1 00:00:04,680 --> 00:00:08,920 Speaker 1: In a word, impressive. How about two more words total domination. 2 00:00:09,440 --> 00:00:13,160 Speaker 1: Welcome bird Gang, and welcome to a third straight victory. Monday. 3 00:00:13,360 --> 00:00:15,920 Speaker 1: On today's show, Paul KELVC joins me, and we got 4 00:00:15,960 --> 00:00:18,479 Speaker 1: a lot to talk about the defense, the run game, 5 00:00:18,720 --> 00:00:22,240 Speaker 1: special teams, and how about the weather? Yeah, the weather. 6 00:00:22,600 --> 00:00:26,520 Speaker 1: It's Cardinals Cover two, Episode eight fifteen, and it starts now. 7 00:00:29,480 --> 00:00:31,479 Speaker 2: Welcome to Cardinals Cover two. 8 00:00:31,640 --> 00:00:33,640 Speaker 3: Who to Baker? What heart? 9 00:00:33,760 --> 00:00:34,479 Speaker 4: What rent? 10 00:00:34,680 --> 00:00:36,080 Speaker 3: This guy's unbelievable. 11 00:00:36,240 --> 00:00:40,559 Speaker 2: Cardinals Cover two is presented by Hyundai, proud partner of 12 00:00:40,600 --> 00:00:46,640 Speaker 2: the Arizona Cardinals, and by Arizona Cardinals Podcast. Visit Azycardinals 13 00:00:46,640 --> 00:00:48,400 Speaker 2: dot com slash podcast. 14 00:00:48,560 --> 00:00:50,839 Speaker 3: He's at the ten half of five. He's it again, 15 00:00:51,320 --> 00:00:53,480 Speaker 3: So more hurry magic. 16 00:00:53,200 --> 00:00:55,760 Speaker 2: Whow Here's Craig Grioler. 17 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:02,040 Speaker 1: So I never thought I'd have to ask you this, Paul, 18 00:01:02,600 --> 00:01:05,360 Speaker 1: especially since Sunday's game was a home game. 19 00:01:05,959 --> 00:01:11,440 Speaker 5: But have you dried off? I definitely did not pack 20 00:01:11,560 --> 00:01:15,919 Speaker 5: rain gear. I'm diligent religious about packing rain gear. Definitely 21 00:01:15,920 --> 00:01:17,920 Speaker 5: brought it to Green Bay. You see the game yesterday, 22 00:01:17,920 --> 00:01:21,280 Speaker 5: Packers and Lions. Oh boy, shout out to the sideline 23 00:01:21,319 --> 00:01:23,640 Speaker 5: reporters in that one. Brought it to Miami, because I 24 00:01:23,680 --> 00:01:27,640 Speaker 5: remember what happened in twenty sixteen. Did not bring it 25 00:01:27,680 --> 00:01:30,800 Speaker 5: to a home game, certainly did not expect that. But 26 00:01:30,920 --> 00:01:33,080 Speaker 5: what I did find out is if you step back 27 00:01:33,160 --> 00:01:36,640 Speaker 5: behind the bench, you are covered because it's not the 28 00:01:36,840 --> 00:01:40,560 Speaker 5: entire roof that's open. It's just basically the field and 29 00:01:40,680 --> 00:01:45,279 Speaker 5: sideline area, so it's not too tough to find shelter. 30 00:01:45,480 --> 00:01:47,480 Speaker 5: Don't give away all your secrets. Yeah, pal, I'm trying 31 00:01:47,520 --> 00:01:49,320 Speaker 5: to talk you up here because you have dealt with 32 00:01:49,360 --> 00:01:54,919 Speaker 5: the elements here this season, whether it's rain or extreme heat, humidity, 33 00:01:55,160 --> 00:01:57,600 Speaker 5: I mean, you name it. But the fact that yes, 34 00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:01,280 Speaker 5: it rained on Sunday in the midst of a Cardinals 35 00:02:01,360 --> 00:02:04,160 Speaker 5: victory over the Chicago Bears twenty nine to nine, and 36 00:02:04,240 --> 00:02:07,720 Speaker 5: rewatching that. Let me just say this from the press box. 37 00:02:07,760 --> 00:02:09,560 Speaker 5: We'll get into the game here in a minute, park Gang, 38 00:02:09,560 --> 00:02:12,840 Speaker 5: but from the press box we're inclosed so we can't 39 00:02:12,880 --> 00:02:16,400 Speaker 5: really tell. And I'm listening to the broadcast in real time, 40 00:02:16,480 --> 00:02:19,200 Speaker 5: and I hear Dave Pasch mentioned it got really dark. 41 00:02:19,400 --> 00:02:21,639 Speaker 1: There's clouds coming over the stadium and you look out 42 00:02:21,680 --> 00:02:24,240 Speaker 1: and oh, yeah, it's the lighting is a little bit different. 43 00:02:24,639 --> 00:02:27,720 Speaker 1: Then all of a sudden I hear it's raining, I'm like, 44 00:02:27,760 --> 00:02:30,200 Speaker 1: what it's raining. It's like, I can't see any rain. 45 00:02:30,320 --> 00:02:32,320 Speaker 1: And then I look at the lights and sure enough, 46 00:02:32,600 --> 00:02:35,280 Speaker 1: there's water falling from the sky. And then it gets harder, 47 00:02:35,560 --> 00:02:38,800 Speaker 1: and then Pasch goes it's hailing. I'm like, what is 48 00:02:38,880 --> 00:02:41,799 Speaker 1: going on? Middle of the second quarter. This is all 49 00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:44,399 Speaker 1: happening while the Bears are on the field by the way, 50 00:02:44,720 --> 00:02:47,760 Speaker 1: driving and the Cardinals defense forces a field goal. 51 00:02:47,960 --> 00:02:50,280 Speaker 5: Well, you know why it happened because literally, no joke. 52 00:02:50,320 --> 00:02:52,880 Speaker 5: For the first time since training camp started, I actually 53 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:56,799 Speaker 5: wash my car on Saturday, So that makes sense right there. 54 00:02:56,840 --> 00:02:58,320 Speaker 5: And then when the hill comes down, you're like, oh, 55 00:02:58,360 --> 00:03:01,160 Speaker 5: wait a minute, my car's out there. I forget the 56 00:03:01,240 --> 00:03:03,560 Speaker 5: name of the player. We did a story, this is 57 00:03:03,600 --> 00:03:05,720 Speaker 5: a good fifteen years ago in the Cardinals locker room 58 00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:08,200 Speaker 5: going to Detroit. What was your first car? Tell us 59 00:03:08,240 --> 00:03:10,000 Speaker 5: about your first car as a kid. And one guy 60 00:03:10,360 --> 00:03:12,320 Speaker 5: his dad bought him a five hundred dollars car that 61 00:03:12,360 --> 00:03:15,480 Speaker 5: they called the dimpler because it had been caught in 62 00:03:15,520 --> 00:03:19,120 Speaker 5: a massive hailstorm and it looked like a titleist golf ball. 63 00:03:19,400 --> 00:03:22,440 Speaker 5: There were so many dings in it and massive dings 64 00:03:22,480 --> 00:03:24,960 Speaker 5: in it. They called it the Dimpler because it was 65 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:27,240 Speaker 5: absolutely ruined. It was sitting out in a dealer's lot, 66 00:03:27,639 --> 00:03:30,280 Speaker 5: and it got a golf ball size hail off it 67 00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:33,040 Speaker 5: for a good hour. So anyway, that's that's what you 68 00:03:33,080 --> 00:03:35,960 Speaker 5: have to worry about, Craig. Okay, yeah, all right, So no, 69 00:03:36,080 --> 00:03:38,400 Speaker 5: I don't expect that to ever happen again in twenty years. 70 00:03:38,400 --> 00:03:42,560 Speaker 5: On the sideline, I've it's never happened before. But it's 71 00:03:42,600 --> 00:03:44,440 Speaker 5: good to know that there is a roof that closes 72 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:45,680 Speaker 5: on a stadium in this town. 73 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:48,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, seven ten minutes and we were back to a 74 00:03:48,600 --> 00:03:53,000 Speaker 1: normal game at State Farm Stadium. But yeah, very very 75 00:03:53,040 --> 00:03:55,600 Speaker 1: odd to witness in real time and watch it if 76 00:03:55,640 --> 00:03:58,080 Speaker 1: you are watching the CBS broadcast. By the way, props 77 00:03:58,080 --> 00:04:01,800 Speaker 1: to Iron Eagle and Charles Davisvin Washburn as well, because 78 00:04:01,800 --> 00:04:04,280 Speaker 1: that was the number two CBS crew. I mean, this 79 00:04:04,360 --> 00:04:06,720 Speaker 1: is where the Cardinals are right now, Paul, winners of 80 00:04:06,800 --> 00:04:09,760 Speaker 1: three in a row for their last five alone in 81 00:04:09,920 --> 00:04:12,200 Speaker 1: first place in the NFC West. We can clearly say 82 00:04:12,240 --> 00:04:15,480 Speaker 1: that now thanks the Rams on Sunday beating the Seahawks 83 00:04:15,480 --> 00:04:18,080 Speaker 1: in overtime. Kind of was whooping for a tie in 84 00:04:18,120 --> 00:04:21,760 Speaker 1: that game. But in any case, The Cardinals aren't a roll. 85 00:04:22,040 --> 00:04:24,960 Speaker 1: They have won three straights, but you look back at 86 00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:28,120 Speaker 1: what happened on Sunday offense, defense, special teams. Where do 87 00:04:28,160 --> 00:04:30,560 Speaker 1: you want to begin with what I think might have 88 00:04:30,640 --> 00:04:35,600 Speaker 1: been the most impressive, the most dominant, complimentary football game 89 00:04:36,000 --> 00:04:39,120 Speaker 1: this season. This felt different to me than Week two 90 00:04:39,839 --> 00:04:42,600 Speaker 1: and demolishing the Rams forty one to ten out of 91 00:04:42,920 --> 00:04:45,560 Speaker 1: it just I don't know, maybe because you're now on 92 00:04:45,600 --> 00:04:48,960 Speaker 1: a winning streak, but it just felt different and maybe 93 00:04:48,960 --> 00:04:51,640 Speaker 1: more in line what Jonathan Gannon wants his team to be. 94 00:04:52,600 --> 00:04:54,600 Speaker 5: Yeah, first off, I got to meet Iron Eagle for 95 00:04:54,640 --> 00:04:56,719 Speaker 5: the first time, the great Iron Eagle, only because of 96 00:04:56,800 --> 00:04:59,040 Speaker 5: Dave Pash was actually in the booth and Iron Eagle 97 00:04:59,080 --> 00:05:01,520 Speaker 5: came looking for Dave factor on that one. Well, you 98 00:05:01,560 --> 00:05:04,520 Speaker 5: know where by an Eagle, David Fashion don't have time 99 00:05:04,520 --> 00:05:06,560 Speaker 5: for that. Okay, because we're talking about a twenty nine 100 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:09,760 Speaker 5: to nine win ear by the Cardinals, and I guess 101 00:05:09,760 --> 00:05:12,400 Speaker 5: I would start with getting after the quarterback. I would 102 00:05:12,440 --> 00:05:17,040 Speaker 5: start with all the different looks you showed the rookie quarterback. 103 00:05:17,640 --> 00:05:20,680 Speaker 5: Now you tried to do something similar against Jayde Daniels, 104 00:05:21,120 --> 00:05:25,839 Speaker 5: so it's easy to just dismiss you know, always a 105 00:05:25,920 --> 00:05:29,239 Speaker 5: rookie and it's easy to confuse and perplex him. No, 106 00:05:29,279 --> 00:05:34,520 Speaker 5: not true. It was amazing. Cale Williams extends plays at 107 00:05:34,520 --> 00:05:38,200 Speaker 5: an even greater level than Jayden Daniels. Just the escapability, 108 00:05:38,600 --> 00:05:41,720 Speaker 5: forget about the athleticism, just the ability to make guys miss. 109 00:05:41,760 --> 00:05:44,960 Speaker 5: And then some of those throws. He was screaming towards 110 00:05:44,960 --> 00:05:47,960 Speaker 5: the Cardinals' sideline and on a dead sprint he's thrown 111 00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:51,040 Speaker 5: across his body or at a crazy arm angle. And 112 00:05:51,920 --> 00:05:55,080 Speaker 5: so a lot of respect to Cale Williams, here's the thing. 113 00:05:55,520 --> 00:05:58,560 Speaker 5: That's the worst offensive line you're probably gonna play all year, 114 00:05:59,480 --> 00:06:03,600 Speaker 5: not good and injured. You made him pay. And going 115 00:06:03,600 --> 00:06:06,000 Speaker 5: into the game we talked about that third string left 116 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:09,600 Speaker 5: tackle and the interior line was even more susceptible. So 117 00:06:09,760 --> 00:06:13,080 Speaker 5: Nick Rawlis despite telling the media middle of the week 118 00:06:13,120 --> 00:06:16,000 Speaker 5: going into the game that he was stressed out by 119 00:06:16,080 --> 00:06:18,680 Speaker 5: the big three receivers and we knew how it work. 120 00:06:18,760 --> 00:06:19,039 Speaker 3: Going in. 121 00:06:19,160 --> 00:06:21,520 Speaker 5: Dj Moore was the you know, yards after catch guy, 122 00:06:21,520 --> 00:06:24,000 Speaker 5: he's gonna break tackles. Keenan Allen is a guy in 123 00:06:24,040 --> 00:06:26,320 Speaker 5: a pinch on third down and gotta have it. Keenan Allen, 124 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:28,480 Speaker 5: the wily veteran, he's going to be able to find 125 00:06:28,560 --> 00:06:31,040 Speaker 5: room in the zone, and then you have the athleticism 126 00:06:31,080 --> 00:06:34,440 Speaker 5: of a Roma Dunza and the big playability right there. 127 00:06:34,480 --> 00:06:37,479 Speaker 5: But the Cardinals corners, who were asked to cover for 128 00:06:37,600 --> 00:06:41,359 Speaker 5: extended periods of time quite often, I thought, fared really well. 129 00:06:41,839 --> 00:06:44,920 Speaker 5: I'm not sure if there's a more improved position room 130 00:06:45,000 --> 00:06:48,320 Speaker 5: on this team from week one to now week ten 131 00:06:48,560 --> 00:06:52,440 Speaker 5: than the Cardinals cornerback room and what you know, minus 132 00:06:52,880 --> 00:06:56,440 Speaker 5: the wily veteran Sean Murphy Bunting, but just all the 133 00:06:56,480 --> 00:06:59,000 Speaker 5: different guys. What was the stat by I know at 134 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:01,880 Speaker 5: halftime it was twelve different Cardinals had recorded a pressure, 135 00:07:01,920 --> 00:07:03,680 Speaker 5: which was the most in the first half of a 136 00:07:03,680 --> 00:07:04,560 Speaker 5: game in two years. 137 00:07:04,680 --> 00:07:09,320 Speaker 1: The final number sixteen different players got a pressure, the 138 00:07:09,320 --> 00:07:13,000 Speaker 1: most for a defense in a single game since twenty eighteen. 139 00:07:13,120 --> 00:07:15,680 Speaker 1: But you're right, twelve different in the first half. But 140 00:07:15,720 --> 00:07:18,560 Speaker 1: I like what you said about the secondary because no 141 00:07:18,680 --> 00:07:21,560 Speaker 1: Sean Murphy Bunting. We saw Key Trell Clark get the 142 00:07:21,600 --> 00:07:25,280 Speaker 1: starts opposite Darling Thomas, but Max Melton seen a lot 143 00:07:25,320 --> 00:07:27,760 Speaker 1: of playing time. Garrett Williams with a pair of pass 144 00:07:27,840 --> 00:07:31,520 Speaker 1: the defense. But it's those guys in the back end 145 00:07:31,920 --> 00:07:35,080 Speaker 1: that had some tight coverage on the big three wide 146 00:07:35,160 --> 00:07:39,200 Speaker 1: receivers of the Chicago Bears, tight windows, and there were 147 00:07:39,240 --> 00:07:42,920 Speaker 1: not that many connections between Caleb Williams and Bears wide receivers. 148 00:07:42,920 --> 00:07:45,040 Speaker 1: I mean, it was one of the worst performances that 149 00:07:45,120 --> 00:07:48,360 Speaker 1: Williams has had as far as the completion percentage is concerned. 150 00:07:48,760 --> 00:07:51,320 Speaker 1: And then he was running for his life. I mean 151 00:07:51,640 --> 00:07:55,560 Speaker 1: six sacks, but Paul, there could have been twice as many. 152 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:58,840 Speaker 1: He's considering the number of near misses from a number 153 00:07:58,880 --> 00:08:01,920 Speaker 1: of defensive linemen and outside linebackers, no doubt. 154 00:08:02,360 --> 00:08:06,880 Speaker 5: So to watch the Cardinals defense alignment and assignment was sound. 155 00:08:07,360 --> 00:08:09,200 Speaker 5: They're not going to be the most talented defense in 156 00:08:09,200 --> 00:08:12,559 Speaker 5: the league, we get it, but what they were able 157 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:16,200 Speaker 5: to do and with what they had. And then to 158 00:08:16,200 --> 00:08:19,760 Speaker 5: see Buddha Baker roam the field, not roam the secondary, 159 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:23,520 Speaker 5: roam the field, and just to see him shoot out 160 00:08:23,520 --> 00:08:25,840 Speaker 5: of the second and third level and make some of 161 00:08:25,840 --> 00:08:32,360 Speaker 5: those tackles, some of them were huge, chunk play saving tackles. Look, 162 00:08:32,920 --> 00:08:34,520 Speaker 5: I've been saying this for a few weeks ago, and 163 00:08:34,720 --> 00:08:37,079 Speaker 5: I'm two of the last three weeks I've actually posed 164 00:08:37,080 --> 00:08:38,920 Speaker 5: the question to Boota himself, Are you off to the 165 00:08:38,960 --> 00:08:40,840 Speaker 5: best start of your career? I can't get a straight 166 00:08:40,880 --> 00:08:43,840 Speaker 5: answer from him. I'm gonna say this much, he's never 167 00:08:43,880 --> 00:08:45,640 Speaker 5: had a better start to his career. 168 00:08:45,960 --> 00:08:46,600 Speaker 3: I think he's. 169 00:08:46,480 --> 00:08:50,480 Speaker 5: Playing phenomenal football. And then combined with the way they're 170 00:08:50,559 --> 00:08:54,280 Speaker 5: using mac Wilson now more off the edge, dilond' z. 171 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:58,880 Speaker 5: I didn't even realize how the different ways in which 172 00:08:58,880 --> 00:09:00,599 Speaker 5: they're using Xavi and Collins. He told us in the 173 00:09:00,600 --> 00:09:03,160 Speaker 5: Big Red Rage, he's playing everything from three technique on 174 00:09:03,320 --> 00:09:04,360 Speaker 5: known passing downs. 175 00:09:04,720 --> 00:09:04,880 Speaker 4: You know. 176 00:09:04,960 --> 00:09:07,960 Speaker 5: Against Miami, he's running deep center field with Tyreek Hill 177 00:09:08,080 --> 00:09:11,160 Speaker 5: from the line of scrimmage. So I think all the 178 00:09:11,280 --> 00:09:14,719 Speaker 5: crazy disguises the Cardinals are use in and against a 179 00:09:14,800 --> 00:09:18,520 Speaker 5: rookie quarterback, it's really effective at times. Now, can you 180 00:09:18,520 --> 00:09:20,439 Speaker 5: get away with that against forty one year old four 181 00:09:20,480 --> 00:09:23,040 Speaker 5: time MVP Aaron Rodgers? That's the question of the week. 182 00:09:23,240 --> 00:09:25,520 Speaker 5: Going to be a radically different assignment and a totally 183 00:09:25,559 --> 00:09:28,400 Speaker 5: different quarterback with not nearly as much mobility and es 184 00:09:28,440 --> 00:09:31,719 Speaker 5: capability as Caleb Williams. But I do think that a 185 00:09:31,760 --> 00:09:33,400 Speaker 5: lot of the guys in the Cardinals defense now have 186 00:09:33,480 --> 00:09:37,600 Speaker 5: found their role and you've dialed it in and so 187 00:09:37,840 --> 00:09:40,839 Speaker 5: at least they're not beating themselves like they did at 188 00:09:40,840 --> 00:09:42,160 Speaker 5: times the first month of the year. 189 00:09:42,240 --> 00:09:46,199 Speaker 1: Yeah, only two penalties called against the Cardinals on Sunday. 190 00:09:46,200 --> 00:09:48,600 Speaker 1: We'll hear a little bit from Zavion Collins here momentarily, 191 00:09:48,640 --> 00:09:51,920 Speaker 1: but that defense overall, Paul, because not a lot of 192 00:09:51,920 --> 00:09:54,800 Speaker 1: household names. Budda Baker may be the biggest name of 193 00:09:54,840 --> 00:09:57,560 Speaker 1: the bunch. Twelve tackles on Sunday, second straight week, he 194 00:09:57,640 --> 00:10:01,120 Speaker 1: finishes with a team high crazy tackles, and I do 195 00:10:01,200 --> 00:10:03,680 Speaker 1: believe what you have been saying now for weeks that, yeah, 196 00:10:03,920 --> 00:10:07,520 Speaker 1: things have been unlocked for Buddha Baker. Not that he 197 00:10:07,640 --> 00:10:10,560 Speaker 1: is has the freedom to do what he wants, but 198 00:10:10,640 --> 00:10:13,280 Speaker 1: he has a little bit more room to work within 199 00:10:13,360 --> 00:10:16,320 Speaker 1: this defense, whether that's the third level or getting closer 200 00:10:16,320 --> 00:10:18,679 Speaker 1: and closer to the line of scrimmage. But this is 201 00:10:18,760 --> 00:10:22,480 Speaker 1: a defense that, yeah, took advantage of a poor Bears 202 00:10:22,520 --> 00:10:25,760 Speaker 1: offensive line. Same thing we saw in Week two against 203 00:10:25,800 --> 00:10:29,640 Speaker 1: a banged up Rams offensive line. So eleven of your 204 00:10:29,679 --> 00:10:33,440 Speaker 1: team's twenty one sacks this season have come in two games. 205 00:10:33,960 --> 00:10:37,600 Speaker 1: But what was different on Sunday was the number of 206 00:10:37,600 --> 00:10:40,760 Speaker 1: different bodies that were getting into the backfield. That next 207 00:10:40,840 --> 00:10:46,040 Speaker 1: gen stats sixteen different players. That's defensive line, that's the linebackers, 208 00:10:46,040 --> 00:10:48,120 Speaker 1: that's guys in the secondary. How many times we sawe 209 00:10:48,200 --> 00:10:51,200 Speaker 1: Jalen Thompson or Buda Baker blitz up the middle or 210 00:10:51,200 --> 00:10:53,680 Speaker 1: in between a gap to try to get home. So 211 00:10:54,200 --> 00:10:57,640 Speaker 1: to your point, as far as different guys contributing, not 212 00:10:57,720 --> 00:11:01,720 Speaker 1: anyone going outside of their lane or lancing, just everyone 213 00:11:01,760 --> 00:11:04,640 Speaker 1: knowing that their job is to do X, and if 214 00:11:04,679 --> 00:11:06,960 Speaker 1: they do X, then the guy next to me will 215 00:11:06,960 --> 00:11:09,160 Speaker 1: do his job and right on down the line, and 216 00:11:09,200 --> 00:11:11,080 Speaker 1: then you can have a performance like you did on 217 00:11:11,120 --> 00:11:14,560 Speaker 1: Sunday in which the Cardinals held a team to just 218 00:11:15,040 --> 00:11:18,320 Speaker 1: a season low two hundred and forty one yards total 219 00:11:18,640 --> 00:11:21,000 Speaker 1: and for the second time in three games, did not 220 00:11:21,080 --> 00:11:22,400 Speaker 1: allow a touchdown. 221 00:11:22,800 --> 00:11:24,880 Speaker 5: And wasn't that the third game where they pitched a 222 00:11:24,960 --> 00:11:27,560 Speaker 5: shutout in the second half? Believe yes, So think about 223 00:11:27,559 --> 00:11:31,160 Speaker 5: the halftime adjustments, think about the plan coming in, Think 224 00:11:31,200 --> 00:11:34,560 Speaker 5: about the halftime adjustments that Nick Rolis and Jonathan Gannon 225 00:11:34,640 --> 00:11:37,360 Speaker 5: have been able to make over the course of the season. 226 00:11:37,880 --> 00:11:40,120 Speaker 5: You know, there have been a number of games where 227 00:11:40,200 --> 00:11:43,280 Speaker 5: I thought the Cardinals have out coached the opposition. Now 228 00:11:43,400 --> 00:11:45,839 Speaker 5: I will give Matt Lafleur a lot of credit in 229 00:11:45,880 --> 00:11:49,040 Speaker 5: that Green Bay game. They really did a good job 230 00:11:49,040 --> 00:11:52,400 Speaker 5: of discerning when the Cardinals were dialing up pressure and 231 00:11:52,480 --> 00:11:54,839 Speaker 5: hurt the Cardinals defense in that Green Bay game with 232 00:11:54,880 --> 00:11:57,719 Speaker 5: a lot of really well timed and well placed screens 233 00:11:58,000 --> 00:12:01,040 Speaker 5: take advantage of the oncoming pressure and piling up and 234 00:12:01,040 --> 00:12:04,360 Speaker 5: bringing the numbers. But I would say in a number 235 00:12:04,360 --> 00:12:07,920 Speaker 5: of other games the Cardinals have thoroughly out coach the opposition. No, 236 00:12:08,280 --> 00:12:10,480 Speaker 5: Jonathan Gannon would never say as much after a game 237 00:12:10,559 --> 00:12:13,240 Speaker 5: A and especially B when his mentor was on the 238 00:12:13,240 --> 00:12:16,240 Speaker 5: other sideline, Matt Eberflus. But there were certainly a lot 239 00:12:16,280 --> 00:12:18,840 Speaker 5: of times where I just thought the Cardinals had the 240 00:12:18,880 --> 00:12:22,439 Speaker 5: advantage x's and o's. Obviously the Amari de Mercado fifty 241 00:12:22,440 --> 00:12:25,319 Speaker 5: three yard touchdown run that the Bears never saw coming, 242 00:12:25,480 --> 00:12:28,679 Speaker 5: just and then the special team's prowess in the execution. 243 00:12:30,120 --> 00:12:32,040 Speaker 5: It's funny Johnathan again and said after the game that 244 00:12:32,080 --> 00:12:35,520 Speaker 5: Jeff Rodgers had lost his voice. I can confirm that 245 00:12:35,760 --> 00:12:38,320 Speaker 5: because when the special team's coordinator was coming off the field, 246 00:12:38,679 --> 00:12:40,880 Speaker 5: I happened to be walking down the tunnel with him 247 00:12:40,880 --> 00:12:43,280 Speaker 5: the same time. I said, Hey, quick question, we did 248 00:12:43,360 --> 00:12:46,760 Speaker 5: see an on side punt there, right, and he said, yes. 249 00:12:46,720 --> 00:12:47,600 Speaker 3: But he's whispering. 250 00:12:47,679 --> 00:12:50,440 Speaker 5: He can barely talk, and so he confirmed that for me. 251 00:12:51,520 --> 00:12:53,280 Speaker 5: But yeah, that that just shows you the sort of 252 00:12:53,360 --> 00:12:55,840 Speaker 5: effort the coaching staff is putting into. 253 00:12:55,679 --> 00:12:58,840 Speaker 1: This season well. And JG mentioned postgame that Jeff Rodgers 254 00:12:58,920 --> 00:13:02,000 Speaker 1: received a game ball. Nick Rawllis received a game ball 255 00:13:02,240 --> 00:13:05,719 Speaker 1: New Dad Nick Rawlers his wife gave birth to their 256 00:13:05,800 --> 00:13:08,760 Speaker 1: second son that morning. I believe CBS put up the 257 00:13:08,800 --> 00:13:11,960 Speaker 1: graphic that it was what nine to forty am. Kickoff 258 00:13:12,040 --> 00:13:14,160 Speaker 1: was at two to five, and there he was calling 259 00:13:14,240 --> 00:13:17,520 Speaker 1: up a defense, which I mean, like really, I mean, okay, 260 00:13:17,559 --> 00:13:21,280 Speaker 1: I guess it's your second but okay, I guess football 261 00:13:21,320 --> 00:13:22,040 Speaker 1: does come first. 262 00:13:22,040 --> 00:13:24,200 Speaker 5: Maybe can I say this, I finally have something in 263 00:13:24,240 --> 00:13:27,240 Speaker 5: common with an NFL coordinator because my son was born 264 00:13:27,280 --> 00:13:30,440 Speaker 5: on a game day and it was September nine, two 265 00:13:30,440 --> 00:13:34,800 Speaker 5: thousand and six, which, if you go back into the archives, 266 00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:39,480 Speaker 5: was the Cardinals stadium opener against the forty nine ers. 267 00:13:39,960 --> 00:13:42,400 Speaker 5: And my son was born around one in the morning, 268 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:45,360 Speaker 5: and there we were up through the night and then 269 00:13:45,360 --> 00:13:48,240 Speaker 5: I got about forty five minutes on that hospital chair 270 00:13:48,240 --> 00:13:50,760 Speaker 5: in the room, went home, took a nice cold shower 271 00:13:50,920 --> 00:13:53,960 Speaker 5: and all right, let's go game time. It's the open 272 00:13:54,040 --> 00:13:56,560 Speaker 5: to the brand new stadium, and boom we were off. 273 00:13:56,640 --> 00:13:59,480 Speaker 5: So I can, honestly, maybe for the first time and 274 00:13:59,559 --> 00:14:01,400 Speaker 5: only time my career, say I've been there and done that. 275 00:14:01,520 --> 00:14:05,000 Speaker 1: Nick Ralis Ken was the head coach two thousand and six. 276 00:14:05,320 --> 00:14:08,240 Speaker 5: Yes, yes, no, it was Danny Green. Screen it was 277 00:14:08,320 --> 00:14:09,480 Speaker 5: Danny Green his final year. 278 00:14:09,640 --> 00:14:13,720 Speaker 1: Did you get a game ball, because that's where the 279 00:14:13,720 --> 00:14:16,080 Speaker 1: comparison will end here, Paul, Yeah, oh yeah, no, it 280 00:14:16,160 --> 00:14:16,679 Speaker 1: ends quickly. 281 00:14:16,679 --> 00:14:20,080 Speaker 5: You're right, there's just one little facet. Well, I mean, Craig, 282 00:14:20,160 --> 00:14:22,800 Speaker 5: let me have just my one little slice there. Okay 283 00:14:22,880 --> 00:14:27,320 Speaker 5: of commonality. Please props to Nick Rollis's defense. Six sacks, 284 00:14:27,360 --> 00:14:31,280 Speaker 5: twelve quarterback hits, five tackles for lost, four passes defense, 285 00:14:31,400 --> 00:14:34,120 Speaker 5: one force fumble. As I mentioned, a season low two 286 00:14:34,160 --> 00:14:37,560 Speaker 5: hundred and forty one yards for an opponent, sixty nine. 287 00:14:37,400 --> 00:14:41,359 Speaker 1: Rushing yards allowed. That is the third lowest this season. Postgame, 288 00:14:41,560 --> 00:14:46,280 Speaker 1: your conversation Paul Zavon Collins. First question, what did Zavion 289 00:14:46,520 --> 00:14:48,760 Speaker 1: like about the defense against the Bears. 290 00:14:49,040 --> 00:14:50,720 Speaker 6: I kind of have this thing, I call it Murphy's 291 00:14:50,760 --> 00:14:52,760 Speaker 6: all everything. Get in the red zone. But you don't 292 00:14:52,800 --> 00:14:54,360 Speaker 6: let him in the end zone, you know, keep them, 293 00:14:54,480 --> 00:14:55,920 Speaker 6: keep them out of that end zone, keep him out 294 00:14:55,920 --> 00:14:57,840 Speaker 6: of the tub. You know, they get three points, they 295 00:14:57,840 --> 00:14:59,480 Speaker 6: say they do it four times, they get twelve. Today 296 00:14:59,480 --> 00:15:00,920 Speaker 6: they got you know, nine points. They only did it 297 00:15:00,960 --> 00:15:03,440 Speaker 6: three times. We played well in the red zone, you know, 298 00:15:03,520 --> 00:15:05,280 Speaker 6: and we kind of have that mentality no matter what 299 00:15:05,320 --> 00:15:07,240 Speaker 6: the situation is where we're at, you know, you got 300 00:15:07,280 --> 00:15:09,160 Speaker 6: to stop them right there. They got to either stop 301 00:15:09,160 --> 00:15:12,040 Speaker 6: where they're at or go backwards. So, you know, the 302 00:15:12,080 --> 00:15:15,240 Speaker 6: defense today, we freaking never worried about any situation, no 303 00:15:15,280 --> 00:15:18,120 Speaker 6: matter what it was, up down, you know, whatever it 304 00:15:18,120 --> 00:15:19,200 Speaker 6: may be, just kept going. 305 00:15:20,040 --> 00:15:23,440 Speaker 5: How many different looks did this defense present a rookie 306 00:15:23,560 --> 00:15:24,480 Speaker 5: quarterback today? 307 00:15:25,520 --> 00:15:27,800 Speaker 6: I can't. I don't know. I don't know. I seriously don't. 308 00:15:27,840 --> 00:15:30,320 Speaker 6: I wish I did, But yeah, I'm sure it was 309 00:15:30,360 --> 00:15:30,720 Speaker 6: a bunch. 310 00:15:31,120 --> 00:15:37,160 Speaker 4: It was by design, right, I I hope. So I'm 311 00:15:37,160 --> 00:15:39,240 Speaker 4: just saying, you know, look, I mean, he's half a 312 00:15:39,280 --> 00:15:41,560 Speaker 4: season into his NFL career. It just seemed like he 313 00:15:41,640 --> 00:15:44,160 Speaker 4: saw a lot he had to think and consider a 314 00:15:44,200 --> 00:15:45,800 Speaker 4: lot today correct as. 315 00:15:45,680 --> 00:15:47,280 Speaker 6: A rush, we kind of wanted to, you know, get 316 00:15:47,320 --> 00:15:49,240 Speaker 6: after him, bring his eyes down to his rush as well, 317 00:15:49,280 --> 00:15:51,960 Speaker 6: you know, not just you know, kind of give him 318 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:53,480 Speaker 6: time to be back there. So we kind of got 319 00:15:53,480 --> 00:15:55,560 Speaker 6: that job up front. And you know the back end 320 00:15:55,600 --> 00:15:57,240 Speaker 6: them being on guys. You know, you don't get there 321 00:15:57,280 --> 00:15:58,680 Speaker 6: in the rush. You see the ball throone, you turn 322 00:15:58,720 --> 00:16:01,160 Speaker 6: around to chase and you're you guys, you know, tip 323 00:16:01,200 --> 00:16:03,640 Speaker 6: the ball or man covers the ball, seals because you 324 00:16:03,640 --> 00:16:05,880 Speaker 6: know they're all over there, guys. So it's a it's 325 00:16:05,920 --> 00:16:08,600 Speaker 6: a you know, Yin and yang has to be always. 326 00:16:08,600 --> 00:16:10,680 Speaker 5: How do you like the way this team is trending? 327 00:16:11,000 --> 00:16:14,760 Speaker 5: Three straight wins? What's the best explanation for that? 328 00:16:15,280 --> 00:16:17,560 Speaker 6: Just keep our mind on the next game, focus on 329 00:16:17,600 --> 00:16:19,680 Speaker 6: the next game, focus on what we can get better at. 330 00:16:19,680 --> 00:16:21,560 Speaker 6: And now what we've done, you know what I mean, 331 00:16:21,960 --> 00:16:24,280 Speaker 6: not what we've done doesn't really matter. You've got to 332 00:16:24,360 --> 00:16:26,000 Speaker 6: keep that the level that it's at. But things that 333 00:16:26,040 --> 00:16:27,840 Speaker 6: we need to work on, continue to get better at. 334 00:16:27,960 --> 00:16:29,600 Speaker 6: That's got to be on the priority of your mind. 335 00:16:29,640 --> 00:16:32,200 Speaker 6: Also the team that you're playing that week. And we've 336 00:16:32,240 --> 00:16:34,320 Speaker 6: done that, so we just got to keep moving, you know, 337 00:16:34,600 --> 00:16:35,800 Speaker 6: and just keep going in that direction. 338 00:16:36,320 --> 00:16:39,200 Speaker 1: Yeah, the question that you asked about the number of 339 00:16:39,320 --> 00:16:42,800 Speaker 1: different looks and a very honest answer from Zavian. I'm 340 00:16:42,800 --> 00:16:46,000 Speaker 1: not sure, but it was a bunch. And I went 341 00:16:46,120 --> 00:16:49,400 Speaker 1: back and watched the first half of the game last 342 00:16:49,480 --> 00:16:52,080 Speaker 1: night when I got home, and the first quarter because 343 00:16:52,120 --> 00:16:55,400 Speaker 1: this is I've not seen this before. Maybe I'm not 344 00:16:55,520 --> 00:16:58,760 Speaker 1: paying close enough attention, but that first quarter third and eight, 345 00:16:59,560 --> 00:17:03,640 Speaker 1: Cardinals rushed seven. Pass was completed, there was a penalty 346 00:17:03,680 --> 00:17:06,680 Speaker 1: illegal formation. So today at third and thirteen and that's 347 00:17:06,720 --> 00:17:10,000 Speaker 1: when we saw Xavier Thomas and LJ. Collier combined on 348 00:17:10,119 --> 00:17:14,600 Speaker 1: the sack. But I had not seen seven. You rushed 349 00:17:14,800 --> 00:17:19,600 Speaker 1: seven in which it was basically four back to cover 350 00:17:19,800 --> 00:17:23,399 Speaker 1: four pass catchers. But you brought the house early in 351 00:17:23,480 --> 00:17:26,000 Speaker 1: a game, not late in the fourth quarter when you 352 00:17:26,040 --> 00:17:29,920 Speaker 1: need to stop, but it was from moment one, and 353 00:17:29,960 --> 00:17:34,040 Speaker 1: we saw pressure and a different defensive formula than we 354 00:17:34,119 --> 00:17:37,879 Speaker 1: have probably ever seen from Nick Rolis, who hasn't brought 355 00:17:38,080 --> 00:17:40,280 Speaker 1: the blitz or a lot of pressure since he's been 356 00:17:40,320 --> 00:17:40,680 Speaker 1: the DC. 357 00:17:41,359 --> 00:17:43,679 Speaker 5: You know, I went around the locker room the weekly 358 00:17:43,800 --> 00:17:45,119 Speaker 5: up to the game. I said, is this going to 359 00:17:45,200 --> 00:17:48,280 Speaker 5: be a similar game plan to Josh Allen the whole 360 00:17:48,320 --> 00:17:53,080 Speaker 5: cage concept thing? And I got a couple of rye smiles, 361 00:17:53,200 --> 00:17:55,000 Speaker 5: and I got a couple of no comments. I'm not 362 00:17:55,040 --> 00:17:58,640 Speaker 5: talking game plan Calvic, but I did get a couple 363 00:17:58,680 --> 00:18:00,800 Speaker 5: of guys say, you know what, he's a different quarterback 364 00:18:00,840 --> 00:18:04,120 Speaker 5: than Josh Allen. He's mobile, He's not Josh Allen. Josh 365 00:18:04,160 --> 00:18:06,520 Speaker 5: Allen can stop at any moment, and he can absolutely 366 00:18:06,600 --> 00:18:09,920 Speaker 5: rifle dart to any any point on the field. And 367 00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:13,280 Speaker 5: he is really tough to bring down even when you 368 00:18:13,359 --> 00:18:16,199 Speaker 5: get to him. You know, at six five, two forty something, 369 00:18:16,280 --> 00:18:17,960 Speaker 5: he's got a lot of big ben in him, plus 370 00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:21,200 Speaker 5: the athleticism. So turns out it was a different plan 371 00:18:21,280 --> 00:18:25,840 Speaker 5: because they went after Caleb Williams with abandon often enough 372 00:18:26,280 --> 00:18:31,200 Speaker 5: to really I thought, confuse and fluster the Bears quarterback 373 00:18:31,240 --> 00:18:33,720 Speaker 5: once again. He did a phenomenal job of not getting 374 00:18:33,760 --> 00:18:36,160 Speaker 5: sacked a dozen times. That's how effective the Cardinals were 375 00:18:36,200 --> 00:18:39,159 Speaker 5: getting into the backfield. But you know, you look at 376 00:18:39,160 --> 00:18:42,399 Speaker 5: that Bears offensive line versus, for example, the Bills offensive 377 00:18:42,440 --> 00:18:45,160 Speaker 5: line night and day. Bills have a top five offensive 378 00:18:45,160 --> 00:18:48,040 Speaker 5: line in the league. Bears might have the worst offensive 379 00:18:48,040 --> 00:18:50,680 Speaker 5: line in the league. So you know what, from week 380 00:18:50,680 --> 00:18:53,119 Speaker 5: to week, what is it. It's a game of matchups 381 00:18:53,200 --> 00:18:56,240 Speaker 5: and you're gonna exploit your opponent's weaknesses and see if 382 00:18:56,240 --> 00:18:58,320 Speaker 5: you can make that the liability that will lose them 383 00:18:58,320 --> 00:19:01,040 Speaker 5: a game. And I think the Cardinals did every bit 384 00:19:01,080 --> 00:19:01,360 Speaker 5: of that. 385 00:19:01,520 --> 00:19:04,320 Speaker 1: Defense was able to do what they did in large 386 00:19:04,320 --> 00:19:07,719 Speaker 1: part because the offense was so successful and running the 387 00:19:07,760 --> 00:19:11,600 Speaker 1: football two hundred and thirteen rushing yards, second highest total 388 00:19:11,640 --> 00:19:15,040 Speaker 1: of the season, second only to Week two against the Rams. 389 00:19:15,080 --> 00:19:18,560 Speaker 1: But in that game, Kyler Murray threw three touchdown passes. 390 00:19:18,840 --> 00:19:21,440 Speaker 1: On Sunday, Paul, he was held without a touchdown pass 391 00:19:21,640 --> 00:19:24,080 Speaker 1: for the first time this season. And I was thinking 392 00:19:24,119 --> 00:19:27,240 Speaker 1: as I was driving home, because I remember you've been saying, 393 00:19:27,480 --> 00:19:30,080 Speaker 1: he said in the offseason that your hope was that 394 00:19:30,240 --> 00:19:34,520 Speaker 1: Kyler Murray becomes a game manager, not in the negative concept, 395 00:19:34,560 --> 00:19:38,000 Speaker 1: but in the fact that he just distributes the football. 396 00:19:38,119 --> 00:19:41,600 Speaker 1: Doesn't have to be Kyler Murray hero. And we saw 397 00:19:41,640 --> 00:19:45,520 Speaker 1: that and he did not. He played fine. We didn't 398 00:19:45,600 --> 00:19:48,639 Speaker 1: have three hundred passing yards, he didn't have eighty rushing yards. 399 00:19:48,680 --> 00:19:52,040 Speaker 1: It was everyone else around him doing their job, in 400 00:19:52,080 --> 00:19:54,280 Speaker 1: which he said, all right, I can lean back a 401 00:19:54,320 --> 00:19:58,840 Speaker 1: little bit and maybe not do as much. I'm not 402 00:19:58,920 --> 00:20:01,359 Speaker 1: needed as much, which is fine because at the end 403 00:20:01,359 --> 00:20:03,000 Speaker 1: of the day, all you needed to worry about. Did 404 00:20:03,000 --> 00:20:05,320 Speaker 1: you get the win the Cardinals did? Yeah, Kyler Murray 405 00:20:05,359 --> 00:20:08,199 Speaker 1: game manager is a good thing. It just means there 406 00:20:08,200 --> 00:20:11,560 Speaker 1: are so many weapons, so many other effective ways to 407 00:20:11,760 --> 00:20:15,639 Speaker 1: gain yards and score touchdowns, that you don't need Kyler 408 00:20:15,720 --> 00:20:18,040 Speaker 1: Murray to be the best athlete on the field to 409 00:20:18,080 --> 00:20:21,159 Speaker 1: make the miraculous play. Now, there are certain games that 410 00:20:21,200 --> 00:20:23,480 Speaker 1: are hanging in the balance, like third and four at 411 00:20:23,520 --> 00:20:25,760 Speaker 1: the very end against the Miami Dolphins, and what do 412 00:20:25,800 --> 00:20:28,600 Speaker 1: you do. You put the ball in Kyler's hands, the 413 00:20:28,640 --> 00:20:31,840 Speaker 1: biggest and best playmaker on the field, and he makes 414 00:20:31,840 --> 00:20:34,800 Speaker 1: the Dolphins defense look stupid and he picks up what 415 00:20:34,960 --> 00:20:37,160 Speaker 1: ended up being a game ceiling first down because now 416 00:20:37,160 --> 00:20:38,680 Speaker 1: you can run out the clock and kick the game 417 00:20:38,720 --> 00:20:40,919 Speaker 1: winning fuel goal. But in other games against a Bears 418 00:20:40,960 --> 00:20:45,240 Speaker 1: team that was demoralized and deflated before halftime, and you 419 00:20:45,359 --> 00:20:49,800 Speaker 1: just needed him to basically navigate navigate that Bears defense, 420 00:20:49,840 --> 00:20:52,159 Speaker 1: which came in as the number four scoring defense in 421 00:20:52,200 --> 00:20:56,680 Speaker 1: the league. Once again, different game plans for different teams. 422 00:20:57,320 --> 00:21:00,840 Speaker 1: And what is Jonathan Gannon's line about the offense. We 423 00:21:00,880 --> 00:21:04,080 Speaker 1: don't The identity of the offense is will be whatever 424 00:21:04,119 --> 00:21:06,879 Speaker 1: we need to be to beat you that week to 425 00:21:06,960 --> 00:21:10,000 Speaker 1: win that game. So against Miami, it was the passing 426 00:21:10,040 --> 00:21:13,400 Speaker 1: game and the downfield passing game. Eight chunk throws down 427 00:21:13,440 --> 00:21:16,399 Speaker 1: the field when you had nine combined the last five games. 428 00:21:16,440 --> 00:21:18,760 Speaker 1: This game, he got back to kram at vertical, we're 429 00:21:18,760 --> 00:21:21,000 Speaker 1: gonna run the ball, We're gonna stop the run, and 430 00:21:21,040 --> 00:21:23,840 Speaker 1: guess what, We're going to run the ball with a 431 00:21:23,840 --> 00:21:27,720 Speaker 1: lot of different guys not named James Connor, including Trey McBride, 432 00:21:28,040 --> 00:21:29,959 Speaker 1: who had the first touchdown run by a tight end 433 00:21:29,960 --> 00:21:33,440 Speaker 1: in Cardinals history since nineteen sixty eight in the Hall 434 00:21:33,440 --> 00:21:36,960 Speaker 1: of Famer Jackie Smith. So think about that, all right, 435 00:21:37,040 --> 00:21:38,959 Speaker 1: put that in the tight end pipe and smoke it. 436 00:21:39,040 --> 00:21:42,159 Speaker 1: That is that is some crazy history right there. And 437 00:21:42,400 --> 00:21:44,600 Speaker 1: Jonathan Gannon didn't really elaborate, and we asked him after 438 00:21:44,600 --> 00:21:46,480 Speaker 1: the game. By the tight end touchdown run, just yeah, 439 00:21:46,480 --> 00:21:50,200 Speaker 1: that's been cooking for a little while. So to your point, 440 00:21:50,840 --> 00:21:52,720 Speaker 1: guess what if you even getting the tight end into 441 00:21:52,760 --> 00:21:56,720 Speaker 1: the run game, there's a lot of different places to go. 442 00:21:56,800 --> 00:21:59,640 Speaker 1: And if Kyler Murray just becomes the guy who's distributing 443 00:21:59,680 --> 00:22:02,240 Speaker 1: the ball and getting the ball to the playmakers, the 444 00:22:02,440 --> 00:22:06,919 Speaker 1: difference makers, then I think that's the rising tide that 445 00:22:07,040 --> 00:22:10,399 Speaker 1: lists the Cardinals offense. This is a run first offense. 446 00:22:10,440 --> 00:22:13,480 Speaker 1: It's been a run first offense since Drew Petson arrived. 447 00:22:13,800 --> 00:22:15,680 Speaker 1: Yet at the same time, this is an offense that 448 00:22:15,720 --> 00:22:18,439 Speaker 1: should be able to adapt depending on what defenses show you, 449 00:22:18,880 --> 00:22:20,920 Speaker 1: and the Cardinals I think have shown that the last 450 00:22:20,920 --> 00:22:22,840 Speaker 1: couple of weeks. By the way, Trey McBride, that was 451 00:22:22,840 --> 00:22:27,760 Speaker 1: his first career rushing attempt forget rushing touchdown, first career 452 00:22:27,880 --> 00:22:31,919 Speaker 1: rushing attempts since he played at Colorado State, but he 453 00:22:32,000 --> 00:22:34,880 Speaker 1: scored a touchdown. Trey Benson scored a touchdown the first 454 00:22:34,920 --> 00:22:38,600 Speaker 1: of here's career. Amaro de Mercado scored a touchdown. Yeah, 455 00:22:38,640 --> 00:22:42,120 Speaker 1: everyone scored a touchdown except for James Connor, who only 456 00:22:42,160 --> 00:22:44,159 Speaker 1: had one hundred rushing yards one hundred and seven to 457 00:22:44,200 --> 00:22:47,120 Speaker 1: be exact for the fourth time this season. So he did. 458 00:22:47,119 --> 00:22:48,959 Speaker 1: By the way, he did all the dirty work on 459 00:22:49,000 --> 00:22:52,359 Speaker 1: that Trey Benson touchdown run because he got stopped short 460 00:22:52,359 --> 00:22:55,199 Speaker 1: of the goal line, was on the sideline, forced to 461 00:22:55,240 --> 00:22:59,480 Speaker 1: go into the blue medical tents and Benson scores from 462 00:22:59,520 --> 00:23:04,280 Speaker 1: one yard out. So assist James Connor on that second 463 00:23:04,400 --> 00:23:07,400 Speaker 1: rushing touchdown. On Sunday yeah, he poached the touchdown right, 464 00:23:07,400 --> 00:23:10,080 Speaker 1: He vultured the touchdown from James Connra on that drive. 465 00:23:11,119 --> 00:23:13,800 Speaker 1: Here's the thing, is it a run first offense? Yes, 466 00:23:13,840 --> 00:23:17,719 Speaker 1: I agree with you, Drew Petsing bite his on. I 467 00:23:17,760 --> 00:23:20,800 Speaker 1: have never heard Kyler Murray admit no, that it's a 468 00:23:20,880 --> 00:23:24,680 Speaker 1: run first offense, which is always a curious dynamic. At 469 00:23:24,720 --> 00:23:27,439 Speaker 1: the very least according to the franchise quarterback, it's going 470 00:23:27,480 --> 00:23:30,080 Speaker 1: to be a balanced offense. I don't think that's something 471 00:23:30,400 --> 00:23:33,520 Speaker 1: that Kyler has or will accept, that it's a run 472 00:23:33,560 --> 00:23:36,680 Speaker 1: first offense. Now, he complies accordingly with the play call, 473 00:23:37,119 --> 00:23:39,240 Speaker 1: and as Drew Petsing told the media last week, there 474 00:23:39,240 --> 00:23:43,000 Speaker 1: are options with every play, and Kyler has freedom to 475 00:23:43,080 --> 00:23:45,679 Speaker 1: make those decisions at the line based on what the 476 00:23:45,800 --> 00:23:49,200 Speaker 1: defense you know, gets into pre snap, post snap, whatever 477 00:23:49,240 --> 00:23:53,280 Speaker 1: he's seeing, whatever he's sensing. He has the ability, but 478 00:23:53,720 --> 00:23:56,160 Speaker 1: there is a limit to that freedom if the decision 479 00:23:56,200 --> 00:24:00,320 Speaker 1: making isn't yielding results. Then Drew Petsen said, yeah, you know, 480 00:24:00,480 --> 00:24:02,800 Speaker 1: that is something we can dial back in and we 481 00:24:02,800 --> 00:24:07,520 Speaker 1: can rescind thy decision making ability. But for Kyler Murray, 482 00:24:07,560 --> 00:24:09,919 Speaker 1: you can see, even in a victory, you know he 483 00:24:10,000 --> 00:24:15,160 Speaker 1: wants he wants to maximize the receiver room, which had 484 00:24:15,200 --> 00:24:18,040 Speaker 1: two catches to the seven targets on seven targets and 485 00:24:18,040 --> 00:24:22,960 Speaker 1: Marvin Harrison had both receptions. Now, again, that's okay for me. 486 00:24:23,240 --> 00:24:26,240 Speaker 1: If you're winning by twenty and you've got two hundred 487 00:24:26,240 --> 00:24:28,720 Speaker 1: plus rushing yards, it becomes an issue. If you're on 488 00:24:28,800 --> 00:24:31,320 Speaker 1: the wrong end of that twenty nine to nine outcome, 489 00:24:31,359 --> 00:24:33,640 Speaker 1: Then what were we talking about? What happened? I thought 490 00:24:33,680 --> 00:24:35,679 Speaker 1: the passing game was unlocked, and now you take a 491 00:24:35,720 --> 00:24:36,200 Speaker 1: step back. 492 00:24:36,320 --> 00:24:37,360 Speaker 3: Kyler Murroleo had one. 493 00:24:37,359 --> 00:24:41,000 Speaker 1: Hundred and fifty four rushing passing yards. Now, when you win, 494 00:24:41,760 --> 00:24:44,679 Speaker 1: it doesn't matter, it's when you lose. You started dissecting 495 00:24:44,720 --> 00:24:46,919 Speaker 1: why did you lose? But to your point about Kyler, 496 00:24:46,960 --> 00:24:51,760 Speaker 1: there was there was frustration postgame in the voice and 497 00:24:51,840 --> 00:24:54,400 Speaker 1: even on the face of Kyler after that game because 498 00:24:54,440 --> 00:24:56,879 Speaker 1: there were some throws that he wished he had made better. 499 00:24:57,320 --> 00:24:59,840 Speaker 1: There were some throws that he probably wish had. 500 00:24:59,720 --> 00:25:00,879 Speaker 6: Been I e. 501 00:25:01,160 --> 00:25:04,080 Speaker 1: Marvin not fumbling, Greg Dorsch having a ball go right 502 00:25:04,119 --> 00:25:06,359 Speaker 1: through his hands. He had Michael Wilson in the pass 503 00:25:06,400 --> 00:25:08,919 Speaker 1: that was kind of a line drive instead of lofting 504 00:25:08,960 --> 00:25:11,400 Speaker 1: it over the defender's head for a score, So there 505 00:25:11,440 --> 00:25:14,440 Speaker 1: were some missed opportunities, but again that kind of gets 506 00:25:14,440 --> 00:25:17,080 Speaker 1: pushed to the back when you're running the ball so 507 00:25:17,119 --> 00:25:19,720 Speaker 1: successfully and have a defense that gets six sacks and 508 00:25:19,720 --> 00:25:21,600 Speaker 1: all of a sudden, all right, well, now we can 509 00:25:21,680 --> 00:25:25,520 Speaker 1: work on what wasn't working well and move forward because 510 00:25:26,240 --> 00:25:28,720 Speaker 1: we're winning. And all that matters in that locker room 511 00:25:28,760 --> 00:25:29,880 Speaker 1: is are you winning. 512 00:25:29,720 --> 00:25:32,840 Speaker 5: When you're running at thirty four times for two thirteen 513 00:25:33,000 --> 00:25:36,880 Speaker 5: more than six yards of carry, why not you run 514 00:25:36,920 --> 00:25:40,560 Speaker 5: it until they stop it? And that is the Drew 515 00:25:40,560 --> 00:25:43,359 Speaker 5: pettsing way. That is a Jonathan Gannon way. We're gonna 516 00:25:43,359 --> 00:25:45,639 Speaker 5: get after the quarterback, do everything in our power to 517 00:25:45,680 --> 00:25:48,199 Speaker 5: get after the quarterback. We're gonna stop the run, and 518 00:25:48,200 --> 00:25:50,040 Speaker 5: then we're gonna run the ball. And it's the kram 519 00:25:50,160 --> 00:25:53,119 Speaker 5: At vertical on both sides of the ball. That is 520 00:25:53,160 --> 00:25:56,320 Speaker 5: the style and DNA of this coaching staff and this team. 521 00:25:56,520 --> 00:25:59,000 Speaker 5: I firmly believe that. Now, if you can sprinkle in 522 00:25:59,520 --> 00:26:01,280 Speaker 5: the pass, and there's a reason why you took a 523 00:26:01,320 --> 00:26:04,040 Speaker 5: receiver number four. Overall, you do value the pass game 524 00:26:04,119 --> 00:26:07,320 Speaker 5: and what it does to open up the entire offense 525 00:26:07,600 --> 00:26:09,920 Speaker 5: and to keep a defense honest. But there are just 526 00:26:10,040 --> 00:26:12,760 Speaker 5: certain games where it's not going to be as fruitful. 527 00:26:12,840 --> 00:26:15,960 Speaker 5: For example, the Bears have a really talented secondary, you know, 528 00:26:16,080 --> 00:26:19,639 Speaker 5: Jalen Johnson and and Tyreek Stevenson, even though he didn't start. 529 00:26:19,720 --> 00:26:22,639 Speaker 5: I mean, these are some quality corners and they do 530 00:26:22,680 --> 00:26:26,000 Speaker 5: a pretty good job in stopping the pass. And even 531 00:26:26,040 --> 00:26:27,639 Speaker 5: though the Cardinals in the pass game might have been 532 00:26:27,640 --> 00:26:29,639 Speaker 5: their own worst enemy, on that handful of plays you 533 00:26:29,680 --> 00:26:32,919 Speaker 5: just cited, absolutely there was room. There was definitely you know, 534 00:26:33,000 --> 00:26:34,959 Speaker 5: meat left on the bone, There's no doubt about it. 535 00:26:35,359 --> 00:26:38,440 Speaker 5: But from week to week, if you're able to diagnose 536 00:26:38,920 --> 00:26:41,200 Speaker 5: where you think you can hurt your opponent and then 537 00:26:41,240 --> 00:26:43,240 Speaker 5: you can execute that plan, that is one of the 538 00:26:43,280 --> 00:26:45,480 Speaker 5: best signs I've seen out of this team all year. 539 00:26:45,680 --> 00:26:48,119 Speaker 1: If it's not working, if the passing game is not working, 540 00:26:48,160 --> 00:26:49,639 Speaker 1: but you have a run game that is, then you 541 00:26:49,680 --> 00:26:51,199 Speaker 1: stick with the run. And I think that's what we 542 00:26:51,240 --> 00:26:53,800 Speaker 1: saw on Sunday for the Cardinals because I believe that's 543 00:26:53,800 --> 00:26:56,119 Speaker 1: the fourth time this season that the Cardinals have had 544 00:26:56,160 --> 00:26:59,840 Speaker 1: more rushing attempts than passing attempts. They've won three of 545 00:26:59,840 --> 00:27:03,080 Speaker 1: them those four games. And it's not just James Connor. Yeah, 546 00:27:03,119 --> 00:27:05,160 Speaker 1: he did a lot of it. But on that Trey 547 00:27:05,200 --> 00:27:06,760 Speaker 1: Benson run, I went back and looked at it. There 548 00:27:06,760 --> 00:27:08,960 Speaker 1: were three tight ends on the field. Charlie Heck was 549 00:27:08,960 --> 00:27:12,600 Speaker 1: the sixth offensive lineman. The De Mercado fifty three yard 550 00:27:12,680 --> 00:27:15,440 Speaker 1: touchdown run where you basically on third and five, Paul, 551 00:27:15,480 --> 00:27:18,160 Speaker 1: you're just hoping, as JG likes to say, pop a run, 552 00:27:18,400 --> 00:27:20,920 Speaker 1: get some extra yards, put Chad Ryland on the field, 553 00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:22,919 Speaker 1: kick a field goal. Going into the locker room, and 554 00:27:22,920 --> 00:27:27,000 Speaker 1: you're feeling good. Yet what happened? The Bears brought pressure. 555 00:27:27,280 --> 00:27:29,960 Speaker 1: Matt Eberfus apologized after the game said, yeah, that was 556 00:27:30,000 --> 00:27:32,000 Speaker 1: on me. So I'm the one who dialed it up. 557 00:27:32,359 --> 00:27:36,199 Speaker 1: And it was blocked so well with Yell Defroholt and 558 00:27:36,280 --> 00:27:39,720 Speaker 1: Tristan Cologne stealing the right side, Evan Brown Train McBride 559 00:27:39,720 --> 00:27:42,480 Speaker 1: blocking on the second level and thenk Greg Dorts running 560 00:27:42,480 --> 00:27:45,520 Speaker 1: a little interference for de Mercado to score. And as 561 00:27:45,560 --> 00:27:48,080 Speaker 1: I was watching that playt from your vantage point, Paul, 562 00:27:48,119 --> 00:27:51,960 Speaker 1: I mean that clock is ticking down and there's Demercatto 563 00:27:52,000 --> 00:27:53,840 Speaker 1: getting closer and closer to the goal line. I'm like, 564 00:27:54,040 --> 00:27:55,920 Speaker 1: you better score, you better score or get out of 565 00:27:56,040 --> 00:27:59,080 Speaker 1: you better score four seconds Like okay, I can relax 566 00:27:59,160 --> 00:28:01,879 Speaker 1: because that's where you're looking like. If you're gonna run, 567 00:28:02,680 --> 00:28:05,880 Speaker 1: make sure you score because you might not leave enough 568 00:28:05,880 --> 00:28:07,399 Speaker 1: time for the field goal. You need to get on 569 00:28:07,440 --> 00:28:08,160 Speaker 1: the field. 570 00:28:08,040 --> 00:28:08,240 Speaker 4: You know. 571 00:28:08,359 --> 00:28:08,800 Speaker 3: Low key. 572 00:28:08,840 --> 00:28:10,760 Speaker 5: Evan Brown might have had the best quote after the 573 00:28:10,760 --> 00:28:12,640 Speaker 5: game quote. I looked down and I saw him running, 574 00:28:12,680 --> 00:28:14,320 Speaker 5: and I looked up at the clock and I thought, oh, 575 00:28:14,359 --> 00:28:16,439 Speaker 5: he's got it will be good because I said to myself, 576 00:28:16,480 --> 00:28:19,199 Speaker 5: if he can't get forty yards in eight seconds, we 577 00:28:19,359 --> 00:28:21,120 Speaker 5: might need to get a new back in there. 578 00:28:21,520 --> 00:28:24,080 Speaker 3: How was Evan Brown this starting left guard? So that's 579 00:28:24,160 --> 00:28:24,920 Speaker 3: quality right there. 580 00:28:25,040 --> 00:28:27,239 Speaker 5: I love how Trey mcplay did point out to the 581 00:28:27,280 --> 00:28:29,800 Speaker 5: media on his own volition that he got a key 582 00:28:29,840 --> 00:28:32,560 Speaker 5: block on the Mike linebacker that sprung to Mari de Mercato, 583 00:28:32,640 --> 00:28:34,560 Speaker 5: you know what, you go, Trey, you point out, you 584 00:28:34,560 --> 00:28:36,800 Speaker 5: know that that whole blocking aspect because you know, you're 585 00:28:36,800 --> 00:28:39,120 Speaker 5: not just Trey mcplay and another hurdle for the second 586 00:28:39,160 --> 00:28:42,680 Speaker 5: straight game, Ray mccurtle exactly. You're you know, getting your 587 00:28:42,680 --> 00:28:44,920 Speaker 5: nose dirty on that one. But I do love how 588 00:28:44,960 --> 00:28:48,320 Speaker 5: a Mari Demrcato hail Lamari, great call by Wolf on 589 00:28:48,400 --> 00:28:50,800 Speaker 5: that one. UH said after the game, all I knew. 590 00:28:51,480 --> 00:28:54,040 Speaker 5: I knew even when I was in my stance because 591 00:28:54,080 --> 00:28:56,959 Speaker 5: they were in such a pass prevent defense. And then 592 00:28:57,000 --> 00:28:59,240 Speaker 5: once I busted to this second level, He's like, I 593 00:28:59,320 --> 00:29:02,200 Speaker 5: knew I was going on and from field level. Sometimes 594 00:29:02,240 --> 00:29:04,000 Speaker 5: I have the worst angle. Sometimes I have a really 595 00:29:04,040 --> 00:29:05,640 Speaker 5: good angle. And on that one he came to the 596 00:29:05,640 --> 00:29:08,000 Speaker 5: Cardinals sideline, you could just tell he had enough distance 597 00:29:08,040 --> 00:29:12,440 Speaker 5: between him and the nearest pursuer. And speaking a low key, 598 00:29:13,320 --> 00:29:15,640 Speaker 5: his speed is underrated. I don't know if it's fresh 599 00:29:15,720 --> 00:29:18,840 Speaker 5: legs or the burst, but there was a quick out 600 00:29:18,840 --> 00:29:20,960 Speaker 5: that he caught later in the game, and he got 601 00:29:20,960 --> 00:29:24,000 Speaker 5: the edge and went up the sideline and he was, 602 00:29:24,320 --> 00:29:27,520 Speaker 5: I mean inches away from busting that one as well 603 00:29:27,600 --> 00:29:30,560 Speaker 5: for a huge hitter, I mean a Mario de Mercato. 604 00:29:30,600 --> 00:29:33,480 Speaker 5: I think it's underrated a little bit. James Conner cited 605 00:29:33,480 --> 00:29:36,360 Speaker 5: it after the game. Just that smooth running style. He 606 00:29:36,480 --> 00:29:40,320 Speaker 5: just has that gait where he's consuming more turf than 607 00:29:40,400 --> 00:29:43,200 Speaker 5: maybe you anticipate, and I think it's misleading to a 608 00:29:43,200 --> 00:29:45,160 Speaker 5: lot of tacklers. They underestimated speed. 609 00:29:45,240 --> 00:29:47,520 Speaker 1: The Meccado a couple of catches. How about Trey Benson 610 00:29:47,640 --> 00:29:50,680 Speaker 1: with an eighteen yard reception early in the game. Haven't 611 00:29:50,720 --> 00:29:52,680 Speaker 1: seen that a lot, but you saw a little bit 612 00:29:52,680 --> 00:29:55,800 Speaker 1: more of a rotation among running backs than you had 613 00:29:55,800 --> 00:29:59,040 Speaker 1: seen in previous weeks. Now, I think late in the game, 614 00:29:59,480 --> 00:30:02,360 Speaker 1: with the game well decided, James Connor come off the 615 00:30:02,360 --> 00:30:04,840 Speaker 1: sideline be a spectator to watch everyone else get a carry, 616 00:30:04,840 --> 00:30:06,920 Speaker 1: including DJ Dallas at the end of the game his 617 00:30:06,920 --> 00:30:09,360 Speaker 1: first carry of the season. But if you want to 618 00:30:09,440 --> 00:30:12,360 Speaker 1: keep James fresh for the duration of the season one 619 00:30:12,480 --> 00:30:15,200 Speaker 1: keep him healthy, then I think this was a positive 620 00:30:15,240 --> 00:30:17,960 Speaker 1: sign for this run game to have Benson and de 621 00:30:18,080 --> 00:30:20,959 Speaker 1: Mercado break off a couple of runs to show the 622 00:30:21,000 --> 00:30:24,840 Speaker 1: coaching staff keep giving us the ball, keep giving us opportunities, 623 00:30:25,080 --> 00:30:26,840 Speaker 1: and we'll make sure we make the most of them, 624 00:30:27,000 --> 00:30:28,440 Speaker 1: as we saw on Sunday. 625 00:30:28,080 --> 00:30:31,200 Speaker 5: And it was good to see and hear Jonathan Gannon 626 00:30:31,200 --> 00:30:34,240 Speaker 5: after the game talk about Trey Benson saying, I'm loosely 627 00:30:34,320 --> 00:30:36,880 Speaker 5: quoting that, you know, he got going, he was running hard. 628 00:30:37,360 --> 00:30:41,000 Speaker 5: I saw him finish with his pads down. He's playing faster, 629 00:30:41,600 --> 00:30:45,040 Speaker 5: he's hitting the holes, he's more violent, you know. So 630 00:30:45,880 --> 00:30:48,480 Speaker 5: I think that sounds to me like a few points 631 00:30:48,480 --> 00:30:50,880 Speaker 5: of emphasis with the rookie running back who you know 632 00:30:50,960 --> 00:30:54,120 Speaker 5: has the speed, he has the size, but you got 633 00:30:54,160 --> 00:30:56,720 Speaker 5: to match the NFL physicality and sometimes you got to 634 00:30:56,720 --> 00:30:59,240 Speaker 5: deliver the blow. As the running back. You're not just 635 00:30:59,240 --> 00:31:02,480 Speaker 5: trying to avoid the time that's not feasible. Sometimes you 636 00:31:02,560 --> 00:31:04,800 Speaker 5: got to bring the hammer. And all he has to 637 00:31:04,840 --> 00:31:07,440 Speaker 5: do is look at his teammate James Connor, who went 638 00:31:07,480 --> 00:31:11,400 Speaker 5: into Week nine leading the NFL in forced mistackles by 639 00:31:11,440 --> 00:31:14,560 Speaker 5: a country mile. And so there's a lot of times 640 00:31:14,560 --> 00:31:17,160 Speaker 5: where James Connor is creating his own running lane and 641 00:31:17,240 --> 00:31:19,280 Speaker 5: sometimes you have to do that. And at two hundred 642 00:31:19,320 --> 00:31:22,040 Speaker 5: and twenty plus pounds, Trey Benson has the ability to 643 00:31:22,080 --> 00:31:24,400 Speaker 5: do that. I think that's something you know along with 644 00:31:24,400 --> 00:31:26,960 Speaker 5: an Isaiah Adams, right, they get these reps and they 645 00:31:27,000 --> 00:31:30,360 Speaker 5: start to learn it really is a game of aggression 646 00:31:30,520 --> 00:31:32,520 Speaker 5: in the NFL. You might have the size, you might 647 00:31:32,560 --> 00:31:34,760 Speaker 5: have the acumen and the skill set, but it goes 648 00:31:34,800 --> 00:31:37,040 Speaker 5: beyond that. In fact, my last question from Mario de 649 00:31:37,160 --> 00:31:39,200 Speaker 5: Mercado was how much of this run game and running 650 00:31:39,200 --> 00:31:42,440 Speaker 5: for two hundred plus yards is mentality? And his answer was, 651 00:31:42,760 --> 00:31:45,720 Speaker 5: it's all mentality because that's what James Connor shouts on 652 00:31:45,720 --> 00:31:48,960 Speaker 5: the sideline. It's a mindset. He points to his head 653 00:31:49,160 --> 00:31:51,160 Speaker 5: and he goes, it's a mindset. When he sees another 654 00:31:51,200 --> 00:31:53,800 Speaker 5: physical play out there, he points it's a mindset. So 655 00:31:53,880 --> 00:31:55,880 Speaker 5: do all the guys feed off James Connor, Yes, but 656 00:31:56,360 --> 00:31:58,320 Speaker 5: he's really quick on the sideline to point out when 657 00:31:58,360 --> 00:32:01,440 Speaker 5: other dudes make very fit plays that set a tone. 658 00:32:01,480 --> 00:32:03,680 Speaker 1: We might look back at week nine where that light 659 00:32:03,720 --> 00:32:07,880 Speaker 1: bulb went on for Trey Benson, because it's it's hard 660 00:32:08,000 --> 00:32:10,000 Speaker 1: to make that jump from college to the pros. I'll 661 00:32:10,080 --> 00:32:13,120 Speaker 1: point to Xavier Thomas a second and a half. You know, Paul, 662 00:32:13,160 --> 00:32:15,400 Speaker 1: there was a stretch there where he was not only 663 00:32:15,400 --> 00:32:18,320 Speaker 1: not on the field, he was inactive. So maybe it's 664 00:32:18,320 --> 00:32:21,360 Speaker 1: a little what do you always say, what's the best push, 665 00:32:21,480 --> 00:32:25,560 Speaker 1: what's the best way to get a player's attention, job 666 00:32:25,600 --> 00:32:29,120 Speaker 1: security and playtime? Snap counts? Sure, and I think maybe 667 00:32:29,120 --> 00:32:31,560 Speaker 1: Week nine might be that turning point for some of 668 00:32:31,600 --> 00:32:34,280 Speaker 1: these rookies that maybe that light bulb hadn't gone off 669 00:32:34,400 --> 00:32:37,920 Speaker 1: completely or gone on completely, And now you're seeing this 670 00:32:38,040 --> 00:32:41,600 Speaker 1: draft class with a little bit more involvement on both 671 00:32:41,640 --> 00:32:42,320 Speaker 1: sides of the ball. 672 00:32:42,400 --> 00:32:44,600 Speaker 5: I don't know what the snap percentage was on Rabbit, 673 00:32:45,000 --> 00:32:47,320 Speaker 5: but he got into the game, which isn't always the 674 00:32:47,360 --> 00:32:49,840 Speaker 5: case with Jalen Thompson and Buddha Baker, and the two 675 00:32:49,880 --> 00:32:52,680 Speaker 5: of those guys are so instrumental to the Cardinals defense 676 00:32:52,720 --> 00:32:55,200 Speaker 5: and playing at such a high level with such a 677 00:32:55,240 --> 00:32:57,800 Speaker 5: high football IQ. But I did see Rabbit getting on 678 00:32:57,880 --> 00:33:00,480 Speaker 5: defense here and there, so they're trying to him in 679 00:33:00,480 --> 00:33:02,960 Speaker 5: which is a good thing because every time I've seen 680 00:33:03,040 --> 00:33:05,720 Speaker 5: Rabbit in period, I mean, he's made plays. 681 00:33:05,760 --> 00:33:10,400 Speaker 1: He's reliable, tense naps or Rabbit, which again that's more 682 00:33:10,480 --> 00:33:13,800 Speaker 1: than most weeks for him because Buddha and JT are 683 00:33:13,880 --> 00:33:15,120 Speaker 1: not coming off the field. 684 00:33:14,920 --> 00:33:17,560 Speaker 5: Exactly so and Xavier Thomas, by the way, it made 685 00:33:17,560 --> 00:33:19,720 Speaker 5: sense to me that he was productive in this game 686 00:33:19,720 --> 00:33:22,120 Speaker 5: because Caleb Williams held out to the ball and he's 687 00:33:22,160 --> 00:33:25,600 Speaker 5: a speed rusher, so you know the quarterbacks will get 688 00:33:25,640 --> 00:33:27,280 Speaker 5: rid of the ball right away. That's not a great 689 00:33:27,320 --> 00:33:29,960 Speaker 5: game for him. And then you know he's still learning 690 00:33:30,040 --> 00:33:33,200 Speaker 5: how to set the edge with that NFL physicality and 691 00:33:33,240 --> 00:33:35,840 Speaker 5: not be a liability against the run. So once the 692 00:33:35,880 --> 00:33:38,920 Speaker 5: Bears got down or forced to throw it, Xavior Thomas 693 00:33:39,040 --> 00:33:41,920 Speaker 5: especially is really well equipped in that situation. And let 694 00:33:41,960 --> 00:33:44,160 Speaker 5: me just say this, getting after the quarterback like they did, 695 00:33:44,160 --> 00:33:46,680 Speaker 5: you know, what is a quarter is a pass rusher's 696 00:33:46,720 --> 00:33:49,800 Speaker 5: best friend the lead. So when you have a ten 697 00:33:49,880 --> 00:33:52,560 Speaker 5: point lead or more and you can pin your ears back, 698 00:33:53,000 --> 00:33:56,120 Speaker 5: there's always a correlation between your productivity and hitting and 699 00:33:56,160 --> 00:33:57,680 Speaker 5: pressuring and sacking the quarterback. 700 00:33:57,760 --> 00:33:58,480 Speaker 3: Before we get to. 701 00:33:58,440 --> 00:34:01,640 Speaker 1: The Angry Bird Award and the number of different nominations 702 00:34:01,640 --> 00:34:05,080 Speaker 1: that Paul probably has a list of many, I want 703 00:34:05,120 --> 00:34:06,520 Speaker 1: to give a shout out. We kind of tease it 704 00:34:06,520 --> 00:34:09,520 Speaker 1: off the top, but special teams Chad Roland continues to 705 00:34:09,560 --> 00:34:12,880 Speaker 1: put the ball between the uprights another fifty yard plus 706 00:34:12,920 --> 00:34:16,040 Speaker 1: field goal, and then Blake Gillikin and I don't know 707 00:34:16,080 --> 00:34:18,680 Speaker 1: how much we have talked about the punch since Andy 708 00:34:18,760 --> 00:34:22,200 Speaker 1: Lee has left and no longer punted for the Arizona Cardinals, 709 00:34:22,239 --> 00:34:25,680 Speaker 1: but four punts on Sunday, three of the four inside 710 00:34:25,719 --> 00:34:29,160 Speaker 1: the twenty, and I believe now the last couple of games, 711 00:34:29,200 --> 00:34:32,479 Speaker 1: it's nine of his last eleven punts have been down 712 00:34:32,600 --> 00:34:37,120 Speaker 1: inside the twenty. So forget his average or net average, 713 00:34:37,400 --> 00:34:41,000 Speaker 1: how many times is he talking about Blake flipping field 714 00:34:41,040 --> 00:34:43,719 Speaker 1: position to where you now, as an opposing team are 715 00:34:43,760 --> 00:34:46,760 Speaker 1: starting inside the twenty and have to go eighty plus 716 00:34:46,840 --> 00:34:50,440 Speaker 1: yards to get a score. So that's something that pay 717 00:34:50,480 --> 00:34:53,040 Speaker 1: attention to it because Blake Gillickan his numbers might not 718 00:34:53,120 --> 00:34:54,840 Speaker 1: be as good as they were a year ago as 719 00:34:54,920 --> 00:34:57,160 Speaker 1: far as average and net average, but he might be 720 00:34:57,200 --> 00:35:00,760 Speaker 1: having a better overall performance for the card this season. 721 00:35:01,040 --> 00:35:04,320 Speaker 5: Yeah, two points safety right when they had the ball 722 00:35:04,360 --> 00:35:06,840 Speaker 5: at the one And it was interesting because after the 723 00:35:06,960 --> 00:35:09,960 Speaker 5: chop block penalty in the end zone that resulted in 724 00:35:10,000 --> 00:35:13,839 Speaker 5: the safety, Cardinals defense celebrates and by the time they 725 00:35:13,880 --> 00:35:16,239 Speaker 5: get to the sideline, Roy Lopez has a ball that 726 00:35:16,280 --> 00:35:18,160 Speaker 5: he flips to an equipment guy. I'm like, now, wait 727 00:35:18,200 --> 00:35:21,280 Speaker 5: a minute, I gotta go find Roy Lopez here later today. 728 00:35:21,800 --> 00:35:26,680 Speaker 5: Did he really keep the football after a penalty safety? 729 00:35:25,640 --> 00:35:28,800 Speaker 5: I don't. Was he the one who got chopp blocked? 730 00:35:28,800 --> 00:35:30,239 Speaker 1: I'm I think he might have been. 731 00:35:30,400 --> 00:35:35,120 Speaker 5: So that's sort of a curious souvenir to me. If anything, 732 00:35:35,160 --> 00:35:37,440 Speaker 5: maybe give it to Blake Gillikin for putting the Bears 733 00:35:37,480 --> 00:35:40,239 Speaker 5: at their own one yard line. That would be my 734 00:35:40,280 --> 00:35:42,640 Speaker 5: only thought. And the other thing about Blake Gillikin too, 735 00:35:42,719 --> 00:35:44,680 Speaker 5: is you know how this works, Craig, When the other 736 00:35:44,760 --> 00:35:49,200 Speaker 5: team has a unit or a position group that's getting 737 00:35:49,239 --> 00:35:51,520 Speaker 5: all the accolades, what did the Bears have. They had 738 00:35:51,520 --> 00:35:56,600 Speaker 5: the highest drafted punter on their rosters since Mitch Wishnowski 739 00:35:57,360 --> 00:36:02,400 Speaker 5: twenty nineteen fourth rounder Tory Taylor out of Iowa. All Right, dude, 740 00:36:02,440 --> 00:36:05,239 Speaker 5: is a I mean, let me just say, Okay, I 741 00:36:05,280 --> 00:36:07,560 Speaker 5: appreciated the punning game in Week nine. You know, I 742 00:36:07,719 --> 00:36:10,200 Speaker 5: took him away, like, don't stand in my way, camera, guy. 743 00:36:10,440 --> 00:36:12,399 Speaker 5: I want to watch the punters in this one. Blake 744 00:36:12,440 --> 00:36:14,040 Speaker 5: Gillick can go against Tory Taylor. 745 00:36:14,120 --> 00:36:14,680 Speaker 6: That was epic. 746 00:36:15,400 --> 00:36:17,480 Speaker 1: All right, are we tipping our hand then, Paul, as 747 00:36:17,480 --> 00:36:20,439 Speaker 1: far as the Angry Bird Award is concerned, No, Okay, Blake, 748 00:36:20,480 --> 00:36:22,520 Speaker 1: you got some work to do as far as if 749 00:36:22,520 --> 00:36:24,880 Speaker 1: you want to receive the coveted weekly on or that 750 00:36:24,880 --> 00:36:27,600 Speaker 1: Paul Calvic dishes out each and every week here on 751 00:36:27,640 --> 00:36:28,360 Speaker 1: Cardinals cover too. 752 00:36:28,440 --> 00:36:30,360 Speaker 5: And the award has to keep a shred of dignity 753 00:36:30,400 --> 00:36:32,640 Speaker 5: when it comes to the game of football. The physicality 754 00:36:33,400 --> 00:36:35,840 Speaker 5: is part of the three phases of the game. You know, 755 00:36:35,920 --> 00:36:38,400 Speaker 5: we got to put the angry into angry Bird. Okay, 756 00:36:38,480 --> 00:36:41,040 Speaker 5: So for that, for that reason, uh, it's got to 757 00:36:41,080 --> 00:36:43,480 Speaker 5: be Zaven Collins. I mean, come on, two sacks, three 758 00:36:43,560 --> 00:36:47,279 Speaker 5: quarterback hits, six tackles, tackle for loss. He's all over 759 00:36:47,320 --> 00:36:50,120 Speaker 5: the field. The only guy you know who's even close 760 00:36:50,200 --> 00:36:53,480 Speaker 5: to Buddha Baker in the various ways of Cardinals utilize 761 00:36:53,560 --> 00:36:57,319 Speaker 5: him is a xav And Collins And just to be 762 00:36:57,680 --> 00:36:59,879 Speaker 5: that guy and have everything asked of him. 763 00:37:00,120 --> 00:37:00,560 Speaker 3: And you know what. 764 00:37:00,600 --> 00:37:04,000 Speaker 5: Two weeks ago against the LA Chargers on the Coach's 765 00:37:04,040 --> 00:37:06,520 Speaker 5: TV Show, Ron Wolfley asked Jonathan Gannon who was the 766 00:37:06,560 --> 00:37:08,719 Speaker 5: bad man of the game under the radar that maybe 767 00:37:08,800 --> 00:37:12,319 Speaker 5: you know, and immediately Jonathan Gannon said, Zavion Collins. A 768 00:37:12,320 --> 00:37:14,439 Speaker 5: lot of guys had a lot of tackles and got 769 00:37:14,480 --> 00:37:17,800 Speaker 5: into the backfield because of what Zavion Collins was doing. 770 00:37:17,880 --> 00:37:20,040 Speaker 5: And he was commanded some double teams and he's being 771 00:37:20,160 --> 00:37:23,439 Speaker 5: very problematic and the way that Nick Ross was using him, 772 00:37:23,480 --> 00:37:25,839 Speaker 5: it didn't show up in the stat sheet, but he 773 00:37:25,960 --> 00:37:27,759 Speaker 5: was a lynchpin to a lot of other guys having 774 00:37:27,800 --> 00:37:30,600 Speaker 5: good games in that Chargers shut out in the second 775 00:37:30,640 --> 00:37:32,239 Speaker 5: half as well, and they kept him out of the 776 00:37:32,320 --> 00:37:35,680 Speaker 5: end zone field goals only in that game. So boom, 777 00:37:35,760 --> 00:37:38,359 Speaker 5: Zavan Collins, your Week nine Angry Bird Award winner. 778 00:37:38,400 --> 00:37:40,080 Speaker 1: Well you know why he had such a good game, 779 00:37:40,160 --> 00:37:43,319 Speaker 1: you know, right? No idea, Okay, well, i'm gonna give you, 780 00:37:43,640 --> 00:37:45,839 Speaker 1: I'm gonna give Ron Wolfley, I'm gonna give Jill Mama 781 00:37:45,920 --> 00:37:48,040 Speaker 1: Hunter a little bit bit of an assist, all right. 782 00:37:48,520 --> 00:37:52,960 Speaker 1: Zavon Collins a guest earlier on The Big Red Rage. 783 00:37:53,280 --> 00:37:55,960 Speaker 1: So listen, Cardinal players in that locker room, right, you 784 00:37:56,000 --> 00:37:58,680 Speaker 1: make an appearance on The Big Red Rage on Thursday, 785 00:37:59,239 --> 00:38:01,280 Speaker 1: good things happen and on Sundays. 786 00:38:01,320 --> 00:38:03,440 Speaker 5: That's right. Craig Griil is talking to you, Kyler and 787 00:38:03,520 --> 00:38:06,680 Speaker 5: James Connor and Buddha Baker, Okay, all the Pro bowlers. 788 00:38:06,680 --> 00:38:09,920 Speaker 5: He's talking directly to you. Yeah, we'll see if anyone listens, 789 00:38:11,239 --> 00:38:14,000 Speaker 5: and we'll buy you a dinner out there. Curtisia Trophy 790 00:38:14,040 --> 00:38:16,560 Speaker 5: and Chandler and the Big Red Rage presented by Santan Fordingkill. 791 00:38:16,840 --> 00:38:19,320 Speaker 3: We'll see who the Big Red Red Big Red Rage 792 00:38:19,360 --> 00:38:22,040 Speaker 3: guest is this week, as the Cardinals get ready to 793 00:38:22,040 --> 00:38:24,879 Speaker 3: host Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets again three 794 00:38:24,920 --> 00:38:27,560 Speaker 3: in a row, four wins in their last five games, 795 00:38:27,600 --> 00:38:30,440 Speaker 3: and yes, a first place Cardinals team at five and 796 00:38:30,760 --> 00:38:32,480 Speaker 3: four looking down upon the. 797 00:38:32,440 --> 00:38:35,640 Speaker 1: Rest of the NFC West. On that note, we'll put 798 00:38:35,719 --> 00:38:38,000 Speaker 1: all in on this edition of Cardinals Cover two presented 799 00:38:38,000 --> 00:38:41,320 Speaker 1: by Hyundai, partner of the Arizona Cardinals. As always, special 800 00:38:41,320 --> 00:38:44,200 Speaker 1: thanks to our executive producer Jim Mama Hundre, our associate 801 00:38:44,200 --> 00:38:47,040 Speaker 1: producer Cody Fincher. For Paul Calvic, I'm Craig Reel Lou. 802 00:38:47,160 --> 00:38:49,239 Speaker 1: We'll talk to you next time here on Cardinals Cover 803 00:38:49,320 --> 00:38:49,520 Speaker 1: two