26:43,159 Speaker 1: I still have the other side of the field. So 532 00:26:43,200 --> 00:26:46,760 Speaker 1: I'm in agreement with you in that conversation, that debate 533 00:26:46,840 --> 00:26:50,640 Speaker 1: with passion Wolf. I'm looking at the front seven defensively. Now, 534 00:26:50,760 --> 00:26:52,680 Speaker 1: is that what you do with the first of your 535 00:26:52,720 --> 00:26:55,840 Speaker 1: two first round picks or your second? I have no idea. 536 00:26:55,920 --> 00:26:58,000 Speaker 1: There's gonna be plenty of time to discuss that. But 537 00:26:58,080 --> 00:27:02,280 Speaker 1: this team needs to force offenses to be uncomfortable. And 538 00:27:02,320 --> 00:27:05,359 Speaker 1: the forty nine ers, again in two meetings this season, 539 00:27:05,840 --> 00:27:09,680 Speaker 1: have twelve third down attempts they were three or five 540 00:27:09,720 --> 00:27:13,400 Speaker 1: in the first meeting, four of seven in the second meeting, Paul. 541 00:27:13,520 --> 00:27:17,480 Speaker 1: Every other Cardinals opponent this season has been forced into 542 00:27:17,520 --> 00:27:22,359 Speaker 1: at least eleven third down attempts, and the Cardinals have 543 00:27:22,440 --> 00:27:24,760 Speaker 1: not been able to get the forty nine ers to 544 00:27:24,800 --> 00:27:27,919 Speaker 1: third down to perhaps bring the blitz or bring an 545 00:27:28,000 --> 00:27:31,439 Speaker 1: extra edge defender out there to affect the quarterback. So 546 00:27:31,840 --> 00:27:33,919 Speaker 1: we always look at certain numbers, but yeah, how are 547 00:27:33,960 --> 00:27:36,560 Speaker 1: you on first down, second down to get the third down? 548 00:27:36,760 --> 00:27:38,040 Speaker 1: That wasn't the case on Sunday. 549 00:27:38,119 --> 00:27:40,040 Speaker 4: And you know what, that's a great point, and I 550 00:27:40,119 --> 00:27:43,600 Speaker 4: wasn't aware of that because on the sideline you hear 551 00:27:43,680 --> 00:27:46,680 Speaker 4: the Cardinals defenders talk about get them the third down 552 00:27:47,480 --> 00:27:51,600 Speaker 4: advantage AZ, meaning they love the Nick Rowls scheme, you know, 553 00:27:51,680 --> 00:27:54,720 Speaker 4: the eleven card pickup we've called it, where they've been 554 00:27:54,760 --> 00:27:59,320 Speaker 4: really successful at confusing opposing quarterbacks when it's third and obvious. 555 00:27:59,359 --> 00:28:02,760 Speaker 4: But you're right, that doesn't happen often enough, frequently enough, 556 00:28:03,440 --> 00:28:08,679 Speaker 4: and that is definitely a reason why the sack numbers 557 00:28:08,720 --> 00:28:10,960 Speaker 4: have been suppressed. If you were not in third and 558 00:28:11,000 --> 00:28:13,920 Speaker 4: obvious passing situations where you can pin your ears back, 559 00:28:14,400 --> 00:28:17,600 Speaker 4: then of course that's going to bring down your sack totals, 560 00:28:17,720 --> 00:28:20,120 Speaker 4: and so yeah, it all ties together, There's no doubt 561 00:28:20,119 --> 00:28:23,080 Speaker 4: about it, and it just comes down to town on 562 00:28:23,119 --> 00:28:23,520 Speaker 4: that front. 563 00:28:23,520 --> 00:28:23,800 Speaker 3: Seven. 564 00:28:24,080 --> 00:28:25,639 Speaker 4: You know how much different would things have been with 565 00:28:25,680 --> 00:28:28,399 Speaker 4: the Kaiser White against the forty nine ers, you know, 566 00:28:28,520 --> 00:28:32,960 Speaker 4: just his athleticism and his ability to get the defense 567 00:28:33,000 --> 00:28:37,040 Speaker 4: in the right spots, the alignment assignment. So we'll see. 568 00:28:37,080 --> 00:28:39,280 Speaker 4: But you know, no room has been hit harder by 569 00:28:39,280 --> 00:28:42,000 Speaker 4: injuries than the defensive line room on this Cardinals roster 570 00:28:42,080 --> 00:28:44,640 Speaker 4: this year. We get it, but they still need to 571 00:28:44,680 --> 00:28:47,080 Speaker 4: fortify that. And don't think the maniasin Ford isn't well 572 00:28:47,120 --> 00:28:47,640 Speaker 4: aware of that. 573 00:28:47,760 --> 00:28:50,680 Speaker 1: And the guys that are playing a Jonathan Ledbetter, A 574 00:28:50,800 --> 00:28:54,200 Speaker 1: Dante Stills, A Roy Lopez. We saw na Kwon Jones 575 00:28:54,240 --> 00:28:58,360 Speaker 1: make his Cardinal's debut on Sunday. Those are solid players. 576 00:28:58,640 --> 00:29:02,600 Speaker 1: They just don't scare opposing offenses. Led Beetter, They'll all 577 00:29:02,600 --> 00:29:05,200 Speaker 1: say this, I do think he is a solid rotation 578 00:29:05,440 --> 00:29:08,560 Speaker 1: piece moving forward. That's the one name I'll go back 579 00:29:08,640 --> 00:29:12,360 Speaker 1: to the scouting combine. Months after Monty austin Ford was 580 00:29:12,400 --> 00:29:15,640 Speaker 1: hired as general manager, he was asked in Indianapolis about 581 00:29:15,640 --> 00:29:18,440 Speaker 1: the defensive line and the first name he mentioned was 582 00:29:18,520 --> 00:29:21,520 Speaker 1: Jonathan Ledbetter. So you're looking at a rotation of what 583 00:29:21,720 --> 00:29:25,160 Speaker 1: three four five different defensive lineman. I do think Ledbetter 584 00:29:25,320 --> 00:29:28,360 Speaker 1: is in the mix moving forward. The question is how 585 00:29:28,360 --> 00:29:30,760 Speaker 1: many of those other role players or is it going 586 00:29:30,800 --> 00:29:33,600 Speaker 1: to take a free agent edition or a draft pick 587 00:29:33,720 --> 00:29:35,800 Speaker 1: in there to do what you said, and that is 588 00:29:35,920 --> 00:29:40,520 Speaker 1: make things uncomfortable and shut down or frustrate opposing offenses. 589 00:29:40,800 --> 00:29:43,200 Speaker 4: And remember, the Cardinals have a half dozen picks right 590 00:29:43,200 --> 00:29:46,400 Speaker 4: now in about the top eighty, so there's gonna be 591 00:29:46,440 --> 00:29:50,720 Speaker 4: opportunity to bolster these position rooms, not just once or twice, 592 00:29:50,840 --> 00:29:53,800 Speaker 4: but you're gonna have a half dozen bites of that apple, 593 00:29:54,040 --> 00:29:56,560 Speaker 4: some really talented dudes that go into the second and 594 00:29:56,600 --> 00:29:59,640 Speaker 4: top of the third round. So we'll see, but yeah, 595 00:29:59,760 --> 00:30:03,640 Speaker 4: I've fully expect. Look, this team in this philosophy is 596 00:30:03,720 --> 00:30:06,320 Speaker 4: all about the trenches in the line of scrimmage. And 597 00:30:06,400 --> 00:30:08,400 Speaker 4: to me, if you look at a team like the 598 00:30:08,480 --> 00:30:11,360 Speaker 4: Lions who have turned it around, they rebuilt the offensive 599 00:30:11,400 --> 00:30:14,000 Speaker 4: line first, and then they invested the second pick overall 600 00:30:14,040 --> 00:30:16,560 Speaker 4: in Aiden Hutchinson, and they hit on some Day two 601 00:30:16,640 --> 00:30:19,080 Speaker 4: and Day three picks in that front seven as well. 602 00:30:19,400 --> 00:30:21,440 Speaker 4: And that's why the Lions right now are leading their 603 00:30:21,480 --> 00:30:24,000 Speaker 4: division for the first time since like the early nineties. 604 00:30:24,520 --> 00:30:27,880 Speaker 4: So I believe in the line of scrimmage as being 605 00:30:27,960 --> 00:30:31,320 Speaker 4: the key, the pivotal reason behind a turnaround, presuming you 606 00:30:31,360 --> 00:30:34,800 Speaker 4: have the quarterback, and I think they do go that direction. 607 00:30:34,960 --> 00:30:37,800 Speaker 4: So for all this talk about a Marvin Harrison junior, sure, 608 00:30:38,040 --> 00:30:39,880 Speaker 4: I'm on board. Looks like an elite talent. 609 00:30:39,960 --> 00:30:40,480 Speaker 3: That's great. 610 00:30:40,720 --> 00:30:43,400 Speaker 4: I'm just not sure that's what the front office is 611 00:30:43,520 --> 00:30:44,959 Speaker 4: thinking that high in the draft. 612 00:30:45,080 --> 00:30:48,040 Speaker 1: It's going to be fascinating to what the decision is 613 00:30:48,640 --> 00:30:52,480 Speaker 1: if they reach that point and Harrison is available at 614 00:30:52,520 --> 00:30:56,200 Speaker 1: pick whatever three or four, wherever the Cardinals might wind up, 615 00:30:56,280 --> 00:30:58,760 Speaker 1: because then you do have a debate. Can one player, 616 00:30:58,960 --> 00:31:01,720 Speaker 1: can one wide receive who doesn't touch the ball every 617 00:31:01,760 --> 00:31:05,000 Speaker 1: single step make that much of a difference to an offense? 618 00:31:05,280 --> 00:31:06,920 Speaker 1: And this is an offensive league. You've got to be 619 00:31:06,960 --> 00:31:09,920 Speaker 1: able to score points twenty nine points nine times out 620 00:31:09,960 --> 00:31:13,560 Speaker 1: of ten, enough points to win a ballgame. But defensively, 621 00:31:13,600 --> 00:31:15,880 Speaker 1: if you're giving up forty five, well, how do you 622 00:31:15,920 --> 00:31:17,480 Speaker 1: slow down that offense? 623 00:31:17,720 --> 00:31:18,960 Speaker 3: You do it with the defensive player. 624 00:31:19,280 --> 00:31:21,200 Speaker 4: And for everyone who said, well, once upon a time, 625 00:31:21,280 --> 00:31:24,800 Speaker 4: the Arizona Cardinals CALVC drafted Larry Fitzgerald number three overall. 626 00:31:24,840 --> 00:31:29,440 Speaker 4: How that turnout agreed. However, the Cardinals weren't a good 627 00:31:29,440 --> 00:31:32,400 Speaker 4: team till they fixed the offensive line in two thousand 628 00:31:32,400 --> 00:31:35,760 Speaker 4: and eight. When they finally had a good enough offensive line, 629 00:31:35,760 --> 00:31:39,200 Speaker 4: a consistent enough offensive line to give Kurt Warner time 630 00:31:39,240 --> 00:31:41,320 Speaker 4: and to be able to run the ball, especially in 631 00:31:41,400 --> 00:31:44,600 Speaker 4: the playoffs, that's when everything clicked. That's when you're able 632 00:31:44,640 --> 00:31:48,360 Speaker 4: to utilize fits and Kwan, Bolden Edger and James. Is 633 00:31:48,360 --> 00:31:50,720 Speaker 4: when you did fix the offensive line, and then you 634 00:31:50,760 --> 00:31:53,400 Speaker 4: were stout enough in that front seven with the Darnell 635 00:31:53,480 --> 00:31:56,120 Speaker 4: Dockets and Carlos Dansby's of the world, that's when everything 636 00:31:56,240 --> 00:32:00,000 Speaker 4: came together. So I just based on the track record 637 00:32:00,480 --> 00:32:03,640 Speaker 4: of where these decision makers have come from and their philosophy, 638 00:32:04,080 --> 00:32:05,920 Speaker 4: I would be much more apt to think that if 639 00:32:06,040 --> 00:32:08,480 Speaker 4: let's say you're picking in the top five, then you're 640 00:32:08,520 --> 00:32:13,320 Speaker 4: going line of scrimmage there. And then maybe with Houston's 641 00:32:13,480 --> 00:32:16,120 Speaker 4: first pick, if you're saying it's around number twenty, oh 642 00:32:16,320 --> 00:32:20,280 Speaker 4: Roma Dunze from Washington, you know, a top notch receiving 643 00:32:20,360 --> 00:32:23,000 Speaker 4: prospect six ' three runs, a four to three, five, 644 00:32:23,240 --> 00:32:26,560 Speaker 4: wildly talented. Maybe you're not getting Marvin Harrison Junior in 645 00:32:26,600 --> 00:32:28,720 Speaker 4: the top five, but you can still get a really 646 00:32:28,840 --> 00:32:31,960 Speaker 4: darn elite receiver in that first round with Houston's pick. 647 00:32:32,360 --> 00:32:34,600 Speaker 3: How many months a week from the drought? Four months? 648 00:32:34,680 --> 00:32:37,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's gonna be a lot. And again there is 649 00:32:37,920 --> 00:32:41,040 Speaker 1: no right answer at the moment, but in four or 650 00:32:41,040 --> 00:32:43,360 Speaker 1: five years from now, oh yeah, that will be a 651 00:32:43,520 --> 00:32:46,320 Speaker 1: right answer and a wrong answer. And it's the question 652 00:32:46,440 --> 00:32:50,040 Speaker 1: that gms always have to figure out because that is 653 00:32:50,120 --> 00:32:53,480 Speaker 1: their livelihood, whether they get seven, eight, nine years on 654 00:32:53,560 --> 00:32:56,160 Speaker 1: the job or they're one and done. As far as 655 00:32:56,400 --> 00:32:59,239 Speaker 1: making that wrong selection forty nine ers, you brought up 656 00:32:59,400 --> 00:33:01,760 Speaker 1: Trey Lance, Well, they were able to pivot off that 657 00:33:01,880 --> 00:33:04,400 Speaker 1: pretty well because they found brock Perty. 658 00:33:04,560 --> 00:33:06,400 Speaker 4: And look, once again, this is in reaction to this 659 00:33:06,520 --> 00:33:09,680 Speaker 4: Niners game. By next Monday, it could change all over again. 660 00:33:09,880 --> 00:33:12,680 Speaker 4: But we're reacting to the fact that the Cardinals receiver 661 00:33:12,840 --> 00:33:17,640 Speaker 4: room had four catches for twenty yards I'm thirteen targets correct, 662 00:33:18,120 --> 00:33:21,560 Speaker 4: And we're also reacting to the fact that it was 663 00:33:21,600 --> 00:33:24,760 Speaker 4: a Cardinals run defense that has yet to account for 664 00:33:24,880 --> 00:33:28,600 Speaker 4: Christian McCaffrey. So these are all things that we're reacting 665 00:33:28,640 --> 00:33:32,080 Speaker 4: to in real time. It's Okay, what are the Cardinals' 666 00:33:32,160 --> 00:33:35,800 Speaker 4: needs based on what we see in the games, And 667 00:33:35,840 --> 00:33:38,680 Speaker 4: that's all we have to go on. And so once again, 668 00:33:39,160 --> 00:33:41,000 Speaker 4: you have to try and match what you have in 669 00:33:41,040 --> 00:33:43,880 Speaker 4: your division first and foremost. Right now, Niners are setting 670 00:33:43,920 --> 00:33:45,720 Speaker 4: the standard not only in the NFC West but in 671 00:33:45,760 --> 00:33:48,400 Speaker 4: the NFL. You've got an issue with fitting the Rams 672 00:33:48,400 --> 00:33:51,160 Speaker 4: in their scheme, and so, all right, how do you 673 00:33:51,240 --> 00:33:54,280 Speaker 4: go about trying to conquer your own division? Because if 674 00:33:54,280 --> 00:33:56,160 Speaker 4: you can't get out of the NFC Wes, you can't 675 00:33:56,160 --> 00:33:57,160 Speaker 4: get into the postseason. 676 00:33:57,240 --> 00:33:59,920 Speaker 1: And right now, the Cardinals are winless against the division 677 00:34:00,080 --> 00:34:03,040 Speaker 1: with one game left against the Seahawks at home. And 678 00:34:03,080 --> 00:34:05,360 Speaker 1: that was the only game in which the Cardinals were 679 00:34:05,400 --> 00:34:09,600 Speaker 1: competitive that first meeting against the Seahawks. Three takeaways or 680 00:34:09,600 --> 00:34:12,120 Speaker 1: your plus three in the turnover battle, you lose to 681 00:34:12,160 --> 00:34:15,640 Speaker 1: your point, better quarterback play, you should be able to 682 00:34:15,680 --> 00:34:18,880 Speaker 1: win that ballgame. But not competitive in two meetings against 683 00:34:18,920 --> 00:34:21,880 Speaker 1: the Rams. Not really competitive for the most part in 684 00:34:21,920 --> 00:34:24,600 Speaker 1: two meetings against the forty nine ers. So, yeah, what 685 00:34:24,640 --> 00:34:27,440 Speaker 1: do you need to do in the NFC West, Because 686 00:34:27,680 --> 00:34:29,920 Speaker 1: it's the easiest path to get into the playoffs. 687 00:34:30,120 --> 00:34:32,160 Speaker 3: Win the division and you're in it. 688 00:34:32,200 --> 00:34:34,480 Speaker 4: Was interesting to hear Kyle Shanahan and the lead up 689 00:34:34,480 --> 00:34:37,560 Speaker 4: to this week fifteen game against the Cardinals site his 690 00:34:37,680 --> 00:34:40,600 Speaker 4: first year in John Lynch's first year with the Niners, 691 00:34:40,640 --> 00:34:43,840 Speaker 4: they started oh to six, oh to eight maybe, and 692 00:34:43,880 --> 00:34:46,040 Speaker 4: then they turned it around the second half of that season, 693 00:34:46,080 --> 00:34:49,080 Speaker 4: and that carried over into the next season. You look 694 00:34:49,120 --> 00:34:52,560 Speaker 4: at the Lions team that started in twenty twenty two 695 00:34:52,760 --> 00:34:55,359 Speaker 4: one in six and then won eight of their final ten. 696 00:34:55,440 --> 00:34:58,479 Speaker 4: Look at the Lions. Now, look at the Broncos this year. 697 00:34:58,520 --> 00:35:01,640 Speaker 4: They started one in five, one six of their next seven. 698 00:35:01,760 --> 00:35:05,399 Speaker 4: So when it turns, it turns, and you have three 699 00:35:05,440 --> 00:35:08,440 Speaker 4: games to go, and you have three games that you 700 00:35:08,480 --> 00:35:10,360 Speaker 4: know what, based on what we've seen out of the 701 00:35:10,360 --> 00:35:13,400 Speaker 4: Eagles recently and games knowledge of the Eagles, you know, 702 00:35:14,000 --> 00:35:17,319 Speaker 4: it's possible, feasible that they're gonna be really competitive in 703 00:35:17,320 --> 00:35:19,960 Speaker 4: that game. Now we'll see, Oh it plays out on 704 00:35:20,000 --> 00:35:22,720 Speaker 4: New Year's Eve. Nonetheless, that's gonna be a raucous crowd, 705 00:35:22,760 --> 00:35:26,200 Speaker 4: no doubt in Philadelphia. But they've already competed with the Seahawks. 706 00:35:26,239 --> 00:35:28,040 Speaker 4: You got the Bears on the road. You saw what 707 00:35:28,080 --> 00:35:30,799 Speaker 4: the Bears didn't folded in the fourth quarter again, had 708 00:35:30,840 --> 00:35:32,840 Speaker 4: a seventeen to seven lead and managed to lose to 709 00:35:32,920 --> 00:35:36,759 Speaker 4: Joe Flacco. So if you can somehow you get two 710 00:35:37,239 --> 00:35:39,759 Speaker 4: wins in these final three games. I know fans maybe 711 00:35:39,800 --> 00:35:41,879 Speaker 4: don't want to hear it with a whole draft order, 712 00:35:42,200 --> 00:35:45,600 Speaker 4: but I do believe in confidence, carrying over momentum, No, 713 00:35:45,920 --> 00:35:50,080 Speaker 4: but confidence and buy in Those are things, tangible things 714 00:35:50,080 --> 00:35:52,560 Speaker 4: that I do believe carry over to another season. 715 00:35:52,600 --> 00:35:55,240 Speaker 1: And figuring out which players you can count on moving 716 00:35:55,280 --> 00:35:58,520 Speaker 1: forward and how the scheme, how those players fit within 717 00:35:58,600 --> 00:36:01,800 Speaker 1: that particular scheme. Ok, we can run the ball using 718 00:36:01,840 --> 00:36:04,480 Speaker 1: this personnel defensively, this is the package that we like. 719 00:36:04,520 --> 00:36:08,239 Speaker 1: Because we have these players at our disposal. Then you 720 00:36:08,440 --> 00:36:11,480 Speaker 1: add to that mix and move forward because I do think, 721 00:36:11,520 --> 00:36:13,600 Speaker 1: and I mentioned it on Cardinal Talk, that if you 722 00:36:13,680 --> 00:36:16,000 Speaker 1: do add the right pieces free agency in the draft, 723 00:36:16,160 --> 00:36:18,680 Speaker 1: there's no reason why the Cardinals in twenty twenty four 724 00:36:18,960 --> 00:36:23,200 Speaker 1: cannot compete be in that contention, the playoff hunt, whatever 725 00:36:23,239 --> 00:36:27,080 Speaker 1: cliche you want to use, play meetingful football. Late November 726 00:36:27,120 --> 00:36:28,520 Speaker 1: and in December. 727 00:36:28,480 --> 00:36:31,440 Speaker 4: No doubt, we went on a ran on Cardinals underground 728 00:36:31,520 --> 00:36:33,840 Speaker 4: last week just looking at the NFL playoff picture, A 729 00:36:33,880 --> 00:36:36,680 Speaker 4: half dozen teams in the AFC at seven and six, 730 00:36:37,719 --> 00:36:40,080 Speaker 4: Cardinals are right there a player or two away from 731 00:36:40,120 --> 00:36:42,840 Speaker 4: being competitive with those teams. Now, you want to go 732 00:36:42,840 --> 00:36:46,120 Speaker 4: atop the NFL in the elite, Okay, I get it, 733 00:36:46,280 --> 00:36:48,720 Speaker 4: But to actually compete and be in the playoff picture. 734 00:36:48,800 --> 00:36:51,360 Speaker 4: That's why once again, if you can compete in your 735 00:36:51,400 --> 00:36:53,480 Speaker 4: own division and just find a way to go five 736 00:36:53,560 --> 00:36:56,880 Speaker 4: hundred in your own division and then go ahead and 737 00:36:56,920 --> 00:36:59,880 Speaker 4: accumulate wins outside the NFC west, to me, that's the 738 00:37:00,080 --> 00:37:02,400 Speaker 4: formula and that's the route to get back into the playoffs. 739 00:37:02,520 --> 00:37:05,879 Speaker 1: Cardinals at three and eleven next week in Chicago. Will 740 00:37:05,920 --> 00:37:09,359 Speaker 1: spare Paul the details on the forecast, because hey, that's 741 00:37:09,719 --> 00:37:12,399 Speaker 1: that's so far off in the distance we don't even 742 00:37:12,400 --> 00:37:14,399 Speaker 1: need to go there. But again i'll fill I feel 743 00:37:14,440 --> 00:37:17,319 Speaker 1: you as far as what potentially awaits the Cardinals and 744 00:37:17,360 --> 00:37:18,359 Speaker 1: Paul Calvc on. 745 00:37:18,400 --> 00:37:21,640 Speaker 4: Christmas Eve Day, here's the update desk, Craig David. That's 746 00:37:21,800 --> 00:37:26,120 Speaker 4: right with NBA, ESPN commitments, the whole Christmas Day thing, 747 00:37:26,360 --> 00:37:29,480 Speaker 4: and so guess what, all the best to Danny Surak 748 00:37:29,520 --> 00:37:32,759 Speaker 4: will be manning the sideline and she'll probably have more 749 00:37:32,800 --> 00:37:35,719 Speaker 4: in terms of layers than Aron wolf Lee breakfast sandwich. 750 00:37:35,920 --> 00:37:40,480 Speaker 4: So that's you know, good luck and I'll be hoping 751 00:37:40,520 --> 00:37:43,080 Speaker 4: the best when it comes to the forecast on your behalf. 752 00:37:43,160 --> 00:37:43,480 Speaker 2: Danny. 753 00:37:43,920 --> 00:37:48,080 Speaker 1: Hey, before I forget, I almost did the weekly award. 754 00:37:48,160 --> 00:37:50,439 Speaker 1: Even though Paul has not been here the past couple 755 00:37:50,480 --> 00:37:53,840 Speaker 1: of weeks, we have announced the Angry Bird Award winner. 756 00:37:54,320 --> 00:37:56,879 Speaker 1: And now that you're back, well, we need to let 757 00:37:57,080 --> 00:38:00,160 Speaker 1: everyone know who this week winner is based off that's 758 00:38:00,160 --> 00:38:01,320 Speaker 1: what happened on Sunday. 759 00:38:01,360 --> 00:38:03,399 Speaker 4: So it's about a month and a half ago. Ronen 760 00:38:03,440 --> 00:38:06,320 Speaker 4: Wolfley on The Big Red Rage asked bj o Jalari 761 00:38:06,360 --> 00:38:10,480 Speaker 4: who's the baddest dude in that locker room? And o Jalari, 762 00:38:10,560 --> 00:38:15,799 Speaker 4: the rookie, immediately answered Matt Prater and we laughed, and 763 00:38:15,840 --> 00:38:19,600 Speaker 4: then we realized, no, he's dead serious. That Matt Prater 764 00:38:20,480 --> 00:38:23,720 Speaker 4: has the look of an assassin. Dude is beyond locked 765 00:38:23,760 --> 00:38:28,040 Speaker 4: in his fifty eight yard field goal. Do you realize 766 00:38:28,080 --> 00:38:31,320 Speaker 4: that in the last eighteen games he is now thirteen 767 00:38:31,560 --> 00:38:36,840 Speaker 4: of fifteen from fifty plus. Wow, think about that, and 768 00:38:36,880 --> 00:38:38,920 Speaker 4: then he was automatic from forty one and twenty eight 769 00:38:38,920 --> 00:38:41,279 Speaker 4: he was three for three, and so for that he 770 00:38:41,280 --> 00:38:44,640 Speaker 4: does get the Angry Bird Award. Just the fact that 771 00:38:44,680 --> 00:38:48,600 Speaker 4: Matt Prater. Who I mean, that guy never blinks on 772 00:38:48,640 --> 00:38:52,600 Speaker 4: the sideline. He is so locked in and honestly, he's 773 00:38:52,680 --> 00:38:56,080 Speaker 4: like an assassin down there. And I don't know, I 774 00:38:56,120 --> 00:38:58,319 Speaker 4: know the Cowboys kicker has gotten all this run and 775 00:38:58,360 --> 00:39:01,600 Speaker 4: all this acclaim. I don't have the Cowboys kickers numbers 776 00:39:01,640 --> 00:39:03,080 Speaker 4: in front of me, but I have a hard time 777 00:39:03,120 --> 00:39:06,120 Speaker 4: believing that Matt Prader isn't a bona fide candidate to 778 00:39:06,160 --> 00:39:08,040 Speaker 4: be the NFC Pro Bowl kicker this year. 779 00:39:08,120 --> 00:39:10,520 Speaker 1: I think there's no question about it. Eight field goals 780 00:39:10,719 --> 00:39:13,960 Speaker 1: of fifty or more yards setting a franchise record, and 781 00:39:14,040 --> 00:39:17,680 Speaker 1: Matt Prater deserves to be in the mix as far 782 00:39:17,800 --> 00:39:20,160 Speaker 1: as the NFC Pro Bowl is concerned. And by the way, 783 00:39:20,719 --> 00:39:24,440 Speaker 1: voting runs through December twenty fifth, one week from today. 784 00:39:24,719 --> 00:39:27,520 Speaker 1: Go to Pro Bowl dot com forward slash vote pro 785 00:39:27,600 --> 00:39:32,040 Speaker 1: Bowl dot Com forward slash votes. Send Matt Prater to Orlando. 786 00:39:32,600 --> 00:39:33,719 Speaker 1: I think it'd be deserved. 787 00:39:34,400 --> 00:39:37,240 Speaker 4: And you know what, he would probably bring Aaron Brewer along. 788 00:39:37,400 --> 00:39:39,719 Speaker 4: He really would, because those two are like inseparable, and 789 00:39:39,760 --> 00:39:42,240 Speaker 4: you know, you should be able to bring your long snapper, 790 00:39:42,360 --> 00:39:46,280 Speaker 4: you know, if indeed you're the specialist. So those two guys, 791 00:39:46,920 --> 00:39:49,440 Speaker 4: I mean, you can't tell if you're up fifty or 792 00:39:49,480 --> 00:39:52,200 Speaker 4: down fifty. They are the same dudes. I mean, when 793 00:39:52,200 --> 00:39:54,920 Speaker 4: you talk about being even keeled, those guys are the 794 00:39:54,960 --> 00:39:55,680 Speaker 4: epitome of that. 795 00:39:56,000 --> 00:39:59,279 Speaker 1: Matt Prater went three of three on Sunday. Unfortunately, the 796 00:39:59,280 --> 00:40:02,640 Speaker 1: Cardinals still stuck on three wins on the season after 797 00:40:02,680 --> 00:40:06,080 Speaker 1: losing to the forty nine Ers forty five to twenty nine. 798 00:40:06,160 --> 00:40:09,319 Speaker 1: Always good to have Paul back on a Monday, and 799 00:40:09,360 --> 00:40:13,440 Speaker 1: by the way, programming alerts with Christmas a week from today. 800 00:40:14,000 --> 00:40:18,400 Speaker 1: No Cardinals Cover two on a Monday, hopefully a victory Monday, nonetheless, 801 00:40:18,680 --> 00:40:21,560 Speaker 1: gave Paul more time to recover from his play by 802 00:40:21,600 --> 00:40:23,280 Speaker 1: play debut in Chicago. 803 00:40:23,400 --> 00:40:25,719 Speaker 4: That's right, all you haters on Twitter, go easy, Okay. 804 00:40:25,800 --> 00:40:27,840 Speaker 4: Dave Pash calls more games than a week than I 805 00:40:27,920 --> 00:40:30,279 Speaker 4: do all year, and he's a top five play by 806 00:40:30,320 --> 00:40:33,160 Speaker 4: play guy, So please have the holiday spirit when you're 807 00:40:33,200 --> 00:40:35,560 Speaker 4: assessing and criticizing said performance. 808 00:40:36,000 --> 00:40:37,840 Speaker 1: And on that note, we will put a lid on 809 00:40:37,840 --> 00:40:40,719 Speaker 1: this edition of Cardinals Cover two, presented by Hyundai, proud 810 00:40:40,800 --> 00:40:43,920 Speaker 1: partner of the Arizona Cardinals. As always, special thanks to 811 00:40:43,960 --> 00:40:47,760 Speaker 1: our executive producer Jim Mamahunter. Our associate producer Cody Fincher 812 00:40:47,840 --> 00:40:50,239 Speaker 1: for Paul Calvic. I'm Craig Real Lou. We'll talk to 813 00:40:50,239 --> 00:40:52,319 Speaker 1: you next time here on Cardinals Cover two.