Arians’ brutal honesty has created a great culture in Arizona
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSBruce Arians pre-practice press conference | 1:39
Bruce Arians discusses injuries and expectations before the Cardinals Red-White practice.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCardinals Red-White practice preview | 11:39
Greg Moore and Kent Somers break down the Cardinals Red-White practice preview.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSomers, McManaman on Gruden possibility, CB battle | 2:35
Kent Somers and Bob McManaman of azcentral sports give their take after Arizona Cardinals practice at University of Phoenix Stadium, Friday, July 28, 2017. || Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSKent Somers and Bob McManaman break down Cardinals practice | 2:38
azcentral sports’ Kent Somer and Bob McManaman break down the Arizona Cardinals final practice before the team’s 2017 Red-White practice. Tom Tingle/ azcentral.com
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSArians at Cards Camp Friday | 1:34
Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Bruce Arians talks about the overall quality of practice, the rookies on defense and the play of defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSWrapping up the day at Cardinals Camp- July 27 edition | 4:32
azcentral sports reporters Rick Morin and Bob McManaman wrap up the activity at Arizona Cardinals training camp on July 27, 2017. Tom Tingle/ azcentral.com
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: Early hiccups for Cardinals | 1:52
azcentral sports’ Greg Moore and Mark Faller discuss early concerns for the Arizona Cardinals at training camp.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSTake away from Cardinals Camp July 24 | 1:32
Three takeaways from Cardinals training camp Terrance Smith/azcsports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSazcentral sports’ Bob McManaman wraps up the action at Cards camp | 1:29
azcentral sports’ Bob McManaman wraps-up the action from Arizona Cardinals training camp in Glendale. By Rob Schumacher
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSazcentral sports Scott Bordow and Bob McManaman wrap-up Day 2 at Arizona Cardinals training cam | 2:17
azcentral sports Scott Bordow and Bob McManaman wrap-up Day 2 at Arizona Cardinals training camp. By Rob Schumacher
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSMoore, McManaman wrap up opening day at Cardinals training camp | 2:26
azcentral sports’ Greg Moore and Bob McManaman on the first day of Arizona Cardinals training camp. || By Rob Schumacher
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSazcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Bob McManaman reporting day at Arizona Cardinals training camp | 2:47
azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Bob McManaman reporting day at Arizona Cardinals training camp in Glendale. By Rob Schumacher/ azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSDavid Johnson’s work load; D-Backs’ head games | 2:01
Shot Clock: azcentral sports’ Greg Moore and Jay Dieffenbach weigh in on pressing issues with the Cardinals and Diamondbacks.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: Cards kick off fan-friendly camp | 1:58
azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Jay Dieffenbach discuss Cardinals camp, Tyrann Mathieu’s status and more in our Shot Clock video.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSomers sits down with Cardinals rookie Budda Baker | 1:39
Kent Somers of azcentral sports sits down to talk with new Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker at the team’s Tempe training facility. Baker played college ball at the University of Washington. | Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSKent Somers: Impressions from Cardinals minicamp | 1:43
azcentral sports; Kent Somers discusses what we learned from the Cardinals minicamp.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSKent Somers recaps Cardinals minicamp Wednesday | 1:38
azcentral sports’ Kent Somers breaks down the Cardinals second day of minicamp on June 7, 2017.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSKent Somers recaps Cardinals practice | 2:13
azcentral sports’ Kent Somers wraps up the Arizona Cardinals’ first day on minicamp on Tuesday, June 6, 2017. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: Blaine Gabbert a keeper for Cardinals? | 1:54
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Kent Somers discuss Blaine Gabbert’s role with the Cardinals and LeBron James’ performance in the NBA finals.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSKent Somers, Bob McManaman talk another week of Arizona Cardinals OTAs | 2:33
azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Bob McManaman discusses another week of the Cardinals’ OTAs. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSBob McManaman after Cardinals practice Tuesday, May 30 | 2:24
Bob McManaman of azcentral sports wraps up the Arizona Cardinals practice at their Tempe facility, Tuesday, May 30, 2017..
Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSKent and Bob talk new NFL rules and wide out depth | 2:07
Azcentral’s Kent Somers and Bob McManaman catch up during second week of OTAs at the Cardinals Training Facility. azcentral.com sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSArians Family Foundation Fundraiser at Top Golf | 1:44
Coaches and players talk about the importance of head coach Bruce Arians’ family fundraiser at Top Golf in Gilbert. (Michael Chow/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSReport card on Cardinals QB Blaine Gabbert | 0:58
How has free-agent QB Blaine Gabbert adjusted so far to the Arizona Cardinals? (Michael Chow/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSWatch out for Dodgers; Cards CBs apply for job | 1:58
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss the NBA MVP, the Diamondbacks and the Dodgers and the Arizona Cardinals’ defensive backs.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSWhat Deone Bucannon’s injury means for Cardinals | 2:24
azcentral sports insiders Kent Somers and Bob McManaman react to the big news from the first day of Cardinals OTAs. Video: Rob Schumacher
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSDavid Johnson No. 1 on NFL Players Association list | 1:11
The NFLPA has released its 2017 Rising 50 list of players poised to break out and rank among next season’s top-sellers in officially licensed merchandise and the Cardinals running back is No. 1.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSNo throws for Cards QB, cheap shot in NBA? | 1:55
Shot Clock: azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Kent Somers discuss the latest on Arizona Cardinals’ Carson Palmer and the NBA playoffs.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSKaepernick blackballed? Greinke now trade bait? | 1:59
Shot Clock: Colin Kaepernick is better than Blaine Gabbert, right? So why did the Cardinals not sign him? Also, Zack Greinke has his Randy Johnson moment … what does it mean for Diamondbacks?
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSKent Somers talks Cardinals rookies | 1:48
With camp starting tomorrow, players reported today and reporter Kent Somers lays out the future and what the team hopes for it.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSKent Somers talks Daryl Washington departure | 1:16
Cardinals insider Kent Somers gives some insight into the releasing of Daryl Washington and why it was probably best for both team and player.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCardinals release linebacker Daryl Washington: Somers and Bickley discuss | 2:26
azcentral’s Kent Somers and Dan Bickley talk about the Cardinals decision to release linebacker Daryl Washington.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: Gabbert a terrible fit for Cards | 1:54
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Bob McManaman weigh in on the Cardinals’ signing of Blaine Gabbert.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSomers sits down with Arians on Cardinals’ offseason | 2:44
Cardinals insider Kent Somers talks with Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians about mini-camp, his excitement about undrafted rookies, LB Daryl Washington and QB Blaine Gabbert at Steak 44 on Wednesday. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSBruce Arians talks about his annual fundraisers | 2:36
Cardinals insider Kent Somers talks with Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians about Arians’ annual fundraiser at Steak 44 on Wednesday. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSJim Hart to be inducted into Cardinals Ring of Honor | 0:40
The Arizona Cardinals announced Thursday that former St. Louis Cardinals QB Jim Hart would be inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor this season. Wochit
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: Cards picks make instant impact? | 1:58
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Kent Somers discuss what to expect from the Cardinals’ 2017 NFL draft class.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: Tap brakes on Haason Reddick pick? | 1:54
Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley assess the Arizona Cardinals’ selection of Haason Reddick in Round 1 of the NFL draft and discuss the needs the team still has to address.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSights and sounds from Cardinals draft party | 2:50
Check out how Cardinals fans were feeling during the team’s 2017 NFL draft party.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSKent Somers and Bob McManaman talk Cardinals draft of Haason Reddick | 2:40
With plenty of defense options on the table and all the quarterbacks gone, the Cardinals elected to go linebacker and Kent and Bob break down the reasons why. Patrick Breen/azcentral.com
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSKeim, Arians striking gold in draft’s third round | 0:59
Arizona Cardinals’ general manager Steve Keim and head coach Bruce Arians have found some of their best players in the third round. Wochit
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSLarry Fitzgerald, Chandler Jones talk about Celebrity Softball Game | 0:54
Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald and Chandler Jones discuss the importance of giving back and some bets amongst Cardinals players before the Larry Fitzgerald Celebrity Softball Game on Saturday at Salt River Fields. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSKent Somers talks with Cardinals DT Frostee Rucker | 1:43
azcentral sports Cardinals insider Kent Somers talks with Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Fostee Rucker. || Video by Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCardinals DT Frostee Rucker on expectations, adding Karlos Dansby | 1:23
Cardinals defensive tackle Frostee Rucker discusses learning from last year’s expectations and adding Karlos Dansby and other veterans. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSTop 3 games in Cardinals schedule | 1:06
Breaking down the top three games of the Cardinals’ 2017 season. Wochit
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSCards playing dangerous game with RB Johnson? | 1:59
Shot Clock: azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Bob McManaman discuss the Cardinals’ potential use (or overuse?) of running back David Johnson.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSLarry Fitzgerald holding 7th annual charity softball tournament | 3:17
azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and the Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald discuss Fitzgerald’s charity softball tournament on Saturday.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSLarry Fitzgerald 1-on-1 with Kent Somers | 5:24
The Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald joined azcentral sports’ Kent Somers to discuss the team and the upcoming season.
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSNFL meetings in Phoenix: On Bruce Arians, new rules, the draft | 3:35
Bob McManaman and Kent Somers at the NFL owners meetings on Wednesday, March 29, 2017. Bruce Arianas likes full-time officials, centralized replay and says there’s 1 QB in upcoming draft who’s plug-and-play. Video: Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST CARDINALS AND NFL VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSNFC coaches take questions at NFL owners meeting | 2:14
Coaches of the National Football Conference take questions from the media in Phoenix on March 29, 2017. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
Somers, McManaman on Gruden possibility, CB battle
Kent Somers and Bob McManaman break down Cardinals practice
Arians at Cards Camp Friday
Wrapping up the day at Cardinals Camp- July 27 edition
Shot Clock: Early hiccups for Cardinals
Take away from Cardinals Camp July 24
azcentral sports’ Bob McManaman wraps up the action at Cards camp
azcentral sports Scott Bordow and Bob McManaman wrap-up Day 2 at Arizona Cardinals training cam
Moore, McManaman wrap up opening day at Cardinals training camp
azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Bob McManaman reporting day at Arizona Cardinals training camp
David Johnson’s work load; D-Backs’ head games
Shot Clock: Cards kick off fan-friendly camp
Somers sits down with Cardinals rookie Budda Baker
Kent Somers: Impressions from Cardinals minicamp
Kent Somers recaps Cardinals minicamp Wednesday
Kent Somers recaps Cardinals practice
Shot Clock: Blaine Gabbert a keeper for Cardinals?
Kent Somers, Bob McManaman talk another week of Arizona Cardinals OTAs
Bob McManaman after Cardinals practice Tuesday, May 30
Kent and Bob talk new NFL rules and wide out depth
Arians Family Foundation Fundraiser at Top Golf
Report card on Cardinals QB Blaine Gabbert
Watch out for Dodgers; Cards CBs apply for job
What Deone Bucannon’s injury means for Cardinals
David Johnson No. 1 on NFL Players Association list
No throws for Cards QB, cheap shot in NBA?
Kaepernick blackballed? Greinke now trade bait?
Kent Somers talks Cardinals rookies
Kent Somers talks Daryl Washington departure
Cardinals release linebacker Daryl Washington: Somers and Bickley discuss
Shot Clock: Gabbert a terrible fit for Cards
Somers sits down with Arians on Cardinals’ offseason
Bruce Arians talks about his annual fundraisers
Jim Hart to be inducted into Cardinals Ring of Honor
Shot Clock: Cards picks make instant impact?
Shot Clock: Tap brakes on Haason Reddick pick?
Sights and sounds from Cardinals draft party
Kent Somers and Bob McManaman talk Cardinals draft of Haason Reddick
Keim, Arians striking gold in draft’s third round
Larry Fitzgerald, Chandler Jones talk about Celebrity Softball Game
Kent Somers talks with Cardinals DT Frostee Rucker
Cardinals DT Frostee Rucker on expectations, adding Karlos Dansby
Top 3 games in Cardinals schedule
Cards playing dangerous game with RB Johnson?
Larry Fitzgerald holding 7th annual charity softball tournament
Larry Fitzgerald 1-on-1 with Kent Somers
NFL meetings in Phoenix: On Bruce Arians, new rules, the draft
NFC coaches take questions at NFL owners meeting
Truth is hard to find in the NFL. It’s even harder to speak.
Fortunately, that isn’t a problem in Arizona, where the blunt nature of head coach Bruce Arians has created one the best working cultures in professional football.
“He’s almost like a father figure,” veteran tight end Jermaine Gresham said. “He coaches you hard and sometimes it hurts your feelings. But he means well. He wants the best for you, as a player and a person. And he never lies. That’s someone you can respect.”
Brutal honesty from Arians isn’t a new development. But after one week of training camp, the value of his approach has never been more obvious.
He even copped to his disdain for NFL officials, where his wrath can be heard during practice sessions.
“Absolutely … even in Foot Locker,” he said. “No striped shirt is safe.”
It seems counterintuitive that harsh words and public criticism can have a bonding effect on a football team, tearing down walls between the coaching staff and the men in uniform. But truth is sacred inside this violent profession, where players are asked to play through pain, push their bodies to the limit and marginalize their quality of life after football.
They need something that transcends the sacrifice, something to believe in and something worth dying for. That level of commitment is compromised the minute players can’t trust their leader.
“I’ve worked in a couple of situations where (head coaches) had different agendas than the team,” Arians said. “They had personal agendas, and it’s obvious. With me, there are no secrets. And our locker room is extremely close because we are honest with each other.”
Here are some more reminders:
Chris Johnson is back in Arizona for a third season, even though the veteran running back felt abandoned in the early stages of 2016, touching the ball only nine times in the team’s first three losses. Johnson said he re-signed with the Cardinals because he was injured after four games, and has no idea if the diminished role would’ve continued. He also said didn’t want to bother learning another playbook.
But Arians’ apology went a long way, and deep down, Johnson trusts his head coach that it will not happen again.
Next, Carson Palmer. After the Cardinals quarterback visited with Peter King, the renowned NFL writer said he’d be “shocked” if Palmer retired after the 2017 season. Think about that. Six years ago, Palmer was ready to choose retirement over playing for the Bengals. The level of transparent discourse in Arizona has surely made a difference in his mindset.
Finally, star tackle Jared Veldheer. After missing Thursday’s practice for personal reasons, there was speculation that his absence could’ve been related to the ominous nature of a new CTE report and the sudden retirement of Ravens offensive lineman John Urschel.
Veldheer returned to the team the following day, offering no explanations. But we can assume it would be hard for any player to leave a close-knit team like the Cardinals, where trust is not an issue. Especially when Arians has plowed through his own series of health issues in Arizona, proving that life without football wouldn’t mean much to the Cardinals boss.
Players can relate to a guy like that. And it says a lot that not a single player leaked the information that Arians was coaching with kidney cancer in 2016, which he disclosed to the team in early December. It was his third bout with the dreaded disease.
“Once you get an opportunity to play for a person like that, you see the difference between him and other coaches around the league,” Gresham said. “And you have so much respect for him. There are tons of guys around the NFL who want to play for B.A. because they know if you have his back, he has your back. And if he says something about you, it’s to make you motivated. And that he cares about you. And that he loves you. That’s B.A.”
It’s sad that Arians is the exception and not the rule in the NFL. But football coaches can get sideways. It’s hard to keep a job. It’s hard to maintain morale in a room with 53 players, where the temptation to mollify and sugarcoat must be overwhelming. The profession is also full of paranoia, where disclosing information to the media is considered ammunition for the opponent. Lying is encouraged, part of the job description. For some, it becomes second nature.
Arians is not a saint. He became a NFL head coach at age 60 and is nearing the end of his career. He doesn’t care what people think because he doesn’t need to worry about his next employer. He admits he “might be a little more guarded” if he were 20 years younger, if he was worried about his ability to put “bread on the family table.”
But you can’t hide an honest man, especially in the NFL. That’s what makes Arians special, a coach with a sharp tongue, zero BS and no sacred cows inside the locker room. Not even Larry Fitzgerald.
He’s also a big reason why the Cardinals don’t have to go searching for free agents when trouble brews in training camp. They’re already calling, looking for a culture of candor that is far too scarce in the NFL.
Reach Bickley at [email protected] or 602-444-8253. Follow him on twitter.com/dan.bickley. Listen to “Bickley and Marotta” weekdays from 12-2 p.m. on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.