WEBVTT - Big Red Rage - Conner Strong 0:00:02.040 --> 0:00:05.480 Strap on the boots and scrape up the knuckles ahead. 0:00:05.559 --> 0:00:10.440 He got Jack. This is the Big Red Rain presented 0:00:10.440 --> 0:00:14.760 by Santanford in Gilbert. Mary's Gonna score Touchdown. Slim to 0:00:14.800 --> 0:00:17.759 the Ground by Buddha Baker Like a torpedo, he came 0:00:17.960 --> 0:00:23.079 flying into the backfield. The Rage is brought to you 0:00:23.160 --> 0:00:28.960 by satan Ford in Gilbert. Are you Santanford State Farm? 0:00:29.200 --> 0:00:32.159 Talk to an agent today at eight hundred State Farm, 0:00:33.000 --> 0:00:37.800 And by Arizona Cardinals Podcasts Visit Acy Cardinals dot Com, 0:00:37.880 --> 0:00:46.680 Slash Podcasts, The Rods, Rising Guard, Temperatureizing Vision, Flurring, Rage, 0:00:46.800 --> 0:00:50.640 taking it over. Here's Paul KELVC. Get the popcorn ready. 0:00:50.880 --> 0:00:53.519 It's gonna be a show and Ron will flip. It 0:00:53.680 --> 0:00:58.000 doesn't get any better than that horn unleash. The farm 0:01:00.160 --> 0:01:06.160 might not know much, but I know this much, Ron Wolfley. 0:01:06.280 --> 0:01:12.240 The AFC West is loaded like a Ron Wolfley dinner 0:01:12.280 --> 0:01:16.639 play on Saint Patty's Day. I mean we're talking the corn, beef, 0:01:16.680 --> 0:01:21.200 the cabbage, the Irish bangers and mash the carts. I 0:01:21.200 --> 0:01:24.240 mean everything is right there in the AFC West. So 0:01:24.360 --> 0:01:26.560 you heard me take a shout at you earlier. Paul, 0:01:27.000 --> 0:01:31.240 you're saying somebody walked in mid afternoon or so and said, 0:01:31.319 --> 0:01:34.520 literally out of nowhere, hey, Calvc, your hair does not 0:01:34.800 --> 0:01:39.160 look like a Philly cheesteak, just so you know. And 0:01:39.240 --> 0:01:44.240 I said, what are you talking about? And sure enough, 0:01:44.840 --> 0:01:47.120 sure enough that it took me about four seconds. I said, 0:01:47.240 --> 0:01:49.480 let me guess. Were you in the car listening to 0:01:49.480 --> 0:01:55.200 a certain midday show. It is the Big Red Rage 0:01:55.240 --> 0:01:58.120 presented by Santan Ford and Gilbert. I don't care if 0:01:58.120 --> 0:02:01.520 wolves talking or not. We are Santana Ford, Paul Calvc here, 0:02:02.400 --> 0:02:06.040 Wolf over there, soon to be James Connor is going 0:02:06.080 --> 0:02:08.520 to joy us and join us here. And yeah, we 0:02:08.560 --> 0:02:10.640 will enjoy the conversation. I tell you that much. With 0:02:10.760 --> 0:02:14.000 James Conner, that was a big get. I know where 0:02:14.000 --> 0:02:15.639 all the headlines right now are coming out of the 0:02:15.720 --> 0:02:19.000 afcust And yes, Davante Adams have been traded to the 0:02:19.120 --> 0:02:21.480 Raiders for a round one and round two pick going 0:02:21.520 --> 0:02:23.919 back to the Green Bay Packers because he's going to 0:02:24.000 --> 0:02:27.160 ink a deal that's reportedly worth one hundred forty one 0:02:27.240 --> 0:02:31.280 million dollars, a five year deal max value one forty 0:02:31.360 --> 0:02:35.880 one plus and Wolf if nothing else, guess what that 0:02:36.000 --> 0:02:39.639 cardinal schedule? The NFC West. They picked the wrong year 0:02:39.639 --> 0:02:42.120 to match up with the afcust. I mean, we need 0:02:42.160 --> 0:02:44.400 to go back and like sue the NFL schedule makers 0:02:44.440 --> 0:02:46.520 right now. Holy, there's no doubt about it. You have 0:02:46.639 --> 0:02:49.960 to be kidding me. The AFC West. What a monster 0:02:50.680 --> 0:02:54.280 this is becoming this offseason due to free agency. Yeah, 0:02:54.440 --> 0:02:56.600 and we'll get into that. But speaking a free agency, 0:02:56.760 --> 0:02:59.720 let's get things started with the Cardinals and what has 0:02:59.760 --> 0:03:02.720 gone down already. We're going to detail the comings and 0:03:02.840 --> 0:03:05.799 the goings and guess what two tight ends, not one, 0:03:05.880 --> 0:03:08.280 but two tight ends sign on the line that has dotted. 0:03:08.600 --> 0:03:11.360 Here's Zach Ertz on why he never made it to 0:03:11.440 --> 0:03:13.880 the free agent market. When you find a good thing, 0:03:14.320 --> 0:03:16.760 you don't go looking for something else. They made it 0:03:16.800 --> 0:03:18.600 known that I was a priority from the moment this 0:03:18.639 --> 0:03:21.880 season ended. And to be in a place that respects 0:03:21.919 --> 0:03:23.680 you for not only what you do on the field, 0:03:23.720 --> 0:03:25.760 but off the field as well. The way you approach 0:03:25.840 --> 0:03:28.800 the game for me is valuable. You can't put a 0:03:28.840 --> 0:03:32.400 price on that. And so it truly is just something 0:03:32.440 --> 0:03:34.600 that I wanted to be here, and so for me, 0:03:34.639 --> 0:03:36.560 it was a no brainer. It's a three year deal. 0:03:36.680 --> 0:03:40.440 Reported thirty one point five million seventeen point five million 0:03:40.480 --> 0:03:43.600 guaranteed for the former Eagles Pro Bowl tight end. The 0:03:43.640 --> 0:03:46.640 Cardinals gave up a fifth round pick four last mid season. 0:03:46.760 --> 0:03:49.320 Ron Wolfley and Pauly, You know it was so interesting 0:03:49.400 --> 0:03:53.000 as well, was just the fact that zach is one correct. 0:03:53.280 --> 0:03:58.800 The Cardinals did target him. They did, They targeted zach Ertz, Paully. 0:03:59.120 --> 0:04:01.800 The question is, of course, why was it zach Ertz 0:04:01.960 --> 0:04:05.120 that they were targeting right here? Why was it not? Oh, 0:04:05.160 --> 0:04:07.200 I don't know another wide receiver that might be out 0:04:07.240 --> 0:04:10.120 there now. I know they signed zach Ertz before the 0:04:10.160 --> 0:04:13.720 free agent period. Of course, what they did that because 0:04:13.840 --> 0:04:17.560 they had a personnel grouping in mind, Paul, they had 0:04:17.600 --> 0:04:22.560 a paradigm shift offensively in mind when they signed zach Ertz. 0:04:22.880 --> 0:04:24.839 How many teams have we talked about this the last 0:04:24.839 --> 0:04:26.680 couple weeks right here in the Big Red Rage presented 0:04:26.720 --> 0:04:29.800 by santan Ford and Gilbert. How many teams have that 0:04:30.040 --> 0:04:35.000 dual tight end threat, especially in the NFC West. And 0:04:35.040 --> 0:04:37.640 so I think this really separates the Cardinals. You get 0:04:38.000 --> 0:04:42.400 zach Ertz, you get Max Williams. They've never played together 0:04:42.680 --> 0:04:45.360 because Max Williams went down in Week five and then 0:04:45.720 --> 0:04:48.640 zach Ertz showed up thereafter. But if they can get 0:04:48.680 --> 0:04:51.200 on the same page with Kyler Murray. In fact, here's 0:04:51.240 --> 0:04:54.400 zach Ertz talking about that that chemistry with his quarterback. 0:04:54.680 --> 0:04:57.680 Kyler and I got introduced to each other in the 0:04:57.680 --> 0:04:59.599 middle of the season, and then the middle of the season, 0:05:00.120 --> 0:05:03.599 most of those conversations were geared towards football and geared 0:05:03.600 --> 0:05:06.480 towards the next opponent we were playing, geared towards how 0:05:06.520 --> 0:05:08.680 we can be better. But I look forward to just 0:05:08.720 --> 0:05:11.760 continue to grow as friends. Obviously, I think he's a 0:05:11.800 --> 0:05:14.880 great friend to me. He's he's someone that I've loved 0:05:14.880 --> 0:05:17.480 playing with and for the past eleven games, and I 0:05:17.520 --> 0:05:20.880 think we're just really scratching the surface with our chemistry 0:05:20.920 --> 0:05:23.840 level on the football field, and so I'm excited to 0:05:23.880 --> 0:05:27.080 see where that goes in year two. Zach Ertz and 0:05:27.279 --> 0:05:32.240 James Connor and Justin Pew and Max Williams, What does 0:05:32.839 --> 0:05:36.440 this say to you, PAULI? What does this portend? You're 0:05:36.440 --> 0:05:39.039 talking about the veterans in the leadership and just the 0:05:39.120 --> 0:05:42.560 reliability and the fact that they're known quantities. Yes, PAULI 0:05:42.680 --> 0:05:45.520 not like that this. These signings right here, they paint 0:05:45.520 --> 0:05:48.520 a picture a picture, A picture, I should say when 0:05:48.600 --> 0:05:51.600 the Cardinals were five and old and seven and old, 0:05:51.960 --> 0:05:54.400 when the Cardinal's offense was one of the top three 0:05:54.480 --> 0:05:58.960 offenses in the football universe. They were talented, they were tough, 0:05:59.480 --> 0:06:03.440 they were physical. This is an acknowledgement of everything that 0:06:03.560 --> 0:06:06.839 they were before Max Williams went down. In my opinion, 0:06:07.240 --> 0:06:09.520 and somebody after the season said we're going to move 0:06:09.560 --> 0:06:14.280 away from eleven personnel, three wide receivers and rundown situation. 0:06:14.600 --> 0:06:18.320 Move away from that to twelve personnel. In other words, 0:06:18.400 --> 0:06:21.440 that third wide receiver is going to be replaced by 0:06:21.560 --> 0:06:25.640 zach Ertz in rundown situation with James Connor. I think 0:06:25.680 --> 0:06:28.840 this poort tends the Arizona Cardinals offense is going to 0:06:28.880 --> 0:06:32.760 be more physical and first and ten second and one 0:06:32.800 --> 0:06:37.360 to six classic rundown situations. Interesting, and you know what, 0:06:37.600 --> 0:06:39.400 it would make sense. I mean, you want to get 0:06:39.440 --> 0:06:42.520 your best weapons out there, right zach Ertz and Max Williams. 0:06:42.560 --> 0:06:44.880 Especially the way Max Williams played the first four and 0:06:44.880 --> 0:06:47.640 a half games of this season. That Minnesota game where 0:06:47.640 --> 0:06:50.160 he set career highs was seven catches for ninety four 0:06:50.240 --> 0:06:53.320 yards of receiving, had a big touchdown catch right early 0:06:53.360 --> 0:06:55.240 in that first month. I mean he was critical and 0:06:55.240 --> 0:06:57.800 then you cited this when you watch the film, the 0:06:57.960 --> 0:07:01.000 Cardinals run game is different when as with two xes, 0:07:01.080 --> 0:07:03.040 because you know I has that second X because he's 0:07:03.080 --> 0:07:06.440 a two way tight end. Right. That's right, PAULI, right there. 0:07:06.480 --> 0:07:09.920 I absolutely love it. Go back and look, the Cardinals 0:07:09.960 --> 0:07:13.000 basically said the first half of the season, that happened, 0:07:13.480 --> 0:07:17.280 that happened, and they believe what they saw happening was real, 0:07:17.600 --> 0:07:20.080 and that's what they want to get back to, only 0:07:20.120 --> 0:07:23.920 better this time because with zach Ertz and Max Williams 0:07:24.080 --> 0:07:27.080 as opposed to Max Williams and a third wide receiver, 0:07:27.400 --> 0:07:30.800 I think zach Ertz and Max Williams, especially in rundown 0:07:30.840 --> 0:07:34.920 situation in play action, oh my goodness, look out with 0:07:34.960 --> 0:07:38.520 that right there, that is going to be a great combination. 0:07:38.760 --> 0:07:41.040 It's going to be more physical and yet at the 0:07:41.080 --> 0:07:44.280 same time you're gonna have that play action pass man 0:07:44.440 --> 0:07:47.320 and you might see Kyler under center a little bit more. 0:07:47.960 --> 0:07:52.239 Because you're right that first month or so, that's seven 0:07:52.240 --> 0:07:54.120 and oh the ten and two, I should say, when 0:07:54.120 --> 0:07:56.880 they were a much more balanced offense, especially before the 0:07:56.960 --> 0:07:59.840 loss of Dha. But you know, that was a problem 0:08:00.000 --> 0:08:02.440 for opponents when the Cardinals got the run game going 0:08:02.600 --> 0:08:06.360 and the passing game and they were absolutely lethal. Max 0:08:06.400 --> 0:08:08.640 Williams was a big part of that. And now, unlike 0:08:08.720 --> 0:08:10.680 zach Ertz, he didn't meet the media this week. So 0:08:11.160 --> 0:08:12.960 the next best thing is for us to go back 0:08:13.000 --> 0:08:16.440 to the Pashpod, the recent episode that featured Frank Caliando 0:08:16.560 --> 0:08:20.400 the Man of a Million voices, calling a Max Williams 0:08:20.400 --> 0:08:25.600 touchdown as mel Kiper and John Madden Max Williams fourteen 0:08:25.680 --> 0:08:29.000 yard touchdown catch, let's start doing that as mel Kiper 0:08:29.520 --> 0:08:33.200 talk about tremendous snap snapped, Kyler Murray three step drop, 0:08:33.240 --> 0:08:34.719 lobs it deep through the middle of the end his 0:08:34.760 --> 0:08:39.160 own Max Williams double accident, the excellent single as on 0:08:39.280 --> 0:08:43.720 the Williams hangs in, He's a touchdown Williams over the middle, 0:08:43.760 --> 0:08:46.800 got pop but Kyler Murray with a beautiful touchdown thrown 0:08:46.840 --> 0:08:48.920 at the end of the day, the Cardinals are back 0:08:48.960 --> 0:08:53.480 in front. Let's do John Madden, I mean, I mean, 0:08:54.240 --> 0:08:57.240 what are you gonna do when when Max Williams runs 0:08:57.240 --> 0:09:01.720 the sea money on a great read by Kyler Murray. 0:09:01.760 --> 0:09:05.360 I mean, that's Kyler Murray just being Kyler Murray right there, 0:09:05.440 --> 0:09:07.280 he saw what do you need to do and boom. 0:09:07.280 --> 0:09:11.080 I mean, he just made it happen. That's frank Kellyano 0:09:11.160 --> 0:09:15.760 be Frank Kelliando the singular talent, that is Frankie. So 0:09:15.880 --> 0:09:18.920 that's outstanding stuff right there. Okay, so once again, Max 0:09:18.960 --> 0:09:21.440 Williams is back on board, Zach Ertz is on board. 0:09:21.600 --> 0:09:24.640 James Connor, we'll hear from him momentarily. We'll get into 0:09:24.679 --> 0:09:26.720 all that. You'll hear from the Cardinals Pro Bowl running 0:09:26.720 --> 0:09:29.400 back Justin Pugh. You mentioned he's now set to make 0:09:29.440 --> 0:09:32.360 a guaranteed salary reportedly a five point five million, took 0:09:32.360 --> 0:09:35.000 the pay cut, another one point five available and incentives. 0:09:35.400 --> 0:09:37.680 Dennis Gardeck is back. We'll talk about him a little 0:09:37.679 --> 0:09:40.320 bit later. Colton McCoy, Wolf, how important was it to 0:09:40.320 --> 0:09:42.760 get the backup quarter back on a two year deal, 0:09:42.880 --> 0:09:45.000 No doubt about it, Bully. That's set an awful lot 0:09:45.080 --> 0:09:47.720 right there. Colton McCoy coming in and being the mentor 0:09:47.840 --> 0:09:51.840 once again to Kyler Murray. This is a great relationship 0:09:51.960 --> 0:09:55.120 that they had last year. Of course, only one year 0:09:55.160 --> 0:09:57.680 in that quarterback room. So I'm looking forward to Colton 0:09:57.720 --> 0:10:01.080 McCoy coming back and being an in luins in regard 0:10:01.080 --> 0:10:04.240 to Kyler Murray right now, and once again, Paul, I 0:10:04.679 --> 0:10:07.880 really do believe this represents I could be dead wrong 0:10:07.960 --> 0:10:10.560 on this, Paul, Okay, hear me will on this. I 0:10:10.600 --> 0:10:13.000 could be dead wrong. Yet at the same time, I 0:10:13.440 --> 0:10:16.959 really do believe this represents a paradigm shift in the 0:10:17.760 --> 0:10:22.160 offensive meeting rooms for the Arizona Cardinals. I really do 0:10:22.280 --> 0:10:26.319 believe that moving away from a lot of eleven Last year, PAULI, 0:10:26.360 --> 0:10:29.920 in rundown situation, they were in eleven perconnel almost fifty 0:10:29.960 --> 0:10:32.840 seven percent of the time. Okay, fifty seven percent of 0:10:32.880 --> 0:10:36.080 the time. They were in twelve perconnel. Two tight ends 0:10:36.120 --> 0:10:40.040 in rundown situation twenty seven percent of the time. I 0:10:40.080 --> 0:10:42.440 think those are gonna flip. That's what I think is 0:10:42.440 --> 0:10:45.040 gonna happen. I think those are gonna flip. You're gonna 0:10:45.040 --> 0:10:47.360 see a lot more of the two tight ends with 0:10:47.440 --> 0:10:51.960 Max Williams and zach Ertz. That's why they prioritized zach 0:10:52.080 --> 0:10:55.080 Ertz because of the play action pass that is going 0:10:55.120 --> 0:10:58.080 to happen across the middle of the field, in particular 0:10:58.360 --> 0:11:01.760 with zach Ertz and Kay Murray. It is it is 0:11:02.000 --> 0:11:06.080 a big move. I think a paradigm shift inside the offense, 0:11:06.760 --> 0:11:09.800 all right, incoming and then outgoing real quick. Jordan Phillips 0:11:09.960 --> 0:11:13.840 and Jordan Hicks both released created salary cap room. And 0:11:13.880 --> 0:11:17.040 then you have Chandler Jones at his Raiders press conference today, 0:11:17.160 --> 0:11:20.520 Ron Wolfoy. If there is one urgent need right now, 0:11:20.720 --> 0:11:23.280 it's gotta be for an edge rusher. Gotta be on 0:11:23.320 --> 0:11:25.600 the edge, Paul, He no doubt about that, right. Who's 0:11:25.600 --> 0:11:27.880 out there right now? Paul? Who can you go get 0:11:28.640 --> 0:11:32.679 Darius Smith? Backed out? That would be bad? Right? You 0:11:32.800 --> 0:11:36.559 also throw out a name. Yes, Danil Hunter is to 0:11:36.880 --> 0:11:40.840 like an eighteen million dollars guaranteed payment by the end 0:11:40.840 --> 0:11:43.679 of this week. I think it's Sunday or so. I see, 0:11:43.760 --> 0:11:48.120 they're a speculation he might be available. Yeah, you know, 0:11:48.160 --> 0:11:52.080 and again what could you get him for? Right? How 0:11:52.160 --> 0:11:55.440 much would you have to pay? But Daniel Hunter? Okay, 0:11:55.480 --> 0:11:58.880 Paul sold you got me. I'd be all over that, 0:11:58.960 --> 0:12:01.959 of course. And it's sounds like something that Steve Kim 0:12:02.280 --> 0:12:04.680 might be able to pull off. But the money that 0:12:04.760 --> 0:12:08.600 could be prohibitive. All right, Christian Kirk Chase Edmonds speaking 0:12:08.600 --> 0:12:11.640 a prohibit of money. Christian Kirk got the bag and 0:12:11.679 --> 0:12:14.840 then some may contract with a base value of seventy 0:12:14.840 --> 0:12:17.400 two million, a max value of eighty four million, thirty 0:12:17.400 --> 0:12:21.080 seven million fully guaranteed for Christian Kirk. Did you see 0:12:21.120 --> 0:12:23.640 that coming, Paul with Dustian Kirk, did you meet that? 0:12:23.960 --> 0:12:26.240 We were told behind the scenes and we talked about 0:12:26.280 --> 0:12:27.760 it the last month or so. The market was going 0:12:27.840 --> 0:12:32.079 to be robust. But when he's better paid, then basically 0:12:32.480 --> 0:12:36.559 accept all except a half dozen receivers in the game. Yeah, 0:12:35.960 --> 0:12:39.440 that's because you're Jacksonville and you have to overpay. If 0:12:39.480 --> 0:12:41.960 you're Jacksonville, just go back to the Klais Campbell signing. 0:12:41.960 --> 0:12:44.840 What's upon a time? Yeah, that honestly, that blew my 0:12:44.920 --> 0:12:48.319 mind right there. Chandler Jones again, and by the way, 0:12:48.360 --> 0:12:51.000 I'm very happy for Christian Kirk. I want to say 0:12:51.080 --> 0:12:53.559 that you know a guy, hey, prison, this is what 0:12:53.600 --> 0:12:57.240 players do. They get paid. They go out and they perform, 0:12:57.559 --> 0:12:59.880 and then you get a contract and you get compon 0:13:00.080 --> 0:13:02.600 sated and never forget when you play this game. It's 0:13:02.640 --> 0:13:05.360 a dangerous game, the game of football. Of course, when 0:13:05.360 --> 0:13:07.840 you play this game and you play it hard, man, 0:13:08.200 --> 0:13:11.680 you want that check and that's important. Setting up you 0:13:11.720 --> 0:13:14.080 and taking care of your family for the rest of 0:13:14.120 --> 0:13:17.160 your life, Lord Willie, of course. But for me, I'm 0:13:17.160 --> 0:13:20.000 all for it. Christian Kirk, I'm so happy for him. 0:13:20.120 --> 0:13:22.719 But that's something the Arizona Cardinals could never pay him, 0:13:22.920 --> 0:13:26.280 just could never pay Christian Kirk. That kind of money 0:13:26.880 --> 0:13:30.400 not feasible. Chase Edmonds, he gets a big money at least, 0:13:30.400 --> 0:13:32.400 I mean, think about it. Even he tweeted out a 0:13:32.480 --> 0:13:35.120 kid for it went to Fordham, a mid round pick 0:13:35.240 --> 0:13:37.520 who made his way in the NFL, A twelve million 0:13:37.520 --> 0:13:41.600 dollar deal, six point one guarantee. Awesome as Kyler Murray 0:13:41.600 --> 0:13:43.760 tweeted out, quote, gonna miss going to war with my 0:13:43.840 --> 0:13:46.440 guy Chase Edmonds, Miam he got a dog was the 0:13:46.440 --> 0:13:49.480 tweet there and absolute. You know, the media really needs 0:13:49.480 --> 0:13:51.720 some good interviews back in the locker room, missing Chase 0:13:51.840 --> 0:13:54.679 Edmonds and Christian Kirk right now, that's we have needs 0:13:54.679 --> 0:13:57.600 and wants as well. There go two guys, are they now? 0:13:57.679 --> 0:14:00.240 Pollis yes, they are, no doubt about it. And you 0:14:00.280 --> 0:14:02.280 know what those guys and you know this will win 0:14:02.400 --> 0:14:05.040 or lose. Those guys would join us after every game 0:14:05.080 --> 0:14:07.840 broadcast from the locker room. They would answer all the 0:14:07.920 --> 0:14:12.199 questions stand up dudes and We're happy to see they 0:14:12.240 --> 0:14:15.000 got paid. And now we'll see how the Cardinals cope. 0:14:15.000 --> 0:14:18.440 In fact, we'll talk to the new RB. One is 0:14:18.559 --> 0:14:22.520 his job, to be clear. James Conner will join us 0:14:22.560 --> 0:14:24.520 next and by the way, join the Cardinal season ticket 0:14:24.560 --> 0:14:27.040 priority lists for the twenty twenty two season. We talked 0:14:27.040 --> 0:14:30.200 about that schedule. Are you kidding me? The NFCUS plus 0:14:30.280 --> 0:14:34.720 the Buccaneers, the Saints, the Chiefs, the Chargers, the Patriots, 0:14:34.760 --> 0:14:37.640 and the Eagles all at home. That is acy Cardinals 0:14:37.680 --> 0:14:41.080 dot com slash priority list for more info. James Conner 0:14:41.160 --> 0:14:43.200 on the other side, it is the Big Red Rage 0:14:43.200 --> 0:14:51.160 presented by Santan four in Gilbert cut cut down right now, 0:14:52.320 --> 0:14:54.240 first and goal on the one. The line up Kyler 0:14:54.320 --> 0:14:57.680 Murray under the center and put James Conner deep in 0:14:57.720 --> 0:15:02.200 the backfield seven yards. Already takes quick pitch barside Connor 0:15:02.320 --> 0:15:16.120 in the last two plus games. You already know cool, 0:15:16.200 --> 0:15:19.760 I got it all. We know it. We know it now. 0:15:19.920 --> 0:15:24.120 The NFL knows it now. They found out the hard 0:15:24.160 --> 0:15:29.000 way after eighteen total touchdowns a Pro Bowl campaign. And 0:15:29.160 --> 0:15:32.520 now we know that James conn is on board long term, 0:15:32.680 --> 0:15:35.720 a three year contract and he joins us now. On 0:15:35.840 --> 0:15:38.520 the Big Red Rage, presented by Satan Ford and Gilbert. 0:15:38.600 --> 0:15:42.000 Congratulations James, thank you, thank you, thank you much. Appreciate 0:15:42.080 --> 0:15:44.800 it that when you're miked up like that, by the way, 0:15:44.960 --> 0:15:46.600 does that fire you up a little bit more? Do 0:15:46.640 --> 0:15:49.160 you ever learn anything about yourself when you go back 0:15:49.240 --> 0:15:52.560 and see and hear yourself in action? It's always nice to, 0:15:52.840 --> 0:15:54.600 you know, to go back and see, you know, because 0:15:54.640 --> 0:15:56.600 when you in the moment so much, you know, it's 0:15:56.720 --> 0:15:58.840 like you don't know what you sound like or how 0:15:58.880 --> 0:16:00.560 you are. But just to sit back on a couch 0:16:00.600 --> 0:16:02.880 and it's not game day, you're not fired up, you know. 0:16:02.960 --> 0:16:05.360 It's just it's funny to see how things change, you know. 0:16:05.480 --> 0:16:07.840 But um, you know, being miked up is cool for sure. 0:16:07.880 --> 0:16:09.600 I don't like it. I like it, man. I liked 0:16:09.640 --> 0:16:13.600 your nickname for Cliff Kingsbury, Cliff kissel So. And I 0:16:13.640 --> 0:16:16.320 guess any play call is a good play call if 0:16:16.320 --> 0:16:18.680 he's calling your number, I imagine, of course, if I 0:16:18.760 --> 0:16:20.200 hear him getting the ball in the hoddle, it's an 0:16:20.240 --> 0:16:24.480 excellent call. How often after the player is called, your 0:16:24.560 --> 0:16:26.800 number is called, and you're standing there right before the snap, 0:16:26.880 --> 0:16:29.240 how often do you know, oh, Yeah, this is gonna work. 0:16:29.360 --> 0:16:31.920 This play is gonna hit. Um. You know, it's just 0:16:32.080 --> 0:16:34.560 it's a combination everything. It's where you add on the field, 0:16:34.800 --> 0:16:37.200 you know, and whatever play it is. But um, you 0:16:37.240 --> 0:16:38.600 know when we get in that red zone, you know, 0:16:38.640 --> 0:16:40.600 I like to think every time it is that time, 0:16:40.680 --> 0:16:43.240 you know, whether you know wherever we're at. So um, 0:16:43.360 --> 0:16:45.640 But no, manage. It's a mindset thing, you know, when 0:16:46.240 --> 0:16:48.360 it's it's trust. You know, you got the carrying a 0:16:48.360 --> 0:16:50.760 whole team with you when you know you're getting the ball. Um. 0:16:51.000 --> 0:16:53.400 And so it's just you know, running back especially is 0:16:53.800 --> 0:16:56.920 all reaction you know for the most part. So it's exciting, man, 0:16:57.120 --> 0:16:58.520 That's the best way I can put it. It's exciting 0:16:58.520 --> 0:17:00.320 to know you're gonna get the ball, you know, living 0:17:00.360 --> 0:17:03.320 your dream mindset. And I've said this in the off season. 0:17:03.320 --> 0:17:04.840 I hope you're okay with this. I said, you know what, 0:17:04.960 --> 0:17:08.040 James Connor, he's not just a playmaker, he's a mentality. 0:17:08.080 --> 0:17:11.080 Absolutely you consider that part of your job to try 0:17:11.119 --> 0:17:13.600 and rub that off on other guys, don't you. Absolutely? Um, 0:17:13.800 --> 0:17:15.760 you know it's it's part of leadership thing. And it's 0:17:15.880 --> 0:17:18.080 also just who I am, you know, I see people 0:17:18.200 --> 0:17:19.960 talking about the numbers and whatever it may be. And 0:17:20.400 --> 0:17:22.399 they like to dis label running backs running backs, but 0:17:22.840 --> 0:17:24.879 much more than that, you know, I'm not, I am 0:17:24.920 --> 0:17:27.639 a running back, but like you said, mindset, like I 0:17:27.800 --> 0:17:30.040 like to set the tone for things, um, you know, 0:17:30.160 --> 0:17:32.840 just being being my best self. You know, I get 0:17:32.880 --> 0:17:35.320 more to this team than just touchdowns, you know, and 0:17:35.400 --> 0:17:37.480 so I take pride in that. So you're aware that 0:17:37.560 --> 0:17:40.600 when you flatten a defender that you fire up the sideline. 0:17:40.640 --> 0:17:44.840 Got I mean got you call bullyball, right, define that man. 0:17:45.080 --> 0:17:47.159 Football is a man on a man every time. You know, 0:17:47.600 --> 0:17:49.560 it'll really never change, and that's what the game is. 0:17:50.040 --> 0:17:52.200 And sometimes you just got to be a bully somebody 0:17:52.200 --> 0:17:53.679 in your way. You gotta you know, force someb out 0:17:53.720 --> 0:17:56.920 of your way and may just be more physical and 0:17:57.040 --> 0:17:58.560 so you know, being a bully. When you think of 0:17:58.600 --> 0:18:00.000 a bully, when you think of you think of somebody 0:18:00.160 --> 0:18:02.880 physical and all of that type of stuff. So it's 0:18:02.920 --> 0:18:05.320 just bulle ball. Because down on the sideline, I'll see 0:18:05.359 --> 0:18:07.280 you after a play like that or a drive like that, 0:18:07.440 --> 0:18:09.960 You'll finish a play with a physical run, a touchdown run, 0:18:10.040 --> 0:18:12.760 and then you'll come back and you'll you'll purposely go 0:18:12.880 --> 0:18:15.240 after the defense, right, you try and fire them up 0:18:15.320 --> 0:18:17.520 to carry it forward. Of course, that's what football is. 0:18:17.640 --> 0:18:21.040 It's um, it's emotion, it's energy, it's momentum. You know. 0:18:21.280 --> 0:18:22.680 We got to feed off of each other. There's three 0:18:22.680 --> 0:18:25.959 phases in the game and all looking to accomplish one goal, 0:18:26.080 --> 0:18:29.160 so we at war. What's it like to go into 0:18:29.200 --> 0:18:31.960 the four minute offense and close out a game? You 0:18:32.040 --> 0:18:34.960 guys did that quite often, and that ten and two start, 0:18:35.119 --> 0:18:37.200 I mean, heck, it was a lot more than four minutes. 0:18:37.240 --> 0:18:39.639 I think you ran off eleven minutes against the Rams 0:18:39.720 --> 0:18:41.960 in the fourth quarter. There were like eleven run plays 0:18:42.000 --> 0:18:45.400 on a twall play drive at Cleveland, right close down. 0:18:45.680 --> 0:18:47.879 What's that like? How enjoyable is that as a running 0:18:47.880 --> 0:18:50.680 back in a fourth quarter to It's enjoyable to see, 0:18:50.760 --> 0:18:52.959 you know, the offensive lineman getting into it and pumped up, 0:18:53.359 --> 0:18:55.480 you know, like it just builds confidence in it. Also, 0:18:55.600 --> 0:18:59.400 it's just um, it's power. It's uh, imposing your will, 0:18:59.680 --> 0:19:01.320 you know, and just closing that ball out and then 0:19:01.880 --> 0:19:03.639 you get to the best formation of football, you know, 0:19:03.680 --> 0:19:06.520 the victory formation. Can't beat it, you know. James Connor 0:19:06.600 --> 0:19:09.680 our guest here, Cardinals running back. It's a three year deal. 0:19:09.720 --> 0:19:11.639 Do you have a favorite touchdown? I know there's a 0:19:11.680 --> 0:19:13.880 lot to choose from. He had eighteen, Yes, I mean, 0:19:14.000 --> 0:19:16.320 but I mean you had the forty five yard catcher 0:19:16.359 --> 0:19:19.560 run against the Niners. You had the one hander against 0:19:19.600 --> 0:19:22.520 the Bears, and then Cliff Kingsbury raced down the sideline 0:19:22.880 --> 0:19:25.560 to give your congratulations. I mean, there was even the 0:19:25.560 --> 0:19:28.320 wildcat touchdown against the Rams of Monday nights, right might 0:19:28.520 --> 0:19:30.159 that might have been one would be either that one 0:19:30.640 --> 0:19:32.920 or the one before while I broke Aaron Donald's touched down. 0:19:33.000 --> 0:19:35.119 You know, that's my big brother, that's my guy. And 0:19:35.200 --> 0:19:37.360 so for him to be clean and and me shake 0:19:37.400 --> 0:19:39.560 them off, you know, were just lifting together a couple 0:19:39.560 --> 0:19:42.200 of days ago, you know, and so he was like, 0:19:42.280 --> 0:19:45.119 I was pissed he scored that one. You know. So 0:19:45.280 --> 0:19:46.879 even though it's just a one yard one that was 0:19:47.119 --> 0:19:48.760 there was so much behind it. Now, wait a minute, 0:19:48.800 --> 0:19:53.679 True or false? You were a defensive lineman in high school? Yes, sir? Really? Yes? 0:19:54.560 --> 0:19:56.480 Did you enjoy that? I loved it? I love I 0:19:56.560 --> 0:19:58.119 still to this day. I love defense. I got my 0:19:58.200 --> 0:20:01.800 scholarship to go to PI as a defensive end. Really yeah, 0:20:01.800 --> 0:20:03.920 I committed before my senior year at high school started, 0:20:04.040 --> 0:20:06.320 I went to the prospect camp. Um. This is all 0:20:06.359 --> 0:20:07.800 in my book too, by the West here as a 0:20:07.880 --> 0:20:10.560 choice nice. Um, But yeah, I went to the camp 0:20:10.640 --> 0:20:12.680 and then uh, my senior year, I was playing running 0:20:12.680 --> 0:20:13.879 back in the they call. They said, hey, when you 0:20:13.920 --> 0:20:15.440 get the pit, we want you to play running back. 0:20:15.520 --> 0:20:18.080 But but defense has always been you know, my love. 0:20:18.200 --> 0:20:20.960 You know, I've always loved defense, and I'm all right 0:20:21.040 --> 0:20:22.560 at it. Is that why you and Aaron Donald get 0:20:22.600 --> 0:20:24.200 along so? Well? Maybe? Yeah, all right, we got a 0:20:24.200 --> 0:20:26.600 little half sack together in our bowl game versus Bowling 0:20:26.680 --> 0:20:30.320 Green my freshman year at Pitt and his senior year. Yeah, 0:20:30.359 --> 0:20:32.080 we combined. I think we met at the quarterback. So 0:20:32.200 --> 0:20:34.720 that's something I hold on to too. So how motivating 0:20:34.880 --> 0:20:37.000 is it now that Aaron Donald has a ring? Yes, 0:20:37.640 --> 0:20:40.600 I'm supermoder I'm motivated more than ever. And the super 0:20:40.640 --> 0:20:42.440 Bowl was at our house next year, yeah, you know. 0:20:42.600 --> 0:20:44.720 And then so it's like, it's only right, we have 0:20:44.840 --> 0:20:47.600