After BJ Ojulari went down with a season-ending knee injury -- and even before -- the spotlight has been on the team's pass rush.
Who will step up? How much does another year in the system truly help? Which player is poised for a breakout season, especially after Ojulari's misfortune?
The Cardinals hope they got a glimpse into some of those answers in Saturday's preseason game against the Colts. Creating a good chunk of pressure and finishing the game with four sacks and nine quarterback hits, the unit made noise.
"I thought the rush plan was pretty good on Saturday night, I really do," coach Jonathan Gannon said Monday. "Even on mixed downs. I think we're doing a better job of converting from run to pass or when (DC) Nick (Rallis) does call something because he wants to get them going."
Cameron Thomas had two sacks and a 26.7 percent pass-rush win rate. Xavier Thomas had a second straight game above 20 percent. Getting to the quarterback has been a point of emphasis throughout the offseason.
General manager Monti Ossenfort brought in players like Justin Jones, Bilal Nichols, and first-rounder Darius Robinson to help between the tackles. But in the eyes of Gannon and Rallis, two defensive-minded coaches, their scheme goes beyond the sack total. The staff is looking for pressure their pass rushers generate.
"Do you want sacks? Absolutely, especially on first and second down," Rallis said. "But you can't overlook affecting the pocket as well. Not every good rush is always going to end in a sack. I know hurries and hits do have statistics, but you do have to look at how a quarterback is affected in his pocket."
Thomas, the 2022 third-round pick who is battling for a roster spot, said he felt he had maximized his opportunities against the Colts.
"Every time getting home, it's the best feeling in the world," Thomas said.
During the offseason, the staff challenged Thomas to find his "fastball," a move that he could consistently use to win his one-on-ones. The sack production in the second preseason game was gratifying for the third-year player after being faced with a "learning curve" in the first season under Rallis and Gannon.
Cameron Thomas described the outside linebacker room as a "pack of dogs out there all hunting together." Xavier Thomas had a sack in in his second straight game. Victor Dimukeje constantly found his way to the backfield. Jesse Luketa drew a holding penalty that forced the Colts on 2nd-and-31, while facing more pressure, to throw an interception to Rabbit Taylor-Demerson.
"Every single snap you go out there, you try to do your best job," Cameron Thomas said. "Whether it ends up in a sack or ends up in a pressure, you do your job and let somebody else come free."
Zaven Collins is a testament to that claim. After finishing his first season as an edge rusher with 3.5 sacks, the Cardinals decided to sign Collins to a two-year extension. Gannon does want him to up his sack total. "I know sacks get guys paid a bunch of money, and you do have to affect the quarterback," Gannon said.
But the Cardinals' system also needs a rotation of players and coverage drops as much as attacking the quarterback.
"Obviously you want sacks, especially on early downs, those can kill drives," Rallis said. "But when you look at it in totality too, and really hone in on 'Are we affecting the quarterback like we need to?'"
CARDINALS RELEASE DALEY
The Cardinals released offensive lineman Dennis Daley on Monday. Described as a "warrior" by the head coach, Gannon emphasized his appreciation for Daley. The move opens a roster spot. The Cardinals have to be down to 53 players by Aug. 27.
