If the Arizona Cardinals are to reverse what’s happened in the last four games over the next 11 beginning Monday night against the L.A. Chargers, much of that will depend on a much more consistent offense.
A very self-aware Michael Wilson said this week, “I think I need to do a better job of finishing some plays. Do a better job of creating separation and just trusting my technique and when the play comes making the play. I think our group needs to bat at a higher percentage in contested catches. Once we can hit our stride and get in rhythm, those numbers will start to show up.”
When it was noted that rhythm is difficult to attain when there are issues on third down, Wilson was asked if the offense has focused on that in preparation for Monday’s game.
“Absolutely,” he said. “Hasn’t been good enough. I think a lot of our third-down plays have fallen on our room and not coming down with contested catches consistently. The game comes down to turnover battle, explosive plays and then how efficient you are on third down and in the red zone and we haven’t been great in any of those categories.
“So everyone’s taking a good hard look in the mirror and we’re still in a great spot even though we haven’t played up to par. I haven’t played up to par. We’re still in a great spot sitting at 2-4, 2-0 in the division, and we have a chance with 11 games remaining to reach our potential and I think Monday is a great opportunity to just go out and do it because I know we have the guys. It’s not a question of talent. We just have to go execute and perform.”
The numbers don’t lie.
In the Cardinals’ four losses, they have averaged only 5.1 yards per play and had 68 first downs. Their most total yards in a game is 303. On the first possession of those games, it’s 5.8 per play with 15 first downs (22.0 percent) of the total. The total yards of 191 is 16.7 percent of the 1,146 total yards and they have averaged 233.8 yards after the opening possession.
Overall, in the six games, the Cardinals have averaged 5.8 yards per play, while it’s 7.9 on the first possession. Their 20 first downs are 18.0 percent of the season total.
Wilson said the receivers have been spending time trying to get better on contested catches.
“You only get so many reps during practice,” he said. “The best way to get better at football is to play football. And to be intentional and deliberate when you’re at practice, when you’re put in those situations focusing on the ball and making up in your mind, ‘I’m not going to drop this ball.’ Other things you can do is catch Jugs after practice and then we implemented a session this week of about eight to 10 minutes before practice.
“We’re intentionally working on contested catches with our receivers coach (Drew Terrell) and having one of our assistants out there with a crayon, which is like a pad they have trying to pry the ball out. That’s an emphasis for us going through (because) if we’re going to reach the levels that we need to reach, then contested catches have to be 90-10 percent (complete/incomplete) in our room. We have the guys to do that and have the ball skills to do it. We just gotta execute it … internally, in our room and myself, we just have to play better and executing when the ball does come our way.”
Wilson and others believe the potential availability and return of wide receiver Zay Jones will help, although there has to be some caution and not raise expectations too high since he had been out since late August before his suspension ended Oct. 14.
“It’s gonna be huge,” Wilson said of the impact Jones can have. “I was saying that earlier in the season: We have a really, pretty much a young group of first- and second-year guys, maybe guys that don’t have a lot of experience playing and Zay’s been a prime-time player in parts of his career. So to have his leadership, have his maturity, have his playmaking ability; a guy that is great with contested catches, someone who’s an all-three position guy and just a good person is gonna bring energy, confidence and juice to the room.
“He’s someone who’s been through good games, bad games. He’s able to stay even keel so I think his experience and his mentorship for myself, Marvin (Harrison Jr.) and also his play-making, I think he’s going to be the player that takes our group to the top. His confidence and his belief in himself is only going to uplift our room.”
Quarterback Kyler Murray said Jones being back will “help tremendously. Zay is an underrated receiver in the league. I think he’s going to bring a lot of juice to that room. Veteran guy. Real contagious, his personality, just the way he talks to everybody, his positivity. Not only that, but his ability to play the game. I’m excited to have Zay back.”
What stands out about Jones, said head coach Jonathan Gannon, is “he’s a three-position guy. He’s very accountable. He makes plays, he’s a team-first guy. He’s a pro’s pro. He’s smart as they come. Consistent. We’re excited to get him back.”
Wilson said he’s looking forward to the bigger stage in the first prime-time game of his career.
“Players that I really liked always showed up big in those games,” he said. “The cliché says, ‘Big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games.’ Hoping that I can mark my stamp in my first Monday night game.”
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