ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals DC Vance Joseph held ‘spirited’ meeting to address explosive plays

Oct 27, 2022, 4:10 PM

Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph (R) and head coach Kliff Kingbury of the Arizona Cardinals parti...

Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph (R) and head coach Kliff Kingbury of the Arizona Cardinals participant in a team training camp at State Farm Stadium on August 03, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

TEMPE — Two interceptions returned for touchdowns by Arizona Cardinals defenders made the difference in a 42-34 win over the New Orleans Saints last week, but defensive coordinator Vance Joseph was far from satisfied with his unit’s outing.

The Cardinals surrendered plays of 64, 53 and 41 yards to New Orleans and gave up their most points since Week 1.

Joseph said he was excited to see cornerback Marco Wilson and hybrid defender Isaiah Simmons score touchdowns and cornerback Antonio Hamilton intercept another pass, but he felt the standard in place was not held.

“Last Thursday to make those three big plays, that was fun to watch,” Joseph said. “But to give up those three big plays that we gave up that led to 17 points, we don’t like that. Those three plays were the biggest plays we’ve had all year. I mean, 60-plus, 40-plus, 50-plus, that’s not good defense.”

Joseph addressed the issue in what he called a “spirited” meeting Friday morning.

The 64-yard play came on a shallow crosser to receiver Kevin White, which set up a touchdown two plays later. White gained 62 yards after the catch, 45 above expected which is the ninth-most on a single play this season, according to Next Gen Stats.

The 53-yarder was a post caught by Rashid Shaheed between two Cardinals defenders for a touchdown on the game’s opening drive.

Joseph said his defense was a little shocked by his attitude on Friday morning, but he felt the meeting was necessary.

“That’s got to stop,” Joseph said. “The guys know that. They weren’t happy after that game by any means. We have a higher standard than that. … We’ll fix it … coach the wrong and fix the right and praise the right and move forward.”

“Our defense, we’re working towards the defense that we would like to be, we’re not there yet,” Simmons said after Thursday’s win. “Got a ways to go, the amount of points they put on us was too much. We’re not satisfied with that at all.”

The Cardinals’ zone defense has mostly done its job at preventing home runs this season. The longest touchdown they allowed was a 20-yard run on a sweep by Los Angeles Rams receiver Cooper Kupp before Shaheed’s catch.

Keeping scoring down has been a positive, as Arizona allowed 19.6 points per game through Weeks 2-6.

Linebacker Zaven Collins admitted this week that Arizona’s defense allowed too many yards to New Orleans with 494 net, a season high.

“Total yards is kind of like what we were kind of beat up about last week because they had quite a bit of yards,” Collins said. “Limiting their big players … that’s what we’d like to do.”

The Cardinals will be keyed in on keeping their next opponent, the Minnesota Vikings, in front of them Sunday. The Vikings have explosive playmakers like wide receiver Justin Jefferson and running back Dalvin Cook to account for.

Arizona Cardinals

Aaron Rodgers...

Associated Press

Jets tell Aaron Rodgers they’re ‘moving on’ from the QB for next season, report says

Aaron Rodgers is still contemplating whether to continue his playing career. If he does, it appears it won’t be with the New York Jets.

1 hour ago

The Chiefs try to make history against the Eagles by winning a third consecutive Super Bowl, this t...

Associated Press

Chiefs aim to make history in city where they won their first Super Bowl

The Chiefs will try to make history against the Eagles by winning a third consecutive Super Bowl, this time in the same city where they won their first.

7 hours ago

The Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line could prove to be a pivotal factor in the outcome of Sunday...

Associated Press

Eagles’ Super Bowl path paved by prowess of their offensive line

The Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line could prove to be a pivotal factor in the outcome of Sunday's Super Bowl matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs.

9 hours ago

Tush push...

Associated Press

Chiefs think they have answer for Eagles’ tush push in Super Bowl

No team has taken advantage of the tush push the way the Eagles have, but the Chiefs think they have an answer for a play deemed unstoppable.

22 hours ago

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort looks on. It's officially NFL mock draft season with Arizona's...

Tyler Drake

NFL mock draft tracker: What will Cardinals do with No. 16 pick?

A look across the NFL mock draft landscape when it comes to the Arizona Cardinals' No. 16 overall pick in this year's draft.

1 day ago

Bidwill...

Associated Press

Former Cardinals employee files lawsuit against owner Michael Bidwill for verbal abuse

A former assistant to Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill filed a lawsuit against him, saying that she was verbally abused during her tenure.

2 days ago

Cardinals DC Vance Joseph held ‘spirited’ meeting to address explosive plays