Cards sticking with Feely for now
No plans to bring in challenger after kicker disappoints
If Bruce Arians has a doghouse, it looks as though at least one player is getting used to living in it — kicker Jay Feely.
The Cardinals coach criticized Feely’s performance in Sunday’s loss to the Rams, just as he did twice earlier in the preseason.
Unlike then, however, Arians isn’t planning on bringing in a free-agent kicker for a look-see or to light a fire under Feely, the 13-year veteran.
“Not at the moment,” he said. “We looked at the one that we thought was the best available (Dan Carpenter). We’ll continue where we’re at.”
Carpenter was cut less than a week after he was signed. His only field-goal attempt in one preseason game was blocked.
Feely missed a 50-yard attempt at the end of the first half against the Rams, and Arians didn’t like his kickoffs, either.
“I didn’t have a good game at all,” Feely said Monday after being told of Arians’ comments. “I was disappointed on the opening kickoff, and I obviously slipped on the second one. So did their kicker. Greg Zuerlein slipped, too, and kind of line-drived one.
“The field goal just before halftime would have been a big momentum boost. That’s on me. I told him (Arians) before the game, ‘Anything inside of 55,' so that’s on me. I felt I hit it pretty well. It just leaked on me and I’ve got to fix that.”
Leaving Levi alone
Arians was none too happy that left tackle Levi Brown allowed three sacks in the game, two of which led directly to fumbles.
Arians doesn’t intend to make any changes to the offensive line, however, and said of Brown, “I don’t think it’s the end of the world at this point.”
He said Brown was solid with his run blocking, but used poor technique in trying to fend off Robert Quinn.
“The spotlight’s always on you,” Brown said Monday. “I can handle it, and I’ll get back to work on Wednesday and do what I need to do.”
Sense of urgency
Defensive end Calais Camp- bell, much like Arians, lamented the fact that the Cardinals didn’t register a sack, much less put many hurries on Rams quarterback Sam Bradford.
“Every game we have to get after the quarterback,” Campbell said. “If we can’t produce quarterback hits and cause disruption in the quarterback’s face, we’re not going to be any good this year.”
The Cardinals face a quarterback this Sunday, Detroit’s Matthew Stafford, who can pick apart a defense if he’s given enough time to throw.
“We have the guys to get it done,” he said. “We just need to take our game to the next level as a defensive line. But I think we’re going to be fine because I know we’re going to get better each week.”
Campbell was dealing with a bruised thigh, the result of getting accidentally kicked by a teammate in practice.
“My knee swelled up a little bit because of all the blood that
SCOTT ROVAK/USA TODAY SPORTS went down, but after a couple of days it felt a lot better with the treatment,” he said. “It hindered me a little bit in the game, but not a whole lot. I’m not going to use that as an excuse.”
Teammate Darnell Dockett said the entire defensive line needs to play better, create more pressure up front.
“The road is definitely going to be harder,” Dockett said. “We’re going to play against much better personnel. No disrespect to the Rams, but we’re going to play against much better guys up front.”
Quick kicks
Right guard Paul Fanaika, the former Arizona State standout, made his first NFL start and said it was a bittersweet one.
“It was fun, and I think I did OK,” he said, “but there’s always stuff to learn, and I know I can get better. Plus, anytime you lose, it just always feels like it’s never good enough.”
» There’s a chance the Cardinals might not have to face Ndamukong Suh, the Lions’ rugged defensive tackle. The NFL is reviewing possible disciplinary action against Suh for an illegal low block Sunday against the Vikings, which could possibly involve a suspension.
It’s more likely, however, that he faces a hefty fine.
» Arians said pass rusher John Abraham can expect on average to get about 30 snaps per game, or about 10 more than he got in the Rams game.
» Nose tackle Dan Williams scored on a 2-yard interception return against the Rams and said it’s the first touchdown he’s scored at any level of football.
“I’m giving the ball to my mom,” he said.