It's Carolina week, where we could see head to head which Darren/Darin has the best mailbag. (Let's be clear, Darin Gannt can call himself the Old Guy. I will refuse that title.) Here in Arizona, 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 Bill L.:

"Is Mack Wilson going to be able to play this week? It feels like he's had a pretty good season, and I like how he teams up with Kyzir. I hope he's OK, but the Cardinals need him for this stretch run."

It will be wait-and-see for Wilson, who is in concussion protocol. There will be a checklist of things he has to accomplish before they let him back on the field; to me, Thursday will be an important day. If he isn't back on the field by then, then I would guess he would miss the game in Carolina. You are right, he has played well this season and this defense needs him. But he has to be healthy. Especially when it comes to a concussion.

From Dale Hatfield:

"Darren, surprise! surprise! The sun is trying to peek through the clouds. It's only a faint outline, but it is enough to give Cardinal fans hope. If things break the Cardinals way, they could still make the playoffs. Anyway, my question is do you think McBride and Conner will make the Pro Bowl this year? They're both having pretty good years."

I would be surprised if Trey McBride didn't make the Pro Bowl. He's been excellent and he was picking up steam late last season so he'll get fan interest as well as votes from players and coaches. I think Conner will get the latter, but he's not in the top 10 in fan votes and more importantly, there are some good NFC running backs with which to tangle -- Barkley, Jacobs, Kyren Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs -- and get in.

From Richard Wakefield:

"I don't understand why we don't throw the ball to Trey McBride when they stack the box to stop James Conner?"

I don't know, it kind of feels like they do throw it to McBride quite enough. Generally, though, I don't think it's quite as simple as, if the defense does "a", just do "b".

From Phil Dubois:

"Hey Darren. Marvin Harrison Jr. clearly does not like, or have confidence, in that go route. Stop making him run it! Whatever happened to the concept of 'put players in position to succeed?' Marvin is dominant on crossing routes. Let him run crossing routes. Heck, let him run whatever routes he feels good in. When healthy, the Saints WR Michael Thomas slant-routed his way to the most catches in an NFL season."

Do I understand that people are wanting more from MHJ? Of course. But frankly I am not sure why you would say he doesn't like the deep route (which he doesn't really run any true "go" routes) when he ran plenty in college. You have someone running crossing routes a lot of the time. It's your soon-to-be-Pro-Bowl tight end. You drafted Harrison to be the outside/downfield threat. Obviously you have to mix-and-match. But to be honest, I don't think Harrison, if he has confidence issues right now, has issues with a particular route as much as rookie issues learning the game.

From Sebas Quiros:

"Hey Darren. I know we are a run-first team, and that's all good. I know Trey McBride is the No. 1 target for Kyler and the offense and that's also good. But we didn't draft an elite blue chip prospect like Marv to have him getting the low amount of targets he gets. Do you think they address this during the offseason considering there's only three weeks left?"

You acknowledge McBride is the top target for Kyler, and the tight end has 116 targets. But Harrison has 92. Second on the team. I'm not sure, unless you don't want McBride targeted as much, how much more you want to go to Harrison. Michael Wilson only has 60 targets, and James Conner has 48 as the checkdown option. Harrison is on pace for 112 targets. If they address anything it'll be the amount of times those targets connect. Maybe that's really what you have the issue with?

From Charles H:

"Hi Darren, first time writing in this season. Two quick questions and an observation. Why do you think the Cards don't keep in a running back more to help with pass protection? I see a lot of motioning out and pass routes for the backs. Second, do other pass catchers on the team deserve more targets? It appears Kyler pre determines his passes to Harrison Jr, and just throws it up. Last, I have seen several times wide receivers not putting their mouth pieces in (especially 18) and it's usually a run. Small indicator, but if I see it, I'm sure the defense does. Thanks!"

I would think, on the latter point, if you are going to block on a run you'd want a mouthpiece in? But I have to say this isn't something I've noticed so I don't have a real response. WIth your questions, a) if you keep a back in, that's one less pass catcher available. You are giving something up either way, and if you feel Murray can get out of trouble with his scrambling ability, maybe you lean that way. A back usually will stay in for a blitz; if a team isn't blitzing, your OL really should be able to hold up long enough for a pass. As for the targets, I find this question kind of funny given the one I just answered above. That person said MHJ isn't targeted enough, you say he's targeted too much. I suppose it's all about perspective, rather than one true answer.

From Scott B:

"What an unlucky schedule. We are 4-0 against teams with losing records (including the 49ers) and 3-7 against teams with winning records. Luckily we close against two teams with losing records (including the Niners who seem to have given up) and then the Rams. What must happen for us to make the playoffs if we go 3-0, and what conditions must be met if we lose to the Rams?"

If the Cardinals lose to the Rams, you're done. If the Cardinals go 3-0, then the other thing you need is two Seahawks losses out of their last three games (that's why getting swept by Seattle was killer.) The Seahawks have Vikings at home, then games at Chicago and at the Rams. Not impossible. But still a lot of moving parts, beginning with the Cardinals winning every week.

From Jack Rackham:

"Hi Darren. What is your take on Kyler's confidence? Because I think I've heard you ask those type of questions to him before. Full transparency, I'm still feeling the Seattle loss, but it's getting to the point where I'm a little annoyed by Kyler's constant reaffirming of his confidence. Because it's like, why are you so confident? I guess it just goes hand in hand with similar comments I've heard from coaches, which also irk me. This whole 'on to New England' talk we've heard all (last) week feels disingenuous. Everybody is acting like Seattle was just another loss, and it was not."

Editor's note, Jack's question obviously came in before the Patriots game, although I think the point remains for him (feel free to correct me on that, Jack.) I get it when fans are frustrated and the coach or players speak a lot more while even-keeled. The fans want the players and coaches to be feeling the same emotions. But here's the deal, and I think anyone who waits a moment to take the emotion out of it will realize -- it does the team no good to get emotional, nor would it do them any good to lose confidence or admit to it. What is the upside there? Would you prefer players and coaches to come out and say "The season is over?" Methinks people would then criticize for how these guys make all this money and now they are giving up. A pro athlete is always confident. How do you think they got to this level? Any guy I've seen, in any pro sport, lose their confidence (and show it), they haven't been a pro much longer.

And not for nothing, while it remains a steep hill, if the Cardinals win Sunday against Carolina and the Seahawks lose to the Vikings, it's going to look like the right play to just look at it one step at a time.

From Punchy Juan:

"Victory Monday Darren! I have a mixed bag of questions.

1. TD aside, I think Jonah Williams has been pretty solid at right tackle. Given he was the big money FA, it was important for Monti to land a winner. Happy to have him.
2. Did you see the rumor that the Cards were trying to trade for Calais Campbell at the deadline? It's moot now, but what does that mean to you?
3. The Cardinals are currently slated for the third-most cap space next offseason. Do you expect them to be aggressive in free agency this time around?
4. I worry the Cardinals cannot objectively assess their own players. How can you fairly grade a guy when you name your child after him?
5. Jalen Thompson. With big money comes big expectations, and hasn't he been underperforming based on the expectations?
6. What is the status of Budda getting extended, given his importance to the team?"

I have some answers:

1. I agree that Williams has been a solid signing, and as long as we are on the subject, I felt like the people thinking Williams' return to the lineup after the bye was a main source of their offensive woes in that timeframe was a mistake.
2. It meant a) that Monti Ossenfort has indeed been searching for ways to improve the team and b) it was fun to daydream about a Campbell return. He's a fan favorite, and be assured he was one of my favorites.
3. When you say aggressive, I assume you mean going after high-priced guys. It'll depend on who. I think they will spend on some of their own guys (FAs to be, and likely a McBride extension) but if there is a good edge guy out there that makes sense, yes. But again, Ossenfort and Gannon don't operate on just numbers. If they have intel that a player isn't the kind of guy they want in the locker room, they won't chase him even if he is uber-talented.
4. You are referring to DC Nick Rallis and Kyzir White, and there are a couple of levels to this. For starters, naming a kid or not, every single coach has favorites. Always have, always will. To act like they do not is crazy. Yet these decisions are made all the time. The hard decisions. Secondly, Ossenfort and Gannon are the ones making the choices on the roster. You would never have found a GM and player closer than Steve Keim and Adrian Wilson -- they ended up working together in the front office -- but Keim cut Wilson in 2012. And I know part of this is your concern about White's play, but he's been pretty good this season, IMO.
5. Thompson hasn't had splash plays so I understand the question. But the way the Cardinals play, his versatility is prized by this coaching staff. I think -- with Budda's contract status and Rabbit's development -- safety is in flux going into this offseason with how Gannon/Ossenfort construct the roster.
6. PHNX reported there have been some discussions about a Baker extension. Do I think the Cardinals want him back? I do think that, but as always -- and with how Ossenfort operates the big picture -- can the sides decide what money is fair? I don't know what Budda could get on the open market. It's not going to be nothing, that's for sure.

From Matt C:

"I just can't come to terms with our offense. If Kyler is the guy you tell people he is, then with McBride, MHJ, Wilson, and an above-average line, there's no way we should be 18th in points per game. Barely more than last year with Dobbs at QB, no WR1, a worse line, and a less experienced TE1. We are two elite 40+ yard scrambles by Kyler from being 4-9."

The consistency of the offense has been an issue. No one can argue that, including the players (and they do not.) People want to point fingers at specific spots, but I don't think it's that simple. There are times Drew Petzing has admitted he's made mistakes. Kyler Murray has done the same. Harrison is clearly still learning in his rookie season. They are what they are for now. I think it does put some pressure on 2025.

From Kevin from Texas:

"I'll ask a question about the headset communication. Do you know if there are different channels, like one for the offense and one for the defense or are all coaches on the same channel? Next question is based on the sideline shots of JG. He's always standing there only watching. Does he just allow the coaches to make all decisions or is he providing guidance/suggestions?"

For the sideline communication, there are three channels: offense, defense, special teams. Gannon of course has access to all of them. As far as Gannon's input, he tries hard to let his coordinators make all their decisions. That's why he hired them, and the discussions about most of what happens has already gone on in meetings during the week. But there are absolutely times when he will step in. That's what head coaches do.

From Adam G:

"If we are talking straight-up badasses running the football, can a city do better than Cam Skattebo and James Conner? And since you're a Sun Devil, if you were forced to pick one, Darren, who you taking?"

Let's start by saying, no, a city could not do better than those two guys. Both are players fans love getting behind and rooting for because of the way they play the game. I hate that you're trying to make me choose. I could punt here, but I won't. I'm going to take Conner, as much as I love Skattebo. For one, Conner has done it on the highest level of football for a long time. And the dude beat cancer to do it!