Cardinals’ David Johnson explains crucial fourth-quarter play
Sep 24, 2018, 4:22 PM | Updated: 4:51 pm
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson stretches out with teammates prior to an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
The Arizona Cardinals answered a looming question regarding their starting quarterback situation Monday afternoon.
But what about the decision to have Chase Edmonds, not starting running back David Johnson, in on the biggest play of Sunday’s game?
Johnson explained what exactly happened on the crucial 3rd-and-2 play in the fourth quarter in which Edmonds — not Johnson — got the carry on Monday.
“It was actually the play before the 3rd-and-two,” Johnson said Monday of what transpired in the fourth quarter. “The play before I missed the blitz so I had to go on the sideline and talk to [running backs coach] Kirby [Wilson] about it because I actually did not see the guy and that’s my guy.
“[Wilson] called me out to talk about it, that’s why I hope and I want my head coach keeps me accountable. I want my teammates to keep my accountable and when they mess up I want them to tell me what I did wrong.”
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With two minutes left to play and rookie Josh Rosen under center, the Cardinals were looking at 3rd-and-2 at the Bears’ 45-yard line. Edmonds got the handoff, but was hit behind the line of scrimmage for a three-yard loss. The next play, the rookie quarterback would throw an interception, ending the comeback bid.
“I have full trust in Chase, everyone has trust in Chase,” Johnson said of his fellow running back. “We’ve been talking about Chase since he’s been on the team about how great a running back he is and he’s able to do the plays that they call and they don’t have any second-guess of what’s called when he’s in there.”
Following the team’s 16-14 loss to the Chicago Bears, head coach Steve Wilks called the decision to have Edmonds in during the critical moment the right move.
“We have total confidence, number one, in Chase as well as David,” Wilks said after the game. “We got the call right there. I don’t think it was really who was in the game, it was penetration up front. Got to do a better job as far as blocking in that situation.”
