Big Red Rage - Baker Ready For Playoff Debut

into the backfield. The rage is brought to you by satan Ford in Gilbert or are you Santanford State Farm Talk to an agent today at eight hundred State Farm, And by Arizona Cardinals Podcasts visit acy Cardinals dot Com, Slash Podcasts, The Rods Rising Guard, Temperaturizing vision, flurring rage, taking it over. Here's Paul CALVC. Get the popcorn ready. It's gonna be a show and Ron will fleep. It

doesn't get any better than that. Unleash the far. Here we go the moment that this season has been building towards mini camps, in training camps and eighteen games, eighteen weeks in a regular season. Boom. This is the moment, Ron Wolfley and we know who's in, but who has

staying power? Who will embrace the moment? As Larry Fitzgerald tested Christian Kirk this week, which players are going to quote create that legacy and make a postseason run that's remembered forever, right, And could the moment be a little too big for a Rams team that has made it all about this moment with all those trades. The future is most definitely now for a Rams team that ow

has the Super Bowl on their own building, right? And how's oh, I don't know, how's at Rams quarterback in affair in the heat of the moment when he's owing three all time in the playoffs and he has seven picks in his last three games. So you know what, as Kyler Murray said today about the moment, there's no shine away from it. And that's what we're going to talk about tonight. The Big Red Rage featuring Buddha Baker. How about that all present of by Santan Ford and

Gilbert Yours truly, Paul Kalbisi and Ron Wolfing. What do you what, Polly? Right now? Where do you want to start on this one? I mean, honestly, where does your mind go when you start about this game coming up? You just went on your little diatribe right there, Polly. All I can think of right now is the quarterback position and the pressure. This is what a franchise quarterback

is all about. Would you say that the Los Angeles Rams consider Matthew Stafford to be a franchise quarterback, Paul, Well, they gave up the number one overall pick and shared off in two more first round picks. So you better hope, so, baby better they better hope Pole. That's exactly what he is. And oh, by the way, the Arizona Cardinals believe that Kyler Murray is their franchise quarterback as well. What quarterback is going to play a play better? What quarterback has

to protect the ball in this game, Polly? Because the quarterback that does that is most likely going to be the one that wins his game. And we're gonna hear from Kyler Murray a little bit later. How about getting to the quarterback? Could that be our segue into the news of the day? J? J. Watt Ron Wolfley. Did you see the video, the little snippet that the media is allowed to see that they put out for the masses. There he is hitting the sled, the blocking sled. Boom,

He's extending his arms and he's rocking the sled. Yeah, you tell me what do you make of that? No, you know what I mean? Honestly, that's that's a great star, Polly. It looks really, really good. But the problem is it's not a man that's three hundred and thirty five pounds. I mean, that's the problem. There's going to be somebody that will be firing off the ball and somebody that will be attacking him as well. But man, I'll tell you what, it sure beats the alternative, right, especially because

you think that JJ Watts. If you listen to JJ Wat, you think he's got a real shot to play. As a matter of fact, at this point in time, just listening to him, I'll be surprised if he doesn't play. And let's do just that. Let's listen to JJ Watt, and let's start with just the severity of the shoulder injury. Here's JJ. The shoulder dislocated out the back, took everything with it on the way out, rotator, cuff, flavoram capsule infraspinatus.

Saw everything's gone, and also dislocated my bice attendant in the process. So went in. I got a big scar here, got a big scar on the back. Basically opened it up, fix it all up. I asked him to tighten it down tight. He did and then we went to work on rehab. He's thinking it sound like the use a set of sockets and they just tighten that sucker down real tight, like it's in an engine compartment. I mean,

my goodness for everyone who's squeamish like yours. Truly, you can't even stand the site of an open face sandwich to hear that his shoulder just blew and flew out the back of his body. And now here he is and basically two and a half months when a timetable was four to six months for a return, Willie, can he returned by Monday night and actually make an impact? Boy, what a stud Polly, Honestly, what a savage jj Watt is to actually get back in ten weeks ten weeks.

It was supposed to be what sixteen to twenty four? They literally said, Paull, he was gonna take four to six months for him to come back, And now here he is after ten weeks back in the saddle, at least trying to get back in that saddle. Bolly. That's my number one takeaway from that cut you just played. My number two takeaway is jj Watt would be a

trainer when he's done. Yeah, No, doubt. Well, remember when Carson Palmer was advising Tyrn Matthew based on a knee reconstruction, he told him exactly the timetable he'd be looking at because Carson Palmer knew it all too well. By the way, you mentioned going against three hundred pounders, Well, guess what, JJ Watt, this isn't the first time he's had contact. It's not just a blocking sled. Before he even took the field today, he had tested it behind the scenes

of factor, he's explaining that process. I've gone up against offensive linement already. I'll obviously be doing more of that I practice the next couple of days. But yes, I've put myself through simulated played, simulated drives, simulated halfs. So it's checked out in all those situations. So now the next situation is to put it into a full blown

team situation. And let's not forget when he went down at the end of that Houston game at home, and I watched him at the very end of the game and he sprinted off into the locker room like what's going on? The Cardinals were jack stomping the Texans, and then we learned the worst the next day about what exactly had happened to J. J. Watt. Well, think about it. The Cardinals were seven and ozo and he was playing some really good ball. I mean he was for that

prior month. He was shown up in the box score in a big way. I mean, well, how realistic is it that he can actually come out there and not just take the field, but actually take command and be a difference maker. See, Paul, that is my question right there, It really is. Here's the one thing I know. They're going to leave it up to JJ Watt, And that's good enough for me, because he's not going to go ahead and just go out there. If he's going to hurt the team, if he's going to be detrimental to

the team, he's not going to go out there. That's what he was talking about. Also, he was saying he's not going to go out there and push it and be a detriment to the team. He's only going to do it if he can go out there and help this team win. And that to me is what is critical about this going forward. But I just got so much regard and respect for this guy. The fact that

he is on the precipice of getting back. The one caution I have PAULI is, I don't know how much live work he's done when he says that he's simulated a drive when he simulated a play, are you telling me you lined up and went one on one Oklahoma. I doubt that it was a situation that was live. That's all I'm gonna say. And there's a lot that is different from simulating a game and actually playing in a game. As far as I'm concerned. When people ask me about ninety nine, they say he's a lot like

number six. But James Connor is to the offense and that mentality and how guys feed off James Connor, it's the same thing what JJ Watt brings to the defense. Yeah, and now the question is will you have company? Jordan Phillips was out there practicing in a limited fashion. Marco Wilson, we know the problems at corner. In fact, Kevin Peterson cleared concussion protocol and then Rondelle more limited, but he was out there. And then Chase Edmonds told the media

today quote number two was going. He proclaimed himself ready to go on Monday night and said he would be surprised if James Connor missed this playoff. Game. So there was some bullish injury news today from the press conferences. No, that was good news right there. I totally agree with you. I right into that one. I heard Chase sidwins. You know, again, he made it very very clear he's not a doctor. He's not saying that James Connor is going to play.

He just said he would be prized if he didn't play. So again, it's not like you're gonna hold him to the fire if James Connor cannot play metaphorically speaking, you're not going to do that. I still think it bodes well to hear Chase Edmonds say, oh yeah, I'm good to go. I'm going. That is a big deal right there. The fact he's back. Marco Wilson, Men, listen, if I had my druthers, Paul, if there could be one guy

other than J. J. Watt. Of course, so I think is going to play, other than DeAndre Hopkins, who I don't think is gonna play. But if I could pick one guy that we expect to play at this point in time other than J. J. Watt, I would have to say James Connor is number one, but a very close second would be Marco Wilson. Paul at least Marco Wilson or Kevin Peterson. If you're without both those guys, it's almost fatal. And you saw that against Seattle, those

two Tyler locket touchdown grabs Freddy Swain wide open. It just has a trickle down effect in that secondary really limits what Vance Joseph is able to do. And you're right Wolf when it comes to James Conner. Circled all the way back to your first point about the play of the quarterbacks. When the Cardinals won in Week four at the Rams going away thirty seven twenty, it really wasn't even that close. Everybody. Now, they ran at forty

times for two sixteen. But here's the thing. Kyler only threw it thirty two times, and I say only because in the rematch he had to throw it forty nine times. Correct. And in the Week fourteen loss he had zero touchdowns on forty nine attempts and two picks. But in the Week four win with a run game, he had two touchdowns, zero picks. The passer rating was one twenty, whereas in the lass Kyler Murray the passer rating was only seventy two. There you have it, Palli, he just nailed it right there.

I honestly think that is going to be critical. It's going to be critical to the success of the Arizona Cardinals to run the ball in between the tackles, and specifically, I would say to run the ball at war times than not at number ninety nine. Hey, the Cardinals want you to ache waves in the playoffs by showing your support ahead of the Monday night Wildcard game against the Rams. There are several ways to get involved. You could come away with some great prizes. Just go to Acy cardinals

dot com slash playoffs for all the details. Acy cardinals dot com Slash Playoffs. Now Wolf. If I hear a guy on the sideline let out a primal scream before the defense hits the field, I know Buddha Baker is ready to go and he joins us. Next on the Big Red Rage presented by Santan four in Gilbert, ain't nothing much to talk about right now? They get the ball today. Can you feel me? GCB on three two, I'm picked up, I'm picked up. Let go, let's go,

let go. You don't woke up a ganon, you don't walk up a first down for the Rams under twenty five under center is Stafford and he's gonna hand it off off the right side and nothing to do and the ball came out. It's picked up by Buddha Baker at the one yard line. How did the ball sport out of there? Bhudda Baker picked it up, pick on the ground. That's all we know. And doesn't it figure it's Baker? I tell you. That was one of two big takeaways by that Cardinals defense week four in La

right Ron Wolfley. The other one was the Byron Murphy interception. Yeah, and those go a long way in any game, but especially when you're playing another NFC West power and Buddha Baker that was big and you heard a little bit of the tussle they were rooting in a two and womping in a stumping almost pregame when the tight ends or the Rams were on the Cardinals side of the field, and then actually obviously got everyone a little fired up,

a little extra motivation on that is here. It is the Big Red Rage presented by santan Ford in Gilbert and we're bringing on board. Let's see here wolf if we're scoring at home, A four time pro bowler, a two time team captain and then he's a first timer. He's a first time dad within the last month or so, and he's going to be a first timer in the NFL playoffs. How about that, Buddha, Baker, Welcome to the Big Red Rage. Buddha. How are we doing? Hey, I'm

doing great. How are you guys doing? We're doing great, Buddha. Really appreciate your time. You're still running into the darkness, Buddha. Oh yeah, always. That's my favorite term ever bad. I think that I've heard of code say, and I've been around an awful lot of coaches. Well that one, by Vance, that's my favorite. Buddy's tell us about your season before we get into this game, Just just tell us about your season. And obviously you're going back to the Pro Bowl.

What do you think of twenty twenty one? Yeah, I mean, personally, I've definitely felt like I've had a great season, you know, you know, you know, going into the last couple of years, I've been kind of making some play So now it's kind of just knowing that the offense is going to go away from me and just continue to do my job each and every every week and not try to chase, you know, things, and just continue to do my job for each and every play, one week at a time,

and that's that's been my plan and my goal this Hotel Boot. I know that you've got your eyes fixed on much, much bigger things, but I have to ask you, since we're talking about you personally, in the season that you had, does the Pro Bowl mean anything to you? Yeah? I mean, it's definitely a blessing that you know here that people are voting for me. Fans are voting for me, you know, friends maybe um, and of course you know, other coaches and you know, other players voted for me.

So that's always special because you know, especially with the coaches and the players, those are the people that really know, you know, kind of exactly what we're doing each eaching and each out. So you know, it's definitely cool for me. But then again, I've always wanted to all of course

win a championship and make it to the playoffs. So you know, on into year five, of course, you know, first and foremost do my job, but then again, bring the other players with me, and you know, try to just get better one week at a time and take a one in no mentality, and I knew everything else was going to take care of itself. So you know, we definitely, you know, of course had a little bumpy ending, but in the playoffs and now it's it's go time.

That's interesting that you mentioned how teams are running away from you, because I don't know, it was last year, the year before you had like one hundred and fifty tackles and let all dbs in tackles. But you really don't have that opportunity anymore because your reputation precedes you to a certain degree, doesn't it. Yeah, yeah, I mean it's it's you know, it gets born out there sometimes.

But then again, you know, of course, us knowing that these things, us knowing that if I'm down, that these guys are going to be you know, fanning to me, that gives a lot of other guys opportunities to make plays. And you know, we we you know, VJ does a great job of having his playmakers on defense make a lot of plays, and you know, the whole whole defense has been great for us. So boot had no picks over your first three seasons, and now all of a sudden you got five over two. What is going on?

Why all of a sudden none over the first three years and now all of a sudden, we're seeing you get some becks. Yeah. I mean first three years, you know, I've had a couple opportunities you know, slipped out the hands.

But I like to say, you know, my rookie year, of course, I was that special team guy until the seventh eighth game, and you know, second year going into you know, a new coaching staff with coach Wilkes and that whole new defense and four three defense and you know, didn't go into this third defense which is Vince Joseph

defense and learning that. And for me, it's like, you know, I just try to do my job each and every week, each and every you know play, and if there's the football's not out there for me sometimes and I'm not going to have that opportunity. So for me, it's just definitely been putting in great positions to get you know, to get the football, and you know, it's it's been good for me. Buddha Baker is our guests, the Cardinals

Pro Bowl safety. We started this by just talking about the moment the playoffs at what does it mean to you just this moment and Monday night football for all the nation to see a postseason game for the first time in your career. Yeah, it's definitely exciting, you know, and we we we learned that. You know, this is going to be one of the first Monday night football playoff games, and you know, all the hype is there in LA. It's going to be you know, a divisional opponent,

an opponent that we played twice a year. So it's definitely very exciting for me. I'm very blessed and to be able to be healthy for this seventeen week season and our seventeen eighty out seventeen week season, and you know, it's definitely special to be at this point. It's you know, the records don't mean anything. It's O and O and you know, the best man wins, and that's what I'm

very excited for. Been waiting for this opportunity since I got into the league, and now that I have this opportunity, Now that we have this opportunity, it's definitely special for us. And so now getting ready to go into the second season, if you will, the playoffs. Of course, where do you think this defense is right now? Buddha, go ahead and evaluated for us, if you don't mind. Yeah, I mean,

I definitely think this defense is a great defense. You know, last week Seahawks put thirty eight, you know, thirty eight points on us, and you know, we we looked at the film and we talked about, you know, the game and how a team can play great football for forty plays and for forty six plays that there's six bad plays that can end up touchdowns. So and we noticed that, you know, the last eight games last week for US, um that's where guys got like three or four touchdowns

in the last eight plays of US claim defense. So just think about three to four touchdowns in the last eight plays of a whole game, those little plays, you know, that all matters. And of course that's these offensive all take for us. It's just and just doing the job one play at the time. And I definitely feel the guy that you know that great. Of course, we always

talk about operations in the preparation. You know, you separate yourself from preparing throughout the week, watching film, recovering, taking care of your body, and of course knowing what to do each and every each and every day, each and every play. So you know, things are going great for us today and we're gonna go throughout the week and have a great reek of practice and see see see what's gonna be like on Monday. Can you understand it?

We're on board with Rude Baker. You're on the big red rage that nationally people look at the Cardinals defense and they're a little confused. For example, against Dallas, Zeke Ellen and company had forty five yards rushing total as a team, their lowest output of the year. But then Seattle comes in with over two hundred yards rushing. So I think a lot of people are trying to make Okay, is that a big deal? What to make of that? What do you say to those folks who wonder, okay,

what is the Cardinals defense all about? Hey? I mean all yeah to do is watch the TV. That's all I gotta say. I'm not gonna make any excuses, not going to make any promises to anything. Just know that this Cardinal defense will be ready come Monday night and it's gonna be a big fight. Yeah, we're gonna talk in the next beautiful part of the program. We're gonna talk an awful lot about that matchup on Monday night

against the Rams. Tell me about Jaalen Thompson, Because Buddha, I can't think of a better situation or a better scenario for Jalen Thompson to actually come to this team right here and have you as a safety mate, a guy that's in the back end with him. How has Jayalen Thompson impacted you and how you play? And how has Jayalen Thompson impacted this defense overall? Yeah, I mean

he's been great for us. He's always been great for us, but this year, you guys have seen his name a lot, seeing him, you know, hearing his name a lot on TV. And he's been great for us and passed downs, rundowns, all the above, and you know, I'm just blessed to have him as a safety. And of course those young in years a couple of years ago, you know, you know, he definitely was a great player, very instinctual, but you know, didn't really have the football smarts yet. And what you

guys are seeing now is this man's commanding things. He's demanding things on defense. As a safety, you have to demand the call to the linebacker, to the corners, each and every place. So he's demanding out there. He's been a qv out there, and he's in the right position at the right time, and he does not miss tackles, and that's a very special thing. Um, you know, having a safety next to me to where I know, you know, sometimes I can be down, he can be in the post.

Sometimes he can be in the uh he can be down and I can be a post. We're kind of interchangeable. So that's definitely harder for offenses to understand to try to get a hitch on. Okay, where's Boudo at? You know, it's definitely hard because me and I uh JT played someting. Sometimes he'll play free, sometimes I'll play free. Sometimes he'll play strong, sometimes he'll play strong, and he's he's a

very great you know, defensive back, very great person. And you know, I'm so glad to you know, finally have his name being talked a little bit because he's been doing this, you know, for a couple of years now. I know last year he was he was you know, I had some injuries, but you know, he worked very hard in the offseason to get his legs right, get his ankles right, and you see your seeing it now.

Very healthy guy who's playing some very great football. The nation is going to see on Monday Night the best pair of tackling safeties in the NFL. There's no doubt about that. Uh. And you know what it was interesting, Jordan Hicks told the media today. You know it's a great opportunity to go out there and prove the doubters

wrong quote end quote. And when the Cardinals defense, well, I think your agree has played with that urgency and energy and intensity, right and and obviously the playoffs bring that. Christian Kirk was on the Day Pass podcast and Dave just asked him about the playoff dynamic. This is the NFL. If you don't show up to play your best every Sunday, you will lose and you will continue to lose until

you fix that. And you know, for me, I don't lose the memory of you know, only winning three games and not even you know, being competitive to now making it to the playoffs and being able to play in that stage and you know have the opportunity to, you know, if we continue winning, making it to the place where you know, we all dream of as as as young kids.

So I think it's you know, important for everybody to you know, really hone in on you know what this means to them and you know, really trying to be the best that they can be. That's Christian Kirk in the Day Pash podcast. You know, Kyler was asked today Buddha about just the moment and obviously being the quarterback in the spotlight and Monday night in the playoffs, and

just how do you manage your emotions? And he cited the fact he's been doing it since he was a teenager, and we all know he won three state titles in high school. Well, what a lot of folks may not know is you do the same exact thing that Kyler was forty three and oh in high school. And if I'm seen it right, you're you were forty two and oh with three state titles. So how much of that do you drawn? These championship games? And I don't know how how critical would that be for you just to

manage the moment? Yeah, I mean for me personally, that's when I'm at my calmist you know, those big games are where you know, I feel like I'm supposed to be there. I feel like I'm supposed to make that play or you know, supposed to be that you know,

firecracker on the field. So I've been doing that, you know, like you said, I've been doing that since high school, since little league, and you know, as the years grow on, you know, that's continuing to be My mindset is you know, of course, be great every single game, but when the lights are on and the stage is set, those are the games you perform the best. And that's that's what I'm accustomed to doing. And that's I feel like there's

going to be no difference on Monday. So that's just my mindset personally, in the type of person that I feel like I am, in the type of player I feel like I am. That that's my mindset. Buddha. Do you think guys look to you for leadership right now? Because I I honestly I talk to some of your teammates and they mentioned you more times than not, even if I don't bring you up right now? What does

leadership mean to you, Buddha? Yeah, I mean leadership means to me, You're always going to be there for your

brother of course, Um, you're going to lead by example. Um. You know, I used to not really be much of a talker growing up, but you know now that you know, I definitely feel like I'm at this stage where I can lead and I can help guys out, and I can help these young guys on why we're playing this defense and why this offense is going to attack us this type of way, so they know, you know, pre snap that all right, we're in quarters. These guys are

going to do this, this, and that against us. And just look those little conversations, little intricate things help a DD help a linebacker or you know, of course, for example, you know it's a it's a we're blitzing, and we call the blitz call. It's great for a D lineman to know where the blitz is going, so they know

where this offense is going to go. So leading by example, of course, but also leading with helping each and every player, and of course wanting to be there for each and every player inside of football, outside of football, and just be the best person that I can be in order for me to be the best person for my teammates, you know, of course, for my family's in that's that's that's what I think of when I think about being

the leader. We're going to continue with Buddha Baker, but we'll think of the tale of the tape when it comes to the safety position between the Cardinals and Rams. Cardinals have Buddha Baker and Jalen Thompson. Rams are without Jordan full or seasoned anting ankle injury, Taylor rap and concussion protocol. They even had to sign Eric Weddled this week, who hasn't played since the end of the twenty nineteen season. Think about that. We'll get into that and some of

the matchups. What's going to be most critical against the Sean mcvayh offense. What buddhas seen from Matthew Stafford, what he saw today from jj watt And don't forget the Day. Pash Podcast Episode twenty four available now featuring Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk. To catch up on all they passed episodes. Just go wherever your preferred podcast provider is and get the latest updates via Twitter at pashpod. We continue the Big Red Rage with Buddha Baker, presented by Santan Port

and Gilbert. We are Ant's hand for Byron Murphy interception. Okay, so why don't we start that as Robert Downey Junior. It's a fake handoff rolling right as Stafford throwing a deep ball farside for Deshan Jackson and it's picked off inside the fifteen yard line. Albacino but it's Byron Murphy. He's tackled around the twelve. Byron Murphy, the NFC defensive Player of the Week, who had two picks last week,

gets one here on Stafford in the first quarter. Okay, so now this is Wolf talking to do it first as Wolf, Byron Murphy bated Matthew Stafford to throw that ball and then broke on the ball. What an unbelievable play from Byron Murphy. And slowly it's starting to turn into Jesse the Body Ventura bated Matthew Stafford to throw it, all right and very all right, and then I have one line after that. Let's do that line of shack man.

Murphy's plugging like a pro bowler. Let me tell you, if you get a little too amped up maybe for Monday eight football in the playoffs, you want to relax and have about an hour laugh, just go to the Pash podcast featuring the great Frank Caliendo. Unbelievable stuff right there. Although Wolf, I think you're mixed in a little bit with Jesse the Body and a little bit of Bill Walton in there as well. I believe, No, he doesn't awful me and no, the bas and onions is solid though.

Buddha Baker is our guest on The Big Red Rage presented by Santan Ford and Gilbert and Buddha. Let's start. Why don't you listen to Kyler Murray And he was asked in multiple ways today by the media just about his mindset, you know, and the big game and his approach. Here's Kyler E breathe a sleep football. So I'm excited about it. You know, there's no fear, there's no there's no nerves about you know, playing at a high level. It's just you just gotta go out there and execute

the plays. Uh. And you know, be yourself. What are you expecting on Money night? And what are you telling yourself anything in particular as you track towards this playoff game. Myself, I mean, I'm just continuing to be what I would I be each and every day, which is continue to grind throughout the week and then on Monday night, that's

will I'll you know, turn up a little bit. So right now, I'm very level headed, you know, of course, eager to learn about you know, what they like to do, and eager to go through this week of practice and prepare and on Monday night, you know, I'll be ready, and budd I'd like to ask you two questions, if you don't mind, I want to ask you about the Rams offense first, and then I'll follow up with a question to you. But when I say Rams offense, what do you think of, buddha um? Electric? Oh what I

think of? Yeah? What a good word. They know Cooper Cup, you know, he's making history. He's doing a great job. You know. Of course, Matthew Stafford came in there, and you know, Um is leading his team, has led his team to this to where he is now. And uh, they have a lot of weapons. Um. You know, Cam Akers is back. He's a very good running back, very good third down running back as well, Sony Michelle. He still got Odell Beckham. Um. You know even Van Jefferson

has been making plays in there. Tyler Higbee. Um, they got a lot of weapons and they're gonna be you know, of course, somebody we know somebody. We played twice a year, so we know them, they know us, and you know, Monday is just gonna come down to who did it right and who's the better team. Yeah, that is a great word right there, Electric to describe this offense. I'm with you on that. There's a load of talent over there.

My follow up is what was different about this offense in the second game as opposed to the first time you played them. I mean, not much, honestly. I mean, I just feel like the second game, guys didn't make the plays that you know they made the first the first game, and of course, you know, we had a you know, a couple of lapses and guys nine guys doing the right, two guys doing the wrong, and you know, big plays would happen. So we just eliminated the big

plays the first time we played them. In this last time we played them, we just didn't execute at the level that we were accustomed neck executing. You know, Jordan Hicks mentioned today the two words you always here with forty nine ers as well, and that is eye candy. And he just said, you know what, this offense features a lot of eye candy. It's built to find the player that isn't doing their job. And you know, two plays might look the same, but they're not, so you

can't guess. And I mean, what are some of the keys when you going against Sean mcvagh, because you're familiar with him at this point, what is the challenge. Yeah, I mean, like like Jordan said, it's very hard because a lot of his personnels, a lot of his formations have the same thing. You know, one thing could be a run, one thing can be a play action, one thing can be quick game, and it's all out of the same formation. So it's definitely, you know, difficult to

you know, go against that. And then especially you know they go fast and you know, guys get to jedding around, like Jordan said, with the eye candy, and you know, defensive players lose their eyes and next thing you know, there's a big gap. So just eliminating that, you know kind of eye candy that Jordan was talking about, and just focusing on your job and what you're supposed to do one player at a time. Definitely feel like it's

going to be a good outcome. You go to playing a team for a third time in a season, that's got to be so difficult right there, because you know eachy'll there so well. Yet at the same time, the fact that you do know each other so well can

actually be used against you, can it? Oh definitely, I mean it could definitely go build both ways, and you know, it's just a matter of you know, of course, getting the play call and executing the play call at hand both teams, and that that's going to be the biggest outcome of this game is who executed it plays better each and every every play. All right, How big was it to see ninety nine out there today? I mean,

I know the fans loved it. What about you? Yeah, it was huge to see him, you know, um, you know his his media interview yesterday of him explaining about all the things that he heard it on his body, it's it's crazy, you know. And also just seeing him with the work ethic that he showed when he got the surgery. He was you know, in the treatment you know room every day trying to get right, and you know has lived in the treatment room, you know, done things right for him to keep back onto the field.

And like he said, he knew this team was special. He knew that we were going to possibly have a chance to go to the playoffs, and he continued to work each and every week. And now you know, you see the fruits of his labor that he that he did, and you know, he's getting the opportunity to be on the field, which he hasn't been on the field and you know a lot of games, so it's definitely crazy and cool to see for me to see ninety nine back in there, and you know definitely will be special boot.

Is there a best way to attack Matthew Stafford from your perspective? Once again, I'm not asking for you to give away trade secrets or anything like that, but you think it's a situation where he doesn't respond well to pressures, pressure situations on third and obvious pass situation or do you think maybe you play coverage, you only rush for what where? Where are you on Matthew Stafford and defending him? Yeah?

I mean he's a great quarter back, a quarterback who you know is capable of making the big play each each in every play. And you know, no quarterback in the NFL likes to get sacked. And every quarterback in the NFL, if they are accustomed to getting you know, um pressured or sacked by you know, d Lineman, of course they're gonna possibly have those you know, um those lapses where they're thinking somebody's going to be coming and

they're not coming. So um, you know I wouldn't you know, I can't, Like I said, you know, it can't really spoil the sauce to you. But you know, of course, the defense's job is to of course get the ball back to the offense, so you know we're gonna try to do that each and every each and every time we're on the field. Cliff Kingsbury started this week by telling us that he thought Stafford played maybe his best

game of the year in Week fourteen. He was sharp and you know he was spending the ball in there and some of those tiny windows, so you know he has the arm talent. There's no doubt about that. I tell you, Boot, I look forward to hearing your scream on the sideline of Monday night. Some guys use smelling salts. I love it when you let out the primal scream because I know everyone's ready to go. So look forward

to that. Yes, yes, screams important. I gotta tell you, buddy, man, you you are a pleasure to watch play the game of football. I feel honored that I know you a little bit. Go ball out, dude. I know that you will thank you for coming on tonight. We really appreciate it. I second that, Hey, yeah, I appreciate you guys for having me and you know, of course, and always go Cards, and you know, I'm definitely excited. So I'm definitely excited for you guys to watch, and you know, we'll see

what happens on Monday night. See you on the team. Playing back with more on the Big Red Rage. Right after this, the Arizona Cardinals getting set for their first playoff game in six years zero. And that's what you do from here on out. You can stroll. You're on destiny from here on there. You know, you can create a legacy for yourself. This is what it's all about, and this is your opportunity to go out there and do something great. We're doing together. We're doing the family pull.

That at the five yard line by a j grade hitting the end to one, gonna cut down kind it picked off inside of fifteen yard line. Connor's into the end tone but it cutdown, But pomp is back foot one ended on the back and just like that Wolf, it's gonna be kickoff Monday night in l a winner take all in the rubber game. And as Jordan Hicks said today, quote, it's a great opportunity to go out there and prove the doubters wrong. The energy has been

great end quote. Every single guy who's met the media over the last forty eight hours, has talked about how that playoff vibe is just palpable in the building. So very curiously what the Cardinals look like a Monday night, Because I think you'll agree with me. When the Cardinals have played with energy and intensity and urgency, they have looked like one of the best teams in the NFL, have they not? Yes, And so much of the time, Polly, they've played with that energy and that urgency, in that

intensity on the road. It's at least it's felt that way to me. You have a much better handle on that because you're down on the sideline. But for me, Polly, right now, they got to come out with the intensity that they have not shown in any games so far this year. They've got to be the most intense they can possibly be. This is it and they will be.

It's playoff time, baby. Yeah. The Cardinals on the road this year not only eight and one, but as a road team their number one in points scored, rushing, touchdowns, passeray turnover ratio plus eighteen in nine road games. Think about that. I mentioned Jordan Hicks, you know, remember he won a Super Bowl on that Eagles team that included zach Ertz, and he was asked in multiple ways today just about Okay, how do you go about it from play to play? Here's Jordan Hicks. The game is the same,

each snap is the same. Approach it that way, but understand that each play is going to be magnified. So, you know, if you just focus on the play at hand, you know, treat it, treat it like you would any other game, and come out with the energy that's going to be naturally there with it. Um you know, don't try to get too far out of outside of yourself.

Just just focus on the play at hand. And a reminder, the Cardinals want you to make waves in the playoffs by showing your support ahead of the Monay night wildcard game against the Rams. There are several ways to get involved. You could come away with some great prizes as well. That's a double ding. You go to asy cardinals dot com slash Playoffs or all the details asy cardinals dot com slash Playoffs. Sois Baby indeed, Polly, I mean Wolf?

How about Buddha when he said I'm supposed to be that firecracker out on the field, right, I mean he said that Rams offense electric. And I know the players might downplay a little bit as the adjustments that were made by the Rams from Game one and Game two.

But for example, if you look at the next Gen stats, they put Cooper Cup in seven different positions in the second game, and it just seems I mean, he went from five catches on thirteen targets in Game one and he was a non factor to a season I thirteen catches in Game two and he was unstoppable. To me, the Cardinals have to remedy that. Yeah, Polly, no doubt about that. I think you're you're going myopic right now. The Rams offense overall, Let's let's start right here with

Matthew Stafford and how it's been going for the Rams. Because, Polly, right now, the thing I'm going to be watching is Matthew Stafford running this offense right here. You and I talked about it. We took a deep dive on this right something that I really truly believe the Rams are going to come out. They're going to try to keep Matthew Stafford in a balanced offense and try to take a few shots down the field using play action. There's no doubt about that. But right now, Matthew Stafford the

last three games. And I think this is something you and I have talked about. I think it's a responsible sample size going into the playoffs. You don't want to talk about what happened earlier in the season because it really doesn't apply at this point in time. These are completely different football teams at this point of the season as opposed to the first half of the season, maybe

even the first three quarters of the season. Right now, the Rams Matthew Stafford number twenty three in the National Football League with a quarterback rating of seventy seven point six. Now, the Cardinals have struggled earlier in the year. Actually, three quarters of the way through the year, the Arizona Cardinals defense was in the top five defensive quarterback ratings in the league, top five. There's so much behind that. It's

such a huge metric. It's an important metric. But man, Matthew Stafford seventy seven point six in the last three games, that's a low number pall, And you could argue his best game of the year was Week fourteen at Arizona when he went three touchdown passes no picks in a passer rating a one thirty nine. Yes, and if you remember to your point, there was a he excelled in play action. He was seven of eight with two touchdown

passes out of play action. They had designed rollouts with the third touchdown pass, so you know, and look, the Rams specialize in big plays and they hit the Cardinals event man Jefferson fifty two yarder. And what has been a problem for the Cardinals defense recently, and even Cliff Kingsbury said it on Monday, it's been the big plays on defense and negative plays on offense. And not only that, Paula, you flip it over for the Arizona Cardinals offensively, and

you and I were talking about this very thing. I think they have to run the ball. They have to run the ball in between the tackles. They got to do it in a Northsouth physical kind of way. And then take some shots down the field. And I think one of the guys that might actually be the benefit for the Cardinals down the stretch might be tweezy Antoine Wesley.

Throw it up, take some shots down the field. You got aj Green on one side like you did in the first game of the season, and then Antoine Wesley maybe on the other side. Christian Kirk in the slot. They gotta take shots down the field ball. They got to figure out the red zone. Wesley maybe he might be an option there like he was in Dallas. When you go nineteen fourteen to fourteen plays, those drives in that field goals every time. You got to figure that out.

And as we talked about earlier, Look, the Niners got down seventeen nothing last week, did not abandon the run game. They still ran a thirty one times. They came back to win a special thanks to Buddha Baker, the Pro Bowl safety, Jim Almandro, Cody Fincher for Ron Wolfley on Paul CALVC. How about it? The first ever playoff game on Monday Night Football, the Cardinals first playoff games since twenty fifteen. It's all coming our way. This has been

the Big Red Rage. Jaw number one til you've been listening to The Big Red Rage presented by Santanford in Guildfark. Are you Santanford State Farm talk to an Agent today at eight hundred State Farm and by Arizona Cardinals Podcasts Visit acy Cardinals dot com Slash Podcasts. This has been an exclusive presentation of Arizona Cardinals Football Club,