Cards defense knocking ‘em down
Manfred likes larger playoff, runner in extras
Ahead of a World Series capping the pandemic-shortened season, baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said he hopes to keep two of this year’s innovations: expanded playoffs and starting extra innings with runners on second base.
“People were wildly unenthusiastic about the changes. And then when they saw them in action, they were much more positive,” Manfred said Tuesday during an interview with The Associated Press.
After opening day was delayed from March 26 to July 23, MLB and the players’ association agreed to expand the number of teams in the playoffs from 10 to 16. Even before the pandemic, Manfred advocated a future expansion of the playoffs to 14 teams.
With the added runner rule, the longest of 68 games of 10 innings or longer were a pair of 13-inning contests, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
“I think the players like it,” Manfred said. “I think it’s really good from a safety and health perspective that keeps us from putting players in situations where they’re out there too long or in positions they’re not used to playing.”
Kyler Murray had some big moments in his return to Texas, throwing a couple of touchdown passes and running for another score.
Even so, Arizona’s young quarterback knew he wasn’t the star of Monday night’s dominant 38-10 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
That honor belonged to the defense.
“They played great,” Murray said. “Great’s not even the word. I don’t even have a word for it.”
Arizona (4-2) looks like a legitimate factor in the NFC’s playoff race and one huge reason is the improvement of the defense. The group forced four turnovers against the Cowboys, constantly giving the Cardinals good field position that allowed them to pour on the points.
Now they’re preparing for an intriguing division game against the Seattle Seahawks (5-0), who are one of three remaining undefeated teams in the NFL. The Seahawks are coming off a bye week.
Arizona’s quality defense is a huge 180 from last season, when the Cardinals gave up the most total yards in the NFL. Second-year defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has orchestrated the turnaround, using new pieces such as defensive lineman Jordan Phillips and linebackers De’Vondre Campbell and Devon Kennard to solidify a group that already included standouts such as cornerback Patrick Peterson and safety Budda Baker.
The Cardinals even appear in position to weather the loss of All-Pro linebacker Chandler Jones, who is out for the season after a biceps injury on Oct. 11.
“I couldn’t be more impressed with V.J. and that group of coaches and that group of players,” Arizona coach Kliff Kingsbury said. “The changes (GM Steve Keim) made personnel-wise, bringing in some really talented pieces. They’ve really come together quickly in a strange, strange season.”
Added Kingsbury: “You watch the way they’re playing, the physicality, they took the ball away four times last night. The way they’re flying around the football, having fun doing so, it’s a fun culture to be around.”
WHAT’S WORKING
It was an encouraging first game for the team’s
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