Four-Down Territory: What to watch for in second Cards preseason game

We’ve seen one game of Kyler Murray and the new-look Arizona Cardinals offense.

What will we get from them in the second preseason game? The Cardinals will take on the Oakland Raiders at 5 p.m. Thursday night at State Farm Stadium.

The hosts of Doug & Wolf on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station, along with Paul Calvisi, discussed on Thursday what they are most looking forward to seeing Thursday night in their Four Down Territory segment.

Their answers have been lightly edited for clarity.

First down

Doug

“I want to see defensive linemen in offensive backfield, not the defensive backfield.

“I don’t care about scheme, I don’t care about play-call, I don’t care about any other reason, when your back is against the goal post that’s not scheme … you got whipped last week. Don’t get whipped this week.”

Paul

“Let’s see less flags than last week. I’d like to see the two backup tackles get less than two holding flags a piece. You’re two backup tackles you’re looking for depth, we don’t want to see these guys getting flagged up. So less is more when it comes to the flags.”

Wolf

“Kyler, Kyler, Kyler.

“I want to see Kyler Murray continue to make great decisions and take what the Raiders give him. I want to see him stay healthy, I want to see him go out and not try to force the ball down the field.”

Second down

Doug

“Wolf’s opinion is not as important, it doesn’t belong in first down; it actually belongs on second down.

“That is Kyler, Kyler, Kyler do the same thing you did last week. What do I want to see this week? Just more of what you did last week.”

Paul

“I want to see Andy Isabella for the first time. I want to see Andy Isabella in game action. Let’s see Andy Isabella on a jet sweep. Let’s see the eye candy that is Andy Isabella in action whether you give him the ball or not. “

Wolf

“I want to see the offensive line come off the ball with purpose, that’s what I want to see. I want to see a mentality developed up front. There are offenses that are built on deception and there are offenses that are built on destruction and there are offenses that are built on both.

“Regardless of an offenses affiliation, show me an offensive line that is soft, and I’ll show you a team that is soft.”

Third down

Doug

“I want to see anything and everything that Byron Murphy does. What are you going to be able to do, what position are you going to be playing, how are you going to be used and how successful are you? Anything that Byron Murphy does, I want to see.”

Paul

“Doug I’m going to differ from you in your No. 2 – I don’t want to see the same old, same old when it comes to Kyler Murray – I want to see him go downfield. Budda Baker told us last night on the Big Red Rage is that what makes him so tough, not only the accuracy, but he throws the ball on a zip line. The ball just comes out like a laser and it gives the safeties virtually no time to jump the routes, the ball does not hang in the air.

“I want to see one down the seam, I want to see one 20 yards downfield between layers of coverage.”

Wolf

“I want to see the box tighten up. I want to see tackling get better, especially from the starters. I’m talking about the Gap integrity up front, I want to see that, I want to see some fight. I want to see guys coming off the ball, holding their gaps, making plays, getting off blocks. I want to see that box tighten up and then the tackling at the second and third level get better, especially from the starters.”

Fourth down

Doug

“I want to see Haason Reddick! I’m getting tired of this! Haason Reddick, we need to see what you can do! There’s a 0.8% chance he’s playing, I don’t care! Are you a bust or are you not, let’s go!”

Paul

“I’ll take your inside linebacker and I’ll raise you one, beyond your absurdity: I want to see Dennis Gardeck play only the first half and then be out at halftime. Last week he played through the third quarter because he needs the reps.

“I want to see Dennis Gardeck be so effective, be so instinctive, be so innate, knowing the decisions he has to make, that he’s so good they take him out at halftime.”

Wolf

“I want to see Andy Isabella get the opportunity to make plays.

“That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, listen: I want to see him catch the ball with his hands away from his body. I want to see him actually get pressed, and get off that press. The wide receiver screen hasn’t been utilized very much and I think we’ll be seeing a little bit of that at some point in time because I think they’ll want to show it. Hopefully Izzy gets a couple opportunities on this.”

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