Tag: Vance Joseph

Health starting CBs ‘critical’ to Cardinals’ defensive success, says DC Vance Joseph

Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph says the defense looks completely different with Patrick Peterson and Robert Alford.

The Arizona Cardinals had the league’s worst pass defense in 2019. Of course, they started the season with Tramaine Brock, rookie Byron Murphy and an undrafted second-year player in Chris Jones playing all their snaps at cornerback. Patrick Peterson was suspended for six games and Robert Alford broke his leg in training camp and would miss the entire season.

Things are different this year. Peterson will start the season on the field. Alford is healthy.

It gives a completely different look for the defense.

“It’s nice to have our two starting corners,” said defensive coordinator Vance Joseph after practice on Thursday in training camp. “A couple of months ago, I watched every practice from training camp and it was Pat P. and Alford, and it’s a different defense when you’ve got two mature corners that can win their one-on-ones.”

Joseph’s defensive scheme works when he has guys who can cover on the outside.

“That makes a 3-4 defense go,” he said. “If you can play man coverage, it makes calling games easier, it makes gameplans a lot easier.”

They don’t have proven depth, which could be an issue. They need their starters to stay on the field.

“You need three or four corners to play well for you,” he said. “We’ve got three guys in my mind that are proven. (We’re) trying to find a four and a five. Having those corners healthy Week 1 is critical for our success.”

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Cardinals DC Vance Joseph expecting ‘huge steps’ from 2nd-year defensive backs

Byron Murphy, Jalen Thompson and Deionte Thompson all should be better after playing a lot as rookies.

The Arizona Cardinals played 2019 relying on a three rookie defensive backs for much of the season — cornerback Byron Murphy and safeties Jalen Thompson and Deionte Thompson. The defense will have starting cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Robert Alford returning to play a full season, but with no new additions made to the defensive secondary in free agency or the draft, these now second-year players will be counted on to be major contributors.

“I’m looking forward to those guys taking huge steps,” defensive coordinator Vane Joseph said in a video conference last week.

He spoke about each of the three players.

Byron Murphy

Michael Chow/The Rep

Joseph noted Murphy played more than any rookie defensive back last season. “That’s going to pay dividends,” he said.

“Last year I thought he got run down a little bit,” he explained. “He played his best ball early and kind of sluffed off late. But I think what he did last year as far as playing that many reps is going to benefit him this year.”

Murphy had 78 tackles, one interception and 10 pass breakups.

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Pro Bowler Budda Baker can be even better, says DC Vance Joseph

Baker still does not have an interception in his career.

While the Arizona Cardinals had a defensive unit in 2019 that was one of the worst in the league, there were some individual bright spots. Linebacker Jordan Hicks was one of the league’s most productive players, while linebacker Chandler Jones and safety Budda Baker were both named to the Pro Bowl.

Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph believes there is even more room for growth for Baker.

“I thought Budda Baker had a hell of a year last year,” he said in a video conference recently to reporters. “Obviously, he made the Pro Bowl. He made the Pro Bowl without making one interception, so I think he has room to grow as a high safety and as a quarters guy.”

Baker still has not had a regular-season interception in his career. He had one in the Pro Bowl game itself and also has picked off a pass in the preseason.

He is a heavy hitter in the run game and productive around the line of scrimmage. He also makes plays on balls, having broken up 14 passes in his career. He just hasn’t intercepted a pass.

Adding that element to his game will make him a complete safety and one that will command a lot of money as a free agent next offseason.

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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. 266

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Vance Joseph believes Devon Kennard can have even more sacks with Cardinals

The Cardinals haven’t gotten more than 5.5 sacks from a player not named Chandler Jones since 2016.

One of the Arizona Cardinals’ free agent signings was linebacker Devon Kennard. He was a bit of a surprise because he was not scheduled to hit free agency. The Detroit Lions released him and the Cardinals took advantage, inking him to a three-year deal.

Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is pleased to add him to the defensive lineup.

“Kennard is a guy I’ve been watching for four or five years as a SAM backer,” he told reporters in a video conference this week.  “He’s ideal. He’s heavy-handed. Versus the running game, he’s a dominant run stopper. He’s averaged seven sacks as year as a dropper so he should be hopefully better than that for us. But a smart, tough football player that’s going to be accountable for every snap for us.”

He had seven sacks each of the last two seasons playing as an outside linebacker in a 4-3 defensive scheme. That position more resembles an inside linebacker position in the Cardinals’ 3-4 scheme. Kennard dropped more than almost any other linebacker in the league last year and still had seven sacks.

Now he will play as an edge defender opposite Chander Jones, where the linebackers drop into coverage only every so often. Jones played the drop linebacker position most of last season because he was better than Terrell Suggs at it and he only dropped about 40 times during the season.

Kennard should fit perfectly. Playing 3-4 OLB is what he is built for.

The Cardinals haven’t gotten more than 5.5 sacks from a player not named Chandler Jones since 2016. Kennard should be able to at least produce the seven sacks he has had the last two seasons because he will rush the passer far more than he has in any seasons.

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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. 266

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Ep.265

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Cardinals believe DL Jordan Phillips ‘has not hit his ceiling yet’

As good as he was in 2019 with 9.5 sacks, the Cardinals believe he can be a top-10 defensive lineman in the NFL.

The Arizona Cardinals went out and spent big on defensive lineman Jordan Phillips, giving him a three-year, $30 million deal after he had a career season in 2019 for the Buffalo Bills.

In 2019, he had 31 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss and 16 quarterback hits. It was a career high in every category.

The 9.5 sacks were the most by any player weighing at least 340 pounds — ever.

As good as he was last season, the Cardinals believe he can be even better.

“Jordan’s looking forward to getting better,” defensive coordinator Vance Joseph told reporters in a video conference this week. “I think Jordan has not hit his ceiling test. He’s looking to prove everyone wrong that he can be a top-10, top-15 D-lineman.”

Before last season, he was rarely used in any other situation than in run downs. In 2019, he had his first opportunity to play in third-down packages, and it was obviously a huge success.

The Cardinals will count on him to give the defensive interior a pass-rushing threat they haven’t had in years.

Joseph described Phillips as a “dancing bear” because of his stature and movement skills.

“Hopefully, his best years are in front of him.”

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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. 266

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Ep.265

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Cardinals didn’t think they would be able to sign LB De’Vondre Campbell

He was their No. 1 free agent target, according to defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.

Entering the offseason, it felt like a foregone conclusion that the Arizona Cardinals would go and sign a starting inside linebacker to pair with Jordan Hicks. Haason Reddick didn’t work ou at the position and Joe Walker, who started most of the season, is a player who can be upgraded.

In free agency, players like Cory Littleton, Blake Martinez and Joe Schobert were brought up, but they were not the top target for the Cardinals.

The Cardinals actually landed their No. 1 player, De’Vondre Campbell, who played the last four seasons for the Atlanta Falcons.

“Campbell was our top guy in free agency that we thought we couldn’t get because his money was going to be so bug,” defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said in a video conference with the media this week, “but he came back to us and took a one-year deal just to prove himself.”

He took a one-year deal worth $6 million and worth as much as $8.5 million.

He had 129 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions last season and the Cardinals believe he is an answer to covering tight ends. They were impressed by what they saw when they faced Campbell and the Falcons in 2019.

Hopefully he can produce similar numbers in 2020. The Cardinals’ top choice was a surprise to many, but he might only be here one season. With the selection of Isaiah Simmons in the first round of the draft, Campbell might be setting himself up for a big payday with another team in 2021.

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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. 266

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Ep.265

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Broncos could have hired Kyle Shanahan in 2017

The Broncos could have hired Kyle Shanahan in 2017 but opted to bring in Vance Joseph instead.

Three years ago, after Gary Kubiak stepped down from coaching for health reasons, the Broncos interviewed coaching candidates including then-Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and then-Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.

Though it appeared at one point that Shanahan was the favorite to get the job, Denver’s front office ultimately decided to hire Joseph. In hindsight, that decision certainly looks like a mistake. From 2017-2018, the Broncos went 11-21 before firing Joseph.

Up until this season, Shanahan’s record wasn’t any better — 10-22 — but with the help of general manager John Lynch, Shanahan has turned San Francisco’s roster into a contender. The 49ers went 13-3 in the regular season this year and will play in Super Bowl LIV on Feb. 2.

The son of legendary Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, Kyle might have been able to find success in Denver as well. Fortunately, it looks like the Broncos have found a good coach in Vic Fangio, who went 7-9 in 2019.

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Rams decide to move on from DC Wade Phillips

It seems very unlikely, but he could fit on the Cardinals’ defensive staff as DL coach.

The Los Angeles Rams did not make the playoffs for the first time in three years and it appears their defensive coordinator is the fall guy. Rams DC Wade Phillips announced via social media his contract is not being renewed, making him a free agent this offseason.

He was defensive coordinator for Los Angeles for three seasons.

The Rams’ defense actually improved in terms of league ranking last year. In three years, Los Angeles finished 19th, 19th and 13th in total defense and 12th, 20th and 17th in points. They were a top-10 team in takeaways each season.

Phillips has been coaching in the NFL since 1976, and has been either a defensive coordinator or head coach since 1981.

In his post on social media, he noted his desire to continue coaching.

This won’t necessarily affect the Cardinals, as he will likely seek a coordinator position elsewhere. However, it is important to note that Cardinals DC Vance Joseph runs a Wade Phillips defense and believes in his system. The Cardinals reportedly have moved on from defensive line coach Chris Achuff, so there is potentially a position coach vacancy.

If Phillips does not find a coordinator position, he could be a fit on Joseph’s defensive staff. Phillips was a defensive line coach for four seasons before getting a DC job.

Should the Cardinals pursue him as a position coach?

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. 254

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Vance Joseph retained by Cardinals as DC; Kliff Kingsbury ‘never wavered’ in decision

Kliff Kingsbury “never wavered” in wanting Joseph to remain on staff.

The Arizona Cardinals will not be making a change at defensive coordinator. Vance Joseph “will be back” in 2020, head coach Kliff Kingsbury announced Monday at his postseason press conference.

The Cardinals struggled for much of the season defensively and finished the season last in the league in yards allowed, 28th in points allowed, 24ths in rushing defense and 31st against the pass.

Many speculated and even called for his firing, but that was never on the table, according to Kingsbury.

“I never wavered in that,” he said. “His approach, knowing what I know of him and watching him work, the things I saw from the first day I was with him, I knew I wanted him to be here.”

Another factor is maintaining continuity on a team that was on its third defensive coordinators in three seasons. He said, “continuity is huge when you look at the top organizations out there.” He cited, players, coaches and the front office being stable with the best teams.

Kingsbury said he never had to reassure Joseph of his place with him and the staff.

“He understood where we were at and he knew that it was going to be a work in progress,” he said.

Plus, Kingsbury “was really impressed with the last quarter (of the season) and how he stuck with it. We really started playing solid defense at the end.”

Rather than bring in a new coordinator to teach a new defensive system, the players who remain will play in the same system and the Cardinals will bring in new players who hopefully fit the system.

They were an above average defense over the final month of the season. If they start there next year, the team will have a good chance of competing for the postseason.

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. 253:

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Cardinals teammates, coaches stump for Chandler Jones as Defensive Player of the Year

Both players and coaches believe Jones is clearly the best defensive player in the league this season.

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Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones has put together quite a season through 15 games. With 19 sacks and eight forced fumbles, including two four-sack games, he is a candidate to win Defensive Player of the Year.

Perhaps because he hasn’t gotten the attention or notoriety, he has coaches and players stumping for him to win it.

It has been both in word and in social media.

Some teammates have given their takes on social media.

Larry Fitzgerald was asked about it on Thursday by reporters. He feels the decision is obvious, although he recognizes the phenomenal seasons of cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore of the New England Patriots and Tre’Davious White of the Buffalo Bills.

“Both those guys, their teams are going to the playoffs, but I don’t think anybody’s been more dominant than Chander,” he said.

“What Chandler’s done is unbelievable,” he said, “To be on a five-win team and do what he has done is unbelievable.”

Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph believes Jones should be a lock for the award if he does one thing.

“What he’s done is incredible,” he told reporters Thursday. “He’s doing it, if he gets one or two (sacks) this week, in my opinion, he’s the guy. It’s the best player on defense award, not the team award.”

He was on the Houston Texans coaching staff with J.J. Watt had 20 sacks and won the award. It was a special season, he said.

“If he gets 20 sacks, that’s rare air and that’s NFL history,” he said. “He should be player of the year.”

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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. 253:

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