1 00:00:03,880 --> 00:00:08,000 Speaker 1: It is a Football Friday Week eighteen edition. This season finale, 2 00:00:08,119 --> 00:00:11,320 Speaker 1: Welcome Bird Gang. On today's show, Zach Kershman joins me, 3 00:00:11,600 --> 00:00:13,280 Speaker 1: can't think of a better way to go out than 4 00:00:13,320 --> 00:00:16,320 Speaker 1: with a win against the Seattle Seahawks. Get that first 5 00:00:16,320 --> 00:00:19,360 Speaker 1: division win of the season and eliminate the Seahawks from 6 00:00:19,360 --> 00:00:22,599 Speaker 1: the playoffs. For more on Sunday's matchup, we also head 7 00:00:22,640 --> 00:00:25,720 Speaker 1: into enemy territory and speak with John Boyle, who covers 8 00:00:25,720 --> 00:00:29,040 Speaker 1: the team for Seahawks dot Com. It's Cardinals Cover two, 9 00:00:29,120 --> 00:00:32,080 Speaker 1: Episode seven eighteen, and it starts now. 10 00:00:35,200 --> 00:00:37,279 Speaker 2: Welcome to Cardinals Cover two. 11 00:00:37,200 --> 00:00:41,640 Speaker 3: Boot to Baker, What Heart? What rent? This guy's unbelievable. 12 00:00:41,800 --> 00:00:46,040 Speaker 2: Cardinals Cover two is presented by Hyundai, proud partner of 13 00:00:46,080 --> 00:00:51,880 Speaker 2: the Arizona Cardinals, and by Arizona Cardinals Podcasts. Visit Azycardinals 14 00:00:51,920 --> 00:00:53,680 Speaker 2: dot Com Slash podcasts. 15 00:00:53,760 --> 00:00:56,000 Speaker 3: He's at the ten half of five. He's it again, 16 00:00:56,520 --> 00:00:58,240 Speaker 3: so more hurry magic. 17 00:00:58,440 --> 00:01:01,120 Speaker 2: WHOA here is Craig Griolub. 18 00:01:05,720 --> 00:01:10,080 Speaker 1: First things first, congratulations Zech, you did what you were 19 00:01:10,120 --> 00:01:13,120 Speaker 1: told to do. You came back from Philly with a win. 20 00:01:13,360 --> 00:01:14,960 Speaker 3: I told you I was gonna come back with a 21 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:17,760 Speaker 3: win regardless. But the fact that it came back to 22 00:01:17,760 --> 00:01:20,040 Speaker 3: the valley and everybody else on the plane was happy 23 00:01:20,080 --> 00:01:22,440 Speaker 3: as well. It was definitely a sight to see being 24 00:01:22,480 --> 00:01:24,880 Speaker 3: down in the field for that James Connor touchdown towards 25 00:01:24,959 --> 00:01:26,480 Speaker 3: the end was it was a pretty neat one at 26 00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:29,040 Speaker 3: that so definitely excited for the guys. They were very 27 00:01:29,080 --> 00:01:31,640 Speaker 3: pumped in the locker room post game, dreams and nightmares 28 00:01:31,720 --> 00:01:34,639 Speaker 3: was playing. Everything could not have been better, And. 29 00:01:34,520 --> 00:01:37,440 Speaker 1: This could bode well for you moving into next season 30 00:01:37,720 --> 00:01:40,440 Speaker 1: because you can point to this week like the Cardinals 31 00:01:40,440 --> 00:01:43,560 Speaker 1: can point to that week, perhaps maybe to get Zach 32 00:01:43,640 --> 00:01:46,800 Speaker 1: Gershman on more trips in twenty twenty four and beyond. 33 00:01:47,200 --> 00:01:50,200 Speaker 3: Look, that road trip to Los Angeles did hurt us, 34 00:01:50,240 --> 00:01:54,520 Speaker 3: so I'm one for one on road trips, but hey, whatever, 35 00:01:54,640 --> 00:01:56,960 Speaker 3: whatever needs to be done, whatever needs to be done. 36 00:01:57,000 --> 00:02:00,200 Speaker 1: The difference with the LA trip because I'm a lot 37 00:02:00,200 --> 00:02:03,760 Speaker 1: of Arizona Cardinals employees were on that trip as well, 38 00:02:04,080 --> 00:02:07,160 Speaker 1: that was we were kind of hybrid as far as 39 00:02:07,280 --> 00:02:11,600 Speaker 1: employee in a working non working capacity. But the Eagles trip, 40 00:02:11,639 --> 00:02:14,959 Speaker 1: for you, that was a full business trip outside of 41 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:17,000 Speaker 1: the time you spent with your family on Saturday because 42 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:18,960 Speaker 1: it was a two day trip. But I would not 43 00:02:19,040 --> 00:02:22,079 Speaker 1: put that la on your record, I would still say 44 00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:24,200 Speaker 1: Zach Gershman is traveling. 45 00:02:24,280 --> 00:02:26,560 Speaker 3: It was a preseason game, if anything like that, just 46 00:02:26,600 --> 00:02:29,320 Speaker 3: a few weeks test run exactly. No, it was. It 47 00:02:29,360 --> 00:02:32,240 Speaker 3: was a very cool experience just getting to to see 48 00:02:32,280 --> 00:02:35,400 Speaker 3: how this team does it, and it's it's a grind. 49 00:02:35,520 --> 00:02:38,960 Speaker 3: It's a grind to fly across the country two times 50 00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:41,680 Speaker 3: within the month of December when they went to Pittsburgh, 51 00:02:41,760 --> 00:02:44,200 Speaker 3: then you go to Chicago, and then you go to Philadelphia. 52 00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:46,920 Speaker 3: So you definitely had a grind in December when it 53 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:49,800 Speaker 3: comes to the travel schedule. But overall it was it 54 00:02:49,840 --> 00:02:51,720 Speaker 3: was so neat being in the stadium I grew up 55 00:02:51,760 --> 00:02:54,040 Speaker 3: going to as a little kid, and then I was 56 00:02:54,120 --> 00:02:57,000 Speaker 3: I was talking with coach Rob Rodriguez and just the 57 00:02:57,080 --> 00:02:59,720 Speaker 3: fact that you know, being there, returning back but being 58 00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:03,000 Speaker 3: able to do it wearing my Cardinals red suit. I 59 00:03:03,080 --> 00:03:04,840 Speaker 3: was definitely a pretty neat one. It was cool to 60 00:03:04,880 --> 00:03:06,919 Speaker 3: have my dad there. My little sister was there as well, 61 00:03:07,160 --> 00:03:09,680 Speaker 3: so to I think for them to see, you know, 62 00:03:10,280 --> 00:03:13,040 Speaker 3: their little zach uh kind of yet the game was 63 00:03:13,040 --> 00:03:14,040 Speaker 3: pretty neat for them as well. 64 00:03:14,080 --> 00:03:16,800 Speaker 1: So you're saying, in addition to Jonathan Gannon, Nick Rolis 65 00:03:16,880 --> 00:03:20,120 Speaker 1: and Zach Pascal Kaiser. White was on the trip but 66 00:03:20,280 --> 00:03:23,040 Speaker 1: obviously did not play, But we can include you as 67 00:03:23,080 --> 00:03:26,080 Speaker 1: far as maybe those players in the locker room, maybe 68 00:03:26,200 --> 00:03:28,880 Speaker 1: a little extra oom for Zach to come back. 69 00:03:28,720 --> 00:03:32,079 Speaker 3: With a win. I had a little extra okuit they didn't. 70 00:03:32,480 --> 00:03:33,040 Speaker 1: They didn't. 71 00:03:33,120 --> 00:03:35,760 Speaker 3: I like I compensated for them by having that little 72 00:03:35,760 --> 00:03:36,320 Speaker 3: extra oomph. 73 00:03:36,520 --> 00:03:39,400 Speaker 1: Fair enough. So the road trips are done. There is 74 00:03:39,480 --> 00:03:43,240 Speaker 1: one more home game that is Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. 75 00:03:43,440 --> 00:03:46,520 Speaker 1: Cardinals and Seahawks will kick off at two twenty five, 76 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:49,440 Speaker 1: nine to thirty. Pre game coverage begins on the Arizona 77 00:03:49,480 --> 00:03:52,000 Speaker 1: Cardinals Radio network. A little bit later on, had a 78 00:03:52,080 --> 00:03:56,080 Speaker 1: chance to speak with John Boyle, senior reporter for Seahawks 79 00:03:56,080 --> 00:03:58,520 Speaker 1: dot Com. We'll get his thoughts on the matchup. What 80 00:03:58,640 --> 00:04:01,440 Speaker 1: is a very big game for the Seahawks. They need 81 00:04:01,480 --> 00:04:03,280 Speaker 1: to win and some help in order to get to 82 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:05,960 Speaker 1: the postseason. Cardinals, well, they can play the role of 83 00:04:06,040 --> 00:04:09,120 Speaker 1: spoiler as they did last week against the Eagles, knocking 84 00:04:09,160 --> 00:04:12,320 Speaker 1: Philadelphia from a two seed to a five seed. Jonathan 85 00:04:12,360 --> 00:04:15,400 Speaker 1: Gannon didn't really want to talk about that, but a 86 00:04:15,440 --> 00:04:18,720 Speaker 1: little bit more of a satisfaction after the fact, and 87 00:04:18,760 --> 00:04:22,120 Speaker 1: then as the big thing is just going into the 88 00:04:22,160 --> 00:04:25,640 Speaker 1: offseason on a high note. No, momentum doesn't carry over 89 00:04:25,680 --> 00:04:28,080 Speaker 1: from week to week or season to season, but as 90 00:04:28,120 --> 00:04:31,800 Speaker 1: Gannon talked about on Friday, confidence, the confidence that the 91 00:04:31,839 --> 00:04:34,520 Speaker 1: coaches are on the right track in what they're asking 92 00:04:34,560 --> 00:04:37,599 Speaker 1: their players to do scheme wise, and in confidence for 93 00:04:37,640 --> 00:04:40,760 Speaker 1: the players on an individual basis, yes, this is my 94 00:04:40,920 --> 00:04:44,040 Speaker 1: role within this offense, defense, or special teams. And then 95 00:04:44,160 --> 00:04:47,960 Speaker 1: just feeling good year one under a brand new front office, 96 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:51,680 Speaker 1: brand new coaching staff going into year two, where I 97 00:04:51,720 --> 00:04:55,320 Speaker 1: believe the expectations will be much much higher most certainly, and. 98 00:04:55,279 --> 00:04:57,120 Speaker 3: I think this would have been one of those weekends 99 00:04:57,160 --> 00:04:59,720 Speaker 3: that you wish you could flip flop Week seventeen in 100 00:04:59,720 --> 00:05:02,480 Speaker 3: Week eighteen and have the Philadelphia regardless of the result, 101 00:05:02,600 --> 00:05:04,479 Speaker 3: regardless if you come away with the win, although if 102 00:05:04,520 --> 00:05:06,440 Speaker 3: you're able to do it at home, that's definitely gonna 103 00:05:06,440 --> 00:05:09,480 Speaker 3: be sweet. The momentum component, I know JG said he's 104 00:05:09,480 --> 00:05:11,400 Speaker 3: not a believer in that, but I truly believe that 105 00:05:11,440 --> 00:05:13,839 Speaker 3: the guys in the locker room can still feel that 106 00:05:14,040 --> 00:05:17,000 Speaker 3: they feed off of each other. Their togetherness is something 107 00:05:17,040 --> 00:05:19,560 Speaker 3: that's talked about on a weekly basis. So I do 108 00:05:19,600 --> 00:05:21,480 Speaker 3: believe that if they were to come away with the win, 109 00:05:21,560 --> 00:05:24,720 Speaker 3: that does give momentum going into the offseason. The guys 110 00:05:24,720 --> 00:05:27,000 Speaker 3: are gonna be around each other more they do and 111 00:05:27,040 --> 00:05:29,719 Speaker 3: they will always have that Philadelphia win. They will always 112 00:05:29,720 --> 00:05:32,479 Speaker 3: have that win against the Cowboys, and that game against 113 00:05:32,480 --> 00:05:34,719 Speaker 3: the Falcons with Kyler Murray coming back, and then the 114 00:05:34,760 --> 00:05:37,479 Speaker 3: two weather delays against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Each win that 115 00:05:37,520 --> 00:05:39,840 Speaker 3: the Cardinals have had this year has had a little 116 00:05:39,880 --> 00:05:43,120 Speaker 3: bit extra meaning to it. The first win Cowboys, John 117 00:05:43,200 --> 00:05:46,120 Speaker 3: the Gannon's first win, then you got Kyler's return, then 118 00:05:46,160 --> 00:05:49,200 Speaker 3: the weather delays in James Connor's return, and then JG's 119 00:05:49,240 --> 00:05:52,160 Speaker 3: return to Philadelphia with Nick Roalis. So every single win 120 00:05:52,200 --> 00:05:54,200 Speaker 3: that they've had so far has meant something. If they 121 00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:58,159 Speaker 3: could get JG's first Divisional win, ruin their NFC West 122 00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:01,840 Speaker 3: Rivals playoff aspiration. Each win that you've had this year, 123 00:06:01,839 --> 00:06:04,160 Speaker 3: it's not just one on the record book, it has 124 00:06:04,200 --> 00:06:05,160 Speaker 3: a little meaning to it. 125 00:06:05,200 --> 00:06:08,080 Speaker 1: And finished the season five hundred with Kyler Murray as 126 00:06:08,120 --> 00:06:10,920 Speaker 1: your quarterback. Going four and four, I think would say 127 00:06:11,120 --> 00:06:13,400 Speaker 1: a lot with still a lot of work to be 128 00:06:13,440 --> 00:06:16,120 Speaker 1: done in the offseason. On both sides of the line 129 00:06:16,200 --> 00:06:19,040 Speaker 1: of scrimmage as far as the talent upgrade. But to 130 00:06:19,080 --> 00:06:22,560 Speaker 1: have a quarterback come in without an offseason, without a 131 00:06:22,600 --> 00:06:26,680 Speaker 1: training camp, without a preseason year one within this offense 132 00:06:27,200 --> 00:06:30,120 Speaker 1: and the steps that he has taken to be a 133 00:06:30,240 --> 00:06:34,080 Speaker 1: leader to be a franchise quarterback, have that question fully 134 00:06:34,240 --> 00:06:37,919 Speaker 1: answered by everyone, I think would say something as well. 135 00:06:37,960 --> 00:06:41,320 Speaker 3: And without his top wide receivers, Hywood Brown was banged 136 00:06:41,400 --> 00:06:43,680 Speaker 3: up that second game that he was out there. You know, 137 00:06:44,040 --> 00:06:47,359 Speaker 3: it's like in the game against Houston with Kyler Murray 138 00:06:47,400 --> 00:06:50,760 Speaker 3: back in week eleven, he heard he bruised his heel 139 00:06:50,839 --> 00:06:53,560 Speaker 3: or whatever the injury was, and Hywood Brown wasn't the 140 00:06:53,600 --> 00:06:55,560 Speaker 3: same for the rest of the season. Michael Wilson was 141 00:06:55,600 --> 00:06:58,200 Speaker 3: out for a handful of games. Your running game wasn't going, 142 00:06:58,279 --> 00:07:01,240 Speaker 3: or you're playing catchup too much, whatever it is. Yes, 143 00:07:01,520 --> 00:07:04,760 Speaker 3: we were able to see the rise and the emergence 144 00:07:04,800 --> 00:07:07,360 Speaker 3: of Trade McBride, which has been great to see. And 145 00:07:07,440 --> 00:07:09,760 Speaker 3: he has definitely stepped up to the plate and you know, 146 00:07:09,840 --> 00:07:11,880 Speaker 3: swung for the fences and he's hit a home run 147 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:15,080 Speaker 3: a lot of the time throughout the season. It is 148 00:07:15,120 --> 00:07:18,400 Speaker 3: that confidence of that an offseason with your wide receivers 149 00:07:18,440 --> 00:07:20,600 Speaker 3: once you go into the offseason as well, and I'm 150 00:07:20,600 --> 00:07:23,160 Speaker 3: sure they'll work out outside the facility and they'll go 151 00:07:23,240 --> 00:07:26,120 Speaker 3: do trips and stuff like that. That togetherness and those 152 00:07:26,120 --> 00:07:27,920 Speaker 3: connections that you're gonna be able to build. It's not 153 00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:30,760 Speaker 3: just gonna be Kyler Murray and Hollywood Brown anymore. It's 154 00:07:30,760 --> 00:07:33,640 Speaker 3: now gonna incorporate Michael Wilson into it. Now, you know, 155 00:07:33,800 --> 00:07:36,440 Speaker 3: Trey McBride's your tight end one. In the future, the 156 00:07:37,280 --> 00:07:40,240 Speaker 3: chemistry is going to continue to evolve as the weeks 157 00:07:40,280 --> 00:07:41,320 Speaker 3: go on in the offseason. 158 00:07:41,440 --> 00:07:44,000 Speaker 1: That rhythm in the passing game, which you didn't really 159 00:07:44,040 --> 00:07:47,560 Speaker 1: have a chance to work on limited reps in practice, 160 00:07:47,600 --> 00:07:50,040 Speaker 1: and then obviously your game reps. So that's certainly something 161 00:07:50,120 --> 00:07:52,520 Speaker 1: to point to in the offseason. As far as this 162 00:07:52,600 --> 00:07:56,640 Speaker 1: game in particular, on the injury front, no Dante Stills, 163 00:07:56,800 --> 00:08:00,160 Speaker 1: no Greg Willie excuse me, no Grrett Williams. Both have 164 00:08:00,280 --> 00:08:03,040 Speaker 1: been ruled out. Stills rolled an ankle late in the 165 00:08:03,120 --> 00:08:06,320 Speaker 1: game against the Eagles. I should say Williams rolled an 166 00:08:06,320 --> 00:08:09,920 Speaker 1: ankle late in that game. Still's hurt his knee against 167 00:08:09,960 --> 00:08:13,840 Speaker 1: the Eagles. So two of your standout rookies, you know, 168 00:08:14,160 --> 00:08:17,480 Speaker 1: part of that draft class unavailable to close out the season, 169 00:08:17,520 --> 00:08:21,400 Speaker 1: which is unfortunate, But Gannon was very effusive in his 170 00:08:21,480 --> 00:08:24,200 Speaker 1: praise for those two players, especially Still's who got the 171 00:08:24,240 --> 00:08:26,960 Speaker 1: opportunity because of a number of injuries in that position 172 00:08:27,080 --> 00:08:29,840 Speaker 1: room and then it's one thing to get the opportunity, 173 00:08:29,960 --> 00:08:33,040 Speaker 1: it's another thing to make something of that opportunity. 174 00:08:33,080 --> 00:08:35,800 Speaker 3: He's maximized it, and he's not the biggest guy out there. 175 00:08:35,840 --> 00:08:37,400 Speaker 3: He's not the biggest guy on the field, but he 176 00:08:37,440 --> 00:08:39,640 Speaker 3: has made the most of it. And we've seen throughout 177 00:08:39,640 --> 00:08:42,280 Speaker 3: the season his personality has grown. On the team, you're 178 00:08:42,320 --> 00:08:44,600 Speaker 3: able to see how much fun he truly is having. 179 00:08:44,640 --> 00:08:47,400 Speaker 3: I remember talking to him during training camp and he 180 00:08:47,480 --> 00:08:49,360 Speaker 3: was just trying to fight for a roster spot, and 181 00:08:49,400 --> 00:08:51,400 Speaker 3: he was saying, how the guys have start to take 182 00:08:51,480 --> 00:08:53,959 Speaker 3: him under his wing a little bit, you know, Jonathan Ledbetter, 183 00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:56,400 Speaker 3: Kevin Strong, and how much fun he was having. But 184 00:08:56,760 --> 00:08:59,600 Speaker 3: Nick Raw has told him back then, you just have 185 00:08:59,640 --> 00:09:02,360 Speaker 3: to pray, play free, and just play as we saw 186 00:09:02,400 --> 00:09:04,840 Speaker 3: you play in college. We're gonna have you do different 187 00:09:04,840 --> 00:09:07,120 Speaker 3: things in the NFL. You're gonna be more on the inside. 188 00:09:07,120 --> 00:09:08,760 Speaker 3: You're gonna be a little bit more that nose tackle 189 00:09:08,800 --> 00:09:11,760 Speaker 3: interior defensive lineman as opposed to being on the edge 190 00:09:11,800 --> 00:09:14,120 Speaker 3: like he played a little bit in college. But to 191 00:09:14,200 --> 00:09:16,559 Speaker 3: see how he's evolved as a player as the year 192 00:09:16,600 --> 00:09:19,400 Speaker 3: has gone on. He looks like a veteran out there 193 00:09:19,440 --> 00:09:22,000 Speaker 3: despite only being a rookie. And Garrett Williams, you never 194 00:09:22,080 --> 00:09:23,760 Speaker 3: knew what you were really gonna get from Garrett Williams 195 00:09:23,800 --> 00:09:25,800 Speaker 3: coming off to ACL you never know if the player 196 00:09:25,880 --> 00:09:28,400 Speaker 3: is gonna be the same or not. And he's he's 197 00:09:28,440 --> 00:09:30,120 Speaker 3: stepped up to the plate as well, and he's done 198 00:09:30,160 --> 00:09:31,319 Speaker 3: a really solid job out there. 199 00:09:31,360 --> 00:09:34,240 Speaker 1: And then Nickel made his season debut against the Seahawks 200 00:09:34,280 --> 00:09:38,439 Speaker 1: and had an interception in that game as well. Still's, 201 00:09:38,559 --> 00:09:40,960 Speaker 1: i should say, was miked up for that game against 202 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:43,360 Speaker 1: the Eagles. I highly recommend it. Go to the Arizona 203 00:09:43,400 --> 00:09:47,000 Speaker 1: Cardinals YouTube channel. It's on other social media channels as well. 204 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:49,480 Speaker 1: But you can see some of that personality that you 205 00:09:49,640 --> 00:09:53,320 Speaker 1: just discuss come out in that. And then if you 206 00:09:53,400 --> 00:09:57,000 Speaker 1: look at that position room, three of the team's five 207 00:09:57,240 --> 00:10:00,360 Speaker 1: D linemen on the active roster we're not with the 208 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:04,920 Speaker 1: team in training camp, Roy Lopez, Nate Kwan Jones, and 209 00:10:04,920 --> 00:10:09,000 Speaker 1: Phil Hoskins, And that speaks to the players and also 210 00:10:09,080 --> 00:10:11,760 Speaker 1: the coaches as well because of the number of injuries 211 00:10:12,040 --> 00:10:15,400 Speaker 1: in that room. Now, Lucky FO two potentially could come 212 00:10:15,440 --> 00:10:18,719 Speaker 1: back this week. He's practiced for two straight weeks now, 213 00:10:18,800 --> 00:10:21,640 Speaker 1: has not played since Week eleven because of a hand injury. 214 00:10:21,960 --> 00:10:24,080 Speaker 1: Could see FO two now they would have to open 215 00:10:24,160 --> 00:10:27,000 Speaker 1: up a roster spot, But a roster move is coming 216 00:10:27,080 --> 00:10:30,080 Speaker 1: because DJ Humphries we know is headed to ir with 217 00:10:30,200 --> 00:10:31,040 Speaker 1: that twenty ACL. 218 00:10:31,160 --> 00:10:32,800 Speaker 3: The one thing that concerns me a little bit. It 219 00:10:32,800 --> 00:10:34,760 Speaker 3: really shouldn't be too much of a concern, but that's 220 00:10:34,760 --> 00:10:37,319 Speaker 3: why I say a little bit is that going into 221 00:10:37,320 --> 00:10:41,040 Speaker 3: Friday's practice Lucky hasn't been a full participant yet. He's 222 00:10:41,080 --> 00:10:43,240 Speaker 3: only been limited so far. So if you want to 223 00:10:43,240 --> 00:10:45,640 Speaker 3: get him out there, and you probably now with Dante 224 00:10:45,720 --> 00:10:49,480 Speaker 3: still as being inactive this weekend, you probably will push 225 00:10:49,559 --> 00:10:51,120 Speaker 3: a little bit harder for him to get out there 226 00:10:51,160 --> 00:10:54,240 Speaker 3: because you're gonna need resources on that defensive line. But 227 00:10:54,600 --> 00:10:58,240 Speaker 3: in general, that unit has taken so many hits draft 228 00:10:58,280 --> 00:11:00,559 Speaker 3: this year you got to feel bad for co Derek. 229 00:11:00,600 --> 00:11:04,000 Speaker 3: He's just constantly rotating pieces in and out, and yes, 230 00:11:04,080 --> 00:11:07,000 Speaker 3: Phil Hoskins has stepped in. Roy Lopez has done a 231 00:11:07,120 --> 00:11:10,680 Speaker 3: really fine job going into this scheme middleway through the season, 232 00:11:10,760 --> 00:11:13,280 Speaker 3: right after that Cowboys game. I believe they signed him 233 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:16,320 Speaker 3: and he's done a really nice job for them. I 234 00:11:16,360 --> 00:11:18,720 Speaker 3: was talking with him a little bit postgame. Did a 235 00:11:18,760 --> 00:11:22,000 Speaker 3: story on Monday about how, you know, he's still on 236 00:11:22,040 --> 00:11:24,240 Speaker 3: the contract for another year, so he's still going to 237 00:11:24,280 --> 00:11:26,199 Speaker 3: be with the team, and how he's kind of grown 238 00:11:26,240 --> 00:11:28,679 Speaker 3: into this role and he's embraced in. He's done a 239 00:11:28,760 --> 00:11:31,200 Speaker 3: really solid job. And to something that the coaching staff 240 00:11:31,240 --> 00:11:34,280 Speaker 3: has loved is his upbringing being the coach's son. He 241 00:11:34,360 --> 00:11:37,320 Speaker 3: knows the right questions to ask, his intuitiveness being out 242 00:11:37,360 --> 00:11:39,120 Speaker 3: on the field, it all is on display. 243 00:11:39,400 --> 00:11:41,760 Speaker 1: One other injury known and it's not a concern, but 244 00:11:41,800 --> 00:11:45,520 Speaker 1: Dennis Gardeck did not practice Wednesday because of a knee injury. 245 00:11:45,559 --> 00:11:47,480 Speaker 1: He was working out on the side, but did return 246 00:11:47,520 --> 00:11:50,320 Speaker 1: to the practice field later in the week, so he 247 00:11:50,360 --> 00:11:52,400 Speaker 1: should be good to go to close out the season. 248 00:11:52,640 --> 00:11:55,360 Speaker 1: And then again we'll wait for other roster moves as 249 00:11:55,400 --> 00:11:58,960 Speaker 1: far as what potential practice squad players could be elevated 250 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:01,880 Speaker 1: to the active roster or may even signed to the 251 00:12:01,920 --> 00:12:06,360 Speaker 1: active roster for this week eighteen game again, Cardinals and 252 00:12:06,520 --> 00:12:10,160 Speaker 1: Seahawks kicking off on Sunday at two twenty five. As 253 00:12:10,160 --> 00:12:13,280 Speaker 1: I mentioned earlier here on Cardinals Cover two presented by Hyundai, 254 00:12:13,320 --> 00:12:16,120 Speaker 1: proud partner of the Arizona Cardinals, had a chance to 255 00:12:16,240 --> 00:12:19,800 Speaker 1: speak with John Boyle, senior reporter Seahawks dot Com get 256 00:12:19,840 --> 00:12:22,840 Speaker 1: his thoughts on what's going on with the Seahawks, and 257 00:12:22,960 --> 00:12:27,160 Speaker 1: we began our conversation with, well, the loss last week 258 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:30,360 Speaker 1: to the Steelers and how costly that loss was. What 259 00:12:30,520 --> 00:12:32,960 Speaker 1: is the feeling around the team, around the fan base 260 00:12:33,120 --> 00:12:36,720 Speaker 1: after losing control of the postseason destiny? 261 00:12:37,240 --> 00:12:39,200 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean I think there's definitely, you know, you 262 00:12:39,200 --> 00:12:41,679 Speaker 4: talk about the team, there's some disappointment and the opportunity 263 00:12:41,760 --> 00:12:44,080 Speaker 4: they knew, they let an opportunity to get away. As 264 00:12:44,080 --> 00:12:46,280 Speaker 4: Pete Carroll said after the game, he said, you know, 265 00:12:46,320 --> 00:12:48,240 Speaker 4: we had control of it and we lost that control. 266 00:12:48,360 --> 00:12:51,880 Speaker 4: So this team's always been good as a big kind 267 00:12:51,880 --> 00:12:54,600 Speaker 4: of hallmark of a Pete Carroll team. Of whatever happened 268 00:12:54,679 --> 00:12:57,000 Speaker 4: last week, putting it behind you, folks down on Taska hands. 269 00:12:57,000 --> 00:13:00,040 Speaker 4: So I think guys are shifting pretty quickly to the 270 00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:02,920 Speaker 4: hasket in hand. You know, we players seem pretty light 271 00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:05,240 Speaker 4: and in a good nude when we were talking to 272 00:13:05,280 --> 00:13:08,320 Speaker 4: them on Wednesday with practice practice starting. But yeah, I mean, 273 00:13:08,400 --> 00:13:10,559 Speaker 4: they knew they missed an opportunity there, and now they 274 00:13:10,600 --> 00:13:13,360 Speaker 4: need to go to Arizona, beat a team that sure 275 00:13:13,400 --> 00:13:14,800 Speaker 4: seems to be playing a hell of a lot better 276 00:13:14,840 --> 00:13:17,200 Speaker 4: than their record, and also get a little help they 277 00:13:17,280 --> 00:13:18,720 Speaker 4: need the Bears win over the Packers. 278 00:13:18,720 --> 00:13:22,360 Speaker 1: Now do you think or do you know, perhaps do 279 00:13:22,559 --> 00:13:26,960 Speaker 1: coaches players want updates during the game on Sunday since 280 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:30,480 Speaker 1: both games Cardinal Seahawks, Bears, Packers are all playing at 281 00:13:30,480 --> 00:13:32,040 Speaker 1: two twenty five Arizona time. 282 00:13:32,800 --> 00:13:34,240 Speaker 4: You know, Pete Carroll kind of man a point and 283 00:13:34,280 --> 00:13:36,240 Speaker 4: saying they can't really worry about that because they don't 284 00:13:36,240 --> 00:13:39,280 Speaker 4: take care of their own business, then what happened in 285 00:13:39,280 --> 00:13:41,959 Speaker 4: that game won't matter. So, I mean, look, it's human nature. 286 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:44,199 Speaker 4: If they're showing the scores around the stadium, I'm sure 287 00:13:44,200 --> 00:13:47,280 Speaker 4: guys will probably notice. But you know, League prohibits phones. 288 00:13:47,400 --> 00:13:49,160 Speaker 4: You know, guys can't have cell phones on the sideline 289 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:50,800 Speaker 4: or think, so they're not probably getting know what's going 290 00:13:50,800 --> 00:13:53,320 Speaker 4: on too much during the game. Yeah, I mean, I 291 00:13:53,320 --> 00:13:56,520 Speaker 4: think they all understand the best thing for them is 292 00:13:56,600 --> 00:13:58,440 Speaker 4: to just play their game, try to get a win 293 00:13:58,600 --> 00:14:00,480 Speaker 4: and then you know, get to locker and find out 294 00:14:00,520 --> 00:14:03,240 Speaker 4: what happened. Because if they get distracted by a game 295 00:14:03,360 --> 00:14:05,040 Speaker 4: going on on the other side of the country and 296 00:14:05,040 --> 00:14:07,480 Speaker 4: it costs them their effort, then you know, what good 297 00:14:07,520 --> 00:14:09,560 Speaker 4: does that do if the Bears win and the Seahawks lose. 298 00:14:10,240 --> 00:14:14,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, reading what you wrote on seahawks dot com, listening 299 00:14:14,160 --> 00:14:17,480 Speaker 1: to Pete Carroll Bobby Wagner this week, it is obvious 300 00:14:17,559 --> 00:14:20,040 Speaker 1: no one is happy with how the defense played last 301 00:14:20,040 --> 00:14:24,440 Speaker 1: week against the Steelers. So the question is what is 302 00:14:24,480 --> 00:14:25,000 Speaker 1: the solution. 303 00:14:26,240 --> 00:14:28,080 Speaker 4: Yeah, you know, Pete Carroll kind of talked about that 304 00:14:28,120 --> 00:14:30,760 Speaker 4: a little bit and he said they'll change some things. Obviously, 305 00:14:30,840 --> 00:14:32,560 Speaker 4: isn't gonna say what, And I don't know if that. 306 00:14:33,200 --> 00:14:36,000 Speaker 4: You know, sometimes that's personnel. We've seen make a few tweaks. 307 00:14:36,000 --> 00:14:38,000 Speaker 4: You know, they've made some big changes up big but 308 00:14:38,000 --> 00:14:40,280 Speaker 4: they made a few changes in the secondary a few 309 00:14:40,280 --> 00:14:42,720 Speaker 4: weeks ago when they're getting beat by some big plays 310 00:14:42,720 --> 00:14:44,800 Speaker 4: in the passing game, and then that did help. So, 311 00:14:45,880 --> 00:14:48,680 Speaker 4: you know, whether it's personnel changes or just you know, 312 00:14:48,720 --> 00:14:50,680 Speaker 4: Pete did kind of hint it. Sometimes it's getting back 313 00:14:50,680 --> 00:14:53,040 Speaker 4: to fundamentals, getting back to what you're doing in training camp. 314 00:14:53,800 --> 00:14:55,440 Speaker 4: But whatever it is, they need to be a lot 315 00:14:55,440 --> 00:14:58,080 Speaker 4: better against the run because they've been giving up a 316 00:14:58,080 --> 00:15:00,600 Speaker 4: lot of yards of late, including two inn two yards 317 00:15:00,640 --> 00:15:03,440 Speaker 4: on the ground to the Steelers. And as you guys 318 00:15:03,480 --> 00:15:05,480 Speaker 4: all well know, they're ton of Cardinals are running the 319 00:15:05,520 --> 00:15:07,800 Speaker 4: ball really well right now. The Seahawks don't improve their 320 00:15:07,840 --> 00:15:09,640 Speaker 4: own defense quite a bit, they could be in trouble. 321 00:15:09,760 --> 00:15:09,920 Speaker 2: Yeah. 322 00:15:09,960 --> 00:15:12,400 Speaker 1: I wanted to get into that because over the last 323 00:15:12,800 --> 00:15:17,040 Speaker 1: six weeks or the six opponents, the Seahawks have allowed 324 00:15:17,080 --> 00:15:19,840 Speaker 1: at least one hundred and thirty five rushing yards. And 325 00:15:19,920 --> 00:15:23,000 Speaker 1: now you get James Connor who missed the first meeting 326 00:15:23,480 --> 00:15:26,240 Speaker 1: in week seven. So how big of a challenge are 327 00:15:26,280 --> 00:15:28,040 Speaker 1: the Seahawks facing on Sunday? 328 00:15:28,880 --> 00:15:31,840 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean really big challenge is they understand that, 329 00:15:31,920 --> 00:15:34,080 Speaker 4: you know, the version of the Cardinals they saw early 330 00:15:34,120 --> 00:15:36,000 Speaker 4: in the season is differing. You know, you mentioned James Connor. 331 00:15:36,040 --> 00:15:38,480 Speaker 4: There's also the Kyler Murray's back. He wasn't in that game, 332 00:15:38,560 --> 00:15:43,200 Speaker 4: so very different offense, different rushing attack, and you know, 333 00:15:43,240 --> 00:15:44,960 Speaker 4: it just it for a lot of reasons. It is 334 00:15:45,040 --> 00:15:47,360 Speaker 4: not on the ground. You know, you mentioned one hundred 335 00:15:47,360 --> 00:15:49,680 Speaker 4: and thirty six yards in five of those games. Has 336 00:15:49,680 --> 00:15:53,000 Speaker 4: been over one hundred and sixty. So it's it's been 337 00:15:53,040 --> 00:15:56,240 Speaker 4: a problem. You know, this past week was particularly trouble 338 00:15:56,320 --> 00:15:58,600 Speaker 4: just because they're missing so many tackles. You know, they 339 00:15:58,760 --> 00:16:01,560 Speaker 4: they'd actually get the guys near the line of scrimmage 340 00:16:01,560 --> 00:16:03,440 Speaker 4: and then get drugged for a lot of yards or 341 00:16:03,440 --> 00:16:06,400 Speaker 4: just missed. So, you know, like I said, they Pee 342 00:16:06,400 --> 00:16:08,440 Speaker 4: Carroll said, they need to change. We'll see how what 343 00:16:08,480 --> 00:16:11,280 Speaker 4: that looks like. But that's you know, kind of what's 344 00:16:11,280 --> 00:16:12,560 Speaker 4: holding their defense back right now. 345 00:16:12,920 --> 00:16:16,040 Speaker 1: You mentioned Kyler missing that game in October. He's had 346 00:16:16,160 --> 00:16:19,840 Speaker 1: some decent success in his career against you guys. Last 347 00:16:19,920 --> 00:16:22,400 Speaker 1: week had his best game of the season, maybe the 348 00:16:22,440 --> 00:16:25,440 Speaker 1: best game he's had in a couple of years. What 349 00:16:25,480 --> 00:16:28,040 Speaker 1: are you hearing about what the Seahawks have seen on 350 00:16:28,200 --> 00:16:29,680 Speaker 1: tape from Kyler? 351 00:16:29,920 --> 00:16:32,440 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean Pee Carroll's asked about that as well, 352 00:16:32,440 --> 00:16:35,080 Speaker 4: and he said he looks like he's all the way 353 00:16:35,120 --> 00:16:37,200 Speaker 4: back and doesn't look at all like a guy come 354 00:16:37,200 --> 00:16:39,480 Speaker 4: back from an injury, and if anything, maybe playing a 355 00:16:39,480 --> 00:16:41,760 Speaker 4: little better than ever these last couple of weeks. So 356 00:16:42,320 --> 00:16:44,520 Speaker 4: you know, they he's got their attention. They know he's 357 00:16:44,520 --> 00:16:46,880 Speaker 4: a guy that can make plays and you know, run 358 00:16:46,920 --> 00:16:50,160 Speaker 4: and pass game, and this defense has you know, has 359 00:16:50,160 --> 00:16:51,880 Speaker 4: a lot to clean up. They know that, and Kyler 360 00:16:51,920 --> 00:16:53,280 Speaker 4: Murray is not going to make it easy to do that. 361 00:16:53,800 --> 00:16:56,560 Speaker 1: One more defensive question before we switch it over to 362 00:16:56,560 --> 00:16:59,360 Speaker 1: the offense. The addition of Leonard Williams. As we talk 363 00:16:59,400 --> 00:17:02,560 Speaker 1: about players that were not involved in that first meeting, 364 00:17:03,160 --> 00:17:07,119 Speaker 1: his presence on that defense four sacks, nine games. How 365 00:17:07,240 --> 00:17:07,800 Speaker 1: is he fit in? 366 00:17:08,720 --> 00:17:10,600 Speaker 4: Yeah, he's been really good. He's been kind of a 367 00:17:10,600 --> 00:17:13,520 Speaker 4: bright spot as this you know, some of these recent 368 00:17:13,560 --> 00:17:16,159 Speaker 4: struggles and over all the defense isn't playing well. But 369 00:17:16,200 --> 00:17:18,680 Speaker 4: you mentioned, you know, the four sacks. I think three 370 00:17:18,720 --> 00:17:20,639 Speaker 4: of those are in the last five games maybe, So 371 00:17:20,760 --> 00:17:25,359 Speaker 4: he's really coming on strong. You know, like any defensive lineman, 372 00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:26,960 Speaker 4: it took a little time for him to kind of 373 00:17:26,960 --> 00:17:30,000 Speaker 4: get settled in with you know, you're learning your role 374 00:17:30,040 --> 00:17:32,320 Speaker 4: and then your defense. You're learning the ten season the 375 00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:35,280 Speaker 4: guys you're playing next to. But he's really gotten going 376 00:17:35,320 --> 00:17:37,479 Speaker 4: maybe the last five six games, and just he's been 377 00:17:37,520 --> 00:17:39,800 Speaker 4: a real force, getting in the backfield a lot, doing 378 00:17:39,840 --> 00:17:41,919 Speaker 4: all things you know you'd expect of a guy at 379 00:17:41,920 --> 00:17:43,959 Speaker 4: his caliber. So he's been a really nice addition. 380 00:17:44,320 --> 00:17:46,440 Speaker 1: All right, let's switch it up here and talk about 381 00:17:46,440 --> 00:17:49,879 Speaker 1: the Seahawks on offense as we speak with John Boyle, 382 00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:53,560 Speaker 1: Senior reporter, Seahawks dot Com. Cardinals and Seahawks coming up 383 00:17:53,840 --> 00:17:56,960 Speaker 1: on Sunday from State Farm Stadium. That first meeting back 384 00:17:57,080 --> 00:18:01,600 Speaker 1: in October, the Cardinals forced three turnovers. The Seahawks at 385 00:18:01,600 --> 00:18:04,639 Speaker 1: that point had turned the ball over three times total 386 00:18:04,720 --> 00:18:07,520 Speaker 1: all season. And you look at what the Seahawks have 387 00:18:07,600 --> 00:18:10,440 Speaker 1: done since as far as protecting the football. How much 388 00:18:10,560 --> 00:18:13,000 Speaker 1: of what we saw week seven was more of an 389 00:18:13,000 --> 00:18:17,040 Speaker 1: anomaly as far as keeping the ball in Geno Smith's hands. 390 00:18:17,600 --> 00:18:20,359 Speaker 4: Yeah, you know, there were some more turnover issues early 391 00:18:20,400 --> 00:18:22,400 Speaker 4: in the season that there was a stretch of games 392 00:18:22,440 --> 00:18:24,520 Speaker 4: there including that when you mentioned where they had they 393 00:18:24,520 --> 00:18:27,960 Speaker 4: had multiple turnovers and four straight games. So that was 394 00:18:28,000 --> 00:18:29,919 Speaker 4: a problem. It wasn't all Geno Smith, but some of 395 00:18:29,920 --> 00:18:32,639 Speaker 4: that was on him early in the year or kind 396 00:18:32,680 --> 00:18:35,280 Speaker 4: of that mid season stretch. But they've been better since then. 397 00:18:35,280 --> 00:18:37,080 Speaker 4: They did turn it over once and it was very 398 00:18:37,080 --> 00:18:39,760 Speaker 4: cost against the Steelers, but before that they had gone 399 00:18:39,760 --> 00:18:42,200 Speaker 4: two straight games with that turnover, winning both those games. 400 00:18:42,200 --> 00:18:44,959 Speaker 4: So I do think they're getting cleaner there. Gino Smith's 401 00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:48,000 Speaker 4: been playing better, you know, since returning from injury these 402 00:18:48,080 --> 00:18:50,359 Speaker 4: last few weeks then, and actually the game right before 403 00:18:50,400 --> 00:18:52,200 Speaker 4: he got hurt. The game was cabal as they lost, 404 00:18:52,240 --> 00:18:54,359 Speaker 4: but he played the phenomenal in that game. So he 405 00:18:54,520 --> 00:18:56,200 Speaker 4: has been better late in the year and just been 406 00:18:56,200 --> 00:18:58,840 Speaker 4: making some better decisions and better throws overall. 407 00:18:58,880 --> 00:19:03,560 Speaker 1: Geno Smith eighteen touchdowns, nine interceptions this season. He will 408 00:19:03,680 --> 00:19:07,359 Speaker 1: have at his availability this week. DK Metcalf one of 409 00:19:07,359 --> 00:19:10,159 Speaker 1: those players that again missed that first meeting against the 410 00:19:10,200 --> 00:19:13,440 Speaker 1: Cardinals in October. Metcalf has played well this season. How 411 00:19:13,440 --> 00:19:16,160 Speaker 1: big of a key is he and what the Seahawks 412 00:19:16,160 --> 00:19:18,160 Speaker 1: do offensively, Yeah, I mean. 413 00:19:18,080 --> 00:19:20,119 Speaker 4: He's really big. He doesn't necessarily get you on the 414 00:19:20,119 --> 00:19:22,320 Speaker 4: big volume numbers of you know, maybe whether you're talking 415 00:19:22,320 --> 00:19:24,080 Speaker 4: about in Aj Brown or some of these guys who 416 00:19:24,080 --> 00:19:26,960 Speaker 4: are the clear number one receiver, and that's nothing to 417 00:19:27,040 --> 00:19:28,760 Speaker 4: do with his ability as much as just the guys 418 00:19:28,760 --> 00:19:31,560 Speaker 4: around him. When you've got Tyler Lockett, Jackson, Smith and 419 00:19:31,600 --> 00:19:33,400 Speaker 4: jig By the first round pick. He's come on really 420 00:19:33,440 --> 00:19:35,480 Speaker 4: strong in the second half of the season, so you know, 421 00:19:35,520 --> 00:19:38,320 Speaker 4: he's maybe not getting the huge number of targets every game, 422 00:19:38,359 --> 00:19:40,479 Speaker 4: but he's really productive when they do throw to him. 423 00:19:40,520 --> 00:19:43,159 Speaker 4: He's you know, averaging. I don't have her in from me. 424 00:19:43,200 --> 00:19:45,400 Speaker 4: I want to say it's around eighteen yards a catch. 425 00:19:45,440 --> 00:19:48,080 Speaker 4: It's it's the most of his career right now, he's 426 00:19:48,080 --> 00:19:50,800 Speaker 4: over eleven hundred yards, so he's having a great season. 427 00:19:51,760 --> 00:19:54,400 Speaker 4: I overestimated it's only seventeen yards a catch, but still 428 00:19:54,440 --> 00:19:57,119 Speaker 4: really good. So yeah, I mean that game that you 429 00:19:57,160 --> 00:19:58,919 Speaker 4: mentioned he missed, that's the only game he's missed in 430 00:19:58,920 --> 00:20:01,439 Speaker 4: his career. He's been a very durable, tough player. But 431 00:20:01,920 --> 00:20:03,719 Speaker 4: he's Yeah, he's a big part of what they do. 432 00:20:03,760 --> 00:20:06,679 Speaker 4: And what's really shown up later in the season is 433 00:20:06,760 --> 00:20:08,840 Speaker 4: he's he's been a really good go to guy late 434 00:20:08,880 --> 00:20:11,560 Speaker 4: in games, and he's when they need these late drives, 435 00:20:11,640 --> 00:20:14,240 Speaker 4: they need a big completion on their down whatever to 436 00:20:14,359 --> 00:20:15,800 Speaker 4: late in the game. He's been the guy that Gino 437 00:20:15,840 --> 00:20:17,320 Speaker 4: Smithfields are real comfortable going to. 438 00:20:17,560 --> 00:20:20,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, last week, one hundred and six receiving yards against 439 00:20:20,240 --> 00:20:24,280 Speaker 1: the Steelers. We speak here on Thursday on players who 440 00:20:24,280 --> 00:20:27,840 Speaker 1: may or may not be available, injury concerns along the 441 00:20:27,880 --> 00:20:30,679 Speaker 1: offensive line and with running back Kenneth Walker. I know 442 00:20:30,720 --> 00:20:33,760 Speaker 1: a lot can happen between now and Sunday, but is 443 00:20:33,760 --> 00:20:35,399 Speaker 1: this a big concern or not? 444 00:20:36,480 --> 00:20:38,680 Speaker 4: You know, Kenneth Walker sounds like he's okay and he's 445 00:20:38,720 --> 00:20:40,639 Speaker 4: been playing. He's been kind of dealing the banged up 446 00:20:40,640 --> 00:20:42,480 Speaker 4: shoulder for a while and knocked him out of the 447 00:20:42,520 --> 00:20:45,480 Speaker 4: game briefly last weekend. He came back. Pete Carroll said 448 00:20:45,520 --> 00:20:47,800 Speaker 4: he was looking pretty good to go on Wednesday, so 449 00:20:48,200 --> 00:20:50,280 Speaker 4: they're not s worried about him. The offensive line, though, 450 00:20:50,280 --> 00:20:52,840 Speaker 4: they do have some concerns. Evan Brown, their starting center, 451 00:20:53,280 --> 00:20:56,320 Speaker 4: has a concussion, and you know, like any concussion, you 452 00:20:56,359 --> 00:20:58,160 Speaker 4: don't know until later in the week, but it's becoming 453 00:20:58,240 --> 00:21:00,360 Speaker 4: more and more regular in the NFL. The guys don't 454 00:21:00,359 --> 00:21:01,960 Speaker 4: get back in one week, so we'll have to wait 455 00:21:02,000 --> 00:21:06,440 Speaker 4: and see there. And then their starting right tackle, Ave Lucas, 456 00:21:06,640 --> 00:21:08,240 Speaker 4: he was on ir for the first half of the 457 00:21:08,240 --> 00:21:11,240 Speaker 4: season with a knee injury, came back has played well, 458 00:21:11,240 --> 00:21:13,840 Speaker 4: but then he left this last game with some issues 459 00:21:13,880 --> 00:21:15,880 Speaker 4: with that same name. Pete Carolyn d kid, it's gonna 460 00:21:15,880 --> 00:21:18,760 Speaker 4: be tough for him to get back. Jason Peters, the 461 00:21:19,200 --> 00:21:22,440 Speaker 4: forty one year old, the Ageles wonder who's been filling in. 462 00:21:22,880 --> 00:21:24,919 Speaker 4: He's the only the foot injuries, so he would normally 463 00:21:24,920 --> 00:21:26,760 Speaker 4: be the next guy butt right tackle, but he sounds 464 00:21:26,800 --> 00:21:29,439 Speaker 4: unlikely to be available, so they might be down to 465 00:21:29,440 --> 00:21:32,560 Speaker 4: Stone forsythe who's solid player. He's filled in for them 466 00:21:32,600 --> 00:21:34,919 Speaker 4: at times this year. Early in the year before that, 467 00:21:35,040 --> 00:21:38,720 Speaker 4: Jason Peters going for him. So yeah, they definitely be 468 00:21:39,000 --> 00:21:41,840 Speaker 4: a little shorthanded on the line, but they the good 469 00:21:41,880 --> 00:21:43,800 Speaker 4: news is they had a lot of injuries early in 470 00:21:43,800 --> 00:21:45,560 Speaker 4: the year that forced them to play a lot of guys, 471 00:21:45,560 --> 00:21:46,760 Speaker 4: so they feel like they have a lot of guys 472 00:21:46,800 --> 00:21:49,159 Speaker 4: who are game ready and have experience they start. I 473 00:21:49,200 --> 00:21:51,520 Speaker 4: think they started ten different offensive linemen this year, so 474 00:21:51,840 --> 00:21:53,439 Speaker 4: they feel like whoever they have to plug in there 475 00:21:53,480 --> 00:21:54,240 Speaker 4: is going to be ready. 476 00:21:54,040 --> 00:21:54,440 Speaker 3: To get Yeah. 477 00:21:54,440 --> 00:21:55,840 Speaker 1: I was going to bring that up because I read 478 00:21:55,880 --> 00:21:57,920 Speaker 1: that number earlier in the week, the number of different 479 00:21:58,000 --> 00:22:01,600 Speaker 1: offensive line combinations, and that's typical something you don't want 480 00:22:01,800 --> 00:22:05,200 Speaker 1: along the offensive line. You want your five guys because 481 00:22:05,240 --> 00:22:08,280 Speaker 1: they worked so well together as a unit. But kind 482 00:22:08,280 --> 00:22:11,480 Speaker 1: of plugging in and mixing and matching. How how has 483 00:22:11,520 --> 00:22:15,479 Speaker 1: the offensive line overall played considering the revolving doors at 484 00:22:15,480 --> 00:22:16,880 Speaker 1: a number of different positions. 485 00:22:17,400 --> 00:22:19,520 Speaker 4: Yeah, you know that that's been a big topic all year, 486 00:22:19,560 --> 00:22:22,479 Speaker 4: that the injuries that before before this last week, they 487 00:22:22,480 --> 00:22:24,240 Speaker 4: had kind of gotten healthy. They'd had about a three 488 00:22:24,280 --> 00:22:28,000 Speaker 4: four week stretch of being pretty settled there, but they are. 489 00:22:28,520 --> 00:22:30,159 Speaker 4: You know, they've been doing that all year, just all 490 00:22:30,160 --> 00:22:32,960 Speaker 4: these different combinations, and you know, I would say given 491 00:22:33,000 --> 00:22:34,719 Speaker 4: all that they've gone through, they've done a pretty good 492 00:22:34,760 --> 00:22:37,280 Speaker 4: job keeping it going. It It hasn't been a perfect year. 493 00:22:37,359 --> 00:22:39,719 Speaker 4: Geno Smith's been under you know, a little more pressure 494 00:22:39,760 --> 00:22:41,920 Speaker 4: than you like, although he's handled that pressure very well. 495 00:22:41,920 --> 00:22:44,879 Speaker 4: He's been good under pressure getting the ball out. And 496 00:22:44,920 --> 00:22:47,119 Speaker 4: then the run game. You know, the running games has 497 00:22:47,160 --> 00:22:49,639 Speaker 4: been more inconsistent than anything. They have some really nice moments, 498 00:22:49,640 --> 00:22:51,359 Speaker 4: but they haven't really gotten to the running game as 499 00:22:51,440 --> 00:22:53,879 Speaker 4: much as Pete Carroll would like. So yeah, I mean it. 500 00:22:54,200 --> 00:22:56,000 Speaker 4: You wouldn't look at the overall body of work and 501 00:22:56,040 --> 00:22:58,359 Speaker 4: say this offensive line has just been dominant or anything 502 00:22:58,400 --> 00:23:00,440 Speaker 4: like that, But when you kind of look at the 503 00:23:00,480 --> 00:23:03,640 Speaker 4: caveat of all the games they've been having starters out 504 00:23:03,640 --> 00:23:05,879 Speaker 4: and having to shift guys around, I think it's been 505 00:23:05,920 --> 00:23:07,560 Speaker 4: a pretty good job by that group and a pretty 506 00:23:07,560 --> 00:23:09,320 Speaker 4: good job of coaching to keep them going. 507 00:23:09,600 --> 00:23:12,960 Speaker 1: Last question, it's on Kenneth Walker. It sounds like he 508 00:23:12,960 --> 00:23:16,200 Speaker 1: will be available this week, which is unfortunate for the Cardinals, 509 00:23:16,240 --> 00:23:18,760 Speaker 1: because he did run very well against him in that 510 00:23:18,800 --> 00:23:21,439 Speaker 1: first meeting. He hasn't really, though, come close to that 511 00:23:21,480 --> 00:23:24,679 Speaker 1: one hundred and five rushing yards in Week seven. Is 512 00:23:24,720 --> 00:23:27,639 Speaker 1: it because of the offensive line or just the nature 513 00:23:27,680 --> 00:23:30,240 Speaker 1: of games as far as more throwing than running. 514 00:23:31,080 --> 00:23:33,560 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think it's more the ladder. I mean, he's 515 00:23:33,600 --> 00:23:35,879 Speaker 4: been playing well. I mean he's you know, he averaged 516 00:23:35,920 --> 00:23:38,119 Speaker 4: five point three yards of carry last week. But no, no, 517 00:23:38,000 --> 00:23:40,840 Speaker 4: he got ten carries, so he's you know, I don't 518 00:23:40,840 --> 00:23:44,359 Speaker 4: think it's anything decline in his play. It's just, you know, 519 00:23:44,440 --> 00:23:46,359 Speaker 4: they have not gotten the run game as much as 520 00:23:46,359 --> 00:23:48,720 Speaker 4: they want it. Sometimes that's you know, like a good 521 00:23:48,720 --> 00:23:51,520 Speaker 4: example of the last week's game, Pittsburgh just had these 522 00:23:51,560 --> 00:23:54,160 Speaker 4: long guys possessed the ball a ton. She actually ran 523 00:23:54,240 --> 00:23:57,199 Speaker 4: forty nine offensive plays. So when that happens, when you're 524 00:23:57,200 --> 00:23:59,639 Speaker 4: playing from behind him the second half, you're just not 525 00:23:59,680 --> 00:24:01,639 Speaker 4: getting enough chances to run the ball to put up 526 00:24:01,680 --> 00:24:04,440 Speaker 4: the numbers that we you know, we saw from Ken 527 00:24:04,480 --> 00:24:06,560 Speaker 4: Walker as a rookie and maybe earlier this year, so 528 00:24:07,119 --> 00:24:08,960 Speaker 4: you know, ideally they'd love to get him. You know, 529 00:24:09,000 --> 00:24:11,800 Speaker 4: twenty six carries against Cardinals earlier this year was a 530 00:24:11,920 --> 00:24:14,000 Speaker 4: season high. They love to get back to that if 531 00:24:14,000 --> 00:24:14,960 Speaker 4: they can make that happen. 532 00:24:15,200 --> 00:24:17,600 Speaker 1: Sixty one of those one hundred and five rushing yards 533 00:24:17,600 --> 00:24:20,280 Speaker 1: in the first half in that first meeting against the 534 00:24:20,320 --> 00:24:24,080 Speaker 1: Cardinals in Week seven. John always appreciate the time should 535 00:24:24,119 --> 00:24:26,159 Speaker 1: be a lot of fun. The Cardinals with nothing to 536 00:24:26,200 --> 00:24:29,600 Speaker 1: play for outside of the role of spoiler, and of 537 00:24:29,600 --> 00:24:33,440 Speaker 1: course Cardinals Seahawks is always entertaining, especially at State Farm Stadium. Well, 538 00:24:33,440 --> 00:24:34,840 Speaker 1: look forward to seeing you on Sunday. 539 00:24:35,480 --> 00:24:36,520 Speaker 4: Yeah, thanks for having me. 540 00:24:37,119 --> 00:24:41,680 Speaker 1: Always appreciate John's time, as we welcome Zach Gershman back 541 00:24:41,680 --> 00:24:45,040 Speaker 1: here on Cardinals Cover two presented by Hyundai, probably partner 542 00:24:45,160 --> 00:24:48,240 Speaker 1: of the Arizona Cardinals and one of the big aspects 543 00:24:48,359 --> 00:24:53,520 Speaker 1: of this game. And again I know it's team before me. However, 544 00:24:54,160 --> 00:24:58,720 Speaker 1: there is a feeling that I have amongst the offensive lineman, 545 00:24:58,960 --> 00:25:03,560 Speaker 1: particularly that Sunday could be a big game for James Connor. 546 00:25:03,600 --> 00:25:06,439 Speaker 1: As I mentioned in our conversation with John Boyle, this 547 00:25:06,520 --> 00:25:11,119 Speaker 1: Seahawks run defense has been awful. I mean it's been dreadful. 548 00:25:11,480 --> 00:25:14,200 Speaker 1: And here you have James Connor one hundred and ten 549 00:25:14,280 --> 00:25:17,280 Speaker 1: yards shy of one thousand and four of the season, 550 00:25:17,480 --> 00:25:20,320 Speaker 1: first time in his career that he would hit the 551 00:25:20,320 --> 00:25:24,040 Speaker 1: century mark. And it's not just a reflection on how 552 00:25:24,080 --> 00:25:28,360 Speaker 1: well Connor has played despite missing four plus games wild 553 00:25:28,760 --> 00:25:32,240 Speaker 1: but a reflection of how well the offensive line has 554 00:25:32,359 --> 00:25:34,800 Speaker 1: performed with Connor as the running back. 555 00:25:34,960 --> 00:25:37,199 Speaker 3: The best part about this, I've spoken to a handful 556 00:25:37,240 --> 00:25:40,520 Speaker 3: of linemen in the locker room. They're very aware of 557 00:25:40,560 --> 00:25:43,000 Speaker 3: the fact that James Connor only needs one hundred and 558 00:25:43,040 --> 00:25:45,480 Speaker 3: ten yards. And when I spoke with Will Hernandez, he 559 00:25:45,560 --> 00:25:48,960 Speaker 3: said to me, He's like, look, we lived through James Connor. 560 00:25:49,840 --> 00:25:52,920 Speaker 3: At least statistically, yeah, you'll have the amount of pancake 561 00:25:52,960 --> 00:25:55,719 Speaker 3: blocks and offensive lineman has, but it's not really like 562 00:25:55,760 --> 00:25:58,480 Speaker 3: you're going to have, you know, stats that are very flashy. 563 00:25:58,760 --> 00:26:00,960 Speaker 3: How much time does your quarterback in the pocket that 564 00:26:01,000 --> 00:26:03,160 Speaker 3: you've been able to create for him through blocking, through 565 00:26:03,160 --> 00:26:06,280 Speaker 3: pass protection, and what can your running backs do? And 566 00:26:06,320 --> 00:26:08,240 Speaker 3: when you have a one two punch like James Connor 567 00:26:08,240 --> 00:26:11,879 Speaker 3: and Michael Carter, it's producing really well in terms of 568 00:26:11,880 --> 00:26:15,960 Speaker 3: statistically for the Cardinals offensive line and the running game 569 00:26:16,000 --> 00:26:18,320 Speaker 3: as a whole. It's funny because we went into the 570 00:26:18,359 --> 00:26:21,520 Speaker 3: beginning of the season Kramit ball vertical, cram It vertical 571 00:26:21,600 --> 00:26:24,000 Speaker 3: that was the team's identity, and you weren't fully sure 572 00:26:24,040 --> 00:26:26,240 Speaker 3: if that was gonna fully be the case. How much 573 00:26:26,280 --> 00:26:29,920 Speaker 3: what that really meant Could James Connor handle that workload. 574 00:26:29,960 --> 00:26:31,879 Speaker 3: We knew the type of power back that he is, 575 00:26:32,280 --> 00:26:34,560 Speaker 3: but to have the four games that he missed when 576 00:26:34,600 --> 00:26:36,960 Speaker 3: he hurt his knee after that game against the Cincinnati 577 00:26:37,000 --> 00:26:40,400 Speaker 3: Bengals and for him to be knocking on the door 578 00:26:40,520 --> 00:26:42,840 Speaker 3: of a thousand yards has been quite remarkable. But the 579 00:26:42,880 --> 00:26:45,840 Speaker 3: bond that they have, they want to see James Connor 580 00:26:45,880 --> 00:26:48,720 Speaker 3: get it. Yeah, it's for you know them too, so 581 00:26:48,720 --> 00:26:50,040 Speaker 3: they can say that we're a little bit of part 582 00:26:50,080 --> 00:26:52,119 Speaker 3: of it, but they want James Connor to get it 583 00:26:52,119 --> 00:26:54,200 Speaker 3: because they love the type of guy that he is 584 00:26:54,240 --> 00:26:55,080 Speaker 3: in that locker room. 585 00:26:55,160 --> 00:26:58,399 Speaker 1: It is the sixth best rushing offense in the league, 586 00:26:58,440 --> 00:27:01,879 Speaker 1: number two as far as yards per carry as you 587 00:27:02,000 --> 00:27:04,280 Speaker 1: round up four point nine to nine, so let's just 588 00:27:04,280 --> 00:27:06,919 Speaker 1: say five yards a carry. But again, going back to 589 00:27:06,960 --> 00:27:08,800 Speaker 1: the offensive line, I know you wrote about it on 590 00:27:08,840 --> 00:27:11,640 Speaker 1: Asycardinals dot Com, but to me, that is the position 591 00:27:11,720 --> 00:27:17,040 Speaker 1: group that is the biggest, biggest surprise, pleasant surprise this season. 592 00:27:17,200 --> 00:27:21,000 Speaker 1: Considering the questions we had going into the year, yell 593 00:27:21,080 --> 00:27:24,400 Speaker 1: to Froll, Could he be your starter? Well, he's going 594 00:27:24,440 --> 00:27:27,960 Speaker 1: to start every single game this season. Only had four 595 00:27:28,040 --> 00:27:31,399 Speaker 1: starts in his career before this season. Paris Johnson Junior? 596 00:27:31,720 --> 00:27:34,680 Speaker 1: Could he be? Is he ready to be a tackle 597 00:27:34,760 --> 00:27:38,160 Speaker 1: in this league? He hasn't missed a snap this season. 598 00:27:38,400 --> 00:27:42,320 Speaker 1: Will Hernandez Steady very good. I love Will on the 599 00:27:42,400 --> 00:27:46,400 Speaker 1: right side next to Paris Johnson. DJ Humphries before getting hurt. 600 00:27:46,720 --> 00:27:49,000 Speaker 1: Up and down season, but for the most part, a 601 00:27:49,119 --> 00:27:53,040 Speaker 1: very solid season for DJ Humphries. Left guard's been kind 602 00:27:53,080 --> 00:27:57,159 Speaker 1: of a revolving door, different players, Tristan Cologne, Elijah Wilkinson, 603 00:27:58,240 --> 00:28:02,080 Speaker 1: there was one con O'donald, so they're still trying to 604 00:28:02,119 --> 00:28:05,040 Speaker 1: figure that out. But four out of five and the 605 00:28:05,080 --> 00:28:08,840 Speaker 1: fact that most of those five have been on the 606 00:28:08,880 --> 00:28:12,359 Speaker 1: field all season long, and I say this all the 607 00:28:12,400 --> 00:28:15,400 Speaker 1: time on an offensive line, you don't need Pro bowlers 608 00:28:15,560 --> 00:28:18,640 Speaker 1: all pro individually, but how do they work together as 609 00:28:18,680 --> 00:28:22,560 Speaker 1: a unit. And the offensive line I thought performed excellent 610 00:28:22,600 --> 00:28:23,080 Speaker 1: this season. 611 00:28:23,119 --> 00:28:25,439 Speaker 3: They performed well enough for James Connor to be a 612 00:28:25,440 --> 00:28:28,280 Speaker 3: Pro Bowler and unfortunately he did not get the nod. 613 00:28:28,280 --> 00:28:30,520 Speaker 3: Buddha Baker got the NOD for the Cardinals, which is awesome. 614 00:28:30,560 --> 00:28:33,840 Speaker 3: Buddha definitely deserves it as well. But with this one, 615 00:28:33,920 --> 00:28:36,760 Speaker 3: like you mentioned, you go across the line and everybody 616 00:28:36,760 --> 00:28:39,479 Speaker 3: has brought something to that offensive line. And even when 617 00:28:39,560 --> 00:28:42,520 Speaker 3: DJ Humphries was out in week ten and Kyler's debut, 618 00:28:42,840 --> 00:28:45,360 Speaker 3: Kelvin Beachum stepped in, and Kelvin Beachum has done a 619 00:28:45,400 --> 00:28:48,200 Speaker 3: really solid job. It hasn't been like the offensive line 620 00:28:48,200 --> 00:28:50,960 Speaker 3: has taken a step back. So that's a huge component 621 00:28:51,000 --> 00:28:54,200 Speaker 3: of it. I think. I think in general, the collectiveness 622 00:28:54,200 --> 00:28:57,040 Speaker 3: of that group, and something that Paris said is it's 623 00:28:57,080 --> 00:28:59,760 Speaker 3: all the personalities and their comfortability with each other. We 624 00:28:59,800 --> 00:29:02,320 Speaker 3: heard a big red rage when Will Hernandez was on. 625 00:29:02,760 --> 00:29:06,160 Speaker 3: He talked about the team dinners that they have outside 626 00:29:06,200 --> 00:29:09,000 Speaker 3: of the facility, all the offensive linement together, the way 627 00:29:09,040 --> 00:29:11,600 Speaker 3: that they could sometimes find Paris if they see him 628 00:29:11,600 --> 00:29:14,960 Speaker 3: talking to the media or whatever. It is. The collectiveness 629 00:29:14,960 --> 00:29:18,320 Speaker 3: and togetheredness in that room does translate out onto the 630 00:29:18,360 --> 00:29:20,880 Speaker 3: field and you're able to fully see it. They're a 631 00:29:21,000 --> 00:29:23,960 Speaker 3: very well connected group and I think that that has 632 00:29:24,000 --> 00:29:25,920 Speaker 3: been an area where we went into it. I remember 633 00:29:25,960 --> 00:29:27,720 Speaker 3: one of the first cover twos I did this season 634 00:29:28,040 --> 00:29:31,239 Speaker 3: during training camp was is yelled Tofroholt, a guy, do 635 00:29:31,240 --> 00:29:34,320 Speaker 3: we want pat elfline? Who's it gonna be? And yelled 636 00:29:34,320 --> 00:29:38,000 Speaker 3: defrohold has stepped in and he has flourished this year. 637 00:29:38,240 --> 00:29:41,920 Speaker 1: I'm thoroughly impressed with what Froholt has done this season. 638 00:29:41,920 --> 00:29:44,640 Speaker 1: He's under contract for next season, so that is good 639 00:29:44,640 --> 00:29:48,560 Speaker 1: news to keep that continuity along the offensive line. And 640 00:29:48,640 --> 00:29:51,480 Speaker 1: I do think the running back position is going to 641 00:29:51,480 --> 00:29:54,520 Speaker 1: be something to watch on Sunday, not only James Connor, 642 00:29:54,520 --> 00:29:57,640 Speaker 1: but how did the Cardinals handle Kenneth Walker? Banged up 643 00:29:57,760 --> 00:30:00,480 Speaker 1: recently because of a shoulder issue, Buddy, he has been 644 00:30:00,560 --> 00:30:04,440 Speaker 1: limited this week in practice. But Walker, his best game 645 00:30:04,480 --> 00:30:07,840 Speaker 1: this season was against the Cardinals over one hundred rushing yards. 646 00:30:08,040 --> 00:30:11,400 Speaker 1: Hasn't really come close to that since. And I do 647 00:30:11,480 --> 00:30:14,280 Speaker 1: think and Gannon mentioned it on Friday, how do the 648 00:30:14,320 --> 00:30:18,160 Speaker 1: Cardinals handle Walker because they didn't do a very good 649 00:30:18,280 --> 00:30:20,200 Speaker 1: job against him in Week seven. 650 00:30:20,320 --> 00:30:23,160 Speaker 3: Yeah, that run defense, though, has totally evolved. I mean 651 00:30:23,200 --> 00:30:24,720 Speaker 3: now you take a little bit of a step back 652 00:30:24,760 --> 00:30:27,160 Speaker 3: because you really just have Kevin Strong back there, and 653 00:30:27,200 --> 00:30:29,800 Speaker 3: you do have Roy Lopez, who we previously spoke about, 654 00:30:29,880 --> 00:30:33,640 Speaker 3: but those are really your two defensive linemen, and that's 655 00:30:33,680 --> 00:30:36,440 Speaker 3: really it. So it's a matter of getting those edge 656 00:30:36,480 --> 00:30:39,640 Speaker 3: rushers trying to make the quarterback as uncomfortable as possible. 657 00:30:39,720 --> 00:30:41,640 Speaker 3: You have to try and make Gino Smith as uncomfortable 658 00:30:41,640 --> 00:30:44,280 Speaker 3: as possible, so you know you're gonna be in run 659 00:30:44,320 --> 00:30:47,120 Speaker 3: for a situation's majority of the time. And then when 660 00:30:47,160 --> 00:30:49,760 Speaker 3: you go into it that philosophy, in that mindset, you 661 00:30:49,760 --> 00:30:52,760 Speaker 3: know your mic linebackers you're Chris Barnes Owen pat but 662 00:30:52,800 --> 00:30:55,080 Speaker 3: they're gonna need to get into the mix. Try to 663 00:30:55,120 --> 00:30:57,440 Speaker 3: meet him at the line. Tried dramming him up there. 664 00:30:57,680 --> 00:30:59,960 Speaker 3: Kenneth Walker is a good back. He's a small back, 665 00:31:00,080 --> 00:31:03,520 Speaker 3: but he's physical and the Cardinals saw what he was 666 00:31:03,560 --> 00:31:06,120 Speaker 3: able to do. That was kind of his welcome to 667 00:31:06,160 --> 00:31:08,840 Speaker 3: the NFL game in a positive way. He hasn't really 668 00:31:08,840 --> 00:31:12,600 Speaker 3: had that as much recently, but he's really solid back there. 669 00:31:12,720 --> 00:31:14,960 Speaker 3: But this team's aware. This team's aware on number nine's 670 00:31:15,000 --> 00:31:15,880 Speaker 3: ability eight. 671 00:31:15,720 --> 00:31:18,240 Speaker 1: Hundred and twenty seven rushing yards better than four yards 672 00:31:18,240 --> 00:31:21,480 Speaker 1: of carry for Kenneth Walker. You brought up Budda Baker earlier, 673 00:31:21,640 --> 00:31:23,320 Speaker 1: and I do want to touch on that and offer 674 00:31:23,400 --> 00:31:27,760 Speaker 1: rock congratulations for Buddha's Pro Bowl nod once again. But 675 00:31:27,880 --> 00:31:31,000 Speaker 1: this is his hometown team, not in Seattle, but still 676 00:31:31,000 --> 00:31:34,800 Speaker 1: whenever you face the Seahawks, it means something to Buddha 677 00:31:34,800 --> 00:31:38,280 Speaker 1: Baker And again, as we mentioned, he was asked about 678 00:31:38,280 --> 00:31:40,320 Speaker 1: it this week, but kind of in that same mantre 679 00:31:40,360 --> 00:31:42,440 Speaker 1: as the head coach, we just want to get a win. 680 00:31:42,960 --> 00:31:45,520 Speaker 1: But you know, it would be nice if Buddha goes 681 00:31:45,520 --> 00:31:48,400 Speaker 1: into the offseason with a season split as opposed to 682 00:31:48,480 --> 00:31:52,280 Speaker 1: being swept, because when he does go back home, you 683 00:31:52,360 --> 00:31:55,760 Speaker 1: talk and you want to be able to have something 684 00:31:55,760 --> 00:31:58,120 Speaker 1: to say as opposed to just sitting there and taking 685 00:31:58,160 --> 00:32:00,560 Speaker 1: it because you weren't able to beat that team from 686 00:32:00,560 --> 00:32:03,160 Speaker 1: the Pacific Northwest, especially. 687 00:32:02,920 --> 00:32:05,560 Speaker 3: When you have yet to win a divisional game, and 688 00:32:05,640 --> 00:32:09,200 Speaker 3: the Seahawks are going into this expecting to win and 689 00:32:09,280 --> 00:32:11,560 Speaker 3: hoping that Green Bay loses so that they're able to 690 00:32:11,600 --> 00:32:14,880 Speaker 3: get in. But if the Cardinals, because you already know 691 00:32:14,960 --> 00:32:18,000 Speaker 3: that it's natural human instinct, there's definitely going to be 692 00:32:18,000 --> 00:32:19,960 Speaker 3: somebody that's going to be checking the Green Bay Packers 693 00:32:20,000 --> 00:32:22,800 Speaker 3: score at the same time as the Arizona Cardinals when 694 00:32:22,800 --> 00:32:26,000 Speaker 3: they play against the Seattle Seahawks this weekend on Sunday 695 00:32:26,000 --> 00:32:29,120 Speaker 3: at State Farm Stadium. It's human instinct. They're not going 696 00:32:29,200 --> 00:32:32,080 Speaker 3: to be, in my opinion, one hundred percent locked in. 697 00:32:32,200 --> 00:32:34,200 Speaker 3: Even if they are ninety nine percent locked in, there's 698 00:32:34,200 --> 00:32:35,960 Speaker 3: still one percent that you're able to make the most of. 699 00:32:36,160 --> 00:32:37,880 Speaker 3: And Buddha Baker is the type of guy that he's 700 00:32:37,880 --> 00:32:40,360 Speaker 3: going to maximize that one percent. He's going to try 701 00:32:40,440 --> 00:32:43,960 Speaker 3: taking advantage of it. And he hasn't had the splash 702 00:32:43,960 --> 00:32:46,400 Speaker 3: plays this year that he wants to have. But if 703 00:32:46,400 --> 00:32:48,640 Speaker 3: he's able to be one of the reasons and lead 704 00:32:48,680 --> 00:32:51,280 Speaker 3: his team to a win against that hometown squad, when 705 00:32:51,320 --> 00:32:53,800 Speaker 3: he does go back home during the offseason and goes 706 00:32:53,840 --> 00:32:56,680 Speaker 3: to see family and friends and everybody out there, if 707 00:32:56,720 --> 00:32:59,640 Speaker 3: he's able to say, well, we took away your dreams 708 00:33:00,040 --> 00:33:03,280 Speaker 3: the playoffs this year, that's definitely something that, regardless of 709 00:33:03,320 --> 00:33:06,600 Speaker 3: the previous matchup, you could go into saying be nice. 710 00:33:06,720 --> 00:33:12,040 Speaker 1: If Buddha does get either a fumble or an interception six, 711 00:33:12,120 --> 00:33:16,280 Speaker 1: I'm calling it a selling it. Okay, don't clip it, 712 00:33:16,360 --> 00:33:21,280 Speaker 1: but like I'm calling it one last note on this game, 713 00:33:21,440 --> 00:33:25,200 Speaker 1: and it's what you are writing for Saturday on Easycardinals 714 00:33:25,280 --> 00:33:28,520 Speaker 1: dot Com. We call in advance just a preview piece 715 00:33:28,840 --> 00:33:31,640 Speaker 1: because what we've seen, what we've heard the last couple 716 00:33:31,680 --> 00:33:34,080 Speaker 1: of days, really the last week and a half is 717 00:33:34,160 --> 00:33:38,880 Speaker 1: everyone is trying to figure out off season content, like 718 00:33:39,640 --> 00:33:44,720 Speaker 1: what is needed, how to individuals, how to position groups perform. 719 00:33:44,840 --> 00:33:49,080 Speaker 1: So you're asking coaches, you're asking players some big picture thoughts. 720 00:33:50,040 --> 00:33:54,800 Speaker 1: Gannon on an individual basis, will offer some praise for players, 721 00:33:54,840 --> 00:33:58,240 Speaker 1: doesn't really like to single out individuals. But when asked 722 00:33:58,440 --> 00:34:02,280 Speaker 1: by you, Zach about the offseason, the response was. 723 00:34:02,320 --> 00:34:05,400 Speaker 3: What, there is no lie to the offseason. 724 00:34:05,040 --> 00:34:08,120 Speaker 1: Zach, because the office season hasn't arrived yet. 725 00:34:08,200 --> 00:34:08,399 Speaker 2: Yep. 726 00:34:08,640 --> 00:34:11,120 Speaker 3: The leadership in the locker room j G said quote, 727 00:34:11,160 --> 00:34:13,719 Speaker 3: I'm very direct about the way I want this game 728 00:34:13,760 --> 00:34:16,879 Speaker 3: to be approached, and they expect to win it. They 729 00:34:16,920 --> 00:34:19,080 Speaker 3: expect to play spoiler. It's not that they're going into 730 00:34:19,080 --> 00:34:22,800 Speaker 3: this two place spoiler. If the Seahawks were in playoff contention, 731 00:34:23,000 --> 00:34:26,120 Speaker 3: if they were already you know, clinched, or if they weren't, 732 00:34:26,360 --> 00:34:28,439 Speaker 3: Jonathan Gannon and his squad still want to come away 733 00:34:28,440 --> 00:34:31,000 Speaker 3: with the win, regardless of the regardless of the other 734 00:34:31,040 --> 00:34:33,520 Speaker 3: team's situations. They go between those white lines. You want 735 00:34:33,520 --> 00:34:35,680 Speaker 3: to win. That's why when I asked him, like, how 736 00:34:35,719 --> 00:34:38,359 Speaker 3: do you keep them locked in when you know your 737 00:34:38,400 --> 00:34:40,680 Speaker 3: trips to Cabo are already. You know, you're starting to 738 00:34:41,440 --> 00:34:43,200 Speaker 3: look at the weather out there on your you know, 739 00:34:43,239 --> 00:34:47,720 Speaker 3: your fourteen day forecast or whatever. And JJ said, no, nope, 740 00:34:47,760 --> 00:34:50,160 Speaker 3: We're focused in on this one, and Monday the questions 741 00:34:50,160 --> 00:34:53,200 Speaker 3: will come about Sunday will be post game. I'm sure 742 00:34:53,239 --> 00:34:56,360 Speaker 3: somebody will ask a handful of questions about, you know, 743 00:34:56,400 --> 00:34:59,160 Speaker 3: the future. JJ will probably save it from Monday, and 744 00:34:59,160 --> 00:35:01,239 Speaker 3: then Monday we'll see how much we really get from 745 00:35:01,280 --> 00:35:04,960 Speaker 3: the head coach. But it's the eye to the offseason 746 00:35:05,080 --> 00:35:07,920 Speaker 3: is not being discussed in this facility. 747 00:35:08,000 --> 00:35:11,120 Speaker 1: It can be frustrating at times for you and I 748 00:35:11,200 --> 00:35:13,719 Speaker 1: maybe some fans who are always looking ahead. But I 749 00:35:13,800 --> 00:35:18,359 Speaker 1: do understand and I appreciate that week to week mindset 750 00:35:18,480 --> 00:35:21,960 Speaker 1: that coaches have, that players have to live in the moment, 751 00:35:22,320 --> 00:35:25,279 Speaker 1: not to get too far ahead of themselves, because when 752 00:35:25,280 --> 00:35:28,600 Speaker 1: you start looking forward, you forget about what you're doing 753 00:35:28,719 --> 00:35:31,320 Speaker 1: in the moment, and that I think Gannon has preached 754 00:35:31,400 --> 00:35:32,360 Speaker 1: from day one. 755 00:35:32,200 --> 00:35:34,719 Speaker 3: Which is something that when I ask Kyler a very 756 00:35:34,760 --> 00:35:38,800 Speaker 3: similar question, I appreciated his response and he said, with 757 00:35:38,920 --> 00:35:42,319 Speaker 3: the amount of games I've missed this year, I take 758 00:35:42,400 --> 00:35:45,560 Speaker 3: advantage and I'm grateful for every opportunity to get out there, 759 00:35:45,560 --> 00:35:47,560 Speaker 3: and I want to get out there. The fact that 760 00:35:47,640 --> 00:35:51,520 Speaker 3: he's able to say something like that and recognize that Kyler, 761 00:35:51,680 --> 00:35:53,480 Speaker 3: you know, he went into saying like, this is my 762 00:35:53,560 --> 00:35:55,560 Speaker 3: eight game sample. Let me see what I'm able to do. 763 00:35:56,400 --> 00:36:01,040 Speaker 3: Jonathangan all but surely said that Kyler Murray's your guy 764 00:36:01,120 --> 00:36:05,000 Speaker 3: next year. So he still went into it saying, Hey, 765 00:36:05,440 --> 00:36:08,040 Speaker 3: I'm here to make the most of my opportunity. I 766 00:36:08,120 --> 00:36:10,279 Speaker 3: want to win. That's why I played the game to win. 767 00:36:10,960 --> 00:36:13,200 Speaker 3: Something I loved what he said was like people can 768 00:36:13,239 --> 00:36:15,960 Speaker 3: have their opinions about winning or losing, but like, I'm 769 00:36:16,040 --> 00:36:18,000 Speaker 3: in this league to win, and I play to win, 770 00:36:18,040 --> 00:36:19,560 Speaker 3: and that's what I plan on doing this Sunday. 771 00:36:19,960 --> 00:36:24,239 Speaker 1: The goal on Sunday is to win the game, regardless 772 00:36:24,239 --> 00:36:26,759 Speaker 1: of what it may or may not mean for the Seahawks. 773 00:36:26,800 --> 00:36:29,959 Speaker 1: Can the Cardinals finish on a high note going into 774 00:36:29,960 --> 00:36:33,440 Speaker 1: the offseason, That is what the focus is for those coaches, 775 00:36:33,480 --> 00:36:35,600 Speaker 1: for those players, and then of course we'll discuss it 776 00:36:35,840 --> 00:36:39,839 Speaker 1: here on Cardinals Cover two Cardinals and Seahawks kicking off 777 00:36:39,920 --> 00:36:42,320 Speaker 1: at two twenty five, nine to thirty. Pre game covers 778 00:36:42,360 --> 00:36:44,760 Speaker 1: begins Cardinals looking to finish on a two game winning 779 00:36:44,760 --> 00:36:47,439 Speaker 1: streak and go into the off season with a four 780 00:36:47,560 --> 00:36:50,360 Speaker 1: and four record with Kyler Murray as quarterback. 781 00:36:50,640 --> 00:36:53,239 Speaker 3: You ready, zech oh, I'm ready at this season is 782 00:36:53,360 --> 00:36:55,840 Speaker 3: phone by, It's phone vie. It's crazy. 783 00:36:56,040 --> 00:36:59,600 Speaker 1: You wait all off season and the grind of training 784 00:36:59,640 --> 00:37:01,920 Speaker 1: camp to get to the regular season, and then in 785 00:37:01,960 --> 00:37:04,960 Speaker 1: a blink of an eye, the regular season is done. 786 00:37:07,320 --> 00:37:07,799 Speaker 3: That's here. 787 00:37:08,360 --> 00:37:12,799 Speaker 1: One more game there Week eighteen. Cardinals and Seahawks hope 788 00:37:12,840 --> 00:37:15,640 Speaker 1: to see the bird gang out there at State Farm Stadium. 789 00:37:15,760 --> 00:37:17,279 Speaker 1: On that note, we will put a lid on this 790 00:37:17,440 --> 00:37:20,160 Speaker 1: edition of Cardinals Cover two, presented by a Hundai, proud 791 00:37:20,239 --> 00:37:23,360 Speaker 1: partner of the Arizona Cardinals. As always, special thanks to 792 00:37:23,400 --> 00:37:27,280 Speaker 1: our executive producer Jim Amahundra, our associate producer Cody Fincher 793 00:37:27,320 --> 00:37:29,680 Speaker 1: for Zach Kershman. I'm Greg Rillou. We'll talk to you 794 00:37:29,760 --> 00:37:31,759 Speaker 1: next time here on Cardinals Cover two.