Crosstalk with Arizona Cardinals Maven Tyler Jaggi

Arizona Cardinals Maven Tyler Jaggi and I did a Maven Crosstalk in which we submitted five questions about this weekend’s game between the Giants and Cardinals to gain some additional insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the teams.

Below are Jaggi’s responses to the questions submitted by the Giants Maven; be sure to visit the Cardinals Maven on Friday to see our responses to the questions submitted.

Q: What has Kyler Murray brought to the offense at QB that they didn’t have with Josh Rosen?

A: Patricia, I don’t want to come out the wrong way, but Kyler has been world’s better in than offense than what we had last season with Rosen.

As you have probably have seen in some of the highlights, Murray has been special at times. These last two weeks, he has gotten into a groove and comfortable with this offense.

It also helps that the offensive line has been protecting Murray much better of late. That’s the key to this offense. If Kyler Murray is well protected, he can pick apart defenses with his decision making and accuracy.

Q: What do you believe is behind the Cardinals’ struggles to defend opposing tight ends?

A: It has been a combination of a few things. Early in the year, Cardinals asked D.J. Swearinger to cover the tight ends; that was a disaster. The Cardinals cut him a few weeks ago and have “improved” slightly in that department.

If Evan Engram does play in this game, he will surely cause fits for Arizona’s defense. Engram is unlike many other tight ends. He’s close to a large fast receiver, like Mike Evans (of the Bucs).

The Cardinals’ linebackers and safeties are too slow to stay with him on coverage, and yet cornerbacks are too small. He is a player who creates a mismatch for opposing defenses.

Despite posting 18 passes defensed, the Cardinals defense has yet to record an interception this season.

Q: What kind of impact do you see Patrick Peterson making in his first game back from suspension?

A: I think his impact could be huge. If you saw the highlights from the Cardinals-Falcons game, there wasn’t much defense played well by either side. The Cardinals weren’t even contesting catches, and they allowed the Falcons receiving targets free releases off the line of scrimmage and allowed them to run wild in zones.

Patrick Peterson has been one of the best cornerbacks in the league for the last several years. It’s not yet known if the plan is for him to “travel” with the opponent’s number one receiver as he has done in the past, but the addition of Peterson should tremendously improve the Cardinals pass defense.

Q: Which Giants player (offense or defense) do you think the Cardinals are most concerned with stopping?

A: There are two keys to stopping the Giants, assuming both play. Running back Saquon Barkley and tight end Evan Engram are the two of the most talented skill-position players in the league and create a massive mismatch when attacking defenses.

It’s well known that Arizona has struggled to stop opposing tight ends (Editor’s Note: The Cardinals have allowed a league-high 599 yards and have surrendered three 100-yard games to opposing tight ends out of six games played).

Engram, if he plays, could easily have 100+ yards and likely one score. The only way I could see Cardinals slowing him down is if Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph decides to have Patrick Peterson to shadow Engram.

As for Barkley, I don’t know if the Cardinals even have a defensive strategy to slow him down other than engaging in solid fundamentals-- sound tackling and hustling to the ball carrier.

Barkley, as you know, can also be a weapon in the passing game, and the Cardinals defense hasn’t been great at covering opposing running backs either. (Editor’s Note: Opposing running backs are averaging 4.5 yards per carry against the Cardinals and have caught 18 of 19 pass targets for 181 yards out fo the backfield.)

Q: What is the biggest weakness position unit wise that you see potentially being a problem for the Cardinals in their game against the Giants?

A: The Cardinals have two major Achilles heels to their team. On offense, the offensive line has been a weakness for them, mainly their tackles. Kyler Murray has been sacked 21 times.

The good news is only one sack in the last two games, which is a huge reason why Cardinals were able to get two victories in those matchups.

The other weakness, as mentioned above, is Cardinals’ lack of ability to cover opposing tight ends. I’m not sure if the addition of Patrick Peterson will change that.

This will be an interesting matchup between the two rookie franchise quarterbacks chosen No. 1 (Murray( and No. 6 (Daniel Jones) overall.

I think this outcome will come down to which New York stars can return for this game. If Barkley and Engram are back, I’d have to give this game to the Giants.

Both were able to practice in the opening practice in full, which is usually a good sign they will be able to suit up on Sunday. I’m predicting a Giants 27-24 win.

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