July 22, 2025 • 45 mins
The Cardinals officially reported to 2025 Training Camp on Tuesday. Just hours earlier, rookie cornerback Will Johnson signed a four-year deal with the team. Craig Grialou, Paul Calvisi, and former Cardinals linebacker Rob Fredrickson discuss Johnson’s potential and why he could turn out to be one of the biggest steals of the 2025 NFL Draft. They also break down the revamped Cardinals pass rush, the decision to stick with last year’s offense, and the brewing competition at right guard heading into camp.
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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):
To the fifteen of the ten, Murray's Gonna.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
Score touchdown, Welcome to the Cardinals Red Sea Report.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Swam to the ground by Buddha Baker like a torpedo.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
He came flying into the.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
Backfield, cotter to the ten, to the five and then
of the end zone of the touchdown.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
The Cardinals Red Sea Report is brought to you by
Arizona Cardinals Podcast. Visit Azycardinals dot com Slash podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Here we go, one handed catching a touchdown.
Speaker 4 (00:39):
Oh baby, I'd fail.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
Here's Craig Griolud, Paul calvic and nine year NFL veteran
Rob Frederickson.
Speaker 5 (00:49):
So it really has nothing to do with the time
of the year. So it has nothing to do with
the month or the day. This is when you know
training camp is It's when Paul calvisy walks into the
studio with some fuzz above his lip. Rob and yes,
when the mustache is present. That is the indication, the
(01:12):
only indication that anyone needs to know the Cardinals training
camp has arrived.
Speaker 6 (01:17):
I saw Paul yesterday. He was clean shaven. Today looks
like a broom up there, a broom. My goodness.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
It's amazing what a few peds can do. A few
performance enhancers.
Speaker 6 (01:29):
You know.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
It's I probably won't pass in the NFL drug test
right now because of the performance and answers it takes
just to grow the stash. But just let this serve
as an example all players. This is definitely not winning behavior, okay,
so just please be better than this stash.
Speaker 5 (01:44):
It's really unfortunate that the Red Sea Reports is not
a video as well. However, I have been told that
the mustache will be present for Cardinals Underground, which yeah,
does get videoed and will be posted on the Arizona
Cardinals official YouTube channel at some point this week.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Well, the original intent was to maybe snag the seventh
inning role in the dback's bullpen since they're having so
many injuries, you know, maybe help them out a little bit,
you know, because with a Andrew Chaffin, you know, mustache,
you know, that's That's what I'm going for right here.
It's a miserable failure. But once again, this will not
not only will this not make the final cut, I'm
not even sure it's gonna make the first padded practice.
(02:23):
It's it's tracking to be gone by then.
Speaker 5 (02:25):
That's unfortunate. Yeah, first padded practice, PAULI is not until
I believe, on Monday. I see, you can't last until Monday.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Yeah, it's this stash is strictly a camp body. Put
it that way. It's just a camp body. No shot
or making the final fifty three. Well, gave it there.
Speaker 5 (02:39):
The mustache did reports. As coaches and players are reporting
to training camp, the first practice, which may or may
not include a mustached Paul CALVISI on Wednesday. Of the
first open practice is on Thursday. But just the look
on your face, Paul, that is not even gonna make
Thursday is open practice.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
It's like I said, basically the decision I e. The
wife not a fan. So that's really all you need
to know. That's why its time is limited. Yes, well,
we have arrived.
Speaker 5 (03:07):
For training camp. You know who also has arrived?
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Well Johnson.
Speaker 5 (03:11):
He did sign on the line that is dotted, put
pen to paper and signed his four year rookie contract,
the last of the Cardinals draft members to sign their contract.
And again this was something Paul wasn't a matter of
if it was always a matter of when these deals
take time, and especially what had been going on across
(03:33):
the league with second round picks looking for a little
bit more guaranteed money going into their fourth year. So yes,
Will Johnson signed Tuesday morning. He'll be on the field Wednesday.
Thank goodness. Let's just talk about football. This is sort
of a throwback to back in the day. Remember how
many contract holdouts there were going into camp started the
regular season?
Speaker 2 (03:54):
Rob me, Yeah, guilty as charged. That's why I'm looking
directly at Rob Frederickson. Okay, this sort of roll back
to an era, a bygone era. And thankfully, actually honestly, thankfully,
we don't have to deal with this very much anymore
because nobody comes to the NFL and comes to sports
for the contract dispute. So it's a great thing they
got this done before they ever get out to camp.
Speaker 6 (04:13):
Yeah, and you know, most contracts, right especially in the
second rounds, they're they're slotted basically in terms of just
where they're going to be financially. But to your point, Craig,
I think guarantees a lot of times that might maybe
a little bit of a sticking point, but look, it's
really a non starter it's nothing to talk about. Will
Johnson has signed. He's in camp, and that's good for
(04:34):
him because we already know he has the athletic ability.
We already know he's just the measurables are off the chart,
and just his ability to track the ball and play
the play a cornerback position, especially in zone coverage. But
it's the mental side of the game. Is understanding the
game plan, understanding the insertion and just getting all those
(04:55):
reps mentally is so important. And if you're not signed,
you're not going to be in there.
Speaker 5 (05:00):
This is a first round talent who the Cardinals selected
in the second round with the forty seventh overall pick,
Jonathan Gannon way back when in the offseason on Mad
Dog Sports Radio speaking with Adam Seine about the after,
the day after, or in fact the immediate the immediately
after that selection was made. As far as the reaction
(05:23):
from around the league when Will Johnson went with the
Arizona Cardinals.
Speaker 7 (05:27):
As the drafts going on, you know, coaches are texting
back and forth, not just our staff, but other staffs.
You know, people they worked with or that you know,
and you make a pick, and certain coaches like certain
guys and like when we picked him at him literally
like eight defensive coordinators text me.
Speaker 8 (05:43):
Like, oh my God, like number one on the board,
like blah blah blah.
Speaker 7 (05:46):
Blah, like they all want you know what I mean.
And for whatever reason, he came to us, and just
like Walt, we're excited to get to work with him too.
Speaker 5 (05:54):
Man, he is talking about Will Johnson in Will's owne
words and is well, Paul, it's the fit, the scheme
fit as far as what Will does so well as
a corner works extremely well with what this defense wants
to do.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
So, what if I said that the Arizona Cardinals had
their own Sauce Gardner, their own Patrick Certan, the second,
their own Derek Stingley Junior, the elite to the elite,
because after the twenty three season, Will Johnson was tracking
to be that guy. Now last year had some injury
issues obviously, and ostensibly that's why he fell to the
second round. But to me, I think I could argue
(06:32):
he's the most intriguing player at Cardinals camp because we
don't know exactly what's under the hood and what he
could mean to this defense. Again, what if you added
a legit cornerback, one from day one. What does that
do to this defense? And I think that's a little
bit under the radar right now. Between now and the
end of August, how much different this defense could look
(06:53):
if Will Johnson is that guy.
Speaker 6 (06:55):
Yeah, I think talent wise, top ten in the draft
in terms of just just his ability to play the position,
top quarternback in the draft in terms of ability. It's
just there was some injury concerns coming out of Michigan
and that scared a lot of teams away, I believe,
so that's why he fell to the second round. But
what a get for the Cardinals in the second round.
(07:15):
Get a top ten talent in the second round, And
I'm with you, Paul, I'm excited to see kind of
what this actually looks like. You throw around names like
Sauce Garner. Okay, that's great. You can talk about it.
You can say he comes with that, but does he
actually play like that? Does it translate? I think it will.
But that's what training camp's all about.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
And to your point, Craig, how many times has Jonathan
Annam called him a perfect scheme fit? So if he
has the scheme down and Nick Ross can trust him
and he's not a mental bust you away from giving
up a big play, because that is always a risk
with every rookie and every scheme, especially to start the year.
Then you know what, there's no reason he can't be
Devon Witherspoon to the Seahawks, who is the fifth pick
(07:59):
overall two years ago, and he's been All Pro his
first two years in the league. There's no reason why
he can't have a similar impact in this defense.
Speaker 5 (08:06):
Now, as far as the injury concerns are, and we
know that Will was dealing with a bit of a
hamstring issue during all the offseason. He was limited during
OTA's and mini camps, still participated, didn't participate fully well.
Will this morning, in fact, late last night posted a
vlog said he's one hundred percent and admitted that he
(08:27):
was about seventy percent during the offseason. So now you
go from the off season to training camp day one,
What do those one on one matchups look like against
Marvin Harrison junior Michael Wilson, What do those matchup look
like eleven on to eleven? Is he, to your point,
Paul shutting down half the field or a quarter of
the field, and those quarterbacks have to look.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
Elsewhere because We had a discussion recently, all right, what
can you tell and the practices leading up to pats
because the CBA is such a what five days before
you can get into full pads. Well, there aren't many
positions groups you can get a real read on it,
but I would say cornerback is one of them. I mean,
if you're getting beat in a lot of the one
on ones, regardless of whether it's full contact, you know,
(09:09):
full press, it's probably not tracking well for you. But
if you're checking in, staying step for step with Marvin
Harrison Junior and Michael Wilson, then I think you can
get a pretty decent read on a corner from day one.
Speaker 6 (09:22):
And there's a long history of battles going between Marvin
Harrison Junior and Will Johnson dating back to their Michigan
Ohio State days. I'm excited to see how that plays
out in training camp. I think these two will just
make each other better, both Marvin Harrison Junior and Will Johnson,
so it'll be exciting to watch. And you're right, Paul,
Without the pads on those cornerbacks and wide receiver, those
(09:44):
position groups you can get a gauge for kind of
how how guys are working, how they're performing. That's that's
the one precision group where the battles will really tell
you something in those early days of training camp.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
The best thing about camp arguably is that we won't
get any more of the lists on ESPN dot com
and NFL dot com. But the most recent list was
like top five duos teammate duos, dynamic duos in the NFL,
and right there in the top five was Garrett Wilson
and Sauce Gardner. The best news for the Cardinals is
a year from now that list includes Marvin Harrison Junior
(10:20):
and Will Johnson and they definitely have the talent, they
have the pedigree to be able to do it. Question
is how did they develop this year? If they make
a run at being on that list, Cardinals make the
playoffs because I think that's how critical both guys are
to each side of the ball.
Speaker 5 (10:34):
We heard JG the excitement in his voice upon this
selection of Will Johnson. Dave Sears, assistant general manager on
in the offseason with you Paul on the Big Red Rage,
and the question was a simple one that you asked Sears,
when did they know Johnson would be available at forty seven.
Speaker 9 (10:52):
At pick forty six. You know, we never thought that
guy was going to be there. Really never thought that
guy was going to be there. So that was one
of the ones where you heard I talk a lot
post draft about sticking to your board. That's a clear
case of that Will was obviously the best player that
we had on the board at that time. We never
thought Will would be there at that point, and so
you know, you stay with your board and you take
the prospect.
Speaker 5 (11:12):
And now you look at that room with Will Johnson,
perhaps Rob on one side, Max Melton, a second round
pick a year ago, opposite Will Starling Thomas. We know
Garrett Williams is going to man the slot. I never
include him in the conversation of cornerbacks just because he's
always going to be on the football field. But you've
got a young and I'll include Garrett in this conversation
(11:33):
even though he's entering year three. But that is a
young group at the cornerback position, and we know how
important that position is in the NFL.
Speaker 6 (11:42):
Yeah, and I think it was very important for those
young guys to get the amount of reps, amount of
snaps that they got last season to really not become
second year players. There are veterans. Now, you look Attrell Clark,
you look at Starlink Thomas Fourth. I'm excited to see
what Elijah Jones look like, guy that didn't play last year.
(12:02):
That you know, the Cardinals obviously think highly of third
round pick out of Boston College, So I'm excited to
see how he competes in there in that room. You know,
it's just the amount of talent that the cornerback position has.
And yeah they're young, but I think they're going to
push each other in training camp and it's really going
to become a position of strength.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
You know, the Eagles got away with two rookies in
the secondary, two rookie starters last year. Let's see, why
would that be? Oh, because they had the NFL's best
pass rush. So if the Cardinals have increased the pass
rush this year, what does that do for the Cardinals secondary?
How many more opportunities they get? You know, my prediction
slash hot take this year, Craig. How many interceptions did
the Cardinals defense have a year ago?
Speaker 7 (12:45):
Nine?
Speaker 2 (12:45):
Right? I think they double it this year, I really do.
I think they get that much more pressure. And there's
a lot of young quarterbacks on this roster, and I
think the Cardinals that are going to victimize a lot
of qbs this year with I INT's well, great.
Speaker 5 (12:59):
T's for here, Paul, glad the vacation hasn't ruined all
of what you do so well here on the Arizona
Cardinals Radio network.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
What was Rob's contract hold out, by the way, all
saved by the bell, saved by the bell here?
Speaker 5 (13:12):
Okay, we discussed the front seven of the Arizona Cardinals
coming up next here on the Arizona Cardinals Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
But hand on, I'm push down, locked up with the backfield.
Speaker 4 (13:27):
Sweat got there first and a lasso two back to
draw again steps away from pressure, but not the next
one because he gets dropped.
Speaker 2 (13:35):
Josh Sweat gets.
Speaker 7 (13:36):
Home and Mayfield somehow hold out of that ball. Joe's
out a moment, didn't release it.
Speaker 4 (13:42):
He's sacked its side the twenty five Josh Sweat Larrence
a trouble.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
He is shacks Josh Sweat with his shat Laurence sit
as he throws.
Speaker 9 (13:52):
That was Josh Sweat who got a porson of Lawrence's.
Speaker 7 (13:56):
Arm and he was under pressure again.
Speaker 10 (13:58):
Swung down to twenty nine yard line.
Speaker 4 (14:00):
Josh Sweat, Stafford, staff Us so much any of that
and Josh Schwett, Sax.
Speaker 10 (14:08):
Matthew Stafford.
Speaker 4 (14:09):
Here is Harris again and he gets Wat just nowhere
to go. Josh Sweat was there. Here's the whole of
his pressure right away, the whole sacks. Josh Sweat gets home.
Speaker 5 (14:21):
Safe to say, the Arizona Cardinals have not had an
outside linebacker with the resume of a Josh Wet since
Chandler Jones. I don't think that's going out on a limb,
someone that can come in and wreck havoc on a game.
As we say, welcome back. It is the Cardinals, Red Seaerport,
Craig Reiolu, Rob Fredrickson, and Paul Calvic. Yes, Joshwett. We
(14:43):
finally get to see him at State Farm Stadium coming
up first open practice of training camp on Thursday, and yeah,
getting after the quarterback. I know JG likes to say
Sax aren't a winning stat What he likes to see, though,
is the disruptions, the pressures, the hurries, the knockdowns. Are
you a acting the quarterback making it difficult for him
(15:03):
in the pocket so he doesn't as we saw several
times last season, stand in that pocket rob and pick
you apart.
Speaker 6 (15:10):
As a defense, a game plan player is what Josh
Sweat is. He's a guy that offenses have to game
plan for. The Cardinal. To your point, Cardinals have not
had that in a long time, and it changes a
dynamic of the pass rush. It forces offenses to move
their offensive line, to move their blocking scheme towards him,
(15:31):
freeze up other guys. So it really enables the entire
defensive line to be more productive. And you know, you
look at what the Cardinals did this offseason just in
terms of adding up front players both on the internal
defensive line and obviously Josh Sweat on the outside, They've
really have changed this defense. What was once thought of
(15:51):
as kind of, you know, an afterthought, This defense now
is being talked and talked about and in lists is
a potential Op ten defense. And that pass rush will
affect the ability of the of the secondary, of the
cornerbacks to get balls to batted balls, pressures, things will happen,
(16:13):
the momentum will happen with this defensive line.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
Think of what Rick nick Rolis has had to do
last couple of years, right in terms of trying to
generate a pass rush in large part because of injuries
up front. We get it, but instead of you know,
trying to go after an offense with the you know,
trying to answer when or where or how or what,
now you just have to try and figure out who
(16:36):
in terms of can you stop this player one on one?
Monoy mono? What happens if you know what? I don't
have to get all crazy creative eleven card pickup as
we called it, with a bunch of dudes walking around
the box trying to confuse Matthew Stafford, Who's coming, when, where?
And how many know? Now, it's just all right, can
you line up with Josh Sweat just like you used
to line up Chandler Jones? And guess what, my guy's
(16:58):
better than your guy and you're gonna have to give
some extra help. And how does that free up other guys?
I mean, I'm really curious to see if you take
the Nick Ross Jonathan Annon's scheme and now you add dudes,
legit dudes, and there was nobody better in the Super
Bowl than Josh Sweat, how does that elevate this defense?
Speaker 5 (17:14):
Eight and a half sacks during the regular season and
then what he did in the postseason and namely the
Super Bowl. So yeah, you've got to know where Josh
Wett is every time you break the huddle as an offense.
And you also have to remember this is not just
someone who is a one dimensional outside linebacker. Go get
that guy in the backfield. Das Biero, Eagles Insider Philadelphia
(17:35):
Eagles dot Com this offseason on The Big Red, Rage
asked if he saw Josh Wett as a three down player.
Speaker 8 (17:42):
I mean, look, ideally you would like to rotate your
defensive lineman, but he can play three downs. He has
shown that in the past. He plays the run well,
sets the edge nicely, and is very technically sound. So
you would like to have some depth there. You want
to throw as many fastballs at the offensive line as
you can, but Josh is very people of doing that.
Speaker 11 (18:01):
If need be.
Speaker 5 (18:02):
When we heard from Nick Rolis this offseason, he was
asked about Josh Wet rob The first thing that Nick
brought up was how good he is against the run,
sets violent edges. Now that's something that I had not
heard of. All we see what makes the highlight film
is getting after the opposing quarterback. But now if you've
got someone who can again rush the quarterback, set the edge,
(18:26):
maybe drop into coverage. Not ideally, but again, with those
four guys, whether it's a combination of defensive lineman or
outside linebackers, get home with just four, whether that's getting
after the quarterback or stopping the run.
Speaker 6 (18:39):
That's ideally what you want to do. You want to
only rush four and you got to set that edge.
And you look at offensive schemes, offensive philosophies now in
the NFL versus thirty years ago. Yeah, and you talk
about a defensive guy being a three down player, Well,
you don't know. Back then it was first and second
(19:00):
down was rundown, third down was passed down. It's not
like that anymore. So you don't know when the rundown
is coming, you don't know when the pass down is coming.
But to be able to play effectively both equally effectively
against the rush and against the pass with you know
Josh Sweat can do that, that that's a huge asset.
Zavid Collins plays really well against the run. Now, he
(19:21):
led the team last year in sacks, but I wouldn't
say that anybody would would think that that is his forte.
But he plays really good against the run. But Josh,
what can do all of that, and that's a huge
asset to have for this team.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
Yeah, this isn't some light in the pants edge rusher.
I mean he's sixty five two sixty five When he
came into this studio and we interviewed him after his
setning like wow, I mean, it's a big dude who,
to Jonathan Gannon's point, really got his snaps defending the
run early in his career and sort of developed the
pass rush ability a little bit later. What's intriguing, what
(19:56):
keeps resonating in my mind is he had the eleven
sacks the last year with John on an Eagles defense
that had seventy sacks that year. They had a lot
of dudes who were really productive, Hasan Reddick, the former Cardinal, etc.
A lot of interior guys, Brandon Graham and company. But
he was so effective, according to Josh Swett in the
Super Bowl because Vic Fangio, the Eagles defensive coordinator, said,
(20:18):
guess what we're gonna unleash this thing we're getting after
Patrick Mahomes And so if the Cardinals used Josh Swet
in a similar way, and Sweat said, that's exactly how
JG used him in Philly. That's really intriguing because what
is he capable of when he's a premier pass rusher,
the guy instead of one of many guys in a
(20:38):
town of defensive front. He's the guy, and you're gonna
use him in that way and unleash him and let
him eat and get after the quarterback. Really curious how
productive he can be.
Speaker 5 (20:47):
One of the early moves in free agency was the
addition of Joshwett. And then you look at landing, Kalais Campbell,
Dalvin Tomlinson, drafting Walter Nolan IID and Football Focus list
of the Cardinals defensive line defensive front among the five
most improved units from a year ago. Again, this is
(21:08):
all on paper, but when you add someone a veteran
in Kalais, a veteran in a Dalvin Tomlinson, you should
only go up from here as a defensive line. In fact,
let's hear from Dalvin on how things are gelling so
well so quickly in that D line room.
Speaker 11 (21:26):
We already got a brotherhood. It is like it was
his natural thing and young guys as well as oh
guys like me and Kalay is ready to work and
getting better and we can learn stuff from the young guys,
just as like we want you all to learn stuff
from us. It's as back and forth learning across the
board in d line room, and everybody wants everybody to
be successful.
Speaker 5 (21:44):
I've said this a lot, I'll say it again. I
can't think of one a better player than Kalais to
learn from. And then Dalvin Tomlinson, who were getting to know.
But if you're Walter, if you're Darius Robinson, Adante stills
what you can can learn on the field, off the
field from guys who have been there and done that.
Speaker 6 (22:05):
Yeah, I'm most interested to see how this impacts Darius
Robinson and just what is the impact of having a
Klais Campbell on the roster, not only for what he
does in terms of just off the field and just
being a mentor and showing these guys how to be
a pro. But he could still play, right, Klais Campbell
can still play, you can get after it, and so
(22:27):
I'm excited to see really how all these guys get better.
You know, a lifting tie, a rising tide lifts all ships.
I think that's really going to be an impact for
this defensive line. There's guys on the other side of
Josh Sweat that are really going to benefit Baron Browning,
bj Ojalari. There's gonna be some guys that are gonna,
I think, have a real significant impact on this defense,
(22:51):
on this pass rush because of those bigger name guys
on the other side, Josh wet Klais Campbell is going
to attract attention, Dalvin Tomlinson. There's gonna be opportunities for
the entire defensive line to really improve their game.
Speaker 2 (23:05):
I forgot about that NFL dot Com list, probably as
I'm trying to forget all these lists. Season five most
improved units in the NFL. Cardinals defensive line was one
of those you know what facts?
Speaker 7 (23:15):
I mean?
Speaker 2 (23:17):
Was there a bigger weakness or a bigger liability? A
year ago, once again doing part to injury, but coming
out of the break, coming out of the bye last year,
you lost a home game to Seattle, Zach Charboney ran
for seven yards of carry. You lost to Chewba Hubbard
and Carolina. They ran for two fifty in that game.
There were teams that lineup and said, can you stop it?
We're gonna run between the tackles. What are you gonna
(23:37):
do about it? So if you fix that problem. All right,
let's play ball.
Speaker 5 (23:41):
A lot of resources devoted to the front seven, both
financial and draft capital. Again, we'll have to see how
it looks on the field. And bird Gang, you want
to join the Arizona Cardinals. Cardinals Premier Travel Monday Night
Football in Dallas. Good, asycardstravel dot Com. That's asycardstravel dot com.
Speaker 2 (24:06):
Staff to Murray, and he's gonna keep the money to
the right.
Speaker 3 (24:09):
He's got to rumb the forty five forty He points
to the sky as he takes up at the learning
and that's went the tenth of five touchdown, a design
run for Kyler Murray.
Speaker 2 (24:19):
It goes for fifty yards.
Speaker 12 (24:21):
You know, we haven't had a lot of national games,
and you know this guy can make all the throws
inside the pocket, outside the pocket, and he's quick. You
see it on tape. He's out running everybody all the time,
even like that forty nine Ers game where in San
fran he he points up to the touchdown, you know,
forty to fifty yards away, knowing he's going to score.
Speaker 10 (24:44):
You know, I haven't seen a QB do day.
Speaker 5 (24:47):
Well, if there is one Cardinals player who will know
more than anyone else about opposing quarterbacks. It's the Cardinal
safety who to Baker talking about Kyle the Murray on
the Mina Chaim Show featuring Lenny Welcome back, second half
of the Cardinals, Red seer Port, Greigoria, Lupal Kelvic and
Rob Frederickson. Turning our attention to the other side of
(25:10):
the ball. A lot of defensive talk about We talked
about the offense, and yes, k one going into year
seven coming off one of his better years statistically speaking,
but we all expect going into year three within this
offensive scheme that there is another jump to be taken,
especially when there's not much of a difference on that
(25:32):
offense outside of maybe right guard, but everyone else. Rob
is back from last year's offensive team.
Speaker 6 (25:39):
Yeah, it seems like every year about around this time
we're having a conversation of how important this year is
for Kyler Murray. It's pivotal. I really firmly believe that
this year is pivotal for Kyler Murray in this offense.
To your point, it didn't really make a lot of
changes additions to the offense in the offseason. It was
(26:01):
more focused on the defense. I think essentially what they're
saying is We're good enough offensively to get it done.
We just have to be effective. We have to produce
and we have to do the things offensively that are
expected of us. And a lot of that falls on
Kyler Murray. And you opened with the talking about him
running the football. It's something that he hasn't historically been
(26:25):
warm to or excited about, but I think he realizes
that and this team surely realizes what a weapon that
is to have Kyler Murray, the threat of him running
the football when when coverages break down, and just the
ability for him to do that and the focus that
it forces the defense to take. It's a game changer.
(26:47):
And for Kyler to do that more offscript, not necessarily
planned runs, but off script really to me changes the
entire dynamic of this offense and what it can be.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
It's interesting buddhas cited the Niners game second play from
scrimmage at Santa Clair and he goes fifty yards right,
he gone and the finger up in the air on
a design run. Well, if you look at some of
the analytics, next Gen Stats for example, said Kyler led
all quarterbacks on rush yards over expected on design runs
last year. Thing is you only had twenty seven of them,
(27:20):
compared to seventy nine for Lamar Jackson, fifty eight for
Jayden Daniels. Even Daniel Jones had thirty one more than Kyler,
and Kyler himself has been the one to bring up
running a little bit more, not necessarily design runs, but
stressing a defense, being being active, getting out of the pocket,
eyes downfield if you can throw it first and making
completion great. If not, you know what, stress a defense
(27:41):
with my legs. And remember in twenty twenty he had
eleven rushing touchdowns, So for me, if nothing else, continue
to make him a threat with his legs in the
red zone to keep a defense honest. He can outrace
most anybody to the pylon and you don't look to
be a little more advantageous right and going after the run.
(28:02):
And Drew Petsing has talked about it as well, and
just try and keep a defense a little more honest
with the legs.
Speaker 5 (28:08):
That twenty twenty season one hundred and thirty three rushing
attempts for Kyler, last season seventy eight, So I don't
think we need to see Kyler with one hundred plus
rushing attempts. But to your point, Paul it's when is
he running inside the twenty, inside the ten and then
play breaks down. Okay, everyone's downfield. You see Elaye, get
(28:31):
those seven, eight, nine, ten yards. Maybe you break break
one off like he did against San Francisco.
Speaker 2 (28:36):
And he's the one who brought up Lamar Jackson and
Josh Allen in the playoffs. It's almost like he was
sitting around watching the AFC playoffs last year and the
light bulb went off and said, man, look at how
tough they are to defend, especially in key third downs.
Not only is it opportunistic for the quarterback. You move
the sticks right, you sustain a drive, but it's really
backbreaking and demoralizing. I mean, Rob, you tell me playing
(28:58):
on that side of the ball, you got everyone cover,
all the gaps right are cont and then all of
a sudden, the stinking quarterback runs seven yards for the
first down. It is deflating, moralizing.
Speaker 6 (29:07):
Nothing worse for a defense. We have no you have
no defense for that. You have nothing for that. You
can't spy. Put a spy on Kyler Murray, he'll outrun
the spy. It's not something that you can do because
then you're taking away from the coverage. So Yeah, it's
a huge weapon for the Cardinals. It's a huge weapon
that they need to utilize more often.
Speaker 5 (29:29):
Well, let's hear from the Cardinals franchise quarterback Kyler Murray
over the weekend, asked about his mentality heading into training
camp number seven.
Speaker 13 (29:39):
I'm just ready to go, honestly, just kind of just
enjoy these last couple of days before you know, let's
go Tom. But as far as heaspace, I mean, my
mental has been on what's what's to come this whole
all season, you know, Severn since the last game, probably
took maybe four or five days off and it was
right back to it. Yeah, man, I like I said,
I love what I do and I'm ready to, you know,
(30:00):
go out there and execute the season.
Speaker 5 (30:01):
K one speaking with Fox ten again. The Cardinals report
to training camp today, first practice Wednesday, first open practice
at State Farm Stadium on Thursday. All the details including
on how you can go, parking and admission free, but
you need to register Azycardinals dot com for all the information.
And now it's the question, Okay, Kyler Murray, going into
(30:22):
year seven, year three, within this offense, what do we
see differently from this offense or is it just presented differently,
and maybe things don't look a whole lot different, but
maybe the defenses they look a little different.
Speaker 6 (30:36):
I think there'll be a lot in the game plan.
There'll be a lot of the same plays, but they'll
get to them in different manner. They'll get to them
different personnel groups, through motions, through shifts we've heard, We've
heard them trade talking about the sauce right, so that
they'll get to it differently. I think a little bit
more pre snap movement to try and get these wide
(31:00):
receivers in motion a little bit, get them a little
bit freed up at the line of scrimmage so they
can get into their routes and improve that timing between
Kyler Murray and the receivers. So I think that's what
you're going to see. Still same play concepts, same route concepts,
but maybe they'll they'll be a little bit more sauce,
a little bit more magic pre snap. In terms of
(31:20):
what you might see.
Speaker 5 (31:21):
Well, you brought up Trey. How about we hear from
the Cardinals tied end Trey McBride about the offense here
in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 14 (31:28):
There's so many guys on this offense that can make
plays and I think that's what makes us so unique
is Michael can go off for a hundred yards, Great
dors can go for one hundred yards, James Connor can
run for one hundred and fifty. Like the sky's the
limit for our offense. There's all these guys are so good.
They can all make plays. And you know what, maybe
I have ten catches one game. In the next game,
I have two catches, and Marvin has ten catches, and
(31:50):
whatever it may be. But Kyler's going to get the
ball to the right people. He's going to go through
his progression and he's going to get the ball to
where it needs to go. And whether that's to me, Marvin,
Mike Dorsch, whoever it is, I'm all these guys.
Speaker 5 (32:01):
That's the good thing to hear, the fact that there
are a number of different weapons for Kyler to choose from.
But let's make no mistake about it. This is a
run first offense. This is what Drew Petson wants to do.
It's been successful, Paul the first two seasons. Why change anything.
You're just looking to enhance it a little bit with
maybe a little bit more of a consistent, more efficient
pass game.
Speaker 2 (32:22):
And if you can get more explosives in the pass game.
I think that would be key. And you've cited this
stab before. Cardinals were top five last year in chunk runs,
but they were bottom twenty five percent, bottom quarter of
the league in chunk pass plays. So can you keep
a defense on his downfield a little bit more with
greater efficiency? And then can you develop some more chemistry
(32:44):
with someone other than Trey McBride, you know, can that
be hopefully it's Marvin Errison junior. Can it be Greg
Dersch or Michael Wilson at a greater rate Zay Jones
On third down? There needs to be more third down
options than just number eighty five a Pro Bowl tight end.
And I think that, to me is where this offense
elevates this year.
Speaker 5 (33:03):
And as far as the chunk throws, maybe it's not
air yards, but I'm going to turn it now on
the past catchers. Can you break a tackle? Can you
extend a five yard catch to ten, eleven, twelve yards?
Speaker 2 (33:15):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (33:16):
Some of that is on the quarterback throwing you open,
throwing you and catching the ball in stride and not
just running rout, turning around getting the ball and then
collapsing going to the turfic. Can you extend plays on
your own as a wide receiver?
Speaker 6 (33:29):
Yeah, I know a lot of times with those chunk
throws that you see, it requires a receiver to kind
of clear out the secondary, take the focus of a
safety with them in terms of just running a go route.
Who's going to be that player? I think that's also
something that training camp's got to kind of uncovers. Who's
going to be that player to quote unquote take the
(33:52):
top off of the defense and allow those intermediate routes
underneath to really open up and develop so that it'll
be exciting to see.
Speaker 2 (34:01):
I mean, it was conspicuous by its absence, right, They
didn't really add anything of significance to the wide receiver room.
But if Marvin Arrison Junior takes a big leap in
year two, that's like adding another receiver. If Xavier Weaver,
who we saw a little bit of a little bit
the end of last season, could be the guy that
Rob just cited, the speed guy to take the top
off in certain situations. If Zay Jones, now with a
(34:23):
full season, could get in sync with Kyler. We know
how hell bent that Michael Wilson is on being that
guy wide receiver too. And we saw Greg Dortsch when
he got more targets the last couple of years. So
I think there's more to be had in this receiver
room and that'll go a long way towards dictating where
the Cardinals make a serious run of the postseason.
Speaker 5 (34:42):
Zay Jones, remember miss the first third of the season unavailable,
Now you have him for a full season. Was a
look with him in that wide receiver room. More offensive
discussion as we are here, it's the Cardinals Red Sea
Report on the Arizona Cardinals Radio Network.
Speaker 15 (35:03):
The seventy first pick ten to twenty twenty four NFL Draft,
the Arizona Cardinals select Isaiah Adams, guard, University of Illinois.
Speaker 2 (35:15):
This guy's am all er.
Speaker 7 (35:16):
I mean, he'll get after you.
Speaker 9 (35:17):
And that's we're looking for grimy offensive lineman and we're
gonna put your face in the dirt, you know. And
this guy is that kind of a guy.
Speaker 4 (35:23):
He loves ball.
Speaker 10 (35:24):
He's a finisher off the field. I'm really polite, kind
of laid back on the fields. It's time to part
of my language, but it's time to kill people.
Speaker 5 (35:34):
And that's exactly what you want. And an offensive lineman
especially an interior offensive lineman. The drafting, the selection of
Isaiah Adams two years ago, he should say last offseason.
We saw him on the field for fifteen games, started
the final five at right guard. You also heard in
there assistant GM Dave Sears talk about Isaiah Adams third
(35:57):
round pick, seventy first overall l Illinois. And the question is, Paul,
that's the only question mark that I have as far
as a starting lineup. Who's your starting right guard? Is
it Isaiah Adams? Does he pick up where he left
off last season? You know that whole right side of
the line. We're gonna keep an eye on Jonah Williams.
What's his recovery from the knee injury. You know, Christian Jones,
(36:20):
Calvin Beacham, we saw him during the media session, you know,
in the off season during mandatory mini camp. All right,
what is the right side of the Cardinals offensive line
consist of?
Speaker 7 (36:30):
Who?
Speaker 2 (36:30):
What is it at? You know, where is it at?
Isaiah Adams? Look, the last five games, got a lot
of really valuable experience that we had him on the
big Red rage. He won some reps and he most
definitely lost some reps against some really experienced disruptive three techniques.
He learned a lot, and he also learned he needed
to get stronger, and he said he did get stronger,
And he said even a mandatory mini camp running through
(36:51):
non contract drills, he could tell he is stronger, especially
his lower body. So okay, if he's gonna bring the tanacity,
he's gonna bring the skills. But now he has the
strength and the ability to handle some of these bull
rushes and really lock up grown men there in the trenches.
You know what, Cardinals might have a starting caliber right
guard for the next decade if if he can make
(37:12):
some of those improvements that were somewhat obvious this time
a year ago in training camp where physically he just
needed to get stronger.
Speaker 5 (37:19):
Before we get your comments, Rob, how about we hear
from the man himself, Isaiah Adams on his focus this
past offseason.
Speaker 10 (37:26):
I think it was more so from a mental aspect,
just kind of trying to slow the game down, trying
to look at the game, you know, going into this
offseason from not really just with blinders on, but maybe
just kind of brought in my vision and kind of
understand what's happening out there and why things are happening.
You know, more defensive coverages could influence a D line game.
So just not trying to look at it just from
(37:47):
a one v one, but more like from an eleven
v eleven.
Speaker 5 (37:49):
It's one thing to have the physical traits, it's another
thing to have the understanding. And it certainly sounds like
that's what Isaiah did a lot this offseason is understanding
what it takes. Because you can be beat if you're
the biggest, the toughest because you just don't quite understand
where guys are coming, angles and all that. It's the
little details that make you successful.
Speaker 10 (38:11):
In the NFL.
Speaker 6 (38:12):
That's the little things. Details are everything. You know, we
talked about how Will Johnson is gonna make Marvin Harrison
Junior better, Well, there's no better litmus test for Isaiah
Adams than this defensive line that the Cardinals have constructed
now in training camp and and really what they can
do for Isaiah Adams and and just in terms of
just making him be better, I mean going every day
(38:34):
against Kalaias Campbell, Walter Nolan Junior, Dalvin Tomlinson. You just
the the reps that he's gonna get in training camp
in practice are going to be so beneficial for his growth.
And there's a there's a kind of a sub storyline
here about the sophomore players, about the second year players
(38:56):
and will they make that sophomore jump. I'd look for
Isaiah Adams to be one of those guys because everything's
lined up for him. You got a veteran offensive line
he's he's the one position where there's a little bit
of a question mark. He's got the ability, he's just
you know, he's got to put it all together, and
he's going to have every opportunity to do that.
Speaker 2 (39:17):
You know, there are a couple of free agent guards
still out in the market of Brandon Shurf. There's a
couple of guys out there. I just throw that out
there in case, in case they get into camp and
they realize, Okay, you know what, and the fifth day
in camp and you're in full pads and it's a
line D line And to Rob's point, is someone who's
been there and done that. When we asked Isaiah Adams
(39:38):
about the whole dynamic of being offensive lineman in those
D line drills, right and it's just you mono imano
out in space, and he said he already has been
looking at Dalvin Thomas and going, that's going to be
a handful. You know, they threw six y three. They
listened at three twenty five, and so I think the
Cardinals are going to know right away, Okay, has he
made that jump at least in terms of strength and
handling the bull rush camp.
Speaker 6 (40:00):
The problem is you have what three maybe four padded practices.
That's the only time you really have the opportunity to
evaluate these guys in the interior offensive line. It's not
like the old days where every practice, you know, you
could you could have an evaluation after two days in
the old days, but now there's there's not many padded practices.
Speaker 2 (40:22):
Maybe that's another reason why JG wants more friction his words,
more friction not only to prepare the team obviously for
the season, but evaluation. There's gonna be some tough some
tough cuts. I mean, there's some tough decisions. There's gonna
be NFL dudes who get cut who will sign with
another team, and the Cardinals haven't had that in a
few years.
Speaker 5 (40:40):
Again, there is an opening, there is a job, is it?
Isaiah Adams is to lose. He is, though ready to
be taken seriously at right guard.
Speaker 10 (40:50):
I'm ready, man, I've I've prepared my whole life for it.
So I think I just want to take it one
day at a time, and you know, I'm not get
too high and just keep competing. I think you you
never know what's going to happen until you're running out
that tunnel week one. So for right now, it's just
there's so much more work to do, and you know,
it's a long, long season and kind of getting ready
to play seventeen games.
Speaker 5 (41:10):
Isaiah has the right mindset and then you look, okay,
you plug him in at right guard. He turns to
his left, he's got yelled to for all veteran. He
turns to his right, and he's got a veteran, whether
it's Jonah Williams or Calvin Beacham. So maybe he's not
the veteran that maybe people want, but at least he's
surrounded by veterans who can help him. A little help here,
(41:33):
a little tap, okay, don't forget to do this. And
then all of a sudden you build up his confidence
from week one to five to ten twelve, and all
of a sudden you're like, wow, we just found a
starting right guard going forward.
Speaker 6 (41:44):
I bet he's sick of hearing about all this by now,
you know, just like all of the questions about are
you the are you ready? Are you the guy? Are
you the right guard for the Arizona Cardinals. I bet
he's so sick of it. I hope I hope that
he and puts that chip on his shoulder in training
camp and really uses it to his advantage, because I
(42:06):
know I would as a player, I would be so
sick and tired of people essentially questioning me whether or
not I'm good enough that to me gets old real
quick as a player.
Speaker 2 (42:17):
Or maybe the Cardinals know something we don't. Maybe internally
they've seen enough of Isaiah Adams. They didn't draft an
interior offensive well, Hayden Connor obviously in round six. But
is he going to compete for the right guard? Is
he more going to maybe be in competition with Evan Brown?
That could be an under the radar guy that has
given every single opportunity forty three games he started at
(42:39):
Texas against some of the best in college football. I
mean the two Michigan defensive linemen Kenneth Grant, Mason Graham.
Dave Sears told us go put on the film and
look at Hayden Connor against those two guys. So maybe,
just maybe, by the end of camp there's more competition
in that position than we thought.
Speaker 5 (42:54):
And there's also Royce Newman who they brought in, a
veteran who does have extensive experience, specifically at that right
guard position. He's not a big name, but if you're
looking for someone as a potential backup in the case
things don't work out, Fries Adams. And then you brought
up names on the street, Paul and the one name
(43:15):
that everyone is familiar with. He still have his uniform
number available, is he healthy? And that's Will Hernandez. I
do believe Will get Will will get signed at some point.
It's just a matter of which team. And then you
start training camp, and then when do you make that
evaluation or say we need to pull the trigger, and
that is not just at offensive line, but any position
(43:36):
where like what we thought we had maybe we don't. Hey,
let's let's get a little bit more sure of where
we are at a particular position, and that's when in
training camp roster moves start happening.
Speaker 2 (43:49):
I would say, thanks for asking Craig that the top
questions you want answered by the end of camp. One
middle linebacker, two right guard, and then three cornerback, one
for wide receiver two. These are all questions I'm guessing
MANI and JG have in the back of their mind
that they would love to have answers to by the
time you get to Week one at New Orleans.
Speaker 5 (44:09):
You got preseason games. There's the joint practice, only one
joint practice against the Denver Broncos, which probably supersedes that
preseason game in Denver. But to your point, Robie, you
brought it up. You're not in pads every single day.
You're limited in how many padded practices you can have
before the start of the regular season. So it becomes
(44:30):
more difficult to make those evaluations.
Speaker 6 (44:33):
Especially those positions that rely on the physicality the offensive line,
that defensive line. That's a tough decision. You have to
go on your instinct, you have to go on your gut,
you have to go on history a little bit, and
so those are difficult decisions for the Cardinals to make.
That's why every rep that you have as a player
is so vital. I don't care if it is in pads.
(44:53):
I don't care if it's just in shorts.
Speaker 2 (44:55):
Every rep is vital joint practice. Isaiah Adams against Zach Allen.
The wilmaccardinal O Line D Line training camp is here.
We'll be out at State Farm Stadium next Tuesday when
we come to you live here on the Red Sea
Reports Special thanks behind the scenes. Jim Moa Mahundro, Couldy Fincher,
Ryan Sacora for Rod Frederckson, Paul Calvc. I'm Craig Real Lou.
(45:16):
This is the Arizona Cardinals Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (45:24):
You've been listening to the Cardinals Red Sea Report.
Speaker 3 (45:27):
It is caught by McBride hen It's a touchdown boot
a Baker with the sack strip the ball. HER's gonna
score touchdown, Oh baby.
Speaker 1 (45:36):
The Cardinals Red Sea Report is brought to you by
the Arizona Cardinals mobile app. Visit Azycardinals dot com, slash app.
Speaker 10 (45:44):
Touchdown Cardinals Whim.
Speaker 1 (45:46):
This has been an exclusive presentation of the Arizona Cardinals
football Club
This podcast is presented by All Copy Products, proud partner
of the Arizona Cardinals. Learn more at Allcopyproducts dot com.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
To the fifteen of the ten, Murray's Gonna.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
Score touchdown, Welcome to the Cardinals Red Sea Report.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Swam to the ground by Buddha Baker like a torpedo.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
He came flying into the.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
Backfield, cotter to the ten, to the five and then
of the end zone of the touchdown.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
The Cardinals Red Sea Report is brought to you by
Arizona Cardinals Podcast. Visit Azycardinals dot com Slash podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Here we go, one handed catching a touchdown.
Speaker 4 (00:39):
Oh baby, I'd fail.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
Here's Craig Griolud, Paul calvic and nine year NFL veteran
Rob Frederickson.
Speaker 5 (00:49):
So it really has nothing to do with the time
of the year. So it has nothing to do with
the month or the day. This is when you know
training camp is It's when Paul calvisy walks into the
studio with some fuzz above his lip. Rob and yes,
when the mustache is present. That is the indication, the
(01:12):
only indication that anyone needs to know the Cardinals training
camp has arrived.
Speaker 6 (01:17):
I saw Paul yesterday. He was clean shaven. Today looks
like a broom up there, a broom. My goodness.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
It's amazing what a few peds can do. A few
performance enhancers.
Speaker 6 (01:29):
You know.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
It's I probably won't pass in the NFL drug test
right now because of the performance and answers it takes
just to grow the stash. But just let this serve
as an example all players. This is definitely not winning behavior, okay,
so just please be better than this stash.
Speaker 5 (01:44):
It's really unfortunate that the Red Sea Reports is not
a video as well. However, I have been told that
the mustache will be present for Cardinals Underground, which yeah,
does get videoed and will be posted on the Arizona
Cardinals official YouTube channel at some point this week.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Well, the original intent was to maybe snag the seventh
inning role in the dback's bullpen since they're having so
many injuries, you know, maybe help them out a little bit,
you know, because with a Andrew Chaffin, you know, mustache,
you know, that's That's what I'm going for right here.
It's a miserable failure. But once again, this will not
not only will this not make the final cut, I'm
not even sure it's gonna make the first padded practice.
(02:23):
It's it's tracking to be gone by then.
Speaker 5 (02:25):
That's unfortunate. Yeah, first padded practice, PAULI is not until
I believe, on Monday. I see, you can't last until Monday.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Yeah, it's this stash is strictly a camp body. Put
it that way. It's just a camp body. No shot
or making the final fifty three. Well, gave it there.
Speaker 5 (02:39):
The mustache did reports. As coaches and players are reporting
to training camp, the first practice, which may or may
not include a mustached Paul CALVISI on Wednesday. Of the
first open practice is on Thursday. But just the look
on your face, Paul, that is not even gonna make
Thursday is open practice.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
It's like I said, basically the decision I e. The
wife not a fan. So that's really all you need
to know. That's why its time is limited. Yes, well,
we have arrived.
Speaker 5 (03:07):
For training camp. You know who also has arrived?
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Well Johnson.
Speaker 5 (03:11):
He did sign on the line that is dotted, put
pen to paper and signed his four year rookie contract,
the last of the Cardinals draft members to sign their contract.
And again this was something Paul wasn't a matter of
if it was always a matter of when these deals
take time, and especially what had been going on across
(03:33):
the league with second round picks looking for a little
bit more guaranteed money going into their fourth year. So yes,
Will Johnson signed Tuesday morning. He'll be on the field Wednesday.
Thank goodness. Let's just talk about football. This is sort
of a throwback to back in the day. Remember how
many contract holdouts there were going into camp started the
regular season?
Speaker 2 (03:54):
Rob me, Yeah, guilty as charged. That's why I'm looking
directly at Rob Frederickson. Okay, this sort of roll back
to an era, a bygone era. And thankfully, actually honestly, thankfully,
we don't have to deal with this very much anymore
because nobody comes to the NFL and comes to sports
for the contract dispute. So it's a great thing they
got this done before they ever get out to camp.
Speaker 6 (04:13):
Yeah, and you know, most contracts, right especially in the
second rounds, they're they're slotted basically in terms of just
where they're going to be financially. But to your point, Craig,
I think guarantees a lot of times that might maybe
a little bit of a sticking point, but look, it's
really a non starter it's nothing to talk about. Will
Johnson has signed. He's in camp, and that's good for
(04:34):
him because we already know he has the athletic ability.
We already know he's just the measurables are off the chart,
and just his ability to track the ball and play
the play a cornerback position, especially in zone coverage. But
it's the mental side of the game. Is understanding the
game plan, understanding the insertion and just getting all those
(04:55):
reps mentally is so important. And if you're not signed,
you're not going to be in there.
Speaker 5 (05:00):
This is a first round talent who the Cardinals selected
in the second round with the forty seventh overall pick,
Jonathan Gannon way back when in the offseason on Mad
Dog Sports Radio speaking with Adam Seine about the after,
the day after, or in fact the immediate the immediately
after that selection was made. As far as the reaction
(05:23):
from around the league when Will Johnson went with the
Arizona Cardinals.
Speaker 7 (05:27):
As the drafts going on, you know, coaches are texting
back and forth, not just our staff, but other staffs.
You know, people they worked with or that you know,
and you make a pick, and certain coaches like certain
guys and like when we picked him at him literally
like eight defensive coordinators text me.
Speaker 8 (05:43):
Like, oh my God, like number one on the board,
like blah blah blah.
Speaker 7 (05:46):
Blah, like they all want you know what I mean.
And for whatever reason, he came to us, and just
like Walt, we're excited to get to work with him too.
Speaker 5 (05:54):
Man, he is talking about Will Johnson in Will's owne
words and is well, Paul, it's the fit, the scheme
fit as far as what Will does so well as
a corner works extremely well with what this defense wants
to do.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
So, what if I said that the Arizona Cardinals had
their own Sauce Gardner, their own Patrick Certan, the second,
their own Derek Stingley Junior, the elite to the elite,
because after the twenty three season, Will Johnson was tracking
to be that guy. Now last year had some injury
issues obviously, and ostensibly that's why he fell to the
second round. But to me, I think I could argue
(06:32):
he's the most intriguing player at Cardinals camp because we
don't know exactly what's under the hood and what he
could mean to this defense. Again, what if you added
a legit cornerback, one from day one. What does that
do to this defense? And I think that's a little
bit under the radar right now. Between now and the
end of August, how much different this defense could look
(06:53):
if Will Johnson is that guy.
Speaker 6 (06:55):
Yeah, I think talent wise, top ten in the draft
in terms of just just his ability to play the position,
top quarternback in the draft in terms of ability. It's
just there was some injury concerns coming out of Michigan
and that scared a lot of teams away, I believe,
so that's why he fell to the second round. But
what a get for the Cardinals in the second round.
(07:15):
Get a top ten talent in the second round, And
I'm with you, Paul, I'm excited to see kind of
what this actually looks like. You throw around names like
Sauce Garner. Okay, that's great. You can talk about it.
You can say he comes with that, but does he
actually play like that? Does it translate? I think it will.
But that's what training camp's all about.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
And to your point, Craig, how many times has Jonathan
Annam called him a perfect scheme fit? So if he
has the scheme down and Nick Ross can trust him
and he's not a mental bust you away from giving
up a big play, because that is always a risk
with every rookie and every scheme, especially to start the year.
Then you know what, there's no reason he can't be
Devon Witherspoon to the Seahawks, who is the fifth pick
(07:59):
overall two years ago, and he's been All Pro his
first two years in the league. There's no reason why
he can't have a similar impact in this defense.
Speaker 5 (08:06):
Now, as far as the injury concerns are, and we
know that Will was dealing with a bit of a
hamstring issue during all the offseason. He was limited during
OTA's and mini camps, still participated, didn't participate fully well.
Will this morning, in fact, late last night posted a
vlog said he's one hundred percent and admitted that he
(08:27):
was about seventy percent during the offseason. So now you
go from the off season to training camp day one,
What do those one on one matchups look like against
Marvin Harrison junior Michael Wilson, What do those matchup look
like eleven on to eleven? Is he, to your point,
Paul shutting down half the field or a quarter of
the field, and those quarterbacks have to look.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
Elsewhere because We had a discussion recently, all right, what
can you tell and the practices leading up to pats
because the CBA is such a what five days before
you can get into full pads. Well, there aren't many
positions groups you can get a real read on it,
but I would say cornerback is one of them. I mean,
if you're getting beat in a lot of the one
on ones, regardless of whether it's full contact, you know,
(09:09):
full press, it's probably not tracking well for you. But
if you're checking in, staying step for step with Marvin
Harrison Junior and Michael Wilson, then I think you can
get a pretty decent read on a corner from day one.
Speaker 6 (09:22):
And there's a long history of battles going between Marvin
Harrison Junior and Will Johnson dating back to their Michigan
Ohio State days. I'm excited to see how that plays
out in training camp. I think these two will just
make each other better, both Marvin Harrison Junior and Will Johnson,
so it'll be exciting to watch. And you're right, Paul,
Without the pads on those cornerbacks and wide receiver, those
(09:44):
position groups you can get a gauge for kind of
how how guys are working, how they're performing. That's that's
the one precision group where the battles will really tell
you something in those early days of training camp.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
The best thing about camp arguably is that we won't
get any more of the lists on ESPN dot com
and NFL dot com. But the most recent list was
like top five duos teammate duos, dynamic duos in the NFL,
and right there in the top five was Garrett Wilson
and Sauce Gardner. The best news for the Cardinals is
a year from now that list includes Marvin Harrison Junior
(10:20):
and Will Johnson and they definitely have the talent, they
have the pedigree to be able to do it. Question
is how did they develop this year? If they make
a run at being on that list, Cardinals make the
playoffs because I think that's how critical both guys are
to each side of the ball.
Speaker 5 (10:34):
We heard JG the excitement in his voice upon this
selection of Will Johnson. Dave Sears, assistant general manager on
in the offseason with you Paul on the Big Red Rage,
and the question was a simple one that you asked Sears,
when did they know Johnson would be available at forty seven.
Speaker 9 (10:52):
At pick forty six. You know, we never thought that
guy was going to be there. Really never thought that
guy was going to be there. So that was one
of the ones where you heard I talk a lot
post draft about sticking to your board. That's a clear
case of that Will was obviously the best player that
we had on the board at that time. We never
thought Will would be there at that point, and so
you know, you stay with your board and you take
the prospect.
Speaker 5 (11:12):
And now you look at that room with Will Johnson,
perhaps Rob on one side, Max Melton, a second round
pick a year ago, opposite Will Starling Thomas. We know
Garrett Williams is going to man the slot. I never
include him in the conversation of cornerbacks just because he's
always going to be on the football field. But you've
got a young and I'll include Garrett in this conversation
(11:33):
even though he's entering year three. But that is a
young group at the cornerback position, and we know how
important that position is in the NFL.
Speaker 6 (11:42):
Yeah, and I think it was very important for those
young guys to get the amount of reps, amount of
snaps that they got last season to really not become
second year players. There are veterans. Now, you look Attrell Clark,
you look at Starlink Thomas Fourth. I'm excited to see
what Elijah Jones look like, guy that didn't play last year.
(12:02):
That you know, the Cardinals obviously think highly of third
round pick out of Boston College, So I'm excited to
see how he competes in there in that room. You know,
it's just the amount of talent that the cornerback position has.
And yeah they're young, but I think they're going to
push each other in training camp and it's really going
to become a position of strength.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
You know, the Eagles got away with two rookies in
the secondary, two rookie starters last year. Let's see, why
would that be? Oh, because they had the NFL's best
pass rush. So if the Cardinals have increased the pass
rush this year, what does that do for the Cardinals secondary?
How many more opportunities they get? You know, my prediction
slash hot take this year, Craig. How many interceptions did
the Cardinals defense have a year ago?
Speaker 7 (12:45):
Nine?
Speaker 2 (12:45):
Right? I think they double it this year, I really do.
I think they get that much more pressure. And there's
a lot of young quarterbacks on this roster, and I
think the Cardinals that are going to victimize a lot
of qbs this year with I INT's well, great.
Speaker 5 (12:59):
T's for here, Paul, glad the vacation hasn't ruined all
of what you do so well here on the Arizona
Cardinals Radio network.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
What was Rob's contract hold out, by the way, all
saved by the bell, saved by the bell here?
Speaker 5 (13:12):
Okay, we discussed the front seven of the Arizona Cardinals
coming up next here on the Arizona Cardinals Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
But hand on, I'm push down, locked up with the backfield.
Speaker 4 (13:27):
Sweat got there first and a lasso two back to
draw again steps away from pressure, but not the next
one because he gets dropped.
Speaker 2 (13:35):
Josh Sweat gets.
Speaker 7 (13:36):
Home and Mayfield somehow hold out of that ball. Joe's
out a moment, didn't release it.
Speaker 4 (13:42):
He's sacked its side the twenty five Josh Sweat Larrence
a trouble.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
He is shacks Josh Sweat with his shat Laurence sit
as he throws.
Speaker 9 (13:52):
That was Josh Sweat who got a porson of Lawrence's.
Speaker 7 (13:56):
Arm and he was under pressure again.
Speaker 10 (13:58):
Swung down to twenty nine yard line.
Speaker 4 (14:00):
Josh Sweat, Stafford, staff Us so much any of that
and Josh Schwett, Sax.
Speaker 10 (14:08):
Matthew Stafford.
Speaker 4 (14:09):
Here is Harris again and he gets Wat just nowhere
to go. Josh Sweat was there. Here's the whole of
his pressure right away, the whole sacks. Josh Sweat gets home.
Speaker 5 (14:21):
Safe to say, the Arizona Cardinals have not had an
outside linebacker with the resume of a Josh Wet since
Chandler Jones. I don't think that's going out on a limb,
someone that can come in and wreck havoc on a game.
As we say, welcome back. It is the Cardinals, Red Seaerport,
Craig Reiolu, Rob Fredrickson, and Paul Calvic. Yes, Joshwett. We
(14:43):
finally get to see him at State Farm Stadium coming
up first open practice of training camp on Thursday, and yeah,
getting after the quarterback. I know JG likes to say
Sax aren't a winning stat What he likes to see, though,
is the disruptions, the pressures, the hurries, the knockdowns. Are
you a acting the quarterback making it difficult for him
(15:03):
in the pocket so he doesn't as we saw several
times last season, stand in that pocket rob and pick
you apart.
Speaker 6 (15:10):
As a defense, a game plan player is what Josh
Sweat is. He's a guy that offenses have to game
plan for. The Cardinal. To your point, Cardinals have not
had that in a long time, and it changes a
dynamic of the pass rush. It forces offenses to move
their offensive line, to move their blocking scheme towards him,
(15:31):
freeze up other guys. So it really enables the entire
defensive line to be more productive. And you know, you
look at what the Cardinals did this offseason just in
terms of adding up front players both on the internal
defensive line and obviously Josh Sweat on the outside, They've
really have changed this defense. What was once thought of
(15:51):
as kind of, you know, an afterthought, This defense now
is being talked and talked about and in lists is
a potential Op ten defense. And that pass rush will
affect the ability of the of the secondary, of the
cornerbacks to get balls to batted balls, pressures, things will happen,
(16:13):
the momentum will happen with this defensive line.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
Think of what Rick nick Rolis has had to do
last couple of years, right in terms of trying to
generate a pass rush in large part because of injuries
up front. We get it, but instead of you know,
trying to go after an offense with the you know,
trying to answer when or where or how or what,
now you just have to try and figure out who
(16:36):
in terms of can you stop this player one on one?
Monoy mono? What happens if you know what? I don't
have to get all crazy creative eleven card pickup as
we called it, with a bunch of dudes walking around
the box trying to confuse Matthew Stafford, Who's coming, when, where?
And how many know? Now, it's just all right, can
you line up with Josh Sweat just like you used
to line up Chandler Jones? And guess what, my guy's
(16:58):
better than your guy and you're gonna have to give
some extra help. And how does that free up other guys?
I mean, I'm really curious to see if you take
the Nick Ross Jonathan Annon's scheme and now you add dudes,
legit dudes, and there was nobody better in the Super
Bowl than Josh Sweat, how does that elevate this defense?
Speaker 5 (17:14):
Eight and a half sacks during the regular season and
then what he did in the postseason and namely the
Super Bowl. So yeah, you've got to know where Josh
Wett is every time you break the huddle as an offense.
And you also have to remember this is not just
someone who is a one dimensional outside linebacker. Go get
that guy in the backfield. Das Biero, Eagles Insider Philadelphia
(17:35):
Eagles dot Com this offseason on The Big Red, Rage
asked if he saw Josh Wett as a three down player.
Speaker 8 (17:42):
I mean, look, ideally you would like to rotate your
defensive lineman, but he can play three downs. He has
shown that in the past. He plays the run well,
sets the edge nicely, and is very technically sound. So
you would like to have some depth there. You want
to throw as many fastballs at the offensive line as
you can, but Josh is very people of doing that.
Speaker 11 (18:01):
If need be.
Speaker 5 (18:02):
When we heard from Nick Rolis this offseason, he was
asked about Josh Wet rob The first thing that Nick
brought up was how good he is against the run,
sets violent edges. Now that's something that I had not
heard of. All we see what makes the highlight film
is getting after the opposing quarterback. But now if you've
got someone who can again rush the quarterback, set the edge,
(18:26):
maybe drop into coverage. Not ideally, but again, with those
four guys, whether it's a combination of defensive lineman or
outside linebackers, get home with just four, whether that's getting
after the quarterback or stopping the run.
Speaker 6 (18:39):
That's ideally what you want to do. You want to
only rush four and you got to set that edge.
And you look at offensive schemes, offensive philosophies now in
the NFL versus thirty years ago. Yeah, and you talk
about a defensive guy being a three down player, Well,
you don't know. Back then it was first and second
(19:00):
down was rundown, third down was passed down. It's not
like that anymore. So you don't know when the rundown
is coming, you don't know when the pass down is coming.
But to be able to play effectively both equally effectively
against the rush and against the pass with you know
Josh Sweat can do that, that that's a huge asset.
Zavid Collins plays really well against the run. Now, he
(19:21):
led the team last year in sacks, but I wouldn't
say that anybody would would think that that is his forte.
But he plays really good against the run. But Josh,
what can do all of that, and that's a huge
asset to have for this team.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
Yeah, this isn't some light in the pants edge rusher.
I mean he's sixty five two sixty five When he
came into this studio and we interviewed him after his
setning like wow, I mean, it's a big dude who,
to Jonathan Gannon's point, really got his snaps defending the
run early in his career and sort of developed the
pass rush ability a little bit later. What's intriguing, what
(19:56):
keeps resonating in my mind is he had the eleven
sacks the last year with John on an Eagles defense
that had seventy sacks that year. They had a lot
of dudes who were really productive, Hasan Reddick, the former Cardinal, etc.
A lot of interior guys, Brandon Graham and company. But
he was so effective, according to Josh Swett in the
Super Bowl because Vic Fangio, the Eagles defensive coordinator, said,
(20:18):
guess what we're gonna unleash this thing we're getting after
Patrick Mahomes And so if the Cardinals used Josh Swet
in a similar way, and Sweat said, that's exactly how
JG used him in Philly. That's really intriguing because what
is he capable of when he's a premier pass rusher,
the guy instead of one of many guys in a
(20:38):
town of defensive front. He's the guy, and you're gonna
use him in that way and unleash him and let
him eat and get after the quarterback. Really curious how
productive he can be.
Speaker 5 (20:47):
One of the early moves in free agency was the
addition of Joshwett. And then you look at landing, Kalais Campbell,
Dalvin Tomlinson, drafting Walter Nolan IID and Football Focus list
of the Cardinals defensive line defensive front among the five
most improved units from a year ago. Again, this is
(21:08):
all on paper, but when you add someone a veteran
in Kalais, a veteran in a Dalvin Tomlinson, you should
only go up from here as a defensive line. In fact,
let's hear from Dalvin on how things are gelling so
well so quickly in that D line room.
Speaker 11 (21:26):
We already got a brotherhood. It is like it was
his natural thing and young guys as well as oh
guys like me and Kalay is ready to work and
getting better and we can learn stuff from the young guys,
just as like we want you all to learn stuff
from us. It's as back and forth learning across the
board in d line room, and everybody wants everybody to
be successful.
Speaker 5 (21:44):
I've said this a lot, I'll say it again. I
can't think of one a better player than Kalais to
learn from. And then Dalvin Tomlinson, who were getting to know.
But if you're Walter, if you're Darius Robinson, Adante stills
what you can can learn on the field, off the
field from guys who have been there and done that.
Speaker 6 (22:05):
Yeah, I'm most interested to see how this impacts Darius
Robinson and just what is the impact of having a
Klais Campbell on the roster, not only for what he
does in terms of just off the field and just
being a mentor and showing these guys how to be
a pro. But he could still play, right, Klais Campbell
can still play, you can get after it, and so
(22:27):
I'm excited to see really how all these guys get better.
You know, a lifting tie, a rising tide lifts all ships.
I think that's really going to be an impact for
this defensive line. There's guys on the other side of
Josh Sweat that are really going to benefit Baron Browning,
bj Ojalari. There's gonna be some guys that are gonna,
I think, have a real significant impact on this defense,
(22:51):
on this pass rush because of those bigger name guys
on the other side, Josh wet Klais Campbell is going
to attract attention, Dalvin Tomlinson. There's gonna be opportunities for
the entire defensive line to really improve their game.
Speaker 2 (23:05):
I forgot about that NFL dot Com list, probably as
I'm trying to forget all these lists. Season five most
improved units in the NFL. Cardinals defensive line was one
of those you know what facts?
Speaker 7 (23:15):
I mean?
Speaker 2 (23:17):
Was there a bigger weakness or a bigger liability? A
year ago, once again doing part to injury, but coming
out of the break, coming out of the bye last year,
you lost a home game to Seattle, Zach Charboney ran
for seven yards of carry. You lost to Chewba Hubbard
and Carolina. They ran for two fifty in that game.
There were teams that lineup and said, can you stop it?
We're gonna run between the tackles. What are you gonna
(23:37):
do about it? So if you fix that problem. All right,
let's play ball.
Speaker 5 (23:41):
A lot of resources devoted to the front seven, both
financial and draft capital. Again, we'll have to see how
it looks on the field. And bird Gang, you want
to join the Arizona Cardinals. Cardinals Premier Travel Monday Night
Football in Dallas. Good, asycardstravel dot Com. That's asycardstravel dot com.
Speaker 2 (24:06):
Staff to Murray, and he's gonna keep the money to
the right.
Speaker 3 (24:09):
He's got to rumb the forty five forty He points
to the sky as he takes up at the learning
and that's went the tenth of five touchdown, a design
run for Kyler Murray.
Speaker 2 (24:19):
It goes for fifty yards.
Speaker 12 (24:21):
You know, we haven't had a lot of national games,
and you know this guy can make all the throws
inside the pocket, outside the pocket, and he's quick. You
see it on tape. He's out running everybody all the time,
even like that forty nine Ers game where in San
fran he he points up to the touchdown, you know,
forty to fifty yards away, knowing he's going to score.
Speaker 10 (24:44):
You know, I haven't seen a QB do day.
Speaker 5 (24:47):
Well, if there is one Cardinals player who will know
more than anyone else about opposing quarterbacks. It's the Cardinal
safety who to Baker talking about Kyle the Murray on
the Mina Chaim Show featuring Lenny Welcome back, second half
of the Cardinals, Red seer Port, Greigoria, Lupal Kelvic and
Rob Frederickson. Turning our attention to the other side of
(25:10):
the ball. A lot of defensive talk about We talked
about the offense, and yes, k one going into year
seven coming off one of his better years statistically speaking,
but we all expect going into year three within this
offensive scheme that there is another jump to be taken,
especially when there's not much of a difference on that
(25:32):
offense outside of maybe right guard, but everyone else. Rob
is back from last year's offensive team.
Speaker 6 (25:39):
Yeah, it seems like every year about around this time
we're having a conversation of how important this year is
for Kyler Murray. It's pivotal. I really firmly believe that
this year is pivotal for Kyler Murray in this offense.
To your point, it didn't really make a lot of
changes additions to the offense in the offseason. It was
(26:01):
more focused on the defense. I think essentially what they're
saying is We're good enough offensively to get it done.
We just have to be effective. We have to produce
and we have to do the things offensively that are
expected of us. And a lot of that falls on
Kyler Murray. And you opened with the talking about him
running the football. It's something that he hasn't historically been
(26:25):
warm to or excited about, but I think he realizes
that and this team surely realizes what a weapon that
is to have Kyler Murray, the threat of him running
the football when when coverages break down, and just the
ability for him to do that and the focus that
it forces the defense to take. It's a game changer.
(26:47):
And for Kyler to do that more offscript, not necessarily
planned runs, but off script really to me changes the
entire dynamic of this offense and what it can be.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
It's interesting buddhas cited the Niners game second play from
scrimmage at Santa Clair and he goes fifty yards right,
he gone and the finger up in the air on
a design run. Well, if you look at some of
the analytics, next Gen Stats for example, said Kyler led
all quarterbacks on rush yards over expected on design runs
last year. Thing is you only had twenty seven of them,
(27:20):
compared to seventy nine for Lamar Jackson, fifty eight for
Jayden Daniels. Even Daniel Jones had thirty one more than Kyler,
and Kyler himself has been the one to bring up
running a little bit more, not necessarily design runs, but
stressing a defense, being being active, getting out of the pocket,
eyes downfield if you can throw it first and making
completion great. If not, you know what, stress a defense
(27:41):
with my legs. And remember in twenty twenty he had
eleven rushing touchdowns, So for me, if nothing else, continue
to make him a threat with his legs in the
red zone to keep a defense honest. He can outrace
most anybody to the pylon and you don't look to
be a little more advantageous right and going after the run.
(28:02):
And Drew Petsing has talked about it as well, and
just try and keep a defense a little more honest
with the legs.
Speaker 5 (28:08):
That twenty twenty season one hundred and thirty three rushing
attempts for Kyler, last season seventy eight, So I don't
think we need to see Kyler with one hundred plus
rushing attempts. But to your point, Paul it's when is
he running inside the twenty, inside the ten and then
play breaks down. Okay, everyone's downfield. You see Elaye, get
(28:31):
those seven, eight, nine, ten yards. Maybe you break break
one off like he did against San Francisco.
Speaker 2 (28:36):
And he's the one who brought up Lamar Jackson and
Josh Allen in the playoffs. It's almost like he was
sitting around watching the AFC playoffs last year and the
light bulb went off and said, man, look at how
tough they are to defend, especially in key third downs.
Not only is it opportunistic for the quarterback. You move
the sticks right, you sustain a drive, but it's really
backbreaking and demoralizing. I mean, Rob, you tell me playing
(28:58):
on that side of the ball, you got everyone cover,
all the gaps right are cont and then all of
a sudden, the stinking quarterback runs seven yards for the
first down. It is deflating, moralizing.
Speaker 6 (29:07):
Nothing worse for a defense. We have no you have
no defense for that. You have nothing for that. You
can't spy. Put a spy on Kyler Murray, he'll outrun
the spy. It's not something that you can do because
then you're taking away from the coverage. So Yeah, it's
a huge weapon for the Cardinals. It's a huge weapon
that they need to utilize more often.
Speaker 5 (29:29):
Well, let's hear from the Cardinals franchise quarterback Kyler Murray
over the weekend, asked about his mentality heading into training
camp number seven.
Speaker 13 (29:39):
I'm just ready to go, honestly, just kind of just
enjoy these last couple of days before you know, let's
go Tom. But as far as heaspace, I mean, my
mental has been on what's what's to come this whole
all season, you know, Severn since the last game, probably
took maybe four or five days off and it was
right back to it. Yeah, man, I like I said,
I love what I do and I'm ready to, you know,
(30:00):
go out there and execute the season.
Speaker 5 (30:01):
K one speaking with Fox ten again. The Cardinals report
to training camp today, first practice Wednesday, first open practice
at State Farm Stadium on Thursday. All the details including
on how you can go, parking and admission free, but
you need to register Azycardinals dot com for all the information.
And now it's the question, Okay, Kyler Murray, going into
(30:22):
year seven, year three, within this offense, what do we
see differently from this offense or is it just presented differently,
and maybe things don't look a whole lot different, but
maybe the defenses they look a little different.
Speaker 6 (30:36):
I think there'll be a lot in the game plan.
There'll be a lot of the same plays, but they'll
get to them in different manner. They'll get to them
different personnel groups, through motions, through shifts we've heard, We've
heard them trade talking about the sauce right, so that
they'll get to it differently. I think a little bit
more pre snap movement to try and get these wide
(31:00):
receivers in motion a little bit, get them a little
bit freed up at the line of scrimmage so they
can get into their routes and improve that timing between
Kyler Murray and the receivers. So I think that's what
you're going to see. Still same play concepts, same route concepts,
but maybe they'll they'll be a little bit more sauce,
a little bit more magic pre snap. In terms of
(31:20):
what you might see.
Speaker 5 (31:21):
Well, you brought up Trey. How about we hear from
the Cardinals tied end Trey McBride about the offense here
in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 14 (31:28):
There's so many guys on this offense that can make
plays and I think that's what makes us so unique
is Michael can go off for a hundred yards, Great
dors can go for one hundred yards, James Connor can
run for one hundred and fifty. Like the sky's the
limit for our offense. There's all these guys are so good.
They can all make plays. And you know what, maybe
I have ten catches one game. In the next game,
I have two catches, and Marvin has ten catches, and
(31:50):
whatever it may be. But Kyler's going to get the
ball to the right people. He's going to go through
his progression and he's going to get the ball to
where it needs to go. And whether that's to me, Marvin,
Mike Dorsch, whoever it is, I'm all these guys.
Speaker 5 (32:01):
That's the good thing to hear, the fact that there
are a number of different weapons for Kyler to choose from.
But let's make no mistake about it. This is a
run first offense. This is what Drew Petson wants to do.
It's been successful, Paul the first two seasons. Why change anything.
You're just looking to enhance it a little bit with
maybe a little bit more of a consistent, more efficient
pass game.
Speaker 2 (32:22):
And if you can get more explosives in the pass game.
I think that would be key. And you've cited this
stab before. Cardinals were top five last year in chunk runs,
but they were bottom twenty five percent, bottom quarter of
the league in chunk pass plays. So can you keep
a defense on his downfield a little bit more with
greater efficiency? And then can you develop some more chemistry
(32:44):
with someone other than Trey McBride, you know, can that
be hopefully it's Marvin Errison junior. Can it be Greg
Dersch or Michael Wilson at a greater rate Zay Jones
On third down? There needs to be more third down
options than just number eighty five a Pro Bowl tight end.
And I think that, to me is where this offense
elevates this year.
Speaker 5 (33:03):
And as far as the chunk throws, maybe it's not
air yards, but I'm going to turn it now on
the past catchers. Can you break a tackle? Can you
extend a five yard catch to ten, eleven, twelve yards?
Speaker 2 (33:15):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (33:16):
Some of that is on the quarterback throwing you open,
throwing you and catching the ball in stride and not
just running rout, turning around getting the ball and then
collapsing going to the turfic. Can you extend plays on
your own as a wide receiver?
Speaker 6 (33:29):
Yeah, I know a lot of times with those chunk
throws that you see, it requires a receiver to kind
of clear out the secondary, take the focus of a
safety with them in terms of just running a go route.
Who's going to be that player? I think that's also
something that training camp's got to kind of uncovers. Who's
going to be that player to quote unquote take the
(33:52):
top off of the defense and allow those intermediate routes
underneath to really open up and develop so that it'll
be exciting to see.
Speaker 2 (34:01):
I mean, it was conspicuous by its absence, right, They
didn't really add anything of significance to the wide receiver room.
But if Marvin Arrison Junior takes a big leap in
year two, that's like adding another receiver. If Xavier Weaver,
who we saw a little bit of a little bit
the end of last season, could be the guy that
Rob just cited, the speed guy to take the top
off in certain situations. If Zay Jones, now with a
(34:23):
full season, could get in sync with Kyler. We know
how hell bent that Michael Wilson is on being that
guy wide receiver too. And we saw Greg Dortsch when
he got more targets the last couple of years. So
I think there's more to be had in this receiver
room and that'll go a long way towards dictating where
the Cardinals make a serious run of the postseason.
Speaker 5 (34:42):
Zay Jones, remember miss the first third of the season unavailable,
Now you have him for a full season. Was a
look with him in that wide receiver room. More offensive
discussion as we are here, it's the Cardinals Red Sea
Report on the Arizona Cardinals Radio Network.
Speaker 15 (35:03):
The seventy first pick ten to twenty twenty four NFL Draft,
the Arizona Cardinals select Isaiah Adams, guard, University of Illinois.
Speaker 2 (35:15):
This guy's am all er.
Speaker 7 (35:16):
I mean, he'll get after you.
Speaker 9 (35:17):
And that's we're looking for grimy offensive lineman and we're
gonna put your face in the dirt, you know. And
this guy is that kind of a guy.
Speaker 4 (35:23):
He loves ball.
Speaker 10 (35:24):
He's a finisher off the field. I'm really polite, kind
of laid back on the fields. It's time to part
of my language, but it's time to kill people.
Speaker 5 (35:34):
And that's exactly what you want. And an offensive lineman
especially an interior offensive lineman. The drafting, the selection of
Isaiah Adams two years ago, he should say last offseason.
We saw him on the field for fifteen games, started
the final five at right guard. You also heard in
there assistant GM Dave Sears talk about Isaiah Adams third
(35:57):
round pick, seventy first overall l Illinois. And the question is, Paul,
that's the only question mark that I have as far
as a starting lineup. Who's your starting right guard? Is
it Isaiah Adams? Does he pick up where he left
off last season? You know that whole right side of
the line. We're gonna keep an eye on Jonah Williams.
What's his recovery from the knee injury. You know, Christian Jones,
(36:20):
Calvin Beacham, we saw him during the media session, you know,
in the off season during mandatory mini camp. All right,
what is the right side of the Cardinals offensive line
consist of?
Speaker 7 (36:30):
Who?
Speaker 2 (36:30):
What is it at? You know, where is it at?
Isaiah Adams? Look, the last five games, got a lot
of really valuable experience that we had him on the
big Red rage. He won some reps and he most
definitely lost some reps against some really experienced disruptive three techniques.
He learned a lot, and he also learned he needed
to get stronger, and he said he did get stronger,
And he said even a mandatory mini camp running through
(36:51):
non contract drills, he could tell he is stronger, especially
his lower body. So okay, if he's gonna bring the tanacity,
he's gonna bring the skills. But now he has the
strength and the ability to handle some of these bull
rushes and really lock up grown men there in the trenches.
You know what, Cardinals might have a starting caliber right
guard for the next decade if if he can make
(37:12):
some of those improvements that were somewhat obvious this time
a year ago in training camp where physically he just
needed to get stronger.
Speaker 5 (37:19):
Before we get your comments, Rob, how about we hear
from the man himself, Isaiah Adams on his focus this
past offseason.
Speaker 10 (37:26):
I think it was more so from a mental aspect,
just kind of trying to slow the game down, trying
to look at the game, you know, going into this
offseason from not really just with blinders on, but maybe
just kind of brought in my vision and kind of
understand what's happening out there and why things are happening.
You know, more defensive coverages could influence a D line game.
So just not trying to look at it just from
(37:47):
a one v one, but more like from an eleven
v eleven.
Speaker 5 (37:49):
It's one thing to have the physical traits, it's another
thing to have the understanding. And it certainly sounds like
that's what Isaiah did a lot this offseason is understanding
what it takes. Because you can be beat if you're
the biggest, the toughest because you just don't quite understand
where guys are coming, angles and all that. It's the
little details that make you successful.
Speaker 10 (38:11):
In the NFL.
Speaker 6 (38:12):
That's the little things. Details are everything. You know, we
talked about how Will Johnson is gonna make Marvin Harrison
Junior better, Well, there's no better litmus test for Isaiah
Adams than this defensive line that the Cardinals have constructed
now in training camp and and really what they can
do for Isaiah Adams and and just in terms of
just making him be better, I mean going every day
(38:34):
against Kalaias Campbell, Walter Nolan Junior, Dalvin Tomlinson. You just
the the reps that he's gonna get in training camp
in practice are going to be so beneficial for his growth.
And there's a there's a kind of a sub storyline
here about the sophomore players, about the second year players
(38:56):
and will they make that sophomore jump. I'd look for
Isaiah Adams to be one of those guys because everything's
lined up for him. You got a veteran offensive line
he's he's the one position where there's a little bit
of a question mark. He's got the ability, he's just
you know, he's got to put it all together, and
he's going to have every opportunity to do that.
Speaker 2 (39:17):
You know, there are a couple of free agent guards
still out in the market of Brandon Shurf. There's a
couple of guys out there. I just throw that out
there in case, in case they get into camp and
they realize, Okay, you know what, and the fifth day
in camp and you're in full pads and it's a
line D line And to Rob's point, is someone who's
been there and done that. When we asked Isaiah Adams
(39:38):
about the whole dynamic of being offensive lineman in those
D line drills, right and it's just you mono imano
out in space, and he said he already has been
looking at Dalvin Thomas and going, that's going to be
a handful. You know, they threw six y three. They
listened at three twenty five, and so I think the
Cardinals are going to know right away, Okay, has he
made that jump at least in terms of strength and
handling the bull rush camp.
Speaker 6 (40:00):
The problem is you have what three maybe four padded practices.
That's the only time you really have the opportunity to
evaluate these guys in the interior offensive line. It's not
like the old days where every practice, you know, you
could you could have an evaluation after two days in
the old days, but now there's there's not many padded practices.
Speaker 2 (40:22):
Maybe that's another reason why JG wants more friction his words,
more friction not only to prepare the team obviously for
the season, but evaluation. There's gonna be some tough some
tough cuts. I mean, there's some tough decisions. There's gonna
be NFL dudes who get cut who will sign with
another team, and the Cardinals haven't had that in a
few years.
Speaker 5 (40:40):
Again, there is an opening, there is a job, is it?
Isaiah Adams is to lose. He is, though ready to
be taken seriously at right guard.
Speaker 10 (40:50):
I'm ready, man, I've I've prepared my whole life for it.
So I think I just want to take it one
day at a time, and you know, I'm not get
too high and just keep competing. I think you you
never know what's going to happen until you're running out
that tunnel week one. So for right now, it's just
there's so much more work to do, and you know,
it's a long, long season and kind of getting ready
to play seventeen games.
Speaker 5 (41:10):
Isaiah has the right mindset and then you look, okay,
you plug him in at right guard. He turns to
his left, he's got yelled to for all veteran. He
turns to his right, and he's got a veteran, whether
it's Jonah Williams or Calvin Beacham. So maybe he's not
the veteran that maybe people want, but at least he's
surrounded by veterans who can help him. A little help here,
(41:33):
a little tap, okay, don't forget to do this. And
then all of a sudden you build up his confidence
from week one to five to ten twelve, and all
of a sudden you're like, wow, we just found a
starting right guard going forward.
Speaker 6 (41:44):
I bet he's sick of hearing about all this by now,
you know, just like all of the questions about are
you the are you ready? Are you the guy? Are
you the right guard for the Arizona Cardinals. I bet
he's so sick of it. I hope I hope that
he and puts that chip on his shoulder in training
camp and really uses it to his advantage, because I
(42:06):
know I would as a player, I would be so
sick and tired of people essentially questioning me whether or
not I'm good enough that to me gets old real
quick as a player.
Speaker 2 (42:17):
Or maybe the Cardinals know something we don't. Maybe internally
they've seen enough of Isaiah Adams. They didn't draft an
interior offensive well, Hayden Connor obviously in round six. But
is he going to compete for the right guard? Is
he more going to maybe be in competition with Evan Brown?
That could be an under the radar guy that has
given every single opportunity forty three games he started at
(42:39):
Texas against some of the best in college football. I
mean the two Michigan defensive linemen Kenneth Grant, Mason Graham.
Dave Sears told us go put on the film and
look at Hayden Connor against those two guys. So maybe,
just maybe, by the end of camp there's more competition
in that position than we thought.
Speaker 5 (42:54):
And there's also Royce Newman who they brought in, a
veteran who does have extensive experience, specifically at that right
guard position. He's not a big name, but if you're
looking for someone as a potential backup in the case
things don't work out, Fries Adams. And then you brought
up names on the street, Paul and the one name
(43:15):
that everyone is familiar with. He still have his uniform
number available, is he healthy? And that's Will Hernandez. I
do believe Will get Will will get signed at some point.
It's just a matter of which team. And then you
start training camp, and then when do you make that
evaluation or say we need to pull the trigger, and
that is not just at offensive line, but any position
(43:36):
where like what we thought we had maybe we don't. Hey,
let's let's get a little bit more sure of where
we are at a particular position, and that's when in
training camp roster moves start happening.
Speaker 2 (43:49):
I would say, thanks for asking Craig that the top
questions you want answered by the end of camp. One
middle linebacker, two right guard, and then three cornerback, one
for wide receiver two. These are all questions I'm guessing
MANI and JG have in the back of their mind
that they would love to have answers to by the
time you get to Week one at New Orleans.
Speaker 5 (44:09):
You got preseason games. There's the joint practice, only one
joint practice against the Denver Broncos, which probably supersedes that
preseason game in Denver. But to your point, Robie, you
brought it up. You're not in pads every single day.
You're limited in how many padded practices you can have
before the start of the regular season. So it becomes
(44:30):
more difficult to make those evaluations.
Speaker 6 (44:33):
Especially those positions that rely on the physicality the offensive line,
that defensive line. That's a tough decision. You have to
go on your instinct, you have to go on your gut,
you have to go on history a little bit, and
so those are difficult decisions for the Cardinals to make.
That's why every rep that you have as a player
is so vital. I don't care if it is in pads.
(44:53):
I don't care if it's just in shorts.
Speaker 2 (44:55):
Every rep is vital joint practice. Isaiah Adams against Zach Allen.
The wilmaccardinal O Line D Line training camp is here.
We'll be out at State Farm Stadium next Tuesday when
we come to you live here on the Red Sea
Reports Special thanks behind the scenes. Jim Moa Mahundro, Couldy Fincher,
Ryan Sacora for Rod Frederckson, Paul Calvc. I'm Craig Real Lou.
(45:16):
This is the Arizona Cardinals Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (45:24):
You've been listening to the Cardinals Red Sea Report.
Speaker 3 (45:27):
It is caught by McBride hen It's a touchdown boot
a Baker with the sack strip the ball. HER's gonna
score touchdown, Oh baby.
Speaker 1 (45:36):
The Cardinals Red Sea Report is brought to you by
the Arizona Cardinals mobile app. Visit Azycardinals dot com, slash app.
Speaker 10 (45:44):
Touchdown Cardinals Whim.
Speaker 1 (45:46):
This has been an exclusive presentation of the Arizona Cardinals
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