Byron Leftwich has newfound authority as the Cardinals' offensive coordinator, but that hasn't turned him into a power-hungry dictator.
In order to succeed the rest of the season, Leftwich is counting on input from his players, especially the stars. Running back David Johnson has put up disappointing numbers through eight games, and some of that can be traced to his usage under former offensive coordinator Mike McCoy.
Johnson seemed to benefit from Leftwich's play calling in Week 8 – totaling 100 yards from scrimmage, his second highest of the season – and Leftwich wants Johnson to vocalize his preferences moving forward.
"I ask him questions all the time," Leftwich said. "I always have, because when you have players that good, you want to always know what they're thinking."
When Johnson arrived in 2015 as a third-round pick, he said little and followed instructions. That began to change near the end of his breakout 2016 campaign, when coach Bruce Arians began to seek his input, and this season the new coaching staff has encouraged him to speak out regularly.
"They say I'm the one who is running the ball and I'm the one doing the routes," Johnson said. "What I see out there, they want my opinion."
Leftwich and Johnson didn't have a big pow-wow during the bye week, but whenever they are together, the topic often turns to utilizing the running back effectively.
"We've been talking between meetings, between practice," Johnson said. "We're going to try to find the mismatches."
BUDDA BAKER EXPECTED TO PLAY
Safety Budda Baker missed Thursday's practice with a foot injury but returned Friday in a limited capacity and is expected to play, per coach Steve Wilks. Defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (calf) and wide receiver Chad Williams (ankle) have been ruled out.
Wilks expects guard Justin Pugh (hand) to return on Sunday, which would give the Cardinals their starting offensive line for the first time since Week 6. Pugh and Baker are officially listed as questionable, as are tight end Jermaine Gresham (back), safety Tre Boston (chest), guard Mike Iupati (back) and defensive tackle Corey Peters (ankle).
For the Chiefs, wide receiver Sammy Watkins (foot) is listed as questionable, as are guard Cameron Erving (illness), linebacker Anthony Hitchens (rib), linebacker Justin Houston (hamstring), safety Daniel Sorensen (knee) and linebacker Frank Zombo (hamstring). Center Mitch Morse (concussion) won't play and safety Eric Berry (heel) is doubtful.
COIN FLIP PERFECTION
The Chiefs' offense has been great this season, but there's an area in which the team has been even more successful: winning the coin toss. Kansas City has won every flip through nine games, overcoming odds that gave them just a 0.2 percent chance to do so at the start of the year.
The Cardinals will have a chance to end the streak on Sunday. Cornerback Patrick Peterson said the captains don't have a clear plan for calling the toss, so it's unknown who will do so against Kansas City. If Peterson makes the pick, he won't be subscribing to the "tails never fails" philosophy.
"That's what they say, but you can't live without a head," Peterson said.
Past images of the Cardinals against this week's opponent, the Kansas City Chiefs
St. Louis Cardinals John Roland (23) is hauled down for no gain as Kansas City's George Daney, (#60), and Ceaser Belser (24) gang up for the tackle in Kansas City, on Nov. 23, 1970. The Chiefs and the Cardinals played to a 6-6 tie.
Kansas City Chiefs Richard Armstrong (35) is brought down by St. Louis Cardinals Don Parish (57) as he hits the Cardinals wall on kickoff of game at St. Louis, on Sept. 12, 1970. Armstrong managed to bring the ball from the end zone to the 22 yard line. Action took place in the first quarter.
A 1970 matchup between the Cardinals and Chiefs
St. Louis Cardinals' Terry Metcalf, right, does his missing leg routine on Kansas City Chiefs Tim Collier, left, during exhibition game in Kansas City, Sept. 11, 1977. The Chiefs beat the Cardinals 37-20.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Steve Bono runs alone down the field to score a touchdown on a 76 yard run in the second quarter of their game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Oct. 1, 1995 in Tempe, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jake Plummer aims for wide receiver Frank Sanders in the end zone on the first play of the second quarter Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998, against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo. The pass was incomplete and the Cardinals had to settle for a field goal on the series.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) dives for yardage as Kansas City Chiefs' Greg Wesley defends during the first quarter of a football game Sunday, Oct. 8, 2006, at Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart (7) changes the play at the line of scrimmage against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter of a football game Sunday, Oct. 8, 2006 at Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. It was Leinart's first game as a starter.
Kansas City Chiefs Tamba Hali, left, and Jared Allen, center, try to stop Arizona Cardinals running back Edgerrin James (32) during the second quarter of a football game Sunday, Oct. 8, 2006 at Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards watches his team from the sidelines during a football game against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 8, 2006 at Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers (24) and safety Kendrick Lewis (23) break up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Steve Breaston (15) during the second half of an NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010. The Chiefs defeated the Cardinals 31-13.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) gets around Kansas City Chiefs safety Kendrick Lewis (23) during the first half of an NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Derek Anderson (3) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (82) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Paris Lenon (51) and safety Kerry Rhodes (25) during the first quarter an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010 in Kansas City, Mo.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014 in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals' Frostee Rucker (98) motions for Cardinals football after a play review was ruled a Kansas City Chiefs fumble during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals defeated the Chiefs 17-14.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014 in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, right, talks with Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid after an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals defeated the Chiefs 17-14.
