A rough couple of NFC West games. Not sure there is much more to say on the subject, at least in this opening segment. Let's mailbag, shall we? Don't forget to send a question for a future mailbag with at least a first name and last initial.
From Kenneth Schroeder:
"After watching the 49ers game and how Michael Wilson was able to produce at a high level as a No. 1 receiver, do you think he should have a shot as the real number one? I know we drafted Harrison to be that guy, but he hasn't come close to this production. I know it's only one game from Wilson, but everyone knew he and McBride were the only receivers and they both went off."
I am a Michael Wilson backer and have been since jump. But even Wilson said before the game he didn't want to make it more than it was, and I think that should be heeded still. It would be a disservice to him and the Cardinals to say Wilson would be a 10-catch game every game after one game like that. The Cardinals threw 57 passes, so that is going to play a big role. Harrison remains a guy with a high ceiling. I think good teams can and should have a good tight end and two good receivers, so there is room for everyone. Maybe we don't say No. 1 and No. 2. Maybe he and MHJ become equal threats. Who knows? I believe this: Michael Wilson is a guy who can be a productive NFL receiver, and for whatever reasons, that wasn't clear to everyone before Sunday. Now it should be.
From Bill B:
"Trey Benson was to be back from IR last week. The coach said he is still on IR and is not ready for practice yet. Why doesn't the team come out and announce a timetable or updates on his progression and let the people have some hope that he will play again soon rather than later. They could sure use him."
This query came last week a little late for the previous mailbag. So when you say "last week," it's really two weeks ago. And I'll start with, who said Benson was supposed to be back from IR two weeks ago? He was eligible to have his practice window opened, but at no point did anyone say he'd be back by then. He had knee surgery, so coming back from that, regardless of procedure, isn't nothing. As for a public timetable, the Cardinals have never done this under the current regime and I am not sure how you wouldn't have noticed that. The next concrete thing we hear will be when they open the practice window. Who knows, maybe that is this week.
From Jayson R:
"I'm sure you're getting a lot on this subject, so I won't go deep here. Just simple. Is there talk about changing coaches? This hasn't been good, and a lot of us fans are really frustrated."
Look, I get the frustration. Jonathan Gannon was asked about the subject himself, and he acknowledged the talk is going to be out there but is isn't something he can control. There are still seven games left. Having been around this franchise for so long, I am going to bet those seven games and how they play out matter.
From Patrick Reghab:
"Hey Darren, thanks for doing the mailbag each week. It's nice to hear your perspective. So obviously the season hasn't panned out the way anyone would've hoped. And injuries have played a major part in that. But then again, 49ers could say that but they are remaining competitive. Besides a few players with solid seasons, I'm struggling to find much to be optimistic about with this team and want to know if you're finding anything to be hopeful about? Thanks again."
I think there is plenty to be hopeful about. Trey McBride is off to a potential Hall of Fame career (needs many more years, but still.) After watching Michael Wilson's performance, and knowing what Marvin Harrison Jr. can still be, there is that. I like the early returns on Walter Nolen III and Will Johnson (yes, Johnson has to stay healthy.) But mostly, it's that in the NFL, things can change quickly. I'm not saying it will. But the hope of a fast turnaround is always there, and it should be.
From David Bieber:
"In Sunday's game Trey McBride was called for unsportsmanlike conduct after catching an apparent first-down pass. The announcers said he made a gesture the NFL is trying to eliminate, but I only saw him make a first-down signal. What did he do wrong?"
Gotta be quicker with the eyes, David. His quick swipe across his face before the first-down signal is considered a "nose wipe," which has gang connotations and was specifically banned by the NFL back in March.
From Joy:
"Please explain why JG can't comment on the officials, specifically the totally lopsided number of flags thrown Sunday -- 17 for the Cardinals, one for the 49ers. I've always thought over the years that the officials were anti-Cardinals, but that was ridiculous. The national broadcasters, who have no particular allegiance to us, said some of them weren't realty penalties. Now allow me one comment. I want to say I told you so because last season when 'fans' were clamoring for a WR2 opposite MHJ, I told you we already had one in Michael Wilson. Now everyone saw it. And I blame Drew Petzing for not using him more."
The simple reason Gannon can't -- or really, won't -- comment on the officials is that he would be fined for any criticism. It's not going to change anything, so he has no upside. Besides, when you are talking about 17 penalties, even if four or five of them were bad calls, that's still 12 or 13 penalties. Can't win that way. As for Wilson, I hope that is a generic "you" in "I told you so" because I have been a champion of Michael Wilson as WR2 the whole time. We can debate the reasons why he hasn't been more involved.
From Robert G:
"I am curious how much does the front office switch its focus to the structure of the roster next year after the trade deadline passes? For example would they be having conversations about cutting or looking to trade players and do teams talk to other teams about potential offseason trades after the trade deadline?"
It sounds cliché but front offices are always having those conversations, before and after the trade deadline. Trade conversations likely slow, but power brokers have phones and there can always be calls. Roster building is a never-ending thing. The trade talks between the Cardinals and Texans for DeAndre Hopkins began long before the March 2020 trade deadline.
From Ryker C:
"Hey Darren. After whining about the Cardinals recent injury report and the long list of injuries this season to a friend (who is studying nutrition and sports therapy), she suggested that by players not resting properly, having the wrong diet, or not taking care of themselves correctly can lead to being more prone to injuries when hit or falling. I'd like to think that the organization puts a lot of time, money, and effort into taking care of their guys. But year after year this team seems plagued by injuries and bad luck. Is Gannon's 'violence' preaching working against him? Is it promoting more injuries compared to the rest of the league? Are players taking care of themselves enough to stave off injuries?"
Some of the wisest words I ever heard from a player came from veteran defensive lineman Cory Redding more than a decade ago: "When you play this game," he said, "it's not a matter of if you are going to get injured, it's when."
I'm not saying the Cardinals haven't had a rash of injuries. But no, I don't think the horrible ways the year ended for Conner and Reiman and Vokolek had anything to do with prepping a body. It had everything to do with the every-snap risk of incredibly large men crashing into each other. Sometimes, body parts are gonna go ways they weren't designed to go. The 49ers fans probably feel the same way. Or the Ravens. It's the sport. How hard Gannon wants his guys to go? That's Sundays. At practice, you can only go so hard -- there is no tackling.
From John W:
"It's pretty tough to remain enthusiastic about the team. I'm not just talking about this season, but over the past 5-6 seasons. Supporters are so willing to buy into the hype, but we are just being let down (and in different ways each week) year after year. How do other clubs turn their fortunes around so quickly whilst we seem to consistently struggle?"
The opportunities are there for every team. If I knew all the answers, I would get paid a lot more and be working down the street. I am not sure why this season has turned out this way; I was with many others believing this team was going to be in the thick of the postseason conversation. But as I noted above, the chance to turn things around each year remains with the right puzzle pieces.
From Lukas Frerk:
"Hey Darren, greetings from Germany! James Conner is on the sideline on every home game. Is Kyler Murray in the stadium to watch the games? Is he still coming to the facility or is he absent since he landed on IR?"
Murray was at the game Sunday, and yes, he continues to rehab at the facility. We have seen him in the locker room each of the past two weeks.
From Tyler Bateman:
"I'm currently 18 years old and was born into Cardinals fandom. I've always rooted for the cardinals through thin and thinner. Throughout the years, I go to games throughout the season, as many as I can. Every time I go, the experience just feels bland. Do you feel like we have a culture problem? I know it may not be the No. 1 priority for the team, but I absolutely believe that having a good culture is somewhat correlated with success."
To start with, thanks for being a fan Tyler. I know for everyone who is a fan, it's not easy right now. When you say culture, are you talking about within the team, or the game experience? I know there are a lot of people working hard to make the game experience better in every facet. If you are talking about the the culture within the team, that had been built the last two years. By all accounts, it was good. I don't know if that is a factor this year, or it's more of a base level of just not playing well enough.
From Jay Schubert:
"I have two questions: Has there been any successful fake field goals this year where the holder takes off and either passes or runs for a first down or touchdown? I see a lot of fourth down go-for-it plays but haven't seen any fake field goals this year. And why do you not see double quarterback plays in football with two quarterbacks on the field at the same time? It seems to me if you have two quarterbacks with gifted arms on your roster, having them both on the field at the same time would really confuse the defensive backfield."
Not only have their not been any successful fake field goals this season, there have been no attempts with a fake field goal. That is not a surprise. With the trend to go for it on fourth down, it makes more sense to have your offense -- which is good at running offense, especially compared to your kicker and holder -- try and attain whatever gain you seek, even if the defense isn't surprised.
As for the two-quarterback thing, same kind of thing. Two quarterbacks mean a) you are taking someone off the field who is better in that particular job; b) you are turning one QB into essentially a decoy so it's 10-v-11; and c) there are only so many receivers you need to cover regardless of how many QBs are on the field.
From Robert Malicki:
"Hello, Darren. Living as I do south of Chicago it was sad to read about the passing of Michael's uncle, Charles (Stormy) Bidwill. I was impressed of the detailed Chicago Tribune article opening up his life story and chronicling his history with the Cardinal franchise. My question is about your local news coverage of this matter? As a fan of the team from when his mother, Violet, was alive, maybe the NFL's first woman owner, I followed the tag-team brothers, Stormy and William, grow into managing the team. Wouldn't it be informative for Cardinal fans everywhere to learn more of the franchise's history from Michael and his siblings perspective?"
We have done some of that before, but it's tough. Michael actually was born a couple of years after his grandmother had passed, he was barely 8 when his father took sole control over the Cardinals. But the franchise does have a fascinating history, and a little googling can find some interesting stories written about that time.
From Dylan L:
"Darren, I love you. That being said, it's not a real question. But, I cannot even watch UofA vs UCLA basketball. I need to get Peacock. My question is, will you send it to the higher ups that us middle-class people are getting pinched left and right. I am about over sports because I cannot afford to watch them. Worst part is I'm a full-time fireman with a second job."
Dylan, thank you but we don't even know each other. And I hate that you need a second job when you already have a "good" one, especially one that keeps people safe. I won't get on my soap box here but safe to say, I don't love how badly the paths between wages and cost of living has separated in this country, and it's a problem for a lot of people.
As for sports viewing, I get that too. Part of the problem is that it was all out there, and then eventually put behind pay walls. Not a surprise, but it still stinks. That said, I am old enough to remember a time when all that we got to see was maybe three college football games or a couple of college basketball games on Saturday or Sunday, or two NFL games on Sunday and one on Monday night. Unless you lived in a baseball city, you got some Monday night baseball and a Saturday game of the week. So to me, all this availability is still extra. Once you get a taste though, it's hard to ween off it. And that costs.
