The Cardinals went into the season knowing they were going to rely on some younger players to fill roles left by departed veterans, but they likely never imagined just how much playing time their youth would receive.
In Sunday's win over the Saints the Cardinals started rookies Max Hall, Stephen Williams and Daryl Washington - with Andre Roberts making some catches - while second year players Beanie Wells, Greg Toler and Rashad Johnson all made contributions.
"We've gotten a lot of young players experience,"
head coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "It was nice to see some of those guys step up yesterday."
Whisenhunt specifically mentioned the play of Roberts, who had two catches for 27 yards, Washington, who was credited with six tackles (two for a loss), and Hall, who quarterbacked the team to a gutsy victory.
"I think that it provides a spark from the standpoint of the toughness, the competitiveness, the leadership"
the coach said of Hall's impact on the rest of the team. "I'm anxious to see, as Max continues to improve at that position, how much better our group will play together."
Earning respect
There are not many times where a 17 for 27, 168 yards and one interception performance would endear a quarterback to his teammates, but Max Hall's game Sunday did just that.
It wasn't the numbers as much as how Hall got them.
"Some of the games Max played in the preseason, when he had success, the guys that were most excited about it were the defensive guys when he came off the field,"
Whisenhunt said. "I think that they respect the toughness, the competitiveness."
But, as Whisenhunt said, it is a bit early to anoint Hall as the next great QB to play for the Cardinals.
"I don't think we can make any assessments other than we're excited about what we think he's going to be,"
the coach said. "I'm impressed with his maturity, I'm impressed with his competitiveness, but he's got to play well in order for those things to even be magnified more than that."
