All-Access with Bruce Arians: Cardinals can still make playoffs

TEMPE, Ariz. – Head coach Bruce Arians, now in his fifth year with the Arizona Cardinals, meets the media several times leading up to gameday.

Here, in this space, with help from the Cardinals’ media relations staff, we’ll highlight many of the key topics and personnel conversations he has with reporters following practice.

Opening statement:

“Alright out for the game is Olsen Pierre. Everybody else will be gametime decisions. Everybody worked some today. Feel very good about the week of preparation. We know how important this game is and what it means.”

Trying to force more turnovers, is that something you have to tell your players?

“That’s a known thing. That’s the first goal every week to win the turnover battle. We’ve had our hands on some. We’ve knocked some balls out. We just got to make the plays. They usually come in bunches. Been protecting it fairly well. J.J. (Nelson) is reaching for the pylon last week, (the fumble) really didn’t determine anything in the game, but we’ve been pretty good at protecting the football.”

Who are you thinking about playing at right guard this week?

“Earl (Watford) has looked really good, so we’ll probably start him at right guard this week.”

What can you do to cover punts better?

“Tackle.”

Simple as that?

“Yeah. The guys are down there, just make the tackle. Breakdown and make the tackle.”

Why haven’t you used Justin Bethel more on special teams?

“He’s starting. He’s playing way too many plays. And those two young guys (Budda Baker and Rudy Ford), that’s why they’re here.”

Does trading for Adrian Peterson signal to the team that there’s still time to make the playoffs?

“I think you answered the question. I mean, yeah. That’s exactly right. You’re always trying to get your team better, whether it’s the bottom half of the roster—Steve (Keim) has always done a great job of churning the bottom half of the roster if guys aren’t working hard enough in practice or not showing enough promise. And then in a situation like this, it was, like, the perfect fit. Everything just fell into place. He was available, we needed something and he happens to be a future Hall of Famer.”

How has Adrian Peterson fit in so far?

“Couldn’t ask for any better.”

With Watford on the right side, do you feel good about Alex Boone playing this week?

“Yeah. Both those guys (D.J. Humphries, too) made it through practice both days. My biggest concern with both of them right now is conditioning. They haven’t played in awhile. We may substitute during the game, something that we don’t normally do; we’ll just see how it goes.”

The past couple of weeks you’ve mentioned having walk-throughs on Wednesdays. Is that something new?

“It’s been a constant this year. With all that East Coast travel, we would have like five or six vets not practice. At least this way, they’re getting all their reps. We’re still getting a lot of teaching done without the physical part of it. Sports science talks about now having pads on Thursday. We’re getting really, really good work Thursdays that we probably wouldn’t get on a Wednesday. Guys not available or just not being able to do it.”

Next week’s practice schedule hasn’t been released yet but what do you think about the time changes in London?

“Everything is for a reason. We’ve talked to a lot of experts and other guys who have gone over there and had success. The big thing is get their early, get straight to a workout, practice later so that you stay up and don’t sleep during the day.’

How difficult was it to make a change at right guard and sit Evan Boehm?

“He’s more of a natural center The holding penalties, he got himself in trouble. That’s hurt us. When Earl came in, he knows the offense. It’s a natural fit. Picked (the offense) up even quicker than I thought he would coming back. But, I still think Boehm is going to be a hell of a center someday and his position flexibility is very strong for us on Sundays now.”

You’ve just learned he’s not a guard?

“He’s OK. He could be better.”

Opposing kickers haven’t missed an extra point against you guys this season.

“That’s football. We’ve blocked more kicks probably than anybody in this league for a long time, but we’re not blocking them right now.”

Have the rule changes played a factor in that?

“Yeah, the interior guys. Rodney (Gunter) got called for a big penalty and he didn’t even jump. The rule change is, if you just lose your balance now and lean on a guy, it’s leverage. Up the middle, those guys, Calais (Campbell) and those guys who have jumped before and landed or just put a hand on somebody is now a penalty so everything has to come off the edge.”

How has Jameis Winston improved as a quarterback since last season?

“Very similar to the guy we saw last week. Growing, young, stud. He’s getting better and better. They put more weapons around him. Obviously he’s been extremely well-coached. Tremendous talent. I’d be shocked if he came in here and threw four interceptions. We made some really good plays on him last year.”

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