July 15, 2025 • 45 mins
The Arizona Cardinals are running it back with nearly the same offensive personnel that they had in 2024. But with Kyler Murray, James Conner, Trey McBride and Marvin Harrison Jr., this unit has all the tools to be successful in 2025. Craig Grialou, Dani Sureck and Rob Fredrickson take a deeper look at the offense and who else will need to step up, particularly in the receiver room. Plus, the trio discuss Garrett Williams' ascension to not only the top of the Cardinals cornerback room, but to being one of the best corners in the NFL. Also, we take a look around the NFC West and gauge what the Cardinals' division rivals have done this offseason heading into the 2025 season.
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
This podcast is presented by All Copy Products, proud partner
of the Arizona Cardinals. Learn more at Allcopyproducts dot com.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
So the fifteen to the ten, He's gonna score touchdown?
Speaker 3 (00:15):
Welcome to the Cardinals Red Sea Report.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Slam to the ground by Puda Baker Like a torpedo.
He came flying into the backfield Connor to the ten,
to the.
Speaker 4 (00:24):
Five, and then to the ends off of the touchdown.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
The Cardinals Red Sea Report is brought to you by
Arizona Cardinals Podcast. Visit Azycardinals dot.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Com Slash podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Here we go one handed catching a touchdown?
Speaker 5 (00:39):
Oh baby, how's that fail?
Speaker 1 (00:42):
Here's Craig Griolhu, Danny Sirek and nine year NFL veteran
Rob Frederickson.
Speaker 4 (00:49):
So are we ready? Training camp? One week from today
is when players report the first practice a week from Wednesday.
First open in practice at State Farm Stadium Thursday, July
twenty fourth. Go Asycardinals dot com for all the details,
information on how you can secure your free digital tickets
(01:11):
and yes, parking is free, admission is free, and who knows,
maybe you get to meet Rob Frederickson one day out
at State Farm Stadium.
Speaker 6 (01:16):
When's the first padded practice. Okay, that's what we need
to know.
Speaker 4 (01:21):
Why is it always guys back in my day that
always want to know when the first padded practice is because.
Speaker 6 (01:28):
Because it's football and football is still a contact sport. Yes, okay,
and so you know that's for me for a linebacker,
for a guy that loves the contact, that loves that energy,
that's when it really starts the first padded practice.
Speaker 5 (01:45):
I get it.
Speaker 6 (01:45):
You know, the CBA, you got to do all the
things according to the rules, but where are the pads?
Bring on the pads, right, Dan, You're gonna.
Speaker 7 (01:52):
Have to wait a few practices to see your first
padded practice for the CBA rules. But fans can still
go out there and it'll be interesting because every year
it's you know, there's going to be competition in different
position rooms and you're having to try to learn something
of what can you learn when you're not seeing contact,
when players aren't in pads, and you can still learn
(02:13):
and gather some ideas of what the coaching staff may
or and may not be seeing. Yeah, when the pads
come out, I mean there's there's something different in the
air even when the players run out onto the field.
Speaker 6 (02:23):
Yeah, it's hard to evaluate the guys. I think that's
the biggest thing is it's hard for these coaches and
scouts and general managers. It's hard for them to evaluate
the players. If you don't have contact. You can evaluate
some positions, obviously kickers and wide receivers and cornerbacks. I
think you can you can do some evaluation there. But
(02:43):
the guys in the trenches, man, that's that's what they need.
That's what they need, that contact to really showcase what
they what they can do.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
And that's why how many times Danny did we hear
Jonathan Gannon towards the end of the offseason program mentioned Yeah,
when the pads come on, that's when the true evaluation
of a player, a position group, that's when we'll really
get to kind of separate. We have an idea of
who we think might be good, especially those young players.
But when you get that physicality and the pads are on,
(03:13):
how do you remove someone from their block? How do
you disengage from block? All of that. You can't do
that when you're just in t shirts and shorts.
Speaker 7 (03:22):
You can only do so much when you're just wearing
your shirt and shorts and you're doing routes on air
and not having any sort of contact or true pressure,
especially on the offense. That's why we've heard from Gannon
and other coaches leading up to this point saying some
players they shine when they put the pads on, and
others get lost. And that's the importance of those padded
(03:42):
practices is it's one thing if you mentally know where
you're supposed to be, what your role is, your check down, right,
the timing, whatever your position is, and it's a different
aspect of being able to go out and physically execute
not only getting from A to B and the fastest
amount of time, but can you also execute when it
comes to that time.
Speaker 6 (04:03):
Yeah, that's the biggest difference, right, is when there's no pads,
you can go through all the mental process and you
do the right things, and you make the right checks
and defensively you're in the right position. But when you
introduce contact to it, now, all of a sudden, you
don't just have to focus on the mental side. You
also have to focus on doing your job physically and
(04:25):
then getting to where you're supposed to be as far
as the mental process, So it's a whole different component.
It changes the dynamic and you're right. Some guys rise
to the level. Some guys really shine when the pads
are on, and other guys kind of fade away.
Speaker 7 (04:41):
That first padded practice, I am camping out. I'm going
to have a launcher. I'm going to post up at
the line of scrimmage. Offensive lineman, defensive lineman, one on
one drills. I want to see how Isaiah Adams looks
against Daries Robinson or kalay Is Campbell. That's where I'm
gonna be posted up that.
Speaker 4 (04:59):
First padd That's always where you kind of if you're
at State Farm Stadium and you've been there a lot,
you do the position drills, and all of a sudden,
once that first padded practice where it's offense versus defense,
pay attention to where the couches and the scouts and
front office personnel will move to one side of the
(05:20):
field because that's where it's the heavyweights. Rob It's where
whether it's one on one or blitz pick up with
a running back and a linebacker. Okay, now, all of
a sudden, not only is it a little bit more intense,
but the players recognize it as well.
Speaker 6 (05:38):
I want to see this treasure trove of defensive line
talent that the Cardinals brought in this offseason. I can't
wait to see them in action and see what this
revamped defense looks like. You know, from from front end
to back end. This defense has significant upgrades this offseason
and I'm excited to see what that looks like. You
(06:00):
know you mentioned Isaiah Adams. I'm excited to see kind
of does he take that sophomore season jump that we
all talk about that we see in players. Does a
light turn on for him? Does he get it? Does
he perform? Does he perform against these guys in his
defensive line room. That's to me one of the biggest
talking points going into training camp.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
There are twelve defensive lineman currently on the roster. A
year ago, they went into Week one with six defensive
lineman on that fifty three. My guess is that's one
of the questions that we'll all want to know. How
many are you able to keep? How many do you
think you'll be allowed to keep considering the talent in
that room. And another question that I have, Danny, is
(06:42):
maybe an answer we won't get until Week one, but
who is running the defense? Who's calling the defense on
the field? Talking about who's got that communication, the in
helmet communication, the green dot on the field, Because for
the past two years that's been Kayzier White. He's not
on the roster. So who becomes that extension of Nick Rolis.
Speaker 7 (07:03):
The first thought is Cody Simon as a rookie. Last
year was the first year in college football that they
had that ability to have that speaker in the helmet
so that your play caller on defense could communicate with
somebody on the field. And Simon wore the green dot
for Ohio State. It's different in the pros, but you'd
(07:24):
have to imagine that gives him at least somewhat of
a leg up and understanding that and having the confidence
and being able to relay plays quickly and effectively to
his teammates. The other player that I think would be
the competition there would be a Keen Davis Gather, who
the Cardinals brought in this offseason. I don't see mac
Wilson saying changing his role to where that green dot.
(07:47):
I think that this defense uses him so well, and
Rollis uses Wilson in such a way that he can
do a lot of things, and he can come off
the edge, and he can kind of move around the field,
and you want someone who's wearing that green dot trying
to be the focal point. And so right now, as
crazy as it might seem as a rookie and he
hasn't put pads on Rob, it seems like Simon would
(08:08):
be the front runner for that a draft pick for
the Cardinals.
Speaker 6 (08:10):
Yeah, it's you know, it's a good point. He has
a history of doing it with Ohio State, and so
he's comfortable with it. And Ohio State playing in a
Big Ten, that's that's big time football, and so he's
used to that pressure, he's used to the crowd noise,
he's used to making those adjustments at the line of scrimmage.
So yeah, I could see Cody Simon at least doing
or sharing that responsibility. Initially, it's it's just got to
(08:34):
be somebody that's that's clear, can clearly and articulate articulately.
And I can't even say.
Speaker 4 (08:41):
So, no, not Rob Fredericson, is what you're trying to say. Yeah,
at the moment.
Speaker 6 (08:45):
Exactly, but you got you gotta look, you gotta get
get it out, you gotta inflection, you gotta be confident
in what you're saying, and when you're saying it and
stand behind that. And so there's a lot of elements
that go into that wearing that green dot, and it
remains to be seen who does that, but it is
an important factor.
Speaker 4 (09:04):
On that topic. JG on that middle linebacker position player
like a Cody Simon brand new the league adjusting to
wearing that green dot.
Speaker 8 (09:14):
The adjustment period. If you've never done that is real.
I've never really been around a guy that couldn't really
handle that. It's not probably as in depth as the
coach to quarterback as the Nick rallis to the green dot,
but it is real. You got to hear it and
you got to communicate it. But if the guys have
never done it cause you're white, never did it, you
(09:36):
know what I mean? We put it right in his
ear and he was fine.
Speaker 4 (09:38):
Yeah, there's no question Kaizier White was fine with that.
In helmet communication, and you want someone who's going to
be on the field for the majority of the time,
and yes, you've got Buddha Baker and Jalen Thompson, but
you want kind of someone in the middle of the defense,
correct Rob because it's easier to communicate to the guys
in front of you to the guys behind you, versus
someone who's in the secondary kind of shouting up to
(09:59):
the defensive line.
Speaker 6 (10:00):
Well, you can have a safety, you can have a
Buddha Baker making coverage checks, making coverage changes on the
back end, but it's hard to get that conveyed up
to the front end all the way up to the
defensive line at times, so it does require somebody that's
in that linebacker position to make those checks. You know,
(10:21):
a lot of times things can you guys if they
just know the defense, if they know the offensive formations
and the shifts and the changes in alignment, they can
make the check. Mentally, they can make their own checks.
They know what to do given this formation, but it's
always good you have to have somebody to confirm it
(10:41):
and to really have everybody on the same page.
Speaker 7 (10:44):
All the line. All the linebackers practice with that in
their helmet, so they all have somewhat of an experience,
so you know, if you have to make a change
for whatever reason on a game day, nobody is completely
caught off guard thinking, oh my gosh, I can't think,
I can't focus. I've never practiced having someone relay placed
me in my head, so that is good. I think
(11:05):
that's something that we're going to be talking about until
Week one in New Orleans because we have so long
until we get there. But how many starters are going
to be playing in preseason games? And if it's one game, right,
how many snaps? So if Cody Simon is the starter,
is he going to be lumped in with the veteran
starters of maybe not playing a lot of snaps because
(11:25):
he's a rookie because he could possibly be wearing the
green dot? Is he someone who sees a significant amount
of time on the field throughout preseason? So with all
of those factors, I think we're going to see a
couple of players probably throughout the preseason calling the defense.
I think that's going to be something that we're not
going to have a final answer until Week one against
the Saints.
Speaker 4 (11:46):
On the other side of the ball, both of you
have brought up Isaiah Adams and his potential to become
that starting right guard before we get conversations on that.
Yelled to Froholtz, you're starting center on what he has
seen from Adam from year one to now here.
Speaker 9 (12:02):
In year two, you got thrown a little bit into
the fire last year, and what better way than just
to get tossed in there it's the best, and make
some mistakes and learn from it. I mean him having
those opportunities last year has made him such a better
player this year. You know, you see those reps live
full speed with consequences. Then you all of a sudden
(12:22):
learn a lot more than a non consequential play in
practice where oh, now I get a sack. But it's
like if you give a sack.
Speaker 8 (12:30):
You're like, I don't want to get Kyler hurt.
Speaker 9 (12:32):
You know, there's a lot more at stake, and I
think those are the reps you'd learn from.
Speaker 4 (12:36):
It is the one position at least that has a
question mark on the offensive side, whether it's Isaiah Adams,
Royce Newman, there is an open roster spot and the
speculation is, hey, well, Hernandez is still on the open market.
Is he healthy enough to come in and be that
right guard once again, or is it Isaiah Adams has
turned to be the guy. It's Adam's job to lose.
Speaker 7 (12:59):
In my mind, this is someone who as a rookie
saw a significant amount of snaps fifteen games, five of
those starts at right guard. Pro Football Focus had him
having four hundred and forty four snaps as the right guard,
four penalties, two sacks allowed, two hits allowed. So there
is room to grow from year one to yer two,
whether it's adding muscle and strength and being quicker on
(13:21):
his feet right, having better hand placement, all of those things.
You saw good things from Adams as a rookie, to
the point where when he was going through rotation with
Tristan Coloonne after Hernandez was out for the year with
that knee injury, Adams ended up beating out Cologne near
the back half of the season. And when you have
the consistency of frohold at center and Jonah Williams being
(13:42):
healthy at right tackle, that's going to help Adams as well.
They have brought in veterans, and we've seen in the
past this coaching staff has brought in offensive line veterans
specifically who have not had a lot of opportunities elsewhere
and have come and been Staples and froholdt is a
perfect example of that. And I think that Isaiah Adams
it is his job to lose, and.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
You've got, to Danny's point, rob two veterans around him
that could help. If there are struggles if he is
at full time starter week one.
Speaker 6 (14:13):
Yeah, and it's look, it's so important for that interior
offensive line positions guards center to really create a nice
pocket for the quarterback. Any team in the league, they
have to have a nice pocket so they can step
up into their throes on those timing throws. Kyler really
likes that nice pocket, so it'll be an interesting position
(14:33):
to check in training camp.
Speaker 4 (14:34):
Speaking of Kyler Murray, when we come back Kyler and
his pass catchers together again in Los Angeles over the
weekend ahead of training camp. What we think about that
as we continue. It's the Cardinals Red Sea report right
here on the Arizona Cardinals Radio network. Snapped.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
He stands in the pocket, puff Bake steps up, throws
Lobby back of the end zone, and it's caught for
a touchdown by Wilson. Kyler Urry keeping that play alive
and then lobbing it to an open Wilson setting up
deep in the pocket, looking launching farside into the end
zone and Harrison laying out for it. He got it, touchdown.
(15:20):
What a catch, Marvin Harrison Junior, big time.
Speaker 5 (15:24):
Oh my goodness.
Speaker 3 (15:25):
There it is.
Speaker 5 (15:27):
The explosive from eighteen.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
Wide receiver screen over the middle cup by George and
the twenty cut the first down of the ten and
the five hitt of the ends up in the touchdown
Greg George to catch and run on burd and long
a twenty three yard star.
Speaker 5 (15:42):
That was so nasty right there to Greg George.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Now a lob near side poor mccride in the corner
mix the catch for the touchdown.
Speaker 5 (15:51):
Ah, that was greasy good right there from Kyler Burray.
Speaker 4 (15:57):
So we just got done discussing how we're we're all
anxiously awaiting the first padded practice because that's when the
true evaluation of players begin. Not to say that the
offseason doesn't matter, even when you're practicing in T shirts
and shorts. And I bring that us up again, Danny,
because we saw this past weekend, for the second straight
(16:18):
off season in Los Angeles, Kyler Murray inviting his pass
catchers for a weekend not only of on field work,
but getting together away and just kind of hanging out,
having fun. And yes, you're running routes on air, but
where do you like the ball placed? Which shoulder? How
do I work on our timing? We're going full speed? No,
(16:38):
there's no one in front of you. But I need
to get to a spot. I'm gonna get to that spot.
How many steps does it take me to get to
that spot. I'm gonna throw you the ball right now.
And I do think it helps. It wasn't anything that
they didn't do out on the fields here behind Rob
here at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center. Yet
to see these guys do it on their own, I
think it's a good thing.
Speaker 7 (16:59):
Well, they've been doing that on their own in Phoenix
a lot of the players and they've been posting a
lot of the Cardinals players have been practicing at local
high schools throughout the off season together. The difference of
going to California together is less about the chemistry on
the football field and more about the chemistry and camaraderie
as people, as players and teammates. And when you feel
(17:21):
more connected to the people you are standing next to
on the football field, when you are in the trenches
and you know that you are next to someone who
is working just as hard, if not harder than you,
you want to go harder for that player, and you
want to play and you want to fight for each other.
And that's what trips like this are about is building
the camaraderie and the chemistry as a group together, and
(17:42):
that will translate onto the field. And it's different than
when you're out on the practice field and you're just
going through routes like this is where they bond.
Speaker 6 (17:50):
It's almost like a mini training camp in that, you know,
if you're throwing around at a high school here locally,
you're throwing the ball around for an hour, then you
get in your cars and you go your upper ways.
But when you're somewhere else, you're you're in Los Angeles
or wherever it may be. Now all of a sudden,
you're you're sharing meals with each other, you're hanging out
by the pool, you're you're you know, you're talking. You're
(18:11):
getting to know each other more on a on a
than just on a surface level. You're you're getting to
know each other, getting to know your teammates, and that's important.
It's important to build chemistry. Obviously, when you talk about
the specificity of where the ball is going to be
delivered on routes, that's vital. That's that's important. I got
to have that. But those are things that you know
(18:33):
they've been working on they'd work on it constantly, and
so yeah, you want to see improvement in that, in
that relationship. But uh, just to have the opportunity to
get away a little bit before training camp, I think
is important.
Speaker 4 (18:45):
You played. We didn't correct me if I'm wrong. You
don't need to be best buds with everyone in that
locker room, but I would hope, and I would think
you need to respect the guys next to you, or
at least respect the guy that you're lining up next
to or hoping that is going to help you make
a play or you help them to make a play.
So getting to know the person kind of helps that, because, yeah,
(19:08):
you don't want a bunch of guys, a bunch of
individuals in there as we are Jonathan Gann and say, ah,
it's team over me. Let's come together as a group
to be successful on Sundays.
Speaker 6 (19:19):
Yeah, there's a look a fifty three man roster. You
can't all be best friends, right, I don't even think
I have fifty three friends even yeah I got two here,
but even acquaintances, I don't know fifty three people. But so, yeah,
I take your point that you can't all be best friends,
but there has to be a level of respect there.
And the best teams in this league are the ones
(19:40):
where the players kind of control the locker room, not
the coaches, not the general manager, not the owner, but
the players are the ones that will tell people lift
people up, or they'll also tell people, hey, you need
to pick it up. And so those are the teams.
When you get to that culture, when you get to
that chemistry and locker room, that's when you know you
(20:01):
have something.
Speaker 7 (20:01):
And that culture is outside of just quarterback and receivers.
Mac Wilson Senior is a great example. When he had
his charity basketball game, there were tons of his teammates,
even if they weren't participating and playing, bj O Jalari,
who's been rehabbing his knee with sitting courtside. It stems
across that entire locker room, which is important, which is
(20:23):
something that I don't think this Cardinals organization has had
the last handful of years, at least, not to the
extent it feels like it is right now.
Speaker 4 (20:30):
Last offseason it was at UCLA on the campus of UCLA.
This past weekend they were at usc Kyler posted a
number of video clips on social media. Got to see
the likes of Marvin Harrison Junior, Michael Wilson, Tray McBride,
a host of others. And this is, as we always say,
a big year for Kyler going into year seven. How
(20:51):
does Kyler feel about going into twenty twenty five.
Speaker 10 (20:55):
Well, they say that hitting your prime around. I'm about
to be twenty eight years old. I feel good. I
feel good.
Speaker 8 (21:00):
You know.
Speaker 10 (21:01):
I think we've got a great young core guys in
the offense side of the ball. Obviously the defense. You know,
we hit the defense pretty hard this sall season, so
I'm super excited to see what those guys are able
to do this season. As far as offense goes, I
believe we've got the guys in there to go do
what we think we're capable of doing.
Speaker 4 (21:15):
And that's the trick here, Rob is capable of doing.
Now you've got to go do it. And we saw
flashes all of last season. But it's that consistency, especially
as the season gets into December and January. Can you
do it each and every week when the lights are
the brightest.
Speaker 6 (21:33):
Yeah, I feel like last year the defense did more
with less and the offense did less with more. And
I think, you know, just based on what the Cardinals
did in the off season where they basically said, offense
were running it back. We have the assets that we need,
it's up to you to actually put it all together.
That's a big statement, that's that's a big message that
(21:56):
you know, it's it's time. All right. We've addressed the defense.
They already outperformed last year with a lot oftentimes third
and fourth string guys, and we're going to give them
some assets. We're going to give them the ammunition that
they need defensively to really make this a potential top
ten defense. Offense, you have the talent top ten offense,
(22:20):
you got to go out and play. You got to
go out and perform.
Speaker 7 (22:23):
Now's the time. You're going to have the consistency you
have not only with the players on the offensive side
of the ball, but with the play caller and offensive
coordin Drew Petsing, which I think is an important piece
that gets left out a lot of having consistency there
and hearing about the quote unquote juice that's being added
now that it's going into year three with the scheme
of having more pre stat motions and shifts and things
(22:45):
of that nature. Now is the time for this team.
You have addressed the holes that were there early on
in the offseason on the defense side of the ball.
You feel confident enough in the offense where you didn't
feel like you need to bring in pieces. You've got
a quarterback going into your seven, you've got a star,
a budding wide receiver going into year two, and Marvin
Harrison Junior consistency on the offensive line. He rushed for
(23:06):
a thousand yard rusher in James Connor last year. And
this is a team that doubled its win total, went
from four to eight last year and was competitive and
doing so. Now is the time, and that all starts
with Kyler Murray.
Speaker 4 (23:18):
And we always talk about the chemistry of the connection
with Marvin Harrison Junior, but let's not forget, Okay, who's
the other guy who's opposite MHJ And Michael Wilson has
talked about earlier this offseason. Yeah, he's had a pretty
good first two years, but in year three he believes
he can be much better.
Speaker 11 (23:38):
I just want to produce more, and producing more for
receiver obviously looks like catches and touchdowns and yards. Honestly,
I really think that's a big goal for me. Is
I want to show up more on the stat sheet
and produce more from a numbers standpoint, because I know
the talents there. It's just about putting everything together and
(23:59):
showing up on Here.
Speaker 4 (24:00):
Are markls numbers from a year ago. Forty seven catches,
five hundred and forty eight yards, four touchdowns. He was
targeted seventy one times sixteen games. He missed the one
game Week eighteen with a hamstring injury. But you look
at those numbers. Okay, maybe there's same number roughly the
same number targets, but can you have that connection and
(24:22):
can those catches be four instead of the five six
seven yards be for ten eleven, twelve yards downfield?
Speaker 5 (24:29):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (24:29):
I think Trey McBride's looking at the number of times
he was targeted versus receptions. I think it was like
seventy five percent maybe higher. And then the wide receivers
just dropped down precipitously, so that something's going on there
with the wide receiver room. It's not just Michael Wilson.
It's just there has to be that connection in terms
(24:51):
of productivity, and you know that hopefully they address that
in training camp.
Speaker 7 (24:55):
Wilson gets a lot of praise for the type of
blocking receiver he has that is crucial for this offense
to what this coaching staff in front office looks for
in a receiver. They don't want someone who just has speed.
You have to be well rounded. So the fact that
we've seen that and Wilson feels like he's ready to
step up, that's what you need. You need a true
number two, and Wilson has the potential to be that player.
Speaker 4 (25:15):
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(25:35):
visit azcardstravel dot com. That's asycardstravel dot com. This is
the Arizona Cardinals Radio Network.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
Shotgun snap back to throw. Smith steps up, moves to
his right, being chased far aside. Now throws Oh a
bit of plicked off in the end zone. Oh what
a cordgeous play by Garrett Williams. Step kick off Gino
Smith in the end zone.
Speaker 5 (26:03):
Oh what a great way to start the fourth corner
right here, turning over Gino Smith in the red zone,
you rush five and Garrett Williams makes a play.
Speaker 4 (26:15):
So if we're gonna talk Garrett Williams and welcome back,
it is the Cardinals Red Sea Report, Craig Reilud, Danny
Sirek and Rob Frederickson.
Speaker 5 (26:22):
Here.
Speaker 4 (26:22):
We do it each and every Tuesday, eleven am, year round.
But you know my thing, Danny, if we're gonna talk
about Garrett Williams, it has to be mentioned where he
went to school. We heard the voice of the Arizona Cardinals,
Dave Pash calling some of those highlights, Dave Patch Garrett Williams.
Oh yeah, also myself all from Syracuse.
Speaker 7 (26:41):
I thought you were gonna mention how I was the
only person in our Cardinals broadcast personality group when we
did our year end award to chose Garrett Williams as
defensive MVP. We're not going to talk about that.
Speaker 4 (26:54):
We can because if I remember correctly, and I think
Rob was in this saying boat, we both selected Buddha Baker.
But I have looking at what Garrett did and how
valuable this coaching staff feels about Garrett Williams as a
slot corner and just looking at some of the metrics
(27:16):
out there, whether it's Pro football focused or next gen stats.
Garrett Williams might not be a household name outside of
the state of Arizona, but he is an ascending player
and I do believe right now is your best cornerback
on the roster.
Speaker 7 (27:31):
Everyone hop on the Garrett Williams train. I am the conductor,
I'm leading charge. I mean, he had a great year.
He played clean discipline football. He was top five in
team tackles, only one penalty, committed, two interceptions, nine passes defense.
He was tough to go against and rob he faced
some high level receivers last year. And even though Williams
(27:55):
has the versatility to also play outside, this coaching staff
clearly values so strongly inside that we've hardly even seen
him as an outside corner in the two seasons one
and a half seasons he's played here.
Speaker 6 (28:07):
Why would you mess with what works? I mean, he's
so successful in that slot position, and you may be
ahead of the curve, Danny, in terms of just identifying
him as your MVP, because you know, typically in this league,
players when they really show out when they really have
an outstanding season, it's a year or two later before
they actually receive the accolades, they actually receive a Pro
(28:31):
Bowl mentions and things like that. But I think it's
in Garrett Williams's future. He's that good and you know,
he just does everything right. And when you're in that
slot position, you're closer to the action, you're going to
make more tackles top five and tackles. That to me,
that's a statistic that kind of jumps out at me
because you're a little closer to the action. But he's
(28:52):
a player that this team certainly is going to build around, and.
Speaker 4 (28:55):
I do believe there are people out there. In fact,
if you look at all pro voting, Garrett finished fifth
amongst locked cornerbacks. So two seasons in and really Danny,
as you mentioned, a season and a half because he
missed the first half for a bulk or third of
that first year because he still quite wasn't healthy from
the ACL injury that he suffered in college. So yeah,
(29:17):
year three, but I think now he with Sean Murphrey
Bunting being on the sideline, you look at the other
eleven corners in the room, and right now Garrett Williams
going into year three is kind of the elder statesman
in that room, at least in terms of snaps and
starts wearing a Cardinals uniform.
Speaker 7 (29:36):
And yet Williams will likely still not play outside corner.
It is a very young room. However, they are players
who have proven themselves and really started to shine a
Max Melton, a Starling Thomas, and there's a question mark,
but a whole lot of exclamation marks about will Johnson
the rookie and what he can provide. So it's a
(29:57):
true testament to the draft pross a free agents that
have been brought in by this coaching staff how or
by the front office, rather how this coaching staff has
gotten the most out of their young cornerbacks to where
you have your most veteran player in that room and
Sean Murphy bunting out for the season and you're not
really shaking in your boots. And that's not a knock
on SMB. It's more of praise for the work that
(30:19):
has been done from the top down in that room.
Speaker 6 (30:21):
Yeah, you drafted three cornerbacks last year's in last year's draft,
so you really have increased the inventory and increase the
depth at that position, and so it kind of leaves
you with will Johnson doesn't have. He didn't have the expectations.
You didn't have to come out and shine, You didn't
have to come out and start even because we do
have enough players that can fulfill those positions and give
(30:45):
him some time to learn and grow.
Speaker 4 (30:47):
We heard from Garrett last week again, it's hard to
keep Garrett Williams out of the facility. He's here darn
near every single day, always looking at his playbook, always
looking at video. But something that he brought up, something
we've heard from a couple of different players defensively, is
can this defense and specifically the secondary, can they get
(31:08):
their hands on more footballs? Just seventeen takeaways last season,
that includes three in Week eighteen against the forty nine ers,
nine interceptions, that number needs to go up. Garrett Williams
on if he believes more quarnerbacks will get their hands
on the football here in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 12 (31:26):
One hundred percent.
Speaker 5 (31:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 12 (31:27):
I mean we have more than enough guys to do it,
and I think all of us are really capable. So
I'm look really excited, really looking forward to and I
feel like we're all kind of on the same page
as this. You know, we did good last year. We
got to get the ball, you know, So that's one
of our emphasis is to get the ball. So I
think we're gonna do that.
Speaker 4 (31:43):
And I think it helps rob when you see what
this team did those two levels ahead of the secondary,
as far as the defensive line and improvements, adding Josh
Weed as an outside linebacker, putting more pressure on the
opposing quarterback, and all of a sudden than not standing
and secting you defensively, they can sit there and feel
a little pressure, maybe get the ball out sooner quicker
(32:06):
than they want to.
Speaker 6 (32:07):
Yeah, it's pretty hard for I don't care who the
cornerback is in this league to cover a wide receiver
for three, four, five seconds or more. And if you
don't get pressure on the quarterback, you're gonna that's gonna
be the expectation for the cornerbacks. And so that's that's
a tough job to have. And with the additions that
the Cardinals made to the defensive line at both the
(32:28):
interior and on the outside on the edge, I think
they're gonna create a lot more pressure. Klays Campbell's six
foot what ten six ninees it seems like anyway, this
guy's got to get some bad at balls, and that's
when turnovers happened.
Speaker 4 (32:41):
Danny mentioned Will Johnson and this is someone I think
we're all excited to see. But Garrett Williams asked about
the Cardinals' second round pick wearing number zero in that
cornerback room.
Speaker 12 (32:54):
The first thing that stands out was obviously just the
football IQ part, And I feel like that was the
thing you saw even to him in Michigan, was just
being able to be really instinctive and make plays on
the ball. And see you take that and you add
his size and all those things and just a guy
who's willing to learn. I think that's a really good,
a really good mix to have to add to the
room where we already have a lot of guys as well.
So I feel good about him and everybody else in
(33:15):
the room.
Speaker 4 (33:15):
And we talked about waiting to see that first offensive
line versus defensive line drill and whether it's in pads
or not, but seeing Will Johnson line up across from
Marvin or Michael or whomever it is, how does Will
handle that to where all of a sudden, Okay, yeah,
we can picture him as a starting outside corner in
New Orleans.
Speaker 7 (33:36):
Another exciting camp battle to keep your eye on. At
six one one ninety four, Johnson was a three year starter.
He played a lot of zone at Michigan, which is
what this Cardinals defense likes to play a lot of.
Twenty twenty three was the National Championship defensive MVP. This
is someone who is very skilled. A lot of people
were surprised he dropped out of the first round in
the draft. To begin with, the question is going to
(33:58):
be is he healthy enough? It doesn't stem from the
knee or the hamstring that Johnson was dealing with throughout
college or the draft process, but it was a bit
of a tweaked hamstring, is what Jonathan gannon call did
that kept Johnson somewhat limited throughout OTA's In mini camp,
he was on the field, he was participating in some
of the drills, but not all of them. So having
these last six or so weeks of not rest because
(34:21):
the players are still working out, they're still training getting
ready for training camp. But how has that allowed him
to get healthy enough to the point where he can
have a full training camp.
Speaker 4 (34:31):
That's the goal.
Speaker 7 (34:32):
Rob's point earlier is exactly right. Johnson doesn't have the
pressure where he has to come in and be a
starter week one. Is he capable of doing that and
fighting for a spot opposite of Thomas or Melton. Yes,
you're not relying on it. You don't have those hefty
expectations on his shoulders of I have to come out
and be a starting cornerback. No, go out and perform well,
(34:53):
and when you do that time and time again, you
will earn your spot onto the field.
Speaker 4 (34:56):
A year ago, Max Melton, the second round pick, didn't
start until late in the season. I'd be surprised if
we didn't see Will Johnson early in the season with
a handfull of stars. But as the saying goes, you
can never have enough cornerbacks good cornerbacks, and the Cardinals
believe they have good cornerbacks on the roster.
Speaker 6 (35:15):
You're gonna see Will Johnson early and often. I believe me.
I think he'll be healthy and ready to go, and
I'm excited to see him play.
Speaker 4 (35:23):
The question is who will he line up against. NFC West.
We are a week away from the start of training camp.
The San Diego excuse me, the Los Angeles Chargers already
reported for training camp at least the rookies have and
the rookies for the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco forty
nine ers reporting today a look around the division as
(35:47):
we continue, It's the Cardinals Red Sea Report on the
Arizona Cardinals Radio network.
Speaker 13 (36:00):
The ball is spotted just shy at the four, shocked
up for Stafford motion manage hit beat to the near
side Stafford, Stafford deep in the pocket looking at throws
up staff Higby with two Eagles surrounding of the secures
in at the Rams are an extra fourn away.
Speaker 4 (36:21):
From taking the league.
Speaker 13 (36:23):
Jack Vaughn to C. J. Gardner, Jompson, he had the coverage.
Speaker 10 (36:27):
And he splits it.
Speaker 4 (36:29):
Rams on the road in Philadelphia gave the Eagles all
they could handle and then some, but lost in the
NFC Championship. Gamers could say lost in that divisional round
game as far as the Rams and Eagles are concerned.
Iron Eagle on Westwood one, and that leads us to
this conversation here on the Cardinals Red Sea Report the
(36:51):
NFC West Yes, the Rams won the division with a
ten and seven record, really not much changed, just one
big addition while on subtraction in Cooper Cup. But in
addition in DeVante Adams and how the question that people
have rob is, Okay, Matthew Stafford is back veteran quarterback
now is a veteran wide receiver. What does that move
(37:11):
mean for the rest of those guys of pukingnakua? How
does it trickle down when you have maybe a future
Hall of Fame wide receiver now on your roster.
Speaker 6 (37:21):
Yeah, that was really the big change, right, losing Cooper
Cup and gaining Davante Adams. Other than that, you know,
it looks like the Rams defensively are set. They've had
a couple of really good drafts recently and they've really
done a good job of revamping that defense. And you know,
Matthew Stafford he still can sling it. At his age,
(37:41):
He's he's still a quarterback that can make every throw,
any throw that needs to be made. So there's a
lot of positives I think surrounding the Rams going into
this season. It's just a matter of if they can
all stay healthy and what's going to be you know,
Davante Adams, is he is he gonna fit in? Is
he going to become a part of that culture there?
Speaker 7 (38:00):
That's what I was thinking as well, Rob, and now
I'm looking at the numbers online and the combined season
of last year of sometime with Vegas, sometime with New
York seven, the last eight years, Adams has had one
thousand receiving yards. So you think of oh, last year, right,
he didn't look like the true DeVante Adams we've seen
for so long, and then you look at the numbers
and he's still performing. Now that there could be changes, right,
(38:22):
you're going to la or in a new scheme, new quarterback,
a lot of new players you're playing with. So what
kind of DeVante Adams are we going to see? It's
hard to envision anything other than a threat, though, Craig to.
Speaker 4 (38:34):
Me, they're talking about the Rams. They are still the
team to beat until they are beaten. And that's the
respect you give a raigning division winner. Now I mentioned
Cooper cup Well, he's still within the division. He's just
wearing a Seattle Seahawks.
Speaker 7 (38:49):
It's seen the pictures of him online from media day.
Speaker 4 (38:51):
Yeah, that's going to take some getting used to though.
There is not only a new wide receiver, but there's
also now a new quarterback in that room, Sam Darnold
signing a three year contract, after Gino Smith was traded
to the Raiders. So you've got a lot of newness
in Seattle as far as a new quarterback, new wide receiver,
(39:11):
a new OC coming in after one year of Ryan Grubbs.
So the Seahawks after a ten wins season, did not
qualify for the playoffs. But what do they look like
on offense going into this season.
Speaker 7 (39:25):
Yeah, the Seahawks were a team that had the Cardinals number.
Last year they swept Arizona and it was not very
good performances by the Cardinals all things considered. And there
have been changes, right, and you were mentioning some of them.
Even if LA is the team to beat, Seattle is
still a hard team to get through, not even just
on the road, also at home for this Cardinals team.
(39:46):
So it's a tough division. And when you're looking at
some of the changers, I mean on defense they bring
in to Marcus Lawrence from Dallas. So Seattle is at
a point where they're still having to work through some
changes and in their own sort of transition phase, they're
still early on that. I'm not sure that Sam Darnold
is the long term answer for Seattle, but this is
(40:08):
going to be a year of having to prove themselves,
and I think right now where the Cardinals stand, Yeah,
they've They've got a pretty significant leg up all things
considered on Seattle.
Speaker 6 (40:18):
You know, it's interesting and Seattle released Tyler Lockett and
they traded Dk Metcalf. They're two most productive wide receivers
in what the last seems like decade, but it hasn't
been that long. But these guys are really productive for Seattle,
and to trade and release those two, you know, they
might they must have something that they really feel good about.
(40:39):
I know, obviously you're getting Cooper Cup, but can he
overcome that production that they're not going to have anymore.
Speaker 4 (40:45):
Speaking of change, I don't think there was a team
that under would more of a change offense and defense
within the division than San Francisco forty nine ers. Believe
the stat that I read in this offseason was going
back to the Super Bowl in twenty twenty four, eleven
of twenty two starters are gone and that's just in
(41:08):
two years time. It's almost a brand new defense. You
have another defensive coordinator once again, although it's Robert Sala
who's familiar in that building. But they like the Cardinals
revamped their defensive line, and no longer do you have
to worry about Javon Hargrave, Leonard Floyd, Ray Green Lootch,
a various war Tallnoah Hufanga all signed or released, and
(41:33):
you're looking at this defense. Yeah, Nick Bosa is still around. Offense,
you still got George Kittley, got Christian McCaffery. But it's
the pieces and the names that aren't well known surrounding
the bigger names and trying to figure out is this
forty nine Ers team can they go from six wins
to double digits or is it more of a rebuilding process.
Speaker 7 (41:55):
It's still Kyle Shanahan, Chris that is. I can't sit
confidently and say, oh, they lost all these players. Yeah,
San Francisco is bottom of the barrel in the division.
That's tough to say when year after year the forty
nine Ers seem to somehow claw their way into contention
at least at the end of the season. Like that,
they always seem to find a way to figure things
(42:17):
out and no matter what kind of injuries or adversity
they're facing, they are a tough team to play.
Speaker 6 (42:23):
Yeah, And it always seems like at running back in particular,
they can have a thousand yard rusher, guy gets hurt,
and then they just have somebody else that just runs
it downhill and goes for a thousand and then goes
to another team. But the forty nine ers are They're
just like a system, is really how I could describe them.
They are a system, and they insert players, remove players,
(42:46):
but they just the system keeps going and it will
continue to keep going. So the forty nine ers are
always going to be formidable.
Speaker 4 (42:53):
Well that system. If you believe the narrative out there
that some people have got Rock Party paid mister irrelevant
now very relevant as far as the dollars that he signed.
But again, whether you're a system quarterback or not, can
you be successful. And when you think Brock Party, he's
winning games. He's leading that offense. So whatever offense you're running,
(43:16):
you found someone. The forty nine ers did. Maybe they
lucked out into it, but they found someone that meshes
with what Shanahan wants to do. And you don't penalize
or knock an organization or a player because of that. No,
you want someone that fits with what you do, and
that's Brock Party.
Speaker 6 (43:33):
You know. Baltimore comes to mind too as well, as
an offensive system that just works and they continue to
be successful. They continue to be effective. Forty nine Ers
just they have that. They have that offensively, and you're right,
Brock Purty is a big part of that. But you know,
not having Deebo Samuel, I think is really going to
hurt them because he did so much for them, not
(43:55):
just in passing, pass receiving, but also in running the football,
rushing the football in fact. So that to me is
going to be a big loss for forty nine ers.
Speaker 4 (44:03):
Brandon, are you coming off that ACL injury? And then
word reports earlier this week that Juwan Jennings wants a
new contract or wants out does he report to training camp?
So look, every team has questions, every team has issues.
I'm just impressed because you look nationally, it's hard to
(44:24):
kind of get a gauge on what people believe is
the top team within the NFC West. Yeah, the Rams
are the rainy chance, but you can make an argument
for all four teams.
Speaker 7 (44:34):
When you're looking at a consistency, the pieces brought in
the ascension of this Cardinals team. I feel very strongly
that it is Arizona's division to lose. That they have
a strong chance to win the NFC West.
Speaker 4 (44:48):
Let's hope that is exactly what happens in twenty twenty.
Speaker 7 (44:51):
If I'm right, I'm calling it right now.
Speaker 6 (44:52):
She was right about Garrett Williams.
Speaker 5 (44:54):
That's true.
Speaker 4 (44:54):
Thank you, Rob, speak it into existence. Danny Training Campberg
Gang one week away. First open practice Thursday, July twenty fourth.
Go to Azycardinals dot Com for all the information special
thanks behind the scenes, jim Mo Mohundter, Cody Fincher, Matt
Lazareth for Rod Frederickson, Danny Sirek. I'm Craig real Lou.
It's a Cardinals Red Sea Report on the Arizona Cardinals
(45:16):
Radio Network.
Speaker 3 (45:21):
You've been listening to the Cardinals Red Sea Report.
Speaker 2 (45:24):
It is caught by McBride. Hey, it's a touchdown boot
a Baker with the sacked strip the ball where he's.
Speaker 5 (45:30):
Gonna score touchdown.
Speaker 11 (45:32):
Oh baby.
Speaker 1 (45:33):
The Cardinals Red Sea Report is brought to you by
the Arizona Cardinals mobile app. Visit Azycardinals dot Com slash app.
Speaker 4 (45:41):
Touchdown Cardinals whim.
Speaker 1 (45:44):
This has been an exclusive presentation of the Arizona Cardinals
Football Club
This podcast is presented by All Copy Products, proud partner
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Speaker 2 (00:11):
So the fifteen to the ten, He's gonna score touchdown?
Speaker 3 (00:15):
Welcome to the Cardinals Red Sea Report.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Slam to the ground by Puda Baker Like a torpedo.
He came flying into the backfield Connor to the ten,
to the.
Speaker 4 (00:24):
Five, and then to the ends off of the touchdown.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
The Cardinals Red Sea Report is brought to you by
Arizona Cardinals Podcast. Visit Azycardinals dot.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Com Slash podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Here we go one handed catching a touchdown?
Speaker 5 (00:39):
Oh baby, how's that fail?
Speaker 1 (00:42):
Here's Craig Griolhu, Danny Sirek and nine year NFL veteran
Rob Frederickson.
Speaker 4 (00:49):
So are we ready? Training camp? One week from today
is when players report the first practice a week from Wednesday.
First open in practice at State Farm Stadium Thursday, July
twenty fourth. Go Asycardinals dot com for all the details,
information on how you can secure your free digital tickets
(01:11):
and yes, parking is free, admission is free, and who knows,
maybe you get to meet Rob Frederickson one day out
at State Farm Stadium.
Speaker 6 (01:16):
When's the first padded practice. Okay, that's what we need
to know.
Speaker 4 (01:21):
Why is it always guys back in my day that
always want to know when the first padded practice is because.
Speaker 6 (01:28):
Because it's football and football is still a contact sport. Yes, okay,
and so you know that's for me for a linebacker,
for a guy that loves the contact, that loves that energy,
that's when it really starts the first padded practice.
Speaker 5 (01:45):
I get it.
Speaker 6 (01:45):
You know, the CBA, you got to do all the
things according to the rules, but where are the pads?
Bring on the pads, right, Dan, You're gonna.
Speaker 7 (01:52):
Have to wait a few practices to see your first
padded practice for the CBA rules. But fans can still
go out there and it'll be interesting because every year
it's you know, there's going to be competition in different
position rooms and you're having to try to learn something
of what can you learn when you're not seeing contact,
when players aren't in pads, and you can still learn
(02:13):
and gather some ideas of what the coaching staff may
or and may not be seeing. Yeah, when the pads
come out, I mean there's there's something different in the
air even when the players run out onto the field.
Speaker 6 (02:23):
Yeah, it's hard to evaluate the guys. I think that's
the biggest thing is it's hard for these coaches and
scouts and general managers. It's hard for them to evaluate
the players. If you don't have contact. You can evaluate
some positions, obviously kickers and wide receivers and cornerbacks. I
think you can you can do some evaluation there. But
(02:43):
the guys in the trenches, man, that's that's what they need.
That's what they need, that contact to really showcase what
they what they can do.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
And that's why how many times Danny did we hear
Jonathan Gannon towards the end of the offseason program mentioned Yeah,
when the pads come on, that's when the true evaluation
of a player, a position group, that's when we'll really
get to kind of separate. We have an idea of
who we think might be good, especially those young players.
But when you get that physicality and the pads are on,
(03:13):
how do you remove someone from their block? How do
you disengage from block? All of that. You can't do
that when you're just in t shirts and shorts.
Speaker 7 (03:22):
You can only do so much when you're just wearing
your shirt and shorts and you're doing routes on air
and not having any sort of contact or true pressure,
especially on the offense. That's why we've heard from Gannon
and other coaches leading up to this point saying some
players they shine when they put the pads on, and
others get lost. And that's the importance of those padded
(03:42):
practices is it's one thing if you mentally know where
you're supposed to be, what your role is, your check down, right,
the timing, whatever your position is, and it's a different
aspect of being able to go out and physically execute
not only getting from A to B and the fastest
amount of time, but can you also execute when it
comes to that time.
Speaker 6 (04:03):
Yeah, that's the biggest difference, right, is when there's no pads,
you can go through all the mental process and you
do the right things, and you make the right checks
and defensively you're in the right position. But when you
introduce contact to it, now, all of a sudden, you
don't just have to focus on the mental side. You
also have to focus on doing your job physically and
(04:25):
then getting to where you're supposed to be as far
as the mental process, So it's a whole different component.
It changes the dynamic and you're right. Some guys rise
to the level. Some guys really shine when the pads
are on, and other guys kind of fade away.
Speaker 7 (04:41):
That first padded practice, I am camping out. I'm going
to have a launcher. I'm going to post up at
the line of scrimmage. Offensive lineman, defensive lineman, one on
one drills. I want to see how Isaiah Adams looks
against Daries Robinson or kalay Is Campbell. That's where I'm
gonna be posted up that.
Speaker 4 (04:59):
First padd That's always where you kind of if you're
at State Farm Stadium and you've been there a lot,
you do the position drills, and all of a sudden,
once that first padded practice where it's offense versus defense,
pay attention to where the couches and the scouts and
front office personnel will move to one side of the
(05:20):
field because that's where it's the heavyweights. Rob It's where
whether it's one on one or blitz pick up with
a running back and a linebacker. Okay, now, all of
a sudden, not only is it a little bit more intense,
but the players recognize it as well.
Speaker 6 (05:38):
I want to see this treasure trove of defensive line
talent that the Cardinals brought in this offseason. I can't
wait to see them in action and see what this
revamped defense looks like. You know, from from front end
to back end. This defense has significant upgrades this offseason
and I'm excited to see what that looks like. You
(06:00):
know you mentioned Isaiah Adams. I'm excited to see kind
of does he take that sophomore season jump that we
all talk about that we see in players. Does a
light turn on for him? Does he get it? Does
he perform? Does he perform against these guys in his
defensive line room. That's to me one of the biggest
talking points going into training camp.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
There are twelve defensive lineman currently on the roster. A
year ago, they went into Week one with six defensive
lineman on that fifty three. My guess is that's one
of the questions that we'll all want to know. How
many are you able to keep? How many do you
think you'll be allowed to keep considering the talent in
that room. And another question that I have, Danny, is
(06:42):
maybe an answer we won't get until Week one, but
who is running the defense? Who's calling the defense on
the field? Talking about who's got that communication, the in
helmet communication, the green dot on the field, Because for
the past two years that's been Kayzier White. He's not
on the roster. So who becomes that extension of Nick Rolis.
Speaker 7 (07:03):
The first thought is Cody Simon as a rookie. Last
year was the first year in college football that they
had that ability to have that speaker in the helmet
so that your play caller on defense could communicate with
somebody on the field. And Simon wore the green dot
for Ohio State. It's different in the pros, but you'd
(07:24):
have to imagine that gives him at least somewhat of
a leg up and understanding that and having the confidence
and being able to relay plays quickly and effectively to
his teammates. The other player that I think would be
the competition there would be a Keen Davis Gather, who
the Cardinals brought in this offseason. I don't see mac
Wilson saying changing his role to where that green dot.
(07:47):
I think that this defense uses him so well, and
Rollis uses Wilson in such a way that he can
do a lot of things, and he can come off
the edge, and he can kind of move around the field,
and you want someone who's wearing that green dot trying
to be the focal point. And so right now, as
crazy as it might seem as a rookie and he
hasn't put pads on Rob, it seems like Simon would
(08:08):
be the front runner for that a draft pick for
the Cardinals.
Speaker 6 (08:10):
Yeah, it's you know, it's a good point. He has
a history of doing it with Ohio State, and so
he's comfortable with it. And Ohio State playing in a
Big Ten, that's that's big time football, and so he's
used to that pressure, he's used to the crowd noise,
he's used to making those adjustments at the line of scrimmage.
So yeah, I could see Cody Simon at least doing
or sharing that responsibility. Initially, it's it's just got to
(08:34):
be somebody that's that's clear, can clearly and articulate articulately.
And I can't even say.
Speaker 4 (08:41):
So, no, not Rob Fredericson, is what you're trying to say. Yeah,
at the moment.
Speaker 6 (08:45):
Exactly, but you got you gotta look, you gotta get
get it out, you gotta inflection, you gotta be confident
in what you're saying, and when you're saying it and
stand behind that. And so there's a lot of elements
that go into that wearing that green dot, and it
remains to be seen who does that, but it is
an important factor.
Speaker 4 (09:04):
On that topic. JG on that middle linebacker position player
like a Cody Simon brand new the league adjusting to
wearing that green dot.
Speaker 8 (09:14):
The adjustment period. If you've never done that is real.
I've never really been around a guy that couldn't really
handle that. It's not probably as in depth as the
coach to quarterback as the Nick rallis to the green dot,
but it is real. You got to hear it and
you got to communicate it. But if the guys have
never done it cause you're white, never did it, you
(09:36):
know what I mean? We put it right in his
ear and he was fine.
Speaker 4 (09:38):
Yeah, there's no question Kaizier White was fine with that.
In helmet communication, and you want someone who's going to
be on the field for the majority of the time,
and yes, you've got Buddha Baker and Jalen Thompson, but
you want kind of someone in the middle of the defense,
correct Rob because it's easier to communicate to the guys
in front of you to the guys behind you, versus
someone who's in the secondary kind of shouting up to
(09:59):
the defensive line.
Speaker 6 (10:00):
Well, you can have a safety, you can have a
Buddha Baker making coverage checks, making coverage changes on the
back end, but it's hard to get that conveyed up
to the front end all the way up to the
defensive line at times, so it does require somebody that's
in that linebacker position to make those checks. You know,
(10:21):
a lot of times things can you guys if they
just know the defense, if they know the offensive formations
and the shifts and the changes in alignment, they can
make the check. Mentally, they can make their own checks.
They know what to do given this formation, but it's
always good you have to have somebody to confirm it
(10:41):
and to really have everybody on the same page.
Speaker 7 (10:44):
All the line. All the linebackers practice with that in
their helmet, so they all have somewhat of an experience,
so you know, if you have to make a change
for whatever reason on a game day, nobody is completely
caught off guard thinking, oh my gosh, I can't think,
I can't focus. I've never practiced having someone relay placed
me in my head, so that is good. I think
(11:05):
that's something that we're going to be talking about until
Week one in New Orleans because we have so long
until we get there. But how many starters are going
to be playing in preseason games? And if it's one game, right,
how many snaps? So if Cody Simon is the starter,
is he going to be lumped in with the veteran
starters of maybe not playing a lot of snaps because
(11:25):
he's a rookie because he could possibly be wearing the
green dot? Is he someone who sees a significant amount
of time on the field throughout preseason? So with all
of those factors, I think we're going to see a
couple of players probably throughout the preseason calling the defense.
I think that's going to be something that we're not
going to have a final answer until Week one against
the Saints.
Speaker 4 (11:46):
On the other side of the ball, both of you
have brought up Isaiah Adams and his potential to become
that starting right guard before we get conversations on that.
Yelled to Froholtz, you're starting center on what he has
seen from Adam from year one to now here.
Speaker 9 (12:02):
In year two, you got thrown a little bit into
the fire last year, and what better way than just
to get tossed in there it's the best, and make
some mistakes and learn from it. I mean him having
those opportunities last year has made him such a better
player this year. You know, you see those reps live
full speed with consequences. Then you all of a sudden
(12:22):
learn a lot more than a non consequential play in
practice where oh, now I get a sack. But it's
like if you give a sack.
Speaker 8 (12:30):
You're like, I don't want to get Kyler hurt.
Speaker 9 (12:32):
You know, there's a lot more at stake, and I
think those are the reps you'd learn from.
Speaker 4 (12:36):
It is the one position at least that has a
question mark on the offensive side, whether it's Isaiah Adams,
Royce Newman, there is an open roster spot and the
speculation is, hey, well, Hernandez is still on the open market.
Is he healthy enough to come in and be that
right guard once again, or is it Isaiah Adams has
turned to be the guy. It's Adam's job to lose.
Speaker 7 (12:59):
In my mind, this is someone who as a rookie
saw a significant amount of snaps fifteen games, five of
those starts at right guard. Pro Football Focus had him
having four hundred and forty four snaps as the right guard,
four penalties, two sacks allowed, two hits allowed. So there
is room to grow from year one to yer two,
whether it's adding muscle and strength and being quicker on
(13:21):
his feet right, having better hand placement, all of those things.
You saw good things from Adams as a rookie, to
the point where when he was going through rotation with
Tristan Coloonne after Hernandez was out for the year with
that knee injury, Adams ended up beating out Cologne near
the back half of the season. And when you have
the consistency of frohold at center and Jonah Williams being
(13:42):
healthy at right tackle, that's going to help Adams as well.
They have brought in veterans, and we've seen in the
past this coaching staff has brought in offensive line veterans
specifically who have not had a lot of opportunities elsewhere
and have come and been Staples and froholdt is a
perfect example of that. And I think that Isaiah Adams
it is his job to lose, and.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
You've got, to Danny's point, rob two veterans around him
that could help. If there are struggles if he is
at full time starter week one.
Speaker 6 (14:13):
Yeah, and it's look, it's so important for that interior
offensive line positions guards center to really create a nice
pocket for the quarterback. Any team in the league, they
have to have a nice pocket so they can step
up into their throes on those timing throws. Kyler really
likes that nice pocket, so it'll be an interesting position
(14:33):
to check in training camp.
Speaker 4 (14:34):
Speaking of Kyler Murray, when we come back Kyler and
his pass catchers together again in Los Angeles over the
weekend ahead of training camp. What we think about that
as we continue. It's the Cardinals Red Sea report right
here on the Arizona Cardinals Radio network. Snapped.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
He stands in the pocket, puff Bake steps up, throws
Lobby back of the end zone, and it's caught for
a touchdown by Wilson. Kyler Urry keeping that play alive
and then lobbing it to an open Wilson setting up
deep in the pocket, looking launching farside into the end
zone and Harrison laying out for it. He got it, touchdown.
(15:20):
What a catch, Marvin Harrison Junior, big time.
Speaker 5 (15:24):
Oh my goodness.
Speaker 3 (15:25):
There it is.
Speaker 5 (15:27):
The explosive from eighteen.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
Wide receiver screen over the middle cup by George and
the twenty cut the first down of the ten and
the five hitt of the ends up in the touchdown
Greg George to catch and run on burd and long
a twenty three yard star.
Speaker 5 (15:42):
That was so nasty right there to Greg George.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Now a lob near side poor mccride in the corner
mix the catch for the touchdown.
Speaker 5 (15:51):
Ah, that was greasy good right there from Kyler Burray.
Speaker 4 (15:57):
So we just got done discussing how we're we're all
anxiously awaiting the first padded practice because that's when the
true evaluation of players begin. Not to say that the
offseason doesn't matter, even when you're practicing in T shirts
and shorts. And I bring that us up again, Danny,
because we saw this past weekend, for the second straight
(16:18):
off season in Los Angeles, Kyler Murray inviting his pass
catchers for a weekend not only of on field work,
but getting together away and just kind of hanging out,
having fun. And yes, you're running routes on air, but
where do you like the ball placed? Which shoulder? How
do I work on our timing? We're going full speed? No,
(16:38):
there's no one in front of you. But I need
to get to a spot. I'm gonna get to that spot.
How many steps does it take me to get to
that spot. I'm gonna throw you the ball right now.
And I do think it helps. It wasn't anything that
they didn't do out on the fields here behind Rob
here at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center. Yet
to see these guys do it on their own, I
think it's a good thing.
Speaker 7 (16:59):
Well, they've been doing that on their own in Phoenix
a lot of the players and they've been posting a
lot of the Cardinals players have been practicing at local
high schools throughout the off season together. The difference of
going to California together is less about the chemistry on
the football field and more about the chemistry and camaraderie
as people, as players and teammates. And when you feel
(17:21):
more connected to the people you are standing next to
on the football field, when you are in the trenches
and you know that you are next to someone who
is working just as hard, if not harder than you,
you want to go harder for that player, and you
want to play and you want to fight for each other.
And that's what trips like this are about is building
the camaraderie and the chemistry as a group together, and
(17:42):
that will translate onto the field. And it's different than
when you're out on the practice field and you're just
going through routes like this is where they bond.
Speaker 6 (17:50):
It's almost like a mini training camp in that, you know,
if you're throwing around at a high school here locally,
you're throwing the ball around for an hour, then you
get in your cars and you go your upper ways.
But when you're somewhere else, you're you're in Los Angeles
or wherever it may be. Now all of a sudden,
you're you're sharing meals with each other, you're hanging out
by the pool, you're you're you know, you're talking. You're
(18:11):
getting to know each other more on a on a
than just on a surface level. You're you're getting to
know each other, getting to know your teammates, and that's important.
It's important to build chemistry. Obviously, when you talk about
the specificity of where the ball is going to be
delivered on routes, that's vital. That's that's important. I got
to have that. But those are things that you know
(18:33):
they've been working on they'd work on it constantly, and
so yeah, you want to see improvement in that, in
that relationship. But uh, just to have the opportunity to
get away a little bit before training camp, I think
is important.
Speaker 4 (18:45):
You played. We didn't correct me if I'm wrong. You
don't need to be best buds with everyone in that
locker room, but I would hope, and I would think
you need to respect the guys next to you, or
at least respect the guy that you're lining up next
to or hoping that is going to help you make
a play or you help them to make a play.
So getting to know the person kind of helps that, because, yeah,
(19:08):
you don't want a bunch of guys, a bunch of
individuals in there as we are Jonathan Gann and say, ah,
it's team over me. Let's come together as a group
to be successful on Sundays.
Speaker 6 (19:19):
Yeah, there's a look a fifty three man roster. You
can't all be best friends, right, I don't even think
I have fifty three friends even yeah I got two here,
but even acquaintances, I don't know fifty three people. But so, yeah,
I take your point that you can't all be best friends,
but there has to be a level of respect there.
And the best teams in this league are the ones
(19:40):
where the players kind of control the locker room, not
the coaches, not the general manager, not the owner, but
the players are the ones that will tell people lift
people up, or they'll also tell people, hey, you need
to pick it up. And so those are the teams.
When you get to that culture, when you get to
that chemistry and locker room, that's when you know you
(20:01):
have something.
Speaker 7 (20:01):
And that culture is outside of just quarterback and receivers.
Mac Wilson Senior is a great example. When he had
his charity basketball game, there were tons of his teammates,
even if they weren't participating and playing, bj O Jalari,
who's been rehabbing his knee with sitting courtside. It stems
across that entire locker room, which is important, which is
(20:23):
something that I don't think this Cardinals organization has had
the last handful of years, at least, not to the
extent it feels like it is right now.
Speaker 4 (20:30):
Last offseason it was at UCLA on the campus of UCLA.
This past weekend they were at usc Kyler posted a
number of video clips on social media. Got to see
the likes of Marvin Harrison Junior, Michael Wilson, Tray McBride,
a host of others. And this is, as we always say,
a big year for Kyler going into year seven. How
(20:51):
does Kyler feel about going into twenty twenty five.
Speaker 10 (20:55):
Well, they say that hitting your prime around. I'm about
to be twenty eight years old. I feel good. I
feel good.
Speaker 8 (21:00):
You know.
Speaker 10 (21:01):
I think we've got a great young core guys in
the offense side of the ball. Obviously the defense. You know,
we hit the defense pretty hard this sall season, so
I'm super excited to see what those guys are able
to do this season. As far as offense goes, I
believe we've got the guys in there to go do
what we think we're capable of doing.
Speaker 4 (21:15):
And that's the trick here, Rob is capable of doing.
Now you've got to go do it. And we saw
flashes all of last season. But it's that consistency, especially
as the season gets into December and January. Can you
do it each and every week when the lights are
the brightest.
Speaker 6 (21:33):
Yeah, I feel like last year the defense did more
with less and the offense did less with more. And
I think, you know, just based on what the Cardinals
did in the off season where they basically said, offense
were running it back. We have the assets that we need,
it's up to you to actually put it all together.
That's a big statement, that's that's a big message that
(21:56):
you know, it's it's time. All right. We've addressed the defense.
They already outperformed last year with a lot oftentimes third
and fourth string guys, and we're going to give them
some assets. We're going to give them the ammunition that
they need defensively to really make this a potential top
ten defense. Offense, you have the talent top ten offense,
(22:20):
you got to go out and play. You got to
go out and perform.
Speaker 7 (22:23):
Now's the time. You're going to have the consistency you
have not only with the players on the offensive side
of the ball, but with the play caller and offensive
coordin Drew Petsing, which I think is an important piece
that gets left out a lot of having consistency there
and hearing about the quote unquote juice that's being added
now that it's going into year three with the scheme
of having more pre stat motions and shifts and things
(22:45):
of that nature. Now is the time for this team.
You have addressed the holes that were there early on
in the offseason on the defense side of the ball.
You feel confident enough in the offense where you didn't
feel like you need to bring in pieces. You've got
a quarterback going into your seven, you've got a star,
a budding wide receiver going into year two, and Marvin
Harrison Junior consistency on the offensive line. He rushed for
(23:06):
a thousand yard rusher in James Connor last year. And
this is a team that doubled its win total, went
from four to eight last year and was competitive and
doing so. Now is the time, and that all starts
with Kyler Murray.
Speaker 4 (23:18):
And we always talk about the chemistry of the connection
with Marvin Harrison Junior, but let's not forget, Okay, who's
the other guy who's opposite MHJ And Michael Wilson has
talked about earlier this offseason. Yeah, he's had a pretty
good first two years, but in year three he believes
he can be much better.
Speaker 11 (23:38):
I just want to produce more, and producing more for
receiver obviously looks like catches and touchdowns and yards. Honestly,
I really think that's a big goal for me. Is
I want to show up more on the stat sheet
and produce more from a numbers standpoint, because I know
the talents there. It's just about putting everything together and
(23:59):
showing up on Here.
Speaker 4 (24:00):
Are markls numbers from a year ago. Forty seven catches,
five hundred and forty eight yards, four touchdowns. He was
targeted seventy one times sixteen games. He missed the one
game Week eighteen with a hamstring injury. But you look
at those numbers. Okay, maybe there's same number roughly the
same number targets, but can you have that connection and
(24:22):
can those catches be four instead of the five six
seven yards be for ten eleven, twelve yards downfield?
Speaker 5 (24:29):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (24:29):
I think Trey McBride's looking at the number of times
he was targeted versus receptions. I think it was like
seventy five percent maybe higher. And then the wide receivers
just dropped down precipitously, so that something's going on there
with the wide receiver room. It's not just Michael Wilson.
It's just there has to be that connection in terms
(24:51):
of productivity, and you know that hopefully they address that
in training camp.
Speaker 7 (24:55):
Wilson gets a lot of praise for the type of
blocking receiver he has that is crucial for this offense
to what this coaching staff in front office looks for
in a receiver. They don't want someone who just has speed.
You have to be well rounded. So the fact that
we've seen that and Wilson feels like he's ready to
step up, that's what you need. You need a true
number two, and Wilson has the potential to be that player.
Speaker 4 (25:15):
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(25:35):
visit azcardstravel dot com. That's asycardstravel dot com. This is
the Arizona Cardinals Radio Network.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
Shotgun snap back to throw. Smith steps up, moves to
his right, being chased far aside. Now throws Oh a
bit of plicked off in the end zone. Oh what
a cordgeous play by Garrett Williams. Step kick off Gino
Smith in the end zone.
Speaker 5 (26:03):
Oh what a great way to start the fourth corner
right here, turning over Gino Smith in the red zone,
you rush five and Garrett Williams makes a play.
Speaker 4 (26:15):
So if we're gonna talk Garrett Williams and welcome back,
it is the Cardinals Red Sea Report, Craig Reilud, Danny
Sirek and Rob Frederickson.
Speaker 5 (26:22):
Here.
Speaker 4 (26:22):
We do it each and every Tuesday, eleven am, year round.
But you know my thing, Danny, if we're gonna talk
about Garrett Williams, it has to be mentioned where he
went to school. We heard the voice of the Arizona Cardinals,
Dave Pash calling some of those highlights, Dave Patch Garrett Williams.
Oh yeah, also myself all from Syracuse.
Speaker 7 (26:41):
I thought you were gonna mention how I was the
only person in our Cardinals broadcast personality group when we
did our year end award to chose Garrett Williams as
defensive MVP. We're not going to talk about that.
Speaker 4 (26:54):
We can because if I remember correctly, and I think
Rob was in this saying boat, we both selected Buddha Baker.
But I have looking at what Garrett did and how
valuable this coaching staff feels about Garrett Williams as a
slot corner and just looking at some of the metrics
(27:16):
out there, whether it's Pro football focused or next gen stats.
Garrett Williams might not be a household name outside of
the state of Arizona, but he is an ascending player
and I do believe right now is your best cornerback
on the roster.
Speaker 7 (27:31):
Everyone hop on the Garrett Williams train. I am the conductor,
I'm leading charge. I mean, he had a great year.
He played clean discipline football. He was top five in
team tackles, only one penalty, committed, two interceptions, nine passes defense.
He was tough to go against and rob he faced
some high level receivers last year. And even though Williams
(27:55):
has the versatility to also play outside, this coaching staff
clearly values so strongly inside that we've hardly even seen
him as an outside corner in the two seasons one
and a half seasons he's played here.
Speaker 6 (28:07):
Why would you mess with what works? I mean, he's
so successful in that slot position, and you may be
ahead of the curve, Danny, in terms of just identifying
him as your MVP, because you know, typically in this league,
players when they really show out when they really have
an outstanding season, it's a year or two later before
they actually receive the accolades, they actually receive a Pro
(28:31):
Bowl mentions and things like that. But I think it's
in Garrett Williams's future. He's that good and you know,
he just does everything right. And when you're in that
slot position, you're closer to the action, you're going to
make more tackles top five and tackles. That to me,
that's a statistic that kind of jumps out at me
because you're a little closer to the action. But he's
(28:52):
a player that this team certainly is going to build around, and.
Speaker 4 (28:55):
I do believe there are people out there. In fact,
if you look at all pro voting, Garrett finished fifth
amongst locked cornerbacks. So two seasons in and really Danny,
as you mentioned, a season and a half because he
missed the first half for a bulk or third of
that first year because he still quite wasn't healthy from
the ACL injury that he suffered in college. So yeah,
(29:17):
year three, but I think now he with Sean Murphrey
Bunting being on the sideline, you look at the other
eleven corners in the room, and right now Garrett Williams
going into year three is kind of the elder statesman
in that room, at least in terms of snaps and
starts wearing a Cardinals uniform.
Speaker 7 (29:36):
And yet Williams will likely still not play outside corner.
It is a very young room. However, they are players
who have proven themselves and really started to shine a
Max Melton, a Starling Thomas, and there's a question mark,
but a whole lot of exclamation marks about will Johnson
the rookie and what he can provide. So it's a
(29:57):
true testament to the draft pross a free agents that
have been brought in by this coaching staff how or
by the front office, rather how this coaching staff has
gotten the most out of their young cornerbacks to where
you have your most veteran player in that room and
Sean Murphy bunting out for the season and you're not
really shaking in your boots. And that's not a knock
on SMB. It's more of praise for the work that
(30:19):
has been done from the top down in that room.
Speaker 6 (30:21):
Yeah, you drafted three cornerbacks last year's in last year's draft,
so you really have increased the inventory and increase the
depth at that position, and so it kind of leaves
you with will Johnson doesn't have. He didn't have the expectations.
You didn't have to come out and shine, You didn't
have to come out and start even because we do
have enough players that can fulfill those positions and give
(30:45):
him some time to learn and grow.
Speaker 4 (30:47):
We heard from Garrett last week again, it's hard to
keep Garrett Williams out of the facility. He's here darn
near every single day, always looking at his playbook, always
looking at video. But something that he brought up, something
we've heard from a couple of different players defensively, is
can this defense and specifically the secondary, can they get
(31:08):
their hands on more footballs? Just seventeen takeaways last season,
that includes three in Week eighteen against the forty nine ers,
nine interceptions, that number needs to go up. Garrett Williams
on if he believes more quarnerbacks will get their hands
on the football here in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 12 (31:26):
One hundred percent.
Speaker 5 (31:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 12 (31:27):
I mean we have more than enough guys to do it,
and I think all of us are really capable. So
I'm look really excited, really looking forward to and I
feel like we're all kind of on the same page
as this. You know, we did good last year. We
got to get the ball, you know, So that's one
of our emphasis is to get the ball. So I
think we're gonna do that.
Speaker 4 (31:43):
And I think it helps rob when you see what
this team did those two levels ahead of the secondary,
as far as the defensive line and improvements, adding Josh
Weed as an outside linebacker, putting more pressure on the
opposing quarterback, and all of a sudden than not standing
and secting you defensively, they can sit there and feel
a little pressure, maybe get the ball out sooner quicker
(32:06):
than they want to.
Speaker 6 (32:07):
Yeah, it's pretty hard for I don't care who the
cornerback is in this league to cover a wide receiver
for three, four, five seconds or more. And if you
don't get pressure on the quarterback, you're gonna that's gonna
be the expectation for the cornerbacks. And so that's that's
a tough job to have. And with the additions that
the Cardinals made to the defensive line at both the
(32:28):
interior and on the outside on the edge, I think
they're gonna create a lot more pressure. Klays Campbell's six
foot what ten six ninees it seems like anyway, this
guy's got to get some bad at balls, and that's
when turnovers happened.
Speaker 4 (32:41):
Danny mentioned Will Johnson and this is someone I think
we're all excited to see. But Garrett Williams asked about
the Cardinals' second round pick wearing number zero in that
cornerback room.
Speaker 12 (32:54):
The first thing that stands out was obviously just the
football IQ part, And I feel like that was the
thing you saw even to him in Michigan, was just
being able to be really instinctive and make plays on
the ball. And see you take that and you add
his size and all those things and just a guy
who's willing to learn. I think that's a really good,
a really good mix to have to add to the
room where we already have a lot of guys as well.
So I feel good about him and everybody else in
(33:15):
the room.
Speaker 4 (33:15):
And we talked about waiting to see that first offensive
line versus defensive line drill and whether it's in pads
or not, but seeing Will Johnson line up across from
Marvin or Michael or whomever it is, how does Will
handle that to where all of a sudden, Okay, yeah,
we can picture him as a starting outside corner in
New Orleans.
Speaker 7 (33:36):
Another exciting camp battle to keep your eye on. At
six one one ninety four, Johnson was a three year starter.
He played a lot of zone at Michigan, which is
what this Cardinals defense likes to play a lot of.
Twenty twenty three was the National Championship defensive MVP. This
is someone who is very skilled. A lot of people
were surprised he dropped out of the first round in
the draft. To begin with, the question is going to
(33:58):
be is he healthy enough? It doesn't stem from the
knee or the hamstring that Johnson was dealing with throughout
college or the draft process, but it was a bit
of a tweaked hamstring, is what Jonathan gannon call did
that kept Johnson somewhat limited throughout OTA's In mini camp,
he was on the field, he was participating in some
of the drills, but not all of them. So having
these last six or so weeks of not rest because
(34:21):
the players are still working out, they're still training getting
ready for training camp. But how has that allowed him
to get healthy enough to the point where he can
have a full training camp.
Speaker 4 (34:31):
That's the goal.
Speaker 7 (34:32):
Rob's point earlier is exactly right. Johnson doesn't have the
pressure where he has to come in and be a
starter week one. Is he capable of doing that and
fighting for a spot opposite of Thomas or Melton. Yes,
you're not relying on it. You don't have those hefty
expectations on his shoulders of I have to come out
and be a starting cornerback. No, go out and perform well,
(34:53):
and when you do that time and time again, you
will earn your spot onto the field.
Speaker 4 (34:56):
A year ago, Max Melton, the second round pick, didn't
start until late in the season. I'd be surprised if
we didn't see Will Johnson early in the season with
a handfull of stars. But as the saying goes, you
can never have enough cornerbacks good cornerbacks, and the Cardinals
believe they have good cornerbacks on the roster.
Speaker 6 (35:15):
You're gonna see Will Johnson early and often. I believe me.
I think he'll be healthy and ready to go, and
I'm excited to see him play.
Speaker 4 (35:23):
The question is who will he line up against. NFC West.
We are a week away from the start of training camp.
The San Diego excuse me, the Los Angeles Chargers already
reported for training camp at least the rookies have and
the rookies for the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco forty
nine ers reporting today a look around the division as
(35:47):
we continue, It's the Cardinals Red Sea Report on the
Arizona Cardinals Radio network.
Speaker 13 (36:00):
The ball is spotted just shy at the four, shocked
up for Stafford motion manage hit beat to the near
side Stafford, Stafford deep in the pocket looking at throws
up staff Higby with two Eagles surrounding of the secures
in at the Rams are an extra fourn away.
Speaker 4 (36:21):
From taking the league.
Speaker 13 (36:23):
Jack Vaughn to C. J. Gardner, Jompson, he had the coverage.
Speaker 10 (36:27):
And he splits it.
Speaker 4 (36:29):
Rams on the road in Philadelphia gave the Eagles all
they could handle and then some, but lost in the
NFC Championship. Gamers could say lost in that divisional round
game as far as the Rams and Eagles are concerned.
Iron Eagle on Westwood one, and that leads us to
this conversation here on the Cardinals Red Sea Report the
(36:51):
NFC West Yes, the Rams won the division with a
ten and seven record, really not much changed, just one
big addition while on subtraction in Cooper Cup. But in
addition in DeVante Adams and how the question that people
have rob is, Okay, Matthew Stafford is back veteran quarterback
now is a veteran wide receiver. What does that move
(37:11):
mean for the rest of those guys of pukingnakua? How
does it trickle down when you have maybe a future
Hall of Fame wide receiver now on your roster.
Speaker 6 (37:21):
Yeah, that was really the big change, right, losing Cooper
Cup and gaining Davante Adams. Other than that, you know,
it looks like the Rams defensively are set. They've had
a couple of really good drafts recently and they've really
done a good job of revamping that defense. And you know,
Matthew Stafford he still can sling it. At his age,
(37:41):
He's he's still a quarterback that can make every throw,
any throw that needs to be made. So there's a
lot of positives I think surrounding the Rams going into
this season. It's just a matter of if they can
all stay healthy and what's going to be you know,
Davante Adams, is he is he gonna fit in? Is
he going to become a part of that culture there?
Speaker 7 (38:00):
That's what I was thinking as well, Rob, and now
I'm looking at the numbers online and the combined season
of last year of sometime with Vegas, sometime with New
York seven, the last eight years, Adams has had one
thousand receiving yards. So you think of oh, last year, right,
he didn't look like the true DeVante Adams we've seen
for so long, and then you look at the numbers
and he's still performing. Now that there could be changes, right,
(38:22):
you're going to la or in a new scheme, new quarterback,
a lot of new players you're playing with. So what
kind of DeVante Adams are we going to see? It's
hard to envision anything other than a threat, though, Craig to.
Speaker 4 (38:34):
Me, they're talking about the Rams. They are still the
team to beat until they are beaten. And that's the
respect you give a raigning division winner. Now I mentioned
Cooper cup Well, he's still within the division. He's just
wearing a Seattle Seahawks.
Speaker 7 (38:49):
It's seen the pictures of him online from media day.
Speaker 4 (38:51):
Yeah, that's going to take some getting used to though.
There is not only a new wide receiver, but there's
also now a new quarterback in that room, Sam Darnold
signing a three year contract, after Gino Smith was traded
to the Raiders. So you've got a lot of newness
in Seattle as far as a new quarterback, new wide receiver,
(39:11):
a new OC coming in after one year of Ryan Grubbs.
So the Seahawks after a ten wins season, did not
qualify for the playoffs. But what do they look like
on offense going into this season.
Speaker 7 (39:25):
Yeah, the Seahawks were a team that had the Cardinals number.
Last year they swept Arizona and it was not very
good performances by the Cardinals all things considered. And there
have been changes, right, and you were mentioning some of them.
Even if LA is the team to beat, Seattle is
still a hard team to get through, not even just
on the road, also at home for this Cardinals team.
(39:46):
So it's a tough division. And when you're looking at
some of the changers, I mean on defense they bring
in to Marcus Lawrence from Dallas. So Seattle is at
a point where they're still having to work through some
changes and in their own sort of transition phase, they're
still early on that. I'm not sure that Sam Darnold
is the long term answer for Seattle, but this is
(40:08):
going to be a year of having to prove themselves,
and I think right now where the Cardinals stand, Yeah,
they've They've got a pretty significant leg up all things
considered on Seattle.
Speaker 6 (40:18):
You know, it's interesting and Seattle released Tyler Lockett and
they traded Dk Metcalf. They're two most productive wide receivers
in what the last seems like decade, but it hasn't
been that long. But these guys are really productive for Seattle,
and to trade and release those two, you know, they
might they must have something that they really feel good about.
(40:39):
I know, obviously you're getting Cooper Cup, but can he
overcome that production that they're not going to have anymore.
Speaker 4 (40:45):
Speaking of change, I don't think there was a team
that under would more of a change offense and defense
within the division than San Francisco forty nine ers. Believe
the stat that I read in this offseason was going
back to the Super Bowl in twenty twenty four, eleven
of twenty two starters are gone and that's just in
(41:08):
two years time. It's almost a brand new defense. You
have another defensive coordinator once again, although it's Robert Sala
who's familiar in that building. But they like the Cardinals
revamped their defensive line, and no longer do you have
to worry about Javon Hargrave, Leonard Floyd, Ray Green Lootch,
a various war Tallnoah Hufanga all signed or released, and
(41:33):
you're looking at this defense. Yeah, Nick Bosa is still around. Offense,
you still got George Kittley, got Christian McCaffery. But it's
the pieces and the names that aren't well known surrounding
the bigger names and trying to figure out is this
forty nine Ers team can they go from six wins
to double digits or is it more of a rebuilding process.
Speaker 7 (41:55):
It's still Kyle Shanahan, Chris that is. I can't sit
confidently and say, oh, they lost all these players. Yeah,
San Francisco is bottom of the barrel in the division.
That's tough to say when year after year the forty
nine Ers seem to somehow claw their way into contention
at least at the end of the season. Like that,
they always seem to find a way to figure things
(42:17):
out and no matter what kind of injuries or adversity
they're facing, they are a tough team to play.
Speaker 6 (42:23):
Yeah, And it always seems like at running back in particular,
they can have a thousand yard rusher, guy gets hurt,
and then they just have somebody else that just runs
it downhill and goes for a thousand and then goes
to another team. But the forty nine ers are They're
just like a system, is really how I could describe them.
They are a system, and they insert players, remove players,
(42:46):
but they just the system keeps going and it will
continue to keep going. So the forty nine ers are
always going to be formidable.
Speaker 4 (42:53):
Well that system. If you believe the narrative out there
that some people have got Rock Party paid mister irrelevant
now very relevant as far as the dollars that he signed.
But again, whether you're a system quarterback or not, can
you be successful. And when you think Brock Party, he's
winning games. He's leading that offense. So whatever offense you're running,
(43:16):
you found someone. The forty nine ers did. Maybe they
lucked out into it, but they found someone that meshes
with what Shanahan wants to do. And you don't penalize
or knock an organization or a player because of that. No,
you want someone that fits with what you do, and
that's Brock Party.
Speaker 6 (43:33):
You know. Baltimore comes to mind too as well, as
an offensive system that just works and they continue to
be successful. They continue to be effective. Forty nine Ers
just they have that. They have that offensively, and you're right,
Brock Purty is a big part of that. But you know,
not having Deebo Samuel, I think is really going to
hurt them because he did so much for them, not
(43:55):
just in passing, pass receiving, but also in running the football,
rushing the football in fact. So that to me is
going to be a big loss for forty nine ers.
Speaker 4 (44:03):
Brandon, are you coming off that ACL injury? And then
word reports earlier this week that Juwan Jennings wants a
new contract or wants out does he report to training camp?
So look, every team has questions, every team has issues.
I'm just impressed because you look nationally, it's hard to
(44:24):
kind of get a gauge on what people believe is
the top team within the NFC West. Yeah, the Rams
are the rainy chance, but you can make an argument
for all four teams.
Speaker 7 (44:34):
When you're looking at a consistency, the pieces brought in
the ascension of this Cardinals team. I feel very strongly
that it is Arizona's division to lose. That they have
a strong chance to win the NFC West.
Speaker 4 (44:48):
Let's hope that is exactly what happens in twenty twenty.
Speaker 7 (44:51):
If I'm right, I'm calling it right now.
Speaker 6 (44:52):
She was right about Garrett Williams.
Speaker 5 (44:54):
That's true.
Speaker 4 (44:54):
Thank you, Rob, speak it into existence. Danny Training Campberg
Gang one week away. First open practice Thursday, July twenty fourth.
Go to Azycardinals dot Com for all the information special
thanks behind the scenes, jim Mo Mohundter, Cody Fincher, Matt
Lazareth for Rod Frederickson, Danny Sirek. I'm Craig real Lou.
It's a Cardinals Red Sea Report on the Arizona Cardinals
(45:16):
Radio Network.
Speaker 3 (45:21):
You've been listening to the Cardinals Red Sea Report.
Speaker 2 (45:24):
It is caught by McBride. Hey, it's a touchdown boot
a Baker with the sacked strip the ball where he's.
Speaker 5 (45:30):
Gonna score touchdown.
Speaker 11 (45:32):
Oh baby.
Speaker 1 (45:33):
The Cardinals Red Sea Report is brought to you by
the Arizona Cardinals mobile app. Visit Azycardinals dot Com slash app.
Speaker 4 (45:41):
Touchdown Cardinals whim.
Speaker 1 (45:44):
This has been an exclusive presentation of the Arizona Cardinals
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