CARDINALS CORNER

Garrett Williams’ debut among positives from Cardinals’ loss to Seahawks

Oct 22, 2023, 7:06 PM

Garrett Williams celebrates INT...

Garrett Williams #21 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates an interception during the third quarter of the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on October 22, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

The Arizona Cardinals dropped their fourth straight game in the form of a 20-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

The offense again failed to find consistency behind a struggling Joshua Dobbs, despite the defense doing all it could to keep Arizona in it through four quarters.

No matter how you shake it, losses suck. That’s not to say there weren’t a handful of positives to build upon.

A look at some of the good that went along with all the bad from Sunday:

A debut to remember

For the first time in his NFL career, rookie cornerback Garrett Williams suited up on game day.

And for the first time in his NFL career, the 2023 third-round pick made an impact.

Getting most of his work at nickel with cornerback Antonio Hamilton and safety Jalen Thompson inactive, Williams came away with the first interception of his career to go along with two tackles and a pass defensed.

After having to work his way back from a torn ACL suffered nearly a year prior, it was a monumental afternoon for Williams.

“It slowed down a lot. In the first quarter, I wasn’t playing fast enough,” Williams told sideline reporter Paul Calvisi postgame. “The guys on the sideline just kept building me up, making me feel more comfortable and telling me I’m going to be straight. As the game went on, I just kept getting more comfortable and started making tackles.

“Definitely some stuff I got to fix, but that’s the fun part.”

Demercado’s day

Questions remain when it comes to the running backs room minus James Conner.

But through three weeks, there’s at least one answer: the Cardinals very much trust undrafted rookie Emari Demercado.

After watching Keaontay Ingram lead the room last week, it was Demercado who paced Arizona’s backfield behind 13 carries for 58 yards.

He was the only Cardinals running back to see more than one carry throughout the loss and also added four receptions for 17 yards as a pass catcher.

As for Ingram, he did not record an offensive snap.

“It was kind of the matchups and how we decided to structure the game plan, but I thought Emari did some good things in there,” Gannon told reporters postgame. “Turned on the burners a couple times, had some explosive runs in there. I thought he did well.”

Gimme that!

That Cardinals offense did not play up to snuff.

The same can’t be said for the defense.

Despite the scoreboard reading in favor of Seattle, Arizona led the way in the turnover department with Williams’ interception and a pair of forced fumbles.

The Cardinals are now plus-3 on the season following the performance.

Cardinals Corner

Evan Brown chats pregame...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals questions post-NFL Draft: Who’s the frontrunner at left guard?

The Arizona Cardinals have plenty of candidates at starting left guard. But who is the best option moving forward?

3 days ago

Michael Wilson looks on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals questions post-NFL Draft: Is Michael Wilson the unquestioned WR2?

Michael Wilson enters Year 2 as the Cardinals' likely candidate to secure the WR2 role behind Marvin Harrison Jr. Will anyone beat him out?

4 days ago

Tip Reiman runs the 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Draft Combine...

Tyler Drake

Wolf or Tip? Cardinals rookie TE Tip Reiman prides himself on being a mauler

Arizona Cardinals 2024 third-round pick Tip Reiman isn't one to hide from contact. In fact, he welcomes it with open arms.

5 days ago

Marvin Harrison Jr. runs after the catch...

Tyler Drake

Petzing: Important Cardinals’ Marvin Harrison Jr. begins NFL career ‘just like anybody else’

It's of the utmost importance Marvin Harrison Jr. is "just like anybody else" joining an NFL offense for the first time.

5 days ago

Tip Reiman catches a pass...

Arizona Sports

Who’s the most intriguing non-1st-round member of Cardinals’ draft class?

Cardinals Corner co-hosts Tyler Drake and Lauren Koval give their most intriguing later-round pick from the Cardinals' 2024 draft class.

6 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Evaluating the Arizona Cardinals’ 2024 NFL Draft class and their most intriguing picks

On the most recent version of Cardinals Corner, Lauren Koval and Tyler Drake discuss how the team drafted in 2024.

6 days ago

Garrett Williams’ debut among positives from Cardinals’ loss to Seahawks