New Cardinals OL coach Ray Brown brings passion, experience

Passion and respect.

Two simple concepts that the Arizona Cardinals new offensive line coach Ray Brown is looking to instill on his offensive line for the 2018 season.

“I am going to do a good job of having passion about this game, being responsible, respecting each other,” Brown said Thursday. “I think if you really respect someone it’s kind of going to put you in their shoes. You’re going to have an idea of ‘OK, I respect this quarterback I am protecting and I don’t want him to get hit.’”

Brown’s simple message comes from his own 20-year career of playing offensive guard in the NFL.

The 55-year-old played from 1986-2005, most of which for the Washington Redskins (1989-95, 2004-05) and the San Francisco 49ers (1996-2001). Brown started his career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1986, and was a part of the team during its first year in Arizona in 1988.

Spending the last two seasons running the Carolina Panthers’ offensive line, Brown comes to Arizona alongside new Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks.

Now, Brown has the task of reshaping the line he once played on.

In 2017, the Cardinals offensive line gave up 52 sacks to opposing teams, which was the third-most in the NFL last season.

With the system the Cardinals’ new coaching staff has begun to implement for the new season, Brown is confident that improvements will be made.

“We are going to know what to do,” he said. “If you are a pro football player your job is to know what to do when the ball moves. We are trying to be a rhythmic offense by getting that ball out.

“We up front, we gotta take care of the four or five guys up front that will be coming for us.”

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