Background: Oct 9, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas
It is no secret that the Arizona Cardinals’ defense has had more than its fair share of struggles reading and busting up screen plays of all kinds. A couple of weeks ago we highlighted how poorly the Cardinals tried to defend a TE screen to the Rams’ Tyler Higbee which led to a 26 “chunk yard” advance of the football.
As commented at the time, to be able to bust up screen passes, a defense needs:
- the proper personnel on the field
- quick reads and reactions
- swift pursuit from multiple players, which often requires the first player on the scene to take out the lead blocker so that the help defenders can get a clear shot at the ball carrier.