ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals as ready as they can be for Rams backup John Wolford

Dec 31, 2020, 6:45 PM | Updated: 11:41 pm

Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph of the Arizona Cardinals reacts during the second half of the NF...

Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph of the Arizona Cardinals reacts during the second half of the NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at State Farm Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Steelers defeated the Cardinals 23-17. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson was asked Thursday if there was anyone on the team who had managed to catch an Arizona Hotshots AAF game back in 2019.

That is not normally a relevant question to ask. But it sure was heading into Week 17 against the Los Angeles Rams, with former Hotshots quarterback John Wolford standing in for the injured Jared Goff.

“Nah, no one ever saw him throw a ball before so I believe this is going to be his first NFL start and first time playing in the NFL so we don’t have any footage on him,” Peterson said.

He’s right, as was what he followed up with after saying that.

“Only thing that we have a nugget on is he’s mobile. That’s it, so we’ll have to wait and see on Sunday what he gives us,” he said.

Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph didn’t shy away from saying it will be a challenge to contain Wolford’s legs. With that in mind, they are expecting borderline the same offense they faced last week in a loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

He mentioned the zone-blocking scheme, bootlegs and play-action passes on first and second downs the Rams will run, like the 49ers.

Now, on third down, that’s where Wolford having zero NFL snaps will make a difference, per Joseph.

It’s obvious that containing the Rams’ rushing attack and forcing Wolford to make plays is how Arizona can create a huge advantage.

“Their run game is where it starts for us,” Joseph said. “It’s a run-first offense, even with their starting quarterback.”

This is the point where you’re asking, “Well, they didn’t stop the same type of offense last week, or a third-string quarterback in C.J. Beathard, so what’s going to change now?”

It’s a great question!

The 49ers averaged nearly 10 yards on first-down plays in Week 16 against the Cardinals. They ran the ball 30 times for 227 yards, and even with the Rams missing starting running back Darrell Henderson, San Francisco was also without starter Raheem Mostert.

The parallels are there, except for the fact that Wolford has as much in-game NFL experience as you or I.

“I probably will anticipate them running the same offense but you never know,” Peterson said. “That’s always the mystery when you’re facing a quarterback that you don’t have much film on so we really don’t know what they’re going to do.”

Presented By
Western Governors University

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

2 days ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

2 days ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

3 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

3 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

3 days ago

Cardinals as ready as they can be for Rams backup John Wolford