Arizona Cardinals rookie CB Kei'Trel Clark: 'I definitely will make some plays'
The writing had been on the wall for the past several days, but it finally became official this week when rookie cornerback Kei’Trel Clark went straight from a sixth-round rookie draft pick to a starter for the Arizona Cardinals in Sunday’s season opener at Washington.
Coach Jonathan Gannon said the decision was based on Clark’s overall body of work from OTAs and training camp through the preseason.
“His production, how he goes about his business,” Gannon said. “I’m really looking forward to watching him play.”
So is safety Budda Baker, who has been impressed with the rookie.
“He’s a guy who’s very fast, has a quick twitch, young, and I’m very excited to see what he can do on Sunday because he’s been making plays and I’m excited to see him make more plays this season,” Baker said.
Clark was born in Midlothian, Virginia, which is just a little more than 100 miles south of Washington D.C., and he said there will be quite the crowd on hand to also watch him play. At least 50 family and friends have purchased tickets to Sunday’s game at FedEx Field and Clark said he intends to give them something to cheer about.
“Oh, I will,” he said. “I definitely will make some plays. I’m not going into this game intending to get beat at all. That’s why we practice so hard. That’s why we focus on our technique and everything we do so we can be successful on game day.”
So, does he think he’ll get an interception or maybe even a pick-six?
“Something. Something’s definitely going to happen,” he said, smiling.
Clark knows changes could be made if he doesn’t hold down his spot opposite Marco Wilson as Arizona’s other outside starting cornerback. He said he’s not taking anything for granted.
“I’m definitely excited to go out there with my teammates,” he said. “It’s a major blessing to be at this level. Every day I want to give my all for myself, my family and for this team most importantly. So, I can’t wait to go back there.”
Watt on the Cardinals’ season
Defensive end J.J. Watt spent his last two NFL seasons with the Cardinals before retiring this year and he was asked how he thinks his former team will do in 2023.
“Anytime you change coaching staffs and you’re going through what they’re going through, obviously with Kyler (Murray) being injured as well, it’s a very, very tough situation,” Watt told USA Today on its “Sports Seriously” platform. “My first year down there we started out 7-0 and certainly had a promising outlook. It just didn’t pan out that well. Now, they’re clearly in a bit of a rebuild mode and trying to figure out their way a little bit especially with Kyler being out the first four games.
“I have a lot of old friends on that team and in that building, so it’s tough for me to watch from afar and I’m certainly rooting for them and hoping that they overperform compared to everybody’s expectations. But I’m also realistic in the fact that it’s going to be a tough road.”
Watt, who has joined CBS Sports as an NFL studio analyst this season, said he’s been pleased with what he’s seen and heard about Murray and the quarterback’s rehab progress from ACL surgery.
“He’s very happy, he’s working extremely hard, he’s out in the community doing great things, so all signs are pointing to him coming back healthy and performing well,” Watt said. “I’m looking forward to seeing him come back. Obviously, being a player in this league, I know how difficult it is to come back from an injury like that. I always root for guys every single time to come back and dominate and so I’m hoping he does.”
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Injury report
Swing tackle Kelvin Beachum (hand) has been ruled out by the Cardinals for Sunday’s game. Tigt end Zach Ertz (knee) and wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown (hamstring) were both limited in practice on Friday and are listed as limited.
For the Commanders, receiver Dax Milne (groin) did not practice for a third straight day and was placed on injured reserve Friday. Defensive ends Chase Young (neck) and James Smith-Williams (oblique) were limited Friday and are listed as questionable. Receiver Terry McLaurin (toe) will play after being a full participant in practice for a second consecutive day.
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Still gets butterflies
Early in his career with the Cardinals, left tackle D.J. Humphries remembers asking wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald if the veteran still gets butterflies before games, especially when it’s season opener. Fitzgerald told him yes.
Humphries has been the same way through eight NFL seasons and said it undoubtedly will happen again Sunday in the team hotel hours before kickoff against the Commanders. He said he’ll get the dry heaves for about 30 minutes until it’s time to go downstairs for breakfast.
“That’s how I know, ‘OK, it’s time to get after it,’ ” Humphries said.
He said it
"Yeah. I think there’s always a little bit of anxiousness, which is good, but that’s why you don’t look too much into the future because you get anxious. You look too much in the past you get depressed. But if there’s a certain amount of energy and anxiousness, that’s good.” — Gannon on his level of excitement as he prepares for his first game as an NFL head coach.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Cardinals rookie CB Kei'Trel Clark vows to make plays vs. Washington
