The Cardinals are a week into camp, the pads have finally come on, and the first preseason game approaches. The mailbag is in regular-season form, however. 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 James Green:
"Hi Darren. How is Darius Robinson doing? For all the talk of Marvin and Max it seems D-Rob is the forgotten first-rounder. Part of it is just due to depth. We have dire need at WR and CB, so those guys contributions are critical, whereas DL is actually looking pretty deep so D-Rob has more room to sit back. But still, a first-rounder is a first-rounder."
Robinson has been fine, although we have had exactly one padded practice in his NFL career. You are right, the Harrison and Melton stories tend to run hotter because of the need there. (And both have emerged at this early stage with the first unit, and Robinson has not yet.) I wouldn't fret. Robinson is going to play a significant role in the rotation. I expect to see him in a variety of spots along the defensive line, and he should get a lot of snaps in the preseason. (Which I am not so sure Harrison does.)
From Rob Ert:
"When the players -- QB, receivers, running backs -- do their off-time team training, who pays? The individual players? Kyler? The team can't, can it? Just kind of wondered."
You are correct, the team cannot. Would be a salary cap violation and besides teams can have nothing to do with players training outside of the CBA-allowed windows in the offseason. No, the players are on the hook. In the past Kyler has spent the money to get guys out there. He did again on the recent trip to Los Angeles. It sounds like a great way to work together.
From Paul D:
"Do you see more defensive 3-4 looks, 5-2 looks, or happy hybrid when you watch the Cardinals play/practice and do you expect Darius Robinson to develop into a part of the down-line rotation most of the time or do you expect to see him standing up on the Edge with Ojulari, Collins, and Gardeck from time to time like he did at Mizzou? Thanks for taking my question Darren. I always enjoy the mailbag."
I think Gannon/Rallis will always look into the hybrid part of defense. It's why they collect so many guys who can be versatile, and Robinson is a tangible example of that. Yes, I think there will be some times when he can stand up on the edge. But with those other guys you mentioned -- and that doesn't include a couple others, including a guy like Mack Wilson Sr. -- I think Robinson will likely be used as the dynamic rush guy for the defensive line. Heck, he could still stand up sometimes even as a three-technique. You never know what Rallis will do.
From Kirk C:
"Hey Darren. I really enjoy all the podcasts and various content with the insights and opinions of the media crew. If I understand it correctly, you and your team can watch non-public aspects of practice but cannot report certain details from those sessions (and I can understand why). My question is how do you decide what's reportable or not? I get the need not to report details of scheme etc., but if for example you see Evan Brown take the majority of left guard snaps or Melton in the CB2 role, can you report that or is that confidential for now? Thanks!"
There is a list put out by the media relations staff (and curated by the football side) of what is off-limits at times, but in the non-public times and when the session is only open for the first 20 minutes or so, it is pretty clear. Nothing after that open portion can be reported upon, and usually they aren't doing much besides stretching and individual drills in that time, so all that other stuff is off the table. When the practice is open to the public, obviously those rules wouldn't make much sense.
From Michael Travers:
"Hello Darren. NFL.com's Bucky Brooks wrote an article with the building blocks for the foundation of a championship team. They included a quarterback, three offensive playmakers, three quality offensive linemen, two pass rushers and three back-seven defenders. In your opinion how close do you think our Cards are to having this winning foundation?"
That's all subjective, isn't it? The one place that's glaring to me is the pass rushers, since the Cardinals still need to find guys that can prove that. And yes, there is a level Kyler still has to reach, or that Harrison still has to reach. If I had to list the players on the Cardinals that would be the most likely candidates for this: Kyler, MHJ, Conner, McBride, Paris, Froholdt, Hernandez, Budda, JT, Melton and then pass rushers.
From Michael F:
"With all the talent added to the offensive side of the ball, do you think there's pressure on Kyler Murray and Drew Petzing to produce?"
If I had to rank them, there is probably a little more pressure on Kyler than Petzing. But realistically, what are we saying here? The quarterback always has pressure to produce regardless of what he has around him. That's the nature of the beast. And an offensive coordinator isn't going to last long, again regardless of the players, if the offense stinks. All that said, Petzing did a lot of great things last year (and had a top-five rushing game) and Kyler is healthy. I will be surprised if they do not produce.
From Bill Leyland:
"What is the status and projection for Marquis Hayes? He was impressive last training camp before he got hurt. I'm sure he's not going to make the 53-man roster yet, but does he have a legit shot to make the practice squad? Thanks."
He's working both sides but I have noticed him at right guard. Hayes was hurt in 2022, but he was healthy in 2023 -- just on the practice squad all season. The fact he is one of the few Keim draft picks to make it through the year with Gannon, I'd say he's got a chance. But he needs to make a move forward at some point. The preseason games will be important.
From Steve W:
"Whatever happened to Maxx Williams? He was having a great year before his devastating injury. I remember seeing a picture of him at home, in his cast, watching a Cardinals game, then he's no longer around?"
Not sure what was confusing. Unfortunately he suffered drop foot as a result of his injury. He came back the next year but was never able to overcome the foot issue and his career essentially ended after the 2022 season.
From Wally Ellsbury:
"Hi Darren! Some have noted Zay Jones being a standout. As talented as Marvin Harrison and Michael Wilson are, both are unproven. Zay Jones is the veteran on the roster and he's looked the part so far in camp. Is there any chance Zay works his way into being the No. 2 or maybe even No. 1 by season's end? Thanks."
l agree Zay has looked good so far. I do think he's got a chance to play an important role, especially since injuries happen. But do I think he displaces Marvin Harrison Jr.? No. MHJ was drafted where he was because he is good enough to be No. 1. Wilson still has parts of his game to prove but given his work ethic and talent, I see him staying as No. 2 barring injury. That doesn't mean Jones can't be important, but his role will be about receiver depth I believe.
From Matthew Stroh:
"Hey Darren, thank you for the amazing work like always. Do you think with how great Michael Carter played last season we might keep fewer wide receivers and more running backs and tight ends? If we run more two tight-end and/or two running back sets how would the defense know if we are going to run it or throw it? And do you think winning four games in the division this season is possible?"
As Jonathan Gannon was making the point last week, the final roster equation is not about one position only but also how the last guy or two at each position compares to others. Can Carter play on the coverage special teams? How many tight ends do they keep? Let's say this: I think they keep five receivers. Four isn't enough. Do they keep four or five running backs? Only three tight ends? It's going to be a fascinating breakdown.
From Red C:
"Darren, you're my last hope. I've besought everyone I can think to beseech to get Dan Chisena in for an interview. I think it would be very interesting to hear the story of his 2023 season. If you're not aware, he was the subject of 17 roster moves across four teams, one of which was a playoff run in Baltimore before finding his way back to Arizona. Tell the story!"
We'll see what we can do.
From Richard Wakefield:
"It's not a question but a comment. It's amazing what sports can do for you. I have been waiting and waiting for football to start and now that it has I'm wearing a grin all the time. I love our Valley teams even though we don't ever win. But football is special and I'm extremely happy with what the Cardinals are doing. I'm a fan and if ownership wonders what fans are thinking I can tell them: WE'RE EXCITED!"
I am glad you are enthused and hopefully the Cardinals keep that feeling charged as we head into the season. I'll pass along your message.
