The Arizona Cardinals are one of 16 teams, exactly half the league, that has played every week of the first 10 of the season. They are also one of only 14 teams that have winning records with eight in the NFC. Seven teams will qualify for the playoffs in each conference.
The collective bargaining agreement mandates that players have off from Thursday through Sunday, but it also creates a “bonus” day of practice when teams reconvene on Monday. After head coach Jonathan Gannon’s press conference the day after Sunday’s win over the Jets, there is no other media availability during the week.
Gannon said on Monday, “Everyone has a kind of little bit different schedule, honestly. We worked today and then they’ll get this week off, but a lot of our guys will be in here lifting, rehabbing and running. It’s a time to take a little bit of a break, but we don’t want to get too much off the routine.
“Everyone’s a little bit different. Coaches are kind of working on some different things (for) whatever the different phases felt like they needed. I like the plan and we have to get a lot better this week.”
One player that will be working hard is edge rusher Baron Browning, who played 18 snaps against the Jets (31 percent) only six days after being acquired in a trade from the Broncos.
“He’s going to have a rough week here,” Gannon said. “He knows he’s going to study.”
It’s often said that the bye can be a big week for self-scouting and while there will be some of that, Gannon noted, “You know how we do it. We kind of self-scout every week, so no, but yes, we’ll look at things. We’ll look at everything.
“I’ll work on a couple things that I want to study and look at and take a little time off, but (I’ll be) ready to get back in here on Monday.”
Tight end Trey McBride is looking forward to being back and seeing Colorado State play Wyoming Friday, the first time he will be at a game since coming to the NFL in 2022.
“That’ll be a lot of fun to see my school, so super excited for that,” McBride said. “I’m not excited for the snow and to freeze when I get back, but I’m excited to go see my family and enjoy a couple days off.”
Meanwhile, Gannon had a succinct message for his team: “You can take a little break, but don’t detach from the game. Round 11 on Monday.”
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