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New Overtime Rule Makes Sense To Arians

Notes: Reddick looks "damn good" as starting linebacker; The kicker switch

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Exhausted running back David Johnson (31) comes off the field talking with cornerback Brandon Williams following the Cardinals' 6-6 tie against Seattle last season.


Bruce Arians likes the new overtime rule cutting the extra period to 10 minutes.

"Will it lead to more ties? Hell, who knows?" Arians said following Wednesday's organized team activity. "We'll call the game a little differently. But I'm happy with it."

The Cardinals had one overtime game last season, but it was a doozy – the 6-6 tie at home against the Seahawks that played out for the full 15 minutes. It left both teams beat up. Arians said his was a "tired football team" that played in Carolina the following Sunday.

"We could not practice the next week (after the tie)," Arians said.

Certainly, having only 10 instead of 15 minutes on the clock would have changed play calls that happened in the game, although the way it played out it still could've worked out for the Cardinals. The final play at the 5:15 mark was a 40-yard catch-and-run to J.J. Nelson – he was tackled at the Seattle 5 with 5:05 left on the clock, and the Cards had a timeout left.

(Chandler Catanzaro later missed a chip shot field goal anyway, but that's a story for another day.)

There were 13 total plays after the five-minute mark, including a missed field goal by each team.

"People are worried about 10-minute drives," Arians said. "I don't know if I've ever seen a 10-minute drive. I guess there have been a couple. If you get the ball ran on you for 10 minutes, you deserve to lose anyway."

NO DEONE MEANS MORE FOR REDDICK

Deone Bucannon has been a daily visitor at Cardinals' OTAs following ankle surgery, watching the workouts either on crutches or a scooter that helps him move around. Arians said last week if all goes well, the hope is that Bucannon – as inside linebacker – will be ready for the regular-season opener.

But it's far too soon to know Bucannon's timetable, and in the meantime, No. 1 pick Haason Reddick is getting the first-team reps for the Cards at Bucannon's spot. Arians has been pleased thus far, even though Reddick is making a position change from college (where he was a defensive end).

"Classic Wally Pipp," Arians said. "(Haason) is getting every single rep. He looks damn good."

It's highly unlikely Bucannon will truly have a Pipp situation – Pipp is the sick Yankee who was replaced by Lou Gehrig, never to get his job back – but the Cards will benefit from Reddick's reps even when Bucannon does return.

KICKER CHANGE HELPS DEPARTED CATANZARO

The Cardinals let Catanzaro leave as a free agent this offseason, preferring to bring in veteran Phil Dawson. Catanzaro subsequently signed with the New York Jets.

Catanzaro struggled for the first time last season, barely making 70 percent of his field goals.

"I think it's a great thing for Chandler," Arians said. "If Chandler missed I don't think the fans (here) would've been very nice. If he misses in New York, he'll be fine. He'll kick for 10 more years. Most kickers travel and then find a job, make a spot for themselves. Cat is a tremendously talented young guy."

Dawson, Arians said, has yet to miss in his tries this offseason for the Cardinals. Even at 42, Dawson still has the Cards' trust he will be an upgrade.

"Most consistent kicker in the league the last 10 years," Arians said. "He and Adam Vinatieri."

Images from the fourth OTA of the offseason



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