The Cardinals are trying to steady themselves after a rough stretch, and head coach Mike LaFleur made it clear the postgame message after the 45-21 loss to the Lions in Week 5 was not a light one. He said he had “tough conversations” with players and staff, and he didn’t bother dressing that up.
“I’ll keep that more in-house, obviously,” LaFleur said, via Zach Gershman of the team’s site. “Had some tough conversations about where we think we need to improve in all three phases, particularly on offense and defense right now. And I’ll leave it at that.”
Arizona has now given up more than 30 points in four straight games, and LaFleur acknowledged the results haven’t matched the talent he believes is on the roster. At the same time, he made it plain that the Cardinals are searching for answers on defense.
“I’ve seen it, but I just haven’t seen it consistently,” LaFleur said. “There’s going to be no changes with playcalling, but we’re looking at how to improve this defense and make sure that we are better than what we’re putting out there.”
Cornerback Garrett Williams said the best way out of the slump is for everyone inside the building to stay aligned.
“You’ve seen teams who’ve won 5,6,7 in a row, and only reason they do that is because they stay together,” Williams said. “I think as long as we just trust what Mike is saying to us and we’re trusting the offense, defense, special teams, we just put it together. I think that’s how you start to turn it around.”
In Los Angeles, Sean McVay addressed the upcoming return of offensive tackle Alaric Jackson and said David Quesenberry will step in during the suspension. McVay was careful not to oversimplify the situation, but he was direct about the need for Jackson to be more dependable.
“It is very important to represent the things that we want to be about,” McVay told reporters, via Pro Football Talk. “He has to consistently do a better job.
I think each situation is its own separate entity. I think you want to be careful pigeonholing yourself into a one-size-fits-all.
The league made their decision. I want to understand the totality of the situation.
I’m not condoning by any stretch of the imagination, but I want to gather all the information before I make comments. It certainly doesn’t help us when we’re missing a player of his caliber.
He has to make more consistent decisions that are in alignment with being available and representing the things that we want to be about without a doubt.”
Up in Seattle, the focus is on getting Sam Darnold more comfortable in the offense. Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Fleury said the game plan is being shaped around concepts Darnold knows well, with the goal of helping him get the ball out faster and play with more confidence.
“It’s relying more heavily on plays that we have a lot of experience with both through training camp and through the first couple weeks that he’s comfortable making swift decisions and progressing through,” Fleury said, via the team’s website. “We’re going to lean more in that direction.”
In Other News...
Sean McVay Sends Clear Message As Rams Deal With Alaric Jackson Fallout
Alaric Jacksons latest absence comes at an awkward moment for a Rams team trying to settle into a rhythm up front. The left tackle was suspended by the NFL for two games after an incident involving a punch to Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb, and Sean McVay made it clear the issue is about more than just losing a starter. McVay stressed the importance of Jackson representing the team appropriately, a pointed reminder that the Rams are treating this as both a football matter and a standards issue.
David Quesenberry is set to step in during the suspension, giving the Rams an immediate lineup adjustment on the edge. McVay also said Jackson is expected to appeal, which leaves a small layer of uncertainty around the situation even as the team prepares to move forward without him for now. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Get A Timely Injury Boost Before A Key Cardinals Test
Health has been an encouraging storyline for the Rams as they head into Week 6, and that matters with Arizona coming to town for a divisional matchup that could shape the early NFC West picture. Los Angeles had only one non-participant in tight end Davis Allen, who is dealing with a foot injury, while several others were limited as the team managed the week. Perhaps most important, key names such as Aaron Donald were absent from the injury report, giving the Rams a cleaner look than they have had at other points this season.
Arizona, meanwhile, is carrying more uncertainty into the game, with several players limited or unavailable in practice. Running back Jeremiyah Love is among the notable concerns after suffering a second ankle injury, and his status could force the Cardinals to adjust again on offense. For the Rams, the contrast in health is a welcome development, but the real test comes Sunday, when the injury report stops mattering and the division starts deciding itself on the field. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Have A Special Teams Problem That May Need More Changes
Special teams has become an increasingly uncomfortable part of the Rams weekly story, and it surfaced again in Week 5 against the Bills when a kickoff coverage breakdown led to a 70-yard return. The kicking situation has only added to the concern, with Harrison Mevis released after missing multiple field goals, including a chance to win the game, and Blake Grupe brought in as the next option.
The move to Grupe was made quickly, without competition or much of a runway, which leaves Los Angeles still searching for stability in a phase of the game that can swing close contests. Les Snead may not be done making changes if the Rams want this unit to stop creating fresh problems every week. [Read more 🡒]