ARIZONA CARDINALS

Andy Isabella not worn down by trials, tribulations with Arizona Cardinals

Aug 21, 2022, 10:21 PM | Updated: Aug 22, 2022, 6:26 pm
Baltimore Ravens safety Tony Jefferson (23) tries to tackle Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andy Is...

Baltimore Ravens safety Tony Jefferson (23) tries to tackle Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andy Isabella (17) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals fourth-year wide receiver Andy Isabella hasn’t had the tenure in the Valley that many expected from the second-round pick (No. 62 overall) in the 2019 NFL Draft.

For three seasons in a Cardinals uniform, the 25-year-old out of Massachusetts has garnered a total of 31 receptions for 426 yards and three touchdowns.

But those trials and tribulations aren’t weighing down on the confidence or determination of Isabella, who may be playing his best football yet in Arizona, albeit during the preseason.

“I think it was actually good to maybe not play as much the first three years just to build myself and get better and better,” he told reporters after the Cardinals’ 24-17 preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night. “I think this is the best ball I’m playing so hopefully it’s not too late and we’ll see what happens.

“I came a million miles from when I was a rookie,” he added. “I look back and kind of laugh from all the ups and downs and all the trials I’ve been through, growing as a man tenfold and I wouldn’t change a thing. Everything happens for you, not to you so I’m happy for all my trials and all the ups and downs. So right now I’m just excited, this is the best I’m playing and I continue to play well.”

Isabella finished the Week 2 preseason contest tied for the team lead in catches with five, while also having the second-most receiving yards (54) and targets (eight). His longest reception of the game went for 16 yards.

The fourth-year wideout said he played “outstanding” and “balled out” against the Ravens, who have now won a record 22 consecutive preseason games dating back to 2016.

“Just go out there and show what I can do and that’s all I can do,” Isabella said. “Whatever happens, play by play, forget what happened last play and make the next play.”

The former second-round pick will be playing the 2022 season on a contract year after he was given permission to seek a trade early in the offseason.

And with Keim bringing in the likes of Hollywood Brown via trade, drafting Rondale Moore in the second round in 2021 and the emergence of free agent signing Greg Dortch — not to mention five-time All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins on the roster — Isabella knows it’s a highly competitive and crowded wide receivers room.

But that doesn’t mean head coach Kliff Kingsbury has given up on the speedy wideout just yet.

“I’ve always been a big fan,” Kingsbury said postgame. “Couldn’t be more impressed with how he’s attacked this camp.

“We’ve got a bunch of obviously big-time names at wide receiver and he came in and hasn’t missed one day, runs every route as hard as he can go, takes as many reps as he can take and has really produced at a high level this camp. So I’m excited to see that hard work paying off for him.”

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley (2) looks to pass against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Ward runs against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Trace McSorley (19) looks to pass under pressure from Baltimore Ravens linebacker Steven Means (60) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley (2) scrambles against the Arizona Cardinalsduring the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Trace McSorley (19) throws against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley (2) is pressured by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Dennis Gardeck (45) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Baltimore Ravens safety Tony Jefferson (23) tries to tackle Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andy Isabella (17) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, right, makes as catch as Arizona Cardinals safety Charles Washington (28), cornerback Antonio Hamilton (33) and linebacker Devon Kennard (42) pursue during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley (2) runs against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Baltimore Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard (42) pulls in a catch as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Antonio Hamilton (33) defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Raleigh Webb is tackled by Arizona Cardinals safety James Wiggins, right, during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley (2) scrambles as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Cameron Thomas (97) pursues during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) can't make the catch as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Damarion Williams (22) defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson watches from the bench during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Baltimore Ravens running back Mike Davis (28) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Zaven Collins (25) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Ben Niemann (56) defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley (2) throws under pressure from Arizona Cardinals linebacker Jesse Luketa (43) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals safety Deionte Thompson (22) defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh reacts to a call during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (43) is hit by Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Antwaun Woods (92) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Arizona Cardinals safety Charles Washington. (Arizona Sports Photo/Jeremy Schnell) Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) celebrates his touchdown with teammates during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Victor Bolden (38) pulls in a catch as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Daryl Worley (41) defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Daryl Worley (41) celebrates breaking a play in the end zone intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Victor Bolden during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Trace McSorley (19) takes the field during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Daryl Worley (41) and safety Tony Jefferson (23) break up a play intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Victor Bolden (38) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andy Isabella (17) is hit by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens (21) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Trace McSorley (19) scrambles under pressure form Baltimore Ravens cornerback Damarion Williams (22) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jace Whittaker during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Trace McSorley (19) throws under pressure from Baltimore Ravens linebacker Steven Means (60) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Baltimore Ravens running back Nate McCrary (47) is tackles by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Christian Matthew (35) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Baltimore Ravens running back Tyler Badie (30) runs in for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Baltimore Ravens running back Tyler Badie (30) celebrate his touchdown with quarterback Tyler Huntley, left, during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh greets running back Tyler Badie (30) after his touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Trace McSorley (19) throws as Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Rayshad Nichols (91) pursues during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Raleigh Webb (11) runs in for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals safety James Wiggins (38) defends during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Raleigh Webb (11) runs in for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals safety James Wiggins (38) defends during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Trace McSorley (19) throws under pressure from Baltimore Ravens safety Geno Stone (26) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson watches during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) makes a catch as Arizona Cardinals safety James Wiggins (38) defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray calls the plays from the sidelines during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray calls the plays from the sidelines during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Trace McSorley (19) talks with Kyler Murray during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Trace McSorley (19) celebrates his touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Trace McSorley (19) scores a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Arizona Cardinals running back TJ Pledger (21) is hit by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Daelin Hayes, right, during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Trace McSorley (19) celebrates his touchdown run against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals running back Keaontay Ingram (30) runs as Baltimore Ravens linebacker Zakoby McClain (49) makes the tackls during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Trace McSorley (19) scores as Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jeremiah Moon (51) looks on during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jontre Kirklin (31) make a touchdown catch as Baltimore Ravens safety Ar'Darius Washington (29) defends during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray calling plays in the team's 24-17 preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Aug. 21, 2022. (Arizona Sports Photo/Jeremy Scnell) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Trace McSorley (19) is knocked out of bounds short of the goal line against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, right, and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown, left, swap jerseys after an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. The Ravens defeated the Cardinals 24-17. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Baltimore Ravens safety Ar'Darius Washington (29) celebrates a defensive stop against the Arizona Cardinals after an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. The Ravens defeated the Cardinals 24-17. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) and Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) stand for a photo after an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. The Ravens defeated the Cardinals 24-17. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh speaks after an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. The Ravens defeated the Cardinals 24-17. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Arizona Cardinals running back Eno Benjamin takes a hand off prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jaylon Moore (10) warms up prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson watches warm ups prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andy Isabella (17) lines up against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley (2) looks to pass against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley (2) warms up prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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