Tag: Cardinals

Saints learned from Cardinals’ tampering mistake with Eagles head coach candidate

The Cardinals were once found guilty on tampering charges for Jonathan Gannon. The Saints are working to avoid that as they pursue Eagles coach Kellen Moore:

If the Philadelphia Eagles lose offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to the New Orleans Saints, it will be the second time they’ve lost their offensive coordinator in three seasons. It’s happened after both of their Super Bowl appearances. Coincidentally, they will have lost their play caller to the host city’s team both times as well.

After losing to the Kansas City Chiefs, defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon stayed in Phoenix to coach the Arizona Cardinals. Kellen Moore could have a similar fate in New Orleans.

And the Saints are taking every precaution to not have the same fate as the Cardinals. When Arizona hired Gannon, they had to swap third-draft picks with the Eagles because the NFL determined Arizona was guilty of tampering. Philadelphia received the No. 66 pick in exchange for the No. 94 pick, plus a fifth-round selection in 2024.

New Orleans hasn’t succumbed to the same pitfalls the Cardinals fell victim to. Arizona contacted Gannon for the first time the day after the NFC Championship Game. NFL rules dictate the process very clearly: when speaking with candidates, teams must first hold a virtual teleconference interview (capped at three hours). After that, they can meet in person either at the team facility or another location, and those talks can take eight or nine hours to cover everything. Further discussions can happen, but you’ve got to follow the process.

You may think to yourself the Saints did the same as Arizona. They did fly to Philadelphia after Moore’s offense put up a season-high 55 points to win the NFC. The difference is that New Orleans had followed NFL protocol to the letter. They already interviewed Moore virtually, but that was the first time the Cardinals talked to Gannon. This small difference of not being the initial contact is the difference between receiving tampering penalties.

What if they misstepped? New Orleans has two third-round selections. They’d most likely have to part ways with their first pick at No. 71 and drop down to No. 95 or 96 (depending on the Super Bowl outcome).

That’s a difference of 24 to 25 slots by simply adhering to the NFL regulations. The Saints need to stock talent right now, so dropping down in the draft is only acceptable via trade. They’ve done a good job following the rules to this point. Let’s hope they don’t drop the ball before they’ve crossed the goal line.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Pro Bowler Trey McBride discusses Marvin Harrison Jr.’s rookie year, Cardinals season

@EdEastonJr spoke to Pro Bowl tight end Trey McBride the Cardinals’ 2024 season and teammate Marvin Harrison Jr.’s rookie campaign.

This week, Touchdown Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowl tight end Trey McBride.

In his interview with Easton Jr., McBride, on behalf of Rockin’ Protein, discussed his partnership with the high-quality fitness drink and reflected on the Cardinals’ 2024 season and teammate Marvin Harrison Jr.’s rookie campaign.

“You can get it (Rockin’ Protein) all over the place. It’s not just available here on the western side of the country, but the protein is the best I’ve ever tasted,” said McBride. “It tastes phenomenal. It doesn’t have that chalky taste that most protein companies have afterward. It’s high in protein, super easy, and there are a ton of different flavors to choose from. So it’s easy for me to choose.”

https://www.instagram.com/treymcbride/reel/DE3BO6fykJR/

The Cardinals finished the season 8-9, missing out on the playoffs in a competitive NFC West. There is optimism for the young team that excelled past many preseason projections in 2024.

“Yeah, I think for me, Jonathan Gannon and Monti Ossenfort, head coach and GM (General Manager), that they’ve done a very good job of bringing the right people into the building,” McBride explained. “[They are] building this culture, you know, from the ground up, from the foundation, they’ve done a really good job of bringing in a lot of great people, great coaches, things like that, to build this culture the right way. And for me, I think it starts with those guys. Those guys have done a really good job. Kyler (Murray) obviously has done a great job, and just this camaraderie that we have as a team, I think we’re gonna, you know, continue to get better, continue to grow, and I’m excited to see where, where we can take this thing the next couple years.”

McBride’s teammate and rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was a standout performer, finishing the season with 62 catches for 885 yards and a touchdown.

“He’s an elite player,” McBride said of Harrison. “He’s a guy who’s, you know, been a freak athlete his whole life. He comes from great genes, so I’m excited to see what he can continue to do. He had so many expectations from him, from what he was supposed to do. I thought he had a great season, and in this league, it’s so hard to be successful off the rip. So I’m excited for him to grow this next year, to be able to, you know, see coverages better, to be able to find zones better and grow as a player. He’s such a great player and such a great person, and the sky’s the limit for him, so I’m excited to see where he can take it in the next couple of years.”

Check out the following link for more information on Rockin’ Protein

Cardinals TE Trey McBride reflects on Pro Bowl season, tight end role models

@EdEastonJr spoke to Arizona Cardinals star Trey McBride about his Pro Bowl season and his tight-end role models in the league.

This week, Touchdown Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowl tight end Trey McBride.

In his interview with Easton Jr., McBride, on behalf of Rockin’ Protein, discussed his partnership with the high-quality fitness drink and reflected on his Pro Bowl season and his tight-end role models in the league.

“A few things stuck out to me when choosing this protein company,” McBride explained. “The first thing that really sticks out to me is that they’re an Arizona-based company. I wanted to do something that was local. I wanted to be something that was involved in the community here in Arizona where I’m at. And not only is it based in Arizona, you can buy it nationwide.”

https://www.instagram.com/rockinprotein/reel/DBrjRuCCQX_/

McBride set career highs during the 2024 season, finishing with 111 catches for 1,146 yards and two touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl selection.

“It’s a huge honor. It’s something that, obviously, I’ve dreamed about for a long time and to come to fruition finally,” said McBride. “To finally be in the same conversation as some of these great tight ends. It’s, it’s a huge honor, and something I’ve been dreaming of for a very long time.”

The former second-round pick from Colorado State mentioned two current star tight ends he models his game after.

“Yeah, it’s funny. I’ve actually watched a ton of tight ends while growing up. These guys are a little older than me, but Travis Kelce and George Kittle are other guys who really stick out to me. They do everything the right way,“ McBride said. “He’s a threat in the run game, a threat in the past game, and he does everything the right way. So I love watching all those guys play. I love watching them how they, you know, pick apart defenses, all sorts of different things. So I watch a ton of films on a ton of other guys and try to take different things from each player.”

Check out the following link for more information on Rockin’ Protein

Cardinals TE Trey McBride talks Rockin’ Protein, unique atmosphere of Super Bowl week

@EdEastonJr spoke to Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride favorite Rockin’ Protein flavor and his experiences during Super Bowl week.

This week, Touchdown Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowl tight end Trey McBride.

In his interview with Easton Jr., McBride, on behalf of Rockin’ Protein, discussed his partnership with the high-quality fitness drink, including his favorite flavor and experiences during Super Bowl week.

“I think for me, I’m just very easy,” McBride said. “The vanilla flavor, for me, is a killer. [You] can’t go wrong with that high on protein, super easy to grab and go and taste phenomenal.”

Rockin’ Protein is packed with high-quality protein and nutrients to help sustain my energy, whether you’re on the field or in the gym. It features 30 grams of protein plus low carbs with no added sugar. It is made with pure, fresh Shamrock Farms milk, eliminating the chalky aftertaste from other products.

https://www.instagram.com/rockinprotein/reel/DBrjRuCCQX_/

The football world will be in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX, the most high-profile event globally. McBride has witnessed the event as a spectator and looks forward to the day he can participate in the biggest game of the year.

“Yeah, I think it’s cool to be out there too,” McBride explained. “Obviously, I would love to play and be out there for that, but it’s a great experience. [There are] so many cool people, a lot of different athletes, different people out there, and just being out there with those guys and being associated with them is so cool. I love going out there every year. I’ll probably be out there again this year, so it’ll be a blast and something I look forward to every single year.”

Check out the following link for more information on Rockin’ Protein

Cardinals TE Trey McBride on Travis Kelce: ‘I love everything that he does’

@EdEastonJr spoke to Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowler Trey McBride about the continued success of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

This week, Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowl tight end Trey McBride.

In his interview with Easton Jr., McBride, on behalf of Rockin’ Protein, discussed his partnership with the high-quality fitness drink and his thoughts on the continued success of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

“I wanted to do something that was local. I wanted to be something that was involved in the community here in Arizona where I’m at. And not only is it based in Arizona, you can buy it nationwide,” said McBride of Rockin’ Protein. “It tastes phenomenal. It doesn’t have that chalky taste that most protein companies have afterward. It’s high in protein, super easy, and there are a ton of different flavors to choose from. So it’s easy for me to choose.”

https://www.instagram.com/treymcbride/reel/DE3BO6fykJR/

McBride was a first-time Pro Bowl selection after setting career highs in multiple categories during the 2024 regular season. He admires ten-time Pro Bowler Kelce and will watch his performance closely in Sunday’s AFC Championship game.

“Travis (Kelce) is a great player,” McBride explained. “He does a lot of things very well, but I think something that sticks out to me is his ability to get open and find zones. He’s not the fastest guy anymore, he’s not the quickest guy anymore, but he still finds a way to get open and find those zones in defenses. I love watching him play. I love everything that he does. He’s been such an elite player in this league for such a long time, so it’s hard not to put the respect on him. But he’s a heck of a player, a great person, and I’m excited to see what they do this weekend against the (Buffalo) Bills.”

Check out the following link for more information on Rockin’ Protein

Report: Saints expected to interview Kliff Kingsbury this week

The Saints are expected to interview Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport sees him as a real contender for the head coach job:

The New Orleans Saints are continuing their pursuit of a new head coach by scheduling an interview with Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday morning that Kingsbury is expected to interview with the Saints later this week: “Kliff Kingsbury got requests from the Saints and Bears, as far as head coach interviews, surely a name to watch in both places.”

Kingsbury made a noteworthy stop with the Arizona Cardinals. Though he made the playoffs one year, his tenure isn’t remembered well. His success with Jayden Daniels and the Commanders has swiftly pushed him back into head coaching conversations, however.

That less than stellar past may be one of the things that makes him a reasonable hire. His failures in Arizona may scare other teams off. It’s equally as possible that New Orleans’ limited resources pushes other potential candidates towards teams with more fruitful cabinets. As far as settling goes, Kingsbury is a high-upside choice.

He would bring a new dynamic to the offense, including a focus on mobility at the quarterback position. It’s a reclamation project of sorts. Maybe he just needed some NFL seasoning before being prepared to be a professional head coach.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Former NFL head coach’s name has popped up in Saints’ search

Former Arizona Cardinals head coach and Washington Commanders play caller Kliff Kingsbury popped up in the New Orleans Saints’ search, but there are more conflicting reports:

Here’s another name for the New Orleans Saints head coach search: Kliff Kingsbury, per NFL insider Josina Anderson. The Washington Commanders offensive coordinator and former Arizona Cardinals head coach has shown a knack for developing talented quarterbacks, but a lack of team success has led to some thought that he’s best suited as a coordinator, not a top-level decisionmaker.

However, The Times-Picayune | Advocate’s Matthew Paras (a former Commanders beat writer) says the Saints “have to make a request to speak with him at this time.” That would make Kingsbury the third head coach candidate to reportedly receive an interview request from the Saints only for that to not be the case this week alone, joining the Denver Broncos’ David Shaw and Davis Webb.

Kingsbury must be a great interview. He only went 35-40 (.425) as a college coach at Texas Tech but parlayed that into a jump to the NFL, where he went 28-38-1 (.467) with the Cardinals. Arizona only competed in a single playoff game, which was a lopsided first-round loss to their division-rival Los Angeles Rams. He’s faced criticism throughout his career for fielding offenses that start hot and cool down as the season continues, failing to make adjustments once opponents stock up on film to study.

But maybe he’s learned some things after taking a year off from the NFL to work with Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans. He’s certainly put rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels in a great position, with the No. 2 overall draft pick going into a playoff game with a Rookie of the Year award waiting on him. We’ll see if this goes further than an initial interview or if the Saints are truly interested at all. Anderson adds that several other teams are interested and the Chicago Bears, who drafted Caleb Williams out of USC, have also formally filed an interview request.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks offense vs. Cardinals in Week 14

3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks offense vs. Cardinals in Week 14

The Seattle Seahawks face a critical matchup against the Arizona Cardinals in Sunday’s Week 14 game. It’s a potentially decisive NFC West rematch after the Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 16-6 two weeks ago. Sunday’s outcome will have a drastic impact on the standings and postseason odds. Despite picking up the win, Seattle’s offense struggled against Arizona  in Week 12. We’ve compiled three bold predictions for the offense in Week 14.

Seahawks score more than one offensive TD

In the Week 12 victory over the Cardinals, the Seahawks offense took a 7-3 lead in the second quarter via a three-yard passing score from Geno Smith to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. That would be Seattle’s lone offensive score of the afternoon. Coby Bryant returned an interception for a 69-yard pick-six for Mike Macdonald’s second and final touchdown. Look for the Seahawks to enjoy more offensive success this time around.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the WR room again

The Seahawks have won three consecutive games and Jaxon Smith-Njigba has led the offense in receptions and receiving yards in all of them. Superstar wide receiver DK Metcalf missed Thursday’s practice with a shoulder injury. With Metcalf’s status for Sunday legitimately hanging in the balance, expect JSN to continue operating as Smith’s go-to target.

Zach Charbonnet thrives

Running back Kenneth Walker III also missed Thursday’s practice with ankle and calf designations. Change-of-pace back Zach Charbonnet ranks second on the offense in touchdowns this season with six. Charbonnet took advantage of an expanded role versus the Cardinals if Walker is absent or even limited.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks defense vs. Cardinals in Week 14

3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks defense vs. Cardinals in Week 14

The Seattle Seahawks face a critical matchup against the Arizona Cardinals in Sunday’s Week 14 game. It’s a potentially decisive NFC West rematch after the Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 16-6 two weeks ago. Sunday’s outcome will have a drastic impact on the standings and postseason odds. Mike Macdonald’s defense was downright dominant in that victory a fortnight ago. We’ve compiled three bold predictions for the defense in Week 14.

Uchenna Nwosu records a sack in his return

Macdonald’s defense received some excellent news on Thursday as the team activated Uchenna Nwosu off IR. It should provide the defense with a major jolt in the arm. The team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award nominee, Nwosu has barely played in 2024, initially missing the opening four contests after suffering an injury in the preseason finale. His return from that setback lasted precisely just 20 snaps before a thigh injury sidelined him again. Look for the anxious defender to sack Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray on Sunday on his triumphant return.

Leonard Williams keeps dominant run going

Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams has been on a tear in recent weeks and that ongoing streak first began against the Cardinals in Week 12. Williams was unstoppable, sacking Murray 2.5 times. His latest performance against the New York Jets earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. The Cardinals aren’t looking forward to seeing him again.

Seahawks limit Cardinals to under 75 rushing yards

Arizona simply couldn’t run the football against Seattle’s stout defensive front two weeks ago. Running backs James Conner and Trey Benson were limited to 26 rushing yards via 11 carries (2.36 yards per carry). The Cardinals totaled under 50 net rushing yards. Similar results could occur on Sunday.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Seahawks-Cardinals to have drastic impact on postseason NFC West odds

Seahawks-Cardinals to have drastic impact on postseason NFC West odds

The Seattle Seahawks captured their third consecutive victory, outlasting the New York Jets 26-21 in Week 13. Mike Macdonald’s squad now enters Sunday’s Week 14 showdown versus the Arizona Cardinals in pole position in the NFC West. With the Cardinals (6-6) trailing the Seahawks (7-5) by one game in the division, Sunday’s outcome will have a massive impact on both team’s postseason odds.

A Seahawks victory would increase their chances of making the playoffs to 62%, while lowering the Cardinals’ postseason hopes to 17%, according to FTN Fantasy’s simulation model. On the flip-side, a Cardinals win would increase their playoff chances to 71%, while decreasing Seattle’s to 11%. It’s borderline a must-win game for both teams.

Sunday’s meeting will mark the second and final scheduled contest between the Seahawks and Cardinals this season. The Seahawks began taking ownership of the NFC West by defeating the Cardinals 16-6 at Lumen Field just two weeks ago. Arizona will now possess home-field advantage in the rematch.

The Seahawks were dominant defensively in the first meeting, forcing a Kyler Murray interception, sacking him five times, and preventing Arizona’s offense from scoring a touchdown. The Cardinals gained under 300 total yards of offense and went a combined 3-of-13 on third and fourth down opportunities. Arizona also punted on six occasions and lost the time of possession battle (TOP) by nearly seven full minutes.

The Seahawks could possess a sizable advantage in the NFC West if they complete the regular-season sweep of Arizona on Sunday.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]