When the 2019 schedule came out for the Arizona Cardinals, one of the dates many had circled for a number of reasons was December 15 when the Cleveland Browns come to town. There are a number of storylines that connect the two teams. Quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray were college teammates, Heisman Trophy winners and No. 1 overall picks. Murray played under Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury before transferring after losing his starting job. There are a number of former Cardinals coaches and players on the Browns coaching staff.
That includes defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who was fired by the Cardinals as their head coach after one season.
Many have dubbed this game as the Steve Wilks Revenge Game.
Wilks downplayed the return to Arizona when he spoke with reporters Thursday.
“To be honest, I do not really have emotions in regards to this week,” he said. “I want to win this game just like I wanted to win last week’s game, just like I wanted to win the first game against Tennessee. My focus is trying to get these guys in position to be successful. Hopefully, we can go out there and get a win.”
This is almost believable. Wilks, as we learned in his year as head coach, is very good about keeping things in focus and being methodical about his approach. He wants to win every game. However, there has to be a little more invested in this game, as it is the team who fired him despite giving him a bad team to coach.
He will surely have his defense ready to play.
And while he might be any more emotional outwardly, internally this game will have to mean a little more than the others.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
Ep. 251:
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Ep. 250:
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