ARIZONA CARDINALS

All-Access with Arians: The mental errors have got to be cleaned up

Aug 18, 2014, 7:57 PM | Updated: 7:58 pm

Follow @CraigAZSportsPresented By...

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Head coach Bruce Arians, now in his second year with the Arizona Cardinals, meets the media each day during training camp.

Here, in this space, we’ll highlight many of the key topics and personnel conversations he has with reporters following the morning walk-through:

“OK, injury wise as far as today: (Jonathan) Cooper (toe), (Kevin) Minter (pectoral), Max Starks (ankle), Teddy Williams (groin), Justin Bethel (thigh), Lyle Sendlein (calf) will all be out with most of them returning Wednesday; everybody except Max potentially could go Wednesday.

“After the ballgame watching the tape, disappointed in the number of mental errors, especially defensively with our starters; just too many mental errors and lack of production upfront in that ballgame. For the little bit we played I was not pleased with our production upfront.

“We had chances to get sacks, didn’t get the guy down, let the quarterback out and run. We’ve got to start making those plays.

“Offensively, it was more young guys. I think there were 70 mental errors in the game or so between the two (units), only one with our starters on offense. But still, to win on the road in the National Football League, you have to play error free. You can’t beat yourself and basically we went up there and gave some things away to them.

“There were a lot things that were really, really good in the game. We started fast again, came out of the half very well. We just didn’t finish it with our young guys very well.”

What was he not seeing from his defense?
“Just getting off people and getting in your right gap and executing some blitzes that we’ve done. Some veteran guys were in the wrong gaps. It’s inexcusable to play 10 plays and have three or four mental errors.”

Was it a lack of communication or coverage breakdowns
“A little bit of both. We had a 3rd-and-16 and we jumped an under route with a guy out in the flat and give them an easy conversion that led to a score. That is judgment and dumb. Of that drive, we had about three of those dumb plays.”

How would you assess Ryan Lindley’s play
“Up and down. He was solid there in the first drive. Missed some throws that he should make, especially down on the goal line in that last drive before (the) fumblerooski. I mean we should’ve scored on two of those plays.”

Mentioned earlier that Ted Larsen expected to move to starting left guard, so what about Cooper
“He’s in the training room. He can’t do anything.”

Earl Watford had been backup at left guard, how did he look on film in the game
“Up and down. He did some really, really good things and he did some rookie things, too. It needs to be more consistent. We’re going to put the best five (offensive lineman) out there. There’s no doubt about that.”

How long will the starters play against Cincinnati
“We discussed it this morning. We’re looking at no more than a half.”

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

24 hours ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

1 day ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

2 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

2 days ago

All-Access with Arians: The mental errors have got to be cleaned up