Jonathan Gannon likes what he is seeing from his defense

Gannon is fired up for the season and so are his players

For those who have been concerned about the Cardinals’ pash rush for two years, it may have come as a surprise that the second-year head coach is confident and “comfortable” with his current pass rushing personnel.

It should be noted that Jonathan Gannon also said the “dust (on the roster moves) won’t settle until Monday.” So, maybe Monti has his big old Weber grill fired up and is ready to cook up a delicious Labor Day weekend trade-burger or two.

One speculation that’s been circulating on social media is a potential trade for the Cardinals with the Giants for Edge Azeez Ojulari. Azeez is a 4th-year player whom I have been promoting as a sensible trade target for months, even before his brother was injured.

Of course, there may still be a chance for the Cardinals to throw a Hail Mary to re-connect with Haason Reddick. His ties to Gannon and Nick Rallis could make perfect sense. A multi-year deal would then allow the Cardinals to draft BPA in 2025. As of right now, if nothing changes, then drafting an edge in Round 1 would appear to be by far the team’s top priority.

Yet, seeing that Jonathan Gannon is comfortable with his current defensive personnel, then maybe Monti can hang up his apron and take the weekend off.

The fact that the Cardinals did not appear to be active during waiver claims may corroborate JG’s comfortability.

Reasons for Optimism:

Look at what Jonathan Gannon has to say about Roy Lopez and how fired up NT Roy Lopez is to be playing for Gannon and Hick Rallis:

Herein perhaps lies Jonathan Gannon’s greatest strength as a coach —- he gets quite a number of players fired up and feeling good about themselves and, best of all, reveling in a supreme love for the game. This year the mood among the players has been one of daily exhilaration and exuberance. Kudos to Gannon and the coaches across the bord for their energy and morale-building talents.

Rallis Rallying

Speaking of coaches, as importantly, to hear Nick Rallis talk about the game planning he’s been doing this off-season brings a good deal of hope. In prepping for the first 8 weeks, that means in part that he has been prepping for 10 games —- in that during the first 8 weeks the Cardinals play the Rams and 49ers, —-NFC West rivals they will be playing again later on in the season.

Nick Rallis will have the bye week to prepare for the Seahawks, whom the Cardinals play twice over the first three weeks after the break.

Nick Rallis is a bright, young coordinator. He is faced this season with the arduous task of thwarting Josh Allen, Matthew Stafford (twice), Jared Goff, Jayden Daniels, Brock Purdy (twice), Jordan love, Justin Hebert, Tua Tagovailoa, Caleb Williams, Aaron Rodgers, Geno Smith (twice), Sam Arnold, Drake Maye and Bryce Young, let alone all of the nifty OCs and playmakers these QBs work with. This is a relative “who’s who” of 1st round QBs.

Diamond in the Rough?

Xavier Thomas is no stranger to the spotlight, having played at Clemson for the past six season and helping the Tigers win an NCAA Championship in 2018, before struggling as so many players did during the Covid years. While he was the #4 high school recruit in the USA upon enrolling at Clemson, his highest sack total in any of his six seasons was 4.5 in 2021 and he only had 18 sacks combined in 6 seasons. His surprising lack of production is the reason why Xavier Thomas lasted to pick #138 in the 2024 NFL Draft.

However, Xavier Thomas has already burst onto the scene for the Cardinals. In 2 pre-season games, he recorded 8 QB pressures and 2 sacks, while showcasing outstanding quickness and chasing speed in consistently getting to the QB.

O Captain! My Captain!

Projected Starters on Defense:

• SOLB Zaven Collins (6-4, 260, 4, Tulsa)
• SDE Bilal Nichols (6-3, 313, 7, Delaware)
• NT Roy Lopez (6-2, 310, 4, Arizona)
• WDE Justin Jones (6-3, 309, 7, North Carolina St.)
• WOLB Dennis Gardeck (6-0, 232, 7, Sioux Falls)
• SILB Kyzir White (6-2, 234, 7, West Virginia)
• LCB Sean Murphy-Bunting (6-0, 195, 6, Central Michigan)
• SS Jalen Thompson (5-11, 190, 6, Washington St.)
• FS Budda Baler (5-10, 195, 8, Washington)
• RCB Garrett Williams (5-10, 192, 2, Syracuse)

What observations and instincts do you have about this defense?