All-Access with Bruce Arians: Drew Stanton ‘makes plays to win games’

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:

“Again not practicing today on veteran days were Karlos (Dansby) and Frostee (Rucker). Larry (Fitzgerald) wanted to practice, so he got some stuff in.

“Really good practice. I wish we could practice in pads every day. It’s a crazy rule, because every time we’re in pads we have great practices so we’re going to do it again tomorrow. You’re allowed two padded practices one week of the year so we’re going to use it this week knowing we have a short week next week.

“I was really, really pleased with the practice; the physical-ness of it and the speed of it.”

When Drew Stanton has started for you, what has he done in those games because he doesn’t put up big numbers?

“He makes plays to win games, and he doesn’t beat you. Some people call that a game-manager. I call it a pretty good quarterback. He doesn’t normally throw interceptions. It was surprising last week on the play that he threw it.

“He was trying to force something, make something happen for us. But he doesn’t do that when he’s a starter. He puts us in positions to win games.”

What’s the advantage to having a backup like Stanton who’s been here for awhile?

“The guy really doesn’t need anything but a few reps. He’s like a coach on the field, that’s why you love to have those type of backup quarterbacks. Guys that have been in your system so long that they know why it was put in in the first place when we put it in in Indianapolis and why the changes were made.

“He understands all that. He can go out and play fast because he knows what he’s doing.”

Does that then help with the chemistry with the receivers and running backs?

“Oh gosh, yeah. He and Jaron (Brown), they were lights out in training camp again this year. J.J. (Nelson) same thing. Those were his guys almost every day, so he has a really good feeling for some guys.”

Stanton seems to be a bit methodic, if that’s the right word.

“He is. He is because he knows what he needs to do each day, having done it for long in this offense. I always go back to Kelly Holcomb who I had for years as our backup in Cleveland. Every time he played, he threw for 400 (yards), even in the playoffs.

“He knew the offense inside and out. He knew how to defeat whatever we were playing and Drew is the same way.”

How might the running game help Stanton?

“The running game helps all the quarterbacks, I don’t care who they are. We got to run the ball better and we got to keep the score where we can continue running it.”

How much did the bye week help Stanton?

“There’s no doubt, put that extra time in. And Blaine, too. Blaine (is) finally getting some reps and knowing why he is making the ‘mike’ certain places so he can take care of blitzes and things he hasn’t done for awhile.”

Did you like what Tramon Williams gave you at cornerback against the Los Angeles Rams?

“Yeah. Tramon is a pro. He’ll make his plays.”

What will it mean if Adrian Peterson can be more involved in the passing game?

“He knows his protections. The beautiful thing is that it’s 1-on-1 outside. You still have to run versus eight (in the box). And we have one of the best blocking receivers or two in the league so you can still run it against eight and then you’re basically putting that running back 1-on-1 with a corner and most corners don’t like tackling so that’s a beautiful thing.”

Have you had talks with Phil Dawson about his struggles?

“No. Phil’s had talks with me. I haven’t said a word to him. He got a chance to go watch his son win the districts and come back fresh (and) reloaded. I really anticipate him to have a great finish to the season.”

What role will Carson Palmer going forward even though he is injured?

“He was out there and had to stop him from throwing to the receivers because it was illegal. He was right there behind center, taking every rep, doing his footwork and talking to the guys. It’s like having another coach.”

Related

Report: Cardinals waive OT Christian JonesCardinals trade RB Corey Kiner to the Patriots for 2028 7th-round draft pickCardinals’ toughest 53-man roster decisions come down to 3 roomsCardinals 53-man roster projection ahead of cutdown dayWhich Cardinals helped their cause vs. Packers as 53-man roster cuts loom?Cardinals’ Simi Fehoko keeps lighting it up this preseason