DC Joseph focuses on more than just Colts RB Taylor
The Cardinals got hammered in the run game during their 30-12 upset loss to the Detroit Lions (2-11-1) last Sunday. If they couldn’t stop a recent call-up running back Craig Reynolds (game-high 26 carries for 112 yards out of Detroit’s total 126), how are they going to stop the Indianapolis Colts’ blue blur in Jonathan Taylor on Saturday at home?
The MVP candidate Taylor, who Kyler Murray called a “dog” on Wednesday, is running fast toward snaring the NFL’s rushing title, and the Colts (8-6) lead the league on the ground. But Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is also focused on containing the Colts’ passing game, led by quarterback Carson Wentz.
Wentz currently has the sixth-best quarterback rating. His 95.3 passer rating is 13th, 23 touchdowns thrown is 10th, has just six interceptions, produces 7.0 yards per pass, and his 62.7 completion rate is ranked 26th out of 43 QBs.
Joseph has seen much film of Wentz’s ability to execute well from pre-snap checks and improvising after play calls.
“That’s part of playing defense in this league with quarterbacks like Carson,” Joseph said to reporters. “Carson is playing good football. He’s managing the plays for them, he’s putting them in good plays and that’s his job and that makes it tough. If certain fronts show, if certain pressures show, he can put them in a better play, so we have to adjust, obviously.
“We have to adjust what he’s checking to versus our pressures, versus our fronts, that makes a difference. The details of this run game is important for us to understand it. If we do, we could have a chance to stop it. If we don’t, it’s gonna be a long night.”
Murray on his game since return
Kyler Murray said there’s nothing to worry about him since he returned from his ankle injury, which made him miss three games in November.
He doesn’t make excuses for his own performances through the Cardinals’ past three, or his team’s lack of “juice” in their loss to the Lions.
Murray was asked if he felt the Cardinals offense had a sense of urgency, and if it was pressing as they were were down 27-6 before they scored their only touchdown of the game.
“I definitely feel like there was a sense of urgency on the field. I can’t really speak for everybody. Everybody is their own individuals. I try to keep a calm mindset about it, “Murray said.
“I think pressing and a sense of urgency are two different things. I feel like we were moving the ball. It’s just when we got down there, we didn’t score touchdowns. I feel like that was a part of the reason why it got to where it was. It’s in the past now. We’re moving forward. We’ve got a great team coming in on Saturday, and we’ve got to be ready for it.”
Since he returned in their win at Chicago Bears on Dec. 5, Murray has averaged a 64.9% accuracy, a 93.9 passer rating, thrown three touchdowns and ran for two, and four fumbles.
His percentages were a bit better before his injury. Murray completed 72.41% of his passes, was among of the league’s best with a 109.1 passer rating, and had seven fumbles in his first eight games.
“I think if anybody gets hurt, the natural is to feel ‘Am I gonna be able to keep playing at a high level before I got hurt?’ But, yeah, I feel fine,” Murray said. “At the Bears, weather was a little off. The Rams (game), we were moving the ball, there were just a couple plays we messed up. And then last week, it was the whole effort. We just weren’t good.”
Murray understands the Colts’ high pedigree in run game, but also their secondary’s potency to disrupt pass plays. They’re tied for third in interceptions caught, 17, with the Buffalo Bills.
“They’re a great team, a lot of talent over there on defense and offense,” Murray said. “We’re going to have to be ready for it. This is December football. It’s a playoff-like atmosphere on Christmas. They’re going to be ready. We got to come to play.”
Hicks at practice after child birth
The Cardinals have several newborn babies their nest this season.
Inside linebacker and co-captain Jordan Hicks was at practice on Wednesday after his wife Ivana gave birth to their third child, and first daughter, late Tuesday night.
That’s the second baby the Cardinals have welcomed to the world within the past two weeks, and third in just over a month. The other two Cards who have new family additions are Budda Baker on Dec. 11 and kicker Matt Prater on Nov. 17.
Injury report
Cardinals who didn’t practice on Wednesday include Gracia, RB James Conner (heel), wide receiver Rondale Moore (ankle), defensive tackle Jordan Phillips. LB Isaiah Simmons (shoulder), tight end Zach Ertz (hamstring), outside linebacker Markus Golden (knee), defensive lineman Zach Kerr (ribs), and WR Antoine Wesley (ankle) were limited.
Colts’ non-participants in practice were center Ryan Kelly (personal), guard Quenton Nelson (illness), and safety Andrew Sendejo. S George Odum (illness) practiced in full.
Roster moves
Cardinals have placed P Andy Lee on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Houston Texans signed LB Ron’Dell Carter from the Cardinals practice squad.