1 00:00:05,800 --> 00:00:09,360 Speaker 1: Welcome Bird Gang, and Happy New Year. On today's show, 2 00:00:09,560 --> 00:00:12,280 Speaker 1: our last show of twenty twenty. On this the last 3 00:00:12,440 --> 00:00:15,400 Speaker 1: day of twenty twenty, and iris hoping Sunday is not 4 00:00:15,520 --> 00:00:18,920 Speaker 1: the last game of the twenty twenty season. As we've 5 00:00:18,960 --> 00:00:22,240 Speaker 1: been saying all week, the Cardinals control their playoff destiny 6 00:00:22,600 --> 00:00:26,800 Speaker 1: when and their season continues into a second season the postseason. 7 00:00:27,280 --> 00:00:30,040 Speaker 1: So what needs to happen? Mike Jarecki has his three 8 00:00:30,120 --> 00:00:32,960 Speaker 1: keys for a victory, plus the always popular X factor. 9 00:00:33,320 --> 00:00:37,080 Speaker 1: But first, mj was at practice earlier. A first hand 10 00:00:37,080 --> 00:00:40,800 Speaker 1: account of how Kyler Murray looked. It's Cardinals Cover two, 11 00:00:40,960 --> 00:00:48,280 Speaker 1: episode three eighty two, and it starts now. Welcome to 12 00:00:48,440 --> 00:00:52,720 Speaker 1: Cardinals Cover two with Craig Grigallu and Mike Jarecki. Cardinals 13 00:00:52,760 --> 00:00:56,560 Speaker 1: Cover two is presented by Hyunday, proud partner of the 14 00:00:56,600 --> 00:01:02,240 Speaker 1: Arizona Cardinals, and by Arizona Cardinals Podcasts, visit Acy Cardinals 15 00:01:02,280 --> 00:01:05,600 Speaker 1: dot Com, Slash Podcasts. Murray rolls to the right throws 16 00:01:05,640 --> 00:01:08,000 Speaker 1: near side of Pitts Bob. He's into the ends after 17 00:01:08,080 --> 00:01:13,720 Speaker 1: the touchdown. Here's Craig Grielou and Mike Jareckie. Though I 18 00:01:13,800 --> 00:01:17,440 Speaker 1: think Kyler ended any and all speculation yesterday with his 19 00:01:17,600 --> 00:01:22,000 Speaker 1: comments quote yeah I'll be playing end quote when asked 20 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:26,680 Speaker 1: about his availability this week. Still it remains a storyline, heck. 21 00:01:27,040 --> 00:01:30,520 Speaker 1: ESPN NFL Live devoted almost ten minutes on the topic 22 00:01:30,640 --> 00:01:34,600 Speaker 1: during their show yesterday. MJ, you were at practice today, 23 00:01:35,000 --> 00:01:37,759 Speaker 1: how did QB one look? Well, first of all, it's 24 00:01:37,760 --> 00:01:40,800 Speaker 1: a little chili out there, and so Kyler Murray was 25 00:01:40,800 --> 00:01:44,600 Speaker 1: wearing like a hoodie or he were like black sleeves. 26 00:01:45,440 --> 00:01:49,040 Speaker 1: DeAndre Hopkins was wearing black sleeves. Assumed it's a hoodie 27 00:01:49,080 --> 00:01:52,440 Speaker 1: under the uniform. But he'd look fine. I mean he's 28 00:01:52,480 --> 00:01:56,000 Speaker 1: bouncing around, you know, the open portion. We see them 29 00:01:56,080 --> 00:01:59,280 Speaker 1: stretching and you know, usually next to the lineman, which 30 00:01:59,360 --> 00:02:02,360 Speaker 1: is smart. He kind of has fun with them. Cliff 31 00:02:02,360 --> 00:02:04,320 Speaker 1: will come over and talk to him before practice and 32 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:07,440 Speaker 1: then they break off, and you know, he was doing 33 00:02:07,480 --> 00:02:13,200 Speaker 1: his typical throwing sessions where you know, there's different drills 34 00:02:13,280 --> 00:02:15,680 Speaker 1: where you gotta you know, chop your feet, turn your 35 00:02:15,720 --> 00:02:17,400 Speaker 1: lay or turn your hips, and you gotta throw a 36 00:02:17,480 --> 00:02:21,799 Speaker 1: real fast and Cliff always says ball, ball, ball, And 37 00:02:21,960 --> 00:02:24,440 Speaker 1: then when he was thrown in the net, very accurate. 38 00:02:25,080 --> 00:02:27,880 Speaker 1: When he's got to run through some of these bags. Obviously, 39 00:02:28,040 --> 00:02:29,640 Speaker 1: when you're in the pocket, you got to step up 40 00:02:29,720 --> 00:02:33,919 Speaker 1: and left to right, shuffle a little bit. No limitations there. 41 00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:36,800 Speaker 1: So I don't know if they did as their bullet, 42 00:02:36,880 --> 00:02:39,960 Speaker 1: but it's good to go. And I would have been 43 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:42,680 Speaker 1: concerned if he was limited on Wednesday, Thursday and then 44 00:02:43,120 --> 00:02:44,760 Speaker 1: you know, limited on Friday, and it's going to be 45 00:02:44,840 --> 00:02:47,519 Speaker 1: a game time decision. I don't think we're even near there, 46 00:02:48,040 --> 00:02:50,799 Speaker 1: So good to go. And again, I think they all 47 00:02:50,960 --> 00:02:54,000 Speaker 1: know what's at stake. Nobody's one hundred percent. Larry's missed 48 00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:56,640 Speaker 1: a couple of practices with a growing injury. He's thirty seven. 49 00:02:57,120 --> 00:03:01,560 Speaker 1: Larry Fitzgerald will play on Sunday. Yeah, bits earlier today quote, 50 00:03:01,600 --> 00:03:04,400 Speaker 1: I wouldn't say I feel great, but every day it's 51 00:03:04,480 --> 00:03:07,440 Speaker 1: getting a little better. And yeah, he did bring up 52 00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:11,160 Speaker 1: his age, and I'm trying to think he doesn't typically 53 00:03:11,320 --> 00:03:13,840 Speaker 1: bring up the number. I mean, we'll joke about how 54 00:03:13,880 --> 00:03:16,040 Speaker 1: many years he's played, but I don't think I've ever 55 00:03:16,080 --> 00:03:19,040 Speaker 1: heard him reference the name of the age of thirty 56 00:03:19,120 --> 00:03:21,880 Speaker 1: seven before. So, and he came into the league, I 57 00:03:21,960 --> 00:03:24,160 Speaker 1: want to say, at twenty years old. Well, and you 58 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:26,280 Speaker 1: said it was it was cold at practice, so maybe 59 00:03:26,320 --> 00:03:29,679 Speaker 1: he was filling out a little bit more today. No, 60 00:03:29,919 --> 00:03:34,160 Speaker 1: he was getting treatment because normally he's out there Wednesday 61 00:03:34,639 --> 00:03:38,160 Speaker 1: again Veteran's Day for a lot of guys, you know, 62 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:40,520 Speaker 1: and let's be honest to me, at this point in 63 00:03:40,520 --> 00:03:42,400 Speaker 1: the year, a lot of guys that are not one 64 00:03:42,480 --> 00:03:44,680 Speaker 1: hundred percent. So you got some makes and pains and 65 00:03:44,760 --> 00:03:47,280 Speaker 1: you got to get through it. But the fact that 66 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:49,440 Speaker 1: he hasn't been out there, I just you know, and 67 00:03:50,680 --> 00:03:53,000 Speaker 1: clearly he's gonna get treatment when he leaves the facility 68 00:03:53,560 --> 00:03:56,160 Speaker 1: at home and stuff like that. So good to go. 69 00:03:56,800 --> 00:04:00,400 Speaker 1: You know. We'll see about Max Williams, We'll see about 70 00:04:00,440 --> 00:04:03,080 Speaker 1: Jayalen Thompson. Maybe get some guys back that can add 71 00:04:03,160 --> 00:04:05,640 Speaker 1: some depth to Cardinals do have four tight ends on 72 00:04:05,720 --> 00:04:08,480 Speaker 1: the roster. I don't think they'll dress for but we 73 00:04:08,640 --> 00:04:10,640 Speaker 1: know Max is the meeting title's guy, and it really 74 00:04:10,680 --> 00:04:13,400 Speaker 1: opens things up for Dan Arnold and Darrell Daniels is 75 00:04:13,960 --> 00:04:16,120 Speaker 1: a guy that probably doesn't get talked about a lot 76 00:04:16,160 --> 00:04:19,520 Speaker 1: about I like his size and so we'll see what happens. 77 00:04:19,640 --> 00:04:21,880 Speaker 1: But they are carrying four tight ends on the roster 78 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:26,080 Speaker 1: right now. Williams was spotted during media availability, which is good. 79 00:04:26,160 --> 00:04:29,240 Speaker 1: He did not practice yesterday because of an ankle injury 80 00:04:29,320 --> 00:04:31,840 Speaker 1: that kept him off the field last week. And the 81 00:04:31,960 --> 00:04:34,680 Speaker 1: one thing that I know Ron Wiefully really touched on 82 00:04:34,960 --> 00:04:38,560 Speaker 1: a lot earlier this season when Williams was out on 83 00:04:38,760 --> 00:04:41,960 Speaker 1: just how much he helps in the run game. Now, 84 00:04:42,080 --> 00:04:45,120 Speaker 1: this run game, as we've talked a lot this week 85 00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:48,600 Speaker 1: and specifically yesterday's show, has not been very efficient to 86 00:04:48,680 --> 00:04:52,200 Speaker 1: pass a couple of weeks, and Williams has played. But 87 00:04:52,360 --> 00:04:54,360 Speaker 1: if you want to be able to run the football 88 00:04:54,360 --> 00:04:59,200 Speaker 1: against this Rams defense, it would certainly help exponentially to 89 00:04:59,320 --> 00:05:02,680 Speaker 1: have Maxi on the field. Yeah, let's just say this. 90 00:05:02,960 --> 00:05:05,800 Speaker 1: I think the Cardinals offensive line and running game has 91 00:05:05,839 --> 00:05:10,400 Speaker 1: been very inconsistent the last two weeks. And I think 92 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:12,359 Speaker 1: it has a lot to do with only putting twelve 93 00:05:12,400 --> 00:05:15,479 Speaker 1: points on the board, the fact that they're only averaging 94 00:05:15,600 --> 00:05:19,840 Speaker 1: four point four yards per play. But you know, the 95 00:05:19,960 --> 00:05:23,200 Speaker 1: offensive line, that's where their strength was last year and 96 00:05:23,279 --> 00:05:25,760 Speaker 1: this year, and so there's still a you know, closer 97 00:05:25,760 --> 00:05:29,160 Speaker 1: to the top, but that's more body of work. And 98 00:05:29,520 --> 00:05:32,560 Speaker 1: we know how stout is Rams front seven is in 99 00:05:32,640 --> 00:05:34,640 Speaker 1: their defense, which I'll get into when it comes to 100 00:05:34,760 --> 00:05:37,360 Speaker 1: the three keys and the X factor. But yeah, I 101 00:05:37,400 --> 00:05:40,440 Speaker 1: mean it's and we don't know the latest on Chase Evans. 102 00:05:40,520 --> 00:05:42,320 Speaker 1: Probably not a good thing that he's not out there. 103 00:05:43,720 --> 00:05:46,000 Speaker 1: So then you're looking at you know, Kenyan Drake, and 104 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:51,240 Speaker 1: you know you brought it up yesterday's eighty five or 105 00:05:51,320 --> 00:05:53,560 Speaker 1: eighty one or eighty five yards from eighty one yards 106 00:05:53,839 --> 00:05:57,800 Speaker 1: any one yards from one thousand, so which is sixty 107 00:05:57,839 --> 00:06:00,760 Speaker 1: five yards a game. We know he doesn't get five touches, 108 00:06:01,360 --> 00:06:05,360 Speaker 1: you know, I talk about his touchdown ratio, but they're 109 00:06:05,400 --> 00:06:07,080 Speaker 1: going to need him to get to that second layer. 110 00:06:07,160 --> 00:06:10,000 Speaker 1: And it all starts up front. I can't emphasize this enough. 111 00:06:10,160 --> 00:06:12,040 Speaker 1: This game is going to come down to the trenches 112 00:06:12,120 --> 00:06:15,719 Speaker 1: on both sides of the ball for both teams. Cardinals 113 00:06:15,920 --> 00:06:20,320 Speaker 1: going into week seventeen ranked number three in rushing yards 114 00:06:20,440 --> 00:06:25,040 Speaker 1: per game, number seven and average yards per carry as 115 00:06:25,120 --> 00:06:27,760 Speaker 1: far as four point seven. But it's what's happened, and 116 00:06:27,839 --> 00:06:29,800 Speaker 1: I went back looked at some of the numbers. The 117 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:34,119 Speaker 1: last six games, they have not hit that four point 118 00:06:34,279 --> 00:06:37,760 Speaker 1: five yard per carry mark in any of the past 119 00:06:37,880 --> 00:06:41,320 Speaker 1: six weeks. Now the first nine games they hit that 120 00:06:41,480 --> 00:06:46,240 Speaker 1: mark seven times, So maybe it's gotten a little bit harder. 121 00:06:46,520 --> 00:06:50,080 Speaker 1: You're seeing teams for the second time December. Football is 122 00:06:50,080 --> 00:06:53,760 Speaker 1: always tough. Yet at the same time, I think, you know, 123 00:06:53,839 --> 00:06:56,480 Speaker 1: we're all talking about Kyler Murray and how he needs 124 00:06:56,520 --> 00:06:59,200 Speaker 1: to be healthy and the passing game, and yes, but 125 00:06:59,640 --> 00:07:03,880 Speaker 1: an effective and an efficient run game. You don't need 126 00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:06,440 Speaker 1: to have ninety five or one hundred and thirty yards, 127 00:07:07,120 --> 00:07:08,920 Speaker 1: but you certainly need to be able to run the football, 128 00:07:08,960 --> 00:07:11,080 Speaker 1: and the Cardinals did not last week against the forty 129 00:07:11,160 --> 00:07:15,120 Speaker 1: nine Ers, a very depleted forty nine ers defensive line 130 00:07:15,200 --> 00:07:19,000 Speaker 1: and front seven. And this is the complete opposite coming 131 00:07:19,120 --> 00:07:22,240 Speaker 1: up this week. The Rams are healthy and not only 132 00:07:22,280 --> 00:07:26,160 Speaker 1: are they healthy, they are top three run defense. Yeah. 133 00:07:26,480 --> 00:07:30,520 Speaker 1: I couldn't agree more. And you know, when you start 134 00:07:30,600 --> 00:07:33,640 Speaker 1: looking at it from that standpoint, I mean, they did 135 00:07:33,680 --> 00:07:37,000 Speaker 1: a really good job containing that Seahawks offense last week. 136 00:07:37,960 --> 00:07:40,280 Speaker 1: You know, I think you know, I was the one 137 00:07:40,360 --> 00:07:42,560 Speaker 1: that said, well, Chris Carson comes back and then he 138 00:07:42,600 --> 00:07:44,920 Speaker 1: got a shot Penny and we know Wilson can extend 139 00:07:45,040 --> 00:07:49,120 Speaker 1: plays with his legs, and you know, the Seahawks have 140 00:07:49,280 --> 00:07:53,000 Speaker 1: never had a great offensive line, but because of Russell Wilson, 141 00:07:53,080 --> 00:07:55,000 Speaker 1: he comes up a lot of those blemishes. But they 142 00:07:55,080 --> 00:07:59,240 Speaker 1: were able to contain them, and you know, if Chase 143 00:07:59,400 --> 00:08:02,080 Speaker 1: isn't able to and we'll know more Friday or Sunday, 144 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:05,560 Speaker 1: then you're really going to have to rely on Kenyan Drake. 145 00:08:05,720 --> 00:08:09,320 Speaker 1: And you know, maybe they'll they'll go with some more 146 00:08:09,520 --> 00:08:13,080 Speaker 1: max protection, bring in Josh Jones, maybe go multiple tight ends, 147 00:08:13,600 --> 00:08:16,360 Speaker 1: because you know what you're looking for at that point 148 00:08:16,440 --> 00:08:18,640 Speaker 1: to try to run the football's numbers. So if you've 149 00:08:18,640 --> 00:08:21,800 Speaker 1: got seven guys and they got you know, four rushing, 150 00:08:22,600 --> 00:08:25,840 Speaker 1: you're gonna have to try to get numbers. So but again, 151 00:08:26,200 --> 00:08:28,400 Speaker 1: this is an opportunity for Kenyan Drake to carry the 152 00:08:28,520 --> 00:08:31,200 Speaker 1: load and see what he can do. But at the 153 00:08:31,280 --> 00:08:33,280 Speaker 1: same time, you know they're going to try to take 154 00:08:33,320 --> 00:08:35,720 Speaker 1: some shots down the field. It's not going to be easy. 155 00:08:35,840 --> 00:08:38,040 Speaker 1: So the work they got their work cut out. And 156 00:08:38,160 --> 00:08:41,160 Speaker 1: again there's a reason why they've won seven consecutive games 157 00:08:41,240 --> 00:08:44,520 Speaker 1: under Sean McVeigh. But that absolutely means nothing going into 158 00:08:44,600 --> 00:08:47,360 Speaker 1: this game. If you want to change that narrative, and 159 00:08:47,520 --> 00:08:49,920 Speaker 1: we talked about it in the offseason going in, it's 160 00:08:50,000 --> 00:08:53,160 Speaker 1: time to jump the Rams in the division. And maybe 161 00:08:53,280 --> 00:08:56,040 Speaker 1: next year we'll talk about, you know where the Niners are, 162 00:08:56,200 --> 00:08:59,280 Speaker 1: But I thought it was imperative this year the Rams 163 00:08:59,360 --> 00:09:02,800 Speaker 1: if they had, you know, you know, a seventh playoff team, 164 00:09:02,840 --> 00:09:04,480 Speaker 1: they would have made it in the NFC. And the 165 00:09:04,559 --> 00:09:08,599 Speaker 1: Steelers now, Craig, they're just looking at the seatings and 166 00:09:08,720 --> 00:09:12,679 Speaker 1: the games coming up. And I was listening to Robert 167 00:09:12,720 --> 00:09:15,200 Speaker 1: Woods and Sean McVay on their conference calls. I believe 168 00:09:15,240 --> 00:09:18,480 Speaker 1: you were on there, and they're in a good spot. 169 00:09:18,679 --> 00:09:20,880 Speaker 1: I don't think the Bears are gonna win, Nope. So 170 00:09:21,160 --> 00:09:24,199 Speaker 1: the Rams, I thought they were really confident and loose, like, 171 00:09:25,200 --> 00:09:27,040 Speaker 1: we're gonna try to win this game, but we still 172 00:09:27,120 --> 00:09:30,199 Speaker 1: can get in the postseason. If the Packers beat the 173 00:09:30,240 --> 00:09:32,960 Speaker 1: Bears now the game is in Chicago, that's a great rivalry. 174 00:09:33,559 --> 00:09:36,959 Speaker 1: So I got a little bit more just reading the 175 00:09:37,040 --> 00:09:39,960 Speaker 1: tea leads, maybe connecting the dots. They're a confident team. 176 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:43,400 Speaker 1: They're loose because they know they can lose and still 177 00:09:43,520 --> 00:09:47,120 Speaker 1: make the playoffs. They don't have their starting quarterback, they're 178 00:09:47,160 --> 00:09:48,920 Speaker 1: not going to have their leading rush here, they're not 179 00:09:48,960 --> 00:09:51,440 Speaker 1: going to have their leading wide receiver. Sure they want 180 00:09:51,520 --> 00:09:54,120 Speaker 1: to win and get to ten wins on the season, 181 00:09:54,240 --> 00:09:57,040 Speaker 1: but to your points, they can back their way in, 182 00:09:57,679 --> 00:10:01,559 Speaker 1: lose three consecutive games to out the regular season and 183 00:10:01,800 --> 00:10:05,280 Speaker 1: still get to the postseason if the Packers beat the Bears, 184 00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:08,280 Speaker 1: and Green Bay needs this game because if they win, 185 00:10:08,720 --> 00:10:11,440 Speaker 1: they lock up the number one seed, which means home 186 00:10:11,520 --> 00:10:15,480 Speaker 1: field advantage throughout the postseason. More importantly, a first round 187 00:10:16,080 --> 00:10:19,520 Speaker 1: by there's only one in each conference, so you've got 188 00:10:19,600 --> 00:10:21,960 Speaker 1: three teams fighting for that number one spot. The Saints 189 00:10:22,000 --> 00:10:24,719 Speaker 1: and Seahawks also alive as well. That's why it was 190 00:10:24,840 --> 00:10:28,559 Speaker 1: important for the Packers to have something to play for 191 00:10:28,880 --> 00:10:32,640 Speaker 1: with respects to the Cardinals. Now it's something to play 192 00:10:32,679 --> 00:10:35,439 Speaker 1: for with respects to the Rams, and that is what 193 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:39,080 Speaker 1: happened over this past weekend. Yeah, and the reason why 194 00:10:39,240 --> 00:10:41,480 Speaker 1: Chicago is going on this winning streak is they're scoring 195 00:10:41,559 --> 00:10:44,480 Speaker 1: over thirty points. I want to say going into the 196 00:10:44,559 --> 00:10:47,079 Speaker 1: Jackson'll game. I think it's four or five in a 197 00:10:47,120 --> 00:10:49,640 Speaker 1: world that they had lost one game, and the less 198 00:10:49,679 --> 00:10:52,400 Speaker 1: time they did that was nineteen sixty five when they 199 00:10:52,520 --> 00:10:55,760 Speaker 1: had Gale Sayers, So that's how long it's been. You know, 200 00:10:55,880 --> 00:11:00,439 Speaker 1: Chicago's known for their defense. You know Travisky has played 201 00:11:00,520 --> 00:11:05,880 Speaker 1: better as of late, so in its arrival. So when 202 00:11:05,920 --> 00:11:09,240 Speaker 1: you talk about arrival in a division game, there's familiarity 203 00:11:09,280 --> 00:11:11,839 Speaker 1: on both sides. Obviously, Matt Lafleur has done a really 204 00:11:11,920 --> 00:11:14,680 Speaker 1: good job. He walked into coach a Hall of Fame 205 00:11:14,800 --> 00:11:18,720 Speaker 1: quarterback Davante Adams Man. You know, I don't think people 206 00:11:18,760 --> 00:11:21,200 Speaker 1: are talking about him as having one of the better seasons, 207 00:11:21,400 --> 00:11:24,400 Speaker 1: like Stefan Diggs and DeAndre Hopkins and they got that 208 00:11:24,520 --> 00:11:27,240 Speaker 1: running game. So but they have to play for something 209 00:11:27,280 --> 00:11:29,720 Speaker 1: in the first round, buys, I mean just to give 210 00:11:29,760 --> 00:11:32,560 Speaker 1: a little bit of rest. You know, they can hit 211 00:11:32,640 --> 00:11:36,280 Speaker 1: that switch when the game starts. So I anticipate the 212 00:11:36,679 --> 00:11:40,040 Speaker 1: Packers to win, which would allow the Rams win or lose, 213 00:11:40,120 --> 00:11:42,880 Speaker 1: to get into the postseason. Yeah, that's why we are 214 00:11:43,040 --> 00:11:45,160 Speaker 1: talking yesterday about you know, if the Rams can just 215 00:11:45,320 --> 00:11:47,600 Speaker 1: do the Cardinals a favor here and you'll have three 216 00:11:47,720 --> 00:11:51,920 Speaker 1: teams make the postseason from the NFCUS. It's like bowl season. 217 00:11:52,040 --> 00:11:54,400 Speaker 1: How many teams from the same conference can get a 218 00:11:54,800 --> 00:11:58,080 Speaker 1: invite to a bowl game because that helps the entire conference. 219 00:11:58,160 --> 00:12:00,280 Speaker 1: Now that doesn't work that way on the National Football League, 220 00:12:00,280 --> 00:12:03,680 Speaker 1: but it's early. It makes for a good storyline. Bird Gang, 221 00:12:03,760 --> 00:12:05,640 Speaker 1: make sure you update to the latest version of the 222 00:12:05,720 --> 00:12:08,800 Speaker 1: Cardinals mobile app today. The update features in all new 223 00:12:08,920 --> 00:12:13,360 Speaker 1: Redesign homescreen experience, visit Acy Cardinals dot Com, slash app 224 00:12:13,640 --> 00:12:16,800 Speaker 1: four more. You brought it up, MJ. The Rams have 225 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:20,120 Speaker 1: won seven in a row over the Cardinals. They have 226 00:12:20,360 --> 00:12:24,120 Speaker 1: never lost to an Arizona Cardinals team with Sean McVay 227 00:12:24,400 --> 00:12:27,720 Speaker 1: as the head coach. He was hired in twenty seventeen. 228 00:12:27,880 --> 00:12:30,400 Speaker 1: That all needs to change here this week. We know 229 00:12:30,520 --> 00:12:34,120 Speaker 1: what's at stake. Cardinals win, their season continues, the second 230 00:12:34,200 --> 00:12:37,199 Speaker 1: season into the postseason. They lose, and it's going to 231 00:12:37,240 --> 00:12:41,480 Speaker 1: be a very long, very long off season. So we 232 00:12:41,640 --> 00:12:44,440 Speaker 1: tasked you, as we do each and every week here 233 00:12:44,559 --> 00:12:48,080 Speaker 1: during this season, Mike Jarecki's three keys for a victory 234 00:12:48,480 --> 00:12:51,840 Speaker 1: plus the always popular X factor. The Cardinals are going 235 00:12:51,920 --> 00:12:55,640 Speaker 1: to get their first win over the Rams since twenty sixteen. 236 00:12:56,360 --> 00:12:59,920 Speaker 1: What is the first key? Must be able to run 237 00:13:00,040 --> 00:13:02,360 Speaker 1: the football And as you pointed out on one of 238 00:13:02,440 --> 00:13:06,760 Speaker 1: your tweets, easier said than done. As you mentioned earlier, 239 00:13:06,880 --> 00:13:10,920 Speaker 1: Cardinals our third averaging one hundred and forty five point nine. 240 00:13:11,080 --> 00:13:13,160 Speaker 1: But that's not been the case at least over the 241 00:13:13,280 --> 00:13:15,280 Speaker 1: last couple of weeks. And you pointed out over maybe 242 00:13:15,320 --> 00:13:18,560 Speaker 1: the last six weeks, and this is where this team 243 00:13:18,640 --> 00:13:21,360 Speaker 1: has hanged their hat. You know, the sack total has 244 00:13:21,400 --> 00:13:24,360 Speaker 1: gone down. Okay, at one point they were the number 245 00:13:24,400 --> 00:13:27,400 Speaker 1: one offense and football based on total yards per game. 246 00:13:27,960 --> 00:13:30,280 Speaker 1: That's gone down. So and it's not going to be 247 00:13:30,400 --> 00:13:33,560 Speaker 1: easy because as you pointed out rams rush defense, Gill 248 00:13:33,559 --> 00:13:37,040 Speaker 1: only given up ready three point eight yards per carry, 249 00:13:37,640 --> 00:13:39,920 Speaker 1: only given up less than one hundred yards per game. 250 00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:42,200 Speaker 1: That would have been the ninety four point one, which 251 00:13:42,280 --> 00:13:44,199 Speaker 1: is third in the NFL. And it all starts with 252 00:13:44,280 --> 00:13:47,679 Speaker 1: Aaron Donald and it starts with that front, and you 253 00:13:47,760 --> 00:13:51,240 Speaker 1: can try to double team him with the new defensive 254 00:13:51,280 --> 00:13:54,480 Speaker 1: coordinator Brandon Staley. They're moving him around. I did watch 255 00:13:54,559 --> 00:13:57,840 Speaker 1: that highlight where he was line up against DJ Humphreys. 256 00:13:57,920 --> 00:14:00,800 Speaker 1: He went inside, hump took outside and he end up 257 00:14:00,840 --> 00:14:03,080 Speaker 1: getting his sack there. And we know how well their 258 00:14:03,160 --> 00:14:07,600 Speaker 1: secondary is is Dysterius Williams, Williams and then you throw 259 00:14:07,640 --> 00:14:10,480 Speaker 1: in Jalen Ramsey. They can cover. But I just think 260 00:14:10,600 --> 00:14:12,839 Speaker 1: you have to win if the line of scrimmage, this 261 00:14:13,040 --> 00:14:15,520 Speaker 1: is going to be on the offensive line, and so 262 00:14:15,920 --> 00:14:19,200 Speaker 1: you know, again Kyler is going to have to run 263 00:14:19,280 --> 00:14:21,880 Speaker 1: the ball a little bit, but they're going to try 264 00:14:21,920 --> 00:14:23,800 Speaker 1: to lean on Kenyan Drake and I do think they'll 265 00:14:23,800 --> 00:14:26,440 Speaker 1: go a mass protection to try to win up front 266 00:14:26,720 --> 00:14:28,960 Speaker 1: and get to that second layer. So that is you 267 00:14:29,120 --> 00:14:31,960 Speaker 1: must be able to run the football. But again, as 268 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:35,040 Speaker 1: you said, and you pointed out correctly, easier said than done. 269 00:14:35,640 --> 00:14:40,240 Speaker 1: Dj Humphries, Justin Pugh, Mason Cole, Justin Murray, Kelvin Beach 270 00:14:40,320 --> 00:14:42,400 Speaker 1: and those five And if you want to throw in, 271 00:14:42,560 --> 00:14:45,160 Speaker 1: if we see a Jr. Sweezy, maybe we even see 272 00:14:45,240 --> 00:14:48,160 Speaker 1: Lamont and Gilliard, although Kingsbury was quick to shoot that 273 00:14:48,280 --> 00:14:52,000 Speaker 1: down as far as perhaps maybe taking some more snaps 274 00:14:52,080 --> 00:14:56,200 Speaker 1: away from Mason Cole, who has been flagged four times 275 00:14:56,320 --> 00:14:58,880 Speaker 1: in the past two weeks with false start penalties. But 276 00:14:59,040 --> 00:15:02,920 Speaker 1: those five guys six, if you count Sweezy, they need 277 00:15:03,200 --> 00:15:07,280 Speaker 1: to get this Rams defensive line back on their heels. 278 00:15:07,760 --> 00:15:10,880 Speaker 1: It can be done because we have seen it. But 279 00:15:11,120 --> 00:15:14,840 Speaker 1: as you said, it's unlikely, but you have to be 280 00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:18,040 Speaker 1: able to keep that defense honest. But because if they 281 00:15:18,080 --> 00:15:20,360 Speaker 1: can stop the run, which is five or six in 282 00:15:20,440 --> 00:15:22,800 Speaker 1: the box as the forty nine ers did, then all 283 00:15:22,840 --> 00:15:25,720 Speaker 1: of a sudden, Jalen Ramsey's got extra help in the secondary. 284 00:15:25,840 --> 00:15:28,880 Speaker 1: Darius Williams has extra help in the secondary, and it 285 00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:31,680 Speaker 1: makes it much more difficult for Kyler Murray to find 286 00:15:31,920 --> 00:15:36,840 Speaker 1: open passing lanes to throw and obviously harder four receivers 287 00:15:36,880 --> 00:15:39,680 Speaker 1: to get open, especially end zone coverage, because I think 288 00:15:39,720 --> 00:15:42,440 Speaker 1: that has been the one area that Murray has struggled 289 00:15:42,480 --> 00:15:45,440 Speaker 1: with versus man coverage as far as trying to figure 290 00:15:45,480 --> 00:15:48,400 Speaker 1: out where different defenders are going to be and trying 291 00:15:48,400 --> 00:15:51,520 Speaker 1: to get the ball to his playmakers. Yeah, I totally agree. 292 00:15:52,840 --> 00:15:55,800 Speaker 1: We'll go on to number two here, Okay, got it. 293 00:15:55,960 --> 00:16:00,560 Speaker 1: Number two. Number two, try to contain John wolf It 294 00:16:01,560 --> 00:16:04,120 Speaker 1: keep him in the pocket. Again, easier said than done. 295 00:16:05,200 --> 00:16:09,480 Speaker 1: NFL Films went back to a preseason game and actually 296 00:16:09,560 --> 00:16:12,000 Speaker 1: was a scrimmage. It was a ram scrimmage against each other, 297 00:16:13,160 --> 00:16:15,440 Speaker 1: and McVeigh made a comment that he looks like Doug 298 00:16:15,480 --> 00:16:18,320 Speaker 1: Flutie out there. He's a little bit taller, but I'm 299 00:16:18,360 --> 00:16:21,720 Speaker 1: concerned about the bootlegs, the waggle plays and him throwing 300 00:16:21,840 --> 00:16:24,000 Speaker 1: on the run. They have a really good wide receiver 301 00:16:24,080 --> 00:16:27,200 Speaker 1: in Robert Woods. He lines up, you know, I'm curiously 302 00:16:27,320 --> 00:16:30,560 Speaker 1: where he lines up because they move him around. And 303 00:16:31,960 --> 00:16:35,000 Speaker 1: I do think, just based on the short film I've 304 00:16:35,040 --> 00:16:37,560 Speaker 1: watched and you know, reading different stories, I do think 305 00:16:37,600 --> 00:16:39,800 Speaker 1: it's a little bit more athletic than Jared Goff. I 306 00:16:39,880 --> 00:16:43,480 Speaker 1: think he's Jerreed calls a little bit slimmer frame. You know, 307 00:16:43,560 --> 00:16:46,000 Speaker 1: they're a point. This year, before the Cardinals played the Rams, 308 00:16:46,080 --> 00:16:48,840 Speaker 1: Goff had you know, six or eight turnovers and coach 309 00:16:48,920 --> 00:16:50,360 Speaker 1: called him out and they asked him, when did you 310 00:16:50,640 --> 00:16:53,880 Speaker 1: consider benching him? He said no, And then he got 311 00:16:53,920 --> 00:16:56,320 Speaker 1: hot in our game, and then he got cold again, 312 00:16:56,440 --> 00:16:58,960 Speaker 1: and now he's out with the fractured thumb. They're hoping, 313 00:16:59,320 --> 00:17:01,640 Speaker 1: based on their seating, that he'll be able to play 314 00:17:01,680 --> 00:17:05,800 Speaker 1: at some point. But I'm not talking about the big 315 00:17:05,880 --> 00:17:08,159 Speaker 1: place here. I'm talking about try to keep him in 316 00:17:08,240 --> 00:17:11,240 Speaker 1: the pocket. And you know, I don't know if what 317 00:17:11,240 --> 00:17:13,600 Speaker 1: Advance is going to put a spy on him. It's 318 00:17:13,640 --> 00:17:15,520 Speaker 1: not like he's got four or three speed. I'm just 319 00:17:15,600 --> 00:17:18,560 Speaker 1: saying he can make plays with his legs and he 320 00:17:18,680 --> 00:17:21,080 Speaker 1: can throw on the run. And I do think we're 321 00:17:21,119 --> 00:17:23,440 Speaker 1: going to see a lot of their tight ends. You know, 322 00:17:24,160 --> 00:17:27,640 Speaker 1: you look at Jared Everett and then you know Tyler Higbee. 323 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:30,119 Speaker 1: Last year in the month of December he had he 324 00:17:30,240 --> 00:17:32,520 Speaker 1: had like five or six touchdowns, And I knew going 325 00:17:32,600 --> 00:17:35,520 Speaker 1: into the offseason, even though they got the best slot 326 00:17:35,600 --> 00:17:38,080 Speaker 1: quarter in football, Cooper Cup and he's not playing, So 327 00:17:38,200 --> 00:17:40,399 Speaker 1: I do think they're gonna go with two tight end sets. 328 00:17:40,840 --> 00:17:43,280 Speaker 1: They try to open things up there, and then we'll 329 00:17:43,320 --> 00:17:44,719 Speaker 1: just have to wait and see what they get from 330 00:17:44,720 --> 00:17:47,920 Speaker 1: their run game. He wouldn't rule out cam Makers, he said, 331 00:17:48,160 --> 00:17:50,880 Speaker 1: you know everything I know about that guy, He said, 332 00:17:50,920 --> 00:17:53,359 Speaker 1: I wouldn't rule them out, but you know he is 333 00:17:53,400 --> 00:17:56,920 Speaker 1: on the injury report. He's toughed it out against the Jets, 334 00:17:57,080 --> 00:18:02,560 Speaker 1: and I think Sean's based on that Henderson's out. So again, 335 00:18:02,880 --> 00:18:05,359 Speaker 1: try to contain I'm not talking about chunk plays, and 336 00:18:05,600 --> 00:18:08,400 Speaker 1: just keep him in the pocket and try to get 337 00:18:08,440 --> 00:18:11,879 Speaker 1: pressure from your inside and outside and try to get 338 00:18:11,920 --> 00:18:14,399 Speaker 1: a couple turnovers. That's the key. You got to win 339 00:18:14,480 --> 00:18:16,320 Speaker 1: the turnover battle in this game if you're gonna beat 340 00:18:16,320 --> 00:18:20,080 Speaker 1: the Rams. Well, the Cardinals defense has only one turnover 341 00:18:20,240 --> 00:18:22,440 Speaker 1: in the past two weeks, so if you can make 342 00:18:22,600 --> 00:18:25,960 Speaker 1: Wolford throw the football and maybe turn it over that way. 343 00:18:26,400 --> 00:18:29,320 Speaker 1: It was interesting to hear Patrick Peterson with respects to 344 00:18:29,560 --> 00:18:31,960 Speaker 1: Wolford because, as he said, you know, no one has 345 00:18:32,040 --> 00:18:35,919 Speaker 1: seen any tape of him yet. Quote. The only nugget 346 00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:39,080 Speaker 1: we have on him is he's mobile end quote, So 347 00:18:39,240 --> 00:18:41,560 Speaker 1: that is something that certainly has been hammered into that 348 00:18:41,680 --> 00:18:45,639 Speaker 1: Cardinal's defense, that it's not unlike a Jalen Hurts to 349 00:18:45,720 --> 00:18:51,199 Speaker 1: a Tonga Russell Wilson. Keep those edges clear, don't let 350 00:18:51,320 --> 00:18:54,200 Speaker 1: him break contain because then all of a sudden, you 351 00:18:54,240 --> 00:18:56,879 Speaker 1: think you've got good coverage on third and six, and 352 00:18:56,960 --> 00:18:59,320 Speaker 1: then he scrambles for a first down. And that's just 353 00:18:59,480 --> 00:19:01,600 Speaker 1: the flight team for not only the defense, but the 354 00:19:01,800 --> 00:19:04,600 Speaker 1: entire football team. You have to be able to make 355 00:19:04,640 --> 00:19:08,680 Speaker 1: it third and long. Force him to throw the football, 356 00:19:08,760 --> 00:19:11,200 Speaker 1: but from the pocket, and if he does beat you 357 00:19:11,400 --> 00:19:15,040 Speaker 1: from the pocket, well then we've got other issues going 358 00:19:15,119 --> 00:19:18,160 Speaker 1: into the offseason. But I certainly liked the Cardinals chances. 359 00:19:18,520 --> 00:19:20,920 Speaker 1: If he is forced to throw the football and he's 360 00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:25,120 Speaker 1: dropping back thirty five forty times here on Sunday, Yeah, 361 00:19:25,280 --> 00:19:28,800 Speaker 1: and you wonder. I think it's human nature to have 362 00:19:28,880 --> 00:19:33,119 Speaker 1: butterflies making your first NFL start. But he's been he 363 00:19:33,320 --> 00:19:36,440 Speaker 1: dreamt a this, according to Bill Plasky from Los Angeles Times, 364 00:19:36,480 --> 00:19:40,160 Speaker 1: since he was five years old. And you know one 365 00:19:40,200 --> 00:19:43,880 Speaker 1: of the things that you know, I don't think they're 366 00:19:43,880 --> 00:19:47,160 Speaker 1: going to change their offense. I really don't. I think 367 00:19:47,240 --> 00:19:50,399 Speaker 1: he can do as much as jerk Goff. You know, 368 00:19:50,480 --> 00:19:52,560 Speaker 1: obviously Golf was the starter. He was the first pick 369 00:19:52,600 --> 00:19:54,960 Speaker 1: in the draft. He got a lot of money. But 370 00:19:55,119 --> 00:19:56,920 Speaker 1: I don't think they're going to change their office to 371 00:19:56,960 --> 00:19:59,480 Speaker 1: say what we're going to play to his strengths. So 372 00:20:00,080 --> 00:20:03,120 Speaker 1: when you when you look at it though, the fact 373 00:20:03,200 --> 00:20:06,520 Speaker 1: that he um, I think the last time, according to 374 00:20:06,600 --> 00:20:10,960 Speaker 1: Plaski in the La Times Craig, the last quarterback to 375 00:20:11,119 --> 00:20:13,320 Speaker 1: play in week seventeen to try to get a playoff 376 00:20:13,400 --> 00:20:15,880 Speaker 1: birth was Kyle Orton with the Dallas Cowboys. I want 377 00:20:15,920 --> 00:20:18,800 Speaker 1: to see in two thirteen, so he's this is a 378 00:20:18,920 --> 00:20:22,359 Speaker 1: second time in NFL history that a guy that's never 379 00:20:22,480 --> 00:20:24,680 Speaker 1: taken a snack is going to be in there. And 380 00:20:24,760 --> 00:20:27,040 Speaker 1: if the Cardinals want to go back to bootlegs and 381 00:20:27,520 --> 00:20:30,239 Speaker 1: all this other stuff, there's enough tape out there against him. 382 00:20:30,560 --> 00:20:34,520 Speaker 1: Go back to the last game, c J. Bether and again, 383 00:20:34,600 --> 00:20:36,959 Speaker 1: I want to see Kyler roll out of the pocket 384 00:20:37,480 --> 00:20:40,280 Speaker 1: and try to get some of those you know um 385 00:20:40,720 --> 00:20:42,280 Speaker 1: you know with the tight end or a wide receiver 386 00:20:42,400 --> 00:20:44,800 Speaker 1: dragon to the sidelines where you got more time. I 387 00:20:44,840 --> 00:20:47,320 Speaker 1: want to see Kyler obviously throwing the run stop up 388 00:20:47,320 --> 00:20:50,280 Speaker 1: in the pocket. But yeah, I definitely think You're gonna 389 00:20:50,320 --> 00:20:52,440 Speaker 1: have to keep him in the pocket, and I think 390 00:20:52,720 --> 00:20:55,840 Speaker 1: good things will happen for the Cardinals defense. The one 391 00:20:56,119 --> 00:20:59,520 Speaker 1: note on Wall for the last significant playing time he 392 00:20:59,720 --> 00:21:03,600 Speaker 1: has received is we've mentioned the arrows on the hotshots 393 00:21:03,600 --> 00:21:06,119 Speaker 1: of the Alliance of American Football. He led the league. 394 00:21:06,160 --> 00:21:08,680 Speaker 1: It was a shortened league as far as number of 395 00:21:08,760 --> 00:21:12,800 Speaker 1: games played, but he had fourteen touchdowns in that league. 396 00:21:13,160 --> 00:21:16,320 Speaker 1: But he did have a number of interceptions as well. 397 00:21:16,440 --> 00:21:20,240 Speaker 1: So he is and the speed of the AAF versus 398 00:21:20,280 --> 00:21:22,520 Speaker 1: the speed of the NFL. That is going to be 399 00:21:22,760 --> 00:21:25,680 Speaker 1: interesting to watch, especially if the Cardinals are able to 400 00:21:25,760 --> 00:21:29,280 Speaker 1: get to him early, even on that first drive, maybe 401 00:21:29,359 --> 00:21:32,600 Speaker 1: even the first drop back, and then that welcome to 402 00:21:32,680 --> 00:21:35,920 Speaker 1: the NFL moment, because he has not had that yet. Sure, 403 00:21:35,960 --> 00:21:38,480 Speaker 1: he's played in the preseason, but we know there is 404 00:21:38,480 --> 00:21:42,560 Speaker 1: a significant upgrade from preseason football to regular season football 405 00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:46,160 Speaker 1: and even more to December football. And you can argue 406 00:21:46,280 --> 00:21:49,320 Speaker 1: playoff football because this is a playoff game for the 407 00:21:49,400 --> 00:21:53,359 Speaker 1: Arizona Cardinals. Yeah, in the video they're shown on NFL films, 408 00:21:53,400 --> 00:21:56,800 Speaker 1: it was a scrimmage and so the quarterback's not getting hit. 409 00:21:56,960 --> 00:21:59,119 Speaker 1: You're not allowed to get close to the quarterback. So 410 00:22:00,000 --> 00:22:03,840 Speaker 1: it's a great point on your part. Again, keep him 411 00:22:03,840 --> 00:22:08,320 Speaker 1: in the pocket, don't let him extend plays because the 412 00:22:08,440 --> 00:22:11,760 Speaker 1: play action there. Again, I think he's more athletic than golf. 413 00:22:11,840 --> 00:22:16,320 Speaker 1: So obviously that's the book out now. Phil Savage was 414 00:22:16,400 --> 00:22:18,760 Speaker 1: a GM at the time. Rick Neuheiser was the head 415 00:22:18,800 --> 00:22:22,240 Speaker 1: coach and they took Trevor Knight first. But somebody told 416 00:22:22,280 --> 00:22:24,960 Speaker 1: me his story recently that when they were watching the 417 00:22:25,080 --> 00:22:30,479 Speaker 1: practice on the first day, Savage told this person, John's 418 00:22:30,480 --> 00:22:32,600 Speaker 1: going to win the job, even though we took Trevor 419 00:22:32,680 --> 00:22:35,080 Speaker 1: Knight before him, and Trevor Knight had, you know, a 420 00:22:35,160 --> 00:22:38,560 Speaker 1: little stint in the NFL. Obviously, more practice squad run 421 00:22:38,680 --> 00:22:41,640 Speaker 1: the scout team, but from day one Phil Savage thought 422 00:22:42,119 --> 00:22:45,040 Speaker 1: John Woolford will be the starting quarterback and that was 423 00:22:45,200 --> 00:22:48,639 Speaker 1: turned out to be the case. Certainly an interesting and 424 00:22:48,760 --> 00:22:52,440 Speaker 1: not an interesting it's a wonderful story. You just hope 425 00:22:52,520 --> 00:22:55,800 Speaker 1: from the cardinal's perspective that it doesn't have a Hollywood 426 00:22:55,880 --> 00:22:59,320 Speaker 1: type ending. Here comes Sunday, because this is something that 427 00:23:00,080 --> 00:23:03,520 Speaker 1: you would see on the big screen. Someone who has 428 00:23:03,600 --> 00:23:06,760 Speaker 1: a LinkedIn page. As I was reading the stories coming 429 00:23:06,760 --> 00:23:09,000 Speaker 1: out of Los Angeles, he was out of football for 430 00:23:09,080 --> 00:23:11,920 Speaker 1: a little while before the Alliance of American Football put 431 00:23:11,960 --> 00:23:13,520 Speaker 1: it in a call and said, hey, would you like 432 00:23:13,680 --> 00:23:17,440 Speaker 1: to try out? Okay, sure, I mean he went undrafted 433 00:23:17,640 --> 00:23:19,359 Speaker 1: and then all of a sudden was out of the 434 00:23:19,440 --> 00:23:21,480 Speaker 1: game for a little while. Now he's pulled back in 435 00:23:22,680 --> 00:23:27,200 Speaker 1: and facing the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. It's a tremendous journey, 436 00:23:27,280 --> 00:23:30,560 Speaker 1: a tremendous story. I would certainly root for the kid 437 00:23:31,359 --> 00:23:35,879 Speaker 1: against any other team, but this week I'm with you. 438 00:23:36,320 --> 00:23:40,640 Speaker 1: And again Sean McVay started in London and that's when 439 00:23:40,680 --> 00:23:43,760 Speaker 1: Carson Palmer got hurt. They're seven and oh, but that 440 00:23:43,880 --> 00:23:47,000 Speaker 1: doesn't mean anything. You win this game. It's the biggest win. 441 00:23:47,720 --> 00:23:51,880 Speaker 1: And Kyler Murray's a career Cliff Kingsbury and the fact 442 00:23:51,960 --> 00:23:53,800 Speaker 1: that the Cardinals can say, you know what, we went 443 00:23:53,840 --> 00:23:55,920 Speaker 1: toe to toe with them and we were able to 444 00:23:55,960 --> 00:23:58,760 Speaker 1: get into postseason, So you can't control the past. Give 445 00:23:58,840 --> 00:24:01,600 Speaker 1: them credit, but it means nothing. Come two twenty five 446 00:24:01,680 --> 00:24:04,840 Speaker 1: on Sunday and it would get a huge monkey off 447 00:24:04,920 --> 00:24:07,360 Speaker 1: the back and we will no longer have to talk 448 00:24:07,440 --> 00:24:11,040 Speaker 1: about Sean mcvay's dominance over the Arizona Cardinals. And that 449 00:24:11,160 --> 00:24:14,119 Speaker 1: covers three different head coaches, so it's not like you 450 00:24:14,200 --> 00:24:18,080 Speaker 1: can pinpoint, Hey, there's this particular thing that the Rams 451 00:24:18,119 --> 00:24:20,200 Speaker 1: do well that the Cardinals just don't have an answer for. 452 00:24:20,920 --> 00:24:24,600 Speaker 1: Three different head coaches, three different defensive coordinators, different quarterbacks, 453 00:24:24,680 --> 00:24:27,760 Speaker 1: different personnel. So there's nothing you can put your finger on. 454 00:24:28,200 --> 00:24:31,560 Speaker 1: But if you win on Sunday, then everything that happened 455 00:24:31,600 --> 00:24:34,800 Speaker 1: earlier in the season, the roller coaster and everything all 456 00:24:34,960 --> 00:24:38,280 Speaker 1: gone because you're in the postseason. There's no doubt about it. 457 00:24:38,320 --> 00:24:41,080 Speaker 1: And I feel the same way. All right, Number three, 458 00:24:42,080 --> 00:24:45,440 Speaker 1: they're gonna have to feed DeAndre Hopkins now Craig when 459 00:24:45,480 --> 00:24:48,000 Speaker 1: he averaged less than ten years a catch, the Cardinals 460 00:24:48,040 --> 00:24:50,600 Speaker 1: are one in three. Now we can get into targets 461 00:24:50,640 --> 00:24:55,600 Speaker 1: and touches. You documented it yesterday where the previous game 462 00:24:55,960 --> 00:24:58,399 Speaker 1: he had X amount of catches but not a lot 463 00:24:58,440 --> 00:25:02,880 Speaker 1: of yards. When he averaged over ten yards or less 464 00:25:02,880 --> 00:25:05,920 Speaker 1: than ten yards, the team is one in three, so 465 00:25:06,680 --> 00:25:08,520 Speaker 1: he's got to be a focal point. And I know 466 00:25:08,720 --> 00:25:13,359 Speaker 1: Jalen Ramsey and Williams on the other side, they're you know, 467 00:25:13,800 --> 00:25:17,160 Speaker 1: they do a nice job and obviously they get pressure 468 00:25:17,200 --> 00:25:20,639 Speaker 1: from their front seven or front forward without blitzing. So 469 00:25:20,800 --> 00:25:22,600 Speaker 1: I just think Hopkins is gonna have to you know, 470 00:25:22,720 --> 00:25:24,960 Speaker 1: he's gonna have to you know, I'm talking twelve to 471 00:25:25,040 --> 00:25:28,600 Speaker 1: fourteen targets and hopefully seven nine catches for over a 472 00:25:28,720 --> 00:25:32,040 Speaker 1: hundred yards, because to me, that's a matchup they're gonna 473 00:25:32,040 --> 00:25:33,560 Speaker 1: have to use. And then you got to hope other 474 00:25:33,640 --> 00:25:37,600 Speaker 1: guys get involved. I think Larry Can should be targeted more, 475 00:25:37,680 --> 00:25:39,760 Speaker 1: Christian Kirk, you know, he's got to get off press 476 00:25:39,840 --> 00:25:42,800 Speaker 1: coverage if Keyshawn Johnson's going to be out there, and 477 00:25:42,880 --> 00:25:46,280 Speaker 1: then Dan Arnold more in the in the passing game. 478 00:25:46,800 --> 00:25:50,560 Speaker 1: And we'll see about Darrell Daniels. But yeah, I just 479 00:25:50,680 --> 00:25:53,240 Speaker 1: think Hopkins there's a reason why he's the highest paid 480 00:25:53,320 --> 00:25:56,840 Speaker 1: wide receiver in football, and this is a game where 481 00:25:56,880 --> 00:25:59,600 Speaker 1: you need your your star players to really play well 482 00:26:00,080 --> 00:26:03,680 Speaker 1: be a difference maker. Back in Week thirteen, Hopkins was 483 00:26:03,800 --> 00:26:08,920 Speaker 1: targeted thirteen times, but only twice in the first half. 484 00:26:09,040 --> 00:26:11,159 Speaker 1: A lot of those targets, eleven of them, happened in 485 00:26:11,240 --> 00:26:13,639 Speaker 1: the second half, but he finished with eight catches for 486 00:26:13,800 --> 00:26:17,240 Speaker 1: only fifty two yards. To your point, that number needs 487 00:26:17,280 --> 00:26:20,600 Speaker 1: to be higher because a six point five yard per 488 00:26:20,680 --> 00:26:23,520 Speaker 1: catch average is just not going to get it done. 489 00:26:23,880 --> 00:26:26,440 Speaker 1: And in the matchup that we're all excited about, Hopkins 490 00:26:26,600 --> 00:26:31,440 Speaker 1: versus Ramsey. Next gen stats had Ramsey on Hopkins eight times. 491 00:26:32,000 --> 00:26:36,480 Speaker 1: On those eight targets only three catches. So if you 492 00:26:36,640 --> 00:26:39,280 Speaker 1: move Hopkins around a little bit, maybe you can get 493 00:26:39,480 --> 00:26:43,439 Speaker 1: him off that matchup against Ramsey. Of course, Hopkins, they 494 00:26:43,520 --> 00:26:46,879 Speaker 1: all feel like they are the best at their respective positions. 495 00:26:47,200 --> 00:26:50,600 Speaker 1: They love those one on one matchups. You acquired Hopkins 496 00:26:50,680 --> 00:26:52,840 Speaker 1: for a reason, You paid them for a reason, and 497 00:26:53,000 --> 00:26:55,040 Speaker 1: this is the reason right here. Come out, have a 498 00:26:55,080 --> 00:26:58,040 Speaker 1: one hundred yard receiving game, a couple of touchdowns, and 499 00:26:58,080 --> 00:27:00,560 Speaker 1: it will all be worth it. Yeah. I remember that 500 00:27:00,640 --> 00:27:02,920 Speaker 1: game now because he was only targeted twice in the 501 00:27:02,960 --> 00:27:06,160 Speaker 1: first half. If I'm not mistaken, and you're like again, 502 00:27:06,200 --> 00:27:09,840 Speaker 1: I'll get Larry involved early. Doesn't have to be overload, 503 00:27:10,119 --> 00:27:13,320 Speaker 1: but I'm definitely getting Hopkins early. And because then all 504 00:27:13,320 --> 00:27:15,280 Speaker 1: of a sudden, they got to guard the entire field. 505 00:27:16,040 --> 00:27:19,359 Speaker 1: I mean, Ramsey's gonna play one on one. If they 506 00:27:19,480 --> 00:27:21,320 Speaker 1: move them around, then all of a sudden, you're gonna 507 00:27:21,359 --> 00:27:23,639 Speaker 1: have safety help. I think they're gonna try to take 508 00:27:23,680 --> 00:27:25,920 Speaker 1: away the deep ball because they get pressure from that 509 00:27:26,040 --> 00:27:30,000 Speaker 1: front flour in front seven. So but you got to 510 00:27:30,000 --> 00:27:32,479 Speaker 1: get these guys involved early, and that's where they get 511 00:27:32,560 --> 00:27:34,760 Speaker 1: in the rhythm. And Larry Larry kind of pointed out 512 00:27:34,800 --> 00:27:37,000 Speaker 1: that when it comes to their up tempo offense, it 513 00:27:37,080 --> 00:27:39,560 Speaker 1: could be a problem for other teams, and we watched 514 00:27:39,600 --> 00:27:43,160 Speaker 1: that in Week one against the Lions in last year. 515 00:27:43,240 --> 00:27:45,880 Speaker 1: I think Carrie's over. But you can't play from behind 516 00:27:45,920 --> 00:27:49,080 Speaker 1: against the Rams. You gotta play toe to toe and 517 00:27:49,760 --> 00:27:53,840 Speaker 1: you know, special teams defense. But the Cardinals, if they're 518 00:27:53,880 --> 00:27:55,520 Speaker 1: gonna win this game, Craig, I think they got to 519 00:27:55,600 --> 00:27:59,080 Speaker 1: force a turnover or two just to slow them down. 520 00:27:59,160 --> 00:28:01,760 Speaker 1: Because Sean, if he's not going to change his play calling, 521 00:28:01,800 --> 00:28:04,639 Speaker 1: he's gonna be aggressive. He's gonna attack your weaknesses. And 522 00:28:04,800 --> 00:28:07,600 Speaker 1: that's where the Cardinals defense has to step up, all right. 523 00:28:07,640 --> 00:28:11,600 Speaker 1: So Mike Jarecki's three keys for a victory on Sunday. 524 00:28:11,840 --> 00:28:15,639 Speaker 1: Run the football, keep John Wolford in the pocket, feed 525 00:28:15,920 --> 00:28:20,560 Speaker 1: the Andre Hopkins. I like all three before your X factor, MJ. 526 00:28:20,720 --> 00:28:25,080 Speaker 1: We've got some news concerning the Los Angeles Rams. Another 527 00:28:25,520 --> 00:28:30,879 Speaker 1: starter has been ruled out for Sunday. Michael Brocker's placed 528 00:28:31,000 --> 00:28:35,200 Speaker 1: on the reserve. COVID nineteen list their defensive end lines 529 00:28:35,280 --> 00:28:38,040 Speaker 1: up next to Aaron Donald. Now, all of a sudden, 530 00:28:38,280 --> 00:28:42,760 Speaker 1: the defense has been hit by the reserve COVID nineteen list. 531 00:28:43,080 --> 00:28:46,520 Speaker 1: So let's go through it. No Jared Goff, no Cooper Cup, 532 00:28:47,000 --> 00:28:52,000 Speaker 1: no Darryl Henderson, and now no Michael Brockers. Five sacks 533 00:28:52,480 --> 00:28:55,760 Speaker 1: from a defense that has forty nine total this year, 534 00:28:55,960 --> 00:29:00,160 Speaker 1: second most in the league. But just the position and 535 00:29:00,320 --> 00:29:03,920 Speaker 1: what he's able to do, that is a big loss 536 00:29:04,600 --> 00:29:07,960 Speaker 1: for that Rams team overall and specifically for their defense. 537 00:29:08,400 --> 00:29:11,160 Speaker 1: There's no doubt. And when you think of the Rams defense, 538 00:29:11,240 --> 00:29:13,880 Speaker 1: the first guy you think is Donald and then probably 539 00:29:13,960 --> 00:29:16,720 Speaker 1: won as Jalen Ramsey, and then you got to think, 540 00:29:17,000 --> 00:29:19,760 Speaker 1: you know, a guy like Michael Brocker's and Leonard Floyd 541 00:29:19,960 --> 00:29:21,920 Speaker 1: has come in there and done a nice job, very 542 00:29:22,000 --> 00:29:24,160 Speaker 1: high picked with the Bears. But yeah, I mean that's 543 00:29:24,200 --> 00:29:26,480 Speaker 1: part of their front flour. That's when we talk about 544 00:29:26,600 --> 00:29:29,600 Speaker 1: they get pressure without Blitzie. So that now and all 545 00:29:29,600 --> 00:29:31,240 Speaker 1: of a sudden, they're gonna have to go with the backup. 546 00:29:31,320 --> 00:29:34,880 Speaker 1: And it was interesting Darren Sean mcvass press conferencesity. You know, 547 00:29:35,000 --> 00:29:37,160 Speaker 1: he was kind of toying around that the word would 548 00:29:37,200 --> 00:29:39,000 Speaker 1: come out. I didn't know if it was a player 549 00:29:39,120 --> 00:29:43,880 Speaker 1: or coach. But here it is. And you know, I 550 00:29:43,960 --> 00:29:45,959 Speaker 1: thought the Rams for the most part this year did 551 00:29:46,000 --> 00:29:48,520 Speaker 1: a really good job when it came to COVID. I think, 552 00:29:48,760 --> 00:29:51,280 Speaker 1: if memory serves, they were one of the few teams 553 00:29:51,320 --> 00:29:54,320 Speaker 1: and maybe even the last team to have a player 554 00:29:54,520 --> 00:29:57,720 Speaker 1: land on that reserve COVID nineteen list going back to 555 00:29:57,880 --> 00:30:00,400 Speaker 1: training camp, and it was one of those things that 556 00:30:00,880 --> 00:30:04,200 Speaker 1: beat writers all of a sudden started tracking Cardinals had 557 00:30:04,280 --> 00:30:06,840 Speaker 1: not been hits, and then all of a sudden, Keyshawn 558 00:30:06,960 --> 00:30:09,880 Speaker 1: Johnson showed up right before the start of the regular season, 559 00:30:10,360 --> 00:30:12,760 Speaker 1: and then it became a trickle down and then other 560 00:30:12,880 --> 00:30:15,560 Speaker 1: teams followed suit. But I think the NFC West as 561 00:30:15,600 --> 00:30:18,240 Speaker 1: a whole, of the Seahawks also, I think we're also 562 00:30:18,360 --> 00:30:21,120 Speaker 1: in that mix as far as not hit too hard. 563 00:30:21,280 --> 00:30:24,800 Speaker 1: So one a credit to those franchises. But I'll go 564 00:30:24,920 --> 00:30:27,720 Speaker 1: back to something that Cliff Kingsbury said from the start. 565 00:30:28,160 --> 00:30:31,480 Speaker 1: It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when, 566 00:30:32,000 --> 00:30:35,840 Speaker 1: and then when that happens, how do you contain it 567 00:30:36,240 --> 00:30:39,240 Speaker 1: so it doesn't spread. Some teams have done a better 568 00:30:39,360 --> 00:30:42,240 Speaker 1: job than others. The Cleveland Browns right now going through it. 569 00:30:42,520 --> 00:30:45,720 Speaker 1: How many players will they have available for a huge 570 00:30:45,840 --> 00:30:49,720 Speaker 1: game this weekend against the Steelers. Cleveland needs to win. 571 00:30:50,320 --> 00:30:53,240 Speaker 1: Ben Roethlisberger's not going to play for the Steelers. They're 572 00:30:53,280 --> 00:30:56,520 Speaker 1: secure in their playoff seatings. Some other starters are going 573 00:30:56,600 --> 00:31:00,360 Speaker 1: to rest as well. But how you manage it's like 574 00:31:00,920 --> 00:31:03,800 Speaker 1: you have to be lucky sometimes when it comes to injuries. 575 00:31:03,920 --> 00:31:07,760 Speaker 1: Who is the healthiest? Now, it's who can stay healthy 576 00:31:08,080 --> 00:31:11,320 Speaker 1: with respect to COVID nineteen. Yeah, and the league's not 577 00:31:11,400 --> 00:31:14,360 Speaker 1: going to put teams in the bubble for the playoffs, 578 00:31:14,440 --> 00:31:17,840 Speaker 1: so I know it's you know, back keys. Seems like 579 00:31:17,880 --> 00:31:21,160 Speaker 1: it's more prevalent because of the weather, the flu season, 580 00:31:21,320 --> 00:31:23,840 Speaker 1: and we had to get a shot. I'm sure to 581 00:31:23,880 --> 00:31:25,800 Speaker 1: you a single player in the NFL got a flu shot. 582 00:31:25,880 --> 00:31:30,720 Speaker 1: But maybe it's a West Coast thing, Greig. But whatever works, 583 00:31:30,880 --> 00:31:33,360 Speaker 1: and we certainly will take it. Knock on wood. Fingers 584 00:31:33,400 --> 00:31:37,320 Speaker 1: crossed that the Arizona Cardinals stay healthy as well headed 585 00:31:37,360 --> 00:31:40,720 Speaker 1: into this contest and in the course, hopefully knock on 586 00:31:40,840 --> 00:31:45,560 Speaker 1: wood into the postseason coming up in mid January. All Right, 587 00:31:45,880 --> 00:31:47,960 Speaker 1: before I get into my X factor, I read a 588 00:31:48,040 --> 00:31:51,440 Speaker 1: quote from John Wolford and he said one of the 589 00:31:51,560 --> 00:31:55,160 Speaker 1: things he learned early playing the quarterback position. You can't 590 00:31:55,240 --> 00:31:58,240 Speaker 1: make mistakes. You can't turn the ball over in the 591 00:31:58,320 --> 00:32:01,360 Speaker 1: red zone. You can't you know, force the ball. You 592 00:32:01,400 --> 00:32:03,560 Speaker 1: got to take what the defense gives you. And we'll 593 00:32:03,600 --> 00:32:07,440 Speaker 1: see if if those traits or those things come to fruition. 594 00:32:07,560 --> 00:32:10,320 Speaker 1: But when it comes to Kyler Murray, we've seen him 595 00:32:11,280 --> 00:32:15,280 Speaker 1: over and over and make mistakes. This can't happen this week. 596 00:32:15,360 --> 00:32:17,400 Speaker 1: I'm not saying you're going to play a perfect game, 597 00:32:17,880 --> 00:32:23,000 Speaker 1: air free, turnover free. But Kyler Murray, you know, he's 598 00:32:23,000 --> 00:32:24,920 Speaker 1: coming off a game where he didn't have a touchdown, 599 00:32:24,960 --> 00:32:28,040 Speaker 1: a rushing touchdown, a passing touchdown. Of course they only 600 00:32:28,120 --> 00:32:31,080 Speaker 1: had twelve points, but Kylin's got to protect that ball. 601 00:32:31,960 --> 00:32:34,960 Speaker 1: So when I get to that, I just want to 602 00:32:35,000 --> 00:32:38,760 Speaker 1: bring that up. And my X factors got down the mistakes, 603 00:32:39,800 --> 00:32:43,440 Speaker 1: got down the turnovers, and played complimentary football, and I 604 00:32:43,520 --> 00:32:48,720 Speaker 1: believe the Cardinals can win. But again hopefully making his 605 00:32:48,840 --> 00:32:52,080 Speaker 1: first start. But our side, we watched Cayler Murray, you know, 606 00:32:52,200 --> 00:32:55,320 Speaker 1: play really well at a high level, passing and rushing, 607 00:32:56,080 --> 00:32:58,480 Speaker 1: take care of the football, don't hold it like a 608 00:32:58,560 --> 00:33:01,480 Speaker 1: loaf of bread. It's very important against a team like this, 609 00:33:01,840 --> 00:33:04,200 Speaker 1: They're not going to give you extra possessions well, and 610 00:33:04,400 --> 00:33:08,800 Speaker 1: especially inside the red zone. Murray has two turnovers inside 611 00:33:08,840 --> 00:33:11,160 Speaker 1: the twenty yard line over the past couple of games. 612 00:33:11,200 --> 00:33:13,760 Speaker 1: The Cardinals have turned it over as a team three 613 00:33:13,920 --> 00:33:16,920 Speaker 1: times in the red zone over the past three games. 614 00:33:17,240 --> 00:33:20,000 Speaker 1: And not only are you losing an opportunity for six 615 00:33:20,160 --> 00:33:24,240 Speaker 1: or seven points, but now an opportunity at three. And 616 00:33:24,400 --> 00:33:27,920 Speaker 1: as we've discussed here on Cardinals Cover two presented by Hyunday, 617 00:33:28,120 --> 00:33:31,200 Speaker 1: proud partner of the Arizona Cardinals, I think and I 618 00:33:31,280 --> 00:33:33,800 Speaker 1: think you're in agreement, MJA points could be at a 619 00:33:33,880 --> 00:33:36,640 Speaker 1: premium here, especially for the Cardinals going up against this 620 00:33:36,800 --> 00:33:39,200 Speaker 1: Rams defense. And I don't think either one of us 621 00:33:39,360 --> 00:33:42,920 Speaker 1: expect the Rams offense to score a lot of points 622 00:33:43,000 --> 00:33:47,400 Speaker 1: considering what kind of personnel they have at their disposal 623 00:33:47,680 --> 00:33:50,440 Speaker 1: coming up here in week seventeen. Yeah, just to give 624 00:33:50,440 --> 00:33:54,200 Speaker 1: an idea points score, Cardinals are tenth averaging about twenty 625 00:33:54,280 --> 00:33:58,160 Speaker 1: seven points, which has gone down. The Rams are averaging 626 00:33:58,280 --> 00:34:01,280 Speaker 1: twenty four, which is nineteenth overall. Now points a lot. 627 00:34:01,800 --> 00:34:06,520 Speaker 1: Rams third in the league nineteen point three, Cardinals tied 628 00:34:06,600 --> 00:34:10,520 Speaker 1: for fourteenth, given about twenty four points a game, So 629 00:34:10,800 --> 00:34:15,279 Speaker 1: clearly points are gonna be They're gonna come at you know, 630 00:34:15,320 --> 00:34:17,560 Speaker 1: it's gonna not gonna be easy, but go on some 631 00:34:17,800 --> 00:34:20,200 Speaker 1: nice drives, get that running game going open it up. 632 00:34:20,280 --> 00:34:23,319 Speaker 1: But again it's it's easy to sit here and say 633 00:34:23,600 --> 00:34:27,280 Speaker 1: no turnovers, but we've Kyler's got to protect a football, 634 00:34:27,800 --> 00:34:30,479 Speaker 1: okay in Sodas Hopkins when he's in the open field, 635 00:34:30,520 --> 00:34:32,279 Speaker 1: because you can't put the ball in the carpet and 636 00:34:32,480 --> 00:34:35,600 Speaker 1: give the opponent you first and ten from your twenty 637 00:34:35,640 --> 00:34:40,000 Speaker 1: five yard line. Cardinals and Rams two twenty five is 638 00:34:40,120 --> 00:34:44,960 Speaker 1: the kickoff on Sunday, Arizona Cardinals. Pregame coverage begins at 639 00:34:45,120 --> 00:34:49,360 Speaker 1: nine thirty am. They passed Ron Wilfley Paul Calvisi on 640 00:34:49,520 --> 00:34:52,759 Speaker 1: the call. CBS has the television with Jim Nance and 641 00:34:52,960 --> 00:34:57,439 Speaker 1: Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson. The number one crew will 642 00:34:57,480 --> 00:35:00,840 Speaker 1: be handling this game on television, and so that certainly 643 00:35:01,080 --> 00:35:05,600 Speaker 1: tells you the importance of this contest here in week seventeen. Well, 644 00:35:06,000 --> 00:35:08,440 Speaker 1: if I'm not mistaken, you know Cardinals don't have a 645 00:35:08,520 --> 00:35:10,719 Speaker 1: ton of games on CBS. The NFL a couple of 646 00:35:10,760 --> 00:35:13,120 Speaker 1: years ago start a cross flexing, and the fact that 647 00:35:13,160 --> 00:35:15,279 Speaker 1: we're getting the number one crew, I think it's going 648 00:35:15,360 --> 00:35:18,680 Speaker 1: to be a fascinating listen because of Tony Romo, where 649 00:35:18,719 --> 00:35:20,680 Speaker 1: he hasn't called the Cardinals game. I'm sure he's doing 650 00:35:20,719 --> 00:35:23,040 Speaker 1: his homework this week, but what does he think of 651 00:35:23,120 --> 00:35:25,560 Speaker 1: this offense? You know, what does he think of Kyler Murray? 652 00:35:25,640 --> 00:35:29,640 Speaker 1: Because you know, we're almost definitely a former quarterback, but 653 00:35:29,880 --> 00:35:32,040 Speaker 1: it seems like he can see the field a little 654 00:35:32,040 --> 00:35:35,400 Speaker 1: bit different than other people because he's played the position. 655 00:35:35,480 --> 00:35:37,719 Speaker 1: So I'm curious. I won't be able to listen, you know, 656 00:35:37,880 --> 00:35:40,600 Speaker 1: every single second, but I'll listen after. But I think 657 00:35:40,640 --> 00:35:43,000 Speaker 1: it's going to be an entertaining listen. And of course 658 00:35:43,160 --> 00:35:45,520 Speaker 1: Jim Nance one of the best in the business when 659 00:35:45,560 --> 00:35:47,520 Speaker 1: it comes to doing play by play. Well, that's what 660 00:35:47,640 --> 00:35:50,880 Speaker 1: we invites all Cardinal fans to do, is you can 661 00:35:50,960 --> 00:35:54,040 Speaker 1: have the television on, turn the sound down, listen to 662 00:35:54,160 --> 00:35:57,560 Speaker 1: Dave Pats, Ron Wolfley and Paul CALVISI then when the 663 00:35:57,640 --> 00:36:00,879 Speaker 1: broadcast is over with, you can go back because you've 664 00:36:01,000 --> 00:36:04,280 Speaker 1: recorded the game on television, and then you can listen 665 00:36:04,680 --> 00:36:07,520 Speaker 1: to Nance and Romo and crew. And that's what I 666 00:36:07,600 --> 00:36:11,520 Speaker 1: do because I know Wolf knows ball, Dave passion those footballs, 667 00:36:11,560 --> 00:36:15,400 Speaker 1: and I learned I'm usually a booth over listening to 668 00:36:15,520 --> 00:36:20,000 Speaker 1: these guys, and that's what I do because again wolf 669 00:36:20,040 --> 00:36:22,120 Speaker 1: Wolf can point out the personnel. He can tell you 670 00:36:22,200 --> 00:36:24,719 Speaker 1: they're playing a cover two, and then it allows me 671 00:36:24,880 --> 00:36:27,320 Speaker 1: to watch to see what happens if they run that 672 00:36:27,400 --> 00:36:30,160 Speaker 1: same play again. So that's exactly what I do. I 673 00:36:30,320 --> 00:36:34,359 Speaker 1: listened to Passion Wolf and because they've covered the team, 674 00:36:34,480 --> 00:36:36,560 Speaker 1: they talk to people in the organization and they have 675 00:36:36,600 --> 00:36:38,759 Speaker 1: a lot of knowledge, and I think they give the 676 00:36:38,920 --> 00:36:41,359 Speaker 1: fans a great treat when it comes to game day. 677 00:36:41,800 --> 00:36:45,399 Speaker 1: Speaking of Wolf, he and Paul Calves on The Big 678 00:36:45,480 --> 00:36:49,239 Speaker 1: Red Rage this week had defensive lineman Tomato Petco on 679 00:36:49,520 --> 00:36:54,200 Speaker 1: the show. Great interview. Love hearing from Petco. But of 680 00:36:54,280 --> 00:36:57,040 Speaker 1: course if you missed it, you can always subscribe to 681 00:36:57,080 --> 00:37:00,520 Speaker 1: Arizona Cardinals podcasts and those shows The Big at Rage, 682 00:37:00,880 --> 00:37:03,640 Speaker 1: Cardinals Underground, The Cardinals Read Seer Report, and of course 683 00:37:03,680 --> 00:37:06,560 Speaker 1: this show Cardinals Cover two come right to you via 684 00:37:06,600 --> 00:37:10,560 Speaker 1: Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and SoundCloud. Just go 685 00:37:10,680 --> 00:37:14,480 Speaker 1: toasy Cardinals dot com slash podcast for more information. You know, 686 00:37:14,640 --> 00:37:17,359 Speaker 1: ever since Pecko's been here, he's got a really good personality. 687 00:37:17,840 --> 00:37:21,160 Speaker 1: He's very energized. He's not up there with Marcus golden. 688 00:37:21,239 --> 00:37:23,200 Speaker 1: But he comes out to practice. He says high to 689 00:37:23,400 --> 00:37:25,520 Speaker 1: us a couple of weeks ago. I don't know if 690 00:37:25,560 --> 00:37:29,400 Speaker 1: he had a practice photos, so he asked Katherine Fitzgerald 691 00:37:29,400 --> 00:37:31,680 Speaker 1: to take a photo for him and eventually get to 692 00:37:31,760 --> 00:37:36,080 Speaker 1: him Himently, Cardinals have photographers out there, but he's very colorful, 693 00:37:36,200 --> 00:37:40,879 Speaker 1: he's engaging. But I'll tell you this, Greig, he's gonna 694 00:37:40,880 --> 00:37:43,520 Speaker 1: play a lot better than he did last week. Well. 695 00:37:43,560 --> 00:37:45,879 Speaker 1: He was asked about that on the show this week, 696 00:37:45,960 --> 00:37:49,879 Speaker 1: that he's so affable, likable off the field, but when 697 00:37:49,960 --> 00:37:53,200 Speaker 1: you get between the lines, something clicks, and he's had 698 00:37:53,280 --> 00:37:56,560 Speaker 1: some very good games for the Cardinals, but that defensive 699 00:37:56,600 --> 00:37:59,440 Speaker 1: line to your point, as a whole, he's the veteran 700 00:37:59,640 --> 00:38:03,400 Speaker 1: and turn of experience. Not the veteran in terms of 701 00:38:03,840 --> 00:38:07,840 Speaker 1: tenure with the Ars and the Cardinals, but him, Zach Allen, Richard, Lawrence, 702 00:38:07,920 --> 00:38:11,080 Speaker 1: Lucky fot to those young players certainly need to step 703 00:38:11,200 --> 00:38:14,680 Speaker 1: up their game. Peto has been in these types of scenarios. 704 00:38:14,760 --> 00:38:17,600 Speaker 1: He knows what's at stake. And I think if you're 705 00:38:17,600 --> 00:38:20,840 Speaker 1: those three young players, yeah, pet goes a perfect player 706 00:38:21,239 --> 00:38:25,640 Speaker 1: to lean on and ask for advice, but you also 707 00:38:25,760 --> 00:38:29,040 Speaker 1: have to stay disciplined. Don't try to do too much 708 00:38:29,520 --> 00:38:32,480 Speaker 1: because the forty nine ers gashed the Cardinals last week 709 00:38:32,680 --> 00:38:36,160 Speaker 1: running the football and it wasn't just by broken tackles. 710 00:38:36,719 --> 00:38:40,080 Speaker 1: Those rushing lanes were huge. MG. I think you and 711 00:38:40,160 --> 00:38:43,239 Speaker 1: I could have gained maybe ten or fifteen yards on 712 00:38:43,480 --> 00:38:46,879 Speaker 1: Saturday against the Cardinals. I mean, seriously, look back, look 713 00:38:46,920 --> 00:38:49,920 Speaker 1: at the coaches film the All twenty two. It was 714 00:38:50,120 --> 00:38:53,760 Speaker 1: unbelievable how much room Jeff Wilson had to run between 715 00:38:53,760 --> 00:38:56,400 Speaker 1: the tackles. Well, just based on the Wilson run and 716 00:38:56,480 --> 00:38:59,080 Speaker 1: how much they ran as a team. Yeah, again, the 717 00:38:59,160 --> 00:39:01,239 Speaker 1: Cardinals are getting push back, and that's where you say 718 00:39:01,760 --> 00:39:04,480 Speaker 1: it's time for the Cardinals offensive line to push back. 719 00:39:05,840 --> 00:39:09,280 Speaker 1: The Rams front seven have them on their heels versus 720 00:39:09,320 --> 00:39:11,640 Speaker 1: their toes. You have them on their heels, they're going backwards. 721 00:39:11,680 --> 00:39:14,400 Speaker 1: You have them on their toes. They're coming at you. Listen. 722 00:39:14,440 --> 00:39:16,399 Speaker 1: I think it was a good edition. You don't really 723 00:39:16,440 --> 00:39:18,680 Speaker 1: find those guys at the age of thirty seven that 724 00:39:18,840 --> 00:39:21,600 Speaker 1: still can play. I thought he brings energy and passion, 725 00:39:21,680 --> 00:39:24,400 Speaker 1: but last week as a whole, not just picking on him, 726 00:39:24,800 --> 00:39:27,120 Speaker 1: they got pushed back, and to me, he's got the 727 00:39:27,239 --> 00:39:30,040 Speaker 1: body to where he can occupy a double team and 728 00:39:30,239 --> 00:39:33,720 Speaker 1: let those linebackers shoot the gaps and big tackles for losses. 729 00:39:34,280 --> 00:39:38,640 Speaker 1: A Football Friday version of Cardinals Covered two presented by Honday, 730 00:39:38,719 --> 00:39:41,359 Speaker 1: proud partner of the eroson the Cardinals. It is our 731 00:39:41,440 --> 00:39:45,600 Speaker 1: last show of the year on this the last day 732 00:39:45,800 --> 00:39:48,600 Speaker 1: of the year, also our last show of the week. 733 00:39:49,040 --> 00:39:53,560 Speaker 1: So before we sign off, here your overall feelings how 734 00:39:53,640 --> 00:39:58,279 Speaker 1: you feel right now going into Sunday's contest. Certainly are 735 00:39:58,360 --> 00:40:02,400 Speaker 1: feelings Saturday nights, the Sunday morning, the Sunday nights that 736 00:40:02,600 --> 00:40:05,719 Speaker 1: was a roller coaster. But now having been at practice, 737 00:40:06,040 --> 00:40:09,280 Speaker 1: having read and then listened to everyone, all the players 738 00:40:09,320 --> 00:40:11,440 Speaker 1: and coaches said all the right things on the Cardinal 739 00:40:11,520 --> 00:40:14,400 Speaker 1: side and the Rams side as well. But how do 740 00:40:14,480 --> 00:40:17,759 Speaker 1: you feel personally going into this contest? Well, I think 741 00:40:18,280 --> 00:40:21,960 Speaker 1: everyone said at the beginning of the year and again 742 00:40:22,120 --> 00:40:24,520 Speaker 1: when it comes to COVID, it wasn't a matter of if, 743 00:40:24,600 --> 00:40:27,120 Speaker 1: it was a matter of win, they said. The teams 744 00:40:27,160 --> 00:40:30,080 Speaker 1: that could survive it throughout the season and more importantly 745 00:40:30,120 --> 00:40:34,480 Speaker 1: in the postseason. And based on what the Rams losing 746 00:40:34,600 --> 00:40:40,120 Speaker 1: Jerikoff to just located the thumb, losing their running back 747 00:40:40,160 --> 00:40:42,640 Speaker 1: who got hit by Jamal Adams trying to get into 748 00:40:42,719 --> 00:40:46,280 Speaker 1: the end zone the latest and Cooper Cup in Michael 749 00:40:46,320 --> 00:40:49,839 Speaker 1: Brocker's this is the time the Cardinals need to beat 750 00:40:50,160 --> 00:40:53,279 Speaker 1: the Rams. I think it's because they don't have their 751 00:40:53,320 --> 00:40:59,240 Speaker 1: firepower and all seven wins. Jarkkoff was in there, Cooper 752 00:40:59,320 --> 00:41:02,080 Speaker 1: Cup was in there. Let's be honest. Byron Murphy's had 753 00:41:02,080 --> 00:41:03,640 Speaker 1: a hard time. A lot of people have a hard 754 00:41:03,680 --> 00:41:06,839 Speaker 1: time covering Cooper Cup. Robert Woods is going to get 755 00:41:06,920 --> 00:41:10,279 Speaker 1: is so because of the COVID and the injuries. I 756 00:41:10,440 --> 00:41:14,400 Speaker 1: like the Cardinals chances And for the Cardinals, they have 757 00:41:14,600 --> 00:41:17,800 Speaker 1: to look at who if he's a backup quarterback, backups 758 00:41:18,520 --> 00:41:22,239 Speaker 1: running back, third string wide receiver, that shouldn't matter. They 759 00:41:22,320 --> 00:41:25,640 Speaker 1: get paid their NFL players, So go out there and 760 00:41:26,040 --> 00:41:29,520 Speaker 1: make your your mark. Meaning this is a time to 761 00:41:29,560 --> 00:41:32,200 Speaker 1: beat the Rams. It's it's again a lot of it's 762 00:41:32,239 --> 00:41:34,480 Speaker 1: being lucky and healthy, and we don't want any injuries. 763 00:41:34,520 --> 00:41:37,080 Speaker 1: To be a better game if golfers than everything on paper, 764 00:41:37,719 --> 00:41:40,080 Speaker 1: but we've seen golf against the Cardinals. I just think 765 00:41:40,120 --> 00:41:42,279 Speaker 1: at this point in time, this is a game the 766 00:41:42,360 --> 00:41:47,239 Speaker 1: Cardinals should and will win. On Sunday, everything is set 767 00:41:47,360 --> 00:41:50,440 Speaker 1: up perfectly for the Cardinals to do something that they 768 00:41:50,520 --> 00:41:54,239 Speaker 1: have not done since twenty sixteen. And of course we 769 00:41:54,360 --> 00:41:58,120 Speaker 1: know what's on the line. You win, you're in. You lose, 770 00:41:58,440 --> 00:42:02,359 Speaker 1: you go home. It's a simple as that one game 771 00:42:02,680 --> 00:42:07,640 Speaker 1: to define the twenty twenty Arizona Cardinals season. It's a 772 00:42:07,680 --> 00:42:10,760 Speaker 1: lot of pressure, but hey, you know what, those players, 773 00:42:10,840 --> 00:42:13,400 Speaker 1: those coaches, they're getting paid a lot of money to 774 00:42:13,600 --> 00:42:17,000 Speaker 1: handle that pressure that's going to come this Sunday. Yeah, 775 00:42:17,120 --> 00:42:19,839 Speaker 1: you know, last year we were hoping to see improvement 776 00:42:19,920 --> 00:42:22,920 Speaker 1: and progress, you know, considering they brought in a new 777 00:42:23,000 --> 00:42:25,919 Speaker 1: coach and new staff. This year, we wanted to see, 778 00:42:26,360 --> 00:42:29,560 Speaker 1: you know, also be competitive. But now you're you're in 779 00:42:29,680 --> 00:42:33,919 Speaker 1: position to win, and you're in, you lose, you go home. 780 00:42:34,880 --> 00:42:37,400 Speaker 1: So this is the time. I mean, it's been an 781 00:42:37,440 --> 00:42:39,799 Speaker 1: ebb and flow of the whole year. They played well 782 00:42:39,880 --> 00:42:43,319 Speaker 1: at times. They've lost some games at the end where 783 00:42:43,360 --> 00:42:45,160 Speaker 1: they couldn't finish or miss the field goal, or a 784 00:42:45,280 --> 00:42:47,640 Speaker 1: defense couldn't make a stop, or Kyler Murray threw an 785 00:42:48,000 --> 00:42:51,560 Speaker 1: interception in the end zone. But this is this is 786 00:42:51,640 --> 00:42:55,080 Speaker 1: the time. I mean, I think they feel like if 787 00:42:55,120 --> 00:42:56,719 Speaker 1: they can just get in the dance, and it's a 788 00:42:56,800 --> 00:43:00,320 Speaker 1: big if because you've got to win. It's going to 789 00:43:00,320 --> 00:43:02,200 Speaker 1: be a difficult task or we're about that all that. 790 00:43:02,320 --> 00:43:04,480 Speaker 1: You only can ask for an opportunity when you get 791 00:43:04,520 --> 00:43:07,640 Speaker 1: to the postseason. But I do think they know what's 792 00:43:07,640 --> 00:43:10,080 Speaker 1: at stake and they're not going to let this slip away. 793 00:43:10,080 --> 00:43:11,880 Speaker 1: And if they do, you're right, it's gonna be a 794 00:43:11,960 --> 00:43:14,880 Speaker 1: lot of question marks going into the offseason. And on 795 00:43:15,040 --> 00:43:17,600 Speaker 1: that note, we will put a lid on this edition 796 00:43:17,880 --> 00:43:21,239 Speaker 1: of Cardinals Cover two, presented by Hunday, proud partner of 797 00:43:21,360 --> 00:43:24,439 Speaker 1: the Arizona Cardinals. Happy New Year to the bird Gang. 798 00:43:24,680 --> 00:43:27,840 Speaker 1: We will be speaking with you post game on Sunday 799 00:43:28,160 --> 00:43:31,680 Speaker 1: and then of course next week next year in twenty 800 00:43:31,800 --> 00:43:35,920 Speaker 1: twenty one, and hopefully talking about a postseason game we 801 00:43:36,080 --> 00:43:39,920 Speaker 1: can preview next week when we rejoin you here on 802 00:43:40,160 --> 00:43:44,560 Speaker 1: Cardinals Cover two Special. Thanks as always to our executive producer, 803 00:43:44,640 --> 00:43:47,560 Speaker 1: Jim I'm a hundred for Mike Jarecki. I'm preg Riel Loup. 804 00:43:47,640 --> 00:43:50,399 Speaker 1: We'll talk to you next time you're on Cardinals Cover two.