GLENDALE — The Arizona Cardinals’ preseason slate of games provide us with about as close of a glimpse of what this team might look like when the bullets are live on Sept. 7.
And while the games don’t count in the record book, there’s still plenty to glean from the exhibitions.
So, what did Arizona Sports’ Kellan Olson and I learn from the Cardinals’ 20-17 win against the Kansas City Chiefs to open up preseason play?
Let’s find out!
Main takeaways from Cardinals-Chiefs
Olson: Tyler! Cardinals (preseason) football is back! In the opener of the exhibition phase of the schedule, we got to see the Cardinals starters for well over a quarter, offering up a healthy portion on the plate for us to discuss. This was not just Patrick Mahomes’ one pass attempt, completion, yard and touchdown.
What stood out to you from that beginning of the game with the first-stringers?
Drake: Well, for starters (no pun intended), what was up with the kick return team?
Two fumbles across the first two returns? Good thing Arizona’s specials teams unit jumped on at least one of them, but not a good way to start.
Throw in another bobble on a second-quarter punt return and there’s some ball-security lessons that need reteaching.
OK, now for the starting offense.
On the surface, Kyler Murray tossing an interception was about the last thing you wanted to see from the first unit’s opening drive.
Many of us instantly went back to the second half of last season with the red zone INT.
But beyond that, it wasn’t egregious.
Murray ended the evening with the interception marking his lone incompletion in eight tries.
I also really liked what second-year pro Trey Benson put on tape with some extended run with the first- and second-teams.
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.
Would I have liked to see the Cardinals go for it on fourth-and-one in Chiefs’ territory? Absolutely. But after all, it’s preseason. Can’t show all the tricks just yet.
Let’s turn to the first-team defense. We didn’t 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.
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.
What caught your eye on that side of the rock?
Olson: 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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’t mean he should.
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?
Drake: I was waiting for you to bring up Johnson. No, the red-zone pass interference call wasn’t the best optics but seeing him get the starting nod serves a good next step in his NFL progression.
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.
As for others looking to improve their 53-man roster stock, three names come to mind right away.
Let’s start with a couple of young pass rushers in Jordan Burch and Xavier Thomas.
The duo was busy in the backfield Saturday night, each flashing their pass-rushing tools.
Neither got all the way home for a sack — Burch had one erased due to penalty — but generating pressures is what you want to see out of the second unit.
There’s a world where Thomas and Burch are fighting for the last remaining roster spot in the outside linebackers room. Every highlight counts.
And how about rookie safety Kitan Crawford getting in on the highlight reel?
Known more for his special teams abilities, Crawford’s end zone interception in the third quarter was a top play for the defense on Saturday.
Offensively, I am turning my attention to running back Emari Demercado.
More Benson in the backfield seems inevitable after a strong training camp that has bled into preseason play.
If he can answer any lingering pass-protection questions, the role Demercado once carved out will no longer be his.
That’s why his 43-yard touchdown catch meant a little more on Saturday.
Show you can not only block in the passing game but also playmake with the ball in your hands.
Xavier Weaver also deserves some props for his preseason opener.
Scoring Arizona’s second touchdown of the evening, Weaver helped solidify his role in the back half of the wide receivers room on Saturday.
He missed out on WR3 and WR4 — those belong to Zay Jones and Greg Dortch — but has the lead on the WR5 job over Tejhaun Palmer, Simi Fehoko and Trishton Jackson.
Saturday’s showing only helped.
Lastly, how about a shoutout to rookie offensive lineman Hayden Conner?
The rookie went from three botched snaps in one training camp practice to having a pretty clean operation with backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett on Saturday.
Versatility can be the difference in earning a roster spot. The more you can do at a high level, the better.
