Ron Wolfley gives his strategy for turning the Cardinals’ season around
Nov 7, 2022, 8:00 PM
James Conner #6 of the Arizona Cardinals runs by Jordyn Brooks #56 and Bruce Irvin #51 of the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter during the game at State Farm Stadium on November 06, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Two touchdown drives for the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday were not enough for a win, as they fell 31-21 against the Seattle Seahawks.
Arizona’s offense went silent for most of the game after an opening-possession touchdown, and the Seahawks outgained the Cardinals 421-262.
Cardinals radio analyst and host Ron Wolfley joined KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show on Monday to break down the struggles and provide insight on potential solutions. With opponents looking keep Arizona from creating chunk plays, Wolfley suggests the team leans into what defenses are giving them.
“I line up and just start putting Kyler Murray under center and running the ball,” Wolfley said. “I start running it and attacking it with 12-personnel, 13-personnel, one running back three tight ends. I started attacking the line of scrimmage a whole lot more, using play-action to throw the ball down the field, take some shots, that’s what I would do.”
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The Cardinals have not utilized heavy personnel much this season, even after drafting a tight end, Trey McBride, in the second round of April’s NFL Draft.
Arizona has also thrown the fewest play-action passes in the NFL at 21 over nine games, as it lines up almost exclusively in the shotgun.
“If Kyler doesn’t like being under center, if Kyler doesn’t like play-action sometimes, standing in the pocket, making reads of the secondary after he turns his back to the line of scrimmage. If he doesn’t like that, if that makes him uncomfortable, then you’re fighting an uphill battle.”
Wolfley said he believed the season was not over despite Arizona’s 3-6 record and injuries to the offensive line, but he called the next two games must-win.
The Cardinals lost their first of three straight NFC West matchups Sunday, but Wolfley said wins over the Los Angeles Rams this week and the San Francisco 49ers in Week 11 could make a difference in their outlook.
“You had to win two of these three, that possibility still exists right now even though it doesn’t seem very likely based on what we’ve seen,” Wolfley said. “The possibility still exists that you beat the Rams in L.A. and then somehow, someway find a way to beat the 49ers in Mexico City. And now all of a sudden everything that you still may be able to get is in front of you.”
