Tag: Kyzir White

Seeming goodbye from LB Kyzir White feels jarring

It is surprising after what White has meant to the team and coaching staff to see him apparently moving on.

It was on the morning of Nov. 3, several hours before the Arizona Cardinals defeated the Chicago Bears, that defensive coordinator Nick Rallis welcomed a newborn son into the world.

The story went to another level when it was learned that the boy’s middle name was Kyzir in honor of inside linebacker Kyzir White.

That’s why it was so jarring earlier this week, only two months later, that White posted what appeared to be a cryptic goodbye on Instagram. It said, “Thank you AZ,” and that prompted a response from fellow inside ‘backer Mack Wilson Sr., who wrote, “Don’t do this to me. Appreciate you for everything seven, for real bro. The true epitome of a leader. Go get yours.”

That, of course, was reference to the fact that White is scheduled to hit free agency on March 12 after signing a two-year contract in 2023, shortly after Jonathan Gannon was named head coach and hired Rallis. Both were with White in Philadelphia.

Gannon conducted exit interviews with players Monday and Tuesday, so we are left to wonder what he told White, who will be 29 in March.

Was it that his play was descending, which an NFL pro scout told me this week and that the team was moving on to get younger at the position? Or that re-signing him before the start of the league year was not a priority, and that he was welcome to see what was available in the market, but the door would be open after that?

That scout noted that White will “descend quickly if he loses a half step.”

We can only speculate and wonder what was communicated to White until something happens in two months, but there was still surprise because of the respect there is for a player that was voted a team captain and was responsible for relaying the defensive calls from Rallis.

This season, he played 1,018 defensive snaps (94 percent) and had 137 tackles (60 solo) and nine tackles for loss.

It’s also an eye-opener to reflect back to what motivated Rallis to bestow that name on his son.

He said then, “Kyzir specifically, I can tell my son ultimately what stands out about him and why he’s a captain is he’s the ultimate teammate, ultimate team-first guy. The model for accountability. There are so many stories I could probably list to you, but the guy shows up every day with a smile on his face ready to go to work.

“Takes a lot of ass chewings from me to be honest and he’s phenomenal with it like, ‘Yeah I like that! You make me better!’ It’s that kind of player that I have a lot of respect for.”

When asked about his relationship with other players, Rallis said, “As a coach, I have a great appreciation for being a part of a lot of players’ careers, and it’s a small part, because there’s so much that goes into what makes them great. I think back to when I was growing up and how I looked up to professional football players or college players and idolized them. There are people out there who do the same for these guys currently and the amount of work they put in to be who they are. It’s greatness.

“It’s cool to be a part of helping them get to where they are in their career and build a legacy. It’s kind of an appreciation that I have for a lot of guys that I’ve been around. Just being able to honor not just Kyzir but every player that I’ve touched in some sort of way and resembling that through my child’s name.”

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

Cardinals captain seems to be saying goodbye

White’s Instagram post suggests he knows he won’t be back with the Cardinals in 2025.

The Arizona Cardinals have begun their offseason and have two months to re-sign players scheduled to become free agents before the new league year begins in March.

One key player and defensive captain, linebacker Kyzir White, suggested on social media that he won’t be back with the Cardinals in 2025.

He posted this on his Instagram account:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DEh9Z6yvOqi/?hl=en&img_index=1

He said thank you to the state of Arizona. This is a typical goodbye social media post.

White will be a free agent after two seasons with the Cardinals.

If you check the comments, you will see notes of support and sadness from teammates, all seeming to be well-wishing goodbyes in terms of being a teammate.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon told reporters in his season-concluding press conference on Monday that change is coming.

“Everybody knows in this building change is inevitable. That’s going to happen. The team is not going to look like this,” he said. “The team meeting today is going to be drastically different than the Tuesday after Easter when (the) offseason program starts.

“You thank them, and I’m appreciative of everybody because they did what I asked them to do. We do things our style, which isn’t for everybody, and that’s fine. It’s knowing that sometimes a lot of these guys that have made a lot of sacrifices and have laid it on the line for you as a coach to be successful, they’re not going to be here. You wish them well.”

White will turn 29 in March.

As a team captain, he played in and started all 17 games this season after his 2023 was cut short after 11 games when he tore his biceps. He had 137 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, eight quarterback hits, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery this season.

He played the last two years on a two-year, $10 million deal.

Either he knows that he will seek more money than the Cardinals will want to pay, he wants to leave or the coaches communicated they were moving in a different direction.

They have Mack Wilson under contract two more seasons and drafted Owen Pappoe two years ago. They might believe that he is ready to move into a starting role.

If White leaves, it will be a big loss. He was a tone-setter, a leader and productive.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

 

Cardinals S Budda Baker left it all on the field in 2024

Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowler Budda Baker Baker deserves his flowers for a electrifying 2024 season

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker gave his team everything he had in the tank during the 2024 season. Although his team didn’t make the postseason, it would be a disservice to undermine the tenacious effort he gave each and every week for the Cardinals.

Baker finished the 2024 NFL season with 164 total tackles, including 95 solo. Bruising opponents and blitzing quarterbacks, Baker also tallied in 12.5 stuffs, showing himself to be deployable versus the run and as a quarterback spy.

Baker brings a physicality to the Cardinals’ defense that simply hadn’t been there over the last few seasons. Alongside linebacker Kyzir White and others, Baker pilots as both a vocal and proactive leader on the defensive side of the ball. In other words, while Baker may move his mouth with a lot of jaw jacking, his hands and feet are simultaneously showing to be much more than a mockery if some consider him a bluff.

Cardinals fans will miss seeing No. 3 dressed in red and white every week for a couple of months. While Arizona prepares itself for the offseason, they should possibly consider bringing in another edge rusher to help them become more disruptive in the upcoming season.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

Cardinals DC Nick Rallis, S Budda Baker have set the tone on defense

Arizona Cardinals DC Nick Rallis has transformed the mentality of the team defense led by Budda Baker

Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis has shown signs of excellence in 2024 and with the leadership of safety Budda Baker, his unit again played well in the 13-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. 

The Cardinals stopped the Rams on nine of their 15 third-down attempts and held their opponent to just 12 total first downs on the evening. Although Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford wasn’t sacked but he was certainly contained by Rallis, producing only 189 passing yards and no touchdown passes on the night.

Rallis forced the Rams to punt six times, allowing 74 total plays for his offensive unit to respond and take the lead. Unfortunately, Murray and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing could not sequence in the right play calls to seal the win.

The Cardinals defense has been solid led by safety Budda Baker and linebacker Kyzir White who led the team with eight tackles in the loss. Rallis and head coach Jonathan Gannon definitely have a unit to build on in their defensive unit and are likely to acquire a top defensive back in the upcoming draft to add force to their pass defense.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

Cardinals LB Kyzir White fined for unpenalized violation vs. Panthers

White was fined almost $17K on a hit on Panthers QB Bryce Young that was not penalized during the game last week.

If there is one thing consistent in the NFL, it is that fined will be levied against players even when there are no penalty flags thrown.

It happened for the second straight week when Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kyzir White was fined $16,883 for roughing Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young with an alleged blow to the neck or head area.

In the previous game, wide receiver and core special-teams player Zach Pascal was fined $11,255 for taunting where there no penalty called.

With 13:39 remaining in the game last Sunday, White hit Young hard on a blitz as he completed a 12-yard pass to tight end Tommy Tremble.

White not did lower his head on the play and replays I saw failed to show conclusively that he hit Young in the head or neck area. However, there were no replays available that had a side view of the contact.

Play-by-play announcer Chris Myers noted that Young “was leveled like a pancake,” and that he got up smiling on the play. However, Myers and analyst Mark Schlereth did not question the fact there was no penalty called on the play.

White will surely appeal as did Pascal.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

Cardinals player makes big promise for game vs. Patriots

The Cardinals defense wants to correct play that hasn’t been up to their standards and vow to do that against the Patriots.

We heard a lot this week from the coaches about the explosive plays that doomed the Arizona Cardinals in Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks.

Now, we’ll hear from some of the players, notably the key leaders on defense: safety Budda Baker and linebacker Kyzir White.

After head coach Jonathan Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis noted the high motor being lacking at times, Baker was asked point-blank if he believed that to be true.

He said, “I believe so. We’d have some plays where there was high motor, high violence. Then there were plays that weren’t. That was different for us.

“It all comes with just executing. Each and every player doing their job. All 11 players doing their job. If you got eight players doing their job and others aren’t, those lead to explosives, those lead to negative plays for us. The execution wasn’t quite there.”

White said it’s all about players accepting accountability.

“It could be gap integrity. It could be not playing without enough motor and violence,” he said of those damaging explosives. “Maybe some loafs out there, things like that. But look at the tape and look yourself in the mirror and just be honest with yourself and going out there this week and try to be better.

“Look at the film, get better from it, correct it and just get back to the basics. I feel like we’ve been a pretty good run defense all year; had a few slipups, but just go back to what we’ve been doing.”

White put a number on the limited loafs that are somewhat acceptable.

He said, “There were definitely some plays that were not to our standard, but definitely going out this week, we want to play to our standard. There’s always gonna be some loafs in a game, but just try to limit those as much as possible.

“As a group we like to be 92 percent (no loafs) and above, so when we go in Monday morning if we didn’t hit 92 percent as a group, we feel like it’s not to our standard and it’s not a good game for us. It’s not Cardinals defense.”

Baker talked after practice and he said that’s where the standard is accentuated.

He emphasized, “We’re just focusing on doing those things throughout the week. Wednesdays are more mentally driven and Thursday, today, was a day to show high motor, high violence because we understand if we do that throughout the week, we’ll do it on Sunday. That was a big thing for us today.”

And, most important, he said he felt like it was accomplished.

“Had a great practice,” he said. “Offense, defense, special teams. Had a great practice running to the ball. High motor, just executing our plays, each and every person doing their job. That was the main goal, the main assignment for us today and I think the guys did that.”

While the Patriots are 3-10, they’ve lost five one-score games and in their last outing before a Week 14 bye (a 25-24 loss to the Colts), the offense totaled 422 yards (6.5 per play) and the running backs produced 200 on 31 attempts.

Running backs Rhamondre Stevenson (18-73) and Antonio Gibson (7-62) combined for 135 yards on 25 carries, while rookie quarterback Drake Maye contributed 59 on five runs. He completed 24 of 30 passes for 238 yards, but was sacked four times.

Baker knows what they’re up against and acknowledged there is a “huge urgency” to stop the run.

“Their record is their record, but they play really hard,” he said. “Their offense plays very hard. Their running backs, they run hard. Big running backs, guys that just wanna tote it downhill. We understand that. We didn’t do a good enough job of stopping the run, so that’s where it all starts to be able to stop the run and get them into second-and-pass, third-and-pass, getting some pressure on the QB.

“The name of the game in this league is to stop the run because if you don’t, that’s where offenses have the ability to run whatever they want to run. Run the ball, screens, quick game, all that opens up when you can run the ball, so that is something we’re definitely going to try to stop.”

Finally, it was left to White to essentially promise improved run defense on Sunday.

“We’ll get back to it this week,” he said. “Trust me. They’re not gonna have that many yards. God willing.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

Gimme Him: Kyzir White would stabilize Patriots’ inconsistent LB group

Kyzir White would give the Patriots a playmaking veteran linebacker.

The New England Patriots have struggled on the defensive side of the ball this season.

Aside from the secondary, the unit has been inconsistent throughout the year. The linebacker position in particular has been decimated by injuries and on-field struggles. There are a few defensive players that would fit well in New England, but linebacker Kyzir White fits the bill as the “Gimme Him” player of the week.

White has played for the Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles in his career, in addition to the Cardinals. The last four seasons have been particularly fruitful for the veteran linebacker. He has recorded at least 90 tackles in each of those seasons, including 110 tackles in 2022 with the Eagles. He currently has 99 tackles this season with the Cardinals.

In addition, he has played in 92 percent of the snaps this season, according to statistics from Pro Football Reference. He’s filling the veteran role for the Cardinals’ defense and still producing at a high level.

New England needs solid veteran play at the linebacker position, and White would give the positional group the bona fide playmaker it lacks at the moment.

That’s not to say the linebacker position is completely void of talent. Christian Elliss and Jahlani Tavai are players who have stepped up in the absence of injured team captain Ja’Whaun Bentley. White would simply give the position an added boost.

His nose for the football and veteran presence would be important for a defensive unit looking to get back to where it was when it ranked top-10 last season.

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Cardinals’ Budda Baker always makes it hard to cross the Red Sea

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker doesn’t let offensive players cross the Red Sea without feeling his physical presence.

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker and the defense weren’t flawless in the 28-27 win over the Miami Dolphins, but they did just enough to get their offense the ball back in clutch time.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBrAxAoTMny/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Baker leads the Cardinals with 79 total tackles through eight weeks and hasn’t been shy about sticking his nose in on every down. Once rookie defensive lineman Darius Robinson returns, Baker will be able to increase his utility, working as a blitz component, quarterback spy, or stealth robber in shell coverage to confuse opponents.

The Cardinals are struggling to stop the run and Robinson was drafted to help in that department but the unit is showing glimpses of determination.

Fans know that Baker aims to make defenders pay for coming across the middle of the field and he finished NFL Week 8 with 12 total tackles. Thus far Baker has shown to be the most physical player on the Cardinals defense and trying to cross his path is like the Egyptians trying to cross the Red Sea. 

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

Cardinals LB Kyzir White prefers those that lead by example they set

Kyzir White reacts to being named a team captain for the second straight season.

Jonathan Gannon knew linebacker Kyzir White from their time together with the Eagles, and White signed a two-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals in the 2023 offseason.

When it was time to have captains, the head coach named White one of the six. This year, players voted and White is a captain again.

“It feels good to get the respect from your peers for me doing the right things,” he said Monday after the first practice of Week 1. “I talk when I need to talk. I don’t try to do too much. I really just try to lead by example, so definitely feel good to know that my teammates see me as a captain. It’s something I don’t take lightly.”

Asked when he votes what he wants in a captain, White said, “Just be a leader. Try to do things the right way all the time. Nobody perfect, (but) be accountable, be somebody that the guys go to. Just be a good teammate. Just because you’re a captain, that don’t put you above anybody. We’re all on the same level, but it’s a good honor.”

White joins quarterback Kyler Murray, running back James Conner and safety Budda Baker as captains. Talking about Conner, he said, “He’s one of the hardest workers I’ve been around. He’s always in here getting extra work. He talks when he needs to talk. You just see the work he puts in. He got a lot of good results from it last year. You just gotta respect a guy like that.”

While there has been significant changes in the roster since Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort arrived early in 2023, the other captains are holdovers. Still, Gannon noted Monday that many players received votes, meaning there are numerous leaders in the locker room even if they aren’t captains.

White concurred, saying, “(Defensive lineman) Justin Jones is a guy I got drafted with (Chargers 2018). I voted for him to be captain. Obviously, he didn’t get it, but he’s a captain in my eyes. (Linebacker) Dennis Gardeck, (he’s) another captain in my eyes. (There’s) a lot of captains in the room. We have just four this year, but there’s more than four captains on this team.”

Finally, asked if it’s important for there to be a balance of players that lead by example along with being vocal, White said “for sure,” while noting the importance of the vocal ones backing it up with production.

“I’ve been around a lot of rah-rah guys that go out there and don’t do nothing,” White said. “Then you got guys who just lead by example and they go out there and perform. I like that approach better: Lead by example and talk when you need to talk.”

We’ll find out soon enough if all of that is enough to win when you need to win.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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Cardinals LB Kyzir White says Kyler Murray and Patrick Mahomes ‘are real similar’

LB Kyzir White has played against both Murray and Mahomes. He thinks the two are pretty similar.

It can’t be understated how important it was this offseason for Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray to be on the field over the last two months during the offseason program.

It obviously was a world of difference from a year ago while Murray was rehabbing a torn ACL and trying to learn a new offense at the same time.

How important was it?

Murray said recently, “It’s felt like one of the best offseasons I’ve had in a long time just being able to 1) be healthy and then 2) be in touch with the guys and actually be a part of it. Last year, working on the side with (senior conditioning coordinator) Buddy (Morris) every day, having to watch and having to be in meetings and not really get a feel for anything, it just makes a difference.

“It makes a difference when I’m out there. We’re all getting better together. Not only on the field but off the field, it’s been a good offseason.”

His teammates readily agree.

Noting how the positive vibe was noticeable this spring, linebacker Kyzir White said this week, “Definitely a different energy knowing you’re gonna have him out there.”

Wide receiver Greg Dortch said Thursday “it’s super big” to have had Murray on the field. He added, “I think it’s more important than a lot of people expect. Kyler’s a dynamic player and when he’s in the huddle and like he speaks, we listen and we follow behind him. He’s the leader of the offense. He’s in control of everything so to have him in the huddle from Day 1 and just being out there in practice every day; it means a lot.”

As for what it’s like playing against Murray, White said, “He’s been a winner his whole career. I played against him in college, so I definitely know what he can do. He’s a prolific quarterback. He’s a little smaller, so it’s kinda hard to read his eyes, stuff like that. He’ll look you off. He can beat you with his feet and his arm so it’s great to go against a quarterback like that.”

White then raised some eyebrows when he claimed, “I feel like him and (Patrick) Mahomes are real similar. They can beat you with their arm and their feet. I feel like he’s going to do a lot of great things and prove a lot of people wrong.”

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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