The Cardinals are back to .500 with a significant game coming Sunday at home against the LIons, an NFC finalist from a season ago. How about a mailbag? 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 Jayson W:
"Great game from all three phases of the game against the Rams. Budda Baker was everywhere. Have you heard of any discussion of a contract extension for Budda and is Darius Robinson on schedule to return soon?"
Haven't heard on either. Robinson has come through the locker room during open portion and seems to be walking pretty well, but he obviously isn't on the practice field yet and walking and playing football is much different. They will need to open his practice window before he comes back, so everyone will know it's soon. As for Baker, he had a tremendous game on Sunday, but the contract thing is an unknown (and the way they work, if he does get an extension it'll be hush-hush until it's done.)
From Jon David Lair:
"Hey, Darren. After Dennis Gardeck's outstanding performance, would you say he has solidified (if he hadn't yet) his spot as edge rusher number two behind Zaven Collins?"
I mean, Gardeck was already the other starter. I don't think anything has changed from that. At some point, if BJ Ojulari returns to health or Xavier Thomas takes a leap, perhaps that changes. But Gardeck has a solid role. It's still a rotation at that position.
From Sebas Quiros:
"Hey Darren. Amazing win, great dominant performance. Not here to question any playcalling because we only let up 10 points on certain plays we have defended very deep and leave pretty much no one covering the short pass or checkdowns. Why do you think this is?"
The number of plays overall in the NFL where teams are using two-high safeties to prevent deep shots and keeping things in front has jumped a lot over the last five years. You can't defend everything. If you want to make sure you aren't giving up over the top, you are going to usually be vulnerable to the short game. Depends on the situation, but if you have the ability to rally to the ball, Nick Rallis feels his defense is best deployed that way. Plus, making teams have 12-play scoring drives makes it much harder than if you give up a TD in five plays. More chances to make mistakes.
From Jeremy Blevin:
"Hey Darren. I've been a Cardinals fan for close to 30 years. In that 30 years, one thing has been consistent: it doesn't matter if the kickoff is the old format or the new dynamic setup - WHY don't they just kick it out of the end zone? I can count on one hand the number of times getting cute with the kickoff worked to benefit the kicking team."
I'll be honest Jeremy. I have no idea how many games you've watched total, but in my 25 years of covering the NFL and the, say, 20 years watching games before that, I have seen a non-touchback kickoff benefit the kicking team hundreds of times. Think about what you are saying here. I'm not saying it might not be smarter to just take the touchback, but for instance, the Buffalo game. Yes, DeeJay Dallas had a return for a score (chalk one up for Jeremy.) But earlier in the game, Dallas mishandled the kick and if it hadn't been late in the half it would have been disaster (chalk one up to the other side.)
From Jason S:
"Is there a max number of touches for James Conner? It sure seemed like they went away from him to soon after the first drive in Week 1. Do you expect them to rotate RB1 and RB2 in the same drive? I think Conner got a bit cold after the long rest but it may have been adjustments by Buffalo and the loss of Jonah Williams. Also, I did NOT like CBS coverage of the game itself. Too focused on the wind and the kickoff/tee issues the entire game instead of letting us fans at home know we lost our starting RT, and later our top rookie CB. I didn't find out until AFTER the game. Thoughts?"
I don't think you want to overdo it with Conner, but part of their issue in Buffalo was how the offense overall stalled. Conner still had 19 touches and the vast majority of playing time; Trey Benson went in for him for one series but otherwise he was in use. And unfortunately when they did go to him, other than his 20-yard run, he was bottled up. That also played a role. (Clearly, Conner was a monster in Week 2 with his 122 yards.)
From Lyle Burnside:
"Why are both our OC and DC on the sidelines, rather than in the box calling plays? I know it is coach preference, but has either guy explained the choice yet to you guys during a media session? I've watched football from a sideline many times, and you can't tell what the hell is happening out there, it's a chaos of bodies."
They have both talked about it, Drew Petzing relatively recently. Petzing said up in the box he found himself watching too much and getting a little late on the call, whereas on the sideline he can see a little less and the emotion of the sideline can speed him up (in a good way.) Nick Rallis likes to also see from the sideline, and he likes to be near the players if he needs to say something specific. Again, it's all about what the coaches feel works for them best. It isn't one size fits all.
From Ellie Ross:
"Markus Golden did the coin toss?! Fans at home had no idea! Please please post a video of that! Someone on your team must've captured it."
I don't know about video, but we definitely got a photo.
From Chris G:
"There was a Markus Golden sighting this Sunday. Any chance he can retire as a Cardinal?"
I don't know if there is going to be such a ceremony. I suppose you never say never. The fact Golden was invited back for Sunday's thing would be a good sign, I suppose.
From M Travers:
"Hello Darren. Do you think the early advantage has swung into the Cardinals favor? With a team culture taking hold over 17 rounds and now we enter round 3. This holds well for the team not getting big-headed with the Lions coming to town."
The Cardinals played a great game on Sunday. They beat up the Rams. Not sure they could play a better overall game. But it's one game. I love the quote guard Will Hernandez gave me after Sunday's game: "The secret to these wins, the way you keep them coming, is to pretend you don't have any. You put it in your head you have to do it over again. You make sure you know once you have the win, it doesn't matter anymore."
Every game is a new game.
From Jonathan Lair:
"Hey, Darren. Kyler Murray ran the ball 5 times for 57 yards in Buffalo. Do you think we can expect similar numbers for K1 in the run game as the season goes on? BTW, huge Cardinals Underground fan. I always look forward to new episodes with you, Paul, and Dani!"
One of the things Murray has made a point of saying is how he isn't forced to make plays all the time in this offense. Against the Bills I thought he ran when he needed, in the flow of the game. He had a very similar game against the Rams. That's a long way of saying I think it'll depend on the game and how it is going. Kyler's threat to run has to be a part of this, whether he takes off or not. Defenses fear that part of his game.
From Racene Smith:
"Hi Darren. This is the most minor of minor criticisms, but for as amazing as Marvin is, he doesn't have Larry Fitz hands (but who does?). He already has a drop on his resume. I thought the back-shoulder end zone pass (the first one) was completely catchable. Aiming for a Super Bowl so it's nitpick season. For the fact he lives on a JUGS machine, it's surprising he's a little bit of a body catcher. Also, I wasn't happy that Marvin's involvement dried up in the second half again. Why was Marvin forgotten after his hot start?"
Harrison had eight targets, and while only two came in the second half those were each the fades in the end zone, and had he completed both those TD catches, I think volume matters little. I think the first pass from Kyler needs to be better, IMO. But overall, Harrison was done playing with 8 minutes left in the game when Kyler went to the sideline, so two (end zone) targets over 22 minutes when you are already ahead by four touchdowns -- I don't have an issue with that. Nor should you.
From Jordan Graham:
"Hi Darren. I take issue with Kyler saying 'I don't decide where the ball goes, Petzing handles that' which Petzing reaffirmed in his own presser. Tell me Peyton Manning would ever say that. Or Tom Brady. Or Kurt Warner. Or any historically great QB. 'My OC tells me what to do' is a BS cop-out, and also non-ownership, non-leadership by a QB. I thought Kyler was further along than that."
I think people at this point find what they can with which to criticize Kyler no matter what. I'd say I'd take issue with the constant barrage of such criticism, but it is what it is. The coaching staff doesn't care that he said it and nor do his teammates. If Kyler ever implied that he was going to do what he wanted and at times defy the OC, people would complain about that.
From Kendall C:
"Are Marvin Harrison Jr. jerseys going to be released anytime soon? And why haven't they been released yet?"
As I have mentioned a few times, he and Fanatics are currently at odds about his contract/potential contract when it comes to such things and until that gets resolved, his jersey will not be available.
From Tim Tekulve:
"Darren. I really appreciate the mailbag, your comments along with the readers questions. Having been to every Cardinals home game since they came to Arizona, I believe that was the best first quarter/half I have witnessed while dominating the Rams on Sunday. It was nice going to work having no voice on a Monday morning from yelling in celebration. My question is about the team captains. I believe on Saturday nights the team comes up with a game time captain. Who was the extra team captain this week and when/where is it announced?"
They are going to pick in on Saturdays but I do not expect that there will be any announcements. It was Hjalte Froholdt Week 1 and Mack Wilson Sr. Week 2. I'll have to pay attention to it on Sundays. I appreciate you writing in though, Tim. I look forward to your Suns questions when NBA starts in another month or so.
From The Walker:
"Darren, can you explain how the playing field goes in and out with the new luxury casitas there?"
It's not complicated. Those structures are completely broken down after each game, stored in the bowels of the stadium, and the field moves in and out as it always has. It's a heavy lift, but they had to move the stands that were in that end prior anyway. Whatever is there has to be moved out of the way.
From Charlie P:
"The Panthers just benched Bryce Young. A highly-talented QB of Kyler similar stature. Trade a late-rounder for him to be a backup here? Why not? WHY NOT DARREN? Before you dismiss my question with your patented Urban snark, I'm actually quite serious. Someone is going to acquire him, and I ask why not us? Maybe he develops and we can flip him for a higher pick to a QB-needy team someday; a la Garoppolo behind Brady."
Far be it for me to talk about specifics of a player on another team, but a) you are assuming the Panthers are going to deal him, and at this point I am not 100 percent sure, and b) I don't see the scenario the same as you. Kyler has his issues being 5-foot-10, and acknowledges such. But he has such special talents otherwise (like his speed and elusive abilities) that it all fits. I don't see Young as that player. I don't know what his future holds. Maybe he'll end up like Mayfield or Darnold, escaping his past to carve out a future. But maybe he's going to be Matt Leinart or Josh Rosen, and a different place doesn't translate to different results.
