Chase Edmonds was blunt about where he thought the Cardinals' offense needed to improve this season.
And his coach didn't have a problem with that.
"We are going to have to find out our offensive identity really early," Edmonds said. "I think that's one of the things we struggled with in the second half of the season last year. We got certain looks and teams took away our primary identity. We have to find unique sets, unique formations, whatever it is, where we can specialize in everyone's unique talent. That's a big step in training camp, finding the identity of the offense.
"Coaches are so smart, you might be really good the first six weeks, film gets out there, teams start scheming you up, and you have to find another look," the running back added.
A lot has been said about the Cardinals' slide last year after a 6-3 start, and what happened to the offense. Quarterback Kyler Murray getting banged up was a factor. But coaching adjustments were needed too, and Kliff Kingsbury agreed with Edmonds.
"(Chase) is a smart player, well versed in it, and I'll be the first one to take accountability on playcalls and things of that nature so I have no issue with (him saying) that," Kingsbury said.
Kingsbury said the main solution is to "evolve" each year in how the offense runs. Adding pieces to the offensive line (Rodney Hudson) and skill spots (A.J. Green, Rondale Moore, James Conner) should help, but so too should adjusting the playbook and other smaller details.
"Offensively we led the league in stalled drives due to penalty," Kingsbury said. "We were a top six offense, and had we not done that, who knows what we could've been."
MORE PLAYERS TO COVID LIST
According to the NFL's transaction's page, the Cardinals placed two more players – wide receiver Rico Gafford and offensive lineman Shaq Calhoun – on the reserve/Covid list on Wednesday. Cornerback Lorenzo Burns was already on the list.
NO TIMELINE FOR SHAWN WILLIAMS
Kingsbury didn't specify exactly what landed safety Shawn Williams on the Non-Football Injury list. Kingsbury said he didn't have a strict timeline for Williams' return, but said the veteran was likely going to be out a couple of weeks.
