Arizona Cardinals players looking to make strides

June 9, 2022

RB Eno Benjamin and ILB Zaven Collins are amongst players to watch heading into the season.

ARIZONA, USA — The Arizona Cardinals are looking to turn into the third consecutive NFL workforce to win a Super Bowl championship at their residence stadium and the work to get there begins proper now with their offseason exercises.

Throughout voluntary OTAs, Cardinals coaches and players have echoed that there is an expectation for a few of the younger players to make massive strides this season.

With some adjustments to Arizona’s roster within the offseason, together with the departure of operating again Chase Edmonds, former ASU star Eno Benjamin is looking to capitalize on his alternatives.

Benjamin confirmed flashes final year, together with scoring his first career NFL landing in a Week 9 win over the San Francisco 49ers. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury has been impressed with the third-year operating again throughout offseason exercises.

“His running ability has always been there. It’s just learning some of the intricacies of our offense and the pass pro and things of that nature. But he’s taking huge strides,” Kingsbury stated of Benjamin.

“I’ve been really proud of what he did last year and it’s carried over to this offseason. He’s had one of the best offseasons that we’ve seen out there and I expect him to have a great preseason and we’ll see where it goes.”

Second-year linebacker Zaven Collins is one other participant that coaches are looking to see contribute extra this season. Collins, a 2021 first-round Draft choose, solely performed 20% of Arizona’s defensive snaps final season. Collins addressed his shaky rookie season and the shoulder harm that held him again throughout voluntary OTAs.

“Obviously last year didn’t go as everyone would want but that’s part of life,” Collins stated. “A lot of it was my fault. Some bad practices, dealing with shoulder stuff. Dealing with the shoulder, it actually had a lot more of an effect on me than I thought.”

Collins stated the way in which he tried to play by his shoulder harm “probably wasn’t a smart idea” however he is prepared to transfer ahead and study from his errors.

With the offseason launch of veteran linebacker Jordan Hicks, Cardinals Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph wants Collins and 2020 first-round draft choose Isaiah Simmons to step up to the problem forward.

“It’s their time. Isaiah’s going into his third year, Zaven’s going into his second year, they’re first-round picks. They have to help us,” Joseph stated. “I’ve been proud of Zaven, how much time he’s put in, Isaiah’s always been a good worker. It’s the next step for him. Obviously watching him last year, he made plays but now he has to make consistent plays and not give up plays. That’s his next challenge. And for Zaven, it’s staying healthy and keep learning. Both guys are physically gifted so we have to get those guys ready to play because we need them.”

The Cardinals open obligatory minicamp on Tuesday, June 14. Coach Kingsbury says he expects to see quarterback Kyler Murray there after lacking a majority of voluntary OTAs.

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