Big Red Rage - Conner Strong

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, 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 farm might not know much, but I know this much, Ron Wolfley. The AFC West is loaded like a Ron Wolfley dinner

play on Saint Patty's Day. I mean we're talking the corn, beef, the cabbage, the Irish bangers and mash the carts. I mean everything is right there in the AFC West. So you heard me take a shout at you earlier. Paul, you're saying somebody walked in mid afternoon or so and said, literally out of nowhere, hey, Calvc, your hair does not look like a Philly cheesteak, just so you know. And I said, what are you talking about? And sure enough, sure enough that it took me about four seconds. I said,

let me guess. Were you in the car listening to a certain midday show. It is the Big Red Rage presented by Santan Ford and Gilbert. I don't care if wolves talking or not. We are Santana Ford, Paul Calvc here, Wolf over there, soon to be James Connor is going to joy us and join us here. And yeah, we will enjoy the conversation. I tell you that much. With

James Conner, that was a big get. I know where all the headlines right now are coming out of the afcust And yes, Davante Adams have been traded to the Raiders for a round one and round two pick going back to the Green Bay Packers because he's going to ink a deal that's reportedly worth one hundred forty one million dollars, a five year deal max value one forty one plus and Wolf if nothing else, guess what that cardinal schedule? The NFC West. They picked the wrong year

to match up with the afcust. I mean, we need to go back and like sue the NFL schedule makers right now. Holy, there's no doubt about it. You have to be kidding me. The AFC West. What a monster this is becoming this offseason due to free agency. Yeah, and we'll get into that. But speaking a free agency, let's get things started with the Cardinals and what has

gone down already. We're going to detail the comings and the goings and guess what two tight ends, not one, but two tight ends sign on the line that has dotted. Here's Zach Ertz on why he never made it to the free agent market. When you find a good thing, you don't go looking for something else. They made it known that I was a priority from the moment this season ended. And to be in a place that respects you for not only what you do on the field, but off the field as well. The way you approach

the game for me is valuable. You can't put a price on that. And so it truly is just something that I wanted to be here, and so for me, it was a no brainer. It's a three year deal. Reported thirty one point five million seventeen point five million guaranteed for the former Eagles Pro Bowl tight end. The Cardinals gave up a fifth round pick four last mid season. Ron Wolfley and Pauly, You know it was so interesting as well, was just the fact that zach is one correct.

The Cardinals did target him. They did, They targeted zach Ertz, Paully. The question is, of course, why was it zach Ertz that they were targeting right here? Why was it not? Oh, I don't know another wide receiver that might be out there now. I know they signed zach Ertz before the free agent period. Of course, what they did that because they had a personnel grouping in mind, Paul, they had a paradigm shift offensively in mind when they signed zach Ertz.

How many teams have we talked about this the last couple weeks right here in the Big Red Rage presented by santan Ford and Gilbert. How many teams have that dual tight end threat, especially in the NFC West. And so I think this really separates the Cardinals. You get zach Ertz, you get Max Williams. They've never played together because Max Williams went down in Week five and then zach Ertz showed up thereafter. But if they can get

on the same page with Kyler Murray. In fact, here's zach Ertz talking about that that chemistry with his quarterback. Kyler and I got introduced to each other in the middle of the season, and then the middle of the season, most of those conversations were geared towards football and geared towards the next opponent we were playing, geared towards how we can be better. But I look forward to just continue to grow as friends. Obviously, I think he's a

great friend to me. He's he's someone that I've loved playing with and for the past eleven games, and I think we're just really scratching the surface with our chemistry level on the football field, and so I'm excited to see where that goes in year two. Zach Ertz and James Connor and Justin Pew and Max Williams, What does this say to you, PAULI? What does this portend? You're talking about the veterans in the leadership and just the

reliability and the fact that they're known quantities. Yes, PAULI not like that this. These signings right here, they paint a picture a picture, A picture, I should say when the Cardinals were five and old and seven and old, when the Cardinal's offense was one of the top three offenses in the football universe. They were talented, they were tough, they were physical. This is an acknowledgement of everything that

they were before Max Williams went down. In my opinion, and somebody after the season said we're going to move away from eleven personnel, three wide receivers and rundown situation. Move away from that to twelve personnel. In other words, that third wide receiver is going to be replaced by zach Ertz in rundown situation with James Connor. I think this poort tends the Arizona Cardinals offense is going to be more physical and first and ten second and one

to six classic rundown situations. Interesting, and you know what, it would make sense. I mean, you want to get your best weapons out there, right zach Ertz and Max Williams. Especially the way Max Williams played the first four and a half games of this season. That Minnesota game where he set career highs was seven catches for ninety four yards of receiving, had a big touchdown catch right early

in that first month. I mean he was critical and then you cited this when you watch the film, the Cardinals run game is different when as with two xes, because you know I has that second X because he's a two way tight end. Right. That's right, PAULI, right there.

I absolutely love it. Go back and look, the Cardinals basically said the first half of the season, that happened, that happened, and they believe what they saw happening was real, and that's what they want to get back to, only better this time because with zach Ertz and Max Williams as opposed to Max Williams and a third wide receiver, I think zach Ertz and Max Williams, especially in rundown situation in play action, oh my goodness, look out with

that right there, that is going to be a great combination. It's going to be more physical and yet at the same time you're gonna have that play action pass man and you might see Kyler under center a little bit more. Because you're right that first month or so, that's seven and oh the ten and two, I should say, when they were a much more balanced offense, especially before the loss of Dha. But you know, that was a problem for opponents when the Cardinals got the run game going

and the passing game and they were absolutely lethal. Max Williams was a big part of that. And now, unlike

zach Ertz, he didn't meet the media this week. So the next best thing is for us to go back to the Pashpod, the recent episode that featured Frank Caliando the Man of a Million voices, calling a Max Williams touchdown as mel Kiper and John Madden Max Williams fourteen yard touchdown catch, let's start doing that as mel Kiper talk about tremendous snap snapped, Kyler Murray three step drop, lobs it deep through the middle of the end his own Max Williams double accident, the excellent single as on

the Williams hangs in, He's a touchdown Williams over the middle, got pop but Kyler Murray with a beautiful touchdown thrown at the end of the day, the Cardinals are back in front. Let's do John Madden, I mean, I mean, what are you gonna do when when Max Williams runs the sea money on a great read by Kyler Murray. I mean, that's Kyler Murray just being Kyler Murray right there, he saw what do you need to do and boom. I mean, he just made it happen. That's frank Kellyano

be Frank Kelliando the singular talent, that is Frankie. So that's outstanding stuff right there. Okay, so once again, Max Williams is back on board, Zach Ertz is on board. James Connor, we'll hear from him momentarily. We'll get into all that. You'll hear from the Cardinals Pro Bowl running back Justin Pugh. You mentioned he's now set to make a guaranteed salary reportedly a five point five million, took the pay cut, another one point five available and incentives.

Dennis Gardeck is back. We'll talk about him a little bit later. Colton McCoy, Wolf, how important was it to get the backup quarter back on a two year deal, No doubt about it, Bully. That's set an awful lot right there. Colton McCoy coming in and being the mentor once again to Kyler Murray. This is a great relationship that they had last year. Of course, only one year

in that quarterback room. So I'm looking forward to Colton McCoy coming back and being an in luins in regard to Kyler Murray right now, and once again, Paul, I really do believe this represents I could be dead wrong on this, Paul, Okay, hear me will on this. I could be dead wrong. Yet at the same time, I really do believe this represents a paradigm shift in the

offensive meeting rooms for the Arizona Cardinals. I really do believe that moving away from a lot of eleven Last year, PAULI, in rundown situation, they were in eleven perconnel almost fifty seven percent of the time. Okay, fifty seven percent of the time. They were in twelve perconnel. Two tight ends in rundown situation twenty seven percent of the time. I think those are gonna flip. That's what I think is

gonna happen. I think those are gonna flip. You're gonna see a lot more of the two tight ends with Max Williams and zach Ertz. That's why they prioritized zach Ertz because of the play action pass that is going to happen across the middle of the field, in particular with zach Ertz and Kay Murray. It is it is a big move. I think a paradigm shift inside the offense, all right, incoming and then outgoing real quick. Jordan Phillips

and Jordan Hicks both released created salary cap room. And then you have Chandler Jones at his Raiders press conference today, Ron Wolfoy. If there is one urgent need right now, it's gotta be for an edge rusher. Gotta be on the edge, Paul, He no doubt about that, right. Who's out there right now? Paul? Who can you go get Darius Smith? Backed out? That would be bad? Right? You also throw out a name. Yes, Danil Hunter is to like an eighteen million dollars guaranteed payment by the end

of this week. I think it's Sunday or so. I see, they're a speculation he might be available. Yeah, you know, and again what could you get him for? Right? How much would you have to pay? But Daniel Hunter? Okay, Paul sold you got me. I'd be all over that, of course. And it's sounds like something that Steve Kim might be able to pull off. But the money that could be prohibitive. All right, Christian Kirk Chase Edmonds speaking

a prohibit of money. Christian Kirk got the bag and then some may contract with a base value of seventy two million, a max value of eighty four million, thirty seven million fully guaranteed for Christian Kirk. Did you see that coming, Paul with Dustian Kirk, did you meet that? We were told behind the scenes and we talked about it the last month or so. The market was going to be robust. But when he's better paid, then basically accept all except a half dozen receivers in the game. Yeah,

that's because you're Jacksonville and you have to overpay. If you're Jacksonville, just go back to the Klais Campbell signing. What's upon a time? Yeah, that honestly, that blew my mind right there. Chandler Jones again, and by the way, I'm very happy for Christian Kirk. I want to say that you know a guy, hey, prison, this is what players do. They get paid. They go out and they perform, and then you get a contract and you get compon sated and never forget when you play this game. It's

a dangerous game, the game of football. Of course, when you play this game and you play it hard, man, you want that check and that's important. Setting up you and taking care of your family for the rest of your life, Lord Willie, of course. But for me, I'm all for it. Christian Kirk, I'm so happy for him. But that's something the Arizona Cardinals could never pay him, just could never pay Christian Kirk. That kind of money not feasible. Chase Edmonds, he gets a big money at least,

I mean, think about it. Even he tweeted out a kid for it went to Fordham, a mid round pick who made his way in the NFL, A twelve million dollar deal, six point one guarantee. Awesome as Kyler Murray tweeted out, quote, gonna miss going to war with my guy Chase Edmonds, Miam he got a dog was the tweet there and absolute. You know, the media really needs some good interviews back in the locker room, missing Chase Edmonds and Christian Kirk right now, that's we have needs

and wants as well. There go two guys, are they now? Pollis yes, they are, no doubt about it. And you know what those guys and you know this will win or lose. Those guys would join us after every game broadcast from the locker room. They would answer all the questions stand up dudes and We're happy to see they got paid. And now we'll see how the Cardinals cope. In fact, we'll talk to the new RB. One is

his job, to be clear. James Conner will join us next and by the way, join the Cardinal season ticket priority lists for the twenty twenty two season. We talked about that schedule. Are you kidding me? The NFCUS plus the Buccaneers, the Saints, the Chiefs, the Chargers, the Patriots, and the Eagles all at home. That is acy Cardinals dot com slash priority list for more info. James Conner on the other side, it is the Big Red Rage presented by Santan four in Gilbert cut cut down right now,

first and goal on the one. The line up Kyler Murray under the center and put James Conner deep in the backfield seven yards. Already takes quick pitch barside Connor in the last two plus games. You already know cool, I got it all. We know it. We know it now. The NFL knows it now. They found out the hard way after eighteen total touchdowns a Pro Bowl campaign. And now we know that James conn is on board long term,

a three year contract and he joins us now. On the Big Red Rage, presented by Satan Ford and Gilbert. Congratulations James, thank you, thank you, thank you much. Appreciate it that when you're miked up like that, by the way, does that fire you up a little bit more? Do you ever learn anything about yourself when you go back

and see and hear yourself in action? It's always nice to, you know, to go back and see, you know, because when you in the moment so much, you know, it's like you don't know what you sound like or how you are. But just to sit back on a couch and it's not game day, you're not fired up, you know. It's just it's funny to see how things change, you know. But um, you know, being miked up is cool for sure. I don't like it. I like it, man. I liked

your nickname for Cliff Kingsbury, Cliff kissel So. And I guess any play call is a good play call if he's calling your number, I imagine, of course, if I hear him getting the ball in the hoddle, it's an excellent call. How often after the player is called, your number is called, and you're standing there right before the snap, how often do you know, oh, Yeah, this is gonna work. This play is gonna hit. Um. You know, it's just it's a combination everything. It's where you add on the field,

you know, and whatever play it is. But um, you know when we get in that red zone, you know, I like to think every time it is that time, you know, whether you know wherever we're at. So um, But no, manage. It's a mindset thing, you know, when it's it's trust. You know, you got the carrying a whole team with you when you know you're getting the ball. Um. And so it's just you know, running back especially is all reaction you know for the most part. So it's exciting, man,

That's the best way I can put it. It's exciting to know you're gonna get the ball, you know, living your dream mindset. And I've said this in the off season. I hope you're okay with this. I said, you know what, James Connor, he's not just a playmaker, he's a mentality. Absolutely you consider that part of your job to try and rub that off on other guys, don't you. Absolutely? Um, you know it's it's part of leadership thing. And it's also just who I am, you know, I see people

talking about the numbers and whatever it may be. And they like to dis label running backs running backs, but much more than that, you know, I'm not, I am a running back, but like you said, mindset, like I like to set the tone for things, um, you know, just being being my best self. You know, I get more to this team than just touchdowns, you know, and so I take pride in that. So you're aware that when you flatten a defender that you fire up the sideline.

Got I mean got you call bullyball, right, define that man. Football is a man on a man every time. You know, it'll really never change, and that's what the game is. And sometimes you just got to be a bully somebody in your way. You gotta you know, force someb out of your way and may just be more physical and so you know, being a bully. When you think of a bully, when you think of you think of somebody physical and all of that type of stuff. So it's

just bulle ball. Because down on the sideline, I'll see you after a play like that or a drive like that, You'll finish a play with a physical run, a touchdown run, and then you'll come back and you'll you'll purposely go after the defense, right, you try and fire them up to carry it forward. Of course, that's what football is. It's um, it's emotion, it's energy, it's momentum. You know. We got to feed off of each other. There's three phases in the game and all looking to accomplish one goal,

so we at war. What's it like to go into the four minute offense and close out a game? You guys did that quite often, and that ten and two start, I mean, heck, it was a lot more than four minutes. I think you ran off eleven minutes against the Rams in the fourth quarter. There were like eleven run plays on a twall play drive at Cleveland, right close down.

What's that like? How enjoyable is that as a running back in a fourth quarter to It's enjoyable to see, you know, the offensive lineman getting into it and pumped up, you know, like it just builds confidence in it. Also, it's just um, it's power. It's uh, imposing your will, you know, and just closing that ball out and then you get to the best formation of football, you know, the victory formation. Can't beat it, you know. James Connor

our guest here, Cardinals running back. It's a three year deal. Do you have a favorite touchdown? I know there's a lot to choose from. He had eighteen, Yes, I mean, but I mean you had the forty five yard catcher run against the Niners. You had the one hander against the Bears, and then Cliff Kingsbury raced down the sideline

to give your congratulations. I mean, there was even the wildcat touchdown against the Rams of Monday nights, right might that might have been one would be either that one or the one before while I broke Aaron Donald's touched down. You know, that's my big brother, that's my guy. And so for him to be clean and and me shake them off, you know, were just lifting together a couple of days ago, you know, and so he was like,

I was pissed he scored that one. You know. So even though it's just a one yard one that was there was so much behind it. Now, wait a minute, True or false? You were a defensive lineman in high school? Yes, sir? Really? Yes? Did you enjoy that? I loved it? I love I still to this day. I love defense. I got my scholarship to go to PI as a defensive end. Really yeah, I committed before my senior year at high school started,

I went to the prospect camp. Um. This is all in my book too, by the West here as a choice nice. Um, But yeah, I went to the camp and then uh, my senior year, I was playing running back in the they call. They said, hey, when you get the pit, we want you to play running back. But but defense has always been you know, my love. You know, I've always loved defense, and I'm all right at it. Is that why you and Aaron Donald get

along so? Well? Maybe? Yeah, all right, we got a little half sack together in our bowl game versus Bowling Green my freshman year at Pitt and his senior year. Yeah, we combined. I think we met at the quarterback. So that's something I hold on to too. So how motivating is it now that Aaron Donald has a ring? Yes, I'm supermoder I'm motivated more than ever. And the super Bowl was at our house next year, yeah, you know.

And then so it's like, it's only right, we have so many great opportunities for this thing just to be an incredible story. You know, how we can end it, you know, after after next season, And so I'm gonna do my best to this lead, get everybody on the same same page, and uh, we have an opportunity to do something really special. Because James, I'm sure you've heard it, and it goes for your position group. There are a lot of people who are resistant to giving veteran running

backs that big, long term deal. What would you say to people who have that fear? Man, If you've got a playmaker, you know, let just let him make plays. You know, that's what it is. You know, I know, I know what I'm capable of. I know what I bring to the table. You know, I see I see I see a ring in my future. But as far as you know, being a veteran, you know, I see leadership.

You know I'm gonna get to another program. I'm gonna continue to score a touchdowns, I'm gonna do all of that and so and bring this mindset to a team. And uh, I think A Z showed me that they believed in me. Did you have to prove yourself with your hands? Even your own position? Coach James Saxon, we love Sacks right, and we had him on the Big Red Rage in August and we asked him about you and how you'd be utilized. And I think we brought up the passing game. He said, now, guys, just hang on,

you don't put an elephant in a sailboat. That was that was his line about you. Okay, but there you were making those one handed grabs and even Cliff Kingsbury said he did not realize what he had when it came to the passing game with you. Yeah, you know this this game, you know, you have to continue to prove yourself week after the week. I've always believed in

my hands and knew what I was capable of. Um, you know, and uh, I surprised myself of a song you know, you know what in Chicago in the rain and all that with the left and all that good stuff. You know. But you know there's more players to be made. I gotta continue to make great catches and uh and do all that for this team. But it'll be something I got to prove to till I'm done. So that's why in the press conference you called yourself an athlete, right, yes, right, absolutely, yeah.

So where do you see this offense evolving? What is the next step you think for this offense? And the next step is just to to we got to just play as one play as a unit and just believe be bought in because we had more than enough weapons, you know. And uh, and so we're just gonna look back. You know, last year we got limited it out of the playoffs, and so I'm gonna look to see one way wrong and why and just correct that. That's the next step going for how much pain were you in

in that playoff game? Yeah, it was painful. It was painful for sure, you know, but it was all or nothing, you know what I mean. It was when I go home. So, um, you gotta put that on the back burner. And you brought this up in your press conference. We're on board with James Connor, Cardinal's Pro Bowl running back that look, you face down cancer in your life, So anything football related isn't nearly the same challenge, isn't. O. No, it's not the same challenge. It's it's not life for death.

They know. Um, you just gotta have fun with it and just enjoy it. You know. It's temporary, Like I like I said, I know, I know one day, you know, we can't play football forever. So while we're in it, we just can't look back, and we just gotta we just gotta ball out and just have so much fun with it because you know it's coming to an end one one day. Because guys talk about you at practice. We're not out there, but they talk about your spirit

at practice. Is that partially where it comes from? Maybe just you're enjoying it right right? Right? Um? You know, my family likes to say, you know everything else and I was just a bonus. You know you've been through the hardest part. I still get this my all too. Though. What would you like to achieve this year? I mean, you have eighteen total touchdowns, you got the Pro Bowl? I mean what's next for you? And and how did things change if you are the premiere every down running

back without Chase Edmonds. I believe I'm capable of that, you know, but uh, what else? What's next for me is just like I said, to be the best athlete I can be. But also I want to play in a big game. You don't want to play in that big game and win it. And it's like I said, especially that it's uh that it's estate farm this year, like Aaron Donald, Right, Yeah, he's not gonna retire or is he? Come on now? Yeah, nah, I'm I'm not

sure I'm gonna speak for her, but he did. He did tell me he was addicted to the feeling, you know, he said, uh, he said he thought, you know, when you know, whenever you know, he went to win a super Bowl, that might be it, um, you know, but working out with him and whatnot, he said, he addicted to that feeling. Man. You know, you see you see Brady coming back. You know. So I guess when when I winning is in you and you get to get a chance to experience it, you want more of it.

So I wouldn't be surprised if we see more ad next year she will retire. Yeah, I know, I know. My goodness. Well, congrat relationship again. Appreciate you guys. There you go. James Connor Pro Bowl running back here on the Big Red Rage Bullyball. As we said, a mentality not just a playmaker. Will continue with a Big Red Rage presented by Satan Ford in Gilbert. Right after this corner number, let go and Jeff Cladening like a shot

shot sea him down. I'm getting married. There you go, Jeff Gladden, he miked up part of the Vikings Radio Network. There Paul Allen on the call, the former first round pick of the Vikings twenty twenty and now an Arizona Cardinal on a two year deal. Five ten one, nine pound cornerback. Definitely a position of need and to be able to pull him out and a guy who's still

well young set out last season. But Wolf, if nothing else here on the Big Red Race presented by santan Ford and Gilbert, Jeff Gladney appears to have all the measurables you would need in a guy who could be a number one or a number two corner in this system. Yeah, now you're right about that, Paulie, and I expect an awful lot from Jeff Gladney because I think the Arizona Cardinals are going to give him every opportunity to be one of their top three corners. They see him, I'm

told they see him as a starting corner. Now in the NFL, you've got to have three corners. You have to have that so much of the time you're in nickel out on the field where you've got three corners. So obviously with Byron Murphy, with Marco Wilson and Jeff Gladney, it appears as though the heros under Cardinals think he's gonna be that number three corner Yeah, I traded some info with some of the folks as part of that process, and absolutely Wolf. They think he's gonna quote make an

impact right away. And you know he can play insider out He has exceptional footspeed, the quickness. He's known to be really tough. He said he would have run in the low four fours. He ran a four four eight at the combine, but he actually competed in the combine with a torn meniscus. Ye think about that. He just said, you know what I want to get out there, I want to compete. Tells you a lot about, you know,

just the mindset in the physicality. And that's one thing about the cardinal secondary, right every guy who's a big part of that secondary will hit you. Doesn't hesitate to be physical. No, you're right, Polly about that. It's very interesting what's going to happen with the defense going forward right now. One of the things I think Advanced Joseph had to do last year was play a lot more zone than he really is comfortable with, playing a lot more zone because of the secondary and how banged up

the secondary got. But I think we've got to remember as well, Paully, that the secondary had a defensive quarterback rating. The entire defense for the Arizona Cardinals at a defensive quarterback rating that was in the top five ten to

twelve weeks through the season. Ball in the top five. Now, listen, you know, you know you just can't take a stat and just absolutely it's the end all be all, But a defensive quarterback rating is a really good metric that measures just how effective a defense is against a passing offense in the National Football League, And they were in the top five through ten twelve weeks of the season, and then Robert Alfred went down. Robert Alfred went down.

That was a big loss, Paul, he was playing so well, and Marco Wilson hit a wall, and even Byron Murphy seemed to step back. Yeah, here was the stat. It was. It was Week fourteen, the Monday night loss against the Rams at home, where the Cardinals gave up three chunk plays passing plays of forty plus yards. They had given up three all season to date, and then they gave

up three in that single game. So to your point, yes, that secondary, specially after the loss of Robert Alford, just got a little discombobulated and or hit the wall, and so boom. They bring in Jeff Gladney on the two year deal, guy who went against Jalen Rager at TCU and credits that with his ability to play man and run with elite speedsters. So I think everyone's curious to

see him. How about the mentality though, the James Conner interview, I mean, when he was talking about how football is a motion, it's energy, it's momentum quote unquote, right when he's saying I'm more than a running back. I'm bringing my mindset to this team. I think we got an idea why he was the number one priority in the offseason. It's not just James Conner the player, it is the mentality. Yeah, there's no dot about it. And I know this, Paul, listen,

I block for Kevin Mack. Kevin Mack would truck you, all right. I mean that was his nickname, Mack Truck, right, Truck was Kevin Max's nickname. Of course he would truck you. And you know Jerome Bettis as well. Those two guys, Paul, I can tell you right now when they would line

up and they would absolutely run over somebody. Everybody comes off the sideline, everybody, it doesn't matter where you are, Man, It fires you up, especially the defense when they watch a running back go while out there and give what he's got and lay it on the line and hammer somebody running over, choosing the third rail of running the football, not going to the left, not going to the right, but going straight over a defender. That is the essence

of the game of football, and it brings everybody. Even quarterbacks will stand up all and watch that and get fired up when somebody does that, and that is James Conner. Yeah, you are so right. I mean, I can't tell you how often that happened this year. On the sideline. Defensive guys sitting on the bench, the three hundred pounders enjoy a cup of gatorade and they're looking up at the big screen and there's James Connor, either Jack stopping somebody in the open field or a dB turns it down

and makes it his decision. They're off the bench pumping their fist. You heard him when we asked him about the four minute offense and the Cardinals did that when that ten and two start again. To your point, man, they got into that four minute offense how many times? And he said it, quote, it's imposing your will end quote. And that's what they did so often, was when they went to the run game in the fourth quarter with a lead. Yeah, Paul, you know what, I love it

when you say that. You say that a lot that James Connor is more than just a running back. He's a mentality. I really, I mean, that's what it is. Steve Kim wanted to get more physical, he wanted better leadership in the locker room, and he wanted to become more physical. James Connor is the epitome of those two things right there, and exactly what Steve Kim I think

was thinking. The only other thing I want to say here he was really really vague in regard to what the offense might be when you asked him about the evolution of this ovel, what might that actually be? Paul? You actually asked a very celluent question right there. It was really a good question, but I didn't get an answer though, for both disappointed for just a sideline guy that was well bought out by you, PAULI. And he did. He was very very vague on that one right there.

And I say, I think I understand why how many guys get a D one scholarship as a defensive end and then become a Pro Bowl running back. I love that, man. I did not know that. I'm gonna be honest, I did not know that. I did not know. His freshman year, he had a half sack along with Aaron Donald in a Pit Bowl game against Bowling Green. They met at

the quarterback together. That is unbelievable. He's been lifting with Aaron Donald and so and Aaron Donald, by the way, is still mad according to James Conner that James Conner shook him for that touchdown run against the Rams earlier this year. So that was all great stuff from the Cardinals Pro Bowl running back. We're gonna come back. We're gonna talk more about what the Cardinals have, what they still need, what's been going on around the NFL. The a f C West are all on the Cardinal schedule.

The NSC West will look over the block wall as we continue with a big Red Raid presented by Santan four Kane Gilbert. Shotgun snap hurts a short set steps up, being chased far side by Guardek sacks up at the forty one yard line. Dennis Gardeck has become the sack machine. Shotgun snap hurts with a short set in trouble, steps up,

gets hit and sacked. Dennis Cardek was there first. Somebody hit the stroll Baby Gard, Deckie Gard, Deckie Gard, Deckie Tyler Murray biked up and yeah, that's that's symbolic of the sideline. I'll just say that much. I mean the sideline just eight that up in two thousand and twenty when he had set evan sacks in just ninety three defensive snaps. After down went Chandler Jones Week five against the Jets, and there was Dennis Gardeck coming out in

his first defensive snaps ever. The two time team captain Special Teams, and he is on board with a three year contract this week an undrafted free agent twenty eighteen. So you never quite know what's in store for a lot of these guys. As we wrap up this edition of The Big Red Rage presented by Santan Ford in Gilbert Wolf, how much of yourself, honestly, as a four time pro bowler on special teams do you see in Dennis Gardeck. Oh you know what, Pollyeah, I think he's

a better athlete than I was. Okay, I'm just gonna straight line speed. I did I actually had some really good straight line speed. But I think Dennis Gardeck is a better athlete than I was. He's able to move laterally a lot better than I was. Special teams very similar, Polly, I would say, very very similar. And how we both play just giving get everything you've got. I think that's Dennis Gardek and that definitely is what I had to do,

otherwise I would not have been in the league. Paula talking to the media this week, Dennis Gardeck gave a lot of a lot of props to Chandler Jones for helping him as a pass rusher and trying to learn that position. And he brought up twenty twenty and the stat is unbelievable to seven sacks and ninety three defensive snaps. He also had like ten quarterback hits. I mean, he

was a force. And I asked him about it and he said, you know, he does wonder, you know, and he said, he understands if people wonder if it was a fluke. And so that's his mission to go out there this year and prove that he can be legitimate off the edge. And right now, if you look at the Cardinals in free agency, losing Chandler Jones. They need a pass rusher the other team's offensive coordinator is going to have to account for and game plan for. Yeah, PAULI,

And there are some guys that are out there. There's some names that are out there as well. I don't know if the Arizona Cardinals actually have the finances to be involved in any of these Darius Smith, of course, Dante followed Junior, Jadeveon Clowney, Melvin Ingram. I have no idea, Paul if they could sign any of these guys at this point in time. But you know, there is that one name, It's Jadavion Clowney. To me, it's it's that

one name right there. Um, this is a guy that it does bother me that he's been knocked around the NFL for as big of a talent as I think he is. But he's still only twenty nine years old, Paullie. And he's just had nine sacks last year in fourteen games, and he played with and JJ Watt. Yes, that right there, PAULI. That's very interesting to me. I'd like that. That's interesting. Yeah, And well, look, by the way, the Deshaun Watson update desk a little bit ago it came out that Carolina

is out. The sweeps stakes are down to Atlanta or New Orleans. Browns are out, Panthers are out. It's going to be either the Falcons or the Saints. And guess what. Both those teams are on the Cardinals schedule this year. Have you taken a look at the Cardinal schedule playing the AFC West and then some of the other teams that are along with the Patriots, And are you kidding? The schedule is absolutely loaded. Ron Wolf, They're playing the Buccaneers.

Tom Brady is back. They're gonna play to Shaun Watson with either the Saints or the Falcons, they have both of them. The AFC West is on the Cardinals schedule. They're going on the road in the AFC West to the Broncos and the Raiders. And we know the Davante Adams news today. Your reaction to that trade, Yeah, no, oh, my goodness, Fallow was huge. First of all, let me just say the schedule it does look brutal right now, It really does. Even though the National Football League is

a year to year proposition. Never forget that, Paulli. It is a year to year proposition right now. A lot of guys. A lot of things can actually happen. Guys can walk away from contracts, guys can get injured. Of course, we all understand that we had a front row seat to that last year and what it can do to a football team. So again, I know it may look that way right now, but it is really a year

to year proposition. It doesn't look good when you look at the AFC West and say that's the division you're going to play. I mean, yeah, that sucks, buttermilk, Paul, there's no doubt about it. I tweeted out earlier at Paul Kelvas that the AFC West needs its own channel. They need to launch the AFC West network like the SEC does to the college game. That's when the AFC West is becoming because you realize the quarterbacks are mahomes

justin Herbert Russell Wilson, Derek Carr. The pass rushers are Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack on the Chargers, Chandler Jones and Max Crosby with the Raiders, Randy Gregory and Bradley Chubb with the Broncos, and then Chris Jones and Frank Clark with Kansas City. Stop it I mean, the talent unbelievable, is staggering. And now I don't know what. I don't know what Aaron Rodgers thinks right now. All I know is if he was angry when they drafted Jordan Love.

I'd love to hear what he has to say about them losing Davanta Adams for a first in a second rounder because they couldn't afford him. I know, PAULI honestly, they couldn't afford him. And supposedly we were all told that Aaron Rodgers knew, Paul knew that they were not going to be able to resign Davanta Adams, and yet here he was, Paul I correct me if I'm wrong. Did did he get a lot of money? Did Aaron Rodgers get the brinks backed up to the front yard? Yeah?

He did, and he had to know this is not going to help us actually signed Davanta Adams. Could Packer fans right now be saying, guess what our quarterback chose the big money? And it was big, big money, fifty million a year instead of a chance to win another ring because he has no excuses now, correct, I mean he basically if he indeed was responsible for this sort of personnel move, losing arguably the best receiver in the NFL. Man. Then that is squarely on the quarterback at this point,

because obviously he didn't give a team friendly deal. Now, there are also some reports out there I should site that Davante Adams wanted to go back to the West. Yeah, he played with Derek cart Fresno State. He's a Bay Area guy, and so look, Green Bay or Las Vegas. Could you find two more disparate locales and markets. Yeah,

you would understand if he wanted to change in lifestyle. Supposedly, Paul, I haven't seen all the details yet, but supposedly the Green Bay Packers offered him exactly what he got the contract that he actually signed. They offered him that money, Paul, to your point, maybe he just wanted out of Green Bay period. You know what, Paul, there's another name out there too, Marquez Veldez, Skeldy right this sky. This is an interesting guy. Paul six four. He's a big wide

receiver and he can run a sub four four. Paul, He's made some place down the field. This is a name, he's a free agent that is actually out there. I have to wonder if the Arizona Cardinals, and what might be kicking the tires on that one? He would be a great outside receiver. You're right, he's great after the catch right. His yards, his yards per catcher sky high. Now I wonder though the Packers are gonna be so desperate receivers if he gets overpaid by the hometown team.

We'll see how that goes. Now, I'm still all over Juju Smith Schuster Wolf, I know you are, PAULI. I just get he's out there. You know what about Cole Beasley? Does that get your attention? And already now as a slot guy thirty two years old, line them up in the slot? Oh, look, everybody, who's the other guy in the other slot? Oh it's zach Ertz. Out of eleven personnel that could suddenly eleven personnel could actually be sub package personnel group for the Arizona Cardinals. One receiver, I

mean three wide receivers, one tight end, one back. And now all of a sudden, you hate what if you have Cole Beasley in the slot on one side and zach Ertz and the other. I like that because the other receiving headline today, Alan Robinson going to the Rams. So Alan Robinson on a three year deal thirty point seven million guaranteed reportedly is now in the division. And it's about time the Rams signed somebody. I mean, you know,

no particular order. They lost Johnny Hecker, they lost Andrew Whitworth, they lost Von Miller, they lost Darius Williams, their corner there standout d Tackles. Sebastian Joseph Day is gone. They lost the starting right guard in Austin Corbett. I mean, they were on track to sign basically a guy by the name of first named Jack, last named squad and they finally got Alan Robinson the La Rams, And so obviously we're reminds me of PAULI Alan Robinson Robert Woods

that you know, it can't be a coincidence. I would imagine the Rams look at that and go, you know what, Honestly, he kind of looks like Robert Woods right there. Well, and even is Obj even an option for the Rams, considering he tore his ACL in the Super Bowl and early February bid February, So when's he gonna be ready? Yeah, no, Polly, I know exactly. So you know, again, um, Robert Woods playing for the Rams. You know what a big loss that was to the Rams one he went down Oh

my goodness, it was staggering. So you know, they might look at him and say, wow, you know, and there's a lot of similarities right there between Robert Woods and Robinson, so maybe we want we might want to do that. Yeah, speaking of guys leaving, Jordan Phillips released to create cap room, he's already with Buffalo Jordan Hicks. Tell me about a guy who played ninety seven percent of the snaps last year on defense. He had one hundred and sixteen tackles.

Like we had talked about. It's just my opinion you couldn't have Jordan Hicks on this year's roster because then, guess what, he would probably win the job again over Zavon Collins. You know what, honestly, going into camp you may not be too far off the mark, Polly, but let me just caution you on this right here, Zaven Collins, Isaiah Simmons. Also, what kind of off season have these guys had? What kind of off season did they have?

Not a lot because of the pandemic, Polly. You look at especially Isaiah Simmons, you think of the two off seasons he's had. This is going to be a very critical year this offseason for Bowl Zaven Collins and Isaiah Simmons, No doubt, no doubt. He has to earn the trust of his defensive coordinator, does he not. If he's gonna wear the green dot and he's gonna call the defense, he has to have the ability to keep up with

opposing offenses. That you know, every play call has subplay calls, and he's got to be able to decipher and then go ahead, spit out instantly, instantly. You're what Rob Breederson told us last week on the Big Red Rate, just about the mental capacity he must have at that middle linebacker spot. Polly, I've talked about it all burn over and over again. It was the reason why I didn't want to move Isaiah Simmons around. Didn't want to do it, did not want to do it. Let him sit there

and learn one position. And to me, I think this offseason is going to do Isaiah Simmons a lot of good. But I think Zaven Collins, more than anybody, has the biggest opportunity to grow this offseason. Having a regular offseason where he's going to have a lot of work out on the field. This is a huge opportunity for Zaven Collins and a light to go on like it needs to. It's a very difficult position to play any type of inside linebacker, let alone mike backer or fullback. Paul, never

ever forget that, Paul. Those two positions, other than quarterback, maybe the most cerebral positions on a football team. I'll let you have that one. As I mentioned that punter Andy Lee inked a one year deal that was a special team's news today along with a longtime long snapper Aaron Bruk got a one year deal as well. So by the way, Andy Lee is going into his nineteen season, he's played in two hundred and eighty regular season games. Think about that. Yeah, hey, special thanks James Conner for

joining us the Pro Bowl running back. He is back on board, thoroughly enjoyed that special. Thanks to our senior broadcast manager and producer Jim Almahundro, our technical director Lauren Coble for Ron wolf Ley Offal Kalbis. This has been the Big Red Rage presented by Santan Ford and Gilbert Laurd