This offseason was different for Arizona Cardinals left tackle D.J. Humphries because cornerback Patrick Peterson is no longer on the team, having signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Vikings, and Larry Fitzgerald has not yet decided whether he will play in 2021.
It was almost eye-opening for Humphries, now in his seventh season with the team.
“I’ve gotten old really fast,” he said in an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio recently with hosts Bruce Murray and Kirk Morrison. “I always felt like I was practicing to prove something to those guys and make those guys proud of me.”
He had to change his approach in offseason work.
“It was definitely a different feeling for me being out there,” he explained. “It was moreso I had to shift my mindset to set an example instead of trying to impress my OGs (Fitzgerald and Peterson), I had to set an example now for the younger cats that are coming up and watching me, because when that happened, I didn’t realize how many people were watching me.
“Now that they are gone, it ‘s even more magnified. I have to step into a certain light where I can’t have any downs or slips. I have to do everything right every day.”
However, their departure hasn’t changed Humphries’ leadership style. The addition of players like defensive end J.J. Watt and center Rodney Hudson has allowed him to be who he is.
“The veterans that we have on our team, they’re not veterans that are coming in trying not to step on toes, being timid and trying to find their place in the room,” he said. “We got guys. We brought in veterans that are proven in this league. They know that and move that way.
“J.J. Watt is not looking for acceptance from anyone. He knows who he is. He knows what he can bring to the table and he’s bringing it to the table. Rodney isn’t looking for acceptance in our room. He knows who he is and he knows what he brings to the table and he’s bringing it.”
Humphries was prepared to overcompensate by being more vocal. Having Watt and Hudson on the team “was awesome for me,” he said.
“I don’t want to be the guy that just is yelling because someone needs to yell right now. That’s not me at all. I’ve never been that guy. I’d never want to be that guy,” he said. “But being around those older guys that we brought in, they know how to lead and that’s awesome for me to see.”
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