Category: Arizona Cardinals offseason

Report: Cardinals will not play 49ers in Mexico City in 2020

The NFL schedule is expected to be released this week but the slated international games in Mexico and England are unlikely to happen.

The NFL is expected to release a full 2020 preseason and regular season schedule this week. The schedule anticipates a normal start to the season and the Super Bowl being played when it normally would.

However, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, there will be one likely modification to the league schedule. The international games slated to be played in England and Mexico are not likely going to be played abroad amid the current pandemic.

According to ESPN’s Vaughn McClure, the league will announce this to teams this week.

This would affect the Arizona Cardinals, who were scheduled to play one of their home games in Mexico City at Estadio Azteca against the San Francisco 49ers.

That would mean the Cardinals would play that game at State Farm Stadium. Local Cardinals fans will then not “lose” that home game.

If this ends up being the

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. 266

[protected-iframe id=”bcb747d5fc8df3747b9f1187680b5056-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/26365268/download.mp3″ ]

Ep.265

[protected-iframe id=”57edcd330524442e03e03f0332fc6342-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/25900350/download.mp3″ ]

case, the Cardinals will certainly have to make up the international game. Because State Farm Stadium is slated to host a Super Bowl, the Cardinals are required to “host” an international game, giving up a home game at their stadium.

It works out for fans in Arizona, but it will be a disappointment for the league and for fans in Mexico City looking forward to seeing the Cardinals and 49ers play.

[vertical-gallery id=437093]

 

Report: Cardinals decline Haason Reddick’s contract option

He will become a free agent after the 2020 season.

The Arizona Cardinals become the latest NFL team to pass on the fifth-year contract option of their 2017 first-round draft pick. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Cardinals have declined the fifth-year contract option on linebacker Hasson Reddick. He will be a free agent after the 2020 season.

Reddick was drafted No. 13 overall in the 2017 draft and has had a rocky career with the Cardinals. He played defensive end in college, was drafted to play inside linebacker, was moved to the edge as a rookie because Markus Golden tore his ACL. He had to learn a new defense in 2018 under head coach Steve Wilks and struggled. In 2019, back in a 3-4 defense at inside linebacker, he lost his starting job and playing time to Joe Walker and was moved back to outside linebacker.

Reddick is now slated to be backup pass rusher at outside linebacker. He will make $2.3 million in the final year of his contract and counts $4.3 million against the salary cap.

He could be a trade candidate but it probably won’t happen until after he has had a chance to show he can be a productive pass rusher in the preseason.

[vertical-gallery id=437144]

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. 266

[protected-iframe id=”bcb747d5fc8df3747b9f1187680b5056-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/26365268/download.mp3″ ]

Ep.265

[protected-iframe id=”57edcd330524442e03e03f0332fc6342-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/25900350/download.mp3″ ]

Undrafted rookie profile: OL Jake Benzinger

Find out more about the tall offensive lineman.

The Arizona Cardinals signed 21 rookie free agents after the draft. One is offensive lineman Jake Benzinger.

Here is what there is to know about him.

Team bio

Wake Forest offensive lineman Jake Benzinger (BEN-zing-er) (6-7, 295) played in 50 games in his career with 27 starts at right tackle and 13 starts at left tackle in four seasons with the Demon Deacons. He made 39 straight starts to finish his college career and earned honorable mention All-ACC honors after starting 13 games at right tackle as a senior in 2019. A native of Williamston, MA, Benzinger was part of an offense that averaged 175.7 rushing yards per game and allowed just 23 sacks last season.

Other info

Benzinger was invited to play in the East-West Shrine Game.

He showed some athleticism at his pro day.

My 40 was a 5.1, and then my shuttle was a 4.6. My L-drill (three-cone) was a 7.5. 

His father, John Benzinger, played briefly for the New England Patriots.

[vertical-gallery id=437144]

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. 266

[protected-iframe id=”bcb747d5fc8df3747b9f1187680b5056-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/26365268/download.mp3″ ]

Ep.265

[protected-iframe id=”57edcd330524442e03e03f0332fc6342-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/25900350/download.mp3″ ]

Undrafted rookie profile: TE Ryan Becker

Find out more about one of the Cardinals’ 21 undrafted rookie signings.

The Arizona Cardinals recently announced they agreed to terms with 21 rookie free agents. One was tight end Ryan Becker.

Here is everything you need to know about him.

Team bio

SMU tight end Ryan Becker (6-5, 248) played in 46 games (15 starts) during his four-year career with the Mustangs, totaling 198 yards and five touchdowns on 16 receptions. In 2019, he played all 13 games (six starts) for an offense that scored 41.8 points per game and gained 489.8 total yards per game, helping SMU (10-3) to its first 10-win campaign since 1984 and its first 8-0 start since 1982. The Marble Falls, TX native set career highs with nine catches for 121 yards and three touchdowns as a junior in 2018.

College stats

He was not much of a pass catcher in terms of production. These are his numbers over four seasons.

Receiving & Rushing Table
Rece Rece Rece Rece
Year School Class G Rec Yds Avg TD
2016 SMU FR 1 1 17 17.0 0
*2017 SMU SO 3 2 30 15.0 1
2018 SMU JR 7 9 121 13.4 3
*2019 SMU SR 4 4 30 7.5 1
Career SMU 16 198 12.4 5
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 5/3/2020.

Other info

Becker was a left tackle in high school and was primarily a  blocking tight end in college.

[vertical-gallery id=437144]

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. 266

[protected-iframe id=”bcb747d5fc8df3747b9f1187680b5056-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/26365268/download.mp3″ ]

Ep.265

[protected-iframe id=”57edcd330524442e03e03f0332fc6342-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/25900350/download.mp3″ ]

Rookie-year expectations for the Cardinals’ 6 draft picks

Only Isaiah Simmons will be expected to be an impact player overall as a rookie.

Now that the Arizona Cardinals have their draft picks and now it is time to look forward to what they can do in the season, we should have reasonable expectations for each player.

What are reasonable expectations from theses players in their rookie season?

LB Isaiah Simmons

Simmons has the biggest expectations of any of the Cardinals’ draft pick, and he should, as he was the eighth overall pick in the draft.

Simmons should be an impact player in defense. He probably will not start in base defensive packages but should play a number of roles and will have the opportunity to do a lot of things. He should be a sub-package player coming in to cover tight ends and running backs and rush the passer.

He should play a lot and make a lot of plays.

[protected-iframe id=”bcb747d5fc8df3747b9f1187680b5056-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/26365268/download.mp3″ ]

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6

Cardinals must decide on Haason Reddick’s 5th-year option by Monday

The option would pay Reddick $10.1 million in 2021.

Most NFL teams have made their decisions regarding the fifth-year contract options of their 2017 first-round draft picks. The Arizona Cardinals have not, at least publicly.

They have until Monday to exercise the team’s option for a fifth year on linebacker Haason Reddick’s contract. Reddick, scheduled to make $2.3 million in fully guaranteed salary and will count $4.3 million against the salary cap, has largely been a disappointment.

Drafted 13th overall in 2017, he was projected to become an off-the-ball linebacker after playing defensive end in college at Temple. He struggled with the nuances and instincts of playing as a linebacker in space. He also changed positions multiple times.

As a rookie, he began as a 3-4 inside linebacker. He was forced to outside linebacker when Markus Golden tore his ACL in 2017. In 2018, in Steve Wilks’ 4-3 defense, Reddick moved to outside linebacker, an off-the-ball position, where he struggled most of the season.

In 2019, he moved back to 3-4 inside linebacker under defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. Joe Walker took the starting job away in the base defense and then all Reddick’s playing time. Reddick was moved to the pass-rushing outside linebacker position, where he is now.

If the Cardinals exercise Reddick’s contract option, he will make $10.1 million in 2021.

It is unlikely they exercise the option. They already have Chandler Jones and Devon Kennard as starters at outside linebacker. They aren’t likely going to pay Reddick more than $10 million to be a backup edge rusher.

Only two Cardinals first-round picks since 2013 have had their fifth-year option exercised. Deone Bucannon, drafted in 2014, and D.J. Humphries, drafted in 2015 played through the option year.

[vertical-gallery id=437093]

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. 266

[protected-iframe id=”bcb747d5fc8df3747b9f1187680b5056-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/26365268/download.mp3″ ]

Ep.265

[protected-iframe id=”57edcd330524442e03e03f0332fc6342-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/25900350/download.mp3″ ]

Kliff Kingsbury among favorites to win Coach of the Year

Only three coaches have shorter odds than the Cardinals’ second-year coach.

If there is any indication of what is believed the Arizona Cardinals can achieve in the 2020 season, we can look no further than the betting odds for next season’s Coach of the Year award. According to odds for the award by BetMGM, Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury is among the favorites.

Kingsbury is given +1600 odds, or 16/1, to win it. He has the same odds as San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and Indianapolis Colts coach Frank Reich.

Only three coaches have shorter odds.

The three favorites are New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick at +1000 and both Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel and Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy at +1400.

Kingsbury, in his first year as head coach in 2019 with the Cardinals, led the team to a 5-10-1 record but had a rookie quarterback and one of the league’s worst defenses. The defense gave away leads late in the fourth quarter or overtime in three games.

The Cardinals added several defensive starters in free agency and had what many consider to be a great draft. They also acquired All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins and re-signed running back Kenyan Drake and left tackle D.J. Humphries.

With expected growth from Murray, the belief is the Cardinals could viably become a very competitive team in the NFC. If that were to happen, Kingsbury would be a logical choice to win the award for top coach.

His odds represent potential and plausibility.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[vertical-gallery id=437065]

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. 266

[protected-iframe id=”bcb747d5fc8df3747b9f1187680b5056-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/26365268/download.mp3″ ]

Ep.265

[protected-iframe id=”57edcd330524442e03e03f0332fc6342-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/25900350/download.mp3″ ]

New Cardinals LB Evan Weaver motivated by winning, hitting

“I think winning and hitting people as hard as you possibly can and really taking the soul out of people,” he said.

The Arizona Cardinals used their sixth-round pick to select California linebacker Evan Weaver. He was one of the most productive defensive players in the country last year and was the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year.

General manager Steve Keim was impressed by his confidence and intensity when he spoke with him.

The rookie linebacker has the mentality you want to see in a linebacker. Two things motivate him — winning and hitting people.

“I think winning and hitting people as hard as you possibly can and really taking the soul out of people,” he said after being drafted after being asked what he loves about football. “Once you get to the third, fourth quarter, they don’t want to play anymore because they just don’t want to hang with you. And just wanting to do it and the will to have to beat somebody up for a whole four quarters and just keep it going through a 12-game season, but now 16. Just having the will and want to win.”

Weaver should be an intense special teams contributor as a rookie.

The competition between him and special teams Pro Bowl alternate Dennis Gardeck should be fun to watch.

Fans like it when their team wins. They like to see hitting from their team’s defensive players. If Weaver plays the way he talks, he should very quickly become a fan favorite.

[vertical-gallery id=436949]

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. 266

[protected-iframe id=”bcb747d5fc8df3747b9f1187680b5056-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/26365268/download.mp3″ ]

Ep.265

[protected-iframe id=”57edcd330524442e03e03f0332fc6342-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/25900350/download.mp3″ ]

Kenyan Drake hopeful for new contract, wasn’t insulted by transition tag

Only eight running backs will be paid more money than Drake for the 2020 season.

The Arizona Cardinals used the transition tag this offseason on running back Kenyan Drake, which will pay him more than $8.4 million in salary for the 2020 season. Because players often seek the security of a long-term contract and the freedom to join a team who is willing to pay them, many are upset when a team uses a tag like the transition tag or franchise tag, which pays well for one season.

That was not the case for Drake and the Cardinals.

“With them tagging me, it wasn’t really a slap in the face or anything,” Drake said in an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio with hosts Bruce Murray and Mark Dominik. “They wanted to get a gauge of my market. Everything happened how it did with me signing the tag, it put me in a pretty decent position from a financial standpoint, especially among my fellow running backs.”

Only eight running backs will receive more actual money for 2020 in the NFL than Drake.

The Cardinals have begun in contract talks for a long-term deal with Drake, though general manager Steve Keim only has said talks have begun. It is unknown how much engagement there has been.

It isn’t a point of contention for Drake. He is happy to be a Cardinal and happy to play for a team that believes in him. He would like to continue with the team if a deal can be made.

“I’m fortunate they saw in me what I see in myself and hopefully, we can continue to work on a long term deal in the future,” he said.

[vertical-gallery id=436918]

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. 266

[protected-iframe id=”bcb747d5fc8df3747b9f1187680b5056-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/26365268/download.mp3″ ]

Ep.265

[protected-iframe id=”57edcd330524442e03e03f0332fc6342-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/25900350/download.mp3″ ]

Vance Joseph believes Devon Kennard can have even more sacks with Cardinals

The Cardinals haven’t gotten more than 5.5 sacks from a player not named Chandler Jones since 2016.

One of the Arizona Cardinals’ free agent signings was linebacker Devon Kennard. He was a bit of a surprise because he was not scheduled to hit free agency. The Detroit Lions released him and the Cardinals took advantage, inking him to a three-year deal.

Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is pleased to add him to the defensive lineup.

“Kennard is a guy I’ve been watching for four or five years as a SAM backer,” he told reporters in a video conference this week.  “He’s ideal. He’s heavy-handed. Versus the running game, he’s a dominant run stopper. He’s averaged seven sacks as year as a dropper so he should be hopefully better than that for us. But a smart, tough football player that’s going to be accountable for every snap for us.”

He had seven sacks each of the last two seasons playing as an outside linebacker in a 4-3 defensive scheme. That position more resembles an inside linebacker position in the Cardinals’ 3-4 scheme. Kennard dropped more than almost any other linebacker in the league last year and still had seven sacks.

Now he will play as an edge defender opposite Chander Jones, where the linebackers drop into coverage only every so often. Jones played the drop linebacker position most of last season because he was better than Terrell Suggs at it and he only dropped about 40 times during the season.

Kennard should fit perfectly. Playing 3-4 OLB is what he is built for.

The Cardinals haven’t gotten more than 5.5 sacks from a player not named Chandler Jones since 2016. Kennard should be able to at least produce the seven sacks he has had the last two seasons because he will rush the passer far more than he has in any seasons.

[vertical-gallery id=436949]

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. 266

[protected-iframe id=”bcb747d5fc8df3747b9f1187680b5056-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/26365268/download.mp3″ ]

Ep.265

[protected-iframe id=”57edcd330524442e03e03f0332fc6342-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/25900350/download.mp3″ ]