Memorial Day has passed, the usual measuring point for Major League Baseball team and the stretch run for NFL team's and their offseason program. Let's mailbag, shall we? 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 Tiarnán C:
"Coming at you from Ireland. In the offseason, there's always a huge emphasis in discussions on the impact that rookies will make to the team in their first season. Of all the Cardinals drafted in the last 20-odd years, who was the most impactful in their rookie season? Thinking Boldin and Tyrann of the top of my head, P2 for the returns maybe."
Since I have covered this team, no one has had a greater impact than Anquan Boldin. I mean, 101 catches for 1,377 yards and 8 touchdowns (for a not-great team) was hands-down one of the most impressive things I've watched on this beat. Tyrann Mathieu had a better-than-good rookie season but he tore his ACL that first year. Patrick Peterson was close. He was a starter at cornerback and had the four touchdowns on punt returns. He shared the backfield but David Johnson had an excellent rookie year with significant impact. (Fitz did too, although not like Anquan the year before.)
From Ted Beck:
"All these questions about who's going to start made me want to ask this question: who makes the final decision on who starts? I suspect you'll say it's a joint decision made by the front office and the coaching staff. But I can imagine a scenario where the head coach wants to start player A at left guard because it gives the team the best chance to win, but the GM wants to start player B because he just got a big free agent contract and he has to start to justify the contract. As always, thanks for giving us this format!"
No, who starts isn't a joint decision, nor should it be. It's up to Jonathan Gannon and his coaching staff. Now, what is a joint conversation is, for instance, Monti trying to sign a big free agent and making sure the coaching staff is on board if they brought the guy in. If they aren't on the same page in that regard, things can get sideways quick. Same with high draft picks. Now, an organization can get caught up in the politics of, say, a drafted QB in the first round. Owners tend to pay attention to that one. But in the end, a healthy organization -- which I believe the Cardinals have -- has constant conversations but leaves the on-field decisions to the head coach.
From Gary Hilton:
"Darren, during a debate a question arose. When was last time the Cardinals played a regular season game in both Tampa and Jacksonville and who won? Thanks."
The Cardinals won in Jacksonville in 2021 by a score of 31-19. The last time they played in Tampa was 2019, Kyler's rookie season, and the Cardinals lost, 30-27.
From James Coleman:
"Hello sir. Now that the Sean Murphy-Bunting news has broken, there's additional reports coming out that the Cards have known for months and therefore cornerback was a larger need than we realized. Do you know if they knew? I wish SMB a quick and healthy recovery. To reiterate a question you got a few weeks ago, Will Johnson slid because of health concerns, but if healthy he was projected to be a Patrick Peterson-type immediate starter in the first round. We know the coach speak of 'he has to earn it' (starting job) but c'mon man. He is going to be a starter. His pedigree is too blue for a bench."
I don't know for a fact the Cardinals knew for "months" but if it did happen before the draft, then yes, it is going to impact roster-building. The Will Johnson pick made a ton of sense regardless of the cornerback room. But the Denzel Burke pick may be connected. Gannon is speaking to the media this week; I don't know how much he'll speak on the subject. As for Johnson starting right away, I disagree it should be a given. Max Melton didn't start right away last season, and he was chosen four slots ahead of where Johnson went. Besides, Gannon and Nick Rallis are not the kind of guys who hand out playing time based on draft status. It's the antithesis of what Gannon wants his team to be. (I know every coach says that, but not all live it. Gannon does.)
From Nick Brunnel:
"I noticed no Cardinal rookies were invited to that rookie symposium thing or at least none were in attendance. Any idea why not? Typically first-rounders or 'notable' players are there (Shedeur and Skattebo) were both there. If not Walter I would've thought at least Will Johnson would've been invited. Any insight as to why none of our guys got to go?"
Basically, they don't invite offensive linemen or defensive players. I think there were two defensive players there? But if you aren't an offensive skill guy, they don't have much interest. So no, no Cardinals were invited.
From Bob Kitsos:
"What can you tell us about undrafted Bryson Green, the wide receiver from Wisconsin, and the prospect of him being in a Cardinals' uniform at the start of the season?"
I can't tell you much, other than he attended the same high school as Kyler Murray did and that he played also Oklahoma State in college as well as Wisconsin. His college stats or measurables don't create headlines. My guess right now -- without really having seen him -- is that he'd have to make the practice squad to stick around. Or be special on special teams.
From Scotty Morrison:
"Hi Darren, the Packers took a wide receiver in the first round of the draft for the first time since 2002. A 23-year drought. I'm just curious, and this is unfair to put on your research department but does Arizona have a similar positional drought? Off the topic of my head, I believe it would be center, correct? In fact I can't name a single first-round center drafted to AZ since I was born!"
There have been two long droughts for the first round with the Cardinals, although not shocking. The last time they took a tight end in the first round was 1974 when they picked J.V. Cain. The last time they took a center in the first round was 1962 when they took Irv Goode. Every other position has been accounted for in the first round since 2009, when they took running back Beanie Wells.
From Daniel A:
"I asked this question about a year ago or so. Where can I see JG's TV Show from Germany? And I also can't watch the podcasts. Last time you sent me a link. It didn't work. I kept looking and it's just nowhere to be found. Thanks for your answers and help and the mailbag in general! It's a great read!"
As of right now, Gannon's TV show is not available online. We will see if that changes at all this season. As far as the podcasts, I am not sure if links I send you are available on YouTube in Germany, which is where you would have to watch the podcasts. I will try and find out that information.
From Brent Snyder:
"Hey Darren, couple of Cards Underground Podcast questions for you. A few weeks back the topic of International games came up and Dani showed a clear disappointment that the Cards were not going to Germany to face the Colts. I get the idea of a free, someone else plans it all for me trip to Germany but am curious if the disappointment was purely that, no free trip to Germany, or is there a team reason? Are the organization and players also disappointed? How do the players feel about the international games? From a fan perspective I am not bothered either way, but as a season ticket holder, I didn't like that we lost a home game one year, with potential to lose more in the future. Also, please tell me there is a video of the end of the Winning Behavior intro and Ron Wolfley's clip! I need to see that in video context! Like always, thanks for the honest opinions/answers Darren!"
I think with us -- and I would have loved to see Germany -- it's the chance to do something we have not done. I do think that ownership likes the idea of getting an international game and getting new places to show the brand. But the players and coaches probably would rather not; it takes a team out of its routine. Coaches especially tend to not like that. I understand why fans don't love them in terms of a home game, but the reality is that every team is going to play an international game at some point (it may not be until there are 18-game seasons.)
As for video of Wolf's ... "sound" at the end of the Winning Behavior intro, no it doesn't exist. It's from a radio broadcast some game, when video is not being shot. I'm sure you can imagine it, though.
