CARDINALS CORNER

Arizona Cardinals’ sackless streak taking a village to achieve

Oct 30, 2024, 2:09 PM | Updated: Oct 31, 2024, 11:13 am

YouTube video

TEMPE — When it comes to keeping Arizona Cardinals franchise quarterback Kyler Murray upright, the offense has found its stride of late.

Over the past three weeks, it’s been a historically clean sheet in the sacks allowed department. That kind of streak hasn’t happened in Arizona since 1975.

Take it back a game further, and Arizona has allowed just one sack on 124 pass attempts. Before that, the Cardinals had given up 10 sacks across the first four games of the year.

Talk about a turnaround.

The recent showing now has Arizona tied for second in total sacks allowed (11) behind the Buffalo Bills (10).

What’s led to the Cardinals’ beefed-up protection?

For a Cardinals team that recently lost yet another starter along the offensive line in right guard Will Hernandez, it wouldn’t have been much of a surprise to see a regression in the trenches.

Instead, the rotation of Trystan Colon and rookie Isaiah Adams has proved effective the past three games. The tandem along with Kelvin Beachum, who has been Williams’ main replacement at right tackle, have held their own patching together their side of the line.

As for the left side, Paris Johnson Jr. continues to be everything this team envisioned as their anchor at left tackle, while Evan Brown has filled in nicely since coming aboard this offseason.

The credit certainly starts up front when talking protection.

“I can’t say enough about those guys. That O-line group and that relationship, they’re really the heart and soul of pretty much every team usually,” Murray said Wednesday. “We go as they go. They know that. Just love that group.

“Guys have been hurt. It’s no fun to see guys get hurt, but the next guy steps up. You got young guys playing, you got (Beachum) playing as an older guy. It’s good to see.”

But Murray also deserves a ton of recognition for what he’s put on tape so far.

The signal caller looks like vintage K1 running the rock and eluding defenders in 2024.

“There were a couple of plays (Sunday) where they schemed us up and had a free runner and it was just like, ‘Hey, they got us.’ He just keeps making plays running around,” center Hjalte Froholdt said Monday. “You can definitely see the free runner was like, ‘Damn, I thought I had him,’ but then they were too excited when they got in there, because usually there’s not a quarterback that can move like that.

“They’re like, ‘Hell yeah, sack’ and then he just does his little thing and then he’s all over the field and then he throws a touchdown. … I assume it’s pretty (expletive) for them, but we love it.”

The success doesn’t stop with Murray and the offensive line, though.

Emari Demercado continues to carve out a meaningful role as a sturdy pass protector, while tight ends Trey McBride and Tip Reiman are more than holding their weight when called upon.

Arizona’s wide-receiving corps is also making a mark in head coach Jonathan Gannon’s eyes.

“A lot of guys are winning one-on-ones. It starts with Hjalte getting us in the right things and guys doing a good job,” Gannon said Monday. “That’s what goes overlooked, too, sometimes are the backs, the tight ends and even the receivers where we’re chipping and chunking and thumping and thudding — all those different ways we term that for different reasons. I think they do a good job. Emari was awesome yesterday. I thought (James Conner) was awesome in pass pro.

“Then when they get you, they have a say, too. When they attack a protection or they dial an un-scouted look or they bring certain people that you don’t think that they’re going to bring, Kyler, it’s hard to get him on the ground one-on-one back there. I think that’s a thing that makes it challenging for a defense is even if you have a free runner, can that guy get him on the ground. Their premier player has a free run at him and he eludes him and we score a touchdown. That’s playmaking. But it starts with the O-line. They’re doing a good job.”

More help on the way

Arizona’s offense has been able to pitch shutouts in sacks without two key members of the line in Hernandez and offensive tackle Jonah Williams.

Hernandez won’t be making a return to action in 2024 due to a torn ACL. Williams, however, is trending the right way after the team designated him to return off of injured reserve on Monday.

The veteran now has 21 days to be activated off of IR or sit out the remainder of the season.

Williams, who was the team’s Week 1 starting right tackle, has 22 offensive snaps as a Cardinal after going down with a knee injury in Arizona’s season opener against Buffalo.

It’s unclear just how fast Williams can return to action. Either way, more depth appears on the way for Arizona’s O-line.

“I just remember being super protected that first game. I don’t think I had a hurry,” Murray said Wednesday. “I didn’t really feel it on the right side that first game.

“That was the only time I played with him. I understand he’s rehabbing to come back. Whenever he’s back, I’ll definitely be happy.”

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

Cardinals Corner

Arizona Cardinals DC Nick Rallis and WR Michael Wilson chat during training camp...

Tyler Drake

‘It’s greatness:’ The true meaning behind Nick Rallis naming son after Cardinals’ Kyzir White

Arizona Cardinals DC Nick Rallis opened up Tuesday about the true meaning behind naming his son after team captain Kyzir White.

11 hours ago

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort and owner Michael Bidwill chat. The NFL trade deadline looms f...

Tyler Drake

What other positions could Cardinals still target this NFL trade deadline?

After the Arizona Cardinals traded for pass-rushing help on Monday, what other positions could they still target ahead of the NFL trade deadline?

19 hours ago

Former Denver Broncos OLB Baron Browning was dealt to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday....

Tyler Drake

How might new Cardinals OLB Baron Browning impact Arizona’s defense?

The Cardinals went out and added a pass rusher ahead of the NFL trade deadline in Baron Browning. But just how much does he move the needle?

1 day ago

Arizona Cardinals LB Kyzir White celebrates after Week 9's win over the Bears. DC Nick Rallis named...

Tyler Drake

War baby? Cardinals DC Nick Rallis names son after LB Kyzir White

Not only did Cardinals DC Nick Rallis and his wife welcome their second child into the world on Sunday, they also named him after LB Kyzir White.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Cardinals Corner: Arizona still atop NFC West after win vs. Chicago Bears

The Arizona Cardinals made it three straight wins following their dominant 29-9 win over the Chicago Bears in Week 9. Arizona Sports Cardinals reporter Tyler Drake and Burns & Gambo producer Lauren Koval break down the home team's complete effort before taking a look at the current NFC West standings (SPOILER: Cardinals lead the way) and how GM Monti Ossenfort might traverse the upcoming NFL trade deadline.

2 days ago

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort looks on. The NFL trade deadline quickly approaches for the GM...

Tyler Drake

Let’s make a deal! Cardinals squarely in buyers territory as NFL trade deadline nears

After another win to move to 5-4 on the season, it's time for Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort to get aggressive this NFL trade deadline.

2 days ago

Arizona Cardinals’ sackless streak taking a village to achieve