Every week during the regular season we get an opportunity to talk with the opposing head coach via conference call. This week it was Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks. I also scanned the Arizona area media websites and the Cardinals website, to see what else the Cardinals players and coaches are saying about this week's matchup with the Lions.
Here's what they had to say:
1.The Cardinals are decimated along their offensive line after placing two more starters on IR this week. Arizona will start three rookies upfront against Detroit Sunday. Wilks told Detroit reporters he's never seen anything like the attrition the Cardinals have endured upfront. Not a single starter remains upfront from the start of training camp.
2. Quarterback Josh Rosen doesn't seem too concerned about having all the new guys up front. He said he hasn't noticed a difference in the time he's had in the pocket over the last couple weeks, and told azcardinals.com those young guys will be ready to go Sunday vs. Detroit.
Meet this weeks opponents, the Arizona Cardinals.
HC Steve Wilks
QB Josh Rosen
Backed up by Mike Glennon
RB David Johnson
Backed up by Chase Edmonds and T.J. Logan
FB Derrick Coleman
WR Larry Fitzgerald
Backed up by Christian Kirk and Trent Sherfield
TE Ricky Seals-Jones
Backed up by Jermaine Gresham and John Phillips
RT Korey Cunningham
Backed up by Zack Golditch
RG Oday Aboushi
Backed up by Colby Gossett
C Mason Cole
Backed up by Daniel Munyer
LG Mike Iupati
Backed up by Colby Gossett
LT D.J. Humphries
Backed up by Will Holden
WR Chad Williams
Backed up by J.J. Nelson
DE Markus Golden
Backed up by Benson Mayowa and Cameron Malveaux
DT Corey Peters
Backed up by Robert Nkemdiche
DT Rodney Gunter
Backed up by Olsen Pierre
DE Chandler Jones
Backed up by Zach Moore
SLB Haason Reddick
Backed up by Dennis Gardeck
MLB Gerald Hodges
Backed up by Zeke Turner
WLB Deone Bucannon
Backed up by Joe Walker and Thurston Armbrister
CB Patrick Peterson
Backed up by Brandon Williams and Dontae Johnson
CB David Amerson
Backed up by Leonard Johnson and Quinten Rollins
SS Budda Baker
Backed up by Rudy Ford
FS Antoine Bethea
Backed up by Tre Boston
K Zane Gonzales
P Andy Lee
LS Aaron Brewer
H Andy Lee
KR T.J. Logan
Backed up by Brandon Williams
PR Christian Kirk
Backed up by T.J. Logan
3. Speaking to the Arizona media Wednesday, Wilks was asked about Matt Patricia's defense in Detroit. The first point he made was the adjustments week-to-week from a three-down look, four-down look, over or under.
"They are very creative in who they're playing," he said.
He later told Detroit reporters on the conference call that Detroit's aggressiveness and ability to penetrate with their defensive front stands out as well.
4. Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald made an amazing diving catch on a 3rd and 23 play in the fourth quarter last week on the game-winning drive vs. Green Bay. Asked about that play and the catch, Wilks explained it to be just routine for Fitzgerald, which after 15 years, is pretty remarkable.
5. Both Wilks and Patricia are first-year head coaches coming from winning franchises — Wilks from Carolina and Patricia from New England. Wilks said one of the things he's learned about being a head coach, and figures Patricia is learning as well, is that it takes time to implement a philosophy and then get the right personnel to fit it.
The Cardinals are currently 3-9. Detroit is 4-8.
