Leki Fotu – Page 3 – Syndication Server

Cardinals DL Jordan Phillips see huge potential in rookie DL Leki Fotu

“He’s going to be the biggest dynamic football player we’ve seen in a long time,” says Phillips.

[jwplayer macFr2XH-ThvAeFxT]

Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Jordan Phillips comes to the team as a newcomer, having signed a three-year deal in free agent. He is expected to be the team’s best defensive lineman after a 9.5-sack season in 2019.

The Cardinals also drafted a pair of defensive linemen in the fourth round this year and Phillips has been impressed. He had high praise about Rashard Lawrence and sees incredible potential in Leki Fotu.

The first thing that stands out is Fotu’s size.

“Leki’s the biggest person I’ve ever seen,” Phillips told reporters after practice this past week. “I don’t get around people that make me feel small.”

Phillips is a large man himself, listed at 6-foot-6 and 341 pounds. Fotu is 6-foot-5 and 330. Apparently Phillips feels small around him.

After the size, it is his ability to move that impresses.

“You just look at him and ‘How are you this big how do you move this well,” he wonders.

Fotu was used almost exclusively in college as a 3-4 nose tackle, used to stuff the run and occupy space. Phillips was like that, too, until last season, when he exploded in pass-rushing production.

“I was in the same situation,” he explained. “It’s just something that takes time. It’s just more of a confidence thing, more than anything. You’re looking at different things. You’re seeing different things. You’re feeling different things.”

He said once you know what it’s supposed to feel, “that’s when you start to get dangerous.”

He sees that potential in Fotu.

“Once he can make that transition, getting off the ball, attacking, being violent, he’s going to be a problem. He’s going to be the biggest dynamic football player we’ve seen in a long time.”

[vertical-gallery id=443012]

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

Latest show:

Previous shows:

[protected-iframe id=”b982993d8c20b3c1204a481770f7fbae-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/29016811/download.mp3″ ]

and

[protected-iframe id=”682ebb6e7ef6b83ea73b8875d2f5241d-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/27243565/download.mp3″ ]

LOOK: Cardinals draft picks all officially sign contracts

All six signed on the dotted line and had photos taken of the event.

The Arizona Cardinals and their entire 2019 draft class agreed to terms on four-year rookie contracts earlier in the week. On Saturday, their deals were made official when they went down to team headquarters in Tempe and signed the contracts.

The team released photos of each player signing their deal.

View this post on Instagram

Welcome to the family, rooks.

A post shared by Arizona Cardinals (@azcardinals) on Jul 25, 2020 at 4:10pm PDT

The only contract specifics we know are about their two top picks, linebacker Isaiah Simmons and tackle Josh Jones.

Simmons’ deal is for more than $20.6 million over the four years and has a fifth-year team option. He received nearly $12.6 million in a signing bonus.

Jones’ deal is worth more than $4.8 million over the four seasons and he receives a signing bonus of nearly $1.08 million.

The other players the Cardinals drafted were defensive linemen Leki Fotu and Rashard Lawrence, both drafted in the fourth round, linebacker Evan Weaver, their sixth-round pick, and running back Eno Benjamin, selected in the seventh round.

[vertical-gallery id=442162]

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Sub scribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Latest show:

Previous shows:

[protected-iframe id=”b982993d8c20b3c1204a481770f7fbae-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/29016811/download.mp3″ ]

and

[protected-iframe id=”682ebb6e7ef6b83ea73b8875d2f5241d-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/27243565/download.mp3″ ]

Cardinals agree to terms with all 6 draft picks

All the draft picks are now under contract, as rookies had to report to training camp Tuesday.

The Arizona Cardinals have taken care of the contracts of all six of their 2020 draft picks. Rookies were scheduled to report to training camp Tuesday and on Wednesday the team announced all six draft pick have agreed to terms on four-year contracts.

First-round pick Isaiah Simmons’ deal as well as third-round pick Josh Jones’ were both reported on Tuesday with the financials.

Their 2020 draft class was as follows:

Round 1: LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson

Round 3: OT Josh Jones, Houston

Round 4: DL Leki Fotu, Utah

Round 4: DL Rashard Lawrence, LSU

Round 6: LB Evan Weaver, California

Round 7: RB Eno Benjamin, Arizona State

This is the latest the Cardinals have gotten their draft picks in many years but things were complicated this offseason with facilities being closed to players because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Implications for the salary cap are not yet known exactly for the contracts other than Simmons’ and Jones’.

[vertical-gallery id=442072]

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Sub scribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 269

Ep. 268

[protected-iframe id=”b982993d8c20b3c1204a481770f7fbae-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/29016811/download.mp3″ ]

Ep. 267

[protected-iframe id=”682ebb6e7ef6b83ea73b8875d2f5241d-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/27243565/download.mp3″ ]

4 position battles for starting jobs to watch for the Cardinals

The starting lineup is mostly set, but right tackle, defensive end, inside linebacker and safety all will have competition to start.

The Arizona Cardinals mostly have a starting lineup on offense and defense set, but not every spot is completely secured. Here are the starting jobs that will be a battle as minicamp takes place (sometime) and training camp begins later this summer.

RT: Marcus Gilbert vs. Justin Murray vs. Josh Jones

Gilbert is the favorite to start, as he was the starter last year until he tore his ACL, he has the most experience and is arguably the best lineman they have.

However, his injury history screams at you that he can’t be trusted to be the guy, as he has only played 12 games in the last three seasons.

Murray gained the praise of his coach and general manager, while the team is super high on Jones, a steal in the third round of the draft. He wants to play right away.

This could be fun to watch.

[protected-iframe id=”682ebb6e7ef6b83ea73b8875d2f5241d-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/27243565/download.mp3″ ]

Pages: 1234

New Cardinals DL Leki Fotu to rely on old teammate to adjust to NFL

Before reaching out to new teammates, he is leaning on OLB Kylie Fitts, who was his teammate at Utah for two seasons.

The incoming rookie class will have to adjust to the NFL and being on an NFL team differently than in the past. Typically, rookie spent many, many hours in the team facility, are around teammates, do workouts and drills together.

That isn’t happening yet, as everything so far in the offseason must be virtual, so connecting with new teammates can be a challenge for rookies.

The Cardinals’ fourth-round draft pick, defensive lineman Leki Fotu, has someone to help.

Fotu has not yet reached out to his veteran teammates yet but has reached out to one player he knows.

“I’ve been trying to see the right time to reach out to my teammates, especially the vets, just to get to know them and ask questions learning the playbook and everything,” he said in a video conference with reporters earlier in the week. “But one of the guys that’ give talked to recently is one of my old teammates, (outside linebacker) Kylie Fitts.”

Fitts and Fotu played together at the University of Utah in 2016 and 2017 and now are Cardinals teammates. Fitts, drafted in the sixth round in 2018 by the Chicago Bears, joined the Cardinals last year in September, signing with the practice squad and getting time on the roster in December.

They both are thrilled to be together again. “He’s really excited to have one of his boys down there and I’m excited to see him down there,” Fotu, who has yet to move to Arizona, said.

Rather than just reach out directly to new teammates he does not know yet, Fotu is going to lean on Fitts to transition to having a relationship with the other players on the team.

“Having that relationship that we had here at Utah and knowing that I have one of my old teammates there is going to definitely help with the move down there,” he said. “Also with him being there already having the relationship with the other guys, I feel that it’s going to help me build that relationship with them and everyone else in the D-line room and the entire team when I get down there and start with them.”

It would appear that Fotu wants to get up to speed with some of the mental parts of the NFL before anything.

“I’m trying to play catchup to their level but trying to understand the playbook first, but if I have any questions, I reach out to my D-line coach,” he said. “If I have any issue with anything or questions about anything, I make sure to talk to my old teammate Kylie and, sooner or later, I’ll be talking to everyone else also.”

[vertical-gallery id=437414]

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Sub scribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 266

[protected-iframe id=”bcb747d5fc8df3747b9f1187680b5056-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/26365268/download.mp3″ ]

Ep.265

[protected-iframe id=”57edcd330524442e03e03f0332fc6342-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/25900350/download.mp3″ ]

6 things we learned in the new episode of Cardinals Flight Plan

Check out some insights about the draft in the latest episode.

The Arizona Cardinals released a new episode of Flight Plan on Thursday focused on the 2020 draft and their six selected players. In the episode, we learn a few things about the process and the players.

What specifically did we learn?

Kliff Kingsbury was sold on Isaiah Simmons after combine interview

Simmons impressed the Cardinals in the interview with how he was able to break down his assignment and with his confidence.

After the interview was over, Kingsbury told the rest of the room, “I’m good with that one at eight, if y’all are.”

[protected-iframe id=”bcb747d5fc8df3747b9f1187680b5056-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/26365268/download.mp3″ ]

Pages: 123456

Rookie-year expectations for the Cardinals’ 6 draft picks

Only Isaiah Simmons will be expected to be an impact player overall as a rookie.

Now that the Arizona Cardinals have their draft picks and now it is time to look forward to what they can do in the season, we should have reasonable expectations for each player.

What are reasonable expectations from theses players in their rookie season?

LB Isaiah Simmons

Simmons has the biggest expectations of any of the Cardinals’ draft pick, and he should, as he was the eighth overall pick in the draft.

Simmons should be an impact player in defense. He probably will not start in base defensive packages but should play a number of roles and will have the opportunity to do a lot of things. He should be a sub-package player coming in to cover tight ends and running backs and rush the passer.

He should play a lot and make a lot of plays.

[protected-iframe id=”bcb747d5fc8df3747b9f1187680b5056-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/26365268/download.mp3″ ]

Pages: 123456

The college accomplishments of the Cardinals’ draft picks

The six players had pretty good college resumes. The Cardinals drafted two conference defensive players of the year and six captains.

Over the last week, we have covered in detail the Arizona Cardinals’ six draft picks, who they are20nd what they say. Let’s look back at the things they accomplished while they were in college and see what honors and awards they earned.

LB Isaiah Simmons

He was the 2019 Butkus Award winner for the nation’s top linebacker.
He was a unanimous First-Team All-American.
He was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
He was named to the All-ACC first team.
He was a team captain in 2019.

[protected-iframe id=”bcb747d5fc8df3747b9f1187680b5056-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/26365268/download.mp3″ ]

Pages: 123456

Cardinals GM Steve Keim compares 4th-round pick Leki Fotu to Vita Vea

“I think this guy’s got a little more to him and I think there is a little more upside to develop.”

The Arizona Cardinals were able to select Utah defensive lineman Leki Fotu in the fourth round of the NFL draft last week. At 6-foot-5 and 330 pounds, he has the traditional build of a two-down run-stuffing nose tackle.

General manager Steve Keim believes he could be even more than that.

“I think there’s a little more versatility there,” he said on SiriusXM NFL Radio with hosts Jim Miller and Pat Kirwan. “I thought I saw a little Vita Vea in him when I was looking at him.”

Vea was a first-round pick out of Washington in 2018, going to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is a nose tackle but has had some pass-rushing productivity. In two seasons, he has had 5.5 sacks and 16 QB hits.

Keim believes Fotu is more than just a run stopper.

“I think that the one thing that takes this guy out of the conventional thinking of your traditional nose is he’s got the quickness to get on the edges,” he said. “He’s got some range to laterally close and chase the ball, so I think this guy’s got a little more to him and I think there is a little more upside to develop.”

Fotu himself said before the draft he believes he has more skill than just plugging gaps and engaging blocker. He believes he will be the most disruptive defensive lineman of the draft.

He will likely be used in the same role he had at Utah, playing gap football and keeping linebackers clean so they can make plays, at least initially.

And if that all he ends up in the NFL, it is worth a fourth-round pick. But if he can be more, he might end up being one of the big steals in the draft.

[vertical-gallery id=436897]

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.265

[protected-iframe id=”57edcd330524442e03e03f0332fc6342-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/25900350/download.mp3″ ]

Ep. 264

[protected-iframe id=”b8298580b0556a34b31c8547e1eb9674-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/25551206/download.mp3″ ]

What to like and what not to like about each of the Cardinals’ draft picks

There is good to each pick. There are questions, too.

The Arizona Cardinals came away with six players in the NFL draft over the weekend. They have largely been praised for the players they selected.

However, one can criticize all the decisions they made in the draft.

Let’s go over what there is to like and what there is not to like about each pick.

Isaiah Simmons

What to like about the pick

Simmons was obviously one of the draft’s most talented and dynamic players. His combination of leadership, production, size, length, speed and explosiveness is rare. His ability to cover at his size could be a game-changer for the Cardinals defense, giving them the ability to cover up flaws and weaknesses of other players. He can rush off the edge, cover in space, blitz, tackle and basically everything.

What not to like about the pick

There isn’t so much concern with the player. However, the Cardinals did draft a player who doesn’t have a place to start right now. It will be up to Vance Joseph to utilize him in a way that allows him to show off his versatility.

Also, the Cardinals potentially miss out on a top tackle prospect. There also might have been the opportunity to trade down, select receiver CeeDee Lamb and pick up a second-round pick. Would the combination of someone like Lamb and someone in the second round have a bigger impact than Simmons alone? That is the question that needs to be answered.

[protected-iframe id=”57edcd330524442e03e03f0332fc6342-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/25900350/download.mp3″ ]

Pages: 123456