ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals linebacker Jordan Hicks ready to be a leader

Jun 14, 2019, 6:15 AM

Arizona Cardinals' Jordan Hicks speaks after he was introduced at an NFL football news conference, ...

Arizona Cardinals' Jordan Hicks speaks after he was introduced at an NFL football news conference, Friday, March 15, 2019, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

(AP Photo/Matt York)

Jordan Hicks has been around.

The 26-year-old Cardinals linebacker, who signed a four-year, $36 million contract with the team this offseason, spent four years with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2015-18, and was their third-leading tackler in that span. That was for a defense that on average finished 10th in Football Outsiders’ defensive DVOA stat.

With that experience and resume now on the Cardinals roster, Hicks is hoping he can bring that to the table.

“I’ve been on a Super Bowl-winning team,” he told 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s Doug & Wolf. “I’ve seen the type of pedigree it takes to get to that level.”

He stresses that it takes all of what one can give.

“The amount of little details, the amount of energy that you have to put into this thing,” he explained. “It’s easy to show up everyday and have fun and get your work done, but are you going to stay after practice? Are you going to wake up an extra 30 minutes early to get in here and watch film? If you don’t understand something, are you just going to let it slide or are you going to put it out there if you don’t understand it and make sure it gets corrected?

“Those are the little things that push a team and a defense and individually to the next level.”

That leadership is something he brings on the field as well.

“‘We need somebody to come in here and run the show,'” he said defensive coordinator Vance Joseph told him on his free agency visit. “‘Understand the defense. Understand how to get everyone lined up. Be confident in your calls whether you’re wrong or right.’

“That’s the MIKE linebacker in this defense. That’s the role I play and I love it.”

He also pointed out that he’s been impressed with third-year linebacker Haason Reddick.

“I’ve played with a lot of linebackers and Haason [Reddick] is up there, as athletically gifted out of any of them,” he said. “Haason works hard.  Haason understands the defense.”

He cited Reddick’s positioning as something that has helped him adjust.

“I think being able to be behind the ball a little bit these past few years has helped him mature to this point where he’s at,” he said.

“I expect a lot from him.”

Hicks is expecting the same from himself.

“I hold myself to a high standard,” he said.

Arizona Cardinals

Kyzir White...

Tyler Drake

Kyzir White already running with role as Cardinals’ defensive general

Kyzir White's role at MIKE linebacker could slide Zaven Collins to the edge for the Arizona Cardinals defense.

22 hours ago

Hollywood Brown...

Tyler Drake

Marquise Brown leads Cardinals WRs into life post-DeAndre Hopkins

There's no way around it, the Arizona Cardinals' wide receivers room took a shot Friday morning with the release of DeAndre Hopkins.

22 hours ago

Isaiah Simmons practices...

Tyler Drake

Nick Rallis, Cardinals not rushing process with LB Isaiah Simmons

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Isaiah Simmons has been a defensive nomad throughout his career. Will he have a home in Year 4?

2 days ago

Budda Baker #3 of the Arizona Cardinals shakes hands with fans after beating the Seattle Seahawks 2...

Wills Rice

Carson Palmer believes Cardinals need Budda Baker

Carson Palmer thinks keeping safety Budda Baker around is vital for the rebuilding years of the Arizona Cardinals.

2 days ago

DeAndre Hopkins...

Arizona Sports

Breer: ‘There’s a healthy divide’ on what ex-Cardinal DeAndre Hopkins has left

The MMQB's Albert Breer sees a split between those who think Hopkins still has something left and those who feel his price tag is too steep.

3 days ago

DeAndre Hopkins speaks after a game...

Dan Bickley

DeAndre Hopkins’ release ends WR’s selfish legacy with Cardinals

For the second time in three years, DeAndre Hopkins is moving on to another team and bringing little or nothing of value in return.

3 days ago

Cardinals linebacker Jordan Hicks ready to be a leader