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Arians: "Give Us Another Week"

After late loss to Patriots, Cardinals have things they need to correct

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Cardinals coach Bruce Arians reacts to a play during Sunday night's loss to New England.


Bruce Arians understands the disappointment and angst that grew out of Sunday night's season-opening loss to the Patriots.

The coach's message to those concerned?

"Give us another week," Arians said.

There's not much choice. Losing the first game at home to a team at less-than-full strength wasn't ideal,

not the way the Cardinals planned on opening the season. But here they are, a missed field goal away from having some wiggle room as the Buccaneers come to town. Arians talked about making corrections on many facets he was comfortable in saying can and will be fixed.

The disappointment lingers – the players were sparse during the open locker room session – but soon, it was time to talk Bucs and forget about Pats.

"We are a good team," running back David Johnson said Monday. "I feel like we definitely have the athletes, have the players, and have the veterans and the coaches to be able to be a good team.

"It's one game. We've got to bounce back and get ready for the next one."

Arians had plenty particular to say Monday as he reviewed the game, taking himself to task first thing for his decision not to go for it on fourth-and-1 near midfield on the Cardinals' first drive of the night.

"I was thinking we could get good field position back," Arians said. "In the past, I've gone for that a few

times."

But there were plenty of other issues, and players, to touch on:

-- Missed tackles and not getting off the field on third downs defensively. "That was probably the most disturbing thing because we've been so good at it."

-- Youth showed cracks. Rookie cornerback Brandon Williams missed the sign to change coverage, which is why he ended up on the wrong end of Chris Hogan's touchdown catch. "The guy didn't beat him for a touchdown; he beat himself because he missed the check," Arians said.

Arians did say that Williams and right tackle D.J. Humphries only had a few bad plays each. He also said tight end Troy Niklas didn't show up in the run game enough after a good preseason. Rookie defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche "was not a factor."

-- About the 15-yard celebration penalty when safety D.J. Swearinger joined linebacker Chandler Jones in a post-play dance, "One of the things that has not happened around here and will not happen again," Arians said. "Or you won't be here."

-- Johnson, Arians said, was a little impatient early but settled into a groove. Arians also said he thought Johnson played too much, and said he wants to get backup Chris Johnson more snaps. Chris Johnson had one rush for two yards Sunday.

"You can sit and reflect as long as you want because you have until Friday to write," Arians told the media. "I only have until (Tuesday.) So I have to get over it a little quicker."

RUCKER DOWN, WAITING ON MATHIS AND NELSON INFO

Arians said defensive tackle Frostee Rucker hurt his MCL and will miss two-to-three weeks. There were no updates yet on guard Evan Mathis (foot) or wide receiver J.J. Nelson (shoulder).

Punter Drew Butler sprained his left (plant) ankle on the first punt of the game Sunday, and Arians praised him for punting through it. Butler said he was fearful at first it was more serious, but after getting treatment Monday he expects to be ready this weekend.

MURRAY RELEASED

The Cardinals pared their practice squad quarterbacks from two to one Monday, releasing Aaron Murray. Zac Dysert remains as the lone practice squad QB. To replace Murray, the Cards brought back rookie cornerback Trevon Hartfield, who was with the team in training camp.

Images of the top images from the Cardinals' loss to the Patriots on Sunday night



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