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[Arizona Cardinals]

Newly signed pass rusher Josh Sweat lands at 95 on the ‘NFL Top 100 Players of 2025’

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Arizona Cardinals new signing Josh Sweat is in the top 100 players in the NFL.

Happy Wednesday one and all.

With the Fourth of July just two days away, we are in the dead time, and that means not a lot of information coming out.

However, the NFL is slow rolling their top 100 players of the 2025 and an Arizona Cardinals player is on it... Sort of.

From X:

NFL Top 100 Players of 2025:@AZCardinals DE Josh Sweat debuts at No. 95! @NFLFilms pic.twitter.com/eml9jPywFs

— NFL (@NFL) July 2, 2025​

So yes, Josh Sweat is an Arizona Cardinal, and so he goes on the list for now as a Cardinals player, but he has not played for Arizona yet.

That means they went out and signed one of the top 95 players in the NFL, and did so at a rate that is actually really reasonable for the Cardinals when talking about salaries for pass rushers.

Sweat will be the leader of the Arizona Cardinals hopefully improved pass rush and that should maybe even boost where he winds up in 2026, and maybe a couple of his teammates will be able to join him.

Source: https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2...nfl-top-100-players-of-2025-arizona-cardinals

 

[Arizona Cardinals]

Cardinals well represented on ESPN’s ‘Best NFL draft pick ever at every slot’

Peter Brouillet-Imagn Images

The Cardinals are represented well on the Best NFL Draft picks.

Happy Thursday one and all.

As we head into the Fourth of July we have a new article that came out that is very interesting from ESPN.

Ben Solak dropped the best player drafted at every NFL Draft slot and the Arizona Cardinals are really well represented, but nothing in the first round.

From ESPN:

43. Dan Dierdorf, OT (1971)

54. Anquan Boldin, WR (2003)

59. Aeneas Williams, CB (1991)

115. Larry Centers, FB (1990)

147. Mel Gray, WR (1971)

158. Jay Novacek, TE (1985)

189. Tom Banks, C (1970)

201. Ray Brown, G (1986)

Eight Cardinals players, and three of them drafted during the teams time in Arizona, and with Boldin and Williams, they had success outside of Arizona as well. So, really the Cardinal that is best represented are probably Williams, who made six Pro Bowls and four All Pro’s (two first team and two second team), although it is arguable that his greatest season ever was his 2001 in St. Louis with the Rams.

And of course Larry Centers who had almost all of his success with the Cardinals, although he did make one Pro Bowl with the Buffalo Bills... also in 2001.

Read the article, there are some interesting notes on a number of the players.

Source: https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2...-espns-best-nfl-draft-pick-ever-at-every-slot

 

[Arizona Cardinals]

Which players at each position would make the 2025 NFC West All-Madden Team?

Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images

Please cast your votes at each position for those whom you believe John Madden would pick

I’ve been thinking of John Madden a lot recently. Having had the extremely privileged opportunity to work for the iconic coach and broadcaster and the CBS Electronics team during the summer of 1993, it was the ultimate learning experience for me in terms of understanding three things:

1. The game of football.
2. NFL quality Xs and Os.
3. Recognizing the traits that make certain players a cut above most of the others.

Let me take you back to the afternoon in August where I sat in utter awe at John Madden’s kitchen table on one of the upper stories of the Dakota building in New York City overlooking the upper reaches of Central Park.

Topics of discussion:

1. Coach’s two rings: his Super Bowl ring on one hand and the 100 in diamonds ring that his lovely wife had custom made for him after he became the youngest head coach in NFL history to win 100 games. John Madden was married to three entities: (a) his wife; (b) the game of football; (c) winning.
2. Coach’s philosophy of always installing the most sophisticated new plays during the first couple of days of training camp —- “because I figured those were the days when the players’ minds were the freshest.”
3. Coach’s offensive philosophy of attacking the weak side of defenses.
4. Coach’s favorite player while coaching the Raiders —- to hear him rave about this player for nearly 20 minutes was one of the most compelling inside look as to the mental and physical fortitude that makes certain players so spectacularly special.

ROTB Challenge Part I: if you can identify John Madden’s most favorite player while he was coaching the Raiders, then you will receive this reward:

ROTB Challenge Part II: put on your John Madden coaching outfit and headphones and vote for the player at each position that you believe he would name to his 2025 NFC West All-Madden Team:

Based on the conversations I had with Coach Madden, I think I have a pretty good idea which players he would favor and why. After your votes are registered, I will make the case at each position.

This challenge has nothing to do with Madden Football ratings.

For the ROTB member who matches the most polls with my guesses as to how John Madden would vote, he gets rewarded with this classic “Turducken” t-shirt: (Note: in the comments section you need to list your votes)

How many Cardinals this year do you think John Madden would select heading into the season?

Source: https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2...-would-make-the-2025-nfc-west-all-madden-team

 

[monster_masterpiece]

All of them could do difference in matchs.

 

[Arizona Cardinals]

2025 NFC West All-Madden Team Per Position Predication

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

“Don’t worry about the horse being blind...just load the wagon.” John Madden

I’ve been thinking of John Madden a lot recently. Having had the extremely privileged opportunity to work for the iconic coach and broadcaster and the CBS Electronics team during the summer of 1993, it was the ultimate learning experience for me in terms of understanding three things:

1. The game of football.
2. NFL quality Xs and Os.
3. Recognizing the traits that make certain players a cut above most of the others.

Let me take you back to the afternoon in August where I sat in utter awe at John Madden’s kitchen table on one of the upper stories of the Dakota building in New York City overlooking the upper reaches of Central Park.

Topics of discussion:

1. Coach’s two rings: his Super Bowl ring on one hand and the 100 in diamonds ring that his lovely wife had custom made for him after he became the youngest head coach in NFL history to win 100 games. John Madden was married to three entities: (a) his wife; (b) the game of football; (c) winning.
2. Coach’s philosophy of always installing the most sophisticated new plays during the first couple of days of training camp —- “because I figured those were the days when the players’ minds were the freshest.”
3. Coach’s offensive philosophy of attacking the weak side of defenses.
4. Coach’s favorite player while coaching the Raiders —- to hear him rave about this player for nearly 20 minutes was one of the most compelling inside look as to the mental and physical fortitude that makes certain players so spectacularly special.

Here are the NFC West players whom I believe John Madden would pick as his favorites:

* HC: Sean McVay, LAR. John Madden was the youngest coach to win 100 games. He was able to accomplish that historic feat in 10 seasons. With 12 wins this season, Sean McVay would have 100 wins in 9 seasons (although * seasons were 14 regular-season games when Madden coached). Madden was 33 when the Raiders shocked the NFL world by promoting him to HC in 1969. McVay was 30 when he was hired by the Rams as the youngest head coach in NFL history.

John Madden’s career record --- 10 seasons: 103-32-7 regular season, 9-7 post-season.

Sean McVay’s career record --- 8 seasons: 80-52 regular season, 8-5 post-season.

Note: John Madden never had a losing season, and he continues to hold the highest winning percentage among NFL head coaches who have coached at least 100 games.

* QB: Brock Purdy, SFO. In yesteryears Coach would have picked Matthew Stafford, but Brock Purdy’s rise from pick #262 in the 2022 draft that resulted in him beating out the 49ers prize 2021 #3 pick Trey Lance, for whom the franchise gave up 3 first round picks --- is an NFL Cinderella story of epic proportions. Purdy is the classic underdog and Coach sure loved classic underdogs.

Plus, look at how Brock Purdy’s numbers as a starter compare over the past 3 seasons to Matthew Stafford’s and Kyler Murray’s:

Brock Purdy: 36 starts, 23-13 record, 67.5%, 9,518 yards, 64/27 TD/int, 104.9 RTG

Matthew Stafford: 40 starts, 22-18 record, 65.0%, 9,819 yards, 54/27 TD/int, 92.5 RTG

Kyler Murray: 36 starts, 14-22 record, 67.3%, 8,018 yards, 45/23 TD/int, 89.4 RTG

* RB James Conner, ARI. One could easily hear John Madden shouting BOOM, BAM, STIFFARM, BABOOM when providing color for JC’s thunderous runs. By virtue of the fact that it typically takes multiple defenders to take James Conner down, he has All-Madden Team written all over him.

* TE George Kittle, SFO. While Trey McBride may be one season away from taking the top spot, the reason why Coach would still pick Kittle over McBride is that Kittle is not only one of the greatest receiving TEs in NFL history, but he is also still, at 31, one of the league’s most prolific blocking TEs. Coach would love the fact that Geroge Kittle is now 7 TDs behind Dave Casper’s career 52.

* WR Cooper Kupp, SEA. I had the privilege of hearing Coach passionately articulate for 20 minutes as to why, pound-for-pound, WR Fred Biletnikoff was the toughest player he ever coached, both mentally and physically. Like Cooper Kupp did for the Rams in helping them win Super Bowl LVI, Fred Biletnikoff set up the Raiders’ 32-14 Super Bowl XI win over the Vikings with big-time, clutch, chain moving receptions. This was the Raiders’ first ever Super Bowl win. It John Madden’s first and only Super Bowl win as head coach. Fred Biletnikoff was the game MVP.

* T Trent Williams, SFO. Coach would hail Big Trent as “Art Shell with the feet of a leopard.”

* G Dominick Puni, SFO. Coach loves 6’-5” maulers in the run game like what he had in Gene Upshaw. Puni, as a rookie (college convert from tackle to guard), immediately established himself last season as top 10 NFL run blocker.

* C Hjalte Froholdt, ARI. Coach would be apt to describe Hjalte Froholdt as having the mauling tenacity of Jim Otto with the maneuverability of Jason Kelse.

* NT: Dalvin Tomlinson, ARI. Big, strong run stopper who has grown into a pass rushing menace.

* DT: Calais Campbell, ARI. Coach would describe Calais Campbell as a daunting combination of three of his most favorite defensive linemen with the Raiders: Dave Rowe, Otis Sistrunk and Ted Hendricks.

* DE: Nick Bosa, SFO. Nick Bosa’s ability to win off the edge with iron-man strength as well as crafty slipperiness would have Coach Madden’s vote.

* ILB: Fred Warner, SFO. Coach would laud Fred Warner as the epitome of the modern-day, athletic, playmaking inside linebacker.

* CB Garrett Williams, ARI. Thinking about how much Coach Madden loved CB Willie Brown, who iced the Raiders’ Super Bowl win with a pick-6 off Fran Tarkenton, the CB in the NFC West who best manifests Willie Brown’s type of instincts in pass coverage is the Cardinals’ Garrett Williams.

* S: Budda Baker, ARI. While back in Coach Madden’s years with the Raiders, Jack Tatum could lay legal licks on any WR daring to catch a ball over the middle, there is no question that the most intimidating safety in the NFC West today is Budda Baker, who in the blink of an eye, upends ballcarriers from under their knees.

Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

ROTB Winners:

The ROTB winner of tabbing WR Fred Biletnikoff as John Madden’s favorite player is: Blue_Moon_Dude, who wins this Madden t-shirt:

Blue_Moon_Dude also won the most polls matches with 11,. Yet, with your permission Blue Moon, I would like to give the Turducken t-shirt to the runner up, NSCard, who matched 10.

Congratulations to Blue Moon and NSCard. Please email me your t-shirt size and address at [email protected]

Thanks to all who voted and participated.

Please, in the comment section, feel free to challenge any of my hunches. I had to think long and hard about a number of the choices.

John Madden’s Best Calls (have a look):

John Madden Best Calls (youtube.com)

“Don’t worry about the horse being blind, just load the wagon.”

Thank you for everything you taught us about the game of football, Coach!

Source: https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2...west-all-madden-team-per-position-predication

 

[Arizona Cardinals]

Arizona Cardinals fans think second year guard Isaiah Adams is the future of the position

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Arizona Cardinals fans think Isaiah Adams is the next starter.

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Arizona Cardinals fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

---

Happy Monday one and all, I hope you all had a wonderful Fourth of July weekend.

We are back to the final couple of weeks before things start to heat up around the NFL and specifically for us the Arizona Cardinals.

However, we wanted to check in on what fans are thinking about the right guard position for the Cardinals.

And the fans really are thinking that the second year guard from Illinois is going to be the one winning the position.

66% of fans see Isaiah Adams winning the starting position for the Cardinals, while 24% think if it’s not going well, the Cardinals will bring back Will Hernandez.

I would agree for the most part, as I think the team has been happy with the growth this offseason from Adams and like where he is at in his development.

Getting Adams starting in year two would be a huge boost to the teams draft classes under Monti Ossenfort.

Let’s hope we are right about that.

Make sure to checkout our friends at FanDuel Sportsbook, the official Sportsbook of SB Nation.

Source: https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2...dams-is-future-of-the-position-will-hernandez

 

[Arizona Cardinals]

ROTB Op/Ed prepper: regarding the latest Cardinals’ buzz on social media

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Please share your thoughts about two ideas that PHNX is promoting

I have been very interested in a couple of ideas that Johnny Venerable and Bo Brock have been presenting at PHNX. I would like to opine about each of their two ideas, but first I would very much like to give you the opportunity to express your thoughts about the ideas.

Idea #1: Coaches

What do think of Johnny’s prediction about Nick Rallis’ and Drew Petzing’s futures?

Key Chart:

Do you concur with Johnny and Bo’s belief that Jonathan Gannon’s floor is Mike Vrabel-esque?

Idea #2: Players

Predicting the top 10 Arizona Cardinals a year from now… pic.twitter.com/qB4gM7POxk

— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) July 5, 2025​

What do you think of this list?

What would your list look like?

Request:

Please refrain from resorting to ad hominem (“attack the man” and not the idea). I feel a significant amount of respect for Johnny and Bo. They have come a long way to get to where they are, working at PHNX. As with any two Cardinals’ fans, we won’t always agree —- but that’s what makes for such good, comprehensive discussions.

As someone who is well aware of how challenging it can be to come up with interesting topics to talk about on a daily basis, particularly during stretches throughout the NFL off-season, I think Johnny and Bo do a laudable job of keeping Cardinals’ fans’ heads in the game, year-round.

Plus, I believe that any article or podcast that has people thinking about the content for a few days, like these two ideas have for me, such efforts like these are commendable.

Therefore, please be respectful.

I am looking forward to reading your reactions and, as I have done in the past, will include some of the more salient comments in my opinion piece.

Thank you and thanks to Johnny and Bo.

Source: https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2...ing-the-latest-cardinals-buzz-on-social-media

 

[Arizona Cardinals]

2025 NFC West player, position group rankings

Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Everything is ranked, including the NFC West.

Happy Tuesday one and all.

We are at camp… Well personally I am at football camp and we are preparing for the season.

The Arizona Cardinals and the rest of the NFL are doing so in a couple weeks, but Jess and I are here to discuss many things within the NFL and specifically the NFC West.

This is the NFC West player and coach rankings show and here is what we discussed.

NFC West player, position rankings​

On the show we rank the following:

• Starting quarterbacks
• Backup quarterbacks
• Starting running backs
• Backup running backs
• Running back duos
• Top 6 wide receivers
• Wide receiver rooms
• Tight ends
• Tight end duos
• Each position on the offensive line
• The offensive line as a whole
• Top 6 defensive linemen
• Overall defensive line groups
• Edge rushers
• Edge rusher pairings
• Top 6 off-ball linebackers
• LB units
• Top 5 cornerbacks
• Cornerback units
• Top safeties
• Safety units
• Head coaches

It’s the best hour of Cardinals talk on the Web. Enjoy the show!

Source: https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2...-brock-purdy-christian-mccaffrey-james-conner

 

[Arizona Cardinals]

Cardinals Reacts Survey: Who leads the Arizona Cardinals in receiving in 2025?

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Who is the leading receiver in 2025 for the Cardinals?

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Arizona Cardinals fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

---

Happy humpday one and all.

Camp has been buzzing for us, but that doesn’t mean we can’t chat everyday still.

No, with the Arizona Cardinals still in the dead of the offseason, we need to continue to talk about different scenarios heading into the season.

This week, who leads the team in receiving yards in 2025?

Is it the reigning Cardinals leader, Trey McBride?

Is it second year wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.?

Or, could a darkhorse candidate like Michael Wilson lead the team?

I am interested to hear what you think about this one, but also what the reason for each one would be.

For me, it seems like Marvin Harrison Jr. is the guy in a year two jump, but what do you think?

Source: https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2...iving-in-2025-trey-mcbride-marvin-harrison-jr

 

[Arizona Cardinals]

Op-Ed: Reactions to the recent Cardinals’ buzz on social media, Part 1: the coaches

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

What does the future look like for Gannon, Petzing and Rallis?

Idea #1: Cardinals Top Coaches: Jonathan Gannon, Drew Petzing and Nick Rallis and their futures.

Top ROTB member post:

AZ_Cardinals_Fan
Right off the bat I don't think either of them get fired or become head coaches. Unless the wheels fall off and they are drafting a new QB next season. That means probably everyone gets fired. Even though I think there is a chance that they move on to a new QB and everyone keeps their jobs too. They may decide that extending Kyler again isn't worth it and go the young QB route regardless.

When you look at the Cardinals spending compared to other teams, I think their spending on defense is now top 10 in the league? And there isn't a 200 million dollar contract with an out sized effect. I think Rallis is going to be expected to have a major improvement. It probably didn't fit PHNX space for their graphic, but maybe conspicuous that they showed the offense 3rd down conversion, but left off the defenses terrible 3rd down conversion? The first handful of lines lined up well and then they went in different directions. I don't know.
There are a lot of pretty awful defensive stats that could have painted a different picture than what that screenshot showed. 43% of all drives resulted in a score by the opposing team. We had like the 2nd or 3rd fewest punts against us in the league. Our defense just didn't stop people. We had some of the lowest pressure and hurry rates against QBs. It's fair to say we didn't have the personnel investment on defense. I'm not blaming Rallis for the poor defense. But I do think this is Rallis' year to shine. He has to. You can't get all these shiny new free agents and draft picks and then not win some games with your defense.
And also if the defense does play well, other teams aren't going to give Rallis credit for it yet. JG is the defensive background HC. Rallis is going to have to lead a defense that performs well for more than 1 year before other teams give him a look for HC. I know JG isn't a HC with a lot of pedigree himself, but it's like the OC under Andy Reid not getting credit for the KC offense. Rallis hasn't made a name for himself at all yet.

Superb thoughts on Nick Rallis, AZCF!

It’s curious that there appears to be so much more positive buzz from Cardinals’ fans on social media for Jonathan Gannon and Nick Rallis than for Drew Petzing.

Petzing’s offense over the past two seasons has cracked the NFL’s Top 10 in a few offensive rankings, while, as AZ_Cardinals_Fan pointed out so keenly, the Cardinals’ defense has been at or near the bottom of the NFL rankings for the last two years.

Too many Cardinals fans are vastly under-rating how impressive Drew Petzing’s running game has been, almost like people take it for granted. Do you realize how difficult it is in today’s brand of football to get players to make the kind of physical sacrifice and endurance it takes to play a smashmouth style of football?

Think of it this way —- the Cardinals’ running game has been the only aspect of the team’s play the past two seasons that has manifested superior toughness, both mentally and physically. Opposing defenses dread playing against Petzing’s offense because they know they will have to match the Cardinals’ band of slobberknockers up front and in the backfield.

Having such a committed running game has been understandably difficult for Cardinals’ fans to process. For decades we have been treated to high-powered passing games led by prolific QB and WR tandems. That goes way back to “Air Coryell” in the 1970s. Cardinals’ fans are enamored with the picture-perfect post pass. Check out Neil Lomax to Roy Green!

Happy birthday Roy Green!

The former All-Pro led the NFL with 1,555 receiving yards in 1984 and became the first two-way player in over 20 years when he played DB and receiver for the Cardinals in 1981. #LomaxToGreen was as good as there was in '83 and '84. #JETSTREAMGREEN pic.twitter.com/ygjYX3e6Qc

— St. Louis Football Cardinals (@BigRed_STL) June 30, 2025​

The irony is that the Cardinals had an offensive coach who fit the “Air Coryell” bill in Kliff Kingsbury. Look at his track records with QBs during his college days and now in the NFL:

• 2019: Kyler Murray —- NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
• 2020: Kyler Murray —- Pro Bowl NFC
• 2021: Kyler Murray —- Pro Bowl NFC
• 2022: Kyler Murray —- anomaly
• 2024: Jayden Daniels —- NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Pro Bowl NFC

The fact is, last season, Kyler Murray was showing flashes of his outstanding Pro Bowl level of play she showed during the first 8 weeks of the 2021 season, while helping to lead the 2024 team to a 6-4, NFC West leading record at the bye week. Yet, Murray’s and the team’s level of play wilted after the bye week, going a very disappointing 2-5 down the stretch.

Fact is, in Kyler Murray’s 6 seasons, neither Kliff Kingbury nor Drew Petzing has been able to get consistent, quality play from him after Thanksgiving —- especially when games matter the most.

One of the most profound ironies of Monti Ossenfort’s early days as Cardinals’ GM is his willingness to embrace Kyler Murray as his franchise QB from day one, knowing how Kyler had created such a deep rift among his teammates in the locker room.

If a new GM is going to take that kind of risk at the team’s most important position, wouldn’t the GM want to put the QB in question into the best possible hands? Wouldn’t he want to put the QB into a system that would be the ultimate fit for his particular and unique skillset?

Fact is, Monti did neither. He hired a defensive-minded head coach in Jonathan Gannon, who then hired a rookie offensive coordinator from the run-heavy Kevin Stefanski tree,

What Drew Petzing’s offense requires, seeing as defenses are apt to load the box to defense such a prolific running game. is a QB who can pick apart the middle of defenses off of play action. Picking apart the middle of defenses off of play action, with launching spots between the tackles, has not been the strength of Kyler Murray’s game.

Monti vowed to “align” every coach and player in the system.

Problem is, Petzing’s offense needs at QB and Kyler Murray’s strengths are not completely aligned.

The 2025 questions are —- can Petzing change his offense to be a more QB-friendly system for Kyler? Or can Kyler improve the aspects of his game that can maximize the productivity of Petzing’s offense?

Reasons for Hope

It looks like this off-season that Drew Petzing and Kyler Murray are meeting half-way in an effort to try to highlight the team’s offensive strengths. Here are the ways:

1. Kyler at times has shown that he can float the pocket to create clear passing lanes and the fractions of a second that can lead to pinpoint passes over the middle —- he did so beautifully versus the Eagles in the Cardinals’ huge upset win over the Eagles in 2023. And he did so beautifully versus the Jets in 2024. Against top level defenses in both cases. The question is —- in 2025 will he “float like a butterfly and sting like a bee” (Muhammed Ali) more often?
2. Petzing has been significantly upgrading the team’s use of motion, which has Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, James Conner and Trey Benson all excited.
3. Moving Kyler’s launching points more regularly inside and outside the pocket.
4. Focusing on being able to give Kyler clearer and more open targets on broken, off-schedule plays.

Rallying around Rallis in the Nick of Time?

Top ROTB member post:

Mach Speed Mel
AZ Fan Man I appreciate how you often bring light and integrity to the 2025 season results. There are two units working together to produce wins. From fans of the cardinals to pundits on TV and radio you would be led to believe the defense overachieved and did great and the offense underachieved and for the most part stunk. The reality is more in line with the defense did overachieved but still lost winnable games and the offense overachieved and almost got us into the playoffs. Example the Vikings game/ the Panthers game. The offense played with a comfortable led most of the Vikings game but the defense game up the ghost. The Panthers game the defense was non existent from start to finish and the offense battle back all game. Those two wins put the cardinals at 10 and 7 in a three way tie for the division. Still would not have made the playoffs but it changes the narrative. And in addition to some of the highlighted defensive deficiencies, we were terrible at creating turnovers on a consistent bases. The Cardinals only had 17 turnovers for the year. And before we go crazy on the offense they only allowed 20. So I totally agree with your continued assessment of our team. We are very close but the defense has been lagging for the last two years. A better defense and the cardinals will be cooking with Murray magic.

Great points about the Vikings and Panthers games, Mach Mel.

Last season, Nick Rallis’ defense played its best during the team’s mid-season winning streak, particularly when S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson and CB Max Melton were starting to hit their strides.

After the bye week, Nick Rallis reverted to starting the veterans who had been out, giving them more snaps than the promising rookies. However, the team’s chemistry in pass coverage after the break was not as keen as it was versus Caleb Williams and Aaron Rodgers before the break.

To make matters worse, giving up big well 100-yard plus rushing performances in losses at home to Seahawks (Zach Charbonnet, 134 yards, 2 TDs) 30-18 and on the road to the then 3-win Panthers (Chuba Hubbard, 152 yards, 2 TDs) 36-30 OT, was a huge letdown.

What has been concerning about Nick Rallis is as an experienced ILB coach, his ILBs in Arizona have been vastly underwhelming, especially in pass coverage. ILBers who have started more than 10 games the past two seasons under Rallis:

• MLB Kyzir White —- 48.8 —- 2024 —- 32,0 coverage grade
• WLB Josh Woods —- 31.8 —- 2023 —- 46.0 coverage grade
• WLB Mack Wilson Sr. —- 63.8 —- 2024 —- 56.8 coverage grade

Kyzir White and Mack Wilson Sr. were the worst ILB tandem in pass coverage in the NFL last season, giving up 85 receptions on 98 targets (86.7%) for 897 yards. Getting beat over the middle in the NFL is a near certain recipe for losing games.

The Cardinals this off-season saw ILB coach Sam Siefkes leave to become the defensive coordinator at Virginia Tech. Jonathan Gannon then replaced him with Cristian Garcia, an assistant defensive backs’ coach for the Cowboys last season. Looks like improving the pass coverage at ILB is one of Nick Rallis’ top priorities.

Another concern is the poor play the coaches been getting from 10+ game starters CBs:

• Marco Wilson —- 41.2 —- 53.0 tackling —- 40.0 pass coverage
• Sean Murphy-Bunting —- 56.5 —- 29.4 tackling —- 53.1 pass coverage

One would think that CB play would be stronger than this, given Jonathan Gannon’s background as a defensive backs coach.

However, on the flip side, 3rd-year CB Garrett Williams has been outstanding in zone coverage:

The best CBs in zone coverage last season pic.twitter.com/4dPMePWCFU

— PFF (@PFF) July 3, 2025​

It’s just odd that in key situations down the stretch with a playoff berth on the line, Nick Rallis did not elect to have Garrett Williams match up in man-to-man versus Justin Jefferson, Jaxson Smith-Njigba and Adam Thielen, particularly on key 3rd and 4th down conversions.

What Nick Rallis did best in 2024 was to involve Budda Baker in gameplans —- which paid huge early dividends in the Cardinals’ Week 2 upset 41-10 win over the Rams when Rallis had Budda run blitzing to stop Kyren Williams in his tracks and had Budda double taming Cooper Kupp in pass coverage. It was the best dismantling of Sean McVay’s vaunted offense that we Cardinals’ fans have ever seen.

Also, Rallis did a very good job in red zone defense percentage by tying for 7th best in the NFL with the Seahawks at 52,63%.

Ralls’ defense has been the true definition of a “bend but don’t break” philosophy.

Reasons for Hope:

1. The influx of veteran defensive talent in free agents ED Josh Sweat, DT Dalvin Tomlinson, DE Calais Campbell, ED Baron Browning and LB Akeem Davis-Gaither.
2. A defensive oriented draft that brought the Cardinals DT Walter Nolen III, CB Will Johnson, ED Jordan Burch, LB Cody Simon, CB Denzel Burke and S Kitan Crawford.
3. With what looks to be a much-improved pass rush, the focus of OTAs became ways in which to create more turnovers.

The question is —- will Nick Rallis abandon the conservative “bend but don’t break” philosophy in favor of being super aggressive in giving his players the green light to go after the football?

Coaching Futures:

Top ROTB member post:

since61
Sorry to be late to the party
So you have 4-5 HCs on the Hot Seat preseason ‘25. Some were very successful assistants and probably all of em are saddled with FO mistakes at QB (same may be said about Gannon and Petzing’s QB).
So you have how many qualified candidates to fill those 4-5 HC vacancies?
Here’s my list-
previous HCs looking for work-Vance Joseph, B Flores, Mcarthy, Kingsbury, Spags, Saleh
Multi season successful assistants having gone thru several HC interviews in the past-Munkin, Joe Brady, Kellen Moore, Stenavich, Minter, Evero, Orr
Hot seat coaches who will be re-hired upon firing-McDaniels, Dabol, Steichen, Z Taylor
IMO- Every name above has flaws but Petzing/Rallis would have to coach their squads 2 playoff wins to get serious considerations as HCs.

Thank you, since61, for your elaborate painting the NFL 2026 head coaching landscape.

The Cardinals under Jonathan Gannon continue to have, by far, the youngest coaching staff in the NFL. The current coaching staff doesn’t have more than 100 years of NFL experience, while the 49ers staff has close to 260. And yet the Cardinals the past two season have been one of the most conservative coaching staffs in the NFL.

Is the combination of a young, inexperienced staff with a conservative type of offensive and defensive schemes a recipe for NFL success?

Patrick Daugherty of NBC Sports has the NFC West head coaches in 2025 ranked:

2025 NFL head coach rankings: RotoPat’s analysis for all 32 teams - NBC Sports

• Sean McVay, LAR, #2
• Kyle Shanahan, SFO, #4
• Mike Macdonald, SEA, #19
• Jonathan Gannon, ARI, #21

The key to the Cardinals’ fortunes this season is how well the Cardinals’ coaching staff can match up versus the far more veteran staffs of the NFC West rivals and of the other opponents’ staffs. So often, the outcomes of NFL games depend on coaches making necessary in-game adjustments at critical junctures in the ballgame.

If the Cardinals make the playoffs this year, then the 3-year rebuild will be deemed successful, especially with regard to the young coaching staff. If the Cardinals disappoint again down the stretch, especially given the high expectations for the Cardinals this year, which of the Cardinals’ coaches will deserve the most scrutiny?

One can imagine that the head coach who refused to hire any experienced head coaches and perhaps did not put the right offensive system in place for Kyler Murray (that is, if Kyler doesn’t take the next big step forward) should be the one most responsible.

Jonathan Gannon is among the favorites to be the first coach fired this season, per @SportsBettingAG

Brian Daboll +400
Mike McDaniel +500
Shane Steichen +600
Kevin Stefanski +650
Jonathan Gannon +700

— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) July 8, 2025​

The oddsmakers @SportsBettingAG seem to be leaning that way for Jonathan Gannon. Typically, NFL head coaches get 3 years to prove their value. With JG the juice is there —- the question is whether he and his staff have the experience and knowledge of how to win games under pressure.

Source: https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2...inals-buzz-on-social-media-part-1-the-coaches

 

[Arizona Cardinals]

Op/Ed: reactions to Cardinals’ buzz on social media, Part II: the players

Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Buzz about the Cardinals’ players

Idea #2: What the list of Top 10 players for the Cardinals needs to look like in 2026.

Here is Johhny Venerable’s and Bo Brack’s prediction:

Predicting the top 10 Arizona Cardinals a year from now… pic.twitter.com/qB4gM7POxk

— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) July 5, 2025​

While it is very difficult to imagine that Marvin Harrison Jr. in year two, will emerge as the Cardinals’ top player on the entire roster, I can understand why fans who were so certain about the prospect in 2023 the Cardinals’ “Tanking for Marv” would be lusting to feel vindicated, especially after the struggles at times that Marv and Kyler had in creating their timing.

The other major reason it is a stretch to believe that Marv “needs” to be the team’s #1 player is the team’s offensive philosophy under Drew Petzing. For Drew Petzing’s heavy 12 and 13 personnel offense to dominate, the top playmakers on offense really need to be RB James Conner and TE Trey McBride. Petzing would also likely tell you himself that at least two of his offensive linemen need to be on the list of the team’s top 10 players.

Josh Shapiro of Betonline,ag recently sent me these 2025 regular season odds on QBs and receivers.

Most Passing Yards Regular Season Odds

NFL Player Performance Futures – Quarterbacks Props, Betting Odds & Lines at Betonline.ag

• Joe Burrow 11/2
• Dak Prescott 9/1
• Jared Goff 10/1
• Patrick Mahomes 10/1
• Baker Mayfield 11/1
• Brock Purdy 12/1
• C.J. Stroud 12/1
• Michael Penix 12/1
• Josh Allen 14/1
• Matthew Stafford 18/1
• Trevor Lawrence 18/1
• Justin Herbert 20/1
• Jordan Love 22/1
• Geno Smith 25/1
• J.J. McCarthy 28/1
• Tua Tagovailoa 28/1
• Caleb Williams 33/1
• Lamar Jackson 40/1
• Sam Darnold 40/1
• Bo Nix 50/1
• Drake Maye 50/1
• Jayden Daniels 50/1
• Kyler Murray 66/1
• Russell Wilson 80/1
• Bryce Young 100/1
• Cameron Ward 100/1
• Jalen Hurts 100/1

Most Receiving Yards Regular Season Odds

NFL Player Performance Futures – Wide Receivers Props, Betting Odds & Lines at Betonline.ag

• Ja’Marr Chase 9/2
• Justin Jefferson 15/2
• Nico Collins 15/2
• Brian Thomas Jr. 10/1
• CeeDee Lamb 10/1
• Malik Nabers 10/1
• Puka Nacua 14/1
• Tyreek Hill 20/1
• A.J. Brown 25/1
• Amon-Ra St Brown 25/1
• Drake London 25/1
• Brandon Aiyuk 33/1
• Garrett Wilson 33/1
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba 33/1
• Davante Adams 40/1
• Tee Higgins 40/1
• Terry McLaurin 40/1
• Brock Bowers 50/1
• Chis Godwin 50/1
• D.J. Moore 50/1
• Ladd McConkey 50/1
• Marvin Harrison Jr 50/1
• Rashee Rice 50/1
• Stefon Diggs 50/1

The conclusion that makes the most sense is for fans not to put so much pressure on Kyler and Marv to be the top two players on the entire roster —- because they do not need to be top two in order for the Cardinals to win.

Increasing the fans’ already sky-high expectations on the Kyler to Marv connection is likely to produce another letdown and add more fuel to the “fire Petzing” refrain.

The ultimate answer is —-> it doesn’t so much matter what receiver is catching the ball, as long as the Cardinals’ offense is consistently moving the chains and scoring in the red zone.

Just like last season, we can expect opposing defenses to bracket Marv. So, the best way to get defenses to have to play Marv in single coverage is to have Trey McBride, Elijah Higgins and the other receivers benefit from the added attention that safeties are giving to Marv.

Putting Marv in motion and playing him in the slot, should make it easier for Marv to get open in the quick passing game.

What’s very wrong about the top receiving odds above is the omission of Trey McBride who was #11th of all receivers last season with 1,146 yards at 71.6 yards per game. Had that per game average stuck for Trey all season (had he not missed one game), he would have been #7th in the NFL, tops of any TE.

For Drew Petzing’s 12 and 13 personnel offense to click, the team needs James Conner, Trey McBride, Paris Johnson Jr. and Hjalte Froholdt to be the bell cows, with Kyler Murray playing a Tre Young style of playmaking point guard. Marvin Harrison Jr. should be able to keep improving his game, without having the burden of being one to carry the offense.

Monti Ossenfort and Jonathan Gannon are committed to Drew Petzing and his style of offense. They believe in him. Monti’s draft commitment to adding 12 and 13 personnel, smashmouth type players is proof of his confidence in the offensive system.

Monti’s financial commitments to the likes of James Conner (2-years/$19M), Trey McBride (4-years/$76M), Hjalte Froholdt (2-years/$12M) and Jonah Williams (2-years/$30M) are added proof.

On the defensive side of the ball, one has to hope that three of the team’s best pass rushers emerge as this year’s bell cows, with Budda Baker and Garrett Williams spearheading a young, talented secondary that should be encouraged to play more aggressively. If the team’s cornerbacks are encouraged to jump routes in order to more regularly get their hands on the football, they will need Dadrion Taylor-Demerson to be a star on the 3rd level of the pass coverage.

The biggest question marks are at inside linebacker. The player likely with the most upside in terms of all-around instincts and consistent level of play versus both the run and the pass is 4th round rookie Cody Simon. While Mack Wilson Sr. is a physical player versus the run and a very talented situational blitzer, he will need to improve in pass coverage in order to stave off the likes of Owen Pappoe (76.9 in pass coverage, tops at ILB in 2024) and Akeem Davis Gaither (who showed flashes of playmaking abilities in his 7 starts with the Bengals last season, while piling up 82 tackles, 4 pass breakups and 1 interception).

Conclusion:

While individual players on the team need to step up and play at a very high level, the Cardinals’ ultimate success this season will depend on the strengths and chemistry of the offensive and defensive lines. Therefore, one would hope that five or six of the top 10 highest graded players on the team in 2025 will come from the trenches.

ROTB Question:

If you could create your own Top 10 list of Cardinals’ players whom you believe are most vital in helping the team win, what does your list look like?

Source: https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2...nals-buzz-on-social-media-part-ii-the-players

 

[Arizona Cardinals]

Former Cardinals 1st Round left tackle Luis Sharpe has passed away at age 65

Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images

Luis Sharpe helped the Cardinals transition from St. Louis to Phoenix

The Cardinals’ family is mourning the loss of former 1982 1st Round pick, tackle Luis Sharpe, of UCLA who passed away today at the age of 65.

Sad news to share. Former Big Red left tackle and #1 draft pick, Luis Sharpe, passed away on Friday at the young age of 65.

Condolences go out to Luis’ family, friends, and his many teammates in St. Louis and Arizona. pic.twitter.com/FnE2gpJO82

— St. Louis Football Cardinals (@BigRed_STL) July 12, 2025​

Per Wikipedia:

Luis Sharpe - Wikipedia

Luis Sharpe

• Position: Offensive tackle

Personal information

• Born: June 16, 1960 in Havana, Cuba
• Died: July 12, 2025 (aged 65)
• Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
• Weight:275 lb (125 kg)
• High school: Southwestern (Detroit, Michigan, U.S.)
• College: UCLA
• NFL draft: 1982: 1st round, 16th pick by the St. Louis Cardinals
• Career history:
• St. Louis Cardinals (1982–1985)
• Memphis Showboats (1985)
• St. Louis / Phoenix / Arizona Cardinals (1986–1994)
• Career highlights and awards
• Second-team All-Pro (1990)
• 3× Pro Bowl (1987–1989)
• PFWA All-Rookie Team (1982)
• First-team All-Pac-10 (1981)

Sharpe was Textbook:

Luis Sharpe was one of the most athletically gifted left tackles the Cardinals have ever drafted. His pass pro fan blocking technique was textbook. Yes. Suz, this news is extremely hard to process for Cardinals' and UCLA Bruins' fans in particular. Huge respect for Luis Sharpe… https://t.co/ftpLIEzhS8

— Walter B J Mitchell (@WBJMItch) July 12, 2025​

Amazing NFL career stat:

• Luis Sharpe started every one of the 192 NFL games he played in.

Luis Sharpe, who helped the Cardinals transition from St. Louis to Phoenix, was a dandy. He would have to be in the conversation for who is the all-time most talented left tackle in franchise history.

Pillar on the football field and of the community:

“God wanted me to go out and do exactly what I’m doing, to share my life with others, to tell them my fall from grace and say, ‘If I can stand before you today as a productive member of society, so can you.’ ”

RIP Luis Sharpe https://t.co/LmvG2Pkkv3

— St. Louis Football Cardinals (@BigRed_STL) July 12, 2025​

Amen, Luis Sharpe.

Source: https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2...-tackle-luis-sharpe-has-passed-away-at-age-65

 

[Arizona Cardinals]

Arizona Cardinals fans see a breakout season coming for one young player

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The fans see Marvin Harrison Jr. leading the team in receiving.

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Arizona Cardinals fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

---

There are a lot of variables that go into success of a season. So when we ask questions like, Who will lead the Arizona Cardinals in receiving yards in 2025, we are assuming all factors of health, suspension, etc are not going to be happening.

For this weeks poll, the reality is we all would be shocked if one of Marvin Harrison Jr. or Trey McBride do not lead the Arizona Cardinals in receiving yards in 2025.

And this week, while those two get 98% of the vote, I was a little surprised how much of a gap between the winner and second place there was.

I lean Marv as well, but I think it’ll be close and I do believe this team will produce two 1,000 yard receiving players this season.

While our friends at FanDuel Sportsbook do not have their lines set yet for receiving yards, they do have touchdown props for the season for both.

Make sure you keep an eye out for FanDuel Sportsbook 2025 NFL props.

Would love to hear why you voted how you did.

Source: https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2...on-coming-for-marvin-harrison-jr-trey-mcbride

 

[Arizona Cardinals]

Arizona Cardinals secondary ranked near the bottom of the league heading into 2025

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Arizona Cardinals secondary is not looked at very positively as of now.

Happy Monday one and all.

The Arizona Cardinals start up next week, but until then we will have a number of looks at the start of the 2025 Cardinals roster.

PFF has been grading all position groups and the Cardinals have done... okay. Today is one of the worst rankings, and they are near the bottom of the league in the secondary.

From PFF:

26. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals’ secondary is led by cornerback Garrett Williams, who posted a strong 2024 season in both overall and advanced coverage grades. The safety duo of Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson provides a solid foundation, though the group has been prone to occasional mistakes. Arizona also drafted Will Johnson in the second round to bolster the unit, which features a promising mix of youth and potential.

They are basically saying... Prove it, Cardinals and then we will raise you up the rankings.

However, as of now the Cardinals have more questions than answers.

Source: https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2...-the-league-2025-budda-baker-garrett-williams

 

[Arizona Cardinals]

Analysis of Bootleg Football’s Preview of the 2025 Arizona Cardinals Podcast

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Thanks to Brett Kollmann and E.J. Snyder for breaking down the Cardinals’ chances in 2025

It has become an attractive annual tradition for Cardinals’ fans to watch and listen to Brett Kollmann’s and E.J. Snyder’s in-depth, comprehensive season preview for the team.​

Good points:

BK: “Ah, the Arizona Cardinals, or as I like to call them, the slowest slow burn in the entire NFL. We are in year three of a complete teardown and rebuild in the desert —- what Cardinals’ fans want to know is have they done enough to make the playoffs this season?”

BK: “There were 4 key narratives to pay attention for the Cardinals last year, that ideally they are all going to be better this year:”

• They had a really efficient offense last year, most notably a deadly efficient running game.
• The pass game was hit or miss, because they apparently couldn’t throw fades.
• They could not rush the passer but that doesn’t mean that they had a terrible defense, they were actually ok defensively. It’s just that the defense couldn’t do arguably the one thing that was most important thing for any defense to do, which is get the QB on the ground.
• “They also struggled to get RBs on the ground too because they were one of the worst tackling teams in the NFL. Guys were in the right spot often and their coaching staff did a great job of scheming guys into opportunities to make tackles for loss or shut down the screen game, it’s just the actually tackling part which betrayed them a lot.

EJ: “What every coach tries to tell their players —- you’ve got to finish. If there was ever a tale of two cities, it was the Arzona Cardinals’ effectiveness summary in 2024:

• Passing Offense: 13th
• Rushing Offense: 8th
• Pass defense: 24th
• Rush Defense: 25th
• Points Scored: 12th
• Points Allowed: 15th
• Points Differential: 14th
• Overall Average: 14th in the NFL

BK: “The Cardinals defense was really good in the red zone 7th best overall in terms of scoring percentage —- they were better versus the pass and tackling in the red zone —- I don’t really know why, but they were one of the toughest defenses to score on when offenses got down to that space —- that should be reflected in EPA, but it’s not because, as far as field goal drives allowed, they were one of the worst defenses in the NFL. They were terrible on 3rd down, they were a bottom 5 defense in that category, and they had the 4th highest plays per drive, which mean they almost never got three and outs.”

BK: “A stat for Cardinals’ fans to have earmuffs on —- the Cardinals had the 4th highest blitz percentage, and were still 27th in pressure percentage, which are numbers that should not go to together.”

BK: “Fact was on offense whenever the Cardinals needed to make big plays they struggled, particularly throwing up fade passes. Fun fact: they threw 44 fades and go balls, which was 7th most in the NFL and they completed 8 of them.”

BK: “I can’t think of a team last year that did less than what they had than Arizona. They don’t get a lot a flak for it because nobody pays attention to the Cardinals’ nationally, but we do. We watch this team every week —- and we always ask, “are they bad or are they just disappointing.”

EJ: “The Cardinals were statistically right there with the Chiefs in offensive rankings, but with regard to the key 4-5 plays that determine the outcomes of games, the Chiefs made those plays, thanks to Mahomes, whereas the Cardinals did not. In that respect, the Cardinals were like the anti-Chiefs.”

BK: “The Cardinals defense was 15th in points allowed and the offense was 12th in scoring —- for a team with those rankings to go sub .500 it almost defies logic. We’ve gone through teams with worse rankings. some with rookie or young QBs, who were over .500 and some that made the playoffs.”

EJ: “The two players who can most help this team turn around in two key areas are Marvin Harrison Jr. and Darius Robinson. Both of those guys are going to come back stronger this season.”

Off-season moves that BK and EJ liked:

• The re-signing of Kelvon Beachum, Evan Brown, Trey McBride (whom they believe is worth more than $19M a year), Baron Browning (one of only two legitimate pass rushers from last year, with Dennis Gardeck being the other) and Greg Dortch (“who will continue to put NFC West teams into the Dortcher Chamber”).
• They very much liked the UFA additions of Calais Campbell and Josh Sweat. They are not too sure just yet of Akeem Davis-Gaither.
• As for the Cardinals draft, they lauded the talents of Walter Nolen and Will Johnson but were quick to elaborate on the purported red flags for each heading into the draft. EJ’s favorite pick was Jordan Burch. On day three their favorite pick was S Kitan Crawford.

Omissions and questionable takes:

• Last year, having mocked the Cardinals’ signing of T Jonah Williams and what they considered to be obvious flaws in his game, they did not give Jonah credit for the quality of his play (70.7) at RT when he was healthy.
• No mention of UFA DT Dalvin Tomlinson.
• This year’s significant question about the Cardinals’ off-season was their drafting of Cody Simon, ILB, Ohio St. BK: “My take was, he’s going to play more on 4th down for them, than the other three downs. I see him as special teamer and not a modern-day NFL ILB who can cover in space.” EJ lauded Simon as a “downhill hammer versus the run” and a “dynamic blitzer,” but he too questioned Simon’s ability to play good pass coverage. I intend to write a rebuttal article about their take on Cody Simon, but in the college playoffs, Cody Simon was outstanding in all aspects of his game, including his pass coverage —- just as Jeremiyah Love and the other lightning fast Notre Dame running backs. Plus, when PFF did a preview of their 10 best players in the National Championship game, they had Simon at #3, for these reasons:

College Football Playoff National Championship: PFF’s best players in every category

Best off-the-ball run defender: LB Cody Simon, Ohio State

Simon’s 90.4 PFF run-defense grade this season ranks third among all linebackers.

Best coverage linebacker: LB Cody Simon, Ohio State

• Simon’s 76.3 PFF coverage grade places 35th among college linebackers.

College Football Playoff National Championship: 10 highest-graded players in Monday’s title game (pff.com)

3. LB Cody Simon, Ohio State: 89.7​

Simon is an excellent downhill linebacker in Ohio State’s defense. He ranks third among FBS linebackers in PFF run-defense grade (90.4), while his five sacks tie him for fourth. The graduate student is no slouch in coverage, either, posting a 76.3 PFF grade

2024 Accolades:

Cody Simon - Wikipedia

• CFP national champion (2024)
• CFP National Championship Game Defensive MVP (2025)
• Rose Bowl Game Defensive MVP (2025)
• First-team All-Big Ten (2024)

How about mentioning made tackles for Budda?

They alluded to Budda Baker’s 28 missed tackles as the primary example as to why the Cardinals tackling was so bad. However, they did so without acknowledging or lauding Budda’s 164 combined tackles, which was 2nd highest in the NFL. The averages throughout Budda’s 17 games is 9.6 tackles and 1.6 missed tackles per game. Ask any NFL defensive coordinator if they would take those averages any day of the week. Also, every DC knows that tackles in space are the most difficult tackles in the game.

All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton made 111 tackles and missed 22. His 14.6 missed tackle percentage was higher than Budda’s and Budda made 53 more tackles.

Bootleg Football 2025 NFC West Previews by Title:

• ARI —- “Maybe (Almost) Good” —- “Nobody Beat the Cardinals like the Cardinals Do”
• LAR —- “Heavy Hitters” —- “Nobody Wants to Play the Rams”
• SFO —- “Surely, Nothing Will Go Inexplicably Wrong This Year” —- “Brock Purdy carries the 49ers, actually.”
• SEA —- “Hunger of the Pine” —- “On Second Thought, Let John Schneider Cook”

ROTB Questions:

What are your reaction to these titles?

What are your reactions to the Bootleg Football’s 2025 Preview of the Arizona Cardinals?

ROTB Poll: (for those who watched the entire podcast)

Source: https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2...preview-of-the-2025-arizona-cardinals-podcast

 

[Arizona Cardinals]

How John Madden would coach Kyler Murray

Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images

The same way he coached all of his QBs in Oakland, like Lamonica, Blanda and Stabler

To reiterate what I wrote a couple of weeks ago, I have been thinking a lot about John Madden these days.

These days...

“Well, I’ll keep on movin’, movin’ on —- Things are bound to be improving these days

One of these days —- These days I’ll sit on corner stones

And count the time in quarter tones to ten —- my friend

Don’t confront me with my failures —-I had not forgotten them”

(Jackson Browne, 1973)

The best gift that John Madden gave me during the summer of 1993, other than the five glorious hours I spent with him in his NYC abode at The Dakota, was a signed copy of his “Man to Man Football” that he used as a teaching guide whenever he gave coaching clinics.

Funny, but due to time, exposure to the sun and the numerous front-to-back readings that I have given the book, the cover of the manuscript has faded —- yet Coach’s signature still looks brand new in blue.

This morning, I felt an urge to flip the book open and read whatever page popped up.

Imagine this:

This is what I was greeted with: (from page 106)

“I have always favored a system in which the quarterback calls his own plays. That is the only time when a total quarterback is running his team.”

“Today about 75 percent of the NFL quarterbacks get their plays from the bench. Coaches who advocate this system have four main reasons for using it:”

“1 —- The coaches believe they prepare longer for the game, watch more films, study longer in the off-season and are better prepared for the task.

2 —- When the coaching staff calls the play, they know what is going to happen and can follow its execution better so that even if the play doesn’t work, it might be successful later in the game if the faults are corrected.

3 —- The coaching staff has better control over play on the field in relation to the game plan.

4 —- The quarterback, being relieved of the decisions of play calling, can concentrate better on execution.”

“A lot of good teams use this system, perhaps the most outstanding of these is the Dallas Cowboys, where Tom Landry sends in the plays to Roger Staubach.”

“On the other side of the fence, there are quite a few outstanding teams whose quarterbacks call the signals. The leading advocate of this system is probably the Pittsburgh Steelers where Terry Bradshaw calls his own plays. Bradshaw has won 4 Super Bowls. Down in Miami Don Shula has Bob Griese call his own plays. And in Oakland, over a 10-year span, Daryl Lamonica, George Blanda and Kenny Stabler always called the plays while I coached.”

Having read this —- a lightbulb illuminated up the room and I knew that if John Madden were coaching or advising other coaches today —- there is no doubt —- that in the case of the 2025 Arizona Cardinals —- he would have Kyler Murray call the plays.

Here are the reasons in general that Coach provides from his book:

1 —- “Quarterbacks have a better feel for the situation on the field. They know, firsthand, how their players and the opposing players are feeling and sometimes are able to call plays that work, that by the book should never have been run. Still those plays often make 40 or 50 yards and a touchdown.”​

(Note: I had a hunch in the Bears game last season on a 3rd and 5 situation near midfield with 15 seconds left in the 1st half with the Cardinals leading 14-9 that Kyler called the audible for this draw to Emari Demercado, hoping that Emari could run it into FG position —- instead it resulted in an electric 53-yard TD to put the Cardinals up 21-9 at half-time)​

EMARI DEMERCADO 53-YARD TD!

: #CHIvsAZ on CBS/Paramount+
: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/B7dXbOt3Fu

— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2024​

2 —- “On other occasions, I have sent in plays that backfired, lost yards and even the ball.”​

3 —- “The quarterback who calls the plays is also forced to think more about the whole game. He must study films, discuss the game plan constantly with the coach and be familiar with the whole situation.”​

4 —- “The quarterback is called the field general. How can he be a field general if he is waiting for instructions from the bench between plays? That would destroy some of his control.”

5 —- “When the quarterback calls the play, he and the other 10 men on the team are doing it together. It is a play “we” called. With the QB in charge, it is “we” and “us.” If the bench calls the play that fails, it is “their” play and it is too bad. “They” had better send in another one.”

Why, in my opinion, giving the play calling responsibilities to Kyler would be a brilliant idea:

1 —- Kyler would relish this kind of challenge and see it as a huge vote of confidence.

2—- Calling his own plays in the game would feel like the ultimate chess match for him.

3 —- My high school football coaching mentor, Dexter Morse, told me so wisely that the secret to being a great play caller is cultivating the ability to think 2-3 plays ahead. That’s the same type of ability that great chess players hone.

4 —- I have often felt that Kyler’s emotions get the better of him at times during the games and those emotions tend to affect his focus. Having to focus instead on what he is going to call during the next possession should keep his head squarely in the game. In essence, Kyler would have to toss aside his emotions in order to do his job.

5 —- The levels of communication and ownership that Kyler would have to generate with his teammates would be at an all-time high. Communication on the field, on the sidelines and in practice is the key to success in team sports.

6 —- Something needs to happen in order for Kyler to elevate his game to a level that he and the team have yet to reach. Having him call the plays could be the catalytic converter that he and the team needs.

If John Madden were advising Kyler, here are the 4 kinds of passes that I believe Coach would ask Kyler to try to minimize:

1 —- Passes short of the sticks on 3rd and 4th downs.

2 —- Fades and other 50/50 balls on 3rd and 4th downs.

3 —- Inside the red zone, particularly inside the 10-yard line, passes short of the goal line —- go ahead and take many more shots into the end zone.

4 —- In the two-minute drill, 5-yard passes over the middle to the running back, which take far too much time off the clock for such minimal yards.

Imagine that —- Kyler Murray calling the plays.

John Madden concluded his chapter on his belief that QBs should call the plays with these prescient words (Note: he wrote this manuscript in the late 1970s):

“The men on the playing field have no time for philosophy. They’re in a war where the rule is hit or be hit and they know what is happening in a way the people on the bench can never understand.”

“On top of this, I am afraid that we are moving farther and farther toward taking the human element out of the game in which is basic played between two groups of people. There are too many sideline calls, too many computers, too much talk about instant replay.”

“I can foresee the day when a coach will stand on the sidelines, punch a computer, listen to bells ring and then hear that wise machine say, “Run off tackle!”

“I don’t want that. Until I started doing color for CBS, I never knew how far detached the press box is from the field. The game belongs to the men down there and they are the people who should run it.”

“There is no such thing as a dumb player so far as I am concerned, and certainly no dumb quarterbacks. People once called Terry Bradshaw, one of the best men at his job, not too smart. The accusation was not only unfair, it was untrue.”

ROTB Poll:

By the way, two of the Cardinals’ greatest QBs of all time, Jim Hart and Kurt Warner, called their own plays.

Source: https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2025/7/15/24468363/how-john-madden-would-coach-kyler-murray

 

[Arizona Cardinals]

Are there really three tight ends better in the NFL than Trey McBride?

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

ESPN had Trey McBride ranked fourth in tight end rankings

Happy Tuesday one and all.

With the offseason winding down we are getting all of the rankings heading into the season.

One that caught my eye was the tight end rankings from ESPN and this is what they say:

ESPN surveyed league executives, coaches and scouts to help us rank the top 10 players at 11 different positions, from quarterback to cornerback and all positions in between.

So, when they dropped the rankings for tight ends, it was a bit of surprise to see Trey McBride outside of the top three.

From ESPN:

4. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals’ new $76 million man has been worth every cent for Arizona, which trusted McBride with a 29.7% target share last season.

McBride rewarded that usage with a Year 3 breakout that included 111 catches for 1,116 yards on his way to a first Pro Bowl nod. His 147 targets last season ranked second among tight ends, and McBride turned those targets into 7.8 yards per clip. He has run-after-catch ability with speed and good hands and is a capable blocker.

“Best receiving tight end out there,” an NFL coordinator said. “He’s a hard cover even for elite corners.”

McBride’s jump from last year’s honorable mention status to the top four is sizable, but he was the only tight end not named Kittle or Bowers to receive a first-place vote.

“Lack of touchdowns hurts him a bit for me if we’re talking about top-five guys,” an NFL personnel director said about McBride, who has six total touchdowns in three seasons.

Wait... McBride is in at four?

Who was in front of him:

1. Brock Bowers
2. George Kittle
3. Sam LaPorta

I feel like LaPorta being in front of McBride is an interesting one, considering he only out performed McBride in one area, touchdowns. So, we are saying that LaPorta is better overall than McBride based on that?

I guess we are nitpicking between three and four, and as the report says McBride was the only other tight end to receive a first place vote, so maybe people are not watching as closely to make that call?

Anyways, I think the top three are Bowers/Kittle/McBride in some order and then the rest have to meet them at that effort.

Source: https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2...-than-trey-mcbride-brock-bowers-george-kittle

 

[Arizona Cardinals]

Cardinals Reacts Survey: Who leads the Arizona Cardinals in touchdowns in 2025?

Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

This week we want to know who you think is the Arizona Cardinals touchdown leader.

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Arizona Cardinals fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

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Happy Wednesday one and all.

The Arizona Cardinals kick things off for training camp in about a week, and we will have plenty of information as camp goes through the process.

Before camp starts though, we want to know who leads the Arizona Cardinals in touchdowns scored in 2025?

Not thrown, but getting into the endzone via running or receiving the ball.

With who is listed it will be interesting to see if anyone can beat James Conner this season, but Conner is definitely the chalky pick here.

The question will become, how high can players like Marv, Trey McBride and even Trey Benson climb this season?

If I had to guess, I would thing the final rankings would look like:

1. Conner
2. Marv
3. McBride
4. Kyler
5. Benson
6. Wilson

However, I would love to hear your thoughts.

Source: https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2...-james-conner-marvin-harrison-jr-trey-mcbride

 

[Arizona Cardinals]

Isaiah Adams crushes his presser

Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images

Cardinals’ 2nd-year guard is taking his job one day at a time

The Arizona Cardinals are returning a primarily veteran offensive line that was top 10 in a few NFL metrics last season. The youngest pup of this year’s projected starters is 2024 3rd-round pick, Isaiah Adams, was speaking to the media yesterday, and, if his performance at his presser is an indication of his level of play this season, watch out NFC West!

Isaiah Adams addresses the media https://t.co/1ViUp8B4Ba

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) July 16, 2025​

While watching Adams’ 10-minute interview with the Arizona media, some of the adjectives that I would apply to his persona:

• Highly articulate
• Humble and well-grounded
• Patient
• Dedicated
• Enthusiastic
• Collegial
• Intelligent
• Unassuming
• Mature
• Open-minded
• Eager to learn
• Loyal

"I care so much about this game so to not have the success that I want is obviously challenging...you either get better or stay the same...I chose to get better."

Isaiah Adams on starting the final five games for the Arizona Cardinals last season. pic.twitter.com/LtaVUppe9v

— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) July 16, 2025​

"I think it's humbling...it motivated me to get bigger, stronger, faster."

Isaiah Adams talks about not immediately playing as a rookie and the approach he took this offseason. pic.twitter.com/sf6spMzzlO

— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) July 16, 2025​

I think this guy is gonna get off the ball and move some plies, like a bulldozer.

You agree?

Source: https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2025/7/17/24468925/isaiah-adams-crushes-his-presser

 

[Arizona Cardinals]

Arizona Cardinals quarterback room is set heading into 2025

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Arizona Cardinals have their quarterback room ready to roll into 2025.

Happy Thursday one and all.

The Arizona Cardinals kickoff training camp next week and we are going to spend the next couple of days looking at the roster and making some calls.

Let’s start with the quarterback position and what we can expect.

Quarterback Room: Stable with one question

Starter - Kyler Murray
Veteran Backup - Jacoby Brissett
Backup - Clayton Tune

Question: Is Tune’s time in the desert done, or will they Cardinals carry three quarterbacks?

We know the Cardinals will have Kyler Murray on the roster, and with the a $5.3 million cap hit this season, Brissett is going to be on the roster.

So, do the Cardinals see enough to carry Tune on the active roster, or will he be the practice squad? Would a team sign Tune to the active roster if the Cardinals do cut him?

The quarterback room is not in flux, but it does have a question or two that needs to be answered heading into things this season.

Source: https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2...025-kyler-murray-jacoby-brissett-clayton-tune