NFL.com: D.J. Humphries one of most disappointing rookies
Nov 7, 2015, 1:37 PM
Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle D.J. Humphries (74), left, and tackle Jared Veldheer (68) runs plays during their NFL football camp, Monday, Aug. 24, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
NFL.com released their rookie midseason review Friday and Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle D.J. Humphries made their list of most disappointing rookies in the league.
The Cardinals drafted Humphries with the No. 24 pick out of Florida. The 6-foot-5, 307-pounder played 29 career games with the Gators but hasn’t played a single one for the Cardinals.
Here’s what Daniel Jeremiah, the writer of this piece, had to say about why Humphries made list:
He wasn’t without flaws on college tape, but I thought Humphries was the most physically gifted tackle prospect in the draft. I expected him to start right away for the Cardinals, but he landed in doghouse of the head coach as a result of revolting play in practice and the preseason. He needs to reclaim the trust of the organization in the offseason.
During the offseason, Humphries earned the nickname, “Knee Deep” because according to Cards head coach Bruce Arians, you have to keep “a knee in his ass every day” to keep him motivated.
Just two weeks ago, though, Cardinals’ personnel discussed how Humphries’ has improved.
“He’s working harder. He’s starting to see what these older guys are doing, these veteran guys and just kind of doing what they do,” offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin said. “But he is getting better.”
“A lot of progress,” Arians said of what he’s seeing from Humphries. “I really like where he’s at right now, his competitive level. (Defensive end) Dwight Freeney’s helped him a little bit too, as (linebacker) Markus Golden has the whole time he’s been here. They get after it and if you don’t get after it, you’ll get embarrassed. He’s handled himself pretty well.”
