A quick note as I wrap up my 25th season covering this team (that’s a lot, now that I see it in writing.) Remember the old Herm Edwards line – no, not “I’m on the train” from his ASU days, because as a Sun Devil I absolutely am not happy with that era – from his Jets tenure? “You play to win the game.” Yeah, that one.
The Cardinals are playing to win. We have this discussion every year, about draft spots, etc., etc. But the coaches don’t benefit from a loss, the players definitely don’t benefit from a loss, and it’s just not how it goes. That’s how you get McCown-to-Poole, and why this year’s Cardinals couldn’t give a blank if the team is picking 11th or 17th.
Thanks for coming to my TED talk. On to other stuff.
— Budda Baker got his contract extension and another Pro Bowl. Jalen Thompson, his safety running mate, has had a much quieter season. Part of that is he doesn’t have an interception after grabbing four a season ago, while having only three pass breakups (after nine last season.) That’s part of a larger issue of the defense not generating more turnovers. But I’ve said before that Thompson is a good fit in the defense that Nick Rallis wants to run, and coach Jonathan Gannon emphasized that Friday morning.
“He had a couple more takeaways (in 2023) and I feel like he’s had less opportunities this year,” Gannon said. “You don’t know when they will come. I would like to see him take away the ball a little bit better. All our guys.
“But in saying that, when we put a game plan together, when we look at matchups, we never feel like what we’re asking Jalen to do, we’re outmanned. That’s pretty comforting. He knows what to do, he plays multiple positions for us, he backs up different spots. He has (played) this year at nickel. Reliability, smart, playmaking, whether it be tackling, blitzing, coverage, the deep part of the field — he can do it all, man.”
Thompson would like some more turnovers himself, and as one of the higher paid members of the defense (his salary actually drops next season, from $8.3 million to $7.5M) that’s understandable. But his versatility, always a key word for this coaching staff, is an intangible asset.
“I feel like I fit in pretty well,” Thompson said. “I consider myself the complete DB, whether it’s playing safety, nickel, corner, (expletive), D-lineman, wherever they need me at that’s where I will play. I feel like that role is a good role for me.”
— With the 49ers…
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