One of the reasons why the Cardinals wanted to sign Sean Murphy-Bunting during free agency was because of his football character and how the cornerback openly expressed his love for the game.
His emotions spiked in Green Bay when he came up with an interception that, at the time, was crucial. The passion turned to frustration later, after Murphy-Bunting drew two defensive holding penalties and allowed a touchdown to Romeo Doubs on a single drive.
"SMB, he wants to be great, so he's mad at himself when he doesn't make the plays that he expects himself to make," defensive coordinator Nick Rallis said. "I just went over there (on the sidelines) and reminded him that, 'Hey, dude, you're one of our best players. You're a leader. Reset yourself and you're good to go.'"
Murphy-Bunting's interception -- his first of the season -- had a brief celebration. The cornerback recognizes his position group is vulnerable to scrutiny because each one-on-one matchup can change the outcome of the game.
Murphy-Bunting appreciated Rallis' message.
"It's definitely reassuring, but I don't want to be in that position," he said said. "I just need to stay out of that, stand on my technique, and just control what I can, and keep playing ball."
That next-play mentality is something coach Jonathan Gannon emphasized to Murphy-Bunting as the team prepares for a primetime contest against the Chargers on 'Monday Night Football.' There was once a player Gannon coached that had four pass interference penalties called against him in the same game. That unnamed player was Gannon's CB1 at the time and didn't let one rough performance sway his confidence.
Having spent the majority of his career coaching defensive backs, Gannon understands the mental toughness that is required of that position, which is why he feels Murphy-Bunting is "ready to go."
"Don't let one play beat you twice," Gannon said. "He's resilient. He's focused. He's in the right head space."
Murphy-Bunting attributes those traits to his routine. The 27-year-old said he spent the following day watching the film, correcting it, forgetting it, and moving on to the next opponent.
"That's literally how my process is each and every week," Murphy-Bunting said. "Playing corner in this league, that's just how it is and that's how it's always going to be. You're going to have your high days and you're going to have your low days, but I've got to stay even-keeled and in the middle all the time."
Over the course of his six-year career, Murphy-Bunting has been on the roller coaster known as the NFL. On Monday, he'll take another spin on the ride, all while playing the game with his heart on his sleeve.
"I just got to keep playing ball," Murphy-Bunting said. "I've been in the league for a while now, and I've been through a bunch of different situations. It's something that fans, everybody might look at as a big deal, but I don't. It's football, (expletive) happens. I'll get back to doing what I do."
