The Arizona Cardinals have lost three straight games on walk-off field goals, the last of which punctuated a nauseating defeat to the previously winless Tennessee Titans, the kind of loss Cardinals fans will try to forget but most likely won’t.
But, according to third-year head coach Jonathan Gannon, the Cardinals are picking themselves back up ahead of a Week 6 road trip to play the upstart Indianapolis Colts.
Gannon was asked about the team’s vibe and energy since its fourth-quarter implosion versus the Titans.
“Today, dope as hell, honestly,” Gannon said. “It really was. It really was.
“I couldn’t start the meeting on time because of the energy in the room, so that’s good to see. But we have to make sure that we’re on the details in the meeting room and during walkthrough and practice. But it was really good.”
Gannon reiterated once more: “It was really good.”
Against Tennessee last Sunday, Arizona squandered a 21-6 fourth-quarter lead that could have been even bigger had running back Emari Demercado not dropped the ball just before he crossed the goal line. The Cardinals fined Gannon $100,000 for his sideline altercation with Demercado after the play. Gannon said Monday that he’s apologized to Demercado and the team for how he acted in that moment and admitted that “it’s not really who I am and who I want to be.”
After Demercado’s gaffe, the Cardinals eventually fumbled an interception, and the Titans recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown.
To top it off, Tennessee’s hapless offense put up 212 yards in the fourth quarter of its 22-21 comeback win.
Gannon said staying in the present is the key for his team to remain positive during a three-game skid that’s amounted to a -5 point differential.
“Not looking forward to the future, not looking back in the past,” Gannon said Wednesday.
“If you’re carrying baggage, you’re in the wrong, to me. So you’re only carrying baggage because your brain says you got to carry it. We don’t have to carry any baggage. We got a chance to go 3-3, play a really good football team and play well. So that’s what they know right now. Put a smile on your face, enjoy competing and control today.”
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray went to the locker room with a foot injury late in the third quarter against the Titans.
While he missed only two plays before finishing the game, he didn’t practice Wednesday.
When asked for his concern level with Murray’s injury, Gannon was blunt.
“Take it day by day,” Gannon said.
Gannon didn’t budge when reporters pushed for more details about the seventh-year quarterback’s status.
“If he’s healthy enough to play, he’ll play,” Gannon said in response to a question about Murray’s mobility and if limitations would affect Gannon’s decision to start his dual-threat signal-caller.
Murray’s backup is journeyman Jacoby Brissett, whom the Cardinals signed this offseason. Gannon described Brissett as a “true pro” Wednesday.
“I know that term gets thrown around, but when you’re in his seat, the quarterback position is the hardest position in sports, and to know that you’re one play away from your role changing, you really do got to be on the details like you’re the starter,” Gannon said of Brissett.
“And he has a smile on his face. He loves to practice. He loves to prepare. He loves to play. We’ve seen that out on the grass since he’s been here, and I was with him the one year in Indy. But he’s a good football player, and he’s a great teammate, really good leader, and if he’s got to play, he’s got to play.”