ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals’ guard Earl Watford bringing confidence to NFL

May 1, 2013, 11:14 PM | Updated: 11:23 pm

Follow @VincemarottaPresented By...

LISTEN: Earl Watford, Cardinals 4th Round Selection

Last week, the Arizona Cardinals selected nine players in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Eight of those players come from big-time FBS college programs like LSU, Texas, Texas A&M and Clemson.

Then there’s fourth-round pick Earl Watford, a guard out of James Madison — a program that now has had only three players drafted since 2000.

Watford joined Doug and Wolf Wednesday on Arizona Sports 620 and was asked if he’s got a chip on his shoulder since he went to a smaller school and lasted until the fourth round.

“Oh, of course I have a chip on my shoulder,” Watford answered. “But at the same time, I played in the CAA (Colonial Athletic Association), great competition, great players and there are a lot of players from there in the NFL right now.”

Watford understands that many will doubt his ability since his college career wasn’t spent going against powerhouse competition week in, week out.

“I’m here to prove to players and my teammates that I can play,” he said. “Just because I didn’t play in the SEC doesn’t mean I can’t hold up.”

Watford is confident in his abilities as a run blocker and a pass protector. In fact, he only gave up one sack in his college career at JMU.

“That’s what they say, I don’t think I gave up that one,” he joked.

Presented By
Western Governors University

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

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

1 day ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

2 days ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

3 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

3 days ago

Cardinals’ guard Earl Watford bringing confidence to NFL