1 00:00:02,880 --> 00:00:06,040 Speaker 1: Welcome bird Gang. On today's show, Danny Siak joins me 2 00:00:06,280 --> 00:00:09,480 Speaker 1: overshadowed and Sunday's win was just out Well the running 3 00:00:09,480 --> 00:00:13,000 Speaker 1: backs not named James Conner played. Might we see more 4 00:00:13,039 --> 00:00:16,079 Speaker 1: of a running back by committee moving forward? Also, the 5 00:00:16,160 --> 00:00:19,680 Speaker 1: focus this week against the Rams a faster start. First, 6 00:00:19,720 --> 00:00:23,680 Speaker 1: though it's Wednesday, first practice of the week. It's Cardinals 7 00:00:23,680 --> 00:00:28,520 Speaker 1: Cover two, episode five ninety three, and it starts now. 8 00:00:30,440 --> 00:00:33,920 Speaker 1: Welcome to Cardinals Cover two. Hitting the backfield and Downey 9 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:37,320 Speaker 1: goes for a loss. JJ Watt nailed it. Cardinals Cover 10 00:00:37,400 --> 00:00:42,160 Speaker 1: two is presented by Hyunday, proud partner of the Arizona Cardinals, 11 00:00:42,680 --> 00:00:47,440 Speaker 1: and by Arizona Cardinals Podcasts. Visit acy Cardinals dot com 12 00:00:47,520 --> 00:00:50,400 Speaker 1: Slash podcasts. He's at the ten half of five. Yes 13 00:00:50,479 --> 00:00:56,080 Speaker 1: in again so for Harry Magic. WHOA, Here's Craig Grielou 14 00:00:58,560 --> 00:01:03,640 Speaker 1: overcast eighty trees the occasional rain drop. Wednesday was the 15 00:01:03,680 --> 00:01:06,559 Speaker 1: first day in which you can now pick up the phone, 16 00:01:06,640 --> 00:01:09,160 Speaker 1: Danny and call all your friends that do not live 17 00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:12,920 Speaker 1: in Arizona and say, hey, this is why Arizona is 18 00:01:12,959 --> 00:01:15,920 Speaker 1: the place to live. Because the weather was just perfect, 19 00:01:15,959 --> 00:01:19,720 Speaker 1: although maybe not so perfect for you out there. During practice. 20 00:01:19,760 --> 00:01:21,800 Speaker 1: I don't know if I would call it perfect. I 21 00:01:21,920 --> 00:01:24,280 Speaker 1: told Craig, I'm say it again. I said this to you. 22 00:01:24,360 --> 00:01:26,600 Speaker 1: Don't try and set me up like I said anything differently. 23 00:01:26,640 --> 00:01:29,640 Speaker 1: When we got out to practice just after eight this morning, 24 00:01:30,360 --> 00:01:33,560 Speaker 1: the temperature did feel wonderful, but because of the rain, 25 00:01:33,600 --> 00:01:36,240 Speaker 1: it was a little sticky. It was a little gross. 26 00:01:36,280 --> 00:01:38,480 Speaker 1: And I'm going to stand by that because it's the truth. 27 00:01:38,880 --> 00:01:41,399 Speaker 1: But I'm very glad that the temperatures have started to drop. 28 00:01:41,560 --> 00:01:45,400 Speaker 1: Would you prefer one hundred and fifteen degrees or would 29 00:01:45,400 --> 00:01:48,279 Speaker 1: you prefer the eighty degrees and maybe just a little 30 00:01:48,280 --> 00:01:51,480 Speaker 1: bit of mugginess? The eighty degrees with a little mugginess, 31 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:56,240 Speaker 1: all right, See, that's the difference here. That's why this 32 00:01:56,440 --> 00:01:58,360 Speaker 1: is the guy. I think you would also prefer that 33 00:01:58,440 --> 00:02:02,320 Speaker 1: it's eighty degrees with mugginess compared to the one because 34 00:02:02,320 --> 00:02:04,120 Speaker 1: you're the one who stands next to me out at practice, 35 00:02:04,200 --> 00:02:09,040 Speaker 1: Craig in the shade though, full disclosure in the shade. Yes, 36 00:02:09,480 --> 00:02:12,200 Speaker 1: all right, let's get into what happened on Wednesday during 37 00:02:12,200 --> 00:02:15,000 Speaker 1: the open portion of practice. I'm actually encouraged any more 38 00:02:15,040 --> 00:02:18,200 Speaker 1: so than a week ago at this time. Yes, there 39 00:02:18,320 --> 00:02:21,360 Speaker 1: was no rondel More. He's officially day to day, but 40 00:02:21,560 --> 00:02:24,359 Speaker 1: James Connor was out there, Andy Isabella was out there, 41 00:02:24,400 --> 00:02:26,680 Speaker 1: and then a handful of players had VET days off, 42 00:02:26,760 --> 00:02:31,840 Speaker 1: So really knock Conwood. No major issues with respects to 43 00:02:31,880 --> 00:02:34,320 Speaker 1: injuries heading into this week two game. Kind of feels 44 00:02:34,320 --> 00:02:35,880 Speaker 1: like the first time in a while to be hearing 45 00:02:35,919 --> 00:02:37,320 Speaker 1: that now at the time of the recording, we have 46 00:02:37,400 --> 00:02:40,880 Speaker 1: not received the injury report yet, so we'll see on that. 47 00:02:40,919 --> 00:02:45,040 Speaker 1: You're right, it was a larger VET day though than normal. 48 00:02:45,280 --> 00:02:49,720 Speaker 1: Normally it's it's just really offensive lineman usually Calvin Beecham 49 00:02:49,760 --> 00:02:55,480 Speaker 1: and Rodney Hudson at Wednesday's practice, Justin Pugh, zach Ertz, 50 00:02:56,040 --> 00:03:00,079 Speaker 1: Hollywood Brown, we're also in that group. But Kingsbury he 51 00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:03,160 Speaker 1: said it was rest day for those vets, so that 52 00:03:03,240 --> 00:03:05,080 Speaker 1: was a little concerning. We were out there at practice 53 00:03:05,080 --> 00:03:07,239 Speaker 1: this morning, but a relief to hear that from the 54 00:03:07,240 --> 00:03:11,160 Speaker 1: head coach. Not quite sure if I would call Hollywood 55 00:03:11,240 --> 00:03:14,360 Speaker 1: a VET considering this is year four, but hey, whatever 56 00:03:14,440 --> 00:03:16,920 Speaker 1: it takes to make sure you're ready for game day, 57 00:03:17,280 --> 00:03:20,360 Speaker 1: and maybe that I mean, maybe they're planning on I 58 00:03:20,400 --> 00:03:22,680 Speaker 1: know he had a good amount of snaps amping him 59 00:03:22,760 --> 00:03:25,799 Speaker 1: up this week of I don't know, but aj Green 60 00:03:25,880 --> 00:03:27,959 Speaker 1: also had a lot of staffs. Now, we didn't see 61 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:29,639 Speaker 1: him do a lot of work, but he was out 62 00:03:29,639 --> 00:03:31,079 Speaker 1: on the field with the team. Where are the other 63 00:03:31,120 --> 00:03:33,840 Speaker 1: guys who whenever they have those rest days, they're usually 64 00:03:33,880 --> 00:03:36,360 Speaker 1: and sign the wight room conditioning. The encouraging sign with 65 00:03:36,680 --> 00:03:39,680 Speaker 1: Hollywood and arts from this past Sunday was the number 66 00:03:39,680 --> 00:03:43,960 Speaker 1: of targets eleven targets each because again, as we discussed, 67 00:03:44,080 --> 00:03:46,600 Speaker 1: we all love Greg Dortch, and yes he does lead 68 00:03:46,640 --> 00:03:49,040 Speaker 1: the team and catches and receiving yards, but he cannot 69 00:03:49,120 --> 00:03:51,720 Speaker 1: be your focal point when it comes to the past catcher. 70 00:03:52,160 --> 00:03:55,080 Speaker 1: And if we can get to that point where Hollywood 71 00:03:55,120 --> 00:03:59,280 Speaker 1: maybe not double digits and targets, but certainly eight plus, 72 00:03:59,720 --> 00:04:03,520 Speaker 1: we would be more I would be more encouraged by 73 00:04:03,600 --> 00:04:06,760 Speaker 1: what this offense is moving along. It is interesting and 74 00:04:06,800 --> 00:04:09,640 Speaker 1: there's a lot of factors that go into that of 75 00:04:09,680 --> 00:04:12,640 Speaker 1: every game, the defense and if you're up or you're down, 76 00:04:12,720 --> 00:04:15,520 Speaker 1: playing from behind, what not, all of those things. It 77 00:04:15,680 --> 00:04:19,000 Speaker 1: is interesting though that we haven't seen an insane amount 78 00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:21,800 Speaker 1: of targets the way Davante Adams had seventeen in Week 79 00:04:21,839 --> 00:04:24,479 Speaker 1: one with the Raiders. We haven't seen that massive number 80 00:04:24,480 --> 00:04:28,040 Speaker 1: to Hollywood Brown. He only had six targets in Week one? 81 00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:32,080 Speaker 1: What was the number on Sunday's game in Vegas for him? 82 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:35,960 Speaker 1: He had six catches for sixty eight yards on eleven targets, 83 00:04:36,000 --> 00:04:40,800 Speaker 1: so more targets. It's just interesting of how hurt that 84 00:04:40,880 --> 00:04:44,920 Speaker 1: wide receivers group is that even more so before you 85 00:04:45,000 --> 00:04:46,960 Speaker 1: knew you weren't going to have Rondel Moore or Antoine 86 00:04:47,000 --> 00:04:50,000 Speaker 1: Wesley dealing with injuries, that you wouldn't be targeting Hollwy 87 00:04:50,040 --> 00:04:52,760 Speaker 1: Brown more. With DeAndre Hopkins being suspended for the first 88 00:04:52,760 --> 00:04:55,479 Speaker 1: six games, that's interesting to me. A player you brought 89 00:04:55,560 --> 00:04:58,240 Speaker 1: in because of his chemistry with Kyler Murray and we 90 00:04:58,360 --> 00:05:01,560 Speaker 1: definitely saw more of that in two in Vegas, but 91 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:04,200 Speaker 1: still looking for more of that. Again, There's a lot 92 00:05:04,200 --> 00:05:07,000 Speaker 1: of factors that go into play, and I'm encouraged to 93 00:05:07,040 --> 00:05:09,400 Speaker 1: see that he did get more targets between weeks one 94 00:05:09,440 --> 00:05:12,440 Speaker 1: and two. It is just a little interesting that I 95 00:05:12,560 --> 00:05:14,480 Speaker 1: kind of thought that we would be seeing more than 96 00:05:14,520 --> 00:05:16,920 Speaker 1: we have so far. It seems like that wide receiver 97 00:05:17,040 --> 00:05:20,720 Speaker 1: room they're still figuring things out now, not so much roles, 98 00:05:20,800 --> 00:05:23,720 Speaker 1: but just how to get everyone involved and that's not 99 00:05:23,800 --> 00:05:25,919 Speaker 1: the case. And we saw it on Sunday with the 100 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:27,640 Speaker 1: running back room, and that's what I want to get 101 00:05:27,640 --> 00:05:31,240 Speaker 1: into because that kind of got lost in the shadows, 102 00:05:31,279 --> 00:05:33,560 Speaker 1: if you will, maybe a little overshadowed as far as 103 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:36,479 Speaker 1: the running back and the depth and how many times 104 00:05:36,520 --> 00:05:38,800 Speaker 1: did we talk about, well, you're only going to keep 105 00:05:38,839 --> 00:05:41,160 Speaker 1: four running back, so who's the odd man out? Well, 106 00:05:41,200 --> 00:05:44,359 Speaker 1: they've got five. Still with five, I think Keanta Ingram 107 00:05:44,440 --> 00:05:46,839 Speaker 1: is going to be the Eno Benjamin of twenty twenty two, 108 00:05:46,839 --> 00:05:49,320 Speaker 1: meaning he is not going to be active at all 109 00:05:49,400 --> 00:05:51,800 Speaker 1: this season. I think that would be the goal unless 110 00:05:51,800 --> 00:05:53,880 Speaker 1: something happens and then you look for a roster spot. 111 00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:57,920 Speaker 1: But the worry that what happens when James Connor gets hurt. 112 00:05:58,080 --> 00:06:01,039 Speaker 1: He missed two games last year. He was out for 113 00:06:01,279 --> 00:06:04,280 Speaker 1: much of that second half on Sunday. But when you 114 00:06:04,279 --> 00:06:07,280 Speaker 1: have a Daryl Williams and Nino Benjamin, you feel a 115 00:06:07,279 --> 00:06:09,920 Speaker 1: little bit better. Yeah, you want James Connor to b 116 00:06:10,120 --> 00:06:14,000 Speaker 1: RB one, but Williams and Benjamin are just as capable. Yeah, 117 00:06:14,080 --> 00:06:17,920 Speaker 1: And that was kind of the way that Daryl Williams 118 00:06:18,080 --> 00:06:20,520 Speaker 1: is physically built, and I think his game styles more 119 00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:24,040 Speaker 1: of James Connor, where you know, Benjamin smaller, little shiftier, 120 00:06:24,680 --> 00:06:28,200 Speaker 1: used more as a receiver. That kind of pairs with 121 00:06:28,360 --> 00:06:30,960 Speaker 1: what Chase Edmonds was last year with James Connor. So 122 00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:33,400 Speaker 1: when he los Chase Edmonds to Miami and free agency 123 00:06:33,720 --> 00:06:36,520 Speaker 1: and you have that with Eno Benjamin. This Daryl Williams 124 00:06:36,520 --> 00:06:38,840 Speaker 1: pickup and free agency is looking really nice so far. 125 00:06:38,960 --> 00:06:41,800 Speaker 1: Because when James is not on the field, which usually 126 00:06:41,800 --> 00:06:43,800 Speaker 1: it's just to give him a break, and now he's 127 00:06:43,839 --> 00:06:45,640 Speaker 1: day to day with an ankle injury, which happened in 128 00:06:45,640 --> 00:06:47,760 Speaker 1: Sunday's game, you you fill in Darryl Williams, and I 129 00:06:47,800 --> 00:06:49,839 Speaker 1: thought he looked good. He did have that you know, 130 00:06:49,880 --> 00:06:52,720 Speaker 1: that rushing touchdown right up the middle, but he just 131 00:06:52,760 --> 00:06:55,320 Speaker 1: looked strong. I think that he has looked really good 132 00:06:55,320 --> 00:06:57,280 Speaker 1: in this offense so far, and I think that we 133 00:06:57,320 --> 00:06:59,640 Speaker 1: should give credit to you know, Benjamin two of that's 134 00:06:59,720 --> 00:07:03,800 Speaker 1: kind have been a player where we've heard, you know, 135 00:07:03,880 --> 00:07:06,000 Speaker 1: he's improving, but you don't really see a lot of 136 00:07:06,040 --> 00:07:08,120 Speaker 1: him on the field, and then hearing in the offseason 137 00:07:08,120 --> 00:07:10,640 Speaker 1: that he's made a lot of those mental improvements that 138 00:07:10,720 --> 00:07:13,680 Speaker 1: jump this year of understanding the offense and the maturity levels, 139 00:07:13,680 --> 00:07:16,040 Speaker 1: and so to see him play well when he's been 140 00:07:16,040 --> 00:07:18,560 Speaker 1: out on the field as well. You're right, Crage definitely 141 00:07:18,600 --> 00:07:21,760 Speaker 1: adds a little bit more relief looking at that running 142 00:07:21,800 --> 00:07:25,720 Speaker 1: backs group of if you are going to be without 143 00:07:25,880 --> 00:07:28,600 Speaker 1: James Connor, whether that is he's you know, on the 144 00:07:28,640 --> 00:07:30,760 Speaker 1: bench for a couple snaps, or if he is going 145 00:07:30,840 --> 00:07:32,320 Speaker 1: to end up dealing with an injury at some point. 146 00:07:32,440 --> 00:07:34,800 Speaker 1: You don't want that drop off when this daughter goes out. 147 00:07:34,920 --> 00:07:39,239 Speaker 1: Darryl Williams forty snaps on Sunday, fifty nine rushing yards 148 00:07:39,320 --> 00:07:42,679 Speaker 1: after halftime, thirty on the first play of the fourth quarter. 149 00:07:42,720 --> 00:07:45,120 Speaker 1: But it's what he's able to give you on a 150 00:07:45,160 --> 00:07:48,000 Speaker 1: per carry basis almost seven and a half yards a 151 00:07:48,120 --> 00:07:50,480 Speaker 1: carry now the week prior against the Chiefs, you know, 152 00:07:50,520 --> 00:07:54,640 Speaker 1: Benjamin average seven yards a carry, limited number of carries, 153 00:07:54,920 --> 00:07:57,000 Speaker 1: but both of those running backs, if you do not 154 00:07:57,080 --> 00:07:59,600 Speaker 1: have a James Connor, all right, let's look who do 155 00:07:59,640 --> 00:08:02,480 Speaker 1: we have next in line? And that's where you get 156 00:08:02,480 --> 00:08:06,600 Speaker 1: that running back by committee approach. Cliff is shown. I 157 00:08:06,720 --> 00:08:09,280 Speaker 1: like to ride the hot hand, but sometimes you can 158 00:08:09,280 --> 00:08:11,760 Speaker 1: get a rotation going to where these guys aren't getting 159 00:08:11,840 --> 00:08:14,400 Speaker 1: hit every single time. And it's interesting because in week 160 00:08:14,440 --> 00:08:17,440 Speaker 1: one it I walked away thinking, Okay, the depth chart 161 00:08:17,480 --> 00:08:19,920 Speaker 1: had Eno Benjamin and darry Williams both as running back too, 162 00:08:19,920 --> 00:08:22,640 Speaker 1: and it was all Eno Benjamin, like that's clear moving forward, 163 00:08:22,640 --> 00:08:24,720 Speaker 1: and then after week two it is not so clear, 164 00:08:24,800 --> 00:08:26,840 Speaker 1: like it does seem more like they're going to use 165 00:08:26,840 --> 00:08:29,840 Speaker 1: both of them more of that committee approach depending on 166 00:08:30,160 --> 00:08:33,520 Speaker 1: the play call. I will say I was one of 167 00:08:33,520 --> 00:08:36,880 Speaker 1: the person Maybe maybe this is still plausible when you 168 00:08:36,920 --> 00:08:38,640 Speaker 1: get to the point of all these players on IR 169 00:08:38,720 --> 00:08:40,080 Speaker 1: that have to come back and you have to create 170 00:08:40,160 --> 00:08:43,720 Speaker 1: roster spots. Up until before Vegas, when we had that 171 00:08:43,760 --> 00:08:45,760 Speaker 1: week of with the Chiefs and we didn't see Daryl 172 00:08:45,760 --> 00:08:48,719 Speaker 1: Williams except for special teams. Of if you have a 173 00:08:48,800 --> 00:08:50,960 Speaker 1: running back and you're really using them on special teams 174 00:08:50,960 --> 00:08:53,640 Speaker 1: the way you use Jonathan Ward, maybe it's Ward or 175 00:08:53,679 --> 00:08:56,520 Speaker 1: it's Williams who doesn't make the cut because you have 176 00:08:56,600 --> 00:08:59,200 Speaker 1: to make a spot on the roster. But now I'm 177 00:08:59,240 --> 00:09:01,080 Speaker 1: not so sure that that is what's going to happen 178 00:09:01,080 --> 00:09:02,480 Speaker 1: in the future. And a lot of things can happen 179 00:09:02,520 --> 00:09:05,120 Speaker 1: between this time and when they get into that situation 180 00:09:05,160 --> 00:09:07,679 Speaker 1: in a couple of weeks. But Darryl Williams did look 181 00:09:07,760 --> 00:09:10,560 Speaker 1: very good in that role against the Raiders, and he 182 00:09:10,600 --> 00:09:12,880 Speaker 1: has shown the ability to catch the ball out of 183 00:09:12,920 --> 00:09:15,880 Speaker 1: the backfield. He's shown that since he got into the 184 00:09:15,960 --> 00:09:18,480 Speaker 1: league previously with the Kansas City Chiefs. So now you've 185 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:21,920 Speaker 1: got three running backs. Yeah, it's running between the tackles 186 00:09:21,920 --> 00:09:25,720 Speaker 1: showing that burst of speed, but also, okay, in a pinch, 187 00:09:25,880 --> 00:09:28,640 Speaker 1: if you're the safety valve for Kyler Murray to get 188 00:09:28,679 --> 00:09:30,640 Speaker 1: that ball and then see what you can do make 189 00:09:30,720 --> 00:09:33,559 Speaker 1: some defenders miss. That's where James Connor was so successful 190 00:09:34,000 --> 00:09:37,040 Speaker 1: last year. Jonathan Ward kind of the forgotten man. He 191 00:09:37,120 --> 00:09:40,160 Speaker 1: hasn't played a single snap on offense. He's been more 192 00:09:40,240 --> 00:09:43,760 Speaker 1: special teams. So to your point, when guys are coming 193 00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:46,640 Speaker 1: back and looking for roster spots, what do you do 194 00:09:46,720 --> 00:09:48,920 Speaker 1: when that running back room is still with five? That 195 00:09:49,040 --> 00:09:51,840 Speaker 1: still sounds like a lot to me, But right now 196 00:09:51,880 --> 00:09:54,520 Speaker 1: it has worked. Small sample size, but it has worked 197 00:09:54,520 --> 00:09:56,640 Speaker 1: through two weeks. You're right, five, but really four. And 198 00:09:56,920 --> 00:10:00,080 Speaker 1: your point of counter ingram is the chance of of 199 00:10:00,760 --> 00:10:03,800 Speaker 1: not having played the certain number of years to where 200 00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:07,360 Speaker 1: if the team decides to release you before they consign 201 00:10:07,360 --> 00:10:10,120 Speaker 1: you the practice squad, you hit waivers. So that would 202 00:10:10,120 --> 00:10:13,880 Speaker 1: be a concern that if they let Kyanta Ingram hit waivers, 203 00:10:13,920 --> 00:10:15,680 Speaker 1: he might not clear them, would get picked up by 204 00:10:15,679 --> 00:10:17,840 Speaker 1: another team, So that would be what they were doing. 205 00:10:17,960 --> 00:10:19,400 Speaker 1: You were saying, you know that, you know Benjamin of 206 00:10:19,840 --> 00:10:21,600 Speaker 1: you pretty much just keep mind your roster, but you 207 00:10:21,600 --> 00:10:24,120 Speaker 1: have no plans to plan because you're still developing him. 208 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:26,960 Speaker 1: You hope you don't have to hope you don't have 209 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:29,679 Speaker 1: to use him yet because he has looked good and 210 00:10:29,720 --> 00:10:31,480 Speaker 1: we have to go back to the preseason. But he 211 00:10:31,640 --> 00:10:34,440 Speaker 1: did camp. He flashed enough to the point where this 212 00:10:34,520 --> 00:10:38,320 Speaker 1: team said, we can't afford We were too scared, too 213 00:10:38,360 --> 00:10:41,400 Speaker 1: worried that someone some team might say, all right, yeah, 214 00:10:41,520 --> 00:10:43,640 Speaker 1: limited film, but you know what, we'd like what he 215 00:10:43,679 --> 00:10:45,680 Speaker 1: was able to do with Texas and then at usc 216 00:10:46,120 --> 00:10:47,720 Speaker 1: to are all of a sudden, okay, you're you guys 217 00:10:47,760 --> 00:10:50,120 Speaker 1: aren't going to keep them. We'll take him and then 218 00:10:50,160 --> 00:10:51,920 Speaker 1: see what we can do. So I do think they're 219 00:10:51,960 --> 00:10:55,720 Speaker 1: keeping their fingers crossed with Keyanta Ingram. Now the wild 220 00:10:55,800 --> 00:10:58,040 Speaker 1: card in all this when we talk about running backs 221 00:10:58,200 --> 00:11:02,040 Speaker 1: is Kyler Murray. How much we know he doesn't want 222 00:11:02,080 --> 00:11:05,000 Speaker 1: to or prefers not to, but how much does Kyler 223 00:11:05,040 --> 00:11:07,520 Speaker 1: Murray running the ball need to be a part of 224 00:11:07,520 --> 00:11:10,640 Speaker 1: this offense, not a focal point, but a handful of carries. 225 00:11:10,800 --> 00:11:13,400 Speaker 1: He rushed the ball five times all in the second half, 226 00:11:13,400 --> 00:11:16,880 Speaker 1: and it was really his running that got this offense 227 00:11:17,120 --> 00:11:21,559 Speaker 1: in gear against the Raiders. Well, Kyler Murray has great accuracy. 228 00:11:21,679 --> 00:11:25,720 Speaker 1: He has the strength for those long throws when he runs. 229 00:11:26,200 --> 00:11:29,400 Speaker 1: That's what makes him different, and that's what the defense 230 00:11:29,480 --> 00:11:32,280 Speaker 1: is scared of. And his ability to scramble and stay 231 00:11:32,320 --> 00:11:35,560 Speaker 1: alive and evade tackles and create something out of nothing 232 00:11:35,760 --> 00:11:37,720 Speaker 1: and to use his legs. If that is how he 233 00:11:37,760 --> 00:11:41,360 Speaker 1: creates that something, I understand. Maybe you don't have a 234 00:11:41,400 --> 00:11:45,560 Speaker 1: lot of you know, run plays in the game plan 235 00:11:45,760 --> 00:11:48,800 Speaker 1: for him, But I don't have a problem. And it 236 00:11:48,840 --> 00:11:50,920 Speaker 1: doesn't really sound like he has a problem running the 237 00:11:50,960 --> 00:11:54,040 Speaker 1: way he did in Vegas. Of you're looking, you're looking, 238 00:11:54,120 --> 00:11:57,520 Speaker 1: nothing's happening, nobody's open, you have the space, Okay, I'll run. 239 00:11:58,000 --> 00:11:59,440 Speaker 1: That to me is at least how I pick it 240 00:11:59,520 --> 00:12:01,800 Speaker 1: up of he doesn't really have a problem in that sense. 241 00:12:02,600 --> 00:12:05,160 Speaker 1: It's just and understand as a quarterback, you don't you 242 00:12:05,200 --> 00:12:06,520 Speaker 1: don't want to have to be relied on like that. 243 00:12:06,520 --> 00:12:07,760 Speaker 1: You don't want to have to get hurt. You want 244 00:12:07,760 --> 00:12:10,200 Speaker 1: to use the weapons you have. But I do think 245 00:12:10,760 --> 00:12:13,440 Speaker 1: these next couple of weeks of still not having de Hoop, 246 00:12:13,520 --> 00:12:17,040 Speaker 1: still not having Wesley, who knows when Rondelmore is going 247 00:12:17,040 --> 00:12:19,800 Speaker 1: to come back from this hamstring injury. I mean, you 248 00:12:20,160 --> 00:12:23,640 Speaker 1: only have so many options at wide receiver. You have 249 00:12:23,760 --> 00:12:25,920 Speaker 1: Zach Ertz, who seems like he wasn't on a pitchcount. 250 00:12:25,960 --> 00:12:28,040 Speaker 1: He had like more than seventy snaps. I think he's 251 00:12:28,040 --> 00:12:30,600 Speaker 1: full going yeah, because he was not that Week one. 252 00:12:32,080 --> 00:12:34,560 Speaker 1: But you know Trey McBride had one snap. So when 253 00:12:34,559 --> 00:12:37,080 Speaker 1: you're looking at the receiving options, at least until you 254 00:12:37,120 --> 00:12:40,720 Speaker 1: can get that hype back in Wesley and Hopkins, maybe 255 00:12:40,720 --> 00:12:42,560 Speaker 1: you do have to rely on Kyler Murray's legs lion 256 00:12:42,640 --> 00:12:46,199 Speaker 1: or more to to create something. Kyler can be that spark, 257 00:12:46,760 --> 00:12:50,760 Speaker 1: and initially when he first ended the league, it was okay, 258 00:12:50,800 --> 00:12:54,880 Speaker 1: he's rushing eight, nine, ten times a game just because 259 00:12:54,920 --> 00:12:56,920 Speaker 1: he needed to because that was the only way this 260 00:12:56,960 --> 00:12:58,880 Speaker 1: ball was going to get moved up and down the field. 261 00:12:59,360 --> 00:13:02,080 Speaker 1: That does need to be the case. It shouldn't be 262 00:13:02,160 --> 00:13:04,520 Speaker 1: the case here in year four. But to your point, 263 00:13:05,000 --> 00:13:08,160 Speaker 1: when necessary, and as Kyler mentioned on Wednesday, whatever it 264 00:13:08,240 --> 00:13:11,280 Speaker 1: takes to win, was his response when asked about his 265 00:13:11,400 --> 00:13:14,360 Speaker 1: running ability. It has to be a part of this 266 00:13:14,480 --> 00:13:19,000 Speaker 1: offense just to keep the defense honest. You much rather 267 00:13:19,200 --> 00:13:21,520 Speaker 1: see that quarterback get the ball into the hands of 268 00:13:21,559 --> 00:13:25,920 Speaker 1: your playmakers downfield. But if everyone is covered and there's 269 00:13:25,920 --> 00:13:28,559 Speaker 1: all kinds of opening in front of him, Kyler is 270 00:13:28,679 --> 00:13:32,440 Speaker 1: very capable of finding those holes and then whinning gett 271 00:13:32,440 --> 00:13:35,360 Speaker 1: into an open space, realizing all right, where the yard 272 00:13:35,400 --> 00:13:37,440 Speaker 1: marker is. Do I push it or do I just 273 00:13:38,200 --> 00:13:41,040 Speaker 1: give myself up at this point and wait for the 274 00:13:41,040 --> 00:13:43,360 Speaker 1: next down. And you have full faith in him, You 275 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:46,360 Speaker 1: trust him and his ability to do that. That again, 276 00:13:46,400 --> 00:13:49,239 Speaker 1: I don't I don't think that's what Kyler is referencing 277 00:13:49,280 --> 00:13:51,439 Speaker 1: when he's, you know, has mentioned in the past, doesn't 278 00:13:51,480 --> 00:13:53,920 Speaker 1: love to use his legs a lot. I don't think 279 00:13:53,920 --> 00:13:56,160 Speaker 1: that that's a situation. I think he understands that what 280 00:13:56,320 --> 00:13:58,120 Speaker 1: it has to be done, it has to be done, 281 00:13:58,120 --> 00:14:01,719 Speaker 1: and that's that This quick note on James Connor specifically, 282 00:14:01,760 --> 00:14:04,040 Speaker 1: as we get ready for the first NFC West Division 283 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:06,800 Speaker 1: game coming up on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. 284 00:14:07,120 --> 00:14:11,760 Speaker 1: Connor last year against the division eleven total touchdowns, nine rushing, 285 00:14:12,240 --> 00:14:15,000 Speaker 1: two receiving, it was the most touchdowns scored by any 286 00:14:15,040 --> 00:14:18,640 Speaker 1: player against division opponents. And I bring this up because again, 287 00:14:18,800 --> 00:14:21,400 Speaker 1: Rams coming to town on Sunday one twenty five is 288 00:14:21,440 --> 00:14:24,560 Speaker 1: the kickoff eight thirty am. Pregame coverage begins on the 289 00:14:24,600 --> 00:14:27,400 Speaker 1: Arizona Cardinals Radio Network. And I know when you look 290 00:14:27,440 --> 00:14:30,720 Speaker 1: at the Rams, it always is with respects the run game. Well, 291 00:14:30,720 --> 00:14:32,880 Speaker 1: what do you do with Aaron Donald and make sure 292 00:14:32,920 --> 00:14:36,120 Speaker 1: that he is not an offense wrecker? That is going 293 00:14:36,160 --> 00:14:39,480 Speaker 1: to be the storyline this week. It's always going to 294 00:14:39,480 --> 00:14:43,000 Speaker 1: be the storyline whenever the Cardinals play the Rams. You 295 00:14:43,040 --> 00:14:45,000 Speaker 1: have to wear him down. You have to wear him 296 00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:48,400 Speaker 1: in this Rams defense down. And I went back and 297 00:14:48,440 --> 00:14:51,240 Speaker 1: I looked at the three times these two teams met 298 00:14:51,320 --> 00:14:53,680 Speaker 1: last season, twice in the regular season and of course 299 00:14:53,680 --> 00:14:57,360 Speaker 1: that playoff game. The Cardinals only won that first matchup 300 00:14:57,440 --> 00:15:01,040 Speaker 1: in Week four. That was the most rushing yards they 301 00:15:01,080 --> 00:15:04,320 Speaker 1: had in those three games. In that game, they held 302 00:15:04,320 --> 00:15:07,440 Speaker 1: Aaron Donald to not a single sack, tackle for loss, 303 00:15:07,520 --> 00:15:10,240 Speaker 1: or quarterback hit. When you look at the other two games, 304 00:15:10,280 --> 00:15:13,640 Speaker 1: he combined for three and a half sacks, four quarterback hits, 305 00:15:13,640 --> 00:15:17,280 Speaker 1: and three tackles for loss. So keeping him at bay 306 00:15:17,280 --> 00:15:20,600 Speaker 1: and Wearing him down is the key to this offense 307 00:15:20,680 --> 00:15:23,760 Speaker 1: finding success, and you have to account for him and 308 00:15:24,200 --> 00:15:27,320 Speaker 1: what it's going to take to stop him on Sunday. Now, 309 00:15:27,320 --> 00:15:30,680 Speaker 1: they have other playmakers. I forgot actually that Bobby Wagner 310 00:15:30,760 --> 00:15:33,960 Speaker 1: is now linebacker there and give him out of the division. 311 00:15:33,960 --> 00:15:36,880 Speaker 1: You cannot get him a Seattle to La, a little 312 00:15:36,920 --> 00:15:40,320 Speaker 1: better weather, Jalen Ramsey and the secondary. So it's not 313 00:15:40,360 --> 00:15:42,360 Speaker 1: like Aaron Donald is the only piece you have to 314 00:15:42,400 --> 00:15:44,880 Speaker 1: account for. It's the three time defensive player of the Year. 315 00:15:45,920 --> 00:15:48,360 Speaker 1: You just have to give him the most attention. They 316 00:15:48,400 --> 00:15:50,520 Speaker 1: did lose Von Miller, and I think the Rams, like 317 00:15:50,560 --> 00:15:52,480 Speaker 1: a lot of teams early in the season, Joel's still 318 00:15:52,520 --> 00:15:55,160 Speaker 1: trying to figure things out on both sides of the ball. 319 00:15:55,160 --> 00:15:58,120 Speaker 1: But Aaron Donald is the key to that defense. And 320 00:15:58,240 --> 00:16:01,320 Speaker 1: the Cardinals in Week four a year ago, shut him down, 321 00:16:01,400 --> 00:16:04,200 Speaker 1: shut him out, and it probably upset him, all right, 322 00:16:04,280 --> 00:16:06,440 Speaker 1: I'll say it pissed him off. And then that's what 323 00:16:06,560 --> 00:16:09,080 Speaker 1: happened in the second meeting and obviously in the playoff game, 324 00:16:09,120 --> 00:16:10,440 Speaker 1: and we saw what he did to win the Super 325 00:16:10,480 --> 00:16:13,400 Speaker 1: Bowl well on the last play against the Cincinnati Bengals. 326 00:16:13,440 --> 00:16:17,200 Speaker 1: But with respects to what you've got going on this 327 00:16:17,280 --> 00:16:22,680 Speaker 1: week on Cardstock and Drew Stanton's perspective from a quarterback 328 00:16:22,800 --> 00:16:26,720 Speaker 1: point of view on this particular matchup. And I'm sure 329 00:16:26,800 --> 00:16:29,920 Speaker 1: Drew is glad that Aaron Donald was never on the 330 00:16:29,960 --> 00:16:32,280 Speaker 1: other side when he was on the football field. But 331 00:16:33,120 --> 00:16:36,160 Speaker 1: little preview a little as we promote Cardstock for this 332 00:16:36,200 --> 00:16:39,640 Speaker 1: week's matchup. What did Drew have to say about number 333 00:16:39,720 --> 00:16:42,000 Speaker 1: ninety nine. Yeah, I talked about, you know, pros and 334 00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:43,920 Speaker 1: cons of are you going to basically run right at 335 00:16:43,960 --> 00:16:45,440 Speaker 1: him to wear him down? Are you going to try 336 00:16:45,480 --> 00:16:48,320 Speaker 1: and you know, move around him? And he broke down 337 00:16:48,320 --> 00:16:50,680 Speaker 1: a couple of plays from when the Cardinals were successful 338 00:16:50,840 --> 00:16:54,040 Speaker 1: in how they addressed Aaron Donald. So go check that out. 339 00:16:54,120 --> 00:16:56,920 Speaker 1: It's on our website, our YouTube channel. Drew stand does 340 00:16:57,160 --> 00:16:59,960 Speaker 1: a great job. You're right, especially from that quarterbacks perspective 341 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:02,640 Speaker 1: of when you've got a player like this, how do 342 00:17:02,720 --> 00:17:05,520 Speaker 1: you get around him, specifically with the run game, the 343 00:17:05,520 --> 00:17:10,000 Speaker 1: efficiency of that and turnovers. We also talked about Cooper 344 00:17:10,000 --> 00:17:12,440 Speaker 1: cup Wide receiver coming off the triple Crown year where 345 00:17:12,480 --> 00:17:17,200 Speaker 1: he led the league in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. However, 346 00:17:17,720 --> 00:17:21,120 Speaker 1: that Week four matchup last season where the Cardinals won 347 00:17:21,400 --> 00:17:23,840 Speaker 1: the Cup was held to a season low sixty four 348 00:17:23,880 --> 00:17:26,800 Speaker 1: receiving yards and zero touchdowns. So we talked about how 349 00:17:26,840 --> 00:17:29,800 Speaker 1: the defense as well can shut down cop that that 350 00:17:29,840 --> 00:17:32,040 Speaker 1: was a game where the Cardinals you look at, you know, 351 00:17:32,040 --> 00:17:33,800 Speaker 1: two of the best players on both sides of the ball, 352 00:17:33,840 --> 00:17:36,240 Speaker 1: and the Cardinals were able to get the job done 353 00:17:36,240 --> 00:17:38,560 Speaker 1: on those players. So it's how do they do it again. 354 00:17:38,680 --> 00:17:42,640 Speaker 1: Sometimes it's better to get these teams, these playoff contending 355 00:17:42,680 --> 00:17:45,199 Speaker 1: teams early in the season as opposed to late. But 356 00:17:45,240 --> 00:17:47,280 Speaker 1: the Cardinals are going to see the Rams and a 357 00:17:47,280 --> 00:17:49,480 Speaker 1: few weeks anywhere, there's going to be at least two matchups, 358 00:17:49,480 --> 00:17:52,000 Speaker 1: and we know the history has not been very good. 359 00:17:52,040 --> 00:17:54,400 Speaker 1: It's been very one sided in the Rams of one 360 00:17:54,520 --> 00:17:57,240 Speaker 1: nine of the last ten meetings, with the one win 361 00:17:57,840 --> 00:18:01,040 Speaker 1: last year Week four. Now, what would help the Cardinals 362 00:18:01,920 --> 00:18:05,240 Speaker 1: get that win here on Sunday is what has been 363 00:18:05,320 --> 00:18:07,800 Speaker 1: talked about Tuesday, Wednesday, I'm sure the rest of the 364 00:18:07,840 --> 00:18:10,760 Speaker 1: week as well, and that is just better starts offensively 365 00:18:10,880 --> 00:18:16,040 Speaker 1: and defensively, but specifically on offense getting the ball across 366 00:18:16,119 --> 00:18:19,240 Speaker 1: the coal line. Zach Allen call it a point of emphasis. 367 00:18:19,359 --> 00:18:22,679 Speaker 1: DJ Humphreys said, that's the focus this week. Cardinals have 368 00:18:22,720 --> 00:18:25,280 Speaker 1: not scored a single point in the first quarter and 369 00:18:25,440 --> 00:18:29,240 Speaker 1: just seven through the first two halves in these first 370 00:18:29,240 --> 00:18:31,200 Speaker 1: two games. Right that was Week one against the Chiefs. 371 00:18:31,240 --> 00:18:34,000 Speaker 1: They went to halftime Sunday in Vegas without a single 372 00:18:34,200 --> 00:18:37,479 Speaker 1: point on the board, and that is absolutely something that 373 00:18:37,560 --> 00:18:39,960 Speaker 1: has to be an emphasis. I mean, yes, on both 374 00:18:39,960 --> 00:18:42,919 Speaker 1: sides of the ball in complimentary football, but especially on offense. 375 00:18:42,960 --> 00:18:46,040 Speaker 1: It's not like they haven't had opportunities, they just haven't 376 00:18:46,080 --> 00:18:49,240 Speaker 1: been able to get that rhythm going early on. Hopefully 377 00:18:49,400 --> 00:18:52,600 Speaker 1: the fact that it didn't take two full games, but 378 00:18:52,640 --> 00:18:56,000 Speaker 1: the Cardinals offense was able to near the end of 379 00:18:56,000 --> 00:18:59,000 Speaker 1: the third, really the fourth quarter of last week turn 380 00:18:59,119 --> 00:19:04,159 Speaker 1: things around supposed to going eight quarters of looking the 381 00:19:04,160 --> 00:19:06,399 Speaker 1: way that they did. I'm hoping that is helpful that 382 00:19:06,440 --> 00:19:08,840 Speaker 1: you were able to do that mid game and that 383 00:19:08,880 --> 00:19:12,600 Speaker 1: can carry over confidence wise into this week, especially because 384 00:19:13,040 --> 00:19:15,159 Speaker 1: I don't necessarily love this because it's a new season 385 00:19:15,240 --> 00:19:17,520 Speaker 1: and you have a lot of veteran carry over but 386 00:19:17,640 --> 00:19:21,280 Speaker 1: a new team. But Cardinals lost their five final straight 387 00:19:21,359 --> 00:19:24,159 Speaker 1: home games last season, lost the home opener to the Chiefs. 388 00:19:24,200 --> 00:19:29,480 Speaker 1: That's six straight losses at State Farm Stadium. At some point, 389 00:19:29,640 --> 00:19:32,000 Speaker 1: it's whether they say it or not. The players who 390 00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:33,800 Speaker 1: were here last year, you're kind of start wondering what 391 00:19:34,320 --> 00:19:37,320 Speaker 1: is happening? Like a win, I think mentally, just to 392 00:19:37,359 --> 00:19:40,199 Speaker 1: get it at home, understand the fans come on like 393 00:19:40,480 --> 00:19:42,840 Speaker 1: I think that would that would carry a long way 394 00:19:42,880 --> 00:19:45,840 Speaker 1: as well. Get that monkey off your back. It's almost 395 00:19:45,880 --> 00:19:48,919 Speaker 1: been a full calendar year. It was, well, Craig, that 396 00:19:49,080 --> 00:19:55,840 Speaker 1: is depressing. I'm just stating facts here, no opinion base whatsoever. 397 00:19:56,000 --> 00:19:58,399 Speaker 1: It was the Houston Texans, and in that game, by 398 00:19:58,400 --> 00:20:02,040 Speaker 1: the way, was a not a good start for the Cardinals. 399 00:20:02,160 --> 00:20:04,840 Speaker 1: That was not a good first half. They really turned 400 00:20:04,920 --> 00:20:07,679 Speaker 1: actually wasn't a good first quarter, and then they flipped 401 00:20:07,680 --> 00:20:10,640 Speaker 1: the scripts much like they did against the Raiders on Sunday. 402 00:20:10,800 --> 00:20:14,000 Speaker 1: That would have been it was week six, because my 403 00:20:14,280 --> 00:20:16,040 Speaker 1: I started a Week four last year, which I remember 404 00:20:16,080 --> 00:20:18,879 Speaker 1: was the San Francisco forty forty nine Ers game, and 405 00:20:18,880 --> 00:20:21,760 Speaker 1: I believe the next home game I had was Houston. 406 00:20:21,960 --> 00:20:25,720 Speaker 1: So how you base off of the calendar went on 407 00:20:25,760 --> 00:20:28,879 Speaker 1: when you started and when when you finished are some 408 00:20:28,960 --> 00:20:34,080 Speaker 1: things you know. A week from today was my first 409 00:20:34,640 --> 00:20:37,199 Speaker 1: Dan the job. I believe I think it was to 410 00:20:37,280 --> 00:20:39,639 Speaker 1: that day, the one year anniversary, my one year? What 411 00:20:39,680 --> 00:20:45,000 Speaker 1: are you gonna get me? Putting me on the spot 412 00:20:45,320 --> 00:20:48,960 Speaker 1: soliciting gifts here on Cardinals cover two. Okay, you have 413 00:20:49,000 --> 00:20:50,600 Speaker 1: a week to think about. I have a week, by 414 00:20:50,640 --> 00:20:56,400 Speaker 1: the way, October twenty fourth, twenty twenty one, man, almost 415 00:20:56,400 --> 00:20:58,480 Speaker 1: a whole year. Yeah, they gotta do something. They got 416 00:20:58,480 --> 00:21:00,199 Speaker 1: to find a way to get that home win. Was 417 00:21:00,200 --> 00:21:03,000 Speaker 1: back to a faster start. Some numbers by the way, 418 00:21:03,040 --> 00:21:04,800 Speaker 1: as I hit you over the head with the numbers stick, 419 00:21:04,920 --> 00:21:08,480 Speaker 1: Cardinals have been outscored forty to seven in the first half. 420 00:21:08,840 --> 00:21:12,320 Speaker 1: Opponents have scored on eight of their first ten first 421 00:21:12,320 --> 00:21:17,000 Speaker 1: half possessions. Cardinals just one score on nine first half possessions, 422 00:21:17,240 --> 00:21:20,600 Speaker 1: although one of those possessions was a kneel down at 423 00:21:20,640 --> 00:21:23,119 Speaker 1: the end of the first half, so really just one 424 00:21:23,440 --> 00:21:26,520 Speaker 1: on eight. But that is where the faster start on 425 00:21:26,640 --> 00:21:30,200 Speaker 1: offense and the faster start on defense can defensively, can 426 00:21:30,280 --> 00:21:32,240 Speaker 1: you get the team off the field, whether it's a 427 00:21:32,320 --> 00:21:37,080 Speaker 1: three and out or six plays, one first down, a punt, 428 00:21:37,200 --> 00:21:39,480 Speaker 1: get them off the field so they don't get momentum. 429 00:21:39,640 --> 00:21:43,760 Speaker 1: And we know this Cardinals offense, they need one first 430 00:21:43,760 --> 00:21:47,600 Speaker 1: down to get going. Probably two first downs to really 431 00:21:47,720 --> 00:21:51,040 Speaker 1: find that tempo. Kyler Murray on Wednesday talked about the 432 00:21:51,080 --> 00:21:53,560 Speaker 1: slower pace that they seem to be playing with in 433 00:21:53,600 --> 00:21:55,800 Speaker 1: the first half against the Raiders and that change in 434 00:21:55,840 --> 00:21:59,199 Speaker 1: the second half. But getting that initial first down on 435 00:21:59,240 --> 00:22:01,800 Speaker 1: a drive, whether it's the first possession or second possession, 436 00:22:02,160 --> 00:22:04,920 Speaker 1: I think really changes if you will and buy into 437 00:22:04,960 --> 00:22:07,720 Speaker 1: the fact that that momentum exists, but just gives that 438 00:22:07,840 --> 00:22:10,359 Speaker 1: good feeling to everyone on that offensive field. Let me 439 00:22:10,400 --> 00:22:12,800 Speaker 1: ask you this, if the Cardinals win the coin toss, 440 00:22:12,840 --> 00:22:16,679 Speaker 1: do you think they stop deferring. I've been asked that 441 00:22:16,840 --> 00:22:21,600 Speaker 1: several times, and I lean more towards the strategy. I 442 00:22:21,680 --> 00:22:23,679 Speaker 1: like what you're saying, and I know, looking at the 443 00:22:23,720 --> 00:22:26,879 Speaker 1: second half, I like the strategy of trying to score 444 00:22:26,920 --> 00:22:29,600 Speaker 1: at the end of the first half, piggyback with the 445 00:22:29,680 --> 00:22:32,280 Speaker 1: score to begin the second half, and all of a sudden, 446 00:22:32,320 --> 00:22:35,520 Speaker 1: you've either closed the gap or increased your lead. But 447 00:22:36,040 --> 00:22:40,200 Speaker 1: now if you're struggling and two games, it's a very 448 00:22:40,240 --> 00:22:43,840 Speaker 1: small sample size, but it's just it's so alarming on 449 00:22:43,880 --> 00:22:48,120 Speaker 1: the number meaning forty to seven, on how much this 450 00:22:48,200 --> 00:22:50,199 Speaker 1: team is not doing what they need to do on 451 00:22:50,240 --> 00:22:52,800 Speaker 1: offense or defense. In the first half. But if you 452 00:22:52,840 --> 00:22:55,800 Speaker 1: put the offense on the field initially. Now the Cardinals 453 00:22:55,800 --> 00:22:57,960 Speaker 1: have won the coin toss each of the first two weeks, 454 00:22:58,800 --> 00:23:01,560 Speaker 1: maybe that changes the Rams when the tosson and all 455 00:23:01,600 --> 00:23:03,720 Speaker 1: of a sudden they defer and we see that Cardinals 456 00:23:03,720 --> 00:23:06,280 Speaker 1: offense on the field. But I get it, and maybe 457 00:23:06,359 --> 00:23:09,119 Speaker 1: down the line, if this is a trend that continues 458 00:23:09,640 --> 00:23:13,840 Speaker 1: past week five, weeks six, then you get to ask, 459 00:23:13,880 --> 00:23:16,960 Speaker 1: all right, coach, what just to change, just to change 460 00:23:16,960 --> 00:23:19,199 Speaker 1: it up a little bit, as opposed to put that 461 00:23:19,280 --> 00:23:22,520 Speaker 1: offense on the field first, as opposed to having them wait, 462 00:23:22,960 --> 00:23:24,760 Speaker 1: I agree with you. I have the same thought in 463 00:23:24,840 --> 00:23:26,520 Speaker 1: terms of the strategy of how you end the first 464 00:23:26,520 --> 00:23:29,360 Speaker 1: and going into the second half. It's just something that 465 00:23:29,880 --> 00:23:31,920 Speaker 1: you're right. It is probably too soon, but just something 466 00:23:31,960 --> 00:23:33,400 Speaker 1: to think about. And who knows, Maybe you're right. Maybe 467 00:23:33,440 --> 00:23:34,840 Speaker 1: they want when the coin toss, and this is going 468 00:23:34,880 --> 00:23:38,000 Speaker 1: to happen whether they want it or not. I just 469 00:23:39,280 --> 00:23:41,760 Speaker 1: it hasn't just been a slow start in the sense 470 00:23:41,800 --> 00:23:45,160 Speaker 1: of the Cardinals have come so close, they just can't 471 00:23:45,160 --> 00:23:48,240 Speaker 1: seem to find the end zone. They just have not 472 00:23:48,400 --> 00:23:50,480 Speaker 1: had any sort of rhythm, have not been in sync 473 00:23:50,560 --> 00:23:53,119 Speaker 1: to start these games, and again not just their first 474 00:23:53,160 --> 00:23:57,119 Speaker 1: drive in the first quarter, like an entire half a 475 00:23:57,200 --> 00:24:01,159 Speaker 1: half in most of the third quarter Sunday, So I 476 00:24:01,160 --> 00:24:03,320 Speaker 1: don't know what's going on. You can't be a team 477 00:24:03,400 --> 00:24:06,720 Speaker 1: where if you're not scoring on your first or second drive, 478 00:24:07,440 --> 00:24:11,800 Speaker 1: you are just mentally, you know, holding yourself back. You 479 00:24:11,840 --> 00:24:16,840 Speaker 1: can't do that. You can't be successful playing from behind. Yeah, 480 00:24:16,880 --> 00:24:19,400 Speaker 1: the Cardinals did that on Sunday, but you can't make 481 00:24:19,440 --> 00:24:21,760 Speaker 1: it a habit. And I like what DJ Humphrey's had 482 00:24:21,800 --> 00:24:24,760 Speaker 1: to say about the faster start quote, so we wouldn't 483 00:24:24,760 --> 00:24:27,040 Speaker 1: have to put so much stress on our hearts and 484 00:24:27,080 --> 00:24:30,679 Speaker 1: give us high blood pressure. Same DJ. Now everyone, I 485 00:24:30,680 --> 00:24:33,720 Speaker 1: don't know if he was talking about himself or the 486 00:24:33,720 --> 00:24:36,399 Speaker 1: family and friends that he has watching the game, because 487 00:24:36,440 --> 00:24:40,000 Speaker 1: that's what we feel like, Why spot a team twenty 488 00:24:40,000 --> 00:24:42,920 Speaker 1: points just to make it interesting for everyone in entertaining? 489 00:24:42,960 --> 00:24:46,639 Speaker 1: Why why go through that stress and raise your blood 490 00:24:46,680 --> 00:24:51,320 Speaker 1: pressure that that's not a recipe for long term success. 491 00:24:51,359 --> 00:24:54,400 Speaker 1: Once in a while, sure we can look back week two. Remember, 492 00:24:54,560 --> 00:24:56,119 Speaker 1: yeah we can do it. We can do it again. 493 00:24:56,480 --> 00:24:58,760 Speaker 1: But you can't get into the habit of this because 494 00:24:58,800 --> 00:25:03,520 Speaker 1: it's gonna put too much, literally on both sides and 495 00:25:03,560 --> 00:25:05,400 Speaker 1: then all of a sudden, the defense feels like they 496 00:25:05,440 --> 00:25:08,600 Speaker 1: can't afford to give up any more points in the offense. 497 00:25:08,640 --> 00:25:10,480 Speaker 1: And when you start stressing, you try to do too 498 00:25:10,560 --> 00:25:13,199 Speaker 1: too much, do more than what you're capable of or 499 00:25:13,200 --> 00:25:14,800 Speaker 1: what you're told to do, and then it just all 500 00:25:14,840 --> 00:25:18,000 Speaker 1: falls apart. Yeah, and you're maybe not just like not 501 00:25:18,119 --> 00:25:21,520 Speaker 1: as focus, but maybe not focus on the funamount holes 502 00:25:21,520 --> 00:25:23,119 Speaker 1: because you feel that pressure, you feel like you have 503 00:25:23,160 --> 00:25:25,280 Speaker 1: to do more than you should be doing, and it 504 00:25:25,440 --> 00:25:27,960 Speaker 1: just kind of spirals. But at least for me, I 505 00:25:27,960 --> 00:25:30,840 Speaker 1: would prefer that to not have that stress, that amount 506 00:25:30,880 --> 00:25:32,639 Speaker 1: of stress and the blood pressure at the end of 507 00:25:32,640 --> 00:25:34,440 Speaker 1: the fourth quarter in an overtime in the way that 508 00:25:34,480 --> 00:25:36,920 Speaker 1: I felt standing down there on the field. It is exciting, 509 00:25:36,960 --> 00:25:40,840 Speaker 1: I'll give you that, Yes, But yes, I wouldn't mind 510 00:25:41,160 --> 00:25:44,560 Speaker 1: a little bit easier of a ball game with respects 511 00:25:44,600 --> 00:25:47,320 Speaker 1: to Okay, you can calm down a little bit last 512 00:25:47,320 --> 00:25:49,040 Speaker 1: two minutes and you're not on the edge of your 513 00:25:49,080 --> 00:25:53,800 Speaker 1: seat wringing your hands wondering what's going to happen. Yeah. Absolutely, Now, 514 00:25:54,000 --> 00:25:56,919 Speaker 1: of course, if this team continues to get off to 515 00:25:56,960 --> 00:25:59,360 Speaker 1: slow starts and you brought it up as far as 516 00:25:59,440 --> 00:26:04,920 Speaker 1: just the connect it seems on offense and injuries, suspensions. 517 00:26:05,440 --> 00:26:07,200 Speaker 1: But you've got to be able to find a way. 518 00:26:07,520 --> 00:26:12,040 Speaker 1: And this team is known since April publicly about d hop. 519 00:26:12,040 --> 00:26:15,240 Speaker 1: They've had Hollywood Brown in the building since April. So 520 00:26:15,359 --> 00:26:18,159 Speaker 1: why this offense only has seven points to the first 521 00:26:18,200 --> 00:26:21,359 Speaker 1: two games doesn't make a whole lot of sense, because 522 00:26:21,359 --> 00:26:25,760 Speaker 1: this that offseason, those five months that you have that 523 00:26:25,960 --> 00:26:29,040 Speaker 1: Cliff has with his coaching staff, that's where he's excelled at. 524 00:26:29,119 --> 00:26:30,919 Speaker 1: And we saw that last year on the seven and 525 00:26:31,000 --> 00:26:34,320 Speaker 1: oh the start and now it's like, okay, what happened? 526 00:26:34,359 --> 00:26:38,000 Speaker 1: And I get missing players, but you've got to be 527 00:26:38,040 --> 00:26:40,840 Speaker 1: able to get the ball in the end zone. That's 528 00:26:40,920 --> 00:26:43,480 Speaker 1: no excuse to me. That's no excuse this early on, 529 00:26:43,560 --> 00:26:45,920 Speaker 1: when it's not like you have a rhythm and you've 530 00:26:45,920 --> 00:26:48,240 Speaker 1: been rolling with one guy, one receiver, and all of 531 00:26:48,280 --> 00:26:50,399 Speaker 1: a sudden it's week eight, week nine and you have 532 00:26:50,440 --> 00:26:52,360 Speaker 1: to completely change your game plan in a span of 533 00:26:52,800 --> 00:26:54,720 Speaker 1: two days, the way that they had to adjust the 534 00:26:54,800 --> 00:26:56,840 Speaker 1: d hoop last year. You're right, they have known for 535 00:26:57,040 --> 00:27:00,359 Speaker 1: months about not having d hoop. They have had Hollywood 536 00:27:00,359 --> 00:27:04,159 Speaker 1: Brown four months, and yes, of course you're missing the 537 00:27:04,240 --> 00:27:06,600 Speaker 1: high in Antoine Wesley, and you don't have Rondo Moore, 538 00:27:06,640 --> 00:27:09,320 Speaker 1: who is going to have that bigger role this year. 539 00:27:10,359 --> 00:27:12,439 Speaker 1: You're not the only team dealing with injuries. You know, 540 00:27:12,720 --> 00:27:15,399 Speaker 1: it's important to have that depth. Now, Is everybody on 541 00:27:15,440 --> 00:27:17,360 Speaker 1: the depth chart going to have the skill set of 542 00:27:17,800 --> 00:27:20,560 Speaker 1: DeAndre Hopkins or Hollywood Brown or even Rondo more to 543 00:27:20,600 --> 00:27:23,320 Speaker 1: a certain extent, No, and I understand that. But you 544 00:27:23,400 --> 00:27:27,880 Speaker 1: have a very very good quarterback. You have to find 545 00:27:27,920 --> 00:27:30,720 Speaker 1: a way to create He has to find a way too. 546 00:27:30,720 --> 00:27:33,160 Speaker 1: This isn't just on Cliff Kingsbury to elevate the players 547 00:27:33,160 --> 00:27:36,080 Speaker 1: that are out on the field, and everybody has to 548 00:27:36,119 --> 00:27:38,560 Speaker 1: step up. That's not excuse to me. So of Zach Ertz. 549 00:27:38,840 --> 00:27:41,520 Speaker 1: You have Trey McBride, who for whatever reason, was in 550 00:27:41,640 --> 00:27:45,000 Speaker 1: active week one we heard just mentally not being ready. 551 00:27:45,200 --> 00:27:48,639 Speaker 1: Played one snap in Week two in Vegas. So I 552 00:27:48,680 --> 00:27:51,760 Speaker 1: don't know if that's mentally, if he's not picking up 553 00:27:51,840 --> 00:27:55,040 Speaker 1: the game plan or the game is too fast for him. 554 00:27:56,640 --> 00:27:58,720 Speaker 1: If he's going to be your second round pick and 555 00:27:58,720 --> 00:28:00,600 Speaker 1: you're going to have him active, you need to find 556 00:28:00,640 --> 00:28:03,240 Speaker 1: a way to have him active. I just feel like 557 00:28:03,280 --> 00:28:05,520 Speaker 1: there really is no excuse as to why there have 558 00:28:05,600 --> 00:28:08,680 Speaker 1: been slow starts. When you have the quarterback that you do, 559 00:28:08,720 --> 00:28:10,840 Speaker 1: you now have your offensive line with your starting left 560 00:28:10,840 --> 00:28:13,359 Speaker 1: guard Justin pewback, having the offensive line that you have, 561 00:28:13,880 --> 00:28:17,640 Speaker 1: and you still have very good wide receivers Like there 562 00:28:17,640 --> 00:28:19,280 Speaker 1: really is no excuse to me of the fact that 563 00:28:19,320 --> 00:28:21,960 Speaker 1: you don't have Deandrew Hopkins out there, because you've known 564 00:28:22,000 --> 00:28:25,040 Speaker 1: about that. That's why you brought in Hollywood Brown. This 565 00:28:25,119 --> 00:28:28,760 Speaker 1: team cannot go scoreless in the first quarter on Sunday. 566 00:28:28,760 --> 00:28:30,520 Speaker 1: There are three teams, by the way, that I've not 567 00:28:30,600 --> 00:28:34,119 Speaker 1: scored a single point in the first quarter. Cardinals are one, 568 00:28:34,640 --> 00:28:37,840 Speaker 1: the Jets and the Panthers are the other two teams. 569 00:28:37,960 --> 00:28:40,960 Speaker 1: What a group to be exactly, That is not company 570 00:28:41,040 --> 00:28:45,200 Speaker 1: you want to keep. Cardinals. Will see the Panthers later 571 00:28:45,240 --> 00:28:48,320 Speaker 1: on this season. The Jets finally get their first win 572 00:28:48,400 --> 00:28:51,000 Speaker 1: of the year, But that is not an offense that 573 00:28:51,360 --> 00:28:54,520 Speaker 1: compares to the Cardinals. The Panthers offense is not an 574 00:28:54,520 --> 00:28:58,120 Speaker 1: offense that compares on paper with the Arizona Cardinals. No, 575 00:28:58,200 --> 00:29:00,600 Speaker 1: absolutely not. That's not a group they should be in 576 00:29:00,800 --> 00:29:02,800 Speaker 1: and they would not. They would agree if you said 577 00:29:02,800 --> 00:29:04,440 Speaker 1: walked into the locker room and said that, Craig, you 578 00:29:04,480 --> 00:29:06,840 Speaker 1: might get things thrown at you if you brought that 579 00:29:06,960 --> 00:29:08,960 Speaker 1: up action, bringing that up to anyone but you and 580 00:29:09,000 --> 00:29:11,240 Speaker 1: whoever might be listening here on Cardin Well, that's only 581 00:29:11,240 --> 00:29:15,560 Speaker 1: a few people, by the way, before we exit stage 582 00:29:15,640 --> 00:29:18,080 Speaker 1: left here and I give everyone the opportunity to throw 583 00:29:18,080 --> 00:29:20,840 Speaker 1: stuff out at me in the locker room. Folk Tales 584 00:29:21,560 --> 00:29:26,960 Speaker 1: premiers the second season of the critically acclaimed historical documentary series. 585 00:29:27,400 --> 00:29:31,320 Speaker 1: The Hyphen winds House is episode number one. You can 586 00:29:31,360 --> 00:29:35,080 Speaker 1: catch it on the team's YouTube channel again premiering on Wednesday. 587 00:29:35,320 --> 00:29:38,640 Speaker 1: The Hyphen for new people, new fans, what's the h Well, 588 00:29:38,680 --> 00:29:41,840 Speaker 1: that's that's LaRod Stephens Howling, who was nicknamed by our 589 00:29:41,880 --> 00:29:45,040 Speaker 1: colleague Darren Urban the Hyphen and back in twenty ten 590 00:29:45,080 --> 00:29:48,160 Speaker 1: against the then Oakland Raiders, won a brand new home 591 00:29:48,200 --> 00:29:50,600 Speaker 1: for a couple of Cardinal fans by returning the opening 592 00:29:50,680 --> 00:29:54,360 Speaker 1: kickoff one hundred and two yards for a touchdown. And 593 00:29:54,480 --> 00:29:57,520 Speaker 1: I know you were the one that interviewed the Hyphen 594 00:29:57,880 --> 00:30:00,760 Speaker 1: for this Folk Tales episode. I'm really excited for this 595 00:30:00,800 --> 00:30:03,240 Speaker 1: episode to come out. It is when I learned about 596 00:30:03,280 --> 00:30:06,960 Speaker 1: this just crazy. The Cardinals ran a promotion. You're right 597 00:30:07,000 --> 00:30:09,800 Speaker 1: that if the opening kickoff home or away games were 598 00:30:10,080 --> 00:30:13,080 Speaker 1: taken for a touchdown, a couple would win a home, 599 00:30:13,640 --> 00:30:18,600 Speaker 1: win a home Craig and this happened, and then they 600 00:30:18,600 --> 00:30:20,040 Speaker 1: still how to do the promotion the rest of the year. 601 00:30:20,080 --> 00:30:22,800 Speaker 1: Can you imagine, Oh, this was the home opener and 602 00:30:22,800 --> 00:30:25,840 Speaker 1: you're right, the promotion lasted the rest of the season. 603 00:30:26,240 --> 00:30:29,440 Speaker 1: Just really incredible. And to have Larad Stephens Howling. We 604 00:30:29,800 --> 00:30:32,560 Speaker 1: brought him out to the facility out here and it 605 00:30:32,600 --> 00:30:35,840 Speaker 1: was just really great to get to interview him in person. 606 00:30:35,960 --> 00:30:38,480 Speaker 1: He walked around the facility, talked about what he saw 607 00:30:38,520 --> 00:30:41,360 Speaker 1: that was different too, which is really neat. We talked 608 00:30:41,360 --> 00:30:45,600 Speaker 1: to the homeowners who won the house. Just a really 609 00:30:45,640 --> 00:30:50,360 Speaker 1: really crazy exciting story. And all the folk tales are 610 00:30:50,360 --> 00:30:52,280 Speaker 1: and that's what I think is so great about them. 611 00:30:53,440 --> 00:30:57,200 Speaker 1: It's not just about plays or games. While there are some, yes, 612 00:30:57,280 --> 00:31:01,600 Speaker 1: but there are so many unique stories like this one 613 00:31:02,000 --> 00:31:04,880 Speaker 1: and how it's not just the opening kickoff taken in 614 00:31:05,120 --> 00:31:08,440 Speaker 1: for a touchdown, but the implications that it had. It's 615 00:31:08,520 --> 00:31:13,200 Speaker 1: really really exciting. Um. Kyle Droni, our videographer producer, is 616 00:31:13,240 --> 00:31:15,280 Speaker 1: the one who's been working with me a lot on 617 00:31:15,280 --> 00:31:17,120 Speaker 1: this one. He's putting a lot of a lot of 618 00:31:17,160 --> 00:31:20,040 Speaker 1: work and it's it's going to be very fun to watch. 619 00:31:20,080 --> 00:31:23,000 Speaker 1: And and there's a lot of alumni that make appearances 620 00:31:23,040 --> 00:31:25,360 Speaker 1: in these Folk Tales episodes, So it's not like you're 621 00:31:25,400 --> 00:31:29,000 Speaker 1: just gonna see Laurad Stephen's Hollings. There's there's there's a 622 00:31:29,000 --> 00:31:32,040 Speaker 1: lot of a lot of familiar faces in these I 623 00:31:32,040 --> 00:31:34,280 Speaker 1: was going to bring that up because in this episode 624 00:31:34,520 --> 00:31:38,200 Speaker 1: we hear from Ben Graham, who we haven't heard from 625 00:31:38,280 --> 00:31:40,480 Speaker 1: in a while. He was the Cardinals punter at the 626 00:31:40,480 --> 00:31:44,440 Speaker 1: time in twenty ten. And you hear from the other players, 627 00:31:44,480 --> 00:31:47,520 Speaker 1: maybe not the name players, but some of those role players, 628 00:31:47,520 --> 00:31:51,800 Speaker 1: and Stephen's Hollings was one of those role players. And 629 00:31:51,880 --> 00:31:54,800 Speaker 1: for those for that, you know they say fifteen minutes 630 00:31:54,800 --> 00:31:58,240 Speaker 1: of fame if you will winning a couple a house. 631 00:31:58,600 --> 00:32:03,040 Speaker 1: I mean, that's gonna be hops on anyone's resume. I 632 00:32:03,040 --> 00:32:05,520 Speaker 1: mean a name everyone will know is Adrian Wilson makes 633 00:32:05,520 --> 00:32:08,280 Speaker 1: an appearance and talks about this and talks about Laurent 634 00:32:08,320 --> 00:32:10,560 Speaker 1: as a teammate, and you're right, the special teams of 635 00:32:11,960 --> 00:32:14,360 Speaker 1: that underdog mentality and to be the type of place 636 00:32:14,600 --> 00:32:17,640 Speaker 1: it is. I mean, I'm biased, but I think it 637 00:32:17,680 --> 00:32:20,960 Speaker 1: really is a fun episode to watch. So go ahead 638 00:32:20,960 --> 00:32:22,600 Speaker 1: and check that out. The hyph and wins the house, 639 00:32:22,680 --> 00:32:24,880 Speaker 1: and there's going to be I believe seven or eight 640 00:32:24,880 --> 00:32:28,960 Speaker 1: of these folks at scheduled yes throughout the year. Usually 641 00:32:29,240 --> 00:32:32,880 Speaker 1: was last year was more condensed, but it's going to 642 00:32:32,920 --> 00:32:34,800 Speaker 1: be spread out a little bit more so fans have 643 00:32:34,840 --> 00:32:38,400 Speaker 1: a chance to enjoy these plus. In addition to the video, 644 00:32:38,520 --> 00:32:41,880 Speaker 1: there's also a podcast as well that our executive producer 645 00:32:41,960 --> 00:32:44,960 Speaker 1: Jim am Mohundro and Paul Calvc do. So you get 646 00:32:44,960 --> 00:32:48,400 Speaker 1: the video, you get the audio, and some similarities between 647 00:32:48,440 --> 00:32:50,360 Speaker 1: the two, but I know there's a lot of differences 648 00:32:50,440 --> 00:32:54,000 Speaker 1: as well with respects to what's seene and then what's heard. Yeah, 649 00:32:54,080 --> 00:32:56,840 Speaker 1: there's lots of options. I believe there's an article Darren 650 00:32:56,880 --> 00:32:59,280 Speaker 1: again kid, don't don't tell, Don't tell Darren. I forgot 651 00:32:59,280 --> 00:33:01,840 Speaker 1: about the article on easy Cardinals dot com. Oh, I 652 00:33:01,880 --> 00:33:04,840 Speaker 1: bet he's listening. He's gonna hear himself. Oh yeah. It 653 00:33:04,960 --> 00:33:08,520 Speaker 1: is really really great that our whole media department works 654 00:33:08,640 --> 00:33:14,200 Speaker 1: together to give the fans so many different outlooks to consume. Sure, 655 00:33:14,320 --> 00:33:17,840 Speaker 1: the same story, the same idea, but still you're right, 656 00:33:17,920 --> 00:33:21,280 Speaker 1: have those different details to them and still give them 657 00:33:21,280 --> 00:33:24,880 Speaker 1: and produce them in unique ways, different takes on a 658 00:33:24,880 --> 00:33:29,000 Speaker 1: particular event or a particular player. Again. Folk Tales is back. 659 00:33:29,440 --> 00:33:33,239 Speaker 1: Episode one, The Hyphen Winds a House. Premier's Wednesday on 660 00:33:33,280 --> 00:33:37,400 Speaker 1: the team's YouTube channel. Course more information on asy cardinals 661 00:33:37,560 --> 00:33:40,360 Speaker 1: dot com And on that note, we will put a 662 00:33:40,400 --> 00:33:43,360 Speaker 1: lid on this edition of Cardinals Covered two, presented by Hunday, 663 00:33:43,400 --> 00:33:46,800 Speaker 1: proud partner of the Arizona Cardinals. As always, special thanks 664 00:33:46,800 --> 00:33:50,120 Speaker 1: to our executive producer, Jemma Hundred or Danny Serek. I'm 665 00:33:50,120 --> 00:33:52,240 Speaker 1: greig Rio Lou. We'll talk to you next time you're 666 00:33:52,320 --> 00:33:53,600 Speaker 1: on Cardinals Cover two.