All-Access with Bruce Arians: Extra points experiment will be fun, may add excitement
Jul 30, 2014, 9:36 PM | Updated: 9:36 pm
GLENDALE, Ariz. – Head coach Bruce Arians, now in his second year with the Arizona Cardinals, meets the media each day during training camp.
Here, in this space, we’ll highlight many of the key topics and personnel conversations he has with reporters following the morning walk-through:
“Nothing new really injury-front wise. We came out pretty clean [Tuesday]. Lorenzo Alexander has a scheduled day off on his foot so we get back-to-back rest days for him. Everybody else is good to go (mentioned Andre Ellington and Dan Williams will return to practice Friday).
“It was an excellent practice [Tuesday]. One thing I’m very enthused about is, I think, offensively we ran the ball fairly well at times. Any time we can run the ball fairly well against our defense, that’s saying a lot being that we’re outstanding against the run. That speaks volume for the offensive line and the backs and tight ends, especially the tight ends. Darren Fells really got my attention [Tuesday] for the first time; saw him rock some heads back blocking. For a basketball player, that’s a huge step forward.”
How is the competition going at back-up running back
“We have all of the confidence in the world in Stepfan [Taylor] and Jonathan [Dwyer]. Jonathan had a big, long run [Tuesday] and Steph did an unbelievable job in pass protection. It’s an on-going thing, and we’ll use them both. We really won’t have a ‘2′ and a ‘3′. They’ll have roles and go into the games with roles so that everybody knows exactly what to expect; and then of course when your number is called to increase your role, you better be ready.”
The league experimenting with 15-yard extra points
“It’ll be fun. Originally, it was 20 and then outdoor teams wanted to move it up to 15. I think it’ll add a little bit of excitement to the play. Game-winner will be a whole lot more gritting of the teeth over there (on the sidelines) I know that.”
Hopes to improve their return game
“It’s huge. Any time your starting field position is behind the 20 or 25 or lower, you’re not doing real good in your return game. The more you can get first downs in your return game the better off you are.”
How much freedom will you give Ted Ginn Jr. on returning kicks
“We’ll have design plays. He doesn’t have any freedom just to catch it and run. (Run) where you’re supposed to run, where your blockers are. As far as bringing it out (of the end zone), it’s the depth and heighth of the kick. You just got to have a good feel for it. We didn’t do a very good job of deciding those things last year.”
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