Big Red Rage - Kirk Ready To Take Flight In Opener

hundred State Farm and buy Arizona Cardinals podcasts. Visit Hacy Cardinals dot com, Slash podcasts, The Rods Rising Guard, Gimptuizing 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. Unleash the far. It's not officially Thursday Night Football until we get the regular season debut of The Big Red Rage presented by santan Ford and Gilbert. We are santan Ford, we are Paul Calves.

Here Ron Wolfley there soon to be joined by none other than Christian Kirk wolf Let Season number twenty of the Big Red Rage wash over you. The one hundred and seventy second show overall, and it's the most unique season to date and it just keeps getting more unique. Polly, here it is baby, I mean football night in America. Right, We've got Thursday night football going on right now between

the Chiefs and the Texans. This is so exhilarating. You know, there's been a lot of talk around the Arizona Cardinals this offseason. Would you say that's a true statement, Bolli, Yes, Cardinals and beyond yes, talk the talk. Now, it's gonna be time this weekend to walk the walk, baby, I'll tell you what. It almost feels like everyone is one to oh right now, just based on the fact we have football right out on that field, that we're actually

playing football. And then, to be specific, how about former Cardinal David Johnson already getting props from his former teammate Kenyan Drake one running back to another as Kenyan Drake tweeted out, good stuff David Johnson. And he's talking about what we already saw it on that field, is he not? Yeah, Paula, you know what, I don't know what it was. It looked like a trap play as a matter of fact, that they ran a power scheme play. They ran with

David Johnson. They were in their shotgun. They handed it off to David, pulled the uncovered lineman. It looked like a trap. He made a nice move to avoid that, and then a nice move in the hole to avoid a tackler and then busted it to the outside and hit the Jets and scored. It looked like a twelve to fifteen yard touchdown. I don't have the official number in front of me right now, but it was a nice run ball, very very intriguing, very interesting because I

had popped off more than once during the offseason. Has said the Cardinals should already be one to know themselves just based on the fact that they won the DeAndre Hopkins trade. Right, But so far some early returns for Bill O'Brien and very interesting. I know you're excited about it too, Bully. I mean, David Johnson, what a great guy David Johnson is and we wish him nothing but the best. And I feel like I can talk for you on that one, Bully, wish him nothing but the best.

And man, that's fantastic. What a great start for David Johnson in that first quarter to show a little something something. By the way DeAndre Hopkins, in his last game against the Niners, had eleven catches for a buck forty nine and two touchdowns. Right right, we can expect a lot out of d hop as well. Balla what are you most intrigued to see? Just flat out Sunday Cardinals at the Niners Week one? I mean give me, give me.

I was talking to KYLEO to guard Cardins inside, and I was saying, you know what, I still feel like the Cardinals lead the league in curiosity? Yeah, sure, yeah, physicality, Paul, That's what I'm looking for right now. The talent on this roster is dramatically improved. Steve Kraim has done his job. The talent on paper dramatically improved. Now you gotta go play. It's not about paper anymore. It's about playing. What will

that talent do? What will they be like physically, especially on the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, because guess what They're playing what I consider to be maybe the most physical team in the NFC, maybe in the NFL. Niners were number two overall in defense, they were number one overall in passing defense. We know what Jimmy g did in two games against heroes on the

Cardinals a year ago. We also know the Cardinals played them very tough yes each of those two games, and now they're going to keep that Niners defense on us. With DeAndre Hopkins, we'll talk d hop We got Christian kirk Live coming up, just getting rolling on the Big Red Rage. Burst in goal to three yard line, fire's left side, looking for Hopkins, who tips it to himself with one hand, pulls it in the back left corner of the in song, he tipped it to himself, had

a touchdown. What a catch, as dramatic afflay as you will ever see, unbelievable by one of the best in the game, DeAndre Hopkins. I never ever thought I would say the Arizona Cardinals have acquired a receiver with better hands than Larry Fitzgerald. It's the Big Red Rage presented by satan Ford and Gilbert. We are satan Ford, and honestly, I'm gonna have to see him to truly believe what I just said. But the stats, the analytics, the number of drops. No one has fewer drops in DeAndre Hopkins.

And then when you hear stories Ron Wolfley just about the size of his hands, and you were all over it right at the beginning. You saw it from across the field when we are a Cardinals camp, and according to his teammates, he wears a three x qual Vans to slit the glove just to get it on those massive hands. It's just incredible, Bolly looking at him, and it's one of the reasons why I am so bullish

about this. There are so many reasons why DeAndre Hopkins is going to improve the Arizona Cardinal's offense tremendously, But the fact that he catches as many contested balls as he does the fifty fifty balls, so to speak, I don't think there's there's not a element to his game that's more important than that. So we've been talking at nauseam at least the last couple of weeks, in particular about, oh geez, what did the Cardinals do against George Kittle.

You know, they went out, they got Devandre Campbell, they drafted Isaiah Simmons, Buddha Baker played him pretty tough a year ago. Okay, but wait a minute, don't the Niners have to sit there and say, Robert cell On, Kyle Shanahan, what do we do against DeAndre Hopkins. How different is the Cardinals offense going into this game versus the two matchups last year. Bolly, it's night and day, it really is. This is a true wide receiver one for Kyler Murray.

Now you've got Larry Fitzgerald, and Larry Fitzgerald is still highly productive, as we all know. Christian Kirk somebody we're going to talk to in a matter of moments. Christian Kirk is the forgotten ingredients, so to speak. And yet he makes the stew as dangerous as it possibly could be. And then DeAndre Hopkins, of course you've got to take him away as a true wide receiver one. That's gonna be job one for Robert Sell. How is he going to defend DeAndre Hopkins? It's really not. Hey, are we

going to stop the Arizona Cardinal's run? Wolf? Of course we're gonna try to do that, but that's not job one. Hey, you know what, we got to make sure that Larry Fitzgerald doesn't beat us. You know, that's still not job one. Job one is taking away DeAndre Hopkins from Kyler Murray, Paul, and that means now a defense is going to show their hand. They're gonna tip their cards. So to speak to Cliff Kingsbury and he's going to be able to read those cards hopefully and say, I see what you're doing.

And now because you know what they're doing, you can anticipate what they might do, and that makes them predictable, Paul. And when a defense gets predictable, they get beatable. Attenion forty nine years. You're going to see DeAndre Hopkins in the Cardinal's uniform through at least two twenty four based on the contract extension he just signed that includes a no trade clause or no franchise tag clause. Do you

think de hop wants to be in Arizona? In fact, he talked about the fit after signing on the line that has dotted. You know, me being a top receiver, I'm pretty sure a lot of teams wanted to be But I think I wanted to Cardinals just as much they wanted me. So I think it's a perfect match man and this organization and what they're doing. No, I wouldn't ask to be anywhere else in any other position. Being with a young quarterback that is great, and I

think it's it's a perfect match. How about that? After he gets over forty two million guaranteed at signing a signing bonus twenty seven million plus and once again he's going to be an Arizona Cardinal through at least two twenty four for the next five years. Paul, he think about that Kyler Murray. Of course, I would imagine at some point in time he's going to get extended for some big big is you like to say, big money. He's gonna get the big contract extension at some point

in time. Just the fact that these two are gonna be together and they're gonna grow together. Let's hope they build that chemistry, right and maybe not just the chemistry of one two three, throw the ball, one two three, four five steps throw the ball or seven step throw the ball down the field of DeAndre Hopkins, but also the untimed downs, the scrambles, if you will, the scramble drills that Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins were so good at. Paul.

That's a chemistry thing, man, that really is, PAULI. That's just a thing where you know when you got it and when you know, you know when you don't have it. And let's hope they build that chemistry together where that untimed down man where Kyler can use his legs suddenly will open up for d hop Is it unrealistic to think that here we are on Sunday and Nick Boss given Chase and there's Kyler buying time and extending the play, that they can still find a way to have that

chemistry and connect. Is it too soon? Should we know? Tamp down our expectations a little bit? Or is the fact these two guys are so experienced, is so talented they should be able to make that work. On a third nine, I think they can get better at a poli for the most part. But that's something that's in eight. You know, that's something that's an intangible so to speak. It's just a chemistry thing. You either got it or you don't. And let's hope they're going to build that.

But it is something I think they can improve. You know, they're scramble rules. There are scramble rules that are out there, and yet it takes a feel I think from Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins. But listen, Paul, the biggest thing is this right here. I don't know if DeAndre Hopkins is going to lead this team in receptions. I don't know if he's going to lead the team in yards. I really don't we know that it's going to be job one for every defensive coordinator to take him away

from Kyler Murray. But I can tell you right now, I think he will lead this team in touchdowns. And the reason being is because you can line him up in the red zone, Polly, and you can run a fade. You can run a fade, a back shoulder fade, which is a fade. If that dB is running with him or in front of him, you're going to throw it to his back shoulder. If he's running behind him, you're

gonna throw that fade over the top that play. Kyler Murray's so good at it because he's so accurate with his arm in DeAndre Hopkins on a fifty fifty ball. Even if you play a safety over the top, if you put two people on him on a fade, it's still not going to help you. If he throws the back shoulder, it's indefensable. It's an indefensable play. And that's why I think he's gonna lead this team in touchdowns

in the red zone. Carts decordinator Vance Joseph was asked what makes Cliff Pingsbury's offense top and he said he makes you defend the entire field now more than ever with d hop. Christian Kirk is next to the big red rage presented by Satan Ford in Gilbert Well play action pass. Murray setting up, throws a deep ball right, so I've got a receiver. Kirk put down. Murray pumps

right back to pass buyer's tea first sideline receivers. There it's caught in the thirty at the twenty at the ten to five touchdown, Christian Kirk again, sixty nine yard touchdown passed by Kyler Murray, who are read a great roll at a four four one for Christian Kirk. Rows over the middle. Kirk caught in touchdown. The third touchdown today for Christian Kirk, but Paul looked like it was tipped. It was by white Christian Kirk with great concentration. Man,

how good is Christian Kirk? Wow? I'll tell you what Week ten against Tampa. That was about a month's worth of production in one game. Six grabs of buck thirty eight, the three touchdowns fifteen thirty three and sixty nine yards. That's what a healthy Christian Kirk can do for you. And your offense. And that is the Christian Kirk who joins us now on the Big Red Rage. Christian, good evening,

thanks for joining us. We figured, you know what, Chase Edmonds, Uh, you know, we were tired of seeing him talk your year off, so we figured we talked to you a little bit, tear you away and it spent a little time with you. I was I was life treating now on the verge of the NFL season. It's great. I can't complain and I appreciate you guys having me on as always. Just excited that we get to finally take the field on Sunday. Christian Man, talk a little bit

about your training camp. How did training camp go for you? Personally?

I thought it went great. You know, I got everything out of it, um, you know that I wanted personally, you know, the main thing was just you know, making sure that I'm in playing shape and then you know, just making sure you know, take technique and scheme was all right in the timing down you know with Kyler and just kind of you know at the at the back half of it, you know, walking into the game plan for San Francisco and there's number one two just

getting back out there and competing again. You know, it's been a long long time, you know for a lot of us, you know, without having OTAs or mini camp. You know, it's been a while since you've had you know, somebody out in front of you, uh, you know, covering you and whatnot. So it's just good to get back out there and compete, you know with uh, you know, the guys, and you know, like I said, it's just it's nice to know that, you know, we'll be lining

up against somebody else on Sunday. How much of your chemistry with Kyler Murray actually goes back beyond the Cardinals days and when the two of you were at A and M. Does that help in anyway? Uh? Yeah, it does. I think it does. You know, we just I think more just because of you know, we've been in the

same scheme before. We have a feel for you know, the signals and you know, just a different feel for how the RPOs work and you know what works against what coverages, and just you know, we're if if you know there's a certain alignment by the dB, you know, or just knowing you know what he's thinking and what

I'm thinking, just being on the same page. So you know it does work, and uh, you know, getting to the point to where you know, if he's you know, sending out a signal, you know, full of formation and not kind of how already have an idea of you know, what player we're going to be running. Just just different things like that. That's just helped, you know, us take that next step, especially going into you know, our second year together and Christian talk to me about the wide

receiver room. This is a very very special group, of course, and in particular, I would say eleven person at one back, one tight end, three wide receivers. Talk to me a little bit about that room and how your training camp went. It's just been it's been great. You know, you look out there and you know you you look across the ball and you know you got arguably the best receiver in the NFL right now, in future Hall of Famer, and then you know you got to solidify it, you know,

hall of Famer and Larry. Just being on the field with those two guys and um, you know, competing with them, it is just amazing. Um, you know, I think about it all the time, just the position that I'm in to just be on the field and you know, one day say that, you know, when I'm done playing football, hanging it up that you know, I got to play with two of the greats and you know, share a room with them, and you know, just learn from them and just get a washing him on a daily basis.

It's been good and you know, it's honestly of raised my level of play. You know, I felt like during training camp, Uh, you know, I performed even better just because those guys are out there sitting the town. Well, Larry was asked today about you. It is outlook for you this season. He's had a fantastic camp. You know, he's a he's a great teammate. You know, anybody that's around Christian and knows him, you know the kind of character that he that he has and what he stands

for with work ethic. You know, he should. He should make every single person from the state of Arizona proud. You know, I'm looking forward to seeing him go out there and showcase all the hard work that he's put forward over this offseason, because he looks great. He's running fabulous, he's making contested catches, he's doing everything you can ask him to do. And I'm really I'm really happy where he's at. If you stay healthy, Christian, knock on wood,

what's your confidence level? You can be really productive in this league. Yeah, you know, it's just one of those things that you know, my confidence level is always high. And you know, I know the injury thing is, you know what a lot of people are kind of hanging their hat on, you know with me. But you know I said it earlier. There were two. Uh I got a chance to just kind of like sit down and think about it, and there were two unfortunate injuries that

I couldn't prevent. And that's just the game of football. And right now, I'm just going out there and I'm a player if you play like it's my last and I'm I'm gonna do my job. And that's that's in my mindset. And you know, I know the potential and the production that I can have. Uh if I'm out there for all sixteen games and then but I'm not gonna I'm not gonna look forward. You know, I'm taking a week by week and um, you know if at the end, you know, make it all the way through.

You know, I know the type of season that I can ask Christian, how does the arrival of DeAndre Hopkins change this offense for you personally, Uh well, I mean as an offense as a whole. I just feel like you you have that guy, you know, on third down and in the ritzelling that you know, no matter what what you throw at him, you know, the football, if as long as it's in his vicinity, he's going to make that catch. And you know that's just what he's done.

You know, since he's been in the league, He's just produced and make those hard thing tasty catches and you can rely on him on on third down to win those one on one battles. Um. You know, But for me personally, if the team decides to you know, you know person man you know, covers him and put a safety over the top, that leaves you know, one on

one opportunities for the rest of us. Me Larry Um, you know, they running best coming out of the backfield, you know Dan Arnold, you know, so just it creates a mismatch opportunities for us. And you know, to have a guy like that over there, you know, even when he is you know, double covered, to still make plays and you know, just to have the defense worried about him, it just opens up a lot like I said, opportunities

for for us other guys. Honestly, Christian, I think you're going to have an unbelievable year because of that, because of the fact you've got Larry Fitzgerald and Deandrey Hopkins, especially out of eleven personnel, that three wide receivers set right there, I think you're going to be the forgotten guy. And again no disrespect by saying that, but because of that and because of your talent either, you're going to have your best years so far. Do you feel that optimism? Uh?

You know, I'm like I said earlier, I'm just I'm going to go out there and do everything that I can to just take advantage of every opportunity that comes comes to me. And that's a you know, every target and every ball that comes my way. Uh, you know, I'm gonna make it and uh you know that's that's step number one. And if that happens, then uh, you know, I believe I can. I can do whatever I set my mind to and whatever uh you know, the offense

and you know the opportunities allow me to do. So if it goes that way, then it goes that way. But you know, I'm just gonna let my place speak for itself. We know you're fluent now in Cliff Kingsbury's offense. That has been the challenge for DeAndre Hopkins as the newcomer here. He is talking about coach close offense and the key to learning it you have to learn on the fly. For me is studying at home, doing extra things outside of you know, practice, but being on the

same page with Kyler. Also communicating with him, not just you know, on the football field, without the football field, in the locker room. Extra communication, I think is key, especially without having all season. It's kind of a cramming situation, but I take it as a challenge. Yeah, we see you guys talking all the time and just some degree you're helping the hop right, I mean you're coaching them

up whatever you can within the offense. Yeah, you know, just being a guy who's been in the system before and you know, just just learning all the ins and outs of it, and you know, playing multiple positions amongst the offense. Uh, you know, just taking upon myself to help them anyway that I can, because I believe, you know, if you're on the field and you're not thinking and you can just go out there and play and react.

You know you're at your best. So, uh, you know, DeAndre has done a great job, you know, learning the different positions, you know, knowing as assignment and getting a good field for the offense. I mean, you know, just having his knowledge of the game and you know, been in been in the league, the league for as long as he has, you know, it's been easier for him to pick up and grasp. So uh, you know, he's, like I said, he's done a great job. But you know,

I try to help whenever I can. What about Andy Isabella, your former roomy, Andy Isabella, can you talk to us about the camp he had? I mean, he definitely took that next step. You know, you can just tell that the game's slowing down for him, and that's that's, you know, every player's main thing. You know, coming in as a rookie, you know, the game's just fast and you're kind of just learning on the flyde and then you know that second year, you know things should start to slow down,

and that's what it's done for him. You know, he's framing the ball, you know a lot better, kissing with his hands and seeing coverages and recognizing leverages and using his technique so he's kind of putting it all together now.

You know, I just can't wait to see, uh, you know him, you know, do do the things that he can do and get the opportunities that he deserves because you know he's worked his tail off, you know during training camp and all off seas and yeah, just excited from Well, we know the potential of that receiver room, there's no doubt about it, with Christian Kirk and Larry Fitshherald and DeAndre Hopkins. You add the elite speed of

an Andy Isabella. If he ends up being a factor and he picks up where he left off in training camp, we know about that. We know the ability of Kenyan Drake to catch the football, Dan Arnold and a Max Williams. I mean again, when Vance Joseph says that Cliff Kingsbury is gonna make you defend every inch of that gridiron, I just see that coming to fruition with all the weapons this year, There's no doubt, PAULI. The Arizona Cardinals led the National Football League in ten personnel last year.

One back, no tight ends for wide receivers. How Andy Isabella develops as a wide receiver, we'll determine how much Cliff Kingsbury and their Cardinals go with ten personnel. We continue Christian Kirk, our guest out of the gates here the regular season addition to the Big Red Rage presented by santan Ford in Gilbert, Cardinals can tie it here shotguns that Murry back to pass rose to the lap It is caught. That's Kyler Murray wired up and sing with our day. Pass will be calling the game on

Sunday from Santa Clara against the Niners. That was the season debut a year ago Ron Wilfley, the first game ever in the NFL for Kyler Murray. Think about it. The Cardinals are down twenty four to six early fourth quarter, and what does Kyler do in that fourth quarter? Fifteen to nineteen passing a buck fifty four, two touchdowns in fourth quarter and overtime. He had a passer rating him nearly one seventeen. And at that point we said, Okay, the kid can play. Brought him all the way back.

Pauli in his first start in the National Football League with all that hype surrounding him, is a number one pick and oh he's only five town, He's still level. He's too small ride, all that hype and the expectation around him, and all he did was rally his team and bring him back in his first NFL start in the fourth quarter. If you can make plays, you will play. And speaking of that brings us back to her on Christian Kirk, who's on the Big Red Rage, and Christian

you have a long relationship with Kyler. So we're just curious from last year to this year, where do you think he's grown the most. Well, I think just as a as a leader and just as a man. You know, I think he's just matured and you know, realized the position that he's in, and you know, he's been more vocal and uh, you know, just just learning how to

be a pro. And you know it's been really encouraging to see and you can tell just the only thing on his mind, you know, right now is winning football games. And that's what it's been, you know, all offseason. It's just, you know, how can we make this team better? And uh, you know, how can we all individually him himself, you know, take that next step to make us a playoff contending team.

And so he's been really locked in on that and you know it's taking everything you know, with with full steam ahead, just seriousness and approaching it as a pro. And you know he's just he's been been really great back there as as a leader, you know obviously you see he just got elected you know, to be one of the team captains. So you know that kind of speaks for itself right there, of how he's grown. On that note right there, Christian Kyler was named team captain

of course, and he has grown in leadership. But what does leadership look like to you? What does it look like to you? Well, I think it can go hand in hand, um, you know, I think it can go both as vocally and you know leading by action, which he does both very well. Uh you know, showing up and get especially during practice, you know, giving it as all being locked in at all times and just you know, doing doing all the things that that you know, we need to do, like I said, to perform at the

highest level. And then once he step on the field on Sundays, you know, just the way that he cared reason so you know vocally the things that he says, you know amongst the guys, you know, especially offensively and just leading us. And you know, when when practice is dragging a little bit, you know, maybe getting on somebody and you know, serious things of that nature that that you know, as a leader, you know you have to obtain to get the best you know, the guys around you.

You know, Kyler had the off season I wish I had. You know, he put on ten to fifteen pounds of muscle. Looks really good, you know, all that offseason work, and he was asked about what he did in the off season. I prepared all quarantine, you know, for obviously this opportunity. We've been preparing for this all camp. I mean, I'm one of those guys I trust the words that I put in and I just go lay it out on the line. I can't really think about it too much

or you know, going there hesitating. You know what, what's going to happen is supposed to happen. You know, I think we put the work in. I think this team is ready to go. You know, Christian Kyler talked about when he was in high school, any one of those three state championships. He got traction his sophomore year when he finally realized what the defense was doing, the same thing before his Heisman campaign, when he could read and react before the snap. Do you see a little bit

of that now? Is he about to enter that stage of his pro career? Oh? For sure, I mean, you know, and I know that was the one thing that he learned to improve on, you know this offseason is you know, breaking down the defenses. You know, knowing especially with the teams that we played within our division, you know, what are their tendencies, what coverages do they play, you know what blitz packages is he going to see on third downs? And you know, just breaking down things like that and

just really getting into the nuances of the game. Uh. And he's done that, and you know he's checking checking out of plays, you know, different certain certain works and he's just you know, playing more free and you know that's what you want to see. And you know he's making decisions quick, he's getting the ball out of his hands, he's not hanging onto the ball. And so you know, once once you start seeing a quarterback doing that, you know you just kind of had that feeling and know

that they're taking that next step and they're becoming more comfortable. Christian, how do you anticipate, hey, the forty nine ers defending this offense? Well, you know, I think you know with them, they they're so talented. Um, you know, you're we're gonna get, you know, primarily the same thing you know that we've gotten last season the two times that we played them.

I mean, you know, they make their money up front with that talented defensive line, and you know that their front seven, uh is one of the best in the NFL. And then you know the back end is is very season as well, you know, with with Richard Sherman back there.

So uh, you know, they they have really good players as well, and so that's why it's such a good matchup, uh, you know when we play one another, because it's it's all about winning your one on one battles and so, like I said, you know, we're gonna have to come out.

You know, we're gonna have to be able to control the run, control the run game, and then you know, make the big plays, you know when when they're presented to us, your rookie here, what was more memorable the game winning touchdown catch for less than a minute ago, or about the seventy five yard or on the first offensive play from you know, it had to have been uh, you know, the the seventy five yard or just because you know, that was my first touchdown in the NFL,

and now you can never forget that one. So it was a pretty memorable first first touchdown. Where do you want to get better? Christian? Where are you looking at

yourself saying this is where I need to improve? Well, you know, for me this season, it's just you know, not pressing and uh, you know, it's it's been kind of you know, me kind of being a broken record, but you know, just just uh, you know, making the opportunities when they when they come to me, not trying to predict when they're going to come or how many I'm gonna get or you know, if I'm not seeing a target until the fourth quarter and you know, and I do get the ball and I'm trying to press

to be a hero of just just make the play, make the opportunity and play the next play and do whatever I can to help the team win. And so that's gonna you know, that's that's my biggest goal this year and one thing that I'm just u looking forward to take advantage of this being the best that I can whenever the ball comes my way and making those opportunities. Well,

there's no doubt that Kyler has options. And speaking of Kyler, DeAndre was asked about what he appreciates about Kyler Murray, at least so far, what he's realized, Kyler is a guy that if someone messes up, he's going to go over there and tell them what they need to do

and vice versa. He's able to take criticism, and I think that's what all great players have, and I think that's something that he want to become great at, you know, is you know, being a great player, but also you know, being able to see our side of things and us see his side of things and be on the same page. But what sticks out to me is obviously his arm, how strong will arm he has, and his drive to be great. We know the release, we know the accuracy, just the fact he can run a four to three.

What does that do to a defense? How does that change the dynamic when he's out on that field and playing quarterback. Well, it just first of all, you know, as a as a defense, you know, you just you want to contain you want to contain him, and uh, you know that's one of the things that as a defensive line, you know you got to worry about. But you know, already on top of you know, of all the things that we do offensively and the weapons that we have, it just adds another another thing that you

have to worry about. And you know, I think it puts a lot of stress on the defense. It takes him out of their blitz packages. And you know, because they know if they go man coverage and turn the blitz, if he gets a crease, you know, he can take it all the way to the house. So it's just one of those things defensively that you have to ski for and that end, and you know creates a headache. And you know, especially on the RPOs and even on all the run actions, you know, the defense crushes the

defensive end crushes down. You know, he can pull the ball and you know we saw him do that a couple of times last year and make big plays out of it. So, like I said, it's just it's just another one of those headaches that pauses for the defense. How many jet sweeps are we're going to see hot to you this year? Do you want that? Do you like that? Christian? That sounds like more of a coach Kingsberry question. Whenever whenever they're called, though, I'm more than

happy to run them. We'll see about the Jets suite. We'll also see about punt return duties because we know we might see Andy Isabella back there. But there are several options at the disposal of the coaches. And we know this much. You know, Cliff Kingsbury said if he wasn't coaching football, he'd be on Wall Street and the same thing goes on the stock market. And with NFL football coaches, that is, they don't like the unknown and uncertainty. And so I know both Kyle Shannon and Cliff Kingsbury.

I'm wondering, man, what is the other guy dialing up? You were six months of watching film where Cliff Kingsbury told us he got to the XFL and watching films, So what does that mean? We continue with Christian Kirk on the Big Red Rage presented by Santan Ford in Gilbert. That's gonna be a run play to Kenyan Drake straight ahead and he's a thirty five breaks attack of forty.

He's got sweet at the fifty and Drake on his first carry for the Cardinals just passed the forty and all the way it is a thirty five yard line. So that's a run of about thirty five. But Drake's first touch he just got here about seventy two hours ago. Snapped a Murray pitch to Drake running to the right side. He's got the two yard line, dies for the end zone, pit in for the touchdown. The Cardinals get in the red zone thanks to Kenyan Drake, and Kenyan Drake gets

the touchdown to get the Cardinals the early lead. So on three days prep, three days prep before Thursday Night football, he carried the ball fifteen times for one hundred and ten yards one hundred and sixty two total yards in that close lost twenty eight twenty five at home against the Niners. And as Cliff Kingsbury said after the game,

his skill set is perfect for what we do. That Kenyan Drake got the big money eight point five million in the off season, and that's part of a run game run Wolfley that average better than five yards of carry. As we continue with christ and Kirk the receiver and Christian, what does the run game do for you in the passing game? Well, this offensive, the whole, just the scheme itself is built around the run game. I believe that it can't be successful without having a successful run game.

Just with all the RPOs that we do and being able to open up the tight ends sort receivers and just being able to be dynamic and just gives the defense you know, obviously a lot more pressure to worry about, you know, different things based up the play action and whatnot. So it helps us as receivers a ton to have an effective running game. And Christ and you guys are

so improved on paper, it's not even close. And there's been a lot of talk about you guys this offseason rights and how aware of that talk are you guys? And do you ever worry about that? To be honest, I get no, you know sense of worry you know about you know, expectations that we have to live up to or guys maybe talking about it or you know, we need to do this or we need to do that. You know, I haven't heard you know one guy even

you know, whisper about it. Uh. You know, we're very um set on, you know, what we have to do and let's you know, go out and win one game at a time. And we still have the same chip on our shoulder that we did last year and the year before that. You know, no matter what, you know, how good we look on paper and whatnot. We still got to go out there and do it. And we know people are going to Countterselt regardless until we prove it. So that's just our goal right now. It's going out

and improving everybody wrong. Speaking of listen to Patrick Peterson and what he said earlier today, because we haven't heard Pat P talk a whole bunch this all season, but he's been listening a bit last year. You know, you hit the chatter what people are saying. And but with me, you know, getting a wysyvet, a season vet, it just goes in one year out the other. But I love, you know, proving people wrong. So um, this is going

to be a big year for me. I feel like my back is against the wall and that's when I operate out my best. If you want to know about a corner, ask a receiver Christian Kirk, what do you see in P twice so far? Me? Personally, I see I see the pet P that I see since I've got here, in my eyes, the best corner in the league. Um, I'd say that to everybody. The way that he approaches his work. I go against them in one on ones every single day every time. You know, Ones Verse Ones

offerens Verse defense. I'm going against Pat, So if there's a one person to say, it's me because I get to see the work every day and I don't I don't feel like he's dropped off one bit. And you know, I feel like the games last year where you know, he was told you're covering this skuy Man and man all game long. You know, he proved that he's still at the top of his game, and you know the fact that he had that mindset and that chip on his shoulder, um, you know, due to whoever was saying

what last year. I think it's just adding more fuel to his fire. And you know, I think he's gonna go out there and improve while he's still you know, the best in the league in my opinion, go big picture on the defense. What kind of improvement do you expect from them and why? Uh, you know, a very large improvement. And I just feel, uh, they're they're they're very dynamic, just like us. Obviously with the addition of Isaiah Simmons, and you know you got Buddha, Pat pe

Chandler Jones, Devon Kennard, m Jordan Higgs. I mean, you have so many big time playmakers on that defense. Uh, you know, it just gives the offense. Uh. You know, like I said, so many different ways that they have to scheme around them and worry about. And you know when you have guys like that coming off the edge and Davon and Chandler and then you know run stoppers Isaiah and Jordan and you got Buddha back there, you know, coming down making tackles and being a ballhawk, and you

got pet Pee. You know, it's just, you know, you've got so many guys that are just hard and those football players that love making plays, and so I'm just excited to watch them play together. You know, they they they men really well together. They've been playing discipline defense and they make a lot of plays with a lot of energy, and it's just always fun to watch when they're at their best. We've had a lot of guys say they've had a wild moment watching Isaiah Simmons just

to sure aletticism. And we've seen him in some of the corner drills. Isaiah Simmons at six y Moore hasn't hasn't matched up over you at all? Has he in the slot? He actually got me once they're in training camp. I'm not gonna lie. I thought I had aimna on a low release and I forgot his His arms are four feet long as it is, so I thought I was around him and he got me when I was crossed over and put me on the ground. So it was it was a moment to kind of laugh about.

But I was like, oh, my goodness, knows his arms are so long's he's so strong. You know, you forget how big he is, you know, until you get up close to him. But it's mcflaw watching him, you know, get better throughout training camp and Christian, what do you guys have to do to beat the forty nine ers on Sunday? What do you gotta do? I think number one and the number one goal is is played disciplined football. Uh, you know, not turn over the ball. I think penalties

are going to be a big thing. You know that we'll see throughout week one. I think limited the team that limited limits the mistakes the penalties the most, and

uh you know it doesn't turn over the ball. I think is are the teams that are going to come out on top and I know that's that's our Mangol gone into Sundays just playing smart football, uh, speaking to our technique and you know, kind of like what Kyler said, you know, trust your training going to the game and just just play and uh, you know, play smart football and be disciplined. Richard Sherman says that Fitz frustrates him

because Fitz won't talk to him. Do you end up trading some trash talk with Richard Sherman when you play? I had not that I can remember, uh, you know, but if it happens, that happens. There's just kind of one of those things that in the heat of the moment, it's just a competitive talk. But you know, I always embrace you know, being able to go up against Richard, you know him, you know, being at the top of it game for a while and you know, one of

the better corners in the league. And just to go against a guy like that and compete at a high level, it's obviously, you know, a lot of fun. Christian. I cannot wait to watch you play, man. Thank you so much for joining us. God bless you and your family, Buddy, and man, it's go time and I can't wait. Thank you, budd. I appreciate you guys. You guys, Uh, stay ready for Sunday and stay healthy. We'll do. We'll see you on the road trip. Thanks Christian Kirk. We continue with the

Big Red Rage presented by Satan Ford in Gilbert. Oh hey there, right there, Oh hey, how are you doing it for pretty fourth South? I don't know if it's gonna snow today? Behind? Oh my gosh, we're in the state top Oh, I brought my tobogg and just in case. O my goodness, looking at weather here it's beautiful. And see Jimmy Jess chin line, holy gown. I'm ready, guys, got gin line. He's got a much chat. Oh my gooless. That is one of the nine. What a man he is.

If you want to see an all time edition of Wired of Mike Duff, go find the George Kittle because there he is. Him and Joe Staley, who since retired on Jimmy g Right, the good looking guy that Jimmy g is and they're having some fun as a expense. And then George Kittle, the entirety of that Wired segment, is trying to tell everyone it's National tight Ends Day and they should treat him accordingly because it's his day

and it's it's entertaining no doubt. Yeah, that's Snowdell Bali and that's going to be a big question right now. I cannot wait to see, especially if Deebo Samuel does not play in Brandon Auk if the wide receiver room is a mess the way the forty nine ers, at least we believe it to be. Matt, I'll tell you, how are the How are the Cardinals going to defend George Kittle? That's what I want to see, And how

are they going to take him away? Very much Paul Like on the other side of the ball, how will the forty nine ers try to take away DeAndre Hopkins from Kyler Murray? I tell you, George Kittle is that guy, you know, especially if the other receivers are out. Do you even begin to think you can single cover him Devandre Campbell? We know that's what he excels at. But you gotta give him some safety help or some bracket coverage, don't you. I think you probably do, Paully, but not

all the time. At some point in time, there's going to be a guy that will be singled up. I worry about play action pass because that's where the forty nine ers are at their best. When they run the ball and they use play action to throw the ball with Jimmy g that's when George Kittle is the most dangerous as well. I think this if you can lock it down on the outside with Pat p and Drake Kirkpatrick lock it down, especially if that wide receiver room is a mess for the forty nine ers. Now you

can literally double George Kittle on every play. Here's the question, We'll tackling be a mess week one with no preseason games. Here's Vance Joseph. That's a major concern. You know, Well, you don't tackle live, you know, for you know, missing those four games in preseason. That's tough, you know, So I'm not sure how is it going to go, you know, But our focus now is to obviously, you know, get multiple hats to the football so if someone does miss

that next guy will make the tackle. And look, it's not just Week one. There was a game it was Week three last year where the Cardinals had fifteen miss tackles Vance Joseph counted. So it's the whole first month of the year. Sometimes that can be a chronic problem. Physicality, Paul, That's what I'm looking for right now in this game. The Arizona Cardinals on both sides of the ball. Their defense in that front seven. That's the most improved part

of the Arizona Cardinals team is their front seven. Paul on the defensive side of the ball with Jordan Phillips of course, right, and you're gonna have Corey Peters on the nose and Zach Allen as well. I want to see Zach Allen play with some talent around him, Chandler Jones, Devon Kennard, Davan Ray Campbell, Jordan Hicks, Isaiah Simmons. That is the most improved part of this team, and I would say maybe the most improved box in the National

Football League. A total rehab, if you will. How will they play against the forty nine ers vaunted rushing attack, because that really is the key to their offense because of play action and how well they use play action to throw the ball, especially to George Kittle. We all remember what Raheem Moster did over the final ten games of last year, the regular season of postseason combined. He ran for a dozen touchdowns. They got that ground game in gears something fierce. It took him all the way

to the Super Bowl. The other guy, I want to see if you're gonna talk about the front seven for Chard Lawrence. I mean, honestly, I'm not so sure with Chard Lawrence won't outshine Javon kim Law, the fifteenth pick overall, who has struggled a bit to get some traction in the NFL. That's the kid. If there's one guy off the radar, the fourth rounder Lsu and our guest last week that I'd love to see on Sunday. As a matter of fact, Javon Kinlaw was second team on the

depth chart. Did you see that balling? Yeah? Second team. Now it's just a depth chart, it's the first one of the season, but I thought that was interesting. Well, the Niners bring back eighteen of their twenty two starters, but they traded away to Forrest Buckner, so we'll see how that works out for him. Cardinals a looking to win their first season oltener since twenty fifteen. Special thanks to Christian Kirk, Jim Almandro, Mitch Verldis for Run Wolfield

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