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There was a question for Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury about moving outside linebacker Terrell Suggs inside to create opportunities for Haason Reddick, who moved recently from inside linebacker to outside linebacker.
That led to local reporters either saying the team was going to play Suggs more on the defensive line.
At the moment, it made sense, as the team is looking to give Reddick some reps and they lack depth on the defensive line.
However, defensive coordinator Vance Joseph clarified what moving Suggs inside really meant, and it is was something that was seen on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Cardinals are not moving Suggs inside, using him as an interior lineman. He is used as an inside rusher in one particular defensive package.
“That’s our NASCAR package where we rush with three outside backers and one D-lineman,” he told reporters Thursday after practice. “Obviously, ‘Sizzle’ is a hell of a player, a hell of a rusher inside and we’re trying to get a look at Haason as an edge rusher, so that’s possible.”
The package is nothing new.
The Cardinals have used three outside linebackers on the field together on many plays this season. Most of the year, Suggs and Chandler Jones rushed from the edge and Cassius Marsh would come in and rush from the inside. On Sunday, Suggs slide inside where Marsh had been playing and Reddick came in the game.
They used that package on five snaps on Sunday.
It almost appears as if that third rusher is an inside linebacker, as he is standing up and is not on the edge but he is not playing off the ball. He is a rusher.
So yes, the Cardinals are creating opportunities for Reddick to play as an edge rusher and yes Suggs is technically moving inside, but no they have not really moved Suggs to the defensive line, not in the truest sense.
He is just rushing from the inside on one particular defensive set.
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. 251:
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Ep. 250:
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