What stood out to you from that beginning of the game with the first-stringers?<\/p>\n
Drake:<\/strong> Well, for starters (no pun intended), what was up with the kick return team?<\/p>\n Two fumbles across the first two returns? Good thing Arizona\u2019s specials teams unit jumped on at least one of them, but not a good way to start.<\/p>\n Throw in another bobble on a second-quarter punt return and there\u2019s some ball-security lessons that need reteaching.<\/p>\n OK, now for the starting offense.<\/a><\/p>\n On the surface, Kyler Murray tossing an interception was about the last thing you wanted to see from the first unit\u2019s opening drive.<\/p>\n Many of us instantly went back to the second half of last season with the red zone INT.<\/p>\n But beyond that, it wasn\u2019t egregious.<\/p>\n Murray ended the evening with the interception marking his lone incompletion in eight tries.<\/p>\n I also really liked what second-year pro Trey Benson put on tape with some extended run with the first- and second-teams.<\/p>\n And even though tight end Tip Reiman got dinged for unnecessary roughness, I loved the added juice he brought as a blocker. He was moving people with authority.<\/p>\n Would I have liked to see the Cardinals go for it on fourth-and-one in Chiefs\u2019 territory? Absolutely. But after all, it\u2019s preseason. Can\u2019t show all the tricks just yet.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s turn to the first-team defense. We didn\u2019t get to see the return of Calais Campbell or the first glimpse of Josh Sweat in a Cardinals game, but there were plenty of other starters roaming the field, including rookie cornerback Will Johnson.<\/p>\n But it was Dante Stills, the first sub in on the first-team, that deserves a lot of flowers for his first half. He drew a holding call on third down and added a QB hit.<\/p>\n What caught your eye on that side of the rock?<\/p>\n Olson:<\/strong> Before we go there, a shoutout to an offensive line that had Murray in a good spot the entire time he was out there. It continues to be an underrated room that could reach its largest heights thus far with another year of experience of Paris Johnson Jr., a healthy Jonah Williams and Isaiah Adams in his second year.<\/p>\n Stills was for sure the standout on defense and might be a key rotational piece in Week 1 beyond veterans Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson.<\/p>\n The defensive line projects to not have much room for someone like Stills to get opportunities, but as he has done in his first two NFL seasons, injuries have come up and he is benefitting from the extra looks.<\/p>\n There were no Walter Nolen III and Bilal Nichols as expected on Saturday. The same goes for Justin Jones, who was dealing with a knee issue late in camp. Jones signed a $31 million contract last offseason before playing in only three games due to injury and might be hovering toward the edge of roster cuts in a way where most guys of his financial stature would not.<\/p>\n That or just the injuries in general could open the door for someone like P.J. Mustipher, Elijah Simmons or Anthony Goodlow to sneak into a roster spot.<\/p>\n With the young secondary, the default three-corner look was indeed with rookie Will Johnson on the outside, which I am personally a big fan of since it keeps Garrett Williams on the inside, where he can be elite. Even though he can move to the outside doesn\u2019t mean he should.<\/p>\n That was about it for the notable names. Who shined for you once those guys got in some sideline sweats and the players trying to make the roster got involved?<\/p>\n Drake:<\/strong> I was waiting for you to bring up Johnson. No, the red-zone pass interference call wasn\u2019t the best optics but seeing him get the starting nod serves a good next step in his NFL progression.<\/p>\n And sticking on the Jones angle, the veteran definitely needs to show something this preseason with Simmons and Mustipher (who Gannon has raved about) putting some good things on tape. Not dressing for the Chiefs game seems counterproductive.<\/p>\n As for others looking to improve their 53-man roster stock, three names come to mind right away.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s start with a couple of young pass rushers in Jordan Burch and Xavier Thomas.<\/p>\n The duo was busy in the backfield Saturday night, each flashing their pass-rushing tools.<\/p>\n Neither got all the way home for a sack \u2014 Burch had one erased due to penalty \u2014 but generating pressures is what you want to see out of the second unit.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a world where Thomas and Burch are fighting for the last remaining roster spot in the outside linebackers room. Every highlight counts.<\/p>\n And how about rookie safety Kitan Crawford getting in on the highlight reel?<\/p>\n Known more for his special teams abilities, Crawford\u2019s end zone interception in the third quarter was a top play for the defense on Saturday.<\/p>\n Offensively, I am turning my attention to running back Emari Demercado.<\/p>\n More Benson in the backfield seems inevitable after a strong training camp that has bled into preseason play.<\/p>\n If he can answer any lingering pass-protection questions, the role Demercado once carved out will no longer be his.<\/p>\n
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