March 13, 2025 • 45 mins
Ep. 707 - One of the Cardinals biggest needs heading into free agency was a dominant pass rusher. They checked that box with the signing of former Eagles linebacker Josh Sweat. Paul Calvisi sits down with Sweat to discuss why he chose Arizona, his productive history with head coach Jonathan Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, goals for 2025 and beyond and why he likes to build computers in his spare time. Plus, Calvisi and Craig Grialou are joined by former Cardinals QB Drew Stanton to talk about the reported additions of QB Jacoby Brissett and DL Dalvin Tomlinson, why an interior pass rush is so hard to handle and much more.
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Stramp on the boots and scrape up the knuckles.
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Hol On ahead, he got jacked.
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This is the Big Red Rage presented by santan Ford
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Gonna score touchdown.
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Slim to the ground by Buddha Banker Like a torpedo,
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The Rage.
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That was spectacular and by Arizona Cardinals podcast. Visit Azycardinals dot.
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Com slash podcast.
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All Red Sea is rising up, dude, You're rising Vision
Flurry Rage, take it over.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Here's Paul Calvic.
Speaker 4 (00:51):
I'm ready.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
I'm one hundred percent ready.
Speaker 4 (00:53):
I'm telling you I'm ready.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
And Ron Wolfley.
Speaker 6 (00:56):
It doesn't get any better than that.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
The fjord.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Well, not exactly, Craig Griolut filling in and I put
it to you, gree how many years has the Big
Red Rage been on the air. And if you're wondering
if I'm blindsiding you, it's right at the top of
the sheet there. It is on that our Jim al
Mohundra right. Yes, yes, it's show number seven oh seven,
which makes for how many years on the air twenty four? Okay,
(01:25):
so half my age in honor, in honor of two
dozen years on the air. Not only is the original
Thursday night Football take that Amazon Prime, but as a
show that airs during Happy Hour, Craig grielou, have you
ever heard of a mixologist? I have, yes, Okay, don't
(01:46):
call it a bartender, it's a mixologist.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
And forget a college degree. I believe in mixologe, Julie,
I didn't know that.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
I'm just learning about this a person skilled in making
mixed drinks, who knows this significance behind each ingredient and
the impact of the mixing technique. Could we say here
on the Big Red Rage presented by santan Ford and Gilbert,
we are santan Ford that that NFL gms are football mixologists,
adding ingredients, mixing them in just right, hoping when they
(02:14):
hit blend right that it all comes out into a
tasty drink come Week one in September.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
I can go with that, Paul, because you're looking at
offensive players, defensive players, supplements, special teams, and then don't
forget we are all looking ahead to April and the draft,
so you have to kind of mix both free agency
and draft prep here in the month of March.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Speaking offense and defense. Guess what big time free agent,
Josh what, we'll join us a little bit later in
this big time free agency addition to the big Red Rage.
And then after that, how about Drew Stanton Batten clean
up around here, former Cardinals quarterback. We'll talk about the
reported deal for Jacoby Brissett, one former Cleveland Browns quarterback
to another, and some other thoughts Drew stan has about
(02:59):
where the Cardinals standing, where they should head going into
the rest of free agency in the off season in
the twenty twenty five season. But let's just start naming
some names here because it has been a busy week
that got underway Monday morning with the legal tampering. I
always enjoy that legal tampering reminds me of the Purge
lawlessness for twenty four hours. Apparently I won't get into
all that, but Josh Sweat, before we actually hear from
(03:22):
Josh Swatt, just give me your initial reaction and where
do you think it makes the biggest difference to this roster.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
Well, look, he is now all of a sudden, your
game wrecker, or you hope becomes your game wrecker. How
many times have we talked about looking at the defense
in the fourth quarter, You need to stop, you need
to take away, you need someone to make a play. Josh,
what can be that guy? Heck, he was in the
Super Bowl with two and a half sex and a
team high six pressures. He was a game wrecker, probably
(03:50):
should have been the Super Bowl MVP. But he fills
a need something that we've been talking a lot about.
And perhaps Paul maybe the absence at that position since oh,
I don't know, Chandler Jones. Perhaps back in the day,
someone that you know is going to get after the
opposing quarterback.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Yeah, that guy that the opposing offensive coordinator has to
game plan for. You haven't had that since Chandler Jones.
And look, he really flourished under Jonathan Gann and Nick
Rolis When and asks Josh Sweat about that pro bowler
in twenty twenty one, eleven sacks a career high in
twenty twenty two, and like you mentioned, he played his
best football in his last outing on the biggest stage,
(04:29):
Super Bowl fifty nine. So can't wait to talk to Josh.
Speaker 4 (04:32):
What about all that?
Speaker 2 (04:33):
But the Cardinals made other additions to this roster. Let's
talk about the reported signing of the big nose tackle,
the three technique, Dalvin Tomlinson two years of reported twenty
nine million, sixteen million guaranteed. The past couple of years
with Cleveland where he has been a nuisance in the interior,
but to me, you're talking about a guy who actually
(04:55):
plays bigger than he is, and that's saying something because
he's sixty three to three twenty five.
Speaker 1 (04:59):
Just turn thirty one in February, so last month. And
this is what I like. And it goes back to
what we saw a year ago when Monny dipped his
toe into free agency. Many of those signings were based
off of production, yes, but also availability and unfortunately, yes,
justin Jones blow Nichols got hurt. That's the breaks now.
(05:21):
Dalvin Tomlinson, Paul. He has played at least sixteen games
in every season but one, and that was twenty twenty two.
He has been available. He has been a starter the
last two years for the Cleveland Browns. He is someone
that doesn't come off the field a heck of a
lot so I'm very curious, now, if you maintain that
rotation along that defensive line, someone who plays all three
(05:44):
downs much like a Josh Sweat, could this defense look
a little bit different as far as that hockey line
shuffling that sometimes we saw during the course of a game.
Maybe that's not the case now here in year three
with this defense. But I'm I'm very bullish and pleased
to see that the not just the defensive line, but
the interior of the defensive line was addressed with the
(06:06):
Dalvin Tomlinson reported contract agreement.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
And speaking of a line shuffling, you know, Cardinals had
some losses along the defensive line. Roy Lopez goes to
the Lions, Kyries Tonga to New England, Nakwon Jones to
the LA Chargers. Bought you re sign LJ. Collier, And
with the return of Justin Jones and Blall Nichols, Darius Robinson,
all three players knock gun Wood are gonna be fully
(06:30):
healthy and ready to go. And then with LJ. Collier,
Dante Stills, Dalvin Tomlinson, it's a pretty stout rotation of
six legit defensive linemen.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
And I do think there'll be a seventh, meaning someone
in the draft, if not with the first pick, the
second pick, because as we've heard, and I was in
Indianapolis for that week of the scouting combine, and just
how deep the draft is along the defensive front and
specifically defensive tackle. So it would not surprise me, even
(07:02):
with Dalvin Tomlinson coming into the fold, if the Cardinals
at sixteen or forty seven looked at defensive tackle to
supplement and to add depth at a position that we
saw in the postseason. Who are the teams that are
successful in the postseason, Those are the teams that win
the line of scrimmage.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
And if not the d line room, nobody would be
surprised if the Cardinals went for an edge. This draft
is very deep, very talented in edge. So speaking up
Josh Sweat coming our way momentarily the Baron of pass Rush.
I hope to use that nickname this year. I hope
Baron Browning has that sort of productive year. He had
a very productive finish to the end of last season.
(07:40):
He had back to back games with sacks when he
took down Drake May and Bryce Young and so Baron
Browning two year deal met the media this week reported
fifteen million and he's somebody who at least in his discussion,
and we had a chance to talk to him on
Cardinals cover too as well. You know, he wasn't fully
healthy all last year. He suffered that foot injury, missed
some game with Denver, and then he sort of toughed
(08:02):
it out through December and January. I'm real curious to.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
See what sort of upside he has felt more comfortable
late in the season. But what he also told us
Paul was the fact that he is still developing his
pass rush moves. He came into the league as an
inside linebacker, so really has not been a full edge
rusher for his entire career. And now all of a sudden, yeah,
he showed flashes last season, what can his production look
(08:27):
like a Zavian Collins look like a bj Ojeli knock
on Wood if healthy with Josh Sweat on the other side,
when everyone is focused on him, now, all of a sudden,
maybe you get a little bit more production and elevation
from everyone else in that room. So Barren Browning, I think,
was one of those players among the twenty unrestricted free
(08:48):
agents this team had that if you were going to
list who you wanted back I think Browning was going
to be near the top, if not at the top
of the list.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
And keep in mind bjo Jeli tracking to come back
from the knee injury in camp. Then you bring back
Evan Brown, Calvin Beacham, the two linemen who started a
ton of games twenty nine combined a year ago. And
then a couple of newcomers at the linebacker position, Keem Davis,
Gaytheer and Michael Walker. Give me your thoughts. Let's start
with Adg as he calls himself on Cardinals social media.
(09:20):
Here's a guy who started the final six games, sort
of hints a mac Wilson senior the way he finished
with New England.
Speaker 6 (09:25):
Huh.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
I like that comparison, because remember it's easy in retrospect.
Oh yeah, mac Wilson senior. No, I mean, I'll raise
my hand. When that signing was announced, I had to
go back and look, all right, who is mac Wilson senior? Well,
he wasn't a starter. In fact, ADG has started more
games before arriving with the Cardinals than mac Wilson did
in that season before. So you've got someone who's coming
(09:47):
in probably wants to be a starter, someone who can
also play on special teams. That was most of his
work last season with the Bengals was on special teams.
But now all of a sudden, with Kaiser White and
Chris Barnes pending free agents, not pending, they are free agents,
what's their future? They have not been brought back? Is
adg and Walker now all of a sudden replacements and
(10:09):
lining up next to Mac?
Speaker 2 (10:11):
Yeah, Walker's got size six three two thirty. In twenty twenty,
started twelve to sixteen games that he played with the Falcons,
had a really productive year. There are connections on the
Cardinals coaching staff in the front office to Walker from
his Atlanta days. And then there's my theory Craig, as
to what exactly is the future is Zavon Collins. Notice
I didn't put him in that outside linebacker edge position
(10:33):
room because I'm wondering, if Kaiser White is not returning,
if Chris Barnes is not returning, and you're much more
stout and deep at outside linebacker than could do Zavion
Collins returned to the mic.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
Could Zavon and Mack maybe be that interchangeable piece where
you see some more floating inside but still that outside
linebacker at least the designation of which I think Zavon's
gonna stay put, but he does do so much. His
versatility is very, very thought well of within that coaching staff.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
There's no doubt that the front office is sending a
message to the locker room. This team is prepared to win.
Now make a run at the postseason. I've got a
guy who played in the final game of the season
a month ago, was in a Super Bowl parade. Josh
Sweat is next on the Big Red Rage presented by
Santan Ford in Gilbert.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
Hand up, pitch down, rocked up in the backfield. Sweat
got there first, had a loss of two.
Speaker 5 (11:37):
Back to draw again, steps away for pressure, but not
the next one.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
As he gets dropped. Josh Sweat gets home and makefield
somehow hold out of that ball.
Speaker 5 (11:46):
Joe's got a moment, didn't release it.
Speaker 1 (11:49):
He's shack get sat at twenty five.
Speaker 5 (11:52):
Josh sweet fun.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
Said trumble, he is shot.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
Josh Sweat with the shat Lawrence sit as he throws.
That was Josh Sweat who got.
Speaker 4 (12:01):
A porsit of Lawrence's arm.
Speaker 5 (12:03):
And it was under pressure again swung down, turning one
yard line. Josh Sweat Stafford, stem By so much. That
is Josh Sweat Sex pattew Stafford.
Speaker 6 (12:16):
Here is Harris again.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
And he gets Watts.
Speaker 4 (12:19):
Nowhere to go. Josh Sweat was here.
Speaker 5 (12:21):
Here's a home's pressure right away.
Speaker 1 (12:23):
The home is sack.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Josh Sweat gets home and Josh Sweat has a new home.
You want to splash in the backfield. You want to
splash in a super Bowl. You want to splash signing
in free agency. We don't know Josh's middle name, but
it could easily be Cannonball at this point, a big
red rage. Welcome to Josh Sweat himself. Welcome to Arizona.
(12:48):
You got to be the busiest guy in town today.
Speaker 4 (12:52):
Probably, Man, it's it's been a roller coaster.
Speaker 2 (12:55):
They're testing your cardio. They're going up, up tempo with
you all day. It's all right speaking energy, okay, because
we love your energy already. What was it like when
you reunited with Jonathan Gannon, your former defensive coordinator in Philadelphia.
I'm gonna start right there.
Speaker 4 (13:09):
Shoot, it was a class You know, you already know
how he is a always hype, always hyper, and it
was great to see him again. Man. I didn't expect
anything less.
Speaker 2 (13:20):
All right, we're gonna get back into that in a minute.
Just tell me about the past month or so. I
mean a month ago you were in a Super Bowl
parade and it must have been a blur ever since.
Just sort of describe what it's been like this last
month and all the way through now a brand new
home and a brand new contract.
Speaker 4 (13:37):
Shoot. Super Bowl week was long, man, and then we played.
We didn't get a chance to even realize what we've done,
you know, is and uh yeah, then then the parade
and and that's and then for me, it was in
a lot of us straight on a free agency, so
we didn't really get a chance to let it so
(13:58):
all in. But it's you know, but it was. It
was amazing. It was amazing seeing all those people out there.
It was amazing.
Speaker 2 (14:04):
And you avoided any beer cans, right, you didn't get
hit by a beer can? Hey, that was barred by
your your your former GM. Yeah yeah, yeah, Josh Sweat
is our guest right here.
Speaker 4 (14:16):
All right.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
So a lot of the rankings had you the number
one free agent available in this process?
Speaker 6 (14:22):
What's that like?
Speaker 2 (14:24):
You do not necessarily have to name names and name teams,
but was it truly they put the word frenzy with
free agency? Was there a lot of that this last
week or so?
Speaker 4 (14:32):
I mean, I mean, honestly, I tried my best to
stay out of it. I left my agent handle most
of it. But I could only imagine the process he
went through, you know, I mean I could so I
told her keep me out of it. Only gave me
to you know, the important stuff.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
But that's all you all right, So simply put, why
the Arizona Cardinals.
Speaker 4 (14:56):
I mean, I thought it was the best fit for me.
It was more more than money is us situation?
Speaker 6 (15:00):
Man?
Speaker 4 (15:00):
And being around Ganning and Rylis, guys that I've already
you know, been around and you know, have have won
games with, and I just knew they would play me
in the right way. So that's what I want.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
You're two years with them, twenty one, you went to
a Pro Bowl, twenty two, you had a career high
eleven sacks. How or whare did those two get the best.
Speaker 4 (15:21):
Out of you?
Speaker 5 (15:23):
Just go?
Speaker 4 (15:24):
I mean, they know they know him selfless, so I'll
do whatever it takes to help the team win. But
at the end of the day, they just realized what
was best was just let me, let me go, Let
me go.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
You know, Josh Sweaters. Our guest Jonathan Ganne at the
comme I he spoke of people, asked about free agency,
you know some of his former players of the Eagles,
you and Milton Williams, And he said, yeah, that helps
when a coach knows, you know, as that familiarity. How
about the reverse of that, how about when a player
knows the coach? How much confidence that give you in
making this decision?
Speaker 4 (15:52):
Yeah, That's what I'm saying. So I was, you know,
just looking at the team ascending already, you know, trying
to build and do great things, and then the tip,
you know, just just put it over the put it
over the edge. When I knew guys already here, And
I mean that's that was those two guys, Rillas and
Ganning were to decide in factor.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
We talk about getting the best out of you. That
Super Bowl performance? Was that the best gamer of your
NFL career?
Speaker 6 (16:20):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (16:20):
Yeah? Most Yeah, I mean given the circumstances, yes, but yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
Have you ever been to the game where you affected
the quarterback like that and you did it with only
four the entire game? I mean, how why was that possible?
And I mean what that's gotta be quite an accomplishment
in your book.
Speaker 4 (16:42):
I mean yeah, I mean the whole week, it was
all the d line. You gotta you gotta do it,
you gotta do it. That's big right there, and it's
gonna come down to y'all and it's like, I'm not
even gonna y'all, just gotta go, and he said, just go.
They came out passing and we got it done pretty
much every every play, every play.
Speaker 2 (17:02):
And to do that on the biggest stage in sports.
If a young player came up to you in this
Cardinals locker room and said, Josh, how did you do that?
How did you play your best game in the biggest moment,
how would you explain that?
Speaker 4 (17:17):
I mean, let's be real, it's the last game. You
ain't got you do have something to lose, but it's
still just like, man, it's the last game. Let me
going on ahead and just put it all on the line.
And like I said, it was it was. It was
a game plan to just go go forward, just go
get them.
Speaker 2 (17:32):
So for fans who aren't familiar with the game and
the skill set of Josh Waite, give us a quick
Scott report on what you bring to this defense.
Speaker 4 (17:40):
Shoot just hit a man, just hit a lead anywhere
I can. I had a lot of great mentors coming through.
So man, I'm just here to bring some more energy,
bring some more whatever whatever rank game passed, rush to
you know, help this already a sending team, you know,
get get some more wins. That's that's all I want
to do, is win.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
Anything that you had to say to JG or JG
had had to say to you, any any particular message,
and how much do you look forward to playing for
those guys again?
Speaker 4 (18:08):
Man, I'm excited. I can't even really explain, but it
was just it was just man, it was just a reunion.
It was just it's great to see you.
Speaker 1 (18:15):
Man.
Speaker 4 (18:15):
Let's just we already know how we are. We want
to work, and that's all it was. Was like, let's
get to work and man, let's have some fun at
the end of the day. Let's let's have some fun winning.
All right.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
I'm gonna have some fun with you because I saw
in your bio that as a hobby you build computers
from scratch and your spare time. So like, if I
have an issue with my laptop here and the it
guys are busy, can I come find you in the
locker room. Are you like you're well versed in all this.
Speaker 4 (18:40):
I'm not a laptop builder, only a desktop I see. Yeah, yeah, yeah,
yeah yeah I can't. It's not they aren't modular enough
for me to work on our laptop.
Speaker 2 (18:49):
I stie, And what is it that you find appealing
or are you like about working on computers?
Speaker 4 (18:55):
At first, I just built it because I didn't want
to play a console anymore. But then it's just became
like a It's become like the way I do. It's
just like art. It's art to me now, So sometimes
I just build just to just to do it, you
know what I'm saying. And that's that's really it. Now,
it's just fun.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
And so you grew up in Virginia. I saw that
going your senior year of high school, you're rated the
number one high school recruit in the nation by ESPN. Yep,
So you know expectations, you know? Pressure?
Speaker 4 (19:25):
Right? Yeah, for sure. And I'm mad we didn't have
nil back then because I would have been hitting it hard.
I'm so mad.
Speaker 2 (19:36):
So does this sort of contract bring pressure and expectations?
How do you view that?
Speaker 4 (19:42):
Nah? I mean, yeah, yeah, it's pressure expectation, But man,
that's why I want it. That's why that's why I
accept it, embraced the change. Man's it's a lot to
leave and go be the person that they're looking at
all the time, you know, and looking for improvement. So
I don't care. I'm ready to go. That's why I
did it.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
And how confident are you can be that guy and
even send your game a little bit more? Because you
know what the narrative was on the Eagles defense. There
was so much talent, right, I mean, to what degree
do you think?
Speaker 4 (20:14):
You know?
Speaker 2 (20:14):
Okay, you know what, Now I'm going to be able
to shine even more in this situation.
Speaker 4 (20:20):
Yeah, yeah, I mean, and you still got to magnify.
It's right on you, was right on you. So, like
I said, man, I know how I go through my
process and that allows me to just be able to
be ready for anything, you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 2 (20:34):
So are you guys use the media noise to motivate yourself?
Do you ever use that sort of stuff? Put a
little chip on the old shoulder pad.
Speaker 4 (20:40):
I stay out of it. I stay out of it.
But I know some of the stuff that's being said,
so yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (20:46):
Because for example, we heard a lot of Okaylon Williams
and Josh Sweat two really productive players, but they are
on a really talented defense, so much of that trickle
down and help those guys. I mean, how much are
you looking for or do Okay, you know what you know?
Trying to defy that narrative a little bit.
Speaker 5 (21:05):
Man.
Speaker 4 (21:05):
The way I look at it is, we had the
best defense in the NFL. For me, I lit it
in sacks you know, whatever number that is is, I
let it in. I was close, you know, second and
pressures whatever it hits. So it's but a lot of
that is we did a lot to sacrifice for each other,
you know what I'm saying. And that's that's the biggest
part of why we were able to win. None of
(21:28):
our numbers were extremely high on the D line. We
just worked together. Well that's all. That's That's really what
it was, man. So they could say whatever they want.
Everybody look at numbers, but at the end of the day,
it's about being a football player. How can you affect
the game even when you aren't making the play, so
when it's prescious whatever, That's how I look at it.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
So you're looking forward to wearing shorts and March looking
forward to the weather.
Speaker 4 (21:48):
Yeah so.
Speaker 2 (21:50):
Well, Josh, welcome, I speak for the entire bird gang there,
entire Red Sea out there, welcome. I know Jonathan Gann
and Nick Ross fired up to have you. So when
you catch your breath, right, they got your cardio going
here here today, when you catch your breath, we look
forward to revisiting here on the Big Red Rage.
Speaker 4 (22:06):
Appreciate you man.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
There you go, Josh what we'll come back. We'll continue.
All brought to you by santan Ford and Gilbert. We
are santan Ford. As the Big Red Rage rolls on
right after.
Speaker 1 (22:16):
This and the passes intercepted it quick up on Josh
what fifteen ten foot touchdown touch foot.
Speaker 4 (22:24):
For the play by Josh Switt.
Speaker 1 (22:34):
Percent lifts his right line. They show blitz.
Speaker 4 (22:37):
Here they come.
Speaker 1 (22:37):
Jacoby back up in the pocket, looking throwing Coopers open.
Speaker 4 (22:41):
He's up in the ear Cotton in the in zone touchdown, Hombory.
Speaker 3 (22:46):
Cooper perset shotgun wit hunch on his left him percent
looking up in the pocket.
Speaker 1 (22:51):
He's gonna run and then he thinks he brought track.
Speaker 5 (22:53):
He's got the in zone.
Speaker 4 (22:55):
Hendy lips in touchdown Jacoby Percent.
Speaker 2 (23:00):
A great Jim Donovan on the call right there, Brown's Radio.
In fact, we go from one former Browns quarterback to another.
Time to raise the football IQ around here, Craig Grill. Yeah,
let's see the fact that Calvic and Griel who are
still here, means we do not get free agent contracts.
You know, it's a good thing we are here because
we are joined by Drew Stanton himself as we get
(23:22):
into the whole quarterback signing and more. Drew, how's the
off season going for you?
Speaker 6 (23:28):
Well, my off seasons are great now, they're very extended.
Speaker 2 (23:31):
That's good. All right, you're in mid season form, we
can see. So let's just bust right into this Jacoby Brissett.
And you know, it's interesting because those plays there were
from the twenty two season, and that was a season
sped with Drew Petsing. Now the Cardinals offensive coordinator Israel
wolf Fork. You know, I don't know how vital, how important,
how beneficial is that connection where the OC and now
(23:54):
the backup quarterback are most definitely in sync.
Speaker 6 (23:58):
This instrumental in the development of the franchise quarterback and
continuing to aid in that development because you're constantly evolving
in this league. You're constantly doing things within the trends
of the NFL, of what defenses are presenting, and have
that kind of experience in the room now lived playing
experience from a guy that's been in multiple systems, but
(24:21):
specifically in this system, it just becomes an extension of
that coaching staff, much like myself was with Bea when
our time was there and try to just be an
advocate for Carson. Tried to fill in whatever gaps and
be the eyes and ears and all these things. And
a guy like Jacoby Prissent has such a great reputation
in this league. The people I know in the front
office there are just sent them a congratulations because I
(24:42):
think it's an A plus hire that kind of goes
under the radar, but you see all all these different
transactions that take place, But that to me really really
shows a commitment to that room because it's not just
one guy, it's an entire group that really makes up
that room because everything trickles down from there. As you
(25:04):
guys know, I like it.
Speaker 1 (25:05):
Paul Drew's giving his free agent grades already in an
A plus for Jacoby Brissett. So what makes it an
A plus? Specifically about Jacoby his skill set within this offense.
Speaker 6 (25:17):
Well, I think it's what he brings to the table.
It's not just his skill set. You look at what
that role needs to be right, and I say a
plus because he's a guy that has starter experience, can
go out and play at a high level, has done
it within this system already, but is comfortable in his
own skin being a backup. It's comfortable of saying, hey,
I'm not going to sit here and be selfish. I'm
going to be unselfish and give everything I can and
(25:39):
all of my work is going to be behind the scenes.
I'm getting paid to do a job. I take that
job very serious. You know, he had a rocky road
last year in New England and he knew the writing
was on the wall there. Now he's coming here as
the clear cut backup. He is going to do everything
in his power to get Kyler ready to play. He's
going to help Clayton to and develop and show him
what it means to be a backup, because it's a
very different approach. The people don't understand that, and we've
(26:02):
seen some of these guys that come in. Your mindset
is completely different. You don't get the luxury of getting
all the reps rout the course of the week. You
don't get the luxury that a starter gets. But what
you do have the ability to do is have a
systematic approach that's proven and has been built into what
you're doing, and you help again in that development of
the starter, and all your gratification comes by seeing the
(26:24):
offense going out and clicking on all cylinders.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
Yeah, I saw the Boston Beat writers to a man
reported that Brissette was a really good teammate with the Patriots,
and Drake may really liked having him in the room.
And you know better than anyone, Drew. I mean that
is vital. You don't want a toxic situation between the
young guy and the veteran, or the starter and the
backup in that room. So, speaking of the starter, Kyler,
(26:47):
Murray and Drew Stander is our guest here on the
Big Red Rage going into twenty twenty five. Is there
an area or two where you think Kyler can elevate
his game this season?
Speaker 6 (26:58):
Well, I've always hesitant because already sitting in there saying, way,
he's so dynamic as a dual threat quarterback and all
that you're exposing yourself to more injury. I think what
you want to do is just continue to develop, get
more on your plate within Drew's offense of what he's
going to give at your disposal, And no better way
to do that than to bring in a veteran presence
and say, hey, you know, this is what we're looking
(27:19):
for here, this is what we want to get to this. Look,
you go up to the line of scrimmage with multiple
plays in your head, so really you can have the
pencil last and say, this is what we're going to
do to put us in the best possible position so
we can be successful. Because defenses are dynamic, they're multiple,
they're trying to do all these different things. But you
have to have such quick recall. You can't hesitate. It
(27:39):
has to be just so rehearsed in your mind exactly
what you're going to get to. And a guy like
Rakobe Rissette brings that to the table for Kyler so
he can sit there and say, Okay, this nickel will
is cheating a little bit. I know that they're going
to try to bring pressure here and the slot's going
to be backed up by the safety and they're going
to bring this pressure here to play this coverage and
I want to get to this look, or it might
be simple just checking one run a different way, all
(28:03):
of these different things. I think that's where you really
see these franchise quarterbacks take that next step is when
they can go up there and they can complete control
the tempo of the game and the play and all
of these things, and then you get to strike whether
the iron's hot, and they give you a look that
you can take advantage of.
Speaker 1 (28:21):
You mentioned Jacobe comes in as the definitive backup and
comes in knowing he's a backup, but you were in
that position once upon a time. Everyone wants to be
a starter. How difficult is that? Or going into what
will be his tenth season in the league, Jacoby knows
who he is and his role within the NFL.
Speaker 6 (28:41):
Well, I think it's difficult when you start out as
a starter like he did last year and then it
kind of gets taken from you and you don't really
know what to expect. And it wasn't fair necessarily, but
you're also in this league long enough to know that
nothing's fair. You're happy to get a paycheck, you're happy
to do your job, and that's what I always used
to hang my hat On is, Look, I signed a contract,
and then a couple of weeks later they traded for
(29:01):
Carson and gave him way more money. And at the
end of the day, your contract says what it is.
That's kind of the pecking order you go in. And
he came here with very clear intentions of what he
was trying to do. And I'm sure Drew Petsing and
as Jiel said that to him, right, we want you
to come in here and enhance this guy's play, be
able to be comfortable, but also be ready at a
(29:22):
moment's notice. And that's really what the role is. That's
the job description of a backup quarterback because again you
have to be the confidant for that starting quarterback, but
you're an extension of everybody of going and talking to
the offensive line coach, how are we going to protect
it this week? Versus this look, Hey, what run do
we want to get and say, okay, here's our past
concept to the wide receiver coach, hey, tight ends, this
(29:42):
is what we're thinking here. You've become that extra mouthpiece
for the starting quarterback and being able to do that,
that's really what this job is. And then again you
try to help a guy that's probably going to replace
you in Clayton Tune if he can stay on the
roster and be able to continue his career. You try
to pay forward for those of us that are able
to survive as long as you do. But the art
(30:04):
or the artistry of the backup quarterback no longer exists
because teams are just saying, oh, onto the next, onto
the next, So guys don't get a chance to really
know how to develop in that role because it is
such a unique role.
Speaker 2 (30:16):
Former Cardinals quarterback Drew standing on the Big Red Rage, Right,
if you're a quarterback, I'm guessing you can never have
too many offensive linemen or too many receivers needs and
wants and free agency. You can't have it all. Do
you consider another receiver on the radar for Monti Assiford
in this Cardinals team? Or do you look at Marvin
Erson junior, Michael Wilson, Z Jones and maybe Greg dor
(30:37):
depending what's going to is that enough? Should they be upgrading?
What are your thoughts on that going into twenty twenty five?
Speaker 6 (30:43):
Well, I think it goes hand in hand with your
approach in the draft, right of what you're looking at
of how you want to attack it. And you have
those four guys that you mentioned, those core group of
guys coming back, and you feel good about that. Can
you add a difference maker? Can you add again it's
been a perennial special teams guy potentially that can add
out you and be up on game day. How that
plays into it is vitally important, you know. I think
(31:05):
you look at those pieces to the puzzle of how
it mixes in. And from what everybody said, this is
a very deep draft across the board. And I'm a
firm believer, you know, putting on my GM hat as
I used to do when i'd sit with you guys,
is sit there and say, Okay, every year, I'm drafting
a running back and a wide receiver because I want
to find that diamond in the rough because they're out there,
(31:26):
they are readily available, especially with what's going on today's
day and age. As these guys mature and they grow,
when they adapt, sometimes they just need more time in
the right system. And so you want to be able
to bring those type of guys in. And I would
look more to the draft flash free agency of undrafted
free agents than I would a true free agency at
(31:47):
this point.
Speaker 1 (31:47):
What about the offensive line drew as far as maintaining
that continuity, bringing back and Evan Brown, Calvin beacham perhaps
maybe the right guard position still me remains a question mark,
but bringing back like one staughter and really two starters
based on how much Beach played last season.
Speaker 6 (32:05):
Yeah, I mean Beach is an ultimate professional, right and
he just adds stability into that room, stepping into that
role and being able to be so versatile within it.
You know, you make the change in offensive line coach
and what that's going to look like. You want to
keep as much consistency because it was trending in the
right direction. I mean, it looked really good at times
last year. But it's the hardest position to kind of
(32:26):
get that cohesiveness, that gel that you need up front
because all five of those guys have to be on
the same page. So being able to have the belief
of the offensive line coach and what that looks like
and the type of guy he's looking for, it's going
to be maybe a little bit new, right, but it's
going to be have to adapt. But having come from
college and being able to understand this is what we're
(32:48):
looking for, you can build that in the draft, I
still think, and you can find some of these guys
that again veteran guys that are looking for an opportunity. Hey,
come out here and compete, because that's really what guys
want to do. Right, These one year proven deals that
we're starting to see now give them an opportunity to
come out here with a lot of dynamic playmakers and
you say, hey, we just need your help to help
(33:09):
get what we need to establish the line of scrimmers
so we can disburst the ball to all overlay our playmakers.
Speaker 2 (33:16):
All right, Speaking of the trenches, we know it works
in football, quarterback, protect the quarterback, get to the quarterback.
Cardinals ad reportedly Dalvin Tomlinson in the trenches three technique
nose tackle. And then of course Josh Sweat, who met
the media earlier today, our guest here on the Big
Red Rager thoughts on those two additions and what that
does to fortify the defensive front.
Speaker 6 (33:37):
I think it's massive, right, you look at what both
those guys bring to the table. It's an internal problem
and an external problem on the edge, and that's what
you need. You want to be able to take the
blueprint like everybody else probably wants to do in the
NFL the Philadelphia Eagles. Well, now you're getting a guy
that was wreaking havoc in the Super Bowl that you
can get pressure with for so you don't have to
(33:58):
bring extra guys to the party and expose the back
end as much. So that's really what you want, and
they're hard to find. I mean a couple of years
ago we were talking about projection with many Assin Fort
and I was like, I'd take Will Anderson. I would
literally remember sitting in the booth with you guys there
just saying I would write that name down, bring it
up there. Those guys do not become available very often,
(34:20):
and luckily because of the relationship that JG had, I'm
assuming helped get a perennial pass rusher here because you
usually don't let those guys out of the building or
they get very comfortable with where they are and they
like the setup of what's going on the style of defense.
But you also need guys around you, and you can't
just be a one man band. And so I think,
(34:40):
you know, bringing back Baron Browning being able to add
to the pieces of that puzzle, but then really really
solidifying that middle is important too, because you have to
be able to be versatile. You have to be able
to change the fronts up and do all these different
things to try to create pressure as much as you can.
And the more guys that you have up front, the
(35:01):
better off you're going to be.
Speaker 1 (35:02):
What bothered you the most, Drew that outside edge pressure
or someone that the cardinals hope is the answer on
the inside, And Dalvin Tomlinson as far as that internal
or that interior pressure up the middle.
Speaker 6 (35:16):
Well, I think the interior push is just unique from
the standpoint of Those are guys that just shove the
pocket and then you end up playing Santa Claus on
the right in your lap, and that's what we used
to joke about because that was the same. But you
have to be aware of those guys, and that's why
you want to solidify from the inside out because an
edge pressure guy, you can scoot up in the pocket,
(35:37):
you can escape, you can get on. Internal pressure is
just a whole different dimension because if you can do that,
eventually those edge guys are going to get home because
they're going to collapse the top of it. So given
the choice, give me Aaron Donald over anybody else. Is
a three technique on the inside and he's going to
create more pressure and more problems than anybody on the outside.
Speaker 4 (35:58):
That's good.
Speaker 2 (35:58):
We always learn something with your Santa Claus. I never
heard that term before, what a quarterback refers to when
a three technique or a nose tackle is right in
his laugh in the pocket almost instantaneously.
Speaker 1 (36:09):
Careful, Drew, he'll steal that and claim it as his own.
Speaker 2 (36:12):
No, no, it's on the record right now, so he Drew.
We really enjoyed it, and you're right, you know, Craig, Craig,
I know, Craig was thinking about you've been on an
extended off season ever since you got a ring with Tampa,
so then it's just been one big off season for
you at this point.
Speaker 6 (36:27):
It's Trusty's probably been a little bit longer than that.
Speaker 2 (36:31):
All right, Drew, Hey, we appreciate it and look forward
to talking to you soon. Thanks for the time and the.
Speaker 6 (36:36):
Knowledge, My pleasure, guys, always fun time.
Speaker 2 (36:39):
Okay, there you go, Drew, stan We continue with the
Big Red Rage here on today, where we also have
Josh Sweat in the house plenty to talk about the
off season rolls on Man just over a month away
from the draft, all that straight ahead. We continue with
a Big Red Rage presented by santan Ford. In Gilbert.
Speaker 5 (37:02):
Lescott to throw flesher, he is jacked.
Speaker 1 (37:06):
Dalvin Tomlinson flying through the middle at a sack to
start for Cleveland.
Speaker 4 (37:11):
He is sid Tomlinson in trouble.
Speaker 1 (37:16):
Downy cos Dalvin Tomlinson there and.
Speaker 4 (37:18):
The ball came out Dalton Man brought down again.
Speaker 2 (37:22):
Dalvin Tomlins said, fields from the clean pocket. Nobody open down.
Speaker 1 (37:26):
The pocket collapses and down he goes. The ball is
out Dalvin Tomlinson with the strip sack.
Speaker 6 (37:33):
What do you do?
Speaker 2 (37:34):
What can you do? If there's a three technique and
interior d Lineman hashtag wrecking ball? Who's just destroying the
interior of your offensive line? Not a lot you can do.
It can be very problematic, and as Drew stand said,
it's the Santa Claus effect. You get a guy right
in your lap and it's probably the thing quarterbacks hate
(37:55):
the most. Welcome back into the Big Red Rage presented
by santan Ford and Gilbert Special thanks to the former
Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton. Same goes for Josh sweat Man.
What a pleasure to talk with him. You can hear
how fired up he is about rejoining Jonathan again, and
Nick rollis called in a no brainer a number of
times with the media, says he's a late bloomer as
(38:15):
a fourth round pick. He can still take his game
to the next level. And we all know what Kyle
Vannenbosch likes to say. Two of his best years was
when inside of him he had Pro bowlers like in
Dominic and Sue and Albert Hainsworth. So let's just let's
just you know, it's the off season, Craig Let's day
dream for a moment. If Dalvin Thomlinson continues to be
that dude that he's been for a good eight years
(38:37):
in the league, Darius Robinson looks like the dude he
was in August before he got hurt. Man, there's some
guys who are gonna be able to eat off the edge.
Speaker 1 (38:44):
Ken Tomlinson be Aaron Donald for the Rams Leonard Williams
for the Seahawks. Now those are two, especially Donald, But
can you have that same type of effect, especially with
that interior pressure, and then if everyone's focused on that,
if he's having such a good performance, then it frees
(39:04):
up the outside because it's not just yeah, you gotta
win your one on one. But if you take on
a double team or a triple team, now all of
a sudden, that.
Speaker 4 (39:12):
Freeze you up.
Speaker 1 (39:14):
There's there's less resistance between you and the quarterback. If
you have someone in the middle of the defense or
a couple of guys in there. If Justin Jones are
a ball on Nichols, now all of a sudden, you
it becomes a little bit easier to get into the backfield.
Speaker 2 (39:28):
And you know what, when the D and D line
stands for depth, then guess what, everyone's fresh when they
get their series, when they get their rotation. And the
Cardinals were so decimated by injury really the last couple
of years along the defensive line. They had to go
out and you know, re signed guys, they had cutting camp.
You know, Nakwon Jones and Ben Stilly did a great job.
Speaker 1 (39:46):
But when an LJ.
Speaker 2 (39:47):
Collier right, a lot of talent and a former first
round pick, and now he's able to pick his spots.
Speaker 4 (39:53):
And really go full bore, full.
Speaker 2 (39:56):
Speed for a number of snaps instead of having going,
you know, kind of maybe main his effort level over
the course of an entire game. I think that's where
you really get a disruptive defensive front.
Speaker 1 (40:06):
And think how much better the secondary will be, how
less time they'll have to cover if you have some
more consistent pressure, whether that's the inside or the outside.
And then can you get your hands on a few
more footballs? Can you get a couple more takeaways, shorter
possessions defensively, more possessions for your offense, more opportunity to score. Now,
(40:28):
all of a sudden, you go from that eight when
mark to maybe maybe that's the difference between the Cardinals
just watching the playoffs and participating in the postseason. Are
these moves this offseason? Again, we're very early, Paul, but
are these new moves Josh Swt, Dalvin Tomlinson, returning some
of the your key free agents? Is that worth an
(40:48):
extra two wins? Three wins? Because that's really all you're
looking for right now if you're the Cardinals, outside of
winning your division and taking care of everything. But if
you're looking at a number, I think you gotta be
shooting for the eleven win mark, especially with a seventeen
game regular season.
Speaker 2 (41:03):
And you know what, there still might be signings coming
our way. I mean, cornerback could be a possibility, offensive
guard could definitely be a possibility based on what's out there.
How about wide receiver? Where did the Cardinals stand in
your mind at receiver right now?
Speaker 1 (41:17):
I in agreement with you because we've talked about this before.
But is there that speed receiver? Is that that guy
out there? Is he already on the roster? Xavier Weaver,
undrafted rookie saw some time late last season, But can
he be that guy? Can he be that John Brown
type guy where he just goes and all of a
sudden it takes a little bit more pressure off the
(41:38):
middle of the field for a Trey McBride or Marvin
Harrison junior, because that's kind of what this offense has
been missing. Greg Dortsch will see what his future is.
Zay Jones, it's an intriguing return because remember he was
unavailable in the first six games of last season. Caught
on a little bit more towards the end of the season,
but I think he was playing catchup for most of
(41:59):
the time even when he was back. So it I
do think they'll be well, they'll be There'll be more
moves offensively, because look, you got to fill a ninety
man roster. But as far as the wide receiver, position. Yeah,
I would like to see someone with a little some
little speed there that kind of gives this offense just
a different, different look at times.
Speaker 2 (42:18):
And you know what, if there's a four to three
guy there on Day three of the draft, I would
not be shocked the sort of the John Brown effect,
you know, and Drew Stanton, you know, appreciated it. John Brown,
how he kept defenses honest, especially those early years. All right,
hit zoom out on the rest of the league. Let's
take a look at the division, and you know, I
mean a lot of teams made a lot of headlines. Right,
most people consider the winners in free agency so far
(42:39):
in Minnesota, what was how much money as Minnesota.
Speaker 1 (42:41):
Two hundred and sixty three million dollars on day one
according to the numbers that the league provided. So yeah,
that was that was day one. So again it's the
early candidate for winning in the offseason. Paul and another
team would be the New England.
Speaker 4 (42:56):
Patriots, no doubt.
Speaker 2 (42:57):
And they probably had the most talent you know, have
to roster in the entire league, so they needed some help.
Bears reconstructed the entire offensive line. They have been very
active Washington as well. Now Seattle thinks it's winning. The offseason,
we'll see, they traded Geno Smith to Vegas for a
Round three pick, and then they decided to pay Sam
Darnold about thirty three a year, three years, one hundred
(43:18):
million and fifty five million guaranteed. That is reportedly to
join his former offensive coordinator Clint Kubiak up in Seattle.
Losers would be the Cowboys. I think most figure out
what are the Cowboys being done anything? And then the Niners,
I mean blood letting El Grande for the last place
(43:38):
forty nine ers. They're projected right now to have more
than eighty six million dollars in dead cap money charges
for this year. Wow, that's what they've had to deal with.
And so what's interesting is they just signed Mac Jones
two years, seven million, five million guaranteed. But the forty
nine ers are going to look very different this season.
Speaker 1 (43:58):
Look, I'm not unhappy about it any of all this stuff.
I mean, it looks great from the outside, and you
can mention the last place forty nine Ers, you can
mention perhaps the Seahawks and a little bit of a
I don't know, I don't really don't know what they're doing.
When you lose a DK Metcalf, choose to trade him,
you release Tyler Lockett, who's really catching passes from Sam Darnold.
(44:18):
The Rams are intriguing DeVante Adams that has become official
a two year deal, and that's someone that, Yeah, if
you're the Cardinals that particular Sunday, you have to pay
attention to him because now you've got a veteran quarterback
in Stafford throwing to a veteran receiver in DeVante Adams.
Speaker 2 (44:34):
No doubt, and Rams, you're right, you know, old Matthew
Stafford thing. They got him at the right price, and
we'll see, we'll see how exactly that shapes up in
the NFC wes. But as we know, these teams now
want to run the ball. That's what Seattle is a
dead set on doing. Forty nine ers, Christian McCaffrey coming back,
(44:56):
and we know the Rams are the best one the running.
Kiron Williams so Hey special thanks Josh Sweat, Drew Stin,
Craig Grielu for pin shitting for Ron Wolfley. Special thanks
Executive producer Jim Almahunter, Associate producer Cody Fincher, Technical director
Kellen Schober. I'm Paul KELVYC. This has been the Big
Red Rage presented by santan Ford and Gilbert. We are
santan Ford.
Speaker 3 (45:21):
You've been listening to the Big Red Rage presented by
santan Ford and Gilbert right on the price, right on
the corner of the Santan two to two Freeway in Valvesta.
The Rage is brought to you by Arizona Cardinals Podcast.
Visit Azycardinals dot com slash podcast.
Speaker 1 (45:41):
We're gonna see a little big red rage football right here.
Speaker 3 (45:45):
This has been an exclusive presentation of the Arizona Cardinals
Football Club.
Stramp on the boots and scrape up the knuckles.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
Hol On ahead, he got jacked.
Speaker 3 (00:06):
This is the Big Red Rage presented by santan Ford
and Gilbert Terry's.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Gonna score touchdown.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Slim to the ground by Buddha Banker Like a torpedo,
he keeps flying into the back deal.
Speaker 4 (00:21):
The Rage.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
It's brought to you by santan Ford and Gilbert. Right
on the Price right on the corner of the sand
Tan two oh two Freeway.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
In Valves Water Crab by Tray McBride.
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That was spectacular and by Arizona Cardinals podcast. Visit Azycardinals dot.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Com slash podcast.
Speaker 5 (00:41):
All Red Sea is rising up, dude, You're rising Vision
Flurry Rage, take it over.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Here's Paul Calvic.
Speaker 4 (00:51):
I'm ready.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
I'm one hundred percent ready.
Speaker 4 (00:53):
I'm telling you I'm ready.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
And Ron Wolfley.
Speaker 6 (00:56):
It doesn't get any better than that.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
The fjord.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Well, not exactly, Craig Griolut filling in and I put
it to you, gree how many years has the Big
Red Rage been on the air. And if you're wondering
if I'm blindsiding you, it's right at the top of
the sheet there. It is on that our Jim al
Mohundra right. Yes, yes, it's show number seven oh seven,
which makes for how many years on the air twenty four? Okay,
(01:25):
so half my age in honor, in honor of two
dozen years on the air. Not only is the original
Thursday night Football take that Amazon Prime, but as a
show that airs during Happy Hour, Craig grielou, have you
ever heard of a mixologist? I have, yes, Okay, don't
(01:46):
call it a bartender, it's a mixologist.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
And forget a college degree. I believe in mixologe, Julie,
I didn't know that.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
I'm just learning about this a person skilled in making
mixed drinks, who knows this significance behind each ingredient and
the impact of the mixing technique. Could we say here
on the Big Red Rage presented by santan Ford and Gilbert,
we are santan Ford that that NFL gms are football mixologists,
adding ingredients, mixing them in just right, hoping when they
(02:14):
hit blend right that it all comes out into a
tasty drink come Week one in September.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
I can go with that, Paul, because you're looking at
offensive players, defensive players, supplements, special teams, and then don't
forget we are all looking ahead to April and the draft,
so you have to kind of mix both free agency
and draft prep here in the month of March.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Speaking offense and defense. Guess what big time free agent,
Josh what, we'll join us a little bit later in
this big time free agency addition to the big Red Rage.
And then after that, how about Drew Stanton Batten clean
up around here, former Cardinals quarterback. We'll talk about the
reported deal for Jacoby Brissett, one former Cleveland Browns quarterback
to another, and some other thoughts Drew stan has about
(02:59):
where the Cardinals standing, where they should head going into
the rest of free agency in the off season in
the twenty twenty five season. But let's just start naming
some names here because it has been a busy week
that got underway Monday morning with the legal tampering. I
always enjoy that legal tampering reminds me of the Purge
lawlessness for twenty four hours. Apparently I won't get into
all that, but Josh Sweat, before we actually hear from
(03:22):
Josh Swatt, just give me your initial reaction and where
do you think it makes the biggest difference to this roster.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
Well, look, he is now all of a sudden, your
game wrecker, or you hope becomes your game wrecker. How
many times have we talked about looking at the defense
in the fourth quarter, You need to stop, you need
to take away, you need someone to make a play. Josh,
what can be that guy? Heck, he was in the
Super Bowl with two and a half sex and a
team high six pressures. He was a game wrecker, probably
(03:50):
should have been the Super Bowl MVP. But he fills
a need something that we've been talking a lot about.
And perhaps Paul maybe the absence at that position since oh,
I don't know, Chandler Jones. Perhaps back in the day,
someone that you know is going to get after the
opposing quarterback.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Yeah, that guy that the opposing offensive coordinator has to
game plan for. You haven't had that since Chandler Jones.
And look, he really flourished under Jonathan Gann and Nick
Rolis When and asks Josh Sweat about that pro bowler
in twenty twenty one, eleven sacks a career high in
twenty twenty two, and like you mentioned, he played his
best football in his last outing on the biggest stage,
(04:29):
Super Bowl fifty nine. So can't wait to talk to Josh.
Speaker 4 (04:32):
What about all that?
Speaker 2 (04:33):
But the Cardinals made other additions to this roster. Let's
talk about the reported signing of the big nose tackle,
the three technique, Dalvin Tomlinson two years of reported twenty
nine million, sixteen million guaranteed. The past couple of years
with Cleveland where he has been a nuisance in the interior,
but to me, you're talking about a guy who actually
(04:55):
plays bigger than he is, and that's saying something because
he's sixty three to three twenty five.
Speaker 1 (04:59):
Just turn thirty one in February, so last month. And
this is what I like. And it goes back to
what we saw a year ago when Monny dipped his
toe into free agency. Many of those signings were based
off of production, yes, but also availability and unfortunately, yes,
justin Jones blow Nichols got hurt. That's the breaks now.
(05:21):
Dalvin Tomlinson, Paul. He has played at least sixteen games
in every season but one, and that was twenty twenty two.
He has been available. He has been a starter the
last two years for the Cleveland Browns. He is someone
that doesn't come off the field a heck of a
lot so I'm very curious, now, if you maintain that
rotation along that defensive line, someone who plays all three
(05:44):
downs much like a Josh Sweat, could this defense look
a little bit different as far as that hockey line
shuffling that sometimes we saw during the course of a game.
Maybe that's not the case now here in year three
with this defense. But I'm I'm very bullish and pleased
to see that the not just the defensive line, but
the interior of the defensive line was addressed with the
(06:06):
Dalvin Tomlinson reported contract agreement.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
And speaking of a line shuffling, you know, Cardinals had
some losses along the defensive line. Roy Lopez goes to
the Lions, Kyries Tonga to New England, Nakwon Jones to
the LA Chargers. Bought you re sign LJ. Collier, And
with the return of Justin Jones and Blall Nichols, Darius Robinson,
all three players knock gun Wood are gonna be fully
(06:30):
healthy and ready to go. And then with LJ. Collier,
Dante Stills, Dalvin Tomlinson, it's a pretty stout rotation of
six legit defensive linemen.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
And I do think there'll be a seventh, meaning someone
in the draft, if not with the first pick, the
second pick, because as we've heard, and I was in
Indianapolis for that week of the scouting combine, and just
how deep the draft is along the defensive front and
specifically defensive tackle. So it would not surprise me, even
(07:02):
with Dalvin Tomlinson coming into the fold, if the Cardinals
at sixteen or forty seven looked at defensive tackle to
supplement and to add depth at a position that we
saw in the postseason. Who are the teams that are
successful in the postseason, Those are the teams that win
the line of scrimmage.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
And if not the d line room, nobody would be
surprised if the Cardinals went for an edge. This draft
is very deep, very talented in edge. So speaking up
Josh Sweat coming our way momentarily the Baron of pass Rush.
I hope to use that nickname this year. I hope
Baron Browning has that sort of productive year. He had
a very productive finish to the end of last season.
(07:40):
He had back to back games with sacks when he
took down Drake May and Bryce Young and so Baron
Browning two year deal met the media this week reported
fifteen million and he's somebody who at least in his discussion,
and we had a chance to talk to him on
Cardinals cover too as well. You know, he wasn't fully
healthy all last year. He suffered that foot injury, missed
some game with Denver, and then he sort of toughed
(08:02):
it out through December and January. I'm real curious to.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
See what sort of upside he has felt more comfortable
late in the season. But what he also told us
Paul was the fact that he is still developing his
pass rush moves. He came into the league as an
inside linebacker, so really has not been a full edge
rusher for his entire career. And now all of a sudden, yeah,
he showed flashes last season, what can his production look
(08:27):
like a Zavian Collins look like a bj Ojeli knock
on Wood if healthy with Josh Sweat on the other side,
when everyone is focused on him, now, all of a sudden,
maybe you get a little bit more production and elevation
from everyone else in that room. So Barren Browning, I think,
was one of those players among the twenty unrestricted free
(08:48):
agents this team had that if you were going to
list who you wanted back I think Browning was going
to be near the top, if not at the top
of the list.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
And keep in mind bjo Jeli tracking to come back
from the knee injury in camp. Then you bring back
Evan Brown, Calvin Beacham, the two linemen who started a
ton of games twenty nine combined a year ago. And
then a couple of newcomers at the linebacker position, Keem Davis,
Gaytheer and Michael Walker. Give me your thoughts. Let's start
with Adg as he calls himself on Cardinals social media.
(09:20):
Here's a guy who started the final six games, sort
of hints a mac Wilson senior the way he finished
with New England.
Speaker 6 (09:25):
Huh.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
I like that comparison, because remember it's easy in retrospect.
Oh yeah, mac Wilson senior. No, I mean, I'll raise
my hand. When that signing was announced, I had to
go back and look, all right, who is mac Wilson senior? Well,
he wasn't a starter. In fact, ADG has started more
games before arriving with the Cardinals than mac Wilson did
in that season before. So you've got someone who's coming
(09:47):
in probably wants to be a starter, someone who can
also play on special teams. That was most of his
work last season with the Bengals was on special teams.
But now all of a sudden, with Kaiser White and
Chris Barnes pending free agents, not pending, they are free agents,
what's their future? They have not been brought back? Is
adg and Walker now all of a sudden replacements and
(10:09):
lining up next to Mac?
Speaker 2 (10:11):
Yeah, Walker's got size six three two thirty. In twenty twenty,
started twelve to sixteen games that he played with the Falcons,
had a really productive year. There are connections on the
Cardinals coaching staff in the front office to Walker from
his Atlanta days. And then there's my theory Craig, as
to what exactly is the future is Zavon Collins. Notice
I didn't put him in that outside linebacker edge position
(10:33):
room because I'm wondering, if Kaiser White is not returning,
if Chris Barnes is not returning, and you're much more
stout and deep at outside linebacker than could do Zavion
Collins returned to the mic.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
Could Zavon and Mack maybe be that interchangeable piece where
you see some more floating inside but still that outside
linebacker at least the designation of which I think Zavon's
gonna stay put, but he does do so much. His
versatility is very, very thought well of within that coaching staff.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
There's no doubt that the front office is sending a
message to the locker room. This team is prepared to win.
Now make a run at the postseason. I've got a
guy who played in the final game of the season
a month ago, was in a Super Bowl parade. Josh
Sweat is next on the Big Red Rage presented by
Santan Ford in Gilbert.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
Hand up, pitch down, rocked up in the backfield. Sweat
got there first, had a loss of two.
Speaker 5 (11:37):
Back to draw again, steps away for pressure, but not
the next one.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
As he gets dropped. Josh Sweat gets home and makefield
somehow hold out of that ball.
Speaker 5 (11:46):
Joe's got a moment, didn't release it.
Speaker 1 (11:49):
He's shack get sat at twenty five.
Speaker 5 (11:52):
Josh sweet fun.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
Said trumble, he is shot.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
Josh Sweat with the shat Lawrence sit as he throws.
That was Josh Sweat who got.
Speaker 4 (12:01):
A porsit of Lawrence's arm.
Speaker 5 (12:03):
And it was under pressure again swung down, turning one
yard line. Josh Sweat Stafford, stem By so much. That
is Josh Sweat Sex pattew Stafford.
Speaker 6 (12:16):
Here is Harris again.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
And he gets Watts.
Speaker 4 (12:19):
Nowhere to go. Josh Sweat was here.
Speaker 5 (12:21):
Here's a home's pressure right away.
Speaker 1 (12:23):
The home is sack.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Josh Sweat gets home and Josh Sweat has a new home.
You want to splash in the backfield. You want to
splash in a super Bowl. You want to splash signing
in free agency. We don't know Josh's middle name, but
it could easily be Cannonball at this point, a big
red rage. Welcome to Josh Sweat himself. Welcome to Arizona.
(12:48):
You got to be the busiest guy in town today.
Speaker 4 (12:52):
Probably, Man, it's it's been a roller coaster.
Speaker 2 (12:55):
They're testing your cardio. They're going up, up tempo with
you all day. It's all right speaking energy, okay, because
we love your energy already. What was it like when
you reunited with Jonathan Gannon, your former defensive coordinator in Philadelphia.
I'm gonna start right there.
Speaker 4 (13:09):
Shoot, it was a class You know, you already know
how he is a always hype, always hyper, and it
was great to see him again. Man. I didn't expect
anything less.
Speaker 2 (13:20):
All right, we're gonna get back into that in a minute.
Just tell me about the past month or so. I
mean a month ago you were in a Super Bowl
parade and it must have been a blur ever since.
Just sort of describe what it's been like this last
month and all the way through now a brand new
home and a brand new contract.
Speaker 4 (13:37):
Shoot. Super Bowl week was long, man, and then we played.
We didn't get a chance to even realize what we've done,
you know, is and uh yeah, then then the parade
and and that's and then for me, it was in
a lot of us straight on a free agency, so
we didn't really get a chance to let it so
(13:58):
all in. But it's you know, but it was. It
was amazing. It was amazing seeing all those people out there.
It was amazing.
Speaker 2 (14:04):
And you avoided any beer cans, right, you didn't get
hit by a beer can? Hey, that was barred by
your your your former GM. Yeah yeah, yeah, Josh Sweat
is our guest right here.
Speaker 4 (14:16):
All right.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
So a lot of the rankings had you the number
one free agent available in this process?
Speaker 6 (14:22):
What's that like?
Speaker 2 (14:24):
You do not necessarily have to name names and name teams,
but was it truly they put the word frenzy with
free agency? Was there a lot of that this last
week or so?
Speaker 4 (14:32):
I mean, I mean, honestly, I tried my best to
stay out of it. I left my agent handle most
of it. But I could only imagine the process he
went through, you know, I mean I could so I
told her keep me out of it. Only gave me
to you know, the important stuff.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
But that's all you all right, So simply put, why
the Arizona Cardinals.
Speaker 4 (14:56):
I mean, I thought it was the best fit for me.
It was more more than money is us situation?
Speaker 6 (15:00):
Man?
Speaker 4 (15:00):
And being around Ganning and Rylis, guys that I've already
you know, been around and you know, have have won
games with, and I just knew they would play me
in the right way. So that's what I want.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
You're two years with them, twenty one, you went to
a Pro Bowl, twenty two, you had a career high
eleven sacks. How or whare did those two get the best.
Speaker 4 (15:21):
Out of you?
Speaker 5 (15:23):
Just go?
Speaker 4 (15:24):
I mean, they know they know him selfless, so I'll
do whatever it takes to help the team win. But
at the end of the day, they just realized what
was best was just let me, let me go, Let
me go.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
You know, Josh Sweaters. Our guest Jonathan Ganne at the
comme I he spoke of people, asked about free agency,
you know some of his former players of the Eagles,
you and Milton Williams, And he said, yeah, that helps
when a coach knows, you know, as that familiarity. How
about the reverse of that, how about when a player
knows the coach? How much confidence that give you in
making this decision?
Speaker 4 (15:52):
Yeah, That's what I'm saying. So I was, you know,
just looking at the team ascending already, you know, trying
to build and do great things, and then the tip,
you know, just just put it over the put it
over the edge. When I knew guys already here, And
I mean that's that was those two guys, Rillas and
Ganning were to decide in factor.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
We talk about getting the best out of you. That
Super Bowl performance? Was that the best gamer of your
NFL career?
Speaker 6 (16:20):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (16:20):
Yeah? Most Yeah, I mean given the circumstances, yes, but yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
Have you ever been to the game where you affected
the quarterback like that and you did it with only
four the entire game? I mean, how why was that possible?
And I mean what that's gotta be quite an accomplishment
in your book.
Speaker 4 (16:42):
I mean yeah, I mean the whole week, it was
all the d line. You gotta you gotta do it,
you gotta do it. That's big right there, and it's
gonna come down to y'all and it's like, I'm not
even gonna y'all, just gotta go, and he said, just go.
They came out passing and we got it done pretty
much every every play, every play.
Speaker 2 (17:02):
And to do that on the biggest stage in sports.
If a young player came up to you in this
Cardinals locker room and said, Josh, how did you do that?
How did you play your best game in the biggest moment,
how would you explain that?
Speaker 4 (17:17):
I mean, let's be real, it's the last game. You
ain't got you do have something to lose, but it's
still just like, man, it's the last game. Let me
going on ahead and just put it all on the line.
And like I said, it was it was. It was
a game plan to just go go forward, just go
get them.
Speaker 2 (17:32):
So for fans who aren't familiar with the game and
the skill set of Josh Waite, give us a quick
Scott report on what you bring to this defense.
Speaker 4 (17:40):
Shoot just hit a man, just hit a lead anywhere
I can. I had a lot of great mentors coming through.
So man, I'm just here to bring some more energy,
bring some more whatever whatever rank game passed, rush to
you know, help this already a sending team, you know,
get get some more wins. That's that's all I want
to do, is win.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
Anything that you had to say to JG or JG
had had to say to you, any any particular message,
and how much do you look forward to playing for
those guys again?
Speaker 4 (18:08):
Man, I'm excited. I can't even really explain, but it
was just it was just man, it was just a reunion.
It was just it's great to see you.
Speaker 1 (18:15):
Man.
Speaker 4 (18:15):
Let's just we already know how we are. We want
to work, and that's all it was. Was like, let's
get to work and man, let's have some fun at
the end of the day. Let's let's have some fun winning.
All right.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
I'm gonna have some fun with you because I saw
in your bio that as a hobby you build computers
from scratch and your spare time. So like, if I
have an issue with my laptop here and the it
guys are busy, can I come find you in the
locker room. Are you like you're well versed in all this.
Speaker 4 (18:40):
I'm not a laptop builder, only a desktop I see. Yeah, yeah, yeah,
yeah yeah I can't. It's not they aren't modular enough
for me to work on our laptop.
Speaker 2 (18:49):
I stie, And what is it that you find appealing
or are you like about working on computers?
Speaker 4 (18:55):
At first, I just built it because I didn't want
to play a console anymore. But then it's just became
like a It's become like the way I do. It's
just like art. It's art to me now, So sometimes
I just build just to just to do it, you
know what I'm saying. And that's that's really it. Now,
it's just fun.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
And so you grew up in Virginia. I saw that
going your senior year of high school, you're rated the
number one high school recruit in the nation by ESPN. Yep,
So you know expectations, you know? Pressure?
Speaker 4 (19:25):
Right? Yeah, for sure. And I'm mad we didn't have
nil back then because I would have been hitting it hard.
I'm so mad.
Speaker 2 (19:36):
So does this sort of contract bring pressure and expectations?
How do you view that?
Speaker 4 (19:42):
Nah? I mean, yeah, yeah, it's pressure expectation, But man,
that's why I want it. That's why that's why I
accept it, embraced the change. Man's it's a lot to
leave and go be the person that they're looking at
all the time, you know, and looking for improvement. So
I don't care. I'm ready to go. That's why I
did it.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
And how confident are you can be that guy and
even send your game a little bit more? Because you
know what the narrative was on the Eagles defense. There
was so much talent, right, I mean, to what degree
do you think?
Speaker 4 (20:14):
You know?
Speaker 2 (20:14):
Okay, you know what, Now I'm going to be able
to shine even more in this situation.
Speaker 4 (20:20):
Yeah, yeah, I mean, and you still got to magnify.
It's right on you, was right on you. So, like
I said, man, I know how I go through my
process and that allows me to just be able to
be ready for anything, you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 2 (20:34):
So are you guys use the media noise to motivate yourself?
Do you ever use that sort of stuff? Put a
little chip on the old shoulder pad.
Speaker 4 (20:40):
I stay out of it. I stay out of it.
But I know some of the stuff that's being said,
so yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (20:46):
Because for example, we heard a lot of Okaylon Williams
and Josh Sweat two really productive players, but they are
on a really talented defense, so much of that trickle
down and help those guys. I mean, how much are
you looking for or do Okay, you know what you know?
Trying to defy that narrative a little bit.
Speaker 5 (21:05):
Man.
Speaker 4 (21:05):
The way I look at it is, we had the
best defense in the NFL. For me, I lit it
in sacks you know, whatever number that is is, I
let it in. I was close, you know, second and
pressures whatever it hits. So it's but a lot of
that is we did a lot to sacrifice for each other,
you know what I'm saying. And that's that's the biggest
part of why we were able to win. None of
(21:28):
our numbers were extremely high on the D line. We
just worked together. Well that's all. That's That's really what
it was, man. So they could say whatever they want.
Everybody look at numbers, but at the end of the day,
it's about being a football player. How can you affect
the game even when you aren't making the play, so
when it's prescious whatever, That's how I look at it.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
So you're looking forward to wearing shorts and March looking
forward to the weather.
Speaker 4 (21:48):
Yeah so.
Speaker 2 (21:50):
Well, Josh, welcome, I speak for the entire bird gang there,
entire Red Sea out there, welcome. I know Jonathan Gann
and Nick Ross fired up to have you. So when
you catch your breath, right, they got your cardio going
here here today, when you catch your breath, we look
forward to revisiting here on the Big Red Rage.
Speaker 4 (22:06):
Appreciate you man.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
There you go, Josh what we'll come back. We'll continue.
All brought to you by santan Ford and Gilbert. We
are santan Ford. As the Big Red Rage rolls on
right after.
Speaker 1 (22:16):
This and the passes intercepted it quick up on Josh
what fifteen ten foot touchdown touch foot.
Speaker 4 (22:24):
For the play by Josh Switt.
Speaker 1 (22:34):
Percent lifts his right line. They show blitz.
Speaker 4 (22:37):
Here they come.
Speaker 1 (22:37):
Jacoby back up in the pocket, looking throwing Coopers open.
Speaker 4 (22:41):
He's up in the ear Cotton in the in zone touchdown, Hombory.
Speaker 3 (22:46):
Cooper perset shotgun wit hunch on his left him percent
looking up in the pocket.
Speaker 1 (22:51):
He's gonna run and then he thinks he brought track.
Speaker 5 (22:53):
He's got the in zone.
Speaker 4 (22:55):
Hendy lips in touchdown Jacoby Percent.
Speaker 2 (23:00):
A great Jim Donovan on the call right there, Brown's Radio.
In fact, we go from one former Browns quarterback to another.
Time to raise the football IQ around here, Craig Grill. Yeah,
let's see the fact that Calvic and Griel who are
still here, means we do not get free agent contracts.
You know, it's a good thing we are here because
we are joined by Drew Stanton himself as we get
(23:22):
into the whole quarterback signing and more. Drew, how's the
off season going for you?
Speaker 6 (23:28):
Well, my off seasons are great now, they're very extended.
Speaker 2 (23:31):
That's good. All right, you're in mid season form, we
can see. So let's just bust right into this Jacoby Brissett.
And you know, it's interesting because those plays there were
from the twenty two season, and that was a season
sped with Drew Petsing. Now the Cardinals offensive coordinator Israel
wolf Fork. You know, I don't know how vital, how important,
how beneficial is that connection where the OC and now
(23:54):
the backup quarterback are most definitely in sync.
Speaker 6 (23:58):
This instrumental in the development of the franchise quarterback and
continuing to aid in that development because you're constantly evolving
in this league. You're constantly doing things within the trends
of the NFL, of what defenses are presenting, and have
that kind of experience in the room now lived playing
experience from a guy that's been in multiple systems, but
(24:21):
specifically in this system, it just becomes an extension of
that coaching staff, much like myself was with Bea when
our time was there and try to just be an
advocate for Carson. Tried to fill in whatever gaps and
be the eyes and ears and all these things. And
a guy like Jacoby Prissent has such a great reputation
in this league. The people I know in the front
office there are just sent them a congratulations because I
(24:42):
think it's an A plus hire that kind of goes
under the radar, but you see all all these different
transactions that take place, But that to me really really
shows a commitment to that room because it's not just
one guy, it's an entire group that really makes up
that room because everything trickles down from there. As you
(25:04):
guys know, I like it.
Speaker 1 (25:05):
Paul Drew's giving his free agent grades already in an
A plus for Jacoby Brissett. So what makes it an
A plus? Specifically about Jacoby his skill set within this offense.
Speaker 6 (25:17):
Well, I think it's what he brings to the table.
It's not just his skill set. You look at what
that role needs to be right, and I say a
plus because he's a guy that has starter experience, can
go out and play at a high level, has done
it within this system already, but is comfortable in his
own skin being a backup. It's comfortable of saying, hey,
I'm not going to sit here and be selfish. I'm
going to be unselfish and give everything I can and
(25:39):
all of my work is going to be behind the scenes.
I'm getting paid to do a job. I take that
job very serious. You know, he had a rocky road
last year in New England and he knew the writing
was on the wall there. Now he's coming here as
the clear cut backup. He is going to do everything
in his power to get Kyler ready to play. He's
going to help Clayton to and develop and show him
what it means to be a backup, because it's a
very different approach. The people don't understand that, and we've
(26:02):
seen some of these guys that come in. Your mindset
is completely different. You don't get the luxury of getting
all the reps rout the course of the week. You
don't get the luxury that a starter gets. But what
you do have the ability to do is have a
systematic approach that's proven and has been built into what
you're doing, and you help again in that development of
the starter, and all your gratification comes by seeing the
(26:24):
offense going out and clicking on all cylinders.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
Yeah, I saw the Boston Beat writers to a man
reported that Brissette was a really good teammate with the Patriots,
and Drake may really liked having him in the room.
And you know better than anyone, Drew. I mean that
is vital. You don't want a toxic situation between the
young guy and the veteran, or the starter and the
backup in that room. So, speaking of the starter, Kyler,
(26:47):
Murray and Drew Stander is our guest here on the
Big Red Rage going into twenty twenty five. Is there
an area or two where you think Kyler can elevate
his game this season?
Speaker 6 (26:58):
Well, I've always hesitant because already sitting in there saying, way,
he's so dynamic as a dual threat quarterback and all
that you're exposing yourself to more injury. I think what
you want to do is just continue to develop, get
more on your plate within Drew's offense of what he's
going to give at your disposal, And no better way
to do that than to bring in a veteran presence
and say, hey, you know, this is what we're looking
(27:19):
for here, this is what we want to get to this. Look,
you go up to the line of scrimmage with multiple
plays in your head, so really you can have the
pencil last and say, this is what we're going to
do to put us in the best possible position so
we can be successful. Because defenses are dynamic, they're multiple,
they're trying to do all these different things. But you
have to have such quick recall. You can't hesitate. It
(27:39):
has to be just so rehearsed in your mind exactly
what you're going to get to. And a guy like
Rakobe Rissette brings that to the table for Kyler so
he can sit there and say, Okay, this nickel will
is cheating a little bit. I know that they're going
to try to bring pressure here and the slot's going
to be backed up by the safety and they're going
to bring this pressure here to play this coverage and
I want to get to this look, or it might
be simple just checking one run a different way, all
(28:03):
of these different things. I think that's where you really
see these franchise quarterbacks take that next step is when
they can go up there and they can complete control
the tempo of the game and the play and all
of these things, and then you get to strike whether
the iron's hot, and they give you a look that
you can take advantage of.
Speaker 1 (28:21):
You mentioned Jacobe comes in as the definitive backup and
comes in knowing he's a backup, but you were in
that position once upon a time. Everyone wants to be
a starter. How difficult is that? Or going into what
will be his tenth season in the league, Jacoby knows
who he is and his role within the NFL.
Speaker 6 (28:41):
Well, I think it's difficult when you start out as
a starter like he did last year and then it
kind of gets taken from you and you don't really
know what to expect. And it wasn't fair necessarily, but
you're also in this league long enough to know that
nothing's fair. You're happy to get a paycheck, you're happy
to do your job, and that's what I always used
to hang my hat On is, Look, I signed a contract,
and then a couple of weeks later they traded for
(29:01):
Carson and gave him way more money. And at the
end of the day, your contract says what it is.
That's kind of the pecking order you go in. And
he came here with very clear intentions of what he
was trying to do. And I'm sure Drew Petsing and
as Jiel said that to him, right, we want you
to come in here and enhance this guy's play, be
able to be comfortable, but also be ready at a
(29:22):
moment's notice. And that's really what the role is. That's
the job description of a backup quarterback because again you
have to be the confidant for that starting quarterback, but
you're an extension of everybody of going and talking to
the offensive line coach, how are we going to protect
it this week? Versus this look, Hey, what run do
we want to get and say, okay, here's our past
concept to the wide receiver coach, hey, tight ends, this
(29:42):
is what we're thinking here. You've become that extra mouthpiece
for the starting quarterback and being able to do that,
that's really what this job is. And then again you
try to help a guy that's probably going to replace
you in Clayton Tune if he can stay on the
roster and be able to continue his career. You try
to pay forward for those of us that are able
to survive as long as you do. But the art
(30:04):
or the artistry of the backup quarterback no longer exists
because teams are just saying, oh, onto the next, onto
the next, So guys don't get a chance to really
know how to develop in that role because it is
such a unique role.
Speaker 2 (30:16):
Former Cardinals quarterback Drew standing on the Big Red Rage, Right,
if you're a quarterback, I'm guessing you can never have
too many offensive linemen or too many receivers needs and
wants and free agency. You can't have it all. Do
you consider another receiver on the radar for Monti Assiford
in this Cardinals team? Or do you look at Marvin
Erson junior, Michael Wilson, Z Jones and maybe Greg dor
(30:37):
depending what's going to is that enough? Should they be upgrading?
What are your thoughts on that going into twenty twenty five?
Speaker 6 (30:43):
Well, I think it goes hand in hand with your
approach in the draft, right of what you're looking at
of how you want to attack it. And you have
those four guys that you mentioned, those core group of
guys coming back, and you feel good about that. Can
you add a difference maker? Can you add again it's
been a perennial special teams guy potentially that can add
out you and be up on game day. How that
plays into it is vitally important, you know. I think
(31:05):
you look at those pieces to the puzzle of how
it mixes in. And from what everybody said, this is
a very deep draft across the board. And I'm a
firm believer, you know, putting on my GM hat as
I used to do when i'd sit with you guys,
is sit there and say, Okay, every year, I'm drafting
a running back and a wide receiver because I want
to find that diamond in the rough because they're out there,
(31:26):
they are readily available, especially with what's going on today's
day and age. As these guys mature and they grow,
when they adapt, sometimes they just need more time in
the right system. And so you want to be able
to bring those type of guys in. And I would
look more to the draft flash free agency of undrafted
free agents than I would a true free agency at
(31:47):
this point.
Speaker 1 (31:47):
What about the offensive line drew as far as maintaining
that continuity, bringing back and Evan Brown, Calvin beacham perhaps
maybe the right guard position still me remains a question mark,
but bringing back like one staughter and really two starters
based on how much Beach played last season.
Speaker 6 (32:05):
Yeah, I mean Beach is an ultimate professional, right and
he just adds stability into that room, stepping into that
role and being able to be so versatile within it.
You know, you make the change in offensive line coach
and what that's going to look like. You want to
keep as much consistency because it was trending in the
right direction. I mean, it looked really good at times
last year. But it's the hardest position to kind of
(32:26):
get that cohesiveness, that gel that you need up front
because all five of those guys have to be on
the same page. So being able to have the belief
of the offensive line coach and what that looks like
and the type of guy he's looking for, it's going
to be maybe a little bit new, right, but it's
going to be have to adapt. But having come from
college and being able to understand this is what we're
(32:48):
looking for, you can build that in the draft, I
still think, and you can find some of these guys
that again veteran guys that are looking for an opportunity. Hey,
come out here and compete, because that's really what guys
want to do. Right, These one year proven deals that
we're starting to see now give them an opportunity to
come out here with a lot of dynamic playmakers and
you say, hey, we just need your help to help
(33:09):
get what we need to establish the line of scrimmers
so we can disburst the ball to all overlay our playmakers.
Speaker 2 (33:16):
All right, Speaking of the trenches, we know it works
in football, quarterback, protect the quarterback, get to the quarterback.
Cardinals ad reportedly Dalvin Tomlinson in the trenches three technique
nose tackle. And then of course Josh Sweat, who met
the media earlier today, our guest here on the Big
Red Rager thoughts on those two additions and what that
does to fortify the defensive front.
Speaker 6 (33:37):
I think it's massive, right, you look at what both
those guys bring to the table. It's an internal problem
and an external problem on the edge, and that's what
you need. You want to be able to take the
blueprint like everybody else probably wants to do in the
NFL the Philadelphia Eagles. Well, now you're getting a guy
that was wreaking havoc in the Super Bowl that you
can get pressure with for so you don't have to
(33:58):
bring extra guys to the party and expose the back
end as much. So that's really what you want, and
they're hard to find. I mean a couple of years
ago we were talking about projection with many Assin Fort
and I was like, I'd take Will Anderson. I would
literally remember sitting in the booth with you guys there
just saying I would write that name down, bring it
up there. Those guys do not become available very often,
(34:20):
and luckily because of the relationship that JG had, I'm
assuming helped get a perennial pass rusher here because you
usually don't let those guys out of the building or
they get very comfortable with where they are and they
like the setup of what's going on the style of defense.
But you also need guys around you, and you can't
just be a one man band. And so I think,
(34:40):
you know, bringing back Baron Browning being able to add
to the pieces of that puzzle, but then really really
solidifying that middle is important too, because you have to
be able to be versatile. You have to be able
to change the fronts up and do all these different
things to try to create pressure as much as you can.
And the more guys that you have up front, the
(35:01):
better off you're going to be.
Speaker 1 (35:02):
What bothered you the most, Drew that outside edge pressure
or someone that the cardinals hope is the answer on
the inside, And Dalvin Tomlinson as far as that internal
or that interior pressure up the middle.
Speaker 6 (35:16):
Well, I think the interior push is just unique from
the standpoint of Those are guys that just shove the
pocket and then you end up playing Santa Claus on
the right in your lap, and that's what we used
to joke about because that was the same. But you
have to be aware of those guys, and that's why
you want to solidify from the inside out because an
edge pressure guy, you can scoot up in the pocket,
(35:37):
you can escape, you can get on. Internal pressure is
just a whole different dimension because if you can do that,
eventually those edge guys are going to get home because
they're going to collapse the top of it. So given
the choice, give me Aaron Donald over anybody else. Is
a three technique on the inside and he's going to
create more pressure and more problems than anybody on the outside.
Speaker 4 (35:58):
That's good.
Speaker 2 (35:58):
We always learn something with your Santa Claus. I never
heard that term before, what a quarterback refers to when
a three technique or a nose tackle is right in
his laugh in the pocket almost instantaneously.
Speaker 1 (36:09):
Careful, Drew, he'll steal that and claim it as his own.
Speaker 2 (36:12):
No, no, it's on the record right now, so he Drew.
We really enjoyed it, and you're right, you know, Craig, Craig,
I know, Craig was thinking about you've been on an
extended off season ever since you got a ring with Tampa,
so then it's just been one big off season for
you at this point.
Speaker 6 (36:27):
It's Trusty's probably been a little bit longer than that.
Speaker 2 (36:31):
All right, Drew, Hey, we appreciate it and look forward
to talking to you soon. Thanks for the time and the.
Speaker 6 (36:36):
Knowledge, My pleasure, guys, always fun time.
Speaker 2 (36:39):
Okay, there you go, Drew, stan We continue with the
Big Red Rage here on today, where we also have
Josh Sweat in the house plenty to talk about the
off season rolls on Man just over a month away
from the draft, all that straight ahead. We continue with
a Big Red Rage presented by santan Ford. In Gilbert.
Speaker 5 (37:02):
Lescott to throw flesher, he is jacked.
Speaker 1 (37:06):
Dalvin Tomlinson flying through the middle at a sack to
start for Cleveland.
Speaker 4 (37:11):
He is sid Tomlinson in trouble.
Speaker 1 (37:16):
Downy cos Dalvin Tomlinson there and.
Speaker 4 (37:18):
The ball came out Dalton Man brought down again.
Speaker 2 (37:22):
Dalvin Tomlins said, fields from the clean pocket. Nobody open down.
Speaker 1 (37:26):
The pocket collapses and down he goes. The ball is
out Dalvin Tomlinson with the strip sack.
Speaker 6 (37:33):
What do you do?
Speaker 2 (37:34):
What can you do? If there's a three technique and
interior d Lineman hashtag wrecking ball? Who's just destroying the
interior of your offensive line? Not a lot you can do.
It can be very problematic, and as Drew stand said,
it's the Santa Claus effect. You get a guy right
in your lap and it's probably the thing quarterbacks hate
(37:55):
the most. Welcome back into the Big Red Rage presented
by santan Ford and Gilbert Special thanks to the former
Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton. Same goes for Josh sweat Man.
What a pleasure to talk with him. You can hear
how fired up he is about rejoining Jonathan again, and
Nick rollis called in a no brainer a number of
times with the media, says he's a late bloomer as
(38:15):
a fourth round pick. He can still take his game
to the next level. And we all know what Kyle
Vannenbosch likes to say. Two of his best years was
when inside of him he had Pro bowlers like in
Dominic and Sue and Albert Hainsworth. So let's just let's
just you know, it's the off season, Craig Let's day
dream for a moment. If Dalvin Thomlinson continues to be
that dude that he's been for a good eight years
(38:37):
in the league, Darius Robinson looks like the dude he
was in August before he got hurt. Man, there's some
guys who are gonna be able to eat off the edge.
Speaker 1 (38:44):
Ken Tomlinson be Aaron Donald for the Rams Leonard Williams
for the Seahawks. Now those are two, especially Donald, But
can you have that same type of effect, especially with
that interior pressure, and then if everyone's focused on that,
if he's having such a good performance, then it frees
(39:04):
up the outside because it's not just yeah, you gotta
win your one on one. But if you take on
a double team or a triple team, now all of
a sudden, that.
Speaker 4 (39:12):
Freeze you up.
Speaker 1 (39:14):
There's there's less resistance between you and the quarterback. If
you have someone in the middle of the defense or
a couple of guys in there. If Justin Jones are
a ball on Nichols, now all of a sudden, you
it becomes a little bit easier to get into the backfield.
Speaker 2 (39:28):
And you know what, when the D and D line
stands for depth, then guess what, everyone's fresh when they
get their series, when they get their rotation. And the
Cardinals were so decimated by injury really the last couple
of years along the defensive line. They had to go
out and you know, re signed guys, they had cutting camp.
You know, Nakwon Jones and Ben Stilly did a great job.
Speaker 1 (39:46):
But when an LJ.
Speaker 2 (39:47):
Collier right, a lot of talent and a former first
round pick, and now he's able to pick his spots.
Speaker 4 (39:53):
And really go full bore, full.
Speaker 2 (39:56):
Speed for a number of snaps instead of having going,
you know, kind of maybe main his effort level over
the course of an entire game. I think that's where
you really get a disruptive defensive front.
Speaker 1 (40:06):
And think how much better the secondary will be, how
less time they'll have to cover if you have some
more consistent pressure, whether that's the inside or the outside.
And then can you get your hands on a few
more footballs? Can you get a couple more takeaways, shorter
possessions defensively, more possessions for your offense, more opportunity to score. Now,
(40:28):
all of a sudden, you go from that eight when
mark to maybe maybe that's the difference between the Cardinals
just watching the playoffs and participating in the postseason. Are
these moves this offseason? Again, we're very early, Paul, but
are these new moves Josh Swt, Dalvin Tomlinson, returning some
of the your key free agents? Is that worth an
(40:48):
extra two wins? Three wins? Because that's really all you're
looking for right now if you're the Cardinals, outside of
winning your division and taking care of everything. But if
you're looking at a number, I think you gotta be
shooting for the eleven win mark, especially with a seventeen
game regular season.
Speaker 2 (41:03):
And you know what, there still might be signings coming
our way. I mean, cornerback could be a possibility, offensive
guard could definitely be a possibility based on what's out there.
How about wide receiver? Where did the Cardinals stand in
your mind at receiver right now?
Speaker 1 (41:17):
I in agreement with you because we've talked about this before.
But is there that speed receiver? Is that that guy
out there? Is he already on the roster? Xavier Weaver,
undrafted rookie saw some time late last season, But can
he be that guy? Can he be that John Brown
type guy where he just goes and all of a
sudden it takes a little bit more pressure off the
(41:38):
middle of the field for a Trey McBride or Marvin
Harrison junior, because that's kind of what this offense has
been missing. Greg Dortsch will see what his future is.
Zay Jones, it's an intriguing return because remember he was
unavailable in the first six games of last season. Caught
on a little bit more towards the end of the season,
but I think he was playing catchup for most of
(41:59):
the time even when he was back. So it I
do think they'll be well, they'll be There'll be more
moves offensively, because look, you got to fill a ninety
man roster. But as far as the wide receiver, position. Yeah,
I would like to see someone with a little some
little speed there that kind of gives this offense just
a different, different look at times.
Speaker 2 (42:18):
And you know what, if there's a four to three
guy there on Day three of the draft, I would
not be shocked the sort of the John Brown effect,
you know, and Drew Stanton, you know, appreciated it. John Brown,
how he kept defenses honest, especially those early years. All right,
hit zoom out on the rest of the league. Let's
take a look at the division, and you know, I
mean a lot of teams made a lot of headlines. Right,
most people consider the winners in free agency so far
(42:39):
in Minnesota, what was how much money as Minnesota.
Speaker 1 (42:41):
Two hundred and sixty three million dollars on day one
according to the numbers that the league provided. So yeah,
that was that was day one. So again it's the
early candidate for winning in the offseason. Paul and another
team would be the New England.
Speaker 4 (42:56):
Patriots, no doubt.
Speaker 2 (42:57):
And they probably had the most talent you know, have
to roster in the entire league, so they needed some help.
Bears reconstructed the entire offensive line. They have been very
active Washington as well. Now Seattle thinks it's winning. The offseason,
we'll see, they traded Geno Smith to Vegas for a
Round three pick, and then they decided to pay Sam
Darnold about thirty three a year, three years, one hundred
(43:18):
million and fifty five million guaranteed. That is reportedly to
join his former offensive coordinator Clint Kubiak up in Seattle.
Losers would be the Cowboys. I think most figure out
what are the Cowboys being done anything? And then the Niners,
I mean blood letting El Grande for the last place
(43:38):
forty nine ers. They're projected right now to have more
than eighty six million dollars in dead cap money charges
for this year. Wow, that's what they've had to deal with.
And so what's interesting is they just signed Mac Jones
two years, seven million, five million guaranteed. But the forty
nine ers are going to look very different this season.
Speaker 1 (43:58):
Look, I'm not unhappy about it any of all this stuff.
I mean, it looks great from the outside, and you
can mention the last place forty nine Ers, you can
mention perhaps the Seahawks and a little bit of a
I don't know, I don't really don't know what they're doing.
When you lose a DK Metcalf, choose to trade him,
you release Tyler Lockett, who's really catching passes from Sam Darnold.
(44:18):
The Rams are intriguing DeVante Adams that has become official
a two year deal, and that's someone that, Yeah, if
you're the Cardinals that particular Sunday, you have to pay
attention to him because now you've got a veteran quarterback
in Stafford throwing to a veteran receiver in DeVante Adams.
Speaker 2 (44:34):
No doubt, and Rams, you're right, you know, old Matthew
Stafford thing. They got him at the right price, and
we'll see, we'll see how exactly that shapes up in
the NFC wes. But as we know, these teams now
want to run the ball. That's what Seattle is a
dead set on doing. Forty nine ers, Christian McCaffrey coming back,
(44:56):
and we know the Rams are the best one the running.
Kiron Williams so Hey special thanks Josh Sweat, Drew Stin,
Craig Grielu for pin shitting for Ron Wolfley. Special thanks
Executive producer Jim Almahunter, Associate producer Cody Fincher, Technical director
Kellen Schober. I'm Paul KELVYC. This has been the Big
Red Rage presented by santan Ford and Gilbert. We are
santan Ford.
Speaker 3 (45:21):
You've been listening to the Big Red Rage presented by
santan Ford and Gilbert right on the price, right on
the corner of the Santan two to two Freeway in Valvesta.
The Rage is brought to you by Arizona Cardinals Podcast.
Visit Azycardinals dot com slash podcast.
Speaker 1 (45:41):
We're gonna see a little big red rage football right here.
Speaker 3 (45:45):
This has been an exclusive presentation of the Arizona Cardinals
Football Club.
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