The Cardinals are playing well on the offensive line and need that to continue, and they have tough questions to answer as starters get healthy.
With right tackle Jonah Williams activated by the Arizona Cardinals from injured reserve this week, there has been some added discussion about the role of the offensive line in the team’s success along with plans moving forward for Williams.
He has been out since suffering a knee injury on the final play of the first quarter in the season opener against the Bills, so it’s difficult to truly know how ready he is to play significant snaps after being out for more than two months.
Kelvin Beachum has played at a high level as his replacement, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Williams plays some snaps in Sunday’s game against the Seahawks. It would be a surprise if he starts.
When asked about how to get Williams back on the field, head coach Jonathan Gannon said earlier this week, “We kinda weigh all the variables and then decide what’s best for the team for that game. We’ll take it day by day. But the good thing is that a lot of different guys have played. A lot of different guys have played different spots and they’ve played with each other quite a bit now. So we’re just gonna make sure the communication’s on point, the operation’s on point and we keep playing at a high level. The offensive line is playing extremely well.”
As for Beachum, Gannon said, “Beach has played extremely well, he really has. And he did that for us last year, too. The veteran leadership. He’s a guy; he could be a captain. I use his brain a lot with different things. I ask him a lot of different things. He’s been all-in since he’s been here. He’s been fantastic, so very glad we have him.”
Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing said what Williams brings is “certainly similar to the rest of the room, in terms of what we ask. It’s physicality, it’s effort, it’s energy and understanding of look, we do a lot of different things and from a scheme standpoint, we put a lot on those guys mentally, which requires great communication. I think he really embodies them.”
Quarterback Kyler Murray realizes how important the line is to his and the team’s accomplishments.
“It’s a very versatile group,” Murray said. “I think they can be fun off the field (and) at the same time know when to turn it on. I think that’s a great thing about (an) O-line group is I say they’re the heart and soul of the team. At the same time, those dudes are the smartest and kind of the goofiest so it’s great to be around those dudes. You’ve got so many guys in that group, so there are a lot of different personalities, but I love going to work with those guys every single day.”
As for the group’s identity, Murray said, “I think hard-nosed football. They have to be the most physical group on the field at all times, and they know that. (Center) Hjalte (Froholdt) obviously being at the helm, one of my favorite players that I’ve ever played with. He does a great job of keeping those guys (together). (And) they all hold each other accountable. Like I said, I love going to war with them.”
What makes Froholdt so special?
“I love everything he’s about,” Murray said. “He’s a guy who (when he) was in Cleveland, I think he was a third-string guy that wasn’t really playing a lot but comes here, gets an opportunity, makes the most of it and gets rewarded. I’m with him every day. I think the quarterback-center relationship is a special one, and I love the guy.”
Gannon made sure to mention line coach Klayton Adams and his assistant Chris Cook in molding an effective unit.
“I think from an acquisition (stand)point we have the right players, and I think Klayton and Chris do a really good job with those guys,” Gannon said. “There are a lot of things that go into it, not just on the practice field, but behind the scenes, pre- and post-practice, different meetings where they’re developing those guys. Not just who’s ever 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 (backups).
“Paris (Johnson Jr.) has taken a jump in the last month with a couple of things that he’s been working on with Klayton. Fro has taken a jump with a couple of things that he wanted to work on. All those guys. They’re invested in their game because they know that the best chance that we have to win a game is everybody, obviously collectively playing well, but individually playing well.
“They don’t want to let their team down, so they take it upon themselves to improve their game. It’s the players first, but I think the coaches are doing a good job with it too.”
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.
