Big Red Rage - Kirk, Receivers Must Step Up With Hop Out

by satan Ford in Gilbert or are you Satanford? State Farm Talk to an agent today at eight hundred State Farm, And by Arizona Cardinals Podcasts Visit acy Cardinals dot Com, Slash Podcasts, The Rods Rising Guard, Temperaturizing vision, flurring, rage taking over. Here's Paul CALVC. Get the popcorn ready, It's gonna be a show, and Ron will fleep. It doesn't get any better than that. Unleash the far. There's December Football,

and then there is December twenty fifth football. Yes, the franchise with the same team colors as Team Santa, Red, white, and Black is gifting everyone a Christmas Night home game. And that is regardless of whether you've been naughty or nice.

And Wolf, you know which category you fit into. And I think in addition to fitting into the Santa suit, and we all know that the gift that keeps on giving any holiday season is a playoff berth and that that would be the big, big present that you always save to unwrap last a playoff spot twenty twenty one. That's how the season keeps going. It is the big red rage. Not only Ron Wolf yours truly, Paul Kalbc, Christian Kirk. There's a gift here as we track into

the holiday weekend. How about that? Can't wait to chop it up with the Cardinals starwide receiver. I know, Doll Pauly and you know, back when I played Paul, and I hate saying that. You know, I hate saying that back when I played Bali. Yet at the same time, I will tell you that there was an old axiom in the game of football in the NFL, at least in that axiom, it was like, you won games in November to make a run in December. That was the

big saying right there, Paul. It seems now playing two games in January, you might have to say you win games in December to make a run in January. And that really is what this game is about. Coming up, man, this is a huge, huge game, I think for the Arizona Cardinals. Coming up against the Colts on Christmas Day, and if you want to talk about history, wolf and feelings, the vibe right now at least a lot of questions from a lot of media members are is everyone witnessing

the ghost of Christmas past? As in last year, as in the six and three start, then losing five of your last seven? We know how this year has gone. A seven in all start, a top all the power polls, ten and two, you're back top all the power polls, and now all of a sudden you're in the midst of losing for your last seven, two in a row. And Kyler Murray he look, he was asked, Okay, does this feel like twenty and twenty the end of last season all over again? No? No, no no, all, no at

all again? You know, still ten and four, so first place individually. I mean, this isn't this isn't nowhere near what we were last year. Um, then we're not going to allow it to be that was after the loss in Detroit, a lackluster loss. And there are just some games. Well if there are some losses where you're at a loss to explain the loss. So what what have you processed about? What we witnessed in Motown. Yeah, you know, Paula, I've been going back and forth and honestly thinking about

this on a regular basis. It haunts my waking moments. Let's put it that way. Listen, They've they've lost two games in a row. It's the first time that's happened all season long. Of course, they lost three games at home consecutively. They're three and four in their last seven. I honestly think this is a team that is in trouble right now. But you know what, Paully, it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter what I think. This is the beautiful thing about it. The great thing is being a player

right now inside the Arizona Cardinals locker room. Because you don't care what anybody says. They have no control over what is going to happen. You. On the other hand, being a player inside the Arizona Cardinals locker room, you have control as to what is going to happen on Christmas Day against the Indianapolis Colts. I don't know they're in trouble yet, paul. I'm not willing to say that. I think this could be a team in trouble if

in fact, they don't win on Christmas Day. So your thought process is that it goes beyond just effort and energy, the intensity. As Kyler said, no juice in Detroit, because that's imminently correctable. You're saying there might be bigger issues. And I bring that up. At least that's my presumption because Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton were on the Passpod and it was it's it's it's a must listen. Okay,

you got to check it out. It really is. And I mean there's a lot of great football, there's a lot of great high jinks and just the anecdotes and the stories, and those are two of the funniest guys you'll ever find in any locker room. It's great stuff. Okay. But but when it came to the subject of quarterbacks and Kyler in particular, and the Arizona Cardinals as they stand right now without DeAndre Hopkins, they're only certified legit

number one receiver, right and what that means for the offense. Well, here's Carson Palmer on the Passpod. There's a guy in that huddle that can that can just flat out win a game. And when you take DeAndre, that guy out of that huddle, it changes the dynamics to the huddle, and I just really look to see what kind of leader Kyler is going forward, because now it's really all on him. Now it's on Kyler. Can Kyler lead this team? Can he find a way to overcome some adversity that

they're gonna have to overcome again. They're gonna be down multiple scores again like they were last week in Detroit. Can they overcome it? I absolutely think Tyler's capable of doing it. I absolutely think Kyler has the ability and the god given athleticism, the arm talent, all of that he's got at all. Now he needs to prove it. And when I hear that, I instantly think of Tom Brady,

who just lost Chris Godwin for example. I think of Aaron Rodgers, and I bring those two guys up because those are the other two Pro Bowl quarterbacks in the NFC. I think of an Aaron Rodgers coming in on that Thursday night game against the Cardinals minus his top three receivers and finding a way to win taking that team. So it's that the way you translate what Carson is saying there that Kyler is gonna have to be the biggest reason the Cardinals get wins, just even more so

than ever before. Yeah, no doubt about it, Bullie. I mean, this is what a franchise quarterback does. And Kyler Murray understands this. He knows this, and hopefully he's willing to embrace it. I don't see him shying away from the responsibility. And I know that inside that locker room is teammates understand that he's not going to shy away from that responsibility. Paulli, this is what a franchise quarterback does. Is it fair? No,

it is not fair, Polly. Yet at the same time, this is why they get paid the money that they do. Not only are they the human being that does something with the ball on every snap, every offensive snap, a quarterback actually does something with a football unless you're in the shotgun with James Connor, you're running something the wildcat Paul out there. Okay, but this is why you impact your teammates more so than any other position, any other

position on the team. It is the reason why you get paid what you do to be a true franchise quarterback, You've got a lead on the field, off the field, on the sideline off the field, You've got to do it. All constantly be the answer man on and off the field. Pall I wondered to what degree this offense has to evolve as well, though, And I'm bringing that up for

two reasons. There was a moment during a Chase Edmonds press conference this week where he said to the media, and it's sort of like he it was sort of like it was a pre planned talking point by Chase Incorporated. Right. He made a point to tell the media that he's number one in yards per carry and James Connor is number two in the NFL and rushing touchdowns, as in, you know what, You've got a dynamic duo of running backs.

Let's use them. Yeah. Yeah. And I also bring it up because you look at Sean McVeigh and what he did recently with that Rams offense, and we've talked about that. They lost Robert Woods. They tried to run the same three and four ride receipts sets all the time, the highest percentage of any offense in the NFL. It didn't work. They lost three in a row, and then Sean McVay went back to the Todd Gurley days, put Sony Michelle and they started running the ball. Much more balanced offense

and boom. You see the difference, and I'm wondering if the Cardinals have to consider something like that. Yeah, no, Paully. You know, once again though, it's a situation where this is Remember we were talking about Max Williams and the kind of balance Max well he has really brought in rundown situations. Is he the tight end that zach Ertz is? No way, he's not. And Max Williams would respectfully be the first guy I think that would tell you that. But he was so good in terms of blocking at

the point of attack. A lot of times you'll see an offense now where zach Ertz is actually flexed out into the slot, and there's nothing wrong with that, There's nothing more wrong with that at all, because that is a good option for Kyler Murray right there. But in terms of giving a balanced approach out of eleven person at one back, one tight end, and three wide receivers, it doesn't bring the kind of balance you would like

to see to this offense. And I really do believe Paully going forward, if the Arizona Cardinals are going to write the ship here this Saturday on Christmas Day, they're gonna have to run the ball Well. Speaking of zach Ertz, you know one of his comments after the loss in Motown really resonated. He said, in a quote, we can't let this thing spiral. Momentum is real in the NFL, good and bad and to me and we'll ask Christian

Kirk next. I think just the fact you're on national TV in front of a captive audience on Christmas night is gonna guarantee the energy we'll see. It's a day pash Podcast a Reminder again episode twenty one with former Cardinals QBS, Carson Palmer and Drew stand wherever you get your podcasts and you get the latest updates via Twitter at pash pod. Christian Kirk is next on The Big

Red Rage presented by Santan Ford. In Gilbert NaSTA Murray's great dropback and throws a fade deep right side over the shoulder cat by Kirk in the end over a toutdowns now to Murray, drops back the throne, fires right side of the end zone back shoulder Kirk jeff beautifully and pulls it in for the touchdown. Drops back the throne, now flushed out of the pocket, rolls right, throws right caught in the end zone. It's a touchdown and it's

Christian Kirk. Floats at the middle of the field, got a man, It's caught by Kirk, rows deep left side and a sliding betches me by Christian Kirk as it's twenty yard line, launches it up in the air. Christian Kirk is there. He's gotta be down ten down in the five, or he takes the shot gun. Snap's great dropback, steps up, moves to his left, throws left into the end zone. Pen It's caught for a touchdown. What a throw to Christian Kirk for six. It's been a top

five scoring offense all season long. And one of the top reasons why is our guest tonight on the Big Red Rage someone who is closing in wolf on career highs in touchdown catches and receptions and a guy who was referred to repeatedly last week by our guest Kelvin Beacham. He kept he kept saying, Captain Kirk, and I'm you know, I'm just wondering, you know, Boom, here we are with Christian Kirk and Christian good evening, and we'll get into everything.

But how often or is it only Kelvin Beecham who calls you Captain Kirk. You know I been around the building from time to time, obviously with the Star Trek reference, and I've gotten it growing up too, So there's only a select few people that called me in, and Kelvin being one of them. Christian, are you a Are you a Star Trek fan or a Star Wars fan. I'm more of a Star Wars fan, but for those who are Star Trek fans, they're more likely than people to

call me Captain Kirk. You've never had a Star Wars conversation with your head coach, have you? Because earlier this year Kyler said he really wasn't familiar with Yoda and the whole post thing and everything, and Cliff I think was semi offended that that Kyler really didn't know much about Star Wars because he admitted he was a big fan growing up. Yeah, I haven't had do a direct conversation with a Cliff about it, but I'm sure we could relate on some levels, because you know, I'm a

big Star Wars fan and loved all the movies. So christ you had talked to us a little bit here about your season Personally, I'm not talking about the Cardinals. Overall, I want to know first of all about your season personally. How are you doing? How do you think it's going. I think it's going good, you know, and just um the main thing which I've been working for since it having my rookie year was just being healthy and being available.

And I think that's the biggest um, you know, contribution I can, um you know, be making so far as you know, just being available and being out there every Sunday for our team. And with that, you know, it allows everything else to you know, ad on top of that. So without that, you know, I wouldn't be out there, you know, making the plays that I've been able to make.

And you know, it's just especially later in the season, it's just you know, an area I'm really just trying to own in on and just to make sure my body's um, you know, where it needs to be yet to you know, perform my best. If you go back to camp, if you had a dollar for every time you were asked about playing inside right version having to play outside like you did you know last season, et cetera, and how big a deal that is and how much

more comfortable you are inside. But how is that materialized. Has that been a big deal? And have you almost exclusively been inside this year? Yeah, you know, I definitely think that. You you can see, um, you know a lot of successes you know, come from you know, me being in there, and you know, I'm just comfortable in there. It's something I've done, you know, my whole entire career, and um, you know, coming into the NFL and being

moved outside, uh definitely was an adjustment. You know, I think it is an adjustment for anyone who kind of plays a different position than what they're normal uh normally used to. And you know, for me, it was just still learning some of the nuances and um, you know I had some success here and there, but um definitely having more with playing more primarily in the slot and um to get a couple of snaps here and there

at outside as well. So I think, uh, you know, Coach Key's very done a great job of just kind of moving me around and you know, putting me in different positions to succeed. And Christian, I know that you are a humble guy, no doubt about it. But if you don't mind it, tell us where you think you've improved the most this year, Because I can see it, but I want to get your thoughts on it. Where do you think you've improved the most? You know, I think a lot of parts of my game have improved, um,

you know. But for me, I just feel like I'm playing with the most confidence that I can, you know, week in and week out, and just making you know, the contested catches, you know, making those opportunities when in versus man coverage and you know, just coming up with um you know, big plays and you know, high intense, high stress situations, you know, third and four downs where we needed the most um. You know, Kyler has been able to you know, rely on me, and I've been

able to make the opportunities for him. And that's all I want to do, is uh, you know, just making make his job easier and just put our team in the best decision to win. It's all about you. Christian Kirk presented by Santan Ford in Gilbert So how has life changed for you and the rest of the receivers minus d hop Cliff Kingsbury talks about how he sees different coverages it impacts his play calling. When DeAndre Hopkins isn't out on that field, there was a three game

stretch in November. We know about that, so I mean you're pretty accustomed to it at this point. How is it different when he's not there? It's different in a lot of ways, um, you know, just as persona and personality and just having him as you know, a guy in the locker room and just you know, having him around h and not not having him there and you know, being able to look over there and go over and conversate and not having him in the meeting rooms, and

you know, it definitely changes. It changes the dynamic. And you know, obviously the most part we miss him is is on Sundays, and so you know, we're obviously you know, wishing him a quick recovery. But for us, you know, we just have to dial in and and make sure that you know, we're doing our jobs and making sure that you know, we are on point and we're we're

not you know, missing any beats. You know, we put a lot of uh, you know, pressure on ourselves in our room to make sure that you know, we hold ourselves to the standard that is set you know, when DeAndre is there in the room and on the field, you know, because he is our leader, he sets the standard. So UM, you know we've we've been doing good so far, and you know we're just trying to try to keep it going. Christian, what is the mentality right now in

the locker room? You watch the tape of course of the Detroit game. I know that had to be an absolute disappointment. Do you, guys through and through talk to me a little bit about the mood in the locker room. Yeah,

you know, we talked about it after the game. Um. The easy thing for us to do was to feel sorry for ourselves and you know, go on point fingers and try to blame it on you know this or that or But I think the biggest thing is us as individuals looking in the mirror and asking ourselves, what can I do better? Am I doing my job? Did I do my job the best on this play? And

really being very self critical of ourselves as individuals. Because if we all as individuals hone in on what we're supposed to do our job and doing it the best that we can be, then when we come together on both sides of the ball, eleven men on there on the field, you know we will be at our best. So guys definitely took it to heart. It sucked. It

was a it was a terrible feeling. But I'm confident with after the week of practice that we've had and just guy's mentality, that we'll be able to bounce back, you know. Chandler told the media today, told an anecdote of where it was basically a player's meeting of sorts this week and went around the room and the question was, all right, how many guys have been ten and four before?

And the point was to try and reinforce Okay, there's an opportunity here that these sort of seasons don't happen every year, and that how many guys have really been in a position to have a number one seed potentially still and clinch a playoff spot, et cetera. Can you pick up on that? And and how did that go? And how do you think that what sort of impact did that make? It's just realizing, you know, we still have everything that we want in front of us. Uh,

the season isn't over. We still have three games left and um, three really big ones, and we can decide um, you know, our destiny and what we want to make this season, um, and and how we wanted to go and uh, you know, Chandler head on the head. You know, it's it's really rare when you come across the season like this. And I think about it took you know, two seasons for me to even reach ten career wins. Uh, you know in the NFL. Uh So it's it's it's

it's hard to win in this league. And guys understand that. And that's why we can't take it for granted. Uh, no matter how we've gotten here, you know, no matter how good the first hart half of the season went, you know, we need to get back to that. And uh, like I said, we just need to hone in and um, just to go back to the basics and remember what got us here, Christian, was that basically a player's only meeting. Was that a situation where it was just you guys?

Were there coaches that were in the room, Was it was it everybody? To what degree did this meeting entel? It was everybody? And I think it is important to have everybody in there too, Um, just you know, be able to buy into the message that's being spread across you know the building, you know, the rooms, the rooms that we are in every day, and the people that

were around every day. And I think That's the most important, you know, when you're talking about you know, setting a culture and um, setting a mission, and for a football team is everybody has to buy into that same mission. So Kyler Murray met the media this week and uh I asked him, Okay, if you had a laundry list of things you'd like to improve starting with this game against the Colts on offense, what would it be? Here's Kyler say it all the time? You know, moving backwards, um,

kills drives, you know, stalls them. Um. You know, I feel like when we're not doing that, we're pretty good. If we can limit the um you know, penalties, turnovers, stuff like that, will be fine. Yeah, getting behind the sticks, no doubt. What else? What else would you add to that list? I mean, if you could make your Christmas wish list right and what the Cardinals offense would look like or what corrections you guys would make from the last two weeks, what would it be? I would say

it's pretty similar. And you know, for us, it's it's pretty obvious that, Um, you know, when we don't start fast and we get behind the chains, that's when we struggle the most. It's when we start fast we stay in front of the chains, we're running the ball and we're just executing our plays. You know, that's when the efforts never not there um And that's not the problem for us. It's usually you know, a lack of execution or a penalty um and not focusing on those parts.

But when we come out and we start fast and you know, we execute, that's when we're at our best. And uh, that's what that would be on my wish list for what a perfect would look like for us on Saturday for our offense. Now, Christian, I know you're a wide receiver, and I know you're a dog on good one right, and I know you want the ball like every other wide receiver that is out there, But can you put into words for us just how important you think it is that this offense is balance going forward.

If you do think that, if you think not, go ahead and tell us. But I look at it and think you need to be balanced? Am I wrong on that? Christian? You're not wrong? And I've played in this offense for a long time, dating back to my days in college at Texas A and M. And I've always said it that this offense doesn't work if you can't run the ball.

When you allow defenses to you know, pin their ears back and um, you know send send, you know, their dogs up front, the quarterback and um, you're just trying to get into the drawback pass and uh, you know, they have nothing else to worry about and they're they're not worrying about their run threat. Then uh it's hard and you become inefficient. And I mean the tape and

you know, the game speak for itself. I mean, when we're at our best, we're running the ball, we're running it well, and so you know that's got to be a form of emphasis, which it is. And like I said, when we get that running game going, it opens everything else. So does the offense need to change at all? Minus de Hoop? Is that too radical? I mean, does it need to evolve? You saw what Sean McBay did recently with the Rams minus Robert Woods. I'm just curious if

if this offense needs to change in any way. I don't think it needs to change. Um, you know, what we have is enough. And obviously, depending on who the

opponent is, the game plan changes. But this offense has everything that it needs to go out there and you know, win more games than we've already won, you know, so far, and but like I said, it comes down to the execution and the decades of what we do, and it starts back right and we'll come back and we'll get into what the Colts do on defense, because it's far from just Jonathan Taylor on that Colts team and why they're eight and six and they've won five out of six.

We continue with the Big Red Rage and Christian Kurt All presented by satan Ford and Gilbert. We are satan Ford, Captain tant hell On purd down, hit and sacked, Chandler Jones five sacks on the day for fifty five and it's gonna be a quarterback run off the middle at ten, at the five, Murray dies for the end zone and he's in for a touchdown. Kyler Murray makes them pay with a twelve yard run picked off by Buddha. Baker's got it at the thirty five, goes down at the

thirty one and that's it. Buddha sales at Tonner to the ten to the five and end of the ends up for the touchdown. James Connor with his third touchdown of the day, this one through the air, his second Pro Bowl, James Conner, Kyler Murray his second Pro Bowl and by the way, the other two Pro Bowl quarterbacks in the NFC, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady. By the way, Chandler Jones his fourth Pro Bowl, Buddha Baker his fourth Pro Bowl. Three is the safety won as a special teamer.

It is a big red Rage presented by Santanford in Gilbert Paul kelvc Ron Wolfley and our very special guest wide receiver Christian Kirk and Christian uh tell us, what was the reaction in the locker room when you guys saw the Pro Bowl nominees. There's you know, his whole list of alternates as well. But what's that like in an NFL locker room when that news is finally announced and made official. Well, you got the four guys that were selected, what the caliber players that they are, there's

really no surprise. I mean just with the the level that they play at weekend and week at weekend and week out is just you know, beyond impressive. And you know they deserve um that nomination um, you know, wholeheartedly. And it's just for us, you know, guys that are in the locker room that get to experience them and see how they work on a day to day basis.

You just can't help yourself but to feel, um nothing, but you know, very proud for them and happy for them because they deserve it and along with all the alternates as well. And uh, you know, hopefully we will be playing, um, you know, in the Super Bowl, so they won't be playing you know, in the Pro Bowl. But you know, if not, uh, you know, it would be exciting to go out there and watch them, you know, play with the best. That that would be awesome. There's

no doubt about it. The Pro Bowl is really a big honor, of course, and I think there's one in your future, one or two maybe maybe even more than that. And your future is well, you just got to get that opportunity to go out there and perform. How much does it mean to you? Is it something? Is it a goal of yours? Um? You know, I I definitely uh you know, have that goal you know, set for me, and you know I worked my butt off to uh,

you know, after our do to accomplish those goals. And you know, I know, I mean I gotta be patient and you know when when the time comes, and time comes, Um, but you know, for now I get to you know, sit back and watch to see what it takes UM to be able to get your name nominated. Um, you know and to have a season. You know that that that takes it UM to be able to to get to that point. Christian Kirk is our guest and the Big Red Rage. The team with the most Pro Bowlers

the Indianapolis Colts. Yes with seven. Here's Kyler Murray when asked for a quick scatter report on your opponents Saturday night. It's a great team. There's no sugar cooling. I mean they're they're a great team. Um, you know, a lot of talent over their defense offense. Uh, we're gonna have to be ready for you know, this is a December footballs playoff playoffs like atmosphere all Christmas. They're gonna be ready. Well, we we gotta, we gotta come to play. Yeah, it's

not just Jonathan Taylor. They have a Pro bowler and all three levels of the defense and D tackle DeForrest Buckner their standout line. Yeah, Darius Leonard, Yes, absolutely, Well what to the last five games? They have a punt return for touchdown and then Kenny Moore, Now Kenny Moore is someone he's their nickel corner, slot corner, correct, Christian, that could be a direct matchup for you, I'm guessing yeah. No,

Kenny's a great player. Um. I've worked out with him a couple off season go and got to know him a little bit and be following him ever since. And you know, his story is incredible and you know he plays at a high level. So you know, anytime you get to go against you know, a higher caliber player like that, you know, it's always fun. So definitely looking forward to, you know, all the talent that they have on their team and facing them on Saturday night. Yeah,

you know, Saturday night happens to be Christmas Day. Have you ever played on Christmas before? What has been your encounter in your life your football life with Christmas. I've never played on Christmas before and calledge. You know, we would travel usually on Christmas for our bowl game. Wherever the bowl game was, we would usually travel and practice, you know on Christmas Day. So I've I've had to you know football or practice football or had to travel

for but I never had a game. So definitely exciting. You know, it's another you know primetime atmosphere and you know, like Kyler mentioned, it's December, it's it's playoff like atmosphere and implications, so you know it'll it'll be a big stage, and you know we're excited for And look at halftime of the Detroit game, you know, Cliff Kingsbury told us walking off the field, you know, we came out flat and okay, and then Kyler after the game there wasn't

enough juice. I don't think that's gonna be a problem on national TV on Christmas night when you know the entire country is watching. Is that a safe assumption, Christian? Oh, you know, I think if you're not able to get up for a game like this, you know there's something wrong. You definitely. Um, you know, play at this level for opportunities like this, and you know you got to take advantage of them. Um. You know I said it. We

were playing on Monday night. You know, when when the lights are bright and all eyes are on you, Uh, you know, there's a lot of opportunity there to to you know, show a lot of people what you're made of and what kind of football team you are. So you know we got to take advantage of that. So I know that you've watched an awful lot of tape on the Indianapolis Colts and their defense. So tell us

a little bit what you think. Give us a little scout on your board on the Colts Christian they're talented. They're talented, and they're very opportunistic. Um. You know that they lead the league and turnovers and force fumbles and uh, they do a great job. We're getting the ball out, you know, So our ball security, you know, has to be um, nothing short of perfect, because they they will, um, you know, look for those opportunities and they'll capitalize off

of it. Uh, and we can't afford that. And so you know, we're going to have to do a good job of you know, taking what the defense gets us. UM, you know, be be efficient and be smart. Um, you know, we have the ball in our hands, and you know, just make opportunities, um, you know when they come our way. You know. Darius Leonard told the media this week that if he played in Dallas and he played in more primetime games, he would be the defensive player of the year,

hands down. That's that's what he told me, because I think he was getting tired of hearing the Micah Parsons talk all the time. The rookie in Dallas. But you know Darius Leonard uh fifty three. I mean, especially being in the slot and he's that will linebacker. How often do you keep an eye out for him during this game? Oh, you know, especially in the run game, which we are very involved in as receivers. Will definitely have to, you know,

keep an eye out for him. And like I said, um, you know he's the leader of you know, being able to create those turnovers. Uh. You know, I think he has a couple of interceptions and a ton of force fumble. So whenever you know, we have the ball in traffic, you know would definitely be looking, you know, out for him and make sure, you know, we have great ball security.

But he's a great player, and I think the tape and you know all of his assistants show that, and so yeah, we'll have to be so Christian, go ahead and flip it over and look at the offensive side of the ball. I know you're not sitting around watching reels of tape on the Indianapolis Colts and how they run the ball, but I know you're aware of Jonathan Taylor, of course, and the fact that the Colts have a very very good offensive line. Talk to us about what

you know of the Colts offense. Well, you know, like you like you said, it starts up front for them. Um, they have arguably one of the best offensive lines in football right now, and with arguably the best running back

in Jonathan Taylor. And uh, you know, they still got guys on the outside they can make plays and um my companion and then you know t Y Hivens and so uh you know, they have a lot of firepower over there, and you know Carson Wentz does a great job and and so you know their goal is to hold onto the ball and you know, be efficient with the run game, and um, you know, just kind of sick what the defense gets speaks you and um then try to hit you over the top, you know, with

with with some you know, deep balls and trying to push the ball down the field. So um, you know, I'd like to lay our defense has been preparing, um this week, and you know they know they have a big challenge at hand, and um, but I'm decided to to go out there and watch them battle. You've you've had your finger on the pulse of this team. You told us after the Tennessee win and Nashville you said, you know what, we're not letting stuff slide this year.

You know, you're talking about the locker room and the leadership within right and guys holding each other accountable. I know, after the Monday Night loss, you said, hey, we're going to be harsh on our on ourselves. And you know, the media spinning this one, right, the surging Colts against the sliding Cardinals. I mean, where is the confidence level right now in the Cardinals locker room? You think, But

we're confident. I mean we're the same team a couple of weeks ago that we're you know, have one loss under our belt, and you know, still we're right number one and you know, top of our division, and um, we're still in the number one. You know, see talks and yes we've had some disappointing laws, but that doesn't you know, I mean that we've changed. The dynamic hasn't changed,

The mindset hasn't changed, and neither has the mentality. You know, I think, uh, you know, we just need to do a better job of you know, executing and take advantage of opportunities on Sunday and so that the confidence level has not changed whatsoever. You know, we know how good we can be when we do play our best, and

we just got to get back to that. And I think it starts with, you know, certain tasks on Saturday, Christian, do you feel the onus is on you guys, the offense in particular to set the tone for this game and score points that that, honestly, I think would probably help the defense as a matter of fact, knowing that if you could make the Colts one dimensional, try to get them to play catch up in the second half,

that that's not playing into their strength. Do you feel any responsibility in particular for the offense to play and score points and light it up and try to make the Colts undimensional? I mean, you know, I think we feel that pressure. Um, you know, weekend and week out. As an offense, we hold ourselves to such high standards. Um. You know, for us, anytime we leave the field without points, Um,

you know, that's that's a missed opportunity into us. You know, that's that's you know, not okay, and that's not our standard. I think in Houston, I think a versus Houston, you know, we still score thirty one points and I point out the fact that we play terrible on offense and you know, that's just our standard, that's our mindset and so um, yes, at the beginning of the game, started fast and putting points on the board. Uh, it's great, but we expect that,

you know, weekend and week out. Um, but I think it's on you know, whichever side of the ball goes out there on Sunday first. Um, you know, has to start the tone, has to set the tone. And you know that that's just with our mindset. You know how we approach Saturday. Are you gonna have to run some no huddle shopping tomorrow? You're gonna have to go up Temple. How are you doing with your shopping for Christmas Day?

They're Christian on ahead of it this year. I'm usually a last minute kind of guy, but I got ahead of it. So I'm sending comfortable and no stress going into Christian's Day. No, I'm going out tomorrow. You better believe it wall trouble. Well if I finished today, Christians ahead of the game, I finished. Yeah, you're living by through Christian right now at the shopping. That's good, that's well done. Okay, thank you Christian, Thank you Christian. Appreciate

it many thanks. Guys. All right there, you go. Cardinals outstanding receiver Christian Kirk joining us here on The Big Red Rage. Well, sounds like you've better talked to Christian after the show to get some ideas. Sounds like you're struggle Layne over there big time. Yeah. Okay, let's see how can the Cardinals have more success than Wolf's holiday shopping.

We'll talk about that next on The Big Red Rage presented by Santan four in Gilbert second and eight Pups at their thirty three Taylor's got it nice tash out by forty heyste to the thirty. They're trying to chase him down to the ten touchdot Touchstown talks sixty seven yards U two to go, two minute, twenty second love. That might have done it. The fastest run, the fastest miles per hour of any ball carrier in any game this year, better than twenty two miles per hour. That

was the sixty seven yard dagger against the Patriots. Wolf. We were watching that in Motown last Saturday night for Cardinals Lions. And and you know better than anyone, your former coach, Bell Belichick. He goes into any game saying, we're gonna take away what you do best. An old boy Jonathan Taylor. Yet another big game, and it's real simple. We could spend the next hour talking about stats on your NFL's leading rusher, and he's four hundred yards plus

more than any other rusher this year. But the Indianapolis Colts when he rushes for one hundred or more or eight, no, and when he rushes for less than a hundred and six, what's your point, ball stop the run, Stop Jonathan Taylor. If can you oversimplify the Paul, can you do that once again? It's it's the guy. It's the Colts fan who rears that hat. Run the damn ball. The Cardinals fans need to show up to State Farm Stadium on Christmas Night with hats to just say stop the run.

It's that simple, Paully. Honestly, right now, I've been thinking about this game and thinking about it and thinking about it, and all I can think of is the fundamentals, the fundamentals of the game. I honestly believe the team that executes the fundamentals better is going to win this game. I don't think there's any doubt about that. When I say fundamentals, I'm talking about blocking and tackling. This is going to be the most physical game I believe the

Arizona Cardinals will play this regular season. This is going to be the most physical game. I expect the Arizona Cardinals to come out and compete on the line of sc It's just like they did against the Tennessee Titans, just like they did Paul against the Cleveland Browns. I expect them to come out and compete on the line of scrimmage. Vance Joseph is going to have his boys ready to compete on the line of scrimmage and if

they don't, abandon all hope. So how much confidence do you take in the fact that they shut down Derrick Henry that at halftime against the Vikings. They then shut down Dalvin Cook after they committed to stop in the run in the Cleveland game. And look the Niners, who have pretty much run on anyone and everyone. They did not as the Cardinals swept them. So you know, in Vance Joseph will look you in they are and say, when we've committed to stopping the run, we have done

so for the most part. So what sort of confidence does that give you against a guy who might be your NFL MVP this year. Yeah, No, it gives me a lot of confidence. It does, PAULI because they have done it before, you know, but once again, the until you go on and actually proof that you can shut somebody down, you know, it's it's the hanging Chad, Paul. They've got to go out and they've got to prove

that they can do that. I just go ahead. I was gonna say, and to your point about the blocking and tackling, let's talk about tackling, because he also leads the NFL and yards after contact. He has an incomprehensible one thy one hundred forty seven yards rushing after contact. Yeah, he has forty two runs of ten plus yards. I mean, he is so far ahead of every other running back in the NFL. Now, they might be down two starters

on the offensive line. We'll see Q when Nelson did return to practice, but they're gonna be missing their starting center and they're starting right guard for the most part. Yes, and then and then we'll let's flip it real quick. I mean, that's a big deal, Pollie. First of all, it really is, because once again, this game is going to be about the offensive line on both sides of

the ball. It's gonna be about the line of scrimmage Rodney Hudson, Yeah, can you can you can you overstate how important that might be, especially when you've got a colts defense. It has been putting to Forrest Buckner, the Pro bowler over the and the nose tackle position quite a bit this year. And so I mean, just if you had Rodney Hudson back man, that would go a long way towards trying to establish a run game with Chase and James Connor. Yeah, there's no doubt about that.

Rodney Hudson, once again, I think he got kind of hose because of the conference change in terms of the Pro Bowl all of a sudden, Now he's in the NFC where he's built this massive reputation in the AFC with the Raiders. Of course, So Rodney Hudson, we all know, is a Pro Bowl Calipers caliber center. There's no doubt, Paul, this game is going to come down to the line of scrimmage. It's gonna be on both sides of the ball,

blocking and tackling. Indeed, I cannot help it, Paul. For me, it's okay, the team that runs the ball better wins this game. Now that that immediately seems to favor the Indianapolis Colts. But again, I have hope. The reason why I have hope is because of what you said earlier. Because the defense has risen up in certain occasions and done a great job at shutting down the likes of a Derrick Henry shutting down Kareem Hunt in the Cleveland Brown,

shutting down Dalvin Cook in that second half. There's no doubt. And then you flip it over to your point about Rodney Hudson. This is all about the line of scrimmage. You got all this talent that is going to be out there on the field, and yet it's going to come down to the line of scrimmage and who controls the line of scrimmage. Paul, this is going to be an old world football game like we haven't seen in a while. Because last time the Cardinals are in primetime

on Monday Night and what happened. Kyler was running for his life. Aaron Donald had fourteen quarterback pressures, he had three sacks. We know Kyler and his last two primetime appearances zero touchdown passes, four interceptions combined in those two You're talking about a Colts team that is number one and turnover ratio. You heard Christian Kirk talk about how they're number one in takeaways that defense, right this team is number one of points off turnovers. I think they

have the second fewest penalties. What I'm saying is they're playing winning football right now. After a one in four start, they won five out of six. It's just the winning brand of football right now. And everything you just said right there, PAULI and we were talking about this earlier seven Pro Bowlers seven that was the most in the National Football League seven, eight and six. You got an eight and six football team that has seven Pro Bowlers

in all three phases offensively, defensively, and in transition. Their deep snapper is a problem, I mean, Paul, okay, so let me ask you, this is the quarterback Carson Wentz an asset or a liability? I think in that offense he's an asset because when he's had to throw thirty five or more passes. Yeah, they're winless this year. Yeah, you know what to get good ball. He shut down the run and make them one dimensional. And what does that mean? What does that entail? Is that nine in

the box? Could that possibly yes, it could possibly mean nine in the box. It refresh my memory against Derrick Henry. Didn't Zaven Collins play in a three inside linebacker set a good number of snaps in that game? Didn't they go with sort of a four to three almost the entirety of that game against Derrick Henry. Yes, So I'm wondering Zavin Collins hasn't seen the field on defense the last two games. Is there a role for him in this game? There's a possibility, PAULI. I think we could

see a four four. We've seen it before from Vans Joseph four down linemen, four linebackers, a four four. Well again, if the Cardinals win, they are in clinch their first playoff spots in twenty fifteen, and that is a nice gift to unwrap on Christmas Night special thanks Jeff Darge, Jemal Monroe for Ron Wolfley and Christian Kurt on Paul calBC. Merry Christmas everyone. From the Big Red Rage presented by

santan four in Gilbert Number one tail. You've been listening to The Big Red Ray presented by Santanford in GUILDA 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