Cardinals pass rushers Dennis Gardeck, Zaven Collins pick on Rams LT Warren McClendon
Sep 15, 2024, 2:26 PM | Updated: 8:09 pm
The Arizona Cardinals ranked dead last in pass rush win rate by ESPN’s standards after Week 1.
In Week 1, Arizona sacked the mobile Josh Allen twice, but those came from unlikely sources in backup defensive back Kei’Trel Clark and nose tackle Roy Lopez.
That pass rush rating got a lift in the home opener Sunday, a 41-10 shellacking of the Los Angeles Rams and their injury-plagued offensive line.
Cardinals edge rushers Zaven Collins and Dennis Gardeck earned one-on-one wins at State Farm Stadium to highlight a five-sack day of quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Both of them helped Arizona pick on left tackle Warren McClendon, who last week for Los Angeles played at right tackle.
Cowboy Collins wrangled 'em up 🤠 pic.twitter.com/gyUbeKg6uQ
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 15, 2024
Gardeck — speed rip for the sack#RamsHouse #AZCardfnals #LARvsAZ pic.twitter.com/y8IDLNNFsb
— ᑭᖇO ᖴOOTᗷᗩᒪᒪ ᒍOᑌᖇᑎᗩᒪ 🏈 (@NFL_Journal) September 15, 2024
McClendon allowed all three first-half sacks of Stafford: two to Gardeck and one to Collins.
Gardeck added a third sack, of the strip-sack variety, in the fourth quarter, which was pounced on by Cardinals defensive tackle L.J. Collier.
It was a bit predictable. McClendon last week against the Detroit Lions allowed five pressures and three quarterback hits. He also had two penalties.
McClendon moved to left tackle against the Cardinals with Rob Havenstein healthy enough to play at his usual spot on the right side.
Rams fans were not vibing with it.
Warren McClendon pic.twitter.com/LLyshFkobG
— Matt Contreras (@mattinthehatt_) September 15, 2024
why is warren mcclendon in the nfl
— Sosa Kremenjas (@QBsMVP) September 15, 2024
Get Warren McClendon off my favorite football team
— HoldenCantor (@HoldenCantor) September 15, 2024
@RamsNFL Release Warren McClendon immediately. He is not NFL Football Player.
— Leopoldo Gonzalez (@LeopoldoGonz04) September 15, 2024