Kugler: Kingsbury ‘itching’ to return
Most people would love to have the problem of being quarantined in Kliff Kingsbury’s opulent Paradise Valley mansion.
That’s not the case for the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals (6-0), whose run game/offensive line coordinator Sean Kugler said Kingsbury can’t wait to be with the team again.
Kingsbury has been at home since last Friday after he and five other team personnel tested positive for the coronavirus.
Kingsbury’s return to the team is uncertain as he remains in the NFL’s COVID-19 protocol. That requires vaccinated team personnel who test positive to have two negative tests 24 hours apart, or if not, to spend at least 10-days away from the team if that person is asymptomatic.
Kingsbury’s return could be as late as Week 8, after the Cardinals’ next home game against Houston Texans (1-5) this Sunday at 1:25 p.m.
“I know he’s itching to get back. I know that. I think it’s driving him nuts,” Kugler told reporters on Thursday. “I can’t wait ‘til he comes back and I know he’s excited to get back. But everybody’s working hard in case that happens again, then we’ll be prepared.”
Kugler explained how the game plan to face Texans has been virtually developed out via Zoom conference calls by Kingsbury and the coaching staff.
“We have a game plan and it’s all structured by areas on the field: the open field; red zone; situational football. And a lot of that is planned out before the game,” Kugler said. “But, like anything, things change and you need to adjust ...
“And Coach (Kingsbury) is awesome with that, but on game day he’s in charge. He’s the one doing it. Even when he’s not there, he’s the one in charge in structuring everything so the plan can be in place.”
Texans not trap game
Cardinals don’t believe trap games exist in the NFL.
There are teams such as the Los Angeles
Rams who have far better records than the winless Detroit Lions or Houston Texans. But basement dwellers still have exceptionally talented players who play hard to win on any given Sunday — or Thursday.
The Texans are tied with the Jacksonville Jaguars at the bottom of the AFC South division. Houston currently ranks as the league’s second-worst in rushing defense, and Arizona has the league’s sixth-best. However, the Cardinals don’t take the Texans for granted.
“I see a team that plays hard. They’re physical. They compete, and there’s no easy games in the NFL,” Kugler said about Houston. “I think they have an outstanding scheme. (Texans defensive coordinator) Lovie Smith is an outstanding coach, and they got a veteran group. They’ve got some good players on that defense. We don’t take one day lightly, one meeting lightly, one practice lightly, regardless of the opponent.”
The Cardinals don’t even believe they are 6-0 entering their matchup against Houston.
“We all understand it’s just another team in our way trying to get to 1-0, and that’s how we look in it,” Cardinals wide receiver A.J. Green said.
Injured Hudson still leading O-line
Rodney Hudson is a consummate leader for the Cardinals.
Despite the rib-wounded, 11-year veteran’s placement on the Reserve/Injured list following its Week 5 home win over San Francisco 49ers, Hudson didn’t hesitate to travel with his team to face Cleveland Browns last Sunday.
“Rodney’s a leader and he sensed that the team at that point needed him,” Kugler said. “I love having Rodney around. The thought process was to have him heal up and not travel, and that with his ribs, but he decided to come and be a part of the process.”
Hudson, who Kugler called “the best center in the league,” helped coach the offensive line after every Cardinals possession in their win over the Browns, and provided his insight to his replacement Max Garcia.