Two games, two field goals on the game's final play, two wins. The Cardinals have changed their season quickly. So how about a first-place mailbag? A quick note: Bruce, I already answered the question you keep sending. 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 Liam S:

"Who are our projected Pro Bowlers this year? McBride and Connor seem more likely than not, as well as Baker (if he made it last year, surely he makes it this year). Kyler and Garrett Williams deserve it too, but I think they are less appreciated outside of Arizona. Marvin can with a few more great games. Who on the O-line is most deserving? Kyler is the least sacked QB in the league aside from Josh Allen (obviously not counting part-timers) so surely someone is deserving, right?"

Man, we are awfully early to be talking Pro Bowl. The Cardinals need to keep winning games. That will draw attention. McBride and Harrison are hitting a groove, but both positions are littered with candidates, so team success will matter greatly. Same with QB. I think it'd be tough for anyone on defense. Paris could get some run on the offensive line.

From Devy Little:

"Hi Darren. Not being impatient, want to give him all the time in the world, just curious about Darius Robinson. Do we expect him to play this season? For all the trade talks about available pass rushers, Darius is arguably our best option. Seeing how we're first in the division, I'm wondering if that changes things? If we were out of it, maybe he sits. But now there's an urgency to get hands on deck?"

Robinson is going to play. When, I am not sure. He still has to practice. He just had to deal with the death of his mother. He is now on the active roster. But when he actually makes his debut is TBD. I don't see "urgency" playing a role here. He is either recovered from his calf injury or he is not. When he is ready, I'm sure they will put him out there. And even then, I wouldn't expect a game-wrecker out of the box. He hasn't played in months.

From Dylan S:

"I see a stat every game about 'every time the Cardinals win it's because they hit this benchmark' for things like James Connor 85 rushing yards, Kyler five rushing attempts, and now Kyler two total touchdowns. Do you put much stock into these statistics or is that just our pattern-seeking brains trying to find simple answers to a very complex sport?"

Mostly it's the latter. Or more likely, it's the opposite, like saying teams that rush for x number of times in a game win. Well yeah, because often when you are leading you run the ball more to eat clock. It doesn't mean just hitting that x number of attempts will equate into a win. I do like the Kyler rushing attempts, because I do believe it tangibly shows the danger Kyler is to opponents and how the Cardinals can win games. The Conner stat was going to be true because the Cardinals' passing game has struggled so much. But generally, I think there are so many ways to win games and it's easy to cherry-pick random stats off the wins to make them look "right" for victories.

From Lou R:

"Hey Darren, I've heard ex-NFLers discuss jersey swaps on podcasts before. Essentially, the stars are allowed to do it. But the youngsters get in trouble because those jerseys aren't cheap. They can't be giving them away every week. Have you ever heard that sentiment or has times changed?"

Not sure what podcast you are talking about, nor how stars are "allowed" to do it. The Cardinals and other teams charge players for the jerseys they give away. They are not cheap. And there are logistics involved too, when it comes to getting new ones sent out. (It's not like Nike is sitting on an endless supply of jerseys for every team.) So it's up to the players involved. The stars, in fact, might have a tougher time, since everyone is often asking for a swap with them.

From Juan de la Peña:

"Hi Darren. Do you think Jalen Thompson playing time may be on risk given that he seems to be struggling and Rabbit has shown potential? Do you think that JG clock management is a concern? Thanks as always."

With JT playing basically every snap each week and Rabbit Taylor-Demerson playing few defensive snaps save for one game because of injuries, I think it's safe to say Thompson isn't going anywhere. As for clock management, not sure to anything to which you are referring? I know at the end of the second quarter against Miami there were questions about maybe taking a timeout but other than that, I can't think of any questionable examples. I think he and the staff do a good job of that.

From Matthew Stroh:

"Hey Darren. Thank you for the mailbag. I understand we live in a world with short-term attention and no patience, but look at the game Marvin Harrison Jr. had. I am not saying that Drew Petzing is perfect at his job, but he is getting better and is admitting he has to get better. Also, do you believe that if we do not sign any free agents or trade before the end of the year and just keep building through the draft, that is the best way to build a team?"

You have to hit on some draft picks to have a chance at long-term success in this league. I believe that. But it is foolish to think you can fill all the holes you want to fill just with the draft; free agency is necessary and sometimes trades. Monti Ossenfort is going to always say the Cardinals are always going to investigate opportunities and while it is cliche it is always true. Every situation is it's own situation. Every draft isn't the same, every trade option isn't the same, every free agent signing isn't the same.

From Frank Cubillas:

"Not really a question, but keep hearing news about trading Budda Baker. Look, I watched the game against Miami, Mr. Baker is a solid part of the defense, please DO NOT trade him. Thank you."

Your feelings are noted, Frank. At least by me. Probably not by anyone who would make such a decision.

(I do not think Budda is being dealt.)

From Jayson W:

"Thank you, Dani and Paul for your Cardinals Underground Podcast. I look forward to it each week. Question: who tells Gannon to call for a play to be reviewed and throw the red flag? The catch by Elijah Higgins looked like a TD and on replay, confirmed it to me. The Cardinals eventually got a TD, but it surprised me there was no challenge."

The challenge flag decision, like the one that overturned the Harrison catch, comes from Kenny Bell, who is the director of football strategy. The Cardinals aren't going to challenge unless the situation is right, and as you noted about the Higgins time, the Cardinals got their score. Gannon is 3-for-3 in his career tossing the flag, so they are doing something right.

From Elliot Hyde:

"Hey Darren, love catching up on all the content throughout the week from the Arizona journalists. Given the challenges the team has had on offense, I struggle to see how we can go into next season without James Conner. He's arguably our most effective member of the offense (with Kyler just behind) at the moment and until we get the vertical game cooking, we're pretty reliant on his performances. I know you don't like to speculate but given JC's leadership position and his influence on results, do you think it's becoming less likely we'll let him leave without offering him a new contract?"

I believe the Cardinals will want to keep Conner and offer him a new deal. Of course, it takes both sides to agree. But I think they will want him and I think Conner will want to be here. The tricky part will be how much and how long a contract will be for a high-level running back who will be 30. But that's for decision-makers above my paygrade.

From Raine Voights:

"Is Monti going to look for some pash rush options? We are still getting almost no pressure."

As I noted earlier, I think Ossenfort is looking at a lot of options. Doesn't mean a trade will happen. But I do think he is looking carefully.

From James L:

"Are the Commanders in the 'Hail Murray' part of the Kliff Kingsbury experience? It seems like his integration of the running game has improved, but I can't help but remember all the late-season drop-offs we had. Add in the fact that finishing 7-2 seems unlikely for Washington and a drop off of some sort seems inevitable."

From Klark B:

"You said after the Commanders game that the Bears got an emotional sucker punch (or something similar, I don't remember the tweet exactly). That definitely seems good for the Cardinals. So on Thursday Night Football do you think a loss would be more demoralizing than a win for the Jets? We're facing a team with 4 extra days of prep regardless."

Two Jayden Mary questions. The Commanders are playing well. I get the Kingsbury question but I gotta say, that team and Daniels are giving me Texans 2023 vibes, a team everyone kept waiting to falter but it never did. As far as the Cardinals dealing with the Bears and then the Jets, I do think it's going to be a long week for the Bears in dealing with the fallout (especially with the mistakes). But are you seriously asking what would be worse for the Jets, a win going into the game or a loss? Always a loss. Win, and they start feeling better about themselves. Lose, and that's a sinking ship coming to town, extra prep or not.

From Miles Mann:

"With MHJ's struggles, and the overall passing game inconsistencies, trading for a receiver could fix both those situations. Christian Kirk is a guy who seems like he could be available, and would make sense for many reasons. He's already played with Kyler, can be a No. 1 receiver, should only cost about a 4th or 3rd at most, plays in the slot, and his contract expires after next year, so it won't get in the way of a rebuild."

Counterpoint: They aren't giving up a third or a fourth for a rental. More importantly, such a trade isn't happening. If they trade -- if -- I would think it would be for a position that is not wide receiver. (And this is moot anyway after Kirk broke his collarbone.)

From Dale Hatfield:

"Hi Darren, thanks for the mailbag. It's one of my favorite parts of the Cardinals website. I have two points and one question. First point: with the schedule the Cardinals had for the first seven games of the season, if anyone expected them to have a record better than 3-4, those expectations were unrealistic. Second point: I don't get fans who believe Kyler Murray is not a good quarterback. There are 32 teams in the league. Kyler ranks 15 in completion percentage, 11 in touchdowns, 5 in QBR, and 12 in quarterback rating. He ranks number 5 in QBR which is the definitive statistic for quarterbacks. Now for the question: If a defensive player lowers his head to make a tackle he is called for targeting, yet you see ball carriers do it all the time when they are about to be tackled. Why is that not targeting as well?"

It's not targeting for anyone -- targeting is a college rule. But yes, players get fined/penalized for using the crown of their helmet. The reality is that it is indeed a penalty/fine for whomever does it, offense or defense. But naturally it's going to be flagged on defenders more. There have been a number of offensive players who have been fined for it after the fact.

From Robert Malicki:

"Hi Darren, thank you for the insightful and balanced coverage of the team in this roller-coaster ride of the early season. The predominant number of serious injuries to our front seven, the slow emergence of a high-scoring offense and our inability of seeing back-to-back victories are worrisome. But coach Gannon and his staff are pulling wabbits outa hats to somehow keep the team focused and just maybe we'll reach an even record against a rusty Tua? I noticed your reference of Stille, Stills and Jones as to a law firm. Funny. did you write lines for your school newspaper? Maybe you can push the moniker of our D-Line being called 'The Firm.' It may not have the punch of 'The Fearsome Foursome,' or 'Purple People Eaters' or 'The Steel Curtain' but, Stille, Stills, Jones and Lopez does have character, don't you think?"

Robinson will be in there sooner rather than later. But I am guessing if the group can make plays consistently, the Cardinals will let that group call themselves whatever they want to be called.

From Ian M:

"Why does it seem like Kyler Murray avoids throwing the ball to Marvin Harrison Jr.?"

This question came in before Sunday. Obviously, things have changed (and even before the game, the idea Kyler avoided throwing to MHJ was just not true.)

From Artie Jobe:

"Hi Darren! This certainly falls into the category of 'it worked out fine, so it doesn't matter,' but if it didn't work out (and we lost) I think this would've been the No. 1 talking point after the Chargers game: punting on 4th and 2. I thought that was incredibly cowardly. Not only did it show zero faith in our offense to get two yards, but it also showed zero faith in our defense. Even the ESPN data thing said this was a clear GO FOR IT. But no. JG elected to punt."

It get it. But it was right before halftime (1:47 left) and the punt pinned the Chargers at their 11. If you go and not make it, it gives an offense that had been moving the ball fairly well -- just not scoring touchdowns -- a real chance to get a short-field touchdown. It's funny that you say there wasn't a lot of faith in getting two yards. At that point, two yards was difficult to get, especially in the run game.

From Buddy Meola:

"I am happy with the victory over the Chargers but I'm upset that they decided to take out their best player on third down for a Tune push that failed and then decided to do it again on fourth down. Is that something that Gannon approves or is it just the OC who makes that decision. With third-and-1 or 2 isn't it time to take a shot down the field or run Connors up the middle?"

I do not believe the Tune push had ever been stopped before those two plays. I didn't think anything of doing it twice, to be honest. I didn't have a problem with the playcall; you take a shot (and it is incomplete) or try Conner and it gets stoned, people are complaining too.

From Matthew C:

"Hey Darren. Kurt Warner has said openly that although he doesn't have the time to take a full-time coaching job, he would love to be a consultant for a team. This seems like exactly what we need to work on our offense struggles. What are the chances we offer a position to the guy who took us to our only Super Bowl?"

I think Warner is incredibly smart when it comes to offense and his breakdowns. But I don't see it for many reasons. If the head coach thinks the right coaches are on his staff, why do you need a consultant? I know Warner doesn't want to commit to a coaching lifestyle, but what does that mean? How much time can he give? I want my coaches to be all in, just like I ask my players and other staff to be.

From Johnny M:

"Hey Darren, are there any jobs available working for the Cardinals in a data analysis capacity? Who does the organization hire aside from the coaches, scouts, and media team? What kind of degrees could one pursue if they had a serious interest in this franchise and wanted to be close to football for the rest of their life and were headed to the University of Arizona next year? Thanks!"

Asking for a friend?

As you can see, there are a ton of jobs with the Cardinals. If you are talking about the football side specifically, sure, there is data analysis. I can't tell you what degree you need, but many data analysts in the league started on their own and built a personal brand breaking down football information that caught the attention of teams. There are people out there on X to follow (and maybe ask) on the subject.

From Jayson White:

"Hi Darren ~ I have a trail mix of random questions for this week's mailbag:

1. No Arizona tight end has ever eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards. Would you put money on Trey being the first this season? Currently sitting at 446.
2. How come we don't get post game locker room videos anymore? We love seeing the coach's speech.
3. On the postgame radio show, there's a soundbite of somebody saying 'Let's get after that quarterback.' Who is that, and what's the context of that clip?
4. Also on the postgame show, who says 'Lock and load baby! Lock & load!'
5. If we continue winning, do we have any primetime flex opportunities later in the season?
6. I thought we had a Mexico game this season, but I just checked the schedule and there is none. Did it get cancelled?"

Here is a gorp of answers:

1. He's behind schedule right now. Don't know if I'd put money on it. But definitely wouldn't be surprised if he got there. Needs to average 62 yards a game the last nine games (assuming he plays all nine, and he has already missed a game.)
2. Because the coach doesn't want locker room videos.
3. One-time coach Steve Mariucci. Don't know the context.
4. Hall of Fame defensive tackle John Randle.
5. Not many. Only two Cardinals games I could see maybe would be at Minnesota Week 13 or home against the 49ers Week 18. The last one is a crapshoot. Will depend on what games decide division winners or a playoff spot. In Week 13, the Sunday night game is Bills at 49ers, so probably not.
6. No, no Mexico game was ever on the schedule. You sure you're not stuck in 2022?