Monday night’s win over the New York Jets, in which quarterback Carson Palmer didn’t complete a pass longer than 13 yards in the air and attempted just one that traveled more than 20 yards in the air, according to ESPN Stats & Information, helped the Cardinals figure out who they are this season. He spent two years in Green Bay’s player personnel department, had defensive coordinator gigs with Morehouse College and Grambling State before going to the National Football League as defensive backs coach of the Jets in 2000. On the other side, David Johnson, 24, of Arizona had the night of his life.
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Arians said his team’s personality hasn’t changed just because it happens to be running the ball so well.
“I say it each and every week”. “We’re not putting up points”. I think you guys know that.
It’s no secret that the Jets’ second-year head coach has been questioned for his decision-making during games dating back to last season. Though Bowles pressured Palmer throughout Monday’s game, he rarely mixed in zone pressures, electing to play man coverage against Arizona’s receiving corps. Could either of them be much worse than Fitzpatrick? NY outplayed the Bengals in many aspects, but a missed field goal and a blocked extra point and late turnover cost the Jets the game. Special teams was good. And the last two weeks, the Cardinals have done exactly that. “I’ve said it all along this season, interceptions are on everyone”.
Tuesday, the coach explained what’s changed.
“It’s always been ‘scratch where it itches, ‘” Arians said. “Better focus for 60 minutes”. Despite being antsy to play, Smith provides very little hope. While he didn’t have any drops this game, he did have one major gaffe: a holding penalty that brought back a big DJ run. We’re not winning the game. We haven’t discussed playoffs since the season began, actually.
Roethlisberger rested at home Monday after undergoing arthroscopic surgery and Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said the team is confident Roethlisberger won’t be out “long term”. “They forced us to get rid of it quick and we did a good job capitalizing in those situations”. The Cardinals won 28-3.
“I think it’s what everybody wants to do: you run the ball and you go play-action and take your shots. He just kind of walked right in, especially on one of them”. Overall, the team rushed for 170 yards behind the line. It’s so early in the season. But no, the philosophy hasn’t changed.
Arians served as an assistant coach for 37 years. Earl Watford in particular had a fantastic game, creating holes all night for DJ to run through.
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If this defense shows up once again in six days when the Cardinals host 4-1 Seattle, they could find themselves right back in the thick of the NFC West Division race. Four games into the campaign it was the best-case scenario, and while still not great, the way the Cardinals have reached that mark provides reason for optimism. Smith was intercepted by Tyrann Mathieu on his sixth pass attempt. Hopefully we get to see more Arians – Floyd sideline hugging in the future. “So we don’t necessarily look for the quarterbacks to throw interceptions, (but Fitzpatrick) has been giving the ball away an very bad lot and we kind of teased with the safeties that it was the safeties turn because the corners have been getting all the picks lately”.
