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You've Got Mail: Championship Weekend Awaits

Topics include backup QBs, best photos of the year, and getting more YAC

Budda Locker mailbag 012125

The NFL is down to its final four teams. The mailbag is powering on. Questions have been edited for length and clarity. Don't forget to send a question for a future mailbag with at least a first name and last initial.

From Jeremy Fehr:

"Hey Darren, I realize that Kyler Murray is capable of making any type of pass, but do you think that there is something about his throwing style, or perhaps the places on the field that he targets most frequently that makes it easier for defenders to track the ball and cover their assignments? It just felt like so few of our yards came from after the catch, but before contact this season. Also, do you know what the exact criteria for a dropped pass is?"

I'll be honest Jeremy, I think I know what you're asking but I'm not sure. When you are talking about YAC, that usually is about the playcalls first, and then where the ball is placed in the course of the play. I'd have to look at YAC-but-before-contact -- not even sure where that would be, to be honest -- but this offense isn't the same as the previous one with Kingsbury for instance, where a ton of the plays were set to get it out quick and have most of the gain be YAC.

As for criteria for a dropped pass, that's subjective. It's supposed to be where the catch should be made with average effort. Kind of like how a baseball error is supposed to be judged that the play should be made by an average major leaguer. Who's measuring that? Results can vary.

From James J.:

"So Kliff Kingsbury has made it to the NFC Championship game. What do you make of that?"

I suppose that's a simple question. I assume it's coming from the angle that, hey, the former Cardinals coach has gotten there. On a personal level, I'm happy for Kliff; he and I had a good working relationship. But he's working in a completely different situation than he was in Arizona, the biggest change that he is not the head coach but the offensive coordinator. We can talk all day about the different QB or different players Kingsbury has now vs. then, but even Kingsbury said he knew he had shortcomings with the bigger picture that he'd change the next time around as a head coach.

From Aldy Morris:

"Hey Darren. As far as bringing in a QB to compete with Kyler, what do you think about Sam Darnold? Not to be rude but he cost himself money these last two weeks, to our benefit. We could probably nab him for a cool $20M for one or two seasons. And yes we can afford it. Trey McBride is the only sure-thing big money coming. And even that is only $18M. We've got $68M, bro. A possible starting playoff QB is absolutely a good use of that money."

Well, chief, I am not sure the Cardinals have $68M of cap space completely available; I will be curious what the number is from the NFLPA after the new league year starts and after the Cardinals take care of all the incentives and bonuses they might have have to pay out. I find it interesting you know exactly what the cap number will be for McBride if he were to get a new deal; not sure how you know that. Mostly, though, I think it's funny that you want to have a $20M backup QB, which would be a terrible use of resources. 1) I think no matter how Darnold's season ended, he will have a chance to play for a team that will give him a starting role outright and 2) he's going to get more than $20M.

From Jared Woods:

"How come you're avoiding the QB questions? I know you got them. Darnold, Russ, Flacco. etc. Nobody is saying yank Kyler. It's about competition and earning your job, same as any player."

Not sure how I am avoiding the question. I've said multiple times I think Kyler is going to be QB1 no questions asked for 2025. Sorry if people don't want to hear that from me. (And again, I don't know for sure, but I am taking what Jonathan Gannon has said, and I don't see any other way to interpret it.)

From Blaine S:

"Hey Darren! As always thanks for holding an open door with us fans to communicate with. We are lucky to have you and your team! In the past few seasons I have asked you for a season grade on the Cardinals, but if I remember right, you are not a fan of grades. So in honor of last week's awards, I have some additional awards I would love if you could hand them out.

  1. Biggest surprise of the season
  2. Biggest disappointment
  3. Locker room leader
  4. Favorite quote of the season
  5. Most interesting storyline of the season
  6. Free agent most likely to return
  7. Free agent most likely to leave
  8. Most memorable Cards Underground moment
  9. Opponent you are looking most forward to next season
  10. Caitlyn Epes favorite photo of the season

Thanks in advance for playing along again Darren. Much appreciated!"

Lot of questions there. I'll do my best.

  1. To be honest, I think my biggest surprise was getting extensions for both Baker and Conner done in-season. Wasn't sure we were going to see that.
  2. Losing three straight in the Seattle-Minnesota-Seattle games that waylayed a impressive start to the season
  3. Budda Baker. He's always going to be that guy.
  4. This came from rookie cornerback Max Melton, who was the fourth cornerback picked in a row in the second round when fans wondered why the Cardinals wouldn't have taken one of the other ones earlier. "Everybody is going to have an opinion. Those things are like Gucci belts. Everyone has one, know what I'm sayin'? Exactly. Everyone is going to have an opinion, no one is ever going to be 100 percent on the same page, especially when you are talking about millions of fans. But come the season, once we get a couple weeks in, I think they'll be happy with their pick."
  5. As frustrating as it was, watching the development of Marvin Harrison Jr. and understanding the learning curve there was interesting. I even touched on it in training camp that a 1,000 yards from a rookie high-pick receiver was no sure thing. Doesn't mean he won't be great.
  6. Will Hernandez or L.J. Collier.
  7. Given that he seemed to hint at leaving, I'm going to say Kyzir White.
  8. I very much enjoyed telling the exploding whale story.
  9. Depends. Is the Colts game in Germany? Then it's the Colts. After that? I guess a trip to New Orleans? Or maybe the Packers game at home which will be a test against what should be an NFC playoff team.
  10. Caitlyn couldn't pick just one. So she picked these three (and a full gallery of the best of the season is at the end of this mailbag.)
2024_SF_1006ce_2766
2024_MIA_1027ce_1310_1
2025_SF_0105ce_1911

From James Blackburn:

"I live in Missouri and I can't follow shows, podcasts or radio as if I lived in Phoenix. I wish I could. I miss not being able to hear and see all I can. I am/was a long time season ticket holder in the mezzanine section when they played at Sun Devil Stadium. I even get NFL Sunday ticket just so I can watch EVERY game. So I guess you can say I'm a die-hard fan. So please help me."

If you are talking about our podcasts and radio shows, that is all available on azcardinals.com, the Arizona Cardinals app, our YouTube channel and on Apple podcasts or Spotify. The Birdwatch TV show can be found here.

From Brian C:

"Hi Darren. I understand the verbiage for the different personnel groups on offense (12 personnel, 10 personnel, etc.). However I'm wondering, do the numbers reflect the players on the field for a given play, or where they happen to line up? For example, what if Trey McBride is lined up in the backfield, does he count as an RB or a TE for the personnel grouping number? What about if James Conner lines up as a WR? What about when he motions out from a RB spot to a WR spot? Other examples exist."

That is a fantastic question. It's the position that matters when it comes to personnel groupings. McBride is always a tight end regardless where he is, Conner is a running back regardless where he is. Where they line up gets into formations and alignments.

From Matthew C:

"Hey Darren, I do a mock draft just about every single day now (usually through PFF) and several times Ashton Jeanty has fallen to 16 because he's an RB. It really got me thinking (and I know ASU fans love Cam Skattebo more, but let's be real) would Monti consider taking him in that situation? Which players who are projected to go Top 20 would he NOT consider at 16? My short list is Cam Ward/Shedeur Sanders, Tyler Warren and Makali Starks, all because we are good to go at those positions, and have big needs elsewhere. But as much as I love James Connor, I don't see him starting 17 games in 2027, or maybe even 2026. Not often can you pick up true blue-chip talent at 16."

No you don't want to pass on a blue-chip talent. I understand that sentiment. But I do believe that, to where the Cardinals have constructed the roster, it makes little sense. In the RB room alone, you just extended Conner and took Trey Benson with a high third-round pick. You take a running back first, he's got to be starting from Day 1. So there is that. Also, you use a first-round pick on a running back, then you are not taking an edge rusher or a defensive lineman or even a premium offensive lineman, all of which are a) needed and b) in the vein of how Monti Ossenfort wants to build this team. (I'm not sure Jeanty is there at 16 anyway, but that's a discussion for another day.)

From Jason W:

"Is any new information about upgrades to the facilities or the locker room since last year's improvement on the players survey? Also, can you please put a request in Mr. Bidwill's suggestion box to mix up the uniforms combinations. Thank you for your time, have a great day!"

I have no heard of anything to announce about improvements, although I'm pretty sure it remains in the conversation. As for the uniforms, I can pass that along, although the uniforms were designed to be monochrome, so I am not sure anything is going to be changing anytime soon.

The top 100 images taken by the Cardinals photographers during the 2024 regular season, presented by Earnhardt Auto Centers.

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