Big Red Rage - Benjamin Fighting For Role

Talk to an agent today at eight hundred State Farm and buy Arizona Cardinals podcasts, Visit Acy Cardinals dot Com, Slash podcasts, The Rods, Rising Guard, Temperatureizing Vision, Flurring, Rage, taking it over. Here's Paul kelvc. Get the popcorn ready, It's gonna be a show and Ron will flip It. Doesn't get any better than that horn. Unleash the fiard. If you know Ron Wolfley, you know that he has his morning radio show for one reason and one reason only.

I don't want to hear Baul so he can spend the rest of his day day trading on Wall Street. He's got his Robin Hood account. He's trading game stop. You know. I mean, he's just he's all in. He's all in with it. And I bring that up here off the top, because we're sort of at that point now in the preseason where I think far too much is being read into the month of August. And we all know that the preseason is like the stock market,

where a past performance does not guarantee future results. So let's all keep that in mind because we've got a big hour straight ahead on the Big Red Rage presented by santan Ford and Gilbert. We are santan Ford, Paul Calvc here, or Ron Wolfley there. So, PAULI, what are you saying you're not feeling You're not feeling this game coming up here? You think I don't know Hurricane Ida or is the tropical Storm Ida? Paul might might actually wipe the whole thing out. That is sort of what

I'm saying. You're feeling me, Wolf, You're feeling I'm looking into my Crystal Football and I'm saying it's a cloudy forecast at best. I mean, you don't know what's coming next. Look at the Cardinals next two opponents, the Saints dealing with Tropical Storm Ida. You don't even know if there is going to be a game on Saturday, right And by the way, Wolf, no sleeping in till noon. There

might be an afternoon kickoff. We'll see about that. So you better, you better just you know, with your martini Friday, you better be aware on that one it's and then never the night before a game, Paul, and you know that. Think about week one against the Titans. Now Tennessee's dealing with a coronavirus outbreak that's grown to nine people, including the starting quarterback and the head coach. What's going on with Tennessee? Honestly, what are the Tennessee Titans do? What

do they do? They all have a sing along or something like that after every practice. What are they doing? Paul? The spittle's flying through the air with the Tennessee Titans. I have no idea. They had all sorts of problems

with this in twenty twenty. Remember, the only thing worse that I've heard in terms of like motivation or whatever you're talking about with this song was what the Dallas Cowboys did off the top of training camp and Mike McCarthy with his Mojoe moment playing a clip from Austin Powers like a nineteen ninety nine when half the guys in the room weren't even born. I mean it just so that went over like a lead balloon. So once again, Wolf,

you just don't know what's coming next. I mean, based on what we've seen the Cards Camp twenty twenty one, which just rapped earlier today, I mean, this is about as solid and concrete as you're gonna get based on some of these other fluid situations and moments away. We're gonna talk to Eno, Benjamin. Dave Pash will be on board. We're gonna talk to you know, Benjamin, one of the standouts of camp. As we got some news today as Camp or wrapped up. I mean, well, if you walk

around town, people ask you a Cards Camp. But what are some of your big takeaways now that it's in the books. Yeah, you know what, pably, the lack of physicality. For the most part, that is the first thing that I look at, and yet it rein forces the belief the knowledge that I have in regard to the game of football. The biggest change in this game by far in a way, is how you prepare a human being to play in an NFL game. It's just not the

way that it used to be. I listen, Pally, you know, I don't want to be the old guy standing on the lawn get off by one boy. You know, I don't want to be that guy. Whatsoever. The rules of the game are changing, there's no doubt about that. And once again, knowing that the way you prepare a human being to play in an NFL game has changed the most, I'm not gonna sit here and act like I know

the best way to get anyone prepared anymore. But for me, a guy that came up through the air I did in nineteen eighty five to ninety five, it is almost unthinkable, Polly. It makes me break out in hives as a matter of fact, when I start thinking of going out and playing a regular season game without taking one live right in practice, you know, no scrimmage, no live reps, no preseason games. Now. I know you could say, well they

did that last year. Yeah they did, the Arizona Cardinals, but you know what other teams they were practicing against each other with a little bit of physicality from time to time. So you know what, we're so conditioned though,

to these light camps that. For example, when the Cardinals went against Kansas City and you saw Travis Kelsey, the All Pro tight end, still in the game late second quarter, I mean I was shocked just to witness something like that, because it's so seldom, it's so rare these days that you ever see anything like that. And with that in mind, Wolf Cliff Kingsbury was asked today if we're gonna see his starting quarterback Kyler Murray on Saturday night at New Orleans,

will not play? He's ready to go, Yeah, he's ready to go. He's a very good quarterback. You made the Pro Bowl last year, and I feel very confident in hissabilities this year. Okay, I don't want to go off on a ran here. Yeah, but if Kyler is playing, because there seems to be a lot of consternation, a lot of boxers getting bunged around here, whether Kyler is going to play, even if he did play, let me pass an iron ball so I can flat out play this.

This is where we're going to disagree. Yet again, there's very little that we agree on. And this is another area because to me, if Kyler plays, what does that prove? Yeah, let's let's say he goes out there. Any throttles of vanilla scheme by the Saints full of twos and threes? What does that prove? What does that really do for him? I don't know, Polly. I just know that honestly right now, after taking nine snaps and looking at the free possessions previously.

Maybe I don't know, Paul, Maybe they pick up a first down, maybe they actually have positive yardage something like that. I I if I was Kyler Murray, Paul, I'm serious, I would want to play. I think I would want some reps. Okay, now, listen, I this is not going to make a difference. Think about this. Were there any preseason games last year, Paul, were there any zero? Okay, zero point zero? Yeah, I would say that Kyler Murray came out of the shoot pretty pretty well. And I

think the Arizona Cardinals did at two and oh. As a matter of fact, beating the forty nine ers in Week one, he was twenty six of forty PAULYI for two hundred and thirty yards. He did throw a pick, but he also threw a touchdown. And then week two, of course, he was twenty four of thirty eight as a matter of fact, Polyi and for two hundred and

eighty six yards. So I mean he did well in both of those games right there, and the Cardinals won him both, Okay, and we haven't heard from Kyler since before the Kansas City game, but he did this sideline interview at the ESPN and after the Cardinals offense got nine snaps a trio, three and outs for a grand total of negative one yard. He was pretty honest. He said, quote, we got to clean some stuff up, get some things right. They kicked our butt for the three drives we are

out there. It is what it is. Would be better about it when it counts. And we know his approach. Wolf he doesn't consider it real. So you're just not going to get much buy in from him in the first place. You're just not Oh, Cliff Kingsbury has given him Saturday night off. The other takeaway I think from camp, along with the lack of physicality, would be yours and I think you probably maybe the one area we would agree is the advent of increased leadership, and Cliff Kingsbury

cited that today trending in the right direction. You know, I think the accountability on this team with a lot of the leaders we brought in has really leveled up, if you will. The JJ's Ronnie Hudson, Cole McCoys and those guys are guys that do it right. All the time, and you since that other guys are kind of falling in line. Man. It's not only that, Polly. It's not only you know the fact that they're going out there and they're they're leading, and they're talking about this stuff

right here. It's also the fact that in a game, Polly, what are you going to do? If JJ Watt walks up on you? What are you gonna do? Paul? You're gonna look away? Polly can act like he's not talking to you. Polly, what are you going to do? I look straight up at him. He's an enormous man, so I probably get blash looking straight up. He's gonna look at you and say, Paul, what are you doing? You're killing us out here? Pick it up? See and you know,

what are you gonna do? Paul? You're gonna respond to that. Of course you're gonna. It's called accountability. This is what leadership is. You play, You play like a mad person. You play harder than anybody else, and you hold yourself to a standard higher than anybody else, and everyone knows it, so that when you walk up on somebody else and look at him and say, you are killing us on this field. We need you, Now, what are you going

to do about it? Man, I'll tell you what. You're gonna respond in a very very positive way for the most part, knowing that this guy holds himself to a standard he'd never hold you two. Accountability is part of leadership. See. And it's exactly what I would tell to the analytics crowd that likes to dismiss leadership, boy, because they can't quantify leadership. You can't put leadership into a numerical formula,

so they dismiss leadership. But you're right, leadership equals accountability, and then accountability, hopefully equals equals a team that's gonna do something about leading the league and penalties and leading the league and drive stalled by presnap penalties. One thing I did like about this camp. If you made a presnap penalty boom, you came out. You had to come out of the drill in front of all your teammates. Yes,

and I like that. In fact, you know what, I'd actually do that in the preseason games if I'm Cliff Kingsbury, if you have a false start, for example, in DJ Humphreys has done it, Rodney Hudson has done it. In this preseason. You know what, you come out of the game and your replacement goes in. I think that would really send home a message in the preseason, right And anyone who's talking about leadership and not pointing to leadership and not giving leadership it's due hasn't moistened a jock

in twenty five years. That's what I'm going to tell you right now, Paul. So for me, I want to see this game, the thing I'm going to be watching more than anything else when we go to Tennessee. Pauly, here, here we go, the big thing that Wolf's gonna be watching. Look at the line of scrimmage, baby, the bloody knuckles. That's where it's all gonna happen on both sides of the ball, Paul, offensively and defensively. What are you gonna do about it? Well, we're back to disagreeing because the

big thing you have to watch is Andy Isabella. Obviously, that says Andy Isabella, who have other things I'm watching as well, who, by the way, coach said he needed a big week, and I'm here to tell you he had a big week and he may or may not have had a big practice today based on whether you can or cannot report on what happened in practice. I'm

just saying without saying. Episode four of the Dave Pash Podcasts featuring ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes is available now wherever you get your podcast, So Lea's updates on the Dave Pash Pod. Follow along on Twitter at Pash Pod. Speaking Up, Dave Pash will jump in and we're gonna talk to Eno Benjamin, and you could argue that one of the most consistent camp standouts would be the former ANSU running back that is next on the Big Red Rate presented by Satan Ford and Gilbert We are Satan Ford.

Eno Benjamin takes a line drive kick three yards deep in his own then zone out across the numbers at ten to twenty. He's got a lane at the thirty and then's tackled at the thirty three yard line, Eno Benjamin. Nice vision and a first, Eno Benjamin to run up the middle. He's got room across the forty to the fifty. He's been the near sideline at the forty trying to turn on the jets at the thirty inside that's twenty

five and Eno Benjamin. How about that for the former A se running back first and goal from the six to give his Dino Benjamin off the left side. He's got plenty of room to run and he faults into the end zone untouched Cardinal's touchdown as a calf to drive. After the takeaway by the defense, Eno Benjamin cashes it in for six. There you go, one of the stars of the pre season. How about a debut against Dallas the d in Big d standing Ford, You know what, dang,

that was impressive. Thirty eight yard run, six yard touchdown in that game. And it's been white a Cardinals camp for our guests. Did you know, Dave Pass it is a pleasure to have the voice of the Cardinals sitting in on this segment of The Big Red Rage presented by santan Ford and Gilbert. Did you know, Dave? If you google up the name Eno, only Eno Benjamin comes up. The one and only Eno Benjamin joins us right now? Is that true? You know? How about famous Enos for

five hundred dollars? Who else shares your name that we should know about? You know, I am not completely share about that. There you go, it's singular. Are we doing I'm doing good? And I appreciate you guys for having men. How's camp going? Give us a little here you go and camp is officially ramped. You're going into the final preseason game. Just tell us your thoughts. Really just leaving

on a high note. I'm finishing everything strong, finishing every last rep that I get, being the last guy I'm to leave the meetings just as far as understanding everything, just being one of those guys in order to push past this last hump. Does this feel like the NFL this year? I mean, it had to have been very strange for you after dreaming I'm sure about playing in the NFL to get there last year and have to be dealing with all the protocols. I know you still

have them, but at least there are fans. Does it feel more like you're an NFL player this year? Definitely? Like you said, unfortunately, last year we were hit with a COVID and so the season didn't go as planned as far as I'm just having fans in the stadium and just having that that atmosphere, that fan field, and so this year's I'm definitely I'm a lot different. We're

going back out there. Um, the Red Sea was showing up and they were allowed these past two weeks, and so it was definitely a great feeling having those having those fans. Yeah, you do have the advantage of preseason games a year ago, as we all know. Just compare and contrast this time a year ago versus now. How much more are you playing versus thinking, I'm a lot more things that I learned in the meeting room. I'm no longer having to really think about it on the field.

It's kind of like second nature as opposed to last season it was the mental breakdowns as far as trying to recollect everything that you learn in meeting and then implying into the field. This year is definitely a lot more comfortable, and it's just second nature. Like I said, what are the coaches telling you? Are they saying, you know, we're going to keep x amount of running back, so here's what you have to do to make the team

or is it just about you? Do they say, you know, this is what we need from you to make the team, and how much of that is based on what you do on special teams? Um? More so, it's just doing everything that's asked to the best of my ability and just really just going just knowing that you put your best foot forward and however it plays out, it will play out. But as far as those conversations, um, they necessarily don't take place. It's kind of something that's understood.

I would say, how about your conversation with the GM in the offseason. You know, Benjamin as our guest, it's all about you here on the big Red Rage present of a Santan forward and Gilbert I know on the Red Sea Report you share that you met with Steve Kim. Tell us about that and what your takeaways were really just um, that he believes in me as back. Mum.

It was actually last season. I wasn't on special teams and so we were just kind of chopping it up and talking and he was one of those guys saying he believed in me and that I could do something and help this team here in the future. Interesting, you know, I mean, so, tell us about the running back room. Dave mentioned it right here. You go, You've had first team reps, We've seen you get quite a bit of action. How do you think this is all going to play out?

And is the room for a four running back rotation once the regular season starts to some degree? Um, I honestly could not tell you, Um, I just know. Um. For me, it's just being just being ready for whenever your your name, your numbers called, being ready to step on the field and execute whatever is being asked. What are some of the things that you can tell us? And I'm not necessarily asking you to get deep into

the woods on xs and o's. But for the fans that are curious about what the offense is going to look like this year in terms of comparison to last year, what do you think will be different this year? I think there's a lot more playmakers, um, everywhere in every position. UM. The guys that were returning from last year, I feel like they're much more um, explosive and more focused as far as I'm the demeanor, you know, I see you guys get into the red zone and you talk about

the playmakers. Now I see an aj Green in the red zone six foot four. I see a Rondelle more in the slot. How he makes guys miss? You know? I see a James Connor at two thirty five. This is gonna be a different team in the red zone, isn't it. Oh yes, sir, Um. The way I like to think of it is it's more like pick your poison. Um. There's playmakers everywhere lined up on the field, UM, and

it's just about making it happen. How about you? Has there been a moment in this camp where you go, Okay, you know what, I feel like I really belong here? Did that happen last year? Has it happened? Is it yet to happen? Have you had that moment? Um? Yes, sir. I feel like if you don't have that confidence from the jump, then you're you're already losing. Um. That's my mentality, that's my mindset every day that I wake up that I belong here and I've been waiting for the opportunity

UM to do so. And it's now showing. Who is the guy? Because you're from close to Dallas, who is the guy that you admired and wanted to be like growing up? Growing up? Um? Honestly, I couldn't tell you that there was someone, um that I wanted to be like as far as growing up UM. Sports wise, UM, there's people that I modeled my game after, but not too many people that I guess I wanted to be left. That's what I meant. I meant as a player. Yeah, who who was like the player you said that's the

type of player I want to be. UM. Really, there's a there's a lot of mixes of them. UM. I loved Dez Bryant's fire attitude. UM during the games. Um, he brought something to him, He brought juice to the field. UM. I grew up watching. I guess you would say, UM, just like the Marian Barber's um of the NFL and stuff like that. Just tough, hard nosed running guys. UM

that made things happen. You're the first person I've ever heard say that they wanted to that they felt that Marian Barber was somebody that they licked up as a player. But I get it because those are the those are the cowboys you watch growing up. I get Yeah. Did I see somewhere you told the media that you studied film or still study film of other running backs. Uh. Yeah. That's definitely one thing that I think helps me in my craft. UM. I feel like you can never be

too content with what you do. UM. And you you're always learning, UM, never stopped learning, no matter how old you are. UM. And so little things and tidbits that I could get from people's game UM and add it to my game is one thing UM that I think that helps me have a competitive advantage over everyone who's in the rotation. Who whose film have you watched recently or here this year? Um, I would say, Um, the guys,

I mean, I'm even watching the younger guys now, the JK. Dobbins. Um. I love the stuff that they put on film, Um DeAndre Swift, but more so on the Saquon Barkley's UM, even Adrian Peterston's still at this point. UM. Just the things that they're able to do UM with their feet and stuff like that is tremendously awesome. So when you're studying film, what all you may should feet? What all are you looking at? What all you studying? Um? Um specifically,

I guess more so when I'm watching film, I'm watching defenses. Uh, I'm just seeing the type of caliber guys and how they play. But also mostly UM looking and taking the offensive play and then uh reading the defense. UM is one thing that I like to do. UM basically having a pre snap awareness of where the ball should be hitting UM before the ball is even snapped. UM. And then from their moving pieces as far as UM, your eyes,

your body and stuff like that. And so those are the kind of things that I watched for when I'm watching film. You know, Benjamin, our guest Cardinals running back former as you grade two time first team All Pack twelve, when you take that handoff, where do your eyes go? Take us through? Because they think a lot of people they see the line of scrimmage, they just see chaos.

What do you see as a running back? Um? So, like I said, it's basically knowing and understanding the play UM and how it's designed to be blocked up um and so UM. From there, your eyes, my eyes then go to the linebackers, and it's basically playing like what we say is two gap um. It's like, uh, you're here,

and now you're here and now you're not. I'm basically trying to maneuver the defensive linemen um to set up the offensive lines block um and then uh therefore um and you also move the linebacker as well, UM, creating then a hole. So when you're watching the linebackers, let's say you're watching the Cardinal linebackers, how much has twenty five stood out to Zavan Collins. Oh, he's a playmaker. I'm on the defensive side. He is uh, definitely light

years above his age as far as experienced UM. As far as playing, UM, he is UM a guy who's fully in it and is always making plays UM within the running that and what's of what kind of growth have you seen out of Isaiah Simmons here in year two? UM, I think Isaiah is just UM. He's playing more confident now. UM. There's not a lot of thinking UM like we were talking about earlier. It's more just instinctual now knowing where to be on the timing that you've got to be there.

And I just really having clean eyes as well. And for all the film study and for all the football IQ, there's still that ability, right, that willingness you have to run into the smoke, as the coachers say, especially if you're the kickoff return man. And so tell us about that and if you would look forward to that role in the regular season, Oh yeah, no doubt. UM. I look at it as just running the ball UM. As a running back. UM, You've got to be able to

trust on their those other guys. I'm ten other guys to do their job. And that's one thing that I do. I do UM as far as trusting them, UM. Coach Rogers has a specific game plans and we just all got to trust it and one time it's gonna hit. UM. I would love love to be back there, UM during season, I'll returning kicks. So when you're in the running back room, I think you would mentioned James Connor is someone who's helped you quite a bit. And I know how close

you are with Chase Edmonds. Just tell us about what sort of influence they've had on your game here and you're two just really I would say, UM, just how to even like just carrying yourself UM as a vet guy. He's I think in year five and so you just see how he moves in how he acts and stuff like that. And that's something that I really, um, I really watched and just the conversations we have as far as just life after football, family and stuff like that.

UM definitely means a lot. UM just having someone like a big bro um in the room just to look up too and just talk to um about things even outside of football. And as we wrap it up here with you know, Benjamin Dave mentioned you're from outside Dallas. I see Wiley, Texas listed as your hometown, and I automatically think Friday night lights, you know, I mean, I see seventy five hundred yards rushing in high school one

hundred and eleven touchdowns. Tell us about that was the sort of the epitome of the Friday night lights scene. I mean, definitely, Um, I think Texas definitely has the

best football UM in the in the country. UM. So just going out there every every Friday night, just going out there, being able to compete with the guys that that you sweated and grinded with UM all throughout the off season in summer UM, and so just going out there UM and playing for one of the best I think high schools UM also in Texas UM as well. So UM, it was quite fun to do that. Definitely

miss on that experience. Well, best to luck. We hope you make the team so that everybody knows your name, because I've heard so many people call you Benjamin Eno instead of Eno Benjamin. Hopefully I've heard that. Hopefully that will stop and everybody's gonna know your name by the end of twenty twenty one. Yes, maybe that's maybe that's Kyler saying that because I'm thinking he's gonna take exception with your characterization. Is you having the best you know

Dallas area high school? You know I'm guessing he's not on board of that since even went to Alan High School. No, definitely not. We kind of joke because the two high schools, there's two high schools, and Wiley and Um they actually split before then. M Allen and Wiley were always going at it, and so I told him if we were to have stayed one school, we definitely would have been beating them year in a year for sure. That's good. You know, thank you for the time. Appreciate it all

the best of this season. Thanks man, Appreciate you guys for having me. All right. There you go, Cardinals running back, you know, Benjamin once again, the first Cardinals draft pick out of ASU since Pat Tillman nineteen ninety eight. We roll on with a big red ray presented by santan

Ford and Gilbert. Right after this shotgun snap two, Mahomes hands it off, no running room off the right side and back of loss up two on the play, Xavin Collins, the first guy there, personally missed too many tackles, had a big missplay in the middle. There's some things that we've got to clean up from a not really a you know, a Simon standpoint, but just kind of a basic football standpoint, like tackling, and I'm a big part of that. We got to do better in that aspect.

A smart postgame radio interview, Wolf, I know you were listening with Dave Pass up in the booth, and I'd love to get your takeaways. That was Zavin Collins after the Kansas City game. And let me just share with you what you couldn't see on radio. It's the Big Red Rags presented by santan Ford and Gilbert. We are santan Ford Top of the Hour. By the way, don't forget Cardinals flight plan drops yep, tick talk YouTube dot com, slash Azy Cardinals. Kyler Murray miked up in this one,

so real good stuff. Top of the Al Cardinals flight Plan. And there was Zaven Collins getting back to Zaven and after that Kansas City game, And it was just the mannerisms. It was the body language, it was the fact he was somewhere between deep in thought and despondent. Will if he kept focusing on what he did wrong. There was a lot to like, but there was a lot that

he cited he didn't like. And to me, that just showed a lot of maturity because I think the guys who were drafted in the first round and they're given the keys to the defense and they get the big contract. A lot of guys feel like, Okay, I'm a right, I've arrived on bulletproof. And that was definitely not him. He's critical of his own play and you tell me, I think that's gonna go a long way, and it's oh ding ding ding dang. You win the prize, Paulie.

There's no doubt about that, Listen. I had the opportunity, paul And I've told you this story many many times, but I had the opportunity when I went out to the Pro Bowl in nineteen eighty six and nineteen eighty seven to sit next to Walter Bayton Peyton and his locker was right there, Polly. And you know, Walter Payton maybe the greatest running back of all time. To me, he is the greatest running back of all time because of not only what he did with the ball, but

what he did without the ball. You go back and watch Walter Payton and blitz pick up. Oh, he just hammer linebackers that that came and tried to pass rush to the quarterback. So I look at Walter Payton, I just picked his brain over and over and over again, especially that first year in nineteen eighty six, and Paully, I'll never forget he told me, I don't want to hear about you know how many yards I had in

this game and how many touchdowns I scored. All I could think of Wolf is the failed place, the negative plays. That's what he focused on. He focused on his failures, not his successes, and it drove him. Paully, and I think this is exactly the characteristic that I love about Zavian Collins. Yeah, because in that postgame interview, You're right, I kept asking about plays he made, and he was more focused than the place he didn't make. Yea, and you saw a kid really improve and grow through the

course of camp. In fact, we'll hear from Zamon Collins momentarily, but Cliff Kingsbury and an almost daily basis, was fielding questions in the media, not only zaven Collins, but obviously his running made Isaiah Simmons, who's in year two, here's Cliff Kingsbury and what they can learn from that Kansas City game. I thought they took a step forward from

week one, and that's a early good offense. They create a lot of misdirection, do different things to put p on space, and I thought it was good for them to see that type of speed that's have of tempo from one of the best offenses in the league. And yeah, I guess the biggest thing is they took a good step from week one to week two. I mean, think about it. They got to go against Patrick Mahomes for nearly a half. Yeah, I mean in today's preseason, that's

unheard of. They played most of their starters minus Tyreek Hill. They went against Kansas City's first team offensive line to halftime. So to me, if you're looking for valuable reps, it doesn't get much more valuable than that in today's NFL. Yeah, Paul, you listen. I think these young Bucks are going to be game changers, but they have to develop and go

through the process of learning the game. I think at the highest level, I believe Polly they will, but they have a lot of reps to record before they get there. Their eyes, for the most part of Polly just all over the place, especially Isaiah Simmons. Zaven was overaggressive, I thought, somewhat out of control at some points. He overran multiple plays and misplayed others. As a matter of fact, mistackles were a problem. But listen, these two are only going

to get better. They need reps, they need exposure Paul to the NFL, and look to your point, maybe yet another reason why Jordan Hicks is out there in that three inside linebacker package, right, yes, why they have that defense that's more akin to a four to three. You get the high IQ of a Jordan Hicks. Not to mention he's looked great in camp so far, but you remove any sort of coverage liabilities of a Jordan Hicks.

That's now Isaiah Simmons roll primarily and then Zaman Collins, who is able to run pretty well as a rookie. So there's that, But yeah, there's still a lot to go. And you know Tennessee is gonna come out in Week one and they're gonna target these guys just like Kyle Shanahan targeted Isaiah Simmons from the get go in that Niners opener a year ago. So Zamon Collins was talking about, you know what, the whole fine tuning process before the

regular season. I think of it as, you know, you have a whole bunch of knobs that you got to tune right, and then under each one of those big ones, there's a billion little ones. And see right now we're fine tuning stuff. We're on that fine tune to where you gotta be perfect whenever you go into that game one. So this is a good learning point to fine tune our skills, fine tune our adjustments, all that stuff going

into Week one. Yeah, it really is going to be so fascinating to me, Paulie going into that first game against the Tennessee Titans. We've been talking about it all off season, but once again, the Titans are a power personnel group. That's what they're gonna do and run down situation. They'll have two wide receivers out there, and they're gonna be really really good wide receivers that they're gonna have out But they like twelve personnel with two tight ends.

They like three thirteen personnel with three tight ends. They'll go with a fullback from time to time. They're gonna have power personnel groups out there and they're gonna hammer the line of scrimmages. They're gonna run the ball and they're gonna use play action to throw it. And this is gonna be the challenge for Zaven Collins and Isaiah Simmons.

And guess what the Minnesota Vikings pretty much the same way with Delvin Cook as they're running back and run down situation and using play action the first two weeks of the season. Man, they're gonna get a baptism by fire. Can I just speculate? Okay, Well tell me if I'm wrong, and I know you will. You know what's gonna be easier in the regular season for Zaven Collins and Isaiah Simmons. What is the tempo? No Moody goes as fast as the Cardinals offense. They get on the ball so quickly,

especially in practice. Matt Right, They're in practice and they're gonna on the ball so quickly next snap, next snap. You can't even get the ball off that quickly in a regular season game because there's personnel changes and or the referee is standing over the ball won't let you snap in soil, everything settles down a little bit, but

not in a Cardinals practice. I mean they go team and Kyler and company they are just moving and getting on the ball, and that's just accelerating everything that Zaven Collins has to consider. Well, guess what that's going to slow down quite a bit when they go against Tennessee in Minnesota. Yeah, that's a good Pointballing, It really is.

And it also is a good point about the Jordan Hicks thing, because once again, if you're playing all those power personnel groups, you might want those three linebackers on the field together, right. You might want to take Isaiah Simmons and move them to that outside linebacker across from

Chandler Jones. You might want to have Jordan Hicks on the inside with Zaven Collins and maybe allow Jordan Hicks to actually make some of those calls or check exactly what it is that Zaven Collins is doing out there and run down situation. I think that, honestly, we've seen that personnel group from time to time throughout this training camp, and I think it's it's specifically something that Cardinals are

trying to develop for Tennessee. Can I ask you this does it also does it also emphasize what Isaiah Simmons does best right now, and that is he plays better in space than he necessarily does in the box. Yeah, and he gets him outside the box a little bit and it lets him run down guys like McCole Hartman on that third nine, right, And PAULI he is a space cowboy, as we like to say, right he is. I mean, with all due respect to Steve miller O game in his band, he is a space cowboy. Isaiah Simmons,

the Gangster of Love. Some people call him Maurice is a matter of fact, Paul, but this guy does have the ability to make plays in space. And I think that Vance Joseph is going to try to get him in those areas and give him that opportunity. What do you think it's gonna look like with J. J. Watt? We see him in practice this week, Chandler Jones, we presume he's coming back. We supposedly we're going to see him in practice this week. We did not see fifty five.

You have those two along with the inside linebackers. And now from all indications, Wolf, one of my other big takeaways from Cardinals camp twenty twenty one, the number is four. You have four legitimate cornerbacks with the emergence of Marco Wilson, so all told, give me a big picture takeaway, and how you think this defense balls this year? Yeah, Paul, you know again, so much of it I think has got to do with those two young guys, those two young bucks in the middle right there, and how they

develop based on what I've seen. I love the physicality of Zaven Collins. I love the athleticism in the playmaking ability of Isaiah Simmons. But Paul, they got to go out and show that they can be reliable. You have to know what you need to do before you can even try to do it. So those two young guys,

once again, I think, hold the key. Now listen when you're talking about a pass if we can get into third and obvious pass situations, third and eight thirty nine plus somewhere in there, Polly, Now, all of a sudden, oh my goodness, you've got that pass rush with Chandler Jones and j. J. Watt. And don't forget about Jordan Phillips if he is health, if he is healthy on the inside, you got that pass rush now with corners on the outside, Polly, And you mentioned you mentioned a

fourth corner and Marco Wilson. Oh my goodness, ladies and gentlemen, what do we have here with this young guy who seems to be developing by leaps and bounds fall the combination of a good pass rush and good corners, very very good thing in the NFL. And you know what, he's so good. I don't think he's even the fourth corner anymore. Oh, PAULI, I'm serious right now. That's serious. Well,

I'll tell you this much. Robert Alford isn't available because he's on the COVID list that Cliff Kingsbury confirmed today. So he has and vaccinated so he can return in as soon as five days if he has two negative tests twenty four hours apart. That's a deal there. Cliff Kingsbury also said you mentioned Jordan Phillips. He hopes Justin Pugh and Jordan Phillips come off the COVI list on Monday, please, so we'll see about that. Hey, choose the seat options

that best fit your needs. Season ticket, single game, group tickets, club level seating and more. Godasy Cardinals dot com slash tickets for more information. All right, what is Ron Wolfley going to be watching? He is going to New Orleans tomorrow. What's gonna be on the list to watch against the Saints?

And we'll talk about the guy who was supposed to have a big week, Diddy That is next on the Big Red Rage presented by santan Ford in Gilbert Tyler Murray's got the ball, drops back to throw a lot passed right corner of the end zone on the money to Andy Isabella for the touchdown. What a pass by Kyler Murray and you see the confidence of Andy Isabella starring for the Cardinals. Rows straw grasshopper snapped the Murray rolls right, throws right, Isabella caught it and he stumbles,

dives and in touchdown. Andy Isabella with his second touchdown catch of the day. One step up the fielding and wham, run that out. He chucked the dbat, he met the press and he threw him out of the way. That was the Lions game Week three. He had the two touchdown catches thirteen yards four yards. Coming off the week two game against Washington, remember that Andy Isabella fifty four yard catch and then he had that slant behind him.

He caught it with his hands right. He opened up the hips and he had a great start to last season. But by the end of the season he wasn't getting many reps. He wasn't dressing And I think Dave said a very important word there. Confidence. It is the big Red Rage presented by Satan Ford and Gilbert. We are Satan Ford, Paul KLVC, and Ron Wolfley, and we've talked to Andy Isabella and look, he's one of the most popular guys on the team, and for good reason. We

love Andy Isabella. But he has mentioned himself, has he not confidence and it's so key. Yeah, no, Paula, you're right about that, Andy Isabella. This I do believe was a big week for him right now, and I do

think that this game is going to be important. I don't think it's as big possibly for him as it was before this week of practice, but I still think the New Orleans game is going to be big if, in fact, he gets a lot of reps, and I would expect him to get an awful lot of reps, PAULI, but he's had a very good week of practice right now. I do believe that he's probably made this team. If he goes out and just shows what he's been doing all week against the New Orleans Saints on Saturday, I

think he'll be fine. Yeah, and you're not kidding about the importance of this week. Here was Cliff Kingsbury to the media. I'd say it's a big week. I mean, he hasn't had preseason action yet, and that's important to see how he responds in the game. And I expect him to play a lout on Saturday. And your point,

he absolutely responded in practice this week. In fact, I can just tell you without you he caught Cliff Kingsbury's eye twice today in the final practice and he had a lot of his teammates given him a lot of high five. So there's no doubt I expect him to get a lot of reps. There's no doubt I expect him to make the team. Do you Yeah, No, I'm with you on that, Polly, I really do. I think he's I think he's made this team. Right now, listen

to the thing about Andie Isabella. That's so difficult, Polly. You got your rookie year, right, your rookie year, and then you have that off season year rookie year, Polly, that's kind of a big deal right there, right that that first season right there, Well, as a rookie, you basically can't slap your cheek with either hand for the most part, and then Polly, you get that second year off season. Well, did he have a second year off season? Polly? Did he have one. You know, no he did not.

I just Andie Isabella. Now, all of a sudden he's in training camp and look what happens a COVID protocol, not once, but twice. You know, this guy can't get a break when it comes to his development. And you know what else, I think the Arizona Cardinals want to see him get a full season under his belt with his new position coach Sean Jefferson. Yes, I think that's gonna be key. They want to see, Okay, how can Seaun Jefferson develop and Andy Isabella the former second round pick.

And I'll tell you what based on this week, so far, so good. In fact, I asked Cliff Kingsbury today and the presser about Andy Isabella and he said, and I quote, you know what, he's got a really big ship on his shoulder after missing fifteen days. He's a guy who works hard at his craft and you can tell he was mad to miss those days end quote. And you know what, he played like it today in practice. So

I would concur with that. Now here's my question. That receiver room, as we talk about what you're gonna watch on Saturday night against the Saints, is the room for a seventh receiver. If we agree the top six are decided, is the room for a Greg Dorch or an Antoine Wesley to crash that party on the practice squad? You better believe it, Polly. That's why you know what? Ah, Hey, George, come here for a minute. You got a minor thing going on right now, Buddy. I want you to know

you got a minor thing. You ain't go be playing on Saturday night because you got something real minor, you know, Polly, I mean fishy, fishy? Is that what you're saying, just saying right now? This is this is something that happens that you walk up to a player in training camp. Hey, what hurts on you? Well, you know what? This, this and this, well, you know what, It hurts a lot more than you think, you know, Paul. I mean honestly, this goes on in the National Football League all the time.

Of course, so I would expect that with Dorch because he does look real good. What about the tight end room? I mean, you figure that most decisions are made going into the final preseason game, But what about tight end? Where are you how many will they keep? To what degree are they looking at the waiver wire? Come August thirty. First, what do you think? I think a lot, Polly. I think, honestly, I think they're good with Max Williams as their starter.

And I love that too, because he's more physical than anything else, Polly. He can help you out in the passing game as well, but he's more physical. I love that. Rrell Daniels as well. I think he's a pretty good and willing blocker as a move tight end. He's really got to work on his hands. Though he dropped it, had a lot of drops in training camp. He's got to do better than that. You know they've got after that. Paul, Demetrius Harris was signed. He is definitely flashed. I don't

know if he gets a final fifty three spot. Yeah, you know, do they know if they keep three? Paul? Yea, just like do they keep three quarterbacks? How big is Saturday night for Chris Strebler? And I know, right exactly, I think they do. I think they keep three. I think they keep two tight ends, PAULI. And then we'll see where they pick and choose. Aren't they gonna keep ten offensive linemen? Maybe it's just nine offensive linemen they'll use,

But we'll see. Because I think there's going to be some type of action in that tight end room after the waiver wire. Yeah, this is a Sean Harlowe, for example, crash that offensive line room. What about defensive line? You're not gonna let him Michael Dogby go, are you? He's gotten reviews and high grades from the coaches so far. If Michael Dogby has cut, he will sign immediately with another NFL team in their final fifty three. Yeah, that's

gonna be good. Paulli, where do you put to? Where do you hide Michael dog That is the thing, right with another minor thing? I think you're just gonna have to have. No. I think he's made this team. I think he's gonna be in the rotation. I think he's gonna be one of the six defensive lineman they'd keep where else? Anything else you want? What about that third running back? You have a battle Jonathan Ward Eno Benjamin our guest earlier, and I figure you're keeping all four

just because now Eno plays special teams. He might be your main kickoff return guy. But what about the rotation? Can Eno? Can he eclipse Jonathan Ward because Ward beat him out a year ago. Yeah, I don't know. Paully what the answer is to that. But I love what I've seen from Eno Benjamin this preseason, not only with a ball in this offense, but also what we've seen on kickoff returns. I you want to talk about running

into the darkness, He's definitely doing that. I love what you know Benjamin has flashed on teams and I think, once again, this is just me. I think, Gayo Benjamin has made this team. And you know what, to me, you don't want to risk a Rondelle Moore on kick returns.

He just don't. Wolf. I was talking to a veteran player yesterday and camp and number four, the new number four, walked by, and he changed the subject immediately and he said, see that kid, Yeah, he's gonna be real good, real good, Paulie. And this is a senior member of that locker room, and you know, players know players. There is a big buzz about ron Del Moore. I'll just leave it at that. I love it because his heart, the intangibles, his brain,

it's really what makes him special. And yet at the same time, don't let it go to your head, Rook, don't do it all right, next stop for Wolf some Gumbo special. Thanks you know Benjamin Dave passed, Jim Almahandro, Cody Fincher on Paul KELVC for Ron Wolfley. This has been the Big Red Rage presented by santan Ford and Gilbert Chaw Number one tail. You've been listening to the Big Red Rage presented by Santanford in Guildercard, aren't 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.