Gabbert Gabs: Kerwynn Williams has been doing a ‘great job’
Dec 13, 2017, 4:56 PM
Leading up to Sunday’s game against the Washington Redskins, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert discussed the changes on the offensive line and more with the media.
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.
On if it impacts a quarterback to see so many different names and numbers across the offensive line:
“No. These guys have been here all year long. They’ve been preparing in meetings. They’ve had a chance to play throughout the season. So, with Will (Holden) and Ev (Evan Boehm) stepping in, Ev has been there; he’s started. Will started a game this year, as well. So, those guys have just been chomping at the bit. We’re just going to pick up and roll. The offense can’t lose a beat. They know that they have a big job ahead of them, going against a good football team. But, at the end of the day, we’re just going to worry about the things that we can control, and that’s executing each and every play.”
On how well T Jared Veldheer was playing before his injury:
“He was doing a tremendous job. All the credit goes out in the world to him. He was playing last week, already, with one arm. I know he got hurt early on in the game and finished the game, but a lot of those guys are a different breed. They get hurt and keep rolling. But, he was playing great, and you never want to see a guy go down for the year like that.”
On how he feels after being sacked eight times on Sunday:
“I’m fine. Legs feel good. Sacks are a part of the game; they’re going to happen, but our line has been doing a tremendous job. I’ve got to find ways to get the ball out, get completions, and just not hold on to it.”
On RB Kerwynn Williams after having played with for a little bit:
“He has been doing a great job, not only in the run game. We all know he can run the football, but seeing blitzes, picking up protections, catching the ball out of the backfield, just being kind of that total running back that you want to see. But, just the way he has been running the football lately, getting through that initial line of defenders, getting in the linebacking corps, making some moves, getting into the secondary and really just keeping our offense ahead of the chains.”
On what it’s like to be a part of WR Larry Fitzgerald’s milestones:
“It’s a lot of fun. Like I’ve said the last couple weeks, nothing really surprises me about what he has been able to accomplish in his career, just seeing the way that he prepares day-in and day-out. His daily preparation, both physically getting his body ready to roll, but mentally in the film room, in the meetings, just asking questions. So, he’s a great role model for a lot of guys on this football team.”
On how much better he’ll play if the Cardinals strike early in the game:
“You always want to start fast. That gives you momentum out the gate, but momentum only lasts for so long. This game is such a play-to-play game, you’ve got to focus play-in and play-out for 60 to 75 plays a game to be successful and hopefully come off the field with a win. Even if you’re perfect for 70 plays, that doesn’t guarantee anything. So yeah, we want to strike fast, score early, score on the first drive of the game, but at the end of the day, it’s about consistency over the course of the game and four quarters is what matters.”
On what he sees from the Redskins secondary:
“They’re doing a great job. Their front seven is well-coached, they play hard. But having D.J. (Swearinger) in the secondary, he’s been here, we’ve played against him before when I was in San Francisco, and Josh (Norman) on the outside, getting that secondary going. Bashaud Breeland, those guys are savvy veteran corners, and they’re playing well.”
On if there’s anything else on his checklist to improve on in the final three games of the regular season:
“Just focusing in on each and every play, whether it’s a run play or a pass play. Getting us in the right formation, the right call, and just doing all the little things right. That goes back to the little things – focusing each and every play for 75 plays. It sounds so simple, but you look back and you watch the film after the game, you’re like, ‘What was I thinking on that play?’ But, that just goes back to focusing in on every play. I think that’s the biggest thing that this entire football team can always get better at.”
On how much fun the game is for him and how fun this opportunity is for him:
“It’s a blast. We’ve got a great group of guys, and just having the opportunity to be in the huddle with them, that’s what I cherish, just having those conversations in the game, good or bad. It’s a fun group to be out there with. That’s what I enjoy the most.”
On last week’s defensive performance and what that does for an offense:
“They’re playing great. I think just the clutch, timely turnovers that they’ve been able to get. The big-time sacks in big time passing situations, those are huge momentum plays, and when we can have a short field, it’s great for an offense. The percentage of you scoring touchdowns when you get the ball inside the 50-(yard line), or near the 50, goes through the roof. They’ve been playing their tails off, all 11 of them.”
On where WR Chad Williams has improved the most since being drafted by the team:
“Just really in all aspects of his game. You come in as a rookie, you’re just swimming. You’re behind the eight ball. You’re learning the system, getting used to a new team, a new group of guys, and just seeing the way he prepares, even from a few weeks ago when he got a chance to play until now – the leaps that he’s making and confidence and really knowing the playbook, seeing coverages, knowing when to run certain routes versus certain looks – he’s doing a great job.”
