Category: Arizona Cardinals offseason

Football situation and money both will factor into RB Kenyan Drake’s free agency

“I want to make sure I do the right thing for not just right now, but for the trajectory of my family.”

The Arizona Cardinals want to re-signed running back Kenyan Drake this offseason after he showed everyone he is capable of being a No. 1 back on a team. General manager Steve Keim said as much in a radio interview before the season was over.

Drake is open to coming back to the Cardinals, but he is keeping his options open. He knows he has to be cognizant of the football situation but ultimately, where he lands will be a financial decision.

“Football is the ultimate team sport, so, obviously, I want to put myself in the best position that I have the best guys around me,” Drake said on PFT Live (via Pro Football Talk). “The best individuals in general, not just football players, but at the same time understand [that] behind the game there is a business. I want to make sure I do the right thing for not just right now, but for the trajectory of my family. I play this game to change the lives of the people around me, who I love and care about.”

By the sound of it, if the Cardinals want him, they better be prepared to pay him so he doesn’t go elsewhere.

It is not yet known exactly what sort of demand he will have on the open market. In four seasons, he mostly has been used as a complementary back. But in Arizona, given the opportunity to carry the offensive load, he performed highly. In only eight games with the Cardinals, he was their leading rusher and leading touchdown scorer. He had three 100-yard games. He scored seven touchdowns in the final three games.

He made plays as a runner and a receiver.

Now he wants to get a contract that will take care of him and his family.

As of now, it sounds like he is willing to wait until free agency begins to see what is out there.

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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. 256

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Ep. 255

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LOOK: Patrick Peterson rocks Pat Tillman jersey at Waste Management Phoenix Open

He puts it on before playing on the famous 16th hole.

It was a year ago when Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson took the microphone at the Waste Management Phoenix Open to declare an apology for his previous request to be traded.

Since then, he was suspended for PEDs, missed voluntary practices in the offseason and then returned from his suspension struggling.

He has lost a few fans in the time.

So what he did on Wednesday at the Phoenix Open Pro-Am will probably help his case with fans. He walked up to the infamous16th hole of the course wearing a Pat Tillman jersey.

Tillman, of course, is a national icon for giving up his football career to go enlist in the Army. He died in combat in Afghanistan.

Tillman is a symbol of pride and heroism here in Arizona and there is a statue of him outside State Farm Stadium.

It was a fitting tribute at a time when he needed some goodwill from fans.

Peterson enters an important offseason. He enters the final year of his contract and there has been chatter for a couple of years about a trade, despite multiple occasions when the team has said that will never happen.

He could be traded and he might get a contract extension.

On Wednesday, for the first time in a while, he got attention for something other than something negative.

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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. 256

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Ep. 255

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Nick Bosa named Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year over Kyler Murray

Murray snubbed by fans, who voted on the award.

The fans have voted on their pick for the 2019 NFL rookie of the year. It is not Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. It was announced Thursday morning that San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa was named the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year award.

Bosa was chosen over other standout rookies like Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.

The other finalists were Tennessee Titans receiver A.J. Brown, Phialdelphia Eagles running back Myles Sanders and Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs.

Bosa did have a fine rookie season, picking up nine sacks and 16 tackles for loss. He was a difference maker on the 49ers defense and he helped them make it to the Super Bowl.

And, being part of a very successful and popular team like the 49ers, it makes sense that he won, even though Murray probably should have been the selection.

This was all about fan votes.

The league will name its offensive and defensive rookies of the year this weekend. Bosa surely will win the defensive award. Hopefully, Murray wins the offensive award.

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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. 256

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Ep. 255

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Report: Cardinals to play in Mexico in 2020 as home team

Cardinals fans will have one fewer home game at State Farm Stadium to watch their team this coming season.

The Arizona Cardinals played in the first-ever NFL regular-season game in Mexico back in 2005. It appears they will again.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced on Wednesday at a press conference there will be a game played at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City in both 2020 and 2021. The details of when and who would be announced later.

The when is not known, but ESPN’s John Sutcliffe is reporting the Arizona Cardinals will be the home team in 2020. Their opponent is not yet known.

He appeared on television to give the report, he indicated it would be in 2020.

“Good news from commissioner Roger Goodell. They have reached an agreement with Estadio Azteca. Two more years in the regular season,” he said on ESPN Mexico. “This is what we know. It won’t be New England against Miami. The information I have been able to confirm is that Arizona, the Cardinals, is going to play after 15 years again in Mexico as the home team.”

The Cardinals played the San Francisco 49ers in Mexico City in 2005. Sutcliffe said ideally the game would be against the 49ers or the Miami Dolphins.

The 49ers, of course, would be a big draw because they are in the Super Bowl.

This means the Cardinals will only play seven regular-season games at State Farm Stadium. Home fans will lose one home game this season.

Back in 2014, the NFL made it a requirement for teams who won a Super Bowl bid to host the big game to give up a home game to play as the home team internationally.

The Super Bowl will be played in Glendale at State Farm Stadium in 2023.

The Cardinals will have home games against the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins in 2020.

The NFL has played four regular-season games in Mexico. The Cardinals and 49ers played the first in 2005, when the Cardinals beat the 49ers 31-14 in front of more than 103,000 fans.

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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. 256

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Ep. 255

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Cardinals offseason positional outlook: The receivers

We break down the position’s 2019 and what could come in 2020.

The Arizona Cardinals have an important offseason and the wide receiver position is one of particular concern. Let’s take a look at the offseason outlook for the position.

2019 review

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Cardinals drafted three receivers in 2019 — Andy Isabella in the second round, Hakeem Butler in the fourth round and KeeSean Johnson in the seventh round.

They added Damiere Byrd and Kevin White, and later they signed Michael Crabtree before the season.

Larry Fitzgerald led the way. He had 75 catches for 804 yards, moving into second place all-time for career receptions.

Christian began to emerge as a top receiver but an ankle injury sidelined him three games and he played with ankle soreness the rest of the season. He had two 100-yard games and began to draw opponents’ top cornerback regularly. He finished with 68 receptions for 709 yards.

The veterans they signed in White and Crabtree flopped. White was cut before the season and Crabtree was cut after two weeks.

However, Byrd became a surprising contributor. He had a career-high 32 receptions for 359 yards.

The rookies, though, disappointed. Isabella struggled to get on the field and finished the season with only nine catches. Butler spent the year on injured reserve and Johnson, after impressing in the preseason, went from being a starter to being a healthy scratch the final five games of the season.

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Brenston Buckner returning to Cardinals as DL coach

He returns after two seasons away from the team.

Nothing has yet been announced officially by the team but it appears the Arizona Cardinals have found their new defensive line coach. He is a familiar face.

Brentson Buckner, who was the Cardinals’ defensive line coach from 2013-2017 under head coach Bruce Arians, is returning to the team in some capacity.

First, The Athletic’s Greg Auman reported Buckner was returning after getting let go by the Oakland Raiders.

Buckner’s own Twitter account shows his return to the team.

After he left the Cardinals following Arians’ retirement, he went to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to be defensive line coach. Last year, he was defensive line coach for the Oakland Raiders. Interestingly enough, Arians was head coach for Tampa Bay in 2019, but Buckner returns to the Cardinals rather than rejoining Arians’ staff.

The Cardinals reportedly cut ties with defensive line coach Chris Achuff after the season, who held the position in 2018-2019, working with both Steve Wilks and Kliff Kingsbury.

Although still unannounced, the Cardinals have reportedly added Derius Swinton and Jim Dray as well to the coaching staff.

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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. 256

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Ep. 255

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LB Joe Walker ‘leveled up’ for Cardinals in 2019

He stepped up and was a solid performer in 11 starts in 2019.

Every season, there are players for each team who see a jump in performance and “level up” their play for the season. The Arizona Cardinals had several players who were surprises and exceeded expectations.

Who was the one who stood out most for the Cardinals in 2019?

According to ESPN in a breakdown of who “leveled up” for every team in 2019, it was linebacker Joe Walker for the Cardinals.

The 2016 seventh-round pick made significant strides in 2019 after being relied upon more this season than he has in his NFL career. Walker started 11 of 16 games this season, including the final 10. He had 58 tackles and a forced fumble while making strides in coverage. He was already an athletic linebacker in coordinator Vance Joseph’s system, but 2019 showed his on-field improvement.

Walker had started a few games before 2019 but was known more for his play on special teams. He earned his spot in the starting lineup over Haason Reddick because of his work in practice. He was not great but he was an upgrade over Reddick, who ended up moving from inside to outside linebacker late in the season.

Walker is a good pick for this but others deserve mention. As noted in one article on our site, several players were surprises in 2019. Right tackle Justin Murray came out of nowhere to start and play solid football. Kicker Zane Gonzalez was one of the best kickers in 2019 after struggling for the better part of two NFL seasons. Damiere Byrd had big games after being a bit of an afterthought signing.

But there is no denying that Walker took his play up a level over previous years.

He will be an unrestricted free agent in March. We will see if the Cardinals bring him back or if they try to upgrade the position.

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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. 256

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Ep. 255

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With Cardinals, Kenyan Drake proved what he believed he could be with Dolphins

He was unhappy being given single, limited roles with the Dolphins.

Arizona Cardinals fans know the success running back Kenyan Drake had after he was acquired via trade from the Miami Dolphins. In only eight games with the Cardinals, he led the team in rushing and rushing touchdowns.

He had three games with over 110 yards rushing and scored seven touchdowns in the final three games of the season.

He flourished after three and a half seasons of a limited role with the Dolphins, something he believes that limited him.

He wasn’t happy in Miami.

“I feel like at the end of the day, they had a plan of how they wanted to go in a direction,” Drake said, according to the Miami Herald’s Adam Beasley. “I feel like I didn’t fit in that plan. I just feel like when they put in a specific role, just playing third down, or coming out and being a receiving back, I felt like I could run and be a little bit more productive.”

And he was productive. He got 123 carries in eight games with the Cardinals, more than what he got the entire 2018 season and only 10 fewer than he had the entire 2017 season.

For the first time in his career, he wasn’t stuck in a single role.

“I got a lot of touches,” Drake said. “I was able to be out on the field and impact on a lot of different levels. I just felt like I was able to go out there and play free without constraints, being in a specific roles.”

That resulted in big numbers and he is now in line to cash in on a new contract in free agency.

The Cardinals want him back.

After what he showed in the second half of the season, other teams likely will want to sign him. But if he wants to be given a featured role, he knows what the Cardinals can offer. He has already seen it.

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. 256

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Ep. 255

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Cardinals offseason positional outlook: RB

We break down the situation for the Cardinals this offseason at running back.

The Arizona Cardinals enter the offseason with important issues to address at running back. There are contract questions, free agent questions and questions as to what the Cardinals will value in coach Kliff Kingsbury’s offense.

Let’s break down the offseason at the position.

2019 review

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The season began with David Johnson expected to be the focal point of the offense. It was believed he could have similar success to that he had in 2016.

He was both effective and also underused as the season began. In Week 1, he had 82 yards on 18 carries. In Week 5, he had 91 yards on 17 carries. However, he never got more than 12 rushing attempts in the other four of the first six games. He made plays catching the ball, though, and was 10th in the league in yards from scrimmage at that point.

Then he got hurt. He battled a pair of injuries and missed a couple of games, but once the injuries came, things changed. After Week 6, he only had 18 carries the rest of the season.

Chase Edmonds stepped in against the New York Giants and had a huge game — 126 yards and three touchdowns but then got hurt the next week.

That led to the trade to acquire Kenyan Drake, who immediately earned the trust of Kingsbury and became the No. 1 back overnight. He rushed for 110 yards after being with the team three days. He was okay the next few weeks and then finished the season with 263 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in the final three games.

In eight games, he led the team in rushing for the season with 643 yards and eight touchdowns.

So now what?

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Cardinals’ Budda Baker sees bigger numbers for himself in 2020

He had volume tackle numbers in 2019. Can he add more impact stats like picks, pass breakups and tackles for loss?

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker is a Pro Bowler for the second time in his career. This year, it is his first as a safety. he was an impact special teams player as a rookie in 2017 and was recognized as such.

In his third season, he put up big volume numbers, piling up 147 tackles and leading the NFL in solo stops.

He did it playing in his third defensive system in as many years. He played more in the box as a rookie late in the season after Tyvon Branch got injured under defensive coordinator James Bettcher. In 2018 in Steve Wilks’ system with DC Al Holcomb, he played in the slot and in the box, sometimes as a linebacker. In 2019, it was under Vance Joseph, playing his more natural position.

In 2020, he expects to be even better than he was this year, especially since it will be the same system and likely the same role.

“I’ve always had to work in a different scheme, always worked at a different position,” Baker said, according to Darren Urban for the official team site. “I’m just excited to be in the same defense consecutively, because I’ve never had that. Personally, I think my stats will be a lot better. Keeping the same defense, it can only get better.”

He still does not have an interception in his career. He broke up six passes and had seven tackles for loss. Ideally, his total tackle numbers will decrease, as better play from the Cardinals’ defensive front would result in more tackles by the linemen and linebackers. However, to take the next step, he needs more impact plays — pass breakups, interceptions, forced fumbles and tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

Baker’s defensive coordinator loves how he plays and believes the team would be unstoppable with more players on the team playing like him.

Baker enters the final year of his contract. Another big year will land him a big payday.

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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. 256

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Ep. 255

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