ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals DT Robert Nkemdiche: ‘I want to be the best me’

Jul 27, 2017, 6:42 PM | Updated: Jul 28, 2017, 3:19 pm

DL Robert Nkemdiche during an OTA practice May 24. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports)...

DL Robert Nkemdiche during an OTA practice May 24. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

(Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Disruptive.

That’s the one word Arizona Cardinals coaches and teammates have consistently used to describe second-year defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche thus far in training camp.

Nkemdiche first impressed in shells, and then he carried over his effort and performance once the pads were put on Monday.

It’s good to hear and see for those in attendance at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Not much was heard or seen from Nkemdiche last season. He played only 89 snaps over five games, recording three total tackles, a pass defensed, one quarterback hit and one quarterback pressure; numbers that fell well short of expectations for a first-round draft pick.

“I’m not really paying attention to that,” he said, referring to the positive press. “I just want to keep getting better because there’s a lot of things that I’ve done on tape that’s not my standards. I don’t really pay attention to what’s going on outside. I just pay attention to my (position) room and what’s out there and just keep trying to get better at the things my coach is telling me to get better at.”

And right now, that’s focusing on technique and learning the defensive assignments. Both, according to Nkemdiche, will prevent him from being hesitant on the field. The 22-year-old wants to react, not think once the ball is snapped.

“It’s a lot better when you can play with understanding what you have to do and how the defense actually works because football is a game of inches, so one inch can make you behind the play,” he said Thursday. “You want to make sure you’re on top of what you want to do technique-wise. There’s never a place of complacency for technique. There’s always ways to get better.”

And again, thus far, the improvement has been noticeable, by those to whom it matters the most.

“Oh my gosh; he’s learning it and he’s getting it down and he’s a stud,” right guard Evan Boehm told Burns & Gambo on 98.7 FM, Arizona’s Sports Station this week. “That’s the type of guy you want to go against in practice because he’s got a motor that just doesn’t stop. He’s strong, physical, fast. He’s got the qualities to be that dude for us here on the defensive line.”

The 6-foot-3, 310-pound Boehm matches up daily with Nkemdiche, who is listed at 6-foot-4, 296 pounds. Their battles have become almost appointment viewing.

“It goes back and forth, back and forth,” Boehm said. “Some days he’ll get me, some days I’ll get him. It’s fun going out there and competing against Rob.”

Nkemdiche called his 2016 season a learning lesson; though to be fair, his year was slowed by an ankle sprain, first at the start of training camp and then again late in the season.

Now healthy, and getting the reps he missed a year ago, Nkemdiche is once again facing expectations.

The Cardinals need Nkemdiche, whom they selected with the 29th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, especially given the free-agent departure of Calais Campbell.

How hungry is he?

“Very, man,” Nkemdiche said. “I want to be the best me. I know what the best me can look, so that’s what my vision is looking like and every day when step on the field, when I’m off the field I want to work towards that.”

Follow Craig Grialou on Twitter

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Monti Ossenfort looks on...

Vincent DeAngelis

PFF’s Spielberger grades Cardinals’ free agent class among worst in NFL

PFF's Brad Spielberger gave the Cardinals' free agent class a "C" grade in his latest rankings. It was the worst grade among all 32 teams.

1 hour ago

Jonah Williams pressure Sam Darnold...

Tyler Drake

Report: Free agent DL Jonah Williams visiting Arizona Cardinals this week

Defensive lineman Jonah Williams is visiting the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings this week, according to Aaron Wilson.

10 hours ago

Casita seating at the Arizona Cardinals' State Farm Stadium...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals’ new suite options at State Farm Stadium include casitas

The Arizona Cardinals on Monday announced new luxury seating options for 2024, including custom casita suites at State Farm Stadium.

14 hours ago

Justin Fields...

Associated Press

Quarterback carousel: Bears trade Justin Fields to Steelers to clear way for top pick

The Chicago Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night for draft compensation.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray...

Arizona Sports

Report: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray’s 2025 guarantees kick in

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray had nearly $30 million guaranteed for the 2025 season kick in by remaining on Arizona's roster by Saturday.

2 days ago

Paris Johnson Jr. celebrates with Kyler Murray...

Tyler Drake

Which side of the line will Cardinals’ Paris Johnson Jr. command in 2024?

Even before the Cardinals released D.J. Humphries, there was already talk of Paris Johnson Jr. making the switch from right to left.

3 days ago

Cardinals DT Robert Nkemdiche: ‘I want to be the best me’