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To the fifteen to the ten, Merry's Gonna.
Score touchdown, Welcome to the Cardinals Red Sea Report.
Swim to the ground by Buddha Baker Like a torpedo, he came flying into the backfield Connor to the ten, to the five and then the ends off of the touchdown.
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Here we go one.
Hand to catch it a touchdown?
Oh baby, I'm that fail.
Here's Craig Brielud, Paul Calvic, and nine year NFL veteran Rob Frederickson.
So today can either be a great day or your worst day or yes there's a third option, just a bump in the road you try to become an NFL players, We say welcome on this deadline Tuesday, one pm. All NFL teams must have a roster that is no more than fifty three players. And this is a day that again dreams are made, rob or dreams are crushed. And then there are those players that get released, slide through waivers and find their way back onto a practice squad and then potentially to the fifty three man roster at some point during their career.
Yeah, you know, it's a tough day for some guys and it's a great day for others. It's a life changing day for some. And so, you know, inside the locker room on a daylight today, it's the mood is generally kind of subdued, a low level in terms of excitement, and guys aren't hooting and hollering. It's it's kind of respect for everyone that's kind of going through this situation. And you know, you hope the best for for the guys that are released. You hope they get on with another team and maybe even get onto the practice squad for the Arizona Cardinals and have an impact in that way. But it's certainly a weird day for for for the players, for for the coaching staff, for the front office, and it's it's, you know, it's it needs to be handled with the with the care.
Our flag at Calvisi Consulting is flying half staff already. Reportedly, Marquis Hayes, big mole, big no, come on, no mo Marquis Hayes as uh, he's been released reportedly, and so, uh, you know, we never really even actually talked to him. We just admired him from Afar. You never want to actually meet your hero I was gonna say, don't. You don't want to meet your heroes. And Marquis Hayes, you know, every rep was half football, half usc UFC that is, and he was just like man just watching him.
Uh.
You talk about the fight for fifty three. He put the fight into it all right, and unfortunately apparently he lost. We'll see if he ends up on the practice squad. But it's tough. It's stuff deal there. And not going to say I'm totally surprised in that the second and third team all line didn't fare all that well in the preseason games. Let's keep it real, and so I think they're looking perhaps outside the organization more than any other position group. What else is out there in terms of backup offensive lineman. I'm real curious to see where this one ends up, not only after final cuts, but after they go through all the waiver claims. SCUZ Cardinals are picking forth.
Half a dozen players officially released on Monday, a handful more already on this Tuesday, according to reports, including Paul's guy Marquise Hayes and also quarterback Desmond Ritter, which we can talk about. And then there was the reported trade of Cameron Thomas to the Kansas City Chiefs for a seventh round pick. So this again a lot of things so potentially could be happening here over the next hour on the Cardinals Red Sea Report. We'll do our best to keep everyone up to date, but typically the Cardinals don't make their roster moves official until later in the afternoon. But if something does cross the wire or social media, will make sure we get out that information. But let's just kind of go big picture here, Robin. The preseason overall three games, the final one on Sunday, Cardinals lose in Denver, falling into the Broncos by the score of thirty eight to twelve. But overall those three preseason games, and then what you've seen and what you've heard, how do you think record aside because the Cardinals didn't win a game, but how this team performed knowing that there wasn't a single starter outside of Marvin Harrison Junior for three snaps on offense, and then maybe Roy Lopez and Starling Thomas on defense that saw any preseason action.
Yeah, it's hard to kind of get a gauge on what this team is going to look like when the starters don't play in the preseason. But you know, given given that and just the players that did play, because that's really all we can look to and all we can evaluate. There was some some guys that really popped, some guys that flashed. In terms of the rookies, I thought, you know, number one, top of the list, Xavier Thomas. He really flashed in terms of just his pass rushing ability in a position group that was really thought to be one that is, you know, kind of lacking in terms of production, he could very well be the most natural and the best fit in terms of producing and creating some disruption from the edge. So you know, I thought his individual performance in the preseason was certainly one that's noteworthy. And then you know Trey Benson. I think he really came on in the second preseason game and really looked comfortable and and explosive. He did a good job in that second preseason game. He didn't didn't see him, uh this has preseason game, but I think he did enough to to really solidify that number two running back position, and then you know when you look at wide receiver, you know just what Xavier Weaver did I think in the preseason is something of note. And you know, given the given the suspension of Zay, you know you got to look at that and say, you know, he's he's got himself an inside track of being in this fifty three man roster.
I'd i'd had Rabbit as well as far as part of that rookie class that certainly is gonna have an impact, have a role this season.
I mean, you have a twelve player draft class plus Xavier Weavers, so really it's a Baker's dozen, and you're thinking, if if, if you can get a mediate return on half those guys, you're winning historically in the NFL, and it's a lot more than half. Marvion Aarrison Junior, Daris Robinson when he's healthy. In order, Max Melton is pushing Starling Thomas the moment, Starling Thomas Felters. Here's Max Melton, the round two kid, Trey Benson. I think it'll be Thunder and Thunder James Connor and Trey Benson this year. Tip Ryman absolutely and twelve and thirteen personnel who wants them, and then you got rabid Xavier Thomas might be your premier edge rusher on third and long on third and obvious passing situations, a sub package. And then you get down to Xavier Weaver, who I think is gonna have a role on game day, albeit perhaps the return game to start, but right now, I'd say he's wide receiver. Five.
So twelve rookies as far as the draft class and Xavier Weaver to your point, Paul one of those undrafted rookie free agents overall. Jonathan Gannon on how he thought the rookie class performed this offseason.
You know, I would say a lot of our rookies did a really good job, guys, you know, for their first year, just you know, getting acclimate and how we do things, being all in on that, practicing the right way, preparing the right way, going out, making plays, you know, busting their butt. I think the entire Ricky class did a good job.
So those thirteen players plus last year's first group under GM Monti Austin. For now, you try to figure out, all right, you go from ninety to fifty three, who are our best players to fill out this roster, and that is what has been going on since well, basically since preseason began, but certainly after Sunday's game in Denver, and in all day Monday, and of course all day today on Tuesday. The challenge of building a fifty three man roster. Once again, here's the head coach.
It's a challenge that you have to do well. You know, you're looking at the fifty three and then the practice squad, the roles will be defined. You know what that looks like and how important every role is. And I feel really good about the guys that we're picking from to fill out those roles.
It's like a puzzle, Paul.
You're trying to figure out which pieces do you have to fill out the puzzle, and then maybe you're missing a couple of pieces and you see someone get released. All right, let's put a claim in. A year ago, the Cardinals put a claim in on I don't know how many total, but they were awarded six waiver claims. Four currently still remain on this team. So yeah, it's keep an eye on your team and the rest of the thirty one others as well.
Think about the fact they snags starling Thomas Roy Lopez those sort of guys last year. There's no doubt. The hallmark one hallmark one sign of a really effective and productive front office is when they know their own players better than you, and they know your players better than you. When you go and rip guys away from other teams who have been let go, when you identify that sort of talent and you have a good enough sense of what you have, and then also the free market and the thirty one other teams, And there's no doubt Manias of Warp believes in that greatly, especially at this stage of the rebuild. And don't think for a minute it's not a rebuild. Remember we told you this is the six Purge movie all over, because the number right now is five. There are five I remaining draft picks from the four previous draft classes prior to many Austin for it, I mean you talk about let MONI cook, right, I mean he's starting with all new ingredients, goes thirty two draft picks and the four draft classes before him, and five remain as of right now. You're looking for a particular person, I think first and foremost and then all right, what are they as a player that's been made very clear as far as who they've brought in talking about this front office and who they've said, Yeah, we just don't have room for you anymore.
Yeah, it's tough. I mean, they certainly have a player type that they want, right They want a personality type. They want a guy that fits into the culture and fits into what they're trying to accomplish. But at the end of the day, it's about players and really who are the fifty three best players to go out there on Sundays? And so that's what today is all about. Yeah, you want them to fit in terms of the culture, and that's that's very important. But you know who's going to best help this team on Sundays. That's what today's all about.
One more from JG when he met the media on Monday. Now that the preseason is over, you have this week and then Labor Day begins, your first week of the regular season, going into Buffalo Week one. It is here before you know it, here's head coach Jonathan Gannon.
Since urgencies high as I'm sitting here right now, and I think it goes into what we just talked about with cuts for us too. There's a starting line now that's becoming very clear in your vision. So I don't want to say that our urgency is going to pick up, but it needs to pick up.
There's excitement and yet at the same time, Paul, you've watched Jonathan Gannon and this entire coaching stuff, how they interact with players. It's not that they single out the stars or the first round draft picks. They make connections with all ninety players, everyone that walks into this building. So it's that balancing neck. You're excited about, Hey, this is our team, yet at the same time, there's a whole bunch that are not a part of the team anymore.
Yeah, the excitement just went up next level. As I'm sitting here to use those words from Jonathan enn And I can tell you having filmed his weekly TV show, that regular season intensity has arrived. Regular season urgency is now part of the formula. And to Rob's point about certain players, you know, you think of JG and you know it's now a year and a half into his era as Cardinals head coach. You think of energy, you think of physicality, you think of accountability. Those are the three things to me, first and foremost that he brings as a head coach and then in terms of the sort of player, there's no doubt they're looking for guys who are deadly serious about football all ball. Will Hernandez talked about that that if you come into this locker room now and you don't fit, if you're not serious about your profession and you're not a professional, you won't fit. It's a matter of you have to conform or get out. That's what they want, the culture from the inside out of that locker room. And then also to a certain degree, I think they firmly believe it's a big man's game. They're building a roster that's much more physical, much bigger. A few exceptions here and there, if you're a really dynamic playmaker like a Xavier Weaver, is only a buck seven you or Greg Dorts, you have a role bought the tip Rymans of the world, Trey Benson, you know you you. They are coming out with a certain mentality, and I think we'll see it. The whole Kramat Vertical doesn't just go for the run game. I think it describes the DNA of how they want to play football, and no doubt we will see it Week one in Buffalo.
The line of scrimmage whether that's the offensive line or the defensive line, run the ball, control the line of scrimmage, flip it, and it's can you stop the run? And I think that's still a big question for this team. But they made that defensive line of priority in the offseason.
They did through free agency and the draft, and so you're right, it's still a question mark. But they addressed that defensive line, that front seven, and so that's that's really where they're at and that's where this this roster is gonna go.
Week one, right around the corner. Week two, the home opener against the Los Angeles Rams. Single game tickets on sale now. Visit Asycardinals dot com forward slash by tickets to secure your seats today. That's Azycardinals dot Com forward Slash five tickets.
We mentioned it.
Rob did Zay Jones unavailable the first five games of the regular season. What does that mean for the wide receiver room. We'll get to that next here on the Arizona Cardinals Radio Network.
Shotgun Snap too Trouble, flushed out of the pocket on his right side, now launches a deep down field weaver far aside lunges and makes the catch before he touched to the ground of the twenty seven yard line. That's a gain of forty three yards of gorgeous throw down field by two.
Oh, that is big time right there by Clayton tuned six guys standing on the line of scrimming. Somehow, some way he got around the unblocked guy to his right.
Use that building, now, Paul, we need to inform Dave Hash should Savior Weaver make the roster, that it is we were the receiver and that is what he is now referred to on this potential fifty three man roster if he does make the team.
You know what, Dave's up there, you know, in his ivory tower known as the climate controlled broadcast Booth. I'm not sure how much he really, you know, believes some of our analysis from down on the sideline, the ham and Egger. You know, we grind it out down there. Yes, we were. The receiver. Was identified before camp. We threw him out there, the poly pickskin breakout player at camp. It's about time. We've had a dry spell for a few years in that category. But every once in a while we do hit on a guy.
Right, it'd be the dream Weaver.
Oh, I got what you did there, Go there. Now Rob's getting in on the action. Yeah, this is what happens. Yep, everyone jumps the bandwagon line forms to the right. Rob that forty three.
Yard catch in the second quarter. Later on that drive, Weaver had a third teen yard reception on third and six. That's set up first and goal. Of course, that drive into in a fumble. But hey, details, But yes, Xavier Weaver, an undrafted rookie free agent out of Colorado. Rob someone that. Again, you're undrafted, and it's difficult to make a roster already. You come in here and you've got Marvin Harrison Junior, Michael Wilson, Greg George Z Jones, Chris Moore, Zach Passio and you're like, wait a second, but you come in and what do you do when you are given an opportunity? How do you perform? And Weaver has been that guy more times than not. And then all of a sudden, Jay Jones suspended violates the league Personal Conduct policy. Not going to be available the first five games in the regular season opens up a spot. Now, all of a sudden, Hey, potential for an undrafted rookie to be in that wide receiver room.
Yeah, and the versatility of Weaver too in the return game. What he did in the preseason in the return game, to me, that just kind of puts him a little bit higher in terms of just what he can bring to this team. But Xavier Weaver, you know, it's it's don't count your reps, make your reps count, and he epitomizes that. Really. What he did every time he was on the field and every time he was targeted seems like he was making a big play. You look back a couple of years ago, and you know, that's what Greg Dortch was doing. He was making plays when he was given opportunities the last few years. And Greg dorts now is one of those guys that on cut day like today, he didn't have to worry about it, right because he made the most out of his opportunities. And I looked at at Xavier Weaver at an exact same light as that he's he's making the most of his opportunities and he's got a great one now.
And you know what, the OC Drew Petsen spoke about Xavier Weed the Weaver in the exact same way you just did, and went as far as to call him unflappable. We said it's really rare for an undrafted rookie, and you look back at his background. He played four years at South Florida and then he went to Colorado under Dion for his final year. But he played in more than fifty college games. He's twenty three, about to be twenty four, so you know, he has a maturity about him. And to Rob's point, every time, seemingly now. He did have one drop in the final preseason game, you know, and immediately wrapped himself up and said that was my bad. He was already looking ahead downfield because he had some space and it was just an easy throw out of the backfield. Otherwise, he was making contested catches on a daily basis, just like Greg Dortch and Camp. There was a lot of that. That's a good comp.
Yeah, I like that comparison because you're making your mark on special teams and then all of a sudden you get elevated to have a bigger role on offense, like we expect to have to see out of Greg dorts this season. Perhaps that's the way Xavier Weaver makes his mark with the Arizona Cardinals. Head coach Jonathan Gannon, going back to Sunday in Denver postgame with you, Paul asked about Weaver's performance against the Broncos.
He did a really good job in the return phase. It was wendy out there. I'm sure you guys couldn't see, but it was windy down there. And made some plays in the passing game. You know, he's done that all camp. You know, he shows up, the ball goes to him and he makes place.
And that's all you ask of any of these players when their name is called. Can you make a play? Can you flash on film and make an impression of this coaching staff.
And here's what we don't know. Are they going to use Greg Dortch in the return game? Do you risk your number three receiver, your slot guy in the return game? Now, Dortsch is really looking forward to the new dynamic kickoff. He thinks he's gonna excel in the new format. Bod is that too risky? And if you have a guy like Xavier Weaver's pretty darn dynamic and he runs into the darkness, I mean, he does not hesitate. You saw him fielding kicks and punts all over the field throughout the preseason and in camp. So I am curious, especially now without Jay Jones. If number thirty and by the way, he's gonna have to do something about that numbers the receiver, is he not If indeed he makes this team, he gets a new number and then he gets a new role. Is maybe in the receiver rotation.
I like your thinking there, Paul, because yeah, thirty just looks a little bit off what they want wide receiver height. We've been hyping him up. We've been talking about Zavier Weaver. Let's hear from the former Colorado Buffalo post game on Sunday in Denver.
I saw the case a lot in a way, you know, I feel like, show what I can do off the field, on the field in return game and stuff like that.
But you know, I just felt like I was myself and that's all you ask of these players.
Again, Robin again, If it's not here with the Arizona Cardinals, we hope it is because he has it performed well. But it's thirty one other teams that have seen film for three games now of Xavier Weaver not only catching balls but returning as well.
I have a strong suspicion that if he's let go, he does not clear waivers. I don't think there's an opportunity to bring him back on the practice squad, So it's make the fifty three or say goodbye. So I think the Cardinals are going to keep him for sure. Xavier Weaver has done enough in my estimation, to be impactful to this offense and special teams I looked at. That's really the area where I think he's gonna shine initially, is going to be in the return game.
And you know what, he's certainly not an unknown now, and he really wasn't going into camp. Word was. Once the draft ended, his phone lit up. Him and his agent start getting a lot of calls, and the Cardinals gave him a lot of money for an undrafted rookie, reportedly over two hundred and fifty grand guaranteed as an undrafted rookie, which is unusually high. But if you look at how they did this year with a twelve player draft class, they say, you know what, we're not bringing in ten undrafted rookies. We'll bring in three guys. We'll spend a little bit more money to bring in three quality guys and see if they can compete. And it looks like they hit a home run, at least so far in Xavier Weaver.
Overall, you look at the wide receivers and there are three Marvin, Michael and Dortch and you just wonder like, Okay, what do you do if you need a fourth or is that the tight end position?
Is that a running back?
If you carry so many running backs, then all of a sudden you need to find a role for maybe a Michael Carter or a Trey Benson in the past game, because that's you have all these options if you're Drew Petsing, So again, make your mark on special teams if you're Xavier Weaver. But yeah, the wide receiver overall, how many times are we actually going to see four or five wide during the course of the game.
And you know how it goes. Drew Petsing loves to be multiple. You'll get thirteen personnel and then the next snap he'll go empty. We saw it. You get all these different personnel groups. I was telling Craig on Cover two yesterday, Rob, you know what I want Kyler Murray to be accused of this year, of being brock perty, of being a game manager, of having so many weapons. All he needs to do is distribute the football and then on the rare occasion when he needs to be the best athlete on the field and dial it up to keep a defense accountable. On third and eleven, he's got to run for the sticks. Great, but until then, just get the ball out. Be precise in your decision making. You have enough weapons at your disposal, use them.
Ten percent of the offensive snaps. Last year, the Arizona Cardinals were in thirteen personnel, three tight ends, one back, so you know, and then twelve person they're in a twenty percent of the time, so thirty percent of the offensive snaps. They're in multiple tight end sets. That limits the number of wide receivers you have out on the field. So again, you know, when it becomes a numbers game and you're thinking of creating your final roster, you might have some leeway there in terms of the number of wide receivers you actually keep on the active roster.
You're comparing that fifth or sixth wide receiver and their value versus maybe the ninth or tenth offensive lineman or the fifth or sixth corner or defensive back. Trying to figure out how do we construct the best fifty three.
You know, reportedly Blake Whiteheart has been released. What's the future with Travis vocal act Bernhard's Psychowitz. Now, are these guys are gonna be game day activations from the practice squad? Perhaps, But if there's a notable waiver claim out there at tight end, I think that's where your fourth tight end comes from. Is one of the thirty one other teams.
Cardinals right now fourth in that waiver claim order a year ago, six players after cut down. We'll see how going to the Cardinals might add here over the next twenty four forty eight hours. Well, we mentioned the reported trade of Cameron Thomas to the Kansas City Chiefs. We'll dive to that more what it means for that front seven. Next here on the Arizona Cardinals Radio.
Network, Third and goal in the six, Wilson takes the shotgun snap facing a four man rush standing in the pocket. Now in trouble in sack, Luketta got him back at the eleven yard line. Boy Jesse Luketta continues to shine and forces Denver into a field goal.
That's a big play right there, Jesse Luketta coming off the edge from the right side of Zach Wilson. That is well done by Jesse Luketta getting the arm under and then making the play.
A sack a couple of quarterback hits from Jesse Luketta. On Sunday in Denver, the preseason finale Cardinals finished with four sacks eight quarterback hits in a thirty eight to twelve loss. As we say, welcome back here to the Cardinals Red Seat Report Craig raylu Paul Calvic, and Rob Frederickson, as we kind of discuss what is going on decision day here, the fifty three man roster teams by one pm Arizona time have to have no more than fifty three players on the roster. There have been some reported moves already, but the key is as far as the front seven is concerned. We kind of hinted at it off the top robin. That is, according to reports, Cameron Thomas, the outside linebacker traded to the Kansas City Chiefs for a seventh round pick, and that was someone like a Jesse Luketto or a Victory D. Mccagee in that outside linebacker room fighting for a spot, fighting for a role depending on how many edge rushers this team decides to keep.
Yeah, and I think Cam Thomas is his performance in the preseason really helped him and helped the Cardinals get some value for him in terms of a trade. But when I look at this room, you know, and and you you came back with with Jesse Looketta highlight there. He's a he's a guy, he's he's a Jonathan Gannon all ball kind of guy that you know that we talk about. He's he's a guy that you know it's just all effort, you know. And he's a he's a player that you know, he can do multiple things. He can he can play full back. You know, Wolf loves that. But you know it's looking at this room. You got d McCage, you got Luketta, Xavier Thomas. I think is is really you know, his emergence in this preseasons has given them a little latitude in terms of what they can do. And so they went out and made that made that move with Cam Thomas. And it might still be a position group that the Cardinals are looking to improve upon uh in free agency and and there are some guys out there so that that may still be an area that that they address. But given given where they're at right now, I like the group with Gardak and Zavon Collins and Xavier Thomas d Mucage and Luketta. I think that's a that's a solid group. And don't forget, you know, the the versatility of a mac Wilson senior and his ability to rush on the outside. And and I think the inside linebacker position is deep with Owen Popo and Chris Barnes. Those guys can come in and if if mac Wilson needs to go up and rush. So there's some versatility there. There's some options for the Cardinals.
That's the wild card right there is mac Wilson Senior. I know you call him a man a mystery, but I don't know if I think we're that might no longer be the case, especially with Bjo Julari done for the season. And now if you're looking for a rotation or just guys to get after the quarterback, mac Wilson Senior could be one of those guys.
I mean, I would not be shocked if Week one at Buffalo, mac Wilson Senior off the edge, Zavon Collins goes inside on a third and obvious, you know Nick Ross has dialed up a lot of that sort of stuff, trying and create those those mismatches, and you know, use that athleticism to get to Josh Allen. I mean so, and then with Owen Papo, as you mentioned in his speed, and he's really taken a leap from year one to year two. He got a lot of game reps the end of last season. You can trust him in coverage, you know, that's always the question, Okay, is that backup inside linebacker able to really check a running back run with a tight end, And so far Papo appears to be. You know, he is a freak. That is his Twitter handle. He does have the athleticism, so at least there are options. And then of course, you know, you look at Victor d. Mucage. You easily arguably should have had three sacks in the second game. And you look at his pressure rate efficiency from last year. The analytics say when he got his reps, he got to the quarterback Dennis Gardex pressure rate was pretty hard high. So maybe, as kV B has talked about, Okay, you have a bunch of guys with different body types, different rushing styles. You know, Zavian's very different from guard. Who's different from the raging bowl that is Victor d. McCage. And then you have Xavier Thomas, another man of mystery, at least in terms of the regular season. Who puts the speed in a speed rusher. Maybe there's enough initially the first month of the season. And if you're if you have a winning record and you just have this you real deficit at edge rush, then maybe you go out before the trade deadline.
You got to be able to get into third and obvious passing situations. And I think that falls now all of a sudden on that entire front seven and the defensive lone. How much can you get out of Justin Jones below, Nichols, l Roy Lopez, Dante Stills, guys to kind of force that quarterback to get rid of the football and maybe some pressure up the middle as opposed to the outside.
And guys, correct me if I'm wrong. But to Craig's point, as a four win team a year ago, you were trailing to most of the games, and Rob, you know where does the bulk of the sacks com Usually it's when you have a nice touchdown lead, two score lead, pin your ears back, let's go hunt. Yeah, it didn't happen a whole lot to the Cardinals because they didn't have the lead a whole lot.
Last No and they didn't have the lead, and they didn't have most of their defensive linemen. They were on the sidelines with injuries, and teams were running the ball. They had they had a lead, they were chilling, taking their time, running out the clock, running the football. Cardinals couldn't stop the run. Why pass you know?
So?
So, yeah, you're right. The sack opportunities, the pressure opportunities might not have been there as frequently as you would think in an NFL game, But be that as it may, the Cardinals really needed to address both the pressure in terms of a pass rush and also stopping the run. And I think they've done that.
And specifically with outside linebackers. This defense asks a lot. It's not just rush the quarterback. It's setting the edge, it's stopping the run. Can you drop into coverage and either take the tight end or the running back coming across the middle. So yeah, losing Cameron Thomas might have been a surprise for a lot of people, but a year ago he was a ninety four percent off the edge on blitz situations and that was basically about it. This defense asked more of their outside linebackers. Case in point, Jesse Luketta, the more you can do. Let's go back to his performance on Sunday postgame, what he thought he was able to do in the preseason.
The game slowed down. I say, really, just you know, honing in on you know my keys, honding on the game, understanding situations. It's just it's been flowing. So it's going out there and just playing ball.
Can play defense, can play offense, and then special teams. If you're a Jesse Loketta or Victor de McCage, and you're gonna be in that room, Paul, if you're a Cameron Thomas, you're gonna be in that room. What's your role on special teams? And I don't know how much of a role Cameron had on special teams. And if you're the fifth or sixth outside linebacker, well you're not gonna have a uniform on game day.
By the way, Jesse Loketta does endorse Canadian Army Knife. We've we've confirmed that with him. He is a first. He does like that, the first player that's endorsed the nickname. I just said, he likes the old Canadian Army knife thing, and it is an apt description. Now, I don't know if he's going to be a fullback this year. I know, are they hiding that. I'm not exactly sure where that might be tracking, but he is on all the teams and he's very effective and seemingly with the new dynamic kickoff he has the body type that you need. You don't need like the four to three guy anymore. Necessarily, you need a Jesse Luketta type who has enough speed and then has enough power to get through you know that that five yards of chaos and shed a guy and make a tackle. So I think his value with the new kickoff rule has been enhanced. That's my opinion.
Different body types, different skill sets in that outside linebacker room. More from Luketa on having different guys in that room to kind of form a rotation on game day.
Fresh legs, you know how I guess during during the season, you know, we have a defense with you know, defensive coordinator Nikralis, who wants to go out there and go get him who want to hunt. So the opportunity that it presents having fresh legs and guys who are able to go out there and ex be violent playing upside.
And by the way, but it looks like he's playing faster, he says. He is. He says he is quicker. His offseason, he slimmed down a little bit, you know, worked on some of that game speed, you know type stuff. I think that's shown up in a lot of reps. A lot of guys notice that down on the sidelines. Wow, forty three looks quicker. And then he said the game slowed down for him mentally at this point, he's seen enough in the game, he's gotten enough reps where he's a little quicker with this decision making as well.
Look, in a perfect world, do you want that multi that double digit sat guy that team scheme for and prepare for sure, But in the absence of that rob I think what you have on the roster, you have to have that rotation to kind of keep that offensive line and the offense overall guessing, all right, who's coming now, what are we doing? And remember what sometimes you do in the first quarter sets up something you do in the second half.
And I think the bolstering of the interior defensive line through free agency and the draft with Darius Robinson, you know, I think that will really help the guys on the outside. It'll it'll create some pressure up the middle and force the quarterbacks to maybe move in and out of the pocket and create some opportunities for this, you know, a rush by committee, which is what we're gonna have. Yeah, it's it's not necessarily the fact or the hope that one of these guys gets multiple ten plus sacks per season. I don't know if that's gonna happen, But if there's enough pressure from enough guys on the outside, I think that I'm fine with that.
Right For example, like LJ. Collier has been really disruptive, really really getting upfield, getting into the backfield. So often does the sack begin with that interior d lineman getting up field, getting into the backfield, flushing a quarterback out and then boom, one of the edge guys just jumps them. You know. KVB said it's no fluke Is three Pro Bowls when he played with Albert Hainsworth and then dominic ensue because those guys were beasts inside.
Or you have someone lined up as a defensive end and getting to the quarterback. And let's not forget knock on wood Darius Robinson. If he is missing time, it's not a lot of time. That's another name to consider as far as being able to get after the quarterback Paulie.
What's the difference between a Canadian army knife and a Swiss army knife. Well, it is just nicer, no it don't you know.
I didn't get that in depth with Jesse Luketta. I just want to he just he smiled and he said, I'm all about it. You know the Canadian right now, there's the Danish army knife too, with the older Froholt, so he's used that. Moniker. You're right, we need to get to the bottom of this. We need a powerpole. You know which nation's army knife is superior concerning That's right, Okay, we'll get on that.
A lot of weapons in that locker room, skilled guys in in just nicknames as well. By the way, Ohio state head coach Ryan Day the guest on the latest episode of the day Patch podcast download Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and the Cardinals official YouTube page YouTube dot com slash Azy Cardinals about the Italian army knife.
Snap to Murray doesn't back just throw us quickly and it's caught for a first down by Higgins, powered.
His way through a tackle attempt to get the first down.
That is right on the Nats behind throwing his tight end open, hurry to throwing third and goal from the pocket, backing up, lobbing it left corner, Higgins got it touchdown.
First career touchdown for Higgins. What a great throw by Tyler Murray.
Elijah Higgins one of those players that the Cardinals claimed following roster cuts a year ago and still on this roster and dare I say, probably gonna have a pretty big role behind Trey McBride as a tight end. As we say, welcome back to Cardinals Red Sea report Craigielu, Paul Calvic and Rod Frederickson. Another reason, Paul we like Elijah Higgins is because of the alma mater.
What no, absolutely not. Somehow he overcame his Stanford background and actually has a spot on the fifty three to the point where he didn't see a lot of preseason action. Did you see any? Is hec? I mean, that's a good question. Actually that's better because we do plan on drafting him late going in the fantasy football draft. Okay, he's gonna be a real sleep. In fact, let's not talk about Elijah Higgins because we want to keep him as an unknown. He's a real sleeper. But you guys, are right. This team used more thirteen personnel than any team in the NFL. Right now they have three, count them three legit tight ends on this roster and his ability to run routes and separate as a former receiver, it is real. He will get targets. I think he will get catches and there will be yards after catch as well. You saw him in December and January last year. He started to earn the trust to Kyler Murray and they had a couple of good games, a couple of good connections, and he had a touchdown. Quick check.
He did not play and out of the last two preseason games Elijah Higgins. So yeah, that tells you right away, Rob that all right, you're one of those guys that, Okay, maybe you need to knock the rust off on that first preseason game, but after that, now we're gonna put you in bubble wrap and make sure you're ready week one.
Yeah.
Well, him, along with Tip Ryman and of course Trey McBride, that's a that's a good tight end group. I like that tight end group. But the question is, you know, because we talked about the propensity of this offense to go into multiple tight end sets, thirty percent of their offensive snaps last season. We're multiple tight end sets, so do you need a fourth tight end or is that somebody that you bring in if needed based on injury, if needed off the practice squad. That's really going to be the question mark when this final roster situation unfolds today and.
Then you see who might be available after these final roster cuts are made this afternoon. Head coach Jonathan Gannon on just that bringing in players who were a part of another team but now you want for your week one roster.
We're watching everybody right now. That's part of the job in these next this next week, honestly, and Mani's staff and the personnelse I does a really good job of setting the table for the coaches. Hey, here's the thought of this guy, how would that fit? You know? But then you got a weigh a bunch of factors into that too. So they do a good job of keeping that list pretty tight. But there's definitely a list you're looking.
At the waiver claim and then guys that you want back that you had to release because there's just no room for him. You do have a sixteen man practice squad. It can be as many as seventeen if you have that international player. And I say that because, according to reports, Bernhard Psychovitz one of those early cuts on Tuesday that the Cardinals have made in that tight end room. Same report mentioned that they want Psychovits on the practice squad and a new rule this year that past couple of seasons, Paul If Psychovitz was placed on the practice squad after cuts, he was only on the practice squad.
Now, as an.
International player, he can be one of those tight ends that gets elevated. That particularly to give you that fourth or fifth tight end, depending on what they decide to do.
It reinforces our thinking the strategy like, okay, wait a minute, if you're leading league in thirteen personnel, how can you only have those three tight ends on the fit fifty three? But if you have Blake Whiteheart, Travis Vocalek, and Bernhard Psychowitz all in the practice squad, all eligible for call up on game day at least the first half of the season until you'd have to make a roster move. Now, all of a sudden, you see perhaps the strategy behind what you're doing in the tight end room.
You can always roll Kelvin Beachum out there and hey, I'm eligible ref and you.
Know what, we brought that up. So look, I mean in a rundown, obvious rundown situation, if you want to go thirteen personnel, why not an extra offensive lineman a John Gain, someone who is pretty athletic, Calvin Beach, and why not stack those guys off, you know, a heavy set to one side.
You know it's you talk about culture, but you also talk about identity. You know, culture is what you do when no one else is watching. But identity is when you give the opposing team your playbook and say, yeah, try and stop us. So I'm not opposed to bringing out a third offensive tackle and lining them up as a tight end. And you know, I think teams sometimes do that, and that would be a possible situation for the Cardinals.
And you know what, Jonathan Ganny hit on that recently and he talked about again on his TV show. There's just those bread and butter things. That's your identity that you know what back in Ba's days, for example, twenty two and twenty three double We're gonna go to Seattle and we're gonna run that thirty times here it comes.
Can you stop if we don't care if you know it's coming right right, Yes, we're better than you. That's the mentality, that's the identity.
Still a big question with this team, and we'll have to kind of see how it plays out as far as what happens as far as the backup to Kyler Murray. According to reports, Desmond Ritter has been released that leaves Clayton tune right now as QB two. Does that stay that way and then a third quarterback is added to the practice squad? Or Paul, is there a quarterback? Because there have been a ton that have been made available today that is either acquired via a trade I ate Josh Dobbs like a year ago, or you claim and then all of a sudden you do keep three quarterbacks on the roster.
It's not p posteros to consider. Think about it a year ago after camp edit, after the preseason ended, you traded for your starting quarterback who had eight days. We had like four practices to get ready for a season opener Week one at Washington, So why would you not consider doing the same for the backup? So I think it's definitely in the cards. I really do that it's a possibility. Taylor Heineke if he gets let go by Atlanta more than ever teams are sticking with just two quarterbacks. Well, now you have Kirk Cousins and Michael Pennix. If you have a thirty year old Taylor Heineke with fifty starts under his belt, how does that compare with a Clayton Tune has one career start under his belt. And if you let Clayton Tune go, does he get snapped up? Considering all the other quarterbacks in the open market, maybe you get him to the practice squad eventually.
I think with that second quarterback, and maybe even if you're considering a third quarterback, what you want is you want stability. You want confidence in that person to at least get you through that game. And if it's multiple weeks, then you can kind of reassess. But as far as as far as backup quarterback, yeah, in my opinion, you want somebody that has some experience, number one, and you have some trust in I think they have some trust in Clayton Tune, but he doesn't have the experience. That's going to be the issue.
The knock on Clayton Tune, as well as he did improve from a year ago, is the final pass attempt that he had on Sunday and the pick six bad throw behind Andre Bachelli. Yes, and I know it was discussed on the broadcast. Paul that his day was done. Probably told hey, you're good to go. Yet at the same time, if you're a backup quarterback, you have to be ready at a moment's notice, and in that moment, he didn't do his job.
No doubt. And then there's also the persistent problem of taking sacks. He took seven of them against Cleveland. I get it, it was Miles Garrett. They had a number one d you know, he was your defensive player of the Year. I get all that, but he's taking his share of sacks in the preseason. So to the degree that he is playing faster, is he playing fast enough for the coaches liking?
You know?
Is he still And when you get into the regular season, you're not going to see any vanilla defenses. You're gonna see a lot of stuff for the sake of scheming it up against a young, inexperienced quarterback. So can you trust him? Ball security is of utmost importance.
It was the biggest storyline of training camp. Yet at the same time, now we're in the regular season, and Rob, I hope we're not talking about QB two at all this season, and that is unless they're holding, because Blake Gillikin can't hold. But outside that, you hope Kyler Murray's on the field for every single snap this season.
Oh absolutely, We hope this is never a discussion moving forward. But I think too, the offensive philosophy and the play calling can help Taylor of Clayton tune in situations where maybe he is thrust into playing playing some football, you know, the play action and doing those things like that that create kind of a half the field situation where he's got some room and he's only got a couple options. Those things can help.
And if Kyler Murray is a pro wall caliber quarterback, again, you don't need to have the world's best roster. A great quarterback makes up for a lot of other shortcomings on a roster.
Well, we'll see what the roster looks like in one week's time when we reconvene here on the Cardinals Red Sea Report. Who are those fifty three players who's on the practice squad ahead of Week one against the Buffalo Bills. Until then, have yourself as a wonderful week. This is the Arizona Cardinals Radio Network.
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It is caught by McBride. Hey, it's a touchdown foot a Baker with the sacked strip the ball, Hurry's gonna score touchdown?
Oh baby.
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