I'm not sure if you have heard but we have arrived at Week 1 of the regular season. Buffalo this weekend, mailbag right now. 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 Jeff Wallace:
"Hi Darren. We always hear a lot about players making a significant jump from Year One to Year Two. But what is the understanding or conventional wisdom as to how big a jump a coach could/should make? Of course I ask this in light of Jonathan Gannon being in that spot now. Should we expect him to be far more prepared, aware, focused and hopefully effective?"
There's a big difference between a player who has spent one year in the NFL and a coach who has spent 15 or 20. Will Gannon find ways to improve how he did things last year? Yes. He's said as much. But "far more prepared," etc.? I mean, you're not going to find a coach more focused than Gannon. There is a long-time football cliche that I believe: It's not about the X's and O's as much as the Jimmys and Joes. If all those players make a big second-year jump, it's amazing how much more effective the coaches will look.
From Mason Nuzman:
"Hi Darren! I've got a question regarding salaries of players that are cut and then signed to the practice squad or active roster after the initial 53 are set. So for example, say the Cardinals cut Chris Moore (I know they didn't, just an example) at the deadline on Tuesday, then after a day or two they move some guys around and re-sign him. Is the deal he signed in the offseason null and void since he was technically cut, or does he come back with an amended version of that deal?"
From Sidney Sexson:
"When a player who is still on their rookie contract is signed to the practice squad do they still get the salary negotiated with that rookie contract or do they revert to the payment scale for practice squad players?"
In a nutshell, the first deal is null. Let's take Krys Barnes, who literally just went through all that. He was released Tuesday, signed to practice squad for a day and then was promoted to the active roster Thursday -- which would take a new deal. That's why guaranteed money always is a big deal. The player gets his signing bonus but the salary goes away as soon as a player is released. If he comes back, it's a new deal. Same with Michael Carter. His original contract is now gone, he has signed a practice-squad deal, and if he is promoted back to the 53 permanently, it'll be a different contract (and yes, often that is for a different salary than before.)
From Zachy Venge:
"Hey Darren, now that we're on to the regular season, do you have anymore consensus feedback on Underground fan favorite Jon Gaines? He appears to be the No. 2 center, right? Coming back from injury, being a camp question mark, to locking up a depth spot seems like a great story. Has JG or Monti commented on Jon's performances?"
At this point, Gaines is considered a guard; they kept Trystan Colon and he will likely be the backup center. There hasn't been a lot said of Gaines from Gannon other than he is obviously healthy enough to play and be a backup lineman. They liked him as a draft pick. But he hasn't played in the NFL yet -- I think it's fair to say he still needs to grow.
From Peter from Slovakia, Europe:
"I keep wondering how so much insider info about players is reported by insiders like Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport. I get the point they are called insiders for a reason but I would assume yourself and your crew have the best access to Cards players and their injuries etc. I refer for example to recent news about the severity of Darius Robinson's injury. Thanks. Enjoy the season no matter the record. I surely will."
The reality is the team usually keeps things close to the vest when it comes to things like injuries. But those national insiders usually have great relationships with player agents, who can give info about signings and injuries when the team doesn't necessarily want to. In the current climate of covering teams, the national guys will often break the news because of it.
From John Turilli:
"What do you see with Monti's two drafts? Which players from the 2023 and 2024 draft will be starters this year?"
Still a little early to determine the draft classes as a whole or what they will mean. They will certainly get the chances to show their abilities. I am going to predict that, by the end of this season, the draftees who will be starting (or playing significant roles) will be LT Paris Johnson Jr., CB Garrett Williams, WR Michael Wilson, DL Dante Stills, WR Marvin Harrison Jr., DL Darius Robinson, CB Max Melton, RB Trey Benson, TE Tip Reiman, S Rabbit Taylor-Demerson, OLB Xavier Thomas (and OLB BJ Ojulari would have.) There could be others, with injuries, but that's a pretty good list if they succeed.
From Matthew Stroh:
"Hey Darren, thank you for being who you are. Here's my question. People are saying the Cardinals aren't trying to be serious contenders this year because we won't spend millions of dollars on a FA and hope the FA works out. I disagree. Like you guys said on Cardinals Underground if right before the trade deadline we are looking close just needing one or two players then I believe Monti might trade for a guy. Thank you for your time Darren."
The Cardinals want to win every game. But big picture, there is a plan from Monti Ossenfort that he is trying to execute. It's about setting up for long-term success. The Cards have done that free-agent thing a couple of times when Steve Keim was GM. It partially worked in 2021 until it didn't, and then the roster was not set up to continue. The best way to say this is that you have to let Ossenfort do what he needs to do. That's why he was hired.
From Josh Boa:
"Hi Darren. Are there any safeguards in place in the NFL to ensure a team isn't using the IR tag for competitive reasons? For example: Elijah Jones. No one was expecting Deion Sanders, but to be honest, he's been a little disappointing. He might have been cut. Now he goes on IR. Is that a feasible thing that can occur?"
No. In this specific example, the Cardinals literally used roster maneuvers with Krys Barnes to put Jones on IR after initial cuts just so he has the ability to return to the roster this season. And if you were watching the preseason finale in Denver, Jones definitely was hurt. Bigger picture, it wouldn't happen, because the player (and his agent) know if a player is healthy, and they aren't going to sit by and let a healthy player hang out on IR.
From Cory Joseph Jr.:
"Hey Darren, none of us know what the Jets brass plan was when they traded for Reddick, but they of course knew he wanted a new deal. It was part of the reason the Eagles dealt him. Irrelevant of whether or not there's an AZ/Reddick reunion, I am 100 percent team Reddick in this Jets dispute. What were the Jets thinking by not paying him?"
Yes, everyone knew Reddick wanted more money. Beyond that, we don't know what has or will happen. We don't know if Reddick had a number and changed it after the trade, or if the the Jets decided to change their mind after the deal, or even if Reddick wanted out of Philly enough he initially was going to pull a Matthew Judon. It just feels like there is more to the story (for the reasons you gave) and speculating doesn't make sense.
From Timmy J:
"Hey Darren, big fan of you and the entire content team (we need more podcasts!) Good luck this season and tell Dani to keep her distant from all mascots this season!"
Dani is a faithful mailbag reader, bless her heart, so she will see your message.
From Bob Kitsos:
"Do NFL teams take all 53 players to their away games?"
Yes, all 53 go, because you never know who is going to be one of the 48 active on game day. What if someone gets food poisoning Saturday night? Usually it is more than 53. If you elevate two from the practice squad, they go. If an injured guy who is crucial -- like Budda Baker last year -- those vets usually travel. And when the Cardinals leave on Friday this year for their long trips, they will take the entire practice squad, because there will be a practice on Saturday.
From T in 801:
"Regarding the Zay Jones suspension: Why was Jones suspended right before the start of the season, nearly a year after his incident which he was not charged for any crime? Yet Rashee Rice is still unpunished? Is there some kind of leave threshold that is preventing them from handing down suspensions on those two players?"
The timing probably has to do with how long their investigation lasts; it doesn't matter as much when because it wasn't kicking in until the regular season anyway. As far as Jones v Rice, the league usually waits to figure things out after the legal system is done with the case; Rice's case is still in legal limbo. But the NFL has long handed out suspensions even if a player's charges are dropped. Think of it as a difference between criminal and civil trials. The threshold for the NFL is lower to violate because they expect their employees to act on a certain level -- even if it isn't officially called criminal.
From Kurt Caspari:
"Will Bernhard Seikovits get a chance this year? Greetings from Austria."
I know Seiko would like one, and for the first time, he can be elevated from the practice squad if the Cardinals so choose. Whether or not that happens is TBD; he's not the only tight end on the practice squad and they have four tight ends on the active roster.
From Clark Wood:
"Any care to defend the 2020 draft and Isaiah Simmons over CeeDee Lamb?"
No. Why?
From Cindy Dobbins:
This new kickoff system makes no sense to me. First, the NFL said safety on kickoffs was needed. Now this system seems to encourage runbacks from more in-field catches creating the opposite of more safety. Do you think this will fly past this year?"
It was designed to create more runbacks. But most of the injuries on kickoffs was created from the high-speed collisions from the coverage team flying full speed downfield, and those collisions have been mitigated significantly. Whether it remains after this season is TBD, but if it does not, the kickoff as a play will go extinct.
From Mackay Breivik:
"Correction: I definitely meant scared of her. Not for her. Typos. (ED note: Last question last week.) Thanks for your reply to my last question. Regarding your reply about the defense needing to improve on rushing, I agree, I also think that it will indirectly help with sacks. A lot of focus has been spent on the vacation from sacks that last part of the season, but everyone could run on the D. I am expecting better D-line play, better play in the secondary, and I am calling it now, eight sacks for Xavier Thomas. No questions, just corrections. Thanks again. 8-9 this year, being realistic."
I want to make a comment about being scared of Dani. But I will not.
From Dave Maleck:
"Darren! It's your birthday? I heard JG wish you a Happy Birthday. If so, happy birthday! John McCain, Ingrid Bergman, Michael Jackson, Darren Urban. That's a August 29th Mount Rushmore for you."
Much appreciated, but to JG's credit, he did note it was pre-birthday -- it just happened that it was our last workday before my actual birthday. So my actual Mount Rushmore would be something like Richard Gere, Van Morrison, Larry Fitzgerald -- and myself.
From Will Hernandez's Mustache:
"Darren, Love the mailbag, but why are you calling me 'old-timey?' I think I am a modern, good-looking mustache. You also mentioned 'next steps' for me. What did you mean? Are you thinking I could make the Mustache Hall of Fame? Do you think I can get a mustache extension from the Cardinals this year? Do you have connections to get me on the Bickley-Marotta 'Mustache-Not a Mustache' show? Which one of your Cardinal Underground hosts can grow the best mustache: you, Paul or Dani? Never mind don't answer that question. As a mustache I like to give a lot a lip. So, thanks for listening."
Look, WHM, when your boss likes to twirl your end like he's a villain in a 1920's silent film, it feels old-timey. And it was Will who was talking about room for improvement. That feels like it was directed at you. So what are you gonna do about it? Only the mustache can work to get to the mustache hall. Or was that just lip service?
