1 00:00:03,440 --> 00:00:05,640 Speaker 1: So let it be written, So let it be done. 2 00:00:05,840 --> 00:00:08,840 Speaker 1: Welcome Birg Gang. On today's show, Zach Ersman joins me, 3 00:00:09,160 --> 00:00:12,600 Speaker 1: the offensive line has a goal for them, for James Connor, 4 00:00:12,680 --> 00:00:15,200 Speaker 1: and if it's reached, it'll benefit the whole team. 5 00:00:15,480 --> 00:00:16,360 Speaker 2: The run game. 6 00:00:16,239 --> 00:00:18,599 Speaker 1: As a whole is expected to be better this season. 7 00:00:18,920 --> 00:00:22,920 Speaker 1: Also speaking of goals, Paris Johnson Junior's personal goal, and 8 00:00:22,960 --> 00:00:25,439 Speaker 1: we got our first glimpse of the new kickoff rule 9 00:00:25,640 --> 00:00:29,280 Speaker 1: in action. It's Cardinals Cover two, episode seven sixty two, 10 00:00:29,560 --> 00:00:31,520 Speaker 1: and it starts now. 11 00:00:33,880 --> 00:00:35,880 Speaker 3: Welcome to Cardinals Cover two. 12 00:00:36,040 --> 00:00:40,479 Speaker 2: Buda Baker, What Heart? What rent? This guy's unbelievable. 13 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:45,000 Speaker 3: Cardinals Cover two is presented by Hyundai, proud partner of 14 00:00:45,040 --> 00:00:51,000 Speaker 3: the Arizona Cardinals, and by Arizona Cardinals Podcast. Visit Azycardinals 15 00:00:51,080 --> 00:00:52,840 Speaker 3: dot Com slash podcast. 16 00:00:52,960 --> 00:00:55,280 Speaker 2: He's at the ten half of five. He's it again. 17 00:00:55,760 --> 00:00:59,960 Speaker 2: Some more hurry magic. WHOA, here's Craig Creole. 18 00:01:04,480 --> 00:01:08,640 Speaker 1: So it is rare when you see something completely brand 19 00:01:08,640 --> 00:01:12,160 Speaker 1: new in an OTA practice. Sometimes maybe there's a drill 20 00:01:12,280 --> 00:01:16,360 Speaker 1: that looks a little different, but for the most part, 21 00:01:16,680 --> 00:01:20,480 Speaker 1: it's a football practice. And when you've seen one football practice, 22 00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:23,240 Speaker 1: you've seen them all. With the exception of the different 23 00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:25,720 Speaker 1: players that come in and out, and obviously the coaches 24 00:01:25,800 --> 00:01:31,120 Speaker 1: as well. I say that because on Tuesday of this week, 25 00:01:31,600 --> 00:01:36,399 Speaker 1: you zac alongside our colleague Danny Surrek, saw something that 26 00:01:36,760 --> 00:01:40,720 Speaker 1: no one has ever seen in an Ota practice on 27 00:01:40,760 --> 00:01:44,520 Speaker 1: the NFL level. I missed it. I and Paul Calvic 28 00:01:44,640 --> 00:01:48,640 Speaker 1: were doing the Red Sea reports on Tuesday, so missed it. 29 00:01:48,760 --> 00:01:53,400 Speaker 1: But you got to see, and I guess maybe c 30 00:01:53,880 --> 00:01:58,480 Speaker 1: is a little bit of a misnomer because everything was 31 00:01:58,560 --> 00:02:02,760 Speaker 1: kind of slow half speed if that quarter speed on 32 00:02:02,800 --> 00:02:05,080 Speaker 1: what this new kickoff role is going to look like. 33 00:02:05,200 --> 00:02:08,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, it was definitely a little weird seeing it. When 34 00:02:08,040 --> 00:02:11,000 Speaker 2: I first saw them lining up to they were all 35 00:02:11,040 --> 00:02:14,200 Speaker 2: about five ten yards away from each other to practice 36 00:02:14,200 --> 00:02:15,639 Speaker 2: how it'd be. Once the ball is in the air, 37 00:02:15,840 --> 00:02:17,680 Speaker 2: you're gonna you know, you have to wait till the 38 00:02:17,720 --> 00:02:20,280 Speaker 2: returner makes contact with the ball or the ball drops 39 00:02:20,280 --> 00:02:24,480 Speaker 2: between the twenty, and then you make contact with one another. Initially, 40 00:02:24,560 --> 00:02:27,560 Speaker 2: when I saw them performing it, Trithy Craig, I thought 41 00:02:27,600 --> 00:02:30,639 Speaker 2: that it was just like the wide receivers practicing you know, jamming, 42 00:02:31,000 --> 00:02:33,280 Speaker 2: jamming a cornerback at the line or vice versa on 43 00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:36,360 Speaker 2: run blocks and then you see Jeff Rogers instructing and 44 00:02:36,400 --> 00:02:39,800 Speaker 2: you're like, oh, this is the kickoff. So it definitely 45 00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:44,280 Speaker 2: took a second to see how they did it. Trying 46 00:02:44,320 --> 00:02:47,000 Speaker 2: to time it up was unique. How they would they 47 00:02:47,040 --> 00:02:49,079 Speaker 2: would practice it once the ball was in the air 48 00:02:49,639 --> 00:02:52,520 Speaker 2: and just to see before they would even make contact 49 00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:54,120 Speaker 2: with one another. It was just very much it was 50 00:02:54,120 --> 00:02:57,120 Speaker 2: a walk through. It was your typical walkthrough that you know, 51 00:02:57,240 --> 00:03:00,560 Speaker 2: as OTA's and training camp's going to continue rolling along, 52 00:03:00,840 --> 00:03:03,800 Speaker 2: they're going to heavily start to speed that up a 53 00:03:03,800 --> 00:03:06,560 Speaker 2: little bit because this was just step by step. Where 54 00:03:06,600 --> 00:03:10,560 Speaker 2: are you're putting your hand once the ball miscontacted by 55 00:03:10,560 --> 00:03:13,760 Speaker 2: the returner initially, So that was one thing that was interesting. 56 00:03:13,960 --> 00:03:16,640 Speaker 2: The second thing that was interesting was seeing Greg Dortch 57 00:03:16,720 --> 00:03:19,639 Speaker 2: having somebody else back there on kickoff returns, which. 58 00:03:19,720 --> 00:03:22,200 Speaker 1: Team, because typically you don't have that guy, and it 59 00:03:22,280 --> 00:03:23,120 Speaker 1: was in a. 60 00:03:23,040 --> 00:03:25,480 Speaker 2: Lot of cases it was DJ Dallas or it was 61 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:28,160 Speaker 2: DJ Dallas returning and Michael Carter was back there, so 62 00:03:28,200 --> 00:03:31,280 Speaker 2: you were able to see them rotating through through those 63 00:03:31,320 --> 00:03:34,120 Speaker 2: three guys. Andre Bicchelli as well make it the four 64 00:03:34,280 --> 00:03:36,800 Speaker 2: that was really who was back there, but man, it 65 00:03:36,840 --> 00:03:38,800 Speaker 2: was it was weird and I think it's going to 66 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:42,560 Speaker 2: take fans a long time to actually get used to it. Now, 67 00:03:42,560 --> 00:03:44,040 Speaker 2: it's going to be an exciting part of the game. 68 00:03:44,360 --> 00:03:47,520 Speaker 2: It's going to be up to one hundreds more opportunities 69 00:03:47,520 --> 00:03:50,560 Speaker 2: for returns. That's something that Dennis Gardek said and told 70 00:03:50,560 --> 00:03:52,920 Speaker 2: the media that he absolutely loves, and that's a guy 71 00:03:52,960 --> 00:03:56,600 Speaker 2: that really made a name for himself through special teams. 72 00:03:56,960 --> 00:03:59,000 Speaker 2: Now it adds a whole new element of the game. 73 00:03:59,240 --> 00:04:02,400 Speaker 1: Gardik likes the uncertainty on this play because there's a 74 00:04:02,480 --> 00:04:06,600 Speaker 1: ton of uncertainty. You and Danny Bose posted some short 75 00:04:06,680 --> 00:04:10,280 Speaker 1: video clips on social media, but here's here's a quick 76 00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:13,840 Speaker 1: what it's going to look like, and verbally doesn't really 77 00:04:14,560 --> 00:04:16,000 Speaker 1: paint the picture, because. 78 00:04:15,880 --> 00:04:18,159 Speaker 2: That's why we're struggling, Like I feel like I'm struggling 79 00:04:18,160 --> 00:04:20,440 Speaker 2: to get it out there. But something that once you 80 00:04:20,520 --> 00:04:22,920 Speaker 2: go on zach As Cards on Twitter, you gotta throw 81 00:04:22,960 --> 00:04:25,680 Speaker 2: the shameless plug out there when you go see that video, 82 00:04:26,160 --> 00:04:29,240 Speaker 2: it's gonna look We've seen the graphics of how it's 83 00:04:29,240 --> 00:04:31,680 Speaker 2: supposed to look. We've seen it through the XFL, But 84 00:04:31,720 --> 00:04:33,280 Speaker 2: when you look at the XFL, you're like, Okay, it's 85 00:04:33,320 --> 00:04:35,920 Speaker 2: the XFL. You're not these aren't the jerseys that you're 86 00:04:35,920 --> 00:04:38,839 Speaker 2: so accustomed to seeing on Sundays in the NFL. Now, 87 00:04:38,880 --> 00:04:41,120 Speaker 2: these are guys. We're in the Cardinal bird logo on 88 00:04:41,160 --> 00:04:44,000 Speaker 2: the side of their helmet on an NFL practice field, 89 00:04:44,120 --> 00:04:46,400 Speaker 2: getting ready to play this in an NFL game. 90 00:04:46,800 --> 00:04:49,680 Speaker 1: So kickoff still from your own thirty five, So that's 91 00:04:49,680 --> 00:04:53,760 Speaker 1: Matt Prater, but he's all by himself, all other players 92 00:04:53,880 --> 00:04:56,640 Speaker 1: on the other side of the fifty, with the coverage 93 00:04:56,640 --> 00:04:59,839 Speaker 1: team at the forty and the return team between the 94 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:03,720 Speaker 1: thirty and thirty five, and then one and to your point, 95 00:05:03,839 --> 00:05:07,080 Speaker 1: Zach or two returners inside the twenty or what is 96 00:05:07,120 --> 00:05:10,760 Speaker 1: being called the landing zone. But in watching the clips 97 00:05:10,800 --> 00:05:13,760 Speaker 1: that you and Danny posted, and again I highly recommend 98 00:05:13,760 --> 00:05:16,000 Speaker 1: it because this is kind of the first visual proof 99 00:05:16,400 --> 00:05:19,720 Speaker 1: of the Arizona Cardinals doing it. But you have those 100 00:05:20,160 --> 00:05:24,159 Speaker 1: ten players on the coverage team, and you have nine 101 00:05:24,400 --> 00:05:28,560 Speaker 1: or ten on the return team, and they are literally 102 00:05:28,920 --> 00:05:32,920 Speaker 1: staring at one another five yards apart, and no one 103 00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:35,920 Speaker 1: is moving. You see the football travel in the air 104 00:05:36,120 --> 00:05:39,840 Speaker 1: end over end, and no one is still moving, and 105 00:05:39,880 --> 00:05:42,680 Speaker 1: no one can move until the ball is caught or 106 00:05:42,880 --> 00:05:45,560 Speaker 1: lands inside the twenty yard line, and then only then 107 00:05:46,160 --> 00:05:49,760 Speaker 1: can the coverage team head downfield and the return team 108 00:05:49,800 --> 00:05:52,080 Speaker 1: help block for whomever has the football. 109 00:05:52,200 --> 00:05:54,960 Speaker 2: It felt like a delayed reaction from just from like 110 00:05:55,040 --> 00:05:56,880 Speaker 2: the first time I saw it. The only people you 111 00:05:56,880 --> 00:05:59,880 Speaker 2: saw moving were the word Matt Prater, who was not 112 00:06:00,080 --> 00:06:01,880 Speaker 2: He wasn't kicking it off the t They had it 113 00:06:01,960 --> 00:06:05,919 Speaker 2: going through one of those dugs masuing machines, shooting it 114 00:06:05,960 --> 00:06:08,360 Speaker 2: way up into the air, and you saw Matt Prater 115 00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:10,080 Speaker 2: kind of simulate what it looked like if he were 116 00:06:10,120 --> 00:06:12,520 Speaker 2: to kick the ball off. And then you saw Greg 117 00:06:12,560 --> 00:06:15,160 Speaker 2: Dorch and DJ Dallas and Michael Carter, Andre Michelli, they 118 00:06:15,160 --> 00:06:17,800 Speaker 2: were the ones that were moving back there. Outside of that, 119 00:06:17,839 --> 00:06:20,680 Speaker 2: everyone was still, and it was so strange to see it. 120 00:06:20,680 --> 00:06:24,760 Speaker 2: And then once Greg Dortch held in the ball from 121 00:06:24,760 --> 00:06:28,000 Speaker 2: the drugs machine, everybody then just like collided right into 122 00:06:28,120 --> 00:06:30,560 Speaker 2: each other. Can you imagine if you're a trash talker, 123 00:06:30,800 --> 00:06:34,080 Speaker 2: that is the perfect time to start talking your stuff, 124 00:06:34,120 --> 00:06:37,360 Speaker 2: because you're just staring your opposition right in the eye. 125 00:06:37,520 --> 00:06:40,360 Speaker 2: You're five yards away from each other. There is nothing 126 00:06:40,640 --> 00:06:43,160 Speaker 2: that is getting in between you except for once that 127 00:06:43,240 --> 00:06:44,279 Speaker 2: ball hits the ground. 128 00:06:44,600 --> 00:06:46,240 Speaker 1: And by the way, let me just clarify when you 129 00:06:46,279 --> 00:06:49,400 Speaker 1: say collide, you're metaphorically speaking because we're still in OTAC, 130 00:06:49,480 --> 00:06:51,200 Speaker 1: So I don't want to get this like there was 131 00:06:51,360 --> 00:06:54,480 Speaker 1: contact or hitting, But to your point, there are bodies 132 00:06:55,120 --> 00:06:58,000 Speaker 1: meeting one another and it was basically kind of just 133 00:06:58,400 --> 00:07:01,279 Speaker 1: everyone not quite sure what to do, and then you 134 00:07:01,320 --> 00:07:03,960 Speaker 1: see that guy with the football returning it and you 135 00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:06,280 Speaker 1: get a head of steam. Oh to the point where 136 00:07:06,279 --> 00:07:09,640 Speaker 1: you're not even you don't have anyone near you until 137 00:07:09,680 --> 00:07:12,440 Speaker 1: maybe you get to the twenty or the twenty five. 138 00:07:12,480 --> 00:07:15,040 Speaker 1: That's why I think starting field position is going to 139 00:07:15,080 --> 00:07:18,160 Speaker 1: be the plus thirty maybe even the plus thirty five 140 00:07:18,240 --> 00:07:19,240 Speaker 1: for a lot of these drives. 141 00:07:19,440 --> 00:07:22,400 Speaker 2: And I'm glad you clarified my point there because one 142 00:07:22,440 --> 00:07:24,080 Speaker 2: of the things I asked John Ath again and was 143 00:07:24,120 --> 00:07:27,720 Speaker 2: for being a staff that preaches high motor violence, all 144 00:07:27,760 --> 00:07:31,120 Speaker 2: those attributes that you can really only see once the 145 00:07:31,240 --> 00:07:34,960 Speaker 2: shoulder pads are on. And I clarified because JG. I 146 00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:37,280 Speaker 2: said that he called the pajama phase, and he said, 147 00:07:37,280 --> 00:07:39,600 Speaker 2: I never called the pajama phase. I went back in 148 00:07:39,720 --> 00:07:44,080 Speaker 2: the in the archives training camp last year. Was pajamas. 149 00:07:44,080 --> 00:07:46,440 Speaker 2: He did say it could have been underwear. Those pajamas 150 00:07:46,600 --> 00:07:49,800 Speaker 2: neither here or there, But he said that we talk violence. 151 00:07:50,160 --> 00:07:53,080 Speaker 2: We can't practice it right now, but we talk violence. 152 00:07:53,080 --> 00:07:55,840 Speaker 2: We envisioned violence once we get on the field, because 153 00:07:55,960 --> 00:07:58,360 Speaker 2: when you do strap up the pads and the helmet 154 00:07:58,440 --> 00:08:01,640 Speaker 2: and everything like that, you can't just be shocked by 155 00:08:01,640 --> 00:08:04,360 Speaker 2: what's coming your way. So they talk about it, they 156 00:08:04,400 --> 00:08:07,400 Speaker 2: emphasize it because once that day comes, during training camp 157 00:08:07,440 --> 00:08:11,239 Speaker 2: and preseason and regular season, hopefully a postseason run whatever, 158 00:08:11,400 --> 00:08:14,200 Speaker 2: whenever that time comes, they could say that they started 159 00:08:14,440 --> 00:08:18,400 Speaker 2: the violence, the quote unquote violence during training camp. But yeah, 160 00:08:18,440 --> 00:08:21,880 Speaker 2: it's Greg doorge all the returners back there. They had 161 00:08:21,920 --> 00:08:24,800 Speaker 2: a head esteem. And I think back to the crossing 162 00:08:24,880 --> 00:08:27,160 Speaker 2: route that Greg George had in the game against the 163 00:08:27,240 --> 00:08:30,120 Speaker 2: Chicago Bears where he went off for the forty yard touchdown, 164 00:08:30,320 --> 00:08:32,440 Speaker 2: broke off a couple of tackles, a juke move here 165 00:08:32,480 --> 00:08:35,079 Speaker 2: or there, just seeing how much room he had to 166 00:08:35,160 --> 00:08:36,880 Speaker 2: run there. It was only about five ten yards, but 167 00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:39,760 Speaker 2: just his sheer speed that he brings to the table. 168 00:08:40,000 --> 00:08:42,280 Speaker 2: Seeing that in a kickoff return where he's got about 169 00:08:42,440 --> 00:08:45,560 Speaker 2: fifteen yards in between him and the returners, depending on 170 00:08:45,559 --> 00:08:49,719 Speaker 2: where the kick LANs, he's gonna be moving back there. 171 00:08:49,760 --> 00:08:52,080 Speaker 2: And I do agree with the field possession aspect. 172 00:08:51,800 --> 00:08:54,360 Speaker 1: And I can't remember where I saw this, but you're 173 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:57,400 Speaker 1: gonna have and I want a credit, but I can't 174 00:08:57,400 --> 00:08:59,520 Speaker 1: remember where I read this. But there are going to 175 00:08:59,559 --> 00:09:04,719 Speaker 1: be third two different ways that teams attack this, so 176 00:09:04,760 --> 00:09:08,800 Speaker 1: to speak, and then thirty two different ways in which 177 00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:11,280 Speaker 1: you cover it, and then you figure out what is 178 00:09:11,280 --> 00:09:14,400 Speaker 1: best for your particular team based on the roster that 179 00:09:14,480 --> 00:09:16,839 Speaker 1: you have, and then what adjustments you make. So this 180 00:09:17,000 --> 00:09:18,760 Speaker 1: is this is gonna be a lot of fun to 181 00:09:18,960 --> 00:09:22,439 Speaker 1: watch training camp when you kind of get more full 182 00:09:22,480 --> 00:09:25,720 Speaker 1: speed the joint practices with the Colts where you can 183 00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:28,920 Speaker 1: kind of slow things down and really kind of structure 184 00:09:28,920 --> 00:09:31,440 Speaker 1: it the way you want. And then obviously preseason games 185 00:09:31,480 --> 00:09:34,640 Speaker 1: when you actually have the full speed collisions and figure out, 186 00:09:34,679 --> 00:09:38,520 Speaker 1: all right, do you want a return man that's Greg 187 00:09:38,559 --> 00:09:40,640 Speaker 1: Dortch or do you want someone who's a little bit 188 00:09:40,679 --> 00:09:43,880 Speaker 1: bigger because there's going to be more bodies in the way, 189 00:09:44,240 --> 00:09:46,920 Speaker 1: or based off the speed, can door can dorts just 190 00:09:46,960 --> 00:09:49,680 Speaker 1: get right by those guys and get to the thirty 191 00:09:49,720 --> 00:09:52,200 Speaker 1: thirty five yards no problem, by the way. Here on 192 00:09:52,240 --> 00:09:55,360 Speaker 1: this Wednesday, happy birthday, It's George Day, It's Dorch day, 193 00:09:55,400 --> 00:09:56,120 Speaker 1: It's Dorch Day. 194 00:09:56,280 --> 00:09:59,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think going back to first off, Happy birthday, 195 00:09:59,160 --> 00:10:02,200 Speaker 2: Greg Dortch. It's his first birthday and number four jersey, 196 00:10:02,280 --> 00:10:05,640 Speaker 2: so it's a special one for it. Now. Uh, I 197 00:10:05,679 --> 00:10:07,600 Speaker 2: want to go back to the roster component of it 198 00:10:07,640 --> 00:10:10,719 Speaker 2: because I think that in the previous years, with this 199 00:10:11,040 --> 00:10:14,240 Speaker 2: kickoff the way that we've grown to know it over 200 00:10:14,280 --> 00:10:17,560 Speaker 2: the over the past however long it's been in in 201 00:10:17,600 --> 00:10:21,280 Speaker 2: that standard format, we kind of could assume which players 202 00:10:21,320 --> 00:10:23,400 Speaker 2: are going to make the roster in that special team's 203 00:10:23,480 --> 00:10:26,520 Speaker 2: role because we know how they would attack a kickoff coverage, 204 00:10:26,960 --> 00:10:30,760 Speaker 2: punt coverage, whatever it might be. This aspect of it 205 00:10:30,840 --> 00:10:33,280 Speaker 2: changes it entirely different. So I remember when the when 206 00:10:33,320 --> 00:10:36,200 Speaker 2: the rule was passed during the owners meeting and you 207 00:10:36,240 --> 00:10:38,000 Speaker 2: and I were talking about, like, well, what does that 208 00:10:38,040 --> 00:10:39,720 Speaker 2: mean for a lot of these other players that are 209 00:10:39,720 --> 00:10:42,160 Speaker 2: a little bit bigger the linebackers. You want smaller guys 210 00:10:42,160 --> 00:10:45,040 Speaker 2: out there, bigger guys out there. Right now, it looked 211 00:10:45,080 --> 00:10:47,960 Speaker 2: like nearly half the roster during the beginning have during 212 00:10:47,960 --> 00:10:51,400 Speaker 2: the open portion of OTAs where we saw them working 213 00:10:51,440 --> 00:10:53,960 Speaker 2: on this kickoff, it seemed like half the roster was 214 00:10:53,960 --> 00:10:56,240 Speaker 2: over there. Because this team doesn't really know what they 215 00:10:56,280 --> 00:10:59,080 Speaker 2: have in this aspect of it, because this is something 216 00:10:59,120 --> 00:11:01,600 Speaker 2: that everybody, all thirty two teams are going to have 217 00:11:01,679 --> 00:11:04,040 Speaker 2: to learn. And right now, at least I haven't seen 218 00:11:04,040 --> 00:11:06,480 Speaker 2: on social media from other teams and other team reporters 219 00:11:06,760 --> 00:11:10,360 Speaker 2: there their team's practicing the kickoff unit. The Cards have 220 00:11:10,480 --> 00:11:12,800 Speaker 2: kind of seemed to be the first from what I've seen. 221 00:11:12,880 --> 00:11:16,600 Speaker 2: I could stand corrected, but definitely is going to take 222 00:11:16,600 --> 00:11:18,439 Speaker 2: the eye a little bit to get used to. 223 00:11:18,720 --> 00:11:21,120 Speaker 1: By the way, this might be the most time that 224 00:11:21,320 --> 00:11:23,880 Speaker 1: special teams has been talked about in a long time 225 00:11:23,920 --> 00:11:26,600 Speaker 1: here on Cardinals Cover two presented by Hyundai, probably partner 226 00:11:26,679 --> 00:11:30,040 Speaker 1: of the Arizona Cardinals. So all eyes on Jeff Rodgers 227 00:11:30,080 --> 00:11:32,880 Speaker 1: here this offseason and into training camp as well. So 228 00:11:32,920 --> 00:11:35,960 Speaker 1: that was kind of a big takeaway from week two 229 00:11:36,320 --> 00:11:39,560 Speaker 1: of OTA's What else during that open portion that we're 230 00:11:39,600 --> 00:11:42,320 Speaker 1: able to talk about and report on stood out to you. 231 00:11:43,120 --> 00:11:45,840 Speaker 2: Darius Robinson looks like a freak of nature on the 232 00:11:45,880 --> 00:11:49,760 Speaker 2: defensive line. I mean, it's it's incredible to see a 233 00:11:49,840 --> 00:11:53,880 Speaker 2: player that is so versatile yet looks and he could 234 00:11:53,920 --> 00:11:57,600 Speaker 2: play anywhere, and on that defensive line. He talked about, 235 00:11:57,679 --> 00:11:59,800 Speaker 2: you know, Nick Rolis that they're going to use him everywhere, 236 00:12:00,640 --> 00:12:04,360 Speaker 2: but to see him just with the other defensive linement. 237 00:12:05,480 --> 00:12:09,000 Speaker 2: When you envision a nose tackle your defensive ends, they're 238 00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:11,320 Speaker 2: a little bit bigger, a little bit heavier. He's got 239 00:12:11,360 --> 00:12:13,959 Speaker 2: the weight on him, but he's also got the muscle 240 00:12:14,320 --> 00:12:18,040 Speaker 2: and the height that truly makes him look so much more. 241 00:12:18,200 --> 00:12:21,600 Speaker 2: He stands out in that defensive line room. So that's 242 00:12:21,640 --> 00:12:25,360 Speaker 2: something that I think is going to be super fascinating 243 00:12:26,280 --> 00:12:28,640 Speaker 2: to see. Let's trying to think what else could we see? 244 00:12:28,640 --> 00:12:30,760 Speaker 1: By the way, Darius fills out that number fifty six. 245 00:12:31,120 --> 00:12:33,559 Speaker 2: Yes, and he signed his contract yesterday as well, so 246 00:12:33,800 --> 00:12:35,840 Speaker 2: he is now officially on the books for the twenty 247 00:12:35,920 --> 00:12:38,360 Speaker 2: twenty four season and beyond sign that initial four year 248 00:12:38,400 --> 00:12:41,240 Speaker 2: contract with the team option in the fifth. So it 249 00:12:41,520 --> 00:12:44,200 Speaker 2: you know, both first rounders are now under contract, and 250 00:12:44,240 --> 00:12:46,840 Speaker 2: that's an exciting time for the Arizona Cardinals. 251 00:12:46,520 --> 00:12:49,840 Speaker 1: Which now as we speak here on this Wednesday, leaves 252 00:12:49,960 --> 00:12:54,240 Speaker 1: just two of the twelve players the Cardinals drafted, running 253 00:12:54,280 --> 00:12:58,480 Speaker 1: back Trey Benson and safety Dadrian Taylor Demerson, otherwise known 254 00:12:58,640 --> 00:13:01,400 Speaker 1: as Rabbit. I guess they'll sign here in the next 255 00:13:01,559 --> 00:13:03,480 Speaker 1: couple of days or a couple of weeks I have 256 00:13:03,600 --> 00:13:07,120 Speaker 1: no problems with teams now getting their draft picks under 257 00:13:07,120 --> 00:13:09,640 Speaker 1: contract well ahead of the start of training camp. 258 00:13:09,679 --> 00:13:13,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's better to just get it done with. There's 259 00:13:13,640 --> 00:13:16,080 Speaker 2: not really opportunities for a lot of these players to 260 00:13:16,120 --> 00:13:19,640 Speaker 2: have as much negotiation as a free agency contract or 261 00:13:19,679 --> 00:13:22,960 Speaker 2: a restructuring contract or extension, whatever it might be. The 262 00:13:23,000 --> 00:13:24,800 Speaker 2: rookie deals are kind of set in stone for the 263 00:13:24,800 --> 00:13:27,880 Speaker 2: most part. That really is not much room to navigate there. 264 00:13:27,920 --> 00:13:31,720 Speaker 2: But it's neat seeing the videos like we posted Mani 265 00:13:31,760 --> 00:13:34,439 Speaker 2: Austin for talking to Marvin Harrison. They walk into the 266 00:13:34,480 --> 00:13:37,440 Speaker 2: room all smiles, getting ready to sign what is likely 267 00:13:37,520 --> 00:13:39,320 Speaker 2: going to be that first contract that they might have 268 00:13:39,360 --> 00:13:41,480 Speaker 2: ever signed in their life, depending on what jobs they 269 00:13:41,520 --> 00:13:45,520 Speaker 2: might have had previously. So it adds a human element 270 00:13:45,559 --> 00:13:46,920 Speaker 2: to it, because once again, these are twenty one to 271 00:13:46,920 --> 00:13:48,760 Speaker 2: twenty two year old guys that are coming into a 272 00:13:48,800 --> 00:13:51,679 Speaker 2: facility and are fulfilling their dreams and also becoming a 273 00:13:51,720 --> 00:13:54,120 Speaker 2: heck of a lot richer by putting a pen to paper. 274 00:13:54,280 --> 00:13:56,600 Speaker 1: So Darius is under contract. A couple of years ago, 275 00:13:56,720 --> 00:14:01,040 Speaker 1: it was Cameron Thomas signing his first rookie contracts, and 276 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:04,320 Speaker 1: as we noted last week, he is working some with 277 00:14:04,440 --> 00:14:07,480 Speaker 1: the d line. Hasn't added any weight according to JG. 278 00:14:07,920 --> 00:14:11,880 Speaker 1: So that's interesting because Cameron and Darius almost the same 279 00:14:11,960 --> 00:14:15,040 Speaker 1: size six ' five versus sixty four, but Thomas is 280 00:14:15,160 --> 00:14:19,160 Speaker 1: two sixty seven, Darius is two eighty five, and you're 281 00:14:19,160 --> 00:14:22,200 Speaker 1: not going to see Cameron Thomas play a lot along 282 00:14:22,280 --> 00:14:24,560 Speaker 1: the defensive line, but you are going to see him 283 00:14:24,560 --> 00:14:26,560 Speaker 1: working there and maybe getting a snap or two with 284 00:14:26,600 --> 00:14:28,680 Speaker 1: his hand in the dirt, which is something that he 285 00:14:28,760 --> 00:14:32,320 Speaker 1: has experience with in college, just not has been asked 286 00:14:32,360 --> 00:14:34,080 Speaker 1: to do it here on the NFL level. 287 00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:38,560 Speaker 2: By the way. Interesting fact, Darius Robinson and Cam Thomas 288 00:14:38,640 --> 00:14:42,040 Speaker 2: both shared the same agent and Chris Cabott, so there 289 00:14:42,120 --> 00:14:44,160 Speaker 2: definitely is a type that maybe he sees because the 290 00:14:44,160 --> 00:14:47,840 Speaker 2: Cardinals see a similar type as well. Cam Thomas at 291 00:14:47,840 --> 00:14:50,120 Speaker 2: San Diego State, he had the opportunity he played there 292 00:14:50,160 --> 00:14:52,000 Speaker 2: on the defensive line. You were able to see kind 293 00:14:52,000 --> 00:14:53,520 Speaker 2: of how he was able to grow. They moved into 294 00:14:53,520 --> 00:14:56,600 Speaker 2: the outside in the outside linebacker room. That room is loaded, 295 00:14:56,880 --> 00:14:59,840 Speaker 2: and we've talked about the talent that needs in that 296 00:15:00,240 --> 00:15:02,400 Speaker 2: they bring in Xavier Thomas into that room as well, 297 00:15:03,120 --> 00:15:05,960 Speaker 2: but for a lot of players, it's that something Dennis 298 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:08,560 Speaker 2: Gardak talked about was how that room was able to 299 00:15:08,600 --> 00:15:11,120 Speaker 2: have a lot of peer review and how they were 300 00:15:11,160 --> 00:15:14,360 Speaker 2: able to hold each other accountable critique each other's games, 301 00:15:14,400 --> 00:15:17,120 Speaker 2: not in a criticism way, but in a feedback type 302 00:15:17,160 --> 00:15:19,240 Speaker 2: of way. We're here to help each other approve, not 303 00:15:19,400 --> 00:15:22,840 Speaker 2: in as sheer positive criticism. I'm also realizing sheer is 304 00:15:22,840 --> 00:15:25,120 Speaker 2: becoming my word of the day right now. I always 305 00:15:25,160 --> 00:15:27,640 Speaker 2: find one that that is that's gonna be the word 306 00:15:27,640 --> 00:15:29,400 Speaker 2: of the day. Shere is what it's going to be. 307 00:15:29,960 --> 00:15:33,560 Speaker 2: But yeah, he h we saw him last week. Ota 308 00:15:33,720 --> 00:15:37,320 Speaker 2: is kind of working out with the defensive lineman this 309 00:15:37,400 --> 00:15:39,840 Speaker 2: week at OTAs from what we saw during the open portion, 310 00:15:39,960 --> 00:15:43,680 Speaker 2: he really was not as much over there, but it 311 00:15:43,680 --> 00:15:46,200 Speaker 2: will be. It'll be interesting to see where they're trying 312 00:15:46,240 --> 00:15:48,520 Speaker 2: to find it. Because Johnathagana says when he has a jersey, 313 00:15:48,520 --> 00:15:50,360 Speaker 2: if a player has a jersey, there's going to be 314 00:15:50,400 --> 00:15:53,720 Speaker 2: a role. What where and what does that mean for 315 00:15:53,800 --> 00:15:57,240 Speaker 2: Cameron Thomas. I think that's what this offseason for It's 316 00:15:57,320 --> 00:15:59,800 Speaker 2: it's a big offseason for him because he wasn't really 317 00:15:59,800 --> 00:16:02,680 Speaker 2: able to stand out as much in that outside linebacker room. 318 00:16:03,680 --> 00:16:05,840 Speaker 2: What does that mean for the future? Is still yet 319 00:16:05,880 --> 00:16:06,640 Speaker 2: to be determined. 320 00:16:06,680 --> 00:16:10,480 Speaker 1: So some uncertainty, and that's another word of the day, 321 00:16:10,480 --> 00:16:14,040 Speaker 1: Dennis Gardak talking about uncertainty with the kickoff roll. Some uncertainty. 322 00:16:14,080 --> 00:16:16,680 Speaker 1: As far as Cameron Thomas, we did get a little 323 00:16:16,680 --> 00:16:20,000 Speaker 1: bit more certainty when it comes to Evan Brown, one 324 00:16:20,040 --> 00:16:23,680 Speaker 1: of those Cardinals offseason additions in the offensive line room, 325 00:16:23,760 --> 00:16:27,440 Speaker 1: started sixteen games at center last season. He's playing guard 326 00:16:27,680 --> 00:16:30,440 Speaker 1: this season, or at least that's where he is right now, 327 00:16:30,440 --> 00:16:33,560 Speaker 1: according to Jonathan Gannon, who was quick to mention that 328 00:16:33,640 --> 00:16:36,680 Speaker 1: they see Brown as quote a two position guy, but 329 00:16:36,760 --> 00:16:39,480 Speaker 1: I think they really like Yeldfold at that center spot. 330 00:16:39,680 --> 00:16:42,120 Speaker 1: Now you figure out, all right, Evan Brown's got the experience. 331 00:16:42,160 --> 00:16:45,040 Speaker 1: He can be the backup. Maybe that's John Gaines someone else, 332 00:16:45,080 --> 00:16:47,560 Speaker 1: But as far as getting your best five right now, 333 00:16:47,600 --> 00:16:51,280 Speaker 1: they see Evan Brown as a guard on the left 334 00:16:51,320 --> 00:16:53,600 Speaker 1: side because Will Hernandez is playing right guard. 335 00:16:53,640 --> 00:16:56,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think it. When the Cardinals brought in Evan 336 00:16:56,760 --> 00:16:59,200 Speaker 2: Brown through free agency was right after they brought back 337 00:16:59,360 --> 00:17:03,600 Speaker 2: Liaijuaille and Tristan Cologne, and it was kind of like, Okay, 338 00:17:03,920 --> 00:17:06,840 Speaker 2: we are assuming that Evan Brown's going to be in 339 00:17:06,880 --> 00:17:09,080 Speaker 2: this guard battle between the three of them, and then 340 00:17:09,119 --> 00:17:11,840 Speaker 2: you drafted in Isaiah Adams in the third round, and 341 00:17:11,880 --> 00:17:14,480 Speaker 2: you're saying to yourself, Okay, well maybe Isaiah Adams could 342 00:17:14,520 --> 00:17:16,240 Speaker 2: be the guard, and you start to forget about the 343 00:17:16,280 --> 00:17:19,359 Speaker 2: guys that you just brought in through free agency so far, 344 00:17:19,760 --> 00:17:22,800 Speaker 2: while their roles are starting to get defined and they 345 00:17:22,840 --> 00:17:26,000 Speaker 2: won't fully be defined until week one of the regular season. 346 00:17:26,080 --> 00:17:28,800 Speaker 2: As John again and said, in that first team that 347 00:17:28,840 --> 00:17:31,920 Speaker 2: we've seen during the open portions, Evan Brown has been 348 00:17:31,920 --> 00:17:34,719 Speaker 2: there at left guard. Now, that does not mean that 349 00:17:34,800 --> 00:17:37,320 Speaker 2: he is the left guard. It means that he is 350 00:17:37,400 --> 00:17:40,520 Speaker 2: starting in this first group as a left guard now, 351 00:17:40,680 --> 00:17:43,080 Speaker 2: having a two position aspect of it. That's what they 352 00:17:43,080 --> 00:17:45,480 Speaker 2: were able to see with John Gains during the preseason 353 00:17:45,520 --> 00:17:47,800 Speaker 2: as well during the training camp. He was a two 354 00:17:47,800 --> 00:17:49,760 Speaker 2: position player as well that was able to play both 355 00:17:49,800 --> 00:17:53,720 Speaker 2: guard and center. His injury kind of solidified yelled for 356 00:17:53,760 --> 00:17:56,360 Speaker 2: a whole spot in the center position, and it allowed 357 00:17:56,440 --> 00:17:59,960 Speaker 2: in Elijah Wilkinson to take over at left guard. Evan Brown, 358 00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:02,320 Speaker 2: though it has been a beast in the weight room 359 00:18:02,320 --> 00:18:04,359 Speaker 2: from what we've been told, he's kind of assumed the 360 00:18:04,480 --> 00:18:08,080 Speaker 2: role of the Cardinals strongest man on the team much 361 00:18:08,119 --> 00:18:11,840 Speaker 2: to the disappointments of Yelda Yes. And it's funny because 362 00:18:11,840 --> 00:18:13,720 Speaker 2: you look at Yell defro Hold, you see what he 363 00:18:13,720 --> 00:18:15,679 Speaker 2: posts on social media, and you say, this guy is 364 00:18:15,760 --> 00:18:20,760 Speaker 2: the Jim Warrior. It's tough to imagine an what's somebody 365 00:18:20,800 --> 00:18:23,160 Speaker 2: who could do more than what Yell defo Hold does 366 00:18:23,200 --> 00:18:25,320 Speaker 2: in the gym could bring to the weight room. But 367 00:18:25,560 --> 00:18:28,440 Speaker 2: from what we've heard, he's been a smart player. He's 368 00:18:28,440 --> 00:18:32,520 Speaker 2: been a athletic player. Paris Johnson Junior giving him that nod, 369 00:18:32,600 --> 00:18:34,919 Speaker 2: saying that he's one of the most athletic guys I 370 00:18:34,960 --> 00:18:37,800 Speaker 2: played against. And when you look into that huddle, Evan 371 00:18:37,840 --> 00:18:41,080 Speaker 2: Brown is a lot smaller than the players. He's standing 372 00:18:41,119 --> 00:18:44,160 Speaker 2: right next to Paris Johnson Junior six to five massive. 373 00:18:44,359 --> 00:18:47,240 Speaker 2: You have Yell defro Hold, Jonah Williams. These players are tall. 374 00:18:47,640 --> 00:18:50,640 Speaker 2: Evan Brown is not as tall Paris said. He looks 375 00:18:50,640 --> 00:18:53,760 Speaker 2: like a block a little bit. But that's something that 376 00:18:53,800 --> 00:18:55,800 Speaker 2: you need on the interior as well, just somebody that 377 00:18:55,920 --> 00:18:59,440 Speaker 2: is going to not allow any pressure through the interior. 378 00:19:00,160 --> 00:19:02,400 Speaker 1: You look at Evan Brown, what he's listed at six 379 00:19:02,600 --> 00:19:04,879 Speaker 1: three three twenty's. 380 00:19:04,160 --> 00:19:05,760 Speaker 2: So crazy to say that's small. 381 00:19:05,600 --> 00:19:08,919 Speaker 1: Well compared to Paris Johnson Junior who's six six, yes, 382 00:19:08,960 --> 00:19:11,280 Speaker 1: three point thirteen as far as the height is concerned. 383 00:19:11,359 --> 00:19:13,359 Speaker 1: By the way you brought up Parris. We had a 384 00:19:13,440 --> 00:19:16,840 Speaker 1: chance to hear from him this week, the new left tackle. 385 00:19:16,880 --> 00:19:19,119 Speaker 1: He mentioned that he didn't think the transition to the 386 00:19:19,200 --> 00:19:22,879 Speaker 1: left side would be because DJ Humphries was released. He 387 00:19:23,359 --> 00:19:25,800 Speaker 1: was hoping that there would be a passing of the torch. 388 00:19:25,880 --> 00:19:28,360 Speaker 1: We know that that did not happen. He does keep 389 00:19:28,359 --> 00:19:30,720 Speaker 1: in touch with DJ, who helped him out a lot 390 00:19:30,800 --> 00:19:33,760 Speaker 1: last year and is still helping him out. But it's 391 00:19:33,760 --> 00:19:37,000 Speaker 1: what Paris mentioned, and you wrote about it on Azycardinals 392 00:19:37,040 --> 00:19:40,720 Speaker 1: dot com. Year two for Paris and he now wants 393 00:19:40,760 --> 00:19:45,200 Speaker 1: to assume that role that DJ Humphries had one as 394 00:19:45,280 --> 00:19:48,440 Speaker 1: team captain, something that Paris has never been, not in 395 00:19:48,520 --> 00:19:51,280 Speaker 1: high school, not in college, which is strange to think, 396 00:19:51,320 --> 00:19:53,960 Speaker 1: but that is a goal. But he wants to bring 397 00:19:54,080 --> 00:19:57,840 Speaker 1: what he called the hump like energy day in and 398 00:19:57,960 --> 00:20:01,119 Speaker 1: day out. Be that guy who can rally the troops, 399 00:20:01,160 --> 00:20:04,159 Speaker 1: if you will, the vocal leader, have some fun, but 400 00:20:04,240 --> 00:20:07,000 Speaker 1: then be deadly serious between the white lines. 401 00:20:07,160 --> 00:20:10,280 Speaker 2: When I was putting together this piece, what kept coming 402 00:20:10,320 --> 00:20:12,440 Speaker 2: to mind is when you think, well, at least When 403 00:20:12,440 --> 00:20:14,680 Speaker 2: I think of the Arizona Cardinals are twenty twenty three, 404 00:20:14,680 --> 00:20:17,040 Speaker 2: what stands out. There's a handful of things that stand out, 405 00:20:17,080 --> 00:20:20,359 Speaker 2: the persevere and stuff fight, but it's the rookie class. 406 00:20:20,560 --> 00:20:23,800 Speaker 2: And Paris Johnson Junior headline that rookie class being the 407 00:20:23,840 --> 00:20:27,080 Speaker 2: team's first round pick six overall, and he also headlined 408 00:20:27,280 --> 00:20:30,879 Speaker 2: the new era of Cardinals football with the Jonathan Gannon 409 00:20:30,960 --> 00:20:33,800 Speaker 2: Monte Austin Fort regime coming to the valley. That was 410 00:20:33,840 --> 00:20:36,040 Speaker 2: their player. They could have had a lot of different 411 00:20:36,080 --> 00:20:38,880 Speaker 2: options in the first round. They had that number three overall, 412 00:20:38,960 --> 00:20:41,480 Speaker 2: Monte Austin Forts, wheeling and dealing. He gets back to 413 00:20:41,560 --> 00:20:44,760 Speaker 2: number six and he selects Paras Johnson Junior, the guy 414 00:20:44,760 --> 00:20:46,320 Speaker 2: that they said that they wanted, that number three that 415 00:20:46,359 --> 00:20:48,240 Speaker 2: they were able to still get at number six, you're 416 00:20:48,280 --> 00:20:51,159 Speaker 2: able to get your guy. And when Paris came in 417 00:20:51,200 --> 00:20:53,080 Speaker 2: and you look into that rocker room and we've spent 418 00:20:53,359 --> 00:20:55,760 Speaker 2: countless amounts of days in the locker room throughout the season. 419 00:20:56,000 --> 00:20:58,959 Speaker 2: Paras Johnson Jr. Is a guy that is always talking 420 00:20:59,000 --> 00:21:03,040 Speaker 2: to absolutely everybody. You could see how DJ Humphries already 421 00:21:03,080 --> 00:21:05,360 Speaker 2: made an impact on him just as a rookie, as 422 00:21:05,359 --> 00:21:08,000 Speaker 2: a guy coming into the team, a wide eyed rookie 423 00:21:08,000 --> 00:21:09,720 Speaker 2: trying to just make an impact, and we're in the 424 00:21:09,800 --> 00:21:12,199 Speaker 2: ropes of the league. Yet he looked like a veteran 425 00:21:12,240 --> 00:21:14,560 Speaker 2: in that room because of the way he was interacting 426 00:21:14,600 --> 00:21:18,200 Speaker 2: and engaging with his teammates. Now, it's kind of crazy 427 00:21:18,200 --> 00:21:19,919 Speaker 2: to think that a second year player could have the 428 00:21:19,960 --> 00:21:22,639 Speaker 2: type of impact on a locker room the way that 429 00:21:22,760 --> 00:21:25,639 Speaker 2: Paris Johnson Junior has. When you have a Buddha Baker, 430 00:21:26,119 --> 00:21:29,360 Speaker 2: James Connor, a Kyler Murray, Dennis gard X, Xavin Collins, 431 00:21:29,440 --> 00:21:32,239 Speaker 2: you have a lot of leaders on this team, you 432 00:21:32,280 --> 00:21:35,280 Speaker 2: don't necessarily expect a second year guy to come in 433 00:21:35,560 --> 00:21:39,000 Speaker 2: and make an impact on the vibes as much as 434 00:21:39,040 --> 00:21:42,280 Speaker 2: Paris Johnson Jor did as a rookie. I can't even imagine, 435 00:21:42,320 --> 00:21:43,880 Speaker 2: and I'm excited to see what that's going to look 436 00:21:43,880 --> 00:21:45,000 Speaker 2: like in year number two. 437 00:21:45,200 --> 00:21:48,680 Speaker 1: But not all leaders lead the same way. I think 438 00:21:48,720 --> 00:21:52,199 Speaker 1: that's what we heard from Paris this week, is he 439 00:21:52,280 --> 00:21:54,639 Speaker 1: can be that leader that likes to have fun, that 440 00:21:54,760 --> 00:22:00,320 Speaker 1: keeps guys energized, that keeps things upbeat. Whereas a Kyler Murray, 441 00:22:00,320 --> 00:22:04,680 Speaker 1: maybe he leads by example. James Connor leads by example, 442 00:22:05,040 --> 00:22:09,240 Speaker 1: not that you can't all have fun, but personalities are different. 443 00:22:09,359 --> 00:22:11,560 Speaker 1: And we've been around DJ for so long we know 444 00:22:11,680 --> 00:22:14,560 Speaker 1: his personality, and in a short amount of time we 445 00:22:14,680 --> 00:22:18,720 Speaker 1: have seen the personality of a Paris Johnson Junior who 446 00:22:18,840 --> 00:22:23,160 Speaker 1: acts like that, acts like a kid, likes to have fun, 447 00:22:23,680 --> 00:22:28,359 Speaker 1: but is a darn good offensive lineman and right now 448 00:22:28,760 --> 00:22:31,560 Speaker 1: on the verge, maybe already there, but certainly trending in 449 00:22:31,640 --> 00:22:35,119 Speaker 1: that way on being a very very good tackle and 450 00:22:35,200 --> 00:22:37,800 Speaker 1: now on the left side, which he acknowledged a little 451 00:22:37,840 --> 00:22:41,000 Speaker 1: bit different because there's a different expectation when you are 452 00:22:41,160 --> 00:22:44,679 Speaker 1: protecting the quarterback's blind side. Not to say one tackle 453 00:22:44,720 --> 00:22:48,480 Speaker 1: spot is better than the other, but typically, historically the 454 00:22:48,560 --> 00:22:53,000 Speaker 1: left tackle is the best offensive lineman amongst the five. 455 00:22:53,160 --> 00:22:56,440 Speaker 2: It's funny that we say he's still like a kid, 456 00:22:56,440 --> 00:22:58,639 Speaker 2: but on the field is series. I don't think Javon 457 00:22:58,720 --> 00:23:01,840 Speaker 2: Kurs from the Dallas Cowboys, he was pushed to row 458 00:23:01,960 --> 00:23:05,520 Speaker 2: number four on that touchdown run by James Connor that 459 00:23:05,600 --> 00:23:08,640 Speaker 2: Paris Johnson Jr. Opened an entire lane and then opened 460 00:23:08,680 --> 00:23:10,920 Speaker 2: the first three rows like he was splitting the Red sea. 461 00:23:11,119 --> 00:23:14,320 Speaker 2: How he was able to just bring Javon Curs out 462 00:23:14,320 --> 00:23:16,440 Speaker 2: there during that game against the Cowboys. I don't think 463 00:23:16,440 --> 00:23:18,439 Speaker 2: he thought he was a kid in that aspect of it. 464 00:23:18,520 --> 00:23:20,560 Speaker 2: If there was a welcome to the NFL moment, if 465 00:23:20,640 --> 00:23:23,359 Speaker 2: Javon Curs was a rookie, then yeah, I could I 466 00:23:23,400 --> 00:23:27,479 Speaker 2: guarantee that would be it. But it's it's interesting because 467 00:23:27,920 --> 00:23:30,879 Speaker 2: when you you can't replace a guy like DJ Humphries 468 00:23:31,080 --> 00:23:33,760 Speaker 2: because of what he was able to bring, and when 469 00:23:34,320 --> 00:23:36,640 Speaker 2: when the Cardinals announced that they were parting ways with 470 00:23:37,160 --> 00:23:39,840 Speaker 2: the left tackle that they've had for years and grew 471 00:23:39,920 --> 00:23:42,680 Speaker 2: up in the valley, through so much trials and tribulations, 472 00:23:42,960 --> 00:23:45,040 Speaker 2: was able to become the man that we ultimately were 473 00:23:45,040 --> 00:23:47,480 Speaker 2: able to see over the years and the leader that 474 00:23:47,520 --> 00:23:50,760 Speaker 2: we were able to see. It's tough to replace that, 475 00:23:51,359 --> 00:23:54,119 Speaker 2: and Paris Johnson Jr. It doesn't. I don't want to 476 00:23:54,240 --> 00:23:57,359 Speaker 2: necessarily say that it doesn't feel like DJ's missing, because 477 00:23:57,359 --> 00:23:59,760 Speaker 2: that's a disservice. I think, on the complete opposite, it's 478 00:23:59,760 --> 00:24:02,560 Speaker 2: an honor of DJ. I think that Paris wants to 479 00:24:02,600 --> 00:24:05,639 Speaker 2: make Hump proud, and he talked about that, and I 480 00:24:05,680 --> 00:24:08,399 Speaker 2: think that's what I wrote in my article how he 481 00:24:08,520 --> 00:24:11,280 Speaker 2: said that Hump's his biggest supporter and to have that 482 00:24:11,320 --> 00:24:14,600 Speaker 2: sort of connection, that sort of mentorship, and when mentorships 483 00:24:14,600 --> 00:24:17,520 Speaker 2: are able to lead to friendships and relationships, you can't 484 00:24:17,560 --> 00:24:19,440 Speaker 2: find things that are much better than that. And putting 485 00:24:19,520 --> 00:24:21,679 Speaker 2: him on the left side, I think is also indicative 486 00:24:21,880 --> 00:24:24,200 Speaker 2: of how much DJ has worked with Paris, how he 487 00:24:24,240 --> 00:24:26,920 Speaker 2: has set him up for this opportunity to take over 488 00:24:27,000 --> 00:24:30,399 Speaker 2: that spot, and we know Hump is very protective of 489 00:24:30,440 --> 00:24:33,240 Speaker 2: that left side. I think he would be quite happy 490 00:24:33,280 --> 00:24:35,000 Speaker 2: knowing the guy that's going to be stepping in. 491 00:24:35,080 --> 00:24:38,520 Speaker 1: And we also found out that Paris moved into DJ's neighborhoods, 492 00:24:38,560 --> 00:24:40,600 Speaker 1: So not only are they good friends, but yeah, they'll 493 00:24:40,640 --> 00:24:42,920 Speaker 1: be able to yell at one another from their backyards 494 00:24:43,000 --> 00:24:44,640 Speaker 1: or front yards. I don't know how close they are, 495 00:24:44,640 --> 00:24:46,800 Speaker 1: but it was kind of a funny statement. Yeah, I'm 496 00:24:46,840 --> 00:24:51,080 Speaker 1: just yelling Hump outside trying to get his attention. Need 497 00:24:51,080 --> 00:24:54,120 Speaker 1: to tell that's I can see those two, even though 498 00:24:54,119 --> 00:24:58,280 Speaker 1: they're no longer teammates to your point, being excellent friends 499 00:24:58,760 --> 00:24:59,679 Speaker 1: away from. 500 00:24:59,560 --> 00:25:02,120 Speaker 2: This facilit And it's been great too hearing that DJ 501 00:25:02,280 --> 00:25:04,480 Speaker 2: has been in this recovery process as well, and he's 502 00:25:04,520 --> 00:25:07,600 Speaker 2: been doing great and he's had good spirits and it's 503 00:25:07,680 --> 00:25:10,320 Speaker 2: nice to know that this is a business. And while 504 00:25:10,720 --> 00:25:14,359 Speaker 2: you obviously everybody would have loved to see the torch 505 00:25:14,440 --> 00:25:17,080 Speaker 2: being passed, as Paris said, it's the it's your time 506 00:25:17,119 --> 00:25:22,040 Speaker 2: now son moment. Everyone would have loved that. Unfortunately, the injury, 507 00:25:22,160 --> 00:25:26,199 Speaker 2: the cap casualties, everything kind of played a role and 508 00:25:26,240 --> 00:25:28,000 Speaker 2: because of that it wasn't able to happen. But still 509 00:25:28,000 --> 00:25:30,800 Speaker 2: seeing the connection and the vibe between the two, it 510 00:25:30,880 --> 00:25:34,120 Speaker 2: doesn't feel too far off and I'm excited to see 511 00:25:34,119 --> 00:25:36,800 Speaker 2: what Paris is able to do and how similar we 512 00:25:36,840 --> 00:25:38,920 Speaker 2: can see on the field DJ's presence there on the 513 00:25:38,960 --> 00:25:39,760 Speaker 2: left side, So. 514 00:25:39,840 --> 00:25:43,680 Speaker 1: Paris replacing DJ on the left side, maybe replacing him 515 00:25:43,680 --> 00:25:46,280 Speaker 1: as one of the team's captains. We'll see what happens 516 00:25:46,320 --> 00:25:49,000 Speaker 1: with that. That is a goal as I mentioned Paris 517 00:25:49,040 --> 00:25:52,800 Speaker 1: Johnson Juniors. Another goal that we heard Paris mentioned this week, 518 00:25:52,840 --> 00:25:59,000 Speaker 1: and that is increasing James Connor's yards before contact, something 519 00:25:59,040 --> 00:26:01,919 Speaker 1: that Paris said they have written on the whiteboard in 520 00:26:02,000 --> 00:26:05,600 Speaker 1: the old line room, which is an interesting goal to have. 521 00:26:06,200 --> 00:26:09,399 Speaker 1: According to Paris, Connor quote made a lot of stuff 522 00:26:09,480 --> 00:26:13,680 Speaker 1: happen himself. Last season. According to some of the league numbers, 523 00:26:14,000 --> 00:26:18,000 Speaker 1: James Connor had four hundred and twelve yards after contact 524 00:26:18,119 --> 00:26:21,240 Speaker 1: a year ago, twelfth most in the league. Connor also 525 00:26:21,280 --> 00:26:25,320 Speaker 1: had the sixth fewest negative runs among those players with 526 00:26:25,359 --> 00:26:29,320 Speaker 1: at least two hundred rushing attempts, meaning the offensive line 527 00:26:29,440 --> 00:26:33,000 Speaker 1: was doing its job, just not good enough. According to 528 00:26:33,040 --> 00:26:36,399 Speaker 1: Paris Johnson Junior, who wants James Connor to have more 529 00:26:36,600 --> 00:26:39,760 Speaker 1: running room, maybe a little bit more freedom to where 530 00:26:39,800 --> 00:26:43,800 Speaker 1: he can gain X number of yards before he is hit. 531 00:26:44,040 --> 00:26:48,200 Speaker 1: That was the key yards before contact. We always hear 532 00:26:48,200 --> 00:26:51,639 Speaker 1: about yards after catch, yards after contact, but it's what 533 00:26:51,720 --> 00:26:54,879 Speaker 1: are you doing before you get hit as a running 534 00:26:54,920 --> 00:26:57,880 Speaker 1: back that the offensive line is taking as a major 535 00:26:58,040 --> 00:26:59,199 Speaker 1: priority this season. 536 00:26:59,200 --> 00:27:02,720 Speaker 2: It's opening up the lanes that give James Connor the 537 00:27:02,760 --> 00:27:05,720 Speaker 2: opportunity to It was great to see him rushing nearly 538 00:27:05,760 --> 00:27:09,440 Speaker 2: five yards to carry throughout the season, breakover a thousand yards, 539 00:27:10,200 --> 00:27:12,320 Speaker 2: but a lot of those five yards per carry were 540 00:27:12,320 --> 00:27:15,560 Speaker 2: actually one yard runs that James Connor was able to 541 00:27:15,600 --> 00:27:18,560 Speaker 2: translate and push his way through for four extra yards. 542 00:27:18,760 --> 00:27:22,359 Speaker 2: That's something that that unit. While I remember when James 543 00:27:22,359 --> 00:27:24,399 Speaker 2: Connor was on the brink of breaking a thousand yards, 544 00:27:24,520 --> 00:27:27,639 Speaker 2: we asked the offensive line about how proud they are 545 00:27:28,000 --> 00:27:30,600 Speaker 2: as a group of the opportunity and the fact that 546 00:27:30,600 --> 00:27:33,639 Speaker 2: they are potentially able to help a running back achieve 547 00:27:33,680 --> 00:27:36,440 Speaker 2: a thousand yards for the first time in James Connor's career, 548 00:27:36,440 --> 00:27:39,199 Speaker 2: as well a career high season in only thirteen games, 549 00:27:39,359 --> 00:27:41,760 Speaker 2: and that room was very proud of themselves, as they 550 00:27:41,760 --> 00:27:44,480 Speaker 2: should be. Jonathan Gannat said it's one of his favorite 551 00:27:44,560 --> 00:27:46,760 Speaker 2: rooms because it's just how selfless they are. All you're 552 00:27:46,760 --> 00:27:49,960 Speaker 2: doing is opening up opportunities for everybody else around you 553 00:27:50,000 --> 00:27:52,720 Speaker 2: to succeed. That's the premise of offensive line is to 554 00:27:52,760 --> 00:27:55,760 Speaker 2: make sure that your quarterback stays healthy, that your quarterback 555 00:27:55,800 --> 00:27:58,040 Speaker 2: stays uprated. It's that you could open up lanes for 556 00:27:58,080 --> 00:28:00,840 Speaker 2: your running backs to get opportunities, able to cause enough 557 00:28:00,880 --> 00:28:03,760 Speaker 2: distractions for your tight ends and wide receivers to make 558 00:28:03,800 --> 00:28:07,440 Speaker 2: big time plays. And it's now you're able to see 559 00:28:07,440 --> 00:28:09,880 Speaker 2: that it still wasn't enough for them and that they 560 00:28:09,960 --> 00:28:12,840 Speaker 2: still want to improve on that. It's a great benefit 561 00:28:12,880 --> 00:28:15,879 Speaker 2: to have a bruiser as you're running back. In James Connor, 562 00:28:16,000 --> 00:28:19,000 Speaker 2: he is a beast back there. He embraces contact and 563 00:28:19,119 --> 00:28:21,719 Speaker 2: runs through it. They want to avoid that to an 564 00:28:21,720 --> 00:28:23,560 Speaker 2: extent still because they want to just open up the 565 00:28:23,640 --> 00:28:27,440 Speaker 2: lanes in order to get him that extra yards before contact, 566 00:28:27,560 --> 00:28:29,879 Speaker 2: so that when it is yards after contact, it's not 567 00:28:30,040 --> 00:28:32,560 Speaker 2: to just gain three four total yards on a play. 568 00:28:32,600 --> 00:28:34,919 Speaker 2: It's to gain a first down, it's to gain explosive 569 00:28:34,960 --> 00:28:38,440 Speaker 2: chunk plays. So that room has a goal, and it's 570 00:28:38,520 --> 00:28:41,040 Speaker 2: to not be saddled with a top five run game 571 00:28:41,120 --> 00:28:41,800 Speaker 2: in the NFL. 572 00:28:41,920 --> 00:28:44,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, and you remember how great the run game was 573 00:28:44,640 --> 00:28:47,440 Speaker 1: a year ago. But now if you can be better 574 00:28:47,560 --> 00:28:50,480 Speaker 1: than you were than top five and number two as 575 00:28:50,480 --> 00:28:55,440 Speaker 1: far as yards per rushing attempt, but the yards before contact. Okay, Now, 576 00:28:55,440 --> 00:28:58,880 Speaker 1: all of a sudden, it's James Connor, it's DJ Dallas, 577 00:28:58,920 --> 00:29:01,880 Speaker 1: it's Trey Benson, and it's Michael Carter and Mari Dei Mercado, 578 00:29:02,000 --> 00:29:05,360 Speaker 1: whomever is carrying the football, Kyle the Murray, you have 579 00:29:05,600 --> 00:29:08,920 Speaker 1: more room to run before contact. Now, all of a sudden, 580 00:29:08,920 --> 00:29:11,520 Speaker 1: you can see a little bit better, maybe even get 581 00:29:11,560 --> 00:29:14,640 Speaker 1: a head of steam, and all of a sudden, instead 582 00:29:14,640 --> 00:29:16,800 Speaker 1: of getting hit at the line of scrimmage or a 583 00:29:16,880 --> 00:29:19,600 Speaker 1: yard or two, maybe it's three or four. Doesn't sound 584 00:29:19,680 --> 00:29:22,800 Speaker 1: like a lot, but it gives you more room as 585 00:29:22,840 --> 00:29:25,240 Speaker 1: a running back to make decisions. And then also with 586 00:29:25,320 --> 00:29:27,160 Speaker 1: the case of a Trey Benson, who's got the speed 587 00:29:27,160 --> 00:29:29,960 Speaker 1: in a Michael Carter, the elusiveness to be able to 588 00:29:30,040 --> 00:29:33,600 Speaker 1: break off a run because at yard three, now, all 589 00:29:33,600 --> 00:29:35,320 Speaker 1: of a sudden you found some room in a hole. 590 00:29:35,400 --> 00:29:37,720 Speaker 1: Maybe then you get hit, but you're breaking that tackle 591 00:29:37,760 --> 00:29:41,600 Speaker 1: because you're already whatever miles per hour that you're starting 592 00:29:41,640 --> 00:29:44,160 Speaker 1: to accelerate at and then get through that line for 593 00:29:44,240 --> 00:29:47,280 Speaker 1: some explosive runs. And the Cardinals did very well in 594 00:29:47,320 --> 00:29:50,200 Speaker 1: that explosive category a year ago. They led the league 595 00:29:50,320 --> 00:29:54,000 Speaker 1: in twenty plus runs, had the second most forty plus runs. 596 00:29:54,480 --> 00:29:57,640 Speaker 1: But according to Paris Johnson Junior quote, we want more 597 00:29:57,720 --> 00:30:01,480 Speaker 1: explosives in the run game without any contact at all. 598 00:30:01,360 --> 00:30:03,200 Speaker 2: Because you think about it, one of those big time 599 00:30:03,280 --> 00:30:06,400 Speaker 2: runs was like an Amari demccatto against the San Francisco 600 00:30:06,440 --> 00:30:08,320 Speaker 2: forty nine ers. How he was just in that dog 601 00:30:08,400 --> 00:30:11,520 Speaker 2: pile of people and he just somehow emerged from it 602 00:30:11,680 --> 00:30:13,600 Speaker 2: and it broke free. For I believe it was like 603 00:30:13,640 --> 00:30:17,720 Speaker 2: a thirty plus yard touchdown to have that. While it's 604 00:30:17,760 --> 00:30:20,280 Speaker 2: a cool play to see on Sports Center, that offensive 605 00:30:20,320 --> 00:30:22,560 Speaker 2: line is not satisfied with it because they want to 606 00:30:22,560 --> 00:30:24,720 Speaker 2: be able to just say, look, we did not have 607 00:30:24,840 --> 00:30:28,880 Speaker 2: a dog pile that Mamari needed to break free from. 608 00:30:29,040 --> 00:30:30,920 Speaker 2: We want to open up a gap so he could 609 00:30:30,960 --> 00:30:33,320 Speaker 2: just go and you know, and the way I wrote 610 00:30:33,360 --> 00:30:37,280 Speaker 2: my article about Trey Benson run, Trey run the same 611 00:30:37,320 --> 00:30:39,800 Speaker 2: Forrest Gump style that he has. Once he kicks into 612 00:30:39,800 --> 00:30:43,280 Speaker 2: that second level, into that second gear. With the addition 613 00:30:43,360 --> 00:30:47,200 Speaker 2: of Trey Benson, you have glimpses of the bruiser style 614 00:30:47,280 --> 00:30:50,320 Speaker 2: downhill runner of a James Conner. You have the speed 615 00:30:50,360 --> 00:30:54,120 Speaker 2: and the shiftiness of a Michael Carter DJ Dallas. You 616 00:30:54,160 --> 00:30:56,360 Speaker 2: don't fully know what you have yet with him in 617 00:30:56,400 --> 00:30:58,400 Speaker 2: the system back there, but you know at least what 618 00:30:58,440 --> 00:31:01,200 Speaker 2: you have from those three guys in a James Connor 619 00:31:01,280 --> 00:31:03,560 Speaker 2: or Trey Benson and the Michael Carter, that is a 620 00:31:03,680 --> 00:31:06,400 Speaker 2: great trio to have back there. A Mario de mccado 621 00:31:06,480 --> 00:31:09,280 Speaker 2: as a blocking running back. That's gonna be a when 622 00:31:09,280 --> 00:31:11,920 Speaker 2: it comes down to the fifty three man roster, who 623 00:31:12,000 --> 00:31:15,000 Speaker 2: makes it, who goes is going to be very fascinating 624 00:31:15,000 --> 00:31:17,520 Speaker 2: to see because the Cardinals have a lot of weapons 625 00:31:17,520 --> 00:31:20,479 Speaker 2: back there. But when it comes down to the running 626 00:31:21,160 --> 00:31:23,600 Speaker 2: James Connor said that a career high season is the 627 00:31:23,640 --> 00:31:25,680 Speaker 2: floor for him. When I asked him, how can he 628 00:31:25,720 --> 00:31:27,800 Speaker 2: improve after a career high year? I mean He's been 629 00:31:27,800 --> 00:31:29,719 Speaker 2: in the year for a long time, and at this 630 00:31:29,840 --> 00:31:31,640 Speaker 2: rate you start to see a lot of running backs 631 00:31:31,680 --> 00:31:34,360 Speaker 2: start to slow down. It seems like the complete opposite 632 00:31:34,760 --> 00:31:37,959 Speaker 2: with James Connor. I mean, we talk about the yards 633 00:31:38,000 --> 00:31:41,640 Speaker 2: after Carrie or yards after contact. Rather, it was his 634 00:31:41,800 --> 00:31:44,320 Speaker 2: best season since his rookie year in terms of yards 635 00:31:44,320 --> 00:31:47,000 Speaker 2: after contact. On Pro Football Reference, he had four hundred 636 00:31:47,000 --> 00:31:49,960 Speaker 2: and fifty one yards after contact in his rookie season 637 00:31:50,000 --> 00:31:53,560 Speaker 2: down in Pittsburgh. That was in twenty eighteen. We're going 638 00:31:53,600 --> 00:31:55,360 Speaker 2: into twenty twenty four right now, and he's coming off 639 00:31:55,400 --> 00:31:58,120 Speaker 2: of a career high season. He continues to get better. 640 00:31:58,160 --> 00:32:00,280 Speaker 2: It's just a matter of staying healthy. And he talked 641 00:32:00,280 --> 00:32:01,920 Speaker 2: to he said he wouldn't share with me a secrets 642 00:32:01,920 --> 00:32:05,360 Speaker 2: with childy, dang it, but he has a plan for 643 00:32:05,480 --> 00:32:08,920 Speaker 2: him to be healthy this season. I think you going 644 00:32:08,960 --> 00:32:11,480 Speaker 2: off with the momentum of last year, career highs all 645 00:32:11,520 --> 00:32:15,200 Speaker 2: around in just thirteen games, imagine what seventeen could be 646 00:32:15,200 --> 00:32:18,920 Speaker 2: because I think and this, and Jonathan Gannon thinks and 647 00:32:18,960 --> 00:32:22,040 Speaker 2: this offense think that doubt could genuinely. 648 00:32:21,640 --> 00:32:25,040 Speaker 1: Be the floor and not being satisfied with a one 649 00:32:25,080 --> 00:32:28,760 Speaker 1: thousand yard season, a career high mark for him. To 650 00:32:28,800 --> 00:32:31,400 Speaker 1: your point, he mentioned it, that's the floor, not the ceiling. 651 00:32:31,800 --> 00:32:34,960 Speaker 1: Stay healthy for a full seventeen games or a couple 652 00:32:35,120 --> 00:32:38,040 Speaker 1: more games than the thirteen he played, And yeah, that 653 00:32:38,160 --> 00:32:42,160 Speaker 1: offensive line stays healthy, opens up rushing lanes. You add 654 00:32:42,280 --> 00:32:45,360 Speaker 1: a Marvin Harrison junior, Trey McBride all of a sudden 655 00:32:45,440 --> 00:32:48,640 Speaker 1: comes into his own for the first for a full 656 00:32:48,800 --> 00:32:52,120 Speaker 1: season as your number one tied end, then you've got 657 00:32:52,160 --> 00:32:55,200 Speaker 1: a number of different options as an offense. But that 658 00:32:55,320 --> 00:32:58,680 Speaker 1: offensive line running back room, you talk about the team 659 00:32:58,880 --> 00:33:04,440 Speaker 1: first mentality, the offensive line putting their individual work together 660 00:33:05,000 --> 00:33:09,640 Speaker 1: to the benefits of whomever is behind them running the football. Yeah, 661 00:33:09,840 --> 00:33:13,360 Speaker 1: it's individual success for a James Connor or Michael Carter 662 00:33:13,480 --> 00:33:16,200 Speaker 1: or Trey Benson, but it's as the results of the 663 00:33:16,360 --> 00:33:19,520 Speaker 1: five guys and including the tight ends that are working 664 00:33:19,840 --> 00:33:22,240 Speaker 1: doing their job in front of them, of course. 665 00:33:22,040 --> 00:33:24,400 Speaker 2: And I think one of the most underrated aspects of 666 00:33:24,440 --> 00:33:27,960 Speaker 2: them all of this, truthfully, is how they've all been 667 00:33:28,000 --> 00:33:32,080 Speaker 2: connecting off the field. Because last year DJ said when 668 00:33:32,120 --> 00:33:34,479 Speaker 2: he was at left tackle, when you talking about Kyler Murray, 669 00:33:34,800 --> 00:33:37,240 Speaker 2: you want to block more for the people that you 670 00:33:37,280 --> 00:33:40,160 Speaker 2: love and the people that you care about Paris Johnson Junior. 671 00:33:40,160 --> 00:33:41,600 Speaker 2: Towards the end of the season. I remember I was 672 00:33:41,600 --> 00:33:43,680 Speaker 2: talking to him as a one on one conversation and 673 00:33:43,720 --> 00:33:47,000 Speaker 2: he pointed to Kyler Murray's locker and he said, that 674 00:33:47,240 --> 00:33:50,120 Speaker 2: is the reason why I'm here is to protect him, 675 00:33:50,560 --> 00:33:53,160 Speaker 2: because when you care about somebody, you want to block 676 00:33:53,240 --> 00:33:55,880 Speaker 2: more for them. Now you start going on trips to 677 00:33:55,920 --> 00:33:58,120 Speaker 2: Norman and you start swinging a baseball bat a little bit, 678 00:33:58,200 --> 00:33:59,960 Speaker 2: or at least you attempt to swing a baseball bat. 679 00:34:00,200 --> 00:34:02,680 Speaker 1: Although Paris did say that the first two swings he 680 00:34:02,800 --> 00:34:04,720 Speaker 1: made contact they just had didn't happen to be on. 681 00:34:04,720 --> 00:34:08,760 Speaker 2: Video exactly the ninety eight after just you know, boiled 682 00:34:08,840 --> 00:34:11,799 Speaker 2: Kyler Murray's blood a little bit. But seeing how, it's 683 00:34:11,880 --> 00:34:15,200 Speaker 2: not just Paris Johnson Junior, it's the it's the offensive 684 00:34:15,200 --> 00:34:18,960 Speaker 2: line as a whole. It's Paris Johnson, it's yelled defro Hold, 685 00:34:19,000 --> 00:34:21,680 Speaker 2: it's will Hernandez. You you start to assume that a 686 00:34:21,800 --> 00:34:24,279 Speaker 2: Jonah Williams and whoever potentially might be at the left 687 00:34:24,280 --> 00:34:28,240 Speaker 2: guard position will start to be increciated into that friend group, 688 00:34:28,239 --> 00:34:30,880 Speaker 2: into that into that norm. Once they start getting themselves 689 00:34:30,920 --> 00:34:34,080 Speaker 2: settled into the valley and everything in that nature but 690 00:34:34,640 --> 00:34:37,520 Speaker 2: it is. It is exciting to see the connection in 691 00:34:37,560 --> 00:34:41,320 Speaker 2: the camaraderie because you can't fake that. You can't fake 692 00:34:41,680 --> 00:34:44,919 Speaker 2: caring about somebody. The media is smart enough to see 693 00:34:45,000 --> 00:34:48,000 Speaker 2: right through it. The vibes are clearly evident on the field, 694 00:34:48,000 --> 00:34:50,200 Speaker 2: but this is a team that's having a lot of fun. 695 00:34:50,440 --> 00:34:52,480 Speaker 2: And when you could see and feel a team that's 696 00:34:52,520 --> 00:34:54,880 Speaker 2: having a lot of fun and they genuinely care about 697 00:34:54,880 --> 00:34:59,799 Speaker 2: each other and they genuinely want to lead individually together collectively, 698 00:35:00,280 --> 00:35:02,879 Speaker 2: it makes an impact on Sundays and it makes these 699 00:35:02,920 --> 00:35:05,759 Speaker 2: practices a lot more fun because these are the dog 700 00:35:05,840 --> 00:35:08,279 Speaker 2: days of summer, and when we're standing out there in 701 00:35:08,320 --> 00:35:11,479 Speaker 2: one hundred and ten degree heats, it's the dog days 702 00:35:11,520 --> 00:35:13,960 Speaker 2: of summer. These are the guys that are willing to 703 00:35:14,000 --> 00:35:17,520 Speaker 2: put it in together with each other and for each 704 00:35:17,520 --> 00:35:18,200 Speaker 2: other as well. 705 00:35:18,280 --> 00:35:20,800 Speaker 1: For the record, as we bring in this full circle here, 706 00:35:21,200 --> 00:35:25,320 Speaker 1: I was not in the sun under the sun on Tuesday. 707 00:35:25,320 --> 00:35:27,799 Speaker 1: I was actually here in the air conditioned studio at 708 00:35:27,840 --> 00:35:30,719 Speaker 1: the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center. So again I 709 00:35:30,840 --> 00:35:33,640 Speaker 1: missed the ota. I was present. I was just you know, 710 00:35:33,719 --> 00:35:36,960 Speaker 1: as they say, either rehabbing or doing other work. 711 00:35:37,040 --> 00:35:38,480 Speaker 2: So but you were on assignment. 712 00:35:38,520 --> 00:35:41,239 Speaker 1: I was on assignment, same building, just on assignment. So 713 00:35:41,280 --> 00:35:44,120 Speaker 1: you literally were in that one hundred degree weather. So 714 00:35:44,160 --> 00:35:46,399 Speaker 1: it props to you. I'll join you next week maybe 715 00:35:46,400 --> 00:35:48,560 Speaker 1: it will cool out, but it was you this week, 716 00:35:48,600 --> 00:35:49,560 Speaker 1: so congratulations. 717 00:35:49,719 --> 00:35:52,920 Speaker 2: Well we'll get I'll take the jabs early because if 718 00:35:52,960 --> 00:35:54,839 Speaker 2: I'm not going to Indie, I'm we're gonna be saying 719 00:35:54,840 --> 00:35:55,520 Speaker 2: the same exact thing. 720 00:35:55,600 --> 00:35:58,160 Speaker 1: Craig, That's fine, we'll hold down the floid here while 721 00:35:58,160 --> 00:35:59,400 Speaker 1: everyone is in Indianapolis. 722 00:35:59,440 --> 00:36:01,400 Speaker 2: That's okay, that's true. I do have a question for 723 00:36:01,440 --> 00:36:04,200 Speaker 2: you though, because we're just talking about yards before contact. 724 00:36:05,320 --> 00:36:07,880 Speaker 2: We don't we know you're twenty six, but if you 725 00:36:07,880 --> 00:36:10,880 Speaker 2: were like a twenty three year old, time, if you 726 00:36:10,880 --> 00:36:13,479 Speaker 2: were like a twenty three year old right now, because 727 00:36:13,480 --> 00:36:16,319 Speaker 2: I've seen this question posed on social media, how many 728 00:36:16,400 --> 00:36:17,799 Speaker 2: yards do you think you would be able to run 729 00:36:17,880 --> 00:36:19,399 Speaker 2: behind this Cardinals offensive line? 730 00:36:19,480 --> 00:36:23,880 Speaker 1: Geez, without before my first before I get contact for contact, 731 00:36:25,000 --> 00:36:28,440 Speaker 1: can I make it to the line of scrimmage? I'm 732 00:36:28,480 --> 00:36:30,520 Speaker 1: asking you now now it's up to the offensive line 733 00:36:30,520 --> 00:36:32,279 Speaker 1: and open up those rushing lanes for me. And I ain't 734 00:36:32,239 --> 00:36:34,080 Speaker 1: gonna need them to be opened up a little bit 735 00:36:34,160 --> 00:36:37,160 Speaker 1: larger than for a James Connor. What before contact behind 736 00:36:37,200 --> 00:36:40,680 Speaker 1: this offensive line, I'd be lucky to get a full yard. 737 00:36:41,040 --> 00:36:45,680 Speaker 2: Okay, so let's say ten, let's say fifteen carries in 738 00:36:45,719 --> 00:36:49,000 Speaker 2: a game. What is your final stat line. 739 00:36:48,760 --> 00:36:51,960 Speaker 1: At my age of twenty six? Thank you very much. Yeah, 740 00:36:51,520 --> 00:36:56,400 Speaker 1: I'd barely be able to you like Tom Brady's rushing 741 00:36:56,400 --> 00:36:59,560 Speaker 1: stats whatever, just basically just broke a hundred based off 742 00:36:59,560 --> 00:37:03,320 Speaker 1: off I don't how many different attempts he had, I fifteen. 743 00:37:05,200 --> 00:37:08,680 Speaker 1: Can I average? I would average less than a yard 744 00:37:08,680 --> 00:37:11,879 Speaker 1: to carry. I'm being realistic. I mean, come on, there's 745 00:37:11,920 --> 00:37:12,440 Speaker 1: no way. 746 00:37:13,360 --> 00:37:16,160 Speaker 2: I'm not disagreeing. I'm just curious to know your response. 747 00:37:16,160 --> 00:37:17,680 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, I would average less than the yard. 748 00:37:17,719 --> 00:37:20,400 Speaker 2: I do think that you're also taller than me. So, 749 00:37:20,680 --> 00:37:22,719 Speaker 2: by the way I think of it, is like if 750 00:37:22,760 --> 00:37:26,080 Speaker 2: I was running back right now, I would try to 751 00:37:26,120 --> 00:37:27,960 Speaker 2: pull in a MARII tie mccatto and just like emerge 752 00:37:27,960 --> 00:37:30,239 Speaker 2: from the pile. Now. I probably would not emerge from 753 00:37:30,360 --> 00:37:33,319 Speaker 2: life after that. But I just think that if I 754 00:37:33,440 --> 00:37:37,239 Speaker 2: was doing the fifteen carries, I'd say I may finish 755 00:37:37,840 --> 00:37:41,560 Speaker 2: ten total yards, like fifteen carries ten years. 756 00:37:42,040 --> 00:37:45,160 Speaker 1: Yeah, by the way, this is a fascinating discussion, and 757 00:37:45,239 --> 00:37:47,359 Speaker 1: an idea just popped in my head. God, ask them, 758 00:37:47,400 --> 00:37:50,320 Speaker 1: why don't you go around that locker room and ask 759 00:37:51,040 --> 00:37:58,040 Speaker 1: maybe it's a linebacker, Buddha Baker have my head if 760 00:37:58,080 --> 00:38:00,600 Speaker 1: I was, if I was a running back, ask no 761 00:38:00,840 --> 00:38:03,960 Speaker 1: if hey, how many yards might you be if this 762 00:38:04,040 --> 00:38:06,120 Speaker 1: offensive line, which we think is going to be very 763 00:38:06,239 --> 00:38:09,160 Speaker 1: very good knock on wood stay healthy coming off last season? 764 00:38:09,560 --> 00:38:14,560 Speaker 1: How many yards can Jalen Thompson fifteen carries? How many 765 00:38:14,600 --> 00:38:19,399 Speaker 1: yards you think you could get behind this offensive line? 766 00:38:19,560 --> 00:38:22,040 Speaker 1: You know, a handful of guys. It could be something fun, 767 00:38:22,160 --> 00:38:23,600 Speaker 1: especially during training camp. 768 00:38:24,120 --> 00:38:26,040 Speaker 2: Because I have to go do a couple of different 769 00:38:26,040 --> 00:38:28,560 Speaker 2: stories for the next couple of weeks. The next time 770 00:38:28,600 --> 00:38:31,080 Speaker 2: I'm uncovered too, I will have an answer to this, okay, 771 00:38:31,680 --> 00:38:34,080 Speaker 2: and we will break this down because I think that 772 00:38:34,160 --> 00:38:36,680 Speaker 2: this is what the people want to know. They don't 773 00:38:36,680 --> 00:38:39,520 Speaker 2: think Kyler Murray, Yeah, he's gonna be great, Boodhe Baker, 774 00:38:39,520 --> 00:38:41,840 Speaker 2: He's gonna be Greatjames Connor is gonna have another You know, 775 00:38:41,920 --> 00:38:44,560 Speaker 2: he's not going to even reach the flour. He's gonna 776 00:38:44,560 --> 00:38:47,120 Speaker 2: go above and beyond it. He's going to reach the ceiling, 777 00:38:48,440 --> 00:38:50,480 Speaker 2: and we'll see how many yards Zach Gershman can run for? 778 00:38:50,719 --> 00:38:54,080 Speaker 1: Okay, it's a good assignment. I love to hear the 779 00:38:54,120 --> 00:38:56,560 Speaker 1: responses when you do ask a budda baker, or whomever 780 00:38:56,600 --> 00:38:59,000 Speaker 1: you ask, like, all right, how many yards can you get? Okay? 781 00:38:59,040 --> 00:39:01,000 Speaker 1: How many yards do you think I would be able 782 00:39:01,040 --> 00:39:04,040 Speaker 1: to get me as Zach Gershman and to get those responses, 783 00:39:04,040 --> 00:39:05,719 Speaker 1: because that was my guess is they would have a 784 00:39:05,760 --> 00:39:07,240 Speaker 1: lot of fun with that at your expense. 785 00:39:07,280 --> 00:39:09,280 Speaker 2: Of course. Yeah, I'm gonna be the one that's gonna 786 00:39:09,320 --> 00:39:12,520 Speaker 2: walk away with Bruce feelings. But hey, I could be 787 00:39:12,520 --> 00:39:14,879 Speaker 2: a bruiser in my own ways. Maybe we'll see. We'll 788 00:39:14,880 --> 00:39:15,680 Speaker 2: see what they have to say. 789 00:39:15,719 --> 00:39:18,120 Speaker 1: All right, So we have an assignment for Zach Gershman. 790 00:39:18,200 --> 00:39:20,960 Speaker 1: Good job. We'll make sure it's written in ASNA so 791 00:39:21,040 --> 00:39:23,239 Speaker 1: you don't forget about it, right, and we'll make sure 792 00:39:23,280 --> 00:39:25,359 Speaker 1: that we'll talk about it the next time you're here. 793 00:39:25,400 --> 00:39:27,919 Speaker 1: On Cardinals Cover two, get to work, Zach. 794 00:39:28,000 --> 00:39:29,160 Speaker 2: I'm ready for it, all right. 795 00:39:29,480 --> 00:39:30,960 Speaker 1: On that note, we will put a lid on this 796 00:39:31,120 --> 00:39:33,960 Speaker 1: edition of Cardinals Cover two presented by Hyundai proud partner, 797 00:39:34,160 --> 00:39:37,160 Speaker 1: the Arizona Cardinals has always special thanks to our executive 798 00:39:37,160 --> 00:39:40,160 Speaker 1: producer Jim on One Hunter, our associate producer Coddy Fincher. 799 00:39:40,280 --> 00:39:42,520 Speaker 1: For Zach Gershman, I'm Pregriel Lou. We'll talk to you 800 00:39:42,600 --> 00:39:44,399 Speaker 1: next time here on Cardinals Cover two.