Stanton Speaks: Communication ‘is of utmost importance’ playing in Seattle
Dec 27, 2017, 4:59 PM
TEMPE, Ariz. — The season finale is nearly here for the Arizona Cardinals and it isn’t with the starting quarterback they expected.
After Blaine Gabbert got his chance, Drew Stanton is closing out the last two games of the season for Arizona, including the finale in Seattle. 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 starting at CenturyLink Field is different than other stadiums:
“Yeah, it definitely is. Noise and communication is of the utmost importance, and when they limit that because of how much it can affect it, you have to take the necessary steps throughout the course of the week to be able to prepare for that.”
On games against Seattle coming down to one big play and if that puts more pressure on a player:
“I feel like that’s any game. Maybe it’s one or two plays in this game, though. I think in a typical NFL game, you’ll see four or five plays, whether or not you make it or it’s made on you. This one typically comes down to one or two because we know what we’re getting when we go up against them.”
They know that we’re going to try and run the football, and they’re going to try and stop it. And we need to do our part offensively. Sometimes, it’s a field game battle – or a field position battle – and you’re getting there trying to set yourself up and be smart. I’ve got to do a good job of taking care of the ball and putting us in the best possible situation to move down the field and get points.”
On why the Cardinals and Seahawks have been successful playing at each other’s stadiums:
“I don’t know. I think that there’s a lot of different reasons why. You could point your finger at a few different things, but it usually comes down to who can run the football. That Thursday night game that they were here earlier in the year, we didn’t make enough plays offensively.”
Our defense played fantastic. We did some stuff, and that’s just the way that it goes unfortunately. Going up there, you look at Carson’s (Palmer) history up there, he’s played phenomenally well. I think the only time we lost up there maybe was when I played.”
On QB Carson Palmer throwing four interceptions in the 2013 road win over Seattle:
“Well, I’m sure he remembers the victory, not the four picks.”
On if he can take anything away from what Palmer has done against the Seahawks in Seattle:
“I think each game’s different. That’s a different team that we’re facing up there, and we’re a different team now. Each year, especially when you get to this point in the season, they’ve got a lot left to play for.”
They’re trying to win that final playoff spot, and so we know what we’re going up against – a really good defense with a lot of really good football players that we need to be prepared for and try and find a way to score one more point at the end of the game.”
On if he likes playing against the Seahawks with their playoff aspirations at stake:
“I don’t think it changes our approach. That might motivate you a little bit more, but at the end of the day, we’re professionals. We’re paid to do a job, and we need to go out there and fulfill that. Now, the icing on the cake might be trying to spoil them and their chances to go to the playoffs, but at the end of the day, I don’t think that’s the biggest thing that we’re playing for.”
On if he’d return as a “bridge” quarterback and mentor a younger quarterback should Palmer retire:
“At this point, you could play a lot of what-ifs. So, I’m not going to go down that road. Today, we’ve got to focus on the end of this year, and like I’ve said before, I’ve gone through this a couple of times. At the end of the day, that’s the time to be selfish. When the offseason hits and you’re a free agent, and right now I’m not. So, I’ll worry about that when the time comes.”
On if there’s something especially challenging for him with the noise at CenturyLink Field:
“I think just communicating our hots and sights. That’s a big factor for us, being able to be on the same page with those guys. I remember going up there a few years ago and being like, ‘I want to try and yell as loud as I can.” I couldn’t even hear myself in the huddle, let alone try and break the huddle and get out there.”
So, we’re prepared for that. We’re fully prepared for an onslaught of noise for the entire game. We’ll try and mix in noise the next couple of days to really hone in on those things, those specific things that we’re looking for and the looks, and just go out there and try and win one-on-one matchups.”
On what he has taken away from working with Palmer over the last five years:
“That’s a really broad question. That’s a lot of time, too. Five years is an eternity for an NFL quarterback room to stay together. I just think his approach, the way he approaches the game, his mentality, his preparation, everything.”
I’ve got a lot of respect for him, probably as much as anybody that I’ve ever played with, and genuinely look up to him on and off the football field. He taught me a lot about being a father and what the balance is like, being able to put your family first, but when you step in here in these walls, everything is football-oriented.”
So, finding all of those things, I’m so thankful for the time we’ve had together and being able to learn from him and take a lot away from him.”
On how close he will be with Palmer after both retire from football:
“I don’t know. I don’t hunt. So, I don’t know. I don’t like being cold now that I moved here. So, I don’t think you’re going to find me in Idaho too often. I grew up in Michigan. I grew up in Michigan. I don’t need to go back to the cold. I know what it’s like.”
On what WR Larry Fitzgerald has been able to accomplish in 2017:
“It’s remarkable You look at him at his age and what he’s able to do and go out there and produce. People know we’re trying to get the ball in his hands. He’s so dynamic when you get the ball in his hands and being able to do that. People have tried to find different ways to contain him.”
In certain games, it just seems like the ball was constantly going to him, and that was case in point last week. But, I think the nice thing about him is he does all that grunt work, as I’ve alluded to, so he should reap the benefits. He’s in there doing it.”
I just wish we could get everybody on the same page with that because it sometimes feels like the scale’s tilted in his favor, but those other guys are out there doing their part and really dictating a lot of coverage, as well, with J.J. (Nelson) and Smoke (John Brown) being able to take the top off of coverages and let him work underneath.”
On a lot of teams implementing Seattle’s defensive system and if the Seahawks still do it the best:
“Without a doubt. They do it so well because of who they have personnel-wise. They try and replicate it, and I can only talk about the experience that I’ve had against the teams that I’ve played that run similar systems.”
But, those guys are special just because of the dynamic personnel that they have at each level – all three levels – as far as getting after the quarterback. Two linebackers as good as you’ll find, a duo, in the league.”
And then on the backend, having a ball hawk like Earl (Thomas) is something that you always have to be aware of where he is, because he’s not just going to be sitting in the middle of the field letting you take everything you want.”
