HOUSTON — Josh Jones is satisfied that the Arizona Cardinals are poised to make a quantum leap after a scorching begin final season didn’t set off the prolonged NFL playoff run the crew had envisioned.
The Cardinals’ third-year offensive tackle has some cause to be inspired in regards to the outlook for an NFC West franchise headlined by star quarterback Kyler Murray.
The Cardinals, who bought off to a 7-0 begin underneath coach Kliff Kingsbury earlier than ending 11-7 and dropping within the opening spherical of the playoffs to the eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams, have a variety of expertise on their roster. Though the Cardinals should play with out Professional Bowl huge receiver DeAndre Hopkins for the primary six video games attributable to a performance-enhancing drug coverage suspension, they traded for huge receiver Hollywood Brown, and three-time NFL Defensive Participant of the Yr J.J. Watt has made a full restoration from accidents that sidelined him final yr.
Arizona Cardinals’ Josh Jones ‘tremendous excited’ for 2022
“I’m tremendous excited as a result of we’ve bought an incredible crew coming again,” Jones informed Professional Soccer Community. “We’ve bought some nice leaders within the constructing. We’ve bought some nice leaders within the constructing and we’ve bought some guys who weren’t wholesome final yr who’re again.
“I’m actually excited. It’s an incredible group they usually introduced in an incredible draft class. The Tremendous Bowl is in Arizona, and I’m fairly positive the Tremendous Bowl champs the final two years had been in the identical metropolis. So, we’re engaged on it proper now.”
Murray is the catalyst for an offense constructed round his reside arm and uncommon elusiveness and velocity. The previous prime total decide from Oklahoma and Heisman Trophy winner handed for 3,787 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions final season and rushed for 423 yards and 5 scores.
The Cardinals are in contract talks with Murray a couple of potential blockbuster extension and there’s optimism, per league sources, {that a} deal will in the end get labored out as the connection between the Texas native and the crew is again on terra firma after some extraordinarily public discord earlier this offseason.
Cardinals’ Kyler Murray ‘so electrical’
“Man, it’s nice enjoying with him,” mentioned Jones, a former third-round draft decide from the College of Houston who began a dozen video games final season. “He’s a kind of guys who each time he steps on the sector he could be one of the best participant. Not many guys could be one of the best participant. He’s so electrical in making superb performs. We simply need to have the ability to give him confidence again there so he can get again into his groove and we will go have a protracted season.”
Blocking for hard-nosed operating again James Conner is one thing Jones totally enjoys. Conner performs the sport with a downhill operating fashion. He has a confirmed nostril for the tip zone and rushed for 15 touchdowns final season.
James Conner an ‘offended runner’
“I really like JC,” Jones mentioned. “He’s an offended runner. He runs downhill. One factor about JC, he pushes you. He helps me perceive the place I must go and how one can get higher. He’s a kind of guys. I actually respect him for that.”
Brown requested a commerce from the Baltimore Ravens primarily as a result of he wished to play in a extra free-wheeling offense and reunite with Murray, his former school teammate. Brown may also help make up for the absence of Hopkins through the begin of the season.
“Oh yeah, he’s going to tear that slot up,” Jones mentioned. “We’ve bought Rondale Moore. We’ve bought some guys. Don’t sleep on the Cardinals. We’re going to have a superb season.”
Jones began the primary two video games of the season earlier than shifting to proper deal with when Kelvin Beachum bought damage. He shifted again to proper guard, however struggled with penalties, ending the season with a dozen total, and allowed 4 sacks.
Jones making progress, competing for beginning job
“I believed Josh progressed, performed much more at guard than he had all through his profession there in school,” Kingsbury mentioned this offseason. “So he was getting acquainted with that, which is sweet to have some swing capabilities and be capable to play guard and deal with. He made strides the primary two years and we’d like him to actually step up.”
Jones is anticipated to compete with Beachum for a beginning job and function in a flexible function once more. His finest snaps have come at deal with the place he seems way more comfy than as an inside offensive lineman.
“Simply being extra constant, I took an enormous leap in my recreation,” Jones mentioned. “And my play for this yr, I need to be extra constant. I confirmed a variety of good issues final yr and I simply need to do it out and in each single play.”
