Bruce Arians used to view rookies as a necessary evil. You had to have them around because in most cases, you drafted them.
It didn’t mean he liked to play them, however. During his five years as head coach of the Cardinals, Arians repeatedly said a rookie couldn’t really do anything for you until at least after Thanksgiving. And even then, he still didn’t really trust them.
Steve Wilks, his successor, has a far more open mind on the subject.
“Experience is good – when it’s proven,” Wilks said Monday. “I told you guys this from Day 1 – I don’t mind playing rookies.