Big Red Rage - Edmonds, Conner Ready To Run

flying into the backfield. The rage is brought to you by satan Ford in Gilbert, or are you Santanford State Farm Talk to an agent today at eight hundred State Farm, And by Arizona Cardinals Podcasts Visit acy Cardinals dot Com, Slash Podcasts, The Rods, Rising Guard, Temperatureizing Vision, Flurring, Rage taking 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. RS Unleash. The far Many

camp is a rap. Next stop is next month training camp. You think you know Ron Wolflee? No, I know you think you know where? Let me finish the sentence. Rom You think you know, Sure, you might know a thing or two about training camp, but you think you might know where the two twenty one airs on our Cardinals are headed. And I would say not so fast, as we just witnessed three days of mini camp, and we got a lot of seven on seven guys and shorts and helmets and a lot of trash cans and blocking

bags out there. So there's only so much you can tell. Ron Wolfley, dare I say, when this NBA season started, your Phoenix Suns were seventy to one shots, so you putting money down in your bally. You might think you know, But until this whole thing plays out, at least until we get into some full contact football into August, then guess what we might get a few answers around here on the Big Red Rage, all presented by the santan

Four in Gilbert. We are santan Ford, the original Thursday Night Football right here, Paul kelvc Ron Wolfley, and soon to be joined wolf We're gonna have an addition to the full back club here tonight, our special guests. Do tell James Saxon, you better believe it, part of the full back Club. Can't wait to talk to him about how the Arizona Cardinals are going to incorporate a fullback into their offense in twenty twenty one. Do yourself favor, Do not ask that question. Some free advice right off

the top. You know, don't make yourself look bad. Don't waste our precious time with a Cardinals running backs coach by asking any fullback related questions. Although Kyler Murray had a few things today to say about the run game, Wow did he not? Oh PAULI, where where do we begin on this one? Okay, So Kyler Murray meets the media. If you're scoring at home? I do believe this is

the first time in the off season. And if you had a power poll of all the press conferences that Kyler Murray has held, this has got to be top three. Today has to be top three. And by the way, did you see the powerpole? Wolf? As we started last week with a powerpole. Nothing like a nice power pole in June and the latest one in NFL dot com. You know, not to digress the powerpole. The biggest bandwagons

right now? You are digressing. The biggest bandwagon right here, right now, according to NFL dot Com, happens to be the Cardinals Week one opponent, the Tennessee Titans. Oh yeah, here we go. Are you kidding me? They got yep? And the Cardinals are number six, by the way, in terms of the biggest bandwagons right now, the Dolphins are right on their heels and number seven. And then in between three teams, you have a bunch of names. They

incorporated names into the biggest bandwagons. Joe Burrow, Brandon Staley and the new head coach of the Chargers, former Rams D coordinator Ceedee Lamb, Chase Young cam Akers, the Rams running back. We know all about that guy. And then Dan Campbell, the Lion's new head coach. Point, Paul, Hey, that is some good stuff right there, honestly, Dan Campbell, Yeah, don't get me started on Dan Cambell. You mentor Dan Campbell,

and you know here it comes. I envisioned him and in Chris Spielman sitting around a room ball by themselves, talking about bludgeoning each other. They're gonna put the blocking sled in the front office in Detroit because spiels and Dan Campbell are gonna be hitting the blocking soul between some of their their power meetings. Look, here's Kyler Murray. Let's go to the press conference and a simple question,

where do you want to evolve your game? Kyler? Where do you want to grow the most here in your third season? I think all aspects of the game, but leadership taking care of the ball, being better as far as accuracy, just just the whole game. There's no one in this building or that watches the game that's a bigger critic of themselves or of me than I am. So I know what I need to get better at. When we get out throwing the field, I plan to show you know I grew in those areas. Oh, Paul,

I love that right there? Are you kidding me? This is exactly what I want to hear. I want to hear this from Kyler Murray. I need to get better in the little things. I need to get better in leader ship, Pauly, he started with leadership. Yes, Paul, I you know once again, I love that. Listen. You know the way I feel about this, Polly. Humility is a wonderful mastery, truly is because it allows you to see where you need to get better and what you need

to do to get better. And I love listening to a guy articulate what obstacles he's got to overcome in his career to get better. And you just heard it right there from Guyler Murray. Love that. You know. I had a chance to watch the last three days of minicamp, and there are a few takeaways. For example, in no particular order, the rookie corners. I mean, man, if these

guys can play, they definitely look the part. When you're talking about Tay Gowen and Marco Wilson, just the size and athleticism, and these guys that look like corners of the Seahawks would would draft the wide receiver position. Wolf to me, you look out there and you go, okay, AJ Green, Christian Kirk, Rondel Moore. Yeah, a lot of potential right there, but there's also a lot of question marks. And Kyler Murray was asked today about his receivers, in

particular AJ Green. I expect I did have a big year. I know, you know, I know a lot of people should sleep on him. I know a lot of things have been said about you know him, maybe not be on to do it anymore or whatever. We don't really care about that, you know, ignore all that. You know, I'm glad he's on the team. I mean, we have a great receiver room, more weapons than I can ask for, and on paper, absolutely, but honestly, you have DeAndre Hopkins and a lot of unknowns right now. What can you

count on and bank on here? This season? When it comes to that receiver room. Yeah, it is a great question right there. What you can count on is d hop That's number one I would stop with. I would start I should say what DeAndre Hopkins. I think you can count on that right there? I think you can count on AJ Green. I do, at least, I think AJ Green has got an awful lot to prove. It's a very similar situation to the Pat P. I think Pat P's gonna have a good year up there in Minnesota.

I really do, PAULI the guy's got so much talent. Not only that, now all of a sudden he's going to be in a defense. I think Mike Zimmer is going to use him in a very very specific kind of way. And I think the new scenery, so to speak, suddenly he's got to prove himself all over again. I think that is really going to help Pappy focus. And I think a focus Pappy is going to be an excellent Pappy. So I expect him to have a very

very good year. Can I say Aj Green in the same light, in the same vein is what I'm speaking of in regard to Pat P. I think AJ Green is going to be that guy here too. He needed a change of scenery, a change of offense. It's the refresh button for aj greenball, all right, so hit zoom out. Does the Cardinals offense in general need to change, especially when it comes to the run game. We know Kyler Murray and what happened at Seattle in week nine with

the shoulder injury. Yes, and we know things. We're never quite the same for whatever reason. Earlier in the week, Cliff Kingsbury was asked about it, and he's used the word uncomfortable. Kyler was uncomfortable push and he had a push through you know, his physical state and that injury to a large degree. And if you look at some

of the numbers the before and the after. For example, Kyler's rushing yards per carry six point nine nearly seven yards per carry in the nine games before Seattle, and these numbers crunched by our Kyle Odegarden asy Cardinals dot Com. The final seven games, he averaged less than five yards to carry and it had only one rushing touchdown under the final seven games. And guess what he had ten in the first nine games. So he was asked by

Kyle about that today, here's Kyler Murray. Well, if your reaction to the shoulder injury and exactly what it did or didn't do to the Cardinals running game. You know, my legs should be a luxury. And it kind of wasn't like that last year. It was kind of me having to run for us and once you know, my shoulder was named up or whatever, and I wasn't trying to put myself out there and take those hits and stuff like that. Who kind of took a law, you know, hit a law. You know, honestly, I think it was

good for us. You know, think it was a lesson for us that you know, we can't be one dimensional. We just got to be better in all all areas, all aspects of the game. Paul. I'll tell you right now, in Vegas, when somebody hit the jackpot, they used to say winner, winner, chicken dinner, Paul, because that basically it's what you want. When in the very beginning of Vegas, that's what they did. Paul, ding Ding Ding ding Ding. I endorse this message, Paul. You know you have listened

to me talk about this very thing. He can't be Michael Vick, Paul, he can't. You can't build your offense around Kyler Murray and say, Kyler's got to run the ball. If you tell me that Kyler Murray's got to run the ball for him to be effective in the National Football League, you're telling me, basically, he's Michael vec You need to run him when when when you need it the most. When I hear him say that his legs are a luxury, Paul, that's exactly the way you want

to view him. Not in every down. Here we go, Kyler Murray. We're gonna have you run the ball ten, eleven, twelve times a game. Let him scramble. Let it every now and then when you need it the most, when you need a first down, when you need a touchdown in the red zone, let him run the ball. Then, I got no problem with that. But man, if you're gonna go into a game saying, well, we've got to have Kyler Murray, our running game is built around Kyler Murray. Man,

you're your host. And look, he was dealing with injury. But well, if you tell me the defense is also adjusted accordingly in the second half of the season, did they not, without a doubt, Paul, without a doubt. You know what, And here's the thing with the whole zone read concept. If I want Kyler Murray, I'm a defensive coordinator and I want him to run the ball, I can force you to run Kyler Murray on that zone read. I'm just gonna go ahead and collapse that defensive end.

I'll do whatever I can. I'll scheme something where a backer is scraping to the outside waiting for Kyler Murray on a zone read based on down in distance and where you are. I'm just I'll crash that guy every time and force Kyler to be the guy that runs the ball so you can hit him. I'm just saying, Well, Greg Roman, the OC of the Ravens, was just saying to season ticket holders here in the last week, and somehow this got out. He shared with them that Lamar

Jackson's going to be under center a lot more this year. Yeah, what does that mean? You know? Cliff Cakesbury said, I'll believe that when I see it. Because of what a good running back Lamar Jackson is. You added Rodney Hudson, You added Brian Winners at guard. These are maulers. These are guys who come off the ball. You added James Sackson, a power running back. What does that? Poor ten? What

does that forecast. I mean, you know, it'd be great if we had James Saxon, the running backs coach, on next, because we could ask him a ball at all this and where exactly the run game is going and where should it be. So we'll go from Kyler's thoughts to the running backs coach next. The Big Red Rage presented

by Santan Ford in Gilbert. It's a run play right inside big whole headmands twenty five twenty ten five touchdown the inside zone being one and Chase Edmonds found the hole into the house, Baby gives it to Connor, sweeps the left side, gotta block at the tan Connor to the five into the touchdown. James Cotter explosive, just the weapons that we have, Chase doing this thing already, and so you know, watching film, I'm like, man, just do

he can? He can ball and I want to, you know, learn from him and be a part of it, get to work with him. You know, I ain't no telling, I can't predict with him, but I know what I can guarantee. I'm gonna come in here and work day in and day out from my head down and grind and you know I'm inte for the long cost so seventeen game season. I'm looking forward to it. James Conner on the potential the ares on a Cardinals offense. You

want potential? How about James Connor himself? We say welcome back into the Big Red Raid, presented by satan Ford

and Gilbert. We are Satan for the year was twenty and eighteen, Wolf, just a couple of years ago, and you had James Connor with just under fifteen hundred yards from scrimmage five point four yards of touch He had thirteen touchdowns that season and that was his last season with James Saxon our special guest tonight, Yes, It's all about you, presented by santan Ford and Gilbert as the Cardinals running backs coach is joining us this evening and coach I guess Wolf has made this in an informal

rendition of the full back Club here tonight. The two of you guys. Yeah, they ate your career and play in the position as well. Absolutely, Wolf, Wolf and I shortnecked a lot of people a day. Coach, how you doing, man, thank you so much for joining us. Man doing okay? The family okay, Yeah, everybody's doing good. Man. I got a brand new, a little one five months old. About congratulation. Gratulations, coach,

that is awesome, right there. Any place for a fullback in the James Saxon running back room was always a place about a little win. I'm lucky mylected all the work. You got that right? Bad? Uh so? Well if yeah, the bad news out of the way first, uh no, fullback on the horizon and the Cardinals offense as of last right now, what are your takeaways from mini camp? I'm not sure what you can glean or ascertain from mini camp these days, but give me a couple of thoughts.

Now that the offseason is a rap coach, and next stop is training camp. Well, I just think for you know, for us as coaches, and we got a chance to be arounding guys and it's it's a lot um nice. It's nice to be able to be back to that part of the game. And it's it's important for everybody because it's it's a social game. We're social people, so

getting back together in any fashion was good. How did the running backs look in your opinion, coach, I think these guys came in in shape, and I mean, you know, it's really early now, I think we feel like we got a good group. Um, we got guys who are capable of doing things we're gonna ask me to do. So I'm just looking forward to getting this whole thing started. Kyler was talking today about what the run game could

or should look like. I mean, you go out in the off season as Steve kime ads James Connor and Rodney Hudson and Brian Winters and I look at that and I really, you know, what the offensive line and then call the pound game. I'm thinking, Okay, here we go more of a straight ahead, power running game. What should we expect this year? Well, you know, we're going to continue to do the things where we're real good at and you know, we're getting better a lot of

different positions. And you know, Steve and those guys have done a great job of acquired guys for us, and we just got to put them in the right positions to go out and be able to, you know, do what the capable of doing. Um, you know, it's gonna be fun. I think it's gonna be fun to watch, you know, as a coach, senator and helping these guys get to places they want to go. So it's gonna be a fun fun thing to watch. James, what do you look for in a running back specifically? Well, um, toughness.

You're toughness you get, they're not. I don't know if Eddie good and running back in the NFL that I've ever been around that wasn't probably toughest guy team or add toughness that you could clearly see. Um, And I think that we have several guys like that in our roam, including you know, obviously Chase and James. I mean, we got young guys like Jonathan Ward and Nial Benjamin who are these guys are hungry, Tabian Pieces and California Muhammad. We got a good group of guys that I'm really

looking forward to working with. Cardinals running backs coach James Saxon our guest here on the Big Red Rage. I see two running backs who are both in contract years and a James Connor and a Chase Edmonds. Do you like that? Do you like that two guys pushing each other and improve it years in their career? You know that? You know, I've yet to be on a team that's won the Super Bowl, but I've been in the Championship game a couple of times. And the one thing I

know is that in this game, you gotta play. Man. If if you want to be a great team, you want to be a great player, man, you gotta you gotta be able to compete at the same level or even better than the best players in the sport. So that's to me, that's that's it, mean, that's part of it. I mean, that's that's where everybody who wants to win in this game has to go. And you got to beat the best that you want to be the best. James talk to me about Chase Edmunds and his skill

set and the type of football player is. I absolutely love his mentality. Talk a little bit about Chase Edmunds. Well, um, probably one of the smartest guys I've ever been around. Question the guys not only a phenomenal above the next person and just a personable human. Just love being around him talking to him. He's an excellent athlete and the guy's got it's self confidence. It's just that just looses out of him and everybody around the building just kind

of gravitates towards him. And Uh, it's good for our team and I think that you know, these guys are grown together and as you know, when you got guys like Chase and you add a guy like James, and uh, it's just it just it is great for you. You set me up right there on that note, same question, James Conner, talk to me about this dude. You know,

this guy is a pro. Um. It's been fun. You know, it was fun to be around him from the first two years in the league, and then you know, it was fun watching him from Afar and you know, just to get a chance to be back around that guy. Um, the guy means you know, there's no words I can use to describe, you know, how I see it about that kid, Um, other than you know, I'm extremely excited. We're extremely excited that he chose to come here and be with us. And and it's gonna it's gonna it's

gonna be a good thing. And again, it's gonna be fun to watch. Can can he catch the ball? The backfield to catch the ball? Yeah, I mean, but I don't think you want to ask an elephant to you know, ride in the sailboat this guy. Yeah, but now he's uh, we're gonna put that guy in the best position to help us, and and he more than will him to do that. He's gonna be prepared. I was talking to my older brother Craig about James Connor, and I know you know Craig as well, and he was so sad

to actually see him leave right there. He was telling me that Mike Tomlin absolutely was heartbroken that they couldn't get something done, heartbroken that James Connor was actually walking out of that organization. Mike Tomlin, I guess called him as Belle cow a running back that was a three down back. Do you see him as a three down back? You know, the guy's capable of doing whatever you ask him to do. And in this league, you know, the longer you see in this league, you have to evolve

and become smarter. And that's that's that's the bottom line for any guy that surviveing this league for a long time. And I'm I say survive, we're talking about thrive and be a factor on football team because nobody stays it's over. You get in this league and not be productive on mean done, the teams move on for guys like that book.

When you got guys, we're gonna continue some produce. I mean want you want those days and I get it most of the talk in the off season has been about the one two punch of Chase Edmonds and James Connor. But the question that Chase gets the most is can he be in every down running back? What do you say to that? Um? You know, I I tell those guys all the time. I said, you know, nobody goes at hall saying it's not available. There's not one guy

in all things who hasn't played. We hadn't been available. And the number one thing in order to be productive and important part of the team, you gotta be available and you gotta produce. And you know, we feel like this guy's gonna be capable doing those things otherwise I see him. He's ready. So it's gonna be fun again. Watch. So what is the best asset? I know that I'm fascinated with James Connor, but anybody who's two hundred and thirty pounds, I'm telling you right now, you know what

I'm gonna do. This is just me now, James. I'm gonna light him up in the queue. I'm gonna put him behind the queue and I'm going to attack the down. I'm going to attack the box said down and kill. Am I that wrong? Or what now you This game

is a game of playing in the league. It's a game of many battles, and you play within the scheme of what you're doing offensively or defensively with these positions play, but there are many battles, and you know, I always like to tell guys, you know it does there's reality and then there's perception. So are you one person or you two? Well, you know you guys are watching your

tape all week long. I'm trying to figure out what it looks like listening to his coach and then all of a sudden, the game, you know, his game day, Now all of a sudden can meet you. So did you meet these expectations or did you go beyond that? So if you go beyond it, then then then there's mental games that happened. But now it's he is. He's exactly what he's advertised to be. He's a downhill runner.

There's nobs. It's crazy. I looked up a little bit of his history and James Connor was a star running back in high school obviously, and a star defensive lineman. Think about that combination. And then he comes in as a true freshman at Pitt and he broke Tony Dorset's record for rushing in a Bowl game. I mean, so yere's a guy with size and speed able to move. You have that element, the one two punch. And then what was interesting in the offseason, coach, is that Sean

Coogler was promoted to run game coordinator. Obviously you're a big part of that. And then Cliff Kingsbury. Obviously, how's that going to go this year? The game planning and formulating the run game from week to week? How's that going to go? Well? I think coach does a great job, you know, putting this plan together and you know, and allowed coaches to work and you know, Coogs is a great human being. It's gonna be easy to work with him.

Steve Hyde and Jim Dre you know, Can Turning, all these guys that we uh were as an offense was working together. But it's gonna be fun, you know. Um, But you know, I hadn't worked with a guy you know, let coos Um. He's about as good as you ever want to get. He makes coming to work fun. You know. Coach Kingsberry has done that with everybody and stuff. We've got a great group of group of coaches and everybody enjoys being around each other and that makes it easy working.

And then h so we're looking forward to getting this thing. Sorry, So James, you gotta help me out here, I mean the rest of the running back room and say, tell me who I should be talking off as we get ready to go into training gap right here? Is there a guy you know? Yeah? Ahead. I think that the group that we have is is as good as E's. Um. You know, I think that all six of these guys have you know, qualities that you can give to a team that make it help. I'm and again, I'm I'm

just looking. I'm excited for every guy's opportunity and it's gonna be fun again, like I said, it'd be fun to watch. I tell you one of my takeaways from watching three days a mini camps that you know, Benjamin ran every single drill, I mean, even the warm ups. He was going one hundred and ten percent. He he was out there seemingly to make a statement with every

single rep. Honestly, even when guys are just going half speed and warm it up, he was seemingly going full speeded he catch your eye a little bit, you know, Yeah, he's you know, anybody who've got the obviously you want. All these kids have ability. I mean, he's got great ability. He's just having It's gonna be time for him. He's just gonna have to take advantage of whatever opportunities to

get the greatest one play here. Maybe it's Can who knows, but he's gonna have to be prepared to be available number one and number two, to be able to execute properly the things we're gonna ask him to do. He's an exciting you. And Claire Johnson Moore's extremely exciting you, and Claire Taby and Feast, a guy who's you know, bounced around a little bit in California, Muhammad, who Coops had and never deavor with him. I mean, skee to.

Those guys got something different that makes them all valuable. Coach, what are your thoughts on Kyler Murray as a young quarterback developing and his develop meant this year? What do you expect from Kyler? You know, I think that everybody expects something from him, But I think the guy can't get any better coaching than coach. He's there um and he is. His kid is going to light it up even more. I'm just I'm just I think we're all in a position if we're gonna sit here, you know,

wash out. His kid develops and grows into everything, and everybody expects me to be um And that's not putting pressure on him. Eat. I'm sure he understands that better than anybody. But it's just gonna it's gonna be fun just to see how coach takes him and he begins to grow into exactly what everybody believes he can be. Your days is elite blocking back. Who was your toughest battle? Who was your toughest battle you had to meet in the whole Coach, You know there's a lot of guys, man,

I mean fullback. We don't remember when we were running into you. Just you just appreciate the activity. Could I say Harry Carson? Can I say Mike Singletary? Can I say, oh, hey, though Mike Singletary is the only lineback, well, he's one of two linebackers I've ever blocked that. After play was over, I got coached the field, James. I love you man, Thank you brother, Thanks coach. We appreciate it. No problem.

You guys have a great week. Yeah, that's awesome. There you go, Cardinals running Backs coach James Saxon, and uh, maybe that's where his coaching career started right there actual field. Carl Banks in there as well, Paully Mike Singletary had an impression amount him. He went on to be a twenty year coach in the NFL back with more in the Big Red Rage. After this, Brady gets a stamp

from Andrew Falco's trying to get the accepted. Coming back up the field, it's Robert Albert Albert forty Bertie twenty fifteen, ten five and he will walk into the internal at eighty one yard big six. He knows if he's healthy, man, he's a big party his defense and when you're speaking about leaders and guys, that's pushing guys man. He is on top of our listens Ford leaders. Yeah, when he's healthy, he can play. And when he's out in that field, you can't miss him. Just his style of play, how

vocal he is. He was a can't miss guy. In the last three days at mini camp Bans Joseph there on Robert Alford who has missed the last two years with injury. So some advice from Vans Joseph there. We got coached up by James Saxon in the last segment, Cardinals running backs coach, and I guess that's what I get wolf huh. Here on the Big Red Race presented by Santan Ford and Gilbert, I ask, you know, Ken, a two hundred and thirty something pound running back, catch

the ball? And then what was this quote? What was the response to me? It was something about us you don't put an elephant in a sailboat, paul I believe that was what he said. That's you know, I mean, where's to live by him? Like, very profound right there, don't put an elephant on a sailboat. If there's no doubt about that. I got to write that down, Paulie, and remember that, I'm gonna use it to morning. Don't overthink it. Basically, it's what he's saying, okay, right, which

is what I was guilty of doing right there. So now look, I don't think I'm overthinking it when I say, okay. The biggest question looming over this team, the biggest answer they need out of training camp is cornerback agree or disagree? Oh, Polly, yeah, yes, I think on the defensive side of the ball, I definitely think from a positional perspective. And it's tough, Polly, because I know Robert Alfred. You can't bank on Robert Alford the last two years. I understand he's suffered severe

injuries that have ruined his seasons for two years. You got to go all the way back to twenty eighteen to watch him on tape in a game. For the most part, I understand that. But if you tell me Robert Alford is going to be healthy, I think they're going to be fine out there. For me, it's the inside linebacker position. That is the one position that I am going to be looking at and watching very closely with Zaven Collins and Isaiah Simmons. Yeah, and I get

it absolutely. Alfred, as we know, was having a great camp twenty nineteen and then oh man, he broke his lower leg out for the season. Last year. He was bawling ye and then out of nowhere a torn pack and so miss the season again. And the question of Robert Alfred today, Wolf was did you ever consider retirement? Not at all? Man, Nah, I'm not ready to hang him up at all. So, um, you always gonna have dark times, man, in anything that you do. Um, I mean,

if you love what you do. I mean, you're gonna use that to motivate you. And that's what I use these past two years as get better at studying film. Um something that I could get out of it that was positive for me. Man, That is music to my ears right there, Polly. Just the fact that he said that he wasn't ready to retire ball, not like you, he wasn't ready to retire ball. Make me an offer. Where's the golden parachute. I'm ready to sign the line that has dotted, there's no t That's what I want

to hear out of my potential starting corner. I want to hear somebody that has resolved and love of the game. And that's the one thing you hear about Robert Alford. You hear it from his teammates, you hear it from his coaches, you hear it from the guys in the front office ball. He loves ball. He loves everything about it. He's an alpha, He's an alpha male. He's a dog, and he's very similar in mentality and very similar in his soul. Paul to a guy that the Arizona Cardinals

brought in, Malcolm Butler. Yeah, I mean job number one was one in the offseason, Steve Kind wanted to get everybody now more physical. Yes, well, you didn't have to go out and get Robert Alford. He was already from the roster now. Cliff Kingsbury interestingly told the media this week that Robert Alford literally told management, told the decision makers, I owe you guys one. So they cut him. They

resigned him to a bargain basement deal. And he's out there and he's playing, and you mentioned the respect he gets from his teammates. Will speaking of Buddha Baker was asked this week about Robert Alford. Those of you who do not know Robert Alfred, He's a big talker, a guy who loves the game, a guy who you know last year and would still go to meetings, would still go to practice and watch practice and help young guys out or help you know, older guys out and seeing things.

So now that he's on the field and I know he's very excited, he still looks like the great Robert Alford. Fresh Robert Alford. Wolf. If Robert Alford is healthy, to your point, he's out there. And then Malcolm Butler, mister more than one hundred tackles a year ago, as a corner. I had a chance to talk with Rob Moore. Do you remember Rob Moore, former Cardinals receiver. Of course I do, Paul, he's now the Titans receivers coach. And I mentioned Malcolm

Butler just in conversation and he reacteds at all. He'll fight you now, he'll fight you. So you're gonna have two physical corners, potentially Byron Murphy on the inside. Okay, but once again it's predicated on Alfred stand healthy and well, if you know, on the big Red rage a few weeks ago at Greg Williams and I want you to ract once again when we fresh your memory on the cornerbacks coach, and he's Scott a report. You guys saw Robert Alfred from a training camp standpoint over the last

two years. We were expecting big things from him he the last two years just from his performance in what he brings from a tenacity level to our team into our secondary. I mean, this guy is energy in a bottle. You know what I mean? If you if you're ever around how he is always on and he's a dog in the appear to the other words. Samy just listened

to that, Paul. It's one of the reasons why I've been talking about Robert Alfred for how many years, I mean just years waiting to see Robert Alfred out there playing on the field, and Paul, to your point, in training camp, he was the best player on the field. He was. He was out there absolutely bawling. And that's why if this guy can stay healthy, it's really going to change a lot for the Arizona Cardinals. And Paul, by the way, the passing defense for the Arizona Cardinals

not nearly as bad is purported by everybody. Everybody has a perception they were awful last year. They were number ten as a matter of fact, and yards per game number seven and yards per play. Paulie, you put those two things together right there, that's very, very tough. That's a top ten past defense, number five in sacks per attempt, number twelve on third down defense, and a defensive quarterback rating.

And you know that this is big to me because you go ahead with a quarterback rating, you look at it year in and year out, the best quarterbacks in the NFL, they're in the top ten every year. That that quarterback rating has got to be accurate to some degree. It's a decent measurement of how a human being plays that position. Will now flip it over a defensive quarterback rating. They were in the top half of the league, number fourteen. As a matter of fact. How much better can they

be with a healthy Chandler Jones? How much better can they be with JJ Watt? How much better can they

be with JJ Watt, Jordan Phillips and Chandler Jones. I'm bullish on this defense getting better, in particular if Robert Alford is healthy, if you can believe in Jalen Thompson as well staying healthy, Yes, along with and I'll tell you these two rookie corners who have been getting a lot of reps and they look the part, and Tay Gollen and Marco Wilson, one of those guys can just be counted on to contribute at some point and get into that rotation because well, if you know fas Joseph,

his base defense is three corners. He's going five dbs more than half the time. You need at least a trio of corners. Yeah, there's no doubt about it, Paulie. You do. And yet at the same time, you can leave two linebackers on the field that are never gonna come off and Zaven Collins and Isaiah Simmons. I can't wait to see that grows strong grasshoppers. Well, I'll tell you what, Well, before you go out running down the street, we have one segment to go here and we're talking

about Isaiah Simmons, those inside linebackers. What exactly did the Cardinals see so far? It is the big red rage presented by Satan four in Gilbert shotguns, snapped to Wilson, straight drop back, steps up in the pocket, takes off running far side of the forty and drilled by Simmons at the forty one. Isaiah Simmons is balling. How you do things outside of the facility and off the field, like going home, and how long you choose to study, what you choose to do extra, what you choose to

do after practice is over. That's something that I've always, you know, done, but you know, it's just a whole new level when you're a pro, just because at this level where everybody's physically gifted, everyone's an athlete, and I feel like where people separate themselves as the mental aspect of the game, and then you throw in what Bill Davis Cardinals linebackers coach told us last week here on the Big Red Rage presented by satan Ford and Gilbert,

how many different positions did the coaches ask the rookie Isaiah Simmons to play last year without an off season? Was it six? Paul? I mean half dozen? You're absolutely right. We think about that, right Ding. So he's gonna be now, look, are they going to use him as a wildcard? Absolutely, at least that's my expectation. Not to the degree though a year ago, because now he's needed on an every down basis to be alongside Zavian Collins and so, but

you know, that threat will still be there. But I think he'll be able to go ahead and streamline things a little bit. We'll be able to focus on the one position and then you know, hopefully now with an offseason and being out on that field and year one under his belt, Wolf, what are your expectations Rizaiah Simmons Man, I expect Isaiah Simmons to explode this year. I think he is going to have a huge year. We loved him when he was taking number eight overall by the

Arizona Cardinals. We absolutely loved his game, his skill set, of course, Pauly, but I think he's on the prescipice right now of having a huge year. And the reason why I say that is because of what Bill Davis has told us this offseason and including the last time he was on he was talking about the intelligence of Isaiah Simmons and just listening to Isaiah Simmons right there, Paulie. The mental side of it is critical. It's what separates

one player from the next player. And this is going to be the challenge Isaiah Simmons is gonna have to go out improve it now. I mean, this is a prove it league. This is the great thing about it. We're gonna have front row seats to two inside linebackers with incredible skill, incredible talent that both are going to have to go out and improve it. Paul that he

would play in the NFL. That's the last box that needs to be checked, right obviously, as lay athleticism, just break he proved to you this time a year ago. You were wondering, Okay, does he have the physicality. He's got it, PAULI stick his face into the fire. I've seen him do it. So now do you have the mental aptitude to play the prussion, the instincts the football IQ and and let's be honest, is Son Reddick never quite got it and that was the difference. He had

a lot of athleticism him as well. He was hard nosed, but making the transition from edged inside linebacker he never quite caught on. He was always a half step slow, and that was enough to get him beat and get him out of the rotation. Now he's in Carolina, so you have these two young linebackers advanced. Joseph the decordinator this week was asked about Isaiah Simmons impairing him with

the rookie Zavin Collins. I think as a coach, you have to understand it's going to be some bad downs, but also on a flip side, it's gonna be played that those two guys can make that other guys can't make. It's our job as a staff mine, especially to put players first, in scheme second, you know, and to let

those guys unlock those bodies and just play. You know, So when you're playing with two young backers, and I did it in Sam fran We had Pat Willis and Navarro Bowman when they were young guys, and you know, we kind of simplify things, and a lot of those guys are running hit. Was that you that just pounded the tables? Pounded the table right there? Because I was thinking of Navarro Bowman and Patrick Willis. You've mentioned those

guys numerous times. Have you been talking advanced Joseph? I have not been talking to vance Joseph Paully, but that I mean those guys right there. When I think of some of the best linebacking tandems the NFL has ever known on the inside, I think of those guys, There's no doubt about it. Luke Keekley and Thomas Davis as well, PAULI. Those two guys were incredible inside linebackers for years with a Carolina Panthers. I think of those two guys, I think at Carolina and I think of the San Francisco

forty nine ers. What can I can I just nocalize a pet peeve here? Okay? Why why do you always fail to site last year's Super Bowl winner? Did you happen to see Devin White and Lavante David Demi? Okay, Paul, Yes, there was a playoff game. Tom Brady threw three picks in the second half. They still won. Why because of those two linebackers. They were destroying teams in the postseason on that side of the ball. And if it's a copycat league, do we not have a fresh reminder of

the Tampa Bay Bucks and their dynamic young linebacking crew. Yeah, but now you're you're just piling on, Paul. Okay, you're just piling onto my point right here in What I love about this as well is provided that these two guys and they got to prove it. Paul, I'm sorry, this is a prove it league. I've said it before. You got to prove it. They're gonna stick their face, They're gonna be able to hold up at the point of attack. I think Isaiah Simmons is going to be

that guy. We need to see Zavian Collins do it as well. He needs to be aggressive. He needs to show that he's gonna stick his face on somebody and he's gonna hold up at the point of attack. And if you tell me those two guys do that. The physicality side of it, they've got that covered and all of a sudden, the athleticism and in coverage and their length, Paul, can you imagine there won't be two inside linebackers that

are longer or taller than those two guys in the league. Paul, it is striking when you watch them and they're out there, whether it was seven on seven, well, I mean just to see. First you got to get past the numbers set. It's gonna throw this in my face that you've been out there at practice, but first you gotta get past the numbers. Well, if you gotta get passing on with one inside linebacker is wearing nine and the others wearing

twenty five. But as soon as you get past that, then you realize, oh my goodness, look at the measurables out there. Zaven Collins is very vocal and look, Wolf, we both agree. We don't agree on much, but we both agree that players know players. And when Buddha Bakers said this week about Zaven Collins, he said, on his own, wasn't even asked about Zamon Collins, and he offered up and he said, you know what, he gets it. He

understands football. Quote end quote. That made me a lot more bullish on the rookie handling the green dot and calling the defense. He's very vocal out there. He's not shy, and so look there's gonna be risk reward, There's no doubt about it with two young guys in the middle. But as Van's Joseph said, players first, scheme second. Yeah, so we're seeing a bit of a philosophical change here, perhaps going all the way back to the war room.

In this selection is Zaven Collins, where Steve Kine looked at the camera and said, hey, these he's a starter day one book it. Yeah, yeah, they absolutely there's a doubt. But what I like is we talked to Billy Davis, the inside linebacker coach last week, right Paully, and he was talking about Isaiah Simmons, and I asked him specifically, well, Isaiah Simmons be able to help Zaven Collins, and he without a shadow of a doubt, without any hesitations that

that's a great thing about it. Isaiah Simmons is a very very bright kid and knows the game and his knows the defense and knows the calls. He'll be able to help Zaven Collins. So you know what, Paul, again, like I say, I don't want to get out of my lane here because you've got to prove it to me. This is a prove it league. Raise the bar for every rookie. It's it's Paul. It's so hard to come in from the college game and make an impact on an NFL team because it's just the best of the

best and it's a completely different game. And I just I think, you know, sometimes I've got to cool my jets on these guys. You've got to prove it to me. And that's what our expect should be. And Zaman Collins is going to be the guy. I can tell you just conversations I've had. Jordan Hicks ain't walking through that door. He will not be a part of the Ears on

a Cardinals come training camp. So that's the way. The other thing that gave me a little bit of hope was what Buddhas said this week and he asked was asked about this year's version of the defense, bringing in a lot of leaders, guys like JJ Watton on that side of the ball. And this is Buddha now, and I quote, you know what, We're able to hold each other accountable, and that's something that guys haven't really done

the past few years. Hold each other accountable, and quote Buddha Baker, so hopefully, and let me tell you, JJ Watt leading every single d line drill, bringing ridiculous energy and it just it is a different vibe out. There was some different personalities on that side of the ball, some new, some returning from injury. And there's your point with you got to Malcolm Button and or Robert Alfred,

totally different mindset at corner. These are guys who will brawl with you every single snap and that's all by design. As we know, they wanted, they wanted this. This is where they hoped to head in the off season. You know what, PAULI, do your job. That's what they need to do. Do your job, and that's soul that that should be the theme of this year. Do your job, go out, be accountable to yourself first and then to each other man. You know, coaches, put the sains up

on the wall. Do your job. That's one um and then we'll add to an effective this show. Don't put an elephant on a sailboat. That'll be the other you know, discipline, focus, commitment, and then don't put an elephant on a sailboat. So put him in the queue and let him run downhill. Oh boy, special thanks Jim Mo mondro Cody Fincher, Wolf getting ready, Kyler under Center. I'm calling her right now. No bash your base head, Ron wolf Lee on Paul KELVC. This has been the Big Red Rage presented by Sam

Tadford and Gilbert. We are santad Porch Saw number one. You've been listening to the Big Red Rage presented by Santanford in Gilbord? Are you Santanford State Farm? Talk to an agent today at eight hundred State Farm And by Arizona Cardinals Podcasts visit acy Cardinals dot com Slash podcasts. This has been an exclusive presentation of Arizona Cardinals Football Club.