CARDINALS HEAD COACH JONATHAN GANNON

Press Conference
Sunday, December 15, 2024

Opening statement:

"Okay real quick, injury wise, (LB) Mack (Wilson Sr.) went out with a concussion. (LB) Jesse Luketa went out with a thigh. (CB) Max Melton had a shin, but then came back in. Then (RB) Trey (Benson), I think in the second half there had an ankle. Obviously, good to get back in a wind column there. I thought we did enough to win a game. I liked the run game. Obviously, the fourth down stop on defense and the takeaway, and then our offense scoring points and converting third downs there in the second half there I thought were huge components of the game. (It) allowed us to really score the last two drives there before the last one. I probably have to do a little bit better job in kind of that two-minute mode there (we were) down a little bit in the pass game. I didn't like some of the explosives, but ultimately (it was) good to get back in the win column and win a game. We'll be on to Carolina here tonight."

On getting back in the win column:

"Yeah, huge. I told them they earned the right to win today because of how they practiced this week, which I was proud of their response coming off of the last round there. They bit down on their mouthpiece, practiced the right way and won the game."

On the motor and effort today:

"I thought we played violent. I thought there was a lot of hitting on display. I always have to look at the tape multiple times to give you a good answer on that. I thought it looked right."

On OL Jonah Williams' fumble recovery TD:

"Huge, yeah. That's one of our mode to play. How he impacts the double positive is chase the play, so that'll forever be a teach tape there, because if that goes out of bounds, obviously that's their ball. We have to do a good job of protecting the ball, first of all, but I thought that was (an) excellent play by him. Just maxing out effort there. I think it was the first time he scored since sixth grade, so he was juiced."

On WR Greg Dortch's performance today:

"I thought he was lights out today. The one huge play in the two-minute, that gave us points on the third-long. I thought that was a really good call by (Offensive Coordinator) Drew (Petzing) there for what they had been showing (so) we had that dialed (but) I thought the other third down he converted--he's a playmaker man. When he gets the ball in his hands, he can make plays for us. He does a lot too, man. He wears a lot of hats for us on game day, as you saw. He's a pair and a spare in all kinds of phases (like) fourth down. Offensively, he lets his pads do the talking. I know that."

On if he was frustrated with the offense early on in the game:

"No, I think they have a say too. They'll do some things down there that are unique, but I thought we stuck with it, and we decided to kind of change the play types up a little bit when we got down there and I thought it was good. Like I said, those two touchdowns there in the second half are huge to put points on the board."

On what he considers a successful week at practice:

"Just their effort, attention to detail and doing the little things right. It shouldn't matter if it was Week 1 or whatever week we're in. They have to practice the right way, and it's up to myself and the coaches to demand it, and then to the leaders (to) demand it. They definitely had a good week of practice."

On if the defense had to recalibrate after losing Wilson Sr. and Luketa early in the first quarter:

"Yeah, (it's) very serious. That early in the ball game to lose two guys who are going to play a lot of snaps for you, yeah. But I think that's the value, (Defensive Coordinator) Nick (Rallis) takes emotion out of it like, 'Okay. Here's what we're going to do and here's who's going to play.' It's a cool thing for me (to see) guys role change like that within the ball game and step up and play good football for us. We've got a lot of versatile guys that can play. We feel good about all those guys playing and a lot of those guys, 'Vic' (LB Victor Dimukeje), 'J.O' (LB Julian Okwara) and (LB) Zaven (Collins) and (LB) Baron (Browning). I'm thinking about the outside linebacker room because Mack with him going down now, that changes a little bit then Jesse going down changes a little bit and the brunt of that room picked it up. I thought they did a good job."

On if QB Kyler Murray was pulled by the unaffiliated trauma consultants and his response

following:

"He was. (He responded) good. I thought some of those third downs were unbelievable plays. I think the two to (TE) Trey (McBride) off the top of my head. But yeah, he was pulled by an observer and then went back in the game and played winning football for us. There's no doubt."

On his evaluation of the defense's performance:

"Good. Again, the game plan is dictated by the quarterback, (which) had a lot to do with how we played today. I thought for the most part (they) did a pretty good job of not letting him beat us with extension. I thought we were in his face a little bit but we'll look at the tape. I thought they played well enough to win. It was a good job by the defense."

On how important the offense's drive with five consecutive third downs was:

"Yeah, huge. That's what keeps the offense on the field, their offense off the field, and then that gives you a chance to score points. That's all these different components of the game, right? You don't know what's going to beat you or allow you to win. I think that was a huge component of the game today, those third down conversions. It starts with the O-line, (the) quarterback making sure we're in the right stuff and then guys making a bunch of plays. It was good to see the passing game on third down when we needed those to convert."

On what today's win can do for the team:

"We're playing meaningful football in December right now, so we'll just reset ourselves. We know we've got a two day trip going to Carolina and they play hard and they're well coached. We're going to have to do what we need to do throughout the week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday to give ourselves a chance to win. They know the challenge ahead of them and they're ready for it."

On what he sees from Dortch at practice:

"I like to describe him (as) he lets his pads do the talking. He, for being a little bit of a smaller guy, plays really big. He really does. He practices and he loves to play. He's a guy that has a really cool story to me where you don't know when that next opportunity's coming, and he has really done a good job since we've been here to maximize his opportunity and his role has expanded. I've got all the faith in him and he does things the right way. He's a true pro. He's one of that leadership committee that I lean on. He always brings energy. He's an energy giver. Not just to the offense, but the special teams and the defense. That's what he does. He lets his pads do the talking. I'm glad we have him."

On Browning's sack dance:

"I didn't see it because I was thinking about third down, so I was on the headset. I didn't watch it there. He had a good week of practice too. His legs are underneath him. He's not thinking, not that he was thinking, but it's hard to assimilate (into a) new everything. (He) makes plays for us, but I'm glad we got him. He's doing a good job for us."

On if there is any pressure regarding getting McBride in the end zone:

"Obviously, he's a huge playmaker for us. A lot of the passing game goes through him. The run game, he's fantastic. I know he was all bent out of shape about the hold. I'll have to look at it, but every play he's out there, he's max effort and he's an impact player. He really is, and when the ball goes to him, he makes a bunch of plays. I'm really proud of him with his maturation of when things don't go exactly your way, he sticks with it, stays positive and impacts the game in a positive way. That's what he is doing."

On P Michael Palardy stepping up as a holder today:

"Yeah, I thought it was a really good job by (Asst. Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator) Jeff (Rodgers) and (Asst. Special Teams Coach) Sam (Sewell) to get him caught up to speed and everything. We spent a little extra time on it, but I thought Mike came in and did a good job for us. It's hard. He doesn't know half of his teammates, but he did a good job.

On the running back group stepping up with the absence of RB Emari Demercado:

"Awesome. I thought (RB) James (Conner) went over a hundred. I liked (RB) Trey (Benson), and (RB) DeeJay (Dallas) stepped up too. Everyone picked up the slack and I thought the run game was good today."

QUARTERBACK KYLE MURRAY

Press Conference
Sunday, December 15, 2024

On what it means to get back in the win column:

"Yeah, just playing better football. That was the main focus. Just come out here, execute and do our job. I think offensively we could be better, but (it) definitely feels good to come out with a win. Especially a win where we felt like we should come here and do what we're supposed to do. To come out here and do it, it feels good."

On the penalty canceling out his would be interception in the 3rd quarter:

"Well he (Patriots LB Anfernee Jennings) hit me in the head. Thankfully, they called a flag. I have to obviously protect the ball better, but (I was) just trying to make a play. Can't do that."

On if he is okay from the hit:

"Yeah, I'm good."

On the battle between WR Marvin Harrison Jr. and Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez:

"I thought Marvin won for sure. Obviously, Gonzo is a great player. I know (he is in his) second year, but he's going to be one of those guys. Already is. I think that's just good-on-good. He made a great play."

On converting five third downs in a row in the 4th quarter:

"I think that was the key. Stay on schedule. When you get to third down, staying on the field I think that's the key. It is hard to stop when you stay on third down."

On TE Trey McBride:

"I continue to say I think he's the best. He's got all the intangibles, all the traits, the athletic ability, loves the game, plays hard as hell. There's nothing that he doesn't or can't do. He's a mismatch. As much man as they were playing, I feel like that's a favorable matchup for us. Zone, he finds spots in the zone. He's a great player. Obviously, getting more confident every week."

On what this win means to the team:

"I'm not looking forward. Today was the focus. It has to be that way. Otherwise, I don't even want to look forward to it. We took care of business today. (Will) go back and watch the tape and get ready for the Panthers."

On the impact RB James Conner makes:

"Great. He's a horse. Obviously, he's hard to stop once he gets going. I thought he was going to crib (score) the one (in the 1st quarter). That might be the fastest I've probably seen him run in a long time. It's great to see him get going. It's hard to get everybody the ball. Everybody wants to play great and have great performances, but that's part of this game. It's an unselfish group, and sometimes it's somebody else's day and it's somebody else's day today, so I was happy for him."

On the touchdown scored by OL Jonah Williams:

"I thought (WR Greg) Dortch was down, but great effort by Jonah for sure."

On what WR Greg Dortch brings to the offense:

"It's hard to put a price tag on G. The nuance that he brings. The feel that he has for the game. I don't think anybody can make anybody miss in a phone booth like he can. You just give him the ball, he calls himself the chain-mover for a reason. When the ball gets in G's hands, good stuff usually happens."

On what it says about the offense to score 30+ points with some missed opportunities:

"I thought it was efficient. I didn't think it was unbelievable, but I thought it was efficient. I think the defense did a great job today, they really had our backs. I think it was just a great team win today."

RB James Conner

On getting back in the win column:

"It feels good. It was a fun day out there today. That's the most important thing while you're playing this game is just to have fun. I thought that we played together as a unit in all three phases. It was a fun time out there."

On his reaction to the touchdown by OL Jonah Williams:

"It's just hustle. He was hustling. Shout out to (OL) Jonah (Williams) for hustling and getting a touchdown."

On Williams showing motor and effort on the touchdown play:

"For sure. It's a totally different ball game. That (would have been) a touch back. That's the (type of) team that we want to be. One that hustles."

On if his 53-yard yard run and if it changes how he views his game :

"I don't think it changes but it was definitely a good start. I would just say that it was a good start. The game of football is won up front. I thought that the (offensive) line brought it today. The receivers and tight ends were blocking from the outside. It was a group effort."

On becoming the fifth-all-time leader in rushing yards in franchise history:

"I've just got my head down. When it's all said and done, I look up and see what I accomplish. All glory to God for any milestone and anything that I am knocking down and chasing."

On what contributed to the Cardinals' first 30-point performance since the team's BYE:

"We had a good week of practice. Any Sunday, we're capable of doing big things. We just have to have a better week of practice next week and keep it rolling."

OL Jonah Williams

On his touchdown in the first quarter:

"I was pulling around and trying to block for (WR Greg) Dortch and (it was) just a sort of see ball, get ball. I saw it on the ground, sprinted and fell on it. I didn't really understand what happened until my boys on the offensive line explained it to me but it was pretty cool. A fun first for me in my career."

On what went through his mind

"It was definitely slow motion. It felt like I was running about six miles an hour but I think I was going faster just trying to fall forward and try to get on the ball. A lot of fun. It was cool to come up to the sideline and everyone was telling me congrats and stuff. It was good culture on the sideline."

On if he's ever scored a touchdown before:

"I've had a touchdown in sixth grade at Murphy Candler, Georgia Force playing fullback and carrying the tote and the rock. I think that was about 20 years ago, but I'm definitely keeping the ball from this one."

On if there was any fear if the ball was going to roll out of bounds:

"Yes, I wasn't sure if I able to scoop the ball before it went out of the endzone until they showed the replay

and I came down with that. It was a max sprint to try to recover it and just a fun moment."

On where he was when he first saw the ball:

"I was pulled around and blocking for the run, and I sort of had a hand on the linebacker. I saw the ball

loose and tried to sprint and get it. It's definitely the least athletic way to score a touchdown I would say,

but it counts the same so it's pretty fun."

On the win and bouncing back from the losses:

"It was fun. We needed this win. We've had some disappointing games the last couple of weeks and I

think it sort of goes to show our culture by not putting our tail between our legs and giving up. Coming out

I thought we had a good week of practice and beat a team that plays hard and has some good players so

that was a big win for us."

TE Trey McBride

On the importance of the victory:

"It was obviously a great win (against) a really good team. Just to get a win in this league is important. I'm excited for the guys. I thought that we played good complimentary football. I thought that the defense played really well. We had a turnover there. We had an interception by SMB (CB Sean Murphy-Bunting). We also got a turnover on downs in the red zone. I'm happy about the way we played. Very good complimentary football."

On the touchdown for OL Jonah Williams:

"Jonah is a great player. Coming into today, he had a little sickness, an illness and for him to make that play, hustle and get on that ball, it was exciting. I'm so happy for him. I'm so happy for these guys. It was a great team win."

On the 'zone' he has been in the last few games:

"I just try to do my job at the highest level. Me and (QB) Kyler (Murray) have a great connection. He's playing at a high level, as well. (I) just try to get open for him and he makes it happen."

CB Sean Murphy-Bunting

On getting his first interception of the season:

"It's a great feeling. Being a DB you want to have your hands on the football as much as you can, so our D-line did a good job of causing havoc and making him get the ball out. He lost control of the ball, I saw the ball out and made a play."

On getting back in the winning column:

"It feels good. It's hard in this league to get wins and so as much as we can get wins and stack them, we've got to do that. We're transitioning to a type of time where we want wins. It's November, it's playoff time so we want to do everything we can to make sure that we can keep the ball rolling."

On the defensive performance in the second half:

"I think it shows the type of heart we have on our team and on our defense. I think we pride ourselves on playing wherever the ball lays, whether it's a 10 yard line, whether it's the 20 or 50 yard line. We just want to go out there and we want to play because we want to take the ball away. I think that's what we really emphasize is our mode of play. How fast we can get from point A to point B, our tackling and then getting the ball back to our offense. As (long) as we can do that, then I know we'll be in a great position."