Cardinals LB Haason Reddick feels validated after historic 5-sack performance

The Arizona Cardinals have been waiting for linebacker Haason Reddick to reach his full potential. It took a few years to fully unleash him, but they’re now getting the type of impact they envisioned they’d receive from Reddick when they made him the 13th overall selection in the 2017 NFL draft.

Mainly utilized as an inside linebacker during his first three years, as his size and athletic profile matched that position more, Reddick had a conversation with the coaching staff that would change the course of his career this season.

Heading into his contract year, the organization decided to play him more on the edge. Reddick mainly played as a pass rusher at Temple, but there were always questions about what his true NFL position would be. The consensus was that he was more of an off-ball linebacker, but Reddick has thrived now that he’s reverted back to playing outside linebacker.

Reddick recently spoke exclusively with Justin Melo for Cards Wire about the second position change of his career, his historic five sack performance, and why being named the ‘Hungriest Player of the Week’ by Snickers means so much to him.

HR: I learned that I could play outside linebacker at the NFL level. I know that a lot of people had discussions regarding whether or not I could play out on the edge from the start of my career. A lot of people had questions about what my true position would be in the NFL. I played as an off-ball linebacker for my first three years.

To revert back this year to playing out on the edge again, I even had some doubts and questions regarding whether or not I would be able to do it. I questioned how effective I would be.

To have a game like I did last week, it’s crazy. I feel validated.

HR: Everybody was so happy for me. Steve, (DC) Vance [Joseph] and the rest of the coaches, they were just all so happy for me. Everything is starting to work itself out. Everybody knows what the journey has been like for me. It was a rough start but with this year going the way that it’s going, everybody is happy that it’s starting to pan out for me.

Moving back to outside linebacker has proven to be the right move for me. It’s been good for the entire organization. We’ve all put ourselves in a win-win situation.

HR: My confidence has taken a huge step forward. I’m just looking to build off the momentum. I have a spark. I have an extra pep in my step right now. I just want to go out there this week and replicate a similar performance. I want to continue playing at a high level for the rest of the season. I hope that we get to make a playoff run.

HR: It was something that I had discussions with the defensive coaching staff about. Those conversations were primarily between defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and I. He believed in my vision. He was willing to give it a shot. We were all excited to see what the results would be. I was happy that he gave me this opportunity.

Outside linebacker is the position that I played in college. I played defensive end at Temple. I’m a natural pass rusher. I’m happy, I’m having fun. I’m back doing what I love to do and that’s rush the passer. Football is fun for me again. I’m happy that we made that change.

HR: It means a lot. For a guy like me to win this honor, I’m somebody that’s experienced the ups and downs of this league, and I’ve had more downs than ups. It’s huge for me to be a recipient of the chain. It puts me in special company. It shows me that as long as I continue to work hard and stay humble, the sky’s the limit for me. I can still go on to have a great career.

HR: One thing about sacks and production is that it often comes in bunches. I never got too down on myself. You always want to record as many sacks as you can. I was aware that it had been a few weeks without getting one. Sacks for outside linebackers is the name of production. NFL teams pay outside linebackers to go out there and sack the quarterback.

I stayed in the film room during that cold streak. I looked at what I could tweak, what I could do differently. I’m always looking for ways to become a better pass rusher. I started to apply those things on the practice field first and foremost. I was happy to play such a great game on Sunday.

HR: I realize that I have a long way to go. There’s always more to accomplish. There’s still more work to be done. It was a great day on Sunday, a historic day for me. It’s in the past now. I have to put it behind me and continue to play at a high level. There’s more work to be done. I’m still hungry. I want more. That’s all I’m thinking about right now.

HR: Wow, that’s crazy. As I sit here talking and thinking about the change, there you go bringing up coach Robinson. He was a big help to me as I made the transition at Temple. He helped me hone my skills as a pass rusher. Getting with him, we spent so much time working together. We put in so many hours. He helped me become a great pass rusher in college.

It’s crazy because once I made the change back to outside linebacker this year, one of the first things I did was I reached out to coach Robinson and visited him in Texas. I went out there and worked alongside him once again. I trained with him quite a bit in the offseason.

HR: I want to be back here so badly. I’m aware that it’s a contract year for me, but I’m really not thinking about that. It’s crazy. We’re in the middle of a strong playoff push right now. I’m not focused on that at all. I’m focused on this year. Who knows what could happen next year. Who knows where I’ll be. I’m focused on the now. I’m just trying to help the team make this playoff push.