Revenge of the Birds
What does the future look like for Gannon, Petzing and Rallis?
Idea #1: Cardinals Top Coaches: Jonathan Gannon, Drew Petzing and Nick Rallis and their futures.
Top ROTB member post:
Superb thoughts on Nick Rallis, AZCF!
It’s curious that there appears to be so much more positive buzz from Cardinals’ fans on social media for Jonathan Gannon and Nick Rallis than for Drew Petzing.
Petzing’s offense over the past two seasons has cracked the NFL’s Top 10 in a few offensive rankings, while, as AZ_Cardinals_Fan pointed out so keenly, the Cardinals’ defense has been at or near the bottom of the NFL rankings for the last two years.
Too many Cardinals fans are vastly under-rating how impressive Drew Petzing’s running game has been, almost like people take it for granted. Do you realize how difficult it is in today’s brand of football to get players to make the kind of physical sacrifice and endurance it takes to play a smashmouth style of football?
Think of it this way —- the Cardinals’ running game has been the only aspect of the team’s play the past two seasons that has manifested superior toughness, both mentally and physically. Opposing defenses dread playing against Petzing’s offense because they know they will have to match the Cardinals’ band of slobberknockers up front and in the backfield.
Having such a committed running game has been understandably difficult for Cardinals’ fans to process. For decades we have been treated to high-powered passing games led by prolific QB and WR tandems. That goes way back to “Air Coryell” in the 1970s. Cardinals’ fans are enamored with the picture-perfect post pass. Check out Neil Lomax to Roy Green!
The irony is that the Cardinals had an offensive coach who fit the “Air Coryell” bill in Kliff Kingsbury. Look at his track records with QBs during his college days and now in the NFL:
The fact is, last season, Kyler Murray was showing flashes of his outstanding Pro Bowl level of play she showed during the first 8 weeks of the 2021 season, while helping to lead the 2024 team to a 6-4, NFC West leading record at the bye week. Yet, Murray’s and the team’s level of play wilted after the bye week, going a very disappointing 2-5 down the stretch.
Fact is, in Kyler Murray’s 6 seasons, neither Kliff Kingbury nor Drew Petzing has been able to get consistent, quality play from him after Thanksgiving —- especially when games matter the most.
One of the most profound ironies of Monti Ossenfort’s early days as Cardinals’ GM is his willingness to embrace Kyler Murray as his franchise QB from day one, knowing how Kyler had created such a deep rift among his...
