Let's start with the idea that Tip Reiman did not false start on the Cardinals' penultimate drive in Minnesota last weekend, when the Cards had a first-and-goal at the Vikings 5.

"I don't think that was a false start," quarterback Kyler Murray said, and indeed, watching the all-22 replay from both the side and back angles shows Vikings defensive lineman Jerry Tillery clearly jumping into the neutral zone before the rookie tight end moves (before anyone on the Cardinals offense moves tbh).

"That one was tough," Reiman said. "Elijah here (motioning to his locker neighbor) can attest -- I wasn't the happiest. But just like I false started those couple (other) times, refs are human too, they make mistakes too. I can see both sides of it."

Reiman wasn't looking for absolution. He understands he didn't play well regardless of the final flag, having been flagged three other times: two false starts and a holding penalty that was declined. He doesn't hide from the performance, nor ignore it.

"That was a big thing in college that I tried to focus on, because I would let it snowball, one mistake into three into five or whatever," Reiman said. "Clearly it snowballed to an extent. But as far as mentally, trying to keep playing. No matter if I screw up 45 times, if I get another opportunity I have to put something good on tape or I will literally get cut and not have a job. You flush-it-and-figure-out-a-way-because-I-have-a-family-to-feed kind of thing."

It wasn't the noise necessarily, Reiman added, just getting anxious and anticipating the silent count -- a fix he will concentrate on making. It doesn't hurt the Cardinals have two straight home games.

Murray made clear he has Reiman's back. Said coach Jonathan Gannon, "he'll bounce back and play well. He'll be fine."

And that's the thing. Reiman has earned his spot as a key component of the Cardinals' two- and three-ight offense, along with Higgins and Trey McBride. This isn't a player who is getting spot duty, or wilted in his first opportunity.

He will remain an important cog. He understands that, too.

"I thought about that," he said. "As bad as it was, you can find a silver lining that I've earned enough of a spot to not get cut, which I'm thankful for. Still a possibility, so I am treading lightly.

"I'm thankful for the opportunities and I try to come at them with intentionality and consistency to be able to move forward from things like this."